Lester Decidedly Not Ace-like as Yankees Top Red Sox

Looking at the pitching matchups coming into this series, you had to figure this was the game the Sox had the best chance of winning.

No such luck, as the Yankees came out on top 6-4.

Jon Lester struggled through 5 innings, allowing 4 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks. His velocity was all there, but he struggled to put opposing batters away. He was not helped at all by home plate umpire Angel Hernandez, but there will be more on that later.

On offense, Victor Martinez was the big contributor, smashing a 2-run homer to right and then doubling off the wall to drive in Dustin Pedroia later. Jacoby Ellsbury and Adrian Beltre also contributed 2 hits, while Youkilis, Scutaro, and Pedroia each had one.

The Red Sox defense saw their first miscue of the season in the 8^th inning, and it was a costly one. Marco Scutaro's throw to first on a Derek Jeter ground ball was just short, and Youkilis couldn't pick it. Nick Johnson would then draw a bases-loaded, 2-out walk to bring the go-ahead run across the plate.

Game Notes:

• It's quickly becoming apparent that the Sox are going to struggle to get outs from their bullpen. While Daniel Bard was excellent in his one inning, and Papelbon is generally reliable, but other than that it's going to be a crapshoot.
  
• As much as Adrian Beltre managed two hits, he looked bad on some of the swings he took tonight.
• David Ortiz took another at bat against Damaso Marte, as Tito again refused to pinch hit mike Lowell. Francona has some serious explaining to do there.
• The team was 1-12 with runners in scoring position tonight. Scutaro personally ended 3 innings, leaving 4 on base.
• Angel Hernandez was truly, truly awful. While it sounds cheap to blame any loss on an umpire, anyone making this argument tonight has a case. Check back tomorrow for more on this.