Sox Can’t Score, Can’t Win in Tampa

The Red Sox dropped to 0-5 in Tampa Bay this season after a putrid offensive effort led to a 3-1 loss. Rays starter Matt Garza stymied the Sox over seven inning, allowing just one unearned run on five hits to go with three strikeouts. Garza is making Tampa management look like geniouses for the trade that sent Delmon Young to the Twins and Garza to the Rays.

For the Sox, Tim Wakefield has his knuckleball working really well, perhaps too well. Wake threw a wild pitch to allow Carl Crawford to score in the first inning. The 41-year-old was effective despite (or perhaps thanks to) his wildness. He pitched seven strong innings allowing only two runs (one earned) on five hits and three walks to go with four strikeouts.

Sox Stud of the Game:

HAHA! Stud? In a game with only two hitters with multi-hit games, I would have to go with Jacoby Ellsbury. The rookie went 2-4 with a stolen base (his 35th!). He also scored the Sox lone run in the fourth inning on a J.D. Drew sacrifice fly.

Diamond Dud of the Game:

Kevin Cash started (because Wakefield was pitching) and went 0-2. Sean Casey pinch hit for him and then was pinch hit for by our Diamond Dud, Jason Varitek. Tek proceeded to go 0-2 with two strikeouts, dropping his already poor batting average down to .220. He’s 3-34 (.088) in his last 14 games.

Game Notes:

• Manny Ramirez’s hand slapping double play was nominated for an ESPY, along with the 2007 Red Sox (best team), Jon Lester’s no-hitter (best moment), and Terry Francona (best coach/manager).
• The Rays sent closer Troy Percival to the 15-day DL.
• Tim Wakefield is now 9-2 all-time at Tropicana Field.

Tags: Carl Crawford, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Varitek, Matt Garza, Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Tim Wakefield

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