Thursday’s Red Sox-Diamondbacks game was a bit of a mixed bag. Red Sox starting pitcher John Lackey was hit pretty hard throughout much of the game — four runs on eight hits — but was bailed out by timely hitting and smart baserunning from the offense. He kept the Sox in the game, which is really all you can ask of a starting pitcher, and walked away with the win.
Usually in tight games like this, there’s some defense that gives one team the edge. And of course, defense is always my favorite part of the game to photograph. So, with that in mind, here’s a brief selection of the photos from the game.
6.17.2010 — BOSTON — Red Sox starting pitcher John Lackey pitches to the Diamondbacks in the first inning on June 17, 2010.
6.17.2010 — BOSTON — Diamondbacks shortstop Stephen Drew waits for Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis to get closer to the bag before tagging him out on a steal attempt in the first inning on June 17, 2010.
6.17.2010 — BOSTON — Red Sox starting pitcher John Lackey walks back to the mound as Diamonbacks shortstop Stephen Drew scores on a double in the third inning on June 17, 2010.
6.10.2010 — BOSTON — Red Sox third baseman catches Diamondbacks center fielder Chris Young on a steal attempt at third to end the third inning on June 17, 2010.
6.17.2010 — BOSTON — Red Sox centerfielder Darnell McDonald had Diamondbacks shortstop Stephen Drew turned upside down after stealing second base in the third inning on June 17, 2010.
6.17.2010 — BOSTON — Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz pounds his chest after driving in center fielder Darnell McDonald, right, with a 2-run home run in the third inning against the Diamondbacks on June 17, 2010.
6.17.2010 — BOSTON — Red Sox starting pitcher John Lackey looks to the video board replay after giving up the lead to the Diamondbacks in the fifth inning on June 17, 2010.
6.17.2010 — BOSTON — Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia reacts after striking out in the fifth inning against the Diamondbacks on June 17, 2010.
6.17.2010 — BOSTON — Red Sox reliever Manny Delcarmen screams after getting out of a bases-loaded jam against the Diamondbacks in the seventh inning on June 17, 2010.
6.17.2010 — BOSTON — ed Sox left fielder Daniel Nava gets a fist bump from designated hitter David Ortiz after scoring in the eighth inning against the Diamondbacks on June 17, 2010.
And of course, the night wouldn’t be complete with a little cross-team promotion. Unfortunately, Wally’s cheers did nothing to help the Celtics’ collapse in Game 7 on the West Coast.
6.17.2010 — BOSTON — Red Sox mascot Wally the Green Monster leads the Fenway Crowd in a "Beat L.A." chant shortly before the start of the Celtics-Lakers Game 7 during the seventh inning of the Sox-Diamondbacks game on June 17, 2010.
