Over the past year or so, I've gotten used to Jonathan Papelbon and his brutal blown saves every once in a while. I've sorta learned to just tune them out and move on. This one, though -- this one hurts a lot more. I don't even know exactly why, because it's just a regular season game with the Colorado Rockies. But it stings.
John Lackey hurled 6.2 innings of 5-run ball. Not an overly impressive performance, but he bested Ubaldo Jimenez, who was sent to the showers by the Sox offense in the 6th inning after teeing off for 6 runs on him. Score 6 runs on Ubaldo Jimenez -- most teams haven't been able to score any on him this season. You bring 6 guys around the bases on Jimenez, you're in real good shape. John Lackey even contributed offensively with a double to the track in center field. He would score on a Marco Scutaro single. Things were looking great. The Red Sox had taken down the invincible Ubaldo. Then Papelbon came in.
Shut-down closer, right? Yeah, I know that everyone is bound to have a bad outing here or there. But this loss brought Pap's ERA up to 3.64 on the season. In 28 appearances out of the bullpen, guess how many 1-2-3 innings Papelbon has tossed? 9. Out of 28 appearances, only 9 have been clean domination. He's been an average pitcher at best this season. His 1.21 WHIP is his highest since his rookie year. And now he's giving up multiple homers in the 9th inning, multiple times in a season. Unacceptable, really. How long can you hand the ball to Papelbon in the ninth knowing that Bard is a much more talented pitcher? If I were calling the shots here, I'd mix them up. I'd give Bard some 9th inning looks as well as Papelbon. If one guy starts to thrive more than the other, you stick with the hot hand. But tonight was a perfect example of just how important the closer is, and ours has underperformed quite a bit.
The Sox will look to brush off the heartbreaker and bounce back tomorrow in the final game of this three-game set. Luckily for Boston, the Rays have already lost tonight. The Yankees are tied with Arizona in the 6th inning.
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