Basebawful Report of The Month

Christian Arroyo - 3 Good, 4 Bad, 2 Ugly, 2 Honorable Mention

Matt Barnes - 6 Good, 5 Bad

Xander Bogaerts - 11 Good, 1 Bad, 14 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Jackie Bradley Jr - 9 Good, 9 Ugly

Ryan Brasier - 4 Good, 2 Bad, 1 Ugly, 2 Jackass

Franchy Cordero - 10 Good, 5 Bad, 6 Ugly, 1 Hero, 2 Honorable Mention

Kutter Crawford - 1 Good, 2 Bad

Bobby Dalbec - 7 Good, 5 Bad, 7 Ugly, 1 Hero, 4 Honorable Mention

Tyler Danish - 7 Good, 2 Bad

Austin Davis - 8 Good, 2 Ugly

Jaylin Davis - 1 Good

Rafael Devers - 12 Good, 1 Bad, 11 Ugly, 2 Hero, 1 Jackass

Jake Diekman - 7 Good, 1 Bad, 2 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Jarren Duran - 1 Ugly

Nathan Eovaldi - 1 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Hero, 1 Jackass

Kike Hernandez - 6 Good, 3 Bad, 16 Ugly

Rich Hill - 2 Good,1 Bad, 1 Ugly

Tanner Houck - 4 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Jackass

JD Martinez - 14 Good, 1 Bad, 10 Ugly, 1 Hero

Nick Pivetta - 3 Good, 1 Bad, 2 Hero

Kevin Plawecki - 6 Good, 5 Bad, 2 Ugly

Hansel Robles - 3 Good, 2 Bad, 1 Jackass

Hiro Sawamura - 7 Good, 3 Bad, 1 Ugly

John Schreiber - 8 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly

Trevor Story - 7 Good, 2 Bad, 11, Ugly, 4 Hero, 2 Jackass

Matt Strahm - 6 Good, 1 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Phillips Valdez - 1 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Jackass

Christian Vazquez - 12 Good, 1 Bad, 7 Ugly, 1 Hero

Alex Verdugo - 8 Good, 8 Bad, 8 Ugly

Michael Wacha - 1 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Hero

Garrett Whitlock - 3 Good, 2 Bad

Josh Winckowski - 1 Bad

Most Valuable Player is JD Martinez with 14 Good

Least Valuable Player is Alex Verdugo with 8 Bad

Ugliest Player of the Month is Kike Hernandez with 16 Ugly

Hero of the Month is Trevor Story with 4 Hero

Jackass of the Month is Ryan Brasier with 2 Jackass

The Honorable Player of the Month is Bobby Dalbec with 4 Honorable Mention

Sox Lose To Lowly Reds (5/31/22)

Just when you thought the 2022 season couldn't get any worse for the Boston Red Sox, it has. After winning 8 out of 10 to somewhat climb out of their hole, the Sox have now dropped 4 of 6 to the last place Baltimore Orioles and Cincinnati Reds. After getting blanked by the Orioles last night, the Sox followed by getting shut out by Luis Castillo and the Reds through eight innings in this one. Michael Wacha (3-1, 2.43 ERA) allowed just 3 hits to the Reds but Rafael Devers made a bad throwing error to allow the go-ahead run to score. In the top of the ninth, Xander Bogaerts made a throwing error of his own to allow another run to score. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the ninth to score a run and having the tying run at third....but Trevor Story struck out to end the game. The Sox are an official laughingstock after losing the Reds 2-1 at Fenway Park.

                                                       MLB to the Red Sox

Wacha got the ball in the top of the first inning and Tyler Naquin lined out to first to start. Brandon Drury struck out swinging and Nick Senzel took strike three to end the inning. Castillo got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Kike Hernandez lined out to short to start. Rafael Devers lined a base hit to center but JD Martinez struck out swinging. Xander Bogaerts went down hacking to end the inning.

The Reds beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the second as Joey Votto grounded back to the mound to open. Tyler Stephenson and Kyle Farmer both grounded out to short to end the inning. Alex Verdugo struck out swinging to start the bottom of the second before Trevor Story also went down hacking. Franchy Cordero lined out to first to end the inning.

Mike Moustakas took strike three to start the top of the third and Albert Almora Jr grounded out to third. Matt Reynolds grounded out to short to end the inning. Kevin Plawecki lined out to second to start the bottom of the third before Jackie Bradley Jr struck out swinging. Hernandez went down hacking to end the inning as Castillo has struck out 6 of the nine batters he's retired so far.

Naquin grounded out to first to start the top of the fourth and Drury popped up to short. Senzel flied out to right to end the inning with Naquin legitimately injured on the play to first. Aristides Aquino came in for Naquin as the Sox ineptitude continued in the bottom of the fourth. Devers went down hacking to start but Martinez somehow drew a walk and moved to second on a Bogaerts grounder to short. Verdugo grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Reds broke up the perfect game in the top of the fifth as Votto doubled to center to start. Stephenson lined out to right but Votto moved to third on the grounder to first by Farmer. Moustakas lined out to center to end the inning. The Sox continued to do nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Story flied out to right to start. Cordero took strike three and Plawecki went down hacking to end the inning.

The Reds struck first in the top of the sixth as Almora Jr got a base hit to left to start. Reynolds ripped a base hit to right to move Almora to third but Albert was thrown out at home on a grounder to third by Aquino. Drury popped up to short and Senzel hit a routine grounder to Devers.....THROWN AWAY FOR AN ERROR! Reynolds scored to put the Reds up for good and Sox manager Alex Cora showed he learned nothing by yanking Wacha at the first sign of trouble despite throwing 72 pitches while holding the Reds to just 3 hits and a run in 5 2/3 innings. Austin Davis came in and promptly walked Votto to load the bases but Stephenson lined out to center to end the inning with the Reds up 1-0.

                                                        Nice throw Devers

Somehow JBJ walked on four pitches not even close to start the bottom of the sixth and Hernandez followed with another four pitch walk nowhere close to the plate. Naturally Devers followed his error by banging into a double play to kill the rally. Martinez struck out swinging to end the inning as boo's rained down at Fenway. Castillo blanked the Sox for 6 innings while striking out 10, pathetic.

Davis walked Farmer to start the top of the seventh but Moustakas banged into a double play to kill that threat. Almora blooped a single over the head of Story to chase Davis. Tyler Danish came in to face Reynolds and naturally Matt singled to center to move Almora to third. Reynolds swiped second but Aquino struck out swinging to end the inning. Alexis Diaz came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Bogaerts swung at strike three that bounced in front of home plate to start. Verdugo flied out to right and Story struck out swinging on a pitch 10 feet over his head to end the inning. The Sox have not scored a run since the eighth inning of Sunday's game.

Danish returned for the top of the eighth and Drury grounded out to short to start. Senzel struck out swinging but Votto was awarded a home run on a ball off the top of the centerfield wall. Eagle eyed Alex Cora challenged the call saying it was still and play and sure enough, Votto had to go to second with a double. Stephenson took strike three to end the inning. The boo's got louder in the bottom of the eighth as Cordero lined out to center to start. Hunter Strickland took over for Diaz and Plawecki grounded out to third. JBJ struck out swinging to end the inning.

Farmer flied out to left to start the top of the ninth and Jake Diekman was brought in to pitch to Moustakas and naturally Mike lined a base hit to center. Alejo Lopez ran for Moustakas and moved to second on a grounder to third by Almora. Reynolds hit a routine grounder to Bogaerts who flipped to first....DROPPED BY CORDERO! Lopez came around to score on the error and the boo's rained down. Aquino popped up to second to end the inning with the Reds up 2-0.

                                                    Another bad throw

Tony Santillan came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and somehow Hernandez got a base hit up the middle to start. Devers atoned for his error with a double off the Monster to put the tying run at second....but Martinez took strike three right down the middle. Bogaerts popped up to center but somehow Verdugo hit a ball off the glove of Votto to score Hernandez. With the game on the line....Story struck out swinging to end the game. The Reds had won it 2-1.

                                                     Another loss for Cora and the Sox

Jackass of the Night is Xander Bogaerts. He was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts including a throwing error and popping up with the tying runs on in the ninth.

                                                    Bogaerts The Jackass

The Good:

Kike Hernandez was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

One of the rare times the losing pitcher ends up on the Good list but Michael Wacha allowed an unearned run in 5 2/3 innings. He allowed just 3 hits and struck out 3.

Austin Davis pitched a full scoreless inning.

Tyler Danish tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Trevor Story was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Franchy Cordero was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Kevin Plawecki was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Rafael Devers was 2 for 4 but his error allowed a run to score.

JD Martinez was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but walked.

Alex Verdugo was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts but drew a walk.

Jake Diekman allowed an unearned run in the ninth inning.

Final Thoughts:

THIS is officially rock bottom and the end of the Boston Red Sox. The Sox have just played six games against the worst teams in baseball and lost four of them. Getting held to just one run combined in back to back games by pitching challenged teams has made the Red Sox the laughing stock of MLB. The Seattle Mariners scored 10 runs against the Baltimore Orioles tonight to make it even worse. Even the rally in the ninth was more Red Sox ineptitude as the Sox had Martinez, Bogaerts, Verdugo and Story come up and only a mistake by Votto allowed a run to score. If fans are upset there's only one thing to do, stop putting interest in this team. Send Chaim Bloom, John Henry and Alex Cora a message that you're tired of their buffoonery by not watching games, going to games or spending money on merchandise or concession stands. Let Henry look at a near empty Fenway Park with out of town tourists and fans of other teams crooning "Sweet Caroline" in the eighth inning and maybe he'll start to do damage control. If you want to laugh even harder, the Sox bats struck out FIFTEEN times against the worst pitching staff in baseball, doesn't get much worse than that. Chaim Bloom shouldn't wait until the trade deadline, just trade Bogaerts, Vazquez, Devers and Martinez for more damn prospects so we don't waste two months thinking the Sox have a chance to come back. The contract situations are clearly hanging over everyone's heads and the fact Bloom let this become public is as much as an embarrassment as losing to the damn Reds. The Sox enter the month of June a complete laughingstock and it doesn't look like things will get better. The loss dropped the Sox to 23-27, good for fourth place in the AL East. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow against the Reds when Garrett Whitlock (1-1, 3.49 ERA) takes on Hunter Greene of Cincinnati. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

O's Embarrass, Shutout Sox (5/30/22)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move when Matt Strahm was placed on the Covid List. In his place the Sox called up Hiro Sawamura from Worcester to take his place. Talk about re-arranging the chairs on the Titanic.

                                                                        OUT

                                                                IN

As for the game, so much for the big May turnaround for the Red Sox. After winning 8 out of 10 against Houston, Seattle and Chicago...the Sox turned back into pumpkins against the worthless Baltimore Orioles. The O's made mincemeat out of the Sox on both sides of the ball as the offense pounded out 14 hits and 10 runs against inept Sox pitching. Meanwhile Tyler Wells allowed just 2 hits and a walk through six shutout innings. The Baltimore bullpen allowed just two hits the rest of the way to get the shutout. JD Martinez' season long on base/rbi streak came to an end, Rich Hill (1-3, 4.85 ERA) got hammered for 6 runs and the season long meltdown of Ryan Brasier and Matt Barnes continued as the O's blanked the Sox 10-0 at Fenway Park. How many runs did the Sox score Dean Wormer?

Hill got the ball in the top of the first inning and Austin Hays was hit with a pitch to start. Trey Mancini tripled into the centerfield triangle to score Hays but was thrown out at home trying to score on a wild pitch. Ryan Mountcastle hit a home run all the way to Detroit to end the game three batters into the game. Anthony Santander flied out to left and Ramon Urias lined out to center to end the inning with the Orioles up for good 2-0.

                                             Mountcastle starts the beat down

Wells got the ball in the bottom of the first and Kike Hernandez popped up to second to start. Rafael Devers grounded out to first and JD Martinez popped up to right to end the inning.

Adley Rutschman grounded out to second to start the bottom of the second but Jorge Mateo hit a triple off the centerfield wall that Hernandez fell down trying to grab. Hill caught Ryan McKenna looking at an 89 mph fastball for strike three on the outside corner but Chris Owings walked. Hays swung and missed at strike three on an elevated fastball to end the inning. Xander Bogaerts popped up to Santander to start the bottom of the second and Alex Verdugo popped up to Urias on foul territory. Trevor Story singled off the Monster but Franchy Cordero popped up to right to end the inning.

The Os iced the game in the top of the third as Mancini lined out to center to start. Mountcastle singled in the hole at short but Santander flied out to right. Urias hit a home run all the way to the USS Intrepid deck to ice the game. Rutschman dropped a base hit to left but Mateo took strike three to end the inning with the O's up 4-0.

                                                      Urias pounds a home run

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the third as Christian Vazquez grounded out to first to start. Jackie Bradley Jr and Hernandez both grounded out to short to end the inning.

Hill recovered in the top of the fourth as McKenna struck out swinging to begin. Owings struck out swinging and Hays flied out to left to end the inning. Devers lined out to third to start the bottom of the fourth and Martinez took strike three. Bogaerts doubled to left but Verdugo flied out to center to end the inning.

The O's finished off Hill in the top of the fifth as Mancini walked to start. Mountcastle pounded a ground rule double down the left field line to chase Hill. He got lit up for 6 runs in just 4 plus innings. Hiro Sawamura came in and Santander hit a sac fly to right to score Mancini, moving Mountcastle to third. Urias grounded out to third to score Mountcastle and Rutschman grounded out to short to end the inning with the O's up 6-0.

                                   "Gimmie that ball...and..AND GET OUTTA HERE!" - Cora

The Sox rolled over in the bottom of the fifth as Story walked to start. Cordero went down hacking, Vazquez struck out swinging and JBJ hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

Mateo lined out to center to start the top of the sixth and McKenna struck out swinging. Owings popped up to first to end the inning. Hernandez grounded out to short to start the bottom of the sixth and Devers also grounded out to short. Martinez flied out to right to end the inning. Tyler Wells had shutout the Sox for six innings while allowing just two hits, pathetic.

Ryan Brasier came in to take a beating in the top of the seventh as Hays doubled to right to begin, Mancini blooped a base hit over the head of Story that somehow caused umpire Adrian Johnson to pass out. Johnson was hauled off on a gurney and Mountcastle banged into a double play, but Hays scored a run. Santander popped up to third to end the inning but the O's were up by a touchdown 7-0.

                                                            Another run for the O's

Dillon Tate came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Bogaerts took strike three to start. Verdugo grounded out to first and Story took strike three to end the inning.

Bobby Dalbec took over for Devers to begin the top of the eighth and Urias grounded out to short to start. Rutschman doubled to center and Mateo singled off of Brasier to move Adley to third, but McKenna took strike three. Owings flied out to right to end the inning. Joey Krehbel came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Cordero lined out to left to start. Vazquez doubled to right but JBJ grounded out to first to move Christian to third. Hernandez hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

Matt Barnes continued his season long misery in the top of the ninth with Christian Arroyo in for Bogaerts. Hays lined out to left but Mancini singled to center. Mountcastle got a base hit up the middle to move Trey to third and Santander hit a home run to the Klingon Homeworld to wrap up the scoring. Urias lined out to right and Rustchman struck out swinging to end the inning with the O's ahead 10-0.

                                                          Santander says goodbye

Logan Gillaspie came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and Dalbec got a base hit to left to start. Martinez lined out to center, Arroyo lined out to right and Verdugo grounded out to second to end the game. The O's had laughed at the Red Sox 10-0.

                                                               O's win

Jackass of the Night is Rich Hill. Not that the Sox bats were going to do much but allowing 6 runs put the game away early and gave no hope for a comeback.

                                                           Jackass Hill

The Good:

Bobby Dalbec got a hit in his only at-bat.

Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3.

Trevor Story was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Christian Vazquez was 1 for 3.

Hiro Sawamura pitched 2 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Kike Hernandez was 0 for 4.

Rafael Devers was 0 for 3.

JD Martinez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Alex Verdugo was 0 for 4.

Franchy Cordero was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3.

Matt Barnes allowed a 3 run home run in the ninth.

The Ugly:

Ryan Brasier allowed a run in 2 innings of work.

Honorable Mention:

Christian Arroyo played short in the top of the ninth.

Final Thoughts:

I thought when the Houston Astros played home run derby against Nathan Eovaldi two weeks ago that the Sox had hit rock bottom. Turns out I was dead wrong, two weeks later the Sox drop 3 out of 5 games to the lowly Orioles eerily familiar to the New York Yankees sweep in April of 2012 that signified how bad the season was going to be. At what point does enough become enough? The offense either gets 10 runs or none and the bullpen blows it more times than it saves it. Not having a closer the first two months of the season got them in this hole and they still can't climb out of it. If this is the end of the core of the Red Sox, Fenway Park is going to be empty by August. Sox GM Chaim Bloom may be forced to deal all four of Boston's impending free agents and coming within two wins of the world series only to be watching the Worcester Red Sox play in Boston less than a year later never should be happening. Maybe the Sox will go on a 10-2 tear in the next two weeks and we'll be laughing about all this but it doesn't look like it. Right now this is a bad team and even the Orioles are becoming more exciting than they are because they have nothing to lose and a fraction of the payroll. The loss dropped the Sox to 23-26, good for fourth place in the AL East. The Sox now welcome another one of the worst teams in baseball, the Cincinnati Reds in for a two game set. Michael Wacha (3-0) gets the ball for Boston tomorrow night against Luis Castillo of the Reds. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Homer Past Orioles (5/29/22)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox sent Josh Winckowski back to Worcester. He made one mistake to Rougned Odor in his start yesterday and definitely needs more seasoning. No sense having him take one loss after another on this year's MLB team the way things are going.

                                                                           OUT

It was a great day in Boston sports as the Boston Celtics eliminated the Miami Heat in Game 7 of their NBA East Finals series and the Boston Red Sox defeated the Baltimore Orioles. After scoring just 7 runs in 18 innings in yesterday's doubleheader, the offense pounded out 15 hits in 12 runs against the hapless Baltimore Orioles in today's game. The Sox hit five home runs early and often to put this game away early. Meanwhile Nick Pivetta (4-4, 3.95 ERA) won his fourth game in a row as he tossed 6 innings of 1 run ball to hold the O's down. Bobby Dalbec, Franchy Cordero, Rafael Devers, Christian Arroyo and Kike Hernandez all went yard for the Red Sox. Xander Bogaerts knocked in two runs of his own and the Sox survived a ninth inning hiccup by Phillips Valdez to win this one easily, 12-2 at Fenway Park.

        The 2022 Eastern Conference Champions approve of the win

Pivetta got the ball in the top of the first inning and Cedric Mullins grounded out to second to start. Trey Mancini doubled to left but Anthony Santander lined out to left. Ryan Mountcastle grounded out to short to end the inning. Zimmermann got the ball in the bottom of the first and Kike Hernandez lined out to center to start. Rafael Devers grounded out to first but JD Martinez got a base hit to center. Xander Bogaerts flied out to left to end the inning. 

Adley Rutschman flied out to center to start the top of the second and Rougned Odor struck out swinging. Ramon Urias flied out to center to end the inning. Trevor Story flied out to center to start the bottom of the first but Christian Vazquez doubled to left. Bobby Dalbec then belted his third home run of the season to put the Sox on top. Christian Arroyo grounded out to third but Franchy Cordero followed with his second home run of the season to increase the lead. Hernandez grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                            Two home runs

Robinson Chirinos struck out swinging to start the top of the third but Jorge Mateo doubled to left. Mullins took strike three but Mancini walked. Santander walked to load the bases but Mountcastle lined out to right to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the third as Devers clobbered his 11th home run of the season to increase the lead. Martinez struck out swinging but Bogaerts doubled to left. Story walked and Bogaerts took third on a wild pitch, but Vazquez grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-0.

                                                            Devers hits one out

Rutschman walked to start the top of the fourth but Odor popped up to third and Urias hit into a double play to end the inning. The Sox poured it on in the bottom of the fourth as Dalbec flied out to center to start. Arroyo joined the homer parade with his 3rd moonshot of the season. Cordero lined out to center but Hernandez smashed his fourth home run the season as well. Devers struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-0.

                                                        Hernandez goes yard

Chirinos struck out swinging to start the top of the fifth and Mateo grounded out to short. Mullins doubled to left and scored when Arroyo dropped a pop up by Mancini. Santander grounded out to short to end the inning with the O's down 6-1.

                                                         Mancini "drives" in a run

Cody Sedlock made his ML debut on the mound in the bottom of the fifth and Martinez was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to start. Bogaerts singled in the hole at second but Story struck out swinging. Vazquez doubled to right to score Bogaerts and increase the lead and took third on an error by Odor. Dalbec grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-1.

                                                         Vazquez drives in a run

Naturally Mountcastle got a base hit to center to start the top of the sixth but Rutschman struck out swinging. Odor flied out to left and Urias hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. Pivetta had thrown 106 pitches and held the O's to just one run in 6 solid innings. He allowed just 5 hits and walked 3.

                                                         Pivetta gets the job done.

Arroyo took strike three to start the bottom of the sixth and Cordero went down hacking. Hernandez grounded out to third to end the inning. 

Tanner Houck came in to pitch the top of the seventh with Jackie Bradley Jr now in right field. Chirinos popped up to second but Mateo lined one past Houck for a base hit. Mullins grounded into a double play to end the inning. Devers flied out to center to start the bottom of the seventh but Martinez singled to center. Bogaerts flied out to left and Story flied out to center to end the inning.

Houck returned for the top of the eighth with Kevin Plawecki taking over behind the plate. Mancini singled to left to start but Santander lined out to center. Mountcastle hit into a double play to end the inning. Plawecki walked to start the bottom of the eighth and Dalbec singled to center. JBJ singled to right to load the bases and Cordero doubled to right to score Plawecki and Dalbec. That was it for Sedlock as Marcos Diplan came in to pitch to Hernandez. Kike struck out swinging but Devers walked to load the bases. Martinez walked to score JBJ and Bogaerts doubled home Cordero and Devers. Story took strike three but Plawecki walked to reload the bases. Dalbec took strike three to end the inning with the Sox ahead 12-1.

                                                            Bogaerts drives in a pair

Phillips Valdez came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Rutschman walked to start. Ryan McKenna pinch hit for Odor and was plunked, but Urias struck out looking. Chris Owings pinch hit for Chirinos and hit a double play ball to second. Story flipped to Bogaerts for the out and Xander spiked the ball like a football and did a dance for an error to score Rutschman. A wild pitch moved Owings to second but Mateo took strike three to end the game. The Sox had won it 12-2.

                                                         Sox win

Hero of the Night is Bobby Dalbec. His two run homer set the tone for the day and matched Baltimore's entire output. 

                                                           Dalbec The Hero

The Good:

JD Martinez was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a walk.

Xander Bogaerts was 3 for 5 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Christian Vazquez was 2 for 3 with an rbi and a run scored.

Kevin Plawecki walked twice and scored a run.

Christian Arroyo was 1 for 3 with a home run.

Jackie Bradley Jr singled and scored in his only at-bat.

Franchy Cordero was 2 for 4 with a home run, 3 total rbis and 2 total runs scored.

Nick Pivetta earned the win by tossing six innings of 1 run ball. He allowed 5 hits and struck out 5.

Tanner Houck tossed 2 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Phillips Valdez allowed a run in the ninth inning.

The Ugly:

Kike Hernandez was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but the one hit was a home run.

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked, hit a home run and scored two runs.

Trevor Story was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Final Thoughts:

Now that's more like it. Beating up on the hapless O's doesn't accomplish much but a win is a win. The most encouraging signs are guys like Cordero, Vazquez and Hernandez getting hot and starting to hit home runs more frequently. Cordero had been a colossal failure since the Sox traded Andrew Benintendi for him last February but he's picked it up this past month for sure. The only piece of the puzzle that needs to pick it up is Alex Verdugo, he's too good to continue to hit this badly. Pivetta won his fourth straight start and the fact Sox manager Alex Cora is letting guys go longer into the games might be signs that he's learned his lesson from past mistakes. Again, the Sox are supposed to beat up the Orioles so its not that exciting but at least they're another step closer in getting out of the hole they dug themselves in after April. The win improved the Sox to 23-25, good for 4th place in the AL East. The Sox look to take the fifth and final game of this series tomorrow night when Rich Hill (1-2, 3.86 ERA) takes on Tyler Wells of Baltimore. The game begins at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.

O's Take Game 2, Shut Down Sox (5/28/22)

Are you actually kidding me Boston Red Sox? On a day when highly touted prospect Josh Winckowski (0-1, 12.00 ERA) made his major league debut, the Boston Red Sox bats fell asleep against the lowly Baltimore Orioles. Former Red Sox prospect Denyi Reyes and the Baltimore bullpen held the Sox to just one run through the first eight innings, Meanwhile Winckowski lasted just three innings after allowing 4 runs in the third inning capped off by a Rougned Odor three run homer. The Boston bullpen valiantly held the O's scoreless the next six innings and the Sox did rally in the bottom of the ninth. With the tying run at the plate after Christian Arroyo knocked in Bobby Dalbec, Kike Hernandez grounded into a double play to end the game. The Sox had lost the nightcap 4-2 to the Orioles at Fenway Park.

                                                    Welcome to the big leagues, Josh

Winckowski made his ML debut in the top of the first inning and Cedric Mullins grounded out to second to start. Austin Hays got a base hit to center but Anthony Santander flied out to left. Ryan Mountcastle walked and a passed ball moved both runners over, but Adley Rutschman walked to load the bases. Ramon Urias grounded out to first to end the inning and Winckowski was out of the jam. Former Red Sox prospect Denyi Reyes got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Kike Hernandez led off with a fly out to left. Rafael Devers grounded out to second and Trevor Story popped up to second to end the inning.

Rougned Odor struck out swinging for Josh's first pro K to begin the top of the second. Jorge Mateo grounded out to second on the first pitch he swung at but Ryan McKenna lined the first pitch HE saw to right for a base hit. Mullins was called out on strikes on a bad call to end the inning. Alex Verdugo grounded out to second to start the bottom of the second and Christian Vazquez flied out to center. Franchy Cordero got a base hit to right and Bobby Dalbec singled to left, but Jackie Bradley Jr lined out to short to end the inning.

The Orioles struck first in the top of the third as Hays singled to center again to start. Hays swiped second and Santander walked, but Winckowski did manage to strike out Mountcastle swinging on a nasty sinker. Somehow Rutschman lined out to left but Urias naturally lined a base hit to center to score Hays and Odor laughed as he hit a backbreaking three run home run to Neptune to ice the game. Mateo doubled to center but McKenna was frozen for strike three to end the inning with the O's up for good 4-0. That was it for Winckowski who made one mistake to Odor but allowed 4 runs in just 3 innings in his ML debut.

                                                          Odor hits one out

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the third as Arroyo grounded back to the mound to start. Hernandez popped up to third and Devers flied out to right to end the inning.

Austin Davis came in to pitch the top of the fourth and Mullins popped up to third to start. Hays grounded out to short and Santander struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the fourth as Story doubled over the head of Mateo to start. Verdugo flied out to right but Vazquez got a base hit to center to score Story to put Boston on the board. Cordero walked to bring the tying run to the plate but Dalbec struck out swinging. That was it for Reyes as Joey Krehbiel came in to pitch to Bradley. Naturally JBJ struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 4-1.

                                                        Vazquez tries to start a rally

Ryan Brasier came in to pitch the top of the fifth and Mountcastle struck out swinging to start. Rutschman popped up to first and Urias popped up to third to end the inning. Arroyo struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth but Hernandez hit a ground rule double into the right field stands. Devers flied out to left and Story lined out to right to end the inning,

Tyler Danish came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Odor popped up to second to start. Mateo grounded out to short and McKenna grounded out to second to end the inning. Felix Bautista came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Verdugo grounded out to third to start.? Vazquez got a base hit to center but Cordero struck out swinging. Dalbec took strike three to end the inning. 

Jake Diekman came in to pitch the top of the seventh and immediately walked Mullins. Hays popped up to second, Santander flied out to right and Mountcastle took strike three to end the inning.  The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the seventh as JBJ grounded out to second to start.  Arroyo grounded out to second but Hernandez singled to right to chase Bautista. Cionel Perez came in to pitch to Devers and Rafael forced Hernandez on the first pitch to end the inning.

Sox manager Alex Cora threw in the towel in the top of the eighth by bringing in Matt Barnes to pitch the top of the eighth. Rutschman grounded out to second to start but Arroyo threw a grounder by Urias into the Red Sox bullpen for an error to move Ramon to second. Odor flied out to the centerfield wall to move Urias to third and Mateo flied out to a running JBJ to end the inning. Story took strike three to start the bottom of the eighth before Verdugo grounded out to third. Vazquez doubled off the top of the centerfield wall and Xander Bogaerts pinch hit for Cordero. Jorge Lopez came in to pitch to Xander and Bogaerts grounded out to second to end the inning.

Phillips Valdez came in to pitch the top of the ninth and McKenna got a base hit to right to begin. Mullins forced him at second and Hays banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox caught a break in the bottom of the ninth when Dalbec reached on an error by Mateo to start. JBJ got a base hot to right to move Dalbec to third and Bobby scored when Arroyo beat out a double play ball. Representing the tying run....Hernandez grounded into a double play to end the game. The O's had won it 4-2.

                                                                O's win

Jackass of the Night is Rafael Devers. He was 0 for 4 and left two runners on base in a game decided by two runs.

                                                                Jackass Devers

The Good:

Kike Hernandez was 2 for 5.

Christian Vazquez was 3 for 4 with an rbi.

Franchy Cordero was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Austin Davis tossed a scoreless inning.

Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless inning.

Tyler Danish pitched a scoreless inning.

Jake Diekman pitched a scoreless inning.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless inning.

Phillips Valdez tossed a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Alex Verdugo was 0 for 4.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Josh Winckowski took the loss by allowing 4 runs in just 3 innings. He allowed 6 hits and 3 walks.

The Ugly:

Trevor Story was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Bobby Dalbec was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.

Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Christian Arroyo was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Final Thoughts:

Just when you think the Sox are going to turn the corner, they lose again. Winckowski definitely struggled but only made one big mistake to Odor. The real key to the game was the Boston bats falling asleep again and only scratching out two runs. Bogaerts and JD Martinez resting had a lot to do with it but with the way everyone else was swinging the bat lately, you'd think they would have rose to the occasion just once. The only bright spots was the bullpen pitched a shutout for 6 innings and Vazquez is on a hot streak. The worst part is they've now lost two of the first three games played against the Orioles with two remaining. Going 3-2 or worse against them is pathetic and maybe its time to start thinking of rebuilding after all. Why waste Martinez, Vazquez, Bogaerts and Devers if they're not going to be re-signed? If Chaim Bloom still thinks he's in Tampa Bay and allows those four to walk just to bring up Jarren Duran, Marcelo Mayer, Connor Wong and Alex Binelas.....may as well send him packing too. The loss dropped the Sox to 22-25, good for 4th place in the AL East. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow against the Orioles when Nick Pivetta (3-4, 4.25 ERA) takes the mound against Bruce Zimmermann of Baltimore. The game begins at 1:35 PM at Fenway Park.

Eovaldi Goes Distance, Sox Take Game 1 (5/28/22)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a bevy of roster moves before today's double-header against the Baltimore Orioles. Hansel Robles was placed on the 15 Day Injured List with back spasms and Hiro Sawamura was sent down to Worcester. In their place the Red Sox brought back Ryan Brasier and Phillips Valdez from Worcester and brought up Josh Winckowski to make his major league debut in Game 2 later. Apart from Winckowski, this is pretty much playing musical chairs in the bullpen. Valdez and Brasier got sent down to Worcester for pitching badly so what changed in less than a month? Oh well....

                                                                     OUT

                                                                               IN

As for the game, Sox manager Alex Cora knew he wouldn't have much of a bullpen for today's doubleheader after last night's disaster and starting a rookie in Game 2 so he turned to Nathan Eovaldi (2-2, 3.77 ERA) to give him a long start in Game 1 . That's what Eovaldi did as he went the distance, firing a complete game 7 hitter to save the bullpen for Game 2. Eovaldi allowed an unearned run in the first inning and a two run home run in the fifth inning, but he kept going...and going...and going. Meanwhile the Sox jumped out to a 3-1 lead only for the O's to tie it. Bobby Dalbec hit a pinch hit home run in the sixth inninng and Christian Arroyo added an insurance run in the seventh. Things got hairy in the ninth when Austin Hays reached to lead off but a strikeout and a double play ended the game as the Sox took Game 1 5-3 at Fenway Park.

                                                   Camille Vasquez approves of the win

The O's wasted no time ambushing Eovaldi in the top of the first inning as Cedric Mullins drilled a base hit in the hole at short to start. Trey Mancini hit a routine grounder to Devers who threw himself on the ball and screamed loudly for an error and Anthony Santander ripped a base hit to left to score Mullins and put the O's up three batters into the game. Austin Hays popped up to first but Ryan Mountcastle beat out a double play ball....BUT WAIT! The Sox challenged Mountcastle was out at first and replays showed he was to end the inning with the O's up 1-0.

                                                        O's strike first

Jordan Lyles got the ball in the bottom of the first and Kike Hernandez lined out to left to start. Rafael Devers atoned for his error with a base hit to center but JD Martinez flied out to center. Xander Bogaerts struck out swinging to end the inning.

The O's beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the second inning as Rougned Odor grounded out to first to start. Ramon Urias grounded out to third and Robinson Chirinos grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the second as Alex Verdugo got a base hit to center to begin. Verdugo was foolishly thrown out at home on a double by Christian Arroyo and Christian moved to third on a grounder to third by Franchy Cordero. Kevin Plawecki drew a walk and Jackie Bradley Jr doubled home Arroyo. Hernandez lined a base hit off the glove of Urias to score Plawecki and JBJ to give Boston the lead. Devers doubled to right to move Hernandez to third but Martinez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1.

                                                              Hernandez drives in a run

Old friend Chris Owings took strike three to start the top of the third and Mullins popped up to third. Mancini got a base hit to right but Santander flied out to center to end the inning. Bogaerts grounded out to short to start the bottom of the third before Verdugo flied out to center. Arroyo flied out to right to end the inning.

Hays grounded out to short to start the top of the fourth before Mountcastle struck out swinging. Odor struck out swinging to end the inning. Cordero got a base hit to right to start the bottom of the fourth but was forced at second on a missed pop up by Plawecki. JBJ popped up to first and Hernandez lined out to left to end the inning.

The O's fought back in the top of the fifth as Urias doubled off the top of the Monster to begin and Chirinos hit a home run all the way to Washington DC to tie the game. Owings walked but Mullins forced him at second. Mullins stole second but Mancini struck out swinging. Santander grounded out to short to end the inning with the game tied 3-3.

                                                             O's tie it up

The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the fifth as Devers got a base hit in the hole at second to begin. Martinez got a base hit to center to move Devers to third but Bogaerts struck out swinging. Keegan Akin came in to pitch to Verdugo and Alex popped up to short. Arroyo lined out to second to end the inning.

Hays lined out to right to start the top of the sixth but Mountcastle got a base hit to right. Odor banged into a double play to end the inning. Bobby Dalbec pinch hit for Cordero to start the bottom of the sixth and somehow hit a home run to put the Sox back on top. Plawecki grounded out to third, JBJ grounded out to first and Hernandez flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox up 4-3.

                                                              Dalbec puts Boston on top

Urias struck out swinging to start the top of the seventh and Chirinos grounded out to second. Owings grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox got a big insurance run in the bottom of the seventh although Devers was rung up for strike three to start. Martinez drew a walk and Bogaerts doubled to center, but Xander was thrown out getting back to the back on a grounder to second by Verdugo. Bryan Baker was brought in to pitch to Arroyo but Christian beat out a roller to third to score Martinez. Dalbec lined out to Baker to end the inning with the Sox up 5-3.

                                                    Arroyo adds to the lead

Shockingly Eovaldi was sent out to start the top of the eighth and he got the O's to beat the ball in the dirt. Mullins grounded out to first, Mancini grounded out to second and Santander grounded out to short to end the inning. Plawecki walked to start the bottom of the eighth but JBJ lined out to right. Hernandez flied out to left but Devers got a single to center. Martinez took strike three to end the inning.

Rather than have the bullpen squander the lead away, Eovaldi was asked to finish the job in the top of the ninth. Things looked bad when Hays got a base hit to center to start, but Nathan came back to freeze Mountcastle for strike three. Odor then banged into a double play to end the game. The Sox had won behind Eovaldi's first career complete game 5-3.

                                                       Eovaldi goes the distance

Hero of the Night is obviously Nathan Eovaldi. He pitched a complete game 7 hitter allowed just 3 runs (2 earned) while striking out 6 batters

                                                          Complete game Hero

The Good:

Rafael Devers was 4 for 5.

Franchy Cordero was 1 for 2.

Bobby Dalbec was 1 for 2 with a home run.

Kevin Plawecki walked twice and scored two runs in four plate appearances.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Kike Hernandez was just 1 for 5 but drove in 2 runs.

JD Martinez was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked and scored a run.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Alex Verdugo was just 1 for 4.

Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

Well this was a complete 180 from last night. Cora pulled Garrett Whitlock after 84 pitches and the bullpen imploded for 10 runs allowed in 3 innings. Eovaldi going the distance at least saves the tired arms for Game 2 and the Sox got the win. It wasn't just they won it was how they won. They only got 3 runs off Jordan Lyles but Dalbec had the biggest hit of his own season with his home run and Arroyo tacked on an insurance run with two outs. With Trevor Story and Christian Vazquez resting for the nightcap, Arroyo and Kevin Plawecki stepped up big time. The key to the Sox offense is getting the guys on base for Devers, Martinez and Bogaerts to drive in and it would be nice if the guys behind them would drive in runs too. Apart from Devers making an error there's not much to squawk about in this one. The win improved the Sox to 22-24 and forget the standings until the nightcap. The Sox now turn to 23 year old rookie Josh Winckowski to make his major league debut in Game 2 taking on Denyi Reyes of Baltimore. The nightcap begins at 6:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Orioles Pull Off Huge Comeback, Stun Sox (5/27/22)

It was bad news all around as the Boston Celtics choked Game 6 of their NBA East Finals series and the Boston Red Sox choked a huge lead to the floundering Baltimore Orioles. For six innings everything was going good for the Red Sox as they had an 8-2 lead and Garrett Whitlock had tossed six solid innings. Then Alex Cora did what he always did and pulled a starter early thinking the game was over. WRONG! The Red Sox bullpen were shelled for TEN runs in the next three innings. Matt Straham, Hiro Sawamura, Jake Diekman and John Schreiber all were shelled as the lowly Orioles came all the way back down 8 to 2 to take a 12-8 lead in just three innings. What should have been an easy victory for the Sox turned into one of the biggest collapses in team history as the Orioles humiliated the Sox 12-8 at Fenway Park.

                                                    Two chokes in one night

Whitlock got the ball in the top of the first inning and Cedric Mullins popped up to third to start. Trey Mancini struck out swinging and Anthony Santander flied out to right to end the inning. Brandish got the ball in the bottom of the first and Kike Hernandez greeted him with a base hit to left to begin. Rafael Devers got a base hit to left that was muffed by Santander for an error to score Hernandez. Devers moved to second on the error, JD Martinez was hit with a pitch and Xander Bogaerts crushed a three run home run to put the Sox up big early. Alex Verdugo followed with a base hit to right but moved to second when Trevor Story lined out to short and Jorge Mateo threw the ball away for an error. Franchy Cordero struck out swinging and Christian Vazquez also went down hacking to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-0.

                                                            Bogaerts jacks one out

Austin Hays grounded out to third to start the bottom of the second and Adley Rutschman grounded out to short. Ryan Mountcastle struck out swinging to end the inning. Jackie Bradley Jr was retired on a swinging bunt in front of the plate to start the bottom of the second before Hernandez grounded out to short. Devers got a seeing eye single into left, Martinez walked and Bogaerts was hit with a pitch to load the bases. Verdugo pounded a ground rule double into the centerfield stands to score Devers and Martinez to finally chase Brandish from the game. Beau Sulser made his Major League debut and got Story to hit a squibber in front of the plate to end the inning with the Sox up 6-0.

                                                           Verdugo drives in a pair

Rougned Odor lined out to right to start the bottom of the third and Ramon Urias grounded out to second. Mateo took strike three to end the inning. Cordero ripped a base hit to right to start the bottom of the third but Vazquez hit into a double play. JBJ doubled to right but Hernandez grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

The O's struck back in the top of the fourth although Mullins hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Mancini walked and Santander hit a home run all the way to France to cut the lead. Hays got a base hit to left but Rutschman forced him at second. Mountcastle got a base hit to right to move Rutschman to third but Odor struck out swinging to end the inning with the O's down 6-2.

                                                      Santander goes yard

The Sox tried to get the runs back in the bottom of the fourth when Devers led off with a double to right. Martinez followed with a double to center to score Rafael but Bogaerts popped up to second. Verdugo grounded out to first to move Martinez to third but Story grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox up 7-2.

                                                                           Martinez drives in a run

Urias got a base hit to center to start the top of the fifth but Mateo grounded into a double play. Mullins singled to left but Mancini lined out to left to end the inning. The Sox scored again in the bottom of the fifth as Cordero doubled off the Monster to start. Vazquez singled in the hole at second to score Cordero and JBJ got a base hit to center. Hernandez popped up to first but both runners moved over on the Devers grounder to second. That was it for Sulser as Marcos Diplan came in and Martinez lined out to second to end the inning with the Sox up 8-2.

                                                                   Vazquez with a big hit

Santander grounded out to first to start the top of the sixth and Hays grounded back to the mound. Rutschman flied out to right to end the inning. Even though Whitlock was only at 84 pitches, Sox manager Alex Cora yanked him. He did pitch well, holding the O's to just 2 runs in 6 innings and giving up 5 hits.

                                                                   Whitlock deserved better

Bogaerts popped up to first to start the bottom of the sixth before Verdugo struck out swinging. Story drew a walk but Cordero grounded out to third to end the inning.

Jake Diekman came in to crap his pants in the top of the seventh and Mountcastle popped up to second to start. Odor got a base hit to right, Urias walked and Mateo hit a three run bomb to South America to cut the lead. Mullins flied out to right and Mancini lined out to center to end the inning with the O's down 8-5.

                                                         Nice going Diekman

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the seventh as Vazquez grounded out to third to start. JBJ grounded out to first but Hernandez drew a walk. That was it for Diplan as Logan Gillaspie came in to pitch to Devers and Rafael lined out to left to end the inning.

John Schreiber came in to pitch the top of the eighth and naturally walked Santander to start. Hays then pounded a home run all the way to New Mexico to cut the lead and hand Schreiber his first earned runs allowed this year. Rutschman struck out swinging and Mountcastle grounded out to short to chase Schreiber. Matt Strahm came in to pitch to Odor and naturally he pounded a ground rule double into the centerfield stands. Urias hit a routine grounder to Devers who THREW IT AWAY! Odor came around to score and the collapse was complete. Mateo struck out swinging to end the inning but the O's had come all the way back to tie the game 8-8.

                                                O's tie it up

Dillon Tate came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Martinez grounded out to short to start. Bogaerts did manage to get a base hit to left but Verdugo forced him at second. Story was hit with a pitch to put the go-ahead run at second but Cionel Perez came in to pitch to Cordero. Sox manager Alex Cora countered by pinch hitting Christian Arroyo and naturally Christian popped up to second to end the inning. Way to take the bat out of Cordero's hands the way he'd been hitting lately Alex.

Naturally the Orioles rallied in the top of the ninth as Mullins got a base hit to left to begin. Mancini lashed a base hit to left to move Mullins to third and Ryan McKenna pinch ran for Mancini. Santander did the honors with a base hit to right to score Mullins and move McKenna to third. Mercifully that was it for Strahm and Hiro Sawamura was brought in to stop the bleeding but instead walked Hays to load the bases. Sawamura managed to get Rutschman to force McKenna at home....but he threw a pitch 100 feet over the head of Vazquez for a wild pitch to score Santander and advance the runners. Mountcastle hit a sac fly to score Hays and Odor hit the exclamation point with a base hit to left to score Rutschman. Urias singled to right as the boo's rained down at Fenway. Mateo grounded back to the mound to end the inning as the Red Sox bullpen allowed 10 runs in 3 innings and trailed 12-8.

                                                       "Well, this sucks." - Sawamura

Jorge Lopez came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and the Sox rolled over. Vazquez struck out swinging, JBJ grounded out to short and Hernandez grounded out to second to end the game. The Sox had been humiliated by the O's 12-8.

                                                                    O's win

Jackass of the Night should be Alex Cora for pulling Whitlock at just 84 pitches and pinch hitting an ice cold Arroyo in the eighth but its Matt Straham. He came in with an 8-7 lead and was charged with 4 runs to take the loss.

                                                           Jackass Strahm

The Good:

Rafael Devers was 3 for 5 with 3 runs scored.

JD Martinez was 1 for 3 with a walk, rbi and 2 runs scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 4 with a 3 run homer.

Alex Verdugo was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis.

Franchy Cordero was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 5.

Garrett Whitlock tossed 6 innings of 2 run ball. He allowed 5 hits and struck out 4.

The Bad:

Christian Arroyo popped up as a pinch hitter.

Jake Diekman allowed a 3 run homer in the seventh inning.

John Schreiber allowed a 2 run homer in the eighth inning.

Hiro Sawamura allowed 2 inherited runners to score and one of his own in the ninth inning.

The Ugly:

Kike Hernandez was just 1 for 5 but walked and scored a run.

Trevor Story was 0 for 3 but walked.

Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run.

Final Thoughts:

Remember the game back in 2009 when the Red Sox blew a 9-1 lead to the Yankees with nine outs to play? This was far worse because the Yankees were on their way to being world series champions and this was to a team with one of the worst offenses in baseball. They had an 8-2 lead with 9 outs to go and allowed TEN runs. Alex Cora pulling Whitlock after 84 pitches started the collapse and every move he made after failed. Since Hansel Robles and Matt Barnes proved they couldn't pitch in the late innings, he turned to the guys that had been pitching well and they got hammered. If this isn't proof positive that SOMETHING needs to be done about the bullpen, Sox GM Chaim Bloom may as well blow up the team. The offense scored 16 runs last night and 8 tonight and LOST ground in the standings. The New York Yankees are on an absolute roll and would have to have a 1978 Red Sox style collapse in order for Boston to catch them. Its a shame this happened because the Sox had won 8 out of 10 with their offense alive again and Cora pulling a starter early cost them AGAIN. Scrap heap pickups like Schreiber and Strahm aren't supposed to be closing games out but that's what it's come down to with Ryan Brasier, Barnes and Robles all finished. The worst part is the Sox have to play a doubleheader tomorrow against the Orioles. What's the over/under of the O's scoring 30 runs against this crew? The loss dropped the Sox to 21-24, good for 4th place in the AL East. Tomorrow is a doubleheader against the Orioles and Nathan Eovaldi (1-2, 4.10 ERA) takes on Jordan Lyles of Baltimore in Game 1 at 12:10 PM at Fenway Park.