Red Sox Can't Cook Up The Key Rally, Lose To M's (63-75)

Cook pitched well

Last night was a disappointing one as the Red Sox got a rare good start out of Aaron Cook, but were not able to cash in. Now, the matchup of Cook (3-8, 5.35) and Kevin Millwood (4-12, 4.38) isn't necessarily what you'd call a pitching matchup. However, it certainly played like one at least for the first few innings. Although there were plenty of base-runners, neither team scored in the first three innings. However, it was in the fourth inning that the Mariners finally broke out. On a single by Eric Thames, a walk for Mike Carp, and a single from Casper Wells-- the Mariners loaded the bases with no outs to start the inning. Cook got a quick out, getting Brendan Ryan to pop out. However, he wasn't so lucky with Dustin Ackley-- who singled up the middle to score two runs and make it 2-0.

Valentine isn't happy right now

After the Mariners scored those runs, there was scoreless fifth inning. However, the Red Sox would get in the board during the sixth inning. Dustin Pedroia benefited from a leadoff walk to start off the inning, but was quickly taken off the basepaths when Jacoby Ellsbury grounded into a forceout. Ellsbury was able to steal second, however, putting himself in scoring position with one out for Cody Ross. Ross laced a line drive to right field that looked like it was going foul. Somehow, though, it stayed fair, bouncing around in the corner enough to score Ellsbury and get Ross to second base with an RBI double. They didn't score again in the inning, and as it turned out, the sixth was Aaron Cook's last inning. The sinker-baller exited the game with a relatively impressive line of 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 5 K-- a very un-Cook-like line all things told. However, the Red Sox still managed to lose to game because of a weak offense.

Bright Spots:
Aaron Cook- 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 5 K, L (3-9)
Alfredo Aceves- 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K
Jacoby Ellsbury- 1-4, 1 R, 1 SB
Cody Ross- 3-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI

Dull Spots:
Scott Podsednik- 0-4, 1 LOB
Ryan Lavarnway- 0-4, 1 K, 6 LOB
Pedro Ciriaco- 0-2, 1 K

Player of the Game:
Cody Ross- Ross has continued his career year by going 3-4 and driving in a run with a double, as he certainly wasn't the problem in this game-- he is now .279/20/73.