After Strong Outing, Lackey And Red Sox Deny Surgery
BOSTON (CBS) – Red Sox starter John Lackey had one of his best outings of the season Wednesday night in Philadelphia, but giving up just two runs to the Phillies was still not good enough to get the win.
"I felt pretty good," Lackey said after his 7 2/3 innings of two-run ball against Philadelphia. "I was locating a bit of everything, mixing things up pretty well; gave us a chance."
"I thought he was tremendous. I thought he threw about as good a breaking ball we've seen. I think he felt the same," said manager Terry Francona. "We scored one run, that's a hard way to win. "
Lackey bounced back after giving up five runs in just 3 1/3 innings against the Padres last week. He had won three straight starts after returning from the DL with an elbow injury, but has now lost two straight.
You can chalk up Wednesday night's loss to lack of run support as the Red Sox find themselves in a recent offensive slump.
"The way we've been swinging the bats; it's the way the season is. It goes in both directions," Lackey said after driving in Boston's only run in the 2-1 loss with a fifth inning RBI double. "You can't expect to get 12 every night. We've got a good offense, it'll be back soon."
Lackey and the Red Sox also scoffed at pregame rumors from MLB.com's Peter Gammons that the Sox starter would need Tommy John surgery later in the season.
"It's a possibility for everyone in here," said Lackey. "I could throw that against the wall and see if it sticks. He straight made that up."
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"We don't usually work six weeks ahead on surgery," Francona joked before the game. "'Go get 'em, Lack. You've got six more starts and then you'll need Tommy John.'"
General Manager Theo Epstein also addressed the rumors, and would not disclose if Lackey has a tear in his right elbow or not.
Lackey, Epstein Deny Surgery Rumors
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"I can't discuss that," said Epstein. "I think almost every pitcher by a standard definition has a tear of some sort or another in a shoulder or an elbow ligament. It's just the nature of throwing a baseball overhand."
"He was on the DL for the elbow earlier in the year; it's been discussed publically he was treated with a shot and rest. That alleviated a lot of the symptoms to allow him to come back. But all our players, once you have an injury with the elbow or shoulder, you monitor it constantly throughout the year," said the Sox GM.
Lackey spent most of May on the disabled list with a strained right elbow, but is confident after his recent string of outings the injury is under control.
"I feel stronger than I did before the DL, for sure," he said. "(The elbow feels) pretty good. Probably not as good as some, better than others."
