GAME 4: “Big Papi, makes ‘em look sloppy”

Game 4 (Buchholz vs Gonzalez)

Pitching quality dropped off, as both teams were now getting deeper into their respective staffs. Clay Buchholz took the hill for the Red Sox, but was thought to have a short leash. Meanwhile, Nationals started Gio Gonzalez made his first appearance of the tournament. Pundits speculated that Gonzalez might struggle with the deep Red Sox lineup (or any lineup with competent hitters, for that matter) and were they ever right. Dustin Pedroia walked to lead off the Red Sox first, and was soon doubled home by Big Papi. 1-0 Red Sox after one. In the Red Sox second, Hanley Ramirez doubled to lead off the inning, and then scored on a Chris Young homer. 3-0 Red Sox after two. In the Red Sox third, Ortiz singled home Bogaerts with another run, and after three it was 4-0 Sox. After an uneventful fourth, the Sox put up four more in the bottom of the fifth (highlighted by another Ortiz RBI), and it was now 8-0 Red Sox. Nationals would get a meaningless run in each of the seventh and eight, but the Red Sox triumphed in Game 4 12-2 to even the series at 2-2.  Big Papi was 4 for 5 with 3 doubles and 3 RBI to lead the Sox, while Drew Pomeranz threw 5 strong innings in relief of Buchholz for the win.

Series knotted up at 2.