Lackey loses grip in Philly

Ty Hampton
Sox Swaggerista

After starting the season with a few great starts John Lackey has begun to waiver through late April and May and continued in that vein Friday night in the Sox’s 5-1 loss to the Phillies, dropping Big John to 4-3 with a 5.06 ERA.

I mean certainly this is no Josh Beckett kind of crisis situation, but with Beck really struggling it would be nice to have the Sox’s biggest off-season import on top of his game right now. Regardless, it’s tough to snap out of a slump when you’re facing the 2-time NL-champ Phillies at home. Good luck.

Over the last three starts Lackey has given up 17 hits, 15 runs and 12 walks over 18 innings showing obvious issues with command of his pitches. Friday John gave up 6 hits for 4 runs.

The blame must go around accordingly though, as the Sox’s bats had nothing in reply to a more than decent outing from Cole Hamels – only giving up Victor Martinez’s solo-shot home run in the top of the 1st. The BoSox did however mount a considerable comeback effort in the 9th against former Sox reliever J.C. Romero. With the bases loaded and 2 outs, Big Papi drove a deep fly to the warning track in the farthest depths of center field only to be robbed by Shane Victorino of a potential game-tying grand slam.

Close but no cigar is all you can say in that situation.

Red Sox Record: (22-21)
Today’s Matchup: Dice-K (2-1, 7.89 ERA) vs. Kyle Kendrick (2-1, 5.24 ERA)

Yay’s:
- Coach Tito did entrust a great deal in David Ortiz Friday night, having him pinch-hit for Bill Hall with the bases loaded in the 9th – and it was crazy enough of a move that it almoooooost worked. Damn! Still, I was happy to see Big Papi at the plate in that kind of situation and it’s a for sure vote of confidence.

- J.D. Drew showed some flash of glove Friday night, making a great grab at the wall to prevent a sure double or triple off the bat of Victorino.

- Reliever Joe Nelson was brought up from Pawtucket AAA for the trip and made his first 2-inning appearance of the season, doing a decent job of cleaning up after a poor inning from Big John.

- Jacoby Ellsbury looks to be inserted back into the lineup Saturday night and that does a number of things whenever this young star is in the lineup. 1.) He has an outstanding career on-base percentage 2.) He is always a threat and potential game changer on the base paths – crucial for a team that has stranded a lot of runners this year 3.) He can be a bit reckless with his body but is tough to beat defensively in the outfield

Nay’s:
- Lackey did not look good and hasn’t looked good recently. That combined with Dice-K and Beck’s struggles does not bode well for the Sox even amongst the resurgence of their offense and play in the field. Youngsters Lester and Bucholz are carrying this stacked rotation and shouldn’t have to be with all its star-studded veteran leadership.

- Now that Ells is back in the lineup apparently, Darrell McDonald’s playing time is ultimately threatened. This guy has been a god send for the Sox as of late and needs to be kept up in the majors at least until Mike Cameron has returned and is 100% clear of his injury troubles.