Final, Red Sox 8-4: Although Will Middlebrooks didn't record a cycle, he still savored another big night.
He went 3-for-4 with two RBIs to ignite the offense. But the most encouraging boost came from Dustin Pedroia, who finished with the same exact stat line as Middlebrooks.
If Pedroia can get rolling, the Red Sox offense can catch fire. But as for Franklin Morales, he did another superb job and managed to make it through six innings. That's a quality start for him.
End 8th, Red Sox 8-4: It's been a quiet night for David Ortiz, who is 0-for-4 with a walk in this one.
He's sitting right at .300 with his batting average, which is a little low, considering he was pushing .400 hard after April.
Now, Alfredo Aceves will be coming into the game to finish it off and it's not a save situation.
Mid 8th, Red Sox 8-4: Vicente Padilla went a little crazy with the eephus in that inning, firing some to Dan Uggla, Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward.
It seems as the season has gone along, he's incorporated that pitch more and more. There are risks that come along with it, but not different from any other one.
End 7th, Red Sox 8-4: Cody Ross has continued to spark the offense, hitting a double — with a little bat flip — to get things going.
And the rest of the Red Sox offense pounded Braves reliever Jonny Venters' sinkers. So much so, Daniel Nava delivered a two-run single to add to the cushion.
Nava is getting on base in whichever way he can, whether it's hitting, drawing walks or getting plunked.
Mid 7th, Red Sox 6-4: Scott Atchison struggled, allowing a single and a double with just three pitches thrown.
His slider just wasn't working as well as it typically has all season long. As a result of yielding a run, his ERA soared back to 1.40.
Before that, his teammates have endorsed his All-Star candidacy and Alex Ochoa knows firsthand how dangerous he can be.
End 6th, Red Sox 6-3: With a man on, Adrian Gonzalez had a chance to keep the offensive surge going.
Instead, he struck out swinging. Still, with two hits, Gonzalez has maintained a .260 average in what's considered a slump.
You know what Jarrod Saltalamacchia thinks about that?
"I wish I could struggle and still hit [.260]," he said.
Mid 6th, Red Sox 6-3: You know what's really impressive about Franklin Morales? He's keeping the gas even late.
He tossed 96 mph on his 85th pitch in the sixth inning. While he yielded another run, he's really taking to his starting role pretty well.
Chipper Jones, meanwhile, wants to dazzle in his last stay at Fenway Park, hitting an RBI double.
End 5th, Red Sox 6-2: That's why Dan Uggla wants to recruit Cody Ross because the outfielder drove in another run.
Uggla — 11 homers — joked that Ross — nine homers — is close to catching up to him for round-tripper this season. And that's not counting the month of action that Ross missed.
Also, Will Middlebrooks is a triple away from the cycle.
Mid 5th, Red Sox 5-2: Franklin Morales could've escaped that one with yielding a run, but instead made a throwing error against Jason Heyward.
Michael Bourn ended up driving in Heyward for a run. By the way, Bourn is close friends with Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford and believes he will contribute upon his return.
They go back to childhood, when both shined in basketball and baseball.
End 4th, Red Sox 5-1: A few days ago, Red Sox skipper Bobby Valentine said he thought that Dustin Pedroia would eventually be hotter than a firecracker.
Well, he's heading in that direction, collecting his third hit of the game. That's the most hits that he's piled up since returning from the thumb injury.
Maybe he's turning the corner.
Mid 4th, Red Sox 5-1: Dan Uggla grounded out in his second at-bat against Franklin Morales.
It's funny because Uggla actually tried to recruit Red Sox outfielder Cody Ross to join the Braves during the offseason. Ross tried to lure Uggla to San Francisco a few years back.
And Uggla hasn't given up. When this season is over, he'll pull at the stops to try and bring Ross to 'Hotlanta.'
End 3rd, Red Sox 5-1: That's Will Middlebrooks for you. He's getting some consistent at-bats from Bobby Valentine is making the most of them.
Middlebrooks has credited Youkilis for guiding him. Amid all the rumors and struggles, Youkilis has wanted to help him the way veterans aided him in 2004.
Youkilis rattled off some names before the game.
"Mark Bellhorn a lot," he said. "Trot Nixon was always great. Mainly the guys that were really there to talk a lot, Dave McCarty was really big at helping out, [Doug] Mirabelli was always making fun of me and joking around. [Tim] Wakefield and [Jason] Varitek, there's just a list. Bill Mueller was great to me, too. I can't say one person. There was just such a good core group, and that helped."
8:27: Will Middlebrooks has blasted a solo shot, his third homer in his last four games.
Mid 3rd, Red Sox 4-1: For the first time in this game, Franklin Morales made it through an inning without a strikeout.
He's still been very good in mixing his changeup and curveball to complement his fastball. The Red Sox really may have a future starter in Morales if they want to make the investment down ther road.
End 2nd, Red Sox 4-1: Dustin Pedroia had been cold lately, but unloaded a two-run double to spark the Sox offense.
At this point, he's 2-for-2 against the Braves, matching the most hits that he's amassed in one game since returning from his thumb injury.
On Friday, Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said he thought Pedroia was right around the corner.
8:09 p.m.: The Red Sox offense has been uncharacteristically potent early on, knocking out Randall Delgado in the secon.
Cristhian Martinez has entered to relieve for the Braves.
Mid 2nd, Red Sox 2-1: Franklin Morales' bread and butter has been his fastball. Whether in recent years or this year, that's worked for him.
He continued to hammer it down Atlanta's throats as he collected a 1-2-3 with two strikes. That's four punch outs for him so far, so watch out.
He tallied nine through five innings last time around.
End 1st, Red Sox 2-1: That was a very good at-bat by Adrian Gonzalez, who battled through Delgado's heaters and ripped an RBI single.
Then, Will Middlebrooks came through and drove in another run with a double to center. He's been on fire in this recent stretch.
That's why Kevin Youkilis has been limited to the bench for now. Before the game, I caught up with the veteran third baseman on the situation.
Mid 1st, Braves 1-0: The Braves pulled off a nifty double steal that put the pressure on Franklin Morales.
The Red Sox pitcher started the tough sequence after he walked a batter and surrendered a single. Brian McCann drove in the run with an RBI single.
But he proved resilient, striking out Dan Uggla and Freddie Freeman while getting Chipper Jones to ground out.
7:08 p.m.: The Red Sox with a nice gesture as Larry Lucchino presented Chipper Jones with a No. 10 before the game to a pregame ceremony to honor the slugger.
Before the season, Jones expressed his intention to retire once he finishes up this season.
5:45 p.m.: Here are the lineups.
Red Sox
Daniel Nava, LF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Cody Ross, RF
Ryan Kalish, CF
Mike Aviles, SS
Franklin Morales, P
Braves
Michael Bourn, CF
Martin Prado, LF
Brian McCann, DH
Dan Uggla, 2B
Freddie Freeman, 1B
Chipper Jones, 3B
Jason Heyward, RF
David Ross, C
Andrelton Simmons, SS
Randall Delgado, P
8 a.m. ET: The Braves (38-32) upended the Red Sox (36-34) Friday night, snapping their five-game winning streak with strong pitching. Boston will look to bounce back with Franklin Morales, who is making his second straight spot start in place of Josh Beckett. Beckett has been sent to the disabled list with soreness in his shoulder.
In his first start since 2009, Morales piled up the strikeouts, fanning nine batters through five innings against the Cubs. All week long, Morales — who is 0-1 with a 3.14 ERA — has said he's felt healthy and has been excited about the opportunity to showcase his stuff as a starter. He'll go up against Atlanta starter Randall Delgado, who is 4-7 with a 4.12 ERA. He went a career-high eight innings in his last start against the Orioles.
For more details and analysis from Fenway, follow NESN.com's live blog. Tune into FOX. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.
