The Red Sox desperately needed a strong start from starter John Lackey if they had any hope of putting a stop to this skid they have been on in the past week. Lackey pitched a gem, but got no run support and the Rays ended up walking off in the 9th.
The Sox and Rays stayed scoreless for almost the entire game. Both Lackey and Archer kept putting up zero after zero. Archer pitched 6 strong innings and Lackey pitched 7 strong. Neither would be in play for the decision, but they did what they needed to for their team to have a chance. Given how poorly the Sox starters have done in the last week, the Lackey start was a welcome change in pace. Lackey’s pitching line for the night was 108 pitches, 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB and 3 Ks. Lackey took the mound in the 8th, but was replaced by Tazawa after he gave up a leadoff single. Tazawa got an out before Farrell went to Andrew Miller to finish off the inning. Miller got the 2 outs and they were on to the 9th. The Sox had a shot to get on the board in the bottom of the 9th when AJ Pierzynski hit a single and then Victorino tried to bunt him over. Unfortunately, the throw beat AJ to 2nd base and Victorino hurt himself running down the line. That play clearly did not go to plan. In the bottom of the 9th Andrew Miller took the mound again. Miller issued a walk and Farrell replaced him with Burke Badenhop. Jennings stole 2nd base and then Badenhop gave up the go ahead run when Figueroa hit an RBI double. The Red Sox can’t seem to buy a win these days. It has been 8 straight days with 8 straight losses.
Red Sox 0 Rays 1 BOXSCORE
WP: Oviedo (1-0) LP: Miller (1-3)
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
