Pomeranz Pounded, Astros Take 2-0 Lead (10/6/17)

Talk about an absolute embarrassment the Boston Red Sox have become in the past two weeks. After collapsing down the stretch and nearly gagging away the Division title, the Sox once again laid down and died to the Houston Astros in Game 2 of the ALDS. This time Drew Pomeranz crapped his pants and Dallas Keuchel shut down the anemic Red Sox offense. To add injury to insult, Mookie Betts had to be carried out on a stretcher after re-injuring his wrist. The Sox are beat up, they're exhausted, they can't pitch, they can't hit and they lost 8-2 to the Astros at Minute Maid Park to put them one loss away from elimination.

Keuchel began his dominance in the top of the first inning as Xander Bogaerts grounded out to third to start. Dustin Pedroia somehow drew a walk but was erased on the Andrew Benintendi force. Mookie Betts miraculously doubled but Hanley Ramirez grounded out to third to end the inning. The Astros wasted no time scoring in the bottom of the first although George Springer grounded out to second to start. Alex Bregman flied out to right but Jose Altuve singled. Carlos Correa then blasted a 7,399 foot home run halfway to Oklahoma to give the Astros the lead. Evan Gattis flied out to center to end the inning but the Astros led 2-0.

                                               Correa's blast puts the Astros on top

The Sox tried to fight back when Chris Young doubled and stole third to start the top of the second inning before Christian Vazquez walked. Deven Marrero whiffed but Jackie Bradley Jr singled to score Young to put the Sox on the board. With Keuchel on the run,  Bogaerts and Pedroia both whiffed to end the inning. The Sox were down 2-1 but squandered a huge chance to take the lead.

                                              JBJ's single puts the Sox back in it

Surprisingly Pomeranz didn't poop himself just yet in the bottom of the second inning as Josh Reddick flied out to left to begin. Yuli Gurriel walked but Marwin Gonzalez whiffed. Brian McCann popped up to short to end the inning.

The Sox offense gave up in the top of the third as Beintendi flied out to center, Betts grounded out to second and Ramirez looked at strike three to end the inning. The rout continued as Springer blasted a 937 foot bomb out of Minute Maid Park to increase the lead and Bregman doubled high off the wall. Altuve singled home Bregman and that was it for Pomeranz. The Sox most improved pitcher of 2017 reverted to 2016 and gave up 4 runs in just 2 plus innings. What good is a season of improvement if he melts in the playoffs?

                  Pomeranz attacks the Gatorade with more ferocity than he did the Astros

Sox manager John Farrell tied his luck with Carson Smith but he walked Correa and Gattis to load the bases. Smith managed to get Reddick to line out to a diving Marrero, but Farrell stormed out of the dugout with a broadsword and chased away Smith as David Price chugged in from the bullpen. Guriel popped up to short and Gonzalez hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning with the Astros up 4-1.

The Sox gave up in the top of the fourth inning as Young lined out to short, Vazquez whiffed and Marrero struck out to end the inning. Price returned for the bottom of the fourth and got McCann to ground out to second but Springer doubled. Price recovered to get Bregman to ground out to second before Altuve was finally intentionally walked. Correa popped up to second to end the inning.

Keuchel dominated the top of the fifth as JBJ hit a comebacker to the mound, Bogaerts flied out to center and Pedroia grounded out to short to end the inning. Price finished with a flurry in the bottom of the fifth as Gattis was rung up for strike three to start. Reddick whiffed and Guriel grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the sixth as Benintendi grounded out to first to start before Betts whiffed  Ramirez drew a walk to chase Keuchel after he had retired 14 in a row. Chris Devenski came in and Mitch Moreland pinch hit for Young....just to pop up to short to end the inning. The wheels fell off in the bottom of the sixth as Farrell decided to go with Eduardo Rodriguez of all people. Gonzalez greeted him with a single and McCann was plunked. Farrell sprinted out of the dugout ripping his shirt open and throwing his hat at Rodriguez, screaming at him to get out of there. Addison Reed came in to stop the bleeding but ended up pouring salt in the wound as Springer beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners. Bregman hit a short pop up to Betts who caught it...then spiked the ball and did the boogie woogie not realizing there were only 2 outs, scoring Gonzalez on the error. Altuve was intentionally walked again and this time Correa made the Sox pay with a 2 run double. Gattis singled in Correa but Reddick grounded out to end the inning with the Astros once again humiliating the Sox 8-1.

                                                    More runs.....again

Somehow Vazquez singled for the Sox first hit in 4 innings to open the top of the seventh. Rafael Devers pinch hit for Marrero...just to look at strike three. JBJ lined out to center and Bogaerts grounded out to short to end the inning. Once again the horrendous Red Sox offense failed to show up in an important game. Austin Maddox came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Guriel greeted him with a single. Gonzalez flied out to right and McCann singled. Springer walked to load the bases but Maddox got Bregman to pop up for the second out. With no choice but to pitch to Altuve, Maddox somehow struck him out to end the inning. That and Price were about the only highlights of this dreary game.

Luke Gregerson came in to pitch the top of the eighth inning and Pedroia met him with an infield single. Brock Holt pinch ran for the gimpy Pedroia but Benintendi whiffed. Betts flied out to left and fell to the ground in agony clutching his wrist. He had to be carried out on a stretcher to add injury to insult. Ramirez whiffed to end the inning. Losing Nunez and Betts to injury pretty much means the season is about to come to a crashing halt.

Rajai Davis took over in right as Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth just to keep fresh. Correa lined out to left and the ageless Carlos Beltran pinch hit for Gattis....and singled. Cameron Maybin pinch hit for Reddick and Derek Fisher pinch ran for Beltran. Maybin lined out to center and Guriel whiffed to end the inning.

Thankfully the disaster ended in the top of the ninth with closer Ken Giles in the game to get some work in as well. Somehow the Sox rallied as Moreland lined out to left but Vazquez singled. Devers popped up to third but a wild pitch moved Vazquez to second. JBJ stroked a lucky single to score Vaz just to piss off the fans. Bogaerts whiffed to end the game and the Astros had won 2 in a row by a score of 8-2 to put the Sox on the brink.

Jackass of the Night should be John Farrell for his idiotic pitching changes but it has to be Drew Pomeranz. He lasted just 2 plus innings and gave up 4 runs after having a tremendous bounce back season. If he and Chris Sale can't get the Astros out, how can anyone else?

                                            Walk away you Jackass


The Good:

Dustin Pedroia was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Chris Young was 1 for 2 with a run scored.

Christian Vazquez was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis.

David Price tossed 2 2/3 clutch scoreless innings to keep the Sox in the game.

Austin Maddox pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Craig Kimbrel pitched a scoreless 8th inning.



The Bad:

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Mitch Moreland was 0 for 2 as a pinch hitter.

Deven Marrero was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts.

Rafael Devers was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Eduardo Rodriguez gave up a hit and hit a man.

Addison Reed allowed 2 inherited runners to score and 2 of his own.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 before being carried out on a stretcher.

Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 3 but walked.

Carson Smith put 2 of the 3 men he faced on base.



Honorable Mention:

Brock Holt pinch ran for Dustin Pedroia and played second.

Rajai Davis came in for Mookie Betts.




Final Thoughts:

Holy mother of ass this is BAD. Last year sucked against Cleveland but at least Game's 1 and 3 were competitive. This has been two straight blowouts that weren't even close. The Astros have 16 runs off 24 hits and 6 home runs. The Red Sox have 4 runs on 15 hits and zero home runs. Seriously, Jose Altuve could go 0 for 4 in Game 3 and still finish with more home runs than the ENTIRE RED SOX TEAM. Add in the injuries to Eduardo Nunez and you have a tired, exhausted, beaten team that seems to be ready to simply go home. Dustin Pedroia made some post-game comments about getting their asses kicked two games in a row with no end in sight. Mookie Betts also made comments that made it sound like they have no chance in hell. Not exactly Kevin Millar saying "Don't let us win tonight." Also Game 3 could be the last for John Farrell. Not that he was the sole reason the Sox lost, he wasn't, but somebody has to pay for back to back collapses at the end and a 3 game sweep both years. It sounds like I'm admitting defeat before Game 3 even begins, but I'm not the only one. Most Boston radio personalities, beat writers, sport writers and hundreds of fans all share the same sentiment. This was by far the most frustrating season in 25 years to have a pitching staff THIS talented and an offense THIS bad. The only team that comes close is the 1992 Red Sox who talent wise was far worse on offense. Even in the 1960's when the Red Sox were routinely terrible, they had a lot of offensive talent but not enough pitching. Even in the 1970's when they had Hall of Fame and All-Star offense, once again there was not enough pitching. Now its the complete opposite. Dave Dombrowski and John Henry have a lot of work to do in the off-season but for now there's still Game 3 to play. This Sunday the Sox rest their season on the right arm of....Doug Fister. Who saw that coming in July? He is opposed by Brad Peacock and the game starts at 2:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Bash Twins Into Submission (5/6/17)

Its about time! The Boston Red Sox offense which had been dormant pretty much all season came to life for one day at least. The Sox pounded the Minnesota Twins for 16 hits and 11 runs as they demolished the Twinkies 11-1 at Target Field

                                                               Happy fan

The Red Sox offense failed to score in the top of the first against Tepesch who hadn't pitched in 19 days. Mr. Mookie Betts whiffed badly on a 3-2 pitch. Dustin Pedroia worked a walk and stole second on the 3-2 strikeout by Xander Bogaerts. Andrew Benintendi flied out meekly to left to end the inning, pathetic. "Slick" Porcello (2-4, 3.95 ERA) got the ball in the bottom of the first and got Robbie Grossman to fly out to left. Joe Mauer struck out but Miguel Sano lined one over the head of Bogaerts for a base hit. Kennys Vargas grounded out to end the inning.

In an absolute shock, the Sox exploded in the top of the second inning. Hanley Ramirez grounded out, Mitch Moreland flied out but Chris Young blasted a solo home run into the upper deck in left to give the Sox the lead. Sandy Leon singled up the middle and Josh Rutledge hit one to Jorge Polanco who bobbled it for an error. Mr. Mookie walked to load the bases and Pedroia cleared them with a 3 run double. Bogaerts singled to right and Benny The Kid tripled down the left field line to score the two runners and chase Tepesch after just 1 1/3 innings. Twins manager Paul Molitor pulled him for Drew Rucinski and Ramirez greeted him with a single to score Benintendi. Moreland doubled home Ramirez to make it 8-0. Chris Young struck out to end the inning but the Sox had a commanding lead.

                                                 8 run explosion

Could Porcello pitch with a lead for the first time in weeks? YES! Max Kepler looked at strike three and Eduardo Escobar whiffed, but Jason Castro singled. Polanco singled but Eddie Rosario struck out to end the inning.

The Sox mustered nothing in the top of the third. Leon grounded out, Rutledge grounded out and Mr. Mookie flied out to end the inning. The Twins tagged Porcello in the bottom of the third as Grossman homered to right. Mauer grounded out and Sano flied out before Vargas grounded out to end the inning. The Twins were now down 8-1.

The Sox threatened in the top of the fourth. Pedroia lined out but Bogaerts and Benny The Kid stroked back to back singles. Ramirez whiffed an so did Moreland to end the inning. Porcello cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Kepler popped up and Escobar grounded out. Castro struck out to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the fifth when Young blasted his second home run into the upper deck as Hanley Ramirez danced in the dug-out. Leon struck out but Rutledge walked. Mr. Mookie banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox up 9-1.

                                                   Hanley celebrates the home run

Porcello got some schizophrenic defense in the bottom of the fifth inning. Benintendi made two great running catches to rob Polanco and Rosario of hits but dropped a routine ball hit by Grossman. Benintendi than ran down a line drive by Mauer to end the inning.

Old buddy Craig Breslow took the mound in the top of the sixth inning. Pedroia hit a 400 foot out but Bogaerts stretched out a double. Bogaerts got caught in a run-down after Benny The Kid hit one back to Breslow but he survived long enough for Benintendi to reach second before getting tagged out. Ramirez lined out to center to end the inning. Porcello returned for the bottom of the 6th inning. Sano struck out but Vargas hit a ground rule double. Kepler flied out but Vargas went to third.

Ryan Pressly got the ball in the top of the seventh inning. Moreland greeted him with a single before being lifted by pinch runner Deven Marrero. Young grounded out but Marrero moved to second. Leon and Rutledge hit back to back singles to score Marrero to increase the lead. Mr. Mookie popped up and Pedroia grounded out to end the inning but the Sox were now up 10-1.

Rutledge moved from third to first with Marrero moving to third as Porcello returned for the bottom of the seventh. Castro greeted Rick with a double but Polanco and Rosario flied out. Grossman also flied out to end the inning. Porcello as great again, tossing 7 innings of 1 run ball to earn his second win.

                                                    Outstanding effort by Porcello

Michael Tonkin came in to pitch the top of the eighth inning. Bogaerts lined out but Benny The Kid singled to right for his third hit of the game. Ramirez whiffed but Marrero walked. Young grounded into a force to end the inning. Rookie Ben Taylor took the mound in the bottom of the eighth and Mauer greeted him with a single. Ehire Adrianza pinch hit for Sano and flied out. Vargas grounded into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the ninth when Leon homered to dead center to increase the lead. Rutledge worked a walk but Mr. Mookie popped up. Pedroia walked and Twins manager Paul Molitor brought in backup catcher Chris Gimenez to get the final two outs. Somehow he got Bogaerts and Benintendi to fly out to end the inning with the Sox up 11-1.

                                                       Kiss it goodbye, home run Leon

Fernando Abad got the ball in the bottom of the ninth. Kepler flied out, Escobar popped up and Castro flied out to end the game. The Red Sox had won 11-1.

Hero of the Night is Chris Young. His two home runs were the difference in the game even if the 9 other runs weren't scored. The Sox have been lacking home runs all year so this was a big lift.

                                                      Chris Young: Hero


The Good:

Dustin Pedroia knocked in a 3 run double, walked twice, stole a base and scored a run.

Xander Bogaerts was 3 for 6 with a run scored.

Andrew Benintendi was 3 for 6 with 2 rbi's and a run scored.

Mitch Moreland was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Deven Marrero walked and scored a run.

Sandy Leon was 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored and a home run

Josh Rutledge was 1 for 3 with 2 walks, an rbi and a run scored.

Rick Porcello was outstanding, tossing 7 innings of 1 run ball while striking out 6 to earn the win.

Ben Taylor pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Fernando Abad pitched a scoreless ninth inning.



The Bad:

None



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was 0 for 5 but walked and scored.

Hanley Ramirez was just 1 for 5 but made the hit count as he drove in a run and scored.



Final Thoughts:

Now THAT'S more like it. That's the Red Sox offense everyone expected this year. It was great to finally see the offense explode since they did it so frequently last year. Not only that, Porcello pitched well again so it looks like he's back to where he was last year as well. Hopefully this can continue because it looks like the New York Yankees are for real this year. The win improves the Sox to 16-14 on the season, 4 games behind the Yankees. Tomorrow is the monster match between Chris Sale and Ervin Santana as the Sox and Twins wrap up their three game set at 2:05 PM.

Porcello, Sox Tame Tigers (8/19/16)

That's more like it! One day after the Boston Red Sox bullpen coughed up yet another game, the Sox offense made sure that wouldn't happen again. Facing Michael Fulmer and the Detroit Tigers, the Sox bats pounded out sixteen hits and ten runs to put the game out of reach quickly. Meanwhile "Slick" Rick Porcello (17-3, 3.22 ERA) continued his Cy Young Award march by tossing 7 innings of 2 run ball to leave no doubt. David Ortiz and Jackie Bradley Jr both hit 2 run home runs in the first inning as Andrew Benintendi and Dustin Pedroia drove in runs against Fulmer. Hanley Ramirez hit a 2 run double off Bruce Rondon and another one against Mark Lowe. Fernando Abad and Heath Hembree had no problems shutting the door and the Red Sox had won this one 10-2.

                                                        Olivia Munn approves of the win

The Sox wasted no time getting to Fulmer in the top of the first as Dustin Pedroia grounded out to second to start. Xander Bogaerts got a base hit to left and David Ortiz clobbered his 28th home run of the season to put the Sox on top. Mr. Mookie Betts flied out to right but Hanley Ramirez got a base hit to left. Ramirez stole second and Jackie Bradley Jr belted his 21st home run of the season to increase the lead. Sandy Leon lined out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-0.

                                                             Papi & JBJ touch em all

Porcello got the ball in the bottom of the first and Ian Kinsler lined out to left to start. Both Erick Aybar and Miguel Cabrera grounded out to second to end the inning.

Brock "The Hitman" Holt led off the top of the second by flying out to left and Andrew Benintendi grounded out to second. Pedroia grounded out to third to end the inning. The Tigers struck back in the bottom of the second as Pedroia threw wide of Porcello on a grounder by Victor Martinez to start. JD Martinez hit a home run all the way to Sicily to cut the lead in half. Tyler Collins took strike three but Casey McGehee walked. Jarrod Saltalamacchia struck out swinging and Andrew Romine forced McGehee at second to end the inning with the Tigers down 4-2.

                                                       Martinez goes yard

Bogaerts grounded out to third to start the top of the third and Ortiz grounded out to second. Mr. Mookie grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Kinsler struck out swinging to start the bottom of the third and Aybar went down hacking. Cabrera grounded out to third to end the inning.

Ramirez lined out to second to start the top of the fourth and JBJ flied out to center. A fan interfered with a double into the right field line by Leon but Holt flied out to left to end the inning. Victor Martinez grounded out to short but JD Martinez singled in the hole at short. Collins flied out to center but McGehee got a base hit to right. Saltamacchia struck out swinging to end the inning.

Benintendi lined out to first to start the top of the fifth on a great play by Cabrera. Pedroia grounded out to short but Bogaerts got a base hit inside the bag at third. Ortiz walked but Mr. Mookie forced him at second to end the inning. Romine popped up to short to start the bottom of the fifth and Kinsler struck out swinging. Aybar flied out to center to end the inning.

The Sox iced the game in the top of the sixth but Ramirez took strike three to start. JBJ flied out to left but Leon beat out a roller to short. Holt got a base hit to center and Benintendi blooped a base hit to center to score Leon, moving Brock to third. Pedroia got a base hit to right to score Holt and move Benintendi to third. That was it for Fulmer as Bruce Rondon came in to face Bogaerts. Xander grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-2.

                                                       Pedroia drives in another run

Cabrera took strike three to start the bottom of the sixth and Victor Martinez flied out to right. JD Martinez walked but Collins struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the seventh as Ortiz got a base hit to right to begin. Mr. Mookie singled off the glove of Aybar and Ramirez doubled into the right field gap to score both runners. JBJ flied out to center, Leon went down hacking and Holt also struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 8-2.

                                                       Ramirez drives in a pair

Aaron Hill took over for Holt in the bottom of the seventh as Porcello returned for one final inning. McGehee grounded out to second to start but Bogaerts failed to come up with a "single" by Saltalamacchia. Romine grounded into a double play to end the inning. That was it for Porcello who allowed 2 runs, only one earned, in seven innings off 4 hits and 2 walks.

                                                       "Good work guys" - Porcello

Mark Lowe came in to pitch the top of the eighth as Benintendi doubled to right to begin. Pedroia singled in the hole at short but Bogaerts flied out to right to move Andrew to third. Travis Shaw pinch hit for Ortiz and walked to load the bases. Mr. Mookie struck out swinging but Ramirez hit a rocket to the left field wall to score both runners. JBJ struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 10-2.

                                                          Ramirez is on fire

Heath Hembree came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth with Deven Marrero in for Pedroia. Alex Presly pinch hit for Kinsler and flied out to the right field warning track followed by Aybar grounding out to second. Dixon Machado pinch hit for Cabrera and grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Kyle Ryan came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Leon struck out swinging to start. Hill grounded out to short and Benintendi struck out swinging to end the inning. Fernando Abad came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and James McCann pinch hit for Victor Martinez to start. McCann struck out swinging and JD Martinez flied out to center. Collins took strike three to end the game. The Sox had won it 10-2.

                                                               Sox win

Hero of The Night is Rick Porcello. He allowed 2 runs in 7 innings off 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 8 batters.

                                                           Slick Rick Hero

The Good:

Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

David Ortiz was 2 for 3 with a walk and a 2 run home run.

Sandy Leon was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Hanley Ramirez was 3 for 5 with 4 rbis, a stolen base and a run scored.

Travis Shaw walked as a pinch hitter.

Andrew Benintendi was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Heath Hembree pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Fernando Abad pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Aaron Hill was 0 for 1 at the plate.

The Ugly:

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

Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but the one hit was a 2 run home run.

Brock Holt was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Honorable Mention:

Deven Marrero played second base in the bottom of the ninth.

Final Thoughts:

Big win by the Sox considering their bullpen woes. Can't blow a game if the starter is outstanding and the offense produces. Still, the 8th inning woes for the Sox need to be addressed but there won't be any if the offense produces like this. Ramirez drove in 4 big runs and home runs by Bradley and Ortiz put this away early. Porcello might be the odds on favorite to win Cy Young and Mookie Betts is in the running for AL MVP. A few more 3 home run games by Betts might do the trick. The Baltimore Orioles lost again so the Sox leapfrogged them and got closer to the Toronto Blue Jays. This is going to be a wild finish in September with the death march through the AL East, the Sox need to build some momentum in the few weeks before it starts. More games like this would help but that might be asking too much as the level of competition steps up. The win improved the Sox to 68-53, a half game behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to take the third game of this series tomorrow night against the Tigers when Drew Pomeranz (9-9) takes on Daniel Norris of the Detroit. The game begins at 9:30 PM eastern time at Comerica Park.

Tigers Late Rally Snaps Streak (8/18/16)

If the Boston Red Sox want a shot at the playoffs this year, they need to stop with these late inning blown leads. 5 times in the past few weeks the Sox had a late lead only to blow it, and tonight made six courtesy of the Detroit Tigers. Clay Buchholz held the Tigers to 1 measly run in 6 innings while Matthew Boyd held the Sox to a run through six as well. The Sox broke through with 2 runs in the top of the eighth but the combination of Junichi Tazawa and Brad Ziegler gave up 3 runs in the bottom of the eighth. The Sox got the tying run to second base in the top of the ninth but Francisco Rodriguez retired both Xander Bogaerts and Mookie Betts to end the game. The Tigers had rallied past the Sox 4-3 at Comerica Park.

Boyd got the ball in the top of the first inning and Aaron Hill struck out swinging to start. Xander Bogaerts flied out to left and Mr. Mookie Betts got a base hit to center. Hanley Ramirez got a base hit to right but Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to first to end the inning. Buchholz got the ball in the bottom of the first and Ian Kinsler flied out to JBJ to start. Erick Aybar got a base hit to right but Miguel Cabrera grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Sandy Leon grounded out to second to start the top of the second and Bryan Holaday flied out to left. Deven Marrero grounded out to short to end the inning. The Tigers struck first in the bottom of the second as old friend Victor Martinez grounded out to third to start. JD Martinez got a base hit to left and it looked like Jackie Bradley Jr caught a sinking line drive by Casey McGehee. The Tigers challenged that it was a trap and sure enough, it was called a trap to move Martinez to third. Sox manager John Farrell argued that even if it was a trap, Martinez was tagged out. The umpires told Farrell to get lost and he started yelling at them in the dugout. Home plate umpire Scott Barry told Farrell to shut up and John ran out of the dugout challenging him to a fight. Barry had to tell him that it wasn't Farrell that was ejected but third base coach Brian Butterfield. When things calmed down, old pal Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit a sac fly to center to score Martinez. Andrew Romine got a base hit to right but Alex Presley grounded out to first to end the inning with the Tigers up 1-0.

                                     "What he say?" - JF  "GET OUTTA HERE!" - SB

Andrew Benintendi got a base hit to right to start the top of the third and Hill drew a walk. Bogaerts struck out swinging and Mr. Mookie flied out to center to move Hill to third. Ramirez walked to load the bases but JBJ flied out to left to end the inning. Kinsler flied out to center to start the bottom of the third and Aybar's bunt was snuffed out by Buchholz. Cabrera got a base hit to right but Victor Martinez flied out to left to end the inning.

The Sox fought back in the top of the fourth as Leon crushed his seventh home run of the season to tie the game. Holaday flied out to right, Marrero lined out to third and Benintendi took strike three to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                        What a season for Leon so far

JD Martinez grounded out to third to start the bottom of the fourth and McGehee grounded out to short. Saltalamacchia flied out to left to end the inning.

Hill got a base hit to left to start the top of the fifth and Bogaerts lined out to left. Mr. Mookie forced Hill at second and Ramirez struck out swinging to end the inning. Romine struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth and but Presley got a base hit to right. Kinsler lined out to left and Aybar grounded out to second to end the inning.

JBJ grounded out to second to start the top of the sixth and Leon flied out to center. Sox analyst Jerry Remy admitted he gets to the ballpark around 7 AM for day games because he hates waiting around in his hotel room. Then he said eventually he'll get there at 5 AM. Holaday lined out to center to end the inning. Buchholz came back for the bottom of the sixth and Cabrera was hit with a pitch to start. JD Martinez popped up to short and JD Martinez struck out swinging. McGehee also went down hacking to end the inning. That was it for Buchholz who tossed 6 solid innings allowing just 1 run off 6 hits.

                                                            Buchholz was on today

Travis Shaw pinch hit for Marrero to start the top of the seventh with old pal Alex Wilson now on the mound. Shaw struck out swinging and Benintendi flied out to left. Hill popped up to second to end the inning. Robbie Ross Jr came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Saltalamacchia flied out to left to start. Romine lined out to center and Presley flied out to left to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the eighth as Bogaerts beat out a roller to second to start. Mr. Mookie blooped a base hit to right and Ramirez singled up the middle to score Bogaerts. Justin Wilson came in to pitch to Bradley and JBJ grounded into a double play....only for Betts to score on a wild pitch. Leon walked but Holaday struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1.

                                                           Sox score the go-ahead runs

Junichi Tazawa came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and crapped his pants big time. Kinsler ripped a base hit to left, Aybar doubled to right and Cabrera got a base hit to center to score Kinsler and chase Tazawa. Brad Ziegler poured gas on the fire as Victor Martinez singled to right to score Aybar. Tyler Collins ran for Cabrera as JD Martinez walked to load the bases. McGehee hit a grounder to short and Bogaerts came home to force Collins then Justin Upton ran for Victor Martinez. Saltalamacchia struck out swinging but Romine walked to score Upton to put the Tigers on top. Presley grounded out to second to end the inning with the Tigers up 4-3.

                                                           Tigers take the lead

The Sox did try to rally in the top of the ninth with Francisco Rodriguez no on the mound. Shaw walked to start and Brock "The Hitman" Holt ran for him. Andrew Benintendi beat out a double play ball and the Tigers challenged that he was out. The umpires said he was safe and David Ortiz pinch hit for Hill. Ortiz got a base hit to center and Dustin Pedroia ran for him. With the tying run at second....Bogaerts grounded out to first to move the runners over. With the game on the line....Mr. Mookie hit a bullet to Kinsler to end the game. The Tigers had won it 4-3.

                                                           Tigers win

Jackass of The Night is Brad Ziegler. Yes, Tazawa put the runners on but Ziegler allowed all 3 of them to score, including walking home the go-ahead run with 2 outs.

                                                                Jackass Ziegler

The Good:

Aaron Hill was 1 for 3 with a walk.

David Ortiz singled as a pinch hitter.

Mookie Betts was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Hanley Ramirez was 2 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Sandy Leon was 1 for 3 with a home run.

Travis Shaw walked in 2 plate appearances.

Clay Buchholz pitched 6 innings of 1 run ball allowing 6 hits.

Robbie Ross Jr pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

The Bad:

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4.

Deven Marrero was 0 for 2.

Bryan Holaday was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Junichi Tazawa was charged with 3 runs in the eighth inning to take the loss.

The Ugly:

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Honorable Mention:

Brock Holt ran for Travis Shaw in the ninth inning.

Dustin Pedroia ran for Ortiz in the ninth inning.

Final Thoughts:

How many games is that now in the past few weeks the Sox have blown in the eighth or ninth inning? The two blown games against the New York Yankees, the Robinson Cano home run off Fernando Abad, the Los Angeles Angels rally and the Minnesota Twins scoring 7 runs in the 7th inning. Every team has blown leads but you'd think with the bullpen they have it wouldn't be as frequent. Still, its not entirely Tazawa and Ziegler's fault, only getting one run off Matthew Boyd should have been a clue it wasn't going to be their day. Still, this could be the end of the line for Tazawa which is a shame, he was the man from 2012-15. Overworked relief pitchers have a shelf life and apparently his is expired. Still, its only one loss but it still stings. The loss dropped the Sox to 67-53, 1.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow night against the Tigers when "Slick" Rick Porcello (16-3) takes on Michael Fulmer of Detroit. The game begins at 8:10 PM eastern time at Comerica Park.

White Sox Stun Red Sox Late (6/22/16)

The June swoon is in full effect for the Boston Red Sox. The lowly Chicago White Sox have now taken three of the four games they were supposed to play against one another. Yesterday the Boston bats were silenced by Chris Sale but today it was their own bullpen that led to their demise. The BoSox took a 6-4 lead against Jose Quintana into the eighth inning when the normally reliable Koji Uehara allowed 3 runs off of two home runs. After controversy erupted when fan interference turned a game tying 2 run homer into a double, the BoSox failed to score. The ChiSox added another run off Robbie Ross Jr in the ninth and sent the reeling Red Sox to their 12th loss in the last 19 games with a 8-6 win at Fenway Park.

                                                          "Dammit Koji!"

The White Sox wasted no time scoring against Rodriguez in the top of the first although Tim Anderson grounded out to first to start. Adam Eaton drew a walk but Jose Abreu struck out swinging on a pitch up in his eyes. Melky Cabrera doubled to the left field wall to score Eaton to give Chicago the lead. Todd Frazier whiffed to end the inning but the White Sox led 1-0.

                                                        Cabrera puts Chicago on top

The Sox did nothing against Jose Quintana in the bottom of the first as Mr. Mookie Betts popped up to Brett Lawrie to start. Dustin Pedroia flied out to center and Xander Bogaerts popped up to Jason Coats in right to end the inning.

Rodriguez recovered in the top of the second as he blew away Lawrie on a 95 mph fastball to start. Dioner Navarro lined out to Pedroia and Avisail Garcia flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox blew a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the second as David Ortiz walked to start. Chris Young popped up to first in foul territory but Jackie Bradley Jr drew a walk. The slumping Hanley Ramirez took strike three but Travis Shaw blopped a single to center. Ortiz came motoring around but was thrown out by a mile to end the inning.

                                                     Yerrrrr Out!

The White Sox took advantage of bad defense to score another run in the top of the third. Coats got his first Major League hit with a ground rule double into the right field stands. Anderson struck out swinging but Coats moved to third on the Eaton grounder. Abreu hit a routine grounder to Shaw...who bobbled it for an error to score Coats. Cabrera forced Abreu at second to end the inning but it was 2-0 White Sox.

                                                  "I don't got it" - Shaw

The BoSox finally woke up offensively in the bottom of the third as Sandy Leon walked to start. Mr. Mookie hit a grounder up the middle and Lawrie made a great dive to stop it, but he tried to throw the ball behind his back over everything to allow Leon to reach second. Pedroia singled in the hole at second to load the bases and Bogaerts lined a single off the Monster to score two runners to tie the game. Ortiz singled to right to score Pedroia with the go-ahead run but Young popped up to Abreu in foul territory. JBJ singled off of Quintana into center to score Bogaerts with another run. The slumping Hanley banged into a double play to end the inning with Boston ahead 4-2.

                                                            Sox rally for four runs

Deven Marrero took over for Travis Shaw for the top of the fourth with Shaw still feeling the effect of the foul ball he hit off himself. Frazier popped up to right and Lawrie did the same before Rodriguez blew away Navarro with a 96 mph fastball to end the inning. Marrero led off the bottom of the fourth by grounding out to third but Leon walked. Mr. Mookie doubled off the Monster but Leon was foolishly picked off third. Pedroia walked which would have loaded the bases but Bogaerts popped up to right to end the inning.

                                                       Yerrr out!

Garcia walked to start the top of the fifth but Coats flied out to right. Anderson forced Garcia at second and Eaton struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Ortiz lined out to center to start. Sox analyst Dennis Eckersley took the time to say Albert Belle hated everyone on the planet but Eck because they both were recovering addicts and Eck helped him stay clean in Cleveland. Young popped up to center and JBJ grounded out to second to end the inning.

The White Sox tied it up in the top of the sixth although Abreu struck out swinging to start. Cabrera singled off the Monster and Frazier clobbered a home run into the Atlantic Ocean to tie the game. Lawrie grounded out to third on a bang bang play and Navarro grounded out to short to end the inning with the game tied 4-4. That was it for Rodriguez who pitched better than he had been lately but still allowed 4 runs in 6 innings.

                                                           E-Rod goes 6 innings

The BoSox retook the lead in the bottom of the sixth when the slumping Haley belted his sixth home run of the season to start. Marrero hit one up the elevator shaft but Leon walked to chase Quintana. Old friend Matt Albers came in and Mr. Mookie popped up to right. Pedroia singled up to middle to advance Leon to third and Bogaerts beat out a dribbler in front of the plate to score Sandy with another run. That was it for Albers as Dan Jennings came in and Ortiz grounded out to first to end the inning with Boston ahead 6-4.

                                                             Hanley gives the BoSox the lead

It was time for the Orient Express as Junichi Tazawan got Garcia swinging on a nasty splitter to start. Tazawa made a great stab on a Coats grounder and nailed him at first before Anderson whiffed on a nasty splitter to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the eighth although Young lined out to center to start. JBJ drew a walk but Hanley lined out to left. Marrero ripped a base hit up the middle but Leon grounded into a force to end the inning.

The Jays rallied off Koji Uehara in the top of the eighth as Eaton singled to right to begin. Koji got Abreu swinging with an elevated fastball but Cabrera homered into the Red Sox bullpen to tie the game. Frazier whiffed but Lawrie pounded a home run to Saturn to give the White Sox the lead. Navarro doubled to left and that was it for the incompetent Uehara. Heath Hembree came in and got Garcia to fly out to right to end the inning with the White Sox ahead 7-6.

                                                            White Sox take the lead

Michael Ynoa took over for the bottom of the eighth and controversy erupted. Mr. Mookie grounded out to third to start and Pedroia struck out swinging. Bogaerts then hit a ball that a fan reached over the Monster to try to catch it but they dropped it onto the field. Sox manager John Farrell argued that it was over the line for a home run but the umpires disagreed. Farrell went berserk screaming but to no avail, its a fan interference double. Fenway Security threw the fans out of the building as Ortiz was intentionally walked. Young missed a home run off the left field foul by inches but Farrell wanted the call reviewed. Replays showed it was foul which added to John's anger as Young whiffed to end the inning.

                                             "THAT WAS NOT INTERFERENCE!!!" - JF

Hembree returned for the top of the ninth and JB Shuck pinch hit for Coats to start. Shuck dumped a base hit to right but Anderson struck out swinging. Hembree was done and Robbie Ross Jr came in to cough up a run. Eaton forced Shuck at second but Abreu was plunked. Cabrera singled home Eaton to give the ChiSox an insurance run. Frazier was plunked to load the bases but Lawrie whiffed to end the inning with the White Sox ahead 8-3.

                                                       White Sox with the killshot

Zach Duke came in to close out the top of the ninth and JBJ tried to start a rally with a base hit to right. Hanley looked at strike three down the middle and Marrero whiffed. Leon grounded out to short to end the game. The White Sox had won it 8-6.

                                                               White Sox win

Jackass of the Night is Koji Uehara. He coughed up the lead and the game in the eighth inning.

                                                                  Koji the Jackass

The Good:

Mookie Betts was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 3 for 5 with 3 rbis and a run scored.

David Ortiz was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and an rbi.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 3 with 2 walks and an rbi.

Travis Shaw was 1 for 1 before leaving.

Sandy Leon walked 3 times and scored 2 runs.

Junichi Tazawa tossed a scoreless seventh inning.

The Bad:

Chris Young was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Heath Hembree was charged with a run in 2/3 of an inning.

Robbie Ross Jr allowed an inherited runner to score in 2/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Hanley Ramirez was just 1 for 5 but the one hit was a solo home run.

Deven Marrero was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Eduardo Rodriguez lasted just 6 innings while allowing 4 runs. 

Final Thoughts:

This game was a kick to the junk. The BoSox have fallen apart in June and they seem to just find ways to lose. The only silver lining is neither the Baltimore Orioles or Toronto Blue Jays have pulled away as the Sox have hid the skids. The Sox need to bust this losing streak soon because they can't afford to fall too far behind the O's or Jays. The Sox had this game in the bag but Uehara blew it, one of the rare times he's done that. The Bogaerts non-homer was also a big difference in the game but what the hell. The loss dropped the Sox to 39-32, 2 games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to stop the bleeding and avoid a sweep tomorrow against the White Sox when they send "Slick" Rick Porcello (9-2, 3.76 ERA) against "Big Game" James Shields Chicago. The game begins tomorrow at 1:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Sale Outduels Buchholz, White Sox beat Red Sox (6/21/16)

The Boston Red Sox worst fears going into tonight's game turned out to be true as Chicago White Sox ace  Chris Sale proved why he's one of the best pitchers in the American League. Sale held the potent Red Sox lineup to just 4 hits and one run in 7 well pitched innings. Clay Buchholz (3-7, 5.83 ERA) was nowhere near up to the task, lasting just 5 innings and allowing 3 runs. Matt Barnes and Tommy Layne kept the Red Sox in the game but it wasn't enough as the White Sox took game 2 of this four game set 3-1 at Fenway Park.

                                                     Jerry can't stand the Red Sox offense

The White Sox put the game away early when Tim Anderson hit the first pitch of the game onto the Mass Pike. The fans booed as Adam Eaton hit the second pitch of the game off the Monster for a double. Jose Abreu moved Eaton to third with a grounder and Adam scored on the fly out to left by Melky Cabrera. Todd Frazier walked but Buchholz got Brett Lawrie to swing and miss at a nasty change for strike three to end the inning. The White Sox had put the game away early 2-0.

                                                            Eaton scores

Sale got the ball in the bottom of the first and Mr. Mookie Betts began with a ground out to second on the first pitch. Dustin Pedroia hit a rocket but snared by a diving Lawrie and Xander Bogaerts hit a dribbler to Sale to end the inning.

Dioner Navarro pulled a single into right to start but was thrown out at second trying to steal on the strikeout by Avisail Garcia. JB Shuck popped up to left to end the inning. Sale cruised in the bottom of the second as Hanley Ramirez grounded out to third to start. Jackie Bradley Jr took a curveball down the middle and Chris Young popped up to right to end the inning.

Buchholz cruised in the top of the third as Anderson grounded out to short to start. Eaton grounded out to first and Abreu grounded out to third to end the inning. The BoSox rallied in the bottom of the third as Travis Shaw ripped a base hit to right to start. Sandy Leon dumped a bloop single to right and Deven Marrero moved Shaw to third with a fly out to center. Shaw scored on the liner to left by Mr. Mookie and Pedroia lashed a base hit to left. Bogaerts walked to load the bases but Hanley whiffed on a 94 mph slider to end the inning with the White Sox ahead 2-1.

                                                     Shaw scores a run

Buchholz got tagged in the top of the fourth although Cabrera grounded out to first to start. The .198 hitting Frazier clobbered his 20th home run of the season to the Klingon Homeworld to increase the lead. Buchholz came back to strike out Lawrie and Navarro swinging to end the inning but it was 3-1 Chicago.

                                                  All or nothing Frazier

The Sox got beat up in the bottom of the fourth as JBJ was plunked to start. Young whiffed but Shaw hit a foul ball off his own shin to send the trainer sprinting to the plate. Shaw heroically got up and got back in the game...but took strike three. Leon whiffed to end the inning.

                                                "Owowowowowowowwwww!!!" - Shaw

Shaw remained in the game and made a great diving stab on a Garcia grounder to start the top of the fifth. JB Shuck looked to have beat out a grounder to short while NESN analyst Guerin Austin flapped her gums with Mookie Betts' father so Sox manager John Farrell wanted the play reviewed. Sure enough, replays showed that Shuck was out and the umpires reversed the call. Anderson whiffed to end the inning and that was it for Buchholz. He had thrown 78 pitches in his first start in nearly a month and Farrell didn't want to push him any further.

                                                           The longballs did Clay in

Marrero whiffed to start the bottom of the fifth and Betts hit a rocket....but to short. Pedroia grounded out to short to end the inning.

Matt Barnes came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Eaton grounded out to first to start. Abreu hit a routine grounder to first but Shaw missed it an entirely and it went down the right field line. It was credited as a double but Abreu stayed there as Cabrera was frozen for strike three. Frazier whiffed to end the inning. The BoSox did nothing in the bottom of the sixth as Bogaerts hit a 410 foot out to dead center to start. Ramirez whiffed again and JBJ grounded out to short to end the inning.

Barnes returned for the top of the seventh and Lawrie lined out to right to start. Navarro grounded out to first and Garcia grounded out to first to end the inning. Sale returned for the bottom of the seventh and Young lined out to left to start. Shaw sprayed a double into the left field corner but Leon and Marrero both whiffed to end the inning. Sale was great and its a shame the BoSox don't have him.

                                                  Sale dazzles at Fenway

Barnes returned briefly for the top of the eighth and Shuck grounded out to second to begin. Anderson hit a little roller up the middle for a base hit to chase Barnes. Tommy Layne came in and Eaton beat out a double play ball but Abreu grounded out to second to end the inning. Nate Jones came on for the bottom of the eighth and Mr. Mookie popped up to first in foul territory to start. Pedroia lashed a base hit into right and Bogaerts singled in the exact same spot. Ramirez earned Jackass honors by taking a curveball down the middle for strike three and that was it for Jones. David Robertson got JBJ to ground out to second to end the inning.

Layne returned for the top of the ninth and Cabrera waived at strike three to start. Frazier also waived at strike three and Sox manager John Farrell came out to ask if he can keep going. Layne told him he could and Farrell went back to the dugout. Lawrie walked but was picked off to end the inning. The BoSox had one last chance in the bottom of the ninth although Young popped up to third in foul territory to start. Shaw popped up to short but David Ortiz pinch hit for Leon. Ortiz walked and Ryan LaMarre pinch ran for him. Marco Hernandez pinch hit for Marrero and LeMarre took second on defensive indifference. Hernandez struck out swinging to end the game with the White Sox winning it 3-1.

                                                           White Sox win

Jackass of the Night is Hanley Ramirez. He was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts including leaving the bases loaded in the third inning and two men on in the eighth.

                                                 Swing the bat, Jackass

The Good:

Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 4.

Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Travis Shaw was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Sandy Leon was 1 for 3.

David Ortiz walked as a pinch hitter.

Matt Barnes tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

Tommy Layne tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Chris Young was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Deven Marrero was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Marco Hernandez struck out as a pinch hitter to end the game.

The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was 0 for 3 but drove in a run.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but was hit with a pitch.

Clay Buchholz took the loss by allowing 3 runs in 5 innings of work. He made just two mistakes.

Honorable Mention:

Ryan LeMarre pinch ran for Ortiz in the bottom of the ninth.

Final Thoughts:

Who would have thought the BoSox leaving the bases loaded in the bottom of the third would turn out to be the difference in the game? Boston had Sale on the run but let him off the hook. Sale was almost unhittable the rest of the way. The Sox still had a chance in the eighth inning but Hanley failed on that one. The Sox lack of bench strength due to injuries bit them in the ninth as they had to resort to Marco Hernandez to pinch hit with the game on the line. The Sox are in the midst of a June swoon and getting slapped around by the lowly Chicago White Sox is not a good look. The BoSox are now 7-11 in the month of June and the loss dropped them to 39-31 on the season. A shocking collapse by the Baltimore Orioles tonight to the San Diego Padres have the Sox only one game behind in the AL East race. Tomorrow it doesn't get any better for the Red Sox as they have to face Jose Quintana, one of the league leaders in ERA. Eduardo Rodriguez goes for the BoSox and the game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.