September 19, 2007
...
Maybe if the Yankees weren't involved, it would be different. Maybe,
despite another mind-numbing Red Sox defeat, this one featuring a
grand slam surrendered by Jonathan Papelbon in a 6-1 loss to the Blue
Jays, Sox fans might be more inclined to squirm. The Sox can feel
Alex Rodriguez's breath on the backs of their necks, with the
Yankees, who trailed by 14 1/2 games May 29, now just 1 1/2 games
behind in the AL East with nine games to play, 10 for New York. The
magic number to win the division is stuck at nine after each of the
last four nights, the Sox losing four while the Yankees were winning.
The best record in the league is now shared by the Indians and
Angels, with the Sox a half-game behind and in danger of losing
home-field advantage in the playoffs.
Papelbon was
summoned, for only the third time all season, into a close game in which the Sox
were trailing and struck out the first batter he faced, Adam Lind, then gave up
a slam to Russ Adams, the same Russ Adams who had made Eric Gagne so miserable
with a game-deciding double the night before.
It was a
first for both. It was the first slam hit by Adams, first slam allowed by
Papelbon, who fell behind, 3 and 0, but had gotten it back to a full count
before the third baseman hit one into the second deck.
After a
series in which the Sox, still missing three regulars, scored a total of five
runs in three games, their only run last night coming on a home run off Jesse
Litsch, who was pitching against No-Hit Buchholz and held the Sox hitless until
J.D. Drew lined his ninth home run of the season leading off the fifth. The Sox
had a chance to tie the score when they loaded the bases in the seventh, but
Julio Lugo was tardy getting out of the box after being jammed by reliever Casey
Janssen and didn't accelerate until after shortstop Ray Olmedo bobbled his
barehand swipe at the ball. Too late. He was tossed out.
The Sox had
another chance to draw even in the eighth when Jacoby Ellsbury beat out an
infield squibber, Ellsbury credited with a single when Toronto manager John
Gibbons argued in vain that Ellsbury wasn't in the runner's box when Janssen
threw to first, impeding the play. Replays showed Gibbons had a point, but the
Sox did not take advantage of the break. Ellsbury remained anchored at first
while Dustin Pedroia lined out to right. Then Ellsbury stole second with David
Ortiz up, but Ortiz lined to right against lefthander Scott Downs and Mike
Lowell struck out on three pitches against Jeremy Accardo.
With his
right knee acting up again, Ortiz had just one hit in the series, and was due to
get a couple of days off - the scheduled off day today, and tomorrow night, when
the Sox are due to face tough Tampa lefthander Scott Kazmir. And what about his
slugging partner, Manny Ramirez, who missed his 21st game last night with a
strained oblique muscle?
Rookie Clay
Buchholz, making his first start since throwing a no-hitter against the Orioles
Sept. 1, didn't give up a hit last night until Frank Thomas lined a single to
left in the fourth inning. But a couple of misplays in the fifth left him more
red-faced than he was on the recent hazing night, when he was forced to dress
like a pirate's wench, if you're keeping score at home.
Buchholz was
a tick late covering the bag on an infield roller by Adams while a run scored in
the fifth. When the next batter, Ray Olmedo, bunted toward third, Buchholz
gloved the ball and attempted to make a shovel toss to Lowell at third. The ball
wound up in left field as another run scored.
The three
walking wounded, Manny Ramirez, Coco Crisp, and Kevin Youkilis remained
sidelined. Ramirez missed his 21st game with a strained left oblique, while
Crisp missed his second with a stiff back. He also didn't start last Friday
night, but pinch ran and was thrown out attempting to steal. Youkilis missed his
fourth game since being hit on the right wrist by the Yankees' Chien-Ming Wang.
Youkilis did some dry swinging and played catch again with trainer Paul Lessard,
so there is some progress, Francona said. Francona defended Ramirez's continued
absence from the lineup, reiterating that the muscle continues to grab him while
running.
