The Red Sox missed an opportunity this past weekend against the Orioles
Friday and Monday night’s game were two massive black eyes on what has been a productive month
This past five-game home series against the Orioles wasn’t exactly what the doctor ordered. Boston was coming off a successful trip in Chicago and had some pretty good momentum on their side. Instead, Boston dropped three of five to the last place Orioles. Not an ideal way to wind down the month of May.
The worst game of the series was Friday nights bullpen meltdown. Boston was up 8-2 and cruising along to another victory. Then the bullpen took over and not in a good way.
Baltimore scratched and clawed their way back into the game and came back to beat the Sox 12-8. The bullpen would blow it’s 12th save of the season. The lack of a legitimate loser continues to haunt the 2022 Red Sox.
Friday’s loss will sting for a while and could be a game that is looked back on later in the season.
Monday night’s game was a complete joke, Boston was shutout 10-0. The Orioles starter Tyler Wells dominated the hot Red Sox offense. Wells worked six innings, struck out three while only surrendering two hits.
Meanwhile Red Sox starter Rich Hill struggled with location issues all game. Hill’s pitching line was atrocious, he went four innings, giving up six earned runs, walking two batters while striking out five.
Hill who was tipping his pitches in his last start said he was also doing that early on Monday night. “At the end of the day, didn’t throw the ball well and just sucked. I don’t know how else to put it,” said Hill following the game.
The Orioles series was a massive missed opportunity to gain more ground and traction in the standings. Boston will look to lick their wounds with a quick two game series against the lowly Reds.
Cincinnati comes to Boston for the first time since 2014. Michael Wacha and Garrett Whitlock will look to close out the final two games of the series from Fenway Park.
Boston needs to sweep these two games against the Reds. The calendar will turn to June and Boston needs to continue focusing on winning series and continue to climb back into the playoff hunt.
Follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisHenrique
For additional Red Sox and Major League Baseball content, follow Beyond the Monster: Boston Red Sox on Twitter @BeyondtheMnstr.
Follow our newest Twitter handle, @SoxDingrs for Red Sox and Major League Baseball home runs. Check out our @SoxSpects for coverage and content on Red Sox and MLB prospects.