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Can’t win ’em all! But Red Sox sure try
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The Philadelphia Phillies [Phillies Examiner] beat the Boston Red Sox [Red Sox Examiners Dorval, Paicopolos] this afternoon by a score of 11-6, but there should be no sorrow in the Nation because the Olde Towne Team showed as much mettle in this defeat as it did in the five straight wins it compiled immediately prior.
As they nearly always do, these Sox grind, working counts, adhering to the fundamentals, and executing well upon them. After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning today, they scored four in the second, and after surrendering four in the fifth, they came immediately back with one in the sixth to tie. Unfortunately, they then gave up six in the seventh and were unable to recover. But their resilience was gratifying to see and fun to watch, and its continued presence will be necessary if the club is to be ultimately successful.
Even counting today’s loss, the Red Sox are 9-3 for the month of June – an excellent record made remarkable considering it includes two starts by the exasperating Daisuke Matsuzaka, who oscillates between nibbling at the corners for two-and-a-half hours before departing in the fifth, or being wild in the strike zone before being shelled out of the game in the fourth.
The Sox prevail despite this handicap every fifth day because they play their own version of the TV show Survivor: they consistently outlast, outplay, and outscore their opposition. Without five quality starters, without a fully-functional designated hitter, without a true shortstop, they have managed to stay near or at the top of the AL East because they will themselves to win in ways that other teams do not. Sure, they are loaded with talent. But without their mental toughness and total commitment to success, the result would not show on the scoreboard nearly as often as it does.
So, citizens of Red Sox Nation, don’t let today’s defeat detract from the greater good: this is a ballclub that knows how to play baseball and does so most every inning of every day. How many other teams’ fans can say this about their clubs?
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