The Red Sox got to a pair of former Boston pitchers early and often as they beat the Indians, 12-1, Sunday at Fenway Park. The victory was Boston's third in a row, and Daniel Bard's first win in the month of May.
The Red Sox had big innings in the first and seventh. They did their damage against Justin Masterson in the first, as they plated four runs on RBIs from Will Middlebrooks, Daniel Nava and Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Masterson eventually settled down but ended the day having allowed six earned runs over six innings thanks to a third-inning homer from Middlebrooks and another Saltalamacchia RBI single in the sixth.
It was once Masterson was out of the game that things really got out of hand. The Sox lit up former Sox reliever Dan Wheeler to the tune of five hits and six runs in the seventh inning, including a two-run homer from Saltalamacchia.
Bard went six innings, throwing 97 pitches and allowing one earned run. He walked four batters and struck out two. He last won on April 27 before dropping his following two starts.
Mauro Gomez made his major league debut as he came in to play first base in the eighth inning. The 27-year-old was recalled by the Sox prior to Sunday's game with Darnell McDonald going on the disabled list with an oblique injury.
The Sox will continue their six-game home Monday and Tuesday against the Mariners. Jon Lester will take the hill Monday against Jason Vargas.
Links:
[1] http://www.weei.com/redsox
[2] http://www.weei.com/category/boston/red-sox