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Closing Time: Josh Beckett dominates Rays; Jacoby Ellsbury injured 04.13.12 at 5:28 pm ET
By Rob Bradford

Jacoby Ellsbury left the home opener in the fourth inning with a right shoulder injury. (AP)

Josh Beckett rebounded from his three-inning, seven-run outing against the Tigers with an eighth-inning gem against the Rays, resulting in an 12-2 win for the Sox, Friday at Fenway Park.

Beckett allowed five hits and one run, throwing 94 pitches (61 strikes). He gone 4-0 with an 0.81 ERA in his last six starts against the Rays, striking out 32 and walking four. The offense also did their part, ripping 16 hits against Tampa Bay pitching while managing seven-run eighth.

The optimism surrounding the win in the home opener was tempered somewhat because of an injury sustained to Jacoby Ellsbury’s right shouler during a baserunning incident in the fourth (see below).

Here is what went right (and wrong) in the Red Sox’ second win of the season:

WHAT WENT RIGHT

- The Red Sox were able to work out the count consistently against Tampa Bay starter David Price, who was forced to throw 83 pitches through three innings. Price would only last three innings, giving up three runs on three hits, striking out three and walking three.

- David Ortiz notched his third RBI of the season in a most unusual fashion. With runners on first and third and one out, Ortiz checked his swing, sending a dribbler toward third base. Because third baseman Evan Longoria was in the shift against the Sox’ DH, it allowed Dustin Pedroia to score with the Sox’ third run.

- Kelly Shoppach had a big day against his old team, not only going 3-for-3 with two runs and two RBI, but also stealing his first base as a major leaguer (in his first major league attempt).

- Kevin Youkilis contributed in both of his first two at-bats, singling to leadoff the second inning, and then bringing in the Sox’ second run with a sacrifice fly in the third. He finished with two hits and three RBI. Adrian Gonzalez also had a solid day coming away with three hits.

- Beckett retired 14 of 15 batters before Matt Joyce’s two-out single in the sixth inning.

- Darnell McDonald made two quality plays in left. The first came when he ended up finishing the seventh by tracking down a Luke Scott fly ball and crashing into the metal scoreboard, with the second arriving in the following frame when the outfielder snatched a sinking liner to begin the eighth.

WHAT WENT WRONG

- Ellsbury left Friday’s game after the bottom of the fourth inning due to an injury incurred while trying to break up a double play. Ellsbury, on first after an RBI single that put the Sox up, 4-1, with one out, was running on a full-count pitch to Dustin Pedroia. Shortstop Reid Brignac, moving to cover second with the pitch, was in perfect position to field a smash up the middle by Pedroia. Ellsbury arrived at second just after Brignac, and slid hard into the bag and the shortstop, a maneuver that did not prevent Brignac from completing the double play. After the encounter at second, Ellsbury appeared to be reaching for his right shoulder. After being examined by a Red Sox trainer, he left the field holding his arm pinned to his chest.

- Cody Ross had a tough day, going hitless while stranding five runners.

- Beckett almost finished an outing without striking out a batter for the first time in his career. The righty ended up fanning Carlos Pena on the 29th batter he faced, making it the 10th time in the pitcher’s career he has made an appearance in which he only struck out one. Before Friday, he had never won a game when striking out a single batter. Beckett totaled two or fewer punch-outs in 20 appearances, with this team totaling a 6-14 mark.

- Mark Melancon came on to pitch the ninth, giving up a solo home run to Ben Zobrist.

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  • Christophermurray52

    WEEI… Huh??  Undr what went wrong??  Beckett and the fact he only fanned one batter? Huh? Yet the title is Beckett dominates the Rays..  well done…

  • Justindperreault

    Weei- you guys stink!! Josh has a great game and yet you find something wrong. Trust me when he stinks I am the first one to say so but come on. You all are a bunch of washed up radio people I am so glad 98.5 the sport hub is on because there is no way I would /could listen to all you has beens.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Kadyam-Raja/100003608817630 Kadyam Raja

    Watch Jacoby Ellsbury Right Shoulder Injury on Friday Game Video here

    http://x.co/jIDy

  • Hesher

    I’m STILL laughing when i think about Shoppachs slide today hahahahaha

  • Anonymous

    I don’t think the Bills have to show anything to the Jets; everyone knows that the gold standard in the division is New England – and even in the down years, the Bills always gave the Pats everything they had. Now, it’s a matter of the Bills’ talent and depth starting to catch up … last year, when the Bills lost more players for more time than almost any other team in the league, the lack of depth really showed. This year, after two very good drafts, free agent signings, and the commitment to the veterans that the team has shown … the Buffalo plan, with Nix and Gailey, is starting to gel.

    People don’t say much about it, but I think one of the most significant things the Bills did over the past few years was in hiring and then promoting Dave Wannstedt to DC. Wanny’s working on turning this defense into a top-10 unit (something he’s demonstrated a certain competence for in the past) and, if the acquisitions and health come out in Buffalo’s favor in 2012, then there will be a lot of teams who won’t want to face them.

    The Jets swept the Bills last year more from injuries to key Buffalo players, than anything else. From what I can see, the Jets took a few steps back this offseason, and I also think that there are as many doubts, if not more, about Mark Sanchez, as there are about Fitzpatrick. One thing about Fitz, though; no one disputes HIS toughness or commitment to winning. And now that he has tutoring from David Lee, the remaining holes in his game will dissipate. Look for Fitz to take those next steps forward, and Sanchez to become a distraction with a certain other QB on New York’s roster.

    Is Fitz in Tom Brady’s class? Of course not; who is? But if second best QB in the division gets Buffalo back to the playoffs, then I’m good with that.

    The Dolphins? Not a factor; they are several years away from contending. New York has probably the most disruptive chemistry in the AFC, and big questions at QB. Not the type of combination that wins consistently.

    Which leaves the Patriots. I don’t doubt that the AFC East is theirs again in 2012 … but I can tell you a couple of things. First: the Bills will be nipping at their heels during the season … and the division games between these two teams will be barnburners – probably the best football the division will produce this coming season.

    Buffalo’s looking forward to 2012.

  • PVS

    The Bills will replace the Jets as the second best team in the AFC EAST.
    They have a good shot (barring major injuries) at making the post season in 2012.

  • mikepatriot

    Look for a reversal in the “sweeps” category this year.

  • Anonymous

    Let’s hope so, MP! Whatever happens, it should be an interesting season. I think the Pats did some really nice things in the offseason; it looks like, as far as actions goes, the Pats and the Bills are the teams in the division with the best long-term plans in place. Maybe Chan should start wearing hoodies! I’m also looking forward to the Pats-Bills games … whether they’re close, or lopsided, it’s always pretty good football to watch. I’d settle for another 1-1 with you guys in 2012!

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