One Tough Inning Keeps Sox Without Win (2-9)

Last night, the Sox lost again, this time 3-2 to the Rays in a very close game that was decided by a 3-run fifth inning by the Rays. The game was deadlocked at 0 until the bottom of the third. That's when Darnell McDonald (bottom left) cracked a solo homer over the green monster to give the Sox a 1-0 lead. It remained like this until the top of the 5th, when the Rays bounced back. The Rays scored on a fielder's choice by Sam Fuld and a 2-run single by Johnny Damon making it 3-1 Rays. In the bottom of the 6th, Jed Lowrie smacked a 2-out RBI double to cut the lead to 3-2, but that's how it stayed the rest of the game. In the bottom of the ninth, with 2 outs, David Ortiz gave a ball a ride to right field, but Ben Zobrist caughtit on the warning track.

Jon Lester, as a general rule, was very good last night, he ended up allowing 3 runs through 7 innings, although all of the runs came in the 5th inning. Lester earned the loss, setting himself at 0-1/3.72/17 through his first 3 starts. Daniel Bard and Bobby Jenks followed him up with a scoreless inning each. Dustin Pedroia had a good day, going 1-3 with a walk and a run scored. Jed Lowrie also had a good day, going 2-4 with that RBI double that I mentioned earlier. Darnell McDonald (left) went 1-3 with a home run that made it 1-0 Red Sox. Tonight, John Lackey (1-1/15.58/5) will go head to head with James Shields (0-1/4.73/7).

Bright Spots:

Dustin Pedroia- 1-3 with a walk and scoring a run

Jed Lowrie- 2-4 with 2 doubles including an RBI double

Darnell McDonald- 1-3 with a home run

Jon Lester- 3 runs in 7 innings isn't bad

Daniel Bard- a scoreless inning

Bobby Jenks- ditto

Dull Spots:

Carl Crawford- 0-3 with a strikeout

Adrian Gonzalez- 0-4 with 2 left on base

Mike Cameron- 0-3 with 3 left on base

Jason Varitek- 0-3

I am very sad that the Sox are doing so badly, and I really hope they turn it around sooner rather than later.