Red Sox Fail to Take Advantage of Opportunities in Loss to Pirates

Sports Illustrated

Pirates 3 Red Sox 1
Winning Pitcher: Paul Maholm (4-8)
Losing Pitcher: Jon Lester (9-4)
Save: Joel Hanrahan (21)


Recap
The Red Sox had some opportunities, but failed to take advantage of them as they fell to the Pirates in game one of their nine-game National League road trip. Boston got the scoring started in the first, which was started by a leadoff walk to Jacoby Ellsbury. After an Adrian Gonzalez single moved Ellsbury to third, Youkilis grounded into a fielder's choice that gave the Sox an early 1-0 advantage. Red Sox starter Jon Lester looked good in the first two innings, getting the first six guys out. However, after Boston failed to score with the bases loaded in the third when Darnell McDonald (in the 5-spot today. No, that's not a typo.) grounded out, Pittsburgh got their offense started. Ronny Cedeno led the inning off by reaching on a bunt single, and then former PawSox catcher Mike McKenry hit a fly ball to right. Instead of letting it fall in front of him for the single, Mike Cameron tried to dive for the ball and missed, resulting in a double for McKenry. After Lester walked opposing pitcher Paul Maholm to load the bases, the Pirates were able to get two runs to cross in the inning, and left it with a one run lead. Lyle Overbay knocked in another run for Pittsburgh in the 6th, and the Sox were running out of time. The Red Sox had a great chance in the 8th, as pinch hitter David Ortiz came up with two men in scoring position, down two. As he came up, a brief downpour started, and Ortiz could only manage a grounder to short, and the Red Sox would eventually fall by that same 3-1 score.


The Red Sox and Pirates continue their series tomorrow night at 7:05 PM ET at PNC. Boston will send Tim Wakefield (4-2 4.26) to the mound against Pittsburgh's Jeff Karstens (4-4 2.54).