Supposedly, there was a Major League Baseball game scheduled for Thursday afternoon at Progressive Field. The 1st place Cleveland Indians, though, decided to treat the series finale against the Red Sox like a spring training tilt, resulting in a lopsided defeat.
Boston did not waste any time as the visitors scored 7 times in the top of the 1st inning off of Mitch Talbot. Jacoby Ellsbury singled, Dustin Pedroia blasted a 2-run homer over the left field wall, Adrian Gonzalez bounced a single through an infield shift, David Ortiz chopped a single off the glove of Talbot, Matt LaPorta nonchalantly turned a routine double play grounder into a fielder's choice, Carl Crawford lashed a RBI single to left, Shin-Soo Choo committed an error on Jarrod Saltalamacchia's single, allowing a run to score, Mike Cameron lofted a sacrifice fly to left, and Drew Sutton added a bloop RBI single. And, less than 30 minutes after the game began, a Red Sox victory was virtually assured.
At the expense of the Tribe's pitching staff, Boston proceeded to tack on another touchdown. Carl Crawford and David Ortiz each hit solo homers, and Saltalamacchia belted a 3-run shot. Crawford finished the day with 4 hits while Sutton and Ellsbury collected 3 base-knocks apiece.
Talbot's final numbers were not easy on the eyes: 3 IP, 12 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO. This was Talbot's 1st start since injuring his right elbow on April 11th.
Given ample offensive support, Jon Lester cruised to his 7th win of the season, pitching 6 scoreless frames.
Cleveland was able to avoid the shutout because Shelley Duncan flaired a 2-out, 2-run single near the left field line in the bottom of the 8th.
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| Frank Herrmann, who allowed 6 runs in relief of Talbot, is yanked by Manny Acta |
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