Worst Loss of the Year?
Don’t get me wrong, I realize that there have been games where the team has played worse than this. But, as far as broken expectations, lost momentum, and soaring frustration levels go, this game is likely the biggest kick in the teeth thus far.
We knew this matchup would be the tricky one of the series, with the Sox facing hard-throwing lefty Scott Kazmir, and our own pitcher looking a bit shaky of late. What we did not expect is a loss after heading to the 9th with a 1 run lead. Let’s face facts: if that Large Hadron Collider does indeed cause Armageddon this morning (and I’m pretty sure it will), the final MLB standings would show the freaking Rays in first place in the American League East. When Earth is finally deemed habitable again 100,000 years from now, whichever space-faring civilization finds yesterday’s box score beneath the heaping mass of rubble and fossilized humans will utter “WTF? I thought the Rays sucked?”.
Should we be worried about Jonathan Papelbon? Not really. Admittedly, he has not been as dominant as he was earlier in the season, something that could perhaps be attributed to fatigue. On the other hand, what do you really expect from an elite MLB closer? Let’s say our benchmark for MLB excellence in relief pitching is Mariano Rivera’s career ERA (and that is probably a lofty goal). In 14 seasons, #42 has compiled an ERA of 2.29. What does this mean? In a season of 70 innings (typical of the modern day closer), a pitcher with a 2.29 ERA could allow 1 run in 17 of those 60 innings. He could have 4 innings where he allows 1 run, 5 innings where he allows 2 runs, and 1 inning where he allows 3 runs.
Even the elite closers sometimes have a rough night or two, or six. This one came an an especially excruciating moment, and the Red Sox will be forced to wait at least another few days before reclaiming their spot atop the American League East.
