And that’s another 5-4-3 double play for the Red Sox. That was a familiar sound out of Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy’s mouths on Wednesday night as the Red Sox suffered their 4th straight defeat, losing to Oakland 3-2.
Tim Wakefield pitched well on Wednesday night but one bad inning did him in. That seems to be a recurring theme this season.
The A’s got to Wake for 3 runs in the 4th inning. Nick Swisher led off the inning, grounding out to Youk at first. Wake then gave up a double to the red-hot Eric Chavez. Before Dan Johnson grounded out, Chavez went to third on a passed ball by Doug Mirabelli. With two outs now, Shannon Stewart drew a walk and Jack Cust ripped a double, scoring Chavez. Bobby Crosby followed that with a single that scored both Stewart and Cust, giving them a 3-0 lead.
That’s all the runs the A’s would manage.
Meanwhile, the Sox had their chances numerous times.
With two outs in the first, David Ortiz and Manny both drew walks. Kevin Youkilis stranded them on base when he struck out swinging.
The second inning brought the first of three 5-4-3 double plays. Mike Lowell led off a groundout. Wily Mo Peña reached on an infield single and Mirabell promptly grounded into the double play.
More of the same in the 4th inning. Big Papi led off with a strikeout. Manny stayed hot with a single, his first of two hits on the night. Youk singled, advancing Manny to second base. Lowell then grounded into the second 5-4-3 double play, ending another threat.
Guess what happened in the 5th inning? The last of the 5-4-3 double plays. Wily Mo led off with a strikeout. Mirabelli singled and Coco grounded into the double play.
The Sox finally struck for 2 runs in the 7th inning. Manny led off with a double and scored on Youk triple, cutting the deficit to 3-1. Lowell struck out and Wily Mo brought in Youk with a groundout to second, making it 3-2. Mirabelli then singled but Coco hit into a fielder’s choice to end the inning.
The Sox managed a hit in the 8th and a walk in the 9th, but that was it. The 8th inning probably brought the most fireworks when Terry Francona decided he didn’t like a high strike call on Dustin Pedroia from home plate umpire Dan Lasagna Iassogna. Tito got into his face and let him have it. That’s the first time, I’ve ever seen him that fired up.
Wake pitched really well tonight compared to his previous 4 starts. He went 6 2/3 innings, gave up 3 runs, walked 2 and struck out 8.
Curt Schilling takes the mound for the Sox on Thursday as he looks to put this 4 game losing streak to bed. He will be opposed by Joe Blanton.
