Series Wrap-up: Red Sox @ Athletics
It took seven games and setting a club record for most consecutive road losses with seven, but the Red Sox finally won their first road game of the season. The win came after a tough loss on Tuesday night after A’s starter Brett Anderson dominated the Red Sox for 8 innings. None the less, the Red Sox showed a lot of character and managed a split of the brief 2 game set in Oakland.
As mentioned, Tuesday saw Anderson control the Red Sox at the plate as he pitched 8 innings of scoreless ball while only surrendering 4 hits and striking out 8. His curve ball was untouchable all night and almost every batter he faced he got ahead in the count and didn’t look back. His counterpart, John Lackey pitched very well Tuesday and didn’t show any signs of rust after a 10-day layoff. Big John took the loss (1-2) despite going 6 innings, while giving up 4 hits, 1 earned run and striking out 3 and. An impressive outing for Lackey has many critics have written him off, declaring he can’t return to his dominant form of two years ago. With no offense of any kind to show, the Red Sox fell 5-0.
Wednesday afternoon, saw Clay Buchholz still in search of his first win on the season face off against another lefty in Gio Gonzalez. Things didn’t start well for Buchholz as former Red Sox center fielder, Coco Crisp drilled the first pitch he saw for a home run to lead off the bottom of the first. Buchholz would settle down and get some help from the long ball as Kevin Youkilis, Jed Lowrie and J.D. Drew all went deep. For Youkilis and Lowrie it was their third dingers of the season, while for Drew it was his first. Daniel Bard came on in relief for Buchholz in the 6th to face a bases loaded situation, only to get Cliff Pennington to strikeout and Crisp to pop out to end the threat. Buchholz would get the win (1-2) after 5.1 innings, throwing 102 pitches, 1 earned run on six hits, while fanning only 2 batters and walking 4. Jonathan Papelbon, who came in to the game with 2 out in the 8th, struggled somewhat in the 9th, allowing 2 hits, 1 earned run and a hits batsman. But he was good enough to pick up the save and secure Boston’s 5-3 win. Take a sigh of relief boys, you’ve got the first win away from Fenway.
Series Monstah’
Jed Lowrie takes the honor for a second straight series. While there wasn’t much offense in the first game from anyone, Lowrie went 2-4 on Wednesday afternoon, with a homer and 2 RBI’s. He also hit the ball hard his other two at bats, only to be robbed by the outfielders, one which could’ve gone for another home run. Mr. Francona, please keep Mr. Lowrie in the lineup, he’s too valuable right now.
The Last Word:
Over this 2 game series, the Red Sox showed many positive signs. Their starting pitching has improved, mainly John Lackey showing he’s capable of working a scoreless inning and Buchholz making strides in turning his outings into productive ones with better control of his fastball. The offense did struggle Tuesday night against Anderson, but those nights are going to happen. When a pitcher is in that kind of zone, he’s almost un-hittable as the Sox witnessed on Tuesday. Carl Crawford now has a 3 game hitting streak, including 2 RBI’s in those games and the offense is starting to come from all parts of the lineup. Key hits were made Wednesday to help pad the lead when the Red Sox needed it most.
On Deck:
Up next for the Red Sox is a four game showdown in Southern California with the AL West leading LA Angels. That series begins Thursday night and for more on it, look for my post Series Snapshot: LA Angels.
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