Red Sox Fall On Rough Start By Lester (30-24)

Last night, the Red Sox suffered a tough 7-3 loss to the White Sox, where they tied the game after an early deficit but couldn't hold on. In the 1st inning, the White Sox loaded the bases with only one out to start the game. A.J. Pierzynski immediately delivered with a bouncing single up the middle, scoring Alexei Ramirez and Carlos Quentin to make it 2-0 early on. In the bottom of the 1st, the Red Sox got one back as Adrian Gonzalez knocked a shot to right field for his 10th homer of the year. In the 3rd inning, Paul Konerko hit a home run over the green monster to make it 3-1 White Sox. In the bottom of the 3rd, however, the Red Sox put runners on second and third with one out. After grinding out a long at-bat with Jake Peavy, Dustin Pedroia delivered with a single up the middle to make it 3-3. Then in the 6th inning, we lost control of the game as the White Sox loaded the bases with two outs. Alexei Ramirez blooped a ball down the first base line just out of Adrian Gonzalez' reach, which would fall for a double and score two. Then Carlos Quentin singled up the middle, scoring another two and making it 7-3 White Sox.

Jon Lester (top right) was not very good at all, allowing 7 earned runs in 5 2/3 innings, earning a loss and making him 7-2/3.94/74. Dan Wheeler threw 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief and Michael Bowden threw 2, but it was not enough. Dustin Pedroia only went 1-4, but he had that clutch two-run single, and he is now .243/4/18. Adrian Gonzalez went 2-4 with that long home run to right, as he is now .332/10/36, as he's been great all year. David Ortiz did a good job of getting on base, going 2-3 with a walk, and raising that average to .306. Unfortunately for the Red Sox, the bottom half on the order did not even get a hit, as the last 4 people went a combined 0-13 with a walk. Tonight, Alfredo Aceves (2-0/2.22/17) and Phillip Humber (3-3/2.85/33) will square off in Fenway.

Bright Spots:

Dan Wheeler- 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief

Michael Bowden- 2 innings of scoreless relief

Dustin Pedroia- 1-4 with a clutch 2-run single

Adrian Gonzalez- 2-4 with a solo home run

David Ortiz- 2-3 with a walk

Dull Spots:

Jon Lester- a loss with 7 earned runs in 5 2/3 innings

Carl Crawford- 0-4 with a strikeout and 5 runners left on base

Drew Sutton- 0-3 with a strikeout and 2 runners left on base

J.D. Drew- 0-3

Jarrod Saltalamcchia- 0-3 with a run scored

Ok guys, not the time for the losing streak, we're back to a tie for first place at 30-24.