Red Sox Can't Overcome Early Deficit By Marlins (29-32)

Beckett was making his
first start against Miami

The Red Sox and Marlins were each struggling entering into yesterday's ballgame but very early it was confirmed which team would end their struggles. After the Red Sox stranded two runners in a frustrating first inning, the Marlins came right back and led off the bottom half with a triple by Jose Reyes. Light-hitting Donavan Solano knew his role and simply lifted a fly ball into right-center to score Reyes and give the Marlins an early 1-0. However, the Marlins were not done as Giancarlo Stanton knocked a one out bloop single into center field. With Stanton on first, Logan Morrison almost knocked one out of the park-- but it clanged high off the wall in right field for a double that would have put two in scoring position. Unfortunately, Adrian Gonzalez-- obviously not a natural right fielder-- bobbled the ball, allowing Stanton to come all the way around from first to score the Marlins' second run. He probably would've scored anyway, though, as Gaby Sanchez blooped a ball into right to score Morrison from second and give the Marlins an early 3-0 lead.

He improved as he went
along 

The Marlins put it right back together in the second inning-- starting things off with a single by John Buck. In the National League style, pitcher Josh Johnson bunted him over to second base with one out. Jose Reyes then grounded out to David Ortiz at first base to push Buck over to third base. It was Donovan Solano again with the clutch RBI-- singling up the middle to score Buck and make it 4-0. It stayed like that for a long time until the sixth inning, when a Scott Podsednik single and Dustin Pedroia double put the Sox in business with one out. Adrian Gonzalez hit a long fly ball to deep left center, but it would be caught on the run by Logan Morrison-- allowing Podsednik to score, but that was all. After a few more scoreless innings, Josh Beckett was taken out of the game with a line of 7 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 5 K. For the first time in over two months, Mark Melancon-- recently called up from AAA-- came in and threw a scoreless inning. However, the offensive woes continued and the game would finish with a score of 4-1.

Bright Spots:
Mark Melancon- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R
Scott Podsednik- 3-4, 1 R, 1 SB
Dustin Pedroia- 1-3, 1 2B, 1 BB

Dull Spots:
David Ortiz- 0-4, 1 K, 4 LOB
Jarrod Saltalamacchia- 0-4, 1 K, 3 LOB
Kevin Youkilis- 0-4, 1 K, 1 LOB
Mike Aviles- 0-3, 1 K

Player of the Game:
Scott Podsednik- As the leadoff hitter, Podsednik certainly did his job-- reaching base three times and stealing a base-- he is now .405/1/5 this season.