RESULT – LOSS 7-0
There is really nothing good to say about this game. The starting pitching was bad and the bats were equally awful. Something happens when the Red Sox go to Texas Texas
Let’s start with the Felix Doubront who had the worst outing of his career. The 3 and 2/3 innings pitched was a career low and he just didn’t look comfortable out there. His velocity was down and his location was all over the place. The young lefty was a few ticks shy on the radar gun coming in 90-91 area when we’re used to 93-94 or more. He had multiple two-strike opportunities and only produced 2 strikeouts which are strange because even when Felix is off, he’s a strikeout machine. It took him 97 pitches to get through only 3 and 2/3 innings. His final line was very ugly, 12 hits, 6 runs, 1 walk and 2 strikeouts.
Of the 12 hits that Doubront allowed, 10 of them were singles but it was one of the two doubles that sent him to the showers. Former Sox player Adrian Beltre hit a two-out three run double in the top of the fourth that essentially broke the game open.
Before that, Doubront was actually doing his best high wire act and getting out of innings. He trailed only 2-0 with two outs in the fourth as a double play and a base running error by the Ranges got him out of some early scares.
Unfortunately his luck ran out as he just wasn’t missing many bats out there. Alex Wilson came on for 2 and 2/3 innings and only gave up one run on 5 hits and Clayton Mortensen finished up the last inning and 2/3 allowing only 1 hit.
In the end, the pitching didn’t matter as the Sox would have lost by a score of 1-0 because the bats were apparently left on the plane for the night. The Sox mustered only 2 hits the entire game and 1 walk. Jacoby Ellsbury had 2 hits and Victorino, Ortiz, Gomes and Ciriaco all pitched in with one knock each. They left 5 men on base and only had 2 runners in scoring position all night (they went 0 for 2 in those situations). I can’t even single out any one hitter that was particularly bad because they all had some terrible swings.
Give all the credit in the world to Rangers starter Derek Holland. He was masterful out there as he tossed 8 scoreless innings striking out nine. He lowered his ERA on the season to 2.74 and notched his second win. All six hits he allowed were singles and he struck out at least one an inning for 7 of his 8 innings pitched.
Offensively the Rangers had a couple standouts. Adrian Beltre torched the sox for 3 RBI going 4 for 5 on the night. Ian Kinsler went 3 for 5 with an RBI and Nelson Cruz also chipped in with an RBI going 2 for 4. Mitch Moreland had 3 hits as the Ranges banged out 18 hits in all. There was only one starter without a hit and that was Lance Berkman who walked once.
Hopefully someone will retrieve the bats for the Sox in time for Game 2 but I’m telling you, I have a terrible feeling every time they go to Texas
SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE – GAME MVP
No one really deserves this, but I’ll give it to Jacoby Ellsbury who had 2 of the six hits for the team. He also struck out twice but the only Sox player with multiple hits will get the MVP on a day like this.
ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP
Felix Doubront. He just didn’t have it yesterday. He missed location all night and when he had to come in, the Rangers made him pay. Let’s hope that the decrease in velocity isn’t an arm issue and he just had a poor outing.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Bottom of the 4th when Adrian Beltre doubled home 3 runs to put the Rangers out 5-0. It spelled the end of the night for young Felix and put the Sox in a hole they never would recover from.
NEXT
Today, May 4th in Texas
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