Basebawful Report of The Month

Gary Allenson - 5 Good, 3 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Honorable Mention

Luis Aponte - 6 Good, 1 Bad

Wade Boggs - 3 Good, 3 Bad

Tom Burgmeier - 3 Good, 2 Bad

Mark Clear - 4 Good, 2 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Dennis Eckersley - 1 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Hero

Dwight Evans - 6 Good, 2 Bad, 11 Ugly, 1 Hero

Rich Gedman - 4 Good, 3 Bad, 4 Ugly, 1 Hero

Glenn Hoffman - 7 Good, 4 Bad, 5 Ugly, 4 Hero

Bruce Hurst - 1 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly

Carney Lansford - 9 Good, 2 Bad, 6 Ugly

Rick Miller - 6 Good, 2 Bad, 9 Ugly, 1 Hero, 1 Honorable Mention

Reid Nichols - 1 Good, 2 Bad, 2 Honorable Mention

Bob Ojeda - 2 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Jackass

Tony Perez - 2 Good, 4 Bad, 3 Ugly

Chuck Rainey - 1 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Hero

Jerry Remy - 7 Good, 3 Bad, 7 Ugly

Jim Rice - 7 Good, 1 Bad, 11 Ugly, 1 Hero

Bob Stanley - 1 Bad, 1 Hero, 2 Jackass

Dave Stapleton - 8 Good, 7 Bad, 4 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Mike Torrez - 1 Good, 1 Ugly, 1 Hero, 1 Jackass

John Tudor - 2 Good, 1 Hero, 1 Jackass

Julio Valdez - 1 Good, 1 Honorable Mention

Carl Yastrzemski - 10 Good, 2 Bad, 6 Ugly

Most Valuable Player of the Month is Carl Yastrzemski with 10 Good

Least Valuable Player of the Month is Dave Stapleton with 7 Bad

The Co-Ugliest Players of the Month are Jim Rice and Dwight Evans with 11 Ugly

Hero of the Month is Glenn Hoffman with 4 Hero

Jackass of the Month is Bob Stanley with 2 Jackass

Most Honorable Player of the Month is Reid Nichols with 2 Honorable Mention

Torrez, Sox Down Rangers (4/30/82)

The Boston Red Sox are rolling right now. They've won 9 out of 10 and 11 out of 13 games including tonight's game. Mike Torrez (2-1, 3.33 ERA) turned back the clock 5 years to pitch arguably one of his best games in a Red Sox uniform. Mike held the Texas Rangers to just 1 run as he tossed a complete game four hitter. The offense was once again a balanced attack with all nine men in the lineup reaching base at least once. Dave Stapleton and Rich Gedman both had three hits while the whole team had 8 walks. The Sox scored 7 runs in all different ways as Torrez mastered the Rangers. The Sox completed their month with a 7-1 victory over the Rangers at Fenway Park.

                                                   Corporal Chesty approves of the win

Torrez got the ball in the top of the first inning and George Wright hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Lee Mazzilli doubled to right and Buddy Bell was hit with a pitch, but Lamar Johnson grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Sox wasted no time getting to Rangers starter Charlie Hough in the bottom of the first inning as Jerry Remy singled to left to start. Remy stole second and Evans walked before Remy moved to third on the fly out to right by Jim Rice. Carl Yastrzemski ripped a base hit to right to score Remy to put the Sox on top. A wild pitch moved Yaz to second and Glenn Hoffman was intentionally walked to load the bases. The gamble worked as Dave Stapleton struck out swinging and Rick Miller popped up to third in foul territory to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                                Yaz drives in a run

Jim Sundberg grounded out to third to begin the top of the second but Johnny Grubb walked. Larry Parrish popped up to second and Mark Wagner grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the second as Rich Gedman pounded a ground rule double to right to start. Wade Boggs hit a routine grounder to Lamar Johnson who threw the ball away allowing Gedman to score. Johnson then booted a grounder by Remy for another error but Evans banged into a double play. Rice flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                                Gedman scores a run

Doug Flynn singled to center to start the top of the third and moved to second when Wright grounded out to second. Flynn moved to third on the grounder to second by Mazzilli and Bell walked. Bell stole second but Johnson struck out swinging to end the inning. Yaz struck out swinging to start the bottom of the third but Hoffman flied out to left. Stapleton struck out swinging to end the inning.

Sundberg singled to center to open the top of the fourth but Grubb hit into a double play. Parrish grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox iced the game in the bottom of the fourth as Miller and Gedman stroked back to back singled to left to begin. Boggs doubled to right and Parrish booted the ball for an error to clear the bases. Boggs moved to third on the error and he scored on the sac fly to left by Remy to increase the lead. Evans struck out swinging but Rice and Yaz both walked to chase Hough, Dave Schmidt got Hoffman to pop up to second to end the inning with Boston ahead 5-0.

                                                                  Boggs drives in a pair

Wagner walked to start the top of the fifth but Flynn forced him at second. Wright hit into a double play to end the inning. Stapleton singled to right to open the bottom of the fifth but Miller flied out to center. Gedman singled to right to move Stapleton to third but Evans flied out to left. Remy forced Gedman at second to end the inning.

The Rangers struck back in the top of the sixth as Mazzilli walked to start. Bell forced Lee at second and Johnson forced Bell at second as well. Sundberg walked and Grubb singled to right to score Mazzilli. Parrish forced Grubb at second to end the inning with Texas down 5-1.

                                                       Grubb drives in a run

The Sox answered right back in the bottom of the sixth as Evans took strike three to start. Rice walked but Yaz flied out to left. Hoffman singled to center and Stapleton scored Rice with a base hit to center to increase the lead. That was it for Schmidt as Paul Mirabella came in to get Miller to ground into a force at second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-1.

                                                           Stapleton drives in a run

Wagner grounded back to the mound to start the top of the seventh inning before Flynn lined out to third. Wright lined out to left to end the inning. Boston wrapped up the scoring in the bottom of the seventh as Gedman grounded out to short to begin. Boggs walked and Remy was hit with a pitch, but Evans flied out to center. Rice lined a base hit to left to score Boggs and Yaz walked. Hoffman flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-1.

                                                              Rice drives in a run

Torrez returned for the top of the eighth and Mazzilli flied out to left to begin. Bell struck out looking and Johnson grounded out to short to end the inning. Stapleton singled to left to start the bottom of the eighth before Miller took strike three. Gedman flied out to center but Boggs drew a walk. Remy forced Wade at second to end the inning.

Torrez came back to complete his work in the top of the ninth and Sundberg popped up to second to start. Grubb walked but Parrish flied out to center. Wargner grounded out to third to end the game. Torrez went the distance and the Red Sox had defeated the Rangers 7-1.

Hero of the Night is Mike Torrez. He tossed a complete game 4 hitter allowing just one run to earn the win.

                                                                Hero Torrez

The Good:

Jim Rice was 1 for 3 with 2 walks, an rbi and a run scored.

Carl Yastrzemski was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and an rbi.

Dave Stapleton was 3 for 5 with an rbi.

Rich Gedman was 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

Wade Boggs was 1 for 3 with 2 walks, an rbi and 2 runs scored.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was just 1 for 4 but stole a base, was hit with a pitch, drove in a run and scored a run.

Dwight Evans was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Glenn Hoffman was just 1 for 4 but walked.

Rick Miller was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

Now that's the way to end the month. The Sox have ripped off 11 of 13 wins to vault them into first place in the AL East. After they missed the playoffs by an eyelash last season, maybe a full season with this roster will be enough to guide them to their first division title in 7 years. The only drawback to the month was the injury to Carney Lansford but if Wade Boggs can fill in for him consistently, the Sox may have a deadly lineup when Lansford comes back. The bullpen has been their strength but if guys like Torrez and Dennis Eckersley can turn in seasons like they had in 1978, this could be a fun season for the Red Sox. The win improved the Sox to 13-7,  0.5 games in front of the Detroit Tigers for first place in the AL East. The Sox are back in action tomorrow afternoon against the Rangers with Bob Ojeda getting the start for Boston against Rick Honeycutt of the Rangers. The game begins at 2:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Off-Day News (4/29/82)

On This Day In Boston Red Sox Basebawful History:

1915 - Yankees beat Red Sox

1970 - Sox beat A's amidst beanball war

1972 - Rangers Walkoff Red Sox

1981 - Rangers shut out Red Sox

The Red Sox return to action tomorrow night against the Texas Rangers. Mike Torrez (1-1) takes the hill against Charlie Hough of Texas. The game begins at 7:35 PM at Fenway Park. 

Royals Pound Tudor, Snap Streak (4/28/82)

It was bad news all around as the Washington Bullets defeated the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of their second round NBA playoff series and the Kansas City Royals snapped the Boston Red Sox 8 game winning streak. John Tudor (3-1, 4.18 ERA) got shelled in the first two innings, allowing eight runs and not making it out of the second. The Sox bats tried to fight back with 5 early runs against Royals starter Dennis Leonard. Thanks to the pitching of Tom Burgmeier, Luis Aponte and Mark Clear, the Royals didn't score another run. Unfortunately Leonard also settled down to toss a complete game without allowing another run himself. It all added up to an 8-5 Royals win at Fenway Park.

                                                        Sox fans aren't taking the loss too well

Tudor crapped his pants immediately in the top of the first as UL Washington singled to center to start. Washington got picked off and John Wathan lined out to right. Suddenly George Brett doubled to right, Amos Otis walked and Hal McRae hit a home run all the way to Billings, Montana to put the Royals on top. Jerry Martin singled to center, Frank White singled to right and Dennis Werth singled to right to score Martin. Greg Pryor singled to right to score White but Washington flied out to center to end the inning. The Royals scored five runs with two outs and led 5-0.

                                                         Pryor helps the Royals

The Sox struck back in the bottom of the first against Leonard as Jerry Remy walked to start. Dwight Evans singled to left and Jim Rice singled to right to score Remy. Evans moved to third on the hit and he scored on the Glenn Hoffman force at second. Dave Stapleton banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox down 5-2.

                                                               Hoffman drives in  run

The Royals finished off Tudor in the top of the second as Wathan grounded out to short to start. The floodgates opened as Remy booted a routine grounder by Brett and Otis singled to left. McRae doubled home Brett but Martin flied out to right. White singled to left to score McRae and FINALLY Sox manager Ralph Houk pulled Tudor. John didn't have it today as he allowed 8 runs in just 1 2/3 innings. Tom Burgmeier came in and Werth flied out to right to end the inning with the Royals up 8-2.

                                                                Tudor gets shelled

The Sox tried to fight back in the bottom of the second as Tony Perez singled to left to start. Wade Boggs popped up to second but a wild pitch moved Perez to second. Rick Miller doubled to center to score Perez and Gary Allenson doubled to left to score Miller. Remy grounded out to third and Evans  took strike three to end the inning with the Sox down 8-4.

                                                         Miller drives in a run

Burgmeier settled things down in the top of the third although Pryor singled to center to start. Washington popped up to second but Wathan banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the third as Rice singled to left to start. Hoffman singled to right to move Jim to third and Rice scored on the sac fly by Stapleton to cut the lead. Perez struck out swinging and Boggs grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox down 8-5.

                                                       Stapleton drives in a run

Brett singled to right to start the top of the fourth but Otis forced him at second. McRae banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox offense was done for the day in the bottom of the fourth as Miller flied out to left to start. Allenson struck out swinging and Remy grounded out to short to end the inning.

Martin doubled to left to start the top of the fifth and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by White. Both Werth and Pryor grounded out to short to end the inning. Evans struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth before Rice doubled to left. Hoffman grounded out to third and Stapleton grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Washington singled to center to start the top of the sixth but Wathan hit into a double play. Brett grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the sixth as Perez grounded out to second to start. Boggs flied out to left and Miller grounded out to first to end the inning.

Otis grounded out to third to start the top of the seventh and McRae grounded out to third as well. Marti doubled to left and White singled him to third. Werth forced White at second to end the inning. Allenson grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the fourth before Remy was called out on interference for dropping down a bunt. Evans grounded out to third to end the inning.

Mark Clear came in to pitch the top of the eighth as Pryor grounded out to short to start. Washington flied out to left but Wathan beat out a roller to third. Brett popped up to second to end the inning. Rice singled to left to start the bottom of the eighth but Hoffman banged into a double play. Stapleton grounded out to third to end the inning.

Luis Aponte came in to pitch the top of the ninth as Otis flied out to left. McRae grounded out to third and Martin struck out swinging to end the inning. Leonard returned for the bottom of the ninth and Perez struck out swinging to start. Boggs grounded out to first and Miller flied out to left to end the game. The Royals had won it 8-5.

Jackass of the Night is John Tudor. He put the Sox in a hole they couldn't climb out of by allowing 8 runs.

                                                                  Jackass Tudor

The Good:

Jim Rice was 4 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Tom Burgmeier tossed 5 1/3 shutout innings.

Mark Clear tossed a scoreless innings.

Luis Aponte pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

Gary Allenson was 1 for 3 and drove in a run.

The Bad:

Wade Boggs was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was 0 for 3 but walked and scored a run.

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

Glenn Hoffman was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Dave Stapleton was 0 for 3 but drove in a run.'

Tony Perez was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.

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

Final Thoughts:

All good things must come to and end and the winning streak was snapped. Tudor had absolutely nothing and got shelled for the first time all season. The bullpen was outstanding to not allow a run the rest of the game but the Sox couldn't crack Leonard after the third inning. They got to him for five runs then nothing the rest of the way. Its a shame because they had him on the ropes but couldn't finish him off. They had chances to score but couldn't cash in. One thing is for sure if the bullpen can pitch this good the rest of the season, all they need is good starting pitching and they'll be right there in the pennant race as the season progresses. Unfortunately that's two bad starts in a row first by Dennis Eckersley and now by John Tudor. They need to bounce back next time because the Sox are on a roll and this kind of game could stop the momentum. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox are back in action Friday night at home against the Texas Rangers. Mike Torrez (1-1) gets the start for the Sox against Charlie Hough of the Rangers. The game begins at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Stanley, Sox Beat Royals For 8th In a Row (4/27/82)

Make it eight wins in a row for the red hot Boston Red Sox. This time their victims were the Kansas City Royals. Dennis Eckersley was hammered for 5 runs in just 4 innings as Boston's starter but Bob Stanley (1-1, 6.94 ERA) was nearly flawless in the next five innings to keep the Royals off the board. The Sox took advantage of bad defense and a second inning rally to put themselves up in the early innings. The Sox scored a run in the fifth and Rich Gedman drove in another in the bottom of the eighth for the insurance run. It all added up for the Sox eighth win in a row and it came in the form of a 7-5 victory over the Royals at Fenway Park.

                                                   "8 in a row....ah ah ah!"

The Royals wasted no time getting to Eckersley in the top of the first inning as Tom Poquette grounded back to the mound to start. John Wathan singled to right, stole second and moved to third when Eckersley threw the pickoff throw away. George Brett grounded out to second but Wathan scored to give Kansas City the lead. Amos Otis grounded out to third to end the inning.

                                                         Wathan scores a run

The Sox answered in the bottom of the first against Royals starter David Frost. Jerry Remy singled to left and Dwight Evans lined a base hit to right to move Remy to third. A wild pitch scored Remy to tie the game and Rice was plunked. Carl Yastrzemski grounded out to second to move the runners over but Glenn Hoffman popped up to third in foul territory. Dave Stapleton grounded out to short to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                            Remy scored a run

Hal McRae hit a home run to Madagascar to put the Royals up instantly in the top of the second. Lee May popped up to short, Jerry Martin took strike three and Frank White lined out to third to end the inning with the Royals up 2-1.

                                                                McRae hits one out

The Sox rallied in the bottom of the second as Wade Boggs walked to start. Wade moved to the second on the grounder to the mound by Rich Gedman and scored on the Rick Miller base hit to right. Remy singled to center to move Miller to third and Evans lined a base hit to left. Poquette bobbled the ball allowing Miller to score and the runners to move up. Rice grounded out to third but Yaz stroked a base hit to right to score Remy and Evans. Hoffman lined out to left to end the inning but the Sox now led 5-1.

                                                                 Boggs starts the rally

UL Washington struck out swinging to start the top of the third before Poquette popped up to third in foul territory. Wathan struck out swinging to end the inning. Stapleton flied out to center to start the bottom of the third but Boggs singled to left. Gedman banged into a double play to end the inning.

The Royals pounced in the top of the fourth as Brett hit a home run all the way to the outer reaches of Mongolia to start. Otis doubled to center and and McRae smacked a triple to right to score Otis. May and Martin worked back to back walks to load the bases but White forced McRae at home. Washington grounded out to short to score May and tie the game. Poquette grounded out to second to end the inning with the game tied 5-5.

                                                               Brett starts the rally

Miller grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fourth and Remy popped up a bunt to first. Evans grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Royals knocked out Eckersley in the top of the fifth as Wathan singled to left to start. Brett singled to right and Sox manager Ralph Houk pulled Eck before it could get worse. He allowed 5 runs in just 4 plus innings. Bob Stanley relieved him and got Otis to bang into a double play. McRae flied out to right to end the inning.

                                                               Eckersley gets hammered

The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fifth as Rice walked to start. Yaz singled to right to move Rice to third and Jim scored on the double play by Hoffman. Stapleton singled to center and took second on a wild pitch but Boggs grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-5.

                                                               Rice scores a run

May singled to left to start the top of the sixth but Dennis Werth pinch ran for him. Martin singled to left but White grounded into a double play. Washington grounded out to third to end the inning. Jim Wright came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Gedman lined out to right to start. Miller lined out to center but Remy caught the Royals asleep with a bunt down the first base line. Remy was picked off to end the inning.

Poquette grounded out to short to start the top of the seventh and Wathan's bunt attempt was snuffed out by Stanley. Brett grounded out to first to end the inning. Evans flied out to right to start the bottom of the seventh before Rice walked. Yaz lined out to center but Rice took second on a balk. Hoffman lined out to right to end the inning.

Stanley returned for the top of the eighth and Otis grounded out to short to start. McRae grounded out to short and Jamie Quirk pinch hit for Werth only to fly out to left to end the inning. The Sox added a big run in the bottom of the eighth as Stapleton doubled to left to begin. Boggs popped up a bunt back to the mound but Gedman dropped a base hit to right to score Dave. Miller flied out to center and Remy struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 7-5.

                                                           Gedman drives in a run

Stanley came back to close out the top of the ninth and the Royals beat the ball in the dirt. Martin grounded out to second, White grounded out to short and Washington grounded back to the mound to end the game. The Sox had won it 7-5 for their eighth win in a row.

Hero of the Night is Bob Stanley. He tossed 5 shutout innings in relief to earn the win allowing just 2 hits.

                                                            Stanley The Hero

The Good:

Jerry Remy was 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

Dwight Evans was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Jim Rice walked twice, was hit with a pitch and scored a run.

Carl Yastrzemski was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis.

Dave Stapleton was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Wade Boggs was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

The Bad:

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 4.

Dennis Eckersley was lit up for 5 runs (4 earned) in 4 innings of work.

The Ugly:

Rich Gedman was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

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

Final Thoughts:

The surging Sox are on a roll and they've done it in every facet possible. The starting pitching has been solid but today it wasn't. Bob Stanley stepped up big and the offense took advantage of bad defense to put up 7 runs. The normally hot Hoffman went 0-fer but the others stepped up including Remy, Evans and Yaz. The Royals are a good team and for the Sox to beat them is not a small feat. Its a shame Eck couldn't get it done but the Sox were able to pick up their teammate. The Sox are going to have a good kind of problem if Wade Boggs is the real deal. They already have Tony Perez on the bench, it would be a waste to have him or Carney Lansford sitting on it too. Maybe they can trade someone for a starting pitcher if someone gets hurt or is ineffective. Its better to have too much depth than not enough, that's for sure. All in all it was a good win and if only the Sox can keep this momentum for the whole season. The Sox look to make it nine in a row tomorrow night when they send John Tudor (3-0) to the mound against Dennis Leonard of Kansas City. The game begins at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Rainey, BoSox Blank ChiSox in Game 2 (4/26/82)

Make that seven wins in a row for the Boston Red Sox. In the second game of today's doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox, it was the Chuck Rainey show here in Chicago. Rainey earned his first win of the season by tossing a complete game 5 hit shutout against the White Sox. Offensively it was a balanced attack as everyone in the lineup but one got hits with a rally in the sixth inning being the difference maker. Chico Escarrega held the Red Sox to just 1 run in 5 innings but Boston rallied for four runs against Jerry Koosman to put the game away. Rainey kept Chicago out of sorts all game and it all led to an easy 5-0 victory over the White Sox in Game 2 at Comiskey Park.

                                              Jeannine Taylor approves of the win

Escarrega got the ball in the top of the first and Jerry Remy grounded out to second to start. Dwight Evans walked and took off for second, advancing to third when Carlton Fisk threw the ball away. Jim Rice struck out swinging and Carl Yastrzemski grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Rainey began his dominance in the bottom of the first when Rudy Law flied out to left to start. Tony Bernazard grounded out to second and Steve Kemp grounded out to first to end the inning.

Carney Lansford grounded out to second to open the top of the second before Dave Stapleton grounded back to the mound. Glenn Hoffman popped up to second to end the inning. Greg Luzinski ripped a base hit to left to start the bottom of the second and Rice decided to kick the ball into the bleachers for an error. A wild pitch moved Greg to third but Tom Paciorek grounded out to third. Harold Baines grounded back to the mound but Marv Foley walked. Jim Morrison grounded out to second to end the inning.

The BoSox blew a rally in the top of the third as Rick Miller singled to right to start. Gary Allenson singled to center but Remy flied out to right. Evans flied out to left and Rice forced Allenson at second to end the inning. Rainey got Vance Law to ground out to short to start the bottom of the third and Rudy Law struck out swinging. Bernazard singled to right but was caught in a rundown on an infield single to third to end the inning.

Yaz flied out to center to start the top of the fourth before Lansford grounded out to second. Stapleton grounded out to third to end the inning. Luzinski took strike three to begin the bottom of the fourth and Paciorek grounded back to the mound. Baines singled to center but Foley lined out to short to end the inning.

The BoSox struck first in the top of the fifth as Hoffman doubled to left to start. Miller dumped a base hit to right and Glenn scored to put Boston on top. Allenson singled to center to move Miller to third but Gary was doubled off first on a line drive to second by Remy. Evans popped up to second to end the inning with the Red Sox up 1-0.

                                                          Miller drives in a run

Rainey kept Chicago from answering in the bottom of the fifth as Morrison flied out to left to begin. Vance Law struck out swinging and Rudy Law flied out to center to end the inning.

The Sox rallied in the top of the sixth against Jerry Koosman as Rice singled in the hole at second to start. Yaz singled to left and Lansford walked to load the bases. Stapleton came through with a base hit to left to score Rice and Hoffman walked home Yaz to increase the lead. Miller hit a grounder to the mound to force Lansford at home but Allenson beat out a double play ball to score Stapleton. Remy grounded back to the mound to end the inning with Boston now head 4-0.

                                                             Big hit by Stapleton

Bernazard walked to start the bottom of the sixth but Kemp flied out to left. Both Luzinski and Paciorek flied out to right to end the inning.

Aurelio Rodriguez took over at third for the top of the seventh and Evans singled to right to start. Rice walked but Yaz grounded into a double play. Lansford flied out to right to end the inning. Rainey got Baines to ground out to second to start the bottom of the seventh and Foley also grounded out to second. Rodriguez struck out swinging to end the inning.

                                                         Rainey was pitching great

Both Stapleton and Hoffman flied out to center to start the top of the eighth but Miller grounded a base hit up the middle. Allenson singled to left but Remy flied out to left to end the inning. Vance Law singled to center to start the bottom of the eighth but Rudy Law flied out to left. Bernazard hit a bullet to Hoffman who doubled off Vance at first to end the inning.

The BoSox put the nail in the coffin in the top of the ninth as Evans singled to left to begin. Rice popped up to second but Evans swiped second. Evans moved to third on a grounder to first by Yaz and Lansford scored Dwight with a base hit to center. Stapleton hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-0.

                                                               Lansford drives in a run

Rainey returned to finish the game in the bottom of the ninth and Kemp flied out to center to start. Luzinski grounded out to short and Paciorek took strike three to end the game. The BoSox had won it 5-0.

Hero of the Night is Chuck Rainey. He tossed a complete game 5 hit shutout to earn the win.

                                                           Chuck The Hero

The Good:

Dwight Evans was 2 for 4 with a walk, 2 stolen bases and a run scored.

Glenn Hoffman was 1 for 3 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Rick Miller was 3 for 4 with an rbi.

Gary Allenson was 3 for 4 with an rbi.

The Bad:

Jerry Remy was 0 for 5.

The Ugly:

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout and an error, but walked and scored a run.

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 5 with a run scored.

Carney Lansford was just 1 for 4 but walked and drove in a run.

Dave Stapleton was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run and scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

The Red Sox are positively rolling right now and a doubleheader sweep of the White Sox is what the doctor ordered. It wasn't just that they won it was how they won. Bruce Hurst and Chuck Rainey both had great starts and only Luis Aponte was used out of the bullpen saving the others for tomorrow and beyond. The offense wasn't spectacular but the rally in the sixth inning really put the game away the way Rainey was pitching. Hoffman has been a wrecking crew this month and hopefully he can keep this up all season even if that sounds unrealistic. Also hope Rainey keeps this up even though that's most likely realistic as well. With the world champion Boston Celtics returning to the playoffs this Wednesday all the focus will shift to them. It would be nice if the Red Sox could provide entertainment and win a bunch of games to have a good spring now that the Boston Bruins are out. More games like this one will definitely help. The Sox now travel back to Boston to play the Kansas City Royals for a set looking for their eighth win in a row. Dennis Eckersley gets the start for Boston against Dave Frost of the Royals. The game begins at 7:35 PM at Fenway Park.

Red Sox Edge White Sox in Game 1 (4/26/82)

It wasn't easy but the Boston Red Sox made it six wins in a row by taking Game 1 of today's doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox that was originally supposed to be opening day. The White Sox hung tough as Richard Dotson held the Red Sox to just 1 run through the first six innings. Bruce Hurst got the start for Boston and also held Chicago to one run through six innings. Glenn Hoffman put Boston on top in the seventh with an rbi single but Bill Almon answered with one in the bottom of the frame. Jim Rice broke the deadlock with an rbi hit in the top of the eighth and Luis Aponte (2-0. 0.93 ERA) got the win by slamming the door in the ninth. It was a tough one but the Red Sox made it six in a row with a 3-2 victory over the White Sox in Game 1 at Comiskey Park.

                                                         Kirsten Baker approves of the win

Dotson got the start for Chicago and the Red Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the first inning. Jerry Remy grounded out to first to start. Dwight Evans grounded out to second and Jim Rice grounded out to short to end the inning. Hurst got the ball in the bottom of the first and Ron LeFlore struck out swinging to start. Jerry Hairston grounded out to third and Tom Paciorek grounded out to second to end the inning.

Carl Yastrzemski struck out swinging to start the top of the second inning before Carney Lansford flied out to center. Rich Gedman grounded out to second to end the inning. The White Sox struck first in the bottom of the second as Greg Luzinski singled to left to start. Who else but old friend Carlton Fisk caught the Sox asleep with a bunt single to third but Aurelio Rodriguez flied out to center to start. Harold Baines singled to right to load the bases and Vance Law beat out a double play ball to score Luzinski to put Chicago on top. Bill Almon grounded out to third to end the inning with the White Sox up 1-0.

                                                    Fisk aids Chicago AGAIN

The Red Sox did nothing in the top of the third as Glenn Hoffman popped up to second to start. Rick Miller flied out to center and rookie Wade Boggs grounded out to second to end the inning. LeFlore lined out to second to start the bottom of the third and Hairston grounded back to the mound. Paciorek singled to left and stole second but Luzinski popped up to first to end the inning.

The BoSox struck back in the top of the fourth as Remy singled to left to start. Fisk had Remy out at second on a steal attempt but Law dropped the ball for an error. Evans and Rice drew back to back walks to load the bases but Yaz struck out swinging. Lansford hit a sac fly to right to score Remy to tie the game but Gedman grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                               Lansford drives in a run

The White Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the fourth as Fisk grounded out to second to start. Rodriguez grounded out to third and Baines grounded out to short to end the inning.

Hoffman singled in the hole at short to start the top of the fifth but Miller flied out to left. Hoffman moved to second on the grounder to second by Boggs but Remy struck out swinging to end the inning. Law grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fifth but Almon walked. LeFlore hit a bullet to Remy who doubled off Almon at first to end the inning.

Evans grounded out to short to start the top of the sixth but Rice singled in the hole at short. Yaz banged into a double play to end the inning. The ChiSox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the sixth as Hairston grounded back to the mound to start. Paciorek grounded out to short and Luzinski grounded out to second to end the inning.

The BoSox took the lead in the top of the seventh as Lansford grounded out to short to start. Gedman popped up to short but Hoffman crushed his third home run of the season to put the BoSox on top. Miller flied out to left to end the inning with Boston ahead 2-1.

                                                             Hoffman homers

The White Sox answered in the bottom of the seventh as Fisk grounded out to third to start. Rodriguez grounded out to short but Baines singled up the middle. Law singled in the hole at short and Almon ripped a base hit to center to score Baines and chase Hurst. Bruce hung tough but left after allowing 2 runs in 6 2/3 innings. Luis Aponte came in and LeFlore forced Almon at second to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                          Hurst with a strong start

The Red Sox struck again in the top of the eighth as Boggs lined a single to left for his first major league hit to begin. Remy dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Wade to second but Evans grounded out to third. Rice struck a base hit to center to score Boggs and put Boston back on top. Yaz lined out to second to end the inning with the Red Sox ahead 3-2.

                                                            Rice puts Boston on top

Aponte got Hairston to fly out to left to begin the bottom of the eighth but Paciorek singled to center. Luzinski flied out to right and Fisk grounded out to third to end the inning.

Lansford doubled to left to start the top of the ninth and chase Dotson from the game. Kevin Hickey struck out Gedman swinging but Hoffman was intentionally walked. Miller struck out swinging and Dave Stapleton pinch hit for Boggs. Dave grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Aponte returned to close out the bottom of the ninth and Rudy Law pinch hit for Rodriguez to start. Law grounded out to short and Baines flied out to right, but Steve Kemp pinch hit for Vance Law. Kemp ripped a base hit to left to put the tying run on and Lansford booted a grounder by Almon. With the game on the line...Aponte struck out LeFlore swinging to end the game. The BoSox had taken Game 1 by a score of 3-2.

Hero of the Night is Jim Rice. His clutch 2 out rbi single in the eighth put Boston up for good.

                                                       Hero Rice

The Good:

Jerry Remy was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Carney Lansford was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Glenn Hoffman was 2 for 3 with a walk and a home run.

Wade Boggs was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Bruce Hurst allowed 2 runs in 6 2/3 innings. He allowed 7 hits and struck out 1.

Luis Aponte earned the win with 2 1/3 scoreless innings pitched.

The Bad:

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Rich Gedman was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Rick Miller was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Dave Stapleton was 0 for 1 at the plate.

The Ugly:

Dwight Evans was 0 for 3 but walked.

Final Thoughts:

Six wins a row for the surging Red Sox and this one was impressive. They got good starting pitching and clutch hits, especially late in the game, to pull this one out. Hoffman was so hot that he was intentionally walked, imagine that in 1980 or even last year. Rice finally got a big hit this month and hopefully this is the start of him getting back to being the power bat he's been for the last 7 years. Hurst turned in a good start which was desperately needed with Game 2 still to be played. The BoSox now have Mark Clear and Bob Stanley ready in the bullpen if things go haywire. Aponte has been virtually unhittable to start the year and that may not continue, but its what the doctor ordered. All in all it was a good win and the Red Sox have definitely turned it around to end the month. Hopefully they can ride this momentum for the rest of the season. The BoSox have no time to celebrate the win as they are back in action in a few minutes for Game 2 of the doubleheader. Chuck Rainey gets the start for Boston against Chico Escarrega of Chicago. The game begins at 9:05 PM Eastern time at Comiskey Park.

Sox Sweep Jays in 12 Innings (4/25/82)

The bad news was the Quebec Nordiques eliminated the Boston Bruins with a Game 7 victory in their second round playoff series. The good news was not only did the Boston Celtics win Game 1 of their second round NBA playoff series over the Washington Bullets, the Boston Red Sox won their fifth straight game by defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in 12 innings. Bob Ojeda of the Sox and Luis Leal of the Jays battled to a 3-3 tie through 8 innings due to home runs by John Mayberry and Carl Yastrzemski. Plunged into the 12th inning, Jerry Remy and Rick Miller combined to drive in runs to put the Sox ahead. Mark Clear (1-1, 1.72 ERA) allowed a bottom of the frame home run to Mayberry but hung on to slam the door. The Sox had beaten the Jays 5-4 in 12 innings at Exhibition Stadium.

                                                   Charles Bradley approves of the win

Leal got the ball in the top of the first inning and Jerry Remy doubled to left to start. Dwight Evans struck out swinging and Jim Rice popped up to short. For some reason Remy tried to tag up and go to third only to get thrown out by a mile to end the inning. Ojeda got the ball in the bottom of the first and the Jays tagged him. Damaso Garcia struck out swinging to start before Garth Iorg beat out a roller to third. Barry Bonnell forced Iorg at second but Wayne Nordhagen walked. Otto Velez walked to load the bases and Jesse Barfield ripped a base hit to right. Bonnell scored but Nordhagen was thrown out at the plate by Evans to end the inning with the Jays up 1-0.

                                     "Hey Nordhagen, you're out you dummy!" - Evans

The Sox struck back in the top of the second as Carl Yastrzemski singled to right to start. Carney Lansford took strike three and Dave Stapleton popped up to second but Glenn Hoffman doubled to center. Yaz came around to score and Garcia tried to throw out Glenn at third but airmailed the throw allowing Hoffman to score on an unofficial home run. Rich Gedman flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-1.

                                                      "Home run" for Hoffman

The Jays wasted no time tying the game in the bottom of the second as Buck Martinez lined out to short to start. John Mayberry singled to right but Alfredo Griffin flied out to right. Garcia singled off the glove of Ojeda and Iorg singled to right to score Mayberry. Bonnell flied out to center to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                             Iorg drives in a run

Rick Miller singled to center to start the top of the third before moving to second on the sacrifice bunt by Remy. Miller moved to third on the grounder to second by Evans but Rice popped up to first to end the inning. Nordhagen flied out to right to start the bottom of the third but Velez worked a walk. Barfield struck out swinging but Martinez singled to left. Mayberry struck out swinging.

The Sox took command in the top of the fourth as Yaz struck his fifth home run of the season to put Boston back on top. Lansford flied out to center and Stapleton grounded out to second but Hoffman singled to right. Gedman singled to center but Miller flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-2.

                                                              Yaz hits one out

Griffin grounded back to the mound in the bottom of the fourth and Garcia grounded out to second. Iorg walked but Bonnell struck out swinging to end the inning.

Remy reached on an error by Griffin to start the top of the fifth but Evans flied out to center. Remy struck out swinging and Yaz flied out to left to end the inning. Nordhagen flied out to center to start the bottom of the fifth but Velez singled to center. Velez swiped second but Barfield went down hacking. Martinez hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. 

Lansford popped up to the mound to start the top of the sixth before Stapleton hit one up the elevator shaft. Hoffman flied out to right to end the inning. The Jays struck back in the bottom of the sixth as Mayberry hit a home run all the way to Saskatchewan to tie the game. Griffin flied out to left but Garcia dropped a base hit to left. Iorg flied out to right and Bonnell grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the game tied 3-3.

                                                          Mayberry ties it up

Leal cruised in the top of the seventh as Gedman grounded out to second to start. Miller struck out swinging and Remy grounded out to first to end the inning. Ojeda matched Leal in the bottom of the seventh as Nordhagen grounded out to second to start. Velez flied out to center and Barfield grounded out to third to end the inning.

Evans grounded out to short to start the top of the eighth before Rice flied out to center. Yaz flied out to right to end the inning. Ojeda walked Martinez to start the bottom of the eighth and Tony Johnson pinch ran for him. Johnson was caught in a rundown but Dave Stapleton inexplicably spiked the ball and did a disco dance for an error. Mayberry popped up to first and Sox manager Ralph Houk decided Ojeda had done enough. He lasted 7 1/3 innings and was charged with 3 runs (2 earned). Mark Clear came in and Al Woods pinch hit for Griffin. Clear intentionally walked Woods and Garcia flied out to right. Rance Mulliniks pinch hit for Iorg and grounded out to second to end the inning.

                                                          Ojeda did the best he could

Joey McLaughlin came in to pitch the top of the ninth with Ernie Whitt behind the plate and the entire defense switching positions. Lansford grounded out to third but Stapleton walked. Hoffman popped up to second and Gedman grounded out to second to end the inning. Bonnell grounded out to third to start the bottom of the ninth before Nordhagen flied out to left. Hosken Powell struck out swinging to end the inning.

Things looked good in the top of the tenth when Miller doubled to center to start, but Remy struck out swinging. Evans forced Miller at third and Rice forced Dwight at second to end the inning. The play of the game occurred in the bottom of the tenth when Barfield singled to start. Whitt hit a gap shot to right and Barfield tried to come around to score. Evans fired home and YER OUT! Barfield was gunned down at home to keep the game going. Mayberry was intentionally walked and Woods popped up to short. Garcia flied to right to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the eleventh inning as Yaz flied out to left to start. Lansford struck out swinging and Stapleton flied out to center to end the inning. Mulliniks flied out to center to start the bottom of the eleventh but Bonnell singled to left. Nordhagen flied out to right and Powell popped up to first to end the inning.

The Sox rallied in the top of the 12th inning as Hoffman singled to center to start. Gedman dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Hoffman to second and Jerry Garvin came in to pitch to Miller. Rick doubled to left to score Hoffman and he scored on the rbi single by Remy to right. Roy Lee Jackson came in for Garvin and Remy swiped second. Evans flied out to right but Rice was plunked. Yaz flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-3.

                                                              Remy drives in a run

Clear came back to finish the job in the bottom of the 12th and Barfield struck out swinging to start. Whitt struck out swinging but Mayberry hit a home run to South America to cut the lead. Woods grounded out to second to end the game. The Sox had held on to win it 5-4 in 12 innings.

Hero of the Night is Rick Miller. He was 3 for 5 with the go-ahead rbi and the insurance run scored.

                                                               Miller Time Hero

The Good:

Jerry Remy was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a stolen base.

Carl Yastrzemski was 2 for 6 with a home run and 2 total runs scored.

Glenn Hoffman was 3 for 5 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Bob Ojeda tossed 7 1/3 innings of 3 run ball. He allowed 9 hits, walked 5 and struck out 5.

Mark Clear got the win by allowing a run in 4 2/3 innings.

The Bad:

Carney Lansford was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Dwight Evans was 0 for 6 at the plate with a strikeout but threw out two runners at home.

Jim Rice was 0 for 5 with a strikeout but was hit with a pitch.

Dave Stapleton was 0 for 4 with an error but drew a walk.

Rich Gedman was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

That's five in a row for the Sox who seemed to have broken out of their early season slump where they did absolutely nothing offensively. Ojeda pitched well in this one, it was just a shame the Sox couldn't score more runs for him. They eventually did but it was too late for Ojeda. Clear pitched a hell of a game in relief with the Mayberry home run being the only mistake. Yaz, Hoffman and Miller and have been wrecking crews this month but that isn't expected to last given Miller & Hoffman's history and Yaz' age. Evans, Lansford and Rice need to pick it up if the Sox have any hope of competing in the AL East this year. Still, a win is a win no matter who contributed or not. Sox fans have to be pleased with the rise of John Tudor and Bob Ojeda, hopefully both can continue to pitch well as the season continues. Tomorrow was originally an off-day but now its a double-header against the Chicago White Sox that was originally supposed to be Opening Day in Chicago. Bruce Hurst gets the Game 1 start for the Red Sox against Richard Dotson of the White Sox. The game begins at 6:00 PM Eastern time at Comiskey Park.