Home Sweet Home

Now that’s more like it!  After a dismal start to the 2011 season, the Red Sox bats finally woke up for their home opener at Fenway on Friday.  Tallying just 35 hits over their first six games, Boston’s offense exploded for 12 hits to notch their first victory against the New York Yankees.

The win over their hated rivals came despite another insufferably subpar effort by starter John Lackey.  He gave up six runs over five innings, and, thanks to an offensive outburst, still somehow managed to get a victory after it was all said and done.

Dustin Pedroia provided a much-needed lift after they Sox found themselves in a quick 2-0 deficit after the top half of the first inning.  His solo home run not only cut the lead in half, but it also kick started a very sluggish offense that had yet to really show its teeth.

After Lackey yielded yet another run the following inning, Pedroia again sparked an offensive rally, driving in two more RBIs and setting the stage for a huge inning, in which the Sox put up five runs and sent Yankees’ starter, Phil Hughes, to an early shower after only two innings of work.

So, as we all surmised, the Red Sox will not go 0-162 this year and hopefully this swing of positive momentum will have just as substantial of an impact as the negative vibes that were created from the early season losing streak. 

 

The win is obviously long overdue, but there a number of great signs for Sox fans going forward.  The bullpen completely shut the door on an offense that was clicking on all cylinders.  Aceves, Jenks, Bard and Papelbon combined to only allow one hit (which came all the way back in the 6th inning) and no runs over four innings of relief.  They retired the final nine batters of the game and simply overpowered a dynamic Yankee lineup.

Look for Boston to settle in now that they have that first win under their belts.  Saturday’s pitching matchup is another favorable one for the Sox.  Clay Buchholz will take the mound against rookie Ivan Nova for the Yanks.  Boston will hope the offense continues to click and this first victory should be quickly followed by a second one. 

 

Panic can rest for now in the streets of Boston, and fans are hoping the Sox can take this win and turn it into their first winning streak of 2011.  It was a week tardy, but enjoy the sweet taste of victory, Sox fans.  It should become quite a familiar flavor for the remainder of the year.