Guess what Sox fans? Jonathan Papelbon is human.
After a perfect 8 for 8 in converting saves, Papelbon gave up a lead-off single to Bobby Crosby and a two run HR to Travis Buck in the top half of the 9th inning, which allowed Oakland to tie the game at 4. Oakland then touched up Brendan Donnelly for a run in the 10th and then A’s closer Huston Street came on to retire the side as the A’s beat the Red Sox 5-4 in ten innings.
The Sox got on the board in the 1st inning when Coco Crisp singled and then proceeded to steal second base. Big Papi hit a single and Coco went to third. Manny then drove in Coco with a sacrifice fly to make it 1-0. Kevin Youkilis then followed with a single moving Big Papi to third. Youk then stole second while Mike Lowell was at the plate. Lowell then hit an infield single that scored Big Papi and then Youk scored when Crosby made a bad throw to make it 3-0.
The Sox then went up 4-0 in the 3rd inning when Youk hit a sacrifice fly that scored Coco. The A’s got on the board in the 4th when Dan Johnson hit a home run on a pitch that Curt Schilling left up. The A’s then got their second run when former Sox 2B Todd Walker hit a pinch hit sacrifice fly.
Schilling was the Schilling we all know and love. He managed to scatter 8 hits over 7 innings not walking a batter. He struck out seven batters as well. Most of those came on his splitter.
It’s tough to see Papelbon blow a save. Just when you think you have the game won, he blows the save. You know what though, it’s baseball. It happens. He can’t go the whole season without giving up a run. One bad night by the bullpen won’t kill this team. Although Hideki “Darkman” Okajima was the bright spot out of the bullpen tonight, retiring all three batters he faced.
I fully expect Papelbon to rebound from this. He really didn’t have command of fastball and I know he will make the necessary adjustments. Don’t fret though Sox fans, it’s just one game.
