League's struggles continue in loss to Red Sox

The Seattle bullpen did a fine job in the just-completed four-game set against the Boston Red Sox.

So much so that Red Sox All-Star DH David Ortiz praised the group saying "I didn't see a pitch over the plate to hit all series."

There was one pitcher who didn't fall into that mold, however. Former closer Brandon League's struggles continued.

On Saturday, he took over with no one out and a man on first with Seattle holding a 2-0 lead. Two singles and a ground ball got one run home, and the tying run scored on a passed ball that could have been ruled a wild pitch.

Then on Sunday, League came into a 1-1 game in the 10th inning. A one-out double from pinch-hitter Ryan Kalish put him in an immediate jam. Dustin Pedroia made things worse with a single that got Kalish to third and David Ortiz pinned the fifth loss of the season on League with a sacrifice fly in a 2-1 Boston win.

"He should be pitching with more confidence than he is," manager Eric Wedge said after the game. "He had 37 saves a year ago. We have to see more consistency this year."

League has long since lost his job as the closer to Tom Wilhelmsen, who pitched the ninth inning Sunday and now hasn't allowed a run in his last 18.2 innings.

With an 0-5 record and a 3.60 ERA, League is in danger of losing his new job as the right-handed short man in front of Wilhelmsen.