Mookie Betts - 3 Good, 3 Bad, 12 Ugly, 2 Hero, 1 Honorable Mention
Xander Bogaerts - 4 Good, 4 Bad, 8 Ugly, 3 Hero, 1 Honorable Mention
Craig Breslow - 5 Good, 2 Bad, 2 Ugly
Clay Buchholz - 2 Good, 1 Ugly, 2 Jackass
Allen Craig - 3 Good, 9 Bad, 4 Ugly, 1 Honorable Mention
Ryan Hanigan - 6 Good, 2 Bad, 8 Ugly, 1 Honorable Mention
Heath Hembree - 1 Bad
Brock Holt - 4 Good, 3 Bad, 3 Ugly, 2 Hero
Joe Kelly - 1 Good, 2 Bad, 1 Hero
Tommy Layne - 3 Good, 1 Bad'
Sandy Leon - 2 Good, 3 Ugly, 1 Honorable Mention
Justin Masterson - 2 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Hero
Wade Miley - 1 Good, 1 Hero, 2 Jackass
Edward Mujica - 5 Good, 3 Bad, 1 Jackass
Mike Napoli - 5 Good, 6 Bad, 8 Ugly
Daniel Nava - 3 Good, 6 Bad, 5 Ugly, 1 Honorable Mention
Alexi Ogando - 7 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly
David Ortiz - 9 Good, 5 Bad, 6 Ugly
Dustin Pedroia - 10 Good, 4 Bad, 6 Ugly, 1 Jackass
Rick Porcello - 1 Good, 1 Ugly, 1 Hero, 2 Jackass
Hanley Ramirez - 9 Good, 4 Bad, 7 Ugly, 1 Hero
Robbie Ross Jr - 3 Good, 3 Bad, 2 Ugly
Pablo Sandoval - 10 Good, 3 Bad, 7 Ugly
Junichi Tazawa - 9 Good, 2 Bad
Koji Uehara - 5 Good, 1 Hero, 1 Jackass
Anthony Varvaro - 5 Good, 2 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Jackass
Shane Victorino - 5 Good, 3 Bad, 4 Ugly
Steven Wright - 1 Ugly
The Co-Most Valuable Players of the month are Dustin Pedroia and Pablo Sandoval with 10 Good
Least Valuable Player of the month is Allen Craig with 9 Bad
The Ugliest Player of the month is Mookie Betts with 12 Hero
Hero of the month is Xander Bogaerts with 3 Hero
The Tri-Jackasses of the Month are Clay Buchholz, Wade Miley and Rick Porcello with 3 Jackass
The Honorable Players of the month are Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Allen Craig, Ryan Hanigan, Sandy Leon and Daniel Nava
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Off-Day News (4/30/15)
The Boston Red Sox organizations made some moves today during the off-day. 22 year old pitcher Ellis Jimenez was released after not looking very impressive down the stretch in 2014. Jimenez is no big loss considering who's on the pitching depth chart in front of him
Bye bye Jimenez
Back to Portland for Roof
Wright could be back in Boston soon
In other news, Steven Wright reported to Pawtucket and Jonathan Roof was demoted to Portland to make room for Wright. Wright has a chance to be a star pitcher for the Sox if he ever learns how to control his knuckleball Tim Wakefield style. Better luck next time for the 26 year old Roof.
On this day in Basebawful History:
1970 - Sox sweep A's
1991 - Sox beat Twins late
1993 - Dopson, Sox defeat Angels
2011 - Mariners shut out Red Sox
Tomorrow night the Sox are back in action tomorrow night against the New York Yankees. Justin Masterson pitches for the Red Sox against CC Sabathia of the Yankees. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Porcello Outduels Dickey, Sox Beat Jays (4/29/15)
Before the game the game the Boston Red Sox made some roster moves. Anthony Varvaro was designated for assignment and Jackie Bradley Jr was sent back to Pawtucket. To replace them on the roster the Sox called up Dalier Hinojosa and Tommy Layne from Pawtucket. The offense has been fine to the point they can do without JBJ but the pitching has been so bad they could use another arm, maybe Hinojosa or Layne could be a nice surprise.
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Ann Margret approves of the win
Porcello got the ball in the top of the first and Devon Travis led off with a walk to make the sparse crowd groan. Porcello got Josh Donaldson to swing at a slider out of the zone for strike three before Jose Bautista also swung at air down and away for strike three. Edwin Encarnacion also went down hacking to end the inning. Dickey took the mound in the bottom of the first and Mr. Mookie Betts led off with a grounder to third. Dustin Pedroia lined out to a running Donaldson before David Ortiz dumped a base hit to center. Hanley Ramirez swung and missed for strike three to end the inning.
The Jays looked to start a rally when Kevin Pillar doubled into the left field corner on a bad changeup to start the top of the second. Michael Saunders hit a grounder to Napoli who flipped to Porcello for the out....NO! Porcello missed the bag completely and there were runners at the corners. Dalton Pompey was hit in the foot to load the bases and Josh Thole hit a liner off the glove of Bogaerts. Pillar scored but Saunders was thrown out at third on the technical force. Pompey swiped third but the biggest play of the game came when Porcello got Ryan Goins to bang into a double play to end the inning. Porcello had thrown 38 pitches and had given up a run, walk, double and a HBP while trailing 1-0.
"We're losing again....."
Pablo Sandoval lined out to left to begin the bottom of the second before Mike Napoli flied out to center. Brock "The Hitman" Holt was hit with a pitch before moving to second on a passed ball. Bogaerts popped up to first to end the inning.
Mr. Mookie made a spectacular diving catch to rob Travis of extra bases to begin the top of the third. Hanley made a much less dramatic catch on a Donaldson fly out and Bautista popped up to Sandoval in foul territory to end the inning.
"I'm okay...I guess...."
The Sox finally broke through in the bottom of the third as Ryan Hanigan started the rally with a base hit to center. Mr. Mookie flied out to center but Pedroia dumped a single to right. Ortiz also dumped a base hit to right but the slow Hanigan took forever to score which got Pedroia thrown out at third in the process. Ramirez got tired of the bloop hits and pounded his 10th home run of the season to give the Sox the lead. Sandoval grounded out to second to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 3-1.
Kiss it goodbye
Could Porcello pitch with the lead in the top of the fourth? YES! Encarnacion swung at a nasty sinker for strike three to start before Pillar flied out to center. Saunders grounded out to second to end the inning, 8 in a row retired by Porcello. Dickey cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Napoli grounded out to short, Holt lined out to left and Bogaerts grounded out to third to end the inning.
Porcello cruised in the top of the fifth as Pompey struck out swinging to start. Thole lined one off the glove of Porcello but right to Pedroia who threw Josh out at first. Goins grounded out to third to end the inning, 11 in a row retired by Porcello. Dickey got Hanigan to swing at air to start the bottom of the fifth before Mr. Mookie was frozen for strike three. Pedroia beat out an infield single over Dickey's head but Ortiz grounded into the shift to end the inning.
Porcello froze Travis for strike three to open the top of the sixth before Donaldson popped up to Napoli in foul territory. Bautista flied out to center to end the inning to make it 14 in a row retired by Porcello. Dickey matched Porcello in the bottom of the sixth as Ramirez whiffed to start. Sandoval grounded back to the mound and Napoli grounded out to third.
Encarnacion broke up the out streak with a bloop single to right to open the top of the seventh. Pillar beat out a double play ball but Saunders walked. Pillar moved to third on the Pompey liner to center before Thole flied out to center to end the inning. Porcello gave the Sox 7 innings of 1 run ball to put them in position to win.
Porcello mowed them down
The Sox finally chased Dickey in the bottom of the seventh as Holt dropped a base hit to left to start. Bogaerts singled up the middle and Hanigan sacrificed both runners over with a bunt. Mr. Mookie singled to right to score Holt but Bogaerts was thrown out at home on the throw. Sox manager John Farrell challenged that the catcher was blocking the plate but the umpires disagreed. Pedroia grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-1.
Holt scores a run
It was Orient Express time as Junichi Tazawa took over for the top of the eighth. Goins dropped a base hit in front of Betts to start but Travis lined out to right. Donaldson advanced Goins to second on a grounder but Tazawa blew away Bautista to end the inning. 2007 World Series Game 1 Colorado Rockies starter Jeff Francis took over for the bottom of the eighth and Ortiz popped up to Travis in right field to start. Ramirez was rung up on a bad strike 3 pitch and Sandoval whiffed to end the inning.
The other half of the Orient Express, Koji Uehara, came in to close out the top of the ninth inning. Uehara threw an 88 mph fastball by the fooled Encarnacion to start before Pillar also was fooled for strike three swinging at a fastball. Russell Martin pinch hit for Saunders and Koji froze him for strike three to end the game. The Sox had taken the game 4-1 to head into May with a 12-10 record.
"Nipple pinchy!" - Uehara
Hero of the Night is Rick Porcello. He tossed a 7 inning gem allowing just 1 run on just 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4.
Porcello is the Hero
The Good:
Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 4.
David Ortiz was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.
Brock Holt was 1 for 2 with a hit by pitch and a run scored.
Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3.
Ryan Hanigan was 1 for 2 with a run scored.
Junichi Tazawa tossed a scoreless 8th inning.
Koji Uehara earned his 4th save with a scoreless ninth inning.
The Bad:
Pablo Sandoval was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Mike Napoli was 0 for 3.
The Ugly:
Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.
Hanley Ramirez was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a 2 run home run.
Final Thoughts:
That was a bigger win than it looks like because Dickey owned the Red Sox last year. Not only did Porcello show signs of life but the Sox getting to Dickey erased some of the stench of last year. Ending April with a win is never a bad thing but its very apparent the pitching is problematic. Buchholz and Porcello need some help if they're going to compete in the AL East and Wade Miley, Justin Masterson and Joe Kelly have to step up in May. Hanley Ramirez continues to pound the ball and the offense looks to be fixed pretty well. The Sox go into May with a 12-10 record, 1 game behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox return to action Friday night against the Yankees with CC Sabathia going for the Yankees against Justin Masterson of the Sox at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Jays Win Slugfest over Sox (4/28/15)
Before the game the Boston Red Sox announced they had sent Steven Wright back to Pawtucket and recalled Jackie Bradley Jr. With Daniel Nava struggling it makes sense to bring Jackie back considering he's a defensive wizard so at least they can get the defense out of Jackie they won't get out of Nava.
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As for the game, so much for Clay Buchholz (1-3, 5.76 ERA) being the "ace" of the pitching staff. The Red Sox offense managed to pound out 8 runs on 13 hits but the Jays feasted on the terrible Red Sox pitching for 17 hits and 11 runs of their own. Once again the Sox couldnt match an AL East offense as the Jays smacked the Sox around 11-8 at Fenway Park
Buchholz trudged to the mound in the top of the first inning and Devon Travis led off by lining out to a running Mookie Betts in center. Xander Bogaerts made a diving stab to rob Josh Donaldson of a hit before Jose Bautista whiffed to end the inning. Drew Hutchison got the start for the Jays and Mr. Mookie popped up to Edwin Encarnacion who fell into the Sox dugout. Dustin Pedroia drew a walk but David Ortiz flied out to center. Hanley Ramirez lined out to right to end the inning.
Buchholz got Encarnacion to line out to center to start the top of the second but Russell Martin grounded a ball over the head of Clay for a base hit. Michael Saunders whiffed before Danny Valencia struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox exploded in the bottom of the second as Pablo Sandoval doubled off the left field grandstands to start. Daniel Nava moved Sandoval over with a grounder to second but Brock "The Hitman" Holt grounded out to second. Xander Bogaerts lined a single past a diving Encarnacion to score Sandoval to give the Sox the lead. Ryan Hanigan drew a walk and Mr. Mookie blooped a single to right to score Bogaerts with another run. Pedroia bounced a seeing eye single up the middle to score Hanigan and send Betts to third. Ortiz blooped a single to left to score Betts to increase the lead. Ramirez flied out to center to end the inning but it was 4-0 Sox.
Ortiz caps off the rally
Buchholz took the 4-0 lead and promptly pissed it away in the top of the third inning as Kevin Pillar drew a walk to start. Ryan Goins singled off the Monster to move Pillar to third and Travis singled home Kevin to put the Jays on the board. Donaldson singled home Goins and advanced Travis to third before Bautista hit a fly ball to Holt. Holt gunned it home but Travis jumped over the tag to score the run.
Jays pour it on
Ramirez kicked a base hit by Encarnacion which allowed Donaldson to score and Edwin to reach second. Martin was rung up for strike three but Saunders singled home Encarnacion to chase Buchholz. The "ace" lasted 2 2/3 innings and allowed 5 runs before leaving to a chorus of boos. Edward Mujica got Valencia to ground into a force to end the inning but the Jays roared back to take a 5-4 lead.
"Get out and stay out!" - Farrell
Sandoval tried to start a rally when he doubled off the Monster to start the bottom of the third, but Nava lined one right to second. Holt drew a walk but Bogaerts popped up to center. Hutchison got the slow footed Hanigan on a grounder back to him to end the inning.
Mujica returned for the top of the fourth inning and took a beating. Pillar beat out an infield single to third to start but Goins banged into a double play. Travis walked and took second on a balk before Donaldson walked. Bautista singled past the diving Pedroia to score Travis with another run and move Donaldson to third. Yet another balk scored Donaldson and Encarnacion stroked a seeing eye single to left to score Bautista. A lot of these hits were simply just finding holes as Valencia popped up to right to end the inning with the Jays ahead 8-4.
If only the inning ended after the double play
Mr. Mookie tried to rally the Sox with a double off the Monster to start the bottom of the fourth before moving to third on the fly ball to center by Pedroia. Betts scored on the sac fly by Ortiz before Ramirez ripped a base hit up the middle. All of a sudden Ramirez took off for second and Martin made an amazing throw to gun him down to end the inning. The Sox got one back to trail 8-5.
Betts starts the rally
Anthony Varvaro took over for the top of the fifth inning and got Saunders looking to start. Valencia also watched strike three go by but Pillar drilled a base hit to right. Pillar swiped second and scored on the triple by Goins. Travis waived at strike three in the dirt to end the inning but the Jays were up 9-5
RBI triple for Goins
Sandoval tried to start a rally with a base hit to right to begin. Nava drew a full count walk before Holt walked to load the bases with nobody out to chase Hutchison. Marco Estrada came in and the Sox choked their chance to come back away as Bogaerts waived at a changeup in the other batters box for strike 3. Hanigan lined out to left but Mr. Mookie walked to score Sandoval. With the tying run at first...Pedroia grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox scored a run but still trailed 9-6 after that waste.
Sandoval scores a run
Varvaro returned for the top of the sixth and Donaldson effortlessly singled to center before Jose Bautista drew a walk. Encarnacion popped up to first in foul territory and that was it for Varvaro. Robbie Ross Jr was brought in to face Martin and he walked to load the bases. Saunders banged into a double play to end the inning,. Ortiz walked to open the bottom of the sixth but Ramirez popped up to second. Ortiz was erased on the force by Sandoval and Nava whiffed to end the inning.
Ross Jr got in major trouble in the top of the seventh as Valencia dumped a base hit to right to start. Pillar lined a ball off the third base bag and took second on the double as Valencia came within inches of being tagged out at third. Ross got a big out by getting Goins to waive out an outside corner slider before Travis grounded out to third. Donaldson flied out to right to end the inning. Good work by Ross to houdini out of that.
Ross gets it done
Holt led off the bottom of the seventh by taking strike three before Bogaerts grounded out to short...but wait! Sox manager John Farrell challenged the call but Head of MLB Operations Joe Torre DEMANDED the call stand, Bogaerts was out. Hanigan grounded out to second to end the inning.
The Jays iced the game in the top of the eighth against Craig Breslow as Bautista pulverized a solo home run completely out of Fenway to increase the lead. Encarnacion flied out to center but Martin walked. Saunders singled off the glove of Pedroia but Valencia was rung up for strike three. Pillar lined out to center to end the inning with the Jays ahead 10-6
Bautista goes yard
Aaron Loup came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Mr. Mookie took strike three to start. Pedroia was also frozen for strike three before Ortiz lined a double to the right field wall to beat the shift. Ramirez then blasted a 2 run bomb just inside the Pesky Pole to cut the lead. Sandoval singled to the left field wall to chase Loup. Liam Hendriks came in to pitch with Allen Craig pinch hitting for Nava. Craig grounded back to the mound to end the inning but the Sox were closer, trailing 10-8.
Ramirez brings the Sox closer
Just when the Sox had momentum, they pissed it away in the top of the ninth. Breslow got Goins looking on the outside corner and that was the end of his night. Junichi Tazawa came in and Sandoval nearly threw a grounder by Travis away but Craig scooped it out. Donaldson then bashed a 679,000 foot home run to wrap up the scoring. Tazawa punched out Bautista to end the inning but the Jays added to the lead 11-8.
Game over
Brett Cecil came in to close out the game in the bottom of the ninth and Holt went down swinging to start. Bogaerts poked a line out to left but Hanigan stroked a seeing eye single to left. Hanigan took second on a passed ball but Mr. Mookie grounded out to second to end the game. The Jays had survived the slugfest 11-8.
Another loss in the books
Jackass of the Night is Clay Buchholz. He got hammered for 5 runs in 2 2/3 innings to take the loss.
Clay Jackass
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 2 for 5 with a walk, 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.
David Ortiz was 2 for 3 with a walk, 2 rbis and a run scored.
Hanley Ramirez was 2 for 5 with a 2 run home run
Pablo Sandoval was 4 for 5 with 2 runs scored.
Robbie Ross Jr tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.
The Bad:
Allen Craig was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.
Edward Mujica was charged with 3 runs in 1 1/3 innings.
Anthony Varvaro allowed a run in 1 1/3 innings.
Craig Breslow allowed a run in 1 1/3 innings.
Junichi Tazawa allowed a run in 2/3 of an inning.
The Ugly:
Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 4 with a walk but drove in a run.
Daniel Nava was 0 for 3 but walked.
Brock Holt was 0 for 3 but walked twice.
Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run and scored.
Ryan Hanigan was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored a run.
Final Thoughts:
The Blue Jays offense is for real but if Clay Buchholz gets smacked around, what's going to happen to the other starters? Joe Kelly, Rick Porcello, Wade Miley and Justin Masterson aren't that intimidating nor are any of them an ace. If Buchholz is not a true stopper this team is in big trouble. They got the bats in Betts, Ortiz, Ramirez, Sandoval and Bogaerts but they can't score 8-10 runs a game...and tonight proved they may not win even if they do! The bullpen giving up 6 runs was just as alarming as Buchholz not having it. The Sox have one game left in April and hopefully they can win this one. Tomorrow night is the rubber game of this set with "Slick" Rick Porcello (1-2) taking on RA Dickey at 6:10 PM at Fenway Park.
As for the game, so much for Clay Buchholz (1-3, 5.76 ERA) being the "ace" of the pitching staff. The Red Sox offense managed to pound out 8 runs on 13 hits but the Jays feasted on the terrible Red Sox pitching for 17 hits and 11 runs of their own. Once again the Sox couldnt match an AL East offense as the Jays smacked the Sox around 11-8 at Fenway Park
Buchholz trudged to the mound in the top of the first inning and Devon Travis led off by lining out to a running Mookie Betts in center. Xander Bogaerts made a diving stab to rob Josh Donaldson of a hit before Jose Bautista whiffed to end the inning. Drew Hutchison got the start for the Jays and Mr. Mookie popped up to Edwin Encarnacion who fell into the Sox dugout. Dustin Pedroia drew a walk but David Ortiz flied out to center. Hanley Ramirez lined out to right to end the inning.
Buchholz got Encarnacion to line out to center to start the top of the second but Russell Martin grounded a ball over the head of Clay for a base hit. Michael Saunders whiffed before Danny Valencia struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox exploded in the bottom of the second as Pablo Sandoval doubled off the left field grandstands to start. Daniel Nava moved Sandoval over with a grounder to second but Brock "The Hitman" Holt grounded out to second. Xander Bogaerts lined a single past a diving Encarnacion to score Sandoval to give the Sox the lead. Ryan Hanigan drew a walk and Mr. Mookie blooped a single to right to score Bogaerts with another run. Pedroia bounced a seeing eye single up the middle to score Hanigan and send Betts to third. Ortiz blooped a single to left to score Betts to increase the lead. Ramirez flied out to center to end the inning but it was 4-0 Sox.
Buchholz took the 4-0 lead and promptly pissed it away in the top of the third inning as Kevin Pillar drew a walk to start. Ryan Goins singled off the Monster to move Pillar to third and Travis singled home Kevin to put the Jays on the board. Donaldson singled home Goins and advanced Travis to third before Bautista hit a fly ball to Holt. Holt gunned it home but Travis jumped over the tag to score the run.
Ramirez kicked a base hit by Encarnacion which allowed Donaldson to score and Edwin to reach second. Martin was rung up for strike three but Saunders singled home Encarnacion to chase Buchholz. The "ace" lasted 2 2/3 innings and allowed 5 runs before leaving to a chorus of boos. Edward Mujica got Valencia to ground into a force to end the inning but the Jays roared back to take a 5-4 lead.
Sandoval tried to start a rally when he doubled off the Monster to start the bottom of the third, but Nava lined one right to second. Holt drew a walk but Bogaerts popped up to center. Hutchison got the slow footed Hanigan on a grounder back to him to end the inning.
Mujica returned for the top of the fourth inning and took a beating. Pillar beat out an infield single to third to start but Goins banged into a double play. Travis walked and took second on a balk before Donaldson walked. Bautista singled past the diving Pedroia to score Travis with another run and move Donaldson to third. Yet another balk scored Donaldson and Encarnacion stroked a seeing eye single to left to score Bautista. A lot of these hits were simply just finding holes as Valencia popped up to right to end the inning with the Jays ahead 8-4.
Mr. Mookie tried to rally the Sox with a double off the Monster to start the bottom of the fourth before moving to third on the fly ball to center by Pedroia. Betts scored on the sac fly by Ortiz before Ramirez ripped a base hit up the middle. All of a sudden Ramirez took off for second and Martin made an amazing throw to gun him down to end the inning. The Sox got one back to trail 8-5.
Anthony Varvaro took over for the top of the fifth inning and got Saunders looking to start. Valencia also watched strike three go by but Pillar drilled a base hit to right. Pillar swiped second and scored on the triple by Goins. Travis waived at strike three in the dirt to end the inning but the Jays were up 9-5
Sandoval tried to start a rally with a base hit to right to begin. Nava drew a full count walk before Holt walked to load the bases with nobody out to chase Hutchison. Marco Estrada came in and the Sox choked their chance to come back away as Bogaerts waived at a changeup in the other batters box for strike 3. Hanigan lined out to left but Mr. Mookie walked to score Sandoval. With the tying run at first...Pedroia grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox scored a run but still trailed 9-6 after that waste.
Varvaro returned for the top of the sixth and Donaldson effortlessly singled to center before Jose Bautista drew a walk. Encarnacion popped up to first in foul territory and that was it for Varvaro. Robbie Ross Jr was brought in to face Martin and he walked to load the bases. Saunders banged into a double play to end the inning,. Ortiz walked to open the bottom of the sixth but Ramirez popped up to second. Ortiz was erased on the force by Sandoval and Nava whiffed to end the inning.
Ross Jr got in major trouble in the top of the seventh as Valencia dumped a base hit to right to start. Pillar lined a ball off the third base bag and took second on the double as Valencia came within inches of being tagged out at third. Ross got a big out by getting Goins to waive out an outside corner slider before Travis grounded out to third. Donaldson flied out to right to end the inning. Good work by Ross to houdini out of that.
Holt led off the bottom of the seventh by taking strike three before Bogaerts grounded out to short...but wait! Sox manager John Farrell challenged the call but Head of MLB Operations Joe Torre DEMANDED the call stand, Bogaerts was out. Hanigan grounded out to second to end the inning.
The Jays iced the game in the top of the eighth against Craig Breslow as Bautista pulverized a solo home run completely out of Fenway to increase the lead. Encarnacion flied out to center but Martin walked. Saunders singled off the glove of Pedroia but Valencia was rung up for strike three. Pillar lined out to center to end the inning with the Jays ahead 10-6
Aaron Loup came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Mr. Mookie took strike three to start. Pedroia was also frozen for strike three before Ortiz lined a double to the right field wall to beat the shift. Ramirez then blasted a 2 run bomb just inside the Pesky Pole to cut the lead. Sandoval singled to the left field wall to chase Loup. Liam Hendriks came in to pitch with Allen Craig pinch hitting for Nava. Craig grounded back to the mound to end the inning but the Sox were closer, trailing 10-8.
Just when the Sox had momentum, they pissed it away in the top of the ninth. Breslow got Goins looking on the outside corner and that was the end of his night. Junichi Tazawa came in and Sandoval nearly threw a grounder by Travis away but Craig scooped it out. Donaldson then bashed a 679,000 foot home run to wrap up the scoring. Tazawa punched out Bautista to end the inning but the Jays added to the lead 11-8.
Brett Cecil came in to close out the game in the bottom of the ninth and Holt went down swinging to start. Bogaerts poked a line out to left but Hanigan stroked a seeing eye single to left. Hanigan took second on a passed ball but Mr. Mookie grounded out to second to end the game. The Jays had survived the slugfest 11-8.
Jackass of the Night is Clay Buchholz. He got hammered for 5 runs in 2 2/3 innings to take the loss.
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 2 for 5 with a walk, 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.
David Ortiz was 2 for 3 with a walk, 2 rbis and a run scored.
Hanley Ramirez was 2 for 5 with a 2 run home run
Pablo Sandoval was 4 for 5 with 2 runs scored.
Robbie Ross Jr tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.
The Bad:
Allen Craig was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.
Edward Mujica was charged with 3 runs in 1 1/3 innings.
Anthony Varvaro allowed a run in 1 1/3 innings.
Craig Breslow allowed a run in 1 1/3 innings.
Junichi Tazawa allowed a run in 2/3 of an inning.
The Ugly:
Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 4 with a walk but drove in a run.
Daniel Nava was 0 for 3 but walked.
Brock Holt was 0 for 3 but walked twice.
Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run and scored.
Ryan Hanigan was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored a run.
Final Thoughts:
The Blue Jays offense is for real but if Clay Buchholz gets smacked around, what's going to happen to the other starters? Joe Kelly, Rick Porcello, Wade Miley and Justin Masterson aren't that intimidating nor are any of them an ace. If Buchholz is not a true stopper this team is in big trouble. They got the bats in Betts, Ortiz, Ramirez, Sandoval and Bogaerts but they can't score 8-10 runs a game...and tonight proved they may not win even if they do! The bullpen giving up 6 runs was just as alarming as Buchholz not having it. The Sox have one game left in April and hopefully they can win this one. Tomorrow night is the rubber game of this set with "Slick" Rick Porcello (1-2) taking on RA Dickey at 6:10 PM at Fenway Park.
Monday, April 27, 2015
Sox Walkoff Jays (4/27/15)
Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Heath Hembree was sent down to Pawtucket after getting shelled yesterday and in his place the Sox have recalled knuckleballer Steven Wright.
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After the Red Sox got shelled by the Baltimore Orioles last night, falling behind 5-3 in tonight's game to the Toronto Blue Jays made the outlook bleak. Luckily Hanley Ramirez and Mookie Betts were around to save the day. Ramirez scored Betts with a sac fly to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth and Betts drove home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth to give the Sox a hard fought 6-5 win over the Jays at Fenway Park.
Happy fans
Joe Kelly got the start for the Sox and the Jays pounded him in the top of the first inning. Jose Reyes hit a seeing eye single to left before swiping second. Devon Travis singled to right with Brock "The Hitman" Holt playing deep and Reyes scored to put the Jays up early. Josh Donaldson walked but Kelly somehow blew away Jose Bautista. Edwin Encarnacion popped up to right but Russell Martin drilled a double into the left field corner to score both runners to put Toronto up big early. Michael Saunders flied out to deep center to end the inning but the Jays were up 3-0 early.
Nice going Kelly
Aaron Sanchez got the ball to start the bottom of the first and the Sox struck back. Mr. Mookie Betts led the inning off with a walk but was thrown out trying to steal. Dustin Pedroia walked and David Ortiz doubled into the left field corner. Hanley Ramirez whiffed but Pablo Sandoval singled off the Monster on a 3-0 count to score both runners. Daniel Nava watched strike three go by but the Sox were back in it down 3-2.
Sandoval drives in a pair
Kelly turned up the heat in the top of the second inning as he froze Kevin Pillar for strike three to start. Kelly blew away both Dalton Pompey and Reyes to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the second as Hitman Holt looked at strike three to start. Xander Bogaerts grounded out to third before Ryan Hanigan was frozen for strike three to end the inning.
The Jays struck again in the top of the third when Travis launched a bomb into the Monster Seats to increase the lead. Donaldson whiffed on a hanging curve before Bautista took strike three. Encarnacion whiffed to end the inning but it was 4-2 Jays
Travis hits one out
The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the third as Mr. Mookie whiffed to start before Pedroia popped up to center before Ortiz lined out to right to end the inning.
The Jays attacked again in the top of the fourth inning as Martin drew a leadoff walk to start. Saunders walked and Pillar singled home Martin to increase the lead. Sandoval dove to make a diving catch off a Pompey bunt attempt but hurt himself. Reyes banged into a double play to end the inning but the Sox were down 5-2.
Jays increase the lead
The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fourth although Ramirez whiffed to start. Sandoval drilled his second home run of the season into the bullpen to cut the lead. Nava grounded out to first before Holt grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox down 5-3.
Sandoval hits one out
Kelly cruised in the top of the fifth as he blew away Travis to start. Donaldson whiffed before Bautista grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The Sox continued the comeback in the bottom of the fifth although Bogaerts whiffed to start. Hanigan grounded back to the mound but Mr. Mookie doubled to the left field wall. Pedroia hit a ball back to the mound but Sanchez threw it into the camera well to score Betts and advance Pedroia on the error. Ortiz grounded out to short to end the inning but the Sox were down 5-4.
Betts scores a run
Sandoval ended up fainting in the dugout and had to be loaded onto an ambulance headed for Mass General's ICU, so Allen Craig took his spot in the batting order. Holt moved to third, Craig took over at first and Nava moved to right to start the top of the sixth inning. Encarnacion grounded out to second to begin before Martin grounded back to the mound. Kelly earned his 10th strikeout of the night by blowing away Saunders to end the inning. Kelly was all over the place tonight, giving up 5 runs but striking out 10.
Not Kelly's best work
Sanchez returned for the bottom of the sixth and Ramirez was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to start. Craig was robbed of a hit by Donaldson and that was it for Sanchez. Aaron Loup came in to face Nava and Daniel hit a liner off the glove of and but right to Donaldson who fired to first for the out to end the inning.
Alexi Ogando came in for the top of the seventh inning and Pillar doubled off the Monster to start. Pompey flied out to right but Pillar moved to third. Ogando blew away Reyes and Bogaerts made an amazing throw on a grounder by Travis to end the inning. Donaldson made a leaping catch to rob Holt of a hit to start the bottom of the seventh before Bogaerts popped up to second. Hanigan grounded out to second to end the inning.
Ogando returned for the top of the eighth inning and Donaldson grounded out to first to begin. Bautista drew a walk but Encarnacion lined out to a running Ramirez. Martin whiffed to end the inning, good work Ogando. Roberto Osuna came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and the Sox rallied. Mr. Mookie singled off the Monster before Pedroia dumped a base hit to left. A wild pitch moved the runners over so Ortiz was intentionally walked. Pompey made an amazing diving catch to rob Ramirez of a bases clearing double...but Betts scored to tie the game on the "sac fly". Craig watched strike three go by before Donaldson made another leaping grab to rob Nava of a hit to end the inning with the game tied 5-5.
Game saving catch by Pompey
One half of The Orient Express, Koji Uehara came in for the top of the ninth inning. Saunders whiffed to start before Pillar also struck out swinging. Pompey popped up to third to end the inning. Miguel Castro came in to pitch the fateful bottom of the ninth but Holt whiffed to start. Bogaerts lined a base hit throught the hole into left before Hanigan singled up the middle. A wild pitch moved both runners over and Betts singled through the hole in short to score Bogaerts with the winning run. The Sox had walked it off 6-5.
Red Sox win
Hero of the Night is Mookie Betts. He got the walkoff hit to win the game.
The Hero is down
The Good:
Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.
David Ortiz was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.
Pablo Sandoval was 2 for 2 with 3 total rbis and a 2 run home run.
Alexi Ogando tossed 2 scoreless innings.
Koji Uehara earned the win with a scoreless 9th.
The Bad:
Allen Craig was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.
Daniel Nava was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Brock Holt was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Joe Kelly allowed 5 runs in 6 innings of work.
The Ugly:
Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but drove in the tying run.
Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.
Ryan Hanigan was just 1 for 4.
Final Thoughts:
That was a good win considering the Sox had to scratch and claw to get back in the game. Getting Aaron Sanchez out of the game was clutch because they got to the Jays bullpen for the late inning runs. The offense looks like they have something with Betts and Bogaerts as the future stars with Ortiz and Pedroia the holdovers. Ramirez and Sandoval better live up to their pricetags and today they did. Kelly had a weird start because he looked dominant at times and batting practice other times. All in all it was a good win and the Sox need to keep up this momentum in the next few games. Tomorrow evening Clay Buchholz gets the start for the Sox going up against Marco Estrada at 6:10 PM at Fenway Park.
After the Red Sox got shelled by the Baltimore Orioles last night, falling behind 5-3 in tonight's game to the Toronto Blue Jays made the outlook bleak. Luckily Hanley Ramirez and Mookie Betts were around to save the day. Ramirez scored Betts with a sac fly to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth and Betts drove home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth to give the Sox a hard fought 6-5 win over the Jays at Fenway Park.
Joe Kelly got the start for the Sox and the Jays pounded him in the top of the first inning. Jose Reyes hit a seeing eye single to left before swiping second. Devon Travis singled to right with Brock "The Hitman" Holt playing deep and Reyes scored to put the Jays up early. Josh Donaldson walked but Kelly somehow blew away Jose Bautista. Edwin Encarnacion popped up to right but Russell Martin drilled a double into the left field corner to score both runners to put Toronto up big early. Michael Saunders flied out to deep center to end the inning but the Jays were up 3-0 early.
Aaron Sanchez got the ball to start the bottom of the first and the Sox struck back. Mr. Mookie Betts led the inning off with a walk but was thrown out trying to steal. Dustin Pedroia walked and David Ortiz doubled into the left field corner. Hanley Ramirez whiffed but Pablo Sandoval singled off the Monster on a 3-0 count to score both runners. Daniel Nava watched strike three go by but the Sox were back in it down 3-2.
Kelly turned up the heat in the top of the second inning as he froze Kevin Pillar for strike three to start. Kelly blew away both Dalton Pompey and Reyes to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the second as Hitman Holt looked at strike three to start. Xander Bogaerts grounded out to third before Ryan Hanigan was frozen for strike three to end the inning.
The Jays struck again in the top of the third when Travis launched a bomb into the Monster Seats to increase the lead. Donaldson whiffed on a hanging curve before Bautista took strike three. Encarnacion whiffed to end the inning but it was 4-2 Jays
The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the third as Mr. Mookie whiffed to start before Pedroia popped up to center before Ortiz lined out to right to end the inning.
The Jays attacked again in the top of the fourth inning as Martin drew a leadoff walk to start. Saunders walked and Pillar singled home Martin to increase the lead. Sandoval dove to make a diving catch off a Pompey bunt attempt but hurt himself. Reyes banged into a double play to end the inning but the Sox were down 5-2.
The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fourth although Ramirez whiffed to start. Sandoval drilled his second home run of the season into the bullpen to cut the lead. Nava grounded out to first before Holt grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox down 5-3.
Kelly cruised in the top of the fifth as he blew away Travis to start. Donaldson whiffed before Bautista grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The Sox continued the comeback in the bottom of the fifth although Bogaerts whiffed to start. Hanigan grounded back to the mound but Mr. Mookie doubled to the left field wall. Pedroia hit a ball back to the mound but Sanchez threw it into the camera well to score Betts and advance Pedroia on the error. Ortiz grounded out to short to end the inning but the Sox were down 5-4.
Sandoval ended up fainting in the dugout and had to be loaded onto an ambulance headed for Mass General's ICU, so Allen Craig took his spot in the batting order. Holt moved to third, Craig took over at first and Nava moved to right to start the top of the sixth inning. Encarnacion grounded out to second to begin before Martin grounded back to the mound. Kelly earned his 10th strikeout of the night by blowing away Saunders to end the inning. Kelly was all over the place tonight, giving up 5 runs but striking out 10.
Sanchez returned for the bottom of the sixth and Ramirez was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to start. Craig was robbed of a hit by Donaldson and that was it for Sanchez. Aaron Loup came in to face Nava and Daniel hit a liner off the glove of and but right to Donaldson who fired to first for the out to end the inning.
Alexi Ogando came in for the top of the seventh inning and Pillar doubled off the Monster to start. Pompey flied out to right but Pillar moved to third. Ogando blew away Reyes and Bogaerts made an amazing throw on a grounder by Travis to end the inning. Donaldson made a leaping catch to rob Holt of a hit to start the bottom of the seventh before Bogaerts popped up to second. Hanigan grounded out to second to end the inning.
Ogando returned for the top of the eighth inning and Donaldson grounded out to first to begin. Bautista drew a walk but Encarnacion lined out to a running Ramirez. Martin whiffed to end the inning, good work Ogando. Roberto Osuna came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and the Sox rallied. Mr. Mookie singled off the Monster before Pedroia dumped a base hit to left. A wild pitch moved the runners over so Ortiz was intentionally walked. Pompey made an amazing diving catch to rob Ramirez of a bases clearing double...but Betts scored to tie the game on the "sac fly". Craig watched strike three go by before Donaldson made another leaping grab to rob Nava of a hit to end the inning with the game tied 5-5.
One half of The Orient Express, Koji Uehara came in for the top of the ninth inning. Saunders whiffed to start before Pillar also struck out swinging. Pompey popped up to third to end the inning. Miguel Castro came in to pitch the fateful bottom of the ninth but Holt whiffed to start. Bogaerts lined a base hit throught the hole into left before Hanigan singled up the middle. A wild pitch moved both runners over and Betts singled through the hole in short to score Bogaerts with the winning run. The Sox had walked it off 6-5.
Hero of the Night is Mookie Betts. He got the walkoff hit to win the game.
The Good:
Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.
David Ortiz was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.
Pablo Sandoval was 2 for 2 with 3 total rbis and a 2 run home run.
Alexi Ogando tossed 2 scoreless innings.
Koji Uehara earned the win with a scoreless 9th.
The Bad:
Allen Craig was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.
Daniel Nava was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Brock Holt was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Joe Kelly allowed 5 runs in 6 innings of work.
The Ugly:
Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but drove in the tying run.
Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.
Ryan Hanigan was just 1 for 4.
Final Thoughts:
That was a good win considering the Sox had to scratch and claw to get back in the game. Getting Aaron Sanchez out of the game was clutch because they got to the Jays bullpen for the late inning runs. The offense looks like they have something with Betts and Bogaerts as the future stars with Ortiz and Pedroia the holdovers. Ramirez and Sandoval better live up to their pricetags and today they did. Kelly had a weird start because he looked dominant at times and batting practice other times. All in all it was a good win and the Sox need to keep up this momentum in the next few games. Tomorrow evening Clay Buchholz gets the start for the Sox going up against Marco Estrada at 6:10 PM at Fenway Park.
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Baltimore Pounds Sox Into Submission (4/26/15)
Before the game Matt Barnes was sent back to Pawtucket and Heath Hembree was called up in his place. Barnes will rejoin the PawSox rotation as Hembree will aid the bullpen that's taken a beating lately.
OUT
IN
It was a bad day for Boston sports as the Cleveland Cavaliers swept the Boston Celtics out of the NBA playoffs and the Boston Red Sox lost to the Baltimore Orioles. The good news was the Red Sox offense scored 7 runs off 9 hits against the Orioles. The bad news the O's absolutely laid waste to the Sox collective bungholes with an 18 run, 20 hit barrage that lasted from the beginning all the way to the final pitch. Wade Miley (1-2, 8.62 ERA) pitched like crap but the bullpen wasn't any better as the O's took a nice big 18-7 dump on the Sox at Camden Yards.
"This pitching staff sucks"
Bud Norris got the ball for Baltimore in the top of the first and Mr. Mookie Betts led off with a ground out to third. Dustin Pedroia flied out to center but Pablo Sandoval worked a walk. Hanley Ramirez grounded out to second to end the inning. Miley didn't have much trouble in the bottom of the first as Everth Cabrera grounded out to third to begin the inning. Manny Machado popped up to right and Adam Jones grounded out to short to end the inning.
Nothing doing for the Sox in the top of the second inning as Mike Napoli whiffed to start. Brock "The Hitman" Holt lined a base hit to center but Allen Craig flied out to center. Xander Bogaerts grounded out to third to end the inning. The O's struck first in the bottom of the second as Delmon Young hit a routine fly ball to Betts..AND HE DROPPED IT! Young ended up at second and moved to third on the Chris Davis lineout to center. Stephen Pearce flied out to left but Young scored to give the Orioles the lead. Jimmy Parades lined out deep to left to end the inning with the O's up 1-0.
"I got it...I got it....I don't got it" - Betts
The Sox failed to respond in the top of the third inning. Sandy Leon lined out to center and Mr. Mookie grounded out to short, but Pedroia doubled down the left field line. Sandoval drew another walk on a borderline pitch but Ramirez lined out to right to end the inning. The wheels not only fell off but burst into flames for Miley in the bottom of the third inning. Old friend Ryan Lavarnway blooped a single to right but Rey Navarro jacked one deep to center only for Betts to run it down. Cabrera singled and Machado walked to load the bases. Jones also walked to force in a run. Young singled home Cabrera and Davis doubled home two more runs. Pearce singled home Young and FINALLY that was it for Miley. Wade crapped his pants big time, lasting just 2 1/3 innings. Anthony Vavaro came in and Davis scored on the ground out by Parades. Lavarnway flied out to right to end the inning but the O's had iced it early 7-0.
Nice going Miley
The Sox rolled over and died in the top of the fourth inning as Napoli hit one up the elevator shaft to begin. Holt singled but Craig flied out to center. Bogaerts popped up to short to end the inning. The hit parade continued in the bottom of the fourth as Navarro singled past Napoli to start. Cabrera grounded out to first and they could have had Navarro at second but Napoli threw the ball 50 feet to the left of second base. Machado walked and Navarro moved to third on the fly out by Jones. A wild pitch moved Machado to second and Young slammed a single to left to score both runners. Davis grounded out to third to end the inning but it was now 9-0.
Its getting worse
The Sox continued to be asleep on offense in the top of the fifth inning. Leon popped up to third and Mr. Mookie popped up to center, but Pedroia singled. Sandoval popped up to center to end the inning. Robbie Ross Jr came on to take a beating in the bottom of the fifth inning. Pearce lined out to left but Parades and Lavarnway stroked back to back singles, Ryan's hit off the glove of Pedroia. Navarro singled in the hole at short to score Parades to increase the lead. Cabrera whiffed and Machado grounded out but it was 10-0 O's. Yikes.
The Sox did nothing in the top of the sixth as Ramirez grounded out to third to start. Napoli lined out to center but Holt walked. Craig grounded into a force to end the inning. The new call-up Heath Hembree was brought in to take a pounding in the bottom of the sixth. Jones struck out and Young lined out to right to give the illusion the Sox would have a clean inning....but Davis blasted a solo home run halfway to New York to increase the lead. Pearce walked and Parades tripled to the right field wall to score another run. Lavarnway struck out to end the inning but it was now 12-0.
Oh what a mess
Somehow the Red Sox sprang to life in the top of the seventh although it was too little, too late. Bogaerts hit a comebacker to the mound but Leon singled to center. Mr. Mookie whiffed but Pedroia beat out a squibber for a base hit. Daniel Nava pinch ran for Pedroia with the game out of reach but somehow Sandoval blasted a 3 run home run to put the Sox on the board and chase Norris. Jason Garcia came in and Ramirez greeted him with a solo blast of his own. Napoli grounded out to short to end the inning but it was now 12-4 Sox.
"I actually did somthing?" - Sandoval
The moral victory of scoring 4 runs evaporated quickly in the bottom of the seventh as the O's poured it on with Holt at second and Nava in right. Navarro doubled to center and Cabrera singled him to third. Machado whiffed but Jones singled to left to score another run. Young doubled into the gap to clear the bases and chase the incompetent Hembree from the game with the O's up 15-4.
Hembree - "I suck don't I?" Farrell - "Yup"
Craig Breslow came in to stop the bleeding and instead he fell down and farted just like everyone else. Davis singled up the middle to advance Young to third and Pearce singled him home. Parades doubled down the right field line to score Young before Pearce scored on a passed ball. Lavarnway whiffed and Navarro lined out to left to end the inning with the O's up 18-4. Yuck.
Make it stop!!!!
David Lough took over for Jones as Holt worked a walk to open the top of the eighth inning. Craig lined out to third and Holt moved to second on the Bogaerts grounder. Leon hit a comebacker to the mound to end the inning. Edward Mujica took the mound in the bottom of the eighth and somehow did NOT allow a run. Cabrera lined out to left and Machado popped up to right, but Lough singled for Baltimore's 20th hit on the day. Young grounded out to short to end the inning.
The torture finally came to an end in the top of the ninth but not before the Sox had one last rally in them. Parades moved from the DH slot to replace Machado at third which would have meant Garcia would have had to hit if the game continued past this half inning. Parades immediately goofed when he threw wide of first to allow Mr. Mookie to reach on an error. Nava flied out to left but Sandoval walked. Ramirez crushed a 3 run home run to left, just too bad they were down by 11 runs. Napoli whiffed but Holt walked again. Craig flied out to right to end the game. The O's massacred the Sox 18-7.
Jackass of the Night could be anybody on the pitching side but it has to be Wade Miley. He opened the floodgates and lasted just 2 1/3 innings while giving up the first 7 runs.
Miley Jackass today
The Good:
Dustin Pedroia was 3 for 4.
Pablo Sandoval was 1 for 2 with 3 walks, 2 total runs scored and a three run home run.
Hanley Ramirez was 2 for 5 with 4 rbi's coming off two home runs.
Brock Holt was 2 for 2 with 3 walks.
Edward Mujica pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
The Bad:
Mike Napoli was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.
Allen Craig was 0 for 5.
Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4.
Anthony Varvaro gave up 2 runs in 1 2/3 innings.
Robbie Ross Jr allowed a run in an inning of work.
Heath Hembree allowed 6 runs in just 1 1/3 innings.
Craig Breslow allowed 2 runs in just 2/3 of an inning.
The Ugly:
Mookie Betts was 0 for 5 with an error but scored a run.
Daniel Nava was 0 for 1 at the plate but scored a run.
Sandy Leon was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.
Final Thoughts:
Holy moly that was BAD. Its one thing to lose a game but its another to get your brains completely beaten in. The O's were swinging at beachballs all game to pound out 18 runs off 20 hits. It didn't matter who was on the mound, they couldn't miss. The only plus side were Holt getting on base 5 times along with Sandoval and Ramirez going yard. If they can keep up that pace, if the pitching improves they should be ok going forward. The loss dropped the Sox to 10-9 on the season. Joe Kelly gets the start for the Sox tomorrow night at an unusual 6:40 start time. The Toronto Blue Jays are coming to town and Aaron Sanchez gets the ball in the first game at Fenway Park.
It was a bad day for Boston sports as the Cleveland Cavaliers swept the Boston Celtics out of the NBA playoffs and the Boston Red Sox lost to the Baltimore Orioles. The good news was the Red Sox offense scored 7 runs off 9 hits against the Orioles. The bad news the O's absolutely laid waste to the Sox collective bungholes with an 18 run, 20 hit barrage that lasted from the beginning all the way to the final pitch. Wade Miley (1-2, 8.62 ERA) pitched like crap but the bullpen wasn't any better as the O's took a nice big 18-7 dump on the Sox at Camden Yards.
Bud Norris got the ball for Baltimore in the top of the first and Mr. Mookie Betts led off with a ground out to third. Dustin Pedroia flied out to center but Pablo Sandoval worked a walk. Hanley Ramirez grounded out to second to end the inning. Miley didn't have much trouble in the bottom of the first as Everth Cabrera grounded out to third to begin the inning. Manny Machado popped up to right and Adam Jones grounded out to short to end the inning.
Nothing doing for the Sox in the top of the second inning as Mike Napoli whiffed to start. Brock "The Hitman" Holt lined a base hit to center but Allen Craig flied out to center. Xander Bogaerts grounded out to third to end the inning. The O's struck first in the bottom of the second as Delmon Young hit a routine fly ball to Betts..AND HE DROPPED IT! Young ended up at second and moved to third on the Chris Davis lineout to center. Stephen Pearce flied out to left but Young scored to give the Orioles the lead. Jimmy Parades lined out deep to left to end the inning with the O's up 1-0.
The Sox failed to respond in the top of the third inning. Sandy Leon lined out to center and Mr. Mookie grounded out to short, but Pedroia doubled down the left field line. Sandoval drew another walk on a borderline pitch but Ramirez lined out to right to end the inning. The wheels not only fell off but burst into flames for Miley in the bottom of the third inning. Old friend Ryan Lavarnway blooped a single to right but Rey Navarro jacked one deep to center only for Betts to run it down. Cabrera singled and Machado walked to load the bases. Jones also walked to force in a run. Young singled home Cabrera and Davis doubled home two more runs. Pearce singled home Young and FINALLY that was it for Miley. Wade crapped his pants big time, lasting just 2 1/3 innings. Anthony Vavaro came in and Davis scored on the ground out by Parades. Lavarnway flied out to right to end the inning but the O's had iced it early 7-0.
The Sox rolled over and died in the top of the fourth inning as Napoli hit one up the elevator shaft to begin. Holt singled but Craig flied out to center. Bogaerts popped up to short to end the inning. The hit parade continued in the bottom of the fourth as Navarro singled past Napoli to start. Cabrera grounded out to first and they could have had Navarro at second but Napoli threw the ball 50 feet to the left of second base. Machado walked and Navarro moved to third on the fly out by Jones. A wild pitch moved Machado to second and Young slammed a single to left to score both runners. Davis grounded out to third to end the inning but it was now 9-0.
The Sox continued to be asleep on offense in the top of the fifth inning. Leon popped up to third and Mr. Mookie popped up to center, but Pedroia singled. Sandoval popped up to center to end the inning. Robbie Ross Jr came on to take a beating in the bottom of the fifth inning. Pearce lined out to left but Parades and Lavarnway stroked back to back singles, Ryan's hit off the glove of Pedroia. Navarro singled in the hole at short to score Parades to increase the lead. Cabrera whiffed and Machado grounded out but it was 10-0 O's. Yikes.
The Sox did nothing in the top of the sixth as Ramirez grounded out to third to start. Napoli lined out to center but Holt walked. Craig grounded into a force to end the inning. The new call-up Heath Hembree was brought in to take a pounding in the bottom of the sixth. Jones struck out and Young lined out to right to give the illusion the Sox would have a clean inning....but Davis blasted a solo home run halfway to New York to increase the lead. Pearce walked and Parades tripled to the right field wall to score another run. Lavarnway struck out to end the inning but it was now 12-0.
Somehow the Red Sox sprang to life in the top of the seventh although it was too little, too late. Bogaerts hit a comebacker to the mound but Leon singled to center. Mr. Mookie whiffed but Pedroia beat out a squibber for a base hit. Daniel Nava pinch ran for Pedroia with the game out of reach but somehow Sandoval blasted a 3 run home run to put the Sox on the board and chase Norris. Jason Garcia came in and Ramirez greeted him with a solo blast of his own. Napoli grounded out to short to end the inning but it was now 12-4 Sox.
The moral victory of scoring 4 runs evaporated quickly in the bottom of the seventh as the O's poured it on with Holt at second and Nava in right. Navarro doubled to center and Cabrera singled him to third. Machado whiffed but Jones singled to left to score another run. Young doubled into the gap to clear the bases and chase the incompetent Hembree from the game with the O's up 15-4.
Craig Breslow came in to stop the bleeding and instead he fell down and farted just like everyone else. Davis singled up the middle to advance Young to third and Pearce singled him home. Parades doubled down the right field line to score Young before Pearce scored on a passed ball. Lavarnway whiffed and Navarro lined out to left to end the inning with the O's up 18-4. Yuck.
David Lough took over for Jones as Holt worked a walk to open the top of the eighth inning. Craig lined out to third and Holt moved to second on the Bogaerts grounder. Leon hit a comebacker to the mound to end the inning. Edward Mujica took the mound in the bottom of the eighth and somehow did NOT allow a run. Cabrera lined out to left and Machado popped up to right, but Lough singled for Baltimore's 20th hit on the day. Young grounded out to short to end the inning.
The torture finally came to an end in the top of the ninth but not before the Sox had one last rally in them. Parades moved from the DH slot to replace Machado at third which would have meant Garcia would have had to hit if the game continued past this half inning. Parades immediately goofed when he threw wide of first to allow Mr. Mookie to reach on an error. Nava flied out to left but Sandoval walked. Ramirez crushed a 3 run home run to left, just too bad they were down by 11 runs. Napoli whiffed but Holt walked again. Craig flied out to right to end the game. The O's massacred the Sox 18-7.
Jackass of the Night could be anybody on the pitching side but it has to be Wade Miley. He opened the floodgates and lasted just 2 1/3 innings while giving up the first 7 runs.
The Good:
Dustin Pedroia was 3 for 4.
Pablo Sandoval was 1 for 2 with 3 walks, 2 total runs scored and a three run home run.
Hanley Ramirez was 2 for 5 with 4 rbi's coming off two home runs.
Brock Holt was 2 for 2 with 3 walks.
Edward Mujica pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
The Bad:
Mike Napoli was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.
Allen Craig was 0 for 5.
Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4.
Anthony Varvaro gave up 2 runs in 1 2/3 innings.
Robbie Ross Jr allowed a run in an inning of work.
Heath Hembree allowed 6 runs in just 1 1/3 innings.
Craig Breslow allowed 2 runs in just 2/3 of an inning.
The Ugly:
Mookie Betts was 0 for 5 with an error but scored a run.
Daniel Nava was 0 for 1 at the plate but scored a run.
Sandy Leon was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.
Final Thoughts:
Holy moly that was BAD. Its one thing to lose a game but its another to get your brains completely beaten in. The O's were swinging at beachballs all game to pound out 18 runs off 20 hits. It didn't matter who was on the mound, they couldn't miss. The only plus side were Holt getting on base 5 times along with Sandoval and Ramirez going yard. If they can keep up that pace, if the pitching improves they should be ok going forward. The loss dropped the Sox to 10-9 on the season. Joe Kelly gets the start for the Sox tomorrow night at an unusual 6:40 start time. The Toronto Blue Jays are coming to town and Aaron Sanchez gets the ball in the first game at Fenway Park.
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