The Good and Bad at Fenway Last Night

_{Ellsbury and Reddick were flying high after their 13-9 victory over the Royals. (AP Photo)}

• Good - The Red Sox outlasted the Kansas City Royals 13-9 to retain a two game lead in the AL East.
• Bad - The Kansas City Royals scored 9 runs on the Sox - granted, it's not the Royals offenses fault that they're in last place in the AL Central at 43-60. They're currently ranked 6th in runs scored in the AL (449), as it's been their pitching that's let them down this year, with a Team ERA of 4.47, which is only better than Baltimore. Still though, 9 runs is too many to give up to the Royals.
• Good - Alfredo Aceves once again showed us why he's the most versatile pitcher on the Red Sox staff. He entered the game in the top of the 4th with 7 runs on the board for KC and the game in jeopardy for Boston. When Alfredo ended up leaving the game after the 7th he'd given up zero runs over 3.1 innings with only 3 hits. This effort allowed the Sox to stay in the game and was good enough for him to pick up his sixth win on the year (6-1). Can't say enough good things about this guy, doing things like this are what's now expected out of him, and not the exception.
• Bad - Starting pitcher Andrew Miller and his opportunity to prove himself at the Big League level may be nearing the end. In 3.2 innings pitched he gave up 9 hits and 7 ER and his ERA is now at 5.45 on the year which is bad, but it's still not John Lackey bad, so that's good right? BTW - Is it too early to start drinking?
• Very Good - Simply put the Red Sox offense is just awesome this year. They lead the AL in runs scored (555), batting average (.280), OPS (.812), and are second in run differntial (+129) only trailing the Yanks (+138). Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz led the charge last night with 4 hits a piece. Pedroia was only a HR away from hitting for the cycle, and Big Papi hit a career high 3 doubles on the night.
• Bad - John Lackey is our starting pitcher tonight.

Comments

[Raoul Duke]

Stop hating on Lackey. He's getting it together. When he goes 6 shutout tonight, I expect a full article tomorrow on the greatness of his performance ;)

[Derek Hixon]

Raoul - it's going to be hard to stop the venom, but if he pitches well tonight - it's certainly a step in the right direction. Trust me, I'd much rather that bad attitude mouth breathing excuse maker pitch well than not. And his 6.28 ERA is the lowest it's been all season (shudder) - and he does have wins over his last two starts but....

In those two wins he's pitched 12.2 innings and given up 18 hits and 5 runs. His K/BB ratio is actually pretty good, but for being the 25th highest paid player in the league, I expect way more than a crappy attitude and average pitching.

You see how hard it is for me not to hate on him? I'll try, but these will have to be baby steps, I honestly just don't like the guy, and his attitude and performance do nothing to make me like him. I'd love to be proven wrong though.