White Sox Pound Nipper, Hold On To Defeat Red Sox (4/29/84)

The good news was the Boston Celtics defeated the New York Knicks in Game 1 of their second round NBA playoff series. The bad news was the Boston Red Sox lost to the Chicago White Sox. It was an up and down month for the Red Sox but it ended on a down note as the White Sox avoided a sweep by delivering a beating to Al Nipper (0-1, 4.58 ERA). Nipper was game for 7 innings of work but the White Sox beat him up for 6 runs on the day. Ron Kittle blasted two home runs and drove in 5 rbis by himself, Richard Dotson nearly went the distance for Chicago and the White Sox sent the Red Sox into the month of May with a 6-4 loss at Commiskey Park.

                                  Officer Bimbeau says the Red Sox aren't allowed to win

The BoSox struck first in the top of the first inning as Jerry Remy hit a routine grounder to Julio Cruz at second...OLE! The ball went through for an error and Cruz responded by going OLE! on a grounder by Dwight Evans as well. Mike Easler singled home Remy and put runners at the corners, but Jim Rice banged into a double play. Evans did score to increase the lead and Tony Armas drew a walk. Rich Gedman grounded out to third to end the inning but the Red Sox led 2-0.

                                                                 OLE!

The White Sox instantly got the lead back against Nipper in the bottom of the first. Rudy Law popped up to short but Marc Hill doubled. Greg Walker grounded back to the mound but Greg Luzinsky singled home Hill. Ron Kittle then hit a home run all the way into Lake Eerie to give the White Sox the lead. Harold Baines popped up third to end the inning with the White Sox ahead 3-2.

The Red Sox answered in the top of the second inning as Reid Nichols singled to start and Ed Jurak singled him to third. Glenn Hoffman grounded back to the mound to score Nichols and tie the game. Jurak moved to third on a grounder by Remy before Evans struck out to end the inning with the game tied 3-3.

                                                        Nichols scores a run

Vance Law flied out to right to start the bottom of the second but Cruz caught the BoSox asleep with a bunt single. Nipper picked off Cruz but Dybzinski walked. Rudy Law singled Dybzinski to third but Hill flied out to center to end the inning.

Dotson cruised in the top of the third as Easler struck out to start. Rice flied out to center and Armas struck out to end the inning. The White Sox wrapped up the scoring in a big way in the bottom of the third as Walker and Luzinsky stroked back to back singles to start. Kittle smashed a home run all the way into Lake Michigan to ice the game. Kittle drove in more runs by himself than the BoSox would as a team. Baines grounded out to second, Vance Law flied out to right and Cruz flied out to center to end the inning with Chicago ahead 6-3.

                                                        One man wrecking crew

The BoSox failed to respond in the top of the fourth as Gedman grounded out to short to start. Nichols grounded out to third but Jurak walked. Hoffman struck out to end the inning. Nipper recovered in the bottom of the fourth as Dybzinski grounded out to short to start. Rudy Law flied out to center but Hill walked and Walker singled. Luzinski flied out to right to end the inning.

Remy grounded out to second to begin the top of the fifth but Evans got a base hit. Easler banged into a double play to end the inning. Kittle flied out to left to start the bottom of the fifth before Baines also flied out to left. Vance Law grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Nothing happened in the top of the sixth as Rice popped up to first to start. Armas grounded out to second but Gedman singled. Nichols hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. Nipper got Cruz to pop up to second to begin the bottom of the sixth and Dybzinski flied out to left. Rudy Law smacked a triple but Hill popped up to third to end the inning.

Jurak grounded out to short to start the top of the seventh but Hoffman somehow doubled. Remy flied out to left and Evans struck out to end the inning. Nipper returned for the bottom of the seventh and finished strong. Walker grounded out to second, Luzinski flied out to right and Kittle popped up to first to end the inning. Nipper got hammered in the first few innings but was almost unhittable the final four. He finishes with 7 innings and 6 runs allowed, not good enough.

                                                         7 innings but 6 runs run allowed

The BoSox fought back in the top of the eighth with Mike Squires now at first base. Easler singled and moved to second on the Rice grounder. Armas popped up to second but Gedman singled home Easler and bring the tying run to the plate. Nichols grounded into a force to end the inning but the Sox were down 6-4.

                                                      Gedman drives in a run

John Henry Johnson came in for the bottom of the eighth and cruised. Baines flied out to center, Vance Law popped up to first and Cruz flied out to right to end the inning.

Dotson came back to finish the job in the top of the ninth but Jurak walked to chase him. Rick Miller was sent in to pinch hit but Juan Agosto came on in relief. Sox manager Ralph Houk pulled Miller and sent in Marty Barrett instead. Barrett forced Jurak at second and Remy popped up to Agosto. Al Jones came in for the final out and Evans took strike three to end the game. The Red Sox were denied a sweep as they lost 6-4.

Jackass of the Night is Al Nipper. He allowed 6 early runs and the Sox couldn't bop their way back into it this time.

                                                      Nipper the Jackass



The Good:

Mike Easler was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Rich Gedman was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Ed Jurak was 1 for 2 with 2 walks.

Glenn Hoffman was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

John Henry Johnson pitched a scoreless inning.



The Bad:

Jim Rice was 0 for 4.

Marty Barrett was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was 0 for 5 but scored a run.

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 5 with a hat trick of three strikeouts but scored a run.

Tony Armas was 0 for 3 but walked.

Reid Nichols was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.



Honorable Mention:

Rick Miller "pinch hit" in the top of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

As the first month of the season comes to a close, its very obvious the weakness of the Red Sox is pitching. They've lost more games than they've won because they have to score 8 runs a game with the bad pitching they've had. Bruce Hurst and Dennis Eckersley didn't look sharp early, Bob Ojeda hasn't looked good, Al Nipper hasn't looked good and Mike Brown hasn't looked good. Mark Clear and Bob Stanley's arms are going to fall off unless the starters can pitch more consistently. Nipper allowed 6 runs and the Red Sox just couldn't fight their way back this time. At least Nipper picked himself up to toss 4 scoreless innings after the third inning. The month can pretty much be summed up as good offense, bad pitching. The loss dropped the Sox to 9-13, 10 games behind the Detroit Tigers for first place in the AL East. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox have a chance to get back in the race when they venture to Detroit to take on the red hot Tigers. Bruce Hurst (3-2) takes on Milt Wilcox at 8:05 PM Eastern time at Tiger Stadium.

Angels Beat Sox Late (4/24/84)

The good news was the Boston Celtics eliminated the Washington Bullets with a Game 4 win in their first round NBA playoff series, the bad news is the Boston Red Sox dropped another game to the California Angels. Remember yesterday when the consensus was if the Red Sox bats come alive they have a chance to win? That's if the pitching is at least somewhat decent. Tonight it was anything but decent. The Sox offense pounded out 13 hits and 7 runs but the Angels smacked around Boston for 16 hits and 8 runs. Oil Can Boyd lasted just 3 innings and allowed three straight home runs before John Henry Johnson took a beating as well. Brian Downing drove in a run against Bob Stanley (1-1, 2.65 ERA) in the top of the ninth and the Angels drove the Sox to another loss with an 8-7 victory at Fenway Park.

                                                      "Damn Stanley."

The Angels wasted no time getting to Boyd in the top of the first as Gary Pettis and Rod Carew stroked back to back singles to start. Fred Lynn walked to load the bases and Doug DeCinces scored Pettis with a sac fly. Reggie Jackson struck out and Brian Downing flied out to right to end the inning with the Angels ahead 1-0.

The Sox struck back in the bottom of the first against Angels starter Steve Brown. Jerry Remy led off with a single then moved to second on a wild pitch. Dwight Evans popped up to second and Wade Boggs flied out to left, but Jim Rice doubled home Remy to tie the game. Mike Easler singled home Rice to give the Sox the lead but Tony Armas struck out to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-1.

                                                           Rice ties it up

Boyd cruised in the top of the second as Bobby Grich struck out to start. Bob Boone singled but Dick Schofield Jr banged into a double play to end the inning. Rich Gedman grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the second before Reid Nichols popped up to second. Jackie Gutierrez doubled but Remy grounded out to short to end the inning.

Pettis grounded out to short to start the top of the third but Carew singled and Lynn doubled him to third. Carew then tried to steal home but was caught in a run-down. DeCinces popped up to second to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the third as Evans and Boggs walked to start. Rice then tripled home both runners to increase the lead. Easler grounded out to second and Armas grounded out to short, but Gedman doubled home Rice. Nichols popped up to second to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 5-1.

                                                      Gedman adds to the lead

The Angels then went back to back to back off Boyd in the top of the fourth. Jackson, Downing and Grich all homered in short order as the boo birds rained down. Boone singled and Sox manager Ralph Houk pulled Boyd before it could get any worse. Boyd was clearly rattled and lasted just 3 innings and allowed 4 runs. John Henry Johnson came in and got Schofield to force Boone at second. Pettis singled but Carew struck out. Lynn flied out to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-4.

                                                        Back to back to back jacks isn't good

Steve Brown didn't last long in the bottom of the fourth as Gutierrez flied out to right to start. Remy walked to chase Brown. Jim Slaton came in and the Sox rallied. Evans flied out to center but Boggs singled Remy to third. Rice singled home Jerry to increase the lead. Easler struck out to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 6-4.

                                                        Remy scores another run

The slugfest continued in the top of the fifth as DeCinces bashed a home run all the way into Walden Pond to cut the lead. Jackson grounded out to short, Downing grounded out to second and Grich flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-5.

                                                    Can anyone keep the ball in the yard?

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Armas popped up to third to start. Gedman popped up to short and Nichols flied out to center to end the inning.

The Angels took command in the top of the sixth as Boone singled to start. Schofield Jr hit a double play ball to Remy BUT HE BOOTED IT! Pettis walked to load the bases and Carew walked in a run to tie the game. That was it for Johnson as Al Nipper was brought in only for Lynn to score Schofield Jr with the go-ahead run. DeCinces forced Pettis at home and Jackson struck out to end the inning with the Angels ahead 7-6.

                                                 The old man would be proud of his son

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the sixth as Gutierrez singled to start. Remy forced Jackie at second and Evans banged into a double play to end the inning.

Nipper got Downing to fly out to left to start the top of the seventh before Grich grounded back to the mound. Boone doubled and Schofield Jr popped up to short to end the inning. Boggs flied out to center to start the bottom of the seventh before Rice grounded out to short. Easler grounded out to first to end the inning.

Nipper got Pettis to ground back to the mound to begin the top of the eighth but Carew singled. Lynn banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox showed some balls in the bottom of the eighth as Armas singled to start. Gedman doubled to chase Slaton. Luis Sanchez came in and Nichols was plunked to load the bases with nobody out. Rick Miller pinch hit for Gutierrez and Marty Barrett pinch ran for Gedman. Miller scored Armas with a sac fly and Remy singled to reload the bases. All Evans needed was a sac fly but instead he struck out. Boggs grounded out to first to end the inning which was a huge waste, although the Sox tied the game 7-7.

                                                          Miller ties the game

Bob Stanley came in for the top of the ninth with Jeff Newman behind the plate and Glenn Hoffman taking over at short. DeCinces grounded out to third but Jackson doubled. Downing singled home Jackson to give the Angels the lead. Grich flied out to right and Boone grounded out to short to end the inning with the Angels ahead 8-7.

                                                                Dammit Bob!

The Sox tried to rally in the bottom of the ninth although Rice popped up to second to start. Easler singled and moved to second on the Armas grounder. A passed ball moved Easler to third and Newman walked to put runners at the corners. Nichols flied out to right to end the game. The Angels won the hard fought battle 8-7.

Jackass of the Night is Bob Stanley. He allowed the go-ahead run to score in the top of the ninth.

                                                       Stanley The Jackass



The Good:

Jerry Remy was 2 for 4 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Jim Rice was 3 for 4 with 4 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Mike Easler was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

Rich Gedman was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Jeff Newman walked in his only plate appearance.

Jackie Gutierrez was 2 for 3.

Rick Miller drove in a run in his only at bat.

Al Nipper tossed 2 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Oil Can Boyd allowed 4 runs in just 3 innings included 3 straight home runs.



The Ugly:

Dwight Evans was 0 for 4 but walked and scored.

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

Tony Armas was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

Reid Nichols was 0 for 4 but was hit with a pitch.

John Henry Johnson was charged with 2 runs in 3 innings of work.





Honorable Mention:

Marty Barrett pinch ran in the bottom of the eighth.

Glenn Hoffman played short in the top of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

The Sox offense can't save the day every time and tonight was one of those nights. Boyd didn't have it and Henry Johnson couldn't hold the lead. The Angels couldn't miss with 16 hits and even then, if the Sox could push across a second run in the bottom of the eighth, maybe Stanley closes it out. The Sox need to make a trade big time because they can't compete with pitching that's THIS bad. They have young arms in Boyd, Nipper, Bruce Hurst and Bob Ojeda. Somebody either has to step up or be traded for a proven starter. Going life or death with the California Angels isn't a good thing because the Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers are much better. Tomorrow night the Sox start a set with the Seattle Mariners. Jim Beattie goes for Seattle up against Bruce Hurst (2-2) at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.

A's Knock Out Brown, Drop Sox (4/21/84)

It was a bad day for Boston sports. The Boston Celtics were beaten by the Washington Bullets in Game 3 of their first round NBA playoff series and the Boston Red Sox lost to the Oakland A's. The feel good win of last night's game over the A's lasted less than 24 hours for the Red Sox. The A's sent the Sox to yet another April loss as they pounded Mike Brown (0-2, 7.24 ERA). Brown managed to pitch into the 7th inning but allowed 5 big runs. An error by Glenn Hoffman didn't help either and when the dust settled, the A's had beaten the Sox 5-2 at Oakland Coliseum.

                                             Joel doesn't like Mike Brown's bad pitching

At first Brown cruised in the top of the first as Rickey Henderson flied out to center to start. Dwayne Murphy flied out to left and Joe Morgan flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox looked to rally in the bottom of the first when Jerry Remy reached on an error by Donnie Hill to start. Dwight Evans got a base hit but Wade Boggs banged into a double play. Jim Rice flied out to left to end the inning.

The A's struck first in the top of the second inning as Carney Lansford flied out to center to start. Bruce Bochte walked and Dave Kingman pounded a home run all the way into the Long Island Sound to give the A's the lead. Glenn Hoffman booted a ground ball to allow Mike Davis to reach on an error but Mike Heath struck out. Davis was thrown out trying to steal to end the inning with the A's up 2-0.

                                                            A's take the lead.

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the second as Mike Easler struck out to start. Tony Armas grounded out to third but Rich Gedman got a base hit. Reid Nichols flied out to left to end the inning.

The A's got another run in the top of the third as Hill singled and took second on a balk. Henderson grounded out to short but Murphy singled home Hill to increase the lead. Morgan singled and Murphy took third on the Lansford fly ball. Bochte flied out to left to end the inning with the A's ahead 3-0.

The Sox tried to come back in the bottom of the third inning as Hoffman walked to start. Remy singled Glenn to third and Evans beat out a double play ball to put the Sox on the board. Boggs popped up to short and Rice grounded into a force to end the inning with the Sox down 3-1.

                                                             Remy scores a run

The A's got another run in the top of the fourth inning as Kingman struck out to start. Davis flied out to left but Hoffman booted a ground ball by Heath to kept the inning going. The A's pounced as Hill singled Heath to third and Mike scored on a wild pitch. Henderson struck out to end the inning but it was 4-1 A's.

                                                           Nice going Hoffman

Easler singled to start the bottom of the fourth and moved to second on the Armas grounder. Gedman grounded back to the mound and Nichols grounded into a force to end the inning.

Brown cruised in the top of the fifth inning as Murphy flied out to right to start. Morgan flied out to left and Lansford flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Hoffman flied out to left to start. Remy flied out to left but somehow Evans doubled. Boggs grounded out to second to end the inning.

Bochte grounded back to the mound to start the top of the sixth before Kingman struck out. Davis and Heath stroked back to back singles but Hill grounded out to second to end the inning. Rice flied out to right to start the bottom of the sixth but Easler drew a walk. Easler was thrown out trying to steal and Armas struck out to end the inning.

The A's finally knocked out Brown in the top of the seventh although Henderson grounded out to short to start. Murphy pulverized a home run all the way to Nova Scotia to increase the lead. Morgan drew a walk and that was it for Brown. The incompetent righty allowed 5 runs in just 6 1/3 innings. John Henry Johnson came in and Tony Phillips pinch ran for Morgan. Lansford singled but Bochte struck out. Kingman flied out to center to end the inning with the A's up 5-1.

                                                       Not the best effort

The Sox did try to rally in the bottom of the seventh as Gedman singled to start. Nichols walked and Rick Miller pinch hit for Hoffman. Miller flied out to center but Gedman moved to third, and Rich scored on the Remy single to bring the tying run to the plate. Keith Atherton replaced Warren and Nichols moved to third on the Evans fly ball. Tom Burgmeier was brought in to face Boggs and Wade flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox down 5-2.

                                                             Gedman scores a run

Jackie Gutierrez took over at short for the top of the eighth as the A's beat the ball in the dirt. Davis, Heath and Hill all grounded out to second in short order. The Sox tried to rally again in the bottom of the eighth as Rice doubled to start. The rally ended as Easler struck out and Armas flied out to center. Jim Essian took over behind the plate and Gedman struck out to end the inning.

Johnson returned for the top of the ninth and Henderson popped up to second. Murphy popped up to short and Phillips hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. Good job by Johnson for keeping the Sox in the game.

                                                            Johnson does his job

Nichols popped up to second to begin the bottom of the ninth but Dave Stapleton pinch hit for Gutierrez. Stapleton singled but Remy flied out to right. Evans walked to bring the tying run to the plate but Boggs grounded back to the mound to end the game. The A's had won it 5-2.

Jackass of the Night is Mike Brown. He lasted 6 1/3 innings and gave up 5 runs to take the loss.

                                                     Jackass Brown


The Good:

Jerry Remy was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

Dwight Evans was 2 for 4 with a walk and an rbi.

Mike Easler was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Rich Gedman was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Dave Stapleton singled as a pinch hitter.

John Henry Johnson tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings.




The Bad:

Wade Boggs was 0 for 5.

Tony Armas was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Rick Miller was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.




The Ugly:

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4.

Reid Nichols was 0 for 3 but walked.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 1 with an error but walked and scored.




Honorable Mention:

Jackie Gutierrez played short in the ninth inning.




Final Thoughts:

Another dreary loss in an April full of them. I don't get what the Sox see in Mike Brown because he's been a disappointment since he was put in the rotation. Then again nobody else is stepping up to be an ace either. Then again, it didn't matter if Cy Young started this game because the Sox couldn't generate any offense. Wade Boggs, Jim Rice, Dwight Evans, Rich Gedman and Glenn Hoffman are in terrible slumps and when 5 of your 9 batters are having trouble getting on, how are the others supposed to drive them in? The Sox need another bat in the lineup and they need another ace. Good luck getting either of those. Tomorrow the Sox look to bounce back against the A's when they send Dennis Eckersley (0-2) to the mound up against Steve McCatty at 2:05 PM at Fenway Park

Sox Routed by A's (4/8/84)

Holy moly that was an epic beatdown. As if the sputtering Boston Red Sox offense wasn't bad enough, today the pitching staff got absolutely shelled by a relentless Oakland A's attack. One day after getting shutout, the A's pounded out 14 runs off 16 hits and ambushed the unsuspecting Red Sox 14-2 at Oakland Coliseum.

                                             Wonka doesn't like bad pitching staffs

Steve McCatty got the ball for the A's in the top of the first inning and Jerry Remy flied out to right to start. Dwight Evans grounded out to short but Wade Boggs walked. Jim Rice singled but Mike Easler grounded out to second to end the inning. Mike Brown (0-1) got the start for the Sox and promptly pissed his pants. Rickey Henderson singled, stole second and promptly moved to third on the flyout by Dwayne Murphy. Joe Morgan singled home Henderson and Carney Lansford singled as well. Bruce Bochte singled in Morgan and moved Lansford to third. Right away Sox manager Ralph Houk knew Brown wasn't ready and got Al Nipper hot in the bullpen. It was too late as Kingman singled home Lansford to increase the lead. Davey Lopes singled to center but the ball got under Tony Armas' glove, allowing Bochte to score and chase Brown from the game after just 1/3 of an inning. Yeesh, better off letting Al Nipper start.

                                                            Couldn't make it out of the first

Nipper came in and promptly allowed a 2 run single to Mike Heath. Donnie Hill hit a comebacker to the mound and Henderson flied out to right but the A's had ambushed the Sox for a 6-0 lead.

Could the Sox answer in the top of the second inning? Actually yes! Tony Armas did what he could by launching a solo home run off McCatty to pull within 5 runs. That was it for the rally as Rich Gedman flied out to left, Dave Stapleton popped up to third and Glenn Hoffman popped up to second to end the inning.

                                                    Armas blasts one to cut the lead

Something was wrong with Remy as he was replaced with Marty Barrett for the bottom of the second inning. Murphy singled but Nipper recovered to induce a double play by Morgan. Lansford struck out to end the inning.

The Sox tried to fight back in the top of the third inning when Barrett drew a walk and Evans doubled. Boggs flied out for a huge out at the time and all Rice could do was bring in Barrett with a groundout. Easler struck out to end the inning but the Sox cut the lead again 6-2.

                                          Marty comes in for Jerry and scores

Nipper hung tough in the bottom of the third as Bochte walked but Kingman popped up to first. Lopes singled but Heath popped up to second. Hill grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox threatened in the top of the fourth although Armas grounded out to short to start. Gedman singled but Stapleton flied out to left. Hoffman singled but Barrett popped to short to end the inning. That would be the last time the Sox would come close to getting back in the game. After the Sox squandered, right on cue Henderson smacked a solo home run to increase the Oakland lead to begin the bottom of the fourth. Murphy hit a comebacker to Nipper, Morgan flied out to right and Lansford grounded out to short to end the inning but it was 7-2 Oakland.

The Sox mustered nothing in the top of the fifth as Evans flied out to left to start. Boggs walked but Rice banged into a double play to end the inning. The A's iced the game in the bottom of the fifth as Bochte walked but Kingman popped up to second. Lopes continued the carnage with a 2 run bomb to put the game out of reach. Heath struck out and Hill flied out to left to end the inning with the A's up 9-2.

                                              My sentiments exactly, Kent

The Sox went to sleep in the top of the sixth as Easler struck out to start the frame. Armas doubled and moved to third on the Gedman ground out. Stapleton grounded out to second to end the inning. Mark Clear was brought in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and he poured gas on the fire as well. Henderson walked and Murphy singled him to third. Murphy took second on a wild pitch and Morgan brought home Henderson with a sac fly. Lansford popped to short but Bochte and Kingman smacked back to back run scoring doubles. Jeff Burroughs pinch ran for Kingman but Lopes popped up to third to end the inning with the A's now up 12-2.

                                             Nice going Clear

The Sox fell asleep in the top of the seventh as the Oakland bench emptied. Jeff Bettendorf came in to pitch, Bill Almon took over for Lansford, Heath moved from catcher to right, Essian took over for Lopes but caught and Tony Phillips took over at second. Hoffman popped up to first, Barrett struck out and Evans hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. John Henry Johnson came in for Clear and he took a beating as well. Heath led off with a double and Hill doubled him home. Henderson flied out but Hill moved to third. Murphy struck out and Johnson was called for a balk, allowing Hill to run home. Phillips struck out to end the inning but the carnage continued, 14-2 A's.

                                                  Way to balk, Johnson

The ice cold offense did nothing in the top of the eighth although Boggs worked a walk. Rice struck out, Easler popped to second and Armas flied out to right to end the inning. Bob Stanley came in to pitch with Reid Nichols in for Rice to begin the bottom of the eighth. Stanley got Almon to hit a comebacker before Bochte grounded out to second. Burroughs grounded out to third to end the inning.

Finally the game came to an end in the top of the ninth. Gedman flied out to center and Stapleton popped up to first but Houk decided to pinch hit Rick Miller for Hoffman just in case they rallied for 12 runs without an out. Miller popped up to third and the game was over, the A's had won it 14-2.

Jackass of the Night is Mike Brown. He failed to make it out of the first inning and was charged with 6 runs.

                                                       Jackass of the Night: Brown


The Good:

Wade Boggs walked 3 times in 4 plate appearances.

Tony Armas was 2 for 4 with a home run.

Glenn Hoffman was 1 for 3.

Bob Stanley pitched a scoreless eighth inning.



The Bad:

Jerry Remy was 0 for 1 before leaving.

Mike Easler was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Dave Stapleton was 0 for 4.

Rick Miller was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Mark Clear allowed 3 runs in just 1 inning.

John Henry Johnson allowed 2 runs in 1 inning.



The Ugly:

Marty Barrett was 0 for 2 but walked and scored.

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Rich Gedman was just 1 for 4.

Al Nipper allowed 3 runs in 4 1/3 innings after coming in as an emergency for the ineffective Brown. He was better off starting the damn game.



Honorable Mention:

Reid Nichols played left field in the bottom of the eighth




Final Thoughts:

Gadzooks that was bawful. As if the ice cold offense wasn't bad enough, the A's couldn't miss. The bullpen has some major issues but they had to pitch 7 2/3 innings because Mike Brown pissed himself. The season is only 6 games in and the Sox already need a dependable starter and someone who can hit for power at the bottom of the order. Maybe Ojeda and Hurst can step it up, maybe not. Either way the Sox are 3-3 and don't look good already. Rice has been ice cold but he'll heat up, the question is when. The Sox now travel to Seattle on Tuesday for a 3 game set with the Mariners with Bob Ojeda on the mound for the Sox taking on Jim Beattie at the Kingdome.

Rangers Pound Ojeda, Sox (4/9/83)

Not a great day for Boston sports as it turned out. The Boston Bruins dropped Game 3 of their NHL playoff first round series against the Quebec Nordqiues and the Texas Rangers took out their frustrations of their previous loss to the Boston Red Sox by tagging Bob Ojeda (0-1) in Bob's season debut for 5 runs on 4 hits and SIX walks. The Rangers knocked around the Boston bullpen before eventually running away with the game 10-3 at Arlington Park.

                                                 "Damn Rangers!"

Mike Smithson got the ball for the Rangers in the top of the first inning and Wade Boggs flied out to left to start. Dwight Evans grounded out to first and Jim Rice struck out in short order. The Rangers pounced on Ojeda right from the start. Billy Sample walked and Mike Richardt singled. Buddy Bell took strike three but Dave Hostetler tripled home both runners to give Texas the lead. Larry Parrish walked and Bob Johnson singled in Hostetler. Jim Sundberg doubled home Parrish to increase the lead before George Wright grounded out to short. Bucky Dent also grounded out to first to end the inning with the Rangers ahead 4-0.

                                                     Ojeda says "I sucked tonight!"

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the second inning although Tony Armas was plunked to start the inning. Carl Yastrzemski flied out to left but Dave Stapleton banged into a double play to end the inning. Ojeda settled down in the bottom of the second by getting Sample to ground out to short to start. Richardt flied out to right and Bell took strike three again to end the inning.

The Sox mustered nothing in the top of the third inning. Rich Gedman flied out to right, Glenn Hoffman grounded back to the mound and the only reason Julio Valdez reached first was due to an error by Johnson. Somehow Boggs singled but Evans struck out to end the inning. The Rangers struck again in the bottom of the fourth inning after Hostetler and Parrish worked back to back walks. Johnson beat out a double play ball and Sundberg scored Hostetler with a sac fly to center. Wright flied out to center to end the inning but it was now 5-0 Texas.

The Sox fought back in the top of the fourth inning when Rice led off with a double. Armas struck out and Yaz flied out, but Stapleton doubled home Rice to put the Sox on the board. Gedman grounded out to second to end the inning but it was 5-1 Rangers.

                                                    Stapleton makes it 5-1

Ojeda was done after just three innings and Doug Bird made his season debut to pour gas on the fire in the bottom of the fourth. Dent doubled to begin before Sample moved him to third on a groundout. Richardt doubled in Dent and Bell grounded out to short. Hollister doubled in Richardt and Parrish flied out to left to end the inning with the Rangers up 7-1.

                                                        "I sucked too" - Bird

The Sox threatened in the top of the fifth but accomplished nothing. Hoffman grounded out to second but Valdez got his first hit of the season. Boggs watched strike three go by but Evans singled. Rice struck out to end the inning. Bird came back for the bottom of the fifth and Johnson flied out to center to begin. Sundberg grounded out to third and Wright struck out to end the inning.

The Sox went quietly in the top of the sixth as Armas flied out to center, Yaz flied out to left and Stapleton grounded out to third to end the inning. The relentless Rangers struck again in the bottom of the sixth as Dent flied out to center to start. Sample tripled but Richardt popped up to center, failing to advance Sample. Bell promptly singled in Sample and Hostetler walked. Parrish hit a routine ground ball to Boggs who picked the ball up and threw it to a puzzled Jim Rice in left field for an error to load the bases. Johnson grounded out to end the inning but it was 8-1 Texas.

The Sox looked to get something going when Gedman singled and Hoffman walked to start the top of the seventh but Valdez flied out to right. Boggs singled to load the bases but Evans banged into a double play to end the inning. Somehow the Rangers did NOT score in the bottom of the seventh inning. Sundberg grounded out to short, Wright looked at strike three and Dent grounded out to second to end the inning.

Dave Tobik replaced Smithson in the top of the eighth and the Sox finally rallied. Rice hit a routine grounder to Dent who threw wide of first, allowing Jim to reach. It didn't matter as Armas banged into a double play. Yaz doubled and Stapleton walked before Gedman doubled in both runners. Hoffman walked and Rick Miller made his season debut to pinch hit for Valdez, only to ground-out to end the inning with the Sox down 8-3.

                                                        Gedman doubles in two runs

John Henry Johnson took the mound in the top of the ninth with Marty Barrett now at second base. Sample popped up to second to begin before Richardt singled. A wild pitch moved Richardt to second but Bell flied out to right. Hostetler walked before Parrish lofted a routine fly to Armas. Tony inexplicably threw his glove at the ball and drove on it, scoring Richardt and Hostetler on the play. Johnson struck out to end the inning but it was 10-3 Rangers.

                                                   Nice going Tony

The carnage finally ended in the bottom of the ninth as Boggs grounded out to short to begin. Evans grounded out to third but Rice singled to prolong the agony. Armas flied out to center to end the game. The Rangers had won 10-3.

Jackass of the Night is Bob Ojeda. He lasted just 3 plus innings and gave up 5 runs, putting the Sox in a hole they couldn't dig out of.

                                                        Ojeda the Jackass


The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 5.

Jim Rice was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Dave Stapleton was 1 for 3 with a walk, run scored and an rbi.

Rich Gedman was 2 for 4 with 2 rbi's.

Glenn Hoffman walked twice in four plate appearances.

Julio Valdez was 1 for 3.



The Bad:

Tony Armas was 0 for 4 with a strikeout and an error.

Rick Miller was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Doug Bird gave up 4 runs in 3 innings.



The Ugly:

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 5.

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

John Henry Johnson allowed 2 runs in the 9th inning but due to an Armas error.



Honorable Mention:

Marty Barrett played second in the top of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

That was a disaster but those are going to happen this season if the Sox continue to have mediocre pitching. Sox ownership are going to ride with young, homegrown pitchers such as Ojeda, John Tudor and Bruce Hurst and they're going to have growing pains. If Eckersley can't regain 1978 form then they are in big trouble. The Rangers couldn't miss today and unfortunately if Sox pitching can't do better, its going to be a LONG season. Tomorrow afternoon the Sox travel to Arlington Texas to play the Rangers with Dennis Eckersley going for the Sox opposite Jon Matlack.

Jays Rout Sox on Opening Day (4/5/83)

Another season begins with complete misery as the 1983 Boston Red Sox laid an egg on Opening Day and manage to clear the benches against the Toronto Blue Jays. Dennis Eckersley (0-1, 15.75 ERA) got hammered, Jim Rice got pissed and the Jays rocked the Sox 7-1 at Fenway Park.

Eckersley got the ball in the top of the first inning and Damaso Garcia popped up to shallow center to begin the game. Dave Collins was rung up for strike three and Willie Upshaw flied out to right to end the inning. Stieb got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Wade Boggs grounded out to second to start. Dwight Evans got the first hit of the season with a base hit past the diving Upshaw but Jim Rice whiffed. Tony Armas watched strike three go by to end the inning.

The Jays exploded in the top of the second inning as Cliff Johnson singled off the Monster to start. Jesse Barfield doubled to left and Ernie Whitt cleared the bases with a base hit to left. Eckersley recovered to strike out Lloyd Moseby but Rance Mulliniks homered into the Red Sox bullpen to give the Jays a commanding 4-0 lead. Alfredo Griffin hit a rocket but Evans made a leaping catch at the bullpen wall. Garcia popped up to third to end the inning but it was 4-0 Jays.

                                                          "Damn you Eckersley!!!!"

The Sox tried to fight back in the bottom of the second inning as Carl Yastrzemski and Dave Stapleton worked back to back walks. Rich Gedman struck out but Glenn Hoffman poked a single over the head of Griffin to load the bases. The rally died as Julio Valdez whiffed and Boggs grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Jays struck again in the top of the third inning as Collins lined out but Upshaw hit a rocket just over the outstretched glove of Evans into the Jays bullpen for a home run. Johnson flied out to right and Barfield whiffed to end the inning but it was 5-0 Jays.

                                                         Eck doesn't have it today

The Sox once again tried to fight back when Evans walked to open the bottom of the third inning but Rice was out on a bang-bang play at first. The rally ended as Arms popped up to third and Yaz grounded out to first to end the inning.

Eckersley got heated in the top of the fourth inning when Eckersley brushed back Whitt before getting him out on a comebacker. Moseby struck out but Eck intentionally plunked Mullinks. Home plate umpire Larry Barrnett warned Eck and both dugouts to cut the crap. Garcia started barking at Gedman and Gedman got in his face and the Jays started pouring out of their dugout. Things calmed down but Garcia popped up to third to end the inning. The Sox responded by doing nothing in the bottom of the fourth as Stapleton popped up to shallow center to start. Gedman grounded out to second and Hoffman whiffed to end the inning.

The end came quickly for Eck in the top of the fifth inning. Garcia singled and stole second then broke for home on the single to left by Collins. Rice gunned it home and Garcia retreated to third but Collins moved to second. Red Sox manager Ralph Houk came out to pull Eckerseley from the game. Bruce Hurst relieved him and immediately gave up a 2 run single to Upshaw to ice the game. Hurst recovered to get Johnson to ground out, moving Upshaw to second. Barfield grounded out to third and Whitt grounded out to short to end the inning but it was all but over 7-0.

                                     Wish the Sox had John Rambo to say Nothing Is Over....but they didn't.

Valdez hit one up the elevator shaft to open the bottom of the fifth inning but Boggs walked. Evans watched strike three go by as the benches emptied again when Rice was plunked and almost got into it with Whitt. When things settled down Boggs beat out a fielder's choice ball hit by Armas to load the bases. With their one last chance to get back in the game....Yaz popped to short to end the inning. What a waste...but the benches clearing was fun.

                                                       Mayhem at Fenway

Hurst returned for the top of the sixth and Moseby greeted him with a single past the diving Valdez. Mulliniks banged into a double play and Hoffman made a great play to rob Griffin of a hit on a bang bang play at first to end the inning. The Sox finally got on the board when Stapleton led off the bottom of the sixth with a home run into the screen in left. That was it for offense as Gedman struck out, Hoffman grounded out to first and Valdez grounded out to second to end the inning but it was now 7-1 Jays.

                                             Stapleton goes yard

Hurst returned for the top of the seventh and got Garcia on a tapper in front of the plate. Collins watched strike three go by and Upshaw grounded out to second to end the inning. Roy Lee Jackson replaced Stieb for the bottom of the seventh and got Boggs to fly out to left. Evans popped up to short and Rice struck out to end the inning.

Hurst came back for the top of the eighth and got Johnson to pop up to center to start. Barfield grounded to short and Whitt was frozen for strike three to end the inning. Hurst had tossed 4 scoreless innings, not bad for a guy coming off elbow surgery.

                                                             Way to go Hurst

The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the eighth as Armas hit a comebacker, Yaz popped up to center and Stapleton flied out to left to end the inning.

John Henry Johnson got the call to pitch the top of the ninth and nearly got cleaned out on a liner by Moseby but Hoffman was there to field it and throw to first for the out. Mulliniks and Griffin both grounded out to second to end the inning. Jackson returned for the bottom of the ninth but the Sox offense was asleep as Gedman flied out to right to start. Hoffman watched strike three go by but not before 2 kids ran out on the field to chase a foul ball. Sox manager Ralph Houk sent in Reid Nichols to pinch hit for Valdez and struck out on a check swing to end the game. The Sox had 3 hits as a team and lost 7-1, What a lousy Opening Day.

Jackass of the Night is Dennis Eckersley. He was knocked out in the fifth inning after getting tagged for 7 runs on 7 hits. Brutal.....

                                           Opening Day Jackass: Dennis Eckersley


The Good:

Dwight Evans was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Dave Stapleton was 1 for 3 with a walk and a solo home run.

Bruce Hurst pitched 4 scoreless innings.

John Henry Johnson pitched a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

Tony Armas was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Rich Gedman was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Julio Valdez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout

Reid Nichols was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was 0 for 3 but walked.

Jim Rice was 0 for 3 but was hit with a pitch.

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 3 but walked.

Glenn Hoffman was just 1 for 4.




Final Thoughts:

It sucks Jerry Remy is on the disabled list to start the year but there has to be a way to generate some offense. The Sox loaded the bases two innings in a row and did nothing. Yes Eckersley stunk the joint out but they had their chances to claw back into the game early. By the time Stapleton homered it was too late. The Sox better hope they get better starting pitching because the top of their order besides Boggs strikes out A LOT. The Sox as a team only had THREE hits on the afternoon. Tomorrow afternoon John Tudor makes his season debut for the Sox opposite Luis Leal of the Blue Jays. The game starts at high noon at Fenway Park.