Jon Lester was brilliant for the Red Sox last night and Joe Blanton was a half-step behind. The Phillies manufactured a run in the first; the Sox later countered with two solo homers. Lester struck out 11 and gave up just three hits; Blanton struck out seven and gave up five hits. In the 9th, Ryan Howard tied it up with a big solo homer. And on to extra innings, for the third game in a row. When pinch-hitter Gregg Dobbs hit what looked like a three-run homer that soared over the foul pole, I thought the game was over. First base umpire James Joyce saw it differently and refused to go to video review. In the 12th, call-up Kyle Kendrick put the Sox away; in the 13th, he crumbled, giving up three runs. In the end, the Red Sox won 5-2 in 13.
Mitch Williams said earlier yesterday that he thought Lester was the best lefty currently in the game. Last night I saw what he meant. Another point: the Red Sox have a superb bullpen.
The two teams combined for 34 strike-outs: the Phillies struck out 20 (!) times and the Red Sox 14. It was an intense game but a frustrating loss.
