Friday, May 24, 2013
BOSTON - In a previous blog, we talked about Wednesday being a big night for right fielder Josh Reddick. He had been slumping, and the Red Sox were expecting the return of J.D. Drew.
Reddick looked like he was going to be out of a starting job.
So how does Reddick begin the night? He makes outs in his first two at-bats and, in the top of the sixth inning, misplays a ball in right field; his error helping the Yankees to score one more run, to take a 5-4 lead.
With one out in the sixth, Reddick came to bat for the third time, trying to clear his head.
"My mind was on the play (in the top of the inning)," Reddick said. "I was really upset, really mad at myself for the way that happened."
He fouled off a fastball and then checked his swing on a curve. But the third base ump ruled that Reddick swung. He was down 0-2. Reddick walked out of the batter's box, obviously upset.
In previous years, Reddick may have then gone down swinging at whatever the next pitch was.
"My game has definitely changed a little bit," Reddick said. "Finally growing up in this league."
Reddick fouled off pitches and worked an eight-pitch walk.
"That's something Red might not have done a year ago," Boston manager Terry Francona said.
Reddick then scored on Jason Varitek's double. He was running on the pitch and did not stop when Varitek's ball reached the left field corner. Reddick scored, tying the game.
In the eighth inning, Reddick doubled and scored again, on Varitek's insurance home run.
Reddick may be keeping his job, anyway. The Red Sox announced that Drew suffered a sprained finger. While not considered serious, there was not date set for Drew's return.
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Kevin Thomas covers baseball and basketball for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. He wisely moved to Maine in 1994 after working for the St. Petersburg Times. He is married to Nancy and they have nine children.
Follow his thoughts on the Boston Red Sox and Portland Sea Dogs on Clearing the Bases
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