Sox Drop A's in Eleven (5/11/15)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Shane Victorino was activated from the Disabled List and Luis Jimenez was designated for assignment to make room for him. Right field has been a mess this season with Daniel Nava and Allen Craig struggling. Hopefully Victorino can rediscover the form he had in 2013.

                                                                           OUT

                                                                     IN

As for the game, that was one of the best back and forth games all season for the Red Sox with Boston coming out on top. Both starters Scott Kazmir of Oakland and Rick Porcello of Boston lasted just 5 innings with the A's leading 3-2. The Sox jumped ahead against Evan Scribner on rbis from Mookie Betts and Dustin Pedroia. Craig Breslow blew the lead in the seventh and the score remained until the top of the eleventh. Pablo Sandoval cracked a home run off Angel Castro and Matt Barnes (1-0, 1.69 ERA) slammed the door in the bottom of the frame. The Sox had won the game 5-4 in 11 innings at the Oakland Coliseum.

                                                        Jack Nicklaus approves of the win

Kazmir got the ball in the top of the first inning and Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to third to start. Dustin Pedroia struck out swinging and David Ortiz grounded out to Eric Sogard to end the inning. Porcello got the ball in the bottom of the first and Billy Burns took strike three to start. Old pal Coco Crisp lined out to left but old friend Josh Reddick got a base hit to left. Billy Butler grounded out to Pedroia to end the inning.

Hanley Ramirez walked to start the top of the second but Mike Napoli lined out to right. Pablo Sandoval grounded into a double play to end the inning. Stephen Vogt led off the bottom of the second by grounding out to short. Ike Davis watched strike three go but Brett Lawrie lined a base hit to center. Marcus Semien flied out to the centerfield warning track to end the inning. Shane Victorino hit one up the elevator shaft to start the bottom of the second before Xander Bogaerts grounded out to short. Blake Swihart flied out to right to end the inning.

The A's struck first in the top of the third as Sogard flied out to left to start. Billy Burns dropped down a bunt to reach on a single then took second on a wild pitch. Crisp grounded out to second to move Burns to third and Reddick walked. Butler lashed a base hit to right to score Burns to put Oakland on top. Vogt flied out to right to end the inning with the A's up 1-0.

                                                             Butler drives in a run

The Sox answered in the top of the fourth as Mr. Mookie grounded back to Kazmir to start. Pedroia walked and Ortiz lofted a base hit to center. Pedroia tried for home but Semien's throw was off to allow Dustin to score on the "error". Ramirez struck out swinging but Napoli walked. Sandoval grounded out to first to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                                   Pedroia scores

The A's struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Davis doubled to center to start. Lawrie got a base hit to center to move Davis to third but Davis pulled up lame and had to leave the game. Max Muncy pinch ran for Davis and scored on the double play hit by Semien. Sogard got a base hit to center but Burns popped up to left to end the inning with the A's up 2-1.

                                                        Semien hits into a double play

The Sox answered in the top of the fifth as Victorino popped up to short to start. Bogaerts popped up to second but Swihart doubled to the right field wall. Mr. Mookie dumped a base hit to left to score Swihart to tie the game. Crisp made a great jumping catch to rob Pedroia of a double to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                          Swihart scores a run

The A's got another run in the bottom of the fifth as Crisp took strike three to start. Reddick flied out to left but Butler doubled to right. Vogt doubled over the head of Victorino to score Butler with the go-ahead run. Muncy flied out to center to end the inning with the A's ahead 3-2. That was it for Porcello who was charged with 3 runs off 5 hits and a walk in 5 innings.

                                                               A's take the lead

Ortiz doubled to left to start the top of the sixth but was immediately picked off. Sox manager John Farrell challenged that Ortiz was safe, but replays upheld the call. Ramirez lined out to center but Napoli walked. Sandoval struck out swinging to end the inning. Alexi Ogando came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Lawrie grounded out to second to start. Semien struck out swinging but Sogard lashed a base hit to center. Burns doubled to center but Napoli made a leaping catch to rob Crisp to end the inning.

Evan Scribner came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Victorino lined out to right to start. Bogaerts got a base hit to right and Swihart drilled a base hit to move Xander to third. Mr. Mookie drilled a base hit to center to score Bogaerts and move Swihart to third. Pedroia beat out a double play ball to score Swihart to put the Sox on top and chase Scribner. Fernando Abad came in to pitch to Ortiz and David hit a bullet...right to Muncy to end the inning with the Sox up 4-3.

                                                        Swihart scores a run

Craig Breslow came in to cough up the lead in the bottom of the seventh as Reddick struck a base hit to center to start. Butler singled up the middle to move Reddick to third and Josh scored on the sac fly to right by Vogt. Mark Canha pinch hit for Muncy and struck out swinging to chase Breslow. Junichi Tazawa got Lawrie to ground into a force to end the inning with the game tied 4-4.

                                                            We're tied again

Old friend Edward Mujica came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Ramirez flied out to right to start. Napoli struck out swinging and Sandoval flied out to left to end the inning. Semien struck out swinging to open the bottom of the eighth but Sox manager John Farrell wanted Tommy Layne to face Sogard. Eric's bunt attempt was snuffed out by Pedroia and Burns popped up to short to end the inning.

Tyler Clippard came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Victorino lined out to right to start. Bogaerts lined a base hit up the middle then moved to second on a grounder to first by Swihart. Mr. Mookie popped up to right to end the inning. Jackie Bradley Jr took over in right field for Victorino to start the bottom of the ninth. Crisp lined out to a running JBJ before Reddick walked to chase Layne. Sox closer Koji Uehara came in and Butler flied out to right. Vogt also flied out to right to end the inning.

Pedroia walked to start the top of the tenth but Ortiz flied out to center. Ramirez flied out to left but a wild pitch moved Pedroia to second. Napoli lined out to first to end the inning. Matt Barnes came in to pitch the bottom of the tenth and Canha walked to start. Lawrie flied out to center and Semien struck out swinging. Canha stole second but Sogard popped up to short to end the inning.

The Sox finally struck in the top of the eleventh with Angel Castro now on the mound. Sandoval crushed his fourth home run of the season to put Boston on top. JBJ walked and moved to second on the sacrifice bunt by Bogaerts. Swihart struck out swinging but Mr. Mookie walked. Pedroia lined a base hit up the middle but JBJ was caught napping at third to end the inning. The Sox now led 5-4.

                                                             Sandoval puts Boston ahead

Barnes returned for the bottom of the eleventh and Burns flied out to left to start. Crisp popped up to second and Reddick lined out to left to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-4.

                                                           Sox win

Hero of the Night is Pablo Sandoval. His home run in the eleventh won the game.

                                                            Hero Sandoval

The Good:

Mookie Betts was 2 for 5 with a walk and 2 rbis.

David Ortiz was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

Jackie Bradley Jr walked in his only plate appearance.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Blake Swihart was 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

Alexi Ogando pitched a scoreless sixth inning.

Junichi Tazawa tossed 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

Tommy Layne pitched a full scoreless inning.

Koji Uehara pitched 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

Matt Barnes earned the win with 2 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Shane Victorino was 0 for 4.

Craig Breslow allowed a run in 2/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked twice, drove in a run and scored a run.

Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but walked.

Mike Napoli was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked twice.

Rick Porcello was charged with 3 runs in just 5 innings of work allowing 9 hits and a walk while striking out three.

Final Thoughts:

That was a tough one to win but it counts all the same. Porcello only lasting 5 innings meant the bullpen had to throw the final six innings. Not good when you have rotation issues as the Sox do. Still, they scored runs when they had to and shout out to Sandoval for his first big hit of the season. The offense is going to be there this season but the team is going to live or die with that rotation....god help us. Things worked out this time but tomorrow might be a different story. The win improved the Sox to 15-17, 5.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the A's tomorrow night when Justin Masterson (2-1, 5.18 ERA) takes on Drew Pomeranz of Oakland. The game begins at 10:00 PM Eastern time at Oakland Coliseum.

Sanchez, Jays Blank Sox (5/8/15)

Before the game the Sox made roster moves. Edward Mujica was designated for assignment while David Ortiz was suspended for tonight's game after losing his appeal for his April 19th incident. 3rd baseman Travis Shaw was called up from Pawtucket to make his Major League debut. Mujica was having an up and down year, but so has everyone that pitched. Either way good for Travis Shaw.

                                                                         OUT

                                                                      IN

Also in a shocking move, the Red Sox fired pitching coach Juan Nieves. This was definitely a passing of the blame situation as Red Sox GM Ben Cherrington essentially bargain bin shopped for starting pitchers after trading away Felix Doubront, Jake Peavy, Jon Lester and John Lackey then failing to re-sign Lester. Wade Miley and Justin Masterson just haven't been good while Rick Porcello and Joe Kelly have been up and down. Still, the Red Sox starters ERA being last in the league at 5.54 isn't surprising but what IS surprising is the bullpen hasn't been good either, leading to a 4.86 team wide ERA. The Orient Express and Craig Breslow can only pitch in so many games, others have to step up. Firing Nieves and essentially Mujica is essentially passing the buck that Cherrington screwed up. Hope the next pitching coach knows what he's walking into.

                                                     YOU'REEEEEEE FIREDDDDDDDDDD

As for the game, things didn't get any better for the Boston Red Sox as they were walloped by the Toronto Blue Jays. Without David Ortiz for one game, the Sox bats once again were silenced, this time by Aaron Sanchez. Sanchez dominated the Sox for seven shutout innings allowing just 2 runs. Playing without Christian Vazquez, David Ortiz and Hanley Ramirez hampered the offense but Wade Miley (1-4, 6.91 ERA) hampered the pitching. He got rocked for 4 runs in 6 innings including two home runs. Robbie Ross Jr got his brains beat in for 3 runs and the Jays blanked the Sox by a touchdown 7-0 at the Skydome. How many runs did the Sox score Dean Wormer?

Sanchez got the ball in the top of the first inning and Mr. Mookie Betts popped up to center to start. Dustin Pedroia lashed a base hit to left. Pablo Sandoval grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Jays wasted no time getting to Miley in the bottom of the first as Devon Travis lined out to center to start. Josh Donaldson hit a home run off the roof of the dome to put the Jays up for good two batters into the game. Jose Bautista broke his bat on a base hit in the hole at short and Edwin Encarnacion doubled to the left field wall. Russell Martin hit a comebacker to Miley who caught Bautista in a rundown for the second out. Danny Valencia was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to end the inning with the Jays up 1-0.

                                                       "Well this sucks" - Swihart

Mike Napoli led off the top of the second by striking out swinging but Daniel Nava drew a walk. Allen Craig moved Nava to second with a grounder to third and Blake Swihart lined out to short to end the inning. The Jays struck again in the bottom of the second as Kevin Pillar struck out swinging to start. Chris Colabello hit his first home run in almost a year to increase the lead but Ryan Goins took strike three. Travis struck out swinging to end the inning with the Jays up 2-0.

                                                       Home run for Framingham's own

It looked like Xander Bogaerts reached on an error to start the top of the third but Blue Jays manager John Gibbons challenged that Xander was out. The umps upheld the call and Travis Shaw made his major league debut by forcing Bogaerts at second. Mr. Mookie flied out to right but Pedroia walked. Sandoval grounded out to first to end the inning. Donaldson flied out to a running Nava to start the bottom of the third before Bautista grounded out to short. Encarnacion struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the fourth as Napoli walked to start. Nava walked and Craig was hit with a pitch. Swihart took a 3-2 pitch on the outside corner for strike three and Bogaerts grounded into a double play to end the threat. Martin struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fourth but Valencia singled to left. Pillar popped up to Craig and Colabello struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt to start the top of the fifth as Shaw grounded out to short to start. Betts grounded out to second and Pedroia grounded out to short to end the inning. Goins lined out to left to begin the bottom of the fifth before Travis grounded out to second. Donaldson singled to left but Bautista was rung up for strike three to end the inning.

Sandoval grounded back to the mound to start the top of the sixth and Napoli flied out to center. Nava flied out to center to end the inning. The Jays iced it in the bottom of the sixth as Encarnacion walked to start. Martin got a base hit to left and Valencia ripped a base hit to center to score Encarnacion, moving Martin to third. Pillar hit a sac fly to right and Valencia was thrown out trying to tag up. Colabello struck out swinging to end the inning with the Jays up 4-0. That was it for Miley who allowed 4 runs in 6 innings off 8 hits and a walk.

                                                       Not the best by Miley

Ezequiel Carrera took over for Valencia to start the top of the seventh and Craig was ruled safe on a grounder to short. Jays manager John Gibbons challenged the call and the call was reversed, he's out. Sox manager John Farrell stormed out to demand an explanation from first base umpire Gary Cederstrom. Swihart struck out swinging and Bogaerts flied out to left to end the inning. 

                  "I don't know what kind of shenanigans you got going on, but I don't like it" - Farrell

Alexi Ogando came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Goins grounded out to first to start. Travis grounded out to short and Donaldson struck out swinging to end the inning.

Shaw walked to start the top of the eighth and Mr. Mookie singled to left to chase Sanchez. Aaron Loup came in to face Pedroia and Dustin popped up to first in foul territory. Sandoval and Napoli both struck out swinging to kill yet another rally to end the inning. Robbie Ross Jr imploded in the bottom of the eighth as Bautista looked to have tripled off the top of the centerfield wall and the umps had to look to see if it was gone. It wasn't, but Bautista scored anyway on the base hit to left by Encarnacion. Martin doubled down the left field line and a fan picked the ball up which cost the Jays a run. Didn't matter as Carrera got a base hit to left to score both runners and chase the incompetent Ross. Craig Breslow came in and froze Pillar for strike three. Colabello struck out swinging and Goins grounded out to third to end the inning with the Jays up 7-0.

                                                       "I sucked tonight" - Ross

Justin Smoak came in for Encarnacion with Steve Delabar on the mound to close out the top of the ninth. Nava struck out swinging, Craig struck out swinging and Swihart grounded out to second to end the game. The Jays had won it 7-0.

                                                               Sox lose

Jackass of The Night is Wade Miley. Not that the Sox bats were doing much, but allowing 4 runs in 6 innings was too big a hole to climb out of.

                                                    "Pitch better, Jackass" - Farrell

The Good:

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 3 with a walk.

Daniel Nava walked twice in four plate appearances.

Alexi Ogando tossed a scoreless seventh inning.

Craig Breslow tossed a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Pablo Sandoval was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Blake Swihart was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 3.

Robbie Ross Jr allowed 4 runs without recording an out.

The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4.

Mike Napoli was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Allen Craig was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but was hit with a pitch.

Travis Shaw was 0 for 2 but walked.

Final Thoughts:

That game went south real quick. Having the bases loaded and nobody out in the fourth and not scoring was the killer but Miley getting roughed up didn't help. Robbie Ross having a melt down in the eighth inning was more annoying than anything since the offense cranked out a whopping 2 hits. Injuries to Shane Victorino, Christian Vazquez and Hanley Ramirez are bad enough but David Ortiz missing the game due to suspension hurt big time. Having the Pawtucket Red Sox of Mookie Betts, Blake Swihart and Travis Shaw wasn't going to cut it. The Sox are in big trouble unless they learn how to hit again because the pitching is going to be more like what Miley did tonight than the alternative. The loss dropped the Sox to 13-16, good for last place in the AL East. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow afternoon against the Blue Jays when Joe Kelly (1-1) takes on Drew Hutchison of Toronto. The game begins at 1:10 PM at the Skydome.

Rays Send Sox To Fourth Straight Loss (5/4/15)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Dalier Hinojosa was sent down to Pawtucket and Luis Jimenez was called up to take his place. The Sox are looking for some infield depth and hopefully Jimenez is the answer.

                                                                 OUT

                                                                          IN

As for the game, make it four straight losses for the Boston Red Sox with the bats being the problem in this one. Jake Odorizzi of the Tampa Bay Rays held the high powered Sox offense to just 1 run in 7 innings of work. Meanwhile Clay Buchholz (1-4, 6.03 ERA) got hammered again, allowing 5 runs in 6 1/3 innings before being lifted in the seventh. The Rays tagged Clay for four early runs and overcame a second inning RBI triple by Xander Bogaerts. The Sox bullpen led by Junichi Tazawa and Craig Breslow held the fort but the bats did almost nothing against the Rays as Tampa walked away with this one 5-1 at Fenway Park.

                                                              Not looking good

Buchholz got hammered in the top of the first inning as Kevin Kiermaier led off with a grounder to second to start. Steven Souza Jr struck out swinging but James Loney lofted a ball down the left field line. It looked like Hanley Ramirez caught the ball then dropped it when he crashed into the wall but apparently the umpires flat out called he didn't make the catch. Sox manager John Farrell challenged the call but it was upheld. Not only that Ramirez had to be hauled off on a gurney, loaded into an ambulance and rushed to Mass General's ICU. Allen Craig took over in left as Evan Longoria doubled to left to score Loney and David Dejesus singled up the middle to score Longoria. Logan Forsythe flied out to left to end the inning but the Rays were up 2-0 and Hanley as out.

                                                                Get well soon

Odorizzi got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to third to start. Dustin Pedroia doubled to right but David Ortiz struck out swinging. Allen Craig grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Rays struck again in the top of the second as Asdrubal Cabrera got a seeing eye single into right and Joey Butler hit a home run all the way to Vermont to put the game out of reach. Rene Rivera flied out to left and Kiermaier grounded out to second, but Souza Jr was hit with a pitch. Loney flied out to right to end the inning with the Rays up 4-0.

                                                           "HE hit one out?" - Boagerts

The Sox tried to fight back in the bottom of the second as Pablo Sandoval took strike three to start. Mike Napoli lined out to a running Kiermaier. Holt hit a triple into the right field corner and Bogaerts tripled nearly into the same spot to cut the lead. Sandy Leon grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox down 4-1.

                                                          X Gon Triple For Ya

Longoria struck out swinging to start the top of the third after almost getting his shoulder taken off. Dejesus grounded out to second but Forsythe doubled off the Monster. Cabrera blooped a single to right and took second on the throw home to keep Forsythe at third. Butler walked but Rivera struck out swinging to end the inning. Mr. Mookie doubled to center to begin the bottom of the third but Pedroia flied out to center. Ortiz flied out to center as well to move Betts to third, but Craig struck out swinging to end the inning.

Kiermaier lined out to right to start the top of the fourth before Souza Jr walked. Souza was thrown out at second trying to steal and Loney struck out swinging to end the inning. Sandoval grounded out to first to start the bottom of the fourth before Napoli flied out to left. Holt doubled to left but Bogaerts struck out swinging to end the inning.

Longoria flied out to left to start the top of the fifth before Dejesus grounded out to short. Forsythe singled to center but Cabrera flied out to right to end the inning. Leon struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth before Mr. Mookie flied out to center. Pedroia struck out swinging to end the inning.

Buchholz turned up the heat in the top of the sixth as Butler, Rivera and Kiermaier all struck out swinging in short order. Forsythe dropped a pop up by Ortiz for a "single" to start the bottom of the sixth before Craig singled off the glove of Dejesus. Sandoval grounded into a double play and Napoli flied out to right to end the inning.

Things fell apart in the top of the seventh as Souza Jr singled to left to start. Loney was retired on a squibber in front of the plate but Sox manager John Farrell had seen enough after 107 pitches. Buchholz battled but would be charged with 5 runs in 6 1/3 innings. He allowed 9 hits and 2 walks. Junichi Tazawa came in to pitch and Longoria walked. Dejesus singled to right to score Souza and Forsythe walked to load the bases. Cabrera popped up to short and Butler forced Forsythe at second to end the inning with the Rays up 5-1.

                                               "Yeah you're out Clay, now beat it!" - Farrell

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the seventh as Holt lined out to left to start. Bogaerts flied out to let and Leon lined out to center to end the inning.

Craig Breslow came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Rivera popped up to second to start. Kiermaier grounded out to second but Souza Jr doubled down the left field line. Loney popped up to Craig to end the inning. Ernesto Frieri came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Mr. Mookie grounded out to short to start. Pedroia walked and took second on a wild pitch, but Ortiz flied out to left. Craig struck out swinging to end the inning.

Longoria flied out to center to start the top of the ninth and Brandon Guyer pinch hit for Dejesus. Guyer popped up to second and Forsythe did the same to end the inning. Erasmo Ramirez came in to close out the ninth and Sandoval grounded out to second to start. Napoli grounded out to second and Holt lined out to left to end the game. The Rays had won the game 5-1.

                                                                  Rays win

Jackass of the Night is Clay Buchholz. Not that the Sox were doing much offensively but Clay putting them in an early hole cost them big time. He allowed 5 runs in 6 1/3 innings of work off 9 hits and 2 walks. He also struck out 9 batters.

                                                              Clay Jackass

The Good:

Dustin Pedroia was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Brock Holt was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Craig Breslow tossed two scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Pablo Sandoval was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Mike Napoli was 0 for 4.

Sandy Leon was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4.

Junichi Tazawa allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own in 2/3 of an inning.

David Ortiz was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Allen Craig was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Honorable Mention:

Hanley Ramirez played left field in the top of the first inning.

Final Thoughts:

Losing Hanley sucked and that's a huge blow to the Red Sox offense if he's out a while. The real problem is the offense has become schizophrenic. Sometimes they hit, sometimes they don't. With the Red Sox starters allowing 4-5 runs a game means the offense HAS to produce. Still, Odorizzi was damn near unhittable and the Sox couldn't get untracked at all. Maybe the Hanley injury shook them up but they need to be mentally tougher than that if that's the case. Still, Sox analyst Don Orsillo said the Sox are losing way too many games to AL East opponents and he's right. If the Sox have any hope of making the playoffs, winning the division is a priority considering this isn't the classic New York Yankees anymore and the Sox beat the Rays two years ago. If Hanley is out, they're in trouble. The loss dropped the Sox to 12-14, good for last place in the AL East. The Sox look to avoid a fifth straight loss tomorrow night when Rick Porcello (2-2) takes on Drew Smyly of Tampa. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Yankees Bash Kelly, Sweep Sox (5/3/15)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. The Sox signed infielder Luis Jimenez off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers. With Ryan Hanigan out, the Sox need someone to come off the bench and Jimenez could be that guy. He wasn't hitting well in Milwaukee but maybe a change of scenery will help.

                                                                  IN

As for the game, that was embarrassing. The Sox needed to make a statement against a New York Yankees team that missed the playoffs two years in a row and instead the Yankees came to Fenway and swept the Sox out of it. Adam Warren of the Yankees cruised through five innings while Joe Kelly (1-1, 5.72 ERA) got hammered by New York for 5 runs. Craig Breslow allowed three more before suddenly the Sox rallied for five runs in the sixth inning. That's as close as it got as the Yankees held on to beat the Sox 8-5 at Fenway Park.

The Yankees wasted no time getting to Kelly in the top of the first as Jacoby Ellsbury dumped a base hit to right to start. Brett Gardner hit a grounder to the mound but all Kelly could do is get Ellsbury at second. Alex Rodriguez flied out to right but Mark Teixeira hit a home run all the way to Haiti to put the Yankees up for good just four batters into the game. Brian McCann popped up to short to end the inning but the Yankees were up 2-0.

                                                              Yankees take the lead

Warren got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and the Sox beat the ball in the dirt. Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to short to start. Dustin Pedroia also grounded out to short and David Ortiz grounded out to third to end the inning.

Carlos Beltran led off the top of the second with a ground out to short to start. Chase Headley dumped a base hit to left but Stephen "PU" Drew grounded back to the mound to move Headley to third but Didi Gregorius grounded out to second to end the inning. Hanley Ramirez popped up to second to start the bottom of the second and Pablo Sandoval grounded out to second. Mike Napoli grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Yankees struck again in the top of the third as Ellsbury got a base hit to left to start. Gardner was rung up for strike three but A-Rod singled to center. Teixeira popped up to short but McCann doubled to center to clear the bases and Beltran doubled into the right field corner to extend the lead. Headley took strike three to end the inning with the Yankees up 5-0.

                                                  Yankees pour it on

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the third as Daniel Nava grounded out to short to start. Xander Bogaerts struck out swinging and Blake Swihart grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Yankees threatened in the top of the fourth as Drew grounded out to second to start. Gregorius grounded out to second as well but Ellsbury dumps a base hit to right. A wild pitch moved Ellsbury to second and Napoli booted a grounder by Gardner to send Jacoby to third. Gardner stole second but A-Rod lined out to a running Betts to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the fourth as Mr. Mookie doubled to the Monster to start. Pedroia struck out swinging but Ortiz drew a walk. Ramirez looked to have grounded into a double play....but wait! Sox manager John Farrell challenged that Ramirez was safe at first. Sure enough, Hanley was ruled safe to put runners at the corners. Sandoval grounded out to short on a 3-0 count anyway to end the inning.

Teixeira struck out swinging to start the top of the fifth before McCann hit a 400 foot out to center. Beltran hit a pop up to shallow right and Pedroia couldn't catch it for a "single" to chase Kelly. Joe got hammered for 5 runs in just 4 2/3 innings off 9 hits. Robbie Ross Jr came in to pitch and Headley immediately singled to center. Drew lined out to center to end the inning.

                                                              Rough night for Kelly

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Napoli walked to start. Nava banged into a double play and Bogaerts hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

The Yankees poured it on in the top of the sixth with Craig Breslow now on the mound. Gregorius singled to center, Ellsbury got a base hit to left and Gardner hit a home run all the way to Cancun to chase the incompetent Breslow. Edward Mujica came in to pitch and A-Rod flied out to right. Teixeira grounded out to first and McCann flied out to left to end the inning with the Yankees up 8-0.

                                                          Yankees break it open

Suddenly the Sox rallied in the bottom of the sixth as Swihart lined out to left to begin. Mr. Mookie popped up to first in foul territory but Pedroia lined a base hit to left. Ortiz doubled off the Monster to score Pedroia to put the Sox on the board. Ramirez was hit with a pitch and Sandoval singled to left to score Ortiz and chase Warren from the game. Esmil Rogers came in and Napoli belted his second home run of the season to cut the lead. Nava walked and Bogaerts beat out a roller to Rogers to somehow bring the tying run to the plate. Swihart struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 8-5.

                                                           A furious rally by Boston

Mujica cruised in the top of the seventh as Beltran popped up to short to start. Headley struck out swinging and Drew flied out to center to end the inning. Chris Young took over for Beltran to start the bottom of the seventh and Mr. Mookie grounded out to Gregorius to start. Pedroia lined out to center and Justin Wilson came in to face Ortiz. David lined out to left to end the inning.

Gregorius flied out to center to start the top of the eighth before Ellsbury was plunked in response to Ramirez getting tagged. Home plate umpire Jeff Nelson told both benches to knock it off before Gardner singled to right to chase Mujica and move Jacoby to third. Dalier Hinojosa made his Sox debut by striking out Rodriguez swinging. Gardner stole second but Teixeira walked to load the bases. McCann flied out to right to end the inning.

                                              "Now you knock that malarkey off!" - Nelson

Ramirez singled to center to start the bottom of the eighth but Sandoval took strike three. David Carpenter came in to face Napoli and Mike grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Young took strike three to start the top of the ninth but Headley was hit unintentionally. Drew flied out to center but Gregorius walked. Ellsbury walked to load the bases but Gardner grounded out to second to end the inning. Andrew Miller came in to close out the ninth with Allen Craig pinch hitting for Nava. Craig walked but Bogaerts struck out swinging. Swihart took strike three but Mr. Mookie walked. Pedroia hit a routine grounder to Gregorious but a bad throw for an error loaded the bases to bring the winning run to the plate. With a chance to make history....Ortiz lined out to center to end the game. The Yankees had won it 8-5.

                                                                 Yankees win

Jackass of the Night is Joe Kelly. He allowed 5 runs on 9 hits to put the game out of reach early.

                                                             Unhappy Jackass

The Good:

Hanley Ramirez was 1 for 3 with a hit by pitch and a run scored.

Mike Napoli was 1 for 3 with a walk and a 3 run home run.

Allen Craig walked as a pinch hitter.

Robbie Ross Jr tossed 1/3 of a scoreless inning.

Edward Mujica tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

Dalier Hinojosa pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Blake Swihart was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Craig Breslow allowed 3 runs without getting an out.

The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 but walked.

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but scored a run.

David Ortiz was just 1 for 4 but walked, drove in a run and scored a run.

Pablo Sandoval was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run and scored a run.

Daniel Nava was 0 for 2 but walked.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Final Thoughts:

That was a hell of a rally by the Red Sox to go from down 8-0 to have the tying run at the plate in the sixth inning and the winning run at the plate in the ninth. Still, if Joe Kelly didn't suck to start the game and Breslow didn't give up the three run jack, this might have been a different game. Once again the bats produce but the pitching doesn't, the story of the season so far. Ortiz has come up big so many times, its actually shocking when he fails to deliver like in the ninth. Hopefully the hit batsmen of Ramirez and Ellsbury doesn't spark a war down the road but who knows. The Sox need to get more out of their starters because the bullpen can't be pitching 5-6 innings a game. All in all it was a bad loss and the Yankees made a statement big time. The loss dropped the Sox to 12-13, 4 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox now welcome in Tampa Bay for a set with the Rays. Clay Buchholz (1-3) takes the mound against Jake Odorizzi of Tampa. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Hitman Holt Leads Sox Past O's (4/24/15)

What a road win by the Boston Red Sox. Rick Porcello alowed 4 runs in 6 innings of work and the Sox managed to score 4 runs of their own. After the O's tied the game at 4 apiece, it seemed that it was only a matter of time before the Sox lost again on yet another walkoff. Not on Brock Holt's watch! The Hitman stepped up with a big 3 run home run and Koji Uehara slammed the door in the ninth inning. The inspired Sox hung on to defeat the Baltimore Orioles 7-5 at Camden Yards.

                                From one Hitman to another, Bret Hart approves of the win

Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez got the ball and Mr. Mookie Betts greeted him with a single to center to begin the game. Dustin Pedroia popped up to first and David Ortiz lined out to left before Hanley Ramirez got robbed of a hit by third basemen Manny Machado to end the inning. Porcello took the mound in the bottom of the first and struck out both Alejandro De Aza and Machado looking to start. Jimmy Paredes whiffed to end the impressive inning.

Mike Napoli flied out to right to begin the top of the second but Pablo Sandoval singled to left. Daniel Nava lined out to center and Holt grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Adam Jones and Chris Davis both struck out swinging to start the bottom of the second. Delmon Young lined out to center to end the inning. Porcello struck out 5 of the first 6 hitters, guess he was ready to battle.

                                               "Bring on those Dirty Birds!"

In the top of the third, Ryan Hanigan lined out to first but Betts was plunked for the second game in a row. Pedroia popped up third but Ortiz singled Betts to third. With two men on...Ramirez lined out to center to end the inning. Reynaldo Navarro struck out looking (that makes 6) to start the bottom of the third but Caleb Joseph walked.  Everth Cabrera banged into a double play to end the inning.

Napoli grounded out to short to begin the top of the fourth and Sandoval flied out to left. Nava popped up to Gonzalez to end the inning. The O's struck first in the bottom of the third although De Aza flied out to left to start. Machado singled to center and Paredes then belted one over the right field fence to give the O's the lead. Jones singled to center but Davis banged into a double play to end the inning with the O's ahead 2-0.

                                                         Parades puts the O's on top

The Sox stormed back in the top of the fifth although Holt flied out to left to start. Hanigan grounded out to third but Mr. Mookie walked. Pedroia singled to left and Ortiz then smashed a three run bomb over the right field fence to give the Sox the lead. Ramirez joined the homer parade by swatting his sixth of the year to left, upping the lead. Napoli struck out swinging to end the inning but the damage was done with the Sox ahead 4-2.

                                                      Back to back jacks put the Sox on top

The O's answered in the bottom of the fifth although Young lined out to center to start. Navarro double to left but Joseph lined out to center that moved Navarro to third. Cabrera singled home Navarro then stole second. Porcello recovered to get De Aza to fly out to left to end the inning, but it was now 4-3 Sox.

                                                   Cabrera singles and steals

Sandoval singled to right to start the top of the sixth inning but Nava flied out to left. Holt singled to center but Hanigan banged into a double play to end the inning. Could Porcello escape the sixth inning of death? Things got hairy when Sandoval tossed a routine grounder by Machado away but the Sox defense stepped up when Ramirez snared a liner off the bat of Parades and gunned down Machado running to second. Jones struck out swinging to end the inning.

Tommy Hunter relived Gonzalez in the top of the seventh. Mr Mookie singled to left but was erased on the Pedroia force. The Sox goofed when Ortiz whiffed on a blown hit and run, Pedroia becoming the first baserunner caught stealing of the season in the process. Could Porcello give the bullpen a break with a strong bottom of the seventh inning? HELL NO! Davis walked and Young singled to center to chase Rick. Sox manager John Farrell brought in Craig Breslow to pitch to Navarro. Reynaldo sacrifice bunted the runners over and Joseph was intentionally walked to load the bases. Cabrera tied the game with a sac fly as Steven Pearce hit for De Aza. Farrell countered by relieving Breslow with Alexi Ogando (1-0, 3.68 ERA). Alexi had Pearce struck out but the ump squeezed him, allowing Pearce to walk and re-load the bases. On a 3-2 count, Ogando punched out Machado swinging to end the inning. That turned out to be a huge out but the game was tied 4-4.

                                                             O's tie it up

Just as soon as the O's tied it, the Sox took the lead back in the top of the eighth. Ramirez grounded out to third to start and Napoli flied out to center. O's manager Buck Showalter goofed by bringing in lefty Brian Matusz to pitch to Sandoval. Pablo walked and Allen Craig pinch hit for Nava. Showalter countered by bringing in Darren O'Day to pitch to Craig. Allen hit a routine grounder but Machado went OLE! with the ball, allowing Craig to reach. Holt made them pay by launching his first homer of the year over the right field fence to give the Sox the lead. Hanigan grounded out to short to end the inning but the Sox had the lead 7-4.

                                                 Touch em all Hitman!

It was time for the Orient Express as Junichi Tazawa took over for Ogando to begin the bottom of the eighth. Craig remained in the game in right and Parades flied out to him to start. Jones popped up to first but Davis scorched a 400 foot bomb to cut the lead. Tazawa's first run allowed of the year. Young singled to short but Navarro flied out to center to end the inning with the O's down 7-5.

                                                        The perfect streak is over

Former Sox prospect Jason Garcia took over for the top of the ninth and Mr. Mookie flied out to right to start. Cabrera ole'd a ball allowing Pedroia to reach first before Ortiz struck out swinging. Ramirez singled to center and Xander Bogaerts pinch ran for him but Napoli struck out swinging to end the inning. Bogaerts took over at short and Holt took over in left for the bottom of the ninth with Koji Uehara on the mound. Joseph singled to left but Koji whiffed pinch hitter Travis Snider. Pearce lashed a base hit to left but Holt's monster throw held him at first while Joseph took third. This meant the tying run was not in scoring position. Machado popped up to short and David Lough ran for Pearce. Uehara bore down and struck out Parades swinging to end the game. The Sox had bashed their way to their tenth victory of the season with a 7-5 win.

                                                          Sox win

Hero of the Night is easy. Brock "Hitman" Holt was 2 for 4 including a 3 run go-ahead home run.

                                            Ramirez congratulates tonight's Hero

The Good:

Mookie Betts was 2 for 3 including a walk, a run scored and was plunked.

David Ortiz was 2 for 5 including a 3 run bomb.

Hanley Ramirez was 2 for 5 including a solo home run.

Pablo Sandoval was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Alexi Ogando got the win by striking out Pearce to end the 7th inning.

Koji Uehara pitched a scoreless 9th inning for his third save of the year



The Bad:

Mike Napoli was 0 for 5 with two strikeouts. 

Daniel Nava was 0 for 3. 

Ryan Hanigan was 0 for 4. 

Junichi Tazawa gave up a solo shot to Chris Davis in the bottom of the 8th.

The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 5 but scored a run. 

Allen Craig reached on an error in his only plate appearance and scored on the Holt home run. 

Rick Porcello gave up 4 earned runs but pitched into the 7th, striking out 7 in the process. 

Craig Breslow gave up the lead in the bottom of the 7th but didn't allow a run of his own.

Honorable Mention: 

Xander Bogaerts pinch ran in the top of the 9th and played short in the bottom of the inning.

Final Thoughts:

Once again the Sox took advantage of shoddy fielding to take the lead, but they survived this one. A win's a win, doesn't matter if its pretty or not. Its nice to see the offense showing up after taking last night off. Shane Victorino appears headed for the DL again after pulling the hamstring and we may have seen the last of him. The only thing keeping him around is the injury to Rusney Castillo in AAA. We may see more Allen Craig in the next few days, or Brock Holt in right. Sox manager John Farrell has to go with the hot hand and right now that's Holt. Is it possible for the Sox to get a starter to last through seven innings for once? Tomorrow night the Sox are back in action against the Orioles when Justin Masterson takes on Wei-Yin Chen. The Sox look to take another road series and the game begins at 7:05 PM at Camden Yards.