You score 8 runs in a game, you'll probably win. You score 8 runs in a playoff game, it's almost a sure thing that you won't lose. But that's what the Sox did. 9-8.
It's time to face a harsh reality: The two best postseason performers the Sox have - David Ortiz and Josh Beckett - are not performing. Ortiz did walk 3 times last night, but he was 0 for 3, 0 for 6 in the series, and 4 for 23 in the postseason. He's knocked in 1 run. 1 run. Before the 2008 playoffs, Ortiz had 42 RBI in 52 postseason games.
The two playoff games the Red Sox have lost were both Josh Beckett starts. 9.1 innings in 2 starts, 12 earned runs, 5 walks, 5 homeruns, FIVE HOMERUNS, 18 hits. During the regular season, he allowed a homer once every 9.7 innings. Now it's a homer every 1.8 innings. Coming into this postseason, Beckett had allowed 4 homers in 72.2 playoff innings.
The Sox can win without Ortiz and Beckett at their best. They nearly won last night. But it becomes so much harder, and requires so much more from everyone else. The Sox needed amazing nights from Pedroia and Bay, and 4.2 innings of scoreless relief just to force extra innings.
It was a stinging loss because of how many runs the Sox scored, how many opportunities for more they didn't capitalize on, and how well the bullpen pitched.
But what really stings is that Ortiz has become a hole in the middle of the lineup. And if the series goes to 6 games, how much faith can we place in Josh Beckett?
Game 3 Monday afternoon, Jon Lester vs. Matt Garza.
Sources:
ESPN.com
Baseball-Reference.com
Photo Credits:
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
AP Photo/Chris O'Meara
Any comments for the home plate umpire? His strike zone was incredibly one-sided in the last 2 innings, and practically gave TB the win.
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