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August 19, 2007
BOSTON -- It’s not always pitching. It’s not always hitting. Sometimes it’s a club’s defense that proves crucial. If all three entities are in sync for a consistent amount of time it’s a bonus.
The Boston Red Sox are trying to string every aspect of their game together for the stretch run, but fell a bit short yesterday as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim squeaked out a 3-1 victory at Fenway Park. The Red Sox received a sufficient spot-start from Julian Tavarez, while the club’s defense was outstanding. Unfortunately the offense, which has shown signs of life of late, was stagnant.
Boston closed out its recent home stand with a 4-3 record, mostly due to one aspect taking control of game. Against Tampa earlier in the week it was solid pitching, then when the Angels came to town the Sox’ offense was rejuvenated. Yesterday it was the defense that stood out.
“We actually played a very inspiring game defensively,” said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. “We didn’t have much to show offensively.”
Now that the Red Sox embark on a three-city, 10-game road trip to Tampa, Chicago and New York, plus with Boston’s lead in the A.L. East holding at four games, it needs some overall stability.
“Day in and day out it’s difficult,” said Crisp. “One part of your game isn’t going to be on all the time, and today it was hitting. (Angels starter Joe Saunders) did a good job pitching.”
Saunders improved to 7-1 and kept Boston’s offense at bay through 7 2/3 innings and allowed just one run on six hits with seven strikeouts. For Tavarez, it was only his second start since Aug. 1, and he suffered the loss despite a solid outing yesterday. The right-hander allowed just two runs on two hits in six innings of work, and at one point retired 10 consecutive batters.
Anaheim’s margin of victory could have been a lot worse if it were not for Boston’s stellar defense, mainly second baseman Dustin Pedroia, third baseman Mike Lowell, center fielder Coco Crisp and newcomer Bobby Kielty in right field.
With two runs already across in the top of the first inning, the Angels’ Casey Kotchman crushed a high fly ball to deep right field. Kielty, making his Red Sox debut, sprinted back to warning track and leaped to rob Kotchman of a possible home run before slamming into the wall in front of the visitor’s bullpen. If Kielty doesn’t make that play to end the inning, then Angels would have had a four-run advantage.
Pedroia was outstanding in the field. He recorded five assists and three put-outs, none of which were routine.
“Our team (defense) has been playing great,” said Pedroia. “Mike Lowell has been playing awesome and he’s been taking hits away. With Coco, he’s in another world out there. Anytime the ball goes out there it’s an out. Everybody has been playing well.”
No matter how well the defense played, you need offense to win games.
“It’s been solid,” said Crisp of the defense. “It’s been one of the things that has kept us in games, and it kept us close today. It’s a key part of winning games and playing solid defense goes slightly overlooked some times, as well as base running.”
The only offense the Red Sox were able to generate yesterday was an RBI-single by Lowell in the bottom of the eighth inning. Boston had an opportunity in that inning to cut its deficit even more, but pinch-hitter J.D. Drew struck out looking with two runners on to end the inning.
Francona has routinely said his team plays one game at a time, and said yesterday it’s only Aug. 19. Pedroia told a group of local media after the game “to take the finger off the panic button.” Finding a way to incorporate pitching, defense and offense into one package can be difficult at this point of the season, but if the Red Sox are able to create a hot streak, all three will have to be in unison.
“It’s tough,” said Pedroia. “Guys get tired because we play a lot of games, but this team is focused. We’re playing well.”
-- JOE McDONALD
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