Aug 23, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Junichi Tazawa (36) throws a pitch against the Kansas City Royals in the ninth inning at Fenway Park. Kansas City defeated Boston 8-6. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Two teams in two different directions finished off their season series on Sunday with an 8-6 Kansas City win behind a total meltdown by Junichi Tazawa and some clutch hitting by Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas for the Royals.
Boston wasted a pair of RBI doubles by Jackie Bradley and a strong six innings by Eduardo Rodriguez, who allowed two earned runs, as Boston tied up the game, went ahead, and then watched it all vaporize.
For Kansas City it was just another road trip on their way to the playoffs and for Boston another game for new Generalissimo, Dave Dombrowski, to evaluate what is now a very expensive failure. At least Dombo got to see a potential ace in action with Johnny Cueto and, hey Dombo, looks like Johnny may have some James Shields like Fenway issues. Tread lightly on dumping 200M on that pony. And, Dombo, doesn’t take a baseball genius to realize your bullpen is a wreck.
If there is any solace for the last place Red Sox is they have captured the season series against the Royals (4-3). They also outscored the Royals 44-29 for the season. Now on to the autopsy of the latest bullpen blow-up.