The magic seemed to run out last night. After losing Daisuke to flu-like symptoms, Jon Lester was moved up a day. Lester pitched well for someone on short rest, going 5 and allowing 4. Ortiz tied the game in the 5th with a 2 run blast, but Craig Hansen allowed a solo homerun in the 6th. The Angels' bullpen was outstanding and the Sox lost for the first time in a week.
Hansen has looked solid in AAA Pawtucket with 12.1 scoreless innings and 13 strikeouts, so judging his performance in 2008 off one Major League appearance is unfair. He did strike out 3 Angels, so it wasn't all that bad.
The parade of unexpected starters continues Thursday afternoon, as Justin Masterson makes his Major League debut for the Sox. Masterson hasn't even pitched in AAA ball yet. But he's 1-0 with a 0.95 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. In 19 innings, he's struck out 23 batters. He'll face Joe Saunders.
Sources:
ESPN.com
PawSox.com
PortlandSeaDogs.com
The Baseball Cube
Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Winslow Townson
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