Red Sox Unable to Avoid Sweep, Fall to Yankees 8-5
The Red Sox were unable to avoid being swept by the Yankees tonight, losing in a final score of 8-5
The Jekyll/Hyde act that Boston starting pitching has been doing continued tonight, with Joe Kelly unable to make it through 5 innings. He allowed 9 hits and 5 runs while only striking out three. Craig Breslow came in to relieve Robbie Ross Jr. and was unable to retire a batter, allowing 3 hits and 3 runs.
Despite an 8 run deficit, the Red Sox bats refused to give in. The Red Sox were able to score 5 runs in the bottom of the 6th with two outs. Mike Napoli hit a homer into the green monster that lowered the defecit to only 3.
The Red Sox narrowly avoided more bullpen struggle, when Dalier Hinojosa walked the bases loaded in the top of the 9th. However, despite being down 3-0 in the count with the bases loaded, Hinjosa was able to come back and get the out.
In the bottom of the 9th the Red Sox were able to load the bases with walks by Allen Craig and Mookie Betts followed by Dustin Pedroia reaching on an error. However, David Ortiz was unable to muster up some late game magic, flying out to centerfield to end the game.
Game Notes
- As each game passes it becomes more and more evident that changed need to be made to the starting rotation. With tonights game in the books, the Red Sox starting rotation has a cumulative ERA of 5.68. Just let that soak in.
- Eduardo Rodriguez currently has a 1.82 ERA in AAA. He could warrant a call up soon and considering how bad the rotation is been, it could be sooner rather than later.
- Former Red Sox, Jacoby Ellsbury torched the Red Sox tonight, going 4-4 with a walk and 2 runs scored.
- Napoli seemed to show some signs of life with the homer. He also walked.
- This makes my record at Sox games 1-1 this year, lets hope next game I go to we see strong starting pitching again.
F. . Game Ball. No One. STARTING PITCHING
Kelly was pretty terrible today. He gave up 5 earned runs for his third straight start. He can bring the heat with his fastball but hasn’t been able to be effective with it. If his performance continues, his spot in the rotation could easily be lost.
RELIEF PITCHING . C. . Game Ball. <b>Edward Mujica</b>
Edward Mujica was the bright spot from the bullpen today. He pitched 2.1 shutout innings, striking out one. Breslow struggled as mentioned before and without his earned runs, it would have been a tie game at the end of 6.
. Game Ball. Mike Napoli. OFFENSE . B+
The Red Sox bats came alive with 2 outs in the bottom of the 6th but were unable to erase an 8 run deficit. You can’t blame them for it but they did have the chance to walk off in the bottom of the 9th with the bases loaded. This team has one of the lineups in baseball and they are going to score runs and a lot of them. However, if they are playing catchup like they did tonight all season, don’t expect to many wins from the Red Sox
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