Sox Late Rally Sinks Mariners (5/14/15)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made some roster moves. Luis Jimenez was optioned down to Pawtucket and Justin Masterson was placed on the Disabled List with right shoulder tendinitis. To take Justin's place, the Sox called up Robbie Ross Jr. Masterson has pitched like crap lately so hopefully some rest will get him right.

                                                                          OUT

                                                                IN

As for the game, for eight innings the Boston Red Sox and the Seattle Mariners were locked in a pitcher's duel. Joe Kelly of the Sox and Roenis Elias of the Mariners combined to allow a single earned run apiece in 6 plus innings. A Shane Victorino home run in the top of the fourth and a Logan Morrison rbi in the bottom of the sixth amounted for the only runs of the game. Then in the top of the ninth, Mookie Betts hit a fly ball to Rickie Weeks who threw the ball away, allowing Brock Holt to score. Koji Uehara slammed the door in the bottom of the ninth and the Sox had won it 2-1 at Safeco Field.

                                                        Jimmy Valmer approves of the win

Elias got the ball in the top of the first and Mr. Mookie Betts lined out to Brad Miller to start. Dustin Pedroia popped up to first and David Ortiz grounded out to short to end the inning. Kelly got the ball in the bottom of the first and Seth Smith flied out to center to start. Miller got a base hit to left but was forced at second on a grounder by Robinson Cano. Nelson Cruz got a base hit to right to move Cano to third but Kyle Seager grounded out to first to end the inning.

Hanley Ramirez reached on a swinging bunt in front of the plate to start the top of the second but was thrown out at second trying to steal. Mike Napoli took strike three but Shane Victorino dumped a base hit to left. Brock "The Hitman" Holt ripped a base hit to right but Xander Bogaerts grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Logan Morrison grounded back to the mound to start. Mike Zunino grounded out to short and Dustin Ackley also grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Blake Swihart grounded out to third to start the top of the third before Mr. Mookie got a base hit to left. Pedroia popped up to second and Ortiz flied out to center to end the inning. Chris Taylor grounded out to short to start the bottom of the third and Smith grounded out to first. Miller grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the fourth as Ramirez got a base hit to left to start. Ortiz grounded into a double play but Victorino belted his first home run of the season to put the Sox on top. Holt walked but Bogaerts flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                      Home run Victorino

Cano grounded out to second to start the bottom of the fourth but Cruz got a base hit to center. Seager singled to left and Morrison walked to load the bases. Zunino was frozen for strike three and Ackley lined a ball off Napoli's glove, but the alert Pedroia threw to Kelly covering for the out to end the inning.

Swihart popped up to first to start the top of the fifth before Mr. Mookie popped up to second. Pedroia flied out to center to end the inning. Taylor grounded out to short to begin the bottom of the fifth before Smith lined out to center. Miller grounded out to short to end the inning.

Ortiz grounded out to short to start the top of the sixth but Ramirez doubled to right. Napoli struck out swinging but Victorino walked. Holt forced Shane at second to end the inning. The Mariners struck back in the bottom of the sixth as Cano grounded out to second to start. Cruz walked and Seager got a base hit to right before a wild pitch moved both runners. Morrison grounded out to second but Cruz scored to tie the game. Zunino took strike three to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                             Mariners tie it

Bogaerts got a base hit to center to start the top of the seventh and Swihart dropped down a bunt to move him to second. Elias was sent to the showers and Mark Lowe came in to face Betts. Mr. Mookie struck out swinging but Pedroia walked to chase Lowe. Charlie Furbush got Ortiz to line out to center to end the inning. Ackley popped up to third to start the bottom of the seventh before Taylor walked to chase Kelly. Joe did well, allowing just 1 run in 6 1/3 innings off 5 hits and 3 walks. Tommy Layne came in to face pinch hitter Justin Ruggiano. Taylor got caught at first base on a botched hit and run when Victorino made a great jumping catch on a Ruggiano line drive to end the inning.

                                                         Kelly pitched well

Carson Smith came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Ramirez singled in the hole at short to begin. Ramirez was thrown out second trying to steal and Napoli struck out looking. Victorino took strike three to end the inning. Matt Barnes came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Rickie Weeks pinch hit for Miller. Weeks grounded back to the mound but Cano got a base hit to center. Cruz reached on a swinging bunt by Barnes but Seager grounded into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox rallied against Fernando Rodney in the top of the ninth as Holt doubled to center to start. Bogaerts dropped down a bunt and Mr. Mookie hit a fly ball to left. I'll let Sox broadcaster Don Orsillo handle this...."In the air to left field for Mookie Betts, Weeks goes back, he is under it, he makes the ca...NO HE DOESN'T!" Weeks dropped the ball for an error to score Holt to put the Sox on top. Pedroia grounded out to second to move both runners over and Ortiz walked to load the bases. Ramirez popped up to third in foul territory to end the inning but the Sox were up 2-1.

                                                     "I don't got it" - Weeks

Jackie Bradley Jr came in to play left, Sandy Leon came in to catch and Koji Uehara came in to close out the bottom of the ninth. Morrison flied out to left, Zunino popped up to second and Ackley was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to end the game. The Sox had won it 2-1.

                                                                  Sox win

Hero of The Night is Brock Holt. His ninth inning double started the rally and he finished it by scoring the go-ahead run.

                                                            Hitman Hero

The Good:

Hanley Ramirez was 4 for 5.

Pablo Sandoval was hit with a pitch as a pinch hitter.

Shane Victorino was 2 for 3 with a walk and a home run.

Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3.

Joe Kelly tossed 6 1/3 innings of 1 run ball allowing just 5 hits and 3 walks.

Tommy Layne tossed 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

Matt Barnes earned the win with a scoreless eighth inning.

Koji Uehara earned his 8th save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Mike Napoli was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Blake Swihart was 0 for 2.

The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 4 but walked.

David Ortiz was 0 for 4 but walked.

Honorable Mention:

Sandy Leon caught the bottom of the ninth.

Jackie Bradley Jr played left in the bottom of the ninth.

Final Thoughts:

The Red Sox are officially in bizarro world as they've won 2 of the last three games despite scoring just 2 runs in each of the games. Wade Miley last night and Joe Kelly tonight stepped up big with good starts and the bullpen locked it down. The Sox were built on their offense but if they get this kind of pitching more often, they'll be in the hunt this season. The offense will come but the question all along was the pitching, so far its held up recently. Still, the underlying problem is the Sox bats have suddenly gone quiet, especially with men on base. It took a cataclysmic error by Weeks just to get the winning run across. Still, a win is a win no matter how it comes by. The win improved the Sox to 17-18, 3.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it three wins in a row and second straight over Seattle tomorrow night when Clay Buchholz goes one on one with JA Happ of the Mariners. The game begins at 10:00 PM Eastern time at Safeco Field.

Miley, Sox Blank A's (5/13/15)

Well that was unexpected. The much maligned Boston Red Sox starting pitching got a much needed boost from Wade Miley (2-4, 5.60 ERA) against Oakland A's ace Sonny Gray. Miley dazzled the A's, holding them scoreless for 6 2/3 innings allowing just 5 hits. Sonny Gray held the Sox in check apart from a Daniel Nava rbi single in the second inning. The Sox got another run in the seventh when Marcus Semien threw a Dustin Pedroia grounder away for the insurance run. The Orient Express finished things off as Junichi Tazawa and Koji Uehara slammed the door on a 2-0 Sox victory over the A's at Oakland Coliseum.

                                                     Brie Bella approves of the win

Gray got the ball in the top of the first inning and Mr. Mookie Betts swung at strike three in the dirt to start. Dustin Pedroia grounded out to third and David Ortiz grounded out to first to end the inning. Miley got the ball in the bottom of the first and Coco Crisp walked to start. Marcus Semien walked but Josh Reddick grounded out to first to move the runners over. Billy Butler grounded out to third and Brett Lawrie lined out to center to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the second as Hanley Ramirez got a seeing eye single into right to start. Pablo Sandoval struck out swinging and so did Brock "The Hitman" Holt, but Ramirez moved to second on a wild pitch. Daniel Nava dropped a base hit down the left field line to score Ramirez to put Boston on top. Jackie Bradley Jr flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                               Nava drives in a run

Mark Canha flied out to the centerfield warning track to start the bottom of the second before Josh Phegley walked. Billy Burns singled to center but Eric Sogard lined out to right to move Phegley to third. Crisp grounded out to third to end the inning.

Sandy Leon popped up to first in foul territory to start the top of the third and Mr. Mookie struck out swinging. Pedroia singled in the hole at second but Ortiz grounded out to second to end the inning. Semien tripled over the head of Betts to start the bottom of the third but Reddick popped up to second. Butler popped up to Bradley and Lawrie grounded out to second to end the inning.

Ramirez took strike three to start the top of the fourth before Sandoval went down hacking. Holt struck out swinging to end the inning. Canha flied out to center to start the bottom of the fourth but Phegley doubled over the head of Bradley. Burns grounded out to third and Sogard popped up to Bogaerts to end the inning.

Nava led off the top of the fifth with a liner to left to start. JBJ grounded out to second and Leon lined out to right to end the inning. Crisp singled in the hole at second to start the bottom of the fifth but Semien grounded into a double play. Reddick flied out to center to end the inning.

Mr. Mookie led off the top of the sixth with a pop up to second before Crisp robbed Pedroia of a hit with a diving catch. Ortiz struck out swinging to end the inning. Miley got in trouble in the bottom of the sixth as Butler got a seeing eye single into left to start. Lawrie walked but Canha popped up to first. Phegley struck out swinging and Burns grounded out to third to end the inning.

Ramirez grounded out to third to begin the top of the seventh and Sandoval grounded out to short. Holt struck out swinging to end the inning. Miley returned briefly for the bottom of the seventh as Sogard grounded out to second to start. Crisp flied out to left and that was it for Miley. He tossed 6 2/3 shutout innings allowing 5 hits and 4 walks. Junichi Tazawa got Semien to ground out to third to end the inning.

                                                       "Good job Wade" - Farrell

The Sox got a big insurance run in the top of the eighth with Evan Scribner now on the mound. Nava got a base hit to center but JBJ popped up a bunt to Scribner. Leon got hit with a pitch but Mr. Mookie struck out swinging. Pedroia hit a routine grounder to Semien who threw the ball into the first base stands for an error to score Leon, moving Dustin to second. Fernando Abad came in to face Ortiz and David popped up to third to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                       Over everything

Tazawa came back for the bottom of the eighth and Reddick struck out swinging to start. Butler grounded out to third and Lawrie went down hacking to end the inning.

Tyler Clippard came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Ramirez got a base hit to center to start. Sandoval grounded out to second to move Hanley to second and Holt grounded out to second as well to move Ramirez to third. Nava walked but JBJ struck out swinging to end the inning. Koji Uehara came in to close out the bottom of the ninth with Ike Davis pinch hitting for Canha. Davis lined out to center and Max Muncy pinch hit for Phegley. Muncy struck out swinging and Stephen Vogt pinch hit for Burns. Vogt walked and took second on a wild pitch, but Sogard grounded out to first to end the game. The Sox had won it 2-0.

   

                                                                  Sox win

Hero of The Night is Wade Miley. With offense at a premium, he allowed no runs in 6 2/3 innings giving up 5 hits and 4 walks.

                                                      Wade Hero

The Good:

Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 4.

Hanley Ramirez was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Daniel Nava was 2 for 3 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Junichi Tazawa tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Koji Uehara earned his 7th save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Mookie Betts was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

David Ortiz was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Pablo Sandoval was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Brock Holt was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Sandy Leon was 0 for 2 but was hit with a pitch.

Final Thoughts:

This season has been a clown show so far but that was a very good win against a very good pitcher. The Sox faced Oakland's ace and outpitched him with Wade Miley. Offense was going to be short today and apart from a Nava knock and a Semien error, the Sox accomplished nothing. Still, just that little was enough with the way Miley pitched. Sox manager John Farrell made the right call to pull Miley when he did because the Orient Express finished off the A's in the eighth and ninth. If the Sox starters can go 6 or 7 innings, they can easily get back in the thick of things. Hopefully the other starters step up moving forward. Once again, the Sox faced Oakland's best pitcher so no sense harping on the offense too much. The win improved the Sox to 16-18, 4.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL  East. The Sox look to make it two in a row against Oakland tomorrow night when Justin Masterson (2-1) takes on Drew Pomeranz of Oakland. The game begins at 10:00 PM Eastern time at the Oakland Coliseum.

A's Crush Masterson, Sox (5/12/15)

It might be time to pull the plug on the Justin Masterson (2-2, 6.37 ERA) experiment as a starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. He's been inconsistent with diminished velocity and tonight he got absolutely shelled by the lowly Oakland A's. The A's pounded Justin for 6 runs in just 2 1/3 innings, knocking him out in the bottom of the third. Steven Wright allowed 3 runs in relief while A's starter Drew Pomeranz held the Sox to just two measly runs in 7 innings. Blake Swihart and Mike Napoli drove in Boston's only runs as Oakland pounded out 12 hits and 9 runs to win the game 9-2 at Oakland Coliseum.

                                                      "Hello, Pawtucket? Got any starters?"

Pomeranz got the ball in the top of the first inning and Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to short to start. Dustin Pedroia got a base hit to left but was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double. David Ortiz lined out to center to end the inning. The A's pounced on Masterson in the bottom of the first as Coco Crisp grounded out to second to start. Marcus Semien tripled to center and Josh Reddick singled to right to score Marcus. Billy Butler grounded out to short and Stephen Vogt hit a home run all the way to the Klingon Homeworld to ice the game. Max Muncy flied out to right to end the inning with the A's up 3-0.

                                                              A's strike first

Hanley Ramirez led off the top of the second with a grounder to short. Mike Napoli lined out to left and Pablo Sandoval was retired on a swinging bunt in front of the plate to end the inning. The A's struck again in the bottom of the second as Brett Lawrie singled in the hole at short. Sam Fuld grounded out to second to move Lawrie to second and Eric Sogard doubled to right to score Lawrie. Crisp grounded out to first to move Sogard to third and Semien struck out swinging to end the inning with the A's up 4-0.

                                                         Sogard with a double

Shane Victorino flied out to left to start the top of the third before Xander Bogaerts popped up to second. Blake Swihart hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. The A's finished off Masterson in the bottom of the third as Reddick hit a home run all the way to Great Britain to increase the lead. Butler flied out to center but Vogt walked. Sox manager John Farrell tossed a Gatorade jug, screamed and ran out of the dugout to tell Masterson to get out of here. He got bashed for 6 hits, a walk and 6 runs in just 2 1/3 innings. Steven Wright came in and promptly walked Muncy. Lawrie got a base hit to left to load the bases. Fuld popped up to short but Sogard ripped a base hit to center to score Vogt and Muncy. Crisp grounded out to second to end the inning but it was 7-0 Oakland.

                                                          Good for Josh

Mr. Mookie lined out to right to start the top of the fourth before Pedroia lined out to right. Ortiz struck out swinging to end the inning. The A's struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Semien hit a home run all the way to Texas to increase the lead. Reddick took strike three, Butler grounded out to short and Vogt popped up to third to end the inning with the A's up 8-0.

                                                             Home run Semien

Ramirez watched strike three go by to begin the top of the fifth before Napoli lined out to center. Sandoval flied out to center to end the inning. Muncy struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth before Lawrie grounded back to the mound. Fuld walked but Sogard forced him at second to end the inning.

The Sox fought back in the top of the sixth as Victorino doubled to left. Bogaerts grounded out to short to move Shane to third and Swihart grounded out to second to score Victorino. Betts grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox down 8-1.

Crisp grounded out to second to start the bottom of the sixth and Semien took strike three. Reddick got a base hit to center but Butler grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the seventh as Pedroia beat out a roller to short to start. Ortiz struck out swinging and Ramirez grounded out to first to move Pedroia to third. Napoli got a base hit to right to score Dustin but Sandoval grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox down 8-2.

                                                            Napoli drives in a run

Brock "The Hitman" Holt came in for Pedroia to start the bottom of the seventh and Vogt struck out swinging to start. Muncy grounded out to first and Lawrie grounded out to short to end the inning.

Fernando Rodriguez Jr came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Victorino flied out to center to start. Bogaerts lined out to center and Swihart struck out swinging to end the inning. The A's wrapped up the scoring in the bottom of the eighth with Daniel Nava now in right as Fuld grounded out to short to start. Sogard grounded out to second but Crisp walked. Semien singled to left and Reddick got a base hit to center to score Crisp. Butler grounded out to third to end the inning with the A's up 9-2.

                                                                       Booooooo

Dan Otero came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Mr. Mookie popped up to third to start. Holt grounded out to second and Ortiz struck out swinging to end the game. The A's had won it 9-2.

Jackass of the Night is Justin Masterson. He got lit up for 6 runs in just 2 1/3 innings off 6 hits and a walk.

                                                 Keep the ball in the yard, Jackass

The Good:

Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 3 with a run scored.

Mike Napoli was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

The Bad:

Mookie Betts was 0 for 4.

Brock Holt was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

David Ortiz was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Pablo Sandoval was 0 for 3.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 3.

The Ugly:

Blake Swihart was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Steven Wright allowed 3 runs in 5 2/3 innings.

Honorable Mention:

Daniel Nava played right field in the bottom of the eighth.

Final Thoughts:

Its one thing to get shut down by Drew Pomeranz, its another thing to get lit up by THAT offense. The A's aren't good this year but they looked like world beaters against Masterson and Wright. Wright took the bullet for the bullpen in this one much like Tim Wakefield would 15-20 years ago. The offense once again fell asleep and now things are getting ridiculous. Besides Ryan Hanigan they have a full, healthy team so why are they constantly getting shut down? Pomeranz is good but he's not supposed to be THIS good. Hopefully things turn around soon because the offense has to be good or else they won't survive this year. The loss dropped the Sox to 15-18, good for last place in the AL East. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow afternoon against Oakland when Wade Miley (1-4) takes on Sonny Gray of the A's. The game begins at 3:30 PM Eastern time at Oakland Coliseum.

Sox Drop A's in Eleven (5/11/15)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Shane Victorino was activated from the Disabled List and Luis Jimenez was designated for assignment to make room for him. Right field has been a mess this season with Daniel Nava and Allen Craig struggling. Hopefully Victorino can rediscover the form he had in 2013.

                                                                           OUT

                                                                     IN

As for the game, that was one of the best back and forth games all season for the Red Sox with Boston coming out on top. Both starters Scott Kazmir of Oakland and Rick Porcello of Boston lasted just 5 innings with the A's leading 3-2. The Sox jumped ahead against Evan Scribner on rbis from Mookie Betts and Dustin Pedroia. Craig Breslow blew the lead in the seventh and the score remained until the top of the eleventh. Pablo Sandoval cracked a home run off Angel Castro and Matt Barnes (1-0, 1.69 ERA) slammed the door in the bottom of the frame. The Sox had won the game 5-4 in 11 innings at the Oakland Coliseum.

                                                        Jack Nicklaus approves of the win

Kazmir got the ball in the top of the first inning and Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to third to start. Dustin Pedroia struck out swinging and David Ortiz grounded out to Eric Sogard to end the inning. Porcello got the ball in the bottom of the first and Billy Burns took strike three to start. Old pal Coco Crisp lined out to left but old friend Josh Reddick got a base hit to left. Billy Butler grounded out to Pedroia to end the inning.

Hanley Ramirez walked to start the top of the second but Mike Napoli lined out to right. Pablo Sandoval grounded into a double play to end the inning. Stephen Vogt led off the bottom of the second by grounding out to short. Ike Davis watched strike three go but Brett Lawrie lined a base hit to center. Marcus Semien flied out to the centerfield warning track to end the inning. Shane Victorino hit one up the elevator shaft to start the bottom of the second before Xander Bogaerts grounded out to short. Blake Swihart flied out to right to end the inning.

The A's struck first in the top of the third as Sogard flied out to left to start. Billy Burns dropped down a bunt to reach on a single then took second on a wild pitch. Crisp grounded out to second to move Burns to third and Reddick walked. Butler lashed a base hit to right to score Burns to put Oakland on top. Vogt flied out to right to end the inning with the A's up 1-0.

                                                             Butler drives in a run

The Sox answered in the top of the fourth as Mr. Mookie grounded back to Kazmir to start. Pedroia walked and Ortiz lofted a base hit to center. Pedroia tried for home but Semien's throw was off to allow Dustin to score on the "error". Ramirez struck out swinging but Napoli walked. Sandoval grounded out to first to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                                   Pedroia scores

The A's struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Davis doubled to center to start. Lawrie got a base hit to center to move Davis to third but Davis pulled up lame and had to leave the game. Max Muncy pinch ran for Davis and scored on the double play hit by Semien. Sogard got a base hit to center but Burns popped up to left to end the inning with the A's up 2-1.

                                                        Semien hits into a double play

The Sox answered in the top of the fifth as Victorino popped up to short to start. Bogaerts popped up to second but Swihart doubled to the right field wall. Mr. Mookie dumped a base hit to left to score Swihart to tie the game. Crisp made a great jumping catch to rob Pedroia of a double to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                          Swihart scores a run

The A's got another run in the bottom of the fifth as Crisp took strike three to start. Reddick flied out to left but Butler doubled to right. Vogt doubled over the head of Victorino to score Butler with the go-ahead run. Muncy flied out to center to end the inning with the A's ahead 3-2. That was it for Porcello who was charged with 3 runs off 5 hits and a walk in 5 innings.

                                                               A's take the lead

Ortiz doubled to left to start the top of the sixth but was immediately picked off. Sox manager John Farrell challenged that Ortiz was safe, but replays upheld the call. Ramirez lined out to center but Napoli walked. Sandoval struck out swinging to end the inning. Alexi Ogando came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Lawrie grounded out to second to start. Semien struck out swinging but Sogard lashed a base hit to center. Burns doubled to center but Napoli made a leaping catch to rob Crisp to end the inning.

Evan Scribner came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Victorino lined out to right to start. Bogaerts got a base hit to right and Swihart drilled a base hit to move Xander to third. Mr. Mookie drilled a base hit to center to score Bogaerts and move Swihart to third. Pedroia beat out a double play ball to score Swihart to put the Sox on top and chase Scribner. Fernando Abad came in to pitch to Ortiz and David hit a bullet...right to Muncy to end the inning with the Sox up 4-3.

                                                        Swihart scores a run

Craig Breslow came in to cough up the lead in the bottom of the seventh as Reddick struck a base hit to center to start. Butler singled up the middle to move Reddick to third and Josh scored on the sac fly to right by Vogt. Mark Canha pinch hit for Muncy and struck out swinging to chase Breslow. Junichi Tazawa got Lawrie to ground into a force to end the inning with the game tied 4-4.

                                                            We're tied again

Old friend Edward Mujica came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Ramirez flied out to right to start. Napoli struck out swinging and Sandoval flied out to left to end the inning. Semien struck out swinging to open the bottom of the eighth but Sox manager John Farrell wanted Tommy Layne to face Sogard. Eric's bunt attempt was snuffed out by Pedroia and Burns popped up to short to end the inning.

Tyler Clippard came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Victorino lined out to right to start. Bogaerts lined a base hit up the middle then moved to second on a grounder to first by Swihart. Mr. Mookie popped up to right to end the inning. Jackie Bradley Jr took over in right field for Victorino to start the bottom of the ninth. Crisp lined out to a running JBJ before Reddick walked to chase Layne. Sox closer Koji Uehara came in and Butler flied out to right. Vogt also flied out to right to end the inning.

Pedroia walked to start the top of the tenth but Ortiz flied out to center. Ramirez flied out to left but a wild pitch moved Pedroia to second. Napoli lined out to first to end the inning. Matt Barnes came in to pitch the bottom of the tenth and Canha walked to start. Lawrie flied out to center and Semien struck out swinging. Canha stole second but Sogard popped up to short to end the inning.

The Sox finally struck in the top of the eleventh with Angel Castro now on the mound. Sandoval crushed his fourth home run of the season to put Boston on top. JBJ walked and moved to second on the sacrifice bunt by Bogaerts. Swihart struck out swinging but Mr. Mookie walked. Pedroia lined a base hit up the middle but JBJ was caught napping at third to end the inning. The Sox now led 5-4.

                                                             Sandoval puts Boston ahead

Barnes returned for the bottom of the eleventh and Burns flied out to left to start. Crisp popped up to second and Reddick lined out to left to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-4.

                                                           Sox win

Hero of the Night is Pablo Sandoval. His home run in the eleventh won the game.

                                                            Hero Sandoval

The Good:

Mookie Betts was 2 for 5 with a walk and 2 rbis.

David Ortiz was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

Jackie Bradley Jr walked in his only plate appearance.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Blake Swihart was 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

Alexi Ogando pitched a scoreless sixth inning.

Junichi Tazawa tossed 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

Tommy Layne pitched a full scoreless inning.

Koji Uehara pitched 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

Matt Barnes earned the win with 2 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Shane Victorino was 0 for 4.

Craig Breslow allowed a run in 2/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked twice, drove in a run and scored a run.

Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but walked.

Mike Napoli was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked twice.

Rick Porcello was charged with 3 runs in just 5 innings of work allowing 9 hits and a walk while striking out three.

Final Thoughts:

That was a tough one to win but it counts all the same. Porcello only lasting 5 innings meant the bullpen had to throw the final six innings. Not good when you have rotation issues as the Sox do. Still, they scored runs when they had to and shout out to Sandoval for his first big hit of the season. The offense is going to be there this season but the team is going to live or die with that rotation....god help us. Things worked out this time but tomorrow might be a different story. The win improved the Sox to 15-17, 5.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the A's tomorrow night when Justin Masterson (2-1, 5.18 ERA) takes on Drew Pomeranz of Oakland. The game begins at 10:00 PM Eastern time at Oakland Coliseum.

Sox Blitz Dickey, Beat Jays (5/10/15)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made some roster moves. Edward Mujica was traded to the Oakland A's for a player to be named later or a big sack full of money. He posted a 4.61 ERA this year and with the rise of young pitchers like Matt Barnes, he was pretty much expendable. Good luck in Oakland. Also, Robbie Ross Jr and Allen Craig were sent to Pawtucket while the Sox brought back Jackie Bradley Jr and Steven Wright. 

                                                                      OUT

                                                                         IN

As for the game, usually the M.O. is the Boston Red Sox starters give up a bunch of runs and the bats have to play catch up the rest of the game. Well today the Sox flipped the script as they attacked Toronto Blue Jays starter RA Dickey at the opening pitch. Dustin Pedroia knocked in a run then the struggling Mike Napoli belted a 3 run home run to put the Sox up big early. Pablo Sandoval hit a two run bomb as well but the story was the pitching. Clay Buchholz (2-4, 5.73) had one of his better starts of the season as he held the Jays offense to just 3 runs in 6 1/3 innings. The Orient Express came in to slam the door and the Sox snapped their losing streak with a 6-3 win over the Jays at the Skydome.

                                                      Jordan Spieth approves of the win

The Sox wasted no time getting to Dickey in the top of the first inning as Kevin Pillar dropped a diving catch by Mr. Mookie Betts for a "triple" to start. Dustin Pedroia grounded out to short to score Betts to put Boston on top then David Ortiz drew a walk. Hanley Ramirez forced Ortiz at second but Pablo Sandoval doubled to right. Mike Napoli broke out of his slump with a three run bomb to give the Sox some breathing room. Xander Bogaerts popped up to short to end the inning with the Sox up 4-0.

                                                      Sox go up early

Buchholz got the ball in the bottom of the first and Devon Travis walked to start. Josh Donaldson grounded into a double play but both Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion walked. Kevin Pillar forced Bautista at third to end the inning.

Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to first to start the top of the second but Sandy Leon dropped a base hit to right. Mr. Mookie forced Leon at second but Pedroia lashed a base hit to center to move Betts to third. Ortiz grounded out to short to end the inning. Chris Colabello got a base hit to right to start the bottom of the second but Ezequiel Carrera took strike three. Josh Thole grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Ramirez grounded out to short to begin the top of the third before Sandoval grounded out to second. Napoli walked and Bogaerts lined out to right to end the inning. Ryan Goins grounded out to second to open the bottom of the third before Travis grounded back to the mound. Donaldson grounded out to short to end the inning.

JBJ grounded out to first to start the top of the fourth before Leon grounded out to second. Mr. Mookie lined out to left to end the inning. The Jays struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Bautista grounded back to the mound to start. Encarnacion blooped a base hit to center and moved to second on a grounder to second by Pillar. Colabello lined a base hit to center to score Encarnacion to break up the shutout. Carrera grounded out to second to end the inning with the Jays down 4-1.

                                                              Jays get a run back

The Sox struck back in the top of the fifth as Pedroia grounded out to third to start. Ortiz popped up to second but Ramirez lashed a base hit to left. Sandoval then demolished his third home run of the season to ice the game. Napoli walked but Bogaerts popped up to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-1.

                                                     Home run Sandoval

The Jays got a run back in the bottom of the fifth as Thole grounded out to second to start. Goins struck out swinging but Travis doubled to right. Donaldson ripped a double to center to score Travis to cut the lead. Bautista grounded out to short to end the inning with the Jays down 6-2.

                                                     Donaldson drives in a run

JBJ popped up to short to start the top of the sixth before Leon popped up to third. Mr. Mookie flied out to right to end the inning. Encarnacion flied out to center to start the bottom of the sixth before Pillar struck out swinging. Colabello got a base hit to right but Carrera grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Ryan Tepera made his ML debut in the top of the seventh and Pedroia lined out to center to start. Ortiz popped up to first and Ramirez grounded out to third to end the inning. Buchholz got knocked out in the bottom of the seventh as Thole doubled to right to start. Goins grounded out to second to move Thole to third and that was it for Buchholz. He allowed 3 runs in 6 1/3 innings off 7 hits and 3 walks. It was time for The Orient Express as Junichi Tazawa came in to pitch and Travis scored Thole with a grounder to short. Donaldson flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox up 6-3.

                                                         Good work Clay

Sandoval grounded out to start the top of the eighth before Napoli struck out swinging. Bogaerts flied out to right to end the inning. Tazawa returned for the bottom of the eighth and Bautista ripped a base hit to left to start. Encarnacion grounded into a double play and Pillar popped up to first to end the inning.

Brett Cecil came in to pitch the top of the ninth and JBJ took strike three to start. Leon grounded out to first but Mr. Mookie walked. Betts got picked off to end the inning. Koji Uehara came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and Colabello struck out swinging to start. Danny Valencia pinch hit for Carrera and grounded out to third, but Thole walked. Justin Smoak pinch hit for Goins and grounded out to short to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-3.

                                                               Sox win

Hero of The Night is Mike Napoli. His three run home run in the first set the tone of the game.

                                                             Hero Napoli

The Good:

Pablo Sandoval was 2 for 4 with a 2 run homer and 2 total runs scored.

Clay Buchholz got the win by tossing 6 1/3 innings of 3 run ball. He allowed 7 hits and 3 walks while striking out 3.

Junichi Tazawa tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Koji Uehara earned his sixth save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored.

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

David Ortiz was 0 for 3 with a walk.

Hanley Ramirez was just 1 for 4 but scored two runs.

Sandy Leon was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

New Sox pitching coach Carl Willis says getting first pitch strikes is the key to victory and Buchholz seemed to have listened in this one. Willis was the pitching coach for Eric Wedge when John Farrell was the minor league "farm" director for the Cleveland Indians so they're familiar with each other. Other than, good on the offense for jumping on Dickey early. The Sox offense really didn't do much after that besides the Sandoval home run so kudos to Buchholz to lock it down. The Orient Express came through with 2 2/3 scoreless innings so good work Tazawa & Uehara. The Sox have been a funk pretty much since the season began so maybe they're finally breaking out of it. The win improved the Sox to 14-17, good for last place in the AL East. The Sox now travel to Oakland for a set with the A's. Rick Porcello (3-2, 4.38 ERA) takes on Scott Kazmir of Oakland. The game begins at 9:00 PM at Oakland Coliseum.