In two career starts against the Red Sox, Rangers' starting pitcher C.J. Wilson had dominated the AL East power, both at Fenway Park. Sunday afternoon he proved he could do it in his own backyard as well. The lefty threw into the eighth inning, allowing just four hits and a run, while striking out eight.
His opposite number Daisuke Matsuzaka put forth a solid effort as well. Eventually he wore down and the Rangers got to him in the seventh. Texas put together a four-run inning behind a three-run homer from Michael Young. While Dice-K was charged with three of the runs in that inning, the big blast came off Manny Delcarmen.
It's a story that the team has been all too familiar with this season. The starter goes as long as possible, and the bullpen is unable to either hang on to a lead or even get out of a tight jam to keep the team in the game. Until Young's homer, the Sox still had a shot against the Rangers bullpen, trailing just 2-0. Instead, Delcarmen and Dustin Richardson combined to allow five runs on just nine pitches while recording only one out.
It was the second frustrating loss for Boston in this series alone, adding to an extra inning setback on Friday night. With the Rays picking up a victory as well, it leaves the Red Sox five games out of the wild card. As every day goes by now, the pressure for Boston to gain some sort of ground picks up.
Thankfully, team leader Dustin Pedroia makes his return to the lineup on Tuesday. In addition, the Sox will have their first extended homestand since mid-July. Shortly after the All-Star break they went on a ten game West Coast road trip, followed by a seven game homestand before this ten game road trip through New York, Toronto and Texas. They'll need some serious help at home if they're to keep this race going much longer.
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