Arizona @ Boston preview
Fenway Park
Last Meeting ( Jun 17, 2010 ) Arizona 5, Boston 8
After a spirited rally kept Boston in sole possession of first place in the American League East, the Red Sox look to ride that momentum on Friday in the opener of a three-game interleague series versus the Arizona Diamondbacks. Boston erupted for six runs in the ninth inning to complete a three-game sweep of Seattle. With their fifth win in six outings, the Red Sox shuffled one game ahead of idle Tampa Bay.
Boston has won five in a row against Arizona, which fell for the fourth time in five contests on Thursday after being handcuffed by Yu Darvish and Texas. The Diamondbacks dropped a 7-1 decision in the makeup contest to fall 3 1/2 games behind the National League West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers. Arizona would love to rebound with a repeat performance from right-hander Randall Delgado, who recorded his first career complete game in his last outing.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, NESN (Boston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Randall Delgado (3-3, 2.85 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Jon Lester (10-6, 4.27)
Delgado recorded his second consecutive scoreless outing after scattering three hits in a 10-0 triumph over San Diego on July 26. The 23-year-old Panamanian was far from dominant in his lone appearance versus Boston, however. Then a member of the Atlanta Braves, Delgado took the loss after yielding four runs on six hits in 1 1/3 innings on June 23, 2012.
Lester posted his second victory in a row after allowing just four hits over seven scoreless innings and striking out eight against Baltimore on Sunday. The 29-year-old has been substantially better at home, posting a 4-0 mark and 2.95 ERA while limiting the opposition to just a .230 batting average. Lester won his lone career start versus Arizona, permitting two runs on four hits while striking out seven in 2010.
WALK-OFFS
1. Acquired at the trade deadline, veteran RHP Jake Peavy will make his Red Sox debut when he starts Saturday's game.
2. Arizona placed C Miguel Montero (lower back strain) on the 15-day disabled list Thursday. C Tuffy Gosewisch was recalled from Triple-A Reno and went 1-for-3 in his major-league debut.
3. Boston registered its majors-leading 11th walk-off win on Thursday. The franchise record is 13, which was set in 1940.
PREDICTION: Red Sox 7, Diamondbacks 5