They got good pitching performances all weekend. Then again, the Mariners really do suck. I'm surprised they're not no-hit once a week.
Felix Doubront Doubront labored yesterday, but the bullpen was able give the Sox a chance. On Saturday, Beckett went 6 innings and allowed 2 runs in his return from "injury." On Friday, Aaron Cook only needed 81 pitches to go 9 innings. That's 9 pitches an inning for those of you who forgot your multiplication tables. Not a single pitch he threw was swung on and missed. That's ludicrous.
But the Red Sox didn't generate much offense themselves. 9 runs in 4 games. 9 runs in 39 innings. The Red Sox seemingly forgot how to get hits with runners in scoring position. An inconsistency which has plagued them all year. And last September.
On the bright side, the Sox are half a game out of the Wild Card. And the Orioles are falling from the sky.
But to be a true contender, they have to take advantage of their opportunities. They had a 4 game series against one of the worst teams in the American League and they split 2-2. It's not a disaster, but it's hardly worth celebrating.
They travel to Oakland tonight to face the 38-42 Athletics. Matsuzaka faces Jarrod Parker. The 23 year old Parker has pitched pretty well. He's 4-3 with a 2.57 ERA. In June, he was 3-1 with a 2.18 ERA. I have a bad feeling that the Sox bats won't wake up until Tuesday.
Photo Credit:
AP Photo
