Bad day all around for the health and happiness of the Red Sox. In 5 2/3 inning of work, Josh Beckett allowed 11 hits, five runs (all earned) and two walks. He threw 97 pitches. As the ace, Beckett is responsible for saving the staff when the Sox have consecutive clunkers like they did over the (long) weekend in Minneapolis, and the club hoped for more against the O’s.
Right fielder J.D. Drew hyper-extended his left wrist sliding for a catch, center fielder Coco Crisp had to leave the game because of an excruciating headache that induced nausea, plus Terry Francona was unavailable after his mother-in-law died Monday. Bench coach Brad Mills managed the game, a 5-4 loss to the Orioles, and will be at the helm today as well while Francona attends funeral services with family. The often-injured Drew is unlikely to play this afternoon, and his status going forward is very much day to day, pending how his wrist feels. X-rays were negative, and he probably would get an MRI if his ligaments, which were stretched, do not respond or feel better. Crisp left before the bottom of the sixth inning. He might have suffered a migraine, and looked quite uncomfortable sprawled on a clubhouse couch after the game. He said he would explain what happened today.
Jacoby Ellsbury replaced Drew in right field, then moved to center in the sixth. Kevin Youkilis made his first career appearance in right field and handled cleanly his one chance, an Adam Jones flyout. Sean Casey replaced Youkilis at first base. Also, shortstop Julio Lugo missed his fourth straight game with a mild concussion. It is unclear if the Sox will make a roster move for the final game of this road trip. They have an off-day tomorrow, and could buy time on the medical front so not to disable anybody unnecessarily.
