Yankees Pound Seabold, Embarrass Sox (7/8/22)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Michael Wacha was once again placed on the Injured List with Connor Seabold being called up from Worcester to make tonight's start against the New York Yankees. Wacha is claiming he has a bad shoulder and it just shows how miserable this season has been that nobody can stay healthy when it counts.

                                                                       OUT

                                                               IN

As for the game, the Red Sox are finding new ways to embarrass themselves against the AL East this season. Not only did the Yankees beat the living daylights out of the Red Sox again, Christian Arroyo became in a meme by losing a ball in the lights in the top of the third inning. Connor Seabold (0-2, 11.91 ERA) got the emergency start with Michael Wacha out and got knocked out in the third inning. The Yankees poured it on by scoring 12 runs on 14 hits. The sad part was the Sox had 13 hits of his own but as usual couldn't hit in the clutch. The Sox lost yet another game against an AL East team, looked like clowns and got demolished 12-5 at Fenway Park.

                                                   Randy Quaid is angry again

The Yankees wasted no time getting to Seabold in the top of the first inning as DJ LeMahieu got a base hit to left to start. LeMahieu moved to second on a grounder to third by Aaron Judge and Matt Carpenter was hit with a pitch. Gleyber Torres got a base hit to left to score LeMahieu to put the Yankees up for good four batters into the game. Josh Donaldson then hit a home run all the way to Nashua, New Hampshire to ice the game early. Aaron Hicks doubled to right but Jose Trevino popped up to second. Marwin Gonzalez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 4-0.

                                                     Donaldson puts New York up big

The Sox did fight back in the bottom of the first against Nestor Cortes as Rob Refsnyder singled to left to start. Rafael Devers struck out swinging but JD Martinez got a base hit to left. Xander Bogaerts popped up to second but Christian Vazquez pounded a double to center to score Refsnyder and Martinez. Alex Verdugo popped up to short to end the inning with the Sox down 4-2.

                                                   Vazquez tries to rally the troops

The Yankees got another one in the top of the second as Joey Gallo flied out to right to start. LeMahieu singled to left but Judge was rung up for strike three. Carpenter doubled to center to score LeMahieu with another run to increase the lead. Torres singled in the hole at short to move Carpenter to third but Donaldson grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 5-2.

                                                    Carpenter drives in a run

Trevor Story took strike three to start the bottom of the second before Christian Arroyo grounded out to short. Bobby Dalbec walked and Refsnyder got a base hit to right to move Dalbec to third but Devers popped up to first to end the inning.

The Sox embarrassed themselves in the top of the third as Hicks walked to start. Trevino doubled to left but Gonzalez popped up to short. Gallo hit a routine pop up to right.....that Arroyo lost in the lights. The ball landed in the right field corner to score both runners. Gallo was cut down at the plate to prevent an inside the park home run but the damage was done.

                                                         A meme was born

All of a sudden Seabold started clutching his arm and crumpled to the ground. He had to be carried out on a stretcher, loaded into an ambulance and rushed to Mass General's ICU. Michael Feliz came in to pitch and LeMahieu walked, but Judge struck out swinging to end the inning with the Yankees up 7-2.

                                                              So much for Seabold

Martinez got a base hit to center to start the bottom of the third but Bogaerts forced him at second. Vazquez lined out to center and Verdugo struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Yankees got another run in the top of the fourth as Carpenter hit a home run all the way to the Mos Eisley Cantina to start. Torres grounded out to third but Donaldson walked. Hicks walked and the Yankees pulled off a double stealm but Vazquez threw the ball away for an error to score Donaldson. Trevino struck out swinging and Gonzalez grounded out to second to end the inning with the Yankees up 9-2.

                                                           Carpenter with a home run

The Sox fought back in the bottom of the fourth as Story belted his 15th home run of the season to cut the lead. Arroyo lined out to left and Dalbec smashed his sixth home run of the season as well. Refsnyder doubled to center but Devers struck out swinging. Martinez walked to chase Cortes from the game. Miguel Castro came in to face Bogaerts and Xander was plunked to load the bases. With a chance to get back in the game.....Vazquez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 9-4.

                                                          Dalbec gets a ride

Franchy Cordero came in for Devers for the top of the fifth and the Yankees beat the ball in the dirt. Gallo grounded out to first, LeMahieu grounded out to third and Judge also grounded out to third to end the inning. Verdugo struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth before Story grounded out to second. Arroyo singled to left but Dalbec struck out swinging to end the inning.

Carpenter struck out swinging to start the top of the sixth before Torres also went down hacking. Donaldson lined out to second to end the inning. Albert Abreu came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Refsnyder singled to right to start. Cordero took strike three but Martinez also singled to right. A wild pitch moved both runners over and Refsnyder scored on the Bogaerts grounder to third. Vazquez singled to right to chase Abreu. Lucas Luetge came in to pitch and Verdugo walked to load the bases. With a chance to tie the game....Story popped up to second to end the inning with the Sox down 9-5.

                                                      Needed more from Bogaerts there

Austin Davis came in to crap his pants in the top of the seventh as Hicks singled to left to start. Hicks took second on the Trevino grounder to second then promptly stole third. Gonzalez caught the Sox asleep with a perfect suicide squeeze bunt to score Hicks with another run. Gallo flied out to center and Gonzalez effortlessly stole second. LeMahieu grounded out to second to end the inning with the Yankees up 10-5.

                                                     Beating the Sox with long and small ball

Luetge dominated the bottom of the seventh as Arroyo struck out swinging to start. Dalbec also went down hacking and Refsnyder swung at air to end the inning.

Jarren Duran came in for Arroyo to start the top of the eighth and Judge struck out swinging to start. Carpenter got a base hit to right and Isiah Kiner-Falefa ran for him. Torres effortlessly doubled off the top of the Monster to score Kiner with another run but Donaldson lined out to second. Hicks popped up to second to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 11-5.

                                                      Torres thought it was gone

Cordero flied out to right to start the bottom of the eighth before Martinez lined out to left. Bogaerts struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Yankees wrapped up the scoring in the top of the ninth with Jackie Bradley Jr himself on the mound. Trevino singled to left but Gonzalez walked. Gallo popped up to second and somehow LeMahieu struck out swinging. Judge walked to load the bases and Kiner walked to score Trevino. Torres forced Kiner at second to end the inning with the Yankees up 12-5.

                                                     Better ERA than Seabold

Vazquez singled to center to start the bottom of the ninth but Verdugo forced him at second. Story and Duran both struck out swinging to end the game. The Yankees had won it 12-5.

                                                               Yankees win

Jackass of the Night is Connor Seabold. He lasted just 2 2/3 innings and allowed 7 runs, putting the Sox in a hole they couldn't climb out of.

                                                                Seabold The Jackass

The Good:

Rob Refsnyder was 4 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

JD Martinez was 3 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

Christian Vazquez was 3 for 5 with an rbi.

Bobby Dalbec was 1 for 3 with a walk including a home run.

The Bad:

Rafael Devers was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Franchy Cordero was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Jarren Duran struck out in his only at-bat.

Austin Davis allowed 2 runs in 2 innings.

Jackie Bradley Jr allowed a run in the top of the ninth.

The Ugly:

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Michael Feliz allowed just one earned run in 3 1/3 innings.

Alex Verdugo was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Trevor Story was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts but the one hit was a home run.

Christian Arroyo was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout and lost a ball in the lights.

Final Thoughts:

Things are falling apart for the Red Sox. Seabold got hurt, Devers got hurt, Jackie Bradley had to pitch and Christian Arroyo became a meme. They absolutely cannot beat an AL East team no matter which one it is. The Yankees continued their dominance not only on the Sox but the whole league. They're having a season similar to the 2018 Sox and nobody can seem to slow them down. The Sox are in deep trouble with injuries and ineffectiveness and things are looking real bad, especially when this was their chance to put a dent in the AL East. Seabold looked terrible again and Sox GM Chaim Bloom is looking real bad since Jeter Downs and Connor Wong aren't lighting it up, Cordero is horrible, JBJ is washed, Seabold and Josh Winckowski disappointed and Story is hitting .224. There's still 2 months to turn it around but it doesn't look good right now. The loss dropped the Sox to 45-39, 16 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow night when they send Kutter Crawford to the mound against Jordan Montgomery of the Yankees. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Get Lucky Against Cubs in 11 Innings (7/3/22)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Phillips Valdez was sent back to Worcester in favor of today's starting pitcher, Connor Seabold. With Rich Hill out with a knee injury, the Sox are gonna need Seabold to step up in his absence whether its fair or not.

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                                                                     IN

As for the game, the Red Sox got lucky this time. Connor Seabold lasted just 4 innings while allowing a run thanks to Sox manager Alex Cora overthinking things again, forcing the bullpen to go the rest of the way. Naturally the 2-1 lead disappeared when Patrick Wisdom took Matt Strahm deep to tie the game. After the Sox did nothing after the fourth inning, New York Yankee fans gladhanded each other saying the game was in the bag for Chicago. Too bad they didn't count on the Cubs being just as bad. Trevor Story hit a routine grounder to Rowan Wick in the top of the eleventh who threw the ball away allowing the go-ahead runs to score. Somehow Jake Diekman slammed the door in the bottom of the frame to give the Sox the 4-2 victory over the Cubs in 11 innings at Wrigley Field.

                                                      Talulah approves of the win

Keegan Thompson got the ball in the top of the first inning and Jarren Duran flied out to left to start. Rafael Devers caught the Cubs asleep with a bunt single to short and Xander Bogaerts drew a walk. Alex Verdugo lined out to right and Christian Vazquez struck out swinging to end the inning. The Cubs wasted no time getting to Seabold in the bottom of the first as Rafael Ortega doubled to left and Wilson Contreras singled to center to score Rafael just like that. Ian Happ popped up to first, Patrick Wisdom popped up to second and Nico Hoerner flied out to left to end the inning with the Cubs up 1-0.

                                                                     Cubs take the lead

Rob Refsnyder lined out to center to start the top of the second but Franchy Cordero beat out a roller to third. Bobby Dalbec grounded into a double play to end the inning. PJ Higgins struck out swinging to start the bottom of the second but Alfonso Rivas walked. Nelson Velazquez singled in the hole at second to move Rivas to third but Christopher Morel struck out swinging. Ortega flied out to center to end the inning.

Christian Arroyo walked to start the top of the third but Duran flied out to center. Devers beat out a roller to third but Bogaerts banged into a double play to end the inning. Contreras struck out swinging to start the bottom of the third before Happ singled to center. Wisdom struck out swinging and Hoerner lined out to center to end the inning.

Somehow the Sox did something in the top of the fourth as Verdugo singled in the hole at third to start. Vazquez beat out a roller to third and both runners moved over on the wild pitch by Thompson. Refsnyder struck out swinging and Cordero hit a routine grounder to Rivas...UNDER HIS GLOVE! Verdugo scored on the play and shockingly Dalbec got a base hit to left to load the bases but Arroyo lined out to right. Somehow Duran walked home Vazquez to put Boston on top but Devers struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-1.

                                                     Dalbec drives in a run

Seabold returned for one final inning in the bottom of the fourth and Higgins ripped a base hit to center to start. Rivas singled to left but Velazquez banged into a double play. Morel walked but Ortega popped up to second to end the inning. Seabold threw 74 pitches but Sox manager Alex Cora felt that was enough as he allowed 1 run on 6 hits and 2 walks in just 4 innings.

                                                                Seabold doesn't last long

Matt Swarmer came in to pitch the top of the fifth and Bogaerts lined out to first to start. Verdugo walked and Vazquez singled to right...but Refsnyder struck out swinging and Cordero grounded out to second to end the inning. Hiro Sawamura came in to pitch the  bottom of the first and Contreras struck out swinging to start. Happ went down hacking and Wisdom popped up to second to end the inning.

Dalbec struck out swinging to start the top of the sixth but Arroyo got a base hit to right to chase Swarmer. Brandon Hughes came in to pitch and Duran singled in the hole at short. Once again with two men on Devers struck out swinging and Bogaerts popped up to second to end the inning. Hoerner got a base hit to right to start the bottom of the sixth but Higgins hit into a double play. Rivas got a singled to right but Velazquez popped up to Arroyo to end the inning.

Verdugo lined out to first to start the top of the seventh and Scott Effross came in to face Vazquez. Christian flied out to left and Refsnyder struck out swinging to end the inning. Jackie Bradley Jr took over in right with John Schreiber now on the mound for the bottom of the seventh. Morel took a questionable full count strike three but Ortega was hit with a pitch. Contreras walked but was thrown out at second trying to steal. Old pal Cubs manager David Ross challenged the call but it was a clear out call. Only problem was Bogaerts was cleaned out on the play and had to leave the game with an injury. Trevor Story replaced him and Happ struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox can't afford to lose Bogaerts before their death march through the AL East.

                                                         Bogaerts takes a cleat to the leg

Cordero took strike three to start the top of the eighth before Dalbec took a straight fastball right down the middle for strike three. Arroyo got a base hit to left but Duran grounded out to second to end the inning. The lead evaporated in the bottom of the eighth with Matt Strahm on the mound as Wisdom hit a home run all the way to Phoenix, Arizona to tie the game. Higgins struck out swinging and Yan Gomes pinch hit for Rivas. Gomes grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                       Cubs tie it up

Daveid Bote came in for Gomes with Chris Martin now on the mound for the top of the ninth. Devers lined out to first, Story flied out to right and Verdugo struck out swinging to end the inning. Tanner Houck came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and Velazquez struck out swinging to start. Morel flied out to right but Ortega drew a walk. Contreras grounded out to short to end the inning.

Rowan Wick came in to pitch the top of the tenth with Verdugo starting at second. Vazquez moved Alex to third with a grounder to second and JBJ drew a walk....but Cordero got Verdugo thrown out at home on a grounder to third. Dalbec took a straight fastball right down the middle for strike three to end the inning. Jake Diekman came in to pitch the bottom of the tenth with Contreras now on the mound and he started by plunking Happ. Wisdom and Hoerner both flied out to left and Higgins struck out swinging to end the inning,

The Sox broke through on pure stupidity in the top of the eleventh with Dalbec starting at second base. Arroyo walked to start but Duran struck out swinging. Devers flied out to center and Story hit a tapper in front of the plate...THROWN AWAY BY WICK! Arroyo and Dalbec both scored to put Boston ahead and Verdugo grounded out to first to end the inning with Boston up 4-2.

                                                        Sox take the lead

Diekman returned to close out the bottom of the eleventh with Higgins starting at second base. Bote took strike three but Velazquez walked. Morel took a questionable full count strike three and Narciso Crook pinch hit for Ortega. Crook struck out swinging to end the game. The Sox had won it 4-2 in 11 innings.

                                                            Sox win

Hero of the Night is Jake Diekman. He earned the win by not allowing a single run in two straight innings with phantom runners on second.

                                                       Vazquez salutes our Hero

The Good:

Rafael Devers was 2 for 6.

Christian Vazquez was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Christian Arroyo was 2 for 3 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Connor Seabold tossed 4 innings and allowed just 1 run while striking out 4.

Hiro Sawamura tossed 2 scoreless innings.

John Schreiber pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

Tanner Houck pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Trevor Story was 0 for 2.

Rob Refsnyder was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Matt Strahm allowed a run in the eighth inning.

The Ugly:

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

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 3 but walked before leaving with injury.

Alex Verdugo was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Franchy Cordero was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

Bobby Dalbec was just 1 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but scored a run.

Honorable Mention:

Jackie Bradley Jr played right field in the final two innings.

Final Thoughts:

If this series was just a tune-up for their upcoming death march through the AL-East from now until July 24th, they failed big time. Dropping two out of three to the Cubs and needing to get lucky just to win the one game is not a good sign moving forward. Getting Chris Sale back healthy would help but losing Rich Hill for a month certainly doesn't. The Sox are going to have to rely on Seabold, Josh Winckowski or Kutter Crawford in Hill's absence. Even when they win it feels like a loss because they didn't deserve it. Strahm giving up the run in the eighth was also disconcerting considering Garrett Whitlock is out and who knows when he's coming back. Still, a win is a win and they all count no matter what happens. The win improved the Sox to 44-35, 1/2 game ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays for the first wild card spot. The Sox begin their AL East gauntlet tomorrow afternoon at home against the Tampa Bay Rays. Michael Wacha goes for the Sox against old friend Jalen "Twin Beeks". The special July 4th matinee begins at 1:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Jays Bash Seabold, Sox (6/27/22)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made roster moves. Tanner Houck and Jarren Duran was placed on the Restricted List for the upcoming series in Toronto. Former 2019 gold glove second baseman Yolmer Sanchez and top pitching prospect Connor Seabold was promoted from Worcester for this series. Not having their budding leadoff hitter and closer isn't a good start for an important series against the Blue Jays. In minor moves, the Worcester Red Sox released pitcher Thomas Pannone and first baseman Roberto Ramos. Like I said here two months ago, Pannone was a journeyman minor leaguer just taking a roster spot until they could find someone better. The rise of Brayan Bello made Pannone expendable so he was sent packing. Ramos actually had one moment in the sun, hitting a walkoff home run on May 19th for the WooSox. Apart from that he was hitting .158 and with Triston Casas expected to be healthy soon, it was bye bye to Ramos too.

                                                                     OUT

                                                                     IN

As for the game, Seabold (0-1, 13.50 ERA) should have stayed in Worcester. The rookie making only his second big league start got hammered by one of the best offenses in the league. He made the Jays swing and miss a lot but when they didn't miss, it was a disaster. Vladimir Guerrero Jr, George Springer and Matt Chapman all hit long balls and the Jays pounded Seabold for 9 hits and 7 runs, chasing him in the fifth inning. Meanwhile Kevin Gausman continued his mastery over the Sox by tossing 7 shutout innings while allowing just 4 hits. The Sox bullpen admirably held the Jays to just one hit in 3 1/3 innings and the bats rallied for a few runs in the ninth but it wasn't enough. The Jays opened the salvo in this three game set with a convincing 7-2 win over the Sox at the Skydome.

                                                 Live look at the Sox offense tonight

Gausman got the ball in the top of the first inning and Rob Refsnyder struck out swinging to start. Rafael Devers flied out to left and JD Martinez grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Seabold made his season debut in the bottom of the first and the Jays wasted no time getting to him. George Springer walked and Bo Bichette doubled to left to score George to put the Jays up for good two batters into the first. Vladimir Guerrero Jr struck out swinging and Alejandro Kirk forced Bichette at third on a grounder to short before Teoscar Hernandez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Jays up 1-0.

                                                        Jays take the lead

Xander Bogaerts struck out swinging to open the top of the second and Alex Verdugo flied out to center. Trevor Story struck out swinging to end the inning. Lourdes Gurriel Jr took strike three to start the bottom of the second and Matt Chapman flied out to right. Santiago Espinal grounded out to second to end the inning. 

Christian Vazquez grounded out to short to start the top of the third and Jackie Bradley Jr struck out swinging. Bobby Dalbec got a base hit to left before he swiped second. Refsnyder walked but Devers grounded out to first to end the inning. The Jays shelled Seabold in the bottom of the third although Cavan Biggio grounded out to short to start. Springer hit a home run all the way to Vancouver, Bichette got a base hit to center and Guerrero Jr hit a home run into the Baltic Sea to ice the game. Kirk was hit with a pitch, Hernandez ripped a base hit to left but Gurriel Jr struck out swinging. Chapman struck out swinging to end the inning but the Jays had virtually ended it 4-0.

                                                          This one's over

The Sox failed to respond against Gausman in the top of the fourth as Martinez went down hacking to start. Bogaerts took strike three but Verdugo got a base hit to center. Story struck out swinging again to end the inning. Espinal struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fourth but Biggio doubled to right. Springer grounded out to third and Bichette struck out swinging to end the inning. 

Vazquez struck out swinging to start the top of the fifth before JBJ flied out to right. Dalbec hit a rocket but right to Chapman to end the inning. Guerrero Jr flied out to center to start the bottom of the fifth but naturally Kirk doubled to right. Hernandez singled Kirk to third and Alejandro scored when Gurriel Jr beat out a double play ball. Chapman pounded a home run all the way to the moon to FINALLY chase Seabold. The kid was thrown right in the fire against one of the best offenses in the league and he wilted, allowing 7 runs in just 4 2/3 innings. Tyler Danish came in and to get Espinal to pop up to second to end the inning with the Jays up 7-0.

                                                   Seabold gets shelled

Gausman continued his masterpiece in the top of the sixth as Refsnyder grounded out to short to start. Devers got a lucky double off the second base bag but Martinez flied out to center. Somehow Bogaerts walked but Verdugo flied out to center to end the inning. Austin Davis came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Biggio was hit to start. Springer forced Biggio at second before Bichette flied out to right. Guerrero Jr took strike three to end the inning. 

Story earned the hat trick by striking out swinging to start the top of the seventh but Vazquez got a lucky single to left. Christian moved to second on the grounder to second by JBJ but Dalbec struck out swinging. Guasman continued to dominate the Sox with 7 shutout innings. Hiro Sawamura came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh inning and Kirk grounded out to third to start. Hernandez struck out swinging to but Gurriel Jr singled to left. Chapman forced Gurriel at second to end the inning.

Bradley Zimmer came in for Hernandez with David Phelps now on the mound for the top of the eighth. Refsnyder flied out to center, Devers flied out to left and Martinez flied out to center to end the inning. Not a single Sox batter apart from Devers reached second bass tonight. Hansel Robles came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Espinal took strike three to start. Biggio struck out swinging and Springer popped up to first to end the inning. 

Shaun Anderson came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning and Bogaerts got a base hit to center to start. Verdugo singled to right to move Xander to third and Story hit a sac fly to right to score Bogaerts. Vazquez got a base hit to right to move Verdugo to third but JBJ popped up to short. Vazquez took second on defense indifference and Dalbec lined one off of Anderson to score Verdugo. Refsnyder flied out to center to end the game with the Jays winning it 7-2.

                                                               Jays win

Jackass of the Night is Connor Seabold. He got shelled in his second ML start, allowing 7 runs off 3 home runs in just 4 2/3 innings.

                                                    Not ready for prime time, Jackass

The Good:

Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Alex Verdugo was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Christian Vazquez was 2 for 4.

Bobby Dalbec was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a stolen base.

Tyler Danish got the final out of the fifth inning.

Austin Davis pitched a scoreless sixth inning.

Hiro Sawamura pitched a scoreless seventh inning. 

Hansel Robles pitched a scoreless eighth inning. 

The Bad:

JD Martinez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Rob Refsnyder was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but walked.

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4.

Trevor Story was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but drove in a run.

Final Thoughts:

If there was ever a "throw away" game it was this one. Seabold had no business being thrown into the fire against an offense like that but the real story was the Sox inability to hit Gausman. They had a similar problem back in 2016 but this is 2022. The Sox better figure him out quick or Jays manager Charlie Montoya is going to rig his rotation to have Kevin face them every time like when the Jays lined up Roy Halladay in 2003. The offense was a whole bag of nothing but there were two bright spots. The bullpen held the foot and none of the important relievers were forced to pitch and Bobby Dalbec had a good game. Verdugo, Vazquez and Dalbec have picked it up lately and the Sox are going to need them with Bogaerts dealing with a shoulder injury and Martinez cooling off. Still, it was only one game and the Sox have two more against Toronto to take. The Sox have a big stretch coming up on July 4th but they can make a statement now by taking the next two games if they can. Seabold definitely needs to work on his command in Worcester because at times he looked unhittable but they pounded every mistake he made. The loss dropped the Sox to 42-32, a half game ahead of the Jays for the first wild card. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow night when Michael Wacha (6-1, 2.34 ERA) takes on Ross Stripling of Toronto. The game begins at 7:07 PM at the Skydome.

Red Sox Outslug White Sox in 10 Innings (9/11/21)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made some roster moves. Brad Peacock was sent back to Worcester while Danny Santana was once again placed on the Covid List. Jack Lopez was called up from Worcester to take Danny's spot while Connor Seabold was called up to not only replace Peacock but to make his ML debut as today's starter. Good luck Seabold.

                                                                        OUT

                                                                       IN

As for the game, not too many games have been considered "must win" but this was certainly one of them. The Red Sox had to outslug the frontrunner AL Central leading White Sox after both starting pitchers were removed. The BoSox blasted Dylan Cease for seven runs in the top of the third but Sox prospect Connor Seabold got knocked out in the bottom of the fourth as the ChiSox tied the game. The White Sox took the lead on a 5th inning Yasmani Grandal home run off Ryan Brasier but Kike Hernandez hit a sac fly in the top of the eighth to tie the game. Travis Shaw drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the tenth and Josh Taylor slammed the door in the bottom of the frame. The Red Sox had beaten the White Sox 9-8 in 10 innings at Comiskey Park.

                                                        Joclyn Stone approves of the win

Cease got the ball in the top of the first inning and Kike Hernandez took strike three to start. Kyle Schwarber and Xander Bogaerts drew back to back walks but Rafael Devers struck out swinging. Hunter Renfroe struck out swinging to end the inning. Seabold made his ML debut in the bottom of the first and Luis Robert Jr lined out to left to start. Yoan Moncada walked but Jose Abreu grounded into a double play to end the inning. 

Alex Verdugo struck out swinging to open the top of the second but Bobby Dalbec grounded out to short. Travis Shaw struck out swinging to end the inning. The White Sox struck first in the bottom of the second as Eloy Jimenez flied out to center to start. Yasmani Grandal got a base hit to left and Leury Garcia hit a home run all the way to Oklahoma to put Chicago on top. Romy Gonzalez grounded out to third and Brian Goodwin flied out to center to end the inning with the White Sox up 2-0.

                                                          Garcia hits one out

The BoSox crushed Cease in the top of the third as Christian Vazquez lined out to right to start. Hernandez singled to center before Schwarber and Bogaerts drew back to back walks to load the bases. Devers walked to score Hernandez but Renfroe hit one up the elevator shaft. Verdugo got a base hit to left to score Schwarber and Bogaerts and Dalbec singled to right to score Devers. Shaw then put the exclamation point on with a three run home run to chase Cease. Ryan Burr came in to pitch to Vazquez and Christian singled to center. Hernandez doubled to left but Schwarber grounded out to second to end the inning with the BoSox ahead 7-2.

                                                              3 run bomb for Shaw

Hernandez lined out to second to start the bottom of the third before Robert Jr doubled to left. Moncada walked but Abreu hit into a double play to end the inning. That was it for Seabold as Sox manager Alex Cora forced his bullpen to once again throw more than half the game. He allowed 2 runs in 3 innings.

                                                     Short debut for Seabold

Bogaerts grounded out to short to start the top of the fourth before Devers got a base hit to left. Devers moved to second on a grounder to short by Renfroe but Verdugo grounded out to second to end the inning. Garrett Richards came in to crap his pants in the bottom of the fourth as Jimenez lined out to right to start. Grandal walked and Garcia hit a routine grounder to Devers who ran around in a circle without tagging anyone for an error. Gonzalez walked to load the bases and Goodwin walked to score Grandal. Hernandez struck out looking but Robert hit a bases clearing double to left, chasing Richards. Ryan Brasier came in and Moncada doubled to left to score Robert, tying the game. Abreu grounded out to short to end the inning with the game tied 7-7.

                                                              Thanks a lot Richards

Michael Kopech came in to pitch the top of the fifth and Dalbec struck out swinging to start. Shaw took strike three but Vazquez walked. Hernandez struck out swinging to end the inning. The White Sox took command in the bottom of the fifth as Jimenez flied out to right to start. Grandal hit a home run all the way into Wrigley Field to put Chicago on top. Garcia lined out to short and Gonzalez struck out swinging to end the inning with the White Sox ahead 8-7.

                                                       Home run Grandal

The BoSox failed to respond in the top of the sixth as Schwarber hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Bogaerts and Devers both struck out swinging to end the inning. Hansel Robles came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Goodwin flied out to center to start. Hernandez grounded out to third but Robert singled to center. Moncada struck out swinging to end the inning.

Renfroe popped up to short to begin the top of the seventh and that was it for Kopech. Aaron Bummer came in and Verdugo struck out swinging. Dalbec also went down hacking to end the inning. Michael Feliz came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Abreu struck out swinging to begin. Jimenez singled to right and Grandal grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Billy Hamilton took over in left with Craig Kimbrel now on the mound to start the top of the eighth. Shaw lined out to right but Vazquez doubled to center. Jack Lopez pinch ran for Vazquez and moved to third on a wild pitch. Lopez scored on the sac fly by Hernandez to tie the game. Schwarber took strike three to end the inning with the game tied 8-8.

                                                            Hernandez ties it

Kevin Plawecki took over behind the plate with Garrett Whitlock now on the mound for the bottom of the eighth. Garcia flied out to left and Gavin Sheets pinch hit for Hamilton. Sheets grounded out to first and Goodwin flied out to center to end the inning.

Liam Hendriks came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Bogaerts grounded out to short to start. Devers struck out swinging but Renfroe singled to center. Renfroe stole second but Verdugo struck out swinging to end the inning. Hernandez grounded out to short to start the bottom of the ninth but Robert hit a ground rule double down the right field line. Moncada lined out to left and Abreu was intentionally walked. Jimenez grounded out to third to end the inning.

Mike Wright Jr came in to pitch with Verdugo starting the inning at second. Dalbec grounded out to first to move Verdugo to third and Shaw ripped a base hit to right to score Verdugo. Jose Iglesias pinch ran for Shaw and moved to second on the Plawecki grounder back to the mound. Hernandez grounded out to third to end the inning with Boston up 9-8.

                                                       Shaw with another big hit

Josh Taylor came in to pitch the bottom of the 10th with Jimenez at second to start. Grandal got a base hit to left to put runners at the corners and Seby Zavala pinch ran for Grandal. Garcia struck out swinging and Danny Mendick pinch hit for Sheets. Mendick struck out swinging and Goodwin grounded out to second to end the game. The Red Sox had won it 9-8.

                                                               Sox win

Hero of The Night is Travis Shaw. His go-ahead rbi put the Sox in position to win.

                                                      Travis Hero

The Good:

Kike Hernandez was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Christian Vazquez was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Jack Lopez scored a run as a pinch runner.

Hansel Robles pitched a scoreless inning.

Michael Feliz pitched a scoreless inning.

Garrett Whitlock tossed 2 scoreless innings to earn the win.

Josh Taylor earned the save with a scoreless tenth.

The Bad:

Kevin Plawecki was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Garrett Richards allowed 5 runs in 2/3 of an inning.

Ryan Brasier allowed a run in 1 2/3 innings.

The Ugly:

Kyle Schwarber was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked twice and scored a run.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked twice and scored a run.

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts and an error but walked, drove in a run and scored a run.

Hunter Renfroe was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but stole a base.

Alex Verdugo was just 1 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but drove in 2 runs and scored twice.

Bobby Dalbec was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts but drove in a run and scored a run.

Connor Seabold allowed 2 runs in 3 innings off a home run.

Honorable Mention:

Jose Iglesias ran for Shaw in the 10th inning.

Final Thoughts:

Its funny how Shaw was supposed to be the first baseman of the future when the Sox called him up in 2015 and here we are all these years later with him winning a game for the team. Dave Dombrowski really screwed up trading him but maybe he needed to be a star in Milwaukee to be able to make the comeback now. Beating the AL Central leading White Sox was a good playoff preview, especially getting to someone like Cease. Alex Cora continues to play with fire by having relievers pitch more than half the game. Seabold only went three innings and the bullpen had to throw the remaining seven. That's how he ruined the A-Team over the course of the spring. Its going to bite Cora big time in the end. As for now, that was a gutty win and hats off to the bullpen in the later innings who didn't budge. Robles, Whitlock, Taylor, etc definitely helped win this game big time. If Shaw doesn't have another moment in the sun, at least he has this game to fall back on. The win improved the Sox to 81-63, 1 game ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays for the first wild card with 18 games to play. The Red Sox look to take two of three from Chicago tomorrow afternoon when Nick Pivetta takes on Lance Lynn of the White Sox. The game begins at 2:05 PM Eastern time at Comiskey Park.