While the Sox hitters have struggled, the mighty Sox bullpen has been impressive since the All-Star break and collectively haven’t allowed an earned run in the second half (in 24 innings) through Monday night’s action. The starters have had mixed results, however. Wins for John Smoltz and Brad Penny have been hard to come by lately and both have had similar problems, though Penny has clearly been the more successful of the two and for a longer period of time. Whether the pitchers have two strikes on hitters or two outs and two strikes, both pitchers have had a hard time getting that third strike or out.
For Penny, such troubles have mainly led to high pitch counts and thus, five to six innings of work. For Smoltz, he is having “the big inning” problem Jon Lester had early in ‘09, giving up a bunch of runs in one inning in contrast to quieter innings.
The slumping Sox offense provided no help for Smoltz on Sunday in its 6-2 loss to Baltimore. A tumultuous third inning did him in as the Orioles, led by Nick Markakis, had a three-run rally to take a 4-0 lead. And Smoltz was one strike away from getting out of it unscathed. In the end, John Smoltz gave up six earned runs. It marked only the second time in the 42-year-old veteran’s career he has given up six runs in consecutive outings.
Smoltz (1-4) has said it would take about five starts to get his legs under him, so-to-speak, but Sunday was his sixth start and the Sox are 1-5 when he pitches. Terry Francona is calling for “patience” with Smoltz, who says that despite his high ERA (7.04) that his “stuff” is getting better with each outing. And despite the struggles of the Sox recently, I’m sure most Sox fans are willing to give the future Hall of Famer time to find “it,” the boos at Fenway on Sunday notwithstanding. Besides, if starting doesn’t work out, there’s always the bullpen. But I’m not sure the Sox need him there.
Article comments
1 - Tony
Doesn't it seem odd that Jim Rice had to be inducted into the Hall of Fame BEFORE he got his number retired at Fenway? They name a pole after Johnny Pesky but this "feared" slugger (and his scary .854 OPS) couldn't get his number retired at Fenway?
By the way, I've argued this point enough so I really don't feel like getting into it, but Jim Rice in no way belongs in the Hall of Fame.
2 - charlie doherty
Tony, if Yaz thinks Rice should be in the Hall, who is anyone do quarrel with a man of his stature? (True story: Various hall of famers came up to Rice during induction weekend to say to Rice's face that he must really belong here if you got Yaz to show up at the ceremony)
Besides that, Rice was one of the best and most feared LFs of his era for over a full decade (1975-1986).
His only problem was longevity, but all that really means is a few more years of putting up average numbers to get his HRs, hits and run totals up, even though that obviously wasn't needed for him to get in the Hall. Just common sense. Thank goodness baseball writers finally had some in his 15th and final year of eligibility.