It is never good when you cough up a lead late in a game in which you can complete a three-game sweep with a victory. It is also never favorable news when you learn that your ace is headed for a visit to Dr. James Andrews. The Boston Red Sox got a taste of both on Thursday.
After being stymied by Jon Lester, the New York Yankees erased a 2-0 deficit in the seventh when Jason Giambi blasted a two-run homer off Hideki Okajima. Then, after the Yankees loaded the bases against Justin Masterson in the ninth, Giambi lined a game-winning single off Jonathan Papelbon to prevent the Red Sox from gaining a much-needed three-game sweep.
With the 3-2 loss, and Tampa Bay's 3-2 win over Toronto, Boston returned to 4.5 games behind the Rays. Though the Sox have won four consecutive series, and they completed the road trip with a 6-3 record, it was a sour end to an otherwise positive week.
The defeat hurt even more because of Beckett's situation. The right-hander, who was scratched from Friday's start against the White Sox because of lingering concerns about his elbow, is traveling to Birmingham, Alabama where he will be examined by Andrews, who is known for Tommy John surgeries. The Sox are calling it a precaution, but it is never - never, ever - good news to learn that your version of Mr. October may be done for the season.
If Beckett is not able to pitch again this year, chances are the Red Sox will either acquire a starting pitcher who has already cleared waivers - such as Kevin Millwood - or they will give Bartolo Colon, David Pauley and/or Michael Bowden a chance to fill Beckett's spot. With Lester's emergence as an ace-caliber starter, Boston still has a formidable 1-2-3 punch with Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Tim Wakefield. Add Paul Byrd in the No. 4 spot, and the Sox have enough starting pitching to remain competitive if they reach the playoffs. However, losing Beckett would be a serious blow to Boston's chances in September and October.
Of course, it is still not certain if Boston can overtake Tampa Bay to win the American League East or outlast Minnesota or Chicago to earn a wild card berth.
Today's loss was discouraging because Lester shut down the Yankees, but the bullpen could not hold the lead. Mike Mussina pitched well for the Yankees, allowing only two first inning runs when Jason Varitek grounded an RBI single and Jacoby Ellsbury hustled out a potential double play grounder to score Alex Cora.
Lester blanked the Yankees through six innings and retired the first two hitters in the seventh. A Cody Ransom double chased the left-hander, who threw 119 pitches. Terry Francona summoned Okajima to face Giambi, who pinch-hit for Jose Molina. Giambi crushed Okajima's second pitch - an 87 miles per hour fast ball - over the center field fence to suddenly tie the game at 2-2.
Masterson, who struck out Alex Rodriguez to end the eighth, encountered trouble in the ninth. He allowed a lead off single to Xavier Nady, retired Robinson Cano on a line out, intentionally walked Hideki Matsui (first base was open after pinch-runner Brett Gardner stole second) and then walked Ivan Rodriguez on a 3-2 fast ball. Papelbon entered, and had Giambi down 0-2, but the Yankees slugger caught up with a 96 miles per hour heater and lined it into center field for the game-winning RBI.
Lester, who was charged with a run and five hits over 6.2 innings (he struck out eight and walked none) deserved a better fate. Okajima was tagged with his eighth blown save of the season and Masterson fell to 4-4 with the loss. Though Masterson was ineffective in the ninth, it was surprising that Francona did not have Papelbon start the inning. True, it was not a save situation, but every game is important for the Red Sox at this stage of the season, and Papelbon would have been a better choice to get the game into extra innings.
Has there been a more mentally exhaustive season for Red Sox Nation in recent years? I don't believe so. For Red Sox fans, a season is not composed by 162 games. Instead, there are 162 seasons in a year. With the Japan trip, the multitude of injuries to key players, the Manny Ramirez debacle, the shaky bullpen and the array of one-run losses on the road, it is surprising that any of us have hair left atop our heads. Yet there is still hope - hope for an AL East title or a wild card spot. It will just be even more challenging if Beckett is unavailable.
The Red Sox return to Fenway Park to open another important three-game series - this one against the Chicago White Sox - this weekend. Daisuke Matsuzaka faces Javier Vazquez Friday night while Mark Buehrle and David Pauley get the call on Saturday and Gavin Floyd and Tim Wakefield meet on Sunday. With Pauley on the hill, Boston's depth will be tested yet again.
If Beckett is lost for the season, what do you think of Boston's post-season chances? Do you think they will win the division or earn the wild card? If so, do you believe they will advance in the playoffs?
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