Projo Sox Blog

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Mark Kotsay definitely had an interesting night at the plate.

The Red Sox first baseman went 1-for-4, but it was how he put bat to ball that was interesting. Twice he checked his swing in two different at-bats and one fell in for a double.

In the top of the fifth inning with Jason Bay on first via a walk, Kotsay stopped his swing against the Rays' James Shields, but the ball shot into shallow left field and fell in front of Carl Crawford. The ball then scooted away from the outfielder, allowing Bay to reach third as Kotsay stood on second.

It was that bleeder that proved crucial because rookie Jed Lowrie followed with a sacrifice fly to give Boston a 1-0 lead. That run would be the eventual game winner.

"It turned into a double and that's part of the game," Kotsay said. "It eventually led to a run, Jed had a great at-bat and drove in a run. I don't take too many check swings, and then my next at-bat I did it again."

Kotsay checked his swing again in the top of the seventh inning with no outs and runners on first and second, but Rays second baseman Akinori Iwamura made a spectacular running catch on the looping liner.

"It was just one of the fun, goofy things that happen," he said. "Fortunately one out of two was a hit."

 Tags  Mark Kotsay Red Sox

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