Fernando Abad had 3 Good appearances. 2 Bad appearances and 1 Ugly appearance.
Matt Barnes had 7 Good appearances, 3 Bad appearances and 1 Jackass.
Andrew Benintendi had 14 Good appearances, 3 Bad appearances, 4 Ugly appearances and 3 Hero awards.
Mookie Betts had 5 Good appearances, 3 Bad appearances, 16 Ugly appearances and was Hero once.
Xander Bogaerts had 7 Good appearances, 2 Bad appearances, 16 Ugly appearances and was Hero once.
Blaine Boyer had 3 Good appearances and 2 Bad appearances.
Jackie Bradley Jr had 10 Good appearances, 2 Bad appearances and 6 Ugly appearances.
Rajai Davis had 2 Good appearances, 2 Bad appearances and 2 Ugly appearance.
Rafael Devers had 11 Good appearances, 4 Bad appearances, 9 Ugly appearances and 2 Hero awards.
Doug Fister had 2 Good appearances and 2 Jackass awards.
Heath Hembree had 2 Good appearances, 4 Bad appearances and 2 Ugly appearances.
Brock Holt had 6 Good appearances, 7 Bad appearances, 4 Ugly appearances, 1 Jackass and 1 Honorable Mention.
Joe Kelly had 4 Good appearances and 5 Bad appearances.
Craig Kimbrel had 11 Good appearances and 2 Ugly appearances.
Sandy Leon had 5 Good appearances, 4 Bad appearances, 3 Ugly appearances and 1 Honorable Mention.
Mitch Moreland had 13 Good appearances, 6 Bad appearances, 4 Ugly appearances, 2 Hero awards and 1 Honorable Mention.
Eduardo Nunez had 13 Good appearances, 5 Bad appearances and 8 Ugly appearances.
Dustin Pedroia had 1 Ugly appearance.
Drew Pomeranz had 3 Good appearances and 2 Hero awards.
Rick Porcello had 3 Good appearances, 1 Ugly appearance, 1 Hero award and 1 Jackass.
Hanley Ramirez had 8 Good appearances, 6 Bad appearances, 8 Ugly appearances and 1 Honorable Mention.
Addison Reed had 9 Good appearances, 1 Bad appearance, 1 Ugly appearance, 1 Hero award and 1 Jackass.
Eduardo Rodriguez had 3 Good appearances, 1 Ugly appearance and 2 Jackass awards.
Chris Sale had 1 Good appearance, 2 Bad appearances, 2 Hero awards and 2 Jackass.
Robby Scott had 7 Good appearances and 3 Bad appearances.
Christian Vazquez had 6 Good appearances, 1 Bad appearance, 6 Ugly appearances, 2 Hero awards and 2 Honorable Mentions.
Brandon Workman had 8 Good appearances, 2 Bad appearances and 1 Ugly appearance.
Chris Young had 7 Good appearances, 5 Bad appearances, 3 Ugly appearances, 1 Hero award, 1 Jackass award and 1 Honorable Mention.
Hero of The Month AND Most Valuable Player is Andrew Benintendi with 3 Hero credits and 14 Good Games
The Tri-Jackasses of the Month are Doug Fister, Chris Sale and Eduardo Rodriguez with 2 apiece.
The Least Valuable Player is Brock Holt with 7 Bad games.
The Ugliest Player of The Month due to a tiebreaker is Mookie Betts. He had a whopping 16 Ugly appearances.
The Honorable Player of The Month is Christian Vazquez with 2.
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Yankees Strike First, Take Opener (8/31/17)
The Boston Red Sox have a chance to bury the New York Yankees once and for all in this 4 game series but they fell flat on their face tonight. They couldn't solve CC Sabathia all year and they didn't do it here either. Sabathia ended up 4-0 with a 1.04 ERA against the Sox this year, the best performance since Randy Johnson went 5-0 in 2005. The Yankees pounded Eduardo Rodriguez (4-5, 4.40 ERA) and came away with a 6-2 win at Yankee Stadium.
".................Rodriguezzzzzz!!!!!"
Sabathia took the mound in the top of the first and the Sox pissed a golden chance to take an early lead. Rajai Davis struck out but Sabathia threw a ground ball by Eduardo Nunez away, allowing him to reach first. Andrew Benintendi and Mookie Betts drew back to back walks to load the bases but Xander Bogaerts ran away screaming for strike three. Rafael Devers whiffed on a 3-2 pitch to end the inning. That set the tone for the night of incompetence. Meanwhile Rodriguez plunked Brett Gardner to open the bottom of the first inning. Aaron Hicks flied out to left and Gary Sanchez struck out but Didi Gregorius walked. Starlin Castro struck out to end the inning.
The Red Sox mustered nothing in the top of the second inning as Hanley Ramirez grounded out to second and Chris Young flied out to right. Christian Vazquez singled but Davis struck out to end the inning. Rodriguez walked Judge to begin the bottom of the second inning but got Chase Headleyto fly out to right. Greg Bird flied out to left and Todd Frazier flied out to center to end the inning.
The Sox shot tbemselves in the foot in the top of the third inning although Nunez singledto start. Benintendi singled to move Nunez to third but greedily broke for second. He slid in...SAFE! Ohhh wait a minute. Yankees manager Joe Girardi challenged the call and sure enough, Benintendi was out at second. That lost runner was big when Betts walked to put runners at the corners. Now it was the Sox turn to challenge when Bogaerts seemingly banged into a double play to end the inning. Turns out he was safe and Nunez scored to give the Sox the lead. Betts swiped third to put runners at the corners again then Devers walked to load the bases. The Sox had the fat man on the ropes but Ramirez grounded out to end the inning. That turned out to be a huge miss but the Sox led 1-0.
The lone brightspot of this game
The Yankees quickly tied it in the bottom of the third inning. Gardner singled but was doubled off first on a line drive by Hicks to Rodriguez. The should be suspended Sanchez then lit up the crowd with a solo home run to tie the game. Gregorius hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning but it was 1-1.
Joe Torre's new favorite player
Right on cue Sabathia began to dominate. Young, Vazquez and Davis all grounded out to begin and end the top of the fourth inning. The Yanks almost took the lead in the bottom if the frame when Castro hit a leadoff double. Rodriguez got Judge to fly out to center before striking out Headley. Bird flied out to center to end the inning.
The Sox ran themselves out of the top of the fifth inning although Nunez grounded out to short to begin. Benintendi singled but somebody missed a sign as Betts was rung up for strike three and Benintendi was out by a mile trying to steal to end the inning. The Yankees struck again in the bottom of the fifth inning although Frazier froze on strike three to start. Gardner singled and Hicks singled Gardner to third. The should be suspended Sanchez blooped a single over the head of Nunez to give the Yankees a 2-1 lead. Gregorius flied out to center but Castro singled to load the bases. Rodriguez got Judge to pop up to first to end the inning but it was 2-1 Yankees.
Keystone Kops out there
The Sox caught the opposite of what happened with Sanchez in the top of the sixth. Bogaerts looked at strike three but Devers walked. Ramirez blooped a ball to right, but Devers held up to see if it was caught and he was thrown out at second for the force. Young grounded out to end the inning.
The Yankees put the game away in the bottom of the sixth as Rodriguez trudged to the mound for some inane reason. Headley doubled and Bird smashed a 2 run bomb to ice the game just like that. Frazier singled and Sox manager John Farrell woke up from his snooze and rushed to the mound to replace Rodriguez with "The Human White Flag" Fernando Abad. He struck out Gardner but Hicks singled. Sanchez lined out to center but Gregorius singled up the middle to score Frazier to increase the lead. Farrell then realized he brought in the wrong pitcher the whole time so he sprinted out of the dugout to chase Abad all over the stadium, allowing Heath Hembree to come in to pitch. Castro grounded out to end the inning but it was all but over, 5-1 Yankees.
Nice going Rodriguez
Sabathia was done and David Robertson was in for the top of the seventh inning. Vazquez grounded out to short and Farrell drew more criticism by sending slumping Brock Holt to pinch hit for Davis only to line out to center. Nunez flied out to center to end the inning. The Yankees were relentless in the bottom of the seventh inning as Judge walked and Headley singled. Bird singled home Judge and Frazier walked to load the bases. The irate Farrell threw his hat down and jumped up and down on it before screaming at Hembree to get off the mound. Robby Scott came in and got a huge double play when Gardner lined out to second and Bird was doubled off. Scott struck out Hicks for the Houdini but it was now 6-1 Yankees.
The Sox pissed another chance away in the top of the eighth inning. Benintendi walked and Robertson booted a ball hit by Betts to put two runners on. They were stranded as Bogaerts struck out, Devers grounded out and Ramirez lined out to end the inning. This offense sucks. Blaine Boyer got the call to pitch the bottom of the 8th inning and he cruised. Sanchez struck out, Gregorius hit one up the elevator shaft and Castro whiffed to end the inning.
All those missed chances reared their ugly head in the top of the ninth inning as the Sox rallied against Dellin Betances. Young walked and both Vazquez and Holt were plunked to load the bases. Nunez whiffed for a key out but Benintendi walked to score Young. Somehowthe tying run came to the plate but Betts pissed down hus leg as he popped up to second. Mitch Moreland pinch hit for Bogaerts but flied out to left to end the game. Once again the Red Sox went 0 for a zillion with runners in scoring position and lost 6-2.
Jackass of The Night is Eduardo Rodriguez. The second coming of Felix Doubront got smacked around for 5 runs in 5 plus innings when the team needed him to deliver the knockout punch to the Yankees. Thanks for nothing.
Everybody is so disgusted by this Jackass that they walk away
The Good:
Andrew Benintendi was 2 for 2 with 3 walks and an rbi.
Rafael Devers walked twice in 4 plate appearances.
Christian Vazquez was 1 for 3 with a hit by pitch.
Brock Holt was hit with a pitch in the 9th inning.
Robby Scott Houdini'd out of the bottom of the seventh inning.
Blaine Boyer pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
The Bad:
Rajai Davis was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.
Mitch Moreland failed to produce as a pinch hitter with the bases loaded.
Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 4.
Fernando Abad allowed an inherited runner to score, put two men on and failed to make it out of the 6th inning.
Heath Hembree allowed 2 runs in just 1/3 of an inning.
The Ugly:
Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.
Mookie Betts was 0 for 3 but walked twice and stole a base.
Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4 but drove in a run.
Chris Young was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.
Final Thoughts:
So much for burying the Yankees tonight. If anything it was the Red Sox who got buried again. For whatever reason they haven't in the clutch all year against these guys. Every loss is a shut out or they score less than two runs it seems because they can't hit in the clutch. Its also tiresome to watch Eduardo Rodriguez pitch now. This is two years in a row now he hurts his knee and was never the same. Maybe the Sox can trade him for prospects in the off-season or something. If the loss wasn't bad enough, Sabathia decided to run his mouth after the game, calling the Sox classless for having the unmitigated audacity to bunt on him. Its too bad the Sox won't see him again this season because everyone in Boston would love to see Nunez, Betts and the guys bunt on his fat ass all night long just to piss him off. Between that and Gary Sanchez being allowed to play by Yankee manag...I mean MLB Head of Discipline Joe Torre, if nothing else this could be a spark needed to revive the rivalry which has been largely dormant since Kevin Youkilis and Joba Chamberlain left town. The loss drops the Sox to 76-58, 4.5 games ahead of the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night Doug Fister goes up against Sonny Gray in a battle of scrap heap pickup vs big tradeline acquisition. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Yankee Stadium.
Sabathia took the mound in the top of the first and the Sox pissed a golden chance to take an early lead. Rajai Davis struck out but Sabathia threw a ground ball by Eduardo Nunez away, allowing him to reach first. Andrew Benintendi and Mookie Betts drew back to back walks to load the bases but Xander Bogaerts ran away screaming for strike three. Rafael Devers whiffed on a 3-2 pitch to end the inning. That set the tone for the night of incompetence. Meanwhile Rodriguez plunked Brett Gardner to open the bottom of the first inning. Aaron Hicks flied out to left and Gary Sanchez struck out but Didi Gregorius walked. Starlin Castro struck out to end the inning.
The Red Sox mustered nothing in the top of the second inning as Hanley Ramirez grounded out to second and Chris Young flied out to right. Christian Vazquez singled but Davis struck out to end the inning. Rodriguez walked Judge to begin the bottom of the second inning but got Chase Headleyto fly out to right. Greg Bird flied out to left and Todd Frazier flied out to center to end the inning.
The Sox shot tbemselves in the foot in the top of the third inning although Nunez singledto start. Benintendi singled to move Nunez to third but greedily broke for second. He slid in...SAFE! Ohhh wait a minute. Yankees manager Joe Girardi challenged the call and sure enough, Benintendi was out at second. That lost runner was big when Betts walked to put runners at the corners. Now it was the Sox turn to challenge when Bogaerts seemingly banged into a double play to end the inning. Turns out he was safe and Nunez scored to give the Sox the lead. Betts swiped third to put runners at the corners again then Devers walked to load the bases. The Sox had the fat man on the ropes but Ramirez grounded out to end the inning. That turned out to be a huge miss but the Sox led 1-0.
The Yankees quickly tied it in the bottom of the third inning. Gardner singled but was doubled off first on a line drive by Hicks to Rodriguez. The should be suspended Sanchez then lit up the crowd with a solo home run to tie the game. Gregorius hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning but it was 1-1.
Right on cue Sabathia began to dominate. Young, Vazquez and Davis all grounded out to begin and end the top of the fourth inning. The Yanks almost took the lead in the bottom if the frame when Castro hit a leadoff double. Rodriguez got Judge to fly out to center before striking out Headley. Bird flied out to center to end the inning.
The Sox ran themselves out of the top of the fifth inning although Nunez grounded out to short to begin. Benintendi singled but somebody missed a sign as Betts was rung up for strike three and Benintendi was out by a mile trying to steal to end the inning. The Yankees struck again in the bottom of the fifth inning although Frazier froze on strike three to start. Gardner singled and Hicks singled Gardner to third. The should be suspended Sanchez blooped a single over the head of Nunez to give the Yankees a 2-1 lead. Gregorius flied out to center but Castro singled to load the bases. Rodriguez got Judge to pop up to first to end the inning but it was 2-1 Yankees.
The Sox caught the opposite of what happened with Sanchez in the top of the sixth. Bogaerts looked at strike three but Devers walked. Ramirez blooped a ball to right, but Devers held up to see if it was caught and he was thrown out at second for the force. Young grounded out to end the inning.
The Yankees put the game away in the bottom of the sixth as Rodriguez trudged to the mound for some inane reason. Headley doubled and Bird smashed a 2 run bomb to ice the game just like that. Frazier singled and Sox manager John Farrell woke up from his snooze and rushed to the mound to replace Rodriguez with "The Human White Flag" Fernando Abad. He struck out Gardner but Hicks singled. Sanchez lined out to center but Gregorius singled up the middle to score Frazier to increase the lead. Farrell then realized he brought in the wrong pitcher the whole time so he sprinted out of the dugout to chase Abad all over the stadium, allowing Heath Hembree to come in to pitch. Castro grounded out to end the inning but it was all but over, 5-1 Yankees.
Sabathia was done and David Robertson was in for the top of the seventh inning. Vazquez grounded out to short and Farrell drew more criticism by sending slumping Brock Holt to pinch hit for Davis only to line out to center. Nunez flied out to center to end the inning. The Yankees were relentless in the bottom of the seventh inning as Judge walked and Headley singled. Bird singled home Judge and Frazier walked to load the bases. The irate Farrell threw his hat down and jumped up and down on it before screaming at Hembree to get off the mound. Robby Scott came in and got a huge double play when Gardner lined out to second and Bird was doubled off. Scott struck out Hicks for the Houdini but it was now 6-1 Yankees.
The Sox pissed another chance away in the top of the eighth inning. Benintendi walked and Robertson booted a ball hit by Betts to put two runners on. They were stranded as Bogaerts struck out, Devers grounded out and Ramirez lined out to end the inning. This offense sucks. Blaine Boyer got the call to pitch the bottom of the 8th inning and he cruised. Sanchez struck out, Gregorius hit one up the elevator shaft and Castro whiffed to end the inning.
All those missed chances reared their ugly head in the top of the ninth inning as the Sox rallied against Dellin Betances. Young walked and both Vazquez and Holt were plunked to load the bases. Nunez whiffed for a key out but Benintendi walked to score Young. Somehowthe tying run came to the plate but Betts pissed down hus leg as he popped up to second. Mitch Moreland pinch hit for Bogaerts but flied out to left to end the game. Once again the Red Sox went 0 for a zillion with runners in scoring position and lost 6-2.
Jackass of The Night is Eduardo Rodriguez. The second coming of Felix Doubront got smacked around for 5 runs in 5 plus innings when the team needed him to deliver the knockout punch to the Yankees. Thanks for nothing.
The Good:
Andrew Benintendi was 2 for 2 with 3 walks and an rbi.
Rafael Devers walked twice in 4 plate appearances.
Christian Vazquez was 1 for 3 with a hit by pitch.
Brock Holt was hit with a pitch in the 9th inning.
Robby Scott Houdini'd out of the bottom of the seventh inning.
Blaine Boyer pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
The Bad:
Rajai Davis was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.
Mitch Moreland failed to produce as a pinch hitter with the bases loaded.
Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 4.
Fernando Abad allowed an inherited runner to score, put two men on and failed to make it out of the 6th inning.
Heath Hembree allowed 2 runs in just 1/3 of an inning.
The Ugly:
Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.
Mookie Betts was 0 for 3 but walked twice and stole a base.
Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4 but drove in a run.
Chris Young was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.
Final Thoughts:
So much for burying the Yankees tonight. If anything it was the Red Sox who got buried again. For whatever reason they haven't in the clutch all year against these guys. Every loss is a shut out or they score less than two runs it seems because they can't hit in the clutch. Its also tiresome to watch Eduardo Rodriguez pitch now. This is two years in a row now he hurts his knee and was never the same. Maybe the Sox can trade him for prospects in the off-season or something. If the loss wasn't bad enough, Sabathia decided to run his mouth after the game, calling the Sox classless for having the unmitigated audacity to bunt on him. Its too bad the Sox won't see him again this season because everyone in Boston would love to see Nunez, Betts and the guys bunt on his fat ass all night long just to piss him off. Between that and Gary Sanchez being allowed to play by Yankee manag...I mean MLB Head of Discipline Joe Torre, if nothing else this could be a spark needed to revive the rivalry which has been largely dormant since Kevin Youkilis and Joba Chamberlain left town. The loss drops the Sox to 76-58, 4.5 games ahead of the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night Doug Fister goes up against Sonny Gray in a battle of scrap heap pickup vs big tradeline acquisition. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Yankee Stadium.
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Sox Sweep Jays (8/30/17)
Just when it looked like the Boston Red Sox were going to crash and burn a month early, the Toronto Blue Jays was just the tonic they needed. After winning the first two games, the Sox rode Rick Porcello (9-15, 4.45 ERA and Mitch Moreland for the 7-1 victory and series sweep over the Jays at Skydome.
Happy Fan
JA Happ took the mound in the top of the first inning and Rajai Davis grounded out to short to start. Eduardo Nunez doubled over the head of Jose Bautista in right and moved to third on the ground out by Andrew Benintendi. Mookie Betts hit a tapper in front of home plate to end the inning. Porcello got the ball in the bottom of the first and struck out Ezequiel Carrera to start. Steve Pearce doubled by Davis in left but Porcello struck out Bautista on a nasty curve. Kendrys Morales struck out as well to end the inning.
Xander Bogaerts led off the top of the second base with a fly out to left but Rafael Devers singled to right. Hanley Ramirez banged into a double play to end the inning. Kevin Pillar started the bottom of the second by striking out. Ryan Goins walked but Darwin Barney grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Chris Young led off the top of the third with a walk but was erased on the force by Christian Vazquez. Davis watched strike three go by and Davis whiffed on a slider in the dirt to end the inning. The Jays struck first when Raffy Lopez started the bottom of the third with a solo home run to right, only his second homer of the year for him. Rob Refsnyder grounded out to Nunez and Carrera looked at strike three. Pearce popped up to center but it was 1-0 Jays.
Lopez makes it 1-0
Benintendi opened the top of the fourth inning by grounding out to second. Betts popped up to center but Bogaerts walked. Devers broke his bat on a ground ball....that hit Bogaerts for the automatic out to end the inning. Great luck huh? Porcello started the bottom of the fourth by striking out Bautista. Morales hit a seeing eye single after an 11 pitch at-bat and Pillar lashed a single to left. Goins singled to right to load the bases but Barney lined right back to Porcello. Rick blew away Lopez to end the inning.
Ramirez tied the game instantly in the top of the fifth inning with a solo blast to left. Young grounded out to third and Vazquez grounded out to second, but Davis walked. Nunez grounded out to third to end the inning but the Sox had tied it up 1-1
Ramirez ties it up
Porcello cruised in the bottom of the fifth as Refsnyder grounded out to second, Carrera flied out to left and Pearce popped up to right to end the inning.
Benintendi walked to open the top of the sixth but Betts beat out a double play ball. Bogaerts beat out a double play ball only because Pearce missed the tag going by. Bogaerts stole second but Devers grounded out to first to end the inning. Porcello cruised in the bottom of the sixth as Bautista hit a comebacker to the mound to start. Devers made a great diving stop to rob Morales of a hit and Pillar flied out to center to end the inning.
The Sox struck again in the top of the seventh with Tom Koehler now on the mound. Ramrez greeted him with a double down the left field line. Mitch Moreland pinch hit for Young and blasted a 2 run home run to right to give the Sox the lead. Vazquez grounded out to third, Davis struck out and Nunez grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox now up 3-1
Moreland's blast gives the Sox the lead
Porcello returned for the bottom of the seventh inning and got Goins to ground out to second. Barney hit a comebacker to the mound but Porcello walked the light hitting Lopez on 4 pitches. Refsnyder singled and Sox manager John Farrell had seen enough. Porcello did well for 6 2/3 innings to hold Toronto to just the one run. Robby Scott came in and got Carrera to fly out to end the inning.
Porcello with a good start to earn the win
The Sox iced the game in the top of the eighth inning with Tim Mayza on the mound. Benintendi walked and stole second before Betts scored him with a double past the diving Pearce down the right field line. Bogaerts doubled home Betts as Sox analyst Jonny Gomes called the hit a cheeseburger. Devers walked to chase Mayza as Jays manager John Gibbons waddled to the mound to replace him with Aaron "Fruit" Loup. The Sox then pulled off a horrible double steal when Devers took off for second but Bogaerts never moved. Bogaerts then broke for third late and Refsnyder had all day to throw him out...but threw wide and both men ended up safe. Ramirez looked at strike three but Moreland blooped a single to center to score both runners and send the crowd to the exits. Vazquez singled to left but Davis earned a hat trick with his third strikeout. Nunez struck out to end the inning but it was 7-1 Sox.
The possible 3rd/short combo for many years
Joe Kelly got the ball in the top of the eighth inning and got Pearce to ground out to start. Kelly froze Bautista with a curveball for strike three then blew away Morales to end the inning.
Benintendi grounded out to second to open the top of the ninth against Matt Dermody. Pillar ran down a line drive from Betts and Bogaerts flied out to center to end the inning. Kelly returned for the bottom of the ninth and Pillar popped up to first on the first pitch. Goings flied out to left and Barney lined out to Devers to end the game. The Sox had swept the Blue Jays out of Toronto with a 7-1 lead.
What a ballclub
Hero of The Night is Mitch Moreland. His two run home run and 4 total rbis coming off the bench were the difference in the game.
Hero of the Night: Mitch Moreland
The Good:
Rafael Devers was 2 for 3 with a walk, stolen base and a run scored.
Hanley Ramirez was 2 for 4 with 2 total runs scored and a solo home run.
Chris Young walked in 2 plate appearances.
Rick Porcello got the win by pitching 6 2/3 innings of 1 run ball while striking out 7.
Robby Scott got the final out of the 7th inning.
Joe Kelly pitched 2 scoreless innings.
The Bad:
None.
The Ugly:
Rajai Davis was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts, but walked.
Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 3 but walked twice, stole a base and scored a run.
Mookie Betts was just 1 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.
Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 but walked, stole 2 bases, drove in a run and scored.
Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 4.
Final Thoughts:
Bring on the New York Yankees! After wiping out the Blue Jays the Sox now turn their attention to the big four game series in New York that could decide the division if the Sox can win 3 out of 4 or better. As for this game, it was great to see Porcello get a win after having an improved July and the additions of Nunez and Devers are paying off already. It won't last but it sure is fun to see the Sox steal people blind on the bases. Sweeping the Jays put the Sox at 76-57, 5 1/2 games up on the Yankees who got swept by Cleveland in a double-header today. If the Sox win 3 out of 4 they'll be up 7 1/2 with 25 to play, which means goodnight Irene for the Yankees. Eduardo Rodriguez gets the call to open the series opposite nemesis CC Sabathia who is a perfect 3-0 against them this season. If the Sox want to set the tone, they bash the Yankees around tomorrow night at 7:10 PM at Yankee Stadium.
JA Happ took the mound in the top of the first inning and Rajai Davis grounded out to short to start. Eduardo Nunez doubled over the head of Jose Bautista in right and moved to third on the ground out by Andrew Benintendi. Mookie Betts hit a tapper in front of home plate to end the inning. Porcello got the ball in the bottom of the first and struck out Ezequiel Carrera to start. Steve Pearce doubled by Davis in left but Porcello struck out Bautista on a nasty curve. Kendrys Morales struck out as well to end the inning.
Xander Bogaerts led off the top of the second base with a fly out to left but Rafael Devers singled to right. Hanley Ramirez banged into a double play to end the inning. Kevin Pillar started the bottom of the second by striking out. Ryan Goins walked but Darwin Barney grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Chris Young led off the top of the third with a walk but was erased on the force by Christian Vazquez. Davis watched strike three go by and Davis whiffed on a slider in the dirt to end the inning. The Jays struck first when Raffy Lopez started the bottom of the third with a solo home run to right, only his second homer of the year for him. Rob Refsnyder grounded out to Nunez and Carrera looked at strike three. Pearce popped up to center but it was 1-0 Jays.
Benintendi opened the top of the fourth inning by grounding out to second. Betts popped up to center but Bogaerts walked. Devers broke his bat on a ground ball....that hit Bogaerts for the automatic out to end the inning. Great luck huh? Porcello started the bottom of the fourth by striking out Bautista. Morales hit a seeing eye single after an 11 pitch at-bat and Pillar lashed a single to left. Goins singled to right to load the bases but Barney lined right back to Porcello. Rick blew away Lopez to end the inning.
Ramirez tied the game instantly in the top of the fifth inning with a solo blast to left. Young grounded out to third and Vazquez grounded out to second, but Davis walked. Nunez grounded out to third to end the inning but the Sox had tied it up 1-1
Porcello cruised in the bottom of the fifth as Refsnyder grounded out to second, Carrera flied out to left and Pearce popped up to right to end the inning.
Benintendi walked to open the top of the sixth but Betts beat out a double play ball. Bogaerts beat out a double play ball only because Pearce missed the tag going by. Bogaerts stole second but Devers grounded out to first to end the inning. Porcello cruised in the bottom of the sixth as Bautista hit a comebacker to the mound to start. Devers made a great diving stop to rob Morales of a hit and Pillar flied out to center to end the inning.
The Sox struck again in the top of the seventh with Tom Koehler now on the mound. Ramrez greeted him with a double down the left field line. Mitch Moreland pinch hit for Young and blasted a 2 run home run to right to give the Sox the lead. Vazquez grounded out to third, Davis struck out and Nunez grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox now up 3-1
Porcello returned for the bottom of the seventh inning and got Goins to ground out to second. Barney hit a comebacker to the mound but Porcello walked the light hitting Lopez on 4 pitches. Refsnyder singled and Sox manager John Farrell had seen enough. Porcello did well for 6 2/3 innings to hold Toronto to just the one run. Robby Scott came in and got Carrera to fly out to end the inning.
The Sox iced the game in the top of the eighth inning with Tim Mayza on the mound. Benintendi walked and stole second before Betts scored him with a double past the diving Pearce down the right field line. Bogaerts doubled home Betts as Sox analyst Jonny Gomes called the hit a cheeseburger. Devers walked to chase Mayza as Jays manager John Gibbons waddled to the mound to replace him with Aaron "Fruit" Loup. The Sox then pulled off a horrible double steal when Devers took off for second but Bogaerts never moved. Bogaerts then broke for third late and Refsnyder had all day to throw him out...but threw wide and both men ended up safe. Ramirez looked at strike three but Moreland blooped a single to center to score both runners and send the crowd to the exits. Vazquez singled to left but Davis earned a hat trick with his third strikeout. Nunez struck out to end the inning but it was 7-1 Sox.
Joe Kelly got the ball in the top of the eighth inning and got Pearce to ground out to start. Kelly froze Bautista with a curveball for strike three then blew away Morales to end the inning.
Benintendi grounded out to second to open the top of the ninth against Matt Dermody. Pillar ran down a line drive from Betts and Bogaerts flied out to center to end the inning. Kelly returned for the bottom of the ninth and Pillar popped up to first on the first pitch. Goings flied out to left and Barney lined out to Devers to end the game. The Sox had swept the Blue Jays out of Toronto with a 7-1 lead.
Hero of The Night is Mitch Moreland. His two run home run and 4 total rbis coming off the bench were the difference in the game.
The Good:
Rafael Devers was 2 for 3 with a walk, stolen base and a run scored.
Hanley Ramirez was 2 for 4 with 2 total runs scored and a solo home run.
Chris Young walked in 2 plate appearances.
Rick Porcello got the win by pitching 6 2/3 innings of 1 run ball while striking out 7.
Robby Scott got the final out of the 7th inning.
Joe Kelly pitched 2 scoreless innings.
The Bad:
None.
The Ugly:
Rajai Davis was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts, but walked.
Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 3 but walked twice, stole a base and scored a run.
Mookie Betts was just 1 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.
Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 but walked, stole 2 bases, drove in a run and scored.
Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 4.
Final Thoughts:
Bring on the New York Yankees! After wiping out the Blue Jays the Sox now turn their attention to the big four game series in New York that could decide the division if the Sox can win 3 out of 4 or better. As for this game, it was great to see Porcello get a win after having an improved July and the additions of Nunez and Devers are paying off already. It won't last but it sure is fun to see the Sox steal people blind on the bases. Sweeping the Jays put the Sox at 76-57, 5 1/2 games up on the Yankees who got swept by Cleveland in a double-header today. If the Sox win 3 out of 4 they'll be up 7 1/2 with 25 to play, which means goodnight Irene for the Yankees. Eduardo Rodriguez gets the call to open the series opposite nemesis CC Sabathia who is a perfect 3-0 against them this season. If the Sox want to set the tone, they bash the Yankees around tomorrow night at 7:10 PM at Yankee Stadium.
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
Sale Shuts Out Toronto (8/29/17)
It's quite possible the Boston Red Sox could own the Cy Young award two years in a row. Chris Sale (15-6, 2.77 ERA) was outstanding again tonight, beating the Toronto Blue Jays with seven shutout innings. The miserable Red Sox offense contributed just enough to take game two of this three game series 3-0 at Skydome.
ET approves of the win
The Sox pissed their chance to take an early lead away in the top of the first inning. Rajai Davis grounded out to third against starter Brett Anderson. Eduardo Nunez doubled but Andrew Benintendi grounded out to short. Mookie Betts lashed a single but Nunez was thrown out by a mile at home to end the inning. What a waste. Chris Sale began his dominance in the bottom of the first by striking out Steve Pearce to begin. Josh Donaldson grounded out to third and Justin Smoak flied out to center to end the inning.
Xander Bogaerts whiffed to begin the top of the second inning but Rafael Devers singled. Hanley Ramirez banged into a double play to end the inning. Sale struck out Jose Bautista to start the bottom of the second but Kendrys Morales doubled. Sale froze Kevin Pillar for strike three before Darwin Barney hit a comebacker to the mound to end the inning.
Anderson dominated the top of the third inning as Chris Young grounded out to start. Both Sandy Leon and Davis struck out to end the inning. Sale turned up the heat in the bottom of the third by striking out Miguel Montero, Ryan Goims and Pearce in short order to end the inning.
The Sox beat the ball in the turf in the top of the fourth inning as Nunez, Benintendi and Betts all grounded out in short order. Sale was equally dominant in the bottom of the fourth as Donaldson popped up to short, Smoak grounded out to third and Bautista watched strike three go by to end the inning.
The Sox continued to look pathetic in the top of the fifth inning. Bogaerts hit a comebacker to the mound, Devers lined out to left and Ramirez flied out to center to end the inning. Sale continued his destruction in the bottom of the fifth as Morales popped up to second, Pillar flied oit to right and Barney whiffed to end the inning.
The Sox finally broke through in the top of the sixth although Young popped up to first to start. Leon grounded out to first but Davis singled. Davis swiped second and scored on the Nunez double. Benintendi's single moved Nunez to third and chase Anderson from the game. Dominic Leone came in and Benintendi stole second but Betts grounded out to end the inning. Still, the Sox had a 1-0 lead.
Nunez puts the Sox on top
Sale kept the lead intact in the bottom of the sixth inning. Montero grounded out to second and Goins struck out. Sale blew away Pearce to end the inning.
The Sox added a big insurance run in the top of the seventh inning. Bogaerts and Devers both struck out but Ramirez smashed a monsterous solo home run to increase the lead. Young watched strike three go by to end the inning but it was now 2-0.
"I am Tosk!" - Ramirez "What?" - Young
Sale return for the bottom of the seventh inning but the Blue Jays were helpless. Donaldson grounded out to short, Smoak lined out to center and Bautista earned a hat trick with a strikeout to end the inning. Sale was absolutely dominant through the first 7 innibgs, allowing just one hit.
The Sox tacked on one more insurance run in the top of the eighth inning as Ryan Tepera took the mound. Leon struck out but Davis singled and swiped second. Nunez walked and both Runners moved over when Tepera's pickoff throw sailed away. Benintendi singled home Davis and advanced Nunez to third before swiping second himself. The Sox ran into another out as Nunez was thrown out at home on a ground ball by Betts, Benintendi moving to third. Betts also swiped second against the imcompetent Montero but Bogaerts earned a hat trick with his third strikeout to end the inning, but the Sox were up 3-0.
Benintendi comes through
Sale came back for the botton of the eighth but was quickly chased when Morales and Pillar both singled to start. Seven innings and three hits allowed for Sale was nothing to sneeze at but fans were pissed that Sox manager John Farrell sent him out there with a 3 run lead and 7 dominant innings already in the book.
Great start by Sale
Addison Reed came in and struck out pinch hitter Ezequiel Carrera. Montero whiffed but Goins singled to load the bases. Reed got Pearce to ground out to short to end the inning with the shutout intact.
Rob Refsnyder took over at second with closer Roberto Osuna now on the mound in the top of the ninth. Devers lined out to right, Ramirez grounded out to second and Young grounded out to short to end the inning. Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel came in to close out the game in the bottom of the ninth with Mitch Moreland in for Ramirez at first. Kimbrel blew away Donaldson and Smoak before Bautista flied out to center to end the game. The Sox had shutout Toronto 3-0.
Another victory
Hero of the Night is Chris Sale. He went 7 plus innings allowing just 3 hits, no walks and no runs while striking out 11.
Sale is the Hero again
The Good:
Rajai Davis was 2 for 4 with 2 stolen bases and 2 runs scored.
Eduardo Nunez was 2 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.
Andrew Benintendi was 2 for 4 with 2 stolen bases and an rbi.
Addison Reed pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
Craig Kimbrel earned his 31st save with a scoreless 9th.
The Bad:
Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.
Chris Young was 0 for 4.
Sandy Leon was 0 for 3.
The Ugly:
Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 but stole a base.
Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4.
Hanley Ramirez was just 1 for 4 but made the hit count as it was his 20th home run.
Honorable Mention:
Mitch Moreland played first base in the ninth.
Final Thoughts:
Rumors of Sale's demise were greatly exaggerated. He was absolutely dominating tonight to win his 16th game of the year. If he has a strong September the Cy Young award is his. The offense struggled again tonight but the incompetent catching of Miguel Montero allowed them to scratch out a couple of runs. That's not going to cut it most nights but they will take it tonight. The regression of the offense as a whole from last year is appalling but they are navigating the waters with one month left in the season. The win propelled the Sox to 75-57, 3.5 games ahead of the rained out New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox look for the sweep with Rick Porcello (8-15) going up against JA Happ. One year ago this was a monster match between two Cy Young candidates, but both of them have struggled this year. The game starts at 7:10 PM at Skydome.
The Sox pissed their chance to take an early lead away in the top of the first inning. Rajai Davis grounded out to third against starter Brett Anderson. Eduardo Nunez doubled but Andrew Benintendi grounded out to short. Mookie Betts lashed a single but Nunez was thrown out by a mile at home to end the inning. What a waste. Chris Sale began his dominance in the bottom of the first by striking out Steve Pearce to begin. Josh Donaldson grounded out to third and Justin Smoak flied out to center to end the inning.
Xander Bogaerts whiffed to begin the top of the second inning but Rafael Devers singled. Hanley Ramirez banged into a double play to end the inning. Sale struck out Jose Bautista to start the bottom of the second but Kendrys Morales doubled. Sale froze Kevin Pillar for strike three before Darwin Barney hit a comebacker to the mound to end the inning.
Anderson dominated the top of the third inning as Chris Young grounded out to start. Both Sandy Leon and Davis struck out to end the inning. Sale turned up the heat in the bottom of the third by striking out Miguel Montero, Ryan Goims and Pearce in short order to end the inning.
The Sox beat the ball in the turf in the top of the fourth inning as Nunez, Benintendi and Betts all grounded out in short order. Sale was equally dominant in the bottom of the fourth as Donaldson popped up to short, Smoak grounded out to third and Bautista watched strike three go by to end the inning.
The Sox continued to look pathetic in the top of the fifth inning. Bogaerts hit a comebacker to the mound, Devers lined out to left and Ramirez flied out to center to end the inning. Sale continued his destruction in the bottom of the fifth as Morales popped up to second, Pillar flied oit to right and Barney whiffed to end the inning.
The Sox finally broke through in the top of the sixth although Young popped up to first to start. Leon grounded out to first but Davis singled. Davis swiped second and scored on the Nunez double. Benintendi's single moved Nunez to third and chase Anderson from the game. Dominic Leone came in and Benintendi stole second but Betts grounded out to end the inning. Still, the Sox had a 1-0 lead.
Sale kept the lead intact in the bottom of the sixth inning. Montero grounded out to second and Goins struck out. Sale blew away Pearce to end the inning.
The Sox added a big insurance run in the top of the seventh inning. Bogaerts and Devers both struck out but Ramirez smashed a monsterous solo home run to increase the lead. Young watched strike three go by to end the inning but it was now 2-0.
Sale return for the bottom of the seventh inning but the Blue Jays were helpless. Donaldson grounded out to short, Smoak lined out to center and Bautista earned a hat trick with a strikeout to end the inning. Sale was absolutely dominant through the first 7 innibgs, allowing just one hit.
The Sox tacked on one more insurance run in the top of the eighth inning as Ryan Tepera took the mound. Leon struck out but Davis singled and swiped second. Nunez walked and both Runners moved over when Tepera's pickoff throw sailed away. Benintendi singled home Davis and advanced Nunez to third before swiping second himself. The Sox ran into another out as Nunez was thrown out at home on a ground ball by Betts, Benintendi moving to third. Betts also swiped second against the imcompetent Montero but Bogaerts earned a hat trick with his third strikeout to end the inning, but the Sox were up 3-0.
Sale came back for the botton of the eighth but was quickly chased when Morales and Pillar both singled to start. Seven innings and three hits allowed for Sale was nothing to sneeze at but fans were pissed that Sox manager John Farrell sent him out there with a 3 run lead and 7 dominant innings already in the book.
Addison Reed came in and struck out pinch hitter Ezequiel Carrera. Montero whiffed but Goins singled to load the bases. Reed got Pearce to ground out to short to end the inning with the shutout intact.
Rob Refsnyder took over at second with closer Roberto Osuna now on the mound in the top of the ninth. Devers lined out to right, Ramirez grounded out to second and Young grounded out to short to end the inning. Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel came in to close out the game in the bottom of the ninth with Mitch Moreland in for Ramirez at first. Kimbrel blew away Donaldson and Smoak before Bautista flied out to center to end the game. The Sox had shutout Toronto 3-0.
Hero of the Night is Chris Sale. He went 7 plus innings allowing just 3 hits, no walks and no runs while striking out 11.
The Good:
Rajai Davis was 2 for 4 with 2 stolen bases and 2 runs scored.
Eduardo Nunez was 2 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.
Andrew Benintendi was 2 for 4 with 2 stolen bases and an rbi.
Addison Reed pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
Craig Kimbrel earned his 31st save with a scoreless 9th.
The Bad:
Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.
Chris Young was 0 for 4.
Sandy Leon was 0 for 3.
The Ugly:
Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 but stole a base.
Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4.
Hanley Ramirez was just 1 for 4 but made the hit count as it was his 20th home run.
Honorable Mention:
Mitch Moreland played first base in the ninth.
Final Thoughts:
Rumors of Sale's demise were greatly exaggerated. He was absolutely dominating tonight to win his 16th game of the year. If he has a strong September the Cy Young award is his. The offense struggled again tonight but the incompetent catching of Miguel Montero allowed them to scratch out a couple of runs. That's not going to cut it most nights but they will take it tonight. The regression of the offense as a whole from last year is appalling but they are navigating the waters with one month left in the season. The win propelled the Sox to 75-57, 3.5 games ahead of the rained out New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox look for the sweep with Rick Porcello (8-15) going up against JA Happ. One year ago this was a monster match between two Cy Young candidates, but both of them have struggled this year. The game starts at 7:10 PM at Skydome.
Monday, August 28, 2017
Sox Hold On To Defeat Jays (8/28/17)
Holy moly that was closer than it should have been. The Boston Red Sox were cruising, ahead 6-3 when Craig Kimbrel had an unusual meltdown, but recovered long enough for the Sox to pull out the victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. Drew Pomeranz (14-4, 3.23) continued his remarkable season with 6 solid innings and the Sox pulled one out 6-5 at Skydome.
Ivan Drago approves of the win
Eduardo Nunez led off the top of the first with a line out to first. Andrew Benintendi singled off the glove of Darwin Barney but Mookie Betts popped up to center. Mitch Moreland flied out to left to end the inning. Pomeranz took the hill in the bottom of the first and crapped his pants. Steve Pearce walked on 4 pitches but Josh Donaldson grounded into a double play. Justin Smoak walked and Jose Bautista doubled to the right field wall. Kendrys Morales doubled down the right field line to score the two runners. Kevin Pillar popped up in foul territory to first to end the inning but it was 2-0 Jays already.
Morales puts the Jays on top
Xander Bogaerts whiffed to open the top of the second and Rafael Devers popped up to right. Ramirez hit a lazy fly to Pearce....AND HE DROPPED IT. He lost it on its way down and Ramirez advanced to second. Christian Vazquez singled Ramirez to third and caught the Blue Jays napping by taking off for second. The throw went into center and Ramirez walked home to cut the lead. Brock Holt hit a comebacker to the mound to end the inning. The Sox had cut it to 2-1 only because the Jays puked on themselves.
Vazquez helps make it 2-1
Barney singled to open the bottom of the second inning but Ryan Goins was rung up for strike three. Raffy Lopez drew a walk but Pearce popped up to shallow right. Pomeranz whiffed Donaldson to end the inning.
Nunez opened the top of the third inning with a solo home run to tie the game immediately. Benintendi hit a comebacker to the mound, Betts grounded out to third and Moreland whiffed to end the inning but it was tied 2-2.
What a pickup Nunez has been
Smoak hit one up the elevator shaft to open the bottom of the third inning before Bautista popped up to right. Betts then made a great, leaping catch to deny Morales of a wall ball to end the inning.
Bogaerts whiffed to open the top of the fourth inning as Mookie Betts enjoyed a PB&J in the dugout. Devers lined out to center and Ramirez hit a comebacker to Jays starter Marcus Stroman to end the inning. The Jays struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Pillar led off with a double to the left field wall. Barney singled to right to advance Pillar to third and Goins singled him home. The Sox caught a huge break when Lopez popped up a bunt for the first out. Pearce banged into a double play to end the inning with the Jays ahead 3-2, but this turned out to be a huge defensive stop.
Vazquez singled to center to open the top of the fifth inning but was erased on the Holt double play. Nunez beat out an infield single but Benintendi grounded out to short to end the inning. Donaldson singled to start the bottom of the fifth and Smoak walked to put the pressure on. Bautista popped up to shallow center as Pomeranz gave up his FIFTH walk, this time to Morales to load the bases. The Sox caught a break when Pillar hit a shot to third and Devers fired home to get Donaldson for the force. Barney lined out back to Pomeranz to end the inning. Another Houdini job by Pomeranz to keep it a one run game.
The Jays were all smiles....for now
Pillar made an AMAZING catch to rob Betts of a double to begin the top of the sixth inning. Moreland stroked a single to right but Bogaerts popped up to Bautista. Devers froze on strike three as Stroman celebrated wildly coming off the mound to end the inning. It was still a one run game but the Sox were not amused. Goins hit a routine grounder to Pomeranz, who threw the ball 600 feet into the balcony for a 2 base error. Lopez whiffed and Pearce popped up to short before Donaldson whiffed to end the inning. Pomeranz didn't have his best stuff but he gave the team 6 solid innings to keep them in the game.
Pomeranz goes 6
Danny Barnes got the call to pitch the top of the seventh inning and Ramirez greeted him with a base hit up the middle. Vazquez remembered Stroman celebrating and launched a 2 run bomb just inside the left field foul pole to give the Sox the lead. Holt popped up to Goins but Nunez walked. Jays manager John Gibbons waddled to the mound to replace Barnes with Aaron "Fruit" Loup. Benintendi greeted Loup with a ground rule double in right-center. Betts was intentionally walked to load the bases and Moreland beat out an infield single to score Nunez. That was it for Loup as Gibbons waddled out to replace him with Ryan Tepera. Bogaerts worked a walk to score Benintendi but Devers banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox exploded for 4 runs to take a 6-3 lead.
Vazquez save the Sox tonight
Addison Reed was brought in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and got Smoak to pop up to short to start. Reed struck out Bautista and got Morales to fly out deep to left to end the inning.
Tom Koehler came in to pitch the top of the eighth and struck out Ramirez to start. Vazquez got his fourth hit of the night with a double, now a triple short of the cycle. Holt flied out to right and Nunez popped up to second to end the inning. Brandon Workman got the call to pitch the bottom of the eighth inning and got Pillar to ground out to second to start. Barney grounded out to first and Goins hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.
Leonel Campos was brought in to pitch the top of the ninth inning and got Benintendi to pop up to center after a 10 pitch at-bat. Betts walked and swiped second but Moreland struck out. Bogarts popped up to first to end the inning. Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel came in to close out the game in the bottom of the ninth. Trouble was afoot when Kimbrel walked the number 9 man Lopez to start and gave up a 400 foot out to Pearce. Donaldson popped up to right but Smoak blasted a 2 run home run to make it a 1 run game. Bautista walked but Morales popped up to short to end the inning. Terrible outing by Kimbrel but they held on to win it 6-5.
Vaz "That was too close!"
Hero of The Night is Christian Vazquez. He went 4 for 4 with 2 singles, a triple and a 2 run home run to put the Sox on top.
Vazquez The Hero
The Good:
Eduardo Nunez was 2 for 4 with a walk, 2 total runs scored and a home run.
Mitch Moreland was 2 for 5 with an rbi.
Andrew Benintendi was 2 for 5 with an rbi.
Hanley Ramirez was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored.
Drew Pomeranz went 6 innings and gave up 3 runs to earn the win. He struck out 4 but walked 5.
Addison Reed pitched a scoreless 7th inning.
Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
The Bad:
Rafael Devers was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Brock Holt was 0 for 4.
The Ugly:
Mookie Betts was 0 for 3 but walked twice.
Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4 but walked and drove in a run.
Craig Kimbrel earned his 30th save but gave up 2 runs in the bottom of the ninth.
Final Thoughts:
A win is a win but that was too close for comfort. After getting swept by Baltimore, this is the kind of win the team needed to set the tone against Toronto in this 3 game set before the big series with the New York Yankees coming up. The Sox needed a comeback win to show they can fall behind and still come back to win the game after rolling over and dying against the Orioles. Pomeranz has been just as important as Chris Sale this season and came completely out of nowhere, he may win 17 games before the year is over. The win improved the Sox to 74-57, 3.5 games ahead of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night Chris Sale (14-6, 2.88 ERA) looks to rebound from his stinker against Cleveland to take on Brett Anderson getting the call-up from Buffalo. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Skydome.
Eduardo Nunez led off the top of the first with a line out to first. Andrew Benintendi singled off the glove of Darwin Barney but Mookie Betts popped up to center. Mitch Moreland flied out to left to end the inning. Pomeranz took the hill in the bottom of the first and crapped his pants. Steve Pearce walked on 4 pitches but Josh Donaldson grounded into a double play. Justin Smoak walked and Jose Bautista doubled to the right field wall. Kendrys Morales doubled down the right field line to score the two runners. Kevin Pillar popped up in foul territory to first to end the inning but it was 2-0 Jays already.
Xander Bogaerts whiffed to open the top of the second and Rafael Devers popped up to right. Ramirez hit a lazy fly to Pearce....AND HE DROPPED IT. He lost it on its way down and Ramirez advanced to second. Christian Vazquez singled Ramirez to third and caught the Blue Jays napping by taking off for second. The throw went into center and Ramirez walked home to cut the lead. Brock Holt hit a comebacker to the mound to end the inning. The Sox had cut it to 2-1 only because the Jays puked on themselves.
Barney singled to open the bottom of the second inning but Ryan Goins was rung up for strike three. Raffy Lopez drew a walk but Pearce popped up to shallow right. Pomeranz whiffed Donaldson to end the inning.
Nunez opened the top of the third inning with a solo home run to tie the game immediately. Benintendi hit a comebacker to the mound, Betts grounded out to third and Moreland whiffed to end the inning but it was tied 2-2.
Smoak hit one up the elevator shaft to open the bottom of the third inning before Bautista popped up to right. Betts then made a great, leaping catch to deny Morales of a wall ball to end the inning.
Bogaerts whiffed to open the top of the fourth inning as Mookie Betts enjoyed a PB&J in the dugout. Devers lined out to center and Ramirez hit a comebacker to Jays starter Marcus Stroman to end the inning. The Jays struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Pillar led off with a double to the left field wall. Barney singled to right to advance Pillar to third and Goins singled him home. The Sox caught a huge break when Lopez popped up a bunt for the first out. Pearce banged into a double play to end the inning with the Jays ahead 3-2, but this turned out to be a huge defensive stop.
Vazquez singled to center to open the top of the fifth inning but was erased on the Holt double play. Nunez beat out an infield single but Benintendi grounded out to short to end the inning. Donaldson singled to start the bottom of the fifth and Smoak walked to put the pressure on. Bautista popped up to shallow center as Pomeranz gave up his FIFTH walk, this time to Morales to load the bases. The Sox caught a break when Pillar hit a shot to third and Devers fired home to get Donaldson for the force. Barney lined out back to Pomeranz to end the inning. Another Houdini job by Pomeranz to keep it a one run game.
Pillar made an AMAZING catch to rob Betts of a double to begin the top of the sixth inning. Moreland stroked a single to right but Bogaerts popped up to Bautista. Devers froze on strike three as Stroman celebrated wildly coming off the mound to end the inning. It was still a one run game but the Sox were not amused. Goins hit a routine grounder to Pomeranz, who threw the ball 600 feet into the balcony for a 2 base error. Lopez whiffed and Pearce popped up to short before Donaldson whiffed to end the inning. Pomeranz didn't have his best stuff but he gave the team 6 solid innings to keep them in the game.
Danny Barnes got the call to pitch the top of the seventh inning and Ramirez greeted him with a base hit up the middle. Vazquez remembered Stroman celebrating and launched a 2 run bomb just inside the left field foul pole to give the Sox the lead. Holt popped up to Goins but Nunez walked. Jays manager John Gibbons waddled to the mound to replace Barnes with Aaron "Fruit" Loup. Benintendi greeted Loup with a ground rule double in right-center. Betts was intentionally walked to load the bases and Moreland beat out an infield single to score Nunez. That was it for Loup as Gibbons waddled out to replace him with Ryan Tepera. Bogaerts worked a walk to score Benintendi but Devers banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox exploded for 4 runs to take a 6-3 lead.
Addison Reed was brought in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and got Smoak to pop up to short to start. Reed struck out Bautista and got Morales to fly out deep to left to end the inning.
Tom Koehler came in to pitch the top of the eighth and struck out Ramirez to start. Vazquez got his fourth hit of the night with a double, now a triple short of the cycle. Holt flied out to right and Nunez popped up to second to end the inning. Brandon Workman got the call to pitch the bottom of the eighth inning and got Pillar to ground out to second to start. Barney grounded out to first and Goins hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.
Leonel Campos was brought in to pitch the top of the ninth inning and got Benintendi to pop up to center after a 10 pitch at-bat. Betts walked and swiped second but Moreland struck out. Bogarts popped up to first to end the inning. Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel came in to close out the game in the bottom of the ninth. Trouble was afoot when Kimbrel walked the number 9 man Lopez to start and gave up a 400 foot out to Pearce. Donaldson popped up to right but Smoak blasted a 2 run home run to make it a 1 run game. Bautista walked but Morales popped up to short to end the inning. Terrible outing by Kimbrel but they held on to win it 6-5.
Hero of The Night is Christian Vazquez. He went 4 for 4 with 2 singles, a triple and a 2 run home run to put the Sox on top.
The Good:
Eduardo Nunez was 2 for 4 with a walk, 2 total runs scored and a home run.
Mitch Moreland was 2 for 5 with an rbi.
Andrew Benintendi was 2 for 5 with an rbi.
Hanley Ramirez was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored.
Drew Pomeranz went 6 innings and gave up 3 runs to earn the win. He struck out 4 but walked 5.
Addison Reed pitched a scoreless 7th inning.
Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
The Bad:
Rafael Devers was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Brock Holt was 0 for 4.
The Ugly:
Mookie Betts was 0 for 3 but walked twice.
Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4 but walked and drove in a run.
Craig Kimbrel earned his 30th save but gave up 2 runs in the bottom of the ninth.
Final Thoughts:
A win is a win but that was too close for comfort. After getting swept by Baltimore, this is the kind of win the team needed to set the tone against Toronto in this 3 game set before the big series with the New York Yankees coming up. The Sox needed a comeback win to show they can fall behind and still come back to win the game after rolling over and dying against the Orioles. Pomeranz has been just as important as Chris Sale this season and came completely out of nowhere, he may win 17 games before the year is over. The win improved the Sox to 74-57, 3.5 games ahead of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night Chris Sale (14-6, 2.88 ERA) looks to rebound from his stinker against Cleveland to take on Brett Anderson getting the call-up from Buffalo. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Skydome.
Sunday, August 27, 2017
O's Sweep Pitiful Sox (8/27/17)
Well it looks like the feel-good story of August for the Boston Red Sox is over. After lighting it up for 3 weeks to take control of the division, all that good work just evaporated in a matter of 4 games. After two straight blowouts, this time the Orioles beat the Red Sox with pitching. Old pal Wade Miley and the Baltimore bullpen again shut down the Sox, holding them to 4 total runs in 3 games. The O's swept the Sox out of Fenway Park 2-1.
You guys SUCK!
Doug Fister (3-7, 4.53) began his afternoon by throwing up on himself. Tim Beckham singled to start the day although Manny Machado struck out. Jonathan Schoop grounded out to third but Beckham moved to second. One out away from getting out of the inning, Fister balked Beckham to third and he scored on the Adam Jones double. Trey Mancini smashed a ground rule double to score Jones. Davis whiffed but it was 2-0 O's.
O's just keep attacking
The Sox tried to fight back in the bottom of the first against Miley but Eduardo Nunez popped up to second to start. Andrew Benintndi lashed a single to left and Mookie Betts doubled him to third....but Hanley Ramirez whiffed on a pitch that nearly hit him. Chris Young popped up to third to end the inning. Some lefty killer.
Fister settled down in the top of the second inning as Mark Trumbo looked at strike three to start. Wellington Castillo grounded out to short and Seth Smith grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox mustered nothing in the bottom of the second partially due to Xander Bogaerts striking out to start. Rajai Davis grounded out to third but Rafael Devers doubled off the Monster. Once again a runner was stranded when Sandy Leon grounded out to third to end the inning.
Fister cruised in the top of the third as Beckham lined out, Machado struck out and Schoop grounded out to second to end the inning. Once again the Sox had a shot to tie the game in the bottom of the third, but Nunez grounded out to start. Benintendi grounded back to the mound but Betts walked. Ramirez singled to put the tying runs on.....but Young struck out to end the inning.
Fister ran into trouble in the top of the fourth inning when Jones walked and Mancini singled him to third. Davis then hit a rocket to Hanley...who stared down Jones at third before stepping on first for the out. Trumbo hit one back to the mound, Fister holding Jones and flipping to first for the out. Castillo grounded out to third to end the inning. Good work for Fister.
Doing what he can to keep the Sox in it
The Sox made a boo boo in the bottom of the fourth inning. Bogaerts lined out to Machado but Davis singled......and was thrown out at second trying to steal. Devers whiffed to end the inning.
Yerrrrrr out
Smith walked to open the top of the fifth inning but Beckham struck out. Machado flied out to left and Schoop grounded out to end the inning. The Sox tried to fight back in the bottom of the fifth as Leon singled to start, although he was erased on the force by Nunez. Benintendi walked but Betts flied out to right. Ramirez walked to load the bases....but Young flied out to right to end the inning. Young has left 7 men on by himself so far.
Fister did what he could in the top of the sixth inning. Jones grounded out to first and Mancini struck out, but Davis singled. Trumbo flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth when Bogaerts doubled to chase Miley from the game. Mychal Givens came in to strike out Davis, but Devers doubled in Bogaerts to put the Sox on the board. Leon walked to put the go-ahead run on first....but Nunez struck out. Richard Bleier came in to pitch to Benintendi....and walked him to load the bases. Buck Showalter, managing this game like it was Game 7 of the world series, brought in his third reliever Miguel Castro to pitch to Betts. Mookie struck out to end the inning as the Sox have now left 12 men on base total, but did score to cut the lead 2-1.
The rookie makes it 2-1
Fister came back for one last inning in the top of the seventh and got Castillo to ground out to short. Smith flied out to right and Beckham struck out to end the inning. Fister had tossed 7 innings of 2 run ball, 9 times out of 10 that's good enough to win. Still, he's shown a lot of improvement this month.
Fister was great, the offense was not
The Sox had ANOTHER chance to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh as Craig Gentry replaced Smith in right. Ramirez walked as Mitch Moreland pinch hit for the incompetent Young and worked a walk. Rather than drop a bunt down, Bogaerts swung away and nearly banged into a double play, erasing Moreland at second. Still, there were runners at the corners but Davis banged into a double play to end the inning as THUNDEROUS boos rained down.
Addison Reed was first out of the bullpen in the top of the eighth inning and he struck out both Machado and Schoop. Jones flied out to center to end the inning. Devers whiffed but Leon walked to put the tying run on again. Brock Holt pinch ran for Leon as Brad Bach was brought in to pitch, getting Nunez to line out to right. A wild pitch moved Holt to second...but Benintendi lined out to a diving Gentry to end the inning. THIRTEEN runners left on base for the Sox, absolutely pathetic.
Vazquez took over behind the dish with Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel now pitching. Mancini singled but Davis lined out to right. Trumbo struck out and Castillo flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox waived the white flag in the bottom of the ninth inning. Betts grounded out to second, Ramirez flied out to center and Moreland grounded out to first to end the game. The fading Sox had left 13 men on and were swept out of Fenway 2-1.
Jackass of The Night is Chris Young. He left SEVEN men on base by himself, failing 3 times with chances to tie the game or more.
Chris Young is jackass
The Good:
Andrew Benintendi was 1 for 3 with 2 walks.
Hanley Ramirez was 1 for 3 with 2 walks.
Rafael Devers was 2 for 4 with an rbi.
Sandy Leon was 1 for 2 with 2 walks.
One of the rare times the losing pitcher ends up on the good list but Doug Fister pitched pretty well. He went 7 innings and gave up just 2 runs, normally that would be good enough to win.
Addison Reed pitched a scoreless 8th.
Craig Kimbrel pitched a scoreless 9th.
The Bad:
Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.
The Ugly:
Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.
Mitch Moreland made the final out of the game but walked earlier.
Rajai Davis was just 1 for 4 and got thrown out trying to steal.
Honorable Mention:
Brock Holt pinch ran in the bottom of the eighth.
Christian Vazquez caught the top of the ninth.
Final Thoughts:
It looks like the Red Sox are starting their September swoon a bit early. There is still a month left in the season but it doesn't look like Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Hanley Ramirez or Jackie Bradley Jr is going to come anywhere close to where they were last year. They relied on Eduardo Nunez and Rafael Devers for too long, and now it's going to cost them. From here on in the Red Sox are going to have to win games low-scoring since they don't have the firepower to bop their way back into games. The good news is the Orioles are leaving town and the better news is the Sox travel to Toronto to face the freefalling Blue Jays. Tomorrow night Drew Pomeranz matches up with Marcus Stroman at 7:05 PM in the Skydome.
Doug Fister (3-7, 4.53) began his afternoon by throwing up on himself. Tim Beckham singled to start the day although Manny Machado struck out. Jonathan Schoop grounded out to third but Beckham moved to second. One out away from getting out of the inning, Fister balked Beckham to third and he scored on the Adam Jones double. Trey Mancini smashed a ground rule double to score Jones. Davis whiffed but it was 2-0 O's.
The Sox tried to fight back in the bottom of the first against Miley but Eduardo Nunez popped up to second to start. Andrew Benintndi lashed a single to left and Mookie Betts doubled him to third....but Hanley Ramirez whiffed on a pitch that nearly hit him. Chris Young popped up to third to end the inning. Some lefty killer.
Fister settled down in the top of the second inning as Mark Trumbo looked at strike three to start. Wellington Castillo grounded out to short and Seth Smith grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox mustered nothing in the bottom of the second partially due to Xander Bogaerts striking out to start. Rajai Davis grounded out to third but Rafael Devers doubled off the Monster. Once again a runner was stranded when Sandy Leon grounded out to third to end the inning.
Fister cruised in the top of the third as Beckham lined out, Machado struck out and Schoop grounded out to second to end the inning. Once again the Sox had a shot to tie the game in the bottom of the third, but Nunez grounded out to start. Benintendi grounded back to the mound but Betts walked. Ramirez singled to put the tying runs on.....but Young struck out to end the inning.
Fister ran into trouble in the top of the fourth inning when Jones walked and Mancini singled him to third. Davis then hit a rocket to Hanley...who stared down Jones at third before stepping on first for the out. Trumbo hit one back to the mound, Fister holding Jones and flipping to first for the out. Castillo grounded out to third to end the inning. Good work for Fister.
The Sox made a boo boo in the bottom of the fourth inning. Bogaerts lined out to Machado but Davis singled......and was thrown out at second trying to steal. Devers whiffed to end the inning.
Smith walked to open the top of the fifth inning but Beckham struck out. Machado flied out to left and Schoop grounded out to end the inning. The Sox tried to fight back in the bottom of the fifth as Leon singled to start, although he was erased on the force by Nunez. Benintendi walked but Betts flied out to right. Ramirez walked to load the bases....but Young flied out to right to end the inning. Young has left 7 men on by himself so far.
Fister did what he could in the top of the sixth inning. Jones grounded out to first and Mancini struck out, but Davis singled. Trumbo flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth when Bogaerts doubled to chase Miley from the game. Mychal Givens came in to strike out Davis, but Devers doubled in Bogaerts to put the Sox on the board. Leon walked to put the go-ahead run on first....but Nunez struck out. Richard Bleier came in to pitch to Benintendi....and walked him to load the bases. Buck Showalter, managing this game like it was Game 7 of the world series, brought in his third reliever Miguel Castro to pitch to Betts. Mookie struck out to end the inning as the Sox have now left 12 men on base total, but did score to cut the lead 2-1.
Fister came back for one last inning in the top of the seventh and got Castillo to ground out to short. Smith flied out to right and Beckham struck out to end the inning. Fister had tossed 7 innings of 2 run ball, 9 times out of 10 that's good enough to win. Still, he's shown a lot of improvement this month.
The Sox had ANOTHER chance to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh as Craig Gentry replaced Smith in right. Ramirez walked as Mitch Moreland pinch hit for the incompetent Young and worked a walk. Rather than drop a bunt down, Bogaerts swung away and nearly banged into a double play, erasing Moreland at second. Still, there were runners at the corners but Davis banged into a double play to end the inning as THUNDEROUS boos rained down.
Addison Reed was first out of the bullpen in the top of the eighth inning and he struck out both Machado and Schoop. Jones flied out to center to end the inning. Devers whiffed but Leon walked to put the tying run on again. Brock Holt pinch ran for Leon as Brad Bach was brought in to pitch, getting Nunez to line out to right. A wild pitch moved Holt to second...but Benintendi lined out to a diving Gentry to end the inning. THIRTEEN runners left on base for the Sox, absolutely pathetic.
Vazquez took over behind the dish with Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel now pitching. Mancini singled but Davis lined out to right. Trumbo struck out and Castillo flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox waived the white flag in the bottom of the ninth inning. Betts grounded out to second, Ramirez flied out to center and Moreland grounded out to first to end the game. The fading Sox had left 13 men on and were swept out of Fenway 2-1.
Jackass of The Night is Chris Young. He left SEVEN men on base by himself, failing 3 times with chances to tie the game or more.
The Good:
Andrew Benintendi was 1 for 3 with 2 walks.
Hanley Ramirez was 1 for 3 with 2 walks.
Rafael Devers was 2 for 4 with an rbi.
Sandy Leon was 1 for 2 with 2 walks.
One of the rare times the losing pitcher ends up on the good list but Doug Fister pitched pretty well. He went 7 innings and gave up just 2 runs, normally that would be good enough to win.
Addison Reed pitched a scoreless 8th.
Craig Kimbrel pitched a scoreless 9th.
The Bad:
Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.
The Ugly:
Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.
Mitch Moreland made the final out of the game but walked earlier.
Rajai Davis was just 1 for 4 and got thrown out trying to steal.
Honorable Mention:
Brock Holt pinch ran in the bottom of the eighth.
Christian Vazquez caught the top of the ninth.
Final Thoughts:
It looks like the Red Sox are starting their September swoon a bit early. There is still a month left in the season but it doesn't look like Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Hanley Ramirez or Jackie Bradley Jr is going to come anywhere close to where they were last year. They relied on Eduardo Nunez and Rafael Devers for too long, and now it's going to cost them. From here on in the Red Sox are going to have to win games low-scoring since they don't have the firepower to bop their way back into games. The good news is the Orioles are leaving town and the better news is the Sox travel to Toronto to face the freefalling Blue Jays. Tomorrow night Drew Pomeranz matches up with Marcus Stroman at 7:05 PM in the Skydome.
Saturday, August 26, 2017
O's Blank Lifeless Sox (8/26/17)
The slide continued for the Boston Red Sox as they drop their third game in a row and second overall to the Baltimore Orioles. It's become apparent that Baltimore is fighting for their lives while the Red Sox are feared to be on cruise control. It's one thing if this was late September, but this is late August. As it is, Kevin Gausman spun a beauty, Eduardo Rodriguez (4-4, 4.19 ERA) continued his regression to last year and the O's shut out the Sox 7-0 at Fenway Park. How many runs did the Red Sox score Dean Wormer?
Rodriguez actually cruised in the top of the first inning. Tim Beckham looked at strike three, Manny Machado flied out to center and Jonathan Schoop lined out to left to end the inning. Gausman began his domimance in the bottom of the first inning. Eduardo Nunez popped up to second but Mookie Betts doubled. He was stranded at second as Andrew Benintendi lined out to third and Hanley Ramirez grounded out to first to end the inning.
Rodriguez vomited up his intestines in the dreaded second inning of doom. Adam Jones doubled but Rodriguez made the heads up play to get him out at third on a comebacker by Trey Mancini. Chris Davis walked and Mark Trumbo singled home Mancini to give the O's the lead. Caleb Joseph whiffed but Craig Gentry singled in Davis. Beckham then blasted a 3 run bomb to ice the game early as Fenway Park began to clear out in world record time. Machado struck out but the game was over already 5-0.
Game over already
The lifeless Sox gave up after that as Rafael Devers popped up to second to begin the bottom of the second inning. Xander Bogaerts popped up to short and Mitch Moreland lined out to left to end the inning.
Schoop singled to open the top of the third but Rodriguez settled down to get Jones to pop up to short. Rodriguez got Mancini looking and Davis to ground to second to end the inning. It was whiff or walk in the bottom of the third inning. Chris Young walked but Christian Vazquez struck out. Nunez struck out but Betts walked. Benintendi struck out to end the inning.
Rodriguez made quick work of the O's in the top of the fourth inning although Trumbo started it with a single. Joseph struck out and Gentry banged intoa double play to end the inning. Gausman cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Ramirez looked at strike three and Devers flied out to left. Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning.
Rodriguez had another clean inning in the top of the fifth inning. Beckham grounded out to short, Machado hit a comebacker to Rodriguez and Schoop whiffed to end the inning. The Sox had their only chance to get back in it wasted in the bottom of the fifth. Moreland singled but was erased on the force by Young. Vazquez walked but Nunez banged into a double play to end the inning.
Rodriguez returned for the top of the sixth and got Jonesto fly out to center to start. Mancini singled but Davis looked at strike three. Trumbo grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox mustered nothing in the bottom of the sixth as Betts popped up to short, Benintendi grounded out to third and Ramirez popped up to first to end the inning.
Rodriguez showed some balls by coming back for the top of the seventh inning. Rodriguez got Joseph to fly out to right and Gentry grounded out to second. Suddenly sleeping Sox manager John Farrell woke up and saw Rodriguez still on the mound so he ran out of the dugout to make a pitching change. Rodriguez angrily handed him the ball as he thought he was going 7. Still, Rodriguez pissed himself in the second inning but did make it this far, a little credit is due. Brandon Workman replaced Eduardo and got Beckham to line out to center on the first pitch to end the inning.
Imploded in the second but lasted into the seventh.
The Red Sox finally got a base runner in the bottom of the seventh inning. Devers groumded out to second and Bogaerts grounded out to first, but Moreland singled. Young lined out to short to end the inning.
The O's struck again in the top of the eighth inning. Machado grounded out to third but Schoop blasted a solo home run off Workman to increase the lead. Jones struck out and Mancini grounded out to end the inning although it was now 6-0 Baltimore.
What a disaster
Gausman returned for the bottom of the eighth and got Vazquez to ground out to short to start. Nunez flied out to right but Betts singled to chase Gausman after 7 2/3 brilliant innings. Richard Bleier replaced Gausman and got Benintendi to ground out to first to end the inning.
Fernando Abad had mop up duty in the top of the ninth although he crapped on the floor as well. Davis struck out but Trumbo singled. Joseph struck out but Gentry doubled home Trumbo to wrap up the scoring. Beckham hit a comebacker to the mound to end the inning with the O's up by a touchdown 7-0.
"I suck too" - Abad
Darren O'Day closed out this disaster in the bottom of the ninth inning. Ramirez grounded out to short and Devers struck out. Bogaerts walked but Moreland popped up to short to end the game. The O's had won it 7-0.
Jackass of the Night is Eduardo Rodriguez. Once again a lousy second inming doomed him although he did fight back to toss 6 2/3 innings to save the bullpen some work.
Better hide your face Jackass
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 2 for 3 with a walk.
Mitch Moreland was 2 for 4.
The Bad:
Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Rafael Devers was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Fernando Abad gave up a run in the ninth inning.
The Ugly:
Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 3 with a walk.
Chris Young was 0 for 2 with a walk.
Christian Vazquez was 0 for 2 with a walk.
Brandon Workman gave up a run in 1 1/3 innings.
Final Thoughts:
What is there to say at this point besides the fact that the Red Sox completely suck at the moment. They are not pitching well, they are not hitting well and they are not even managing well. This comes at a very bad time with the New York Yankees suddenly coming to life. The Sox still have a month left to turn it back around to where they were at in the first 3 weeks of August, but it's going to be a struggle if they can't score runs. If Eduardo Nunez and Rafael Devers cool off, then they are the exact same offense that sleptwalked through the first four months. That's not a good thing if they hope to repeat as division champions. The loss dropped the Sox to 73-56, 3.5 games ahead of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow afternoon the Sox look to salvage the series with Doug Fister taking on old pal Wade Miley at 1:35 PM at Fenway Park.
Rodriguez actually cruised in the top of the first inning. Tim Beckham looked at strike three, Manny Machado flied out to center and Jonathan Schoop lined out to left to end the inning. Gausman began his domimance in the bottom of the first inning. Eduardo Nunez popped up to second but Mookie Betts doubled. He was stranded at second as Andrew Benintendi lined out to third and Hanley Ramirez grounded out to first to end the inning.
Rodriguez vomited up his intestines in the dreaded second inning of doom. Adam Jones doubled but Rodriguez made the heads up play to get him out at third on a comebacker by Trey Mancini. Chris Davis walked and Mark Trumbo singled home Mancini to give the O's the lead. Caleb Joseph whiffed but Craig Gentry singled in Davis. Beckham then blasted a 3 run bomb to ice the game early as Fenway Park began to clear out in world record time. Machado struck out but the game was over already 5-0.
The lifeless Sox gave up after that as Rafael Devers popped up to second to begin the bottom of the second inning. Xander Bogaerts popped up to short and Mitch Moreland lined out to left to end the inning.
Schoop singled to open the top of the third but Rodriguez settled down to get Jones to pop up to short. Rodriguez got Mancini looking and Davis to ground to second to end the inning. It was whiff or walk in the bottom of the third inning. Chris Young walked but Christian Vazquez struck out. Nunez struck out but Betts walked. Benintendi struck out to end the inning.
Rodriguez made quick work of the O's in the top of the fourth inning although Trumbo started it with a single. Joseph struck out and Gentry banged intoa double play to end the inning. Gausman cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Ramirez looked at strike three and Devers flied out to left. Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning.
Rodriguez had another clean inning in the top of the fifth inning. Beckham grounded out to short, Machado hit a comebacker to Rodriguez and Schoop whiffed to end the inning. The Sox had their only chance to get back in it wasted in the bottom of the fifth. Moreland singled but was erased on the force by Young. Vazquez walked but Nunez banged into a double play to end the inning.
Rodriguez returned for the top of the sixth and got Jonesto fly out to center to start. Mancini singled but Davis looked at strike three. Trumbo grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox mustered nothing in the bottom of the sixth as Betts popped up to short, Benintendi grounded out to third and Ramirez popped up to first to end the inning.
Rodriguez showed some balls by coming back for the top of the seventh inning. Rodriguez got Joseph to fly out to right and Gentry grounded out to second. Suddenly sleeping Sox manager John Farrell woke up and saw Rodriguez still on the mound so he ran out of the dugout to make a pitching change. Rodriguez angrily handed him the ball as he thought he was going 7. Still, Rodriguez pissed himself in the second inning but did make it this far, a little credit is due. Brandon Workman replaced Eduardo and got Beckham to line out to center on the first pitch to end the inning.
The Red Sox finally got a base runner in the bottom of the seventh inning. Devers groumded out to second and Bogaerts grounded out to first, but Moreland singled. Young lined out to short to end the inning.
The O's struck again in the top of the eighth inning. Machado grounded out to third but Schoop blasted a solo home run off Workman to increase the lead. Jones struck out and Mancini grounded out to end the inning although it was now 6-0 Baltimore.
Gausman returned for the bottom of the eighth and got Vazquez to ground out to short to start. Nunez flied out to right but Betts singled to chase Gausman after 7 2/3 brilliant innings. Richard Bleier replaced Gausman and got Benintendi to ground out to first to end the inning.
Fernando Abad had mop up duty in the top of the ninth although he crapped on the floor as well. Davis struck out but Trumbo singled. Joseph struck out but Gentry doubled home Trumbo to wrap up the scoring. Beckham hit a comebacker to the mound to end the inning with the O's up by a touchdown 7-0.
Darren O'Day closed out this disaster in the bottom of the ninth inning. Ramirez grounded out to short and Devers struck out. Bogaerts walked but Moreland popped up to short to end the game. The O's had won it 7-0.
Jackass of the Night is Eduardo Rodriguez. Once again a lousy second inming doomed him although he did fight back to toss 6 2/3 innings to save the bullpen some work.
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 2 for 3 with a walk.
Mitch Moreland was 2 for 4.
The Bad:
Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Rafael Devers was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Fernando Abad gave up a run in the ninth inning.
The Ugly:
Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 3 with a walk.
Chris Young was 0 for 2 with a walk.
Christian Vazquez was 0 for 2 with a walk.
Brandon Workman gave up a run in 1 1/3 innings.
Final Thoughts:
What is there to say at this point besides the fact that the Red Sox completely suck at the moment. They are not pitching well, they are not hitting well and they are not even managing well. This comes at a very bad time with the New York Yankees suddenly coming to life. The Sox still have a month left to turn it back around to where they were at in the first 3 weeks of August, but it's going to be a struggle if they can't score runs. If Eduardo Nunez and Rafael Devers cool off, then they are the exact same offense that sleptwalked through the first four months. That's not a good thing if they hope to repeat as division champions. The loss dropped the Sox to 73-56, 3.5 games ahead of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow afternoon the Sox look to salvage the series with Doug Fister taking on old pal Wade Miley at 1:35 PM at Fenway Park.
Friday, August 25, 2017
Incompetent Sox Routed, Orioles Roll (8/25/17)
This game and the Boston Red Sox totally sucked. After getting massacred by the Cleveland Indians last night, the Sox got curbstomped by a pissed off Baltimore Orioles team still smarting after the last series where Kevin Gausmann and Adam Jones were ejected for virtually no reason. Rick Porcello (8-15, 4.57 ERA) got shelled, the Sox committed FIVE errors, the O's pounded out 21 hits and took a 16-3 dump on the corpse of the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
Porcello got the ball in the top of the first inning and gave the game away. He struck out Tim Beckham to start but Manny Machado singled off the Monster. Jonathan Schoop singled to right. Porcello then dug his own grave as Adam Jones hit a liner right to his head that he narrowly avoided with his glove. Rather than throw to first, Porcello threw the ball 500 feet straight in the air. Machado scored and Schoop went to third on the error. Trey Mancini hit a sacrifice fly to center that scored Schoop and Chris Davis grounded out to end the inning, but the O's were up 2-0.
The rout was on
Jeremy Hellickson got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and the Sox did absolutely nothing. Eduardo Nunez grounded out to short, Andrew Benintendi popped up to third and Mookie Betts popped up to left to end the inning.
The O's, meanwhile, had no trouble hitting Porcello as Mark Trumbo blasted a solo home run to keep it rolling for Baltimore. Wellington Castillo singled to right but was erased on the Seth Smith force. The train kept rolling as Beckham hit a routine grounder to Rafael Devers who threw the ball 750 feet over the head of Mitch Moreland for another error, allowing Smith to reach third. Machado singled up the middle to score Smith and Porcello bounced a pitch 3 feet in front of home plate, allowing Beckham to reach third. Things got even worse when Schoop struck out and Machado cleaned out Nunez at second trying to steal. Beckham scored and Machado made it all the way to third. Nunez had to be carried off the field on a stretcher and Brock Holt took over at second. Jones popped up to center to end the inning but it was now 5-0 Baltimore and just getting worse.
"Oh what a mess" - Porcello
The Sox tried to fight back in the bottom of the second as Moreland got a lucky break when he hit a ground ball into the shift that was thrown away by Schoop. Bogaerts took advantage by blasting a 2 run home run into the Monster Seats to cut into the lead. Devers flied out to center and Chris Young popped up before Rajai Davis made his Sox debut by grounding out to short to end the inning. Still, the Sox showed some life and it was 5-2.
Bogaerts looks to the heavens for help
For some reason Porcello game back for the top of the third and somehow struck out Mancini to start. Naturally Davis blasted a moonshot to dead center to kill any momentum the Sox had. Trumbo then almost hit one out but Mookie robbed him at the wall. Porcello struck out Castillo but the rout was on, 6-2 O's.
Davis outhitting the Sox by himself really
The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the third as Leon popped up to third, Holt flied out to left and Benintendi flied out to right to end the inning.
Porcello came back for the top of the fourth and somehow got Smith to ground out to short to start. Beckham grounded out to first and Machado hit a comebacker to the mound to end the inning. As usual the Sox went quietly in the bottom of the fourth as Betts lined out to center, Moreland watched strike three go by and Bogaerts grounded out to short to end the inning.
The Red Sox put on one of the most embarrassing displays of incompetence in the top of the fifth inning. Schoop singled and moved to second on the ground out by Jones. Mancini singled home Schoop but Davis his a picture perfect double play ball to Bogaerts...who threw it 500 feet over the head of Holt at second onto Euctaw Street for an error. Trumbo walked to load the bases although Mancini was out at home on a force by Castillo. At this point the game wasn't totally out of reach if Porcello could get the third out. It didnt happen as Smith singled to score Davis and Trumbo, chasing Porcello from the game. Another hideous start by Porcello was about to get worse with Joe Kelly now in the game. Beckham doubled home Castillo and Smith to close the book on Rick. Machado singled Beckham to third and Schoop singled to score Tim. Jones singled and Benintendi got so frustrated with the 7th hit of the inning he turned around and heaved the ball into the Monster Seats for an error, scoring Machado. Mancini grounded out to end the inning but the massacre was now 13-2 Baltimore.
"Yeah you're out Rick, thanks for nothing!" - Farrell
The Sox did manage to show some life trailing by 11 in the bottom of the fifth inning. Devers singled but Young was rung up for strike three. Davis singled Devers to third and Rafael scored on the Leon sac fly. A wild pitch moved Davis to second but Holt grounded out to end the inning with the Sox down 13-3.
Davis "I scored" Betts "Its a miracle!"
Kelly returned for the top of the sixth inning and struck out both Davis and Trumbo. Castillo singled and Smith walked, but Beckham struck out to end the inning. The Sox offense was done for the night in the bottom of the sixth inning as Benintendi, Betts and Moreland all grounded out to end the inning.
Blaine Boyer came in for a beating in the top of the seventh inning. Machado flied out to right but both Schoop and Jones singled. Mancini tripled home everyone before Davis scored Trey with a sac fly. Trumbo singled but Castillo flied out to right to end the inning. The O's built a 16-3 lead...what a rout.
What an unmitigated disaster
Craig Gentry came in for Jones in the bottom of the seventh as Bogaerts flied out to left and Devers flied out to center. Young doubled and Beckham booted a grounder by Davis, allowing him to reach. Leon popped up to end the inning.
Robby Scott came in to pitch the top of the eighth inning and got Smith to fly out to left to start. Beckham lined out to center as Anthony Santander pinch hit for Machado only to pop up to end the inning. Ryan Flaherty replaced Smith as Richard Bleier came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth. Holt and Benintendi grounded out to short but Betts singled and took second on a wild throw by Bleier. Moreland walked but Bogaerts flied out to right to end the inning.
Things got entertaining as Hanley Ramirez came in to play first because Mitch Moreland took over on the mound. No, that's not a typo...Moreland was asked to pitch the top of the ninth inning, shades of Darnell McDonald in 2012, to save some arms. Caleb Joseph pinch hit for Schoop and Moreland struck him out, no joke. Gentry grounded out to short but Mancini and Davis stroked back to back singles. Trumbo grounded out to short to end the inning. Mitch Moreland pitched a scoreless inning, no lie.
Boston's new closer, Mitch Moreland
Mercifully the game ended in the bottom of the ninth with Mike Wright on the mound. Devers lined out to start but Beckham dropped a pop up, allowing Young to reach. Davis was plunked but Leon popped up. Holt looked at strike 3 to end this disaster. The O's had won 16-3.
Jackass of the Night is Rick Porcello. He was a complete dumpster fire giving up 10 hits, a walk and ELEVEN runs. His regression from last year is downright appalling.
Jackass of the Night
The Good:
Chris Young was 2 for 4.
Rajai Davis was 1 for 3.
Robby Scott pitched a scoreless 8th.
Mitch Moreland pitched a scoreless 9th inning...he was 0 for 3 with a walk and a run scored at the plate.
The Bad:
Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 1 before being carried out on a stretcher.
Brock Holt was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Joe Kelly gave up 2 runs in 1 1/3 innings.
Blaine Boyer gave up 3 runs in an inning.
The Ugly:
Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4.
Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 but made the hit count as it was a 2 run home run.
Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 with a run scored.
Sandy Leon was 0 for 3 but drove in a run.
Honorable Mention:
Hanley Ramirez played 1st base in the top of the ninth.
Final Thoughts:
Any good feeling the Sox had after the first 3 weeks of August is gone now. Back to back disasters are complete momentun killers. Its wasn't just that they lost to Baltimore, they got chewed up and spat out by a team still smarting over their last series at Fenway. The Sox cant afford too many losses with the division race as close as it is. Hopefully the Sox can bounce back tomorrow. The loss dropped the Sox to 73-55, 5.5 games ahead of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow afternoon Eduardo Rodriguez goes mano e mano with Kevin Gausman at 4:05 PM at Fenway Park.
Porcello got the ball in the top of the first inning and gave the game away. He struck out Tim Beckham to start but Manny Machado singled off the Monster. Jonathan Schoop singled to right. Porcello then dug his own grave as Adam Jones hit a liner right to his head that he narrowly avoided with his glove. Rather than throw to first, Porcello threw the ball 500 feet straight in the air. Machado scored and Schoop went to third on the error. Trey Mancini hit a sacrifice fly to center that scored Schoop and Chris Davis grounded out to end the inning, but the O's were up 2-0.
Jeremy Hellickson got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and the Sox did absolutely nothing. Eduardo Nunez grounded out to short, Andrew Benintendi popped up to third and Mookie Betts popped up to left to end the inning.
The O's, meanwhile, had no trouble hitting Porcello as Mark Trumbo blasted a solo home run to keep it rolling for Baltimore. Wellington Castillo singled to right but was erased on the Seth Smith force. The train kept rolling as Beckham hit a routine grounder to Rafael Devers who threw the ball 750 feet over the head of Mitch Moreland for another error, allowing Smith to reach third. Machado singled up the middle to score Smith and Porcello bounced a pitch 3 feet in front of home plate, allowing Beckham to reach third. Things got even worse when Schoop struck out and Machado cleaned out Nunez at second trying to steal. Beckham scored and Machado made it all the way to third. Nunez had to be carried off the field on a stretcher and Brock Holt took over at second. Jones popped up to center to end the inning but it was now 5-0 Baltimore and just getting worse.
The Sox tried to fight back in the bottom of the second as Moreland got a lucky break when he hit a ground ball into the shift that was thrown away by Schoop. Bogaerts took advantage by blasting a 2 run home run into the Monster Seats to cut into the lead. Devers flied out to center and Chris Young popped up before Rajai Davis made his Sox debut by grounding out to short to end the inning. Still, the Sox showed some life and it was 5-2.
For some reason Porcello game back for the top of the third and somehow struck out Mancini to start. Naturally Davis blasted a moonshot to dead center to kill any momentum the Sox had. Trumbo then almost hit one out but Mookie robbed him at the wall. Porcello struck out Castillo but the rout was on, 6-2 O's.
The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the third as Leon popped up to third, Holt flied out to left and Benintendi flied out to right to end the inning.
Porcello came back for the top of the fourth and somehow got Smith to ground out to short to start. Beckham grounded out to first and Machado hit a comebacker to the mound to end the inning. As usual the Sox went quietly in the bottom of the fourth as Betts lined out to center, Moreland watched strike three go by and Bogaerts grounded out to short to end the inning.
The Red Sox put on one of the most embarrassing displays of incompetence in the top of the fifth inning. Schoop singled and moved to second on the ground out by Jones. Mancini singled home Schoop but Davis his a picture perfect double play ball to Bogaerts...who threw it 500 feet over the head of Holt at second onto Euctaw Street for an error. Trumbo walked to load the bases although Mancini was out at home on a force by Castillo. At this point the game wasn't totally out of reach if Porcello could get the third out. It didnt happen as Smith singled to score Davis and Trumbo, chasing Porcello from the game. Another hideous start by Porcello was about to get worse with Joe Kelly now in the game. Beckham doubled home Castillo and Smith to close the book on Rick. Machado singled Beckham to third and Schoop singled to score Tim. Jones singled and Benintendi got so frustrated with the 7th hit of the inning he turned around and heaved the ball into the Monster Seats for an error, scoring Machado. Mancini grounded out to end the inning but the massacre was now 13-2 Baltimore.
The Sox did manage to show some life trailing by 11 in the bottom of the fifth inning. Devers singled but Young was rung up for strike three. Davis singled Devers to third and Rafael scored on the Leon sac fly. A wild pitch moved Davis to second but Holt grounded out to end the inning with the Sox down 13-3.
Kelly returned for the top of the sixth inning and struck out both Davis and Trumbo. Castillo singled and Smith walked, but Beckham struck out to end the inning. The Sox offense was done for the night in the bottom of the sixth inning as Benintendi, Betts and Moreland all grounded out to end the inning.
Blaine Boyer came in for a beating in the top of the seventh inning. Machado flied out to right but both Schoop and Jones singled. Mancini tripled home everyone before Davis scored Trey with a sac fly. Trumbo singled but Castillo flied out to right to end the inning. The O's built a 16-3 lead...what a rout.
Craig Gentry came in for Jones in the bottom of the seventh as Bogaerts flied out to left and Devers flied out to center. Young doubled and Beckham booted a grounder by Davis, allowing him to reach. Leon popped up to end the inning.
Robby Scott came in to pitch the top of the eighth inning and got Smith to fly out to left to start. Beckham lined out to center as Anthony Santander pinch hit for Machado only to pop up to end the inning. Ryan Flaherty replaced Smith as Richard Bleier came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth. Holt and Benintendi grounded out to short but Betts singled and took second on a wild throw by Bleier. Moreland walked but Bogaerts flied out to right to end the inning.
Things got entertaining as Hanley Ramirez came in to play first because Mitch Moreland took over on the mound. No, that's not a typo...Moreland was asked to pitch the top of the ninth inning, shades of Darnell McDonald in 2012, to save some arms. Caleb Joseph pinch hit for Schoop and Moreland struck him out, no joke. Gentry grounded out to short but Mancini and Davis stroked back to back singles. Trumbo grounded out to short to end the inning. Mitch Moreland pitched a scoreless inning, no lie.
Mercifully the game ended in the bottom of the ninth with Mike Wright on the mound. Devers lined out to start but Beckham dropped a pop up, allowing Young to reach. Davis was plunked but Leon popped up. Holt looked at strike 3 to end this disaster. The O's had won 16-3.
Jackass of the Night is Rick Porcello. He was a complete dumpster fire giving up 10 hits, a walk and ELEVEN runs. His regression from last year is downright appalling.
The Good:
Chris Young was 2 for 4.
Rajai Davis was 1 for 3.
Robby Scott pitched a scoreless 8th.
Mitch Moreland pitched a scoreless 9th inning...he was 0 for 3 with a walk and a run scored at the plate.
The Bad:
Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 1 before being carried out on a stretcher.
Brock Holt was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Joe Kelly gave up 2 runs in 1 1/3 innings.
Blaine Boyer gave up 3 runs in an inning.
The Ugly:
Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4.
Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 but made the hit count as it was a 2 run home run.
Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 with a run scored.
Sandy Leon was 0 for 3 but drove in a run.
Honorable Mention:
Hanley Ramirez played 1st base in the top of the ninth.
Final Thoughts:
Any good feeling the Sox had after the first 3 weeks of August is gone now. Back to back disasters are complete momentun killers. Its wasn't just that they lost to Baltimore, they got chewed up and spat out by a team still smarting over their last series at Fenway. The Sox cant afford too many losses with the division race as close as it is. Hopefully the Sox can bounce back tomorrow. The loss dropped the Sox to 73-55, 5.5 games ahead of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow afternoon Eduardo Rodriguez goes mano e mano with Kevin Gausman at 4:05 PM at Fenway Park.