Yankees Walkoff Red Sox (4/5/05)

If Sunday night's epic beatdown by the New York Yankees was bad, today the Yankees found a different way to beat the Boston Red Sox. The Yankees enjoyed a 3-0 lead over new Sox pitcher Matt Clement and the Sox but Boston slowly clawed back. A David Ortiz home run and Johnny Damon rbi single set the stage for Jason Varitek's dramatic ninth inning home run to tie the game. Unfortunately for the Sox, Derek Jeter sent the fans home happy with a walkoff home run off closer Keith Foulke to beat the Red Sox 4-3 at Yankee Stadium.

                                              "Tie the game in the ninth only to lose?"

Old Sox prospect Carl Pavano got the ball in the top of the first and Johnny Damon popped up to second to start. Trot Nixon and Manny Ramirez both struck out swinging to end the inning. Clement made his Sox debut in the bottom of the first and Derek Jeter grounded out to short to start. Alex Rodriguez struck out swinging and Gary Sheffield flied out to left to end the inning.

David Ortiz struck out swinging to start the top of the second and Kevin Millar watched strike three go by. Edgar Renteria grounded out to short to end the inning. Clement got in trouble in the bottom of the second as Hideki Matsui singled to right to start. Jorge Posada walked but Jason Giambi struck out swinging. Bernie Williams walked to load the bases but Tino Martinez hit one up the elevator shaft. Tony Womack popped up to second to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the third as Jason Varitek grounded out to short to start. Bill Mueller got a base hit to left but Mark Bellhorn struck out swinging. Damon lined a base hit to left but Nixon struck out swinging to end the inning. The Yankees pounced in the bottom of the third as Jeter was plunked to start. A-Rod hit a routine grounder to Renteria who turned and fired the ball into the dugout for a bizarre error to move both runners into scoring position. Sheffield scored Jeter with a grounder to third and Matsui hit a home run all the way into the Empire State Building to increase the lead. Posada struck out swinging and Giambi grounded out to second to end the inning with the Yankees up 3-0.

                                                            Yankees strike first

The Sox struck back in the top of the fourth although Manny took strike three to start. Ortiz clobbered his first home run of the season to cut the lead and Millar drew a walk. Renteria flied out to center and Varitek flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox down 3-1.

                                                          Ortiz hits one out

Williams flied out to left to start the bottom of the fourth and Martinez grounded out to second. Womack singled to left and swiped second before Jeter walked. A-Rod struck out swinging to end the inning.

Mueller grounded out to short to start the top of the fifth but Bellhorn singled to right.  Damon flied out to center and Nixon grounded out to second to end the inning. The Yankees chased Clement in the bottom of the fifth as Sheffield singled in the hole at third to start. Matsui flied out to left but Posada singled to center. That was it for Clement who was knocked out after 4 1/3 innings and 3 runs allowed, not the best debut. John Halama came in and plunked Giambi to load the bases, but got Williams to hit into a double play to end the inning.

                                                     Not Clement's best stuff

Manny grounded out to second to begin the top of the sixth but Ortiz singled to right. Millar got a base hit to left but Renteria banged into a double play to end the inning. Halama got Martinez and Womack to both ground out to second to begin the bottom of the sixth but he was lifted for righty Matt Mantei. Jeter grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Sox struck back in the top of the seventh although Varitek grounded out to second to start. Mueller singled to center and Bellhorn singled him to third to chase Pavano. Old friend Mike Stanton came in and Damon dropped a base hit to right to score Mueller. With a chance to do some damage....Nixon banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox down 3-2.

                                                Pavano leaves with the lead

A-Rod walked to start the bottom of the seventh but Sheffield flied out to center. Sox manager Terry Francona sent in Mike Myers just to pitch to Matsui but Hideki got a base hit to left. Alan Embree came in for Myers and Rodriguez moved to third on the fly ball to center by Posada. Giambi struck out swinging to end the inning.

Tom Gordon came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Manny flied out to right to start. Ortiz popped up to third and Millar lined out to left to end the inning. For some reason Sox closer Keith Foulke came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Williams flied out to right to begin. Martinez took strike three and Womack grounded out to short to end the inning.

Mariano Rivera came in to close out the top of the ninth and Renteria struck out swinging to start. Suddenly Varitek smashed his first home run of the season to tie the game out of nowhere. Mueller singled to center to put the go-ahead run on but Bellhorn struck out swinging. Damon flied out to right to end the inning but the game was tied 3-3.

                                                          Varitek ties it

The end came quickly in the bottom of the ninth when Jeter hit a home run out of Earth's atmosphere off Foulke to win the game for New York. The Yankees had walked off the Red Sox 4-3.

                                                           Yankees win

Jackass of the Night is Keith Foulke, He served up the home run ball to Jeter to lose the game.

                                                                Way to go Jackass

The Good:

Johnny Damon was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

David Ortiz was 2 for 4 with a solo home run.

Kevin Millar was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Bill Mueller was 3 for 4 with a run scored.

Mark Bellhorn was 2 for 4.

John Halama tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Matt Mantei retired 2 of the 3 men he faced.

Alan Embree got the final two outs of the eighth inning.

The Bad:

Trot Nixon was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Manny Ramirez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Edgar Renteria was 0 for 4 with a strikeout and an error.

Matt Clement lasted just 4 1/3 innings and allowed 3 runs.

Mike Myers gave up a hit to the only man he faced.

The Ugly:

Jason Varitek was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a solo home run.

Final Thoughts:

This is worst case scenario for the Boston Red Sox. Yankee fans have been waiting since October for revenge and I'm sure the Yankees themselves that were on the 04 squad are chomping at the bit as well. First Sunday night's blowout and now this just gives more ammo for Yankee fans to use. The Sox showed a lot of heart to come back down 3-0 and for Foulke to blow it was another sucker punch to the gonads. Varitek and Jeter as the two captains going tit for tat was fun to watch, even if the wrong team won. So far both David Wells and Clement failed to impress, which isn't to say Pedro Martinez & Derek Lowe were guaranteed to do better, but this was not a good first impression. The season is starting out on the wrong foot for the starters and that can't continue. Its only two games but losing to the Yankees like this after beating them here in October leaves a bad taste in the mouths of the fans. The Sox look to avoid a sweep tomorrow afternoon when Tim Wakefield makes his season debut against Mike Mussina of the Yankees. The game begins at 1:05 PM at Yankee Stadium.

Yankees Pound Sox on Opening Day (4/3/05)

The World Series Champion Boston Red Sox did not get off to the start they would hope for on Opening Day against the New York Yankees. The Yankees are embarrassed and angry following the biggest collapse in post-season history and they took their frustrations out on the new look Red Sox tonight. New Yankees ace Randy Johnson shut down the Boston bats and held them to just 1 run in 6 innings. New Sox ace David Wells (0-1, 8.31 ERA) was smacked around for 4 runs in just 4 1/3 innings. Sox manager Terry Francona gave his entire bullpen a shot to come into the game and the Yankees smacked almost everyone brought in around for another 5 runs. The Yankees sent a message to the Sox that this is a new year with a 9-2 spanking on Opening Day in Yankee Stadium.

Johnson got the ball in the top of the first and Johnny Damon grounded out to Tony Womack to start. Edgar Renteria made his Red Sox debut by taking strike three and Manny Ramirez also watched strike three go by to end the inning. David Wells made his Red Sox debut in the bottom of the first by allowing Derek Jeter to slap a base hit to center to start. Alex Rodriguez flied out to center but Jeter broke up a double play ball hit by Gary Sheffield. Ruben Sierra struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the second as Yankee killer David Ortiz led off with a double into the right field corner. Hideki Matsui robbed Kevin Millar of a two run homer by jumping over the left field wall but Jason Varitek grounded out to short. Jay Payton made his Red Sox debut by getting a base hit to left to score Ortiz, putting Boston on top. Bill Mueller walked but Mark Bellhorn took strike three to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                       Welcome to Boston, Payton

The Yankees wasted no time answering in the bottom of the second as Hideki Matsui led off with a base hit in-between Manny & Damon. Jorge Posada popped up to right but Jason Giambi singled Matsui to third. Bernie Williams drove home Matsui with a sac fly to left to tie the game but Renteria made a nice stab to force Giambi at second on a grounder by Womack to end the inning. The Yankees had tied the game 1-1.

                                                              Williams ties it up

Damon hit a routine grounder to Giambi to start the top of the third but Giambi booted it for an error. Renteria banged into a double play and Manny flied out to center to end the inning. The Yankees struck back in the bottom of the third as Jeter struck a double to left to start. A-Rod struck out swinging but Sheffield doubled to center to score Jeter with the go-ahead run then moved to third on the Sierra grounder to short. Matsui got a base hit to center to score Sheffield and Posada singled off the glove of Renteria. Giambi was plunked on an 0-2 to load the bases and Sox pitching coach Dave Wallace sprinted to the mound to let David know that Metal Gear Solid was one of the best games of 1998. Williams scored on a balk by Wells. Williams struck out swinging to end the inning but the Yankees iced the game 4-1.

                                                      "That's a balk!" - Joe West

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the fourth as Ortiz took strike three to start. Millar popped up to short but Varitek hit a ground rule double down the third base line when a fan touched the ball. Payton grounded out to short to end the inning. Wells got in trouble again in the bottom of the fourth as Womack dumped a base hit to center to start. Jeter flied out to right but A-Rod moved Womack to third with a base hit to left. Sheffield hit a bullet but to Renteria and Sierra grounded out to short to end the inning.

Mueller grounded out to short to start the top of the fifth but Bellhorn doubled to left. Damon struck out swinging and Renteria grounded out to short to end the inning. The Yankees knocked out Wells in the bottom of the fifth although Matsui struck out swinging to start. Posada doubled over the head of Damon, Giambi was plunked and Williams walked to load the bases and chase Wells. Not the best debut for Wells who allowed 4 runs in just 4 1/3 innings. Lefty specialist Mike Myers came in to get Womack to bang into a double play to end the inning.

                                                           Fans heckle Wells as he leaves

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the sixth as Sox analyst Don Orsillo mentioned the last time Randy Johnson started an opener against the Red Sox. Manny took strike three to start and Ortiz grounded out to short. Millar walked and Varitek hit a broken bat base hit over the head of Giambi to put runners at the corners. Payton grounded into a force to end the inning. Blaine Neal made his Red Sox debut in the bottom of the sixth and Jeter walked to start. Jeter stole second and A-Rod got a base hit off the chest of Damon. He bobbled the ball which allowed Jeter to score and advance A-Rod to second. A-Rod moved to third on the fly out to left by Sheffield and that was it for Neal. Alan Embree came in and Sierra doubled down the left field line to score A-Rod with another run. Matsui hit one up the elevator shaft but Giambi drew a walk. Giambi lined out to left to end the inning with the Yankees up 6-1.

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

The Yankees knew the game was well in hand and brought in Tino Martinez for Giambi and Tanyon Sturtze to pitch the top of the seventh. Mueller took strike three, Bellhorn whiffed and Damon grounded out to first to end the inning. Mike Timlin came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Williams struck out swinging to start. Womack beat out an infield single to short and stole second, but Jeter grounded out to third. A-Rod flied out to right to end the inning.

Sturtze cruised in the top of the eighth as Renteria grounded out to third to start. Manny flied out to center and Ortiz struck out swinging to end the inning. Matt Mantei made his Red Sox debut by throwing up on himself in the bottom of the eighth. Sheffield walked to start but Sierra flied out to center. Matsui hit a home run all the way to Brooklyn to increase the lead but Posada took strike three. Tino Martinez got a standing O for his first at-bat with the Yankees since 2001 and he drew a walk. Williams walked and that was it for Mantei. Bubba Crosby pinch ran for Williams and John Halama made his Red Sox debut by allowing an infield single to short by Womack to load the bases. Jeter hit a grounder to Halama....right through his legs for an error to score Martinez with another run. Mueller made a great play to rob A-Rod of a hit to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 9-1.

                                                     Nothing going right for the Sox

Old buddy Tom Gordon came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Millar walked to start. Varitek singled off the right field wall to move Millar to third and Trot Nixon pinch hit for Payton. Nixon flied out to center to score Millar to cut the lead. Mueller flied out to right but Varitek took second on defensive indifference. Bellhorn struck out swinging to end the game. The Yankees drew first blood on the 2005 season by winning Opening Day 9-2.

                                                    Final score

Jackass of the Night is David Wells. The de-facto ace with Curt Schilling on the shelf allowed 4 runs and failed to get out of the fifth inning to take the loss.

                                                       Jackass Wells

The Good:

Kevin Millar walked twice in four plate appearances with a run scored.

Jason Varitek was 3 for 4.

Jay Payton was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Trot Nixon drove in a run as a pinch hitter.

Mike Myers got the final two outs of the fifth inning.

Mike Timlin pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

The Bad:

Johnny Damon was 0 for 4 with a strikeout and an error.

Edgar Renteria was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Manny Ramirez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Blaine Neal was charged with 2 runs in 1/3 of an inning.

Matt Mantei was charged with 3 runs in 2/3 of an inning.

John Halama allowed an inherited runner to score and committed an error in 1/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

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

Bill Mueller was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Mark Bellhorn was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Alan Embree allowed an inherited runner to score in 2/3 of an inning.

Final Thoughts:

Its a new season and the New York Yankees are steaming mad. They came out firing tonight that they're not going to take their ALCS loss lying down. The Yankees pulled a 1980's Los Angeles Lakers and made roster moves specifically designed to beat the Red Sox. Randy Johnson and Tino Martinez always had good success against Boston and the Yankees got them for that. The Sox couldn't crack Johnson meanwhile all the new additions except Jay Payton flopped in their Red Sox debuts. Renteria, Wells, Halama, Neal and Mantei all failed but it would be unfair to judge them after 1 game with 161 to go. Its a long year and the Sox are going to find out being hunted is a lot tougher than being the hunter. For the first time in 90 years the Sox are the champs and the Yankees are gunning for them. The top 4 hitters for Boston went 1 for 16 with 6 strikeouts, one rbi and an error.....not exactly how you beat Randy Johnson and the Yankees bullpen. Its only Opening Day but the Yankees completely kicked their ass in every facet of the game. The errors by Damon and Halama, the incompetence of Wells and the bullpen...it all added up to Yankee fans delight. They're going to be laughing all the way to tomorrow. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow afternoon when Matt Clement makes his Red Sox debut taking on old friend Carl Pavano of the Yankees. The game begins at 1:05 PM at Yankee Stadium

Yankees Massacre Sox in Game 3 (10/16/04)

After a rainout pushed Game 3 back a day, maybe they should have played last night in the rain anyway. The Boston Red Sox' epic season is about to come crashing down at the hands of the New York Yankees. The Yankees added a new chapter in their 86 year beat down of the Red Sox by knocking the Sox flat tonight in Game 3. The Yankees pounded starter Bronson Arroyo and a host of relief pitchers for 22 hits and 19 runs in one of the most decisive routs in MLB history. Though the Sox scored a bunch of runs of their own, it wasn't nearly enough as the Yankees are now one game away from a four game sweep as they took Game 3 by a score of 19-8 at Fenway Park.

Arroyo took the mound in the top of the first and immediately crapped his pants. Derek Jeter started with a walk and Alex Rodriguez doubled into the left field corner to score him. A-Rod moved to third when Gary Sheffield flied out to the centerfield wall and Hideki Matsui smashed a 40,000 foot home run to right to increase the lead. Bernie Williams singled to right but Jorge Posada banged into a double play to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 3-0.

                                                         Matsui puts the Yankees up big

The Sox had no trouble hitting Yankees starter Kevin Brown in the bottom of the first but ran themselves out. Johnny Damon grounded out to short and Mark Bellhorn whiffed, but Manny Ramirez singled. Ortiz singled to right but Manny was foolishly thrown out at third trying to stretch to end the inning.

Ruben Sierra doubled to the left field wall start the top of the second but Jon Olerud popped up to short. Miguel Cairo popped up to first and Jeter flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox fought back in the bottom of the second as Jason Varitek walked to start. Trot Nixon pounded a home run just over the head of Sheffield into the stands to cut the lead. Kevin Millar flied out to the centerfield wall but Bill Mueller doubled off the bottom of the right field wall. Cabrera grounded out to third but Damon lined one off the glove of Olerud over to second. The hustling Mueller scored to tie the game but Cairo foolishly threw home which allowed Damon to reach second. A wild pitch moved Damon to third before Bellhorn drew a walk. Manny hit a liner to Jeter who bobbled it, allowing Damon to score the go-ahead run. That was the first lead in the series for the Sox. Ortiz grounded out to second to end the inning but it was 4-3 Sox.

                                                            Nixon gets the Sox back in it

The Yankees pounded Arroyo in the top of the third inning as A-Rod pounded a home run over the Monster Seats to tie the game. Sheffield walked and Matsui pounded a double to right to chase Arroyo. In a game the Sox had to win, Arroyo lasted just 2 innings and was charged with 6 runs.

                                                 Damn Yankees

Ramiro Mendoza came in to take a beating as Williams singled home Sheffield to put the Yankees back on top. Mendoza balked home Matsui as the boo birds came out. Sox manager Terry Francona ran out to argue but it was clearly a balk. Posada popped up on the infield to Millar before Sierra swung at a changeup in the dirt for strike three. Olerud grounded out to short to end the inning but the Yankees were up 6-4.

The Sox tied it up in the bottom of the third with Javier Vazquez on the mound for the Yankees. Varitek got the rally started with a base hit to left but Nixon whiffed. Millar doubled off the Monster before Mueller walked to load the bases. Cabrera hit a line drive out of the reach of Sheffield that went to the wall. Varitek and Millar scored but Mueller was gunned down at home for a huge out. Damon grounded out to first to end the inning but the game was tied 6-6.

                                                     Cabrera with the clutch hit

The Yankees wasted no time getting the lead back in the top of the fourth inning as Cairo was plunked to start. That was it for Mendoza as Curtis Leskanic was brought in to pour gas on the fire. Nixon made a great diving catch to rob Jeter of a hit but A-Rod walked. Sheffield then crushed a 3 run home run into the Monster seats to give the Yankees the lead back. Matsui doubled into the left field corner to chase Leskanic. Tomorrow's starter Tim Wakefield came in and got Williams to pop up to first but Posada was intentionally walked. Sierra made the Sox pay by tripling past Nixon to score two more runs. Olerud lined out to short to end the inning but the 5 run inning put the Yankees up for good 11-6.

                                                     The Yankees pour it on

Bellhorn whiffed to start the bottom of the fourth but Ramirez walked. Ortiz got a base hit to right but Varitek hit a bullet to first and Ortiz was doubled off to end the inning.

The Yankees were relentless in the top of the fifth inning although Cabrera made a great play to rob Cairo of a hit to begin. Jeter walked and A-Rod doubled to the right field wall to score Jeter. Sheffield crushed a double to the Monster to score A-Rod with another run. Matsui flied out to left and Williams whiffed to end the inning but the Yankees were up 13-6.

                                                        A-Rod keeps up the destruction

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the fifth as Nixon popped up to center to start. Millar popped up to second and Mueller grounded out to second to end the inning.

Wakefield cruised in the top of the sixth as Posada flied out to center to start. Sierra flied out to the centerfield wall before Olerud grounded out to short to end the inning, hurting himself in the process.

                                                 Stephen King is used to horror shows

Tony Clark replaced Olerud in the bottom of the sixth and Cabrera started a rally with a double to the centerfield wall. Damon popped up to right but Bellhorn whiffed. Manny whiffed to end the inning.

The carnage continued in the top of the seventh as Cairo hit a base hit in the hole at short to start. Damon made a sliding catch to rob Jeter of a hit before Bellhorn dropped a routine pop up by A-Rod. Luckily Cairo never moved so he got Miguel at second on the force. Sheffield hit a laser off the Monster but it was just a single that moved Jeter to third. That was it for Wakefield who did the best he could to save the rest of the bullpen for tomorrow's game. Alan Embree came in to pitch to Matsui and naturally Matsui singled home A-Rod for another run. Williams doubled home both runners to increase the lead. Posada crushed a double off the Monster for yet another run as the remaining Sox fans booed the Sox pitching staff. Sierra grounded out to short to end the inning but it was 17-6 Yankees.

                                          Can anyone get Matsui out?

Ortiz singled off the Monster to start the bottom of the seventh and Varitek smashed a two run home run to center just to piss the Yankees off. Nixon flied out to right and that was it for Vazquez. Paul Quantrill came in and Millar grounded out to short before Mueller lined a base hit into the left field corner. Cabrera lined a base hit to center but Damon lined out to left to end the inning. If nothing else the Sox beat around the Yankees pitching but trailed 17-8

                                                        Varitek goes yard.

Mike Myers came in to pitch the top of the eighth with Doug Mirabelli now behind the plate. Myers whiffed Clark and Cairo but Jeter poked a single to center. Bellhorn made a diving stop to rob A-Rod of a hit, forcing Jeter at second to end the inning. Bellhorn earned the golden sombrero with his 4th strikeout to start the bottom of the eighth before Manny flied out to center. Ortiz whiffed to end the inning.

The Yankees had one final kick in the ass for the Sox in the top of the ninth when Sheffield singled up the middle to start. Bubba Crosby ran for Sheffield and Matsui ended the massacre with a two run bomb to center. Williams and Posada stroked back to back hits before Sierra was frozen for strike three. Clark hit a liner to Mueller who doubled off Williams to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 19-8.

                                                   Scoreboard says it all

The torture ended with Tom Gordon now on the mound for the bottom of the ninth. Mirabelli popped up to second but Nixon doubled off the centerfield wall. Nixon moved to third on a wild pitch but Millar whiffed. Mueller flied out to center to end the game. The Yankees had a stranglehold on the American League Championship Series and was up 3 games to 0 with a 19-8 rout.

                                                          Can't argue this


Jackass of the Night is a tough one considering everyone the Sox threw out there got hammered but I'll go with Arroyo. He had absolutely nothing and he put the Sox in a hole that was too big to climb out of. He lasted just two innings and was charged with 6 runs.

                                                   Arroyo The Jackass



The Good:

David Ortiz was 3 for 5 with a run scored.

Jason Varitek was 2 for 3 with a walk, 3 runs scored and a 2 run home run.

Trot Nixon was 2 for 5 including a 2 run homer.

Bill Mueller was 2 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

Orlando Cabrera was 3 for 4 with 2 rbis.



The Bad:

Doug Mirabelli was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Ramiro Mendoza allowed a run in the third inning.

Curtis Leskanic was charged with 3 runs in just 1/3 of an inning.

Tim Wakefield allowed 5 runs in 3 1/3 innings.

Alan Embree allowed 2 runs in just 1/3 of an inning.

Mike Myers allowed 2 runs in 2 innings of work.



The Ugly:

Johnny Damon was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run and scored.

Mark Bellhorn was 0 for 4 with a golden sombrero of 4 strikeots but walked.

Manny Ramirez was just 1 for 4 but walked.

Kevin Millar was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.




Final Thoughts:

It can't end like this. Seriously, it can't end like this. After coming within a horrendous managerial decision from winning the pennant last year, the Sox can't just fall on their face and get swept after everything that's happened since Game 7 last year...can it? The Yankees offense looks to be completely unstoppable, scoring 32 runs in the first 3 games of this series. Not only that, Curt Schilling has a serious ankle problem and Pedro Martinez got out-pitched by Jon Lieber. The offense scored 8 runs today but the pitching just can't stop the Yankees. The worst apart about it is the only thing standing between the Red Sox and an embarrassing four game sweep is Derek Lowe. The same Lowe that was supposedly hung over when he got bombed by the Yankees on national television. The Sox look to avoid a sweep tomorrow night when they send Lowe to the mound against Orlando Hernandez at 8:00 PM at Fenway Park.

Yankees Beat Pedro Again, Take Game 2 (10/13/04)

Now its time to panic Boston Red Sox fans. After Curt Schilling got hammered in Game 1 the Sox turned to Pedro Martinez to bail them out against the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series. It didn't happen as Pedro allowed 3 runs in 6 innings but the Sox offense was silenced by Jon Lieber. Lieber tossed 7 innings of 1 run ball, John Olerud hit a back breaking home run and the Yankees sent the series back to Fenway with a 3-1 victory at Yankee Stadium.

                                                  The two aces fail to deliver

The Sox did nothing in the top of the first inning against Lieber as Johnny Damon grounded weakly to Olerud to begin the game. Mark Bellhorn popped up to short before Manny Ramirez whiffed to end the inning. Yankee fans rose to their feet and chanted "Who's Your Daddy" as Pedro took the mound for the bottom of the first and the chants got louder as the Yankees rallied. Derek Jeter drew a leadoff walk before taking off for second. The Yankees caught a break when Bellhorn dropped the ball as the throw did manage to beat Jeter. Alex Rodriguez was plunked and Gary Sheffield singled home Jeter to give the Yankees the lead. Hideki Matsui and Bernie Williams both looked at strike three before Jorge Posada grounded out to second to end the inning but it was 1-0 Yankees.

                                                   Yankees strike first

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the second although David Ortiz walked to start. Kevin Millar popped up to short, Trot Nixon flied out to left and Jason Varitek grounded out to second to end the inning. The Yankees drove Pedro's pitch count in the bottom of the second as Olerud grounded out to second to start. Miguel Cairo walked and Kenny Lofton singled before Cairo moved to third on the Jeter line out to center but A-Rod looked at strike three to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the third although Orlando Cabrera singled to start. Cabrera moved to third on groundouts by Bill Mueller and Damon before Bellhorn flied out to center to end the inning. Pedro settled down in the bottom of the third as Sheffield popped up to short to start. Matsui and Williams both grounded out to first to end the inning.

Lieber was untouchable in the top of the fourth as Ramirez popped up to center to start. Ortiz popped up to center and Millar grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Pedro did what he could in the bottom of the fourth although Posada walked to start. Olerud popped up to second before Cairo flied out to left. Lofton whiffed to end the inning.

Still nothing for the Sox in the top of the fifth inning as Nixon flied out to left to begin. Varitek hit a squibber back to the mound and Cabrera whiffed to end the inning. Pedro kept pace in the bottom of the fifth as Jeter grounded out to short to start. A-Rod beat out an infield single to third before Sheffield whiffed. Matsui was frozen for strike three to end the inning.

Shades of Game 1, the Sox couldn't hit in the top of the sixth as Mueller popped up to third to start. Damon lined out to a running Williams in center before Bellhorn whiffed to end the inning. Through the first through innings of Game 1 they had no hits and through the first six tonight they had 1 hit.

                                                 Exactly Bob

The Yankees iced the game against Pedro in the bottom of the sixth inning although Williams lined out to center to begin. Posada walked and Olerud iced the game with a 2 run bomb into the right field seats to increase the lead. Pedro recovered to freeze Cairo with a fastball on the inside corner before Lofton popped up to third to end the inning. That was it for Pedro after 6 innings of 3 run ball, the one mistake to Olerud made the difference as the Sox trailed 3-0.

                                                Olerud goes yard

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the seventh inning as Ramirez grounded out to short to start. Ortiz managed a base hit to right but Manny banged into a double play to end the inning. Mike Timlin came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh inning and got Jeter to ground to short to begin. A-Rod lined a bullet that a diving Mueller caught before Sheffield singled to chase Timlin. Alan Embree came in and Matsui blooped a single to left but Williams popped up to right to end the inning.

Lieber returned for the complete game shutout but he was chased by a Nixon single to open the top of the eighth inning. Old pal Tom Gordon took the mound and Varitek greeted him with a double into the gap to bring the tying run to the plate. Cabrera grounded out to short but Nixon scored to put the Sox on the board. Mueller grounded out but Cabrera moved to third and Yankees manager Joe Torre took no chances, bringing in Mariano Rivera to finish off the Sox. Damon took strike three to end the inning but it was 3-1 Sox.

                                                       Nixon scores a run

Embree returned for the bottom of the eighth and Posada greeted him with a single. Olerud flied out to right and that was it for Embree. Sox closer Keith Foulke came in and hit Cairo with a pitch before Lofton whiffed. Jeter walked to load the bases but A-Rod flied out to right to end the inning.

Rivera came back to close out the top of the ninth and Bellhorn grounded out to first to start. Manny doubled to center to bring the tying run to the plate but Ortiz whiffed on a high fastball. Millar whiffed to end the game with the Yankees winning 3-1 to send the series back to Fenway with a 2-0 series lead.

         

Jackass of the Night is Johnny Damon. He was 0 for 4 with a strikeout and is supposed to be the catalyst for the offense. He's 0 for 8 with 5 strikeouts so far in this series.

                                                            Damon the Jackass



The Good:

David Ortiz was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Trot Nixon was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Jason Varitek was 1 for 3.

Orlando Cabrera was 1 for 3 and drove in the only run.

Mike Timlin retired 2 of the 3 men he faced.

Alan Embree pitched 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

Keith Foulke pitched 2/3 of a scoreless inning.



The Bad:

Mark Bellhorn was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Kevin Millar ws 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Bill Mueller was 0 for 3.



The Ugly:

Manny Ramirez was just 1 for 4.

Pedro Martinez took the loss but didn't pitch that bad, allowing 3 runs in 6 innings while striking out 7.




Final Thoughts:

So much for the vaunted 1-2 punch of Curt Schilling and Pedro Martinez. Schilling's ankle couldn't hold up and Pedro was doomed by one pitch to Olerud and a lousy offense. Who would have guessed Jon Lieber would shut down the Sox the way he did? Damon really is killing the Sox as he's 0 for 8 with 5 strikeouts in the first two games of the series. With Bellhorn being as streaky as he is, that's not a good thing for Ramirez or Ortiz to come up with nobody on. The back end of the bullpen is going to burn out if this kind of workload continues as Embree, Timlin and Foulke had to work the first two games and in a 7 game series that adds up. Luckily the Sox may catch a break as Kevin Brown has been named the Game 3 starter for New York and they have hit him hard this season. The Sox need to make a stand Friday night in Game 3 when Bronson Arroyo goes one on one with Brown at 8:00 PM at Fenway Park.

Yankees Pound Schilling, Take Game 1 (10/12/04)

Talk about the worst case scenario for the Boston Red Sox. It was feared Curt Schilling was injured more seriously than it looked at the end of his Game 1 win against the Anaheim Angels and those fears came true tonight in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the hated New York Yankees. Schilling got blasted for 6 runs in 3 innings, the bullpen was no help as they allowed 4 more runs,Mike Mussina was perfect through 6 innings and Mariano Rivera literally ran off a plane from Panama to save the game for the Yankees. When it was over the Sox had lost 10-7 and Schilling looks done for the year, just great.

                                                            Dammit

Mussina was perfect in the top of the first as he made Johnny Damon look silly on a 3 pitch strikeout. Mark Bellhorn lined out to a running Bernie Williams in center and Manny Ramirez grounded out to first to end the inning. The injured Schilling took the mound in the bottom of the first inning and the Yankees tagged him. His velocity was down as Derek Jeter flied out to right field warning track before Alex Rodriguez flied out to right. Gary Sheffield crushed a double down the left field line and Hideki Matsui took a splitter in the dirt and lined it past Ramirez for an rbi double. Bernie Williams effortlessly singled up the middle for another run but Jorge Posada grounded out to second to end the inning with the Yankees up 2-0.

                                                          The Yankees strike first

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second as David Ortiz grounded out to first to begin. Kevin Millar grounded out to short and Trot Nixon popped up to short to end the inning. John Olerud grounded out to second to begin the bottom of the second before Miguel Cairo flied out to left. Kenny Lofton whiffed to end the inning.

Mussina remained perfect in the top of the third as Jason Varitek flied out to left to begin. Mark Bellhorn flied out to center and Ramirez grounded back to the mound. The Yankees exploded to knock out Schilling in the bottom of the third inning. Jeter singled to center and A-Rod singled in the hole at short. Sheffield walked and Matsui cleared the bases with a double into the corner. Williams advanced Matsui to third with a grounder to second then he scored on the Posada sac fly to center. Olerud walked before Cairo flied out to center to end the inning. That was it for Schilling as he was knocked out after giving up 6 runs in just 3 innings. Typical Red Sox luck that the guy they got to beat the Yankees tears up his ankle before facing them when it counts.

                                                 Schilling failed in his biggest game

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the fourth inning as Damon took strike three on the outside corner to start. Bellhorn also took strike three on the outside corner while Ramirez looked at strike three on the inside corner to end the inning. Curtis Leskanic took the mound in the bottom of the fourth and walked both Lofton and Jeter to start. Leskanic got A-Rod to bang into a double play and Sheffield struck out to end the inning.

Mussina remained perfect in the top of the fifth inning as Ortiz whiffed on a full count to begin. Millar whiffed on a knucklecurve in the dirt before Nixon was retired on a squibber in front of the mound to end the inning. Ramiro Mendoza was summoned to pitch the bottom of the fifth and Manny had to run to the wall to get a line drive by Matsui to start. Williams grounded out to second but Posada got hit on the foot. Olerud blooped a single to left to send Posada to third but Cairo lined out to short to end the inning.

The perfect game continued in the top of the sixth inning as Varitek whiffed to start. Cabrera popped up to right a graphic showed Mussina's near perfect game on September 2, 2001 in Fenway. Mueller popped up to left to end the inning as the high powered Sox offense was held without a baserunner through six. Game 4's scheduled starter Tim Wakefield was brought in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and the Yankees pounced. Lofton swatted a solo home run to right to increase the lead before Jeter grounded out to third. Sheffield doubled to left and Matsui singled down the right field line to score Gary and seemingly put the game out of reach. Williams lined out to a running Manny in left to end the inning but it was now 8-0 Yankees.

                                              5 rbis for Matsui

Out of nowhere the Sox exploded off Mussina in the top of the seventh inning although Damon earned the hat trick with his third strikeout of the game. Bellhorn broke up the perfect game with a double to the left field wall before Ortiz singled him to third. Millar doubled off the glove of Matsui to score both runners to put the Sox on the board. Millar took third on a passed ball and scored on the Nixon base hit. That was it for Mussina who went from being perfect to out of the game in a blink of an eye. Tanyon Sturtze was brought in and Varitek got his first hit in Yankee Stadium all YEAR with a 2 run bomb to right to make it a three run game. Cabrera whiffed to end the inning but suddenly the Sox were back in it 8-5.

                                               Varitek goes yard to inch the Sox closer

With the game now in reach Sox manager Terry Francona turned to Alan Embree in the bottom of the seventh inning. Posada grounded out to second before Matsui popped up to left. Cairo singled down the right field line but Lofton popped up to left to end the inning.

Old pal Tom Gordon took the mound in the top of the eighth and the Sox rallied again. Cairo made a diving grab on a Mueller grounder but couldn't make the throw for a leadoff hit. Damon earned the golden sombrero with his fourth strikeout of the game but Bellhorn popped up to left. Ramirez singled Mueller to third and Ortiz missed a game tying home run by 5 feet with a triple off the glove of Matsui field that still scored both runners. The Sox were down 8-0 having a perfect game thrown against them going into the top of the 7th and were one swing away from taking the lead one inning later. In a scene out of a movie, Mariano Rivera who began the day in Panama took the mound for the four out save to pick up the Yankees. Sure enough Millar popped up to short to end the inning but the Sox were knocking at the door down 8-7.

                                                    Ortiz nearly hits it out

Unfortunately the bullpen couldn't keep it a one run game in the bottom of the eighth as Mike Timlin took the mound. Jeter grounded out to short to start but A-Rod shook off being buzzed by Timlin to single to left. Sheffield also singled to left but Matsui popped up to short. Needing just one out to keep this a one run game, Williams instead lined a triple just out of reach from Manny to ice the game. One batter too late Francona replaced Timlin with Keith Foulke and Posada lined out to third to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 10-7.

                                               Williams ices it.

The horse was out of the barn as the Sox went quickly in the top of the ninth inning with Rivera back on the mound. Nixon popped to short but Varitek and Cabrera stroked back to back singles to bring the tying run to the plate. Once again out of a movie, Mueller hit a walkoff three run homer off Rivera on July 24th but this time Rivera got Bill to bang into a double play to end the game. The Sox comeback fell short and the Yankees had taken Game 1.

Jackass of the Night is Mike Timlin. Sure, Curt Schilling put the Sox in a hole but the Sox were rallying to get back into it only for Mike to give up the deciding two runs. Getting one run off Rivera is hard enough but 3 was too much to overcome.

                                                        Jackass of the Night: Timlin



The Good:

David Ortiz was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Jason Varitek was 2 for 4 including a 2 run home run.

Curtis Leskanic pitched a scoreless 4th inning.

Ramiro Mendoza pitched a scoreless 5th inning.

Alan Embree pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Keith Foulke retired the only man he faced.



The Bad:

Johnny Damon was 0 for 4 with a golden sombrero of 4 strikeouts.

Curt Schilling lasted just 3 innings and allowed 6 runs, his worst start in October history.

Tim Wakefield allowed 2 runs in 1 inning of work.



The Ugly:

Mark Bellhorn was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Manny Ramirez was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Kevin Millar was just 1 for 4 but drove in 2 runs and scored.

Trot Nixon was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored.

Orlando Cabrera was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Bill Mueller was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.




Final Thoughts:

Its only one game but this was an ominous start to the ALCS. If Schilling is pitching on one foot then he's useless for the rest of the series. He was supposed to be the answer to the Yankees they didn't have last year and he failed big time. The Yankees offense not only knocked him around but almost the same bullpen that was unhittable last year as well. The Sox got off on the wrong foot, no pun intended, but there are positives to build on. The Sox pulled off a huge rally to score 7 runs after having a perfect game tossed against them and this a 7 game series so there's plenty more action to come. The negatives outweigh the positives unfortunately and they needed Schilling to win this series and now have to turn to Pedro Martinez to stem the tide. The same Pedro who has been knocked around by the Yankees this year and who started that god awful "Who's your daddy" chant that Yankee fans were bellowing tonight. Tomorrow night Pedro takes on Jon Lieber at 8 PM at Yankee Stadium

Sox Blitz Devil Rays, Win Game 2 (4/29/04)

That's how you win a doubleheader! After the Boston Red Sox blanked the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the first game, it was unlikely the Sox would shut them out again. The Rays did get two first inning runs against Derek Lowe (3-1, 4.98 ERA) to lead for the only time in the series.....but the Sox exploded against Tampa starter Damian Moss. The Sox got 5 runs off Moss highlighted by the Bill Mueller three run home run to chase him early. Pokey Reese added a two run single of John Halama and the Sox cruised from there. Lowe did allow a run in the fifth but Scott Williamson and Keith Foulke slammed the door in the final innings. The Sox swept the doubleheader and won this game 7-3 at Fenway Park.

                                                     Tsianina Joelson approves of the win

The Devil Rays attacked Lowe in the top of the first inning as Carl Crawford doubled off the Monster to start. Julio Lugo dropped down a bunt but Lowe misplayed it for an error to move Crawford to third. Aubrey Huff grounded back to the mound to move Lugo to second and Baldelli grounded out to second to score Crawford. Robert Fick doubled to right to score Lugo with another run before Jose Cruz Jr grounded out to second to end the inning with the Devil Rays up 2-0. 

                                                                 Fick with an rbi double

The Sox exploded on Moss in the bottom of the first as Johnny Damon walked to start. Mueller singled to left and David Ortiz got a base hit to right to score Damon. A wild pitch moved the runners over and Manny Ramirez stroked a base hit to right to score Mueller. Jason Varitek crushed his fourth home run of the season to put the Sox on top and David McCarty singled to left. Mark Bellhorn took strike three but Gabe Kapler doubled to center to chase Moss. John Halama came in to pitch and Pokey Reese got a base hit to left to score Kapler and McCarty but Damon popped up to short. Mueller forced Reese at second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-2.

                                                        Reese with the exclamation point

Lowe settled down in the top of the second inning as Geoff Blum flied out to left to start. Toby Hall grounded out to second but Rey Sanchez singled to center. Crawford struck out swinging to end the inning. Ortiz flied out to right to begin the bottom of the seventh and Ramirez grounded out to third. Varitek grounded out to short to end the inning.

Lugo blooped a single to left to start the top of the third but Huff moved Julio to second with a grounder to short. Baldelli flied out to right but Fick walked. Cruz Jr struck out swinging to end the inning. McCarty grounded out to second to start the bottom of the third before Bellhorn struck out swinging. Kapler got the Rays asleep with a bunt single and stole second, but Reese grounded out to short to end the inning.

Blum got a seeing eye single into right field to start the top of the fourth but Hall grounded into a double play. Sanchez grounded out to second to end the inning. Damon grounded out to second to start the bottom of the fourth and Mueller grounded out to third. Ortiz struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Rays struck back in the top of the fifth as Crawford doubled to left and Lugo tripled into the left field corner. Huff popped up to second, Baldelli lined out to second and Fick grounded out to short to end the inning with the Rays down 7-3.

                                                             Lugo with a triple

Ramirez grounded out to second to begin the bottom of the fifth before Varitek also grounded out to second. McCarty flied out to center to end the inning.

Cruz struck out swinging to start the top of the sixth and Blum grounded out to short. Hall got a base hit to right and Sanchez flied out to right to end the inning. Bellhorn grounded out to first to start the bottom of the sixth and Kapler grounded out to third. Reese got a base hit to right and moved to second on an error by Cruz. Trever Miller came in to pitch to Damon and Johnny grounded out to second to end the inning.

Lowe returned for one final inning in the top of the seventh as Crawford lined a ball off Derek to start. Lugo was hit with a pitch but Huff grounded into a double play. Baldelli grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Solid effort by Lowe who allowed 3 runs in 7 innings off 9 hits and a walk.

                                                             Good work Lowe

Mueller grounded out to short to open the bottom of the seventh and Ortiz did the same. Ramirez got a base hit to left and Varitek beat out a roller to short to chase Miller. Chad Gaudin walked McCarty to load the bases but Bellhorn popped up to first to end the inning.

Scott Williamson came in to pitch the top of the eighth with Cesar Crespo taking Ortiz' spot. Fick took strike three before Cruz drew a walk. Blum flied out to center and Hall struck out swinging to end the inning. Kapler watched strike three go by to start the bottom of the eighth before Reese flied out to center. Damon doubled off the Monster but Mueller struck out swinging to end the inning.

Keith Foulke came in to close out the top of the ninth and Sanchez grounded out to second to start. Crawford was frozen for strike three and Lugo went down hacking to end the game. The Sox had won the game 7-2.

Hero of The Night is Jason Varitek. His three run home run turned out to be the difference in the game.

                                                             Hero Tek

The Good:

Manny Ramirez was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

David McCarty was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Gabe Kapler was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Pokey Reese was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis.

Derek Lowe got the win by tossing 7 innings of 3 run (1 earned) ball while allowing 9 hits and a walk.

Scott Williamson tossed a scoreless eighth inning.

Keith Foulke pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Mark Bellhorn was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Johnny Damon was just 1 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

Bill Mueller was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but scored a run.

David Ortiz was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run and scored a run.

Honorable Mention:

Cesar Crespo played left field in the final innings.

Final Thoughts:

Good work by the Sox to sweep the doubleheader. The Sox offense only scored in one inning but it was enough to win the game. The rally showcased what a quick strike offense they are but going cold for eight innings was a little disappointing. Still, the way Lowe and the bullpen pitched, it didn't matter. Once again Williamson and Foulke slammed the door and the Sox are going to have a devastating bullpen moving forward. It was also good to see McCarty, Reese and Kapler contribute big hits as well. The Sox have a long way to go until Nomar Garciaparra and Trot Nixon are healthy so Boston has to make due until then. Boston has one game left in the month of April and they can end on a high note big time. The Sox now travel to Texas for a three game set with the Rangers. Bronson Arroyo gets the start for the Sox against Ryan Drese of Texas. The game begins at 8:05 PM Eastern time at Arlington Park.