Varitek, Sox Down Yankees (6/13/00)

Before the game the Sox made a big roster move. Fireball relief pitcher Rod Beck was reinstated from the Disabled List before tonight's game against the New York Yankees. The Sox bullpen is already strong with Rich Garces, Derek Lowe and Hipolito Pichardo and now they're adding Beck to the list. Rob Stanifer was optioned to Pawtucket and its doubtful he'll be seen again now with the bullpen at full strength (sans Tom Gordon).

                                                                      OUT

                                                                          IN

Amidst swirling trade rumors that Chicago Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa wants to play for the Boston Red Sox, the Sox made their case as being the place to be as they defeated the repeat world champion New York Yankees. The Yankees knocked starter Brian Rose out in the third inning and the Boston bullpen tossed 6 1/3 scoreless innings. Jason Varitek clobbered a 2 run home run off Orlando Hernandez that turned out to be the difference in the game. The Sox jumped into a tie for first place with New York with a 5-3 win at Yankee Stadium.

                                                           Could it be?

Hernandez took the mound in the top of the first inning and Jose Offerman flied out to left to start. Jeff Frye doubled to left before Trot Nixon drew a walk. Nomar Garciaparra banged into a double play to end the inning. The Yankees immediately pounced on Brian Rose in the bottom of the first inning. Chuck Knoblauch took strike three to start but Derek Jeter doubled to left. Jeter moved to third on the fly out by Paul O'Neil and Bernie Williams doubled home Jeter to give the Yankees the lead. Tino Martinez whiffed to end the inning but it was 1-0 Yankees.

The Sox answered in the top of the second inning as Carl Everett singled to left to begin. Brian Daubach flied out to left before Everett was erased on the force by Troy O'Leary. Varitek drew a walk and Wilton Veras singled home O'Leary to tie the game. Offerman whiffed to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                               Veras ties it up

Jorge Posada flied out to left to begin the bottom of the second before Ricky Ledee walked. Shane Spencer doubled to right but Scott Brosius failed to get the run in with a pop up to left. Knoblauch took strike three to end the inning.

The Sox took command in the top of the third inning as Frye walked to start. Jeff moved to second on the Nixon grounder before Nomar lined a base hit to left. Ledee booted the ball and Frye scored on the error. Everett tripled to the centerfield wall to increase the lead. Daubach hit a ground ball to second but Everett was thrown out at home on the play. O'Leary flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1.

The Yankees pounded Rose in the bottom of the third as Jeter and O'Neill drew back to back walks to start. Williams hit a double play ball to second but Rose dropped the relay throw, putting runners at the corners on the error. The Yankees made Rose pay as Martinez doubled home Jeter and Posada singled home Williams to tie the game. Ledee was intentionally walked to load the bases and that was it for Rose. He lasted just 2 1/3 innings and gave up 3 runs, he's simply not that good. Hipolito Pichardo came in and got Spencer to hit into a double play to end the inning but it was tied 3-3.

                                                           Nice going Rose

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fourth as Varitek grounded back to the mound to start. Veras whiffed and Offerman flied out to left to end the inning. Brosius walked to start the bottom of the fourth but Knoblauch flied out to center and the alert Varitek gunned down Brosius trying to steal. Jeter grounded out to third to end the inning.

Hernandez cruised in the top of the fifth inning as Frye grounded out to second to start. Nixon lined out to left and Nomar grounded out to short to end the inning. The Yankees threatened in the bottom of the fifth inning although O'Neill grounded out to first to start. Williams walked before Martinez flied out to left. Williams stole second before Posada walked. Ledee grounded into a force to end the inning.

The Sox took command in the top of the sixth inning as Everett doubled to center to begin. Everett moved to third on the Daubach grounder but O'Leary flied out to left. Varitek then put the Sox on top with a 2 run blast to shut up the Yankee fans. Veras grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-3.

                                                        Varitek touches them all

Rich Garces came in for the bottom of the sixth and Spencer flied out to center to start. Brosius whiffed but Knoblauch singled and stole second. Jeter flied out to right to end the inning.

The Sox threatened in the top of the seventh and Offerman singled to left to begin. Frye whiffed and Nixon flied out to center. Nomar singled Offerman to third to chase Hernandez. Mike Stanton came in and got Everett to ground into a force to end the inning. Garces returned for the bottom of the seventh as O'Neill lined out to first to begin before Williams grounded back to the mound. Martinez looked at strike three to end the inning.

Daubach doubled to start the top of the eighth and Donnie Sadler pinch ran for him. O'Leary, Varitek and Veras all whiffed in short order to end the inning. Rheal Cormier came in for the bottom of the eighth and got Posada to line out to right to start. Felix Jose pinch hit for Ledee and grounded out to short to start. Spencer whiffed to end the inning.

Offerman lined out to right to begin the top of the ninth before Frye also flied out to right. Nixon whiffed to end the inning. Derek Lowe came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Brosius grounded out to short to begin. Knoblauch walked to bring the tying run to the plate but Jeter grounded out to second. O'Neill flied out to center to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-3.

Hero of the Night is Jason Varitek. His 2 run home run proved to be the difference maker in the game.

                                                     Jason The Hero



The Good:

Nomar Garciaparra was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Carl Everett was 3 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Hipolito Pichardo got the win with 2 2/3 scoreless innings.

Rich Garces pitched 2 scoreless innings.

Rheal Cormier pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

Derek Lowe earned his 15th save with a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

Brian Rose allowed 3 runs in just 2 1/3 innings.



The Ugly:

Jose Offerman was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

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

Trot Nixon was just 0 for 4 but walked.

Brian Daubach was just 1 for 4.

Troy O'Leary was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Wilton Veras was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.



Honorable Mention:

Donnie Sadler pinch ran for Daubach.




Final Thoughts:

Big win against the 3-peat world champion New York Yankees. Brian Rose sucked the big one but this was a huge win considering its Pedro vs Roger tomorrow. The Sox can take sole possession of first place with a win tomorrow but it won't be easy. As for this game, great job by Varitek and the bullpen to keep the Sox in the lead. The Sox offense is in a slump with the loss of John Valentin and the deterioration of O'Leary, Mike Stanley and Offerman. Stanley is aging and Offerman has been hurt but who knows what the hell is wrong with O'Leary. Still, bad offense aside the Sox are in the hunt and beating the Yankees is nothing to sneeze at. The win improved the Sox to 34-26, percentage points behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow afternoon is the big rematch between Sox ace Pedro Martinez and Roger Clemens. Two weeks ago they put on one of the best pitcher's duels of the year. They look to do it again at 1:05 PM at Yankee Stadium.

Sox Edge Marlins In Sox Favored Florida (6/6/00)

The Boston Red Sox seem to be a popular team in Florida. The 14,225 people in attendance for tonight's Florida Marlins games against the Red Sox were predominantly Red Sox fans that cheered loudly any time the Sox did something good. The Sox did a lot of good as they battled back from a 2-0 deficit to rally for a 4-3 win at Pro Player Stadium.

                                                 Captain Pike approves of the win

The Sox did themselves no favors in the top of the first inning against starter Jesus Sanchez. Darren Lewis drew a walk but was thrown out at second trying to steal. Jeff Frye and AL Player of the Week Nomar Garciaparra both whiffed to end the inning. The Marlins wasted no time scoring against Sox starter Ramon Martinez (5-3, 5.61 ERA) in the bottom of the first inning. Luis Castillo grounded out to second to start before Mark Kotsay also grounded out to second. The red hot Cliff Floyd lined yet another first inning homer into the right field bleachers to give the Marlins the lead. Preston Wilson struck out swinging to end the inning but it was 1-0 Florida.

The Sox failed to answer in the top of the second inning when Mike Stanley flied out to left to start. Carl Everett grounded out to third and Jason Varitek flied out to right to end the inning. Ramon got in trouble in the bottom of the second although Mike Lowell grounded out to short to start. Derrek Lee walked but Dave Berg flied out to right. Paul Bako singled but Sanchez himself struck out to end the inning.

Manny Alexander singled to open the top of the third inning but Donnie Sadler grounded into a double play. Martinez grounded out to second to end the inning. The Marlins struck again in the bottom of the third inning. Castillo lined out to left and Kotsay grounded out to first, but Floyd walked. Floyd stole second and scored when Wilson tripled into the gap in right. Lowell flied out to left to end the inning but it was now 2-0.

                                                         "A triple????"

The Sox struck back in the top of the fourth inning although Lewis flied out to center to start. Frye walked and Nomar pounded an opposite field home run to tie the game just like that. Stanley singled but Everett struck out. Varitek doubled Stanley to third and Alexander walked to load the bases. That was it as Sadler flied out to center to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                     Nomar ties it up

Ramon did his part in the bottom of the fourth inning as Lee lined out to short, Berg flied out to center and Bako whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the fifth inning and the rally started when Martinez himself beat out an infield chopper to third for a hit. Lewis popped up to second but Frye singled to right, advancing Ramon to third. Nomar singled through the hole at short to score Martinez with the go-ahead run. Stanley singled home Frye but Everett struck out again. Varitek flied out to right to end the inning but it was 4-2 Sox.

                                                    Stanley gets it done

Ramon came back for the bottom of the fifth and Mark Smith pinch hit for Sanchez....only to ground out to second. Castillo walked and Kotsay doubled him to third, but Everett made a great diving catch to rob Floyd of a hit. Kotsay was doubled off second to end the inning.

Joe Strong took over for the Marlins in the top of the sixth and Alexander singled to center. Sadler dropped down a sacrifice bunt and Trot Nixon pinch hit for Ramon. Nixon drew a walk but the rally ended as Lewis and Frye both grounded out to short to end the inning. That was it for Ramon as Hipolito Pichardo took over for the bottom of the sixth inning. Wilson whiffed and Lowell lined out to second, but Lee singled. Berg doubled in Lee to cut the lead to one run. Bako grounded back to the mound to end the inning but it was 4-3 Sox.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the seventh as Nomar whiffed, Stanley popped up to right and Everett whiffed as well to end the inning. The bottom of the seventh became a pissing contest as Danny Bautista pinch hit for Strong and Pichardo got him to fly out to right. Sox manager Jimy Williams wanted the lefty Rheal Cormier in but Castillo singled. Kevin Millar pinch hit for Kotsay and Cormier got him to ground into a double play to end the inning.

Bautista took over in right with Ricky Bones now on the mound for the top of the eighth. The Sox beat the ball in the dirt as Varitek grounded out to short and Alexander grounded out to third. Berg booted a ground ball hit by Sadler and Brian Daubach pinch hit for Cormier only to ground out to second to end the inning. Tim Wakefield came in with a mission to do one thing and one thing only, retire Floyd. Wakefield came back to the dugout a hero after he got Cliff to pop up to short. Rich Garces took Wakefield's place and gave up a single to Wilson. The alert Varitek gunned Wilson down at second trying to steal and Lowell popped up to third to end the inning.

Bones returned for the top of the ninth and Lewis singled. Frye flied out to left and Nomar flied out to right, but Lewis swiped second. Stanley grounded out to short to end the inning. It was time for the Derek Lowe Show in the bottom of the ninth. It didn't start well as Lee singled but Lowe recovered to get Lee at second on a force by Berg. Berg was erased on a force by Bako and Alex Gonzalez pinch-ran for Paul. Bautista whiffed to end the game, the Sox had won it 4-3.

                       Lowe nails it down

Hero of the Night is Nomar Garciaparra. He drove in 3 of the team's four runs including a 2 run home run.

                                          Nomar the Hero


The Good:

Mike Stanley was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

Manny Alexander was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Ramon Martinez got the win by tossing 5 innings of 2 run ball, he also was 1 for 2 at the plate and scored the go-ahead run.

Trot Nixon walked as a pinch hitter.

Rheal Cormier retired 2 of the 3 men he faced.

Tim Wakefield got the only man he faced.

Rich Garces retired 2 of the 3 men he faced.

Derek Lowe earned his 12th save with a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

Carl Everett was 0 for 4.

Donnie Sadler was 0 for 3.

Brian Daubach was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Hipolito Pichardo gave up a run in 1 1/3 innings.



The Ugly:

Darren Lewis was just 1 for 4 but walked and stole a base.

Jeff Frye was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored 2 runs.

Jason Varitek was just 1 for 4.




Final Thoughts:

Now that was a gutty win. It wasn't easy but the Sox managed to pull it out with some timely hitting and a near lights out bullpen. The only real negative apart from Hipolito Pichardo giving up a run is the starters need to start going deep into games. The bullpen has kept the Sox in a lot of games this year but their arms are going to fall off if guys other than Pedro Martinez can only go 5-6 innings a pop. Guys like Cormier, Garces and Lowe's arms are gonna fall off by September unless someone can step up. Maybe the Sox need to make a trade to get an innings eater. As for now, Nomar is lighting it up and was a big factor in the win. Preston Wilson was so disgusted by the predominantly Red Sox favoring crowd he was quoted after the game saying the Marlins may as well wear their road uniforms for the finale. he win puts the Sox at 31-23, tied for first place in the AL East with the New York Yankees. Tomorrow night the Sox wrap up this interleague series with the Marlins when Brian Rose (3-2, 5.21 ERA) takes on Brad Penny in the finale at 7:05 PM at Pro Player Stadium.

Sox Edge Marlins Late (6/5/00)

For 7 innings it looked like the Boston Red Sox were heading into their 6th straight loss as they trailed the Florida Marlins 2-1. Suddenly a late rally against the Marlins bullpen featuring a Carl Everett big fly led to a shocking come from behind win to get the Sox back on the winning track. Pete Schourek pitched well but it was the efforts of Tim Wakefield (2-4, 4.59 ERA) and Derek Lowe that shut down the Florida attack for a 3-2 win in front of a predominantly Red Sox cheering crowd of 12,523 at Pro Player Stadium.

                                                Detective Sonny Crockett approves of the win

Reid "Yukon" Cornelius got the start for the Marlins and Darren Lewis immediately greeted him with a leadoff double to start the top of the first. Jeff Frye dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Darren to third but Trot Nixon killed the rally by striking out. Nomar Garciaparra flied out to left to end the inning. The Marlins wasted no time scoring in the bottom of the first inning against Schourek. Luis Castillo singled to left but Danny Bautista flied out to right. Castillo took off for second and Schourek threw the ball at him which allowed Castillo to make it to third on the error. Cliff Floyd then smashed a 20,000 foot home run to give the Marlins the quick lead. Preston Wilson whiffed and Mike Lowell flied out to right to end the inning but Florida led 2-0.

Somehow the Sox answered in the top of the second inning. Brian Daubach whiffed but Jason Varitek walked. Manny Alexander legged out a double on a ground ball to left and Varitek scored on the sacrifice fly by Donnie Sadler. Schourek himself singled but Alexander was gunned down at home to end the inning. Still, the Sox got one run back to trail 2-1.

                                         Sadler's herculean sac fly puts the Sox on the board

Schourek settled down in the bottom of the second as Derrek Lee grounded out to short, Alex Gonzalez popped up to second and Mike Redmond also popped up to second to end the inning.

The Sox wasted a big chance to tie the game in the top of the third inning although Lewis popped up to second to start. Frye singled to left and Nixon was plunked. Nomar flied out to right but Frye swiped third to put runners at the corners. The rally ended as Daubach whiffed to end the inning. Schourek got Cornelius to fly out to right to open the bottom of the third but Castillo singled to left. This time Schourek successfully picked him off before Bautista grounded out to short to end the inning.

Once again the Sox got the tying run on in the top of the fourth but could do nothing with it. Varitek flied out to center but Alexander singled. Sadler hit a little roller to third and was put out although Manny moved to second. Schourek grounded out to short to end the inning. Schourek made up for his lack of clutch hitting with some clutch pitching in the bottom of the fourth. Floyd flied out to center, Wilson grounded out to short and Lowell flied out to center to end the inning.

Cornelius cruised in the top of the fifth inning as Lewis flied out to center before both Frye and Nixon grounded out to short to end the inning. Schourek remained tough in the bottom of the fifth although Lee singled to start. Gonzalez and Redmond both flied out to right but a passed ball moved Lee to second. Cornelius flied out to right to end the inning.

The Sox mustered nothing in the top of the sixth as Nomar flied out but Daubach singled. Varitek banged into a double play to end the inning. Schourek had one last inning in him in the bottom of the sixth inning. Castillo watched strike three go by and Bautista grounded out to short, but Floyd doubled to right. Wilson whiffed to end the inning. Apart from the one mistake to Floyd, Schourek pitched damn good in the 6 innings he worked.

                                                        Schourek with 6 solid innings

Alexander watched strike three go by to start the top of the seventh inning but Sadler walked. Carl Everett pinch hit four Schourek as Marlins manager John Boles countered by bringing in Braden Looper. Sadler was forced at second and Everett was thrown out trying to steal to end the inning. Nice going Carl. The Sox pulled a double switch as Everett replaced Sadler in center with Tim Wakefield taking over on the mound in the bottom of the seventh. Lowell flied out to center but Lee walked. Gonzalez banged into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox finally tied the game in the top of the eighth inning as they caught a break when Castillo dropped a routine pop up at second, allowing Lewis to reach first. Frye doubled Darren to third and Boles brought in Armando Almanza. Sox manager Jimy Williams countered by pinch hitting Mike Stanley for Nixon....only for Stanley to hit one up the elevator shaft. Nomar was intentionally walked to load the bases and Daubach watched strike three go by. Somehow Varitek worked a bases loaded walk to tie the game. Boles made a double switch, bringing in Ricky Bones to pitch and Mark Kotsay in for Lee at first. Alexander popped up to first to end the inning but it was now tied 2-2.

                                                     Varitek ties it up

Wakefield returned for the bottom of the eighth inning with Stanley now at first, Lewis in right and Troy O'Leary now in left. Mark Smith pinch hit for Redmond and popped up to short. Kotsay flied out to left but Castillo singled and stole second as usual. Bautista whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox stunned the Marlins in the top of the ninth with Paul Bako now behind the plate. Scott Hatteberg pinch hit for Wakefield and popped up to short. Everett gave the Sox the lead with a solo home run, his 20th of the season to light up the predominantly Sox fans in the audience. Lewis singled but Frye lined out to right. Lewis swiped second but Stanley struck out to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-2.

                                                        Everett's big fly puts the Sox on top

Sox closer Derek Lowe took the mound to finish off the game in the bottom of the ninth. Floyd grounded out to second, Wilson took strike three and Lowell whiffed to end the game. The Sox broke their losing streak with a come from behind 3-2 win.

Hero of the Night is Carl Everett. His ninth inning home run paved the way for victory.

                                                   Everett the Hero



The Good:

Darren Lewis was 2 for 5 with a run scored and a stolen base.

Jeff Frye was 2 for 4 with a stolen base.

Jason Varitek walked twice in four plate appearances, drove in a run and scored.

Manny Alexander was 2 for 4.

Pete Schourek tossed 6 innings of 2 run ball and was 1 for 2 at the plate.

Tim Wakefield got the win by tossing 2 shut-out innings.

Derek Lowe earned his 11th save of the season with a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

Mike Stanley was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Scott Hatteberg was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Trot Nixon was 0 for 2 with a strikeout but was hit with a pitch.

Nomar Garciaparra was 0 for 3 but walked.

Brian Daubach was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Donnie Sadler was 0 for 1 but walked and drove in a run.



Honorable Mention:

Troy O'Leary played left field in the final two innings.




Final Thoughts:

Oh wow, they won? Its been a long time coming and even then it almost didn't happen. For 7 innings the offense looked lifeless but a little late magic got them the win. Its plain to see that a lot of guys that were apart of their main offense last year are just not getting it done. John Valentin is out for the year, Mike Stanley and Troy O'Leary have been useless, Jose Offerman has been hurt and Brian Daubach has been streaky. If it wasn't for Nomar and Everett they would be screwed. The pitching has been fine this season for the most part so if the offense ever picks up, 1st place is not out of the question the way the New York Yankees have been scuffling. The win propelled the Sox to 30-23, tied for first place with the Yankees in the AL East. Tomorrow night Ramon Martinez (4-3) goes up against Jesus Sanchez in Game 2 of this series in Florida at 7:00 PM.

Sox Blow Late Lead, Phillies Walkoff (6/4/00)

It took 5 straight losses but finally the Boston Red Sox have been knocked out of first place. a 3 game sweep by the Philadelphia Phillies put the exclamation point on this putrid week where the team couldn't hit or pitch in the clutch that left them a game behind the New York Yankees in the AL East race. In this latest blunder, the Sox took a 5-0 lead in the third inning only to piss it away, getting shut-out the rest of the way before dropping the game in twelve innings 6-5 at Veterans Stadium.

Phillies ace Curt Schilling got the ball in the top of the first and Darren Lewis grounded out to short to start. Trot Nixon watched strike three go by and Jeff Frye grounded out to second to end the inning. Sox starter Jeff Fassero ran into big trouble in the bottom of the first inning although Doug Glanville grounded out to first to start. Ron Gant caught the Sox asleep with a bunt single down the third base line and Bobby Abreu blooped a single to center. Wilton Veras made a great diving catch to rob Mike Lieberthal of a hit but Pat Burrell walked to load the bases. Kevin Jordan grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox accomplished nothing in the top of the second as Brian Daubach flied out to left to begin. Carl Everett popped up to second but Scott Hatteberg doubled. Veras flied out to left to end the inning. Fassero got Mickey Morandini to ground out to second to start the bottom of the second but Desi Relaford singled. Schilling sacrificed Desi to second with a bunt but Glanville grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Sox exploded on Schilling in the top of the third inning. Donnie Sadler singled to left and Fassero somehow beat out what was supposed to be a sacrifice bunt to put two men on. Lewis also dropped down a sac bunt to move the two runners into scoring position and the gamble paid off as Nixon singled to right to score Sadler to give the Sox the lead. Frye singled home Fassero but Daubach flied out to left. Everett put the exclamation point on the inning with a 3 run blast to give the Sox a commanding lead early. Hatteberg flied out to center to end the inning but it was 5-0 Sox.

                                            "Take that Schilling you sonovabitch!" - Everett

The Phillies wasted no time clawing back into the game as Gant homered to lead off the bottom of the third. Abreu popped up to short but Lieberthal homered as well. Fassero recovered to get Burrell to ground out to second and Jordan to ground out to short to end the inning but the Phillies were down 5-2.

Schilling settled down in the top of the fourth inning, getting Veras to line out to third to begin. Sadler flied out to left and Fassero whiffed to end the inning. Fassero matched Schilling in the bottom of the fourth, striking out Morandini to start. Relaford walked but Schilling popped up the bunt attempt. Glanville flied out to center to end the inning.

The Sox mustered nothing against Schilling in the top of the fifth as Lewis flied out to right to start. Nixon grounded out to second but Frye walked. Daubach whiffed badly to end the inning. The Phillies struck again in the bottom of the fifth although Gant popped up to short to start. Abreu singled but was erased on the force by Lieberthal. Burrell then blasted a 600,000 foot home run halfway to Georgia to pull the Phillies within a run. Jordan doubled but Morandini grounded out to second to end the inning with the Phillies down 5-4.

Once again the Sox did nothing in the top of the sixth inning. Everett whiffed and Hatteberg flied out to center although Veras reached when Relaford booted a ball. Sadler whiffed to end the inning. Fassero came back out for the bottom of the sixth and got Relaford to fly out to right. Schilling flied out to left and Glanville popped up to third to end the inning. Fassero tossed 6 innings of 4 run ball, not great but it'll do.

                                                    Fassero leaves with the lead

Troy O'Leary pinch hit for Fassero and struck out to begin the top of the seventh , hell Fassero could have done that. Lewis grounded out back to the mound but Nixon walked. Frye grounded out to third to end the inning. Schilling managed to go 7 to save the bullpen.

                                                       Schilling goes seven

Rich Garces took over in the bottom of the seventh and got Gant to fly out to center to start. Abreu grounded out to first and Lieberthal grounded out to third to end the inning.

Phillies manager Terry Francona got pitching change happy in the top of the eighth inning. Daubach grounded out to start but Everett walked to chase Schilling. Mark Holzemer took over just to strike out Hatteberg and Wayne Gomes was brought in to pitch to Veras. A wild pitch moved Everett to second but Veras grounded out to third to end the inning. Sox manager Jimy Williams pulled a double switch when Jason Varitek came in for Hatteberg and closer Derek Lowe replaced Garces for the six out save in the bottom of the eighth. Burrell got the rally started with a double and Jordan advanced him to third with a groundout. Morandini popped up to center and Lowe was one out away of getting out of it. It didn't happen as Relaford singled to score Burrell to tie the game. Rob Ducey pinch hit for Gomes and flied out to right to end the inning but the Phillies had tied it 5-5

                                           "I blew it...barffffffff" - Lowe

The Sox offense was done for the night in the top of the ninth inning with Jeff Brantley on the mound. Sadler struck out but Varitek walked. Lewis and Nixon flied out to center to end the inning. A pissed off Lowe came back firing in the bottom of the ninth. Glanville, Gant and Abreu all whiffed in short order.

Onto the top of the tenth, Frye walked to start it. Daubach flied out to center and Everett struck out. Nomar Garciaparra pinch hit for Lowe and singled to put the tying run on second base. Veras popped up to first to end the inning. Hipolito Pichardo came in to pitch the bottom of the tenth and Lieberthal hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Burrell grounded out to third but Jordan walked. Morandini grounded out to second to end the inning.

Jason Boyd came in to shut out the Sox in the top of the eleventh inning. Sadler and Varitek struck out but Lewis singled. Nixon then whiffed to end the inning. Pichardo returned for the bottom of the eleventh and got Relaford to ground out to second to begin. Brian Hunter pinch hit for Boyd and popped up to first. Glanville grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox had one final chance to do something in the top of the 12th inning with Bryan Ward now on the mound.  Frye flied out to center but Daubach walked. Everett flied out to center as Steve Schrenk replaced Ward and Mike Stanley pinch hit for Pichardo. Stanley singled to once again put the tying run at second but Veras flied out to right to end the inning. The end mercifully came in the bottom of the 12th with Rheal Cormier (2-1, 3.91 ERA) on the mound. Gant singled and took second on a wild pitch but Cormier punched out Abreu. Liberthal was intentionally walked and Cormier struck out Burrell. One out away from pushing it to the 13th inning, Jordan ripped a game winning double to end the game 6-5. A brutal loss for the Sox, 5th in a row.

Jackass of the Night is Wilton Veras. He was 0 for 6 and failed repeatedly in the clutch to give the Sox the lead.

                                                    Veras the unclutch Jackass


The Good:

Nomar Garciaparra singled as a pinch hitter.

Mike Stanley singled as a pinch hitter.

Jason Varitek walked once in two plate appearances.

Rich Garces pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Hipolito Pichardo tossed 2 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Rheal Cormier took the loss by allowing the winning run to score in the bottom of the 12th.



The Ugly:

Darren Lewis was just 1 for 5.

Trot Nixon was just 1 for 5 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Jeff Frye was just 1 for 4 but walked twice, drove in a run and scored.

Brian Daubach was 0 for 5 but walked.

Carl Everett was just 1 for 5 but made the hit count as it was a 3 run bomb.'

Scott Hatteberg was just 1 for 4.

Donnie Sadler was just 1 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but also scored.

Jeff Fassero only went 6 innings and allowed 4 runs, but also scored a run at the plate.

Derek Lowe coughed up the lead in the bottom of the eighth but struck out the side in the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

A sweep by the lowly Philadelphia Phillies puts an end to a garbage week. The Sox fell out of first place and doesn't appear to be coming back with the New York Yankees starting to hit their stride. These are the kind of games the Sox need to win against inferior opponents and instead they got swept. Not only that the offense completely fell asleep after the 3 run bomb by Everett. The Phillies got the timely hits they needed to win the game where the Sox didn't. The loss drops the Sox to 29-23, 1 game behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox travel to Florida with a 3 game interleague set with the Marlins. Pete Schourek takes the mound opposite Reid Cornelius at 7:00 PM at Pro Player Stadium.

Philles Nip Sox in Eleven (6/2/00)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move as Andy Sheets was sent to Pawtucket. In his place is pitcher Dan Smith. Now that Nomar is back, they have no need for Sheets with Manny Alexander on the roster and they need another arm in the bullpen.

                                                                          OUT

                                                                      IN

After scoring 11 runs last night, naturally the Red Sox offense would fall asleep a day later. They managed to scratch out just one run against the Philadelphia Phillies, falling in eleven innings to extend their losing streak to 3 games. The Phillies were able to win it in the eleventh inning at Veterans Stadium.

                                                        Old Hoss Radbourn is disgusted

Robert Person began his dominance in the top of the first inning, striking out Donnie Sadler to begin the game. Trot Nixon walked but Brian Daubach flied out to center. Nomar Garciaparra singled but Carl Everett grounded out to first to end the inning. Brian Rose got the start for the Sox and Doug Glanville singled....only to get thrown out at second by Everett. Ron Gant popped up to short and Bobby Abreu grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox missed a chance to take the lead in the top of the second inning. Troy O'Leary whiffed but Jason Varitek walked. Wilton Veras grounded out but Rose himself drew a walk. Sadler popped up to end the inning. The Phillies struck first in the bottom of the second inning. Mike Lieberthal grounded out to third but Kevin Jordan singled. Mickey Morandini walked and Brian Hunter doubled home Jordan to give the Phils the lead. Desi Relaford was intentionally walked to load the bases but Rose was able to strike out Person. Glanville grounded out to second to end the inning but the Phillies were up 1-0.

The Sox threatened in the top of the third although Nixon flied out to left to begin. Daubach walked but Nomar whiffed. Everett was plunked but O'Leary whiffed to end the inning. Rose recovered to stone the Phillies cold in the bottom of the third. Grant grounded out to third, Abreu grounded out to first and Lieberthal flied out to center to end the inning.

The Sox mustered nothing in the top of the fourth inning. Varitek hit one up the elevator shaft but Veras singled to left. Rose bunted foul for strike three and Sadler watched strike three go by to end the inning. Rose ran into trouble in the bottom of the fourth although Jordan grounded out to second to end the inning. Morandini lined out to second but Hunter doubled. Relaford was intentionally walked and Rose struck out Person to end the inning.

More futility occured in the top of the fifth inning as Nixon lined out to third. Daubach grounded out to second but Nomar doubled. Everett whiffed to end the inning. Rose kept pace in the bottom of the fifth by fielding a comebacker by Glanville to begin. Gant flied out to left and Abreu froze for strike three to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the sixth as O'Leary whiffed to start the inning. Varitek flied out to center and Veras flied out to right to end the inning. Rose came back for one last inning in the bottom of the sixth. Lieberthal grounded out to short, Jordan popped up to second and Morandini flied out to left to end the inning. Rose tossed 6 innings of 1 run ball as a huge improvement over most of his starts yet had nothing to show for it.

                                           Great effort by Rose, just had no run support

Jeff Frye pinch hit for Rose in the top of the seventh and somehow poked a base hit to left. Sadler flied out to center, Nixon flied out to right, and Frye was thrown out trying to steal to end the inning. Hipolito Pichardo came in to pitch and Jeff Frye took over at second for Sadler, with the pitcher now batting first. Gotta love National League rules. Hunter flied out to right but Relaford singled. Rob Ducey pinch hit for Person as Relaford stole second base. Ducey struck out and Glanville grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox finally struck back in the top of the eighth with Wayne Gomes now on the mound. Daubach popped up to third and Nomar grounded out to short, but Everett blasted his 18th home run of the year to tie the game. The Sox pounced on Gomes as O'Leary and Varitek struck back to back singles.  Veras singled to left and O'Leary motored around as the throw came home.....OUT! O'Leary was out and the threat ended right then and there with the score tied 1-1.

                                                       Everett homers to tie it up

Pichardo came back for the bottom of the eighth but allowed a leadoff single to Gant. Abreu flied out to left as the alert Varitek gunned down Gant trying to steal. That proved huge as Lieberthal walked and Jordan singled to chase Hipolito. Sox manager Jimy Williams brought in Rich Garces to get Morandini to ground out to first to end the inning.

Jason Boyd replaced Gomes for the top of the ninth and got Frye to fly out to center to start. Hopes of Garces ripping a game winning home run were dashed when Mike Stanley pinch hit for Rich only to strike out. Nixon grounded out back to Boyd to end the inning. Rheal Cormier came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and he got Hunter to fly out to left to start. Relaford popped up to short as Pat Burrell pinch hit for Boyd only for Cormier to walk him. Glanville grounded out to third to end the inning as on to extras we went.

Jeff Brantley got the call to pitch the top of the tenth and Daubach flied out to left to start. Nomar singled but Everett banged into a double play to end the inning by striking out, causing Nomar to get thrown out at second. Cormier fielded a comebacker by Gant to open the bottom of the tenth. Abreu singled to right but Lieberthal popped up to second.  Jordan flied out to left to end the inning.

The Sox went quietly in the top of the eleventh as O'Leary grounded out to first to start. Varitek watched strike three go by and Veras flied out to right to end the inning. John Wasdin (0-2, 4.56 ERA) was brought in to pitch the bottom of the eleventh and Sox manager Jimy Williams immediately regretted it. Morandini hit one up the elevator shaft but Hunter walked. Relaford was plunked and pinch hitter Alex Arias became the hero by ripping the game winning double to give the Phillies a 2-1 win.

Jackass of the Night is John Wasdin. He gave up the game ending run in the bottom of the eleventh.

                                                     Johnny The Jackass


The Good:

Nomar Garciaparra was 3 for 5.

Wilton Veras was 2 for 5.

Brian Rose tossed 6 innings of 1 run ball and walked in a plate appearance.

Jeff Frye was 1 for 2 as a pinch hitter.

Hipolito Pichardo pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Rich Garces retired the only man he faced.

Rheal Cormier tossed 2 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Donnie Sadler was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Mike Stanley struck out as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Trot Nixon was 0 for 4 but walked.

Brian Daubach was 0 for 4 but walked.

Carl Everett was just 1 for 5 but made the hit count as it was a solo home run.

Troy O'Leary was just 1 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Jason Varitek was just 1 for 4 but walked.




Final Thoughts:

Another good Rose start wasted as the Sox couldn't generate any offense against Robert Person. They had Wayne Gomes on the run but O'Leary getting thrown out at home killed any momentum they had. It shouldn't have come to Wasdin having to pitch but he still could have gotten the final two outs of the inning. Another tough loss to swallow and it comes at a bad time, it drops them to 29-21 and in a virtual tie with the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night Tim Wakefield (1-3) takes the mound opposite Randy Wolf at 7:05 PM at Veterans Stadium.

Ramon Pounded, Tigers Take Two of Three (5/21/00)

The Boston Sox can rely on Pedro Martinez to carry them to victory almost every time he starts, but they can no longer rely on his older brother Ramon (3-3, 6.95 ERA). Ramon simply doesn't have it anymore. He got rocked, rolled and knocked out of the game so fast the Sox couldn't recover. The Detroit Tigers knocked Ramon out in the third inning after he allowed 6 hits and 3 walks. John "Way Back" Wasdin allowed 3 inherited runners to score to put the Sox in a huge hole. The Sox did rally for 5 runs and the Sox bullpen didn't allow a run after the third inning, but it wasn't enough. Tigers closer Doug Jones slammed the door in the bottom of the ninth and the Tigers beat the Red Sox 7-5 at Fenway Park.

Four pitches into the top of the first, the Tigers had the lead as Greg Jefferies hit a piece of crap home un just inside the Pesky Pole to lead off the game. Brad Ausmus grounded out to short but Rich Becker walked. Juan Gonzalez struck out swinging and Bobby Higginson popped up to right to end the inning with the Tigers up 1-0.

                                                 Tigers take the lead

The Sox could do nothing in the bottom of the first off Detroit starter Hideo Nomo. Jose Offerman was robbed of a hit on a great diving stab by Jose Macias to start. Trot Nixon grounded out to first and Brian Daubach flied out to right to end the inning.

The Tigers struck again in the top of the second as Dean Palmer hit a cue shot down the first base line for a double to start. Palmer moved to third on the grounder to second by Robert Fick and Jose Macias singled him home to increase the lead. Deivi Cruz flied out to right and Jefferies grounded out to second to end the inning with the Tigers up 2-0.

                                                      Macias drives in a run

Mike Stanley walked to begin the bottom of the second, but Carl Everett whiffed. Troy O'Leary flied out to the right field warning track and Jason Varitek struck out swinging to end the inning.

Ramon puked on himself in the top of the third and it started when Donnie Sadler airmailed Stanley on a ground ball by Ausmus to start. Becker hit a broken bat looper into right and Gonzalez doubled into the gap in right to score Ausmus with another run. Higginson was intentionally walked to load the bases and John Valentin made a great play on a Palmer grounder. Valentin tossed to second to get Higginson but Bobby took out Offerman to score Becker, Fick walked to re-load the bases and that was it for Ramon. Sox manager Jimy Williams removed Ramon after just 2 1/3 innings and 4 runs allowed so far.

                                                          Thanks a lot Ramon

John Wasdin came in to pour gas on the fire as Macias hit a broken bat looper just over the reach of Offerman to score Gonzalez and move Palmer to third. Cruz hit a sac fly to left to score Palmer and Jefferies dumped an opposite field base hit to left to score Macias with another run to close the book on Ramon. Ausmus popped up to end the inning with the Tigers in front 7-0.

                                                          It didn't look good

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the third although Valentin singled in the hole at short to start. Sadler struck out swinging and Offerman flied out weakly to left, but Nixon singled up the middle. Daubach took a full count strike three on the inside corner to end the inning.

Wasdin returned for the top of the fourth and gave up a lead off double to Becker off the bottom of the Monster. Wasdin turned up the heat by striking out Gonzalez swinging, Higginson looking and Palmer swinging to end the inning. The Sox couldn't touch Nomo in the bottom of the fourth as Stanley flied out to the left field warning track to start. Gonzalez ran down an Everett fly ball and O'Leary flied out to left to end the inning.

Wasdin came back for the top of the fifth and Fick popped up to second to start. Macias popped up to Wasdin who almost took a glove to the head from Stanley and Cruz lined out to a jumping Offerman to end the inning. The Sox threatened to get on the board in the bottom of the fifth when Varitek walked but Valentin struck out looking. Sadler got a bloop hit to right but Offerman was rung up for strike three on a check swing in the dirt. Nixon popped up to shallow left to end the inning.

Rheal Cormier came in for the top of the sixth and Jefferies flied out to right to start. Ausmus singled to center but Becker flied out to left. Gonzalez grounded into a force at second to end the inning. The Sox finally got on the board in the bottom of the sixth. Daubach flied out to right but Stanley smashed a solo home run into the screen in left. Gonzalez let a line drive by Everett drop in front of him and that was it for Nomo. Willie Blair came in to pitch but O'Leary greeted him with a little roller up the middle for a base hit. Varitek popped up to first and Valentin grounded into a force to end the inning with the Sox down 7-1.

                                                         Sox were on the board

Cormier returned for the top of the seventh and Higginson flied out to right to start. Palmer struck out swinging and Fick was robbed of a home run by Nixon to end the inning. 

                                                          Great catch by Nixon

The Sox rallied in the bottom of the seventh as Sadler dumped a base hit to right to start. Offerman cause the Tigers asleep with a  bunt single to third Lefty Allen McDill was brought in but Sox manager Jimy Williams countered by pinch hitting lefty Nixon with righty Jeff Frye. Sox analyst Jerry Remy questioned the move by saying they'll need Nixon's power in the ninth but Frye delivered with a base hit to left to load the bases. Daubach popped up to third and Matt Anderson replaced McDill. Stanley and Everett both walked to cut the lead. O'Leary then scored Frye with a sac fly to center. Suddenly representing the tying run, Varitek struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox had rallied to make a game of it, 7-4.

                                                       Frye singles and scores

Frye remained in right as Rich Garces came in to pitch the top of the eighth. Macias took strike three, Cruz struck out swinging and Jefferies flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox rallied again in the bottom of the eighth. Danny Patterson came in to pitch and was quickly chased when Valentin dropped a single in front of Becker to start. Sadler singled up the middle and bye by Patterson. Doug Brocail came in to pitch got a big out when Offerman struck out swinging. Frye then doubled home Valentin to put the tying run at second base. Daubach and Stanley both whiffed on full counts to end the inning. If nothing else the Sox were showing balls on both sides of the plate by rallying down 7-0 to make it 7-5.

                                                         Frye doubles in a run

Sox closer Derek Lowe took the mound in the top of the ninth and Ausmus popped up to second to start. Becker popped up to short but Gonzalez doubled in the gap in left. Higginson struck out looking to end the inning. The Sox bullpen had done their jobs, not allowing any runs since the third inning. Tigers closer Todd Jones came in to close out the game. Everett whiffed, O'Leary grounded out to short and Varitek struck out swinging to end the game. The Tigers held on to win the game 7-5.

                                                                  Tigers win

Jackass of the Night is Ramon Martinez. He lasted just 2 1/3 innings and was charged with 7 earned runs, forcing the offense to be in rally mode and the bullpen to toss the remaining 6 2/3 innings. Thanks for nothing.

                                                         Ramon Martinez: Jackass


The Good:

Trot Nixon was 1 for 3 with a great catch before being replaced. 

Jeff Frye was 2 for 2 with a run and an rbi. 

Mike Stanley was 1 for 3 with 2 walks, a run scored and 2 rbi's. 

John Valentin was 2 for 4 with a run scored. 

Donnie Sadler was 3 for 4 with a run scored. 

Rheal Cormier tossed two innings of scoreless relief. 

Rich Garces tossed a perfect eighth inning. 

Derek Lowe pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Brian Daubach was a strong candidate for Jackass by going 0 for 5 and repeatedly failing with men on base.

The Ugly:

Jose Offerman was just 1 for 5 with a run scored. 

Carl Everett was just 1 for 4 but walked and drove in a run. 

Troy O'Leary was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run. 

Jason Varitek was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but walked. 

John Wasdin pitched 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief but allowed 3 inherited runners to score.

Final Thoughts.

Well it was nice to see the Sox have balls to come back to make a game of it, both on pitching and offense. Its too bad the Sox couldn't complete the comeback because it would have been the win of the year. Something needs to be done about Ramon because he's been worse than Brian Rose this year so far. Jeff Fassero and Pete Schourek have done well with Pedro but Ramon, not so much. The worst part about this way was how the Tigers got their seven runs, just spraying the ball all over the field. They may have to make a trade or bring someone up. Its too bad Bret Saberhagen is out for the year. The loss dropped the Sox to 25-15, still in first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Sox start a 3 game series against the Toronto Blue Jays. Pedro Martinez matches up with Chris Carpenter at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Daubach, Sox Walkoff A's (8/16/99)

For eight innings it looked like the Oakland A's were going to pull in to a tie for the American League Wild Card slot. Brian Rose got rocked for 4 runs in just 2 1/3 innings although the Sox got some runs back courtesy of Reggie Jefferson and John Valentin. The A's got a run off Rich Garces to take a 5-3 into the bottom of the ninth. Things looked bleak when John Valentin struck out for the second out but A's manager Art Howe made a boo-boo. He brought in Tim Worrell to face the AL Player of The Week Brian Daubach. Daubach continued his hot streak with a bases clearing double to win the game. The Sox had stunned the A's 6-5 at Fenway Park.

                                                   Shireen Crutchfield approves of the win

Rose got the ball in the top of the first inning and Ryan Christenson grounded out to third to start. Randy Velarde grounded out to first and Jason Giambi struck out swinging to end the inning. Omar Olivares got the ball to start the bottom of the first and Jose Offerman grounded a single up the middle. John Valentin grounded into a double play and Brian Daubach flied out to the left field wall  to end the inning.

John Jaha grounded out to short to start the top of the second before old friend Matt Stairs grounded out to second. Ben Grieve grounded out to second to end the inning. Nomar Garciaparra popped up to first in foul territory to start the bottom of the second. Reggie Jefferson singled to center but Jason Varitek forced Jefferson at second to end the inning.

The A's struck first in the top of the third as Miguel Tejada walked to start. Eric Chavez singled to right and AJ Hinch hit a home run all the way to Yellowstone to put the A's on top. Christenson walked and Velarde singled to center, but Giambi took strike three. Jaha ripped a base hit to center to score Christenson to chase the incompetent Rose. He allowed 4 runs in 2 2/3 innings on 4 hits and 2 walks. Mark Guthrie came in to pitch and Stairs moved the runners over with a grounder to first. Grieve flied out to left to end the inning with the A's up 4-0.

                                                              Rose gets hammered

Donnie Sadler grounded out to short to start the bottom of the third before Trot Nixon flied out to center. Offerman grounded out to short to end the inning.

Tejada walked to start the top of the fourth but Chavez struck out swinging. Hinch forced Tejada at second and promptly stole second. Christenson grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Valentin grounded out to short to start. Daubach walked and Nomar was hit with a pitch, but O'Leary lined out to third. Jefferson lined a ball off the Monster for a single to score Daubach. Varitek grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox down 4-1.

                                                            Daubach scores a run

Guthrie returned for the top of the fifth and the Sox broadcast team was chosen by their first round pick in the 1999 draft Rick Asadoorian. Hope he makes it some day. Velarde struck out swinging, Giambi flied out to left and Jaha struck out swinging to end the inning.

                                                            Asadoorian in the house

The Sox struck back with Olmedo Saenz in for Giambi to start the bottom of the fifth. Sadler grounded out to short but Nixon stroked a seeing eye single in to right. Offerman moved Nixon to second with a grounder to first and Valentin ripped a base hit to right. Nixon scored to cut the lead in half but Daubach struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 4-2.

                                                             Sox inch closer

Stairs struck out swinging to open the top of the sixth but Grieve lined out short. That was it for Guthrie as Rich Garces came in to pitch to Tejeda. Miguel lined out to third to end the inning. Garciaparra reached on an error to start the bottom of the sixth but O'Leary could only move Nomar to second with a fly ball to right. Jefferson grounded out to second to move Nomar to third but Varitek grounded out to second to end the inning.

The A's struck in the top of the seventh as Chavez lined out to center to start. Hinch struck out swinging but Christenson singled to right. Christenson stole second and Velarde singled to to center, the ball getting booted by Sadler for an error to score Christenson. Saenz lined out to center to end the inning with the A's ahead 5-2.

The Sox fought back in the bottom of the seventh as Sadler beat out a grounder to Tejeda to start. A passed ball moved Sadler to second and Nixon moved Donnie to third with a grounder to second. Offerman singled in the hole at short to score Sadler to cut the lead and chase Olivares. Greg McMichael came in to pitch and Valentin struck out swinging and Daubach flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox down 5-3.

                                                            Sadler scores a run

Jaha took strike three to start the top of the eighth before Stairs grounded out to second. Grieve got a base hit to right and Jason McDonald ran for him. Tejada struck out swinging to end the inning. Garciaparra grounded out to third to start the bottom of the eighth and Buddy Groom came in to pitch to O'Leary. Troy grounded back to the mound and that was it for Groom. Doug Jones came in to pitch and Mike Stanley pinch hit for Jefferson. Stanley grounded out to short to end the inning.

Derek Lowe came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Chavez struck out swinging to start. Hinch grounded out to short and Christenson took strike three to end the inning. The Sox refused to go quietly in the bottom of the ninth as Varitek dumped a base hit to right to start. Butch Huskey pinch hit for Sadler and hit a line drive base hit to center to put the tying run on. Darren Lewis pinch ran for Huskey but Nixon flied out to left. Offerman drilled a base hit to right to load the bases but Valentin struck out swinging. A's manager Art Howe brought in Tim Worrell to face Daubach and one strike away from defeat, Daubach launched a ball off the Monster. Varitek and Lewis scored easily and the throw came home to get Huskey....OFFLINE....RED SOX WIN!!!

                                                                   Sox win

Hero of The Night is Brian Daubach. He got the bases clearing doubled to win the game.

                                                     Nomar hugs our hero

The Good:

Jose Offerman was 3 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Reggie Jefferson was 2 for 3 with an rbi.

Darren Lewis scored a run as a pinch runner.

Donnie Sadler was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Butch Huskey singled and scored as a pinch hitter.

Mark Guthrie tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings.

Derek Lowe got the win with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Troy O'Leary was 0 for 4.

Mike Stanley was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Brian Rose allowed 4 runs in just 2 1/3 innings.

The Ugly:

John Valentin was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts but drove in a run.

Nomar Garciaparra was 0 for 3 but was hit with a pitch.

Jason Varitek was just 1 for 4.

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

Rich Garces allowed a run in 2 1/3 innings.

Final Thoughts:

What a week for Daubach and what a come from behind win for the Red Sox. The Sox have a legitimate chance to repeat as Wild Card champions or overtake the Yankees if they can go on a run. Wins like this can launch a team with the proper momentum. Things are clicking and hopefully the Sox can keep this going. The only drawback is Brian Rose continues to pitch like trash. The Sox are going to need starting pitching if they're going to beat the Yankees and just Pedro Martinez and Bret Saberhagen isn't going to cut it. The win improved the Sox to 66-52, 6.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it two in a row against Oakland tomorrow night when Bret Saberhagen (9-4) takes on Gil Heredia of Oakland. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.