John Smoltz did what he has done in almost all his other outings with the Red Sox; pitch well the first time through the lineup and then get knocked around like a BP pitcher. The Yankees go to him in the third chasing him from the game with bases loaded. Tito decided to give the pen a night off and had recently called up Traber come in for his first appearence. Traber allowed the Yankees to continue the hit parade and by the time the 3rd was over they had a 9-3 lead. Pedroia and Kotchman each had homers off of Joba but this game was over early.
Red Sox lose 13-6 BOX SCORE
The game made the Red Sox rotation problem glaringly obvious. Penny and Smoltz do not look like members of a rotation that could go deep into October and Buchholz is not looking much better. Even when Wake comes back next week one of them will remain in the rotation. Dice-K will not be back until September so that means we will most likely see another start from Penny and Smoltz could end up in the bullpen.
3 comments:
I saw last night's game and it was a spirit-killer. The Sox had nothing, Smoltz included. Still, I could not respect this guy more. He carries himself like a professional. There was no scowling or swearing on the ball over J.D.'s head and off his glove. He sat in the dugout after being pulled, and hung in there with his teammates. I HATE to give up on this guy, but he is not ready for The Show at the moment. Pawtucket for a few more weeks?
Smoltz is a class act. I don't think time in Pawtucket will help, I doubt he will ever be the pitcher he was before surgery.
Paul Byrd to the rescue?
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