BOSTON (AP) - Most of the fans had left Fenway Park by the time the Red Sox scored against the Toronto bullpen to cut a five-run deficit to two. And when the game ended in another Boston loss, there wasnt enough energy left in the crowd for a healthy boo. <\/p>\n
The defending World Series champions lost again the next afternoon, completing back-to-back sweeps at Fenway Park by the Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays. Its the first time Boston has gone winless on a homestand of at least six games since Butch Hobson presided over the 1994 team. <\/p>\n
With eight losses in a row after a 1-0 defeat Friday night to Tampa Bay, that brings up another embarrassing name in franchise lore: Bobby Valentine. Not since the Red Sox lost the last eight games of his one-year reign have they slumped this badly. <\/p>\n
Its frustrating right now for a number of guys, Red Sox manager John Farrell said after losing to Toronto 7-2 on Thursday to end the homestand without a win. Everyone in our uniform is aware of whats taking place. <\/p>\n
Less than seven months after going from worst-to-first, following the collapse under Valentine with a World Series victory, the Red Sox have reversed course again - and not in a good way. They are a season-worst seven games under .500 and have fallen into last place in the AL East. <\/p>\n
Theres plenty of time to turn it around, catcher A.J. Pierzynski said. Weve just got to do it tomorrow. We cant waste any more time. <\/p>\n
The front office apparently agrees. <\/p>\n
The signing of shortstop Stephen Drew to a one-year deal Wednesday helps shore up the left side of the infield, at least while third baseman Will Middlebrooks is injured. Drew was the shortstop on the World Series champions, but he remained without a team after rejecting Bostons $14.1 million qualifying offer over the offseason. <\/p>\n
At the very least, his signing is a signal that the team isnt ready to concede its title defense and use the year to get young players like Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley Jr. some experience. But Drew, who batted .253 with 13 homers and 67 RBIs last year, might not help much at the plate for a team that is hitting .245 for the season. <\/p>\n
The Red Sox entered Friday 12th in the AL with 4.02 runs per game, and their .238 batting average with runners in scoring position is 13th out of 15 teams in the league. <\/p>\n
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