Yankees Massacre Sox in Game 3 (10/16/04)

After a rainout pushed Game 3 back a day, maybe they should have played last night in the rain anyway. The Boston Red Sox' epic season is about to come crashing down at the hands of the New York Yankees. The Yankees added a new chapter in their 86 year beat down of the Red Sox by knocking the Sox flat tonight in Game 3. The Yankees pounded starter Bronson Arroyo and a host of relief pitchers for 22 hits and 19 runs in one of the most decisive routs in MLB history. Though the Sox scored a bunch of runs of their own, it wasn't nearly enough as the Yankees are now one game away from a four game sweep as they took Game 3 by a score of 19-8 at Fenway Park.

Arroyo took the mound in the top of the first and immediately crapped his pants. Derek Jeter started with a walk and Alex Rodriguez doubled into the left field corner to score him. A-Rod moved to third when Gary Sheffield flied out to the centerfield wall and Hideki Matsui smashed a 40,000 foot home run to right to increase the lead. Bernie Williams singled to right but Jorge Posada banged into a double play to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 3-0.

                                                         Matsui puts the Yankees up big

The Sox had no trouble hitting Yankees starter Kevin Brown in the bottom of the first but ran themselves out. Johnny Damon grounded out to short and Mark Bellhorn whiffed, but Manny Ramirez singled. Ortiz singled to right but Manny was foolishly thrown out at third trying to stretch to end the inning.

Ruben Sierra doubled to the left field wall start the top of the second but Jon Olerud popped up to short. Miguel Cairo popped up to first and Jeter flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox fought back in the bottom of the second as Jason Varitek walked to start. Trot Nixon pounded a home run just over the head of Sheffield into the stands to cut the lead. Kevin Millar flied out to the centerfield wall but Bill Mueller doubled off the bottom of the right field wall. Cabrera grounded out to third but Damon lined one off the glove of Olerud over to second. The hustling Mueller scored to tie the game but Cairo foolishly threw home which allowed Damon to reach second. A wild pitch moved Damon to third before Bellhorn drew a walk. Manny hit a liner to Jeter who bobbled it, allowing Damon to score the go-ahead run. That was the first lead in the series for the Sox. Ortiz grounded out to second to end the inning but it was 4-3 Sox.

                                                            Nixon gets the Sox back in it

The Yankees pounded Arroyo in the top of the third inning as A-Rod pounded a home run over the Monster Seats to tie the game. Sheffield walked and Matsui pounded a double to right to chase Arroyo. In a game the Sox had to win, Arroyo lasted just 2 innings and was charged with 6 runs.

                                                 Damn Yankees

Ramiro Mendoza came in to take a beating as Williams singled home Sheffield to put the Yankees back on top. Mendoza balked home Matsui as the boo birds came out. Sox manager Terry Francona ran out to argue but it was clearly a balk. Posada popped up on the infield to Millar before Sierra swung at a changeup in the dirt for strike three. Olerud grounded out to short to end the inning but the Yankees were up 6-4.

The Sox tied it up in the bottom of the third with Javier Vazquez on the mound for the Yankees. Varitek got the rally started with a base hit to left but Nixon whiffed. Millar doubled off the Monster before Mueller walked to load the bases. Cabrera hit a line drive out of the reach of Sheffield that went to the wall. Varitek and Millar scored but Mueller was gunned down at home for a huge out. Damon grounded out to first to end the inning but the game was tied 6-6.

                                                     Cabrera with the clutch hit

The Yankees wasted no time getting the lead back in the top of the fourth inning as Cairo was plunked to start. That was it for Mendoza as Curtis Leskanic was brought in to pour gas on the fire. Nixon made a great diving catch to rob Jeter of a hit but A-Rod walked. Sheffield then crushed a 3 run home run into the Monster seats to give the Yankees the lead back. Matsui doubled into the left field corner to chase Leskanic. Tomorrow's starter Tim Wakefield came in and got Williams to pop up to first but Posada was intentionally walked. Sierra made the Sox pay by tripling past Nixon to score two more runs. Olerud lined out to short to end the inning but the 5 run inning put the Yankees up for good 11-6.

                                                     The Yankees pour it on

Bellhorn whiffed to start the bottom of the fourth but Ramirez walked. Ortiz got a base hit to right but Varitek hit a bullet to first and Ortiz was doubled off to end the inning.

The Yankees were relentless in the top of the fifth inning although Cabrera made a great play to rob Cairo of a hit to begin. Jeter walked and A-Rod doubled to the right field wall to score Jeter. Sheffield crushed a double to the Monster to score A-Rod with another run. Matsui flied out to left and Williams whiffed to end the inning but the Yankees were up 13-6.

                                                        A-Rod keeps up the destruction

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the fifth as Nixon popped up to center to start. Millar popped up to second and Mueller grounded out to second to end the inning.

Wakefield cruised in the top of the sixth as Posada flied out to center to start. Sierra flied out to the centerfield wall before Olerud grounded out to short to end the inning, hurting himself in the process.

                                                 Stephen King is used to horror shows

Tony Clark replaced Olerud in the bottom of the sixth and Cabrera started a rally with a double to the centerfield wall. Damon popped up to right but Bellhorn whiffed. Manny whiffed to end the inning.

The carnage continued in the top of the seventh as Cairo hit a base hit in the hole at short to start. Damon made a sliding catch to rob Jeter of a hit before Bellhorn dropped a routine pop up by A-Rod. Luckily Cairo never moved so he got Miguel at second on the force. Sheffield hit a laser off the Monster but it was just a single that moved Jeter to third. That was it for Wakefield who did the best he could to save the rest of the bullpen for tomorrow's game. Alan Embree came in to pitch to Matsui and naturally Matsui singled home A-Rod for another run. Williams doubled home both runners to increase the lead. Posada crushed a double off the Monster for yet another run as the remaining Sox fans booed the Sox pitching staff. Sierra grounded out to short to end the inning but it was 17-6 Yankees.

                                          Can anyone get Matsui out?

Ortiz singled off the Monster to start the bottom of the seventh and Varitek smashed a two run home run to center just to piss the Yankees off. Nixon flied out to right and that was it for Vazquez. Paul Quantrill came in and Millar grounded out to short before Mueller lined a base hit into the left field corner. Cabrera lined a base hit to center but Damon lined out to left to end the inning. If nothing else the Sox beat around the Yankees pitching but trailed 17-8

                                                        Varitek goes yard.

Mike Myers came in to pitch the top of the eighth with Doug Mirabelli now behind the plate. Myers whiffed Clark and Cairo but Jeter poked a single to center. Bellhorn made a diving stop to rob A-Rod of a hit, forcing Jeter at second to end the inning. Bellhorn earned the golden sombrero with his 4th strikeout to start the bottom of the eighth before Manny flied out to center. Ortiz whiffed to end the inning.

The Yankees had one final kick in the ass for the Sox in the top of the ninth when Sheffield singled up the middle to start. Bubba Crosby ran for Sheffield and Matsui ended the massacre with a two run bomb to center. Williams and Posada stroked back to back hits before Sierra was frozen for strike three. Clark hit a liner to Mueller who doubled off Williams to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 19-8.

                                                   Scoreboard says it all

The torture ended with Tom Gordon now on the mound for the bottom of the ninth. Mirabelli popped up to second but Nixon doubled off the centerfield wall. Nixon moved to third on a wild pitch but Millar whiffed. Mueller flied out to center to end the game. The Yankees had a stranglehold on the American League Championship Series and was up 3 games to 0 with a 19-8 rout.

                                                          Can't argue this


Jackass of the Night is a tough one considering everyone the Sox threw out there got hammered but I'll go with Arroyo. He had absolutely nothing and he put the Sox in a hole that was too big to climb out of. He lasted just two innings and was charged with 6 runs.

                                                   Arroyo The Jackass



The Good:

David Ortiz was 3 for 5 with a run scored.

Jason Varitek was 2 for 3 with a walk, 3 runs scored and a 2 run home run.

Trot Nixon was 2 for 5 including a 2 run homer.

Bill Mueller was 2 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

Orlando Cabrera was 3 for 4 with 2 rbis.



The Bad:

Doug Mirabelli was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Ramiro Mendoza allowed a run in the third inning.

Curtis Leskanic was charged with 3 runs in just 1/3 of an inning.

Tim Wakefield allowed 5 runs in 3 1/3 innings.

Alan Embree allowed 2 runs in just 1/3 of an inning.

Mike Myers allowed 2 runs in 2 innings of work.



The Ugly:

Johnny Damon was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run and scored.

Mark Bellhorn was 0 for 4 with a golden sombrero of 4 strikeots but walked.

Manny Ramirez was just 1 for 4 but walked.

Kevin Millar was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.




Final Thoughts:

It can't end like this. Seriously, it can't end like this. After coming within a horrendous managerial decision from winning the pennant last year, the Sox can't just fall on their face and get swept after everything that's happened since Game 7 last year...can it? The Yankees offense looks to be completely unstoppable, scoring 32 runs in the first 3 games of this series. Not only that, Curt Schilling has a serious ankle problem and Pedro Martinez got out-pitched by Jon Lieber. The offense scored 8 runs today but the pitching just can't stop the Yankees. The worst apart about it is the only thing standing between the Red Sox and an embarrassing four game sweep is Derek Lowe. The same Lowe that was supposedly hung over when he got bombed by the Yankees on national television. The Sox look to avoid a sweep tomorrow night when they send Lowe to the mound against Orlando Hernandez at 8:00 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Defeat Yankees in 12 Innings (4/24/04)

The New York Yankees might be in trouble. The Boston Red Sox have now beaten them five out of six games and today's game might have been the best one yet. The Red Sox took the lead against Kevin Brown with sac flies from Manny Ramirez and Pokey Reese but the Yankees got a run in the 4th off Bronson Arroyo and another in the seventh to tie the game. The Boston bullpen stepped up with six lights out innings to keep the Yankees off the board but the Yankees bullpen stayed tough as well. In the top of the 12th, Mark Bellhorn hit a sac fly off old buddy Paul Quantrill. Mike Timlin slammed the door in the bottom of the 12th as the Sox beat the Yankees 3-2 at Yankee Stadium.

                                                        Clare Kramer approves of the win

The Sox wasted no time getting to Brown in the top of the first as Johnny Damon walked to start. Bill Mueller walked as well and David Ortiz moved both runners over with a grounder to first. Manny Ramirez hit a sac fly to center to score Damon and put the Sox on top. Jason Varitek grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                            Damon scores the first run

Arroyo got the ball in the bottom of the first and Derek Jeter walked to start. Hideki Matsui took strike three and Jeter was gunned down at second trying to steal. Alex Rodriguez grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Brown couldn't do anything right in the top of the second as Kevin Millar lined a ball off Brown and he threw the ball into the crowd, moving Millar to second. Mark Bellhorn hit a grounder to Travis Lee who flipped to Brown.....DROPPED IT! Gabe Kapler was plunked to load the bases and Pokey Reese hit a sac fly to center to score Millar. Damon flied out to left and Mueller grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                        Reese drives in a run

Jason Giambi took strike three to start the bottom of the second before Gary Sheffield also watched strike three go by. Jorge Posada grounded out to second to end the inning.

Ortiz doubled to center to start the top of the third but Manny grounded back to the mound. Varitek walked and Millar moved both runners over with a grounder to third. Bellhorn flied out to center to end the inning. Both Lee and Bernie Williams grounded out to second to begin the bottom of the third but Enrique Wilson walked. Jeter flied out to right to end the inning.

Kapler grounded out to third to start the top of the fourth before Reese flied out to right. Damon grounded out to short to end the inning. The Yankees struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Matsui struck out swinging to start. A-Rod hit a home run all the way to Los Angeles to cut the lead. Giambi and Sheffield both grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Yankees down 2-1.

                                                     A-Rod hits one out

Mueller doubled down the right field line to start the top of the fifth before moving to third on the Ortiz fly ball to right. Ramirez grounded back to the mound and Varitek flied out to center to end the inning. Posada flied out to center to open the bottom of the fifth and Lee flied out to left. Williams flied out to left to end the inning.

Millar flied out to right to open the top of the sixth and Bellhorn flied out to center. Kapler grounded out to short to end the inning. The Yankees beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the sixth as Wilson grounded out to first to start. Jeter grounded out to third and Matsui grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the seventh as Reese got a base hit to center to start. Damon flied out to right but Mueller walked. Ortiz took strike three and Ramirez forced Miller at second to end the inning. Arroyo ran out of gas in the bottom of the seventh as A-Rod beat out a roller to third to begin. Giambi dropped a base hit to right but Millar bobbled the ball for an error to move Rodriguez to third. Sheffield got a base hit to left to score A-Rod to tie the game and chase Arroyo. Bronson battled but lasted just 6+ innings while allowing 2 runs off four hits and 2 walks. Bubba Crosby pinch ran for Giambi with Scott Williamson coming in to pitch. Posada grounded out to first to move both runners over and Lee was intentionally walked to load the bases. The gamble worked as Williams grounded into a double play to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                     Better luck next time Arroyo

Old pal Tom Gordon came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Varitek struck out swinging to start. Millar and Bellhorn both went down hacking to end the inning. Alan Embree came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and old buddy Tony Clark pinch hit for Wilson. Clark grounded out to second before Jeter struck out swinging. Matsui flied out to right to end the inning.

Miguel Cairo took over at second to start the top of the ninth and Kapler walked to start. Reese dropped down a bunt to move Kapler to second and Gabe moved to third on the Damon grounder to second. Mueller popped up to short to end the inning. A-Rod walked to put the winning run on first to start the bottom of the ninth and moved to second on the sacrifice bunt by Crosby. Sheffield popped up to short and Posada was intentionally walked. Lee grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Mariano Rivera came in to pitch the top of the tenth and Ortiz flied out to the right field wall to start. Ramirez got a base hit to right but Varitek forced him at second. Varitek swiped second but Millar hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. Keith Foulke came in to pitch the bottom of the tenth and Ortiz booted a grounder by Williams for an error to start. Cairo dropped down a bunt to move Williams to second and Williams moved to third on a grounder to second by Jeter. Matsui walked and A-Rod was intentionally walked to load the bases. Ruben Sierra pinch hit for Crosby and grounded into a force to end the inning.

Bellhorn walked to start the top of the eleventh but Kapler's bunt forced him at second. Ellis Burks pinch hit for Reese and got hit with a pitch before Damon walked to load the bases. Mueller popped up to short and Ortiz struck out swinging to end the inning. Cesar Crespo took over at short for the bottom of the eleventh and Sheffield was hit with a pitch to start. Posada flied out to center, Lee also flied out to center and Sheffield was thrown out trying to steal second to end the inning.

Paul Quantrill came in to pitch the top of the 12th and Ramirez doubled off the right field wall to start. Varitek grounded out to second to move Ramirez to third and Millar got hit with a pitch. Bellhorn hit a sac fly to center to score Ramirez to put the Sox on top. Kapler forced Millar at second to end the inning with the Sox up 3-2. 

                                                        Ramirez scores the go-ahead run

Mike Timlin came in to close out the bottom of the 12th with David McCarty now at first base. Williams took strike three to start and Cairo struck out swinging. Jeter grounded out to third to end the game. The Sox had won it 3-2.

                                                               Sox win

Hero of The Night is Mark Bellhorn. His sac fly in the 12th put the Sox up for good.

                                                        Mark Hero

The Good:

Ellis Burks got hit with a pitch as a pinch hitter.

Manny Ramirez was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Pokey Reese was 1 for 2 with an rbi.

Bronson Arroyo tossed 6+ innings allowing just 2 runs of 4 hits and 2 walks.

Scott Williamson pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

Alan Embree pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Keith Foulke tossed 3 scoreless innings to get the win.

Mike Timlin earned the save with a scoreless 12th inning.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Johnny Damon was 0 for 4 but walked twice and scored a run.

Bill Mueller was just 1 for 4 but walked twice.

David Ortiz was just 1 for 6 with 2 strikeouts and an error.

Kevin Millar was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout and an error but was hit with a pitch and scored a run.

Jason Varitek was 0 for 5 with a strikeout but walked and stole a base.

Gabe Kapler was 0 for 4 but walked.

Honorable Mention:

Cesar Crespo played short in the final two innings.

David McCarty played first in the final inning.

Final Thoughts:

I hate to bring up last year but this is what Sox brass envisioned Game 7 going down if the Sox had one more arm in the bullpen. Keith Foulke matched Mariano Rivera in extra innings and they still had Mike Timlin left in the bullpen. There was no Aaron Boone this time and the Sox got to Paul Quantrill in the 12th inning. Arroyo pitched well and the bullpen was lights out as they were last October. Its only April but that's a huge sign of good things to come if everyone can stay healthy. The Yankees have no answer for Timlin, Embree, Williamson and Foulke and that's not counting the starters. Again, there's a long way to go but winning 5 out of 6 against the Yankees is nothing to sneeze at. Good work by Bellhorn for getting the run in to win this marathon. The Sox now look for the sweep against the Yankees tomorrow afternoon when Pedro Martinez (2-1) returns to Yankee Stadium to face Javier Vazquez of New York. The game begins at 1:05 PM at Yankee Stadium.

Sox Rally Past Yankees on Patriots Day (4/19/04)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Frank Castillo was optioned back to Pawtucket and 24 year old lefty Lenny DiNardo was called up to take his place. Castillo didn't do THAT bad up here but Sox brass wants to give DiNardo a chance after picking him up in the Rule 5 draft back in September. With Byung-Hung Kim returning someone else has to go soon, so unless there's an injury, this could be the last of Castillo.

                                                                      OUT

                                                                           IN

The bad news was the Boston Bruins gagged Game 7 of their first round NHL playoff series to the Montreal Canadiens but the good news is the Boston Red Sox beat the New York Yankees in three of the first four games they've played. The Yankees bolted out to a 4-1 lead over Bronson Arroyo after three innings but Arroyo hung tough. The Sox got to Yankees starter Kevin Brown for three runs through six before rallying in the seventh to tie the game against Gabe White. Gabe Kapler knocked in David McCarty in the bottom of the eighth to put Boston on top and Keith Foulke slammed the door in the top of the ninth. The Sox had taken three of four from the Yankees including this one 5-4 at Fenway Park on Patriots Day.

                                                 Shannon Elizabeth approves of the win

Arroyo got the ball in the top of the first and Derek Jeter led off with a bunt attempt snuffed out by Bill Mueller. Bernie Williams got a seeing eye single into right but Alex Rodrguez took strike three on the inside corner and Jason Giambi flied out to the left field warning track to end the inning. Brown got the ball in the bottom of the first and Johnny Damon led off by grounding out to first. Bill Mueller took strike three down the middle but David Ortiz doubled into the right field corner. Manny Ramirez grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Yankees struck first in the top of the second as Gary Sheffield ripped a base hit to center to start. Hideki Matsui walked and Travis Lee lined a base hit to the left field wall. Sheffield scored easily but Crespo bounced the relay throw home for an error to score Matsui. Old pal John Flaherty dumped a base hit to right just in front of Kapler to score Lee. Enrique Wilson dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Flaherty to second as Sox analyst Jerry Remy scoffed at the Yankees for giving up an out with Arroyo on the ropes. Jerry had a point as Jeter was hit with a pitch but Williams grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Yankees did lead 3-0 but Arroyo was out of further trouble.

                                                        "I don't got it" - Varitek

The Sox got a run back in the bottom of the second as Jason Varitek dumped a base hit to center to start. David McCarty struck out swinging and Varitek moved to second on a grounder to Brown by Crespo. Gabe Kapler stepped up with a base hit down the left field line to score Varitek to cut the lead. Pokey Reese dumped a base hit to right but Kapler forgot there were two outs and hesitated, only moving to second. Damon flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox down 3-1.

                                                         Kapler drives in a run

The Yankees struck again in the top of the third although A-Rod grounded out to Mueller to start. Giambi then hit a home run all the way to Baghdad to increase the lead. Sheffield struck out swinging but Matsui pounded a ground rule double over the head of Kapler into the stands. Lee grounded out to first to end the inning with the Yankees up 4-1.

                                                      Giambi goes yard

Mueller tried to start a rally in the bottom of the third by chopping a base hit by Brown to start. Ortiz took strike three on the outside corner and Ramirez flied out to right. Varitek flied out to center to end the inning.

The Yankees threatened in the top of the fourth as Flaherty struck out swinging to start. Wilson fisted a base hit to center and moved to third on an error by Mueller that allowed Jeter to reach first. Williams popped up to second and A-Rod forced Jeter at second to end the inning. The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the fourth as McCarty grounded out to third to start. Crespo grounded out to second and Kapler grounded out to third to end the inning.

Arroyo plunked Giambi to start the top of the fifth but Sheffield popped up to Crespo. Matsui dropped a single to right but Lee banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fifth as Reese flied out to center to start. Damon grounded out to short but Mueller doubled past Williams to the centerfield wall. Ortiz ripped a base hit to center to score Mueller to cut the lead in half but Ramirez flied out to the centerfield warning track to end the inning with the Sox down 4-2.

                                                  Ortiz drives in a run

Flaherty struck out swinging to start the top of the sixth but Wilson grounded out to first. Jeter hit a routine grounder to Mueller who threw the ball into the Monster Seats for an error. Williams grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox inched closer in the bottom of the sixth as Varitek launched his second home run of the year to start. McCarty grounded out to second, Crespo struck out swinging and Kapler grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox down 4-3.

                                                       Varitek with a home run

Arroyo returned briefly for the top of the seventh as A-Rod struck out swinging to start. That was it for Arroyo as Sox manager Terry Francona lifted Bronson for Alan Embree. Arroyo battled back to go 6 1/3 innings allowing 4 runs on 8 hits and a walk. Giambi grounded out to a diving Reese in the shift z and Sheffield flied out to center to end the inning.

                                                    Arroyo gets a good hand

The Sox finished off Brown in the bottom of the seventh as Reese dumped a base hit to left to chase him. Gabe White came in to face Damon and Johnny ripped a base hit down the first base line to move Pokey to third. Mueller struck out swinging and Ortiz hit a routine grounder to A-Rod. Rodriguez threw the ball 100 feet over the head of Wilson at second for an error to score Reese with the tying run. Damon moved to third on the play and Tom Gordon was brought in to face Ramirez with runners at the corners. Manny grounded into a double play to end the inning but the game was tied 4-4.

                                                              Nice throw A-Rod

Matsui lined a base hit up the middle to start of the top of the eighth. Lee took strike three and that was it for Embree. Mike Timlin came in to face pinch hitter Jorge Posada and struck him out swinging. Ruben Sierra pinch hit for Wilson and grounded out to first to end the inning. Miguel Cairo came in to play second in the bottom of the eighth and Varitek struck out swinging to start. McCarty hit a pop up to left but Matsui misplayed it for a "double". McCarty moved to third on a grounder to second by Crespo and Kapler scored David with a base hit to left. Reese struck out swinging to end the inning but the Sox had the lead 5-4.

                                                                Kapler gets it done

Keith Foulke came in to close out the top of the ninth and Jeter was called out on strikes on a questionable pitch on the outside corner. Ramirez crashed into the Monster on a Williams line drive but A-Rod got a base hit to left. Giambi took strike three at the knees to end the game. The Sox had rallied to win it 5-4.

                                                                  Red Sox win

Hero of The Night is Gabe Kapler. His rbi single in the eighth put the Sox up for good.

                                                           Hero Kapler

The Good:

Bill Mueller was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

David Ortiz was 3 for 4 with 2 rbis.

Jason Varitek was 2 for 4 with a home run and 2 runs scored.

Pokey Reese was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Alan Embree pitched a full scoreless inning.

Mike Timlin got the win with 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

Keith Foulke got the save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Manny Ramirez was 0 for 4.

Cesar Crespo was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Johnny Damon was just 1 for 4.

David McCarty was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Bronson Arroyo allowed 4 early runs but battled back to go 6 1/3 innings. He allowed 8 hits and a walk while striking out 5.

Final Thoughts:

Its only April but beating the Yankees three out of four is nothing to sneeze at. Not just winning but rallying to win was an even bigger accomplishment. The rumors is Byung-Hung Kim will be returning to take the fifth starter spot and Arroyo pitched like his life depended on it in the final four innings. If Kim does push Arroyo to the bullpen, that would guarantee either Mark Malaska or Lenny DiNardo will be sent down to Pawtucket. As for the offensive side, the Sox are getting some pop up at the bottom of their order and they desperately need it until the Sox get their guns back in June. A win like this shows the Sox resilience from last year carried over. The bullpen trio of Timlin, Embree and Foulke once again was lights out and that's going to win a lot of games this year. Kapler was the hero in this one with a couple of big hits and on days when Manny Ramirez is kept quiet, a day like that is always welcomed. The Sox now look to continue their winning ways against the Toronto Blue Jays as they head up there for a three game set. Tomorrow night Pedro Martinez (1-1) gets the start against Jays ace Roy Halladay in a re-match. The game begins at 7:05 PM at the Skydome.

Blue Jays Spoil Fenway Opener (4/9/04)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Ramiro Mendoza was placed on the 15 day Disabled List while Mark Malaska was called up to take his place. Mendoza was dealing with an issue in Spring Training but Malaska had a good season for the Tampa Bay Rays last year. 

                                                                        OUT

                                                                        IN

The good news was the Boston Bruins won Game 2 of their first round NHL playoff series but the bad news was the Toronto Blue Jays spoiled Opening Day at Fenway Park by beating the Boston Red Sox. The Jays and Sox battled to a 4-4 tie as Bronson Arroyo went six innings. The Sox took the lead with a Jason Varitek home run but things fell apart as Mike Timlin got hammered for three runs in the eighth. Alan Embree allowed another run in the ninth and Dave McCarty the first baseman was sent to the mound to finish the game. It all added up to a 10-5 Blue Jays victory at Fenway Park.

 

Arroyo got the ball in the top of the first and Reed Johnson took strike three to start. Frank Catalanotto tripled into the right field corner but Vernon Wells popped up to David Ortiz for a big out. Carlos Delgado lined out to a running Johnny Damon to end the inning. Lilly got the ball in the bottom of the first and Damon led off by grounding out to short. Bill Mueller popped up to third in foul territory and Ellis Burks struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Jays struck first in the top of the second as Josh Phelps walked to start. Eric Hinske dropped a base hit to right and Orlando Hudson walked to load the bases. Chris Woodward popped up to Mark Bellhorn and Kevin Cash struck out swinging, but Johnson singled off the Monster to score both Phelps and Hinske. Catalanotto grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox down 2-0.

                                                                      Jays take the lead

Manny Ramirez flied out to right to start the bottom of the second before David Ortiz flied out to left. Kevin Millar grounded out to third to end the inning.

Wells struck out swinging to start the top of the third before Delgado grounded out to first. Phelps got hit in the shoulder but Hinske lined out to a running Damon to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the third as Jason Varitek singled to center to start. Mark Bellhorn forced Varitek at second and Pokey Reese grounded out to third to move Bellhorn to second. Damon dumped a base hit to right to score Bellhorn to cut the lead. Hudson kamikazed himself into the wall in foul territory to catch a pop up by Mueller to end the inning with thr Sox down 2-1.

                                                             Bellhorn scores a run

The Jays struck back in the top of the fourth as Hudson walked to start. Woodward popped up to short but Cash fisted a bloop single over the head of Bellhorn to move Hudson to third. Johnson beat out a double play ball to score Hudson and Damon missed a line drive by Catalanotto resulting in a base hit. Wells hit a double to right to score Johnson but Catalanotto was thrown out at home to end the inning with the Jays up 4-1.

                                                                      YERRRR OUT!

The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fourth although Burks struck out swinging to start. Ramirez hit a line drive off of the foot of Hinske and it rolled into the dugout for a "ground rule double" before Ortiz hit a conventional ground rule double into the right field corner to score Manny. Ortiz moved to third on the Millar grounder to second. Varitek and Bellhorn both walked to load the bases before Reese doubled to the Monster to score Ortiz & Varitek to tie the game. Gabe Kapler pinch hit for Damon and grounded out to short to end the inning but the game was tied 4-4.

                                                           Reese ties the game

The Jays threatened in the top of the fifth as Delgado singled to center to start. Phelps singled over the head of Reese and Hinske just barely beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners. Hudson took strike three and Hinske was gunned down at second trying to steal to end the inning.

                                                         Yerrrr out!

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fifth as Mueller popped up to right to start. Burks struck out swinging and Ramirez grounded out to third to end the inning.

Arroyo returned for one last inning in the top of the sixth and Woodward lined out to a running Kapler to start. Cash popped up to Reese and Johnson flied out to left to end the inning. Arroyo wasn't the sharpest but battled to go six innings while allowing four runs. He allowed 8 hits and 3 walks while striking out four.

                                                                 Good work Arroyo

The Sox took command in the bottom of the sixth as Ortiz grounded out to second to chase Lilly. Jays manager Carlos Tosca summoned Justin Speier to face Millar and Kevin grounded to short. Varitek clobbered his first home run of the year to put Boston on top. Bellhorn flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox up 5-4.

                                                             Home run Varitek

Mark Malaska made his Sox debut in the top of the seventh and Catalanotto flied out to the left field wall to start. Wells grounded out to third and Delgado flied out to left to end the inning. Reese struck out swinging to open the bottom of the seventh before Kapler flied out to left. Mueller grounded out to first to end the inning.

Everything fell apart in the top of the eighth with Mike Timlin on the mound. Phelps struck out swinging but Hinske singled to center. Hudson doubled to the centerfield wall to score Hinske with the tying run and Simon Pond pinch hit for Woodward. Pond struck out swinging but Cash doubled to center to score Hudson with the go-ahead run. Johnson was plunked and Catalanotto hit the kill shot with a ground rule double into the bullpen. Wells popped up to second to end the inning with the Jays up 7-5.

                                                Game gets away from Millar and the Sox

Terry Adams came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth with Chris Gomez playing short for Pond. Burks grounded out to third and Ramirez grounded out to short, but Ortiz walked to bring the tying run to the plate. Auquilino Lopez came in to face Millar and Kevin forced Ortiz at second to end the inning.

Alan Embree came in to take a beating in the top of the ninth as Delgado led off with a home run into the Charles River to ice the game. Phelps flied out to right and Hinske walked to chase Embree. Sox manager Terry Francona wanted to save his bullpen after last night's marathon so he brought in first baseman David McCarty to finish the game. Hudson hit a comebacker to McCarty to allow Hinske to move to second. Gomez walked and Hinske took third when the ball went to the backstop. Cash doubled into the centerfield triangle to score both runners. Johnson grounded out to short to end the inning with the Jays up 10-5.

                                                     New relief pitcher....David McCarty?

Kerry Ligtenberg came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Varitek struck out swinging to start. Bellhorn flied out to center and Brian Daubach made his return to Fenway by pinch hitting for Reese. Daubach grounded out to second to end the game. The Jays had won it 10-5.

                                                               Jays win

Jackass of the Night is Mike Timlin. He allowed 3 runs to take the loss and put the game out of reach

                                                           Timlin The Jackass

The Good:

Johnny Damon was 1 for 2 with an rbi before leaving the game.

David Ortiz was 1 for 3 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Jason Varitek was 2 for 3 with a walk, a home run and 2 runs scored.

Pokey Reese was 1 for 3 with 2 rbis.

Mark Malaska pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

The Bad:

Bill Mueller was 0 for 4.

Ellis Burks was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of three strikeouts.

Kevin Millar was 0 for 4.

Brian Daubach was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Alan Embree was charged with 2 runs in just 1/3 of an inning.

Dave McCarty the first baseman allowed a run in 2/3 of an inning on the mound.

The Ugly:

Manny Ramirez was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Mark Bellhorn was 0 for 3 but walked and scored a run.

Bronson Arroyo went 6 innings but allowed four runs on eight hits and three walks. He did strike out four.

Final Thoughts:

Well this was an unmitigated disaster. The Sox plane didn't land until 6 this morning and then they had to do the Opening Day ceremony. Makes sense the team ran out of gas as the game went along. The Jays offense feasted on Sox pitching for 14 hits and 10 runs including battering Timlin and Embree. Those two were integral to the bullpen last year so hopefully they're getting the badness out of their system early. Arroyo didn't look that great but it was the first start of his season. Johnny Damon left the game with a knee injury but Sox manager Terry Francona said it wasn't that serious, thankfully. All in all the Sox are 2-3 to start the season but they're too good to be this bad. They'll turn it around eventually but they're definitely stumbling to start. If that wasn't bad enough, the Sox now have to face Roy Halladay tomorrow who had their number last year. Luckily Pedro Martinez (0-1) is here to match him and the game begins at 7:05 PM at Fenway park.

Wells, Yankees Push Sox To Brink in Game 5 (10/14/03)

The wild ride of the Cowboy Up Boston Red Sox took another step toward ending in Game 5 of the ALCS against the New York Yankees. The Yankees pushed the Sox to the brink by taking a hard fought contest 4-2 at Fenway Park. David Wells improved his post-season record to 10-2, Derek Lowe couldn't keep pace and the Yankees did just enough to take a 3-2 series lead going back to New York tomorrow night.

Lowe took the mound in the top of the first and got Alfonso Soriano to fly out to right on the first pitch. Derek Jeter grounded out to third and Jason Giambi was retired on a squibber back to Lowe to end the inning. Wells cruised in the bottom of the first as Johnny Damon grounded out to second to start before Todd Walker lined out to first. Nomar Garciaparra drew a walk but Manny Ramirez grounded into a force to end the inning.

The Yankees struck first in the top of the second although Bernie Williams led off by grounding out to first to start. Jorge Posada walked and moved to second on the grounder to third by Hideki Matsui. Nick Johnson was unintentionally intentionally walked before Grady Little bounded out of the dugout to make a pitching change but forgot there was no one warming up. When Lowe told him to get lost, Bill Mueller failed to corral a hard hit grounder by Aaron Boone to load the bases. Karim Garcia made Bill pay by lining a single up the middle to score Posada and Johnson to give the Yankees the lead. Soriano singled home Boone and advanced Garcia to third before Jeter grounded out to second to end the inning with the Yankees up for good 3-0.

                                                Garcia the Sox killer

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the second as David Ortiz flied out to deep right to begin. Kevin Millar grounded out to third before Bill Mueller lined out to a leaping Soriano to end the inning.

Lowe settled down in the top of the third as Giambi whiffed to start. Williams grounded out to second and Posada grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox caught a break in the bottom of the third when Nixon leaned into a pitch to begin much to the dismay of Wells. Varitek grounded a single to left and both runners moved over on the grounder by Damon. Wells got a big out when Walker popped up to a running Matsui before Nomar whiffed on a full count fastball to end the inning.

Walker threw wide of first and Millar missed the tag on a Matsui grounder to open the top of the fourth inning. Johnson grounded out but Matsui moved to second. Mueller threw wide of first on a Boone grounder for a "hit" but Garcia flied out to left. Soriano whiffed to end the inning. The Sox finally struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Manny blasted a solo shot into the Monster Seats to put Boston on the board. Ortiz followed with a bloop single to center to bring the tying run to the plate but Millar banged into a double play. Mueller whiffed to end the inning but it was now 3-1 Yankees.

                                                    Manny hits one out

The Yankees nearly answered in the top of the fifth although Jeter grounded out to first to begin. Giambi singled to center and took third when Millar ole'd a ground ball hit by Williams. Lowe recovered by getting Posada to bang into a double play to end the inning. It was the Yankees turn for a miscue as Nixon grounded one to Soriano who muffed it for an error to start the bottom of the fifth. Wells got a big out when Varitek whiffed before Soriano atoned for his error to make a great play on a grounder by Damon to get Nixon at second on a force. Walker singled to right and Nomar walked to load the bases but Manny grounded to third to end the inning. HUGE squander by the Sox.

                                                   Wells gets it done for the Yankees

Right on cue the Yankees struck in the top of the sixth although Matsui grounded to second to begin. Johnson also grounded out to second but Boone walked. Lowe and Varitek executed a perfect pitch out to nab Boone at second trying to steal to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the sixth as Ortiz grounded out to short to start. Millar whiffed on a curveball down the middle and Mueller grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Yankees got their insurance run in the top of the seventh inning although Lowe froze Garcia on the outside corner to start. Soriano flied out to left and Jeter grounded out to short to end the inning. Had Grady Little pulled Lowe at this point, it would have been a heck of an effort. The Sox meanwhile had one last crack at Wells in the bottom of the seventh and Nixon whiffed after being up 3-0. Jeter made a great diving play to get Varitek at first on a grounder and Damon popped up to short to end the inning.

For whatever reason Lowe was asked to come back for the top of the eighth inning and the Yankees pounced. Giambi walked and David Dellucci ran for him but was erased on the Williams grounder to first. Posada singled Williams to third and that was it for Lowe. He shouldn't have come back for the 8th but left after being charged with 4 runs in 7 1/3 innings. Alan Embree was brought in and Matsui lined one off Alan and Mueller had no choice but to go to first for the out, scoring Williams with the insurance run. Johnson flied out to right to end the inning but the Sox were down 4-1

                                                Lowe deserved better

The Yankees summoned Mariano Rivera for the six out save but the Sox refused to go quietly. Walker pounded a triple into the right field corner to lead off but Nomar could only bring him in with a ground out to second. How big was that fourth run now? Ramirez whiffed but Ortiz singled to center to bring the tying run to the plate. Millar grounded into a force to end the inning with the Sox down 4-2.

Bronson Arroyo got the call to pitch the top of the ninth inning and he whiffed Boone to start. Garcia walked but Soriano popped up to center. Jeter grounded into a force to end the inning. Rivera returned for the bottom of the ninth but the Sox had nothing left. Mueller grounded out to second, Nixon grounded out to third and Varitek popped up to short to end the game. The Yankees had won 4-2 and were one win away from the World Series.

Jackass of the Night is Kevin Millar. He was 0 for 4 and left men on base all game.

                                                       Stop smiling, Jackass



The Good:

Todd Walker was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Nomar Garciaparra walked twice in four plate appearances and drove in a run.

David Ortiz was 2 for 4.

Alan Embree got the final two outs of the eighth inning.

Bronson Arroyo pitched a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

Johnny Damon was 0 for 4.

Bill Mueller was 0 for 4.




The Ugly:

Manny Ramirez was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a solo home run.

Trot Nixon was 0 for 3 but was hit with a pitch.

Jason Varitek was just 1 for 4.

Derek Lowe took the loss but tossed 7 1/3 innings of 4 run ball. A little offensive help might have turned the game around.




Final Thoughts:

If the wild ride is about to end the Sox made it a hell of a season. The most prolific offense in recent memory is one game away from elimination and its easy to see why, great pitching always beats great hitting. The Sox were shut down by Andy Pettite, Roger Clemens and David Wells and are going to have to somehow beat two of them if they have any hope of winning the AL pennant. They couldn't crack Wells and hit in the clutch at all and the game was at home. How are they going to do it on the road tomorrow? If the Sox hope to stay alive in the series they're going to have to take a stand tomorrow afternoon against Andy Pettite. The Sox turn to the veteran John Burkett to keep their season alive at 4:00 PM at Yankee Stadium.