Yaz Inducted into HoF, Sox Beat White Sox (7/24/89)

It was a special day for Boston Red Sox fans as Carl Yastrzmeski was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame today. He needed just 6 years after he retired to be enshrined into Cooperstown and now he takes his place alongside Ted Williams in baseball immortality. As for the game itself, current future hall of famer Roger Clemens (11-7, 3.21 ERA) brought the Sox a game closer to .500 with his 11th win of the season. Clemens outwitted the Chicago White Sox, surrendering just 1 run in 7 innings of work. Randy Kutcher drove in more runs by himself than the entire White Sox team, Nick Esasky hit a home run and the BoSox knocked off the White Sox 8-2 in an economical 2 hours an 34 minutes at Fenway Park.

                                             Yaz approves of the win and his HoF plaque

The White Sox got to Clemens first in the top of the first inning as Dave Gallagher singled to right to start. Steve Lyons sacrificed him to second and Dave moved to third on the Harold Baines grounder. Ivan Calderon tripled home Gallagher to put Chicago on top. Dan Pasqua walked but Carlton Fisk grounded out to second to end the inning with the ChiSox up 1-0.

                                                   Clemens watches the triple fly

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt against Chicago starter Steve Rosenberg in the bottom of the first inning. Wade Boggs grounded out to third, Luis Rivera also grounded out to third and Kevin Romine grounded out to short to end the inning.

Clemens found his groove in the top of the second inning as he blew away Daryl Boston to start. Carlos Martinez took strike three but Ozzie Guillen beat out an infield single. Guillen was thrown out at second trying to steal by the alert Rick Cerone to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the second as Mike Greenwell hit a grounder up the middle for a base hit to start. Nick Esasky flied out to right but Jim Rice also singled to center. Randy Kutcher broke his bat on a blooper to right that scored Greenwell to tie the game and Cerone doubled home Rice. Ed Romero scored Kutcher with a sac fly and Boggs got a base hit to left. Rivera flied out to left to end the inning but it was 3-1 Red Sox.

                                                                Kutcher drives in a run

Gallagher flied out to right to start the top of the third inning before Lyons watched strike three go by. Baines grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox iced the game in the bottom of the third although Romine grounded out to short to start. Greenwell drew a walk but Esasky flied out to right. Rice walked and Kutcher launched a 3 run home run into the centerfield bleachers to effectively end the game. Cerone hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning with the BoSox ahead 6-1.

                                                        No going back to Pawtucket now

Calderon tried to start a rally in the top of the fourth but Pasqua flied out to right and Fisk banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Romero flied out to left to start. Boggs smacked a double to center and moved to third on the fly ball by Rivera. Romine singled home Boggs to increase the lead and chase Rosenberg. Ken Patterson got Greenwell to fly out to left to end the inning with the BoSox ahead 7-1.

                                                            Romine drives in a run

Clemens got Boston to fly out to second to begin the top of the fifth before Martinez grounded out to short. Guillen doubled to left but Gallagher got rung up for strike three to end the inning. The Sox wrapped up their portion of the scoring in the bottom of the fifth when Esasky launched a 454 bomb off Patterson to increase the lead. Rice popped up to first, Kutcher whiffed and Cerone went down hacking to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-1.

                                                      Esasky is all smiles

Lyons beat out a bunt to start the top of the sixth but Greg Walker pinch hit for Baines who hurt his wrist only to hit into a double play. Calderon grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the seventh as Romero popped up to first to start. Boggs took strike three and Rivera also popped up to first to end the inning.

Clemens cruised in the top of the seventh in his final inning. Pasqua flied out to center to start before Fisk went down swinging. Boston grounded out to first to end the inning. Clemens was great, tossing 7 innings of 1 run ball to earn the win.

                                                    Roger pitches very well

The BoSox threatened in the bottom of the seventh as Romine flied out to right to start. Greenwell singled to left but Esasky went down swinging. Rice got a base hit to left and Greenwell took third on a passed ball. Kutcher grounded out to short to end the inning.

Lee Smith came in for the top of the eighth and Martinez grounded out to third to start. Guillen grounded out to third and Gallagher lined out to right to end the inning. Shawn Hillegas got the call for the bottom of the eighth and Cerone lined out to left to begin. Romero popped up to second and Boggs whiffed to end the inning.

The White Sox rallied against Smith in the top of the ninth as Lyons singled to right to begin. Walker whiffed but Calderon walked and Pasqua singled home Lyons. Fisk forced Pasqua at second on a grounder and Boston popped up to short to end the game. The Sox had won the game 8-2.

Hero of the Night is Randy Kutcher. His 3 run bomb was all the Sox needed to win and he drove in another run to boot.

                                                          Kutch Potato Hero



The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

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

Jim Rice was 2 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Roger Clemens earned his 11th win with 7 innings of 1 run ball while striking out 5.



The Bad:

Luis Rivera was 0 for 4.



The Ugly:

Kevin Romine was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Nick Esasky was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was his 15th home run.

Rick Cerone was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Ed Romero was 0 for 3 but drove in a run.

Lee Smith allowed a run in 2 innings of work.




Final Thoughts:

That was a great win but the team is still quite unpopular with the local press and fans. Still, winning games like that will help get rapport back after the awful first half this team had. Kutcher stepped up big today and the Sox need that from him with Ellis Burks and Marty Barrett sidelined. Speaking of Barrett, after being sidelined since June 6th with knee surgery, he begins his rehab with Pawtucket tomorrow. Clemens said after the game that this one was for Yaz and even though the season has been a mess, that was a nice touch. The Sox aren't too far behind to make a run as repeat AL East champions and they have a week to find another piece at the trade deadline to do it. The win improved the Sox to 45-48, 6.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for 1st place in the AL East. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox welcome the Kansas City Royals in for a set. Mike Boddicker (8-7) goes for the Sox up against Charlie Leibrandt at 7:35 PM at Fenway Park.

Clemens, Sox Beat Tigers (6/5/89)

This season is a disaster for the Boston Red Sox but thank goodness for Roger Clemens (6-4, 2.82 ERA) this season. One of the only silver linings so far held the Detroit Tigers to just 5 hits and 2 runs while pitching into the eighth inning. Mike Greenwell put the Sox up early with a 2 run bomb off Detroit starter David Palmer. Dwight Evans added a solo blast off old pal Mike Trujillo and the Sox scratched out two other runs. Rob Murphy slammed the door in the final two innings and the Sox had beaten the Tigers 5-2 at Tiger Stadium.

                                                       Monique Noel approves of the win

The Sox bushwhacked Palmer in the top of the first inning as Jody Reed walked to start. Reed moved to second on the grounder to first by Ed Romero and Wade Boggs singled home Reed to put Boston top. Mike Greenwell smashed his eighth hone run of the year to increase the lead and Dwight Evans singled to left. Ellis Burks forced Evans at second then stole second base, but Carlos Quintana took strike three to end the inning with the Sox up 3-0.

                                                              Home run Greenwell

Clemens got the ball in the bottom of the first and Gary Pettis flied out to left to start. Dave Bergman grounded out to second and Lou Whitaker flied out to right to end the inning.

Nick Esasky walked to start the top of the second but Rich Gedman flied out to left. Reed banged into a double play to end the inning. The Tigers struck back in the bottom of the second as old friend Fred Lynn popped up to first in foul territory to start. Keith Moreland hit a home run to Addison Gilbert Hospital to cut the lead but Matt Nokes grounded back to the mound. Chet Lemon took strike three to end the inning with the Tigers down 2-1.

                                                           Moreland goes deep

The Sox answered in the top of the third as Romero walked to start. Boggs doubled to right and Romero scored on the grounder to first by Greenwell. Evans grounded out to short and Burks went down hacking to end the inning with the Sox up 3-1.

                                                              Romero scores a run

Clemens cruised in the bottom of the third as Rick Schu flied out to right to start. Alex Pedrique flied out to right and Pettis took strike three to end the inning.

Quintana flied out to right to start the top of the fourth before Esasky grounded out to short. Gedman grounded out to second to end the inning. Clemens dominated the bottom of the fourth as Bergman grounded back to the mound to start. Whitaker grounded out to second and Lynn struck out swinging to end the inning. 

Reed walked to start the top of the fifth but Jody was doubled off first on the bullet to third hit by Romero. Boggs singled in the hole at first and that was it for Palmer. Paul Gibson came in to pitch and Greenwell flied out to center to end the inning. Moreland grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the fifth but Nokes singled to left. Lemon walked but Schu went down hacking. Pedrique went down swinging to end the inning.

Old friend Mike Trujillo came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Evans greeted him with his eighth home run of the season to increase the lead. Burks took strike three but Quintana and Esasky drew back to back walks to chase Trujillo. Frank Williams came in and Quintama was doubled off second on a bullet hit to Whitaker by Gedman to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-1.

                                                                Evans jacks one

The Tigers got a run back in the bottom of the sixth as Pettis struck out swinging to start. Bergman grounded out to first but Whitaker hit a home run all the way to Venus to cut the lead. Lynn grounded out to second to end the inning with the Tigers down 4-2.

                                                                Whitaker hits one out

Reed grounded out to third to start the top of the seventh before Romero popped up to second. Boggs grounded out to second to end the inning. Moreland hit a squibber in front of the plate that Gedman spiked like a football for an error to start the bottom of the seventh. Nokes banged into a double play but Lemon singled to center. Schu grounded out to second to end the inning. 

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the eighth as Greenwell grounded out to short to start. Evans singled up the middle and stole second for good measure. Burks walked and Quintana lined a base hit to right. Evans came around to score but was thrown out at home. Esasky grounded out to third to end the inning. Clemens returned briefly for the bottom of the eighth and Pat Sheridan pinch hit for Pedrique to start. Sheridan struck out swinging but Pettis singled to center to chase Clemens. Roger was game, tossing 7 1/3 innings and giving up just the two solo shots. Rob Murphy sprinted from the bullpen to take the mound and Gary Ward pinch hit for Bergman. Ward popped up to first in foul territory and Whitaker grounded out to second to end the inning.

                                                             Clemens pitches into the eighth

Mike Heath came in for the top of the ninth and the Sox blew another rally. Gedman grounded out to second but Reed and Romero drew back to back walks. Willie Hernandez came in to pitch to Boggs and Wade flied out to left. Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning. Murphy bolted out of the dugout to close out the bottom of the ninth and Lynn struck out swinging to start. Moreland singled to center but Nokes struck out swinging. Lemon took strike three to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-2.

Hero of the Night is Roger Clemens. The Sox had a balanced offensive attack but Roger Clemens held the fort for 7 1/3 innings, allowing just two solo home runs to earn the win.

                                                                  Rocket Hero

The Good:

Jody Reed walked three times in five plate appearances and scored a run.

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

Dwight Evans was 3 for 4 with an rbi, stolen base and a run scored.

Carlos Quintana was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Nick Esasky walked twice in four plate appearances.

Rob Murphy got the save with 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Rich Gedman was 0 for 4 with an error.

The Ugly:

Ed Romero was 0 for 3 but walked twice and scored a run.

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 5 but knocked in 3 total runs and hit a 2 run homer.

Ellis Burks was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked and stole a base.

Final Thoughts:

The Sox can't get untracked this season but Clemens has been his usual self for sure. He didn't completely dominate the Tigers but they could only muster two solo home runs against him. Murphy has been damn good this season and slammed the door big time. Greenwell knocked in 3 big runs and its good to see the offense do some running with Burks and Evans swiping bags. If Morgan Magic is wearing off, the Sox have a lot of work to do to prepare for next season. Still, the Sox were a balanced attack in this game and hopefully the Sox can turn the ship around like they did last year. The win improved the Sox to 25-27,  5.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to beat the Tigers again tomorrow night when Joe Price (1-1) takes on Mike Schwabe of Detroit. The game begins at 8:30 PM Eastern time at Tiger Stadium.

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

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

                                                 Barnaby hates blown leads in the 8th

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

                                                 Burks gets knocked out

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

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

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

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

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

                                                Ryan allowed just 1 hit through 5

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

                                              Clemens gets it done through 5

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

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

                                                IDIOT!

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

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

                                                     Ryan was tough

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

                                                 Dammit

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

                                                 Rangers win


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

                                                Golden Sombrero Jackass


The Good:

Ellis Burks had a hit by pitch before leaving.

Randy Kutcher walked twice in three plate appearances.

Ed Romero was 1 for 3.

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



The Bad:

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 4.

Rich Gedman was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Sam Horn struck out to end the game.



The Ugly:

Jim Rice was 0 for 3 but was plunked.

Wade Boggs was 0 for 2 but walked twice.

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

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



Honorable Mention:

Dwight Evans played right field in the final two innings.




Final Thoughts:

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

Rangers Walkoff Sox in 12 Innings (4/28/89)

For 5 innings the Boston Red Sox were in complete control of this game against the Texas Rangers. Mike Boddicker had held the Rangers to just 2 runs at that point while the Sox were ahead 6-2. Then the wheels fell off as the Rangers chased Boddicker in the sixth and tied the game off Bob Stanley in the bottom of the eighth. With the game well past midnight and no end in sight, the game was suspended until the following morning. When action resumed, Julio Franco hit a walkoff home run against Rob Murphy (0-2, 3.95 ERA) to end the game once and for all. The Rangers needed 12 innings to beat the Red Sox 7-6 at Arlington Stadium.

                                                     Doc Brown can't believe it

The Sox exploded against Rangers starter Kevin Brown in the bottom of the first inning as Wade Boggs walked to start. Ed Romero doubled to left and Ellis Burks walked to load the bases. Mike Greenwell whiffed but Jim Rice scored Boggs with a ground out. Dwight Evans walked to reload the bases and Nick Esasky pounded a grand slam to put the Sox up big early. Jody Reed beat out an infield single to third but Rick Cerone took strike three to end the inning. Things looked good with the Sox ahead 5-0 already.

                                                              Esasky with the grand slam

The Rangers wasted no time getting back in the game against Boddicker in the bottom of the first as Cecil Espy struck out looking to start. Scott Fletcher walked and Rafael Palmeiro doubled him to third. Ruben Sierra scored Fletcher with a sac fly and Julio Franco singled home Palmeiro. Franco swiped second but Geno Petralli flied out to center to end the inning with the Rangers down 5-2.

                                                      Why can't the Sox have guys like this?

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second as Boggs grounded back to the mound to start. Romero grounded out to third but Steve Buechele booted a grounder by Burks for an error. Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning. Pete Incaviglia was plunked to start the bottom of the second but Rick Leach flied out to left. Incaviglia stole second but Buechele took strike three. Espy grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the third when Rice got a base hit to left to start and took second on the Evans strikeout. Esasky walked and that was it for Brown. Brad Arnsberg came in and Reed walked to load the bases. Cerone beat out a double play ball to score Rice and Boggs walked to re-load the bases. Naturally Romero grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-2.

                                                                  Rice scores a run

Boddicker cruised in the bottom of the third as Fletcher grounded out to second to start. Palmeiro lined out to first and Sierra popped up to center to end the inning.

Burks walked to start the top of the fourth and moved to second on the Greenwell grounder. Rice struck out swinging and Evans flied out to right to end the inning. Franco grounded out to second to begin the bottom of the second but Petralli and Incaviglia stroked back to back singles. Leach flied out to right and Buechele grounded out to short to end the inning.

Esasky flied out to right to start the top of the fifth then Reed flied out to left. Cerone walked to chase Arnsberg and Drew Hall got Boggs to strike out swinging to end the inning. Espy dropped down a bunt but then tackled Cerone trying to make the play, forcing the umpire to call him out on interference. Fletcher lined out to first but Palmeiro walked. Sierra flied out to right to end the inning.

Romero walked to start the top of the sixth but was thrown out trying to steal. Burks walked but Greenwell flied out to left and Rice flied out to center to end the inning. The Rangers fought back in the bottom of the sixth as Franco walked to start. Petralli flied out to right but Incaviglia singled to left to chase Boddicker. Bob Stanley came in and Leach singled home Franco to cut the lead. Buechele struck out swinging but both runners moved over on a wild pitch. Espy grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the seventh as Evans flied out to center to start. Esasky grounded out to third and Reed grounded out to second to end the inning. Fletcher walked to begin the bottom of the seventh but Palmeiro flied out to center. Sierra flied out to right and Franco grounded out to third to end the inning.

Kenny Rogers came in to pitch the top of the eighth and the Sox blew their best chance to ice the game. Cerone walked and Boggs singled to left to put two men on and nobody out. Marty Barrett pinch ran for Cerone and Romero moved both runners over with a sacrifice bunt. Burks was intentionally walked to set up the double play...and naturally Greenwell hit into one to end the inning. Dammit!

                                                           Good going Mike.

Rich Gedman took over behind the plate for the bottom of the eighth and things looked good when Petralli whiffed to start. Incaviglia walked and Leach doubled him home to cut the lead, but Buechele struck out swinging. One out away from escaping the jam....Espy singled home Leach to chase Stanley. Lee Smith came in and Espy stole second before scoring on the Fletcher base hit to left to tie the game. Fletcher was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double to end the inning but the Rangers tied it 6-6.

                                                        Nice going Stanley

Cecillo Guante came in to pitch the top of the ninth and struck out the side. Rice, Evans and Esasky all went down hacking in short order to end the inning. Palmeiro singled to center to put the winning run on in the bottom of the ninth but Sierrs flied out to right. Franco banged into a double play to end the inning.

Reed grounded back to the mound to start the top of the tenth and Gedman watched strike three go by. Boggs grounded out to short to end the inning. With the game heading toward 3 AM in Boston and well past midnight in Texas, the game was suspended until the following day. When action resumed in the bottom of the tenth, Rob Murphy was on the mound and Mike Stanley pinch hit for Petralli, getting a base hit to second. Jeff Stone pinch ran for Stanley and Incaviglia singled to center. Jeff Kunkel pinch hit for Leach and bunted both runners over. Murphy got a big out by striking out Buechele and Buddy Bell pinch hit for Espy and struck out swinging to end the inning.

Jim Sundberg took over behind the plate for the top of the eleventh and Romero struck out swinging to start. Burks whiffed but Greenwell walked. Rice went down hacking to end the inning. Fletcher grounded out to second to start the bottom of the eleventh and Palmeiro flied out to left. Sierra lined out to left to end the inning.

Evans grounded out to third to open the top of the 12th inning then Esasky flied out to right. Reed popped up to third in foul territory to end the inning. The game finally ended quickly in the bottom of the 12th inning. Franco hit a home run to South America to win the game. After all of that, the Rangers had won it 7-6.

                                                                  Damn it

Jackass of the Night is Rob Murphy. He allowed the home run to Franco to end the game.

                                                                     Nice going Jackass

The Good:

Ellis Burks walked 4 times and scored a run.

Rick Cerone walked twice and drove in a run.

Mike Boddicker was solid for 5 1/3 innings getting charged with 3 runs while striking out 2.

The Bad:

Rich Gedman struck out in his only plate appearance.

Bob Stanley allowed 3 runs of his own and let an inherited runner to score in 2 1/3 innings.

The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was just 1 for 4 but walked twice and scored a run.

Ed Romero was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored a run.

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 5 but walked.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 6 but drove in a run and scored.

Dwight Evans was 0 for 5 but walked and scored a run.

Nick Esasky was just 1 for 5 with a walk but the one hit was a grand slam.

Jody Reed was just 1 for 5 but walked.

Lee Smith allowed the tying run to score but none of his own in 1 1/3 innings.

Honorable Mention:

Marty Barrett pinch ran for Cerone in the top of the eighth.

Final Thoughts:

The Sox had a 6-2 lead and the Rangers starter out in the third inning yet still found a way to lose. The Rangers bullpen essentially tossed 9 2/3 scoreless innings. The Sox would have only needed 4 to have won the game. Hats off to the Rangers for pulling that off but that's terrible offense by the Sox to not score a single run after Kevin Brown was out of the game. Its not like the Rangers are known for their bullpen like the Oakland A's or New York Mets. Its been a bad month for the Sox as the Texas Rangers have been finding ways to win and the Sox finding ways to lose. Once again, give credit to the Rangers for not quitting when they lost their starter in the third inning. The Sox look to bounce back later tonight as it turns out when Wes Gardner (0-1) takes on Charlie Hough of the Rangers at 10:35 PM Eastern time at Arlington Stadium.

Henderson's Single Guides A's Past Sox in Game 1 (10/5/88)

Uh oh....It looks like the AL West champion Oakland A's are for real. Boston Red Sox fans were concerned when they lost 6 of their last 7 games and it certainly carried over into the American League Championship Series. The offense was non-existent against the Oakland A's pitching and old friend Dave Henderson was the difference maker in today's game. The game was tied when Henderson drove in the winning run and the A's bullpen held on to beat the Red Sox 2-1 to take Game 1 of the ALCS at Fenway Park.

"DAMMIT!!!!!!!!!!!"

Bruce Hurst took the mound in the top of the first inning and old pal Carney Lansford took strike three on the outside corner to begin the game. Another old friend Dave Henderson singled in the hole at short but Jose Canseco flied out a running Dwight Evans in right. Mark McGwire hit a squibber back to Hurt to end the inning. Stewart got the ball in the bottom of the first and Wade Boggs lashed a single to center to begin. Marty Barrett popped up to short before a passed ball moved Boggs to second. Dwight Evans whiffed on a forkball before Mike Greenwell hit a bullet but right to Canseco in right to end the inning.

Hurst was wild in the top of the second as Terry Steinbach led off with a four pitch walk before another old friend, Don Baylor looked at strike three after Hurst was in a 3-0 hole. Tony Phillips whiffed and his bat went into the crowd to boot, causing two fans to rumble over the bat. A mediator had to flip a coin to decide the winner. Mike Gallego popped up to third to end the inning. Todd Benzinger led off the bottom of the second by striking out before Ellis Burks grounded back to the mound. Jim Rice poked a single into right before Jody Reed walked. Walt Weiss made a great stab on a Rich Gedman ground ball but Rice slid into second safely to load the bases. Boggs whiffed to end the inning, what a huge squander.

Weiss led off the top of the third by lining out to a running Evans in right before Lansford grounded out to short. Henderson whiffed badly to end the inning. The Sox failed to crack Stewart in the bottom of the third as Barrett popped up to right to begin. Evans whiffed before Greenwell lined out to a running Phillips in left to end the inning.

The A's struck first in the top of the fourth when Canseco smashed a towering blast completely out of Fenway on a 3-2 pitch to give the A's the lead. McGwire grounded out to second before Steinbach singled on a roller up the middle but Baylor hit a pop up a mile high to first. Phillips walked before Gallego check swinged a pop up to first to end the inning with the A's ahead 1-0

                                            Canseco makes it 1-0

The Sox failed to score in the bottom of the fourth when Lansford made a great diving catch in foul territory off a pop up from Benzinger to begin. Burks was rung up for strike three before Rice whiffed to end the inning.

Hurst tried to keep pace in the top of the fifth inning but Weiss led off with a double off the Monster. Lansford grounded out to the mound to advance Weiss to third but Hurst got a huge out when Henderson grounded out to third, failing to score Weiss. Hurst got his revenge on Canseco by striking him out on some high heat to end the inning. Stewart cruised in the bottom of the fifth as Reed popped up to short to start before Gedman hit one up the elevator shaft. Boggs flied out to the left field warning track to end the inning.

Hurst returned for the top of the sixth inning and McGwire flied out to left field warning track to begin before Steinbach grounded out to third. Baylor popped up to center to end the inning. Still nothing for the Sox offense in the bottom of the sixth as Barrett lined out to a running Phillips to start. Evans smacked a ground rule double into the bullpen and Greenwell walked, but Benzinger banged into a double play to end the inning.

Hurst came back for the top of the seventh and Burks helped with a great diving catch to rob Phillips to start. Gallego grounded back to the mound and Weiss flied out to right to end the inning. Finally the Sox rallied against Stewart in the bottom of the seventh inning. Burks popped up to center on a 3-1 count before Rice walked. Kevin Romine pinch ran for Rice as commentators Joe Morgan and Reggie Jackson said this was a bad move with Rice due up potentially in the ninth. Reed was plunked and the Sox caught a break when Henderson slipped and fell on a sinking liner by Gedman to load the bases. That was it for Stewart as the lefty Rick Honeycutt was summoned to pitch to Boggs All Boggs had to do was bloop a single and the Sox would have had the lead but all he could do was hit a sac fly to score Romine. Barrett grounded out to short to end the inning but it was 1-1.

Hurst failed to keep the game tied in the top of the eighth as Lansford began the top of the second with a double to begin. 2 years ago Henderson dropped a home run over the fence in Game 5 of the ALCS before hitting the big home run to keep the Sox season alive. Sure enough, after his miscue allowed the tying run to score, his base hit scored Lansford with the go-ahead run. Canseco banged into a double play and Weiss struck out to end the inning but the damage was done, 2-1 A's.

                                             Should have known Henderson would be clutch

Ron Hassey took over behind the plate with old friend Dennis Eckersley coming in to pitch the bottom of the eighth. Evans whiffed on 3 pitches before Greenwell popped up to left. Benzinger grounded out to first to end the inning.

Hurst returned for the top of the ninth and Hassey flied out to left to begin. Baylor walked and Luis Polonia pinch ran for him only for Phillips to watch strike three go by. Gallego flied out to center to end the inning. Hurst tossed a complete game 6 hitter while allowing just 2 runs while striking out 7. 9 times out of 10 this should win the game, what a shame.

                                                      Hurst deserved better

Down to their final three outs, Burks popped up to right to start. Larry Parrish pinch hit for Romine and looked at strike three. I have a feeling both Romine or Rice would have at least swung the bat. The Sox weren't dead yet as Reed doubled and Gedman walked. Ed Romero pinch ran for Gedman as Boggs stepped in to face Eckersley. Eckersley's first pitch was a meatball right down the middle but Boggs took it for a strike. Sox manager Joe Morgan ran out of the dugout to make sure Eck wasn't balking on every pitch, he wasn't. Boggs whiffed to end the game. The A's had taken Game 1 by a 2-1 score.

                                                 Eck sticks it to the Sox with the save


Jackass of the Night is Wade Boggs. Sure he drove in the only run but on a sac fly, not a base hit. He also made two key outs during the course of the game.

                                                 Boggs the Game 1 Jackass



The Good:

Jim Rice was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Jody Reed was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Rich Gedman was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Kevin Romine scored a run as a pinch runner.

Bruce Hurst was the hard luck loser but hardly pitched like one. He pitched a complete game, 9 inning effort striking out 7 guys while allowing just 2 runs.



The Bad:

Marty Barrett was 0 for 4.

Todd Benzinger was 0 for 4.

Ellis Burks was 0 for 4.

Larry Parrish struck out as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4.

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 3 but walked.



Honorable Mention:

Ed Romero pinch ran for Gedman in the bottom of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

Dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit!!! This is the kind of game the Sox were able to win during the regular season but October is a different animal. The Sox played well but the A's were just simply better. They had the guys like Henderson to get the clutch hit and Eckersley to get the clutch outs which were good enough for the A's to win this. Boggs cost them big time twice which ruined a spectacular start by Hurst. Hurst pitched his ass off and deserved better. Losing Game 1 sucks but the Sox are far from dead. Tomorrow night the Sox look to bounce back in Game 2 when their ace Roger Clemens meets Storm Davis at 8:00 PM at Fenway Park.

Indians Down Sox in Season Finale (10/2/88)

The good news is the Boston Red Sox will play in the American League Championship Series this Wednesday night at Fenway Park. The bad news is they will be going into it losers of 6 of their last 7 games. The Cleveland Indians had nothing to play for but administered a whooping on the Sox. Boston manager Joe Morgan had a very peculiar pitching strategy by having Mike Boddicker start and Bruce Hurst in relief. The Indians feasted on Dennis Lamp (7-6, 3.48 ERA), Hurst and Tom Bolton as the Sox ended the season with a 6-5 defeat in front of a paltry crowd of 10,456 people at Cleveland Stadium.

                                                 "We lost? Meh"

Indians starter Tom Candiotti cruised in the top of the first inning as Spike Owen lined back to the mound to start. Marty Barrett flied out to center and Dwight Evans popped up to third to end the inning. Boddicker got the Indians to beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the first inning. Terry Francona and Andy Allanson both grounded out to second and Dave Clark grounded out to second to end the inning.

Jim Rice flied out to center to start the top of the second inning and Todd Benzinger grounded out to first and Ellis Burks flied out to center to end the inning. Luis Medina singled to center to start the top of the second and took second on a wild pitch. Mel Hall popped up to short, Brook Jacoby lined out to short and Ron Washington took strike three to end the inning. That was it for Boddicker who's now set to start Game 3 on Saturday.

                                                     Boddicker goes just 2 innings

It was the Sox turn to beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the third inning as Rich Gedman grounded out to second to start. Ed Romero grounded out to short and Kutcher grounded out to first to end the inning. Dennis Lamp came in for the bottom of the third inning as Paul Zuvella grounded out to second to start. Scott Jordan flied out to right and Francona grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the fourth inning as Owen grounded out to first to start. Barrett singled to left but Evans flied out to center. Rice then crushed his 15th and final home run of the season to put the Sox on top. Benzinger grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                           Rice hits one out

The Indians wasted no time taking command in the bottom of the fourth with Kevin Romine taking over for Evans in right. Allanson doubled to left and Clark singled him to third, but Medina went down swinging. Hall tripled home both runners and Jacoby singled him home to give the Indians the lead. Washington grounded out to first and Zuvella went down swinging to end the inning with the Indians up 3-2.

                                                           Dammit Dennis

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fifth as Burks flied out to center to start. Gedman popped up to Candiotti and Romero whiffed to end the inning. Sox manager Joe Morgan sent Bruce Hurst to the mound to get some work in before his Wednesday night start in the bottom of the fifth. Jordan took strike three as Rod Allen pinch hit for Francona, doubling to center. Allanson singled Allen to third and Allen scored on the Clark sac fly. Medina lined out to third to end the inning but the Indians were ahead 4-2.

                                                         Hurst makes a cameo

The Sox fought back in the top of the sixth as Kutcher doubled to center to start. Kutcher moved to third on the Owen grounder and Randy scored on the Barrett base hit to right. Evans whiffed and Rice grounded back to the mound to end the inning but the Sox trailed 4-3.

                                                             Barrett drives in a run

The Sox emptied their bench in the bottom of the sixth with Tom Bolton now on the mound, Rick Cerone behind the plate, Larry Parrish at first in Barrett's spot, Romero at second, Kutcher at third and Benzinger in left. Reggie Williams pinch hit for Hall and singled to start before scoring on the Jacoby double. Eddie Williams pinch ran for Jacoby but Washington grounded out to third. Zuvella took strike three but Jordan singled home Williams. Allen flied out to right to end the inning but the Indians were up 6-3.

                                                       Bolton giving up runs

The Sox fought back in the top of the seventh as Benzinger singled to left to begin. Burks doubled Todd to third but Cerone whiffed. Romero scored Benzinger with a sac fly but Kutcher took strike three to end the inning with the Sox down 6-4.

                                                            Benzinger scores a run

Bob Stanley came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Allanson flied out to center to start. Clark grounded out to second and Medina popped up to second to end the inning.

Bud Black came in for the top of the eighth and Owen whiffed to start. Parrish and Romine both flied out to right to end the inning. Lee Smith came in for the bottom of the eighth and Reggie Williams struck out swinging to start. Eddie Williams grounded out to third but Washington hit a ground rule double into the third base grandstand. Joe Carter pinch hit for Zuvella and flied out to center to end the inning.

The Sox tried to rally in the top of the ninth with Jay Bell now at short. Rice singled to right but the ball went under Clark's glove, Rice motoring around to third. Benzinger grounded out to second but Rice scored to cut the lead. Burks whiffed but Cerone got a base hit to left. Carlos Quintana pinch ran for Cerone but Romero grounded out to second to end the game. The Indians had won the season finale 6-5.

\

Jackass of the Night is Tom Bolton. His two runs allowed ended up being the difference in the game.

                                                            Bolton the Jackass

The Good:

Marty Barrett was 2 for 3 with an rbi and a run scored.

Jim Rice was 2 for 4 with a 2 run home run and two total runs scored.

Rick Cerone was 1 for 2 at the plate.

Randy Kutcher was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Mike Boddicker pitched 2 scoreless innings.

Bob Stanley pitched a scoreless inning.

Lee Smith pitched a scoreless inning.



The Bad:

Spike Owen was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Larry Parrish was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Dwight Evans was 0 for 2.

Kevin Romine was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Rich Gedman was 0 for 2.

Dennis Lamp took the loss with 3 runs allowed in 2 innings.

Bruce Hurst allowed a run in an inning of work.



The Ugly:

Todd Benzinger was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored a run.

Ellis Burks was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Ed Romero was 0 for 3 but drove in a run.



Honorable Mention:

Carlos Quintana pinch ran for Cerone in the top of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

What a season this was. What started with Wade Boggs' shenanigans, the fight on the bus and John McNamara getting fired ended with Morgan Magic. Winning 12 in a row and 19 out of 20 improved team morale and jump started their run to the AL East crown. Trading Brady Anderson and the kid in AAA for Mike Boddicker worked tremendously and everything seemed to go right this year. Winning 8 out of 10 from September 4 to 14 was arguably the best baseball they played all season and its been fun to watch. The Sox are going to need all their guns if they want to go back to the World Series Standing in their way of a possible rematch with the New York Mets are the Oakland A's. They're going to need shut down pitching if they have any hope of winning that series. With any luck the Sox and Mets win their respective series so they can have a rematch. With Boddicker on the Sox, the advantage would shift to Boston this time around. That's all in the future but for now the Sox are AL East champs and play the Oakland A's this Wednesday night in the American League Championship Series. Bruce Hurst goes for the Sox up against Dave Stewart at 8 PM at Fenway Park.