|
 |
|
MATT MOORE |
BOSTON STRONG -
THE ROAD TO REDEMPTION
A missed popup extends
the Sox losing skid
May 14, 2013 ...
Mike Napoli wouldn't have been the first visiting infielder to blame a missed popup on the white roof of Tropicana Field, but after the reeling Red Sox suffered a 5-3 loss to the Rays, Napoli placed the blame squarely on himself.
The towering popup that Matt Joyce lofted above the first-base line in the bottom of the fourth inning was in Napoli's sights. He just misjudged it. By the time Dustin Pedroia tried to recover for his teammate, it was too late. It fell in for a two-out two-run
single that snapped a tie and sunk the Red Sox, who have lost three in a row and nine of 11. Perhaps it's simply the case of a former catcher who is in his first season of playing first base full-time. If Pedroia could have done it over again, maybe he calls his teammate off and
takes immediate charge on the play.
The dropped popup wasn't the only misfortune Lackey and the Red Sox felt in the Rays' five-run fourth. After Evan Longoria and James Loney opened the inning with singles, Luke Scott actually checked his swing and came away with an RBI double down the line in
left.
Early on, this looked like it might be a breakout night for the Red Sox. David Ortiz cranked a three-run homer to right against Rays lefty Matt Moore in the top of the first. As it turns out, that pretty much was Boston's offense for the entire game.
Moore settled down brilliantly to earn the win and improve to 7-0 on the season.
Lackey gave up nine hits and five runs over 4 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out three, throwing 84 pitches. Lackey retired the first seven batters he faced on 23 pitches. Ten of the next 16 batters reached base as Lackey threw 61 pitches and got
steadily worn down. Much like many of Boston's recent losses, this one was not on the pitching staff. At 22-17, the Red Sox are now three games behind the Yankees. The Rays have won six straight.
The Red Sox lost closer Joel Hanrahan for the season because of an arm injury. But their other closer, Andrew Bailey, should be back on the roster within a week. Bailey threw 25 pitches in the bullpen before the Sox played the Tampa Bay Rays and felt fine. Catcher
David Ross, who went on the seven-day concussion disabled list Sunday, remained in Boston recovering. He hopes to join the team in Minnesota. |
