Peavy Rocked, Tigers Take Game 4 (10/16/13)

After the Boston Red Sox took a 2-1 series lead in the 2013 American League Championship Series despite being held in check by Annibal Sanchez, Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, it appeared that any Detroit Tigers starter can pitch a gem but the Sox would find a way to win. Not if your own starter vomits up his intestines in the second inning though. The Tigers pounced on the ineffective Jake Peavy, starter Doug Fister joined the others in shutting down the offense and Detroit evened the ALCS with a 7-3 victory at Comerica Park.

Fister took the mound in the top of the first inning and Jacoby Ellsbury grounded out to second to begin. Shane Victorinio popped up to Prince Fielder in foul ground but Dustin Pedroia dumped a base hit to right. David Ortiz grounded out to second to end the inning. Peavy took the ball in the bottom of the first and got Torii Hunter to ground out to third to start. Miguel Cabrera froze on a curveball for strike three and Prince Fielder grounded out to third to end the inning.

As usual the Sox did nothing in the top of the second inning although Mike Napoli doubled off the glove of Cabrera to begin. Daniel Nava moved Napoli to third with a groundout to second but Jarrod Saltalamacchia popped up to third in foul territory. Stephen "PU" Drew took a high strike three to end the inning. Peavy crapped his pants in the bottom of the second inning as Victor Martinez poked a base hit to left before Jhonny Peralta walked. Alex Avila walked to load the bases but Peavy got a big out when Ellsbury ran down a sinking liner by Omar Infante to keep the Tigers from advancing. The Tigers took command when Austin Jackson walked to score Martinez. Jose Iglesias hit a double-play ball to Pedroia but he booted it, only able to get Avila at second as Peralta score to put runners at the corners. Hunter doubled down the left field line to score both men to ice the game early. Cabrera put the exclamation point on with a base hit to center to score Hunter. Fielder grounded out to second to end the inning but the Tigers had jumped out to a 5-0 lead.

                                                Game is over already

Down five runs, the Sox needed to make a stand in the top of the third inning but failed. Will Middlebrooks whiffed and Ellsbury hit a line drive over the head of Hunter in right but a cannon throw by Torii kept Ellsbury at first. Victorino was rung up on a check swing breaking ball but Pedroia walked. With a chance to club back in to the game....Ortiz grounded out to second to end the inning. Peavy returned for the bottom of the third and got Martinez to ground out to short to start. Peralta grounded out to short and Avila flied out to a running Nava in left to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing against Fister in the top of the fourth as Napoli and Nava both whiffed to start. Saltalamacchia singled to right center but Drew flied out to right to end the inning. Peavy returned for the bottom of the fourth inning but immediately regretted it as Infante pounded a ground rule double to left over the head of Nava to start. Jackson singled off the glove of Pedroia and Infante came all the way around to score. Sox manager John Farrell had seen enough and lifted the incompetent Peavy after allowing 6 runs (so far) in just 3 innings.

                                            "Yeah you're out Peavy, now beat it!" - Farrell

Brandon Workman got the call to relieve Peavy and Jackson immediately stole second base. Iglesias dropped down a sacrifice bunt to advance Jackson to third but Workman got Hunter to ground back to the mound. Cabrera put the exclamation point on the game when he slammed a single to center to score Jackson. The supposedly hobbled Cabrera swiped second but Fielder whiffed to end the inning with the Tigers up 7-0.

The Sox did not respond against Fister in the top of the fifth inning as Middlebrooks whiffed to start the inning. Somehow Ellsbury doubled past Peralta in left but Victorino popped up to a running Iglesias at short, nearly doubling Jacoby off second base. Pedroia grounded to third and was out on a bang bang play at first to end the inning. Workman returned for the bottom of the fifth inning and Martinez lined out to second to begin. Peralta whiffed but Avila walked. Infante flied out to right to end the inning, good work Brandon.

                                                   Yeoman's effort by Workman

Somehow the Sox rallied in the top of the sixth briefly with Don Kelly taking over in left for Peralta. Ortiz flied out to center but Napoli sliced a single to right. Nava hit a ground ball up the middle for a base hit and Saltalamacchia singled home Napoli to put the Sox on the board. PU Drew killed the rally with a strikeout then Mike Carp pinch hit for Middlebrooks....only to ground into a force to end the inning but the Sox would not be shut out, 7-1.

                                       "ARE YOU THREATENING ME!!??" - Drew

Ryan Dempster replaced Workman for the bottom of the sixth with Xander Bogaerts taking over at third. Jackson started the inning by dumping a single to right. Iglesias beat out a double play ball but Hunter grounded into one to end the inning.

Somehow the Sox scored in the top of the seventh inning with Phil Coke now pitching to Ellsbury. Jacoby sliced a single to left and that was it for Coke. Al Alburquerque came in an Victorino doubled in Ellsbury. Pedroia failed to move Shane over when he grounded out to third and Tigers manager Jim Leyland brought in Drew Smyly to pitch to Ortiz. David did what Pedroia couldn't and advance Victorino to third on a ground-out but now there were two outs and Napoli popped up to first to end the inning with the Sox down 7-2.

                                                   "We're not dead yet!" - Ellsbury

Franklin Morales took over in the bottom of the seventh and Ellbsury robbed Cabrera of extra bases with a great running catch to begin. Fielder flied out to center but Martinez singled. Kelly popped up to second to end the inning.

Ramon Santiago took over at third for Cabrera with Jonny Gomes pinch hitting for Nava to start the top of the eighth inning. Gomes popped up to short, Saltalamacchia whiffed and Drew popped up to left to end the inning. Felix Doubront came on to pitch the bottom of the eighth inning and began by hitting Avila....good start huh? Well Felix recovered to induce a double play from Infante although Jackson walked on a 3-2 pitch that just missed inside. Iglesias sliced a single to right but Doubront blew away Hunter on a full count to end the inning.

Joaquin Benoit came on to close out the top of the ninth with a 4 run lead and Bogaerts greeted him with a ground rule double to begin. Ellsbury slashed a line drive off the bag at first base into the right field corner for a triple that scored Bogaerts. Another base hit would have made it interesting but alas, Victorino whiffed and Pedroia whiffed badly on a ball in the dirt. Ortiz flied out to right to end the game. The Tigers had evened the series with a 7-3 win.

Jackass of the Night is Jake Peavy. He got hammered for 7 runs in just 3 plus innings and put the Sox out of reach early.

                                                 Game 4 Jackass: Peavy


The Good:

Jacoby Ellsbury was 4 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Mike Napoli was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Daniel Nava was 1 for 3.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Xander Bogaerts doubled and scored in the ninth inning.

Brandon Workman pitched 2 scoreless innings.

Ryan Dempster pitched a scoreless 6th inning.

Franklin Morales pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Felix Doubront pitched a scoreless 8th inning.



The Bad:

David Ortiz was 0 for 5.

Jonny Gomes was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Stephen Drew was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Will Middlebrooks was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts.

Mike Carp was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Shane Victorino was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run.

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 4 but walked.




Final Thoughts:

Apart from the 8th inning rally in Game 2, the top four starters by Detroit have allowed TWO combined runs in the first four games. Apart from a once in a lifetime grand slam and a home run by Mike Napoli, this series could easily be over now. As it is, the series is just tied with Game 5 coming tomorrow night. The Sox are going to have to find a way to score some runs because they can't keep continuing to be shut down and pull a rally out their collective asses in the playoffs. Luck runs out eventually and maybe that will be the case in Game 5. Tomorrow night Jon Lester looks to get revenge on Annibal Sanchez in a Game 1 rematch at 8:05 PM at Comerica Park.

Leaky Pen Fails Sox in Game 1 (6/8/13)

After last night's rainout, this was NOT what the Boston Red Sox needed in a doubleheader against the Los Angeles Angels. The normally rock solid Boston bullpen crumbled in today's game after Felix Doubront (4-3, 4.84 ERA) went 6 innings and allowed just 3 runs. Franklin Morales, Clayton Mortensen and Andrew Miller allowed 6 runs on 6 hits and 6 walks combined to turn a 3-2 game into a nightmare defeat. The Boston bats left 14 men on base despite scoring 5 runs in the game and it all added up to a 9-5 defeat at the hands of the Angels at Fenway Park.

                                                   "No clutch hits? Ugh!"

Doubront got the ball in the top of the first inning and Mike Trout grounded out to short to start. Josh Hamilton ripped a double to right but Albert Pujols lined out to first. Mark Trumbo grounded out to short to end the inning. In the bottom of the first, lack of clutch hitting doomed the Red Sox against Angels starter Tommy Hanson. Jacoby Ellsbury singled and stole second but got caught in a rundown when Nava sent a grounder right back to starter Hanson. It was a shame as Dustin Pedroia doubled Nava over to third. Now with runners in scoring position....David Ortiz struck out and Mike Napoli grounded out meekly to third to end the inning.

                                                       Men left on - 2

The Angels struck first in the top of the second as Howie Kendrick led off with a single to left and advanced to second on the grounder to first by Alberto Callaspo. Chris Ianetta grounded out to third but Erick Aybar singled home Kendrick and took second on the throw. J.B. Shuck struck out looking to end the inning but the Angels were on the board up 1-0. 

More incompetence followed in the bottom of the second as Jarrod Saltalamacchia walked but Mike Carp flied out to center. Stephen "PU" Drew walked and Jose Iglesias flied out to right to moved Saltalamacchia to third. With two runners on.....Ellsbury grounded out to second to end the inning.

                                                         Men left on - 4

The Angels tacked it on in the top of the third. Trout doubled to left and Hamilton walked before both advanced on a double steal. All Albert Pujols had to do was hit a fly ball and he did, scoring Trout and sending Hamilton to third with a sac fly to center. Trumbo grounded out to short to score Hamilton but Kendrick lined out to center to end the inning with the Angels up 3-0.

                                                     Trout gets the rally started

Could the Sox counter in the bottom of the third? It seemed that way when Nava and Pedroia hit back to back singles....but then both Ortiz swung at air and Napoli watched strike three go by. Saltalamacchia popped up to third to end the inning.

                                                         Men left on - 6

Doubront finally settled down in the top of the fourth as Callaspo flied out to right to start. Iannetta struck out swinging and Aybar lined out to third to end the inning. The Sox finally rallied in the bottom of the fourth as Carp whalloped a 434 foot bomb to right field, his 5th of the year, to cut the lead. Drew and Iglesias both popped up to short but Ellsbury walked. Ellsbury stole second then Nava then hit a shallow fly ball that Hamilton booted, allowing Ellsbury to score and Nava to reach second. Hanson uncorked a wild pitch to move Nava to third and Pedroia worked a walk. Once again with two men on Ortiz.....grounded out to second to end the inning. Yes, they cut the lead 3-2 but left 2 more men on base.

                                           Carp circles the bases as Hanson can't bear to watch

Doubront got in trouble in the top of the fifth as Shuck walked to start. Trout and Hamilton both struck out swinging but Pujols singled to left to move Shuck to third. Trumbo grounded out to second to end the inning. Hanson got Napoli to fly out to center to start the bottom of the fifth before Saltalamacchia grounded out to first. Carp singled to right but Drew struck out swinging to end the inning. Hanson put himself in position to win the game.

                              Another Tommy Hanson approves of the Angels hurler's performance

Doubront returned for the top of the sixth and Kendrick grounded out to second to start. Callapso doubled to left but Iannetta flied out to right. Aybar grounded out to first to end the inning. Doubront did well, tossing 6 solid innings and allowing 3 runs. The Sox just couldn't generate enough offense for him.

                                                    "Thanks for nothing fellas" - Doubront

Michael Kohn came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Iglesias walked to start. Ellsbury forced Jose at second but Nava ripped a base hit to right. With a chance to tie the game....Pedroia banged into a double play to end the inning.

                                                Men left on - 10

Now came Sox manager John Farrell's critical decision. Doubront hadn't gone seven innings all year but was under 100 pitches. Farrell thought he had done enough and brought in lefty Franklin Morales to replace Felix. Shuck grounded out to first to start but Trout doubled to left. Hamilton flied out to center and Morales was just one out away from a scoreless inning. It never happened as Pujols was intentionally walked and Trumbo made Morales pay by doubling home Trout. Kendrick walked to load the bases and Callaspo walked to score Pujols. Iannetta walked to score Trumbo and chase Morales. Clayton "Vigo" Mortensen came in and Aybar beat out an infield single to second to score Kendrick. Shuck flied out to center to end the inning with the Angels now ahead 7-2. The parade of boos rained down as they should have.

                                 Morales faces 8 batters, gives up 2 hits, 4 walks and 4 runs

Now down 7-2 the Sox needed a rally big time against Scott Downs in the bottom of the seventh. Ortiz flied out to left, Napoli lined out to center and Saltalamacchia struck out swinging to end the inning. So much for that.

Trout led off the top of the eighth with a single to right and moved to second on the grounder to second by Hamilton. Trout moved to third on a grounder to short by Pujols but Trumbo popped up to short left to end the inning. Garrett Richards took the mound in the bottom of the eighth and Carp grounded back to the mound to start. Drew took strike three but Iglesias singled to right. Ellsbury reached on catcher's interference but Nava grounded out to second to end the inning. That's 12 left on base.

The Angels, meanwhile, had no trouble getting clutch hits and plays in the top of the ninth. Kendrick and Callaspo hit back to back singles but Ianetta popped up to third. Farrell bounded out of the dugout and brought in Andrew Miller to get the last two outs without allowing a run...he failed. Aybar walked to load the bases but Shuck hit the next ball to Napoli who tossed it to Salty for the force at home. Trout then walked to bring the 8th run in and Pedroia booted a ground ball by Hamilton allowing the 9th run to score. Pujols grounded into a force to end the inning but now the game was out of reach with the Sox down 9-2.

                                                                    Nice going Miller

The Sox rallied too little too late in the bottom of the ninth as Pedroia grounded back to the mound to start. Ortiz grounded out to first but Napoli singled to left. Saltalamacchia singled to center and Carp singled home Napoli to cut the lead. Drew doubled home both runners and Iglesias reached on an infield single to third to chase Richards. With the tying run in the on-deck circle, Ernesto Frieri struck out Ellsbury to end the game. Total men left on base: 14

                                              

Jackass of the Night is an easy one. Franklin Morales was brought in for relief and ended up giving up 4 earned runs to put the game out of reach.

                                                                Jackass of the Night

The Good:

Daniel Nava was 3 for 5 with an rbi. 

Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 4 with a walk. 

Mike Carp was 3 for 5 with 2 rbi's and 2 runs scored. 

Jose Iglesias was 2 for 4 with a walk.

The Bad:

Other bumbing bawfulness included David Ortiz going 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts. 

Clayton Mortensen gave up 2 runs in just 1 2/3 innings pitched.

The Ugly:

Jacoby Ellsbury was just 1 for 4 but walked, scored a run and swiped 2 bags. 

Mike Napoli was just 1 for 5 but scored a run. 

Jarrod Saltlamacchia was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored a run. 

Stephen Drew was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but drove in two runs. 

Felix Doubront went 6 innings and gave up 3 runs to take the loss. He's now 4-3 with a 4.84 record on the year. 

Andrew Miller walked in a run but didn't allow any runners he put on to score in 2/3 of an inning.

Final Thoughts:

Woweeee that was bad pitching. Yes the Sox left 14 men on base but had the bullpen not allowed 6 runs they may have won the game. What also sucks was this was Game 1 of the double-header meaning if Clay Buchholz stinks in Game 2, they're already down 3 relievers with only the Orient Express and Andrew Bailey to use. Say goodbye to Jackie Bradley Jr as well, Shane Victorino is going to be activated before Game 2 later tonight. At least this time Jackie made some contributions before being demoted. Either by injury or incompetence we may see Jackie again soon. As for the game, the Sox drop to 37-25, 1 game in front of the New York Yankees, who were victorious against the Seattle Mariners, for first place in the AL East.. The Sox look to salvage the day by sending undefeated Clay Buchholz (8-0) out against ace C.J. Wilson in about 2 hours at Fenway Park.

Bats Wake Up to Salvage Series in Philly (5/30/13)

The Boston Red Sox are heading into New York for a big series with the Yankees on a high note after taking game 4 of the 4 game series with the Philadelphia Phillies. Tonight the Sox scored 4 runs in the first inning and never looked back. Franklin Morales (1-0, 3.60 ERA)  made his first start of the season and got the win with 5 strong innings. The Sox won the game 9-2 and spanked the Phillies quite like this demonstration:

                                       An accurate description of tonight's Red Sox game

The Sox struck first in the top of the 1st against ineffective starter Jonathan Pettibone. Jacoby Ellsbury led off the game with a single and Daniel Nava singled him over to third. A ground out by Dustin Pedroia scored Ellsbury and advanced Nava to second. David Ortiz walked and Mike Carp singled home Nava to increase the lea. Stephen "PU" Drew struck out but Jarrod Saltalamacchia made up for yesterday by doubling home Ortiz and Carp to put the Sox up even more. Jose Iglesias grounded out to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-0.

                                                             Carp steps it up

Just as soon as the Sox took the lead, Morales nearly gave it back in the bottom of the first. Ben Revere grounded out to second to start but Cesar Hernandez singled. Jimmy Rollins flied out to left but Delmon Young hit a 2 run bomb to cut the lead in half. Domonic Brown continued to be a thorn in the side of the Sox by getting a base hit but this time Saltlamacchia threw him out trying to steal to end the inning with the Phillies down 4-2.

                                                       Young hits one out

Morales himself whiffed to start the top of the second. Ellsbury walked but Nava flied out to second. Ellsbury stole second and went to third on a single by Pedroia, but Ortiz flied out to end the inning.. Morales got Kevin Frandsen to ground out to second to start the bottom of the second. Erik Kratz flied out to center and Freddy Galvis grounded out to third to end the inning.

Carp whiffed to open the top of the third inning before Drew worked a walk. Saltalamacchia went down swinging before Iglesias lined out to second to end the inning. Morales cruised in the bottom of the third as Pettibone took strike three to start, Revere lined out to left and Hernandez did the same to end the inning.

Morales watched strike three go by to begin the top of the fourth inning but Ellsbury singled and swiped second again. Nava flied out to center and Pedroia flied out to right to end the inning. The Phillies threatened in the bottom of the fourth as Rollins walked to start. Young whiffed but Brown singled and Frandsen walked to load the bases. Morales got a huge out by getting Kratz to bang into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox mustered nothing in the top of the fifth as Ortiz walked to begin. Carp flied out to center and PU Drew banged into a double play to end the inning. Morales had one last inning in the bottom of the fifth and Galvis popped up to short to begin. Michael Martinez pinch hit for Pettibone and lined out to third. Revere lined out to second to end the inning. Morales stepped up with 5 innings of 2 run ball to keep the Sox in front.

                                                    Nice way to make your season debut

The Sox struck again in the top of the 6th against Jeremy Horst. Saltalamacchia whiffed and Iglesias singled but was foolishly thrown out at second. Jonny Gomes pinch hit for Morales and....BANG! 400 foot bomb to extend the lead. Ellsbury than did his best Tommy Harper imitation by swiping second AND third after being hit with a pitch.Nava walked but Pedroia failed to bring them home with a lineout to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-2.

THAT'S how you pinch hit!

Craig Breslow replaced Morales for the bottom of the 6th and got Hernandez to ground out to third to start. Rollins also grounded out to third and Young whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the seventh when Ortiz led off with his 9th home run of the season. Mike Napoli pinch hit for Carp and flied out to center. Drew struck out swinging and Saltalamacchia popped up to first to end the inning with the Sox up 6-2.

                                                  Ortiz hits one a mile

In the bottom of the 7th, Jackie Bradley Jr took over in left and Napoli replaced Ortiz at first. Breslow struck out Brown and Clayton "Vigo" Mortensen replaced him. Frandsen grounded back to the mound but Kratz was plunked. Galvis grounded out to first to end the inning

Michael Stutes took over for the top of the 8th and Iglesias grounded out to second to start. Mortensen actually came to the plate and struck out. Ellsbury singled yet again then took off for second, the throw sailed into center and Ellsbury raced for third. That was be the 5th steal of the night and a new Red Sox record. Nava was hit with a pitch but Pedroia flied out to end the inning. Its amazing that David Ross couldn't pinch hit for Mortensen if they were planning on bringing in a new pitcher anyway, guess he was too busy singing Shania Twain in the dugout....yes of course I'm serious.

                                             "Man, I feel like a woman" David Ross

Junichi Tazawa replaced Mortensen for the bottom of the 8th and Lance Nix pinch hit for Stutes only to strike out swinging. Revere was frozen for strike three but Hernandez singled. Rollins grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox tacked it on in the top of the 9th off Chad Durbin. Jackie Bradley Jr singled and Napoli singled him over to third. PU Drew scored Bradley with a ground out and Napoli advanced to second. Saltalamacchia then doubled to score Napoli and Iglesias doubled to score Salty. Pedro Ciriaco pinch hit for Tazawa and struck out as Ellsbury was retired for the first time all night on a grounder to second to end the inning with the Sox up 9-3.

                                                            No stolen base this time

Red Sox closer Andrew Bailey pitched the bottom of the 9th if nothing else than just to get some work in before the big series with the Yankees. Young lined out to center before Brown whiffed. Frandsen doubled to right but Kratz struck out swinging to end the game. The Sox had averted losing 3 out of 4 with a 9-2 win.

                                     Owen Hart wins the Slammy as the Sox win the game


Hero of the Night is Jacoby Ellsbury who set a Red Sox record with 5 stolen bases in one game including a 3 for 4 with a walk performance.

                                                                 Another steal for the Hero

The Good:

Daniel Nava was 1 for 3 with a walk, hit by pitch and run scored.

David Ortiz was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and his 9th homer of the year.

Jackie Bradley Jr pinch hit for Ortiz, singled and scored in the 9th.

Mike Carp was 1 for 3 with an rbi and run scored.

Mike Napoli pinch hit and was 1 for 2 with a run scored.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was 2 for 5 with a run and 3 rbis.

Jose Iglesias was 2 for 5 with an rbi and played flawless defense.

Jonny Gomes pinch hit and smacked his 3rd homer of the year.

Franklin Morales pitched great for his first game back, allowing just a 2 run homer to Young over 5 strong innings.

Craig Breslow was perfect in 1 1/3 innings of relief to lower his ERA to 1.38.

Vigo Mortensen pitched 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.

Junichi Tazawa struck out 2 of the 3 batters he faced.

Andrew Bailey struck out 2 of the 3 batters he faced.



The Bad:

Pedro Ciriaco struck out as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run.

Stephen Drew was 0 for 4 but walked and drove in a run.





Final Thoughts:

Bring on the Yankees! The Yanks are going to be pissed off after getting swept 4 straight by the New York Mets.  If the Sox can win 1 of the games this weekend, they'll remain in first place. The Sox have no excuses as they are tossing both Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz at New York. As for this game, if they could have used some of the offense for the previous two games they could have swept the series. Still, being defeated by Cliff Lee isn't the end of the world and they won 2 games of the 4. If Iglesias is singlehandedly improving the defense and can contribute on offense, they may have yet another on base threat with Ellsbury beginning to catch fire. Either way let's see how this turns out. The Sox win and the Yanks loss put the Sox 2 games in front of the Yankees at 33-22. Tomorrow night CC Sabathia goes for the Sox up against Jon Lester (6-1). The showdown begins at 7:05 PM at Yankee Stadium.

Lester Outduels Peavy, Red Sox Edge White Sox (4/28/12)

After the Boston Red Sox defeated the Chicago White Sox by a combined score of 20-6 the past two nights, the monster match between aces Jon Lester (1-2, 4.65 ERA) and Jake Peavy pretty much meant runs were going to be at a premium. Sure enough only one run was scored during tonight's game but thankfully it was Boston that got it. Adrian Gonzalez drove in Ryan Sweeney in the top of the fourth inning and that was it for the game. Peavy heroically went the distance for Chicago while Lester shut down the White Sox for seven innings. The much maligned Red Sox bullpen got it done as the one-two punch of Franklin Morales and Vicente Padilla stoned the White Sox in the eighth inning and Alfredo Aceves slammed the door in the ninth. The Red Sox have now won six games in a row and three straight against Chicago with a 1-0 victory at Comiskey Park.

                                                   Bill Williamson approves of the win

Peavy got the ball in the top of the first and Mike Aviles led off with a grounder to third to start. Ryan Sweeney struck out swinging and Dustin Pedroia lined out to right to end the inning. Lester got the ball in the bottom of the first as Alejandro De Aza flied out to center to start. Alexei Ramirez struck out swinging but Adam Dunn drew a walk. Paul Konerko ripped a double to left that Ross bobbled...but Dunn didn't see it and stopped at third. That was a huge mistake as Alex Rios popped up to right to end the inning.

Adrian Gonzalez popped up to left to begin the top of the second before David Ortiz was frozen for strike three on a nasty curveball. Kevin Youkilis popped up to center to end the inning. Dayan Viciedo grounded out to short to start the bottom of the second before Tyler Flowers struck out swinging on a curve in the dirt. Brent Morel also struck out swinging to end the inning.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia led off the top of the third by striking out swinging and Cody Ross flied out to left. Marlon Byrd walked but Aviles waived at strike three to end the inning. The White Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the third as Gordan Beckham grounded out to second to start. De Aza also grounded out to second and Ramirez grounded out to short to end the inning.

The BoSox struck first in the top of the fourth as Sweeney broke his bat popping up to shallow right but Beckham failed to make the catch for a "double". Pedroia hit a weak liner to third but Gonzalez lined a base hit to right to score Sweeney. Ortiz flied out to left and Youkilis forced Gonzalez at second to end the inning with Boston ahead 1-0.

                                                     Sweeney scores a run

Dunn took strike three to start the bottom of the fourth before Byrd failed to catch a double by Konerko. Rios took a strike that should have been ball four before hitting a bullet....right to Byrd. Viciedo struck out swinging to end the inning.

Saltalamacchia struck out swinging to start the top of the fifth before Ross flied out to the left field fence. Byrd got a base hit to left but Aviles popped up to first in foul territory to end the inning. Flowers grounded out to first to start the bottom of the fifth before Morel drilled a base hit to center. Pedroia made a good running catch on a Beckham pop up and De Aza grounded out to third to end the inning.

Sweeney ripped a base hit to center to start the top of the sixth as White Sox analyst Steve Stone brought up how Andrew Bailey tore a thumb muscle two days before Spring Training ended. Pedroia beat out a double play ball but Gonzalez flied out to right. Ortiz popped up to right to end the inning. Ramirez popped up to Pedroia to start the bottom of the sixth. Pedroia made a great snag to rob Dunn of a hit before Konerko struck out swinging to end the inning.

The BoSox did nothing in the top of the seventh as Youkilis grounded back to the mound to begin. Saltalamacchia popped up to third in foul territory and Ross flied out to Viciedo in foul territory to end the inning. Lester returned for one final inning in the bottom of the seventh as Rios took strike three to start. Viciedo hit a roller just inside the third base bag for a hit and Aviles airmailed Pedroia on a grounder by Flowers for a "single". Lester recovered to get Morel to force Viciedo at second and Beckham to force Morel to end the inning. Lester was outstanding, tossing 7 innings of shutout ball allowing just 5 hits and a walk while striking out seven.

                                                        Good work by Lester

Byrd flied out to center to start the top of the eighth before Aviles also flied out to center. Sweeney took strike three to end the inning. Franklin Morales came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and De Aza popped up to short to start. Ramirez ripped a base hit to center but Dunn struck out swinging. That was it for Morales as Sox manager Bobby Valentine wanted Vicente Padilla to pitch to Konerko. Paul walked but Rios grounded out to second to end the inning.

Peavy returned to finish his outing in the top of the ninth and Pedroia struck out swinging to start. Gonzalez flied out to right and Ortiz popped up to short to end the inning. Peavy was outstanding but made just one mistake to Gonzalez. Alfredo Aceves came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Viciedo grounded out to second to start. Kosuke Fukudome pinch hit for Flowers and grounded back to the mound and the pain in the ass AJ Pierzynski pinch hit for Morel. AJ struck out swinging to end the game. The BoSox had won it 1-0.

                                                                   Sox win

Hero of the Night is Jon Lester. He tossed 7 shutout innings to keep the White Sox off the board. He allowed 5 hits and a walk while striking out 7.

                                                               Hero Lester

The Good:

Ryan Sweeney was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Marlon Byrd was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Franklin Morales got the first two outs of the eighth inning.

Vicente Padilla got the final out of the eighth inning.

Alfredo Aceves earned his fifth save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Mike Aviles was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

David Ortiz was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Kevin Youkilis was 0 for 3.

Jarrod Salatalamacchia was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Cody Ross was 0 for 3.

The Ugly:

Adrian Gonzalez was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Final Thoughts:

After scoring 20 runs the last two nights, a let down was inevitable. Thank goodness Jon Lester was up to the task when Jake Peavy stoned the offense cold. Even more impressive was the trio of Morales, Padilla and Aceves got the job done tonight. White Sox broadcasters Steve Stone and Ken Harrelson was saying how bad the Red Sox bullpen is this entire series but tonight the bullpen delivered. Not only that, Marlon Byrd has been what the doctor ordered after Jason Repko couldn't hit a ball off a tee for two weeks after Jacoby Ellsbury got hurt. Ellsbury and Carl Crawford won't be back for a while so hopefully Byrd can bridge the gap until one of them return. Lester didn't give an inch tonight with runs at a premium so hats off on them taking a close, one run game. The BoSox look to make it seven wins in a row and a series sweep of the White Sox tomorrow afternoon when Josh Beckett (2-2) takes on Gavin Floyd of the White Sox. The game begins at 2:20 PM eastern time at Comiskey Park.

Ross, Sox Edge Twins (4/23/12)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Jason Repko was placed on the Disabled List after hurting his shoulder crashing into the wall and the Sox brought up 2007 Lancaster Jethawk leader Lars Anderson to replace him. The Sox are desperate for outfield help with Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury out so hopefully Anderson can give them something.

                                                                            OUT

                                                                   IN

After the embarrassing loss on Fox Saturday baseball and the rainout last night, the Boston Red Sox regrouped and rebounded in tonight's game against the Minnesota Twins. Things looked good early when the Sox jumped out to a 3-0 lead thanks to a Jarrod Saltalamacchia two run homer but the Twins rallied for 5 runs against Jon Lester. Cody Ross hit a two run home run in the seventh to tie the game as Lester hung on to go seven innings. Sox manager Bobby Valentine brought Daniel Bard out of the bullpen to keep the game tied and in the top of the ninth, Cody Ross hit another home run to put the Sox on top. Alfredo Aceves slammed the door in the bottom of the ninth and the Sox had won the game 6-5 at Target Field.

                                                             Leola Bell approves of the win

Jason Marquis got the start for the Twins in the top of the first and Mike Aviles dropped a base hit just in front of Chris Parmalee to start. Ryan Sweeney struck out swinging but Dustin Pedroia blooped a base hit to center to move Aviles to third. Adrian Gonzalez hit a sac fly to left to score Mike but Pedroia was thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                              Sox take the lead

Lester got the ball in the bottom of the first and Denard Span walked to start. Jamey Carroll banged into a double play but Joe Mauer ripped a base hit to center. Josh Willingham struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the second as David Ortiz led off with a check swing base hit down the vacated third base line. Kevin Youkilis forced David at second but Jarrod Saltalamacchia struck his second home run of the season to increase the lead. Cody Ross took strike three and Marlon Byrd made his Red Sox debut after going 3 for 43 with the Cubs and grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                       Saltalamacchia hits one out

Justin Morneau flied out to center to start the bottom of the second but Ryan Doumit singled to left. Danny Valencia banged into a double play to end the inning.

Aviles flied out to left to start the top of the third but Sweeney doubled to right. Sweeney was thrown out at third on a grounder to short by Pedroia and Gonzalez took strike three to end the inning. Chris Parmalee struck out swinging to start the bottom of the third and Trevor Plouffe flied out to center. Span struck out swinging to end the inning.

Ortiz ripped a base hit to center to start the top of the fourth but Youkilis was robbed of a hit by a diving Span. Saltalamacchia banged into a double play to end the inning. The Twins exploded in the bottom of the fourth as Carroll grounded back to the mound to start. Mauer singled to left and Willingham walked, but Morneau was called out on strikes. Doumit doubled down the left field line to score both runners and Valencia smashed a two run home run all the way to the jungle of Peru to give the Twins the lead. Parmalee grounded out to third to end the inning with the Twins up 4-3.

                                                           Twins take the lead

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fifth as Ross grounded out to third to begin. Byrd grounded out to third and Aviles flied out to left to end the inning. The Twins got another run in the bottom of the fifth as Plouffe walked to start. Span dumped a base hit to center to move Plouffe to third and Trevor scored on the double play ball hit by Carroll. Mauer walked but Willingham grounded out to third to end the inning with the Twins up 5-3.

                                                            Carroll brings a run in

Sweeney singled to right to start the top of the sixth before Pedroia dumped a base hit to left. Gonzlez beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners but Ortiz did hit into one to end the inning. Lester came back for the bottom of the sixth and Morneau hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Doumit grounded out to third and Valencia grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

The Sox rallied in the top of the seventh although Youkilis grounded out to third to start. Saltalamacchia ripped a base hit to right and Ross smashed his fourth home run of the season to tie the game. Byrd got a base hit to left to chase Marquis. Jared Burton came in to get Aviles to fly out to left and Sweeney grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the game tied 5-5.

                                                             Ross ties it up

Lester came back for one final inning in the bottom of the seventh and Parmalee flied out to right to start. Plouffe grounded out to short and Span grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Lester got roughed up for 5 runs but held on to go 7 innings.

                                                    Not great but it'll do

Pedroia struck out swinging to open the top of the eighth and that was it for Burton. Brian Duensing came in to pitch to Gonzalez and Adrian flied out to center. Ortiz went down hacking to end the inning. Franklin Morales came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Carroll sliced a base hit down the right field line only for Sweeney to boot it for an error to allow Jamey to take third. Morales got a big out when Mauer grounded out to first and Sox manager Bobby Valentine turned to Daniel Bard to bail him out. Willingham lined out to third and Morneau was intentionally walked to set up a force. Doumit popped up to short to end the inning. That was the turning point in the game to hold the Twins with a runner on third and nobody out.

The Sox capitalized in the top of the ninth with Matt Capps now on the mound. Youkilis grounded out to short and Saltalamacchia flied out to center, but Ross smashed his second home run of the game to put Boston on top. Byrd flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-5.

                                                      Ross does it again

Alfredo Aceves came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Valencia grounded back to the mound to start. Parmalee singled to center to put the tying run on and Clete Thomas pinch ran for him. Plouffe flied out to left and Span grounded back to the mound to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-5.

                                                                 Red Sox win

Hero of the Night is Cody Ross. He hit the two run homer to tie the game and the go-ahead home run in the top of the ninth.

                                                      Happy Hero

The Good:

Ryan Sweeney was 2 for 4.

Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 4.

David Ortiz was 2 for 4.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was 2 for 4 with a 2 run home run and two total runs scored.

Franklin Morales got the first out of the eighth inning.

Daniel Bard got the win with 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

Alfredo Aceves earned his third save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Mike Aviles was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Adrian Gonzalez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Kevin Youkilis was 0 for 4 but scored a run.

Marlon Byrd was just 1 for 4.

Jon Lester allowed 5 early runs but battled to toss 7 innings, allow 6 hits and strike out 4.

Final Thoughts:

Of the 5 measly wins the Sox have this season, two of them happened to be ninth inning rallies. Coming off the embarrassing loss to the New York Yankees, the Sox needed to make a statement against the Twins and for 5 innings it didn't look good. Thank goodness for Saltalamacchia and Ross in this one. Ross has been the best free agent signing of the off-season with five home runs already including two tonight. Lester didn't look good at all again but at least he battled through seven innings. Bringing Bard out of the bullpen was a little peculiar but it got the job done. The Sox have a lot of work to do to right the ship but they took a good first step by the way they won. Not letting Carroll score the go-ahead run in the eighth led to Ross' blast in the ninth. Hopefully things are looking up for the Red Sox because that was truly a gutty win. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the Twins tomorrow night when Josh Beckett (1-2) takes on Nick Blackburn of Minnesota. The game begins at 8:05 PM Eastern time at Target Field.

Yankees Erase Nine Run Lead, Blow Out Sox (4/21/12)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a few roster moves. 25 year old pitcher Michael Bowden was traded to the Chicago Cubs along with a Player To Be Named Later in exchange for 34 year old outfielder Marlon Byrd. Byrd was an All-Star two years ago and with Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford out, the Sox needed better outfield depth than Jason Repko.

                                                                           OUT

                                                                        IN 

It was embarrassing news all around as the Boston Bruins gagged to the Washington Capitals in Game 5 of their first round NHL playoff series and the New York Yankees erased a 9-0 deficit and humiliated the Boston Red Sox by blowing THEM out in today's game. Felix Doubront held the Yankees to just 1 run in 6 innings while the Sox built a 9-1 lead. All of a sudden the Yankees exploded with 7 runs in the top of the seventh to pull within a run against Vicente Padilla and Matt Albers. Then the Yankees scored another 7 runs against Franklin Morales, Alfredo Aceves and Justin Thomas to put the game out of reach. The entire bullpen with the exception of Junichi Tazawa and Scott Atchison was humiliated as the Yankees went from being blown out to blowing out the Red Sox 15-9 at Fenway Park.

                                                            Sox fans have had enough

Doubront got the ball in the top of the first inning and Derek Jeter led off with a base hit to right. Nick Swisher grounded into a double play but Robinson Cano drew a walk. Cano took second on a passed ball but Alex Rodriguez grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox shelled Yankees starter Freddy Garcia in the bottom of the first as Mike Aviles flied out to left to start. Ryan Sweeney stroked an opposite field double to left but Dustin Pedroia hit one up the elevator shaft. Adrian Gonzalez pounded a ground rule double into the right field stands to score Sweeney and David Ortiz doubled down the left field line to score Adrian. Kevin Youkilis grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                        Ortiz drives in a run

Mark Teixeira led off the top of the second by grounding out to second before Curtis Granderson took strike three. Andruw Jones drew a walk but Russell Martin struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the second as Jarrod Saltamacchia was retired on a slow roller to first to start. Cody Ross dropped a base hit to left and Darnell McDonald doubled off the Monster, Ross scoring on the base hit to center by Aviles. McDonald moved to third on the hit and Sweeney hit a sac fly to right to score Darnell. Aviles swiped second and Pedroia scored him with a base hit to right. That was it for Garcia as Clay Rapada came in to get Gonzalez to fly out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-0.

                                                       Pedroia knocks in a run

Eduardo Nunez grounded out to short to start the top of the third before Jeter grounded out to second. Swisher singled to left but Cano flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox were relentless in the bottom of the third as Ortiz singled through the shift to chase Rapada. David Phelps came in to take a beating as Youkilis was hit on the left hip. Saltalamacchia drilled a base hit to right to load the bases but Ross struck out swinging. McDonald hit a sac fly to center to score Ortiz and Aviles drilled a base hit to right to score Youkilis. Saltalamacchia moved to third on the hit but Sweeney forced Aviles at second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-0.

                                                        Youkilis scores another run

A-Rod grounded out to short to start the top of the fourth inning and Teixeira took strike three. Granderson took strike three on the inside corner to end the inning. Pedroia flied out to right to start the bottom of the fourth before Gonzalez grounded out to first. Ortiz walked and Nate Spears pinch hit for Youkilis who apparently was more hurt by the HBP than it seemed. Spears struck out swinging to end the inning.

Jones grounded out to short to start the top of the fifth before Martin struck out swinging. Nunez walked and Jeter singled Eduardo to third with a base hit to center but Swisher grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fifth as Saltalamacchia hit a double off the Monster to start. Ross blasted his third home run of the season to increase the lead. McDonald flied out to Swisher at the warning track and Aviles flied out to center. Sweeney flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox up 9-0.

                                                               Ross with the two run shot

The Yankees began their comeback in the top of the sixth as Cano struck out swinging to start. A-Rod struck out swinging but Teixeira hit a home run all the way to New Hampshire to cut the lead. Granderson popped up to short to end the inning. Doubront pitched his best game of the season allowing just the home run in 6 innings of work as the Sox enjoyed a 9-1 lead,

                                                          Doubront gets it done

Pedroia tried to start a rally in the bottom of the sixth with a base hit to center to start. Gonzalez banged into a double play but Ortiz got a base hit to center. Spears grounded out to first to end the inning.

Suddenly the Yankees exploded against Vicente Padilla in the top of the seventh. Jones took strike three and at this point the Sox were just eight outs away from a blowout win.....instead Martin singled to right, Nunez beat out a roller to third and Jeter walked to load the bases. Swisher than pounded a grand slam to the outer reaches of Mongolia to make it a game again. Cano doubled to left and that was it for Padilla as Matt Albers came in to stop the bleeding. A-Rod hit a routine grounder to short...BOOTED BY AVILES FOR AN ERROR! Teixeira took advantage by sending a home run into outer space to cut the lead to just one run just like that. Franklin Morales came in and Granderson singled to right, but Jones struck out swinging. Martin forced Granderson at second to end the inning with the Yankees only down 9-8 in a blink of an eye.

                                                          Yankees storm back

Rafael Soriano came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Saltalamacchia tried to start a rally with a ground rule double into the right field stands. Ross grounded out to short, McDonald popped up to Teixeira in foul territory and Aviles took strike three to end the inning.

The Yankees humiliated the Sox in the top of the eighth as Nunez singled to left to chase Morales. Alfredo Aceves was brought in for the six out save....and Jeter walked. Swisher doubled to right to score both runners and the Yankees had come all the way back to take the lead. But wait there's more! Cano was intentionally walked and A-Rod drew a conventional walk to load the bases. Teixeira pounded a ground rule double down the right field line to score two more runners and Granderson was intentionally walked. That was it for Aceves who didn't record an out. Justin Thomas came in and Ibanez hit a rocket to Gonzalez who doubled off Granderson. At this point a 3 run deficit would not be too much to overcome with two innings to go....but Martin doubled to center to score A-Rod and Teixeira. Nunez singled in the hole at short to move Martin to third and Valentine had enough of him. Junichi Tazawa came in and Nunez promptly stole second. Jeter hit a routine grounder to Aviles who fell down making the play to score Martin. Swisher flied out to center to end the beat down with the Yankees ahead 15-9.

                                                          What a disaster

Boone Logan came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Sweeney flied out to left to start. Pedroia struck out swinging as Fox broadcaster Tim McCarver brought up the Sox' collapse last year and how they needed to get off to a good start this season only to end up "woeful". Ken Rosenthal brought up the very real power struggle that Larry Lucchino overruled Sox GM Ben Cherrington by hiring Bobby Valentine to manage the team. Gonzalez popped up to shallow right to end the inning.

Tazawa returned for the top of the ninth and Cano grounded back to the mound to start. Rodriguez grounded out to third and Teixeira popped up to third to end the inning. Ortiz got a base hit to right to start the bottom of the ninth and Cody Eppley came in to pitch. Nick Punto pinch hit for Spears and naturally lined out to Teixeira who doubled off Ortiz. Saltalamacchia singled to center and took second on a wild pitch, but Ross took strike three to end the game. The Yankees completed one of the biggest comebacks in major league history and humiliated the Red Sox 15-9.

                                                        Yankees win

Jackass of the Night is Alfredo Aceves. The entire bullpen imploded but he could have slammed the door in the eighth, instead he allowed an inherited runner to score and was charged with 5 runs of his own without getting an out.

                                                                   Jackass Aceves

The Good:

Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

David Ortiz was 4 for 4 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Kevin Youkilis was hit with a pitch and scored a run before leaving the game.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was 4 for 5 with a run scored.

Cody Ross was 2 for 5 with a 2 run homer and 2 total runs scored.

Darnell McDonald was 1 for 3 with an rbi and a run scored.

Felix Doubront tossed 6 solid innings and allowed just the one run. He allowed 4 hits and struck out 7.

The Bad:

Nate Spears was 0 for 2.

Nick Punto hit into a double play as a pinch hitter.

Vicente Padilla was charged with 5 runs in just 1/3 of an inning.

Matt Albers was charged with 2 runs without recording an out.

Franklin Morales was charged with a run in 2/3 of an inning.

Justin Thomas was charged with a run in 2/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Mike Aviles was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis, a stolen base and a run scored but he made a huge fielding error that allowed the Yankees comeback to continue.

Ryan Sweeney was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored a run.

Adrian Gonzalez was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run and scored a run.

Junichi Tazawa allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own in 1 1/3 innings.

Final Thoughts:

The Red Sox have officially hit rock bottom. The Red Sox are officially 11-30 since September of last season and today was the microcosm of everything wrong with them. After not hitting at all for most of the season the Sox scored 9 runs today. After the rotation didn't look good to start the season Felix Doubront looked good today. Then the bullpen completely implodes to hand the Sox one of their most ignominious defeats of all time. They had an 8 run lead with 8 outs to go after Padilla struck out Jones and then collapsed. When you look at the bullpen, its not that good. They let Jonathan Papelbon walk and replaced him with Mark Melancon only for him to have one of the worst meltdowns since Michael Rappaport in the movie The Scout. Alfredo Aceves, Vicente Padilla and Justin Thomas haven't gotten it done and Franklin Morales is better suited as a starter or long man than a late inning guy. If its not the bats that are asleep, its the rotation. If its not the rotation, its the bullpen. Nothing has gone right since the end of August last year and clearly the problem wasn't Terry Francona and Theo Epstein. There's plenty of time to turn things around but fans are becoming increasingly impatient. Bobby Valentine ripped Youkilis to fire him up only for the opposite to happen, he let Daniel Bard rot against Tampa and there's rumors he's upset the core of the team in other ways. Its all giving off a bad vibe to a team that was under a microscope to begin with and they've remained flat on their face. If today wasn't bad enough, now the Sox have to face Yankees ace CC Sabathia tomorrow night on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball. Daniel Bard (0-2) is tasked with ending the Yankees dominance over Boston at 8:30 PM at Fenway Park.