Times wires
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
CLEVELAND — Carl Crawford finally had the kind of game the Red Sox and their fans have been waiting for.
It took him just six innings to do it.
Crawford, the former Rays All-Star who has struggled badly in his first two months with Boston, went 4-for-4 with two doubles, three runs and two RBIs before being pulled, and the Red Sox bludgeoned the Indians' Mitch Talbot for seven runs in the first in a 14-2 rout on Wednesday.
"I definitely feel better than I did before," said Crawford, who signed a seven-year, $142 million free agent contract in December. "It feels nice to contribute to a game where everyone contributes."
Dustin Pedroia hit a two-run homer in Boston's eruption in the first off Talbot, the former Ray who came off the disabled list to make his first start since April 11.
The Red Sox got a season-high 20 hits to win two of three from the Indians and have won 10 of 12 overall.