Sox Squander Lead, Lose To O’s, Blow Opportunity

Remember just a few days ago how the Red Sox could’ve had the AL East won as early as tonight?

That will have to wait as they blew another opportunity vs the O’s in a 5-3 loss.

Sep 12, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Jake Peavy (44) walks back to the dugout after he pitched the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Sox had a golden opportunity in the bottom of the third against import mediocrity Wei-Yin Chen. With the bases loaded and no outs, Mike Napoli struck out and Jonny Gomes grounded into a double play. Save for a game tying homer by Mike Napoli in the bottom of the sixth, the offense would play dead the rest of the night as they would strand 17 runs total.

Jake Peavy pitched a solid seven innings, giving up three runs with eight strikeouts. Franklin Morales choked under pressure in the top of the eleventh where he loaded up the bases and gave up a two run single to Brady Anderson. Oops, I mean Chris Davis. A complete waste of an overall solid effort by Peavy, Craig Breslow, Junichi Tazawa, and Koji Uehara. This was also a chance to gain some breathing room for best record in the AL over the Tigers and A’s who both lost. The Rays won so the magic number will remain at three.

I’m not hitting the panic button and I understand the O’s are fighting for their playoff lives. But it would be nice for this team to beat them tomorrow night, eliminate them from the AL East race, and secure a playoff spot. Is that too much to ask for the offense to come through for John Lackey who opposes Chris Tillman?