Visiting the Strand
Dramatic failures lead to series loss
There are many ways for a foe with a 20-40 record to become much more dangerous. Not coming through in clutch situations is a great one.
The Red Sox managed just one hit in 11 at-bats with runners in scoring position and stranded a season-high 12 in yesterday’s 5-2 loss to the woeful Chicago White Sox in the series fi- nale at Fenway Park.
It just continued a weekend-long theme.
The Red Sox wasted a stellar start from lefty ace Chris Sale in Friday night’s 1-0 setback — helped by going 0-for-6 with RISP. The numbers were 0-for-9 Saturday but the Red Sox did enough to earn a 4-2 win.
Throw in yesterday’s performance and the Bostonians left 23 men on base against the White Sox in the three-game set. A good recipe to lose 2-of-3.
“We went 1-for-(26) with men in scoring position the whole series,” said Cora. “That was the story of the series and we had our chances and we didn’t take advantage of it and we lost the series.
“It is what it is and you are going to run into this at times. There are few things that we have to get better as far as jumps on the bases and doing the little things that can help us steal a few games like we did earlier in the season.
“But again, when you have (26) men in scoring position and get one hit the whole series that is going to happen.”
The Red Sox’ recent woes actually date back to Thursday’s 7-2 loss to the Tigers. In the last four games, the Sox have two hits in 37 at-bats (.054) with runners in scoring position and have produced a total of eight runs.
“You need to score runs to win games and when you are 1-for-26 you don’t tend to do that,” said Red Sox leadoff hitter Andrew Benintendi. “There is nothing you can do about it now and just move on.
“It is going to happen over the course of a year and I’m sure it’s going to happen again.”
The Red Sox fell to 4422 and will be in second place in the AL East when they begin a 10game road swing tonight against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. The trip includes four games in Seattle and the final three in Minnesota.
“It is tough one but we are going to be fine,” said Cora. “I think we are getting healthier and we are pitching better and we should be OK.”
Chicago starter Reynaldo Lopez (2-4) went 61⁄3 innings and allowed two runs (one earned) with three walks and six strikeouts. Rick Porcello went six innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits with three walks and five strikeouts.
Chicago right fielder Daniel Palka applied the dagger with a two-run, two-out double to left off Matt Barnes in the ninth to give the White Sox and closer Joakim Soria a 5-2 cushion. Soria struck out J.D. Martinez and Eduardo Nunez to convert his eighth save.
“Their kid made some good pitches in certain spots and we chased,” said Cora. “That’s how it goes sometimes.”
The White Sox got to Porcello (8-3) for one run in the first. Third baseman Yolmer Sanchez reached on a fielder’s choice and scored from first on a Wall double by DH Jose Abreu.