Isn't life about the little things? Take bunting for instance. The Seattle Mariners pulled off 2 comebacks in the 8th inning of each game by bunting. What a lost art, especially in the American League.
Yesterday, the Sox closed out a 4-game split with the Mariners by coughing up their 2-1 lead in the 8th & losing the finale 4-2. Dice-K did his 100+ pitch / 6-innings routine, getting to the bullpen too early. Bard pitched the 7th instead of the 8th. Oki comes in to face lefties in the 8th & can't get an out until 3 runs score. Seeing-eye groundballs & 2 bunts did him in.
As one reporter put it, the Red Sox have hit the wall - both offensively & defensively. Even Youk missed a pop-up yesterday & he has been swinging for balls out of the strike zone. That's when you know he & others need a day off to re-group. Thursday's off-day can't get here fast enough.
In the meantime, there's a 3-game series to be played against the Angels. The Sox need to take 2 out of 3 just to end their trip 5-5. Right now the burden is on the starting pitchers to keep the team from falling completely out of the Wild Card race with 62 left to go.
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