Betts and Price Trade Amended: Sox Get Verdugo, Downs, Wong (2/9/20)

On Tuesday the Boston Red Sox had traded superstar outfielder Mookie Betts and David Price to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Alex Verdugo of the Dodgers and Brusdar Graterol of the Minnesota Twins. The deal was nearly called off when it was revealed Graterol had failed his physical. With things falling apart, the Dodgers removed Graterol from the trade and instead sent the Sox infielder prospect Jeter Downs and catching prospect Connor Wong along with Verdugo.

                                                 Welcome to Boston

As mentioned last week, Verdugo is the 23 year old up and coming outfielder that hit .294 for the Dodgers last year. He's nowhere near the calibur of Betts, he's more in the mold of Andrew Benintendi. He may be the opening day right fielder if he has a good spring.

21 year old Jeter Downs was the Cincinnati Reds first round pick in 2017 that went to the Dodgers in the Yaisel Puig trade. In 2019 he hit 24 home runs and stole 24 bases between A and AA ball. He's a natural shortstop but could compete with Michael Chavis for the second base job in Spring Training. He also could be used for future trades since the Sox are all set at short with Xander Bogaerts.

23 year old Connor Wong was one of the Dodgers top rated catchers in their system. He won't be expected to make the majors this season but he gives the Sox depth at the catcher position which was one of their weaknesses. Like Downs, Wong also slugged 24 homers between A and AA ball in 2019.

Up in Boston, the Sox got incredibly worse now that Betts and Price are gone. The Sox still don't have pitching depth and without Price, their rotation is down to Chris Sale, Eduardo Rodriguez, Nathan Eovald, Martin Perez and pray for rain. As a franchise, this trade gives the Sox two fresh prospects to shore up a farm system that was depleted by Dave Dombrowski. As long as MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred goes easy on the Sox for the video room penalties, current Sox general manager Chaim Bloom has the upcoming draft to replenish the system. It seems like this is going to be a "lost year" and its a shame to lose a prime year for the young  offense because of the bad contracts that still haunt them. Hiring a manager before Spring Training starts would be nice too.

Red Sox Trade Mookie Betts and David Price to Los Angeles Dodgers (2/4/20)

In one of the darkest moments of Boston Red Sox history, the fallout of former general manager Dave Dombrowski culminated with the trade of superstar, MVP Mookie Betts and ace pitcher David Price to the Los Angeles Dodgers. When Dombrowski extended Nathan Eovaldi, Chris Sale and Steve Pearce, it put the Sox over the luxury tax. Sox owner John Henry told new general manager Chaim Bloom to unload the high priced duo to get under the tax. Almost 100 years to the day the Sox sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees, the Sox have traded their best player and second best pitcher. Betts and Price were instrumental in the 2018 World Series run, its a shame its all over now.

                                                               Good bye guys

So what did the Sox get in return? 23 year old outfielder Alex Verdugo from the Dodgers and 21 year old pitching prospect Brusdar Graterol from the Minnesota Twins. Verdugo hit .294 in his first full season with the Dodgers and is a few years younger than Betts, but he's nowhere close to the caliber of player Mookie is. Graterol is a flamethrower and was the Twins #3 ranked pitching prospect. These two players don't come anywhere close to what the Sox gave up and its embarrassing to the whole Red Sox organization.

                                               Welcome to Boston

Despite what ownership and the media will spin, this was purely a salary dump. The bad contracts to Pablo Sandoval, Rusney Castillo, Price and others have all led to this point. Betts wants to be paid 30 million a year and 400 total and the Sox simply couldn't afford it. As long as Verdugo doesn't implode like Allen Craig, Betts *could* be replaced by him. The Sox have a hole in their rotation now with Price gone. Sale, Eovaldi, Eduardo Rodriguez and Martin Perez are the 1-4 but now they have no idea who the 5th starter is. With Spring Training only days away, the Sox go into it without Mookie, Price or a manager. So much for this season....

Sox Outlast Angels, Gain Ground (9/1/19)

Before the game the September 1st roster expansion brought some old and new faces to the Boston Red Sox. Returning were Ryan Weber, Hector "The Insurance" Policy" Velazquez and Travis Lakins. New faces are Gorkys Hernandez, Juan Centeno and Jhoulys Chacin. David Price was removed from the Injured List to start today's game as well. Hernandez is a career minor leaguer that managed to hit 15 homers and drive in 40 last year for the San Fransico Giants. Chacin was 3-10 with the Brewers this year before being released and Centeno is another light hitting backup catcher. None of these guys brought up with the exception of Lakins and possibly Weber are guys that could be difference makers.

                                                                    IN

As for the game, another case of the Sox scoring a bunch of runs early and taking the night off offensively. David Price returned from the Injured List for 2 innings before Sox manager Alex Cora used today's callups to navigate after. Xander Bogaerts and JD Martinez both homered to put the Sox up 4-0 on the Los Angeles Angels before the bullpen nearly gave it away. With the season on the line, Brandon Workman slammed the door to give the Sox a much earned road win 4-3 at Angels Stadium.

                                                 War Machine approves of the win

The Sox wasted no time scoring in the top of the first inning against Angels starter Andrew Heaney. Mr. Mookie Betts lined a base hit to center to start before moving to second on a wild pitch. The ice cold Rafael Devers popped up to third but a wild pitch moved Betts to third. Xander Bogaerts scored Betts with a base hit to left before JD Martinez walked. Sam Travis banged into a double play to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 1-0.

                                                   Bogaerts drives a run in

The returning Price got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and David Fletcher grounded out to short to start. Mike Trout whiffed on a full count but Brian Goodwin hit a ground rule double to right. Albert Pujols flied out to right to end the inning but Price was up to 22 pitches already.

Andrew Benintendi lined out to center to start the top of the second before Christian Vazquez popped up to third. Brock "The Hitman" Holt lined a base hit to center but Gorkys Hernandez made his Sox debut by whiffing to end the inning. Price froze Justin Upton for strike three to start the bottom of the second before Kole Calhoun walked on a full count. Andrelton Simmons flied out to center before Calhoun swiped second. Luis Rengifo flied out to right to end the inning but Price was done. Once again in the middle of a pennant race, Cora decided to shelve his starter after a few innings.

                                                 Short and sweet for Price

The Sox struck again in the top of the third inning although Mr. Mookie grounded out to short to start. Devers singled to left before Bogaerts clubbed his 31st home run of the year. Martinez added his 34th home run to go back to back before Travis looked at strike three. Benintendi grounded out to first inning but the Sox had a 4-0 lead.

                                                                Back to back

The lead didn't last long when Price was lifted for the returning Travis Lakins. Max Stassi grounded out to short and Fletcher flied out to right, but Trout singled to center. Goodwin singled to left and Pujols pounded a ground rule double to the left field stands to score Trout. Upton grounded out to end the inning but the Angels were coming back down 4-1.

The Sox went quietly in the top of the fourth as Vazquez lined out to left to begin. Holt grounded out to second and Fletcher snuffed out a bunt attempt by Hernandez to end the inning. The Angels struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Calhoun walked to start. Simmons flied out to right but Rengifo singled Calhoun to third. Stassi scored Calhoun with a sac fly and Fletcher singled Rengifo to third. Trout popped up to first to end the inning but it was 4-2 Sox.

The futility on offense continued as Mr. Mookie flied out to left to start the top of the fifth. Devers whiffed but Bogaerts doubled to left. Martinez was intentionally walked and naturally Travis whiffed to end the inning. The returning Ryan Weber got Goodwin to ground out to first to start the bottom of the fifth before Pujols hit one up the elevator shaft. Upton flied out to left to end the inning.

Miguel Del Pozo came in for the top of the sixth inning and Benintendi whiffed to start. Vazquez whiffed but Holt walked. Naturally Hernandez grounded out to first to end the inning. Weber returned for the bottom of the sixth and whiffed Calhoun to start. Simmons lined out to center but Rengifo doubled. Shohei Ohtani pinch hit for Stassi and walked but Fletcher flied out to center to end the inning.

Former Sox pitcher Daniel Bard's younger brother Luke came in to pitch the top of the seventh with Kevan Smith now behind the plate. Mr. Mookie grounded out to first before Devers singled to right. Bogaerts banged into a double play to end the inning. To give his tired bullpen a breather, Cora brought in another call up, Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez, for the bottom of the seventh to unexpected results. Trout walked after Travis dropped a pop up but Travis redeemed himself by snaring a line drive off the bat of Goodwin, doubling off Trout. Somehow Velazquez whiffed Trout to end the inning.

The Sox ineptitude continued in the top of the eighth as Martinez whiffed to start. Mitch Moreland pinch hit for Travis but Adalberto Mejia came in to strike him out. Benintendi somehow worked a walk but naturally Vazquez hit a piece of crap liner to second to end the inning. The Angels continued the comeback in the bottom of the eighth inning against Matt Barnes as Upton effortlessly homered to dead center to start. Calhoun whiffed and Simmons grounded out to second before Justin Bour pinch hit for Rengifo. Barnes whiffed Bour on a full count to end the inning but the Angels inched closer down 4-3.

                                                         Dammit Barnes

Matt Thais came in to play third with Hansel Robles on to pitch the top of the ninth. Holt whiffed to start before Jackie Bradley Jr pinch hit for Hernandez only to fly out to center. Mr. Mookie whiffed to end the inning. The Sox offense scored 4 runs on 6 hits in the first three innings and had 2 hits the rest of the game, pathetic. The Angels had one last chance tocomplete the comeback in the bottom of the ninth against Sox closer Brandon Workman. Workman did manage to blow away Smith to start. before Fletcher popped up to Moreland in foul territory. Trout was plunked to put the winning run on but Goodwin flied out to center to end the game. The Sox had won it 4-3, avenging their loss last night.

                                                              Big win


Hero of the Night is Xander Bogaerts. He drove in 3 total runs including belting a 2 run home run.

                                                 X-Hero


The Good:

Rafael Devers was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

JD Martinez was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and a solo home run.

Brock Holt was 1 for 3 with a walk.

David Price pitched 2 scoreless innings.

Ryan Weber tossed 2 scoreless innings.

Hector Velazquez pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Brandon Workman earned his 10th save with a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

Sam Travis was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Mitch Moreland struck out as a pinch hitter.

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Gorkys Hernandez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Jackie Bradley Jr flied out as a pinch hitter.

Travis Lakins allowed 2 runs in 2 innings.

Matt Barnes allowed a run in the 8th inning.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.




Final Thoughts:

Believe it or not but the Sox are not dead yet. The New York Yankees did their job by beating the Oakland A's and the Cleveland Indians lost to the Tampa Bay Rays so the Sox inched closer in the wild card race. Cora and general manager Dave Dombrowski are doing all they can to sabotage each other it seems yet the Sox are still on life support. Dombrowski's callups wouldn't scare a Triple A team and Cora taking out Price after two innings was ridiculous. If it wasn't for the MVP caliber seasons of Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers and the sudden power surge of JD Martinez, the Sox would have been dead after the 8 game losing streak. The Sox are gonna have to earn their playoff spot next week because they play the AL Central leading Minnesota Twins with the Yankees right behind them. Whether or not they make the playoffs will be decided next week. As for today, another win but they looked awful in the process. The win improved the Sox to 74-63, 5 games behind the Indians for the second wild card spot. After an off-day Monday the Sox are back in action Tuesday night against the AL Central division leading Twins. "Slick" Rick Porcello (12-10, 5.42) goes for the Sox as the Twins starter hasn't been named yet. The game begins Tuesday night at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Yankees Bomb Price, Sweep Sox (8/4/19)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. David Price was activated from Paternity Leave to make tonight's start against the New York Yankees. Ryan Weber was also brought up for the game as Josh Smith, Colten Brewer and Marco Hernandez were all sent back to Pawtucket. Good riddance.

                                                                       OUT

                                                                     IN

As for the game, say hello to the new beast of the AL East, the New York Yankees. Tonight the Yankees effectively put the Sox out of their misery by completing a 4 game sweep to knock the Sox out of AL East contention. David Price (7-5, 4.36 ERA) couldn't escape the chants of "Who's Your Daddy" as he lit yet another egg in Yankee Stadium. Price lasted just 2 2/3 innings while allowing 7 runs. The Sox tried to fight back with 4 runs of their own and the bullpen tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings, but it wouldn't be enough. The Yankees bullpen tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings of their own to sweep the Sox out of Yankee Stadium 7-4.

                                                   New York Post counts out the Sox

Yankees starter JA Happ laughed at the Sox in the top of the first as Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to second to start. Rafael Devers flied out to center and Xander Bogaerts grounded out to third to end the inning. The Yankees instantly tagged Price in the bottom of the first amidst thunderous "Who's your daddy?" chants. Gleyber Torres grounded out to third but Aaron Judge hit a home run all the way to Neptune to put the Yankees up for good. Didi Gregorius singled to left but Gio Urshela lined out to left. Brett Gardner flied out to left to end the inning with the Yankees up 1-0.

                                               Judge hits one to another planet

JD Martinez tried to rally the Sox with a base hit to left to start the top of the second but Sam Travis banged into a double play. Andrew Benintendi flied out to right to end the inning. Price settled down in the bottom of the second as Cameron Maybin struck out swinging to start. Mike Ford grounded out to second but Kyle Higashioka doubled to left. Mike Tauchman whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the third as Christian Vazquez flied out to center to start. Michael Chavis singled to center but Jackie Bradley Jr swung and missed at strike three. Mr. Mookie singled to right but Devers grounded out to first to end the inning. The Yankees knocked out Price in the bottom of the third although Torres whiffed to start. Judge walked but Gregorius flied out to left. Urshela then hit a home run into the Baltic Sea to increase the lead. Gardner doubled to right and Maybin doubled him home. Ford singled home Maybin and Higashioka doubled to left. Tauchman singled home Ford and Torres walked. FINALLY, Sox manager Alex Cora pulled the plug on Price. The incompetent starter lasted just 2 2/3 innings while allowing 7 runs. Darwinzon Hernandez came in and got Judge to ground into a force to end the innings with the Yankees ahead 7-0.

                                                   Price can't beat the Yankees

The Sox rolled over in the top of the fourth as Bogaerts grounded out to second to start. Martinez and Travis flied out to center to end the inning. Gregorius grounded out to second to begin the bottom of the fourth but Urshela and Gardner drew back to back walks. Both runners moved over on the grounder by Maybin but Ford lined out to center to end the inning.

The Sox finally fought back in the top of the fifth although Benintendi grounded out to third to start. Vazquez blasted his 17th home run of the year to put the Sox on the board and Chavis smoked his 18th of the year immediately after. JBJ was plunked but Mr. Mookie banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox down 7-2.

                                                 Back to back Jacks

Ryan Weber came on for the bottom of the fifth and Higashioka whiffed to start. Tauchman flied out to left and Torres grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox fought back in the top of the sixth although Devers lined out to center to start. Bogaerts whiffed but Martinez singled to right. Travis walked and a wild pitch moved both runners over. Benintendi then singled home both runners to chase Happ. Luis Cessa came in and walked Vazquez to somehow bring the tying run to the plate....but Chavis whiffed to end the inning with the Sox down 7-4.

                                                          Benintendi drives in a pair

Weber did his part in the bottom of the sixth as Judge grounded out to third to start. Gregorius popped up to third and Urshela grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

The Sox gave up in the top of the seventh as JBJ whiffed to start. Mr. Mookie flied out to center and Devers flied out to right to end the inning. Weber got Gardner to line out to center to start the bottom of the seventh but Maybin pounded a ground rule double to right. Maybin moved to third on the Ford grounder but Higashioka struck out swinging to end the inning.

DJ LeMahieu came in for Torres to start the top of the eighth and Bogaerts struck out swinging to start. Martinez flied out to right and Travis grounded out to short to end the inning. Weber finished with a flurry in the bottom of the eighth as Tauchman lined out to left to start. LeMahieu lined out to right and Judge grounded out to short to end the inning. Weber was outstanding by tossing 4 shutout innings to keep the Sox in the game.

                                                         Good work by Weber

Breyvic Valera came in for Urshela for the top of the ninth and Chad Green came in to close out the game. Benintendi grounded back to the mound before Vazquez grounded out to first. Brock "The Hitman" Holt pinch hit for Chavis and walked, but JBJ whiffed again to end the game. The Yankees had swept the Sox out of Yankee Stadium with a 7-4 win.

                                                       Yankees win

 

Jackass of the Night is David Price. The "ace" got lit up for 7 runs in just 2 2/3 innings. He allowed 9 hits, 2 walks and two home runs.

                                                      Thanks a lot, Jackass

The Good:

JD Martinez was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Christian Vazquez was 1 for 3 with a walk and a home run.

Michael Chavis was 2 for 3 with a home run.

Brock Holt walked as a pinch hitter.

Darwinzon Hernandez tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Ryan Weber tossed 4 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Rafael Devers was 0 for 4.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4.

Sam Travis was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.

Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4 but knocked in two runs.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but was hit with a pitch.

Final Thoughts:

The Red Sox deserved this beat down. They came into the season lazy and unready, getting off to a slow start. The starting pitching never got on track and the bullpen was even worse. Sox general manager Dave Dombrowski laid an egg by not only not replacing Joe Kelly and Craig Kimbrel, but by making only one acquisition all season. He sat on his hands at the trade deadline and the Yankees just pissed all over the Red Sox. David Price can't pitch in Yankee Stadium to save his life and the Sox offense can't touch the Yankee bullpen. The only way the Sox are gonna get back in the race is to do the same thing the 1978 Yankees did to the Red Sox.....but that ain't happening. The stars would have to align to revert back to last year and that's not happening. The Yankees are clearly hungrier, more vicious and healthier. There's still 48 games left in the season but the Yankees effectively knocked out the Red Sox, there's no other way to say it. It closely resembles the 5 game sweep in August of 2006, the Sox are in danger of meeting a similar fate. The loss dropped the Sox to 59-55, 14.5 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to regroup when they begin a set at home with the Kansas City Royals. "Slick" Rick Porcello (9-8, 6.44 ERA) tries to rebound against Mike Montgomery of the Royals. The first game of the series begins tomorrow night at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Rays Edge Sox in Crucial Series Opener (7/30/19)

Dammit! Dammit! Dammit! After the Boston Red Sox won 5 out of 7 games against the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays, it gave fans a glimmer of hope that the Sox are coming back into contention. That hope was just fools gold as the Rays undid a week's worth of good with a narrow victory over the Sox. David Price got knocked out in the fifth inning and the Rays took a 4-3 lead. Andrew Benintendi's 2 run homer gave the Sox the lead back but the worthless Red Sox bullpen coughed up the lead in the top of the sixth. The Sox had 2 men on in the seventh inning, the bases loaded in the eighth and two more men on in the ninth but couldn't get the clutch hit to tie the game. The Sox can score 12 runs a game if they score first but when they fall behind in the later innings, they suddenly forget how to drive in runs. It all added up to a bitter 6-5 defeat to the Rays at Fenway Park.

Price got the ball in the bottom of the first and Matt Duffy walked to start. Duffy got picked off by Vazquez but Travis d'Arnaud singled to right. Austin Meadows and Avisail Garcia both struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the first against Charlie Morton as Mr. Mookie Betts walked to start. Rafael Devers popped up to third and Xander Bogaerts popped up to short but JD Martinez singled Betts to third. Andrew Benintendi walked to load the bases and Mitch Moreland lashed a base hit to right to score Betts and Bogaerts. Christian Vazquez flied out to center to end the inning but it was 2-0 Sox.

                                                         Moreland drives in a pair

Michael Brosseau lined out to right to start the top of the second but Nate Lowe singled to center. Willy Adames forced Lowe at second and Guillermo Heredia flied out to right to end the inning. Brock "The Hitman" Holt lined out to right to start the bottom of the second and Jackie Bradley Jr popped up to third. Mr. Mookie lined out to left to end the inning.

The Rays struck back in the top of the third although Mike Zunino struck out swinging to begin. Duffy doubled to left but d'Arnaud went down hacking. Meadows tripled over the head of Betts to score Duffy to cut the lead. Garcia struck out swinging to end the inning with the Rays down 2-1.

                                                              Incoming triple

The Sox got the run back in the bottom of the third as Devers singled to center to begin. Bogaerts singled to right to move Devers to third but Martinez went down hacking. Benintendi grounded a base hit to right to score Devers and move Bogaerts to third. Moreland banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1.

                                                      Big hit for Benintendi

Brosseau walked to start the top of the fourth and Devers dropped a double play relay throw by Moreland for an error hit by Lowe. Adames took strike three but Heredia hit a seeing eye single to left to load the bases. Zunino took strike three and Duffy whiffed to end the inning. Vazquez doubled to center to begin the bottom of the fourth but Holt flied out to left. JBJ struck out swinging and Mr. Mookie grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Rays pounced on Price in the top of the fifth as d'Arnaud led off with a home run all the way to Saturn to cut the lead. Meadows took strike three but Garcia hit a home run all the way to Jupiter to tie the game. Brosseau singled and Lowe double him to third to chase the incompetent Price from the game. Price lasted just 4 1/3 innings and would be charged with 4 runs. Marcus Walden came in and Eric Sogard pinch hit for Adames. Sogard grounded out to second but Brosseau scored to give the Rays the lead. Heredia flied out to right to end the inning with Tampa ahead 4-3.

                                                    Price sucked again

 

The Sox rallied in the bottom of the fifth as Devers singled to center to start. Bogaerts popped up to second and Martinez lined out to center to chase Morton from the game. Rays manager Kevin Cash wanted Adam Kolarek to pitch to Benintendi and Andrew made him pay by swatting his 11th home run of the year to give the Sox the lead back. Moreland grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-4.

                                                                 Benintendi goes yard

Things fell apart in the top of the sixth although Zunino grounded out to second to start. Duffy grounded out to first but d'Arnaud walked to chase Walden. Josh Taylor was brought in to face Meadows and Austin singled to right. Colten Brewer was brought in to face Garcia and Avisail doubled over the head of Bradley to clear the bases and give the Rays the lead. Brosseau popped up to short to end the inning with the Rays ahead 6-5. The Sox bullpen had three chances to get one out and blew all three of them.

                                                     Rays take the lead

The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the sixth as Vazquez lined out to right to start. Holt grounded out to third and JBJ lined out to left to end the inning.

Darwinzon Hernandez came in for the top of the seventh and Lowe took strike three to start. Sogard took strike three and Heredia grounded out to short to end the inning. Diego Castillo came in for the bottom of the seventh and Mr. Mookie struck out swinging to start. Devers doubled to center but Bogaerts flied out to left. Martinez walked to chase Castillo and Colin Poche came in to face Benintendi. Andrew struck out to end the inning.

Nathan Eovaldi came in for the top of the eighth and Zunino struck out swinging to start. Duffy singled to right but d'Arnaud went down hacking. Meadows walked but Garcia struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the eighth with Chaz Roe now on the mound. Sam Travis pinch hit for Moreland and doubled to center but Vazquez struck out swinging. Oliver Drake came in to pitch to Vazquez and he walked him. JBJ lined out to third and Emilio Pagan came in to face Mr. Mookie. Betts beat out an infield single to load the bases but Devers lined out to left to end the inning. What a waste.

                                                 Devers can't believe it

Matt Barnes came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Brosseau struck out swinging to start. Lowe grounded out to third but Sogard walked. Heredia flied out to right to end the inning. Bogaerts flied out to right to begin the bottom of the ninth and Martinez struck out swinging. Benintendi singled to left and Travis singled Benintendi to third to put the tying run 90 feet away. Vazquez flied out to Meadows to end the game. The Rays had held on to win it 6-5.

                                                          Dammit

Jackass of the Night is Colten Brewer. He gave up the double to Garcia that put the Rays up for good.

                                                   Brewer the Jackass

The Good:

Rafael Devers was 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

Andrew Benintendi was 3 for 4 with 3 total rbis, a walk and a 2 run homer.

Mitch Moreland was 1 for 3 with 2 rbis.

Sam Travis was 2 for 2 at the plate.

Darwinzon Hernandez pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

Nathan Eovaldi pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

David Price was horrible, allowing 4 runs in just 4 1/3 innings in a crucial game.

Marcus Walden was charged with a run in 1 1/3 innings.

Josh Taylor gave up a hit to the only man he faced.

The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 5.

JD Martinez was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked and scored a run.

Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 5 at the plate.

Brock Holt was 0 for 3 but walked.

Final Thoughts:

All that momentum build up last week gone in just one game. The Sox had a great chance to get back in the AL East race by knocking off the Rays tonight for momentum but couldn't get the clutch hit when it counted. Not only did Price crap the bed in a big game situation but the bullpen failed as well. Walden, Taylor and Brewer all had one out to get and none of them could get it. After that the Sox couldn't drive in a run if their lives depended on it. It all added up to one of the most frustrating games of the season considering the stakes involved. The Sox could have blown past the Rays and gain ground on the New York Yankees if they swept this series but they just dropped the first game. Its nice to see Benintendi contribute and the Sox bullpen in the later innings stepped up, but everything else in the game made Sox fans want to pull their hair out. If the bullpen's misfire doesn't convince Sox GM Dave Dombrowski to make a move for another pitcher before tomorrow's deadline, I don't know what will. The offense has been there all season but the Sox desperately need another pitcher to salvage the season. The loss dropped the Sox to 59-49, 9 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to rebound when "Slick" Rick Porcello (9-7) takes on Ryan Yarbrough of the Rays tomorrow night in the second game of this series. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Morton Outduels Price, Rays Beat Sox (7/24/19)

Normally taking 2 of 3 from the Tampa Bay Rays would be a good thing, but not this time. The Boston Red Sox took a huge step back in their quest to get back in the AL East race when they dropped a close game to the Rays. Charlie Morton held the Sox to just 2 runs in 7 innings. David Price (7-4, 3.66 ERA) was game but wasn't good enough. Rafael Devers put the Sox on top but Tommy Pham hit a moonshot off Price and Guillermo Heredia knocked in the go-ahead run in the fifth inning. The Rays shut out the Sox the rest of the way and the Sox now limp into the big series with the New York Yankees after dropping a 3-2 decision at Tropicana Field.

                                                        "Damn Rays!"

Morton got the ball in the top of the first and Mr. Mookie Betts flied out to right to start. Rafael Devers struck out swinging and Xander Bogaerts lined out to left to end the inning. Price got the ball in the bottom of the first and Travis d'Arnaud popped up to second but Tommy Pham walked and stole second. Price froze Austin Meadows for strike three and got Avisail Garcia looking at strike three to end the inning.

JD Martinez tried to start a rally in the top of the second with a little roller to first for a "hit" but Andrew Benintendi hit one up the elevator shaft. Mitch Moreland flied out to center and Christian Vazquez grounded out to second to end the inning. Price cruised in the bottom of the second as Matt Duffy grounded out to short to start. Michael Brosseau flied out to right and Joey Wendle lined out to left to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the third when Brock "The Hitman" Holt blooped a single to left to start. Jackie Bradley Jr struck out swinging but Mr. Mookie doubled to left. Rafael Devers put the Sox on top with a roller into left to score both runners. Devers moved to second on the grounder by Bogaerts but Martinez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                Devers gives the Sox the lead

Guillermo Heredia took strike three to start the bottom of the third and Mike Zunino popped up to short. d'Arnaud took strike three to end the inning.

Morton dominated from here on as Benintendi whiffed badly to start the top of the fourth. Moreland grounded out to second and Vazquez struck out swinging. The Rays started their comeback in the bottom of the fourth as Pham hit a home run to Cuba to start. Meadows struck out swinging, Garcia lined out to second and Duffy went down hacking to end the inning with the Rays down 2-1.

                                                Rays are back in it

Holt took strike to start the top of the fifth and JBJ struck out swinging. Mr. Mookie flied out to right to end the inning. The Rays took command in the bottom of the fifth when Brosseau singled to center to start. Brosseau scored all the way from first on a base hit from Wendle and Wendle scored the go-ahead run on a double by Heredia. Zunino took strike three but d'Arnaud walked. Pham looked to have beat out a double play but Sox manager Alex Cora challenged the call. Sure enough, replays showed Pham was out to end the inning. The Rays had taken the lead 3-2.

                                                         Wendle scores the go-ahead run

Devers struck out swinging to open the top of the sixth and Bogaerts popped up to first. Martinez singled to center but Benintendi took strike three to end the inning. Price came back for one last inning in the bottom of the sixth and Meadows grounded back to him to start. Garcia grounded out to second and Duffy took strike three to end the inning. Price battled but left trailing as he allowed 3 runs in 6 innings.

                                              Good but not good enough

The Sox failed to pick up Price in the top of the seventh as Moreland and Vazquez both took strike three to begin. Holt flied out to left to end the inning. Heath Hembree came in to throw up on himself in the bottom of the seventh as Brosseau flied out to left to begin. Wendle doubled to center but Heredia flied out to left. Ji-Man Choi pinch hit for Zunino and Hembree just intentionally walked him. That was it for Hembree as Colten Brewer came in to walk d'Arnaud to load the bases. Pham grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Rays pulled off some chicanery in the top of the eighth as Adam Kolarek took the mound for Tampa. Sam Travis pinch hit for JBJ and popped up to first. Rays manager Kevin Cash then brought in Chaz Roe to pitch to Mr. Mookie but put Kolarek at first for the one play. The gamble worked as Mr. Mookie flied out to left. Cash then sent Nate Lowe to play first and brought Kolarek back in to pitch, causing Sox manager Alex Cora to storm out of the dugout with a golf club and started whacking the ground with it demanding an explanation. Apparently Cash sacrificed the DH by having Roe take Choi's spot in the batting order and Kolarek replaced Meadows when he took first. When Lowe came in, he took Roe's spot at first and Kolarek would now be hitting third. Alex kicked the dirt and said the Sox will be playing the rest of the game under protest. When play resumed, Devers grounded out to first to end the inning.

                                            "What the HELL is going on??" - Cora

Josh Taylor came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Willy Adames pinch hit for Kolarek, prompting Cora to come out of the dugout again. The umpires told him to beat it so Cora threw sunflower seeds at them. Adames took strike three when play resumed but Garcia walked. Duffy struck out swinging and Brosseau lined out to center to end the inning.

Emilio Pagan came in to pitch with Adames going to short, Wendle going to second and apparently Pagan took Brosseau's spot in the batting order to begin the top of the ninth. Cora just threw up his hands and said to hell with it. Bogaerts struck out swinging, Martinez went down hacking and Benintendi grounded out to short to end the game. The Rays had won it 3-2.

                                                      "I protest, brother!" - Cora

Jackass of the Night is Xander Bogaerts. He was 0 for 4 with a strikeout in the ninth in a one run game.

                                                 "Out of the way, Jackass" - Devers

The Good:

JD Martinez was 2 for 4.

Brock Holt was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Colten Brewer retired the only man he faced.|

Josh Taylor pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Mitch Moreland was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts.

Sam Travis was 0 for 1.

The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 with a run scored.

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 but drove in 2 runs.

David Price took the loss but only allowed 3 runs in 6 innings of work.

Heath Hembree left two inherited runners for Brewer in 2/3 of an inning.

Final Thoughts:

This game was a complete kick to the junk because not only did the Rays pull out every trick in the book to win this game, they actually DID win the game. Everything they did worked and the Sox were lifeless through most of it. Its only July but this is Boston's best chance to cut into the AL East lead, the Sox can't afford to be losing games to the New York Yankees and Rays at this point. It also would help if Sox GM Dave Dombrowski did something, ANYTHING to spark the team. With Eduardo Nunez gone, the Sox are banking on Sam Travis being the bat off the bench and so far he's failed at that. Andrew Cashner has failed to impress as a starter and Price just wasn't good enough today. The Sox better kick it into high gear as the trade deadline approaches because if they fall too far out of the race, they're not coming back. The loss dropped the Sox to 56-47, 11 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox now come home to face the Yankees in a crucial four game set. "Slick" Rick Porcello (8-7) looks to get the job done against Masahiro Tanaka of the Yankees tomorrow night at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park