Red Sox bullpen pitches another gem despite loss

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BOSTONManager Bobby Valentine had to use all seven of the available relievers on his roster plus outfielder Darnell McDonald to get through Sundays 17-inning, 9-6 loss to the Orioles. In the six games on the homestand, Sox relievers combined to throw 37 13 innings.

The bullpens work on Sunday marked the most relief innings pitched in a game since 14.0 in a 7-5 win in 19 innings on April 11, 1992, at Cleveland.

I think everybody got to see what were capable of in the pen, said right-hander Scott Atchison said. Everyone threw the ball great. Defense played good, too. Salty got everyone through it. Unfortunately, we knew that both teams were going to run out of gas sooner or later but everybody threw the ball well. Its a big lift as a group, too. Its one of those things we can all take something like this and keep building on it. I think weve been throwing the ball well anyway and I think we can really continue after this. Hopefully its the start of something good.

After a rough start to the season, the bullpen has a 1.48 ERA, giving up nine earned runs over 54 23 innings in the last 13 games since April 23. But two-thirds of those earned runs dont even belong to a pitcher. McDonald took the loss on Sunday, giving up a three-run home run to Adam Jones in the 17th inning.

Theyve been doing that, said catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia. They started off rough, like we always say, but thats what theyve been doing the rest of the year. Youre going to get results from those guys just because they go out there and they work hard. They pitch good.

They did a great job, said Dustin Pedroia. They went out and pounded the zone put up zeroes.

The bullpen has pitched more than six innings in three straight games, for the first time since Aug 26-28, 1950. In that stretch, Sox relievers have posted an ERA of 2.36, giving up seven earned runs over 26 23 innings, with 15 hits, 10 walks, and 23 strikeouts.

Everyones pitching great. Just, I dont know if anyone can pitch tomorrow, Valentine said after Sundays game. Im sure a few of the guys can, I bet you. Ill have enough. Atch will not. But a lot of the other guys, I mean, I pushed them to the limit tonight. I think every guy. Well see how they bounce back.

Atchison appeared in five of the six games on the homestand, spanning eight scoreless innings. In Sundays marathon, he went two innings, with another three on Saturday, throwing a total of 58 pitches.

Id be lying if I said I wasnt tired right now but the arm feels fine, just fatigue in it, no problems, he said. Hopefully, Mondays starter Felix Doubront will go out and give us a good one tomorrow. We know thats going to happen and hopefully we can all catch up a little bit. Its been a long series with the extra innings and everything. It happens sometimes during a season and therell be times when we won't throw a whole lot so its one of those times that weve been throwing a lot but I think everyones feeling good and taking care of themselves so I think well be fine.

Left-hander Rich Hill, who was activated from the disabled list April 27 after Tommy John surgery in June, threw two scoreless innings, with 33 pitches, Sunday. He threw a total of four innings in three games on the homestand.

Everybody left everything out there, he said. Thats the best way I can put it.

Despite the pens performance, with that amount of recent work, the Sox will likely have to make a roster move before Mondays game in Kansas City. Right-hander Clayton Mortensen -- the only reliever not to appear in Sundays game after going 3 13 innings on Saturday -- has been impressive since being called up on May 2. In his two appearances, spanning 6 13 innings, he has allowed one run on three hits, no walks, with 11 strikeouts, and a home run. But Mortensenalong with Alfredo Aceves -- still has options, making him a possibility to be sent back to Triple-A Pawtucket. It would be unlikely for Aceves to get sent out.

Valentine, though, did not have an answer in the immediate aftermath of Sundays marathon loss.

Gosh if I know, he said about 15 minutes after the game ended. I havent thought past the last inning.

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