Friday was one of those rare nights I missed the Red Sox game, as I was out with some friends at a bar in Brooklyn, one that did not have a TV. So I relied on the iPhone.
The news was rotten all night. Too much Stephen Strasburg for the Nationals, who struck out 13. Bryce Harper had three hits including a home run. And Felix Doubront got roughed up early, giving up 6 of the 7 Washington runs.
Adrian Gonzalez had a double and a home run. Daniel Nava had two hits after striking out three times.
Tampa Bay's win over Miami puts the Red Sox four back in the AL East. The Sox are now 29-29, their worst start through 58 games since 1997, when they went 23-35. They will have to go 61-43, a .587 winning percentage, to reach 90 wins. That would logically put the Sox in a position to make the playoffs.
Daniel Bard had an awful return to AAA last night, as he pitched one inning (as was planned), and wasn't much better than his last start in Toronto. He gave up three runs, and hit two batters. He maybe down at Pawtucket for a while.
And today marks the return of Daisuke Matsuzaka, a year to the day he had Tommy John surgery. The Sox DFA'd Marlon Byrd after last night's game to make room for Dice-K.
Dice-K was impressive. The location was not all there, so yeah a few bad spots that got hammered. The #5 spot has been a total mess, so Dice-K is a good help.
ReplyDeleteAlthough as a Nats fan, that Bryce Harper kid is pretty good.