2014 Season - World Series Game 2 - bayers3's Dynasty

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2014 Season - World Series Game 2

Posted on June 15, 2014 at 09:22 PM.

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THE BOSTON GLOBE (RED SOX DYNASTY REPORT)

LOS ANGELES, CA - The second game of the World Series would feature an unexpected pitching match-up. Everyone knew the Dodgers would start Zach Greinke, who has been excellent all season, but few expected John Farrell to go with Chris Archer. Archer has pitched extremely well since returning from AAA, especially in the post-season, so Farrell didn't need to think twice about putting him on the mound.

It would turn out that Farrell made the right choice, but the Dodgers didn't make it easy. The first five innings of the game were literally just Greinke and Archer striking guys out or inducing weak grounders. The top of the 6th is when Boston finally broke things open against Greinke. Things started off with a dropped throw to 1B by Adrian Gonzalez, which allowed Xander Bogaerts to reach safely. Bogaerts followed that up by stealing 2B and eliminating the threat of a double-play. Greinke managed to get Pedroia and Napoli out, but David Ortiz came through with a 2R-HR to make it 2-0 heading into the bottom of the 6th.

Ortiz gives Boston an early lead

Archer, unlike Greinke, stayed sharp through the 6th. Striking out his 11th batter, 8 of them on his slider, to finish his day with only 2 hits allowed and a single BB. Paco Rodriguez would take Greinke's place in the 7th and get out of a real jam. With two on (1st & 3rd) and one out Mike Napoli would pinch hit for Archer, but the move wouldn't pay off as Rodriguez would strike him out looking.

Rodriguez would stay in for the 8th, but Boston would get to him to extend their lead. With Pedroia on 3B Will Middlebrooks hit a 2R-HR to make it 4-0. Grady Sizemore would use his legs to keep the inning going by running out an RBI 6-4 fielders choice that would have ended the inning as a double play, but he was called safe at 1st to make it 5-0.

Middlebrooks uses the long-ball to put the Dodgers away

Mujica and Uehara would combine for 3.0IP, 5K between them, and finish off the Dodgers to take both games in Los Angeles. Ortiz and Middlebrooks were the heroes tonight, both going 2/4 with 2R-HRs, not to mention Bogaerts who has 2SB. The Dodgers and their fans were shocked to see themselves down 0-2 and headed for a rough three game stretch at Fenway. If they lost another game they knew they would have to go through a red hot Jon Lester to eliminate Boston.