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Postgame notes: Youkilis update »
June 23, 2008
By STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer
BOSTON -- Brandon Moss knew he was the backup plan at first base because Sean Casey dropped his appeal of a three-game suspension for his part in a brawl with the Rays and began serving it last night.
"I didn't expect anything to happen," said Moss. "That always when something happens."
That "something" turned out to be a bruise under first baseman Kevin Youkilis's right eye, the result of a bad hop during infield practice before the fifth inning, costing the Sox the services of the Gold Glover.
So Moss was thrust into the game at first base, his major league debut at the position. And Moss was unable to make a play in a key spot in the seventh inning, costing the Red Sox a run that proved pivotal in Boston's 2-1 loss to Arizona.
The Diamondbacks, leading by 1-0, had runners at second and third with one out. The infield was in. Chris Snyder hit a broken-bat grounder to Moss, with Mark Reynolds taking off from third base on contact.
Moss bobbled the ball and was forced to settle for the out at first when he finally latched onto it. He was kicking himself after the game.
"I took my eye off it. I looked up and saw the runner going home," said Moss, an outfielder by trade who didn't start playing the position until last winter and had 32 games of experience at the position in Pawtucket.
"As soon as I did that, the ball got away from me. If I field that ball cleanly, I know I'll (throw him out) at home," said Moss.
And while it appeared as if the ball had a lot of spin on it, a function of being hit off the end of the bat, Moss was having none of that as an excuse.
"It was a candy hop I got," he said. "It couldn't have been an easier grounder to field. It was right to me. I tried to do too much too soon. It's a shame the game turned out the way it did. It ended up being the freaking winning run. That's my responsibility."
Posted by Steven Krasner 
at 11:09 PM | Permalink
