Tigers Outslug Sox (7/26/16)

For the second time in four days the Boston Red Sox were outslugged by an AL Central foe. This time it was the Detroit Tigers that put a hurt on the suddenly shaky Red Sox pitching. Miguel Cabrera took Steven Wright deep for a two run home run 3 batters into the game before putting two more on the board in the second inning. David Ortiz hit a 3 run shot against Mike Pelfrey in the bottom of the third and went ahead in the fourth, but the Tigers surged ahead in the fifth. Rbis by Dustin Pedroia and Xander Bogaerts tied the game in the sixth. Tyler Collins drew a bases loaded walk against Robbie Ross Jr t(1-2, 4.06 ERA) to put Detroit in the lead in the top of the seventh. Francisco Rodriguez slammed the door in the ninth inning and the Tigers had beaten the Sox 9-8 at Fenway Park.

                                                                    Angry Morty

Wright got the ball in the top of the first and Ian Kinsler hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Jose Iglesias got a base hit to center and Miguel Cabrera hit a home run all the way to Altoona to put the Tigers up early. Victor Martinez flied out to left but Nick Castellanos walked. Justin Upton flied out to center to end the inning with the Tigers up 2-0.

                                                            Cabrera jacks one

Pelfrey got the ball in the bottom of the first and the Sox beat the ball in the dirt. Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to third, Dustin Pedroia grounded out to short and Xander Bogaerts grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Tigers struck again in the top of the second as Mike Aviles singled to left to start. Aviles took second on a wild pitch and another old friend, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, grounded out to short to move Aviles to third. Tyler Collins drilled a base hit to left to score Aviles and promptly stole second. Kinsler flied out to right to move Collins to third and Iglesias lined a base hit to left to score Tyler. Cabrera popped up to first to end the inning with the Tigers up 4-0.

                                                     Iglesias torments his old team

David Ortiz took strike three to start the bottom of the second and Hanley Ramirez grounded out to second. Jackie Bradley Jr got a base hit to right and Travis Shaw singled off the glove of Castellanos but Sandy Leon flied out to left to end the inning.

Martinez struck out swinging to start the top of the third before Castellanos flied out to right. Upton grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the third as Brock "The Hitman" Holt lined out to first to start. Mr. Mookie doubled to center and moved to third on the Pedroia grounder to short. Xander Bogaerts was hit by pitch and Ortiz launched his 25th home run of the season to cut the lead. Ramirez grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox down 4-3.

                                                      Big Papi does it again

Aviles flied out to center to start the top of the fourth but Saltalamacchia got a base hit to left. Collins struck out swinging and Kinsler flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox took command in the bottom of the fourth as JBJ walked to start. Shaw got a base hit to center and Leon flied out to center to move Bradley to third. Holt hit a ground out to second where Shaw barely avoided the double play tag to score JBJ with the tying run. Mr. Mookie hit a line drive off the glove of Upton for a "double" to score Shaw. Pedroia grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-4.

                                                            Betts puts the Sox ahead

The Tigers finished off Wright in the top of the fifth as Iglesias walked to start. Cabrera walked and Martinez got a base hit to right to score Iglesias. After Hanley lost a pop up in the lights in foul territory, Casatellanos made him pay with a base hit to left to load the bases. Upton scored Cabrera with a grounder to first and Aviles popped up to first. Saltalamacchia singled up the middle to score both runners to chase Wright. The normally reliable Wright had his worst start of the year, allowing 8 runs in just 4 2/3 innings. Robbie Ross Jr came in to pitch to Collins and Tyler grounded out to second to end the inning with the Tigers up 8-5.

                                                      "I sucked tonight!" - Wright

Bogaerts walked to start the bottom of the fifth but Ortiz grounded into a double play. Ramirez popped up to short to end the inning.

Kinsler got a base hit to left to open the top of the sixth but Iglesias forced Ian at second. Cabrera grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the sixth against Kyle Ryan as JBJ pounded his 16th home run of the season to start. Shaw struck out swinging but Leon was hit with a pitch. Holt hit a routine grounder to second but Kinsler threw the ball away for an error. That was it for Ryan as old friend Alex Wilson came in to pitch to Mr. Mookie. Betts drew a walk to load the bases and Pedroia got a base hit to center to score Leon. Bogaerts beat out a double play ball to score Holt with the tying run. Ortiz flied out to center to end the inning with the game tied 8-8.

                                                           Sox tie it up

Just as soon as the Sox tied the game, the Tigers struck again in the top of the seventh. Martinez struck out swinging to start and Castellanos grounded out to first. One strike away from being out of the inning, Ross plunked Upton. The floodgates opened as Aviles singled to center and Saltalamacchia walked to load the bases. Collins walked to score Upton to put the Tigers back on top and chase Ross. Joe Kelly got Kinsler to line out to center to end the inning but the Tigers now led 9-8.

                                                        Tigers walk to the lead

Bruce Rondon came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Ramirez struck out swinging to start. JBJ grounded out to second and Shaw took strike three to end the inning.

Junichi Tazawa came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Iglesias grounded out to second to start. Cabrera grounded out to short but Martinez walked. Castellanos flied out to right to end the inning. Andrew Romine took over at third with Shane Greene now on the mound in the bottom of the eighth. Leon grounded out to second, Holt lined out to second and Mr. Mookie did the same to end the inning.

Tommy Layne came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Upton doubled off the Monster to start. Upton got picked off and Aviles grounded out to second. Saltalamacchia singled to right and Collins grounded out to second to end the inning. Francisco Rodriguez came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Pedroia grounded out to first to start. Bogaerts got a base hit to center but Ortiz banged into a double play to end the game. The Tigers had won it 9-8.

                                                            Tigers win

Jackass of the Night is Robbie Ross Jr. The Sox had rallied to tie the game and he coughed it up in the top of the seventh.

                                            "Sorry Ross, you're Jackass" - Carl Willis

The Good:

Mookie Betts was 2 for 4 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3 with a hit by pitch, walk, rbi and a run scored.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 3 with a walk, home run and 2 total runs scored.

Travis Shaw was 2 for 4 with a home run.

Joe Kelly retired the only man he faced.

Junichi Tazawa pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Tommy Layne pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.hhh

Steven Wright allowed 8 runs in 4 2/3 innings off 9 hits and 3 walks.

The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 5 with an rbi.

David Ortiz was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but the one hit was a 3 run home run.

Sandy Leon was 0 for 3 but was hit with a pitch and scored a run.

Brock Holt was 0 for 4 but drove in a run and scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

The Sox have hit the skids for sure. Either they can't hit or they can't pitch the last week or so. Yesterday they couldn't hit Justin Verlander and tonight they scored 8 runs...only to give up 9. Steven Wright tossed a rare stinker tonight but Ross falling apart in the seventh was the difference maker. He lost all composure after hitting Upton with two strikes. That can't happen moving forward. This past week has been frustrating as they've been shut down by Kyle Gibson and Justin Verlander and lost two games when scoring 8 runs or more. The Sox better find a way to right the ship because they're going to lose major ground to Toronto and Baltimore otherwise. The loss dropped the Sox to 55-43, 2.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to avoid a sweep tomorrow afternoon when Eduardo Rodriguez takes on Michael Fulmer of Detroit. The game begins at 1:35 PM at Fenway Park.

Verlander, Tigers Shut Down Sox (7/25/16)

Just like Game 3 of the 2013 ALCS, Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers pitched well against the Boston Red Sox. Unfortunately, there was no John Lackey to save the Sox this time, only Drew Pomeranz (8-8, 2.84 ERA) that was game. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second when Travis Shaw doubled home Jackie Bradley Jr. In the top of the sixth, none other than Jose Iglesias hit a 2 run home run to put Detroit ahead. James McCann drove in a run against Joe Kelly and Victor Martinez drove in a run against Clay Buchholz to ice the game. The Sox did load the bases in the bottom of the eighth but could only scratch one run across. It all added up to a 4-2 Tigers victory over the Sox at Fenway Park.

                                                                     Angry fan

Pomeranz got the ball in the top of the first inning and Ian Kinsler led off by striking out swinging to start. Old friend Jose Iglesias grounded out to short but Miguel Cabrera walked. Old pal Victor Martinez struck out swinging to end the inning. Verlander got the ball in the bottom of the first and Mr. Mookie Betts returned to the lineup by grounding out to third. Dustin Pedroia also grounded out to third and Xander Bogaerts grounded out to second to end the inning.

Nick Castellanos doubled off the centerfield wall to start the top of the second inning but Justin Upton struck out swinging. Old buddy Mike Avilies hit one up the elevator shaft and James McCann struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second as David Ortiz struck out swinging to start. Hanley Ramirez grounded out to short but Jackie Bradley Jr singled off the second base bag. Travis Shaw doubled down the right field line to score JBJ to put the Sox on top. Sandy Leon was frozen for strike three to end the inning but the Sox were up 1-0.

                                                            JBJ slides in safe

Andrew Romine grounded out to short to start the top of the third before Kinsler grounded out to third. Iglesias flied out to left to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the third as Brock ''The Hitman'' Holt drilled a base hit to left. Mr. Mookie popped up to left but Pedroia drilled a base hit to left. Bogaerts flied out to center and Ortiz flied out to right to end the inning.

Cabrera got a base hit just inside the first base bag to start the top of the fourth but Martinez grounded into a double play. Castellanos struck out swinging to end the inning. Ramirez took strike three to start the bottom of the fourth before JBJ grounded out to short. Shaw struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Tigers beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the fifth inning as Upton grounded out to short to start. Avilies also grounded out to short and McCann grounded out to third to end the inning. Leon led off the bottom of the fifth by lining out to short. Holt walked but Mr. Mookie lined out to short and Pedroia lined back to the mound to end the inning.

The Tigers struck back in the top of the sixth as Romine singled to center to start. Kinsler flied out to right but Iglesias laughed at his old team with a two run home run to put the Tigers up for good. Cabrera walked but Martinez struck out swinging. Castellanos also went down hacking to end the inning with the Tigers up 2-1.

                                                             Of all people

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the sixth as Bogaerts singled to left to start. Ortiz popped up to Iglesias and Ramirez forced Bogarts at second. JBJ walked but Shaw struck out swinging to end the inning,

That was it for Pomeranz who allowed two runs off 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 7.

                                                       Drew deserved better

Joe Kelly came in to barf up a lung in the top of the seventh as Upton tripled into the centerfield triangle to start. Avilies popped up to center but McCann got a base hit to center to score Upton. Romine forced McCann at second and Kinsler grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Tigers up 3-1.

                                                         McCann with the clutch hit

Shane Greene came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Leon lashed a base hit up the middle to start. Holt popped up to Kinsler and Mr. Mookie popped up to Cabrera in foul territory. Pedroia walked but Bogaerts popped up to short to end the inning.

Clay Buchholz added to the misery in the top of the eighth as Iglesias blooped a base hit over Bogaerts to start. A passed ball moved Jose to second and Betts made a running catch on a line drive by Cabrera, moving Iglesias to third. Martinez ripped a base hit to right to score Iglesias to seemingly end the game. Castellanos flied out to the right field warning track and Upton took strike three to end the inning with the Tigers up 4-1.

                                                           Ex-Sox getting it done

Tyler Collins came in for Castellanos with Justin Wilson coming in to pitch the bottom of the eighth. Ortiz missed a home run by 10 feet, singling off the top of the Monster. Ramirez drilled a base hit to left. JBJ singled up the middle to load the bases with nobody out and Bryce Brentz pinch hit for Shaw. Brentz struck out swinging but Leon lined a base hit to center to score Ortiz. Holt took strike three and Francisco Rodriguez came in to pitch to Betts. Mr. Mookie forced Leon at second to end the inning with the Sox down 4-2.

                                                            Leon drives in a run

Aviles lined out to center to start the top of the ninth before McCann flied out to center. Romine grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Rodriguez returned to close out the bottom of the ninth and Pedroia struck out swinging to start. Bogaerts popped up to short and Ortiz grounded back to the mound to end the game. The Tigers had won the game 4-2.

                                                                 Tigers Win

Jackass of The Night is Mookie Betts. He was 0 for 5 including leaving the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth.

                                                        Jackass Betts

The Good:

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Travis Shaw was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Sandy Leon was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Brock Holt was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Drew Pomeranz was the hard luck loser allowing just 2 runs in 6 strong innings. He gave up 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 7.

The Bad:

Bryce Brentz struck out as a pinch hitter.

Joe Kelly gave up a run in the seventh inning.

The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 5.

David Ortiz was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Hanley Ramirez was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Clay Buchholz gave up a run in 2 innings of work.

Final Thoughts:

After slugging it out with the Minnesota Twins the Sox now get rung up by the Detroit Tigers. Verlander always pitches well against the Sox and Pomeranz couldn't keep pace. Drew pitched well but once again the bullpen couldn't keep the Tigers to just 2 runs. If its not one thing, its another this season. Still, once Koji Uehara and Craig Kimbrel come back, things should get better. The offense will be at a premium against ace pitchers and they walked into one of the best in this one. The Sox need to go on a nice win streak or else they'll fall too far behind the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays. The loss dropped the Sox to 55-42, 2.5 games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow night against the Tigers when Steven Wright gets the ball for Boston against Mike Pelfrey of Detroit. The game begins at 7:10 Pm at Fenway Park.

Red Sox Hold Off Twins (7/24/16)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Heath Hembree was optioned back to Pawtucket after last night's disaster class and Joe Kelly was called up to replace him. Kelly can't be any worse.....right?

                                                                        OUT

                                                                   IN

As for the game, the Boston Red Sox are having way too much trouble containing the Minnesota Twins. After the Twins feasted on Sox pitching for 18 hits and 11 runs last night, they responded with 9 hits and 7 runs in this one. "Slick" Rick Porcello (13-2, 3.57 ERA) took a step back in his march to the AL Cy Young Award as he was plastered for 5 runs in 6 2/3 innings although only 4 were earned. Matt Barnes was also smacked charged fpr two runs as well. The key to this one was the offense remained red hot. The Sox beat up Twins starter Tommy Milone for 8 runs although only 4 of theirs were earned as well. The key was in the bottom of the fifth with the Sox nursing a 5-3 lead, Travis Shaw belted a three run home run to give Boston some cushion. The Twins would score four runs off Barnes (Junichi Tazawa allowed them) and Porcello but Brad Ziegler saved the day in the ninth inning. The Sox had held on to win 8-7 at Fenway Park.

                                                  Sheik Tugboat approves of the win

Porcello got the ball in the top of the first inning and Eduardo Nunez struck out swinging to start. Joe Mauer singled off the Monster and damn near got tagged out at first. Miguel Sano popped up to Jackie Bradley Jr and Brian Dozier popped up to first to end the inning. Millone got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Brock ''The Hitman" Holt struck out swinging to start. Dustin Pedroia popped up to center and Xander Bogaerts poked a base hit to right to start. Hanley Ramirez popped up to first to end the inning.

The Twins struck first in the top of the second as Bogaerts booted a grounder by Max Kepler for an error to start. Kennys Vargas walked and Eddie Rosario beat out a double play ball. Jackie Bradley Jr couldn't make a sliding catch on a Juan Centeno line drive for a two run double. A passed ball moved  Centeno to third. Byron Buxton struck out swinging and Nunez flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox down 2-0.

                                                       ''I don't got it'' - JBJ

JBJ got a base hit to center to start the top of the second and Aaron Hill lined out to center. Travis Shaw flied out to center and Bryce Brentz popped up to left to end the inning.

Mauer grounded out to first to start the top of the third before Sano struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the third as Ryan Hanigan took strike three to start. Holt grounded out to second but Pedroia got a base hit down the left field line. Bogaerts lined a base hit off the glove of Sano and Ramirez crushed his 13th home run of the season to put the Sox on top. JBJ grounded out to second to end the inning.

                                                          Home run Ramirez

The Twins answered in the top of the fourth as Holt failed to come up with a line drive by Kepler for a triple. Vargas grounded out to second to score Kepler and Rosario struck out swinging. Centeno took strike three to end the inning with the Twins down 3-1.

                                                                 Twins get a run back

Hill grounded out to third to begin the bottom of the fourth and Shaw flied out to left. Brentz got a base hit to center but Hanigan flied out to right to end the inning.

Porcello snuffed out Buxton's bunt attempt to start the top of the fifth and Nunez grounded back to the mound. Mauer grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fifth as Holt took strike three to start. Pedroia then launched his 10th home run of the season to increase the lead. Bogaerts got a base hit to center but was thrown out trying to steal.....but wait! Sox manager John Farrell challenged Bogaerts was safe and replays showed he was. Ramirez singled in the hole at short to put runners at the corners but JBJ struck out swinging. Hill hit a routine grounder to Sano who went OLE for an error to score Bogaerts. Shaw then clobbered his 12th home run of the season to chase Milone. Trevor May came in and Brentz grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox up 8-3.

                                                            Shaw jacks one

Porcello cruised in the top of the sixth as Sano grounded out to short to start. Dozier struck out swinging and Kepler grounded out to second to end the inning. Hanigan grounded out to short to start the bottom of the sixth but Holt walked. It looked like Holt stole second but Twins manager Paul Molitor challenged that he was out. Sure enough, replays overturned the call. Pedroia took strike three to end the inning.

The Twins struck back in the top of the seventh as Vargas doubled off the centerfield garage to start. Rosario grounded out to third but Holt lost a Centeno ball in the sun for a "double", although Vargas stayed at third. Buxton got a base hit to left to score both runners and Nunez struck out swinging. That was it for Porcello who was charged with 5 runs in 6 2/3 innings. He allowed 6 hits and a walk. Matt Barnes came in and Mauer grounded out to short to end the inning with the Twins down 8-5.

                                    "I sez I'm fine" - Porcello  "I sez yer out!" - Farrell

Bogaerts popped up to second to start the bottom of the seventh before Ramirez struck out swinging. JBJ grounded out to first to end the inning.

Things got hairy in the top of the eighth as Sano got a base hit to center to start. Dozier singled to left and Kepler walked to load the bases with nobody out. Junichi Tazawa came in and Vargas hit a sac fly to the left field warning track to score Sano. Rosario struck out swinging but Centeno singled in the hole at first to score Dozier. Buxton struck out swinging to end the inning with the Twins down 8-7.

                                                              Twins inch closer

Taylor Rogers came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Hill flied out to right to start. Shaw struck out swinging and Brentz grounded out to short to end the inning.

Brad Ziegler came in to close out the top of the ninth and Nunez struck out swinging to start. Mauer grounded out to second and Sano struck out swinging to end the game. The Sox had held on to win it 8-7.

                                                                 Sox win

Hero of The Night is Travis Shaw. His 3 run home run was the deciding factor in the game.

                                                              Travis Hero

The Good:

Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 4 with a home run and 2 total runs scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored.

Hanley Ramirez was 2 for 4 with a 3 run home run and 2 total runs scored.

Brad Ziegler earned his 19th save with a scoreless ninth.

The Bad:

Ryan Hanigan was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Matt Barnes was charged with 2 runs in 1/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Brock Holt was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Aaron Hill was 0 for 4 but scored a run.

Bryce Brentz was just 1 for 4.

Rick Porcello earned the win but got tagged for 5 runs (4 earned) in 6 2/3 innings of work. He allowed 6 hits and a walk while striking out 8.

Junichi Tazawa allowed 2 inherited runners to score but none of his own in an inning of work.

Final Thoughts:

Good bounce back win for the Sox but the pitching once again leaves a lot to be desired. The offense is carrying the Sox as the starters and bullpen haven't been good enough in this series. Brad Ziegler saved the day but Tazawa and Barnes kept giving up hits. Porcello's Cy Young march took a hit with 4 earned runs on his record but he still got the win. Thank goodness for the offense as Shaw, Ramirez and Pedroia all hit big home runs to help the cause. The Baltimore Orioles knocked around Corey Kluber and the Cleveland Indians today so the Sox needed the win to keep pace. There's still a long way to go in the season but every win counts in the era of the second wild card. Hopefully Koji Uehara and Craig Kimbrell can come back and turn the bullpen into a weapon again. Until then, they're going to have to outslug other teams and pray David Price doesn't suck moving forward. The win improved the Sox to 55-41, 1.5 games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox now welcome in the Detroit Tigers for a three game set beginning tomorrow night. Drew Pomeranz (8-7, 2.83 ERA) takes on Justin Verlander of Detroit at Fenway Park.

Twins Rally, Outslug Sox (7/23/16)

The good news was the Boston Red Sox offense returned in tonight's game against the Minnesota Twins. The bad news was David Price was left in too long and the Boston bullpen got shelled by the Twins offense. The Twins broke out to a 4-1 lead after two innings but a five run rally capped off by a Hanley Ramirez three run bomb put the Sox on top. Jackie Bradley Jr knocked in a run in the bottom of the fourth and things appeared to be good. Then Price was knocked out in the top of the sixth but the Sox ended the sixth inning ahead 8-5. Then in the top of the seventh the Twins scored 5 runs off Clay Buchholz, Tommy Layne and Heath Hembree to put the Twins on top. The Sox did battle back to make it 10-9 but JBJ failed to drive the tying run in. Miguel Sano hit the killshot off Hembree and the Twins stunned the Sox 11-9 at Fenway Park.

                                                 "Scored nine runs and LOST????"

The Twins wasted no time getting to Price in the top of the first inning as Eduardo Nunez grounded out to first to start. Robbie Grossman hit a fly ball deep to right and Michael Martinez lost it in the wind, dropping for a "triple". Miguel Sano walked but Brian Dozier hit a sac fly to the bullpen wall in right to score Grossman. Max Kepler got a base hit to left but Kennys Vargas took strike three to end the inning with the Twins up 1-0.

                                                              Twins strike first

Nolasco got the ball in the bottom of the first as Brock "The Hitman" Holt led off with a base hit to center. Dustin Pedroia lined out to center but Xander Bogaerts got a base hit to left to move Holt to third. Ortiz hit a fly ball to center and Holt made a mad dash home to tie the game on a sac fly. Bogaerts moved to second on the throw home and Hanley Ramirez walked. Jackie Bradley Jr was plunked to load the bases but Aaron Hill forced Bradley at second to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                          Holt is safe at home

The Twins bashed Price in the top of the second as Eddie Rosario singled to right. Kurt Suzuki doubled to left to score Rosario to put Minnesota on top. Byron Buxton caught Aaron Hill asleep with a bunt single and Hill threw the ball away. Suzuki scored and Buxton made it all the way to third. Nunez ripped a base hit to left to score Buxton but was thrown out at second on the throw. Grossman walked and Sano got a base hit to right, but Dozier grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Twins up 4-1.

                                                              Yerrrrr out!

The Sox exploded in the bottom of the second as Sox analyst Dave O'Brien announced that Jerry Remy went home because the wind blew a monitor off and hit Remy in the head. Yikes! Sandy Leon struck out swinging but Michael Martinez walked. Brock Holt singled to right and Pedroia struck Suzuki with an errant foul ball, knocking him out of the game. Juan Centeno came in for Suzuki and Pedroia hit a ground rule double into the right field stands to score Martinez. Bogaerts struck out swinging but Ortiz walked on a wild pitch that scored Holt. Ramirez smashed his 12th home run of the season to put the Sox on top. JBJ singled off the glove of Nolasco but Hill grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 6-4.

                                                      Ramirez puts the Sox on top

Kepler popped up to first to start the top of the third before Hill failed to get a glove on a base hit by Vargas. Rosario got a base hit to left but Centeno grounded into a double play to end the inning. Buddy Boshers came in to pitch the bottom of the third and Leon walked to start. Martinez and Holt both took strike three and Pedroia grounded out to first to end the inning.

Buxton grounded back to the mound to start the top of the fourth before Nunez struck out swinging to start. Nunez struck out swinging and Grossman flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Bogaerts doubled high off the Monster to start. Ortiz hit a routine pop up to short but neither Nunez nor Sano called it and it dropped in for a "single". Ramirez grounded into a double play but JBJ doubled off the Monster to score Ortiz. Michael Tonkin came in to pitch to Hill and he grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-4.

                                                          JBJ drives in another

Sano grounded back to the mound to start the top of the fifth and Dozier flied out to center. Kepler took strike three to end the inning. Taylor Rogers came in to pitch the bottom of the fifth and Leon grounded out to short to start. Sox broadcaster Dave O'Brien reported Chris Sale caused an incident in the Chicago White Sox clubhouse but would like to have him pitch anyway. Martinez flied out to center and Holt popped up to third to end the inning.

The Twins knocked Price out in the top of the sixth as Vargas struck out swinging to start. Rosario beat out an infield hit to short and Ceteno got a base hit to center to put runners at the corners. Buxton lined out to a running Martinez to score Rosario. That was it for Price as he allowed 5 runs in 5 2/3 innings off 11 hits and 2 walks. Clay Buchholz came in and struck out swinging to end the inning with the Twins down 7-5.

                                             "Yeah you're out Price, now beat it" - Farrell

The Sox got the run back in the bottom of the sixth as Pedroia struck out swinging to start. Bogaerts singled off the glove of Dozier and Ortiz singled to right to move Xander to third. Ryan Pressly came in to face Ramirez and Hanley popped up to second. JBJ hit a roller to third and Sano threw the ball away for an error to score Bogaerts. Hill walked to load the bases and Leon grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox up 8-5.

                                                      An error on the Twins

Suddenly the Sox fell apart in the top of the seventh as Grossman popped up to third to start. Sano lined a base hit to left but Dozier struck out swinging. Kepler hit a routine pop up to Martinez who misplayed it for a ''triple'' to score Sano. The floodgates opened as Vargas hit a routine pop up to left that Holt fell down trying to catch for a ''double'' to score Kepler. That was it for Buchholz who should have been out of the inning but was failed by his defense. Tommy Layne came in and Rosario drilled a base hit to center and Vargas took off for home. Bradley thew home....OUT! But wait, Twins manager Paul Molitor challenged that Vargas slid around the tag and sure enough....he was ruled safe to tie the game.

                                                              Twins tie it up

But wait there's more! Centeno hit a routine grounder to short but because the Sox were foolishly shifting, nobody got it for a single. Buxton walked to load the bases and that was it for Layne. Heath Hembree came in and Nunez ripped a base hit to center to score both Rosario and Centeno to put the Twins ahead. Nunez stole second but Grossman struck out swinging to end the inning with the Twins ahead 10-8.

                                                      Nunez puts the Twins on top

The Sox tried to fight back in the bottom of the seventh as Martinez struck out swinging to start. Holt grounded out to short but Pedroia drilled a base hit to center. Bogaerts singled to the left field wall and that was it for Pressly. Fernando Abad came in to face Ortiz and David missed a 3 run home run by 10 feet down the left field line. Instead, he doubled to the Monster to score Pedroia. Ramirez was intentionally walked to load the bases....but JBJ flied out to the right field warning track to end the inning with the Twins up 10-9.

                                                       Ortiz doubles in a run

The Twins iced the game in the top of the eighth as Sano hit a home run all the way to the Galapagos Islands to increase the lead. Dozier doubled to center to chase Hembree and Robbie Ross Jr came in to pitch. Kepler flied out to center and a passed ball moved Dozier to third. Vargas grounded out to second but Rosario was hit with a pitch. Centeno was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to end the inning with the Twins up 11-9.

                                                      Sano ices it

Hill flied out to right to start the bottom of the eighth before Leon struck out swinging. Bryce Brentz pinch hit for Martinez and flied out to left to end the inning. 

Brad Ziegler came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Buxton struck out swinging to start. Nunez flied out to center but Grossman reached first on strike three when the ball got away from Leon. Danny Santana pinch ran for Grossman and Sano popped up to second to end the inning. Brandon Kintzler came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Holt grounded out to second to start. Pedroia also grounded out to second and Bogaerts grounded out to third to end the game. The Twins had won it 11-9.

                                                             Sox lose

Jackass of The Night is Heath Hembree. He allowed two inherited runners to score and one of his own to put the game out of reach.

                                                         Way to blow it Jackass

The Good:

Brock Holt was 2 for 6 with 2 runs scored.

Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 6 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 4 for 6 with a run scored.

David Ortiz was 3 for 3 with a walk, 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Hanley Ramirez was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and a 3 run home run.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 3 for 4 with 2 rbis and a hit by pitch.

Robbie Ross Jr pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Brad Ziegler pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Bryce Brentz was 0 for 1 at the plate.

David Price allowed 5 runs in 5 2/3 innings off 11 hits and 2 walks.

Clay Buchholz was charged with 3 runs in a full inning of work.

Tommy Layne was charged with 2 runs without recording an out.

The Ugly:

Aaron Hill was 0 for 4 with an error but walked.

Sandy Leon was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts and a passed ball, but walked.

Michael Martinez was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked and scored.

Final Thoughts:

Well this game was a sucker punch to the gonads. The loss of Mookie Betts hurt this one as that Michael Martinez misplay in the seventh inning opened the floodgates. Buchholz, Layne and Hembree could have easily pitched out of it, but if he caught that ball the inning and pretty much the game was over. This game showed how flawed the Sox are with their rotation since Price once again got rocked. The Twins are 23 games under .500 and they pounded out 18 hits in this one. The Sox are in a three way death match with the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles so every win counts at this point. The offense is one of the best in baseball but the pitching leaves a lot to be desired, which is insane considering John Farrell is a pitching first manager. He still has 2 months to get something out of Price and he better do it sooner rather than later. The loss dropped the Sox to 54-41, 1.5 games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to tie up the series tomorrow afternoon when ''Slick'' Rick Porcello takes on Tommy Milone of the Twins at 1:35 PM at Fenway Park

Gibson, Twins Shut Down Sox (7/22/16)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Junichi Tazawa was activated off the Disabled List and Noe Ramirez was sent back to Worcester. The Sox bullpen was dangerously thin with Koji Uehara and Craig Kimbrell out. Getting Tazawa back helps.

                                                                   OUT

                                                                       IN

So much for the Boston Red Sox high powered offense. Tonight Kyle Gibson had only two wins going into the season but tonight earned his third big time. Holding the Sox to just 2 hits and a walk in 8 innings, the Twins survived a ninth inning rally to defeat the Sox. Eduardo Rodriguez (2-4, 6.70 ERA) was the hard luck loser but it would be the Twins that took the game 2-1 at Fenway Park.

Rodriguez got the ball in the top of the first inning and Eduardo Nunez greeted him by flying out to the right field warning track. Robbie Grossman singled to center but Joe Mauer whiffed. The alert Sandy Leon gunned down Grossman trying to steal to end the inning. The Sox got one of their only hits off Gibson 2 pitches into the top of the first when Mr. Mookie Betts swatted a solo home run into the Monster Seats to give the Sox the quick lead. Dustin Pedroia struck out swinging but the ball got away so he made it to first. Xander Bogaerts beat out an infield single but David Ortiz banged into a double play to kill the rally. Hanley Ramirez lined out to center to end the inning but it was 1-0 Sox.

                                                           Mookie puts the Sox on top

The Twins wasted no time tying in the game in the top of the second as Brian Dozier hit a 400,000 foot home run into the Atlantic Ocean to tie the game. Miguel Sano whiffed but Max Kepler singled to center. Kepler was erased on the force by Eduardo Escobar but Juan Centeno whiffed to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                      Dozier ties it up

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the second as Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to short to start. Travis Shaw and Sandy Leon both flied out to right to end the inning.

Rodriguez settled down in the top of the third as Byron Buxton whiffed to start. Nunez grounded out to third before Grossman flied out to center to end the inning. Gibson began to dominate the bottom of the third as Brock "The Hitman" Holt whiffed to start. Mr. Mookie grounded out to third and Pedroia flied out to center to end the inning.

Rodriguez struck out Mauer to begin the top of the fourth but Dozier doubled to....BUT WAIT! Sox manager John Farrell challenged that Dozier was out at second and he was indeed. Sano singled to right but Kepler looked at strike three to end the inning. Bogaerts whiffed to open the bottom of the fourth before Ortiz grounded out to third. Ramirez grounded out to third to end the inning.

All of a sudden Mookie Betts keeled over grabbing his hamstring and had to be hauled off in an ambulance headed to Mass General's ICU. Michael Martinez took over in right to begin the top of the fifth. Escobar lined out to center before Rodriguez snared a liner off the bat of Centeno. Buxton beat out an infield single to third but Nunez whiffed to end the inning. Nothing happened in the bottom of the fifth as JBJ flied out to right, Shaw whiffed and Leon popped up to third to end the inning.

The Twins struck in the top of the sixth although Grossman whiffed to start. Mauer walked and that was it for Rodriguez. The lefty lasted just 5 1/3 innings before Farrell pulled the plug although he didn't pitch bad. Heath Hembree came in and poured gas on the fire by walking Dozier and allowing an rbi double to Sano to put Minnesota on top. Sox manager John Farrell stormed out of the dugout and chased Hembree away, kicking dirt at him as Robbie Ross Jr was summoned. Kepler whiffed and Escobar flied out to right to end the inning with the Twins up 2-1.

                                                      Rodriguez deserved better

The Sox tried to rally when Holt walked to begin the bottom of the sixth but was forced at second by Martinez. Pedroia banged into a double play to end the inning.

Ross dominated the top of the seventh although Centeno singled to center to begin. Buxton popped up a bunt back to Ross and Nunez grounded into a double play to end the inning. Gibson cruised in the bottom of the seventh as Bogaerts flied out to center, Ortiz lined out to center and Ramirez took strike three to end the inning.

Junichi Tazawa came in for the top of the eighth and Grossman lined out to right to begin. Mauer grounded out to second but Dozier and Sano stroked back to back singles. Kepler flied out to center to end the inning. Eddie Rosario took over for Grossman in left as JBJ whiffed to open the bottom of the eighth. Shaw grounded out to second but Leon reached when Escobar dropped a pop up for an error. The Sox failed to capitalize as Holt grounded out to short to end the inning. Gibson had hurled 8 innings of 1 run ball, how???

Tommy Layne came in for the top of the ninth and Escobar grounded out to third to begin. Centeno was snuffed out on a bunt attempt before Buxton grounded out to third to end the inning. Brandon Kintzler came in to close out the bottom of the ninth but the Sox refused to go quietly. Martinez and Pedroia stroked back to back singles before Bogaerts walked to load the bases with nobody out. The normally reliable Ortiz suddenly banged into a double play to kill any hope. Ramirez lined out to right to end the game. The Twins had won it 2-1.

                                                    Nice try Hanley


Jackass of the Night is David Ortiz. He was 0 for 4 including banging into two double plays in key spots, once in the first and once in the ninth.

                                                        Ortiz is the Jackass



The Good:

Mookie Betts was 1 for 2 with a solo home run before leaving.

Michael Martinez was 1 for 2.

Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Robbie Ross Jr tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Junichi Tazawa pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

Tommy Layne pitched a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Travis Shaw was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Sandy Leon was 0 for 3.

Heath Hembree allowed a walk and an rbi double.



The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 4.

Brock Holt was 0 for 2 but walked.

Eduardo Rodriguez took the loss but managed to toss 5 1/3 innings of 2 run ball, normally that would be good enough for a win. He allowed 6 hits and struck out 8




Final Thoughts:

Have a day Kyle Gibson, the normally .500 pitcher pitched the game of his life at Fenway and had to be because Rodriguez kept pace. That was a beautiful and unlikely pitcher's duel but the wrong team came out on top. The big guns such as Ramirez and Ortiz didn't do much and the loss of Betts didn't help either. Hopefully Mookie just pulled a hammy but you never know. Games like this happen so there's no need to panic but the Sox can't afford to lose ground with the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles neck and neck with the Sox in the AL East race. The less said about this offensive ineptitude the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 54-40, 0.5 games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox are back in action at home against the Twins. David Price goes for the Sox up against Ricky Nolasco at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.