The Boston Red Sox bullpen, which was pretty reliable during the 2009 season, let them down again during last night’s 4-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals.
The bullpen hasn’t been exactly stellar in the first four games. Yes, I know the season is only four games old. But take a look at the numbers:
In 13.1 IP, the bullpen has now allowed eight earned runs on 13 hits and nine walks.
Folks that’s just not going to cut the mustard.
It’s a crying shame too because Tim Wakefield was outstanding last night. Even though he was roughed up in the 6th by back-to-back home runs by Billy Butler and Rick Ankiel, he gave them a chance to win like he always does.
When you think back to the offseason moves, none of them was a relief pitcher. Sure they signed guys like Scott Atchison, Joe Nelson, Alan Embree and Scott Schoeneweis. Nelson and Embree are in the minors right now and Atchison and Schoeneweis haven’t been all that bad. It’s been mostly Hideki Okajima and Daniel Bard.
The one thing I really think the Red Sox are missing now is a guy like Justin Masterson. He used to come in last year if a pitcher would go 4-5 innings and usually keep them in the game. Now they don’t have anybody just yet to fill that role.
They are hoping Boof Bonser will be able to fill the middle relief role but he was roughed up in his first Triple-A rehab start. So it will be interesting to see how things transpire.
Honestly though, there’s no reason to hit the panic button just yet. If the trend continues, something will need to be done and quick.
We’ll be back later with tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links but please keep reading for today’s links.
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Five Things We Learned: The Red Sox ‘Pen Is Not Mighty [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
Sox bullpen can’t finish off Royals [Boston Globe]
West’s call catches Sox by surprise [Boston Globe]
Westmoreland in new facility [Boston Globe]
Daniel Bard & Co. can’t hold lead again [Boston Herald]
Tim Wakefield on, then off mark [Boston Herald]
Royal seal of approval [Boston Herald]
Players strike back at ump [Boston Herald]
Rocky road for Red Sox [Boston Herald]
Wrapping up another ugly loss [Clubhouse Insider]
No relief for punchless Red Sox in loss to Royals [CSN New England]
Wakefield Shines in Defeat; late Sox notes [CSN New England]
Bard, Sox review one fatal decision [Extra Bases]
How Soria was able to get Pedroia [Extra Bases]
Closing Time: Royals 4, Red Sox 3 [Full Count]
Not Bad, but…. [Hit and Run With Dan Roche]
Red Sox, Yankees Ready to Start Beanball War or Call Truce? [NESN.com]
Dustin Pedroia Calls Joe West’s Pace-of-Play Comments ‘Ridiculous’ [NESN.com]
Tim Wakefield’s Strong Start Proves Red Sox Have Mr. Reliable Back in the Mix [NESN.com]
Daniel Bard, and bullpen as a whole, not quite enough lately [Projo Sox Blog]
Boston can’t shake early-season slide [Providence Journal]
Red Sox Journal: Bonser, Embree trying to earn ticket to Boston [Providence Journal]
Ump Joe West’s long-game remarks irk Sox [Providence Journal]
Red Sox disagree with West’s comments [RedSox.com]
Varitek set to catch Beckett on Saturday [RedSox.com]
Ortiz ejected after striking out in sixth inning [RedSox.com]
Bonser, Embree taking steps in Minors [RedSox.com]
For more slices of Boston Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal and WEEI websites.
And if you must check out the enemy papers, head over to the Kansas City Star and the Topeka Capital-Journal websites.
