BOSTON — The Red Sox have a perfect chance to pick up some games on both the Yankees and Rays as the two front-runners face each other this weekend.
But last night the Red Sox looked flat until the ninth inning and only lost more ground.
David Ortiz smashed a grand slam to right field to bring the Red Sox within one run in the ninth but that was as close as the Red Sox would get, losing 6-5.
"That was a good swing," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said, and then joked, "It would've been even nicer if that was a five-run homer."
Francona said his team just dug itself too big of a hole. The Red Sox fell behind 4-0 in the fifth inning.
"We just needed one more run to keep that game going but that's a big hole we dug," Francona said. "(Detroit reliever Jose) Valverde had thrown a lot of pitches and was having trouble throwing strikes. That's just a lot to overcome."
Mike Cameron struck out looking on an offspeed pitch to end the game.
"He threw him a 3-2 offspeed (pitch)," Francona said. "That's a pretty gutsy pitch. I'd be looking for a fastball, too."
Patterson went on his own
Eric Patterson was caught stealing in the seventh inning after leading off the frame with a walk. He was going on his own, Francona said. At the time the score was 4-1 Detroit.
"He was just trying to make something happen that probably wasn't there," Francona said.
An epic finish
Valverde, Detroit's closer with 21 saves, threw 60 pitches in 1 1/3 innings.
Lester struggles
Starting pitcher Jon Lester went six-plus innings, giving up four earned runs on 11 hits and two walks while striking out seven. His earned run average increased to 3.05.
"I don't think the rhythm was a problem," catcher Victor Martinez said. "I just think he made a couple of mistakes."
Story of the game
In his first game since coming over from Cleveland, Jhonny Peralta homered twice, a second-inning shot that gave Detroit a 2-0 lead and a two-run blast deep into the Monster seats in the fifth to make it 4-0.
His second round-tripper hurt the most, coming right after the Red Sox squandered a first-and-third situation with no outs in the fourth.
"He's a pretty good hitter," Martinez said. "He put pretty good swings on those. He (Lester) just left the ball up a little bit. That was pretty much it."
Galarraga lined out of game
Armando Galarraga, the pitcher whose perfect game ended on a bad call by umpire Jim Joyce, started for Detroit.
He went 4 2/3 innings and left the game with a right ankle contusion when he was struck by a line drive off the bat of Kevin Youkilis.
He gave up one earned run on five hit and walked two batters while striking out three.
Damon's Fenway return delayed
Johnny Damon was a late scratch from last night's original lineup because of upper back spasms.
There has been some speculation over whether Damon will be booed or cheered in his first return to Fenway Park in a uniform other than New York Yankees attire.
Taking a closer look
Dustin Pedroia's CT scan showed significant healing to his fractured left foot, Francona said.
"More importantly, I think his exam went really well," Francona said. "So he's got the go-ahead to start ramping up the running again. He did about 10 to 12 90-feet (runs). And the idea is just to keep building. ... He felt good so that was good news."
Francona said Pedroia is going to have to be really honest.
"Because if it hurts, he's going to have to back off," Francona said. "But if it doesn't they have no problem with him continuing to progress."
Jason Varitek also received good news on his CT scan, Francona added.
"He's off the crutches and he'll be out of the boot tomorrow and will start doing the activities that he can tolerate," Francona said. "He's still a bit away from playing for sure but both reports came back good."
Ellsbury almost ready
Jacoby Ellsbury worked out with the team yesterday.
Francona said Ellsbury would play in Pawtucket both today and tomorrow.
"And we'll reevaluate from there," Francona said.
Ellsbury was in the clubhouse before yesterday's game and said he was feeling much better.
"I've pretty much done everything that I've needed to do as far as track down balls, steal, run," he said. "It's getting some reps in.
"I'm not going to be 100 percent when I come back but it's going to be good enough where I don't re-aggravate it," he added.
Ellsbury said he no longer feels the pain in his back that he felt when he returned from the disabled list earlier in the season and played three games in May before heading back to the DL.
Lowell in limbo
Mike Lowell worked out with the team yesterday, too.
"Theo (Epstein) kind of sat down, I don't know, I think it was with his agents, and just kind of told him to hang on for a day or so," Francona said. "There's possible movement. You know, the deadline is tomorrow. It just seems to make sense to kind of get through another day or two days and then do what we need to do."
Drew scratches back
J.D. Drew was in the original lineup after missing the past two games in Los Angeles with hamstring tightness. But he was scratched from the lineup about 1 hour, 45 minutes before the game.
Drew did pinch hit in the ninth inning. He was intentionally walked.
Ageless Wakefield
Tim Wakefield made a relief appearance yesterday, and at 43 years, 362 days old became the oldest pitcher ever to appear in a game for the Sox.
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