David Ortiz added a two-run homer in the eighth and Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a solo homer and finished with three RBIs. He had a chance to hit a major-league-record-tying fourth homer in the eighth inning, but he grounded out to the pitcher. It was his 20th homer of the year. Gio Gonzalez (6-8) had one of his best starts of the season, allowing one run on three hits and striking out six in six innings.
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“I definitely wanted to go back out (for the ninth), but I respect (Paul) a lot”, Gibson said.
LHP Eduardo Rodriguez hopes to keep the good times rolling in Friday’s start against Minnesota.
Ramirez clocked his first homer into the Red Sox’s bullpen with no outs in the second, and Travis Shaw clubbed a home run to right two at-bats later. After staking a 7-2 lead through 6 1/2 innings, the Red Sox tacked on a pair of runs in the seventh on Ortiz’s single and Bradley’s groundout. Steven Wright gave up one earned run over eight innings along with nine strikeouts to get the win.
It’s been a rough road for Rodriguez this season after a solid rookie campaign in 2015, but he’s already lowered his ERA from 8.59 to 6.70 in the two starts he’s made after the break, the first one being a one-run affair over seven innings against the New York Yankees. Dozier started the 4-2-3 double play, keeping the run out, and leaving the Sox down to one last out.
Kintzler got Ortiz to ground into a double play, then Hanley Ramirez flew out to right to end the game and Boston’s three-game winning streak.
“But one more shutout”, Bochy said, slyly, “and I may change my mind”. “He hustled as much as he could and nearly beat it out”. “He had the lead and you knew he was going to ride it out for a while”. “That’s the name of the game. Made a good pitch, got himself out of the situation”. Betts also hit a leadoff shot in Thursday’s series opener against Minnesota, giving him seven career leadoff homers and five this season.
RHP Koji Uehara (right pectoral strain) still doesn’t have a timetable for his return, Red Sox manager John Farrell said Thursday.
ST. LOUIS – Jedd Gyorko homered for the fifth straight game off San Diego pitching, connecting twice and driving in all three RBI in a 3-2 victory to give St. Louis a doubleheader sweep after picking up a 4-2 win earlier.
Dozier dinged the Think Energy sign above the Monster on a 2-1 pitch in the Minnesota second to tie the score.
Red Sox: Plans to get C/LF Blake Swihart (sprained left ankle) a minor-league rehab stint are on hold because of recurring soreness in his ankle.
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Boston Red Sox’s Michael Martinez is forced at home plate as Minnesota Twins catcher Juan Centeno throws to first base to get David Ortiz out on a double play during the ninth inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park, Friday, July 22, 2016, in Boston.
