The Sox struck first in the top of the first when Kevin Pillar smacked the second pitch LeBlanc threw for his third home run of the season. Rafael Devers popped up to short and JD Martinez flied out to center, but Bogaerts walked. LeBlanc then keeled over holding his shoulder and had to be hauled off on a gurney. Thomas Eshelman came in and walked Christian Vazquez, but Michael Chavis struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.
Godley came out and allowed a leadoff double to right to Cedric Mullins to start the bottom of the first. Anthony Santander popped up to second and Renato Nunez whiffed, but Pedro Severino walked. Chance Sisco was plunked to load the bases but Pat Valaika was rung up for strike three to end the inning.
Kevin Plawecki popped up to first to start the top of the second before Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to first. Jonathan Arauz grounded out to second to end the inning. The Orioles almost struck in the bottom of the second when Ryan Mountcastle led off with a double to left. Rio Ruiz flied out to left but Andrew Velazquez walked. Mullins beat out a double play ball but Santander whiffed to end the inning.
Pillar flied out to center to start the top of the third before Devers lined out to center as well. Martinez also lined out to center to end the inning, lot of work for Mullins. The O's finally nailed Godley in the bottom of the third although Nunez grounded out to third to start. Severino and Sisco drew back to back walks but Valaika lined out to left. Mountcastle walked to load the bases and Sox manager Ron Roenicke had seen enough. Godley was pulled and would eventually be charged for 3 runs in just 2 2/3 innings. Jeffrey Springs came in and poured gas on the fire by allowing a 2 run single to right by Ruiz and an rbi single to give the Orioles the lead. Velazquez dropped down a bunt and Springs threw the ball away to score Mountcastle. Mullins popped up to second to end the inning but the O's were up 3-1.
Eshelman cruised in the top of the fourth inning as Bogaerts flied out to left to start. Vazquez popped up to second and Chavis whiffed to end the inning. Springs returned for the bottom of the fourth and Santander doubled to right to start. Nunez whiffed, Severino grounded out to third and Sisco went down swinging to end the inning.
The Sox did nothing in the top of the fifth as Plawecki grounded out to third to start. JBJ grounded out to first and Arauz grounded out to second to end the inning. Eshelman ended up tossing 4 1/3 hitless innings for the Orioles. Why can't the Red Sox get guys like that? Springs came back for the bottom of the fifth and Valaika lined out to right to start. Mountcastle doubled to left but Ruiz struck out swinging. That was it for Springs as Phillips Valdez came in to get Velazquez to ground out to second to end the inning.
Miguel Castro came in for the top of the sixth and the Sox rallied. Pillar singled to left to start but Devers whiffed. Martinez walked, Pillar stole third and Bogaerts doubled home Pillar to cut the lead. The Sox blew the game when Vazquez hit a grounder to second and Martinez foolishly tried for home, getting thrown out by a mile. Vazquez did swipe second but Chavis took strike three to end the inning with the Sox still down 3-2.
Valdez got Mullins to fly out to center to start the bottom of the sixth before Santander flied out to left. Nunez singled to left but Pillar gunned him down at second trying to stretch to end the inning.
Paul Fry came in for the top of the seventh and Plawecki lined out to center to start. JBJ grounded back to the mound but Arauz singled to left. Pillar grounded into a force to end the inning. The O's iced the game against Robert Stock in the bottom of the seventh inning. Severino singled to center and Bryan Holoday pinch ran for him. Sisco singled to right and Valaika sacrificed both men over with a bunt. Mountcastle whiffed but Ruiz doubled to left to score both runners. Velazquez whiffed to end the inning with the Sox down 5-2.
Mason Williams took over for Mountcastle to start the top of the eighth and Devers whiffed to start. Mychal Givens came in to strike Martinez out swinging and Bogaerts grounded out to third to end the inning. Ryan Weber came in for the bottom of the eighth and Mullins took strike three to start. Santander grounded out to first and Nunez lined out to second to end the inning.
Ramon Urias replaced Nunez and took over at second to start the top of the ninth. Vazquez whiffed and Alex Verdugo pinch hit for Chavis, drawing a walk. Plawecki flied out to right and Tanner Scott was brought in to face JBJ. JBJ took offense to this and crushed his second home run of the year to cut the lead. Arauz singled to center to put the tying run on but Pillar grounded into a force to end the game. The Orioles had held on to win it 5-4.
Jackass of the Night is Robert Stock. He allowed the decisive runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.
The Good:
Kevin Pillar was 2 for 5 with a home run, stolen base, outfield assist and 2 runs scored.
Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.
Alex Verdugo walked and scored as a pinch hitter.
Jonathan Arauz was 2 for 4.
Ryan Weber pitched a scoreless ninth inning.
The Bad:
Rafael Devers was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Michael Chavis was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.
Kevin Plawecki was 0 for 4.
Zack Godley lasted just 2 2/3 innings and was charged with 3 runs.
The Ugly:
JD Martinez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.
Christian Vazquez was 0 for 3 but walked and stole a base.
Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a 2 run home run.
Jeffrey Springs tossed two scoreless innings but allowed 3 inherited runners.
Final Thoughts:
Feels like a broken record talking about the same thing day after day. Bad starting pitching, no clutch hitting and a bad bullpen. There's the main reason the Sox have lost 20 of 29 games played this season. The Sox are going to be guaranteed sellers at the trade deadline but who or what comes and goes remains to be seen. The good news is the Luxury Tax resets in 8 days so hopefully Sox general manager Chaim Bloom can salvage something after that. Would be nice for this year's team to pull a 2015 Sox and rally in September just to get some rapport back with the fans. As for this game, rinse and repeat. Godley sucked, clutch hitting sucked and the bullpen sucked. Springs and Stock allowed 3 inherited runners to score and two of their own combined. Can't win too many games that way, but the less said of this disaster the better. The loss dropped the Sox to an embarrassing 9-20 on the season, good for last place in the American League. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox take a beating Tuesday night in Toronto against the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays don't have a clue who starts for them while Kyle Hart (0-1, 11.12 ERA) gets creamed at 6:30 PM at the Skydome.
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