The Boston Red Sox made some
history last night. Unfortunately it
wasn’t good history and something they probably didn’t want to do. With last night’s loss to the Blue Jays by
the score of 7-2 the Red Sox were swept not only by the Jays but on the entire
homestand which was 6 games. It was the
2nd time in the history of the Red Sox, we’re talking over 100 years
here, that they have been swept on an entire homestand that was 6 games or
more. The only other time it happened
was back in July of 1994.
It marks the 7th
straight loss for the Red Sox and on this horrific homestand they were
outscored 33-13 and led for only one inning for the entire 6 game span. That one inning was Sunday night when they
took a 1-0 lead in the 2nd inning of the last game against
Detroit. Xander Bogaerts had an RBI
single to take the lead but Jake Peavy promptly gave it right back in the top
half of the 3rd by giving up a 2-run homer to Victor Martinez. Ouch!
With Jon Lester on the hill, I fully
expected a good pitching duel and since he’s been the stopper all season long
maybe an end to this terrible stretch of baseball but Lester looked like a big
pile of dog poop in the first 2 innings of the game. He allowed all 7 runs in the first 2 innings
and put the Sox down in the hole early and they were never able to dig
themselves out.
Overall Lester went 6 and 1/3
innings, giving up 7 runs on 10 hits while walking 2 and striking out 3. Though he settled down after the terrible 2nd
inning where he allowed 5 runs, it was a little too late as the bats couldn’t
get anything going against Mark Buehrle who ran his record to 8-1 on the
season.
Burke Badenhop went 1/3 of an
inning working around a hit but gave up no runs. Craig Breslow went 1 and 1/3 innings giving
up 2 hits but no runs and Junichi Tazawa went the last inning working around a
walk and a hit while striking out 2.
Overshadowed by this bad stretch
has been the bullpen which has been quite good as they’ve been asked to throw a
ton of innings and have done well as they’ve either kept the game close or shut
down the opposing teams bats. Hopefully
they can stay strong and continue to do well when the bats and starting
pitching comes around.
Speaking of the bats, it was the
same old story last night as the Sox just couldn’t hit with runners on
again. They were 1 for 7 with runners in
scoring position and left 5 men on base.
During this 7 game skid they are just 10 for 49 with runners in scoring position.
They were able to only get 7 hits
and didn’t walk at all. Xander Bogaerts
stayed hot as he went 1 for 4 with a solo homer that went clear out of Fenway
Park for his 3rd of the year.
Brock Holt went 2 for 3 with a double in the loss. Dustin Pedroia went 1 for 4 with a run scored
and a double, his 17th of the year.
Jonny Gomes went 1 for 4 with an RBI and Mike Carp went 1 for 4, as did
A.J. Pierzynski.
David Ortiz went 0 for 4 and is
now hitless in his last 17 at bats. He
also hasn’t driven in a run since May 14th’s win over Minnesota
where he hit 2 homers. Since then he’s
been ice cold at the plate.
It’s been a very rough stretch
lately and as a fan you have to hope they can come out of it because this team
isn’t much different than what won a World Series last year. The starting pitching has to get better and the
bats really need to wake up.
They’ll be back at it again
tonight as they travel down to Tampa Bay to face the Rays. John Lackey (5-3, 4.01) will take the hill
for the Sox. He was roughed up last time
out against the Tigers as he went 5 and 1/3 innings giving up 5 runs on 9 hits
taking the loss. Before that he was good
for 4 straight starts so hopefully he can regain his mojo against the division
rival Rays.
The Rays will counter with one of
their young starters, Chris Archer (3-2, 4.59).
Archer was very good in his last outing against the Angels as he went 5
and 2/3 for the win. He allowed only 2
hits and 0 runs but was a bit wild as he walked 5 and struck out 5. He’s been very erratic as of late walking 9
in 10 and 2/3 innings pitched. The Sox
will need to be patient tonight and hit good pitches.
SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE –
GAME MVP
Brock Holt. Holt went 2 for 3 with a double in the loss. Holt has certainly held his own at the hot
corner since his call-up for the Middlebrooks injury. Not only is he hitting the ball but he’s also
making some great plays at third. My
hope is that he sticks around even when Stephen Drew is ready as the utility
man. Herrera should be sent down and
Holt kept in his spot.
ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP
Jon Lester. Lester was the latest starter to put the Sox
down in an early hole as he was roughed up the first 2 innings to the tune of 7
runs.
PLAY OF THE GAME
The 2-run single by Jose Reyes in
the top of the 2nd that sparked a Jays rally that would end with a 5
run inning.
NEXT
Friday, May 23rd in Tampa Bay vs.
the Rays.
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