A Tough Loss and a Tough Win
The Sox followed up their most crushing defeat of 2004 with a gutty victory, 9-7 today as they staved off a late Seattle charge to hang on. Derek Lowe started and was his usual, um, crappy self going just five innings on a day he knew he needed to provide the bullpen with some rest. He didn’t. He gave up four earned runs and nine hits but because he was staked to an 8-1 lead, he was credited with a win. David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez homered for the Sox.
Most impressively, just one day after surrendering two home runs in an appearance in four years, Keith Foulke struck out the side after allowing the winning run to reach home plate in the ninth with nobody out. It seemed as though he just kinda said “eff it” and came with his best stuff, mixing pinpoint fastballs and a baffling change-up to set down the heart of Seattle’s order en route to recording the save.
The Red Sox now come home with six games against division rivals Baltimore and New York.