Red Sox lose to Tigers, 6-2

Jun 6, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher

(62) sits in dugout after being relieved in the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Coming into Friday night’s game, the Tigers had lost five straight games; the Red Sox had lost three. Unfortunately it was Detroit’s losing streak that was snapped and not Boston’s.

Rubby De La Rosa‘s second start for the Red Sox was sadly not similar to his first. On May 31, Rubby went seven innings without allowing any earned runs. He only gave up four hits total while striking out eight batters. The “beginner’s luck” seems to have worn off for the 25 year old right hander. Tonight he was pulled after just 5.2 innings. Have gave up nine hits and four earned runs. He wasn’t all bad: he only walked two and struck out five. His ERA is a respectable 2.84.

All the Sox troubles can’t be laid on young Rubby’s shoulders. The offense only managed a measly two runs off of Detroit pitcher Drew Smyly, who has a 4.37 ERA and had given up seven hits in four innings in his last appearance. Where has Boston’s offense gone? The team was 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. In the previous games of this current losing streak the Sox went 1-for-7, 2-for-11, and 0-for-3. When will the Sox bats wake up? Is a big trade needed? Something certainly needs to change and quick if the Sox want to get into position for the dog days of summer.

The Sox are in second to last place in the division and ten games out of first. Obviously there’s a lot of baseball left to be played, 102 games to be exact. But with two more games against the Tigers ahead plus more road games against the Orioles after that, the Sox had better get those bats on fire fast.

Tomorrow the Sox tackle the Tigers again when Jon Lester (6-6 and 3.15 ERA) takes on Max Scherzer (6-2 and 3.20 ERA).