Sox Beat: Red Sox relievers walking the plank

BOSTON – IN 2007, a swashbucklin' group of Red Sox relievers reveled in its status as the best bullpen in the American League. The group embraced themes drawn from the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean" as they discussed "The Code" that would bring success to its group and in christening its warm-up area "The Black Pearl."

This year, there has been less joy and success. Hearty piratical proclamations ("Arrrr!") have been replaced by more desperate cries ("Man overboard!").

There has been an unsettled air around the Sox bullpen in the early weeks of the season. The relief crew started the year waiting for the ax to fall on at least two pitchers from the group of David Aardsma, Bryan Corey, Javier Lopez and Kyle Snyder, while also anticipating the return of longtime mainstay Mike Timlin.

Jose Molina, right, celebrates with Melky Cabrera after scoring on Cabrera’s sacrifice in New York’s 4-1 win last night. (AP)

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The relievers talked candidly amongst themselves about their uncertain fates. It became impossible for the pitchers not to look over their shoulders.

"The toughest time was right at the end of spring training. You knew they had to make a decision," said Aardsma. "You don't know about your role because you don't have a role yet. It was tough. All you could do was throw."

As last night's 4-1 loss to the Yankees demonstrated, the group is still in search of coherence and effectiveness. After Clay Buchholz delivered six impressive innings of one-run ball, the bullpen hacked up three runs in two innings, dropping Boston's bullpen ERA to 6.17. The march through the late innings still lacks structure.

"Certainly when you have some guys who have been down on the (disabled list), or you've made some changes," said Sox manager Terry Francona, "you're looking to see how (the bullpen) will take shape. And sometimes, even when you think you know, you'll get some early exits by a starter and it can change things."

The Sox are hopeful that their personnel can now settle into more of a routine. Corey and Snyder have both been dropped from the big-league roster, and Timlin made his return -- albeit an ineffective one -- last night.

Facing his first big-league hitter of the 2008 season, Timlin left a fat fastball over the middle of the plate against Jason Giambi. The Yankees first baseman deposited the pitch into the center-field bleachers for his first homer of the year, giving the Yankees a 2-1 advantage to start the seventh.

Timlin followed by permitting a double to Jose Molina, who eventually scored. The 42-year-old was understandably unhappy with his performance.

"Absolutely terrible. I came back, pitched terribly. It's not how I was looking forward to opening up 2008," said Timlin. "I got beat up. I let my team down. That's not me."

New York tacked on an insurance run against the Sox 'pen, and collected six hits in three innings. Struggles have afflicted nearly every member of the bullpen.

Closer Jonathan Papelbon (1.93 ERA) remains dominant, and Hideki Okajima (0.00 ERA, .063 average by opposing hitters) has been similarly outstanding. Beyond that pair at the back end of games, however, the Sox have been unable to find another reliable contributor.

Timlin looked rusty last night in his first big-league appearance of the season. Manny Delcarmen has been hit hard, having given up two homers in his early appearances.

Reclamation project Aardsma has shown impressive glimpses of a 93 mph fastball and useful splitter, but his command (4 walks in 52„3 innings) is suspect. Julian Tavarez (7.36 ERA) and Javier Lopez (6.75) were barely good enough to avoid the ax that fell on Corey (14.54) and Snyder (21.60).

Part of the blame belongs to a starting rotation that, prior to last night, had gone fewer than six innings in four of the previous five games. All the same, the Sox could be forgiven if they experience some early-season nerves as they look for their relievers to establish a rhythm.

It was almost a year ago, after all, that the Boston relief corps offered dramatic evidence of the role it would serve in 2007. Hideki Okajima's unexpected emergence catapulted the Sox to a three-game sweep over the Yankees in the first meeting of the rivals in 2007.

Last night, there was no evidence of a "hero in the dark" who might prove capable of following Okajima's lead. The Black Pearl is riding through choppy waters. Safe passage remains an uncertainty.

Alex Speier covers the Red Sox for the New Hampshire Union Leader and New Hampshire Sunday News.