The Boston Red Sox were two outs away from starting their 11-game West Coast road trip with a win when Daniel Nava hit what appeared to be an easy grounder to Hanley Ramirez at first.
But it was anything but easy.
The Red Sox first baseman fielded the ball and decided to throw to Sandy Leon at home to prevent the game-tying run from scoring. Ramirez’s throw sailed over Leon’s head, allowing not one, but two runs to score as the Angels walked off with a 2-1 win at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.
As for what happened on the play, Ramirez and Boston manager John Farrell offered these explanations after the game:
“We didn’t execute defensively,” Farrell told reporters, via the Providence Journal. “The leadoff base hit to (Mike) Trout, if that’s an accurate throw, that’s the first out of the inningâĤ. (The throw home) is a routine play that Hanley has made many times over.”
The error also spoiled what was a great performance from ace David Price, who pitched eight shutout innings before being lifted for Brad Ziegler in the ninth.
But while Ramirez’s mishap ended the game, Ziegler allowed three singles prior to that. It was the second straight rough outing for Ziegler, who allowed the game-winning home run to Miguel Cabrera in Wednesday’s loss to the Tigers.
Let’s take a look at a few more notes from Thursday’s heartbreaking loss.
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— The Red Sox might be just days away from getting a boost in their bullpen. Closer Craig Kimbrel, who has been on the 15-day disabled list with a torn left meniscus, will take the mound Saturday in a rehab game.
— However, it’s not all good news when it comes to the bullpen. Koji Uehara, who is on the DL with a right pectoral strain, gave fans an update Thursday with a message in Japanese on his website.
According to the Boston Herald’s translation, Uehara wrote that he’s not sure if his current treatment has been successful, although he is optimistic.
Boston is considering a scenario where Uehara doesn’t return this season, according to Farrell.
— The Red Sox also gave an update on Chris Young and Josh Rutledge as they inch closer to rehab assignments.
— Steven Wright has cooled off a bit lately, and the hot weather might be a reason why.
The Red Sox knuckleballer struggled Tuesday against the Tigers on what was an extremely hot night at Fenway Park.
“We’ve got to figure out a way to get through 90 degrees. I’m not being critical; I’m being obvious,” Farrell told reporters, via the Providence Journal. “You learn to survive and adjust. We’ve got to work through this.”
As for possible solutions, scratching Wright when the weather doesn’t favor the knuckleball isn’t one of them.
— An FYI for Red Sox fans in L.A. wanting to see Ortiz play in his final series at Angel Stadium of Anaheim:
Thumbnail photo Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
