Yankees Beat Sox On 100th Anniversary of Fenway Park (4/20/12)

The New York Yankees were the Boston Red Sox first victims 100 years ago in Fenway Park's first game. 100 years later it was the Yankees that were the spoilers with 5 home runs off Clay Buchholz (1-1, 9.00 ERA). Eric Chavez homered twice while Alex Rodriguez, Nick Swisher and Russell Martin went deep against Buchholz. Meanwhile the Sox anemic offense did almost nothing against Yankees starter Ivan Nova. David Ortiz hit a home run and Mike Aviles drove in a run but that was it. The sad part was the Yankees only outhit Boston 11 to 10 but five home runs will kill you every time. Mariano Rivera slammed the door as the Yankees handed Boston their fourth straight loss by the score of 6-2 on the day honoring 100 years at Fenway Park.

                                               Bringing out the ghosts didn't do any good

Derek Jeter led off the game with a pop up that Pedroia lost in the sun allowing Derek to reach first to start. Curtis Granderson flied out to right and Jeter moved to second on the wild pitch over the head of Jeter by Buchholz. Sure enough A-Rod's single to left  brought home Jeter after the two mistakes. Robinson Cano flied out to deep center as A-Rod tagged and advanced to second. Mark Teixeira grounded out to first to end the inning but the Sox now trailed for their 13th consecutive game 1-0. 

                                                   "I got it, I got it....I don't got it" - Pedroia

Mike Aviles led off the bottom of the first against Ivan Nova with a pop up to Cano. Ryan Sweeney then took three straight pitches for a strikeout. Pedroia made up for his error with a two out single to center. Adrian Gonzalez flied out to Granderson at the edge of the Monster to end the inning. 

Nick Swisher led off the second with a wind blown homer into the Monster seats to start. Raul Ibanez grounded out to second and then Eric Chavez homered into the bullpen as well. Russell Martin grounded out to third but Derek Jeter got on with a single off the glove of Kevin Youkilis. Granderson singled Jeter over to third with a hit to right but A-Rod forced Granderson to end the inning with the score now 3-0 Yankees. 

                                                   Yankees add to the lead

The Sox attempted to rally in the bottom of the second as David Ortiz hit a ball off the top of the center field wall that was called a double. Sox manager Bobby Valentine argued it was a home run and after replay, Ortiz second home run of the year to cut the deficit. Youkilis doubled down the right field line and advanced to third on the ground out to first by Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Cody Ross then struck out swinging to kill the rally as Jason Repko continued his torrid streak with a ground out to third to end the inning. The Sox did manager to cut the lead 3-1.

                                         "That's a home run ya worthless umpire!" - BV

Cano singled off the glove of Buchholz to begin the top of the third but Teixeira popped up to center. Nick Swisher worked an eight pitch walk but Buchholz escaped trouble when Ibanez banged into a double play to end the inning. Aviles grounded out to sort to begin the bottom of the third but Ryan Sweeney doubled to left. Once again the Sox could do nothing as Pedroia flied out to center and Gonzalez looked at strike three to end the inning. 

Chavez tagged Buchholz again for his second home run of the day to dead center to begin the the top of the fourth. Repko then made the catch of the year, robbing Martin of a sure double. Granderson grounded out to and Jeter struck out to end the inning but the Yankees led 4-1. 

                                                          Repko with a damn good catch

Nova cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Ortiz grounded out to Teixeira to start. Youkilis grounded out to short and Saltalamacchia continued his 2 for 26 slump by striking out swinging to end the inning.

A-Rod crushed a homer over the Monster to begin the top of the fifth inning but Cano grounded out to second. Teixeira grounded out to first and Swisher lined out to short to end the inning with the Yankees up 5-1.

                                                                 Rodriguez goes deep

Cody Ross led off the top of the fifth with a double off the centerfield wall but Cano robbed Repko of a hit with a diving catch. Aviles then drove home Ross when Swisher lost the ball in the sun allowing Aviles to reach second. Sweeney lined out to left and Pedroia flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox down 5-2

                                                            Aviles with a sun aided rbi

The Yankees struck again in the top of the sixth although Ibanez popped up to center to start. Pedroia did not lose a pop up by Chavez this time, retiring him for the second out. Martin then hit another bomb off Buchholz for the fifth homer of the day for the Yankees. Jeter struck out to end the inning with the Yankees now leading 6-2.

                                                Jeter is out but the Yankees get a run

Gonzalez struck out swinging to start the bottom of the sixth but Ortiz singled to right. Youkilis got hit on the elbow but Saltalamacchia continued his season long slump by hitting into a double play to end the inning.

Buchholz returned briefly in the top of the seventh but walked Granderson to end his day. He allowed 6 runs off 5 home runs in 6 plus innings, yuck! Scott Atchison came in and struck out A-Rod swinging, but Granderson took second on a wild pitch. Cano grounded back to the mound and Teixeira grounded out to second to end the inning.

                                                            Not good enough, Clay!

Cory Wade came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Ross grounded out to third begin. Nate Spears pinch hit for Repko and looked at strike three but Aviles somehow singled up the middle but Sweeney grounded out to second to end the inning. 

Swisher led off the top of the eighth with a double down the line to chase Atchinson. Justin Thomas was brought in who allowed Ibanez to single Swisher to third but recovered to strike out Chavez looking. Valentine pulled Thomas for the returning Junichi Tazawa who missed 2011 with Tommy John surgery. The Sox then caught a break when Ibanez was caught in a run down with Swisher asleep at third for out number two. Martin grounded out to short to end the inning. 

                                                           Yerrrr out!

David Robertson replaced Wade for the bottom of the eighth inning and struck out Pedroia swinging. Gonzalez somehow singled to left but Ortiz lined out to center. Youk whiffed to end the inning.

Tazawa returned for the top of the ninth and got Jeter to ground back to the mound to start. Granderson lined out to Pedroia and A-Rod flied out to center to end the inning. Cody Eppley replaced Robertson for the bottom of the ninth and Saltalamacchia somehow singled to right. Quick hook Yankees manager Joe Girardi pulled Eppley for invincible closer Mariano Rivera. Rivera punched out Ross swinging as Nick Punto pinch hit for Nate Spears. Punto struck out swinging and Aviles grounded out to second to end the game. The Yankees had won it 6-2.

                                                                      Yankees win

Jackass of the Night is Clay Buchholz. He allowed 5 home runs and 6 total runs to put the Sox in a hole they couldn't climb out of.

                                                               Jackass Buchholz

The Good:

Mike Aviles was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

David Ortiz was 2 for 4 with a home run.

Kevin Youkilis was 1 for 3.

Scott Atchison pitched a full scoreless inning.

Justin Thomas got the first out of the eighth inning.

Junichi Tazawa tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad: 

Jason Repko was 0 for 2.

Nate Spears struck out as a pinch hitter.

Nick Punto struck out as a pinch hitter

The Ugly: 

Ryan Sweeney was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout and an error.

Adrian Gonzalez was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Cody Ross was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

It seems typical that on the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park this year's team looks borderline lifeless. Its been a perfect storm as Buchholz got shelled just like Jon Lester the other night against Texas and the offense has been dormant. The problem is without Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury, the likes of Jason Repko and Nate Spears have to play....and they aren't good. Saltalamacchia is about an automatic out as you can get right now and Youkilis is only recently coming out of it. Without Crawford and Ellsbury at the top of the lineup, the Sox don't have the table setters that Gonzalez, Youkilis and Ortiz should be driving in. That doesn't help the pitching though and the rotation has picked up where they left off in 2011 getting shelled more often than dominating. Its only April so the Sox have plenty of time to wake up but playing from behind in all thirteen games this season isn't a recipe for success. The Sox have now dropped 4 in a row and 9 of their last 13 overall. The Sox look to stem the tide tomorrow when Felix Doubront pitches for the Sox tomorrow to try and right the ship. He goes up against Freddy Garcia of the Yankees at 4:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Rangers Pull Away Late, Beat Sox (4/18/12)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a shocking but necessary roster move. Mark Melancon has been an unmitigated disaster this season so far and the Sox are sending him down to Pawtucket to regain confidence. In his place the Sox called up Junichi Tazawa. Three years ago he was a promising starter before Tommy John surgery. Let's see how he does as a reliever.

                                                                           OUT

                                                                   IN

Another game, another loss for the Boston Red Sox. After getting plastered by the Texas Rangers last night, the Sox turned to Josh Beckett (1-2, 5.03 ERA) to be the stopper. He did manage to hold Texas to 3 runs through seven innings to give the team a chance. The problem was Derek Holland was better than he was, holding the stagnated Red Sox offense to just 2 runs. Franklin Morales pulled a Melancon and melted down in the top of the eighth inning, allowing three runs. The Sox failed to respond in their next two innings and the Rangers had once again beaten the Red Sox 6-3 at Fenway Park.

Beckett got the ball in the top of the first inning and Ian Kinsler struck out swinging to start. Elvis Andrus flied out to right but Josh Hamilton dropped a base hit to left. Adrian Beltre forced Hamilton at second to end the inning. Holland got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Mike Aviles walked to start. Aviles stole second and moved to third on the grounder to short by Dustin Pedroia. The rally ended as Adrian Gonzalez struck out swinging and Cody Ross took strike three to end the inning.

Nelson Cruz popped up to Gonzalez to start the top of the second before David Murphy flied out to center. Mitch Moreland popped up to a running Darnell McDonald to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second as David Ortiz hit an opposite field double into the left field corner to start. Kevin Youkilis broke out of his slump with his first home run of the year to put the Sox on top. Kelly Shoppach struck out swinging, McDonald flied out to center and Jason Repko lined out to second to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                          Youkilis hits one out

Naturally the Rangers struck back in the top of the third inning as Brandon Snyder struck out swinging to begin. Kinsler walked and Andrus smashed a ball off the Monster, moving Ian to third but Andrus was thrown out at second by McDonald. As usual Hamilton hit one in the hole at second and beat out the throw to score Kinsler. Beltre hit a seeing eye single to left but Cruz struck out swinging to end the inning with the Rangers down 2-1.

                                                 "That damn Hamilton again" - Gonzalez

Aviles dumped a base hit to left to start the bottom of the third but was immediately picked off. Pedroia popped up to center and Gonzalez struck out swinging again to end the inning.

                                                                 Yerrrrr out!

The Rangers went ahead for good in the top of the fourth as Murphy singled to center to start. Napoli hit yet another home run this series to put the Rangers on top. Beckett punched out both Moreland and Snyder swinging before Kinsler flied out to center to end the inning. The Rangers had taken the lead 3-2.

                                                                 Napoli hits a home run

Ross flied out to right to start the bottom of the fourth before Ortiz did the same. Youkilis grounded out to short to end the inning.

Beckett cruised in the top of the fifth as Andrus grounded out to short to start. Hamilton grounded out to second and Beltre flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the fifth as Shoppach walked to start. McDonald lined out to a running Hamilton and Repko popped up to second. Aviles walked but Pedroia popped up to second to end the inning.

Beckett blew away Cruz to start the top of the sixth before Murphy grounded out to second. Napoli flied out to center to end the inning. Holland matched in the bottom of the sixth as Gonzalez popped up to short to start. Ross flied out to center and Ortiz took strike three to end the inning.

Beckett returned for the top of the seventh and Moreland flied out to left to start. Snyder struck out swinging and Kinsler grounded out to third to end the inning. Beckett was solid, holding the Rangers to just 3 runs in 7 innings but the Sox just couldn't generate any offense for him.

                                                       Beckett got no help tonight

Youkilis struck out swinging to start the bottom of the seventh but Shoppach doubled to right. McDonald grounded out to short and Nick Punto pinch hit for Repko. Spears struck out swinging to end the inning.

Things fell apart for the Sox in the top of the eighth with Franklin Morales now on the mound and Nate Spears in left. Andrus flied out to center but naturally Hamilton got a base hit to right. Hamilton took second on a passed ball and Beltre was intentionally walked to set up a force. Cruz walked to load the bases and Craig Gentry was sent in to pinch hit for Murphy. Gentry was plunked to score Hamilton and Sox manager Bobby Valentine still refused to take Morales out. Napoli did the honors with a double to center to score Beltre and Cruz. Moreland was intentionally walked and finally Valentine woke up from his nap to yank Morales. Matt Albers came in and Snyder banged into a double play to end the inning with the Rangers ahead 6-2.

                                                    "Well this sucks" - Gonzalez

Alexi Ogando came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Aviles flied out to center to start. Pedroia grounded out to short and Gonzalez grounded out to second to end the inning. 

Albers returned for the top of the ninth and Kinsler dropped a base hit to left to start. Kinsler got picked off and Andrus struck out swinging, but Hamilton walked. Beltre forced Hamilton at second to end the inning. The Sox had a small rally against Joe Nathan in the bottom of the ninth as Ross walked to start. Ortiz struck out swinging but Beltre threw a routine grounder by Youkilis away for an error. Ryan Sweeney pinch hit for Shoppach and got a base hit to right to score Ross and move Youk to third. Jarrod Saltalamacchia pinch hit for McDonald and with the game on the line....he hit a bullet to Snyder who doubled off Sweeney to end the game. The Rangers had won it 6-3.

                                                     Rangers win

Jackass of the Night is Franklin Morales. He turned a 3-2 deficit into 6-2 real quick

                                                      Jackass Morales

The Good:

Mike Aviles was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and a stolen base.

Kelly Shoppach was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Ryan Sweeney singled and drove in a run as a pinch hitter.

One of the rare times the losing pitcher ends up on the Good list but Josh Beckett allowed just 3 runs while going 7 innings. He walked 1 and struck out 7.

Mat Albers tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 4.

Adrian Gonzalez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Darnell McDonald was 0 for 3.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia lined out as a pinch hitter.

Jason Repko was 0 for 2.

Nick Punto struck out as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

Cody Ross was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

David Ortiz was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.

Kevin Youkilis was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but the one hit was a 2 run home run.

Honorable Mention:

Nate Spears played left field in the final two innings.

Final Thoughts:

Forget the fact that the Sox have allowed 24 runs the past two games combined, the chilling part is they've only scored six. For an offense that was supposed to be the "best team EVER" last year, this year they're pretty anemic. I know the injuries to Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford hurt but they shouldn't hurt THIS much. Derek Holland shutting you down for 7 innings is pretty bad. Beckett pitched well all things considered but the Sox couldn't generate any offense. Saltalamacchia hit an absolute rocket in the ninth, it just happened to be where Brandon Snyder was standing. If the ball gets by him that's at least a double with the tying run on second and only one out. That's just the way things have gone this year, one piece of bad news after another. The only silver lining was Youkilis hitting the home run to stick it to Valentine. Maybe Valentine pushing his buttons Bill Parcells style may actually wake him up. As bad as this series was, now the Sox need to turn it around because the New York Yankees are coming to down for the next series. They haven't gotten off to a great start either so taking this series could even things out. After an off-day tomorrow, the Sox send out Clay Buchholz (1-0) to take on Ian Nova of the Yankees this coming Friday afternoon. The game begins at 3:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Rangers Massacre Red Sox (4/17/12)

Holy moly this month has gone completely south for the Boston Red Sox. After getting blanked by the Tampa Bay Rays yesterday, the Sox got annihilated by the defending American League champion Texas Rangers. Jon Lester (0-2, 5.82 ERA) got shelled for 7 runs and lasted just two innings. If that wasn't bad enough, Mark Melancon and the bullpen had a total meltdown in the final two innings as the Rangers scored TEN runs in the final two innings. Meanwhile Colby Lewis held the Sox to just two runs in 7 innings on a first inning home run by Dustin Pedroia. Josh Hamilton and Mike Napoli drove in 9 runs combined and the Rangers ran away with this one 18-3 at Fenway Park.

                                                       My sentiments exactly

Lester got the call in the top of the first inning and Ian Kinsler shot a base hit into center to start. Elvis Andrus struck out swinging on a nasty cutter but Josh Hamilton lined a base hit past Dustin Pedroia to move Kinsler to third. Old friend Adrian Beltre banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox struck first against Colby Lewis in the bottom of the first as Mike Aviles led off with a single off the Monster and Pedroia smashed his third home run of the year into the Monster Seats. Adrian Gonzalez slapped a seeing eye single to right but David Ortiz popped up to Beltre in foul territory. Kevin Youkilis looked at strike three on the outside corner but Ryan Sweeney doubled off the top of the centerfield wall. Cody Ross grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                               Sox take the lead

The Rangers exploded in the top of the second as Michael Young struck out swinging to start. Nelson Cruz doubled to center and Mike Napoli hit a home run all the way to Florida to tie the game. Yorvit Torrealba walked, Craig Gentry ripped a base hit to center and Kinsler walked to load the bases. Andrus beat out a roller to the mound to score Torrealba but Ross dropped a pop up by Hamilton. Kinsler ended up being forced at third but Gentry scored to increase the lead. Beltre singled in the hole at second to load the bases but Young grounded out to short to end the inning with Lester at 63 pitches and the Rangers ahead 4-2.

                                                                   Rangers take the lead

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the second as Jarrod Saltalamacchia flied out to center to start. Jason Repko took strike three on the outside corner and Aviles struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Rangers finished off Lester in the top of the third as Cruz roped a base hit to center to start. Napoli and Torrealba drew back to back walks and that was mercifully it for Lester. He was absolutely horrible, eventually being charged with 7 runs in 2 plus innings. Scott Atchison came in to take a beating as Gentry forced Napoli at third but Cruz scored another run. Kinsler walked to re-load the bases and Andrus scored Torrealba with a sac fly to the right field wall. Hamilton dumped a base hit to right to score Gentry and move Kinsler to third. Beltre flied out to right to end the inning with the Rangers ahead 7-2.

                                                              Hamilton adds to the score

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the third as Pedroia grounded out to short to start. Gonzalez flied out to right but Gentry trapped a sinking live drive by Ortiz for a hit. Youkilis struck out swinging to end the inning.

Atchison cruised in the top of the fourth as Young struck out swinging to start. Cruz grounded out to third and Napoli struck out swinging to end the inning. Sweeney popped up to Beltre in foul territory to start the bottom of the fourth but Ross beat out a roller off of Lewis' glove for a single. Saltalamacchia flied out to center but Repko lashed a base hit to left. Ross made it to third but Repko was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double to end the inning.

                                                            "You're out you dummy!"

Atchison struck out Torrealba swinging on a slider to start the top of the fifth but Gentry lined a base hit to center. Kinsler grounded back to the mound but Gentry broke up the double play by wiping out Aviles at second. Andrus forced Kinsler at second to end the inning. Aviles flied out to left to start the bottom of the fifth before Pedroia popped up to Beltre in foul territory. Gonzalez popped up to center to end the inning.

The Rangers struck again in the top of the sixth as Hamilton grounded out to second to start. Beltre popped up to first but Young hit a home run all the way to Cuba to increase the lead. Cruz flied out to right to end the inning with the Rangers up 8-2.

                                                               Young drives one out

Ortiz grounded out to second to start the bottom of the sixth and Youkilis struck out swinging to earn the hat trick. Sweeney doubled off the bottom of the Monster but Ross lined out to short to end the inning.

Matt Albers came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Napoli popped up to left to start. Torrealba flied out to the right field warning track and Gentry popped up to first in foul territory to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the seventh as Saltamacchia popped up to Napoli to start. Repko struck out swinging and Aviles was frozen for strike three to end the inning.

Things fell apart in the top of the eighth with Mark Melancon on the mound as Kinsler hit a straight fastball right down the middle off the Monster for a double before Andrus drew a walk. Hamilton hit a home run all the way to Alabama and Beltre followed with a home run to South Carolina as the boo's rained down. David Murphy pinch hit for Young and drew a walk before Cruz launched a home run to Arizona to mercifully knock out Melancon from the game. Justin Thomas came into the game to take a beating as NESN showed a graphic that Josh Hamilton's home run landed 15 rows lower than the Ted Williams red seat. For those that don't know Ted Williams hit the longest home run recorded at Fenway marked by a red seat and Hamilton's home run was pretty close to it. Napoli singled to the left field wall but Torrealba took strike three to get a mock cheer from the Fenway crowd. A wild pitch moved Napoli to second and Gentry singled in the hole at short to put runners at the corners. Alberto Gonzalez pinch hit for Kinsler and scored Napoli with a grounder to third. Andrus doubled to center to score Gentry and Brandon Snyder pinch hit for Hamilton. Snyder walked but Beltre popped up to right to end the inning with the Rangers up 16-2...woof!

                                                           "Well this sucks"

Koji Uehara came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Nate Spears pinch hit for Pedroia. Spears struck out swinging but Gonzalez launched his second home run of the year to cut the lead. Ortiz grounded out to second and Youkilis struck out swinging to earn the golden sombrero plus end the inning with the Sox down 16-3.

                                                                        Gonzalez goes yard

Vicente Padilla came in and he took a beating as well in the top of the ninth as Murphy broke an 0 for 13 slump with a base hit to left. Cruz struck out swinging but Napoli hit yet another home run to Winchester Mass to wrap up the scoring. Torrealba got the Rangers' 21st hit of the night with a base hit to left but was forced at second by Gentry. Gonzalez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Rangers up 18-3.

                                                                    Napoli hits another out

Mark Lowe came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and Sweeney singled to right to start. Ross struck out swinging and Saltalamacchia lined out to second before Repko earned the hat trick with a swinging strikeout to end the game. The Rangers had annihilated the Red Sox 18-3.

                                                                   What a loss

Jackass of the Night is Jon Lester. He set the tone for the night by allowing 7 runs in 2 plus innings and putting the Sox in a hole they couldn't climb out of.

                                                          Jon Jackass

The Good:

Dustin Pedroia was 1 for 3 with a 2 run home run.

Adrian Gonzalez was 2 for 4 with a home run.

Ryan Sweeney was 3 for 4.

Scott Atchison allowed just 1 run in 4 innings.

Matt Albers pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

The Bad:

Nate Spears struck out as a pinch hitter.

Kevin Youkilis was 0 for 4 with a golden sombrero of 4 strikeouts.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was 0 for 4.

Mark Melancon allowed 6 runs without recording an out.

Justin Thomas allowed 2 runs in an inning of work.

Vicente Padilla allowed 2 runs in an inning of work.

The Ugly:

Mike Aviles was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.

David Ortiz was just 1 for 4.

Cody Ross was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jason Repko was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Final Thoughts:

Talk about a living hell for the Boston Red Sox. The stench of September 2011 followed them into this season and they still haven't looked right. Not only did Lester get pounded but the bats were silenced by Colby Lewis and Melancon looks like a deer in the headlights. His body language in the eighth made it seem like he wanted to be anywhere else but Fenway. The Sox have to do something with him because the Sox sent off "Glasbones" Jed Lowrie for him but so far he's giving them less than Glassbones ever did. Lester will have bad days and so will the offense but it just seems like nothing's gone right for the Sox this year similar to the end of last year. The only highlights was Gonzalez hitting a home run, Sweeney going 3 for 4 and Matt Albers not giving up a run. Otherwise the defending repeat American League champion Rangers pounded out 21 hits and 18 runs. Hopefully they wore themselves out and the Sox can serve it back to them tomorrow. After all any time the Sox score 10 runs they do absolutely nothing the next day. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow against the Rangers when Josh Beckett (1-1) takes the mound against Derek Holland of Texas. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Shields Outduels Bard, Rays Beat Sox (4/16/12)

Before tonight's game trouble brewed in the clubhouse of the Boston Red Sox. Manager Bobby Valentine ripped Kevin Youkilis after Sunday's win by saying he wasn't "emotionally invested in the game as in years past." To say Youkilis isn't trying as hard rubbed teammates the wrong way and Dustin Pedroia was the first to come to Youk's defense by saying "That's really not how we go about our stuff around here." Nevertheless this is the second time in a month that Valentine has quipped or gone off on a Sox player. He ripped into Nick Punto during Spring Training and there were rumors that he wasn't well liked in the clubhouse to begin with. The good news was the Boston Bruins defeated the Washington Capitals in Game 3 of their first round NHL playoff series but the bad news was the Sox dropped the series finale against the Tampa Bay Rauys The whole drama played out on the field as the offense that had no trouble scoring the last three games put up a goose egg against the Rays. "Big Game" James Shields lived up to his billing as he nearly tossed a complete game shutout against the Sox. Daniel Bard (0-2, 4.63 ERA) pitched valiantly against the Rays, allowing just 1 run in 6 2/3 innings. That run in the seventh inning would be the only run scored during the game. Youkilis was benched for fighting back with comments against Valentine (the cockamamie media reason was he had a "groin" problem) and the lack of offense doomed the Sox as they dropped their Patriot's Day game 1-0 to the Rays at Fenway Park.

                                                 Pedroia is not happy with Valentine

Bard got the ball in the top of the first and Jennings took strike three to start. Carlos Pena lined out to first and Evan Longoria flied out to center to end the inning. Mike Aviles led off the bottom of the first with a pop up to first to start. Sox analysts Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy chastised Valentine over the Youkilis comments saying Kevin always gives it 100% when he plays. Dustin Pedroia grounded out to short and Adrian Gonzalez struck out swinging to end the inning.

Luke Scott grounded out to short to start the top of the second but Ben Zobrist was hit in the foot. Matt Joyce flied out to left but Jeff Keppinger walked. Ryan Sweeney made a good diving catch to rob Jose Molina of a hit to end the inning. David Ortiz grounded out to third to start the bottom of the second before Cody Ross lined a base hit off the backside of Shields. Ross took second on a wild pitch but Sweeney could only advance him to third on a grounder to short. Nick Punto grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Sean Rodriguez struck out swinging to open the top of the third but Jennings walked. Jennings swiped second but Pena and Longoria both struck out swinging to end the inning. Jarrod Saltalamacchia led off the bottom of the third with a ground out to first before Darnell McDonald grounded out to third and Aviles took strike three to end the inning.

Scott led off the top of the fourth by grounding out to first to start. Zobrist walked and Joyce beat out a roller to second but Keppinger grounded into a double play to end the inning. Pedroia grounded back to Shields to start the bottom of the fourth but Gonzalez singled off the Monster. Ortiz grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Molina and Rodriguez both grounded out to third to start the top of the fifth but Jennings doubled into the left field corner. Pena walked but Longoria struck out swinging to end the inning. Ross took strike three to start the bottom of the fifth before Sweeney pulled a ground out to second. Punto drew a walk but Saltalamacchia popped up to left to end the inning.

Scott dropped a base hit in front of Ross to start the top of the sixth but Zobrist struck out swinging. Joyce hit into a double play to end the inning. McDonald led off the bottom of the sixth with a ground out to third and Aviles lined out to Keppinger. Pedroia lined a base hit to left but Gonzalez grounded back to the first to end the inning.

Bard ran out of gas in the top of the seventh inning as Keppinger grounded out to third to start. Molina was called out on strikes but Rodriguez walked. Jennings dumped a base hit to center on Bard's 102nd pitch. Despite clear signs that he was finished, Valentine stood there and let Bard pitch to Pena. Pena walked and Bard was up to 107 pitches yet Valentine kept him out there. Longoria walked on four pitches not even close and FINALLY Valentine pulled him. Bobby still thinking its 1992 when the starters went 8 innings cost the Sox big time as Bard left after walking 7 batters but allowing 1 run in 6 2/3 innings. Justin Thomas came in to pitch and got Scott to fly out to right to end the inning with the Rays ahead 1-0.

                                                                   Bard deserved better

Reid Brignac took over for Keppinger to start the bottom of the seventh and Ortiz popped up to third to start. Ross got a base hit to left but Sweeney banged into a double play to end the inning.

Thomas returned for the top of the eighth and Zobrist beat out a roller to short to start. Matt Joyce popped up to short and Zobrist was thrown out trying to steal. Brignac struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the eighth as Punto struck out swinging to start. Saltalamacchia grounded out to second and McDonald grounded out to short to end the inning.

Matt Albers came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Molina grounded back to the mound to start. Rodriguez singled to center but Jennings lined out to center. Pena singled to right to move Rodriguez to third but Longoria was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to end the inning. Shields came back to complete his work in the bottom of the ninth and Aviles grounded out to short to start. Pedroia walked to chase Shields. Fernando Rodney came in to close out the game and Gonzalez moved Dustin to second with a ground out to first. Ortiz was intentionally walked and Jason Repko came in to run for him. Ross was called out on strikes on pitches not even close to end the game. The Rays had blanked the Sox and won the game 1-0.

                                                             Rays win

Jackass of the Night is Ryan Sweeney. He was 0 for 3 with a strikeout including failing with men on base twice.

                                                      Ryan Jackass

The Good:

Dustin Pedroia was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Cody Ross was 2 for 4.

One of the rare times the losing pitcher ends up on the Good list but Daniel Bard allowed just 1 run in 6 2/3 innings of work. He allowed 4 hits, walked 7 and struck out 7.

Justin Thomas tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Matt Albers pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Mike Aviles was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was 0 for 3.

Darnell McDonald was 0 for 3.

The Ugly:

Adrian Gonzalez was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

David Ortiz was 0 for 3 but walked.

Nick Punto was 0 for 2 with a strikeout but walked.

Honorable Mention:

Jason Repko pinch ran for Ortiz in the bottom of the ninth.

Final Thoughts:

Forget the game for a second, clubhouse dissention goes far beyond a single loss. What Valentine did was ruffle the feathers of a clubhouse that's already on edge after last year's collapse. Valentine was notorious for pushing buttons as a manager in the 80's and 90's but this is 2012. Not to mention if he was trying to light a fire under Youkilis and the team by calling him out, he failed big time. The Sox had no trouble scoring against the Rays the first three games and didn't push a single run across in today's game. Bard pitched his ass off and ran out of gas in the seventh inning. Valentine left him in to rot but it didn't matter anyway because Shields shut the Sox down the whole game. Why Valentine let him throw that many pitches in April is another head scratcher, maybe he still thinks its 1992 when starters went the distance no matter what. Either way Bard took the loss mainly because of the offense, not so much of Valentine falling asleep in the dugout. The Sox now welcome the Texas Rangers in for a set and the first game will be tomorrow night. Jon Lester (0-1) goes for the Sox against Colby Lewis of the Rangers. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Drop Rays (4/15/12)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Che-Suan Lin was sent down to Pawtucket in favor of 31 year old Jason Repko and Nate Spears. Sox brass didn't want to waste Lin on the bench and would rather have him play every day in Pawtucket. Repko started his rookie year with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2005 but hasn't done much since.

                                                                            OUT

                                                                  IN

Don't look now but the Boston Red Sox have won three games in a row against the Tampa Bay Rays. After laying waste to their bungholes for 25 runs in the past two games, this time the Sox needed ro rally against the Rays to pull out the victory. Felix Doubront lasted just 5 innings while allowing 4 runs in a mediocre start. The Sox did manage to take the lead on a 3 run home run by Cody Ross in the second inning against Matt Moore of Tampa. The Rays rallied to tie the game but David Ortiz doubled home Kevin Youkilis to put the Sox on top. Mike Aviles hit a home run in the bottom of the seventh and the Sox bullpen slammed the door. Alfredo Aceves got the save and the Sox made it three in a row with a 6-4 victory over the Rays at Fenway Park.

                                                          Lisa Seiffert approves of the win

Doubront got the ball in the top of the first inning and Desmond Jennings took strike three to open the game. Carlos Pena took strike three but Evan Longoria walked. Jeff Keppinger popped up to short to end the inning. Moore got the ball in the bottom of the first and Mike Aviles led off with a swinging strikeout. Dustin Pedroia popped up to short and Adrian Gonzalez lined out to center to end the inning.

Ben Zobrist struck out swinging to open the top of the second before Luke Scott hit one up the elevator shaft. Sean Rodiguez lined out to second to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second as Kevin Youkilis singled to left to start. David Ortiz doubled to right and Cody Ross smashed a 3 run home run over the Monster Seats to put the Sox on top. Darnell McDonald grounded out to third, Kelly Shoppach popped up to third and Jason Repko made his Sox debut by popping up to short to end the inning with the Sox up 3-0.

                                                               Ross crushes a home run

Matt Joyce singled to right to start the top of the third but Chris Gimenez flied out to center. Jennings hit a ground rule double into the bullpen but Pena struck out swinging. Longoria grounded out to third to end the inning. Aviles grounded out to second to start the bottom of the third but Pedroia grounded out to third. Gonzalez struck out swinging to end the inning.

Keppinger hit a ground rule double into the right to start the top of the fourth but Zobrist lined out to third. Scott struck out swinging but Rodriguez singled in the hole at short. Keppinger tried to score from second but was thrown out at home to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Youkilis struck out swinging to start. Ortiz singled up the first base line and Ross walked, but McDonald struck out swinging. Shoppach ripped a double to left that scored Ortiz but Ross was thrown out at home to end the inning with the Sox up 4-0.

                                                                     Yerrrrr out!

Doubront lost it in the top of the fifth although Joyce took strike three to start. Gimenez singled in the hole at third and Jennings singled to left before Pena doubled to right to score both of them. Longoria hit a ground rule double into the right field stands to score Pena but Keppinger flied out to center. A wild pitch moved Longoria to third but Zobrist took strike three to end the inning with the Rays down 4-3.

                                                        Pena drives in a pair

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the fifth as Repko took strike three to begin. Aviles flied out to center and Pedroia grounded out to short to end the inning.

Doubront returned for the top of the sixth briefly only to give up the tying home run to Scott. Doubront fell apart in the fifth inning as he was charged with 4 runs in just 5 plus innings. Scott Atchison came in and Rodriguez singled in the hole before Joyce walked. Gimenez bunted foul for strike three and that was it for Atchison. Vicente Padilla came in and struck out Jennings swinging before getting Pena to fly out to right to end the inning with the game tied 4-4.

                                                         Doubront was perfectly mediocre

The Sox answered in the bottom of the sixth although Gonzalez grounded out to first to start. Youkilis walked and came all the way around to score on the double to center by Ortiz to put Boston back on top. Ross was intentionally walked and both runners moved over on the grounder to first by McDonald. Shoppach was intentionally walked to load the bases but Repko flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-4.

                                                         Youkilis scores the go-ahead run

Padilla returned for the top of the seventh and Longoria flied out to center to start. Keppinger beat out an infield single to short but Gonzalez fielded a ball stuck by Zobrist off of Padilla to get Jeff at second. Scott struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox got a big insurance run when Aviles clocked his second home run of the year to start the bottom of the seventh. Pedroia flied out to left but Gonzalez singled to left to chase Moore. Joel Peralta came in and got Youkilis to fly out to right before Ortiz grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-4.

                                                       Aviles goes deep

Franklin Morales came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Rodriguez popped up to first to start. Jose Molina pinch hit for Joyce and got a base hit to left. Gimenez also singled to left but Jennings flied out to left and Pena grounded out to short to end the inning. Fernando Rodney came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Ross struck out swinging to start. McDonald flied out to center and Shoppach flied out to left to end the inning.

Alfredo Aceves came in to close out the top of the ninth and Longoria flied out to right to start. Keppinger lined out to center and Zobrist struck out swinging to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-4.

                                                                Sox win

Hero of the Night is David Ortiz. His rbi double in the sixth was the go-ahead rbi.

                                                      Ross and our Hero

The Good:

Kevin Youkilis was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Cody Ross was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and a 3 run homer.

Kelly Shoppach was 1 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Scott Atchison got the first out of the sixth inning.

Vicente Padilla got the win with 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Franklin Morales pitched a scoreless inning.

Alfredo Aceves got the save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Jason Repko was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Darnell McDonald was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 4.

Felix Doubront allowed 4 runs in 5 plus innings.

The Ugly:

Mike Aviles was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but the one hit was a home run.

Adrian Gonzalez was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Final Thoughts:

This was an encouraging win because it showed the Sox ability to pull away late and slam the door. The bullpen has given games away late and the bats have been unable to fight back when trailing or tied. This is what the Sox are capable of when everyone is contributing. The only drawback to today was Felix Doubront be he's still young enough to figure it out. Jon Lester threw way too many pitches in 2006 and 2007 but figured it out eventually. Beating a team like the Rays three straight is tough and its a good thing Ross, Ortiz and Youkilis came to play. If the Sox want to erase the stigma of last year then they need to keep the momentum as they go for the series sweep tomorrow morning against the Rays on the special Patriots Day matinee. Daniel Bard (0-1) gets the start against Rays ace James Shields. The game begins at 11:00 AM at Fenway Park.