G142: Royals 10, Red Sox 4 (12)

Looking at the standings this morning -- and seeing the Red Sox trailing the Twins, White Sox and the Angels in the wild card standings -- I finally told myself (am I the last one here to do this?) that there would be no playoffs for us this year.

So why did this loss annoy me so much? It isn't a "throw shit around" kind of anger, it's more of a slow boiling frustration.

The Red Sox had plenty of chances to win. Youkilis led off the 10th with a double. Varitek (pinch-hitting and batting RH) struck out and Ortiz grounded to shortstop. Yook moved to third on the grounder. Manny was walked intentionally (Bako had to dive to his left and back over the plate to catch Sisco's first ball, saving a game-winning wild pitch). Tito decided to send Kapler to hit fo Nixon and Nelson came in for the Royals (I would have stayed with Nixon vs the lefty Sisco). Krapler popped up to first.

In the 11th, still facing Nelson, Lowell singled and pinch-runner David Murphy was bunted to second by Crisp. Nelson fell behind Loretta 3-0 and decided to put him on. Cora then hit the first pitch for a 3-6-1 double play.

The top of the 12th was ugly. Three Red Sox pitchers throwing 34 pitches -- 6 runs, 4 hits (3 doubles and a home run just inside the Pesky Pole), one intentional walk, 2 hit batters, a double steal, and an outfield error.

***

Bottom 4th: Dustin Pedroia hit his first major league home run, drilling a letter-high fastball into the Monster Seats. Pedroia also singled in the first inning (he began the night with 4 hits in his last 40 AB). The single and HR are his first two career hits at Fenway Park -- and the only Boston hits so far tonight.

After the HR, Hudson walked three of the next four batters. He threw 38 pitches to the five Boston hitters. With the bases loaded, Crisp hacks at the first pitch and grounds into a force play at the plate. Mirabelli followd with an RBI-single to left, but Lowell was gunned down at the plate also trying to score. Game tied 2-2.

***

Luke Hudson (5.21) / Josh Beckett (5.11), 7 PM

Lineup:

Youkilis, 1B
Pedroia, 2B
Ortiz, DH
Ramirez, LF
Nixon, RF
Lowell, 3B
Crisp, CF
Mirabelli, C
Gonzalez, SS