RANGERS GET BY SOX

The Red Sox swung on the first pitch 11 times this game. This is part of the reason Robinson Tejada went 7 innings, throwing a mere 77 pitches. That's right, 77 pitches. The Sox had 34 total plate appearances, the Rangers threw 101 total pitches. Three pitches per plate appearance just doesn't cut it, unless the pitcher's throwing meatballs and you're crushing them. The Sox were not doing this.

Wakefield actually pitched well, but we wasted it. You don't get too many Quality Starts from your 4th guy in the rotation, especially in Arlington, TX.

We've all seen this before, the Sox go up against a pitcher for the first or second time, and struggle. Then you throw in Mirabelli being in the lineup, Ortiz not hitting yet, Coco having poor at-bats, and you've got a three hit shutout on your hands.

Here's a question. You're down 2-0 in the 9th, 2 outs. You've got a man on first. Why not pinch hit Wily Mo Pena for Coco Crisp in that spot? You've got Mirabelli behind this at-bat, so even if Coco gets a hit and moves Manny over, the game is most likely going to end anyway. Just why not put in Pena, who can hit for power, to replace Coco, who really hasn't looked good at the plate at all this season or in spring.

Man of the Game:
Robinson Tejada, 7 IP, 2 H, 0 runs, 3 BB, K, 0 HR

Bitch-Goat:
Wakefield: 0.1 - 2 runs, ER
Pedroia: 0.2 - Error, 0 for 3, K
Lugo: 0.1 - 0 for 3
Youkilis: 0.1 - 0 for 3
Ortiz: 0.2 - 0 for 4, 2 LOB
Lowell: 0.2 - 0 for 4, 2 LOB
Mirabelli: 0.1 - 0 for 3