Dodgers Outlast Sox in 12 Innings (7/14/19)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. New acquisition Andrew Cashner was activated and Steven Wright was placed on the Injured List with a bad foot stemming from being struck in the previous game. Cashner has a chance to win 17-18 games this season with a couple of good months for the Sox and they're gonna need him with the rotation in shambles.

                                                                        OUT

                                                                       IN

As for the game, think its time to bail out on the Red Sox this season. Every time they meet an opponent from last year, they roll over and die. Heavy is the head that wears the crown and the Los Angeles Dodgers became the latest team to knock around the Red Sox this season. The Dodgers took a 4-2 lead when the Sox somehow rallied in the bottom of the eighth. 4 innings later the Dodgers put 3 runs on the board and held on to win the game. David Price lasted just 5 innings while throwing 113 pitches and allowing 4 runs. The Sox bullpen valiantly tossed zeroes from innings 5 through 11 but Hector Velazquez (1-4, 5.67 ERA) allowed 3 runs in the 12th inning to settle matters. The Dodgers proved the Sox are totally inferior this season with a 7-4 win in 12 innings at Fenway Park.

                                               Live look at the Sox falling in the standings

As usual, the Dodgers wasted not time getting to Price in the top of the first inning as Chris Taylor walked to start. Justin Turner hit a routine grounder to short and Xander Bogaerts threw his glove at the ball and did a boogie woogie for an error. David Freese struck out swinging and Cody Bellinger popped up to third, but AJ Pollock hit a home run to the Borg Homeworld to put the Dodgers up early. Max Muncy was plunked but Kike' Hernandez forced him at second to end the inning with the Dodgers ahead 3-0.

                                                        Pollock silences the crowd early

Somehow the Sox rallied against Dodgers starter Hyun Jin Ryu in the bottom of the first. Mr. Mookie Betts dumped a base hit to left but Rafael Devers lined out to third. Bogaerts hit a chopper to Taylor who fired to first for the out....BUT WAIT! Sox manager Alex Cora challenged the call and sure enough, the throw pulled Freese off the bag for an error. JD Martinez went down hacking but Christian Vazquez beat out an infield single to load the bases. Andrew Benintendi ate up Taylor with a ground ball that scored Betts and Bogaerts to cut the lead. Michael Chavis singled to right to reload the bases but Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox down 3-2.

                                                          Benintendi does what he can

Price settled down in the top of the second inning as Alex Verdugo grounded out to first to start. Russell Martin walked but Taylor and Turner both struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the second as Eduardo Nunez grounded out to first to start. Mr. Mookie flied out to center and Devers went down hacking to end the inning.

Freese went down swinging to begin the top of the third but Bellinger walked. Pollock watched strike three go by and Muncy lined out to short to end the inning. Bogaerts popped up to first to start the bottom of the third and Martinez lined out to short. Vazquez grounded out to third to end the inning.

Hernandez popped up to first to begin the top of the fourth but Verdugo singled to left. Martin flied out to right and Taylor grounded out to second to end the inning. Benintendi grounded out to third to begin the bottom of the fourth and Chavis swung at air for strike three. JBJ whiffed to end the inning.

The Dodgers struck again in the top of the fifth as Turner went down swinging to start. Freese doubled to right and moved to third on the grounder to short by Bellinger. Pollock singled home Freese to increase the lead and Muncy whiffed to end the inning. Price was finished after 103 pitches in just 5 innings, trailing 4-2.

                                                     Another short, lousy outing for Price

Nunez grounded out to third to start the bottom of the fifth and Mr. Mookie lined out to Hernandez. Devers hit a little roller to third and Hernandez threw the ball away, allowing Rafael to reach second. Bogaerts walked and Martinez singled to left and Devers came around third....OUT AT HOME! Devers was out and the Dodgers were out of the inning.

                                                              Yerrrrrr out!

Josh Taylor came in for the top of the sixth and Hernandez grounded out to short to start. Verdugo grounded out to third and Martin popped up to short to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the sixth as Vazquez grounded out to short to start. Benintendi whiffed and Chavis grounded out to second to end the inning.

Colten Brewer came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Taylor flied out to right to begin. Turner doubled to left then moved to third on the grounder by Freese. Bellinger was intentionally walked and Pollock lined out to right to end the inning. Ryu finished strong in the bottom of the seventh as JBJ grounded out to third to start. Nunez whiffed but Mr. Mookie doubled to center. Devers grounded out to second to end the inning.

Ryan Brasier came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Muncy grounded out to short to start. Hernandez whiffed and Verdugo grounded out to second to end the inning. Pedro Baez came in for the bottom of the eighth and the Sox picked up where they left off last October against him when Bogaerts crushed his 20th home run of the season to inch closer. 2 pitches later, Martinez clobbered his 19th homer of the season to tie the game. Baez got so angry that he struck out Vazquez, Benintendi and Chavis swinging to end the inning but the game was tied 4-4.

                                                   Tie game!!!

Brandon Workman dominated the top of the ninth as Martin took strike three to start. Taylor went down hacking and Turner was rung up for strike three to end the inning. The Sox blew a chance to win the game in the bottom of the ninth as Zac Rosscup walked JBJ to start. Yimi Garcia came in to pitch and Sox manager Alex Cora countered by bringing in Marco Hernandez to pinch hit for Nunez. Hernandez dropped down a sac bunt to move JBJ to second and Mr. Mookie was intentionally walked. Kenley Jansen was brought in and Devers lined out to left. Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning....dammit.

Matt Barnes came in for the top of the tenth and Freese singled to right to begin. Joc Pederson came in to run and Bellinger flied out to left. Pollock struck out swinging and Muncy also went down hacking to end the inning. The Sox blew another chance to win the game in the bottom of the ninth although Martinez went down swinging to start. Vazquez walked to put the winning run on but Benintendi lined out to left. Brock "The Hitman" Holt pinch hit for Chavis and Vazquez swiped second. Holt whiffed to end the inning....dammit.

Heath Hembree came on to pitch the top of the eleventh and Corey Seager pinch hit for Hernandez. Seager grounded out to first but Verdugo walked. Martin whiffed but Taylor was plunked. Turner singled to left and Verdugo came running toward home.....YERR OUTTA THERE! Benintendi gunned down Verdugo to end the inning.

                                                        Yerrrr out!

Dylan Floro came in for the bottom of the eleventh and the Sox looked to end it when JBJ doubled to center. Unfortunately JBJ was thrown out at third on the grounder to short by Hernandez. Mr. Mookie flied out to right and Devers was intentionally walked. Bogaerts ate up Taylor at second for a "single" to load the bases but Martinez grounded into a force to end the inning....dammit.

The Dodgers finally knocked out the Sox in the top of the 12th inning with Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez on the mound. Pederson walked and Velazquez was called for catcher's interference when Hector ran into Bellinger on a grounder. Pollock singled to left to load the bases and Muncy walked home Peterson to give the Dodgers the lead. Seager popped up to third but Verdugo singled home Bellinger to reload the bases. Martin beat out a double play ball to score Pollock to ice the game. Austin Barnes pinch hit for Taylor and struck out swinging to end the inning but the Dodgers led 7-4.

                                                  Dodgers take the lead

Floro returned to close out the bottom of the 12th and Vazquez walked to start. Benintendi whiffed and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts slapped the Sox in the face by bringing in old friend Joe Kelly to close it out. Holt whiffed but Vazquez took second on a passed ball. JBJ whiffed to end the game...the Dodgers had won it 7-4 in 12 innings.

                                                          Roberts gets the last laugh

Jackass of the Night is Hector Velazquez. He melted in the top of the 12th inning by allowing 3 runs to put the game out of reach.

                                                      Jackass Velazquez

The Good:

Mookie Betts was 2 for 5 with a walk and a run scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 5 with a walk, a home run and 2 total runs scored.

JD Martinez was 2 for 6 with a solo home run.

Josh Taylor pitched a scoreless sixth inning.

Colten Brewer pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless tenth inning.

Heath Hembree pitched a scoreless 11th inning.

The Bad:

Brock Holt struck out twice in two plate appearances.

Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Marco Hernandez was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

David Price allowed 4 runs in 5 innings. He allowed 4 hits, 3 walks and a 3 run homer

The Ugly:

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but walked.

Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 4 but walked twice.

Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 6 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but drove in a run.

Michael Chavis was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Final Thoughts:

The Sox better hope Andrew Cashner is the real deal, otherwise they're going to plummet out of sight real quick. The entire rotation with the exception of Eduardo Rodriguez looks like garbage although it was nice to see the Sox rally in the eighth inning for once. Its a shame the Sox couldn't hit the killshot and it seems like everything that went right last year has gone wrong this year. The normally unreliable bullpen held the fort for 6 innings after Price left but the bats couldn't get the job done. The Sox also have been beaten by every single good team this season and the magic from last year is gone. The only question is if they can right the ship by the trade deadline or not. If they decide to blow it up or make additions, SOMETHING has to be done because they're not getting it done anymore. The loss dropped the Sox to 50-43, 10 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Toronto Blue Jays are in town for a four game set. If the Sox can take 3 out of 4 or sweep, fans might get excited again. "Slick" Rick Porcello (6-7) gets the start for the Sox up against Trent Thornton of the Jays. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Outslug Tigers....Again (7/6/19)

After a four hour rain delay the Boston Red Sox laid waste to the bungholes of the Detroit Tigers. The slumping Andrew Benintendi was given a few days off and he was back with a vengeance tonight. He almost hit for the cycle in leading an offense that pounded out 17 hits and 10 runs. The starting pitching was once again doo-doo with Rick Porcello (6-7, 5.33 ERA) getting pounded for 6 runs in just 5 2/3 but the normally terrible bullpen was able to limit the damage the rest of the way. With one game left before the all-star break the Sox defeated the Tigers 10-6 at Comerica Park.

                                               Rhett Butler approves of the win

The Sox wasted no time scoring in the top of the first when Mr. Mookie Betts led the game off with a triple to the centerfield wall. Rafael Devers grounded out to second but Betts scored to put the Sox on top. Christian Vazquez grounded out to short before Andrew Benintendi tripled into the right field corner. Michael "The Ice Horse" Chavis blooped a single to right to score Benintendi before Jackie Bradley Jr lined out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                  Way to go Chavis

Porcello got the ball in the bottom of the second inning as Victor Reyes grounded out to third to begin, nearly taking himself out at first. Nicholas Castellanos grounded out to third as well before Miguel Cabrera was frozen for strike three to end the inning.

Brock "The Hitman" Holt smoked a line drive off the glove of Harold Castro for a base hit to start the top of the second inning. Marco Hernandez dumped a base hit into center and Sandy Leon dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners into scoring position. Mr. Mookie scored both men with a double to the left field wall to increase the lead but Devers popped up to second. Vazquez drilled a line drive base hit to center to score Betts with another run. Benintendi pounded a single to right but Chavis was rung up for strike three to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-0.

                                             Holt starts the rally

The Tigers almost struck back in the bottom of the second when Christin Stewart beat out an infield single to short to start. Jeimer Candelario whiffed before Castro flied out to left. Niko Goodrum walked but Porcello fooled Gordan Beckham with a slider for strike three to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the third as JBJ lined out to center again to start. Holt blooped a single to center and Hernandez went the opposite way on a base hit. Leon whiffed on a full count and Mr. Mookie hit a bullet right to third to end the inning. Porcello got a quick out when Bobby Wilson grounded the second pitch of the inning to short to begin. Reyes grounded the fourth pitch of the inning to first but JBJ got his spike caught on a base hit by Castellanos which allowed him to reach second on an error. Porcello recovered by getting Cabrera to strike out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the fourth as Devers pulled a single to right to begin. Vazquez doubled off the left field wall as Stewart lost a routine pop up by Benintendi in the lights. The ball dropped in for a "double" that scored Devers to increase the lead. Chavis hit a bullet but right to second for an out and Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire had seen enough. Zimmerman gave up 13 hits and Blaine Hardy took over. JBJ walked to load the bases and Holt scored Vazquez with a sac fly. Hernandez popped up to short to end the inning but the Sox led 7-0.

                                              Benintendi "doubles"

The Tigers began their comeback in the bottom of the fourth as Stewart singled to start and Candelario crushed a 2 run bomb off the right field foul pole to put the Tigers on the board. Castro stroked a triple but Porcello recovered to get Goodrum to pop up to center. Beckham popped up to right and Wilson grounded out to short to end the inning with the Tigers down 7-2.

                                                   That ball is gone

The Sox went quietly in the top of the fifth as Leon grounded out to short to begin. Mr. Mookie grounded out to third and Devers grounded out to second to end the inning. Porcello got Reyes to pop up to third to begin the bottom of the fifth before JBJ climbed the wall to rob Castellanos of a home run. Cabrera grounded out to second to end the inning.

Eduardo Jimenez took over for the top of the sixth inning and the Sox did nothing. Vazquez whiffed before Benintendi flied out to right. Chavis walked but JBJ flied out to left to end the inning. The incompetent Porcello was hammered in the bottom of the sixth although Stewart whiffed to start. Candelario smashed his second moon shot of the game to bring the Tigers closer. Castro singled but was erased on the Goodrum force. Beckham singled and a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position. Wilson smashed a rocket base hit to score both runners and that was it for Porcello. For the 90th time this season Porcello got hammered, failing to last 6 innings while allowing 6 runs. Colten Brewer came in to take a beating as Reyes easily stroked a triple to bring in Wilson. Somehow Brewer whiffed Castellanos to end the inning but the Tigers had took a dump on the Red Sox and only trailed 7-6.

                                               Another horrible start

Daniel Stumpf came in for the top of the seventh inning as Eduardo Nunez pinch hit for Holt, only to ground out to second. Hernandez blooped a single to left before Leon hit a double play ball to Goodrum...that he booted and everyone was safe. That was it for Stumpf as Buck Farmer was brought in to pitch to Betts. Mr. Mookie walked to load the bases. More horrendous defense saw Devers hit a double play ball to Farmer who threw wide of the plate to score Hernandez and reload the bases. Vazquez hit another double play ball but this one was turned to end the inning although the Sox tacked on a run to lead 8-6.

                                                   Keystone Kops

The Tigers damn near completed the comeback in the bottom of the seventh inning against Josh Taylor. Cabrera effortlessly singled to center before Stewart easily lined a single to right. Somehow Candelario whiffed but naturally Castro singled to load the bases. Goodrum hit a bullet to Taylor who got the out at home and Sox manager Alex Cora had seen enough. The exhausted Matt Barnes was brought in and struck out Beckham on a nasty curve to end the inning.

The Sox looked to get some more insurance when Benintendi beat out an infield single to third to open the top of the eighth. Chavis whiffed as did JBJ but Benintendi swiped second on the play. Nunez came up big with an rbi single up the middle to increase the lead. Hernandez whiffed to en the inning but it was 9-6 Red Sox.

Brandon Workman came on for the bottom of the eighth and pinch hitter John Hicks grounded out to second to begin. Reyes grounded out to first and Castellanos whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox got another one in the top of the ninth with Austin Adams on the mound. Leon drew a walk and Mr. Mookie singled before Devers flied out to left. Leon went to third on the play and he scored on the Vazquez sac fly. Benintendi grounded out to short to end the inning but the Sox led 10-6.

Steven Wright came on to close out the game in the bottom of the ninth and Cabrera greeted him with a base hit. Brandon Dixon came in to pinch run but was eras on the Stewart force. Stewart was out on the Candelario force before Castro walked. Both runners moved over on defensive indifference but Goodrum popped up to third to end the game. The Sox had won it 10-6.

Hero of the Night is Andrew Benintendi. He went 4 for 6, nearly hitting for the cycle while driving in a run, stole a base and scoring twice.

                                             High five for the Hero

The Good:

Mookie Betts was 3 for 5 with a walk, 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Christian Vazquez was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis and a run scored.\

Brock Holt was 2 for 2 with an rbi and a run scored.

Eduardo Nunez was 1 for 2 with an rbi.

Marco Hernandez was 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

Matt Barnes struck out the only man he faced.

Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

Steven Wright pitched a scoreless 9th inning.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 6 but drove in a run and scored.

Michael Chavis was just 1 for 4 but walked and drove in a run.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4 with an error but walked.

Sandy Leon was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.

Rick Porcello got the win but was knocked out in the 6th inning, allowing 6 runs in 5 2/3 innings.

Colten Brewer allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own in 1/3 of an inning.

Josh Taylor left the bases loaded in the 7th inning in just 2/3 of an inning.

Final Thoughts:

As the miserable first half comes to a close not much can be said at this point. The Sox essentially can't win unless they score 10 runs a game and that's just not possible. The worst part is general manager Dave Dombrowski has no intention of getting bullpen help. He thinks by sticking Nathan Eovaldi in the closer's role that that will cure everything. Wrong, what if he fails as a closer just like everyone else has so far and they keep throwing out stiffs to be the fifth starter? Unless they stick Eovaldi back in the rotation and bring in an actual relief pitcher this team has NO CHANCE to compete for the wild card let alone come back on the New York Yankees. The win improved the Sox to 47-41, 10 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow afternoon is the final game of the first half and the Sox throw out David Price (6-2, 3.33 ERA) and the Tigers have no idea who's starting for them. The game begins at 1:10 PM Eastern Time at Comerica Park.

Sox Outslug Tigers in Rain (7/5/19)

Stupid rain! Eduardo Rodriguez (9-4, 4.65 ERA) and the Boston Red Sox were cruising against the Detroit Tigers through 5 innings. The Sox led 3-1 when the game was delayed after the bottom of the fifth and when the game resumed, both starters were gone in the sixth inning. The Red Sox defense fell apart in the sixth inning to let the Tigers back in the game, but the Sox were aided by the trio of Mookie Betts, Rafael Devers and Xander Bogaerts. A late blast by Bogaerts was what the Sox needed to beat the Tigers 9-6 at Comerica Park.

                                                     Bobbie Brown approves of the win

The Sox wasted zero time getting on the board against Tigers starter Ryan Carpenter in the top of the first inning as Mr. Mookie Betts doubled to left to begin. Betts took third on a ground out by Devers and scored on the ground out by Xander Bogaerts. JD Martinez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                           Betts gets the party started

Eduardo Rodriguez got the ball in the bottom of the first and Victor Reyes ate up Michael Chavis at first with a grounder to start. Nicholas Castellanos banged into a double play and Miguel Cabrera took strike three to end the inning.

Christian Vazquez hit a roller up the middle for a base hit but Chavis went down hacking. Jackie Bradley Jr struck out swinging but Eduardo Nunez singled Vazquez to third. Sandy Leon flied out to center to end the inning. Rodriguez cruised in the bottom of the second as Brandon Dixon flied out to right to start. Jeimer Candelario grounded back to the mound and Harold Castro grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the third as Mr. Mookie singled to left and the red hot Devers smashed his 16th home run of the season to increase the lead. Bogaerts lined out to center but Martinez singled to left. Vazquez popped up to right and Chavis grounded back to the mound to end the inning but the Sox were up 3-0.

                                                        Devers and Cora share a moment

Niko Goodrum started the bottom of the third with a double to center but E-Rod recovered to punch out John Hicks. Jordy Mercer watched strike three go by and Reyes grounded out to second to end the inning.

Jackie Bradley Jr struck out swinging again to open the top of the fourth before Nunez popped up to second. Leon singled to center but Mr. Mookie grounded into a force to end the inning. The Tigers tagged Rodriguez in the bottom of the fourth although Castellanos grounded out to third to begin. Cabrera grounded out to second but Dixon singled. Candelario doubled home Dixon to put the Tigers on the board and Castro struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 3-1.

                                                     Tigers get one back

Devers grounded out to first to start the top of the fifth but Bogaerts walked. Martinez banged into a double play to end the inning. Rodriguez cruised in the bottom of the fifth as Goodrum grounded out to third to start. Hicks walked and moved to second on the Mercer grounder, but Reyes grounded out to short to end the inning. Rodriguez was cruising at 76 pitches through 5 innings but then a massive rain delay spoiled the party.

                                                  Rodriguez gets it done

When play resumed in the top of the sixth, Jose Cisnero was in for the Tigers on the mound and Vazquez greeted him with a double to center. Chavis singled to left and JBJ doubled home Vazquez. Nunez grounded out to third and Leon hit a routine grounder to third...BOOTED! The error allowed Chavis to score and JBJ to take third. Mr. Mookie scored JBJ with a sac fly and Devers walked. Bogaerts took strike three to end the inning but the Sox looked to be in complete command with a 6-1 lead.

                                                               Leon gets lucky here

Unfortunately for the Sox, Rodriguez had to leave the game and Marcus Walden got no help from his defense in the bottom of the sixth. Castellanos grounded out to third but Cabrera walked. Dixon singled to right and Candelario hit a routine single to right. Mr. Mookie picked the ball up and spiked it like a football before throwing his glove at it for an error that allowed Candelario to take second, Dixon to third and Cabrera to score. Castro then hit a routine fly ball to JBJ...OUT OF HIS GLOVE! Another error led to Dixon and Candelario scoring with Castro now at second. Marcus Walden kicked dirt in the direction of the outfield and gave them the finger as he was lifted for Ryan Brasier. Goodrum popped up to short but Hicks singled home Castro. Mercer struck out swinging to end the inning but the bad defense cut the lead to 6-5 Sox.

                                                        Tigers cut the lead with a rally

The Sox tried to rally in the top of the seventh against Gregory Soto but Martinez whiffed to start. Vazquez lined out to center but Chavis and Bradley stroked back to back singles. Nunez grounded into a force to end the inning. Brasier returned for the bottom of the seventh and Reyes grounded back to the mound to start. Castellanos flied out to right but Cabrera singled to left. Dixon lined out to center to end the inning, good work Brasier.

                                                       Brasier is having none of it

The Sox pulled off the back-breaking rally in the top of the eighth against Austin Adams although Leon grounded back to the mound to start. Mr. Mookie singled to center, Devers walked and Bogaerts mashed his 17th home run of the season to ice the game. Martinez grounded back to the mound and Vazquez flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 9-5.

                                                   Bogaerts with the big fly

Matt Barnes came in for the bottom of the eighth and froze Candelario for strike three to start. Castro grounded out to third and Goodrum went down hacking to end the inning.

Nick Ramirez came in for the top of the ninth and Chavis grounded out to short to start. JBJ walked and moved to second on the Nunez grounder but Leon flied out to left to end the inning. Heath Hembree made his first appearance in over a month to close out the bottom of the ninth and naturally Hicks hit a home run all the way to Ottumwa, Iowa off of him to start. Hembree recovered to punch out Mercer and get Reyes to pop up to left. Castellanos went down swinging to end the game. The Sox had survived rain and bad defense to win the game 9-6.

                                                   Sox win

Hero of the Night is Xander Bogaerts. His 3 run bomb turned out to be the difference in the game.

                                                      X Gon Be The Hero


The Good:

Mookie Betts was 3 for 4 with an rbi and 3 runs scored.

Rafael Devers was 1 for 3 with 2 walks, a 2 run bomb and 2 total runs scored.

Christian Vazquez was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Michael Chavis was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 4 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Eduardo Rodriguez got the win with 5 innings of 1 run ball before the rain delay.

Ryan Brasier tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Marcus Walden allowed 4 runs in just 1/3 of an inning but 2 of them were unearned.

Heath Hembree allowed a home run in the ninth inning.

The Ugly:

JD Martinez was just 1 for 5.

Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 5.

Sandy Leon was just 1 for 5.

Final Thoughts:

Before this series started I said the Sox needed a sweep to get back in the AL East race, now they need a sweep just to keep pace. The New York Yankees have been on a torrid hot streak since London and they are knocking the Tampa Bay Rays goofy right now. Still, the Sox have to take care of their own business and they did it tonight. If it wasn't for rain the game would have been a laughter but a win is a win no matter how hard it is. Its good to see Mookie Betts pick up the pace because if he can rediscover last year's form, their offense is going to be just fine in the second half the way everyone else but Bradley is hitting. Even though he allowed a run, its good to see Hembree back and once again all Sox GM Dave Dombrowski needs to do is get another starter to make this team competitive with the Yankees. The win improved the Sox to 47-41, 11 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night "Slick" Rick Porcello (5-7) gets the ball opposite Jordan Zimmermann of the Tigers in Game 2 of this set. The game begins at 5:05 PM Eastern time at Comerica Park.

Sox Outslug Jays (7/4/19)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Heath Hembree has been activated off the Injured List and was ready for tonight's game. Trevor Kelley has been sent back to Pawtucket to make room for Heath. The Sox need all the arms they can get in the bullpen with the way the rotation has been struggling all season.

                                                                        OUT

                                                                     IN

Happy fourth of July everyone. The Sox showed some extreme fireworks by outslugging the Toronto Blue Jays to win tonight's game. After Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez and Colten Brewer put the Sox in a 6-1 hole, the Sox came out blasting in the sixth inning. The Sox scored 6 runs in the top of the seventh including the go-ahead 3 run bomb by Michael Chavis to put Boston in front. Brandon Workman coughed up the lead in the bottom of the eighth but Marco Hernandez hit the go-ahead blast in the top of the ninth to finally knock out the Jays. Even though the game was in Canada, the Sox showed some fourth of July explosiveness to beat the Jays 8-7 at the Skydome.

                                                        Sox and Jays put on a firework display

The Sox pounced on Jays starter right off the bat in the top of the first. Mr. Mookie Betts led off by grounding out to second but the red hot Rafael Devers blasted his 15th home run of the season to put the Sox on top. Xander Bogaerts grounded out the third but JD Martinez singled to left to chase Law. Thomas Pannone came in and Brock "The Hitman" Holt flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                        Devers with a first inning bomb

Sox starter Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez was equally incompetent in the bottom of the first as Eric Sogard took strike three to start. Freddy Galvis doubled to center but Lourdes Gurriel Jr flied out to right, moving Galvis to third. Cavan Biggio and Justin Smoak walked to load the bases and who else but Rowdy "Roddy" Tellez singled home both Galvis and Biggio to give the Jays the lead. Teoscar Hernandez grounded into a force to end the inning but the Jays led 2-1.

                                                 Pain in the ass Tellez

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second as Christian Vazquez grounded out to third to start. Jackie Bradley Jr struck out swinging and Michael Chavis popped up to first to end the inning. The Jays struck again in the bottom of the second as Danny Jansen hit a home run all the way to Favignana Beach in Sicily to increase the lead. Brandon Drury singled to left but Sogard flied out to right. Galvis flied out to right and Gurriel Jr grounded into a force to end the inning with the Sox down 3-1.

                                              What a spot for that ball to land

Sandy Leon popped up to first to start the top of the third before Mr. Mookie lined out to second. Devers struck out swinging to end the inning. Velazquez got Biggio to fly out to left but Smoak doubled to left to chase him. Another poor start by a starter and Colten Brewer came in to clean up the mess. Tellez grounded back to the mound and Hernandez popped up to first to end the inning.

                                                      Short and sweet for Velazquez

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fourth as Bogaerts grounded out to second to start. Martinez singled to left but Holt flied out to left. A wild pitch moved Martinez to second but Vazquez grounded out to third to end the inning. The Jays looked to have put the game away in the bottom of the fourth as Jansen pounded a 45,000 foot home run to start. Drury doubled to left before moving to third on a wild pitch. Sogard grounded out to short but Galvis crushed a home run all the way to the Dominican Republic to put the Jays up big. Gurriel Jr grounded back to the mound and Biggio went down hacking to end the inning but it was 6-1 Jays.

                                                           All Jays so far

Things looked bleak when the Sox went quietly in the top of the fifth. JBJ struck out swinging to start before Chavis also missed at strike three. Leon popped up to first to end the inning. Josh Taylor came on for the bottom of the fifth and Smoak whiffed to start. Tellez grounded out to first before Hernandez singled to right. Jansen popped up to third to end the inning.

The Sox came out swinging in the top of the sixth as Mr. Mookie walked to start. Devers singled Betts to third and Bogaerts singled home Betts. Martinez singled home Devers and Tim Mayza came in to pitch to pinch hitter Eduardo Nunez (for Holt). Nunez hit one up the elevator shaft but a a wild pitch moved the runners into scoring position. Vazquez walked to load the bases but JBJ beat out a double play ball to score Bogaerts and leave runners at the corners. The rookie Chavis then cracked his 15th home run of the season to put the Sox on top. Leon lined out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-6.

                                                       The Sox surge ahead

Ryan Brasier came in for the bottom of the sixth and Drury popped up to second to start. Sogard flied out to right and Galvis went down hacking to end the inning.

Joe Biagini came in for the top of the seventh and Mr. Mookie lined out to left to start. Devers walked but Bogaerts took strike three. Devers was forced at second by Martinez to end the inning. Matt Barnes came in for the bottom of the seventh and Gurriel Jr was rung up for strike three to start. Biggio walked but Smoak flied out to center. A wild pitch moved Biggio to second and another moved him to third but Barnes blew away Tellez to end the inning.

Nick Kingham came in for the top of the eighth and Nunez popped up to second to start. Vazquez grounded back to the mound and JBJ went down swinging to end the inning. Sox manager Alex Cora sent closer Brandon Workman out for the six out save and it blew up in his face in the bottom of the eighth. Hernandez grounded out to third but Jansen pounded a ground rule double. Drury flied out to left but Sogard doubled home Jansen to tie the game. Galvis whiffed to end the inning but the game was tied 7-7.

                                                        Tie game

The Sox somehow rallied off of Jays closer in the top of the ninth inning although Chavis whiffed to start. Marco Hernandez pinch hit for Leon and blasted his second home run of the season to put the Sox on top. Mr. Mookie lined out to second but Devers walked. Bogaerts lined out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-7.

                                                         Hernandez with the backbreaker

Christian Vazquez took over behind the plate with Hernandez in at second. If the game went any longer, Brandon Workman would have had to bat with Nunez out. Things got hairy in the bottom of the ninth although Gurriel Jr popped up to short to start. Biggio and Smoak drew back to back walks but somehow Workman got Tellez to fly out to left. Vladimir Guerrero Jr pinch hit for Hernandez but grounded out to third to end the game. The Sox had pulled off the comeback 8-7.

                                                               Sox win

Hero of the Night is Marco Hernandez. His pinch hit home run in the ninth was the difference in the game.

                                                           Hero Hernandez

The Good:

Rafael Devers was 2 for 3 with 2 walks, a home run and 2 runs scored.

JD Martinez was 3 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Josh Taylor tossed a scoreless inning.

Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless inning.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless inning.

The Bad:

Brock Holt was 0 for 2.

Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 2.

Sandy Leon was 0 for 3

Hector Velazquez lasted just 2 1/3 innings while surrendering 3 runs.

Colten Brewer allowed 3 runs in just 1 2/3 innings.

The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was 0 for 4 but walked and scored a run.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run and scored.

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 3 but walked.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but walked and scored a run.

Michael Chavis was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was the big 3 run home run.

Brandon Workman got the win but blew the save by allowing a run in the eighth inning.

Final Thoughts:

Nice to bounce back to take two of three from Toronto after the London disaster but unfortunately the Sox LOST ground as the New York Yankees ripped the Tampa Bay Rays a new bunghole in three straight games. The Yankees are clearly the hungrier team this year and if the Sox don't get another starting pitcher or some bullpen help, they're never coming back. David Price went the longest of the three starters at just 6 innings and that's not going to help as the season wears on. Velazquez looked worse than Chris Sale did yesterday. It was also a miracle the Sox came back since their M.O. all season is to quit after falling behind. Big home runs by Chavis and Hernandez saved their bacon in this one. There's only three games left until the All-Star break and at this point the Sox are gonna have to sweep the Detroit Tigers if they want to have any confidence that they can cut the Yankees lead coming out of it. The win improved the Sox to 46-41, 11 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Sox travel to Detroit for a set with the Tigers before the All-Star break where Eduardo Rodriguez (8-4) takes on Ryan Carpenter at 8:10 PM Eastern time at Comerica Park.

Jays Beat Sale, Sox (7/3/19)

Want to know the biggest reason why the Boston Red Sox are 11 games behind the New York Yankees and look completely mediocre this season? Look no further than the incompetent Chris Sale (3-8, 4.04 ERA) and the bad year he's had so far. Sale got knocked out in the sixth inning to take yet another loss to put the Sox further in the hole. He allowed 5 runs in 5 2/3 innings and the worst part is Toronto starter David Phelps was gone after the first inning. Jacob Waguespack held the Sox to just 3 runs in 5 innings and the rest of the Jays bullpen held on to send the Sox further out of the AL East race with a 6-3 win over the Sox at the Skydome.

                                                          Morty is sad

The Sox did nothing in the top of the first although Mr. Mookie Betts drew a walk to start. Rafael Devers grounded into a double play and Xander Bogaerts took strike three to end the inning. The Jays looked to strike first in the bottom of the first when Freddy Galvis doubled to left to begin. Sale responded by blowing away Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Lourdes Gurriel Jr and Cavan Biggio to end the inning.

Waguespack came in for Phelps in the top of the second and JD Martinez struck out swinging to begin. Andrew Benintendi grounded back to the mound and Christian Vazquez flied out to right to end the inning. The Jays threatened in the bottom of the second although Randal Grichuk grounded out to short to start. Justin Smoak singled to left but Danny Jansen popped up to third. The Sox personal tormentor Rowdy "Roddy" Tellez doubled to left but Brandon Drury lined out to right to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the third although Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to second to start. Michael Chavis doubled to left and took third on the Brock "Hitman" Holt single, but was thrown out at home on the Betts grounder to third. Devers then singled home Holt and Betts came around to slide....OUT! But wait! Sox manager Alex Cora challenged the play and sure enough, Betts beat the tag for the second run. Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning but the Sox led 2-0.

                                                       Devers drives in more runs

The Jays got one back in the bottom of the third as Galvis singled to center to start. Guerrero Jr banged into a double play but Gurriel Jr pounded a home run all the way to Terrasini, Sicily to cut the lead in half. Biggio grounded out to first to end the inning with the Jays down 2-1.

                                            The ball on the beach is the one Gurriel Jr hit

The Sox answered in the top of the fourth although Martinez flied out to right to start. Benintendi also flied out to right but Vazquez smacked his 13th home run of the season to increase the lead. JBJ popped up to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1.

                                                          Vazquez goes yard

The Jays roared back in the bottom of the fourth although Grichuk whiffed to start. Smoak walked and Jansen smashed a 400,000 foot home run to tie the game. Tellez lined out to right but Drury singled to center. Galvis walked but Guerrero Jr whiffed to end the inning with game tied 3-3.

                                                        Jansen tags Sale for 2 runs

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fifth inning as Chavis grounded out to third to start. Holt also grounded out to third but Mr. Mookie doubled to center. Devers whiffed to end the inning. Sale recovered to get the Jays to beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the fifth. Gurriel Jr grounded back to the mound, Biggio grounded out to first and Grichuk grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the sixth as Bogaerts struck out swinging to start. Martinez grounded out to short and Benintendi grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The Jays finished off Sale in the bottom of the sixth as Smoak was plunked to start. Jansen banged into a double play but Tellez singled to right. Drury then pulverized a home run all the way to Favignana Beach to chase Sale. Sale just doesn't have it anymore as he was pounded for 5 runs in just 5 2/3 innings.

                                                  Ace turned batting practice

Marcus Walden came in to replace Sale and Galvis greeted him with a base hit to center. Guerrero Jr grounded out to third to end the inning with the Jays ahead 5-3.

As usual once the Sox fell behind, they didn't come back in the top of the seventh inning. Vazquez singled to right to chase Waguespack....who would have thought he'd outpitch Chris Sale? Tim Mayza came in and JBJ whiffed, but Chavis doubled Vazquez to third. Eduardo Nunez pinch hit for Holt and the Jays countered by bringing in Daniel Hudson to pitch to him. Nunez flied out to left and Mr. Mookie whiffed to end the rally. Walden returned for the bottom of the seventh and Gurriel Jr grounded out to second to start. Biggio walked but Grichuk whiffed. Biggio stole second but Smoak struck out swinging to end the inning.

Devers flied out to center to start the top of the eighth before Bogaerts whiffed to earn the dubious golden sombrero. Martinez beat out an infield single to third but Benintendi flied out to right to end the inning. Steven Wright came in for the bottom of the eighth and got tagged. Jansen grounded out to third but Tellez walked and Drury doubled Rowdy to third. Galvis hit a sac fly to score Tellez and wrap up the scoring. Guerrero Jr walked but Gurriel Jr took strike three to end the inning with the Jays ahead 6-3.

                                                   All Jays in this one

The Jays put the Sox out of their misery in the top of the ninth inning with closer Ken Giles on the mound. Vazquez whiffed, JBJ grounded out to first and Chavis flied out to right to end the game. The Jays had beaten Sale and pushed the Sox further behind in the AL East race with a 6-3 win.

                                                           Jays win

Jackass of the Night is Chris Sale. The once proud ace was once again batting practice as he allowed 5 runs including 3 home runs in just 5 2/3 innings to take another loss.

                                                                 Sale the Jackass

The Good:

Mookie Betts was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Christian Vazquez was 2 for 4 with a home run.

Michael Chavis was 2 for 4.

Brock Holt was 1 for 2.

Marcus Walden tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4 with a golden sombrero of 4 strikeouts.

Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 4.

Jackie Bradley was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Steven Wright allowed a run in the ninth inning.

The Ugly:

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

JD Martinez was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Final Thoughts:

 

Remember how I said yesterday that the Sox can't get out of their own way? Once again the Sox failed to keep the momentum of a win by laying an egg in tonight's game. Chris Sale continued to struggle and once again when the Sox fell behind, they did not come back. Its not as if the Jays have an indomitable bullpen either, for some reason when the Sox fall behind they just don't score. This has been happening all season and its getting dangerously late to think of a turn around. Red Sox GM Dave Dombrowski has 4 weeks to make a trade to improve the team or else they're stuck in mediocrity for the rest of the season. It all comes down to the pitching and Chris Sale simply doesn't have it this year. Whatever was bothering him at the end of last year never got fixed. If he can't go the Sox need to make a move for another starter to get back into this thing. The loss dropped the Sox to 45-41 on the year, 11 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox wrap up their three game set with the Jays with a Fourth of July showdown tomorrow night. Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez goes for the Sox up against Derek Law of the Jays at 7:05 PM at the Skydome.