Yankees Outslug Red Sox (9/13/81)

So much for the Boston Red Sox making a September run. The New York Yankees appear to be headed to the AL East title after defeating the Sox in a crucial game today. Frank Tanana (3-9, 4.49 ERA) has been a disappointment all season and today was no different. With essentially the season on the line, Tanana got lit up for 4 runs in just 1 1/3 innings. The Sox rallied off Yankees starter Ron Guidry to come lose but John Tudor got hammered in the fourth inning and the Sox couldn't recover. The Yankees pounded out 12 hits and 10 runs as they inched closer to the AL East crown with a 10-6 victory at Yankee Stadium.

                                              Jack Torrance doesn't like bad Sox pitching

Guidry cruised in the top of the first inning as Dwight Evans struck out to start. Dave Stapleton grounded out to third before Jim Rice struck out to end the inning. Willie Randolph led off the bottom of the first with a base hit to center but Jerry Mumphrey flied out to right. Dave Winfield also flied out to right but Randolph swiped second. Lou Piniella struck out to end the inning.

Boston tried to rally in the top of the second although Carl Yastrzemski grounded out to first to begin. Carney Lansford drew a walk and Tony Perez got a base hit to left. The rally ended as Gary Allenson flied out to center and Glenn Hoffman took strike three to end the inning. The Yankees came alive in the bottom of the second inning as Reggie Jackson singled to right to begin. Graig Nettles walked before Bob Watson singled home Jackson. Rick Cerone singled home Nettles to increase the lead before Larry Milbourne sacrificed both runners over. The move paid off as Randolph singled both men home and Sox manager Ralph Houk too no chances with the season on the line, getting Tanana out of there. Frank lasted just 1 1/3 innings and allowed 4 runs, yuck! Luis Aponte came in and got Mumphrey to force Randolph at second and Winfield flied out to center to end the inning but it was 4-0 Yankees.

                                                         Nice going Frank.

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the third as Rick Miller grounded back to the mound to start. Evans grounded out to first and Stapleton lined out to short to end the inning. John Tudor came in for the bottom of the third and dominated. Piniella went down swinging, Jackson took strike three and Nettles whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox fought back in the top of the fourth as Rice stroked a base hit to left to begin. The Yankees got a crucial out when Yaz singled to right and Rice got thrown out at third. Lansford got a base hit and Perez blasted his 6th home run of the year to cut the lead. If Rice didn't get thrown out, that would have been a grand slam. Allenson grounded out to third and Hoffman flied out to center to end the inning but the Sox were back in it 4-3.

                                                        Perez gets the Sox closer

Just as the Sox came close, the Yankees iced it in the bottom of the fourth. Watson walked and Cerone doubled him to third. Milbourne was plunked to load the bases and Watson scored on the ground out by Randolph, moving Cerone to third as well. Cerone scored on the sac fly by Mumphrey and Winfield iced it by crushing a 400,000 foot home run. Piniella grounded out to third to end the inning but the game was essentially over with the Yankees up 8-3.

                                                    "Its over...the season is over."

Miller grounded out to second to open the top of the fifth but Evans drew a walk. Stapleton popped up to short but Rice singled to left. Yaz grounded out to second to end the inning. The Yankees got to Tudor again in the bottom of the fifth although Jackson grounded out to second to begin. Nettles popped up to first but Watson annihilated a 30,000 foot home run to increase the lead. Cerone walked but Milbourne took strike three to end the inning with the Yankees up 9-3.

George Frazier came in for Guidry for the top of the sixth but the Sox weren't going quietly. Lansford walked to start and Perez got a base hit to center. Allenson drove home Lansford with a base hit to chase Frazier. Ron Davis came in and Sox manager Ralph Houk sent in Gary Hancock to pinch hit for Hoffman. The move backfired as Hancock banged into a double play, which made Miller's rbi single that scored Perez even more agonizing. Evans whiffed to end the inning but the Hancock double play killed the rally with the Sox down 9-5.

                                                                Thanks a lot Hancock

Julio Valdez came in to play short with Steve Crawford now on the mound for the bottom of the sixth. Randolph flied out to right but Mumphrey walked. Winfield forced Mumphrey at second before getting picked off by the alert Crawford to end the inning.

The Sox blew their last chance to get back in the game in the top of the seventh. Stapleton grounded out to short to start before Rice struck out swinging. Yaz doubled to right and Lansford walked....but Perez took strike three to end the inning. The Yankees wrapped up their scoring in the bottom of the seventh as Piniella singled to center to begin. Jackson flied out to left but Nettles beat out an infield single. Watson walked to load the bases and Cerone scored Piniella with a sac fly. Milbourne grounded out to second to end the inning but it was 10-5 Yankees.

Bobby Brown came in for the top of the eighth and Allenson walked to start. Allenson was doubled off first on the line drive by Valdez and Miller grounded out to short to end the inning. Chuck Rainey came in for the bottom of the eighth and Randolph doubled to right to begin. Mumphrey grounded out to third but Winfield singled Willie to third. Piniella hit into a double play to end the inning.

Dave LaRoche came in to close out the game in the top of the ninth although Evans walked to start. Stapleton flied out to left but Rice doubled Dwight to third. Yaz scored Evans with a grounder but Lansford grounded out to short to end the game. The Yankees took another step toward the AL East title with a 10-6 win.

Jackass of the Night is John Tudor. He allowed 5 big runs after the Sox clawed their way back in the game.

                                                             Jackass Tudor


The Good:

Jim Rice was 3 for 5.

Carl Yastrzemski was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Carney Lansford was 1 for 2 with 3 walks and 2 runs scored.

Tony Perez was 3 for 4 with a 3 run home run and 2 runs scored.

Gary Allenson was 1 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Luis Aponte got the last two outs of the second.

Chuck Rainey pitched a scoreless 9th.



The Bad:

Dave Stapleton was 0 for 5.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Gary Hancock hit into a double play as a pinch hitter.

Julio Valdez hit into a double play in his only at-bat.

Frank Tanana got rocked for 4 runs in just 1 1/3 innings.



The Ugly:

Dwight Evans was 0 for 3 but walked twice and scored a run.

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

Steve Crawford allowed a run in 2 innings of work.




Final Thoughts:

This season was crazy anyway but the Sox just couldn't beat the Yankees when it counted. The problem is the Sox didn't have the pitching as usual. They sent out Frank Tanana and John Tudor up against the likes of Ron Guidry and the results are as expected. There are still 20 games to play but the Yankees are up so far there may not be enough time left. The Sox missed Carlton Fisk this year but they missed a dependable third starter more. Still, the Sox could go on a run but it doesn't look good. The loss dropped the Sox to 47-41, 5.5 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox now come home for a crucial homestand beginning with the Detroit Tigers. Mike Torrez goes for the Sox up against Dan Petry at 8:00 PM at Fenway Park.

Twins Send Sox To Fourth Straight Loss (4/30/81)

At least the Boston Red Sox scored some runs for the first time in four days. Unfortunately, the Minnesota Twins scored twice as many as they did. The Sox pitching woes continued as Frank Tanana (0-3, 7.08 ERA) got clobbered for 5 runs while getting knocked out in the second inning. Bob Stanley and Mark Clear also got tagged by the Twins. Jim Rice and Tony Perez broke out of their slumps with home runs but it wasn't enough to offset the horrendous pitching. When the dust settled the Sox closed out the month of April on a 4 game losing streak due to the Twins 8-4 victory over them at Fenway Park.

                                              "This team SUCKS!"

Once again the Sox stepped on their private parts in the top of the first inning although Tanana struck out Gary Ward looking to start. John Castino lined out to center but Mickey Hatcher singled. Roy Smalley then hit a home run into Newfound Lake to give the Twins the lead. Dave Engle flied out to right to end the inning but it was 2-0 Twins.

                                                            Twins take the lead early

The Sox finally scored a run in the bottom of the first against Twins starter Roger Erickson as Dwight Evans doubled to center to start and Dave Stapleton singled him home. Carl Yastrzemski popped up to short and Jim Rice struck out swinging, but Stapleton moved to second on a balk by Erickson. Tony Perez flied out to right but the Sox had finally scored a run, trailing 2-1.

                                                                First rbi in days for Boston

Naturally the Twins responded by knocking Tanana out in the bottom of the second inning. Pete Mackanin doubled to left but Glenn Adams flied out to right. Ron Jackson was plunked and Sal Butera doubled home Mackanin. Ward singled home both runners and Sox manager Ralph Houk stormed out of the dugout and chucked sunflower seeds at Tanana. Frank ran away to the dugout and Bob Stanley materialized out of thin air to pitch. Castino flied out to left and Hatcher popped up to Stanley to end the inning but it was 5-1 Twins.

                                                              "I sucked today" - Tanana

The Sox laid down and died in the bottom of the second as Carney Lansford flied out to center to start. Gary Allenson struck out looking and Glenn Hoffman lined out to left to end the inning.

Smalley singled to right to start the top of the third but was forced at second by Engle. Mackanin lined out to left and Adams lined out to right to end the inning. Rick Miller grounded out to first to begin the bottom of the third but Evans struck out swinging. Stapleton popped up to first to end the inning.

Jackson grounded out to short to start the top of the fourth but Butera singled to left. Ward banged into a double play to end the inning. Yaz grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fourth and Rice popped up to first. Perez lined out to center to end the inning.

The Twins tagged Stanley in the top of the fifth although Castino flied out to right to start. Hatcher singled to right and Smalley walked, but Engle struck out swinging. Rob Wilfong pinch hit for Mackanin and walked to load the bases. Adams singled home Hatcher and Smalley to increase the lead and cause Houk to kick over his stack of mail piled up. Jackson flied out to left to end the inning with the Twins up 7-1.

                                                           Not even Bob could bail them out

Lansford flied out to center to start the bottom of the fifth and Allenson flied out to left. Hoffman singled to left but Miller lined out to center to end the inning.

Mark Clear came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Butera struck out swinging to start. Ward struck out swinging but Castino walked. Castino stole second but Hatcher struck out swinging to end the inning. Evans and Stapleton both flied out to center to start the bottom of the sixth and Yaz grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Twins tagged Clear in the top of the seventh as Smalley walked to start. Engle singled to left and Wilfong singled to right to score Smalley. Adams grounded out to first and Jackson hit a shot to Lansford who fired home to get Engle. Butera popped up to third to end the inning but it was 8-1 Twins.

                                                                 Clear gives up a run

Rice lined out to left to start the bottom of the seventh but Perez singled to left. Perez was forced at second by Lansford and Allenson grounded out to third to end the inning.

Chuck Rainey came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Ward grounded out to second to start. Castino flied out to center and Hatcher grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox got a run back in the bottom of the eighth as Smalley booted a grounder by Hoffman to start, advancing Glenn to second. Miller moved Hoffman to third with a fly out to right but Evans struck out swinging. Somehow Stapleton singled home Glenn to cut the lead. Yaz grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox down 8-2.

                                                                Hoffman scores a run

Smalley grounded back to the mound to start the top of the ninth and Engle flied out to center. Wilfong lined out to first to end the inning. Erickson was denied a complete game when Rice led off the bottom of the ninth with his third home run of the year to start. Perez then cracked his second of the year to cut the lead in half and chase Erickson. Doug Corbett came in and Lansford struck out swinging. Allenson grounded out to third but Garry Hancock pinch hit for Hoffman. Hancock grounded out to second to end the game. The Twins had won it 8-4.

Jackass of the Night is Frank Tanana. He got hammered for 5 runs in just 1 1/3 innings to once again put the Sox in too big a hole to climb out of.

                                                            Jackass Tanana

The Good:

Dave Stapleton was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis.

Tony Perez was 2 for 4 with a home run.

Glenn Hoffman was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Chuck Rainey tossed 2 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 4.

Carney Lansford was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Gary Allenson was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Garry Hancock was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Bob Stanley allowed 2 runs in 3 2/3 innings

The Ugly:

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a home run.

Mark Clear gave up a run in 2 innings of work.

Final Thoughts:

What a garbage month that was. It started with Carlton Fisk giving the proverbial middle finger to Red Sox management on Opening Day and ended with a four game losing streak to send the Sox into May on a down note. This game has been typical of the last week or so with the starter getting knocked out and the bullpen providing no relief. The strangest part is the offense has been non-existent for the most part. The middle of the order has been asleep all month including Yaz, Rice and Perez. Perez is going to be 38 on May 14th and he could be losing it. Yaz is 41 years old and could be losing it too. Rice will figure it out eventually but right now the Sox are in deep trouble if these guys can't get it going. Losing to the Texas Rangers and the Twins doesn't inspire any confidence but at least April is over. The Sox look to rebound against the Twins tomorrow when Dennis Eckersley (2-2) takes on Fernando Arroyo of the Twins at 2:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Rangers Bash Sox Again (4/28/81)

This is just getting ridiculous. Apparently the Texas Rangers can only beat one team in the American League and that's the Boston Red Sox. After scoring 26 runs in the previous two games against them, you'd think the Sox would find an answer to slow them down. Clearly, there was no answer. Rookie Steve Crawford (0-2, 4.70 ERA) wasn't ready for prime time as he got beat up for 4 runs in 4 innings to put the Sox in the hole. Tom Burgmeier and Bill Campbell were no help either as the Rangers pounded out 13 hits and 9 runs. The Sox caught a break when old friend Fergie Jenkins left after the third inning but could only muster 3 hits off Steve Comer and Bob Babcock. Just like yesterday, the Rangers shelled the Sox and shut them out 9-0 at Arlington Stadium. How many runs did the Sox score Dean Wormer?

The Sox tried to rally against Jenkins in the top of the first when Jerry Remy singled to right to start. Dwight Evans flied out to left but Carl Yastrzemski drew a walk. Jim Rice flied out to right and Carney Lansford grounded into a force to end the inning. Crawford struck out Bump Wills to start the bottom of the first but a passed ball by Allenson allowed Bump to reach first. Mickey Rivers popped up to third and Al Oliver banged into a double play to end the inning.

Tony Perez struck out looking to start the top of the second but Allenson atoned for the passed ball with a base hit to right. Glenn Hoffman struck out swinging but Rick Miller walked. Remy flied out to left to end the inning. Buddy Bell flied out to center to start the bottom of the second and Johnny Grubb grounded back to the mound. Pat Putnam singled to center but Jim Sundberg popped up to first to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the third as Evans struck out swinging to start. Yaz grounded out to second but Rice popped up to first to end the inning. Crawford got Billy Sample to ground out to short to start the bottom of the third and Mario Mendoza grounded out to third. Wills took strike three to end the inning.

Jenkins was gone after the bottom of the third and Steve Comer came in for the top of the fourth. Lansford lined out to second and Perez flied out to left, but Allenson singled to left. Hoffman lined out to second to end the inning. The Rangers ambushed Crawford in the bottom of the fourth as Rivers singled to left to start. Oliver was plunked and Bell singled to third to load the bases. Grubb scored Rivers with a sac fly to give the Rangers the lead and Putnam hit a home run all the way to El Paso to ice the game. Sundberg lined out to first but Sample doubled to left. Mendoza grounded out to short to end the inning with the Rangers ahead 4-0. That was it for Crawford who fell apart the second time threw the order, allowing 4 runs in 4 innings.

                                                        Putnam hits a bomb

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the fifth as Miller flied out to center to start. Remy grounded out to short but Evans singled to center. Yaz grounded out to short to end the inning. Tom Burgmeier came in for the bottom of the fifth and Wills grounded out to short to start. Rivers singled to center but Oliver popped up to second. Bell flied out to right to end the inning.

Rice walked to start the top of the sixth but Lansford forced him at second and Perez banged into a double play to end the inning. The Rangers got to Burgmeier in the bottom of the sixth although Grubb watched strike three go by to begin. Putnam struck out swinging but Sundberg singled to left and Sample hit a ground rule double. Mendoza singled to left to score Sundberg and Sample then Wills got a base hit to center. Miller threw himself on the ball and swam on it for an error that allowed Mendoza to score. Rivers flied out to right to end the inning with the Rangers up 7-0.

                                                "What the hell are you doing, Miller?" - TB

Allenson grounded out to third to start the top of the seventh and Hoffman grounded out to second. Bob Babcock came in to pitch to Miller and he singled in the hole at short. Remy flied out to left to end the inning. Bill Campbell came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and 24 year old rookie Dave Schmidt made his Major League debut taking over for Allenson behind the plate. Oliver grounded out to second to start but Bell walked. Grubb singled to right and Evans tried to field it with his hat for an error to advance the runners. Putnam was intentionally walked to load the bases but Sundberg scored Bell with a sac fly. Sample singled home Grubb to wrap up the scoring. Mendoza grounded into a force to end the inning but it was 9-0 Texas.

                                                  Tough way for Schmidt to make his debut

Evans whiffed to begin the top of the eighth and Yaz grounded out to first. Rice grounded out to third to end the inning. Tom Poquette made his season debut taking over for Rice and Gary Hancock came in for Evans to start the bottom of the eighth. Wills struck out swinging but Rivers singled to center. Oliver struck out swinging and Bell grounded out to third to end the inning.

The end came in the top of the ninth when Lansford flied out to center to start. Perez grounded out to first and Schmidt struck out swinging in his first ML at-bat to end the game. The Rangers crushed the Sox 9-0.

Jackass of the Night is Steve Crawford. Not that the Sox were going to score for him but he could have lasted more than 4 innings and not given up 4 runs to put them in a hole they couldn't climb out of.

                                                           Jackass Crawford

The Good:

Gary Allenson was 2 for 3.

Rick Miller was 1 for 2 with a walk.

The Bad:

Carney Lansford was 0 for 4.

Tony Perez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Dave Schmidt struck out in his first ML at-bat

Tom Burgmeier allowed 3 runs in 2 innings.

Bill Campbell allowed 2 runs in 2 innigs.

The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was just 1 for 4.

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4 with an error and 2 strikeouts.

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 3 but walked.

Jim Rice was 0 for 3 but walked.

Honorable Mention:

Gary Hancock played right field in the bottom of the eighth.

Tom Poquette played left field in the bottom of the eighth.

Final Thoughts:

For those scoring at home the Rangers have now scored 35 runs in their last 3 games against the Red Sox. I don't remember this lineup being murderer's row so something is terribly wrong with the Sox pitching. Not even Bob Stanley, Tom Burgmeier or Bill Campbell has looked good the last few games. Obviously this can't continue or the Sox have no chance to compete in the AL East this year. The New York Yankees are riding Dave Winfield as much as they can and Dwight Evans is the only one on the Sox remotely close to playing as well. Crawford looked beat the second time around and if he's not going to make it as a starter, maybe its time to bring up Bruce Hurst for another go? Also, one of the reasons the Sox might be stinking the joint out is they're getting tired. Yes they've had rainouts and off-days but apart from Rick Miller and Jerry Remy, the starters have played every game so far this season. Gary Allenson has caught all 14 games they've played and this was one of the few times even some of the starters got some rest. If bench strength is weak to the point Sox manager Ralph Houk is running starters into the ground early, they better go get some competent backups or bring up the kids in Pawtucket. Reid Nichols is supposedly a good utility guy, if Perez or Rice is struggling then give them a breather with Reid? The Sox look to score a run for once when John Tudor (1-0) takes on Danny Darwin of the Rangers tomorrow night at 10:05 PM Eastern time at Arlington Stadium.

White Sox Edge Red Sox (4/18/81)

If you told me before the game Frank Tanana (0-1, 3.14 ERA) would toss a complete game and only allow 2 runs, I would have asked how much did the Boston Red Sox win by? Turns out they didn't as the Chicago White Sox did one better. Steve Trout of the ChiSox outpitched Tanana by allowing just 1 run in 7 2/3 innings. LaMarr Hoyt slammed the door in the top of the ninth and the BoSox bats were silenced 2-1 at Commiskey Park.

                                    "Pitching a complete game and losing only happens in..The Twilight Zone"

Trout took the mound in the top of the first and Dwight Evans led off with a grounder back to the mound. Dave Stapleton grounded out to short but Carl Yastrzemski doubled to left. Jim Rice flied out to left to end the inning. Tanana got in trouble in the bottom of the first although Bill Almon grounded out to short to start. Tony Bernazard tripled to center but Tanana got a big out when Carlton Fisk struck out swinging. Greg Luzinski walked but Chet Lemon took strike three to end the inning.

Bernazard booted a grounder by Perez for an error to open the top of the second but Carney Lansford grounded into a double play. Glenn Hoffman grounded out to second to end the inning. Lamar Johnson flied out to left to begin the bottom of the second and Wayne Nordhagen flied out to center. Jim Morrison hit a routine grounder to Hoffman who threw his hat at the ball and laughed at it for an error. Morrison stole second but Rusty Kuntz grounded out to short to end the inning.

Gary Allenson flied out to right to begin the top of the third but Rick Miller was hit with a pitch. Evans hit into a double play to end the inning. Tanana had no control in the bottom of the third as Almon walked to start. Bernazard flied out to right and Fisk flied out to left, but Luzinski walked. Lemon walked to load the bases but Johnson grounded into a force to end the inning.

Stapleton grounded out to short to start the top of the fourth and Yaz did as well. Rice singled in the hole at second but Perez flied out to right to end the inning. Nordhagen grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fourth and Morrison flied out to left. Kuntz flied out to right to end the inning.

Lansford walked to open the top of the fifth and was sacrificed to second by Hoffman. Allenson hit one up the elevator shaft and Miller grounded out to third to end the inning. The White Sox struck first in the bottom of the fifth as Almon singled to center to begin. Bernazard sacrificed him to second and who else but Fisk pounded a home run all the way to Lake Michigan to give the White Sox the lead. Luzinski walked and Lemon singled to to left, but Greg was doubled off at second on the liner by Johnson to end the inning with the ChiSox ahead 2-0.

                                                      Fisk does it again for the White Sox

The Sox tried to rally when Evans singled to center to start the top of the sixth but Stapleton forced Dwight at second. Yaz banged into a double play to end the inning. Nordhagen grounded out to short to start the bottom of the sixth and Morrison popped up to short. Kuntz flied out to center to end the inning.

Harold Baines took over for Nordhagen to start the top of the seventh and Rice grounded out to short to start. Perez also grounded out to short but Lansford walked. Hoffman grounded into a force to end the inning. Tanana got in a big jam in the bottom of the seventh as Almon singled to center to start. Bernazard dropped down a bunt to advance him to second and Fisk was intentionally walked. Luzinski singled to left to load the bases and Richard Dotson pinch ran for him. Tanana came up big by getting Lemon to ground into a double play to end the inning.

The BoSox blew a huge chance to tie the game in the top of the eighth as Allenson singled to left to start. Joe Rudi pinch hit for Miller and doubled Allenson to third. Reid Nichols pinch ran for Rudi and Evans walked to load the bases. All Stapleton could do was score Allenson with a sac fly to cut the lead. Yaz beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners and LaMarr Hoyt was brought in to face Rice. Jim flied out to left to end the inning with the Red Sox down 2-1.

                                                              Allenson scores a run

Tanana returned to complete his outing in the bottom of the eighth as Johnson singled to start. Mike Squires pinch ran for Johnson but Baines struck out swinging. Morrison forced Squires at second and Kuntz flied out to left to end the inning. Tanana went the distance but the two run bomb to Fisk ended up being the difference in the game.

                                                           Frank deserved better

Perez struck out swinging to start the top of the ninth and Lansford flied out to left. Gary Hancock pinch hit for Hoffman and grounded out to first to end the game. The White Sox had edged the Red Sox 2-1.

Jackass of the Night is a tough one but I'll go with Tony Perez. He was 0 for 4 with a strikeout and left a man on base back when it was a tied game.

                                                          Jackass Perez

The Good:

Dwight Evans was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Carney Lansford walked twice in four plate appearances.

Gary Allenson was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Joe Rudi doubled as a pinch hitter.

One of the rare times the losing pitcher ends up on the Good list but Frank Tanana tossed a complete game allowing just 7 hits and 2 runs. His mistake to Fisk was the difference in the game.

The Bad:

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 2 with an error.

Gary Hancock was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

Dave Stapleton was 0 for 3 but drove in a run.

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 4.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4.

Rick Miller was 0 for 1 but was hit with a pitch.

Honorable Mention:

Reid Nichols pinch ran for Rudi and played center in the bottom of the eighth.

Final Thoughts:

The Red Sox have three losses this season and Carlton Fisk struck the decisive blow in two of them. How the BoSox let him slip away is one of the biggest cataclysms in Red Sox history and that includes selling Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees. Sox GM Haywood Sullivan is going to get an earful from the Boston faithful for this blunder until the end of time if Fisk continues down the Hall of Fame path he was on. Still, Fisk's home run would have been a mere annoyance if the Sox bats weren't silenced by the immortal Steve Trout. The same guy who lost 16 games last year blinded the Red Sox in this one. Its a shame because Tanana pitched a hell of a game, too bad he has nothing to show for it. The BoSox look to rebound tomorrow in the rubber game of this set when Steve Crawford looks to make it two good starts in a row. His opponent will be Ross Baumgarten of the White Sox and the game begins at 3:30 PM Eastern time at Commiskey Park.

Palmer, O's Shut Down Sox (4/13/81)

For 8 innings, 23 year old Boston Red Sox rookie Steve Crawford (0-1, 0.00 ERA) matched future Hall of Fame Baltimore Orioles ace Jim Palmer to a 1-1 draw. Thanks to some really bad defense, the Orioles scored 5 un-earned runs off Crawford and reliever Tom Burgmeier to put the game away. The Red Sox bats went silent against Palmer and the Orioles rode a 4 run ninth inning to beat the Sox 5-1 at Fenway Park.

                                                  "I hate bad defense!" - Colonel Potter

Crawford cruised in the top of the first inning as Al Bumbry took strike three to start. Old pal Jim Dwyer whiffed and Ken Singleton went down swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the frame although Jerry Remy grounded out to third to start. Dave Stapleton walked but was thrown out at second trying to steal. The caught stealing turned out big as Dwight Evans bashed his second home run of the year to put Boston on top. Jim Rice flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0. Sadly that would be the only run they'd score the rest of the game.

                                                          Evans puts the Sox ahead.

Eddie Murray struck out swinging to start the top of the second before John Lowenstein flied out to left. Doug DiCinces singled to left and Rick Dempsey walked, but Mark Belanger lined out back to Crawford to end the inning. Tony Perez struck out swinging to begin the bottom of the second but Carney Lansford singled to center. Glenn Hoffman banged into a double play to end the inning.

Rich Dauer grounded out to third to start the top of the third but Bumbry grounded out to first. Dwyer singled to right but was caught stealing second to end the inning. Gary Allenson popped up to short to begin the bottom of the third but Rick Miller walked. Remy banged into a double play to end the inning.

Singleton singled to center to start the top of the fourth but Murray flied out to left. Lowenstein singled to right but DiCinces banged into a double play to end the inning. Stapleton flied out to left to start the bottom of the fourth but Evans singled to right. Rice took strike three and Perez whiffed to end the inning.

The Orioles struck back in the top of the fifth as Dempsey singled to center to start. Dempsey moved to second on the Belanger grounder and to third on a passed ball. Dauer singled Dempsey home to tie the game. Bumbry banged into a double play to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                              Dauer ties it up

Lansford doubled to left to begin the bottom of the fifth but Hoffman flied out to left. Allenson grounded out to third and Miller grounded out to second to end the inning.

Crawford got Dwyer to fly out to left to open the top of the sixth but Singleton struck out swinging. Murray doubled to left but Lowenstein flied out to center to end the inning. Remy lined out to short to start the bottom of the sixth but Stapleton walked. Evans popped up to first and Rice flied out to center to end the inning.

Crawford got the O's to beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the seventh as DeCinces grounded out to short to start. Dempsey grounded back to the mound and Belanger grounded out to second to end the inning. Perez walked to start the bottom of the seventh and Sox manager Ralph Houk sent Reid Nichols to pinch run for him. Lansford dropped down a bunt to advance Reid to second but Hoffman popped up to second. Allenson walked but Miller flied out to left to end the inning.

Crawford cruised in the top of the eighth as Dauer grounded out to third to start. Bumbry grounded out to second and Dwyer flied out to right to end the inning. Tim Stoddard replaced Palmer in the bottom of the eighth and Remy grounded out to short to start. Stapleton singled to left but was thrown out at second on the strikeout by Evans to end the inning.

The Sox turned into a comedy of errors in the top of the ninth to blow the game. Singleton doubled to left to chase Crawford after 8 outstanding innings. Tom Burgmeier came in and Wayne Krenchicki pinch ran for Singleton. Murray hit a routine grounder to Hoffman who dove on the ball and swam on it for an error. Gary Roenicke pinch hit for Lowenstein and beat out an infield single to third to load the bases. Burgmeier did manage to get DeCinces flied out to left and Dempsey to pop up to short, but Jose Morales pinch hit for Belanger. Morales lashed a base hit to center to score Krenchicki and Murray to give the O's the lead. Lenn Sakata pinch ran for Morales and took off for second. Allenson fired there and he was safe, Roenicke taking off for home....safe! The Sox were humiliated and the O's had iced the game. Dauer doubled home Sakata to wrap up the scoring. Bumbry grounded out to first to end the inning with the O's up 5-1.

                                                              Crawford deserved better

Rice tried to start a rally with a base hit to left to start the bottom of the ninth and Gary Hancock pinch hit for Nichols, striking out swinging. Lansford forced Rice at second and Hoffman struck out swinging to end the game. The Orioles had won it 5-1.

Jackass of the Night is Tom Burgmeier. He was felled by some piss-poor defense but he still allowed 3 hits and 4 runs.

                                                             Tom Jackass

The Good:

Dave Stapleton was 1 for 2 with 2 walks.

Dwight Evans was 2 for 4 with a home run.

Carney Lansford was 2 for 3.

One of the rare times the losing pitcher ends up on the good list but Steve Crawford was outstanding, being charged with 2 runs in 8 innings of work. Its too bad the Sox couldn't score for him.

The Bad:

Jerry Remy was 0 for 4.

Gary Hancock struck out as a pinch hitter.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 4 with a strikeout and an error.

The Ugly:

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Tony Perez was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Gary Allenson was 0 for 2 but walked.

Rick Miller was 0 for 2 but walked.

Honorable Mention:

Reid Nichols pinch ran for Tony Perez.

Final Thoughts:

The game was a classic pitcher's duel for 8 innings but completely fell apart in the ninth. Steve Crawford went toe to toe with Jim Palmer and did very well. If he can pitch like that down the road, the Sox are in good hands. There's no shame in being beaten by Jim Palmer and its encouraging to see Crawford hang in there. The defense in the ninth was garbage but its April and its only one game. Hopefully this was just a hiccup and the Sox can bounce back Wednesday against the Orioles. Mike Torrez makes his season debut opposite Dennis Martinez of the O's. The game begins at 2:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Fisk Keys White Sox Rally Past Red Sox on Opening Day (4/10/81)

The Boston Red Sox are not a very well liked organization right now after they let one of the most popular players in team history walk in free agency then were forced to trade another. If that wasn't bad enough, today the player they let walk struck the decisive blow against them as Carlton Fisk served a big fat "screw you" to Haywood Sullivan, Buddy LeRoux and Jean Yawkey. With the BoSox up 2 in the top of the eighth, Fisk smashed a 3 run bomb to put the Chicago White Sox on top and they never looked back, stunning Boston 5-3 at Fenway Park. Thanks a lot ownership group.

                                                                 Fisk gets the last laugh

Dennis Eckersley was Boston's opening day starter and he began the 1981 season by allowing a base hit to Ron LeFlore. If that wasn't enough, Eck had LeFlore picked off but Tony Perez missed the throw for an error which allowed Ron to reach second. Mike Squires grounded right back to Eck to hold LeFlore but he took third on another grounder to the mound, this time by the returning Fisk. Greg Luzinski looked at strike three to end the inning. Britt Burns got the start for Chicago and Dwight Evans popped up to first to start. Dave Stapleton flied out to right but Joe Rudi made his Sox debut by walking. Jim Rice singled Joe to third but Perez whiffed to end the inning.

Eck got in trouble in the top of the second by hitting Chet Lemon was hit with a pitch to start. Harold Baines got a base hit to left but Jim Morrison (no, not The Doors frontman) popped up a bunt to Eck. Tony Bernazard grounded into a force before Bill Almon whiffed to end the inning. Carney Lansford made his Red Sox debut in the bottom of the second by flying out to center. Glenn Hoffman whiffed and Gary Allenson looked at strike three to end the inning.

LeFlore whiffed to begin the top of the third but Squires walked. Fisk singled but Squires got greedy and was thrown out at third trying to stretch. Luzinski whiffed to end the inning. Rick Miller was back with the Sox and began the bottom of the third by striking out swinging. Evans lined out to right but Stapleton walked. Rudi lined out to left to end the inning.

Eck cruised in the top of the fourth as he struck out Lemon to begin. Baines popped up to third before Morrison grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fourth as Rice whiffed to start. Perez doubled to left but Lansford whiffed. Hoffman grounded out to short to end the inning.

Eck ran into trouble in the top of the fifth although Bernazard popped up to second to begin. Almon grounded out to third before LeFlore hit a routine grounder to second. Stapleton threw himself on the ball and swam on it for an error. LeFlore then swiped second but Squires popped up to short to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the fifth as Allenson whiffed to start. Miller grounded out to short but Burns left a fastball right down the middle, Evans crushing a home run for the first run of the season. Fans in the crowd started throwing frisbees on the field that were giveaways for the game. Stapleton popped up to second to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                         Evans puts the Sox on top

Eck cruised in the top of the sixth inning as Fisk whiffed to start. Luzinski popped up to third and Lemon grounded out to third to end the inning. Rudi began the bottom of the sixth with a lineout to center to begin. Rice popped up to first but Perez singled to left. Lansford popped up to second to end the inning.

Eck came back for the top of the seventh and got Baines to line out to second to begin. Morrison grounded out to short and Bernazard whiffed to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the seventh although Hoffman whiffed to start. Allenson then smashed his first home run of the season to increase the lead. Miller grounded out to short but Evans walked. Stapleton hit a routine fly ball to right but Baines dropped it for an error. White Sox manager Tony LaRussa brought in LaMarr Hoyt and he whiffed Rudi to end the inning with the BoSox ahead 2-0.

                                                         Allenson increases the lead

Just 6 outs from a shut-out victory everything fell apart in the top of the eighth. Eck came out but walked pinch hitter Bob Molinaro (for Almon). LeFlore singled to center and new BoSox manager Ralph Houk brought in Bob Stanley to get the last 6 outs. Squires sacrifice bunted the runners over to set the stage for Fisk. Carlton was looking for Stanley's sinker and he got it on the first pitch, driving it into the screen in left to put Chicago on top. To show how angry Red Sox fans were at their own front office, the fans in the crowd CHEERED Fisk as he rounded the bases. Luzinski whiffed but Lemon was plunked and swiped second. Baines whiffed to end the inning but Chicago was up 3-2.

                                                  Holy Cow!

Greg Pryor came in for Molinaro in the batting order but at short with Rusty Kuntz taking Lemon's spot while playing center. The BoSox rolled over and died in the bottom of the eighth as Rice and Perez whiffed before Lansford popped up to second to end the inning.

Stanley gagged again in the top of the ninth as Morrison singled and Bernazard singled him to third. Stanley managed to get Morrison in a run down but Allenson muffed the throw home and Morrison was safe with Bernazard taking second. Pryor sacrifice bunted Bernazard over to third and LeFlore scored him with a groundout for the kill shot. Squires flied out to center to end the inning with the White Sox ahead 5-2.

The Sox did rally in the bottom of the ninth when Gary Hancock pinch hit for Hoffman and walked. Allenson whiffed before Miller hit a picture perfect double play ball to second....under the glove of Bernazard to bring the tying run to the plate. Evans popped up to first but Stapleton singled home Hancock to put the tying run at first. Ed Farmer was brought in to pitch to Rudi and with a chance to be the hero in his first game....Joe flied out to center to end the game. The White Sox had won the game and Fisk got his revenge 5-3.

Jackass of the Night is Bob Stanley. He served up the go-ahead dinger to Fisk and the insurance runs to take the loss.

                                                           Stanley The Jackass


The Good:

Tony Perez was 2 for 4.

Gary Hancock walked and scored as a pinch hitter

Dennis Eckersley pitched well until the 8th inning but still went 7 innings allowing 4 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks and he struck 7 batters.



The Bad:

Carney Lansford was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Rick Miller was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.



The Ugly:

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4 with a walk but the one hit was a solo home run.

Dave Stapleton was just 1 for 4 with a walk but drove in a run.

Joe Rudi was 0 for 4 but drew a walk.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4.

Gary Allenson was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of three strikeouts and an error...but the one hit was a home run.




Final Thoughts:

The Red Sox deserved that loss big time. If they were foolish enough to let their franchise catcher walk then it serves them right for him to be the hero today. The trade of Fred Lynn didn't yield much merritt as Rudi, Miller and Lansford did almost nothing today. Still its only one game and there are 161 to go. Eckersley pitched well today and its encouraging to see him look like the ace of old. The question is can the rest of the rotation keep up? After an off-day the Sox are back in action against the White Sox with Richard Dotson going for Chicago and Frank Tanana making is Sox debut. The game starts at 2 PM Sunday at Fenway Park.

Yankees Blank Sox (9/21/80)

Its one thing for the Boston Red Sox to be mediocre this season, its another thing to get their brains beaten in by the rival New York Yankees. The Yankees are on pace to win 100 games and the Sox would be lucky to win 89 by season's end. Ron Guidry mastered the Sox for 7 innings, surrendering just 3 hits while striking out nine batters. Goose Gossage came in to slam the door afterwards. John Tudor (7-5, 3.00 ERA) failed to make it out of the first inning as he was charged with 3 runs. Bill Campbell and Mike Torrez managed to shut the Yankees down the rest of the way but the damage was done. The Yankees continued their march toward October by blanking the Sox 3-0 at Yankee Stadium. How many runs did the Sox score Dean Wormer?

Guidry took the ball in the top of the first and Rick Burleson struck out to start. Dave Stapleton popped up to short and Carlton Fisk hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. The Yankees jumped on Tudor in the bottom of the first as Willie Randolph walked to start. Bucky Dent walked and Randolph swiped third before Bob Watson doubled home Willie put the Yankees up for good three batters into the game. Reggie Jackson scored Dent with a sac fly and Watson moved to third on a grounder by Lou Piniella. Rick Cerone singled home Watson and Sox manager Don Zimmer stormed out of the dugout and charged Tudor. Zimmer threw a roundhouse right that Tudor ducked under and ran for the dugout. Bill Campbell was brought in and Eric Soderholm flied out to left to end the inning with the Yankees up 3-0.

Jim Rice started the top of the second by striking out to begin. Tony Perez struck out but Dwight Evans tripled to right. Chico Walker flied out to left to end the inning. Aurelio Rodriguez lined out to second to start the bottom of the second before Bobby Brown grounded out to second. Randolph grounded out to short to end the inning.

Glenn Hoffman popped up to second to start the top of the third and rookie Reid Nichols grounded back to the mound. Burleson walked but Stapleton flied out to center to end the inning. Dent walked to start the bottom of the third but was thrown out by Fisk trying to steal second. Watson singled to left but Jackson banged into a double play to end the inning.

                                        "Bucky you know better than to run on me." - CF

Fisk popped up to third to open the top of the fourth before Rice singled to center. Perez and Evans both struck out to end the inning. Piniella singled to right to start the bottom of the fourth before Cerone flied out to right. Soderholm and Rodriguez both whiffed to end the inning.

Guidry cruised in the top of the fifth as Walker grounded out to second to start. Hoffman took strike three and Nichols swung and missed at strike three to end the inning. Campbell kept pace in the bottom of the fifth as Brown took strike three to start. Randolph singled to center and Rice made a great diving catch to rob Dent of extra bases, but Randolph took second. Watson flied out to center to end the inning. Campbell put in a yeoman's effort with 4 1/3 innings of shutout ball.

                                                      Campbell does well 

Burleson grounded out to short to start the top of the sixth but Stapleton drew a walk. Dave was doubled off of first on a line drive by Fisk to end the inning. Mike Torrez took over for the bottom of the sixth and Jackson singled to right to begin. Piniella flied out to center, Cerone flied out to left and Soderholm grounded out to second to end the inning.

Rice grounded out to short to start the top of the seventh before Perez took strike three for his third strikeout of the game. Evans singled to center and Walker watched strike three go by to end the inning. Torrez got Rodriguez to ground out to short to start the bottom of the seventh and Brown popped up to second. Randolph flied out to center to end the inning.

Goose Gossage came on for the six out save in the top of the eighth and Dave Rader pinch hit for Hoffman only to take strike three. Garry Hancock pinch hit for Nichols and grounded back to the mound before Burleson took strike three to end the inning. Larry Wolfe took over at third for the bottom of the eighth and Dent lined out to short to start. Watson flied out to right but Jackson singled to left. Joe Lefebvre pinch ran for Jackson as Piniella singled to left. Cerone flied out to center to end the inning. The much maligned Torrez tossed 3 scoreless innings, good stuff.

                                                        Torrez eats some innings

Stapleton tried to start a rally with a base hit to right to open the top of the ninth and moved to second on the grounder by Fisk. The rally ended as Gossage froze Rice for strike three and blew away Perez to end the game. The Yankees had won it 3-0.

Jackass of the Night is John Tudor. Not that the Sox were gonna score off Guidry but getting knocked out in the first inning spelled the Sox doom.

                                                Jackass Tudor wasn't ready for prime time

The Good:

Dave Stapleton was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Dwight Evans was 2 for 3.

Bill Campbell tossed 4 1/3 scoreless innings.

Mike Torrez tossed 3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Carlton Fisk was 0 for 4.

Tony Perez was 0 for 4 with the golden sombrero of 4 strikeouts.

Chico Walker was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Dave Rader struck out as a pinch hitter.

Reid Nichols was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Garry Hancock was 0 for 1 at the plate.

The Ugly:

Rick Burleson was 0 for 3 with a walk.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Honorable Mention:

Larry Wolfe played third base in the bottom of the eighth.

Final Thoughts:

As the season comes to a close, there are rumblings that Don Zimmer may not make it to the end of the season. At this point it would be the right move to make to tell him that his services are no longer needed. When he took over in 1976, he whined to Tom and Jean Yawkey that Bill Lee's crew was hampering his managerial style. Well Lee and his crew have been gone for years now and Zimmer still hasn't been able to get the most out of who's there. Taking out Tudor after 2/3 of an inning forced the bullpen to essentially toss 8 innings. The move worked, Torrez and Campbell did a hell of a job, but the principle of it stinks. The offense took the day off against Guidry and Gossage, never really posing a threat. Looking at the difference between the Sox and Yankees is frightening. Maybe someday the Sox will have the pitching to match the Yankees....maybe. The less said of this disaster, the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 78-68, 15.5 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox look to play spoilers when they start a set with the second place Baltimore Orioles. Dick Drago (6-5) goes for the Sox against Scott McGregor, looking for his 20th win of the season. The game begins at 7:30 PM at Memorial Stadium.