Sweep the Leg
The Red Sox wrapped up the series sweep with a leisurely Sunday day game. Jon Lester pitched splendidly and had a six-run lead to work with by the fourth inning.
Lester also had spectacular defense behind him. Lester could have been in trouble late in the eighth inning were it not for his infielders. Lorenzo Cain led off with a four-pitch walk and Omar Infante gave his a ball a ticket to center field. But Stephen Drew stopped the trip short with a diving grab and quickly flipped to Dustin Pedroia. Cain didn’t even try to break up a double play because he was taking a path to try to get to third base.
Lester most likely expressed his catcher preference as he has been paired with David Ross this season rather than A.J. Pierzynski. Ross launched his sixth homer of the season in the fourth inning. Pierzynski had four homers in 145 more at bats than Ross. Pierzynski may have Ross beat in zingers directed at umpires. He was ejected on June 4 by Quinn Wolcott for saying, “Give me a new ball. One you can see.”
Toeing the rubber opposite Lester was Dominican-born Royals starter Yordano Ventura. The rookie starter has drawn comparisons to his idol Pedro Martinez. So many young pitchers were dubbed “the next Pedro” but fell far short of their namesake’s mastery. Ventura does not have a change-up on par with Martinez, but who in history did? Ventura has raw power but his fastball seems to lack movement. Until he puts some finish on his heater and perfects his off-speed offering the only thing he will share with Martinez is his diminutive frame.
| Game 98: July 20, 2014 | ||
| Kansas City Royals 48-49 |
0 | L: Yordano Ventura (7-8) |
| 2B: Alcides Escobar (25) | ||
 Boston Red Sox46-52 |
6 | W: Jon Lester (10-5) |
| 2B: Daniel Nava (7), Shane Victorino (6) HR: David Ross (6) | ||
