Sox Rally Falls Short, Jays Win (6/24/00)

Two straight games the Boston Red Sox had a chance to tie or win the game in the ninth inning and two straight games they have failed. The Toronto Blue Jays battered Sox starter Brian Rose (3-5, 6.11 ERA) for 4 runs and knocked him out in the third inning. Down 5-2 in the eighth inning, the Sox closed the gap to 5-4 but Rheal Cormier gave up the killshot to Brad Fullmer. Jays flamethrowing closer Billy Koch slammed the door as the Jays held on to win 6-4 at the Skydome.

                                             Bender tells Brian Rose how he feels

Roy Halladay got the start in the top of the first inning and Jose Offerman flied out to left to start. Jeff Frye grounded out to short and Carl Everett flied out to right to end the inning. The Jays immediately pounced on Brian Rose in the bottom of the first inning. Shannon Stewart grounded out to third to start but Alex Gonzalez was plunked. Raul Mondesi grounded out to short but Carlos Delgado hit the roof of the Skydome with a 2 run home run to give the Jays the lead. Brad Fullmer flied out to left to end the inning with the Jays up 2-0.

                                                           Delgado hits one out

The Sox fought back in the top of the second inning when Nomar Garciaparra struck his 7th home run of the season to lead off. Brian Daubach struck out swinging and Jason Varitek flied out to left, but Darren Lewis reached on an error. Curtis Pride struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 2-1.

                                                             Nomar goes yard

Rose got Tony Bautista to pop up to right to start the bottom of the second. Jose Cruz grounded out to second but Alberto Castillo singled to right. Homer Bush flied out to right to end the inning.

The Sox tied it up in the top of the third as Manny Alexander singled to left to begin. Offerman lined out to right but a grounder by Frye moved Alexander to second. Everett lashed a base hit to score Alexander to tie the game. Nomar singled Everett to third but Daubach flied out to center to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                         Everett drives in a run

As soon as the Sox tied it, the Jays took the lead back in the bottom of the third. Stewart walked and Gonzalez belted a home run into the Merrimack River to increase the lead. Mondesi popped up to third and Delgado flied out to left. Fullmer hit a routine grounder to Nomar who threw his glove at the ball and screamed for an error. Sox manager Jimy Williams ran out of the dugout screaming and tried to throw a roundhouse right at Rose, blaming him for the error. Rose ran away and Hipolito Pichardo materialized out of thin air to take the mound. Batista grounded out to second to end the inning with the Jays up 4-2.

                                                             Get him outta there!

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fourth as Varitek grounded back to the mound to start. Lewis grounded out to short but Pride drew a walk. Alexander whiffed to end the inning. Pichardo got the Jays to beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the fourth although Cruz got a base hit to center to begin. Castillo and Bush grounded out to short while Stewart grounded out to second to end the inning.

Halladay held down the Sox in the top of the fifth as Offerman flied out to center to start. Frye flied out to right but Everett walked. Nomar flied out to center to end the inning. The Jays struck again in the bottom of the fifth as Gonzalez and Mondesi hit back to back singles to start. Delgado lined a base hit to right to score Gonzalez with another run. Fullmer hit a bullet to Offerman who doubled off Delgado for the double play. Batista lined out to left to end the inning with the Jays up 5-2.

Chris Woodward took over for Gonzalez to begin the top of the sixth as Daubach whiffed to start. Varitek flied to center and Lewis took strike three to end the inning. Pichardo returned for the bottom of the sixth and Cruz grounded out to first to start. Castillo grounded out to short and Bush grounded out to second to end the inning.

It was the Sox turn to beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the seventh inning. Pride grounded out to second, Alexander grounded out to third and Offerman grounded out to first to end the inning. Rod Beck came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Stewart lined out to right to start. Woodward whiffed and Mondesi grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox finally rallied in the top of the eighth inning. Frye got a base hit and Everett singled Jeff to third to chase Halladay. Paul Quantrill came in and Nomar scored Frye with a grounder. Daubach whiffed but Varitek singled home Everett. Lewis grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox back in it 5-4.

                                                         Varitek drives in a run

Just as soon as the Sox fought back, the Jays iced it in the bottom of the eighth against Rheal Cormier. Delgado grounded out to second but Fullmer crushed a home run all the way to Saskatchewan to ice the game. Batista flied out to left but Cruz singled to left. Castillo grounded out to short to end the inning with the Jays ahead 6-4.

Flamethrower closer Billy Koch took the mound to close out the top of the the ninth. Scott Hatteberg pinch hit for Pride and struck out swinging. Alexander took strike three and Offerman flied out to left to end the game. The Sox had dropped a close one 6-4 to the Jays.

Jackass of the Night is Brian Rose. The problematic starter turtled once again in a big time pitching situation with first place slipping away. He lasted just 2 2/3 innings and took the loss allowing 4 runs.

                                                       Rose colored Jackass



The Good:

Carl Everett was 2 for 3 with an rbi and a run scored.

Nomar Garciaparra was 2 for 4 with 2 total rbis and a home run.

Rod Beck pitched a scoreless seventh inning.



The Bad:

Jose Offerman was 0 for 5.

Brian Daubach was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Darren Lewis was 0 for 4.

Scott Hatteberg struck out as a pinch hitter.

Rheal Cormier allowed a run in the eighth inning.



The Ugly:

Jeff Frye was just 1 for 4 with a run scored.

Jason Varitek was just 1 for 4 with an rbi.

Curtis Pride was 0 for 2 but walked.

Manny Alexander was just 1 for 4 with a run scored.

Hipolito Pichardo allowed a run in 3 1/3 innings.




Final Thoughts:

How much longer will the Sox put up with Brian Rose in the rotation? The New York Yankees are vulnerable for the first time in 3 years and the Sox are right in the middle of the AL East race. They can't afford to slip behind them with losses like this. Rose simply doesn't have the stuff to compete at a level this high. Maybe a trade to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays is in order to get him out of the bright lights of Boston and New York. As for the game, the Sox battled but once again Toronto outhit them. The Sox can't afford to get into slugfests with the Jays who have too much power. The loss dropped the Sox to 37-33, 1.5 games behind the Jays for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow afternoon the Sox look to rebound in a battle of aces. Chris Carpenter goes for the Jays up against Pedro Martinez of the Sox at 1:05 PM at the Skydome.

Yankees Massacre Sox (6/19/00)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a bevy of roster movies. Donnie Sadler was sent down to Pawtucket, Curtis Pride and Rob Stanifer were called up from Pawtucket, Jeff Fassero and Troy O'Leary were both placed on the Disabled List and Bryce Florie was removed from the Disabled List. Sadler just wasn't getting it done in the big leagues. Maybe his home run against Baltimore a month ago put the idea in his head he could do it more rather than be the speedster the Sox thinks he should be. Jeff Fassero hasn't won a game in a month and they're saying he's got a dead arm. Troy O'Leary has been a complete mess all season and there are reports he's going through some personal issues that he needs to deal with. Curtis Pride was on the 97 Sox and he replaces O'Leary with Stanifer and Florie replacing Fassero and Sadler. Hopefully Pride can hit, who knows?

                                                                        OUT

                                                                   IN

As for the game, if the Sox thought they could hang with the repeat World Champion New York Yankees, this game certainly proved they can't. The Yankees pounced on Brian Rose (3-4, 5.72 ERA) for 5 runs in 5 innings. If that wasn't bad enough, the floodgates opened in the final two innings as scared call-up Rob Stanifer and lame duck Tim Wakefield coughed up a combined SIXTEEN runs. Combine that with a run given up by the returning Bryce Florie, it added to an 18 hit, 22 run attack. Ramiro Mendoza held the Sox to just 1 run in a 7 inning start as the Yankees put their foot on the Sox throat with a 22-1 win at Fenway Park.

At first Rose cruised in the top of the first inning. Chuck Knoblauch whiffed before Derek Jeter flied out to center. Paul O'Neill lined out to first to end the inning. Jose Offerman tried to start a rally off Mendoza in the bottom of the first but he was thrown out trying to steal. Jeff Frye hit one up the elevator shaft and Trot Nixon grounded out to second to end the inning.

Rose got Bernie Williams to ground out to first to start the top of the second before Tino Martinez grounded out to second. Jorge Posada took strike three to end the inning. Nomar Garciaparra doubled off the Monster to begin the bottom of the second but Carl Everett popped up to third. Brian Daubach grounded back to the mound and Jason Varitek lined out to Mendoza to end the inning.

Shane Spencer looked to put the Yankees on top with a triple to open the top of the third. Rose somehow got Ricky Ledee to pop up to third before Scott Brosius hit one up the elevator shaft. Knoblauch lined out to short to end the inning, good work by Rose. Mendoza cruised in the bottom of the third as Darren Lewis flied out to left to begin. Wilton Veras grounded out to short and Offerman grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Yankees broke through in the top of the fourth as Jeter doubled to right to begin. O'Neill flied out to left and Williams whiffed, but Martinez singled home Jeter to give New York the lead. Posada then iced the game with a 970,000 foot home run. Spencer grounded out to short to end the inning but the Yankees were ahead 3-1.

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the fourth inning as Frye grounded out to third to start. Nixon watched strike three go by before Nomar flied out to right to end the inning.

The Yankees finally wiped out Rose in the top of the fifth inning although Ledee grounded out to first to start. Brosius got a base hit to right but Knoblauch flied out to center. Jeter crushed a 14,000 foot home run to add to the lead. O'Neill walked and swiped second before Williams popped up to third to end the inning with the Yankees up 5-0. Rose sucked again, allowing 5 runs in 5 innings. Strangely he wouldn't be the worst pitcher in the game as it turned out.

                                                      Another poor outing from Rose

The Sox did nothing against Mendoza in the bottom of the fifth as Everett whiffed to start. Somehow Daubach tripled into the triangle but Varitek struck out swinging. Lewis flied out to left to end the inning.

Bryce Florie made his first appearance since April 8th in the top of the sixth and the Yankees lit him up too. Martinez grounded out to second but Posada walked. Spencer doubled and Ledee was intentionally walked. The gamble failed as Brosius singled home Posada to increase the lead. Knoblauch forced Spencer at home on a grounder before Jeter grounded to third to end the inning with the Yankees up 6-0.

Clay Bellinger took over at second for the bottom of the sixth and the Sox bungled that too. Veras hit a grounder to Jeter who threw the ball away, allowing Wilton to reach second. Veras then made the boo-boo by getting thrown out at third on the Offerman grounder. The mental error hurt as Frye and Nixon stroked back to back singles to load the bases...but Nomar hit a bullet to Jeter who doubled off Offerman to end the inning. What a waste.

Florie made the Yankees beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the seventh inning as O'Neill grounded out to short to start. Williams grounded out to short and Martinez grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox FINALLY got on the board in the bottom of the seventh as Everett doubled to left to begin. Carl moved to third on the Daubach fly ball and scored on the Varitek grounder. Lewis grounded out to second to end the inning but the Sox would not be shutout 6-1.

                                                            Everett scores a run

Rob Stanifer was called up from Pawtucket in the afternoon and he got steamrolled in the top of the eighth inning. Posada singled to right and Spencer hit a double play ball to Nomar.....that he booted for an error. Ledee forced Spencer at second which would have been the third out if Nomar turned the DP. The floodgates opened as Brosius walked to load the bases and Bellinger doubled home Posada and Ledee. Jeter hit a routine grounder to Veras and he bobbled it for another error that scored Brosius. O'Neill singled home Bellinger and Williams singled home Jeter. Felix Jose came in to run for O'Neill and Martinez doubled him home. Posada grounded out to first but Spencer capped the inning with a 3 run bomb into the Atlantic Ocean. Ledee singled and Sox manager Jimy Williams woke up from his nap to finally take the beaten Stanifer out of there. Rob was charged with 9 runs but because of the errors, only one of them was earned. Brosius flied out to center to end the inning with the Yankees up 15-1.

                                                              "This sucks"

Jeff Nelson laughed at the Sox as he came in for the bottom of the eighth with Bellinger now at first with Wilson Delgado now at second. Veras walked to start before Offerman flied out to left. A wild pitch moved Veras to second and Wilton moved to third on the grounder by Frye but Nixon took strike three to end the inning.

The Yankees poured it on in the top of the ninth with Scott Hatteberg now behind the plate, Manny Alexander at short and Curtis Pride now in center. Bellinger walked to start but Jeter flied out to center. To add insult to injury, Jose blasted a 2 run bomb all the way into the Nile River. Williams singled to center before taking second on a wild pitch. Delgado and Posada drew back to back walks to load the bases and Spencer scored Williams with a sac fly. Ledee singled home Delgado and Brosius put the final nail in the coffin with a 3 run moonshot into the Gulf of Mexico. Bellinger struck out swinging to end the inning with the Yankees head 22-1.

                                                   We surrender

Mike Stanton had mop up duty in the bottom of the ninth. Alexander popped up to third, Pride whiffed and Daubach struck out swinging to end the game. The Yankees ripped out the Sox throat with a 22-1 massacre.

Jackass of the Night is Brian Rose. He lasted just 5 innings and allowed 5 runs, putting the Sox in a hole they couldn't climb out of.

                                                               Rose The Jackass



The Good:

Carl Everett was 1 for 3 with a run scored.



The Bad:

Manny Alexander was 0 for 1.

Curtis Pride struck out in his only plate appearance.

Darren Lewis was 0 for 3.

Rob Stanifer was charged with 9 runs in 2/3 of an inning.

Tim Wakefield gave up 7 runs in 1 1/3 innings.



The Ugly:

Jose Offerman was just 1 for 4.

Jeff Frye was just 1 for 4.

Nomar Garciaparra was 1 for 3 but his error opened the floodgates in the 8th.

Trot Nixon was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Brian Daubach was just 1 for 4.

Jason Varitek was 0 for 3 but drove in a run.

Wilton Veras was 0 for 2 with an error but walked.

Bryce Florie allowed a run in 2 innings of work.



Honorable Mention:

Scott Hatteberg caught the last inning.




Final Thoughts:

That has got to be one of the most embarrassing losses to the Yankees in history. Not just this season, but all time. Its one thing to lose big, its another to be completely embarrassed. This makes Dave Righetti's no hitter look like a random Sunday game in May. The repeat Champions came to Fenway Park and set it on fire more or less. How do you come back from this? You get embarrassed on your home field and drop out of first place, now what? Forget the pitching imploding, the Sox offense has been a mess lately. If the starters don't pick it up, this team is going to go down the tubes real fast. The Sox do have a chance to make things right with Pedro Martinez going tomorrow night. They're going to have to take a stand now or live with the embarrassment. The loss drops the Sox to 35-30, a half game behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox look to Pedro Martinez (9-2) to save them and put the Sox back in first, the Yankees counter with Andy Pettite at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Varitek, Sox Down Yankees (6/13/00)

Before the game the Sox made a big roster move. Fireball relief pitcher Rod Beck was reinstated from the Disabled List before tonight's game against the New York Yankees. The Sox bullpen is already strong with Rich Garces, Derek Lowe and Hipolito Pichardo and now they're adding Beck to the list. Rob Stanifer was optioned to Pawtucket and its doubtful he'll be seen again now with the bullpen at full strength (sans Tom Gordon).

                                                                      OUT

                                                                          IN

Amidst swirling trade rumors that Chicago Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa wants to play for the Boston Red Sox, the Sox made their case as being the place to be as they defeated the repeat world champion New York Yankees. The Yankees knocked starter Brian Rose out in the third inning and the Boston bullpen tossed 6 1/3 scoreless innings. Jason Varitek clobbered a 2 run home run off Orlando Hernandez that turned out to be the difference in the game. The Sox jumped into a tie for first place with New York with a 5-3 win at Yankee Stadium.

                                                           Could it be?

Hernandez took the mound in the top of the first inning and Jose Offerman flied out to left to start. Jeff Frye doubled to left before Trot Nixon drew a walk. Nomar Garciaparra banged into a double play to end the inning. The Yankees immediately pounced on Brian Rose in the bottom of the first inning. Chuck Knoblauch took strike three to start but Derek Jeter doubled to left. Jeter moved to third on the fly out by Paul O'Neil and Bernie Williams doubled home Jeter to give the Yankees the lead. Tino Martinez whiffed to end the inning but it was 1-0 Yankees.

The Sox answered in the top of the second inning as Carl Everett singled to left to begin. Brian Daubach flied out to left before Everett was erased on the force by Troy O'Leary. Varitek drew a walk and Wilton Veras singled home O'Leary to tie the game. Offerman whiffed to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                               Veras ties it up

Jorge Posada flied out to left to begin the bottom of the second before Ricky Ledee walked. Shane Spencer doubled to right but Scott Brosius failed to get the run in with a pop up to left. Knoblauch took strike three to end the inning.

The Sox took command in the top of the third inning as Frye walked to start. Jeff moved to second on the Nixon grounder before Nomar lined a base hit to left. Ledee booted the ball and Frye scored on the error. Everett tripled to the centerfield wall to increase the lead. Daubach hit a ground ball to second but Everett was thrown out at home on the play. O'Leary flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1.

The Yankees pounded Rose in the bottom of the third as Jeter and O'Neill drew back to back walks to start. Williams hit a double play ball to second but Rose dropped the relay throw, putting runners at the corners on the error. The Yankees made Rose pay as Martinez doubled home Jeter and Posada singled home Williams to tie the game. Ledee was intentionally walked to load the bases and that was it for Rose. He lasted just 2 1/3 innings and gave up 3 runs, he's simply not that good. Hipolito Pichardo came in and got Spencer to hit into a double play to end the inning but it was tied 3-3.

                                                           Nice going Rose

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fourth as Varitek grounded back to the mound to start. Veras whiffed and Offerman flied out to left to end the inning. Brosius walked to start the bottom of the fourth but Knoblauch flied out to center and the alert Varitek gunned down Brosius trying to steal. Jeter grounded out to third to end the inning.

Hernandez cruised in the top of the fifth inning as Frye grounded out to second to start. Nixon lined out to left and Nomar grounded out to short to end the inning. The Yankees threatened in the bottom of the fifth inning although O'Neill grounded out to first to start. Williams walked before Martinez flied out to left. Williams stole second before Posada walked. Ledee grounded into a force to end the inning.

The Sox took command in the top of the sixth inning as Everett doubled to center to begin. Everett moved to third on the Daubach grounder but O'Leary flied out to left. Varitek then put the Sox on top with a 2 run blast to shut up the Yankee fans. Veras grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-3.

                                                        Varitek touches them all

Rich Garces came in for the bottom of the sixth and Spencer flied out to center to start. Brosius whiffed but Knoblauch singled and stole second. Jeter flied out to right to end the inning.

The Sox threatened in the top of the seventh and Offerman singled to left to begin. Frye whiffed and Nixon flied out to center. Nomar singled Offerman to third to chase Hernandez. Mike Stanton came in and got Everett to ground into a force to end the inning. Garces returned for the bottom of the seventh as O'Neill lined out to first to begin before Williams grounded back to the mound. Martinez looked at strike three to end the inning.

Daubach doubled to start the top of the eighth and Donnie Sadler pinch ran for him. O'Leary, Varitek and Veras all whiffed in short order to end the inning. Rheal Cormier came in for the bottom of the eighth and got Posada to line out to right to start. Felix Jose pinch hit for Ledee and grounded out to short to start. Spencer whiffed to end the inning.

Offerman lined out to right to begin the top of the ninth before Frye also flied out to right. Nixon whiffed to end the inning. Derek Lowe came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Brosius grounded out to short to begin. Knoblauch walked to bring the tying run to the plate but Jeter grounded out to second. O'Neill flied out to center to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-3.

Hero of the Night is Jason Varitek. His 2 run home run proved to be the difference maker in the game.

                                                     Jason The Hero



The Good:

Nomar Garciaparra was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Carl Everett was 3 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Hipolito Pichardo got the win with 2 2/3 scoreless innings.

Rich Garces pitched 2 scoreless innings.

Rheal Cormier pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

Derek Lowe earned his 15th save with a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

Brian Rose allowed 3 runs in just 2 1/3 innings.



The Ugly:

Jose Offerman was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

Jeff Frye was just 1 for 4 with a walk but scored a run.

Trot Nixon was just 0 for 4 but walked.

Brian Daubach was just 1 for 4.

Troy O'Leary was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Wilton Veras was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.



Honorable Mention:

Donnie Sadler pinch ran for Daubach.




Final Thoughts:

Big win against the 3-peat world champion New York Yankees. Brian Rose sucked the big one but this was a huge win considering its Pedro vs Roger tomorrow. The Sox can take sole possession of first place with a win tomorrow but it won't be easy. As for this game, great job by Varitek and the bullpen to keep the Sox in the lead. The Sox offense is in a slump with the loss of John Valentin and the deterioration of O'Leary, Mike Stanley and Offerman. Stanley is aging and Offerman has been hurt but who knows what the hell is wrong with O'Leary. Still, bad offense aside the Sox are in the hunt and beating the Yankees is nothing to sneeze at. The win improved the Sox to 34-26, percentage points behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow afternoon is the big rematch between Sox ace Pedro Martinez and Roger Clemens. Two weeks ago they put on one of the best pitcher's duels of the year. They look to do it again at 1:05 PM at Yankee Stadium.

Marlins Strike Back on Sox (6/7/00)

If there was ever the proper use for the term "throw-away game" then this was it. The Boston Red Sox looked totally lifeless in tonight's game against the Florida Marlins. With a big showdown tomorrow at Fenway with the Cleveland Indians, a lot of the Sox players probably took tonight off mentally. It also showed on the mound as Brian Rose (3-3, 5.23 ERA) wasn't ready for prime time again as the Marlins smacked the Red Sox around 6-2 at Pro Player Stadium.

The Sox threatened in the top of the first inning but could not score off starter Brad Penny. Jeff Frye flied out to center but Trot Nixon walked. Nomar Garciaparra singled and Carl Everett walked to load the bases....but Nixon was thrown out at home on a force hit by Troy O'Leary. Brian Daubach grounded out to first to end the inning. Rose started out well when he struck out Luis Castillo to begin the bottom of the first. Mark Kotsay flied out to center but Cliff Floyd singled. Floyd swiped second but Preston Wilson popped up to second to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second inning as Scott Hatteberg watched strike three go by to start. Manny Alexander grounded out to short and Rose himself grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Rose kept the Marlins off the board in the bottom of the second as Mike Lowell popped up to first to start. Derrek Lee grounded out to short and Dave Berg popped up to short to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the third inning against Vic Darensbourg after Penny was hauled off on a gurney after the bottom of the second. Frye flied out to right but Nixon tripled into almost the exact same spot. Nomar scored Nixon with a sac fly and Everett grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                           A triple by Nixon

Rose coughed up the lead in the bottom of the third inning. Paul Bako popped up to third and Darensbourg grounded back to the mound, but Castillo singled. Kotsay walked and Floyd crushed a 3 run 54,000 foot home run to give the Marlins the lead. Wilson whiffed to end the inning but it was 3-1 Marlins.

                                                         Floyd puts the Marlins on top

The Sox were deflated in the top of the fourth inning as O'Leary flied out to left, Daubach whiffed and Hatteberg grounded out to second to end the inning. Somehow Rose recovered in the bottom of the fourth as he struck out Lowell to start. Lee grounded out to first and Berg flied out to center to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fifth as Alexander popped up to right and Rose popped up to first. Frye doubled but Nixon flied out to right to end the inning. Rose did what he could in the bottom of the fifth as he struck out Bako to start. Darensbourg whiffed but Alexander booted a routine ground ball hit by Castillo for an error. Castillo stole second but Kotsay grounded out to second to end the inning.

More incompetence in the top of the sixth inning as Nomar flied out to center but Everett singled. O'Leary flied out to center and Daubach grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox went with a double switch, replacing Daubach with Mike Stanley and Rose with the immortal Dan Smith in the bottom of the sixth. Smith crapped his pants as Floyd walked, Wilson doubled and Lowell walked to load the bases. Lee hit a bullet to the left field wall that was snared but it was deep enough to not only score Floyd but move everyone up a base. Berg hit another sac fly to score Wilson and ice the game. Bako flied out to center to end the game but it was over 5-1.

                                                         Nice going Smith

The Marlins pulled off a double switch with Braden Looper coming in to pitch and Mike Redmond coming in to catch the top of the seventh. Jason Varitek pinch hit for Hatteberg and doubled but Alexander popped up to second. Stanley grounded out to third and Frye flied out to right to end the inning. Smith returned for the bottom of the seventh and again crapped his pants. Redmond doubled and Castillo sacrifice bunted him over to third. Kotsay scored Redmond with a sac fly to increase the lead. Floyd grounded out to short to end the inning but it was now 6-1.

Somehow the Sox rallied in the top of the eighth inning against Looper. Nixon and Nomar singled and Everett hit a routine single to right...booted by Kotsay. Nixon scored and the Sox had runners in scoring position. Armando Almanza replaced Looper and O'Leary drew a walk to load the bases and somehow bring the tying run to the plate. Darren Lewis pinch hit for Smith....and struck out. Varitek watched strike three go by and Alexander popped up to first to end the inning. That little double switch Sox manager Jimy Williams had to have cost them a big chance to get back in the game, instead they were down 6-2.

Rob Stanifer replaced Smith for the bottom of the eighth and Wilson grounded out to short to start. Lowell lined out to second and Lee hit a routine ground ball to third. Alexander pick the ball up, threw it straight up in the air and caught it in his hat for a peculiar error. Berg flied out to right to end the inning.

The Marlins made a double switch with Alex Gonzalez coming in to play short for Berg and Antonio Alfonseca coming in to pitch the top of the ninth. Stanley flied out to right and Frye grounded out to third, but Nixon singled. Nomar singled but Everett grounded out to first to end the game. The Marlins avoided a sweep with a 6-2 win.

Jackass of the Night is Dan Smith. He turned what was a manageable 3-1 deficit into an impossible 6-1 in the blink of an eye.

                                                           Smith is the Jackass


The Good:

Trot Nixon was 3 for 4 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Nomar Garciaparra was 3 for 4 with an rbi.

Carl Everett was 2 for 4 with a walk and an rbi.

Jason Varitek was 1 for 2 as a pinch hitter.

Rob Stanifer pitched a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

Darren Lewis struck out as a pinch hitter.

Brian Daubach was 0 for 3 but struck out.

Scott Hatteberg was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Manny Alexander was 0 for 4 with 2 errors.

Mike Stanley was 0 for 2 at the plate.



The Ugly:

Jeff Frye was just 1 for 5.

Troy O'Leary was 0 for 3 but walked.

Brian Rose took the loss but didn't pitch that bad, allowing 3 runs in 5 innings of work. He made one mistake to Floyd but it cost him.




Final Thoughts:

If the Sox mentally took this game off to prepare for the Cleveland Indians tomorrow, they better damn well win. The Marlins are one of the worst teams in the league and the starter was out after just two innings. Throwing out Dan Smith and pulling off double switches that didn't need to be made cost them big time. Rod Beck can't come back fast enough. Manny Alexander had a horrible game but with the demotion of Wilton Veras and John Valentin gone, he has to play third because they have no one else. The loss drops the Sox to 31-24, 1 game behind the victorious New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night is the big makeup game grudge match between the Cleveland Indians and the Sox at Fenway Park. Its Pedro Martinez (8-2) matched up against ace Bartolo Colon at a special 6:05 PM start time.

Philles Nip Sox in Eleven (6/2/00)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move as Andy Sheets was sent to Pawtucket. In his place is pitcher Dan Smith. Now that Nomar is back, they have no need for Sheets with Manny Alexander on the roster and they need another arm in the bullpen.

                                                                          OUT

                                                                      IN

After scoring 11 runs last night, naturally the Red Sox offense would fall asleep a day later. They managed to scratch out just one run against the Philadelphia Phillies, falling in eleven innings to extend their losing streak to 3 games. The Phillies were able to win it in the eleventh inning at Veterans Stadium.

                                                        Old Hoss Radbourn is disgusted

Robert Person began his dominance in the top of the first inning, striking out Donnie Sadler to begin the game. Trot Nixon walked but Brian Daubach flied out to center. Nomar Garciaparra singled but Carl Everett grounded out to first to end the inning. Brian Rose got the start for the Sox and Doug Glanville singled....only to get thrown out at second by Everett. Ron Gant popped up to short and Bobby Abreu grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox missed a chance to take the lead in the top of the second inning. Troy O'Leary whiffed but Jason Varitek walked. Wilton Veras grounded out but Rose himself drew a walk. Sadler popped up to end the inning. The Phillies struck first in the bottom of the second inning. Mike Lieberthal grounded out to third but Kevin Jordan singled. Mickey Morandini walked and Brian Hunter doubled home Jordan to give the Phils the lead. Desi Relaford was intentionally walked to load the bases but Rose was able to strike out Person. Glanville grounded out to second to end the inning but the Phillies were up 1-0.

The Sox threatened in the top of the third although Nixon flied out to left to begin. Daubach walked but Nomar whiffed. Everett was plunked but O'Leary whiffed to end the inning. Rose recovered to stone the Phillies cold in the bottom of the third. Grant grounded out to third, Abreu grounded out to first and Lieberthal flied out to center to end the inning.

The Sox mustered nothing in the top of the fourth inning. Varitek hit one up the elevator shaft but Veras singled to left. Rose bunted foul for strike three and Sadler watched strike three go by to end the inning. Rose ran into trouble in the bottom of the fourth although Jordan grounded out to second to end the inning. Morandini lined out to second but Hunter doubled. Relaford was intentionally walked and Rose struck out Person to end the inning.

More futility occured in the top of the fifth inning as Nixon lined out to third. Daubach grounded out to second but Nomar doubled. Everett whiffed to end the inning. Rose kept pace in the bottom of the fifth by fielding a comebacker by Glanville to begin. Gant flied out to left and Abreu froze for strike three to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the sixth as O'Leary whiffed to start the inning. Varitek flied out to center and Veras flied out to right to end the inning. Rose came back for one last inning in the bottom of the sixth. Lieberthal grounded out to short, Jordan popped up to second and Morandini flied out to left to end the inning. Rose tossed 6 innings of 1 run ball as a huge improvement over most of his starts yet had nothing to show for it.

                                           Great effort by Rose, just had no run support

Jeff Frye pinch hit for Rose in the top of the seventh and somehow poked a base hit to left. Sadler flied out to center, Nixon flied out to right, and Frye was thrown out trying to steal to end the inning. Hipolito Pichardo came in to pitch and Jeff Frye took over at second for Sadler, with the pitcher now batting first. Gotta love National League rules. Hunter flied out to right but Relaford singled. Rob Ducey pinch hit for Person as Relaford stole second base. Ducey struck out and Glanville grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox finally struck back in the top of the eighth with Wayne Gomes now on the mound. Daubach popped up to third and Nomar grounded out to short, but Everett blasted his 18th home run of the year to tie the game. The Sox pounced on Gomes as O'Leary and Varitek struck back to back singles.  Veras singled to left and O'Leary motored around as the throw came home.....OUT! O'Leary was out and the threat ended right then and there with the score tied 1-1.

                                                       Everett homers to tie it up

Pichardo came back for the bottom of the eighth but allowed a leadoff single to Gant. Abreu flied out to left as the alert Varitek gunned down Gant trying to steal. That proved huge as Lieberthal walked and Jordan singled to chase Hipolito. Sox manager Jimy Williams brought in Rich Garces to get Morandini to ground out to first to end the inning.

Jason Boyd replaced Gomes for the top of the ninth and got Frye to fly out to center to start. Hopes of Garces ripping a game winning home run were dashed when Mike Stanley pinch hit for Rich only to strike out. Nixon grounded out back to Boyd to end the inning. Rheal Cormier came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and he got Hunter to fly out to left to start. Relaford popped up to short as Pat Burrell pinch hit for Boyd only for Cormier to walk him. Glanville grounded out to third to end the inning as on to extras we went.

Jeff Brantley got the call to pitch the top of the tenth and Daubach flied out to left to start. Nomar singled but Everett banged into a double play to end the inning by striking out, causing Nomar to get thrown out at second. Cormier fielded a comebacker by Gant to open the bottom of the tenth. Abreu singled to right but Lieberthal popped up to second.  Jordan flied out to left to end the inning.

The Sox went quietly in the top of the eleventh as O'Leary grounded out to first to start. Varitek watched strike three go by and Veras flied out to right to end the inning. John Wasdin (0-2, 4.56 ERA) was brought in to pitch the bottom of the eleventh and Sox manager Jimy Williams immediately regretted it. Morandini hit one up the elevator shaft but Hunter walked. Relaford was plunked and pinch hitter Alex Arias became the hero by ripping the game winning double to give the Phillies a 2-1 win.

Jackass of the Night is John Wasdin. He gave up the game ending run in the bottom of the eleventh.

                                                     Johnny The Jackass


The Good:

Nomar Garciaparra was 3 for 5.

Wilton Veras was 2 for 5.

Brian Rose tossed 6 innings of 1 run ball and walked in a plate appearance.

Jeff Frye was 1 for 2 as a pinch hitter.

Hipolito Pichardo pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Rich Garces retired the only man he faced.

Rheal Cormier tossed 2 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Donnie Sadler was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Mike Stanley struck out as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Trot Nixon was 0 for 4 but walked.

Brian Daubach was 0 for 4 but walked.

Carl Everett was just 1 for 5 but made the hit count as it was a solo home run.

Troy O'Leary was just 1 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Jason Varitek was just 1 for 4 but walked.




Final Thoughts:

Another good Rose start wasted as the Sox couldn't generate any offense against Robert Person. They had Wayne Gomes on the run but O'Leary getting thrown out at home killed any momentum they had. It shouldn't have come to Wasdin having to pitch but he still could have gotten the final two outs of the inning. Another tough loss to swallow and it comes at a bad time, it drops them to 29-21 and in a virtual tie with the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night Tim Wakefield (1-3) takes the mound opposite Randy Wolf at 7:05 PM at Veterans Stadium.

Daubach, Sox Walkoff A's (8/16/99)

For eight innings it looked like the Oakland A's were going to pull in to a tie for the American League Wild Card slot. Brian Rose got rocked for 4 runs in just 2 1/3 innings although the Sox got some runs back courtesy of Reggie Jefferson and John Valentin. The A's got a run off Rich Garces to take a 5-3 into the bottom of the ninth. Things looked bleak when John Valentin struck out for the second out but A's manager Art Howe made a boo-boo. He brought in Tim Worrell to face the AL Player of The Week Brian Daubach. Daubach continued his hot streak with a bases clearing double to win the game. The Sox had stunned the A's 6-5 at Fenway Park.

                                                   Shireen Crutchfield approves of the win

Rose got the ball in the top of the first inning and Ryan Christenson grounded out to third to start. Randy Velarde grounded out to first and Jason Giambi struck out swinging to end the inning. Omar Olivares got the ball to start the bottom of the first and Jose Offerman grounded a single up the middle. John Valentin grounded into a double play and Brian Daubach flied out to the left field wall  to end the inning.

John Jaha grounded out to short to start the top of the second before old friend Matt Stairs grounded out to second. Ben Grieve grounded out to second to end the inning. Nomar Garciaparra popped up to first in foul territory to start the bottom of the second. Reggie Jefferson singled to center but Jason Varitek forced Jefferson at second to end the inning.

The A's struck first in the top of the third as Miguel Tejada walked to start. Eric Chavez singled to right and AJ Hinch hit a home run all the way to Yellowstone to put the A's on top. Christenson walked and Velarde singled to center, but Giambi took strike three. Jaha ripped a base hit to center to score Christenson to chase the incompetent Rose. He allowed 4 runs in 2 2/3 innings on 4 hits and 2 walks. Mark Guthrie came in to pitch and Stairs moved the runners over with a grounder to first. Grieve flied out to left to end the inning with the A's up 4-0.

                                                              Rose gets hammered

Donnie Sadler grounded out to short to start the bottom of the third before Trot Nixon flied out to center. Offerman grounded out to short to end the inning.

Tejada walked to start the top of the fourth but Chavez struck out swinging. Hinch forced Tejada at second and promptly stole second. Christenson grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Valentin grounded out to short to start. Daubach walked and Nomar was hit with a pitch, but O'Leary lined out to third. Jefferson lined a ball off the Monster for a single to score Daubach. Varitek grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox down 4-1.

                                                            Daubach scores a run

Guthrie returned for the top of the fifth and the Sox broadcast team was chosen by their first round pick in the 1999 draft Rick Asadoorian. Hope he makes it some day. Velarde struck out swinging, Giambi flied out to left and Jaha struck out swinging to end the inning.

                                                            Asadoorian in the house

The Sox struck back with Olmedo Saenz in for Giambi to start the bottom of the fifth. Sadler grounded out to short but Nixon stroked a seeing eye single in to right. Offerman moved Nixon to second with a grounder to first and Valentin ripped a base hit to right. Nixon scored to cut the lead in half but Daubach struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 4-2.

                                                             Sox inch closer

Stairs struck out swinging to open the top of the sixth but Grieve lined out short. That was it for Guthrie as Rich Garces came in to pitch to Tejeda. Miguel lined out to third to end the inning. Garciaparra reached on an error to start the bottom of the sixth but O'Leary could only move Nomar to second with a fly ball to right. Jefferson grounded out to second to move Nomar to third but Varitek grounded out to second to end the inning.

The A's struck in the top of the seventh as Chavez lined out to center to start. Hinch struck out swinging but Christenson singled to right. Christenson stole second and Velarde singled to to center, the ball getting booted by Sadler for an error to score Christenson. Saenz lined out to center to end the inning with the A's ahead 5-2.

The Sox fought back in the bottom of the seventh as Sadler beat out a grounder to Tejeda to start. A passed ball moved Sadler to second and Nixon moved Donnie to third with a grounder to second. Offerman singled in the hole at short to score Sadler to cut the lead and chase Olivares. Greg McMichael came in to pitch and Valentin struck out swinging and Daubach flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox down 5-3.

                                                            Sadler scores a run

Jaha took strike three to start the top of the eighth before Stairs grounded out to second. Grieve got a base hit to right and Jason McDonald ran for him. Tejada struck out swinging to end the inning. Garciaparra grounded out to third to start the bottom of the eighth and Buddy Groom came in to pitch to O'Leary. Troy grounded back to the mound and that was it for Groom. Doug Jones came in to pitch and Mike Stanley pinch hit for Jefferson. Stanley grounded out to short to end the inning.

Derek Lowe came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Chavez struck out swinging to start. Hinch grounded out to short and Christenson took strike three to end the inning. The Sox refused to go quietly in the bottom of the ninth as Varitek dumped a base hit to right to start. Butch Huskey pinch hit for Sadler and hit a line drive base hit to center to put the tying run on. Darren Lewis pinch ran for Huskey but Nixon flied out to left. Offerman drilled a base hit to right to load the bases but Valentin struck out swinging. A's manager Art Howe brought in Tim Worrell to face Daubach and one strike away from defeat, Daubach launched a ball off the Monster. Varitek and Lewis scored easily and the throw came home to get Huskey....OFFLINE....RED SOX WIN!!!

                                                                   Sox win

Hero of The Night is Brian Daubach. He got the bases clearing doubled to win the game.

                                                     Nomar hugs our hero

The Good:

Jose Offerman was 3 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Reggie Jefferson was 2 for 3 with an rbi.

Darren Lewis scored a run as a pinch runner.

Donnie Sadler was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Butch Huskey singled and scored as a pinch hitter.

Mark Guthrie tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings.

Derek Lowe got the win with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Troy O'Leary was 0 for 4.

Mike Stanley was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Brian Rose allowed 4 runs in just 2 1/3 innings.

The Ugly:

John Valentin was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts but drove in a run.

Nomar Garciaparra was 0 for 3 but was hit with a pitch.

Jason Varitek was just 1 for 4.

Trot Nixon was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Rich Garces allowed a run in 2 1/3 innings.

Final Thoughts:

What a week for Daubach and what a come from behind win for the Red Sox. The Sox have a legitimate chance to repeat as Wild Card champions or overtake the Yankees if they can go on a run. Wins like this can launch a team with the proper momentum. Things are clicking and hopefully the Sox can keep this going. The only drawback is Brian Rose continues to pitch like trash. The Sox are going to need starting pitching if they're going to beat the Yankees and just Pedro Martinez and Bret Saberhagen isn't going to cut it. The win improved the Sox to 66-52, 6.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it two in a row against Oakland tomorrow night when Bret Saberhagen (9-4) takes on Gil Heredia of Oakland. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.