This game was simply pathetic. The Sox go up 4-0 early. Then Miller gives up 3 in the 2nd, then 1 in the 4th. Meanwhile, the Red Sox haven't added to their lead. Miller gives up the lead in the 6th. Then the pen comes in after Miller went 7. The bullpen, Mantei really, gives up two more runs. The Red Sox rally in the 9th, kind of, but the 1 run they score isn't enough.
Renteria, Ortiz, and Ramirez went a combined 0 for 10. This team cannot win games with a gaping hole in the middle of the lineup. We simply don't have the pitching or the bottom of the lineup hitting to do so with any consistency.
This article on RedSox.com really pisses me off. How could it not be time to panic? This team cannot win on the road. This team hasn't won three straight games since the 11th of May when they swept the Oakland Pathetics at Fenway. The team is 4.5 behind Baltimore, 1 ahead of Toronto, and only 2 ahead of the struggling Yankees. So what should happen? What moves can the team make to improve itself?
The team has had a few injuries, but it hasn't been as plagued as the Cubs team that has beaten us twice. Losing Schilling hurts, but there are so many other flaws. Our $10M shortstop isn't doing anything. Our $20M left fielder is in a slump and hasn't hit for average all year. Our $13M Ace hasn't pitched a quality game for us. The bullpen, except for Timlin and Myers, has been consistently bad. The bench is nowhere near as good as last season. Bellhorn and Mueller haven't been producing as much as they did last season. And Millar has been a laughable player all year.
The Red Sox could theoretically make some moves. If they traded for Mike Sweeney, I think they would have a solid 5th hitter and a productive first baseman that isn't a defensive liability. Although the move itself would benefit the team, it wouldn't put us into position to win it all. We'd still lack bullpen pitching and a bench. And we'd have to spend alot on Sweeney. The move might also irritate Francona who seems to be in love with Millar.
The Red Sox seem to have a crop of good prospects that are nearly on the verge of breaking into the majors. Youkilis has already proven he can play. Shoppach has been putting up big numbers in AAA. Ramirez and Pedroia are doing well in AA. In a few years, the Red Sox may have a team with young, developed players. I don't think we should abandon this, trade all our prospects, just for a slim chance at winning it all. The players we already have, perhaps with a new reliever added, will have to do it on their own.
The Man of the Game for Saturday's 7-5 loss is Todd Walker who went 3 for 4 with a triple, 3 runs scored and an RBI.
The Bitch-Goat shall be divided thusly:
Miller: 0.3 - 7 IP, 5 ER
Mantei: 0.4 - IP, ER, Inherited runner scored
Renteria: 0.1 - 0 for 3, 3 LOB
Ramirez: 0.1 - 0 for 4, 2 Ks
Ortiz: 0.1 - 0 for 3
Wakefield is set to blow up Sunday and the Red Sox will be swept in their first ever series at Wrigley.
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