Sorry, couldn't resist getting the home team's newspaper (remember them?) abbreviation into a headline. Seriously, as Jenn has noted recently, the Sox' play on the road is something of a worry. It's like a counterbalance to their MLB -best home record. After the loss at the M's Wednesday night, they were 11-18 on the road. If that traveling record were even .500, they'd be two and a half ahead of the Rays in their accustomed first place.
However, coming to Baltimore, they had a new opportunity. Beckett was starting and that in itself is always something to look forward to. The Sox got off quickly, taking a two-zip lead in the top of the first, Papi and Lowell getting the ribbies to put them on top. Unfortunately, that lead only lasted until the O's half of the fourth.
Having already halved the Sox lead in the 2d, the O's caught up with our heroes on a solo home run by Huff in the 4th. From there, both teams had men on base with some regularity, but no-one could score.
Through the 9th, the score remained 2-2, both starters having long since departed. JB did pretty well, other than the two single runs he surrendered early on. For his six innings, he nailed down 10 K's, while only surrendering four hits and three walks in his six inning stint. Those 10 K's will keep him among the league's leaders in the category. Unfortunately, he didn't get the W tonight and is still stuck at 5-4.
He was replaced by Okajima, who gave us two shutout innings, surrendering only a single hit. Normally, that would be followed by the arrival of Papelbon. However, as the score was still tied, Tito obviously was waiting for a lead before committing The Saver to the fray. So The Other Manny-Delcarmen appeared on the scene and gave an inning of shutout ball, to be followed by Lopez (1/3 of an inning), Hansen (1 2/3 innings) and Jenn's Favorite, Timlin (1 inning), all shutout appearances.
In fact, appearing to be making amends for his last appearance a couple of nights ago in Seattle, Timlin ended up as the winning pitcher this time. True, his scoreless inning was marked by three baserunners, including a pair of passes, but he made the pitches when it was necessary, and when the Sox got three in the top of the 13th, he was in position to be the man with the W--as long as Pap got the save.
Enter The Saver. He made short work of the O's. Three up--three down, including Ks of the last two batters he faced. It took him only a total of 10 pitches to finish off the Birds--truly vintage Papelbon.
The road record improved to 12-18--still a long way from acceptable, but a step in the right direction.
Other items of note: Ellsbury got three, count 'em, swipes, bringing his season's total to 23, remaining second in the league, but a lot closer to the lead. In fact, in the later innings, the Sox baserunners were driving the Orioles pitchers just short of absolutely schizophrenic. They didn't know whether to go to the plate or try to get a Sox runner leaning too far toward the next base. In addition to the aforementioned three thefts, O's pitchers were so distracted that they couldn't make a good pickoff or, at the same time, get strikes to the relevant Sox hitters. When you have three guys who can take a base almost at will, it's not easy concentrating on the plate for a pitcher. Jake, Julio and Alex fill this bill very satisfactorily.
Papi got two more hits, including his 10th two bagger, while Lowell had his 12th, Manny his 13th and Ellsbury a pair of them.Those doubles were part of three hits apiece for Ellsbury and Lowell.
On the seriously negative side of things, the Sox placed the Diceman on the 15 day DL today. He's got some weakness in his throwing shoulder, but, thankfully, no damage to the cuff or any muscles. Hopefully, a couple of weeks rest and Pt for strengthening will take care of it.
And while we're at it (back to the good stuff), it was an all Boston evening as the Celtics finished off Detroit to return to the finals for the first time since 1987--against who else--the Lakers. BEAT LA!! A seventeenth banner is long, long overdue!
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