Falling Fast

Swept at home. Again.

I missed the entire game at Fenway on Sunday, so once again, I had to rely on my iPhone. The new and vastly improved Washington Nationals came from behind to beat the Red Sox, 4-3. Bobby Valentine was tossed in the 9th inning over a call that he felt should have ended the inning with the game tied. Roger Bernadina should have been struck out on an 0-2 pitch, but with another life and doubled in the go-ahead run off Alfredo Aceves.

Jon Lester went seven innings, struck out 9, walked 2, and gave up three earned runs. Better than his last time out, but still gets a no-decision.

More bad injury news before the game. Rich Hill has a sore elbow and went on the DL. He had Tommy John surgery on it last season. Mark Melancon, who was an outright disaster to start the year, was brough up after posting some terrific numbers at Pawtucket. In 21 innings, he had an 0.83 ERA, striking out 27 and walking just 3, and allowing only 15 hits.

Going into this past week, I thought the Sox needed to win 4 of the 6 games against the Orioles and Nationals, so vastly improved clubs. The Red Sox managed just one. ONE.

Take nothing away from both teams. They both played well and deserved the wins.

The Red Sox are now 29-31, 6 games back and falling fast. They've lost 6 of 7. More and more, we maybe looking forward to 2013.