Sox Get Big Lead and Hold It (Sorta)
Earlier today I said to get ready for some more crooked numbers and that Lester should be able to hold the lead. I was mostly right. The Sox did jump out to an early lead getting 2 in the second and 4 in the third off of Mendoza while Lester cruised. Boston put up 2 more runs in the 5th for an 8-0 lead with Lester keeping the Rangers off the board through 7. Tito let Lester come back out for the 8th which in retrospect seems like a bad idea. He gave up a homer to Kinsler and back to back singles and was lifted for Mike Timlin. A pitch up in the zone was deposited behind the Sox pen to put the Rangers within reach. Panic quickly set in for fans still feeling a little shell shocked from last night but the fire was quickly put out. Timlin settled down with a strikeout before Lopez got the third out of the inning. Masterson came in for the 9th finished off the Rangers with a nice double play ball. Boston now has a 3 game win streak going and the Fenway magic appears to be working.
Sox Win 8-4 BOX SCORE
3 comments:
Are Timlin's days numbered? I like the guy, a lot. He's done a lot for the Sox. But I wonder if this could perhaps be his last season.
Peter Gammons said the Sox are really counting on his experience for late in the season and his speed in coming up in a chat on boston.com today, but he has not pitched well this season. He is as old as Wake and is not a knuckler so I think his time under the lights is coming to an end.
Timlin should be used for mop-up duty and/or to pitch to the bottom third of a lineup only.
I cringe every time he's brought in to face a power hitter and I had a bad feeling that 3 run homer was coming the minute Bradley came to the plate :-\
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