Yankees Outslug Red Sox (9/13/81)

So much for the Boston Red Sox making a September run. The New York Yankees appear to be headed to the AL East title after defeating the Sox in a crucial game today. Frank Tanana (3-9, 4.49 ERA) has been a disappointment all season and today was no different. With essentially the season on the line, Tanana got lit up for 4 runs in just 1 1/3 innings. The Sox rallied off Yankees starter Ron Guidry to come lose but John Tudor got hammered in the fourth inning and the Sox couldn't recover. The Yankees pounded out 12 hits and 10 runs as they inched closer to the AL East crown with a 10-6 victory at Yankee Stadium.

                                              Jack Torrance doesn't like bad Sox pitching

Guidry cruised in the top of the first inning as Dwight Evans struck out to start. Dave Stapleton grounded out to third before Jim Rice struck out to end the inning. Willie Randolph led off the bottom of the first with a base hit to center but Jerry Mumphrey flied out to right. Dave Winfield also flied out to right but Randolph swiped second. Lou Piniella struck out to end the inning.

Boston tried to rally in the top of the second although Carl Yastrzemski grounded out to first to begin. Carney Lansford drew a walk and Tony Perez got a base hit to left. The rally ended as Gary Allenson flied out to center and Glenn Hoffman took strike three to end the inning. The Yankees came alive in the bottom of the second inning as Reggie Jackson singled to right to begin. Graig Nettles walked before Bob Watson singled home Jackson. Rick Cerone singled home Nettles to increase the lead before Larry Milbourne sacrificed both runners over. The move paid off as Randolph singled both men home and Sox manager Ralph Houk too no chances with the season on the line, getting Tanana out of there. Frank lasted just 1 1/3 innings and allowed 4 runs, yuck! Luis Aponte came in and got Mumphrey to force Randolph at second and Winfield flied out to center to end the inning but it was 4-0 Yankees.

                                                         Nice going Frank.

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the third as Rick Miller grounded back to the mound to start. Evans grounded out to first and Stapleton lined out to short to end the inning. John Tudor came in for the bottom of the third and dominated. Piniella went down swinging, Jackson took strike three and Nettles whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox fought back in the top of the fourth as Rice stroked a base hit to left to begin. The Yankees got a crucial out when Yaz singled to right and Rice got thrown out at third. Lansford got a base hit and Perez blasted his 6th home run of the year to cut the lead. If Rice didn't get thrown out, that would have been a grand slam. Allenson grounded out to third and Hoffman flied out to center to end the inning but the Sox were back in it 4-3.

                                                        Perez gets the Sox closer

Just as the Sox came close, the Yankees iced it in the bottom of the fourth. Watson walked and Cerone doubled him to third. Milbourne was plunked to load the bases and Watson scored on the ground out by Randolph, moving Cerone to third as well. Cerone scored on the sac fly by Mumphrey and Winfield iced it by crushing a 400,000 foot home run. Piniella grounded out to third to end the inning but the game was essentially over with the Yankees up 8-3.

                                                    "Its over...the season is over."

Miller grounded out to second to open the top of the fifth but Evans drew a walk. Stapleton popped up to short but Rice singled to left. Yaz grounded out to second to end the inning. The Yankees got to Tudor again in the bottom of the fifth although Jackson grounded out to second to begin. Nettles popped up to first but Watson annihilated a 30,000 foot home run to increase the lead. Cerone walked but Milbourne took strike three to end the inning with the Yankees up 9-3.

George Frazier came in for Guidry for the top of the sixth but the Sox weren't going quietly. Lansford walked to start and Perez got a base hit to center. Allenson drove home Lansford with a base hit to chase Frazier. Ron Davis came in and Sox manager Ralph Houk sent in Gary Hancock to pinch hit for Hoffman. The move backfired as Hancock banged into a double play, which made Miller's rbi single that scored Perez even more agonizing. Evans whiffed to end the inning but the Hancock double play killed the rally with the Sox down 9-5.

                                                                Thanks a lot Hancock

Julio Valdez came in to play short with Steve Crawford now on the mound for the bottom of the sixth. Randolph flied out to right but Mumphrey walked. Winfield forced Mumphrey at second before getting picked off by the alert Crawford to end the inning.

The Sox blew their last chance to get back in the game in the top of the seventh. Stapleton grounded out to short to start before Rice struck out swinging. Yaz doubled to right and Lansford walked....but Perez took strike three to end the inning. The Yankees wrapped up their scoring in the bottom of the seventh as Piniella singled to center to begin. Jackson flied out to left but Nettles beat out an infield single. Watson walked to load the bases and Cerone scored Piniella with a sac fly. Milbourne grounded out to second to end the inning but it was 10-5 Yankees.

Bobby Brown came in for the top of the eighth and Allenson walked to start. Allenson was doubled off first on the line drive by Valdez and Miller grounded out to short to end the inning. Chuck Rainey came in for the bottom of the eighth and Randolph doubled to right to begin. Mumphrey grounded out to third but Winfield singled Willie to third. Piniella hit into a double play to end the inning.

Dave LaRoche came in to close out the game in the top of the ninth although Evans walked to start. Stapleton flied out to left but Rice doubled Dwight to third. Yaz scored Evans with a grounder but Lansford grounded out to short to end the game. The Yankees took another step toward the AL East title with a 10-6 win.

Jackass of the Night is John Tudor. He allowed 5 big runs after the Sox clawed their way back in the game.

                                                             Jackass Tudor


The Good:

Jim Rice was 3 for 5.

Carl Yastrzemski was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Carney Lansford was 1 for 2 with 3 walks and 2 runs scored.

Tony Perez was 3 for 4 with a 3 run home run and 2 runs scored.

Gary Allenson was 1 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Luis Aponte got the last two outs of the second.

Chuck Rainey pitched a scoreless 9th.



The Bad:

Dave Stapleton was 0 for 5.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Gary Hancock hit into a double play as a pinch hitter.

Julio Valdez hit into a double play in his only at-bat.

Frank Tanana got rocked for 4 runs in just 1 1/3 innings.



The Ugly:

Dwight Evans was 0 for 3 but walked twice and scored a run.

Rick Miller was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Steve Crawford allowed a run in 2 innings of work.




Final Thoughts:

This season was crazy anyway but the Sox just couldn't beat the Yankees when it counted. The problem is the Sox didn't have the pitching as usual. They sent out Frank Tanana and John Tudor up against the likes of Ron Guidry and the results are as expected. There are still 20 games to play but the Yankees are up so far there may not be enough time left. The Sox missed Carlton Fisk this year but they missed a dependable third starter more. Still, the Sox could go on a run but it doesn't look good. The loss dropped the Sox to 47-41, 5.5 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox now come home for a crucial homestand beginning with the Detroit Tigers. Mike Torrez goes for the Sox up against Dan Petry at 8:00 PM at Fenway Park.

Ojeda Shuts Down Yankees (9/12/81)

In a weird, doomed year for major league baseball and the Boston Red Sox, one silver lining has been some of the memorable games they have played. Today's afternoon game against the New York Yankees was an instant classic from start to finish. 23 year old rookie Bob Ojeda no hit the Yankees for 8 innings before the Yankees rallied in the ninth inning. Mark Clear slammed the door and the Sox had one last fun win as this miserable season draws to a close with a 2-1 victory over the Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

                                                Officer Fish approves of the win

Rick Reuschel got the start for the Yankees and Jerry Remy grounded out to second to begin. Dwight Evans grounded out to short and Jim Rice was frozen for strike three to end the inning. Ojeda got the ball in the bottom of the first and Willie Randolph grounded out to second to begin. Jerry Mumphrey was frozen for strike three on a changeup before Lou Piniella drew a full count walk. Reggie Jackson whiffed on a curveball to end the inning.

Carl Yastrzemski led off the top of the second inning by taking a borderline pitch on the inside corner for strike three. Carney Lansford flied out deep to center before Dave Stapleton launched his 7th home run of the season just into the left field bleachers to give the Sox the lead. Rich Gedman hit a bullet but right to Randolph to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 1-0.

                                                          Touch em all Dave

Bob Watson flied out deep to center to start the bottom of the second before Craig Nettles was frozen for strike three with a fastball on the outside corner. Barry Foote also flied out to deep center to end the inning.

Rick Miller led off the top of the third inning by lining out to short. Glenn Hoffman grounded out to short and Remy popped up to left to end the inning. Dennis Werth took strike three at the knees to begin the bottom of the third before Andre Robertson whiffed on a high curve. Randolph grounded out to short to end the inning.

Evans led off the top of the fourth inning by popping up to center to begin. Rice flied out to the left field wall but Yaz singled off the right field wall. Lansford hit a seeing eye single to second but Stapleton grounded into a force at third to end the inning. Ojeda got Mumphrey to pop up to right on a bad pitch before Piniella popped up to center. Jackson whiffed to end the inning.

Gedman grounded out to second to begin the top of the fifth before Miller grounded out on a comebacker to the mound. Hoffman grounded out to short to end the inning. Ojeda cruised in the bottom of the fifth inning as Watson popped up to right to begin. Nettles grounded out to second and Foote grounded out to short to end the inning.

Reuschel got Remy to line out to Watson to start the top of the sixth inning before Evans grounded out to third. Rice whiffed on a foul tip into the mitt to end the inning. Ojeda kept the no-no going in the bottom of the sixth as Werth grounded out to third to begin. Robertson flied out to left and Randolph flied out to right to end the inning.

Yaz led off the top of the seventh inning by striking out swinging. Lansford popped up to a running Randolph but Stapleton hit a routine fly to right. The ball dropped and skipped away from Jackson which allowed Stapleton to make it to third. Gedman made Jackson pay with a base hit to right to score Stapleton with the insurance run. Miller grounded into a force to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                               Jackson "I got it, I got it....I don't got it"

Ojeda went back to work in the bottom of the seventh inning and Mumphrey whiffed badly to begin. Piniella grounded out to short and Miller sprinted to rob Jackson of a bloop single to end the inning. Ojeda was six outs away from a no-hitter.

Hoffman and Remy both grounded out to short to start the top of the eighth inning before Evans also grounded out to short to end the inning in short order. Ojeda came back for the bottom of the eighth inning and Watson knocked his glove off with a comebacker. Ojeda quickly picked the ball up barehanded and threw it to first for the out. Nettles popped up to second but Stapleton caught it for the second out. Foote flied out to right to end the inning and he was 3 outs away from becoming the first pitcher to no-hit the Yankees since Hoyt Wilhem did it in 1958.

The sad part was Reuschel pitched a hell of a game himself and he got Rice to ground out to third to begin the top of the ninth. Yaz lined a base hit to left but was thrown out trying to stretch a double. Lansford dumped a single to center but Stapleton grounded out to short to end the inning.

                                                          YERRRR OUT!

Suddenly the Yankees came alive in the bottom of the ninth against the exhausted Ojeda. Rick Cerone pinch hit for Werth and hit a rocket just out of reach of Evans for a double to break up the no-no. Sox manager Ralph Houk immediately had Mark Clear warm up as Dave Winfield pinch hit for Robertson. Winfield lined a double to left to score Cerone and chase Ojeda from the game. Ojeda went from throwing a no-no to leaving with the tying run at second. Still, he left after 8 innings of 1 run ball while allowing just two hits, earning a standing ovation from the Yankee Stadium crowd.

                                                            Standing O for Ojeda

Now Mark Clear had to deal with the tying run on second with nobody out. Randolph squared to bunt but was rung up for strike three on a borderline pitch. Mumphrey whiffed on a fastball before Oscar Gamble pinch hit for Piniella. Gamble walked but Jackson popped up to right to end the game. The Sox held on to win it 2-1.

                                                   Big win for the Sox


Hero of the Night is Bob Ojeda. He tossed 8 no-hit innings before settling for the victory.

                                                     The rookie Hero



The Good:

Carl Yastrzemski was 2 for 4.

Carney Lansford was 2 for 4.

Dave Stapleton was 2 for 4 with a solo home run and 2 runs scored.

Rich Gedman was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Mark Clear earned his 8th save with a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

Jerry Remy was 0 for 4.

Dwight Evans was 0 for 4.

Jim Rice was 0 for 4.

Rick Miller was 0 for 3.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 3.



The Ugly:

None



Final Thoughts:

As the season comes to a close, this was a nice preview of the future with Ojeda doing well. The Sox haven't had a good lefty since Bill Lee left town 3 years ago and Ojeda could be the answer. Dennis Ecksersley and Mike Torrez haven't been the same since 1978 so Ojeda could be the next ace. The Sox have some talent heading into next year offensively but they definitely need more pitching to match the Yankees. As for this game, it was a lot of fun. Ojeda had to be perfect because the Sox offense mustered little against Reuschel. It was a damn good, hard fought win even if Ojeda didn't get the no-no. The win improved the Sox to 47-40, 4.5 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow afternoon the Sox look to inch further closer in the standings when they play the Yankees again. Ron Guidry goes for the Yankees opposite Frank Tanana (3-8) of the Sox at 2:00 PM at Yankee Stadium.

Basebawful Report of the Month

Gary Allenson - 6 Good, 3 Bad, 5 Ugly, 1 Hero

Tom Burgmeier - 2 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Jackass

Bill Campbell - 2 Good, 1 Bad

Mark Clear - 1 Good, 2 Bad, 2 Ugly

Steve Crawford - 1 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Jackass

Dennis Eckersley - 1 Good, 2 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Dwight Evans - 11 Good, 1 Bad, 4 Ugly

Garry Hancock - 1 Good, 2 Bad, 1 Honorable Mention

Glenn Hoffman - 5 Good, 8 Bad, 4 Ugly

Carney Lansford - 8 Good, 5 Bad, 3 Ugly

Rick Miller - 7 Good, 4 Bad, 3 Ugly, 1 Hero

Reid Nichols - 1 Bad, 3 Honorable Mention

Tony Perez - 4 Good, 2 Bad, 8 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Tom Poquette - 1 Honorable Mention

Chuck Rainey - 1 Good, 1 Bad

Jerry Remy - 4 Good, 2 Bad, 2 Ugly, 1 Hero

Jim Rice - 2 Good, 1 Bad, 11 Ugly, 2 Hero

Joe Rudi - 3 Good, 1 Ugly

Dave Schmidt - 1 Bad

Bob Stanley - 1 Good, 2 Bad, 1 Hero, 1 Jackass

Dave Stapleton - 2 Good, 7 Ugly

Frank Tanana - 2 Good, 2 Jackass

Mike Torrez - 1 Bad, 1 Hero, 1 Jackass

John Tudor - 1 Hero, 1 Jackass

Carl Yastrzemski - 2 Good, 4 Bad, 6 Ugly

Most Valuable Player is Dwight Evans with 11 Good

Least Valuable Player is Glenn Hoffman with

Ugliest Player of the Month is Jim Rice with 11 Ugly

Hero of the Month is Jim Rice with 2 Hero

Jackass of the Month is Frank Tanana with 2 Jackass

The Honorable Player of the Month is Reid Nichols with 3 Honorable Mentions

Twins Send Sox To Fourth Straight Loss (4/30/81)

At least the Boston Red Sox scored some runs for the first time in four days. Unfortunately, the Minnesota Twins scored twice as many as they did. The Sox pitching woes continued as Frank Tanana (0-3, 7.08 ERA) got clobbered for 5 runs while getting knocked out in the second inning. Bob Stanley and Mark Clear also got tagged by the Twins. Jim Rice and Tony Perez broke out of their slumps with home runs but it wasn't enough to offset the horrendous pitching. When the dust settled the Sox closed out the month of April on a 4 game losing streak due to the Twins 8-4 victory over them at Fenway Park.

                                              "This team SUCKS!"

Once again the Sox stepped on their private parts in the top of the first inning although Tanana struck out Gary Ward looking to start. John Castino lined out to center but Mickey Hatcher singled. Roy Smalley then hit a home run into Newfound Lake to give the Twins the lead. Dave Engle flied out to right to end the inning but it was 2-0 Twins.

                                                            Twins take the lead early

The Sox finally scored a run in the bottom of the first against Twins starter Roger Erickson as Dwight Evans doubled to center to start and Dave Stapleton singled him home. Carl Yastrzemski popped up to short and Jim Rice struck out swinging, but Stapleton moved to second on a balk by Erickson. Tony Perez flied out to right but the Sox had finally scored a run, trailing 2-1.

                                                                First rbi in days for Boston

Naturally the Twins responded by knocking Tanana out in the bottom of the second inning. Pete Mackanin doubled to left but Glenn Adams flied out to right. Ron Jackson was plunked and Sal Butera doubled home Mackanin. Ward singled home both runners and Sox manager Ralph Houk stormed out of the dugout and chucked sunflower seeds at Tanana. Frank ran away to the dugout and Bob Stanley materialized out of thin air to pitch. Castino flied out to left and Hatcher popped up to Stanley to end the inning but it was 5-1 Twins.

                                                              "I sucked today" - Tanana

The Sox laid down and died in the bottom of the second as Carney Lansford flied out to center to start. Gary Allenson struck out looking and Glenn Hoffman lined out to left to end the inning.

Smalley singled to right to start the top of the third but was forced at second by Engle. Mackanin lined out to left and Adams lined out to right to end the inning. Rick Miller grounded out to first to begin the bottom of the third but Evans struck out swinging. Stapleton popped up to first to end the inning.

Jackson grounded out to short to start the top of the fourth but Butera singled to left. Ward banged into a double play to end the inning. Yaz grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fourth and Rice popped up to first. Perez lined out to center to end the inning.

The Twins tagged Stanley in the top of the fifth although Castino flied out to right to start. Hatcher singled to right and Smalley walked, but Engle struck out swinging. Rob Wilfong pinch hit for Mackanin and walked to load the bases. Adams singled home Hatcher and Smalley to increase the lead and cause Houk to kick over his stack of mail piled up. Jackson flied out to left to end the inning with the Twins up 7-1.

                                                           Not even Bob could bail them out

Lansford flied out to center to start the bottom of the fifth and Allenson flied out to left. Hoffman singled to left but Miller lined out to center to end the inning.

Mark Clear came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Butera struck out swinging to start. Ward struck out swinging but Castino walked. Castino stole second but Hatcher struck out swinging to end the inning. Evans and Stapleton both flied out to center to start the bottom of the sixth and Yaz grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Twins tagged Clear in the top of the seventh as Smalley walked to start. Engle singled to left and Wilfong singled to right to score Smalley. Adams grounded out to first and Jackson hit a shot to Lansford who fired home to get Engle. Butera popped up to third to end the inning but it was 8-1 Twins.

                                                                 Clear gives up a run

Rice lined out to left to start the bottom of the seventh but Perez singled to left. Perez was forced at second by Lansford and Allenson grounded out to third to end the inning.

Chuck Rainey came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Ward grounded out to second to start. Castino flied out to center and Hatcher grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox got a run back in the bottom of the eighth as Smalley booted a grounder by Hoffman to start, advancing Glenn to second. Miller moved Hoffman to third with a fly out to right but Evans struck out swinging. Somehow Stapleton singled home Glenn to cut the lead. Yaz grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox down 8-2.

                                                                Hoffman scores a run

Smalley grounded back to the mound to start the top of the ninth and Engle flied out to center. Wilfong lined out to first to end the inning. Erickson was denied a complete game when Rice led off the bottom of the ninth with his third home run of the year to start. Perez then cracked his second of the year to cut the lead in half and chase Erickson. Doug Corbett came in and Lansford struck out swinging. Allenson grounded out to third but Garry Hancock pinch hit for Hoffman. Hancock grounded out to second to end the game. The Twins had won it 8-4.

Jackass of the Night is Frank Tanana. He got hammered for 5 runs in just 1 1/3 innings to once again put the Sox in too big a hole to climb out of.

                                                            Jackass Tanana

The Good:

Dave Stapleton was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis.

Tony Perez was 2 for 4 with a home run.

Glenn Hoffman was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Chuck Rainey tossed 2 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 4.

Carney Lansford was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Gary Allenson was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Garry Hancock was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Bob Stanley allowed 2 runs in 3 2/3 innings

The Ugly:

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a home run.

Mark Clear gave up a run in 2 innings of work.

Final Thoughts:

What a garbage month that was. It started with Carlton Fisk giving the proverbial middle finger to Red Sox management on Opening Day and ended with a four game losing streak to send the Sox into May on a down note. This game has been typical of the last week or so with the starter getting knocked out and the bullpen providing no relief. The strangest part is the offense has been non-existent for the most part. The middle of the order has been asleep all month including Yaz, Rice and Perez. Perez is going to be 38 on May 14th and he could be losing it. Yaz is 41 years old and could be losing it too. Rice will figure it out eventually but right now the Sox are in deep trouble if these guys can't get it going. Losing to the Texas Rangers and the Twins doesn't inspire any confidence but at least April is over. The Sox look to rebound against the Twins tomorrow when Dennis Eckersley (2-2) takes on Fernando Arroyo of the Twins at 2:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Rangers Blank Sox for Third Straight Shutout (4/29/81)

The good news was the Boston Celtics stayed alive in their Eastern Finals series with the Philadelphia Sixers with their Game 5 win. The bad news was the Boston Red Sox were blanked by the Texas Rangers for the third straight game. This time it was Danny Darwin who tossed a complete game, 1 hit shutout against the Sox. John Tudor (1-1, 4.50 ERA) was game but got absolutely no run support. The Rangers thoroughly dominated the Sox the last three games scoring 24 runs (40 counting last week at Fenway) while not allowing a single run. The Rangers will be sad to see the Sox go as they enjoyed a 5-0 series sweeping win at Arlington Stadium. For the third game in a row how many runs did the Sox score Dean Wormer?

Darwin began his dominance in the top of the first inning as Jerry Remy struck out swinging to start. Dave Stapleton grounded out to second and Dwight Evans struck out swinging to end the inning. The Rangers wasted no time getting to Tudor in the bottom of the first although Bump Wills grounded back to the mound to start. Mickey Rivers singled to left but was forced at second by Al Oliver. Buddy Bell walked and Billy Sample was plunked to load the bases. Naturally Johnny Grubb cleared the bases with a double to left to put the Rangers up for good. Pat Putnam took strike three to end the inning with the Rangers up 3-0.

                                                       Grubb ends it early

Jim Rice struck out swinging to start the top of the second then Carl Yastrzemski grounded out to first. Carney Lansford flied out to right to end the inning. Larry Cox grounded out to short to begin the bottom of the second but Mario Mendoza singled to center. Wills banged into a double play to end the inning.

Gary Allenson flied out to center to start the top of the third before Glenn Hoffman did the same. Rick Miller walked but Remy grounded into a force to end the inning. Rivers flied out to right to begin the bottom of the third and Oliver grounded out to short. Bell grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Stapleton grounded back to the mound to begin the top of the fourth but Evans drew a walk. Rice struckout swinging and Yaz flied out to left to end the inning. Sample flied out to left to open the bottom of the fourth and Grubb grounded out to first. Putnam grounded out to short to end the inning.

Lansford grounded out to third to begin the top of the fifth and Allenson popped up to second. Hoffman took strike three to end the inning. Tudor got Cox to go down hacking to begin the bottom of the fifth before Mendoza grounded out to second. Wills flied out to right to end the inning.

Miller tried to start a rally with a base hit to left to begin the top of the sixth but Remy watched strike three go by. Stapleton banged into a double play to end the inning. Rivers grounded out to second to start the bottom of the sixth and Oliver grounded back to the mound. Bell singled to left but Sample flied out to right to end the inning.

Evans walked to start the top of the seventh and moved to second on the grounder by Rice. Yaz lined out to first and Lansford grounded out to third to end the inning. Grubb walked to start the bottom of the seventh and Putnam struck out swinging. Cox singled to center and Mendoza beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners. Wills popped up to second to end the inning.

Allenson walked to start the top of the eighth but Hoffman flied out to right and Miller banged into a double play to end the inning. Tudor ran out of gas in the bottom of the eighth as Rivers beat out an infield single to short to start. Oliver clobbered a home run to Mount Saint Helens to increase the lead. Bell walked and that was it for Tudor. He never should have started the inning but he left after allowing 5 runs in 7 innings. Bill Campbell came in and Sample doubled to left. Grubb hit a fly ball to right and Bell tried for home. Evans gunned him down at home for the double play and Putnam popped up to second to end the inning with the Rangers up 5-0.

                                                         Tudor wasn't good enough tonight

Remy walked to start the top of the ninth and Stapleton forced him at second. Evans forced Stapleton at second and Rice whiffed to end the game. Darwin had tossed a complete game 1 hit shutout and the Rangers swept the Sox with a 5-0 win.

Jackass of the Night is John Tudor. Not much you can do if your offense gets just one hit but he put them in an early hole and ended up surrendering 5 runs in 7 innings.

                                                               Jackass Tudor

The Good:

Dwight Evans walked twice in four plate appearances.

Rick Miller was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Bill Campbell pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Dave Stapleton was 0 for 4.

Jim Rice was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 3.

Carney Lansford was 0 for 3.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was 0 for 3 but walked.

Gary Allenson was 0 for 2 but walked.

Final Thoughts:

This month can't end fast enough the way things spiraled out of control. Even when things were going good you can see the signs of impending failure as the middle of the order has been all but useless so far this season. Getting one hit by Danny Darwin was the icing on the cake but the fact of the matter is apart from Dwight Evans, nobody from 1-5 hit well at all. Lansford was doing well until this past week and the bottom of the order crashed back to earth big time. Can't really complain about the pitching too much if you get shut out in three straight games. Losing Fred Lynn and Carlton Fisk hurt but it shouldn't hurt THIS much. There is a belief the offense will pick up eventually but the Sox can't afford to fall too far behind the New York Yankees. The Sox thankfully are getting out of Texas and are coming home to play the Minnesota Twins. Frank Tanana (0-2) gets the start for the Sox against Roger Erickson of the Twins. The game begins tomorrow afternoon at 2 PM at Fenway Park.

Rangers Bash Sox Again (4/28/81)

This is just getting ridiculous. Apparently the Texas Rangers can only beat one team in the American League and that's the Boston Red Sox. After scoring 26 runs in the previous two games against them, you'd think the Sox would find an answer to slow them down. Clearly, there was no answer. Rookie Steve Crawford (0-2, 4.70 ERA) wasn't ready for prime time as he got beat up for 4 runs in 4 innings to put the Sox in the hole. Tom Burgmeier and Bill Campbell were no help either as the Rangers pounded out 13 hits and 9 runs. The Sox caught a break when old friend Fergie Jenkins left after the third inning but could only muster 3 hits off Steve Comer and Bob Babcock. Just like yesterday, the Rangers shelled the Sox and shut them out 9-0 at Arlington Stadium. How many runs did the Sox score Dean Wormer?

The Sox tried to rally against Jenkins in the top of the first when Jerry Remy singled to right to start. Dwight Evans flied out to left but Carl Yastrzemski drew a walk. Jim Rice flied out to right and Carney Lansford grounded into a force to end the inning. Crawford struck out Bump Wills to start the bottom of the first but a passed ball by Allenson allowed Bump to reach first. Mickey Rivers popped up to third and Al Oliver banged into a double play to end the inning.

Tony Perez struck out looking to start the top of the second but Allenson atoned for the passed ball with a base hit to right. Glenn Hoffman struck out swinging but Rick Miller walked. Remy flied out to left to end the inning. Buddy Bell flied out to center to start the bottom of the second and Johnny Grubb grounded back to the mound. Pat Putnam singled to center but Jim Sundberg popped up to first to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the third as Evans struck out swinging to start. Yaz grounded out to second but Rice popped up to first to end the inning. Crawford got Billy Sample to ground out to short to start the bottom of the third and Mario Mendoza grounded out to third. Wills took strike three to end the inning.

Jenkins was gone after the bottom of the third and Steve Comer came in for the top of the fourth. Lansford lined out to second and Perez flied out to left, but Allenson singled to left. Hoffman lined out to second to end the inning. The Rangers ambushed Crawford in the bottom of the fourth as Rivers singled to left to start. Oliver was plunked and Bell singled to third to load the bases. Grubb scored Rivers with a sac fly to give the Rangers the lead and Putnam hit a home run all the way to El Paso to ice the game. Sundberg lined out to first but Sample doubled to left. Mendoza grounded out to short to end the inning with the Rangers ahead 4-0. That was it for Crawford who fell apart the second time threw the order, allowing 4 runs in 4 innings.

                                                        Putnam hits a bomb

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the fifth as Miller flied out to center to start. Remy grounded out to short but Evans singled to center. Yaz grounded out to short to end the inning. Tom Burgmeier came in for the bottom of the fifth and Wills grounded out to short to start. Rivers singled to center but Oliver popped up to second. Bell flied out to right to end the inning.

Rice walked to start the top of the sixth but Lansford forced him at second and Perez banged into a double play to end the inning. The Rangers got to Burgmeier in the bottom of the sixth although Grubb watched strike three go by to begin. Putnam struck out swinging but Sundberg singled to left and Sample hit a ground rule double. Mendoza singled to left to score Sundberg and Sample then Wills got a base hit to center. Miller threw himself on the ball and swam on it for an error that allowed Mendoza to score. Rivers flied out to right to end the inning with the Rangers up 7-0.

                                                "What the hell are you doing, Miller?" - TB

Allenson grounded out to third to start the top of the seventh and Hoffman grounded out to second. Bob Babcock came in to pitch to Miller and he singled in the hole at short. Remy flied out to left to end the inning. Bill Campbell came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and 24 year old rookie Dave Schmidt made his Major League debut taking over for Allenson behind the plate. Oliver grounded out to second to start but Bell walked. Grubb singled to right and Evans tried to field it with his hat for an error to advance the runners. Putnam was intentionally walked to load the bases but Sundberg scored Bell with a sac fly. Sample singled home Grubb to wrap up the scoring. Mendoza grounded into a force to end the inning but it was 9-0 Texas.

                                                  Tough way for Schmidt to make his debut

Evans whiffed to begin the top of the eighth and Yaz grounded out to first. Rice grounded out to third to end the inning. Tom Poquette made his season debut taking over for Rice and Gary Hancock came in for Evans to start the bottom of the eighth. Wills struck out swinging but Rivers singled to center. Oliver struck out swinging and Bell grounded out to third to end the inning.

The end came in the top of the ninth when Lansford flied out to center to start. Perez grounded out to first and Schmidt struck out swinging in his first ML at-bat to end the game. The Rangers crushed the Sox 9-0.

Jackass of the Night is Steve Crawford. Not that the Sox were going to score for him but he could have lasted more than 4 innings and not given up 4 runs to put them in a hole they couldn't climb out of.

                                                           Jackass Crawford

The Good:

Gary Allenson was 2 for 3.

Rick Miller was 1 for 2 with a walk.

The Bad:

Carney Lansford was 0 for 4.

Tony Perez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Dave Schmidt struck out in his first ML at-bat

Tom Burgmeier allowed 3 runs in 2 innings.

Bill Campbell allowed 2 runs in 2 innigs.

The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was just 1 for 4.

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4 with an error and 2 strikeouts.

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 3 but walked.

Jim Rice was 0 for 3 but walked.

Honorable Mention:

Gary Hancock played right field in the bottom of the eighth.

Tom Poquette played left field in the bottom of the eighth.

Final Thoughts:

For those scoring at home the Rangers have now scored 35 runs in their last 3 games against the Red Sox. I don't remember this lineup being murderer's row so something is terribly wrong with the Sox pitching. Not even Bob Stanley, Tom Burgmeier or Bill Campbell has looked good the last few games. Obviously this can't continue or the Sox have no chance to compete in the AL East this year. The New York Yankees are riding Dave Winfield as much as they can and Dwight Evans is the only one on the Sox remotely close to playing as well. Crawford looked beat the second time around and if he's not going to make it as a starter, maybe its time to bring up Bruce Hurst for another go? Also, one of the reasons the Sox might be stinking the joint out is they're getting tired. Yes they've had rainouts and off-days but apart from Rick Miller and Jerry Remy, the starters have played every game so far this season. Gary Allenson has caught all 14 games they've played and this was one of the few times even some of the starters got some rest. If bench strength is weak to the point Sox manager Ralph Houk is running starters into the ground early, they better go get some competent backups or bring up the kids in Pawtucket. Reid Nichols is supposedly a good utility guy, if Perez or Rice is struggling then give them a breather with Reid? The Sox look to score a run for once when John Tudor (1-0) takes on Danny Darwin of the Rangers tomorrow night at 10:05 PM Eastern time at Arlington Stadium.

Rangers Massacre Red Sox (4/27/81)

For the second time in under a week the Texas Rangers put a hurting on the Boston Red Sox. This time was even more impressive as the Rangers smacked Mike Torrez (1-1, 3.63 ERA) and Bob Stanley around for 14 hits and 10 runs. Doc Medich on the other side tossed a complete game, eight hit shutout to keep the Sox off the board. The Rangers have now scored 26 runs in their last two games against the Red Sox and this was an epic 10-0 demolition at Arlington Stadium. How many runs did the Sox score Dean Wormer?

Things looked good to start the top of the first when Dwight Evans and Dave Stapleton stroked back to back singles off Medich to begin. Unfortunately Carl Yastrzemski banged into a double play and Jim Rice grounded out to third to end the inning. The Rangers wasted no time getting to Torrez in the bottom of the first as Bump Wills grounded out to first to start. Mickey Rivers singled to left but Al Oliver flied out to center. Buddy Bell then a home run all the way to Yellowstone Park to give the Rangers the lead. Johnny Grubb struck out swinging to end the inning but it was 2-0 Texas.

                                                                Bell puts the Rangers up

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second as Tony Perez flied out to center to start. Carney Lansford also flied out to center and Gary Allenson grounded out to short to end the inning. Pat Putnam walked to start the bottom of the second but was erased on the force by Jim Sundberg. Billy Sample forced Sundberg at second but Mario Mendoza singled to right. Wills grounded out to short to end the inning.

Glenn Hoffman grounded out to third to open the top of the third and Rick Miller grounded out to first. Evans flied out to right to end the inning. Rivers and Oliver both grounded out to second to start the bottom of the third and Bell flied out to center to end the inning.

Stapleton grounded out to short to start the top of the fourth and Yaz popped up to second. Rice got a base hit to right but Perez whiffed to end the inning. Grubb flied out to left to start the bottom of the fourth and Putnam grounded out to second. Sundberg flied out to center to end the inning.

Lansford singled to left to start the top of the fifth but he was doubled off first on the Allenson bullet to Medich. Hoffman grounded out to short to end the inning. Sample flied out to center to begin the bottom of the fifth and Mendoza grounded out to third. Wills took strike three to end the inning.

Miller grounded out to short to begin the top of the sixth but Evans singled to right. Stapleton banged into a double play to end the inning. The floodgates opened in the bottom of the sixth as Rivers flied out to right to start. Oliver singled to center and moved to second on the grounder by Bell. One more out and Torrez would have escaped but it didn't come as Oliver moved to third on a passed ball. Grubb walked and Putnam doubled Oliver home to ice the game. Sundberg was intentionally walked to load the bases and Torrez got the grounder he needed from Sample.....that Hoffman threw all the way to Florida for an error to clear the bases. Mendoza grounded out to short to end the inning but the game was over at 6-0. Torrez was finished after allowing 6 runs in 6 innings. Not his best stuff at all.

                                                          Another beating for Torrez

Yaz flied out to center to start the top of the seventh but Rice singled to center. Perez took strike three and Lansford grounded out to second to end the inning. Bob Stanley came in to take a beating in the bottom of the seventh as Wills singled to center to start. Rivers flied out to right but Oliver singled to center. Bell beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners but Grubb singled home Wills to increase the lead. Putnam was intentionally walked to load the bases and Sundberg popped up to left in foul territory to end the inning with the Rangers up 7-0.

                                             Not even Stanley can save them this time

Allenson flied out to left to start the top of the eighth but Hoffman grounded out to short. Miller singled to center but Evans took strike three to end the inning. The Rangers were relentless in the bottom of the eighth as Sample beat out an infield single to short to begin. Mendoza banged into a double play but Wills singled to left. Rivers dropped down a bunt and Allenson muffed it for an error that scored Wills all the way from first. Oliver doubled home Rivers and Bell singled home Oliver to wrap up the scoring. Grubb grounded out to second to end the inning with the Rangers up 10-0.

                                                     "We surrender!"

The beating came to an end in the top of the ninth as Stapleton popped up to third in foul territory to start. Yaz flied out to center but Rice doubled to left. Perez walked to extend the torture but Lansford popped up to third to end the game. The Rangers kicked the collective boo-tocks of the Red Sox 10-0.

Jackass of the Night is Mike Torrez. Not that the Sox were going to score any runs but he still allowed 6 runs in 6 innings to give no hope for a comeback.

                                                          Torrez the Jackass

The Good:

Dwight Evans was 2 for 4.

Jim Rice was 3 for 4.

Rick Miller was 1 for 3.

The Bad:

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 4.

Gary Allenson was 0 for 3 with an error.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 3 with an error.

Bob Stanley allowed 4 runs in 2 innings of work.

The Ugly:

Dave Stapleton was just 1 for 4.

Tony Perez was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Carney Lansford was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

File this under games never to be spoken about again. Not only did the Sox offensively but defensively and pitching wise as well. In football this is called "sucking in all three phases of the game". As mentioned earlier the Rangers have now scored 26 runs against them in the last two games. This time the Sox didn't even put up a fight against Doc Medich. The Rangers aren't exactly the Kansas City Royals either so its not like the Sox are getting beat up by a good team. The middle of the order is the problem as Yaz is hitting .200, Rice is hitting .259 and Perez is hitting .188. Lansford and Evans have been the only consistent hitters thus far and you can't expect Allenson, Hoffman and Miller to carry you although Miller has been playing good lately. The most shocking thing is the power outage by the Sox. Rice should have 5 or 6 home runs by now but Allenson is the leader with three. Still its only April and there's a long way to go. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow when rookie Steve Crawford (0-1) takes on old friend Fergie Jenkins of the Rangers at 10:05 PM Eastern time at Arlington Stadium.

Sox Mount Comeback Against Orioles (4/26/81)

The bad news is the Boston Celtics fell behind 3 games to 1 in the East Finals to the Philadelphia Sixers after their Game 4 loss, the good news is the Boston Red Sox came back to beat the Baltimore Orioles in today's matinee game. Dennis Eckersley (2-1, 6.23 ERA) picked up where he left off by getting shelled in the first inning for four runs. Then a switch flipped and he allowed just one run the rest of the game. The Sox kept it close but still trailed 5-3 going into the eighth inning. Rbi's by Jerry Remy and Carl Yastrzemski put the Sox up for good. Eckersley ended up going the distance as the Sox stunned the Orioles 7-5 at Memorial Stadium.

                                                       Rick Robey approves of the win

Palmer got the ball in the top of the first and Jerry Remy led off by flying out to left to begin. Dwight Evans flied out to center and Carl Yastrzemski struck out swinging to end the inning. Eckersley began his day by getting pounded in the bottom of the first inning. Al Bumbry walked to start before swiping second base. Rich Dauer singled Bumbry to third and Jim Dwyer singled home Bumbry to give the O's the lead. Ken Singleton crushed a home run all the way to the White House to put the O's up four without an out. Suddenly Eck flipped the switch and John Lowenstein grounded out to first. Terry Crowley flied out to center and Rick Dempsey took strike three to end the inning with Baltimore up 4-0.

                                                      "That's the end of this losing stuff"

The Sox began their comeback in the top of the second although Jim Rice grounded out to short to start. Tony Perez walked but Carney Lansford popped up to second. Gary Allenson clubbed his third home run of the season to put the Sox on the board. Glenn Hoffman and Rick Miller stroked back to back singles but Remy grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox down 4-2.

                                                        Allenson hits a homer

Doug DeCinces flied out to left to begin the bottom of the second and Mark Belanger struck out swinging. Bumbry also whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox got another run back in the top of the third as Evans walked to start. Yaz singled Dwight to third but Rice popped up to second. Perez hit a sac fly to score Evans and Lansford singled to left. Allenson flied out to left to end the inning but the Sox were down 4-3.

                                                        Perez with a big sac fly

The O's struck back in the bottom of the third although Dauer flied out to left to start. Dwyer singled to right and Singleton doubled him home. Lowenstein struck out swinging but Crowley was intentionally walked. Dempsey singled to left but Singleton was thrown out at home by Rice to end the inning with the O's up 5-3.

                                                                YERRR OUT!

Hoffman lined out to third to start the top of the fourth and Miller grounded back to the mound. Remy grounded out to second to end the inning. Eck settled down in the bottom of the fourth as DeCinces grounded out to third to start. Belanger struck out swinging and Bumbry grounded out to short to end the inning.

Palmer cruised in the top of the fifth as Evans struck out swinging to start. Yaz grounded back to the mound and Rice flied out to right to end the inning. Dauer struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth and Dwyer flied out to left. Singleton doubled to left but Lowenstein grounded out to short to end the inning.

Perez flied out to center to start the top of the sixth and Lansford lined out to left. Allenson walked but Hoffman flied out to right to end the inning. Crowley hit one up the elevator shaft to start the bottom of the sixth and Dempsey popped up to short. Dauer popped up to second to end the inning.

The Sox inched closer in the top of the seventh as Miller singled to left to begin. Remy lined out to left and that was it for Palmer. Tim Stoddard came in and Evans singled to left. Yaz lined out to short but Rice was hit with a pitch to load the bases. Perez hit a swinging bunt down the third base line to score Miller and re-load the bases. Lansford grounded into a force to end the inning but it was now 5-4 Orioles.

                                                        Miller scores a run

Belanger flied out to right to start the bottom of the seventh before Bumbry grounded out to first. Dauer popped up to second to end the inning.

The Sox rallied in the top of the eighth although Allenson whiffed to start. Hoffman singled to center and Miller doubled him to third. Remy put the Sox on top with a base hit that scored both runners. Sammy Stewart replaced Stoddard and Evans walked. Yaz hit a drive to deep right that scored Remy all the way from second to increase the lead. Rice walked but Perez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-5.

                                                  Remy puts the Sox ahead

Eck now had the lead and Dwyer grounded out to third to start the bottom of the eighth. Who else but Singleton singled to left but Lowenstein struck out swinging. Crowley got the first hit by anyone other than Singleton since the third inning with a rocket to center but Dempsey grounded into a force to end the inning.

                                                                Great recovery by Eck

Lansford took strike three to start the top of the ninth but Allenson singled to left. Allenson got picked off and Hoffman lined out to first to end the inning. After the first inning, no one expected Eck to still be standing by the bottom of the ninth but there he was.  DeCinces flied out to right and Dan Graham pinch hit for Belanger. Graham grounded out to first and Bumbry flied out to center to end the game. Somehow Eck went the distance and the Sox came back to win 7-5.

Hero of the Night is Jerry Remy. He got the 2 run single to put the Sox up for good.

                                                           Remy the Hero

The Good:

Dwight Evans was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Tony Perez was 1 for 3 with a walk, 2 rbis and a run scored.

Gary Allenson was 2 for 4 with a walk and a 2 run home run.

Glenn Hoffman was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Rick Miller was 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Jim Rice was 0 for 3 but walked and was hit with a pitch.

Carney Lansford was just 1 for 5.

Dennis Eckersley tossed a complete game to get the win but he allowed 5 runs, 9 hits and 2 walks.

Final Thoughts:

That was a gutsy win for sure by the Sox. Eckersley was down 4-0 without an out in the bottom of the first and not only did the Sox come back to win, Eck survived to go the distance. Its been an up and down month to this point but the Sox are hanging in there 12 games into the season. There's been rumors of a player's strike that may hit during the season so fans need to enjoy these games while they last. Once again Allenson is never going to be Carlton Fisk but he's started out decent this season so far. Glad to see the bottom of the order getting it done with Allenson, Hoffman and Miller getting on base for the other guys. Not every win is going to be pretty and that was as ugly as it gets. The Sox look to keep the momentum going as they head to Texas to face the same Rangers they played a week ago. Tomorrow night its the big rematch with Mike Torrez (1-0) once again taking on Doc Medich at 10:05 PM Eastern time at Arlington Stadium.