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CHICAGO -- The Red Sox will need plenty of pitching and defense if they expect to rally from the 2-0 deficit against the White Sox in the American League Division Series when play resumes Friday in Boston.
In Wednesday's 5-4 loss, they did not have enough of either.
"The perspective is we're down, 0-2, so we don't play tomorrow," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "We have a workout, and show up with some optional hitting, and we'll try to win our next game."
Red Sox starter David Wells was charged with seven hits and five runs, only two earned, in 6 2/3 innings of work in the loss. In the fifth inning, Red Sox second baseman Tony Graffanino made a crucial error that proved costly. One out later, Tadahito Iguchi hit a three-run home run as part of a five-run inning to put the White Sox ahead for good.
Now it's back to Beantown.
Vitals check
A look at key statistics through Game 2 of the ALDS.
Team stats
| Digits | Trend | The Deal | |
| ERA | 9.00 |  |
No matter how you look at it, it's unacceptable |
| BA | .250 |  |
No home runs in two playoff games |
| BA w/ RISP | .211 | |
The Red Sox cannot afford to waste opportunities |
| Runs | 6 | |
Power outage is not helping pitchers |
| Errors | 1 | |
One bad play can change a game |
Who's hot?
| Player | Digits | Trend | The Deal |
| David Ortiz | .375 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBIs | |
No RBIs for Big Papi |
| Jason Varitek | .375 BA, 0 HR, 1 RBI | |
Not afraid of big situations |
Who's not?
| Player | Digits | Trend | The Deal |
| Manny Ramirez | .143 BA, 0 HR, 2 RBIs | |
Red Sox need Manny to hit like Manny |
Behind the numbers
Three. The number of walks by the Red Sox in the first two games of the ALDS. If they can't hit their way on base, maybe they should try walking.
Frozen moment
Tony Graffanino's error on a ground ball with one out in fifth inning was more than ugly, it changed the complexion of the game. One out later, Tadahito Iguchi hit a three-run home run to cap off the five-run frame and give the White Sox a 5-4 lead.
Slick move
Terry Francona stayed with David Wells as long as he could and it was the right move. The veteran had allowed only two earned runs and the Red Sox cannot afford to overwork a bullpen that has been unreliable at times.
Comeback kids
The Red Sox are 8-1 in potential elimination games during the last two postseasons.
New foes, new story
Including the White Sox, the Red Sox have faced 13 different franchises in the postseason.
Last word
"I've replayed it in my head a thousand times. It happens. I have made that play a million times and the one time I miss it, it's in a huge point in the game. It cost us the ballgame." -- Graffanino
Jesse Sanchez is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
