John Lackey had another rough
outing as the Sox lose the first game of the series 8-4 in Boston on Friday
night.
For the second consecutive start,
John Lackey was knocked around for 6 earned runs. He lasted only 5 and 1/3 and allowed 10 hits
while walking 4 and striking out 6. He threw
100 pitches and was just lousy all night.
He allowed runners on base in all innings except one and faced 8 batters
in a 3-run 3rd inning and 7 in a 2-run 5th. He’s now 2-2 on the year and his ERA has
skyrocketed up to 5.25. The biggest problem
was the 4 walks which is more than he’s allowed in all of his previous outings
(3 in 18 and 2/3).
Of course it wouldn’t be a Sox
game without some replay controversy. On
the first pitch of the game, Nick Markakis lofted a fastball down the
left-field line that looked to be foul but the umpires called fair. Markakis ended up with a stand-up double but
John Farrell came out to challenge the call.
As you’ve seen, the Sox haven’t exactly had the best luck with the
replay system this year.
After a 2 minute, 56 second
review, the call on the field stood.
Three batters later, Markakis scored the game’s first run on an Adam
Jones' infield single. John Farrell seems
to be growing very frustrated with the replay system and I can see why. The views on NESN clearly showed the ball was
foul but they said it wasn’t conclusive enough to be overturned. Every view on NESN showed that ball hit foul
but the call stood and it was a sign of things to come as things went from bad
to worse for Lackey and the Red Sox offense.
It was a very good night at
Fenway Park with temperatures starting at 39 degrees at first pitch to go along
with an 8 mile per hour wind blowing in from the ocean. It was cold and the offense still is not
clicking.
They had runners on base in all
innings except for the third but couldn’t push many across. They had 11 hits in the game and 5 free
passes but left 12 men on base. With
runners in scoring position they were 5 for 15 and again that elusive big hit
evaded them.
Brock Holt, who was recently
called up from AAA Pawtucket went 2 for 4 with a RBI. Holt was on fire down in the minors and he’s definitely
an upgrade at 3rd as Ryan Roberts has been designated for assignment
and likely will not be back in Boston.
While Holt isn’t a big power hitter, he has gap power and is solid at 3rd
base. If he keeps hitting, the Sox may
have some questions to answer on Jonathan Herrera when Middlebrooks is back
next week.
Mike Carp went 2 for 4 with a run
scored and a double. And Dustin Pedroia
went 1 for 4 with a run scored, RBI and a walk.
Xander Bogaerts went 1 for 3 with an RBI and 2 walks as A.J. Pierzynski
went 1 for 4 with an RBI and hit by pitch.
All Red Sox starters had a hit
and Nava and Napoli’s lone hits were doubles.
Jackie Bradley Jr. was on base an additional time with a walk. The hits came but again, not in key situation
with runners on base. It was a problem last
year and so far this year it’s an even bigger problem. Perhaps it’s the weather but the Sox need to
figure it out quickly because it’s a tough AL East this year and they can’t be
struggling to score runs.
Andrew Miller went 2/3 of an
inning, striking out 1 of the 2 batters he faced and seems to be back on track
after early season control issues. Burke
Badenhop went 2 innings and allowed 1 run on 3 hits while walking 1 and
striking out 1. Edward Mujica continued
his Jekyll and Hyde pitching performance by turning in a bad performance going
1 inning allowing 2 hits and 1 earned run.
I can’t seem to figure this guy out yet as he’s not been very consistent
early on.
It’s a long 4 game series for the
Sox and Baltimore as they’ll play the Patriots Day game on Monday morning and
hopefully the Sox will rebound for the rest of the series. I don’t have any faith in their offense but
their pitching has been stellar. Felix
Doubront will take the hill on Saturday afternoon against Bud Norris. Both have had some success and bumps in the
road early on this year.
SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE –
GAME MVP
Brock Holt. Holt went 2 for 4 with an RBI in his first
game back up in the Majors. Holt was
insanely on fire in Pawtucket and I’m hoping he’ll continue his hot streak in
the bigs.
ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP
John Lackey. Lackey was once again roughed up and this
time it wasn’t the long ball that did him in.
Instead it was his wildness as he walked 4 batters.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Nelson Cruz’s 2-run single in the
top of the 3rd to put the O’s out in front 4-0. The Sox just could not recover.
NEXT
Saturday, April 19th at Home vs.
the Baltimore Orioles.
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