Ross Gets Revenge on the Red Sox, Davis Hits 40-Homer Mark
The Boston Red Sox (66-45) went on a win streak this week and recaptured their top AL East spot from the Tampa Bay Rays (64-45).
On Friday, both teams lost but the Red Sox still remain ahead by one game. They lost 6-7 against the Arizona Diamondbacks (56-53) as former team member Cody Ross got the win for his new team.
In the seventh inning, Ross’ home run broke a 6-6 tie and gave the Diamondbacks back the lead and win for the night. For the game, Ross had four hits that included three runs, two doubles and one single.
Can you say revenge?
Cody Ross
Ross only played one season with the Red Sox in 2012. They let him go as a free agent after they offered him a two-season contract and contract negotiations didn’t go well (read: “They lied to my face”). The Sox signed Shane Victorino to take his spot and Ross landed with the Diamondbacks with a three year, $25 million deal.
Ross said of Friday’s game via the Associated Press, “Obviously, I want to come in here and perform and play well. Anytime you play against one of your old teams, you want to do that but I have no hard feelings toward anybody in this organization.”
Taking the mound for the Red Sox was lefty Jon Lester (10-6), who gave up six runs and 11 hits in his season-low 4 1/3 innings. This followed his previous three starts that left him with a 2.29 ERA.
Diamondback righty Randall Delgado (4-3) fared better as the winning pitcher but he endured his worst outing of the season to get it. In his third straight win, he allowed six runs (four earned) over six innings–a first in 2013’s nine starts that he had given up greater than three runs. He came to the game with a 14 2/3 innings shutout streak after his first complete game and shutout in a 10-0 victory over the San Diego Padres (51-59).
The Diamondbacks sit 3.5 games behind the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers (59-49).
On Saturday, the series continues with lefty Patrick Corbin (12-2) taking the mound for the Diamondbacks against the recently acquired Jake Peavy (8-4) for the Red Sox. Saturday’s outing marks his debut for Boston and Peavy should have an opportunity to reach the postseason with his new team.
He should also get his first win on Saturday (-152, 8.5 o/u).
Orioles Chris Davis Joins 40-Home Run Club
On Friday, the Baltimore Orioles (61-49) defeated the Seattle Mariners (50-59), 11-8. The game was all about home runs and for the Orioles Chris Davis, he hit No. 40 for the season while his teammate Nate McLouth hit a grand slam.
This took the spotlight away from Seattle’s four home runs.
Chris Davis
Davis, who went without a home run in the first 10 games after the All-Star Break, got hot this week and on Friday, he hit the magic number. The player leads the MLB for home runs (and RBIs at 101) and is now the fifth Oriole to accomplish the feat. But it comes after a drought.
Rafael Palmeiro was the last Oriole to do so and that came in 1998.
The player said of the honor via the Associated Press, “It’s pretty good company to be in. I’m proud of the way things are going this year. Still got a lot more work to do, but it’s nice to be a big part of a winning team.”
The Orioles sit 4.5 games behind the Red Sox and are in the second Wild Card spot behind division foe, the Rays. They sit with 6/1 odds to win this year’s AL Pennant and 12/1 to win the World Series.
On Saturday, the three-game series will continue with Orioles righty Scott Feldman (2-2) against Seattle righty Erasmo Ramirez (2-2).
Look for another Orioles win (-174, 9 o/u).
