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P HILADELPHIA — When the [ team stats ] signed Bobby Jenks last winter to a two-year, $12 million contract, they expected him to bring another power arm with closer-like stuff to the back of their bullpen.
It hasn’t worked out that way.
Jenks rejoined the Red Sox and was activated from the disabled list before tossing a scoreless eighth inning in last night’s 5-0 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. It was only his 16th appearance, having been sidelined by a right biceps strain and strained intercostal muscles near his rib cage.
“I think I may be the most frustrated one here,” Jenks said.
Through his first 11 outings, Jenks carried a 9.35 ERA and found flaws in his mechanics that had been affecting his control. He missed a month with the biceps injury, but upon his return, he didn’t allow a run in four outings before going right back on the disabled list.
“Last time, when we activated him, we got a couple outings where you could see what he could do,” manager Terry Francona said. “That’s how we envisioned it, whether it was the seventh inning in front of ( Daniel ) Bard or in case Bard wasn’t available. He hasn’t been there for that much so far, but hopefully, that will be the case because we miss him.”
Indeed, Jenks has sought the silver lining in his injury-plagued season. He’s tossed only 131⁄3 innings, so he figures he will have plenty of arm strength during the second half of the season.
“I’m definitely the freshest guy out there, that’s for sure,” Jenks said. “Hopefully this will be the last time, and I can just roll into September and the playoffs extremely healthy.”
In addition, the Sox activated lefty reliever Franklin Morales , who had been sidelined by a forearm strain. Morales struck out two in a scoreless seventh inning.
To make room for Jenks and Morales, the Red Sox optioned lefty reliever Tommy Hottovy and righty Scott Atchison to Triple-A Pawtucket.
With lefty Cliff Lee on the mound for the Phillies, struggling left fielder Darnell McDonald batted fifth. His eighth-inning double, one of only two hits allowed by Lee, snapped a 1-for-25 spell and left his average at .122.
But McDonald also very nearly got hit in the head when Jason Varitek [ stats ] hit a line drive to the hole that was fielded by shortstop Jimmy Rollins .
“I almost got decapitated right there,” McDonald said. “It’s been a while since I’ve gotten on base. I’m just happy that my head’s intact.” . . .
Second baseman’s 11-game hitting streak came to an end against Lee, who extended his scoreless streak to a career-high 32 innings., meanwhile, had his scoreless streak snapped at 16 innings after allowing a two-run homer to Domonic Brown in the second.
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