BOSTONWith Saturdays trade with the Dodgers, the suspension of Alfredo Aceves, and David Ortizs ailing right Achilles, the Red Sox played two players short against the Royals in Saturdays, 10-9, 12-inning loss at Fenway Park.
Such a shortage can compromise a managers ability to manage.
I dont know compromise, manager Bobby Valentine said. I dont like to do the hoping thing and its just I hope I get through this so this doesnt happen. And sometimes in games when you're hoping, your hopes are met and sometimes the thing you want to happen the least happens most often.
On Saturday the Red Sox used all their available relievers. Left-hander Felix Doubront was activated from the disabled list before the game, even though he was not scheduled to start until Sunday. But, he was sent home early because of his scheduled start.
Yes we had sent Felix home already because it was a day game on Sunday, Valentine said. He was the guy that could be the extra man. We were talking about it. That wasnt a good feeling.
Che-Hsuan Lin and Jose Iglesias, who were called up from Triple-A Pawtucket before the game, were both used. In the ninth, Iglesias pinch-ran for Ryan Lavarnway, who was serving as the designated hitter. Iglesias grounded into a double play to end the 11th. In the 10th Lin replaced Cody Ross, who had twisted his knee earlier in the game, and struck out to end the 10th with runners on first and second.
But, with the Lavarnway out of the game, Valentine would have needed a replacement if something had happened to catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
Boston Red Sox
We talked about it, Valentine said. Im glad it didn't go further than a discussion. We thought Mike Aviles and Mauro Gomez as candidates.
Lin was sent back to Pawtucket before Sundays game.