Everett, Sox Club Expos (7/16/00)

After yesterday's incident, not too many people are happy with Carl Everett right now. Despite his explosive temper, he's still a good player for the Boston Red Sox. The Montreal Expos took a 2-1 lead against the Red Sox in today's interleague game with Boston's run scored by Carl himself. Morgan Burkhart put the Sox ahead in the bottom of the fifth and Everett smashed a two run bomb in the sixth to add some much needed insurance. On the other side of the ball Tim Wakefield (6-5, 4.69 ERA) tossed a gutty game where he allowed just two runs in seven innings of work. John Wasdin earned his second save of the season by pitching the next two scoreless innings and the Sox had beaten the Expos 5-2 at Fenway Park.

                                                      Brande Roderick approves of the win

Wakefield got the ball in the top of the first inning and Peter Bergeron singled up the middle to start. Jose Vidro grounded out to second to move Bergeron to second but Wilton Guerrero flied out to left. Vladimir Guerrero walked but Lee Stevens popped up to short to end the inning. Mike Johnson got the start for Montreal in the bottom of the first and Jose Offerman flied out to right to start. Morgan Burkhart also flied out to right and Brian Daubach flied out to center to end the inning.

The Expos struck first in the top of the second as Geoff Blum grounded out to third to start. Michael Barrett grounded out to third but Nomar threw a routine grounder by Terry Jones away for an error. Jones stole second and scored on the Lenny Webster single to left. Bergeron grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Expos up 1-0.

                                                                 Webster drives in a run

The Sox answered in the top of the second as Nomar Garciaparra flied out to center to open. Carl Everett walked but Troy O'Leary flied out to center. Jason Varitek doubled home Everett to tie the game but Manny Alexander flied out to center to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                           Tie game

The Expos came right back in the top of the third inning as Vidro grounded out to second to start. Wilton Guerrero grounded out to third but Vladimir Guerrero hit a home run all the way to Colisee De Quebec to put Montreal back on top. Stevens walked but Blum flied out to center to end the inning with the Expos up 2-1.

                                                            Guerrero hits one out

Darren Lewis lined out to third to start the bottom of the third before Offerman grounded out to second. Burkhart struck out swinging to end the inning.

Barrett popped up to second to start the top of the fourth and Jones lined out to first, but Webster drew a walk. Bergeron flied out to left to end the inning. The Sox got another run back in the bottom of the fourth as Daubach singled up the middle to begin. Nomar struck out swinging but Everett doubled to left. O'Leary grounded out to first but it was enough to score Daubach to tie the game. Varitek grounded out to first to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                            O'Leary drives in a run

The Expos beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the fifth as Vidro grounded out to second to begin. Wilton Guerrero grounded out to short and Vladimir Guerrero grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox moved ahead in the bottom of the fifth as Alexander got a base hit to left to start. Lewis dropped down a bunt to move Alexander to second but Offerman flied out to right. Burkhart cracked a base hit to right to score Alexander but was thrown out at second base trying to stretch a double to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-2.

                                                              Yerrrrrr out!

Stevens singled to center to start the top of the sixth but Blum hit into a double play. Barrett grounded out to third to end the inning. Felipe Lira came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Daubach grounded out to second to start. Nomar singled to left and Everett crushed his 25th home run of the season to ice the game. O'Leary singled to right before moving to second on the grounder to second by Varitek, but Alexander lined out to third to end the inning with the Sox up 5-2.

                                                           Everett goes yard

Wakefield returned for one final inning in the top of the seventh and Jones struck out swinging to start. Webster went down hacking and Bergeron grounded out to short to end the inning. Wakefield pitched great, allowing just the two runs in 7 innings of work.

                                                             Wakefield with the strong start

Lewis grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the seventh and Offerman grounded out to first, but Burkhart walked. Scott Forster came in to pitch to Daubach and Brian hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

John Wasdin came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Vidro walked to start. Wilton Guerrero hit a rocket but right at Nomar and his brother Vladimir popped up to Garciaparra as well. Vidro took second on defensive indifference but Stevens grounded out to first to end the inning. Wilton took over for Vladimir in right to start the bottom of the eighth and Garciaparra flied out to right to start. Everett walked but O'Leary popped up to short. Varitek flied out to right to end the inning.

Wasdin returned to close out the top of the ninth and Blum flied out to right to start. Barrett also flied out to right and Jones grounded out to short to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-2.

Hero of the Night is Carl Everett. He was 2 for 2 with 2 walks, a 2 run homer and 2 runs scored.

                                                         Hero Everett

The Good:

Morgan Burkhart was 1 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Manny Alexander was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Tim Wakefield earned his fourth straight win as a starter with 7 innings of 2 run (1 earned) ball. He allowed 4 hits and struck out 2.

John Wasdin earned the save by tossing 2 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Jose Offerman was 0 for 4.

Darren Lewis was 0 for 2.

The Ugly:

Brian Daubach was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Nomar Garciaparra was just 1 for 4 with an error and a strikeout but scored a run.

Troy O'Leary was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

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

Final Thoughts:

The league is going to come down hard on Everett for his nonsensical headbutting of Ron Kulpa and Carl knows it. Hopefully he can carry the team to make up for the rapport he lost and today he did. He scored runs, he hit home runs and even made a nice catch. The Sox need to take advantage of playing National League teams and so far after the break, they've beaten New York 2 out of 3 and now took the first game against Montreal. Wakefield pitched well again and there should be no reason why he isn't in the rotation permanently with Pedro & Ramon Martinez, Pete Schourek and Jeff Fassero. We got two weeks until the trade deadline and getting a second starter is the goal. They got plenty of bench help if Jimy Williams ever decides to use Bernard Gilkey, Morgan Burkhart and Izzy Alcantara and the bullpen has been a strength with Rheal Cormier, Rich Garces and Derek Lowe. Getting that true number 2 starter would put them up there with the New York Yankees. After all, that was their weakness last year when the likes of an injured Bret Saberhagen and Kent Mercker were losing to the Yankees starters. All in all it was a good win and the Sox are still within striking distance of first place, its your move Dan Duquette. The win improved the Sox to 46-42, 2 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it three wins in a row and 2 against Montreal tomorrow night against the Expos. Jeff Fassero (6-3, 4.92 ERA) takes on Julio Santana at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Mulholland, Braves Shut Down Sox (7/8/00)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. After his impressive showing against the Minnesota Twins, rookie Paxton Crawford has been sent back to Pawtucket. The Sox are about to go on the all-star break so it makes no sense to have Crawford rot on the bench when he could keep hot down in Pawtucket in the meantime. With the starting pitching woes the Red Sox have, we'll be seeing him full time very soon.

                                                                OUT

As for the game, the Sox apparently can't hit Terry Mulholland of the Atlanta Braves. After tossing 5 shutout innings against them last month, Mulholland topped that by holding the Sox to just 1 run in 8 innings of work for a grand total of 13 innings and 1 run allowed. Keep him away from the New York Yankees when the trade deadline comes. As for the pitching side, Ramon Martinez (6-5, 5.79 ERA) actually pitched well but got no run support. Ramon and the Sox fought valiantly to a 1-1 tie going into the seventh when Rheal Cormier and Bryce Florie allowed a Martinez inherited runner to score to give the Braves the lead. Javy Lopez and Andruw Jones both homered off Jeff Fassero and that ended that. The Sox fell further behind in the AL East race by dropping the game 5-1 to the Braves at Fenway Park.

                                                         Ren turns his back on bad relief pitching

Ramon got the ball in the top of the first inning and Quilvio Veras flied out to left to start. Andruw Jones took strike three but Chipper Jones walked. Jones was thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning. Mulholland got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jose Offerman flied out to right to start. Jeff Frye grounded out to third and Carl Everett grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Braves struck first in the top of the second as Brian Jordan doubled to left to start. Andres Galarraga struck out swinging but Wally Joyner singled to center. Javy Lopez singled home Jordan to give the Braves the lead. Bobby Bonilla struck out swinging and Walt Weiss flied out to right to end the inning with the Braves ahead 1-0.

                                                                   Lopez drives in a run

Nomar Garciaparra tried to start a rally with a double to right to begin the bottom of the second but could only move to third on the grounder to second by Morgan Burkhart. Troy O'Leary grounded back to the mound and Jason Varitek grounded out to short to end the inning.

Veras walked to begin the top of the third and moved to second on the grounder to short by Andruw Jones. Chipper Jones flied out to center to move Veras to third but Jordan grounded out to short to end the inning. Ed Sprague Jr flied out to center to start the bottom of the third before Daubach popped up to third in foul territory. Offerman flied out to right to end the inning.

Galarraga hit one up the elevator shaft to start the top of the fourth before Joyner flied out to left. Lopez also flied out to left to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the fourth as Frye singled to left to start. Everett singled to left but Nomar grounded into a double play. Burkhart struck out swinging to end the inning.

Bonilla grounded out to second to start the top of the fifth and Weiss grounded out to first. Veras walked but Andruw Jones grounded out to short to end the inning. O'Leary singled to right to begin the bottom of the fifth but got picked off. That was a huge out as Varitek doubled to right which would have tied the game. Sprague grounded out to third and Daubach flied out to center to end the inning.

Chipper Jones grounded out to short to start the top of the sixth and Jordan grounded out to second. Galarraga walked and stole second but Joyner grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox finally woke up in the bottom of the sixth although Offerman flied out to center to begin. Frye singled to left and Everett dropped a base hit to right to move Frye to third. All Nomar could do was score Frye with a sac fly to tie the game. Burkhart flied out to center to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                                  Nomar drives in a run

Just as soon as the Sox tied it, the Braves took the lead back in the top of the seventh. Lopez singled to left and Bonilla walk to chase Ramon. Martinez actually did well, he just didn't get any run support. Reggie Sanders pinch ran for Bonilla and Rheal Cormier came in to pitch to Weiss. Weiss hit one up the elevator shaft but Veras singled to left to load the bases. Bryce Florie came in to pitch to Andruw Jones and somehow struck him out swinging. Unfortunately Chipper Jones walked to score Lopez with the go-ahead run. Jordan struck out swinging to end the inning but the Braves led 2-1.

                                                          Jones gives the Braves the lead back

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the seventh as O'Leary flied out to center to start. Varitek grounded out to short and Sprague Jr took strike three to end the inning.

Galarraga singled to left to start the top of the eighth to chase Florie. Jeff Fassero was brought in and Joyner popped up to second, but Lopez hit a home run all the way to Denton, Texas to ice the game. Sanders grounded out to third and Weiss grounded out to short to end the inning but it was 4-1 Braves.

                                                                  Lopez does it again

Daubach struck out swinging to start the bottom of the eighth before Offerman grounded out to third. Frye also grounded out to third to end the inning.

Fassero poured more gas on the fire in the top of the ninth as Veras popped up to short to start. Andruw Jones hit a home run all the way to Sri Lanka to wrap up the scoring. Chipper Jones singled to center and that was it for Fassero. John Wasdin came in to pitch and Jordan singled to left. Galarraga struck out swinging but both runners pulled off a double steal. Joyner took strike three to end the inning with the Braves ahead 5-1.

                                                       Jones with another Atlanta home run

The vile John Rocker came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and Everett struck out swinging to start. Nomar flied out to left and Burkhart grounded back to the mound to end the game. The Braves had won it 5-1.

Jackass of the Night is Jeff Fassero. He turned a 2-1 game into 5-1 real quick to put the Sox in too large of a hole.

                                                              Jeff The Jackass

The Good:

Jeff Frye was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Carl Everett was 2 for 4.

Nomar Garciaparra was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Jason Varitek was 1 for 3.

One of the rare times the losing pitcher ends up on the Good list but Ramon Martinez did well, getting charged with 2 runs in 6 innings of work.

John Wasdin got the final two outs of the ninth inning.

The Bad:

Jose Offerman was 0 for 4.

Morgan Burkhart was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Ed Sprague Jr was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Brian Daubach was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Bryce Florie allowed an inherited runner to score and was charged with 1 of his own in 2/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Troy O'Leary was 1 for 3 but got picked off.

Rheal Cormier retired just 1 of the 2 batters he faced.

Final Thoughts:

The Sox are limping toward the All-Star break and its clear to see that they can't compete with the elite teams in the league. They got swept out of New York and lost 2 of 3 in Atlanta last month and just dropped 2 in a row to the Braves at home. Unless Pedro Martinez is pitching, they don't look good against Cleveland either. Red Sox GM Dan Duquette has some work to do after the break to get some help at the trade deadline. The Sox are desperate for a second starter behind Pedro Martinez since Pete Schourek, Ramon and Jeff Fassero have all faltered. Paxton Crawford is an option but unless he pulls a 1981 Fernando Valenzuela, this team just isn't built for October success. Losing Bret Saberhagen and Juan Pena before the season didn't help but here we are. The Sox offensive woes returned but that's mostly due to the elite pitching of the Braves. Mulholland has their number and Glavine has always been tough to crack. The Sox have one game left before the break and hopefully they can avoid a sweep. The loss dropped the Sox to 42-41, 3.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to avoid a sweep tomorrow afternoon when Tim Wakefield (4-5) takes on Kevin Millwood of the Braves in the final game before the All-Star break. The game begins at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Wasdin, Sox Whallop Twins (7/5/00)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Jeff Fassero was removed from the Disabled List to start tonight's game against the Minnesota Twins. Mike Stanley has been placed on the Disabled List with a strained right shoulder to make room for Fassero. Stanley was the odd man out with Bernard Gilkey and Morgan Burkhart getting it done recently.

                                                                      OUT

                                                                 IN

As for the game, thank goodness for the Minnesota Twins. After the Red Sox fell out of first place amidst a June swoon, the Red Sox laid waste to the bungholes of the Twins for 11 runs on Monday, 14 runs last night and another 11 runs tonight. Jeff Fassero got knocked out in the second inning in his first game back off the Disabled List after allowing 4 runs. John Wasdin (1-3, 5.26 ERA) pitched his best relief game of the season by holding the Twins scoreless with 4 1/3 clutch innings. The Sox bats pounced on Minnesota starter Mark Redman with all nine batters getting at least one hit. Jeff Frye and Scott Hatteberg hit long balls while the Sox pounded out 12 total hits. Things got hairy at the end when Rich Garces and Tim Young couldn't get it done, but Derek Lowe earned his 19th save by slamming the door in the ninth. The Sox scored 36 runs in the last 3 games and beat the Twins 11-8 tonight at the Metrodome.

                                                     Shannon Stewart approves of the win

The Sox wasted no time getting to Redman in the top of the first inning as Jose Offerman led off with a ground out to short. Jeff Frye singled to center and Carl Everett walked. Both runners moved over on the Nomar Garciaparra grounder to short and Morgan Burkhart came through with a base hit to center to score both of them. Troy O'Leary flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                      Everett scores a run

Fassero got the ball in the bottom of the first and clearly didn't have it. Christian Guzman doubled to left to start before Denny Hocking walked. Matt Lawton singled home Guzman and Ron Comer singled home Hocking to tie the game. Fassero recovered to get Butch Huskey and Corey Koskie to look at strike three before Chad Moeller flied out to right to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                      Coomer ties it up

Bernard Gilkey walked to begin the top of the second but Ed Sprague Jr struck out swinging. Scott Hatteberg banged into a double play to end the inning. The Twins knocked out Fassero in the bottom of the second as Jay Canizaro singled to right to start. Jason Maxwell walked but Guzman struck out swinging. Hocking flied out to left but Lawton doubled home both men to chase Fassero. The lefty looked rusty in his first game off the Disabled List allowing 4 runs in 1 2/3 innings. John Wasdin came in and Coomer grounded out to third to end the inning with the Twins ahead 4-1.

                                                                Fassero doesn't last long

The Sox exploded in the top of the third as Offerman singled to right to start. Frye smashed his first home run of the season to cut the lead and Everett walked. Nomar doubled to left to score Everett and chase Redman from the game. LaTroy Hawkins poured gas on the fire as Burkhart walked, but O'Leary took strike three. Gilkey struck out swinging but Sprague singled home Nomar to give the Sox the lead. Hatteberg then clobbered his fourth home run of the season to ice the game. Offerman walked and took second on a wild pitch, but Frye grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 9-4.

                                             Hatteberg with the three run bomb

Wasdin cruised in the bottom of the third as Huskey flied out to left to start. Koskie grounded out to second and Moeller flied out to right to end the inning.

Everett flied out to left to begin the top of the fourth before Nomar grounded out to short. Burkhart was hit with a pitch but O'Leary flied out to left to end the inning. Canizaro struck out swinging to begin the bottom of the fourth and Jacque Jones pinch hit for Maxwell. Jones popped up to short and Guzman flied out to left to end the inning.

Gilkey flied out to center to start the top of the fifth and Sprague grounded out to short. Hatteberg grounded out to first to end the inning. Wasdin cruised in the bottom of the fifth as Hocking took strike three to start. Lawton grounded back to the mound and Coomer flied out to right to end the inning.

Travis Miller came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Offerman grounded out to short to start. Frye also grounded out to short but Everett doubled to left. Nomar was intentionally walked but Burkhart took strike three to end the inning. Huskey doubled to right to begin the bottom of the sixth but Koskie popped up to short. Moeller grounded out to third and Canizaro also grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Sox tacked it on in the top of the seventh as O'Leary singled to right to start. Gilkey singled to left and Sprague doubled home both runners to increase the lead. Hatteberg grounded out to second to move Sprague to third but Offerman took strike three. Frye struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 11-4.

                                                              O'Leary scores a run

Rich Garces came in for the bottom of the seventh and Jones grounded back to the mound to begin. Guzman grounded out to first and Hocking flied out to center to end the inning.

Mike Lincoln came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Everett grounded out to first to start. Nomar doubled to left but Burkhart struck out swinging. O'Leary was plunked but Gilkey grounded out to third to end the inning. Garces cruised in the bottom of the eighth as Lawton grounded out to short to begin. Coomer flied out to right and Huskey took strike three to end the inning.

Sprague grounded out to short to start the top of the ninth and Hatteberg grounded out to first. Offerman flied out to left to end the inning. For some reason Sox manager Jimy Williams sent Garces back out for the bottom of the ninth and he ran out of gas. Koskie walked and Moeller singled to left to set the stage for David Ortiz. Ortiz pinch hit for Canizaro and smashed a 3 run home run to Neptune to cut the lead. Lefty Tim Young was brought in to face Jones and Jacque hit a home run all the way to Wisconsin to cut the lead. Williams then brought in closer Derek Lowe who got Guzman to ground out to first. Hocking singled to right and took second on defensive indifference, but Lawton took strike three. Coomer watched strike three go by to end the game. The Sox had won it 11-8.

Hero of the Night is Ed Sprague Jr. His rbi base hit in the third put the Sox ahead and his 2 run double was much needed insurance later.

                                                           Hero Sprague

The Good:

Jeff Frye was 2 for 5 with a 2 run homer and 2 total runs scored.

Carl Everett was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored.

Nomar Garciaparra was 2 for 4 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Morgan Burkhart was 1 for 3 with a walk, hit by pitch, 2 rbis and a run scored.

John Wasdin tossed 4 1/3 scoreless innings.

Derek Lowe earned his 19th save with a scoreless ninth.

The Bad:

Jeff Fassero allowed 4 runs in just 1 2/3 innings.

Rich Garces allowed 3 runs in 2 plus innings.

Tim Young allowed a home run to the only man he faced.

The Ugly:

Jose Offerman was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Troy O'Leary was just 1 for 4 but was hit with a pitch and scored a run.

Bernard Gilkey was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Scott Hatteberg was just 1 for 5 but the one hit was a 3 run home run.

Final Thoughts:

So far so good for the new look Red Sox. After the June swoon, the Sox seem to be back in shape with the additions of Morgan Burkhart, Bernard Gilkey and the returning O'Leary. If Brian Daubach is your bat off the bench, you know you're in good shape. The Sox beat around the Twins but the key to the game was Wasdin. He's been batting practice much of the season but he and Garces combined for 6 1/3 shutout innings after Fassero got rocked. I don't know what Jimy Williams was thinking trying to stretch Garces for another inning when he had Tim Young and Rheal Cormier perfectly capable of mopping up the ninth. As it was, it turned into a save situation for Lowe and now they had to use all these guys before tomorrow night's game. The Sox will worry about tomorrow night when it happens. For now, its the role players like Sprague, Hatteberg, etc that deserve to enjoy the win. The win improved the Sox to 41-39, 1.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to sweep the Twins tomorrow evening when they send rookie Paxton Crawford (0-1, 3.38 ERA) against Brad Radke of Minnesota. The game begins at 8:05 PM at the Metrodome.

White Sox Sweep Red Sox (7/2/00)

It just seems to be getting worse for the Boston Red Sox. Before the season, Sports Illustrated picked them to win the World Series. Tonight they just dropped a game under .500 after getting swept by the Chicago White Sox. White Sox ace James Baldwin once again blinded the Red Sox into the eighth inning. BoSox starter Pete Schourek (2-7, 4.25 ERA) lasted just 5 innings and allowed 5 runs to put the BoSox in a hole they couldn't climb out of. Magglio Ordonez hit two home runs and drove in 5 runs while Frank Thomas homered as well. Jose Offerman hit a home run for the BoSox but it wasn't nearly enough as the White Sox swept the Red Sox out of Chicago with an 8-2 victory at Commiskey Park.

                                                      "THEY'RE UNDER .500!!!" - RK

Things went bad right from the start for the Red Sox in the top of the first inning when Jose Offerman drew a walk to start....only to get thrown out at second trying to steal. Jeff Frye struck out swinging and Nomar Garciaparra flied out to left to end the inning. The White Sox blasted Pete Schourek in the bottom of the first inning although Ray Durham struck out swinging to start. Tony Graffanino doubled to right and Frank Thomas walked before Graffanino swiped third. Magglio Ordonez hit a home run all the way to Lake Michigan to put the White Sox up for good four batters into the game. Paul Konerko flied out to center and Carlos Lee grounded out to short to end the inning with the White Sox up 3-0.

                                                           3 run bomb for Ordonez

The BoSox failed to answer in the top of the second although Brian Daubach singled to right to start. Carl Everett lined out to left, Morgan Burkhart went down hacking and Scott Hatteberg flied out to center to end the inning. Chris Singleton popped up to left to start the bottom of the second but Herbert Perry was plunked. Perry was thrown out trying to steal by Hatteberg and Brook Fordyce popped up to first to end the inning.

The BoSox blew their only chance to get back in the game in the top of the third as Ed Sprague Jr and Curtis Pride stroked back to back singles to begin. Offerman's ground out moved both runners over and Frye walked to load the bases. Unfortunately all Nomar could do was score Sprague with a sac fly. Daubach lined out to second to end the inning with the BoSox down 3-1.

                                                           Nomar drives in a run

Things fell apart in the bottom of the third inning although Durham flied out to left to start. Graffanino flied out to left but Thomas clobbered a home run all the way to Saturn to increase the lead. Ordonez then belted his second home run of the game to turn this into a laughter. Konerko singled to left but Lee popped up to third to end the inning with the White Sox ahead 5-1.

                                                        Ordonez hits another one out

Everett tried to start a rally in the top of the fourth when he lined a base hit to left to start. Burkhart flied out to left and Hatteberg popped up to left but Sprague worked a walk. Pride whiffed to end the inning. Schourek came back for the bottom of the fourth and Singleton walked to start. Perry forced Singleton at second, Fordyce struck out swinging and Durham forced Perry at second to end the inning.

The BoSox did nothing in the top of the fifth as Offerman flied out to left to start. Frye grounded out to short and Nomar lined out to left to end the inning. Schourek came back for the bottom of the fifth and Graffanino grounded out to short to start. Thomas singled to left but Ordonez flied out to right. Konerko popped up to second to end the inning. That was it four Schourek who's trouble with the longball doomed him to allowing 5 runs in 5 innings.

                                                      Schourek gets lit up for 5 runs

Baldwin cruised in the top of the sixth inning as Daubach flied out to center to start. Everett grounded out to second and Burkhart took strike three to end the inning. John Wasdin came on for the bottom of the sixth and crapped his pants. Lee grounded out to second but Singleton got a base hit to right. Singleton went to steal second and Hatteberg fired the ball to first base instead for an error that sent Chris to third. Perry singled home Singleton to increase the lead but Everett made a great diving catch and throw to first to double off Perry to end the inning with Chicago ahead 6-1.

                                               Yerrrrrr out!

Baldwin dominated the top of the seventh as Hatteberg grounded out to second to start. Sprague watched strike three go by and Pride grounded out to second to end the inning. The White Sox lit up Wasdin in the bottom of the seventh as Durham doubled to right to start. Graffanino singled Ray to third and Thomas walked to load the bases. Ordonez hit a ball to the wall to score Durham with a sac fly and move Graffanino to third. Konerko hit a sac fly to score Graffanino to wrap up the scoring for Chicago. Lee whiffed to end the inning but it was 8-1 White Sox.

                                                          Nice relief Wasdin

The BoSox finally showed some life in the top of the eighth inning when Offerman blasted his fourth home run of the season to inch the Sox closer. Frye walked but Nomar flied out to center to chase Baldwin. Kelly Wunsch came in to pitch and Mike Stanley pinch hit for Daubach. Stanley singled to center but Everett whiffed. Burkhart grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the BoSox down 8-2.

                                                         Offerman homers

Derek Lowe came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Singleton singled to right to begin. Perry banged into a double play and Fordyce flied out to left to end the inning. 

Manny Alexander pinch hit for Hatteberg to start the top of the ninth and grounded out to first. Sprague flied out to left and Jason Varitek pinch hit for Pride. Varitek whiffed to end the game. The White Sox had won the game 8-2.

Jackass of the Night is Pete Schourek. He got lit up for 3 home runs and 5 runs in just 5 innings of work to put the Sox in a hole they couldn't climb out of.

                                                              Schourek the Jackass

The Good:

Jose Offerman was 1 for 3 with a walk including a home run.

Jeff Frye walked twice in four plate appearances.

Brian Daubach was 1 for 3.

Mike Stanley singled as a pinch hitter.

Ed Sprague Jr was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Curtis Pride was 1 for 3.

Derek Lowe tossed a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Morgan Burkhart was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Scott Hatteberg was 0 for 3.

Manny Alexander was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Jason Varitek struck out as a pinch hitter.

John Wasdin allowed 3 runs in 2 innings of work.

The Ugly:

Nomar was 0 for 3 but drove in a run.

Carl Everett was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Final Thoughts:

Sad to see a season that had so much promise fall off a cliff like this. With the exception of Nomar, not a single player from 99 is coming close to duplicating their production. Troy O'Leary, Offerman, Stanley and Varitek all regressed and losing John Valentin for the season hurt too. The offensive black hole and the lack of a rotation behind Pedro Martinez is the reason the Sox are a game under .500 right now. There's still time to turn things around but it doesn't look good right now. Again, if it wasn't for the slow start by the New York Yankees and the mediocre play of the Toronto Blue Jays, the Sox would be a mile behind in the standings. Schourek just isn't good enough to hang with the likes of Baldwin and for the love of god can someone send John Wasdin on a plane to Siberia? The good news is Troy O'Leary comes off the DL tomorrow and hopefully his head is cleared enough to be the hitter he was last season. As for this game, the less said of the disaster the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 38-39, 3.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Sox head to Minnesota with a four game set with the Twins. Ramon Martinez goes for the Sox tomorrow against Mike Lincoln of the Twins. The game begins at 8:05 PM Eastern time at the Metrodome.

White Sox Bash Red Sox (6/30/00)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a few roster moves. The Sox sent pitching prospect Dennis Tankersley and infielding prospect Cesar Saba to the San Diego Padres for aging slugger Ed Sprague Jr. The Sox are desperate for offense so hopefully Ed has some home runs left in the tank. Also Darren Lewis was placed on the 15 day Disabled List with a bad hamstring. The Sox are gonna need Bernard Gilkey soon if Darren is gone for a long period of time.

                                                                       OUT

                                                                   IN

As for the game, the June Swoon finally came to an end with another beating at the hands of the Chicago White Sox. With Pedro Martinez on the disabled list, the White Sox feasted on spot starter Hipolito Pichardo (2-1, 3.38 ERA) and anyone that came out of the bullpen. The White Sox pounded out 10 runs on 13 hits to slam home the fact they're contenders in the AL Central. The BoSox offense could only muster four runs as the dismal month came to an end with a 10-4 loss to Chicago at Commiskey Park.

                                                      "We lost again?"

Jim Parque got the ball in the top of the first inning and Jose Offerman flied out to center to start. Jason Varitek singled to right but Nomar Garciaparra flied out to center. Carl Everett singled to right but Morgan Burkhart grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Pichardo got the ball in the bottom of the first and Ray Durham flied out to left to start. Jose Valentin also flied out to left but Frank Thomas singled to center. Magglio Ordonez walked but Chris Singleton grounded into a force to end the inning.

Brian Daubach grounded out to third to start the top of the second before Mike Stanley struck out swinging. Izzy Alcantara walked but Manny Alexander struck out swinging to end the inning. Pichardo cruised in the bottom of the second as Carlos Lee took strike three to start. Greg Norton struck out swinging and Herbert Perry grounded out to second to end the inning.

Offerman flied out to center to start the top of the third before Varitek grounded out to third. Nomar drew a walk but Everett whiffed to end the inning. The ChiSox struck first in the bottom of the third as Brook Fordyce singled to right to start. Durham flied out to left but Valentin doubled to right. Thomas was intentionally walked to load the bases and Ordonez beat out a double play ball to score Fordyce with the first run. Singleton doubled to left to clear the bases but Lee grounded out to short to end the inning with the ChiSox ahead 3-0.

                                                           Singleton drives in two

The BoSox looked to fight back when Burkhart singled to center to start the top of the fourth but Daubach banged into a double play. Stanley took strike three to end the inning, so much for that rally.

                                                     Double play.....

The White Sox added to their lead in the bottom of the fourth although Norton flied out to left to start. Perry grounded out to first but Fordyce hit a home run all the way to Belgium to increase the lead. Durham tripled into the right field corner but Valentin grounded out to first to end the inning with the White Sox ahead 4-0.

                                                     Fordyce hits a homer

The BoSox struck back in the top of the fifth as Alcantara bashed his first career home run to start. Alexander grounded out to short and Offerman flied out to center, but Varitek reached on an error by Valentin to continue the inning. Nomar singled to left and Everett was plunked to load the bases before Burkhart singled home Varitek and Nomar to cut the lead. Daubach flied out to left to end the inning but the BoSox were down 4-3.

                                                      New guys getting it done

Pichardo was done after 4 innings and his replacement Bryce Florie wasn't much better in the bottom of the fifth. Thomas crushed a home run all the way to Sweden to increase the lead. Ordonez doubled to left and moved to third on the Singleton grounder. Lee then chased Florie with a home run all the way to Finland to ice the game. Rheal Cormier came in and got Norton swinging but Perry singled to left. Perry swiped second but Fordyce watched strike three go by to end the inning with Chicago ahead 7-3.

                                               Lee watches it go

Jeff Abbott came in for Ordonez to start the top of the sixth and Stanley flied out to center to start. Alcantara singled to left but Alexander popped up to short. Offerman singled to left and Bill Simas came in to pitch to Varitek. Jason grounded out to second to end the inning. The ChiSox tagged Cormier in the bottom of the sixth although Durham flied out to right to start. Valentin grounded out to third but Thomas bashed a home run all the way to Norway to add to the lead. That was it for Cormier as John Wasdin came in to get Abbott to ground out to short to end the inning with Chiago ahead 8-3.

                                                                  Thomas hits another homer

Nomar doubled to left to start the top of the seventh but Everett struck out swinging. Burkhart popped up to left in foul territory and Daubach flied out to left to end the inning. Wasdin got Singleton to hit one up the elevator shaft to start the bottom of the seventh before Lee popped up to third in foul territory. Norton struck out swinging to end the inning.

Jeff Frye pinch hit for Stanley to start the top of the eighth and struck out swinging. Alcantara flied out to left but Scott Hatteberg pinch hit for Alexander and swatted his third home run of the season to cut the lead in half. Offerman flied out to left to end the inning but it was 8-4 Chicago.

                                                      THAT'S how you pinch hit

Wilton Veras took over at third with Offerman going to first and Frye to second to start the bottom of the eighth. Perry singled to left but Fordyce crushed yet another home run to wrap up the scoring. Durham whiffed, Valentin grounded out to second and Thomas flied out to center to end the inning with Chiago ahead 10-4.

                                                                Another home run

Mercifully the game ended in the top of the ninth with Bob Howry on the mound. Varitek whiffed but Nomar extended the agony with a base hit to left. Everett earned a hat trick with a swinging strikeout and Burkhart went down hacking to end the game. The White Sox had won it 10-4.

Jackass of the Night is Bryce Florie. The BoSox had clawed back into the game but Florie served up two home runs to put the game out of reach.

                                                              Jackass Florie

The Good:

Nomar Garciaparra was 3 for 4 with a run scored.

Morgan Burkhart was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis.

Izzy Alcantara was 2 for 3 with a walk and first career home run.

Scott Hatteberg belted a pinch hit home run.

The Bad:

Brian Daubach was 0 for 4.

Mike Stanley was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Jeff Frye struck out as a pinch hitter.

Manny Alexander was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Hipolito Pichardo took the loss by allowing 4 runs in 4 innings of work.

Rheal Cormier allowed a run in 1 1/3 innings.

John Wasdin allowed 2 runs in 2 1/3 innings.

The Ugly:

Jose Offerman was just 1 for 5.

Jason Varitek was just 1 for 5 with a run scored.

Carl Everett was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but was hit with a pitch.

Honorable Mention:

Wilton Veras played third base in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Final Thoughts:

That month made the Sox go from World Series contenders at the start to belonging in last place at the end. Its very easy to see why, their pitching has been horrendous and their offense way too streaky. Losing Pedro Martinez to the disabled list didn't help but when the rest of your rotation is what appears to be a washed up Ramon Martinez, Pete Schourek and Tim Wakefield.....that's certainly not World Series material. There's still room to make some trades or see what the kids in Pawtucket have to offer but right now these guys couldn't beat a high school team. The Sox will be bringing up one of the kids to start tomorrow so there ya go. The only saving grace is the New York Yankees aren't off to a good start either so the Sox are beyond lucky to be this bad but still close enough to get back in first. The bullpen was downright offensive in this one and the sooner some of those bums are gone, the better. The Sox ended the month at 38-37, 3.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. The Red Sox look to rebound tomorrow against the White Sox when 22 year old Paxton Crawford makes his major league debut against Mike Sirotka of Chicago. The game begins at 1:00 PM Eastern time at Commiskey Park.