Astros Pound E-Rod, Sox on Memorial Day (5/31/21)

It was a bad night for Boston sports. The Boston Bruins lost Game 2 of their second round NHL playoff series to the New York Islanders and the Boston Red Sox suffered an epic beat down at the hands of the Houston Astros. The Astros have had to deal with a lot of criticism the last two years for their cheating scandals and they took out their frustrations on the collective bungholes of the Boston Red Sox. The Astros made mincemeat out of Eduardo Rodriguez (5-4, 5.64 ERA) who's now 0-4 in the month of May. Houston pounded out 13 hits, drew 6 walks and scored 11 runs to ice this game early. The Sox bats were silenced by Jose Urquidy who allowed just 1 run off 3 hits through 6 innings. The Sox had just 5 hits in the game as the Astros wiped the field with them 11-2 at Minute Maid Park.

Urquidy got the ball in the top of the first and Kike Hernandez flied out to right to start. Alex Verdugo grounded out to first and JD Martinez struck out swinging to end the inning. Rodriguez got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jose Altuve tried to bunt his way on, but Eduardo snuffed it out. Chas McCormick walked but Alex Bregman banged into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second as Xander Bogaerts flied out to right to start. Rafael Devers and Danny Santana both struck out swinging to end the inning. The Astros struck first in the bottom of the second as Carlos Correa and Kyle Tucker stroked back to back base hits to start. Aledmys Diaz got a base hit to center to load the bases with nobody out. Taylor Jones scored Correa with a sac fly, advancing Tucker to third and Myles Straw hit a ground ball to Marwin Gonzalez. Gonzalez threw to first to get Straw as Tucker scored but Diaz strayed too far off second and they gunned him down to end the inning with the Astros ahead 2-0.

                                                 Yerrrrr out!

Urquidy dominated the top of the third as Christian Vazquez grounded out to short to start. Gonzalez struck out swinging and Hunter Renfroe grounded out to third to end the inning. The Astros iced the game quickly in the bottom of the third as Martin Maldonado effortlessly singled to left to start. Altuve easily clobbered a home run all the way to Dallas to ice it but somehow McCormick struck out swinging. Bregman took strike three and Correa struck out swinging to end the inning with the Astros up 4-0.

                                                Altuve hits one out

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fourth as Hernandez and Verdugo both went down hacking to start. Somehow Martinez drew a lucky walk but Bogaerts flied out weakly to left to end the inning. Tucker lined out to center to start the bottom of the fourth and Diaz grounded out to short. Jones singled to right but Straw forced him at second to end the inning.

Devers struck out swinging to start the top of the fifth and Santana grounded out to second. Vazquez broke up the no hitter with a ground rule double down the right field line but Gonzalez grounded out to third to end the inning. Maldonado grounded out to third to start the bottom of the fifth but Altuve singled to center. McCormick took strike three but Bregman walked. Sox manager Alex Cora had enough of Rodriguez who once again laid an egg in his fourth straight start. Colten Brewer made his season debut by walking Correa to load the bases. Tucker effortlessly singled to center to score Altuve and Bregman. Diaz struck out swinging but the game was over 6-0.

                                                           E-Rod is broken again

The Sox finally rallied in the top of the sixth as Renfroe doubled to left to begin. Hernandez lined out to right, Verdugo doubled to left to score Renfroe to get the Sox on the board but Martinez struck out swinging. Bogaerts struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 6-1.

                                                    Sox get on the board

Jones walked to start the bottom of the sixth but was thrown out at third by Hernandez on a base hit to center by Straw. Maldonado lined out to center but Straw stole second. Altuve walked and McCormick beat out a roller to third to load the bases. Bregman effortlessly singled to right to score Straw and Altuve for the exclamation point. That was it for the incompetent Brewer and Phillips Valdez poured gas on the fire when Correa doubled home McCormick. Tucker singled home Correa and Bregman to wrap up the scoring and Diaz lined out to left to end the inning with the Astros up 11-1.

                                               Tucker drives in two more

Enoli Paredes came in for the top of the seventh and blew away the Sox. Devers took strike three, Santana struck out swinging and Vazquez went down hacking to end the inning. Bobby Dalbec and Christian Arroyo came in for Bogaerts and Verdugo in the bottom of the seventh and Jones grounded out to third to start. Straw took strike three and Maldonado struck out swinging to end the inning.

Robel Garcia took over at second with Nivaldo Rodriguez now on the mound for the top of the eighth. Gonzalez flied out to left but Renfroe smashed his seventh home run of the season to cut the lead. Hernandez grounded out to third but Arroyo doubled to right. Martinez flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox down 11-2.

                                                    Renfroe goes deep

Matt Andriese took over on the mound with Kevin Plawecki taking over behind the plate and Vazquez giving Devers the night off in the bottom of the eighth. Garcia struck out swinging and McCormick also went down hacking, but Bregman was plunked. Correa walked but Tucker lined out to center to end the inning.

The Sox went quietly in the top of the ninth as Dalbec grounded out to third to start. Plawecki grounded back to the mound and Santana grounded out to second to end the game. The Astros whooped the Red Sox damn ass 11-2.

                                                     Astros win

Jackass of the Night is Eduardo Rodriguez. The incompetent lefty was charged with 6 runs in just 4 2.3 innings to put the game out of reach.

                                                   E-Jackass

The Good:

Alex Verdugo was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Christian Arroyo doubled in his only at-bat.

Christian Vazquez was 1 for 3.

Hunter Renfroe was 2 for 3 with a home run and 2 runs scored.

Matt Andriese tossed a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Kike Hernandez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Bobby Dalbec was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Rafael Devers was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Kevin Plawecki was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Danny Santana was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Marwin Gonzalez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Colten Brewer allowed 4 runs in just 1 inning.

Phillips Valdez allowed 2 inherited runners to score and 1 of his own in 1 1/3 inning.

The Ugly:

JD Martinez was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked,

Final Thoughts:

That was an epic disaster and something needs to be done about Rodriguez. He's back to where he was in 2016-17 where he nibbled and didn't trust his stuff. He's supposedly healthy and his velocity was fine so once again he's got the mental block in his head. Sox manager Alex Cora was able to fix him in 2018 so let's see if he can do it again. Once again the offense was silenced but that seems to be a common trait among the whole league...except the Astros tonight. The Astros pounded every mistake Sox pitchers made and they ended this one early. The Sox bats need to wake up real quick because the Tampa Bay Rays have won 16 of 17 and looks unstoppable right now. The Rays and New York Yankees are playing each other so it would be imperative to win the next two games to gain ground on someone. The Yankees offense hasn't been there this season and if that continues, the Sox and Rays can collectively take them out of the race early. As for this game, the less said of this disaster the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 32-21, 2.5 games behind the Rays for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow night when Garrett Richards (4-3, 3.83 ERA) takes on Luis Garcia of the Astros. The game begins at 8:10 PM Eastern time at Minute Maid Park.

Braves Defeat Depleted Sox (8/31/20)

Before the game the trade deadline passed and the Boston Red Sox made some roster moves. Kevin Pillar was traded to the Colorado Rockies for a player to be named and Josh Osich went to the Chicago Cubs also for a player to be named. The Sox now have no right fielder with Andrew Benintendi not coming back and Pillar gone. The fact Bloom got something for Osich is nothing short of a miracle. The best news is the Luxury Tax reset and the Sox are finally out from under the horrible contracts signed by Ben Cherrington and Dave Dombrowski. Let's hope Chaim Bloom can be a bit smarter than his predecessors. Also in Chaim Bloom's quest to become the real life Rachel Phelps this season, the Sox placed Darwinzon Hernandez on the Injured List with a sprained SC joint. His velocity has been down the last few games he pitched so maybe he really is hurt. To take the places of Hernandez, Osich and Pillar, the Sox have called up Mike Kickham, Robinson Leyer and Yairo Munoz. If you know who any of them are, you deserve a medal.

                                                             OUT

                                                                        IN

It was a bad day for Boston sports as the Tampa Bay Lightning eliminated the Boston Bruins with their double overtime Game 5 victory in the second round NHL playoff series. As for the baseball game, with nearly all the players that performed well for the Sox this season injured or gone, is it any wonder what was left lost to the Atlanta Braves? Colten Brewer got lit up in the top of the fifth inning and the younger Sox players did absolutely nothing offensively. Michael Chavis, Jonathan Arauz and Bobby Dalbec went a combined 0 for 12 with 6 strikeouts as Braves ace Max Fried shut down the Boston bats. The Sox did try to rally in the eighth inning but it wasn't enough as the Braves beat the depleted Sox 6-3 at Fenway Park.

                                              Rocko feels Sox fans pain

Brewer took a beating in the top of the first inning as Dansby Swanson singled to center to start the top of the first inning. Freddie Freeman lined out to right and Marcell Ozuna went down hacking, but Nick Markakis doubled to left to score Swanson. Austin Riley got a hit to left but Adam Duvall grounded out to second to end the inning with the Braves ahead 1-0.

                                                  Swanson scores a run

The Sox somehow responded against Fried in the bottom of the first as Alex Verdugo doubled to left to begin. Christian Vazquez grounded out to third but Rafael Devers singled up the middle to score Verdugo to tie the game. Xander Bogaerts whiffed and Michael Chavis grounded into a force to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                 Devers tie it up

Johan Camargo singled to center to start the top of the second inning but Tyler Flowers lined out to second. Ender Inciarte lined out to left and Swanson grounded into a force to end the inning. Bobby Dalbec whiffed to start the bottom of the second but Jackie Bradley Jr doubled to left. Jonathan Arauz lined out to third and Jose Peraza grounded out to short to end the inning.

Freeman singled to center to start the top of the third and moved to second on a passed ball. Brewer recovered to get Ozuna to line out to center and Markakis to ground out to second. Riley whiffed to end the inning. Somehow the Sox took the lead in the bottom of the third as Verdugo doubled to left again. Alex moved to third on the Vazquez grounder but Devers whiffed. Somehow Fried balked and Verdugo came home with the go-ahead run. Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning but the Sox led 2-1

                                               Verdugo scores on a balk

The lead lasted 30 seconds as Duvall hit a home run all the way to the Klingon Homeworld to tie the game to start the top of the fourth. Carmago doubled but Brewer punched out Flowers swinging. Carmago moved to third on the Inciarte grounder but Swanson took strike three to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                              Duvall ties it up

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fourth as Chavis grounded out to short to start. Dalbec whiffed again but JBJ drew a walk. Arauz grounded out to third to end the inning.

The floodgates opened in the top of the fifth as Freeman walked to start. Ozuna doubled to center and Markakis walked to load the bases with nobody out. That was it for Brewer who would end up being charged with 5 runs in just 4 innings, brutal. Phillips Valdez came in and immediately allowed a bases clearing triple to right by Riley to put Atlanta up for good. Somehow Valdez punched out Duvall, Camargo and Flowers in short order to end the inning but the Braves were up 5-2.

                                                Riley hits the killshot

The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the fifth although Peraza popped up to first to start. Verdugo doubled to center and Vazquez walked, but Devers banged into a double play to end the inning.

27 year old Robinson Leyer made his ML debut in the top of the sixth...and got tagged. Inciarte grounded out to second but Swanson walked. Freeman singled to right but Ozuna whiffed. Markakis ate up Arauz with a ground ball that skipped to center for a single to score Swanson. Riley grounded out to third to end the inning but the Braves were up 6-2.

                                              Leyer makes his ML debut

Darren O'Daye replaced Fried in the bottom of the sixth and Bogaerts went down hacking to start. Chavis popped up to second and Dalbec earned the hat trick by watching strike three go by to end the inning.

Robert Stock came in for the top of the seventh and Duvall walked to start. Carmago whiffed, Flowers lined out to right and Inciarte took strike three to end the inning. Old Sox farmhand Chris Martin came in for the bottom of the seventh and JBJ was so excited to see his old teammate he flied out to left. Arauz whiffed and Peraza grounded out to second to end the inning.

Jeffrey Springs came in for the top of the eighth and Swanson whiffed to start. Freeman also went down swinging and Ozuna lined out to center to end the inning. Will Smith came in for the bottom of the eighth and the Sox rallied. Verdugo struck out swinging but Vazquez singled to left. Devers got a base hit to center and Bogaerts lashed a base hit up the middle to score Vazquez and send Devers to third. With the tying run at the plate....Chavis whiffed and Dalbec earned the golden sombrero by taking strike three to end the inning. The Sox were down 6-3 and all hope was lost.

                                                  Bogaerts with an rbi

Springs returned for the top of the ninth and Markakis singled to center to begin. Riley banged into a double play and Duvall watched strike three go by to end the inning.

Old friend Mark Melancon came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and JBJ flied out to center to start. Arauz grounded out to short and Peraza flied out to center to end the game. The Braves had won it 6-3.

                                                          Ugh

Jackass of the Night is Colten Brewer. He fell apart in the fifth inning and was charged with 5 runs in just 4 innings.

                                               Brewer walks away the Jackass



The Good:

Alex Verdugo was 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

Christian Vazquez was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Rafael Devers was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Jeffrey Springs tossed 2 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Michael Chavis was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Bobby Dalbec was 0 for 4 with a golden sombrero of 4 strikeouts.

Jonathan Arauz was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jose Peraza was 0 for 4.

Robinson Leyer allowed a run in the sixth inning.



The Ugly:

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Phillips Valdez allowed 3 inherited runners to score but struck out the side in the fifth inning.




Final Thoughts:

Well this is what the Sox have left after the trade deadline. Mitch Moreland, Brandon Workman, Heath Hembree, Kevin Pillar and Josh Osich have been traded plus Darwinzon Hernandez and Nathan Eovaldi joined Andrew Benintendi on the Injured List. Chaim Bloom showed what would actually happen if Rachel Phelps from Major League was real. Anyone that actually performed well this season with the exceptions of Verdugo, Valdez and Bogaerts are gone. Not only that, the guys they brought up to replace Pillar, Osich and Hernandez are complete no-names. Not only did the Sox penny pinch on starting pitching, they refused to call up any prospect worth anything besides Dalbec because of "service time." Hopefully Darwinzon Hernandez doesn't need Tommy John surgery because he's the only power lefty they have. If this is what the Sox have left to offer, the next 25 games are going to be pure torture. The loss drops the Sox to 12-23, good for last place in the AL East. The next defeat is tomorrow night when Ryan Weber (0-2, 6.00 ERA) gets pounded and Ian Anderson pitches a a shutout at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Jays Bash Sox in Buffalo (8/26/20)

It was a bad day for Boston sports. The Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Boston Bruins in Game 3 of their second round NHL playoff series and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Boston Red Sox. The feel good story of last night's win lasted less than 24 hours as the Blue Jays went to down on the Red Sox. Who else but Rowdy "Roddy" Tellez continued his dominance over Red Sox pitching with 2 home runs. The Jays pounded out 11 hits and 9 runs against the incompetent Sox pitching. On the other side of the ball, the lifeless Sox offense could only muster 3 hits and a single run against Julian Merryweather and a host of Blue Jays relievers. It all added up to an embarrassing 9-1 loss at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, NY.

                                                  Will this season ever end?

Merryweather cruised in the top of the first inning as Alex Verdugo went down hacking to start. Rafael Devers whiffed and JD Martinez flied out to right to end the inning. Sox manager Ron Roenicke pulled Colten Brewer's name out of a hat to start the game and the Jays immediately took the lead. Cavan Biggio grounded out to first but Randal Grichuk hit a home run all the way to Ontario to put the Jays up for good two batters into the game. Travis Shaw whiffed but Teoscar Hernandez singled to center. Vladimir Guerrero Jr was called out on strikes to end the inning with the Jays up 1-0.

                                                      Jays up early

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second as Xander Bogaerts flied out to right to start. Mitch Moreland whiffed but Christian Vazquez doubled to left. Kevin Pillar grounded out to second to end the inning. The Jays iced the game in the bottom of the second as Rowdy "Roddy" Tellez pulverized a home run all the way to Quebec to increase the lead. Lourdes Gurriel Jr walked and stole second, but Reese McGuire grounded out to short. Gurriel Jr moved to third on the Santiago Espinal liner to center and Biggio took strike three to end the inning with the Jays up 2-0.

                                               Sox can't get him out

Shaun Yamaguchi came in for the top of the third and Jackie Bradley Jr singled to second to start. Michael Chavis walked but Verdugo banged into a double play. Devers grounded out to short to end the inning. Brewer somehow struck out Grichuk swinging to start the bottom of the third and Shaw grounded out to short. Hernandez grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox got a run back in the top of the fourth inning although Martinez lined out to center to start. Bogaerts flied out to right but Moreland cracked his eighth home run of the year to cut the lead. Vazquez grounded out to third to end the inning but the Sox were down 2-1.

                                                      Moreland hits his 8th home run

The Jays were personally offended the Sox had the audacity to score so they iced the game in the bottom of the fourth. Guerrero Jr doubled to left and who else but Tellez smashed a home run all the way to Edmonton to increase the lead. Gurriel Jr grounded out to third and McGuire grounded out ton second, but Espinal walked to chase Brewer. Once again the "opener" got lit up for 4 runs in just 3 2/3 innings. Ryan Weber came in and Biggio grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox down 4-1.

                                            "I've had it up to HERE with you!" - RR

The Sox rolled over in the top of the fifth as Pillar grounded out to second to start. JBJ grounded out to third and Chavis whiffed to end the inning. Weber cruised in the bottom of the fifth as Grichuk flied out to right to start. Shaw lined out to third and Hernandez whiffed to end the inning.

Verdugo grounded out to first to begin the top of the sixth and Devers flied out weakly to center. Martinez walked but Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning. Guerrero Jr grounded out to short to start the bottom of the sixth and Tellez grounded out to first. Gurriel Jr walked but McGuire grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Rafael Dolls came in for the top of the seventh and Moreland took strike three to start. Vazquez walked but Pillar flied out to right. JBJ grounded into a force to end the inning. The Jays poured it on in the bottom of the seventh as Espinal singled to center to start. Biggio singled to right and Grichuk scored Espinal with a base hit to right. Shaw lined out to center and that was it for Weber. Austin Brice came in and uncorked a wild pitch before walking Hernandez to load the bases. Guerrero Jr cleared the bases with a double to add to the misery. Naturally Tellez singled home Guerrero Jr to wrap up the scoring. Gurriel Jr banged into a double play to end the inning but the Jays were up 9-1.

                                                  Who can stop Tellez?

Anthony Bass came in for the top of the eighth and Chavis grounded out to third to start. Verdugo grounded out to second and Devers took strike three to end the inning. The Sox hadn't had a hit since the Moreland homer in the fourth inning. Josh Osich came in for the bottom of the eighth and McGuire popped up to short to start. Espinal singled to center but Biggio whiffed. Grichuk popped up to short to end the inning.

Sean Reid-Foley had mop up duty in the top of the ninth and Martinez grounded out to second to start. Bogaerts also grounded out to second and Moreland hit one up the elevator shaft to end the game. The Sox had just 3 hits as the Jays pounded them 9-1.

                                             Jays win


Jackass of the Night is Colten Brewer. Once again the "opener" put the Sox in a hole by allowing 4 runs in 3 2/3 innings.

                                                        Brewer the Jackass



The Good:

Christian Vazquez was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 1 for 3.

Josh Osich pitched a scoreless eighth inning.



The Bad:

Alex Verdugo was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Rafael Devers was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Kevin Pillar was 0 for 3.

Ryan Weber allowed 3 runs in 2 2/3 innings.

Austin Brice allowed 2 runs in 2/3 of an inning.



The Ugly:

JD Martinez was 0 for 3 but walked.

Mitch Moreland was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a home run.

Michael Chavis was 0 for 2 but walked.




Final Thoughts:

Another loss in a season full of misery. Its bad enough the Sox pitching sucks but the offense only had 3 hits and a run against THIS team? These games are virtually unwatchable because once the Sox fall into a hole, they're done. Just when you think a comeback is in order, the bums in the bullpen come in and give up runs like the batters know what pitch is coming. The season is just getting worse with each passing day and everyone from the front office to the fans can't wait for it to end. The good news is 5 days until the Luxury Tax resets so Sox general manager Chaim Bloom has his work cut out for him this coming winter. As for this game? Throw the film of it in the trash and set it on fire. The loss dropped the Sox to an awful 10-21 on the season, good for last place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox lose to the Blue Jays again when they send Chris Mazza (0-1, 6.35 ERA) to the mound against Hyun-Jin Ryu at 6:30 PM at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, NY.

Sox Beat Orioles, Trade Workman (8/21/20)

During the game the Boston Red Sox made a shocking trade that sent closer Brandon Workman, reliever Heath Hembree and $810,000 to the Philadelphia Phillies for 27 year old right handed starter Nick Pivetta and 24 year old pitching prospect Connor Seabold. The Sox needed a starter if nothing else but to eat innings and Seabold is touted as a future player. Its sad to see Hembree and Workman go but the Phillies have a chance with the new playoff format to make some noise and getting a proven closer like Workman helps big time. Workman is 32 and headed to free agency so like Mookie Betts, Sox general manager Chaim Bloom was tasked to get something for him before he walked. The Sox may sign him back this winter, they may not, either way two key bullpen arms are gone.

                                                                       OUT

                                                           IN

The news got even better as the Boston Celtics defeated the Philadelphia Sixers in Game 3 of their first round NBA playoff series. As for the Red Sox game, don't look now but the Boston Red Sox have won three games in a row! Colten Brewer became the first "opener" to toss four shutout innings to keep the Sox out of danger early against the Baltimore Orioles. Xander Bogaerts, JD Martinez and Mitch Moreland all homered to supply the offense that scored eight runs. The O's made it interesting by scoring 5 late runs against the JV bullpen but closer by default Matt Barnes slammed the door in the ninth inning. The Sox made it 3 wins in a row as they downed the Orioles 9-5 at Camden Yards.

                                            The Sox are on a 3 game win streak?

Means got the ball in the top of the first inning and Kevin Pillar popped up to short to start. Rafael Devers whiffed and JD Martinez grounded out to third to end the inning. Sox manager Ron Roenicke pulled Colten Brewer's name out of a hat so he started the bottom of the first inning. Hanser Alberto lined out to center to start before Anthony Santander grounded out to short. Renato Nunez and Pedro Severino hit back to back singles but Rio Ruiz grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the second inning as Xander Bogaerts blasted his 6th home run of the season to put Boston on top. Christian Vazquez grounded out to third but Alex Verdugo singled to left. Michael Chavis lined out to third and Jackie Bradley Jr struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                     Sox strike first

Ryan Mountcastle walked to start the bottom of the second but Chance Sisco banged into a double play. Pat Valaika flied out to right to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the third although Jose Peraza grounded out to third to start. Pillar singled to right but Devers flied out to left. Martinez then smoked a 431 foot bomb to dead center to increase the lead. Bogaerts grounded out to third to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 3-0.

                                               JD hits one out for once

Brewer returned for the bottom of the third inning and Cedric Mullins grounded out to second to start. Alberto grounded back to the mound but Santander singled to right. Nunez took strike three to end the inning.

Jorge Lopez came in to pitch the top of the fourth and Vazquez whiffed to start. Verdugo grounded out to first and Chavis grounded out to second to end the inning. Brewer returned for the bottom of the fourth and Severino flied out to right to start. Ruiz walked but Mountcastle went down swinging. Sisco grounded out to second to end the inning. Good on Brewer for tossing 4 scoreless innings when the Sox needed an "opener" to do so.

                                                     Brewer gets it done

The Sox iced the game in the top of the fifth although JBJ whiffed to start. Peraza singled and Pillar walked to set up Devers pulverizing a three run home run to put the Sox up big. Martinez grounded back to the mound and Bogaerts grounded out to short to end the inning but it was 6-0 Boston.

                                                   Devers with the big fly

Darwinzon Hernandez (1-0, 0.00 ERA) made his season debut in the bottom of the fifth and Valaika lined out to second to start. Mullins singled to third but Alberto whiffed. Santander popped up to second to end the inning.

The Sox poured it on in the top of the sixth as Vazquez singled to right to start. Verdugo doubled to right and Chavis singled home both men to wrap up the scoring. Chavis moved to second on a wild pitch but JBJ lined out to left. Peraza flied out to right and Pillar flied out to center to end the inning but the Sox were up 8-0.

Hernandez returned for the bottom of the sixth and blew away Nunez to start. Severino walked but Ruiz went down hacking too. Mountcastle lined out to right to end the inning. Welcome back Darwinzon.

                                             Healthy and throwing gas

 Devers walked to start the top of the seventh but was forced at second by Martinez. Bogaerts took strike three and Vazquez popped up to first to end the inning. With Workman and Hembree gone, the Sox had to turn to Josh Osich in the bottom of the seventh and it didn't end well. Sisco whiffed but Valaika and Mullins cracked back to back 500,000 foot home runs to cut the lead. Alberto lined out to third and Santander took strike three to end the inning but it was 8-2 Sox.

                              You know you suck when you give up homers to THIS guy

Thomas Eshelman took over for the top of the eighth and Verdugo lined out to center to start. Chavis lined out to right and JBJ grounded out to short to end the inning. Osich took another beating in the bottom of the eighth although Nunez whiffed to start. Severino walked but Ruiz flied out to center. Mountcastle walked and Sisco belted a home run all the way to Holland to cut the lead. Sox manager Ron Roenicke had finally seen enough and pulled the incompetent Osich. Austin Brice came in and whiffed Valaika to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-5.

                                         "GET OUT AND STAY OUT!" - Roenicke

Peraza was plunked to start the top of the ninth and Shawn Armstrong was brought in to pitch to Pillar. Naturally Pillar banged into a double play and Devers grounded out to short to end the inning. Now that the game was a save situation, Matt Barnes came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth. Mullins caught the Sox asleep with a bunt single but Alberto lined out to second. A wild pitch moved Mullins to second but Santander lined out to right. Nunez grounded out to short to end the game. The Sox had won 3 in a row and this game 8-5.

                                                   Wish this could happen more often


Hero of the Night is Rafael Devers. His 3 run home run ended up being the difference in the game.

                                             The Hero




The Good:

Jose Peraza was 1 for 3 with a hit by pitch and a run scored.

Alex Verdugo was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Colten Brewer tossed 4 scoreless innings.

Darwinzon Hernandez got the win with 2 scoreless innings.

Austin Brice struck out the only man he faced.

Matt Barnes earned his first save with a scoreless ninth inning.



The Bad:

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4 with 2 stikeouts.

Josh Osich was hammered for 5 runs in just 1 2/3 innings.



The Ugly:

Kevin Pillar was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored 2 runs.

JD Martinez was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a 2 run home run.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a home run.

Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Michael Chavis was just 1 for 4 but drove in 2 runs.




Final Thoughts:

If the season going down the drain isn't bad enough, now there's talk Sox general manager Chaim Bloom is going to blow it up all up. Workman and Hembree going was most likely the start. Fans will be ready to riot if Bogaerts, Devers or E-Rod are the next to go. At least the trade made sense. The Sox needed arms to get them through the last month of the season next year and Workman was one of the few of any value. Back in 1994 the Sox traded closer Jeff Russell for reclamation project Chris Nabholz and a washed up Steve Farr. This trade was eerily similar with the Phillies treating Pivetta as a lost cause. Seabold may turn out good, he may not. The bottom line is now the Sox have THREE starters instead of two...yay! The eulogy for Workman and Hembree will be written on Monday but as for the game, good win. The win improved the Sox to an unimpressive 9-18. The Sox actually have a chance to make it 4 in a row tomorrow night when they send Martin Perez to the mound against Alex Cobb of the Orioles at 7:35 PM at Camden Yards.

Yankees Annihilate Red Sox (8/14/20)

Talk about separating the men from the boys. The New York Yankees put a cigarette out on the heads of the Boston Red Sox and kicked them out the door to prove who the top team in the American League East is. Gerrit Cole held the Sox to one measly run in seven innings as the Yankees hung 10 runs on the awful Sox pitching. Colten Brewer, Ryan Brasier, Dylan Covey and even Sox closer Brandon Workman took a beating as the Yankees pounded out 14 hits and 10 runs. When the dust settled the Yankees had smashed the Sox 10-3 at Yankee Stadium.

                                               "This team sucks"

Cole cruised in the top of the first inning as Alex Verdugo popped up to third to start. Rafael Devers flied out to center and JD Martinez went down swinging to end the inning. Sox manager Ron Roenicke pulled Colten Brewer's name out of a hat to start the bottom of the first. DJ LeMahieu singled to right but Luke Voit lined out to center. Aaron Hicks took strike three but Gio Urshela walked and Gleyber Torres singled to second to load the bases. Mike Tauchman struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox went quietly in the top of the second inning as Xander Bogaerts grounded out to third to start. Mitch Moreland took strike three and Christian Vazquez grounded out to second to end the inning. Gary Sanchez flied out to center to start the bottom of the second before Clint Frazier grounded out to third. Brett Gardner walked but LeMahieu grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Kevin Pillar beat out an infield single to start the top of the third but Jackie Bradley Jr flied out to right. Pillar was caught stealing second and Jonathan Arauz grounded out to second to end the inning. The Yankees finally finished off Brewer in the bottom of the third as Voit singled to left to start. Hicks walked and both runners moved over on the Urshela ground out. Torres put the Yankees up for good with a double that scored both runners. A wild pitch moved Torres to third and Tauchman popped up to chase Brewer. As usual a Sox "starter" failed to go three innings without giving up runs. Austin Brice came in and Sanchez grounded out to second to end the inning but the Yankees were up 2-0.

                                                Nice "start" Brewer

The Sox tried to fight back when Verdugo belted his fourth home run of the year to right to cut the lead in the top of the fourth. Devers grounded out to first, Martinez whiffed and Bogaerts went down swinging to end the inning but the Sox cut the lead 2-1.

                                                    Verdugo goes yard

Brice returned for the bottom of the fourth and punched out Frazier to start. Gardner walked and stole second on the LeMahieu strikeout. Voit whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox blew their chance to tie the game in the top of the fifth as Moreland flied out to right to start. Vazquez singled to right but Pillar went down swinging. JBJ doubled to center but Arauz grounded out to third to end the inning. The Yankees feasted on Ryan Brasier in the bottom of the fifth inning. Hicks flied out to center and Urshela lined out to right, but Torres singled to left. Tauchman doubled him home and Sanchez got revenge for the 2018 ALDS by hitting a 8,000 foot home run to ice the game. Frazier whiffed to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 5-1.

                                                Yankees pour it on

Verdugo flied out to center to open the top of the sixth before Devers flied out to right. Martinez whiffed to end the inning. Dylan Covey came in for the bottom of the sixth and cruised. Gardner whiffed, LeMahieu flied out to right and Voit flied out to right to end the inning.

Cole cruised in the top of the seventh as Bogaerts whiffed to start. Moreland lined out to center and Vazquez struck out swinging to end the inning. Covey returned for the bottom of the seventh and got lit up. Hicks popped up to first but Urshela singled to short. Torres singled to center and Tauchman singled home Urshela. A wild pitch moved the runners but Sanchez was rung up for strike three. Frazier doubled home both runners to increase the lead before Gardner grounded out to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 8-1.

                                                      What a disaster

Suddenly the Sox sprang to life against Jonathan Holder in the top of the eighth inning with Tyler Wade now at short. Pillar and JBJ drew back to back walks before Arauz singled to right to load the bases. Verdugo beat out a double play ball to score Pillar and Devers singled home JBJ. Adam Ottavino came in and froze Martinez for strike three before Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning with the Sox down 8-3.

                                                 Devers drives in a run

Sox closer Brandon Workman got beat up in the bottom of the eighth as LeMahieu singled to left to start. Voit walked but Hicks and Urshela both flied out to right. Wade singled to right to load the bases and Tauchman hit a ball to left. Verdugo picked the ball up and spiked it like a football before doing the macarena for an error. LeMahieu and Voit both scored and that was it for Workman. Marcus Walden came in and Sanchez flied out to left to end the inning with the Yankees up 10-3.

                                               Not even Workman could stop the Yankees

Ben Heller had mop up duty in the top of the ninth with Thairo Estrada at second. Moreland singled to center but Vazquez popped up to center. Pillar whiffed and JBJ went down hacking to end the game. The Yankees opened the salvo with an easy 10-3 win.

                                                     Another loss for the Sox


Jackass of the Night is Ryan Brasier. He gave up 3 crucial runs to put the game out of reach when the Sox were still in the game.

                                                     Brasier Jackass



The Good:

Kevin Pillar was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Jonathan Arauz was 1 for 3.

Austin Brice tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Marcus Walden retired the only man he faced.



The Bad:

JD Martinez was 0 for 4 with a golden sombrero of 4 strikeouts.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Colten Brewer allowed 2 runs in 2 2/3 innings as the "opener".

Dylan Covey allowed 3 runs in 2 innings.

Brandon Workman allowed 2 runs in just 2/3 of an inning.



The Ugly:

Alex Verdugo was just 1 for 4 but drove in two total runs ans homered.

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Mitch Moreland was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.




Final Thoughts:

If Sox fans had hopes for a promising season, they sure are dead now. E-Rod's gone, Sale is gone, the offense quit and the pitching sucks. Losing to the Yankees is one thing but to not even be competitive is a crime against humanity. When the Sox tanked September 2012 and lost every game to the Yankees, they quit on Bobby V. Is it too early to suggest they're quitting on Ron Roenicke? They fall behind by multiple runs every game and it only seems to get worse. Meanwhile the Sox offense haven't put up 8 runs since Opening Day. Its all adding up to a miserable, lost season and Sox fans can't wait for it to end. The loss dropped the Sox to 6-14, dead last in the AL East. Tomorrow the Sox have a glimmer of home when they send Nathan Eovaldi (1-1) to the mound up against James Paxton at 7:05 PM at Yankee Stadium.