On Tuesday Night, Alfredo Was For The Birds

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Here's a good one for you. Have you ever heard of a closer on a contending team that has an ERA north of 5? Bingo! Your Carmine Hose have Alfredo Aceves—a guy who somehow continues to receive praise while posting a horrific 5.02 ERA. And Papelbon got grief from fans?

The Red Sox offense battled back from a 6-4 deficit in the 9th—one strike away from defeat—when Jarrod Saltallamacchia launched a two-run shot into the Monster. Acveves promptly gave back two runs in the 10th, leading to an 8-6 defeat at the hands of the Orioles.

Jon Lester went six innings, giving up four runs (two earned), but also was unable to hold a lead (4-3) with a clean inning. As always, it was pitching that got this team resuscitated from their dismal start and it looks like pitching may send them on another death spiral in June.