If Alfredo Aceves wanted to stay in the Boston Red Sox starting rotation when John Lackey returns, he really has a funny way of showing it. He of the 16-1 career record looked more like a pitcher who was 1-16 in his career in a 10-7 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night.
Aceves had a chance to put a little pressure on Tim Wakefield but any chance of that happening quickly changed in the second inning when the White Sox tagged him for four runs. And all that came after Aceves sent the White Sox down in order on seven pitches in the 1st inning.
Obviously he didn’t locate the ball well. He left a lot of pitches out in the strike zone and the ChiSox hitters took full advantage of that. All told, Aceves was charged with eight runs (six earned) on eight hits and three walks in 5+ innings. He started the day with an ERA of 2.22 but finished the evening with his ERA sitting at 3.51.
Of course it didn’t help Aceves that the Red Sox were facing a pitcher in Philip Humber who they’ve never seen before. And nine out of 10 times when that happens, the Red Sox bats are usually stymied.
Until the 8th inning, the only run the Red Sox were able to muster against Humber was a home run from the Captain, Jason Varitek, in the third inning. It seemed like whenever Humber would allow a base runner, he would find a way out of it.
He worked around an Adrian Gonzalez double in the 4th. He was also able to get double plays in the 5th and 6th innings. And when he allowed two hits in the 7th to David Ortiz and Jed Lowrie, he recovered to strikeout J.D. Drew to end the threat.
The one thing about this Red Sox team is they never quit.
They managed to make his a ballgame in the 8th inning when they scored four runs to cut the deficit from 10-1 to 10-5. The big blow of the inning was Big Papi’s three-run blast. They added two more in the 9th and forced Ozzie Guillen to bring in his closer Chris with the tying run on deck in Kevin Youkilis.
But Sale made quick work of Gonzalez by striking him out to end the rally and the month of May for the local nine.
While the Red Sox ended the month with three straight losses, it was still a far better month than April was. The worst part about the three straight losses is the fact the Yankees have won their past three games and now have taken a one-game lead over the Red Sox and a 1.5 game lead over the Rays in the AL East.
But with a new month at end, it’s time for the Red Sox to wipe the slate clean and make June an even better month than May was. They have the tools to do it. It just comes down to whether or not they can use them properly.
We’ll be back in a short while with this afternoon’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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Beckett’s Going To Be a Dad [SOX & Dawgs]
Video: Computer Troubles? Call Tek Support [SOX & Dawgs]
Video: Red Sox Run On Dunkin – Pedey, Tito & Crawford [SOX & Dawgs]
Video: Red Sox Run On Dunkin – Big Papi and Gonzo [SOX & Dawgs]
Vintage Papi: Why David Ortiz is off to one of his best starts ever [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
Socked around [Boston Globe]
Jenks thrown right back in [Boston Globe]
Using six starters definitely puts a different spin on rotation [Boston Globe]
Lackey has solid rehab outing [Boston Globe]
Red Sox stumble [Boston Herald]
Fresh start for Jenks [Boston Herald]
Step back to bullpen [Boston Herald]
Here’s a tip: Beckett won’t show pitches [Boston Herald]
Red Sox drop third straight, 10-7 [CSNNE.com]
Aceves not sharp versus hot White Sox bats [CSNNE.com]
Ortiz finds his stroke against lefties [CSNNE.com]
Notes: Matsuzaka returns from meeting surgeon [CSNNE.com]
Lackey satisfied with rehab start in Pawtucket [CSNNE.com]
Rapid Reaction: White Sox 10, Red Sox 7 [CSNNE.com]
Dice-K, Red Sox to discuss next steps [CSNNE.com]
Closing Time: White Sox get better of Alfredo Aceves, Red Sox [Full Count]
John Lackey: ‘Encouraged for sure’ by quality rehab outing [Full Count]
Kevin Millwood: ‘Good opportunity for me’ in Red Sox system [Full Count]
Red Sox Bullpen May Start Rounding Out As Pitching Staff Gets Healthy [NESN.com]
Which AL East Team Will Be in First Place at End of June? [NESN.com]
Alfredo Aceves Possibly Pointed Toward Bullpen After Rocky Outing Against White Sox [NESN.com]
Chicago dishes out another spanking [Providence Journal]
April showers bring May power for Sox [Providence Journal]
Productive start by Ortiz may cause dilemma for Red Sox [Providence Journal]
Red Sox Journal: Lackey’s return causes a few rotation tweaks [Providence Journal]
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 the Chicago Daily Herald, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Daily Southtown or ESPN Chicago websites.
Photo credits: AP Photo
