John Lackey has shown at times this season why the Boston Red Sox signed him to a 5-year, $82.5 million contract. Unfortunately, last night wasn’t one of those times in the 5-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in the first game of interleague play in 2010.
Coming off of masterful performances by Clay Buchholz and Jon Lester, the Red Sox and Lackey were hoping he could put the woes from his last two starts behind him. He didn’t though as he lost command of his fastball and ended up with five walks. We all know this isn’t normal for Lackey as he usually has pinpoint control.
In his last three seasons in Anaheim, he walked 52 batters in 33 starts in 2007, 40 batters in in 24 starts in 2008 and 47 batters in 27 starts in 2009. With his 26 walks in nine starts this season, he’s on pace to beat his career-high in walks allowed of 72 back in back in 2006. You would have to think that is purely a mechanical thing as he really didn’t get squeezed by the home plate umpire like he did his last time out.
And last night when he was able to get his fastball out over the plate, two of them were crushed by Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth. The worst part though was the fact that both home runs came after he had issued a free pass to first base.
Lackey’s a bulldog and hates to lose so you know he’ll work out any kinks with pitching guru John Farrell and be back to normal sooner rather than later. With Josh Beckett out and not knowing what you’re going to get from Daisuke Matsuzaka each time out, the Red Sox could really use some more quality starts from Lackey.
Tonight in Philadelphia we’ll see the return of Jacoby Ellsbury to the Red Sox lineup. Where he’ll hit is anyone’s guess. To make room for him on the 25-man roster, the Red Sox designated Jonathan Van Every for assignment. It’s likely that Van Every will clear waivers and my guess if he does that he’ll accept an assignment to Triple-A Pawtucket if that’s in the Red Sox’s plans.
Tonight’s 7:10 p.m. game is a FOX game and if you live in the following markets you’ll get to the see game, Boston, Dayton, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Click here for the distribution map.
We’ll be back later with tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day but for now enjoy the over night links after the jump.
Walk on the wild side for Lackey [Boston Globe]
As a hitter, Martinez flipped the switch [Boston Globe]
Ortiz meets with Francona [Boston Globe]
In Boston, would it be Hanley being Manny? [Boston Globe]
Red Sox Lack right stuff [Boston Herald]
Mike Lowell had a chance to be a Phillie [Boston Herald]
Lack of K’s for John Lackey [Boston Herald]
David Ortiz first, foremost tonight [Boston Herald]
Lackey lacks ‘it’ again, Sox fall 5-1 [CSN New England]
Ellsbury on roster; Van Every designated [Extra Bases]
Phillies may be without Rollins [Extra Bases]
Gammons on The Big Show: ‘I can’t figure out Daisuke’ [Full Count]
Closing Time: Phillies 5, Red Sox 1 [Full Count]
Terry Francona Handling David Ortiz, Mike Lowell Drama With Care [NESN.com]
Should Major League Baseball Change its Interleague Schedule? [NESN.com]
Jonathan Van Every Designated For Assignment, Clearing Way for Jacoby Ellsbury’s Return [NESN.com]
Befuddled John Lackey Can’t Find Consistency Against Phillies [NESN.com]
Poor pitching by Lackey dooms Boston [Providence Journal]
Ellsbury says he’s ‘ready to go’ against Phillies [Providence Journal]
Red Sox Journal: Youkilis to stay at first in Philly [Providence Journal]
Papi, Francona privately discuss comments [RedSox.com]
Ellsbury ready to dive back in Saturday [RedSox.com]
Youkilis won’t play third this weekend [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 Philadelphia Daily News and Philadelphia Inquirer websites.
