Thurdsay Links: Workman pounded as O’s sweep Sox

by | Sep 11, 2014 | Allen Craig, Brandon Workman, Brock Holt, Craig Breslow, Dan Butler, Daniel Nava, Dustin Pedroia, Joe Saunders, Mookie Betts, Ryan Flaherty, Xander Bogearts, Yoenis Cespedes

Photo credit: Kelly O'Connor

Photo credit: Kelly O’Connor

For the third straight day the Red Sox lost to the Orioles, as Baltimore completed their three game sweep of Boston. After breezing through his first two innings, Red Sox starter Brandon Workman endured a six run third inning, and was promptly knocked out of the game. The 24-year old allowed six runs on six hits in his nightmare third inning, and he even forced in a run with a bases loaded walk. With Workman out of the game, Baltimore continued to add to their lead, as Caleb Joseph drilled a two-run homer of Craig Breslow in the fifth inning. Later in the contest, Kelly Johnson and Ryan Flaherty each collected run scoring doubles, which pushed the Orioles lead to 10 runs. In the last of the ninth, the Red Sox staged a rally after Xander Bogaerts lead off with a double and was followed by back-to-back walks by Yoenis Cespedes and Allen Craig. With the bases loaded and one out, Daniel Nava ripped an RBI double off the monster which chased home two runs. A batter later, Red Sox newcommer Carlos Rivero drilled the first pitch he saw from Orioles lefty Joe Saunders into the Monster seats for his first career MLB home run. While the Red Sox managed to significantly chip away at Baltimore’s huge lead, their ninth inning rally ultimately fell short, as they lost Wednesday’s game by a final of 10-6. Boston will now embark on their final road trip of the 2014 season, which includes 10 games in 3 different cities.

  • We have officially seen the last of Dustin Pedroia this season. After it was revealed earlier this week that the all-star second baseman had been playing with an injured left hand/wrist, Boston debated whether he would require surgery to correct his ailment. However, on Wednesday the team officially announced that the 30-year old will undergo an unspecified procedure on Thursday. (Dustin Pedroia to undergo procedure Thursday)
  • At this point in the season, it’s the little things that make watching Red Sox games enjoyable. So even though Boston was getting blown out on Wednesday, it was nice to see rookies Dan Butler and Carlos Rivero reach respective baseball milestones. Butler’s sixth inning double marked his first career hit, after he had gone hitless in his previous 11 MLB at-bats. While Rivero collected his first major league home run with a ninth inning blast off Joe Saunders. (Butler, Rivero enjoy milestones)
  • Dustin Pedroia’s ability to play though pain and injuries is one of the many reasons why Red Sox fans love the undersized second baseman, but the 30-year old’s injury history is certainly a cause for concern going forward. Since 2011, Pedroia has endured four straight seasons in which he sustained some kind of injury. And while he has played remarkably well though his misfortune, Pedroia must get healthy and stay healthy in order for the Red Sox to succeed in the future. (With 2014 in the rear view, Dustin Pedroia needs to get healthy for the future)
  • When you consider his athleticism, you wouldn’t think that Mookie Betts would waste his time with a sport like bowling — but you’d be wrong. A star athlete in both baseball and basketball in high school, Betts was also a standout member of the school’s bowling team. While Betts’ spent most of his winters on the basketball court, he was often summoned to the bowling ally as the team “ringer”. In hindsight, Betts probably could have made a career for himself in bowling, as he received SEC scholarship offers, and held a PBA quality average game score. (Mookie Betts thought he’d be a pro bowler, but adjustments paved path to Red Sox)
  • Tweet of the day: Gone but never forgotten…