Honestly, right now I’ve got no words for what’s going on. It’s been a frustrating ride as a fan of the Boston Red Sox so far this season. Just when things start to look up, they turn right back around again. Any chance of a .500 record in the month of April went out the window last night.
Daisuke Matsuzaka had been great in his last two starts, allowing just two hits and no runs. By the end of the first inning in the 5-4 loss to the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park, Dice-K had already allowed two runs.
He struggled with his command all night long and then in the 5th inning, his fastball velocity dropped from 93-94 mph to 86-87 mph. Catcher Jason Varitek along with skipper Terry Francona noticed this and Francona removed Dice-K from the game with what was termed right elbow stiffness.
After the game, both Matsuzaka and Francona said he should be able to make his next start on Wednesday. But since the Red Sox have no off days during this 11-game homestand, they may have to turn to Tim Wakefield or even the Triple-A PawSox if Dice-K can’t go. I’m sure they’ll know a lot more today when he reports to the ballpark.
You can bet that will be one of the topics Tito will address in his pre-game meeting with reporters, that is if they aren’t sitting in the press box watching the Bruins game.
Is anybody else having flashbacks to the brief Eric Gagne days with Bobby Jenks right now?
Jenks has pretty much stunk up the joint as of late. And remember, he signed a two-year deal worth $12 million as insurance in case Jonathan Papelbon bolts during free agency. If Jenks continues to blow clam chowder chunks, Papelbon is setting himself up for a nice little pay day from the Red Sox if they so choose.
When Jenks came into the game, the Red Sox held a 4-3 lead and it looked like the Jenks, Daniel Bard and Papelbon end of the game plan was set up. But when he left the Red Sox were trailing 5-4 and they would see their last six batters of the night not mount an attack. If you go back to the final outs of the sixth inning, it was actually their last ten batters who couldn’t do anything.
It would be really nice to see the Red Sox put this dismal month of April behind by closing out the month with a win.
We’ll be back later with tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. But for now enjoy the overnight links by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
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Smoak-free: Why Sox lament watching emerging Mariners star [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
Sox are bunch of lost souls [Boston Globe]
Elbow pain causes early exit [Boston Globe]
Move was out of left field [Boston Globe]
Sox lose Daisuke Matsuzaka, game [Boston Herald]
Talk about your troubled times [Boston Herald]
Papi in zone against lefties [Boston Herald]
Matsuzaka leaves with injury, Sox fall 5-4 [CSNNE.com]
Jenks at a loss to explain struggles [CSNNE.com]
Red Sox notes: Dice-K not worried by elbow [CSNNE.com]
Rapid reaction: Mariners 5, Sox 4 [ESPN Boston]
Daisuke Matsuzaka says elbow is fine, but his leaving the Boston Red Sox game suggests otherwise [ESPN Boston]
Closing Time: Matsuzaka injured as Red Sox lose to Mariners [Full Count]
Daisuke ‘not worrying too much about’ elbow, expected to make next start [Full Count]
Bobby Jenks: ‘I don’t know what to say right now’ [Full Count]
Why one Red Sox prospect was elated when Pats drafted Ryan Mallett [Full Count]
Terry Francona Hopeful Daisuke Matsuzaka Won’t Miss a Start After Leaving Game With Elbow Tightness [NESN.com]
Roger Clemens’ 20-Strikeout Game Against Mariners Helped Put NESN on the Map [NESN.com]
Daisuke Matsuzaka’s Recent Performances Prove He’s Still a Valid Fourth or Fifth Starter [NESN.com]
Jon Lester Earns Amica Pitcher of the Week Honors With Eight-Inning Performance in Baltimore [NESN.com]
Dice-K exits early; Jenks blows lead [Providence Journal]
Ellsbury again at the top of lineup, and top of his game [Providence Journal]
Red Sox Journal: Ortiz finding his stroke against lefties [Providence Journal]
Cameron hopes homers get his bat hot [RedSox.com]
For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSNNE, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.
And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to The Oregonian, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle Times and Tacoma Tribune websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, Mariner Mayhem.
