It’s not too often that we talk about a meltdown from the bullpen of the Boston Red Sox. And it’s definitely a rare occasion when we talk about Alfredo Aceves taking a loss in a game.
After all, he had lost just two games in his career up until last night, one with his previous squad the New York Yankees and one with the Red Sox this season. Well thanks to his former team, he now has three career losses as the local nine fell 4-2 last night.
The good news from last night is that even with the loss, the Red Sox remain a ½ game ahead of the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The two teams only meet up one more time this season with the matchup coming at Yankee Stadium from 9/23 to 9/25.
I really think if Jon Lester didn’t have to throw a gazillion pitches in the top half of the 1st inning, the Red Sox win this game. Okay so it was 43 and not a gazillion but you get my point. And all things considered, he was lucky to have only allowed one run with all of those pitches. Oddly enough, those 43 pitches went to only seven batters.
Sure he might have been the victim of a tight strikezone but because of that high first inning pitch count, Lester was only able to give the Red Sox five innings. He allowed the one run on seven hits and three walks with six strikeouts.
He did leave the game though with the lead thanks to a Dustin Pedroia two-run blast in the 5th inning. Unfortunately those were the only runs the Red Sox would score off six Yankees pitchers with the runs coming off the starter A.J. Burnett.
The Red Sox did have a chance though to at least tie the game up in the bottom of the 9th against the Godfather of Saves Mariano Rivera. But another questionable call at the plate, this one for a strike, gave Rivera the strikeout of Adrian Gonzalez to end the game.
But back to the bullpen for a moment.
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They’ve been there time and time again this season and what’s as rare as an Aceves loss is him not having good command. He had to work himself out of a bases loaded jam in the 6th. He left in the 7th with two runners on. The first runner, Andruw Jones, reached on a walk after an epic 14 pitch at bat. Seeming unnerved, Aceves then grazed the jersey of Yankees rookie phenom Jesus Montero.
Daniel Bard came in and allowed the first inherited runners he’s had since July 2nd come around to score when Russell “The Love Muscle” Martin doubled them in. Martin took third on the throw home and Eric Chavez closed out the scoring with a single that brought in “The Love Muscle”.
Tough loss for the Red Sox especially considering Burnett hadn’t been pitching well lately and had sucked against the Red Sox this season.
But hey, today’s another day. You put yesterday’s loss in the past and get back up on the horse and try to win again.
We’ll be back later with tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. But for now, enjoy the overnight links.
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Edge to Yankees [Boston Globe]
Thoughtful evening at the park [Boston Globe]
Sprained finger delays Drew’s return [Boston Globe]
They’ll take away something from this visit [Boston Globe]
It was a grind for Lester [Boston Globe]
Managing to keep it in order [Boston Globe]
Red Sox feel a squeeze [Boston Herald]
Conor Jackson over illness, ready for new team [Boston Herald]
Kevin Youkilis healthy enough for Sox’ stretch run [Boston Herald]
Yankees fulfill their needs [Boston Herald]
Long story short: Jon Lester battles [Boston Herald]
Adrian Gonzalez on ninth-inning strikeout: ‘I should still be hitting’ [Clubhouse Insider]
Red Sox come up short against Yankees, 4-2 [CSN New England]
Illness in rearview, Jackson hopes to impress [CSN New England]
Rare stumbles by Bard, Aceves lead to Sox loss [CSN New England]
100 Sox wins not too lofty a goal for Beckett [CSN New England]
Notes: Drew (finger) may miss a week [CSN New England]
Reviewing how prospects fared in August [ESPN Boston]
Rapid reaction: Yankees 4, Red Sox 2 [ESPN Boston]
Jon Lester, Daniel Bard get worn down by New York Yankees [ESPN Boston]
Gonzalez walks away angry [Extra Bases]
Video: Nick Cafardo’s analysis of Red Sox-Yankees finale [Extra Bases]
Closing Time: Red Sox relievers roughed up in 4-2 loss to Yankees [Full Count]
On night of 202 pitches by Red Sox staff, Daniel Bard says two changed his outing, game [Full Count]
Hand It To Burnett This Time As Yankees Beat Red Sox [Hartford Courant]
Video: Bud Selig Praises Red Sox, Community for Work Done With Jimmy Fund [NESN.com]
Adrian Gonzalez Upset Over Called Third Strike Against Mariano Rivera [NESN.com]
Jon Lester’s Long First Inning a Perfect Example of How Yankees, Red Sox Wear Out Opponents [NESN.com]
Breaking down time of game [Projo Sox Blog]
Bullpen battle is won by Yankees [Providence Journal]
Playoffs all but assured, Sox turn attention to back end of roster [Providence Journal]
Red Sox Journal: Drew hoping return is imminent after latest injury [Providence Journal]
Mickelson takes BP, throws out first pitch [RedSox.com]
Remy, Castiglione on Frick Award ballot [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 New York Daily News, New York Post, New York Times and The Journal News websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, NYY Stadium Insider.
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