Indians Smash Red Sox in Game 2 (10/7/99)

Well so much for this season. After the Boston Red Sox were eliminated from the playoffs last year, they essentially replaced Mo Vaughn with Jose Offerman and said "Let's run it back." Well this season is about to turn out exactly like last year as the Cleveland Indians pounded the Sox in Game 2 of the American League Division Series. The Sox have now lost 18 out of their last 19 post-season games after today's rout. Bret Saberhagen got pounded for 6 runs in just 2 2/3 innings including allowing the backbreaking 3 run home run to Harold Baines. John Wasdin wasn't much better as he surrendered a grand slam to Jim Thome an inning later. Meanwhile Charles Nagy held the pitiful Boston attack to just 6 hits and a run in 7 innings. The Sox have scored a combined three runs in the playoffs and are on the brink as the Indians beat the Sox 11-1 at Jacobs Field.

                                                                Not good

Things went bad right from the start as Jose Offerman led off with a base hit up the middle but was promptly thrown out at second trying to steal. The Sox would have just five hits the rest of the game as John Valentin watched strike three go by. Jason Varitek flied out to the left field wall to end the inning. Saberhagen got the ball in the bottom of the first and Kenny Lofton was rung up for strike three to start. Omar Vizquel grounded out to short but Roberto Alomar doubled off the left field wall. Manny Ramirez struck out swinging to end the inning.

Nomar Garciaparra led off the top of the second by grounding out to short but Troy O'Leary ripped a base hit to center. Mike Stanley banged into a double play to end the inning. Jim Thome popped up to Garciaparra to start the bottom of the second but Harold Baines shot a base hit to right. David Justice banged into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the third although Butch Huskey lined out to second to start. Trot Nixon doubled to right on a 3-0 count but Damon Buford struck out swinging. Offerman ripped a base hit to right but got caught in a rundown to end the inning, but not before Nixon scored to give the Sox a 1-0 lead.

                                                        "You're out you dummy!"

The Indians finally exploded in the bottom of the third as Travis Fryman walked to start. Sandy Alomar Jr forced Fryman at second but Lofton walked. Vizquel tripled just out of the reach of Nixon to clear the bases and give the Indians the lead. Roberto Alomar doubled to right and moved to third on the fly out to center by Ramirez. Thome walked and Baines put the game on ice with a three run bomb into the Baltic Sea. That was it for Saberhagen who fell apart in the third inning, allowing 6 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks. John Wasdin came in to get Justice to fly out to right to end the inning with the Indians up 6-1.

                                                      Well this game is over

The Sox failed to respond against Nagy in the top of the fourth as Valentin flied out to center to start. Varitek flied out to right and Garciaparra struck out swinging to end the inning. The Indians struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Fryman walked to start. Sandy Alomar struck out swinging as Fryman stole second. Lofton walked but Vizquel dumped a base hit to left to load the bases. Roberto Alomar hit a sac fly to score Fryman and Ramirez walked to reload the bases. Thome did the honors with a grand slam into Lake Eerie to wrap up the scoring. Baines flied out to left to end the inning with the Indians up 11-1.

                                                                  Indians pour it on

O'Leary grounded out to first to start the top of the fifth but Stanley doubled to left. Huskey grounded out to short and Nixon lined out to Thome to end the inning. Tim Wakefield came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Justice struck out swinging to start. Fryman walked but Sandy Alomar popped up to second. Lofton swung and missed for strike three but a passed ball by Varitek allowed Lofton to reach first. Vizquel struck out swinging to end the inning.

Buford flied out to center to start the top of the sixth before Offerman grounded out to first. Valentin struck out swinging to end the inning. Wakefield returned for the bottom of the sixth and Roberto Alomar dumped a base hit to center to begin. Ramirez struck out swinging and Thome flied out to center, but Baines walked. Justice popped up to third to end the inning.

Nagy returned for one last inning in the top of the seventh and Varitek grounded out to first to start. Garciaparra grounded out to third and O'Leary flied out to center to end the inning. Nagy was almost unhittable in this one. Tom Gordon came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and hit Fryman to start. Sandy Alomar and Lofton struck out swinging but Vizquel walked. Roberto Alomar flied out to left to end the inning.

Steve Karsay came in to pitch the top of the eighth with Richie Sexson now playing first for Thome. Stanley greeted Karsay with a base hit to right but Huskey struck out swinging. Nixon walked but Buford flied out to left. Offerman flied out to center to end the inning. Rod Beck came in for the bottom of the eighth with Lou Merloni now at short. Ramirez struck out swinging before Sexson flied out to center. Baines grounded out to first to end the inning.

Michael Jackson came in to pitch the top of the ninth with Einar Diaz behind the plate and Enrique Wilson now at second. Valentin flied out to left, Varitek popped up to second and Merloni also popped up to second to end the game. The Indians had won it 11-1.

                                                                Sox on the brink

Jackass of the Night is Bret Saberhagen. He got hammered for 6 runs in just 2 2/3 innings allowing 5 hits and 3 walks.

                                                             Jackass Saberhagen

The Good:

Jose Offerman was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Troy O'Leary was 1 for 3.

Mike Stanley was 2 for 3.

Trot Nixon was 1 for 2 with a walk and a run scored.

Tim Wakefield tossed two scoreless innings.

Tom Gordon pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

Rod Beck pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

John Valentin was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Jason Varitek was 0 for 4.

Nomar Garciaparra was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Lou Merloni was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Butch Huskey was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Damon Buford was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

John Wasdin allowed 5 runs in just 1 1/3 innings.

The Ugly:

None

Final Thoughts:

What a shame the year is about to end like this. After Pedro Martinez strong armed the Sox to the post-season, it all crashed and burned. The Cleveland Indians offense is one of the best in the game and apart from Pedro and Nomar Garciaparra, the rest of the team is painfully average. Guys like Stanley, Valentin and O'Leary had good seasons but when it comes to October, they aren't getting it done. Jim Thome has more home runs by himself than the Sox have hit as a team. This has a similar feeling to 1995 where the Red Sox are trying to counter Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome and Roberto Alomar with Butch Huskey, Troy O'Leary and Jose Offerman. It seems like the injury to Pedro Martinez sucked the life out of the team and they can't wait for the season to end. After an off-day tomorrow the season might just end this Saturday afternoon in Game 3. The only man standing between the Red Sox and winter is Ramon Martinez and he goes against Dave Burba of the Indians at 4:00 PM at Fenway Park.

Saberhagen, Sox Drop Yankees (8/1/99)

The Boston Red Sox sent a statement that this year is much different to the New York Yankees. After splitting the first two games of this series, the Sox sent the Yankees out of Boston with 2 losses in 3 games. Bret Saberhagen (7-4, 3.21 ERA) tossed a gutty game to hold the Yankees to just 2 runs in 7 strong innings. Trailing 2-1, Brian Daubach hit a home run off Yankees starter Orlando Hernandez to tie the game in the fourth. In the sixth, Nomar Garciaparra drove in the go-ahead run and Troy O'Leary hit a two run bomb off "El Duque". The Yankees rallied for two runs against Tim Wakefield in the top of the eighth, but Tim stranded the tying run at third when he slammed the door in the ninth. The Sox had taken 2 out of 3 from New York with a 5-4 victory at Fenway Park.

                                                   Jennifer Rovero approves of the win

The Yankees wasted no time getting to Saberhagen in the top of the first as Chuck Knoblauch grounded out to first to start. Derek Jeter was frozen for strike three but Paul O'Neill doubled to left. Bernie Williams tripled to the centerfield wall to put the Yankees on top. Tino Martinez popped up to second to end the inning with the Yankees up 1-0.

                                                              Triple for Williams

Hernandez got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jose Offerman walked to start. John Valentin struck out swinging but Brian Daubach flied out to center. Nomar Garciaparra was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to end the inning.

Chili Davis struck out swinging to start the top of the second before Jorge Posada hit a comebacker back to Saberhagen. Shane Spencer flied out to center to end the inning. Troy O'Leary walked to start the bottom of the second but Reggie Jefferson grounded into a double play. Jason Varitek hit a broken bat grounder to Knoblauch to end the inning.

The Yankees struck again in the top of the third as Scott Brosius ripped a base hit to right to start. Knoblauch singled to left but Jeter popped up to short. O'Neill got a base hit to left to load the bases and Williams hit a sac fly to center to score Brosius. Martinez popped up to third to end the inning with the Yankees up 2-0.

                                                             Yankees get another run

The Sox struck back in the top of the third as Damon Buford doubled down the third base line and Trot Nixon ripped a base hit to left to score him to cut the lead. Offerman grounded into a double play and Valentin popped up to center to end the inning with the Sox down 2-1.

                                                              Buford scores a run

Davis was frozen for strike three to start the top of the fourth before Posada popped up to third in foul territory. Spencer flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Daubach clobbered his 13th home run of the season to tie the game. Nomar popped up to center and O'Leary flied out to right but Jefferson drew a walk. Williams robbed Varitek with a hell of a catch to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                       Daubach ties it up

Saberhagen cruised in the top of the fifth as Brosius flied out to right to start. Knoblauch grounded out to second and Jeter flied out to right to start. The Monster robbed Buford of a home run high off the wall so he had to settle for a leadoff double in the bottom of the fifth. Nixon popped up to Jeter and Offerman grounded out to second to move Buford to third. Valentin lined out to left to end the inning.

O'Neill grounded out to first to start the top of the sixth and Williams popped up to O'Leary. Martinez popped up to second to end the inning. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the sixth as Daubach doubled into the right field corner to start. Nomar singled into centerfield to score Daubach and O'Leary crushed his 20th home run of the season to put Boston on top. Jefferson singled to right and that was it for Hernandez. Allen Watson came in to pitch and Varitek grounded out to second to move Jefferson to second. Buford grounded out to third and Nixon popped up to Posada to end the inning with the Sox up 5-2.

                                                        Home run O'Leary

Saberhagen returned for one last inning in the top of the seventh and Davis grounded out to first to start. Posada grounded out to first as well and Spencer grounded out to short to end the inning. Saberhagen retired 14 in a row in 7 strong innings allowing just 5 hits.

                                                            Saberhagen was outstanding

Offerman walked to start the bottom of the seventh to chase Watson. Ramiro Mendoza came in to pitch and Valentin singled to right to move Offerman to third. Daubach struck out swinging and Garciaparra grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Tim Wakefield came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Brosius struck out swinging to start. Knoblauch walked, stole second and stole third on the Jeter swinging strikeout. O'Neill singled to right to score Knoblauch and Williams tripled off the centerfield door to score Paul. Martinez flied out to left to end the inning with the Yankees down 5-4.

                                                           Yankees inch closer

O'Leary grounded out to second to start the bottom of the eighth and Jefferson lined out to left. Varitek grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Wakefield returned to finish off the stop of the ninth and Davis doubled to center to put the tying run on to start. Chad Curtis pinch ran for Davis but Posada grounded back to the mound. Spencer flied out to the left field warning track but Brosius walked. Knoblauch singled in the hole at short but Davis remained at third to load the bases. With the game on the line, Jeter forced Knoblauch at second to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-4.

                                                             Sox win

Hero of The Night is Bret Saberhagen. He held the Yankees to just two runs in 7 strong innings to earn the win. He gave up 5 hits while striking out 3.

                                                        Hero Saberhagen

The Good:

Jose Offerman walked twice in four plate appearances.

Brian Daubach was 2 for 4 with a 2 run home run and 2 runs scored.

Troy O'Leary was 1 for 3 with a walk and a 2 run home run.

Reggie Jefferson was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Damon Buford was 2 for 3 with a run scored.

Trot Nixon was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

The Bad:

Jason Varitek was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

John Valentin was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Nomar Garciaparra was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored a run.

Tim Wakefield got the save but allowed 2 runs in 2 innings.

Final Thoughts:

Nothing like starting the stretch by taking 2 out of 3 from the Yankees. Saberhagen is the key to the season because last year proved you need more than just Pedro Martinez to win in the playoffs. Saberhagen dominated the Yankees after the third inning and that's the kind of start the Sox need from Bret moving forward. Daubach just may be one of the greatest scrap heap pickups of all time if he keeps up this pace for the rest of the season. If he hits 10-12 home runs he might put himself in the AL MVP race let alone AL Rookie of The Year. Still, as long as Pedro and Bret stay healthy the Sox have a chance down the stretch. The win improved the Sox to 57-47, 5.5 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox now have to face the AL Central leading Cleveland Indians coming to town. Pat Rapp goes for the Sox against Dwight Gooden for Cleveland. The game begins tomorrow night at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Pena, Sox Blank Jays (5/14/99)

The bad news was the Boston Bruins lost Game 4 of their second round NHL playoff series to the Buffalo Sabres but the good news was the Boston Red Sox defeated the Toronto Blue Jays. Juan Pena (2-0, 0.69 ERA) once again dazzled in his second ML start, shutting out the Jays for 7 strong innings. Meanwhile the Boston bats scratched out four runs against David Wells, 3 of which coming courtesy of Jason Varitek. John Valentin drove in two runs while Derek Lowe and Rheal Cormier slammed the door. It all added up to a 5-0 victory over the Jays at the Skydome.'

                                                      Tiffany Towers approves of the win

Wells got the ball in the top of the first inning and Jose Offerman grounded out to third to start. John Valentin took strike three and Nomar Garciaparra popped up to second to end the inning. Pena got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Shannon Stewart grounded out to short to start. Craig Grebeck singled to right but Shawn Green struck out swinging. Carlos Delgado got a base hit to left but Tony Fernandez lined out to center to end the inning.

Mike Stanley grounded out to third to start the top of the second and Troy O'Leary struck out swinging. Damon Buford walked but Jeff Frye grounded out to third to end the inning. Willie Greene struck out swinging to open the bottom of the second and Jose Cruz took strike three. Pat Kelly grounded out to third to end the inning.

Jason Varitek led off the top of the third with a liner to short, but Darren Lewis drew a walk. Offerman grounded into a double play to end the inning. Mike Matheny grounded out to second to start the bottom of the third but Stewart singled in the hole at second. Stewart was thrown out at second trying to steal but Grebeck walked. Green flied out to right to end the inning.

Valentin flied out to center to open the top of the fourth and Nomar did the same. Stanley grounded out to third to end the inning. Delgado struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fourth but Fernandez got a base hit to right. Greene struck out looking but Fernandez swiped second. Cruz struck out swinging to end the inning.

                                                          Almost had him

The Sox broke through in the top of the fifth as O'Leary singled in the hole at short to start. Buford grounded back to the mound to move Troy to second and Frye flied out to right to move O'Leary to third. Varitek doubled to left to score O'Leary and Lewis tripled into the centerfield gap to score Jason. Offerman grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                              Varitek drives in a run

Kelly caught the Sox asleep with a bunt single down the third base line to start the bottom of the fifth and Matheny beat out a roller to short. Stewart hit a bullet.....right to Frye who doubled off Kelly at second. Grebeck forced Matheny at second to end the inning.

Valentin got a base hit to right to start the top of the sixth and and Nomar followed with a single to center. Stanley struck out swinging, O'Leary flied out to center and Buford popped up to first to end the inning. Green grounded out to first to start the bottom of the sixth but Delgado walked. Fernandez grounded back to the mound to move Carlos to second but Greene lined out to second to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the seventh as Frye beat out a roller to third to start. Varitek launched his first home run of the year to ice the game but Lewis struck out swinging. Offerman doubled to center but Valentin flied out to center. Nomar took strike three to end the inning with the Sox up 4-0.

                                                          Varitek with his first of 99

Cruz grounded out to first to start the bottom of the seventh and Kelly popped up to first in foul territory. Matheny struck out swinging to end the inning and that was it for Pena. He was masterful, tossing 7 shutout innings allowing just 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out 7.

                                                          Great effort by Pena

Stanley got a base hit to left to start the top of the eighth but O'Leary forced him at second. Buford took strike three and Frye popped up to first to end the inning. Derek Lowe came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Stewart grounded out to third to start. Grebeck walked and that was it for Lowe just like that. Green forced Grebeck at second and Delgado lined out to second to end the inning.

The Sox wrapped up the scoring in the top of the ninth with Tom Davey now on the mound. Varitek beat out a roller to second and took second on a wild pitch. Lewis walked and Varitek was thrown out at third trying to steal on the swinging strikeout by Offerman. Valentin doubled to center to score Lewis and took third on a wild pitch. Garciaparra flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox up 5-0.

                                                           Valentin drives in a run

Cormier returned for the bottom of the ninth and Fernandez flied out to center to start. Jacob Brumfield pinch hit for Greene and grounded out to third. Cruz flied out to left to end the game. The Sox had won the game 5-0.

                                                         Sox win

Hero of The Night is Juan Pena. He tossed 7 shutout innings allowing just 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out 7

                                                             Juan The Hero

The Good:

John Valentin was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

Jason Varitek was 3 for 4 with a 2 run home run, 3 total rbis and 2 total runs scored.

Darren Lewis was 1 for 2 with 2 walks, an rbi and a run scored.

Derek Lowe got the first out of the eighth inning

Rheal Cormier tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Jose Offerman was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

Nomar Garciaparra was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

Mike Stanley was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Troy O'Leary was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Damon Buford was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Jeff Frye was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

Looks like the Sox might have something with Pena. The 21 year old as looked unhittable in both starts this season and the sky is the limit for sure. The Sox desperately need young pitching to compliment Pedro Martinez and Juan might be the guy to do it. It would be unfair to expect this kind of dominance every game but the Sox also need arms to match the New York Yankees. A 1-2 punch of Pedro and Pena might be enough to take out Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte....but that's just wishful thinking. As for this game, good work by Varitek to drive in 3 runs and Valentin for driving in another. Don't know why Jimy Williams yanked Lowe so quickly but Cormier got the job done. Between Pena and Martinez going deep into games, the bullpen can save their bullets for games that matter. Hopefully the momentum continues moving forward. The win improved the Sox to 19-15, 1 game behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it two in a row against Toronto and three wins in a row total tomorrow afternoon when Mark Portugal of the Sox takes on Roy Halliday of the Blue Jays. The game begins at 4:05 PM at the Skydome.

Martinez Dazzles, Blanks Angels (5/7/99)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Rheal Cormier decided to serve his three game suspension for beating the crap out of Jim Thome. Rookie Juan Pena might be called up to get the start in Game 2 of the upcoming series against the Anaheim Angels.

                                                            Pena to the rescue

As for the game, how bout that Pedro Martinez (6-1, 1.74 ERA). He was absolutely dominant in tonight's win over the Anaheim Angels and old friend Mo Vaughn. Pedro shut out the Angels for eight innings and struck out a career high 15 batters, surrendering just 6 hits. Meanwhile put 4 runs on the board against Anaheim starter Omar Olivares and another two against relief pitcher Mike Magnante. Mike Stanley drove in 3 runs with John Valentin getting two more. Tim Wakefield slammed the door in the ninth and the Sox had won the game 6-0 at Fenway Park.

                                                    Racquel Darrian approves of the win

Martinez got the ball in the top of the first inning and Darrin Erstad doubled down the right field line to start. Matt Walbeck grounded out to third and old pal Mo Vaughn got a standing ovation from the Fenway faithful in his first game back. Vaughn struck out swinging and Garret Anderson took strike three on the outside corner to end the inning.

                                                                 Mo salutes the fans

Omar Olivares got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Jose Offerman flied out to center to start. John Valentin flied out to left and Reggie Jefferson struck out swinging to end the inning.

Troy Glaus led off the top of the second by striking out swinging and Todd Greene did the same. Orlando Palmeiro grounded out to first to end the inning. Nomar Garciaparra got a base hit to center to start the bottom of the second but Troy O'Leary flied out to center. Mike Stanley got a base hit to left but Jason Varitek grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Andy Sheets struck out swinging to start the top of the third but Jeff Huson lined a ball off Pedro that Offerman gobbled up to make the out. Sox manager Jimy Williams and pitching coach Joe Kerrigan sprinted to the mound to check on Pedro but he told them he was alright. Erstad popped up to third in foul territory to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the third as Damon Buford singled to center to start. Trot Nixon singled off the glove of Olivares & the hand of Huson for a "single" and Offerman walked to load the bases. Valentin hit a sac fly to right to score Buford and move Nixon to third. Offerman got picked off first but Nixon managed to score to increase the lead. Jefferson got a base hit to center but Nomar forced him at second to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                    Offerman's gaffe turns into a run

Walbeck got a base hit to center to start the top of the fourth with Buford cutting off the ball and Stanley threw wide at second on a grounder by Vaughn for an error. Anderson struck out swinging but Glaus got a base hit to center. Walbeck came around to score....but wait! Walbeck beat the throw but apparently he missed the plate, getting tagged out by Varitek. Greene struck out swinging to end the inning. Good defense in that inning.

                                                     You're out you dummy!

O'Leary popped up to second to start the bottom of the fourth and Stanley popped up to right. Varitek walked but Buford flied out to center to end the inning.

Palmeiro got a base hit to center to open the top of the fifth but Sheets struck out swinging. Huson got a base hit to right and both runners moved over on the Erstad grounder to first. Walbeck grounded out to first to end the inning. Nixon grounded out to second to start the bottom of the fifth as Sox analyst Sean McDonough joked that he and Jerry Remy bought the Boston Bruins. Jerry "Oh we did?" Offerman walked but Valentin struck out swinging. Jefferson forced Offerman at second to end the inning.

Vaughn struck out swinging to open the top of the sixth and Anderson did the same. Glaus went down hacking to end the inning. The Sox broke it open in the bottom of the sixth as Nomar reached on an error by Glaus to start. O'Leary got a base hit to center and a wild pitch moved both runners over. Stanley ripped a base hit to the Monster to score both runners. That was it for Olivares as Mike Magnante came in to pitch and Varitek flied out to center. A wild pitch moved Stanley to second but Buford flied out to right. Nixon grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox up 4-0.

                                                             Good work Stanley

Greene doubled off the ladder of the Green Monster to start the top of the seventh but Palmeiro popped up to right. Sheets and Huson both struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox wrapped up the scoring in the bottom of the seventh as Offerman doubled to center to start. Valentin doubled to right to score Offerman but Jefferson struck out swinging. Al Levine came in to face Nomar and Garciaparra flied out to center. O'Leary walked but Stanley doubled to left. Valentin scored easily but O'Leary was thrown out at home after crashing into Walbeck to end the inning with the Sox up 6-0.

                                                      Hell of a play by Walbeck

Erstad struck out swinging to begin the top of the eighth and Charlie O'Brien pinch hit for the dazed Walbeck. O'Brien struck out swinging and Vaughn flied out to center to end the inning. Martinez was outstanding, striking out 15 batters in 8 shutout innings while allowing just 6 hits.

                                                           Great performance by Pedro

Varitek struck out swinging to open the bottom of the eighth and Buford grounded out to short. Nixon also grounded out to short to end the inning.

Tim Wakefield came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Anderson flied out to center to start. Nomar booted a grounder by Glaus for an error but Greene struck out swinging. Palmeiro struck out swinging to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-0.

                                                                 Sox win

Hero of The Night is Pedro Martinez. He tossed eight shutout innings allowing just 6 hits while striking out 15 batters.

                                                              Hero Pedro

The Good:

Jose Offerman was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and a run scored.

John Valentin was 1 for 3 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Troy O'Leary was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Mike Stanley was 3 for 4 with 3 rbis.

Tim Wakefield tossed a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Reggie Jefferson was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Nomar Garciaparra was just 1 for 4 with an error but scored a run.

Jason Varitek was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Damon Buford was just 1 for 4 with a run scored.

Trot Nixon was just 1 for 4 with a run scored.

Final Thoughts:

The Sox may be mediocre but Pedro Martinez is anything but. He was once again outstanding by setting a career high in strikeouts. The Sox bats have been sputtering lately but this time they delivered by pushing six runs across the plate. Pedro threw 126 pitches and you have to wonder if that was too many this early in the season but Sox manager Jimy Williams made the right decision to take him out after eight. Don't want him blowing his arm out just for a complete game with the game already in hand. It was good to see Mo Vaughn again and he got a well deserved ovation from the crowd. Sox analyst Sean McDonough pointed out the Sox may be a .500 team right now but so is everyone that's not the New York Yankees. Now's a perfect time to go on a run to nab the wild card spot early. The win improved the Sox to 14-14, 5 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it three wins in a row and their second straight against Anaheim when Juan Pena makes his Major League debut for the Sox against Tim Belcher of the Angels tomorrow afternoon. The game begins at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Red Sox Pound Indians in Game 1 (9/29/98)

Talk about a turnaround from the last 10 years. The Boston Red Sox won their first post-season game since Game 5 of the 1986 World Series by bashing the AL Central champion Cleveland Indians in Game 1 of the American League Division Series. Sox ace Pedro Martinez lived up to his billing by allowing just 3 runs to the high powered Indians in 7 strong innings. Meanwhile the Sox bombed Cleveland for 11 runs off three home runs, two of which from Mo Vaughn who shedded his post-season choker image. Nomar Garciaparra also went deep in his first playoff game as the Sox opened the salvo in the ALDS with an 11-3 Game 1 win at Jacobs Field.

                                                               That's one!

The Sox wasted no time getting to Indians starter Jaret Wright in the top of the first inning. Darren Lewis dumped a base hit into left field before John Valentin also ripped a base hit to left. Mo Vaughn broke his post-season slump with an opposite field home run just over the fence to put the Sox on top. Nomar Garciaparra grounded out to third, Mike Stanley was rung up for strike three on a curveball on the outside corner and Troy O'Leary struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 3-0.

                                                       Vaughn puts the Sox on top

Pedro Martinez took the ball in the bottom of the first and Kenny Lofton grounded out to short to start. Joey Cora flied out to right and David Justice was rung up for strike three on the inside corner to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second as Darren Bragg struck out swinging to start. Scott Hatteberg flied out to the centerfield warning track and Mike Benjamin flied out to the right field wall to end the inning. Manny Ramirez led off the bottom of the second with a line drive off the right field wall but somehow ended up with a single because he lollygagged to first thinking the ball was gone. That would prove to be fatal as Jim Thome flied out to left and Manny would get doubled off first on a bullet to Valentin off the bat of Travis Fryman to end the inning.

Lewis began the top of the third with a check swing single off the chest of Wright to start. Lewis moved to second on the grounder to third by Valentin but Vaughn popped up to left. Garciaparra popped up to third to end the inning. Pedro dominated the bottom of the third as Brian Giles struck out swinging to start. Sandy Alomar Jr also struck out swinging and Omar Vizquel popped up to Benjamin to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the fourth as Stanley walked to start. O'Leary and Bragg both struck out swinging but Hatteberg singled off the glove of Wright. Benjamin grounded out to third to end the inning. Lofton singled in the hole at short to start the bottom of the fourth before Cora popped up to left. Justice popped up to Vaughn on the infield and Ramirez grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Sox blew the game open in the top of the fifth although things got scary as Lewis got hit in the head with a fastball. Valentin walked but Vaughn struck out swinging. Garciaparra then iced the game with a 3 run bomb to left field. Stanley singled to left to chase Wright from the game. Doug Jones came in to pitch and O'Leary popped up to left in foul territory. Bragg singled to center and Hatteberg walked to load the bases but Benjamin grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-0.

                                                          Nomar hits a big home run

Pedro dominated the bottom of the fifth as Thome went down hacking to start. Fryman struck out swinging and Giles also swung at air to end the inning.

The Sox poured it on in the top of the sixth as Buford grounded out to short to start. Valentin dumped a base hit to left and Vaughn clobbered his second home run of the day to increase the lead. Garciaparra grounded out to second and Stanley struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-0.

                                                               Vaughn hits another one

The Indians rallied in the bottom of the sixth as Alomar Jr singled to center to start. Vizquel flied out to center but Lofton hit a home run into Lake Michigan to cut the lead. Cora popped up to right and Justice hit a bullet to Benjamin to end the inning with the Sox still ahead 8-2.

                                                          Indians strike back

O'Leary flied out to center to start the top of the seventh and Lofton ran down a line drive by Bragg. Hatteberg flied out to right to end the inning. Martinez came back for one last inning in the bottom of the seventh as Ramirez took strike three to start. Thome launched a home run all the way to Neptune to cut the lead but Hatteberg allowed strike three from Fryman to get away, allowing Travis to reached first. Giles doubled to right but Martinez got a big out when Alomar popped up to Vaughn in foul territory. Vizquel looped a ball to Garciaparra to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-3. That was it for Pedro who tossed a good game, allowing just 3 runs in 7 innings to keep the Sox ahead.

                                                                 Good work Pedro

The Sox wrapped up the scoring in the top of the eighth with Steve Reed taking over on the mound. Benjamin walked, Buford was plunked and Valentin dumped a base hit to left to load the bases. Indians manager Mike Hargrove brought in Jim Poole to pitch to Vaughn and Mo responded with smacking a double down the right field line to bring in both Benjamin and Buford. Paul Shuey was brought in to face Garciaparra and Nomar hit a sac fly to the left field wall to bring in Valentin. Stanley took strike three and O'Leary grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 11-3.

                                                       Vaughn does it again

Jim Corsi came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Lofton grounded out to second to start. Cora grounded out to second but Justice doubled down the first base line. Ramirez took strike three and Corsi sprinted off the mound to end the inning.

Paul Assenmacher came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Bragg flied out to left to start. Hatteberg and Benjamin both struck out swinging to end the inning. Corsi returned for the bottom of the ninth and Thome grounded out to first to start. Fryman took strike three and Giles grounded out to second to end the game. The Sox had taken Game 1 by an 11-3 score.

                                                            Red Sox win!

Hero of The Night is Mo Vaughn. He out-hit the Indians by himself with two home runs and seven total rbis.

                                                            Hero Vaughn

The Good:

Darren Lewis was 2 for 2 with a hit by pitch and a run scored before leaving due to injury.

Damon Buford scored two runs and was hit with a pitch.

John Valentin was 3 for 4 with a walk and 4 runs scored.

Pedro Martinez got the win by allowing 3 runs in 7 innings of work. He allowed 6 hits and struck out eight.

Jim Corsi tossed two scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Troy O'Leary was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Nomar Garciaparra was just 1 for 4 but drove in 4 runs including a 3 run home run.

Mike Stanley was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but drew a walk.

Darren Bragg was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Scott Hatteberg was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked.

Mike Benjamin was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

Now that's the way to break a 13 game post-season losing streak. Not only did they win, they left no doubt and the big guns delivered in Vaughn and Garciaparra. Pedro Martinez also looked great and this set the Sox up big time. Lewis getting hit in the head sucked but otherwise not much went wrong in this game. The Indians one weakness is pitching and the Sox bats need to take advantage of that. Vaughn led the charge but the bottom of the order need to step it up at least once in the next three games. All the Sox need to do is win once in the next three games to get Pedro back on the mound for Game 5. Mike Hargrove is going with Dwight Gooden tomorrow, the Sox have a chance to exorcize the demon from 1986 and take one step closer to their first ALCS since 1990. Hopefully they can get it done. The Sox look to put the Indians on the brink tomorrow afternoon when Tim Wakefield goes up against Gooden. The game begins at 2:05 PM Eastern Time at Jacobs Field.

Twins Walkoff on Sox (8/22/98)

Well that was a kick in the balls. The Boston Red Sox dropped the second game of this three game set against the Minnesota Twins in heartbreaking fashion. Spot starter John Wasdin held the Twins to two runs in 5 innings as the Sox scored 3 of their own to take the lead. Then Greg Swindell and Derek Lowe coughed it up leading to the 41 year old Paul Molitor winning it in the bottom of the ninth against Dennis Eckersley with a bunt single. Eckersley didn't like it, Sox fans didn't like it but Twins fans loved it as the Twins walked off with the 4-3 win at the Metrodome.

                                             "I can't believe it, we lost to a bunt!"

LaTroy Hawkins got the start for the Twins in the top of the first inning and Darren Bragg led off by striking out swinging. John Valentin walked but Mo Vaughn whiffed. Nomar Garciaparra hit a pop up that nobody called for that dropped in for a base hit but Troy O'Leary flied out to left to end the inning. Wasdin got Otis Nixon to ground out to short to start the bottom of the first but Matt Lawton beat out an infield single to second. Paul Molitor banged into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the second inning as Mike Stanley flied out to right to start. Damon Buford walked and Scott Hatteberg bashed his 11th home run of the season to put Boston on top. Mike Benjamin lined one off of Hawkins but Todd Walker threw him out. Bragg grounded out to first to end the inning but it was 2-0 Sox.

                                                        Hatteberg hits one out

David Ortiz flied out to center to start the bottom of the second before Ron Coomer grounded out to second. Walker flied out to left to end the inning.

Pat Meares booted a Valentin grounder to open the top of the third before John moved to second on the Vaughn grounder. Nomar grounded out to third and O'Leary flied out to center to end the inning. Marty Cordova struck out swinging to start the bottom of the third before Javier Valentin grounded out to short. Meares grounded out to third to end the inning.

Stanley singled to left to begin the top of the fourth but Buford banged into a double play. Hatteberg flied out to center to end the inning. The Twins fought back in the bottom of the fourth as Nixon singled to center to start before he scored on the Lawton double. Molitor grounded out to short and Ortiz flied out to center but Coomer singled home Lawton to tie the game. Walker drew a walk but Cordova lined out to second to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                            Coomer ties it up

The Sox surged ahead in the top of the fifth although Benjamin flied out to left to begin. Bragg grounded out to first but Valentin pounded his 15th home run of the season to put Boston back on top. Vaughn popped up to first to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 3-2.

                                                             Valentin hits a bomb

Wasdin finished his day in the bottom of the fifth as Valentin grounded back to him to start. Meares doubled to left but Nixon took strike three. Lawton walked but Molitor flied out to right to end the inning. Wasdin did the best he could, holding the Twins to two runs in 5 innings of work.

                                                    Not great but it'll do

The Sox failed to get some insurance in the top of the sixth as Nomar grounded out to short to start. O'Leary doubled to right and moved to third on the Stanley fly out. Buford popped up to right to end the inning. Derek Lowe came in to cough up the lead in the bottom of the sixth. Ortiz singled to center and took third on the base hit by Coomer. Walker grounded out to first to score Ortiz with the tying run and Coomer took third on the grounder by Cordova. Valentin grounded out to second to end the inning but the Twins tied it 3-3.

                                                        Lowe gives up the lead

Hatteberg singled to left to start the top of the seventh and was sacrificed to second by Benjamin. Bragg flied out to left and that was it for Hawkins. Mike Trombley came in and got Valentin to fly out to right to end the inning. Meares flied out to center to start the bottom of the seventh and Sox manager Jimy Williams felt that was enough for Lowe. Greg Swindell came in and got Nixon to fly out to right although Lawton walked. Molitor flied out to right to end the inning.

Trombley cruised in the top of the eighth as Vaughn whiffed to start. Nomar and O'Leary both flied out to center to end the inning. Swindell returned for the bottom of the eighth and got Ortiz to pop up to left to start. Coomer flied out to center but Walker singled in the hole at first. Cordova popped up to second to end the inning.

Stanley walked to start the top of the ninth and Darren Lewis was sent in to pinch run for him. Buford whiffed but Lewis swiped second on the throw. Hatteberg was intentionally walked to set up the double play and Jimy Williams refused to pinch hit for Benjamin. Williams looked foolish as Benjamin banged into a double play to end the inning. The Twins ended it in the bottom of the ninth as Swindell struck out Valentin swinging to start. Meares singled and Nixon walked before Meares moved to third on the Lawton grounder. Dennis Eckersley was brought in to get Molitor but the crafty veteran safety squeezed Meares home with a perfect bunt to win the game for the Twins. Eckersley was disgusted but the Twins had walked it off 4-3.

Jackass of the Night is Greg Swindell. Yes Eck gave up the winning hit but Swindell put the two men on that led to it.

                                                     Swindell the Jackass



The Good:

John Valentin was 1 for 3 with a walk and the hit was a home run.

Darren Lewis stole second as a pinch runner.

Mike Stanley was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Scott Hatteberg was 2 for 3 with a walk and a 2 run homer.



The Bad:

Darren Bragg was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Mo Vaughn was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Mike Benjamin was 0 for 3.



The Ugly:

Nomar Garciaparra was just 1 for 4.

Troy O'Leary was just 1 for 4.

Damon Buford was 0 for 3 but walked and scored a run.




Final Thoughts:

Nothing is worse than getting the most out of a spot starter only to lose the game anyway. Wasdin tossed 5 much needed innings but the bullpen couldn't hold it. I don't know what Williams was thinking by not pinch hitting for Benjamin with 2 men on in the ninth. Maybe he figured someone would keep the game tied in the bottom of the ninth but that didn't happen either. With the way the New York Yankees are playing, every loss puts the Sox further and further behind. Thank heavens for the wild card or the Sox would have nothing to play for in the month of September. The loss drops the Sox to 75-52, an incredible 19.5 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to take the rubber game tomorrow afternoon when they send their ace Pedro Martinez (16-4) up against Brad Radke of the Twins at 2:05 PM Eastern time at the Metrodrome.