Red Sox Nation 10/11: Frustration and Anger Litters Fenway Following Sweep

Boston Red Sox saw their season come to an end following a 4-3 loss to the Cleveland Indians in Game 3 of the ALDS.

It wasn’t just the end of a season; it was the end of a career for one of the greatest hitters to step foot on Fenway Park soil. Following Monday night’s 4-3 loss to the Cleveland Indians, Red Sox players were left drenched in frustration while Cleveland drenched themselves in champagne after completing a sweep of the Bostonians.

Not even Hanley Ramirez’s declaration that the Red Sox would force a game five could get the bats going. Cleveland starter Josh Tomlin was just that damn good in keeping those bats silence. And while Boston starter Clay Buchholz didn’t pitch a bad game, the two-run single he gave up to rookie Tyler Naquin in the fourth set the tone for the night.

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The most disappointing sign of the night was a Coco Crisp two-run homer given up by Drew Pomeranz right after the Red Sox cut the lead to 2-1. That ended up being the game winner as Boston did get within 4-3 with runners on first and second in the ninth.

Cleveland was simply better on the field. As Travis Shaw flied out to end the game, the way David Ortiz buried his head in the dugout symbolized how frustrating this series was.

It shouldn’t have ended this way for Big Papi.

Tears of reflections: There will be no more dramatics and no more big hits coming off the bat of David Ortiz. Following the loss, the greatest DH of all time shared tears with fans as he tipped his hat. It was an very emotional moment that symbolized, not all that Ortiz did for Boston, but everything the city of Boston has done for him.

"“Tonight when I walk to the mound I realize that – I realize that it was going to be – it was over,” Ortiz said following the game. “It was pretty much the last time as a player (I would) walk in front of a crowd. And the emotion came back out again.”"

Drew Pomeranz: While Clay Buchholz took the loss, Pomeranz delivered the blast that ultimately lost the game. After cruising through the fifth inning, the left-handed pitcher put a runner on base with a walk. Then up to the plate came old friend Coco Crisp. Pomeranz tried to put Crisp away with a knuckle-curveball, but the ball hung a little too high and the game became 4-1 in a flash.

"“It was a curveball that didn’t do anything,” he said after the loss via WEEI. “I probably threw that guy the one pitch he can do something with. It’s just a [expletive] feeling. Two strikes on a guy and I’m trying to throw a good, two-strike curveball and try and get him out. It just stayed up and didn’t break as much as it was supposed to.”"

John Farrell: The Red Sox manager will likely be the scapegoat following the three game sweeps. At times, many times, his managing decisions were questionable. Once the offseason really sinks in, Boston will have a decision to make. For now, Farrell isn’t contemplating what may or may not await him come next season.

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"“I’ve not thought anything beyond today’s game,” he said. “And that’s the approach I take every day, through 162 games and through the postseason. But given where this team finished last year, there’s a lot for them to be proud of. We had a chance to talk right at the end of the ballgame, we’re AL East Champions, and I know that doesn’t mean much sitting right now. But there’s been sizable progress made on the part of so many individual players for us as a team. This is a big stepping-stone for a lot of players in our clubhouse. This team is in very good shape as we move forward.”"

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