Heading into tonight's game the Red Sox had hit into the second most double plays of any Major League team. Never wanting to be outdone, they hit into 5 more to move into first in that statistic. Although it is not completely the kiss of death in baseball, it definitely is not a statistic you want to be leading the way in.
While grounding into 5 double plays isn't a good way to win, it is only part of the reason the Red Sox recorded their 5th loss of the season. Typically, when your starting pitcher doesn't make it past the fifth inning you might be in a bit of trouble. If he gets pulled in the third then you've got your work really cut out for you. To say Felix Doubront had an off night would be an understatement. In 2.2 innings of work Doubront gave up 6 hits, 3 walks and 5 runs. Doubront's career ERA against the Rangers now stands at 12.56. This would be his shortest career outing. Burke Badenhop would come in to relieve Doubront and wouldn't fare much better giving up 5 hits, 1 walk and 4 runs.
After grounding into inning ending double plays and watching their opponents hit double after double, the Red Sox bats finally got something going in the 7th inning when they scored 3 runs. After putting up another goose egg in the 8th they would score 3 more runs in the 9th, but as the saying goes it was "too little too late".
Watching the futile comeback attempt I was torn between wanting to see some offense and thinking that if we weren't going to win the game we might as well lose by a landslide. Why would I want that you ask? Runs for and against always seem to even out in the end, so if we lose a game or two by a large margin we should be good for a few 1 run games as the season goes on.
The rubber match game will have a 4:05 start tomorrow and feature Jake Peavy and Robert Ross Jr. Neither pitcher has factored into a decision yet this year.
Watching the futile comeback attempt I was torn between wanting to see some offense and thinking that if we weren't going to win the game we might as well lose by a landslide. Why would I want that you ask? Runs for and against always seem to even out in the end, so if we lose a game or two by a large margin we should be good for a few 1 run games as the season goes on.
The rubber match game will have a 4:05 start tomorrow and feature Jake Peavy and Robert Ross Jr. Neither pitcher has factored into a decision yet this year.
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