It used to be that when the Sox and (Devil) Rays were in a battle of bullpens, the Sox would have a decisive advantage. Even in the days of Chad Fox and the closer-by-committee, this was true. It isn't that Tampa Bay's relief corps has improved that much, it's that our bullpen has fallen into mediocrity.
The longer last night's game went on, the more you felt as though Tampa would win. When Timlin came in to pitch the 11th, I had already started writing this post. I'm a pessimist by nature, but watching the Sox bullpen and predicting failure is more realism than pessimism.
To be fair, the relievers were great until the 11th. Aardsma continues to impress, as he threw a hitless 7th. Corey had an interesting outing but didn't let up a run. Lopez didn't blow it in the 10th. And until the 11th, Timlin looked decent.
Another big problem for the Sox in this game was David Ortiz. There have been a few times this season at which we all felt like Papi was emerging from his slump. But every 2 for 4 game he has seems to be followed by an 0 for 5, or an 0 for 4 with a walk. Last night he was an astonishing 0 for 6, with 4 men left on base, a strikeout, and a huge double play in the top of the 11th. The Sox are hitting .299 as a team. If you took out Ortiz's .177 average, they'd be hitting .314 as a team.
Sean Casey had to leave the game in the 2nd with a right hip flexor strain. He's listed as day-to-day.
Clay Buchholz takes on Edwin Jackson Saturday night.
Source:
ESPN.com
Photo Credits:
AP Photo/Chris O'Meara
Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images
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