Trying to Stay Optimistic

The Sox lost last night in an ugly game, 7-3. I should’ve known it would be an ugly game in the 1st inning when Punto, playing shortstop, didn’t make a play on a ball hit to his position, instead allowing the batter to get on base and the runners to advance. It would’ve been a play that Iglesias more than likely would’ve made, and probably Aviles for that matter.

I really don’t want to discuss too much about the game last night. The good thing about the Red Sox is that even with a slow start, you know they’ll eventually get better. If they can’t do it with the players they have, then they’ll figure something else out. The Red Sox have that ability, and it’s good they’re not jumping the gun on using that ability.

Bard wasn’t as bad as the score depicts. He left the game in the 6th inning with two runners on base and the score 3-1. Thomas came in, and the score quickly became 6-1. Bowden gave up a 2-out home run in the 7th, making the score 7-1. It was at this point I shut off the television and fell asleep. It was a frustrating night.

Actually, Bard did pretty well in terms of pitching. He pitched 5 innings, gave up 8 hits, 5 runs (though it could’ve easily have been 2 or 3 runs but was 5 because of defense and Thomas coming in), struck out 6, and only walked 1. He pitched 96 pitches, which wasn’t very efficient but encouraging. Of the 8 hits, 5 were on 2-strike pitches, 2 were infield singles, and 4 others were groundballs. It could’ve easily have gone the other way for Bard, and he knew it:

“Let’s say half of those get fielded, which is probably a normal night. If we catch three or four of those and get outs on them, that’s probably three runs and about thirty pitches, and I’m pitching into the seventh and giving up two runs,” Bard said as quoted by The Boston Globe.

The offense wasn’t very kind to Bard either. The Sox scored 3 runs on 9 hits, 2 of the runs coming in the 9th inning. There was some good news with the hitting: Youkilis got his first two hits of the season, one being a double. Pedroia was 3 for 5 with a double. Sweeney also hit a double.

But the offense needs to pick up; the team can not be carried by four players who are hitting consistently (Pedroia (.364), Gonzalez (.316), Sweeney (.444), and Ortiz- who did not have a hit during last night’s game but is hitting .368 for the season). Ellsbury (.100), Youkilis (.125), and Saltalamacchia (.077) need to pick it up… and quickly. I could also put Cody Ross into the “needing to pick it up” category. His batting average is .188, but he’s been getting on base these and have had a few good hits these past couple games.

Also, what is up with the fans at the Rogers Centre the past two nights? Monday night, there was a big fight in the bleachers, people were ejected, and during the game, things (large crepe paper balls, etc.) kept being thrown on the field. Last night, there was a streaker and some stupid person shining their cellphone into the batter’s eye. Stupid! I understand that some Canadians are still upset with Boston because of they lost the Stanley Cub to the Bruins last year, but that was the Vancouver Cunucks and a
completely different sport!

Well, that’s the end of my rant. Again, I know it’s early and the ship will be righted (it was last year for most of the year afterall), but the Sox needed to get off on a strong footing because of September 2011. They are not doing that, and things seem to be getting worse.