O's Drop Unclutch Sox (8/14/12)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. It was discovered that Kelly Shoppach was the one who blew the whistle on how horrible Sox manager Bobby Valentine is to the media so Sox GM Ben Cherrington shipped him to the New York Mets for a player to be named. It would have been a lot easier for Cherrington just to fire Valentine but oh well, bye bye Kelly. In his place the Sox finally activated closer Andrew Bailey off the Disabled List. Its too little, too late with the Sox hopelessly out of the AL East race but at least he can show something for next year.

                                                                      OUT

                                                                 IN

As for the game, with tensions buzzing over another media blowup, the Boston Red Sox found a new way to lose tonight against the Baltimore Orioles. The Sox as a team pounded out 11 hits....but only scraped out one run. A lot of guys got hits but none of them when it mattered. Josh Beckett (5-10, 5.19 ERA) continued his career nosedive by getting knocked out in the sixth inning after allowing 6 runs. Andrew Bailey made his too little, too late Red Sox debut by striking out the only man he faced, but by that point the O's already had a commanding lead. Reports of the Red Sox players hating Bobby Valentine are coming out and it shows as the Sox dropped another game 7-1 to the O's at Camden Yards.

Wei-Yin Chen got the ball for Baltimore in the top of the first and Jacoby Ellsbury slapped a leadoff single in the hole at short to start. Pedro Ciriaco dropped down the perfect bunt and almost beat it out. Dustin Pedroia lined one off the glove of Chen but Manny Machado gunned him down at first. Adrian Gonzalez struck out swinging to end the inning. Beckett got the ball in the bottom of the first and Nick Markakis grounded out to second to start. JJ Hardy popped up to short and Nate McLouth struck out swinging to end the inning.

Cody Ross grounded out to second to start the top of the second inning but Ryan Lavarnway singled to right. Carl Crawford beat out a fielder's choice and Mike Aviles struck out swinging to end the inning. Adam Jones popped up on the infield but Avilies sprinted past Beckett to make the catch. Matt Wieters walked and Chris Davis singled to right, but Mark Reynolds hit one up the elevator shaft. Manny Machado popped up to third in foul territory to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the third as Machado made a good play to rob Danny Valencia of a hit to start. Ellsbury grounded out to first but Ciriaco doubled down the left field line. Pedroia walked but Gonzalez flied out to left to end the inning. The O's struck first in the bottom of the third as Omar Quintanilla clobbered a home run all the way to the Red Sea to start. Markakis grounded out to short, Hardy popped up to first and McLouth popped up to first to end the inning with the O's up 1-0.

                                                            Home run Quintanilla

The Sox fought back in the top of the fourth when Ross hit a ground rule double to the left field stands to start. Ross moved to third on a grounder to first by Lavarnway and scored on the Crawford base hit to center. Avilies struck out swinging and Valencia flied out to center to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                    Crawford ties it up

Beckett cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Jones struck out swinging to start. Wieters lined out to center and Davis flied out to left to end the inning.

Ellsbury grounded out to second to start the top of the fifth and Ciriaco grounded out to short. Pedroia tripled into the right field corner but Gonzalez grounded out to second to end the inning. The O's retook the lead in the bottom of the fifth as Reynolds hit a home run to Jupiter to start. Machado popped up to short, Quintanilla lined out to left and Markakis flied out to center to end the inning with the O's up 2-1.

                                                          Reynolds hits a home run

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the sixth and Ross singled to left to start. Lavarnway lined out to left but Crawford singled to right. Aviles struck out swinging and Valencia flied out to center to end the inning. The O's finally knocked out Beckett in the bottom of the sixth as Hardy got a base hit to left to start. McLouth popped up to third but Jones walked. A wild pitch moved both runners over and Jones hit a Baltimore chopper over all 3 defenders to score Hardy with another run. Davis lined a base hit to center to score Jones and chase Beckett. Josh would be charged with 6 runs before the inning was over. Mark Melancon came in to pitch and naturally he served up a 3 run homer to Reynolds all the way to Jacksonville, Florida to ice the game. Machado grounded out to short and Quintanailla struck out swinging to end the inning but the game was all but finished 7-1.

                                                Reynolds ices the game

Ellsbury dropped a base hit to right to start the top of the seventh and chase Chen. Darren O'Day came in and Ciriaco struck out swinging. Pedroia doubled to right and Gonzalez walked to load the bases, but Ross struck out swinging. Lavarnway took strike three to end the inning, what a waste. Melancon got Markakis to grounded out to second to start the bottom of the seventh and Hardy struck out swinging. McLouth grounded out to first to end the inning.

Old friend JC Romero came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Crawford flied out to center to start. Aviles also flied out to center but Valencia singled to left. Ellsbury grounded out to first to end the inning. Scott Posednik came in to play center for the bottom of the eighth and Jones struck out swinging to start. Wieters grounded back to the mound and that was it for Melancon. Andrew Bailey made his Red Sox debut by walking Chris Davis but striking out Reynolds swinging to end the inning.

                                                        Better late than never for Bailey

Matt Lindstrom came in to close out the top of the ninth and Ciriaco lined out to left to start. Pedroia flied out to right and Gonzalez grounded out to short to end the game. The O's had won it 7-1.

                                                                       O's win

Jackass of the Night is Josh Beckett. He got hammered for 6 runs in 5 1/3 innings to put the Sox in a hole too deep to climb out of.

                                              2006 Jackass Beckett returns

The Good:

Jacoby Ellsbury was 2 for 5.

Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 4 with a walk.

Cody Ross was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Carl Crawford was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Andrew Bailey struck out the only man he faced.

The Bad:

Mike Aviles was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Pedro Ciriaco was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Adrian Gonzalez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but walked.

Ryan Lavarnway was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Danny Valencia was just 1 for 4.

Mark Melancon allowed the 3 run homer to Reynolds in 2 1/3 innings.

Honorable Mention:

Scott Posednik played centerfield in the bottom of the eighth.

Final Thoughts:

Not only is the season going down the drain, but if that wasn't bad enough,......this happened. Yessire bob, the players themselves have revolted against Valentine. Its been a long time coming to after the lackadaisical play as of late. Tensions have been bad virtually all season with incidents popping up here and there but now that its in full print in the media for the whole world to see, there's no denying it now. Its been a bad year anyway with long term injuries to David Ortiz, Carl Crawford, Jacoby Ellsbury, Will Middlebrooks and John Lackey missing the season with Tommy John surgery, but anyone that's left clearly has no love for Valentine. Its almost guaranteed Valentine won't be back next season to manage this team and hopefully the next guy in can get the most out of Gonzalez, Crawford, Pedroia, etc thast Bobby couldn't. A picture surfaced of Bobby Valentine sleeping in his office with Pedroia sarcastically saying "Here's our manager making the starting lineups" Its gotten pretty ugly around here. As for this game, how the heck do you crank out 11 hits but only 1 run? The O's only had 7 as a team but still plated 7 runs. Chen is a good pitcher but it wasn't like he was working on a 3 hit shutout. Once again the Sox are finding new ways to lose and the season can't end fast enough. The loss dropped the Sox to 57-60, 12.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night Aaron Cook (3-5) looks to stop the bleeding against Miguel Gonzalez of the Orioles. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Camden Yards.

Mariners Blank Red Sox (4/30/11)

The good news was the Boston Bruins defeated the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 1 of their second round NHL playoff series but the bad news was the Boston Red Sox were shut out by the Seattle Mariners. The horrible month of April is finally over for the Sox and naturally it ended with yet another loss. Doug Fister of the Mariners tossed 5 2/3 innings of shutout ball and Mariners bullpen completed the shutout afterwards. John Lackey (2-3, 5.65 ERA) was game by allowing just 2 runs in 6 innings, but those two runs just happened to be the difference. The Sox had chances to take the lead early and tie the game but couldn't get it done as the Mariners beat Boston 2-0 at Fenway Park. How many runs did the Sox score Dean Wormer?

Lackey got the ball in the top of the first inning and Ichiro Suzuki dropped a base hit to center to start. Chone Figgins took strike three but Ichiro swiped second. Lackey then turned and fired the ball 100 feet over the head of shortstop Jed Lowrie and Ichiro made it to third on the error. Milton Bradley took strike three and Miguel Olivo grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox blew their only chance to take the lead in the bottom of the first against Fister as Jacoby Ellsbury walked to start. Ellsbury was erased on the Dustin Pedroia force but Adrian Gonzalez dropped a base hit to center. Kevin Youkilis walked but David Ortiz struck out swinging. JD Drew flied out to center to end the inning, what a waste.

Justin Smoak struck out swinging to start the top of the second but Jack Cust walked. Michael Saunders popped up to Youkilis and Brendan Ryan grounded out to second to end the inning. Jed Lowrie led off the top of the second inning by taking strike three. Carl Crawford grounded out to first and Jarrod Saltalamacchia lined out to left to end the inning.

The Mariners struck first in the top of the third as Jack Wilson popped up to first to start. Ichiro walked and Figgins singled him to third before Suzuki scored on the Bradley double to left. Olivo grounded out to third and Bradley started screaming at the second base umpire for absolutely no reason. Bradley had to be carried out by the third base coach kicking and screaming as Ryan Langerhans pinch ran for Bradley. Smoak grounded out to first to end the inning with the Mariners ahead 1-0.

                                          Bradley puts the Mariners on top....before he was ejected

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the third as Ellsbury doubled to right to start. Pedroia grounded out to third, Gonzalez struck out swinging and Youkilis grounded out to short to end the inning.

Lackey got in trouble in the top of the fourth as Cust walked to start. Saunders flied out to left and Ryan popped up to first, but Wilson got a hit just out of the reach of Pedroia to move Cust to third. Ichiro grounded into a force to end the inning. Ortiz struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fourth before Drew grounded out to second. Lowrie doubled to right but Crawford popped up to right to end the inning.

Figgins singled to center to start the top of the fifth but Langerhans flied out to left. Olivo flied out to the centerfield warning track and Smoak grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox blew another rally in the bottom of the fifth as Saltalamacchia doubled to left to start. Ellsbury and Pedroia drew back to back walks to load the bases but Gonzalez hit a bullet to second, doubling off Jacoby for the double play. Youkilis popped up to first to end the inning, what a squander.

                                                            Yerrrrrr out!

The Mariners struck again in the top of the sixth as Cust and Saunders stroked back to back base hits to left to start. Ryan dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners over and Wilson scored Cust with a sac fly to center. Ichiro walked but Figgins grounded out to short to end the inning. That was it for Lackey who allowed just 2 runs in 6 innings but left trailing 2-0.

                                              Lackey battled but left trailing

The Sox blew another rally in the bottom of the sixth as Ortiz popped up to Ichiro to start. Drew doubled to center and moved to third on the Lowrie fly ball to the centerfield warning track. Crawford walked and that was it for Fister. Aaron Laffey came in and Saltlamacchia hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

Hideki Okajima came in to pitch the top of the seventh inning and Langerhans grounded back to him to start. Olivo grounded out to third and Smoak struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox blew yet another rally in the bottom of the seventh as Ellsbury's bunt attempt was snuffed out by Laffey to start. Pedroia grounded out to short. Gonzalez walked and Youkilis doubled to left to put the tying runs on. Marco Scutaro pinch ran for Youkilis but Ortiz flied out to left to end the inning.

Okajima returned for the top of the eighth and Cust grounded into the shift to start. Saunders popped up a bunt to Okajima and that was it for him. Dan Wheeler came in and got Ryan to pop up to first to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the eighth as Drew flied out to center to start. Lowrie grounded out to third and Crawford flied out to center to end the inning.

Wheeler came back for the top of the ninth and Wilson grounded out to Scutaro to start. Ichiro singled to center and stole second on the Figgins swinging strikeout. Langerhans popped up to third to end the inning. The Sox pitchers had held the Mariners to just 2 runs in 9 innings, what a waste. Mariners closer Brandon League came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Saltalamacchia singled to right to start. Ellsbury banged into a double play and Pedroia flied out to right to end the game. The Mariners had won it 2-0.

                                                                  Mariners win
                                                    

Jackass of the Night is David Ortiz. He was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts and left men on base all night.

                                                 Ortiz the unclutch Jackass

The Good:

Jacoby Ellsbury was 1 for 3 with 2 walks.

Adrian Gonzalez was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Kevin Youkilis was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was 2 for 4.

One of the rare times the losing pitcher ends up on the good list but John Lackey tossed 6 solid innings of 2 run ball. He allowed 7 hits and 4 walks.

Hideki Okajima tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Dan Wheeler tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 4 but walked.

JD Drew was just 1 for 4.

Jed Lowrie was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Carl Crawford was 0 for 3 but walked.

Honorable Mention:

Marco Scutaro was used as a pinch runner and played short in the top of the ninth.

Final Thoughts:

Finally this god awful month is over. How fitting that in the wake of the worst start possible the Sox would get shut out in the final game of the month? A season that had so much promise after the Adrian Gonzalez trade and Carl Crawford signing has completely gone up in smoke. The Sox lost 15 of their first 26 games in every way imaginable and there seems to be no end in sight. They are absolutely dreadful with runners in scoring position and if its the not the starters stinking the joint out, the bullpen ruins the good starts. Tonight's game was a microcosm as everyone had no problems getting on base but couldn't do a damn thing once guys were on. Lackey pitched a good, determined game and Wheeler & Okajima kept the M's off the scoreboard, it just wasn't enough since the Sox bats couldn't generate any offense. The month ends with the Sox at 11-15 and the news doesn't get any better. Clay Buchholz will not make the start tomorrow afternoon and will be replaced by Tim Wakefield as he goes up against AL Cy Young champion Felix Hernandez of the Mariners. The game begins at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Pull Away Late, Beat Orioles (4/28/11)

The past few days the Boston Red Sox would keep games close with the Baltimore Orioles only for them to get the winning or insurance runs late, tonight it was the opposite. Jon Lester (3-1, 2.52 ERA) pitched an 8 inning gem where he held the O's to just 2 runs. Dustin Pedroia broke a 2-2 deadlock with an rbi single in the top of the seventh as Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Jacoby Ellsbury drove in the next 3 runs to put the game out of reach. Jonathan Papelbon slammed the door in the bottom of the ninth and the Red Sox snapped their two game skid with a 6-2 victory over the O's at Camden Yards.

                                                   Liu Jian approves of the win

Brad Bergesen got the ball in the top of the first inning and the Sox wasted no time getting to him. Jacoby Ellsbury doubled to center but Dustin Pedroia struck out swinging. Adrian Gonzalez doubled to the left field wall to score Ellsbury with the first run. Kevin Youkilis walked but David Ortiz banged into a double play with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                      Gonzalez puts Boston on top

The O's struck back in the bottom of the first against Lester as Brian Roberts walked to start. Nick Markakis singled to right and Roberts stole third before he scored on the Derrek Lee base hit into left to tie the game. Vladimir Guerrero struck out swinging and Adam Jones banged into a double play to end the inning but it was tied 1-1.

                                                          Lee ties up the game

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second as JD Drew flied out to Jones on the first pitch. Jarrod Saltalamacchia grounded out to short and Carl Crawford flied out to right to end the inning. Lester settled down in the bottom of the second as Matt Wieters took strike three to start. Mark Reynolds grounded out to short and Jake Fox grounded out to second to end the inning.

Boston took the lead in the top of the third although Marco Scutaro flied out to center to start. Ellsbury dumped a base hit to left and moved to second on the grounder to third by Pedroia. Gonzalez slashed a base hit to right to score Ellsbury to give Boston the lead back. Youkilis flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-1.

                                                    Ellsbury puts the Sox back on top

Lester cruised in the bottom of the third as Robert Andino grounded out to short to start. Roberts flied out to right and Markakis flied out to left to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fourth as Ortiz flied out to left to start. Drew grounded out to short and Saltalamacchia took strike three to end the inning. Lester got in trouble in the bottom of the fourth although Lee watched strike three go by to begin. Guerrero grounded out to short but Jones and Wieters took back to back walks. Reynolds grounded out to short to end the inning.

Bergensen cruised in the top of the fifth as Crawford flied out to center to start. Scutaro also flied out to center and Ellsbury struck out swinging to end the inning. Lester dominated the bottom of the fifth as Fox flied out to center to start. Andino grounded out to third and Roberts flied out to left to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the sixth as Pedroia beat out an infield single to the mound to start. Gonzalez doubled down the left field line but Youkilis and Ortiz both struck out swinging. Drew was intentionally walked to load the bases but Saltalamacchia flied out to center to end the inning. The O's tied the game in the bottom of the sixth as Markakis grounded out to second to start. Lee took strike three but Guerrero hit his 440th career home run to tie the game. Jones struck out swinging to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                       Guerrero hits number 440

Jim Johnson came in to pitch the top of the seventh and the Sox rallied. Crawford doubled to right but Scutaro botched the bunt and Carl stayed at second. Ellsbury moved Crawford to third with a grounder to second and Carl scored on the Pedroia roller that Reynolds couldn't come up with. Gonzalez grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-2.

                                                  Crawford scores the go-ahead run

Lester got the O's to beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the seventh as Wieters grounded out to second to start. Reynolds grounded back to Lester and Fox grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox iced it in the top of the eighth as Youkilis walked to chase Johnson. Mike Gonzalez came in to pitch to Ortiz and David singled to center. Mike Cameron pinch hit for Drew and walked to load the bases. Saltalamacchia slashed a base hit to center to score Youkilis and re-load the bases. Crawford struck out swinging and that was it for Gonzalez. Jason Berken got Scutaro to pop up to second but Ellsbury dropped a base hit to center to score Ortiz and Cameron to ice the game. Pedroia grounded into a force to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-2.

                                                    Sox ice the game

Lester returned for one final inning in the bottom of the eighth with Jed Lowrie taking over for Youk at third. Andino doubled past Crawford in right but Roberts grounded out to second. Markakis flied out to left and Lee grounded out to third to end the inning. Lester was amazing, tossing 8 innings of 2 run ball to keep the Sox in the game.

                                                            8 strong innings for Lester

Josh Rupe came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Gonzalez grounded out to short to start. Lowrie and Ortiz stroked back to back base hits to center but Cameron banged into a double play to end the inning. Jonathan Papelbon came on to close out the bottom of the ninth and Guerrero struck out swinging to start on a 96 mph fastball to begin. Jones flied out to left and Wieters grounded out to short to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-2.

                                                       Sox win

Hero of the Night is Jon Lester. He dominated the Orioles going 8 innings while allowing just 2 runs. He allowed 4 hits and 3 walks.

                                                   Lester The Hero

The Good:

Jacoby Ellsbury was 3 for 5 with 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

Adrian Gonzalez was 3 for 5 with 2 rbis.

Kevin Youkilis walked twice and scored a run in four plate appearances.

Jed Lowrie singled in his only plate appearance.

David Ortiz was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Mike Cameron walked and scored at the plate.

Jonathan Papelbon pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Marco Scutaro was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

JD Drew was 0 for 2 but walked.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Carl Crawford was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

At this point the Red Sox just need to survive the month and hope they can hit the gas in May. It was a good win but some of the holes on this team are glaring. Scutaro and Crawford are automatic outs right now and Saltalamacchia/Varitek isn't much better. The fact everyone from Ellsbury to Drew has been red hot helps but the bottom of the order is a mess right now. Lester pitched a great game and the starting pitching has been fine the last few weeks. If the Sox can get Scutaro and Crawford going, they'll be in good shape moving forward. Its about time the Sox got some hits with RISP and that's going to be a big key to the season if they can show life with men on base. As the month comes to a close, the fact the Sox was able to turn a 2-10 start to 11-13 after tonight is nothing short of miraculous. The New York Yankees will be looking over their shoulder at the Sox and the battle for AL East supremacy will begin soon. As for now, great win. The Sox now come home to face the Seattle Mariners to end the month. Daisuke Matsuzaka (2-2) looks to make it 3 great starts in a row against Jason Vargas of the Mariners. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Comeback Falls Short in Baltimore (4/27/11)

The good news was the Boston Bruins knocked out the Montreal Canadiens with their overtime victory in their NHL playoff Game 7 showdown, the bad news was the Boston Red Sox rallied from down 4-0 to tie the Baltimore Orioles....only for the O's to score the winning run in the eighth to win the game. Josh Beckett got tagged for 4 runs in 6 innings and the Sox trailed 4-0 going into the top of the eighth inning. Suddenly Adrian Gonzalez drove in a run and Kevin Youkilis smashed a 3 run home run to tie the game. All the feel good momentum was squandered in the bottom of the eighth inning when Vladimir Guerrero tagged Daniel Bard (0-3, 3.97 ERA) for a run to put the O's back on top. Kevin Gregg slammed the door in the ninth inning and the O's had won it 5-4 at Camden Yards.

  

Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie got the ball in the top of the first inning and Jacoby Ellsbury led off with a base hit to left. Dustin Pedroia flied out to left but JD Martinez doubled to right. Kevin Youkilis struck out swinging and David Ortiz popped up to short to end the inning. Beckett got the ball in the bottom of the first and Brian Roberts flied out to left to start. Nick Markakis grounded out to second but Derrek Lee singled off Beckett. Vladimir Guerrero popped up to right to end the inning.

JD Drew singled to right to start the top of the second but Jed Lowrie struck out swinging. Carl Crawford banged into a double play to end the inning. Beckett cruised in the bottom of the second as Luke Scott flied out to left to start. Adam Jones lined out to first and Mark Reynolds grounded out to third to end the inning.

Jason Varitek struck out swinging to begin the top of the third before Ellsbury took strike three. Pedroia watched strike three to begin the inning. Beckett dominated the bottom of the third as Matt Wieters struck out looking to start. Robert Andino also took strike three and Roberts flied out to left to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the fourth as Gonzalez flied out to left to start. Youkilis also flied out to left but Ortiz dumped a base hit to center. Drew walked and Lowrie got a base hit to right. Ortiz came around third and slid.....OUT! Ortiz was thrown out at home to end the inning.

                                                        Yerrrr out!

The O's pounced on Beckett in the bottom of the fourth although Markakis whiffed on a changeup to start. Things went south as Pedroia and Ellsbury let a pop up by Lee drop for a double and Guerrero popped up to short. Scott and Jones then blasted back to back home runs to Argentina to give the O's the lead. Reynolds lined out to left to end the inning but the O's led 3-0.

                                                          Scott gives the O's the lead

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fifth as Crawford flied out to left in foul territory to start. Varitek grounded out to short but Ellsbury doubled to center. Pedroia hit a bullet but right to Guthrie to end the inning. The O's got another run in the bottom of the fifth as Wieters singled to right to begin. Andino beat out a bunt single and both runners moved over on a wild pitch. Roberts scored Wieters with a sac fly to right and Andino moved to third. Markakis grounded out to second and Lee grounded out to short to end the inning with the O's ahead 4-0.

                                                      O's increase the lead

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the sixth as Gonzalez went down hacking to start. Youkilis flied out to right but Ortiz dropped a hit to right. Drew flied out to center to end the inning. Beckett came back for one more inning in the bottom of the sixth as Guerrero popped up to first to start. Scott flied out to center but Jones doubled down the left field line. Reynolds struck out swinging to end the inning. That was it for Beckett who allowed 4 runs in 6 innings of work.

                                                Too many homers allowed by Beckett

Jeremy Accardo came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Lowrie struck out swinging to start. Crawford flied out to left and Varitek grounded out to first to end the inning. Tim Wakefield came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Wieters struck out swinging to start. Andino flied out to center and Roberts grounded out to short to end the inning.

Suddenly the Sox sprang to life in the top of the eighth as Ellsbury singled to right to start. Pedroia walked to chase Accardo and Clay Rapada came in to pitch to Gonzalez and Adrian singled home Ellsbury to cut the lead. Koji Uehara was summoned to pitch to Youkilis and somehow Youk homered just over the left field wall to tie the game. Ortiz flied out to left but Drew walked to put the go-ahead run on. Lowrie struck out swinging and Crawford flied out to center to end the inning but the Sox had tied it 4-4.

                                                  Youkilis ties the game

Just as soon as the Sox tied it, the O's took the lead back against Daniel Bard in the bottom of the eighth. Markakis and Lee stroked back to back base hits before moving over on a passed ball. Varitek muffed a second pitch and Markakis made a mad dash home. Varitek gunned the throw to Bard who blocked off Nick's arm and made the tag for the out. Too bad Guerrero then hit a grounder up the middle to score Lee with the go-ahead run. Scott flied out to left and Jones whiffed to end the inning but the O's had taken the lead 5-4.

                                                          O's take the lead

Felix Pie took over for Scott in left with Kevin Gregg on the mound for the top of the ninth. Marco Scutaro pinch hit for Varitek and flied out to right to start. Ellsbury popped up to third and Pedroia grounded out to third to end the game. The O's had held on to win 5-4.

                                                          Dammit

Jackass of the Night is Daniel Bard. He allowed the run in the eighth after the Sox had tied it.

                                                             Cover your face, Jackass

The Good:

Jacoby Ellsbury was 3 for 5 with a run scored.

Adrian Gonzalez was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

David Ortiz was 2 for 4.

JD Drew was 1 for 2 with 2 walks.

Tim Wakefield pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

The Bad:

Carl Crawford was 0 for 4.

Jason Varitek was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Marco Scutaro was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Kevin Youkilis was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a 3 run home run.

Jed Lowrie was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Josh Beckett allowed 4 runs in 6 innings of work. He gave up 7 hits and struck out 4.

Final Thoughts:

Good grief that was a let-down. The Sox looked lifeless for seven innings only to rally in the eighth inning. Naturally just like everything else this month, they found a way to screw it all up. Beckett was mortal tonight but even so, the Sox shouldn't have had to rally in the eighth like that after the way they had been hitting the last two weeks. Crawford continues to struggle offensively but Youkilis, Varitek and Scutaro isn't doing much either....apart from the 3 run homer Youk hit. Still, to look lifeless for seven innings and still make a game of it shows this offense will be dangerous moving forward. Bard is a damn good pitcher but that was inexcusable to allow that run after making a good play to get the out at home. Its been that kind of month where nothing ends well no matter how good things are going. Tomorrow night the Sox look to avoid a series sweep when they send Jon Lester (2-1) to the mound up against Brad Bergesen of the Orioles. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Camden Yards.

O's Shut Down Sox (4/26/11)

As great as Easter Sunday was for the city of Boston, tonight was the opposite. The Boston Bruins dropped Game 6 of their first round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens and the Boston Red Sox winning streak was snapped at the hands of the Baltimore Orioles. The scorching Boston bats were held to just 6 hits and 1 run by Zack Britton and the Baltimore bullpen. Clay Buchholz (1-3, 5.33 ERA) gave up 12 hits and 4 runs while pitching into the seventh inning. The game was manageable but the Sox couldn't generate any offense against the dirty birds. Kevin Youkilis drove in the only run of the game for Boston as the Orioles took the game 4-1 at Camden Yards.

                                                    "This night sucked"

Britton made the Sox beat the ball in the dirt to start the top of the first inning. Jacoby Ellsbury grounded out to second, Dustin Pedroia grounded out to short and Adrian Gonzalez grounded out to second to end the inning. Buchholz got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Brian Roberts lined out to first to start. Nick Markakis singled to left but Derrek Lee flied out to center. Vladimir Guerrero grounded into a force to end the inning.

Kevin Youkilis took strike three to start the top of the second but David Ortiz walked. Jed Lowrie forced Ortiz and second and JD Drew grounded out to first to end the inning. The O's struck first in the bottom of the second as Luke Scott singled to center to start. Adam Jones struck out swinging but Mark Reynolds doubled to left. Matt Wieters hit a ground ball off the first base bag for a hit to score Scott. Robert Andino struck out looking and Roberts whiffed to end the inning with the O's up 1-0.

                                                   A bad omen of good luck for Baltimore

Carl Crawford struck out swinging to start the top of the third and Jason Varitek grounded out to third. Ellsbury lined out to third to end the inning. The O's struck again in the bottom of the third although Markakis grounded out to first to start. Lee singled to right, Guerrero singled to left and Scott walked to load the bases before Lee scored on the sac fly by Jones. Reynolds was retired on a nubber in front of the plate to end the inning but it was 2-0 O's.

                                                           O's score again

The Sox struck back in the top of the fourth as Pedroia got a base hit to center to start. Gonzalez moved Dustin to second with a grounder and Pedroia stole third. Youkilis hit a sac fly to score Pedroia and Ortiz hit a grounder under the glove of Roberts for an error. Lowrie grounded into a force to end the inning but it was 2-1 O's.

                                                        Pedroia scores a run

Wieters singled to right to open the bottom of the fourth but Andino flied out to right. Roberts flied out to center and Markakis grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the fifth as Drew flied out to center to start. Crawford grounded out to short but Varitek singled to center. Ellsbury doubled to right and Pedroia walked to load the bases. Gonzalez grounded into a force to end the inning. The O's got another run back in the bottom of the fifth as Lee and Guerrero stroked back to back base hits to start. Scott beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners and Jones scored Lee with a sac fly to increase the lead. Reynolds took strike three to end the inning but it was 3-1 Baltimore.

                                                 O's tack on to the lead

The Sox blew another rally in the top of the sixth as Youkilis popped up to second to start. Ortiz singled to left but Lowrie flied out to right. Drew singled in the hole at second but Crawford flied out to center to end the inning. Buchholz got Wieters to fly out to left to start the bottom of the sixth and struck out Andino swinging. Roberts singled to center but Markakis flied out to left to end the inning.

Jim Johnson came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Varitek struck out swinging to start. Ellsbury lined out to first and Pedroia also struck out swinging to end the inning. The O's finally chased Buchholz in the bottom of the seventh although Lee flied out to center to start. Guerrero singled to left and Scott doubled past the diving Drew, causing Felix Pie to pinch run for Scott. Jones was intentionally walked to load the bases and Reynolds hit a rocket Ellsbury had to climb the wall in center to grab. Guerrero scored and the other runners moved up. That was it for Clay who allowed 4 runs on 3 sac flies and a ball off the first base bag. Not the best but not the worst either. Hideki Okajima came in and retired Wieters on a squibber in front of the plate to end the inning with the O's up 4-1.

                                                      Bad luck for Buchholz

Gonzalez tried to start a rally in the top of the eighth with a double to left but Youkilis popped up to first and Ortiz went down hacking. Lowrie whiffed to end the inning. Matt Alberts came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Andino walked to start. Roberts and Markakis both flied out to left and Lee struck out swinging to end the inning.

Kevin Gregg came in to close out the top of the ninth and Drew grounded out to second to start. Crawford struck out swinging and Marco Scutaro pinch hit for Varitek. Scutaro flied out to right to end the game. The O's had won it 4-1.

                                                        O's win

Jackass of the Night is Jed Lowrie. He was 0 for 4 with a crucial strikeout in the eighth with a man on.

                                                     Make contact, Jackass!

The Good:

Dustin Pedroia was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

David Ortiz was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Jason Varitek was 1 for 3.

Hideki Okajima retired the only man he faced.

Matt Albers pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Carl Crawford was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Marco Scutaro flied out as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

Jacoby Ellsbury was just 1 for 4.

Adrian Gonzalez was just 1 for 4.

Kevin Youkilis was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

JD Drew was just 1 for 4.

Clay Buchholz took the loss but allowed 4 small ball runs in 6 2/3 innings. He allowed 12 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5.

Final Thoughts:

Much like the Bruins losing tonight on two 5 on 3 powerplay goals. the O's nickel and dimed the Red Sox all night. 3 sac flies and a fluke single off the first base bag was all the offense the O's needed. The Sox couldn't get anything done offensively against Britton or the bullpen despite numerous chances. Its like the Sox reverted to their opening weekend ways of getting guys on base but can't drive them in. It wasn't like the O's bullpen is indomitable either. Buchholz didn't even pitch that bad either, just a LOT of small ball by Baltimore won this game. Still, tip your cap to the O's for a job well done and hope the Sox can come back tomorrow with anger and aggression. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow against the O's when Josh Beckett (3-1) takes the hill opposite Jeremy Guthrie of the O's. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Camden Yards.

Sox Shutout, Sweep Angels (4/24/11)

It was a great Easter Sunday for the city of Boston. The Boston Celtics swept the New York Knicks out of the first round of the NBA playoffs with their game 4 victory and the Boston Red Sox completed a 4 game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in dominating fashion. After Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched a one hit shutout yesterday, John Lackey (2-2, 6.35 ERA) matched the effort with 8 shutout innings of his own. Lackey wasn't as dominant as Dice K but still scattered just 6 hits and no runs. The offense was a balanced attack led by Carl Crawford's 2 run home run and Adrian Gonzalez's 3 hits and 2 rbis. Things are coming up Boston lately from all 3 major sports on right now and the Sox are now on a winning streak after beating the Angels 7-0 at Angel Stadium.

                                                           Paul Pierce approves of the win

The Sox iced the game early against Angels starter Matt Palmer as Jacoby Ellsbury doubled into the right field corner to start. Dustin Pedroia flied out to left but Adrian Gonzalez scored Ellsbury with a double to center. Kevin Youkilis walked and David Ortiz lined a base hit to left to score Gonzalez with another run. Youk moved to third on the hit and he scored on the rbi grounder by Mike Cameron to increase the lead. Carl Crawford grounded into a force to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 3-0.

                                                   Sox go up big early

Lackey got the ball in the bottom of the first and Erick Aybar tried to bunt his way on but Youkilis snuffed it out. Bobby Abreu singled to center but Torii Hunter flied out to right. Alberto Callaspo singled off the glove of Pedroia but Ellsbury made a leaping catch to rob Vernon Wells of a hit to end the inning.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia struck out swinging to start the top of the second but Scutaro walked. Ellsbury forced Scutaro at second and Ellsbury was thrown out trying to steal to end the inning.

                                                               Yerrrr out!

Lackey turned up the heat in the bottom of the second as Howie Kendrick struck out swinging to start. Mark Trumbo took strike three and Jeff Mathis struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the third as Pedroia was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to start. Gonzalez took strike three and Youkilis flied out to right to end the inning. Peter Bourjos caught the Sox asleep with a bunt single up the third base line to start the bottom of the third. Aybar beat out a fielder's choice but Abreu banged into a double play. Hunter was plunked but Callaspo flied out to left to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fourth as Ortiz grounded out to short to start. Cameron flied out to center and Crawford grounded out to second to end the inning. Lackey cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Wells grounded out to short to start. Kendrick flied out to center and Trumbo went down swinging to end the inning.

The Sox got another run in the top of the fifth although Saltalamacchia grounded out to first to start. Scutaro singled to left and Ellsbury singled him to third with a base hit to right. Pedroia scored Scutaro with a sac fly to left and Gonzalez grounded out to second to end the inning with Boston ahead 4-0.

                                                     Scutaro scores a run

Mathis flied out to right to begin the bottom of the fifth but Bourjos singled to center. Aybar struck out swinging and Abreu grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the sixth as Youkilis singled up the middle to chase Palmer. Hisanori Takahashi came in and walked Ortiz, but Cameron banged into a double play. Crawford then smashed his first home run of the season to increase the lead. Saltalamacchia struck out swinging to end the inning.

                                                      Crawford with his first home run

Lackey cruised in the bottom of the sixth as Hunter flied out to center to start. Callaspo also flied out to center and Wells flied out to center to end the busy inning for Ellsbury.

Francisco Rodriguez came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Scutaro singled in the hole at short to begin. Ellsbury struck out swinging and Pedroia advanced Scutaro to second with a grounder to second. Gonzalez hit a grounder through the hole at third to score Scutaro and he took second on the throw home. Youkilis walked but Ortiz grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-0.

                                                            Gonzalez drives in a run

Lackey got Kendrick to to ground out to short to start the bottom of the seventh and Trumbo popped up to second. Mathis singled to left and took second on a wild pitch, but Bourjos took strike three to end the inning.

Reggie Willits came in for Wells, Bobby Wilson came in for Hunter and Rich Thompson came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Cameron struck out swinging to start. Crawford singled to right but Saltalamacchia flied out to center. Scutaro also flied out to center to end the inning. Lackey returned for one final inning in the bottom of the eighth and Aybar singled to right to start. Abreu popped up to short but Wilson walked. Callaspo popped up to short and Willits flied out to center to end the inning. Lackey was outstanding, tossing 8 shutout innings while allowing just 6 hits.

                                               Lackey gets the job done

Ellsbury took strike three to open the top of the ninth and Pedroia struck out swinging. Gonzalez singled to right but Youk struck out swinging to end the inning. Dan Wheeler came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Kendrick grounded out to second to start. Trumbo struck out swinging and Mathis flied out to center to end the game. The Sox had won their second consecutive shutout 7-0.

                                                          Sox win

Hero of the Night is John Lackey. He tossed 8 shutout innings while allowing 6 hits and a walk while striking out 6.

                                                        John Hero

The Good:

Jacoby Ellsbury was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Adrian Gonzalez was 3 for 5 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Kevin Youkilis was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and a run scored.

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

Carl Crawford was 2 for 4 with a 2 run home run.

Marco Scutaro was 2 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Dan Wheeler pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Mike Cameron was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Final Thoughts:

THIS was the team Sox fans envisioned going into the season. Not a single automatic out and great starting pitching. This week especially showed how great the starters can be if they lock in and today was no different. This was one of Lackey's best starts in Boston since he's been here and this is what they were expecting out of him last season. Better late than never for both Lackey and the Boston bats which now is a well oiled machine. Barring injury, this team is loaded for bear and its only a matter of time before they streak right by the New York Yankees in the AL East. The Yankees are good but the Sox look unbeatable right now. Its only April and the Sox got off to a really bad start but when everyone plays to their full potential. this is a very dangerous team. Good to see Crawford hit his first home run as he's the only one who hasn't lived up to expectations yet. He's too good not to deliver so this could be the start. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox travel to Baltimore for a four game set with the Orioles. Clay Buchholz (1-2) looks to keep the starting pitching hot streak going when he takes on Zack Britton of the O's on Tuesday night at 7:10 PM at Camden Yards.