Thursday, May 23, 2013
Right after the Red Sox blew a 4-1 lead in the ninth inning, to lose 7-4 to the Tampa Bay Rays, I checked Twitter. Tim Britton (@TBritton_Projo) of the Providence Journal repeated my thoughts exactly:
"Just think, if the Red Sox were in a race, that would have hurt a lot more."
The Red Sox (68-83) are not contending, but playing out the season. Thursday's game had a lot to feel good about - starter Clay Buchholz (7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K), light-hitting shortstop Jose Iglesias (3-for-4 with his first major league home run), ever-improving catcher Ryan Lavarnway (2-for-4, double), and first baseman Mauro Gomez (2-for-4, triple).
All closer Andrew Bailey had to do was protect a 4-1 lead in the ninth.
But as the Press Herald headline states today: "New way to lose, Red Sox give up 6 in the 9th"
The Red Sox are now 6-12 in September. Bad. But not as bad, or painfu, as a 7-20 record in September last year.
Now for the standings:
AL EAST
Yankees 86-63
Orioles 85-64 (1 back)
Rays 80-70 (6.5)
WILD CARD
Orioles 85-64
A’s 85-64
Angels 81-69 (4.5 back)
Rays 80-70 (5.5)
Tigers 79-70 (6)
FOR 2013 TOP DRAFT PICK
Astros 48-102
Cubs 58-92
Rockies 58-91
Indians 62-88
Twins 62-88
Marlins 66-84
Mets 66-83
Blue Jays 66-82
RED SOX 68-83
Royals 68-81
Seattle 70-80
Padres 72-78
Kevin Thomas covers baseball and basketball for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. He wisely moved to Maine in 1994 after working for the St. Petersburg Times. He is married to Nancy and they have nine children.
Follow his thoughts on the Boston Red Sox and Portland Sea Dogs on Clearing the Bases
Follow his thoughts on the Boston Celtics and Maine Red Claws on Holding Court
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