Guardians Edge Sox in Game 1 (4/26/25)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox brought up Cooper Criswell to be the extra guy in today's doubleheader against the Cleveland Guardians. Yippie....

                                                                     IN

As for the game, here we go again. The Red Sox dropped another close game in today's day/night doubleheader against the Guardians. The Red Sox bolted out to a 3-0 first inning lead on Blake Lively but Tanner Houck gave up four runs right back in the bottom of the first. Rafael Devers tied the game with a home run in the third but that was it for the offense. Steven Kwan drove in a run against Brennan Bernardino in the bottom of the sixth and the score held. The Sox had the tying and go-ahead runners in scoring position in the ninth but Trevor Story struck out to end the game. The Indians had won it 5-4 at Progressive Field.

                                               "GREAT FIRST INNING HOUCK!"

Lively got the ball in the top of the first inning and Jarren Duran flied out to left to start. Rafael Devers walked and Alex Bregman got a single to right, but Trevor Story forced Bregman at third. Wilyer Abreu hit a three run bomb to put the Sox ahead. Kristian Campbell sliced a base hit inside the first base line but Triston Casas grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox up 3-0.

                                                            Abreu goes yard

Houck got the ball in the bottom of the first and Steven Kwan effortlessly doubled to left to start. Nolan Jones closed his eyes, stuck his bat out and doubled to right to move Kwan to third. Jose Ramirez laughed as he ripped a base hit to right to score Kwan. Ramirez stole second but somehow Kyle Manzardo took strike three. Carlos Santana hit a sac fly to center to score Jones and Gabriel Arias singled to left to score Ramirez to tie the game. Daniel Schneemann got a base hit to right to score Arias to put the Guardians up for good. Angel Martinez forced Daniel at second to end the inning with the Guardians up 4-3.

                                                             That didn't take long

Blake Sabol grounded out to short to start the top of the second before Ceddanne Rafaela lined out to right. Duran took strike three to end the inning. Austin Hedges took strike three to start the bottom of the second before Kwan grounded out to third. Jones took strike three to end the inning.

The Sox struck back in the top of the third as Devers hit a cut fastball a mile for his third home run of the season to tie the game. Bregman doubled off the top of the left field wall but Story struck out swinging. Campbell lined out to center to end the inning with the game tied 4-4.

                                                           Devers jacks one

Ramirez grounded out to second to start the bottom of the third before Manzado grounded back to the mound. Santana walked but Aria struck out swinging to end the inning.

Casas ripped a base hit to right to start the top of the fourth before Sabol drew a walk. Rafaela popped up to right in foul territory but Duran beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners. Devers flied to left to end the inning, another waste. Schneemann grounded out to second to start the bottom of the fourth before Martinez got a base hit in the hole at short. Hedges got a base hit to left but Kwan flied out to left. Jones struck out swinging to end the inning.

Bregman struck out swinging to start the top of the fifth before Story flied out to right. Abreu walked but Campbell took strike three to end the inning. Houck returned for one final inning in the bottom of the fifth and Ramirez got a base hit to center to start, Manzardo struck out swinging and Ramirez was thrown out at second trying to steal. Santana was hit with a pitch but Arias flied out to left to end the inning. Houck recovered to go 5 but still allowed 4 runs off 8 hits and a walk.

                                                       "Aye carumba" - Houck

Tim Herrin came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Casas walked to start. Sabol took strike three but Rafaela flied out to left. Duran flied out to right to end the inning. Brennan Bernardino came in to get tagged in the bottom of the sixth as Will Wilson pinch hit for Schneemann. Wilson was hit with a pitch and Martinez got a base hit off the glove of Bernardino. Hedges dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners over and Kwan singled past Story to score Wilson. Jones struck out swinging and that was it for Bernardino. Greg Weissert got Ramirez to line out to right to end the inning with the Guardians up 5-4.

                                                        Kwan puts Cleveland on top

Devers was plunked to open the top of the seventh and Hunter Gaddis came in to pitch to Bregman. Alex struck out swinging, Story popped up to second and Abreu struck out swinging to end the inning. Manzardo flied out to left to start the bottom of the seventh before Santana struck out swinging. Arias also went down hacking to end the inning.

Emmanuel Clase came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Campbell struck out swinging to start. Casas took strike three and Sabol grounded out to second to end the inning. Luis Guerrero came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Wilson struck out swinging to start. Martinez grounded out to first and Hedges struck out swinging to end the inning.

Cade Smith came in to close out the top of the ninth and Rafaela got a base hit to left to start. Duran walked and Devers lined out to left. Bregman flied out to right to move Rafaela to third before Duran stole second. With a chance to put the Sox ahead, Story struck out swinging to end the game. The Guardians had won it 5-4.

                                                         Guardians win

Jackass of the Night is Tanner Houck. He got bum rushed for 4 runs in the first inning and the Sox couldn't score more than four runs.

                                                                Jackass Houck

The Good:

Rafael Devers was 1 for 3 with a walk, hit by pitch and a home run.

Alex Bregman was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Wilyer Abreu was 1 for 3 with a walk and a 3 run home run.

Triston Casas was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Greg Weissert tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Luis Guerrero pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Brennan Bernardino took the loss by allowing a run in the sixth inning.

The Ugly:

Jarren Duran was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and stole a base.

Trevor Story was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.

Kristian Campbell was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Blake Sabol was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Ceddanne Rafaela was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

Its always frustrating when you jump out to a lead and your starter gives it right back. Houck getting blasted in the first inning set the tone for the game. To be fair, the Sox allowed just one run the rest of the game, but that first inning was a killer. The other side is the Sox scored no runs after the third inning and failed big time in the ninth inning with runners in scoring position. Trevor Story can hit a 3 run home run in the first or second inning but in the ninth inning he can't? Worst is the Sox have the worst record in baseball when trailing after 6 innings. Houck had Dice K disease in this one but at least he recovered to at least go 5 innings. The Sox won't have any time to dwell on it because there's another game to play. Hopefully the Sox can salvage that one. The Sox look to bounce back in about 3 hours when the Sox play game two of this series when Walker Buehler (3-1, 4.23 ERA) takes on Doug Nikhazy of Cleveland. The game begins at 7:00 PM at Progressive Field.

Mariners Pound Newcomb, Sox Pen (4/23/25)

The good news was the Boston Celtics defeated the Orlando Magic in Game 2 of their first round NBA playoff series but the bad news was the Boston Red Sox got cracked by the Seattle Mariners. Sean Newcomb (0-3, 4.43 ERA) lasted five innings but allowed 4 runs, three of them on a JP Crawford three run home run. The Sox managed to fight back with rbis from Romy Gonzalez and Rafael Devers, but Brennan Bernardino and Josh Winckowski allowed four runs combined in "relief" to put the game away. Triston Casas did smack a three run home run but it wasn't enough as the Mariners pounded out 13 hits and 8 runs to win it 8-5 at Fenway Park.

                                            "SEND NEWCOMB BACK TO WORCESTER!"

The Mariners wasted no time getting to Newcomb in the top of the first inning as Dylan Moore grounded out to short to start. Julio Rodriguez got a base hit to right and Cal Raleigh walked, but Randy Arozarena took strike three. Mitch Garver lined a base hit to center to score Rodriguez to put the Mariners up for good just five batters into the game. Donovan Solano struck out swinging to end the inning with the game over already 1-0 Seattle.

                                                         Garver drives in a run

Hancock got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jarren Duran struck out swinging to start. Rafael Devers also went down hacking but Alex Bregman doubled off the Monster. Wilyer Abreu flied out to center to end the inning.

Newcomb almost fell apart in the top of the second as Ben Williamson lined a base hit to right to start. Leo Rivas caught Romy Gonzalez asleep with a bunt single and JP Crawford walked to load the bases with nobody out. Newcomb caught a break when Moore hit a bullet to Casas, who stepped on first to double off Crawford. Rodriguez struck out swinging to end the inning, what a Houdini by Newcomb. Trevor Story struck out swinging to start the bottom of the second before Triston Casas took strike three. Romy Gonzalez flied out to right to end the inning.

Raleigh took strike three to start the top of the third before Arozarena beat out an infield single to short. Garver struck out swinging but Randy took second on a passed ball. Solano took strike three to end the inning. Blake Sabol grounded out to first to start the bottom of the third before Ceddanne Rafaela lined out to right. Duran singled to center and stole second, but Devers took strike three to end the inning.

The Mariners iced the game in the top of the fourth as Williamson got a base hit to left to start. Rivas got a base hit to center and Crawford hit his first home run of the year all the way to Venezuela to put the game out of reach. Moore grounded out to short, Rodriguez grounded out to third and Raleigh flied out to center to end the inning with the Mariners up 4-0.

                                                             This one's over

The Sox rallied in the bottom of the fourth as Bregman struck out swinging to start. Abreu grounded out to second but Story walked. Casas walked and Gonzalez singled to right to score Story. Sabol took strike three to end the inning with the Sox down 4-1.

                                                       Gonzalez drives in a run

Newcomb returned for the top of the fifth and Arozarena flied out to center to start. Garver took strike three but Solano struck out swinging to end the inning. Newcomb once again allowed four runs to put the Sox behind in just 5 innings.

                                                       Newcomb gets rocked

The Sox rallied in the bottom of the fifth as Rafaela got a base hit to center to begin. Duran doubled to left to move Rafaela to third and Ceddanne scored on a grounder to second by Devers. Duran moved to third on the play but Bregman grounded out to third. Abreu flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox down 4-2.

                                                       Devers cuts the lead in half

Brennan Bernardino poured gas on the fire in the top of the sixth as Williamson grounded out to short to start. Rivas walked but Crawford flied out to left. Bernardino booted a grounder by Moore for an error then threw the ball away for another error to score Rivas. Rodriguez got a base hit to left to score Moore but Raleigh flied out to right to end the inning with the Mariners up 6-2.

Story grounded out to second to start the bottom of the sixth before Casas grounded out to short. Gonzalez grounded out to short to end the inning,

The Mariners pounded Josh Winckowski in the top of the seventh as Arozarena got a base hit to left to start. Arozarena stole second and Garver walked before Rowdy "Roddy" Tellez pinch hit for Solano. Naturally Tellez got a base hit to right to load the bases and Williamson got a base hit to right to score Arozarena. Rivas forced Garver at home but Crawford got a base hit to left to score Tellez. Moore struck out swinging and Rodriguez grounded out to third to end the inning with the Mariners up 8-2.

                                                            Williamson drives in a run

Gabe Speier came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Sabol grounded out to third to start. Rafaela struck out swinging and Duran grounded out to third to end the inning.

Raleigh took strike three to start the top of the eighth before Arozarena struck out swinging. Garver struck out swinging to end the inning. Somehow the Sox rallied against Casey Legumina in the bottom of the eighth. Devers walked and Bregman got a base hit to right, but Abreu struck out swinging. Story took strike three but Casas mashed his third home run of the season to cut the lead. Gonzalez flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox down 8-5.

                                                           Casas gets the wally head

Tellez flied out to left to start the top of the ninth before Williamson grounded out to third. Rivas walked but Crawford popped up to short to end the inning. Andres Munoz came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and Rob Refsnyder pinch hit for Sabol. Refsnyder took strike three, Rafaela grounded out to third and Duran lined out to left to end the game. The Mariners had won it 8-5.

                                                          Mariners win

Jackass of the Night is Brennan Bernardino. He made two costly errors and allowed the backbreaking runs to score.

                                                    Nice going Jackass

The Good:

Jarren Duran was 2 for 5 with a stolen base.

Alex Bregman was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Triston Casas was 1 for 3 with a walk and a 3 run home run.

The Bad:

Wilyer Abreu was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Blake Sabol was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Rob Refsnyder struck out as a pinch hitter.

Sean Newcomb took the loss by allowing 4 runs, 8 hits and 2 walks in 5 innings.

Josh Winckowski allowed 2 runs in 3 innings.

The Ugly:

Rafael Devers was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked, drove in a run and scored a run.

Trevor Story was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked and scored a run.

Romy Gonzalez was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Ceddanne Rafaela was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

Well that game sucked. It should be noted that some of the major bums on this team should and will not be on this team much longer. The only reason Blake Sabol, Sean Newcomb and Josh Winckowski are even here is because of injuries to Connor Wong, Lucas Giolito and Kutter Crawford. This should be the last we see of Newcomb because Richard Fitts should be back from his strained pectoral and they still have Hunter Dobbins in Worcester, who looked a hell of a lot better than Newcomb. With an off-day coming on Monday, they're only going to need four starters until May 2nd. By that point Dobbins or Fitts should get the start unless Giolito's back from his rehab starts. The only bright spot to tonight's game is Casas hit another bomb to hopefully break out of his season long slump. Getting his head out of his ass is integral considering the struggles of Rafael Devers and the mediocre start to the season by Rafaela and Duran. One of the main problems of last year's team was they couldn't go on a prolonged winning streak because their rotation wasn't good enough. They're pretty much on the same course this year because guys like Cooper Criswell last year and Newcomb this year just aren't going to allow sustained success day to day and week to week. Hopefully once the Sox get some guys back, games like tonight will be a distant memory. The Sox look to take the series tomorrow afternoon when Garrett Crochet (2-1, 1.13 ERA) takes on Seattle starter Bryan Woo. The game begins at 1:35 PM at Fenway Park.

Bullpen Melts Against White Sox (4/20/25)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox announced Michael Fulmer has elected free agency after being designated for assignment. So much for this reclamation project. The 2016 AL Rookie of The Year hadn't pitched in two years and was sent down to Worcester after one game. Guess he decided to seek his fortunes elsewhere. 

                                                                             OUT

The good news was the Boston Celtics defeated the Orlando Magic in Game 1 of their NBA playoff series but the bad news was the Boston Red Sox were once again embarrassed by the Chicago White Sox. For six innings the Red Sox had the game in hand, Tanner Houck held Chicago to just 2 runs in 6 solid innings and Wilyer Abreu's three run home run gave the Sox a cushion. Then came the bullpen. Zack Kelly allowed three runs in the seventh inning, Liam Hendriks made his Sox debut by allowing a 2 run home run and the worthless Sox defense cost Brennan Bernardino an unearned run. The Chicago White Sox have just five wins this year and three of them are against Boston, including this one 8-4 at Fenway Park.

                                                      "Dammit! Dammit! Dammit!"

Houck got the ball in the top of the first and Nick Maton took strike three to start. Andrew Benintendi popped up to third but Luis Robert Jr walked. Matt Thaiss hit a home run all the way to Chelmsford to put Chicago on top. Lenyn Sosa took strike three to end the inning with Chicago up 2-0.

                                                             That didn't take long

The BoSox answered in the bottom of the first against Burke as Jarren Duran struck out swinging to start. Rafael Devers reached on an error by Sosa and Alex Bregman reached on an error by Miguel Vargas. Wilyer Abreu made the ChiSox pay for their blunders with his fourth home run of the season to put the BoSox on top. Kristian Campbell grounded back to the mound and Triston Casas flied out to left to end the inning with the BoSox up 3-2.

                                                            Abreu hits it out

Joshua Palacios struck out swinging to start the top of the second but Vargas doubled off the third base wall. Jacob Amaya grounded out to third and Maton struck out swinging to end the inning. Ceddanne Rafaela struck out swinging but David Hamilton lined out to short. Blake Sabol doubled into the right field corner and Duran lashed a base hit to right to score him for another run. Devers walked and Bregman got hit with a pitch. Abreu lined out to right to end the inning with the BoSox up 4-2.

                                                            RBI for duran

Benintendi grounded out to short to start the top of the third before Robert Jr struck out swinging. Thaiss grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the third as Campbell doubled into the left field corner to start. Casas grounded out to third and Rafaela did the same, but Hamilton walked. Sabol flied out to left to end the inning.

Vaughn grounded out to short to start the top of the fourth before Sosa struck out swinging. Palacios grounded out to first to end the inning. Duran grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the fourth but Devers drew a walk. Bregman flied out to center and Abreu struck out swinging to end the inning.

Vargas lined out to right to start the top of the fifth before Amaya walked. Maton lined out to center but Amaya stole second. Benintendi flied out to left to end the inning. Campbell got a base hit to left to start the bottom of the fifth before Casas struck out swinging. Campbell was picked off and Rafaela struck out swinging to end the inning.

Robert Jr took strike three to start the top of the sixth before Thaiss was retired on a squibber in front of the plate and Vaughn grounded out to third to end the inning. Despite throwing just 89 pitches, that was it for Houck as he allowed just 2 runs in 6 innings off 3 hits and 2 walks.

                                                         Houck with his best start of the year

Brandon Eisert came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Hamilton popped up to third to start. Sabol struck out swinging and Duran lined out to left to end the inning.

Zack Kelly came in to crap his pants in the top of the seventh as Sosa singled to center to start. Palacios and Vargas both got hit with a pitch to load the bases with Brooks Baldwin pinch hitting for Amaya. Justin Wilson came in to pitch and Baldwin hit a sacrifice bunt to score Sosa and move the runners over. Edgar Quero pinch hit for Maton and ripped a base hit to center to score both runners. Quero was picked off by Sabol and Benintendi hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning with the White Sox up 5-4.

                                                           White Sox take the lead

Benintendi made a great diving catch to rob Devers of a single to start the bottom of the seventh. Bregman singled to left and moved to second on an Abreu grounder to second. Steven Wilson came in to face Campbell and Kristian flied out to center to end the inning.

Liam Hendriks made his Red Sox debut in the top of the eighth and Robert Jr singled to left to start. Robert stole second but Thaiss popped up to third. Vaughn then hit a home run all the way to Mongolia to ice the game. Sosa struck out swinging but Palacios got a base hit down the third base line. Palacios was picked off by Sabol to end the inning with the White Sox up 7-4.

                                                            Vaughn hits a home run

Chase Meidroth took over for Palacios for the bottom of the eighth and Casas flied out to left to start. Rafaela walked but Hamilton lined out to short. Sabol struck out swinging to end the inning.

Brennan Bernardino came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Vargas grounded out to short to start. Baldwin got a base hit to center before promptly stealing second. Quero hit a routine grounder to Bregman who threw the ball away for an error. Benintendi grounded out to first to move the runners over and Robert was intentionally walked to load the bases. Thaiss then got plunked to score Baldwin with the final run. Vaughn flied out to right to end the inning with Chicago up 8-4.

                                                     "Ow" - Thaiss

Michael Taylor came in for Baldwin with Cam Booser on the mound to start the bottom of the ninth and Duran grounded out to second. Devers grounded out to second and Bregman also grounded out second to end the game. The White Sox had won it 8-4.

                                                          White Sox win

Jackass of the Night is Zack Kelly. He loaded the bases that led to the bullpen meltdown

                                                            Jackass Kelly                     

The Good:

Kristian Campbell was 2 for 4.

Tanner Houck tossed 6 solid innings allowing 3 hits, 2 walks and 2 runs.

The Bad:

Triston Casas was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Liam Hendriks allowed 2 runs in the eighth inning.

Brennan Bernardino allowed a run in the ninth inning.

The Ugly:

Jarren Duran was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Alex Bregman was just 1 for 4 with an error but was hit with a pitch and scored a run.

Wilyer Abreu was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but hit a three run home run.

Ceddanne Rafaela was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

David Hamilton was 0 for 3 but walked.

Blake Sabol was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.

Justin Wilson allowed all 3 inherited runners to score but none of his own in an inning of work.

Final Thoughts:

How do you lose to the White Sox as much as the Red Sox do? They've won 5 games all year and three of them are against the Red Sox. Worst part is this is supposed to be the soft part of the Red Sox schedule and they're still a .500 team. There's still plenty of time to turn things around but the team is a mess. They still don't hit in the clutch consistently, they have too many black holes in the lineup and four starters are out injured. Thankfully its only April 20th so there's no reason to panic just yet, but its very annoying to see the Red Sox look like a high school team year after year. That all falls on the manager, the same one who pulled Houck after 89 pitches only to watch the bullpen implode. If he doesn't stress small ball, fundamentals and goes with the "analytics", what good is he? There's a lot to be upset about and they better work the kinks out quick before one of the AL East teams goes on a hot streak. The Red Sox look to salvage this series tomorrow morning on Patriots Day Monday when Walker Buehler (2-1, 5.23 ERA) faces Jonathan Cannon of Chicago. The game begins at 11:00 AM at Fenway Park.

White Sox Annihilate Red Sox (4/11/25)

Just when you thought it couldn't get any more embarrassing for the Boston Red Sox, they sink to a whole new level. After dropping 3 out of 4 to the Toronto Blue Jays (with many considering them to be lucky to win the fourth) the Boston Red Sox came to Chicago and got destroyed by the 2-10 White Sox. Sean Newcomb (0-2, 4.97 ERA) got rocked for 6 runs in just 4 innings while Josh Winckowski and Brennan Bernardino allowed five runs apiece. The story once again were the Sox scoring just 1 run and going 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position. The BoSox also committed FIVE errors as a team throughout the game. The BoSox currently can't pitch, field or hit so the worst team in baseball wallopped them 11-1 at Comiskey Park.

                                                                 Yup

Davis Martin got the ball in the top of the first inning and Jarren Duran grounded out to first to start. Rafael Devers popped up to short but Alex Bregman was hit with a pitch. Triston Casas struck out swinging to end the inning. Newcomb got the ball to start the bottom of the first and Miguel Vargas walked to start. Luis Robert Jr grounded out to first to move Vargas to second but Lenyn Sosa took strike three. Andrew Vaughn took strike three to end the inning.

The BoSox blew their first rally in the top of the second as Trevor Story flied out to right to start. Wilyer Abreu and Kristian Campbell stroked back to back base hits but naturally Blake Sabol grounded into a double play to end the inning. The ChiSox struck first in the bottom of the second as Michael A Taylor caught Sabol asleep with a bunt single but Brooks Baldwin struck out swinging. Taylor stole second base and former BoSox prospect Chase Meidroth drew a walk. Omar Narvaez took strike three but Jacob Amaya doubled home both runners to put Chicago up for good. Vargas flied out to center to end the inning with Chicago ahead 2-0.

                                                       Amaya puts Chicago on top

The BoSox failed to respond in the top of the third as Ceddanne Rafaela struck out swinging to start. Duran grounded out to third but Devers walked. Bregman doubled to left and with a chance to tie the game....Casas flied out to center to end the inning. Sabol ran into Robert Jr for interference to start the bottom of the third before then Robert stole second base. Robert moved to third on the grounder to third by Sosa but Vaughn flied out to right. Taylor struck out swinging to end the inning.

Story tried to start a rally with a base hit to center to start the top of the fourth but Abreu struck out swinging. Campbell struck out swinging, but Story took off for second and Narvaez threw the ball away, allowing Trevor to take third. Naturally with a runner in scoring position, Sabol struck out swinging to end the inning. The floodgates opened in the bottom of the fourth as Baldwin flied out to center to start. Meidroth got his first major league hit with a base hit to right and Casas booted a grounder by Narvaez for an error. Amaya took strike three but Vargas doubled home both runners to ice the game. Robert Jr ripped a base hit to center to score Vargas and promptly stole second. Sosa got a base hit to right to score Robert and Vaughn flied out to right to end the inning with the ChiSox up 6-0. That was it for Newcomb who was failed by his defense, but still allowed 6 runs in just 4 innings.

                                                         Newcomb gets rocked

Rafaela flied out to center to start the top of the fifth before Duran also flied out to center. Devers struck out swinging to end the inning. Josh Winckowski came in to pitch the bottom of the fifth and Taylor got a base hit to center....under the glove of Rafaela for an error to move Taylor to third. Baldwin struck out swinging but Meidroth walked. Narvaez hit sac fly to right to score Taylor and Amaya grounded out to short to end the inning with the ChiSox up 7-0.

                                                                Another rbi for the White Sox

Bregman flied out to left to open the top of the sixth before Casas popped up to first. Story grounded out to second to end the inning. Vargas grounded out to short to start the bottom of the sixth before Robert did the same. Sosa also grounded out to short to end the inning. At least Story could field the ball. 

The BoSox finally broke through in the top of the seventh as Abreu doubled to right to start. Campbell got a base hit to center to move Abreu to third and chase Martin. Old friend Cam Booser came in and all Sabol could do was hit a sac fly to center to score Abreu. Rafaela was hit with a pitch to move Campbell into scoring position. You know what that means! Duran forced Rafaela at second and Devers walked to load the bases. With a chance to get back in the game....Bregman grounded out to third to end the inning with Boston down 7-1.

                                                         Sac fly for Sabol

Vaughn flied out to left to start the bottom of the seventh but Taylor singled to left. Baldwin hit a double play ball to Winckowski....thrown away for Boston's fourth error of the night. Naturally Baldwin stole second base and Meidroth walked again to load the bases. Narvaez did the honors with a base hit to left to score Taylor and Baldwin. Amaya flied out to center and Vargas forced Meidroth at second to end the inning with the BoSox down 9-1.

                                                      A microcosm of the night

Joshua Palacios came in for Meidroth with Penn Murfee now on the mound to start the top of the eighth. Casas somehow doubled to right but with a runner in scoring position...you know what that means! Story, Abreu and Campbell all struck out swinging to end the inning. Like clockwork. Brennan Bernardino came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and once again Sabol ran into Robert Jr for an error to start. Sosa doubled home Robert and Vaughn flied out to right. Taylor struck out swinging but Baldwin got a base hit up the middle to score Sosa. Palacios took strike three to end the inning with the White Sox up 11-1.

                             The late Steve Sabol of NFL Films might be a better catcher at this point

Nick Maton took over for Robert and Brandon Eisert came in to mop up the top of the ninth. Sabol capped off his unimpressive day with a ground out to second before Rafaela swung at air for strike three. Duran also struck out swinging to end the game. The White Sox had won it 11-1.

                                                               White Sox win

Jackass of The Night is Sean Newcomb. He put the Sox in a hole they couldn't climb out of by allowing 6 runs in just 4 innings of work.

                                                               Jackass Newcomb

The Good:

Rafael Devers walked twice in four plate appearances.

Alex Bregman was 1 for 3 with a hit by pitch.

Wilyer Abreu was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Kristian Campbell was 2 for 4.

The Bad:

Jarren Duran was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Josh Winckowski allowed 3 runs in 3 innings.

Brennan Bernardino allowed 2 runs in 1 inning.

The Ugly:

Triston Casas was just 1 for 4 with an error and a strikeout.

Trevor Story was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but stole a base.

Blake Sabol was 0 for 3 with a strikeout and 2 errors but drove in a run.

Ceddanne Rafaela was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but was hit with a pitch.

Final Thoughts:

Not only did the Sox give up 11 runs to a team that can barely score but committing 5 errors is inexcusable. Blake Sabol and Sean Newcomb have no business being on major league rosters but when 3/5 of your rotation is injured and your starting catcher is gone, this is what you got. The real story, no pun intended, is the top 5 hitters going 3 for 18 with 4 strikeouts against a terrible team. Not to mention Jarren Duran, Triston Casas and especially Ceddanne Rafaela look completely lost at the plate. Can't even blame the pitching too much when the Sox can't field the ball. Sox manager Alex Cora should be on the hot seat for not having his team prepared fundamentally year after year but no one in the front office seems to give a damn it seems as long as money is made. The Sox are just going to have to hope nobody gets hot while they can't hit or field and trot out AAA pitchers. Things should turn around but the last few years have given very little indication it will. Hats off to Chase Meidroth for a successful ML debut. At least he didn't throw the ball away like these bums did. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow when "Big" Dick Fitts (0-2, 4.50 ERA) looks for his first win of the season against old friend Martin Perez. The game begins at 4:05 PM Eastern time at Comiskey Park.

Jays Freeze Crochet, Sox (4/8/25)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made roster moves. Connor Wong was placed on the Injured List with a fractured pinky finger and former San Francisco Giants catcher Blake Sabol was called up to replace him. Robert Stock was designated for assignment and Josh Winckowski was called up to replace him. So much for Stock.

                                                                         OUT

                                                                       IN

As for the game, that was an epic disaster. With temperatures dropping to the mid 20's as time went on, the Red Sox were ice cold against the Toronto Blue Jays in more ways than one. Garrett Crochet (1-1, 1.45 ERA) got roughed up for 4 runs in the top of the sixth inning with no help coming from the incompetent Red Sox defense that committed another two errors. At the plate, the Sox were stymied by Easton Lucas as he allowed just 3 hits in 5 1/3 innings. Zack Kelly put the game out of reach by allowing two runs of his own and the Jays ran away with this one 6-1 at a frozen Fenway Park.

                                                      Live look at the Red Sox offense

Crochet got the ball in the top of the first inning and Bo Bichette got a base hit to left to start. Vladimir Guerrero Jr grounded out to second to move Bichette to second. Anthony Santander struck out swinging but George Springer walked. Ernie Clement singled to left to load the bases and Davis Schneider took strike three to end the inning. Lucas got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Jarren Duran struck out swinging to start. Rafael Devers struck out swinging and Alex Bregman flied out to right to end the inning.

Myles Straw grounded out to short to start the top of the second before old friend Tyler Heineman grounded out to short. Alan Roden flied out to right to end the inning. Rob Refsnyder struck out swinging to start the bottom of the second before Trevor Story also went down hacking. Kristian Campbell flied out to center to end the inning.

Bichette walked to start the top of the third and took second on a grounder to second by Guerrero Jr. Santander flied out to right and Springer took strike three to end the inning. Romy Gonzalez lined out to left to start the bottom of the third before Carlos Narvaez grounded out to short. Ceddanne Rafaela got a base hit to left. Duran walked but Devers forced him at second to end the inning.

Clement grounded out to short to begin the top of the fourth before Schneider swung at air for strike three. Straw took strike three to end the inning. Bregman flied out to left to start the bottom of the fourth before Refsnyder grounded out to short. Story singled to left but Campbell struck out swinging to end the inning.

Heineman got a base hit to center to start the top of the fifth but Roden's bunt got him thrown out at second. Bichette flied out to right and Guerrero lined out to a running Refsnyder to end the inning. Gonzalez swung at air to start the bottom of the fifth before Narvaez also went down hacking. Rafaela flied out to right to end the inning.

The Jays struck in the top of the sixth as Santander grounded out to short to start. Naturally Springer hit a home run all the way to Jupiter to put the Jays up for good. Clement lined out to a diving Rafaela and Schneider hit a routine grounder to third. Bregman inexplicably turned and fired the ball into the Monster Seats for an error. Straw walked and naturally Campbell threw a routine grounder by Heineman away for an error to score Schneider to ice the game. Roden walked on 5 pitches not even close to load the bases and chase Crochet. The Jays broke Crochet in the sixth inning as he allowed 4 runs in just 5 2/3 innings on 5 hits and 4 walks. Zack Kelly came in to pitch and naturally Bichette ripped a base hit to center to score two runners, putting the game out of reach. Guerrero Jr lined out to right to end the inning with the Jays up 4-0.

                                                   "God damn its cold" - Crochet

The Sox laid down in the bottom of the sixth as Duran struck out swinging to start. Somehow Devers got a lucky base hit to right and that was it for Lucas. Chad Green came in to pitch to Bregman and naturally Bregman struck out swinging. Refsnyder got a base hit in the hole at short but with two men on, Story popped up to short to end the inning.

Zack Kelly came in to pitch the top of the seventh as Santander struck out swinging to start. Springer got another base hit to center but Clement flied out to left. Andres Gimenez pinch hit for Schneider and forced Springer at second to end the inning. The Sox finally got on the board in the bottom of the seventh with Yariel Rodriguez on the mount. Campbell lined out to center but Gonzalez doubled off the Monster. Wilyer Abreu pinch hit for Narvaez and lined out to short, but Rafaela singled off the glove of Gimenez to score Gonzalez. Brendon Little came in to pitch to Duran and a wild pitch moved Rafaela to second. Now with a runner in scoring position, Duran struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 4-1.

                                                         Rafaela drives in a run

Just when the Sox inched closer, the Jays iced it in the top of the eighth with Blake Sabol now behind the plate. Straw got a base hit to right and Heineman walked. Roden took strike three but Bichette got a base hit to left to score Straw. That was it for Kelly as Josh Winckowski made his season debut by plunking Guerrero Jr. Santander grounded out to second to score Heineman. Springer grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox down 6-1.

                                                          Santander wraps up the scoring

Mason Fluharty came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Devers reached on a throwing error by Bichette....only for Bregman to take strike three. Refsnyder grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Clement struck out swinging to start the top of the ninth before Gimenez lined out to left. Straw grounded out to second to end the inning. Jacob Barnes came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and Story got a base hit to center to start. Campbell got a base hit to center but once again with runners in scoring position, Gonzalez grounded into a double play. Sabol took three straight strikes right down the middle to end the game. The Jays had won it 6-1.

                                                              Jays win

Jackass of the Night is Alex Bregman. He went 0 for 4 at the plate with 2 strikeouts and made a crucial error to cost them the game.

                                                          "That Bregman is a Jackass"

The Good:

Trevor Story was 2 for 4.

Josh Winckowski tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Carlos Narvaez was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Wilyer Abreu was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Blake Sabol was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Zack Kelly allowed 2 runs in 1 2/3 innings.

The Ugly:

Jarren Duran was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but walked.

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Rob Refsnyder was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Kristian Campbell was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout and an error.

Romy Gonzalez was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Garrett Crochet took the loss allowing 4 runs in 5 1/3 innings but only one was earned. He allowed 5 hits and 4 walks while striking out 5.

Final Thoughts:

That was one of the most embarrassing games of the season for so many reasons. Not only could they not hit Easton Lucas, as soon as a runner touched second base the hitters totally froze besides Rafaela. Crochet was battling through five innings while Lucas cruised. Then the errors kicked in. Bregman was supposed to be Devers in the field and he's committed 3 errors already. Campbell's throw was awful but Gonzalez didn't exactly stretch out for it....but he shouldn't be playing first to begin with. Bottom line was this was a badly executed game from the manager on down. I don't care how cold it was, you're supposed to be mentally tough, this wasn't mentally tough. The Blue Jays play in a dome and they showed more poise than the Sox. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow night when old nemesis Kevin Gausman goes for the Jays against Tanner Houck (0-1, 6.52 ERA) at 6:45 PM at Fenway Park.