Offense Fails To Support Lackey Again In 4-3 Loss

Just a few days ago, BoSox Injection writer Steve Peterson posted on the consistent futility of the Red Sox offense behind starter John Lackey. That trend continued today as the Red Sox dropped both the game and the four-game series to the Royals, with the anemic offense the main culprit.

Aug 11, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher John Lackey (41) delivers a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Lackey did not turn in his best outing today in Kansas City. The big right-hander allowed 4 earned runs on 7 hits and 2 walks over 7 innings; however, it is a good enough outing that the team with the best offense in baseball should have backed him better than they did. However, some early struggles– all four runs allowed came in the first three innings– were enough to cost Lackey another opportunity to win a game as his record sinks to 7-10 while his ERA remains stellar at 3.32.

When the Red Sox did score, it was the unlikely suspects who contributed more often than not. The Red Sox got a cheap run on a throwing error in the first inning, but their other two runs came on a single off the bat of Ryan Lavarnway. Stephen Drew, Lavarnway and Will Middlebrooks, the seventh, eighth, and ninth hitters respectively, went a combined 5-11 with 1 walk, 1 run scored, and 2 RBIs. However, it would not be enough to back Lackey in what would turn into another decent outing resulting in a loss for the big right-hander.