Mariners Blank Red Sox (4/30/11)

The good news was the Boston Bruins defeated the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 1 of their second round NHL playoff series but the bad news was the Boston Red Sox were shut out by the Seattle Mariners. The horrible month of April is finally over for the Sox and naturally it ended with yet another loss. Doug Fister of the Mariners tossed 5 2/3 innings of shutout ball and Mariners bullpen completed the shutout afterwards. John Lackey (2-3, 5.65 ERA) was game by allowing just 2 runs in 6 innings, but those two runs just happened to be the difference. The Sox had chances to take the lead early and tie the game but couldn't get it done as the Mariners beat Boston 2-0 at Fenway Park. How many runs did the Sox score Dean Wormer?

Lackey got the ball in the top of the first inning and Ichiro Suzuki dropped a base hit to center to start. Chone Figgins took strike three but Ichiro swiped second. Lackey then turned and fired the ball 100 feet over the head of shortstop Jed Lowrie and Ichiro made it to third on the error. Milton Bradley took strike three and Miguel Olivo grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox blew their only chance to take the lead in the bottom of the first against Fister as Jacoby Ellsbury walked to start. Ellsbury was erased on the Dustin Pedroia force but Adrian Gonzalez dropped a base hit to center. Kevin Youkilis walked but David Ortiz struck out swinging. JD Drew flied out to center to end the inning, what a waste.

Justin Smoak struck out swinging to start the top of the second but Jack Cust walked. Michael Saunders popped up to Youkilis and Brendan Ryan grounded out to second to end the inning. Jed Lowrie led off the top of the second inning by taking strike three. Carl Crawford grounded out to first and Jarrod Saltalamacchia lined out to left to end the inning.

The Mariners struck first in the top of the third as Jack Wilson popped up to first to start. Ichiro walked and Figgins singled him to third before Suzuki scored on the Bradley double to left. Olivo grounded out to third and Bradley started screaming at the second base umpire for absolutely no reason. Bradley had to be carried out by the third base coach kicking and screaming as Ryan Langerhans pinch ran for Bradley. Smoak grounded out to first to end the inning with the Mariners ahead 1-0.

                                          Bradley puts the Mariners on top....before he was ejected

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the third as Ellsbury doubled to right to start. Pedroia grounded out to third, Gonzalez struck out swinging and Youkilis grounded out to short to end the inning.

Lackey got in trouble in the top of the fourth as Cust walked to start. Saunders flied out to left and Ryan popped up to first, but Wilson got a hit just out of the reach of Pedroia to move Cust to third. Ichiro grounded into a force to end the inning. Ortiz struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fourth before Drew grounded out to second. Lowrie doubled to right but Crawford popped up to right to end the inning.

Figgins singled to center to start the top of the fifth but Langerhans flied out to left. Olivo flied out to the centerfield warning track and Smoak grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox blew another rally in the bottom of the fifth as Saltalamacchia doubled to left to start. Ellsbury and Pedroia drew back to back walks to load the bases but Gonzalez hit a bullet to second, doubling off Jacoby for the double play. Youkilis popped up to first to end the inning, what a squander.

                                                            Yerrrrrr out!

The Mariners struck again in the top of the sixth as Cust and Saunders stroked back to back base hits to left to start. Ryan dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners over and Wilson scored Cust with a sac fly to center. Ichiro walked but Figgins grounded out to short to end the inning. That was it for Lackey who allowed just 2 runs in 6 innings but left trailing 2-0.

                                              Lackey battled but left trailing

The Sox blew another rally in the bottom of the sixth as Ortiz popped up to Ichiro to start. Drew doubled to center and moved to third on the Lowrie fly ball to the centerfield warning track. Crawford walked and that was it for Fister. Aaron Laffey came in and Saltlamacchia hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

Hideki Okajima came in to pitch the top of the seventh inning and Langerhans grounded back to him to start. Olivo grounded out to third and Smoak struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox blew yet another rally in the bottom of the seventh as Ellsbury's bunt attempt was snuffed out by Laffey to start. Pedroia grounded out to short. Gonzalez walked and Youkilis doubled to left to put the tying runs on. Marco Scutaro pinch ran for Youkilis but Ortiz flied out to left to end the inning.

Okajima returned for the top of the eighth and Cust grounded into the shift to start. Saunders popped up a bunt to Okajima and that was it for him. Dan Wheeler came in and got Ryan to pop up to first to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the eighth as Drew flied out to center to start. Lowrie grounded out to third and Crawford flied out to center to end the inning.

Wheeler came back for the top of the ninth and Wilson grounded out to Scutaro to start. Ichiro singled to center and stole second on the Figgins swinging strikeout. Langerhans popped up to third to end the inning. The Sox pitchers had held the Mariners to just 2 runs in 9 innings, what a waste. Mariners closer Brandon League came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Saltalamacchia singled to right to start. Ellsbury banged into a double play and Pedroia flied out to right to end the game. The Mariners had won it 2-0.

                                                                  Mariners win
                                                    

Jackass of the Night is David Ortiz. He was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts and left men on base all night.

                                                 Ortiz the unclutch Jackass

The Good:

Jacoby Ellsbury was 1 for 3 with 2 walks.

Adrian Gonzalez was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Kevin Youkilis was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was 2 for 4.

One of the rare times the losing pitcher ends up on the good list but John Lackey tossed 6 solid innings of 2 run ball. He allowed 7 hits and 4 walks.

Hideki Okajima tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Dan Wheeler tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 4 but walked.

JD Drew was just 1 for 4.

Jed Lowrie was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Carl Crawford was 0 for 3 but walked.

Honorable Mention:

Marco Scutaro was used as a pinch runner and played short in the top of the ninth.

Final Thoughts:

Finally this god awful month is over. How fitting that in the wake of the worst start possible the Sox would get shut out in the final game of the month? A season that had so much promise after the Adrian Gonzalez trade and Carl Crawford signing has completely gone up in smoke. The Sox lost 15 of their first 26 games in every way imaginable and there seems to be no end in sight. They are absolutely dreadful with runners in scoring position and if its the not the starters stinking the joint out, the bullpen ruins the good starts. Tonight's game was a microcosm as everyone had no problems getting on base but couldn't do a damn thing once guys were on. Lackey pitched a good, determined game and Wheeler & Okajima kept the M's off the scoreboard, it just wasn't enough since the Sox bats couldn't generate any offense. The month ends with the Sox at 11-15 and the news doesn't get any better. Clay Buchholz will not make the start tomorrow afternoon and will be replaced by Tim Wakefield as he goes up against AL Cy Young champion Felix Hernandez of the Mariners. The game begins at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Mariners Edge Sox Late (4/29/11)

It seems to be one step forward, one step back for the Boston Red Sox this month. After beating the Baltimore Orioles last night to feel good about themselves, they fell apart late against the Seattle Mariners in tonight's game. The problem was the bullpen was forced to throw 5 innings after Daisuke Matsuzaka regressed from his previous starts to throw just 4 innings. The Sox did take a 4-2 lead over Jason Vargas and the Mariners but Matt Albers and Bobby Jenks coughed up the game by the seventh inning. After the Mariners took the lead, not a single Sox batter reached base as Seattle dropped Boston 5-4 at Fenway Park.

                                                         "Oh Jenks....."

Dice K got the ball in the top of the first inning and the Mariners wasted no time tagging him. Ichiro Suzuki popped up to left to start but Chone Figgins walked. Milton Bradley flied out to right but Miguel Olivo doubled off the Monster. Justin Smoak lined a base hit to right to score both runners to give the Mariners the lead. Jack Cust took strike three to end the inning with the Mariners ahead 2-0.

                                                          Smoak puts Seattle on top

Jason Vargas got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jacoby Ellsbury grounded out to first to start. Dustin Pedroia grounded back to the mound but Adrian Gonzalez dropped a base hit to right. Kevin Youkilis struck out swinging to end the inning.

Adam Kennedy flied out to right to start the top of the second but Michael Saunders walked and swiped second. Brendan Ryan popped up to third and Ichiro flied out to left to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the second although David Ortiz grounded out to short to start. Jed Lowrie flied out to center but Mike Cameron wrapped his first home run of the season around the Pesky Pole to cut the lead. Jason Varitek flied out to Saunders to end the inning with the Mariners ahead 2-1.

                                               Home run Cameron

Dice K cruised in the top of the third inning as Figgins grounded out to second to start. Bradley took strike three and Olivo struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the third as Darnell McDonald walked to start. Ellsbury forced McDonald at second but Pedroia flied out to center. Gonzalez singled Ellsbury to third and Youkilis drove Jacoby in with a base hit. Ortiz scored Gonzalez with a base hit into the shift to give the Sox the lead. Lowrie flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-2.

                                                       Ortiz puts the Sox on top

Dice K battled in the top of the fourth as Smoak flied out to center to start. Cust and Kennedy drew back to back walks but Saunders struck out swinging. Ryan lined out to left to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth when Cameron launched his second home run of the game to add to the lead. Varitek singled to center but McDonald struck out swinging. Ellsbury singled in the hole at second but Pedroia banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-2.

                                                        Cameron hits another out

The Mariners finally chased Dice K in the top of the fifth inning as Ichiro singled up the middle to start. All of a sudden Jason Varitek walked to the mound and asked if Dice K was okay. Within seconds Varitek frantically waived for the trainer who sprinted out of the dugout. Dice K started clutching his arm and left the game. He had to be carried out on a stretcher, loaded into an ambulance and sent to Mass General's ICU. Matt Albers came in ice cold and Figgins dropped a base hit to left. Bradley hit a double play ball to Gonzalez who threw to second to get Figgins but Albers dropped the throw to first for an error to score Ichiro. Olivo flied out to right and Smoak took strike three to end the inning but it was 4-3 Sox.

                                                       Dice K leaves with injury

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Gonzalez grounded out to first to start. Youkilis walked but was doubled off first on a bullet hit by Ortiz right to Smoak to end the inning.

Albers walked Cust to start the top of the sixth but Kennedy popped up to short. Saunders popped up to right and Ryan grounded into a force to end the inning. Lowrie grounded out to third to start the bottom of the third and Cameron popped up to second. Varitek struck out swinging to end the inning.

Bobby Jenks came in to crap his pants in the top of the seventh as Ichiro singled to left and Figgins doubled past McDonald to start. Bradley struck out swinging but Olivo grounded out to second to score Ichiro to tie the game. Smoak walked and Cust doubled off the Monster to score Figgins with the go-ahead run. Kennedy grounded out to first to end the inning with the Mariners up 5-4.

                                                             Cust puts the M's on top

McDonald popped up to right to start the bottom of the seventh and Ellsbury took strike three. Pedroia flied out to center to end the inning.

Hideki Okajima came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Saunders walked to start. Ryan dropped down a bunt to advance Saunders to second but Ichiro walked. Figgins banged into a double play to end the inning. Jack Wilson took over for Kennedy and Jamey Wright came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth. Gonzalez flied out to Ichiro to start before Youkilis took strike three. Ortiz flied out to center to end the inning.

Daniel Bard came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Bradley grounded out to second to start. Olivo took strike threw and Smoak grounded out to second to end the inning. Brandon League came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Lowrie flied out to center to start. Cameron flied out to right and JD Drew pinch hit for Varitek. Drew took strike three to end the game, the Mariners had won it 5-4.

                                                          Mariners win

Jackass of the Night is Bobby Jenks. He took the loss by allowing 2 runs in the seventh inning.

                                                     Nice going Jackass

The Good:

Adrian Gonzalez was 2 for 4.

Kevin Youkilis was 1 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Mike Cameron was 2 for 4 with 2 solo home runs.

Jason Varitek was 1 for 3.

Hideki Okajima pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Daniel Bard pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 4.

Jed Lowrie was 0 for 4.

JD Drew struck out as a pinch hitter.

Daisuke Matsuzaka got rocked for 3 runs in just 4 plus innings.

The Ugly:

Jacoby Ellsbury was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

David Ortiz was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Darnell McDonald was 0 for 2 with an error but walked.

Matt Albers allowed an inherited runner to score and committed an error in 2 innings.

Final Thoughts:

Can this month end already? Every time the Red Sox look like they take the next step, they fall backwards. Jenks was supposed to be the answer to losing Billy Wagner in free agency but he got rocked tonight. The real problem was once the Mariners took the lead, the Sox offense went quietly in the final three innings. The offense is too good to be that unclutch so just add this game to the list of many they should have won. Its beyond frustrating at this point to see the Sox spoil a season that had so much promise. How does a team this good on paper lose 14 of their first 25 games? They've lost close games, they've lost blowouts, they just lose. Guess what they're going to do tomorrow? Probably going to lose. Tomorrow night John Lackey (2-2) goes up against Doug Fister of the Mariners at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Pull Away Late, Beat Orioles (4/28/11)

The past few days the Boston Red Sox would keep games close with the Baltimore Orioles only for them to get the winning or insurance runs late, tonight it was the opposite. Jon Lester (3-1, 2.52 ERA) pitched an 8 inning gem where he held the O's to just 2 runs. Dustin Pedroia broke a 2-2 deadlock with an rbi single in the top of the seventh as Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Jacoby Ellsbury drove in the next 3 runs to put the game out of reach. Jonathan Papelbon slammed the door in the bottom of the ninth and the Red Sox snapped their two game skid with a 6-2 victory over the O's at Camden Yards.

                                                   Liu Jian approves of the win

Brad Bergesen got the ball in the top of the first inning and the Sox wasted no time getting to him. Jacoby Ellsbury doubled to center but Dustin Pedroia struck out swinging. Adrian Gonzalez doubled to the left field wall to score Ellsbury with the first run. Kevin Youkilis walked but David Ortiz banged into a double play with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                      Gonzalez puts Boston on top

The O's struck back in the bottom of the first against Lester as Brian Roberts walked to start. Nick Markakis singled to right and Roberts stole third before he scored on the Derrek Lee base hit into left to tie the game. Vladimir Guerrero struck out swinging and Adam Jones banged into a double play to end the inning but it was tied 1-1.

                                                          Lee ties up the game

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second as JD Drew flied out to Jones on the first pitch. Jarrod Saltalamacchia grounded out to short and Carl Crawford flied out to right to end the inning. Lester settled down in the bottom of the second as Matt Wieters took strike three to start. Mark Reynolds grounded out to short and Jake Fox grounded out to second to end the inning.

Boston took the lead in the top of the third although Marco Scutaro flied out to center to start. Ellsbury dumped a base hit to left and moved to second on the grounder to third by Pedroia. Gonzalez slashed a base hit to right to score Ellsbury to give Boston the lead back. Youkilis flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-1.

                                                    Ellsbury puts the Sox back on top

Lester cruised in the bottom of the third as Robert Andino grounded out to short to start. Roberts flied out to right and Markakis flied out to left to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fourth as Ortiz flied out to left to start. Drew grounded out to short and Saltalamacchia took strike three to end the inning. Lester got in trouble in the bottom of the fourth although Lee watched strike three go by to begin. Guerrero grounded out to short but Jones and Wieters took back to back walks. Reynolds grounded out to short to end the inning.

Bergensen cruised in the top of the fifth as Crawford flied out to center to start. Scutaro also flied out to center and Ellsbury struck out swinging to end the inning. Lester dominated the bottom of the fifth as Fox flied out to center to start. Andino grounded out to third and Roberts flied out to left to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the sixth as Pedroia beat out an infield single to the mound to start. Gonzalez doubled down the left field line but Youkilis and Ortiz both struck out swinging. Drew was intentionally walked to load the bases but Saltalamacchia flied out to center to end the inning. The O's tied the game in the bottom of the sixth as Markakis grounded out to second to start. Lee took strike three but Guerrero hit his 440th career home run to tie the game. Jones struck out swinging to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                       Guerrero hits number 440

Jim Johnson came in to pitch the top of the seventh and the Sox rallied. Crawford doubled to right but Scutaro botched the bunt and Carl stayed at second. Ellsbury moved Crawford to third with a grounder to second and Carl scored on the Pedroia roller that Reynolds couldn't come up with. Gonzalez grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-2.

                                                  Crawford scores the go-ahead run

Lester got the O's to beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the seventh as Wieters grounded out to second to start. Reynolds grounded back to Lester and Fox grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox iced it in the top of the eighth as Youkilis walked to chase Johnson. Mike Gonzalez came in to pitch to Ortiz and David singled to center. Mike Cameron pinch hit for Drew and walked to load the bases. Saltalamacchia slashed a base hit to center to score Youkilis and re-load the bases. Crawford struck out swinging and that was it for Gonzalez. Jason Berken got Scutaro to pop up to second but Ellsbury dropped a base hit to center to score Ortiz and Cameron to ice the game. Pedroia grounded into a force to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-2.

                                                    Sox ice the game

Lester returned for one final inning in the bottom of the eighth with Jed Lowrie taking over for Youk at third. Andino doubled past Crawford in right but Roberts grounded out to second. Markakis flied out to left and Lee grounded out to third to end the inning. Lester was amazing, tossing 8 innings of 2 run ball to keep the Sox in the game.

                                                            8 strong innings for Lester

Josh Rupe came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Gonzalez grounded out to short to start. Lowrie and Ortiz stroked back to back base hits to center but Cameron banged into a double play to end the inning. Jonathan Papelbon came on to close out the bottom of the ninth and Guerrero struck out swinging to start on a 96 mph fastball to begin. Jones flied out to left and Wieters grounded out to short to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-2.

                                                       Sox win

Hero of the Night is Jon Lester. He dominated the Orioles going 8 innings while allowing just 2 runs. He allowed 4 hits and 3 walks.

                                                   Lester The Hero

The Good:

Jacoby Ellsbury was 3 for 5 with 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

Adrian Gonzalez was 3 for 5 with 2 rbis.

Kevin Youkilis walked twice and scored a run in four plate appearances.

Jed Lowrie singled in his only plate appearance.

David Ortiz was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Mike Cameron walked and scored at the plate.

Jonathan Papelbon pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Marco Scutaro was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

JD Drew was 0 for 2 but walked.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Carl Crawford was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

At this point the Red Sox just need to survive the month and hope they can hit the gas in May. It was a good win but some of the holes on this team are glaring. Scutaro and Crawford are automatic outs right now and Saltalamacchia/Varitek isn't much better. The fact everyone from Ellsbury to Drew has been red hot helps but the bottom of the order is a mess right now. Lester pitched a great game and the starting pitching has been fine the last few weeks. If the Sox can get Scutaro and Crawford going, they'll be in good shape moving forward. Its about time the Sox got some hits with RISP and that's going to be a big key to the season if they can show life with men on base. As the month comes to a close, the fact the Sox was able to turn a 2-10 start to 11-13 after tonight is nothing short of miraculous. The New York Yankees will be looking over their shoulder at the Sox and the battle for AL East supremacy will begin soon. As for now, great win. The Sox now come home to face the Seattle Mariners to end the month. Daisuke Matsuzaka (2-2) looks to make it 3 great starts in a row against Jason Vargas of the Mariners. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Comeback Falls Short in Baltimore (4/27/11)

The good news was the Boston Bruins knocked out the Montreal Canadiens with their overtime victory in their NHL playoff Game 7 showdown, the bad news was the Boston Red Sox rallied from down 4-0 to tie the Baltimore Orioles....only for the O's to score the winning run in the eighth to win the game. Josh Beckett got tagged for 4 runs in 6 innings and the Sox trailed 4-0 going into the top of the eighth inning. Suddenly Adrian Gonzalez drove in a run and Kevin Youkilis smashed a 3 run home run to tie the game. All the feel good momentum was squandered in the bottom of the eighth inning when Vladimir Guerrero tagged Daniel Bard (0-3, 3.97 ERA) for a run to put the O's back on top. Kevin Gregg slammed the door in the ninth inning and the O's had won it 5-4 at Camden Yards.

  

Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie got the ball in the top of the first inning and Jacoby Ellsbury led off with a base hit to left. Dustin Pedroia flied out to left but JD Martinez doubled to right. Kevin Youkilis struck out swinging and David Ortiz popped up to short to end the inning. Beckett got the ball in the bottom of the first and Brian Roberts flied out to left to start. Nick Markakis grounded out to second but Derrek Lee singled off Beckett. Vladimir Guerrero popped up to right to end the inning.

JD Drew singled to right to start the top of the second but Jed Lowrie struck out swinging. Carl Crawford banged into a double play to end the inning. Beckett cruised in the bottom of the second as Luke Scott flied out to left to start. Adam Jones lined out to first and Mark Reynolds grounded out to third to end the inning.

Jason Varitek struck out swinging to begin the top of the third before Ellsbury took strike three. Pedroia watched strike three to begin the inning. Beckett dominated the bottom of the third as Matt Wieters struck out looking to start. Robert Andino also took strike three and Roberts flied out to left to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the fourth as Gonzalez flied out to left to start. Youkilis also flied out to left but Ortiz dumped a base hit to center. Drew walked and Lowrie got a base hit to right. Ortiz came around third and slid.....OUT! Ortiz was thrown out at home to end the inning.

                                                        Yerrrr out!

The O's pounced on Beckett in the bottom of the fourth although Markakis whiffed on a changeup to start. Things went south as Pedroia and Ellsbury let a pop up by Lee drop for a double and Guerrero popped up to short. Scott and Jones then blasted back to back home runs to Argentina to give the O's the lead. Reynolds lined out to left to end the inning but the O's led 3-0.

                                                          Scott gives the O's the lead

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fifth as Crawford flied out to left in foul territory to start. Varitek grounded out to short but Ellsbury doubled to center. Pedroia hit a bullet but right to Guthrie to end the inning. The O's got another run in the bottom of the fifth as Wieters singled to right to begin. Andino beat out a bunt single and both runners moved over on a wild pitch. Roberts scored Wieters with a sac fly to right and Andino moved to third. Markakis grounded out to second and Lee grounded out to short to end the inning with the O's ahead 4-0.

                                                      O's increase the lead

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the sixth as Gonzalez went down hacking to start. Youkilis flied out to right but Ortiz dropped a hit to right. Drew flied out to center to end the inning. Beckett came back for one more inning in the bottom of the sixth as Guerrero popped up to first to start. Scott flied out to center but Jones doubled down the left field line. Reynolds struck out swinging to end the inning. That was it for Beckett who allowed 4 runs in 6 innings of work.

                                                Too many homers allowed by Beckett

Jeremy Accardo came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Lowrie struck out swinging to start. Crawford flied out to left and Varitek grounded out to first to end the inning. Tim Wakefield came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Wieters struck out swinging to start. Andino flied out to center and Roberts grounded out to short to end the inning.

Suddenly the Sox sprang to life in the top of the eighth as Ellsbury singled to right to start. Pedroia walked to chase Accardo and Clay Rapada came in to pitch to Gonzalez and Adrian singled home Ellsbury to cut the lead. Koji Uehara was summoned to pitch to Youkilis and somehow Youk homered just over the left field wall to tie the game. Ortiz flied out to left but Drew walked to put the go-ahead run on. Lowrie struck out swinging and Crawford flied out to center to end the inning but the Sox had tied it 4-4.

                                                  Youkilis ties the game

Just as soon as the Sox tied it, the O's took the lead back against Daniel Bard in the bottom of the eighth. Markakis and Lee stroked back to back base hits before moving over on a passed ball. Varitek muffed a second pitch and Markakis made a mad dash home. Varitek gunned the throw to Bard who blocked off Nick's arm and made the tag for the out. Too bad Guerrero then hit a grounder up the middle to score Lee with the go-ahead run. Scott flied out to left and Jones whiffed to end the inning but the O's had taken the lead 5-4.

                                                          O's take the lead

Felix Pie took over for Scott in left with Kevin Gregg on the mound for the top of the ninth. Marco Scutaro pinch hit for Varitek and flied out to right to start. Ellsbury popped up to third and Pedroia grounded out to third to end the game. The O's had held on to win 5-4.

                                                          Dammit

Jackass of the Night is Daniel Bard. He allowed the run in the eighth after the Sox had tied it.

                                                             Cover your face, Jackass

The Good:

Jacoby Ellsbury was 3 for 5 with a run scored.

Adrian Gonzalez was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

David Ortiz was 2 for 4.

JD Drew was 1 for 2 with 2 walks.

Tim Wakefield pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

The Bad:

Carl Crawford was 0 for 4.

Jason Varitek was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Marco Scutaro was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Kevin Youkilis was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a 3 run home run.

Jed Lowrie was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Josh Beckett allowed 4 runs in 6 innings of work. He gave up 7 hits and struck out 4.

Final Thoughts:

Good grief that was a let-down. The Sox looked lifeless for seven innings only to rally in the eighth inning. Naturally just like everything else this month, they found a way to screw it all up. Beckett was mortal tonight but even so, the Sox shouldn't have had to rally in the eighth like that after the way they had been hitting the last two weeks. Crawford continues to struggle offensively but Youkilis, Varitek and Scutaro isn't doing much either....apart from the 3 run homer Youk hit. Still, to look lifeless for seven innings and still make a game of it shows this offense will be dangerous moving forward. Bard is a damn good pitcher but that was inexcusable to allow that run after making a good play to get the out at home. Its been that kind of month where nothing ends well no matter how good things are going. Tomorrow night the Sox look to avoid a series sweep when they send Jon Lester (2-1) to the mound up against Brad Bergesen of the Orioles. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Camden Yards.

O's Shut Down Sox (4/26/11)

As great as Easter Sunday was for the city of Boston, tonight was the opposite. The Boston Bruins dropped Game 6 of their first round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens and the Boston Red Sox winning streak was snapped at the hands of the Baltimore Orioles. The scorching Boston bats were held to just 6 hits and 1 run by Zack Britton and the Baltimore bullpen. Clay Buchholz (1-3, 5.33 ERA) gave up 12 hits and 4 runs while pitching into the seventh inning. The game was manageable but the Sox couldn't generate any offense against the dirty birds. Kevin Youkilis drove in the only run of the game for Boston as the Orioles took the game 4-1 at Camden Yards.

                                                    "This night sucked"

Britton made the Sox beat the ball in the dirt to start the top of the first inning. Jacoby Ellsbury grounded out to second, Dustin Pedroia grounded out to short and Adrian Gonzalez grounded out to second to end the inning. Buchholz got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Brian Roberts lined out to first to start. Nick Markakis singled to left but Derrek Lee flied out to center. Vladimir Guerrero grounded into a force to end the inning.

Kevin Youkilis took strike three to start the top of the second but David Ortiz walked. Jed Lowrie forced Ortiz and second and JD Drew grounded out to first to end the inning. The O's struck first in the bottom of the second as Luke Scott singled to center to start. Adam Jones struck out swinging but Mark Reynolds doubled to left. Matt Wieters hit a ground ball off the first base bag for a hit to score Scott. Robert Andino struck out looking and Roberts whiffed to end the inning with the O's up 1-0.

                                                   A bad omen of good luck for Baltimore

Carl Crawford struck out swinging to start the top of the third and Jason Varitek grounded out to third. Ellsbury lined out to third to end the inning. The O's struck again in the bottom of the third although Markakis grounded out to first to start. Lee singled to right, Guerrero singled to left and Scott walked to load the bases before Lee scored on the sac fly by Jones. Reynolds was retired on a nubber in front of the plate to end the inning but it was 2-0 O's.

                                                           O's score again

The Sox struck back in the top of the fourth as Pedroia got a base hit to center to start. Gonzalez moved Dustin to second with a grounder and Pedroia stole third. Youkilis hit a sac fly to score Pedroia and Ortiz hit a grounder under the glove of Roberts for an error. Lowrie grounded into a force to end the inning but it was 2-1 O's.

                                                        Pedroia scores a run

Wieters singled to right to open the bottom of the fourth but Andino flied out to right. Roberts flied out to center and Markakis grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the fifth as Drew flied out to center to start. Crawford grounded out to short but Varitek singled to center. Ellsbury doubled to right and Pedroia walked to load the bases. Gonzalez grounded into a force to end the inning. The O's got another run back in the bottom of the fifth as Lee and Guerrero stroked back to back base hits to start. Scott beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners and Jones scored Lee with a sac fly to increase the lead. Reynolds took strike three to end the inning but it was 3-1 Baltimore.

                                                 O's tack on to the lead

The Sox blew another rally in the top of the sixth as Youkilis popped up to second to start. Ortiz singled to left but Lowrie flied out to right. Drew singled in the hole at second but Crawford flied out to center to end the inning. Buchholz got Wieters to fly out to left to start the bottom of the sixth and struck out Andino swinging. Roberts singled to center but Markakis flied out to left to end the inning.

Jim Johnson came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Varitek struck out swinging to start. Ellsbury lined out to first and Pedroia also struck out swinging to end the inning. The O's finally chased Buchholz in the bottom of the seventh although Lee flied out to center to start. Guerrero singled to left and Scott doubled past the diving Drew, causing Felix Pie to pinch run for Scott. Jones was intentionally walked to load the bases and Reynolds hit a rocket Ellsbury had to climb the wall in center to grab. Guerrero scored and the other runners moved up. That was it for Clay who allowed 4 runs on 3 sac flies and a ball off the first base bag. Not the best but not the worst either. Hideki Okajima came in and retired Wieters on a squibber in front of the plate to end the inning with the O's up 4-1.

                                                      Bad luck for Buchholz

Gonzalez tried to start a rally in the top of the eighth with a double to left but Youkilis popped up to first and Ortiz went down hacking. Lowrie whiffed to end the inning. Matt Alberts came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Andino walked to start. Roberts and Markakis both flied out to left and Lee struck out swinging to end the inning.

Kevin Gregg came in to close out the top of the ninth and Drew grounded out to second to start. Crawford struck out swinging and Marco Scutaro pinch hit for Varitek. Scutaro flied out to right to end the game. The O's had won it 4-1.

                                                        O's win

Jackass of the Night is Jed Lowrie. He was 0 for 4 with a crucial strikeout in the eighth with a man on.

                                                     Make contact, Jackass!

The Good:

Dustin Pedroia was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

David Ortiz was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Jason Varitek was 1 for 3.

Hideki Okajima retired the only man he faced.

Matt Albers pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Carl Crawford was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Marco Scutaro flied out as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

Jacoby Ellsbury was just 1 for 4.

Adrian Gonzalez was just 1 for 4.

Kevin Youkilis was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

JD Drew was just 1 for 4.

Clay Buchholz took the loss but allowed 4 small ball runs in 6 2/3 innings. He allowed 12 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5.

Final Thoughts:

Much like the Bruins losing tonight on two 5 on 3 powerplay goals. the O's nickel and dimed the Red Sox all night. 3 sac flies and a fluke single off the first base bag was all the offense the O's needed. The Sox couldn't get anything done offensively against Britton or the bullpen despite numerous chances. Its like the Sox reverted to their opening weekend ways of getting guys on base but can't drive them in. It wasn't like the O's bullpen is indomitable either. Buchholz didn't even pitch that bad either, just a LOT of small ball by Baltimore won this game. Still, tip your cap to the O's for a job well done and hope the Sox can come back tomorrow with anger and aggression. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow against the O's when Josh Beckett (3-1) takes the hill opposite Jeremy Guthrie of the O's. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Camden Yards.

Dice K Tosses Gem, Sox Blank Angels (4/23/11)

It was a big night in Boston with Anime Boston rocking the Hines Convention Center and the Boston Bruins winning Game 5 of their first round playoff series in double overtime against the Montreal Canadiens in the Boston Garden. 3,000 miles away it was even more Boston success thanks to the resurgent Daisuke Matsuzaka (2-2, 4.09 ERA) and the Boston Red Sox victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Improving on his Patriots Day gem, Dice K was even better tonight with 8 shutout innings allowing just 1 hit and 3 walks while striking out 9. On the offensive side, Kevin Youkilis hit a 2 run homer and a balanced attack put 5 runs on the board. It all added up to a great night for Bostonians with a 5-0 shutout win over the Angels at Angels Stadium.

                                                     Nathan Horton approves of the win

Ervin Santana got the start for the Angels and Jacoby Ellsbury led off by taking strike three to start. Dustin Pedroia walked and stole second, but Adrian Gonzalez flied out to left. Kevin Youkilis struck out swinging to end the inning. Dice K began his dominance in the bottom of the first as Maicer Izturis flied out to right to start. Erick Aybar struck out swinging and Bobby Abreu flied out to center to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the second inning although David Ortiz grounded out to second to start. Jed Lowrie doubled into the right field corner but JD Drew took strike three. Crawl Crawford singled off the glove of Aybar to score Lowrie with the go-ahead run but Jason Varitek struck out swining with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                              Crawford drives in a run

The Angels mounted their only threat in the bottom of the second inning as Torii Hunter walked to start. Vernon Wells flied out to center but Dice K almost got his head taken off on a liner by Alberto Callaspo that fell into left for a single. Hank Conger flied out to left and Mark Trumbo struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox got another run in the top of the third inning when Ellsbury got a base hit to center to start. Ellsbury swiped second and moved to third on the Pedroia fly out to center. Gonzalez dropped a base hit to right to score Ellsbury with another run. Youkilis struck out swinging at a high fastball but Ortiz lined a base hit to center, moving Gonzalez to third. Lowrie flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                         Ellsbury scores a run

Dice K cruised in the bottom of the third as Reggie Willits struck out swinging to start. Izturis also went down hacking and Aybar flied out to right to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fourth as Drew took strike three to start. Crawford grounded out to second and Varitek grounded out to short to end the inning. Abreu walked to begin the bottom of the fourth but Hunter flied out to right. Wells flied out to center and Callaspo flied out to center to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the fifth as Ellsbury singled to center and swiped second. Pedroia popped up to first and Gonzalez struck out swinging, but Youkilis swatted his 4th home run of the season to ice the game. Ortiz struck out siwnging to end the inning but it was 4-0 Sox.

                                                         Youkilis goes yard

Dice K cruised in the bottom of the fifth as Conger took strike three to start. Trumbo went down swinging and Willits took strike three to end the inning.

The Sox scored again in the top of the sixth although Lowrie flied out to right to start. Drew popped up to third in foul territory but Crawford slapped a double down the left field line. Varitek doubled into the right field corner to score Crawford with another run, but Ellsbury flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-0.

                                                       Varitek finally gets a good hit

Nothing could stop Dice K in the bottom of the sixth as Izturis flied out to center to start. Aybar hit a broken bat liner to Youkilis but Abreu walked. Hunter grounded out to short to end the inning.

Santana cruised in the top of the seventh as Pedroia hit a bullet but right to Izturis to start. Gonzalez hit a 380 foot fly out to left and Youkilis struck out swinging to end the inning. Dice K continued his dominance in the bottom of the seventh as Wells grounded out to short to start. Callaspo and Conger both struck out swinging to end the inning.

Jason Bulger came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Ortiz flied out to left to start. Lowrie singled to right and Drew hit a routine pop up to shallow right that Abreu slide and missed completely. Drew got credit for a "single" but Crawford flied out to center. Varitek lined out to third to end the inning.

                                                    "I don't got it....." - Abreu

Dice K returned for one last inning in the bottom of the eighth as Trumbo flied out to center to start. Howie Kendrick pinch hit for Willits and grounded out to second before Izturis also grounded out to second to end the inning. That was one of Dice K's best starts ever, allowing just 1 run in 8 shutout innings.

                                                                 Dice K Delivers

Peter Boujors took Trumbo's spot in the lineup for the top of the ninth and Ellsbury struck out swinging to start. Pedroia grounded out to third and Gonzalez grounded out to short to end the inning. Daniel Bard came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Aybar legged out an infield single to short to start. Aybar took second on defensive indifference but Abreu struck out swinging. Hunter struck out swinging and Wells grounded out to second to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-0.

                                                                    Sox win

Hero of the Night is Daisuke Matsuzaka. He pitched 8 shutout innings and allowed just a hit and 3 walks.

                                                           Dice K Hero

The Good:

Jacoby Ellsbury was 2 for 5 with 2 stolen bases and 2 runs scored.

Jed Lowrie was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Carl Crawford was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Daniel Bard pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 4 but walked and stole a base.

Adrian Gonzalez was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Kevin Youkilis was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but hit a 2 run home run.

David Ortiz was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

JD Drew was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Jason Varitek was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Final Thoughts:

If Dice K rediscovers his 2008 form then this team is going to be very hard to beat this season. Jon Lester and Josh Beckett look like they've found their groove and if Dice K does as well, look out American League. Dice K was outstanding tonight and topped his Patriots Day game, which a lot of people didn't think possible. The offense was a balanced attack and if they can stay healthy all season, they'll be tough to beat too. Apart from Marco Scutaro there's not a single automatic out on this team and Scutaro isn't exactly 2007 Julio Lugo either. Its only a matter of time before Ortiz and Gonzalez start hitting rockets out of ballyards and if Ellsbury, Crawford and Pedroia are the on base machines they should be, this really could be the "best team evah". All in all it was a good win and the Sox look to sweep the Angels out of Anaheim on Easter Sunday tomorrow afternoon. John Lackey (1-2) looks to rebound against Matt Palmer of the Angels. The game begins at 3:30 PM Eastern time at Angels Stadium.