Witt Outduels Young, Rangers Take Game 1 (4/26/92)

Ten years ago to the day the Boston Red Sox swept a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox. Today the Sox dropped Game 1 of their own doubleheader against the Texas Rangers. The Sox offense did manage 10 hits and 4 walks against Bobby Witt and the Rangers bullpen but could only muster 1 measly run. Matt Young (0-2, 2.95 ERA) was game for 5 innings but allowed 3 rubs. Danny Darwin kept the Sox in it with 4 shutout innings but the Sox bats couldn't generate any offense. The Sox had chances all game but the Rangers took Game 1 by a score of 3-1 at Fenway Park.

                                                This offense makes Counselor Troi cry 

The Rangers wasted no time scoring in top of the first inning as John Cangelosi struck out swinging to start. Rafael Palmeiro grounded out to second but Juan Gonzalez hit a home run to the moon to put Texas on top. Ruben Sierra singled in the hole at second but Brian Downing took strike three to end the inning with the Rangers up 1-0.

                                                               Gonzalez hits one out

The Sox began their rally killing woes in the bottom of the first as Wade Boggs flied out to left to start. Jody Reed grounded out to third but Mike Greenwell singled to left. Ellis Burks doubled to left but Phil Plantier lined out to left to end the inning. 

Young cruised in the top of the second as Dean Palmer grounded out to short to start. Dickie Thon struck out swinging and Ivan Rodriguez grounded out to short to end the inning. Jack Clark popped up to short to start the bottom of the second and Mo Vaughn grounded out to second. Tony Pena flied out to center to end the inning.

The Rangers iced the game in the top of the third as Al Newman struck out swinging to start. Cangelosi grounded out to short but Palmeiro walked. Gonzalez singled to right and Sierra lined a base hit to center. Burks had Sierra at first but Clark muffed the throw to score Palmeiro and the runners moved over on the error. Downing struck out swinging but the ball got away from Pena and Gonzalez scored. Palmer forced Downing at second to end the inning with the Rangers ahead 3-0.

                                                             Catch the ball Vaughn!

The Sox blew their next rally in the bottom of the third as Luis Rivera singled in the hoke at short to start. Boggs lined out to third and Reed popped up to third but Greenwell was plunked. Burks walked to load the bases but Plantier popped up to second to end the inning. 

Thon singled to right to start the top of the fourth but was doubled off first on a bullet to Boggs by Rodriguez. Newman grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Clark grounded out to short to start. Vaughn singled to center and Pena doubled him home to cut the lead. Rivera walked and both runners moved over on the grounder to first by Boggs. Reed walked to load the bases but Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox down 3-2.

                                                               Pena drives in a run 

Cangelosi walked to open the top of the fifth and moved to second on the sacrifice bunt by Palmeiro. Gonzalez flied out to left and Sierra popped up to second to end the inning. Burks struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth but Plantier singled inside the bag at first. Clark took strike three but Vaughn walked. Pena struck out swinging to end the inning. 

Downing walked to start the top of the sixth and Palmer singled to center to chase Young. He lasted just 5 plus innings and allowed 3 runs. Danny Darwin came on in relief and Thon dropped down a bunt but Darwin got Downing at third. Rodriguez grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Jeff Huson pinch hit for Newman to start the top of the seventh and struck out swinging. Kevin Reimer pinch hit for Cangelosi and doubled to right before Palmeiro singled him to third. Reimer made a mad dash for home on a hit and run but the only problem was Gonzalez struck out swinging. Reimer was out at home to end the inning. The Red Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the seventh as Burks grounded out to third to start. Plantier grounded out to first and Clark grounded out to third to end the inning.

Darwin got Sierra to ground out to third to start the top of the eighth but Downing was plunked. Palmer took strike three and Thon popped up to short to end the inning. Kenny Rogers came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth with Tom Brunansky pinch hitting for Vaughn to start. Bruno blooped a base hit to right but was foolishly thrown out at second trying to steal. Pena doubled to left and Rivera hit a seeing eye single to left that would have scored Brunansky. Boggs flied out to left and Reed grounded into a force to end the inning.

Darwin returned for the top of the ninth and Rodriguez struck out swinging to start. Huson lined out to center but Reimer doubled to left. Jack Daugherty pinch ran for Reimer and Palmeiro was intentionally walked. Gonzalez popped up to second to end the inning. Good work by Darwin to toss 4 innings of shutdown ball.

                                                            Darwin gets it done

Rogers returned for the bottom of the ninth and Greenwell grounded out to first to start. Burks flied out to right and Tim Naehring was set to pinch hit for Plantier. Rangers manager Bobby Valentine countered by bringing in closer Jeff Russell. Sox manager Butch Hobson pulled back Naehring and sent Herm Winningham to pinch hit instead. Naturally Winningham looked at strike three to end the game. The Rangers won Game 1 by a score of 3-1.

Jackass of the Night is Wade Boggs. He was 0 for 5 including leaving the tying runs on in the fourth inning.

                                                         Jackass Boggs

The Good:

Mo Vaughn was 1 for 2 with a walk and a run scored.

Tony Pena was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Luis Rivera was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Danny Darwin tossed 4 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Herm Winningham struck out as a pinch hitter.

Jack Clark was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Jody Reed was just 1 for 4 with walk.

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 4 but was hit with a pitch.

Ellis Burks was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked.

Phil Plantier was just 1 for 4.

Tom Brunansky singled as a pinch hitter but was thrown out trying to steal.

Matt Young took the loss but allowed just 3 runs in 5 plus innings.

Honorable Mention:

Tim Naehring "pinch hit" for Phil Plantier.

Final Thoughts:

The offensively challenged Sox sure bit the big one today. They actually outhit the Rangers 10-9 but they couldn't cash in on almost any of their chances. They're dead last offensively in the American League despite the pitching actually being good. Young wasn't great today but he didn't suck either. Darwin was damn good in relief and its a shame the Sox couldn't pick him up because he certainly deserved the win. The fact the veterans such as Boggs, Clark and Greenwell haven't been producing and the younger guys like Vaughn and Plantier haven't been hitting well either. There really isn't any way to fix it because their recent draft picks were mostly pitchers and apart from John Valentin, there isn't really any help coming from Pawtucket either. Way to go Sox GM Lou Gorman, although to be honest who thought the entire team would slump in April? The Sox have no time to dwell on the loss as they are back in action in a few minutes against these same Rangers. Joe Hesketh gets the start for Boston against Jeff Robinson of Texas. The game begins at 4:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Stun Jays in Wild Ninth (4/19/92)

The bad news was the Boston Bruins lost Game 1 of their first round NHL playoff series but the good news was the Boston Red Sox made a huge comeback to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays. The Sox were trailing 2-1 to Juan Guzman and the Jays with Sox starter Matt Young getting pulled in the sixth inning. Danny Darwin (1-0, 2.19 ERA) served up two more runs in the top of the ninth to seemingly put the game out of reach. Not so fast! Down to their last out and trailing 4-2, Mike Greenwell got a line drive base hit to center to score the tying runs. Scott Cooper singled in the hole at second for the winning run and the Sox stunned the Jays 5-4 at Fenway Park.

                                                                Carl Lewis approves of the win

Young got the ball in the top of the first inning and Devon White singled to right to start. Roberto Alomar forced White at second and Joe Carter lined out to right. Young had Alomar picked off but spiked the ball like a football for an error to advance Roberto to second. Dave Winfield grounded out to short to end the inning. Guzman got the ball to start the bottom of the first and Wade Boggs lined out to left to start. Jody Reed singled in the hole at second but Phil Plantier grounded out to first to move Jody to second. Ellis Burks struck out swinging to end the inning.

Young cruised in the top of the second as Kelly Gruber flied out to center to start. Pat Tabler grounded out to short and Candy Maldonado popped up to first in foul territory to end the inning. Mike Greenwell led off the bottom of the second with a fly out to center. Jack Clark took strike three but Mo Vaughn drew a walk. Luis Rivera struck out swinging to end the inning.

Pat Borders grounded out to third to open the top of the third before Manuel Lee struck out swinging. White grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the third although John Flaherty lined out to second to start. Boggs walked and Reed beat out a roller to third but Plantier flied out to left. Burks hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

The Jays struck first in the top of the fourth as Alomar singled to right to start.  Alomar moved to second on the grounder to second by Carter and Winfield drew a walk. Gruber singled home Alomar to give the Jays the lead but Tabler flied out to right. Maldonado flied out to right to end the inning with the Jays up 1-0.

                                                                Gruber drives in a run

Mike Greenwell grounded out to first to start the bottom of the fourth but Sox manager Butch Hobson bolted out of his seat and threw Jack Clark out of the game like he was an umpire. The confused dugout had no idea what was going on as Butch sent Scott Cooper into the game for Clark. Cooper walked but Vaughn took strike three. Rivera struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Jays struck again in the top of the fifth as Borders grounded out to third to start. Lee singled to right and Young had him picked off too....but turned and threw the ball 100 feet over the THIRD basemen's head for an error to move Lee to second. White blooped a single to center to score Lee to increase the lead. White moved to second on the grounder to short by Alomar and Carter grounded out to second to end the inning with the Jays ahead 2-0.

                                                    Throw the damn ball straight Matt!

The Sox blew a big rally in the bottom of the fifth as Flaherty hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Boggs ripped a base hit to center and took second on a wild pitch. Another wild pitch moved Boggs to third and a passed ball on a walk to Reed scored Wade to cut the lead. Plantier popped up to the first base line but Carter dropped the ball for an error. Burks took strike three but Greenwell was intentionally walked to load the bases. With a chance to tie the game....Cooper struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 2-1.

                                                               Boggs scores a run

The Jays knocked Young out in the top of the sixth as Winfield singled in the hole at second to start. Gruber walked but Tabler lined out to right. Maldonado walked to load the bases and that was it for Young. He lasted just 5 1/3 innings but allowed just 2 runs. Danny Darwin was brought in to pitch and got a huge out when Borders went down swinging. Lee grounded out to second to end the inning.

                                                           Not great but it'll do

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the sixth as Vaughn flied out to center to start. Rivera took strike three and Flaherty popped up to second to end the inning.

White lined out to left to start the top of the seventh but Alomar walked. Carter struck out swinging and Alomar was gunned down trying to steal to end the inning. Bob MacDonald came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh inning and Boggs popped up to third to start. Reed grounded out to third and Plantier lined out to left to end the inning.

Darwin snuffed out a bunt attempt by Winfield to start the top of the eighth and Gruber popped up to second. Tabler singled to left but Maldonado struck out swinging to end the inning. Duane Ward came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Burks struck out swinging to earn the hat trick. Greenwell singled to center but Cooper lined out to left. Vaughn grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Jays seemed to have put the game out of reach in the top of the ninth as Borders ripped a base hit to center to start. Lee dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Borders to second but White struck out swinging. Alomar then slapped a seeing eye single into left field. Borders came around to score and Alomar took second on the throw home. Naturally Carter smashed a base hit to right to score Alomar to seemingly put the game out of reach. Winfield lined out to right to end the inning with the Jays ahead 4-1.

                                                           Dammit Darwin

John Olerud came in to play first and Tom Henke came in to close out the bottom of the ninth Herm Winningham pinch hit for Rivera and blooped a base hit to center to start. Tim Naehring pinch hit for Flaherty but he struck out swinging. Boggs blooped a ground rule double down the left field line and Reed walked to load the bases. Plantier hit what should have been a game ending double play to Olerud....and he BOOTED IT! Winningham scored and suddenly the tying run was at second base on the error. Things look bleak when Burks struck out swinging to earn the golden sombrero but Greenwell ripped a base hit to center to score Boggs and Reed to tie the game. Plantier took third on the hit and David Wells came in to pitch to Cooper. Plantier took second and Cooper singled in the hole at second to score Plantier with the winning run. The guy who came in to replace Clark won the game with a base hit to stun the Jays 5-4.

Hero of the Night is Scott Cooper. The replacement for Clark won the game with a walkoff base hit/

                                                            Hero Cooper

The Good:

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

Jody Reed was 2 for 3 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Mike Greenwell was 2 for 4 with a stolen base, a walk and 2 rbis.

Matt Young allowed 2 runs (only 1 earned) in 5 1/3 innings.

The Bad:

Ellis Burks was 0 for 5 with a golden sombrero of 4 strikeouts.

Jack Clark struck out in his only at bat.

Luis Rivera was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Tim Naehring struck out as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

Phil Plantier was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run and scored a run.

Mo Vaughn was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Danny Darwin vultured the win by allowing 2 runs in 3 2/3 innings.

Final Thoughts:

Good comeback win for the Sox but once again the offense did almost nothing for eight innings. How sad is it Matt Young pitched a no hitter in his first start and allowed 2 runs in this one with nothing to show for it? Hell it took a hell of an effort from Roger Clemens to get the win last game because the offense has been non-existent so far this season. When the weather gets warmer maybe they'll pick up the pace. Apart from Darwin coughing up 2 runs, the pitching has been solid for most of the month. Still, a win is a win if its by 1 or 10 and nobody is going to complain about a win. If Young can pitch like this with Clemens and Frank Viola pitching to their potentials, they may be in contention this season.....if the offense ever improves. The Sox look to make it three in a row tomorrow afternoon against the Blue Jays. Jimmy Key goes for Toronto against Joe Hesketh of the Red Sox. The game begins at 2:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Young Throws No-No, Indians Win Game 1 (4/12/92)

No that's not a typo, Matt Young (0-1, 2.25 ERA) threw a no-hitter in Game 1 of today's doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians.....and lost. Young held the Indians hitless for 8 innings but walked SEVEN, allowed SIX stolen bases (4 to Kenny Lofton) and 2 runs. How did the Indians win? Charles Nagy tossed 7 innings, allowed just 1 run and struck out ten batters. Young was game but the walks and stolen bases just happened to be enough for the Indians to take Game 1 2-1 at Cleveland Stadium.

                                   "Hello Operator? How do you throw a no-hitter and lose?"

Nagy got the ball in the top of the first inning and Wade Boggs led off with a grounder to second to begin. Jody Reed grounded out to third but Mike Greenwell walked. Ellis Burks struck out swinging to end the inning. The Indians struck first in the bottom of the first as Kenny Lofton walked to start. Lofton stole second then took third when Glenallen Hill struck out swinging. Carlos Baerga hit a routine grounder to short but Luis Rivera bounced the throw to Mo Vaughn at first for an error to score Lofton. Albert Belle popped up to right and Phil Plantier made a great running catch to rob Mark Whiten of a double to end the inning with the Indians up 1-0.

                                                 Lofton steals 2 bags and scores

Phil Plantier led off the top of the second by striking out swinging before Jack Clark took strike three. Mo Vaughn walked but Luis Rivera struck out swinging to end the inning. Paul Sorrento grounded out to first to start the bottom of the second and Brook Jacoby hit a bullet...right to Vaughn. Junior Ortiz grounded out to short to end the inning.

John Flaherty made his MLB debut in the top of the third by doubling down the third base line. Boggs moved Flaherty to third with a grounder to second but Reed took a full count curveball on the outside corner for strike three. Greenwell went down hacking to end the inning.

                                                                First hit for Flaherty

The Indians struck again in the bottom of the third as Mark Lewis walked to start. Lofton walked and Hill hit a perfect double play ball to Rivera. Rivera flipped to second to get Lofton but Reed threw wide of first and Hill was safe to put runners at the corners. Hill swiped second and Baerga hit a roller to short that Rivera couldn't make a play on, scoring Lewis. Belle struck out swinging and Whiten grounded out to second to end the inning with the Indians up 2-0.

                                                  Indians score another run

The Sox got one back in the top of the fourth as Burks beat out a little roller to short to start. Plantier went down hacking but Burks stole second. Clark grounded out to third but Vaughn walked. Rivera hit a routine pop up to second BUT BAERGA DROPPED IT! Burks scored to cut the lead but Flaherty lined out to second to end the inning with Boston down 2-1.

                                                     "I don't got it" - Baerga

Young cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Sorrento grounded out to second to start. Jacoby lined out to a running Burks and Ortiz grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Sox blew a chance to tie the game in the top of the fifth as Boggs grounded out to short to start. Reed dropped a base hit to left but Greenwell popped up to left. Burks singled under the glove of Jacoby but Plantier flied out to left to end the inning. Lewis struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth but Lofton walked for the third time. Lofton stole second and then stole third on the swinging strikeout by Hill. Baerga grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox blew their biggest rally in the top of the sixth as Clark struck out swinging to start. Vaughn singled off the glove of Baerga and Rivera blooped a single to shallow right. Flaherty hit a bullet...right to Jacoby but Boggs singled off the mound to load the bases. With a chance to tie the game or better....Reed grounded into a force at third to end the inning.

                                                    Nagy gets out of trouble with the lead

Young got Belle to ground out to short to start the bottom of the sixth but Whiten walked. Whiten got picked off and Sorrento struck out swinging to end the inning.

                                                Yerrr Out!

The Sox did nothing against Nagy in the top of the seventh as Greenwell struck out swinging to start. Burks walked but Plantier struck out swinging. Burks was thrown out trying to steal to end the inning. Boggs made a great play to rob Jacoby of a hit to start the bottom of the seventh but Ortiz walked. Ortiz swiped second but Lewis walked. Lofton beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners but Hill grounded out to third to end the inning. Somehow Young had not allowed a hit through seven innings.

Brad Arnsberg came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Clark walked to start. Herm Winningham pinch ran for Clark but Vaughn took strike three. Rivera grounded into a double play to end the inning. Young returned for the bottom of the eighth and Baerga grounded out to third to start. Belle also grounded out to third and Whiten struck out swinging to end the inning. Young had thrown 8 no-hit innings but still somehow was trailing in the game.

                                                    Young throws a "no-hitter"

Derek Lilliquist came in to close out the top of the ninth with Scott Cooper scheduled to pinch hit. Sox manager Butch Hobson called back Cooper and sent Tom Brunansky in to pinch hit instead. Bruno walked to start and Boggs singled in the hole at second. Brunansky failed to advance to third on a fly ball to the left field warning track by Reed but Greenwell banged into a double play to end the game anyway. Somehow Matt Young threw an unofficial no-hitter and still lost 2-1 to the Indians.

                                           New Sox ineptitude, they allow no hits and lose

Jackass of the Night is Phil Plantier. He was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts and left 3 crucial men on base.

                                                 Jackass Plantier

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 5.

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

Mo Vaughn was 1 for 2 with 2 walks.

Luis Rivera was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

John Flaherty was 1 for 3 in his ML Debut.

Tom Brunansky walked as a pinch hitter.

One of the rare times the losing pitcher ends up on the Good list but Matt Young tossed a complete game, allowing no-hits and 2 runs. Nine times out of ten this should be good enough.

The Bad:

None.

The Ugly:

Jody Reed was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 4 with two strikeouts but walked.

Jack Clark was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Honorable Mention:

Herm Winningham pinch ran for Clark.

Scott Cooper "pinch hit" in the top of the ninth

Final Thoughts:

Talk about inventing new ways to lose. The Sox literally held the Indians to zero hits and still lost. Most of it is on Young for walking the ballpark and allowing a hundred stolen bases but the Sox had their chances to drive in runs all game, choking each and every one of them. Plantier failing with 2 men on and Reed with the bases loaded. The Sox offense let Young down big time but allowing 2 runs without allowing a hit is on Young. The worst part is this was only Game 1 of a doubleheader, there's another 9 innings to play and lord help if the Sox offense remains asleep in that one. The Sox have no time to dwell on this loss because they still have Game 2 to play. Roger Clemens (0-1) looks to right the ship against Scott Scudder of the Indians in about 20 minutes at Cleveland Stadium.

Abbot, Angels Shut Down Sox (8/23/91)

Well this game was a sucker punch to the go-nads. The Boston Red Sox needed a big win against the California Angels to stay afloat in the AL East and instead they were shut down by the one handed Jim Abbott. The Sox offense got three hits and a run against Abbott in the first inning but just three hits the rest of the way. Matt Young (3-4, 4.23 ERA) couldn't keep pace by allowing one of the longest home runs in recorded history to Wally Joyner and 3 total runs. Dan Petry allowed a big insurance run charged to Tony Fossas and the Angels sent the Sox further down the hole with a 4-1 victory at Anaheim Stadium.

                                                            "lousy bums!"

The Sox got to Abbott in the top of the first inning as Wade Boggs beat out an infield single to third to start. Jody Reed beat out an infield single to second but Carlos Quintana hit into a double play that left Reed at second. Jack Clark drew a walk and Mike Greenwell singled home Reed to put the Sox on top. Ellis Burks lined out to right to end the inning with the Sox head 1-0.

                                                             Greenwell puts Boston ahead

Sox starter Matt Young gave the lead away in about 40 seconds in the bottom of the first. Luis Polonia walked, took second on a passed ball and stole third just like that. Gary Gaetti walked but Wally Joyner popped up to Greenwell. Dave Winfield singled home Polonia to tie the game but Dave Parker flied out to left. Bobby Rose singled home Gaetti to give the Angels the lead. Lance Parrish grounded out to first to end the inning with the Angels up 2-1.

                                                          That damn Winfield 

The Sox offense was done for the day as Abbott cruised in the top of the second. Tom Brunansky grounded out to short to start before John Marzano whiffed. Luis Rivera struck out swinging to end the inning. Shawn Abner popped up to first to begin the bottom of the second but Dick Schofield Jr walked. Polonia lined out to second and Abner was thrown out trying to steal by the alert Marzano to end the inning.

                                                       "Where you goin Abner?"

The Sox blew their last chance to rally in the top of the third when Boggs and Reed stroked back to back singles to start. Quintana whiffed and Clark banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox would have just 1 hit the rest of the way. The Angels struck back in the bottom of the third as Gaetti whiffed to start. Joyner then smashed one of the longest home runs in recorded history to increase the lead. Winfield singled to left but Parker and Rose both struck out swinging to end the inning with the Angels ahead 3-1.

                                               "Holy moly that went far" - WJ

The Sox went lifeless in the top of the fourth as Greenwell flied out to left to start. Burks grounded out to short and Brunansky flied out to center to end the inning. Young got Parrish and Abner to both ground out to short to start. Schofield Jr singled but Polonia grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the fifth as Marzano grounded out to second to start. Rivera grounded back to the mound and Boggs grounded out to second to end the inning. Gaetti walked to start the bottom of the fifth and moved to second on the Joyner grounder. Winfield walked but both Parker and Rose flied out to center to end the inning.

Reed grounded out to short to open the top of the sixth but Quintana singled to center. Clark banged into a double play to end the inning. Parrish struck out swinging to begin the bottom of the sixth before Abner whiffed. Schofield Jr lined out to second to end the inning.

The Sox blew another rally in the top of the seventh although Greenwell flied out to left to start. Burks grounded out to third but Brunansky walked. Marzano walked but Rivera grounded into a force to end the inning. The Angels finally chased Young in the bottom of the seventh as Polonia walked to start. Gaetti flied out to left but Joyner singled Polonia to third to chase Young. He was matched up with Abbott and failed to keep pace, allowing 3 runs in 6 1/3 innings. Dennis Lamp came in and Winfield lined out to third. One and done for Lamp as Tony Fossas came in and got Parker to fly out to left to end the inning. 

                                                         Not Young's best start

Mark Eichhorn replaced Abbott for the top of the eighth and Boggs flied out to right to start. Reed struck out swinging and Quintana lined out to first to end the inning. The Angels got an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth as Rose and Parrish stroked back to back singles to start. Dan Petry came in and Abner struck out swinging, but Schofield Jr scored Rose with a grounder. Polonia was intentionally walked and Gaetti flied out to left to end the inning with the Angels ahead 4-1.

                                                      Not much Petry could have done

Bryan Harvey came in to close out the top of the ninth and Clark flied out to right to start. Greenwell popped up to third and Mo Vaughn pinch hit for Burks. Vaughn grounded back to the mound to end the game. The Angels had won it 4-1.

Jackass of the Night is Matt Young. He allowed 3 runs to the Angels when he could ill afford to do to take the loss.

                                                Jackass Young's face says it all

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 4.

Jody Reed was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Dennis Lamp retired the only man he faced

The Bad:

Ellis Burks was 0 for 3.

Mo Vaughn grounded out as a pinch hitter.

Luis Rivera was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

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

The Ugly:

Carlos Quintana was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jack Clark was 0 for 3 but walked.

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Tom Brunansky was 0 for 2 but walked.

John Marzano was 0 for 2 but walked.

Dan Petry allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own in an inning of work.

Final Thoughts:

Another tough loss in a season full of them. Abbott brought his A game but the Sox missed a chance to do some damage three times during the game. They couldn't get a clutch hit when it counted and they deserved this loss big time. Matt Young once again didn't justify his price tag, making the Sox look like even bigger fools for letting Mike Boddicker walk. Tony Fossas didn't inspire anyone out of the bullpen either, putting Dan Petry in an impossible situation. The Sox are falling further and further behind the Toronto Blue Jays and they just don't seem to have the "Morgan Magic" this year. Roger Clemens can only do so much by himself. Still, the Sox still have a month to turn it around and repeat as division champions. The loss dropped the Sox to 62-60, 4.5 games behind the Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Sox look to bounce back against the angels when they send rookie Kevin Morton (3-2, 4.89 ERA) to the mound against Kirk McCaskill of the Angels. The game begins at 10:00 PM Eastern time at Anaheim Stadium.

                

Sox Beat Twins Late (4/30/91)

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

                                                        Steven Seagal approves of the win

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

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

                                                            Brunansky drives in a pair

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

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

                                                            Greenwell hits one out

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

                                                              Leius cuts the lead

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

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

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

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

                                                      Young has seen better days

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

                                                           Quintana puts Boston on top

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

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

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

                                                               Hero Quintana

The Good:

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

Jack Clark was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

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

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

The Bad:

Luis Rivera was 0 for 4.

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

The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was 0 for 4 but walked.

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

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

Tony Pena was just 1 for 4.

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

Final Thoughts:

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

Jays Snap Streak, Beat Sox (4/24/91)

It was fun while it lasted as the Boston Red Sox winning streak was snapped by the Toronto Blue Jays. The anemic Red Sox offense was held to just 1 run by Dave Steib and the Toronto bullpen. Matt Young (0-1, 2.37 ERA) got lit up for 5 runs in 5 innings while walking 5 batters before he got knocked out in the sixth inning. The Sox offense managed to get 9 hits but none in the clutch as they dropped the game 6-1 to the Blue Jays at Fenway Park.

                                                        "Can this team score runs?"

The Jays wasted no time attacking Young in the top of the first as Devon White set the tone with a walk to start. Roberto Alomar flied out to center but Kelly Gruber grounded out to third. Carter singled White to third and Devon scored on a passed ball to give the Jays the lead. Pat Tabler walked and Mark Whiten struck out looking to end the inning with the Jays up 1-0.

                                                          Catch the damn ball!

Stieb got the Sox to beat the ball in the dirt to start the bottom of the first. Wade Boggs grounded out to first, Steve Lyons grounded out to second and Mike Greenwell grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Glenallen Hill grounded back to the mound to start the top of the second and Pat Borders struck out swinging. Manuel Lee walked but was thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning. Jack Clark grounded out to short to start the bottom of the second but Ellis Burks singled to center. Tom Brunansky walked but Carlos Quintana forced Bruno at second. Luis Rivera flied out to left to end the inning.

The Jays struck again in the top of the third as White walked to start and Alomar sacrificed him to second. Another passed ball moved White to third and he scored on the sac fly by Gruber. Carter struck out looking to end the inning with the Jays up 2-0.

                     "That's two passed balls on one catcher in three innings...that aint funny" - MY

Marzano atoned for his passed balls with a swinging bunt base hit to start the bottom of the third. Boggs doubled John to third but nobody moved on the Lyons grounder to first. Greenwell flied out to center and Marzano got caught in a rundown to end the inning.

                                                              Not having a good day

Tabler lined out to left to start the top of the fourth and Whiten grounded out to short. Hill flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox got a run back in the bottom of the fourth when Clark walked to start. Burks hit one up the elevator shaft but Brunansky reached on an error by the shortstop. Quintana forced Bruno at second but Rivera singled home Clark to cut the lead. Marzano struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 2-1.

                                                                  Rivera drives in a run

The Jays used some more small ball to add another run in the top of the fifth although Borders grounded out to third to start. Lee singled to center and White doubled him to third before Manuel scored on the ground out by Alomar to increase the lead. Gruber whiffed to end the inning with the Jays up 3-1.

                                                              Double by White

Boggs flied out to left to start the bottom of the fifth but Lyons grounded out to second. Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Jays finished off Young in the top of the sixth as Carter singled to center to start. Tabler walked and Sox manager Joe Morgan had enough of Young. Matt would be charged with 5 runs in just 5 plus innings of work. Dana Kiecker came in and poured gas on the fire as Whiten singled home Tabler and advanced Whiten to third. Hill scored Whiten with a sac fly to ice the game. Borders singled to left and both runners advanced on a balk. Lee whiffed and White grounded out to second to end the inning with the Jays up 5-1.

                                                             Not Young's finest hour

Clark took strike three to start the bottom of the sixth and Burks whiffed. Brunansky and Quintana stroked back to back singles but Rivera flied out to right to end the inning.

The Jays struck again in the top of the seventh as Alomar lined out to left to start. Gruber flied out to left but Carter walked. Carter stole second and scored on the base hit by Tabler to wrap up the scoring. Whiten singled to left and Hill walked to load the bases, but Borders went down hacking to end the inning with the Jays up 6-1.

                                                           Not much relief

Mike Timlin came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh as Marzano grounded out to short to start. Boggs grounded out to second but Lyons singled to right. Greenwell flied out to center to end the inning.

Lee grounded out to first to start the top of the eighth and White took strike three. Alomar struck out swinging to end the inning. Clark grounded out to short to start the bottom of the eighth and Burks did the same. Brunansky struck out swinging to end the inning.

Tony Fossas came in for the top of the ninth and Gruber grounded out to short to start. Carter singled to left but Tabler banged into a double play to end the inning. Duane Ward came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Quintana whiffed to start. Rivera went down hacking but Marzano singled to center. Boggs doubled Marzano to third but Lyons whiffed to end the game. The Jays had won it 6-1.

Jackass of the Night is Dana Kiecker. He allowed 2 inherited runs to score and one of his own to put the game out of reach.

                                                          Jackass Kiecker

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 5.

Tom Brunansky was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Tony Fossas pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 4.

Matt Young took the loss by allowing 5 runs (3 earned) while getting knocked out in the sixth inning.

The Ugly:

Steve Lyons was just 1 for 5.

Jack Clark was 0 for 3 but walked and scored a run.

Ellis Burks was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Carlos Quintana was just 1 for 4.

Luis Rivera was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

John Marzano was 2 for 4 but allowed 2 passed balls and got caught in a rundown.

Final Thoughts:

This game was a boot to the head. Young didn't pitch too bad but Marzano couldn't catch a cold or run the bases. The key was Kiecker not being able to keep it a 3-1 game, maybe it turns out differently if it was a 2 run game instead of 5 by the end. This was not a game to look on with fondness, that's for sure. The offense has been abysmal pretty much most of April and today was no different. They didn't have  Roger Clemens type of effort to bail them out this time. At least Boggs is starting to find his stroke, can the rest of them join in please? After an off-day the Sox look to bounce back Friday night in Kansas City in a set with the Royals. Greg Harris looks to build on his last start when he takes the ball against old friend Mike Boddicker of the Royals. The game begins at 8:05 PM at Royals Stadium.