John Smoltz may have to find a way to throw a complete game if tonight is any indication of the how the Boston Red Sox bullpen will be when he pitches.
Smoltz left the game with a 9-1 lead only to see the Red Sox bullpen almost lose the lead. But in the end, the Royals bullpen wasn’t much better as the local nine went on to a 15-9 win in front of 37,825 at Fenway Park.
With the win, the Red Sox move to 53-34 and now have a two-game lead over the Yankees in the AL East, who fell to the Angels this afternoon. The Royals drop to 37-50.
Smoltz was much better tonight than he was in his first Fenway start. The bad part his outing was that he threw so many pitches he had to leave the game at the end of the 5th and then had to sit and pray the Red Sox would hold on. He allowed just one run on 4 hits and walk while striking out 7.
The most consistent bullpen in baseball hasn’t been too consistent as of late and they almost cost Smoltz another win.
Justin Masterson once again had a rough outing as he was charged with allowing 5 runs on 4 hits and a walk with a strikeout in just 1/3 of an inning. Manny Delcarmen allowed 2 inherited runners (Masterson’s responsibility) to score as he gave up a hit and a walk.
Hideki Okajima bailed him out in the 6th and then was touched up for a run in the 7th (home run). He allowed 3 hits and struck out 1. Despite allowing two unearned runs, Daniel Bard righted the ship by striking out 3 and allowing a hit in 2 innings of work. Takashi Saito worked a perfect 9th in a downpour to finish off the win.
Gil Meche’s struggles continued again at Fenway as he was touched up for 8 runs (6 earned) on 6 hits and 3 walks. He did strikeout 6 in just 3 2/3 innings before leaving the game with back spasms.
The Royals bullpen combination of Ron Mahay, Jamey Wright and Ramon Colon were touched up for 7 runs on 6 hits and 6 walks over the final 4 1/3 innings.
Kevin Youkilis is no longer slumping as he had a 2 homer effort. He finished the night 3-for-4 with 4 RBIs. Dustin Pedroia also sees his average continuing to climb back north as he had 2 hits and an RBI. David Ortiz also is swinging a hot stick as he had yet another home run, this of the 2-run variety. The hit for Big Papi was the 100oth of his career.
Nick Green drove in 2 runs and J.D. Drew, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Varitek (solo home run) and Aaron Bates knocked in the others. The hit and RBI for Bates were the first of his big league career.
Drew also shined defensively tonight as he made a great defensive play in the 6th inning.
Ryan Freel hit a sinking liner with the bases loaded that Drew played on one hop and then uncorked a perfect strike to Varitek to force out Miguel Olivo from right field. Yes, a force out at home plate on a throw from right field. The play ended up being huge for the Sox as Delcarmen gave up a 2-run single two batters later.
One more game for the Red Sox before the head into the All-Star break. No matter what happens they will be in first place but a win would be nice to maintain the 2-game lead. Josh Beckett starts for the Red Sox tomorrow afternoon and he’ll be opposed by Bruce Chen.
