Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Lackey, whose last turn in the rotation was skipped following a rainout at home, tossed six innings and allowed just one run on four hits against the Oakland A's.
The Sox were shut out, 5-0, resulting in a tough-luck loss for Lackey, who fell to 1-2.
"I felt pretty good," said Lackey. "I was locating pretty well. I was able to throw my breaking pitches over for strikes and my fastball location was definitely better than it was the first two times."
Asked if he had ever had a layoff that long that wasn't related to a physical issue, Lackey said: "I've never been skipped before, no."
When asked if the decision hurt his pride some, Lackey thought for a second before saying: "It was not fun."
"I thought he did tremendous," said Terry Francona of his starter. "I thought he was terrific. The problem was, we didn't score. But I thought he bounced back [well]. It's been a long week for him. The layoff was tough for him and he did a great job."
CSNNE - Lackey sparkles in return
There are two members of the Boston Red Sox that I openly despise. Johnathan Archibald Lackey (probably not his real name) and Hideki Okajima.
Somehow, someway, Lackey actually pitched a gem. Not that the Oakland Athletics swing the mightiest of bats, but you can't ask for much more of your starter than holding a club to 4 hits and 1 run over 6 solid innings. If you don't remember how God-awful Lackey was in his previous two starts, all you need to know is that after last nights game his ERA dropped to 9.82 on the year. Yeah, he's been that bad.
So I'll give credit where credit is due. John Lackey did all he could to put the Red Sox in a position to win the game. Unfortunately, no one, not even Jed Lowrie, could do much to help Lackey's cause.
Which brings us to Okajima. You know how you have that apple at your house, one that your best friend gave you years ago, and at one point it was a great apple? But you've held on to it for far too long and it's now rotting and covered in mold? It has a terrible smell and anyone that even gets near it begins to vomit uncontrollably? Well, gather a whole bushel of those apples and that's how bad Hideki Okajima is at baseball.
I beg of you, please don't let him throw pitches for the Red Sox organization ever again.
Related Links: WEEI: Anderson, A's shut down Red Sox | CSNNE - McAdam: Calls go unanswered on road | Herald - Red Sox open trip with fall
On Page 2, the Yankees are getting sued.