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

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

                                                  The two aces fail to deliver

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

                                                   Yankees strike first

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

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

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

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

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

                                                 Exactly Bob

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

                                                Olerud goes yard

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

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

                                                       Nixon scores a run

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

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

         

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

                                                            Damon the Jackass



The Good:

David Ortiz was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Trot Nixon was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Jason Varitek was 1 for 3.

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

Mike Timlin retired 2 of the 3 men he faced.

Alan Embree pitched 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

Keith Foulke pitched 2/3 of a scoreless inning.



The Bad:

Mark Bellhorn was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Kevin Millar ws 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Bill Mueller was 0 for 3.



The Ugly:

Manny Ramirez was just 1 for 4.

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




Final Thoughts:

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

Sox Sweep Yankees In New York (4/25/04)

The bad news was the Boston Celtics were eliminated in Game 4 of their first round NBA playoff series by the Indiana Pacers but the good news was the Boston Red Sox swept the New York Yankees out of New York. Yankee fans have been saying they "own" Pedro Martinez (3-1, 3.03 ERA) because of some of the Yankees success against him in year's past, but not tonight. Pedro was vintage Pedro as he shut down the Yankees for seven shutout innings. Pitching on three day's rest, his counterpart Javier Vazquez didn't give an inch. The only runs of the game were scored when Manny Ramirez hit a two run home run in the top of the fourth. Otherwise Pedro didn't allow a run and just four hits in his outing. Scott Williamson turned back the clock to last October as he shut the Yankees down in the final two innings to preserve the win. The Sox have taken 7 of the first 8 games against the Yankees including a series sweep 2-0 at Yankee Stadium.

                                                           Happy Sox fans

Vazquez got the ball in the top of the first and Johnny Damon hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Mark Bellhorn struck out swinging and David Ortiz got a base hit just over the head of Derek Jeter. Jorge Posada dropped a pop up by Manny Ramirez for an error but Manny struck out swinging anyway to end the inning. Martinez got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jeter struck out swinging to start. Bernie Williams grounded out to first and Kevin Millar made a diving catch to rob Alex Rodriguez of a hit to end the inning.

Millar got hit with a pitch to start the top of the second but was thrown out trying to steal on a swinging strikeout by Jason Varitek. David McCarty struck out swinging to end the inning. Jason Giambi froze for strike three to begin the bottom of the second but Gary Sheffield got a base hit to center. Posada popped up to short and Hideki Matsui flied out to left to end the inning.

Cesar Crespo's bunt attempt was snuffed out by Posada to start the top of the third before Pokey Reese struck out swinging. Damon struck out swinging to end the inning. Ruben Sierra lined a ball off Pedro right to Crespo who threw to first for the out to start the bottom of the third. Enrique Wilson struck out swinging and Jeter flied out to right to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the fourth as Bellhorn walked to start. Ortiz took strike three but Manny hit a hanging curveball into the upper deck in left to put Boston on top. Millar lined out to short and Varitek flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                            Home run Ramirez

Williams flied out to center to begin the bottom of the fourth but A-Rod singled to right. A-Rod stole second but Giambi flied out to left. Sheffield took strike three to end the inning.

McCarty grounded out to short to begin the top of the fifth before Crespo lined out to Sheffield. Reese reached on an error when Giambi couldn't pick a throw by Jeter. Damon lined out to right to end the inning. Posada walked to start the bottom of the fifth before Matsui was frozen for strike three. Sierra doubled to right but Wilson popped up to short. Jeter took strike three to end the inning.

Bellhorn grounded out to second to start the top of the sixth before Ortiz hit a pop up down the left field line that neither Jeter and Matsui fielded, bouncing into the seats for a ground rule double. Ramirez ripped a base hit to center to put runners at the corners but Millar took strike three. Varitek flied out to left to end the inning. Williams watched strike three go by to start the bottom of the sixth but A-Rod doubled to right. Rodriguez moved to third on the Giambi grounder to second but Sheffield hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

Paul Quantrill came in to pitch the top of the seventh as McCarty grounded back to the mound to start. Crespo flied out to center and Reese struck out swinging to end the inning. Pedro returned for one final inning in the bottom of the seventh, getting Posada to ground out to first to start. Matsui flied out to center and Sierra grounded out to third to end the inning. Pedro was outstanding, tossing 7 shutout innings while allowing just 4 hits and a walk.

                                                        Good work Pedro

Gabe White came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Damon walked to start. Bellhorn flied out to right and Ortiz flied out to center to chase White. Tom Gordon came in to pitch to Manny but a wild pitch moved Damon to second. Ramirez was eventually intentionally walked but Millar struck out swinging to end the inning. Scott Williamson came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth with Gabe Kapler taking over in right. Travis Lee pinch hit for Wilson and hit one up the elevator shaft before Jeter struck out swinging. Williams grounded out to first to end the inning.

Mariano Rivera came in to pitch the top of the ninth with Miguel Cairo now at second. Varitek lined one off Rivera but Cairo threw him out at first to start. McCarty walked but Crespo struck out swinging. Reese grounded out to third to end the inning. Williamson returned for the bottom of the ninth and A-Rod grounded out to third to start. Giambi grounded out to short and Sheffield struck out swinging to end the game. The Sox had swept the Yankees out of New York 2-0.

                                                            Sox win

Hero of The Night is Pedro Martinez. He pitched 7 shutout innings allowing 4 hits and a walk while striking out 7.

                                                              Hero Pedro

The Good:

David Ortiz was 2 for 4.

Manny Ramirez was 2 for 3 with a walk and a 2 run home run.

Scott Williamson got the save with 2 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Jason Varitek was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Cesar Crespo was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Pokey Reese was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Johnny Damon was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Mark Bellhorn was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

David McCarty was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Honorable Mention:

Gabe Kapler played right field in the final two innings.

Final Thoughts:

How sweep it is! The Red Sox have utterly dominated the Yankees so far this season winning 6 out of 7 to start. Yankee fans were bragging that they own Pedro but he owned them tonight. The crowd was chanting "Let's go Red Sox" by the end of the game and big props to Manny Ramirez for making that happen. Johnny Damon himself admitted Manny was their best hitter the entire weekend and its hard to argue. The Sox haven't swept the Yankees in Yankee Stadium since the famous September 99 series where Pedro struck out 17. He didn't strike out 17 this time but he got the win anyway. The Sox bullpen has been red hot this season and Williamson filled in for Keith Foulke like it was October of last year. If the quartet of Williamson, Foulke, Mike Timlin and Alan Embree can stay healthy, they'll go a long way this year. The only thing to complain about is the bottom of the order at the plate, but Pokey Reese plays good defense and the eventual return of Nomar Garciaparra will limit the likes of Cesar Crespo to utility duty. All in all it was a great win and the Sox now head home for a three game set with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays beginning Tuesday night. After an off-day tomorrow, Curt Schilling (2-1) takes on Paul Abbot of the Rays. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Martinez, Sox Defeat Halladay and Jays Again (4/20/04)

The bad news was the Boston Celtics lost Game 2 to the Indiana Pacers in their first round NBA playoff series but the good news was Pedro Martinez (2-1, 3.86 ERA) once again outdueled Roy Halladay and the Toronto Blue Jays. Just like in Boston, Pedro held the Jays to just 2 runs (1 earned) in 7 strong innings. Manny Ramirez tagged Halladay for an rbi in the top of the first before Jason Varitek scored on a balk in the top of the fourth inning. Kevin Millar and Varitek also drove in runs to put the Sox in command. Scott Williamson and Keith Foulke slammed the door in the final two innings and Boston had beaten Toronto 4-2 at the Skydome.

                                                       Chris Benoit approves of the win

Halladay got the ball in the top of the first inning and Johnny Damon struck out swinging to start. Bill Mueller flied out to center but David Ortiz doubled to left. Manny Ramirez got a base hit to center to score Ortiz but Kevin Millar took strike three to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                              Ramirez drives in a run

Martinez got the ball in the bottom of the first and Reed Johnson flied out to right to start. Frank Catalanotto flied out to left and Vernon Wells hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

Jason Varitek doubled to left to start the top of the second and moved to second on a grounder to first by Mark Bellhorn. Gabe Kapler struck out swinging and Pokey Reese popped up to first to end the inning. Carlos Delgado doubled to right to start the bottom of the second but Josh Phelps took strike three. Eric Hinske flied out to center but Kevin Cash took strike three to end the inning.

Damon hit a roller to Halladay that was thrown away for a single and an error, moving Johnny to second to begin the top of the third. Damon moved to third on a grounder to second by Mueller but Ortiz struck out swinging. Ramirez grounded out to third to end the inning. Orlando Hudson flied out to center to start the bottom of the third before Chris Woodward grounded back to the mound. Johnson struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the fourth as Millar popped up to second to start. Varitek got a base hit to center but Bellhorn flied out to left. Kapler dumped a base hit to left and Varitek slid into third safely. Kapler took second on the throw and moved to third with Varitek scoring on a balk. Pokey Reese struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                                Varitek scores a run

Catalanotto lined out to center to start the bottom of the fourth before Wells flied out to center. Delgado singled to right and Phelps forced Carlos at second to end the inning.

The Sox got to Halladay again in the top of the fifth as Damon grounded out to first to start. Mueller and Ortiz stroked back to back base hits but Manny flied out to right, moving Bill to third. Millar doubled to left to score Mueller and Varitek was intentionally walked to load the bases. Bellhorn took strike three to end the inning with the Sox up 3-0.

                                                            Millar drives in a run

Hinske grounded out to short to begin the bottom of the fifth and Cash struck out swinging. Hudson took strike three to end the inning.

Kapler struck out swinging to open the top of the sixth before Reese popped up to short. Damon flied out to left to end the inning. Woodward grounded out to third to start the bottom of the sixth but Johnson tripled to center. Catalanotto popped up to short and Wells grounded out to third to end the inning.

Valerio De Los Santos came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Mueller doubled to left to begin. Ortiz struck out swinging but Manny was intentionally walked. That was it for Santos as Aquilino Lopez came in to face Millar. Kevin flied out to center but Varitek doubled to right to score Mueller with another run. Bellhorn was intentionally walked but Kapler flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-0.

                                                          Mueller scores a run

Pedro tired in the bottom of the seventh as Delgado took strike three to start. Phelps tripled to left and Hinske walked to put runners at the corners and Cash hit a fly ball to Kapler. Kapler then turned and threw the ball into the roof for an error to score Phelps and move Hinske to second. Hudson singled to right to score Hinske to cut the lead in half. Greg Myers pinch hit for Woodaward and walked before Chris Gomez ran for him. Johnson flied out to right to end the inning with the Jays down 4-2. That was it for Pedro who ran out of gas but still went 7 strong innings allowing just 2 runs.

                                                               Martinez gets it done

Terry Adams came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Reese took strike three to start. Damon grounded out to first and Mueller popped up to third to end the inning. Scott Williamson came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Catalanotto struck out swinging to start. Wells walked but Delgado lined out to center. Phelps struck out swinging to end the inning.

Ortiz and Ramirez both struck out swinging to start the top of the ninth before Millar grounded out to third to end the inning. Keith Foulke came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Hinske grounded out to second to start. Cash flied out to center and Hudson grounded out to second to end the game. The Sox had won it 4-2.

Hero of The Night is Pedro Martinez. He dazzled the Jays allowing just 2 runs (1 earned) in 7 innings to get the win. He allowed 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 6 batters.

                                                              Pedro Hero

The Good:

Bill Mueller was 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

David Ortiz was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Jason Varitek was 3 for 3 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Scott Williamson pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Keith Foulke earned the save with a scoreless ninth.

The Bad:

Pokey Reese was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Johnny Damon was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

Manny Ramirez was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and drove in a run.

Kevin Millar was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Mark Bellhorn was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Gabe Kapler was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts and an error.

Honorable Mention:

David McCarty played first base in the top of the ninth.

Final Thoughts:

That was another gutty win against Halladay and the Blue Jays and its surreal how it took the Sox all season to get a win against Roy last year, yet they're 2-0 against him so far this season. Maybe this year will really be the year? Pedro pitched well again and the bats have been consistent to start the season. Even if guys aren't getting base hits, they're drawing walks and driving in runs to get the job done one way or another. That's going to pay dividends once some of their guns come back. Bellhorn and Kapler were supposed to be the backups but they're playing every day. Also kudos to Williamson and Foulke for slamming the door. This bullpen is going to be absolutely devastating if Williamson stays healthy this year to go with Alan Embree, Mike Timlin and Foulke. All in all it was a good win and hopefully the Sox can ride the momentum moving forward. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the Jays tomorrow night when Tim Wakefield (1-0) takes on Ted Lilly of Toronto. The game begins at 7:05 PM at the Skydome.

Orioles Humiliate Sox in 11 Innings (4/15/04)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made some roster moves. Brian Daubach cleared waivers and returned to Pawtucket while Bobby Jones was sent to Pawtucket with him after a disastrous start to his season. 25 year old left handed pitcher Phil Seibel was called up to take his place. Seibel was claimed off waivers from the New York Mets back in November and could make his major league debut soon. Can't be any worse than Jones....right?

                                                                            OUT

                                                                   IN

It was a bad day in Boston sports as the Boston Bruins lost Game 5 to the Montreal Canadiens in their first round NHL playoff series and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Boston Red Sox in eleven innings. In the opposite of Saturday's game, Orioles ace Sidney Ponson and Sox ace Pedro Martinez were hammered for seven runs apiece. Brian Roberts set the tone with a leadoff home run but the Sox got a two run Johnny Damon single and a three run Bill Mueller home run to take a 5-2 lead. Trailing 7-4 in the fifth, David Segui hit a three run bomb off Pedro and the score would remain the same until the 11th inning. Miguel Tejada hit a leadoff blast off of Bronson Arroyo (0-1, 8.53) ERA and the floodgates opened. The O's got five runs off Arroyo, rookie Phil Seibel and the returning Frank Castillo. The Sox continued their mediocre start to the season with a 12-7 defeat at the hands of the Orioles at Fenway Park.

                                                    "This sucks" - Andrew Raycroft

Four pitches into the game, Brian Roberts hit a home run all the way into the Potomac River to put the O's up instantly in the top of the first. Melvin Mora flied out to center but Miguel Tejada drew a walk. Rafael Palmeiro forced Tejada at second but Javy Lopez struck out swinging to end the inning with the O's up 1-0.

                                                        Home run Roberts

Ponson got the ball in the bottom of the first and Johnny Damon grounded out to third to start. Bill Mueller popped up to short but David Ortiz singled to right. Manny Ramirez took strike three to end the inning.

The O's struck again in the top of the second as Jay Gibbons walked to start. David Segui banged into a double play but Luis Matos walked. Matos scored all the way from first on a Larry Bigbie double to left but Roberts grounded out to second to end the inning with the O's up 2-0.

                                                            Bigbie drives in a run

The Sox exploded in the bottom of the second as Kevin Millar walked to start. Jason Varitek singled to right but Gabe Kapler popped up to short. Mark Bellhorn walked to load the bases but Pokey Reese popped up to first in foul territory. Damon singled to right to score Millar and Varitek then Mueller smacked his first home run of the season to give the Sox the lead. Ortiz grounded out to first to end the inning but the Sox led 5-2.

                                                    Home run Mueller

Mora beat out a roller to short to start the top of the third but Tejada forced him at second. Palmeiro flied out to center and Lopez grounded out to second to end the inning. Mora heaved a ground ball by Ramirez into the stands to start the bottom of the third before Millar took strike three. Varitek forced Ramirez at second Kapler grounded out to second to end the inning.

The O's struck back in the top of the fourth as Gibbons beat out a roller to third to start. Segui singled to right to move Gibbons to third and he scored on the Matos force at second. Matos stole second and Bigbie singled to center to score him to cut the lead. Roberts took strike three and Mora forced Bigbie at second to end the inning with the O's down 5-4.

                                                         Matos is a menace

The Sox answered in the bottom of the fourth as Bellhorn singled to left to start. Reese caught the O's asleep with a bunt single and Damon singled to left to score Bellhorn. Mueller beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners and Ortiz scored Reese with a grounder to third. Ramirez technically hit a single in the hole at short but Mueller was thrown out at home to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-4.

                                                          Damon drives in a run

The O's finished off Pedro in the top of the fifth as Tejada flied out to right to start. Palmeiro grounded out to first and Pedro was one out away from getting out of it unscathed. It didn't happen as Lopez doubled to left, Gibbons walked and Segui hit a home run all the way to Uranus to tie the game. Matos struck out swinging to end the inning but the game was tied 7-7. That was it for Martinez who got rocked for 7 runs in just 5 innings of work. He allowed 8 hits and 4 walks.

                                                          "I sucked tonight" - Pedro

Rodrigo Lopez came in to pitch the bottom of the fifth and Millar started off with a double to center. Varitek struck out swinging and Millar moved to second on the grounder to short by Kapler. Bellhorn hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

Mark Malaska came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Bigbie flied out to left to start. Roberts grounded out to third but Mora walked. Tejada walked but Palmeiro took strike three to end the inning. Reese grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the sixth and Damon walked. Mueller struck out swinging but Damon took second on the play, only for Ortiz to go down hacking to end the inning. 

Scott Williamson came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Mueller heaved a grounder by Lopez into the stands for an error to start. Gibbons popped up to left but Segui walked. Matos struck out swinging and Bigbie flied out to center to end the inning. Ramirez walked to start the bottom of the seventh but Millar popped up to short. Varitek forced Manny at second and Kapler struck out swinging to end the inning.

Mike Timlin came in to pitch the top of the eighth inning and Roberts got a base hit to left to start. Mora dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Roberts to second and Brian moved to third on the Tejada grounder to second. That was it for Timlin as Sox manager Terry Francona brought in Keith Foulke to face Palmeiro. Raffy hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. BJ Ryan came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Bellhorn struck out swinging to start. David McCarty pinch hit for Reese only to ground out to third. Damon took strike three to end the inning.

Cesar Crespo came in to play short in the top of the ninth and Lopez grounded back to the mound to start. Gibbons grounded out to second but Segui singled to left. Tim Raines Jr pinch ran for Segui and stole second, only for Matos to fly out to right to end the inning. Mueller struck out swinging to start the bottom of the ninth and Ortiz flied out to center. Manny got a base hit to center to put the winning run on but Millar flied out to right to end the inning.

Alan Embree came in to pitch the top of the tenth and Bigbie grounded out to short to start. Roberts struck out swinging and Mora flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox blew their chance to win in the bottom of the tenth with Mike DeJean on the mound. Varitek flied out to center to start but Kapler dumped a base hit to center. Bellhorn walked but Crespo popped up to third in foul territory. Buddy Groom was brought in to face the lefty Damon and ended up hitting him to load the bases. Unfortunately Muller flied out to center to end the inning.

Bronson Arroyo came in to pitch the top of the eleventh and immediately crapped his pants. Tejeda hit the fifth pitch he saw out of the galaxy to put the O's on top. Palmeiro singled to right but Lopez lined out to center. Gibbons tripled into the right field corner to score Palmeiro before Raines Jr walked. Matos hit a routine grounder to Mueller who booted it to load the bases and chase Arroyo. Phil Seibel made his major league debut by getting Bigbie to hit a grounder to Millar....also booted for an error to score Gibbons to ice the game. Roberts walked on four pitched not even close to score Raines and that was it for Seibel. Frank Castillo made his return to Fenway for the first time in two years and immediately allowed a base hit to center by Mora to score Matos with the final run. Tejada banged into a double play to end the inning but the Orioles scored five runs in the frame and led 12-7.

                                                        Home run Tejada

Jorge Julio came in to close out the bottom of the eleventh and Ortiz flied out to left to start. Ramirez went down hacking and Millar struck out swinging to end the game. The O's had won it 12-7 in 11 innings.

Jackass of the Night is Bronson Arroyo. He was charged with five runs in the top of the eleventh to take the loss.

                                                               Jackass Arroyo

The Good:

Johnny Damon was 2 for 4 with a walk, 3 rbis, a hit by pitch and a run scored.

Manny Ramirez was 2 for 5 with a walk.

Mark Bellhorn was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored.

Pokey Reese was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Mark Malaska pitched a scoreless sixth inning.

Scott Williamson pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

Mike Timlin got the first two outs of the eighth inning.

Keith Foulke tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Alan Embree tossed a scoreless tenth inning.

The Bad:

David McCarty grounded out as a pinch hitter.

Cesar Crespo was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Pedro Martinez was awful. He allowed 7 runs off 8 hits and 4 walks.

Phil Seibel allowed two inherited runners to score without recording an out.

The Ugly:

Bill Mueller was just 1 for 6 with 2 strikeouts and 2 errors but hit a three run home run.

David Ortiz was just 1 for 6 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Kevin Millar was just 1 for 5 with an error and 2 strikeouts, but walked and scored a run.

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

Gabe Kapler was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

Frank Castillo allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own in 2/3 of an inning.

Final Thoughts:

What a way to lose. The Sox were 90 feet away from winning this thing in the tenth and it all fell apart in the 11th. Phil Seibel got thrown in the fire and its a shame to make your ML debut in a situation like that. It should have never come to any of that if the offense didn't fall asleep in the fourth inning and if Pedro Martinez didn't stink the joint out. Hats off to the Baltimore bullpen who ended up tossing 7 scoreless innings after Ponson left the game and the offense for fighting back to tie the game then take the lead in extras. The Sox defense failed them as well as the Mueller and Millar errors definitely hurt in that fateful inning. The Sox have only played eight games this season but they've looked like garbage in half of them. Still, missing two big bats and having to use your bullpen in all these extra inning games are tough to overcome. The schedule doesn't get any easier because the Sox now travel to the Bronx for an early season showdown with the New York Yankees. Tim Wakefield (0-0) gets the start for Boston against new acquisition Javier Vazquez of the Yankees. The game begins at 8:05 PM at Yankee Stadium.

Pedro Outduels Halladay, Sox Beats Jays (4/10/04)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. With the bullpen taxed of late due to extra inning games, the Sox designated Brian Daubach for assignment and called up another old friend, Frank Castillo to take his place. Daubach just simply doesn't have a place on this team since they already have Kevin Millar for offense and Dave McCarty for defense. Its a shame because he was one of their better hitters from 2000 to 2002. Castillo was a solid 10-9 for the 2001 Sox before going 6-15 in 2002. He won't be expected to be an ace like he had to be in 2001 with Pedro Martinez injured, just give the bullpen a few innings and fill in when someone gets hurt.

                                                                        OUT

                                                                        IN

As for the game, things looked bleak for the Red Sox after they got creamed by the Toronto Blue Jays and had to face Roy Halladay the day after. Luckily, Pedro Martinez (1-1, 1.98 ERA) was here to save the day. Pedro was vintage, holding the Jays to just 1 run while pitching into the eighth inning. The Sox got to Halladay when David Ortiz smashed a two run bomb in the sixth followed by a Mark Bellhorn home run in the seventh. A Manny Ramirez homer off Aquilino Lopez in the eighth was the big insurance run as Keith Foulke slammed the door in the ninth. The Sox had beaten Halladay and the Jays 4-1 at Fenway Park.

                                               Colleen Shannon approves of the win

Pedro got the ball in the top of the first inning and Reed Johnson popped up to Kevin Millar to start. Frank Catalanotto dumped a base hit just in front of Gabe Kapler but Vernon Wells lined out to a running Cesar Crespo. Carlos Delgado popped up to left to end the inning. Halladay took the mound in the bottom of the first and Cesar Crespo led off by looking at strike three on the outside corner. Bill Mueller flied out to left and David Ortiz grounded out to second to end the inning.

Kapler made a great diving catch to rob Josh Phelps of a triple to start the top of the second but Eric Hinske dropped a base hit in front of Gabe. Orlando Hudson struck out swinging on an 88 mph fastball and Chris Woodward took strike three to end the inning.

                                                            Great catch by Kapler

Manny Ramirez roped a base hit up the middle to start the bottom of the second but Millar was rung up for strike three. Varitek grounded back to the mound to move Manny to second but Kapler popped up to Hinske to end the inning.

Kevin Cash struck out swinging to start the top of the third but Johnson got plunked. Catalanotto took a curveball on the outside corner for strike three and Wells grounded out to third to end the inning. Mark Bellhorn flied out to center to open the bottom of the third but Pokey Reese fisted a single to center. Crespo moved Pokey to second with a grounder to third and Mueller walked. Ortiz struck out swinging to end the inning.

Delgado walked to start the top of the fourth but Phelps popped up to Bellhorn. Hinske grounded into a double play to end the inning. Ramirez flied out to the right field warning track to start the bottom of the fourth and Millar struck out swinging. Varitek also struck out swinging to end the inning. 

Hudson flied out to a running Crespo to start the top of the fifth before Woodward took strike three. Cash walked but Johnson forced Kevin at second to end the inning. Halladay dominated the bottom of the fifth as Kapler grounded out to second to start. Bellhorn took a curveball at the knees for strike three and Reese popped up to Wells to end the inning.

Catalanotto grounded out to second to start the top of the sixth and Wells flied out to center. Delgado grounded out to second to end the inning. Halladay blinked first in the bottom of the sixth as Crespo slid into first for a single on a grounder to third. Mueller forced Cesar at second but Ortiz clobbered his second home run of the season over the bullpen to give the Sox the lead. Ramirez dumped a base hit to right but Millar flied out to center. Varitek walked but Kapler struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                       Ortiz puts the Sox on top

The Jays answered in the top of the seventh as Phelps flied out to the centerfield wall to start. Hinske lined out to the centerfield wall as well and Hudson hit a home run almost to the exact same spot Ortiz did to cut the lead. Woodward flied out to right to end the inning but the Jays were down 2-1.

                                                            Jays get a run back

The Sox got that run instantly back in the bottom of the seventh when Bellhorn clocked his first home run of the season down the line in right. Reese flied out to right but Crespo beat out a roller to second. Mueller grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1.

                                                    Home run Bellhorn

Martinez returned for one last inning in the top of the eighth as Cash struck out swinging to start. Johnson dumped a base hit to center then on his 106th pitch, Pedro caught Catalanotto looking. Sox manager Terry Francona didn't want to risk Pedro's arm and pulled him after 7 2/3 innings of 1 run ball. He allowed 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 7. Keith Foulke came in for the four out save and Wells forced Johnson at second to end the inning,

                                                       Pedro gets it done

Valerio De Los Santos came in just to face Ortiz in the bottom of the eighth and struck him out swinging. Jays manager Carlos Tosca then brought in Aquilino Lopez to face Ramirez only for Manny to hit his first home run of the season to wrap up the scoring. Millar hit one up the elevator shaft but Varitek walked. Kapler beat out a roller to third but Bellhorn struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-1.

                                                              1st of the season for Manny

Delgado led off the top of the ninth with a fly out to Kapler to start. Phelps singled to center and Dave Berg pinch ran for him. Berg moved to second on the grounder to Millar by Hinske and Hudson flied out to left to end the game. The Sox had won it 4-1.

                                                                  Sox win

Hero of the Night is Pedro Martinez. He got the win by outdueling Roy Halladay with 7 2/3 innings of 1 run ball. He allowed 4 hits and 2 walks while punching out 7.

                                                          Francona salutes our Hero

The Good:

Cesar Crespo was 2 for 4.

Manny Ramirez was 3 for 4 with a home run.

Jason Varitek walked twice in four plate appearances.

Pokey Reese was 1 for 3.

Keith Foulke earned his second save with 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Kevin Millar was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Bill Mueller was 0 for 3 but walked and scored a run.

Davis Ortiz was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but the one hit was a two run home run.

Gabe Kapler was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Mark Bellhorn was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but the one hit was a home run.

Final Thoughts:

That was a big win at a big time with the Sox under .500 with Roy Halladay on the horizon. Reports of the Sox demise have been greatly exaggerated as Martinez delivered tonight against the Jays ace. Pedro didn't have the velocity of old but he located much better than his first start. The bats stepped up with three big home runs off Halladay and Pedro going into the eighth saved the beleaguered Boston bullpen. Foulke one again looked great and the quartet of Scott Williamson, Alan Embree, Mike Timlin and Foulke might be as deadly as the New York Yankees bullpen was 4-5 years ago. The Sox may be 3-3 but the season's young and Johnny Damon will be back by the Baltimore series. Just have to survive with what they have until then. The Sox look to take two of three against Toronto on Easter Sunday when Curt Schilling (1-0) take son Miguel Batista of Toronto. The game begins at 2:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Orioles Bash Pedro, Sox on Opening Day (4/4/04)

If the taste of Game 7's loss is still on the minds of the Boston Red Sox, Opening Day against the Baltimore Orioles was no better for them. Pedro Martinez (0-1, 3.00 ERA) had diminished velocity and didn't have his best stuff. Sidney Ponson held the mighty Red Sox offense to just 1 run in 5 2/3 innings. Javy Lopez took Pedro deep in the second inning and the O's iced it against Mike Timlin in the seventh inning. The Sox did manage to scratch out 11 hits but only 2 runs as the O's took Opening Day 7-2 at Camden Yards.

                                                      "Haha we won!" - Lee Mazzilli

Ponson got the ball in the top of the first inning and Johnny Damon grounded out to short to start the season. Bill Mueller also grounded out to short but Manny Ramirez lined a base hit to right for the first hit of the season. David Ortiz swung and missed for strike three to end the inning. Pedro got the ball in the bottom of the first and Ryan Roberts grounded out to short to start. Mevin Mora hit a squeaker to Mueller who threw high to first for an infield single. Miguel Tejada popped up to Damon and Rafael Palmeiro dumped a base hit over the head of Mueller into left. Mora tried to take third with Mueller out of position but Pokey Reese made a heads up play to cover the bag. Manny's throw was on time and Mora was out despite his protests to end the inning.

                                             "Yeah you're out, now beat it!" - Alfonso Marquez

Kevin Millar led off the top of the second inning by grounded out to short to start. Gabe Kapler hit one under the glove of Mora for an error but was thrown out at second on the Jason Varitek strikeout to end the inning. The O's struck first in the bottom of the second when Javy Lopez hit a home run all the way to the Mississippi River to give Baltimore the lead. The floodgates opened as Jay Gibbons singled past the diving Millar and swiped second. Pedro drilled David Segui in response to something that happened weeks earlier in Spring Training then Larry Bigbie hit a routine grounder to Pedro. Pedro then turned and threw the ball completely out of Camden Yards for an error to score Gibbons. Sox analyst Jerry Remy pointed out Pedro's velocity was down to 90 mph and Luis Matos singled home Segui to ice the game. Matos swiped second but Roberts went down hacking. Pedro got Mora to swing at air and Tejeda flew out to the centerfield warning track to end the inning with the O's up 3-0.

                                                Lopez goes yard

Mark Bellhorn made his Red Sox debut in the top of the third by flying out to the centerfield wall. Pokey Reese made his belated Sox debut by drawing a walk. Damon hit a swinging bunt to the mound but was called out for running inside the line. Reese had to go back to first but Mueller blooped a single to left. Ramirez lined one off of Ponson into center to score Reese with the Sox' first run of the season. Ortiz popped up to Mora to end the inning with the Sox down 3-1.

                                                          Manny drives in a run

Pedro settled down in the bottom of the third as Palmeiro flied out to the right field warning track to start. Lopez hit one off the glove of Pedro over to third base for an infield single but Gibbons banged into a double play to end the inning.

Millar flied out to the centerfield warning track to start the top of the fourth but Kapler poked a base hit by the diving Roberts. Varitek broke his bat on a pop up to Tejada but Bellhorn doubled into the right field corner. For some dumb reason Reese tried to bunt his way on but Ponson snuffed it out to end the inning. Who the hell called THAT play? Martinez cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Segui popped up to second to start. Bigbie grounded out to second and Matos went down swinging for a 9 pitch inning by Pedro.

Damon grounded out to second to start the top of the fifth but Mueller poked a seeing eye single to short. Sox analyst Don Orsillo said Jerry Remy looked terrific but Ramirez lined out to center. Ortiz was plunked in retaliation for Segui but Millar whiffed to end the inning. Roberts grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fifth before Mora took strike three. Tejeda hit a little nubber down the third base line for a single and Palmeiro drew a walk, but Lopez popped up to short to end the inning.

The Sox tried to rally in the top of the sixth as Kapler drove a base hit to left to start. Varitek banged into a double play but Bellhorn and Reese drew back to back walks. That was it for Ponson as O's manager Lee Mazzilli pulled him for Rodrigo Lopez. Damon grounded out to short to end the inning. That was the fourth straight inning the Sox had left two men on. Pedro returned for the bottom of the sixth and Gibbons grounded out to short to start. Segui looked to have blooped a single over the head of Reese but Manny ran the ball down for the second out. Bigbie took strike three to end Pedro's day. The bad second inning did Pedro in as he left after giving up 3 runs (2 earned) in 6 innings.

                                                                Not Pedro's best day

The Sox woes with men on continued in the top of the seventh as Mueller grounded a ball up the middle for a base hit....but Manny banged into a double play. Ortiz missed a home run by about 20 feet but drew a walk. Millar lined out to center to end the inning. Mike Timlin came in to crap his pants in the bottom of the seventh although he got Matos swinging on a nasty splitter to start. Roberts walked but was thrown out at second trying to steal. Mora walked and Sox analyst Jerry Remy pointed out Timlin only walked 9 guys last year total and he's walked two tonight. Tejada sliced a base hit to right to move Mora to third and Palmeiro scored Mora with a base hit through the shift to ice the game. Lopez then hit a double over the head of both Damon & Kapler to clear the bases. That was it for Timlin as new Sox manager Terry Francona replaced himm with Alan Embree. Embree buzzed Gibbons up and in with a fastball before he flied out to center to end the inning. The O's blew it open and led 6-1.

                                                      Lopez does it again

The Sox barely rallied against Mike DeJean in the top of the eighth although Kapler popped up to first in foul territory to start. Varitek walked and Bellhorn singled to right before the returning Brian Daubach pinch hit for Reese. Daubach walked to load the bases and Cesar Crespo pinch ran for him. BJ Ryan was brought in to pitch the Damon and all Johnny could do was score Varitek by grounding out to short. Mueller grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox down 6-2.

                                                    Welcome back Daubach

Scott Williamson got no help from his defense in the bottom of the eighth as Segui doubled off the first base bag to start. Bigbie took strike three but Jose Bautista made his MLB debut by pinch running at second. Matos hit a routine grounder to Crespo who turned and threw the ball behind him to Manny for an error that scored Bautista. Roberts forced Matos at second and Mora also grounded to second to end the inning with the O's ahead 7-2.

                                                      Nice throw Crespo

Ryan returned for the top of the ninth and Manny took strike three to start. In his first game for Boston since 1992, Ellis Burks pinch hit for Ortiz and grounded out to first. Millar blooped a base hit to center and Kapler reached on a tapper to third. Varitek whiffed to end the game, the Orioles had won Opening Day 7-2.

                                                 Dammit

Jackass of the Night is Mike Timlin. He got lit up for 3 runs in less than inning to put the game out of reach.

                                                      Jackass Timlin

The Good:

Bill Mueller was 3 for 5.

Manny Ramirez was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

Gabe Kapler was 3 for 5.

Mark Bellhorn was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Pokey Reese walked twice and scored a run in three plate appearances

Brian Daubach walked as a pinch hitter.

Alan Embree retired the only man he faced.

The Bad:

Ellis Burks was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Cesar Crespo made an error as a defensive replacement in the bottom of the eighth.

Scott Williamson allowed an unearned run in the bottom of the eighth.

The Ugly:

Johnny Damon was 0 for 5 but drove in a run.

David Ortiz was 0 for 2 but walked.

Kevin Millar was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

Jason Varitek was 0 for 4 but walked and scored.

Pedro Martinez took the loss by allowing 3 runs in 6 innings although all 3 of them were in a bad second inning. He allowed 7 hits and struck out 5.

Final Thoughts:

Not the way the Red Sox wanted to start the season, especially coming off the heels of Game 7 against the New York Yankees last October. Pedro's velocity was down and had trouble getting his curveball over. Pedro was able to battle after the bad second inning but the Sox offense couldn't crack Sidney Ponson or Rodrigo Lopez. Leaving two men on 4 innings in a row didn't help. Timlin and Williamson allowed 4 runs combined and that can't continue. It was nice to see Daubach and especially Ellis Burks come back to the Sox. The Sox did manage to get hits in this game but couldn't get the clutch one. The offense will come this season so it shouldn't be that concerning. It was freezing out tonight so hopefully as the weather heats up, so will the team. The Sox have now lost 4 Opening Days in a row going back to the Derek Lowe disaster in 01. After an off-day Monday, Curt Schilling makes his Red Sox debut 18 years after he was drafted by the franchise. He takes on Eric DuBose of the Orioles at 3:00 PM Tuesday afternoon at Camden Yards.