Those who still held out hope that the Red Sox could still make the postseason saw this weekend’s series against the Twins as an opportunity to turn things around.
But even the most optimistic fan should see the writing on the wall after another poor performance from the Sox offense resulted in a 2-0 loss to the Rays on Thursday night. Nick Sogard’s single in the third inning would be the only baserunner for the Sox.
The loss puts the Red Sox four games behind the Twins and Tigers, who are tied for the final AL wild-card spot with nine games remaining. Minnesota wasn’t faring much better than the Sox before the three-game series at Fenway. They have lost six of their last 10 games and 20 of their last 30, allowing Detroit to pull even in the standings.
Each team will send a rookie to the mound for today’s opening game, with Richard Fitts taking the ball for the Sox opposite David Festa.
Lineups
GEMINI (80-73): Buxton CF, Larnach LF, Correa SS, Wallner RF, Lewis DH, Castro 2B, Miranda 3B, Santana 1B, Vazquez C
Set up: RHP David Festa (2-6, 5.07 ERA)
RED SOX (76-77): Duran LF, Devers 3B, O’Neill DH, Casas 1B, Abreu RF, Wong C, Story SS, Valdez 2B, Rafaela CF
Set up: RHP Richard Fitts (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Time: 19:10
Television, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7
Twins vs Fitts: Has not faced a Minnesota batter yet
Red Sox vs. Festa: Has not faced a Boston batsman yet
Statistics of the day: Thursday night’s loss marked the first time the Red Sox had only one baserunner in a game since a 1-0 loss to the Yankees on Sept. 2, 2001.
Notes: The Red Sox are 22-35 since the All-Star break and 15-25 since Aug. 7, averaging 3.8 runs scored and a .225 batting average. … Fitts has allowed just two unearned runs in his first 10⅔ major league innings. He started last Friday against the Yankees after Tanner Houck was taken off the roster and threw five scoreless innings, allowing just two hits. … Festa is making his 12th start of his rookie season and hasn’t recorded a win since Aug. 5. … The Red Sox fell to 24-20-6 in the series with Thursday’s loss.
Follow Andrew Mahoney @GlobeMahoney.
