Sox Fall Hard in Detroit 10-3

In the first inning at Comerica Park Saturday night, it seemed as if the Sox were continuing their trend of hitting well against Max Scherzer. But, sadly, that is where the Sox offense ended against the mighty right-hander.

June 22, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Allen Webster (64) walks off the field after being relieved in the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Jacoby Ellsbury started the game with a single. Shane Victorino also singled and advanced Ellsbury to third. The speedy centerfielder scored when Dustin Pedroia grounded into a double play. David Ortiz contributed one more run with a homer, his 16th, and the Sox led 2-0. That nearly it for Boston’s offense as the Tigers drubbed Boston 103.

The Tigers, on the other hand, had more power in their bats than the Sox could handle. In the bottom of the first, Allen Webster gave up singles to Austin Jackson and Torii Hunter. He then walked Miguel Cabrera. There was a glimmer of hope when he struck out Prince Fielder for the first out of the inning. But when Victor Martinez hit a grand slam to take the lead, things took a turn for the worst.

Webster seemed to settle down and made it through the second and third innings without giving up a run. He gave up another run in the fourth and was pulled with one out in the fifth. His 4.2 innings included 5 earned runs, but also 5 strikeouts and only 2 walks. He recorded an impressive 19 swings-and-misses. As this was only  the second major league start for the 23 year-old righty, this could be a sign of good things to come. (Or just wishful thinking on the part of Sox fans such as myself.)

Things went from bad to worse in the fifth inning when Franklin Morales came into the game for 2.1 innings, giving up 5 earned runs. Alex Wilson also contributed an earned run in the bottom of the eighth.

The Sox bats made a little noise in the top of the ninth when Jarrod Saltalamacchia‘s single scored Mike Carp. But it wasn’t nearly enough as the Sox lost to the Tigers in an ugly way. Max Scherzer advanced to 11-0 and Webster sunk to 0-2 with an abysmal 11.25 ERA.

The Sox take on the Tigers again on 6/23 at 1:08pm when Felix Doubront (4-3, 4.38 ERA) battles Justin Verlander (8-5, 3.72 ERA).