How about that Pedro Ciriaco?Three more hits to open the second half, and one of his hits drives in two runs, as the Sox got off on the right foot in St. Pete, 3-1.
Ciriaco continues to shine in the absence of Dustin Pedroia. He also stole a base last night, and became the first Sox player ever to have three straight games of three hits and a stolen base in each game. He is 10-for-12 in those three games.
Ride him for as long as it lasts.
David Ortiz hit his 23rd home run in his first at-bat of the second half, a bomb to right. He had taken a call strike on a 3-0 count that was clearly outside, and wasn't happy about it. He sure made the Rays and Jeremy Hellickson pay for it.
Franklin Morales went 5 innings for the win. He walked the bases loaded with two outs but got out of it by striking out Luke (Birther Boy) Scott. The bullpen was again stellar, with only an unearned run off Scott Atchison in the 6th.
Jacoby Ellsbury made his return to the lineup since his shoulder injury in April by going 1-for-5. Clay Buchholz returns from the DL tonight to make the start against David Price.
