Sox Go Green But Lose to Cards

By KC Downey in Featured, Red Sox, Top Story ⋅ June 21, 2008 at 1:11pm ⋅ Post a comment

In the first game against the St. Louis Cardinals since the 2004 World Series, the Red Sox did not capitalize on opportunities in a 5-4 loss as they did to win the 2004 series. The Sox also received word that Curt Schilling‘s season and career are potentially over after he will undergo surgery on Monday, thus earning a $8-million paycheck while doing nothing. So…that would make Friday a pretty bad day for the Red Sox, right?

Well, the Sox would not let any of that get in the way of a nice celebration of the Celtics 17th NBA Championship, even if it was delayed a bit by rain. Finals MVP Paul Pierce threw out the ceremonial first pitch as the Sox honored the NBA Champs.

Sox Stud of the Game:

For the first time all season, Julio Lugo is a Sox Stud. He deserves it after going 1-2 with a walk and his first HR of the season, a solo shot in the sixth inning to give the Sox some life. He also had a sacrifice fly in the second inning to put the Red Sox on the board. Not bad, Lugo!

Diamond Dud of the Game:

Manny Ramirez came to bat in a big spot in the seventh inning of a tight 4-2 game. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Manny grounded into a double play that scored Jacoby Ellsbury (he gets no RBI because he created two outs in the process). In all, Manny had a pretty good game with a 1-3 with 2 BB.

Game Notes:

Tim Wakefield pitched and earned the quality start in the loss (7 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 2 HR).
Hideki Okajima did not pitch with quality in his one inning after allowing a HR to Yadier Molina.
Kyle Lohse (9-2) earned his first career win against the Red Sox.