Matt Barnes - 7 Good, 3 Bad
Andrew Benintendi - 10 Good, 4 Bad, 9 Ugly
Mookie Betts - 12 Good, 2 Bad, 9 Ugly, 2 Hero, 1 Honorable Mention
Xander Bogaerts - 9 Good, 1 Bad, 14 Ugly, 1 Jackass
Jackie Bradley Jr - 6 Good, 6 Bad, 10 Ugly
Ryan Brasier - 11 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Jackass
Colten Brewer - 8 Good, 3 Jackass
Michael Chavis - 5 Good, 1 Bad, 2 Ugly, 2 Hero
Rafael Devers - 9 Good, 4 Bad, 8 Ugly, 3 Hero
Nathan Eovaldi - 1 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly
Heath Hembree - 5 Good, 6 Bad, 1 Ugly
Darwinzon Hernandez - 1 Good
Brock Holt - 1 Good, 2 Bad, 1 Jackass
Brian Johnson - 1 Bad
Travis Lakins - 1 Ugly
Sandy Leon - 2 Good, 2 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Honorable Mention
Tzu-Wei Lin - 1 Good, 3 Bad, 2 Ugly, 4 Honorable Mention
JD Martinez - 11 Good, 1 Bad, 11 Ugly
Mitch Moreland - 9 Good, 6 Bad, 5 Ugly, 2 Hero, 1 Jackass
Eduardo Nunez - 4 Good, 6 Bad, 3 Ugly
Steve Pearce - 2 Good, 6 Bad, 5 Ugly
Dustin Pedroia - 3 Bad, 3 Ugly
Rick Porcello - 2 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Hero, 1 Jackass
Bobby Poyner - 2 Bad
David Price - 2 Good, 1 Ugly, 1 Hero, 1 Jackass
Erasmo Ramirez - 1 Bad
Eduardo Rodriguez - 1 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Hero, 1 Jackass
Chris Sale - 2 Good, 1 Ugly, 2 Jackass
Blake Swihart - 3 Good, 4 Bad, 1 Ugly
Tyler Thornburg - 5 Good, 4 Bad
Christian Vazquez - 7 Good, 4 Bad, 8 Ugly
Hector Velazquez - 2 Good, 1 Bad, 3 Ugly
Marcus Walden - 7 Good, 1 Ugly, 2 Jackass
Brandon Workman - 9 Good, 1 Bad, 2 Ugly
Most Valuable Player is Mookie Betts with 12 Good
Least Valuable Player due to a tiebreaker is Mitch Moreland with 6 Bad
Ugliest Player of the Month is Xander Bogaerts with 14 Ugly
Hero of the Month is Rafael Devers with 3 Hero
Jackass of the Month is Colten Brewer with 3 Jackass
Honorable Player of the Month is Tzu-Wei Lin with 4 Honorable Mention
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Porcello Shuts Down A's (4/30/19)
It was shaping up to be a bad night for Boston sports as the Boston Celtics dropped Game 2 of their second round NHL playoff series to the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Bruins lost Game 3 of their second round NHL playoff series with the Columbus Blue Jackets. As for the Boston Red Sox, welcome back "Slick" Rick Porcello (2-3, 5.52 ERA). After spending the first month of the season stinking the place out, Porcello came back with a vengeance tonight against the Oakland A's. The A's were powerless as Porcello mowed them down for 8 brilliant innings, yielding just 2 hits and 2 walks with no runs. Mr. Mookie Betts sparked the offense with a first inning home run and the Sox made it two in a row over the A's with a 5-1 victory at Fenway Park.
Happy fan
Porcello began his dominance in the top of the first inning as Marcus Semien popped up to first to start. Robbie Grossman flied out to center and Matt Chapman looked at strike three to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the first against Aaron Brooks although Andrew Benintendi grounded out to short to begin. Mr. Mookie Betts pounded his 6th home run of the season to center to give the Sox the early lead. JD Martinez grounded out to short before Xander Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.
"That's one" - Betts
Porcello got Khris Davis to fly out to center to start the top of the second but Stephen Piscotty walked. Kendrys Morales popped up to third and Chad Pinder watched strike three go by to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the second as Rafael Devers lined out to center to start. Michael Chavis blooped a single to center and Mitch Moreland walked. Jackie Bradley Jr beat out a double play ball which set up a Sandy Leon single to score Chavis. Benintendi grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.
Chavis scores to make it 2-0
Ramon Laureano singled to start the top of the third but Nick Hundley whiffed. Semien lined out to third but Grossman walked. Chapman grounded into a force to end the inning. The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the third as Mr. Mookie and Martinez both grounded out to third before Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning.
Porcello cruised in the top of the fourth as Davis whiffed to start. Piscotty popped up to second and Morales whiffed to end the inning. The Sox iced the game in the bottom of the fourth although Devers flied out to right to begin. Chavis singled and Moreland blasted his 8th home run of the season to increase the lead. JBJ grounded out to short but Leon walked. Benintendi grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-0.
Moreland goes yard
Porcello got Pinder to ground out to short to begin the top of the fifth before Laureano looked at strike three. Hundley doubled but Semien whiffed to end the inning. The Sox took advantage of an error to score another run although Mr. Mookie grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fifth. Laureano dropped a pop up by Martinez and Bogaerts walked. Devers doubled home Martinez to increase the lead. That was it for Brooks as Liam Hendriks came in and whiffed Chavis before Moreland flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-0.
Devers makes it 5-0
Porcello got Grossman to pop up to short, Chapman to pop up to third and Davis to pop up to first in short order in the top of the sixth. JBJ whiffed to start the bottom of the sixth before Hendriks snared a line drive by Leon. Benintendi flied out to left to end the inning.
Porcello made the A's beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the seventh inning as Piscotty grounded out to third to start. Morales grounded back to the mound and Pinder grounded out to short to end the inning. Mr. Mookie beat out an infield single to start the bottom of the seventh but Martinez flied out to right. Bogaerts flied out to right to chase Hendriks. Ryan Butcher blew away Devers to end the inning.
Porcello came back for one more inning in the top of the eighth and struck out Laureano to begin. Hundley grounded out to short and Semien lined out to right to end the inning. Porcello pitched one of the best games of his career with 8 shutout innings allowing just 2 hits.
Porcello mowed them down
Joakim Soria came in for the bottom of the eighth and Chavis whiffed to start. Moreland grounded out to short and JBJ whiffed to end the inning.
Tyler Thornburg sprinted to the mound to crap his pants again in the top of the ninth. Robbie Grossman ruined the shutout with a 950 foot bomb to put the A's on the board. Chapman flied out to center but Davis walked. Piscotty whiffed and Morales grounded into a force to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-1.
Hero of the Night is Rick Porcello. He fired 8 shutout innings allowing just 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 8.
Porcello the Hero
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 2 for 4 including a home run.
Michael Chavis was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored.
Mitch Moreland was 1 for 3 with a walk including a 2 run home run.
Sandy Leon was 1 for 2 with a walk and an rbi.
The Bad:
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 4.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Tyler Thornburg allowed a run in the top of the ninth.
The Ugly:
JD Martinez was 0 for 4 but scored a run.
Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 3 but walked.
Final Thoughts:
Its about time Porcello pitched well. Better late than never and it came at a good time with the Sox season threatening to roll down the drain. The Sox have been bad this season mostly due to horrendous starting pitching but tonight Porcello turned it around big time. Chavis continues to get on base and Betts seemed to have broken out of his month long slump. Chavis has been a breath of fresh air and could be the heir apparent to Dustin Pedroia at second even though he's a natural third basemen. There's no chance in hell Devers is going to play second so short term, Chavis is the man. Hopefully the starters can pitch long and well going forward because the Sox can't afford to fall further behind as the calendar turns to May. Tomorrow afternoon the Sox finish their homestand with a 1:00 PM game against the A's. Mike Fiers goes for the A's with Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez (0-2, 3.86 ERA) going for the Sox at Fenway Park.
Porcello began his dominance in the top of the first inning as Marcus Semien popped up to first to start. Robbie Grossman flied out to center and Matt Chapman looked at strike three to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the first against Aaron Brooks although Andrew Benintendi grounded out to short to begin. Mr. Mookie Betts pounded his 6th home run of the season to center to give the Sox the early lead. JD Martinez grounded out to short before Xander Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.
Porcello got Khris Davis to fly out to center to start the top of the second but Stephen Piscotty walked. Kendrys Morales popped up to third and Chad Pinder watched strike three go by to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the second as Rafael Devers lined out to center to start. Michael Chavis blooped a single to center and Mitch Moreland walked. Jackie Bradley Jr beat out a double play ball which set up a Sandy Leon single to score Chavis. Benintendi grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.
Ramon Laureano singled to start the top of the third but Nick Hundley whiffed. Semien lined out to third but Grossman walked. Chapman grounded into a force to end the inning. The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the third as Mr. Mookie and Martinez both grounded out to third before Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning.
Porcello cruised in the top of the fourth as Davis whiffed to start. Piscotty popped up to second and Morales whiffed to end the inning. The Sox iced the game in the bottom of the fourth although Devers flied out to right to begin. Chavis singled and Moreland blasted his 8th home run of the season to increase the lead. JBJ grounded out to short but Leon walked. Benintendi grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-0.
Porcello got Pinder to ground out to short to begin the top of the fifth before Laureano looked at strike three. Hundley doubled but Semien whiffed to end the inning. The Sox took advantage of an error to score another run although Mr. Mookie grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fifth. Laureano dropped a pop up by Martinez and Bogaerts walked. Devers doubled home Martinez to increase the lead. That was it for Brooks as Liam Hendriks came in and whiffed Chavis before Moreland flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-0.
Porcello got Grossman to pop up to short, Chapman to pop up to third and Davis to pop up to first in short order in the top of the sixth. JBJ whiffed to start the bottom of the sixth before Hendriks snared a line drive by Leon. Benintendi flied out to left to end the inning.
Porcello made the A's beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the seventh inning as Piscotty grounded out to third to start. Morales grounded back to the mound and Pinder grounded out to short to end the inning. Mr. Mookie beat out an infield single to start the bottom of the seventh but Martinez flied out to right. Bogaerts flied out to right to chase Hendriks. Ryan Butcher blew away Devers to end the inning.
Porcello came back for one more inning in the top of the eighth and struck out Laureano to begin. Hundley grounded out to short and Semien lined out to right to end the inning. Porcello pitched one of the best games of his career with 8 shutout innings allowing just 2 hits.
Joakim Soria came in for the bottom of the eighth and Chavis whiffed to start. Moreland grounded out to short and JBJ whiffed to end the inning.
Tyler Thornburg sprinted to the mound to crap his pants again in the top of the ninth. Robbie Grossman ruined the shutout with a 950 foot bomb to put the A's on the board. Chapman flied out to center but Davis walked. Piscotty whiffed and Morales grounded into a force to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-1.
Hero of the Night is Rick Porcello. He fired 8 shutout innings allowing just 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 8.
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 2 for 4 including a home run.
Michael Chavis was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored.
Mitch Moreland was 1 for 3 with a walk including a 2 run home run.
Sandy Leon was 1 for 2 with a walk and an rbi.
The Bad:
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 4.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Tyler Thornburg allowed a run in the top of the ninth.
The Ugly:
JD Martinez was 0 for 4 but scored a run.
Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 3 but walked.
Final Thoughts:
Its about time Porcello pitched well. Better late than never and it came at a good time with the Sox season threatening to roll down the drain. The Sox have been bad this season mostly due to horrendous starting pitching but tonight Porcello turned it around big time. Chavis continues to get on base and Betts seemed to have broken out of his month long slump. Chavis has been a breath of fresh air and could be the heir apparent to Dustin Pedroia at second even though he's a natural third basemen. There's no chance in hell Devers is going to play second so short term, Chavis is the man. Hopefully the starters can pitch long and well going forward because the Sox can't afford to fall further behind as the calendar turns to May. Tomorrow afternoon the Sox finish their homestand with a 1:00 PM game against the A's. Mike Fiers goes for the A's with Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez (0-2, 3.86 ERA) going for the Sox at Fenway Park.
Monday, April 29, 2019
Sox Come Back to Defeat A's (4/29/19)
Stop me if you've heard this. The Boston Red Sox fell behind by more than 3 runs going into the bottom of the third inning. What's not familiar is the Sox fell behind 4-0 to the Oakland A's only to pull off a feverish rally that ended with a 6 run inning. The Sox pitching staff pitched shutout baseball after the second inning and the Sox walked away with a hard fought victory 9-4 at Fenway Park.
George Bernard Shaw approves of the win
Eduardo Rodriguez got the start for the Red Sox and was back to his nibbling ways. He went 2-2 on Marcus Semien before freezing him for strike three to begin. Matt Chapman singled but Stephen Piscotty whiffed. Khris Davis lined out to right to end the inning. A's starter Frankie Montas got Andrew Benintendi to line out to left to open the bottom of the first before Mr. Mookie Betts singled. JD Martinez banged into a double play.
Rodriguez vomited up his intestines in the top of the second and it started with back to back full count walks on Chad Pinder and Kendrys Morales. Ramon Laureano beat out a double play ball before swiping second. Jurickson Profar slammed a single to left to score both runners and put the A's on the board. A wild pitch moved Profar to second and Josh Phegley singled him home. Semien looked at strike three but Chapman doubled home Phegley as the boo bird rained down. Piscotty grounded out to third to end the inning with the A's up 4-0.
Rodriguez gets hammered
The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the second as Xander Bogaerts flied out to right to begin. Rafael Devers singled but Michael Chavis banged into a double play to end the inning.
Rodriguez got his head out of his ass in the top of the third inning by striking out Davis to begin. Pinder lined out to left and Morales froze for strike three to end the inning. The Sox exploded in the bottom of the third although Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to third to start. Christian Vazquez walked and the A's made a huge blunder when Profar threw away a double play ball by Tzu-Wei Lin. The A's made another boo-boo when Montas dropped a relay throw on a grounder to first by Benintendi to load the bases. Mr. Mookie made the A's pay with a base hit to right to score Vazquez and reload the bases. Martinez then singled to right to score Lin and once again reload the bases. Bogaerts tied up the game with a double to score Benintendi and Betts but Devers grounded out to second. Chavis singled home Martinez and Bogaerts to give the Sox the lead. JBJ looked at strike three to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-4.
What a rally
Rodriguez kept nibbling in the top of the fourth but did manage to strike out Laureano and Profar on 2-2 counts. Phegley grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fourth as Vazquez popped up to second to begin. Lin whiffed but the catcher muffed the ball allowing Tzu to reach first. Benintendi whiffed but Lin swiped second. Mr. Mookie walked and Lin took third on a passed ball but Martinez grounded into a force to end the inning.
Semien singled to open the top of the fifth but the alert Vazquez picked him off. Chapman grounded out to third on a full count but Piscotty singled to chase Rodriguez. He was back to his nibbling self, lasting just 4 2/3 innings while allowing 4 runs on 97 pitches.
Not his best work
Heath Hembree came in and got Pinder to ground out to short to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fifth as Bogaerts whiffed to start. Devers doubled and Chavis blooped a single to center to score him with another run. That was it for Montas as Ryan Butcher came in to strike out JBJ. Vazquez was intentionally walked but Lin drew a regular walk to load the bases. Benintendi flied out to center on the first pitch to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-4.
Another rbi for Chavis
Colten Brewer came in for the top of the sixth and Morales grounded out to second to start. Laureano walked but Profar banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the sixth against Yusmeiro Petit as Mr. Mookie grounded out to third to start. Martinez grounded out to second and Bogaerts flied out to left to end the inning.
Brandon Workman came in for the top of the seventh and Robbie Grossman pinch hit for Phegley. Grossman and Semien walked but Chapman was frozen for strike three. A wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position but Piscotty whiffed. Sox manager Alex Cora turned to Ryan Brasier to get the final out and he did by striking out Davis to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the seventh with Nick Hundley now catching and Fernando Rodney on the mound. Devers walked and stole second before Chavis whiffed. JBJ singled home Devers before swiping second himself. Vazquez popped up to third and Lin grounded out to first to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 8-4.
JBJ knocks one in
Brasier cruised in the top of the eighth inning as Pinder lined out to right to start. Morales flied out to right and Laureano flied out to left to end the inning. The Sox struck again against Ryan Dull in the bottom of the eighth as Benintendi and Betts stroked back to back singles. Betts was picked off but Benintendi made it to third in the process and he scored on the sac fly by Martinez. Bogaerts doubled but Devers flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 9-4.
Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez came in for the top of the ninth and Profar flied out to center to start. Hundley walked, Semien singled and Chapman walked to load the bases and summon Matt Barnes into the game. Piscotty flied out to left and Davis grounded into a force to end the game. The Sox had won it 9-4.
A rare win
Hero of the Night is Michael Chavis. He drove in 3 runs including the go-ahead runs to put the Sox up for good.
Chavis the Hero
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 3 for 4 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.
Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis and a run scored.
Rafael Devers was 2 for 4 with a walk, stolen base and 2 runs scored.
Christian Vazquez walked twice in four plate appearances and scored a run.
Heath Hembree retired the only man he faced.
Colten Brewer pitched a scoreless 6th inning.
Brandon Workman tossed 2/3 of a scoreless inning.
Ryan Brasier got the win with 1 1/3 scoreless innings.
Matt Barnes got the save by getting the final 2 outs in the ninth.
The Bad:
Eduardo Rodriguez failed to go 5 innings and allowed 4 runs in just 4 2/3 innings. he was lit up for 7 hits and 2 walks.
Hector Velazquez loaded the bases on 2 walks and a hit while retiring just 1 batter.
The Ugly:
Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 5 but scored 2 runs.
JD Martinez was just 1 for 4 but drove in 2 runs and scored one.
Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4 but stole a base and drove in a run.
Tzu-Wei Lin was 0 for 3 but walked, stole a base and scored a run.
Final Thoughts:
That was a good bounceback win even though once again they had to come back from a multiple run deficit in the early innings. The shaky bullpen held together long enough although it was discouraging to see Rodriguez return to his nibbling ways. They need him to go 6 with the way the bullpen has been shaky and today wasn't good enough. Luckily the offense picked up the slack to put 9 runs on the board. Chavis looks like the real deal and its nice to see the Red Sox bring up a rookie who can hit like the New York Yankees have done the past 4 years. All in all the Sox need any wins they can get if they hope to get back in the division race. Tomorrow night the Sox look to make it two in a row against the A's when Rick Porcello (1-3) takes on Aaron Brooks at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.
Eduardo Rodriguez got the start for the Red Sox and was back to his nibbling ways. He went 2-2 on Marcus Semien before freezing him for strike three to begin. Matt Chapman singled but Stephen Piscotty whiffed. Khris Davis lined out to right to end the inning. A's starter Frankie Montas got Andrew Benintendi to line out to left to open the bottom of the first before Mr. Mookie Betts singled. JD Martinez banged into a double play.
Rodriguez vomited up his intestines in the top of the second and it started with back to back full count walks on Chad Pinder and Kendrys Morales. Ramon Laureano beat out a double play ball before swiping second. Jurickson Profar slammed a single to left to score both runners and put the A's on the board. A wild pitch moved Profar to second and Josh Phegley singled him home. Semien looked at strike three but Chapman doubled home Phegley as the boo bird rained down. Piscotty grounded out to third to end the inning with the A's up 4-0.
The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the second as Xander Bogaerts flied out to right to begin. Rafael Devers singled but Michael Chavis banged into a double play to end the inning.
Rodriguez got his head out of his ass in the top of the third inning by striking out Davis to begin. Pinder lined out to left and Morales froze for strike three to end the inning. The Sox exploded in the bottom of the third although Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to third to start. Christian Vazquez walked and the A's made a huge blunder when Profar threw away a double play ball by Tzu-Wei Lin. The A's made another boo-boo when Montas dropped a relay throw on a grounder to first by Benintendi to load the bases. Mr. Mookie made the A's pay with a base hit to right to score Vazquez and reload the bases. Martinez then singled to right to score Lin and once again reload the bases. Bogaerts tied up the game with a double to score Benintendi and Betts but Devers grounded out to second. Chavis singled home Martinez and Bogaerts to give the Sox the lead. JBJ looked at strike three to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-4.
Rodriguez kept nibbling in the top of the fourth but did manage to strike out Laureano and Profar on 2-2 counts. Phegley grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fourth as Vazquez popped up to second to begin. Lin whiffed but the catcher muffed the ball allowing Tzu to reach first. Benintendi whiffed but Lin swiped second. Mr. Mookie walked and Lin took third on a passed ball but Martinez grounded into a force to end the inning.
Semien singled to open the top of the fifth but the alert Vazquez picked him off. Chapman grounded out to third on a full count but Piscotty singled to chase Rodriguez. He was back to his nibbling self, lasting just 4 2/3 innings while allowing 4 runs on 97 pitches.
Heath Hembree came in and got Pinder to ground out to short to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fifth as Bogaerts whiffed to start. Devers doubled and Chavis blooped a single to center to score him with another run. That was it for Montas as Ryan Butcher came in to strike out JBJ. Vazquez was intentionally walked but Lin drew a regular walk to load the bases. Benintendi flied out to center on the first pitch to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-4.
Colten Brewer came in for the top of the sixth and Morales grounded out to second to start. Laureano walked but Profar banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the sixth against Yusmeiro Petit as Mr. Mookie grounded out to third to start. Martinez grounded out to second and Bogaerts flied out to left to end the inning.
Brandon Workman came in for the top of the seventh and Robbie Grossman pinch hit for Phegley. Grossman and Semien walked but Chapman was frozen for strike three. A wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position but Piscotty whiffed. Sox manager Alex Cora turned to Ryan Brasier to get the final out and he did by striking out Davis to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the seventh with Nick Hundley now catching and Fernando Rodney on the mound. Devers walked and stole second before Chavis whiffed. JBJ singled home Devers before swiping second himself. Vazquez popped up to third and Lin grounded out to first to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 8-4.
Brasier cruised in the top of the eighth inning as Pinder lined out to right to start. Morales flied out to right and Laureano flied out to left to end the inning. The Sox struck again against Ryan Dull in the bottom of the eighth as Benintendi and Betts stroked back to back singles. Betts was picked off but Benintendi made it to third in the process and he scored on the sac fly by Martinez. Bogaerts doubled but Devers flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 9-4.
Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez came in for the top of the ninth and Profar flied out to center to start. Hundley walked, Semien singled and Chapman walked to load the bases and summon Matt Barnes into the game. Piscotty flied out to left and Davis grounded into a force to end the game. The Sox had won it 9-4.
Hero of the Night is Michael Chavis. He drove in 3 runs including the go-ahead runs to put the Sox up for good.
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 3 for 4 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.
Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis and a run scored.
Rafael Devers was 2 for 4 with a walk, stolen base and 2 runs scored.
Christian Vazquez walked twice in four plate appearances and scored a run.
Heath Hembree retired the only man he faced.
Colten Brewer pitched a scoreless 6th inning.
Brandon Workman tossed 2/3 of a scoreless inning.
Ryan Brasier got the win with 1 1/3 scoreless innings.
Matt Barnes got the save by getting the final 2 outs in the ninth.
The Bad:
Eduardo Rodriguez failed to go 5 innings and allowed 4 runs in just 4 2/3 innings. he was lit up for 7 hits and 2 walks.
Hector Velazquez loaded the bases on 2 walks and a hit while retiring just 1 batter.
The Ugly:
Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 5 but scored 2 runs.
JD Martinez was just 1 for 4 but drove in 2 runs and scored one.
Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4 but stole a base and drove in a run.
Tzu-Wei Lin was 0 for 3 but walked, stole a base and scored a run.
Final Thoughts:
That was a good bounceback win even though once again they had to come back from a multiple run deficit in the early innings. The shaky bullpen held together long enough although it was discouraging to see Rodriguez return to his nibbling ways. They need him to go 6 with the way the bullpen has been shaky and today wasn't good enough. Luckily the offense picked up the slack to put 9 runs on the board. Chavis looks like the real deal and its nice to see the Red Sox bring up a rookie who can hit like the New York Yankees have done the past 4 years. All in all the Sox need any wins they can get if they hope to get back in the division race. Tomorrow night the Sox look to make it two in a row against the A's when Rick Porcello (1-3) takes on Aaron Brooks at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.
Sunday, April 28, 2019
Rays Shut Down Sox Again (4/28/19)
The good news was the Boston Celtics defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of their second round NBA playoff series but the Boston Red Sox were beaten by the Tampa Bay Rays. After all the work the Red Sox did by sweeping Tampa Bay in Tampa Bay and taking 2 of 4 against the Detroit Tigers, the Sox went right back down the toilet in the past two days. The first place Rays smacked the Sox back to reality and dealt Chris Sale (0-5, 6.30 ERA) yet another loss. Tyler Glasnow improved to 5-0 and the Rays "swept" the Sox out of Fenway Park with a 5-2 win.
The Rays attacked Sale right off the bat in the top of the first inning. Yandy Diaz started with a double although Tommy Pham looked at strike three. Daniel Robertson smashed a 45,000 foot home run to give the Rays the lead for good 3 batters into the game. Avisail Garcia popped up to first and Mike Zunino whiffed to end the inning but the Rays led 2-0.
That didn't take long
As usual the Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the first as Andrew Benintendi whiffed to start. Mr. Mookie Betts popped up to third before Mitch Moreland grounded back to the mound to end the inning.
The Rays pounded Sale in the top of the second although Kevin Kiermaier flied out to left to begin. Guillermo Heredia walked and Willy Adames hit a routine grounder to Devers who ran to third base with the ball instead of second and everyone was safe on the error. Christian Arroyo whiffed but Diaz moved halfway to the cycle with a triple to ice the game early. Pham flied out to right to end the inning but it was 4-0 Rays...game over.
Diaz ices it
The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the second as Xander Bogaerts grounded back to the mound to begin. Rafael Devers singled to right and moved to second on the Michael Chavis ground out before Steve Pearce grounded out to third to end the inning.
Suddenly Sale found himself in the top of the third as Robertson walked to start. Garcia popped up to second before Zunino banged into a double play to end the inning. Glasnow dominated the bottom of the third as Jackie Bradley Jr looked at strike three, Christian Vazquez whiffed and Benintendi struck out swinging to end the inning.
Sale allowed a leadoff single to Kiermaier to open the top of the fourth but he was erased on the Heredia force. Adames banged into a double play to end the inning. Mr. Mookie walked to start the bottom of the fourth but Moreland flied out to center. Bogaerts popped up to second and Devers whiffed to end the inning.
Sale cruised in the top of the 5th as Arroyo looked at strike three to start. Diaz grounded out to short although Pham walked. Robertson whiffed to end the inning. Chavis singled to start the bottom of the fifth but Pearce banged into a double play. JBJ grounded out to short to end the inning.
Sale turned up the heat to blow away Garcia to start the top of the sixth. Zunino whiffed before Kiermaier grounded out to first to start. The Sox finally showed some signs of life in the bottom of the sixth as Vazquez singled to start. Benintendi looked at strike three but Mr. Mookie doubled. Moreland scored Vazquez with a sac fly to get the Sox on the board but Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning. The Sox got a run back and trailed 4-1.
Sox score a run
Sale came back for one final inning in the top of the seventh and got Heredia to ground out to short to start. Adames grounded out to short and Arroyo whiffed to end the inning. After looking like he was going to take another beating, Sale allowed just 2 walks and one hit his final five innings of work. He left trailing 4-1 after tossing 7 innings while striking out 8.
Slow start, better finish for Sale
The Sox struck again in the bottom of the seventh although Devers looked at strike three to start. Chavis stepped up to mash his 3rd home run of the season to cut the lead. Pearce looked at strike three before JBJ doubled to chase Glasnow. Emilio Pagan got Vazquez to fly out to center to end the inning although the Rays were up 4-2.
The rookie goes yard
Marcus Walden came in for Sale in the top of the eighth inning and froze Diaz for strike three to start. Pham grounded out to second and Robertson grounded out to first to end the inning. Jose Alvarado came in for the bottom of the eighth and cruised. Benintendi flied out to right, Mr. Mookie flied out to left and Moreland flied out to center to end the inning.
Heath Hembree came in to vomit up his intestines in the top of the ninth as Garcia doubled to start. Zunino whiffed but Kiermaier was intentionally walked. Heredia hit a perfect double play ball to short. Bogaerts flipped to Chavis who stepped on second and suddenly heaved the ball 300 feet into the Red Sox bullpen for an error to score Garcia. Adames whiffed to end the inning but it was over now 5-2.
"Aye carumba Chavis" - Vazquez
Diego Castillo came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Bogaerts whiffed to start. Devers singled but Chavis popped up to first. Pearce grounded out to third to end the game. The Rays had won it 5-2 and "swept" the Sox out of Fenway.
Jackass of the Night is a tough one so I'll go with Xander Bogaerts. He was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts including striking out in the 6th with a rally going.
X-Jackass
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 1 for 3 with a walk.
Rafael Devers was 2 for 4.
Michael Chavis was 2 for 4 including a solo home run.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 1 for 3.
Christian Vazquez was 1 for 3 with a run scored.
Marcus Walden pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
The Bad:
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.
Steve Pearce was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Heath Hembree allowed a run in the 9th inning.
The Ugly:
Mitch Moreland was 0 for 3 but drove in a run.
Chris Sale took the lost but finished strong, allowing 4 runs in 7 innings on 4 hits and 3 walks while striking out 8.
Final Thoughts:
Well this sucks. Just when it looked like the Sox were going to turn the corner, they fell flat on their face again. Losing two in a row to the Rays knocks them further out of first place and this deficit might be too much to overcome unless the Sox go on a huge hot streak. At least Sale went 7 innings for once even if the Sox didn't generate any offense. Any sign of improvement and the end of a crappy month will be worth looking at. As for this game, the less said about it the better. The Sox now open a three game series with the Oakland A's. Frankie Montas goes for the A's opposite Eduardo Rodriguez. The game starts at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.
The Rays attacked Sale right off the bat in the top of the first inning. Yandy Diaz started with a double although Tommy Pham looked at strike three. Daniel Robertson smashed a 45,000 foot home run to give the Rays the lead for good 3 batters into the game. Avisail Garcia popped up to first and Mike Zunino whiffed to end the inning but the Rays led 2-0.
As usual the Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the first as Andrew Benintendi whiffed to start. Mr. Mookie Betts popped up to third before Mitch Moreland grounded back to the mound to end the inning.
The Rays pounded Sale in the top of the second although Kevin Kiermaier flied out to left to begin. Guillermo Heredia walked and Willy Adames hit a routine grounder to Devers who ran to third base with the ball instead of second and everyone was safe on the error. Christian Arroyo whiffed but Diaz moved halfway to the cycle with a triple to ice the game early. Pham flied out to right to end the inning but it was 4-0 Rays...game over.
The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the second as Xander Bogaerts grounded back to the mound to begin. Rafael Devers singled to right and moved to second on the Michael Chavis ground out before Steve Pearce grounded out to third to end the inning.
Suddenly Sale found himself in the top of the third as Robertson walked to start. Garcia popped up to second before Zunino banged into a double play to end the inning. Glasnow dominated the bottom of the third as Jackie Bradley Jr looked at strike three, Christian Vazquez whiffed and Benintendi struck out swinging to end the inning.
Sale allowed a leadoff single to Kiermaier to open the top of the fourth but he was erased on the Heredia force. Adames banged into a double play to end the inning. Mr. Mookie walked to start the bottom of the fourth but Moreland flied out to center. Bogaerts popped up to second and Devers whiffed to end the inning.
Sale cruised in the top of the 5th as Arroyo looked at strike three to start. Diaz grounded out to short although Pham walked. Robertson whiffed to end the inning. Chavis singled to start the bottom of the fifth but Pearce banged into a double play. JBJ grounded out to short to end the inning.
Sale turned up the heat to blow away Garcia to start the top of the sixth. Zunino whiffed before Kiermaier grounded out to first to start. The Sox finally showed some signs of life in the bottom of the sixth as Vazquez singled to start. Benintendi looked at strike three but Mr. Mookie doubled. Moreland scored Vazquez with a sac fly to get the Sox on the board but Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning. The Sox got a run back and trailed 4-1.
Sale came back for one final inning in the top of the seventh and got Heredia to ground out to short to start. Adames grounded out to short and Arroyo whiffed to end the inning. After looking like he was going to take another beating, Sale allowed just 2 walks and one hit his final five innings of work. He left trailing 4-1 after tossing 7 innings while striking out 8.
The Sox struck again in the bottom of the seventh although Devers looked at strike three to start. Chavis stepped up to mash his 3rd home run of the season to cut the lead. Pearce looked at strike three before JBJ doubled to chase Glasnow. Emilio Pagan got Vazquez to fly out to center to end the inning although the Rays were up 4-2.
Marcus Walden came in for Sale in the top of the eighth inning and froze Diaz for strike three to start. Pham grounded out to second and Robertson grounded out to first to end the inning. Jose Alvarado came in for the bottom of the eighth and cruised. Benintendi flied out to right, Mr. Mookie flied out to left and Moreland flied out to center to end the inning.
Heath Hembree came in to vomit up his intestines in the top of the ninth as Garcia doubled to start. Zunino whiffed but Kiermaier was intentionally walked. Heredia hit a perfect double play ball to short. Bogaerts flipped to Chavis who stepped on second and suddenly heaved the ball 300 feet into the Red Sox bullpen for an error to score Garcia. Adames whiffed to end the inning but it was over now 5-2.
Diego Castillo came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Bogaerts whiffed to start. Devers singled but Chavis popped up to first. Pearce grounded out to third to end the game. The Rays had won it 5-2 and "swept" the Sox out of Fenway.
Jackass of the Night is a tough one so I'll go with Xander Bogaerts. He was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts including striking out in the 6th with a rally going.
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 1 for 3 with a walk.
Rafael Devers was 2 for 4.
Michael Chavis was 2 for 4 including a solo home run.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 1 for 3.
Christian Vazquez was 1 for 3 with a run scored.
Marcus Walden pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
The Bad:
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.
Steve Pearce was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Heath Hembree allowed a run in the 9th inning.
The Ugly:
Mitch Moreland was 0 for 3 but drove in a run.
Chris Sale took the lost but finished strong, allowing 4 runs in 7 innings on 4 hits and 3 walks while striking out 8.
Final Thoughts:
Well this sucks. Just when it looked like the Sox were going to turn the corner, they fell flat on their face again. Losing two in a row to the Rays knocks them further out of first place and this deficit might be too much to overcome unless the Sox go on a huge hot streak. At least Sale went 7 innings for once even if the Sox didn't generate any offense. Any sign of improvement and the end of a crappy month will be worth looking at. As for this game, the less said about it the better. The Sox now open a three game series with the Oakland A's. Frankie Montas goes for the A's opposite Eduardo Rodriguez. The game starts at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.
Saturday, April 27, 2019
Rays Edge Sox (4/27/19)
It was bad news all around for Boston sports. The Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Boston Bruins in double overtime of their Game 2 second round NHL playoff series and the Boston Red Sox lost to the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays were gunning for revenge as the last place Red Sox came into Tampa Bay last week and swept the Rays out of Tampa Bay. The humiliation was served back to the Sox as Tampa avenged their loss with an outstanding pitching performance by Charlie Morton and the bullpen. Morton tossed 6 shut-out innings and the bullpen allowed just 1 run as the Sox were defeated 2-1 at Fenway Park.
"SCORE SOME RUNS FOR ONCE!!"
David Price (1-2, 3.60 ERA) was the hard luck loser and Tampa put themselves up for good two pitches into the game when Yandy Diaz smashed a 500,000 foot leadoff home run. Tommy Pham walked but Daniel Robertson banged into a double play. Avisail Garcia grounded out to second to end the inning with the Rays up 1-0.
That didn't take long
Meanwhile the Sox couldn't touch Morton in the bottom of the first inning. Andrew Benintendi popped up to third and Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to short to begin. Mitch Moreland reached on an error but Xander Bogaerts flied out to right to end the inning.
Price cruised in the top of the second inning as Mike Zunino whiffed to start. Kevin Kiermaier grounded out to first and Guillermo Heredia was frozen for strike three to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the second as Rafael Devers grounded out to first to start. Michael Chavis walked and Steve Pearce reached on an error, but Jackie Bradley Jr whiffed. Christian Vazquez grounded out to short to end the inning.
Price blew away both Willy Adames and Christian Arroyo to begin the top of the third inning before Diaz grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the third as Benintendi whiffed to start. Mr. Mookie singled and took second on an error but Moreland flied out to left. Betts took third on a wild pitch but Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning.
The Rays struck again in the top of the fourth as Pham doubled to start. Robertson walked but Garcia whiffed. Zunino singled home Pham and Kiermaier singled to load the bases. Price got two big outs including striking out Heredia and getting Adames to ground into a force to end the inning but it was 2-0 Rays.
Game over
Devers walked to begin the bottom of the fourth but was foolishly picked off. Chavis walked but the slumping Pearce banged into a double play to end the inning.
Price froze Arroyo to begin the top of the fifth but Diaz walked. Pham grounded into a double play to end the inning. JBJ walked to start the bottom of the fifth but Vazquez hit into a double play. Benintendi was plunked but Mr. Mookie whiffed to end the inning.
Price came back for one more inning in the top of the sixth and got the Rays to beat the ball in the dirt. Robertson and Garcia grounded out to third before Zunino grounded out to second to end the inning. That was it for Price as he didn't pitch bad, allowing just 2 runs in 6 innings but got no run support.
Can't win if you can't score
The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the sixth as Moreland grounded out to short to start. Bogaerts doubled but Devers whiffed. Chavis flied out to left to end the inning.
Brandon Workman was first out of the pen in the top of the seventh and blew away Kiermaier to begin. Heredia whiffed but Adames walked and stole second. Arroyo walked to chase Workman. Marcus Walden came in and got Diaz to ground into a force to end the inning. Chaz Roe replaced Morton in the bottom of the seventh and Pearce looked at strike three. JBJ walked before Vazquez lined out to right. Adam Kolarek came in and Benintendi whiffed to end the inning.
Walden came back for the top of the eighth and Pham flied out to right. Robertson walked but was erased on the force by Garcia. Colten Brewer came in for Walden and got Zunino to ground into a force to end the inning. Diego Castillo came in for the bottom of the eighth and Mr. Mookie lit up the crowd briefly with his 5th homer of the season to cut the lead in half. Moreland flied out to left but Bogaerts walked to put the tying run at first. Jose Alvarado came in and Devers singled Bogaerts to third. Alvarado blew away Chavis to end the inning with the Sox down 2-1.
Sox are back in it
Matt Barnes came in for the top of the ninth and Kiermaier grounded out to first to begin. Heredia bunted right back to the mound before Adames whiffed to end the inning. Emilio Pagan came in to close out the bottom of the ninth but Vazquez singled to start. Tzu-Wei Lin pinch ran for Vazquez but Benintendi earned the hat trick by watching strike three go by. Diaz let a pop up by Betts drop in to force Vazquez at second and Moreland whiffed to end the game. The Rays had held on to win 2-1.
Jackass of the Night is a tough one but I'll go with Mitch Moreland. He was 0 for 5 including the game ending strikeout with the tying run at first base.
Good work Jackass
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 2 for 5 including a solo home run.
Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3 with a walk.
Rafael Devers was 1 for 3 with a walk.
Michael Chavis walked twice in four plate appearances.
Jackie Bradley Jr walked twice in four plate appearances.
David Price was the hard luck loser but pitched well, allowing just 2 runs in 6 innings while striking out 7.
Marcus Walden tossed a full scoreless inning.
Colten Brewer retired the only man he faced.
Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless 9th inning.
The Bad:
None
The Ugly:
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts...but was hit with a pitch.
Steve Pearce was 0 for 3 with a walk.
Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 4.
Brandon Workman retired 2 of the men he faced but walked the other 2.
Honorable Mention:
Tzu-Wei Lin pinch ran in the bottom of the ninth.
Final Thoughts:
So much for all the good work the Sox put in against the Rays last week. One week after storming into Tampa and sweeping the first place Rays, the Rays stormed into Boston and are about to do the same thing. The Rays vaunted pitching did it tonight with Charlie Morton avenging last week with 6 shutout innings. Price tried to keep pace and didn't pitch bad but the Sox were held to 5 total hits. Actually the Sox outhit the Rays 5 to 4 but the Sox could only push one run across. Those kinds of losses happen but the Sox can ill afford to do so while so far out of first place. Hopefully tomorrow goes better but tonight was terrible. The Sox look to salvage the homestand tomorrow afternoon when Chris Sale (0-4) takes on Andrew Glasnow at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.
David Price (1-2, 3.60 ERA) was the hard luck loser and Tampa put themselves up for good two pitches into the game when Yandy Diaz smashed a 500,000 foot leadoff home run. Tommy Pham walked but Daniel Robertson banged into a double play. Avisail Garcia grounded out to second to end the inning with the Rays up 1-0.
Meanwhile the Sox couldn't touch Morton in the bottom of the first inning. Andrew Benintendi popped up to third and Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to short to begin. Mitch Moreland reached on an error but Xander Bogaerts flied out to right to end the inning.
Price cruised in the top of the second inning as Mike Zunino whiffed to start. Kevin Kiermaier grounded out to first and Guillermo Heredia was frozen for strike three to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the second as Rafael Devers grounded out to first to start. Michael Chavis walked and Steve Pearce reached on an error, but Jackie Bradley Jr whiffed. Christian Vazquez grounded out to short to end the inning.
Price blew away both Willy Adames and Christian Arroyo to begin the top of the third inning before Diaz grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the third as Benintendi whiffed to start. Mr. Mookie singled and took second on an error but Moreland flied out to left. Betts took third on a wild pitch but Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning.
The Rays struck again in the top of the fourth as Pham doubled to start. Robertson walked but Garcia whiffed. Zunino singled home Pham and Kiermaier singled to load the bases. Price got two big outs including striking out Heredia and getting Adames to ground into a force to end the inning but it was 2-0 Rays.
Devers walked to begin the bottom of the fourth but was foolishly picked off. Chavis walked but the slumping Pearce banged into a double play to end the inning.
Price froze Arroyo to begin the top of the fifth but Diaz walked. Pham grounded into a double play to end the inning. JBJ walked to start the bottom of the fifth but Vazquez hit into a double play. Benintendi was plunked but Mr. Mookie whiffed to end the inning.
Price came back for one more inning in the top of the sixth and got the Rays to beat the ball in the dirt. Robertson and Garcia grounded out to third before Zunino grounded out to second to end the inning. That was it for Price as he didn't pitch bad, allowing just 2 runs in 6 innings but got no run support.
The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the sixth as Moreland grounded out to short to start. Bogaerts doubled but Devers whiffed. Chavis flied out to left to end the inning.
Brandon Workman was first out of the pen in the top of the seventh and blew away Kiermaier to begin. Heredia whiffed but Adames walked and stole second. Arroyo walked to chase Workman. Marcus Walden came in and got Diaz to ground into a force to end the inning. Chaz Roe replaced Morton in the bottom of the seventh and Pearce looked at strike three. JBJ walked before Vazquez lined out to right. Adam Kolarek came in and Benintendi whiffed to end the inning.
Walden came back for the top of the eighth and Pham flied out to right. Robertson walked but was erased on the force by Garcia. Colten Brewer came in for Walden and got Zunino to ground into a force to end the inning. Diego Castillo came in for the bottom of the eighth and Mr. Mookie lit up the crowd briefly with his 5th homer of the season to cut the lead in half. Moreland flied out to left but Bogaerts walked to put the tying run at first. Jose Alvarado came in and Devers singled Bogaerts to third. Alvarado blew away Chavis to end the inning with the Sox down 2-1.
Matt Barnes came in for the top of the ninth and Kiermaier grounded out to first to begin. Heredia bunted right back to the mound before Adames whiffed to end the inning. Emilio Pagan came in to close out the bottom of the ninth but Vazquez singled to start. Tzu-Wei Lin pinch ran for Vazquez but Benintendi earned the hat trick by watching strike three go by. Diaz let a pop up by Betts drop in to force Vazquez at second and Moreland whiffed to end the game. The Rays had held on to win 2-1.
Jackass of the Night is a tough one but I'll go with Mitch Moreland. He was 0 for 5 including the game ending strikeout with the tying run at first base.
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 2 for 5 including a solo home run.
Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3 with a walk.
Rafael Devers was 1 for 3 with a walk.
Michael Chavis walked twice in four plate appearances.
Jackie Bradley Jr walked twice in four plate appearances.
David Price was the hard luck loser but pitched well, allowing just 2 runs in 6 innings while striking out 7.
Marcus Walden tossed a full scoreless inning.
Colten Brewer retired the only man he faced.
Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless 9th inning.
The Bad:
None
The Ugly:
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts...but was hit with a pitch.
Steve Pearce was 0 for 3 with a walk.
Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 4.
Brandon Workman retired 2 of the men he faced but walked the other 2.
Honorable Mention:
Tzu-Wei Lin pinch ran in the bottom of the ninth.
Final Thoughts:
So much for all the good work the Sox put in against the Rays last week. One week after storming into Tampa and sweeping the first place Rays, the Rays stormed into Boston and are about to do the same thing. The Rays vaunted pitching did it tonight with Charlie Morton avenging last week with 6 shutout innings. Price tried to keep pace and didn't pitch bad but the Sox were held to 5 total hits. Actually the Sox outhit the Rays 5 to 4 but the Sox could only push one run across. Those kinds of losses happen but the Sox can ill afford to do so while so far out of first place. Hopefully tomorrow goes better but tonight was terrible. The Sox look to salvage the homestand tomorrow afternoon when Chris Sale (0-4) takes on Andrew Glasnow at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.
Friday, April 26, 2019
Rainout News (4/26/19)
The Boston Red Sox made a roster move before tonight's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Travis Lakins was sent down to Pawtucket and journeyman Josh Smith was called up to make the spot-start in tonight's game......that was rained out. Tonight's Boston Red Sox game against the Rays has been postponed to June due to rain. David Price (1-1, 3.75 ERA) takes on Charlie Morton tomorrow at 4:05 PM at Fenway Park.
OUT
IN
On this day in Basebawful History:
1915 - Babe Ruth pitches a complete game in the rain
1983 -Mariners outslug Red Sox
2000 - Offense routs the Texas Rangers
2013 - Ryan Dempster won a game
2015 - Orioles hammer Red Sox
2016 - David Price strikes out 15
2017 - Yankees shut down Sox
2018 - Sox edge Blue Jays
On this day in Basebawful History:
1915 - Babe Ruth pitches a complete game in the rain
1983 -Mariners outslug Red Sox
2000 - Offense routs the Texas Rangers
2013 - Ryan Dempster won a game
2015 - Orioles hammer Red Sox
2016 - David Price strikes out 15
2017 - Yankees shut down Sox
2018 - Sox edge Blue Jays
Thursday, April 25, 2019
Sox Defeat Tigers, Salvage Series (4/25/19)
Don't look now but the Boston Red Sox have won 5 of their last 7. On a night when the legendary John Havlicek passed away and the Boston Bruins defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets in Game 1 in overtime in their second round series, the Boston joined the victory party with a pasting of the Detroit Tigers. Rick Porcello (1-3, 7.43 ERA) collected his first win of the season while Michael Chavis went yard again. When it was all settled the Sox had won their second game in a row over the Tigers 7-3 at Fenway Park.
The late John Havlicek approves of the win
Porcello got the ball in the top of the first and Jeimer Candelario flied out to center to start. Nicholas Castellanos hit a routine grounder to Rafael Devers who turned around and threw it into the stands for an error that allowed Nicholas to reach second. Miguel Cabrera flied out to right but Niko Goodrum walked. Brandon Dixon flied out to right to end the inning. Zimmermann began the bottom of the first by walking Andrew Benintendi but Mr. Mookie Betts erased Benintendi with a force. Mitch Moreland banged into a double play to end the inning.
Porcello cruised in the top of the second inning as Gordon Beckham struck out swinging to start before Josh Harrison lined out to second. John Hicks looked at strike three to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second as JD Martinez grounded out to third to start. Xander Bogaerts beat out an infield single to short before Devers hit one up the elevator shaft. Chavis put Boston on top by crushing the second home run of his career off the light tower before Jackie Bradley Jr walked. Sandy Leon swung at a pitch in the dirt for strike three to end the inning but the Sox led 2-0.
Chavis goes yard again
The Tigers answered back within seconds in the top of the third as JaCoby Jones doubled off the centerfield wall but JBJ dropped the ball allowing Jones to take third on the error before he scored seconds later on the effortless single by Candelario. Castellanos hit the first pitch he saw off the Pesky Pole to give the Tigers the lead. Cabrera whiffed, Goodrum grounded out to second and Dixon whiffed to end the inning but it was 3-2 Tigers.
Dammit
The Sox came right back in the bottom of the third although Benintendi grounded out to first to begin. Mr. Mookie doubled to left and moved to third on a wild pitch before Moreland walked. Martinez singled to left to score Betts to tie the game. Bogaerts beat out a double play ball but Devers stepped up with a big two run double to give the Sox the lead. Chavis whiffed to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-3.
Sox take the lead
Porcello had a better fourth inning as Beckham grounded out to third to begin. Harrison flied out to left but Hicks singled to left. Jones hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. Buck Farmer came on to pitch the bottom of the fourth and JBJ lined out to short to begin. Leon grounded out to third but Benintendi doubled. Mr. Mookie stepped up with a double to score Benintendi before Moreland grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-3.
Go Betts, Go!
Porcello cruised in the top of the fifth as Candelario grounded back to the mound to begin. Castellanos flied out to center and Cabrera flied out to right to end the inning. Victor Alcantara came in for the bottom of the fifth and Martinez popped up to second to begin. Bogaerts flied out to right but Devers singled. Chavis grounded out to second to end the inning.
Porcello got in trouble in the top of the sixth inning when Goodrum singled to start. Dixon flied out to right but Beckham walked. Porcello stepped up to strike out Harrison and get Hicks to ground into a force to end the inning. That was it for Porcello and if it was't for that Pesky Pole home run, he pitched very well. He left after allowing 3 runs in 6 innings.
Porcello goes six
The Sox struck again in the bottom of the sixth although JBJ grounded out to second to start. Leon doubled to right and Benintendi scored Leon with another double to increase the lead. Mr. Mookie lined out to left and Moreland grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-3.
RBI double for
Heath Hembree came in to pitch the top of the seventh inning and got Jones to fly out to right to begin. Candelario walked but Castellanos flied out to center. Cabrera whiffed to end the inning. Joe Jimenez came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Martinez flied out to right to begin. Bogaerts looked at strike three and Devers whiffed to end the inning.
Colten Brewer came in for the top of the eighth and cruised. Goodrum grounded out to second, Dixon grounded out to third and Beckham lined out to center to end the inning. Daniel Stumpf came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Chavis whiffed to start. JBJ whiffed and Leon popped up to second to end the inning.
Ryan Brasier came in to pitch the top of the ninth with Tzu-Wei Lin coming in for Chavis to play second. Harrison singled to start but was erased on the Hicks force. Jones flied out to left and Candelario flied out to right to end the game. The Sox had won it 7-3!
Another win
Hero of the Night is Rafael Devers. His two run double put the Sox on top in the bottom of the third and they never looked back.
Devers is the Hero
The Good:
Andrew Benintendi was 2 for 3 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.
Mookie Betts was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.
Rick Porcello got the win by tossing 6 innings of 3 run ball. He allowed 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5.
Heath Hembree pitched a scoreless 7th inning.
Colten Brewer pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless 9th inning.
The Bad:
None
The Ugly:
Mitch Moreland was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.
JD Martinez was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.
Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 but scored twice.
Michael Chavis was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a two run home run.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 with an error but walked.
Sandy Leon was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.
Honorable Mention:
Tzu-Wei Lin played second in the top of the ninth
Final Thoughts:
Now THIS was the team Sox fans have been hoping to see all season. Porcello pitched well, the offense produced and the bullpen slammed the door. These kinds of wins have been few and far between but they all count. Dropping that doubleheader was tough to swallow because the Sox have won 5 of their last 7. Chavis once again hit one out and any production out of him is a bonus. Betts looks like he's getting hot and if he can come back to where he was last year, the Sox will be better off going forward. As bad as the Sox started, its still only April and there's plenty of time to get back to first place. Tomorrow night the Sox continue their homestand with a series against the first place Tampa Bay Rays. Charlie Morton goes for the Rays and the Sox have absolutely no idea who is starting for them. We'll just have to see at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.
Porcello got the ball in the top of the first and Jeimer Candelario flied out to center to start. Nicholas Castellanos hit a routine grounder to Rafael Devers who turned around and threw it into the stands for an error that allowed Nicholas to reach second. Miguel Cabrera flied out to right but Niko Goodrum walked. Brandon Dixon flied out to right to end the inning. Zimmermann began the bottom of the first by walking Andrew Benintendi but Mr. Mookie Betts erased Benintendi with a force. Mitch Moreland banged into a double play to end the inning.
Porcello cruised in the top of the second inning as Gordon Beckham struck out swinging to start before Josh Harrison lined out to second. John Hicks looked at strike three to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second as JD Martinez grounded out to third to start. Xander Bogaerts beat out an infield single to short before Devers hit one up the elevator shaft. Chavis put Boston on top by crushing the second home run of his career off the light tower before Jackie Bradley Jr walked. Sandy Leon swung at a pitch in the dirt for strike three to end the inning but the Sox led 2-0.
The Tigers answered back within seconds in the top of the third as JaCoby Jones doubled off the centerfield wall but JBJ dropped the ball allowing Jones to take third on the error before he scored seconds later on the effortless single by Candelario. Castellanos hit the first pitch he saw off the Pesky Pole to give the Tigers the lead. Cabrera whiffed, Goodrum grounded out to second and Dixon whiffed to end the inning but it was 3-2 Tigers.
The Sox came right back in the bottom of the third although Benintendi grounded out to first to begin. Mr. Mookie doubled to left and moved to third on a wild pitch before Moreland walked. Martinez singled to left to score Betts to tie the game. Bogaerts beat out a double play ball but Devers stepped up with a big two run double to give the Sox the lead. Chavis whiffed to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-3.
Porcello had a better fourth inning as Beckham grounded out to third to begin. Harrison flied out to left but Hicks singled to left. Jones hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. Buck Farmer came on to pitch the bottom of the fourth and JBJ lined out to short to begin. Leon grounded out to third but Benintendi doubled. Mr. Mookie stepped up with a double to score Benintendi before Moreland grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-3.
Porcello cruised in the top of the fifth as Candelario grounded back to the mound to begin. Castellanos flied out to center and Cabrera flied out to right to end the inning. Victor Alcantara came in for the bottom of the fifth and Martinez popped up to second to begin. Bogaerts flied out to right but Devers singled. Chavis grounded out to second to end the inning.
Porcello got in trouble in the top of the sixth inning when Goodrum singled to start. Dixon flied out to right but Beckham walked. Porcello stepped up to strike out Harrison and get Hicks to ground into a force to end the inning. That was it for Porcello and if it was't for that Pesky Pole home run, he pitched very well. He left after allowing 3 runs in 6 innings.
The Sox struck again in the bottom of the sixth although JBJ grounded out to second to start. Leon doubled to right and Benintendi scored Leon with another double to increase the lead. Mr. Mookie lined out to left and Moreland grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-3.
Heath Hembree came in to pitch the top of the seventh inning and got Jones to fly out to right to begin. Candelario walked but Castellanos flied out to center. Cabrera whiffed to end the inning. Joe Jimenez came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Martinez flied out to right to begin. Bogaerts looked at strike three and Devers whiffed to end the inning.
Colten Brewer came in for the top of the eighth and cruised. Goodrum grounded out to second, Dixon grounded out to third and Beckham lined out to center to end the inning. Daniel Stumpf came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Chavis whiffed to start. JBJ whiffed and Leon popped up to second to end the inning.
Ryan Brasier came in to pitch the top of the ninth with Tzu-Wei Lin coming in for Chavis to play second. Harrison singled to start but was erased on the Hicks force. Jones flied out to left and Candelario flied out to right to end the game. The Sox had won it 7-3!
Hero of the Night is Rafael Devers. His two run double put the Sox on top in the bottom of the third and they never looked back.
The Good:
Andrew Benintendi was 2 for 3 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.
Mookie Betts was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.
Rick Porcello got the win by tossing 6 innings of 3 run ball. He allowed 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5.
Heath Hembree pitched a scoreless 7th inning.
Colten Brewer pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless 9th inning.
The Bad:
None
The Ugly:
Mitch Moreland was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.
JD Martinez was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.
Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 but scored twice.
Michael Chavis was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a two run home run.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 with an error but walked.
Sandy Leon was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.
Honorable Mention:
Tzu-Wei Lin played second in the top of the ninth
Final Thoughts:
Now THIS was the team Sox fans have been hoping to see all season. Porcello pitched well, the offense produced and the bullpen slammed the door. These kinds of wins have been few and far between but they all count. Dropping that doubleheader was tough to swallow because the Sox have won 5 of their last 7. Chavis once again hit one out and any production out of him is a bonus. Betts looks like he's getting hot and if he can come back to where he was last year, the Sox will be better off going forward. As bad as the Sox started, its still only April and there's plenty of time to get back to first place. Tomorrow night the Sox continue their homestand with a series against the first place Tampa Bay Rays. Charlie Morton goes for the Rays and the Sox have absolutely no idea who is starting for them. We'll just have to see at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Sox Bash Tigers Late (4/24/19)
Before the game the Boston Red Sox returned rookie Darwinzon Hernandez back to Pawtucket. He looked great, firing 97 mph fastballs in his debut. He may be back sometime soon with the way the bullpen has struggled lately.
OUT
As for the game, that's more like it Eduardo Rodriguez (2-2, 5.88 ERA). For the second time in three starts Eduardo has pitched well now. Tonight he grounded the Detroit Tigers, holding them to just two hits and a run in 6 innings of work. The offense took a 4-1 lead before exploding late to pound out 12 hits and 11 runs. The Sox finally won a game they didn't trail in by multiple runs with a 11-4 victory at Fenway Park.
Ann Margret approves of the win
Rodriguez came out strong in the top of the first inning, getting Jeimer Candelario to ground out to short to start. Nicholas Castellanos walked before Miguel Cabrera lined out to right. Niko Goodrum whiffed to end the inning. The Sox failed to score in the bottom of the first against starter Tyson Ross as Andrew Benintendi whiffed to start. Mr. Mookie Betts looked at strike three before Mitch Moreland grounded out to second to end the inning.
Rodriguez got Brandon Dixon to ground out to short to open the top of the second before Ronny Rodriguez struck out swinging. Gordon Beckham whiffed to end the inning. The Sox actually got a clutch hit in the bottom of the second inning as JD Martinez singled to start. Martinez moved to second on the Xander Bogaerts force and he scored on the Rafael Devers base hit. Devers managed to get himself thrown out at second trying to steal before Michael Chavis walked. Jackie Bradley Jr singled Chavis to third and Christian Vazquez singled home Chavis to increase the lead. Benintendi lined out to center to end the inning but it was 2-0 Sox.
Sox are on top
Rodriguez kept up the pace in the top of the third as Grayson Greiner grounded out to third to start. JaCoby Jones looked at strike three before Candelario flied out to right to end the inning. Nothing happened in the bottom of the third as Mr. Mookie whiffed to start. Moreland grounded out to second but Martinez ripped a ground rule double into the left field stands. Bogaerts grounded out to third to end the inning.
Rodriguez came out firing in the top of the fourth as Castellanos lined out to right to start. Cabrera whiffed before Goodrum grounded out to third to end the inning. Rodriguez had yet to allow a hit through four innings. The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the fourth as Devers grounded out to third, Chavis whiffed and JBJ lined out to right to end the inning.
The Tigers threatened in the top of the fifth as Dixon walked to start. Rodriguez flied out to right but Beckham broke up a no hitter with a base hit to center. Rodriguez recovered to strike out Geiner and Jones to end the inning. The Sox got some much needed insurance in the bottom of the fifth although Vazquez flied out to right to start. Benintendi walked and scored on the Mr. Mookie double off the top of the wall. Moreland walked and Martinez singled home Betts. Bogaerts whiffed and Devers flied out to left to end the inning but it was 4-0 Sox.
Betts just misses a home run
Eduardo came back for one final inning although he got in trouble in the top of the sixth. Candelario doubled to center and Castellanos walked before JBJ robbed Cabrera of a triple. Candelario moved to third and he scored on the Goodrum sac fly. Dixon popped up to first to end the inning and that was it for Rodriguez. Eduardo was outstanding, tossing 6 innings of 1 run ball while allowing just 2 hits as the Sox were ahead 4-1
Good work Rodriguez
Reed Garrett took over for the bottom of the sixth and Chavis walked to start. JBJ flied out to center and Chavis was gunned down at second on a pitch out. Vazquez walked but Benintendi flied out to right to end the inning.
Brandon Workman took over for the top of the seventh and he struck out Rodriguez to start. Beckham walked but Workman struck out both Greiner and Jones to end the inning. Betts hustled down the line to beat out an infield single to start the bottom of the seventh but Moreland flied out to center. Martinez flied out to right but Bogaerts singled. Jose Manuel Fernandez replaced Garrett and Devers grounded back to the mound to end the inning.
Matt Barnes came in for the top of the eighth and he blew away Candelario on a full count to start. Castellanos struck out swinging but Cabrera singled. Goodrum walked and Dizon singled to load the bases. Just like that the Tigers were one swing of the bat away from taking the lead but Barnes blew away Rodriguez to end the inning. The Sox responded by blowing the doors off the Tigers in the bottom of the eighth. Chavis was hit with a pitch but JBJ whiffed before Michael swiped second. Vazquez singled home Chavis and Benintendi doubled in Vazquez. Mr. Mookie was intentionally walked before Moreland walked to load the bases. Drew VerHagen replaced Fernandez and poured gas on the fire although he struck out Martinez for the second out. Bogaerts, Devers and Chavis all walked in runs before Buck Farmer took over. JBJ singled in Bogaerts and Devers, sending Chavis to third. Vazquez grounded out to second to end the inning but the Sox batted around, scored 7 runs and led 11-1.
Vazquez gets the rally going
Tyler Thornburg sprinted to the mound to crap his pants in the top of the ninth inning. Tzu-Wei Lin took over at short with Sandy Leon replacing Moreland but was behind the plate. Vazquez moved to first and Beckham walked to start. Greiner flied out to center and Jones flied out to right, but Candelario walked. Castellanos singled home Beckham as Dustin Peterson pinch hit for Cabrera and cleared the bases with a double. Goodrum looked at strike three to end the game with the Sox winning it 11-4.
Hero of the night is Eduardo Rodriguez. He was sharp in tossing 6 innings of 1 run ball while allowing just two hits while striking out 7.
Eduardo The Hero
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 2 for 4 with a walk, rbi and 2 runs scored.
Mitch Moreland walked twice in 5 plate appearances and scored a run.
JD Martinez was 3 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.
Michael Chavis walked 3 times, drove in a run, scored twice, got hit with a pitch and stole a base.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis.
Christian Vazquez was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis, a walk and a run scored.
Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless 7th inning.
Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
The Bad:
Tyler Thornburg allowed 3 runs in the top of the ninth.
The Ugly:
Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4 but walked, drove in a run and scored twice.
Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 but walked, drove in a run and scored.
Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 but walked, drove in 2 runs and scored.
Honorable Mention:
Sandy Leon played catcher in the top of the ninth.
Tzu-Wei Lin played short in the top of the ninth.
Final Thoughts:
Its about time the Sox won a game they didn't trail and pulled away from. The New York Yankees have gone on a winning streak and the Sox have to turn it around now or they'll be chasing them the rest of the season. Beating the Tigers is nothing special but they needed a win like this to get some momentum back. Rodriguez bounced back from his mediocre start to look like the pitcher he was the previous one. They're gonna need him to go 6-7 innings to make up for the lack of bullpen depth. Hopefully Chavis can be a force because with Dustin Pedroia, Brock Holt and Eduardo Nunez all out, they need some production big time. All in all they needed a win and they got one for once. Tomorrow night the Sox look to salvage the fourth game of this series when Rick Porcello (0-3, 8.47 ERA) goes up against Jordan Zimmermann at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.
As for the game, that's more like it Eduardo Rodriguez (2-2, 5.88 ERA). For the second time in three starts Eduardo has pitched well now. Tonight he grounded the Detroit Tigers, holding them to just two hits and a run in 6 innings of work. The offense took a 4-1 lead before exploding late to pound out 12 hits and 11 runs. The Sox finally won a game they didn't trail in by multiple runs with a 11-4 victory at Fenway Park.
Rodriguez came out strong in the top of the first inning, getting Jeimer Candelario to ground out to short to start. Nicholas Castellanos walked before Miguel Cabrera lined out to right. Niko Goodrum whiffed to end the inning. The Sox failed to score in the bottom of the first against starter Tyson Ross as Andrew Benintendi whiffed to start. Mr. Mookie Betts looked at strike three before Mitch Moreland grounded out to second to end the inning.
Rodriguez got Brandon Dixon to ground out to short to open the top of the second before Ronny Rodriguez struck out swinging. Gordon Beckham whiffed to end the inning. The Sox actually got a clutch hit in the bottom of the second inning as JD Martinez singled to start. Martinez moved to second on the Xander Bogaerts force and he scored on the Rafael Devers base hit. Devers managed to get himself thrown out at second trying to steal before Michael Chavis walked. Jackie Bradley Jr singled Chavis to third and Christian Vazquez singled home Chavis to increase the lead. Benintendi lined out to center to end the inning but it was 2-0 Sox.
Rodriguez kept up the pace in the top of the third as Grayson Greiner grounded out to third to start. JaCoby Jones looked at strike three before Candelario flied out to right to end the inning. Nothing happened in the bottom of the third as Mr. Mookie whiffed to start. Moreland grounded out to second but Martinez ripped a ground rule double into the left field stands. Bogaerts grounded out to third to end the inning.
Rodriguez came out firing in the top of the fourth as Castellanos lined out to right to start. Cabrera whiffed before Goodrum grounded out to third to end the inning. Rodriguez had yet to allow a hit through four innings. The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the fourth as Devers grounded out to third, Chavis whiffed and JBJ lined out to right to end the inning.
The Tigers threatened in the top of the fifth as Dixon walked to start. Rodriguez flied out to right but Beckham broke up a no hitter with a base hit to center. Rodriguez recovered to strike out Geiner and Jones to end the inning. The Sox got some much needed insurance in the bottom of the fifth although Vazquez flied out to right to start. Benintendi walked and scored on the Mr. Mookie double off the top of the wall. Moreland walked and Martinez singled home Betts. Bogaerts whiffed and Devers flied out to left to end the inning but it was 4-0 Sox.
Eduardo came back for one final inning although he got in trouble in the top of the sixth. Candelario doubled to center and Castellanos walked before JBJ robbed Cabrera of a triple. Candelario moved to third and he scored on the Goodrum sac fly. Dixon popped up to first to end the inning and that was it for Rodriguez. Eduardo was outstanding, tossing 6 innings of 1 run ball while allowing just 2 hits as the Sox were ahead 4-1
Reed Garrett took over for the bottom of the sixth and Chavis walked to start. JBJ flied out to center and Chavis was gunned down at second on a pitch out. Vazquez walked but Benintendi flied out to right to end the inning.
Brandon Workman took over for the top of the seventh and he struck out Rodriguez to start. Beckham walked but Workman struck out both Greiner and Jones to end the inning. Betts hustled down the line to beat out an infield single to start the bottom of the seventh but Moreland flied out to center. Martinez flied out to right but Bogaerts singled. Jose Manuel Fernandez replaced Garrett and Devers grounded back to the mound to end the inning.
Matt Barnes came in for the top of the eighth and he blew away Candelario on a full count to start. Castellanos struck out swinging but Cabrera singled. Goodrum walked and Dizon singled to load the bases. Just like that the Tigers were one swing of the bat away from taking the lead but Barnes blew away Rodriguez to end the inning. The Sox responded by blowing the doors off the Tigers in the bottom of the eighth. Chavis was hit with a pitch but JBJ whiffed before Michael swiped second. Vazquez singled home Chavis and Benintendi doubled in Vazquez. Mr. Mookie was intentionally walked before Moreland walked to load the bases. Drew VerHagen replaced Fernandez and poured gas on the fire although he struck out Martinez for the second out. Bogaerts, Devers and Chavis all walked in runs before Buck Farmer took over. JBJ singled in Bogaerts and Devers, sending Chavis to third. Vazquez grounded out to second to end the inning but the Sox batted around, scored 7 runs and led 11-1.
Tyler Thornburg sprinted to the mound to crap his pants in the top of the ninth inning. Tzu-Wei Lin took over at short with Sandy Leon replacing Moreland but was behind the plate. Vazquez moved to first and Beckham walked to start. Greiner flied out to center and Jones flied out to right, but Candelario walked. Castellanos singled home Beckham as Dustin Peterson pinch hit for Cabrera and cleared the bases with a double. Goodrum looked at strike three to end the game with the Sox winning it 11-4.
Hero of the night is Eduardo Rodriguez. He was sharp in tossing 6 innings of 1 run ball while allowing just two hits while striking out 7.
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 2 for 4 with a walk, rbi and 2 runs scored.
Mitch Moreland walked twice in 5 plate appearances and scored a run.
JD Martinez was 3 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.
Michael Chavis walked 3 times, drove in a run, scored twice, got hit with a pitch and stole a base.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis.
Christian Vazquez was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis, a walk and a run scored.
Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless 7th inning.
Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
The Bad:
Tyler Thornburg allowed 3 runs in the top of the ninth.
The Ugly:
Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4 but walked, drove in a run and scored twice.
Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 but walked, drove in a run and scored.
Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 but walked, drove in 2 runs and scored.
Honorable Mention:
Sandy Leon played catcher in the top of the ninth.
Tzu-Wei Lin played short in the top of the ninth.
Final Thoughts:
Its about time the Sox won a game they didn't trail and pulled away from. The New York Yankees have gone on a winning streak and the Sox have to turn it around now or they'll be chasing them the rest of the season. Beating the Tigers is nothing special but they needed a win like this to get some momentum back. Rodriguez bounced back from his mediocre start to look like the pitcher he was the previous one. They're gonna need him to go 6-7 innings to make up for the lack of bullpen depth. Hopefully Chavis can be a force because with Dustin Pedroia, Brock Holt and Eduardo Nunez all out, they need some production big time. All in all they needed a win and they got one for once. Tomorrow night the Sox look to salvage the fourth game of this series when Rick Porcello (0-3, 8.47 ERA) goes up against Jordan Zimmermann at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.
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