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Baseball Today: Monday, July 2 »
July 1, 2007
When it happens every once in a while, its expected. When it happens a few times, its a trend. When it goes on for as long as it has, its downright troubling.
For the past month, the Red Sox have had difficulty scoring runs. And while it hasnt cost them greatly in the standings, it has cost them some games. Including yesterdays.
Limited to nine hits and a solo run, the Sox lost to the Texas Rangers 2-1 yesterday, the 13th time since June 5 that the Sox have mustered two runs or fewer.
``You go through cycles where it seems like scoring runs is very difficult, said Terry Francona. ``Well straighten it out and well put a bunch up. Its frustrating on a day like today because weve got enough pitching and were having a tough time putting runs across the plate.
That would seem to be an understatement. In dropping five of their last six, the Sox have scored two runs or fewer three times. And against the Rangers, who came into the series ranked next-to-last in the American League in ERA, the Sox have scored just one run over the last 16 innings.
The lone sign of line yesterday came in the fifth when singles by Alex Cora, Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis accounted for the only Sox run. Otherwise, they were unable to break through, leaving a runner on third in the fourth, two runners on in the first, seventh and eighth.
For the game, Red Sox hitters were a woeful 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. For this series, which concludes tonight, the Sox are 5-for-34.
A one-out walk to Pedroia brought David Ortiz to the plate in the ninth, representing the winning run. But Ortiz popped out to first, stranding a runner and typifying the Sox ineptitude in scoring chances.
``Were not having the kind of at-bats were capable of, remarked shortstop Alex Cora.
Julian Tavarez was the tough-luck loser, allowing just one earned run in 5 2/3 innings. Then again, Tavarez might be accustomed to the non-support in nine of his 15 starts this season, his teammates have scored two runs or fewer while hes in the game.
``Its not always going to work for you, said J.D. Drew of his teams offensive malaise.
``Its just the way the baseball season is. Its so long. There are times when you just cant find your stroke. But all of a sudden, it will all come back.
``When our pitching staff only gives up a couple of runs like this, we need to score more runs. We have to find a way to get some more runs. We know what were capable of. Weve got a good lineup, up and down. Its just a matter of getting going again. You dont know what its going to be. But then something just clicks and youre off.
Not soon enough for a team that is two games under .500 since June 1 about the time the offense went into hibernation.
--SEAN McADAM
Posted by Corey Bourassa 
at 7:16 PM to McAdam
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