Where's The Relief?: Boston Bullpen Can't Hold Tie, Indians Split Series With 7-3 Win

by Jared Stegall on Aug 4, 2011 11:12 PM EDT in Game Stories

In the bottom of the ninth inning, there was absolutely no chance for Jacoby Ellsbury to hit a third consecutive walk-off hit. For one, Ellsbury didn't even get a chance to bat in the ninth inning, and two, the run deficit between the Indians and Red Sox was so great that Ellsbury couldn't possibly get a walk off hit if he came to bat.

After scoring three runs through the first four innings off Cleveland starter Justin Masterson, the Sox offense couldn't overcome a horrendous performance from the bullpen in the late innings, falling to Cleveland, 7-3 in a series split. Masterson quietly remains undefeated against his former team.

Erik Bedard made his Red Sox debut this evening and did a pretty good job overall. He did have a moment where he did not cover first base on a groundout by Matt LaPorta, but other than that it was a very encouraging start tonight. Bedard only pitched five innings and gave up three earned runs on seven hits. Bedard hit 93 mph on the fastball and had a very effective curveball as he recorded five strikeouts and zero walks.

With the game tied at 3-3, Bedard was pulled in the sixth inning because of a strict pitch count and gave way to Franklin Morales out of the bullpen. After giving up a leadoff double to Travis Hafner, Morales served up an ugly pitch to Carlos Santana who promptly drilled it to center field for a two-run home run. The Indians now lead 5-3.

After two more quiet innings from the Red Sox offense, Andrew Miller entered the game in relief in the seventh inning. After getting the first two men in the inning, Miller allowed an Asdrubal Cabrera single that set up an RBI double by Hafner. 6-3, Cleveland.

With Miller still in the game, the Indians tacked on another run with a Kosuke Fukudome RBI double that drove in Cabrera from second base. The offense didn't have an answer for Cleveland pitching the rest of the night, as they fall 7-3 to Cleveland.

With the Yankees winning this evening, the two teams are now tied atop the A.L. East standings and will play each other this weekend at Fenway Park, starting tomorrow. Jon Lester will look to get the Red Sox back in the lead as he opposes Bartolo Colon from the Yankees. First pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m.

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This might be enough to mean the end of Andrew Miller in Boston. I can only hope.

Bedard did a good job. Made me feel decent about his chances going forward and in the playoffs.

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by Ben Buchanan on Aug 4, 2011 11:26 PM EDT reply actions

Gosh I Hope So

At least he came in, so we can get rid of all of this “six man rotation” crap.

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by Jared Stegall on Aug 4, 2011 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions

He never should have been up in the first place.

He should have stayed in Pawtucket for the whole year or at best have been a September call up. He is a long term project. But he forced our hand by threatening to opt out of his deal.

by dja9783 on Aug 5, 2011 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions

That makes it sound a little more diabolical than what happened

He was pitching well and it was his absolute right to opt out if he wanted to. Now he’s pitching like he was before his Pawtucket hot streak.

"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.

by Rogue Nine on Aug 5, 2011 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah I would've done the same

I think yesterday was interesting for Miller- the Sox didn’t really need to go to him in the bullpen, I take it that yesterday was sort of an audition for him to see if he’d be an asset to the team out of the bullpen- which means he’ll probably be headed back to Pawtucket or another team soon.

by wolf9309 on Aug 5, 2011 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions

I think they will give him another start in Minney

“Last Chance”

I think they would like to keep that 6 man rotation until the double header with Tampa in the middle of the month. Bedard could go on normal rest next Tuesday, but I bet they would like to give him another day. That would also allow Lester to go on Friday then Friday, with a travel day in between.

by cds7c on Aug 5, 2011 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions

+1

After the 1st inning alone I was thinking "fastball-check. Curve-check. Command-check. Can move around and cover 1st-check. Ok it’s (get rid of) Miller time…

by Buzzy on Aug 5, 2011 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Reply fail

+1 to Ben.

by Buzzy on Aug 5, 2011 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions

a half-check at most for the covering first

but no, a very impressive-looking start I thought. Most of the hits were not hit terribly well, he had pretty good command of the zone, and looked comfortable out there. I’m sure the slightly bone-headed mistake of not covering first will just insure that he doesn’t do that again

by wolf9309 on Aug 5, 2011 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions

He did cover first

in the first. I actually felt the mixup in the second was as much Gonzo’s fault as anything (although he should have at least moved towards first).

by Buzzy on Aug 5, 2011 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions

that's why he gets a half-check

but on the ball that wasn’t covered, that was all on Bedard- when a ball is hit there, the pitcher needs to be on the bag because, probably about half the time, that’s the first baseman’s ball. It’s ok. I’m sure it won’t happen again.

by wolf9309 on Aug 5, 2011 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions

I think he didn't move towards first...

because he though Pedey would field it and go home. Bedard could have been pegged in the melon if he did go towards first.

by cds7c on Aug 5, 2011 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Probably

That should have been Pedey’s ball.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Aug 5, 2011 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Probably Pedey's ball, yeah

but still and the same, Bedard’s got to get over there. And if Pedey does field it and wants to go home with it, as CDS stated, then Bedard hits the dirt.

That said, overall, I thought Erik did a good job. And I personally enjoy his demeanor on the mound.

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by Bloggy on Aug 5, 2011 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

2nd inning it was:

Line drive, check. Line drive, check. Line drive, caught by Pedey, check. Line drive, check. Line drive, check……until CC threw out someone at home on a line drive.

It was a good start, but he was also pretty hittable. Lackey’esque start.

by cds7c on Aug 5, 2011 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Are you sure?

I saw a different inning. Bedard struk Hafner out to start the inning. Then allowed two GB singles, one to LF the other to RF. Reddick made an ill advised throw, allowing Fukudome to take second. (BTW if Fukudome had lined the ball to RF, the runners probably wouldn’t have advanced past first and second). Then, there were two IF GB. The hardest hit ball of the inning resulted in a runner being thrown out at the plate.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Aug 5, 2011 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions