The postponed game due to rain gives me the opportunity to get a delayed game recap for Thursday's game against the Orioles. The Sox had split the series coming into the game and hoped to get a win to take the taste of the blown save out of the mouths of Red Sox Nation. Since John Lackey is temporarily out of the rotation, Alfredo Aceves was making the spot start. Aceves had been stretched out during Spring Training and his time with the World Baseball Classic. Chris Tillman would be toeing the rubber for the O's.
Aceves didn't pitch a gem, but he sure gave the Sox what they needed and more. I always have a high amount of respect for someone who is willing to step up and jump into the rotation when a starter goes down. The reason Aceves is still a valuable piece of the bullpen is because of opportunities like these. Aceves gave up a solo HR to Davis in the 2nd inning to give the O's a 1-0 lead. The Sox were able to give the lead back to Aceves in the 3rd inning with RBI singles from Pedroia and Napoli. Sox 2-1.
Aceves kept pitching through the 5th inning and in total threw 79 pitches. Aceves gave up the tying run in the 5th by way of an Adam Jones RBI single. Sox 2-2. After the inning you could see Farrell telling Aceves he was done for the night and that Aceves would have liked to keep pitching if he was allowed to. His pitching line for the night was 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 3 BB and 4 Ks. Aceves has quite the reputation in Boston, however I think he really came through for the team last night. He gave them exactly what they needed and they still had a chance for a win.
Unfortunately, the Sox would not be able to get that win. Clayton Mortensen came on in relief of Aceves. Morty pitched a scoreless 6th inning and then took the mound for the 7th inning. Mortensen got 2 outs, but then gave up a single to Manny Machado. Andrew Miller was in the game, faced one batter and walked him. Koji Uehara came in and gave up an RBI double to Adam Jones to have the Sox fall behind 2-3. Tazawa came out and pitched a scoreless and Alex Wilson made his major league debut in a scoreless 9th inning. The Sox bats were unable to get that run back during the late innings and the one run was able to get the O's the win and the series.
This was the first series that the Sox have lost in 2013. Let's hope they get back to their winning ways when they face Tampa this weekend.
Red Sox 2 Orioles 3 BOXSCORE
WP: Matusz (1-0) LP: Mortensen (0-1) SV: Johnson (4)
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