Games 36 through 38 - Red Sox
Mariners 5, Red Sox 4
Red Sox 5, Mariners 3
Mariners 3, Red Sox 2
Record: 22-16
Jon Lester's baffling implosion on Friday notwithstanding, the gray overcast of the Sox' early-season starting pitching broke briefly this weekend, with Josh Beckett and Justin Masterson both providing warm-enough rays of sunshine. Unfortunately for the Sox, the offensive cold front that's been looming in Pawtucket finally blew into the lineup.
Though I haven't really focused on the issue, it was only a matter of time before the gray clouds of injury teamed with the recent Papi-induced gloominess to slow the Sox' offense. Kevin Youkilis, Ortiz, and Jed Lowrie are all hurt or ineffective. Jason Varitek, Rocco Baldelli, and Jeff Bailey are suffering through what may be characterized as either nasty slumps or generally localized not-very-goodness. Jacoby Ellsbury's struggling. In truth, Jason Bay's been carrying the Sox since Youks went down with some help from J.D. Drew and Mike Lowell.
The Sox haven't scored more than 5 runs in 10 days, going 3-5 in that span. And if starters aren't gonna pitch and the offense isn't gonna hit...well, even as good as they are, the Sox' terrific bullpen may be hard-pressed to generate runs.
But, as the cliche goes, it's a marathon, not a sprint. Also known here as some variant of 'lotta ball left'. Grey skies are gonna clear up. Put on a happy face.
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