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

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

                                               "Damn you Tanana!"

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

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

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

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

                                              Why can't the Sox get guys like this?

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

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

                                                           Burks goes yard

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

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

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

                                                         Not the best result for Roger

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

                                                               Heaves the ball away

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

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

                                                                What a Jackass



The Good:

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

Jody Reed was 1 for 3 with a walk.

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

Carlos Quintana was 2 for 4.

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

Luis Rivera was 1 for 3.



The Bad:

Mike Marshall was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

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

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



The Ugly:

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

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 5.

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



Honorable Mention:

Mike Brumley played shortstop in the bottom of the eighth.

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




Final Thoughts:

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

Sox Survive Scary Ninth, Beat Royals (4/27/91)

The bad news was the Boston Bruins lost Game 6 of their NHL Playoff second round series against the Montreal Canadiens. The good news was Jack Clark finally got his head on straight and helped the Boston Red Sox defeat the Kansas City Royals. Tom Bolton (2-0, 1.47 ERA) tossed 6 solid innings of 1 run ball to keep the Sox in front. Kevin Romine broke a 1-1 tie in the sixth with a 2 run pinch hit single and Clark hit the 3 run killshot in the eighth inning. The Royals put up a huge fight in the ninth inning but Jeff Reardon was able to slam the door on the 6-4 victory over the Royals at Royals Stadium.

                                                                 Peg Bundy approves of the win

Royals starter Kevin Appier took the ball in the top of the first inning and Wade Boggs flied out to left to start. Jody Reed flied out to center and Mike Greenwell grounded out to first to end the inning. Bolton started strong in the bottom of the first as Jim Eisenreich grounded out to short to start. Gary Thurman also grounded out to short and Danny Tartabull struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the second as Jack Clark grounded back to the mound to start. Ellis Burks singled to center but Tom Brunansky took strike three. Mike Marshall doubled home Burks to give the Sox the lead. Tony Pena singled to center but Marshall was thrown at home to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                                YERRRR OUT!

The Royals answered in the bottom of the second as Kirk Gibson flied out to right to start. Mike Macfarlane singled and took second on the ground out by Russ Morman. Bill Pecota singled in the hole at short to score Macfarlane to tie the game. Kurt Stillwell grounded out to short to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                           MacFarlane scores to tie it

Tim Naehring took strike three to start the top of the third but Boggs drew a walk. Reed flied out to center but Greenwell singled up the middle. Clark walked to load the bases but Burks popped up to right to end the inning. Terry Shumpert grounded out to third to begin the bottom of the third and Eisenreich flied out to center. Thurman walked but Tartabull flied out to center to end the inning.

Brunansky led off the top of the fourth with a pop up to second to begin. Marshall singled to center and moved to second on the grounder by Pena. Naehring grounded out to short to end the inning. Bolton froze Gibson for strike three to start the bottom of the fourth and Macfarlane flied out to left. Morman popped up to second to end the inning.

Boggs took strike three to start the top of the fifth and Reed grounded out to third. Greenwell and Clark drew back to back walks but Burks whiffed to end the inning. Pecota lined out to right to start the bottom of the fifth and Stillwell took strike three. Shumpert walked but Eisenreich took strike three to end the inning.

Brunansky started the top of the sixth by walking to chase Appier. Steve Crawford came in and both Marshall and Pena singled to load the bases with nobody out. Steve Lyons came in to pinch hit for Tim Naehring but the Royals countered by bringing in Dan Schatzeder to pitch. Sox manager Joe Morgan countered by pulling back Lyons and sending in Kevin Romine to pinch hit. Romine lined a base hit to score Marshall and Brunansky to give the Sox the lead. Boggs banged into a double play and Reed popped up to right to end the inning but the Sox led 3-1.

                                                               Romine gives the Sox the lead

Luis Rivera came in to play short in the bottom of the sixth as Thurman grounded out to short to start. Tartabull flied out to left and Gibson popped up to second to end the inning.

Greenwell grounded out to short to begin the top of the seventh but Clark walked to chase Schatzeder. Luis Aquino came in and Burks was plunked but Brunansky flied out to left. Marshall singled to right to load the bases but Pena flied out to center to end the inning. A frustrated Marshall left the game and was replaced by Carlos Quintana to start the bottom of the seventh. The Royals chased Bolton when Macfarlane doubled to left and Morman hit a bloop single to short. Joe Hesketh managed to Houdini his way out of trouble after Pecota sacrificed both runners along with a bunt. Stilwell walked to load the bases but Shumpert and Eisenreich both whiffed to end the inning. Bolton ended up tossing 6 innings while being charged with just one run.

                                                            Bolton does a good job

The Sox looked to have put the game away in the top of the eighth although Rivera grounded back to the mound to start. Boggs walked but was forced at second by Reed. Greenwell walked but Clark smashed his third home run of the year to put the Sox up big. Burks drilled a single to right but Brunansky flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-1.

                                                                  Big home run by Clark

Thurman began the bottom of the eighth by striking out swinging. Tartabull also went down hacking but Gibson walked. Macfarlane flied out to center to end the inning.

Quintana doubled to center to start the top of the ninth and moved to third on the Pena grounder. Quintana was stranded as Rivera grounded out to second and Mike Magnante came in to pitch. Boggs grounded out to short to end the inning. Hesketh returned for the bottom of the ninth and all hell broke loose. Morman struck out swinging but Pecota walked. Stillwell doubled to right and Shumpert singled home Pecota. Hesketh picked off Pecota but Eisenreich singled home Stillwell to cut the lead in half and chase Hesketh. Jeff Reardon was summoned to close out the game and Warren Cromartie pinch hit for Thurman. Cromartie hit a routine grounder to Quintana...UNDER HIS GLOVE. The should be game ender ended up bringing the tying run to the plate. Tartabull singled home Eisenreich to put the tying runs on. Brian McRae pinch ran for Tartabull but Gibson whiffed to end the game. The Sox had hung on to win it 6-4.

Hero of the Night is Jack Clark. His three run home run was the difference in the game

                                                                  Jack The Hero

The Good:

Mike Greenwell was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Ellis Burks was 2 for 4 with a hit by pitch and a run scored.

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

Tony Pena was 2 for 5.

Kevin Romine knocked in two runs with a pinch hit single.

Tom Bolton picked up the win with 6 innings of 1 run ball.

Jeff Reardon earned his sixth save by getting the final out of the bottom of the ninth.

The Bad:

Tim Naehring was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Luis Rivera was 0 for 2 at the plate.

Joe Hesketh allowed 3 runs in 2 2/3 innings.

The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but walked twice.

Jody Reed was 0 for 5 but scored a run.

Tom Brunansky was 0 for 4 with with a strikeout but walked and scored.

Carlos Quintana singled in his only at-bat but his error led to a run scoring in the bottom of the ninth.

Honorable Mention:

Steve Lyons "pinch hit" for Tim Naehring in the top of the sixth.

Final Thoughts:

As the month comes to a close, its very obvious the Sox are in desperate need of some offense to match the pitching. Roger Clemens had one of the best months in Major League history but he can only go once every few days. The other starters including Tom Bolton stepped up big and so did the trio of Tony Fossas, Jeff Gray and Jeff Reardon. The Sox offensive woes need to be addressed if they have any hope of repeating as AL East champs. Bolton pitched well tonight and Clark finally delivered a meaningful longball for the first time since Opening Day really. Hopefully after he got fined a grand for going nuts on a toilet, it woke him up to start getting it together. Hesketh got lit up but it was his first bad game in almost 3 weeks so hopefully that was just a hiccup. It was a good win and the Sox look to make it two in a row tomorrow night on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball. The Sox don't know who's pitching because its supposed to be Roger Clemens, but his suspension may or may not be served starting tomorrow. Storm Davis of the Royals will be pitching for KC at 9:05 PM Eastern time at Royals Stadium.

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

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

                                                    Ivan Drago approves of the win

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

                                                                Clark drives in a run

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

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

                                                       Still torturing the Sox 5 years later

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

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

                                                          A sick Danny couldn't continue

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

                                                             Brunansky brings the Sox closer

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

                                                   Boggs puts the Sox on top

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

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

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

                                                        Burks hits the kill shot

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

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

                                                                  Boggs is the Hero

The Good:

Jack Clark was 3 for 4 with an rbi.

Carlos Quintana was 2 for 3 with a hit by pitch

Dennis Lamp earned the win with a scoreless fifth inning.

Joe Hesketh tossed 2 scoreless innings.

Jeff Gray pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

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

The Bad:

Tony Pena was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

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

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

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

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

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

Honorable Mention:

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

Final Thoughts:

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

Indians Blank Sox in 13 Innings on Patriots Day (4/15/91)

Well this was a waste of a Patriots Day. After the Boston Red Sox failed to score a run in 9 innings yesterday against the Cleveland Indians, today they topped it by failing to cross the plate in 13 futile innings. Charles Nagy tossed 8 1/3 scoreless innings for the Indians before the bullpen tossed the remaining 4 2/3. Matt Young pitched his ass off for the Sox, going 9 shutout innings while allowing just 2 hits and 6 walks. Jeff Gray and Joe Hesketh kept the Tribe off the board but it was Dennis Lamp (0-1, 4.50 ERA) that surrendered the go-ahead run in the top of the 13th inning. Doug Jones closed out the game in the bottom of the frame as the Sox have now gone 22 straight innings without scoring a run, losing this Patriots Day marathon 1-0 at Fenway Park.

                                                   "Is this team ever gonna score?" 

Young got the ball in the top of the first and Mike Huff struck out swinging to start. Felix Fermin grounded out to short and Mitch Webster grounded out to third to end the inning. Nagy got the ball in the bottom of the first and Wade Boggs grounded out to second to start. Jody Reed walked but Mike Greenwell banged into a double play to end the inning.

Albert Belle struck out swinging to start the top of the second and Brook Jacoby grounded out to short. Chris James and Jeff Manto drew back to back walks but Joel Skinner struck out swinging to end the inning. Jack Clark struck out swinging tos tart the bottom of the second and Ellis Burks popped up to second. Mike Marshall made his season debut by grounding out to short to end the inning.

Joel Escobar flied out to center to start the top of the third and Huff hit one up the elevator shaft. Fermin walked but Webster flied out to left to end the inning. Carlos Quintana got the Sox first hit of the game with a base hit to right but Tony Pena hit into a double play. Tim Naehring lined out to center to end the inning.

Belle grounded out to second to start the top of the fourth but Jacoby got the Indians first hit with a single to center. Jacoby moved to second on the James grounder and Manto grounded out to short to end the inning. Boggs singled to right to start the bottom of the fourth but was thrown out at second trying to steal. Reed whiffed and Greenwell flied out to right to end the inning.

Skinner flied out to right to begin the top of the fifth and Escobar grounded out to second. Huff grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox blew a chance to take the lead in the bottom of the fifth as Clark walked to start. Burks doubled to left but Clark was foolishly thrown out at home on the grounder to third by Marshall. Quintana flied out to right and Pena grounded into a fielder's choice to end the inning.

                                                           What the hell was that Jack?

Fermin walked to begin the top of the sixth and moved to second on the grounder to third by Webster. Belle flied out to left and Jacoby grounded out to first to end the inning. Naehring whiffed to start the bottom of the sixth and Boggs walked. Boggs was erased on the force by Reed and Greenwell popped up to second to end the inning.

James walked to open the top of the seventh but Manto lined out to center. James stole second on the Skinner strikeout but Escobar walked. Huff grounded out to short to end the inning. Clark whiffed to start the bottom of the second but Burks singled to center. Marshall banged into a double play to end the inning and Sox manager Joe Morgan had seen enough of Marshall.

Kevin Romine made his season debut by taking over in right to begin the top of the eighth and Fermin grounded out to first to start. Webster's bunt attempt was snuffed out by Pena and Belle grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the eighth as Quintana grounded out to third to start. Pena grounded out to second and Naehring grounded out to third to end the inning.

Young came back for one more inning in the top of the ninth as Jacoby grounded out to third to start. James flied out to center but Jeff Manto singled. Alex Cole pinch ran for Manto and Sandy Alomar pinch hit for Skinner, grounding into a force to end the inning. Matt Young had tossed a 9 inning shutout allowing 2 hits but walked 6.

                                                               Young throws 9 shutout innings

The Sox had their chance to win the game in the bottom of the ninth with Carlos Baerga now at third when Boggs walked to start. Reed dropped down a bunt to get Wade to second and Greenwell was intentionally walked. Steve Olin came in to pitch to Clark and naturally Clark banged into a double play to end the inning.

Jeff Gray came in to pitch the top of the tenth and Jerry Browne pinch hit for Escobar, grounding out to short. Huff singled to right and stole second, but Webster lined out to right to end the inning. Ellis Burks struck out looking to start the bottom of the tenth and Romine whiffed. Quintana grounded out to short to end the inning.

Belle was plunked to start the top of the eleventh and took second on a wild pitch. Jacoby took strike three, James flied out to center and Baerga popped up to center to end the inning. Pena lined out to center to start the bottom of the eleventh and Naehring grounded out to second. Boggs flied out to left to end the inning.

Joe Hesketh came in to pitch the top of the 12th and Alomar grounded out to second to start. Browne dropped down a bunt single and Huff walked, but Fermin could only advance the runners with a grounder. Webster whiffed to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the 12th as Reed lined out to left to start. Greenwell flied out to center and Clark whiffed to end the inning.

Dennis Lamp came in for the top of the 13th and Belle flied out to right to start. All of a sudden Jacoby hit a home run all the way into the Charles River to give the Indians the lead. James flied out to center and Baerga grounded out to second to end the inning with the Indians up 1-0.

                                                        Jacoby puts Cleveland on top

Doug Jones came in for the bottom of the 13th and Burks grounded out to short to start. Tom Brunansky pinch hit for Romine and got a base hit to left. Quintana got a base hit to left to put the tying run at second but Pena could only advance the runners with a grounder. With no one else on the bench to pinch hit, Naehring popped up to second to end the game. The Indians had won it 1-0 in 13 innings.

Jackass of the Night is Dennis Lamp. He served up the home run to Jacoby in the 13th inning.

                                                       Jackass Lamp

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 1 for 3 with 2 walks.

Ellis Burks was 2 for 5.

Tom Brunansky singled as a pinch hitter.

Carlos Quintana was 2 for 5.

Matt Young was outstanding, tossing 9 shutout innings while allowing 2 hits and 6 walks.

Jeff Gray tossed 2 scoreless innings.

Joe Hesketh pitched a scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Mike Marshall was 0 for 3.

Kevin Romine was 0 for 1.

Tony Pena was 0 for 5.

Tim Naehring was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Jody Reed was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 4 but walked.

Jack Clark was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but walked.

Final Thoughts:

The Red Sox weren't a very good offensive team last year but they looked totally incompetent the last few days. They've been shut out in back to back games and things aren't working. The Sox haven't displayed any power or getting hits in the clutch. Its early in the season but that's a bad sign. Apart from Dennis Lamp, the pitching was wonderful. Young tossed 9 shutout innings which wins the game 9 times out of 10. Jeff Gray and Joe Hesketh did what they could so no sense blasting them. Its a shame the Sox couldn't win on Patriots Day but those are the breaks. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow when the Kansas City Royals come to town. Danny Darwin (0-1) looks to rebound from his disaster of a debut when he takes on Kevin Appier of the Royals. The game begins at 2:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Timely Pitching and Big 3rd Inning Defeats Tigers (4/10/90)

Starting the season 2-0 is always a good thing even if it wasn't pretty. Today the Boston Red Sox defeated the Detroit Tigers again behind a lights out Boston bullpen and some timely hitting from the offense to take a 4-2 victory at Fenway Park.

                                             Reginald Tarkington approves of the win

Mike Boddicker (1-0) made his season debut in the top of the first inning by getting Tony Phillips to ground out to short to start. Alan Trammell flied out to center and Lou Whitaker froze on strike three to end the inning. The Sox threatened in the bottom of the first against Kevin Ritz although Wade Boggs grounded out to short after the ball was deflected by Ritz. Marty Barrett and Mike Greenwell stroked back to back singles but Ellis Burks flied out to left. A wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position but Dwight Evans watched strike three go by to end the inning.

The Tigers threatened in the top of the second inning although Cecil Fielder flied out to right to start. Lloyd Moseby singled but Matt Nokes flied out to right as well. Larry Sheets doubled Moseby to third but Boddicker punched out Chet Lemon to end the inning. Billy Jo Robidoux walked to lead off the bottom of the second and Tony Pena singled. Jody Reed dropped down a sac bunt to move both runners into scoring position but Kevin Romine lined out back to the mound. Tigers manager Sparky Anderson wisely intentionally walked Boggs to load the bases and Barrett failed to make them pay by grounding out to first to end the inning. That's 5 men left on base in the first two innings.

Boddicker remained tough in the top of the third inning as Dave Bergman flied out to center to start. Phillips grounded out to second and Trammell struck out to end the inning. The Sox exploded in the bottom of the third although Greenwell grounded out to second to start. Burks singled and stole second before advancing to third on the Evans single. Robidoux walked to load the bases and Pena lined a base hit to score Burks and Evans to put the Sox on top. Reed doubled home Robidoux to chase Ritz from the game. Dan Petry came in and got Romine to ground out, but Pena scored to increase the lead and moved Reed to third. Boggs was once again intentionally walked and Barrett walked the traditional way to re-load the bases. Greenwell started the inning with a ground out and he ended it with one. Even though the Sox had now left 8 men on base, they had a commanding 4-0 lead.

                                                     Pena got the rally started

Boddicker did his part to keep the Tigers off the board in the top of the fourth inning. Whitaker singled in the hole at short to start but Boddicker whiffed fielder. Moseby flied out to center and Nokes grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox finally went quietly in the bottom of the fourth inning.  Burks popped up to third, Evans grounded out to third and Robidoux struck out to end the inning.

The Tigers roared back in the top of the fifth inning. Sheets singled and Lemon was hit with a pitch to start. Bergman grounded out and both runners advanced into scoring position, where Sheets scored on the ground-out by Phillips. Trammell singled in the hole at short to score Lemon but Whitaker popped up to short to end the inning. The Tigers cut the lead in half 4-2. That was it for Boddicker who labored through 5 innings to leave with a 4-2 lead. Sox manager Joe Morgan wants to keep the starters fresh for better days. Sparky Anderson approves of the quick hook.

                                       "We scored? Well if that don't beat all..." - Sparky

The Sox failed to answer in the bottom of the fifth inning although Pena doubled to start. Reed whiffed and Romine grounded out while Boggs was intentionally walked again. Barrett popped up to left to end the inning. That's 10 men left on by the way.

Dennis Lamp took over for the top of the sixth and got Fielder to fly out to start. Moseby hit a comebacker to the mound and Nokes flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox once again failed with men in base in the bottom of the sixth inning. Greenwell grounded out to first but both Burks and Evans singled. A wild pitch moved both into scoring position and Sparky Anderson made the decision to walk Robidoux to load the bases but set up the double play. Right on cue guess what Pena did....ground into a double play to end the inning. 12 men left on but that is why Sparky is a future hall of fame manager.

Lamp returned for the top of the seventh but Sheets greeted him with a single. Sheets was erased on the force by Lemon but Bergman singled to chase Lamp. Rob Murphy made a mad dash from the bullpen and got both Phillips and Trammell to fly out to end the inning. The Sox mustered nothing in the bottom of the seventh as Reed flied out to center, Romine grounded back to the mound and Boggs grounded out to second to end the inning.

Murphy sprinted to the mound for the top of the eighth and got Whitaker to ground out to first to start. Murphy whiffed both Fielder and Moseby to end the inning before running as fast as he could off the mound, jumping into the dug-out and sprinting to the clubhouse.

                                                         Always in a hurry

Mike Henneman took the mound in the bottom of the eighth and Barrett flied out to right. Greenwell walked but Burks banged into a double play to end the inning.

Sox closer Lee Smith got the call to close it out in the top of the ninth. Nokes walked and was replaced by Johnny Parades. Smith struck out Sheets and got Lemon to fly out. With the tying run at the plate, Smith got Bergman to hit one up the elevator shaft to end the game. The Sox had won it 4-2.

Hero of the night is a tough one but I gotta go with Tony Pena. His 2 run single started the rally in the bottom of the third inning.

                                            Hero of the Night: Tony Pena


The Good:

Wade Boggs walked 3 times in 5 plate appearances.

Ellis Burks was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Dwight Evans was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Billy Jo Robidoux walked 3 times in 4 plate appearances and scored a run.

Jody Reed was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Mike Boddicker earned the win with 5 innings of 2 run ball while striking out 4.

Dennis Lamp tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings

Rob Murphy threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Lee Smith got his second save with a scoreless ninth inning.



The Bad:

None



The Ugly:

Marty Barrett was just 1 for 4 with a walk.

Mike Greenwell was also just 1 for 4 with a walk.

Kevin Romine was 0 for 4 but drove in a run.




Final Thoughts:

A win is a win even if the starter didn't last long and the Sox left a parade on base. Still, the bullpen was lights out and the offense produced when it had to. The Sox did enough to win but they're gonna have to do better than that if they have any hope of beating Toronto out for the division title this year. They need a spark on offense wherever that may come by. Boddicker and Clemens both picked up victories and now it gets interesting with the rest of the rotation now having to step up. Tomorrow afternoon at 1:05 PM John Dopson makes his season debut opposite Jeff Robinson as the Sox look to win again at Fenway Park.

Clemens Outduels Morris on Opening Day (4/9/90)

The 1990 season is off to a fast start as Roger Clemens and the Boston Red Sox outpitched Jack Morris and the Detroit Tigers to secure the team's first win on Opening Day. 2 years ago Morris and Clemens matched each other for 9 innings but this time Clemens got the duke. Dwight Evans provided the spark on offense as the Red Sox took the first game 5-2 in front of a sold out Fenway Park crowd.

                                   "Remember the time Roger Clemens beat Jack Morris?"

Clemens took the mound in the top of the first and retired Tony Phillips on a pop up to third. Alan Trammell flied out to center and Lou Whitaker grounded out to second to end the inning. The Red Sox wasted no time scoring in the bottom of the first inning as Wade Boggs singled to right to start the frame. Marty Barrett blooped a single to right that advanced Boggs all the way to third. Mike Greenwell popped up to left on the first pitch and the Sox caught a break when Ellis Burks popped up to first but Cecil Fielder dropped it. Burks walked to load the bases and Dwight Evans made the Tigers pay with a bases clearing double to put the Sox up early. Billy Jo Robidoux flied out to center and Tony Pena grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 3-0.

                                                    The bases are cleared and its 3-0

Clemens began the top of the second inning by striking out Fielder but walked Lloyd Moseby. Matt Nokes flied out to left and Gary Ward grounded into a force to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the second as Jody Reed struck out but Kevin Romine doubled. Boggs blooped a single to right to score Romine but was erased on the force by Barrett. Greenwell flied out to right to end the inning but the Sox were up 4-0.

                                               Romine scores!

Clemens got the Tigers to beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the third inning. Chet Lemon grounded to third while both Dave Bergman and Tony Phillips grounded out to second to end the inning. Morris finally held the Sox in check in the bottom of the third inning. Burks flied out to left, Evans popped up to third and Robidoux grounded out to second to end the inning.

Clemens remained tough in the top of the fourth inning. Trammell whiffed and Whitaker grounded out to third but Fielder walked. Moseby grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox threatened in the bottom of the fourth although Pena whiffed on a pitch in the dirt to start. Reed flied out to left but Romine doubled again. Realizing runs were at a premium against Clemens, Tigers manager Sparky Anderson had Boggs intentionally walked to get to Barrett. Morris punched out Marty on a check swing to end the inning.

Clemens froze both Nokes and Ward to begin the top of the fifth inning before Lemon lofted a routine grounder to Reed at short. Reed went OLE! and Lemon reached. Clemens got Bergman to ground out to end the inning. Morris finally had a shut-down inning in the bottom of the fifth as Greenwell flied out to right, Burks grounded out to short and Evans flied out to center to end the inning.

Suddenly the Tigers roared back in the top of the sixth inning. Phillips singled and Trammell doubled down the left field line before Phillips scored on the Whitaker sac fly that Burks had to slide to catch. Fielder hit a comebacker back to Clemens but Moseby singled home Trammell to cut the lead in half. Nokes grounded out to third to end the inning but it was now 4-2 Sox.

The Sox failed to answer in the bottom of the sixth as Robidoux grounded out weekly to first, Pena lined out to short and Reed grounded out to short to end the inning.

Clemens came back out for the top of the seventh and Burks had to run down a line drive by Ward. Lemon whiffed and with 101 pitches on Clemens' arm, Sox manager Joe Morgan decided to save him for better days by bringing in Rob Murphy. The Rocket had surrendered just 2 runs in 6 2/3 innings.

                                                  Clemens in line for his first win

Ken Williams pinch hit for Bergman and grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox took advantage of shoddy defense to get a run back in the bottom of the seventh inning. Romine was called out on a bang bang play at first that raised the ire of Sox manager Joe Morgan when replay showed he was safe. The mistake by the first base umpire was compounded when Boggs doubled, which would have scored Romine for sure. The double was also Wade's 1,600th career hit. Barrett flied out to right and for some reason Greenwell was intentionally walked to get to Burks. The move appeared to work when Ellis hit a lazy fly out to right field...AND LEMON DROPPED IT! Boggs ran home with the insurance run and Sparky Anderson was disgusted. That was it for Morris who settled down after a lousy first inning that shouldn't have happened had Fielder caught the ball. In fact, 4 of the 5 runs he allowed came after or from errors. Ed Nunez came in and got Evans to pop up to end the inning but it was now 5-2 Sox.

                                             "I got it, I got it...I don't got it" - Lemon

Murphy returned for the top of the eighth and suffered a massive headache after Reed once again went OLE! on a ground ball, this time by Phillips. Murphy recovered to get Trammell and Whitaker to fly out, but walked Fielder. With the tying run at the plate, Murphy got an irate Moseby to pop up to third to end the inning with no damage done. The Sox had a chance to put the game away in the bottom of the eighth but Robidoux grounded back to the mound to start. Pena blooped a single to right but Reed flied out to right. Romine walked to chase Nunez as Paul Gibson came in to get Boggs to fly out to the left field warning track to end the inning.

Murphy was asked to get the final three outs in the top of the ninth inning. Tracy Jones pinch hit for Nokes and flied out to right. Ward singled past the diving Reed at short but Lemon flied out to center. One out away from the save, Murphy walked Williams. Sox manager Joe Morgan took no further chances and brought in closer Lee Smith to finish it off with the tying run coming to the plate. Phillips singled in the hole at short when Reed threw to second unsuccessfully to load the bases, but Smith punched out Trammell to end it. The Sox had won it 5-2

Hero of the Night is Dwight Evans. His 3 run double was the difference in the game.

                                 Opening Day Hero: Dwight Evans



The Good:

Wade Boggs was 3 for 4 with a walk, rbi and 2 runs scored.

Kevin Romine was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Roger Clemens earned the win with 6 2/3 innings of 2 run ball while striking out 5.

Rob Murphy tossed 2 scoreless innings.

Lee Smith earned the save by striking out Trammell to end the game.



The Bad:

Billy Jo Robidoux was 0 for 4.

Jody Reed was 0 for 4 with a strikeout and 2 errors in the field.



The Ugly:

Marty Barrett was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 3 but walked.

Ellis Burks was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.

Tony Pena was just 1 for 4.




Final Thoughts:

Always great to win on Opening Day. The Sox are going to have to lean on Burks, Boggs, Evans and Pena to lead the way on offense and pray to God everyone besides Clemens doesn't suck. That doesn't seem like a recipe for success but stranger things have happened. Jody Reed was hot garbage today but there are 162 games a year and you're bound to have a stinker. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the rotation after Clemens holds up. Mike Boddicker usually delivers the goods but after that, better hope it rains or there's an off-day. Speaking of Boddicker, he goes tomorrow at 1:05 PM against Kevin Ritz and the same Tigers in Game 2 of this series at Fenway Park.

Terrell, Yankees Blank Sox (9/27/89)

Its only fitting for a schizophrenic team like the Boston Red Sox to head to the end of the season with one of the most pathetic losses all season. Its one thing to get shut out by a great pitcher like Nolan Ryan, Jack Morris or Dave Stewart....its another to get completely shut down by a guy who's lost EIGHTEEN games this season. Walt Terrell of the New York Yankees has been complete batting practice this season but he gave the Red Sox a middle finger for them to sit and spin on in tonight's game. Terrell threw a complete game 5 hit shutout, blanking the Jekyll & Hyde Sox in the middle of a September hot streak. John Dopson (11-8, 4.08 ERA) pitched admirably in defeat, allowing just 3 runs as he went the distance as well. The Sox have had a lot of losses this season but this one was humiliating as the Yankees blanked them 3-0 at Fenway Park. How many runs did the Sox score Dean Wormer?

Dopson took the mound in the top of the first inning and Steve Sax grounded out to third to start. Luis Polonia lined out to center and Don Mattingly grounded out to first to end the inning. Terrell cruised in the bottom of the first as Wade Boggs led off with a grounder to second. Marty Barrett grounded back to the mound and Dwight Evans struck out swinging to end the inning.

Mel Hall struck out swinging to open the top of the second before Jesse Barfield also went down hacking. Roberto Kelly grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the second as Alvaro Espinoza booted a Mike Greenwell grounder to start. Nick Esasky singled to second but Danny Heep banged into a double play. Luis Rivera grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Yankees struck first in the top of the third as Mike Blowers walked to start. Espinoza moved Blowers to second on a grounder to third but Brian Dorsett singled to center to score Mike. Sax hit a routine grounder to Rivera who threw his glove at the ball and started wrestling with second base for an error to put runners at the corners. Polonia hit into a double play to end the inning with the Yankees up 1-0.

                                                               Dorsett drives in a run

The Red Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the third as Kevin Romine grounded out to first to start. John Marzano grounded out to second and Boggs grounded out to first to end the inning.

Mattingly flied out to center to start the top of the fourth before Hall grounded out to second. Barfield grounded out to short to end the inning. Barrett was plunked to start the bottom of the fourth but was thrown out trying to steal on the Evans swinging strikeout. Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning.

Dopson cruised in the top of the fifth as Kelly grounded out to short to start. Blowers took strike three and Espinoza grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Esasky blooped a single to right to begin the bottom of the fifth but Heep forced him at second. Rivera forced Heep at second but Romine beat out a roller just past Terrell. Marzano grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Yankees struck again in the top of the sixth as Dorsett singled to center to start. Dorsett moved to second on a wild pitch and Sax ripped a base hit to center. Dorsett teased going home and Sax took second on the throw home. Polonia hit a sac fly to score Dorsett to increase the lead but Mattingly grounded out to second. Hall also grounded out to second to end the inning with the Yankees up 2-0.

                                                            Polonia drives in a run

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the sixth as Boggs grounded out to short to start. Barrett flied out to right and Evans grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Yankees iced the game in the top of the seventh as Barfield smashed a home run all the way to Claypit Pond to increase the lead. Kelly grounded out to short, Blowers struck out swinging and Espinoza took strike three to end the inning with the Yankees up 3-0.

                                                        No run support for Dopson

Greenwell tried to start a rally with a base hit to right to begin the bottom of the seventh but Esasky flied out to center. Heep grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Dopson rebounded in the top of the eighth as Dorsett grounded out to short to start. Sax grounded back to the mound and Polonia popped up to center to end the inning. Rivera singled to center to start the bottom of the eighth and Jeff Stone pinch hit for Romine. Stone lined out to left and Sam Horn pinch hit for Marzano. Rivera moved to second on the grounder to second by Horn but Boggs grounded out to short to end the inning.

Dopson returned for the top of the ninth inning with Rick Cerone now behind the plate. Mattingly grounded back to the mound but Hall singled to center. Hall was doubled off first on the line drive to Boggs to end the inning. Dopson had thrown a complete game while allowing 3 runs, 9 times out of 10 that's good enough to win.

                                                     Complete game for Dopson

Wayne Tolleson took over at second for Sax for the bottom of the ninth and Barrett grounded out to short to start. Jody Reed pinch hit for Evans and struck out swinging before Greenwell popped up to third in foul territory to end the game. Terrell had thrown a complete game shutout and beat the Sox 3-0.

Jackass of the Night is Danny Heep. He was 0 for 3 including hitting into a double play with 2 men on when the game was in reach.

                                                             A Heep of Jackass

The Good:

Nick Esasky was 2 for 3.

Kevin Romine was 1 for 2.

One of the rare times the losing pitcher ends up on the Good list but John Dopson threw a complete game 5 hitter, allowing just 3 runs while walking 1 batter.

The Bad:

Wade Boggs was 0 for 4.

Dwight Evans was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Jody Reed struck out as a pinch hitter.

Jeff Stone was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

John Marzano was 0 for 2.

Sam Horn was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

Marty Barrett was 0 for 3 but was hit with a pitch.

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 4.

Luis Rivera was 1 for 3 but committed an error.

Honorable Mention:

Rick Cerone caught the last inning.

Final Thoughts:

If the Red Sox didn't crap the bed on the west coast trip where they went 1-9, the Sox would be right there with the Toronto Blue Jays with just four games left in the season. As it is, they're mathematically eliminated and are just playing out the string. If going 1-9 against the west coast teams wasn't bad enough, tonight they got shutout by a guy who lost 18 games this season. Its one thing to lose a slugfest, its another to get shutout. I know Terrell wasn't as bad as his record indicates but this was still embarrassing. In a season that had more drama than fun, hopefully next year won't be such a headache for everyone involved. The less said of this disaster, the better. The loss drops the Sox to 80-78, tied with the Milwaukee Brewers for third place in the AL East. The Sox now welcome the Brewers for a four game showdown to end the regular season. Only thing left to play for is who finishes third place and tomorrow night Mike Boddicker makes his last start of the season up against Don August of Milwaukee. The makeup game from July 5th begins at 7:35 PM at Fenway Park.