Cracks are Showing

Boston has started to stumble a little bit lately.  Hopefully the ship will be righted soon, but the way Tampa Bay has been playing lately, it may not happen while they are still in first place.  This week was a scheduled four game set at Fenway against the Rays, but the last game was rained out.  When the clouds cleared, Boston was clinging to a half game lead after losing two of the three against the Rays stellar pitching.

07/22:  Rays 3 Red Sox 0 (60-41)
Matt Moore completely shut down the Red Sox.  Brandon Workman pitched well, but the offense completely stalled.  The only hits were from David Ortiz and Mike Napoli.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

BRANDON WORKMAN:  6 innings, 7 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts, Loss.

07/23:  Red Sox 6 (61-41) Rays 2

Boston's only win of the series came on the strength of Jon Lester's arm as he pitched as well as he has in weeks.  The Red Sox did execute a rare double steal of second and home with Pedroia taking second and Victorino taking home on the throw, which included an error.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

JON LESTER:  6.1 innings, 7 hits, 2 runs, 0 walks, 8 strikeouts, Win.

07/24:  Rays 5 Red Sox 1 (61-42)
Boston again had a strong starting pitching performance, but the Rays again had a better one.  Mike Napoli homered off David Price, but that was all the offense could muster against the reigning Cy Young Award Winner.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

FELIX DOUBRONT:  6.2 innings, 6 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts, Loss.