Bogaerts, Sox Best Rays Late (5/23/18)

It was a good day for Boston sports. The Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of their NBA East Finals series against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays. It took a little while but the Red Sox woke up just when it mattered to win tonight's game with the Tampa Bay Rays. David Price and Chris Archer locked into a pitcher's duel before the Red Sox broke the 1-1 tie with a 3 run top of the ninth led by Xander Bogaerts. Craig Kimbrel locked it down in the bottom of the ninth and the best team in baseball dispatched the Rays 4-1 at Tropicana Field.

                                                  Jayson Tatum approves of the win

Archer took the mound in the top of the first inning and Mr. Mookie Betts looked at strike three to begin the ballgame. Andrew Benintendi walked but the slumping Hanley Ramirez banged into a double play to end the inning. Price took the hill in the bottom of the first and whiffed Denard Span to start. CJ Cron looked at strike three but David Robertson singled. Matt Duffy whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second as JD Martinez looked at strike three to begin. Xander Bogaerts was also rung up before Rafael Devers flied out to center to end the inning. Price whiffed Willy Adames to start the bottom of the second before Johnny Field grounded out to second. Rob Refsnyder grounded out to third to end the inning.

Eduardo Nunez got the first hit of the game with a base hit to right beginning the top of the third. He was stranded as Jackie Bradley Jr popped up to third, Christian Vazquez grounded out to short and Mr. Mookie popped up to short to end the inning. Price began the bottom of the third by striking out Christian Arroyo but walked Jesus Sucre. Span erased Sucre with a force and Cron struck out to end the inning.

Benintendi struck out to open the top of the fourth before Ramirez whiffed as well. Martinez looked at strike three again to end the inning. Price kept up the pace in the bottom of the fourth as Robertson whiffed to start before Duffy grounded out to third. Adames looked at strike three to end the inning.

More nothing from the Sox in the top of the fifth as Bogaerts popped up to first to start. Devers grounded out to second but Nunez singled. JBJ doubled into the gap in center but Nunez was foolishly thrown out at home trying to score to end the inning.

                                              "Me? Out? No way Jose!" - Nunez

Price kept up the pace in the bottom of the fifth as Field grounded out to third to start. Refsnyder walked but was thrown out at second by the alert Vazquez trying to steal before Arroyo singled. Sucre flied out to center to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the sixth inning as Vazquez got the party started with a single. Mr. Mookie and Andrew Benintendi drew back to back walks to load the bases with nobody out. The party ended as Ramirez banged into a double play although Vazquez scored to give the Sox the lead. Martinez grounded out to third to end the inning but it was 1-0 Sox.

                                              Vazquez crosses the plate

The Rays wasted zero time tying the game in the bottom of the sixth as Span walked to start then Cron doubled him in to tie the game. Price recovered to freeze Robertson before Duffy grounded out to short. Adames flied out to right to end the inning with the game tied 1-1. That was it for Price who pitched 6 innings of 1 run ball, normally that should be good enough to win.

                                                  Price with a solid effort

That was it for Archer as Jose Alvarado replaced him for the top of the seventh inning. Alvarado blew away the Sox as Bogaerts, Devers and Nunez all whiffed in short order. Matt Barnes got the call to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Field grounded out to short to begin Refsnyder looked at strike three as Brad Miller pinch hit for Arroyo only to look at strike three to end the inning.

Alvarado returned for the top of the eighth and continued his hot streak by blowing away JBJ. Vazquez at least made contact but he popped up to first and that was it. Rays manager Kevin Cash brought in Chaz Roe who walked Mr. Mookie and Benintendi but Ramirez flied out to center to end the inning. Joe "Machine Gun" Kelly (3-0, 1.99 ERA) came in for the bottom of the eighth and Sucre grounded out to second to begin. Span popped up to third before Cron grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox rallied in the top of the ninth inning against Alex Colome. Martinez hit a routine grounder to Adames at short who threw the ball away, allowing Martinez to run all the way to third. Bogaerts made the Rays pay by pounding a double to give the Sox the lead. Devers walked and both men moved into scoring position after a wild pitch by Colome. Nunez scored Bogaerts with a sac fly and advanced Devers to third where he scored on a passed ball by Sucre. JBJ whiffed and that was it for Colome as Ryne Stanek came in to retire Vazquez on a fly out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-1.

                                 Devers makes a mad dash home for the insurance run

Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel came in to lock down the save in the bottom of the ninth and began by blowing away Robertson. Duffy grounded back to the mound and Adames whiffed to end the game. The Sox had won it late 4-1.

Hero of the Night is Xander Bogaerts. His rbi double was the decisive blow in the game.

                                                 Xander is a Hero tonight



The Good:

Mookie Betts walked twice in four plate appearances.

Andrew Benintendi walked 3 times in four plate appearances.

Eduardo Nunez was 2 for 3 with an rbi.

David Price tossed 6 innings of 1 run ball while walking 3 and striking out 9.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Joe Kelly pitched a scoreless 8th inning to earn the win.

Craig Kimbrel earned his 15th save with a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.



The Ugly:

JD Martinez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.

Rafael Devers was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.

Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4.

Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.




Final Thoughts:

Well, better late than never. After not getting anything going all game the Sox turned it on just in the nick of time to pull out this win. The bottom of the order is still a mess and Hanley Ramirez is hitting .200 this month. I don't know why Mitch Moreland isn't in there against right handed pitchers because Ramirez hasn't hit righties all year. The good news is fresh troops are on their way with Hector Velazquez, Tyler Thornberg and Dustin Pedroia almost ready to join the team. Price went 6 innings and threw only 90 pitches and it'll be interesting to see if that was the manager's decision to pull him early or Price himself. Either way a win is a win. The win propels the Sox to 34-15, percentage points in front of the New York Yankees who got mauled by Texas 12-10 for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night "Slick" Rick Porcello (6-1, 3.39 ERA) takes the hill opposite Ian Snell in the final game of this series at 7:10 PM at Tropicana Field.

Sale, Betts Tame Rays (5/22/18)

Not even an off-day could derail Chris Sale (5-1, 2.17 ERA) and the Boston Red Sox from taking the major league lead in team wins. Facing the Tampa Bay Rays in Tampa, the Sox needed a superb effort by Sale and some timely offense to edge the Rays 4-2. Mookie Betts swatted his 16th home run of the year and Craig Kimbrel slammed the door to preserve the win at Tropicana Field.

                                                    Pete Clemenza approves of the win

Faria took the mound in the top of the first inning and Mr. Mookie Betts flied out to right to start. Andrew Benintendi watched strike three go by and Hanley Ramirez popped up to first to end the inning. Sale had some trouble in the bottom of the first although Daniel Robertson popped up to first to begin. CJ Cron whiffed but Matt Duffy walked. Wilson Ramos singled to center but Willy Adames whiffed to end the inning.

JD Martinez began the top of the second inning with a base hit but Xander Bogaerts banged into a double play. Rafael Devers flied out to right to end the inning. Johnny Field singled to start the bottom of the second but Christian Arroyo whiffed. Rob Refsnyder flied out to right and Mallex Smith lined out back to Sale to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the third inning. Eduardo Nunez popped up to first but Sandy Leon walked. Somehow Jackie Bradley Jr beat out an infield hit and Mr. Mookie made Faria pay by blasting a three run bomb to left to put the Sox on top. Benintendi struck out but Faria suddenly collapsed in a heap and was carried off the field in a wheelbarrow. Austin Pruitt came in ice cold and walked Ramirez and Martinez back to back. Wilson Ramos suddenly keeled over and also had to be carried out in a wheelbarrow causing Jesus Sucre to take his place. Bogaerts was plunked to load the bases but Devers flied out to end the inning. The Sox sent 9 men to the plate, the Rays lost 2 guys and the Sox were up 3-0. Crazy inning.

                                                     Betts brings them all home

Sale held the lead in the bottom of the third although Robertson was plunked to begin. JBJ's defense is hardly the equal of his offense and he made a great catch to rob Cron of a hit AND double off  Robertson in the process. Duffy grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fourth as Nunez flied out to left to begin. Leon watched strike three go by but somehow JBJ singled. Mr. Mookie lined out to center to end the inning. The Rays struck back in the bottom of the fourth although Sucre whiffed to begin. Adames stunned the crowd with a solo home run to left to put the Rays on the board. Field lined out to first and Arroyo whiffed to end the inning but the Sox were up 3-1.

                                                      How did this happen?

The Sox went quietly in the top of the fifth as Benintendi flied out to left, Ramirez grounded out to second and Martinez flied out to right. The Rays struck again in the bottom of the fifth as Refsnyder led off with a double. Smith tried to bunt him over to third but popped up to third. It didn't matter anyway as a passed ball by Leon and a sac fly by Robertson scored Refsnyder. Cron whiffed to end the inning but it was now 3-2 Sox, thanks a lot Leon.

                                                          Yeah laugh it up while you can

The Sox wasted no time getting that run right back in the top of the sixth although Bogaerts flied out to right to begin. Devers crushed his 9th home run of the year right inside the right field foul pole to extend the lead. Nunez grounded out to short and Leon looked at strike three to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-2.

                                                   Devers extends the lead

The Sox did nothing in the top of the seventh as JBJ grounded out to secon to start. Mr. Mookie singled but Benintendi banged into a double play to end the inning. Sale came back for the bottom of the seventh and got Field to ground back to the mound to start. Arroyo looked at strike three but Refsnyder walked. Smith whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox failed to score in the top of the eighth as Ramirez grounded out to second, Martinez grounded out to third and Bogaerts popped up to second to end the inning. Sale trudged to the mound for one more inning in the top of the eighth and got Robertson to ground out to short to start. Cron popped up to third and Sox manager Alex Cora decided that 112 pitches was enough for Sale. He lifted the ace after 7 2/3 brilliant innings where he struck out 9 while allowing just two runs. Joe "Machine Gun" Kelly came in and slammed the door by freezing Duffy to end the inning.

                                            Sale with a hell of an effort

Ryan Stanek replaced Pruitt in the top of the ninth inning and Devers drew a walk although Nunez banged into a double play. Leon singled but JBJ looked at strike three to end the inning. Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel came in for the save in the bottom of the ninth and Sucre greeted him with a single. Kimbrel blew away Adames and Dernard Span pinch hit for Field only to hit one up the elevator shaft. Brad Miller pinch hit for Arroyo and doubled before Refsnyder walked to load the bases. Smith grounded out to short to end the game with the Sox winning 4-2.

                                                   Another win


Hero of the Night is Mookie Betts. His 3 run bomb was the difference in the game.

                                                      Mr. Hero


The Good:

JD Martinez was 1 for 3 with a walk

Rafael Devers was 1 for 3 with a walk including a solo home run.

Sandy Leon was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Chris Sale got the win with 7 2/3 innings of 2 run ball while striking out 9.

Joe Kelly retired the only guy he faced.

Craig Kimbrel earned his 14th save with a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 3.

Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 4.



The Ugly:

Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 3 but walked.




Final Thoughts:

That was a good win against a struggling team and every win counts in the era of the second wild card. Sale continues to be amazing and its good on Cora to lift him when he does to save his arm for better days. Kimbrel looked shaky but he got the job done and Mr. Mookie did it again. Between him and JD Martinez they haven't had a 1-2 punch like this since David Ortiz retired. If the Sox can keep this offense going they're going to do some damage going forward. Ramirez, Moreland, Martinez, Bogaerts, Betts and Benintendi when all healthy could be devastating. The win improved the Sox to 33-15, 1.5 games ahead of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night David Price (4-4, 4.38 ERA) goes for the Sox opposite Rays ace Chris Archer in the second game of this series at 7:10 PM at Tropicana Field.

Betts, Benintendi Guide Sox Past Birds (5/19/18)

The bad news was the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of their NBA East Finals series but the good news was the Boston Red Sox defeated the Baltimore Orioles. One of the reasons for the Red Sox failures last year was the deterioration of Mookie Betts who was AL MVP runner up in 2016 and had a very solid 2015. The 2016 Betts is back and Andrew Benintendi is quietly developing into Fred Lynn 2.0. Tonight they swatted back to back home runs to back "Slick" Rick Porcello (6-1, 3.39 ERA) to defeat the Baltimore Orioles 6-3 at Fenway Park.

                                                 Solid Snake approves of the win

Porcello got the ball in the top of the first and Trey Maninci nearly took his head off with a line drive up the middle. Adam Jones popped up to first and Manny Machado lined out to short before Jonathan Schoop grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Dylan Bundy got the ball in the bottom of the first and Mr. Mookie Betts struck out to start. Andrew Benintendi drew a walk and swiped second but Hanley Ramirez popped up to short. JD Martinez walked but Xander Bogaerts swung at a 2-2 fastball up in his eyes to end the inning although Bundy had thrown 30 pitches already.

Porcello began the top of the second by blowing away Chris Davis and freezing Mark Trumbo for strike three, but walked Pedro Alvarez. Jace Peterson was rung up for strike three to end the inning. The bottom of the Sox order reared its ugly head as Rafael Devers flied out to center to begin the bottom of the second. Eduardo Nunez doubled to left field wall and moved to third on the Sandy Leon fly out to right....but Jackie Bradley Jr swung and missed at a fastball right down the middle to end the inning.

Naturally the O's struck in the top of the third inning. Chance Sisco smacked a ground rule double into right but Porcello managed to whiff Mancini. Jones hit another ground ball into left to put runners at the corners and Machado walked to load the bases. Schoop hit a sac fly to left to score Sisco before Davis whiffed to end the inning with the O's up 1-0.

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the third as Mr. Mookie lined out to left to begin. Benintendi and Ramirez both grounded out to second to end the inning.

Porcello managed to get Trumbo to ground out to third to open the top of the fourth before Alvarez grounded out to second. Peterson walked but Sisco whiffed to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fourth inning although Martinez grounded out to short to begin. Bogaerts whiffed but Devers crushed his 8th homer of the year to dead center to tie the game. Nunez whiffed to end the inning but it was 1-1.

                                                        Devers gets the party started

Porcello mowed down the O's in the top of the fifth inning as Mancini flied out to center to start. Jones flied out to right but Machado singled. Schoop whiffed to end the inning. The Sox exploded in the bottom of the fifth as Leon doubled to start. JBJ whiffed but Mr. Mookie smashed a 2 run home run to left to give the Sox the lead. Benintendi followed Betts' lead and crushed a home run of his own to go back to back. Ramirez popped up to short and Martinez looked at strike three to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-1.

                                              Back to back jacks

Needing a shut-down inning, Porcello nearly gave the game away in the top of the sixth inning. David whiffed but Trumbo singled and Alvarez crushed a 900 foot bomb to inch the O's closer. Peterson lined out to center and Sisco whiffed to end the inning but the O's trailed 4-3. That was it for Porcello who tossed 6 solid innings, gave up 3 runs and struck out 9.

                                                  Porcello with a solid effort

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the sixth as Bogaerts whiffed to start. Devers flied out to left and Nunez grounded out to third to end the inning.

Joe Kelly got the call to pitch the top of the seventh and Mancini grounded back to the mound to start. Kelly blew away Jones and Machado to end the inning. The Sox picked up huge insurance in the bottom of the seventh against Tanner Scott in the bottom of the seventh. Leon and JBJ drew back to back walks and both advanced into scoring position on the Mr. Mookie sac fly. Benintendi singled home both runners to increase the lead. That was it for Scott as Miguel Castro came in and Ramirez reached when Machado booted a grounder. Martinez banged into a double play to end the inning but it was 6-3 Sox.

                                                 Benintendi with the decisive blow

Matt Barnes got the ball in the top of the eighth and got Schoop to fly out to right to start. Davis and Trumbo whiffed to end the inning. Bogaerts walked to open the bottom of the eighth but Devers popped up to third. Nunez grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel was summoned for the save in the top of the ninth. Alvarez flied out to right before Peterson popped up to short. Sisco flied out to left to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-3.

                                                       Another win


Hero of the Night is Andrew Benintendi. He drove in 3 runs, stole a base and swatted a solo home run to help defeat the O's.

                                                      Benny The Hero


The Good:

Rick Porcello got the win with 6 solid innings while giving up 3 runs and striking out 9.

Joe Kelly pitched a scoreless seventh.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless eighth.

Craig Kimbrel earned his 13th save with a scoreless ninth.

Sandy Leon was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored.



The Bad:

Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 4.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 but made the hit count as it was a 2 run home run.

JD Martinez was 0 for 3 but walked.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but walked.

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 but made the hit count as it was a solo home run.

Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 4.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 2 but walked and scored.



Final Thoughts:

Everything is going well for the Red Sox these days and tonight was no different. Betts and Benintendi got the job done while Porcello continues his resurgence after a horrible 2017. The bullpen locked down the win after Porcello left and it was a good bounce back game after Drew Pomeranz' meltdown last night. Ramirez is in a bit of a slump but I'm sure he can work his way out of it. Betts will cool off eventually but for now its time to enjoy the ride. The win improved the Sox to 31-15, 0.5 games ahead of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Eduardo Rodriguez goes for the Sox tomorrow against David Hess tomorrow at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Orioles Knock Out Pomeranz, Sox (5/18/18)

Uh oh....it looks like Drew Pomeranz (1-2, 5.97 ERA) is broken. The lefty who won 17 games last year under John Farrell has lost his velocity and it shows. If he can't dial it up his off-speed pitches are batting practice and the Baltimore Orioles feasted on him tonight. Pomeranz was lit up for 5 runs in four innings, Alex Cobb won for the first time all year and the 14-30 O's defeated the Red Sox 7-4 at Fenway Park.

                                                     "Pomeranz......"

The O's wasted no time scoring off the incompetent Pomeranz in the top of the first inning. Trey Mancini drew a leadoff walk on 4 pitches not even close although he was erased on the force by Adam Jones. Manny Machado effortlessly doubled and Jonathan Schoop walked to load the bases. Mark Trumbo grounded out to third but Mancini scored to put the O's up early. Chris Davis flied out to left to end the inning with the O's up 1-0.

                                            "This sucks" - Pomeranz

The Sox set the tone that this would not be their day in the bottom of the first against Cobb. Mr. Mookie Betts led off with a double but was doubled off second on a liner to second by Andrew Benintendi. Hanley Ramirez grounded out to short to end the inning.

Somehow Pomeranz had a clean top of the second inning. Danny Valencia grounded out to third, Joey Rickard whiffed and Andrew Susac lined out to center to end the inning. More baserunning incompetence occurred in the bottom of the second inning. JD Martinez grounded out to short but Xander Bogaerts singled. Bogaerts was foolishly thrown out at second trying to steal before Rafael Devers drew a walk. Eduardo Nunez popped up to short to end the inning.

Pomeranz got in trouble in the top of the third although Mancini grounded out to third to begin. Jones singled and Machado doubled him to third but Schoop popped up to third. Trumbo grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the third although Jackie Bradley Jr whiffed to start. Christian Vazquez grounded out to second but Mr. Mookie launched his 14th home run of the year into the Monster Seats to tie the game. Benintendi grounded out to first to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                       Betts ties it up

As soon as the Sox tied it up, Pomeranz stunk the joint out in the top of the fourth inning. Davis led off with a ground rule double before Valencia singled him to third and took second on the throw. Pomeranz got two big outs when Rickard flied out to left and Susac popped up to third but Mancini walked to load the bases. Jones singled to left and Benintendi did a 360 windmill and heaved the ball into the Monster Seats to score both Davis and Valencia and advance Jones to second on the error. Machado singled home Jones to compound the error before Schoop looked at strike three to end the inning. That was it for Pomeranz who got hammered for 5 runs in just 4 innings, pathetic.

                                                  "Dagnabbit I sucked tonight"

The Sox failed to respond against Cobb in the bottom of the fourth as Ramirez popped up to short to begin. Martinez smacked a double and advanced to third on the Bogaerts fly out but Devers lined out to left to end the inning.

Steven Wright took over in the top of the fifth and got Trumbo to pop up to short to start. Davis grounded out to second but Valencia walked. A passed ball advanced Valencia to second but Rickard grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the fifth inning as Nunez singled to start. JBJ whiffed but Vazquez singled Nunez to third. Mr. Mookie doubled home Nunez and Benintendi singled home Vazquez to cut the lead. With a chance to do some damage...Ramirez banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox down 5-3.

                                                          Broken bat rbi for Benintendi

Wright did his best to keep the Sox in the game as he struck out Susac and Mancini to begin the top of the sixth inning. Jones grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox failed to inch closer in the bottom of the sixth as Martinez lined out to right to begin. Bogaerts grounded out to second but Devers singled. Representing the tying run....Nunez grounded out to second to end the inning.

The O's got another one in the top of the seventh although Machado whiffed to start. Schoop then smoked a 4,700 foot home run to give the O's a 3 run lead. Trumbo grounded back to the mound and Davis whiffed to end the inning with the O's ahead 6-3.

                                               Schoop increases the lead for the Birds

Brock "The Hitman" Holt pinch hit for Jackie Bradley Jr in the bottom of the seventh and looked at strike three, I could have done that. Vazquez smacked a ground rule double to chase Cobb from the game in his first good start of the season. Mychal Givens took over and grounded out to third. Benintendi walked to bring the tying run to the plate....and Ramirez lined out to right to end the inning.

Wright returned for one more inning in the top of the eighth and got Valencia to pop up to second to start. Rickard doubled and moved to third on the Susac ground out. Mancini grounded out to second to end the inning. A yeoman's effort by Wright to keep the Sox in the game.

                                                 "Wish we scored some runs, dammit" - SW

Jace Peterson took over at third as Martinez whiffed to open the bottom of the eighth. Bogaerts hit a routine pop up bu somehow Mancini dropped it for an error. Richard Bleier replaced Givens and Devers grounded out although Bogaerts moved to third. Nunez doubled home Xander and Holt singled to put the tying run at first and chase Bleier. Brad Brach came in and Mitch Moreland pinch hit for Vazquez and walked to load the bases. Blake Swihart pinch ran for Mitch but Mr. Mookie popped up to first to end the Sox final threat. The Sox did add a run to make it 6-4 but that was it.

                                             "I don't got it" - Mancini

The O's iced the game in the top of the ninth although Jones flied out to right to start. Machado whiffed but Schoop walked and Trumbo doubled him home to chase Wright. Heath Hembree came in and struck out Davis to end the inning but it was 7-4 O's.

Brach returned for the bottom of the ninth and got Benintendi to ground out to second to begin. Ramirez flied out to left but Martinez doubled. Bogaerts grounded out to short to end the game. The O's had won it 7-4.

Jackass of the Night is Drew Pomeranz. He gave up 5 runs in just 4 innings and let the floodgates open on this defeat

                                                 Jackass Pomeranz


The Good:

Mookie Betts was 3 for 5 with a solo home run and 2 total rbi's.

JD Martinez was 2 for 5.

Rafael Devers was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Eduardo Nunez was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Brock Holt was 1 for 2.

Christian Vazquez was 2 for 3 with a run scored.

Mitch Moreland walked as a pinch hitter.

Heath Hembree got the only man he faced.



The Bad:

Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 5.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts.



The Ugly:

Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4 with an error but walked and drove in a run.

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

Steven Wright tossed 4 2/3 innings but allowed 2 insurance runs to score.



Honorable Mention:

Blake Swihart pinch ran for Mitch Moreland.




Final Thoughts:

If Pomeranz doesn't have the velocity he had last year the Sox are in big trouble. If the Sox have any hope of winning the division they need Pomeranz to be at the top of his game like he was last year. If he's below average like he was down the stretch in 2016 then he's glorified batting practice. He has to find a way to figure it out or the Sox will be putting Steven Wright in his slot in two seconds flat. The offense did what they could but they can't bop 8 runs a game every single game, that's just unfair. The loss dropped the Sox to 30-15, 0.5 games in front of New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox look to rebound with Rick Porcello (5-1, 3.28 ERA) taking on Dylan Bundy (2-5, 4.53 ERA) at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Price's Gem Lifts Sox Past O's (5/17/18)

The Boston Red Sox are coming off a bit unlikeable these days. Whether its Blake Swihart demanding a trade, Carson Smith throwing out his shoulder during a temper tantrum or David Price (4-4, 4.38 ERA) skipping a crucial start against the New York Yankees from playing too many video games. Tonight Price redeemed himself by tossing a 9 inning complete game to rest the bullpen against the Baltimore Orioles in their makeup game from April 16th. Getting some offensive help from Xander Bogaerts and JD Martinez, Price dazzled the Dirty Birds to guide the Sox to an easy 6-2 victory at Fenway Park.

                                                 Willie approves of the win

Price took the mound in the top of the first inning and struck out Trey Mancini to begin. Adam Jones flied out to right and Price froze Manny Machado for strike three to end the inning. The Sox wasted no time scoring off Gausman in the bottom of the first inning. Mr. Mookie Betts led off with a single before Andrew Benintendi flied out to center. Betts swiped second but Hanley Ramirez grounded out to third. The red hot JD Martinez smashed a 2 run bomb to dead center to put the Sox on top. Xander Bogaerts singled and a wild pitch moved him to second before Rafael Devers walked. Brock "The Hitman" Holt whiffed to end the inning but it was 2-0 Sox.

                                                               Martinez goes yard again

Could Price pitch with the lead? YES! Jonathan Schoop popped up to first, Chris Davis grounded out to short and Mark Trumbo watched strike three go by to end the inning. Gausman settled down in the bottom of the second inning as Sandy Leon grounded out to second to start. Jackie Bradley Jr watched strike three go by but Mr. Mookie singled. Benintendi whiffed to end the inning.

Danny Valencia singled to right to begin the top of the third before Joey Rickard flied out to center. Andrew Susac whiffed and Mancini grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Ramirez looked to rally the Sox to start the bottom of the third but Martinez banged into a double play to end that. Bogaerts flied out to center to end the inning.

Price cruised in the top of the fourth by getting Jones to line out to second and Machado to fly out to center to start. Schoop singled but Davis whiffed to end the inning. Meanwhile Boston did nothing in the bottom of the fourth inning as Devers flied out to right to start. Holt and Leon both whiffed to end the inning.

Price continued to dominate in the top of the fifth by getting Trumbo to strike out to begin. Valencia singled but was thrown out at second by Benintendi trying to stretch a double. Rickard popped up to short to end the inning. The Sox exploded to ice the game in the bottom of the fifth and it started with a JBJ walk. JBJ stole second and Mr. Mookie singled him to third. Benintendi hit a sac fly to score JBJ and Betts swiped second. Ramirez beat out an infield single and both runners swiped their respective 3rd and 2nd bases when Martinez struck out. Bogaerts didn't need to play small ball as he launched a back-breaking 3 run bomb to left to put the game away and chase Gausman. Donnie Hart came in and got Devers to ground out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-0.

                                          "Up your ass Showalter!" - XB

The will of the O's was broken by the top of the sixth as Susac popped up to third, Mancini grounded out to first and Jones lined out to right to end the inning. There would be another rally in the bottom of the sixth although Holt grounded back to the mound to begin. Leon singled but JBJ popped up to second to chase Hart. Miguel Castro came in and walked both Mr. Mookie and Benintendi to load the bases. Ramirez popped up to second to end the inning.

Price returned for the top of the seventh and got Machado to ground out to third to begin. Schoop grounded out to second and Davis struck out to end the inning. Blake Swihart pinch hit for Martinez to give him the night off and grounded out to second to begin the bottom of the seventh. Bogaerts whiffed and Devers flied out to center to end the inning.

Price was unstoppable in the top of the eighth as Trumbo grounded out to third, Valencia lined out to right and Rickard whiffed to end the inning. Outstanding work by Price to go this far.

                                            "These Baltimore bums are NOTHING!" - Price

Pedro Araujo had the mound in the bottom of the eighth and got Holt to ground out to first to begin. Leon singled but JBJ flied out to left. Mr. Mookie grounded into a force to end the inning.

Price returned to finish the shutout in the top of the ninth, but wouldn't get it. Susac doubled but Mancini popped up to first. Jones popped up to third but Machado took a dump in Price's stew by launching a 378,000,000 foot home run halfway to the Azores to break up the shutout. Schoop flied out to center to end the complete game victory for Price and the Red Sox 6-2.

                                                       "Uh, did we win?" - Hanley


Hero of the Night is David Price. He tossed a 9 inning complete game allowing just the mistake to Machado with 2 outs in the ninth. He scattered 5 hits, walked no one and struck out 8

                                                Price the Hero



The Good:

Mookie Betts was 3 for 4 with a walk, 3 stolen bases and 2 runs scored.

Hanley Ramirez was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

JD Martinez was 1 for 3 with a big two run home run.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 4 with a big 3 run home run.

Sandy Leon was 2 for 4.



The Bad:

Blake Swihart was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Brock Holt was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.



The Ugly:

Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 2 but walked, drove in a run and threw out Valencia at second.

Rafael Devers was 0 for 3 but walked.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.




Final Thoughts:

Price hasn't made it easy for himself in his 3 years in Boston but tonight was a hell of an effort. Many thought his arm would fall off this season but going the distance in the middle of May is a good sign that maybe good things are coming this season after a mediocre 2016 and a disastrous 2017. If the offense can produce like tonight and the pitching including Price, Rick Porcello and Chris Sale continues to do well, the playoffs should be in sight for a 3rd straight year for the first time since 2007-09. Just gotta keep everyone healthy or else its going to be very difficult to beat the New York Yankees in the race. The win propels the Sox to 30-14, percentage points behind the Yankees for first place since New York hasn't played a full game since Sunday. Tomorrow night Drew Pomeranz (1-1, 5.47 ERA) looks to regain his velocity taking on Alex Cobb who hasn't won a game yet this year. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Edge A's, Salvage Series (5/16/18)

Well that was more like it! After getting relatively shut down by Oakland A's pitching, the Boston Red Sox turned it around to salvage this three game set. Surviving a mediocre start by Chris Sale (4-1, 2.29 ERA) the Sox needed home runs by JD Martinez and Xander Bogaerts before holding off a late rally to defeat the A's 6-4 at Fenway Park.

                                               Rudy Russo approves of the win

Sale took the mound in the top of the first inning and Marcus Semien beat out an infield single to begin the game. Mark Canha whiffed but Jed Lowrie walked. Khris Davis and Matt Chapman both whiffed to end the inning. The Sox exploded against Trevor Cahill in the bottom of the first inning as Mr. Mookie Betts singled to left and advanced to second when Chad Pinder booted the ball. Andrew Benintendi singled Betts to third and Hanley Ramirez scored Mookie with a ground out to short to give the Sox the lead. JD Martinez stepped up and blasted a 2 run bomb to dead center to increase the lead. Xander Bogaerts grounded out to short but Mitch Moreland walked. Eduardo Nunez lined out to first to end the inning but the Sox lead 3-0.

                                                     Martinez puts the Sox on top

Could Sale pitch with the lead in the top of the second inning? Yes! Matt Olson whiffed and Stephen Piscotty popped up to second before Pinder walked. Jonathan Lucroy whiffed to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the second as Rafael Devers grounded out to second to start. Christian Vazquez grounded back to the mound but Mr. Mookie singled. Betts was foolishly thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning.

Sale was untouchable in the top of the third inning as Semien and Canha flied out to center before Lowrie whiffed to end the inning. Benintendi tried to get a rally started in the bottom of the third inning with a single to center but Ramirez advanced him to second on a ground out. Martinez moved Benintendi to third with a ground out but Bogaerts lined out to left to end the inning.

The A's threatened in the top of the fourth inning when Davis walked and took second on a passed ball, but Chapman whiffed. Olson flied out to left and Piscotty flied out to center to end the inning. Cahill dominated the bottom of the fourth as Moreland whiffed, Nunez grounded out to third and Devers grounded out to first to end the inning.

The A's struck back in the top of the fifth inning as Pinder walked to start. Lucroy whiffed but Semien crushed a 200,890 foot home run to bring the A's within a run. Canha whiffed and Lowrie flied out to right to end the inning but the A's were back in it down 3-2. That was it for Chris Sale who's 9 strikeouts and 4 walks led to him being out after 102 pitches but in line for the win

                                                      "GOD DAMMITTTTTT!!!!' - Sale

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the fifth as Vazquez grounded back to the mound, Mr. Mookie grounded out to second and Benintendi also grounded out to second to end the inning.

Matt Barnes took over for Sale in the top of the sixth and Davis popped up to first to start. Chapman whiffed but Olson singled to right. Piscotty whiffed to end the inning. The Sox iced the game in the bottom of the sixth inning against Ryan "Don't call me" Dull. Ramirez lashed a single and Martinez walked before Bogaerts crushed a 3 run bomb into the Monster Seats to increase the lead. Moreland whiffed but Nunez singled. Devers flied out to center but Vazquez singled. Mr. Mookie flied out to right to end the inning but the Sox led 6-2.

                                                      Bogaerts puts the Sox up for good

Heath Hembree came in to pitch the top of the seventh and crapped his pants. Matt Joyce pinch hit for Pinder and launched a 56,000 foot home run to start the inning. Lucroy flied out to right but Semien whiffed. Canha flied out to right to end the inning with the A's down 6-3.

                                                 Stop giving up home runs Heath!

Chris Hatcher came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and whiffed Benintendi to begin. Ramirez flied out to right and Martinez grounded out to third to end the inning.

Joe "Machine Gun" Kelly came in to pitch the top of the eighth and walked Lowrie to start. Davis erased Lowrie at second on a force before Chapman banged into a double play to end the inning. Danny Coulombe came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and blew away the Sox. Bogaerts and Moreland both whiffed before Nunez looked at strike three to end the inning.

Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel came in to close out the top of the ninth and served up a big fat meatball to Olson who blasted it 780 feet to bring the A's closer. Kimbrel settled down to blow away Piscotty before getting Joyce to ground out to second. Lucroy flied out to right to end the game. The Sox had won the game 6-4.

Hero of the Night is Xander Bogaerts. His 3 run homer proved to be the difference in the game.

                                                X-Factor The Hero



The Good:

Mookie Betts was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Andrew Benintendi was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

JD Martinez was 1 for 3 with a walk, 2 total runs scored and a 2 run home run.

Christian Vazquez was 1 for 3.

Chris Sale went 5 innings and allowed 2 runs to earn the win, striking out 9,

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless 6th inning.

Joe Kelly pitched a scoreless 8th inning.



The Bad:

Rafael Devers was 0 for 3.

Heath Hembree gave up a run in the 7th inning.



The Ugly:

Hanley Ramirez was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored.

Mitch Moreland was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but walked.

Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 4.

Craig Kimbrel earned his 12th save but gave up a home run in the 9th.




Final Thoughts:

Figures the one time the Sox score for Sale and he only goes 5 innings. Still that was a much better effort than getting no-hit out in Oakland. Benintendi continues his resurgence but Vazquez continues his decline. Its sad to see Vazquez lay down after hitting well this year but anyone can have a down year, look at Betts last year. Speaking of Betts, he's already in the MVP running provided he doesn't get hurt. The bullpen allowed two runs tonight but with Kimbrel, once again you'd rather see him serve up a meatball than throw the ball all around the batters box and have 3 guys reach base. It was a much needed win with the New York Yankees refusing to go away and every win counts. The win improved the Sox to 29-14, tied for first place in the AL East with the Yankees who were rained out in Washington. Tomorrow night the Sox continue their homestand against the Baltimore Orioles. David Price (3-4) takes on Kevin Gausman who had the Sox number last year. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

A's Pull Away Late, Defeat Sox (5/15/18)

Before the game it was announced that temper tantrum thrown by Carson Smith in the dugout during last night's game may have just cost him the season. The word is he suffered a separated shoulder from throwing his glove and if that's true, his season is over. Bobby Poyner was recalled to take his spot but that is just an unthinkable, boneheaded way to end the season after he had started so well in his true return from Tommy John this season.

                                                                        OUT

                                                                      IN

The good news was the Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of their NBA East Finals series but the bad news was the Boston Red Sox lost to the Oakland A's. Congratulations are in order to the A's as they're the only team in baseball this season that have a winning record against the Red Sox. After getting embarrassed out in Oakland, the Sox have now dropped 2 of the first 3 games to them at Fenway. For whatever reason they seem to have the Sox number. Tonight they manhandled the incompetent Eduardo Rodriguez (3-1, 4.68 ERA) for 3 early runs and pulled away late to take a 5-3 win over the Sox at Fenway Park. Of all the teams the Sox will finish with losing record against at the end of this year, this could be one they kick themselves over.

                                              "Lost to Oakland...again....great"

The carnage began in the top of the first inning when Marcus Semien effortlessly singled to center. Chad Pinder followed with an easy hit to right but somehow old friend "Glassbones" Jed Lowrie flied out to left. Khris Davis whiffed but Mark Chapman hit a bullet to right. Mr. Mookie Betts tried to get Chapman at second base but Eduardo Nunez botched the throw and both runners scored, Chapman safe at second. Matt Olson lined out to right but it was 2-0 A's early.

                                             Chapman gets it going early

The Sox had a chance to get to Daniel Mengden early but Mr. Mookie led off by lining out to center. Andrew Benintendi singled but Hanley Ramirez popped up to second. JD Martinez singled and Xander Bogaerts hit a hard grounder to third that ate up Chapman. Only problem was it didn't roll away that far so when Benintendi gunned it for home....he was thrown out by a mile to end the inning.

                                                  You're out you dummy

The A's struck again in the top of the second inning in a big way. Mark Canha flied out to right and Stephen Piscotty, who recently lost his mother, smashed a 878 foot bomb to left to put the A's up by 3. Jonathan Lucroy singled but Semien flied out to right. Pinder whiffed to end the inning but the emotional Piscotty homer invigorated the A's to a 3-0 lead.

                                              An emotional homer by Piscotty

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the second inning although Mitch Moreland doubled to start. Nunez popped up to first, Rafael Devers whiffed and Christian Vazquez grounded out to short to end the inning.

Rodriguez finally settled down in the top of the third inning although the pain in the ass Lowrie singled to start. Davis looked at strike three and Chapman banged into a double play to end the inning. Still nothing for the Sox in the bottom of the third as Mr. Mookie lined out to center, Benintendi flied out to left and Ramirez grounded out to second to end the inning.

Olson was plunked to start the top of the fourth but Canha whiffed. Piscotty flied out to left and Lucroy grounded into a force to end the inning. The Sox finally broke through in the bottom of the fourth by pure accident when Chapman threw a routine grounder by Martinez away, allowing him to reach. Bogaerts singled him to third and Moreland beat out a double play ball to score JD to put the Sox on the board. Nunez erased Moreland on a force and Devers lined out to center to end the inning but it was 3-1 A's.

                                            Moreland hustles to drive in a run

Rodriguez came back for one final inning in the top of the fifth. Semien grounded out to third, Pinder flied out to right and Lowrie flied out to Betts to end the inning. Rodriguez had gone just 5 innings and gave up 3 runs, not the worst but not good either.

                                                            Nice going E-Rod

The Sox inched closer in the bottom of the fifth although Vazquez lined out to short to start. Mr. Mookie whiffed but Benintendi smashed his third home run of the year to bring the Sox within a run. Ramirez singled to put the tying run on....but Martinez flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox down 3-2.

                                                  Benintendi waking up

Steven Wright came back from the dead to pitch the top of the sixth inning and got Davis to fly out to center to begin. Chapman and Olson walked but Canha lined out to left. Piscotty grounded into a force to end the inning. The Sox tried to rally in the bottom of the sixth although Bogaerts grounded out to third to begin. Moreland doubled to right but Nunez whiffed. Devers flied out to left to end the inning.

Lucroy walked to open the top of the seventh but Semien whiffed and Pinder banged into a double play to end the inning. Lou Trivino replaced Mengden in the bottom of the seventh and Vazquez flied out to center to start. Mr. Mookie grounded out to third but Benintendi doubled to put the tying run in scoring position. Ramirez popped up to first to end the inning.

The A's iced the game in the top of the eighth as Wright got Lowrie to grounded out to third to start. Davis and Chapman singled to chase Wright. Bobby Poyner came in and got Olson to fly out to right, but Canha doubled home both runners. Piscotty flied out to center to end the inning with the A's up 5-2.

Dustin Fowler took over for Canha for the bottom of the eighth where Martinez and Bogaerts whiffed to begin. Moreland walked but Nunez was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to end the inning.

Brian Johnson took over for the top of the ninth and Lucroy lined out to short to begin. Semien popped up to first and Pinder flied out to left to end the inning. Blake Treinen came in to close out the bottom of the ninth but the Sox refused to go quietly. Devers swung and missed at strike three but the ball got away allowing Raf to reach. Brock "The Hitman" Holt pinch hit for Vazquez and doubled to bring the tying run to the plate. All Mr. Mookie did was ground out although Devers scored to cut the lead to two. Benintendi flied out to left and representing the tying run....Ramirez grounded out to short to end the game. The A's had won the season series and this game 5-3.

Jackass of the Night is Eduardo Nunez. He was 0 for 4 with a strikeout, an error and left FOUR men on base. In what was a close game to the final pitch, leaving four men on base was unacceptable.

                                                  Nunez is a Jackass


The Good:

Andrew Benintendi was 3 for 5 with a solo home run.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 4.

Mitch Moreland was 2 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Brock Holt doubled as a pinch hitter.

Brian Johnson pitched a scoreless ninth inning.



The Bad:

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 3.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was 0 for 5 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Hanley Ramirez was just 1 for 5.

JD Martinez was just 1 for 4 with a run scored.

Rafael Devers was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.

Eduardo Rodriguez took the loss by allowing 3 runs in 5 innings. He nibbled all game and only lasted 5, but the Sox didn't do him any favors with no run support.

Steven Wright was charged with 2 runs in 2 1/3 innings of work.

Bobby Poyner allowed 2 inherited runners to score in 2/3 of an inning.




Final Thoughts:

With the New York Yankees breathing down their necks, a loss like this really hurts. The Sox can't afford to be losing to mediocre teams if they hope to win the AL East. It looks like the Sox and Yankees are going to both win at least 95 games barring catastrophic injuries meaning every single win may be the difference in making the ALDS and potentially dropping a one game playoff and be out before it starts. Rodriguez just can't seem to pitch long and for whatever reason the offense seems to disappear against Oakland pitching. Its a frustrating loss and thankfully there haven't been too many of those this season. The loss drops the Sox to 28-14, a full game back of the Yankees who's game against the Washington Nationals was postponed to a later date. Tomorrow night the Sox try to salvage the series when they send Chris Sale (3-1) to the mound opposite Trevor Cahill at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.