Home » Sports » Basketball » Celtics/NBA
May 26. 2012 10:46PM
Saltalamacchia comes through in a pinch as Sox win on walk-off homer
BOSTON -- Jarrod Saltalamacchia's pinch-hit home run in the ninth-inning gave him the first walk-off home run of his career and the Red Sox their first walk-off home run of the season. It also gave the Sox a 3-2 win over the Rays at Fenway Park.
Saltalamacchia, pinch-hitting with one out and Daniel Nava on second base, turned on an 0-1 pitch from Fernando Rodney for the win.
It was the first blown save of the season for Rodney in 16 opportunities.
Rich Hill, who pitched the ninth for the Red Sox, earned the win.
Both Rays starter David Price and Red Sox starter Josh Beckett easily handled the opposing lineup.
The Red Sox finally broke through against Price in the sixth inning when Will Middlebrooks single scored David Ortiz from second base.
But the Rays got to Beckett for two runs in the seventh. B.J. Upton led off with a single, and took third on Matt Joyce's single to right. Upton scored on Ben Zobrist's sacrifice fly with Joyce scoring on Luke Scott's single to right.
Over the first five innings, Beckett limited the Rays to just one hit, a Jose Molina third-inning single. Molina was perhaps the unlikeliest batter in the Rays lineup to notch the first hit off Beckett. Molina entered the game batting just .173 this season, and .160 (4-for-25) in his career against Beckett.
Saltalamacchia's blast took Beckett off the hook for the loss. He went seven innings, giving up two runs on four hits with no walks and five strikeouts. It also took the win away from Price, who went seven innings, giving up one run on eight hits and three walks with five strikeouts.
NOTES: Despite Friday's bench-clearing melee in the ninth inning, after Luke Scott was hit by a Franklin Morales pitch, there were no warnings issued to the Rays or Red Sox before Saturday's game... Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka made a rehab start with Triple-A Pawtucket Saturday night. He went five scoreless innings, giving up one hit and one walk with two strikeouts against the Toledo Mud Hens... Outfielder Ryan Kalish who is recovering from off-season neck and shoulder surgery after being limited to 24 games last season, made a rehab start with High-A Salem. Serving as the designated hitter, he went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, an RBI, two strikeouts, and a solo home run. ... Rays' outfielder Hideki Matsui went 3-for-4 with a double and an intentional walk for Triple-A Durham on Friday. In 10 games since signing a minor league contract April 30 he is 7-for-37 (.189)... Fernando Rodney entered Saturday's game 15-for-15 in save situations, one behind the major league lead... Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Saltalamacchia, pinch-hitting with one out and Daniel Nava on second base, turned on an 0-1 pitch from Fernando Rodney for the win.
It was the first blown save of the season for Rodney in 16 opportunities.
Rich Hill, who pitched the ninth for the Red Sox, earned the win.
Both Rays starter David Price and Red Sox starter Josh Beckett easily handled the opposing lineup.
The Red Sox finally broke through against Price in the sixth inning when Will Middlebrooks single scored David Ortiz from second base.
But the Rays got to Beckett for two runs in the seventh. B.J. Upton led off with a single, and took third on Matt Joyce's single to right. Upton scored on Ben Zobrist's sacrifice fly with Joyce scoring on Luke Scott's single to right.
Over the first five innings, Beckett limited the Rays to just one hit, a Jose Molina third-inning single. Molina was perhaps the unlikeliest batter in the Rays lineup to notch the first hit off Beckett. Molina entered the game batting just .173 this season, and .160 (4-for-25) in his career against Beckett.
Saltalamacchia's blast took Beckett off the hook for the loss. He went seven innings, giving up two runs on four hits with no walks and five strikeouts. It also took the win away from Price, who went seven innings, giving up one run on eight hits and three walks with five strikeouts.
- - - - - - - -
NOTES: Despite Friday's bench-clearing melee in the ninth inning, after Luke Scott was hit by a Franklin Morales pitch, there were no warnings issued to the Rays or Red Sox before Saturday's game... Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka made a rehab start with Triple-A Pawtucket Saturday night. He went five scoreless innings, giving up one hit and one walk with two strikeouts against the Toledo Mud Hens... Outfielder Ryan Kalish who is recovering from off-season neck and shoulder surgery after being limited to 24 games last season, made a rehab start with High-A Salem. Serving as the designated hitter, he went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, an RBI, two strikeouts, and a solo home run. ... Rays' outfielder Hideki Matsui went 3-for-4 with a double and an intentional walk for Triple-A Durham on Friday. In 10 games since signing a minor league contract April 30 he is 7-for-37 (.189)... Fernando Rodney entered Saturday's game 15-for-15 in save situations, one behind the major league lead... Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
- Red Sox win rain-delayed twinbill opener - 0
- Dad-to-be Gonzalez, Orioles top Red Sox - 0
- Allen Lessels' On Baseball: The journey begins for NH minor leaguers - 0
- Dave D'Onofrio's Sox Beat: AL East is still a beast - 0
- Lackey hurls Red Sox to win over O's - 0
- Buchholz may be headed for disabled list - 0
- Conway's Locke wins sixth as Bucs top Dodgers - 0
- Orioles efficient in win over Sox - 0
- On Baseball: Prospect Nolin gets taste of major leagues, vows to return - 0
Dave D'Onofrio's Sox Beat: Alfredo Aceves an ace in the hole
READER COMMENTS: 0- Recent 'Fugitive of the Week' Michelle Smith captured in Nashua - 0
- UPDATED: Senate, House negotiators mull compromise plan to narrowly align state insurance rules with 'Obamacare' - 1
- Apology issued for naming of Boston bomber as a victim of gun violence at Concord rally - 16
- UPDATE: Salem student receives minor injuries in bus crash - 0
- 21 in Concord wake to find their tires slashed - 0
- House proposes special session to decide Medicaid expansion - 3
- NH man to be tried in $13 million mortgage fraud scheme - 0
- UPDATE: Elderly Nashua couple were stabbed to death - 12
- UPDATE: Police say man found dead outside Wall Street Towers jumped - 4
Deadline looms as House, Senate $10m apart on budget
READER COMMENTS: 0
Sorry, no question available




