Runs were at a premium in Citizens Bank Park when the Boston Red Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies clashed on Wednesday night. But the Phillies emerged with the hard-fought 2-1 victory on the bat of Raul Ibanez. The left fielder went 3-for-3 with an RBI single in the second inning and a go-ahead home run in the seventh inning. He fell a triple short of the cycle.
Red Sox Vs. Phillies: Raul Ibanez Homer In 7th Inning Lifts Philly Over Boston, 2-1
The pitching was outstanding for both teams. Phillies starter Vance Worley (3-1, 2.57 ERA) gave up one run in seven innings on the mound and struck out five. Michael Stutes and Antonio Bastardo finished the game, the latter lowering his ERA to 0.93 in his third save.
That one run Worley allowed came during an at-bat by the opposing starting pitcher, John Lackey. With Josh Reddick singling for his second time in the game, Lackey was in the batter's box with two outs. On a pitch down in the strike zone, Lackey bashed the ball to deep center field, causing Shane Victorino to crash into the wall on the attempted catch. Reddick scored and Lackey wound up with a double, though Jacoby Ellsbury flied out to center to end the inning.
Lackey (5-7, 6.81 ERA) went 7.2 innings and allowed those two runs on eight hits and a walk.
This was the first game Adrian Gonzalez played in right field for the Red Sox. The only time he was really challenged came in the bottom of the eighth. Chase Utley pounded a ball to right field, which looked like a possible home run, but it hit right below the top of the padding. The ball bounced back into the outfield for a waiting Jacoby Ellsbury, yet Utley wound up with a triple. Ryan Howard flied out to end any chance of providing an insurance run for the Phillies.
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