Saturday, June 30, 2018
Basebawful Report of the Month
Andrew Benintendi had 9 Good, 4 Bad, 12 Ugly
Blake Swihart had 2 Good, 8 Bad, 4 Ugly, 1 Honorable Mention
Bobby Poyner had 1 Good
Brandon Workman had 9 Good, 1 Bad
Brian Johnson had 5 Good
Brock Holt had 7 Good, 2 Bad, 8 Ugly, 2 Hero, 1 Jackass, 1 Honorable Mention
Chris Sale had 2 Good, 1 Bad, 3 Hero
Christian Vazquez had 7 Good, 5 Bad, 3 Ugly, 1 Hero, 1 Honorable Mention
Craig Kimbrel had 5 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Hero
David Price had 3 Good, 1 Ugly and 1 Hero
Eduardo Nunez had 10 Good, 5 Bad, 8 Ugly
Eduardo Rodriguez had 3 Good, 2 Jackasses
Hector Velazquez had 6 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly
Jackie Bradley Jr had 6 Good, 5 Bad, 11 Ugly, 2 Hero, 1 Jackass
Jalen Beeks had 1 Jackass
JD Martinez had 13 Good, 4 Bad, 7 Ugly and 2 Hero
Joe Kelly had 6 Good, 2 Bad, 2 Jackass
Justin Haley had 2 Good, 1 Bad
Heath Hembree had 10 Good.
Matt Barnes had 9 Good, 2 Jackasses.
Mitch Moreland had 10 Good, 6 Bad, 8 Ugly and 1 Honorable Mention
Mookie Betts had 8 Good, 1 Bad, 7 Ugly
Rafael Devers had 10 Good, 5 Bad, 9 Ugly and 2 Heroes
Rick Porcello had 1 Good, 2 Ugly and 1 Hero
Robby Scott had 1 Bad
Sam Travis had 1 Good, 1 Bad, 2 Ugly
Sandy Leon had 3 Good, 4 Bad and 5 Ugly
Steve Pearce had 1 Good, 1 Honorable Mention
Steven Wright had 2 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Hero
Tzu-Wei Lin had 2 Bad
Xander Bogaerts had 12 Good, 3 Bad, 12 Ugly
Most Valuable Player is JD Martinez with 13 Good.
Least Valuable Player is Blake Swihart with 8 Bad
Ugliest Player of The Month (due to a tiebreaker) is Andrew Benintendi with 12
Hero of the Month is Chris Sale with 3
Jackass of the Month is a 3 way tie between Eduardo Rodriguez, Joe Kelly and Matt Barnes
The Honorable Players of the Month are Swihart, Brock Holt, Christian Vazquez, Mitch Moreland and Steve Pearce
Sox Pound Yankees, Sale Dominant (6/30/18)
After the New York Yankees beat the crap out of the Boston Red Sox last night to take over first place, the Red Sox served the humilation back tonight to the Yankees. Riding the hot hand of Chris Sale (8-4, 2.41 ERA) and his 7 shutout innings, the Sox pounded Yankees starter Sonny Gray and the bullpen for 11 runs off 17 hits. If Friday night's game was lopsided, this was an out and out disaster for the Yankees as the Sox moved back into first to end the month of June with a 11-0 drubbing of the Yankees in Yankee Stadium.
Warren Demartini approves of the win
The Sox put the game away early in the top of the first inning although Mr. Mookie Betts flied out to right to begin. Andrew Benintendi grounded out to second but JD Martinez beat out an infield single to second. Mitch Moreland walked and Xander Bogaerts singled. Last night it was Gleyber Torres of the Yankees who was the big hero so tonight it was Rafael Devers turn to take center stage as he pulvarized a grand slam into the left field stands to ice the game early. Eduardo Nunez grounded out to third to end the inning but it was 4-0 Sox.
Devers blasts a grand slam
Sale got off to a rocky start when he plunked Aaron Hicks to open the bottom of the first although he recovered to blow away Aaron Judge. Giancarlo Stanton singled but Torres whiffed. Didi Gregorius lined out to center to end the inning. That would be the last hit allowed by Sale the rest of his outing.
The Sox pounced again in the top of the second inning as Sandy Leon doubled to start. Jackie Bradley Jr lined out to left but Mr. Mookie walked. Benintendi singled to right to score Leon and advance JBJ to third, where he scored on the Martinez sac fly. Benintendi swiped second but Moreland grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox up 6-0.
JBJ scores another run
Sale got Miguel Andujar to pop up to first to open the bottom of the second before Brandon Drury looked at strike three. Austin Romine walked and moved to second on a wild pitch but Brett Gardner looked at strike three to end the inning.
The Sox knocked Gray out in the top of the third as Bogaerts and Devers stroked back to back singles to open the frame. Both runners advanced into scoring position on the Nunez grounder and that was it for Gray. Adam Warren replaced him and got Leon to fly out to right. Bogaerts took off for home but was thrown out by Judge to end the inning. Sale cruised in the bottom of the third as Hicks flied out to center, Judge whiffed and Stanton lined out to short to end the inning.
The Sox did nothing in the top of the fourth as JBJ flied out to left to start. Mr. Mookie singled but Benintendi and Martinez whiffed to end the inning. Sale blew away Torres to start the bottom of the fourth before Gregorious popped up back to Chris. Andujar flied out to center to end the inning.
Warren held down the Sox in the top of the fifth as Moreland whiffed to start. Bogaerts grounded out to third but Devers singled. Nunez whiffed to end the inning. Sale cruised in the bottom of the fifth as Drury whiffed to start. Romine grounded out to second and Gardner grounded out to third to end the inning.
Giovanny Gallegos came in for the Yankees and the Sox tagged him in the top of the sixth. Leon whiffed to start before JBJ singled. Mr. Mookie walked but Benintendi whiffed. Martinez joined the rbi parade with a single to score JBJ. Moreland flied out to left to end the inning but it was 7-0 Sox.
Martinez scores
Sale turned up the heat in the bottom of the sixth by striking out Hicks to start. Sale blew away Judge and Stanton to end the inning.
Kyle Higashioka came in to catch the top of the seventh as Bogaerts grounded out to short to begin. Devers smacked a double to right before Nunez whiffed. Leon smashed his fourth homer of the year to increase the lead before JBJ grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 9-0.
Leon goes yard
Sale returned for one last inning in the bottom of the seventh and he began by striking out Torres. Gregorius grounded out to first and Andujar grounded out to second to end the inning. Sale had thrown 7 innings of 1 hit, no run ball while striking out 11. Yankee fans were stunned.
Sale dominates the Yankees
Jonathan Holder was the next to get tagged in the top of the eighth as Mr. Mookie doubled to begin. Benintendi moved Betts to third with a groundout and Martinez singled Betts home. Moreland flied out to right and Bogaerts grounded into a force to end the inning but it was 10-0 Sox.
Brock "The Hitman" Holt took over for Nunez, Blake Swihart took over for Leon and Heath Hembree took the mound for the bottom of the eighth inning. Drury whiffed to start before Higashioka popped up to second. Gardner walke but Hicks grounded out to first to end the inning.
Chasen Shreve was the last in line for the Sox to score on in the top of the ninth. Devers got his 5th hit of the night with a base hit to left to begin. A wild pitch moved Devers to second before he scored on the Holt single. Swihart whiffed, JBJ lined out to second and Mr. Mookie whiffed to end the inning with the Sox ahead 11-0.
Have a day Devers
Steve Pearce came in for Moreland with Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez now on the mound for the bottom of the ninth. Judge grounded out to third and Stanton grounded out to short before Torres singled to left. Gregorius grounded out to end the game. The Sox had ransacked the Yankees 11-0 to jump back in first.
Hero of the Night is Chris Sale. He held the high powered Yankee offense to just 1 hit over 7 innings while striking out 11.
Sale the Hero
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 2 for 4 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored.
JD Martinez was 3 for 4 with 3 rbis and a run scored.
Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 5 with a run scored.
Rafael Devers was 5 for 5 with 3 total runs scored including a grand slam.
Brock Holt singled and drove in a run as a pinch hitter.
Sandy Leon was 2 for 4 with 2 total runs scored including a 2 run homer.
The Bad:
Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Blake Swihart struck out in his only at bat.
The Ugly:
Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts but drove in a run.
Mitch Moreland was 0 for 4 but walked and scored.
Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.
Honorable Mention:
Steve Pearce played first in the bottom of the ninth.
Final Thoughts:
Now that's more like it. After getting humiliated last night it was nice to see the Sox serve it back to the Yankees in their own house. Chris Sale was outstanding and if these two teams are to meet in October, I'd match him up against anyone the Yankees throw out. Devers has been in a sophomore slump this season so to see him break out was great to see. The addition of Steve Pearce may not pay dividends in the boxscore but having that extra depth will keep a lot of people healthy when it matters. Beating the Yankees in New York is always clutch especially with first place on the line. There's still one more game to win if the Sox want to walk out of New York in first place. The win improved the Sox to 56-28, 1 game ahead of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night is the rubber match to decide first place and give someone that lead in the season series with both teams at four wins apiece right now. David Price (9-5) looks to shed his "not a big game pitcher" image when he takes on Luis Severino at 8:00 PM at Yankee Stadium.
The Sox put the game away early in the top of the first inning although Mr. Mookie Betts flied out to right to begin. Andrew Benintendi grounded out to second but JD Martinez beat out an infield single to second. Mitch Moreland walked and Xander Bogaerts singled. Last night it was Gleyber Torres of the Yankees who was the big hero so tonight it was Rafael Devers turn to take center stage as he pulvarized a grand slam into the left field stands to ice the game early. Eduardo Nunez grounded out to third to end the inning but it was 4-0 Sox.
Sale got off to a rocky start when he plunked Aaron Hicks to open the bottom of the first although he recovered to blow away Aaron Judge. Giancarlo Stanton singled but Torres whiffed. Didi Gregorius lined out to center to end the inning. That would be the last hit allowed by Sale the rest of his outing.
The Sox pounced again in the top of the second inning as Sandy Leon doubled to start. Jackie Bradley Jr lined out to left but Mr. Mookie walked. Benintendi singled to right to score Leon and advance JBJ to third, where he scored on the Martinez sac fly. Benintendi swiped second but Moreland grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox up 6-0.
Sale got Miguel Andujar to pop up to first to open the bottom of the second before Brandon Drury looked at strike three. Austin Romine walked and moved to second on a wild pitch but Brett Gardner looked at strike three to end the inning.
The Sox knocked Gray out in the top of the third as Bogaerts and Devers stroked back to back singles to open the frame. Both runners advanced into scoring position on the Nunez grounder and that was it for Gray. Adam Warren replaced him and got Leon to fly out to right. Bogaerts took off for home but was thrown out by Judge to end the inning. Sale cruised in the bottom of the third as Hicks flied out to center, Judge whiffed and Stanton lined out to short to end the inning.
The Sox did nothing in the top of the fourth as JBJ flied out to left to start. Mr. Mookie singled but Benintendi and Martinez whiffed to end the inning. Sale blew away Torres to start the bottom of the fourth before Gregorious popped up back to Chris. Andujar flied out to center to end the inning.
Warren held down the Sox in the top of the fifth as Moreland whiffed to start. Bogaerts grounded out to third but Devers singled. Nunez whiffed to end the inning. Sale cruised in the bottom of the fifth as Drury whiffed to start. Romine grounded out to second and Gardner grounded out to third to end the inning.
Giovanny Gallegos came in for the Yankees and the Sox tagged him in the top of the sixth. Leon whiffed to start before JBJ singled. Mr. Mookie walked but Benintendi whiffed. Martinez joined the rbi parade with a single to score JBJ. Moreland flied out to left to end the inning but it was 7-0 Sox.
Sale turned up the heat in the bottom of the sixth by striking out Hicks to start. Sale blew away Judge and Stanton to end the inning.
Kyle Higashioka came in to catch the top of the seventh as Bogaerts grounded out to short to begin. Devers smacked a double to right before Nunez whiffed. Leon smashed his fourth homer of the year to increase the lead before JBJ grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 9-0.
Sale returned for one last inning in the bottom of the seventh and he began by striking out Torres. Gregorius grounded out to first and Andujar grounded out to second to end the inning. Sale had thrown 7 innings of 1 hit, no run ball while striking out 11. Yankee fans were stunned.
Jonathan Holder was the next to get tagged in the top of the eighth as Mr. Mookie doubled to begin. Benintendi moved Betts to third with a groundout and Martinez singled Betts home. Moreland flied out to right and Bogaerts grounded into a force to end the inning but it was 10-0 Sox.
Brock "The Hitman" Holt took over for Nunez, Blake Swihart took over for Leon and Heath Hembree took the mound for the bottom of the eighth inning. Drury whiffed to start before Higashioka popped up to second. Gardner walke but Hicks grounded out to first to end the inning.
Chasen Shreve was the last in line for the Sox to score on in the top of the ninth. Devers got his 5th hit of the night with a base hit to left to begin. A wild pitch moved Devers to second before he scored on the Holt single. Swihart whiffed, JBJ lined out to second and Mr. Mookie whiffed to end the inning with the Sox ahead 11-0.
Steve Pearce came in for Moreland with Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez now on the mound for the bottom of the ninth. Judge grounded out to third and Stanton grounded out to short before Torres singled to left. Gregorius grounded out to end the game. The Sox had ransacked the Yankees 11-0 to jump back in first.
Hero of the Night is Chris Sale. He held the high powered Yankee offense to just 1 hit over 7 innings while striking out 11.
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 2 for 4 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored.
JD Martinez was 3 for 4 with 3 rbis and a run scored.
Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 5 with a run scored.
Rafael Devers was 5 for 5 with 3 total runs scored including a grand slam.
Brock Holt singled and drove in a run as a pinch hitter.
Sandy Leon was 2 for 4 with 2 total runs scored including a 2 run homer.
The Bad:
Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Blake Swihart struck out in his only at bat.
The Ugly:
Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts but drove in a run.
Mitch Moreland was 0 for 4 but walked and scored.
Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.
Honorable Mention:
Steve Pearce played first in the bottom of the ninth.
Final Thoughts:
Now that's more like it. After getting humiliated last night it was nice to see the Sox serve it back to the Yankees in their own house. Chris Sale was outstanding and if these two teams are to meet in October, I'd match him up against anyone the Yankees throw out. Devers has been in a sophomore slump this season so to see him break out was great to see. The addition of Steve Pearce may not pay dividends in the boxscore but having that extra depth will keep a lot of people healthy when it matters. Beating the Yankees in New York is always clutch especially with first place on the line. There's still one more game to win if the Sox want to walk out of New York in first place. The win improved the Sox to 56-28, 1 game ahead of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night is the rubber match to decide first place and give someone that lead in the season series with both teams at four wins apiece right now. David Price (9-5) looks to shed his "not a big game pitcher" image when he takes on Luis Severino at 8:00 PM at Yankee Stadium.
Friday, June 29, 2018
Yankees Crush Rodriguez, Sox (6/29/18)
Before the game the Boston Red Sox activated newly acquired OF/1B Steve Pearce to the active roster. He's got an rbi bat and infield depth and should be a nice platoon with Mitch Moreland. The Sox sent down infielder Tzu-Wei Lin to Pawtucket to clear room for him.
OUT
IN
As for the game, what a disaster. The Sox walked right into a New York buzzsaw and were completely unprepared. CC Sabathia of the Yankees continued to be the big game pitcher he's always been by tossing 7 innings of 1 run ball. The relentless Yankee offense pounded Eduardo Rodriguez (9-3, 4.11 ERA) into submission and rode four home runs to a 11-1 spanking of the Sox at Yankee Stadium to put the Yankees in first place.
Sabathia began his domination in the top of the first inning as Mr. Mookie Betts flied out to center to begin. Andrew Benintendi whiffed before JD Martinez grounded out to third to end the inning. Rodriguez started strong in the bottom of the first by getting Aaron Hicks to fly out to center to start. Aaron Judge lined out to center before Giancarlo Stanton walked. Didi Gregorius flied out to left to end the inning.
Steve Pearce made his Red Sox debut with a double to left then moved to third on the Xander Bogaerts fly out to right. He was stranded as Eduardo Nunez popped up to first and Rafael Devers lined out to center to end the inning. The Yankees struck first in the bottom of the second as Gleyber Torres tripled past Jackie Bradley Jr in center before Miguel Andujar singled him home. Greg Bird looked at strike three and Austin Romine banged into a double play but it was 1-0 New York.
The Yankees strike first
The Sox failed to respond in the top of the third inning as Christian Vazquez grounded out to third to start. JBJ looked at strike three but Mr. Mookie singled. Betts swiped second and Benintendi walked, but Martinez lined out to center to end the inning. Rodriguez cruised in the bottom of the third as Brett Gardner grounded out to third to begin. Hicks grounded out to third and Judge lined out to center to end the inning.
Pearce singled to open the top of the fourth but Bogaerts banged into a double play. Nunez singled but Devers grounded out to short to end the inning. The Yankees iced the game in the bottom of the fourth as Stanton walked to start before Gregorius doubled him to third. Torres scored Stanton with a sac fly and Andujar crushed a 30,000 foot home run to ice the game. Bird then hit a 950 foot blast for another run to rub it in. Romine grounded out to second but Gardner singled. Hicks flied out to left to end the inning but it was 5-0 Yankees and that was that.
Rodriguez couldn't get it done
The Sox did manage to fight back in the top of the fifth although Vazquez lined out to left to begin. JBJ flied out to center but Mr. Mookie doubled and Benintendi doubled him home. Benintendi swiped third but Martinez flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox down 5-1.
Betts scores the only run
Rodriguez returned for the bottom of the fifth and cruised. Judge looked at strike three before Stanton grounded out to second. Gregorius lined out to third to end the inning.
Any hopes of a rally were dashed in the top of the sixth as Pearce whiffed to start. Bogaerts grounded out to second and Nunez flied out to center to end the inning. Rodriguez came back for one more inning in the bottom of the sixth but gave up a single to Torres to start. Andujar popped up to first, Bird popped up to second and Romine flied out to right to end the inning. Rodriguez got lit up for 5 runs but did manage to last 6 innings.
Rodriguez failed to keep the Sox in first
Sabathia came back for the top of the seventh and dominated. Devers and Vazquez both whiffed but JBJ was plunked. Mr. Mookie grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Sabathia has been a big game pitcher his whole career and with first place on the line, he stepped up. Justin Haley was the sacrificial lamb to pitch the rest of the game and he got tagged in the bottom of the seventh. Gardner grounded out to second but Hicks singled. Judge crushed a 300,000 foot home run into the Long Island Sound to increase the lead. Stanton flied out to center and Gregorius grounded out to first to end the inning but it was 7-1 Yankees.
What a bomb by Judge
Chad Green had the top of the eighth and the Sox went quietly. Benintendi looked at strike three, Martinez lined out to right and Pearce flied out to center to end the inning. Haley came back to finish the bottom of the eighth but the Yankees got him again. Torres flied out to right before Andujar singled, only to get thrown out at second trying to stretch a double. Bird then smashed a 14,000 foot home run to wrap up the scoring. Romine flied out to right to end the inning with the Yankees up 8-1.
Bird hits another one out
Chasen Shreve had mop up duty in the top of the ninth and Bogaerts grounded out to second to start. Nunez whiffed and Devers struck out swinging to end the game. The Yankees had taken the game and first place with a 8-1 victory.
Jackass of the Night is Eduardo Rodriguez. With first place on the line he got shelled for 5 runs in 6 innings of work while giving up 2 long bombs. So much for him stepping up as a big game pitcher.
Rodriguez the Jackass
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 2 for 4 with a stolen base and a run scored.
Andrew Benintendi was 1 for 3 with a walk, stolen base and an rbi.
Steve Pearce was 2 for 4.
The Bad:
JD Martinez was 0 for 4.
Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4.
Rafael Devers was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Christian Vazquez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.
Justin Haley gave up 3 runs in 2 innings.
The Ugly:
Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 2 but was hit with a pitch.
Final Thoughts:
So much for coming into New York and sending a message to the Yankees, unless the message was "WE GIVE UP!" That was embarrassing not only to get their asses handed to them but to not even put up a fight. Sabathia had them out of sorts all night and whatever the Yankees hit seemed to go a long way. For a team that could be destined to win 100 games, the Yankees could be on pace to win 105. This kind of effort is not going to cut it for the Red Sox, especially on the road in New York. Steve Pearce got two hits in his debut but Martinez, Bogaerts, Devers and Vazquez were a combined 0 for 15 with 3 strikeouts. There are two games left in this set but they better improve in a hurry or else they're not walking out of New York in first place. The loss drops the Sox to 55-28, 1 game behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox turn to Chris Sale (7-4) to bail them out against Yankees starter Sonny Gray at 7:10 PM at Yankee Stadium.
Steve Pearce made his Red Sox debut with a double to left then moved to third on the Xander Bogaerts fly out to right. He was stranded as Eduardo Nunez popped up to first and Rafael Devers lined out to center to end the inning. The Yankees struck first in the bottom of the second as Gleyber Torres tripled past Jackie Bradley Jr in center before Miguel Andujar singled him home. Greg Bird looked at strike three and Austin Romine banged into a double play but it was 1-0 New York.
The Sox failed to respond in the top of the third inning as Christian Vazquez grounded out to third to start. JBJ looked at strike three but Mr. Mookie singled. Betts swiped second and Benintendi walked, but Martinez lined out to center to end the inning. Rodriguez cruised in the bottom of the third as Brett Gardner grounded out to third to begin. Hicks grounded out to third and Judge lined out to center to end the inning.
Pearce singled to open the top of the fourth but Bogaerts banged into a double play. Nunez singled but Devers grounded out to short to end the inning. The Yankees iced the game in the bottom of the fourth as Stanton walked to start before Gregorius doubled him to third. Torres scored Stanton with a sac fly and Andujar crushed a 30,000 foot home run to ice the game. Bird then hit a 950 foot blast for another run to rub it in. Romine grounded out to second but Gardner singled. Hicks flied out to left to end the inning but it was 5-0 Yankees and that was that.
The Sox did manage to fight back in the top of the fifth although Vazquez lined out to left to begin. JBJ flied out to center but Mr. Mookie doubled and Benintendi doubled him home. Benintendi swiped third but Martinez flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox down 5-1.
Rodriguez returned for the bottom of the fifth and cruised. Judge looked at strike three before Stanton grounded out to second. Gregorius lined out to third to end the inning.
Any hopes of a rally were dashed in the top of the sixth as Pearce whiffed to start. Bogaerts grounded out to second and Nunez flied out to center to end the inning. Rodriguez came back for one more inning in the bottom of the sixth but gave up a single to Torres to start. Andujar popped up to first, Bird popped up to second and Romine flied out to right to end the inning. Rodriguez got lit up for 5 runs but did manage to last 6 innings.
Sabathia came back for the top of the seventh and dominated. Devers and Vazquez both whiffed but JBJ was plunked. Mr. Mookie grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Sabathia has been a big game pitcher his whole career and with first place on the line, he stepped up. Justin Haley was the sacrificial lamb to pitch the rest of the game and he got tagged in the bottom of the seventh. Gardner grounded out to second but Hicks singled. Judge crushed a 300,000 foot home run into the Long Island Sound to increase the lead. Stanton flied out to center and Gregorius grounded out to first to end the inning but it was 7-1 Yankees.
Chad Green had the top of the eighth and the Sox went quietly. Benintendi looked at strike three, Martinez lined out to right and Pearce flied out to center to end the inning. Haley came back to finish the bottom of the eighth but the Yankees got him again. Torres flied out to right before Andujar singled, only to get thrown out at second trying to stretch a double. Bird then smashed a 14,000 foot home run to wrap up the scoring. Romine flied out to right to end the inning with the Yankees up 8-1.
Chasen Shreve had mop up duty in the top of the ninth and Bogaerts grounded out to second to start. Nunez whiffed and Devers struck out swinging to end the game. The Yankees had taken the game and first place with a 8-1 victory.
Jackass of the Night is Eduardo Rodriguez. With first place on the line he got shelled for 5 runs in 6 innings of work while giving up 2 long bombs. So much for him stepping up as a big game pitcher.
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 2 for 4 with a stolen base and a run scored.
Andrew Benintendi was 1 for 3 with a walk, stolen base and an rbi.
Steve Pearce was 2 for 4.
The Bad:
JD Martinez was 0 for 4.
Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4.
Rafael Devers was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Christian Vazquez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.
Justin Haley gave up 3 runs in 2 innings.
The Ugly:
Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 2 but was hit with a pitch.
Final Thoughts:
So much for coming into New York and sending a message to the Yankees, unless the message was "WE GIVE UP!" That was embarrassing not only to get their asses handed to them but to not even put up a fight. Sabathia had them out of sorts all night and whatever the Yankees hit seemed to go a long way. For a team that could be destined to win 100 games, the Yankees could be on pace to win 105. This kind of effort is not going to cut it for the Red Sox, especially on the road in New York. Steve Pearce got two hits in his debut but Martinez, Bogaerts, Devers and Vazquez were a combined 0 for 15 with 3 strikeouts. There are two games left in this set but they better improve in a hurry or else they're not walking out of New York in first place. The loss drops the Sox to 55-28, 1 game behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox turn to Chris Sale (7-4) to bail them out against Yankees starter Sonny Gray at 7:10 PM at Yankee Stadium.
Thursday, June 28, 2018
Sox Sweep Angels, Yankees Next (6/28/18)
Before the game the Boston Red Sox had made a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays. The Sox sent minor league infielder Santiago Espinal for righthanded hitter Steve Pearce. Pearce has played for every team in the AL East and has a reputation of hitting left handed pitching. This is good news for Mitch Moreland so he can hit against righties and Pearce can hit against lefties...if he plays well.
Pearce is coming
As for the game, the Sox are headed to New York with a bit of momentum in their showdown with the Yankees for the AL East crown just before the All-Star break after tonight's game against the Los Angeles Angels. The Sox used a patchwork pitching staff to hold the Angels to 2 runs while JBJ matched that production with a 2 run home run. A Rafael Devers home run and another run proved to be the difference in the game as the Sox swept the Angels out of Fenway with a 4-2 win at Fenway Park.
Carnage approves of the win
Johnson took the ball in the top of the first inning and Ian Kinsler grounded out to short to start. Mike Trout grounded out to third before Justin Upton flied out to center to end the inning. Jaime Barria got the start for the Angels in the bottom of the first and Mr. Mookie Betts popped up to second to start. Andrew Benintendi lined out to right and JD Martinez grounded out to second to end the inning.
Johnson got Albert Pujols to ground out to third to begin the top of the second before Andrelton Simmons flied out to left. David Fletcher singled before Chris Young whiffed to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the second as Mitch Moreland whiffed to start. Xander Bogaerts doubled and moved to third on the Brock "The Hitman" Holt grounder but Rafael Devers grounded out to short to end the inning.
Johnson ran into trouble in the top of the third although Jose Briceno whiffed to start. Michael Hermosillo flied out to center but Kinsler singled. Trout walked but Upton grounded out to short to end the inning. Not much happened in the bottom of the third as Christian Vazquez flied out to right to begin. Jackie Bradley Jr whiffed but Mr. Mookie singled. Benintendi lined out to center to end the inning.
The Angels struck first in the top of the fourth although Pujols lined out to third to begin. Simmons then crushed a 10,000 foot home run to give the Angels the lead. Fletcher flied out to left and Young lined out to left to end the inning but the Angels were up 1-0.
Simmons strikes first
The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the fourth as Martinez flied out to center to start. Moreland whiffed but Bogaerts walked. Holt looked at strike three to end the inning.
That was it for Johnson as Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez came in to pitch the top of the fifth inning. Briceno grounded out to third but Hermosillo beat out an infield single to third. Hermosillo was erased on the Force by Kinsler but Trout was hit with a pitch. Upton looked at strike three to end the inning.
The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fifth as Devers smashed his 13th home run of the year to tie the game. Vazquez singled but was foolishly thrown out trying to stretch a double before JBJ popped up to second. Mr. Mookie grounded out to third to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.
Devers ties it up
Velazquez cruised in the top of the sixth by getting Pujols to ground out to short to begin. Simmons whiffed and Fletcher looked at strike three to end the inning. The Sox took the lead in the bottom of the sixth although Benintendi grounded out to second to start. Martinez walked to chase Barria as Jose Alvarez replaced him. Moreland doubled and Bogaerts was intentionally walked to load the bases. Holt drew a bases loaded walk to put the Sox on top but Devers banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox up 2-1.
"Where was that run support for me?" - BJ
Brandon Workman had the top of the seventh and he struck out Young swinging to start. Briceno whiffed and Kole Calhoun pinch hit for Hermosillo only to draw a walk. Kinsler flied out to left to end the inning.
Old pal Noe Ramirez came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and the Sox tagged him. Vazquez singled and the red hot JBJ crushed a 2 run bomb to ice the game. Mr. Mookie flied out to center and Benintendi grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-1.
JBJ goes yard
Benintendi saved the day in the top of the eighth with Joe Kelly now on the mound. Trout walked before Upton singled. Pujols singled home Trout to cut the lead in half. Simmons lined out to right and Benintendi made a great jumping catch up against the wall to rob Fletcher of a game tying double. Luis Valbuena pinch hit for Young and he flied out to center to end the inning with the Angels down 4-2.
Benintendi saves the day
Fletcher moved to right, Valbuena went to third and Calhoun went to center with Blake Parker now on the mound for the bottom of the eighth inning. Moreland grounded out to first, Bogaerts grounded out to third and Holt grounded out to short to end the inning.
Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel came in for the save in the top of the ninth inning. Martin Maldonado pinch hit for Briceno and Kimbrel blew him away. Calhoun walkd but Kinsler whiffed. Kimbrel blew away Trout to end the game. The Sox had swept the Angels out of Fenway 4-2. Bring on the Yankees.
Sox sweep the Angels
Hero of the Night is Jackie Bradley Jr. His two run home run turned out to be the difference in the game.
Jackie Bradley Hero
The Good:
Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 2 with 2 walks.
Rafael Devers was 1 for 3 including a solo home run.
Christian Vazquez was 2 for 3 with a run scored.
Brian Johnson allowed 1 run in 4 innings of work.
Hector Velazquez pitched 2 scoreless innings to earn the win.
Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless 7th inning.
Craig Kimbrel earned his 24th save with a scoreless 9th inning.
The Bad:
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 4.
Joe Kelly allowed a run in the 8th inning.
The Ugly:
Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4.
JD Martinez was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.
Mitch Moreland was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Brock Holt was 0 for 3 but walked and drove in a run.
Final Thoughts:
Bring on the Yankees. The Sox completed the three game sweep to take the Angels out of Fenway and now they have to go on the road to prove they are the best team in the AL East. The Angels are now 41-41 on the season and with the way the Oakland A's, Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners are playing...they may want to think about being sellers at the trade deadline. Without Shoeni Ohtani there's really nothing else besides a washed up Pujols and Trout. As for the game, big win for the Sox with some shutdown relief pitching apart from Kelly. The offense was timely but just enough to get the job done. The Sox are headed toward their best start to the season ever but it won't mean anything if the Yankees sweep them out of the Bronx this weekend. The addition of Steve Pearce will help against the lefthanders the Yankees may throw at them once he's activated. The win propelled the Sox to 55-27, 1 game ahead of the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night Eduardo Rodriguez (9-2) takes on CC Sabathia at 7:05 PM at Yankee Stadium.
As for the game, the Sox are headed to New York with a bit of momentum in their showdown with the Yankees for the AL East crown just before the All-Star break after tonight's game against the Los Angeles Angels. The Sox used a patchwork pitching staff to hold the Angels to 2 runs while JBJ matched that production with a 2 run home run. A Rafael Devers home run and another run proved to be the difference in the game as the Sox swept the Angels out of Fenway with a 4-2 win at Fenway Park.
Johnson took the ball in the top of the first inning and Ian Kinsler grounded out to short to start. Mike Trout grounded out to third before Justin Upton flied out to center to end the inning. Jaime Barria got the start for the Angels in the bottom of the first and Mr. Mookie Betts popped up to second to start. Andrew Benintendi lined out to right and JD Martinez grounded out to second to end the inning.
Johnson got Albert Pujols to ground out to third to begin the top of the second before Andrelton Simmons flied out to left. David Fletcher singled before Chris Young whiffed to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the second as Mitch Moreland whiffed to start. Xander Bogaerts doubled and moved to third on the Brock "The Hitman" Holt grounder but Rafael Devers grounded out to short to end the inning.
Johnson ran into trouble in the top of the third although Jose Briceno whiffed to start. Michael Hermosillo flied out to center but Kinsler singled. Trout walked but Upton grounded out to short to end the inning. Not much happened in the bottom of the third as Christian Vazquez flied out to right to begin. Jackie Bradley Jr whiffed but Mr. Mookie singled. Benintendi lined out to center to end the inning.
The Angels struck first in the top of the fourth although Pujols lined out to third to begin. Simmons then crushed a 10,000 foot home run to give the Angels the lead. Fletcher flied out to left and Young lined out to left to end the inning but the Angels were up 1-0.
The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the fourth as Martinez flied out to center to start. Moreland whiffed but Bogaerts walked. Holt looked at strike three to end the inning.
That was it for Johnson as Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez came in to pitch the top of the fifth inning. Briceno grounded out to third but Hermosillo beat out an infield single to third. Hermosillo was erased on the Force by Kinsler but Trout was hit with a pitch. Upton looked at strike three to end the inning.
The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fifth as Devers smashed his 13th home run of the year to tie the game. Vazquez singled but was foolishly thrown out trying to stretch a double before JBJ popped up to second. Mr. Mookie grounded out to third to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.
Velazquez cruised in the top of the sixth by getting Pujols to ground out to short to begin. Simmons whiffed and Fletcher looked at strike three to end the inning. The Sox took the lead in the bottom of the sixth although Benintendi grounded out to second to start. Martinez walked to chase Barria as Jose Alvarez replaced him. Moreland doubled and Bogaerts was intentionally walked to load the bases. Holt drew a bases loaded walk to put the Sox on top but Devers banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox up 2-1.
Brandon Workman had the top of the seventh and he struck out Young swinging to start. Briceno whiffed and Kole Calhoun pinch hit for Hermosillo only to draw a walk. Kinsler flied out to left to end the inning.
Old pal Noe Ramirez came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and the Sox tagged him. Vazquez singled and the red hot JBJ crushed a 2 run bomb to ice the game. Mr. Mookie flied out to center and Benintendi grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-1.
Benintendi saved the day in the top of the eighth with Joe Kelly now on the mound. Trout walked before Upton singled. Pujols singled home Trout to cut the lead in half. Simmons lined out to right and Benintendi made a great jumping catch up against the wall to rob Fletcher of a game tying double. Luis Valbuena pinch hit for Young and he flied out to center to end the inning with the Angels down 4-2.
Fletcher moved to right, Valbuena went to third and Calhoun went to center with Blake Parker now on the mound for the bottom of the eighth inning. Moreland grounded out to first, Bogaerts grounded out to third and Holt grounded out to short to end the inning.
Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel came in for the save in the top of the ninth inning. Martin Maldonado pinch hit for Briceno and Kimbrel blew him away. Calhoun walkd but Kinsler whiffed. Kimbrel blew away Trout to end the game. The Sox had swept the Angels out of Fenway 4-2. Bring on the Yankees.
Hero of the Night is Jackie Bradley Jr. His two run home run turned out to be the difference in the game.
The Good:
Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 2 with 2 walks.
Rafael Devers was 1 for 3 including a solo home run.
Christian Vazquez was 2 for 3 with a run scored.
Brian Johnson allowed 1 run in 4 innings of work.
Hector Velazquez pitched 2 scoreless innings to earn the win.
Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless 7th inning.
Craig Kimbrel earned his 24th save with a scoreless 9th inning.
The Bad:
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 4.
Joe Kelly allowed a run in the 8th inning.
The Ugly:
Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4.
JD Martinez was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.
Mitch Moreland was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Brock Holt was 0 for 3 but walked and drove in a run.
Final Thoughts:
Bring on the Yankees. The Sox completed the three game sweep to take the Angels out of Fenway and now they have to go on the road to prove they are the best team in the AL East. The Angels are now 41-41 on the season and with the way the Oakland A's, Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners are playing...they may want to think about being sellers at the trade deadline. Without Shoeni Ohtani there's really nothing else besides a washed up Pujols and Trout. As for the game, big win for the Sox with some shutdown relief pitching apart from Kelly. The offense was timely but just enough to get the job done. The Sox are headed toward their best start to the season ever but it won't mean anything if the Yankees sweep them out of the Bronx this weekend. The addition of Steve Pearce will help against the lefthanders the Yankees may throw at them once he's activated. The win propelled the Sox to 55-27, 1 game ahead of the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night Eduardo Rodriguez (9-2) takes on CC Sabathia at 7:05 PM at Yankee Stadium.
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
Sox Survive Angels Surge (6/27/18)
For 5 innings in tonight's Boston Red Sox game it looked like the Sox were headed for their third straight blowout victory when the Los Angeles Angels came alive. The Angels had the unmitigated audacity to tie the game in the top of the seventh only for the Sox to re-take the lead in the bottom of the frame. The Angels threatened big time in the 8th but Sox closer Craig Kimbrel slammed the door big time on the Angels rally. The Sox held on to win this one 9-6 at Fenway Park to take over first place in the AL East.
David Byrne approves of the win
"Slick" Rick Porcello took the mound in the top of the first inning and Ian Kinsler whiffed to start. Mike Trout grounded out to third before Justin Upton grounded out to short to end the inning. Angels starter Andrew Heaney was greeted by a Mr. Mookie Betts single to open the bottom of the first. Betts was erased on the force by Andrew Benintendi but JD Martinez walked. Xander Bogaerts and Mitch Moreland both whiffed to end the inning.
Porcello got Albert Pujols to pop up to first to begin the top of the second before Luis Valbuena was rung up for strike three. Andrelton Simmons and Kole Calhoun hit back to back singles but Martin Maldonado flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox exploded in the bottom of the second and it started when Eduardo Nunez launched his 5th home run of the season to begin the inning. Rafael Devers singled and Sandy Leon somehow smoked his 3rd home run of the year to increase the lead. Jackie Bradley Jr whiffed but Mr. Mookie walked. Benintendi singled and Martinez hit the third home run of the inning to seemingly ice the game early. Bogaerts flied out to right and Moreland flied out to center to end the inning but after 3 homers it was 6-0 Sox.
Bing bang boom its 6-0
Porcello almost got tagged in the top of the third inning although Michael Hermosillo whiffed to start. Kinsler grounded out to third but Trout singled and Upton walked. Pujols flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the third as Nunez lined out to center to begin. Devers whiffed before Leon lined out to third to end the inning.
Valbuena doubled to start the top of the fourth but Simmons grounded out to third. Calhoun whiffed but Maldonado walked. Hermosillo popped up to first to end the inning. JBJ singled to open the bottom of the fourth before Mr. Mookie walked. Benintendi flied out to right but Martinez singled to load the bases and chase Heaney. Hansel Robbles came in and JBJ was thrown out at home on the Bogaerts force. Moreland grounded out to end the inning, what a squander.
The Angels got a run back in the top of the fifth when Kinsler crushed a 500,000 foot bomb to put LA on the board. Trout whiffed, Upton grounded out to short and Pujols flied out to center to end the inning with the Angels down 6-1.
Kinsler hits one out
Cam Bedrosian came in to pitch the bottom of the fifth and Nunez grounded out to third to begin. Devers singled and swiped second but Leon whiffed. JBJ grounded out to second to end the inning.
Porcello fell apart in the top of the sixth although Valbuena flied out to left to begin. Simmons and Calhoun stroked back to back singles before Maldonado crushed a 12,000 foot bomb to put the Angels back in the game. Hermosillo grounded out to short and Sox manager Alex Cora had seen enough, lifting Porcello with the Sox still head. Porcello ran aground in the 6th but left with the lead. Heath Hembree came in and got Kinsler to fly out to right to end the inning with the Angels inching closer 6-4.
Not Porcello's best work
Justin Anderson came in for the bottom of the sixth and Mr. Mookie flied out to center to begin. Benintendi flied out to center and Martinez grounded out to second to end the inning.
Joe Kelly came in for the top of the seventh and crapped his pants. Trout popped up to first but Upton and Pujols stroked back to back singles. Valbuena hit a little squibber to Kelly who threw the ball 500 feet completely out of Fenway for an error to score Upton. Simmons doubled home Pujols to tie the game as the boo birds rained down. Kelly froze Calhoun but Sox manager Alex Cora was done with him. Matt Barnes came in and blew away Maldonado to end the inning but it was tied 6-6.
"Get outta here before I whoop your damn ass!" - Cora
The Sox wasted no time getting the lead back against Jose Alvarez in the bottom of the seventh. Bogaerts flied out to right before Moreland grounded out to second. Nunez walked and Devers doubled. Nunez came all the way around to score and Devers took third when Simmons dropped the ball for an error. Leon singled home Devers for the insurance run before JBJ grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-6.
Nunez scores!!!
Barnes returned for the top of the eighth but ran into trouble although pinch hitter David Fletcher (fr Hermosillo) whiffed to start. Kinsler hit a routine grounder to Devers who jumped on the ball and swam on top of it for an error. Trout walked but Upton whiffed. Sox manager Alex Cora took no chances and brought in Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel for the four out save. Things looked scary when Pujols walked to load the bases and Chris Yung ran for him, but Kimbrel blew away Valbuena to end the inning.
Things got scary in the bottom of the eighth as Young stayed in at center, Valbuena moved to first and Fletcher took over at third with Jake Jewell now on the mound. Mr. Mookie flied out to left but Benintendi walked. Benintendi was erased on the force by Martinez before Bogaerts doubled. Jewell uncorked a wild pitch and Martinez made a mad dash for home. Jewell tried to make the play but was spiked in the ankle by the sliding (and safe) Martinez. Jewell had to be hauled off on a gurney and carted out on a golf cart, pretty scary. Blake Parker came in and got Moreland to fly out to left to end the inning but it was 9-6 Sox.
Injuries are never a good thing
The Angels were deflated after the injury and Kimbrel locked it down in the top of the ninth. Simmons popped up to first, Calhoun grounded out to third and Maldonado whiffed to end the game. The Sox had won it 9-6.
Kimbrel locks it down
Hero of the Night is Craig Kimbrel. The Sox were in danger of blowing their 2 run lead when he slammed the door in the 8th and dominated the 9th to save the game for the Sox.
Craig The Hero Kimbrel
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and a run scored.
JD Martinez was 2 for 4 with a walk, 3 total rbi's and 2 runs scored including a 2 run home run.
Eduardo Nunez was 1 for 3 with a walk, 2 total runs scored and a solo home run.
Rafael Devers was 3 for 4 with an rbi, stolen base and 2 runs scored.
Sandy Leon was 2 for 4 with 3 total rbis including a 2 run home run.
Heath Hembree retired the only man he faced.
Matt Barnes tossed a full scoreless innings.
The Bad:
Mitch Moreland was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.
Joe Kelly allowed 2 runs in 2/3 of an inning.
The Ugly:
Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4 but walked and stole a base.
Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.
Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4.
Rick Porcello gave up 4 runs in just 5 2/3 innings of work, falling apart in the 6th inning but ending up with a no-decision.
Final Thoughts:
That could have been a lot worse but a win is a win and they all count the same. Give the Sox credit for blowing the lead only to come back and take it again. Good teams respond to adversity well and the Sox did that tonight. Porcello and Kelly werent the best but they didn't get much help defensively either, namely Kelly. Kimbrel saved the day and once again the Sox need all the momentum they can get before heading to the Bronx with first place possibly on the line, not to mention bragging rights, in the Bronx. The win improved the Sox to 54-27, percentage points ahead of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox look for the series and season sweep of the Angels as they send Brian Johnson to the mound up against Jaime Barria at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.
"Slick" Rick Porcello took the mound in the top of the first inning and Ian Kinsler whiffed to start. Mike Trout grounded out to third before Justin Upton grounded out to short to end the inning. Angels starter Andrew Heaney was greeted by a Mr. Mookie Betts single to open the bottom of the first. Betts was erased on the force by Andrew Benintendi but JD Martinez walked. Xander Bogaerts and Mitch Moreland both whiffed to end the inning.
Porcello got Albert Pujols to pop up to first to begin the top of the second before Luis Valbuena was rung up for strike three. Andrelton Simmons and Kole Calhoun hit back to back singles but Martin Maldonado flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox exploded in the bottom of the second and it started when Eduardo Nunez launched his 5th home run of the season to begin the inning. Rafael Devers singled and Sandy Leon somehow smoked his 3rd home run of the year to increase the lead. Jackie Bradley Jr whiffed but Mr. Mookie walked. Benintendi singled and Martinez hit the third home run of the inning to seemingly ice the game early. Bogaerts flied out to right and Moreland flied out to center to end the inning but after 3 homers it was 6-0 Sox.
Porcello almost got tagged in the top of the third inning although Michael Hermosillo whiffed to start. Kinsler grounded out to third but Trout singled and Upton walked. Pujols flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the third as Nunez lined out to center to begin. Devers whiffed before Leon lined out to third to end the inning.
Valbuena doubled to start the top of the fourth but Simmons grounded out to third. Calhoun whiffed but Maldonado walked. Hermosillo popped up to first to end the inning. JBJ singled to open the bottom of the fourth before Mr. Mookie walked. Benintendi flied out to right but Martinez singled to load the bases and chase Heaney. Hansel Robbles came in and JBJ was thrown out at home on the Bogaerts force. Moreland grounded out to end the inning, what a squander.
The Angels got a run back in the top of the fifth when Kinsler crushed a 500,000 foot bomb to put LA on the board. Trout whiffed, Upton grounded out to short and Pujols flied out to center to end the inning with the Angels down 6-1.
Cam Bedrosian came in to pitch the bottom of the fifth and Nunez grounded out to third to begin. Devers singled and swiped second but Leon whiffed. JBJ grounded out to second to end the inning.
Porcello fell apart in the top of the sixth although Valbuena flied out to left to begin. Simmons and Calhoun stroked back to back singles before Maldonado crushed a 12,000 foot bomb to put the Angels back in the game. Hermosillo grounded out to short and Sox manager Alex Cora had seen enough, lifting Porcello with the Sox still head. Porcello ran aground in the 6th but left with the lead. Heath Hembree came in and got Kinsler to fly out to right to end the inning with the Angels inching closer 6-4.
Justin Anderson came in for the bottom of the sixth and Mr. Mookie flied out to center to begin. Benintendi flied out to center and Martinez grounded out to second to end the inning.
Joe Kelly came in for the top of the seventh and crapped his pants. Trout popped up to first but Upton and Pujols stroked back to back singles. Valbuena hit a little squibber to Kelly who threw the ball 500 feet completely out of Fenway for an error to score Upton. Simmons doubled home Pujols to tie the game as the boo birds rained down. Kelly froze Calhoun but Sox manager Alex Cora was done with him. Matt Barnes came in and blew away Maldonado to end the inning but it was tied 6-6.
The Sox wasted no time getting the lead back against Jose Alvarez in the bottom of the seventh. Bogaerts flied out to right before Moreland grounded out to second. Nunez walked and Devers doubled. Nunez came all the way around to score and Devers took third when Simmons dropped the ball for an error. Leon singled home Devers for the insurance run before JBJ grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-6.
Barnes returned for the top of the eighth but ran into trouble although pinch hitter David Fletcher (fr Hermosillo) whiffed to start. Kinsler hit a routine grounder to Devers who jumped on the ball and swam on top of it for an error. Trout walked but Upton whiffed. Sox manager Alex Cora took no chances and brought in Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel for the four out save. Things looked scary when Pujols walked to load the bases and Chris Yung ran for him, but Kimbrel blew away Valbuena to end the inning.
Things got scary in the bottom of the eighth as Young stayed in at center, Valbuena moved to first and Fletcher took over at third with Jake Jewell now on the mound. Mr. Mookie flied out to left but Benintendi walked. Benintendi was erased on the force by Martinez before Bogaerts doubled. Jewell uncorked a wild pitch and Martinez made a mad dash for home. Jewell tried to make the play but was spiked in the ankle by the sliding (and safe) Martinez. Jewell had to be hauled off on a gurney and carted out on a golf cart, pretty scary. Blake Parker came in and got Moreland to fly out to left to end the inning but it was 9-6 Sox.
The Angels were deflated after the injury and Kimbrel locked it down in the top of the ninth. Simmons popped up to first, Calhoun grounded out to third and Maldonado whiffed to end the game. The Sox had won it 9-6.
Hero of the Night is Craig Kimbrel. The Sox were in danger of blowing their 2 run lead when he slammed the door in the 8th and dominated the 9th to save the game for the Sox.
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and a run scored.
JD Martinez was 2 for 4 with a walk, 3 total rbi's and 2 runs scored including a 2 run home run.
Eduardo Nunez was 1 for 3 with a walk, 2 total runs scored and a solo home run.
Rafael Devers was 3 for 4 with an rbi, stolen base and 2 runs scored.
Sandy Leon was 2 for 4 with 3 total rbis including a 2 run home run.
Heath Hembree retired the only man he faced.
Matt Barnes tossed a full scoreless innings.
The Bad:
Mitch Moreland was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.
Joe Kelly allowed 2 runs in 2/3 of an inning.
The Ugly:
Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4 but walked and stole a base.
Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.
Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4.
Rick Porcello gave up 4 runs in just 5 2/3 innings of work, falling apart in the 6th inning but ending up with a no-decision.
Final Thoughts:
That could have been a lot worse but a win is a win and they all count the same. Give the Sox credit for blowing the lead only to come back and take it again. Good teams respond to adversity well and the Sox did that tonight. Porcello and Kelly werent the best but they didn't get much help defensively either, namely Kelly. Kimbrel saved the day and once again the Sox need all the momentum they can get before heading to the Bronx with first place possibly on the line, not to mention bragging rights, in the Bronx. The win improved the Sox to 54-27, percentage points ahead of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox look for the series and season sweep of the Angels as they send Brian Johnson to the mound up against Jaime Barria at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Sox Bats Bash Angels (6/26/18)
Before the game the Boston Red Sox announced Steven Wright's knee acted up again and he was placed on the Disabled List. The Sox called up Justin Haley to take Steven's place on the roster before tonight's game.
OUT
IN
After Chris Sale mowed down the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, David Price (8-5, 3.65 ERA) said "Hey don't forget about me!" Price took on the Los Angeles Angels and held them to just 1 run through 6 innings. Mookie Betts put the Sox up early with a home run and the red hot Jackie Bradley Jr paced the offense to put 9 runs on the board. The Sox are looking to build momentum for their end of the month showdown with the New York Yankees and they took a step toward that with a 9-1 victory at Fenway Park.
El Mariachi approves of the win
Price took the mound in the top of the first inning and Ian Kinsler popped up to second to start. Mike Trout flied out to center and Justin Upton flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox struck immediately in the bottom of the first when Mr. Mookie Betts swatted the first pitch John Lamb threw to dead center for his 20th home run of the season. Andrew Benintendi lined out to right but JD Martinez doubled. Xander Bogaerts flied out to right before Mitch Moreland whiffed to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.
Betts jacks one out
Price cruised in the top of the second inning as Albert Pujols whiffed to start. Andrelton Simmons lined out to right before Martin Maldonado whiffed to end the inning. The Sox iced the game in the bottom of the second inning as Eduardo Nunez singled to center to begin. Rafael Devers hit a double play ball to Kinsler but he botched it and everyone was safe. Both runners moved into scoring position on the Christian Vazquez grounder and JBJ doubled home both men to increase the lead. Mr. Mookie walked and Benintendi doubled JBJ home to ice the game. Martinez looked at strike but Bogaerts was intentionally walked to load the bases. Moreland beat out an infield single to short to bring home Betts and chase Lamb from the game. Deck McGuire came in and got Nunez to hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning but it was 5-0
Devers scores a run
The Angels struck back in the top of the third although David Fletcher grounded out to short to start. Old friend Chris Young swatted a 50,000 foot home run off Price to cut the lead. Michael Hermosillo looked at strike three but Kinsler and Trout stroked back to back singles. A wild pitch moved the runners over and Upton walked to load the bases, but Pujols grounded out to third to end the inning. It was 5-1 Sox but that could have gone a lot worse.
Old buddy Young goes yard
The Sox got that run right back in the botom of the third although Devers flied out to right to begin. Vazquez grounded back to the mound but JBJ smashed his 5th home run of the year to increase the lead. Mr. Mookie walked but Benintendi lined out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-1.
JBJ goes yard to increase the lead
Price settled down in the top of the fourth inning as Simmons grounded out to short to start. Maldonado grounded out to third but Fletcher walked. This time Price got Young to look at strike three to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fourth as Martinez grounded out to short to start. Bogaerts flied out to center before Moreland grounded out to first to end the inning.
Price froze Hermosillo for strike three to begin the top of the fifth. Kinsler singled but was erased on the force by Trout. Upton looked at strike three to end the inning. The Sox got a run in the bottom of the fifth although Nunez looked at strike three to begin. Devers flied out to right but Vazquez crushed his 3rd home run of the year to up the lead. JBJ was finally retired on a grounder to second to end the inning but it was 7-1 Sox.
Vazquez goes yard
Price returned for one more inning in the top of the sixth and froze Pujols to start. Simmons singled but Maldonado popped up to first. Fletcher flied out to left to end the inning and that was it for Price. He tossed a solid game of 6 innings while allowing just 1 run while striking out 7.
Price gets the job done
The Sox added to the lead in the bottom of the sixth although Mr. Mookie lined out to left to begin. Benintendi grounded out to second but Martinez blasted his 24th home run of the year. Bogaerts doubled to chase McGuire and Akeel Morris replaced him. Moreland grounded out to short to end the inning but it was 8-1 Sox.
Martinez hits one out.
Heath Hembree took over for the top of the seventh inning and whiffed Young to start. Hermosillo popped up to second and Hembree blew away Kinsler to end the inning. Kole Calhoun came in for Upton but went to right, Luis Valbuena replaced Simmons but went to third with Fletcher moving to short and Hermosillo going to left. Blake Swihart pinch hit for Nunez and singled to start the bottom of the seventh but Devers whiffed. Vazquez doubled and the red hot JBJ singled in Swihart. Mr. Mookie flied out to left before Tzu-Wei Lin pinch hit for Benintendi. Lin whiffed to end the inning but it was 9-1 Sox.
Brandon Workman got the call to pitch the top of the eighth inning as Lin took over at second, Brock Holt took over for Moreland at first and Swihart went to left. Trout whiffed to start before Calhoun lined out to center. Pujols flied out to center to end the inning. Jose Briceno took over at first in the bottom of the eighth as Martinez flied out to center to begin. Bogaerts walked and Holt doubled him to third but a pitch bounced in front of the plate. Bogaerts made a mad dash home but was thrown out as Holt made it to third. Swihart lined out to right to end the inning.
New call-up Justin Haley got the ball in the top of the ninth and Valbuena flied out to right to start. Maldonado was retired on a squibber in front of the plate before Fletcher popped up to second to end the game. The Sox had won it 9-1.
Good work Haley
Hero of the Night is Jackie Bradley Jr. He was on fire going 3 for 4 with 4 total rbis, 2 total runs scored including a 2 run home run.
Jackie Bradley Hero
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 1 for 3 with 2 walks, an rbi and 2 runs scored.
JD Martinez was 2 for 5 with a solo home run.
Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3 with 2 walks.
Brock Holt was 1 for 1 at the plate.
Eduardo Nunez was 1 for 3 with a run scored.
Blake Swihart was 1 for 2 with a run scored.
Christian Vazquez was 2 for 4 with a solo home run.
David Price earned the win with 6 innings of 1 run ball while striking out 7.
Heath Hembree pitched a scoreless 7th inning.
Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
Justin Haley pitched a scoreless 9th inning.
The Bad:
Tzu-Wei Lin struck out in his only plate appearance.
The Ugly:
Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.
Mitch Moreland was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.
Rafael Devers was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.
Final Thoughts:
For the second game in a row the bats woke up but also for the second game in a row the Sox got good starting pitching. Bashing the Seattle Mariners and LA Angels has their rewards but so does shutting them down. Price was good in this game and JBJ led the charge on offense with almost everyone pitching in at some point. One guy can't carry the offense so days like today where everyone gets involved are a welcome rarity. If JBJ can raise his average to .240 that would be a huge bonus to his amazing defense. With the big showdown in the Bronx just 3 days away, the Sox may need to sweep the Angels in order to keep close enough to decide first place by July 1st. The win propelled the Sox to 53-27, percentage points behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night "Slick" Rick Porcello goes for the Sox opposite Andrew Heaney at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.
After Chris Sale mowed down the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, David Price (8-5, 3.65 ERA) said "Hey don't forget about me!" Price took on the Los Angeles Angels and held them to just 1 run through 6 innings. Mookie Betts put the Sox up early with a home run and the red hot Jackie Bradley Jr paced the offense to put 9 runs on the board. The Sox are looking to build momentum for their end of the month showdown with the New York Yankees and they took a step toward that with a 9-1 victory at Fenway Park.
Price took the mound in the top of the first inning and Ian Kinsler popped up to second to start. Mike Trout flied out to center and Justin Upton flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox struck immediately in the bottom of the first when Mr. Mookie Betts swatted the first pitch John Lamb threw to dead center for his 20th home run of the season. Andrew Benintendi lined out to right but JD Martinez doubled. Xander Bogaerts flied out to right before Mitch Moreland whiffed to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.
Price cruised in the top of the second inning as Albert Pujols whiffed to start. Andrelton Simmons lined out to right before Martin Maldonado whiffed to end the inning. The Sox iced the game in the bottom of the second inning as Eduardo Nunez singled to center to begin. Rafael Devers hit a double play ball to Kinsler but he botched it and everyone was safe. Both runners moved into scoring position on the Christian Vazquez grounder and JBJ doubled home both men to increase the lead. Mr. Mookie walked and Benintendi doubled JBJ home to ice the game. Martinez looked at strike but Bogaerts was intentionally walked to load the bases. Moreland beat out an infield single to short to bring home Betts and chase Lamb from the game. Deck McGuire came in and got Nunez to hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning but it was 5-0
The Angels struck back in the top of the third although David Fletcher grounded out to short to start. Old friend Chris Young swatted a 50,000 foot home run off Price to cut the lead. Michael Hermosillo looked at strike three but Kinsler and Trout stroked back to back singles. A wild pitch moved the runners over and Upton walked to load the bases, but Pujols grounded out to third to end the inning. It was 5-1 Sox but that could have gone a lot worse.
The Sox got that run right back in the botom of the third although Devers flied out to right to begin. Vazquez grounded back to the mound but JBJ smashed his 5th home run of the year to increase the lead. Mr. Mookie walked but Benintendi lined out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-1.
Price settled down in the top of the fourth inning as Simmons grounded out to short to start. Maldonado grounded out to third but Fletcher walked. This time Price got Young to look at strike three to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fourth as Martinez grounded out to short to start. Bogaerts flied out to center before Moreland grounded out to first to end the inning.
Price froze Hermosillo for strike three to begin the top of the fifth. Kinsler singled but was erased on the force by Trout. Upton looked at strike three to end the inning. The Sox got a run in the bottom of the fifth although Nunez looked at strike three to begin. Devers flied out to right but Vazquez crushed his 3rd home run of the year to up the lead. JBJ was finally retired on a grounder to second to end the inning but it was 7-1 Sox.
Price returned for one more inning in the top of the sixth and froze Pujols to start. Simmons singled but Maldonado popped up to first. Fletcher flied out to left to end the inning and that was it for Price. He tossed a solid game of 6 innings while allowing just 1 run while striking out 7.
The Sox added to the lead in the bottom of the sixth although Mr. Mookie lined out to left to begin. Benintendi grounded out to second but Martinez blasted his 24th home run of the year. Bogaerts doubled to chase McGuire and Akeel Morris replaced him. Moreland grounded out to short to end the inning but it was 8-1 Sox.
Heath Hembree took over for the top of the seventh inning and whiffed Young to start. Hermosillo popped up to second and Hembree blew away Kinsler to end the inning. Kole Calhoun came in for Upton but went to right, Luis Valbuena replaced Simmons but went to third with Fletcher moving to short and Hermosillo going to left. Blake Swihart pinch hit for Nunez and singled to start the bottom of the seventh but Devers whiffed. Vazquez doubled and the red hot JBJ singled in Swihart. Mr. Mookie flied out to left before Tzu-Wei Lin pinch hit for Benintendi. Lin whiffed to end the inning but it was 9-1 Sox.
Brandon Workman got the call to pitch the top of the eighth inning as Lin took over at second, Brock Holt took over for Moreland at first and Swihart went to left. Trout whiffed to start before Calhoun lined out to center. Pujols flied out to center to end the inning. Jose Briceno took over at first in the bottom of the eighth as Martinez flied out to center to begin. Bogaerts walked and Holt doubled him to third but a pitch bounced in front of the plate. Bogaerts made a mad dash home but was thrown out as Holt made it to third. Swihart lined out to right to end the inning.
New call-up Justin Haley got the ball in the top of the ninth and Valbuena flied out to right to start. Maldonado was retired on a squibber in front of the plate before Fletcher popped up to second to end the game. The Sox had won it 9-1.
Hero of the Night is Jackie Bradley Jr. He was on fire going 3 for 4 with 4 total rbis, 2 total runs scored including a 2 run home run.
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 1 for 3 with 2 walks, an rbi and 2 runs scored.
JD Martinez was 2 for 5 with a solo home run.
Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3 with 2 walks.
Brock Holt was 1 for 1 at the plate.
Eduardo Nunez was 1 for 3 with a run scored.
Blake Swihart was 1 for 2 with a run scored.
Christian Vazquez was 2 for 4 with a solo home run.
David Price earned the win with 6 innings of 1 run ball while striking out 7.
Heath Hembree pitched a scoreless 7th inning.
Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
Justin Haley pitched a scoreless 9th inning.
The Bad:
Tzu-Wei Lin struck out in his only plate appearance.
The Ugly:
Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.
Mitch Moreland was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.
Rafael Devers was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.
Final Thoughts:
For the second game in a row the bats woke up but also for the second game in a row the Sox got good starting pitching. Bashing the Seattle Mariners and LA Angels has their rewards but so does shutting them down. Price was good in this game and JBJ led the charge on offense with almost everyone pitching in at some point. One guy can't carry the offense so days like today where everyone gets involved are a welcome rarity. If JBJ can raise his average to .240 that would be a huge bonus to his amazing defense. With the big showdown in the Bronx just 3 days away, the Sox may need to sweep the Angels in order to keep close enough to decide first place by July 1st. The win propelled the Sox to 53-27, percentage points behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night "Slick" Rick Porcello goes for the Sox opposite Andrew Heaney at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.