Yankees Massacre Sox in Game 3 (10/16/04)

After a rainout pushed Game 3 back a day, maybe they should have played last night in the rain anyway. The Boston Red Sox' epic season is about to come crashing down at the hands of the New York Yankees. The Yankees added a new chapter in their 86 year beat down of the Red Sox by knocking the Sox flat tonight in Game 3. The Yankees pounded starter Bronson Arroyo and a host of relief pitchers for 22 hits and 19 runs in one of the most decisive routs in MLB history. Though the Sox scored a bunch of runs of their own, it wasn't nearly enough as the Yankees are now one game away from a four game sweep as they took Game 3 by a score of 19-8 at Fenway Park.

Arroyo took the mound in the top of the first and immediately crapped his pants. Derek Jeter started with a walk and Alex Rodriguez doubled into the left field corner to score him. A-Rod moved to third when Gary Sheffield flied out to the centerfield wall and Hideki Matsui smashed a 40,000 foot home run to right to increase the lead. Bernie Williams singled to right but Jorge Posada banged into a double play to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 3-0.

                                                         Matsui puts the Yankees up big

The Sox had no trouble hitting Yankees starter Kevin Brown in the bottom of the first but ran themselves out. Johnny Damon grounded out to short and Mark Bellhorn whiffed, but Manny Ramirez singled. Ortiz singled to right but Manny was foolishly thrown out at third trying to stretch to end the inning.

Ruben Sierra doubled to the left field wall start the top of the second but Jon Olerud popped up to short. Miguel Cairo popped up to first and Jeter flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox fought back in the bottom of the second as Jason Varitek walked to start. Trot Nixon pounded a home run just over the head of Sheffield into the stands to cut the lead. Kevin Millar flied out to the centerfield wall but Bill Mueller doubled off the bottom of the right field wall. Cabrera grounded out to third but Damon lined one off the glove of Olerud over to second. The hustling Mueller scored to tie the game but Cairo foolishly threw home which allowed Damon to reach second. A wild pitch moved Damon to third before Bellhorn drew a walk. Manny hit a liner to Jeter who bobbled it, allowing Damon to score the go-ahead run. That was the first lead in the series for the Sox. Ortiz grounded out to second to end the inning but it was 4-3 Sox.

                                                            Nixon gets the Sox back in it

The Yankees pounded Arroyo in the top of the third inning as A-Rod pounded a home run over the Monster Seats to tie the game. Sheffield walked and Matsui pounded a double to right to chase Arroyo. In a game the Sox had to win, Arroyo lasted just 2 innings and was charged with 6 runs.

                                                 Damn Yankees

Ramiro Mendoza came in to take a beating as Williams singled home Sheffield to put the Yankees back on top. Mendoza balked home Matsui as the boo birds came out. Sox manager Terry Francona ran out to argue but it was clearly a balk. Posada popped up on the infield to Millar before Sierra swung at a changeup in the dirt for strike three. Olerud grounded out to short to end the inning but the Yankees were up 6-4.

The Sox tied it up in the bottom of the third with Javier Vazquez on the mound for the Yankees. Varitek got the rally started with a base hit to left but Nixon whiffed. Millar doubled off the Monster before Mueller walked to load the bases. Cabrera hit a line drive out of the reach of Sheffield that went to the wall. Varitek and Millar scored but Mueller was gunned down at home for a huge out. Damon grounded out to first to end the inning but the game was tied 6-6.

                                                     Cabrera with the clutch hit

The Yankees wasted no time getting the lead back in the top of the fourth inning as Cairo was plunked to start. That was it for Mendoza as Curtis Leskanic was brought in to pour gas on the fire. Nixon made a great diving catch to rob Jeter of a hit but A-Rod walked. Sheffield then crushed a 3 run home run into the Monster seats to give the Yankees the lead back. Matsui doubled into the left field corner to chase Leskanic. Tomorrow's starter Tim Wakefield came in and got Williams to pop up to first but Posada was intentionally walked. Sierra made the Sox pay by tripling past Nixon to score two more runs. Olerud lined out to short to end the inning but the 5 run inning put the Yankees up for good 11-6.

                                                     The Yankees pour it on

Bellhorn whiffed to start the bottom of the fourth but Ramirez walked. Ortiz got a base hit to right but Varitek hit a bullet to first and Ortiz was doubled off to end the inning.

The Yankees were relentless in the top of the fifth inning although Cabrera made a great play to rob Cairo of a hit to begin. Jeter walked and A-Rod doubled to the right field wall to score Jeter. Sheffield crushed a double to the Monster to score A-Rod with another run. Matsui flied out to left and Williams whiffed to end the inning but the Yankees were up 13-6.

                                                        A-Rod keeps up the destruction

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the fifth as Nixon popped up to center to start. Millar popped up to second and Mueller grounded out to second to end the inning.

Wakefield cruised in the top of the sixth as Posada flied out to center to start. Sierra flied out to the centerfield wall before Olerud grounded out to short to end the inning, hurting himself in the process.

                                                 Stephen King is used to horror shows

Tony Clark replaced Olerud in the bottom of the sixth and Cabrera started a rally with a double to the centerfield wall. Damon popped up to right but Bellhorn whiffed. Manny whiffed to end the inning.

The carnage continued in the top of the seventh as Cairo hit a base hit in the hole at short to start. Damon made a sliding catch to rob Jeter of a hit before Bellhorn dropped a routine pop up by A-Rod. Luckily Cairo never moved so he got Miguel at second on the force. Sheffield hit a laser off the Monster but it was just a single that moved Jeter to third. That was it for Wakefield who did the best he could to save the rest of the bullpen for tomorrow's game. Alan Embree came in to pitch to Matsui and naturally Matsui singled home A-Rod for another run. Williams doubled home both runners to increase the lead. Posada crushed a double off the Monster for yet another run as the remaining Sox fans booed the Sox pitching staff. Sierra grounded out to short to end the inning but it was 17-6 Yankees.

                                          Can anyone get Matsui out?

Ortiz singled off the Monster to start the bottom of the seventh and Varitek smashed a two run home run to center just to piss the Yankees off. Nixon flied out to right and that was it for Vazquez. Paul Quantrill came in and Millar grounded out to short before Mueller lined a base hit into the left field corner. Cabrera lined a base hit to center but Damon lined out to left to end the inning. If nothing else the Sox beat around the Yankees pitching but trailed 17-8

                                                        Varitek goes yard.

Mike Myers came in to pitch the top of the eighth with Doug Mirabelli now behind the plate. Myers whiffed Clark and Cairo but Jeter poked a single to center. Bellhorn made a diving stop to rob A-Rod of a hit, forcing Jeter at second to end the inning. Bellhorn earned the golden sombrero with his 4th strikeout to start the bottom of the eighth before Manny flied out to center. Ortiz whiffed to end the inning.

The Yankees had one final kick in the ass for the Sox in the top of the ninth when Sheffield singled up the middle to start. Bubba Crosby ran for Sheffield and Matsui ended the massacre with a two run bomb to center. Williams and Posada stroked back to back hits before Sierra was frozen for strike three. Clark hit a liner to Mueller who doubled off Williams to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 19-8.

                                                   Scoreboard says it all

The torture ended with Tom Gordon now on the mound for the bottom of the ninth. Mirabelli popped up to second but Nixon doubled off the centerfield wall. Nixon moved to third on a wild pitch but Millar whiffed. Mueller flied out to center to end the game. The Yankees had a stranglehold on the American League Championship Series and was up 3 games to 0 with a 19-8 rout.

                                                          Can't argue this


Jackass of the Night is a tough one considering everyone the Sox threw out there got hammered but I'll go with Arroyo. He had absolutely nothing and he put the Sox in a hole that was too big to climb out of. He lasted just two innings and was charged with 6 runs.

                                                   Arroyo The Jackass



The Good:

David Ortiz was 3 for 5 with a run scored.

Jason Varitek was 2 for 3 with a walk, 3 runs scored and a 2 run home run.

Trot Nixon was 2 for 5 including a 2 run homer.

Bill Mueller was 2 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

Orlando Cabrera was 3 for 4 with 2 rbis.



The Bad:

Doug Mirabelli was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Ramiro Mendoza allowed a run in the third inning.

Curtis Leskanic was charged with 3 runs in just 1/3 of an inning.

Tim Wakefield allowed 5 runs in 3 1/3 innings.

Alan Embree allowed 2 runs in just 1/3 of an inning.

Mike Myers allowed 2 runs in 2 innings of work.



The Ugly:

Johnny Damon was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run and scored.

Mark Bellhorn was 0 for 4 with a golden sombrero of 4 strikeots but walked.

Manny Ramirez was just 1 for 4 but walked.

Kevin Millar was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.




Final Thoughts:

It can't end like this. Seriously, it can't end like this. After coming within a horrendous managerial decision from winning the pennant last year, the Sox can't just fall on their face and get swept after everything that's happened since Game 7 last year...can it? The Yankees offense looks to be completely unstoppable, scoring 32 runs in the first 3 games of this series. Not only that, Curt Schilling has a serious ankle problem and Pedro Martinez got out-pitched by Jon Lieber. The offense scored 8 runs today but the pitching just can't stop the Yankees. The worst apart about it is the only thing standing between the Red Sox and an embarrassing four game sweep is Derek Lowe. The same Lowe that was supposedly hung over when he got bombed by the Yankees on national television. The Sox look to avoid a sweep tomorrow night when they send Lowe to the mound against Orlando Hernandez at 8:00 PM at Fenway Park.

Yankees Beat Pedro Again, Take Game 2 (10/13/04)

Now its time to panic Boston Red Sox fans. After Curt Schilling got hammered in Game 1 the Sox turned to Pedro Martinez to bail them out against the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series. It didn't happen as Pedro allowed 3 runs in 6 innings but the Sox offense was silenced by Jon Lieber. Lieber tossed 7 innings of 1 run ball, John Olerud hit a back breaking home run and the Yankees sent the series back to Fenway with a 3-1 victory at Yankee Stadium.

                                                  The two aces fail to deliver

The Sox did nothing in the top of the first inning against Lieber as Johnny Damon grounded weakly to Olerud to begin the game. Mark Bellhorn popped up to short before Manny Ramirez whiffed to end the inning. Yankee fans rose to their feet and chanted "Who's Your Daddy" as Pedro took the mound for the bottom of the first and the chants got louder as the Yankees rallied. Derek Jeter drew a leadoff walk before taking off for second. The Yankees caught a break when Bellhorn dropped the ball as the throw did manage to beat Jeter. Alex Rodriguez was plunked and Gary Sheffield singled home Jeter to give the Yankees the lead. Hideki Matsui and Bernie Williams both looked at strike three before Jorge Posada grounded out to second to end the inning but it was 1-0 Yankees.

                                                   Yankees strike first

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the second although David Ortiz walked to start. Kevin Millar popped up to short, Trot Nixon flied out to left and Jason Varitek grounded out to second to end the inning. The Yankees drove Pedro's pitch count in the bottom of the second as Olerud grounded out to second to start. Miguel Cairo walked and Kenny Lofton singled before Cairo moved to third on the Jeter line out to center but A-Rod looked at strike three to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the third although Orlando Cabrera singled to start. Cabrera moved to third on groundouts by Bill Mueller and Damon before Bellhorn flied out to center to end the inning. Pedro settled down in the bottom of the third as Sheffield popped up to short to start. Matsui and Williams both grounded out to first to end the inning.

Lieber was untouchable in the top of the fourth as Ramirez popped up to center to start. Ortiz popped up to center and Millar grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Pedro did what he could in the bottom of the fourth although Posada walked to start. Olerud popped up to second before Cairo flied out to left. Lofton whiffed to end the inning.

Still nothing for the Sox in the top of the fifth inning as Nixon flied out to left to begin. Varitek hit a squibber back to the mound and Cabrera whiffed to end the inning. Pedro kept pace in the bottom of the fifth as Jeter grounded out to short to start. A-Rod beat out an infield single to third before Sheffield whiffed. Matsui was frozen for strike three to end the inning.

Shades of Game 1, the Sox couldn't hit in the top of the sixth as Mueller popped up to third to start. Damon lined out to a running Williams in center before Bellhorn whiffed to end the inning. Through the first through innings of Game 1 they had no hits and through the first six tonight they had 1 hit.

                                                 Exactly Bob

The Yankees iced the game against Pedro in the bottom of the sixth inning although Williams lined out to center to begin. Posada walked and Olerud iced the game with a 2 run bomb into the right field seats to increase the lead. Pedro recovered to freeze Cairo with a fastball on the inside corner before Lofton popped up to third to end the inning. That was it for Pedro after 6 innings of 3 run ball, the one mistake to Olerud made the difference as the Sox trailed 3-0.

                                                Olerud goes yard

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the seventh inning as Ramirez grounded out to short to start. Ortiz managed a base hit to right but Manny banged into a double play to end the inning. Mike Timlin came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh inning and got Jeter to ground to short to begin. A-Rod lined a bullet that a diving Mueller caught before Sheffield singled to chase Timlin. Alan Embree came in and Matsui blooped a single to left but Williams popped up to right to end the inning.

Lieber returned for the complete game shutout but he was chased by a Nixon single to open the top of the eighth inning. Old pal Tom Gordon took the mound and Varitek greeted him with a double into the gap to bring the tying run to the plate. Cabrera grounded out to short but Nixon scored to put the Sox on the board. Mueller grounded out but Cabrera moved to third and Yankees manager Joe Torre took no chances, bringing in Mariano Rivera to finish off the Sox. Damon took strike three to end the inning but it was 3-1 Sox.

                                                       Nixon scores a run

Embree returned for the bottom of the eighth and Posada greeted him with a single. Olerud flied out to right and that was it for Embree. Sox closer Keith Foulke came in and hit Cairo with a pitch before Lofton whiffed. Jeter walked to load the bases but A-Rod flied out to right to end the inning.

Rivera came back to close out the top of the ninth and Bellhorn grounded out to first to start. Manny doubled to center to bring the tying run to the plate but Ortiz whiffed on a high fastball. Millar whiffed to end the game with the Yankees winning 3-1 to send the series back to Fenway with a 2-0 series lead.

         

Jackass of the Night is Johnny Damon. He was 0 for 4 with a strikeout and is supposed to be the catalyst for the offense. He's 0 for 8 with 5 strikeouts so far in this series.

                                                            Damon the Jackass



The Good:

David Ortiz was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Trot Nixon was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Jason Varitek was 1 for 3.

Orlando Cabrera was 1 for 3 and drove in the only run.

Mike Timlin retired 2 of the 3 men he faced.

Alan Embree pitched 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

Keith Foulke pitched 2/3 of a scoreless inning.



The Bad:

Mark Bellhorn was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Kevin Millar ws 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Bill Mueller was 0 for 3.



The Ugly:

Manny Ramirez was just 1 for 4.

Pedro Martinez took the loss but didn't pitch that bad, allowing 3 runs in 6 innings while striking out 7.




Final Thoughts:

So much for the vaunted 1-2 punch of Curt Schilling and Pedro Martinez. Schilling's ankle couldn't hold up and Pedro was doomed by one pitch to Olerud and a lousy offense. Who would have guessed Jon Lieber would shut down the Sox the way he did? Damon really is killing the Sox as he's 0 for 8 with 5 strikeouts in the first two games of the series. With Bellhorn being as streaky as he is, that's not a good thing for Ramirez or Ortiz to come up with nobody on. The back end of the bullpen is going to burn out if this kind of workload continues as Embree, Timlin and Foulke had to work the first two games and in a 7 game series that adds up. Luckily the Sox may catch a break as Kevin Brown has been named the Game 3 starter for New York and they have hit him hard this season. The Sox need to make a stand Friday night in Game 3 when Bronson Arroyo goes one on one with Brown at 8:00 PM at Fenway Park.

Yankees Pound Schilling, Take Game 1 (10/12/04)

Talk about the worst case scenario for the Boston Red Sox. It was feared Curt Schilling was injured more seriously than it looked at the end of his Game 1 win against the Anaheim Angels and those fears came true tonight in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the hated New York Yankees. Schilling got blasted for 6 runs in 3 innings, the bullpen was no help as they allowed 4 more runs,Mike Mussina was perfect through 6 innings and Mariano Rivera literally ran off a plane from Panama to save the game for the Yankees. When it was over the Sox had lost 10-7 and Schilling looks done for the year, just great.

                                                            Dammit

Mussina was perfect in the top of the first as he made Johnny Damon look silly on a 3 pitch strikeout. Mark Bellhorn lined out to a running Bernie Williams in center and Manny Ramirez grounded out to first to end the inning. The injured Schilling took the mound in the bottom of the first inning and the Yankees tagged him. His velocity was down as Derek Jeter flied out to right field warning track before Alex Rodriguez flied out to right. Gary Sheffield crushed a double down the left field line and Hideki Matsui took a splitter in the dirt and lined it past Ramirez for an rbi double. Bernie Williams effortlessly singled up the middle for another run but Jorge Posada grounded out to second to end the inning with the Yankees up 2-0.

                                                          The Yankees strike first

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second as David Ortiz grounded out to first to begin. Kevin Millar grounded out to short and Trot Nixon popped up to short to end the inning. John Olerud grounded out to second to begin the bottom of the second before Miguel Cairo flied out to left. Kenny Lofton whiffed to end the inning.

Mussina remained perfect in the top of the third as Jason Varitek flied out to left to begin. Mark Bellhorn flied out to center and Ramirez grounded back to the mound. The Yankees exploded to knock out Schilling in the bottom of the third inning. Jeter singled to center and A-Rod singled in the hole at short. Sheffield walked and Matsui cleared the bases with a double into the corner. Williams advanced Matsui to third with a grounder to second then he scored on the Posada sac fly to center. Olerud walked before Cairo flied out to center to end the inning. That was it for Schilling as he was knocked out after giving up 6 runs in just 3 innings. Typical Red Sox luck that the guy they got to beat the Yankees tears up his ankle before facing them when it counts.

                                                 Schilling failed in his biggest game

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the fourth inning as Damon took strike three on the outside corner to start. Bellhorn also took strike three on the outside corner while Ramirez looked at strike three on the inside corner to end the inning. Curtis Leskanic took the mound in the bottom of the fourth and walked both Lofton and Jeter to start. Leskanic got A-Rod to bang into a double play and Sheffield struck out to end the inning.

Mussina remained perfect in the top of the fifth inning as Ortiz whiffed on a full count to begin. Millar whiffed on a knucklecurve in the dirt before Nixon was retired on a squibber in front of the mound to end the inning. Ramiro Mendoza was summoned to pitch the bottom of the fifth and Manny had to run to the wall to get a line drive by Matsui to start. Williams grounded out to second but Posada got hit on the foot. Olerud blooped a single to left to send Posada to third but Cairo lined out to short to end the inning.

The perfect game continued in the top of the sixth inning as Varitek whiffed to start. Cabrera popped up to right a graphic showed Mussina's near perfect game on September 2, 2001 in Fenway. Mueller popped up to left to end the inning as the high powered Sox offense was held without a baserunner through six. Game 4's scheduled starter Tim Wakefield was brought in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and the Yankees pounced. Lofton swatted a solo home run to right to increase the lead before Jeter grounded out to third. Sheffield doubled to left and Matsui singled down the right field line to score Gary and seemingly put the game out of reach. Williams lined out to a running Manny in left to end the inning but it was now 8-0 Yankees.

                                              5 rbis for Matsui

Out of nowhere the Sox exploded off Mussina in the top of the seventh inning although Damon earned the hat trick with his third strikeout of the game. Bellhorn broke up the perfect game with a double to the left field wall before Ortiz singled him to third. Millar doubled off the glove of Matsui to score both runners to put the Sox on the board. Millar took third on a passed ball and scored on the Nixon base hit. That was it for Mussina who went from being perfect to out of the game in a blink of an eye. Tanyon Sturtze was brought in and Varitek got his first hit in Yankee Stadium all YEAR with a 2 run bomb to right to make it a three run game. Cabrera whiffed to end the inning but suddenly the Sox were back in it 8-5.

                                               Varitek goes yard to inch the Sox closer

With the game now in reach Sox manager Terry Francona turned to Alan Embree in the bottom of the seventh inning. Posada grounded out to second before Matsui popped up to left. Cairo singled down the right field line but Lofton popped up to left to end the inning.

Old pal Tom Gordon took the mound in the top of the eighth and the Sox rallied again. Cairo made a diving grab on a Mueller grounder but couldn't make the throw for a leadoff hit. Damon earned the golden sombrero with his fourth strikeout of the game but Bellhorn popped up to left. Ramirez singled Mueller to third and Ortiz missed a game tying home run by 5 feet with a triple off the glove of Matsui field that still scored both runners. The Sox were down 8-0 having a perfect game thrown against them going into the top of the 7th and were one swing away from taking the lead one inning later. In a scene out of a movie, Mariano Rivera who began the day in Panama took the mound for the four out save to pick up the Yankees. Sure enough Millar popped up to short to end the inning but the Sox were knocking at the door down 8-7.

                                                    Ortiz nearly hits it out

Unfortunately the bullpen couldn't keep it a one run game in the bottom of the eighth as Mike Timlin took the mound. Jeter grounded out to short to start but A-Rod shook off being buzzed by Timlin to single to left. Sheffield also singled to left but Matsui popped up to short. Needing just one out to keep this a one run game, Williams instead lined a triple just out of reach from Manny to ice the game. One batter too late Francona replaced Timlin with Keith Foulke and Posada lined out to third to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 10-7.

                                               Williams ices it.

The horse was out of the barn as the Sox went quickly in the top of the ninth inning with Rivera back on the mound. Nixon popped to short but Varitek and Cabrera stroked back to back singles to bring the tying run to the plate. Once again out of a movie, Mueller hit a walkoff three run homer off Rivera on July 24th but this time Rivera got Bill to bang into a double play to end the game. The Sox comeback fell short and the Yankees had taken Game 1.

Jackass of the Night is Mike Timlin. Sure, Curt Schilling put the Sox in a hole but the Sox were rallying to get back into it only for Mike to give up the deciding two runs. Getting one run off Rivera is hard enough but 3 was too much to overcome.

                                                        Jackass of the Night: Timlin



The Good:

David Ortiz was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Jason Varitek was 2 for 4 including a 2 run home run.

Curtis Leskanic pitched a scoreless 4th inning.

Ramiro Mendoza pitched a scoreless 5th inning.

Alan Embree pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Keith Foulke retired the only man he faced.



The Bad:

Johnny Damon was 0 for 4 with a golden sombrero of 4 strikeouts.

Curt Schilling lasted just 3 innings and allowed 6 runs, his worst start in October history.

Tim Wakefield allowed 2 runs in 1 inning of work.



The Ugly:

Mark Bellhorn was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Manny Ramirez was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Kevin Millar was just 1 for 4 but drove in 2 runs and scored.

Trot Nixon was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored.

Orlando Cabrera was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Bill Mueller was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.




Final Thoughts:

Its only one game but this was an ominous start to the ALCS. If Schilling is pitching on one foot then he's useless for the rest of the series. He was supposed to be the answer to the Yankees they didn't have last year and he failed big time. The Yankees offense not only knocked him around but almost the same bullpen that was unhittable last year as well. The Sox got off on the wrong foot, no pun intended, but there are positives to build on. The Sox pulled off a huge rally to score 7 runs after having a perfect game tossed against them and this a 7 game series so there's plenty more action to come. The negatives outweigh the positives unfortunately and they needed Schilling to win this series and now have to turn to Pedro Martinez to stem the tide. The same Pedro who has been knocked around by the Yankees this year and who started that god awful "Who's your daddy" chant that Yankee fans were bellowing tonight. Tomorrow night Pedro takes on Jon Lieber at 8 PM at Yankee Stadium

Mirabelli, Wakefield Drop Blue Jays (4/21/04)

Rikishi and Scotty Two Hotty may be the current WWE Tag Team Champions but Doug Mirabelli and Tim Wakefield (2-0, 2.37 ERA) tag teamed the Toronto Blue Jays into submission in tonight's game. Wakefield pitched into the seventh inning while holding the Jays to just two runs allowed. His partner Mirabelli clubbed two home runs, driving in three runs to outscore the Jays by himself. David Ortiz scored on a wild pitch by Kerry Ligtenberg for a big insurance run. After Wakefield left, Alan Embree and Keith Foulke slammed the door as the Sox made it two in a row over the Jays with a 4-2 victory at the Skydome.

                                                    The champs approve of the win

Ted Lilly got the start for Toronto in the top of the first and Mark Bellhorn walked to start. Bill Mueller struck out swinging and David Ortiz grounded into a double play to end the inning. Wakefield got the ball in the bottom of the first and Frank Catalanotto flied out to left. Eric Hinske struck out swinging and Vernon Wells popped up to short to end the inning.

Manny Ramirez struck out swinging to start the top of the second and Kevin Millar took strike three. Ellis Burks drilled a base hit to left but Gabe Kapler flied out to center to end the inning. Carlos Delgado lined out to short to start the bottom of the second before Josh Phelps grounded out to second. Greg Myers singled to right and Reed Johnson doubled to left. Orlando Hudson flied out to center to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the third as Doug Mirabelli belted his second home run of the year to start. Pokey Reese singled to center but Bellhorn struck out swinging. Reese swiped second and Mueller walked, but Ortiz beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners. Ramirez flied out to left to end the inning but the Sox were up 1-0.

                                                      Home run Mirabelli

Chris Gomez grounded out to third to start the bottom of the third but Catalanotto walked. Hinske grounded into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the fourth as Millar singled to left to start. Burks flied out to right and Kapler hit one up the elevator shaft, but Mirabelli pounded his second home run of the game to increase the lead. Reese took strike three to end the inning but the Sox now led 3-0.

                                                   Mirabelli does it again

The Jays struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Wells popped up to second to start. Delgado walked but Phelps struck out swinging. Myers doubled to center to score Delgado and get Toronto on the board. Johnson struck out swinging to end the inning with the Jays down 3-1.

                                                             Myers drives in a run

Bellhorn struck out swinging to open the top of the fifth and Mueller lined out to first. Ortiz popped up to short to end the inning. The Jays rallied in the bottom of the fifth as Hudson grounded out to first to start. Gomez doubled to center and moved to third on a passed ball. Catalanotto doubled to left to score Gomez but Hinske flied out to center. Catalanotto took third on a passed ball but Wells flied out to center to inch the Jays closer down 3-2.

                                                               Pain in the ass

Ramirez beat out a roller to third to start the top of the sixth but Millar popped up to second. Burks popped up to short but Kapler walked to chase Lilly. Jason Frasor came in to face Mirabelli and Doug took strike three to end the inning. Delgado grounded out to first to start the bottom of the sixth but Phelps got a base hit to right. Myers struck out swinging and Johnson grounded out to second to end the inning.

Reese popped up to second to start the top of the seventh before Bellhorn took strike three. Mueller flied out to left to end the inning. Hudson grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the seventh and Gomez hit one up the elevator shaft. Rather than extend his starter after 107 pitches, Sox manager Terry Francona pulled Wakefield in favor of Alan Embree. Wakefield allowed just 2 runs in 6 2/3 gutty innings allowing 6 hits and 2 walks. Catalanotto took strike three to end the inning.

                                                                 Good start by Wakefield

Valerio De Los Santos came in to pitch to Ortiz to start the top of the eighth and Big Papi doubled to right. Kerry Ligtenberg came in to pitch to Ramirez and Manny flied out to right to move Ortiz to third. David scored on a wild pitch and Millar struck out swinging. Burks flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox up 4-2.

                                                           Ortiz scores on a wild pitch

Dave Berg (not the lighter side) pinch hit for Hinske to start the bottom of the eighth and flied out to right. Wells popped up to second and Delgado flied out to left to end the inning.

Justin Speier came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Kapler flied out to right to start. Mirabelli singled to right but Reese flied out to right. Bellhorn flied out to center to end the inning. Cesar Crespo came in for Millar for defense with Keith Foulke on the mound to close out the bottom of the ninth. Phelps took strike three and Myers popped up to short before Howie Clark pinch hit for Johnson. Clark flied out to right to end the game. The Sox had won it 4-2.

Hero of The Night is Doug Mirabelli. He hit two home runs, good for three runs to outscore the Jays by himself.

                                                          Doug The Hero

The Good:

Tim Wakefield got the win by tossing 6 2/3 innings of 2 run ball. He allowed 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out four.

Alan Embree pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Keith Foulke earned his 5th save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Mark Bellhorn was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but walked.

Bill Mueller was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

David Ortiz was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Manny Ramirez was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Kevin Millar was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.

Ellis Burks was just 1 for 4.

Gabe Kapler was 0 for 3 but walked.

Pokey Reese was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but stole a base.

Honorable Mention:

Cesar Crespo played center in the ninth inning.

Final Thoughts:

Good win by the Sox and Mirabelli was the star of it. Wakefield pitched a good game but for one of the only times, Doug overshadowed him. He outscored the Jays by himself and Sox manager Terry Francona after the game playfully said "He's a horseshit player!" Another factor is Toronto has been completely inept at home to start the season, going 0-8 so far. Mirabelli himself said after the game that the Sox are not on a roll, they expect to play like this every night. Hopefully the offense doesn't rely on Mirabelli every night or they'd be in trouble. All in all it was a good win and the Sox do look like they're on a roll. The Sox look for the series sweep tomorrow night when Curt Schilling (2-0, 2.66 ERA) takes on Miguel Batista of Toronto. The game begins at 7:05 PM at the Skydome.

Martinez, Sox Defeat Halladay and Jays Again (4/20/04)

The bad news was the Boston Celtics lost Game 2 to the Indiana Pacers in their first round NBA playoff series but the good news was Pedro Martinez (2-1, 3.86 ERA) once again outdueled Roy Halladay and the Toronto Blue Jays. Just like in Boston, Pedro held the Jays to just 2 runs (1 earned) in 7 strong innings. Manny Ramirez tagged Halladay for an rbi in the top of the first before Jason Varitek scored on a balk in the top of the fourth inning. Kevin Millar and Varitek also drove in runs to put the Sox in command. Scott Williamson and Keith Foulke slammed the door in the final two innings and Boston had beaten Toronto 4-2 at the Skydome.

                                                       Chris Benoit approves of the win

Halladay got the ball in the top of the first inning and Johnny Damon struck out swinging to start. Bill Mueller flied out to center but David Ortiz doubled to left. Manny Ramirez got a base hit to center to score Ortiz but Kevin Millar took strike three to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                              Ramirez drives in a run

Martinez got the ball in the bottom of the first and Reed Johnson flied out to right to start. Frank Catalanotto flied out to left and Vernon Wells hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

Jason Varitek doubled to left to start the top of the second and moved to second on a grounder to first by Mark Bellhorn. Gabe Kapler struck out swinging and Pokey Reese popped up to first to end the inning. Carlos Delgado doubled to right to start the bottom of the second but Josh Phelps took strike three. Eric Hinske flied out to center but Kevin Cash took strike three to end the inning.

Damon hit a roller to Halladay that was thrown away for a single and an error, moving Johnny to second to begin the top of the third. Damon moved to third on a grounder to second by Mueller but Ortiz struck out swinging. Ramirez grounded out to third to end the inning. Orlando Hudson flied out to center to start the bottom of the third before Chris Woodward grounded back to the mound. Johnson struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the fourth as Millar popped up to second to start. Varitek got a base hit to center but Bellhorn flied out to left. Kapler dumped a base hit to left and Varitek slid into third safely. Kapler took second on the throw and moved to third with Varitek scoring on a balk. Pokey Reese struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                                Varitek scores a run

Catalanotto lined out to center to start the bottom of the fourth before Wells flied out to center. Delgado singled to right and Phelps forced Carlos at second to end the inning.

The Sox got to Halladay again in the top of the fifth as Damon grounded out to first to start. Mueller and Ortiz stroked back to back base hits but Manny flied out to right, moving Bill to third. Millar doubled to left to score Mueller and Varitek was intentionally walked to load the bases. Bellhorn took strike three to end the inning with the Sox up 3-0.

                                                            Millar drives in a run

Hinske grounded out to short to begin the bottom of the fifth and Cash struck out swinging. Hudson took strike three to end the inning.

Kapler struck out swinging to open the top of the sixth before Reese popped up to short. Damon flied out to left to end the inning. Woodward grounded out to third to start the bottom of the sixth but Johnson tripled to center. Catalanotto popped up to short and Wells grounded out to third to end the inning.

Valerio De Los Santos came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Mueller doubled to left to begin. Ortiz struck out swinging but Manny was intentionally walked. That was it for Santos as Aquilino Lopez came in to face Millar. Kevin flied out to center but Varitek doubled to right to score Mueller with another run. Bellhorn was intentionally walked but Kapler flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-0.

                                                          Mueller scores a run

Pedro tired in the bottom of the seventh as Delgado took strike three to start. Phelps tripled to left and Hinske walked to put runners at the corners and Cash hit a fly ball to Kapler. Kapler then turned and threw the ball into the roof for an error to score Phelps and move Hinske to second. Hudson singled to right to score Hinske to cut the lead in half. Greg Myers pinch hit for Woodaward and walked before Chris Gomez ran for him. Johnson flied out to right to end the inning with the Jays down 4-2. That was it for Pedro who ran out of gas but still went 7 strong innings allowing just 2 runs.

                                                               Martinez gets it done

Terry Adams came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Reese took strike three to start. Damon grounded out to first and Mueller popped up to third to end the inning. Scott Williamson came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Catalanotto struck out swinging to start. Wells walked but Delgado lined out to center. Phelps struck out swinging to end the inning.

Ortiz and Ramirez both struck out swinging to start the top of the ninth before Millar grounded out to third to end the inning. Keith Foulke came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Hinske grounded out to second to start. Cash flied out to center and Hudson grounded out to second to end the game. The Sox had won it 4-2.

Hero of The Night is Pedro Martinez. He dazzled the Jays allowing just 2 runs (1 earned) in 7 innings to get the win. He allowed 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 6 batters.

                                                              Pedro Hero

The Good:

Bill Mueller was 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

David Ortiz was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Jason Varitek was 3 for 3 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Scott Williamson pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Keith Foulke earned the save with a scoreless ninth.

The Bad:

Pokey Reese was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Johnny Damon was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

Manny Ramirez was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and drove in a run.

Kevin Millar was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Mark Bellhorn was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Gabe Kapler was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts and an error.

Honorable Mention:

David McCarty played first base in the top of the ninth.

Final Thoughts:

That was another gutty win against Halladay and the Blue Jays and its surreal how it took the Sox all season to get a win against Roy last year, yet they're 2-0 against him so far this season. Maybe this year will really be the year? Pedro pitched well again and the bats have been consistent to start the season. Even if guys aren't getting base hits, they're drawing walks and driving in runs to get the job done one way or another. That's going to pay dividends once some of their guns come back. Bellhorn and Kapler were supposed to be the backups but they're playing every day. Also kudos to Williamson and Foulke for slamming the door. This bullpen is going to be absolutely devastating if Williamson stays healthy this year to go with Alan Embree, Mike Timlin and Foulke. All in all it was a good win and hopefully the Sox can ride the momentum moving forward. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the Jays tomorrow night when Tim Wakefield (1-0) takes on Ted Lilly of Toronto. The game begins at 7:05 PM at the Skydome.

Sox Rally Past Yankees on Patriots Day (4/19/04)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Frank Castillo was optioned back to Pawtucket and 24 year old lefty Lenny DiNardo was called up to take his place. Castillo didn't do THAT bad up here but Sox brass wants to give DiNardo a chance after picking him up in the Rule 5 draft back in September. With Byung-Hung Kim returning someone else has to go soon, so unless there's an injury, this could be the last of Castillo.

                                                                      OUT

                                                                           IN

The bad news was the Boston Bruins gagged Game 7 of their first round NHL playoff series to the Montreal Canadiens but the good news is the Boston Red Sox beat the New York Yankees in three of the first four games they've played. The Yankees bolted out to a 4-1 lead over Bronson Arroyo after three innings but Arroyo hung tough. The Sox got to Yankees starter Kevin Brown for three runs through six before rallying in the seventh to tie the game against Gabe White. Gabe Kapler knocked in David McCarty in the bottom of the eighth to put Boston on top and Keith Foulke slammed the door in the top of the ninth. The Sox had taken three of four from the Yankees including this one 5-4 at Fenway Park on Patriots Day.

                                                 Shannon Elizabeth approves of the win

Arroyo got the ball in the top of the first and Derek Jeter led off with a bunt attempt snuffed out by Bill Mueller. Bernie Williams got a seeing eye single into right but Alex Rodrguez took strike three on the inside corner and Jason Giambi flied out to the left field warning track to end the inning. Brown got the ball in the bottom of the first and Johnny Damon led off by grounding out to first. Bill Mueller took strike three down the middle but David Ortiz doubled into the right field corner. Manny Ramirez grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Yankees struck first in the top of the second as Gary Sheffield ripped a base hit to center to start. Hideki Matsui walked and Travis Lee lined a base hit to the left field wall. Sheffield scored easily but Crespo bounced the relay throw home for an error to score Matsui. Old pal John Flaherty dumped a base hit to right just in front of Kapler to score Lee. Enrique Wilson dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Flaherty to second as Sox analyst Jerry Remy scoffed at the Yankees for giving up an out with Arroyo on the ropes. Jerry had a point as Jeter was hit with a pitch but Williams grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Yankees did lead 3-0 but Arroyo was out of further trouble.

                                                        "I don't got it" - Varitek

The Sox got a run back in the bottom of the second as Jason Varitek dumped a base hit to center to start. David McCarty struck out swinging and Varitek moved to second on a grounder to Brown by Crespo. Gabe Kapler stepped up with a base hit down the left field line to score Varitek to cut the lead. Pokey Reese dumped a base hit to right but Kapler forgot there were two outs and hesitated, only moving to second. Damon flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox down 3-1.

                                                         Kapler drives in a run

The Yankees struck again in the top of the third although A-Rod grounded out to Mueller to start. Giambi then hit a home run all the way to Baghdad to increase the lead. Sheffield struck out swinging but Matsui pounded a ground rule double over the head of Kapler into the stands. Lee grounded out to first to end the inning with the Yankees up 4-1.

                                                      Giambi goes yard

Mueller tried to start a rally in the bottom of the third by chopping a base hit by Brown to start. Ortiz took strike three on the outside corner and Ramirez flied out to right. Varitek flied out to center to end the inning.

The Yankees threatened in the top of the fourth as Flaherty struck out swinging to start. Wilson fisted a base hit to center and moved to third on an error by Mueller that allowed Jeter to reach first. Williams popped up to second and A-Rod forced Jeter at second to end the inning. The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the fourth as McCarty grounded out to third to start. Crespo grounded out to second and Kapler grounded out to third to end the inning.

Arroyo plunked Giambi to start the top of the fifth but Sheffield popped up to Crespo. Matsui dropped a single to right but Lee banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fifth as Reese flied out to center to start. Damon grounded out to short but Mueller doubled past Williams to the centerfield wall. Ortiz ripped a base hit to center to score Mueller to cut the lead in half but Ramirez flied out to the centerfield warning track to end the inning with the Sox down 4-2.

                                                  Ortiz drives in a run

Flaherty struck out swinging to start the top of the sixth but Wilson grounded out to first. Jeter hit a routine grounder to Mueller who threw the ball into the Monster Seats for an error. Williams grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox inched closer in the bottom of the sixth as Varitek launched his second home run of the year to start. McCarty grounded out to second, Crespo struck out swinging and Kapler grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox down 4-3.

                                                       Varitek with a home run

Arroyo returned briefly for the top of the seventh as A-Rod struck out swinging to start. That was it for Arroyo as Sox manager Terry Francona lifted Bronson for Alan Embree. Arroyo battled back to go 6 1/3 innings allowing 4 runs on 8 hits and a walk. Giambi grounded out to a diving Reese in the shift z and Sheffield flied out to center to end the inning.

                                                    Arroyo gets a good hand

The Sox finished off Brown in the bottom of the seventh as Reese dumped a base hit to left to chase him. Gabe White came in to face Damon and Johnny ripped a base hit down the first base line to move Pokey to third. Mueller struck out swinging and Ortiz hit a routine grounder to A-Rod. Rodriguez threw the ball 100 feet over the head of Wilson at second for an error to score Reese with the tying run. Damon moved to third on the play and Tom Gordon was brought in to face Ramirez with runners at the corners. Manny grounded into a double play to end the inning but the game was tied 4-4.

                                                              Nice throw A-Rod

Matsui lined a base hit up the middle to start of the top of the eighth. Lee took strike three and that was it for Embree. Mike Timlin came in to face pinch hitter Jorge Posada and struck him out swinging. Ruben Sierra pinch hit for Wilson and grounded out to first to end the inning. Miguel Cairo came in to play second in the bottom of the eighth and Varitek struck out swinging to start. McCarty hit a pop up to left but Matsui misplayed it for a "double". McCarty moved to third on a grounder to second by Crespo and Kapler scored David with a base hit to left. Reese struck out swinging to end the inning but the Sox had the lead 5-4.

                                                                Kapler gets it done

Keith Foulke came in to close out the top of the ninth and Jeter was called out on strikes on a questionable pitch on the outside corner. Ramirez crashed into the Monster on a Williams line drive but A-Rod got a base hit to left. Giambi took strike three at the knees to end the game. The Sox had rallied to win it 5-4.

                                                                  Red Sox win

Hero of The Night is Gabe Kapler. His rbi single in the eighth put the Sox up for good.

                                                           Hero Kapler

The Good:

Bill Mueller was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

David Ortiz was 3 for 4 with 2 rbis.

Jason Varitek was 2 for 4 with a home run and 2 runs scored.

Pokey Reese was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Alan Embree pitched a full scoreless inning.

Mike Timlin got the win with 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

Keith Foulke got the save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Manny Ramirez was 0 for 4.

Cesar Crespo was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Johnny Damon was just 1 for 4.

David McCarty was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Bronson Arroyo allowed 4 early runs but battled back to go 6 1/3 innings. He allowed 8 hits and a walk while striking out 5.

Final Thoughts:

Its only April but beating the Yankees three out of four is nothing to sneeze at. Not just winning but rallying to win was an even bigger accomplishment. The rumors is Byung-Hung Kim will be returning to take the fifth starter spot and Arroyo pitched like his life depended on it in the final four innings. If Kim does push Arroyo to the bullpen, that would guarantee either Mark Malaska or Lenny DiNardo will be sent down to Pawtucket. As for the offensive side, the Sox are getting some pop up at the bottom of their order and they desperately need it until the Sox get their guns back in June. A win like this shows the Sox resilience from last year carried over. The bullpen trio of Timlin, Embree and Foulke once again was lights out and that's going to win a lot of games this year. Kapler was the hero in this one with a couple of big hits and on days when Manny Ramirez is kept quiet, a day like that is always welcomed. The Sox now look to continue their winning ways against the Toronto Blue Jays as they head up there for a three game set. Tomorrow night Pedro Martinez (1-1) gets the start against Jays ace Roy Halladay in a re-match. The game begins at 7:05 PM at the Skydome.