| 26 August 2010
The Sox settled for a split of the double-header with the Mariners yesterday.
Josh Beckett was string through 6 and struggled in the 7th, but earned the win in Game 1. Then wackiness ensued and a series sweep seemed doubtful - even if it was against the Mariners.
1. Matsuzaka can't finish his bullpen session in preparation for his start on Friday due to soreness in his back.
2. Jon Lester is bumped from starting Game 2 of the doubleheader and is scheduled to start in Dice-K's place on Friday against the Rays.
3. Around 4PM, Tim Wakefield (43) is asked to prepare to start in Lester's place, giving him roughly three hours to get loose. He struggles early and the Mariners take a 3-0 lead after three innings.
4. Felix Hernandez is starting for the Ms... meaning this game would have been tough to win even if Lester has pitched. Felix entered the game with a 2.51 ERA (2nd), 183 Ks (2nd) and 197 IPs (1st). If he had any run support, he's be leading the CY Young race.
5. Due to injuries and the double-header, the Sox were already playing Game 2 with a patchwork lineup... then rookie umpire Dan Bellino mistakingly ejected Adrian Beltre for talking smack, when he was really talking to smack to former teammate Felix Hernandez.
“I was looking at him and we were talking (trash),” Beltre said. “He said he was gonna strike me out and I said I was gonna take him deep.”
Bellino then asked Beltre what he was up to and Beltre said, “I'm talking to (Hernandez). Then I get (the ejection signal).”
Hernandez was in command all night, but Beltre's bat might have helped the Sox get back in the game. JD Drew made it 4-2 in the 6th with a solo shot, but after Martinez singled, Ortiz K'd and Navarro grounded out to end the threat. The Sox put two runners on in the 8t has well, but Martinez grounded out and Ortiz lined out.
Bottom Line: The Sox had a chance to steal a game on the Rays before the weekend after the Angels pounded them 12-3, but nothing went right for them in Game 2. Now they'll need to sweep the Rays just to get within 1.5 games of them in the wild card race.
Two wins will keep them in the hunt with three more games against them two weeks from now and 6 games left against the Yankees... but a sweep of the Mariners would have been alot easier.
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