Clemens Tosses Gem Against A's (8/26/91)

Good news and bad news for the Boston Red Sox. Good news was Roger Clemens (13-8, 2.59 ERA) tossed a gem to defeat the Oakland A's but the bad news was they lost Jack Clark to a torn calf muscle in the process. A home run by Phil Plantier and an rbi by John Marzano was all the offense the Sox scored but it was all they needed. The loss of Clark hurts big time with one month remaining in the season but the Sox pulled together to beat the A's 3-0 at Oakland Coliseum.

                                              The King of Cartoons approves of the win

Mike Moore got the start for the A's and Wade Boggs led off with a lineout to center before Jody Reed singled to left. Phil Plantier struck out swinging before a wild pitch moved Reed all the way to third. Jack Clark took strike three to end the inning. Clemens got the ball in the bottom of the first and Rickey Henderson grounded out to short to start. Old pal Dave Henderson grounded out to short and Jose Canseco whiffed on a high fastball to end the inning.

Canseco robbed Greenwell of a double with a jumping catch to start the top of the second before Mo Vaughn grounded out to second. Ellis Burks popped up to second to end the inning. Harold Baines took strike three on a backdoor slider to start the bottom of the second before Terry Steinbach grounded out to short. Brook Jacoby popped up to right to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the third as John Marzano lined out to second to start. Luis Rivera took strike three but Boggs singled off the glove of Mike Gallego. Reed was frozen for strike three to end the inning. Jamie Quirk grounded out to short to start the bottom of the third before Clemens dove for a pop up by Gallego but he dropped it for a "single". Gallego was thrown out at second on a blown hit and run when Mike Bordick swung and missed. Bordick was plunked but Rickey Henderson popped up to Vaughn in foul territory to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the fourth although Plantier lined out to a running Dave Henderson to start. Clark smashed his 22nd home r un of the year into the left field bleachers but hurt his calf on the previous swing. Clark hobbled around the bases and collapsed in the dugout, being hauled off on a gurney and headed to the hospital. Greenwell grounded out to second before Vaughn lined out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                     Clark gets hurt, still homers, still makes it around

The A's looked to rally in the bottom of the fourth when Dave Henderson crushed a double off the wall in left to start. Clemens recovered to get Canseco looking on a fastball away before Henderson moved to third on the grounder by Baines. Steinbach grounded out to second to end the inning.

Burks beat out an infield single to open the top of the fifth but Marzano whiffed. Burks was thrown out trying to steal and Rivera struck out swinging to end the inning. Jacoby flied out to right to start the bottom of the fifth before Quirk took strike three. Gallego grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the sixth as Boggs grounded out to short to start. Reed flied out to left but Plantier walked. Carlos Quintana pinch hit for Clark and grounded out to short to end the inning. Bordick struck out swinging on a high fastball to start the bottom of the sixth before Rickey Henderson grounded out to third. Dave Henderson popped up to right to end the inning.

The Sox got some insurance in the top of the seventh as Greenwell dumped a single to right to start. Vaughn flied out to left before Burks flied out to center before Marzano doubled down the left field line to score Greenwell. Rivera grounded out to third to end the inning but it was 2-0 Sox.

                                                  Greenwell scores a run

Clemens got in trouble in the bottom of the seventh although Canseco earned a hat trick by striking out swinging. Baines walked an Steinbach singled in the hole at short to put the tying runs on. Reed ran down a pop up by Jacoby and Quirk froze for strike three to end the inning.

The Sox wrapped up the scoring in the top of the eighth although Boggs grounded out to second to begin. Reed hit a bullet but right to third before Plantier hit a 376 foot home run just over the wall in left to increase the lead. Quintana watched strike three go by to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                  Plantier hits one out

Gallego whiffed to start the bottom of the eighth before Ernie Riles pinch hit for Bordick, flying out to the centerfield wall. Rickey Henderson grounded out to short to end the inning.

Rick Honeycutt came in for the top of the ninth after Moore had thrown 135 pitches. Greenwell went down hacking before Vaughn did as well. A's manager Tony La Russa brought in old friend Dennis Eckersley just to get him some work and he got Burks to pop up to right to end the inning. Clemens came back to finish the job in the bottom of the ninth with Tom Brunansky now in right. Reed ran down a pop up by Dave Henderson before Canseco earned a golden sombrero by going down swinging. Sox broadcaster Jerry Remy said if Clemens could get Baines to strike out, it would be the first 10 strikeout game for Roger since May 23rd. Naturally Clemens froze Baines with a big curve for strike three to end the game. Clemens pitched a gem against the A's and the Sox had won it 3-0.

                                                 A big win

Hero of the Night is Roger Clemens. The A's aren't the same as they have been the last 3 years but tossing a complete game, 3 hit shutout against the 3-peat AL Champs is nothing to sneeze at.

                                                       Rocket Hero


The Good:

Phil Plantier was 1 for 3 with a walk including a solo home run.

Jack Clark was 1 for 2 with a solo home run.

John Marzano was 1 for 3 with an rbi.



The Bad:

Carlos Quintana was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Mo Vaughn was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Luis Rivera was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.



The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was just 1 for 4.

Jody Reed was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

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

Ellis Burks was just 1 for 4.



Honorable Mention:

Tom Brunansky played right field in the bottom of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

As bad as the Sox have played this year, the fact they're only 5.5 games out of first place is an out an out miracle. There's still a month left to topple the Toronto Blue Jays but they'll need all hands on deck. Clemens can't come to the rescue every time so they're going to need someone else to step up. Hopefully Clark is okay because he looked really hurt after the home run he hit. The Sox can't afford to lose him for the season with the Sox playoff hopes hanging by a thread. If he can't come back, they're done for. The win improved the Sox to 63-62, 5.5 games behind the Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow Mike Gardiner (5-6) goes for the Sox up against Bob Welch at 10:05 PM Eastern time at Oakland Coliseum.

Angels Sweep Sox (8/25/91)

Well this west coast trip began with a thud now didn't it? With the Boston Red Sox desperately needing some momentum heading into the home stretch, the Sox got swept out of Anaheim by the mediocre California Angels. Joe Hesketh (8-3, 3.69 ERA) had one of his worst starts all year as he allowed 7 runs and got knocked out in the fifth inning. Dennis Lamp gave up two big insurance runs and the normally light hitting Angels earned the sweep with a 9-5 victory at Anaheim Stadium.

                                            Judge Doom hates getting swept

Mark Langston got the start for the Angels and Wade Boggs started the top of the first with a ground out to first to start. Jody Reed grounded out to short but Carlos Quintana drew a walk. Jack Clark grounded out to third to end the inning. Hesketh got the Angels to beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the first inning. Luis Polonia grounded out to first, Gary Gaetti grounded out to short and Wally Joyner grounded out to first to end the inning.

Phil Plantier walked to begin the top of the second but Ellis Burks banged into a double play. Tom Brunansky grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Dave Winfield doubled to begin the bottom of the second and moved to third on the Lance Parrish fly out. Hesketh got a big out when Junior Felix grounded out to third and Shawn Abner whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the third inning as John Marzano flied out to center to begin. Luis Rivera and Boggs stroked back to back singles before moving into scoring position on the Reed grounder. Quintana hit a routine fly to right but Felix dropped it to allow both runners to score and Carlos to reach second. Clark doubled home Quintana to increase the lead but got picked off to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                           Quintana scores a run

The Angels struck back in the bottom of the third as Luis Sojo flied out to right to start. Dick Schofield grounded out to third but Polonia walked. Gaetti pounded a home run to left to cut the lead. Joyner grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-2.

                                                           Home run Gaetti

The Sox answered in the top of the fourth as Plantier walked to start. Burks went down swinging but Bruno crushed his 14th home run of the year to increase the lead. Marzano singled to center but Rivera flied out to left. Boggs grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-2.

                                                 Brunansky hits one out

The Angels countered in the bottom of the fourth although Winfield grounded out to third to start. Parrish and Felix stroked back to back singles before the light hitting Abner crushed a 300,000,000 foot home run into the Fiji Islands to tie the game. Sojo grounded out to third but Schofield singled to center. Polonia popped up to third to end the inning with the game tied 5-5.

                                                     The light hitting Abner ties it

Mike Fetters took over for the top of the fifth and Reed lined out to third to begin. Quintana got a base hit up the middle but Clark banged into a double play to end the inning. The Angels knocked Hesketh out in the bottom of the fifth as Gaetti flied out to left to start. Joyner doubled and Winfield walked to chase Hesketh. He lasted just 4 1/3 innings and was charged with 7 runs. Dennis Lamp came in and poured gas on the fire as Parrish singled home Joyner, Felix singled home Winfield and Abner doubled home Parrish. Sojo flied out to left and Schofield flied out to center to end the inning with the Angels up 8-5.

                                                        Terrible effort by Hesketh

The Sox had one last chance to come back in the top of the sixth but Plantier grounded out to first to start. Burks took strike three but Brunansky walked. Marzano singled to bring the tying run to the plate but Rivera grounded out to second to end the inning. The Angels iced the game in the bottom of the sixth as Polonia took strike three to start. Gaetti hit one up the elevator shaft but Joyner tripled and Winfield doubled him home to wrap up the scoring. Parrish swung and missed for strike three but the Angels were up 9-5.

                                                     Not much relief tonight

Boston went quietly in the top of the seventh as Boggs popped up to short to start. Reed and Quintana both grounded out to third to end the inning. Tom Bolton came in for the bottom of the seventh inning and Felix grounded out to third to start. Abner whiffed and Sojo grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Clark flied out to right to start the top of the eighth before Plantier singled to center. Burks banged into a double play to end the inning. Bolton returned for the bottom of the eighth and cruised. Schofield grounded out to short, Polonia whiffed and Gaetti grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox did try to rally in the top of the ninth although Bruno popped up to second to begin. Marzano grounded out to second but Rivera beat out an infield single to second. Boggs drew a walk to chase Fetters. Mark Eichhorn came in to pitch with "Psycho" Steve Lyons pinch hitting for Reed. Lyons grounded out to first to end the game. The Angels completed the sweep over the frazzled Sox with a 9-5 win.

Jackass of the Night is Dennis Lamp. He allowed 2 inherited runners to score and two of his own to put the game out of reach.

                                                       Lamp the Jackass



The Good:

Carlos Quintana was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Phil Plantier was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Tom Brunansky was 1 for 3 with a walk and a 2 run home run.

John Marzano was 2 for 4.

Luis Rivera was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Tom Bolton tossed 2 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Jody Reed was 0 for 4.

Steve Lyons was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Ellis Burks was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Joe Hesketh got creamed for 7 runs in just 4 1/3 innings. He gave up 7 hits and walked two batters.



The Ugly:

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

Jack Clark was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.



Final Thoughts:

Well this west coast trip is off to a caterwauling of nonsense. The Sox needed to win 2 of 3 to keep pace with the Toronto Blue Jays and instead they fell further behind. Unless the Sox go on a tear in September, it doesn't look like the Sox will be repeating as AL East champions. If they kept Mike Boddicker and left Matt Young on the scrap heap, maybe they'd be frontrunners for the playoffs. As it is, they may not have enough to get it done this year. Its too bad their two big free agent signings on the pitching side, Young and Danny Darwin, fell flat on their faces. The loss dropped the Sox back to .500 at 62-62, 5.5 games behind the Detroit Tigers for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Sox travel to Oakland to continue their road trip and Roger Clemens (12-8) goes up against Mike Moore at 10:05 PM Eastern Time at Oakland Coliseum.

McCaskill, Angels Outduels Morton & Red Sox (8/24/91)

What year is this? 5 years ago if Kirk McCaskill of the California Angels shut down the Boston Red Sox in a season he went 17-10 it would have been par for the course. This season Kirk has already lost 16 games and appears to be headed on the downside of his career. Plus, if you told me before the game that Kevin Morton (3-2, 4.41 ERA) would toss 7 innings and allow just 1 run, I'd have asked how much the Sox won by. As it was, McCaskill turned back the clock 5 years to toss 8 innings of shutout ball. Bryan Harvey slammed the door as the Sox mustered just 4 total hits and got blanked by the Angels 1-0 at Anaheim Stadium. How many runs did the Sox score Dean Wormer?

McCaskill began his dominance in the top of the first as Wade Boggs lined out to left to start. Jody Reed grounded out to short and Phil Plantier grounded out to first to end the inning. Morton got the ball in the bottom of the first and Luis Polonia beat out an infield single to first. Luis Sojo grounded into a double play and Wally Joyner took strike three to end the inning.

Jack Clark popped up to first to start the top of the second before Mike Greenwell flied out to center. Mo Vaughn got a base hit to center but Ellis Burks flied out to right to end the inning. Gary Gaetti walked to open the bottom of the second but Dave Winfield flied out to left. Dave Gallagher flied out to right and Shawn Abner flied out to left to end the inning.

John Marzano grounded out to short to start the top of the third before Luis Rivera grounded out to first. Boggs singled to left but Reed popped up to short to end the inning. Dick Schofield Jr walked to begin the bottom of the third but Ron Tingley grounded back to the mound. Polonia took strike three before Sojo grounded out to second to end the inning.

McCaskill cruised in the top of the fourth as Plantier popped up to short to start. Clark flied out to right and Greenwell was thrown out at second after reaching on a fielding error by Joyner to end the inning.

                                                 Stop getting thrown out at second

Morton kept pace in the bottom of the fourth as Joyner flied out to left to start. Gaetti popped up to short but Winfield walked. Gallagher flied out to right to end the inning.

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the fifth as Vaughn grounded out to third to start. Burks grounded out to short and Marzano grounded out to second to end the inning. Morton dominated the bottom of the fifth as Abner lined out to third to start. Schofield Jr popped up to Greenwell in foul territory and Tingley whiffed to end the inning.

                                                       Morton getting it done

Rivera whiffed to start the top of the sixth before Boggs flied out to left. Reed lined one off the glove of McCaskill but Schofield Jr threw him out at first to end the inning. Polonia struck out swinging to start the bottom of the sixth before Sojo popped up to short. Joyner grounded out to second to end the inning.

Nothing happened in the top of the seventh as Plantier flied out to center to start. Clark took strike three and Greenwell flied out to left to end the inning. The Angels finally tagged Morton in the bottom of the seventh although Gaetti hit a squibber in front of the mound to start. Winfield then clobbered a 4 million foot home run into the Pacific Ocean to give the Angels the lead. Gallagher popped up to first and Abner grounded out to short to end the inning. Morton pitched his ass off but left trailing 1-0 after 7 innings.

                                                      Morton deserved better

The Sox tried to fight back in the top of the eighth although Vaughn grounded out to short to start. Burks singled to left to put the tying run on but Marzano flied out to left. Steve Lyons pinch hit for Rivera and popped up to right in foul territory to end the inning. McCaskill tossed 8 innings of shut-out ball and the Sox couldn't touch him. Greg Harris came in for the bottom of the eighth with Lyons taking over at second with Reed moving to short. Schofield Jr grounded out to short to start but Tingley singled to center. A wild pitch moved Tingley to second before moving to third on the Polonia grounder to first. Sojo grounded out to third to end the inning.

Bryan Harvey came in to close out the top of the ninth and the Sox tried to rally when Boggs led off with a double to center. Reed did his job with a sacrifice bunt to move Boggs to third....but Plantier lined out to first. Clark lined out to second to end the game. The Angels had won it 1-0.

Jackass of the Night is Phil Plantier. All he had to do was hit a grounder or a fly ball and the game would have been tied but instead he went 0 for 4 and failed to get Boggs home in the ninth.

                                                 Plantier the Jackass



The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 4.

Mo Vaughn was 1 for 3.

Ellis Burks was 1 for 3.

One of the rare times the losing pitcher ends up on the good list but Kevin Morton pitched great. The rookie allowed just 1 run in 7 innings on just 2 hits and 3 walks.

Greg Harris pitched a scoreless eighth inning.



The Bad:

Jody Reed was 0 for 3.

Jack Clark was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 3.

John Marzano was 0 for 3.

Luis Rivera was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Steve Lyons was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

None




Final Thoughts:

Unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable. Morton pitched his ass off in this one and the Sox offense failed to pick him up. They made McCaskill look like his 1986 self and getting just 4 hits is unacceptable. The Sox normally can score runs so what in the world was that? Even so, the Sox had their chance in the ninth but Plantier and Clark blew that completely. Its a shame and its just another frustrating loss in a season full of them. The Sox have 39 games left in the season but they just seem off compared to last year. They can still go on a run but they are definitely missing Mike Boddicker this season. The only positive to come from this apart from Morton's performance was the game sucked but at least it was short. The loss dropped the Sox to 62-61, 4.5 games behind the Detroit Tigers for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to avoid a sweep tomorrow afternoon against the Angels. Joe Hesketh (8-2, 3.22 ERA) goes for the Sox up against Mark Langston of the Angels at 4:05 PM Eastern time at Anaheim Stadium.

Abbot, Angels Shut Down Sox (8/23/91)

Well this game was a sucker punch to the go-nads. The Boston Red Sox needed a big win against the California Angels to stay afloat in the AL East and instead they were shut down by the one handed Jim Abbott. The Sox offense got three hits and a run against Abbott in the first inning but just three hits the rest of the way. Matt Young (3-4, 4.23 ERA) couldn't keep pace by allowing one of the longest home runs in recorded history to Wally Joyner and 3 total runs. Dan Petry allowed a big insurance run charged to Tony Fossas and the Angels sent the Sox further down the hole with a 4-1 victory at Anaheim Stadium.

                                                            "lousy bums!"

The Sox got to Abbott in the top of the first inning as Wade Boggs beat out an infield single to third to start. Jody Reed beat out an infield single to second but Carlos Quintana hit into a double play that left Reed at second. Jack Clark drew a walk and Mike Greenwell singled home Reed to put the Sox on top. Ellis Burks lined out to right to end the inning with the Sox head 1-0.

                                                             Greenwell puts Boston ahead

Sox starter Matt Young gave the lead away in about 40 seconds in the bottom of the first. Luis Polonia walked, took second on a passed ball and stole third just like that. Gary Gaetti walked but Wally Joyner popped up to Greenwell. Dave Winfield singled home Polonia to tie the game but Dave Parker flied out to left. Bobby Rose singled home Gaetti to give the Angels the lead. Lance Parrish grounded out to first to end the inning with the Angels up 2-1.

                                                          That damn Winfield 

The Sox offense was done for the day as Abbott cruised in the top of the second. Tom Brunansky grounded out to short to start before John Marzano whiffed. Luis Rivera struck out swinging to end the inning. Shawn Abner popped up to first to begin the bottom of the second but Dick Schofield Jr walked. Polonia lined out to second and Abner was thrown out trying to steal by the alert Marzano to end the inning.

                                                       "Where you goin Abner?"

The Sox blew their last chance to rally in the top of the third when Boggs and Reed stroked back to back singles to start. Quintana whiffed and Clark banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox would have just 1 hit the rest of the way. The Angels struck back in the bottom of the third as Gaetti whiffed to start. Joyner then smashed one of the longest home runs in recorded history to increase the lead. Winfield singled to left but Parker and Rose both struck out swinging to end the inning with the Angels ahead 3-1.

                                               "Holy moly that went far" - WJ

The Sox went lifeless in the top of the fourth as Greenwell flied out to left to start. Burks grounded out to short and Brunansky flied out to center to end the inning. Young got Parrish and Abner to both ground out to short to start. Schofield Jr singled but Polonia grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the fifth as Marzano grounded out to second to start. Rivera grounded back to the mound and Boggs grounded out to second to end the inning. Gaetti walked to start the bottom of the fifth and moved to second on the Joyner grounder. Winfield walked but both Parker and Rose flied out to center to end the inning.

Reed grounded out to short to open the top of the sixth but Quintana singled to center. Clark banged into a double play to end the inning. Parrish struck out swinging to begin the bottom of the sixth before Abner whiffed. Schofield Jr lined out to second to end the inning.

The Sox blew another rally in the top of the seventh although Greenwell flied out to left to start. Burks grounded out to third but Brunansky walked. Marzano walked but Rivera grounded into a force to end the inning. The Angels finally chased Young in the bottom of the seventh as Polonia walked to start. Gaetti flied out to left but Joyner singled Polonia to third to chase Young. He was matched up with Abbott and failed to keep pace, allowing 3 runs in 6 1/3 innings. Dennis Lamp came in and Winfield lined out to third. One and done for Lamp as Tony Fossas came in and got Parker to fly out to left to end the inning. 

                                                         Not Young's best start

Mark Eichhorn replaced Abbott for the top of the eighth and Boggs flied out to right to start. Reed struck out swinging and Quintana lined out to first to end the inning. The Angels got an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth as Rose and Parrish stroked back to back singles to start. Dan Petry came in and Abner struck out swinging, but Schofield Jr scored Rose with a grounder. Polonia was intentionally walked and Gaetti flied out to left to end the inning with the Angels ahead 4-1.

                                                      Not much Petry could have done

Bryan Harvey came in to close out the top of the ninth and Clark flied out to right to start. Greenwell popped up to third and Mo Vaughn pinch hit for Burks. Vaughn grounded back to the mound to end the game. The Angels had won it 4-1.

Jackass of the Night is Matt Young. He allowed 3 runs to the Angels when he could ill afford to do to take the loss.

                                                Jackass Young's face says it all

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 4.

Jody Reed was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Dennis Lamp retired the only man he faced

The Bad:

Ellis Burks was 0 for 3.

Mo Vaughn grounded out as a pinch hitter.

Luis Rivera was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Tony Fossas was charged with a run in 1/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Carlos Quintana was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jack Clark was 0 for 3 but walked.

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Tom Brunansky was 0 for 2 but walked.

John Marzano was 0 for 2 but walked.

Dan Petry allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own in an inning of work.

Final Thoughts:

Another tough loss in a season full of them. Abbott brought his A game but the Sox missed a chance to do some damage three times during the game. They couldn't get a clutch hit when it counted and they deserved this loss big time. Matt Young once again didn't justify his price tag, making the Sox look like even bigger fools for letting Mike Boddicker walk. Tony Fossas didn't inspire anyone out of the bullpen either, putting Dan Petry in an impossible situation. The Sox are falling further and further behind the Toronto Blue Jays and they just don't seem to have the "Morgan Magic" this year. Roger Clemens can only do so much by himself. Still, the Sox still have a month to turn it around and repeat as division champions. The loss dropped the Sox to 62-60, 4.5 games behind the Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Sox look to bounce back against the angels when they send rookie Kevin Morton (3-2, 4.89 ERA) to the mound against Kirk McCaskill of the Angels. The game begins at 10:00 PM Eastern time at Anaheim Stadium.

                

Tanana, Tigers Best Clemens & Sox (5/23/91)

Ten years ago the Boston Red Sox came within an eyelash of winning the American League East division championship. One of the reasons they didn't was Frank Tanana went 4-10 for the Sox that season. Naturally after he left Boston he won 15 games for the Texas Rangers in 1984 and 15 for the Detroit Tigers in 1987. Tonight he was instrumental in holding down the Sox offense long enough for the Tigers to pounce on Roger Clemens (6-2, 2.48 ERA). The Tigers broke a tie game in the 7th inning and held on to defeat the Sox 5-3 at Tigers Stadium.

                                               "Damn you Tanana!"

The Sox pissed away a golden chance to take an early lead in the top of the first inning as Wade Boggs singled to start. Jody Reed singled to left and both runners moved over on the Ellis Burks grounder. Jack Clark was intentionally walked and the gamble worked as Mike Greenwell popped up to third and Tom Brunansky grounded out to short to end the inning. Clemens walked Tony Phillips to open the bottom of the first but Lou Whitaker flied out to left. Phillips swiped second but Clemens blew away both Lloyd Moseby and Cecil Fielder to end the inning.

Tanana cruised in the top of the second inning as Carlos Quintana singled to center to begin, but Tony Pena banged into a double play. Luis Rivera popped up to short to end the inning. Mickey Tettleton grounded out to first to start the bottom of the second before Rob Deer whiffed. Pete Incaviglia struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox went quietly in the top of the third inning as Boggs grounded out to third to start. Reed also grounded out to third and Burks flied out to center to end the inning. Clemens matched Tanana in the bottom of the third as Travis Fryman hit one up the elevator shaft to start. John Shelby grounded back to the mound before Phillips grounded out to second to end the inning.

More nothing in the top of the fourth as Clark grounded out to third to begin. Greenwell grounded out to second but Brunansky drew a walk. Quintana grounded out to short to end the inning. The Tigers struck first in the bottom of the fourth as Whitaker doubled to right to begin before moving to third on the Moseby grounder. Fielder lashed a base hit to score Whitaker with the game's first run then took second on the grounder by Tettleton. Deer singled home Fielder but Incaviglia whiffed again to end the inning with the Tigers up 2-0.

                                              Why can't the Sox get guys like this?

The Sox failed to rally in the top of the fifth as Pena flied out to center to start. Rivera stroked a base hit to left but Boggs banged into a double play to end the inning. Clemens recovered in the bottom of the fifth as Fryman whiffed to start. Shelby flied out to left before Phillips grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Sox struck back in the top of the sixth although Reed lined out to short to start. Suddenly Burks pounded his 3rd homer of the season to left to put the Sox on the board. Clark walked and Greenwel singled but Brunansky struck out swinging. Quintana singled to right but Clark was held at third to load the bases. That was it for Tanana as Mark Leiter came in and walked Pena to score Clark with the tying run. With a chance to do some damage....Rivera flied out to right to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                           Burks goes yard

Clemens kept the tie in the bottom of the sixth as Whitaker flied out to center to begin. Moseby flied out to right and Fielder whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox tried to rally in the top of the seventh as Boggs walked to start and moved to second on the sacrifice by Reed. Burks lined out to left and Mike Henneman was brought in to face Clark. Clark walked but Greenwell struck out swinging to end the inning. The Tigers took command in the bottom of the seventh although Tettleton went down swinging to begin. Deer walked and Incaviglia doubled him home to put Detroit up for good. Fryman took strike three and Shelby fanned to end the inning but the Tigers were up 3-2.

Milt Cuyler took over for Shelby in center in the top of the eighth and Brunansky whiffed to start. Quintana also went down swinging but Pena singled to center. Mike Marshall pinch hit for Rivera but flied out to left to end the inning. The Tigers iced it in the bottom of the eighth with Mike Brumley now at short for the Sox. Phillips singled to chase Clemens who was charged with 4 runs in 7 plus innings although he struck out 10.

                                                         Not the best result for Roger

Tony Fossas came in and the first thing he did was throw Whitaker's bunt away for an error. Moseby dropped his own bunt down but Fossas didn't throw this one away. Fielder was intentionally walked and Sox manager Joe Morgan brought in Jeff Gray to put out the fire. Instead Tettleton lined a base hit to core both runs to ice the game. Deer lined out to left and Incaviglia flied out to center to end the inning with the Tigers ahead 5-2.

                                                               Heaves the ball away

Somehow the Sox rallied in the top of the ninth as Boggs singled to start. The Sox caught a break when Fryman dropped a pop up by Reed for an error which led to Jody walking. Burks beat out a double play ball and Clark blooped a single to center to score Boggs and put the tying run at first. Kevin Romine pinch ran for Clark with Paul Gibson now on the mound. Greenwell grounded out to second to put the tying runs in scoring position....but Brunansky popped up to short to end the game. The Tigers had beaten Clemens and won the game 5-3.

Jackass of the Night is Jeff Gray. All he needed to get was two outs, instead he allowed both inherited runners to score the deciding runs.

                                                                What a Jackass



The Good:

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

Jody Reed was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Jack Clark was 1 for 2 with 3 walks, an rbi and a run scored.

Carlos Quintana was 2 for 4.

Tony Pena was 1 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Luis Rivera was 1 for 3.



The Bad:

Mike Marshall was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Roger Clemens took the loss by allowing 4 runs in 7 innings of work. He struck out 10 though.

Tony Fossas was charged with an unearned run in 1/3 of an inning.



The Ugly:

Ellis Burks was just 1 for 5 but the one hit was a solo home run.

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 5.

Tom Brunansky was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked.



Honorable Mention:

Mike Brumley played shortstop in the bottom of the eighth.

Kevin Romine ran for Jack Clark in the top of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

This game was a kick in the pants. The Sox had their chances offensively to survive a relatively poor Clemens start but couldn't get the clutch hit. Meanwhile the Tigers cashed in on Boston's every mistake whether it being Roger's pitch selection or Tony Fossas throwing a bunt into outer space. Jeff Gray has been amazing all year and all he needed was 2 outs yet gives up the winning runs. The Sox are still in first but losses like this can't happen with the Toronto Blue Jays nipping at their heels. The loss dropped the Sox to 23-15, 0.5 games in front of the Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow Tom Bolton (5-0) goes for the Sox up against Dan Petry at 8:05 PM Eastern Time at Tiger Stadium.

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.