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The Red Sox now lead the major leagues with six balks.
That may not seem like much, but when these lapses in concentration cost you a game, you have to start wondering what the heck is going on.
Clay Buchholz balked in Tampa Bay’s first run in a 2-1 loss to the Rays Wednesday night at Tropicana Field. And Franklin Morales committed a pair of balks in back-to-back innings, but he was able to get out of both situations unscathed.
Buchholz, Morales, and Daniel Bard have two balks apiece.
What is going on?
Globe: Balks a problem for Sox
This would make it five balks in eight games. I don't think I have seen five balks in the previous eight seasons. To make it worse, they have all been the right call with one of them (Bard's second one in Kansas City) being remotely close for debate. Thankfully, the Rays only managed to score one run out of the three balks last night... but the Rays capitalized on the mistakes for the win. They scored their two runs off of one of the balks and a misplayed pop up.
Bobby V has called it an "epidemic" and that pitching coach Bob McClure will address it. It seems like all the pitchers have to do to avoid all these balks.. is to pitch. Just go back to basics, which is something that Bobby V was harping about all in Spring Training. Whatever it may be, let them figure it out before it comes back and costs this team another game.
Rest of The Links: Globe: Sox stumble a bit vs Rays | Balks a problem for Sox | Dice-K not close to rejoining Red Sox | Herald: Adrian Gonzalez slams plate ump calls | Doubront hopes to get Moore out of matchup | Difficult math in this division | Sox pay for a misplay | CSNNE: Valentine: Sox balks like an epidemic | Sox balk at chance to extend streak | Buchholz has rollercoaster evening | WEEI: So much for momentum| Gonzalez rips ump, guarantees home run
