Editor's note: NESN.com is going to tell the story of the 2012 Red Sox in Bobby Valentine’s words. Each game day, we will select the best Valentine quote that sums up the day for the Red Sox.
Josh Beckett threw just 92 pitches in eight innings of work on Wednesday night and wanted more. The success-starved starter has been searching for a win in each of his last four starts, but once again came up empty against the Orioles.
The 32-year-old allowed just two runs and five hits over eight innings of outstanding work, turning in his eighth quality start in 11 chances this season. That number not only puts Beckett in the lead among Boston pitchers in the category, but it also justifies his role as the ace of a very talented Red Sox staff.
Manager Bobby Valentine was impressed with Beckett's velocity and depth of work on the evening, but he felt that the veteran's teammates should have delivered more in 2-1 loss.
"He deserved better," Valentine said, shaking his head in disappointment. "He gave up two runs in eight innings… We were just one swing away."
One swing is all that it would have taken in either the seventh or eighth innings, as Boston put base runners on in both frames but were unable to capitalize on the threats.
Beckett, who appeared to suffer some sort of minor injury during the eighth inning, refused to speak with reporters after the game but according to Red Sox personnell it was not due to any ailments. The pitcher was likely frustrated that yet another solid outing went unrewarded, not only for himself but more importantly for his team.
With the loss, the Red Sox are once again middling at the .500 mark (28-28) and remain dead last in the AL East standings. That reality is not good enough for the immense talent on the roster and clearly not enough for a highly competitive Beckett, who obviously expects more from his club.
The outing was just another firm stamp from Becket showing that he is still a dominant pitcher in MLB. And maybe more importantly it was yet another assertion from Beckett that he is indeed the leader of this Red Sox staff and that he will fight to ensure that this team finds success.
