Red Sox Shaky Bullpen Denies Heroic Comeback
In a game that saw the Red Sox scratch and claw their way back on more than one occasion, it was the uncharacteristically shaky bullpen that led to the stumble in the late innings in what turned out to be a tough 8-6 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.
After Jon Lester settled down somewhat, battling for 6.0 innings while giving up 4 runs (2 earned) on 8 hits while fanning 5 and only walking one, it was Scott Atchison of all people who self destructed and gave the O’s back the lead. The veteran minor leaguer who has been the feel good story of the year has been all but lights out in relief this season, but tonight he struggled giving up 2 runs in what turned out to be only 0.1 of an inning.
Matt Albers would work 1.2 innings before giving way to Alfredo Aceves for the ninth and tenth innings and once again the closer was anything but effective, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits in just 2.0 innings of work. Actually, both runs came in the tenth after Aceves worked a clean three up, three down ninth to allow for another heroic effort by none other than Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
Salty once again delivered a clutch hit this time a two run shot to tie the game with David Ortiz on base and two outs, sending the game to extra frames. The play would be reviewed but upon a closer look the ball hit just above the home run line atop the Green Monster sending another sold out Fenway Park into a frenzy, at least those that remained at that point.
The play was all for not thanks to the bullpen unable to lock down the Orioles who collected a total of 15 hits off of Red Sox pitching.
Dustin Pedroia who was playing in his first game in over a week went 0-for-3 with an RBI with his newly designed custom brace to protect his injured thumb. It’s hard to say Pedey looked uncomfortable at the plate, perhaps he just needs to get his timing back.
A more disturbing statistic is that Adrian Gonzalez and Kevin Youkilis combined to go 0-for-10 between the two sluggers leaving a total of 8 men on base. Quite simply, the Red Sox heart of the order was not good enough on this night.
Mike Aviles and Salty both had 3-hit nights while Daniel “the kid” Nava and Scott Podsednik both had two-hit evenings. Podsednik was batting leadoff and is now hitting .400 during his short tenure with the Red Sox. When the regulars start to return from the DL, Podsednik is making a strong case for himself to remain with the big club and potentially forcing a Marlon Byrd or Darnell McDonald to be placed on waivers.
All in all it was a tough loss for the Red Sox who once again struggle to beat the Orioles at Fenway. Game two goes Wednesday night Josh Beckett takes the ball for Boston and will try and get his club back in the win column.