Sox Bash Angels For Fifth Straight Win (5/1/94)

It was good news all around as the Boston Bruins won Game 1 of their NHL second round series against the New Jersey Devils and the Boston Red Sox swept the California Angels for their fifth straight win. The Boston bats pounded Brian Anderson and the California bullpen for 16 hits and ten runs, most of the damage coming from a seven run rally in the third inning. Lee Tinsley, Mo Vaughn and Tim Naehring all had 3 hits apiece with Mo scoring three runs as well. On the other side of the ball, Joe Hesketh (1-1, 3.63 ERA) dominated the Angels with seven shutout innings, holding the Angels to just 5 hits. It was a total domination by the red hot Sox as they plastered the Angels 10-1 at Anaheim Stadium.

                                              Ray Bourque and Jon Casey approve of the win

Anderson got the ball in the top of the first inning and Otis Nixon grounded out to first to start. Billy Hatcher flied out to left and Mike Greenwell also flied out to left to end the inning. Hesketh got the ball in the bottom of the first and Damion Easley struck out swinging on a high slider to start. Chad Curtis blooped a base hit to right but Tim Salmon was rung up for strike three by first base umpire Larry Young. Curtis stole second but Chili Davis struck out swinging on a nasty slider to end the inning.

Andre Dawson struck out swinging to start the top of the second but Mo Vaughn grounded a base hit up the middle. Tim Naehring got a base hit to right on a hit and run to move Vaughn to third. Scott Cooper hit a sac fly to right to score Vaughn and Dave Valle blooped a base hit just over the head over Gary DiSarcina. Scott Fletcher struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                            Vaughn scores a run

Apparently Nixon got hurt running to first in the first inning so Lee Tinsley took his place in center for the bottom of the second. Bo Jackson struck out swinging on another slider but Eduardo Perez got a seeing eye single up the middle. Chris Turner forced Perez at second but Rex Hudler also got a base hit to center. ESPN analyst Jon Miller claimed Billerica native Gary DiSarcina took the number 33 in honor of Larry Bird and he struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox exploded in the top of the third as Tinsley hit a 404 foot double off the wall in center to start. Lee took third on a passed ball and scored on the Hatcher base hit to left. Greenwell got a base hit to center and Hatcher moved to third on the Dawson fly ball to left. Vaughn was hit with a pitch to load the bases. Naehring drilled a base hit to center to score Hatcher but nobody else advanced for some reason. Cooper hit a double play ball to Perez who flipped to DiSarcina, but Gary threw the ball away for an error to score Greenwell and Vaughn. Valle walked and Fletcher dumped a base hit to left to score Cooper. That was it for Brian Anderson as Scott Lewis came in to pitch to Tinsley. Lee got a broken bat single in the hole at short to load the bases and Hatcher got a base hit to center. Valle and Fletcher scored on the hit but Greenwell grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-0.

                                                               What a massacre

Easley flied out to center to start the bottom of the third and Jon Miller started singing "Woomp, down and in! Woomp, down and in!" Tinsley made a sliding catch to rob Curtis of a hit and Salmon flied out to right to end the inning.

The Sox got another one in the top of the fourth as Dawson flied out to center to start. Vaughn doubled down the left field line and Naehring drilled a double to the right field wall to score Mo. Cooper got a base hit to right but Tim stopped at third. Valle grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 9-0.

                                                 Naehring drives in a run

Davis got a broken bat base hit to center to start the bottom of the fourth but Tinsley made another sliding catch to rob Jackson of a base hit. Perez grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Fletcher grounded out to third to start the top of the fifth before Tinsley flied out to left. Hatcher flied out to center to end the inning. Turner hit a routine grounder to Hesketh to start the bottom of the fifth and not only did Joe boot it, he threw it wide for an error. Hudler grounded into a double play and DiSarcina grounded out to third to end the inning.

Old friends Spike Owen came in for Easley and John Dopson came in to pitch the top of the sixth. Greenwell grounded out to first to start before Dawson struck out swinging. Vaughn also went down hacking to end the inning. Bob Zupcic took over for Greenwell for the bottom of the sixth and Owen flied out to center to start. ESPN showed a hilarious interview with Eduardo Perez (Tony's son) saying Joe Morgan's glove was too small for even him when he was six years old. Curtis grounded out to short and Salmon struck out swinging on an 86 mph fastball to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the seventh as Naehring flied out to center to start. Cooper drilled a base hit to center and Valle walked before Fletcher beat out a double play ball. Tinsley got a base hit up the middle to score Cooper then took second on the throw home. Hatcher grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 10-0.

                                                             Heads up play by Tinsley

Hesketh returned for the bottom of the seventh as Davis doubled over the head of Zupcic to start. Jackson grounded out to third and Jon Miller told a hilarious story of Hesketh getting called for a balk in his ML debut in 1984 before even throwing a pitch. Then in 1985, Hesketh, with the Expos at the time, pitched a complete game shutout against Nolan Ryan and the Houston Astros while the newspaper headline read "Expos Win, Ryan Strikes out 15". Perez walked, Turner popped up to third and Hudler grounded out to third to end the inning. That was it for Hesketh who tossed 7 innings of shutout ball allowing just 5 hits and a walk.

                                                        Good work by Hesketh

Joe Grahe took over on the mound in the top of the eighth and Zupcic lined out to first. Rich Rowland pinch hit for Dawson and took strike three before Vaughn hit a ground rule double down the right field line. Naehring grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The Angels got on the board in the bottom of the eighth against Paul Quantrill as DiSarcina grounded out to short to begin. Owen got a base hit to left then moved to second on a grounder to second by Curtis. Salmon ripped a base hit to left to score Owen. Davis grounded out to second to end the inning with the Angels down 10-1.

                                                            There goes the shutout

Cooper grounded out to second to start the top of the ninth before Valle took strike three. Fletcher grounded out to third to end the inning. Quantrill came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and Jackson grounded out to short to start. Perez grounded out to third and Turner flied out to left to end the game. The Sox had won it 10-1.

                                                                  Sox win

Hero of The Night is Joe Hesketh. He threw 7 shutout innings allowing 5 hits and a walk while striking out six

                                                           Hero Hesketh

The Good:

Mo Vaughn was 3 for 4 with a hit by pitch and 3 runs scored.

Lee Tinsley was 3 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Billy Hatcher was 2 for 5 with 3 rbis and a run scored.

Tim Naehring was 3 for 5 with 2 rbis.

Scott Cooper was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Dave Valle was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and a run scored.

The Bad:

Otis Nixon was 0 for 1 before leaving the game.

Bob Zupcic was 0 for 1.

Andre Dawson was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Rich Rowland struck out in his only at-bat.

The Ugly:

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

Scott Fletcher was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but drove in a run and scored a run.

Paul Quantrill allowed a run in 2 innings of work.

Final Thoughts:

It doesn't get much better if you're a Red Sox fan. The Sox have been red hot on both sides of the ball, mainly the pitching. The last five games Aaron Sele, Roger Clemens, Frank Viola. Joe Hesketh and Danny Darwin all held their opponents to just 1 run. Obviously that hot streak isn't going to last but its the main reason the Sox are in first place right now. Its too bad Otis Nixon had to leave the game but Lee Tinsley filled in admirably. The Sox put this one away early and cruised the rest of the way. What more can be said about the offense other than hope it lasts. Vaughn, Naehring, Greenwell, etc are red hot and could be a contender if this keeps up. The only low point was Bob Zupcic being put in for defense and couldn't make two plays, he might be gone pretty soon if Sox brass want to give Greg Blosser another chance. All in all it was a good win and the Sox are rolling. After an off-day tomorrow, the Sox look now travel to Seattle for a two game set with the Mariners, gunning for their sixth straight win. Frank Viola goes for the Sox up against Dave Fleming of the Mariners. The game begins Tuesday night at 10:05 PM Eastern time at the Kingdome.

Red Sox Walkoff Angels (4/22/94)

One day after the Boston Red Sox came back in dramatic fashion to walkoff the Oakland Athletics, the Red Sox did the same thing against the California Angels. The red hot Boston offense scored four early runs off Chuck Finley but the Angels rallied for 5 runs against Sox starter Frank Viola in the top of the fourth. Then in the bottom of the seventh, Finley casually walked Mo Vaughn but Billy Hatcher made a mad dash home to tie the game on a straight steal. Then in the bottom of the ninth, the Sox loaded the bases against Craig Lefferts and Mo Vaughn did the honors with a walkoff rbi single to bring home Otis Nixon. The Sox had won the game 6-5 at Fenway Park.

                                           Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat approves of the win

Viola got the ball in the top of the first as Damion Easley singled to center to start. Chas Curtis hit into a double play and Tim Salmon flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox wasted no time getting to Finley in the bottom of the first as Otis Nixon's bunt attempt to first was snuffed out. Billy Hatcher flied out to right but Mike Greenwell lashed a base hit to center. Tim Naehring walked and Mo Vaughn got a base hit to left to score Greenwell. John Valentin popped up to first to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                               Vaughn drives in a run

Chili Davis flied out to right to start the top of the second inning but Bo Jackson walked. Eduardo Perez grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the second as Cooper belted his third home run of the season to start. Rich Rowland grounded out to short and Scot Fletcher walked. Fletcher stole second and Nixon drove a base hit to center to score Scott. Nixon was thrown out at second trying to steal which was important because Hatcher doubled off the Monster. Greenwell flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox up 3-0.

                                                              Home run Cooper

Greg Myers grounded out to first to start the top of the third but Rex Hudler singled to center. Gary DiScarcina grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Sox kept coming in the bottom of the third as Naehring doubled off the Monster to start. Vaughn popped up to short and Naehring moved to third on the fly ball to center by Valentin. Cooper walked and Rowland hit a seeing eye single into left to score Naehring with another run. Fletcher flied out to left to end the inning with Boston up 4-0.

                                                            RBI for Rowland

The Angels sprang to life in the top of the fourth as Easley singled to left to start. Curtis doubled to center but Salmon took strike three. Davis singled to right to score both runners and Jackson doubled to right. Perez doubled to right to score both runners to tie the game before Eduardo moved to third on a grounder to second by Myers. Hudler doubled off the top of the Monster to score Perez to give the Angels the lead. Disarcina flied out to center to end the inning with the Angels roaring back to lead 5-4.

                                                           Hudler puts California on top

Nixon struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fourth but Hatcher singled to right. Greenwell popped up to short and Hatcher was thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning. 

Rowland threw a bunt attempt by Easley away for an error to start the top of the fifth but was thrown out at second trying to steal. Curtis walked and he too was thrown out at second trying to steal. Salmon singled to left but Davis grounded out to second to end the inning. Naehring blooped a single to left to start the bottom of the fifth but Vaughn grounded into a double play. Valentin struck out swinging to end the inning.

Jackson grounded out to short to start the top of the sixth before Perez grounded out to second. Myers flied out to left to end the inning. That was it for Viola who had one bad inning but allowed 5 runs in it over 6 full innings of work.

                                                            One bad inning for Frank     

Cooper flied out to right to start the bottom of the sixth but Rowland walked. Fletcher forced Rowland at second and Nixon forced Scott at second to end the inning.

Greg Harris came in to pitch the top of the seventh inning with Harold Reynolds pinch hitting for Hudler. Reynolds got a single to right before being sacrificed to second by Disarcina. Reynolds moved to third on a grounder to short by Easley but Curtis flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the seventh as Hatcher walked to start. A wild pitch moved Billy to second and he went to third on the Greenwell grounder to short. Naehring struck out swinging and Vaughn took ball four.....with Hatcher making a mad dash home for a legitimate stolen base to tie the game. Valentin hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning with the game tied 5-5.

                                                              One of the few to steal home

Salmon took strike three to start the top of the eighth before Davis went down hacking. Jackson grounded out to second to end the inning. Jim Edmonds took over in left for Jackson with Bob Patterson now on the mound. Cooper grounded out to short before Rowland grounded out to first. Fletcher popped up to second to end the inning.

Harris returned for the top of the ninth and Perez struck out swinging to start. Myers and Reynolds both grounded out to second to end the inning. Bill Sampen came in to close out the bottom of the ninth but Nixon walked to start. Hatcher dropped down a bunt to move Nixon to second and that was it for Sampen. Craig Lefferts came in to face Greenwell and Mike lashed a base hit past second to put runners at the corners. Naehring was intentionally walked to set up a double play but Vaughn did the honors with a base hit to right to score Nixon with the winning run. The Sox had walked off the Angels 6-5.

Hero of The Night is Billy Hatcher. Yes, Vaughn got the game winner but it wouldn't have been possible without Hatcher's steal of home to tie the game in the seventh.

                                                         Billy Hero-tcher

The Good:

Mike Greenwell was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Tim Naehring was 2 for 3 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Mo Vaughn was 2 for 4 with a walk and 2 rbis.

Scott Cooper was 1 for 3 with a walk and a home run.

Rich Rowland was 1 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Greg Harris earned the win with 3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

John Valentin was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Frank Viola got lit up for 5 runs in 6 innings of work. He allowed 9 hits and 2 walks.

The Ugly:

Otis Nixon was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked, drove in a run and scored a run.

Scott Fletcher was 0 for 3 but walked, stole a base and scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

Two nights in a row the Sox pulled off late inning heroics to win a game. Once again the speed of the Sox came into play with Fletcher stealing a bag and Hatcher stole home for a key run. Vaughn is quickly becoming the Sox best hitter after struggling in 1992 but the real stars are Cooper, Valentin and Naehring. Cooper gets a lot of flack for not being Jeff Bagwell but he doesn't have to be him, just himself. His home run in this one was also crucial. The Sox now have won four in a row and they look like a wagon offensively. The problem is the pitching although Greg Harris came back strong in this one. The "old" pros Danny Darwin, Frank Viola and Joe Hesketh have looked awful so far this season but there's plenty of time to turn it around. Things are looking up for the Sox if the pitching can hold up and hopefully it does. The Sox look to make it five wins in a row and two straight over the Angels tomorrow afternoon when Danny Darwin (2-1) takes on old pal John Dopson. The game begins at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.

White Sox Crush Darwin, Red Sox (4/18/94)

It was bad news all around as the Boston Bruins lost Game 2 of their first round NHL playoff series to the Montreal Canadiens and the Chicago White Sox laid waste to the Boston Red Sox. The White Sox bats pounded out 11 hits and 12 runs against Danny Darwin (2-1, 7.13 ERA), Ricky Trlicek and Tony Fossas. On the other side of the ball, Wilson Alvarez held Boston to just 1 run in 6 innings of work. Jose DeLeon and Dennis Cook held the fort for Chicago while the White Sox continued to pile on. It all added up to a 12-1 defeat by the White Sox at Commiskey Park.

Alvarez got the ball in the top of the first inning and Tim Raines immediately hit a home run to Moscow, Russia to set the tone for the game. Joey Cora grounded out to first, Frank Thomas popped up to second and Julio Franco flied out to center to end the inning with the White Sox up 1-0.

                                                                Raines hits one out

Alvarez got the ball in the bottom of the first and Otis Nixon popped up a bunt to first to start. Billy Hatcher popped up to short and Mike Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning.

Ventura singled to right to start the top of the second before Darrin Jackson popped up to short. Lance Johnson singled to center but Ron Karkovice struck out swinging. Ozzie Guillen lined out to right to end the inning. Andre Dawson struck out swinging to start the bottom of the second before Mo Vaughn walked. Tim Naehring popped up to second but John Valentin walked. Rich Rowland struck out swinging to end the inning.

Raines hit yet another home run to start the top of the third but Cora flied out to left. Thomas grounded out to third but Franco walked. Ventura took strike three to end the inning with Chicago up 2-0.

                                                            Another home run for Raines

The BoSox failed to respond in the bottom of the third as Scott Fletcher flied out to right to start. Nixon popped up to short and Hatcher grounded out to second to end the inning.

Things went south in the top of the fourth as Jackson struck out swinging to start. Johnson walked and stole second before Karkovice walked as well. A passed ball moved both runners over but Karkovice was hung out to dry on a grounder to first by Guillen. Raines was intentionally walked to load the bases and the gamble failed as Cora tripled into the right field corner to clear the bases. Thomas flied out to right to end the inning but it was 5-0 White Sox.

                                                        Cora adds to the misery

Greenwell struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fourth before Dawson drew a walk. Vaughn popped up to third but Naehring drew a walk. Valentin popped up to second to end the inning.

Franco grounded out to third to start the top of the fifth before Ventura popped up to second. Jackson took strike three to end the inning. Rowland struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth before Fletcher flied out to center. Nixon grounded out to short to end the inning.

Johnson lined out to first to start the top of the sixth before Karkovice struck out swinging. Guillen lined out to second to end the inning. The BoSox blew another rally in the bottom of the sixth as Hatcher grounded out to third to start. Greenwell grounded out to second but Dawson got a base hit to left. Vaughn got a base hit to left and Naehring flied out to right to end the inning.

The White Sox finished off Darwin in the top of the seventh as Raines singled to left to begin. Cora sacrificed Tim to second with a bunt and Thomas walked. Both runners moved over on a grounder to first by Franco and Ventura was intentionally walked to load the bases. Jackson ripped a base hit to center to score both Raines and Thomas, chasing Darwin. Danny battled but was charged with 8 runs in 6 2/3 innings allowing 7 hits and SIX walks. Ricky Trlicek came in to pitch and Johnson singled to right to score Ventura but Johnson was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double to end the inning with the White Sox ahead 8-0.

                                                            Danny was AWFUL'

The BoSox tried to start a rally in the bottom of the seventh as Valentin doubled to center to begin. Rowland singled to left to score John and chase Alvarez from the game. Jose DeLeon came in to pitch and Fletcher singled to right. Nixon popped up to third and the ball got away on Hatcher's swinging strikeout to move the runners over. Greenwell walked to load the bases and with a chance to get the Sox back in it....Dawson grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox down 8-1.

                                                                  Rowland drives in a run

The White Sox poured it on in the top of the eighth as Karkovice walked to start. Ron moved to second on Guillen's grounder to third and Raines crushed his third home run of the game. Cora walked and Thomas hit a home run all the way to Saturn to wrap up the scoring. That was it for Trlicek as Tony Fossas came in to pitch to pinch hitter Warren Newson. Newson and Ventura struck out swinging to end the inning with the White Sox up 12-1.

                                                         Another home run for Raines

Dan Pasqua came in for Thomas to start the bottom of the eighth and Vaughn flied out to left to start. Naehring walked and Guillen booted a grounder by Valentin for an error. Rowland struck out swinging and Fletcher flied out to center to end the inning.

Dave Valle came in for Vaughn with Lee Tinsley in for Mike Greenwell to start the top of the ninth and Jackson doubled to center to start. Johnson popped up to second but Karkovice walked. Guillen took strike three but Naehring booted a grounder by Raines for an error to load the bases. Cora grounded out to third to end the inning. Dennis Cook came in to finish off the bottom of the ninth and Nixon flied out to right to start. Hatcher flied out to right but Pasqua dropped a pop up by Tinsley for an error. Damon Berryhill pinch hit for Dawson and walked but Valle took strike three to end the game. The White Sox had won 12-1.

Jackass of the Night is Danny Darwin. He got smacked around for 8 runs in 6 2/3 innings allowing 7 hits and 6 walks while striking out 5.

                                                                 Jackass Darwin

The Good:

Andre Dawson was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Damon Berryhill walked as a pinch hitter.

Mo Vaughn was 1 for 3 with a walk.

John Valentin was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Tony Fossas tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Otis Nixon was 0 for 5.

Billy Hatcher was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Lee Tinsley was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Dave Valle struck out as a pinch hitter.

Ricky Trlicek allowed 4 runs in just 2/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Tim Naehring was 0 for 2 with an error but walked twice.

Rich Rowland was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but drove in a run.

Scott Fletcher was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

That game sucked for all the wrong reasons. Darwin got lit up by Tim Raines of all people and the BoSox couldn't get a clutch hit when it counted. Boston had men on base almost every inning and couldn't get anyone in most of the time. Just a bad day for the offense but there will be better ones. Darwin and Trlicek got hammered for 12 runs so hopefully the pitchers tomorrow do a lot better job. Its only April but Frank Viola and Danny Darwin don't look good so far this season. Time could be catching up to them but then again, its only April. The less said of this epic disaster, the better. The Sox now welcome the Oakland A's in for a three game set tomorrow afternoon in Boston. Aaron Sele looks for his first win of the season against Bob Welch of Oakland. The game begins at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Win Shootout With Royals (4/12/94)

That was one of the craziest games in Boston Red Sox history. If you were told before the game the Kansas City Royals would get 15 hits and score 11 runs, you'd think the Sox lost right? Wrong! The Sox managed to DOUBLE the production of the Royals as they scored TWENTY-TWO runs off 15 hits. The Sox as a team hit 5 home runs in the onslaught as pitching was at a premium. Shockingly, Sox starter Danny Darwin (2-0, 4.91 ERA) pitched relatively well allowing just 4 runs in 6 innings. The bullpen allowed the remaining five runs but the Sox pounded Kevin Appier and the Kansas City bullpen. The big hero was Scott Cooper who hit for the cycle, totalling five hits and five rbi's as the Sox smacked the Royals 22-11 at Kauffman Stadium.

                                                    Talisa Soto approves of the win

The Sox wasted no time getting to Appier in the top of the first as Otis Nixon led off by catching KC asleep with a bunt single to short. Billy Hatcher walked and Mike Greenwell doubled to right to score Nixon. Mo Vaughn tripled into the right field corner to clear the bases and scored on the Andre Dawson base hit to left. Dawson stole second, Tim Naehring drew a walk and Scott Cooper doubled to right to score both runners. That's 6 runs without even making an out but the streak ended as John Valentin lined out to third. Dave Valle took strike three and Nixon grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-0.

                                                                Vaughn hits a triple

Darwin got the ball in the bottom of the first and Vince Coleman dropped down a bunt but was snuffed out by Vaughn. Brian McRae grounded out to second and Wally Joyner flied out to left to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the second as Hatcher crushed his first home run of the season to increase the lead. Greenwell popped up to short, Vaughn struck out swinging and Dawson grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox up 7-0.

                                                             Hatcher hits his first

The Royals struck back in the bottom of the second as Mike Macfarlane grounded out to third to start. Dave Henderson, Bob Hamelin and Jose Lind hit three straight singles to score Henderson. David Howard moved both runners over with a grounder to second and Terry Shumpert struck out swinging to end the inning with the Royals down 7-1.

                                                             Lind drives in a run

The Sox played home run derby in the top of the third although Naehring flied out to left to start. Cooper belted his first home run of the season to increase the lead but Valentin flied out to left. Valle mashed his first home run of the season and Nixon struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 9-1.

                                                               Home run Valle

The Royals answered in the bottom of the third as Coleman flied out to center to start. McRae grounded out to second but Joyner doubled to right. Macfarlane walked and Henderson hit a three run home run all the way to St. Louis to cut the lead. Hamelin flied out to left to end the inning with the Royals down 9-4.

                                                       Another home run for Henderson

Hipolito Pichardo came in to pitch the top of the fourth and Hatcher struck out swinging to start. Greenwell and Vaughn both grounded out to second to end the inning. Lind took strike three to start the bottom of the fourth and Howard also watched strike three go by. Shumpert singled to right but Coleman grounded out to short to end the inning.

Dawson struck out swinging to open the top of the fifth before Naehring grounded out to second and Cooper tried for an inside the park home run after belting a ball into the left field corner but was thrown out at home to end the inning. McRae popped up to first to start the bottom of the fifth before Joyner grounded out to first. Macfarlane popped up to center to end the inning.

The Sox exploded in the top of the sixth with Stan Belinda on the mound. Valentin walked and took second on the Valle grounder to short. Nixon walked and Hatcher doubled to right to score Valentin. Greenwell hit a sac fly to center to score Nixon and move Hatcher to third. Vaughn walked and Dawson was hit with a pitch to load the bases. Naehring hit a routine grounder to second but Lind booted it for an error to score Hatcher. Cooper then hit a routine grounder to Howard who booted that one for another error to score Vaughn and Dawson. Valentin hit the exclamation point with a 3 run blast to increase the lead. Valle walked but Nixon lined out to left to end the inning. The Sox scored eight runs and led 17-4.

                                                                   Home run Valentin

With the game well in hand Greg Blosser took over for Greenwell and Lee Tinsley replaced Nixon for the bottom of the sixth. Henderson grounded back to the mound to start. Hamelin singled to right before moving to second on the Lind grounder to first. Howard walked but Shumpert flied out to right to end the inning. That was it for Darwin who tossed 6 innings and allowed 4 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks.

                                                                Not great but it'll do

Brent Mayne came in to catch, Tom Goodwin came in for Henderson and Jeff Montgomery came in to pitch the top of the seventh. Hatcher popped up to third but Blosser walked. Vaughn then belted his first home run of the year to add to the Royals misery. Scott Fletcher pinch hit for Dawson and was hit with a pitch. Fletcher took second on defensive indifference and Naehring walked. Cooper cleared the bases with a double to right but Valentin flied out to right. Rich Rowland pinch hit for Valle and flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox up 21-4.

                                                           Home run Vaughn

Ricky Trlicek came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Coleman beat out a roller to first. Kevin Koslofski pinch hit for McRae and hit a line drive off Trlicek for a base hit. Joyner ripped a base hit to center to score Coleman before both runners moved over on the Mayne grounder to first. Goodwin popped up to short but Hamelin hit a home run all the way to El Paso to cut the lead. Lind grounded out to third to end the inning with the Royals down 21-8.

                                                     Hamelin jacks one

Gary Gaetti came in for Hamelin to start the top of the eighth and Tinsley walked to start. Hatcher hit a routine fly ball to Koslofski who dropped it for an error. Hatcher was thrown out at second on the play but Blosser walked. Vaughn walked to load the bases and Fletcher singled to right to score Tinsley to wrap up the scoring. Naehring banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox up 22-8.

                                                           Rbi for Fletcher

Howard popped up to third in foul territory to start the bottom of the eighth and Shumpert grounded out to third. Coleman singled to center and took second on defensive indifference. Koslofski grounded out to second to end the inning.

Cooper singled to center to complete the cycle to start the top of the ninth and Valentin walked. Rowland flied out to left and Tinsley beat out a double play ball. Hatcher walked to load the bases but Blosser flied out to center to end the inning. Joyner singled to right to start the bottom of the ninth and Mayne walked. Goodwin struck out swinging but a balk moved the runners over. All of a sudden Sox manager Butch Hobson fell down coming out of the dugout and brought in Tony Fossas to pitch who hadn't even been warming up. Gaetti laughed as he doubled to left to clear the bases but Lind flied out to right. Howard doubled to right to score Gaetti but Shumpert grounded out to second to end the game. The Sox won the slugfest 22-11.

Hero of the Night is Scott Cooper. He was 5 for 6 and hit for the cycle. He also had 5 total rbis and 2 total runs scored.

                                                           Cycle Hero Cooper

The Good:

Lee Tinsley walked and scored a run in two plate appearances.

Billy Hatcher was 2 for 5 with 2 walks, 2 rbis, a home run and 3 runs scored.

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

Greg Blosser walked twice and scored a run.

Mo Vaughn was 2 for 4 with a home run, 2 walks, 4 total rbis and 3 total runs scored.

Andre Dawson was 1 for 3 with a hit by pitch, stolen base, rbi and two runs scored.

Scott Fletcher was 1 for 1 with a hit by pitch, rbi and a run scored.

Dave Valle was 1 for 3 with a home run and a walk.

The Bad:

Rich Rowland was 0 for 2.

Ricky Trlicek allowed 6 runs in 2 1/3 innings.

Tony Fossas allowed a run in 2/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Otis Nixon was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and scored two runs.

Tim Naehring was 0 for 4 but walked twice and scored 3 runs.

John Valentin was just 1 for 4 but walked twice, drove in 3 runs and scored two runs.

Danny Darwin got the win but allowed 4 runs in just 6 innings allowing 7 hits and 2 walks.

Final Thoughts:

Chalk that one up as one of the most insane games in Red Sox history. The Sox allowed 11 runs on 15 hits and managed to double up the Royals run production. Cooper hit for the cycle, the Sox played home run derby and the entire team except for Rowland scored at least one run. Darwin didn't pitch that great but still kept the Sox in the game, but Trlicek was AWFUL. Still, its only one game so he'll bounce back next time. Moving forward the Sox are going to need more out of Darwin but it'll do today. The Sox are more than likely going to have trouble scoring runs tomorrow but today was clearly not so hard. The Sox go for the series sweep tomorrow in Kansas City when Aaron Sele gets the start for Boston. Tom Gordon goes for Kansas City and the game begins at 8:05 PM Eastern time at Kauffman Stadium.

Sox Sweep Tigers (4/7/94)

How about those Boston Red Sox? New Sox GM Dan Duquette promised good things in the future when he was hired and so far the Sox have won all three games they have played. It was timely hitting yesterday that got them by the Detroit Tigers and today it was an all out offensive attack. The Sox pounded out SIXTEEN hits and 9 runs, knocking Detroit starter Tim Belcher out in the fourth inning. Sox starter Danny Darwin (1-0, 3.60) lasted just 5 innings but held the Tigers to just 3 runs as the Sox took command. The Tigers rallied for 3 runs off of Scott Bankhead and Tony Fossas, but Greg Harris slammed the door with 2 scoreless innings. The Sox had swept the Tigers out of Boston with a 9-6 victory at Fenway Park.

                                                     Robert Parish approves of the win

The Tigers struck first against Darwin in the top of the first as Tony Phillips struck out swinging to start. Lou Whitaker singled to right but Eric Davis took strike three. Cecil Fielder hit a home run all the way to Nebraska to give the Tigers the lead. Travis Fryman struck out swinging to end the inning with the Tigers ahead 2-0.

                                                      Fielder gives Detroit the lead

Belcher took the mound in the bottom of the first and Otis Nixon ripped a base hit to left to start. Tim Naehring banged into a double play but Mike Greenwell tripled into the centerfield triangle. Mo Vaughn grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Tigers struck again in the top of the second as Mickey Tettleton hit a line drive to right, dropped by Greg Blosser in right for an error to send Mickey to third. Kirk Gibson hit a sac fly to score Tettleton and increase the lead. Alan Trammell and Scott Livingstone stroked back to back base hits but Phillips popped up to right. Whitaker grounded out to second to end the inning with the Tigers up 3-0.

                                                            "Nice going Blosser"

The Sox struck back in the bottom of the second with Milt Cuyler now playing center. Andre Dawson singled to left but Scott Cooper struck out swinging. John Valentin popped up to second but the ball fell in to force Dawson at second and Damon Berryhill walked. Blosser atoned for his error with a base hit to left to score Valentin and cut the lead. Nixon singled to left to load the bases but Naehring flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox down 3-1.

                                                         That's more like it Greg

Cuyler beat out an infield single to the mound to start the top of the third and stole second on the Fielder swinging strikeout. Fryman struck out swinging but Tettleton walked. Gibson flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox got power happy in the bottom of the third as Greenwell launched his second home run of the season to start. Vaughn doubled to left and Dawson crushed his second home run of the season to put the Sox in front. Cooper struck out swinging, Valentin lined out to left and Berryhill grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-3.

                                                Greenwell and Dawson give the Sox the lead

Trammell singled to center to start the top of the fourth but Livingstone lined out to right. Phillips singled to left but was erased on the force by Whitaker to put runners at the corners. Cuyler struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Blosser walked to start. Nixon beat out a bunt down the first base line and Naehring sacrificed the runners over with a bunt of his own. Mike Greenwell was intentionally walked to load the bases and chase Belcher from the game. Bill Krueger was brought in to face Vaughn and he struck Mo out swinging. Old pal Mike Gardiner was brought in to face Dawson but Andre walked home Blosser to increase the lead. Cooper flied out to center to end the inning but it was 5-3 Sox.

                                                               Dawson walks for an rbi

Fielder grounded out to third to start the top of the fifth and Fryman flied out to left. Tettleton walked but Gibson flied out to right to end the inning. That was it for Darwin who lasted just 5 innings but left with the Sox in front.

                                                        Not great but it'll do

Bill Gullickson took over for the bottom of the fifth and Valentin doubled to center to start. Berryhill scored Valentin with a double to left but was thrown out at third on a grounder to the mound by Blosser. Greg moved to third on the Nixon grounder but Naehring grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-3.

                                                          Berryhill drives in a run

Scott Bankhead took over for the top of the sixth and Trammell lined out to right to start. Livingstone singled to center but Phillips grounded into a double play to end the inning. Greenwell popped up to left to start the bottom of the sixth but Vaughn singled to right. Vaughn moved to second the on the grounder by Dawson and Cooper popped up to left to end the inning.

The Tigers inched closer in the top of the seventh when Whitaker hit a home run off Bankhead that landed in Lake Eerie to start. Cuyler lined out to right, Fielder grounded out to third and Fryman grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox poured it on in the bottom of the seventh as Valentin popped up to third in foul territory to start. Berryhill singled to right and Lee Tinsley came in to run for him. Blosser flied out to left but Tinsley stole second base. Nixon walked and Naehring blasted his first home run of the season to ice the game. Greenwell was hit with a pitch and that was it for Gullickson. Greenwell had to be carried out on a stretcher, loaded into an ambulance and rushed to Mass General's ICU. Mike Henneman came in to pitch and Rich Rowland came in to run for Mike. Vaughn singled Rowland to third but Dawson flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 9-4.

                                                      Naehring hits one out

Billy Hatcher replaced Blosser in right, Rowland took over behind the plate, Tinsley moved to left and Tony Fossas came in to pitch the top of the eighth. Tettleton walked and Danny Bautista pinch hit for Gibson. Bautista hit a home run all the way to Pawtucket, Rhode Island to cut the lead and that was it for Fossas. Greg Harris came in to pitch and Trammell grounded out to third before Livingstone  popped up to third. Phillips struck out swinging to end the inning with the Tigers down 9-6.

                                                        Bautista hits a home run

Cooper flied out to left to start the bottom of the eighth but Valentin singled to left. Tinsley walked but Hatcher flied out to left. Nixon forced Tinsley at second to end the inning.

Harris came back to finish off the top of the ninth and Whitaker walked to start. Cuyler lined out to first and Fielder banged into a double play to end the game. The Sox had won it 9-6.

Hero of the Night is Andre Dawson. He put the Sox on top with a 2 run homer and they never looked back.

                                                 Andre Hero

The Good:

Otis Nixon was 3 for 5 with a walk and a run scored.

Mike Greenwell was 2 for 3 with a walk and a home run.

Mo Vaughn was 3 for 5 with a run scored.

John Valentin was 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

Damon Berryhill was 2 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Lee Tinsley walked, stole a base and scored a run.

Greg Blosser was 1 for 3 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Greg Harris tossed 2 scoreless innings to earn the save.

The Bad:

Scott Cooper was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Billy Hatcher was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Tony Fossas allowed a 2 run homer in the eighth inning.

The Ugly:

Tim Naehring was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a 3 run homer.

Danny Darwin allowed 3 runs in just 5 innings but got credit for the win.

Scott Bankhead allowed a run in 2 innings of work.

Honorable Mention:

Rich Rowland caught the final two innings.

Final Thoughts:

One thing is for sure through the first few games of the season, the Sox are rusty on the pitching side but aren't missing a beat offensively. Roger Clemens, Frank Viola and Danny Darwin haven't looked good but the offense picked them up big time. The Sox bats have scored 23 runs in 3 games and have done it with small ball and the long ball. Otis Nixon has been good at the leadoff spot and even the unsung players have stepped it up. Dave Valle stepped up yesterday and today it was Damon Berryhill and Greg Blosser. The Sox have high hopes for Blosser even after his September disaster. Hopefully the big hit after he made an error will get his confidence going. The rotation's struggles are concerning but its early yet. Clemens will definitely get it going as the season progresses and hopefully the others fall suit. Darwin had his best season with the Sox last year so having another 15 win season this year would help. All in all it was a good win and winning the first three games is never a bad thing. The Sox now travel to Chicago to take on the White Sox. Aaron Sele makes his season debut against Jason Bere of the White Sox. The game begins tomorrow afternoon at 2:05 PM at Commiskey Park,