“That’s the game,’’ said Ellsbury, who finished 1 for 3 with two walks, a run, and an RBI. “You have to keep your head in it. There’s nine innings to be played.’’
Batting second, Ellsbury (and leadoff man Dustin Pedroia) helped drive the Sox to their 23d home win of the season, 6-1, in front of a sold-out crowd of 38,196 that marked the 500th consecutive full house at Fenway Park. But it was a game of the bizarre, starting with Ellsbury being the one standing at the plate waiting for the stolen base, as Pedroia registered a pair of thefts.
“He can lead off,’’ Ellsbury said. “I’ll start hitting home runs. No, I’m just kidding. Whatever [manager Terry Francona] throws out there seems to be working. If we’re winning ballgames, everybody’s happy.’’
And if you’re looking for bizarre beyond Ellsbury, there was Bobby Orr waving Jason Bay over for a word after emerging from the left-field scoreboard.
Yup. Just one of those nights at the park. Yet even with the oddities, everything went well for the Sox. With the exception of Penny taking a liner in the chest in the first inning. But he recovered, the welt over his heart notwithstanding, as he pitched the Sox to the win, improving their record as the best home team in baseball to 23-8.
With Ellsbury suddenly dedicated to walking - he did it twice in the first four innings - and Pedroia taking his place swiping bags - he did it twice in the first four innings - it seemed a role reversal was taking place in the early going. No matter. The Sox will take the walks from Ellsbury, whose on-base percentage had shot up from .332 at the end of May to .357 by the end of the night.
He and Pedroia each reached base three times - with three hits from Pedroia - and drove in four of the six runs.
