Red Sox Stung By Rays In Extra Innings (85-60)

Last night, the Red Sox suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Rays, where they went down in 11 innings despite a late rally. Kyle Weiland's command was very bad early and in the first three batters of the game, he walked two and allowed a hit. However, a groundout, a strikeout and a flyout would allow the Sox out of the inning allowing only a run. In the 2nd inning, the Sox caught up though, as they out runners at 1st and 2nd with no outs and after a groundout to first advanced them, Jed Lowrie knocked one in with an RBI single. Two singles in the bottom of the 2nd for the Rays put the Rays in a good position to score when Desmond Jennings bounced a ball to Jed Lowrie, a run scored to make it 2-1. In the 3rd, the Rays loaded the bases with one out, and as Casey Kotchman crushed a ball to center, Jacoby Ellsbury would catch it for a sacrifice fly to make it 3-1. In the 5th, with Jacoby Ellsbury on 1st base with 2 outs, Adrian Gonzalez crushed a home run to right field to make it 3-3. However, the Rays distanced themselves again as Casey Kotchman hit a solo homer in the bottom of the 5th. The Rays put Sean Rodriguez and Desmond Jennings on 2nd and 3rd, respectively, with one out where Evan Longoria hit a flyout that would fall in Jacoby Ellsbury's glove for a sacrifice fly to make it 5-3. It stayed that way until the top of the 9th, as Marco Scutaro grounded out to start the inning. However, the next batter, Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit a quick line drive that just got over the wall for a solo home run. Jacoby Ellsbury then came up, who lofted a hanging slider to right for a no-doubter that would tie the game at 5-5. However, with no outs in the 11th, Desmond Jennings hit a line drive to right-center, just out of reach of Jacoby Ellsbury and Darnell McDonald. He would run all the way to third with a leadoff triple. The next batter, B.J. Upton grounded a ball to 1st, however Adrian Gonzalez would look him back to 3rd. However, the next batter, Evan Longoria would take a high fastball right back up the middle for a walkoff single.
      Kyle Weiland was not particularly good, allowing 3 runs in 4 innings, as he is now 0-1/6.75/5. Alfredo Aceves did a great job of eating some innings in relief, allowing 2 runs in 4 innings, has he has been so valuable to this team. Then came Jonathan Papelbon, who was simply lights out, going 2 shutout innings and throwing only 16 pitches. Then was Daniel Bard, who blew it all by allowing the walkoff hit. Jacoby Ellsbury had a good game, going 2-6 with a key solo home run, as he is now .317/26/91. Adrian Gonzalez went 1-3 with a 2-run homer, as he is now .340/25/108. David Ortiz had a decent game, going 2-4 and scoring a run. Jarrod Saltalamacchia only went 1-5, but his one hit was a very important home run, as he is now .247/16/51. Today will be a great pitching matchup as Jon Lester (15-6/2.93/167) takes the hill against James Shields (14-10/2.77/205).

Bright Spots:
Alfredo Aceves- not so much on how he pitched, but the fact that he went 4 innings is good
Jonathan Papelbon- he was fantastic in 2 shutout innings
Jacoby Ellsbury- 2-6 with an important solo home run
Adrian Gonzalez- 1-3 with a 2-run homer
David Ortiz- 2-4 with a run scored
Jarrod Saltalamacchia- 1-5 with a solo home run

Dull Spots:
Kyle Weiland- he settled down a bit, but he wasn't very sharp allowing 3 runs in 4 innings
Daniel Bard- he blew another game
Marco Scutaro- 0-4

This was a heartbreaker, luckily the Yankees share our 4-game skid.