Red Sox Catch a Break, Beat Tigers 7-4

BOSTON, MA - MAY 28: Jim Leyland #10 of the Detroit Tigers was ejected on Monday in a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

Of all the things that have went in the opposite favor of the Red Sox this season, Monday's Memorial Day matinee wasn't one of them. The boys from Boston received a helping hand from first base umpire Bill Welke that led to 3 ER in the second inning, which proved to be a deficit the Tigers could not overcome.

With 2 out and Ryan Sweeney on second, Mike Aviles foul tipped a two strike pitch, which appeared to be caught by Gerald Laird for the third strike to end the inning. First base umpire Bill Welke overruled the home plate umpire, saying the ball hit the ground before Laird came up with it.



The second chance was all Aviles needed. With new life, the shortstop lined a single up the middle to score Ryan Sweeney from second base, giving the Red Sox a 2-1 lead.

The bad fortune wouldn't stop there for Fister. Daniel Nava shot an RBI double and Dustin Pedroia drove him home with a well placed single that deflected off Prince Fielder for the third run of the inning and fourth of the game.

Following the inning, Jim Leyland and Gene Lamont were both thrown out of the game. Lamont for arguing from the dugout and Leyland for arguing the ejection of his third base coach. It was the 62nd career ejection according to the great Don Orsillo.

If the bad call (it was exactly that) wasn't bad enough for the Tigers, Felix Doubront's continued effectiveness in the fourth spot of the Red Sox rotation was.

The Venezuelan lefty, nicknamed "Doubie", kept the Tigers offense off balance for a solid 6 IP, allowing just 2 ER (both on solo homers), 4 H, 1 BB, and 6 K. His ERA now sits at 3.86 on the season.

Leyland's crew made it a game in the ninth inning when Alfredo Aceves allowed a 2-run homer (this time to Jhonny Peralta) for the second consecutive day but the lead acquired in the second inning was too much for the Tigers to come back from.

The Red Sox will look to get above the .500 mark (yet again) for the first time this season on Tuesday. If they are to do so, it won't be easy with reigning Cy Young/MVP winner Justin Verlander facing first year starter Daniel Bard.




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