Even though Boston just recently had an 11-game winning streak snapped and beat the Cleveland Indians coming back from a 5-run deficit to win on a Jonathan Van Every homer in extra innings — his first of his MLB career — the Red Sox still have some things to figure out. Matt Garza is one and Josh Beckett is the other.
Garza continued his domination against Boston — 7-1 lifetime — pitching a perfect game into the seventh inning. Jacoby Ellsbury legged out an infield single to breakup Garza’s bid on a dribbler up the middle that shortstop Jason Bartlett couldn’t get to first base in time.
Beckett continued his pitching woes on the mound with back-to-back tough starts lasting just 4 2/3 innings, on 10 hits, seven runs (all earned), three walks and eight strikeouts.
Garza went 7 2/3 innings throwing 108 pitches (75 for strikes), one hit, one walk and struck out 10 batters.
Evan Longoria (my pick for A.L. MVP) went 3-for-5 with three runs and four RBI’s. He drove in three of his four runs in the third inning off of Beckett on a double to deep right center field. Those were all the runs the Rays needed.
Longoria also hit his sixth homer of the season — a solo shot — in the sixth inning to give Tampa a 8-0 lead. He is batting 474 against Boston with three homers and nine RBI’s in four games.
Sounds as if the Red Sox need to figure out Longoria as well.
Goat of the Game – Beckett
Beckett just hasn’t had it in his past two starts for Boston. Granted in the third inning the first two hits off of Beckett were weak but Beckett still gave up seven runs.
Next Game – Fri. 5/01 vs. Tampa Bay Rays – Justin Masterson/Andy Sonnanstine
Well at least Garza isn’t pitching. Masterson looked great in his last start so look for Boston to rebound here.
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