Red Sox Bullpen Explodes In Loss To Cubs (24-21)

Last night, the Red Sox suffered a tough loss to the Cubs. They were ahead 3-1 for much of the game, but in the 8th, they exploded and the Cubs wound up winning 9-3. In the top of the 3rd, Kosuke Fukudome scored on a double by Aramis Ramirez to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead. However, the Red Sox got it back in the 4th, on a 2-run homer by David Ortiz to make it 2-1 Sox. In the bottom of the 6th, Carl Crawford came home on a Jacoby Ellsbury single to make it 3-1 Red Sox. However, things got rough in the 8th, when the Cubs loaded the bases with no outs. Carlos Pena worked a walk, before Reed Johnson hit a huge 2-run double to give the Cubs a 4-3 lead. Alfonso Soriano then reached on a error, as Carlos Pena came in to score. An RBI double by Jeff Baker made it 6-3 Cubs. Darwin Barney flew out to right field, but Kevin Youkilis missed Drew's throw at third, and two runs came in to score and make it 8-3. A Starlin Castro double made it 9-3, and finally, the scoring was over.

Alfredo Aceves was actually very good in his spot start, allowing just 3 hits, and allowing just a run in 5 innings. Due to the bullpen, he did not earn a win, but he is now 1-0/2.42/11. Dan Wheeler and Rich Hill pitched well too, allowing no runs in 1 1/3 and 2/3 innings, respectively. Matt Albers allowed 5 earned runs without even recording an out, as he earned the loss. Franklin Morales, in his Red Sox debut, allowed 2 unearned runs in 2 innings of relief. Jacoby Ellsbury went 1-4 with an RBI single, as he is now .296/4/22. Adrian Gonzalez went 2-5, while Kevin Youkilis went 2-3 with a run scored. David Ortiz (left) only went 1-5 but he did have a big 2-run homer, and he is now .294/9/22. Tonight, in the rubber match, the Sox will trot out Tim Wakefield (0-1/5.40/11) as the Cubs will do with James Russell (1-4/6.26/13).

Bright Spots:

Alfredo Aceves- 1 run and 3 hits in 5 innings

Dan Wheeler- 1 1/3 scoreless innings

Rich Hill- 2/3 of a scoreless inning

Franklin Morales- no earned runs in 2 innings

Jacoby Ellsbury- 1-4 with an RBI

Adrian Gonzalez- 2-5

Kevin Youkilis- 2-3 with a run scored

David Ortiz- 1-5 with a big 2-run homer

Dull Spots:

Matt Albers- 5 earned runs without recording an out

Dustin Pedroia- 0-5 with a strikeout

J.D. Drew- 0-4 with 3 runners left on base

Well, I am pleased with every aspect of this game, except the top of the eighth!