Papelbon Opens The Floodgates For the Rockies

It wasn't supposed to end this way. No way, no how. The Boston Red Sox were going into the bottom of the ninth inning in Colorado with a one run lead and closer Jonathon Papelbon walking to the mound. That lead lasted mere minutes and the long ball was the problem. A home run tied it, then there was a hit and old friend Jason Giambi came to the plate filled with wishful hope. Well, he got his wish. Papelbon threw him a FLAT slider, a pitch that more often than not is hit hard. No exception here. Two runs plated on the walk-off winning tater making the Red Sox losers of two straight. My goodness. Here's Paps...

“It’s pretty tough, man,’’ Papelbon said. “Just ’cause of the simple fact that I’ve been throwing the ball well. Tonight I go out there and throw flat pitches. It’s just unacceptable.’’

Manager Terry Francona had these words about a game he knew his team should have won...

“There was a lot happening,’’ manager Terry Francona said. “When it’s all said and done, you look up and we’ve got Pap out there in the ninth with a lead, and you’re looking at how the inning’s going to unfold. He tried to elevate and he didn’t get it up enough, and wow. If you like baseball, it’s a pretty swing."

We all know baseball has its ups and downs for every team in major league baseball. It's the nature of the game but this one was tough to take. It's turn the page time, I guess, because the two teams play one more time before the Sox move on to San Francisco. The starters will be Matsuzaka (5-2) and Hammel (5-3). May the force be with them. They'll need it. Gametime will be at 8:40pm EDT.

You caan click on this post's title for more Red Sox media news and as always, BE WELL. GO SOX. C'mon now!