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Same old story in Seattle

By SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

SEATTLE – Yesterday afternoon, Red Sox manager Terry Francona was asked to explain the Red Sox’ lack of success – eight straight losses, dating back to 2006 – at Safeco Field, the site of his team’s West Coast road opener last night.
Almost immediately, Francona cited the Seattle Mariners’ bullpen as a chief factor.
How prophetic. The Sox losing streak here grew to nine games last night, chiefly because the Sox’ lineup could do little damage against a parade of Mariners’ relief pitchers.
Five different Seattle relievers blanked the Sox for five innings, allowing just one hit along the way, extending the Sox’ run of poor play here with a 7-4 defeat. J.J. Putz finished off the Sox in the ninth with his 32nd save in 34 tries.
While the Mariners’ bullpen was operating at top efficiency, Mike Timlin turned a tie game into a Mariners’ victory in the course of nine hitters. Taking over prodigal pitcher Jon Lester (four runs in five innings) in the sixth, Timlin committed a costly throwing error on a pickoff attempt, then made a second poor throw attempting to cut down a lead baserunner following a bunt by Jose Lopez with Adam Jones at second.
``We had a chance at third base,’’ recounted Timlin, ``but my feet weren’t set. I should have gone for the easy out (at first base).’’
He compounded things the next inning when he served up a two-run homer to left to Seattle catcher Kenji Johjima.
It was Timlin’s first appearance in a game in 10 days, following a prescribed shutdown because of shoulder soreness.
``It’s my job to be ready,’’ said Timlin. ``I don’t see (the layoff) as an excuse. I felt like I was fairly prepared – I just didn’t get the job done.’’
It was just the second loss pinned on the Boston bullpen since June 27.
Lester, who grew up nearby, couldn’t hold a 3-0 lead, surrendering a run-scoring single to Adrian Beltre in the third and a three-run belt to No. 9 hitter Yuniesky Betancourt in the fourth.
At the conclusion of the fifth, with his pitch count at 99, Lester was through, making for a bittersweet homecoming.
``Definitely,’’ agreed Lester. ``Five innings pitched, eight hits and four runs is not something you want to do.’’
In his last 5 2/3 innings, Lester has given up three homers.
The Sox scored a run in each of the first three innings off Seattle starter Horacio Ramirez, but should have had more.
They loaded the bases with one out with sharp singles to center from Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis and Manny Ramirez.
But on a fourth single up the middle – this one from Mike Lowell -- a foolish baserunning error by Ramirez saw him get thrown out at third, and when Jason Varitek followed with a groundout to third, the Sox had just one run to show for their four hits.
It was more of the same in the second when the Sox filled the bases again – this time with no outs.
But Pedroia grounded into a double play (scoring Wily Mo Pena) and Youkilis ended the inning with another groundout.
In two innings, the Sox had collected seven baserunners (six hits, one hit batsman) but found a way to score just twice.
``We had our chances earlier,’’ said Francona, ``and we could have spread it out more. (Failing to do so) made it a lot more difficult later in the game.’’
David Ortiz slammed a homer to right to lead off the third, but the Sox managed just one run the rest of the way.
That came in the fifth when singles by Pedroia, Youkilis and Ortiz resulted in a run. But once more, the Sox took themselves out of a potential big inning when Ramirez grounded into a double play.

Posted by Sean McAdam  at 2:14 AM | Permalink

Comments

dave barchi | August 4, 2007 7:17 AM link

Jim Laliberte | August 4, 2007 11:08 AM link