Lackey Pitches Sox to 7-4 Win

John Lackey was very good for 8 innings. The Sox bats exploded in the 6th inning for 5 runs. And the Rays looked cold & tired in a 7-4 loss to start their 3-game series with the Boston Red Sox at Fenway. One down & 18 more head-to-head meetings to go. The weather was brutal, but the Sox strung together several hits & walks to wear down the Rays bullpen. Edward Mujica made it interesting in the 9th, even requiring Koji to come in & get the last out (a strikeout on 3 pitches) of the game. Let's not haggle - a win is a win. Victorino had 4 hits to pace the top of the order. Pierzynski, Middlebrooks & Bradley went 5-11 with 5 RBI. Not bad for the 7, 8 & 9 batters! The bottom 3rd of the order has really come to life since Middlebrooks returned. Coincidence or not, I'll take it. Rain will figure into the final 2 games tonight & tomorrow before the Red Sox get ready to host the hot Oakland A's this weekend.