Tuesday, September 3, 2013

GAME 130 – 8/23/2013 – in Los Angeles vs. the Dodgers

RESULT – LOSS 2-0

The situation for John Lackey keeps repeating itself.  The big righty keeps pitching well but can’t seem to get the run support to get a W.  It happened yet again on Friday night as Lackey fired an eight-inning complete game but the Sox lost to the Dodgers 2-0.

In Lackey’s 23 starts this season, Boston has been shut out 5 times and scored 3 or fewer runs 13 times.  If that’s not a lack of run support, I don’t know what is.

Lackey’s pitching line on the night looked great, 8 innings, 2 runs on 3 hits with no walks and 6 strikeouts.  His only mistake was a 2-run homer to Hanley Ramirez in the bottom of the fourth.  He was dominant all game as he constantly got ahead with first pitch strikes.  Despite going 8 innings, he needed only 97 pitches to get through the outing.

Unfortunately the Sox bats were stifled by Dodgers starter Ricky Nolasco.  He was fantastic going 8 shut-out innings giving up only 2 hits.  Kenley Jansen came in for the save in the 9th and struck out 2 of the 3 hitters he faced.

The only 3 hitters in the lineup to get on base for the Sox were Dustin Pedroia, who went 1 for 3, Stephen Drew, who went 1 for 3 and Daniel Nava who was hit by a pitch.  They were just completely dominated by Dodger pitching.

It was not a good start to the series by the Sox bats and hopefully they will wake up in time for the final 2 games.  Carl Crawford went 2 for 3 with a run in his first appearance against his former mates and Adrian Gonzalez took and 0 for 3.

They’ll get set for game 2 this afternoon as Jon Lester will face Hyun-jin Ryu.  Ryu is a rookie that has pitched very well for the Dodgers this year.

SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE – GAME MVP
John Lackey.  Lackey was dominant all night and if the bats could have gotten him some runs, we may be saying how this was Lackey’s best game of the season.

ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP
Shane Victorino.  Shane went hitless like most of his teammates but also struck out twice on the night.

PLAY OF THE GAME
Hanley Ramirez’s 2-run 4th inning homer that proved to be the difference.

NEXT
Saturday, August 24th, in Los Angeles vs. the Dodgers.

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