The final pages of chapter 2010

As the 2010 season winds down for the Boston Red Sox, one thing is certain- this team suffered setback after setback after setback, yet still found itself within distance of a playoff spot up until the start of their 157th game of the season. As reality set in for these players, it should not surprise anyone that a less than stellar performance was turned in for game #158. It’s tough to get right back up after getting that good swift kick in the you-know-where. I’m not suggesting that they are e-mailing in their remaining performances for this year, but coming so close, overcoming obstacles after obstacles, only to be tag-teamed by both the Rays and the Yankees winning yesterday… well, give them a break, give them a chance to catch their collective breaths. Playing for pride will be motivation enough to turn in their best performances in the last 4 games of the season. As for tonight, no, it was not one of their better performances, but we’ll let this one slide.

Josh Beckett lasted through 6+ innings, despite a tweaked ankle fielding a bunt in the 5th inning. Despite giving up 11 hits and issuing 4 free passes, he held the White Sox to only 4 runs, while collecting 5 more strikeouts. The game was still tied, 1-1, heading into the bottom of the 7th, when Beckett gave up 4 singles, an IBB, and another single for good measure. I’m sure some are questioning Tito leaving him in there for so long. I’m just as sure that Tito’s performance as a manager tonight might as well have suffered the same effect as the rest of the team from being eliminated the night before. No matter, Okajima struck out Manny, caught him looking, and then induced an inning ending double play from Mark Kotsay. Wakefield took the mound for the 8th inning.

Scutaro doubled in the 4th inning, and made it home courtesy of David Ortiz. Mike Lowell hit a solo home run in the 8th inning.

 

Red Sox 2 White Sox 5 BOX SCORE

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