Losing Streak Extends To Three Against Pirates (9-7)

Lester was shaken up today

Jarrod Saltamacchia had a homer

Today was a tough one as the Sox dropped a close roller coaster game to the Pirates. The Sox got a little rally going in the second inning when Jarrod Saltalamacchia doubled to left-center to start things. After a flyout by Ryan Lavarnway, Josh Kroeger lined an RBI single into right field to give the Sox a 1-0 lead. The Pirates tied it up and then took the lead in a big four-run third inning. Lester was taken out as his final line was a bit shaky at 3 innings, 8 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks, 1 strikeout. However, the Sox cut it close in the fourth when, after a leadoff double by Adrian Gonzalez, Jarrod Saltalamacchia went the other way with a homer to make it a 4-3 game. They proceeded to tie it up in the fifth when the Sox got a two-out rally going, culminating in an RBI double by Adrian Gonzalez. All the while, Junichi Tazawa had pitched very well in relief-- he allowed just a hit and struck out two in three innings of work. A two-out homer by Mauro Gomez netted the Sox a 5-4 lead in the seventh inning. However, the Pirates scored two in the bottom half off Andrew Bailey to give them a 6-5 lead and eventually the win. Neither team scored again as Franklin Morales closed out the loss with a scoreless inning.

Bright Spots:
Junichi Tazawa- 3 innings, 1 hit, no runs, 1 strikeout
Franklin Morales- 1 inning, no runs or hits, 1 walk, 1 strikeout
Adrian Gonzalez- 2-3, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 double
Mauro Gomez- 1-2, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 home run
Jarrod Saltalamacchia- 2-3, 2 runs, 2 RBIs, 1 double, 1 home run
Josh Kroeger- 1-2, 1 RBI
Jason Repko- 1-2, 1 walk

Dull Spots:
Jon Lester- 3 innings, 8 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks, 1 strikeout
Andrew Bailey- 1 inning, 3 hits, 2 runs, 2 strikeouts
Pedro Ciriaco- 0-4, 2 left on base
Alex Hassan- 0-2, 1 strikeout, 2 left on base
Lars Anderson- 0-2, 1 strikeout, 3 left on base