He’s No Angel; Aceves Blows Lead, Angels Win 6-5 In Ninth
The Red Sox nursed a precarious 5-4 lead they’d earned since the sixth into the late innings. Boston had done what they needed to do against Jered Weaver, one of the the American League’s best pitchers. In the fourth they took advantage of a Weaver walk that was sandwiched in between five singles. With two runs already in and Weaver on the ropes with the bases loaded, the Sox were one big hit away from breaking the game open and chasing Weaver from the bump. Ryan Kalish grounded into a double play scoring Ryan Lavarnway and Jose Igelsias grounded out with James Loney on third to end the inning. Weaver had been touched up for three runs but had bent and not broken.
Alfredo Aceves, returning to Boston’s lineup after a three-game suspension for unprofessional conduct – otherwise known as a child-like, door-slamming hissy fit in Bobby Valentine‘s office after being passed over in favor of Andrew Bailey to close a recent game – in retrospect should have been suspended for four games.
After a clean 1, 2, 3 eighth, Aceves hit Angels shortstop Erick Aybar in the foot with one out in the ninth. Aybar stole second, Aceves walked pinch hitter Alberto Callaspo on four pitches. MVP candidate, Mike Trout, lined a single to center to score Aybar. Callaspo, who went to third on Trout’s single, scored on a sacrifice fly by Tori Hunter and the game was over.
"The Angels, who celebrated wildly, bagged a much-needed win to stay in the Wild Card hunt. Boston’s loss simply left Red Sox fans wild."
In a year marked by disappointment, this kind of game has become a near predictable outcome. It was Aceves’ eighth blown save and Boston’s sixth walkoff loss this year. The Sox are 13-17 in games decided by one run.
The season grinds on. The beat down goes on.
Hit me with your rhythm stick, hit me, hit me
Das ist gut, c’est fantastique, hit me, hit me, hit me
Hit me with your rhythm stick
It’s nice to be a lunatic
Hit me, hit me, hit me
– Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick, Ian Dury and The Blockheads