Red Sox Walkoff Angels (4/22/94)

One day after the Boston Red Sox came back in dramatic fashion to walkoff the Oakland Athletics, the Red Sox did the same thing against the California Angels. The red hot Boston offense scored four early runs off Chuck Finley but the Angels rallied for 5 runs against Sox starter Frank Viola in the top of the fourth. Then in the bottom of the seventh, Finley casually walked Mo Vaughn but Billy Hatcher made a mad dash home to tie the game on a straight steal. Then in the bottom of the ninth, the Sox loaded the bases against Craig Lefferts and Mo Vaughn did the honors with a walkoff rbi single to bring home Otis Nixon. The Sox had won the game 6-5 at Fenway Park.

                                           Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat approves of the win

Viola got the ball in the top of the first as Damion Easley singled to center to start. Chas Curtis hit into a double play and Tim Salmon flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox wasted no time getting to Finley in the bottom of the first as Otis Nixon's bunt attempt to first was snuffed out. Billy Hatcher flied out to right but Mike Greenwell lashed a base hit to center. Tim Naehring walked and Mo Vaughn got a base hit to left to score Greenwell. John Valentin popped up to first to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                               Vaughn drives in a run

Chili Davis flied out to right to start the top of the second inning but Bo Jackson walked. Eduardo Perez grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the second as Cooper belted his third home run of the season to start. Rich Rowland grounded out to short and Scot Fletcher walked. Fletcher stole second and Nixon drove a base hit to center to score Scott. Nixon was thrown out at second trying to steal which was important because Hatcher doubled off the Monster. Greenwell flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox up 3-0.

                                                              Home run Cooper

Greg Myers grounded out to first to start the top of the third but Rex Hudler singled to center. Gary DiScarcina grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Sox kept coming in the bottom of the third as Naehring doubled off the Monster to start. Vaughn popped up to short and Naehring moved to third on the fly ball to center by Valentin. Cooper walked and Rowland hit a seeing eye single into left to score Naehring with another run. Fletcher flied out to left to end the inning with Boston up 4-0.

                                                            RBI for Rowland

The Angels sprang to life in the top of the fourth as Easley singled to left to start. Curtis doubled to center but Salmon took strike three. Davis singled to right to score both runners and Jackson doubled to right. Perez doubled to right to score both runners to tie the game before Eduardo moved to third on a grounder to second by Myers. Hudler doubled off the top of the Monster to score Perez to give the Angels the lead. Disarcina flied out to center to end the inning with the Angels roaring back to lead 5-4.

                                                           Hudler puts California on top

Nixon struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fourth but Hatcher singled to right. Greenwell popped up to short and Hatcher was thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning. 

Rowland threw a bunt attempt by Easley away for an error to start the top of the fifth but was thrown out at second trying to steal. Curtis walked and he too was thrown out at second trying to steal. Salmon singled to left but Davis grounded out to second to end the inning. Naehring blooped a single to left to start the bottom of the fifth but Vaughn grounded into a double play. Valentin struck out swinging to end the inning.

Jackson grounded out to short to start the top of the sixth before Perez grounded out to second. Myers flied out to left to end the inning. That was it for Viola who had one bad inning but allowed 5 runs in it over 6 full innings of work.

                                                            One bad inning for Frank     

Cooper flied out to right to start the bottom of the sixth but Rowland walked. Fletcher forced Rowland at second and Nixon forced Scott at second to end the inning.

Greg Harris came in to pitch the top of the seventh inning with Harold Reynolds pinch hitting for Hudler. Reynolds got a single to right before being sacrificed to second by Disarcina. Reynolds moved to third on a grounder to short by Easley but Curtis flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the seventh as Hatcher walked to start. A wild pitch moved Billy to second and he went to third on the Greenwell grounder to short. Naehring struck out swinging and Vaughn took ball four.....with Hatcher making a mad dash home for a legitimate stolen base to tie the game. Valentin hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning with the game tied 5-5.

                                                              One of the few to steal home

Salmon took strike three to start the top of the eighth before Davis went down hacking. Jackson grounded out to second to end the inning. Jim Edmonds took over in left for Jackson with Bob Patterson now on the mound. Cooper grounded out to short before Rowland grounded out to first. Fletcher popped up to second to end the inning.

Harris returned for the top of the ninth and Perez struck out swinging to start. Myers and Reynolds both grounded out to second to end the inning. Bill Sampen came in to close out the bottom of the ninth but Nixon walked to start. Hatcher dropped down a bunt to move Nixon to second and that was it for Sampen. Craig Lefferts came in to face Greenwell and Mike lashed a base hit past second to put runners at the corners. Naehring was intentionally walked to set up a double play but Vaughn did the honors with a base hit to right to score Nixon with the winning run. The Sox had walked off the Angels 6-5.

Hero of The Night is Billy Hatcher. Yes, Vaughn got the game winner but it wouldn't have been possible without Hatcher's steal of home to tie the game in the seventh.

                                                         Billy Hero-tcher

The Good:

Mike Greenwell was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Tim Naehring was 2 for 3 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Mo Vaughn was 2 for 4 with a walk and 2 rbis.

Scott Cooper was 1 for 3 with a walk and a home run.

Rich Rowland was 1 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Greg Harris earned the win with 3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

John Valentin was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Frank Viola got lit up for 5 runs in 6 innings of work. He allowed 9 hits and 2 walks.

The Ugly:

Otis Nixon was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked, drove in a run and scored a run.

Scott Fletcher was 0 for 3 but walked, stole a base and scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

Two nights in a row the Sox pulled off late inning heroics to win a game. Once again the speed of the Sox came into play with Fletcher stealing a bag and Hatcher stole home for a key run. Vaughn is quickly becoming the Sox best hitter after struggling in 1992 but the real stars are Cooper, Valentin and Naehring. Cooper gets a lot of flack for not being Jeff Bagwell but he doesn't have to be him, just himself. His home run in this one was also crucial. The Sox now have won four in a row and they look like a wagon offensively. The problem is the pitching although Greg Harris came back strong in this one. The "old" pros Danny Darwin, Frank Viola and Joe Hesketh have looked awful so far this season but there's plenty of time to turn it around. Things are looking up for the Sox if the pitching can hold up and hopefully it does. The Sox look to make it five wins in a row and two straight over the Angels tomorrow afternoon when Danny Darwin (2-1) takes on old pal John Dopson. The game begins at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Walkoff A's in Ninth, Sweep Series (4/21/94)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. The struggling Greg Blosser was sent down to Pawtucket and super utility man Bob Zupcic was called up to replace him. Blosser was 1 for 11 and the plan was to get the 22 year old more playing time in Pawtucket before bringing him back another time.

                                                                   OUT

                                                                     IN

It was a good day for Boston sports as the Boston Bruins defeated the Patrick Roy-less Montreal Canadiens in Game 3 of their first round NHL playoff series. As for baseball, woah, who saw THIS coming for the Boston Red Sox? A day after Roger Clemens beats the Oakland A's with a 2 hit shutout, the Red Sox offense comes alive and beats one of the best closers in the game. Sox starter Joe Hesketh got lit up for 5 runs and got knocked out in the fourth inning thanks to some pretty lousy defense. Trailing 4-0, the Sox mounted a comeback by getting four runs in the sixth thanks to John Valentin and Tim Naehring. With one out in the bottom of the ninth against old friend Dennis Eckersley, Andre Dawson smacked a pinch hit rbi double to tie the game and Otis Nixon knocked him in with a double of his own to win the game 6-5 at Fenway Park.

                                                  Neriah Davis approves of the win

Hesketh got the ball in the top of the first inning and Rickey Henderson led off by grounding out to third. John Wathan was shown to be the acting manager today as Butch Hobson was home mourning a death in the family. Stan Javier grounded back to the mound but Geronimo Berroa doubled to the left field wall. Mark McGwire walked but Ruben Sierra struck out swinging to end the inning.

                                                    No Hobson today

Bobby Witt got the start for Oakland and Otis Nixon led off the top of the first by grounding out to short. Billy Hatcher grounded out to third and Mike Greenwell flied out to center to end the inning.

Terry Steinbach grounded out to short to start the top of the second and Scott Brosius struck out swinging. Mo Vaughn dropped a pop up by Mike Bordick for an error but Hesketh struck him out swinging to end the inning anyway. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the second as Mo Vaughn got a base hit to right field to start. Tim Naehring walked but Damon Berryhill flied out to center. John Valentin popped up to third but Scott Cooper walked to load the bases. Dave Valle grounded into a force to end the inning.

The A's struck first in the top of the third as Scott Hemond hit a bullet to Valentin to start. Henderson walked but was forced at second by Javier. Sox analyst Bob Kurtz told fans that Sox pitching prospect Frankie Rodriguez was no-hitting the Columbus Clippers through six innings, good for him. Javier took off for second and Valle turned around and threw the ball into the net behind the plate for an error to advance Stan to third. Naturally Javier scored on the base hit by Berroa to give the A's the lead. McGwire took strike three to end the inning but it was 1-0 A's.

                                                       Javier scores.

Nixon tried to bunt his way on but Witt snuffed it out to start the bottom of the third. Hatcher was plunked and hobbled around in pain. John Wathan sprinted out of the dugout and asked if Billy was okay and Hatcher said he's good. Hatcher was thrown out trying to steal and Greenwell struck out swinging to end the inning.

                                                 Hatcher "Owwowowowowwwwwww!!!"

The A's struck back in the top of the fourth as Kurtz reported Columbus Clippers catcher Jorge Posada broke up Rodriguez' no hitter down in Pawtucket. Sierra flied out to center but Steinbach slapped a single to right. Brosius flied out to left but Nixon dropped a blooper by Bordick that counted as an rbi "double". Hemond hit a routine grounder to Cooper who threw his glove on the ball and dropped an elbow on it for an error to put runners at the corners. Henderson singled Hemond to third and stole second before both runners scored on the double down the left field line by Javier. That was it for Hesketh who got no help from his defense but was out after allowing 5 runs in 3 2/3 innings. Paul Quantrill came in and Berroa popped up to second to end the inning with the A's ahead 5-0.

                                                              Not Joe's best outing

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the fourth as Vaughn struck out swinging to start. Naehring took strike three but Berryhill walked. Valentin took strike three to end the inning.

McGwire walked to start the top of the fifth but Sierra flied out to left. Steinbach singled to center but Brosius banged into a double play to end the inning. Cooper flied out to center to start the bottom of the fifth and Valle struck out swinging. Nixon doubled to left but Hatcher flied out to center to end the inning.

Bordick singled to left to begin the top of the sixth and took second on a passed ball, but Hemond grounded out to short. Henderson struck out swinging and Javier took strike three to end the inning. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the sixth as Greenwell walked to start. Vaughn dumped a base hit to center and Greenwell motored around to third, Vaughn taking second on the throw. Naehring hit a bullet off the Monster to score both runners to put the Sox on the board. Berryhill flied out to left but Valentin singled to left to chase Witt. Steve Ontiveros came in and Cooper hit a shot into the right field corner. Naehring and Valentin scored but Cooper was thrown out at third trying to stretch a triple. Valle took strike three to end the inning but the Sox were back in it 5-4.

                                                             Yerrrrr out!

Berroa grounded out to short to begin the top of the seventh and McGwire took strike three. Sierra flied out to center to end the inning. Nixon singled to left to start the bottom of the seventh and A's manager Tony La Russa took Ontiveros out. John Briscoe came in and Hatcher flied out to right. Greenwell banged into a double play to end the inning.

Scott Bankhead came in to pitch the top of the eighth inning and Steinbach flied out to right to start. Brosius grounded out to second but Bordick singled to center. Hemond flied out to center to end the inning. Vaughn flied out to center to begin the bottom of the eighth but Naehring walked. Berryhill banged into a double play to end the inning.

Bankhead returned for the top of the ninth and Henderson flied out to left to start. Javier blooped a single past a diving Naehring and Berroa walked. Old buddy Mike Brumley pinch ran for Berroa but McGwire struck out swinging. Sierra grounded out to short to end the inning.

                                                         Good work Bankhead

Dennis Eckersley came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Valentin flied out to center to start. Cooper grounded a base hit to right that was bobbled by Sierra, Cooper taking second on the error. Lee Tinsley pinch ran for Cooper and Roger Clemens gave Cooper an interesting look in the dugout.

                                                    Insane Roger Clemens

Andre Dawson pinch hit for Valle and doubled off the right field barrier on the first pitch to tie the game. Scott Fletcher pinch ran for Dawson and Nixon doubled just inside the first base bag to score Fletcher with the winning run. The Sox had beaten Eckersley and the A's 6-5.

                                                         Sox win, Eck can't believe it

The Co-Heroes of the Night are Andre Dawson and Otis Nixon. Dawson came off the bench ice cold to tie the game and Nixon won it one at-bat later.

                                                      Hero 1: Dawson

                                                     Hero 2: Nixon

The Good:

Mo Vaughn was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Tim Naehring was 1 for 2 with 2 walks, 2 rbis and a run scored.

Scott Cooper was 2 for 3 with a walk and 2 rbis.

Lee Tinsley scored the tying run as a pinch runner

Scott Fletcher scored the winning run as a pinch runner.

Paul Quantrill tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings.

Scott Bankhead got the win with 2 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Dave Valle was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Joe Hesketh got lit up by allowing 5 runs in 3 2/3 innings.

The Ugly:

Billy Hatcher was 0 for 3 but was hit with a pitch.

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked and scored.

Damon Berryhill was 0 for 3 but walked.

John Valentin was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

Not much was expected of the Boston Red Sox this year considering their misery the last two seasons, but at least they're starting April pretty well so far. Clemens looked great last night and knocking off Dennis Eckersley tonight is nothing to sneeze at. The defense needs to be cleaned up but there shouldn't be too many games with 3 errors. Kudos to Quantrill and Bankhead for holding the fort after Hesketh was knocked out. They tossed a combined 5 1/3 shutout innings and kept Oakland off the scoreboard the rest of the way. Dawson's got a pretty bad knee so for him to contribute like that deserves a lot of credit. The hardest job in baseball is to come off the bench ice cold and hit one of the best closers in the game. Nixon carried the offense today with all his hits and the Sox are going be in good shape if he can get back to where he was with the Atlanta Braves. Sweeping the A's out of Fenway was fun but the California Angels come to town next for a set. Frank Viola goes for the Sox against Chuck Finley of the Angels tomorrow night at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Clemens Pitches Gem, Shuts Out A's (4/20/94)

Looks like The Rocket is back. After a sub-standard 1993 season, Roger Clemens (2-0, 4.23 ERA) looked like himself in tonight's game against the Oakland A's. Clemens was masterful, tossing a complete game 2 hit shutout against the A's while Scott Cooper and John Valentin knocked in the only runs needed. It was a brilliant pitcher's duel between Clemens and Steve Karsay with the Sox coming out on top 2-0 at Fenway Park.

                                                Simon Phoenix approves of the win

Clemens took the ball in the top of the first and Rickey Henderson led the game off with a full count walk. Stan Javier struck out swinging as Sox broadcaster Bob Kurtz pointed out the last time Clemens beat the A's. Ruben Sierra popped up to Tim Naehring in foul territory before Troy Neel lined out to a running Lee Tinsley to end the inning. Karsay took the mound in the bottom of the first and Otis Nixon swung and missed for strike three to begin. Billy Hatcher singled down the left field line but was called out at second trying to steal. Replays showed Hatcher was safe but the call stood as Greenwell grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Clemens turned up the heat in the top of the second and Mike Aldrete swung halfheartedly for strike three to begin. Terry Steinbach went down swinging and Mike Brumley was frozen for strike three to end the inning. Mo Vaughn walked to begin the bottom of the second but Tim Naehring flied out to center. Scott Cooper and John Valentin both struck out swinging to end the inning.

Mike Bordick led off the top of the third by grounding out to second to start. Scott Hemond was rung up for strike three on the inside corner before Henderson grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the third as Lee Tinsley grounded out to second to start. Dave Valle fell down while striking out swinging before Nixon popped up to left to end the inning.

                                                      Down goes Valle

Javier led off the top of the fourth by dumping a base hit to right but Tinsley ran down a Sierra liner. Javier took second on a grounder to Naehring by Neel before Aldrete grounded out to Vaughn to end the inning with Clemens at 69 pitches. Hatcher grounded out to short to begin the bottom of the fourth before Greenwell grounded out to second. Vaughn was rung up on a nasty pitch on the corner to end the inning.

Steinbach led off the top of the fifth by popping up to Vaughn in foul territory to start. Brumley poked a base hit to center before Hatcher ran down a liner by Bordick, losing his hat and exposing his bald head in the process. Hemond was so distracted by Hatcher's head that he took strike three to end the inning.

                                                  Hatcher's head

Karsay stayed tough in the bottom of the fifth as Naehring was thrown out by Bordick on a bang bang play at first to start. Cooper flied out to left but Valentin broke his bat on a bloop single to center. Tinsley whiffed to end the inning.

Henderson accidently check swinged a liner to Vaughn to start the top of the sixth before Javier damn near beat out a routine grounder to Naehring. Sierra was rung up for strike three to end the inning. Javier robbed Valle of a hit with a great running catch to start the bottom of the sixth before Nixon was called out on strikes. Hatcher motored around for a scintillating triple but Greenwell grounded out to first to end the inning.

Clemens remained strong in the top of the seventh as Neel whiffed to begin. Aldrete grounded out to second but Steinbach drew a walk. Brumley grounded into a force to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the seventh as Vaughn doubled off the ladder hanging from the Monster to start. Naehring dropped down a bunt to move Vaughn to third and he scored on the sac fly by Cooper. Valentin then cracked his second home run of the year into the screen in left to increase the lead. Tinsley grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                  Valentin goes yard

Could Clemens pitch with the lead in the top of the eighth? YES! Bordick grounded out to short on a nice pick by Vaughn before Geronimo Berroa pinch hit for Hermond. Berroa grounded out to second before Henderson took his sweet time getting in the batter's box. Clemens let him know by buzzing him high and inside before Rickey grounded out to third to end the inning. Junior Noboa took over at second for the bottom of the eighth as Valle beat out an infield single to start. Nixon popped up a bunt attempt but Hatcher singled to left. Greenwell popped up to short before Vaughn whiffed to end the inning. Karsay pitched well but just wasn't good enough.

Clemens returned to finish his masterpiece in the top of the ninth as Javier was rung up for strike three much to Stan's chagrin. Sierra grounded out to short and Neel was called out on strikes to end the game. That was the 55th time Clemens struck out at least ten batters and the Sox had won the game 2-0.

                                                    Another shutout for Roger


Hero of the Night is Roger Clemens. He tossed a complete game 2 hit shutout while walking two and striking out 10 batters.

                                                         Rocket Hero


The Good:

Billy Hatcher was 3 for 4.

Mo Vaughn was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

John Valentin was 2 for 3 with a solo home run.

Dave Valle was 1 for 3.



The Bad:

Otis Nixon was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 4.

Tim Naehring was 0 for 2.

Lee Tinsley was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.



The Ugly:

Scott Cooper was 0 for 2 but drove in a run.




Final Thoughts:

Lousy offense today but a wonderful pitcher's duel with some good catches thrown in. Clemens looked like himself for the first time all season and that's a good thing considering what the rest of the rotation looks like. Unless Aaron Sele is the next stud, it doesn't look good for this year moving forward. One thing for sure is the Sox need to draft a catcher or something because they haven't had much out of that spot once Tony Pena deteriorated. As for this game, not much to say other than Clemens looked great. A win is a win and it was a good one. Tomorrow afternoon Joe Hesketh goes for the Sox against Bobby Witt of the A's as the Sox look to sweep the series at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Boston Bats Bash A's (4/19/94)

Welcome back the Boston Red Sox offense. After being held to one run by the Chicago White Sox in the previous game, the bats exploded against the Oakland Athletics in today's tilt. Aaron Sele (1-0, 1.86 ERA) pitched well, holding the A's to 3 runs in seven strong innings before giving way to Greg Harris. Meanwhile the bats pounded out 16 hits and 13 runs against Bob Welch and the Oakland bullpen. Scott Cooper went 4 for 5 with 4 runs batted in and a grand slam while both Tim Naehring and Mo Vaughn each clubbed two home runs. Mike Greenwell also went yard as the Sox pounded the A's 13-5 at Fenway Park.

                                                   Bret Hart approves of the win

Sele got the ball in the top of the first inning and Rickey Henderson flied out to center to start. Stan Javier grounded out to first and Ruben Sierra grounded out to second to end the inning. Welch got the ball in the bottom of the first and Otis Nixon's bunt attempt was snuffed out at first to start. Billy Hatcher grounded back to the mound and Mike Greenwell flied out to right to end the inning.

Mark McGwire walked to start the top of the second and Troy Neel took strike three. Terry Steinbach struck out swinging and old pal Mike Brumley flied out to left to end the inning. Mo Vaughn led off the bottom of the second with a towering home run to put Boston on top then Tim Naehring went yard for back to back jacks. Damon Berryhill singled to right and John Valentin looked to have hit a double play balll....if Brumley didn't throw the relay throw away for an error. Scott Cooper singled to center and Dave Valle walked to load the bases, but Cooper was doubled off second on a bullet hit to short by Nixon to end the inning. The Sox now led 2-0.

                                                                  Back to back jacks

Scott Brosius hit one up the elevator shaft to start the top of the third and Mike Bordick flied out to center. Henderson grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox exploded in the bottom of the third as Hatcher singled to left to start. Greenwell walked but Vaughn struck out swinging. Naehring walked and Berryhill walked with the bases loaded to score Hatcher. Valentin popped up to third but Cooper slugged a grand slam to ice the game early. That was it for Welch as Carlos Reyes came in to pitch to Valle. Dave grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-0.

                                                          Grand slam Cooper

Sele's only bad inning was the top of the fourth as Javier's bunt attempt was snuffed out by Aaron to start. Sierra hit a home run all the way to Pluto to cut the lead and McGwire singled to center. Neel also singled to center and both runners moved over on a wild pitch. Steinbach struck out swinging but Brumley got a base hit to right to score both runners. Brosius got a base hit to left but Bordick flied out to left to end the inning with the A's down 7-3.

                                                                Home run by Sierra

The Sox answered in the bottom of the fourth although Nixon flied out to left to start. Hatcher lined out to left but McGwire muffed a ball by Greenwell for an error. Vaughn singled to center and Naehring singled to left to score Greenwell. Berryhill grounded out to second to end the inning.

                                                               Rbi by Naehring

Henderson flied out to center to start the top of the fifth but Javier singled in the hole at second. Sierra struck out swinging and McGwire forced Sierra at second to end the inning. Valentin grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the fifth but Cooper singled to right. Valle struck out swinging but Nixon doubled to center. Hatcher took strike three to end the inning.

Neel struck out swinging to start the top of the sixth and Steinbach grounded out to second. Brumley blooped a base hit over Valentin's head but Brosius took strike three to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the sixth as Greenwell grounded out to second to start. Once again Vaughn and Naehring struck back to back home runs to increase the lead. That was it for Reyes as Ed Nunez came in to pitch to Berryhill and Damon flied out to right. Valentin took strike three to end the inning with the Sox ahead 10-3.

                                                            Back to back jacks....again

Sele returned for one final inning in the top of the seventh and Bordick lined out to right to start. Henderson walked but Javier and Sierra both struck out swinging to end the inning. That was it for Sele who allowed 3 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks.

                                                           Good work by Sele

Cooper grounded out to first to start the bottom of the seventh and Valle struck out swinging. Nixon lined out to left to end the inning.

Greg Harris came in to pitch the top of the eighth and McGwire walked to start. Neel then hit a home run all the way to Norway to cut the lead. Steinbach struck out swinging, Brumley took strike three and Brosius flied out to left to end the inning.

                                                             Home run Neel

Old foe Dave Righetti came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Hatcher singled to right to start. Greenwell then clubbed his fourth home run of the year to increase the lead. Vaughn walked and Naehring singled to left before Berryhill's fly ball to right moved Mo to third. Valentin hit a sac fly to center to score Vaughn and Cooper got a base hit to right to move Tim to third. Valle grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 13-5.

                                                            Home run Greenwell

Harris returned to mop up the top of the ninth and Mike Aldrete pinch hit for Bordick. Aldrete lined out to left and Geronimo Berroa pinch hit for Henderson. Berroa struck out swinging and Junior Noboa pinch hit for Javier. Noboa popped up to left to end the game. The Sox had won it 13-5.

Hero of The Night is Scott Cooper. His grand slam was essentially the difference in the game.

                                                                     Hero Cooper

The Good:

Billy Hatcher was 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

Mo Vaughn was 3 for 4 with 2 home runs, a walk and 3 total runs scored.

Tim Naehring was 4 for 4 with 2 home runs, a walk and 3 total runs scored.

Aaron Sele got the win with 7 strong innings allowing just 3 runs off 7 hits and 2 walks while striking out 8 batters.

The Bad:

Greg Harris allowed 2 runs in 2 innings.

The Ugly:

Otis Nixon was just 1 for 5.

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 4 but hit a 2 run homer, walked and scored three runs.

Damon Berryhill was just 1 for 4 but walked, drove in a run and scored a run.

John Valentin was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Dave Valle was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Final Thoughts:

That was a great team win and the Boston offense is really gelling. The veterans Nixon, Greenwell and Hatcher are mixing with the youth movement of Cooper, Vaughn, Naehring and Valentin big time. Andre Dawson didn't play but add him to the veteran's list as eight players out of nine have been producing in different ways day in and out. Cooper's grand slam pretty much ended the game early but Naehring and Vaughn have been on fire to start the season. The quartet of Cooper, Vaughn, Valentin and Naehring might be Lou Gorman's finest work when all is said and done even if Lou is no longer here. Add Sele to the list as well who pitched well today. Not much to complain about in this one apart from Greg Harris being ineffective again. Oh well, he'll figure it out. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the A's tomorrow evening when Roger Clemens (1-0) takes on Steve Karsay of the A's. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

White Sox Crush Darwin, Red Sox (4/18/94)

It was bad news all around as the Boston Bruins lost Game 2 of their first round NHL playoff series to the Montreal Canadiens and the Chicago White Sox laid waste to the Boston Red Sox. The White Sox bats pounded out 11 hits and 12 runs against Danny Darwin (2-1, 7.13 ERA), Ricky Trlicek and Tony Fossas. On the other side of the ball, Wilson Alvarez held Boston to just 1 run in 6 innings of work. Jose DeLeon and Dennis Cook held the fort for Chicago while the White Sox continued to pile on. It all added up to a 12-1 defeat by the White Sox at Commiskey Park.

Alvarez got the ball in the top of the first inning and Tim Raines immediately hit a home run to Moscow, Russia to set the tone for the game. Joey Cora grounded out to first, Frank Thomas popped up to second and Julio Franco flied out to center to end the inning with the White Sox up 1-0.

                                                                Raines hits one out

Alvarez got the ball in the bottom of the first and Otis Nixon popped up a bunt to first to start. Billy Hatcher popped up to short and Mike Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning.

Ventura singled to right to start the top of the second before Darrin Jackson popped up to short. Lance Johnson singled to center but Ron Karkovice struck out swinging. Ozzie Guillen lined out to right to end the inning. Andre Dawson struck out swinging to start the bottom of the second before Mo Vaughn walked. Tim Naehring popped up to second but John Valentin walked. Rich Rowland struck out swinging to end the inning.

Raines hit yet another home run to start the top of the third but Cora flied out to left. Thomas grounded out to third but Franco walked. Ventura took strike three to end the inning with Chicago up 2-0.

                                                            Another home run for Raines

The BoSox failed to respond in the bottom of the third as Scott Fletcher flied out to right to start. Nixon popped up to short and Hatcher grounded out to second to end the inning.

Things went south in the top of the fourth as Jackson struck out swinging to start. Johnson walked and stole second before Karkovice walked as well. A passed ball moved both runners over but Karkovice was hung out to dry on a grounder to first by Guillen. Raines was intentionally walked to load the bases and the gamble failed as Cora tripled into the right field corner to clear the bases. Thomas flied out to right to end the inning but it was 5-0 White Sox.

                                                        Cora adds to the misery

Greenwell struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fourth before Dawson drew a walk. Vaughn popped up to third but Naehring drew a walk. Valentin popped up to second to end the inning.

Franco grounded out to third to start the top of the fifth before Ventura popped up to second. Jackson took strike three to end the inning. Rowland struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth before Fletcher flied out to center. Nixon grounded out to short to end the inning.

Johnson lined out to first to start the top of the sixth before Karkovice struck out swinging. Guillen lined out to second to end the inning. The BoSox blew another rally in the bottom of the sixth as Hatcher grounded out to third to start. Greenwell grounded out to second but Dawson got a base hit to left. Vaughn got a base hit to left and Naehring flied out to right to end the inning.

The White Sox finished off Darwin in the top of the seventh as Raines singled to left to begin. Cora sacrificed Tim to second with a bunt and Thomas walked. Both runners moved over on a grounder to first by Franco and Ventura was intentionally walked to load the bases. Jackson ripped a base hit to center to score both Raines and Thomas, chasing Darwin. Danny battled but was charged with 8 runs in 6 2/3 innings allowing 7 hits and SIX walks. Ricky Trlicek came in to pitch and Johnson singled to right to score Ventura but Johnson was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double to end the inning with the White Sox ahead 8-0.

                                                            Danny was AWFUL'

The BoSox tried to start a rally in the bottom of the seventh as Valentin doubled to center to begin. Rowland singled to left to score John and chase Alvarez from the game. Jose DeLeon came in to pitch and Fletcher singled to right. Nixon popped up to third and the ball got away on Hatcher's swinging strikeout to move the runners over. Greenwell walked to load the bases and with a chance to get the Sox back in it....Dawson grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox down 8-1.

                                                                  Rowland drives in a run

The White Sox poured it on in the top of the eighth as Karkovice walked to start. Ron moved to second on Guillen's grounder to third and Raines crushed his third home run of the game. Cora walked and Thomas hit a home run all the way to Saturn to wrap up the scoring. That was it for Trlicek as Tony Fossas came in to pitch to pinch hitter Warren Newson. Newson and Ventura struck out swinging to end the inning with the White Sox up 12-1.

                                                         Another home run for Raines

Dan Pasqua came in for Thomas to start the bottom of the eighth and Vaughn flied out to left to start. Naehring walked and Guillen booted a grounder by Valentin for an error. Rowland struck out swinging and Fletcher flied out to center to end the inning.

Dave Valle came in for Vaughn with Lee Tinsley in for Mike Greenwell to start the top of the ninth and Jackson doubled to center to start. Johnson popped up to second but Karkovice walked. Guillen took strike three but Naehring booted a grounder by Raines for an error to load the bases. Cora grounded out to third to end the inning. Dennis Cook came in to finish off the bottom of the ninth and Nixon flied out to right to start. Hatcher flied out to right but Pasqua dropped a pop up by Tinsley for an error. Damon Berryhill pinch hit for Dawson and walked but Valle took strike three to end the game. The White Sox had won 12-1.

Jackass of the Night is Danny Darwin. He got smacked around for 8 runs in 6 2/3 innings allowing 7 hits and 6 walks while striking out 5.

                                                                 Jackass Darwin

The Good:

Andre Dawson was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Damon Berryhill walked as a pinch hitter.

Mo Vaughn was 1 for 3 with a walk.

John Valentin was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Tony Fossas tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Otis Nixon was 0 for 5.

Billy Hatcher was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Lee Tinsley was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Dave Valle struck out as a pinch hitter.

Ricky Trlicek allowed 4 runs in just 2/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Tim Naehring was 0 for 2 with an error but walked twice.

Rich Rowland was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but drove in a run.

Scott Fletcher was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

That game sucked for all the wrong reasons. Darwin got lit up by Tim Raines of all people and the BoSox couldn't get a clutch hit when it counted. Boston had men on base almost every inning and couldn't get anyone in most of the time. Just a bad day for the offense but there will be better ones. Darwin and Trlicek got hammered for 12 runs so hopefully the pitchers tomorrow do a lot better job. Its only April but Frank Viola and Danny Darwin don't look good so far this season. Time could be catching up to them but then again, its only April. The less said of this epic disaster, the better. The Sox now welcome the Oakland A's in for a three game set tomorrow afternoon in Boston. Aaron Sele looks for his first win of the season against Bob Welch of Oakland. The game begins at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.

White Sox Defeat Viola, Red Sox (4/17/94)

That was not the best game pitched by Frank Viola (0-1, 4.96 ERA) in today's Boston Red Sox game against the Chicago White Sox. Frank got rocked for four runs in just 5 1/3 innings while the Sox offense was stoned cold by Scott Sanderson of Chicago. Mike Greenwell did hit a first inning home run off Sanderson but the White Sox knocked Viola out and led 4-1. Bad errors by the Sox defense led to the White Sox getting three unearned runs off Scott Bankhead and Joe Hesketh. The Red Sox rallied in the bottom of the eighth for three runs but it was too little, too late as the White Sox won 7-4 at Fenway Park.

                                                          "Three errors in one inning?"

Viola got the ball in the top of the first and Tim Raines popped up to first to start. Joey Cora flied out to center and Frank Thomas grounded out to short to end the inning. The Red Sox wasted no time getting to Sanderson in the bottom of the first as Otis Nixon grounded out to second to start. Billy Hatcher grounded out to third but Mike Greenwell launched his third home run of the season to put Boston on top. Mo Vaughn grounded out to third to end the inning with the BoSox up 1-0.

                                                              Greenwell hits one out

The White Sox answered in the top of the second as Julio Franco walked to start. Franco took second on a wild pitch then third on a Robin Ventura liner to right. Darrin Jackson grounded out to third but Lance Johnson singled to left to score Franco to tie the game. Ron Karkovice flied out to center to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                        Johnson ties it up.

Tim Naehring took strike three to start the bottom of the second before Scott Cooper lined out to short. John Valentin singled to left and stole second but Greg Blosser struck out swinging to end the inning.

Ozzie Guillen grounded out to third to start the top of the third before Raines popped up to first. Cora flied out to right to end the inning. Dave Valle flied out to right to start the bottom of the third before Nixon struck out swinging. Hatcher singled to center but was picked off to end the inning.

The White Sox took command in the top of the fourth as Thomas hit a home run all the way to Jupiter to start. Franco grounded out to short and Ventura struck out swinging, but Jackson hit a home run all the way to Los Angeles to increase the lead. Johnson flied out to left to end the inning with the White Sox ahead 3-1.

                                                                 Jackson hits one out

Greenwell grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fourth before Vaughn struck out swinging. Naehring and Cooper stroked back to back base hits but Valentin struck out swinging to end the inning.

Karkovice singled to right to start the top of the fifth before Guillen sacrificed him to second with a bunt. Ron moved to third on the fly out to right by Raines and Cora walked to put runners at the corners. Thomas lined out to right to end the inning. Blosser lined out to short to start the bottom of the fifth but Valle singled to center. Nixon lined out to left and Hatcher grounded out to third to end the inning.

The White Sox finished off Viola in the top of the sixth as Franco singled to center to start. Ventura struck out swinging and Jackson singled to left. Johnson singled to center to score Franco and drive Viola out of the game. Frank allowed 4 runs in 5 1/3 innings off 7 hits and 2 walks. Scott Bankhead came in to pitch and Karkovice took strike three. Guillen flied out to right to end the inning with the White Sox ahead 4-1.

                                                      Viola didn't have it in this one

Greenwell flied out to center to start the bottom of the sixth before Vaughn grounded out to third. Naehring flied out to left to end the inning.

Raines popped up to short to start the top of the seventh before Cora struck out swinging. Thomas singled to left but Franco took strike three to end the inning. Kirk McCaskill came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Cooper grounded out to second to start. Valentin flied out to center but Blosser drew a walk. Valle flied out to center to end the inning.

Things fell apart in the top of the eighth as Ventura grounded out to short to start. Jackson hit a routine grounder to Cooper who picked the ball up and did a dance with it for an error. That was it for Bankhead as Joe Hesketh came in to pitch to Johnson. Johnson hit a routine grounder to Naehring who picked the ball up and did a dance with it to show up Cooper for another error. Karkovice flied out to center and Guillen hit a grounder to third. Cooper fired home to Valle.....WHO DROPPED IT! Jackson and Johnson both scored on the error to ice the game. Raines singled to center to score Guillen and Cora singled to center to chase Hesketh. Paul Quantrill came in to pitch and Thomas flied out to right to end the inning with the White Sox ahead 7-1.

                                                    Cooper, Naehring and Valle

The Red Sox rallied in the bottom of the eighth as Nixon flied out to center to start. Hatcher singled to left and Greenwell doubled to right to score him. Vaughn then clubbed his second home run of the year to cut the lead, but Naehring flied out to right. Cooper singled to right to chase McCaskill and Roberto Hernandez came in to face Valentin. John popped up to short to end the inning with the Sox down 7-4.

                                                                 Vaughn hits a homer

Franco took strike three to start the top of the ninth and Ventura also watched strike three go by. Jackson flied out to right to end the inning. Blosser struck out swinging to start the bottom of the ninth and Damon Berryhill pinch hit for Valle. Damon struck out swinging and Nixon also went down hacking to end the game. The White Sox had won it 7-4.

Jackass of the Night is Dave Valle. Him dropping the ball at the plate led to two runs scoring and an eventual third run. That was the difference in the game

                                                               Dave Jackass

The Good:

Billy Hatcher was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Mike Greenwell was 2 for 4 with a home run, 2 total rbis and 2 total runs scored.

Paul Quantrill tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Otis Nixon was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Damon Berryhill struck out as a pinch hitter.

Frank Viola got hammered for four runs in just 5 1/3 innings to take the loss.

Joe Hesketh allowed 2 unearned runs in 1/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Mo Vaughn was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a 2 run home run.

Tim Naehring was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout and an error.

John Valentin was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Scott Cooper was 2 for 4 but committed a crucial error.

Greg Blosser was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Scott Bankhead was charged with an unearned run in 2 innings.

Final Thoughts:

That game was a week's worth of bad baseball in one game. Viola pitched like garbage and the Sox committed three errors in that fateful eighth inning. The entire infield owes Scott Bankhead and Joe Hesketh some beers tonight for that total mess they created. The offense was shut down for virtually the entire game so its not entirely the fault of pitching and defense. It was good to see Vaughn and Greenwell hit some rockets so the game wasn't entirely a waste. Greg Blosser looks lost at the plate but maybe he'll pick it up as the season goes on. After the dreary 1992 and 1993 seasons, the Sox winning 7 of the first 11 games is a cause for hope even if they lost this one. The less said of this disaster, the better. The BoSox look to bounce back against the White Sox tomorrow morning on Patriots Day. Danny Darwin (2-0) goes for Boston against Wilson Alvarez of Chicago. The game begins at 11:00 AM at Fenway Park.