Basebawful Report of the Month

Wade Boggs - 6 Good, 1 Bad, 8 Ugly, 2 Hero

Tom Bolton - 2 Good, 1 Hero

Tom Brunansky - 8 Good, 3 Bad, 7 Ugly

Ellis Burks - 8 Good, 2 Ugly, 8 Ugly

Jack Clark - 7 Good, 2 Bad, 5 Ugly, 2 Hero, 1 Jackass

Roger Clemens - 1 Good, 3 Hero

Danny Darwin - 1 Hero, 1 Jackass

Tony Fossas - 5 Good, 1 Bad

Jeff Gray - 8 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Mike Greenwell - 9 Good, 3 Bad, 6 Ugly

Greg Harris - 1 Bad, 2 Ugly, 1 Hero

Joe Hesketh - 4 Good, 3 Bad

Darryl Irvine - 1 Jackass

Dana Kiecker - 2 Good, 1 Bad, 2 Jackass

Dennis Lamp - 2 Good, 1 Jackass

Steve Lyons - 2 Ugly, 2 Honorable Mention

Mike Marshall - 2 Good, 3 Bad, 1 Ugly

John Marzano - 1 Ugly

Tim Naehring - 2 Good, 8 Bad, 5 Ugly

Tony Pena - 3 Good, 5 Bad, 9 Ugly

Carlos Quintana - 5 Good, 5 Bad, 5 Ugly, 1 Hero, 1 Honorable Mention

Jeff Reardon - 8 Good, 1 Bad

Jody Reed - 3 Good, 5 Bad, 8 Ugly

Luis Rivera - 1 Good, 2 Bad, 1 Ugly

Kevin Romine - 1 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Honorable Mention

Matt Young - 2 Good, 2 Bad

Most Valuable Player is Mike Greenwell with 9 Good

Least Valuable Player is Tim Naehring with 8 Bad

The Ugliest Player of the Month is Tony Pena with 9 Ugly

Hero of the Month is Roger Clemens with 3 Hero

Jackass of the Month is Dana Kiecker with 2 Jackass

The Honorable Player of the Month is Steve Lyons with 2 Honorable Mention

Sox Beat Twins Late (4/30/91)

If nothing else, the Boston Red Sox concluded the month of April on a high note. After struggling offensively for the most of the month, they bopped their way back in a game most thought they were going to lose. The Minnesota Twins took a 5-4 lead against Sox starter Matt Young and reliever Jeff Gray in the bottom of the seventh inning. All of a sudden Carlos Quintana stepped up with a 3 run bomb off Steve Bedrosian in the top of the eighth inning to give the Sox the lead. Just like on Sunday night against the Royals, Jeff Reardon was brought in for the four out save and he got the job done. The Sox ended April in first place with a 7-5 win over the Twins at the Metrodome.

                                                        Steven Seagal approves of the win

Twins starter Allan Anderson got the ball in the top of the first inning and Wade Boggs flied out to center to start. Jody Reed lined out to right and Mark Greenwell grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Matt Young got the start for the Sox in the bottom of the first and the Twins beat the ball in the dirt. Dan Gladden led off with a ground out to short, Chuck Knoblauch grounded out to second and Kirby Puckett also grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox struck first quickly in the top of the second as Jack Clark singled to start and Ellis Burks doubled him to third. Tom Brunansky scored both men with a base hit to give the Sox the lead. Brunansky moved to second on the Carlos Quintana grounder and to third on the Tony Pena grounder. Luis Rivera grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                            Brunansky drives in a pair

Young cruised in the bottom of the second as Chili David swung at air for strike three to start. Brian Harper grounded out to second and Kent Hrbek also grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the third as Boggs grounded out to second to start. Reed singled to short but Greenwell plastered his third home run of the season to increase the lead. Clark grounded out to short and Burks grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox up 4-0.

                                                            Greenwell hits one out

The Twins roared back in the bottom of the third as Gene Larkin beat out an infield single to short to start. Scott Leius then blasted a home run all the way to St. Paul, Minneosta to cut the lead. Greg Gagne took strike three but Gladden singled. Knoblauch doubled home Gladden to cut the lead and moved to third on the Puckett grounder. Davis took strike three to end the inning with the Sox still ahead 4-3.

                                                              Leius cuts the lead

Brunansky flied out to center to start the top of the fourth and Quintana did the same. Pena singled to center but Rivera hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. Young got the Twins to beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the fourth as Harper grounded out to first to start. Hrbek and Larkin both grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fifth as Boggs flied out to center to start. Reed grounded out to third and Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning. Leius beat out an infield single to short to start the bottom of the fifth and Reed booted a grounder by Gagne for an error. Gladden walked to load the bases but Knoblauch forced Leius at home. Puckett banged into a double play to end the inning.

Clark singled to left to start the top of the sixth but Burks forced him at second. Brunansky banged into a double play to end the inning. Davis grounded out to short to start the bottom of the sixth but Harper singled to left. Hrbek grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Quintana singled to left to start the top of the seventh to chase Anderson from the game. Terry Leach came in and Carlos moved to second on the Pena grounder. Rivera reached first on an error by Knoblauch to chase Leach. Larry Casian came in to pitch and Boggs moved Quintana to third with fly out to center. Reed popped up to the mound to end the inning. The Twins took command in the bottom of the seventh although Larkin flied out to left to start. Leius walked and Gagne singled to center to chase Young from the game. Jeff Gray came in and Gladden doubled home both runners home to give the Twins the lead. Gladden moved to third on the Knoblauch fly ball to center and Puckett was intentionally walked. Davis whiffed to end the inning but the Twins had taken the lead 5-4. Young pitched well but ran out of gas, allowing 5 runs in 6 1/3 innings.

                                                      Young has seen better days

Shane Mack took over for Larkin as the Sox rallied in the top of the eighth. Greenwell doubled to right to chase Casian. Steve Bedrosian came in for the six out save and Clark lined out to him. Burks walked but Brunansky popped up to second. Somehow Quintana bashed his first home run of the season to put the Sox back in front. Pena flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox up 7-5.

                                                           Quintana puts Boston on top

Gray returned briefly for the bottom of the eighth as Harper flied out to center to start. Hrbek popped up to third and Randy Bush pinch hit for Mack. Bush singled to center and Mike Pagliarulo pinch hit for Leius. Sox manager Joe Morgan countered by bringing in Jeff Reardon for the four out save. Pagliarulo grounded out to first to end the inning.

Rivera popped up to first to start the top of the ninth but Boggs walked. Reed popped up to third and Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning. Al Newman pinch hit for Gagne to start the bottom of the ninth but grounded out to second. Gladden flied out to right and Knoblauch popped up to first to end the game. The Sox had won it 7-5.

Hero of the Night is Carlos Quintana. His three run home run in the top of the eighth inning put the Sox up for good.

                                                               Hero Quintana

The Good:

Mike Greenwell was 2 for 5 with a 2 run home run and 2 total runs scored.

Jack Clark was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Ellis Burks was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Jeff Reardon earned his 8th save with 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Luis Rivera was 0 for 4.

Matt Young allowed 5 runs in 6 1/3 innings.

The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was 0 for 4 but walked.

Jody Reed was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

Tom Brunansky was just 1 for 4 but drove in 2 runs.

Tony Pena was just 1 for 4.

Jeff Gray allowed 2 inherited runners to score but none of his own in 1 1/3 innings.

Final Thoughts:

It was an up and down month for sure but at least it ended on a high note. The pitching this month was solid but the offense left a lot to be desired. If the Sox had just a bit more punch they could have won 2-3 more games to give them a more comfortable lead in the AL East. The Sox ended the month of April in first place but some of those losses could have been avoided. Young fell apart in the seventh inning and Gray couldn't keep the Twins off the board, but Reardon saved the day again. The good news is if the Sox can get to the 8th inning with the lead, the game is pretty much over. They just need to get the lead in the first place. Jody Reed, Tony Pena and Tim Naehring are hitting under .200 but hopefully that's just a slow start. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the Twins when they send Greg Harris to the mound to take on Scott Erickson of the Twins. The game begins at 8:05 PM Eastern time at the Metrodome.

Off-Day News (4/29/91)

On this day in Red Sox Basebawful History:

1915 - Yankees drop Red Sox

1970 - Sox beat A's in beanball war

1981 - Rangers shutout Sox in third consecutive game

1983 - Sox rally past Angels in ninth inning

1984 - White Sox pound Nipper, Sox

The Sox are back in action tomorrow night against the Minnesota Twins. Matt Young takes the mound against Allan Anderson of the Twins. The game begins at 8:05 PM Eastern time at the Metrodome.

Sox Edge Royals Amidst Protest (4/28/91)

Roger Clemens of the Boston Red Sox was supposed to pitch tonight but his suspension stemming from last year's ALCS disaster was held up. Instead Dana Kiecker (1-0, 2.92 ERA) got the spot start and held the Kansas City Royals to 1 run in 5 1/3 innings. The Boston bullpen tossed 3 2/3 scoreless innings to hold the fort. The Sox were held to just two runs by Storm Davis and Tom Gordon but they were enough to win the game. The game was delayed by rain for two hours deep into the night and by the ninth inning, the Sox were playing under protest. MLB said duly noted but play the game. Mike Greenwell drove in the only two runs Kiecker and the bullpen needed as the Sox defeated the Royals 2-1 at Royals Stadium while under protest.

                                                             "I protest, Brother!"

Davis took the mound in the top of the first and the Sox wasted no time getting to him. Wade Boggs led off with a base bit past the diving Kurt Stillwell to start. Bill Pecota bobbled a line shot by Jody Reed which allowed Jody to reach on the error. Mike Greenwell dumped a base hit to right to score Boggs with the game's first run. Jack Clark walked to load the bases but Ellis Burks popped up to a running Danny Tartabull. Tom Brunansky popped up to second and Mike Marshall grounded out to second to end the inning. A disappointing rally but the Sox still led 1-0.

                                                           Boggs scores a run

The Royals struck back in the bottom of the first against Kiecker as Jim Eisenreich hit a ground ball up the middle for a base hit. Eisenreich stole second and moved to third on the Bill Pecota grounder. Aa the rain came pouring down, Danny Tartabull ripped a 410 foot double off the centerfield wall to tie the game. Kirk Gibson grounded out to second to advance Tartabull to third but Warren Cromartie grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                         Tartabull ties it up

The Sox threatened in the top of the second inning as Tony Pena grounded out to short to start. Tim Naehring popped up to first but Boggs singled in the hole at short. Reed singled off the glove of Pecota and Greenwell lashed a base hit to right. Unlike his father, Danny Tartabull has a cannon arm so Boggs held at third. Clark grounded out to third to end the inning. The tarp was put on the field for a rain delay and 2 hours later, play resumed. Kiecker returned for the bottom of the second and Kurt Stillwell hit a line drive snared at the left field wall by Greenwell. Mike Macfarlane looked at a curveball on the inside corner for strike three and Brian McRae whiffed at a ball in the dirt to end the inning.

Tom Gordon came in to pitch the top of the third and Burks took strike three to start. Brunansky drew a walk and wiped out Shumpert to break up a double play ball by Marshall. Pena took strike three to end the inning. Terry Shumpert flied out to center to start the bottom of the third and Eisenreich grounded out to short. Pecota walked but Tartabull whiffed on a nasty slider to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the fourth as Naehring flied out to left to start. Boggs doubled and Reed singled him to third before Wade scored on the Greenwell grounder. Clark walked and Burks grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-1.

                                                     Sox take the lead

Kiecker returned for the bottom of the fourth and Gibson grounded back to the mound to start. Cromartie grounded out to short and Stillwell took strike three to end the inning.

Brunansky led off the top of the fifth with a fly out to shallow center to start. ESPN analyst Jon Miller says Mike Marshall is unhappy and wants out of Boston and Sox general manager Lou Gorman told Mike that no one's asking for him, ouch. Marshall whiffed and Pena flied out to center to end the inning. Macfarlane beat out an infield single to third to start the bottom of the fifth but McRae banged into a double play. Shumpert struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the sixth as Naehring popped up to first to start. Boggs grounded back to the mound and Reed popped up to second to end the inning. Kiecker was chased in the bottom of the sixth as Eisenreich singled to right to start. Pecota singled up the middle but Tartabull whiffed. That was it for Kiecker after 5 2/3 innings of a rain shortened start. Tony Fossas came in to pitch to Gibson and he check swing grounded back to Tony to move the runners over. Russ Morman pinch hit for Cromartie and he popped up to center to end the inning.

                                                    "Damn rain, I shoulda been in longer" - DK

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the seventh as Greenwell tripled past the diving McRae to start. Clark took strike three and Burks whiffed, but Brunansky drew a walk. Marshall check swing grounded back to Gordon to end the inning. Carlos Quintana came in to play first with Jeff Gray now in to pitch the bottom of the seventh. Quintana immediately helped as he made a great play to rob Stillwell of extra bases to start. MacFarlane flied out to the left field wall and McRae lined out to right to end the inning.

Pena flied out to right to start the top of the eighth and Naehring grounded out to short, but Boggs singled off the diving Shumpert. Reed grounded into a force to end the inning. Gray returned for the bottom of the eighth as Shumpert flied out to right to start. Eisenreich singled up the middle and Terry Puhl pinch hit for Pecota. Gray struck out Puhl swinging and Sox manager Joe Morgan decided to bring in Jeff Reardon for the four out save. Reardon walked Tartabull but Gibson popped up to Greenwell to end the inning.

Paul Zuvella took over at third to start the top of the ninth and Greenwell popped up to Tartabull to start. Clark lined a broken bat base hit up the middle and "Psycho" Steve Lyons pinch ran for him. Burks waived at a pitch on the outside corner to earn the hat trick of three strikeouts. Brunansky took strike three right down the middle to end the inning. Gordon had allowed just 1 run in 7 innings, nice offense Sox. Reardon came back to close out the bottom of the ninth as Morman lined out to a running Burks to start. Kurt Stillwell singled in the hole at second and Gary Thurman pinch ran for him. Reardon hit MacFarlane on the wrist and David Howard ran for him. All of a sudden Joe Morgan bolted out of the dugout and started ripping his clothes off screaming that MacFarlane never touched first after getting hit. Joe Morgan the ESPN analyst says Morgan the manager was right although the umpires told the manager to scram. McRae then banged into a double play to end the game. After all of that, the Sox had won it 2-1.

                                                             Sox win

Hero of the Night is Wade Boggs. He was 4 for 5 and scored both of the runs the Sox scored.

                                                   Wade Hero

The Good:

Jody Reed was 2 for 5.

Mike Greenwell was 3 for 5 and drove in both runs.

Jack Clark was 1 for 3 with 2 walks.

Dana Kiecker got the win with 5 1/3 innings of 1 run ball, surviving the rain delay as long as he could.

Tony Fossas got the final two outs of the sixth inning.

Jeff Gray pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Jeff Reardon earned his seventh save with 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Ellis Burks was 0 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Mike Marshall was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Tony Pena was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Tim Naehring was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

Tom Brunansky was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked twice.

Honorable Mention:

Steve Lyons pinch ran for Jack Clark in the top of the ninth.

Carlos Quintana played first base in the final two innings.

Final Thoughts:

That was a weird game and once again the Boston bats did virtually nothing. Dana Kiecker tossed a gutty game and once again the trio of Fossas, Gray and Reardon had to save the day. Burks looked like he was swinging at air and Marshall didn't do his trade value any good by going 0 for 4. Gotta feel bad for the poor Royals fans in the ninth inning that had to listen to both managers piss and moan about certain calls. There's no instant replay so what they say is final. The Sox desperately need some offensive help if they hope to compete this year. What they displayed this month didn't cut it. Its a shame the offense has been so bad because the pitching was that good. This game was a microcosm of that as they won yet another close game 2-1. The Sox have one game left this month and its Tuesday night against the Minnesota Twins. Matt Young gets the start for the Sox against Allan Anderson of the Twins. The game begins Tuesday night at 8 PM Eastern time at the Metrodome.

Sox Survive Scary Ninth, Beat Royals (4/27/91)

The bad news was the Boston Bruins lost Game 6 of their NHL Playoff second round series against the Montreal Canadiens. The good news was Jack Clark finally got his head on straight and helped the Boston Red Sox defeat the Kansas City Royals. Tom Bolton (2-0, 1.47 ERA) tossed 6 solid innings of 1 run ball to keep the Sox in front. Kevin Romine broke a 1-1 tie in the sixth with a 2 run pinch hit single and Clark hit the 3 run killshot in the eighth inning. The Royals put up a huge fight in the ninth inning but Jeff Reardon was able to slam the door on the 6-4 victory over the Royals at Royals Stadium.

                                                                 Peg Bundy approves of the win

Royals starter Kevin Appier took the ball in the top of the first inning and Wade Boggs flied out to left to start. Jody Reed flied out to center and Mike Greenwell grounded out to first to end the inning. Bolton started strong in the bottom of the first as Jim Eisenreich grounded out to short to start. Gary Thurman also grounded out to short and Danny Tartabull struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the second as Jack Clark grounded back to the mound to start. Ellis Burks singled to center but Tom Brunansky took strike three. Mike Marshall doubled home Burks to give the Sox the lead. Tony Pena singled to center but Marshall was thrown at home to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                                YERRRR OUT!

The Royals answered in the bottom of the second as Kirk Gibson flied out to right to start. Mike Macfarlane singled and took second on the ground out by Russ Morman. Bill Pecota singled in the hole at short to score Macfarlane to tie the game. Kurt Stillwell grounded out to short to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                           MacFarlane scores to tie it

Tim Naehring took strike three to start the top of the third but Boggs drew a walk. Reed flied out to center but Greenwell singled up the middle. Clark walked to load the bases but Burks popped up to right to end the inning. Terry Shumpert grounded out to third to begin the bottom of the third and Eisenreich flied out to center. Thurman walked but Tartabull flied out to center to end the inning.

Brunansky led off the top of the fourth with a pop up to second to begin. Marshall singled to center and moved to second on the grounder by Pena. Naehring grounded out to short to end the inning. Bolton froze Gibson for strike three to start the bottom of the fourth and Macfarlane flied out to left. Morman popped up to second to end the inning.

Boggs took strike three to start the top of the fifth and Reed grounded out to third. Greenwell and Clark drew back to back walks but Burks whiffed to end the inning. Pecota lined out to right to start the bottom of the fifth and Stillwell took strike three. Shumpert walked but Eisenreich took strike three to end the inning.

Brunansky started the top of the sixth by walking to chase Appier. Steve Crawford came in and both Marshall and Pena singled to load the bases with nobody out. Steve Lyons came in to pinch hit for Tim Naehring but the Royals countered by bringing in Dan Schatzeder to pitch. Sox manager Joe Morgan countered by pulling back Lyons and sending in Kevin Romine to pinch hit. Romine lined a base hit to score Marshall and Brunansky to give the Sox the lead. Boggs banged into a double play and Reed popped up to right to end the inning but the Sox led 3-1.

                                                               Romine gives the Sox the lead

Luis Rivera came in to play short in the bottom of the sixth as Thurman grounded out to short to start. Tartabull flied out to left and Gibson popped up to second to end the inning.

Greenwell grounded out to short to begin the top of the seventh but Clark walked to chase Schatzeder. Luis Aquino came in and Burks was plunked but Brunansky flied out to left. Marshall singled to right to load the bases but Pena flied out to center to end the inning. A frustrated Marshall left the game and was replaced by Carlos Quintana to start the bottom of the seventh. The Royals chased Bolton when Macfarlane doubled to left and Morman hit a bloop single to short. Joe Hesketh managed to Houdini his way out of trouble after Pecota sacrificed both runners along with a bunt. Stilwell walked to load the bases but Shumpert and Eisenreich both whiffed to end the inning. Bolton ended up tossing 6 innings while being charged with just one run.

                                                            Bolton does a good job

The Sox looked to have put the game away in the top of the eighth although Rivera grounded back to the mound to start. Boggs walked but was forced at second by Reed. Greenwell walked but Clark smashed his third home run of the year to put the Sox up big. Burks drilled a single to right but Brunansky flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-1.

                                                                  Big home run by Clark

Thurman began the bottom of the eighth by striking out swinging. Tartabull also went down hacking but Gibson walked. Macfarlane flied out to center to end the inning.

Quintana doubled to center to start the top of the ninth and moved to third on the Pena grounder. Quintana was stranded as Rivera grounded out to second and Mike Magnante came in to pitch. Boggs grounded out to short to end the inning. Hesketh returned for the bottom of the ninth and all hell broke loose. Morman struck out swinging but Pecota walked. Stillwell doubled to right and Shumpert singled home Pecota. Hesketh picked off Pecota but Eisenreich singled home Stillwell to cut the lead in half and chase Hesketh. Jeff Reardon was summoned to close out the game and Warren Cromartie pinch hit for Thurman. Cromartie hit a routine grounder to Quintana...UNDER HIS GLOVE. The should be game ender ended up bringing the tying run to the plate. Tartabull singled home Eisenreich to put the tying runs on. Brian McRae pinch ran for Tartabull but Gibson whiffed to end the game. The Sox had hung on to win it 6-4.

Hero of the Night is Jack Clark. His three run home run was the difference in the game

                                                                  Jack The Hero

The Good:

Mike Greenwell was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Ellis Burks was 2 for 4 with a hit by pitch and a run scored.

Mike Marshall was 4 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Tony Pena was 2 for 5.

Kevin Romine knocked in two runs with a pinch hit single.

Tom Bolton picked up the win with 6 innings of 1 run ball.

Jeff Reardon earned his sixth save by getting the final out of the bottom of the ninth.

The Bad:

Tim Naehring was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Luis Rivera was 0 for 2 at the plate.

Joe Hesketh allowed 3 runs in 2 2/3 innings.

The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but walked twice.

Jody Reed was 0 for 5 but scored a run.

Tom Brunansky was 0 for 4 with with a strikeout but walked and scored.

Carlos Quintana singled in his only at-bat but his error led to a run scoring in the bottom of the ninth.

Honorable Mention:

Steve Lyons "pinch hit" for Tim Naehring in the top of the sixth.

Final Thoughts:

As the month comes to a close, its very obvious the Sox are in desperate need of some offense to match the pitching. Roger Clemens had one of the best months in Major League history but he can only go once every few days. The other starters including Tom Bolton stepped up big and so did the trio of Tony Fossas, Jeff Gray and Jeff Reardon. The Sox offensive woes need to be addressed if they have any hope of repeating as AL East champs. Bolton pitched well tonight and Clark finally delivered a meaningful longball for the first time since Opening Day really. Hopefully after he got fined a grand for going nuts on a toilet, it woke him up to start getting it together. Hesketh got lit up but it was his first bad game in almost 3 weeks so hopefully that was just a hiccup. It was a good win and the Sox look to make it two in a row tomorrow night on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball. The Sox don't know who's pitching because its supposed to be Roger Clemens, but his suspension may or may not be served starting tomorrow. Storm Davis of the Royals will be pitching for KC at 9:05 PM Eastern time at Royals Stadium.

Royals Defeat Sox Late (4/26/91)

The good news is the Boston Celtics were victorious in their NBA playoff first round Game 1 game against the Indiana Pacers. The bad news was the Boston Red Sox failed to hold a lead against the Kansas City Royals. The Sox broke out to a 3-0 lead only for Greg Harris to cough it up in the sixth inning. In the eighth inning Tony Fossas put two runners on before being pulled for Daryl Irvine, the rookie they called up to replace Danny Darwin. Irvine allowed a two run double to Mike MacFarlane to put the Royals ahead. Jeff Montgomery slammed the door in the ninth inning for the comeback win by the Royals 5-3 at Royals Stadium.

                                                               "That damn Irvine!"

The Sox wasted no time getting to old friend Mike Boddicker in the top of the first inning. Wade Boggs doubled to center to begin and Terry Shumpert booted a ground ball by Jody Reed to put runners at the corners. Mike Greenwell banged into a double play but Boggs scored to give the Sox the lead. Jack Clark flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                          Boddicker how we miss thee

Harris got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Jim Eisenreich singled to right to start. Kevin Seitzer flied out to right and Danny Tartabull flied out to center, but Kirk Gibson walked. Warren Cromartie grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the second inning as Ellis Burks walked to start. Tom Brunansky blasted his third home run of the season to increase lead. Carlos Quintana grounded out to short, Tony Pena flied out to left and Tim Naehring  grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                             Brunansky bashes a home run

Kurt Stillwell struck out swinging to start the bottom of the second and Brent Mayne flied out to left. Gary Thurman struck out swinging to end the inning.

Boggs flied out to left to start the top of the third and Reed lined out to Boddicker. Greenwell popped up to third to end the inning. The Royals began their comeback in the bottom of the third when Terry Shumpert doubled to left to start. Eisenreich flied out to right to move Shumpert to third and Terry scored on the sac fly by Seitzer. Tartabull grounded out to short to end the inning with the Royals down 3-1.

                                                               Shumpert scores a run

Clark lined out to center to start the top of the fourth and Burks struck out looking. Brunansky walked but Quintana took strike three to end the inning. Harris got Gibson to ground back to him to begin the bottom of the fourth and Cromartie grounded out to second. Stillwell singled to center but MAyne grounded into a force to end the inning.

The Sox blew a chance for a run in the top of the fifth as Pena singled to start and Naehring dropped down a bunt to advance him to second. Pena got thrown out at third on a grounder by Boggs but Reed singled to left. Greenwell grounded out to first to end the inning. Thurman grounded back to the mound to begin the bottom of the fifth and Shumpert flied out to right. Eisenreich flied out to left to end the inning.

Clark took strike three to start the top of the sixth but Burks grounded out to short. Brunansky doubled to left and Quintana grounded out to third to end the inning. Harris fell apart in the bottom of the sixth after he plunked Seitzer and Kevin had to leave the game. Bill Pecota pinch ran for him and Tartabull doubled Pecota home. Gibson whiffed but Cromartie singled home Tartabull to tie the game. A wild pitch moved Cromartie to second but Stillwell struck out swinging. Mayne was intentionally walked and Thurman popped up to second to end the inning with the game tied 3-3.

                                                             Nice going Harris

Pena flied out to center to begin the top of the seventh and Naehring grounded out to third. Boggs flied out to right to end the inning. Harris returned briefly in the bottom of the seventh where he allowed a leadoff triple to Shumpert. Sox manager Joe Morgan rolled the dice by bringing in Joe Hesketh to pitch to Eisenreich. Hesketh did his job by getting Eisenreich to ground back to him to keep Shumpert at third. Jeff Gray came in and Shumpert was picked off by Pena to erase the threat. Pecota walked but was thrown out trying to steal to end the inning.

The Sox blew their chance to retake the lead in the top of the eighth as Reed was plunked to start. Greenwell flied out to center and Clark popped up to short before going nuts in the dugout. Reed swiped second and took third when Mayne's throw went into center. Burks grounded out to second to end the inning. The wheels fell off in the bottom of the eighth when Tony Fossas took the mound. Tartabull took strike three but Gibson walked and stole second. Gibson moved to third on the fly ball by Cromartie and Stillwell was intentionally walked to get to Mayne. Royals manager John Wathan countered by pinch hitting Mike Macfarlane for Mayne. Sox manager Joe Morgan curiously countered with rookie Daryl Irvine to pitch to Macfarlane. The gamble backfired as Macfarlane doubled home both runners to give the Royals the lead. Terry Puhl pinch hit for Thurman and was intentionally walked. Brian McRae pinch hit for Puhl and Shumpert grounded into a force to end the inning with the Royals ahead 5-3.

                                                              Runs charged to Fossas

Jeff Montgomery came in to close out the top of the ninth and Brunansky doubled to center to start. Quintana grounded out to second and Pena grounded back to the mound before Mike Marshall pinch hit for Naehring. Marshall whiffed to end the game and the Royals had won it 5-3.

Jackass of the Night is Daryl Irvine. He served up the two run double to MacFarlane to put the Royals up for good.

                                                             Jackass Irvine

The Good:

Jody Reed was 1 for 3 with a stolen base and a hit by pitch.

Tom Brunansky was 3 for 3 with a walk and a 2 run homer.

Joe Hesketh retired the only man he faced.

Jeff Gray got the final two outs of the seventh inning,

The Bad:

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 4.

Jack Clark was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Carlos Quintana was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Tim Naehring was 0 for 2.

Mike Marshall struck out as a pinch hitter.

Tony Fossas took the loss by getting charged with 2 runs in the eighth inning.

The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Ellis Burks was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Tony Pena was just 1 for 4.

Greg Harris tossed 6 innings of 3 run ball, falling apart in the sixth.

Final Thoughts:

Not only did the Sox offense once again not show up tonight, apparently Jack Clark took out his frustrations out on a clubhouse toilet. He has been fined a thousand dollars for repairs and he probably attacked the toilet with more ferocity than he did the pitches in tonight's game. He's not alone though, nobody is hitting in the clutch and if Brunansky is gonna go on one of his hot streaks, somebody else needs to be on base when he hits it out. Harris pitched well and so did Gray, they were let down by Fossas and Irvine tonight. Its only April but Mike Boddicker is now 2-2 with a 2.03 ERA, meanwhile Danny Darwin is on the DL after getting lit up in 2 of his first 3 starts. Thanks a lot Lou Gorman, hopefully Darwin can come back healthy but this doesn't look good so far. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow against the Royals when they send Tom Bolton (1-0) to the mound up against Kevin Appier of the Royals. The game begins at 8:05 PM Eastern time at Royals Stadium.

Off-Day News (4/25/91)

The Boston Red Sox are in an off-day but the Boston Bruins defeated the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5 of their second round playoff series. Congratulations to them.

                                                   Andy Moog celebrates the win

On this day in Basebawful History:

1970 - Brewers beat Sox in Game 1

           Sox shutout Brewers in Game 2

1971 - Red Sox sweep White Sox

1981 - Flanagan, Orioles shut down Sox

1984 - Hurst, Sox down Mariners

The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow night in Kansas City in a set with the Royals. Greg Harris goes for the Sox against old friend Mike Boddicker of the Royals. The game begins at 8:05 PM Eastern time at Royals Stadium.

Jays Snap Streak, Beat Sox (4/24/91)

It was fun while it lasted as the Boston Red Sox winning streak was snapped by the Toronto Blue Jays. The anemic Red Sox offense was held to just 1 run by Dave Steib and the Toronto bullpen. Matt Young (0-1, 2.37 ERA) got lit up for 5 runs in 5 innings while walking 5 batters before he got knocked out in the sixth inning. The Sox offense managed to get 9 hits but none in the clutch as they dropped the game 6-1 to the Blue Jays at Fenway Park.

                                                        "Can this team score runs?"

The Jays wasted no time attacking Young in the top of the first as Devon White set the tone with a walk to start. Roberto Alomar flied out to center but Kelly Gruber grounded out to third. Carter singled White to third and Devon scored on a passed ball to give the Jays the lead. Pat Tabler walked and Mark Whiten struck out looking to end the inning with the Jays up 1-0.

                                                          Catch the damn ball!

Stieb got the Sox to beat the ball in the dirt to start the bottom of the first. Wade Boggs grounded out to first, Steve Lyons grounded out to second and Mike Greenwell grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Glenallen Hill grounded back to the mound to start the top of the second and Pat Borders struck out swinging. Manuel Lee walked but was thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning. Jack Clark grounded out to short to start the bottom of the second but Ellis Burks singled to center. Tom Brunansky walked but Carlos Quintana forced Bruno at second. Luis Rivera flied out to left to end the inning.

The Jays struck again in the top of the third as White walked to start and Alomar sacrificed him to second. Another passed ball moved White to third and he scored on the sac fly by Gruber. Carter struck out looking to end the inning with the Jays up 2-0.

                     "That's two passed balls on one catcher in three innings...that aint funny" - MY

Marzano atoned for his passed balls with a swinging bunt base hit to start the bottom of the third. Boggs doubled John to third but nobody moved on the Lyons grounder to first. Greenwell flied out to center and Marzano got caught in a rundown to end the inning.

                                                              Not having a good day

Tabler lined out to left to start the top of the fourth and Whiten grounded out to short. Hill flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox got a run back in the bottom of the fourth when Clark walked to start. Burks hit one up the elevator shaft but Brunansky reached on an error by the shortstop. Quintana forced Bruno at second but Rivera singled home Clark to cut the lead. Marzano struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 2-1.

                                                                  Rivera drives in a run

The Jays used some more small ball to add another run in the top of the fifth although Borders grounded out to third to start. Lee singled to center and White doubled him to third before Manuel scored on the ground out by Alomar to increase the lead. Gruber whiffed to end the inning with the Jays up 3-1.

                                                              Double by White

Boggs flied out to left to start the bottom of the fifth but Lyons grounded out to second. Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Jays finished off Young in the top of the sixth as Carter singled to center to start. Tabler walked and Sox manager Joe Morgan had enough of Young. Matt would be charged with 5 runs in just 5 plus innings of work. Dana Kiecker came in and poured gas on the fire as Whiten singled home Tabler and advanced Whiten to third. Hill scored Whiten with a sac fly to ice the game. Borders singled to left and both runners advanced on a balk. Lee whiffed and White grounded out to second to end the inning with the Jays up 5-1.

                                                             Not Young's finest hour

Clark took strike three to start the bottom of the sixth and Burks whiffed. Brunansky and Quintana stroked back to back singles but Rivera flied out to right to end the inning.

The Jays struck again in the top of the seventh as Alomar lined out to left to start. Gruber flied out to left but Carter walked. Carter stole second and scored on the base hit by Tabler to wrap up the scoring. Whiten singled to left and Hill walked to load the bases, but Borders went down hacking to end the inning with the Jays up 6-1.

                                                           Not much relief

Mike Timlin came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh as Marzano grounded out to short to start. Boggs grounded out to second but Lyons singled to right. Greenwell flied out to center to end the inning.

Lee grounded out to first to start the top of the eighth and White took strike three. Alomar struck out swinging to end the inning. Clark grounded out to short to start the bottom of the eighth and Burks did the same. Brunansky struck out swinging to end the inning.

Tony Fossas came in for the top of the ninth and Gruber grounded out to short to start. Carter singled to left but Tabler banged into a double play to end the inning. Duane Ward came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Quintana whiffed to start. Rivera went down hacking but Marzano singled to center. Boggs doubled Marzano to third but Lyons whiffed to end the game. The Jays had won it 6-1.

Jackass of the Night is Dana Kiecker. He allowed 2 inherited runs to score and one of his own to put the game out of reach.

                                                          Jackass Kiecker

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 5.

Tom Brunansky was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Tony Fossas pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 4.

Matt Young took the loss by allowing 5 runs (3 earned) while getting knocked out in the sixth inning.

The Ugly:

Steve Lyons was just 1 for 5.

Jack Clark was 0 for 3 but walked and scored a run.

Ellis Burks was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Carlos Quintana was just 1 for 4.

Luis Rivera was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

John Marzano was 2 for 4 but allowed 2 passed balls and got caught in a rundown.

Final Thoughts:

This game was a boot to the head. Young didn't pitch too bad but Marzano couldn't catch a cold or run the bases. The key was Kiecker not being able to keep it a 3-1 game, maybe it turns out differently if it was a 2 run game instead of 5 by the end. This was not a game to look on with fondness, that's for sure. The offense has been abysmal pretty much most of April and today was no different. They didn't have  Roger Clemens type of effort to bail them out this time. At least Boggs is starting to find his stroke, can the rest of them join in please? After an off-day the Sox look to bounce back Friday night in Kansas City in a set with the Royals. Greg Harris looks to build on his last start when he takes the ball against old friend Mike Boddicker of the Royals. The game begins at 8:05 PM at Royals Stadium.

Clemens Blanks Jays For Sixth Win in a Row (4/23/91)

On a night where the Boston Bruins lost Game 4 of their NHL playoff second round matchup with the Montreal Canadians, Roger Clemens (4-0, 0.28 ERA) has gotten off to one of the best starts in major league baseball history for the Boston Red Sox. In 4 starts and 32 innings, Clemens has allowed exactly 1 run. Tonight his latest victims were the Toronto Blue Jays. Clemens was once again unhittable, tossing 7 shutout innings and lowering his ERA to a microscopic 0.28. Once again the Sox offense was minimal but home runs by Wade Boggs and Mike Greenwell were enough cushion for Roger. The Sox won their sixth game in a row by beating Toronto 3-0 at Fenway Park.

                                                      Demolition approves of the win

Clemens got the ball in the top of the first inning and established dominance early. Devon White, Roberto Alomar and Kelly Gruber all struck out swinging in short order. Denis Boucher got the start for Toronto and Wade Boggs greeted him by grounding out to first to start the bottom of the first. Jody Reed doubled to left but Mike Greenwell lined out to third. Jack Clark struck out swinging to end the inning.

Joe Carter singled to left to start the top of the second but John Olerud banged into a double play. Rance Mulliniks whiffed to end the inning. Ellis Burks began the bottom of the second taking first on an error by Gruber to start. Tom Brunansky walked but Carlos Quintana popped up to right. The runners moved over on the Tony Pena grounder but Tim Naehring popped up to second to end the inning.

Greg Myers flied out to center to start the top of the third but Manuel Lee singled to center. Lee stole second but Mookie Wilson struck out swinging. White flied out to left to end the inning. The Sox took the lead in the bottom of the third as Boggs struck his third home run of the season to give the Sox the lead. Reed grounded out to short but Greenwell singled to right. Clark lined out to right but Greenwell stole second. Burks and Brunansky walked to load the bases but Quintana flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                                   Home run Boggs

Alomar grounded back to the mound to start the top of the fourth but Gruber doubled to left. Gruber moved to third on the grounder by Carter but Olerud walked. Mulliniks walked to load the bases but Myers grounded out to second to end the inning. Pena doubled to center to start the bottom of the fourth and Naehring bunted him over to third. Boggs hit a grounder to third but Pena stayed there and got doubled off when Reed popped up to Boucher to end the inning.

Lee struck out swinging to open the top of the fifth but Wilson beat out an infield single to second. Wilson stole second but White lined out to third. Alomar flied out to center to end the inning. Greenwell grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the fifth and Clark went down hacking. Burks grounded out to third to end the inning.

Gruber popped up to third to start the top of the sixth but Carter singled to center. Carter was thrown out trying to steal second and Olerud took strike three to end the inning. The Sox got another run in the bottom of the sixth although Brunansky grounded out to third to start. Quintana singled to center and Boucher threw the pickoff throw away to allow Carlos to reach second. Pena lined out to third and Naehring hit a routine grounder to Lee...booted for another error to allow Quintana to reach third. Carlos scored on a balk by Boucher and Boggs was intentionally walked. That was it for Boucher as Jim Acker came in and Reed was retired on a force to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                           Quintana scores a run

Mulliniks walked to start the top of the seventh but Myers banged into a double play. Lee walked but Wilson grounded out to short to end the inning. That was it for Clemens who tossed 7 dominant innings without allowing a run.

                                                                   Clemens goes 7 strong

The Sox struck again in the bottom of the seventh as Greenwell cracked his second homer of the year to increase the lead. Clark grounded out to third, Burks struck out swinging and Brunansky went down hacking to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                               Home run Greenwell

Jeff Gray came in for the top of the eighth and White popped up to third to start. Alomar grounded out to second and Gruber whiffed to end the inning. Willie Fraser came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Quintana doubled to left to start. Quintana moved to third on the grounder by Pena but was thrown out at home on the grounder by Naehring. Boggs singled Naehring to third but Reed popped up to first to end the inning.

Jeff Reardon came in for the save in the top of the ninth and Carter doubled to left to start. Olerud flied out to center but Mulliniks walked. Myers flied out to left and Pat Tabler pinch hit for Lee. Tabler whiffed to end the game. The Sox had won their 6th in a row 3-0.

Hero of the Night is Roger Clemens. He tossed 7 shutout innings to keep the Sox in front all game.

                                                                Rocket Hero

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 4 with a walk and a home run.

Mike Greenwell was 2 for 4 with a home run and a stolen base.

Tom Brunansky walked twice in four plate appearances.

Carlos Quintana was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Jeff Gray pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Jeff Reardon earned his 5th save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Jack Clark was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Tim Naehring was 0 for 3.

The Ugly:

Jody Reed was just 1 for 5.

Ellis Burks was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Tony Pena was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

Clemens is a man on a mission this season and it stems to his ejection in last year's ALCS. If he wants to shove it up MLB's rear end for suspending him (still pending) and ejecting him from the game, hope he can carry this all the way to October. The offense was again almost non-existent but the pitching has been so good, its been masking the problem. The offense only scratching out a few runs a game can't continue if the Sox look to repeat as AL Champions. The rag tag bunch that won the AL East last year need to improve if they want to play in October again. If the Sox can get 7 innings out of their starters, the game is pretty much over because Gray and Reardon have been almost unhittable give or take a few games. If Clemens can keep up this pace all season, he may win 20-25 games with the way the bullpen has been pitching. Tomorrow night the Sox look to make it seven wins in a row when they take on the Blue Jays again. Matt Young goes for the Sox up against Dave Stieb of the Jays at 7:05 at Fenway Park.

Boggs, Sox Top Jays (4/22/91)

Welcome back Boston Red Sox bats! After being dormant for much of April, the Sox offense needed to come alive in tonight's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Sox starter Danny Darwin was out after 4 innings and 4 runs allowed with a bad case of pneumonia. Tom Brunansky hit a two run homer to keep the Sox in the game and Wade Boggs hit the 2 run go-ahead shot in the 5th. The Sox bullpen led by Dennis Lamp didnt surrender a run the rest of the game. The Sox made it 5 wins in a row with their 6-4 victory at Fenway Park.

                                                    Ivan Drago approves of the win

Darwin got the ball in the top of the first and Devon White flied out to center to start. Roberto Alomar flied out to center and Kelly Gruber flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox wasted no time getting to Jays starter David Wells in the bottom of the first inning. Wade Boggs grounded out to short to start and Jody Reed lined out to left. Mike Greenwell tripled into the centerfield gap and scored on the base hit by Jack Clark. Ellis Burks grounded into a force to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 1-0.

                                                                Clark drives in a run

Joe Carter popped up to short to begin the top of the second and John Olerud grounded out to first. Rance Mulliniks grounded out to second to end the inning. Tom Brunansky grounded out to third to start the bottom of the second before Carlos Quintana singled to left. Quintana foolishly tried to stretch a double and was thrown out at second. Tony Pena hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

The Jays tied it up in the top of the third as Greg Myers doubled to to left to start. Myers moved to third on the sacrifice bunt by Manuel Lee and Mookie Wilson was hit with a pitch. Wilson stole second and White scored Myers with a sac fly to tie the game. Alomar flied out to center to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                       Still torturing the Sox 5 years later

Tim Naehring grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the third but Boggs singled to center. Reed flied out to center and Greenwell grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Rangers finished off Darwin in the top of the fourth as Gruber tripled to start and Carter crushed a home run all the way to Burlington to give the Jays the lead. Olerud doubled to left but Mulliniks took strike three. Myers singled to second to score Olerud but Lee struck out looking. Wilson grounded out to second to end the inning with the Jays ahead 4-1. That was it for Darwin after 4 innings and 4 runs allowed, give him credit for trying to pitch through pneumonia but he was finished.

                                                          A sick Danny couldn't continue

The Sox clawed back in the bottom of the fourth as Clark singled to left to start. Lee dropped a pop up by Burks which forced Clark at second but Alomar threw the ball away to allow Burks to take second. Brunansky then clobbered his second home run of the year to cut the lead. Quintana singled to left to start but Pena banged into a double play to end the inning with the Jays up 4-3.

                                                             Brunansky brings the Sox closer

Dennis Lamp came in to pitch the top of the fifth and White grounded out to first to start. Alomar singled to left and swiped second before Gruber walked. Carter hit a rocket to center that Burks dove and caught. Alomar tried to tag up and score all the way from second but was thrown out at home to end the inning. The Sox took command in the bottom of the fifth as Naehring walked to start and Boggs plastered his second home run of the year to give the Sox the lead. Reed walked but Greenwell flied out to center to chase Wells. Mike Timlin came in and Clark singled. Burks lined out to short and Brunansky grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-4.

                                                   Boggs puts the Sox on top

Lamp walked Olerud to begin the top of the sixth and Sox manager Joe Morgan pulled him for Joe Hesketh. Pat Tabler pinch hit for Mulliniks and singled but Myers struck out swinging. Lee hit a routine grounder to reed who threw his glove at the ball and dove onto second base for an error to load the bases. Wilson banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the sixth as Quintana lined out to short to start. Pena grounded out to second and Naehring popped up to first to end the inning.

Hesketh cruised in the top of the seventh as White grounded out to short to start. Alomar grounded out to third and Gruber flied out to center to end the inning. Boggs walked to start the bottom of the seventh but Reed took strike three. Greenwell lined out to left and Clark took strike three to end the inning.

Jeff Gray came in for the top of the eighth and Carter flied out to right to start. Olerud and Tabler both grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Frank Wills came in for the bottom of the eighth and Burks walloped his first home run of the season to increase the lead. Brunansky grounded back to the mound but Quintana was hit with a pitch. Pena moved Quintana to second with a grounder but Naehring grounded out to third to end the inning with the score 6-4 Boston.

                                                        Burks hits the kill shot

Jeff Reardon came in for the top of the ninth with Kevin Romine taking over in right. Myers grounded out to short and Lee flied out to left, but Wilson tripled into the centerfield triangle. White grounded out to first to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-4.

Hero of the Night is Wade Boggs. His 2 run homer put the Sox in front for good.

                                                                  Boggs is the Hero

The Good:

Jack Clark was 3 for 4 with an rbi.

Carlos Quintana was 2 for 3 with a hit by pitch

Dennis Lamp earned the win with a scoreless fifth inning.

Joe Hesketh tossed 2 scoreless innings.

Jeff Gray pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Jeff Reardon earned his fourth save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Tony Pena was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

Jody Reed was 0 for 3 with an error but walked.

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Ellis Burks was just 1 for 4 but the hit was a home run and he scored two total runs.

Tom Brunansky was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a two run home run.

Tim Naehring was 0 for 3 but walked and scored a run.

Honorable Mention:

Kevin Romine played right field in the top of the ninth.

Final Thoughts:

As expected, Danny Darwin was placed on the Disabled List following the game. Its only April so it makes no sense for him to die of pneumonia trying to pitch for the Sox. The good news is at least the Sox won the game despite Danny being out after four. The offense picked him up in this one as Brunansky, Boggs and Burks all homered and Carlos Quintana had a multiple hit game. Naehring looks lost out there but it could be just April jitters. Give him time to see what he can do. If the Sox bullpen going forward can pitch as well as they did today. the Sox are in good shape as the season progresses. The Sox are on a 5 game winning streak and they look to make it 6 in a row tomorrow night against the Blue Jays. Things look good because Roger Clemens (3-0, 0.39 ERA) goes for the Sox up against Dennis Boucher of the Jays. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.