Not only is it twice in a week that our closer, our saver, has blown the save and lost the game, it's back to back. While he's a long way off from what Dad refers to as the Timlin class, this is definitely worrisome.
Granted last time the run that scored for the loss was unearned thanks to the tenth error by our shortstop, Julio Lugo. Last night he earned his 11th. That's the most in the majors. Dad, you might want to rethink that surehanded comment. But I digress. Last night there were no errors in the bottom of the 9th, so unfortunately there's no one to blame but the pitcher.
It all started with a lead-off base hit, and whenever a man gets on base against Pap I get nervous. But 9 times out of 10 Pap can get out of the inning unscathed. Last night looked like one of those times because the next two batters Pap faced he got out. The first was a sac bunt by Matt Tolbert to move Delmon Young to 2nd. The second came when Adam Everett popped out to a sprinting Youkilis in foul ground. Great, one on and two out. But then Papelbon walked Carlos Gomez (uh-oh), who stole 2nd (sh*t). Then Mike Lamb, who came in to pinch hit in the 7th, sliced a ball over the head of Mike Lowell into short left to win the game.
Unlike Thursday night's loss, Pap calmly headed to the dugout and just took a seat on the bench, resigned to the loss. It was kind of unnerving. I'm used to the passionate pitcher who pumps his fist after a win, or throws the Gatorade cooler after a loss. This calm man is not the closer I know and love. Where's the fire?! Where's the passion?! Is this resignation the reason for the losses? God I hope not. Come on, Pap, get fierce. Let's see that death stare. Let's see those lasers. Let's see the save!
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