TAKING IT FROM THE TOP: The Red Sox top 3 hitters in the order last night – Jacoby Ellsbury (3-for-5, 2 2B, 3 R, RBI), Carl Crawford (2-for-4, 2 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI) and Dustin Pedroia (3-for-4, 3 2B, R, RBI, BB) – combined for 7 of the club’s season-high tying 8 doubles in the win, each tallying at least 2…According to Elias, it marked the 1st time in franchise history that the Red Sox have had each of their 1st 3 batters in the starting lineup record at least 2 doubles in the same game and the 1st time in nearly 72 years that each of the top 3 hitters in Boston’s lineup had at least 2 extra base hits with the last coming on 8/17/40 with Dom DiMaggio (2B, HR) leading off followed by Doc Cramer (2 2B) and Jimmie Foxx (2B, HR) in Boston’s 12-9 win over the Washington Senators.
HOMECOMING: Carl Crawford is hitting at a .364 clip (12-for-33) with 7 extra-base hits (4 2B, 3B, 2 HR), 11 RBI and 9 runs scored over the 1st 8 games of the current homestand…He has hit safely in 7 of the 8 contests, including multi-hits in 3 of his last 4 games over which he is 9-for-18 (.500).
SECOND-HALF SURGE: With 24 RBI since the All-Star break, Adrian Gonzalez ranks 2nd in the AL behind only the Angels Albert Pujols (25)…His .405 AVG (34-for-84) is 3rd in the circuit in the 2nd half and he is 6th with a .444 OBP.
YOU SAY IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY: Ryan Lavarnway is celebrating his 25th birthday today.
