Morales's Outing Wasted As Sox Lose Heartbreaker (40-36)

Morales was great

Normally when the Red Sox pitching can hold a team to less than three or four runs-- the Red Sox will win the game just because of their offense. However, last night their offense was held in check by Mariners' ace Felix Hernandez. But the Red Sox weren't just blanked in this game as Franklin Morales certainly held his own against the weak bats of the Mariners. This game was a heartbreaker though, as the Red Sox stranded 10 runners in the game-- all in key situations. With two outs in the top of the third inning, singles by Mike Aviles and Daniel Nava had the Red Sox in business. They would be wasted though as Dustin Pedroia flew out to center fielder Franklin Gutierrez. Gutierrez actually had a pretty scary moment after a leadoff single in the fourth inning. On a pickoff throw by Franklin Morales, the ball deflected off Adrian Gonzalez's glove and hit Gutierrez on the side of his face. Michael Saunders came in to play center for the rest of the game and the M's didn't score in the inning.

Saltalamacchia and Ortiz
commiserate after the tough loss

In the bottom of the seventh, the Mariners got their first little rally going with a one out single by Justin Smoak. Miguel Olivo struck out and Dustin Ackley nearly grounded out to end the inning but a botched catch by Adrian Gonzalez put runners at the corners with two away. Morales got Brendan Ryan to ground out to end the inning but it was too close for comfort. That would be Morales's last inning as he exited with a line of 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K. Andrew Miller came into the ballgame and pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning before the Red Sox got a rally going in the ninth. A one out single by David Ortiz and walk by Jarrod Saltalamacchia put two runners on with just one out. Adrian Gonzalez came up and split the gap with a fly ball to deep left-center-- however, a fantastic running catch stopped the runs from scoring and effectively ended the scoring chance. The Mariners got a real rally in the ninth when they put runners at first and second with one out. John Jaso came up and hit a clean single to right; Cody Ross fielded it cleanly and made a great throw home. Casper Wells would have been out by several feet, but Jarrod Saltalamacchia dropped the ball and the game was over.

Bright Spots:
Franklin Morales- 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K
Andrew Miller- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R

Dull Spots
Scott Atchison- 0.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, L (2-1)
Dustin Pedroia- 0-4, 2 K, 2 LOB
Will Middlebrooks- 0-4, 2 K, 4 LOB
Cody Ross- 0-3, 2 K, 1 LOB
Ryan Kalish- 0-3, 3 K

Player of the Game:
Franklin Morales- It's a shame that Morales had to make this outing when the Red Sox weren't scoring because he pitched extremely well and is now 1-1/2.59/44 on the season.