Four Real? Four at bats that changed the game. Red Sox vs Twins 5-9-13

Game 35: Red Sox lose a tough one, 5-3

They just can't buy a win in Boston right now. At a time when the Red sox needed John Lackey at his best, Lackey rose to the occasion and pitched very well, but he got in his own way and it led to a four run inning that became too much for Boston to overcome. The Red Sox had their chances, but they couldn't put that one big inning together, and this rough two week stretch now has them out of first place. Here are the four at bats that changed the game:

1) Bottom of the third inning,and with two outs, Shane Victorino is facing Kevin Correia. Everyone loves a hustler, and Victorino is just that as he legs out a double after the ball he hits to right field is deflected by Justin Morneau. Victorino's effort is rewarded when Dustin Pedroia comes up and knocks him home. Red Sox up 1-0 early. See Pedroia's RBI here.

2) Top of the 6th inning and the Red Sox lead 2-1. With men on first and second and one out, Trevor Plouffe hits a weak grounder to John Lackey. The sure double play goes awry when Lackey rushes and throws the ball into left field, keeping the inning going and scoring Joe Mauer.

3) Still top of the 6th inning, and Oswaldo Arcia has a man on base. Lackey's low pitch is hammered into the right field bullpen to score two more runs. See the HR here. 5-2 Twins

4) Bottom of the ninth inning, and Glen Perkins comes out to close for the Twins. The Red Sox added a run in the 6th on a Daniel Nava single, and Jacoby Ellsbury starts the ninth with a walk. Things look like they could fall for the Red Sox  but Shane Victorino strikes out on a borderline pitch. Dustin Pedroia gets the count full and takes what he thinks is ball four, but the home plate umpire rings him up and the rally never happens. David Ortiz then hits the ball square but right at Morneau Red Sox lose 5-3.

Unfortunately, Boston played well tonight, but they get nothing in return. While they put together nine hits, they never got the big hit to turn the tides. Lackey's error ended the hopes for the Sox, but I just feel that Boston has played sloppy defense for much of the last two weeks and that is the main reason why they are losing. The Red Sox really need to shake things up when they play Toronto tomorrow. The hope is that Jon Lester can rebound from his last couple of poor outings to beat a struggling Blue Jays team tomorrow night at 7:10pm. Let's hope this series brings Boston more luck than the last one.

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