In other Sox news, Rubby De La Rosa was demoted in favor of Pedro Beato without appearing for the big club. The 26 year old Beato has been pitching very well for Pawtucket, going 4-1 with 2 saves and a 1.89 ERA. He was the guy the Sox traded Kelly Shoppach for after Sox (mis)management discovered it was Shoppach who was talking sh*t about everyone (which in hindsight, all he was doing was telling the truth). I guess the Sox brass are looking toward Tuesday's double-header against the Rays and could use a few more arms, especially since the two starters will be Alfredo Aceves and Doubront.
As for this game, former Sox farmhand Miguel Gonzalez worked a 1-2-3 top of the first. Lester worked around a Manny Machado double to escape trouble in the bottom of the first. In the top of the second, Gonzalez got David Ortiz to ground out before striking out Jonny Gomes and Mike Carp. Lester struck out Chris Davis to open the bottom of the second before allowing back to back singles to Matt Wieters and Danny Valencia. Steve Pearce struck out and Alexi Casilla grounded out to end the inning.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia worked a leadoff walk in the top of the 3rd but Will Middlebrooks and PU Drew lined out. Jacoby Ellsbury singled but Jose Iglesias grounded out to end the threat. The Dirty Birds struck in the bottom of the 3rd. Markakis singled and alertly took second on the fly out by Machado. Hardy flied out and Lester's woes with two outs continued when Adam Jones doubled home Markakis and Chris Davis launched his 23rd home run of the year to give the O's a commanding 3-0 lead. Wieters flied out but the damage was done.
How did the Sox respond to this? Pooping their pants would be the correct assessment. Daniel Nava, Ortiz and Gomes failed to reach base in the top of the 4th inning. Lester rebounded by pitching a clean bottom of the 4th. Carp worked a leadoff walk in the top of the 5th but a Salty fly out and Middlebrooks double play ended a potential rally. Lester got knocked around even more in the bottom of the 5th. Markakis doubled and Machado singled him home before taking third on the throwing error by Carp. Lester managed to whiff Hardy and Jones but Davis doubled home Machado to make it 5-0. Wieters struck out but that was it for Lester.
The Sox tried to fight back in the top of the 6th but showcased more basebawful. Ellsbury stroked a one out single and Iglesias reached on an error. Nava flied out but Ellsbury took third. Could Ortiz deliever? No! He grounded out.
Pedro Beato made his season debut in the bottom of the 6th. He struck out Valencia then retired Pearce via fly out and Casilla on a pop up.
The Sox finally showed some life in the top of the 7th. Carp stroked a 1 out double and Salty singled, but Carp came up lame at third and had to leave the game. Shane Victorino pinch ran for Carp and scored on the 3 run blast by Middlebrooks to cut the lead 5-3. That was it for Gonzalez as Brian Matusz slammed the door by retiring Drew and Ellsbury. Nava moved to first and Victorino took over in right as Junichi Tazawa took over for Beato in the bottom of the 8th and crapped himself. Markakis doubled and Machado sacrificed him to third. Hardy singled to score Markakis and Jones hit a ground rule double. Sox manager John Farrell had seen enough and sent in hot lefty Andrew Miller to put out the fire. Miller continued his hot streak by striking out Davis and Winter.
The Sox looked to rally in the top of the 8th when Iglesias singled, but Matusz retired the next 2 batters. Tommy Hunter replaced Matusz and got Gomes to fly out to end the inning. Valencia hit a leadoff single in the bottom of the 8th and advanced to second on the force by Pearce. Chris Dickerson ran for Valencia but Casilla flied out. Markakis singled Dickerson to third but Machado grounded out to end the inning. O's closer Jim Johnson pitched the 9th inning and retired the side in short order to give the game and the series to the O's, 6-3.
THE GOOD:
Jacoby Ellsbury was 2 for 4. Will Middlebrooks crushed his 9th home run of the year to get the Sox back in the game. Jarrod Saltalamacchia was 1 for 3 with a walk and run scored. Mike Carp was 1 for 2 with a walk before leaving with injury. Pedro Beato pitched a scoreless 6th and Andrew Miller pitched 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.
THE BAD:
Jackass of the Night is easy. Once again Jon Lester failed to give a quality start and his 5 runs in just 5 innings cost the Sox the game. He gave up 9 hits and his ERA climbed to 4.37. He did strike out 8 and didn't walk anyone but the home run to Davis and subsequent runs are unacceptable.
No, not the umpire, YOU are jackass of the night
Other stinkers include Daniel Nava, David Ortiz and Jonny Gomes who were all 0 for 4. PU Drew was 0 for 3 himself. Junichi Tazawa gave up 3 hits and a run while retiring just 1 batter.
THE UGLY:
Shane Victorino pinch ran for Carp and scored but grounded out in his one at-bat. Jose Iglesias was just 1 for 4.
Final Thoughts:
This is not good. Not only did the Sox lose 3 out of 4 in Baltimore but Lester looks lost out there. Not only is that alarming but it looks like Buchholz is headed for the DL. Unless Alfredo Aceves pulls an Aaron Small, the team looks to be in trouble. They couldn't hit in the series and they couldn't really pitch either. The loss drops the Sox to 42-29 just 1 1/2 games in front of the O's. The good news is tomorrow is an off day so the team can collect themselves after dropping 3 out of 4. Tuesday is a day/night doubleheader in Boston against the Tampa Bay Rays. With the off-day tomorrow, we will be taking a look at the Single A Salem Red Sox. As for today...BLAERRRRHGHHHHH!
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