Feeling Minnesota
Now that the Red Sox aren’t playing the best teams of the American League they actually don’t seem like the catastrophic club that was so maligned since the beginning of the season. They outshined the local nine, “so now you know who gets mystified / show me the power child.”
David Ortiz dispelled doubts about his value to the team by continuing his torrid start. The practically svelte designated hitter is .444 in batting average, .486 for on-base percentage, and .714 in slugging percentage. His third-inning circuit clout flew up and over the limestone walls of Target Field; he didn’t need the protruding porch in right to render the score 5-1.
Mike Aviles has been spectacular in the leadoff spot. Where some players shy from that spotlight, Aviles has rocketed from a utility role in a mediocre team to the the starting shortstop on a perennial contender. I would have never guessed that someone who never played in Boston’s unceasing media glare would not just play competently but blossom.
Home plate umpire Adrian Johnson exchanged words with Josh Beckett in the first inning, many of which would be grounds for FCC fines. Beckett walked three batters consecutively which led to Minnesota plating its first run of the game in that most ignoble manner, the bases-loaded base on balls. Johnson was in the right, however, upon inspection of the strike zone plot: the umpire called a consistent and fair zone for Beckett.
Now to sweat bullets while switching between the Red Sox and the Bruins.
| Game 16: April 24, 2012 | ||
 Boston Red Sox6-10 |
11 |
W: Josh Beckett (2-2) |
| 2B: Mike Aviles – 2 (5), Kelly Shoppach (5), Ryan Sweeney (9), Dustin Pedroia (4), Adrian Gonzalez (4) HR: David Ortiz (3), Aviles (3), Gonzalez (4) | ||
| Minnesota Twins 5-13 |
2 |
L: Nick Blackburn (0-2) |
| 2B: Josh Willingham – 2 (6), Dernard Span (5), Sean Burroughs (1) | ||
