Red Sox Nearly Caught; Pull Away for Win, 3-0 Lead in Games
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The Boston Red Sox pounded Rockies’ starter Josh Fogg for six runs in the 3rd inning, but saw their lead nearly evaporate as Colorado scored two runs in the 6th inning and 3 more in the 7th on leftfielder Matt Holliday’s homer off of reliever Hideki Okajima.
But the Rockies shot at game 3 was short-lived as the Red Sox pulled away with three runs in the 8th, another run in the 9th and closer Jonathan Papelbon barred the door on the Rockies to insure a Boston 10-5 victory on 15 hits and a 3-0 lead in games in the world series.
Red Sox starter Japanese rookie Daisuke Matsuzaka went into the 6th inning with a six run lead and even helped out his own cause with a two run double in the 3rd amidst the six run outburst where 1st baseman David Ortiz, 3rd baseman Mike Lowell and centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury all drove in runs.
But Dice-K, who gave up three hits, issued one walk and hit a batter through 5 innings, was touched in the 6th inning for two runs having walked two and given up two hits; copnsecutive RBI singles to rightfileder Brad Hawpe and catcher Yorvit Torrealba. Matsuzaka was chased having thrown 101 pitches for the game stiking out 5 and walking 3.
Then in the 7th inning, Boston reliever Mike Timlin gave up two hits, was replaced by Okajima who was greeted by Holliday’s 3 run shot to temporarily make it a ballgame. However, the Sox, led by lead-off hitter and centerfielder Ellsbury’s 4 hits, 2 RBIs game and 2nd baseman Dustin Pedroia’s 3 hits and 2 RBIs, Boston pulled away with four late inning runs to insure the win.
For Colorado, 2nd baseman Kazuo Matsui went 3 for 5 with a run scored as the game was easily the Rockies most productive of the series offensively in getting 11 hits.
For the boxscores and recap on Saturday’s game, click here.
It is evident that the Red Sox smell World Series victory as both teams prepare for Sunday’s game 4. For the Rockies, their 21 wins in 22 games to get the series now just a memory, it is do or die time over the next 3 games — one more loss ends the series.
Baseball Writer Ronald Blum reports Rockies manager Clint Hurrdle’s assessment of the situation for Yahoo sports;
The 22 previous teams that took a 3-0 World Series lead all went on to win, 19 with sweeps.
“It looks like we’re in groundbreaking territory,” Colorado manager Clint Hurdle said.
If the Rockies are the National League’s best, the senior circuit has a lot of catching up to do. Maybe it is the rust of a record eight-day layoff for the Rockies, or maybe the Red Sox really are a league above.
Colorado has been outscored 25-7 and is batting just .222. Boston’s batters have been bruisers, hitting .352 in the Series with 16 doubles. The Rockies were the talk of baseball with 21 wins in 22 games coming into the Series, but they’ve gone into reverse, looking more like the fourth-place team they were in mid-September.
“After 21 of 22, four games doesn’t seem like a whole lot,” Fuentes said.
Boston has won six straight since falling behind Cleveland 3-1 in the AL championship series. While the Yankees owned the 20th century, the Red Sox are one win from becoming the first team to win two titles in the 21st.
In Sunday’s 4th game, Boston’s lefthander Jon Lester (4-0) opposes Aaron Cook (8-7) for Colorado. Both pitchers have recovered from serious health issues; Lester from a lymphoma and Cook from a blood clot.
If a game 5 is necessary, it will be payed in Colorado, followed by a return to Boston for games 6 and 7 if needed.
For the boxscores and recap on Sunday’s game, click here.
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