The frustration has finally
boiled over as the Sox lose their 10th straight game as they are
swept by the Rays to the tune of 8-5.
The 10 game losing streak is the
longest such streak in 2 decades. In
1994, the Sox lost 11 straight under manager Butch Hobson. The Sox now sit 8 games back of the Blue Jays
in the basement of the AL East.
This one got a little crazy as
you could tell the Sox have finally reached their boiling point. In the 7th, the Sox lifted Jackie
Bradley Jr. from the game for Jonny Gomes who came up clutch with a game tying
2-run homer. It looked like momentum had
finally swung in the Sox favor but it would be short lived.
In the bottom of the 7th,
Craig Breslow, who looks like a shell of himself from last year, was belted
around for 5 runs on 5 hits and one walk in just 2/3’s of an inning. The big-hit being a pinch-hit 3-run homer by
Sean Rodriguez. It was almost like, I’ll
see your 2-run homer and raise you a 3-run shot. Definitely back-breaking.
Later in the inning, Yunel
Escobar would rip a 2-run double to make it 8-3. Escobar would then “steal” 3rd
during the next batter’s at bat. He would
be credited with a defensive indifference as the Sox didn’t even throw
down. That doesn’t mean the Sox were
happy with it as words were exchanged back and forth between Escobar and the
dugout. It looked like Escobar was
jawing with David Ross as he did not appreciate the maneuver by Escobar. Yunel then motioned toward Boston’s dugout
and the benches cleared after Gomes ran in from left-field and pushed
Escobar. Both players were ejected as
was Sean Rodriguez. It was good to see
some fight in them but I’d rather the team focus on the field and worry about
you know, winning a damn baseball game than beating up the opposition in a lame
pushing match.
The Sox would make it a little
interesting in the 9th as Xander Bogaerts hit a 2-run, 2 out single
to close the gap to 8-5. The Sox wouldn’t
get anymore as Pedroia would ground out to end the game.
Overall, the Sox did better
offensively if you don’t look at the horrendous average with runners in scoring
position (3 for 15) and the men left on base (7). It’s the same old thing with this team as
they continue to falter with runners on and a clutch base hit is needed.
Xander Bogaerts, who left
Saturday’s game early, started and went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI, a double, and a
hit-by-pitch. A.J. Pierzynski went 3 for
4 with 3 runs scored and 2 doubles.
Grady Sizemore went 2 for 4 with 2 doubles. Brock Holt went 1 for 4 with a run scored, an
RBI and sacrifice fly. Dustin Pedroia
went 1 for 5 and Jonny Gomes went 1 for 1 with his 5th homer of the
year. Mike Carp reached base once with a
walk.
With Mike Napoli and Shane
Victorino hitting the DL, the Sox brought back Daniel Nava who hit 6th. He went hitless but it was good to see him
back with the club and hopefully he can bounce back from his horrible start to
the season.
The 4-5-6 hitters (Ortiz, Carp
and Nava) went a combined 0 for 11 with 3 strikeouts. With all the injuries, the Sox are going to
need some guys to step up behind Ortiz.
Brandon Workman got the start for
injured Felix Doubront and did serviceable.
He went 5 innings giving up 3 runs on 5 hits while walking 3 and
striking out 3. He needed 88 pitches to
get through the outing but pitched well enough to give the Sox a chance to
win. I’m not sure we’ll see more of him
or not as Allen Webster has been doing well down in Pawtucket as well. I could see the Sox switching it up in Felix’s
next spot but we’ll see.
Alex Wilson was also recalled
from Triple-A as the bullpen needed some fresh arms after the 15 inning affair
the night before. He pitched 1 inning
and worked around a walk.
Craig Breslow imploded in his 2/3
innings of work as we detailed above and Edward Mujica pitched well for the second
straight outing. He went 1 and 1/3
innings giving up nothing and striking out 1.
The Sox will now travel to
Atlanta to face the Braves in a weird 2-game set in Atlanta, followed by a
2-game set in Boston against the same Braves. They’ll try to end this terrible
streak by sending Clay Buchholz to the mound.
Buchholz has not been good lately so we’ll see how this goes. I can honestly say that whenever he takes the
mound, I get a bit nervous.
SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE –
GAME MVP
Jonny Gomes. Gomes clutch 2-run homer tied up the game in
the 7th, while it was short lived, it was still clutch. He would also get thrown out for sticking up
for his teammates which goes a long way in my book.
ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP
Jackie Bradley Jr. JBJ went 0 for 2 with a strikeout before
being lifted for Gomes. He’s batting
.197 now on the year.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Sean Rodriguez’s 3-run homer in
the bottom half of the 7th which broke the 3-3 tie after the Sox had
tied it up in the top half of the inning.
NEXT
Monday, May 26th in Atlanta
vs. the Braves.
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