The Sox came home from a horrific west coast road trip and we all hoped that some good ol’ home cooking would be just what the team needed. Unfortunately, the Sox picked right up where they left off. Felix Doubront has continued to struggle as of late. He might be showing with the innings he has pitched this year that he is hitting the wall.
Doubront, as most Sox starters, gave up a run in the 1st inning. Dubi gave up a leadoff double to Lawrie and when he was moved over to 3rd with one out, Lawrie scored on a sac fly from Encarnacion. Sox 0-1. In the 3rd, Doubront gave up a solo HR to Encarnacion to give the Jays a 2-0 lead. In the 4th the Sox got in an even bigger hole when Sierra hit a 2 run HR. Sox 0-4. Doubront started the 5th inning and gave up a leadoff triple to Rasmus. Bobby V came out and that was it for him for the night. I would hate to see Doubront shut down since I think he is talent wise one of the best pitchers on staff, however given his production as of late it has to be something the Sox are considering. Clayton Mortensen came out in relief of Doubront. Rasmus came home on an RBI single to Escobar, but Mortensen got out of the inning with no other damage done.
In the bottom of the 5th, the Sox were able to put a run on the board. The Sox had runners on 1st and 3rd with one out. Pedey hit into what looked like it would be a double play ball however the Jays were unable to turn it and Kalish scored from third base. Sox 1-5. Mortensen pitched a scoreless 6th inning where he struck out the side and then Chris Carpenter came out and pitched a scoreless 7th inning. The Sox got another run in the bottom of the 7th when Gomez hit an RBI bloop single to score Ciriaco. Sox 2-5. Rich Hill came out and pitched himself a nice 1-2-3 7th inning. Dustin Pedroia went all LA LUNA to start the bottom of the 7th. He hit a homer over the Monster and the Sox continued to climb their way back. Sox 3-5. Unfortunately all that hard work would be undone in the 9th inning. Daniel Bard took the mound for the Sox and he showed some of the same issues he has had all season long. Bard gave up a leadoff walk and then the runner proceeded to steal 2nd and 3rd base. Bard got 2 outs without allowing the run to score with some sick defense from Dustin Pedroia who made a great throw to get Gose out at home. However, Bard would put the Sox in an even bigger hole when he gave up a 2 run HR to Rasmus. Sox 3-7. In the bottom of the 9th, the Sox had a small rally in their bones but they were unable to make up for the hole the pitchers put them in. Aviles walked and with 2 outs, Mauro Gomez hit his 2nd HR of the season. Sox 5-7. If Bard hadn’t given up that HR then the game would have been tied and we at least would have had a chance in extras. However, Podsednik struck out and the game was over.
The water has gone back to being very clean. Depending on how this series turns out, the Sox could be in sole possession of the basement of the AL East when all is said and done.
Red Sox 5 Blue Jays 7 BOXSCORE
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