Game 142: Sox 10, Jays 11

This one was a back and forth affair. Sox jumped out to a quick 3 run lead but were down 5-3 by the end of the third. Four runs in the fourth and one in the 5^th gave the Sox an 8-5 lead. But the Jays scored 1 in the 7^th and 5 (!) in the 8^th to take back the lead. Sox fought for 2 more in the 9^th but Aviles gets caught trying to steal 2^nd to end the game. This all in Wakefield's 7^th attempt at Win 200.

Wakefield gave up 5 runs (4 earned) in 5 innings but this loss hangs squarely on Bard (5 runs) and Francona's decision to stick with him even as he was clearly taxed (36 pitches) and Papelbon was warming in the bullpen. Poor performance and poor decision making.

At the plate, the Sox did score 10 runs after all. Ellsbury, Ortiz, and Gonzalez each had home runs accounting for half of the runs. Scutaro hit well at his Canadian home again going 2 for 4 with 3 RBI. Aviles’ bone headed play in the 9^th was particularly bad as Francisco was getting hit around and Molina was specifically brought in to catch Francisco due to his throwing-out-of-runners ability. Sheesh.