Wow! That is all I have to say about Josh Beckett’s performance last night against the Yankees. That is the best pitching I have saw out of Beckett in at least the last two seasons to lead the Red Sox to a 4-0 win.
Coming into this game people was doubting him and wondering if he would ever be worth his $68 Million dollar contract. But Beckett come out mixing his pitches better than I have saw him do ever and was throwing the flame as he fanned 10 batters and only allowed two men on base and those only came in the first three innings of the game. His two strongest pitches of the night was his two-seamer that had great movement and he was throwing his curveball perfect as well as for strike. It was just amazing to witness.
The one thing that is different between this start and Beckett’s last? Jason Varitek. Varitek has a special bond with Beckett as he can call an amazing game for him. Varitek is the genius catcher that has caught four no-hitters he knows how to call a game. I believe after this start he will be Beckett’s full time catcher from here on out.
While Beckett was pitching amazing he had some help from Dustin Pedroia’s defense. Pedroia showed why he is one of the top defensive second basemen in the game. Throwing guys out on plays most couldn’t get to. He brought his bat to this series as well. Pedroia went 9-for-13 and 3-for-4 last night against the Yankees. It showed all Pedroia needed was to get back to Fenway in front of the home town crowd to get it going on the season.
The was some bad last night though for offense the bats was moving for singles but it was like no one could hit once men was on base. Last night the guys went 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position. There were only two guys to hit for double all game and that was David Ortiz and Marco Scutaro. Scutaro’s second double of the game come at the perfect time with bases loaded to give the Sox a 3-0 lead.
Another great was Jonathan Papelbon, though he came in the ninth it wasn’t for a save but he sure pitched like it was. Papelbon struck out a hot Brett Gardner and Mark Teixeira and forced Derek Jeter to ground out to Pedroia.
This was an important win for the Red Sox with a struggling Tampa Bay team coming in today and this could be the confidence they need to get this season off and running.
Yankees 0|2|0
Red Sox 4|12|0
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