Terrell, Yankees Blank Sox (9/27/89)

Its only fitting for a schizophrenic team like the Boston Red Sox to head to the end of the season with one of the most pathetic losses all season. Its one thing to get shut out by a great pitcher like Nolan Ryan, Jack Morris or Dave Stewart....its another to get completely shut down by a guy who's lost EIGHTEEN games this season. Walt Terrell of the New York Yankees has been complete batting practice this season but he gave the Red Sox a middle finger for them to sit and spin on in tonight's game. Terrell threw a complete game 5 hit shutout, blanking the Jekyll & Hyde Sox in the middle of a September hot streak. John Dopson (11-8, 4.08 ERA) pitched admirably in defeat, allowing just 3 runs as he went the distance as well. The Sox have had a lot of losses this season but this one was humiliating as the Yankees blanked them 3-0 at Fenway Park. How many runs did the Sox score Dean Wormer?

Dopson took the mound in the top of the first inning and Steve Sax grounded out to third to start. Luis Polonia lined out to center and Don Mattingly grounded out to first to end the inning. Terrell cruised in the bottom of the first as Wade Boggs led off with a grounder to second. Marty Barrett grounded back to the mound and Dwight Evans struck out swinging to end the inning.

Mel Hall struck out swinging to open the top of the second before Jesse Barfield also went down hacking. Roberto Kelly grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the second as Alvaro Espinoza booted a Mike Greenwell grounder to start. Nick Esasky singled to second but Danny Heep banged into a double play. Luis Rivera grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Yankees struck first in the top of the third as Mike Blowers walked to start. Espinoza moved Blowers to second on a grounder to third but Brian Dorsett singled to center to score Mike. Sax hit a routine grounder to Rivera who threw his glove at the ball and started wrestling with second base for an error to put runners at the corners. Polonia hit into a double play to end the inning with the Yankees up 1-0.

                                                               Dorsett drives in a run

The Red Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the third as Kevin Romine grounded out to first to start. John Marzano grounded out to second and Boggs grounded out to first to end the inning.

Mattingly flied out to center to start the top of the fourth before Hall grounded out to second. Barfield grounded out to short to end the inning. Barrett was plunked to start the bottom of the fourth but was thrown out trying to steal on the Evans swinging strikeout. Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning.

Dopson cruised in the top of the fifth as Kelly grounded out to short to start. Blowers took strike three and Espinoza grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Esasky blooped a single to right to begin the bottom of the fifth but Heep forced him at second. Rivera forced Heep at second but Romine beat out a roller just past Terrell. Marzano grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Yankees struck again in the top of the sixth as Dorsett singled to center to start. Dorsett moved to second on a wild pitch and Sax ripped a base hit to center. Dorsett teased going home and Sax took second on the throw home. Polonia hit a sac fly to score Dorsett to increase the lead but Mattingly grounded out to second. Hall also grounded out to second to end the inning with the Yankees up 2-0.

                                                            Polonia drives in a run

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the sixth as Boggs grounded out to short to start. Barrett flied out to right and Evans grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Yankees iced the game in the top of the seventh as Barfield smashed a home run all the way to Claypit Pond to increase the lead. Kelly grounded out to short, Blowers struck out swinging and Espinoza took strike three to end the inning with the Yankees up 3-0.

                                                        No run support for Dopson

Greenwell tried to start a rally with a base hit to right to begin the bottom of the seventh but Esasky flied out to center. Heep grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Dopson rebounded in the top of the eighth as Dorsett grounded out to short to start. Sax grounded back to the mound and Polonia popped up to center to end the inning. Rivera singled to center to start the bottom of the eighth and Jeff Stone pinch hit for Romine. Stone lined out to left and Sam Horn pinch hit for Marzano. Rivera moved to second on the grounder to second by Horn but Boggs grounded out to short to end the inning.

Dopson returned for the top of the ninth inning with Rick Cerone now behind the plate. Mattingly grounded back to the mound but Hall singled to center. Hall was doubled off first on the line drive to Boggs to end the inning. Dopson had thrown a complete game while allowing 3 runs, 9 times out of 10 that's good enough to win.

                                                     Complete game for Dopson

Wayne Tolleson took over at second for Sax for the bottom of the ninth and Barrett grounded out to short to start. Jody Reed pinch hit for Evans and struck out swinging before Greenwell popped up to third in foul territory to end the game. Terrell had thrown a complete game shutout and beat the Sox 3-0.

Jackass of the Night is Danny Heep. He was 0 for 3 including hitting into a double play with 2 men on when the game was in reach.

                                                             A Heep of Jackass

The Good:

Nick Esasky was 2 for 3.

Kevin Romine was 1 for 2.

One of the rare times the losing pitcher ends up on the Good list but John Dopson threw a complete game 5 hitter, allowing just 3 runs while walking 1 batter.

The Bad:

Wade Boggs was 0 for 4.

Dwight Evans was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Jody Reed struck out as a pinch hitter.

Jeff Stone was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

John Marzano was 0 for 2.

Sam Horn was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

Marty Barrett was 0 for 3 but was hit with a pitch.

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 4.

Luis Rivera was 1 for 3 but committed an error.

Honorable Mention:

Rick Cerone caught the last inning.

Final Thoughts:

If the Red Sox didn't crap the bed on the west coast trip where they went 1-9, the Sox would be right there with the Toronto Blue Jays with just four games left in the season. As it is, they're mathematically eliminated and are just playing out the string. If going 1-9 against the west coast teams wasn't bad enough, tonight they got shutout by a guy who lost 18 games this season. Its one thing to lose a slugfest, its another to get shutout. I know Terrell wasn't as bad as his record indicates but this was still embarrassing. In a season that had more drama than fun, hopefully next year won't be such a headache for everyone involved. The less said of this disaster, the better. The loss drops the Sox to 80-78, tied with the Milwaukee Brewers for third place in the AL East. The Sox now welcome the Brewers for a four game showdown to end the regular season. Only thing left to play for is who finishes third place and tomorrow night Mike Boddicker makes his last start of the season up against Don August of Milwaukee. The makeup game from July 5th begins at 7:35 PM at Fenway Park.

Clemens, Sox Beat Yankees (9/25/89)

This season has been an epic disaster for the Boston Red Sox but thankfully Roger Clemens (17-10, 3.17 ERA) is still with the team. Clemens was mortal tonight against the New York Yankees, allowing 4 runs and 11 hits against the Yankees in 6 innings of work. Thankfully the offense came to play in this one. The bats knocked Yankees starter Kevin Mmahat in the second inning and pounded out 7 runs off 12 hits. Dwight Evans got the party started with a 3 run homer in the first inning and Mike Greenwell drove in a few runs of his own. The Sox are trying to end the season on a hot streak and they beat the Yankees 7-4 at Fenway Park.

                                                         Gianna Amore approves of the win

The Yankees wasted no time getting to Clemens in the top of the first inning as Steve Sax singled to right to start. Luis Polonia doubled to left and Sax scored on the rbi groundout by Don Mattingly. Mel Hall lined out to second but Jesse Barfield singled to center to score Polonia. Randy Velarde singled in the hole at second but Roberto Kelly struck out swinging to end the inning with the Yankees up 2-0.

                                                     Barfield puts the Yankees up two runs

The Sox answered against Mmahat in the bottom of the first inning as Wade Boggs singled to left to start. Jody Reed walked and Dwight Evans smashed his 20th home run of the season to put the Sox on top. Mike Greenwell and Nick Esasky drew back to back walks but Nick was erased on a force by Carlos Quintana. Kevin Romine hit a sac fly to score Greenwell but Rivera flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-2.

                                                             3 run homer for Evans

Clemens settled down in the top of the second inning as Bob Geren struck out swinging to start. Alvaro Espinoza grounded out to second but Sax singled to center. Sax was thrown out trying to steal second to end the inning. The Sox knocked out Mmahat in the bottom of the second inning as Rick Cerone flied out to center to start. Boggs singled to center, Reed walked and Evans singled to left to load the bases. Greenwell scored Boggs by beating out a double play ball to increase the lead. Esasky walked to reload the bases and that was it for Mmahat. Danny Heep pinch hit for the injured Quintana and Clay Parker came in to pitch. Heep flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-2.

                                                           Greenwell drives in a run

The Yankees tagged Clemens in the top of the third inning as Polonia singled to center to start. Mattingly singled to center to move Polonia to third, Don taking second on the throw. Hall grounded out to second to score Polonia to cut the lead but Mattingly was thrown out at home on a grounder to Clemens by Barfield. Velarde singled to right but Kelly grounded out to third to end the inning with the Yankees down 5-3.

                                                                   Hall drives in a run

The Sox answered in the bottom of the third as Romine grounded out to short to start. Rivera flied out to left and Cerone hit a routine grounder to Espinoza....thrown away for an error to move Rick to second. Boggs doubled to center to score Cerone but Reed grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 6-3.

                                                             Boggs drives in a run

Geren singled to center to start the top of the fourth but Espinoza struck out swinging. Sax singled to right but Polonia banged into a double play to end the inning. Evans walked to start the bottom of the fourth but Greenwell hit into a double play. Esasky grounded out to short to end the inning.

Mattingly lined out to right to start the top of the fifth but Hall popped up to third. Barfield struck out swinging to end the inning. Heep lined out to center to start the bottom of the fifth before Romine lined out to short. Rivera singled to left but Cerone grounded out to second.

Velarde grounded out to second to start the top of the sixth but Kelly struck out swinging. Green struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox got another run in the bottom of the sixth as Boggs grounded out to short to start. Reed and Evans stroked back to back singles and Greenwell doubled home Reed to increase the lead. Esasky walked but Heep banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-3.

                                                      Greenwell drives in another run

Jeff Stone came in for Heep to start the top of the seventh and Espinoza hit a routine grounder to Reed to start. Reed kicked the ball and gave it the finger for an error then Espinoza took second on a wild pitch. Sax beat out an infield single to Cerone to put runners at the corners and that was it for Clemens. Roger was mortal tonight but still left with the lead. Steve Balboni pinch hit for Polonia and Rob Murphy sprinted from the bullpen to pitch to him. Balboni banged into a double play to score Espinoza and Mattingly grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-4.

                                                                  Clemens was mortal

Romine grounded out to second to start the bottom of the seventh but Rivera singled to left. Cerone took strike three but Boggs singled to left. Reed struck out swinging to end the inning.

Murphy made a mad dash to the mound just to get Hall to ground out to first leading off the top of the eighth. Murphy bolted into the dugout and into the clubhouse as closer Lee Smith came in for the 5 out save. Barfield struck out swinging and Velarde took strike three to end the inning. Evans singled in the hole at third to start the bottom of the eighth to chase Parker from the game. Lee Guetterman came in to pitch and Evans took second on a wild pitch. Greenwell struck out swinging and Esasky was intentionally walked. Stone banged into a double play to end the inning.

Smith returned to close out the top of the ninth and Kelly hit a little roller to Rivera. Luis dropped an elbow on the ball and pinned it for an error but Green struck out swinging. Espinoza struck out swinging and Sax grounded into a force to end the game. The Sox had won it 7-4.

 

Hero of the Night is Dwight Evans. This 3 run homer gave the Sox the lead they wouldn't relinquish.

                                                                  Hero Evans

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 4 for 5 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Jody Reed was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored.

Nick Esasky walked 4 times.

Luis Rivera was 2 for 4.

Rob Murphy tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Lee Smith earned his 25th save with 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Carlos Quintana was 0 for 1 before leaving the game.

Danny Heep was 0 for 3.

Jeff Stone was 0 for 1.

The Ugly:

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked, drove in 2 runs and scored a run.

Kevin Romine was 0 for 3 but drove in a run.

Rick Cerone was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Roger Clemens got the win but allowed 4 runs in 6 plus innings of work while allowing 11 hits.

Final Thoughts:

Clemens wasn't his usual self tonight and could be running out of gas this season. Thankfully we're at the end so he has all winter to rest. After Bruce Hurst left in free agency after the Wade Boggs trainwreck, who can blame him now? The team self destructed with bickering, locker room cliques and really bad pitching. Even Clemens suffered this season as he posted his highest ERA since 1985. Still, Rob Murphy and Lee Smith solidified a bullpen that can help more often to not if the starting rotation doesn't throw up on themselves. The Sox have a lot of work to do in the off-season to get back to where they were in 86 and 88. As for this game? Meh, who cares. At least the Sox have a chance to finish above .500....yay. The win improved the Sox to 79-77, tied with the Milwaukee Brewers for third place in the AL East. The Sox take on the Yankees again tomorrow night when Eric Hetzel (1-3) takes on Andy Hawkins of New York. The game begins at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Rout Angels in Nightcap (8/29/89)

Watch out for those Boston Red Sox. For the second straight game the Sox demolished the California Angels. In the afternoon game it was the Dwight Evans show but in the nightcap everyone on offense pitched in. Eric Hetzel didn't make it out of the fifth inning but Bob Stanley (5-2, 4.64 ERA) was there to quell the uprising. The Sox pounded out 16 hits and 13 runs to crush the Angels 13-5 at Fenway Park for their ninth straight win.

                                                        Ira Flagstead approves of the win

The Angels struck first in the top of the first inning against Hetzel as Claudell Washington led off with with a walk. Washington stole second but Bobby Rose struck out swinging. Washington stole third and scored on the Chili Davis sac fly. Wally Joyner walked but Brian Downing grounded out to short to end the inning with the Angels up 1-0.

The Sox attacked the Angels in the bottom of the first for the second straight game. Angels starter Dan Petry allowed a leadoff single to Wade Boggs but Jody Reed lined out to left. Ellis Burks got a base hit and Mike Greenwell doubled home both men to give the Sox the lead. Greenwell moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on the Nick Esasky single. Danny Heep flied out to center but Evans doubled Nick to third. Luis Rivera whiffed to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 3-1.

                                                       Greenwell drives in two

Old pal Tony Armas led off the top of the second by flying out to center before Bill Schroeder flied out to left. Jack Howell singled to right and old friend Glenn Hoffman lined out to center to end the inning.

                                                     Welcome back Tony

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the second inning as Rick Cerone grounded out to second to start. Wade Boggs grounded out to short before Reed grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Angels came back in the top of the third inning as Washington singled to right to start. Rose whiffed but Washington took second on a balk. Davis flied out to center but Joyner singled home Washington. A wild pitch moved Joyner to second before Downing walk. ANOTHER wild pitch moved the runners over but Armas flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox still ahead 3-2.

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the third as Burks lined out to center to start. Greenwell singled to right but Esasky popped up to second. Greenwell swiped second before Heep lined out to second to end the inning.

Schroeder singled to left to start the top of the fourth but Howell struck out swinging. Reed booted a ball to allow Hoffman to reach but Washington whiffed. Rose popped up to first to end the inning.

                                                      Welcome back Glenn

The Sox exploded in the bottom of the fourth inning as Evans walked to start. Rivera flied out to right but Cerone walked. Boggs singled to left to load the bases and Willie Fraser poured gas on the fire for the Angels. Reed singled home Evans and reload the bases then Burks singled home Cerone and Boggs. Greenwell was intentionally walked and Esasky walked in a run to reload the bases. A wild pitch scored Burks and moved everyone up and Heep got a base hit to drive home Greenwell and Esasky. Greenwell took second on a wild pitch as Evans singled to center to bat around. Rivera singled home Heep and move Evans to third and Dwight scored on the Cerone ground out. Boggs beat out an infield single to second and Reed was plunked to load the bases again. Burks lined out to right to end the inning but the Sox scored 9 runs to take a 12-2 lead.

                                                         Evans gets the party started

The Angels refused to go quietly in the top of the fifth and Davis singled to center to start. Joyner whiffed but Downing walked. Armas gave his former club the bird when he swatted a three run home run to chase the ineffective Hetzel, Eric failed to last 5 innings and gave up 5 runs. Bob Stanley came in and Schroeder grounded out to third to begin. Howell lined out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 12-5.

                                                       A flop by Eric

Bob McClure came in for the bottom of the fifth and Greenwell whiffed to start. Esasky singled and Heep singled him to third before Nick scored on the Evans sac fly. Rivera grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 13-5.

                                                           Esasky scores a run

Stanley cruised in the top of the sixth inning as Hoffman grounded out to short to start. Washington grounded back to the mound before Rose took strike three to end the inning. The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the sixth with Greg Minton on the mound and Kent Anderson coming in for Washington. Cerone and Boggs grounded back to the mound and Reed was retired on a squibber up the first base line to end the inning.

Davis looked at strike three to start the top of the seventh before Joyner lined out to right. Downing and Armas stroked back to back singles before Schroeder grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the seventh as Burks grounded out to second to start. Greenwell grounded out to short and Esasky singled to left. Heep grounded out to first to end the inning.

Stanley returned for the top of the eighth and Howell grounded out to second before Hoffman grounded out to short. Anderson flied out to center to end the inning. All of a sudden the rains game to delay the game. The umpires got together with the managers and mercifully called the game. The Sox had won it 13-5.

Hero of the Night is Mike Greenwell. He put the Sox on top in the first inning and they never looked back.

                                                         Greenwell is the Hero


The Good:

Wade Boggs was 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

Ellis Burks was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Nick Esasky was 3 for 4 with a walk, 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Danny Heep was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Dwight Evans was 1 for 2 with a walk, rbi and 2 runs scored.

Bob Stanley got the win with 3 2/3 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Eric Hetzel allowed 5 runs in just 4 1/3 innings.



The Ugly:

Jody Reed was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored.

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

Rick Cerone was 0 for 3 but walked, drove in a run and scored.




Final Thoughts:

Could Morgan Magic be striking twice? The Sox have won 9 straight game to get them back in earshot of the AL East lead. This year would be even more impressive than last year since Bruce Hurst is gone. If the Sox can do it with Roger Clemens, Mike Boddicker and pray....this would be the most improbable season since 1967. There's a long way to go but the Sox seem to have found their rhythm. Hetzel sucked but Stanley saved the day and the offense produced big time. The win improved the Sox to 67-65, 4 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Sox look to make it ten straight games when they send John Dopson (9-5) to the mound to take on Jim Abbott at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Top Angels in Game 1 (8/29/89)

Better late than never when it comes to the Boston Red Sox. After floundering for most of the season the Sox are on a recent hot streak. Today the Sox are playing a day/night doubleheader against the California Angels and they took the first game to run their win streak to 8 straight games. The Sox jumped on Angels ace Bert Blyleven for 5 first inning runs and never looked back. Sox starter Mike Smithson got knocked out in the third inning but Dennis Lamp (3-1, 2.64 ERA) and Joe Price saved the day with 6 solid innings. The Sox head to the nightcap with an 8-4 victory over the Angels.

                                                 8 in a row...ah ah ah!

Smithson got the ball in the top of the first inning and Devon White grounded out to second to begin. Claudell Washington grounded out to first. Johnny Ray grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox pounded Blyleven in the first inning as Wade Boggs doubled to center to start. Marty Barrett singled Wade to third and Ellis Burks beat out a double play ball to score Boggs with the first run. Mike Greenwell walked but Nick Esasky whiffed. Danny Heep scored Burks with a double and Dwight Evans pounded his 15th home run of the season to cap off the inning. Jody Reed flied out to left to end the inning but the Sox led 5-0.

                                                    Heep drives in a run

The Angels answered in the top of the second inning although Wally Joyner grounded out to first to start. Chili Davis singled to center and Brian Downing doubled Davis to third. Lance Parrish grounded out to short but Davis scored a run. Jack Howell scored Downing with a single before Kent Anderson got a base hit as well. White grounded out to second to end the inning but the Angels were down 5-2.

The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the second as Rich Gedman struck out swinging to start. Boggs grounded out to short before Barrett flied out to center to end the inning.

The Angels struck again in the top of the third inning as Washington doubled to left to begin. Washington moved to third on the grounder by Ray and Joyner singled him home. Davis took strike three but Reed booted a ball by Downing to allow him a reach. Sox manager Joe Morgan had enough of Smithson and brought in Dennis Lamp to put out the fire. Parrish flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox still up 5-3.

                                             Smithson doesn't last long

The Sox took command in the bottom of the third although Burks lined out to short to start. Greenwell singled and Esasky hit a ground rule double into the third base stands. Heep grounded out to second but Greenwell scored and Esasky moved to third. Evans singled home Esasky for his 4th rbi of the day. Reed flied out to left to end the inning but it was now 7-3 Sox.

                                                       Evans is on fire

Lamp cruised in the top of the fourth inning and Howell grounded out to second to start. Anderson popped up to second and White grounded out to short to end the inning.

Rick Monteleone came in to bitch the bottom of the fourth and the Sox wrapped up the scoring. Gedman singled to center and Boggs doubled Rich home. Barrett dropped down a bunt to move Boggs to third but Burks grounded out to short. Greenwell grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-3.

                                                         Boggs drives in a run

Lamp dominated the top of the fifth as Washington grounded out to first to start. Ray singled to right but Joyner banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox threatened in the bottom of the fifth although Esasky whiffed to start. Heep grounded out to first but Evans and Reed stroked back to back singles. Gedman grounded out to second to end the inning.

Kevin Romine took over for Heep in right to start the top of the sixth and Davis singled to left to begin. Davis moved to second on the grounder by Downing and to third on the grounder by Parrish. Howell whiffed to end the inning. Nothing happened in the bottom of the sixth as Boggs grounded out to second to start. Barrett popped up to second but Burks singled to center. Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning.

Lamp returned for the top of the seventh and froze Anderson for strike three. White singled to center but was thrown out trying to stretch a double. Sox manager Joe Morgan felt that was good enough for Lamp who saved the day with 4 scoreless innings. Joe Price came in and served up back to back base hits for Washington and Ray before Joyner took strike three to end the inning.

                                                           Outstanding effort by Lamp

The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the seventh as Esasky popped up to short to start. Romine whiffed before Evans popped up to second to end the inning.

Price cruised in the top of the eighth as Davis whiffed to start. Downing and Parrish both flied out to center to end the inning. Reed singled to center to start the bottom of the eighth but Gedman banged into a double play. Barrett walked but Burks grounded into a force to end the inning.

The Angels had a last gasp against Price in the top of the ninth although Howell whiffed to start. Anderson singled to center but White whiffed. Washington doubled home Anderson before Ray walked. Joyner whiffed to end the game with the Sox taking the day game of his doubleheader 8-4.

Hero of the Night is Dennis Lamp. He allowed just 3 hits in 4 scoreless innings as the Sox offense tacked on enough runs to win.

                                                       Lamp is the Hero



The Good:

Wade Boggs was 3 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Marty Barrett was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Mike Greenwell was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Danny Heep was 1 for 3 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Dwight Evans was 3 for 4 with 4 total rbis and a 3 run homer.

Jody Reed was 2 for 4.



The Bad:

Kevin Romine was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Mike Smithson allowed 3 runs in 2 2/3 innings.



The Ugly:

Ellis Burks was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run and scored.

Joe Price allowed a run in 2 1/3 innings.

Nick Esasky was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Rich Gedman was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.




Final Thoughts:

Don't look now but the Sox have won 8 games in a row. 2 weeks ago they were hopelessly out of contention but they're starting to get back in it. Morgan Magic may be repeating two years in a row. The offense stepped up big time and Lamp was outstanding in relief of Smithson. Taking the first game of a doubleheader is always important because it forces the other team to play behind the 8-ball going into the nightcap. It was a good win and the Sox need to win tonight to keep the momentum going. The win improved the Sox to 67-66, 4.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. Tonight Eric Hetzel gets the start for the Sox opposite Dan Petry at 8:20 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Rally Falls Short in Milwaukee (6/27/89)

Its been that kind of year for the Boston Red Sox and we're not even out of June yet. The Red Sox incompetence this season is mind-boggling and tonight was no different against the Milwaukee Brewers. Not even Roger Clemens (8-6, 3.06 ERA) could save the Sox this time as the Brewers got to him for 5 runs in just 6 1/3 innings. Rob Murphy was able to hold the fort and the Sox tried to pull off a feverish rally in the top of the ninth. Unfortunately the Sox fell short and the Brewers beat them by the skin of their teeth 5-4 at County Stadium.

                                                     Bill Murray's message to the Red Sox

The Sox wasted no time getting to Brewers starter Don August in the top of the first inning. Jody Reed grounded out to short to start but Danny Heep singled to center. Gary Sheffield booted a grounder by Wade Boggs and Jim Gantner booted a grounder by Greenwell to score Heep to put the Sox on top. Dwight Evans whiffed and Greenwell was thrown out trying to steal second to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                              Heep scores a run

Clemens took the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Paul Molitor led off by lining out to center.  Robin Yount grounded out to short but Sheffield singled to short. Greg Brock struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox tried to rally in the top of the second when Nick Esasky singled to center to start. Rich Gedman walked but Luis Rivera forced Esasky at third. Randy Kutcher watched strike three go by and Reed flied out to left to end the inning. Glenn Braggs struck out looking to begin the bottom of the second before Rob Deer popped up to third. BJ Surhoff lined out to short to end the inning.

The Sox blew another rally in the top of the third when Heep walked to start. Boggs singled to left but Greenwell lined out to center. Evans hit one up the elevator shaft and Esasky flied out to center to end the inning. The Brewers took command in the bottom of the third although Terry Francona grounded back to the mound to start. Gantner singled to short and Molitor walked before Yount hit a double play ball to short. Rivera flipped to Reed who turned and fired the ball all the way to Idaho to score Gantner with the tying run. Sheffield singled to left to score Yount to give the Brewers the lead before he stole second. Brock whiffed to end the inning with the Brewers ahead 2-1.

                                                                  Nice error Reed

August cruised in the top of the fourth as Gedman popped up to third to start. Rivera whiffed and Kutcher grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The Brewers struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Braggs singled to right to start. Deer moved Braggs to second with a grounder and a wild pitch moved Braggs to third. Surhoff singled him home to increase the lead then moved to second on the grounder by Francona. Gantner grounded out to second to end the inning with the Brewers ahead 3-1.

                                                            Can someone get him out?

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the fifth as Reed grounded out to short to start. Heep grounded out to second and Boggs also grounded out to second to end the inning. Molitor took strike three to start the bottom of the fifth before Yount flied out to center. Sheffield doubled to left but Brock grounded out to second to end the inning.

Greenwell got a base hit to center to start the top of the sixth but Evans banged into a double play. Esasky grounded out to third to end the inning. Braggs popped up to first to begin the bottom of the sixth but Deer and Surhoff stroked back to back singles. Both runners moved over on the Francona grounder but Gantner whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox rallied in the top of the seventh as Gedman singled to right to begin. Dana Williams pinch ran for Gedman but Rivera banged into a double play. Kutcher doubled to center and Reed singled him home to cut the lead and chase August. Kevin Romine pinch hit for Heep and Tony Fossas came in to pitch. Romine singled to left but Boggs grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox down 3-2.

                                                            Kutcher scores a run

The Brewers iced the game in the bottom of the seventh with Rick Cerone now behind the plate. Molitor walked to start but was thrown out by Cerone trying to steal. Yount singled to right and Sheffield walked to chase Clemens. Roger didn't have it tonight as he would be tagged for 5 runs in just 6 1/3 innings. Rob Murphy made a mad dash out of the bullpen to the mound only to allow Brock to single home Shefield and Yount to increase the lead. Braggs popped up to first and Deer took strike three to end the inning with the Sox down 5-2.

                                                             Not Roger's best outing

Greenwell tried to start a rally with a base hit to start the top of the eighth and Chuck Crim came in to pitch. Evans singled to center but Esasky flied out to center and Cerone banged into a double play to end the inning. Murphy sprinted out of the dugout to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Surhoff doubled to right to begin. Francona popped up to first and Surhoff was thrown out trying to steal third by Cerone. Gantner grounded out to second to end the inning.

Suddenly the Sox rallied in the top of the ninth as Rivera and Kutcher stoked back to back singles to start. Reed flied out to center and Romine grounded back to the mound, but Crim was lifted for Dan Plesac. Boggs beat out a little roller to short to score Rivera and Greenwell singled home Kutcher to put the tying run at third. Unfortunately Evans flied out to center to end the game. The Sox fought hard but the Brewers held on to win 5-4.

Jackass of the Night is Roger Clemens. Yes Murphy allowed the final two runs to score but had Clemens pitched better, the Sox may have won the game. As it was, he took the loss by allowing 5 runs in 6 1/3 innings.

                                                            Jackass Clemens

The Good:

Danny Heep was 1 for 2 with a walk and a run scored.

Kevin Romine was 1 for 2.

Wade Boggs was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

Mike Greenwell was 3 for 5 with an rbi.

Rich Gedman was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Luis Rivera was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Randy Kutcher was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Jody Reed was just 1 for 5 with an error but drove in a run.

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 5.

Nick Esasky was just 1 for 4.

Rick Cerone was 0 for 1 at the plate but threw out two runners trying to steal.

Rob Murphy allowed 2 inherited runners to score but none of his own in 1 2/3 innings.

Honorable Mention:

Dana Williams pinch ran for Gedman in the top of the seventh.

Final Thoughts:

That 9th inning was a sucker punch to the gonads. Not that the Sox would have won in extra innings guaranteed but with the way things are going this season, a win like that would bring much needed rapport back. The Sox just don't have the magic this season and its very evident. There's something wrong and the loss of Bruce Hurst couldn't hurt THAT much. Hopefully the Sox can turn it around this season or else they may go from first to worst like in 1987 again. Even Clemens looked mortal in this one and that's never a good thing. The loss dropped the Sox to 34-38, 7.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox look to bounce back when they send Mike Smithson (4-5) to the mound up against Teddy Higuera of the Brewers. The game begins at 8:05 PM Eastern time at Fenway Park.

Ryan Outduels Clemens, Rangers Beat Sox (4/30/89)

The good news is the Roger Clemens (3-1, 1.96 ERA) held the Texas Rangers to two runs in a complete game effort for the Boston Red Sox. The bad news was 42 year old Nolan Ryan held the Red Sox to just 1 run in 8 innings himself. Ryan left after 8 innings of 1 run ball and the Rangers rallied for two runs in the bottom of the eighth on a one out home run by Rafael Palmeiro. Rangers closer Jeff Russell slammed the door in the top of the ninth and the Rangers had beaten the Red Sox 2-1 at Arlington Stadium. Its been that kind of year so far.

                                                 Barnaby hates blown leads in the 8th

Ryan got the ball in the top of the first and Boggs drew a leadoff walk. Danny Heep forced Boggs at second and Ellis Burks took a fastball to the head and collapsed. Ellis had to be carried out on a stretcher and rushed to the local ICU as Randy Kutcher pinch ran for him. Both runners moved over on the grounder to second by Mike Greenwell before Boggs scored on the wild pitch by Ryan. Jim Rice hit a 380 foot out to the left field wall to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                 Burks gets knocked out

Clemens got the ball in the top of the first inning and Cecil Espy led off by taking a curveball down the middle for strike three. Scott Fletcher flied out to right and Clemens sent a message to the Rangers by brushing back Rafael Palmeiro before he walked. Ruben Sierra flied out to right to end the inning.

Nick Esasky led off the top of the second by striking out swinging before Rich Gedman flied flied out to center. Jody Reed reached when Scott Fletcher's throw pulled Palmeiro off the bag but Ed Romero flied out to the left field wall to end the inning. The red hot Julio Franco led off the bottom of the second with a grounder to third to start. Geno Petralli got a base hit to left and moved to second on the Rick Leach grounder. Steve Buechele was plunked unintentionally and Gedman trotted to the mound to tell Roger to calm the heck down. Jeff Stone grounded out to second to end the inning.

Boggs led off the top of the third by taking strike three to start. Heep whiffed but Kutcher drew a walk. Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning. Espy lined out to third to start the bottom of the third before Fletcher grounded out to short. Palmeiro grounded out to second to end the inning.

Rice led off the top of the fourth by getting plunked before moving to second on a passed ball. Esasky whiffed again before Gedman went down hacking. Reed took strike three to end the inning after the Rangers telecast said Reed struck out only 21 times in 1988. Sierra flied out to center to start the bottom of the fourth before Franco grounded out to short. Petralli dumped a base hit in front of Greenwell in left and Leach walked, but Buechele grounded into a force to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the fifth as Romero and Boggs grounded out to second to start. The Sox got their first hit when Heep dumped a single to right. Kutcher drew another walk but Greenwell popped up to left to end the inning.

                                                Ryan allowed just 1 hit through 5

Stone grounded out to second to start the bottom of the fifth before Espy also grounded out to second. Clemens blew away Fletcher to end the inning.

                                              Clemens gets it done through 5

Ryan turned up the heat in the top of the sixth as Rice whiffed to start. Esasky earned the hat trick with his third strikeout and Gedman also went down hacking to end the inning. Clemens matched Ryan by catching Palmeiro looking to start the bottom of the sixth. Sierra grounded out to first and Heep reached into the stands to corral a Franco fly out to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the seventh as Reed doubled just on the left field foul line to start. Romero failed to drop down a bunt but instead lashed a base hit to right. Sierra threw home but the throw was cut-off and Romero was caught in a rundown. Foolishly Reed tried for home and he got caught in a rundown. Reed motioned Romero to go to third but Ed didn't move from second and Reed was tagged out. Boggs was intentionally walked but Heep banged into a double play to end the inning. What the hell was Reed thinking?

                                                IDIOT!

Dwight Evans took over for Heep in the bottom of the seventh as Petralli took strike three to start. Leach whiffed but Buechele beat out a little roller to Romero for an infield single. Stone lined out to center to end the inning.

Ryan cruised in the top of the eighth as Kutcher swung at ball four to start. Greenwell flied out to right but Rice whiffed to end the inning. Ryan had thrown 136 pitches and allowed just the one run in 8 innings while striking out 11.

                                                     Ryan was tough

The Rangers took command in the bottom of the eighth as Espy dumped a base hit to left to start. Fletcher tried to bunt him over but popped up to first, but Palmeiro smashed a two run home run off the right field foul pole to give the Rangers the lead. Sierra flied out to center but Franco singled up the middle. Petralli took strike three to end the inning with the Rangers leading 2-1. Clemens went the distance but the two run home run was the difference in the game.

                                                 Dammit

Rangers closer Jeff Russell came on for the top of the ninth with Pete Incaviglia now in left field. Esasky earned the dubious golden sombrero with his fourth strikeout of the game to start. Gedman grounded out to second and Sam Horn pinch hit for Reed. Horn took strike three to end the game. The Rangers shocked the Sox to win the game 2-1.

                                                 Rangers win


Jackass of the Night is Nick Esasky. In a one run game he was 0 for 4 with a golden sombrero of 4 strikeouts.

                                                Golden Sombrero Jackass


The Good:

Ellis Burks had a hit by pitch before leaving.

Randy Kutcher walked twice in three plate appearances.

Ed Romero was 1 for 3.

One of the few times the losing pitcher ends up on the good list but Roger Clemens was outstanding. He threw a complete game 6 hitter with the one mistake being a two run homer by Palmeiro. He walked 2 and struck out 6.



The Bad:

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 4.

Rich Gedman was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Sam Horn struck out to end the game.



The Ugly:

Jim Rice was 0 for 3 but was plunked.

Wade Boggs was 0 for 2 but walked twice.

Jody Reed was 1 for 3 but got caught in a crucial rundown.

Danny Heep was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.



Honorable Mention:

Dwight Evans played right field in the final two innings.




Final Thoughts:

Well this game was a kick to the gonads. The Sox weren't going to get much off of Ryan and Clemens kept pace for 7 innings. One bad pitch to Palmeiro ended up being the difference in the game because the Sox ran themselves into outs and couldn't get a clutch hit when it counted. The Sox would have been shut out if it wasn't for a bad pitch by Ryan. The Rangers started out hot in the month of April and basically found ways to win all month, today was no different. The Sox have found ways to lose all month, today was also no different. The Sox better get things in gear because you're not going to win the AL East playing mediocre baseball. The loss dropped the Sox to 10-12 for the month of April, 1 game behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Clemens and Ryan are due to meet again next week at Fenway but tomorrow the Sox head to Minnesota to play a set with the Twins. Oil Can Boyd (1-1) goes for the Sox up against Allan Anderson of the Twins at 8:05 PM Eastern time at the Metrodome.