Another game. Same story & same ending. Another blown lead results in another loss. Sox lose to Baltimore 6-4 after leading 4-1. It's time to use the C-H-O-K-E word as the September record for the Sox stands at 5-16.
Even their most dependable guys - Beckett, Lester, Bard, Pap, Aceves - have not been able to deliver in the last 2 weeks. I heard a stat that the offense is ranked #2 in the AL for the month of September. So I blame this skid squarely on pitching & defense. Tito is trying everything to win a game & nothing has worked.
Beckett did pitch into the 8th inning, something no other starter has done in a long time. Overall, he did not pitch badly minus 2 homers to Mark Reynolds. But Aceves can't hold & gives up a 2-run single to Vlad Guerrero. Snakebitten again.
At the same time, the Yankees beat the Rays twice to clinch the AL East title again. And the Sox actually pick-up 1/2 game even with their loss. The Angels have moved into a tie with the Rays now & both are 2 1/2 back of Boston.
We are down to 6 games starting in New York on Friday. 3 with the Yankees. 3 in Baltimore. And 2011 is over. Math is still on their side, but they do need to start winning.
If the Sox do not make the playoffs, it will be a historic meltdown that players, coaches & management will have to deal with throughout the long, cold off-season.
1 comment:
There does not appear to be a "go-to guy" on the team. They seem to sit back and expect things to fall into their lap. Guys like Scutaro that are hitting, make terrible plays in the field. And then there are some that are doiong nothing right like Reddick had two days ago. He struck out 3 times, and dropped a fly ball. No stopper among the starters OR relievers. Buster Olney speculated that many of the injuries are because the team is not in shape. He cited Becket, Ortiz, Youk and Gonzales. I don't know what the answer is, or even if thee is one. I just reiterate a phrase that I have said before. Sucking is contageous!
Post a Comment