Lately you could think about the Sox like a ship with many holes in it. The first big hole was their hitting. They weren't getting run support even though their pitchers were holding down the fort. After putting some runs on the board over the past couple games another hole has opened. The bullpen imploded on the Sox last night and cost them a game they had in the bag.
After letting up 2 runs to start the game the Sox offense started to heat up scoring 5 runs in the 3rd innings. With the score 6-2 going into the 7th inning it looked as if the Sox had this game. Buchholz had a solid (but not great) game going 5 2/3 letting up 2 runs on 9 hits with 5 Ks, but it was the bullpen that did them in.
The A's scored a run in the 7th, then another in the 8th. Still going into the 9th inning the Sox were up 3 runs with Papelbon coming in (cue the music!!). Boston led 7-4 when Papelbon came in for the 9th, but he walked the leadoff hitter and gave up three hits. He was also hurt by 2 throwing errors by shortstop Nick Green (can we please get Marco Scutaro now!!!!). It was still 7-7 with 2 out in the 11th when Ellis doubled off Manny Delcarmen and scored on Davis' single to right which ended the game.
I know this was a terrible loss, and I have my concerns about Papelbon, but how much of this can you blame on the bullpen? I mean they hadn't allowed a run in 25 innings since the All-Star break, and the inning that they did get to Papelbon there were 2 errors by Nick Green. Still, Boston looks like a sinking ship right now, and the holes don't seem to want to close. Does that mean Theo needs to make a move, and I mean a real move not signing AAA players? We will see.
The good news is the Yankees lost last night, so Boston is still only 2 1/2 games back for 1st place in the AL East.
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