The Boston Red Sox defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4 of the World Series and all they needed was a huge swing from Jonny Gomes. The final score read 4-1 as the late lineup change made a huge difference for the Red Sox. Gomes proved to be the difference, breaking up a tie ball game in the sixth inning.
The series is now tied 2-2 after the Red Sox's pitching held the Cardinals' offense and the defense did just enough to back up their pitchers. The victory guarantees that the series will now go back to Boston as the Red Sox will have the tough task of facing the Cardinals' top two pitchers.
The Cardinals struck first, taking a hold of momentum early on. Lance Lynn was setting down the Red Sox, breaking bats and cuffing them with his hard stuff inside. After Matt Carpenter scored from second on an RBI by Carlos Beltran in the third inning and one run seemed enough to carry the Cardinals to victory.
However, David Ortiz started a rally, smacking a double in the gap. Gomes and Xander Bogaerts worked walks, loading up the bases. Stephen Drew skyed a short fly ball to left field, scoring Ortiz from third. Ortiz finished the night with two runs scored and a perfect night at the plate, going 3-3 with a walk.
Walks proved costly in this game for the Cardinals as Lynn could not retire key hitters. Later in the game, Lynn walked Ortiz with Dustin Pedroia on first. Lynn purposely pitched around Ortiz, preferring to face Gomes, he finished the night with 5.2 innings pitched, allowing three earned runs. Seth Maness left a pitch up and Gomes did the rest, giving the Red Sox the 4-1 lead.
The Red Sox defense once again proved shaky as they committed an error in five consecutive games. Ultimately, errors led to consecutive losses and could prevent the Red Sox from winning this series. Bogaerts and Jacoby Ellsbury each had an error.
The Cardinals trimmed the lead with a single to right by Matt Carpenter, making it a 4-2 game, cutting the lead in half in the seventh. Junichi Tazawa came in to clear up a threat, facing Matt Holliday and this time recording an out. The Red Sox bullpen allowed one run, pitching great baseball and saving the day.
This game ended in shocking fashion. Beltran presented the tying run at the plate, but instead, Koji Uehara picked off the pinch-runner, Kolten Wong, at first, saving the game. It was the first time a World Series game ended in a pick-off attempt.
Felix Doubrant took home the victory after pitching 2.2 innings of shutout baseball. He completely controlled the Cardinals, striking out three. Doubrant's line shows he allowed an earned run, but it was Craig Breslow who once again allowed a run in his brief outing from the bullpen. Overall, the Red Sox won with the same formula; tough pitching, bullen and clutch hitting.
Adam Wainwright and Jon Lester face off in Game 5 tomorrow. Join us at Sports World Report as the 2013 World Series continues and we bring you all the coverage.
