Monday, April 14, 2014

Game 13 – 4/13/2014 – in New York vs. the Yankees

RESULT – LOSS 3-2

It’s more of the same as the Sox fall to the Yankees 3-2, dropping 3 of 4 in the Bronx Sunday night.  The Sox just can’t seem to get the big hit and the offense keeps on sputtering despite a good outing by Felix Doubront.

Doubront went 6 and 2/3 innings giving up just 3 runs on 7 hits while walking 3 and striking out 2.  It wasn’t pretty, especially early on but he was able to work around the hits he allowed and the free passes.  He allowed a 2-run homer to Carlos Beltran in the 3rd inning and the other run was scored on an over-turned double play in the bottom of the fourth.  An overturned replay that got John Farrell ejected.

The ejection I think was more of frustration than really being about the call.  To me, the call should have been overturned but John Farrell had a point in his arguments.  He explained after the game that he felt the replays were inconclusive as you couldn’t tell if the foot was on the bag behind Mike Napoli’s leg.  Obviously, MLB felt differently as they reversed the call and the 3rd run of the game counted.  That run would end up being the decisive run in the ball game.

On Saturday, John Farrell challenged a call at 2nd base, but the call stood but MLB stated later in the day that the call should have been overturned.  Combat this with Sunday and I just think John Farrell was frustrated with the whole process.

I won’t blame that one call as to why the Sox lost, instead it was simply not getting the big hit they needed and leaving men on base.

In the top of the 8th, it looked like the Sox were either going to tie the game or even take the lead as they had the bases loaded after a 2-out double by Mike Napoli.  Daniel Nava then walked and A.J. Pierzynski was hit by a pitch.  Mike Carp came off the bench to hit for Ryan Roberts but struck out on a 2-2 pitch to end the threat.

Overall the Sox scored 2 runs on 9 hits while leaving 8 men on base.  They were good with runners in scoring position, going 2 for 3 but there weren’t many opportunities with runners in scoring position and the one they missed out on was the big one with bases loaded.

Grady Sizemore went 2 for 5 and Mike Napoli went 2 for 4 with a run scored, RBI, double and his third homer of the season.  Bogaerts, Bradley Jr. and Herrera each had a hit as Herrera knocked in a run as well.  Ryan Roberts went 2 for 3 with a run scored and Daniel Nava walked once.

Chris Capuano went the final 1 and 1/3 innings of the game in relief of Doubront and allowed only 1 hit.  He’s been lights out since signing with the Sox.

The Sox will head into Monday’s off-day 5-8 on the young season and simply not putting enough wood on the ball.  They’ll be heading to Chicago for a 3 game set against the White Sox but Dustin Pedroia will head back to Boston to have his left wrist examined by the medical staff.  It doesn’t sound good and all signs are pointing to a significant stint on the DL.  It’ll be a big blow to the team and with the offense sputtering; we may be seeing a lot of 4 runs or less for awhile.

SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE – GAME MVP
Mike Napoli.  Napoli had a double and his 3rd homer of the season.  Naps continues to hit well early on in the season.

ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP
David Ortiz.  Big Papi went 0 for 4 with a strikeout in the loss.

PLAY OF THE GAME
Mike Carp’s 8th inning strikeout with the bases loaded to end the best scoring opportunity.

NEXT
Tuesday, April 15th in Chicago, vs. the White Sox.

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