Peavy's 4-inning start no inspiration for Red Sox Nation

ST. LOUIS – The good news for the Red Sox if they can get the World Series back to Boston and wind up in a Game 7 of this World Series is that starter Jake Peavy should be well rested for a decisive game against the Cardinals.

On second thought, that might not be such great news for the Boston faithful considering how the former White Sox pitcher came by that restful state – but it might be as good as the optimism gets, considering how he has looked in his last two postseason starts.

Peavy’s first career World Series start lasted just four shaky innings in Boston’s 5-4 wild-ending loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, which was one inning longer than he made it in his Game 4 loss to the Detroit Tigers in the American League Championship Series.

He gave up four hits to the first five batters he faced Saturday for two quick runs and was fortunate to survive his four innings without further damage after loading the bases with none out in the fourth, but pitching out of the jam.

“I thought Jake gave us everything he had,” Boston manager John Farrell said. “They came out and they swung the bat right out of the chute against him for the four base hits in the first inning. I the bases-loaded, nobody-out situation, he made a number of big pitches to get out of it.”

Peavy was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the top of the fifth – leaving him with a 9.27 ERA in five career postseason starts, including three this month, and a 1.925 WHIP. He hasn’t completed six innings in any of them.

“There’s absolutely no excuses [Saturday] night,” Peavy said before Saturday’s start. “This is what I’ve lived for my whole life. … I have no extra incentive to get out there to get the sour taste out of my mouth [from the Detroit start].”