Ignited by Jacoby Ellsbury's leadoff single and baserunning antics, the Boston Red Sox did some early damage and lead the Tampa Bay Rays, 2-1, through two innings on Saturday evening. In Game 2 of the American League Division Series, the Red Sox seem entirely comfortable at Fenway Park.
Rays vs. Red Sox score update, ALDS Game 2: Big Papi homers, Boston leads 2-1
Big Papi crushed a rare homer off David Price as Boston leads early.
Following an uneventful frame from Red Sox starter John Lackey to begin the game, the Red Sox immediately got to David Price in the bottom of the first with Ellsbury's single. That early mistake got compounded when Ellsbury attempted to steal second, as Jose Molina's wayward throw went into the outfield as the Sox outfielder scampered to third base.
A sacrifice fly from Dustin Pedroia scored Ellsbury, putting the Red Sox up by one. Then David Ortiz came to the plate for Boston, and, well, he did this:
A power lefty who keeps the ball on the ground, Price faced left-handed batters on 172 occasions in 2013 and allowed two home runs. He’s not the sort of guy who gets clobbered by lefties. Alas, this is the postseason, this is Fenway Park and this is Big Papi.
The Rays did manage to get a run back in the second inning, scoring Ben Zobrist on a sacrifice fly from Delmon Young, but a vulnerable Price doesn't bode well for Tampa. After appearing more settled in the second inning, we'll see if the Tampa offense can add some runs.
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