Tanana, Tigers Best Clemens & Sox (5/23/91)

Ten years ago the Boston Red Sox came within an eyelash of winning the American League East division championship. One of the reasons they didn't was Frank Tanana went 4-10 for the Sox that season. Naturally after he left Boston he won 15 games for the Texas Rangers in 1984 and 15 for the Detroit Tigers in 1987. Tonight he was instrumental in holding down the Sox offense long enough for the Tigers to pounce on Roger Clemens (6-2, 2.48 ERA). The Tigers broke a tie game in the 7th inning and held on to defeat the Sox 5-3 at Tigers Stadium.

                                               "Damn you Tanana!"

The Sox pissed away a golden chance to take an early lead in the top of the first inning as Wade Boggs singled to start. Jody Reed singled to left and both runners moved over on the Ellis Burks grounder. Jack Clark was intentionally walked and the gamble worked as Mike Greenwell popped up to third and Tom Brunansky grounded out to short to end the inning. Clemens walked Tony Phillips to open the bottom of the first but Lou Whitaker flied out to left. Phillips swiped second but Clemens blew away both Lloyd Moseby and Cecil Fielder to end the inning.

Tanana cruised in the top of the second inning as Carlos Quintana singled to center to begin, but Tony Pena banged into a double play. Luis Rivera popped up to short to end the inning. Mickey Tettleton grounded out to first to start the bottom of the second before Rob Deer whiffed. Pete Incaviglia struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox went quietly in the top of the third inning as Boggs grounded out to third to start. Reed also grounded out to third and Burks flied out to center to end the inning. Clemens matched Tanana in the bottom of the third as Travis Fryman hit one up the elevator shaft to start. John Shelby grounded back to the mound before Phillips grounded out to second to end the inning.

More nothing in the top of the fourth as Clark grounded out to third to begin. Greenwell grounded out to second but Brunansky drew a walk. Quintana grounded out to short to end the inning. The Tigers struck first in the bottom of the fourth as Whitaker doubled to right to begin before moving to third on the Moseby grounder. Fielder lashed a base hit to score Whitaker with the game's first run then took second on the grounder by Tettleton. Deer singled home Fielder but Incaviglia whiffed again to end the inning with the Tigers up 2-0.

                                              Why can't the Sox get guys like this?

The Sox failed to rally in the top of the fifth as Pena flied out to center to start. Rivera stroked a base hit to left but Boggs banged into a double play to end the inning. Clemens recovered in the bottom of the fifth as Fryman whiffed to start. Shelby flied out to left before Phillips grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Sox struck back in the top of the sixth although Reed lined out to short to start. Suddenly Burks pounded his 3rd homer of the season to left to put the Sox on the board. Clark walked and Greenwel singled but Brunansky struck out swinging. Quintana singled to right but Clark was held at third to load the bases. That was it for Tanana as Mark Leiter came in and walked Pena to score Clark with the tying run. With a chance to do some damage....Rivera flied out to right to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                           Burks goes yard

Clemens kept the tie in the bottom of the sixth as Whitaker flied out to center to begin. Moseby flied out to right and Fielder whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox tried to rally in the top of the seventh as Boggs walked to start and moved to second on the sacrifice by Reed. Burks lined out to left and Mike Henneman was brought in to face Clark. Clark walked but Greenwell struck out swinging to end the inning. The Tigers took command in the bottom of the seventh although Tettleton went down swinging to begin. Deer walked and Incaviglia doubled him home to put Detroit up for good. Fryman took strike three and Shelby fanned to end the inning but the Tigers were up 3-2.

Milt Cuyler took over for Shelby in center in the top of the eighth and Brunansky whiffed to start. Quintana also went down swinging but Pena singled to center. Mike Marshall pinch hit for Rivera but flied out to left to end the inning. The Tigers iced it in the bottom of the eighth with Mike Brumley now at short for the Sox. Phillips singled to chase Clemens who was charged with 4 runs in 7 plus innings although he struck out 10.

                                                         Not the best result for Roger

Tony Fossas came in and the first thing he did was throw Whitaker's bunt away for an error. Moseby dropped his own bunt down but Fossas didn't throw this one away. Fielder was intentionally walked and Sox manager Joe Morgan brought in Jeff Gray to put out the fire. Instead Tettleton lined a base hit to core both runs to ice the game. Deer lined out to left and Incaviglia flied out to center to end the inning with the Tigers ahead 5-2.

                                                               Heaves the ball away

Somehow the Sox rallied in the top of the ninth as Boggs singled to start. The Sox caught a break when Fryman dropped a pop up by Reed for an error which led to Jody walking. Burks beat out a double play ball and Clark blooped a single to center to score Boggs and put the tying run at first. Kevin Romine pinch ran for Clark with Paul Gibson now on the mound. Greenwell grounded out to second to put the tying runs in scoring position....but Brunansky popped up to short to end the game. The Tigers had beaten Clemens and won the game 5-3.

Jackass of the Night is Jeff Gray. All he needed to get was two outs, instead he allowed both inherited runners to score the deciding runs.

                                                                What a Jackass



The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 4 with a walk and run scored.

Jody Reed was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Jack Clark was 1 for 2 with 3 walks, an rbi and a run scored.

Carlos Quintana was 2 for 4.

Tony Pena was 1 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Luis Rivera was 1 for 3.



The Bad:

Mike Marshall was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Roger Clemens took the loss by allowing 4 runs in 7 innings of work. He struck out 10 though.

Tony Fossas was charged with an unearned run in 1/3 of an inning.



The Ugly:

Ellis Burks was just 1 for 5 but the one hit was a solo home run.

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 5.

Tom Brunansky was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked.



Honorable Mention:

Mike Brumley played shortstop in the bottom of the eighth.

Kevin Romine ran for Jack Clark in the top of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

This game was a kick in the pants. The Sox had their chances offensively to survive a relatively poor Clemens start but couldn't get the clutch hit. Meanwhile the Tigers cashed in on Boston's every mistake whether it being Roger's pitch selection or Tony Fossas throwing a bunt into outer space. Jeff Gray has been amazing all year and all he needed was 2 outs yet gives up the winning runs. The Sox are still in first but losses like this can't happen with the Toronto Blue Jays nipping at their heels. The loss dropped the Sox to 23-15, 0.5 games in front of the Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow Tom Bolton (5-0) goes for the Sox up against Dan Petry at 8:05 PM Eastern Time at Tiger Stadium.

Sox Beat Twins Late (4/30/91)

If nothing else, the Boston Red Sox concluded the month of April on a high note. After struggling offensively for the most of the month, they bopped their way back in a game most thought they were going to lose. The Minnesota Twins took a 5-4 lead against Sox starter Matt Young and reliever Jeff Gray in the bottom of the seventh inning. All of a sudden Carlos Quintana stepped up with a 3 run bomb off Steve Bedrosian in the top of the eighth inning to give the Sox the lead. Just like on Sunday night against the Royals, Jeff Reardon was brought in for the four out save and he got the job done. The Sox ended April in first place with a 7-5 win over the Twins at the Metrodome.

                                                        Steven Seagal approves of the win

Twins starter Allan Anderson got the ball in the top of the first inning and Wade Boggs flied out to center to start. Jody Reed lined out to right and Mark Greenwell grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Matt Young got the start for the Sox in the bottom of the first and the Twins beat the ball in the dirt. Dan Gladden led off with a ground out to short, Chuck Knoblauch grounded out to second and Kirby Puckett also grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox struck first quickly in the top of the second as Jack Clark singled to start and Ellis Burks doubled him to third. Tom Brunansky scored both men with a base hit to give the Sox the lead. Brunansky moved to second on the Carlos Quintana grounder and to third on the Tony Pena grounder. Luis Rivera grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                            Brunansky drives in a pair

Young cruised in the bottom of the second as Chili David swung at air for strike three to start. Brian Harper grounded out to second and Kent Hrbek also grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the third as Boggs grounded out to second to start. Reed singled to short but Greenwell plastered his third home run of the season to increase the lead. Clark grounded out to short and Burks grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox up 4-0.

                                                            Greenwell hits one out

The Twins roared back in the bottom of the third as Gene Larkin beat out an infield single to short to start. Scott Leius then blasted a home run all the way to St. Paul, Minneosta to cut the lead. Greg Gagne took strike three but Gladden singled. Knoblauch doubled home Gladden to cut the lead and moved to third on the Puckett grounder. Davis took strike three to end the inning with the Sox still ahead 4-3.

                                                              Leius cuts the lead

Brunansky flied out to center to start the top of the fourth and Quintana did the same. Pena singled to center but Rivera hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. Young got the Twins to beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the fourth as Harper grounded out to first to start. Hrbek and Larkin both grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fifth as Boggs flied out to center to start. Reed grounded out to third and Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning. Leius beat out an infield single to short to start the bottom of the fifth and Reed booted a grounder by Gagne for an error. Gladden walked to load the bases but Knoblauch forced Leius at home. Puckett banged into a double play to end the inning.

Clark singled to left to start the top of the sixth but Burks forced him at second. Brunansky banged into a double play to end the inning. Davis grounded out to short to start the bottom of the sixth but Harper singled to left. Hrbek grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Quintana singled to left to start the top of the seventh to chase Anderson from the game. Terry Leach came in and Carlos moved to second on the Pena grounder. Rivera reached first on an error by Knoblauch to chase Leach. Larry Casian came in to pitch and Boggs moved Quintana to third with fly out to center. Reed popped up to the mound to end the inning. The Twins took command in the bottom of the seventh although Larkin flied out to left to start. Leius walked and Gagne singled to center to chase Young from the game. Jeff Gray came in and Gladden doubled home both runners home to give the Twins the lead. Gladden moved to third on the Knoblauch fly ball to center and Puckett was intentionally walked. Davis whiffed to end the inning but the Twins had taken the lead 5-4. Young pitched well but ran out of gas, allowing 5 runs in 6 1/3 innings.

                                                      Young has seen better days

Shane Mack took over for Larkin as the Sox rallied in the top of the eighth. Greenwell doubled to right to chase Casian. Steve Bedrosian came in for the six out save and Clark lined out to him. Burks walked but Brunansky popped up to second. Somehow Quintana bashed his first home run of the season to put the Sox back in front. Pena flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox up 7-5.

                                                           Quintana puts Boston on top

Gray returned briefly for the bottom of the eighth as Harper flied out to center to start. Hrbek popped up to third and Randy Bush pinch hit for Mack. Bush singled to center and Mike Pagliarulo pinch hit for Leius. Sox manager Joe Morgan countered by bringing in Jeff Reardon for the four out save. Pagliarulo grounded out to first to end the inning.

Rivera popped up to first to start the top of the ninth but Boggs walked. Reed popped up to third and Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning. Al Newman pinch hit for Gagne to start the bottom of the ninth but grounded out to second. Gladden flied out to right and Knoblauch popped up to first to end the game. The Sox had won it 7-5.

Hero of the Night is Carlos Quintana. His three run home run in the top of the eighth inning put the Sox up for good.

                                                               Hero Quintana

The Good:

Mike Greenwell was 2 for 5 with a 2 run home run and 2 total runs scored.

Jack Clark was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Ellis Burks was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Jeff Reardon earned his 8th save with 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Luis Rivera was 0 for 4.

Matt Young allowed 5 runs in 6 1/3 innings.

The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was 0 for 4 but walked.

Jody Reed was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

Tom Brunansky was just 1 for 4 but drove in 2 runs.

Tony Pena was just 1 for 4.

Jeff Gray allowed 2 inherited runners to score but none of his own in 1 1/3 innings.

Final Thoughts:

It was an up and down month for sure but at least it ended on a high note. The pitching this month was solid but the offense left a lot to be desired. If the Sox had just a bit more punch they could have won 2-3 more games to give them a more comfortable lead in the AL East. The Sox ended the month of April in first place but some of those losses could have been avoided. Young fell apart in the seventh inning and Gray couldn't keep the Twins off the board, but Reardon saved the day again. The good news is if the Sox can get to the 8th inning with the lead, the game is pretty much over. They just need to get the lead in the first place. Jody Reed, Tony Pena and Tim Naehring are hitting under .200 but hopefully that's just a slow start. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the Twins when they send Greg Harris to the mound to take on Scott Erickson of the Twins. The game begins at 8:05 PM Eastern time at the Metrodome.

Sox Edge Royals Amidst Protest (4/28/91)

Roger Clemens of the Boston Red Sox was supposed to pitch tonight but his suspension stemming from last year's ALCS disaster was held up. Instead Dana Kiecker (1-0, 2.92 ERA) got the spot start and held the Kansas City Royals to 1 run in 5 1/3 innings. The Boston bullpen tossed 3 2/3 scoreless innings to hold the fort. The Sox were held to just two runs by Storm Davis and Tom Gordon but they were enough to win the game. The game was delayed by rain for two hours deep into the night and by the ninth inning, the Sox were playing under protest. MLB said duly noted but play the game. Mike Greenwell drove in the only two runs Kiecker and the bullpen needed as the Sox defeated the Royals 2-1 at Royals Stadium while under protest.

                                                             "I protest, Brother!"

Davis took the mound in the top of the first and the Sox wasted no time getting to him. Wade Boggs led off with a base bit past the diving Kurt Stillwell to start. Bill Pecota bobbled a line shot by Jody Reed which allowed Jody to reach on the error. Mike Greenwell dumped a base hit to right to score Boggs with the game's first run. Jack Clark walked to load the bases but Ellis Burks popped up to a running Danny Tartabull. Tom Brunansky popped up to second and Mike Marshall grounded out to second to end the inning. A disappointing rally but the Sox still led 1-0.

                                                           Boggs scores a run

The Royals struck back in the bottom of the first against Kiecker as Jim Eisenreich hit a ground ball up the middle for a base hit. Eisenreich stole second and moved to third on the Bill Pecota grounder. Aa the rain came pouring down, Danny Tartabull ripped a 410 foot double off the centerfield wall to tie the game. Kirk Gibson grounded out to second to advance Tartabull to third but Warren Cromartie grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                         Tartabull ties it up

The Sox threatened in the top of the second inning as Tony Pena grounded out to short to start. Tim Naehring popped up to first but Boggs singled in the hole at short. Reed singled off the glove of Pecota and Greenwell lashed a base hit to right. Unlike his father, Danny Tartabull has a cannon arm so Boggs held at third. Clark grounded out to third to end the inning. The tarp was put on the field for a rain delay and 2 hours later, play resumed. Kiecker returned for the bottom of the second and Kurt Stillwell hit a line drive snared at the left field wall by Greenwell. Mike Macfarlane looked at a curveball on the inside corner for strike three and Brian McRae whiffed at a ball in the dirt to end the inning.

Tom Gordon came in to pitch the top of the third and Burks took strike three to start. Brunansky drew a walk and wiped out Shumpert to break up a double play ball by Marshall. Pena took strike three to end the inning. Terry Shumpert flied out to center to start the bottom of the third and Eisenreich grounded out to short. Pecota walked but Tartabull whiffed on a nasty slider to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the fourth as Naehring flied out to left to start. Boggs doubled and Reed singled him to third before Wade scored on the Greenwell grounder. Clark walked and Burks grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-1.

                                                     Sox take the lead

Kiecker returned for the bottom of the fourth and Gibson grounded back to the mound to start. Cromartie grounded out to short and Stillwell took strike three to end the inning.

Brunansky led off the top of the fifth with a fly out to shallow center to start. ESPN analyst Jon Miller says Mike Marshall is unhappy and wants out of Boston and Sox general manager Lou Gorman told Mike that no one's asking for him, ouch. Marshall whiffed and Pena flied out to center to end the inning. Macfarlane beat out an infield single to third to start the bottom of the fifth but McRae banged into a double play. Shumpert struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the sixth as Naehring popped up to first to start. Boggs grounded back to the mound and Reed popped up to second to end the inning. Kiecker was chased in the bottom of the sixth as Eisenreich singled to right to start. Pecota singled up the middle but Tartabull whiffed. That was it for Kiecker after 5 2/3 innings of a rain shortened start. Tony Fossas came in to pitch to Gibson and he check swing grounded back to Tony to move the runners over. Russ Morman pinch hit for Cromartie and he popped up to center to end the inning.

                                                    "Damn rain, I shoulda been in longer" - DK

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the seventh as Greenwell tripled past the diving McRae to start. Clark took strike three and Burks whiffed, but Brunansky drew a walk. Marshall check swing grounded back to Gordon to end the inning. Carlos Quintana came in to play first with Jeff Gray now in to pitch the bottom of the seventh. Quintana immediately helped as he made a great play to rob Stillwell of extra bases to start. MacFarlane flied out to the left field wall and McRae lined out to right to end the inning.

Pena flied out to right to start the top of the eighth and Naehring grounded out to short, but Boggs singled off the diving Shumpert. Reed grounded into a force to end the inning. Gray returned for the bottom of the eighth as Shumpert flied out to right to start. Eisenreich singled up the middle and Terry Puhl pinch hit for Pecota. Gray struck out Puhl swinging and Sox manager Joe Morgan decided to bring in Jeff Reardon for the four out save. Reardon walked Tartabull but Gibson popped up to Greenwell to end the inning.

Paul Zuvella took over at third to start the top of the ninth and Greenwell popped up to Tartabull to start. Clark lined a broken bat base hit up the middle and "Psycho" Steve Lyons pinch ran for him. Burks waived at a pitch on the outside corner to earn the hat trick of three strikeouts. Brunansky took strike three right down the middle to end the inning. Gordon had allowed just 1 run in 7 innings, nice offense Sox. Reardon came back to close out the bottom of the ninth as Morman lined out to a running Burks to start. Kurt Stillwell singled in the hole at second and Gary Thurman pinch ran for him. Reardon hit MacFarlane on the wrist and David Howard ran for him. All of a sudden Joe Morgan bolted out of the dugout and started ripping his clothes off screaming that MacFarlane never touched first after getting hit. Joe Morgan the ESPN analyst says Morgan the manager was right although the umpires told the manager to scram. McRae then banged into a double play to end the game. After all of that, the Sox had won it 2-1.

                                                             Sox win

Hero of the Night is Wade Boggs. He was 4 for 5 and scored both of the runs the Sox scored.

                                                   Wade Hero

The Good:

Jody Reed was 2 for 5.

Mike Greenwell was 3 for 5 and drove in both runs.

Jack Clark was 1 for 3 with 2 walks.

Dana Kiecker got the win with 5 1/3 innings of 1 run ball, surviving the rain delay as long as he could.

Tony Fossas got the final two outs of the sixth inning.

Jeff Gray pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Jeff Reardon earned his seventh save with 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Ellis Burks was 0 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Mike Marshall was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Tony Pena was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Tim Naehring was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

Tom Brunansky was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked twice.

Honorable Mention:

Steve Lyons pinch ran for Jack Clark in the top of the ninth.

Carlos Quintana played first base in the final two innings.

Final Thoughts:

That was a weird game and once again the Boston bats did virtually nothing. Dana Kiecker tossed a gutty game and once again the trio of Fossas, Gray and Reardon had to save the day. Burks looked like he was swinging at air and Marshall didn't do his trade value any good by going 0 for 4. Gotta feel bad for the poor Royals fans in the ninth inning that had to listen to both managers piss and moan about certain calls. There's no instant replay so what they say is final. The Sox desperately need some offensive help if they hope to compete this year. What they displayed this month didn't cut it. Its a shame the offense has been so bad because the pitching was that good. This game was a microcosm of that as they won yet another close game 2-1. The Sox have one game left this month and its Tuesday night against the Minnesota Twins. Matt Young gets the start for the Sox against Allan Anderson of the Twins. The game begins Tuesday night at 8 PM Eastern time at the Metrodome.

Royals Defeat Sox Late (4/26/91)

The good news is the Boston Celtics were victorious in their NBA playoff first round Game 1 game against the Indiana Pacers. The bad news was the Boston Red Sox failed to hold a lead against the Kansas City Royals. The Sox broke out to a 3-0 lead only for Greg Harris to cough it up in the sixth inning. In the eighth inning Tony Fossas put two runners on before being pulled for Daryl Irvine, the rookie they called up to replace Danny Darwin. Irvine allowed a two run double to Mike MacFarlane to put the Royals ahead. Jeff Montgomery slammed the door in the ninth inning for the comeback win by the Royals 5-3 at Royals Stadium.

                                                               "That damn Irvine!"

The Sox wasted no time getting to old friend Mike Boddicker in the top of the first inning. Wade Boggs doubled to center to begin and Terry Shumpert booted a ground ball by Jody Reed to put runners at the corners. Mike Greenwell banged into a double play but Boggs scored to give the Sox the lead. Jack Clark flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                          Boddicker how we miss thee

Harris got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Jim Eisenreich singled to right to start. Kevin Seitzer flied out to right and Danny Tartabull flied out to center, but Kirk Gibson walked. Warren Cromartie grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the second inning as Ellis Burks walked to start. Tom Brunansky blasted his third home run of the season to increase lead. Carlos Quintana grounded out to short, Tony Pena flied out to left and Tim Naehring  grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                             Brunansky bashes a home run

Kurt Stillwell struck out swinging to start the bottom of the second and Brent Mayne flied out to left. Gary Thurman struck out swinging to end the inning.

Boggs flied out to left to start the top of the third and Reed lined out to Boddicker. Greenwell popped up to third to end the inning. The Royals began their comeback in the bottom of the third when Terry Shumpert doubled to left to start. Eisenreich flied out to right to move Shumpert to third and Terry scored on the sac fly by Seitzer. Tartabull grounded out to short to end the inning with the Royals down 3-1.

                                                               Shumpert scores a run

Clark lined out to center to start the top of the fourth and Burks struck out looking. Brunansky walked but Quintana took strike three to end the inning. Harris got Gibson to ground back to him to begin the bottom of the fourth and Cromartie grounded out to second. Stillwell singled to center but MAyne grounded into a force to end the inning.

The Sox blew a chance for a run in the top of the fifth as Pena singled to start and Naehring dropped down a bunt to advance him to second. Pena got thrown out at third on a grounder by Boggs but Reed singled to left. Greenwell grounded out to first to end the inning. Thurman grounded back to the mound to begin the bottom of the fifth and Shumpert flied out to right. Eisenreich flied out to left to end the inning.

Clark took strike three to start the top of the sixth but Burks grounded out to short. Brunansky doubled to left and Quintana grounded out to third to end the inning. Harris fell apart in the bottom of the sixth after he plunked Seitzer and Kevin had to leave the game. Bill Pecota pinch ran for him and Tartabull doubled Pecota home. Gibson whiffed but Cromartie singled home Tartabull to tie the game. A wild pitch moved Cromartie to second but Stillwell struck out swinging. Mayne was intentionally walked and Thurman popped up to second to end the inning with the game tied 3-3.

                                                             Nice going Harris

Pena flied out to center to begin the top of the seventh and Naehring grounded out to third. Boggs flied out to right to end the inning. Harris returned briefly in the bottom of the seventh where he allowed a leadoff triple to Shumpert. Sox manager Joe Morgan rolled the dice by bringing in Joe Hesketh to pitch to Eisenreich. Hesketh did his job by getting Eisenreich to ground back to him to keep Shumpert at third. Jeff Gray came in and Shumpert was picked off by Pena to erase the threat. Pecota walked but was thrown out trying to steal to end the inning.

The Sox blew their chance to retake the lead in the top of the eighth as Reed was plunked to start. Greenwell flied out to center and Clark popped up to short before going nuts in the dugout. Reed swiped second and took third when Mayne's throw went into center. Burks grounded out to second to end the inning. The wheels fell off in the bottom of the eighth when Tony Fossas took the mound. Tartabull took strike three but Gibson walked and stole second. Gibson moved to third on the fly ball by Cromartie and Stillwell was intentionally walked to get to Mayne. Royals manager John Wathan countered by pinch hitting Mike Macfarlane for Mayne. Sox manager Joe Morgan curiously countered with rookie Daryl Irvine to pitch to Macfarlane. The gamble backfired as Macfarlane doubled home both runners to give the Royals the lead. Terry Puhl pinch hit for Thurman and was intentionally walked. Brian McRae pinch hit for Puhl and Shumpert grounded into a force to end the inning with the Royals ahead 5-3.

                                                              Runs charged to Fossas

Jeff Montgomery came in to close out the top of the ninth and Brunansky doubled to center to start. Quintana grounded out to second and Pena grounded back to the mound before Mike Marshall pinch hit for Naehring. Marshall whiffed to end the game and the Royals had won it 5-3.

Jackass of the Night is Daryl Irvine. He served up the two run double to MacFarlane to put the Royals up for good.

                                                             Jackass Irvine

The Good:

Jody Reed was 1 for 3 with a stolen base and a hit by pitch.

Tom Brunansky was 3 for 3 with a walk and a 2 run homer.

Joe Hesketh retired the only man he faced.

Jeff Gray got the final two outs of the seventh inning,

The Bad:

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 4.

Jack Clark was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Carlos Quintana was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Tim Naehring was 0 for 2.

Mike Marshall struck out as a pinch hitter.

Tony Fossas took the loss by getting charged with 2 runs in the eighth inning.

The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Ellis Burks was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Tony Pena was just 1 for 4.

Greg Harris tossed 6 innings of 3 run ball, falling apart in the sixth.

Final Thoughts:

Not only did the Sox offense once again not show up tonight, apparently Jack Clark took out his frustrations out on a clubhouse toilet. He has been fined a thousand dollars for repairs and he probably attacked the toilet with more ferocity than he did the pitches in tonight's game. He's not alone though, nobody is hitting in the clutch and if Brunansky is gonna go on one of his hot streaks, somebody else needs to be on base when he hits it out. Harris pitched well and so did Gray, they were let down by Fossas and Irvine tonight. Its only April but Mike Boddicker is now 2-2 with a 2.03 ERA, meanwhile Danny Darwin is on the DL after getting lit up in 2 of his first 3 starts. Thanks a lot Lou Gorman, hopefully Darwin can come back healthy but this doesn't look good so far. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow against the Royals when they send Tom Bolton (1-0) to the mound up against Kevin Appier of the Royals. The game begins at 8:05 PM Eastern time at Royals Stadium.

Clemens Blanks Jays For Sixth Win in a Row (4/23/91)

On a night where the Boston Bruins lost Game 4 of their NHL playoff second round matchup with the Montreal Canadians, Roger Clemens (4-0, 0.28 ERA) has gotten off to one of the best starts in major league baseball history for the Boston Red Sox. In 4 starts and 32 innings, Clemens has allowed exactly 1 run. Tonight his latest victims were the Toronto Blue Jays. Clemens was once again unhittable, tossing 7 shutout innings and lowering his ERA to a microscopic 0.28. Once again the Sox offense was minimal but home runs by Wade Boggs and Mike Greenwell were enough cushion for Roger. The Sox won their sixth game in a row by beating Toronto 3-0 at Fenway Park.

                                                      Demolition approves of the win

Clemens got the ball in the top of the first inning and established dominance early. Devon White, Roberto Alomar and Kelly Gruber all struck out swinging in short order. Denis Boucher got the start for Toronto and Wade Boggs greeted him by grounding out to first to start the bottom of the first. Jody Reed doubled to left but Mike Greenwell lined out to third. Jack Clark struck out swinging to end the inning.

Joe Carter singled to left to start the top of the second but John Olerud banged into a double play. Rance Mulliniks whiffed to end the inning. Ellis Burks began the bottom of the second taking first on an error by Gruber to start. Tom Brunansky walked but Carlos Quintana popped up to right. The runners moved over on the Tony Pena grounder but Tim Naehring popped up to second to end the inning.

Greg Myers flied out to center to start the top of the third but Manuel Lee singled to center. Lee stole second but Mookie Wilson struck out swinging. White flied out to left to end the inning. The Sox took the lead in the bottom of the third as Boggs struck his third home run of the season to give the Sox the lead. Reed grounded out to short but Greenwell singled to right. Clark lined out to right but Greenwell stole second. Burks and Brunansky walked to load the bases but Quintana flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                                   Home run Boggs

Alomar grounded back to the mound to start the top of the fourth but Gruber doubled to left. Gruber moved to third on the grounder by Carter but Olerud walked. Mulliniks walked to load the bases but Myers grounded out to second to end the inning. Pena doubled to center to start the bottom of the fourth and Naehring bunted him over to third. Boggs hit a grounder to third but Pena stayed there and got doubled off when Reed popped up to Boucher to end the inning.

Lee struck out swinging to open the top of the fifth but Wilson beat out an infield single to second. Wilson stole second but White lined out to third. Alomar flied out to center to end the inning. Greenwell grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the fifth and Clark went down hacking. Burks grounded out to third to end the inning.

Gruber popped up to third to start the top of the sixth but Carter singled to center. Carter was thrown out trying to steal second and Olerud took strike three to end the inning. The Sox got another run in the bottom of the sixth although Brunansky grounded out to third to start. Quintana singled to center and Boucher threw the pickoff throw away to allow Carlos to reach second. Pena lined out to third and Naehring hit a routine grounder to Lee...booted for another error to allow Quintana to reach third. Carlos scored on a balk by Boucher and Boggs was intentionally walked. That was it for Boucher as Jim Acker came in and Reed was retired on a force to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                           Quintana scores a run

Mulliniks walked to start the top of the seventh but Myers banged into a double play. Lee walked but Wilson grounded out to short to end the inning. That was it for Clemens who tossed 7 dominant innings without allowing a run.

                                                                   Clemens goes 7 strong

The Sox struck again in the bottom of the seventh as Greenwell cracked his second homer of the year to increase the lead. Clark grounded out to third, Burks struck out swinging and Brunansky went down hacking to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                               Home run Greenwell

Jeff Gray came in for the top of the eighth and White popped up to third to start. Alomar grounded out to second and Gruber whiffed to end the inning. Willie Fraser came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Quintana doubled to left to start. Quintana moved to third on the grounder by Pena but was thrown out at home on the grounder by Naehring. Boggs singled Naehring to third but Reed popped up to first to end the inning.

Jeff Reardon came in for the save in the top of the ninth and Carter doubled to left to start. Olerud flied out to center but Mulliniks walked. Myers flied out to left and Pat Tabler pinch hit for Lee. Tabler whiffed to end the game. The Sox had won their 6th in a row 3-0.

Hero of the Night is Roger Clemens. He tossed 7 shutout innings to keep the Sox in front all game.

                                                                Rocket Hero

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 4 with a walk and a home run.

Mike Greenwell was 2 for 4 with a home run and a stolen base.

Tom Brunansky walked twice in four plate appearances.

Carlos Quintana was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Jeff Gray pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Jeff Reardon earned his 5th save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Jack Clark was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Tim Naehring was 0 for 3.

The Ugly:

Jody Reed was just 1 for 5.

Ellis Burks was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Tony Pena was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

Clemens is a man on a mission this season and it stems to his ejection in last year's ALCS. If he wants to shove it up MLB's rear end for suspending him (still pending) and ejecting him from the game, hope he can carry this all the way to October. The offense was again almost non-existent but the pitching has been so good, its been masking the problem. The offense only scratching out a few runs a game can't continue if the Sox look to repeat as AL Champions. The rag tag bunch that won the AL East last year need to improve if they want to play in October again. If the Sox can get 7 innings out of their starters, the game is pretty much over because Gray and Reardon have been almost unhittable give or take a few games. If Clemens can keep up this pace all season, he may win 20-25 games with the way the bullpen has been pitching. Tomorrow night the Sox look to make it seven wins in a row when they take on the Blue Jays again. Matt Young goes for the Sox up against Dave Stieb of the Jays at 7:05 at Fenway Park.

Boggs, Sox Top Jays (4/22/91)

Welcome back Boston Red Sox bats! After being dormant for much of April, the Sox offense needed to come alive in tonight's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Sox starter Danny Darwin was out after 4 innings and 4 runs allowed with a bad case of pneumonia. Tom Brunansky hit a two run homer to keep the Sox in the game and Wade Boggs hit the 2 run go-ahead shot in the 5th. The Sox bullpen led by Dennis Lamp didnt surrender a run the rest of the game. The Sox made it 5 wins in a row with their 6-4 victory at Fenway Park.

                                                    Ivan Drago approves of the win

Darwin got the ball in the top of the first and Devon White flied out to center to start. Roberto Alomar flied out to center and Kelly Gruber flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox wasted no time getting to Jays starter David Wells in the bottom of the first inning. Wade Boggs grounded out to short to start and Jody Reed lined out to left. Mike Greenwell tripled into the centerfield gap and scored on the base hit by Jack Clark. Ellis Burks grounded into a force to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 1-0.

                                                                Clark drives in a run

Joe Carter popped up to short to begin the top of the second and John Olerud grounded out to first. Rance Mulliniks grounded out to second to end the inning. Tom Brunansky grounded out to third to start the bottom of the second before Carlos Quintana singled to left. Quintana foolishly tried to stretch a double and was thrown out at second. Tony Pena hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

The Jays tied it up in the top of the third as Greg Myers doubled to to left to start. Myers moved to third on the sacrifice bunt by Manuel Lee and Mookie Wilson was hit with a pitch. Wilson stole second and White scored Myers with a sac fly to tie the game. Alomar flied out to center to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                       Still torturing the Sox 5 years later

Tim Naehring grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the third but Boggs singled to center. Reed flied out to center and Greenwell grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Rangers finished off Darwin in the top of the fourth as Gruber tripled to start and Carter crushed a home run all the way to Burlington to give the Jays the lead. Olerud doubled to left but Mulliniks took strike three. Myers singled to second to score Olerud but Lee struck out looking. Wilson grounded out to second to end the inning with the Jays ahead 4-1. That was it for Darwin after 4 innings and 4 runs allowed, give him credit for trying to pitch through pneumonia but he was finished.

                                                          A sick Danny couldn't continue

The Sox clawed back in the bottom of the fourth as Clark singled to left to start. Lee dropped a pop up by Burks which forced Clark at second but Alomar threw the ball away to allow Burks to take second. Brunansky then clobbered his second home run of the year to cut the lead. Quintana singled to left to start but Pena banged into a double play to end the inning with the Jays up 4-3.

                                                             Brunansky brings the Sox closer

Dennis Lamp came in to pitch the top of the fifth and White grounded out to first to start. Alomar singled to left and swiped second before Gruber walked. Carter hit a rocket to center that Burks dove and caught. Alomar tried to tag up and score all the way from second but was thrown out at home to end the inning. The Sox took command in the bottom of the fifth as Naehring walked to start and Boggs plastered his second home run of the year to give the Sox the lead. Reed walked but Greenwell flied out to center to chase Wells. Mike Timlin came in and Clark singled. Burks lined out to short and Brunansky grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-4.

                                                   Boggs puts the Sox on top

Lamp walked Olerud to begin the top of the sixth and Sox manager Joe Morgan pulled him for Joe Hesketh. Pat Tabler pinch hit for Mulliniks and singled but Myers struck out swinging. Lee hit a routine grounder to reed who threw his glove at the ball and dove onto second base for an error to load the bases. Wilson banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the sixth as Quintana lined out to short to start. Pena grounded out to second and Naehring popped up to first to end the inning.

Hesketh cruised in the top of the seventh as White grounded out to short to start. Alomar grounded out to third and Gruber flied out to center to end the inning. Boggs walked to start the bottom of the seventh but Reed took strike three. Greenwell lined out to left and Clark took strike three to end the inning.

Jeff Gray came in for the top of the eighth and Carter flied out to right to start. Olerud and Tabler both grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Frank Wills came in for the bottom of the eighth and Burks walloped his first home run of the season to increase the lead. Brunansky grounded back to the mound but Quintana was hit with a pitch. Pena moved Quintana to second with a grounder but Naehring grounded out to third to end the inning with the score 6-4 Boston.

                                                        Burks hits the kill shot

Jeff Reardon came in for the top of the ninth with Kevin Romine taking over in right. Myers grounded out to short and Lee flied out to left, but Wilson tripled into the centerfield triangle. White grounded out to first to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-4.

Hero of the Night is Wade Boggs. His 2 run homer put the Sox in front for good.

                                                                  Boggs is the Hero

The Good:

Jack Clark was 3 for 4 with an rbi.

Carlos Quintana was 2 for 3 with a hit by pitch

Dennis Lamp earned the win with a scoreless fifth inning.

Joe Hesketh tossed 2 scoreless innings.

Jeff Gray pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Jeff Reardon earned his fourth save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Tony Pena was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

Jody Reed was 0 for 3 with an error but walked.

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Ellis Burks was just 1 for 4 but the hit was a home run and he scored two total runs.

Tom Brunansky was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a two run home run.

Tim Naehring was 0 for 3 but walked and scored a run.

Honorable Mention:

Kevin Romine played right field in the top of the ninth.

Final Thoughts:

As expected, Danny Darwin was placed on the Disabled List following the game. Its only April so it makes no sense for him to die of pneumonia trying to pitch for the Sox. The good news is at least the Sox won the game despite Danny being out after four. The offense picked him up in this one as Brunansky, Boggs and Burks all homered and Carlos Quintana had a multiple hit game. Naehring looks lost out there but it could be just April jitters. Give him time to see what he can do. If the Sox bullpen going forward can pitch as well as they did today. the Sox are in good shape as the season progresses. The Sox are on a 5 game winning streak and they look to make it 6 in a row tomorrow night against the Blue Jays. Things look good because Roger Clemens (3-0, 0.39 ERA) goes for the Sox up against Dennis Boucher of the Jays. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Edge Indians (4/20/91)

After a rainout postponed yesterday's game to August, today the Sox continued their string of good pitching against the Cleveland Indians. This time it was Greg Harris (1-2, 3.31 ERA) who tossed 6 shutout innings against the Indians. Tom Candiotti was tough on the Sox allowing just two runs in 7 innings, but those two runs just happened to be enough. Carlos Quintana and Mike Greenwell knocked in the crucial runs, Jeff Gray and Jeff Reardon slammed the door and the Sox had taken the game 2-1 at Cleveland Stadium.

                                                             Stacy Arthur approves of the win

Candiotti took the mound in the top of the first inning and Wade Boggs led off by lining out to short. Steve Lyons made his season debut by popping up to short. Mike Greenwell singled to third and a passed ball moved him to second. Jack Clark walked but Ellis Burks struck out swinging to end the inning. Harris took the mound in the bottom of the first and Alex Cole struck out swinging to start. Jerry Browne popped up to left in foul territory and Chris James struck out looking to end the inning.

Tom Brunansky flied out to center to begin the top of the second and Carlos Quintana grounded out to second. Tony Pena walked but Tim Naehring grounded into a force to end the inning. Albert Belle grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the second but Brook Jacoby doubled to left. Carlos Baerga walked and Sandy Alomar was plunked to load the bases. Felix Fermin banged into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the third as Boggs doubled to left to start. Lyons popped up to second in shallow right but Greenwell singled home Boggs to give the Sox the lead. Jack Clark flied out to right and Greenwell was picked off first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                          Greenwell drives in a run

Mitch Webster struck out swinging to start the bottom of the third but Cole grounded back to the mound. Browne grounded out to short to end the inning.

Burks grounded out to third to start the top of the fourth inning and Brunansky struck out swinging. Quintana flied out to center to end the inning. The Indians threatened in the bottom of the fourth as James singled in the hole at short to start. Belle walked but Jacoby messed up the bunt and James was thrown out at third. Belle got picked off second and Baerga popped up to second to end the inning.

Pena hit one up the elevator shaft to start the top of the fifth and Naehring struck out looking. Boggs and Lyons stroked back to back singles but Greenwell popped up to Alomar to end the inning. Alomar flied out to right to start the bottom of the fifth but Fermin singled to second and stole second base. Fermin moved to third on the Webster grounder but Cole grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the sixth as Clark flied out to center to start. Burks singled to left and took second when Belle booted the ball. Brunansky grounded out to third but Quintana doubled to left to score Burks with the insurance run. Pena flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                            Quintana with an rbi double

Harris returned for one more inning in the bottom of the sixth as Browne grounded out to first to start. James walked and Belle hit a routine grounder to Naehring who picked the ball up and dove on the ground with it for an error. Jacoby popped up to second and Baerga lined out to first to end the inning. Good work by Harris to throw 6 shutout innings to keep the Sox in front.

                                                                 Harris goes 6 strong

Naehring popped up to second to start the top of the seventh and Boggs grounded out to short. Lyons drew a walk and Greenwell popped up to third to end the inning. Jeff Gray came in for the bottom of the seventh and Alomar hit a routine grounder to Naehring who ran and jumped on third base for an error. Fermin flied out to center and Webster struck out swinging, but Cole singled past the diving Naehring. Browne singled down the right field line to score Alomar but Cole tried to score from first and was caught in a rundown to end the inning with the Sox still ahead 2-1.

                                                    "Catch the damn ball Naehring!"

Steve Olin came in to pitch the top of the eighth inning and Clark grounded out to third to start. Burks walked but Brunansky was called out on catcher interference. Quintana grounded out to second to end the inning. Gray returned for the bottom of the eighth and James grounded out to short to start. Belle whiffed and Jacoby popped up to short to end the inning.

Olin came back for the top of the ninth and Pena popped up to first to start. Naehring walked but was forced at second by Boggs. Lyons flied out to right to end the inning. Jeff Reardon came in for the save in the bottom of the ninth and Baerga popped up to second to start. Alomar flied out to left and Beau Allred pinch hit for Fermin. Reardon punched out Allred to end the game. The Sox had won it 2-1.

Hero of the Night is Greg Harris. He tossed 6 shutout innings on a day the Sox offense accomplished almost nothing.

                                                                   Harris Hero

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Mike Greenwell was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Ellis Burks was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Jeff Reardon earned his 3rd save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Tom Brunansky was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Steve Lyons was just 1 for 4 with a walk.

Jack Clark was 0 for 3 but walked.

Carlos Quintana was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Tony Pena was 0 for 3 but walked.

Tim Naehring was 0 for 3 with 2 errors but walked.

Jeff Gray allowed an unearned run in two innings of work.

Final Thoughts:

The Red Sox offense continues to struggle but they're getting good pitching lately to keep them afloat. This can't possibly last and the Sox are gonna have to do something to generate some offense. This looks like last year already and Jack Clark so far has made little difference. The sad part is the acquisitions of Matt Young, Danny Darwin and Clark were supposed to offset the losses of Mike Boddicker, Dwight Evans and in essence Bruce Hurst. Still, its too early in the season to judge and the Sox still won the game. Harris pitched a heck of a game and take nothing away from that. The Sox look to make it 5 wins in a row tomorrow against the Indians when they send Dana Kiecker to the mound opposite Charles Nagy at 2:05 PM Eastern time at Cleveland Stadium.