Well, I've been away from the computer for a few days, so I'll sum up the latest Sox disaster in a few words--Just Look At the Title! Says it all. And for those of you who want to respond by reminding me that the team changed its name to Rays, dropping the 'Devil', as far as I'm concerned, they're more the Devil Rays than ever before! I mean 3 1/2 games ahead of the Sox after the first half of the season? Best record in baseball? No, that's NOT a misprint--how I wish it were. The Hose have again lost five in a row, and are to visit the Stripes as they move back up the coast. This is the same team that scored a total of 12 runs tonight in just two late innings to win 18-7.
It all started so promising tonight. The Diceman rode through the Rays' lineup in fairly easy fashion, giving up just two hits in five innings. He also got five K's and held the Rays to a lone run. Though he did allow five free passes, he managed to pretty much ride things out. But after five, at 101 pitches, Tito figured it was enough. His countryman, Oki, followed for an inning, pitching shutout ball and getting a pair of K's in the process.
Then, the roof fell in! The Other Manny-Delcarmen and Hansen each faced three batters in the sixth, getting no-one out after throwing a combined 30 pitches--you saw that correctly--THIRTY PITCHES--and giving up three runs apiece, so that Dice's 4-1 lead was metamorphosed into a 7-4 deficit. It was all the Rays needed. It may be time to send TOM and Hansen down for a bit and get someone who can hold a lead.
Aardsma and Lopez followed and managed to staunch the bleeding, but it was too late--particularly frustrating as, once again, the Sox almost came all the way back only to finally lose by a single run.
On the bright side, if there is one, Dusty almost hit for the cycle, getting a second double instead of what would have been a cycle-completing single as part of a 4-5 evening. JD and Moss each went 2-4, and the Sox accrued five extra base hits, including a pair of trips and a homer--all to no avail.
Now I know there are still 75 games left to the season and this is only the start of July, but who'da thunk the 'Devil' Rays in first 3 1/2 games up on our heroes this late in the season?
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