Boston Red Sox Players take time to reflect on loss to Texas Rangers on Opening Day
Things did not go so well for the Boston Red Sox at the Rangers’ Ballpark as they took on the 2010 American League Champions, on Saturday night. Despite coming out of the offseason period with a rejuvenated squad, the American League East big fish was unable
to impress the fans as it lost its Opening Day against a formidable side that was always going to offer a tough challenge.
The team looked good by the end of the third inning, but as the game progressed, things took a dramatic turn. The Rangers’ Mike Napoli, smashed a three-run homer in the fourth to put the hosts 5 – 4 up in the score line. Red Sox starter, Jon Lester did not
seem to push a wrong delivery to the Texan hitter, but was punished nevertheless. David Ortiz equalized for the Red Sox in the top eighth but it just was not Boston’s day as their bullpen ace, Daniel Bard, conceded four runs in the bottom eighth.
Adrian Gonzalez, who was playing in his first official game as a Red Sox player, had a hard time against Rangers’ pitcher, Christopher John Wilson. His two-run single was what set the Red Sox up for the win in the third inning with a 4 – 2 score line.
"You take what he gives you," Gonzalez said. "You know you're not going to get a pitch that you can drive. You're looking for singles up the middle. He's real tough. You just do what you can."
However, things had to change. Third baseman, Kevin Youkilis thought David Murphy’s lead clinching double run against Bard in the bottom eighth looked like a foul. Unfortunately, that was not the case.
"I thought, initially, from third base, it was going to be a foul ball, easily," said Youkilis. "It's a game of inches. It's a tough one for us, for a guy like Daniel Bard. Hopefully he'll learn from his first outing and get better. For him, I don't see
that kind of inning happening again anytime soon."
Nevertheless, it was more heartbreaking for designated hitter, Ortiz who pulled out an equalizer from his socks. He was tranquil, though. Ortiz’s age and experience seemed to have taught him how to calmly deal with disappointment.
"There's no frustration," said Ortiz. "It's just the first game. We faced a good team. They played a better ballgame than we did."
Ortiz optimistically commented that the team has to come back tomorrow and try to turn things around in their favour.
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