The Red Sox and Blue Jays faced off this afternoon with John Lackey taking the mound for the first time since he had Tommy John surgery last year. Lackey has had a productive Spring Training, so all of Red Sox Nation was waiting to see what he would bring to the mound. Unfortunately, the story wouldn't have the best ending as Lackey would leave the game with another injury.
Lackey started the game pitching well. He pitched three scoreless innings and was notching strikeouts left and right. In the 4th inning, Lackey missed on a pitch and Arencibia took it out of the park for a 2 run HR. Sox 0-2. Lackey got out of the inning without any other damage. Lackey took the mound in the 5th, got a K and then when facing the next batter he pulled up and grabbed his arm after the pitch. It looked bad. BAD. At the time we didn't know if it was the elbow or if it was some other arm injury. BAD. The good news if there is any is that after the game they said it was a bicep strain and that it did not look serious. Lackey is heading to Boston tomorrow for an MRI, but it is not the elbow and everyone seemed very positive and hopeful during the post game interview. Lackey's line for the night was 4.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB and 8 Ks. Until the injury, he looked great.
Alfredo Aceves came into the game in relief of Lackey and things went from bad to worse. Aceves finished out the 5th inning, but then in the 6th inning he have up 2 walks and then a towering HR to Rasmus. Sox 0-5. At this point the game was just depressing. Aceves did settle down and pitched scoreless 7th and 8th innings. Aceves also got 5Ks during his outing.
As for the offense, there isn't a lot to say. The Sox got a hit in the 1st and then not another hit again until the 9th inning. When the hitting is like that, it is hard to win a ballgame no matter what happens with the pitching. Let's hope the bats are a wee bit more alive tomorrow.
Red Sox 0 Blue Jays 5 BOXSCORE
WP: Happ (1-0) LP: Lackey (0-1)
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