Sox Win Finale in Baltimore, Win Opening Series

What a great win so early in the season! I had a chance to see the whole game on the MLB Network. There were many moments during this hard-fought 4-3 Red Sox win over the O's. To me it was what happened on offense in the 6th that changed the game. Sox were up 3-2. Will Middlebrooks was batting against Chen & had a 3-0 count. Farrell could have given the take sign, but gave Will the green light. Middlebrooks hit the next pitch down the left field line for a double. After a Ross out Jackie Bradley, Jr. came to the plate & had 2 more questionable strikes called on him, the 2nd strike at least 3 inches outside. To JBJ's credit he hung in there lefty-on-lefty & hit a bullet up the middle. Without hesitation Brian Butterfield waived home Middlebrooks against the arm of Adam Jones. Jones made a terrible throw that bounced by the mound & Middlebrooks was safe while Bradley took second. That 4th run by Middlebrooks & Bradley proved to be the game winner. Farrell wasn't kidding when he said he planned to stay aggressive on the bases. Unfortunately, I had to listen to the game with the O's announcers - Gary Thorne & Jim Palmer. Very monotone. All they could say is that the O's had a winning record last year - only team in the East to do so - at 11-8, that the O's had won 11 of the last 14 series against the Sox, & the O's had won 5 straight 1-run games against the Sox. I guess you lost this 1-run game & you lost this series! Make no mistake about it - Baltimore will be tough this year, especially when Machado returns & if they get any pitching. So the Sox will gladly take 2 out of 3 in Camden Yards. Quick turnaround today for the home opener at Fenway & the ring ceremony.