Projo Sox Blog

By KEVIN McNAMARA
Journal Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA -- Quality depth and a healthy dose of good fortune combined to lead the Red Sox to a 5-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in 13 innings Friday night in the first game of an interleague series between two division leaders.

After blowing a 2-1 lead in the ninth inning when Philadelphia's Ryan Howard took reliever Ramon Ramirez deep to right for a tying homer, the Red Sox bullpen settled down and outlasted the Phillies.

While the Sox' pen kept the Phillies in check, the home team couldn't keep the Sox down. Kyle Kendrick, a 24-year-old making his first appearance in the majors this season, surrendered three runs on four hits in the 13th inning.

Three Red Sox relievers held the Phillies down in extra innings with rookie Daniel Bard picking up the win.

The Sox learned the value of lights-out closer Jonathan Papelbon first-hand in the ninth inning. Clinging to a 2-1 lead after a sterling effort from lefty starter Jon Lester, manager Terry Francona ruled Papelbon unavailable after he had closed the Yankees out on the previous two nights. Instead, the ball went to Ramirez.

After striking out Jayson Werth, Ramirez left a fastball out over the plate long enough for Howard to turn and deposit a 411-foot home run into the stands in right to tie the game.

 Tags  Boston Red Sox

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