In what is easily the worst loss of 2011, the Red Sox blew an 8th-inning 8-5 lead (and a near-certain 200th victory for Tim Wakefield), falling to Toronto 11-10.This one falls squarely on the bullpen. First, Dan Wheeler allowed the lead to be narrowed to 8-6, and then Daniel Bard completely imploded in the 8th inning. He loaded the bases with none out, struck out the next two, and then walked two to tie the game at 8. Matt ('I used to be good') Albers then promptly unloaded the bases by giving up a three-run double.
What makes this loss all the more galling is: 1.) the obvious disappointment for Wake; 2.) missing the chance to pick up a full game on The Evil Ones and 3.) the fact that the Sox offense valiantly tried to come back in the 9th—only to be snuffed out by a thrown out stealing to end the game. Yikes.