Four Real? Red Sox vs Angels 7-7-13
Pete Lepak
RedSoxLife Staff
Last night's debacle gave the Red Sox a hangover, and they struggled to keep up offensively all game. To give credit to Jered Weaver, he was sharp, allowing five hits in 6 2/3 innings, and the Red Sox just never looked comfortable against him. Boston's John Lackey matched him inning for inning, going seven strong while striking out nine. In Lackey's last five starts, he has gone seven or more innings, given up two runs or less, and walked one or fewer batters. Lackey's performance was unfortunately not good enough tonight, as two solo homeruns spoiled his otherwise great night. Here are the four at bats that changed the game:
1) Magic The Red Sox started off today's game as they do many games; they attack early. Jacoby Ellsbury doubled to left field on a ball that should have been caught by JB Shuck, and then Daniel Nava singled to put runners at the corners with no outs. Weaver then worked his magic, getting Dustin Pedroia to line out and then David Ortiz and Mike Napoli to strike out. Crisis avoided. 0-0
2) The Cup is Half Empty The good news for John Lackey is that he struck out three men in the bottom of the first inning. The bad news is that Mike Trout took a very good pitch to the opposite field for a solo homerun. The location and speed of Lackey's fastball was good, but Trout is just that strong of a hitter. 1-0 Angels.
3) Small Mistake Lackey's good start continued into the fifth, where he gathered two quick outs. But all it takes is one poorly located pitch and Hank Conger obliterates it, putting it over the right field wall for another solo shot to put the Angels up 2-0.
4) Just Not Gonna Happen In the top of the seventh inning, Boston puts runners at the corners on two singles by Mike Napoli and Brock Holt. The two hits are the first off of Weaver since the second inning. Because of the action on the bases, Weaver is chased from the game and Dane De La Rosa enters into a stressful situation to face Jose Iglesias. De La Rosa throws gas, and Iggy can not catch up to it, and he pops out to right field to end the rally. 2-0 Angels.
The Angels scored another run in the eighth to put it away, and Boston just never had a chance tonight. You can only hope last night's game, which they should have easily won but lost in extra innings, doesn't mess them up for too long, because it certainly hurt them tonight. Boston and Jon Lester will travel to Seattle tonight to take on Felix Hernandez and the Mariners at 10:10pm EST Monday night. Let's hope the change of scenery gives the Sox a bit more luck tomorrow.
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RedSoxLife Staff
Game 70: Sox still hurting from last night, lose 3-0. |
1) Magic The Red Sox started off today's game as they do many games; they attack early. Jacoby Ellsbury doubled to left field on a ball that should have been caught by JB Shuck, and then Daniel Nava singled to put runners at the corners with no outs. Weaver then worked his magic, getting Dustin Pedroia to line out and then David Ortiz and Mike Napoli to strike out. Crisis avoided. 0-0
2) The Cup is Half Empty The good news for John Lackey is that he struck out three men in the bottom of the first inning. The bad news is that Mike Trout took a very good pitch to the opposite field for a solo homerun. The location and speed of Lackey's fastball was good, but Trout is just that strong of a hitter. 1-0 Angels.
3) Small Mistake Lackey's good start continued into the fifth, where he gathered two quick outs. But all it takes is one poorly located pitch and Hank Conger obliterates it, putting it over the right field wall for another solo shot to put the Angels up 2-0.
4) Just Not Gonna Happen In the top of the seventh inning, Boston puts runners at the corners on two singles by Mike Napoli and Brock Holt. The two hits are the first off of Weaver since the second inning. Because of the action on the bases, Weaver is chased from the game and Dane De La Rosa enters into a stressful situation to face Jose Iglesias. De La Rosa throws gas, and Iggy can not catch up to it, and he pops out to right field to end the rally. 2-0 Angels.
The Angels scored another run in the eighth to put it away, and Boston just never had a chance tonight. You can only hope last night's game, which they should have easily won but lost in extra innings, doesn't mess them up for too long, because it certainly hurt them tonight. Boston and Jon Lester will travel to Seattle tonight to take on Felix Hernandez and the Mariners at 10:10pm EST Monday night. Let's hope the change of scenery gives the Sox a bit more luck tomorrow.
Like me? Hate me? Tweet me! @Red33Sox