« Donnelly update
Main
Game Story: Lynx snap PawSox winning streak »
July 17, 2007
BOSTON -- The string of solid pitching performances for the Boston Red Sox ended tonight as the Kansas City Royals tagged Tim Wakefield for six runs on nine hits en route to a 9-3 victory at Fenway Park.
Entering last night’s game Boston’s bullpen saw limited action in the previous three games. Thanks to solid outings by Red Sox starters Daisuke Matsuzaka, Josh Beckett and Kason Gabbard, the club’s relievers have only worked four innings during that stretch.
That has allowed bullpen kingpins Jonathan Papelbon and Hideki Okajima to get some rest.
“I would say any rest the bullpen gets, especially at this time of the year, is always a bonus,” said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. “Obviously there will be times when we have to lean on them; you can’t get around that sometimes. So, the more they rest the better. This isn’t April when you’re trying to get work and there aren’t too many guys down there complaining about not pitching.”
After Wakefield was tagged for six runs on nine hits in 6 1/3 innings of work in his 19th start of the season last night, the bullpen was summoned and couldn’t stop the bleeding. Javier Lopez surrendered two runs and Joel Pineiro allowed one as the Royals had an eight-run lead.
While Boston’s pitching staff and offense struggled last night, the Red Sox made things interesting in the bottom of the eighth.
Boston was trailing 9-1 as it put together a two-out surge off Kansas City reliever Joel Peralta. Sox’ Mike Lowell began things with a single, followed by an RBI-triple by Coco Crisp to deep center field before Doug Mirabelli provided an RBI-single. Julio Lugo doubled off Peralta before the right-hander was given the hook and replaced with Joakim Soria, who ended the threat by striking out J.D. Drew to end the inning.
After Red Sox reliever Kyle Snyder retired the side in order in the top of the ninth inning, Boston couldn’t muster any kind of dramatic comeback in the bottom half.
JOE McDONALD
Posted by Joe McDonald 
at 10:10 PM | Permalink
