Basebawful Report of the Month

Matt Barnes - 6 Good, 3 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Andrew Benintendi - 10 Good, 2 Bad, 10 Ugly

Mookie Betts - 13 Good, 3 Bad, 10 Ugly, 2 Jackass

Xander Bogaerts - 10 Good, 5 Bad, 7 Ugly, 2 Hero, 1 Jackass

Jackie Bradley Jr - 7 Good, 6 Bad, 8 Ugly, 1 Hero

Ryan Brasier - 5 Good, 2 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Colten Brewer - 1 Good, 2 Ugly

Andrew Cashner - 5 Good, 2 Bad, 2 Jackass

Michael Chavis -2 Good, 6 Bad, 3 Ugly

Rafael Devers - 10 Good, 6 Bad, 8 Ugly, 1 Hero, 1 Jackass

Nathan Eovaldi - 5 Good, 3 Bad, 1 Ugly

Heath Hembree - 1 Bad

Darwinzon Hernandez - 9 Good, 4 Bad

Marco Hernandez - 2 Good, 6 Bad, 4 Ugly, 2 Honorable Mention

Brock Holt - 6 Good, 5 Bad, 5 Ugly, 3 Hero

Brian Johnson - 1 Good, 4 Bad, 1 Ugly

Travis Lakins - 1 Good, 1 Ugly

Sandy Leon - 1 Good, 7 Bad, 3 Ugly

JD Martinez - 15 Good, 1 Bad, 7 Ugly, 2 Hero

Mitch Moreland - 8 Good, 4 Bad, 6 Ugly

Chris Owings - 1 Good, 4 Bad, 2 Ugly, 1 Hero, 2 Honorable Mention

Rick Porcello - 2 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Hero, 1 Jackass

David Price - 1 Jackass

Eduardo Rodriguez - 3 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Hero

Chris Sale - 1 Bad, 1 Hero, 1 Jackass

Josh Smith - 2 Good, 1 Bad

Josh Taylor - 12 Good, 2 Bad, 1 Ugly

Sam Travis - 7 Good, 7 Bad, 9 Ugly

Christian Vazquez - 11 Good, 8 Bad, 5 Ugly

Hector Velazquez - 1 Good, 1 Jackass

Marcus Walden - 9 Good, 3 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Ryan Weber - 1 Good, 1 Bad

Brandon Workman - 9 Good, 2 Bad

Most Valuable Player is JD Martinez with 15 Good

Least Valuable Player is Christian Vazquez with 8 Bad

Ugliest Player of the Month is Mookie Betts with 10 Ugly

Hero of the Month is Brock Holt with 3 Hero

The Co-Jackasses of the Month are Mookie Betts and Andrew Cashner with 2 Jackass

The Honorable Players of the Month are Chris Owings and Marco Hernandez with 2 Honorable Mention

Angels Crush Sox Playoff Hopes (8/31/19)

If Boston Red Sox general manager Dave Dombrowski isn't fired at the end of the season, most Sox fans will be stunned. He ignored the bullpen issues all season and it tonight's loss to the Los Angeles Angels may have been one of the final nails in the coffin on the 2019 season. The Sox led the Angels 4-3 going into the 8th inning when the Angels pulled off a 7 run rally to put the game out of reach. What should have been a locked down win turned into a 10-4 defeat to further put the Sox out of playoff position.

                                            "Bullpen blows it again??"

The Sox wasted no time getting to Angels starter Dillon Peters in the top of the first inning. Mr. Mookie Betts led off with a base hit to center to begin. Betts was erased on the force by Rafael Devers before Xander Bogaerts struck out swinging. JD Martinez continued his hot streak with a double to right to score Betts to put the Sox on top. Sam Travis whiffed to end the inning with Boston up 1-0.

                                                   Martinez drives in a run

Josh Taylor was the opener for the Sox and David Fletcher singled to left to start. Mike Trout walked but Brian Goodwin whiffed. Albert Pujols walked to load the bases but Taylor froze Justin Upton for strike three. Kole Calhoun flied out to left to end the inning.

Andrew Benintendi flied out to center to start the top of the second before Christian Vazquez flied out to almost the exact same spot. Brock "The Hitman" Holt lined a ball off the glove of Luis Rengifo for a single but Sandy Leon popped up to short to end the inning. Marcus Walden came in to pitch the bottom of the first and Andrelto Simmons singled to short to begin. Rengifo forced Simmons at second but a wild pitch moved Luis to second. Kevan Smith walked but Fletcher flied out to center. Trout singled to right to score Rengifo and send Smith to third. Trout swiped second but Goodwin whiffed to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                        Trout ties it up

The Sox answered in the top of the third as Mr. Mookie doubled to left to begin before moving to third on the Devers grounder. Bogaerts lined out to first but Martinez singled home Betts. Fletcher booted a ball by Travis to allow him to reach on an error and Benintendi made the Angels pay with a base hit to right to score Martinez. Vazquez whiffed to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 3-1.

                                                    Vazquez picked a fine time to go into a slump

The Angels bashed Brian Johnson in the bottom of the third as Pujols doubled to right to begin. Pujols moved to third on the Upton fly out to right and scored on the Calhoun double. Simmons flied out to left but Rengifo tied the game with a double to right to score Calhoun. Smith grounded out to third to end the inning but the game was tied 3-3.

                                                 Nice going Johnson

The Sox took the lead in the top of the fourth when Holt doubled to center to start. Leon dropped down a bunt to send Brock to third and Mr. Mookie scored Holt with a sac fly. Devers lined out to left to end the inning but the Sox led 4-3.

Johnson had a much easier bottom of the fourth as Fletcher grounded out to second to start. Trout whiffed and Goodwin grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox went quietly in the top of the fifth as Bogaerts flied out to right to start. Martinez lined out to left and Travis grounded out to short to end the inning. Johnson got Pujols to fly out to left to open the bottom of the fifth before Upton whiffed. Calhoun whiffed to end the inning.

Benintendi popped up to third to begin the top of the sixth before Vazquez whiffed. Holt took strike three to end the inning. Johnson came back for one more inning in the bottom of the sixth and got Simmons to fly out to center to begin. Rengifo grounded out to third and Smith flied out to right to end the inning. Johnson allowed the 2 runs in the third but gave the Sox 3 scoreless innings after that.

Leon whiffed to begin the top of the seventh inning and that was it for Peters. Ty Buttrey came in and Betts was plunked before he swiped second. Devers flied out to left and Bogaerts popped up to first to end the inning. Matt Barnes came in for the bottom of the seventh and Fletcher grounded out to short to start. Trout whiffed but Goodwin doubled to right. Pujols grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox blew their chance to increase the lead in the top of the seventh when Luis Garcia walked Martinez to start. Marco Hernandez pinch hit for Travis and hit a ball back to the mound. Garcia threw wide of first and both runners were safe. Benintendi dropped down a bunt to move both runners over and Mitch Moreland pinch hit for for Vazquez. Moreland walked to load the bases but the normally reliable Holt banged into a double play to end the inning. Not making the same mistake twice two days in a row, Sox manager Alex Cora brought Jackie Bradley Jr in to replace Martinez in the lineup but in centerfield with Betts moving to right along with Ryan Brasier on the mound to start the bottom of the eighth. The Angels exploded as Upton and Calhoun ripped back to back singles to start. Simmons singled to left to score Upton to tie the game. Shohei Ohtani pinch hit for Rengifo but whiffed. Matt Thaiss pinch hit for Smith but flied out to center. One out away from going to the ninth tied, Fletcher doubled home Calhoun to give the Angels the lead. Trout was intentionally walked and Goodwin made the Sox pay by scoring Simmons and Fletcher with a base hit. That was it for Brasier who let the lead slip away. Josh Smith came in and Goodwin stole second. Pujols crushed a 500,000 bomb to ice the game. Upton whiffed to end the inning but the Angels rallied for 7 runs to ice the game 10-4.

                                                    Dammit

Jose Rodriguez came in for the top of the ninth and Leon grounded out to short to start. Mr. Mookie singled to right but was forced at second by Devers. Bogaerts hit a ground rule double to left and JBJ walked to load the bases which would have put the tying runs on if it wasn't for the Pujols homer. It didn't matter as Hernandez grounded out to third to end the game. The Angels had won it 10-4.

Jackass of the Night is Ryan Brasier. He allowed the go-ahead runs to score even before the Pujols homer.

                                                     Jackass Brasier



The Good:

Mookie Betts was 3 for 3 with a hit by pitch, rbi, stolen base and run scored.

JD Martinez was 2 for 3 with a walk, 2 rbis and a run scored.

Jackie Bradley Jr walked in his only plate appearance.

Andrew Benintendi was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Mitch Moreland walked as a pinch hitter.

Brock Holt was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Josh Taylor pitched a scoreless first inning.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless 7th inning.



The Bad:

Sam Travis was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Marco Hernandez was 0 for 2.

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Sandy Leon was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Marcus Walden allowed a run in the second inning.

Josh Smith served up the 3 run homer to Pujols in the 8th inning.



The Ugly:

Rafael Devers was 0 for 5 but scored a run.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 5.

Brian Johnson allowed 2 runs in 4 innings of work.




Final Thoughts:

Thanks a lot Dave Dombrowski. Since the Sox don't have a proven set-up guy, the Sox have to rely on scrap heap pickups like Brasier, Walden and Smith to get the job done. Guys like Barnes and Brasier must have their arms falling off from overuse because they just don't have pitching depth. That's on Dombrowski who went into the season legitimately thinking Colten Brewer and Tyler Thornburg was the answer to losing Craig Kimbrel and Joe Kelly. The Sox are trying desperately to hang on but with their rotation in shambles and their bullpen exhausted, it doesn't look good. Still, just the fact the offense has refused to quit shows at least they're going down swinging. The loss dropped the Sox to 73-63, 6 games behind the Cleveland Indians for the second wild card spot. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow afternoon when David Price returns from the injured list to make the start up against Andrew Heaney at 4:00 PM Eastern time at Angel Stadium.

Sox Hold Off Angels in 15 (8/30/19)

This was one of the most ridiculous wins of the season for the Boston Red Sox for all of the wrong reasons. After 6 innings the Red Sox took a 6-3 lead over the Los Angeles Angels. They would not have another baserunner for the next 7 innings. Meanwhile the Angels chipped away at the lead and tied the game in the bottom of the ninth. 6 innings later Mookie Betts, who had homered in the first inning, launched his second home run of the night to put the Sox back on top. Andrew Cashner (11-7, 4.54 ERA) tossed 4 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win. It took 15 innings and had no business going that long but the Sox prevailed 7-6 just after 3 AM in Boston.

                                                          Sox fans in the 15th inning

The Sox wasted no time going ahead in the top of the first inning against Angels starter Jose Suarez. Mr. Mookie Betts crushed his 22nd home run of the year on the 5th pitch of the game to give the Sox the instant lead. Rafael Devers was plunked but Xander Bogaerts whiffed. JD Martinez banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                  Betts is all smiles

Nathan Eovaldi was the Sox starter and he got Brian Goodwin to fly out to center to start the top of the first inning. Mike Trout walked but Shohei Ohtani whiffed. Albert Pujols singled but Kole Calhoun whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox got another run in the top of the second inning as Sam Travis walked to start. Andrew Benintendi was plunked but Christian Vazquez banged into a double play, moving Travis to third. Brock "The Hitman" Holt increased the lead with a base hit to left to increase the lead. Sandy Leon flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                  Holt drives in a run

Eovaldi cruised in the bottom of the second as David Fletcher took strike three to start. Andrelton Simmons flied out to center before Luis Rengifo was frozen for strike three to end the inning.

The Sox kept up the attack in the top of the third inning as Mr. Mookie singled up the middle to start. Devers lined out to center and Bogaerts lined out to right but Martinez cracked his 33rd home run of the season to increase the lead. Travis grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-0.

                                                       Martinez is heating up

The Angels became their comeback in the bottom of the third although Max Stassi took strike three to start. Goodwin crushed his 14th home run of the season to put Angels on the board. Eovaldi cme back to freeze Trout and punch out Ohtani to end the inning but the Angels were down 4-1.

                                                   Goodwin puts the Angels on the board

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fourth inning as Benintendi grounded out to short to start. Vazquez grounded out to third and Holt whiffed to end the inning. Eovaldi came back for one more inning in the bottom of the fourth as Pujols lined out to center to start. Calhoun whiffed but Fletcher singled to right. Simmons grounded out to third to end the inning. That was it for Eovaldi who is being treated with kid gloves again, going 4 innings while allowing 1 run.

                                                      Short and sweet for Eovaldi

Nothing happened for the Sox in the top of the fifth inning as Leon lined out to short to begin. Mr. Mookie grounded out to short before Devers also grounded out to short to end the inning. The Angels continued the comeback against Josh Taylor in the bottom of the fifth. Rengifo singled to left and Stassi walked before Goodwin walked to load the bases. Somehow Taylor got Trout to pop up to second and Ohtani to ground a ball to Vazquez at first, coming home to nail Rengifo. One out away from pulling a Houdini, Sox manager Alex Cora lifted Taylor for Marcus Walden. Naturally Pujols singled home both Stassi and Goodwin to cut the lead. Calhoun grounded out to second to end the inning but Pujols has transformed into his 2004 self to bring the Angels within a run 4-3.

                                              Pujols in his earlier days

Old buddy Noe Ramirez came in to take a beating in the top of the sixth inning as Bogarts singled to center and Martinez doubled him home to increase the lead. Marco Hernandez pinch hit for Moreland and was hit with a pitch to chase the incompetent Ramirez. Miguel De Pozo came in and a bizarre play saw Martinez move to third on a pickoff attempt while Hernandez was out at second. Benintendi scored Martinez with a sac fly but Vazquez grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-3. That was the last baserunner the Sox would have for the next 7 innings.

                                                       Hernandez is out by a mile

Walden cruised in the bottom of the sixth as Fletcher popped up to second to start. Simmons grounded out to third before Rengifo grounded out to short to end the inning.

Holt flied out to left to start the top of the seventh before Leon looked at strike three. Luis Garcia came in and got Mr. Mookie to line out to right to end the inning. Matt Barnes poured gas on the fire in the bottom of the seventh as Kevan Smith pinch hit for Stassi only to ground out to second. Goodwin pounded yet another home run to cut the lead. Trout popped up to third and Ohtani whiffed to end the inning but the game was now 6-4 Sox.

                                                  Goodwin goes yard again

Devers grounded out to third to begin the top of the eighth before Bgaerts grounded out to second. Martinez whiffed to end the inning. Ryan Brasier came on for the bottom of the eighth and whiffed Pujols to start. Calhoun walked but Fletcher whiffed. Simmons walked to chase Brasier. Closer Brandon Workman came in and Justin Upton pinch hit for Rengifo. Upton singled to third to load the bases but Smith grounded out to second to end the inning.

Matt Thais came in to play third for the top of the ninth with Hansel Robles on the mound. Hernandez grounded out to second, Benintendi whiffed and Vazquez flied out to center to end the inning in short order. The Angels completed the comeback in the bottom of the ninth when Goodwin and Trout walked to start. Ohtani beat out a double play ball and the pain in the ass Pujols made the Sox pay for leaving Martinez in the outfield by lining a base hit to right. Martinez booted the ball and not only did Goodwin score but so did Ohtani to tie the game. Calhoun was intentionally walked to set up a force but both runners moved into scoring position on a Fletcher strike out. Simmons was intentionally walked to load the bases but Thaiss grounded out to second to end the inning with the game tied 6-6.

                                                       Sox blow another lead

Holt whiffed to start the top of the tenth before Mitch Moreland pinch hit for Leon only to strike out swinging. Mr. Mookie popped up to second to end the inning. Vazquez took over behind the plate with Moreland taking over at first with rookie Darwinzon Hernandez now on the mound. Smith popped up to second to start before Goodwin took strike three. Trout singled to left but Ohtani struck out swinging to end the inning.

Ty Buttrey came in to pitch the top of the eleventh and Devers whiffed to start. Bogaerts grounded out to short but Martinez grounded out to first to end the inning. Pujols singled to center to begin the bottom of the eleventh but Hernandez punched out both Calhoun and Fletcher. Simmons singled to put the winning run at second but Thaiss whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the 12th inning as Hernandez whiffed to start. Benintendi struck out swinging before Vazquez lined out to center to end the inning. Andrew Cashner came in for the bottom of the 12th and Smith flied out to center to begin. Goodwin whiffed before Trout flied out to left to end the inning.

Kenyan Middleton came in for the top of the 13th inning and Holt drew a walk to become the first Sox baserunner since the 6th inning. Moreland lined out to left, Mr. Mookie whiffed and Devers popped up to first to end the inning. Cashner cruised in the bottom of the 13th as Ohtani grounded out to first to start. Pujols grounded out to second and Calhoun lined out to right to end the inning.

Trevor Cahill came in for the top of the 14th and Bogaerts whiffed to start. Martinez walked and Jackie Bradley Jr pinch ran for him. The Sox caught a break when Thaiss booted a grounder by Hernandez to put the go-ahead run at second base The rally ended as JBJ immediately got picked off although Hernandez moved to second. The mental error was compounded when Benintendi lined a single to right that would have scored JBJ. Vazquez grounded out to short to end the inning. Betts moved to right with JBJ now in center to start the bottom of the 14th inning. Fletcher grounded out to short and Simmons flied out to right, but Thaiss walked. Smith whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox finally did something in the top of the 15th inning although Holt earned a hat trick by watching strike three go by to start. Moreland grounded out to second but Mr. Mookie cracked his 23rd home run of the season to put the Sox on top. Devers grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-6.

                                                         Betts hits the killshot

Cashner had three more outs to get in the bottom of the 15th inning and Goodwin whiffed to start. Trout walked to put the tying run on but Ohtani forced Trout at second. Pujols hit an absolute rocket to left but Benintendi snared it at the wall to end the game. Somehow the Sox somehow had won the game 7-6 in 15 innings.

                                                     Well earned victory


Hero of the Night is Mookie Betts. His 15th inning home run put the Sox up for good.

                                           Mr. Hero


The Good:

Sam Travis walked and scored in two plate appearances.

Nathan Eovaldi allowed a run in 4 innings of work.

Darwinzon Hernandez tossed 2 scoreless innings.

Andrew Cashner earned the win with 4 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 6.

Sandy Leon was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Mitch Moreland was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but was hit with a pitch.

Jackie Bradley Jr got picked off as a pinch runner.

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

Matt Barnes allowed a run in the 7th inning.



The Ugly:

Rafael Devers was 0 for 6 with a strikeout but was hit with a pitch.

Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and was hit with a pitch.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 6 but scored a run.

Marco Hernandez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but was hit with a pitch.

Brock Holt was just 1 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but walked and drove in a run.

Marcus Walden allowed 2 inherited runners to score but none of his own in 1 1/3 innings.

Ryan Brasier left two men on in the bottom of the eighth.

Brandon Workman gave up the lead in the bottom of the ninth but due to an error after escaping the eighth inning jam.




Final Thoughts:

That was one of the more pathetic wins of the season. The bullpen gave up the lead the somehow was untouchable in extra innings. The Sox offense put 6 runs on the board in six innings and didn't even have a baserunner for the next 7. The bullpen blew the game yet tossed 6 shutout innings with the game on the line. Its just that kind of season for the Sox who are in a mad scramble to stay alive. The Sox are doing this on sheer will at this point after Dave Dombrowski essentially abandoned them and said "go get em guys". They should be crushing the Angels, not going life and death with them. The win improved the Sox to 73-62, 6 game behind the Oakland A's for the second wild card. Tomorrow its a bullpen game when Josh Taylor is the opener for the Sox and Dillon Peters pitches for the Angels at 9:00 PM at Angel Stadium.

Off-Day News (8/29/19)

On this day in Basebawful history:


1989 - Red Sox win Game 1 of doubleheader

         Red Sox take Game 2 of a doubleheader

2010 - Sox fall to Rays

2016 - Sox outslug Rays

2017 - Sale shuts down Jays

2018 - Sox lose Price but win game




Tomorrow night the Sox are back in action against the Los Angeles Angels. Nathan Eovaldi (1-0, 6.64 ERA) takes on Jose Suarez at 10:05 PM at Angel Stadium.

Sox Hold Off Rockies (8/28/19)

Looks like the Boston Red Sox may not be dead yet. The Oakland A's and Tampa Bay Rays both lost but unlike the other night in San Diego, this time the Sox won the game to gain ground. Tonight the homer parade continued against the Colorado Rockies. Xander Bogaerts led the charge with 2 home runs as JD Martinez and Rafael Devers also went yard to pitch in. Eduardo Rodriguez (16-5, 3.97 ERA) continued his march to 20 wins and the Sox gained ground with a 7-4 win at Coors Field.

                                                 Drax approves of the win

Rockies starter Peter Lambert got the ball in the top of the first inning and Mr. Mookie Betts singled to left to begin. Rafael Devers grounded out to second to advance Betts before Xander Bogaerts walked. JD Martinez beat out a double play ball but Mitch Moreland whiffed to end the inning. Rodriguez got the ball in the bottom of the first and Trevor Story singled to start. Charlie Blackmon banged into a double play. Nolan Arenado grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second inning as Brock "The Hitman" Holt flied out to left to start. Christian Vazquez lined out to right but Garrett Hampson booted a grounder by Jackie Bradley Jr. Rodriguez himself grounded out to third to end the inning. Ian Desmond whiffed to open the bottom of the second before Ryan McMahon walked. McMahon was erased on the force by Yonathan Daza and Tony Wolters singled to left. Hampson grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the third inning although Mr. Mookie grounded back to the mound to start. Devers legged out a triple but Bogaerts grounded out to third. Martinez crushed a 430 foot bomb to put the Sox on top. Moreland doubled to center but Holt grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                 JD hits one wayyyyy out of here

Lambert himself whiffed to start the bottom of the third but Story walked. Blackmon forced Story a second and Arenado grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Sox ran into an out in the top of the fourth inning when Vazquez singled to start but was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double. JBJ and Rodriguez whiffed to end the inning. The Rockies started their comeback in the bottom of the fourth as Desmond walked to start. McMahon whiffed but Daza singled to center. Wolters hit a routine double play ball to Moreland but he double clutched and only got Daza at second to put runners at the corners. Hampson caught the Sox defense asleep with a safety squeeze to score Desmond to cut the lead. Lambert the pitcher singled to right to load the bases but Story lined out to Holt to end the inning with the Sox still ahead 2-1.

Boston rallied in the top of the fifth although Mr. Mookie looked at strike three to start. Devers singled but Bogaerts crushed his 29th home run of the year to increase the lead. Martinez singled to chase Lambert. Sam Howard replaced Lambert and Moreland walked. Holt took strike three as Jesus Tinoco came in to face Vazquez. Christian singled to right to score Martinez. JBJ whiffed to end the inning with the Sox up 5-1.

                                                     Sox pour it on

Rodriguez returned for the bottom of the fifth and blew away Blackmon to start. Arenado singled up the middle and took third on the double by Desmond. Rodriguez whiffed McMahon but got no help from Devers. Daza hit a routine grounder to Devers but rather than tag out Desmond he tried to go to first but Daza beat the throw to score Arenado. Naturally Wolters singled to right to score Desmond. Hampson grounded into a force to end the inning but Rodriguez lasted just 5 innings while giving up 3 runs, leaving with the Sox ahead 5-3.

                                                  Not great but it'll do

The Sox did nothing in the top of the sixth inning as Marco Hernandez pinch hit for Rodriguez only to ground out to second. Mr. Mookie popped up to Hampson in shallow center before Devers grounded out to third to end the inning. Josh Taylor came on for the bottom of the sixth and Yonder Alonso pinch hit for Tinoco only to strike out swinging. Story singled but was picked off by the alert Taylor. Blackmon flied out to center to end the inning.

Carlos Estevez came in for the top of the seventh inning and Bogaerts cracked his 30th homer of the season, second of the night to increase the lead. Bogaerts became the first Boston SS to hit 30 homers since Nomar Garciaparra in 1998. Martinez flied out to right and Moreland grounded out to third before Holt popped up to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-3.

                                                   Bogaerts goes yard again

The Rockies came right back in the bottom of the seventh with Marcus Walden on the mound. Arenado doubled to left before moving to third on the Desmond grounder. Arenado scored on the grounder by McMahon to cut the lead. Daza whiffed to end the inning but the Rockies were now down 6-4.

Sam Hilliard came in for Daza with Wes Parsons coming in to pitch the top of the eighth. Vazquez whiffed to start before JBJ walked. Sam Travis pinch hit for Walden only to fly out to right. Mr. Mookie grounded out to third to end the inning. Matt Barnes came in for the bottom of the eighth and Wolters grounded out to short to start. Hampson walked to bring the tying run to the plate and he promptly stole second. Somehow Hilliard took strike three and Story flied out to right to end the inning.

The Sox got a big insurance run when Devers bashed his 29th home run of the season to increase the lead in the top of the ninth. Bogaerts doubled to center before moving to third on the Martinez grounder. Moreland grounded back to the mound and Holt grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-4.

                                                     Devers joins the home run parade

3 outs away from gaining ground, Brandon Workman came in for the save in the bottom of the ninth. Workman froze Blackmon for strike three to start on a bad call. Blackmon went berserk and started swinging his bat at home plate umpire Jerry Meals and was escorted off the field by armed security. Bud Black bolted out of the dugout tearing his clothes off and he too was thrown out of the game by Meals. Black had to be carried out in a straight jacket by Colorado police. When action resumed Arenado whiffed on a full count and Desmond whiffed to end the game. The Sox held on to win 7-4.

                                                      Big win for the Sox


Hero of the Night is Xander Bogaerts. He hit two home runs to pace the offense, driving in 3 total runs.

                                                          X-Hero


The Good:

Rafael Devers was 3 for 5 with 3 total runs scored and a home run.

JD Martinez was 2 for 5 with 2 total runs scored and a 2 run home run.

Christian Vazquez was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Eduardo Rodriguez got the win with 5 innings of 3 run ball.

Josh Taylor pitched a scoreless 6th inning.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

Brandon Workman struck out the side in the 9th to earn his 9th save.



The Bad:

Brock Holt was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Marco Hernandez was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Sam Travis was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Marcus Walden gave up a run in the 7th inning.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

Mitch Moreland was just 1 for 4 but walked.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked.




Final Thoughts:

They...won? The other night the Sox laid down to the San Diego Padres after the Cleveland Indians, Rays and A's all lost but they won tonight. The Sox are being held together with duct tape at this point with Chris Sale out for the year, Nathan Eovaldi diminished and David Price hurt. The good news is Price will be back the next series. The Sox offense continues to have a good season and its a shame its been all for naught because of the horrendous pitching. There's only 28 games left in the season and its do or die for the Sox now. The win improved the Sox to 72-62, 5 games behind the Oakland A's for the second wild card. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox travel to Anaheim to take on the Los Angeles Angels Friday night. Nathan Eovaldi (1-0, 6.64 ERA) gets the start opposite Jose Suarez at 10:05 PM Eastern time at Angel Stadium.

Sox Pound Rockies (8/27/19)

It wasn't pretty but the Boston Red Sox got a good win tonight against the Colorado Rockies. The offense which was dormant for the final game against the San Diego Padres woke up to pound 10 hits and 10 runs against the Rockies pitching. The Sox got three home runs including a 478 foot blast by Jackie Bradley Jr, "Slick" Rick Porcello (12-10, 5.42 ERA) got the win with 5 competent innings then survived a bullpen meltdown to win the game 10-6 at Coors Field.

                                Special Agent Tammy Gregorio approves of the win

The Sox got to Rockies starter Rico Garcia in the top of the first inning although Mr. Mookie Betts whiffed to start. Rafael Devers walked and moved to second on the Xander Bogaerts grounder before he scored on the JD Martinez base hit. Mitch Moreland walked but Brock "The Hitman" Holt flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                  Martinez drives in a run

Porcello got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Charlie Blackmon doubled to right to begin. Trevor Story whiffed before Nolan Arenado lined out to right. Daniel Murphy lined out to right to end the inning.

Christian Vazquez lined out to center to start the top of the second inning but JBJ crushed a 478 foot bomb to increase the lead. Porcello himself whiffed but Mr. Mookie walked. Devers flied out to left to end the inning but it was 2-0 Sox.

                                                    That ball is WAY out of here

Porcello cruised in the bottom of the second inning as Ryan McMahon whiffed to start. Ian Desmond popped up to second and Sam Hilliard struck out swinging to end the inning.

Bogaerts walked in the top of the third inning but Martinez banged into a double play. Moreland grounded out to short to end the inning. Tony Wolters flied out to right to begin the bottom of the third before Garcia looked at strike three. Blackmon singled to right before Story whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox poured it on in the top of the fourth as Holt singled to right to begin before Vazquez blasted his 19th home run of the year to increase the lead. JBJ walked but Porcello somehow bunted into a double play. Mr. Mookie lined out to center to end the inning but it was 4-0 Sox.

                                                      Vazquez goes yard

Arenado singled to start the bottom of the fourth but was doubled off on the Murphy liner to first. McMahon hit a ground rule double to right but Desmont flied out to left to end the inning.

Devers grounded out to second to start the top of the fifth but Bogaerts belted his 28th home run of the year to increase the lead. Martinez grounded out to third but Moreland and Holt hit back to back doubles for another run scored. Vazquez grounded out to third to end the inning but it was 6-0 Sox.

                                                Bogaerts with his 28th

Porcello fell apart in the bottom of the fifth although Hilliard grounded out to first to begin. Wolters singled to left before Yonathan Daza pinch hit for Garcia and got a base hit to left. Blackmon singled home Wolters to put the Rockies on the board.  Story beat out a double play ball but Arenado doubled home Daza. Murphy grounded out to short to end the inning but it was 5-2 Sox. That was it for Porcello as he ran out of gas after 5 innings of 2 run ball.

                                                      Porcello goes five

Yency Almonte came in for the top of the sixth and JBJ walked to start. Chris Owings pinch hit for Porcello and naturally banged into a double play. Mr. Mookie flied out to center to end the inning. Darwinzon Hernandez came in for the bottom of the sixth and punched out McMahon to start. Desmond lined out to center but Hilliard walked to begin. Wolters singled to center as Garrett Hampson pinch hit for Almonte. Hernandez punched out Hampson to end the inning.

The Sox effectively ended it in the top of the seventh against Jake McGee. Devers walked and Bogaerts doubled him to third. Martinez singled home Devers for another run before Moreland hit a routine grounder to second. McMahon threw the ball away to score Bogaerts and advance both runners. Holt singled to center but the ball went under Hilliard's glove. Both runners scored and Holt made it to third on the error. Bryan Shaw came in for McGee and Vazquez grounded out to second. JBJ grounded out to third before Marco Hernandez pinch hit for Darwinzon Hernandez. Marco grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox ahead 10-2.

                                                     Holt drives in two runs

Ryan Brasier came in for the bottom of the seventh and Blackmon grounded out to first to start. Story singled but was erased on the Arenado force. Murphy lined out to center to end the inning.

Mr. Mookie whiffed to open the top of the eighth and Devers flied out to center. Bogaerts grounded out to short to end the inning. Josh Smith came in to crap himself in the bottom of the eighth. McMahon whiffed but Desmond singled to right. Hilliard croaked his 1st home run of his career to cut the lead. Wolters grounded out to first as Yonder Alonso pinch hit for Shaw. Alonso grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 10-4.

                                                First home run

Wade Davis came in for the top of the ninth and Martinez whiffed to start. Moreland hit another routine grounder to second and once again McMahon threw the ball away. Holt walked but Vazquez banged into a double play to end the inning. Smith returned for the bottom of the ninth and Blackmon grounded out to second. Story singled to left but Arenado blasted his 34th home run of the season. Sox manager Alex Cora had seen enough of Smith and brought in Josh Taylor to end it. Murphy singled but McMahon took strike three. Desmond grounded into a force to end the game. The Sox had held on to win 10-6.

Hero of the Night is a tough one considering everyone contributed but I'll go with Brock Holt. He was 3 for 4 with a walk and drove in 2 of the runs.

                                                      Hitman Hero


The Good:

Rafael Devers walked twice and scored twice in 5 plate appearances.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 4 with a walk, 2 runs scored and a home run.

JD Martinez was 2 for 5 with a 2 runs batted in and a run scored.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 1 for 2 with two walks and smashed a solo home run.

Rick Porcello got the win with 5 innings of 2 run ball.

Darwinzon Hernandez pitched a scoreless 6th inning.

Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Josh Taylor got the final two outs of the ninth inning.



The Bad:

Chris Owings banged into a double play as a pinch hitter.

Marco Hernandez was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Josh Smith allowed 4 runs in just 1 1/3 innings.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Mitch Moreland was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored 2 runs.

Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 5 but the one hit was a 2 run home run.




Final Thoughts:

Its sad to say but every win seems to either come against a bad team or after a huge loss. The Sox really needed to beat Philadelphia and the loss to the Padres considering what was at stake still hurts. Tonight was a good win but the Sox didn't gain ground on anyone. What good is scoring 10 runs one night but not scoring anything the next day like against San Diego. Knowing the Sox, the Rockies will shut them out tomorrow night. Still, there's only 29 games left in the season so there's not much trudging we have to do to make it to the end. The win improved the Sox to 71-62, 6 games back of the Oakland A's for the second wild card. Tomorrow night the Sox wrap up this two game series against the Rockies when they send Eduardo Rodriguez (15-5, 3.92 ERA) to the mound against Peter Lambert at 8:40 PM Eastern time at Coors Field.

Off-Day News (8/26/19)

On this day in Basebawful history:


1991 - Clemens tosses gem, beats A's

2017 - O's shutout Sox

2018 - Rays sweep Sox



Tomorrow night the Sox are back in action in a 2 game set with the Colorado Rockies. Nobody knows who's going for Colorado with "Slick" Rick Porcello (11-10, 5.69 ERA) going for the Sox. The game begins at 8:40 PM Eastern time at Coors Field.

Sox Fall Flat in San Diego (8/25/19)

In a season full of frustrating losses, this one hurts real bad. Before the game both the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Indians lost their games meaning had the Boston Red Sox won, they'd inch closer in the wild card race. Rather than come out full of fire, the Sox laid down and died, getting just four hits in the game. The San Diego Padres scored 3 runs in the first inning and that's all they needed as the lifeless Sox dropped the finale 3-1 at Petco Park.

                                         "Gutless losers!"

Lucchesi cruised in the top of the first inning. Mr. Mookie Betts popped up to flied out to center to start. Rafael Devers and and Xander Bogaerts both whiffed to end the inning. The Padres wasted no time getting to Johnson in the bottom of the first. Manny Margot effortlessly doubled before swiping third. Fransisco Mejia singled to left and Manny Machado ended the game with a backbreaking 2 run home run to put the Padres up for good. Hunter Renfroe walked but Eric Hosmer forced him at second. Ty France grounded out to short and Luis Urias flied out to center to end the inning with the Padres up for good 3-0.

                                          Of all people....

The Sox were deflated in the top of the second as JD Martinez weakly grounded out to short to start. Sam Travis grounded out weakly to second and Christian Vazquez grounded out weakly to first to end the inning. Austin Hedges walked to start the bottom of the third and took third on the sacrifice bunt by Luchessi. Hedges made a booboo when he was doubled off at second on a grounder by Margot before Mejia popped up to third to end the inning.

Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to second to begin the top of the third but Chris Owings walked. Johnson bunted foul for strike three before Mr. Mookie popped up to center to end the inning. Johnson returned for one final inning in the bottom of the third and struck out Machado to start. Renfroe lined out to center but Hosmer walked. France doubled into the gap and Hosmer took off for home. Bogaerts gunned the relay throw to Vazquez....YER OUTTA THERE! Hosmer was out and so was Johnson. If it wasn't for the Machado home run Johnson would have given them a solid effort as a "opener".

                                         Another loss

The Sox finally got on the board in the top of the fourth inning although Devers grounded out to first to begin. Margot made a running catch off a 400 foot out by Devers but Martinez hit an absolute moonshot off the brick wall in left to cut the lead. Travis singled to center but Vazquez grounded into a force to end the inning with the Sox down 3-1.

                                                   Martinez hits one out

Ryan Brasier came in for the bottom of the fourth and JBJ made the play of the game when he climbed the centerfield wall to rob a triple from Urias. Hedges whiffed and Lucchesi took strike three to end the inning.

JBJ lined out to third to begin the top of the fifth before Owings lined out to center. Marco Hernandez pinch hit for Brasier and caught Lucchesi asleep with a bunt single. Mr. Mookie walked but the slumping Devers grounded out to first to end the inning. Andrew Cashner came in for the bottom of the fifth and Margot lined one off the glove of Devers into the left field corner. Inexplicably Margot literally ran out of his shoe and fell down going from second to third and was tagged out by Devers. Mejia grounded out to second but Machado walked. Renfroe whiffed to end the inning.

                                                Oops

Wil Myers came in to play left with Craig Stammen now on the mound in the top of the sixth inning. Bogaerts whiffed to start before Martinez grounded out to short. Travis took strike three to end the inning. Cashner got Hosmer to ground out to second to start the bottom of the sixth before France flied out to center. Urias grounded out to short to end the inning.

Luis Perdomo came in to pitch the top of the seventh and cruised. Vazquez grounded out to second, JBJ whiffed and Owings grounded out to short to end the inning. Marcus Walden came on for the bottom of the seventh and got Hedges to ground out to third to begin. Myers whiffed but Margot walked. Josh Naylor pinch hit for Perdomo and flied out to left to end the inning.

Andres Munoz came in to pitch in the top of the eighth and the Sox blew their last chance. Brock "The Hitman" Holt pinch hit for Walden and singled to left. Mr. Mookie hit a routine grounder to third but Machado booted it and everyone was safe. Devers then banged into a double play to kill the rally. Bogaerts did manage to walk but Martinez swung at strike three headed to the backstop to end the inning. They didn't deserve to win. Matt Barnes came in with Holt taking Owings spot for the bottom of the eighth. Machado flied out to right before Renfroe took strike three. Hosmer whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox went quietly against closer Kirby Yates in the top of the ninth. Travis grounded out to short to start before Vazquez whiffed. JBJ whiffed as well to end the game. 0The Sox failed to gained ground and went lifeless in the 3-1 defeat.

Jackass of the Night is Rafael Devers. He was 0 for 4 with a strikeout including the backbreaking double play in the eighth.

                                         Rafael Jackass


The Good:

Marco Hernandez singled as a pinch hitter.

Brock Holt singled as a pinch hitter.

Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless inning.

Andrew Cashner tossed 2 scoreless innings.

Marcus Walden pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless 8th inning.



The Bad:

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Brian Johnson allowed 3 runs in 3 innings to take the loss.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was 0 for 3 but walked.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 3 but walked.

JD Martinez was just 1 for 4 but the hit was a solo home run.

Sam Travis was just 1 for 4.

Chris Owings was 0 for 2 but walked.




Final Thoughts:

If I'm Alex Cora, I'd be kicking over water coolers in the clubhouse after this one. They had to have known the Rays, A's and Indians all lost and yet they laid an egg with the season on the line? Its a damn shame because the Sox bullpen stepped it up in this one. Take away the first inning and the Sox allowed 2 hits and no runs in the final 8 innings. Its unbelievable that the Sox laid down in this one considering what's at stake. They're running out of time and you'd think they'd have a sense of urgency especially against a beatable team like the Padres. I know things don't look good with Price hurt, Sale done for the year and the rest of the starters sucking but they still have a chance. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox travel to Colorado for a 2 game set with the Rockies. The Rockies have no idea who's pitching while the Sox throw "Slick" Rick Porcello (11-10, 5.49 ERA) out there at 8:40 PM Eastern time at Coors Field.

Sox Edge Padres Late (8/24/19)

It wasn't pretty but the Boston Red Sox made it 3 wins in a row (technically) and second straight against the lowly San Diego Padres. The Sox bolted to a 4-0 lead before the Padres came back to tie the game. Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi lasted just 3 innings but Brock "The Hitman" Holt hit a backbreaking home run in the top of the ninth, The shaky Brandon Workman somehow closed it out in the bottom of the ninth as the Sox inched closer in the wild card chase with a 5-4 win at Petco Park.

                                                          Starlord approves of the win

Mr. Mookie Betts began the night by getting rung up on a full count check swing to start the top of the first. Rafael Devers whiffed on a full count and Xander Bogaerts popped up to second to end the inning. Eovaldi got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Greg Garcia effortlessly singled. Josh Naylor whiffed on a nasty curve and the alert Eovaldi picked off Garcia. Manny Machado grounded out to first to end the inning.

JD Martinez whiffed on a full count to begin the top of the second before Andrew Benintendi lined a base hit up the middle. Benintendi was thrown out trying to steal by a mile before Christan Vazquez grounded out to short to end the inning. Eovaldi got Eric Hosmer to fly out to left to start the bottom of the second before Hunter Renfroe whiffed. Manny Margot looked at strike three to end the inning.

Mitch Moreland lashed a base hit to left to begin the top of the third before Holt was hit in the foot. Eovaldi dropped down a bunt but it failed as the slow Moreland was thrown out at third. Mr. Mookie did manage to line a base hit to right to score Holt to give the Sox the lead. Devers once again whiffed at a pitch up in his eyes and Bogaerts grounded out to second to end the inning but the Sox were up 1-0.

                                                           Betts drive one in

The Padres threatened in the bottom of the third as news broke that Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck retired at age 29. Luis Urias singled to right but Austin Hedges lined out to left. Padres starter Dinelson Lamet bunted Urias to second before Garcia walked. Naylor popped up to short to end the inning.

The Sox broke it open in the top of the fourth as Martinez singled to center to start. Benintendi drew a walk and Vazquez doubled into the gap to score both runners. Moreland lashed a single to center to score Vazquez with another run. Holt hit a liner to short before Eovaldi took strike three. Mr. Mookie lined out to left to end the inning but it was 4-0 Sox.

                                                         Vazquez scores a run

The Padres fought back in the bottom of the fourth as Machado singled to center and Hosmer blasted a 52,000 foot home run to cut the lead in half and chase Eovaldi. The incompetent Eovaldi lasted just three innings in the midst of a game the Sox needed to win.

                                                           Eovaldi sucks again

Marcus Walden came in and Renfroe stuck his bat out and doubled to shallow left. He moved to third on the line out to a running Betts in center before scoring on the Urias grounder. Hedges walked but Lamet grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Padres now down 4-3.

                                                      Hosmer hits one out

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fifth as Devers flied out to the centerfield wall to begin. Bogaerts and Martinez drew back to back walks but Benintendi naturally banged into a double play to end the inning. Darwinzon Hernandez came in to pitch the bottom of the fifth and Garcia grounded out to short to start. Naylor grounded out to second and Machado whiffed to end the inning.

Matt Straham took over for the top of the sixth and Vazquez hit a routine grounder to Urias. Urias airmailed the throw and Vazquez reached first on the error. Vazquez moved to second on the grounder by Moreland but Holt whiffed. Sam Travis pinch hit for Hernandez and grounded out to short to end the inning. Betts moved to right, Martinez moved to left and Jackie Bradley Jr came in for Benintendi in center with Ryan Brasier on the mound for the bottom of the sixth. Brasier blew away Hosmer and Renfroe before Margot popped up to Holt in foul territory to end the inning.

Andres Munoz shut down the Sox in the top of the seventh as Mr. Mookie popped up to center to begin. Devers grounded out to second as Bogaerts sliced a single down the first base line. Martinez whiffed to end the inning. The Royals tied it in the bottom of the seventh as Urias walked to start. Hedges whiffed but Fransisco Mejia pinch hit for Munoz only to be plunked. Sox manager Alex Cora pulled Brasier in favor of Josh Taylor. Ty France pinch hit for Garcia and singled home Urias to tie the game, the 24th blown save of the year for the Sox. Taylor failed to cover first on a double play ball by Naylor to put runners at the corners and Machado walked on 4 pitches to load the bases. Hosmer whiffed to end the inning but the game was tied 4-4.

                                                      Tie game

Craig Stammen came in for the top of the eighth and JBJ took a high strike three to start. Vazquez singled to center but Moreland banged into a double play to end the inning. Matt Barnes came on for the bottom of the eighth and Renfroe whiffed to start. Margot hit one up the elevator shaft but Urias singled to center. Hedges popped up to center to end the inning.

Royals closer Kirby Yates came in for the top of the ninth and Hitman Holt pounded a solo home run to dead center to give the Sox the lead. Marco Hernandez pinch hit for Barnes and whiffed before Betts hit a routine pop up in shallow right...THAT DROPPED! France just watched it drop and Betts was on second with a "double". He was stranded as Devers popped up to left but Bogaerts walked. Martinez walked to load the bases but naturally JBJ popped up to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-4.

                                               The Hitman does it again

Brandon Workman came in to close the bottom of the ninth as Austin Allen pinch hit for Yates, only to strike out swinging. France walked on four pitches and Wil Myers ran for him, moving to second on the wild pitch by Workman. Naylor was frozen for strike three on a curve before Machado walked. Workman whiffed Hosmer on a nasty curve to end the game. It wasn't easy but the Sox had held on to win it 5-4.

                                   


Hero of the Night is Brock Holt. His go-ahead home run in the top of the ninth was the decisive blow.

                                               Hitman Hero



The Good:

Mookie Betts was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3 with 2 walks.

JD Martinez was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Andrew Benintendi was 1 for 2 with a walk and a run scored.

Christian Vazquez was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Mitch Moreland was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Darwinzon Hernandez pitched a scoreless 5th inning.

Brandon Workman earned his 8th save with a scoreless ninth.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless 8th inning.



The Bad:

Rafael Devers was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Sam Travis was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Marco Hernandez struck out as a pinch hitter.

Nathan Eovaldi lasted 3 innings and allowed 2 runs.

Marcus Walden allowed a run in the fourth inning.



The Ugly:

Ryan Brasier was charged with a run in 1 1/3 innings.

Josh Taylor allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own.




Final Thoughts:

That was a gutsy win but the Sox can't possibly keep this up. They can't have guys go three innings and expect the bullpen to carry them the rest of the way. The 1982 Red Sox ultimately failed to topple the Milwaukee Brewers because their rotation was garbage and their bullpen got tired. Beating teams under .500 is nice but they're not going to beat the New York Yankees or Tampa Bay Rays. Brock Holt's homer makes Cora's decision not to pinch hit him the other night even worse. There's a reason he's called "The Hitman" and all they needed was a single. Still, the Sox have to win any way they can from here on if they have any hope of October baseball. The win improved the Sox to 70-61, 6 games behind the Rays for the second wild card. Tomorrow the Sox can finish off a sweep when they send Brian Johnson (1-2, 6.58 ERA) to the mound against Joey Lucchesi at 4:10 PM at Petco Park