Sellers Shuts Out A's (7/3/87)

Now THAT was impressive. Struggling Boston Red Sox starter Jeff Sellers (3-1, 6.86 ERA) turned in one of the best pitching performances of the season in tonight's game against the Oakland A's. Sellers tossed a complete game, 6 hit shutout to give the club a much needed shot in the arm. Steve Ontiveros was the hard luck loser for the A's as rbi's from Mike Greenwell and Ellis Burks were Boston's only offensive output of the night. It was enough thanks to the efforts of Sellers for a 2-0 Sox win at Oakland County Stadium.

                                              Eberhard Anheuser approves of the win

Ontiveros cruised in the top of the first inning as Ellis Burks grounded out to short to start. Marty Barrett popped up to third before Wade Boggs grounded out to short to end the inning. Sellers began his dominance in the bottom of the first as Luis Polonia flied out to left. Mike Davis struck out before Jose Canseco singled to left. Mark McGwire flied out to center to end the inning.

The Red Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the second inning as Mike Greenwell grounded out to second to start. Don Baylor grounded out to first and Dwight Evans grounded out to second to end the inning. Sellers got Reggie Jackson to strike out to open the bottom of the second before Carney Lansford popped up to second. Terry Steinbach flied out to center to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the third although Bill Buckner popped up to second to begin. Spike Owen singled to right before moving to second on the "Mr. Nepotism" Marc Sullivan grounder. Burks singled home Owen to give the Sox the lead. Barrett grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                             Burks drives in a run

Sellers held up the lead in the bottom of the third as Tony Phillips flied out to left to begin. Alfredo Griffin flied out to left and Polonia struck out to end the inning.

Boggs singled to center to start the top of the fourth but was forced at second by Greenwell. Baylor banged into a double play to end the inning. The Indians threatened in the bottom of the fourth although Davis struck out to start. Canseco grounded out to second but McGwire singled to center and Jackson doubled to left. Sellers froze Lansford for strike three to end the inning.

The Sox threatened in the top of the fifth although Evans flied out to center to begin. Buckner grounded out to first but Owen walked. Sullivan beat out an infield single to second but Burks grounded into a force to end the inning. Steinbach grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fifth before Phillips flied out to left. Griffin popped up a bunt to end the inning.

The Sox got some bad news in the top of the sixth although Barrett singled to short to start. Boggs singled to left but Barrett fell on top of second base and passed out. Barrett was carried out on a stretcher and Ed Romero pinch ran for him. Both runners moved over on the grounder by Greenwell but Baylor popped up to left. Evans walked to load the bases but Buckner popped up to short to end the inning.

                                                        Bye bye Barrett

Sellers kept up the pace in the bottom of the sixth as Polonia grounded out to second to begin. Davis hit one up the elevator shaft before Canseco struck out to end the inning.

The Sox scored some insurance in the top of the seventh although Owen flied out to center to begin. Sullivan and Burks stroked back to back singles before Romero lined a base hit to left. Sullivan was thrown out at home but Burks made it to third. Boggs was hit with a pitch to load the bases and Greenwell walked in a run to chase Ontiveros. Gene Nelson came in and Baylor popped up to first to end the inning but the Sox was up 2-0.

                                                     Stop getting thrown out at home!

Sellers stayed tough in the bottom of the seventh inning as McGwire struck out to start. Jackson doubled to left but Lansford grounded out to third. Steinbach flied out to center to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the eighth inning as Evans grounded out to third to begin. Buckner flied out to right and Owen flied out to left to end the inning. The A's threatened in the bottom of the eighth inning although Phillips grounded out to second. Griffin walked but Polonia flied out to left. Davis walked and Canseco beat out an infield single to load the bases. Sox manager John McNamara let Sellers stay in and he punched out McGwire to end the inning. Outstanding work Jeff!

Sullivan struck out to begin the top of the ninth before Burks took strike three. Romero popped up to first to end the inning. Dave Henderson took over for Greenwell in the bottom of the ninth and Jackson grounded out to second to begin. Lansford beat out an infield single to short but Steinbach hit into a double play to end the game. The Sox had won it 2-0 behind the complete game by Jeff Sellers.

Hero of the Night is Jeff Sellers. He tossed a complete game shutout allowing just 6 hits and 2 walks. Sellers struck out 8 and earned his 3rd win of the year.

                                                       Sellers The Hero



The Good:

Ellis Burks was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Marty Barrett was 1 for 3 before leaving.

Ed Romero was 1 for 2.

Wade Boggs was 2 for 3 with a hit by pitch.

Spike Owen was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Marc Sullivan was 2 for 4.



The Bad:

Don Baylor was 0 for 4.

Bill Buckner was 0 for 4.



The Ugly:

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 3 but walked and drove in a run.

Dwight Evans was 0 for 3 but walked.



Honorable Mention:

Dave Henderson played left field in the bottom of the 9th inning.




Final Thoughts:

This season is a disaster but that was a damn good win. Sellers has been a disappointment in his Sox career but that was impressive. The Sox are in a serious world series hangover but for one day, they took the Oakland A's and shut them down. Also it was nice to see Mr. Nepotism contribute for once. Its too bad the Sox aren't that good this year but the bright side is on the rare occasion things go well, its entertaining. Hopefully Burks and Greenwell can develop into starts because Rice and Evans are getting old. The win improved the Sox to 39-40, 10.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it 2 in a row in Oakland as they take on the A's in a 4th of July special. Jose Rijo goes for the A's up against Bruce Hurst (9-5) of the Sox at 4 PM Eastern Time at Oakland Coliseum.

Brewers Edge Sox Late (4/8/87)

It was bad news all around for Boston sports. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Boston Bruins in Game 1 of their first round NHL playoff series and the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Boston Red Sox. Al Nipper started for the Sox and lasted just 5 1/3 innings while allowing 2 runs. The Sox offense managed to score 2 runs of their own against Bill Wegman of the Brewers, but Billy Jo Robidoux drove home Glenn Braggs to hang the loss on Wes Gardner (0-1, 6.75 ERA). After the Brewers scored to go ahead, the Sox offense went quiet the rest of the day. For the second game in a row the Boston bats were silent as Milwaukee took the game 3-2 at County Stadium.

                                                "Hello operator? The Sox offense sucks"

Wegman got the ball in the top of the first inning and Wade Boggs grounded out to second to start. Marty Barrett flied out to right and Bill Buckner flied out to left to end the inning. Nipper got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Paul Molitor doubled to right to start. Robin Yount moved Molitor to second with a grounder to Barrett and Glenn Braggs drew a walk. Greg Brock popped up to third and Billy Jo Robidoux grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Jim Rice got a base hit to center to start the top of the second and Don Baylor drew a walk. Dwight Evans popped up to second, Dave Henderson flied out to right and Marc Sullivan flied out to left to end the inning. Rob Deer flied out to center to begin the bottom of the second but BJ Surhoff singled to center. Jim Gantner singled up the middle to move Surhoff to third but Dale Sveum banged into a double play to end the inning.

Spike Owen led off the top of the third with a ground out to short and Boggs also grounded out to short. Barrett flied out to right to end the inning. Molitor doubled to left to start the bottom of the third but Yount struck out swinging. Braggs went down hacking and Brock hit a routine grounder to Barrett...who went OLE! for an error. Robidoux struck out swinging to end the inning.

Wegman cruised in the top of the fourth as Buckner flied out to left to start. Rice took strike three and Baylor grounded out to short to end the inning. Nipper matched Wegman in the bottom of the fourth although Deer was plunked to start. Surhoff flied out to center, Gantner flied out to right and Sveum flied out to left to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the fifth as Evans singled to center to start. Evans moved to second on the Henderson grounder to second and scored on the double to left by Sullivan. Owen lined out to short but Boggs was intentionally walked. Barrett made the Brewers pay with a base hit to right to score Sullivan with another run. Buckner flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                    RBI double for Sullivan

The Brewers answered in the bottom of the fifth as Molitor walked to start. Yount singled to left and Braggs walked to load the bases with nobody out. Brock grounded out to first to score Molitor and Robidoux also grounded out to first to score Yount to tie the game. Deer struck out swinging to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                        Robidoux ties it up

Chuck Crim came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Rice struck out swinging to start. Baylor and Henderson both grounded out to third to end the inning. Nipper returned briefly for the bottom of the sixth and snuffed out a bunt by Surhoff to start. Gantner and Sveum stroked back to back base hits to chase Al after 5 1/3 innings and 2 runs allowed. Wes Gardner made his season debut and got Molitor to ground into a double play to end the inning. 

                                                          Nipper deserved better

Henderson grounded out to short to start the top of the seventh before Sullivan took strike three. Owen grounded out to second to end the inning. The Brewers took command in the bottom of the seventh as Yount grounded out to second to start. Braggs and Brock stroked back to back base hits and Robidoux singled home Braggs to give Milwaukee the lead. Deer took strike three and that was it for Gardner. Joe Sambito made his season debut by getting Surhoff to fly out to left to end the inning with the Brewers ahead 3-2.

                                                   Robidoux gives Milwaukee the lead

The Sox went quietly in the top of the eighth with Dan Plesac on the mound. Boggs flied out to left, Barrett grounded out to second and Buckner flied out to left to end the inning. Gantner took strike three to start the bottom of the eighth before Sveum struck out swinging. Calvin Schiraldi was brought in to pitch to Molitor and Paul grounded out to short to end the inning. 

Rick Manning took over in right to start the top of the ninth and Rice grounded out to short to start. Baylor grounded out to third and Henderson flied out to right to end the game. The Sox didn't have a baserunner after Barrett's hit in the fifth and the Brewers had won it 3-2.

Jackass of the Night is Wes Gardner. He allowed the go-ahead run to score in the seventh inning.

                                                          Jackass Gardner

The Good:

Marc Sullivan was 1 for 3 with an rbi and a run scored.

Al Nipper tossed 5 1/3 innings of 2 run ball. He allowed 7 hits and 3 walks.

Joe Sambito tossed a full scoreless inning.

Calvin Schiraldi retired the only man he faced.

The Bad:

Bill Buckner was 0 for 4.

Dave Henderson was 0 for 3.

Spike Owen was 0 for 3.

The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was 0 for 3 but walked.

Marty Barrett was just 1 for 4 with an error but drove in a run.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Don Baylor was 0 for 3 but walked.

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

That wasn't as bad as Opening Day but still frustrating. The offense hasn't been there the first two games of the season and hopefully that's just opening weekend rust. The Sox barely had time to recover with just 3 months off after the World Series so they may come out of the gate slow as molasses. They better wake up soon because now everyone in the American League is gunning for them. The Brewers have outplayed them in every phase of the game the past two games and the Sox look to be stuck in the mud. Wegman only lasted 5 innings but the Milwaukee bullpen tossed 4 scoreless innings and retired 13 in a row to end the game. Hopefully the Sox can bounce back soon and get some key pieces healthy because right now, they're in trouble and its only two games into the season. The Sox look to avoid a sweep tomorrow night when Jeff Sellers makes his season debut against Mike Birkbeck of the Brewers. The game begins at 2:05 PM Eastern time at County Stadium.

Brewers Defeat Sox on Opening Day (4/6/87)

After the horrendous end of the 1986 season for the Boston Red Sox, the bitter feelings and lousy vibe followed them into the 1987 season. Roger Clemens wasn't ready for primetime so Bob Stanley (0-1, 5.79 ERA) was asked to start Opening Day against Teddy Higuera of the Milwaukee Brewers. It went as well as expected with the Brewers clobbering Stanley for 3 runs and knocking him out in the fifth inning. Steve Crawford got tagged for another two runs as the Brewers had no problems getting on base. Meanwhile Higuera tossed 7 shutout innings and the Sox offense never got anything going. The Sox got a lucky run in the top of the ninth but that was it as the Brewers took Opening Day 5-1 at County Stadium.

                                                      Not the best way to start the season

Higuera got the ball in the top of the first and Wade Boggs dropped a base hit to right to start. Marty Barrett popped up to second, Bill Buckner popped up to third in foul territory and Jim Rice was rung up for strike three to end the inning. The Brewers got to Stanley instantly in the bottom of the first as Paul Molitor tripled to right and Robin Yount lined a base hit to center to put Milwaukee up for good 2 batters into the game. Glen Braggs banged into a double play but Greg Brock walked. Billy Jo Robidoux grounded out to second to end the inning with Milwaukee ahead 1-0.

                                                       Brewers take the lead

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the second as Don Baylor popped up to first to start. Dwight Evans doubled into the left field gap but Dave Henderson hit one up the elevator shaft. Marc Sullivan took strike three to end the inning. The Brewers threatened in the bottom of the second as Rob Deer beat out an infield single back to Stanley to start. Bill Schroeder banged into a double play but Jim Gantner singled to left. Dale Sveum singled Gantner to third but Molitor grounded out to short to end the inning.

Spike Owen led off the top of the third with a grounder to short before Boggs also grounded out to short. Barrett grounded out to third to end the inning. Stanley matched Higuera in the bottom of the third as Yount flied out to left to start. Braggs grounded out to second and Brock also grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the fourth as Buckner dropped a base hit to center to start. Rice doubled into the right field corner but the slow footed Buckner was thrown out at home. Baylor walked but Evans flied out to center. Henderson grounded out to second to end the inning.

                                                      Yerrrrrrr out!

Stanley cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Robidoux lined out to Owen to start. Deer flied out to right and Schroeder grounded out to short to end the inning.

Sullivan tried to start a rally with a seeing eye single to left to start the top of the fifth. Owen then bunted too hard to first and it turned into a double play. Boggs grounded out to second to end the inning. Stanley ran out of gas in the bottom of the fifth as Gantner singled to left to start. Sveum advanced Gantner to second with a grounder to Barrett and Molitor popped up to right. Yount doubled home Gantner and Braggs singled past Owen to score Yount. Brock singled off the glove of Buckner to put runners at the corners and that was it for Stanley. He battled for 4 innings but ran out of gas in the fifth, allowing 3 runs. Steve Crawford came in and got Robidoux to ground into a force to end the inning with the Brewers ahead 3-0.

                             "He's done, Skip" - Sullivan   "Who asked you?" - Stanley

Higuera cruised in the top of the sixth as Barrett grounded out to short to start. Buckner popped up to third and Rice struck out swinging to end the inning. The Brewers iced it in the bottom of the sixth although Deer took strike three to start. Schroeder doubled to the left field wall and Gantner singled up the middle to score him. Sveum struck out swinging but Molitor doubled to right to score Gantner. Yount struck out swinging to end the inning with the Brewers ahead 5-1.

                                                        Molitor doubles in a run

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the seventh as Baylor flied out to the left field warning track to start. Evans singled to center and Henderson walked before both runners moved over on the Sullivan grounder to first. Owen grounded out to short to end the inning. Crawford got Braggs to ground out to third to start the bottom of the seventh and Brock struck out swinging. Robidoux struck out swinging to end the inning.

Old buddy Mark Clear came in to pitch the top of the eighth with Rick Manning in left and Juan Castillo at second. Boggs grounded out to first, Barrett lined out to Clear and Buckner grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Crawford returned for the bottom of the eighth and Deer struck out swinging to start. Schroeder lined out to center and Manning lined out to second to end the inning.

Dan Plesac came in for the top of the ninth and the Sox finally rallied. Rice grounded out to second but Baylor lined a base hit off the glove of Sveum. Evans walked and Henderson hit a double play ball to third. Evans was out at second but Castillo threw the ball away to allow Henderson to score. Sullivan lined out to center to end the game. The Brewers had won it 5-1.

                                                     Brewers win

Jackass of the Night is Steve Crawford. He turned a 3-0 game into 5-0 to put the game out of reach.

                                                Jackass Crawford

The Good:

Don Baylor was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Dwight Evans was 2 for 3 with a walk.

The Bad:

Marty Barrett was 0 for 4.

Spike Owen was 0 for 3.

Bob Stanley took the loss by allowing 3 runs in just 4 1/3 innings.

The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was just 1 for 4.

Bill Buckner was just 1 for 4.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Dave Henderson was 0 for 3 but walked.

Marc Sullivan was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

Not much you can do when you have a relief pitcher start Opening Day for you. With Oil Can Boyd and Roger Clemens both on the shelf, it would have made more sense to start Bruce Hurst or Al Nipper but that would have made too much sense for John McNamara. Stanley did well through four innings but ran out of gas in the fifth. The problem was the Sox bats did nothing all game and Buckner getting thrown out at the plate was the only realistic chance the Sox had to score until the ninth inning. Crawford could have made the final score a lot better but the Sox had no chance to win this one. The Sox lost Opening Day last year and look how that season turned out.....wait a minute, disregard that comment. After an off-day tomorrow, the Sox are back in action Wednesday night against the Brewers when Al Nipper makes his season debut opposite Bill Wegman of the Brewers. The game begins at 7:05 PM Eastern time at County Stadium.

Sox Collapse, Mets Take Series in Seven (10/27/86)

Most of the world saw this coming after the Boston Red Sox committed an all-time collapse in Game 6 but it doesn't make it hurt any less. After a rainout postponed Game 7, the New York Mets finally pounded the final nail in the Red Sox coffin with an 8-5 comeback victory to win the 1986 World Series. The Sox took a 3-0 lead and Bruce Hurst continued his dominance for 5 innings....then it all went to hell as the Mets got the last laugh in Shea Stadium.

                                                Doom and gloom all around

Ron Darling was scheduled to start Game 7 before the rainout and he took the mound to start the game. Wade Boggs lined out to short to start and Marty Barrett flied out to right. Bill Buckner got a mock standing ovation by the Mets crowd but he shut them up real quick with a base hit to right. Jim Rice flied out to right to end the inning. Oil Can Boyd was scheduled to start Game 7 before the rainout but Sox manager John McNamara decided to start Bruce Hurst on 3 days rest. At first the gamble worked in the bottom of the first when Mookie Wilson grounded out to second on the first pitch. Tim Teufel popped up to second and Keith Hernandez lined out to center to end the inning.

The Red Sox took out their frustrations of Game 6 on Darling in the top of the second inning. Dwight Evans and Rich Gedman crushed back to home runs, the Gedman homer popping out of the glove of Strawberry in right field. Dave Henderson walked but Spike Owen popped up to short. Hurst bunted Henderson over to second and Dave scored on the roller up the middle hit by Boggs to increase the lead. Barrett caught Ray Knight asleep at third with a bunt single. With a chance to break the game open early....Buckner flied out to center to end the inning. Still, the Sox shook off the effects of Game 6 to take a 3-0 lead.

                                              Gedman helps out with a home run

Hurst breezed through the bottom of the second as Gary Carter was snuffed out on a bunt single attempt to start. Darryl Strawberry popped up to left but Ray Knight singled. Kevin Mitchell grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Sox missed a chance to hit Darling hard in the top of the third when Rice singled off the left field wall but Mitchell gunned him down at second trying to stretch. Evans popped up to center and Gedman grounded out to first to end the inning. Hurst cruised in the bottom of the third as well, punching out Rafael Santana to start. Darling hit a ball hard to right but Evans snared it at the wall. Wilson flied out to right to end the inning.

The Sox knocked out Darling in the top of the fourth as Henderson was plunked to start. Owen flied out to right and Hurst sacrifice bunted Henderson over to second, shades of the second inning. That was it for Darling as Mets manager Davey Johnson pulled him in favor of Sid Fernandez. Boggs walked to put two men on and with another chance to break it open....Barrett flied out to right to end the inning. Hurst remained perfect in the bottom of the fourth as Teufel whiffed, Hernandez flied out to a running Evans in right and Carter grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox went quietly in the top of the fifth inning as Buckner flied out to right, Rice whiffed and Evans also swung and missed at strike three to end the inning. Hurst would not be denied in the bottom of the fifth as Strawberry flied out to center to begin. Knight grounded out to short and Mitchell whiffed to end the inning. At this point Hurst was working on a 1 hitter with 4 innings to go after already dominating his first two World Series starts. He could have been a legend in Boston if he could have gotten those last 12 outs.

                                                       1 hit through 5 for Hurst

Fernandez returned for the top of the sixth and froze Gedman to start. Henderson flied out to center and Owen watched strike three go by to end the inning. The wheels fell off for Hurst in the bottom of the sixth although Santana grounded out to short to start. Lee Mazzilli pinch hit for Fernandez and singled. Wilson singled and Teufel walked to load the bases. Sox manager John McNamara came out to chat with Bruce but to no avail as Hernandez dealt the crushing blow to Hurst with a base hit to center that scored Mazzilli and Wilson, moving Teufel to third. Wally Backman pinch ran for Teufel and he scored when Evans dove for a Carter flare and missed. Hernandez was tagged out at second but the game was tied. Strawberry flied out to left to end the inning but Hurst was done and the game was tied.

                                                   The Mets tie it up

Shea Stadium was in a frenzy as Roger McDowell took over on the mound with Tony Armas pinch hitting for Hurst. Armas whiffed on 3 pitches. Boggs grounded out to third and Barrett grounded out to short to end the inning. For some inane reason, Sox manager John McNamara brought in Calvin Schiraldi to pitch the bottom of the seventh despite getting rocked and rolled in Game 6. The gamble failed miserably for the Sox as Knight blasted a leadoff home run to put the Mets just 6 outs away from victory. Lenny Dykstra pinch hit for Mitchell and singled before a wild pitch moved him up to second. Santana singled home Dykstra to increase the lead as the crowd got even louder. McDowell bunted Santana to second as Sox manager John McNamara finally realized his mistake and pulled Schiraldi out of there.

                                               Knight gives the Mets the lead

Lefty specialist Joe Sambito was brought in but the idiot McNamara decided to intentionally walk Wilson, which begs the question why would you bring in the lefty only to intentionally walk the lefty batter? That move also backfired because Sambito walked Backman to load the bases. Hernandez flied out to center but Santana scored to give the Mets what seemed to be an insurmountable lead. That was it for Sambito as Bob Stanley was brought in to mop up the mess. Stanley did manage to get Carter to ground out to end the inning but the Mets were up 6-3 and on the verge of the title.

                                                      Another run, another nail in the coffin

With their backs to the wall, the Sox briefly sprang to life in the top of the eighth against McDowell. Buckner blooped a single to left to open the inning and Rice lined a base hit past Santana. Evans continued to torture Mets pitching by lining a double to center that scored both runners to cut the lead to 1. That meant if McNamara let Sambito pitch to Wilson, maybe the 6th run doesn't score and its now a tied game. Instead, Davey Johnson brought in lefty Jesse Orosco to face the lefties. Once again McNamara was asleep as Gedman didn't try to bunt Evans to third, instead he lined out to second, nearly getting Evans doubled off at second. There would be no magic for Henderson this time as he whiffed. Finally McNamara got his head out of his ass by pinch hitting the righty Don Baylor for Spike Owen to face Orosco. Unfortunatey Baylor grounded out to short to end the inning but the Sox had gotten within a run 6-5.

                                              One last moment of glory for the Sox

Inexplicably McNamara pulled off a double switch, putting Ed Romero at short but bringing in Al Nipper of all people to relieve Stanley. Oil Can Boyd was nowhere to be found and once AGAIN the move backfired as Strawberry smashed a solo home run off Nipper to kill any momentum the Sox generated. Knight singled and moved to second on the groundout by Dykstra. Santana was intentionally walked and Davey Johnson was going to live or die with Orosco, so he left him in to bat. As if anything else could go wrong this season, Orosco who had just 3 at-bats all season faked a bunt and singled up the middle with the entire infield breaking to field a bunt. Santana scored to ice the game. McNamara then pulled Nipper for Steve Crawford which begs the question why he didn't have Crawford start the inning? Wilson was plunked to load the bases but Crawford recovered to get Knight at home on a force by Backman. Hernandez grounded out to end the inning but it was all over, 8-5 Mets.

                               Nipper can't bear to watch anymore, neither can Roger Clemens

The season came to an end in the top of the ninth inning. Romero hit one up the elevator shaft, caught by Hernandez for the first out. Boggs grounded out to second and Orosco punched out Barrett to put the Sox out of their misery. The Mets had won the game and the World Series by a score of 8-5.

                                                                    Ugh


Jackass of the Night should be John McNamara just like in Game 6 for all his idiotic decisions but unfortunately it has to be a player so its Calvin Schiraldi. He was charged with the loss, allowing 3 runs that ended up being the difference in the game in just 1/3 of an inning pitched.

                                           Game 7 Jackass....same as Game 6


The Good:

Bill Buckner was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Jim Rice was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Dwight Evans did all he could, going 2 for 4 with a home run and 3 total rbi's.

Dave Henderson walked, was hit with a pitch and scored a run in 4 plate appearances.

Bob Stanley retired the only man he faced.

Steve Crawford got the final two outs of the eighth inning.



The Bad:

Spike Owen was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Tony Armas struck out as a pinch hitter.

Don Baylor was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Ed Romero was 0 for 1 in his plate appearance.

Al Nipper allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk in just 1/3 of an inning.



The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was just 1 for 4 with a walk but drove in a run.

Marty Barrett was just 1 for 5.

Rich Gedman was just 1 for 4 but made the hit count as it was a solo home run.

Bruce Hurst fell apart in the 6th inning and was charged with 3 runs in his no-decision. Had he not fell apart, the Sox may have won the game.

Joe Sambito walked two and allowed an inherited runner to score in 1/3 of an inning.




Final Thoughts:

Is this team cursed? It sure feels like it after one of the greatest seasons in history with so many high points crashed harder than a 747 jet. If Game 6 wasn't bad enough, this was just as bad. The Sox had a 3-0 lead in the 6th inning and it blew away. Then John McNamara brought in the wrong pitcher 3 times and it cost the Sox the game. He brought in Schiraldi who sucked, Sambito who walked 2 guys (albeit one intentionally) and Nipper who sucked. For all the heat Bill Buckner took about Game 6, most of which wasn't his fault to begin with, he deserves no blame for Game 7. McNamara made one bumbling decision after another and Schiraldi couldn't get it done twice. Its a shame such a promising season came to an end like this. In 1967 and 1975 you could say the better team won and no hard feelings, but the Sox had the Mets dead to rights twice and couldn't put them away. As it is, this is one of the all-time chokes that may never be equaled. How can the Sox come back from this? You come within a strike of winning it all in Game 6 and 12 outs in Game 7 and lose both games. I dread to think what 1987 will be like with the world series hangover they're going to have. Give the Mets the credit they deserve for coming back down 2-0 going to Fenway, coming back in Game 6 and then again in Game 7. They earned their World Series title, too bad the Sox couldn't put them away.

Sox Pull All Time Collapse, Lose Game 6 (10/25/86)

There are no words to describe what happened tonight. The Boston Red Sox were one strike from being world champions. Up 5-3 with 2 on and 2 outs in the ninth, Calvin Schiraldi had Ray Knight down 0-2 and one more strike meant the Sox were World Series Champions....it didn't happen. Instead, the Red Sox pulled off one of the all-time chokes by allowing 3 straight hits, a wild pitch and an error which led to a shocking 6-5 defeat at the hands of the New York Mets at Shea Stadium, forcing a Game 7 tomorrow night that nobody in Boston wants to see.

                                                                       Ugh

The Sox wasted no time scoring against Bob Ojeda in the top of the first inning. Wade Boggs singled off the gloves of both Ray Knight and Rafael Santana but Marty Barrett lined out to center. Bill Buckner came to the plate as some idiot in a parachute with a "Go Mets" sign plummeted onto the field and was escorted peacefully out of the park by police. Buckner flied out to center but Jim Rice worked a walk. Dwight Evans silenced the crowd with a double off the left field wall that scored Boggs and moved Rice to third. Rich Gedman flied out to right to end the inning but the Sox were up 1-0.

                                                       Evans puts the Sox on top

Roger Clemens took the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Len Dykstra froze for strike three to begin. Wally Backman also was caught looking and Keith Hernandez flied out to center to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the second inning although Dave Henderson flied out to center to start. Spike Owen hit a comebacker through the legs of Ojeda for a single. Clemens struck out but Boggs played some hit and run to single Owen all the way to third. Barrett singled to left to score Owen to increase the lead. Buckner almost caught Darryl Strawberry asleep in right but he made the catch in time. Still, the Sox were up 2-0.

                                       A premature graphic but Barrett did make it 2-0 Sox

Could Clemens pitch with the lead in the bottom of the second? YES! Gary Carter flied out to center but Strawberry walked. Knight whiffed on a high fastball but Strawberry swiped second. Clemens froze Mookie Wilson to end the inning.

Ojeda got himself on track in the top of the third inning by freezing Rice with a nasty curve to start. Evans flied out to right and Gedman whiffed to end the inning. Clemens stayed tough in the bottom of the third by whiffing Santana and Ojeda. Dykstra grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox failed to add on to the lead in the top of the fourth inning as Henderson hit a broken bat liner to center to start. Owen singled in the hole at short, but Clemens popped up his bunt up the elevator shaft. Boggs grounded out to short to end the inning. Clemens returned to the mound in the bottom of the fourth and got Backman to fly out to left to start. Hernandez popped up to third and Boggs reached into the stands to get it. Carter squibbed one to the mound and Clemens through him out to end the inning.

The Sox threatened in the top of the fifth as Barrett lined a single but both Buckner and Rice flied out to right. Evans walked and with a chance to put the Mets away....Gedman flied out to left to end the inning. The Mets finally woke up in the bottom of the fifth inning. Strawberry walked and took second on a fastball in the dirt. Knight lashed a single for the Mets first hit and Strawberry scored to cut the lead to one. Wilson singled Knight all the way to third before Ray scored to tie the game on a double play by pinch hitter Danny Heep (for Santana). Ojeda grounded out to second to end the inning but the Mets had tied it 2-2.

                                       Knight drives in the Mets first run before they tie it

Kevin Elster took over at short and Ojeda returned for the top of the sixth inning. Henderson grounded out to short but Owen beat out an infield single. Owen was erased on another failed bunt by Clemens and Boggs grounded out to second to end the inning. Clemens recovered in the bottom of the sixth to free Dykstra to start. Backman beat out a great diving stab by Owen for a single. Hernandez singled Backman to third but Roger caught Carter looking for a huge second out. Strawberry grounded out to second to end the inning, balsy inning for Clemens.

That was it for Ojeda on 3 days rest as Mets manager Davey Johnson brought in Roger McDowell to pitch the top of the seventh inning. Barrett walked but moved to second on the ground out by Buckner. Rice hit a routine grounder that KNIGHT AIRMAILED! Instead of runner at third and 2 out, its 1st and 3rd with one out. Sox manager John McNamara decided to play hit and run to stay out of the double play. The move worked as Evans hit a double play ball to second but Rice was safe at second, Evans out at first and Barrett scoring to give the Sox the lead. A huge play of the game came when Gedman singled and Rice gunned it for home....OUT! Rice was out at the plate but it was 3-2 Sox with just 9 outs to go.

                                               Rice is out but its 3-2 Sox

Clemens was determined in the bottom of the seventh inning and he got Knight to fly out to right to start. Wilson grounded out to second and Elster flied out to center to end the inning. For some reason that was it for Clemens after 7 dominant innings.

                                     The best pitcher in baseball saves the best for last

The Sox wasted a golden chance to add some insurance in the top of the eighth due to McNamara's ignorance. Henderson led off with a single off the arm of Elster and moved to second on the sacrifice bunt by Owen. McNamara defied all logic by bringing in rookie Mike Greenwell rather than Don Baylor to pinch hit for Clemens, which was defying logic since Clemens was pitching a gem. Right on cue Greenwell waived at a pitch in the dirt for strike three. Boggs was intentionally walked but Barrett chased McDowell with a walk to load the bases. Mets manager Davey Johnson brought in Jesse Orosco and once again McNamara defied all logic by leaving Don Baylor on the bench and letting the crippled Buckner hit. Sure enough, Buckner flied out to center to end the inning. Thanks a lot McNamara.

                                              This idiot manages better than McNamara

With Clemens out of the game, Calvin Schiraldi took the mound in the bottom of the eighth just 6 outs from the world title. Lee Mazzilli pinch hit for Orosco and singled to right. Dykstra bunted back to the mound but the idiot Schiraldi tried to get Mazzilli at second....and bounced the throw in the dirt to allow everyone to be safe. Backman dropped down a sacrifice bunt to put both runners in scoring position and naturally Carter hit a sac fly to left to tie the game, also moving Dykstra to third. Rice getting thrown out at home, McNamara's boneheaded pinch hit decisions and now Schiraldi throwing to the wrong base led to the game being tied. Strawberry flied out to center to end the inning but it was 3-3.

                                             Schiraldi blows it....the first time

The Mets pulled a double switch when Rick Aguilera was brought in to pitch and Mazzilli took over in left, removing Strawberry from the game in the top of the ninth. Rice whiffed but Elster went OLE! on a ball hit by Evans, allowing Dwight to reach first. It didn't matter as Gedman banged into a double play to end the inning. The Mets damn near won the game in the bottom of the ninth as Knight worked a leadoff walk. Wilson bunted and Gedman fired to second....SAFE! Owen jumped up and down as Barrett sprinted over screaming at the umpire. McNamara ran out of the dugout to argue but unfortunately that was the right call, Owen came off the bag. Howard Johnson pinch hit for Elster and Schiraldi got a huge out by striking him out on a check swing. Mazzilli then crushed a 2-0 pitch to right...foul. Mazilli then straightened out a fly ball to left but it was caught for the second out. Dykstra also flied out to left to end the inning and on to extras we went.

                                                Few inches higher and the Mets would have won

The Sox looked to have the game in the bag when Henderson led off the top of the 10th with a home run to left off Aguilera to silence the crowd. Owen struck out and once again McNamara made the idiotic decision to leave Baylor on the bench against the rattled Aguilera, letting Schiraldi strike out. Letting Schiraldi hit loomed large when Boggs sliced a double down the left field line and Barrett singled him home, taking second on the horrible throw by Dykstra. Buckner was hit with a pitch but Rice lined out to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-3, once again just 3 outs from the world titles.

                                            Henderson does it again

Just three outs away from victory in the bottom of the tenth inning, it all went to hell. Schiraldi did manage to get Backman to fly out to left to start. When Hernandez flied out to center, an ominous message flashed across the scoreboard reading CONGRATULATIONS WORLD CHAMPION RED SOX. There was still one out to go and as it turned out, it never came. Suddenly Schiraldi came unglued as Carter lined a base hit to center to start the rally. Kevin Mitchell pinch hit for Aguilera and singled to center as well. Schiraldi then had Knight down 0-2 putting the Sox one strike away from winning it all. Once again it didn't happen as Knight hit a flare to center to score Carter and send Mitchell to third. That was it for Schiraldi as McNamara finally pulled the plug and brought in Bob Stanley to pitch to Wilson. Stanley worked Wilson to a 2-2 count putting the Sox once again one strike away from victory even after the 3 straight hits....instead Gedman mishandled a Stanley sinker and it went to the backstop, scoring Mitchell with the tying run. At this point it should be noted despite being lifted for Dave Stapleton all year, Buckner was still out there in the bottom of the tenth. This made the end even more bitter as Wilson hit a routine grounder to Buckner....RIGHT THROUGH HIS LEGS! Knight came around to score and just like that, the Mets had won. From a 5-3 lead with 2 outs and nobody on to a bitter 6-5 defeat just...like...that. It was one of the most if not THE most ignominious collapses in baseball history. Forget the Merkle boner, forget Bobby Thompson, forget Fred Snodgrass or Fred Lindstrom...the play by Buckner will be remembered forever by baseball fans.

                                                          No words


Jackass of the Night should be John McNamara for all the dumb decisions he made all night but conventionally I'm going with Calvin Schiraldi. He blew the game in the ninth AND 10th, it never should have come down to Buckner having to make a play.

                                          Schiraldi blows Game 6....twice, Jackass


The Good:

Wade Boggs was 3 for 5 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Marty Barrett was 3 for 4 with 2 walks, 2 rbi's and a run scored.

Dave Henderson was 2 for 5 including the go-ahead homer in the top of the tenth.

Spike Owen was 3 for 4 with a run scored.

Roger Clemens was outstanding, allowing 2 runs, 1 earned in 7 innings pitched.



The Bad:

Bill Buckner was 0 for 5 with a hit by pitch but allowed the winning run to score on an error.

Mike Greenwell struck out as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Jim Rice was 0 for 5 but walked.

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4 with a walk but drove in 2 runs.

Rich Gedman was just 1 for 5 and allowed the tying run to score on a ball he should have handled.

Bob Stanley allowed 2 inherited runners to score but one was on what should have been a passed ball and the other on an error by Buckner.




Final Thoughts:

Congratulations Red Sox, you now own the biggest choke in MLB history. No team has ever led by 2 with 2 out and no one on base, come within one strike away...and lose. So many...many things went wrong even before the final play of the game. Rice getting thrown out at home, McNamara's failure to bring in Don Baylor to pinch hit. McNamara letting Buckner take the field in the bottom of the tenth. McNamara not going to a rested Stanley to begin the bottom of the tenth and taking Clemens out after the 7th inning after allowing just 1 earned run. It never should have come to the ground ball through Buckner's legs but that was just icing on the bitter sundae. How do you come back from this? You had the Mets dead to rights and now they have all the confidence in the world. The worst part is, there's still a Game 7 to play. Yup, there's still another game to blow as well. Oil Can Boyd goes up against Ron Darling on 3 days rest tomorrow night at Shea Stadium in the winner take all Game 7. Yippie.....

Hurst Pitches Gem, Sox One Win Away (10/23/86)

The 68 year old world championship drought could be coming to an end for the Boston Red Sox. After the 108 win New York Mets came into Fenway Park and stomped the Sox by a combined score of 13-3 in the prior two games, Sox starter Bruce Hurst said "That's the end of that!" Hurst went the distance, scattering 10 hits and a walk as the Sox got some timely offense to squeak by with a 4-2 win over Dwight Gooden and the Mets at Fenway Park. The Sox need just one more win at Shea Stadium over the heavily favored Mets and they're the champions.

                                                  NYDN gets it right again

After Ted Williams threw out the first pitch, Bruce Hurst took the mound in the top of the first inning. Len Dykstra grounded out to second to begin the frame before Tim Teufel made up for his game one error with a gap shot double. Keith Hernandez advanced Teufel with a ground out to second but Gary Carter also grounded out to second to end the inning. Dwight Gooden got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Wade Boggs hit a weak tapper back to Gooden for the first out. Marty Barrett walked but was foolishly picked off before Bill Buckner could even step to the plate. The pickoff was costly as Buckner singled up the middle and Jim Rice hit one off the glove of Teufel. Instead of the bases loaded and one out, it was 2 on and 2 out as Teufel was not charged with an error. Don Baylor got plunked to load the bases (which would have scored Barrett) which brought up Dwight Evans, who failed to produce in the first inning last night. History repeated itself as Evan popped up to left to end the inning. The Sox had 4 men on base but couldn't score any of them.

Darryl Strawberry began the top of the second inning by grounding out to first, Hurst having to cover first since Buckner couldn't move on his bad heels. Ray Knight flied out to right and Boggs made a diving grab and threw to first to nab Kevin Mitchell to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second as Vin Scully put over Ted Williams' final at-bat at Fenway back in 1960. Rich Gedman greeted Gooden by lofting a broken bat pop up to short to begin. Dave Henderson then lined one into the gap that made both Strawberry and Dykstra fall down, Hendu motoring into third with a triple. Spike Owen popped up to left but Henderson made a mad dash home to score the game's first run. Boggs grounded out to first to end the inning but the Sox had a 1-0 lead.

                                              Hendu scores to make it 1-0

Hurst began the top of the third inning by freezing Mookie Wilson as Scully says this was the first time the home team has led in the entire series. Rafael Santana walked and Dykstra blooped a single to center to put the Mets in business. Hurst recovered to get Teufel and Hernandez to both fly out to left to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the second although Barrett grounded out to second to begin. Buckner reached on a Santana error and Rice walked, but Baylor swung at a ball in the dirt for strike three. Evans lashed a single to center and Buckner dove into home safe. Gedman flied out to center to end the inning but the Sox were now up 2-0.

                                                    Buckner scores to make it 2-0

Could Hurst pitch with the lead in the top of the fourth? YES! He froze Carter with a pitch at the knees although Strawberry lashed a single by the lunging Barrett. Knight banged into a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning. The Sox threatened in the bottom of the fourth although Henderson swung at a ball in the dirt to begin. Scully brought up how Gooden was drafted 5th overall by the Mets in the 1982 draft and Spike Owen was chosen 6th overall by the Mariners. Owen whiffed but Boggs singled up the middle just as Scully said he was 0 for his last 8. Barrett stroked a seeing eye single that moved Wade to third but Hernandez robbed Buckner of a single to end the inning.

The Mets threatened in the top of the fifth inning when Mitchell blooped a single to right and Wilson singled in the hole at second. Santana dropped down a sac bunt to move both runners into scoring position but Hurst got a huge out by striking out Dykstra. Teufel grounded out to third to end the inning as Fenway roared. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fifth inning. Rice lit up the crowd with a wind blown triple off the top off the bullpen wall, mere feet from a home run. Baylor scored Rice with a bloop single to right and Evans chased Gooden with a single to move Baylor to third. Bye Bye Gooden.

                                                Gooden leaves with the Sox up 3-0

Sid Fernandez took the mound and struck out Gedman but Henderson doubled down the left field line to score Baylor. Evans moved to third and was one hit away from breaking it open, but Owen was robbed of an rbi single by Teufel and Evans couldn't move. Boggs flied out to left to end the inning but it was 4-0 Sox.

                                                   Baylor "We got this one guys!"

Hurst returned for the top of the sixth and retired Hernandez on a one hopper to Owen. Carter grounded out to third and Strawberry was caught looking to end the inning as Scully was reciting The Music Man for no apparent reason. Fernandez returned for the bottom of the sixth and Barrett popped up to first to begin. Buckner flied out to left and Rice struck out to end the inning.

Knight led off the top of the seventh with a bloop single to right with 3 guys chasing the ball, but holding Ray at first on a heads up play by Gedman to cover second. Hurst recovered to make Mitchell swing at air and Wilson to fly out to right. Santana popped up to second to end the inning, that's 15 innings and ZERO runs allowed by Hurst in this series. Fernandez came back for the bottom of the seventh and whiffed Baylor to start. Evans grounded out to short and Gedman whiffed as well to end the inning.

The Mets finally cracked Hurst in the top of the eighth inning. Dykstra popped up to Owen to start but Teufel hit a wind aided, 300 foot home run down the right field line to put the Mets on the board. Hernandez blooped a single to right but Hurst recovered to get Carter to ground out to second. With the sell-out crowd on their feet, Hurst got Strawberry to pop up to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-1

                                               A pop up to right somehow goes out

The fans started taunting Strawberry in the bottom of the eighth as he tipped his cap to the crowd. The Sox threatened in the bottom of the eighth while it appeared Hurst's night was done with Calvin Schiraldi warming in the bullpen. Henderson flied out to right and Owen whiffed but Boggs singled off the ankle of Teufel who hopped around screaming "habooooowoahhowhowhow!!!!" Barrett doubled off the Monster but Buckner ended his night by popping up to third to end the inning.

Hurst shockingly came back to finish his work in the top of the ninth. Dave Stapleton took over at first for Buckner as Bruce needed just one pitch to retire Knight on a grounder to third. Mitchell popped up to first as the crowd rose to its feet in the final game at Fenway Park this season. Wilson delayed the celebration with a double into the left field corner. Santana made it interesting by lining a base hit to right to score Wilson and bringing the tying run to the plate in Dykstra. Hurst got Dykstra to chase a high pitch to end the game. The Sox had won it 4-2 and were one win away from being World Series champions.

                                           The mob congratulates Hurst for going the distance

Hero of the Night is Bruce Hurst. He went the distance to save the bullpen for Game 6 and tossed a gem. 9 innings of 2 run ball to put the Sox one win away from the championship.

                                                     Hero of the Night: Bruce Hurst

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 5.

Marty Barrett was 2 for 4 with a walk.

Jim Rice was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Don Baylor was 1 for 3 with an rbi and a run scored.

Dwight Evans was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Dave Henderson was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

The Bad:

Rich Gedman was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Bill Buckner was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

Spike Owen was 0 for 3 but walked.

Honorable Mention:

Dave Stapleton played first base in the top of the ninth inning.

Final Thoughts:

Could it be? Could the Sox finally win the championship that's eluded them for 68 years? It sure looks good after Hurst's complete game victory. The bullpen will be well rested headed into Game 6 with Roger Clemens, the shoo-in for the AL Cy Young award, looming to pitch. Bob Ojeda pitched a great Game 3 so he'll be tough but Clemens is due for a gem. As mentioned earlier, the Sox look to finish off the World Series in Game 6 with Clemens going opposite Ojeda at Shea Stadium. If the Sox were to win it all, it will have to be on the road. Still, after nearly 68 years of misery it won't matter where they win it as long as they win it. For guys like Rice who missed the 75 Series and guys like Sammy Stewart that have already won it, it will all be worth it in the end if they win just one more game.