Game 104: Carmine 1 Pale 3

Sox offense continued to struggle in this game mustering only 3 hits and 2 walks over the entire game. That made for a quick 2:10 game but a disappointing start to the series. Saltalamacchia hit a solo home run in the 3rd but the only other hits were a single by Sutton right after Saltalamacchia's shot and an infield hit by Scutaro in the 6th. Thus, Pedroia's streak came to an end at 25 games. Seemed like the Sox were always behind in the count against Floyd.

Wakefield actually pitched really well going 7 innings and only giving up 3 runs on 3 hits. He also allowed 2 walks but struck out 5. Aceves finished with a perfect 8th inning. Watching the games this season, I've become a fan of having computers call the balls and strikes. I don't think umpires are biased towards one team or another or that the Sox in particular have been hurt but every now and then there's an umpire whose zone alters the outcome of the game. Today's zone was so big that I think it benefited the White Sox more than the Red Sox. It's not that the umpire was giving Floyd calls he wasn't giving Wakefield; instead a control pitcher like Floyd is better able to take advantage of the huge zone than the knuckleballer. That gave the Sox offense little chance while Wakefield only benefited slightly. With a consistent zone every pitch of every game, the outcome might have been the same but it would have at least felt more fair and less arbitrary.

Anyway, the Red Sox continue to struggle against the White Sox. Lester takes the hill next so hopefully our luck will change.