Lester struggles yet again as Sox fall 8-3

After last nights long game, the Red Sox desperately wanted their supposed ace Jon Lester to take them deep into this game. Seven innings was preferred, but six would be acceptable. As it turned out, Lester only would give them four and two third innings, and four and two third crappy innings at that.

It looked early on like the bats for the sox would be on fire yet again to start the game, as Ellsbury and Victorino both singled to lead things off. Hernandez buckled down however, and only allowed one run out of that, on a Dustin Pedroia sac fly, giving Boston a 1-0 lead early on.

Lesters first inning was disastrous, as he walked four batters and threw nearly thirty pitchers, but thanks to a double play, he also only allowed one run, making the game a 1-1 score after an inning of work.

In the second Lester allowed a two out homer to deep left center to Desmond Jennings to give the Rays a 2-1 lead, quelling any chance of it being a solid innings work.

In the top of the third, with the bases loaded and two outs, Mike Napoli blooped a two out single to give the Sox a 3-2 lead, and it appeared we may be in for a back and forth game. Unfortunately, that would not be the case, as from here on out the Rays would dominate.

Lester gave the lead right back in the third, allowing four hits, a walk, and two runs, both with two outs, and the Rays again led 4-3.

The Red Sox would go down 1-2-3 in the 4th, and Longoria homered in the bottom of the inning, again with two outs, to give the Rays a 5-3 lead, Matt Joyce chased Lester with a two run homer in the fifth which made it a 7-3 lead, again with two outs.

From here Jose De La Torre, came in and pitched very well for the Sox. He went the remaining one and a third innings giving up only one run, and allowing the rest of the bullpen a rest. For that he earns MVP of the night.

A loss after the big win last night was pretty expected. The Rays simply dont get swept at home, so it was pretty inevitable. Its ok, onto the next one, rubber game tomorrow.