But last night, in 4-3, 11-inning loss to the Royals, it became evident just how much Schilling did offer this team as a reliever, even in light of a 5.18 ERA out of the bullpen. And, just how much this team needs Foulke, who threw a side session in the bullpen before last night's game.
Timlin pitched a taxing ninth inning last night -- he loaded the bases on a hit sandwiched by two walks before escaping on a strikeout and pop out. Having pitched the night before, when he allowed two runs in a 5-2 win, he could go no longer.
That forced the Sox to go to Bronson Arroyo, Saturday's scheduled starter, for the 10th inning. Arroyo, who started Saturday at Los Angeles, pitched a 1-2-3 10th before losing it in the 11th.
Arroyo, after recording an out to begin the 11th, walked David DeJesus, allowed a Terrence Long single, then walked Mike Sweeney on four pitches, loading the bases. Chip Ambres, the former PawSox outfielder dealt here in July for Tony Graffanino, then came to bat for the second time in three innings with the bases loaded and a chance to win the game.
Ambres, before the ninth inning, when he struck out, had never batted with the bases loaded. In the 11th, on a 2-and-2 count, he delivered a sacrifice fly to left field. Manny Ramirez caught the ball and threw home, where DeJesus beat the throw, despite the protest of Jason Varitek and Francona.
With Jon Papelbon unavailable until today, and Jeremi Gonzalez unavailable because he worked three innings Monday night, the only arm left in the bullpen after nine innings was Mike Remlinger. But, with Remlinger's Sox ERA at 19.80, Francona bypassed the 39-year-old lefthander in favor of Arroyo in a game that wouldn't end, despite so many chances.
The teams combined to leave 26 men on base, 13 of those by the Sox. Boston left 10 on base between the fifth and eighth innings alone, and Kansas City left eight on between the sixth and ninth innings.
What's more, the Sox loaded the bases in three consecutive innings -- the fifth, sixth, and seventh -- without a run.
