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

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

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

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

                                                           3 run bomb for Ordonez

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

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

                                                           Nomar drives in a run

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

                                                        Ordonez hits another one out

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

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

                                                      Schourek gets lit up for 5 runs

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

                                               Yerrrrrr out!

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

                                                          Nice relief Wasdin

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

                                                         Offerman homers

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

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

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

                                                              Schourek the Jackass

The Good:

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

Jeff Frye walked twice in four plate appearances.

Brian Daubach was 1 for 3.

Mike Stanley singled as a pinch hitter.

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

Curtis Pride was 1 for 3.

Derek Lowe tossed a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Morgan Burkhart was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Scott Hatteberg was 0 for 3.

Manny Alexander was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Jason Varitek struck out as a pinch hitter.

John Wasdin allowed 3 runs in 2 innings of work.

The Ugly:

Nomar was 0 for 3 but drove in a run.

Carl Everett was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Final Thoughts:

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

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

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

                                                                       OUT

                                                                   IN

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

                                                      "We lost again?"

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

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

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

                                                           Singleton drives in two

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

                                                     Double play.....

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

                                                     Fordyce hits a homer

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

                                                      New guys getting it done

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

                                               Lee watches it go

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

                                                                  Thomas hits another homer

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

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

                                                      THAT'S how you pinch hit

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

                                                                Another home run

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

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

                                                              Jackass Florie

The Good:

Nomar Garciaparra was 3 for 4 with a run scored.

Morgan Burkhart was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis.

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

Scott Hatteberg belted a pinch hit home run.

The Bad:

Brian Daubach was 0 for 4.

Mike Stanley was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Jeff Frye struck out as a pinch hitter.

Manny Alexander was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

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

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

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

The Ugly:

Jose Offerman was just 1 for 5.

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

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

Honorable Mention:

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

Final Thoughts:

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

O's Stun Sliding Sox In 11 (6/28/00)

The Boston Red Sox got bit by the "June swoon" big time as they have dropped their 5th straight game in a complete collapse. After battling the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays for 2 1/2 months, mediocrity caught up to the Sox as they fell to just a game over .500. The Sox trailed the Orioles 5-4 before tying the game in the 7th. The O's got the lead back in the top of the eighth but the Sox rallied to take the lead in the bottom of the eighth. The normally reliable Derek Lowe blew his second consecutive save as the O's tied the game with one out in the ninth. The O's settled matters with a rally off Bryce Florie (0-3, 4.15 ERA) again in the top of the eleventh. The Sox failed to score in the bottom of the frame and the O's had sent the Sox to their 5th straight loss 8-7 at Fenway Park.

                                               Sox fans share this sentiment

Ramon Martinez got the start for the Sox in the top of the first and Brady Anderson led off by hitting one up the elevator shaft. Mike Bordick grounded out to third but Delino Deshields singled to right. Deshields stole second but Albert Belle popped up to short to end the inning. Jason Johnson got the ball for Baltimore in the bottom of the first and Jose Offerman walked to start. Jeff Frye whiffed and Offerman was thrown out trying to steal. Jason Varitek lined out to left to end the inning.

The O's rallied in the top of the second although BJ Surhoff popped up to short to start. Will Clark popped up to second and Ryan Minor whiffed....but the ball got away from Varitek and the inning continued. The O's capitalized as Harold Baines singled to right and Charles Johnson singled home Minor. Brady Anderson singled home Baines for another run before Bordick grounded into a force to end the inning with the O's ahead 2-0 after the miscue by Varitek.

                                                              Nice going Varitek

The Sox rallied in the bottom of the second as Nomar Garciaparra drew a walk to start. Morgan Burkhart drove in his first run with the Red Sox with a double to right that scored Nomar. Mike Stanley grounded out to short, Brian Daubach popped up to third in foul territory and Darren Lewis grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox down 2-1.

                                                          Burkhart's first RBI

Ramon froze Deshields for strike three to open the top of the third before Belle lined out to left. Surhoff singled to left but Clark flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox took command in the bottom of the third as Wilton Veras drew a walk to start. Offerman singled to right and the throw was nowhere near the plate and Veras scored on the error. Frye singled home Offerman to give Boston the lead, Frye taking second on the throw home. Frye moved to third on the grounder by Varitek and they walked Nomar to get to Burkhart. Morgan hit a routine grounder to first but it was booted to allow Frye. Stanley whiffed and Daubach flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-2.

                                                       Frye drives in a run

Minor grounded out to short to start the top of the fourth before Baines grounded out to first. Johnson singled to left but Anderson lined out to left to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fourth as Lewis whiffed to start. Veras flied out to right and Offerman whiffed to end the inning.

The floodgates opened in the top of the fifth when Bordick hit a routine grounder to Veras who threw himself on the ball and wrestled with it for an error. DeShields singled to right and Belle singled home Bordick. Surhoff singled home DeShields to tie the game and send Belle to third. Clark scored Belle with a sac fly to give the O's the lead. Minor popped up to short and Baines flied out to right to end the inning with the O's ahead 5-4.

                                                     Nice error Veras

Frye lined out to right to start the bottom of the fifth before Varitek went down hacking. Nomar walked but Burkhart grounded out to second to end the inning.

Ramon came back for one more inning in the top of the sixth as Johnson whiffed to start. Anderson was hit by a pitch but Bordick flied out to right. Anderson swiped second but DeShields popped up to first to end the inning. Ramon got lit up for 5 runs in just 6 innings although only 2 of the runs were earned.

                                                            Not Ramon's best effort

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the sixth as Stanley whiffed to start. Daubach flied out to center but Lewis grounded out to second to end the inning.

Rheal Cormier came in for the top of the seventh and Belle flied out to left to start. Surhoff singled and moved to second on the Clark grounder before Minor walked. Baines popped up to short to end the inning. The Sox tied it up in the bottom of the seventh as Veras walked to start. Offerman dropped down a bunt to move Wilton to second but Frye popped up to second. Mike Timlin came in to pitch to Varitek and Jason doubled to left to score Veras to tie the game. Nomar flied out to center to end the inning with the game tied 5-5.

                                                 Varitek ties it up

Just as soon as the Sox tied it, the Orioles re-took the lead instantly in the top of the eighth with Rod Beck now on the mound. Johnson hit his second home run in many days to give the O's the lead before Anderson flied out to center. Bordick lined out to first and DeShields grounded out to second to end the inning with the O's ahead 6-5.

                                                        Thanks a lot Beck

The Sox rallied in the bottom of the eighth as Burkhart singled to center to start. Carl Everett pinch hit for Stanley with Curtis Pride pinch running for Burkhart. Everett flied out to right as Chuck McElroy was brought in to pitch to Daubach. Sox manager Jimy Williams countered by pinch hitting Izzy Alcantara to pinch hit for Brian. Alcantara respinded with a base hit to left and Mike Trombley came in to pitch to Lewis. Lewis beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners and Scott Hatteberg pinch hit for Veras, getting a base hit to right to score Pride and advancing Lewis to third. Manny Alexander pinch ran for Hatteberg and Offerman singled home Lewis to give the Sox the lead. Frye walked but Varitek struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-6.

                                                           Offerman gives the Sox the lead

For the second straight game Derek Lowe blew the save in the top of the ninth. Belle grounded out to short but Surhoff doubled to right. Clark tripled over the head of Lewis to score Surhoff with the tying run. Mark Lewis ran for Clark with Jeff Conine pinch hitting for Minor. Conine grounded out sharply to short and Baines was intentionally walked. Johnson grounded into a force to end the inning but the game was tied 7-7.

Alan Mills came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and Nomar lined out to left to start. Pride flied out to center and with the Sox losing the DH, Lowe was scheduled to bat. Sox manager Jimy Williams remembered Pete Schourek had batting experience in the National League and sent him to pinch hit for Lowe. Pete got a base hit to center much to Jimy's delight but Alcantara flied out to center to end the inning.

                                         Pete getting more hits than he allowed in this one

Rich Garces came in for the top of the tenth and Anderson flied out to center to start. Bordick whiffed but DeShields singled to center. Belle struck out swinging to end the inning. Jose Mercedes came in for the bottom of the tenth and Lewis popped up to short to start. Alexander whiffed but Offerman singled to left. Frye walked and Varitek flied out to left to end the inning.

Bryce Florie came in for the top of the eleventh and the O's took command as Surhoff doubled to left to start. Lewis dropped down a bunt to move Surhoff to third and Varitek interfered with Conine to put runners at the corners. Baines doubled home Surhoff to give the O's the lead but Johnson struck out swinging. Anderson was intentionally walked but Bordick grounded into a force to end the inning with the O's ahead 8-7.

                                                           Dammit Florie

Buddy Groom came in to close out the bottom of the eleventh but Nomar singled to left. Pride popped up a bunt to Groom and Sox manager Jimy Williams remembered Tom Wakefield used to bat for Pittsburgh in 1992 and sent him to pinch hit for Florie. Wakefield dropped down a bunt to move Nomar to second but Alcantara flied out to center to end the game. The O's had won it 8-7.

Jackass of the Night is Derek Lowe. For the second straight night it never should have come to Bryce Florie pitching the 11th if Lowe did his job in the ninth.

                                                        Lowe the Jackass



The Good:

Jose Offerman was 3 for 4 with an rbi, walk and a run scored.

Nomar Garciaparra was 1 for 3 with 3 walks and a run scored.

Pete Schourek got a base hitter as a pinch hitter....yes you read that right.

Morgan Burkhart was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis.

Izzy Alcantara was 1 for 3 at the plate.

Wilton Veras walked twice and scored twice in 3 at bats.

Scott Hatteberg singled and drove in a run as a pinch hitter.

Rheal Cormier pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Rich Garces pitched a scoreless 10th inning.



The Bad:

Mike Stanley was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Carl Everett was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Brian Daubach was 0 for 3.

Manny Alexander was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Ramon Martinez was lit up for 5 runs (2 earned) in 6 innings of work. He gave up 9 hits while only striking out 3.

Rod Beck allowed a run in the 8th inning.

Bryce Florie allowed the go-ahead run to score in the top of the 11th to take the loss.



The Ugly:

Jeff Frye was just 1 for 4 but walked twice, drove in a run and scored a run.

Jason Varitek was just 1 for 6 with an error but drove in a run.

Curtis Pride was 0 for 2 but scored a run.

Darren Lewis was 0 for 5 with a strikeout but scored a run.



Honorable Mention:

Tim Wakefield dropped down a bunt as a pinch hitter....yes you read that right.




Final Thoughts:

This month can't end fast enough but unless the Sox pull off a blockbuster trade, help doesn't appear to be coming. Everything that went right last year has gone wrong this year. Injuries and ineffectiveness on offense and in the rotation has sank the Sox to the point they are at now. Pedro Martinez may go on the DL, Trot Nixon is already on the DL, John Valentin is out for the season,  Troy O'Leary is rumored to be going through a messy divorce and all the bench guys that stepped up in May reverted back to normal this month. The Sox had their way with this Orioles in that early May series but these aren't the same Sox anymore. As for the game, that was absolutely insane. Pete Schourek pinch hitting and getting a hit, Tim Wakefield pinch hitting and dropping down a bunt. Can't say Jimy Williams doesn't get creative sometimes. The loss dropped the Sox to 37-36, 3.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to salvage their three game set against the Orioles tomorrow night when they send tonight's pinch hitter Tim Wakefield (2-5) to the mound up against last night's pinch runner Scott Erickson at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

O's Stun Sox in Ninth, Win in 10 (6/27/00)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Trot Nixon apparently pulled a hamstring and has been placed on the 15 day Disabled List. This comes at a bad time with the Sox offense struggling big time right now. In his place the Sox called up former 3 time Frontier League MVP Morgan Burkhart. The 28 year old "rookie" has great pop in his bat and the Sox desperately need offense.

                                                                       OUT

                                                                     IN

As for the game, the Sox are inventing new ways to lose these days. On a night when somehow Pete Schourek matched O's ace Mike Mussina for 7 innings, the Sox still found a way to blow it. The Sox took the lead in the bottom of the seventh but Derek Lowe gagged in the top of the ninth. Lowe then served up a 2 run bomb in the top of the tenth to Charles Johnson. Bryce Florie came in and allowed 3 runs of his own. The Sox did manage to get a home run by Nomar in the bottom of the tenth but it wasn't enough as the O's stunned the Sox 6-3 in 10 innings at Fenway Park.

                                                                   Thanks a lot Lowe

Schourek got the ball in the top of the first and old friend Brady Anderson popped up to first to start. Mike Bordick doubled to right and moved to third on the Delino DeShields grounder. Albert Belle struck out swinging to end the inning. Mussina cruised in the bottom of the first as Jose Offerman struck out swinging to start. Jeff Frye grounded out to third and Brian Daubach took strike three to end the inning.

Jeff Conine singled to start the top of the second inning and moved to second on the BJ Surhoff grounder. Cal Ripken Jr popped up to first and Will Clark struck out swinging to end the inning. 

                                                          Ripken pops it up

Nomar Garciaparra singled to right to start the bottom of the second before Morgan Burkhart made his ML debut with a base hit to right. Mike Stanley whiffed and Scott Hatteberg took strike three before Manny Alexander grounded out to second to end the inning.

Charles Johnson hit a routine grounder to Alexander to start the top of the third and he threw his glove at the ball and stomped on it for an error. Anderson banged into a double play and Bordick struck out swinging to end the inning. Curtis Pride grounded out to first to start the bottom of the third before Offerman grounded out to third. Frye whiffed but the ball got away from the catcher so Frye took first. Daubach flied out to left to end the inning.

DeShields grounded out to short to start the top of the fourth before Belle struck out swinging. Conine walked but was thrown out trying to steal to end the inning. Mussina cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Nomar flied out to right to start. Burkhart flied out to center and Stanley struck out swinging to end the inning.

Schourek got Surhoff to ground out to first to start the top of the fifth before Ripken popped up to short. Clark walked but Johnson grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Hatteberg grounded out to third to start. Alexander struck out swinging but Pride got a base hit to center. Offerman grounded out to second to end the inning.

Anderson grounded out to second to start the top of the sixth before Bordick flied out to left. DeShields singled to left but was thrown out trying to steal to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the sixth although Frye took strike three to start. Daubach flied out to center but Nomar singled and Burkhart walked. Stanley whiffed again to earn the hat trick to end the inning.

Schourek came back for one last inning in the top of the seventh and Belle flied out to center to start. Conine grounded out to second but Surhoff singled to right. Ripken Jr grounded out to short to end the inning. That was it for Schourek who pitched one of his best games of the season to shut out the Orioles for 7 innings, he deserved to win this one.

                                                          Good work Pete

The Sox finally cracked Mussina in the bottom of the seventh as Hatteberg singled to center to start. Scott was bunted over to second by Alexander but Pride struck out. Offerman dumped a base hit to right to score Hatteberg with the go ahead run but was thrown out trying to stretch a double to end the inning with Boston ahead 1-0.

                                                              Offerman, what are you doing?

Rich Garces came in to pitch with Izzy Alcantara now in left to start the top of the eighth. Clark singled to right and Luis Matos pinch ran for him. Johnson struck out and Sox manager Jimy Williams wanted the lefty Rheal Cormier to pitch to Anderson. The gamble worked as Anderson hit a liner to Alexander who doubled off Matos at first to end the inning.

                                             Not this time Brady

Mike Timlin came in for the bottom of the eighth and Frye grounded out to short to start. Alcantara struck out swinging and Nomar grounded out to short to end the inning.

Derek Lowe came in to close out the top of the ninth and crapped his pants. Bordick whiffed but DeShields doubled to left. Belle singled home Delino to tie the game but Conine flied out to center. Surhoff was intentionally walked but Ripken struck out swinging to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

The Sox blew another rally in the bottom of the ninth as Burkhart singled to right to start. Stanley dropped down a bunt to move Morgan to second and Hatteberg was intentionally walked. Jason Varitek pinch hit for Alexander but popped up to short. Chuck McElroy came in to face Pride but Williams countered by pinch hitting Darren Lewis for Curtis. Lewis drew a walk to load the bases and Wilton Veras pinch ran for him. Mike Trombley came in to pitch to Offerman and Jose grounded out to first to end the inning....damn.

The floodgates opened in the top of the tenth as Harold Baines pinch hit for Matos and singled to start. Mark Lewis pinch ran for Baines and Johnson hit a home run all the way to the Cardassian Homeworld to give the O's the lead. Williams finally lifted the incompetent Lowe and Bryce Florie came in to get Anderson to fly out to right. Bordick hit a routine grounder to Nomar who went OLE! for an error. Bordick moved to second on the DeShields grounder and Belle was intentionally walked. Conine singled to load the bases and Surhoff drove in two runs with a base hit, moving Conine to third. Ripken hurt himself on a fielder's choice that scored Conine and Scott Erickson (yes, HIM) ran for him. Lewis grounded into a force to end the inning but the Orioles led 6-1...what a disaster.

                                                                O's take the lead

Lewis moved to third and Alan Mills came on to pitch the bottom of the tenth and the Sox rallied. Frye earned the hat trick by striking out swinging but Alcantara singled to left. Nomar swatted his 8th home run of the year to cut the lead in half. Burkhart flied out to center but Stanley got a base hit to center. Orioles manager Mike Hargrove brought in the lefty Buddy Groom to pitch to Hatteberg. Hatteberg whiffed to end the game. The Orioles had won it 6-3 in 10 innings.

Jackass of the Night is Derek Lowe. He blew the game in the ninth and took the loss in the 10th inning. It should have never come to Florie giving up unearned runs.

                                                                Jackass Lowe

The Good:

Izzy Alcantara was 1 for 2 with a run scored.

Nomar Garciaparra was 3 for 5 with a 2 run homer.

Morgan Burkhart was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Curtis Pride was 1 for 3.

Darren Lewis walked as a pinch hitter.

Rich Garces got the first out of the eighth inning.

Rheal Cormier got the last two outs of the eighth inning.

The Bad:

Jeff Frye was 0 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Brian Daubach was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Manny Alexander was 0 for 2 with a strikeout and an error.

Jason Varitek popped up as a pinch hitter.

Bryce Florie allowed 2 inherited runners to score and three of his own

The Ugly:

Jose Offerman was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run.

Mike Stanley was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Scott Hatteberg was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored a run.

Honorable Mention:

Wilton Veras ran for Lewis and played third in the top of the tenth.

Final Thoughts:

Another game that was a sucker punch to the gonads for the Red Sox. The Sox had this game won but Lowe blew one of his only saves of the season. Why he came back for the tenth is anyone's guess but its not like Florie did a better job anyway. The Orioles couldn't accomplish anything against Schourek but scored 5 runs in the tenth inning, go figure. Mussina is one of the better pitchers in the AL so getting a run off him is pretty standard. The lack of clutch hitting is killing the Sox whether its Jose Offerman with the bases loaded in the ninth or Hatteberg with a man on in the tenth. Where was Carl Everett to pinch hit tonight? He could have easily pinch hit for Hatteberg hitting on the right side? So many things went wrong tonight and its amazing the Sox were even in first place at all this season the way they've played this month. The loss dropped the Sox to 37-35, 2.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox look to bounce back when they send Ramon Martinez to the mound up against Jason Johnson of the O's at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Hold Off Late Yankees Rally (6/21/00)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Tim Young was sent back to Pawtucket to make room for Friday's starter John "Way Back" Wasdin. The move makes absolutely no sense because I'd rather start Young on Friday instead of Way Back. Also Andy Sheets accepted his demotion to Pawtucket rather than become a free agent.

                                                                          OUT

                                                                  IN

As for the game, its about time the Sox paid back the New York Yankees. After getting obliterated 22-1 on Monday night, the Yankees beat Pedro Martinez last night to reign supreme in the AL East. Tonight the Sox counterpunched the Yankees by exploiting the Yankees usually indomitable bullpen. A titantic meltdown by Jason Grimsley and old pal Mike Stanton led to 5 Boston runs in the 7th inning. The Sox survived a late Yankees surge to beat the Yanks 9-7 in front of 32,958 fans at Fenway Park.

                                             Detective Munch approves of the win

Pete Schourek got the start for the Sox and Chuck Knoblauch led off the top of the first by popping up to second to start. Derek Jeter popped up to Jeff Frye in foul territory before Paul O'Neill was frozen for strike three to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the first against Yankees starter David Cone. Jose Offerman led off with a double to right before being sacrificed to third by Frye. A wild pitch scored Offerman and Trot Nixon tripled into the triangle. Nomar Garciaparra walked to put runners at the corners and Carl Everett beat out a double play ball to score another run. Mike Stanley whiffed to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                           Offerman starts the rally

Bernie Williams popped up to third to start the top of the second inning but Jorge Posada singled to left. Posada was forced at center on a grounder by Shane Spencer before Scott Brosius grounded out to short to end the inning. Scott Hatteberg flied out to center to start the bottom of the second before Darren Lewis flied out to right. Manny Alexander singled to left and Offerman walked, but Frye flied out to right to end the inning.

Schourek cruised in the top of the third inning as Chris Turner whiffed to start. Clay Bellinger popped up to third and Knoblauch grounded out to short to end the inning. Nixon grounded out to first to begin the bottom of the third before Nomar doubled to right. Everett walked but Stanley flied out to center and Hatteberg grounded out to first to end the inning.

Jeter popped up to right to begin the top of the fourth before O'Neill grounded out to first. Williams grounded out to short to end the inning. Cone cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Lewis flied out to center to start. Alexander flied out to left and Offerman flied out to center to end the inning.

The Yankees clawed back in the top of the fifth as Posada and Spencer drew back to back walks to start. Brosius beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corner and naturally the previously unheard Turner singled home Posada. Bellinger beat out an infield single to load the bases but Schourek held the fort by getting Knoblauch to pop up to right and Jeter to fly out to center to end the inning with the Sox up 2-1.

                                                        Of course Turner gets the RBI

The Sox tried to fight back in the bottom of the fifth when Frye got a base hit to center to start. The rally ended as Nixon whiffed, Nomar flied out to right and Everett went down swinging to end the inning.

The Yankees chased Schourek quickly in the top of the sixth when O'Neill doubled to center to begin. Pete should never have started the inning as it was, but he went 5 innings and allowed 2 runs. Hipolito Pichardo came in and struck out Williams but Posada singled home O'Neill to tie the game although he was thrown out at second trying to stretch. Spencer flied out to right to end the inning but the game was tied 2-2.

                                                           So much for Schourek

The Sox fought back in the bottom of the sixth as Stanley singled to center to begin. Hatteberg doubled him to third but Lewis whiffed. Alexander dumped a base hit to center to score Stanley with the go-ahead run and Offerman walked to load the bases. Frye scored Hatteberg with a sac fly but Nixon grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-2.

                                                          Stanley starts the rally

The Sox then bumbled around the top of the seventh inning as Brosius singled to center to begin. Tino Martinez pinch hit for Turner and walked and Jose Vizcaino pinch hit for Bellinger. Jose hit a routine grounder to Frye who screamed and kicked the ball completely out of Fenway for an error to score Brosius and send Tino to third. Rich Garces replaced Pichardo and Knoblauch got Vizcaino forced at second but Martinez scored to tie the game. Jeter singled to center to send Knoblauch to third and he scored on the O'Neill sac fly to give the Yankees the lead. Williams was intentionally walked and Posada took strike three to end the inning but the normally reliable middle relievers failed to give the Yankees the 5-4 lead.

                                                              Nice relief Pichardo

Somehow the Sox rallied against the Yankees in the bottom of the seventh against Jason Grimsley. Nomar singled to center and Everett walked before both runners moved over on the Stanley grounder. Hatteberg grounded out to second but Nomar scored to tie the game and Everett moved to third. Brian Daubach pinch hit for Lewis and was intentionally walked. Curtis Pride pinch ran for Daubach and somehow Alexander walked to load the bases. Mike Stanton came in and somehow the best control reliever the Yankees had walked both Offerman and Frye to give the Sox the lead. Nixon then jacked a ground rule double into the Sox bullpen to score Alexander and Offerman to ice the game. Jeff Nelson replaced Stanton and Nomar grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 9-5.

                                                    Offerman and Alexander score

Rod Beck came in for the top of the eighth and punched out Spencer to start. Brosius singled to left but Martinez popped up to first. Brosius took second on defensive indifference and Vizcaino grounded out to second to end the inning. Everett took strike three to begin the bottom of the eighth but Stanley singled to left. Hatteberg banged into a double play to end the inning.

Derek Lowe came in to close out the top of the ninth and Knoblauch singled to right to start. Jeter struck out swinging and O'Neill lined out second but Williams launched a 500,000 foot home run into the Atlantic Ocean to cut the lead. Posada whiffed to end the game with the Sox hanging on to win 9-7.

                                                  Pedro Martinez is excited for the win


Hero of the Night is Jose Offerman. He scored the first run of the game and walked home the go-ahead run in the 7th.

                                                      Hero Jose


The Good:

Jeff Frye was 1 for 2 with a walk and 2 rbis.

Trot Nixon was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

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

Mike Stanley was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Brian Daubach walked in the bottom of the seventh.

Curtis Pride scored a run as a pinch runner.

Manny Alexander was 2 for 3 with a walk, rbi and scored a run.

Pete Schourek allowed just 2 runs in 5 plus innings.

Rod Beck pitched a scoreless 8th inning.




The Bad:

Darren Lewis was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Hipolito Pichardo allowed an inherited runner to score and 3 of his own in just 1 full inning.

Derek Lowe allowed 2 runs in the 9th inning.




The Ugly:

Carl Everett was 0 for 3 but walked twice, drove in a run and scored.

Scott Hatteberg was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run and scored.

Rich Garces allowed an inherited runner to score in an inning of work.




Final Thoughts:

The Sox needed a big win to get back on track and this was barely the way to do it. Not only did the Sox need an uncharacteristic meltdown by Mike Stanton but their middle relievers were lit up. Garces and Pichardo are supposed to be stoppers but they didn't get the job done. Still, a win is a win and any wins over the Yankees is a good thing. Even with the 22-1 and Pedro losses, the Sox still are one more win away from being back in first place. The win improved the Sox to 36-31, 0.5 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Sox look to jump back into first when they send Ramon Martinez (5-4, 6.08 ERA) out against Jake Westbrook of the Yankees at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.