Filed under: Boston Red Sox
Ok so yesterday I talked about pitching and defense, yet I failed to mention one other key component to a winning season: HITTING!!!
Sadly, Tim Wakefield recorded his third loss despite doing his job by pitching 8 great innings allowing 3 runs on only 4 hits last night against the Devil Rays. Timmy has posted a 1.56 ERA in his first four starts yet is 1-3 in those games. I should have asked for some serious run support yesterday. This is oddly reminiscent of the Pedro Martinez peak years when Petey would lose games by scores of 2-1 or 1-0. Last year Wake had the best run support on his way to tacking up 16 wins. Pathetically, the only run support he has gotten this year in his first 4 games pitching is a measly solo homer by Dustan Mohr. Ugh.
Ok so let’s give Scott Kazmir a little credit. He only added to his reputation as being a Red Sox killer last night by pitching 5 and 2/3 innings allowing just 4 hits, 1 run, while fanning 7. I guess this guy just has our number. He improved his record against the Sox to 3-1 with a 2.64 ERA. Although it wasn’t just Kazmir, because the starter left in the 5th due to thumb cramping. Devil Rays manager Joe Maddon joked that “It must have been from too many video games growing up.” I don’t know about video games but it definitely could have been from too much playing with the joy stick.
Entering in relief, though, Travis Harper and Dan Miceli both blanked the Sox, despite the former loading the bases in the ninth. I thought we were going to have a chance with Trot Nixon and Jason Varitek pinch hitting with one out in the bottom of the ninth with the bases juiced. Unfortunately Miceli came in and struck out Trot and induced a fly ball from Tek to give the Sox their 5th loss this season.
Tonight Beckett goes against former Marlins teammate A.J. Burnett. It should be a good pitching matchup but don’t expect many runs. The bullpen’s rested so hopefully we’ll see Papelbon for another save
No Comments so far
Leave a comment
Leave a comment
Line and paragraph breaks automatic, e-mail address never displayed, HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>