Michael Bowden was stretched too thin, giving up five hits and five earned runs in just over two innings of work. The bullpen did not help matters, as Hunter Jones handed the Blue Jays another four on the way to an 11-5 loss.
Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz would not go silently into the good night, but the pitching, or lack thereof, proved to be a bit too much to overcome, especially in a rain-shortened game.
Slowly but surely, everything is coming together for the Boston Red Sox.
All indications point to Justin Masterson taking Dice-K's place in the rotation after Dice was placed on the 15-day DL with arm fatigue.
As Masterson prepares to face the Orioles on Patriots Day, the trickle-down effect is significant, especially with the specter of the Josh Beckett suspension hanging over the team.
Masterson was a versatile option out of the bullpen that changes the makeup of the pen significantly. Masterson and Okajima were the two options out of the gate in the seventh and eighth to close out a game with the lead. Now, Saito likely takes Masterson's role, with Manny Delcarmen elevated in a role where the Sox pitch from behind.
The Red Sox are embarking on a three-game series with the Chicago White Sox before hosting the Baltimore Orioles for…