Diamondbacks 10, Red Sox 5

 

Look, just in case there was any confusion regarding the strategy for this weekend, Boston was supposed to sweep this series and move up the AL East standings while New York and Toronto battle it out against  each other. Okay, got it? Stop with the losing games, alright?  

I have to admire the Sox' spunk, though, rallying back in the top of the eighth from a 5-1 deficit with four runs on five hits. However, I have to say I'm disappointed in reliever Justin Slaten, giving up four runs in the bottom of the eighth and putting the game out of reach.

Rookie Payton Tolle (0-1, 7.56) gave up five runs in three innings and gets his first loss in his second major-league start.

Toronto demolished New York last night, 7-1, so at least we didn't fall any further behind the Yankees in the standings (we trail them by a ½ game), but this is a time when we're supposed to be gaining ground, not breaking even.

Fun fact: Although in third place in the AL East, the Red Sox (78-64) have the same number of wins as the talent-rich Dodgers (78-63), who are in first place in the NL West. And they say the AL East isn't a tough division . . . 

Okay, so let's try this again. Tonight, Giolito (10-2, 3.38) takes the mound for Boston against Arizona spelling error Brandon Pfaadt (12-8, 5.33). All that the Yankees have to counter Toronto and Chris Bassitt (11-7, 4.10) is Luis Gil (2-1, 3.68). The script, since I apparently have to spell it out, is for Boston to win, not lose, and for the Yankees to lose again, so that the Sox can move back up into second place.

Alright, got it? Let's play some ball.