Stabbed in the back...

I'm almost too depressed by the outcome of the Sox-Yanks game tonight to write about it, but I've got to stay sharp so here goes...

Okajima had been faltering lately, a few posts down I talked about how the long season was getting to him and he was losing his edge. Today's meltdown confirms this for me. It might be best to rest Okie, let Gagne pitch and possibly build up some confidence, give Okie some warmup appearances just prior to the post season to get him back into his rhythm and go from there. The real shocker tonight was Papelbon.

Going into tonight's game he had given up two hits in August and September combined, tonight he gave up 3 hits, all his inherited runners scored and two more runs on top of that. I know Terry brought him in too early, I know expecting Papelbon to be flawless for the remainder of the season wasn't realistic, I know even closers can have a bad day but I can't help but feel stabbed in the back on this one. Of all the games for Papelbon to have a breakdown why did it have to be against the Yankees with a substantial lead going into the late innings? Everybody was ready for the Sox to come back strong in Fenway after that embarrassing sweep in the Bronx. Finally the Yankees hopes for the AL East and the references to the '78 team would be put to rest. The sox had a great chance to do that tonight. Daisuke managed to show he's still got a little something left in the tank by limiting the Yankees to 2 runs and 4 hits (Working around 5 walks!), but this time the guys who have come through all year didn't come through. This loss goes squarely on their shoulders. There were no untimely errors, no lucky bloop hits, no lack of run support....just bad relief pitching.