Final
Ross homers twice as Red Sox beat Braves
Jun 25, 2012 - 12:56 AMVideo
Ross' day overshadowed what was the final appearance of third baseman Kevin Youkilis in a Boston uniform.
After the game, Youkilis was traded to the Chicago White Sox for pitcher Zach Stewart along with infielder Brent Lillibridge.
Youkilis had been benched the past three games as the 33-year-old has struggled much of the season. However, he went 2- for-4 with an RBI on Sunday and received two standing ovations. The first one was in the second inning prior to his at-bat in which he singled. The second ovation was awarded to him following his RBI triple in the seventh that saw him pulled from the game.
On the season, his ninth in the majors and all of them with Boston, Youkilis is batting just .233 with four home runs and 14 RBI.
Aaron Cook (1-1), making the spot start in place of an injured Clay Buchholz, went five innings and gave up three runs -- two earned -- on six hits over five innings for the Red Sox, who have won seven of their last eight.
Jason Heyward went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored while Eric Hinske added a two-run triple for the Braves, who have dropped five of eight. Mike Minor (3-6) was tagged for seven runs -- four earned -- on six hits with three walks and four strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings.
"We went .500 against the American League East on the road," said Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez. "We wanted to finish a little over that, but we just couldn't pull it off today."
This game stayed scoreless until the fourth inning when the Red Sox used the long ball to take the lead. Dustin Pedroia worked a walk to start the inning and Will Middlebrooks followed with a free pass. Ross then clubbed a 2-1 pitch that just cleared the Green Monster. Adrian Gonzalez followed suit with a shot over the Monster for a 4-0 lead.
Atlanta got three back in the fifth on a two-run triple from Hinske, who scored when Juan Francisco hit into a fielder's choice for a 4-3 game.
Boston plated three more runs in the bottom of the fifth. After Kelly Shoppach reached base on an Andrelton Simmons error, Daniel Nava singled to put men at the corners. Middlebrooks brought home one with a sac fly and Ross followed with a blast that cleared the stadium to left for a 7-3 game.
Heyward hit a two-out, solo homer in the sixth to make it a three-run game, but Nava got it back with an RBI double in the bottom of the inning to make it 8-4.
The seventh saw Boston tack on another run as Gonzalez singled with one out and Youkilis followed with a triple that saw him walk off the field to an ovation from the Fenway Park crowd.
"Someone was looking down at him because that was the perfect way to come out," said Boston manager Bobby Valentine.
Game Notes
Buchholz was placed on the disabled list before the game with a gastrointestinal problem. Cook was activated from the DL to make the start...Boston has won six of the last eight against Atlanta...The Braves went just 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position...Boston plays three in Toronto starting on Monday...Atlanta hosts Arizona for three starting on Tuesday.
- ATLANTA: 4
BOSTON: 9
Final
Jun 24 4:34 PM - Kevin Youkilis triple to center scored Adrian Gonzalez. Runner on third with two outs and Mike Aviles due up.
Braves 4, Red Sox 9 Bot 7, 2 OutsJun 24 4:22 PM - Daniel Nava double to center scored Kelly Shoppach. Runner on second with two outs and Dustin Pedroia due up.
Braves 4, Red Sox 8 Bot 6, 2 OutsJun 24 3:44 PM - Andrelton Simmons grounded out third to first to end the inning.
Braves 4, Red Sox 7 Mid 6Jun 24 3:36 PM - Cody Ross two-out, two-run Home Run 2 (11) to left scored Daniel Nava. Adrian Gonzalez due up.
Braves 3, Red Sox 7 Bot 5, 2 OutsJun 24 3:23 PM - Will Middlebrooks sacrifice fly to center scored Kelly Shoppach. Runner on first with two outs and Cody Ross due up.
Braves 3, Red Sox 5 Bot 5, 2 OutsJun 24 3:20 PM - Juan Francisco reaches on a fielder's choice to pitcher. On the play, Eric Hinske scores and Juan Francisco advances to second Aaron Cook's throwing error. Runner on second with none out and Michael Bourn due up.
Braves 3, Red Sox 4 Top 5, 0 OutsJun 24 3:08 PM - Eric Hinske triple to center scored Jason Heyward and Andrelton Simmons. Runner on third with none out and Juan Francisco due up.
Braves 2, Red Sox 4 Top 5, 0 OutsJun 24 3:04 PM - Adrian Gonzalez none out, solo Home Run (6) to left. Kevin Youkilis due up.
Braves 0, Red Sox 4 Bot 4, 0 OutsJun 24 2:49 PM - ATLANTA: 0
BOSTON: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Jun 24 1:38 PM
Related News
- 2023 Braves Season in Review: Raisel Iglesias Dec 26
- This Day in Braves History: Phil Niekro passes away Dec 26
- Christmas Day open thread Dec 25
- OTM Open Thread 12/25: It is Monday Dec 25
- This Day in MLB History: December 25 Dec 25
- Christmas Eve open thread Dec 24
- This Day in Braves History: Milwaukee signs Rico Carty Dec 24
- This Day in Braves History: Milwaukee signs Rico Carey Dec 24
- Braves News: Holiday pause, season reviews, more Dec 24
- 2023 Minor league season in review: Luis De Avila Dec 23
- 2023 Braves Season in Review: Ozzie Albies Dec 23
- OTM Open Thread 12/23: It is Saturday Dec 23