Indians Rally Early, Late To Beat Sox (9/5/21)

Before the game the Sox made two emergency transactions. Today's starter Nick Pivetta and Danny Santana were both placed on the COVID List. That thrust 25 year old rookie starter Kutter Crawford to pitch today's game and Franchy Cordero was also called up to replace Santana. 

                                                                          OUT

                                                                       IN

What a tough way to make your Major League debut for 25 year old Kutter Crawford (0-1, 22.50 ERA). Nick Pivetta couldn't make the start due to testing positive for Covid and Crawford ended up taking a beating at the hands of the Cleveland Indians. Crawford allowed 5 runs and got knocked out without getting an out in the third inning. The sad part was the Red Sox rallied to cut the lead to 6-5 going into the top of the ninth. Any hope of a comeback ended when Phillips Valdez threw up on himself by allowing 5 runs to put the game away. The Indians spoiled Crawford's debut, pounded out 15 hits and scored 11 runs to defeat the Sox 11-5 at Fenway Park.

                                                             Grrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!1

Crawford got his lunch handed to him instantly in the top of the first inning as Myles Straw walked to start. Amed Rosario dropped a base hit to center and Franmil Reyes hit a rocket to center for a single that loaded the bases just like that. Bobby Bradley hit a sac fly to score Straw and move Rosario to third before Harold Ramirez brought in Rosario with his own sac fly. Bradley Zimmer struck out swinging to end the inning with the Indians ahead 2-0.

                                                             Indians take the lead

Zach Plesac got the ball to start the bottom of the first and Kyle Schwarber walked to start. Hunter Renfroe popped up to first but Owen Miller booted a grounder by JD Martinez for an error. Alex Verdugo lined out to right and Kevin Plawecki grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Indians struck again in the top of the second as Miller doubled to center to start. Miller moved to third after Austin Hedges was retired on a squibber in front of the plate but Andres Gimenez flied out to right. Straw ripped a base hit to center to score Miller and increase the lead before swiping second. Rosario struck out swinging to end the inning with the Indians ahead 3-0.

                                                        Straw put the Sox in a deeper hole

The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the second as Travis Shaw walked to start. Bobby Dalbec doubled to center but Jack Lopez struck out swinging. Jonathan Arauz flied out to center and Schwarber grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Indians iced the game and chased Crawford in the top of the third as Reyes clobbered a home run all the way back to Cleveland to increase the lead. Bradley walked and that was it for Crawford. Maybe he was nervous but Crawford was hit hard in his major league debut, allowing 5 runs in just 2 plus innings. John Schreiber made his Red Sox debut by getting tagged by a double to left by Ramirez. Zimmer singled to left to score both Bradley and Ramirez. Miller singled to right but Hedges banged into a double play. Gimenez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Indians up 6-0.

                                                  Welcome to the big leagues, Crawford

Renfroe lined out to center to start the bottom of the third but Martinez singled to center. Verdugo forced Martinez at second and Plawecki flied out to right to end the inning.

Schreiber settled down in the top of the fourth as Straw flied out to right to start. Rosario struck out swinging but Reyes walked. Bradley took strike three to end the inning. The Sox blew another rally in the bottom of the fourth as Shaw watched strike three go by to begin. Dalbec singled to left and Lopez doubled to left but Arauz popped up to left. Schwarber struck out swinging to end the inning.

Ramirez grounded out to second to start the top of the fifth before Zimmer struck out swinging. Miller also struck out swinging to end the inning. Suddenly the Sox came out swinging in the bottom of the fifth as Renfroe doubled to center to start. Martinez doubled to left to score Renfroe and Verdugo walked. Plawecki singled to center to score Martinez with another run and Shaw doubled to center to score Alex, cutting the lead in half. Dalbec flied out to left and Sox manager Alex Cora figured the Sox could win this game and had Rafael Devers pinch hit for Lopez. Unfortunately both Devers and Arauz struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 6-3.

                                                   Shaw with a big double

Taylor Motter took over for Devers in the field in the top of the sixth and the Indians quickly chased Schreiber with a double to center by Hedges. Stephen Gonsalves came in to pitch and Gimenez struck out swinging before Hedges moves to third on the grounder to second by Straw. Rosario grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox rallied again in the bottom of the sixth with Nick Wittgren now on the mound. Schwarber grounded out to first but Renfroe singled to center. Martinez then clobbered his 25th home run of the season to cut the lead. Verdugo doubled to right and just like that, the Sox had the tying run in scoring position. Verdugo moved to third on the Plawecki grounder to short but Shaw grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox down 6-5.

                                                        Martinez goes yard

Ryan Brasier came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Reyes singled to center. Bradley forced Reyes at second and Ramirez grounded into a double play to end the inning. Trevor Stephan came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Dalbec struck out swinging to start. Motter walked but Arauz flied out to left and Taylor was picked off to end the inning.

                                                                     Yerrrrr out

Hansel Robles came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Zimmer struck out swinging to start. Miller struck out swinging and Hedges grounded out to third to end the inning. Blake Parker came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Schwarber grounded out to second to start. Renfroe singled to left then moved to second on the Martinez grounder to first. Emmanuel Clase came in to pitch to Verdugo and Alex grounded out to second to end the inning.

Phillips Valdez came in to vomit up his intestines in the top of the ninth as Gimenez singled to center to start. Gimenez stole second, Straw walked and Rosario singled off the glove of Dalbec to score Andres. Reyes doubled to center to score both Straw and Rosario to ice the game. Bradley singled to right to put runners at the corners and Ramirez singled to center to score Reyes. Oscar Mercado ran for Ramirez and Zimmer beat out a double play ball. Miller hit a routine grounder to short but Arauz did a backflip on the ball and wrestled with it for an error to score Bradley. Schwarber made an insane diving catch to rob Hedges of a bloop single and double off Zimmer to end the inning with the Indians up 11-5.

                                                                What a massacre

Yu Chang took over at first for the bottom of the ninth and Plawecki got a base hit to right to start. Kevin moved to second on the grounder to second by Shaw. Plawecki moved to third on the grounder to short by Dalbec but Motter grounded out to second to end the game. The Indians had won it 11-5.

                                                       Indians win

Jackass of the Night is Phillips Valdez. He allowed 5 runs in the top of the ninth to put the game out of reach.

                                                "Thanks a lot you Jackass" - Cora

The Good:

Hunter Renfroe was 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

JD Martinez was 3 for 5 with 3 total rbis and 2 runs scored including a 2 run home run.

Kevin Plawecki was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

Bobby Dalbec was 2 for 5.

Jack Lopez was 1 for 2.

Stephen Gonsalves pitched a scoreless sixth inning.

Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

Hansel Robles pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Rafael Devers struck out as a pinch hitter.

Jonathan Arauz was 0 for 4 with a strikeout and an error.

Kutter Crawford was hammered for 5 runs in just 2 plus innings. He allowed 5 hits and 2 walks but struck out 2.

The Ugly:

Kyle Schwarber was 0 for 4 but drew a walk.

Alex Verdugo was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Travis Shaw was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and drove in a run.

Taylor Motter was 0 for 1 and got picked off after walking.

John Schreiber allowed an inherited runner to score and one of his own in 3 innings of work.

Final Thoughts:

What should have been an epic comeback win crashed and burned in a hurry for the Red Sox. Kutter Crawford was put in a tough spot having to pitch on such short notice but the Sox bats went ice cold after nearly tying the game in the sixth. If Valdez hadn't crapped his pants in the ninth, the Sox might have had a chance. The bottom of the order was a black hole but that was mostly due to Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers and Kike Hernandez not playing or starting. Time is running out for the Sox this season with only 23 games left in the season and each loss pushes them further to the brink. They're only a half game behind the New York Yankees for the first wild card but Seattle is only 3 games behind them. They haven't looked good at all after the all-star break and Nick Pivetta getting sick sure as hell didn't help. The loss drops the Sox to 79-60, 8 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the AL East. Its do or die for the Sox now if they have any hope to win the division because the Rays are up next for a three game. Chris Sale gets the start for the Sox with the AL East hanging in the balance against Ryan Yarbrough of the Rays. The game begins at 1:10 PM on Labor Day Monday at Fenway Park.

Sox Blow Lead, Walkoff Indians (9/4/21)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made some roster moves. Connor Wong was sent back to Worcester and Taylor Motter was activated to take his place. Also the Sox signed 27 year old right handed pitcher Geoff Hartlieb from the New York Mets. He allowed 7 runs in 4 innings for the Mets and was designated for assignment. Worcester's season doesn't end for a few weeks so that's just a depth move for them. Motter will give Boston some depth as well.

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                                                                       IN

As for the game, that game took a big turn at the end didn't it? For six innings the Sox and the Cleveland Indians battled to a 0-0 tie. Eli Morgan of Cleveland and Tanner Houck of the Red Sox were both gone going into the seventh inning. With Blake Parker on the mound, Rafael Devers clobbered a three run shot to put the Sox ahead. In the top of the ninth down 3-1 with Adam Ottavino (5-3, 3.79 ERA) on the mound and down to their last strike, Franmil Reyes hit a pinch hit two run homer to tie the game. Then with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth with Alex Young on the mound, Alex Verdugo ripped a base hit to right to score new addition Taylor Motter to win the game. The Sox had walked off the Indians 4-3.

                                                    Jenette Goldstein approves of the win

Houck got the ball in the top of the first inning and Daniel Johnson singled to center to start. Amed Rosario banged into a double play and Jose Ramirez took strike three to end the inning. Morgan got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Kyle Schwarber hit a ground rule double into the right field stands to start. Rafael Devers and JD Martinez both struck out swinging but Alex Verdugo walked. Hunter Renfroe popped up to second to end the inning.

Bobby Bradley struck out swinging to start the top of the second but Harold Ramirez singled to center. Bradley Zimmer flied out to left and Yu Chang struck out swinging to end the inning. Bobby Dalbec walked to start the bottom of the second but Christian Vazquez hit into a double play. Jack Lopez struck out swinging to end the inning.

Old pal Ryan Lavarnway doubled to left to start the top of the third but Andres Gimenez popped up to short. Johnson and Rosario both struck out swinging to end the inning. Jonathan Arauz fied out to left to start the bottom of the third before Schwarber flied out to center. Devers struck out swinging to end the inning.

Ramirez grounded out to second to start the top of the fourth before Bradley did the same. Ramirez flied out to right to end the inning. Martinez walked to start the bottom of the fourth but Verdugo struck out swinging. Renfroe hit one up the elevator shaft and Dalbec struck out swinging to end the inning.

Zimmer popped up a bunt to Dalbec to start the top of the fifth before Chang watched strike three go by. Lavarnway struck out swinging to end the inning. Sox manager Alex Cora once again pulled a starter early after Houck had tossed 5 shutout innings and allowed just 3 hits and a walk on 68 pitches. After what happened with Cleveland last week, Cora wasn't going to make the same mistake twice.

                                                             Houck shuts down the Indians

The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the fifth as Vazquez beat out a roller to third to start. Lopez walked and Arauz dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners over. The gamble failed as Schwarber popped up to first and Devers grounded out to first to end the inning.

Austin Davis came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Gimenez doubled to left to start. Johnson popped up to third but Gimenez stole third. Rosario grounded out to first and Davis wisely intentionally walked Ramirez. Ramirez stole second but Bradley walked to load the bases. Hansel Robles came in for Davis and Ramirez grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Martinez struck out swinging to start the bottom of the sixth before Verdugo doubled to left. Renfroe grounded out to third and Nick Wittgren came in to pitch. Dalbec struck out swinging to end the inning.

Phillips Valdez came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Zimmer grounded out to first to start. Chang popped up to second and Lavarnway grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox sprang to life in the bottom of the seventh as Vazquez singled to center to start. Lopez dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Vazquez to second and Christian moved to third on the Arauz grounder to second. Blake Parker came in to pitch and Schwarber walked. Devers then smashed his 33rd homer of the season to put the Sox on top. Martinez lined out to center to end the inning with the Sox up 3-0.

                                                             Sox take the lead

Gimenez lined out to third to start the top of the eighth but Johnson flied out to left. Rosario grounded out to short to end the inning. Bryan Shaw came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Verdugo grounded out to second to start. Renfroe walked but Dalbec popped up to second. Vazquez lined out to third to end the inning.

Adam Ottavino came in for the save and got lit up in the top of the ninth. Ramirez singled to right and Bradley doubled him home to start. Bradley moved to third on the Ramirez grounder to second and Zimmer struck out swinging. Franmil Reyes pinch hit for Chang and Ottavino worked the count to 2-2. One strike away from victory.....Reyes hit a home run all the way to Delaware to tie the game. Lavarnway popped up to second to end the inning with the game tied 3-3.

                                                       Reyes ties it up

Owen Miller took over at third to start the bottom of the ninth with Travis Shaw pinch hitting for Lopez. Shaw beat out a roller to third and Taylor Motter made his Sox debut by running for him. Arauz dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Motter to second and Alex Young was brought in to face Schwarber. Kyle flied out to center but Devers drew a walk. Martinez was intentionally walked to get to Verdugo with the bases loaded. Alex made the Indians pay by lashing a base hit over the head of Johnson to win the game. The Sox had walked off the Indians 4-3.

                                                             Sox win

Hero of the Night is Alex Verdugo. His walkoff base hit won the game for the Sox.

                                                               Verdugo The Hero

The Good:

Christian Vazquez was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Jack Lopez walked in two plate appearances.

Travis Shaw walked as a pinch hitter.

Taylor Motter scored the winning run as a pinch runner.

Tanner Houck tossed 5 shutout innings allowing just 3 hits while striking out 7.

Austin Davis tossed 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

Hansel Robles retired the only man he faced.

Phillips Valdez tossed 2 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Jonathan Arauz was 0 for 2.

One of the rare times the winning pitcher ends up on the bad list but Adam Ottavino gave up 3 runs to tie the game in the ninth.

The Ugly:

Kyle Schwarber was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored a run.

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked and the one hit was a 3 run home run.

JD Martinez was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked twice.

Hunter Renfroe was 0 for 3 but walked.

Bobby Dalbec was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Final Thoughts:

Another big win even if it was like pulling teeth. Ottavino blowing the game didn't help but at least the Sox showed some balls by rallying in the ninth. The Sox have 24 games left and still maintain a lead over the Oakland A's and are percentage points behind the New York Yankees for the wild card. Beating the mediocre Indians is something the Sox have to do to keep pace and winning 5 in a row kept them in contention. The warts are still there with a lineup struggling to hit in the clutch and an exhausted pitching staff (thanks Cora) but they're still in it for now. The win improved the Sox to 79-59, 8 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to sweep the Indians and make it six wins in a row tomorrow afternoon when Nick Pivetta takes the mound against Zach Plesac of the Indians. The game begins at 1:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Five Run Seventh Sinks Indians (9/3/21)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Jarren Duran was placed on the Covid List and Connor Wong was called up from Worcester to take his place. The Sox need Xander Bogaerts back and losing Duran as well isn't going to help.

                                                                              OUT

                                                                  IN

As for the game, the Sox are getting interesting. After looking dead in the water for most of August, the Sox took a big step toward October baseball by dispatching the Cleveland Indians in tonight's game. The Sox broke out to a 2-0 lead on home runs by Kyle Schwarber and Kevin Plawecki but Jose Ramirez of the Indians hit one as well. Jonathan Arauz hit one out in the fourth but the Indians tied the game in the seventh with an Austin Hedges home run off Nathan Eovaldi. In the bottom of the seventh, the Sox rallied for five runs off a Schwarber double and Hunter Renfroe three run homer. Garrett Whitlock ran into trouble in the ninth but locked down his second save of the season as the Sox won the game 8-5 at Fenway Park.

                                                  Jenny Lewis approves of the win

Eovaldi got the ball in the top of the first inning and Myles Straw struck out swinging to start. Amed Rosario grounded out to short but Jose Ramirez doubled to left. Franmil Reyes took strike three to end the inning. The Sox wasted no time getting to Quantrill in the bottom of the first as Kyle Schwarber smashed his 29th home run of the season to start. Rafael Devers grounded out to second, JD Martinez struck out swinging and Alex Verdugo grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                              Schwarber puts the Sox up early

Bradley Zimmer lined out to left to start the top of the second before Oscar Mercado grounded out to short. Bobby Bradley flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox got another run in the bottom of the second although Hunter Renfroe popped up to short to start. Somehow Kevin Plawecki crushed his second home run of the season and Bobby Dalbec popped up to short. Jack Lopez doubled to center but Jonathan Arauz grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                        Plawecki hits one out

Eovaldi turned up the heat in the top of the third as Austin Hedges struck out swinging to start. Andres Gimenez struck out swinging but Straw walked. Rosario struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox threatened in the bottom of the third as Schwarber struck out swinging to start. Devers singled to center and moved to third on the base hit to left by Martinez. Verdugo walked to load the bases but Renfroe struck out swinging. Plawecki grounded into a force at second to end the inning.

The Indians got a run back in the top of the fourth as Ramirez instantly hit a home run all the way to Saturn to start. Reyes grounded out to second, Zimmer struck out swinging and Mercado struck out swinging to end the inning with the Indians down 2-1.

                                                              Ramirez jacks one out

The Sox got the run back in the bottom of the fourth as Dalbec took strike three to start. Lopez grounded out to second but Arauz somehow clobbered his second home run of the season to increase the lead. Schwarber grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1.

                                                        Arauz joins the homer parade

Bradley walked to start the top of the fifth but Hedges flied out to left. Gimenez forced Bradley at second and Straw took strike three to end the inning. Devers took strike three to start the bottom of the fifth before Martinez grounded out to short. Verdugo took strike three to end the inning.

Rosario was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to start the top of the sixth before Ramirez grounded out to second. Reyes singled to right but Zimmer struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the sixth as Renfroe popped up to short to start. Plawecki popped up to first and Dalbec grounded out to third to end the inning.

Eovaldi ran out of gas in the top of the seventh although Mercado grounded out to second to start. Bradley singled to right but Hedges hit a home run all the way to Italy to tie the game. Gimenez singled inside the first base bag and that was it for Eovaldi. He tossed a gutty game but left after 6 1/3 innings and 3 runs allowed. The one time Cora let a starter pitch and he falls apart, go figure. Adam Ottavino came in and Gimenez stole second base, but Straw took strike three. Rosario struck out swinging to end the inning with the game tied 3-3.

                                                            Eovaldi deserved better

The Sox rallied in the bottom of the seventh as Travis Shaw pinch hit for Lopez to start. Shaw walked and Danny Santana ran for him. Arauz doubled to left and Trevor Stephan came in to pitch to Schwarber. Kyle responded with a double to center to score both runners to put the Sox on top. Devers and Martinez struck out swinging but Indians manager Terry Francona made the peculiar decision to intentionally walk Verdugo to get to Renfroe. Renfroe made Terry pay with his 26th home run of the year to ice the game. Plawecki singled to left to chase Stephan. Justin Garza came in to pitch who promptly walked both Dalbec and Santana. Arauz grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-3.

                                                                Renfroe caps the rally

Ryan Brasier came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Ramirez grounded out to first to start. Reyes grounded out to second but Zimmer beat out a roller to second. Daniel Johnson pinch hit for Mercado and walked. Bradley ripped a base hit to left to score Zimmer and chase Brasier from the game. Garrett "The Lock" Whitlock came in and Hedges flied out to right to end the inning with the Indians down 8-4.

                                                                 Indians get a run back

Sam Hentges came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Schwarber grounded out to second to start. Devers grounded out to short and Martinez lined out to first to end the inning.

Whitlock came back for the top of the ninth and Gimenez singled to right to start. Straw flied out to right but Rosario singled to center. Ramirez got a base hit to right to score Gimenez and bring the tying run to the plate. Reyes and Zimmer both struck out swinging to end the game. The Sox had won the game 8-5.

                                                                    Sox win

Hero of the Night is Kyle Schwarber. He hit a home run and drove in the go-ahead runs in the seventh.

                                                              Hero Schwarber

The Good:

Alex Verdugo walked twice in four at-bats and scored a run.

Kevin Plawecki was 2 for 4 with a home run.

Jack Lopez was 1 for 2.

Travis Shaw walked as a pinch hitter.

Danny Santana walked and scored a run.

Jonathan Arauz was 2 for 4 with a home run and 2 runs scored.

Nathan Eovaldi battled to toss 6 1/3 innings of 3 run ball. He allowed 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out 9.

The Bad:

Ryan Brasier allowed a run in 2/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

JD Martinez was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Hunter Renfroe was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but the one hit was a 3 run homer.

Bobby Dalbec was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Garrett Whitlock earned the save but allowed a run in 1 1/3 innings.

Final Thoughts:

Another big win for the Sox and it comes at a big time. The Sox have a three game lead over the Oakland Athletics for the second wild card and trail the Yankees by 1.5 for the first. Winning the AL East down 8 games with 25 to play doesn't seem likely but jumping ahead of the Yankees is very managable. Beating the mediocre Indians is imperative if the Sox want to play in October. Eovaldi had a good start but wasn't able to close the deal in the seventh but Schwarber and Renfroe took care of that. The role players stepped up such as Shaw, Santana, Arauz and Plawecki to help the Sox to victory in this one. Its been a roller coaster season but a win like that is definitely one to be celebrated. If only the Sox can keep this momentum going for the next month. The win improved the Sox to 78-59, 8 games behind the Rays for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it four wins in a row and two straight against the Indians tomorrow afternoon. Tanner Houck gets the start for the Sox against Eli Morgan of Cleveland. The game begins at 4:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Rodriguez, Sox Blank Rays (9/2/21)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Sox GM Chaim Bloom sent a sack of money to the Colorado Rockies for 31 year old utility infielder Taylor Motter. Motter was released after hitting .150 for the Rockies so he's just a depth piece for the end of Worcester's season and the end of this season if the Sox are out.

                                                                  IN

As for the game, way to go Eduardo Rodriguez (11-7,4.88 ERA). After the Sox desperately needed a win yesterday against the Tampa Bay Rays, Rodriguez shut out the Rays to inch the Sox closer back into the AL East race. E-Rod tossed 6 shutout innings while allowing just 4 hits and a walk to keep the Rays off the board. The Sox got to Rays starter Shane McClanahan for four runs, two of which were knocked in by Bobby Dalbec. Garrett Richards pitched in with 3 shutout innings to lock the game down and the Sox came away with the much needed victory 4-0 at Tropicana Field.

                                                    Jennifer Walcott approves of the win

The Sox wasted no time getting to McClanahan in the top of the first inning as Hunter Renfroe singled to right to start. Kyle Schwarber took strike three and JD Martinez lined out to center. Rafael Devers singled to left and Bobby Dalbec singled to right to bring home Renfroe. Christian Vazquez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                            Dalbec drives in a run

Rodriguez began his dominance in the bottom of the first as Randy Arozarena grounded out to second to start. Nelson Cruz struck out swinging and Wander Franco grounded back to the mound to end the inning. 

The Sox got another run in the top of the second inning as Danny Santana walked to start. Jack Lopez dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Santana to second but Jonathan Arauz struck out swinging. Renfroe ripped a base hit to left to score Santana with another run. Schwarber struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                            Renfroe adds to the lead

Yandy Diaz grounded out to third to start the bottom of the second before Manny Margot flied out to left. Brandon Lowe struck out swinging to end the inning.

Martinez got a hit just past McClanahan to start the top of the third but Devers banged into a double play. Dalbec struck out swinging to end the inning. Mike Zunino singled to right to start the bottom of the third but Jordan Luplow banged into a double play. Taylor Walls struck out swinging to end the inning.

Vazquez flied out to right to start the top of the fourth before Santana grounded out to short. Lopez took strike three to end the inning. Rodriguez matched McClanahan by getting Arozarena to ground out to first to start the bottom of the fourth. Cruz popped up to second and Franco grounded out to short to end the inning.

Arauz walked to start the top of the fifth but Renfroe popped up to short. Schwarber singled to left and Martinez got a base hit to left to score Arauz with another run. Devers struck out swinging but Dalbec got another rbi single to center to score Schwarber. Vazquez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 4-0.

                                                    Dalbec drives in his second run

Diaz struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth but Margot beat out a roller to short.  Lowe struck out swinging and Zunino flied out to right to end the inning.

Adam Conley came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Santana walked to start. Lopez flied out to center but Santana got thrown out trying to steal second. Arauz walked but Renfroe flied out to center to end the inning. Rodriguez returned for one final inning in the bottom of the sixth and Luplow struck out swinging to begin. Walls singled to center but Arozarena flied out to right. Cruz grounded out to third to end the inning. 

Schwarber singled to right to start the top of the seventh before Martinez was rung up for strike three. Devers struck out swinging and Shawn Armstrong was brought in to face Dalbec. Dalbec watched strike three go by to end the inning. Garrett Richards came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Franco walked to start. Joey Wendle ran for Franco and Diaz singled to center. That was it for E-Rod who blanked the Rays for 6 plus innings while striking out six and allowing just 4 hits. Garrett Richards came in and Margot struck out swinging, then Lowe took strike three. Zunino flied out to center to end the inning.

                                                         Rodriguez was dominant

Vazquez grounded out to short to start the top of the eighth before Santana struck out swinging again. Lopez lined out to right to end the inning. Luplow popped up to third to begin the bottom of the eighth before Walls took strike three. Arozarena walked but Cruz grounded out to third to end the inning.

JP Feyereisen came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Arauz grounded out to first to start. Renfroe hit one up the elevator shaft and Schwarber grounded out to short to end the inning. Richards returned to close out the bottom of the ninth and Wendle squeaked a base hit past second to start. Diaz struck out swinging and Margot forced Wendle at second. Lowe flied out to right to end the game, the Sox had won it 4-0.

                                                             Sox win

Hero of the Night is Eduardo Rodriguez. He tossed 6 plus shutout innings allowing 4 hits and a walk while striking out 6.

                                                         E-Hero

The Good:

Hunter Renfroe was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Kyle Schwarber was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

JD Martinez was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Bobby Dalbec was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis.

Danny Santana walked twice in four plate appearances and scored a run.

Jonathan Arauz walked twice in four plate appearances and scored a run.

Garrett Richards earned the save with 3 shutout innings.

The Bad:

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Jack Lopez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Final Thoughts:

That was a much needed win and it gives the Sox some needed momentum as the month of September begins. The Sox have 26 games to make up ground with Tampa and the New York Yankees. Not only did E-Rod pitch one of his best games of the season, Garrett Richards saved the bullpen with his performance. The offense was balanced and Dalbec having Schwarber light a fire a under his ass has been helpful as well. Only thing now is to get Xander Bogaerts back healthy because Jack Lopez isn't going to cut it for crucial September games. Beating the Rays two straight could be the tonic they needed to jump start them. Hopefully the rest of the rotation can follow E-Rod's lead. The win improved the Sox to 77-59, 8 games behind the Rays for first place in the AL East. The Sox now come home for a weekend series with the Cleveland Indians. Nathan Eovaldi goes for the Sox up against Cal Quantrill of Cleveland. The game begins tomorrow night at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Rally Past Rays (9/1/21)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made some roster moves. Xander Bogaerts and Yairo Munoz were placed on the Covid List while Ryan Brasier and Danny Santana were activated from the Injured List. 28 year old utility infielder Jack Lopez and 27 year old pitcher John Schreiber were also called up from Worcester as the first of the September call-ups. Schreiber touches 93 on the gun and pitched for the Detroit Tigers last year. Lopez is a career minor leaguer that reached as high as AAA with the Atlanta Braves in 2019 and gets the call now. The Sox have a month to climb back in the AL East race or lock up the wild card and it starts now. Brasier was a big part of the Sox 2018 run and hopefully he can contribute this year too.

                                                                     OUT

                                                                        IN

As for the game, the Sox NEEDED a win like that. The Tampa Bay Rays have knocked them around recently and pretty much all season. Tonight the Sox served payback by rallying past the vaunted Rays bullpen. The Rays broke out to a 2-1 lead despite 6 solid innings pitched by Chris Sale. The Sox could muster just 1 run off Drew Rasmussen and the Rays bullpen. Then in the top of the seventh Christian Vazquez tied the game with a solo home run off Colin McHugh. Two innings later rookie Jarren Duran knocked home Rafael Devers to put the Sox ahead. Adam Ottavino slammed the door in the bottom of the ninth and the Sox had beaten the Rays 2-1 at Tropicana Field.

                                               Jennifer Liano approves of the win

Rasmussen got the ball in the top of the first inning and Kyle Schwarber struck out swinging to start. Hunter Renfroe went down hacking and Rafael Devers watched strike three go by to end the inning. Sale got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Randy Arozarena was hit with a pitch to start. Nelson Cruz beat out a roller to second but Wander Franco beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners. Yandy Diaz grounded into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the second as JD Martinez struck out swinging to start. Alex Verdugo smacked a triple into the left field corner and Christian Vazquez got a base hit to center. Manny Margot booted the ball to allow Vazquez to reach second on the error but Jarren Duran struck out swinging. Jack Lopez made his ML debut by flying out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                            Vazquez puts the Sox on top

Margot singled to right to start the bottom of the second and Mike Zunino drew a walk. Jordan Luplow popped up to first and Joey Wendle grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Jonathan Arauz popped up to second to start the top of the third before Schwarber flied out to right. Renfroe grounded out to first to end the inning. The Rays clawed back in the bottom of the third as Taylor Walls grounded out to third to start. Arozarena struck out swinging but Cruz singled to left. Franco then hit a home run all the way to Nogales, Mexico to put the Rays ahead. Diaz struck out swinging to end the inning with the Rays up 2-1.

                                                             Rays take the lead

Devers popped up to second to start the top of the fourth before Martinez grounded out to second. Verdugo flied out to center to end the inning. The Rays threatened in the bottom of the fourth as Margot singled to center to start. Zunino walked but Margot was gunned down trying to steal third. Luplow blooped a single to right to put runners at the corners but Wendle banged into a double play to end the inning.

Vazquez got a base hit to right to start the top of the fifth to chase Rasmussen from the game. JT Chargois came in and Duran flied out to center before Lopez struck out swinging. Arauz drew a walk to chase Chargois. Adam Conley came in and Schwarber got a base hit to right. Vazquez tried for home but was thrown out at the plate to end the inning. Walls flied out to right to start the bottom of the fifth before Arozarena took strike three. Cruz grounded out to short to end the inning.

Collin McHugh came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Renfroe grounded out to third to start. Devers singled to center but Martinez grounded into a double play to end the inning. Sale returned for the bottom of the sixth and Franco lined out to left to start. Diaz hit a routine grounder to Lopez who threw himself on the ball and pretended to be dead for an error. Diaz was forced at second by Margot and Zunino was hit with a pitch. Luplow popped up to first to end the inning. That was it for Sale who did the best he could, tossing 6 innings of 2 run ball to keep the Sox in the game. He allowed 6 hits and walked 2.

                                                      Sale goes six strong innings

Kevin Kiermaier came in for Luplow to start the top of the seventh and Verdugo struck out swinging to start. Vazquez stepped up to smash his sixth home run of the season to tie the game. Duran struck out swinging and Lopez grounded out to third to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                              Vazquez goes yard

Garrett "The Lock" Whitlock came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Wendle immediately greeted him with a double to center. Walls flied out to center to move Wendle to third but Joey was thrown out at home on a grounder to third by Arozarena. Cruz grounded out to first to end the inning.

David Robertson came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Arauz struck out swinging to start. Schwarber grounded out to short and Renfroe took strike three to end the inning. Franco doubled to start the bottom of the eighth then moved to third on a grounder to second by Diaz. Franco was thrown out at home on a grounder to short by Margot but Whitlock balked Manny to second. Zunino struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox took command in the top of the ninth against Pete Fairbanks. Devers ripped a base hit to right but Martinez struck out swinging. Verdugo beat out a roller to third but Vazquez took strike three. Duran stepped up with a base hit to right to score Devers with the go-ahead run. Lopez struck out swinging to end the inning with Boston ahead 3-2.

                                                                 Duran with a huge rbi

Adam Ottavino came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Kiermaier grounded back to the mound to begin. Wendle struck out swinging and Brandon Lowe pinch hit for Walls. Lowe struck out swinging to end the game. The Sox had won the game 3-2.

                                                        Sox win

Hero of the Night is Jarren Duran. His rbi single in the ninth put the Sox up for good.

                                                               Hero Duran

The Good:

Rafael Devers was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Alex Verdugo was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Christian Vazquez was 3 for 4 with 2 total rbis and a home run.

Chris Sale tossed 6 solid innings allowing just 2 runs while striking out 3.

Garrett Whitlock earned the win by pitching two scoreless innings.

Adam Ottavino earned his 11th save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Hunter Renfroe was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

JD Martinez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Jack Lopez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts and an error.

The Ugly:

Kyle Schwarber was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jonathan Arauz was 0 for 2 with a strikeout but drew a walk.

Final Thoughts:

That's more like it. The Sox found a way to win a type of game they've been struggling to win all season. Usually its the Sox that cough up the lead late in the game but this time it was the Rays that faltered. Vazquez hit a big home run but the rookie Duran stepping up was the difference in the game. Whitlock and Ottavino saved the day again and it'll be a miracle if they don't run out of gas before October begins. Speaking of October, the Sox have 27 games left in the season and it seems unlikely they're going to catch the Rays. The Sox may have to concentrate their efforts to knock out the New York Yankees at this rate. The Yankees are still two games ahead of them so the Sox need to make a statement by having a good September. They're off to a good start, can't take that away from them at all. The win improved the Sox to 76-59, 9 games behind the Rays for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the Rays tomorrow night when Eduardo Rodriguez (10-7) takes on Shane McClanahan of Tampa. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Tropicana Field.