Doubront Putrid, Offense Punchless, Sox Drop Opener

Another opposing left-handed starter, another loss. This time it was a 10-3 loss to the Yankees.

Aug 16, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Felix Doubront (22) pitches during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

After going on a historic stretch of allowing three runs or less in sixteen consecutive starts, Felix Doubront came crashing back down to earth against a team he’s usually successful against. Doubront would give up two home runs to Mark Reynolds and Alfonso Soriano and would depart with an awful final line (4 IP, 8 hits, 7 runs (6 earned), 2 walks, 4 strikeouts). This was the second sub-par outing for Doubront. Don’t let his outing prior to last night fool you. Though he technically continued his streak, he only went four innings in that one as well (which translates to a 6.75 ERA). This is NOT a good time for Doubront to regress. Hopefully he turns it around soon. And by soon, I mean his next start (which will likely be against the Giants in San Francisco).

The offense continues to have little to no answer to left-handed pitching. It doesn’t matter if it’s one of the game’s best like David Price or a guy who’s struggled as of late like Andy Pettitte. They could only get three unearned runs off Pettitte in 6.2 innings (one RBI each for David Ortiz, Jonny Gomes, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia who each only had one hit). Dustin Pedroia and Stephen Drew were the only players who collected two hits, the former scoring twice and the latter once.

This offense is in need of some type of upgrade. It’s probably time for Ben Cherington to call up Xander Bogaerts. They passed up on acquiring Michael Young (twice) just so they wouldn’t roadblock their top prospect. So how about calling him up?

The Yankees are the fourth place team in the division. Just like the against the last place Blue Jays, this club cannot afford to lose these types of series. It’s now an uphill crawl after dropping the opener. With Tampa winning their game last night, the lead is now back down to just one game.

John Lackey takes the hill today for the Sox. Hiroki Kuroda (who’s also on an impressive consecutive games of three or less earned runs allowed) will be opposing him. Hopefully this lineup can return the favor and break the trend of little run support they give Lackey.