Photo courtesy of Arturo Pardavilla III, Wikipedia
The Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers haven’t faced each other in a World Series since 1916, before the “Curse of the Bambino” ever existed. That changed on a cold, rainy Tuesday night, as the Red Sox went on to win Game 1 8-4.
Already with a 1-0 series lead, the Red Sox sent out veteran lefty David Price, while the Dodgers opposed him by sending out their own lefty Hyun-jin Ryu. Price was looking to continue off his last start, where he shut down the Houston Astros offense in Game 5 of the ALCS sending the Red Sox to the World Series, after struggling throughout his career in the postseason.
Both teams were looking to win an important game two. The Dodgers needed to win game two if they had any hopes of taking home field advantage with games three, four, and five in L.A., while the Red Sox were looking to take a commanding 2-0 series lead.
The Red Sox struck first in the bottom of the second against Ryu. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts reached second base courtesy of a line drive double off the Green Monster, second baseman Ian Kinsler delivered a two out RBI single scoring Bogarts from second, giving the Sox a 1-0 lead.
The game remained scoreless into the fourth inning when the Dodgers finally got to Price. After striking out the next batter, Price was looking to navigate his way out of an inning. But right fielder Yasiel Puig looped a single into center, scoring shortstop Manny Machado from second base giving the Dodgers a 2-1 lead. Price struck out the next batter getting out of the inning with the game still within reach for his club to comeback.
During the bottom of the fifth with the Dodgers still up 2-1, the Red Sox mounted a comeback, retaking the lead off Ryu, scoring three runs off the lefty with two outs. Madison walked the first batter he faced first baseman Steven Pearce and then gave up a two-run single to designated hitter J.D. Martinez, giving the Sox a 4-2 lead.
Price came out to pitch the sixth inning. Price once again displayed his dominance, needing just eight pitches to retire the side and end his night. Price gave the Red Sox six dominant innings giving up just two runs, walking three, and striking out five batters.
Protecting their lead, the Red Sox turned to reliever Joe Kelly to pitch the seventh and starter Nathan Eovaldi for the eighth. Both pitchers threw a scoreless inning keeping the game intact.
Closer Craig Kimbrel was called upon to close out the game pitching the top of the ninth, and he did just that. The Red Sox ended the game retiring the last 16 Dodger batters.
Game 3 will be Friday night in Los Angeles at 8:09 p.m. EST.
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