After having the best July in franchise history, the Sox started off August….with a loss. Lackey took the mound hoping for his 5th straight win. Instead, he’d leave the mound in the 7th inning with a no decision.
The offense gave Lackey an early lead with Scutaro RBI single that brought Salty home. The Indians would tie up the game in the 3rd after a Reddick throwing error and a Brantley double. The Sox grabbed the lead back in the bottom of the 3rd when Youk tripled to score Gonzo, was thrown out at home, but was followed by Crawford hitting a HR to right field. The Indians got a run back with a Fukudome sac grounder. However, in the play Salty got a runner out at second. He’s been doing that a lot more effectively lately.
Lackey had a problem with the long ball in the 6th. He gave up a 2 run HR to Asdrubal Cabrera and then another HR to Travis Hafner. However, Jarrod Saltalamacchia returned the favor in the bottom of the 6th with a broken bat 2 run HR. Game tied at 5-5. Lackey was pulled in the top of the 7th with 2 outs, even though it is clear he wanted to stay in the game. His pitching line on the night was 106 pitches, 6.2 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 0 BBs, 5 Ks. Franklin Morales came out in relief and got the final out of the inning.
Dan Bard pitched the 8th inning and did what he hadn’t done for over a month…he gave up runs. Bard didn’t have his best stuff. He gave up a single and then a 2 run HR to Asdrubal Cabrera. The play was initially ruled a ground rule double, but upon review it was called a HR. I never want to see the Sox give up runs, but it was the right call. The ball actually hit a woman in the knee and NESN showed the woman’s knee….ball seams and all imprinted on her knee. Ouchie. Bard was pulled after 1/3 of an inning and Randy Williams came out in relief. Williams gave up a single and a double before retiring the last two batters. Matt Albers pitched the 9th for the Sox and he, like everyone else, gave up a HR as well. The Sox were able to get one run against the Indians’ closer with a RBI double by Jacoby Ellsbury, but that’s all they could get going.
The Red Sox lost and it was kind of ugly.
Red Sox 6 Indians 9 BOXSCORE
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