The Red Sox walked off in the 10th inning yesterday thanks to Xander Bogaerts' 10th inning single, capping off a wild game that neither team seemed to want to win. Rick Porcello didn't have his best stuff early, giving up 2 runs in the first, but was able to battle his way into the 6th. Chicago really tried to give the game away in the 6th, when they allowed the Red Sox to score 4 times while only getting the ball out of the infield once, but Boston was determined not to blow the game open. In fact, Boston handed the lead right back in the next inning when Junichi Tazawa grooved a meatball to Jose Abreu, who deposited it in the centerfield bleachers for a three run bomb. Boston clawed back with a run in the 7th, but could easily have blown the game again with a puzzling decision. With one out and men on first and third, Jackie Bradley Jr. tried to drive in the tying run... with a bunt. Not only was this a terrible idea, but he popped it up, giving the Sox absolutely no chance to score on the play. Terrible decision, terrible execution. I'd be happy if this offense never bunted again. Luckily for JBJ, The Red Sox offense was not to be denied, and tied the game in the 8th inning when Dustin Pedroia ripped a two out RBI single into left field. Boston put two men on with nobody out in the bottom of the 9th, and appeared destined for a walk off victory, but for the second time in the series failed to drive the winner home. In the 10th, it appeared as though that failure would cost them the game, as Craig Kimbrel loaded the bases with nobody out. However, the closer wriggled his way out of the jam by inducing an infield pop up and delivering back to back Ks, setting the stage for the XMan's heroics. While it was great to win this one though, this series as a whole was still collosally frustrating for the Red Sox.
I covered game 1 the other day, but it deserves a quick recap because I still can't believe the Sox lost. Steven Wright threw a COMPLETE GAME and allowed 1 RUN, and Boston had the BASES LOADED WITH NOBODY OUT in the 9th and couldn't win it. Infuriating. Game 2 basically boiled down to Chris Sale dominating, but it's still frustrating to lose when Clay Buccholz pitches a solid game. Game 3 was another brutal loss, as Boston took a 6-4 lead into the 8th inning. Sadly, Koji Uehara melted down, giving up home runs to Melky Cabrera and Brett Lawrie while only recording 2 outs. Chicago tacked on another run in the 9th to seal the victory, 8-6. Games like this are where the Red Sox really miss Carson Smith, Destroyer of Right-handed Hitters, who is out for the year. Smith was a big part of their bullpen plans as the asian duo ages, and the Sox may need to find another option in the setup role. At 41 years old, Uehara is finally showing his age, with a 4.78 ERA. He has been absolutely fantastic for Boston, but the Sox may need to think about giving a guy like Heath Hembree or Robbie Ross a bigger role.
Other News and Notes
-Sandy Leon is absolutely on fire since being called up. He is now 11-21 on the season, and he has been rolbbed of at least two hits by excellent fielding. While I don't expect hits to continue, it's always nice to get some production from the catcher spot, and John Farrell would be wise to ride Leon's hot bat for as long as it lasts.-Dustin Pedroia game into game 4 with 1 hit in his last 15 at bats, but hit 3 line drives in 4 at bats ysterday. Let's hope his slump is history
-Hanley Ramirez has been in a massive slump, but continues to show signs of turning things around. He had two hits yesterday and homered again on Wednesday, so it seems that being dropped to 7th in the batting order has taken some pressure off of him and allowed him to concentrate on getting his stroke right.
-Xander Bogaerts continues to be an absolute stud. With two hits yesterday, he raised his average to .351, best in all of baseball. I still think he is due for a regression, but I am happy to be wrong.
-Steven Wright dropped his ERA to 2.01, best in the AL. Dennis Eckersley said on the NESN broadcast that he is "a pitcher who throws a knuckleball" rather than just a knuckleballer, and he has a point. Wright throws several varieties of knuckleball, changing up speed and grip, but on Monday he was using his fastball more than I've ever seen. He was hitting 88MPH on the gun, which is terrible by MLB standards but must look like 100 to hitters who are used to the 70 MPH knuckler.
-Clay Buccholz was decent in his first start back in the rotation, but he did give up 2 more HR. He was lucky that they happened with nobody on base instead of ruining his outing.
-David Ortiz has been sitting out some games recently to rest his aching feet, but it hasnt affected his swing at all. He pinch hit in the 9th yesterday, and with the entire crowd chanting for a walk of homer, he drilled a double down the right field line that missed the seats by about 5 feet. The dude is simply a legend.
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