Clemens Outduels Ryan, Sox Blank Rangers (9/7/92)

In a game overshadowed by Jose Canseco's debut with the Texas Rangers, the Boston Red Sox took a big dump on his debut. Roger Clemens (18-8, 2.18 ERA) avenged his previous loss to Nolan Ryan 3 years ago by tossing 8 innings of shut out ball. The anemic Red Sox offense only scratched out 3 runs but it was enough with Clemens on the mound. In a season that very little has gone right, Clemens march to the Cy Young award continues with a 3-0 victory over the Rangers at Arlington Park.

                                                     What a game

Ryan got the ball in the top of the first and Billy Hatcher led off by taking strike three on a nasty curve to start. Somehow Jose Canseco made a great jumping catch at the wall to rob Scott Cooper of extra bases and Wade Boggs grounded out weakly to second to end the inning.

                                                       Robbed by Canseco??

Clemens got the ball in the bottom of the first and Brian Downing hit a 333 foot out to Hatcher to start. Clemens blew away Rafael Palmeiro and Jose Canseco made his Rangers debut by drawing a walk. Juan Gonzalez drew a walk and it was revealed that Sox manager Butch Hobson and pitcher Greg Harris had the runs and wasn't there tonight. Rick Burleson was the acting manager and he was pleased when Roger got Kevin Reimer to fly out to right to end the inning.

                                                  Imagine if he was manager all year?

Mo Vaughn led off the top of the second inning by grounding out to second to start. Bob Zupcic ate up Dean Palmer on a little roller for a credited base hit. Jody Reed flied out to left and Zupcic was thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning. Dean Palmer grounded out to short to start the bottom of the second before Geno Petralli lined out to center. Jeff Frye singled up the middle but he too was thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning.

Herm Winningham led off the top of the third with a fly out to right to start. Tony Pena grounded out to short but John Valentin hit a pop up to shallow right. Frye was called off by Canseco and the ball dropped in between them for a "double". Hatcher popped up to right to end the inning.

                                                          Oops

Al Newman grounded out to second to open the bottom of the third but Downing doubled over the head of Hatcher. Palmeiro was frozen for strike three and Canseco grounded out to second to end the inning.

Cooper led off the top of the fourth by grounding out to first to start. Boggs drew a walk but Vaughn whiffed on a pitch that got away from the catcher, moving Boggs to second on a "wild pitch". Zupcic popped up to short to end the inning. The Rangers threatened in the bottom of the fourth as Gonzalez was plunked to start. Reimer blooped a single down the left field line but Palmer popped up to Boggs in foul territory. Petralli banged into a double play to end the inning.

Monty Fariss took over for Gonzalez (who left due to being hit but thankfully it was just a bruise) to start the top of the fifth and Reed watched strike three go by to start. Winningham flied out to left and Pena popped up to right to end the inning. A news bulletin that Fay Vincent resigned as MLB Commissioner scrolled as Frye began the bottom of the fifth by popping up to Boggs in foul territory. Newman hit one up the elevator shaft and Downing was rung up on a check swing strike three to end the inning.

Ryan stayed tough in the top of the sixth as Valentin flied out to left to start. Hatcher swung and missed for strike three but Cooper doubled down the right field line. Boggs grounded out to short to end the inning. Clemens matched Ryan in the bottom of the sixth as Palmeiro struck out swinging for his third of the night. Canseco whiffed on a nasty curve and Fariss took strike three go by.

Ryan cruised in the top of the seventh as Vaughn flied out to right to begin. Zupcic flied out to center and Reed was frozen for strike three to end the inning. Clemens turned up the heat in the bottom of the seventh as Reimer whiffed on a curveball to start. Clemens blew away Palmer and Petralli to end the inning. That was Roger's seventh consecutive strikeout.

The Sox broke through in the top of the eighth as Winningham lashed a base hit to right to start. Pena dropped down a bunt to move Herm to second and Winningham moved to third on a wild pitch. Valentin missed a 2 run home run by 5 feet but had to settle for a wall ball double to put the Sox on top. Hatcher popped up to first but Cooper hit a line drive off the first base bag for a base hit to score Valentin with the insurance run. Boggs whiffed to end the inning but it was 2-0 Sox.

                                                  Valentin doubles and scores

The Rangers tried to fight back in the bottom of the eighth as Jack Daugherty pinch hit for Frye and walked to start. Ivan Rodriguez pinch hit for Newman and banged into a double play. Downing flied out to the left field warning track to end the inning. That was it for Clemens who was outstanding, pitching 8 shutout innings while striking out nine men.

                                                     Clemens gets it done

The Sox added an insurance run in the top of the ninth with Mario Diaz now at short and Donald Harris in center. Vaughn popped up to right and that was it for Ryan. Rangers pitching coach and old pal Tom House came out to get him and Matt Whiteside took his place. Zupcic grounded out to third but Reed lined a base hit up the middle. Winningham blooped a pitch to right that Reimer pulled up on, allowing the ball to drop for a single that advanced Reed to third. The fans booed Reimer for not hustling and Pena made the Ranger pay with a ground ball up the middle to score Reed with the base hit. Valentin walked to load the bases but Hatcher flied out to center to end the inning Boston ahead 3-0.

                                                 Pena hits the killshot

Tony Fossas was brought in by acting manager Rick Burleson to pitch to Palmeiro only to walk him. Burleson pulled Fossas for Paul Quantrill and a passed ball moved Rafael to second. Canseco singled Palmeiro to third but Quantrill got a big out when he got Fariss to strike out swinging. Burleson pulled Quantrill for lefty Joe Hesketh to pitch to Reimer. Reimer banged into a double play to end the game. The Sox had won the game 3-0.

                                              Hesketh is all smiles as he locks up the save

Hero of the Night is Roger Clemens. He tossed 8 innings of shutout ball allowing just 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out 9.

                                                       Rocket Hero

The Good:

Scott Cooper was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Herm Winningham was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Tony Pena was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

John Valentin was 2 for 3 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Joe Hesketh got the final 2 outs to earn the save.

The Bad:

Billy Hatcher was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Mo Vaughn was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Tony Fossas walked the only guy he faced.

The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was 0 for 3 but walked.

Bob Zupcic was just 1 for 4.

Jody Reed was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Paul Quantrill retired one of the two men he faced.

Final Thoughts:

As this miserable season comes to an end, at least there have been bright spots. Valentin looks like he's going to be a star someday and Clemens is now two wins away from 20 again. Its a feather in Roger's cap to beat Ryan in Texas and he did it tonight. The Sox terrible offense was only able to scratch out 3 runs but tonight it was enough. Somehow, some way the Sox need to desperately improve the bats for next season. Mike Greenwell and Mo Vaughn disappointed this year and Jack Clark fell off a cliff offensively. There's only 25 games left to sit through and hopefully the Sox can win a few of these games to show some hope for next season. The win improved the Sox to 64-73 on the season, good for last place in the AL East. The Sox are back in action tomorrow night when they face the Rangers with Matt Young (0-3) getting the start up against Kevin Brown of Texas. The game begins at 10 PM Eastern time at Arlington Stadium.

Blyleven Outduels Darwin, Angels Blank Sox (8/20/92)

The good news was Danny Darwin (6-6, 4.29 ERA) threw 7 solid innings to keep the Boston Red Sox in the game. The bad news was 41 year old Bert Blyleven was just a little bit better. Blyleven and a host of California Angels relievers blanked the pitiful Red Sox offense in another sign of this year's failure. Darwin kept them in the game but the Angels shut out the Sox 2-0 at Fenway Park. How many runs did the Sox score Dean Wormer?

                                                       
Darwin took the ball in the top of the first inning and Luis Polonia greeted him by grounding out to second to start. Luis Sojo flied out to left but Junior Felix singled to center. Gary Gaetti went down swinging to end the inning. Wade Boggs greeted Blyleven with a fly out to center to start the bottom of the first. Billy Hatcher whiffed. Scott Cooper singled to center but Tom Brunansky grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Angels struck first in the top of the second inning as Chad Curtis walked and Lee Stevens doubled him home just like that. Gary Disarcina singled home Stevens for another run. Darwin got Ron Tingley to swing at air but Damion Easley was plunked and Polonia singled to center to load the bases. Sojo flied out to right to end the inning but it was 2-0 Angels.

Strangely that would be the final runs scored by either team the rest of the game as Blyleven cruised in the bottom of the second as Mo Vaughn grounded out to second to start. Jody Reed lined out to short and Herm Winningham popped up to third to end the inning.

Darwin got Felix to fly out to left to start the top of the third before Gaetti singled to left. Curtis went down hacking before Stevens flied out to center to end the inning. John Marzano hit one up the elevator shaft to start the bottom of the third before John Valentin flied out to center. Boggs whacked a double but Hatcher popped up to third to end the inning.

Disarcina singled to left to start the top of the fourth but Tingley took strike three. Easley blooped a single to center but foolishly tried for second base. Disarcina made it to third but Easley was thrown out at second trying to stretch. Polonia grounded out to first to end the inning. Cooper tried to start a rally with a base hit to right but got doubled off first on a bullet hit by Brunansky to third. Vaughn grounded out to first to end the inning.

Sojo singled to center to begin the top of the fifth then stole second on the strikeout by Felix. Gaetti whiffed and Curtis looked at strike three to end the inning. The Sox failed to do anything in the bottom of the fifth as Reed grounded out to short to start. Winningham took strike three before Marzano grounded out to second to end the inning.

Darwin cruised in the top of the sixth as Stevens grounded out to second to start. Darwin struck out both Disarcina and Tingley swinging to end the inning. The Sox were flat in the bottom of the sixth as Valentin flied out to deep right to start. Boggs grounded out to first and Hatcher grounded out to short to end the inning.

Darwin got in trouble in the top of the seventh as Easley and Polonia stroked back to back singles to start. Both runners moved over on the Sojo grounder to first and Felix was intentionally walked to load the bases. Darwin got a big out when Gaetti popped up to third and Curtis grounded into a force to end the inning. Darwin allowed 2 early runs then was almost unhittable the rest of the way. He deserved a better fate after pitching 7 innings of 2 run ball.

                                                        Darwin goes 7 strong

The Sox tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh although Cooper flied out to right to start. Brunansky walked to chase Blyleven after 6 1/3 shutout innings. Scott Bailes came in to pitch and Sox manager Butch Hobson sent in Jack Clark to pinch hit for Vaughn. Clark stroked a seeing eye single to put the tying run on first but Reed took strike three. Chuck Crim came in to pitch and Bob Zupcic pinch hit for Winningham...just to pop up to third to end the inning.

Paul Quantrill came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Stevens grounded out to second to start. Disarcina singled to right and moved to second on the Tingley ground out to first. Easley grounded out to third to end the inning. Tony Pena pinch hit for Marzano and got a base hit down the third base line to start. Foolishly he was thrown out trying to steal to kill the rally. Valentin and Boggs both flied out to center to end the inning.

Quantrill returned for the top of the ninth and Polonia grounded out to third to start. Sojo grounded out to second and Felix lined out to left to end the inning. Joe Grahe came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Hatcher tried to start a rally with a base hit to right. Cooper forced Hatcher at second before Brunansky lined out to left. With the game on the line....Clark took strike three to end the game. The Angels blanked the Sox in another loss at Fenway 2-0.

Jackass of the Night is a tough one since the entire offense put up a goose egg but I'll go with Jody Reed. He struck out in the bottom of the seventh with two men on.

                                                       Jody The Jackass


The Good:

Scott Cooper was 2 for 4.

Jack Clark was 1 for 2 at the plate.

Danny Darwin was the hard luck loser but pitched very well. He allowed just 2 runs in 7 innings of work while striking out 9 batters.

Paul Quantrill tossed 2 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Mo Vaughn was 0 for 2.

Herm Winningham was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Bob Zupcic was 0 for 1 at the plate.

John Marzano was 0 for 2.

John Valentin was 0 for 3.



The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was just 1 for 4.

Billy Hatcher was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Tom Brunansky was 0 for 3 but walked.

Tony Pena singled as a pinch hitter but was thrown out trying to steal.




Final Thoughts:

After yesterday's everglades disaster offensively the Sox found a way to top themselves in this one. Getting held to 1 run by Jim Abbott is one thing but to not score at all against Bert Blyleven and the California bullpen is just another reason how Lou Gorman failed this season. It's been a perfect storm this season as the veterans such as Clark, Pena and Boggs had down years while the youngsters Valentin, Phil Plantier and Vaughn disappointed big time. Who knows how Sox brass is going to fix this mess at this point. The loss dropped the Sox to 55-66, good for dead last place in the AL East. The Sox look to score a run for once when they welcome the Seattle Mariners in for the next series starting tomorrow night. Randy Johnson goes for the Mariners up against Frank Viola (10-9) of the Sox at 7:35 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Blow Huge Lead, Win in 13 (6/27/92)

In a microcosm of this miserable season for the Boston Red Sox, the normally struggling offense put 7 runs on the board to take a 7-0 lead over the Milwaukee Brewers...only for the normally reliable bullpen to cough it up in the late innings. The Brewers scored 7 runs off a tiring Roger Clemens, an the incompetent duo of Greg Harris and Jeff Reardon to tie the game in the top of the ninth. Still, the Sox held on thanks to the clutch pitching of Danny Darwin (4-4, 4.63 ERA) and Herm Winningham won the game with a walkoff base hit to send the fans home happy with an 8-7 win in 13 innings.

                     A rare happy moment

Clemens ran into trouble in the top of the first inning although Darryl Hamilton grounded out to short to start. Kevin Seitzer lashed a single to center on the first pitch before Clemens bounced a pitch in the dirt that caught catcher Tony Pena's hand, advancing Seitzer to second. Paul Molitor grounded out to third before BJ Surhoff drew a walk. Robin Yount swung at air to end the inning. Bruce Ruffin got the start for the Brewers and Jody Reed led off the bottom of the first with a fly out to left. Bob Zupcic grounded out to third and Wade Boggs grounded out to second to end the inning.

Dante Bichette led off the top of the second by hitting a bullet to Boggs who threw him out at first because Dante thought the ball was caught. Dave Nilsson grounded out weakly to short and Scott Fletcher lined out to a running Tom Brunansky to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the second as Brunansky grounded out to short to start. Jack Clark hit a seeing eye single to left but Mo Vaughn banged into a double play to end the inning.

Clemens cruised in the top of the third inning as Pat Listach grounded out to short to start. Hamilton flied out to right and Seitzer grounded out to third to end the inning. Luis Rivera walked to start the bottom of the third but was thrown out at second trying to steal. Herm Winningham went down swinging but Tony Pena beat out an infield single. Reed flied out to center to end the inning.

Molitor beat out an infield single to short to open the top of the fourth but Clemens got Surhoff to hit into a double play and Yount watched strike three go by to end the inning. The Sox exploded in the bottom of the fourth as Zupcic popped up to first in foul territory to start. Boggs almost got hit in the head before he drew a walk and Brunansky doubled just out of reach of Yount off the centerfield wall to score Wade to give the Sox the lead. Clark drew a walk and Vaughn clobbered his 3rd home run of the season into the left field scren to put the Sox up big. Rivera flied out to deep center and Winningham lined out to a running Yount to end the inning but it was 4-0 Sox.

                  3 run home run

Bichette tried to start a rally in the top of the fifth with a base hit but was picked off first. Nilsson watched strike three go by and Fletcher flied out to left to end the inning. Ruffin stayed in for the bottom of the fifth and Pena grounded back to the mound to start. Reed lined out to center but Zupcic struck a seeing eye single. Boggs grounded into a force to end the inning.

Clemens had to hustle in the top of the sixth as Listach grounded out to first with Vaughn running the wrong way to start. Hamilton almost beat out a grounder to first and Clemens nearly cleaned out first base umpire Greg Kosc making the play. Seitzer also grounded out to first with Clemens running over to cover to end the inning. When was the last time the pitcher had to make 3 straight putouts?

            "Where the hell is Vaughn?" - RC

The Sox struck again in the bottom of the sixth although Brunansky popped up to Surhoff on the mound to start. Sox analyst Jerry Remy quipped "If you're gonna lose, look good doing it" as Clark drew another walk. Vaughn followed his home run earlier with an opposite field base hit that chased Ruffin and sent Clark to third. Mike Fetters came in and Rivera hit a chopper to him for the out but Clark scored on the play. Winningham lined one off the glove of Fletcher and Vaughn made a mad dash for home. Vaughn was safe and Nilsson airmailed Surhoff trying to get Winningham at first and Herm ran all the way to third. Pena hit one up the middle to score Winningham with what looked to be the killshot. Reed grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-0.

              Winningham scores

The game looked to be over when Clemens returned for the top of the seventh inning and got Molitor to fly out to center to start. Surhoff and Yount stroked back to back singles but Bichette lined out to left. Nilsson took strike three to end the inning. Surhoff moved to right with Franklin Stubbs coming in for Hamilton while playing first in the bottom of the seventh. Zupcic flied out to right and Boggs grounded out to short but Brunansky doubled off the Monster. Clark took strike three to end the inning.

Bad defense led to a Brewers rally in the top of the eighth inning. Fletcher hit a routine grounder to Boggs who booted the ball over to Rivera who threw the ball into the bleachers for two errors on the same play. Listach singled Fletcher to third and Stubbs doubled Scott home to put the Brewers on the board. Seitzer grounded out to short to score Listach and Molitor moved Stubbs to third with a ground out. Surhoff doubled off the Monster to score Stubbs but Yount grounded out to second to end the inning. Clemens was game for 8 innings as he left with a 7-3 lead with only 1 earned run allowed.

                     Victory seemed imminent

Jesse Orosco came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Vaughn popped up to center to start. Rivera flied out to right and Winningham watched strike three go by to end the inning.

A 4 run lead in the top of the ninth should have been easy for Greg Harris to preserve but instead Bichette singled off the elbow of Boggs to start. Nilsson flied out to Zupcic in deep center and Fletcher forced Bichette at second to put the Sox one out from victory with a 4 run lead. Down to his last strike, Listach hit a routine grounder to Reed at second who threw to first to end the ga....OH WAIT! Vaughn's foot was off the bag and the error was charged to Reed. Sox manager Butch Hobson stumbled out of the dugout to bring in his closer Jeff Reardon to close out the game. Reardon poured gas on the fire as Stubbs was down 0-2 only to come back and walk to load the bases. Down to his last strike, Seitzer singled off the glove of Boggs down the left field line to score two runs. Down to HIS last strike, Molitor dropped a base hit to left to score both runners to tie the game. The boo birds rained down as Jeff Reardon started ripping his clothes off and shouting at the home plate umpire for no apparent reason, causing him to be thrown out of the game. Tony Fossas came in and Molitor swiped second only for Surhoff to ground out to second to end the inning. The Sox were one strike away 3 times and after all that, the Brewers tied the game 7-7...brutal.

                    YER OUTTA HERE!

After a half hour rain delay, Doug Henry came in for the bottom of the ninth and the Sox continued to shoot themselves in the foot. Pena took strike three on a bad call on the outside corner and shouted at the umpire. If Reardon got that call on Stubbs the game would have been over. Reed singled in the hole at short....only to be thrown out trying to steal when Zupcic's bat flew 15 feet away on a swing and miss. Zupcic walked but Boggs flied out to left to end the inning to send the game to extras.

                   Not even close

Danny Darwin came in to pitch the top of the tenth and Yount flied out to center to start. Bichette grounded out to short and Nilsson lined out to second to end the inning. Brunansky whiffed to start the bottom of the tenth and Clark followed suit by swinging at air too. Vaughn grounded out to first to end the inning.

Fletcher singled in the hole at short to start the top of the eleventh but Listach foolishly struck out trying to bunt with two strikes. William Suero pinch ran for Fletcher only to be thrown out trying to steal. Stubbs popped up to left to end the inning to continue the torture. Darren Holmes came in to pitch the bottom of the eleventh and Rivera whiffed to start. Winningham's bunt attempt was snuffed out and Scott Cooper pinch hit for Tony Pena....just to pop up to short to end the inning.

John Flaherty took over behind the plate for the top of the 12th inning and Seitzer grounded out to second to start. Surhoff doubled to left but Yount flied out to left to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the 12th as Reed grounded out to short to start. Zupcic grounded back to the mound and Boggs whiffed to end the inning.

Darwin came in for the top of the 13th inning and Bichette grounded out to short to start. Nillson blooped a single over the head of Reed but Suero popped up to third. Listach flied out to center to end the inning. Darwin stepped up big with 4 scoreless innings of work.

                                                         Good work Danny

The Sox finally sent the meager crowd home happy in the bottom of the 13th inning. Brunansky popped up to first but Clark dropped a base hit just in front of Yount who trapped the ball. Vaughn lashed a base hit to right to send Clark to third. Phil Plantier pinch hit for Rivera and drew a walk to load the bases. Tim Naehring pinch ran for Plantier and Winningham finally ended this nonsense with a base hit to left to win the game 8-7 in 13 innings at Fenway Park.

                         Sox win


Hero of the Night is Herm Winningham. Not only did he drive in the winning run, he drove in another run during the 6th inning rally.

                 Hobson and our Hero


The Good:

Jack Clark was 2 for 3 with 2 walks and 3 total runs scored.

Mo Vaughn was 3 for 6 with 2 total runs scored and a 3 run home run.

Tom Brunansky was 2 for 6 with an rbi and a run scored.

Phil Plantier walked as a pinch hitter.

Tony Pena was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Roger Clemens pitched well by tossing 8 innings and allowing 3 runs (1 earned) while striking out 4 batters.

Tony Fossas retired the only man he faced.

Danny Darwin tossed 4 scoreless innings to earn the win.



The Bad:

Scott Cooper was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Jeff Reardon melted in the top of the ninth by allowing 2 inherited runners to score and 2 of his own before getting thrown out of the game.



The Ugly:

Jody Reed was just 1 for 6 with an error.

Bob Zupcic was just 1 for 5 with a walk.

Wade Boggs was 0 for 5 with an error but walked and scored a run.

Luis Rivera was 0 for 4 with an error but walked and drove in a run.

Greg Harris was charged for 2 unearned runs but was let down by his defense and Jeff Reardon



Honorable Mention:

Tim Naehring pinch ran for Plantier in the bottom of the 13th.

John Flaherty caught the top of the 13th inning.




Final Thoughts:

Welcome to the Twilight Zone. The Sox have had trouble scoring runs all year and the one time they do it, the normally reliable pitching pukes all over the place. Reardon, the defense and Clemens falling apart was very out of the ordinary but at least the Sox came back to win. Danny Darwin stepped up big in extras so at least there were some positives in what would have been another agonizing loss in a season full of them. Nice to see Herm Winningham get a moment in the sun for once this season. Maybe this is a sign the Sox are ready to bust out with Clark and Vaughn stepping up today. All in all it was a lousy win but they all count anyway. The win improved the Sox to 34-36, 8.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it two in a row over the Brewers when they send Frank Viola (7-4) to the mound up against Jaime Navarro at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Clemens, Burks Slam Mariners (5/20/92)

Don't look now but the Boston Red Sox have won 3 games in a row. Didn't know they had it in them! It helped that Roger Clemens (6-3, 1.70 ERA) was on the mound but better yet, they actually scored some runs. For 7 innings the Sox battled the Seattle Mariners to a 2-2 tie after Dave Fleming held the Sox to just 2 runs. Ellis Burks cracked a grand slam in the bottom of the eighth to put the game on ice. Tony Fossas crapped his pants in the top of the ninth after 8 good innings by Clemens but Jeff Reardon saved the day as the Sox beat Seattle 6-2 at Fenway Park.

                                                       Cady Cantrell approves of the win

Clemens got the ball in the bottom of the first and Harold Reynolds grounded out to second to start. Edgar Martinez doubled off the bottom of the Monster but Ken Griffey Jr struck out swinging. Tino Martinez grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox struck first against Fleming in the bottom of the first as Reed ate up Harold Reynolds for a base hit to start. Reed took second on a wild pitch and moved to third on a liner to center by Mike Greenwell. Boggs doubled off the Monster to score Reed and Jack Clark blooped a single to right to move Wade to third. Ellis Burks popped up to second and Tom Brunansky grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                              Boggs puts the Sox on top

The Mariners struck back in the top of the second as Pete O'Brien whacked a home run around the Pesky Pole to cut the lead. Dave Cochrane and Greg Briley both grounded out to second and Omar Vizquel flied out to right to end the inning with Seattle down 2-1.

                                                    O'Brien takes Clemens deep

The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the second as Bob Zupcic grounded out to third to start. Luis Rivera flied out to left and Tony Pena grounded out to first to end the inning.

Bert Heffernan grounded out to third to open the top of the third but Reynolds drew a walk. Reynolds moved to second on a grounder to first by Edgar Martinez but Griffey Jr grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the third as Reed walked to start. Greenwell reached on an error by Reynolds but Boggs lined out to center. Clark beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners but Burks walked to load the bases. Brunansky flied out to left to end the inning.

Tino Martinez grounded out to second to start the top of the fourth before O'Brien grounded out to first. Cochrane struck out swinging to end the inning. Zupcic grounded out to short to begin the bottom of the fourth but Rivera singled to left. Rivera swiped second but Pena flied out to center. Reed lined out to a running Griffey Jr to end the inning.

Clemens struck out Briley swinging to begin the top of the fifth but Vizquel fisted a base hit to right. Heffernan banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox blew another rally in the bottom of the fifth as Greenwell singled down the third base line to start. Boggs walked but Clark flied out to left. Burks flied out to center and Brunansky lined out to a running Griffey to end the inning.

Clemens cruised in the top of the sixth as Reynolds grounded out to second to start. Edgar Martinez lined out to first and Griffey Jr lined out to center to end the inning. The Sox blew yet another rally in the bottom of the sixth although Zupcic grounded out to third to start. Rivera struck out swinging but Pena got a base hit to left. Reed lined a base hit to center and both runners moved over on a balk. Greenwell grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Mariners tagged Clemens in the top of the seventh as Tino Martinez was hit in the shoulder to start. Zupcic made a great diving catch in the right field corner to rob O'Brien of a hit but Cochrane dropped a base hit into right. Briley singled to left to score Martinez but Vizquel forced Briley at second with a grounder to Brunansky. Heffernan struck out swinging to end the inning with the Mariners up 2-1.

                                                 Martinez scores a run

The Sox answered in the bottom of the seventh as Boggs reached on an error by Tino Martinez to start. Clark hit one up the elevator shaft and Burks struck out swinging, but Boggs swiped second. Brunansky walked but Zupcic doubled into the left field corner to score Boggs. Jeff Nelson came in to pitch and Rivera walked, but Pena lined out to first to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                      Sox tie it up

Clemens returned for one final inning in the top of the eighth and Reed bobbled a ball by Reynolds for an error that he took forever to find. Edgar Martinez dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Reynolds to second and Griffey Jr beat out an infield single to short to put runners at the corners. Reynolds and Griffey took off on a squeeze but Martinez swung and missed. Pena tagged Reynolds coming home but Griffey made it to second on the play. Martinez took strike three to end the inning and Clemens had tossed 8 innings of 2 run ball.

                                                            Clemens goes 8 strong

The Sox took command in the bottom of the eighth as Reed singled in the hole at short to start. Dennis Powell relieved Nelson and Reed was thrown out at second trying to steal. Greenwell blooped a base hit to left and Boggs hit a routine pop up down the right field line but Briley lost it in the lights for a "double". Clark was intentionally walked to get to Burks and Herm Winningham pinch ran for Clark. Mike Schooler came in to pitch to Burks and Ellis clubbed a grand slam over everything in left to put the Sox on top. Brunansky lined out to center and Zupcic took strike three to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-2.

                                                      Burks hits a grand slam

Tony Fossas came in to pitch in the top of the ninth and O'Brien grounded out to short to start. Cochrane singled to center and Henry Cotto pinch hit for Briley. Cotto doubled down the left field line to chase Fossas. Old Mets nemesis Kevin Mitchell pinch hit for Vizquel and Jeff Reardon came in to close out the game. Mitchell singled off the left field railing to score both runners to cut the lead. Jay Buhner pinch hit for Heffernan and flied out to left, but Brunansky booted a grounder by Reynolds for an error. Edgar Martinez flied out to right to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-4.

                                                              Sox win

Hero of the Night is Ellis Burks. His grand slam proved to be the difference in the game.

                                                                Burks The Hero

The Good:

Jody Reed was 3 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

Mike Greenwell was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Wade Boggs was 2 for 4 with a walk, rbi and 2 runs scored.

Herm Winningham scored a run as a pinch runner.

Luis Rivera was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Roger Clemens tossed 8 innings of 2 run ball while striking out 5 batters to earn the win.

Jeff Reardon earned his 10th save by getting the last 2 outs of the ninth.

The Bad:

Tony Fossas was charged with 2 runs in the top of the ninth.

The Ugly:

Jack Clark was just 1 for 4 but walked.

Tom Brunansky was 0 for 4 with an error but walked.

Bob Zupcic was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run.

Tony Pena was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

Don't look now but the Sox have won 3 in a row. Maybe this will be the start of a nice long run to get them back in the AL East race. The offense has been offensive but Burks came through big time tonight. Clemens will be Clemens and he once again gave the Sox 8 much needed innings. Sox manager Butch Hobson guessed wrong when he figured Fossas could close out the ninth but good thing Reardon stepped up. If only they still had Jeff Gray but that's just bad luck. Hopefully the Sox can ride this momentum moving forward. The win improved the Sox to 19-17, 4 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox are back in action Friday night against Oakland. Frank Viola (5-2) goes for the Sox against A's ace Dave Stewart. The game begins at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Viola, Red Sox Shut Down White Sox (4/29/92)

It was a weird month but the Boston Red Sox ended April on a high note by defeating the Chicago White Sox. Frank Viola (2-2, 3.06 ERA) almost went the distance as he allowed just 1 run through 8 2/3 innings. Meanwhile the much maligned Red Sox offense finally cashed in with runners in scoring position against White Sox starter Alex Fernandez. Phil Plantier and Wade Boggs supplied most of the offense by driving in 5 of the team's six runs. Jody Reed went 3 for 4 as well to aid the cause while Viola pitched his gem. With Viola on the run in the ninth, Jeff Reardon came in to slam the door. The BoSox ended the month of April on a good note with a 6-1 win over the White Sox at Fenway Park.

                                                        Hawkeye Pierce approves of the win

The White Sox wasted no time tagging Viola in the top of the first as Luis Rivera scooped up a grounder by Tim Raines and threw the ball into the centerfield bleachers for an error. Steve Sax singled to right to move Raines to third and move himself to second on the throw. Robin Ventura hit a sac fly to left to score Raines with the first run. Sax stole third but Frank Thomas struck out swinging. George Bell popped up to third in foul territory to end the inning with the White Sox up 1-0.

                                                              Ventura drives in a run

The Red Sox didn't wait around to get to Fernandez as Wade Boggs walked to start then moved to third on the base hit to right by Jody Reed. Phil Plantier doubled to left to score Boggs and Reed but Ellis Burks hit a routine grounder to Sax. Sax threw the ball away for an error that scored Plantier with another run and Burks took third on a passed ball. Herm Winningham walked but Jack Clark popped up to second. Winningham stole second as Mo Vaughn struck out swinging but Tony Pena grounded out to third to end the inning with the BoSox ahead 3-1.

                                                           Plantier drives in a run

Mike Huff began the top of the second by flying out to left. Ron Karkovice flied out to left and Lance Johnson grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Luis Rivera flied out to center to start the bottom of the second before Boggs struck out swinging. Reed got a base hit to left but Plantier struck out swinging to end the inning.

Craig Grebeck beat out an infield single to short to start the top of the third but Raines flied out to right. Sax flied out to left and Ventura grounded out to second to end the inning. Burks grounded out to second to start the bottom of the third before Winningham lined out to left. Clark flied out to right to end the inning.

Thomas grounded out to second to start the top of the fourth before Bell walked. Huff forced Bell at second and got thrown out trying to steal to end the inning. Vaughn flied out to right to open the bottom of the fourth and Pena took strike three. Rivera flied out to right to end the inning.

Karkovice struck out swinging to open the top of the fifth but Johnson singled to center. Johnson was also thrown out trying to steal and Grebeck grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fifth although Boggs flied out to right to open. Reed singled in the hole at second then swiped second base. Plantier doubled down the first base line to score Reed with another run. Burks struck out swinging and Winningham grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-1.

                                                          Reed scores a run

Viola cruised in the top of the sixth as Raines grounded out to short to start. Sax popped up to first and Ventura grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox wrapped up the scoring in the bottom of the sixth as Clark popped up to first in foul territory to start. Vaughn struck out swinging but Grebeck booted a grounder by Pena to keep the inning alive. Rivera ripped a base hit to center and Boggs doubled into the gap in center to score both runners. Roberto Hernandez came in to pitch to Reed and Jody walked. Plantier walked to load the bases but Burks popped up to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-1.

                                                             Boggs drives in a pair

Thomas grounded out to short to start the top of the seventh but Bell singled to left. Bell tried to stretch a double but was thrown out by Winningham at second. Huff flied out to right to end the inning. Scott Radinsky came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Winningham took strike three to start. Clark grounded out to short and Vaughn took strike three to end the inning.

Karkovice walked to begin the top of the eighth but Johnson banged into a double play. Grebeck grounded out to short to end the inning. Bobby Thigpen came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth but Pena singled to right to start. Rivera struck out swinging but Boggs walked, only for Reed to ground into a double play to end the inning.

Viola tried to finish what he started in the top of the ninth and Raines singled to left to start. Sax flied out to left but Ventura walked. Thomas flied out to center but Bell walked to load the bases. Sox manager Butch Hobson felt Viola had done enough as he mastered the White Sox for 8 2/3 innings. Jeff Reardon came in and Matt Merullo pinch hit for Huff. Merullo popped up to third in foul territory to end the game. The Red Sox had won it 7-1.

Hero of the Night is Frank Viola. He almost threw a complete game but went 8 2/3 innings while allowing 1 run on 5 hits and 3 walks to earn the win.

                                                              Viola The Hero

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 1 for 3 with 2 walks, 2 rbis and a run scored.

Jody Reed was 3 for 4 with a walk, a stolen base and scored two runs.

Phil Plantier was 2 for 3 with a walk, 3 rbis and a run scored.

Jeff Reardon earned the save by getting the final out of the ninth inning.

The Bad:

Ellis Burks was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jack Clark was 0 for 4.

Mo Vaughn was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of three strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Herm Winningham was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked and stole a base.

Tony Pena was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Luis Rivera was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

That was an up and down month for sure. The offense didn't get untracked until the very end but the pitching held up for the most part. The trio of Roger Clemens, Frank Viola and Mike Gardiner looked great and Joe Hesketh had a good game last time he pitched. The bullpen of Greg Harris, Danny Darwin, Tony Fossas and Jeff Reardon has been solid and there's a chance they can hold up all season. The offense is too talented not to come around, especially Mike Greenwell, Vaughn, Plantier, Boggs and Clark. Tonight's game was a glimpse of what can happen when the offense cashes in on their chances given by mistakes and runners in scoring position. The win improved the Sox to 9-9, 5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox are back in action Friday night against the Kansas City Royals. Mike Gardiner (3-0) goes for the Sox against Mark Gubicza of Kansas City. The game begins at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Rangers Rally Past Sox in Game 2 (4/26/92)

The Boston Red Sox are sure inventing new ways to lose these days. In Game 1 of their doubleheader against the Texas Rangers, the Sox outhit the Rangers only to score 1 measly run. In Game 2 it was more of the same. The Red Sox took a 2-0 lead over Texas with Joe Hesketh outdueling Jeff Robinson. In the top of the eighth Brian Downing hit a 2 run bomb off Greg Harris (1-1, 1.93 ERA) and rallied for two more runs in the ninth against Harris and Jeff Reardon. Meanwhile the 2 early runs the Sox scored ended up being the only runs they'd plate. The worst offense in baseball ended an 18 inning day scoring just 3 runs and dropped the nightcap 4-2 at Fenway Park.

                                                      "LEARN HOW TO HIT!!!"

Hesketh got the ball in the top of the first inning and Brian Downing grounded out to third to start. Palmeiro took strike three and Juan Gonzalez grounded out to third to end the inning. Robinson got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Wade Boggs lined a base hit to left to start. Julio Franco booted a routine grounder by Jody Reed for an error and Phil Plantier managed to hit into a 3-6-5 double play. Tom Brunansky grounded out to third to end the inning.

Ruben Sierra singled in the hole at third to start the top of the second but Franco lined out to right. Dean Palmer struck out swinging and Sierra was thrown out trying to steal to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the second as Herm Winningham singled to right to start. Tim Naehring caught the Rangers asleep with a bunt single and both runners moved over on a wild pitch. Scott Cooper popped up to short and Bob Zupcic made his season debut with a pop up to short. John Flaherty grounded out to short to end the inning.

Kevin Reimer struck out swinging to start the top of the third and Dickie Thon grounded back to the mound. Ivan Rodriguez grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the third as Boggs flied out to left to start. Reed doubled to center and Plantier hit a grounder to second that was thrown away by Franco for an error that scored Reed. Brunansky flied out to right and Winningham grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                                  Reed scores a run

Downing grounded out to third to start the top of the fourth but Palmeiro singled to center. Gonzalez popped up to second but Sierra singled to center. Winningham booted the ball which allowed everyone to advance. Franco grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Naehring grounded out to short to start. Cooper flied out to left but Zupcic hit a ground rule double to right. Flaherty singled up the middle to score Bob and Boggs ripped a base hit to center to move John to third. Reed struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                                    Flaherty drives in a run

Palmer and Reimer both struck out swinging to start the top of the fifth and Thon flied out to right to end the inning. Plantier struck out swinging to open the bottom of the fifth before Brunansky  grounded out to short. Winningham grounded out to second to end the inning.

Rodriguez singled in the hole at second to start the top of the sixth but Downing forced him at second. Palmeiro struck out swinging and Gonzalez forced Downing at second to end the inning. Naehring popped up to left to start the bottom of the sixth and Cooper grounded out to second. Zupcic hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

Hesketh returned for the top of the seventh and Sierra popped up to second to start. Franco grounded out to second but Palmer and Reimer both walked to chase Hesketh. Joe pitched a hell of a game, shutting out the Rangers for 6 2/3 innings. Greg Harris came in and Rangers manager Bobby Valentine sent in Jack Daugherty to pinch hit for Thon. Daugherty lined out to first to end the inning.

                                                    Hesketh with 6 2/3 shutout innings

Jeff Huson came in to play short with Floyd Bannister now on the mound for Texas to start the bottom of the seventh. Flaherty grounded out to short but Boggs reached on an error by Franco. Reed walked but Plantier lined out to third. Terry Mathews came in to pitch to Brunansky and Bruno flied out to right to end the inning.

The game changed on a dime in the top of the eighth as Rodriguez caught the sleep with a bunt single to third and Downing hit a home run all the way to Albuquerque to tie the game. Palmeiro grounded out to first, Gonzalez popped up to first and Sierra struck out swinging to end the inning but the game was tied 2-2.

                                             Downing ties it up

Winningham took strike three to start the bottom of the eighth but Naehring doubled to left. Cooper struck out swinging and Zupcic took strike three to end the inning.

The wheels fell off in the top of the ninth as Franco and Palmer drew back to back walks to start. Al Newman pinch hit for Reimer but Sox manager Butch Hobson countered by bringing in Tony Fossas to pitch to him. Newman bunted foul for strike three and John Cangelosi pinch hit for Huson with Hobson countering by bringing in Jeff Reardon. The move backfired as Cangelosi hit a fly ball to left that Winningham tried to catch unsuccessfully in his hat for an error to score Franco. Rodriguez hit the killshot with a base hit to left to score Palmer with the insurance run. Downing grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Rangers up 4-2.

                                                          Reardon blows it

Rangers closer Jeff Russell came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Mike Greenwell pinch hit for Flaherty to start. Greenwell got a base hit to center but Boggs flied out to center. Reed popped up to short but Plantier singled to right to put the tying run on. Brunansky took strike three to end the game. The Rangers had swept the doubleheader with a 4-2 win.

Jackass of the Night is Greg Harris. He allowed the tying runs and was charged with the go-ahead runs to blow the game,

                                                             Jackass Harris

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 5.

Phil Plantier was 2 for 5.

Tim Naehring was 2 for 4.

John Flaherty was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Mike Greenwell singled as a pinch hitter.

Joe Hesketh tossed 6 2/3 shutout innings. He allowed 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 6.

Tony Fossas struck out the only guy he faced.

The Bad:

Tom Brunansky was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Scott Cooper was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Jody Reed was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Herm Winningham was just 1 for 4 with 2 errors and a strikeout.

Bob Zupcic was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Jeff Reardon allowed 2 inherited runners to score but none of his own in 2/3 of an inning.

Final Thoughts:

Wow, what more can be said? The Sox pitching held the Rangers to 7 runs in two games but only managed to score three of their own. They actually out-hit the Rangers in both games but couldn't get the clutch hit with men on base or hit a home run. Nobody on the team is hitting right now. Not Boggs, Reed, Plantier, Vaughn, Clark...no one. If Boggs and Reed can't get on base there isn't much Greenwell Clark and Plantier can do but even they aren't hitting either. Who would have thought for the past 50 years its been all-bat and no pitching but now its the other way around? Hesketh pitched great and Harris hadn't a bad game all season to this point. Just another troubling sign that the Morgan Magic Red Sox where everything went right is over. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox turn to their ace as they continue their homestand against the Chicago White Sox. Roger Clemens (2-2) goes for Boston Tuesday night against Kirk McCaskill of Chicago. The game begins at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Witt Outduels Young, Rangers Take Game 1 (4/26/92)

Ten years ago to the day the Boston Red Sox swept a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox. Today the Sox dropped Game 1 of their own doubleheader against the Texas Rangers. The Sox offense did manage 10 hits and 4 walks against Bobby Witt and the Rangers bullpen but could only muster 1 measly run. Matt Young (0-2, 2.95 ERA) was game for 5 innings but allowed 3 rubs. Danny Darwin kept the Sox in it with 4 shutout innings but the Sox bats couldn't generate any offense. The Sox had chances all game but the Rangers took Game 1 by a score of 3-1 at Fenway Park.

                                                This offense makes Counselor Troi cry 

The Rangers wasted no time scoring in top of the first inning as John Cangelosi struck out swinging to start. Rafael Palmeiro grounded out to second but Juan Gonzalez hit a home run to the moon to put Texas on top. Ruben Sierra singled in the hole at second but Brian Downing took strike three to end the inning with the Rangers up 1-0.

                                                               Gonzalez hits one out

The Sox began their rally killing woes in the bottom of the first as Wade Boggs flied out to left to start. Jody Reed grounded out to third but Mike Greenwell singled to left. Ellis Burks doubled to left but Phil Plantier lined out to left to end the inning. 

Young cruised in the top of the second as Dean Palmer grounded out to short to start. Dickie Thon struck out swinging and Ivan Rodriguez grounded out to short to end the inning. Jack Clark popped up to short to start the bottom of the second and Mo Vaughn grounded out to second. Tony Pena flied out to center to end the inning.

The Rangers iced the game in the top of the third as Al Newman struck out swinging to start. Cangelosi grounded out to short but Palmeiro walked. Gonzalez singled to right and Sierra lined a base hit to center. Burks had Sierra at first but Clark muffed the throw to score Palmeiro and the runners moved over on the error. Downing struck out swinging but the ball got away from Pena and Gonzalez scored. Palmer forced Downing at second to end the inning with the Rangers ahead 3-0.

                                                             Catch the ball Vaughn!

The Sox blew their next rally in the bottom of the third as Luis Rivera singled in the hoke at short to start. Boggs lined out to third and Reed popped up to third but Greenwell was plunked. Burks walked to load the bases but Plantier popped up to second to end the inning. 

Thon singled to right to start the top of the fourth but was doubled off first on a bullet to Boggs by Rodriguez. Newman grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Clark grounded out to short to start. Vaughn singled to center and Pena doubled him home to cut the lead. Rivera walked and both runners moved over on the grounder to first by Boggs. Reed walked to load the bases but Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox down 3-2.

                                                               Pena drives in a run 

Cangelosi walked to open the top of the fifth and moved to second on the sacrifice bunt by Palmeiro. Gonzalez flied out to left and Sierra popped up to second to end the inning. Burks struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth but Plantier singled inside the bag at first. Clark took strike three but Vaughn walked. Pena struck out swinging to end the inning. 

Downing walked to start the top of the sixth and Palmer singled to center to chase Young. He lasted just 5 plus innings and allowed 3 runs. Danny Darwin came on in relief and Thon dropped down a bunt but Darwin got Downing at third. Rodriguez grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Jeff Huson pinch hit for Newman to start the top of the seventh and struck out swinging. Kevin Reimer pinch hit for Cangelosi and doubled to right before Palmeiro singled him to third. Reimer made a mad dash for home on a hit and run but the only problem was Gonzalez struck out swinging. Reimer was out at home to end the inning. The Red Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the seventh as Burks grounded out to third to start. Plantier grounded out to first and Clark grounded out to third to end the inning.

Darwin got Sierra to ground out to third to start the top of the eighth but Downing was plunked. Palmer took strike three and Thon popped up to short to end the inning. Kenny Rogers came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth with Tom Brunansky pinch hitting for Vaughn to start. Bruno blooped a base hit to right but was foolishly thrown out at second trying to steal. Pena doubled to left and Rivera hit a seeing eye single to left that would have scored Brunansky. Boggs flied out to left and Reed grounded into a force to end the inning.

Darwin returned for the top of the ninth and Rodriguez struck out swinging to start. Huson lined out to center but Reimer doubled to left. Jack Daugherty pinch ran for Reimer and Palmeiro was intentionally walked. Gonzalez popped up to second to end the inning. Good work by Darwin to toss 4 innings of shutdown ball.

                                                            Darwin gets it done

Rogers returned for the bottom of the ninth and Greenwell grounded out to first to start. Burks flied out to right and Tim Naehring was set to pinch hit for Plantier. Rangers manager Bobby Valentine countered by bringing in closer Jeff Russell. Sox manager Butch Hobson pulled back Naehring and sent Herm Winningham to pinch hit instead. Naturally Winningham looked at strike three to end the game. The Rangers won Game 1 by a score of 3-1.

Jackass of the Night is Wade Boggs. He was 0 for 5 including leaving the tying runs on in the fourth inning.

                                                         Jackass Boggs

The Good:

Mo Vaughn was 1 for 2 with a walk and a run scored.

Tony Pena was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Luis Rivera was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Danny Darwin tossed 4 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Herm Winningham struck out as a pinch hitter.

Jack Clark was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Jody Reed was just 1 for 4 with walk.

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 4 but was hit with a pitch.

Ellis Burks was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked.

Phil Plantier was just 1 for 4.

Tom Brunansky singled as a pinch hitter but was thrown out trying to steal.

Matt Young took the loss but allowed just 3 runs in 5 plus innings.

Honorable Mention:

Tim Naehring "pinch hit" for Phil Plantier.

Final Thoughts:

The offensively challenged Sox sure bit the big one today. They actually outhit the Rangers 10-9 but they couldn't cash in on almost any of their chances. They're dead last offensively in the American League despite the pitching actually being good. Young wasn't great today but he didn't suck either. Darwin was damn good in relief and its a shame the Sox couldn't pick him up because he certainly deserved the win. The fact the veterans such as Boggs, Clark and Greenwell haven't been producing and the younger guys like Vaughn and Plantier haven't been hitting well either. There really isn't any way to fix it because their recent draft picks were mostly pitchers and apart from John Valentin, there isn't really any help coming from Pawtucket either. Way to go Sox GM Lou Gorman, although to be honest who thought the entire team would slump in April? The Sox have no time to dwell on the loss as they are back in action in a few minutes against these same Rangers. Joe Hesketh gets the start for Boston against Jeff Robinson of Texas. The game begins at 4:05 PM at Fenway Park.