When you lose eight of nine on the road including two of three to the worst team in the American League, something is up. Boston slinked out of Seattle (20-34) last night after a 1-0 shutout.
True, the Red Sox (33-24) have run into some great pitching lately (Rich Harden, Justin Duchscherer, Joe Blanton, Felix Hernandez). Last night was no exception as Erik Bedard pitched like he did when he was on the Orioles facing the Sox. Bedard (4-3) threw seven scoreless innings, allowing only two hits while walking three and striking out eight.
On the other side, Boston wasted a great start by Tim Wakefield (who had been shaky at best in his last few starts). Wake went all eight innings, giving up one run on five hits with no walks and eight strikeouts.
The Mariners no. 9 hitter, shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt (2 hits) provided the only run of the game when he hit a solo homer in the third inning.
Sox hitters had six walks but only two hits. Hard-throwing set-up man Brandon Morrow pitched the eighth and closer J.J. Putz walked two in the ninth to make it interesting but Coco Crisp grounded out (with runners on first and second) to end it and earn his sixth save.
Boston has the day off today (which will hopefully allow Kevin Youkilis to get back in the lineup) and then begin a four-game set at Baltimore tomorrow night. The Red Sox need to salvage something from what has thus far been a disastrous trip.
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