Sox Edge Royals Amidst Protest (4/28/91)

Roger Clemens of the Boston Red Sox was supposed to pitch tonight but his suspension stemming from last year's ALCS disaster was held up. Instead Dana Kiecker (1-0, 2.92 ERA) got the spot start and held the Kansas City Royals to 1 run in 5 1/3 innings. The Boston bullpen tossed 3 2/3 scoreless innings to hold the fort. The Sox were held to just two runs by Storm Davis and Tom Gordon but they were enough to win the game. The game was delayed by rain for two hours deep into the night and by the ninth inning, the Sox were playing under protest. MLB said duly noted but play the game. Mike Greenwell drove in the only two runs Kiecker and the bullpen needed as the Sox defeated the Royals 2-1 at Royals Stadium while under protest.

                                                             "I protest, Brother!"

Davis took the mound in the top of the first and the Sox wasted no time getting to him. Wade Boggs led off with a base bit past the diving Kurt Stillwell to start. Bill Pecota bobbled a line shot by Jody Reed which allowed Jody to reach on the error. Mike Greenwell dumped a base hit to right to score Boggs with the game's first run. Jack Clark walked to load the bases but Ellis Burks popped up to a running Danny Tartabull. Tom Brunansky popped up to second and Mike Marshall grounded out to second to end the inning. A disappointing rally but the Sox still led 1-0.

                                                           Boggs scores a run

The Royals struck back in the bottom of the first against Kiecker as Jim Eisenreich hit a ground ball up the middle for a base hit. Eisenreich stole second and moved to third on the Bill Pecota grounder. Aa the rain came pouring down, Danny Tartabull ripped a 410 foot double off the centerfield wall to tie the game. Kirk Gibson grounded out to second to advance Tartabull to third but Warren Cromartie grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                         Tartabull ties it up

The Sox threatened in the top of the second inning as Tony Pena grounded out to short to start. Tim Naehring popped up to first but Boggs singled in the hole at short. Reed singled off the glove of Pecota and Greenwell lashed a base hit to right. Unlike his father, Danny Tartabull has a cannon arm so Boggs held at third. Clark grounded out to third to end the inning. The tarp was put on the field for a rain delay and 2 hours later, play resumed. Kiecker returned for the bottom of the second and Kurt Stillwell hit a line drive snared at the left field wall by Greenwell. Mike Macfarlane looked at a curveball on the inside corner for strike three and Brian McRae whiffed at a ball in the dirt to end the inning.

Tom Gordon came in to pitch the top of the third and Burks took strike three to start. Brunansky drew a walk and wiped out Shumpert to break up a double play ball by Marshall. Pena took strike three to end the inning. Terry Shumpert flied out to center to start the bottom of the third and Eisenreich grounded out to short. Pecota walked but Tartabull whiffed on a nasty slider to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the fourth as Naehring flied out to left to start. Boggs doubled and Reed singled him to third before Wade scored on the Greenwell grounder. Clark walked and Burks grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-1.

                                                     Sox take the lead

Kiecker returned for the bottom of the fourth and Gibson grounded back to the mound to start. Cromartie grounded out to short and Stillwell took strike three to end the inning.

Brunansky led off the top of the fifth with a fly out to shallow center to start. ESPN analyst Jon Miller says Mike Marshall is unhappy and wants out of Boston and Sox general manager Lou Gorman told Mike that no one's asking for him, ouch. Marshall whiffed and Pena flied out to center to end the inning. Macfarlane beat out an infield single to third to start the bottom of the fifth but McRae banged into a double play. Shumpert struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the sixth as Naehring popped up to first to start. Boggs grounded back to the mound and Reed popped up to second to end the inning. Kiecker was chased in the bottom of the sixth as Eisenreich singled to right to start. Pecota singled up the middle but Tartabull whiffed. That was it for Kiecker after 5 2/3 innings of a rain shortened start. Tony Fossas came in to pitch to Gibson and he check swing grounded back to Tony to move the runners over. Russ Morman pinch hit for Cromartie and he popped up to center to end the inning.

                                                    "Damn rain, I shoulda been in longer" - DK

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the seventh as Greenwell tripled past the diving McRae to start. Clark took strike three and Burks whiffed, but Brunansky drew a walk. Marshall check swing grounded back to Gordon to end the inning. Carlos Quintana came in to play first with Jeff Gray now in to pitch the bottom of the seventh. Quintana immediately helped as he made a great play to rob Stillwell of extra bases to start. MacFarlane flied out to the left field wall and McRae lined out to right to end the inning.

Pena flied out to right to start the top of the eighth and Naehring grounded out to short, but Boggs singled off the diving Shumpert. Reed grounded into a force to end the inning. Gray returned for the bottom of the eighth as Shumpert flied out to right to start. Eisenreich singled up the middle and Terry Puhl pinch hit for Pecota. Gray struck out Puhl swinging and Sox manager Joe Morgan decided to bring in Jeff Reardon for the four out save. Reardon walked Tartabull but Gibson popped up to Greenwell to end the inning.

Paul Zuvella took over at third to start the top of the ninth and Greenwell popped up to Tartabull to start. Clark lined a broken bat base hit up the middle and "Psycho" Steve Lyons pinch ran for him. Burks waived at a pitch on the outside corner to earn the hat trick of three strikeouts. Brunansky took strike three right down the middle to end the inning. Gordon had allowed just 1 run in 7 innings, nice offense Sox. Reardon came back to close out the bottom of the ninth as Morman lined out to a running Burks to start. Kurt Stillwell singled in the hole at second and Gary Thurman pinch ran for him. Reardon hit MacFarlane on the wrist and David Howard ran for him. All of a sudden Joe Morgan bolted out of the dugout and started ripping his clothes off screaming that MacFarlane never touched first after getting hit. Joe Morgan the ESPN analyst says Morgan the manager was right although the umpires told the manager to scram. McRae then banged into a double play to end the game. After all of that, the Sox had won it 2-1.

                                                             Sox win

Hero of the Night is Wade Boggs. He was 4 for 5 and scored both of the runs the Sox scored.

                                                   Wade Hero

The Good:

Jody Reed was 2 for 5.

Mike Greenwell was 3 for 5 and drove in both runs.

Jack Clark was 1 for 3 with 2 walks.

Dana Kiecker got the win with 5 1/3 innings of 1 run ball, surviving the rain delay as long as he could.

Tony Fossas got the final two outs of the sixth inning.

Jeff Gray pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Jeff Reardon earned his seventh save with 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Ellis Burks was 0 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Mike Marshall was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Tony Pena was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Tim Naehring was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

Tom Brunansky was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked twice.

Honorable Mention:

Steve Lyons pinch ran for Jack Clark in the top of the ninth.

Carlos Quintana played first base in the final two innings.

Final Thoughts:

That was a weird game and once again the Boston bats did virtually nothing. Dana Kiecker tossed a gutty game and once again the trio of Fossas, Gray and Reardon had to save the day. Burks looked like he was swinging at air and Marshall didn't do his trade value any good by going 0 for 4. Gotta feel bad for the poor Royals fans in the ninth inning that had to listen to both managers piss and moan about certain calls. There's no instant replay so what they say is final. The Sox desperately need some offensive help if they hope to compete this year. What they displayed this month didn't cut it. Its a shame the offense has been so bad because the pitching was that good. This game was a microcosm of that as they won yet another close game 2-1. The Sox have one game left this month and its Tuesday night against the Minnesota Twins. Matt Young gets the start for the Sox against Allan Anderson of the Twins. The game begins Tuesday night at 8 PM Eastern time at the Metrodome.

Jays Snap Streak, Beat Sox (4/24/91)

It was fun while it lasted as the Boston Red Sox winning streak was snapped by the Toronto Blue Jays. The anemic Red Sox offense was held to just 1 run by Dave Steib and the Toronto bullpen. Matt Young (0-1, 2.37 ERA) got lit up for 5 runs in 5 innings while walking 5 batters before he got knocked out in the sixth inning. The Sox offense managed to get 9 hits but none in the clutch as they dropped the game 6-1 to the Blue Jays at Fenway Park.

                                                        "Can this team score runs?"

The Jays wasted no time attacking Young in the top of the first as Devon White set the tone with a walk to start. Roberto Alomar flied out to center but Kelly Gruber grounded out to third. Carter singled White to third and Devon scored on a passed ball to give the Jays the lead. Pat Tabler walked and Mark Whiten struck out looking to end the inning with the Jays up 1-0.

                                                          Catch the damn ball!

Stieb got the Sox to beat the ball in the dirt to start the bottom of the first. Wade Boggs grounded out to first, Steve Lyons grounded out to second and Mike Greenwell grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Glenallen Hill grounded back to the mound to start the top of the second and Pat Borders struck out swinging. Manuel Lee walked but was thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning. Jack Clark grounded out to short to start the bottom of the second but Ellis Burks singled to center. Tom Brunansky walked but Carlos Quintana forced Bruno at second. Luis Rivera flied out to left to end the inning.

The Jays struck again in the top of the third as White walked to start and Alomar sacrificed him to second. Another passed ball moved White to third and he scored on the sac fly by Gruber. Carter struck out looking to end the inning with the Jays up 2-0.

                     "That's two passed balls on one catcher in three innings...that aint funny" - MY

Marzano atoned for his passed balls with a swinging bunt base hit to start the bottom of the third. Boggs doubled John to third but nobody moved on the Lyons grounder to first. Greenwell flied out to center and Marzano got caught in a rundown to end the inning.

                                                              Not having a good day

Tabler lined out to left to start the top of the fourth and Whiten grounded out to short. Hill flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox got a run back in the bottom of the fourth when Clark walked to start. Burks hit one up the elevator shaft but Brunansky reached on an error by the shortstop. Quintana forced Bruno at second but Rivera singled home Clark to cut the lead. Marzano struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 2-1.

                                                                  Rivera drives in a run

The Jays used some more small ball to add another run in the top of the fifth although Borders grounded out to third to start. Lee singled to center and White doubled him to third before Manuel scored on the ground out by Alomar to increase the lead. Gruber whiffed to end the inning with the Jays up 3-1.

                                                              Double by White

Boggs flied out to left to start the bottom of the fifth but Lyons grounded out to second. Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Jays finished off Young in the top of the sixth as Carter singled to center to start. Tabler walked and Sox manager Joe Morgan had enough of Young. Matt would be charged with 5 runs in just 5 plus innings of work. Dana Kiecker came in and poured gas on the fire as Whiten singled home Tabler and advanced Whiten to third. Hill scored Whiten with a sac fly to ice the game. Borders singled to left and both runners advanced on a balk. Lee whiffed and White grounded out to second to end the inning with the Jays up 5-1.

                                                             Not Young's finest hour

Clark took strike three to start the bottom of the sixth and Burks whiffed. Brunansky and Quintana stroked back to back singles but Rivera flied out to right to end the inning.

The Jays struck again in the top of the seventh as Alomar lined out to left to start. Gruber flied out to left but Carter walked. Carter stole second and scored on the base hit by Tabler to wrap up the scoring. Whiten singled to left and Hill walked to load the bases, but Borders went down hacking to end the inning with the Jays up 6-1.

                                                           Not much relief

Mike Timlin came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh as Marzano grounded out to short to start. Boggs grounded out to second but Lyons singled to right. Greenwell flied out to center to end the inning.

Lee grounded out to first to start the top of the eighth and White took strike three. Alomar struck out swinging to end the inning. Clark grounded out to short to start the bottom of the eighth and Burks did the same. Brunansky struck out swinging to end the inning.

Tony Fossas came in for the top of the ninth and Gruber grounded out to short to start. Carter singled to left but Tabler banged into a double play to end the inning. Duane Ward came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Quintana whiffed to start. Rivera went down hacking but Marzano singled to center. Boggs doubled Marzano to third but Lyons whiffed to end the game. The Jays had won it 6-1.

Jackass of the Night is Dana Kiecker. He allowed 2 inherited runs to score and one of his own to put the game out of reach.

                                                          Jackass Kiecker

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 5.

Tom Brunansky was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Tony Fossas pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 4.

Matt Young took the loss by allowing 5 runs (3 earned) while getting knocked out in the sixth inning.

The Ugly:

Steve Lyons was just 1 for 5.

Jack Clark was 0 for 3 but walked and scored a run.

Ellis Burks was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Carlos Quintana was just 1 for 4.

Luis Rivera was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

John Marzano was 2 for 4 but allowed 2 passed balls and got caught in a rundown.

Final Thoughts:

This game was a boot to the head. Young didn't pitch too bad but Marzano couldn't catch a cold or run the bases. The key was Kiecker not being able to keep it a 3-1 game, maybe it turns out differently if it was a 2 run game instead of 5 by the end. This was not a game to look on with fondness, that's for sure. The offense has been abysmal pretty much most of April and today was no different. They didn't have  Roger Clemens type of effort to bail them out this time. At least Boggs is starting to find his stroke, can the rest of them join in please? After an off-day the Sox look to bounce back Friday night in Kansas City in a set with the Royals. Greg Harris looks to build on his last start when he takes the ball against old friend Mike Boddicker of the Royals. The game begins at 8:05 PM at Royals Stadium.

Indians Blank Sox (4/14/91)

The Boston Red Sox enjoyed a nice shutout win yesterday when Roger Clemens pitched. Today it was their turn to get blanked by Tom Candiotti and the Cleveland Indians. Candiotti tossed 7 shutout innings while Greg Harris (0-2, 5.23 ERA) was the hard luck loser. The Indians took the lead quickly in the top of the first inning and never looked back. Dana Kiecker and Jeff Reardon also gave up runs as the Indians pounded out 13 hits and 6 runs. In the end it was the Indians that won the game 6-0 at Fenway Park. How many runs did the Sox score Dean Wormer?

Harris got tagged immediately in the top of the first as Mike Huff walked to start. Jerry Browne banged into a double play but Carlos Baerga singled. Albert Belle pounded a home run all the way to New Mexico to put the Indians up for good four batters into the game. Sandy Alomar whiffed to end the inning but it was 2-0 Indians.

                                                                   Belle hits a home run

Candiotti got the ball in the bottom of the first and Wade Boggs whiffed to start. Jody Reed popped up to first but Mike Greenwell doubled to left. Jack Clark took strike three to end the inning.

Brook Jacoby went down hacking to begin the top of the second and Chris James flied out to left. Felix Fermin and Turner Ward stroked back to back singles, but Huff grounded out to short to end the inning. Ellis Burks led off the bottom of the second with a base hit to left, but Tom Brunansky flied out to right. Carlos Quintana whiffed and Burks got picked off...NO! The throw got away and Burks ended up on second. Tony Pena struck out swinging to end the inning.

Browne walked to open the top of the third but Baerga went down hacking. Belle moved Browne to second with a groundout but Alomar whiffed to end the inning. The Sox blew their chance to get back in the game in the bottom of the third as Tim Naehring walked to start but was thrown out at third on the Boggs base hit to center. Reed flied out to right but Greenwell walked. Clark whiffed to end the inning.

Jacoby singled to start the top of the fourth but was thrown out at second trying to steal. James singled to right but Fermin popped up to second. Ward grounded out to first to end the inning. Burks popped up to short to begin the bottom of the fourth and Brunansky grounded out to short. Quintana flied out to center to end the inning.

Huff flied out to right to begin the top of the fifth and Browne flied out to center. Baerga lined out to left to end the inning. Pena hit one up the elevator shaft to open the bottom of the fifth but Naehring walked. Boggs flied out to left and Reed grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Indians knocked out Harris in the top of the sixth as Belle pounded his second home run of the day to increase the lead. Alomar doubled to left and that was it for Harris. He got no run support at all but still allowed 3 runs. Dana Kiecker came in and Jacoby flied out to left before Alomar was caught stealing third. James walked but Fermin flied out to left to end the inning with the Indians ahead 3-0.

                                                            No runs for Harris

Greenwell singled to start the bottom of the sixth but Clark watched strike three go by to earn the hat trick. Burks whiffed but Greenwell swiped second. Brunansky popped up to second to end the inning.

The Indians struck again in the top of the seventh although Ward grounded out to second to start. Huff walked and moved to second on the Browne grounder. Baerga walked and who else but Belle singled home Huff to increase the lead. Alomar hit a ground ball down the third base line and some idiot reached over and grabbed it for an interference double. Baerga scored on the play and that was it for Kiecker. Joe Hesketh came in and got Jacoby ground out to third to end the inning with the Indians up 5-0.

                                                        "Stupid fans!" - DK

Quintana whiffed to start the bottom of the seventh and Pena popped up to short. Naehring struck out swinging to end the inning.

Hesketh returned for the top of the eighth and James flied out to center to start. Fermin flied out to right and Ward hit a routine grounder to Naehring. Tim chucked the ball into the screen in left for an error but Huff grounded out to third to end the inning. Jesse Orosco came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Boggs walked to start. Reed flied out to left but Greenwell walked. Steve Olin came in to pitch and Clark earned the golden sombrero by taking strike three. Burks grounded out to third to end the inning.

Jeff Reardon made his season debut in the top of the ninth and the Indians tagged him. Browne walked but Baerga lined out to short. Belle flied out to right but Alomar blooped a single to center. Jacoby doubled home Browne to wrap up the scoring. James walked but Fermin grounded out to third to end the inning with the Indians leading 6-0.

                                                         Not the best season debut

Doug Jones came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Brunansky took strike three to start. Quintana earned the hat trick by striking out swinging but Pena singled to left. Naehring walked and Boggs reached on an error to load the bases. Reed grounded back to the mound to end the game. The Indians had won it 6-0.

Jackass of the Night is Jack Clark. The supposed "slugger" was 0 for 4 with a golden sombrero of 4 strikeouts.

                                                           Clark the strikeout Jackass

The Good:

Mike Greenwell was 2 for 2 with 2 walks and a stolen base.

Tim Naehring walked 3 times in 4 plate appearances.

Joe Hesketh tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Jody Reed was 0 for 5.

Tom Brunansky was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Carlos Quintana was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of three strikeouts.

Greg Harris took the loss by getting knocked out in the 6th inning after allowing 3 runs.

Dana Kiecker allowed 2 runs in 1 2/3 innings.

Jeff Reardon allowed a run in the ninth inning.

The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was just 1 for 4 but walked.

Ellis Burks was just 1 for 4 and got picked off.

Tony Pena was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

This season is starting out slow as molasses for the Red Sox. They're not hitting and everyone besides Roger Clemens hasn't been able to pitch well or long. Matt Young, Danny Darwin and Greg Harris have yet to go 7 innings and the bullpen hasn't been much help either. The Sox have gotten off to a slow start but thankfully its only April. Greenwell was the only one who looked good today. The offense should be able to pick up the pace as the weather gets better but the pitching is going to be a concern. Last year after Clemens and Mike Boddicker the pitching staff was held together by gauze and tape. Unless Tom Bolton or Dana Kiecker takes the next step, it may be the same thing this year. The Sox look to bounce back in the fourth and final game of this series against the Indians tomorrow morning. Matt Young goes for the Sox opposite Charles Nagy of the Indians on a Patriots Day matinee beginning at 11 AM at Fenway Park.

Indians Spoil Sox Home Opener (4/11/91)

The good news was the Boston Bruins defeated the Hartford Whalers in Game 5 in the first round of the NHL Playoffs, the bad news was the Cleveland Indians beat up the Boston Red Sox in the first home game of the season at Fenway. Big free agent acquisition Danny Darwin (0-1, 32.40 ERA) got hammered in his Red Sox debut. He allowed 6 runs and got knocked out in the second inning. Tom Bolton kept the Sox in the game in relief and the Sox rallied late, but it wasn't enough. In the end the Indians had beaten the Red Sox 6-4 at Fenway Park.

                                                    "How do you lose to Indians??"

Darwin got the ball in the top of the first and the Indians ambushed him. Alex Cole walked to start and Jerry Browne stroked a single. Carlos Baerga singled home Cole to give the Indians the lead. Albert Belle doubled past a diving Wade Boggs down the left field line to score Browne and Sandy Alomar was plunked to load the bases with nobody out. Red Sox pitching coach Bill Fischer trudged to the mound to tell Darwin that 1 plus 1 is 2. Danny was so excited to hear the news that he walked Brook Jacoby to score Baerga. Darwin recovered to freeze Chris James for strike three and get Felix Fermin to line out to right. Turner Ward flied out to center to end the inning with the Indians up 3-0.

                                                               Belle drives in a run

Indians starter Eric King cruised in the bottom of the first as Wade Boggs grounded out to second to start. Jody Reed flied out to left and Mike Greenwell grounded out to first to end the inning,.

The Indians knocked out Darwin in the top of the second as Cole singled off the Monster and stole second. Cole moved to third on the grounder by Browne and Baerga drew a walk. Belle popped up to first but Alomar singled to third to score Cole and chase Darwin. The big free agent signing lasted just 1 2/3 innings and would be charged with six runs. Tom Bolton relieved Darwin and Jacoby tripled home the runners to ice the game. James walked but Fermin flied out to center to end the inning with the Indians up 6-0.

                                                                    Not his best stuff

Jack Clark grounded out to third to start the bottom of the second and Ellis Burks flied out to center. Tom Brunansky flied out to left to end the inning.

Bolton cruised in the top of the third as Ward flied out to center to start. Cole grounded out to second and Browne popped up to right to end the inning. Carlos Quintana began the bottom of the third by flailing at strike three to start. Tony Pena popped up to first and Tim Naehring popped up to second to end the inning.

Baerga singled in the hole at short to start the top of the fourth but Belle went down hacking.  Alomar hit a roller into left for a base hit and both runners advanced on the Jacoby grounder. James grounded into a force to end the inning. Boggs lined out to right to start the bottom of the fourth and Reed watched strike three go by. Greenwell blooped a single to left but Clark grounded into a force to end the inning.

Bolton cruised in the top of the fifth as Fermin grounded out to short to start. Ward grounded back to the mound and Cole took strike three to end the inning. Burks tried to start a rally with a double off the Monster to start the bottom of the fifth. He was stranded as Brunansky popped up to second. Burks moved to third on the Quintana grounder but Pena grounded out to short to end the inning.

Bolton caught Browne and and Baerga looking at strike three to begin the top of the sixth but Belle singled in the hole at short. Alomar grounded out to short to end the inning. Naehring popped up to short to open the bottom of the sixth but Boggs singled to left. Reed popped up to short and Greenwell popped up to second to end the inning.

Bolton returned for one last inning in the top of the seventh as Jacoby grounded out to short to start. James singled to center but Fermin flied out to right. Ward singled to right but Cole grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox finally fought back in the bottom of the seventh as Clark singled to left to start. Burks took strike three and Brunansky lined out to left but Quintana singled to third. Pena doubled home both runners to put the Sox on the board and chase King. Steve Olin relieved King and Naehring singled home Pena to cut the lead in half. Boggs flied out to right to end the inning but the Sox were down 6-3.

                                                              Naehring drives in a run

Dana Kiecker came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Browne walked to start. Browne moved to second on the sacrifice bunt by Baerga but Belle whiffed. Alomar took strike three to end the inning. The Sox blew a golden chance to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth with Mike Huff taking over for the slumping Belle. Reed flied out to left but Greenwell doubled off the Monster. Clark singled to center to bring the tying run to the plate but Burks only could beat out a double play ball to score Greenwell. Burks then got caught stealing second to end the inning with the Sox down 6-4.

                                                            Greenwell scores a run

Kiecker returned for the top of the ninth and Jacoby grounded out to third to start. James grounded back to the mound and Fermin popped up to right in foul territory to end the inning. Doug Jones came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Brunansky grounded out to second to start. Quintana grounded out to first but Pena singled to short. Pena took second on defensive indifference and Naehring grounded out to third to end the game. The Indians had spoiled the home opener 6-4.

Jackass of the Night is Danny Darwin. He lasted just 1 2/3 innings and put the Sox in a 6 run hole they couldn't get out of.

                                                               Jackass Darwin

The Good:

Mike Greenwell was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Jack Clark was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Tony Pena was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Tom Bolton tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings to keep the Sox in the game.

Dana Kiecker tossed 2 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Jody Reed was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Tom Brunansky was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was just 1 for 4.

Ellis Burks was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Carlos Quintana was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Tim Naehring was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Final Thoughts:

Well that sucked. Danny Darwin was signed to offset the loss of Larry Andersen and that was NOT a good debut. He was batting practice for two innings but hats off to Tom Bolton and Dana Kiecker for keeping the Indians off the board for the rest of the game. The Sox offense was asleep for most of the game and it woke up too late. Not the best home opener, that's for sure. It should also be noted Sox manager Joe Morgan let Naehring bat in the ninth. If the Sox didnt let Dwight Evans walk, they could have had him or Brunansky pinch hit instead. Its only 4 games into the season but that's a bad sign. Still there's a long way to go in the season so no sense panicking after 4 games. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow night when Roger Clemens (1-0) takes the hill opposite Greg Swindell of the Indians. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Jays Edge Sox (4/9/91)

It was a bad day in Boston sports as the Boston Bruins dropped Game 4 of their NHL playoff first round series to the Hartford Whalers and the Boston Red Sox lost to the Toronto Blue Jays. The feel good story of winning on Opening Day lasted just 24 hours as the Sox crashed down to earth in the second game of the opening set with the Jays. There was no magic tonight as the Jays scored 3 runs off Boston starter Greg Harris (0-1, 5.06 ERA) and another run off reliever Joe Hesketh. Jays ace Jimmy Key held the Boston bats to just 2 runs in 6 innings and the Sox scratched out just three overall. There was no grand slam this time as the Jays struck back to win this one 4-3 at the Skydome.

                                                       "DAMMIT HARRIS!!!"

Key got the ball in the top of the first and Wade Boggs grounded out to first to start. Jody Reed flied out to right and Mike Greenwell struck out swinging to end the inning. The Jays wasted no time getting to Harris in the bottom of the first as Devon White doubled to center to begin. Roberto Alomar bunted White to third but Kelly Gruber struck out swinging. Joe Carter doubled home White to give the Jays the lead. John Olerud popped up to center to end the inning with the Jays up 1-0.

                                                                 Carter gives the Jays the lead

Jack Clark took strike three to start the top of the second and Ellis Burks grounded out to second. Tom Brunansky grounded out to third to end the inning. The Jays struck again in the bottom of the second as Rance Mulliniks tripled into the right field corner to start. Mark Whiten grounded out to first but Greg Myers hit a sac fly to score Mulliniks with another run. Manuel Lee singled to left but White grounded out to second to end the inning with the Jays up 2-0.

                                                        A triple for Mulliniks

The Sox tied the game instantly in the top of the third as Carlos Quintana singled to center and Tony Pena clobbered his first home run of the season. Tim Naehring got a bloop single to left and Boggs drew a walk, but Reed messed up the bunt and Naehring was thrown out at third. Boggs took third on a fly ball to right by Greenwell and Clark walked to load the bases. Burks grounded back to the mound to end the inning but it was tied 2-2.

                                                               Pena jacks a home run

Alomar walked to start the bottom of the third then moved to second on the Gruber grounder. Carter popped up to short and Olerud grounded out to first to end the inning.

Brunansky grounded out to short to start the top of the fourth and Quintana grounded back to the mound. Pena flied out to right to end the inning. Mulliniks grounded out to second to start the bottom of the fourth and Whiten grounded back to the mound. Myers walked and Lee struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox threatened in the top of the fifth although Naehring flied out to right to start. Boggs singled to center but was forced at second by Reed. Greenwell singled to short and Clark walked to load the bases, but Burks flied out to right to end the inning. That's twice Burks left the bases loaded now. The Jays threatened in the bottom of the fifth as White singled to right to start. Alomar walked but Gruber banged into a double play. Carter popped up to second to end the inning.

Brunansky lined out to third to begin the top of the sixth but Quintana singled to left. Pena lined out to Key and Naehring watched strike three go by to end the inning. Harris ran out of gas in the bottom of the sixth although Olerud flied out to center to start. Mulliniks walked to start and Whiten doubled him home to chase Harris. Joe Hesketh came in and struck out Myers swinging before Lee grounded out to third to end the inning with the Jays up 3-2.

                                                             Average start by Harris

Duane Ward took over on the mound to start the top of the seventh and turned up the heat. Boggs, Reed and Greenwell all struck out swinging in short order. The Jays iced the game in the bottom of the seventh as White doubled to left to start. Alomar bunted him over to third and Sox manager Joe Morgan brought in Dana Kiecker to pitch to Gruber. Kiecker got a big out when Gruber grounded out to third but Carter doubled to left to increase the lead. Tony Fossas came in to pitch and Olerud popped up to left to end the inning with the Jays up 4-2.

                                                             "Dammit Kiecker!" - JH

The Sox fought back in the top of the eighth although Clark struck out swinging to start. Burks doubled down the left field line and Brunansky singled him to third. Quintana singled in the hole at short to score Burks to cut the lead. With a chance to tie the game....Pena popped up to right and Naehring lined out to third to end the inning with the Sox down 4-3.

                                                            Quintana drives in a run

Pat Tabler pinch hit for Mulliniks to begin the bottom of the eighth and he grounded out to third to begin. Boggs booted a grounder by Whiten for an error and Mark moved to second on the grounder by Myers. Lee walked and that was it for Fossas. Jeff Gray came in and got White to ground out to first to end the inning.

Tom Henke came in to close out the top of the ninth and the Sox went quietly. Boggs and Reed both flied out to left and Greenwell struck out swinging to end the game. The Jays had won it 4-3.

Jackass of the Night is Dana Kiecker. The rbi double he gave up to Joe Carter ended up being the difference in the game.

                                                                Kiecker the Jackass

The Good:

Jack Clark walked twice in four plate appearances.

Carlos Quintana was 3 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Tony Fossas tossed a full scoreless inning.

Jeff Gray retired the only man he faced.

The Bad:

Jody Reed was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Joe Hesketh was charged with a run in an inning of work.

The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was just 1 for 4 with an error but walked.

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Ellis Burks was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Tom Brunansky was just 1 for 4.

Tony Pena was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a 2 run homer.

Tim Naehring was just 1 for 4.

Greg Harris took the loss by allowing 3 runs in 5 1/3 innings.

Final Thoughts:

So much for the feel good win of Opening Day. This game was frustrating as the Sox kept it close but couldn't complete the comeback. Harris was average as it gets but Hesketh and Kiecker failing to keep the fourth run off the board proved to be the difference. The Sox had their chance in the eighth but couldn't tie the game. Its only April and its only the second game of the season so no need to panic. Tomorrow night the Sox are back in action against the Blue Jays when Matt Young makes his Red Sox debut against Todd Stottlemyre. The game begins at 7:05 at the Skydome.

White Sox Sweep Red Sox (9/16/90)

This is not good, not good at all for the Boston Red Sox. Needing to take three of four from the Chicago White Sox to put the pressure on the Toronto Blue Jays, the opposite happened. Today the ChiSox completed a four game sweep of the Red Sox and sent them packing to Baltimore in deep trouble with 15 games left to play. Dana Kiecker (6-9, 4.43 ERA) got knocked out in the 6th inning, White Sox starter Eric King tossed 7 innings of 1 run ball and the BoSox were swept out of Chicago with the White Sox winning 4-2 at Comiskey Park.

Eric King got the start for the White Sox and Jody Reed greeted him with a soft liner to third to start. Dwight Evans drew a walk before Wade Boggs flied out to the left field wall. Ellis Burks grounded into a force to end the inning. Kiecker got the ball in the bottom of the first and Ivan Calderon grounded out to short to start. Lance Johnson grounded out to second before Tom Brunansky made a running catch to rob Frank Thomas of extra bases to end the inning.

Mike Greenwell led off the top of the second inning by lining out to center to start. Tom Brunansky flied out to center but Mike Marshall was robbed of a home run by Johnson who deflected the ball back onto the field for a triple. Tony Pena grounded out to short to end the inning. The ChiSox struck first in the bottom of the second as Dan Pasqua blooped a double down the left field line to start. Pasqua moved to third on the grounder by Robin Ventura and Rob Karkovice scored Pasqua with a base hit to center. Sammy Sosa hit a blooper into right and Karkovice motored all the way around to score, Sammy taking second on the double. Scott Fletcher grounded out to short before Ozzie Guillen lined out to a running Greenwell to end the inning with Chicago up 2-0.

                                                      2-0 White Sox

The BoSox fought back in the top of the third inning as Randy Kutcher singled to right to start. Reed flied out to center but Kutcher swiped second base. ChiSox broadcaster and old friend Ken "Hawk" Harrelson brought up the big Notre Dame/Michigan college football game (featuring Elvis Grbac of Michigan and Rick Mirer of Notre Dame) the night before as Evans blooped a single to center. Kutcher made a mad dash for home to cut the lead and Boggs singled to left. Burks hit a grounder to third but Ventura bobbled it to load the bases. With a chance to do some damage....Greenwell banged into a double play to end the inning as Boston trailed 2-1.

                                                        Kutcher scores a run

Kiecker cruised in the bottom of the third as Calderon popped up to Boggs on the infield to start. Kiecker snuffed out a bunt by Johnson and Thomas grounded out to short to end the inning.

Bruno led off the top of the fourth by popping up to Guillen in shallow left. Marshall hit a bullet but right to the centerfielder for an out before Pena drew a walk. Kutcher flied out to right to end the inning but the comedy was Pena going back to first despite there being two outs. Oops! Pasqua singled up the middle to open the bottom of the fourth but Ventura banged into a double play. Karkovice struck out swinging to end the inning.

King cruised in the top of the fifth as Reed flied out to left to begin. Evans grounded out to third and Boggs flied out to left to end the inning. Sosa led off the bottom of the fifth by striking out swinging before Fletcher lined out to right. Guillen singled to center but was thrown out by Pena trying to steal to end the inning.

The Sox failed to score in the top of the sixth as Burks' bunt attempt was snuffed out to start. Greenwell flied out to left and Brunansky lined out to a running Sosa to end the inning. The White Sox finished off Kiecker in the bottom of the sixth as Calderon doubled down the left field line to start. Johnson blooped a single to left to score Calderon as Red Sox pitching coach Bill Fischer came out to tell Kiecker that Pee Wee's Playhouse reruns were on in the clubhouse and Kiecker was so excited that Thomas walked to chase him from the game. Kiecker got nailed for 4 runs in just 5 plus innings, not good.

                                                           Not today Kiecker

Rob Murphy sprinted from the bullpen as Phil Bradley pinch hit for Pasqua only to force Thomas at second on a grounder. Bradley took off for second and Pena threw down to chase Bradley back to first. The alert Reed then spotted Johnson taking off for home and fired home...OUT! Unfortunately the BoSox couldn't put the ChiSox away as Ventura drew a walk. Murphy made a mad dash to the dugout and Larry Andersen strutted in from the bullpen. Karkovice lashed a base hit to right to score Bradley with the kill shot. Sosa whiffed to end the inning but the ChiSox were up 4-1.

                                                Allowing inherited runners to score, ugh

Mashall tried to start a rally in the top of the seventh with a base hit to right but Pena flied out to left. Phil Plantier pinch hit for Kutcher and banged into a double play to end the inning. Jim Pankovits made his Sox debut taking over at second for the bottom of the seventh and Fletcher whiffed to start. Guillen took a slider on the outside corner for strike three before Calderon whiffed to end the inning.

                                                     Pankovits in his Sox debut

Barry Jones relieved King in the top of the eighth and Reed popped up to short to start. Evans grounded out to third and Boggs grounded out to short to end the inning in just 5 pitches. Jeff Gray came on for the bottom of the eighth and got Johnson to pop up to center to start. Thomas was rung up on strike 3 on the inside corner before Bradley whiffed to end the inning.

Bobby Thigpen came in to close out the top of the ninth and Burks grounded out to short to start. Greenwell blooped a single to left but Bruno whiffed. Down to their last out, Marshall blooped a single to center. Rookie Scott Cooper pinch ran for Marshall as Pena dumped a base hit to right. Greenwell went for home and the throw came in...SAFE! Cooper made it to third and Pena took second representing the tying run. Jeff Stone came in to run for Pena with Danny Heep pinch hitting for Pankovits. Heep was almost rung up for strike three and ending up drawing a walk to load the bases. Kevin Romine pinch ran for Heep and with a chance to tie the game....Reed lined out to Thigpen to end the game. The ChiSox had swept the BoSox with a 4-2 win.

               

Jackass of the Night is Jody Reed. he was 0 for 5 and left several men on base, including the bases loaded in the top of the ninth.

                                                             Jody Jackass



The Good:

Dwight Evans was 1 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Mike Marshall was 3 for 4.

Tony Pena was 1 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Randy Kutcher was 1 for 2 with a stolen base and a run scored.

Danny Heep walked as a pinch hitter

Rob Murphy got 2 outs in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Jeff Gray pitched a scoreless 8th inning.



The Bad:

Ellis Burks was 0 for 4.

Tom Brunansky was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Dana Kiecker took the loss with going just 5 plus innings and allowing 4 runs.



The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was just 1 for 4.

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Phil Plantier was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Larry Andersen allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own in 1 1/3 scoreless innings.



Honorable Mention:

Scott Cooper pinch ran for Marshall in the top of the ninth

Jeff Stone ran for Tony Pena in the top of the ninth.

Kevin Romine pinch ran for Danny Heep in the top of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

Well this loss was a kick in the balls. The BoSox had their chances to win this one but couldn't get the clutch hit when it counted. Kiecker only going 5 plus didn't help and Andersen giving up the kill shot could have been avoided but the BoSox couldn't crack King. The White Sox are the second best team in the American League and third best in all of baseball for a reason and the reason there's talk about bringing in a "wild card" system is because the White Sox have almost no chance to make the playoffs because the Oakland A's are in their way. The BoSox are in big trouble because they have the Toronto Blue Jays breathing down their necks and losses to good teams doesn't look good for potential October baseball. The loss dropped the Sox to 80-67, just 1 game ahead of the Blue Jays for 1st place in the AL East with 15 games left. The Sox look to right the ship in Baltimore with a set against the Orioles. Mike Boddicker (15-8) takes on Ben McDonald at 7:30 PM at Memorial Stadium.