As for Delcarmen, there might be a reason beyond simply poor pitching. He has been suffering from elbow trouble the last week, and is scheduled to see a doctor tomorrow.
“My elbow, a little bit,’’ Delcarmen said. “I think it’s something in my forearm. It’s been like that for a week. It’s been getting better every day, just having a little trouble getting extension on the ball. So I’m going to see how the day off [today] goes, and see how I feel on Friday.’’
Delcarmen, helped by Ramirez, turned a two-run game into a blowout, with six Tampa runs scoring in the eighth inning of a loss that prevented the Sox from grabbing a share of first place. It would have been the first time they had been in first since beating the Yankees on Opening Day. Delcarmen, who had Tommy John surgery in the minor leagues, said he was “a little bit’’ concerned. As for the disabled list, “I’m hoping not,’’ he said. But neither Delcarmen nor Francona shot down the possibility.
“He’s still having a little bit of trouble, like with the extension, just feeling it,’’ Francona said. “We talked to him after the game. I don’t know. We’ll keep getting it looked at. He’s been fighting it a little bit. Couple first-pitch fastballs, and all of a sudden it’s first and third before he can even take a breath. Velocity’s still pretty good, just that last little bit is bothering him.’’
Every Rays batter got up in the eighth, and most of them connected. Delcarmen began the inning by allowing a single, a double, an infield single, a walk, and another single. On came Ramirez, who gave up a three-run homer over the Green Monster by Jason Bartlett, his second homer of the year.
Over his last three appearances, Delcarmen has been horrendous, having allowed nine earned runs and only recording three outs. He has given up nine hits and two walks, striking out no one. He has been no relief exactly at the time the Sox need someone in their bullpen besides Bard and Papelbon to start producing.
