Well this month was the definition of mediocre and so were the performance of most of the Boston Red Sox offense. The pitching did relatively well but you can't win if you can't score. Here are the heroes and zeroes for the month of April.
Fernando Abad was up and down when he was used. He was Good 3 times, Bad 2 times, Ugly 1 time and Hero 1 time.
Matt Barnes was outstanding this month. He was Good 6 times, Bad 2 times, Ugly 1 time and Hero 1 time.
Andrew Benintendi was mediocre this month. He was Good 9 times, Bad 2 times, Ugly 10 times, Hero 1 time and Jackass 1 time.
Mookie Betts was mediocre as well. He was Good 7 times, Bad 4 times, Ugly 7 times, Hero 2 times, and Jackass 1 time.
Xander Bogaerts did the best he could this month of April. He was Good 11 times, Bad 2 times, Ugly 5 times, Jackass 1 time and Honorable Mention 1 time.
Jackie Bradley Jr was below average this month. He was Good 2 times, Bad 3 times and Ugly 6 times.
Heath Hembree was outstanding in the month of April. He was Good 7 times, Ugly 3 times and Jackass 1 time.
Marco Hernandez found ways to get on base in April. He was Good 9 times, Bad 4 times and Ugly 5 times.
Brock Holt never got out of the box in April before going down. He was Good 2 times, Bad 1 time and Ugly 3 times.
Brian Johnson made one appearance and it was Ugly.
Joe Kelly was either great or terrible with no in between. He was Good 5 times, Bad 4 times and Ugly 1 time.
Craig Kimbrel was amazing this month in the closer's role. He was Good 9 times and Ugly 2 times.
Sandy Leon was downright awful this month. He's back to 2015 again. He was Good 2 times, Bad 6 times, Ugly 4 times, Hero 1 time and Jackass 1 time.
Mitch Moreland was the Sox most consistent hitter in the month of April. He was Good 10 times, Bad 5 times, Ugly 7 times, Hero 1 time, Jackass 1 time.
Noe Ramirez made one appearance and it was Good.
Dustin Pedroia fell off the map in the month of April. He was Good 10 times, Bad 3 times and Ugly 7 times.
Drew Pomeranz was average in the month of April. He was Good 1 time, Ugly 2 times, and Hero 1 time.
Rick Porcello almost literally got no run support. He was Good 2 times, Bad 1 time, Ugly 1 time and Jackass 1 time.
Hanley Ramirez has been up and down all month. He was Good 7 times, Bad 4 times, Ugly 8 times and Hero 1 time.
Eduardo Rodriguez was consistent in the month of April. He was Good 2 times, Ugly 1 time, Hero 1 time and Jackass 1 time.
Robbie Ross Jr never got out of the box after battling the flu and decreased use. He was Good 1 time, Bad 1 time and Ugly 1 time.
Josh Rutledge has appeared in one game and it was Bad.
Chris Sale has been the Sox best pitcher in the month of April but has gotten no run support. He was Good 2 times, Ugly 1 time and Hero 2 times.
Pablo Sandoval was pretty inconsistent in the month of April. He was Good 3 times, Bad 3 times and Ugly 11 times.
Robby Scott has become the lefty specialist for the Red Sox with above average results. He was Good 7 times and Bad 3 times.
Steve Selsky was pretty bad in his limited time. He was Good 1 time, Bad 5 times and Honorable Mention 2 times.
Ben Taylor was a nice surprise in his rookie season. He was Good 4 times and Hero 1 time.
Christian Vazquez was pretty good in the month of April. He was Good 5 times, Bad 2 times, Ugly 3 times and Honorable Mention 1 time.
Steven Wright was downright putrid this month. He was Good 1 time, Bad 1 time and Jackass 3 times.
Chris Young was consistent in the month of April. He was Good 7 times, Bad 3 times, Ugly 6 times and Honorable Mention 1 time.
The Most Valuable Player (most Good) of the month is Xander Bogaerts with 11 Good appearances.
The Least Valuable Player (most Bad) of the month is Sandy Leon with 6 bad appearances.
The Ugliest Player (most Ugly) of the month is Pablo Sandoval with 11 Ugly appearances.
Co-Heroes of the Month are Chris Sale and Mookie Betts with 2 apiece.
Jackass of the Month is Steven Wright with 3 Jackasses.
The Honorable Player of the Month is Steve Selsky when he did it twice.
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Sox Turn Tide, Defeat Cubs (4/30/17)
It was a good day for Boston sports as the Boston Celtics defeated the Washington Wizards in Game 1 of their second round NBA playoff series and the Boston Red Sox beat the defending World Champion Chicago Cubs. Yesterday the Boston Red Sox threw up on themselves in the later innings which led to their defeat. This time it was the Chicago Cubs that pulled a Keystone Kops routine, allowing the Sox to score 4 runs without a hit and paving the way for a 6-2 win, taking two of three from the defending world champions at Fenway Park.
Isaiah Thomas approves of the win
Eduardo Rodriguez got the ball to start the game and Kyle Schwarber grounded out. Kris Bryant grounded out but Anthony Rizzo walked. Ben Zobrist doubled but Addison Russell popped up to end the inning. The Sox wasted no time scoring against Chicago starter Kyle Hendricks. Xander Bogaerts grounded out but Andrew Benintendi singled. Mr. Mookie Betts flied out but Hanley Ramirez crushed a 463 foot bomb into the light tower to give the Sox a 2-0 lead. Sadly that was the last time the Sox would score for the next 7 innings. Mitch Moreland looked at strike three to end the inning.
Ramirez makes it 2-0.
Rodriguez ran into trouble in the top of the second inning. Jason Heyward singled but Wilson Contreras popped up. Albert Almora Jr struck out but Jon Jay singled. Schwarber grounded out to end the inning. Dustin Pedroia led off the bottom of the second with a single. Unfortunately Jackie Bradley Jr struck out and Christian Vazquez banged into a double play to end the inning.
Rodriguez turned up the heat in the top of the third inning. Bryant and Rizzo whiffed then Zobrist took strike three to end the inning. Marco Hernandez grounded out to start the bottom of the third but Bogaerts walked. As usual....Benny The Kid hit into a double play to end the inning.
Rodriguez ran into trouble again in the top of the fourth inning. Russell whiffed and Heyward looked at strike three but Contreras walked. Almora Jr singled but both runners advanced on a terrible throw back to the infield. Rodriguez recovered to strike out Jay to end the inning. Mr. Mookie walked to start the bottom of the fourth and there was no double play...only because Ramirez took a borderline strike 3 that ticked him off. Moreland struck out and Pedroia popped up to end the inning.
If looks could kill, Hanley would be on trial right now
Rodriguez was finally tagged in the top of the fifth inning. Schwarber struck out but Bryant blasted a solo shot into the bleachers to cut the lead in half. Rizzo grounded out and Zobrist flied out to end the inning. Could the Sox get the run back in the bottom of the fifth? NO! JBJ, Vazquez and Hernandez all grounded out in short order to begin and end the inning.
Rodriguez finished with a flurry in the top of the sixth inning. Russell grounded out, Heyward lined out and Contreras struck out to end the inning. Eduardo had tossed 6 innings of 1 run ball against the champs, he deserved the win.
Eduardo deserved a better fate.
Could the Sox get an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth? NO! Bogaerts worked a leadoff walk but Benny The Kid struck out. Mr. Mookie lined out and Ramirez whiffed to end the inning.
Joe Kelly got the call in the top of the seventh and promptly pissed himself. Almora Jr lined out but Jay and Schwarber walked. Kelly then uncorked a wild pitch that was so wild that Jay scored all the way from second to tie the game. Bryant grounded out to hold Schwarber at second and that was it for Kelly. Sox manager John Farrell brought in Robby Scott to pitch to Rizzo and got him to ground out to end the inning. Nice going Kelly, the Cubs had tied it 2-2.
Safe! Damn Kelly
Carl Edwards relieved Hendricks in the bottom of the seventh and Moreland flied out to start. Pedroia walked but both JBJ and Vazquez struck out to end the inning.
The returning Matt Barnes got the ball in the top of the eighth. Zobrist grounded out, Russell flied out and Heyward grounded out to end the inning. Last night the Sox booted the ball all over the field, tonight it was Koji Uehara and the Cubs that gave the game away in the bottom of the eighth. Hernandez outhustled the Cubs for a single on a bang bang play at first base.
Great hustle Marco.
Bogaerts and Benny The Kid both stroked back to back singles to load the bases and chase Koji from the game.
Bases juiced.
Pedro Strop came into the game and got Betts to strike out, but a wild pitch moved everyone up and allowed Hernandez to score the go-ahead run. Ramirez worked a walk to re-load the bases and Moreland drove home Bogaerts with a ground out to increase the lead. Pedroia then grounded a routine ball to Russell who proceeded to chuck it into the center-field bleachers for a 2 run error. Brian Duensing came in to pitch to JBJ and got him to ground out to end the inning. The Sox had scored 4 runs on a wild pitch, a ground-out and an error....oh well. The Sox led 6-2 and were 3 outs away from victory.
"Yeesh, watch the hair Strop!" - Hernandez
Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel was brought in to close out the game. It was no sweat as Contreras flied out, Almora Jr grounded out and Jay grounded out to end the game. The Sox had beaten the champs 6-2.
Hero of the night is a tough one but I'll go with Eduardo Rodriguez. He held one of the most potent offenses in baseball to one run over 6 innings while striking out 9
Eduardo is Hero tonight
The Good:
Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and a run scored.
Andrew Benintendi was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored.
Hanley Ramirez was 1 for 3 with a walk, 2 runs scored and a 2 run home run.
Dustin Pedroia was 1 for 3 with a walk.
Marco Hernandez was 1 for 3 with a run scored.
Robby Scott retired the only man he faced.
Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless eighth inning
Craig Kimbrel pitched a scoreless ninth inning.
The Bad:
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Christian Vazquez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.
Joe Kelly allowed the tying run to score in the top of the seventh.
The Ugly:
Mookie Betts was 0 for 3 but walked.
Mitch Moreland was 0 for 4 but drove in the insurance run with a ground-out.
Final Thoughts:
It was nice to see the luck go the other way for once and watch the Cubs fall over themselves. The Sox can't possibly keep winning like this but its nice for a time or two. Eduardo Rodriguez pitched well and the Sox pitching staff as a whole has been doing well this year. For some reason the bats are asleep so far but the warmer weather should bring them back. Tomorrow night the Sox are in action against the Baltimore Orioles. Rick Porcello goes up against Dylan Bundy in Game 1 at 7:05 PM.
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Sox Puke On Themselves, Cubs Win (4/29/17)
For 6 innings the Boston Red Sox looked like they could hang with the World Champion Chicago Cubs, and in the seventh inning they did what they've been doing all year, throwing up on themselves. Lousy pitching and defense turned a 4-2 lead into a 6-4 deficit the Sox could not overcome. The champs took the Game 6-4 at Fenway Park.
Steven Wright took the mound in the top of the first and Kyle Schwarber struck out to begin the game. Kris Bryant lofted a routine ground ball to Wright who jumped up in the air and threw the ball over his own head, allowing Bryant to reach second. Anthony Rizzo moved Bryant to third on the groundout to first. Wright caught Ben Zobrist looking at strike three much to Ben's displeasure to end the inning. Old pal John Lackey took the mound in the bottom of the first and got both Xander Bogaerts and Andrew Benintendi to ground out to begin. Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to end the inning.
Wright cruised in the top of the second inning. Jason Heyward popped up, Addison Russell lined out and Miguel Montero whiffed to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second inning. Hanley Ramirez grounded out but Mitch Moreland walked and Dustin Pedroia singled. Jackie Bradley Jr singled home Moreland to give the Sox the lead. Pedroia moved to third on the Christian Vazquez fly out but Marco Hernandez grounded out to end the inning.
Albert Almora Jr singled to start the top of the third inning but Jon Jay grounded into a double play. Schwarber flied out to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the third as Bogaerts legged out a triple and scored on the Benny The Kid sacrifice fly. Mr. Mookie lined out but Ramirez absolutely crushed a 469 foot home run to give the Sox a 3-0 lead. Moreland lined out to end the inning.
Ramirez playing hippity hop at the barber shop
The Cubs began their comeback in the top of the fourth inning when Bryant doubled and Rizzo smashed a 2 run home run to cut the lead to 1. Zobrist grounded out but Heyward walked. Russell flied out then Montero flied out to end the inning.
Wright pukes on himself after the home run
The Sox couldn't respond against Lackey in the bottom of the fourth inning. Pedroia grounded out and JBJ struck out although Vazquez singled and Hernandez doubled him to third. Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning.
Wright pitched a clean top of the fifth as Almora Jr grounded out, Jay lined out and Schwarber looked at strike three to end the inning. The Sox tagged Lackey in the bottom of the fifth when Benny The Kid belted a solo home run into the Red Sox bullpen to give the Sox a two run lead. Mr. Mookie and Ramirez struck out then Moreland grounded out to end the inning.
The Cubs wasted no time getting the run back in the top of the sixth, Bryant doubled and moved to third on the passed ball by Vazquez. Rizzo failed to bring him home with a fly out but Zobrist brought him home with a ground out. Heyward singled but Russell grounded out to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-3. The Sox blew their chance to get the run back when Pedroia hit one off the Monster but was thrown out at second trying to stretch into a double. JBJ and Vazquez grounded out to end the bottom of the sixth inning.
The wheels fell off in one of the worst innings of the year, the top of the seventh. For some reason Sox manager John Farrell brought Wright back out and he immediately gave up the game tying home run to Montero. Almora Jr popped up but Jay doubled to chase him. Wright pitched well for 6 innings but ran out of gas in the seventh. Robby Scott came in and poured gas on the fire by giving up a single to Schwarber that scored Jay with the go-ahead run. That was it for Scott as it was up to rookie Ben Taylor to stop the bleeding. Bryant walked and then Rizzo hit a picture perfect double play ball to Moreland who flipped it to Bogaerts for the out at second only for Bogaerts to air mail Moreland on the relay throw. To make matters worse Moreland tried to throw out Rizzo at second only for the throw to airmail everyone. Schwarber scored, Rizzo was on third and the Cubs led 6-4. Zobrist flied out to end the inning but the game was all but over. Old friend Koji Uehara took the mound for the bottom of the seventh and did what he did for four years in Boston, get guys out quickly. Hernandez and Bogaerts lined out before Benny The Kid struck out to end the inning.
Foamy is on strike for better baseball
Taylor ran out of gas in the top of the eighth but battled through it. Heyward popped up and Russell flied out but Montero singled. Almora Jr hit a ball to Hernandez at third and he tried to kick it over to first like a soccer player...it failed and Almora as aboard on the error. Jay walked to load the bases but Taylor recoverd to get Schwarber to fly out to end the inning. Hector Rondon came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Mr. Mookie singled only for Ramirez to ground out and Morleland to bang into a double play to end the inning.
For some reason Taylor returned briefly for the top of the ninth and struck out Bryant before Farrell brought in last night's hero Fernando Abad to get the final two outs. Abad got Rizzo but Zobrist blasted a solo home run to a chorus of boo's from Red Sox fans and thunderous cheers from Cubs fans. Not one move Farrell made worked tonight. Left Wright in too long, Robby Scott failed, the defense failed and now Abad failed. Heyward struck out to end the inning but the game was over 7-4. Cubs closer Wade Davis came in to end the misery. Somehow Pedroia singled but naturally when the money's on the table, JBJ struck out although Pedroia took second on defensive indifference. Vazquez and Hernandez whiffed to end the game. The Cubs had won 7-4.
Jackass of the Night should be John Farrell for every single move he made backfiring but I have to go with Steven Wright. Once again he failed to last 7 innings and gave up 5 earned runs.
"Gimmie the ball, Jackass" - JF
The Good:
Andrew Benintendi was 1 for 3 with a solo home run and an additional rbi.
Dustin Pedroia was 3 for 4.
Ben Taylor pitched 2 scoreless innings
The Bad:
Robby Scott gave up a hit that came around to score.
Fernando Abad gave up a solo home run in the ninth.
The Ugly:
Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 with a run scored
Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4.
Hanley Ramirez was just 1 for 4 but made the hit count as it was a long home run
Mitch Moreland was 0 for 3 with a comedy of errors but walked.
Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.
Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 4.
Marco Hernandez was just 1 for 4.
Final Thoughts:
Dave Dombrowski is looking worse every day for letting Uehara walk and trading Travis Shaw for Tyler Thornburg as Shaw is having a hell of a season in Milwaukee and Uehara is still getting guys out for Chicago. Meanwhile Thornburg hasn't pitched in a game yet and who knows if he ever will. Not having Matt Barnes hurt big time as the Sox tried to go with Scott and Taylor to pitch the crucial innings, It didn't help the Sox kicked and threw the ball all over the field but they still needed to get the outs asked of them. Tomorrow the Sox play the rubber game of the series, Kyle Hendricks takes the mound opposite Eduardo Rodriguez at 7:05 PM.
Steven Wright took the mound in the top of the first and Kyle Schwarber struck out to begin the game. Kris Bryant lofted a routine ground ball to Wright who jumped up in the air and threw the ball over his own head, allowing Bryant to reach second. Anthony Rizzo moved Bryant to third on the groundout to first. Wright caught Ben Zobrist looking at strike three much to Ben's displeasure to end the inning. Old pal John Lackey took the mound in the bottom of the first and got both Xander Bogaerts and Andrew Benintendi to ground out to begin. Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to end the inning.
Wright cruised in the top of the second inning. Jason Heyward popped up, Addison Russell lined out and Miguel Montero whiffed to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second inning. Hanley Ramirez grounded out but Mitch Moreland walked and Dustin Pedroia singled. Jackie Bradley Jr singled home Moreland to give the Sox the lead. Pedroia moved to third on the Christian Vazquez fly out but Marco Hernandez grounded out to end the inning.
Albert Almora Jr singled to start the top of the third inning but Jon Jay grounded into a double play. Schwarber flied out to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the third as Bogaerts legged out a triple and scored on the Benny The Kid sacrifice fly. Mr. Mookie lined out but Ramirez absolutely crushed a 469 foot home run to give the Sox a 3-0 lead. Moreland lined out to end the inning.
The Cubs began their comeback in the top of the fourth inning when Bryant doubled and Rizzo smashed a 2 run home run to cut the lead to 1. Zobrist grounded out but Heyward walked. Russell flied out then Montero flied out to end the inning.
The Sox couldn't respond against Lackey in the bottom of the fourth inning. Pedroia grounded out and JBJ struck out although Vazquez singled and Hernandez doubled him to third. Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning.
Wright pitched a clean top of the fifth as Almora Jr grounded out, Jay lined out and Schwarber looked at strike three to end the inning. The Sox tagged Lackey in the bottom of the fifth when Benny The Kid belted a solo home run into the Red Sox bullpen to give the Sox a two run lead. Mr. Mookie and Ramirez struck out then Moreland grounded out to end the inning.
The Cubs wasted no time getting the run back in the top of the sixth, Bryant doubled and moved to third on the passed ball by Vazquez. Rizzo failed to bring him home with a fly out but Zobrist brought him home with a ground out. Heyward singled but Russell grounded out to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-3. The Sox blew their chance to get the run back when Pedroia hit one off the Monster but was thrown out at second trying to stretch into a double. JBJ and Vazquez grounded out to end the bottom of the sixth inning.
The wheels fell off in one of the worst innings of the year, the top of the seventh. For some reason Sox manager John Farrell brought Wright back out and he immediately gave up the game tying home run to Montero. Almora Jr popped up but Jay doubled to chase him. Wright pitched well for 6 innings but ran out of gas in the seventh. Robby Scott came in and poured gas on the fire by giving up a single to Schwarber that scored Jay with the go-ahead run. That was it for Scott as it was up to rookie Ben Taylor to stop the bleeding. Bryant walked and then Rizzo hit a picture perfect double play ball to Moreland who flipped it to Bogaerts for the out at second only for Bogaerts to air mail Moreland on the relay throw. To make matters worse Moreland tried to throw out Rizzo at second only for the throw to airmail everyone. Schwarber scored, Rizzo was on third and the Cubs led 6-4. Zobrist flied out to end the inning but the game was all but over. Old friend Koji Uehara took the mound for the bottom of the seventh and did what he did for four years in Boston, get guys out quickly. Hernandez and Bogaerts lined out before Benny The Kid struck out to end the inning.
Taylor ran out of gas in the top of the eighth but battled through it. Heyward popped up and Russell flied out but Montero singled. Almora Jr hit a ball to Hernandez at third and he tried to kick it over to first like a soccer player...it failed and Almora as aboard on the error. Jay walked to load the bases but Taylor recoverd to get Schwarber to fly out to end the inning. Hector Rondon came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Mr. Mookie singled only for Ramirez to ground out and Morleland to bang into a double play to end the inning.
For some reason Taylor returned briefly for the top of the ninth and struck out Bryant before Farrell brought in last night's hero Fernando Abad to get the final two outs. Abad got Rizzo but Zobrist blasted a solo home run to a chorus of boo's from Red Sox fans and thunderous cheers from Cubs fans. Not one move Farrell made worked tonight. Left Wright in too long, Robby Scott failed, the defense failed and now Abad failed. Heyward struck out to end the inning but the game was over 7-4. Cubs closer Wade Davis came in to end the misery. Somehow Pedroia singled but naturally when the money's on the table, JBJ struck out although Pedroia took second on defensive indifference. Vazquez and Hernandez whiffed to end the game. The Cubs had won 7-4.
Jackass of the Night should be John Farrell for every single move he made backfiring but I have to go with Steven Wright. Once again he failed to last 7 innings and gave up 5 earned runs.
The Good:
Andrew Benintendi was 1 for 3 with a solo home run and an additional rbi.
Dustin Pedroia was 3 for 4.
Ben Taylor pitched 2 scoreless innings
The Bad:
Robby Scott gave up a hit that came around to score.
Fernando Abad gave up a solo home run in the ninth.
The Ugly:
Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 with a run scored
Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4.
Hanley Ramirez was just 1 for 4 but made the hit count as it was a long home run
Mitch Moreland was 0 for 3 with a comedy of errors but walked.
Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.
Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 4.
Marco Hernandez was just 1 for 4.
Final Thoughts:
Dave Dombrowski is looking worse every day for letting Uehara walk and trading Travis Shaw for Tyler Thornburg as Shaw is having a hell of a season in Milwaukee and Uehara is still getting guys out for Chicago. Meanwhile Thornburg hasn't pitched in a game yet and who knows if he ever will. Not having Matt Barnes hurt big time as the Sox tried to go with Scott and Taylor to pitch the crucial innings, It didn't help the Sox kicked and threw the ball all over the field but they still needed to get the outs asked of them. Tomorrow the Sox play the rubber game of the series, Kyle Hendricks takes the mound opposite Eduardo Rodriguez at 7:05 PM.
Friday, April 28, 2017
Sox Rally Early, Hold on to Defeat Cubs (4/28/17)
Before the game, the Boston Red Sox paid tribute to some of their former associates now with the Chicago Cubs. Pitchers Jon Lester and John Lackey were here along with former general manager Theo Epstein. Hell even Ryan Dempster was in the house taking in the game. It was great to have a mini-reunion and also to stick it up the departed Larry Luchhino's ass since he's the one that cost them Lester, Theo and pretty much insisted on trading Lackey for Joe Kelly. Still, sour grapes aside, nice to see the guys doing well.
Welcome back guys
Also before the game the Sox made roster moves. Robbie Ross Jr and Steve Selsky were optioned to Pawtucket and Ben Taylor was brought back. Robby Scott has taken over Ross' role and Selsky was just holding the fort until Josh "Razor" Rutledge returned. Taylor had been pitching well before he was demoted so let's see how this turns out.
OUT
IN
It was a great day for Boston sports as the Boston Celtics eliminated the Chicago Bulls in Game 6 of their first round NBA playoff series and the Boston Red Sox beat the defending World Champion Chicago Cubs. In a typical manner this season, the Red Sox offense came alive for just one inning out of nine tonight in the game against the Cubs. Fortunately they scored just enough runs and held on late due to some clutch late inning pitching to beat the champs 5-4 at Fenway Park.
Gerald Green approves of the win
Drew Pomeranz (2-1) got the ball in the top of the first and the Cubs wasted no time getting on the board. Kyle Schwarber whiffed to begin the ballgame but Krys Bryant smashed a home run completely out of Fenway Park. Former Sox prospect Anthony Rizzo popped up to left and Mookie Betts slid to rob Ben Zobrist of a single to end the inning but the rout was on, 1-0 Cubs. Jake Arrieta got the start for the Chicago Cubs and the futile Red Sox offense somehow touched him in the bottom of the first. Xander Bogaerts meekly grounded out to the pitcher but Andrew Benintendi blasted a solo home run into the bullpen right in front of Officer Horgan to tie the game. Somehow Mr. Mookie doubled and Ramirez singled him home to give the Sox the lead. A wild pitch moved Ramirez to second and Mitch Moreland doubled down the right field line to score him. Another wild pitch moved Moreland to third and Dustin Pedroia walked. Jackie Bradley Jr singled up the middle to score Ramirez and advance Pedroia to third. Christian Vazquez singled home Pedroia but Marco Hernandez popped up. Bogaerts struck out to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-1.
About damn time Benny
Pomeranz nearly crapped himself in the top of the second as Addison Russell singled down the right field line. Wlllson Contreras singled but Jason Heyward struck out and Javier Baez bounced into a double play to end the inning. Arrieta returned to form in the bottom of the second as he struck out Benny The Kid on 3 pitches. Mr. Mookie popped up so far into the sky Addison Russell had time to drop down and do the breast stroke on the ground before getting up to catch it. Ramirez grounded out to end the inning.
Pomeranz failed to hold the lead in the top of the third. Albert Almora Jr blasted a home run into the Monster Seats but Schwarber struck out. Bryant grounded out and Rizzo flied out to end the inning but the Cubs had cut it to 5-2. Arrieta cruised in the bottom of the third. Moreland grounded out before both Pedroia and JBJ struck out to end the inning.
Pomeranz nearly screwed himself in the top of the fourth inning. Zobrist lined out and Pomeranz took a ground ball by Russell and threw it completely out of Fenway Park, allowing him to reach second. Pomeranz recovered to get Contreras to line out and Heyward to strike out to end the inning. The Sox threatened in the bottom of the fourth but couldn't cash in. Vazquez and Hernandez stroked back to back singles and Bogaerts walked to load the bases. The rally ended as Benny The Kid struck out and Mr. Mookie grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Drew ran into more trouble in the top of the fifth inning. Baez struck out and Almora Jr struk out but Schwarber singled and Bryant walked. Rizzo somehow grounded out to end the inning. The Sox knocked out Arrieta in the bottom of the fifth inning. Ramirez singled but was foolishly thrown out trying to steal. That loomed large as Moreland walked and Pedroia singled to chase Arrieta. Mike Montgomery came in and JBJ immediately grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Pomeranz once again nearly gave it away in the top of the sixth inning. Zobrist walked but Russell looked at strike three. Moreland fielded a ground ball but nobody covered first and Mitch was credited with an error. Pomeranz recovered to strike out Heyward and get Baez to ground out to end the inning. Pomeranz battled for 6 innings but only allowed 2 runs.
Solid effort by Pomeranz
The Sox once again couldn't get any runs in during the bottom of the sixth. Vazquez grounded out but Hernandez and Bogaerts hit back to back singles. Stop me if you've heard this, Benny The Kid hit into a double play to end the inning. Three innings in a row.
The Cubs continued to claw back in the top of the seventh. Robbie Scott came in to pitch the top of the seventh and walked Albert Almora Jr although he did strike out Schwarber. That was it for Scott as Joe Kelly replaced him. Joe punched out Bryant but Rizzo singled Almora Jr to third, where he scored on a wild pitch to cut the lead. Zobrist singled home Rizzo to make it a 1 run game. All those missed chances loomed large as Russell flied out to end the inning. The Sox either had to score some insurance or it was just a matter of time before the Cubs tied, went ahead and won it. Pedro Strop came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and the Sox rolled over. Mr. Mookie flied out, Ramirez struck out and Moreland did too to end the inning.
Heath Hembree was brought in to pitch the top of the eighth and the Cubs nearly completed their comeback. Contreras lined out but Heyward singled and pinch hitter Jon Jay singled as well. Cubs manager Joe Maddon pinch hit lefty Miguel Montero so Sox manager John Farrell countered with Fernando Abad. Maddon re-countered with Matt Szczur. Somehow Abad struck out Szczur and Schwarber to end the inning. Carl Edwards Jr came on to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Pedroia greeted him with a single. JBJ, Vazquez and Hernandez whiffed to end the inning.
It was up to Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel to nail down the high leverage safe in the top of the ninth. Kimbrel struck out Bryant on a check swing and Rizzo swinging as well. One strike away from victory, Zobrist slammed a double past Moreland to put the tying run on. Kimbrel managed to blow away Russell to end the game. The Sox had survived 5-4.
Hero of the Night is Fernando Abad. Staked to a one run lead with 2 men on, Abad struck out two batters to keep the lead intact for Kimbrel to finish it off.
Fernando Abad: Hero for a Night
The Good:
Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3 with a walk.
Hanley Ramirez was 2 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.
Mitch Moreland was 1 for 3 with a walk, run scored and an rbi.
Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.
Christian Vazquez was 2 for 4 with an rbi.
Marco Hernandez was 2 for 4.
Drew Pomeranz got the win by tossing 6 solid innings of 2 run ball, working his way out of one jam after another.
Craig Kimbrel earned his 8th save by striking out the side in the ninth inning.
The Bad:
Robbie Scott was charged for his first run of the year when the man he walked came around to score.
Joe Kelly gave up a run in just 2/3 of an inning.
The Ugly:
Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4 but made the one hit count as it was a solo home run.
Mookie Betts was 1 for 4 with a run scored.
Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.
Heath Hembree allowed an inherited runner to score but allowed none of his own.
Final Thoughts:
Once again the Sox could only score in one inning but Pomeranz, Abad and Kimbrel did just enough to lock the game down. This is getting pretty serious because the Sox looked like they were going to cruise to an easy victory after beating Arrieta's brains in during the first inning before knocking him out in the 5th...but one double play and strikeout after another failed to bring in any further runs. This team is beginning to remind me of the 2014 Red Sox who always seemed to strike out or hit into a double play in almost every game they played. That's not a good thing. Still, a win is a win especially against the champs. The Sox look to take Game 2 of the series with Steven Wright on the mound against our old buddy John Lackey at 4:05 PM.
Also before the game the Sox made roster moves. Robbie Ross Jr and Steve Selsky were optioned to Pawtucket and Ben Taylor was brought back. Robby Scott has taken over Ross' role and Selsky was just holding the fort until Josh "Razor" Rutledge returned. Taylor had been pitching well before he was demoted so let's see how this turns out.
It was a great day for Boston sports as the Boston Celtics eliminated the Chicago Bulls in Game 6 of their first round NBA playoff series and the Boston Red Sox beat the defending World Champion Chicago Cubs. In a typical manner this season, the Red Sox offense came alive for just one inning out of nine tonight in the game against the Cubs. Fortunately they scored just enough runs and held on late due to some clutch late inning pitching to beat the champs 5-4 at Fenway Park.
Drew Pomeranz (2-1) got the ball in the top of the first and the Cubs wasted no time getting on the board. Kyle Schwarber whiffed to begin the ballgame but Krys Bryant smashed a home run completely out of Fenway Park. Former Sox prospect Anthony Rizzo popped up to left and Mookie Betts slid to rob Ben Zobrist of a single to end the inning but the rout was on, 1-0 Cubs. Jake Arrieta got the start for the Chicago Cubs and the futile Red Sox offense somehow touched him in the bottom of the first. Xander Bogaerts meekly grounded out to the pitcher but Andrew Benintendi blasted a solo home run into the bullpen right in front of Officer Horgan to tie the game. Somehow Mr. Mookie doubled and Ramirez singled him home to give the Sox the lead. A wild pitch moved Ramirez to second and Mitch Moreland doubled down the right field line to score him. Another wild pitch moved Moreland to third and Dustin Pedroia walked. Jackie Bradley Jr singled up the middle to score Ramirez and advance Pedroia to third. Christian Vazquez singled home Pedroia but Marco Hernandez popped up. Bogaerts struck out to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-1.
Pomeranz nearly crapped himself in the top of the second as Addison Russell singled down the right field line. Wlllson Contreras singled but Jason Heyward struck out and Javier Baez bounced into a double play to end the inning. Arrieta returned to form in the bottom of the second as he struck out Benny The Kid on 3 pitches. Mr. Mookie popped up so far into the sky Addison Russell had time to drop down and do the breast stroke on the ground before getting up to catch it. Ramirez grounded out to end the inning.
Pomeranz failed to hold the lead in the top of the third. Albert Almora Jr blasted a home run into the Monster Seats but Schwarber struck out. Bryant grounded out and Rizzo flied out to end the inning but the Cubs had cut it to 5-2. Arrieta cruised in the bottom of the third. Moreland grounded out before both Pedroia and JBJ struck out to end the inning.
Pomeranz nearly screwed himself in the top of the fourth inning. Zobrist lined out and Pomeranz took a ground ball by Russell and threw it completely out of Fenway Park, allowing him to reach second. Pomeranz recovered to get Contreras to line out and Heyward to strike out to end the inning. The Sox threatened in the bottom of the fourth but couldn't cash in. Vazquez and Hernandez stroked back to back singles and Bogaerts walked to load the bases. The rally ended as Benny The Kid struck out and Mr. Mookie grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Drew ran into more trouble in the top of the fifth inning. Baez struck out and Almora Jr struk out but Schwarber singled and Bryant walked. Rizzo somehow grounded out to end the inning. The Sox knocked out Arrieta in the bottom of the fifth inning. Ramirez singled but was foolishly thrown out trying to steal. That loomed large as Moreland walked and Pedroia singled to chase Arrieta. Mike Montgomery came in and JBJ immediately grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Pomeranz once again nearly gave it away in the top of the sixth inning. Zobrist walked but Russell looked at strike three. Moreland fielded a ground ball but nobody covered first and Mitch was credited with an error. Pomeranz recovered to strike out Heyward and get Baez to ground out to end the inning. Pomeranz battled for 6 innings but only allowed 2 runs.
The Sox once again couldn't get any runs in during the bottom of the sixth. Vazquez grounded out but Hernandez and Bogaerts hit back to back singles. Stop me if you've heard this, Benny The Kid hit into a double play to end the inning. Three innings in a row.
The Cubs continued to claw back in the top of the seventh. Robbie Scott came in to pitch the top of the seventh and walked Albert Almora Jr although he did strike out Schwarber. That was it for Scott as Joe Kelly replaced him. Joe punched out Bryant but Rizzo singled Almora Jr to third, where he scored on a wild pitch to cut the lead. Zobrist singled home Rizzo to make it a 1 run game. All those missed chances loomed large as Russell flied out to end the inning. The Sox either had to score some insurance or it was just a matter of time before the Cubs tied, went ahead and won it. Pedro Strop came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and the Sox rolled over. Mr. Mookie flied out, Ramirez struck out and Moreland did too to end the inning.
Heath Hembree was brought in to pitch the top of the eighth and the Cubs nearly completed their comeback. Contreras lined out but Heyward singled and pinch hitter Jon Jay singled as well. Cubs manager Joe Maddon pinch hit lefty Miguel Montero so Sox manager John Farrell countered with Fernando Abad. Maddon re-countered with Matt Szczur. Somehow Abad struck out Szczur and Schwarber to end the inning. Carl Edwards Jr came on to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Pedroia greeted him with a single. JBJ, Vazquez and Hernandez whiffed to end the inning.
It was up to Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel to nail down the high leverage safe in the top of the ninth. Kimbrel struck out Bryant on a check swing and Rizzo swinging as well. One strike away from victory, Zobrist slammed a double past Moreland to put the tying run on. Kimbrel managed to blow away Russell to end the game. The Sox had survived 5-4.
Hero of the Night is Fernando Abad. Staked to a one run lead with 2 men on, Abad struck out two batters to keep the lead intact for Kimbrel to finish it off.
The Good:
Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3 with a walk.
Hanley Ramirez was 2 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.
Mitch Moreland was 1 for 3 with a walk, run scored and an rbi.
Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.
Christian Vazquez was 2 for 4 with an rbi.
Marco Hernandez was 2 for 4.
Drew Pomeranz got the win by tossing 6 solid innings of 2 run ball, working his way out of one jam after another.
Craig Kimbrel earned his 8th save by striking out the side in the ninth inning.
The Bad:
Robbie Scott was charged for his first run of the year when the man he walked came around to score.
Joe Kelly gave up a run in just 2/3 of an inning.
The Ugly:
Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4 but made the one hit count as it was a solo home run.
Mookie Betts was 1 for 4 with a run scored.
Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.
Heath Hembree allowed an inherited runner to score but allowed none of his own.
Final Thoughts:
Once again the Sox could only score in one inning but Pomeranz, Abad and Kimbrel did just enough to lock the game down. This is getting pretty serious because the Sox looked like they were going to cruise to an easy victory after beating Arrieta's brains in during the first inning before knocking him out in the 5th...but one double play and strikeout after another failed to bring in any further runs. This team is beginning to remind me of the 2014 Red Sox who always seemed to strike out or hit into a double play in almost every game they played. That's not a good thing. Still, a win is a win especially against the champs. The Sox look to take Game 2 of the series with Steven Wright on the mound against our old buddy John Lackey at 4:05 PM.
Thursday, April 27, 2017
Tanaka, Yankees Blank Sox, Sale (4/27/17)
This is starting to get ridiculous. After being shut out by Fransisco Liriano, Dylan Bundy and Luis Severino this past week, the Boston Red Sox took it one step further by getting shut out in a complete game 3 hit shut out by Masahiro Tanaka and the New York Yankees. It was a brilliant pitcher's duel for 8 innings between Tanaka and Chris Sale (1-2) before Sale ran out of gas in the ninth and the incompetent Red Sox offense failed to reach third base. The Yankees had won the game 3-0. How many runs did the Red Sox score?
"Boston Red Sox...zero...point....zero..."
Sale got the ball in the top of the first and struck out both Jacoby Ellsbury and Aaron Hicks to open the game. Chase Headley lined out to end the inning. Masahiro Tanaka began his mastery in the bottom of the first inning. Dustin Pedroia grounded out, Andrew Benintendi lined out and Mr. Mookie Betts flied out to end the inning.
Sale ran right over the Yankees in the top of the second inning. Matt Holiday looked at strike three, Starlin Castro grounded out and Aaron Judge looked at strike three to end the inning. Hanley Ramirez greeted Tanaka with a single to lead off the bottom of the second and moved to second on the force by Mitch Moreland. Xander Bogaerts flied out and Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to end the inning. As sad as it sounds, the Sox never again reached second base.
Sale cruised in the top of the third inning. Chris Carter and Austin Romine struck out but Ronald Torreyes singled. Ellsbury looked at strike three to end the inning. Tanaka continued to cruise in the bottom of the third inning. Sandy Leon, Marco Hernandez and Pedroia grounded out in short order to end the inning.
The Yankees struck first in the top of the fourth. Hicks singled and moved to second on the Headley force. A passed ball by Leon moved Hicks to third and he scored on the sac fly by Holiday. Thanks a pant load Leon. Castro whiffed to end the inning but the damage was done. Tanaka rolled in the bottom of the fourth. Benny The Kid struck out and Mr. Mookie popped up but Ramirez singled again. He was stranded when Moreland grounded into a force to end the inning.
Sale hit Judge with a pitch to start the top of the fifth inning. Carter grounded into a double play and Romine flied out to end the inning. Bogaerts singled to begin the bottom of the fifth inning only for JBJ to ground into a double play. Leon flied out to end the inning. Sadly that was the Sox last hit of the game.
Torreyes singled and moved to second on the sacrifice bunt by Ellsbury to begin the top of the sixth inning. Hicks grounded out to move Torreyes to third but Mr Mookie made a great running catch to rob Headley of a hit to end the inning.
One of the few brightspots of the game
The Sox offense went dead n the bottom of the sixth inning. Hernandez and Pedroia struck out and Benny The Kid lined out to end the inning.
Holiday singled to lead off the top of the seventh inning but was gunned down at second by Benny The Kid trying to stretch. Castro singled but Sale recovered to struck out both Judge and Carter to end the inning. There was nothing the Sox could do against Tanaka in the bottom of the seventh. Mr. Mookie grounded out, Ramirez flied out and Moreland grounded out to end the inning.
Sale returned for the top of the eighth and cruised. Romine flied out, Torreyes grounded out and Ellsbury grounded out to end the inning. Tanaka matched Sale in the bottom of the eighth. Bogaerts popped up, JBJ grounded out and Leon grounded out to end the inning.
It was a beautiful pitcher's duel for 8 innings but it ended when Sale ran out of gas in the top of the ninth. Hicks and Headley hit back to back singles but Sox manager John Farrell refused to pull Sale. Holiday then slammed home a single to score Hicks to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead. Farrell came out to get Sale who gave it all he had.
"Can one of you a-holes score for me ONE time??? - Sale
Heath Hembree came in to pitch and he gave up a single to Castro to score Headley to make it 3-0. Hembree escaped trouble by getting Judge to pop up and Carter grounded into a double play to end the inning. With a 3-0 lead, the game was all but over. Tanaka returned to finish his masterpiece in the bottom of the ninth. Hernandez, Pedroia and Benny The Kid all grounded out to end the game. The Yankees had defeated the Red Sox 3-0 on a complete game, 3 hit shutout by Tanaka.
Excuse me while I puke
Jackass of the Night should be John Farrell for leaving in Sale too long but in reality it was Sandy Leon. His passed ball led to the go-ahead run scoring and he went 0 for 3 at the plate.
Sandy Leon: Jackass
The Good:
Hanley Ramirez was 2 for 3.
Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3.
The Bad:
Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 4 with a strikeout
Mookie Betts was 0 for 3.
Mitch Moreland was 0 for 3.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3.
Marco Hernandez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.
The Ugly:
Chris Sale was lights out for 8 innings but fell apart in the ninth inning. He took the loss allowing 3 runs, 2 earned in 8 plus innings.
Heath Hembree allowed an inherited runner to score but escaped the ninth inning with no further damage.
Final Thoughts:
That was a hell of a game, just didn't win it. The Sox offense is in big trouble and for some reason the loss of David Ortiz is affecting them a hell of a lot more than it should. Even Xander Bogaerts after the game pretty much admitted the difference in this year's team and last year's was no Ortiz. Well to quote Rick Pitino, David Ortiz isn't walking through that door. The Sox need to suck it up and move on. They need someone to step up and be the leader of the team and if Pedroia can't do it, someone else needs to take control. The pitching this season has been pretty damn good, the offense has been absolutely putrid. Hopefully they can wake up but it doesn't look good right now. As if losing two straight to the Yankees isn't bad enough, the world champion Chicago Cubs are coming to town for a three game set. Tomorrow night at 7:10 Drew Pomeranz goes up against Jake Arrieta. If the Sox couldn't hit Fransisco Liriano, Dylan Bundy, Luis Severino or Tanaka, how the hell are they going to hit Arrieta?
Sale got the ball in the top of the first and struck out both Jacoby Ellsbury and Aaron Hicks to open the game. Chase Headley lined out to end the inning. Masahiro Tanaka began his mastery in the bottom of the first inning. Dustin Pedroia grounded out, Andrew Benintendi lined out and Mr. Mookie Betts flied out to end the inning.
Sale ran right over the Yankees in the top of the second inning. Matt Holiday looked at strike three, Starlin Castro grounded out and Aaron Judge looked at strike three to end the inning. Hanley Ramirez greeted Tanaka with a single to lead off the bottom of the second and moved to second on the force by Mitch Moreland. Xander Bogaerts flied out and Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to end the inning. As sad as it sounds, the Sox never again reached second base.
Sale cruised in the top of the third inning. Chris Carter and Austin Romine struck out but Ronald Torreyes singled. Ellsbury looked at strike three to end the inning. Tanaka continued to cruise in the bottom of the third inning. Sandy Leon, Marco Hernandez and Pedroia grounded out in short order to end the inning.
The Yankees struck first in the top of the fourth. Hicks singled and moved to second on the Headley force. A passed ball by Leon moved Hicks to third and he scored on the sac fly by Holiday. Thanks a pant load Leon. Castro whiffed to end the inning but the damage was done. Tanaka rolled in the bottom of the fourth. Benny The Kid struck out and Mr. Mookie popped up but Ramirez singled again. He was stranded when Moreland grounded into a force to end the inning.
Sale hit Judge with a pitch to start the top of the fifth inning. Carter grounded into a double play and Romine flied out to end the inning. Bogaerts singled to begin the bottom of the fifth inning only for JBJ to ground into a double play. Leon flied out to end the inning. Sadly that was the Sox last hit of the game.
Torreyes singled and moved to second on the sacrifice bunt by Ellsbury to begin the top of the sixth inning. Hicks grounded out to move Torreyes to third but Mr Mookie made a great running catch to rob Headley of a hit to end the inning.
The Sox offense went dead n the bottom of the sixth inning. Hernandez and Pedroia struck out and Benny The Kid lined out to end the inning.
Holiday singled to lead off the top of the seventh inning but was gunned down at second by Benny The Kid trying to stretch. Castro singled but Sale recovered to struck out both Judge and Carter to end the inning. There was nothing the Sox could do against Tanaka in the bottom of the seventh. Mr. Mookie grounded out, Ramirez flied out and Moreland grounded out to end the inning.
Sale returned for the top of the eighth and cruised. Romine flied out, Torreyes grounded out and Ellsbury grounded out to end the inning. Tanaka matched Sale in the bottom of the eighth. Bogaerts popped up, JBJ grounded out and Leon grounded out to end the inning.
It was a beautiful pitcher's duel for 8 innings but it ended when Sale ran out of gas in the top of the ninth. Hicks and Headley hit back to back singles but Sox manager John Farrell refused to pull Sale. Holiday then slammed home a single to score Hicks to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead. Farrell came out to get Sale who gave it all he had.
Heath Hembree came in to pitch and he gave up a single to Castro to score Headley to make it 3-0. Hembree escaped trouble by getting Judge to pop up and Carter grounded into a double play to end the inning. With a 3-0 lead, the game was all but over. Tanaka returned to finish his masterpiece in the bottom of the ninth. Hernandez, Pedroia and Benny The Kid all grounded out to end the game. The Yankees had defeated the Red Sox 3-0 on a complete game, 3 hit shutout by Tanaka.
Jackass of the Night should be John Farrell for leaving in Sale too long but in reality it was Sandy Leon. His passed ball led to the go-ahead run scoring and he went 0 for 3 at the plate.
The Good:
Hanley Ramirez was 2 for 3.
Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3.
The Bad:
Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 4 with a strikeout
Mookie Betts was 0 for 3.
Mitch Moreland was 0 for 3.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3.
Marco Hernandez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.
The Ugly:
Chris Sale was lights out for 8 innings but fell apart in the ninth inning. He took the loss allowing 3 runs, 2 earned in 8 plus innings.
Heath Hembree allowed an inherited runner to score but escaped the ninth inning with no further damage.
Final Thoughts:
That was a hell of a game, just didn't win it. The Sox offense is in big trouble and for some reason the loss of David Ortiz is affecting them a hell of a lot more than it should. Even Xander Bogaerts after the game pretty much admitted the difference in this year's team and last year's was no Ortiz. Well to quote Rick Pitino, David Ortiz isn't walking through that door. The Sox need to suck it up and move on. They need someone to step up and be the leader of the team and if Pedroia can't do it, someone else needs to take control. The pitching this season has been pretty damn good, the offense has been absolutely putrid. Hopefully they can wake up but it doesn't look good right now. As if losing two straight to the Yankees isn't bad enough, the world champion Chicago Cubs are coming to town for a three game set. Tomorrow night at 7:10 Drew Pomeranz goes up against Jake Arrieta. If the Sox couldn't hit Fransisco Liriano, Dylan Bundy, Luis Severino or Tanaka, how the hell are they going to hit Arrieta?
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Sox Shut Down By Yankees (4/26/17)
The good news was the Boston Celtics defeated the Chicago Bulls in Game 5 of their first round NBA playoff series but the bad news was the New York Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox in tonight's game. Its bad enough the Boston Red Sox got shut down by Fransisco Liriano and the Dirty Birds, but the New York Yankees doing it feels a lot worse. Luis Severino of all people shut down the punchless offense and took advantage of shoddy defense to defeat the Red Sox 3-1 at Fenway Park.
This sucks
Rick Porcello got the ball in the top of the first and Brett Gardner poked a single to center. Chase Headley lined out to a jumping Mookie Betts and Porcello struck out Matt Holiday. Old pal Jacoby Ellsbury grounded out to Bogaerts, tagging second base to end the inning. Luis Severino got the ball in the bottom of the first and Xander Bogaerts grounded out to short. Andrew Benintendi grounded out and Mr. Mookie struck out to end the inning.
The Sox committed their first blunder when Starlin Castro grounded to Bogaerts who chucked it under the glove of Mitch Moreland for an error to begin the top of the second. One pitch later Aaron Judge launched a 2 run bomb to right to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead. A pissed off Porcello recovered to strike out Greg Bird, Austin Romine and Ronald Torreyes to end the inning but the Yankees had the lead. The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the second inning as Moreland grounded into the shift. Somehow Hanley Ramirez got a hit to right but was erased on the Jackie Bradley Jr force. Josh "Razor" Rutledge made his season debut by grounding into a force to end the inning.
Damn Yankees
Gardner flied out to center to open the top of the third inning. Headley walked but Holiday struck out. Headley swiped second but Ellsbury popped up to end the inning. This was not the Sox' day as they went did nothing in the bottom of the third inning. Marco Hernandez somehow singled up the middle and took second on the ground out by Sandy Leon. Xander Bogaerts lofted a ball toward the stands and the 6 foot 7 Judge dove in to get the ball for the second out, although Hernandez moved to third. Things went back to normal as Benny The Kid popped up to end the inning.
The top of the fourth started well when Castro grounded out to third. Judge grounded out and Bird whiffed to end the inning. The bottom of the fourth, not so much. Mr. Mookie did manage to leg out an infield single and Moreland shockingly walked. The rally ended as Ramirez banged into a double play and JBJ flied out to end the inning.
The Yankees threatened in the top of the fifth due to more bad defense. Romine grounded out but Torreyes singled. Leon tried to pick off Torreyes but instead threw the ball completely out of Fenway Park, allowing Torreyes to reach second base. Gardner walked but Porcello recovered to strike out both Headley and Holliday to end the inning. The Sox did absolutely nothing in the bottom of the 5th against Severino. Rutledge and Hernandez struck out before Leon flied out to end the inning.
The Yankees iced the game in the top of the sixth. Ellsbury flied out and Castro struck out but Judge walked and moved to second on a wild pitch. Naturally Bird singled home Judge to make it 3-0. Romine lined out but the damage was done. The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the sixth as Bogaerts grounded out, Benny The Kid flied out and Mr. Mookie struck out to end the inning.
Porcello returned for the top of the seventh and got Torreyes to fly out and Gardner to fly out, but Headley doubled. Holliday walked to chase Porcello as Robbie Ross Jr came in to pitch to Ellsbury, only to walk him to load the bases. Joe Kelly relieved him and got Castro to ground out to end the inning. Once again the Sox were silent in the bottom of the seventh inning as Moreland and Ramirez struck out before JBJ walked. Rutledge grounded into a force to end the inning.
Porcello deserved better
Kelly turned up the heat to strike out Judge to open the top of the eighth. Bird walked but Romine struck out and Torreyes flied out to end the inning. Dellin Betances replaced Severino in the bottom of the eighth and cruised. Hernandez struck out, Leon struck out and Bogaerts grounded out to end the inning.
Robby Scott had mop up duty in the top of the ninth inning. Gardner looked at strike three and Headley grounded out, but Holliday walked. Ellsbury grounded out to end the inning. Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman was brought in to end the miserable night in the bottom of the ninth. Somehow the Sox rallied. Benny The Kid drew a leadoff walk and Mr. Mookie doubled him to third. Chris Young pinch hit for Moreland only to ground out, although Benintendi scored to cut the lead 3-1. A wild pitch by Chapman moved Betts to third and Ramirez worked a walk. Suddenly the Sox had the tying run on base but JBJ whiffed. Down to Rutledge, he damn near ended it with a walkoff blast but it went INCHES foul. Razor struck out on the next pitch and that was that. The Yankees had won 3-1.
Jackass of the Night is Xander Bogaerts. Not only did he go 0 for 4 at the plate but his first inning error paved the way for the decisive home run by Judge.
Xander Bogaerts, Jackass.
The Good:
Joe Kelly tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.
Robby Scott pitched a scoreless ninth.
Mookie Betts was 2 for 4.
Hanley Ramirez was 1 for 3 with a walk.
Marco Hernandez was 1 for 3.
The Bad:
Robbie Ross Jr walked the only man he faced.
Josh Rutledge was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Sandy Leon was 0 for 3 with a strikeout to drop his average to .191
The Ugly:
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 3 but walked and scored a run.
Mitch Moreland was 0 for 2 with a walk.
Chris Young failed to get a hit in his only pinch hit appearance although he did drive in a run.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 with a walk.
Rick Porcello gave up 2 earned runs in 6 2/3 innings and took the loss. He deserved better
Final Thoughts:
That sucked.....and so far this season the Red Sox offense sucks. They get shut down more often than not and not having David Ortiz to swat home runs is beginning to take its toll. Then again they're playing mostely utility guys in the infield with Dustin Pedroia and Pablo Sandoval hurt. Marco Hernandez finds a way to get on base so maybe he can replace Sandoval if and when Pedroia gets back. It was great to see the Sox show some life in the 9th inning. Say what you will, this year's team has balls. Tomorrow night is the monster match between Chris Sale and Masahiro Tanaka at 7:05 PM.
Rick Porcello got the ball in the top of the first and Brett Gardner poked a single to center. Chase Headley lined out to a jumping Mookie Betts and Porcello struck out Matt Holiday. Old pal Jacoby Ellsbury grounded out to Bogaerts, tagging second base to end the inning. Luis Severino got the ball in the bottom of the first and Xander Bogaerts grounded out to short. Andrew Benintendi grounded out and Mr. Mookie struck out to end the inning.
The Sox committed their first blunder when Starlin Castro grounded to Bogaerts who chucked it under the glove of Mitch Moreland for an error to begin the top of the second. One pitch later Aaron Judge launched a 2 run bomb to right to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead. A pissed off Porcello recovered to strike out Greg Bird, Austin Romine and Ronald Torreyes to end the inning but the Yankees had the lead. The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the second inning as Moreland grounded into the shift. Somehow Hanley Ramirez got a hit to right but was erased on the Jackie Bradley Jr force. Josh "Razor" Rutledge made his season debut by grounding into a force to end the inning.
Gardner flied out to center to open the top of the third inning. Headley walked but Holiday struck out. Headley swiped second but Ellsbury popped up to end the inning. This was not the Sox' day as they went did nothing in the bottom of the third inning. Marco Hernandez somehow singled up the middle and took second on the ground out by Sandy Leon. Xander Bogaerts lofted a ball toward the stands and the 6 foot 7 Judge dove in to get the ball for the second out, although Hernandez moved to third. Things went back to normal as Benny The Kid popped up to end the inning.
The top of the fourth started well when Castro grounded out to third. Judge grounded out and Bird whiffed to end the inning. The bottom of the fourth, not so much. Mr. Mookie did manage to leg out an infield single and Moreland shockingly walked. The rally ended as Ramirez banged into a double play and JBJ flied out to end the inning.
The Yankees threatened in the top of the fifth due to more bad defense. Romine grounded out but Torreyes singled. Leon tried to pick off Torreyes but instead threw the ball completely out of Fenway Park, allowing Torreyes to reach second base. Gardner walked but Porcello recovered to strike out both Headley and Holliday to end the inning. The Sox did absolutely nothing in the bottom of the 5th against Severino. Rutledge and Hernandez struck out before Leon flied out to end the inning.
The Yankees iced the game in the top of the sixth. Ellsbury flied out and Castro struck out but Judge walked and moved to second on a wild pitch. Naturally Bird singled home Judge to make it 3-0. Romine lined out but the damage was done. The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the sixth as Bogaerts grounded out, Benny The Kid flied out and Mr. Mookie struck out to end the inning.
Porcello returned for the top of the seventh and got Torreyes to fly out and Gardner to fly out, but Headley doubled. Holliday walked to chase Porcello as Robbie Ross Jr came in to pitch to Ellsbury, only to walk him to load the bases. Joe Kelly relieved him and got Castro to ground out to end the inning. Once again the Sox were silent in the bottom of the seventh inning as Moreland and Ramirez struck out before JBJ walked. Rutledge grounded into a force to end the inning.
Kelly turned up the heat to strike out Judge to open the top of the eighth. Bird walked but Romine struck out and Torreyes flied out to end the inning. Dellin Betances replaced Severino in the bottom of the eighth and cruised. Hernandez struck out, Leon struck out and Bogaerts grounded out to end the inning.
Robby Scott had mop up duty in the top of the ninth inning. Gardner looked at strike three and Headley grounded out, but Holliday walked. Ellsbury grounded out to end the inning. Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman was brought in to end the miserable night in the bottom of the ninth. Somehow the Sox rallied. Benny The Kid drew a leadoff walk and Mr. Mookie doubled him to third. Chris Young pinch hit for Moreland only to ground out, although Benintendi scored to cut the lead 3-1. A wild pitch by Chapman moved Betts to third and Ramirez worked a walk. Suddenly the Sox had the tying run on base but JBJ whiffed. Down to Rutledge, he damn near ended it with a walkoff blast but it went INCHES foul. Razor struck out on the next pitch and that was that. The Yankees had won 3-1.
Jackass of the Night is Xander Bogaerts. Not only did he go 0 for 4 at the plate but his first inning error paved the way for the decisive home run by Judge.
The Good:
Joe Kelly tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.
Robby Scott pitched a scoreless ninth.
Mookie Betts was 2 for 4.
Hanley Ramirez was 1 for 3 with a walk.
Marco Hernandez was 1 for 3.
The Bad:
Robbie Ross Jr walked the only man he faced.
Josh Rutledge was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Sandy Leon was 0 for 3 with a strikeout to drop his average to .191
The Ugly:
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 3 but walked and scored a run.
Mitch Moreland was 0 for 2 with a walk.
Chris Young failed to get a hit in his only pinch hit appearance although he did drive in a run.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 with a walk.
Rick Porcello gave up 2 earned runs in 6 2/3 innings and took the loss. He deserved better
Final Thoughts:
That sucked.....and so far this season the Red Sox offense sucks. They get shut down more often than not and not having David Ortiz to swat home runs is beginning to take its toll. Then again they're playing mostely utility guys in the infield with Dustin Pedroia and Pablo Sandoval hurt. Marco Hernandez finds a way to get on base so maybe he can replace Sandoval if and when Pedroia gets back. It was great to see the Sox show some life in the 9th inning. Say what you will, this year's team has balls. Tomorrow night is the monster match between Chris Sale and Masahiro Tanaka at 7:05 PM.
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Off-Day and Rainout News (4/25/17)
Monday was an off-day and it was learned that Matt Barnes had been suspended 4 games for head-hunting Manny Machado in the wake of the Dustin Pedroia spiking. According to all reports Barnes acted alone after Eduardo Rodriguez missed hitting him earlier on Sunday. This is a big blow to the Sox who were supposed to have a 3 game set with the revamped New York Yankees. Not having Barnes is not a good thing the way the starters have been struggling lately.
It turns out, he wouldn't be needed tonight as a rainstorm postponsed tonight's game to July where the Yankees and Sox will play a double-header. The Sox also made a roster move as they placed Pablo Sandoval on the Disabled List with a sprained knee. Taking his place on the roster is the returning Josh "Razor" Rutledge who's rehab assignment with Pawtucket ended over the weekend.
Tonight's rainout could have been a blessing in disguise as the scheduled starter was Drew Pomeranz. Rather than toss him out, the Sox have Chris Sale and Rick Porcello pitching the remaining two games. The Yankees will counter with Masahiro Tanaka and CC Sabbathia so they should be good games to watch.
Injury Watch:
Dustin Pedroia did NOT go through with an MRI and would have played tonight if the game wasn't rained out. He seems to be slowly getting over the spiking.
Tyler Thornburg has begun long tossing and since he hasnt faced live batters since February, it'll be at least a month before he gets back.
David Price said he felt fine after throwing a bullpen session. He will need a month as well at least.
No word on Carson Smith as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.
As mentioned earlier, Josh Rutledge is ready to go.
Pablo Sandoval, as mentioned earlier, has a sprained knee so that could be 3 weeks to a month to heal.
It turns out, he wouldn't be needed tonight as a rainstorm postponsed tonight's game to July where the Yankees and Sox will play a double-header. The Sox also made a roster move as they placed Pablo Sandoval on the Disabled List with a sprained knee. Taking his place on the roster is the returning Josh "Razor" Rutledge who's rehab assignment with Pawtucket ended over the weekend.
Tonight's rainout could have been a blessing in disguise as the scheduled starter was Drew Pomeranz. Rather than toss him out, the Sox have Chris Sale and Rick Porcello pitching the remaining two games. The Yankees will counter with Masahiro Tanaka and CC Sabbathia so they should be good games to watch.
Injury Watch:
Dustin Pedroia did NOT go through with an MRI and would have played tonight if the game wasn't rained out. He seems to be slowly getting over the spiking.
Tyler Thornburg has begun long tossing and since he hasnt faced live batters since February, it'll be at least a month before he gets back.
David Price said he felt fine after throwing a bullpen session. He will need a month as well at least.
No word on Carson Smith as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.
As mentioned earlier, Josh Rutledge is ready to go.
Pablo Sandoval, as mentioned earlier, has a sprained knee so that could be 3 weeks to a month to heal.
Sunday, April 23, 2017
Sox Blowout Orioles,Tempers Flare (4/23/17)
What a weird day for Boston sports. The Boston Bruins ended their season with their Game 6 first round NHL playoff loss to the Ottawa Senators in overtime but the Boston Celtics defeated the Chicago Bulls in Game 4 of their first round NBA playoff series. As for the Boston Red Sox, you knew something was going to happen in the wake of Manny Machado spiking Dustin Pedroia on Friday night. It took two days but the Red Sox finally sent Manny a message courtesy of Matt Barnes plus they won the game. When the dust settled, the Sox had defeated the Baltimore Orioles 6-2 at Camden Yards.
The Sox wasted zero time scoring in the top of the first inning. Xander Bogaerts led off with a bloop single to right. Andrew Benintendi singled to right to advance Bogaerts to third and Mr. Mookie Betts busted out of his slump with a 3 run home run to right. One pitch later Hanley Ramirez hit an absolute moon shot to left to give the Sox a 4-0 lead. Mitch Moreland grounded out and Jackie Bradly Jr struck out. Christian Vazquez looked at strike three to end the inning with Ramirez watching his homer again on camera.
The new father Eduardo Rodriguez got the start and he started off the top of the first with a 3-2 fastball that froze Craig Gentry. Adam Jones flied out to JBJ and then Jackie made a great running catch to rob Manny Machado to end the inning.
Pablo Sandoval led off the top of the second by grounding out but Marco Hernandez blooped a single to left. Hernandez was erased at second on the ground out by Bogaerts but Benny The Kid legged out an infield single and Mr. Mookie walked to load the bases. Ramirez gave one a ride but it died at the centerfield wall to end the inning. Mark Trumbo led off the bottom of the second by popping up to Bogaerts. Chris Davis looked at strike three and Trey Mancini whiffed to end the inning.
Gausmann settled down in the top of the third as Moreland flied out, JBJ tried to bunt his way on but failed, then Vazquez whiffed to end the inning. Rodriguez started the bottom of the third by striking out Wellington Castillo. Jonathan Schoop flied out and JJ Hardy flied out to end the inning.
The Sox threatened in the top of the fourth inning but did not score. Sandoval and Hernandez grounded out but Bogaerts walked. Benintendi hit a routine pop up to Hardy but he missed it. The ball dropped and Gentry threw the ball away allowing Bogaerts to reach third and Benny second. The rally ended when Mr. Mookie grounded out to third to end the inning. Too many wasted chances for the Sox even with the 4-0 lead. Right on cue Rodriguez walked Gentry to open the bottom of the fourth inning. Rodriguez whiffed Jones on a 3-2 count. Bogaerts bobbled a ground ball by Machado but got Gentry at second for the force. Trumbo looked at a 3-2 change to end the inning. Great work by Rodriguez.
The Sox struck again in the top of the fifth inning. Ramirez grounded out but Moreland blasted a home run to center just over the head of Jones to increase the lead. JBJ flied out and Vazquez launched his bat to shortstop on a strikeout to end the inning. The O's threatened in the bottom of the fifth inning when Davis singled for Baltimore's first hit. Eduardo recovered to strike out Mancini on a change at the knees and got Davis at second on a force by Castillo. Schoop walked but Hardy flied out to left to end the inning.
Sandoval walked to open the top of the sixth inning and was erased on the Hernandez force. That was it for Gausmann as he was pulled for Stefan Crichton. Hernandez was thrown out at second trying to steal.
Bogaerts singled and took second on a wild pitch. Benny The Kid singled home Bogaerts but was thrown out trying to stretch a double to end the inning. Still the Sox had a comfortable 6-0 lead. Right on cue Gentry walked to begin the bottom of the sixth inning. JBJ made a great catch to rob Jones of a hit. Machado walked but Trumbo hit one up the elevator shaft. Davis walked to load the bases as Sox analyst Jerry Remy says Eduardo was cooked. Rodriguez recovered to retire Mancini on a force to end the inning. He ran out of gas at the end but tossed 6 shut-out, one hit innings, good stuff.
Crichton returned for the top of the seventh inning and Mr. Mookie greeted him with a single. Ramirez banged into a double play but Moreland singled. That was it for Chrichton as he was relieved by Vidal Nuno. JBJ grounded out to end the inning. Could the Sox depleted bullpen hold on for the final 9 outs? Steve Selsky took over at third for Sandoval and Matt Barnes came in to pitch. Castillo flied out to begin the bottom of the seventh inning. Schoop was initially ruled safe on a grounder to Selsky but Sox manager John Farrell challenged the call. Shockingly the call went the Sox way as Schoop was called out. Barnes blew away Hardy to end the inning.
Vazquez joined the fun with a bloop double to begin the top of the eighth. Selsky failed to move the runner along with a ground out. It was revealed Sandoval left the game with a sprained knee. Vazquez moved to third on the Hernandez ground out but Bogaerts grounded out to end the inning. Barnes returned for the bottom of the eighth as Hyun-Soo Kim pinch hit for Gentry only to ground out. Jnes singled and retribution finally came for Machado. Barnes threw behind his head and struck the bat, leading to his ejection. For some reason even though he hit the bat, they called it a hit by pitch. The umpires huddled together and reversed the call, foul ball. Machado started chirping at Pedroia who surprisingly begged off like pro wrestler Ted Dibiase and said it wasn't his call. When things settled Joe Kelly came in and allowed an rbi double to Machado on a slider that didn't slide. Trumbo flied out to right as Machado took third base on defensive indifference. Chris Davis walked but Kelly blew away Mancini to end the inning with the Sox now up 6-1 after all the mayhem.
Nuno returned for the top of the ninth and Benny The Kid singled for his first 5 for 5 game of his career. He became the youngest Sox batter to go 5 for 5 since Tony Conigliaro on April 16, 1967 almost 50 years earlier to the day. That was it for Nuno as micro-managing Buck Showalter brought in Alec Asher to pitch to Mr. Mookie. Betts worked a walk but Ramirez banged into a double play. Moreland flied out to end the inning.
Fernando Abad had mop up duty in the ninth and Castillo greeted him with a double to right. Schoop flied out and Castillo moved to third on the grounder by Hardy. Kim singled home Castillo to make it 6-2. Jones singled and that was it for Abad as the boos rained down from mostly Sox fans remaining at Camden Yards. Craig Kimbrel came in to close it out. Machado popped up 3 pitches later to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-2
Hero of the Night is Mookie Betts. His 3 run blast proved to be the difference in the game, he also had another hit and 2 walks.
The Good:
Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.
Andrew Benintendi was 5 for 5 with a walk and a run scored.
Mitch Moreland was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.
Eduardo Rodriguez pitched great to earn the win, tossing a 6 inning 1 hit shutout.
Craig Kimbrel earned his 7th save of the year after getting the final out of the 9th inning
The Bad:
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Steve Selsky was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.
Matt Barnes was tossed for headhunting Machado and could face a suspension, not what a depleted bullpen needs.
Fernando Abad gave up a run in the ninth inning.
The Ugly:
Hanley Ramirez was just 1 for 5 but made the one hit count as it was a solo home run.
Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.
Pablo Sandoval was 0 for 2 with a walk before leaving with a sprained knee.
Marco Hernandez was just 1 for 4.
Joe Kelly allowed an inherited runner to score but got the final 2 outs of the eighth inning.
Final Thoughts:
Looks likes we have the making of a rivalry here. Whether or not Barnes acted alone, it certainly raised the ire of the Orioles. Manny Machado pointed at his head while looking at Pedroia, injured closer Zach Britton said Pedroia is a lousy leader to allow this to go down and as usual Buck Showalter is running his mouth. Let them stew about it, the Sox have bigger problems on their hands. Now Sandoval is hurt and Barnes is facing suspension for his head hunting. The worst part was Pedroia telling Machado it wasn't his call and begging off rather than standing on the dugout shaking his fist saying "Yeah what are ya gonna do about it?" Maybe Britton is right about Pedroia if he's going to beg for mercy after what happened to him. After an off-day tomorrow, the Sox return to Fenway Park to face the rejuvenated New York Yankees on Tuesday Night. Drew Pomeranz gets the call opposite Luis Severino at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.
Saturday, April 22, 2017
Wright Routed, Bats Silent, O's Win (4/22/17)
Nothing seems to be going right for the Boston Red Sox these days. The offense continues to be flat as a pancake and Steven Wright (1-2) continues to suck. He himself claims his knuckleball hasn't been the same since last year's shoulder injury. He better work out his mechanics or he'll be on the scrap heap real quick. Wright got knocked out in the fourth inning and the Baltimore Orioles held on to win 4-2 at Camden Yards.
The worst part was the Sox were beat by a rookie making a jump from AA in his first major league start. Jayson Aquino got the ball in the top of the first and Xander Bogaerts grounded out. Jackie Bradley Jr managed a single but both Mookie Betts and Hanley Ramirez popped up to end the inning. At first Steven Wright did well in the bottom of the first. Craig Gentry grounded out and Adam Jones flied out before Manny Machado singled. Mark Trumbo flied out to end the inning.
Aquino wasn't challenged much in the top of the second either. Mitch Moreland grounded out but Chris Young walked. Sandy Leon flied out and Pablo Sandoval struck out to end the inning. Wright almost had a clean inning in the bottom of the second as well. Chris Davis and Trey Mancini grounded out but Jonathan Schoop singled. JJ Hardy grounded out to end the inning.
The Sox struck first and for the only time in the top of the third inning. Marco Hernandez grounded out but Bogaerts singled. JBJ then crushed a 2 run bomb onto Eutawh Street to give the Sox a 2-0 lead. Mr. Mookie popped up and Ramirez grounded out to end the inning.
Bradley sends one to Eutaw Street
Shockingly Wright held the lead in the bottom of the third inning. Caleb Joseph singled but was erased on the Gentry force. Jones and Machado grounded out to end the inning.
The Sox failed to rattle Aquino in the top of the fourth inning. Moreland flied out as Young singled and stole second base. Unfortunately he remained there as Leon grounded out and Sandoval popped up to end the inning. The O's roared back in the bottom of the fourth inning. Trumbo lined out but Davis doubled. Wright's personal tormentor Mancini blasted a 2 run bomb to tie the game. Schoop followed up with a solo homer of his own to give the O's the lead. Hardy lined out but Joseph doubled. Gentry and Jones stroked back to back singles to score Joseph and chase Wright. He had thrown 3 1/3 shutout innings but then allowed 2 home runs, 2 doubles and 2 singles....think he needs to work on his mechanics.
Another brutal start.
Heath Hembree got the call to replace Wright and allowed Jones to steal second, but blew away Machado to end the inning.
Once again the Sox couldn't get a clutch hit against Aquino in the top of the fifth. Hernandez singled but Bogaerts flied out. JBJ walked to bring the tying run to the plate but Mr. Mookie popped up and Ramirez whiffed to end the inning. Hembree returned for the bottom of the fifth and Trumbo walked to begin. Hembree struck out both Davis and Mancini before Schoop grounded out to end the inning.
The Sox threatened again in the top of the sixth but did nothing. Moreland walked but was erased on the Young fielder's choice. A wild pitch moved Young to second but Leon popped up. Sandoval reached on an infield single to put the tying run on but Hernandez grounded out to end the inning. A Double A pitcher shut down the Sox, bawful. Hembree returned for the bottom of the sixth inning and Hardy singled. Joseph popped up, Gentry struck out and Jones popped up to end the inning.
Mychal Givens took over for Aquino and shot down the Sox in the top of the seventh. Bogaerts grounded out, JBJ whiffed and Mr. Mookie grounded out to end the inning. Hembree came back for the bottom of the seventh inning and got Machado to pop up. Trumbo whiffed and Davis grounded out t end the inning. A hell of an effort by Hembree to keep the Sox in the game.
The Sox were done for the night and Givens cruised in the top of the eighth inning. Ramirez lined out, Moreland popped up and Young looked at strike three to end the inning. Robbie Ross Jr came on to pitch the bottom of the eighth inning. Mancini flied out but Schoop was plunked unintentionally. Hardy banged into a double play to end the inning.
Donnie Hart got the ball in the top of the ninth to close out the game. Leon lined out and Steve Selsky pinch hit for Sandoval only to look at strike three. Hernandez was plunked and micro-managing Buck Showalter pulled Hart for lefty Darren O'Day to pitch to Bogaerts. Bogaerts flied out to end the game. The O's had held on to win 4-2.
Jackass of the Night is Steven Wright. Once again he got rocked and if his shoulder isn't healed, he needs to shut it down because he's nothing but batting practice right now.
Wright, Jackass again
The Good:
Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 3 with a walk including the 2 run home run.
Chris Young was 1 for 3 with a walk and a stolen base.
Pablo Sandoval was 1 for 3.
Marco Hernandez was 1 for 3.
Heath Hembree was outstanding, tossing 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief while striking out 5.
Robbie Ross Jr pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
The Bad:
Mookie Betts was 0 for 4.
Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Sandy Leon was 0 for 4.
Steve Selsky struck out in his only plate appearance.
The Ugly:
Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 5 but scored run.
Mitch Moreland was 0 for 3 but walked.
Final Thoughts:
This is not good. Pedroia is hurt, Ramirez has two bad shoulders, David Price is missing more time, Tyler Thornburg and Carson Smith are still out.....and that's not even talking about the slumps by Leon, Sandoval and Betts......or the average pitching by Wright, Drew Pomeranz, Rick Porcello and Eduardo Rodriguez. They suck right now but the good news is its only April. Somebody could get hot, a pitcher could go on a roll, guys come back healthy, you never know. If they can stay afloat until they get some bullpen help, they should climb back into it. As for now, this is getting ugly. Tomorrow afternoon Eduardo Rodriguez gets the start opposite Kevin Gausmann to avoid the sweep at 1:30 PM.
The worst part was the Sox were beat by a rookie making a jump from AA in his first major league start. Jayson Aquino got the ball in the top of the first and Xander Bogaerts grounded out. Jackie Bradley Jr managed a single but both Mookie Betts and Hanley Ramirez popped up to end the inning. At first Steven Wright did well in the bottom of the first. Craig Gentry grounded out and Adam Jones flied out before Manny Machado singled. Mark Trumbo flied out to end the inning.
Aquino wasn't challenged much in the top of the second either. Mitch Moreland grounded out but Chris Young walked. Sandy Leon flied out and Pablo Sandoval struck out to end the inning. Wright almost had a clean inning in the bottom of the second as well. Chris Davis and Trey Mancini grounded out but Jonathan Schoop singled. JJ Hardy grounded out to end the inning.
The Sox struck first and for the only time in the top of the third inning. Marco Hernandez grounded out but Bogaerts singled. JBJ then crushed a 2 run bomb onto Eutawh Street to give the Sox a 2-0 lead. Mr. Mookie popped up and Ramirez grounded out to end the inning.
Shockingly Wright held the lead in the bottom of the third inning. Caleb Joseph singled but was erased on the Gentry force. Jones and Machado grounded out to end the inning.
The Sox failed to rattle Aquino in the top of the fourth inning. Moreland flied out as Young singled and stole second base. Unfortunately he remained there as Leon grounded out and Sandoval popped up to end the inning. The O's roared back in the bottom of the fourth inning. Trumbo lined out but Davis doubled. Wright's personal tormentor Mancini blasted a 2 run bomb to tie the game. Schoop followed up with a solo homer of his own to give the O's the lead. Hardy lined out but Joseph doubled. Gentry and Jones stroked back to back singles to score Joseph and chase Wright. He had thrown 3 1/3 shutout innings but then allowed 2 home runs, 2 doubles and 2 singles....think he needs to work on his mechanics.
Heath Hembree got the call to replace Wright and allowed Jones to steal second, but blew away Machado to end the inning.
Once again the Sox couldn't get a clutch hit against Aquino in the top of the fifth. Hernandez singled but Bogaerts flied out. JBJ walked to bring the tying run to the plate but Mr. Mookie popped up and Ramirez whiffed to end the inning. Hembree returned for the bottom of the fifth and Trumbo walked to begin. Hembree struck out both Davis and Mancini before Schoop grounded out to end the inning.
The Sox threatened again in the top of the sixth but did nothing. Moreland walked but was erased on the Young fielder's choice. A wild pitch moved Young to second but Leon popped up. Sandoval reached on an infield single to put the tying run on but Hernandez grounded out to end the inning. A Double A pitcher shut down the Sox, bawful. Hembree returned for the bottom of the sixth inning and Hardy singled. Joseph popped up, Gentry struck out and Jones popped up to end the inning.
Mychal Givens took over for Aquino and shot down the Sox in the top of the seventh. Bogaerts grounded out, JBJ whiffed and Mr. Mookie grounded out to end the inning. Hembree came back for the bottom of the seventh inning and got Machado to pop up. Trumbo whiffed and Davis grounded out t end the inning. A hell of an effort by Hembree to keep the Sox in the game.
The Sox were done for the night and Givens cruised in the top of the eighth inning. Ramirez lined out, Moreland popped up and Young looked at strike three to end the inning. Robbie Ross Jr came on to pitch the bottom of the eighth inning. Mancini flied out but Schoop was plunked unintentionally. Hardy banged into a double play to end the inning.
Donnie Hart got the ball in the top of the ninth to close out the game. Leon lined out and Steve Selsky pinch hit for Sandoval only to look at strike three. Hernandez was plunked and micro-managing Buck Showalter pulled Hart for lefty Darren O'Day to pitch to Bogaerts. Bogaerts flied out to end the game. The O's had held on to win 4-2.
Jackass of the Night is Steven Wright. Once again he got rocked and if his shoulder isn't healed, he needs to shut it down because he's nothing but batting practice right now.
The Good:
Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 3 with a walk including the 2 run home run.
Chris Young was 1 for 3 with a walk and a stolen base.
Pablo Sandoval was 1 for 3.
Marco Hernandez was 1 for 3.
Heath Hembree was outstanding, tossing 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief while striking out 5.
Robbie Ross Jr pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
The Bad:
Mookie Betts was 0 for 4.
Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Sandy Leon was 0 for 4.
Steve Selsky struck out in his only plate appearance.
The Ugly:
Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 5 but scored run.
Mitch Moreland was 0 for 3 but walked.
Final Thoughts:
This is not good. Pedroia is hurt, Ramirez has two bad shoulders, David Price is missing more time, Tyler Thornburg and Carson Smith are still out.....and that's not even talking about the slumps by Leon, Sandoval and Betts......or the average pitching by Wright, Drew Pomeranz, Rick Porcello and Eduardo Rodriguez. They suck right now but the good news is its only April. Somebody could get hot, a pitcher could go on a roll, guys come back healthy, you never know. If they can stay afloat until they get some bullpen help, they should climb back into it. As for now, this is getting ugly. Tomorrow afternoon Eduardo Rodriguez gets the start opposite Kevin Gausmann to avoid the sweep at 1:30 PM.
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