Sunday, June 29, 2008

Blame It On the Bullpen

The Red Sox let one get away last night, as they saw leads of 4-0 and 9-6 go down the drain in Houston, as the Astros won a shootout, 11-10.

Jon Lester was given a 4-0 lead in the third, but it quickly disappeared on a Carlos Lee two-run single and a three-run homer by ex-Red Sox second baseman Mark Loretta. Lester gave up six runs total in five innings for his first rough outing in some time, but actually left with the possibility of getting the win.

The Red Sox rallied for five runs in the sixth, capped by a two-run double by Kevin Youkilis.

But the bullpen couldn't hold it. David Aardsma put two on in the seventh, and they both scored on a single and a passed ball. Manny Delcarmen came in with a 9-8 lead in the 8th and promptly gave up a home run to Ty Wigginton, and Houston added two more in the inning for a 11-9 lead.

Mike Lowell hit a solo shot with one out in the ninth, but it wasn't enough, as Houston held on for the win. Delcarmen has been terrific in his last few outings, retiring the last 14 hitters he had faced, but had almost nothing last night and got tagged for the loss.

Native Texan Josh Beckett takes the hill today in the final interleague game of the season for the Red Sox. And thank heavens for that.

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