Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Cruising Buchholz Fades In Eighth; Loses, 6-2

 (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Those of us attending last night's 6-2 Red Sox loss were witnessing a truly rare event. First, it was shaping up to be one of the fastest games of the year (well under three hours); second, Clay Buchholz was cruising into the eighth inning with a 1-0 lead. Then, 2014 reality set in. With no one warming in the bullpen, and Buchholz on a low pitch count, disaster struck. Of course, it all started with a lead-off walk. Next, a strikeout. Then a hit batter—still no one warming up for Boston. Then, a pop out to the pitcher by Andover High School's own Ryan Hannigan. Two outs, first and second. Next, a "double" that should have been a routine catch by Yoenis Cespedes allowed two runs to score—and the rest is Bobby Valentine history. Speaking of the Athletic Director of Sacred Heart University, his Magic Number is stuck at 2 with only five games left.