Red Sox Offense Stymied by Phillies in Rick Porcello’s Debut
Apr 8, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman
Dustin Pedroia(15) walks back to the dugout after striking out in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Red Sox mounted a late charge, but ultimately fell to the Phillies on an inclement Wednesday evening in Philadelphia, 4-2. Rick Porcello was cruising through his debut in impressive fashion until Jeff Francouer tagged him for a three-run dinger which proved to be the difference in the ballgame.
Just one day removed from signing a four-year, $82.5 contract extension with the Red Sox, Porcello aimed to help his team earn their second victory of the season. Porcello pitched six innings, allowed six hits and three runs. He struck out four and walked two.
Porcello’s lone mistake came in the the sixth inning when Francouer blasted a hanging breaking ball deep to center to break a scoreless tie that gave the Phillies a 3-0 lead. The homer marked Francouer’s first since 2013. Aside from that pitch, Porcello came as advertised. The lanky righty recorded a slew of ground-ball outs as he showcased an effective sinker ball.
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Aaron Harang countered the Red Sox for Philadelphia and was nearly perfect. Harang dominated Boston’s offense which smashed five homers on Opening Day. The veteran righty racked up eight strikeouts, walked one and surredered just two hits over 6 1/3 innings.
Chase Utley put the Phillies up 4-0 in the seventh after Ben Revere reached third base on a Pablo Sandoval throwing error. Sandoval gathered a routine grounder off Revere’s bat and rifled a low throw to Mike Napoli at first. The ball got past Napoli and Revere motored to third with great ease.
Boston began their comeback bid in the eighth. Daniel Nava and Ryan Hanigan were able to reach base to begin the inning. Xander Boegaerts singled home Nava and Sandoval later worked a walk with the bases full to score Hanigan.
Hanley Ramirez then stepped to the dish with the bases still full. Philadelphia lifted reliever Ken Giles and brought on their closer Jonathan Papelbon to face Ramirez.
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Ramirez launched a high fly ball deep to left, but the would be go-ahead grand slam was knocked down just short of the bleachers by the blowing wind. Papelbon would remain in the game for the ninth to record the save.
The Red Sox finished the game with just three hits. Ramirez, Mookie Betts and Mike Napoli combined to go 0-for-12. Dustin Pedroia walked twice in the game.
Alexi Ogando was a bright spot out of the Boston bullpen. Ogando worked a scoreless eighth in which he tossed just eight pitches. He recorded one strikeout.
The Red Sox and Phillies will play the final game of their three-game set on Thursday evening. Justin Masterson will oppose Philadelphia’s David Buchanan.