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Papi Powers Sox to Fourth Straight

Published on June 21, 2012, by in MLB, Red Sox.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia continued his torrid home run hitting this season, belting his 13th bomb against Miami.

As a heat wave has swept over New England these past couple of days, the Boston Red Sox bats have been conducting some heat as well.  Last night, their suddenly red-hot offense was at it again, scoring runs in four of the first five innings en route to a 15-5 slaughter of the Miami Marlins at Fenway Park.  The Sox pounded 16 hits and four homers in the victory, making that seven big flies hit in their past two games.  Leading the way for the offense was David Ortiz, who went 1-for-4 and belted his 11th career grand slam, his 10th with the Sox.  He now trails only Ted Williams in that category; Teddy “Ballgame” hit 17 in his illustrious career.  Besides Big Papi, Mike Aviles, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Will Middlebrooks tallied homers as well.  Daniel Nava also had a strong game, going 4-for-5 from the leadoff spot.  Each starter had at least one hit in the offensive onslaught.
It’s no coincidence that balls have flown out of the Fens with the hot weather allowing the ball to travel well, but the Sox offensive outburst last night seemed to reiterate a trend that has been consistent of late.  After getting shut out by Ryan Dempster and the Chicago Cubs last Friday, as well as being nonexistent offensively the week prior (besides a 10-run outburst against the Miami Marlins), Boston has scored 33 runs in its last four games, all victories.  It had been the Sox starting pitching which had carried them to this point in the season, but ironically it’s been their offense which has been winning games of late, picking up their starters after average performances.  Second in the majors in runs scored with 352 behind only the Texas Rangers (371), the offense has managed to carry the load with slugger Adrian Gonzalez struggling mightily, Dustin Pedroia inconsistent due to injury, and Kevin Youkilis a shell of the player he once was.  The team suddenly seems to have some energy and fight about them, and Sox games are once again becoming exciting to watch.  Is this a sign that this embattled group of individuals haunted by ghosts of last September is turning things around?  One can only hope, but as of right now the Sox are beginning to give me some.
-Ryan Hartley

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