Basebawful Report of the Month

Matt Barnes - 10 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly, 3 Jackass

Andrew Benintendi - 7 Good, 2 Bad, 11 Ugly, 1 Hero

Mookie Betts - 8 Good, 2 Bad, 15 Ugly, 1 Hero

Xander Bogaerts - 12 Good, 2 Bad, 10 Ugly, 2 Hero

Jackie Bradley Jr - 15 Good, 3 Bad, 7 Ugly, 1 Honorable Mention

Ryan Brasier - 8 Good, 4 Bad

Colten Brewer - 9 Good, 1 Bad, 2 Ugly

Michael Chavis - 13 Good, 6 Bad, 7 Ugly, 1 Hero

Rafael Devers - 12 Good, 7 Bad, 5 Ugly, 1 Hero

Heath Hembree - 5 Good

Darwinzon Hernandez - 1 Bad

Marco Hernandez - 8 Good, 4 Bad, 2 Ugly, 2 Hero

Brock Holt - 14 Good, 2 Bad, 3 Ugly, 1 Hero

Brian Johnson - 2 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly

Travis Lakins - 2 Good, 1 Bad

Sandy Leon - 5 Good, 5 Bad, 3 Ugly, 2 Honorable Mention

JD Martinez - 11 Good, 3 Bad, 7 Ugly, 1 Hero, 1 Jackass

Mitch Moreland - 1 Bad

Eduardo Nunez - 9 Good, 7 Bad, 4 Ugly, 1 Hero, 1 Honorable Mention

Rick Porcello - 1 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Hero, 3 Jackass

Bobby Poyner - 1 Jackass

David Price - 2 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Hero

Eduardo Rodriguez - 2 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Chris Sale - 1 Good, 2 Bad, 2 Hero

Mike Shawaryn - 5 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Josh A Smith - 2 Good, 3 Bad, 1 Ugly

Josh Taylor - 6 Good, 3 Bad, 1 Jackass

Sam Travis - 1 Good, 5 Bad, 1 Ugly

Christian Vazquez - 7 Good, 4 Bad, 10 Ugly, 1 Hero, 1 Honorable Mention

Hector Velazquez - 1 Good

Marcus Walden - 7 Good, 4 Bad, 2 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Ryan Weber - 1 Bad

Brandon Workman - 11 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly

Steven Wright - 2 Good, 1 Bad

Most Valuable Player of the Month is Jackie Bradley Jr with 15 Good

The Least Valuable Players of the Month are Rafael Devers and Eduardo Nunez with 7 Bad

The Ugliest Player of the Month is Mookie Betts with 15 Ugly

The Heroes of the Month are Xander Bogaerts, Chris Sale and Marco Hernandez with 2 Hero

The Jackasses of the Month are Matt Barnes and Rick Porcello with 3 Jackass

The Most Honorable Player of the Month is Sandy Leon with 2 Honorable Mention

Yankees Knock Sox out of London, East Race (6/30/19)

So much for the big showdown in London between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. It turned out to be a one sided affair that showcased the Yankees as the team to beat in the AL East. For the second straight day, the Yankees feasted on Red Sox pitching for 13 hits and 12 runs. The Yankees scored 29 runs in 2 games against the pathetic Red Sox pitching staff including a 9 run 7th inning in today's game. Eduardo Rodriguez was pulled in the 6th inning and the floodgates opened in the seventh. Marcus Walden (6-1, 3.45 ERA) has been solid all season but was shelled for 4 runs without getting an out. Matt Barnes allowed 3 more before he was pulled and the Yankees turned a 4-2 Sox lead into an 11-4 blowout. The Sox did manage to rally in the bottom of the eighth but the Yankees swept the Sox out of London with a 12-8 victory at Wembley Stadium.

                                                  "Those Red Sox are codswallop!"

Rodriguez got the ball in the top of the first inning and DJ LeMahieu whiffed to start. Aaron Judge took strike three but Aaron Hicks singled to center. Gary Sanchez flied out to center to end the inning. Meanwhile the Sox feasted on Yankees starter Stephen Tarpley in the bottom of the first inning. Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to short but Rafael Devers popped up over the head of Gleyber Torres for a base hit. Xander Bogaerts smashed his 16th home run of the season to give the Sox the lead and JD Martinez followed with his 18th home run of the year. Michael Chavis flied out to left but Christian Vazquez belted his 11th home run of the season to increase the lead. Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to first to end the inning but the Sox hit three home runs and led 4-0.

                                                       3 home runs

The Yankees answered in the top of the second as Edwin Encarnacion walked to start. Didi Gregorius got a hit to short and Gleyber Torres walked to load the bases. Gio Urshela beat out a double play ball to score Encarnacion and Brett Gardner singled off the glove of Eduardo Nunez into right. LeMahieu flied out to center but Judge walked to reload the bases. Hicks whiffed to end the inning but it was 4-2 Yankees.

                                              Gardner drives in a run

Luis Cessa came in to pitch the bottom of the second and naturally the Sox offense ran away and hid. Eduardo Nunez flied out to left but Sam Travis got a lucky single up the middle. Mr. Mookie banged into a double play to end the inning.

Sanchez walked to start the top of the third before Encarnacion flied out to right. Gregorius forced Sanchez at second and Torres whiffed to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the third as Devers flied out to right to start. Bogaerts grounded out to short but Martinez doubled to left. Chavis whiffed to end the inning.

Rodriguez cruised in the top of the fourth as Urshela popped up to second to start. Gardner grounded out to second and LeMahieu lined out to center to end the inning. Vazquez popped up to second to start the bottom of the fourth but JBJ singled to short. Nunez flied out to center and Travis whiffed to end the inning.

Judge singled to left to start the top of the fifth but Hicks popped up to short. Sanchez popped up ti first and Encarnacion popped up to first to end the inning. Mr. Mookie singled to right to start the bottom of the fifth but Devers flied out to left and Bogaerts banged into a double play to end the inning.

Rodriguez struck out Gregorius swinging to open the top of the sixth and Sox manager Alex Cora felt that 115 pitches was enough from E-Rod. He didn't last very long but he was mostly effective, allowing just 2 runs. Colten Brewer came in and walked Torres, but struck out Urshela swinging. Gardner whiffed to end the inning.

                                                    Rodriguez does well in London

Adam Ottavino came in for the bottom of the sixth and Martinez reached on catcher's interference to start. Chavis whiffed, Vazquez took strike three and JBJ flied out to center to end the inning.

The Yankees exploded in the top of the seventh as Marcus Walden came in. LeMahieu doubled to right, Judge walked and Hicks doubled DJ home just like that. Sanchez singled home Judge and Hicks to give the Yankees the lead and that was it for Walden. Matt Barnes came in and walked Encarnacion but punched out Gregorius. Chavis lost a pop up by Torres that dropped in to load the bases before Urshela singled home Sanchez and Encarnacion. Josh Taylor tried his luck but Gardner walked to load the bases and LeMahieu pounded a ground rule double to score Torres and Urshela. Judge was intentionally walked but Hicks scored Gardner with a sac fly and moved Judge to third. Sanchez hit a routine grounder to Chavis to tried to have tea with it for an error that scored LeMahieu. Encarnacion grounded into a force to end the inning but the Yankees scored 9 runs and took an 11-4 lead.

                                                 "Well this sucks!" - Taylor

Tommy Kahnle came in for the bottom of the seventh with Mike Tauchman now in right. Nunez popped up to first, Travis grounded out to short and Mr. Mookie whiffed to end the inning. Once the bullpen came in in the second inning, the Sox offense went completely cold. That's pathetic.

Sox manager Alex Cora threw in the towel and had Marco Hernandez come in for Bogaerts with Ryan Brasier on the mound for the top of the eighth. Gregorius responded by hitting a home run all the way to Leeds to increase the lead. Torres grounded out to third as Chavis dropped a pop up for an error in foul territory. Urshela lined out to short but Gardner singled to center. LeMahieu singled to right but Tauchman whiffed to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 12-4.

                                                      Yankees pour it on

Somehow the Sox rallied in the bottom of the eighth with Chance Adams on the mound. Devers grounded out to second but Hernandez singled to left. Martinez singled to right but Chavis flied out to right. A wild pitch moved both runners over and Vazquez singled them both home to cut the lead. JBJ singled Vazquez to third and Nunez doubled Christian home. Zack Britton came in and Travis singled home JBJ, advancing Nunez to third. Mr. Mookie walked to load the bases and somehow bring the tying run to the plate....but Devers grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox down 12-8.

                                                   Nice going Devers

Steven Wright cruised in the top of the ninth as Hicks popped up to short to start. Sanchez grounded out to short and Encarnacion whiffed to end the inning. Aroldis Chapman came on for the bottom of the ninth with Austin Romine behind the plate. Hernandez doubled to right but Martinez whiffed. Chavis and Vazquez both struck out swinging to end the game. The Yankees had won it 12-8.

                                                                 Yankees win

Jackass of the Night is Marcus Walden. He opened the floodgates by allowing 4 runs in the top of the seventh to take the loss.

                                                       Walden the Jackass

The Good:

Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3 with a 2 run home run.

Marco Hernandez was 2 for 2 with a run scored.

JD Martinez was 3 for 4 with a home run and 2 total runs scored.

Christian Vazquez was 2 for 5 with 3 total rbis, 2 runs scored and a home run.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Sam Travis was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Eduardo Rodriguez tossed 5 1/3 innings and allowed just 2 runs. He allowed 4 hits and 4 walks.

Colten Brewer got the final two outs of the sixth inning.

Steven Wright tossed a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Michael Chavis was 0 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts and 2 errors.

Matt Barnes allowed 3 runs in 1/3 of an inning.

Josh Taylor allowed 2 runs in 2/3 of an inning.

Ryan Brasier allowed a run in the eighth inning.

The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked.

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Final Thoughts:

Hope the London fans got their money's worth because that sucked for American Sox fans. Allowing 29 runs to your hated rival and falling 10 games out of first in the month of June is less than ideal. It would have been nice to add a few pitchers in the off-season but they didn't. Sox GM Dave Dombrowski has sat on his hands this season and its time to do something because the Sox are falling further and further out of it. The Sox offense scored 21 runs in the 2 game set so not much to complain about there, but holy moly was the pitching bad. That's the problem when you let Craig Kimbrel and Joe Kelly go without replacing them. Dombrowski has one month to get it right or else the Sox are going to be missing the playoffs for the first time since 2015 come the end of September. The loss to close out the month of June dropped the Sox to 44-40, 10 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox travel from London to Canada to play the Toronto Blue Jays starting Tuesday night. David Price (5-2) takes on Trent Thornton at 7:10 PM at the Skydome.

Yankees Outslug Sox in London Debut (6/29/19)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made some roster moves. Brian Johnson was placed on the Injured List with an undisclosed ailment and Hector "The Insurance Policy" was activated from the Injured List to take Brian's place. Sam Travis was also called up to be the 26th man for the next two games against the New York Yankees.

                                                                        OUT

                                                                    IN

Well this game was bad news for the Boston Red Sox but great news for worldwide baseball relations, that's for sure. In the first professional American baseball game held in London, the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees combined to score 30 runs on 27 hits and 6 home runs. Unfortunately for the Sox the Yankees scored 17 and Boston only scored 13. "Slick" Rick Porcello didn't make it out of the first inning as the Yankees scored 6 runs. Then the Sox countered by knocking out Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka in the bottom of the first with 6 runs of their own. The Yankees pitching then didn't suck as hard as the Sox for the next 8 innings as the Yankees took the first game of this London series 17-13 at Yankee Stadium.

                                                   "THOSE DAMN YANKEES!"

The massacre began in the top of the first inning when DJ LeMahieu singled to right to start. Aaron Judge flied out to the centerfield wall but Gary Sanchez walked. Luke Voit doubled home LeMahieu and Didi Gregorius doubled both runners home. Edwin Encarnacion doubled home Gregorius and Aaron Hicks smashed a home run all the way to Stonehenge to knock Porcello out. Colten Brewer came in and Gleyber Torres walked before moving to second on the grounder by Brett Gardner. LeMahieu took strike three but it was 6-0 Yankees.

                                                       "Are these balls juiced?" - Porcello

The Sox answered in the bottom of the first as Mr. Mookie Betts greeted Tanaka with a base hit to left to start. Rafael Devers doubled home Betts to put the Sox on the board. Xander Bogaerts and JD Martinez walked to load the bases, but Andrew Benintendi popped up to short. Christian Vazquez hit a sac fly to score Devers and Brock "The Hitman" Holt got a base hit to right to score Bogaerts to cut the lead in half. Michael Chavis then made the Boston fan portion of Wembley roar as he smashed a 3 run bomb to tie the game. Chad Green came in to pitch and Jackie Bradley Jr got a base hit to right. Mr. Mookie grounded into a force to end the inning but the Sox had tied it 6-6, how about that?

                                                            Sox counter punch

Steven Wright came in for the top of the second and Judge singled to left to start. Sanchez whiffed but Voit singled to left. Gregorius banged into a double play to end the inning. Devers doubled to right to begin the bottom of the second and Bogaerts lined out to center. Martinez singled Bogaerts to third but Benintendi whiffed. Vazquez grounded into a force to end the inning.

The Yankees took command for good in the top of the third as Encarnacion took strike three to start. Hicks lined out to center but Torres singled to left. Gardner then smashed as home run all the way to Piccadilly to put the Yankees on top. LeMahieu singled to right and Judge walked, but Sanchez grounded out to third to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 8-6.

                                                         Wright gives up a few runs

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the third as Holt lined out to left to start. Chavis flied out to right but JBJ singled to left. David Hale came in to pitch to Betts and Mr. Mookie took strike three to end the inning.

The Yankees iced the game in the top of the fourth against Mike Shawaryn as Voit doubled to center to start. Gregorius walked but Encarnacion whiffed and Hicks flied out to left. The floodgates opened as Torres singled to left to load the bases and Gardner walked home Voit. LeMahieu cleared the bases with a double to put the game out of reach. Judge put the exclamation point on the rally with a home run all the way to Cockfosters to increase the lead. Sanchez whiffed to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 14-6.

                                                      LeMahieu ices the game

The Sox failed to answer in the bottom of the fourth as Devers flied out to center to start. Bogaerts singled to right but Martinez lined iout to short. Nestor Cortes Jr replaced Hale and Benintendi popped up to third to end the inning.

The Yankeed poured it on in the top of the fifth as Voit doubled to left to start. Gio Urshela ran for Voit and moved to third on a wild pitch. Gregorius singled home Urshela but Encarnacion whiffed. Finally Sox manager Alex Cora pulled Shawaryn and Josh Taylor gave up a single to Hicks before a wild pitch moved both runners over. Torres walked but Gardner took strike three. LeMahieu singled home Gregorius and Hicks to wrap up the scoring. Judge flied out to right to end the inning but it was 17-6 Yankees.

                                                      LeMahieu does it again

The Red Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the fifth as Vazquez grounded out in front of the plate to start. Holt and Chavis both grounded out to short to end the inning.

Ryan Brasier came in for the top of the sixth and Sanchez flied out to center to start. Urshela lined back to Brasier and Gregorius flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox got a run back in the bottom of the sixth when JBJ clobbered his 9th home run of the season to start. Mr. Mookie took strike three, Devers grounded out to third and Bogaerts took strike three to end the inning with the Sox down a touchdown and a field goal 17-7.

                                                           JBJ hits one out

Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez took over on the mound, Sandy Leon took Holt's spot in the lineup but behind the plate, Vazquez moved to third, Sam Travis came in for Benintendi and Marco Hernandez replaced Devers in the lineup at second base to begin the top of the seventh. Encarnacion whiffed, Hicks took strike three and Torres grounded out to first to end the inning. Mike Tauchman came in for Judge and Austin Romine came in to catch the bottom of the seventh as the Sox rallied. Martinez took strike three and Travis lined out to right, but Vazquez singled to left. Leon singled to short and Chavis smashed his second 3 run bomb of the game to put the Sox behind by a touchdown. JBJ singled to right and the Yankees were forced to bring in Tommy Kahnle. Mr. Mookie walked and both runners moved over on a wild pitch. Hernandez singled home JBJ and Kahnle airmailed ball four to Bogaerts, scoring Betts on a mad dash. Adam Ottavino came in and Martinez doubled home Hernandez. Travis popped up to first to end the inning but the Sox somehow cut the lead 17-13.

                                                           Chavis does it again

Eduardo Nunez came in for Bogaerts to start the top of the eighth as Gardner flied out to center to start. LeMahieu lined out to Velazquez and Tauchman whiffed to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the eighth as Vazquez flied out to right to start. Leon singled and Chavis walked, but JBJ beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners. Mr. Mookie walked to load the bases...but Hernandez grounded out to third to end the inning.

Marcus Walden came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Romine grounded out to second to start. Urshela doubled to left but Gregorius grounded out to second. Encarnacion whiffed to end the inning. Aroldis Chapman came on to close out the bottom of the ninth as Nunez grounded out to third to start. Martinez singled to left but Travis banged into a double play to end the game. The Yankees had won the slugfest 17-13.

                                                         Yankees win

Jackass of the Night is Mike Shawaryn. The Sox were still relatively in the game when he came in and was charged with 8 runs in 1 1/3 innings.

                                                               London Jackass

The Good:

Rafael Devers was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Marco Hernandez was 1 for 2 with an rbi and run scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3 was 2 walks and a run scored.

JD Martinez was 3 for 5 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Brock Holt was 1 for 3 with an rbi and a run scored.

Sandy Leon was 2 for 2 with a run scored.

Michael Chavis was 2 for 4 with 6 total rbis, a walk and 2 home runs.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 4 for 5 with a home run and 2 total runs scored.

Colten Brewer got the final 2 outs of the first inning.

Ryan Brasier tossed a scoreless inning.

Hector Velazquez tossed 2 scoreless innings.

Marcus Walden tossed a scoreless inning.

The Bad:

Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Sam Travis was 0 for 3.

Rick Porcello allowed 6 runs in just 1/3 of an inning.

Steven Wright allowed 2 runs in 2 innings to take the loss.

Josh Taylor allowed inherited runners to score and one of his own in 2/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 but walked twice and scored two runs.

Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored.

Final Thoughts:

What a slugfest, too bad the Sox didn't win. There's not much you can do when the Yankees can't miss. Still, the baseballs must have been tampered with to give the London crowd a show because there were absolute rockets hit by people who normally don't hit rockets. DJ LeMahieu was a one man wrecking crew but Michael Chavis tried to match him. If this game didn't prove that the Sox need bullpen help, I don't know what will. The Sox have one month left before the trade deadline, time for Sox GM Dave Dombrowski to make a move before they fall too far behind. As for this game, great offense, lousy pitching. The loss dropped the Sox to 44-39, 9 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Sox try to rebound against the Yankees in their last game in London together. Eduardo Rodriguez goes for the Sox up against Stephen Tarpley of the Yankees at 3:05 PM Eastern time, 8:05 PM London time at Wembley Stadium.

Another Off-Day News (6/28/19)

On this day in Basebawful history:

1970 - Red Sox beat Yankees

1971 - Red Sox defeat Senators

1980 - Orioles smash Sox

1982 - Sox outslug Brewers

1989 - Brewers defeat Sox

2000 - Orioles beat Sox in 11 innings

2013 - Gomes, Webster huge in Sox win over Blue Jays

2017 - Twins rout Porcello, Sox

2018 - Sox sweep Angels

Tomorrow afternoon the Boston Red Sox begin their two game showdown in London against the New York Yankees. "Slick" Rick Porcello goes for the Sox up against Masahiro Tanaka of the New York Yankees. The game begins at 1:05 PM Eastern time in the United States and 6:05 PM in London at Wembley Stadium.

Off-Day News (6/27/19)

 On this day in Basebawful history:

1979 - Sox beat Tigers in later innings

1989 - Brewers outlast Red Sox

1992 - Sox beat Brewers in 13 innings

2000 - Orioles beat Sox in 10 innings

2013 - Lester, Sox beat Blue Jays

2017 - Sox beat Twins in a lightning storm

2018 - Sox hold on to beat Angels

The Sox have another off-day tomorrow and then they play the New York Yankees in London on Saturday. "Slick" Rick Porcello battles Masahiro Tanaka at 1:10 PM Eastern time in the United States, 6:10 PM in London at Wembley Stadium.

White Sox Stun Red Sox in Ninth (6/26/19)

16 blown saves. That's how many blown saves the Boston Red Sox have this season and we're not even out of June yet. As the Sox fall further and further behind the New York Yankees in the AL East division race, Red Sox manager Dave Dombrowski needs to do something about the bullpen or they're never coming back. The lowly White Sox dropkicked Chris Sale around in the early going, taking a 5-3 lead over the Sox which ultimately ended up 6-3. The Red Sox fought all the way back to take the lead 7-6 in the bottom of the eighth. 2 outs from victory, Matt Barnes served up a 2 run game winning home run to Jose Abreu and the Sox head to London 9 games back of the red hot Yankees after the 8-7 defeat at Fenway Park.

                                                 "16 blown saves!!!"

The White Sox wasted no time lighting up Sale in the top of the first as Leury Garcia easily lined a base hit to right to start. Yoan Moncada was plunked and Jose Abreu effortlessly doubled to right to score Garcia and put the game away 3 batters into the game. Yolmer Sanchez pinch ran for Moncada who was in pain after getting plunked and he scored on the James McCann single. Somehow Elroy Jimenez struck out but Jon Jay singled in Abreu to ice the game. Jose Rondon walked to load the bases but somehow Ryan Cordell whiffed. Charlie Tilson grounded out to third to end the inning with the White Sox up 3-0.

                                                      That was easy

Sanchez went to second with Rondon going to third for the bottom of the first where the BoSox fought back against Reynaldo Lopez. Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to second although Rafael Devers singled. Xander Bogaerts whiffed badly but JD Martinez crushed his 17th home run of the year to put the BoSox back in the game. Jackie Bradley Jr singled to left and Michael Chavis doubled to center, but Marco Hernandez flied out to left to end the inning with the BoSox down 3-2.

                                                   Martinez goes yard

Sale cruised in the top of the second as Garcia flied out to right to begin. Sanchez whiffed and Abreu grounded out to second to end the inning. Lopez cruised in the bottom of the second as Eduardo Nunez flied out to center, Sandy Leon grounded out to third and Mr. Mookie whiffed to end the inning.

Sale got tagged in the top of the third as McCann blasted a 50,000 foot home run to increase the lead. Jimenez whiffed but Jay was plunked. Rondon bunted Jay to second and Cordell singled Jay home. Tilson grounded out to second to end the inning with the Chisox ahead 5-2.

                                                McCann goes yard

The BoSox fought back in the bottom of the third as Garcia misplayed a pop up by Devers which dropped in for a double. Bogaerts grounded out to short and Martinez whiffed, but Devers moved to third when McCann's pickoff throw went to center. JBJ walked and a wild pitch scored Devers and moved JBJ to second. Chavis hit a ball to deep second and was called out on a bang bang play. Sox manager Alex Cora challenged the call and it was overturned, base hit for Chavis. Hernandez popped up to third to end the inning but it was 5-3 Chicago.

Sale froze Garcia for strike three to begin the top of the fourth before Sanchez grounded out to short. Abreu looked at strike three to end the inning.  Nunez lined out to second to start the bottom of the fourth before Leon singled. Mr. Mookie flied out to center before Devers popped up to first to end the inning.

Sale got McCann to strike out swinging to start the top of the fifth before Jimenez grounded out to short. Jay also grounded out to short to end the inning. Bogaerts singled to start the bottom of the fifth but Martinez banged into a double play. JBJ grounded out to short to end the inning.

Sale dominated the top of the sixth inning in his last frame. Rondon was frozen for strike three, Cordell whiffed and Tilson struck out swinging to end the inning. Sale was a complete mixed bag, he had 2 bad innings out of 6 but it cost him as he allowed 5 runs in 6 innings.

                                                     Not good

Chavis grounded out to short to start the bottom of the sixth before Hernandez singled. Nunez popped up to second and Leon flied out to center to end the inning.

The White Sox got an insurance run off Marcus Walden in the top of the seventh inning as Garcia doubled to start. Garcia moved to third on the bunt by Sanchez before scoring on the single by Abreu. McCann grounded out to third and Jimenez whiffed to end the inning but it was 6-3 Chicago.

                                                 Abreu does it again

The BoSox fought back against Aaron Bummer with Jay in at right field. Mr. Mookie grounded out to short but Devers singled. Bogaerts whiffed but Martinez doubled home Devers. JBJ singled to put the tying on at first...but Chavis flied out to right to end the inning with the BoSox down 6-4.

Steven Wright, fresh off his 80 game suspension made his season debut in the top of the eighth inning. Jay whiffed but Rondon was plunked. Cordell singled as Yonder Alonso pinch hit for Bummer and banged into a double play to end the inning. Jace Fry came in as the BoSox completed their rally in the bottom of the eighth. Christian Vazquez pinch hit for Hernandez and flied out to right to begin. Evan Marshall came in for Fry and Nunez singled to center. Brock "The Hitman" Holt pinch hit for Leon and smacked a ground rule double. Brian Johnson, yes the pitcher, ran for Holt as Alex Colome was brought in to close out the game. Mr. Mookie hit a grounder to third and Rondon fired home but Nunez beat the tag to score. Devers grounded out but both runners moved into scoring position where they scored on the clutch, 2 out hit by Bogaerts to give the BoSox the lead. Martinez grounded into a force to end the inning but the BoSox rallied to take the lead 7-6.

                                                   What a rally

Vazquez stayed behind the plate, Nunez took over at second and Matt Barnes came on looking for the save. Naturally Garcia singled to left to start. Garcia was thrown out at second trying to steal but Sanchez singled to right. Abreu then crushed a backbreaking 2 run bomb 500,000 feet over the Monster to effectively end the AL East race. Sox manager Alex Cora kicked over a Gatorade jug and took the ineffective Barnes out to a chorus of boos. Josh Taylor came in and struck out both McCann and Jimenez to end the inning but the White Sox were ahead 8-7.

                                                          Game over

JBJ tried to start a rally with a walk to start the bottom of the ninth but the bottom of the order came up. Chavis flied out to center, Vazquez lined out to second and Nunez grounded out to second to end the game. The White Sox had won it to send the Sox to London out of the AL East race with a 8-7 victory.

                                                         You lose


Jackass of the Night is Matt Barnes. He served up the 2 run jack to Abreu to lose the game in the top of the ninth.

                                                  Good going Jackass


The Good:

Rafael Devers was 3 for 5 with 3 runs scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

JD Martinez was 2 for 5 with 3 total rbis including a 2 run home run.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 3 with 2 walks.

Michael Chavis was 2 for 5.

Marco Hernandez was 1 for 3.

Sandy Leon was 1 for 3.

Brock Holt doubled as a pinch hitter.

Brian Johnson scored a run as a pinch runner.

Steven Wright pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

Josh Taylor struck out the only two men he faced.



The Bad:

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 2.

Chris Sale allowed 5 runs in 6 innings of work while striking out 10.

Marcus Walden allowed a run in an inning of work.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was 0 for 5 but drove in a run and scored.

Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.




Final Thoughts:

Patience is wearing thin for Red Sox fans for what's turning into a completely frustrating season. Forget Cora sandbagging Spring Training that got the Sox off to their horrid start, they never fixed the problem that was in their face since the end of last year.....the bullpen. That was the concern going into the season and Dombrowski never fixed it. He let Joe Kelly and Craig Kimbrel walk and never replaced them. It may kill them in the end because they've blown SIXTEEN saves this season. We still have the second half of the season to play and at the rate they are going, their inept bullpen may cost them the playoffs entirely. Hangover slumps by Betts, Martinez, etc are to be expected but Dombrowski is in big trouble now. He better fix the bullpen quick or they're dead meat when it matters. The loss dropped the Sox to 44-38, 9 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. After two off-days the Sox travel to London, England to face the Yankees in a neutral site two game set. Masahiro Tanaka goes for the Yankees against "Slick" Rick Porcello (5-7, 4.52 ERA) at 1:10 PM Eastern time in Wembley Stadium.

Red Sox Defeat White Sox (6/25/19)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox got some news. Steven Wright's 80 game suspension is over and he's back with the team. Josh A Smith was also sent back to Pawtucket. If Wright can rediscover the form he had in 2016, the Sox will be on their way back to the top of the AL East.

                                                                           OUT

                                                                            IN

Here come the Boston Red Sox. After being a dull doormat for the first two and a half months of the season, the Red Sox have now won 10 of 13 games including tonight's game over the Chicago White Sox. David Price (5-2, 3.36 ERA) tossed 6 solid innings to keep the Sox in the game. The bullpen slammed the door on Chicago with three shutout innings while the offense broke a 3-3 tie with a two run Xander Bogaerts home run in the bottom of the fifth. The BoSox tacked on another run for good measure in the bottom of the sixth and once it was over the BoSox had beaten the ChiSox 6-3 at Fenway Park.

                                                     Hope Marie Carlton approves of the win

After a 25 minute rain delay, Price took the mound in the top of the first inning. Leury Garcia flied out to right before Tim Anderson took strike three. Jose Abreu whiffed to end the inning. The BoSox wasted no time getting to White Sox starter Carson Fulmer in the bottom of the first. Mr. Mookie Betts hit a routine grounder to Anderson who threw the ball away for an error that allowed Betts to take second. Rafael Devers doubled him home to give Boston the lead two batters into the game. Xander Bogaerts grounded out to third but JD Martinez walked. Jackie Bradley Jr took strike three and Christian Vazquez grounded out to second to end the inning with Boston ahead 1-0.

                                                    Mr. Mookie scores the first run

The White Sox answered in the top of the second as James McCann hit a routine grounder to Bogaerts to start. Bogaerts picked up the ball and threw it into the left field stands for an error that advanced McCann to second. McCann moved to third on a wild pitch but Eloy Jimenez took strike three. Jon Jay singled home McCann to tie the game and Yoan Concada singled to left. Jose Rondon lined out to center and Zack Collins whiffed to end the inning but the game was tied 1-1.

                                                     McCann scores to tie it

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the second as Michael Chavis struck out swinging to start. Marco Hernandez lined out to short and Eduardo Nunez went down hacking to end the inning.

The White Sox took the lead in the top of the third although Garcia grounded out to first to start. Anderson doubled to left although Abreu grounded out to third. McCann doubled home Anderson to give the White Sox the lead and Jimenez singled in McCann to increase it. Jay lined out to left to end the inning but Chicago now led 3-1.

                                                       Jimenez drives in a run

The White Sox went to their bullpen in the bottom of the third and Juan Minaya came in to get Mr. Mookie to pop up to short to start. Devers singled to left, Bogaerts was plunked and Martinez singled to left to load the bases. JBJ flied out to center but Vazquez singled home Devers and Bogaerts to tie the game. Chavis struck out swinging to end the inning with the game tied 3-3.

                                                         Vazquez ties it up

Price turned up the heat to strike out the side in the top of the fourth. Moncada, Rondon and Collins all went down swinging to begin and end the inning. The BoSox did nothing in the bottom of the fourth as Hernandez went down hacking to start. Nunez flied out to left and Mr. Mookie whiffed to end the inning.

The White Sox tried to rally in the top of the fifth as Garcia singled to start. Anderson singled to center and tried for second but was thrown out by JBJ. Abreu struck out swinging and McCann struck out swinging to end the inning.

                                                   Yerrrr out!

The Red Sox took command in the bottom of the fifth as Devers doubled to right and Bogaerts clobbered his 15th home run of the season to give the BoSox the lead. Martinez grounded out to short but Anderson landed awkwardly after throwing the ball and fell to the ground clutching his ankle. Anderson had to be carried out and Ryan Cordell took his place. JBJ grounded out to third and Vazquez took strike three to end the inning with the Red Sox leading 5-3.

                                                   Hope he's okay

Price came back for the top of the sixth and Jimenez lined out to right to start. Jay singled to left but was forced at second by Moncada. Rondon lined out to right to end the inning. That was it for Price who allowed 3 runs (2 earned) in 6 innings to put himself in position to win.

                                                         Price deals in the rain

The Sox tacked on another run in the bottom of the sixth as Chavis singled to start. Hernandez singled Chavis to third and Nunez scored Michael with a sac fly. Mr. Mookie banged into a double play to end the inning with Boston ahead 6-3.

                                                         Nunez with a clutch sac fly

Matt Barnes came in for the top of the seventh and walked Collins to start. Garcia and Cordell both whiffed and Abreu flied out to center to end the inning. Josh Osich came in for the bottom of the seventh and Devers doubled again to center. Bogaerts grounded out to third, Martinez flied out to right and JBJ flied out to left to end the inning.

Ryan Brasier came in for the top of the eighth and McCann struck out swinging to start. Jimenez grounded out to short but Jay doubled to right. Moncada struck out swinging to end the inning. The Red Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the eighth as Vazquez grounded out to third to start. Chavis grounded out to short and Hernandez grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Brandon Workman came on for the save in the top of the ninth and Rondon struck out swinging to start. Collins grounded out to second but Garcia doubled to center. Charlie Tilson pinch hit for Cordell and struck out swinging to end the game. The Red Sox had won it 6-3.

                                                       Sox win

Hero of the Night is Xander Bogaerts who's 2 run home run put the Sox ahead for good.

                                                   The rainy Hero

The Good:

Rafael Devers was 4 for 4 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.

JD Martinez was 1 for 3 with a walk.

David Price earned the win by pitching six solid innings while allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 8 hits while striking out 9.

Matt Barnes tossed a scoreless seventh inning.

Ryan Brasier tossed a scoreless eighth inning.

Brandon Workman earned his 3rd save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 4 but drove in 2 runs.

Michael Chavis was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.

Marco Hernandez was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 2 but drove in a run.

Final Thoughts:

The Sox needed to get hot to get back in the AL East race but unfortunately the New York Yankees did too. Boston has won 10 of 13 yet are still 8 games behind New York. If the Sox can win tomorrow they can at least keep pace heading into their showdown in London on Saturday. Price didn't look spectacular but he didn't have to. The trio of Barnes, Brasier and Workman slammed the door and the Sox are gonna need them to be the A-Team going forward. If only Darwinzon Hernandez can control his 97 mph fastball he could be devastating. The offense is chugging along and they need to keep it up in order to get back in the race. Tampa Bay and New York aren't going away so the Sox need to reach back for the same tenacity they had last year. Getting Steven Wright back from suspension could help with that provided he can give them what he did 3 years ago. The win improved the Sox to 44-37, 8 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Red Sox look for the series sweep tomorrow afternoon when they send Chris Sale (3-7, 3.50 ERA) to the mound opposite Reynaldo Lopez of the White Sox. The game begins at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Red Sox Walkoff White Sox (6/24/19)

THAT'S the way to come back to a baseball game. For 7 innings the Boston Red Sox looked nearly lifeless against the Chicago White Sox. Eduardo Rodriguez tossed another stinker as he was lit up for 5 runs in 6 1/3 innings. The Red Sox trailed 5-3 going into the bottom of the seventh but a home run from Mookie Betts inched the Sox closer. The Sox scored a run to tie it in the bottom of the eighth then Marco Hernandez drove in Andrew Benintendi in the bottom of the ninth to win it for Boston. The Sox kept their momentum going a week before the big showdown with the New York Yankees in London with a 6-5 walkoff win over the White Sox at Fenway Park.

                                                 Roberta Vazquez approves of the win

Rodriguez got the ball in the top of the first and Leury Garcia took strike three to start. Tim Anderson also took strike three and Jose Abreu grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Lucas Giolito got the ball in the bottom of the first and Mr. Mookie Betts took strike three to start. Andrew Benintendi doubled to right but JD Martinez grounded out to shout. Rafael Devers whiffed to end the inning.

The White Sox struck first in the top of the second although James McCann popped up to second to start. Eloy Jimenez doubled to left before moving to third on the Jon Jay grounder. Old pal Yoan Moncada stuck it to his whole team by hitting a home run all the way into the Bespin clouds. Yonder Alonso grounded out to second to end the inning but the White Sox led 2-0.

                                                          Moncada hits one out

The Red Sox fought back in the bottom of the second although Xander Bogaerts popped up to first to start. Jackie Bradley Jr smashed his 8th homer of the season to cut the lead. Christian Vazquez whiffed and Michael Chavis took strike three to end the inning with the Red Sox down 2-1.

                                                          Bradley cuts the lead

Jose Rondon grounded out to second to start the top of the third before Garcia flied out to right. Anderson popped up to second to end the inning. The Red Sox did nothing in the bottom of the third as Eduardo Nunez grounded out to third to start. Mr. Mookie flied out to right and Benintendi went down hacking to end the inning.

Abreu lined out to right to start the top of the fourth but McCann singled to center. Jimenez whiffed and Jay grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the fourth as Martinez walked to start. Devers forced JD at second but Bogaerts singled to short. A wild pitch moved both runners over and JBJ hit a fly ball to left. Devers tried for home but was thrown out by a mile to end the inning.

Moncada singled to start the top of the fifth but Alonso banged into a double play. Rondon grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The Sox tied it up in the bottom of the fifth although Vazquez grounded out to third to start. Chavis doubled over the head of Anderson at short and Nunez singled him home. Mr. Mookie struck out swinging and Benintendi flied out to left to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                     Nunez ties it up

The White Sox took 5 seconds to take the lead back in the top of the sixth although Garcia lined out to center to start. Anderson whiffed but Abreu clobbered a home run all the way to Newfound Lake to give Chicago the lead. McCann grounded out to third to end the inning with the White Sox ahead 3-2.

                                                        White Sox take the lead

The BoSox answered in the bottom of the sixth although Martinez flied out to right to start. Devers walked, Bogaerts doubled to left and JBJ was intentionally walked to load the bases. Vazquez took strike three but Chavis walked home Devers to tie the game and chase Giolito. Evan Marshall came in and Nunez whiffed to end the inning but the game was tied 3-3.

                                                           Chavis "Walk this wayyyyyy"

The White Sox finished off Rodriguez in the top of the seventh as Jimenez walked to start. Jay dropped down a bunt to move Jimenez to second and Moncada was intentionally walked. Alonso singled home Jimenez and moved Moncada to third to give the White Sox the lead. That was it for Rodriguez who would be charged with 5 runs in just 6 1/3 innings. Marcus Walden came in and pinch hitter Yolmer Sanchez (for Rondon) singled home Moncada to increase the lead. Garcia took strike three and Anderson whiffed to end the inning but the White Sox led 5-3.

                                                      Not E-Rod's best stuff

The Sox started the comeback in the bottom of the seventh as Mr. Mookie belted his 13th home run of the year to cut the lead. Aaron Bummer came in to pitch and Benintendi lined out to left. Martinez grounded out to short but Devers doubled to left. Bogaerts grounded out to third to end the inning with the BoSox down 5-4.

                                                      Mr. Mookie goes yard

Colten Brewer took over for the top of the eighth and Abreu took strike three to start. McCann singled to left but Jimenez flied out to right, McCann swiped second and Sox manager Alex Cora brought in Josh Taylor to pitch to Jay. Jay walked but Moncada took a full count strike three to end the inning. The Sox tied it up in the bottom of the eighth as JBJ walked to start. Kelvin Herrera came in and JBJ was caught stealing second before Christian Vazquez singled to right. Marco Hernandez pinch ran for Vazquez and took second on a wild pitch but Chavis grounded out to short. Nunez singled home Hernandez to tie the game. Mr. Mookie grounded out to short to end the inning with the game tied 5-5.

                                                         Tie game

Taylor returned for the top of the ninth and with Sandy Leon now behind the plate. Alonso popped up to first and Sanchez struck out swinging, but Garcia walked to chase Taylor. Brandon Workman (7-1, 1.75 ERA) came in and Garcia swiped second. Anderson was frozen for strike three to end the inning. Jace Fry came in for the bottom of the ninth and Benintendi started the rally with a double to right. Martinez took strike three but Benintendi moved to third on the Devers grounder. Bogaerts was intentionally walked to set up the double play but he swiped second. JBJ was intentionally walked to load the bases and Hernandez made the White Sox pay with an infield single to short to score Benintendi with the winning run. The Red Sox had won it 6-5!

                                                                RED SOX WIN!

Hero of the Night is Marco Hernandez. His rbi single won the game in the bottom of the ninth after his run scored tied it in the eighth.

                                                    All hail the Hero, Hernandez

The Good:

Andrew Benintendi was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 1 for 2 with 3 walks and a home run.

Michael Chavis was 1 for 3 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Eduardo Nunez was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis.

Colten Brewer got the first two outs of the eighth inning.

Josh Taylor tossed a full scoreless inning.

Brandon Workman got the win by striking out the only man he faced.

The Bad:

Eduardo Rodriguez lasted just 6 1/3 innings and was charged with 5 runs.

The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 5 but the one hit was a home run.

JD Martinez was 0 for 4 but walked.

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored a run.

Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Marcus Walden allowed an inherited runner to score in the seventh inning.

Honorable Mention:

Sandy Leon caught the top of the ninth.

Final Thoughts:

That's the kind of game the Red Sox needed to win to keep momentum going as they head toward the London showdown with the New York Yankees. The White Sox aren't very good and the Red Sox need to sweep these guys if they have any hope of doing some damage in London. E-Rod sucked again but luckily the offense never gave up and got some much needed production out of JBJ, Nunez and Hernandez to win this one. The Sox still need some pitching help and hopefully Sox GM Dave Dombrowski can pull off a move within the next month to get the Sox where they need to be in order to repeat. Hopefully the Sox can reel off two more wins against Chicago before the two off days prior to the London showdown. The win improved the Sox to 43-37, 8 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox look to make it two in a row over the White Sox when they send David Price (4-2) up against Carson Fulmer of Chicago. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.