Pitching Implodes, Red Sox Lose

Josh Beckett showed signs of brilliance mowing down Phillies batters until the wheels came off in the 5th. The fightin’ Phillies put 4 runs up in the inning and drove Beckett’s pitch count up. He was gone after the 6th, giving way to the usually reliable bullpen. Tito chose to go with Daniel Bard out of the pen and it did not turn out well. Bard threw 31 picther (11 for strikes) and gave up 3 walks, 2 hits and 4 earned runs without even getting through an inning. That could have been Bard’s last outing for the Red Sox for the near future if they send him down to make room for Smoltz on Tuesday. Saito and Masterson mopped up for the Red Sox but the damage was done.

The Red Sox offense looked good early in the game and every starter other than Youk had a hit. Baldelli, Green, and Beckett each had home runs. It was Beckett’s third career homer and second at Citizen’s Bank Ballpark.

For the silver lining the Red Sox did win the series on the road and players like Tek and Drew were given time off to rest. The Red Sox bullpen that had been overworked in the last three games will have tomorrow off before the team takes on the Marlins on Tuesday.

Red Sox Lose 11-6 BOX SCORE