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.

Fernandez, White Sox Blank Red Sox (4/10/94)

Well this game was a complete waste of time. The Boston Red Sox dropped a turd in today's game against the Chicago White Sox. Alex Fernandez of Chicago tossed a complete game 6 hit shutout against the Red Sox while Joe Hesketh (0-1, 9.53 ERA) gave up as many runs as the BoSox had hits. Paul Quantrill and Ricky Trilicek also gave up runs as the White Sox got a total effort from their offense in this one. The BoSox looked bad on both sides of the ball as the White Sox had won the game 8-0 at Commiskey Park. How many runs did the Red Sox score Dean Wormer?

Fernandez got the ball in the top of the first inning and Otis Nixon lined out to short to start. Scott Fletcher struck out swinging and Mike Greenwell grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The White Sox wasted no time getting to Hesketh in the bottom of the first as Lance Johnson singled to center to start. Johnson swiped second but Craig Grebeck took strike three. Johnson took third on the fly ball to right and scored on the Julio Franco double to right. Robin Ventura flied out to center to end the inning with the White Sox up for good already 1-0.

                                                              Franco puts Chicago up

The BoSox tried to rally in the top of the second as Mo Vaughn singled to center to begin. Andre Dawson singled to center and Vaughn moved to third on the fly ball to left by Damon Berryhill. Then Dawson was foolishly thrown out at second trying to steal and Tim Naehring lined out to short to end the inning. That was one of the only rallies of the whole game for Boston. Darrin Jackson walked to start the bottom of the second but Joe Hall struck out swinging. Jackson stole second but Ron Karkovice took strike three and Ozzie Guillen struck out swinging to end the inning.

John Valentin grounded out to third to start the top of the third before Greg Blosser flied out to center. Nixon took strike three to end the inning. The White Sox iced the game in the bottom of the third as Johnson walked to start. Grebeck doubled to left and Thomas hit a gap shot into right field. Blosser inexplicably then turned around and threw the ball into the stands for an error to score Johnson and Grebeck. Franco dumped a base hit to right to score Thomas to put the game away. Ventura struck out looking, Jackson popped up to first and Hall forced Franco at second to end the inning with the White Sox ahead 4-0.

                                                               Thomas puts the game away

The BoSox failed to respond in the top of the fourth inning as Fletcher flied out to right to start. Greenwell grounded back to the mound but Vaughn singled to right. Dawson forced Mo at second to end the inning. Hesketh recovered in the bottom of the fourth as Karkovice took strike three to begin the inning. Guillen grounded out to second and Johnson struck out swinging to end the inning.

Berryhill flied out to right to start the top of the fifth before Naehring struck out swinging. Valentin flied out to center to end the inning. The White Sox finally chased Hesketh in the bottom of the fifth as Grebeck grounded out to second to begin. Thomas walked but Franco flied out to right. Ventura singled to center and Sox manager Butch Hobson stumbled out of the dugout and had to be pointed to the direction of the mound. He had Rickey Trilcek warming but inexplicably brought in Paul Quantrill ice cold for a reason nobody knows. Jackson ripped a base hit to center to score Thomas and Hall got a base hit to right....under the glove of Blosser for an error. Ventura and Jackson both scored while Hall went all the way to third. Karkovice struck out swinging to end the inning with the White Sox ahead 7-0. Hesketh lasted just 4 2/3 innings while being charged with 6 runs off 6 hits and 3 walks.

                                                             Dammit Blosser

The BoSox failed to respond in the top of the sixth as Blosser took strike three to start. Nixon walked and Fletcher singled to left, but Greenwell flied out to center. Vaughn flied out to right to end the inning. Lee Tinsley took over for Nixon for the bottom of the sixth and Guillen doubled to left to start. Johnson flied out to center and Grebeck popped up to first, before Thomas took strike three to end the inning.

Dawson grounded back to the mound to start the top of the seventh before Berryhill flied out to right. Naehring singled to right but Valentin grounded out to third to end the inning. Ricky Trilicek came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh with Rich Rowland behind the plate and Franco grounded out to short to start. Ventura grounded out to first but Jackson walked. Warren Newson pinch hit for Hall and flied out to left to end the inning.

Blosser grounded out to short to start the top of the eighth but Tinsley singled to right. Fletcher got bagged for interference on a steal attempt so Tinsley had to stay at first. Greenwell popped up to third in foul territory to end the inning. The White Sox wrapped up the scoring in the bottom of the eighth as Karkovice doubled to left to start. Ron moved to third on the Guillen grounder to second and scored on the Johnson grounder to second. Grebeck singled to center but Thomas flied out to right to end the inning with the White Sox up 8-0.

                                                             Johnson drives in a run

Fernandez returned to finish the top of the ninth and Vaughn struck out swinging to start. Dawson flied out to center and Rowland struck out swinging to end the game. The White Sox had won it 8-0.

                                                         "You can't beat me" - Fernandez

Jackass of the Night is Joe Hesketh. He got lit up for 6 runs in 4 2/3 innings to take the loss. He allowed 6 hits and 3 walks.

                                                                  Jackass Hesketh

The Good:

Lee Tinsley got a base hit in his only at-bat.

Mo Vaughn was 2 for 4.

Tim Naehring was 1 for 3.

The Bad:

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 4.

Damon Berryhill was 0 for 3.

Rich Rowland was 0 for 1.

John Valentin was 0 for 3.

Greg Blosser was 0 for 3 with 2 errors and a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Otis Nixon was 0 for 2 with a strikeout but walked.

Scott Fletcher was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Andre Dawson was just 1 for 4.

Paul Quantrill was charged with an unearned run in 1 1/3 innings.

Ricky Trilicek allowed a run in 2 innings of work.

Final Thoughts:

That was Boston's first real stinker of the season as absolutely nothing went right. Hesketh got pounded, the bullpen allowed a few runs and the offense couldn't touch Alex Fernandez. Greg Blosser looked like garbage in the field and at the plate, he might be overmatched right now. Not much you can do on a day like this but hope tomorrow is better. Its only early April so no time to panic, just one of those days where nothing goes right. Not much else to say really. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow when they head to Kansas City to face the Royals. Frank Viola goes for the Red Sox against Mark Gubicza of Kansas City. The game begins at 8:05 PM Eastern time at Kauffman Stadium.

White Sox Rally Past Red Sox (4/9/94)

One of the problems that carried over for the Boston Red Sox from 1993 manifested itself in tonight's loss to the Chicago White Sox, Roger Clemens. The Rocket may have launched too many times between 1984 and 1992 because he was below average last year and hasn't looked good in two starts this season. The BoSox were searching for their fifth straight win to start the season and led 4-2 going into the bottom of the seventh on an Andre Dawson home run plus sac flies from Mike Greenwell & Scott Cooper. Clemens was lifted in the seventh and Greg Harris (0-1, 3.60 ERA) allowed two inherited runners to score plus one of his own to put Chicago up. The BoSox trailed 6-4 going into the final frame but rallied for a run and had runners on second and third. With the game on the line, Roberto Hernandez punched out Mo Vaughn to end it. It was a good game but the White Sox defeated the Red Sox 6-5 at Commiskey Park.

                                                               "Dammit Clemens"

Jack McDowell got the start for the White Sox and Otis Nixon led off the top of the first with a ground out to second. Billy Hatcher flied out to right and Mike Greenwell lined out to left to end the inning. Clemens got the ball in the bottom of the fifth and snuffed out a Tim Raines bunt attempt to start. Joey Cora flied out to left but Frank Thomas walked. Julio Franco flied out to left to end the inning.

The BoSox struck first in the top of the second inning as Mo Vaughn flied out to left to start. Andre Dawson doubled to left and Tim Naehring singled him to third. Scott Cooper scored Dawson with a sac fly but John Valentin took strike three to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                             Cooper drives in a run

Clemens cruised in the bottom of the second as Robin Ventura grounded out to first to start. Dan Pasqua took strike three and Lance Johnson grounded out to first to end the inning.

Dave Valle grounded out to second to start the top of the third but Nixon lashed a base hit to right. Nixon swiped second but Hatcher hit one up the elevator shaft. Greenwell flied out to right to end the inning. The White Sox struck back in the bottom of the third as Mike LaValliere grounded out to second to start. Ozzie Guillen singled to left and Raines singled him to third to put runners at the corners. Cora popped up to Naehring down the right field line to score Guillen to tie the game. Thomas singled to center but Franco popped up to Naehring in foul territory to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                                Cora drives in a run

Vaughn struck out swinging to open the top of the fourth before Dawson grounded out to second. Naehring singled to right but Cooper lined out to second to end the inning. Ventura lined out to center to start the bottom of the fourth before Pasqua flied out to left. Johnson grounded out to short to end the inning.

Valentin flied out to right to start the top of the fifth before Valle popped up to second. Nixon walked and stole second but Hatcher lined out to right to end the inning. LaValliere singled to left to start the bottom of the fifth but Guillen flied out to center. Raines also flied out to center and Cora forced LaValliere at second to end the inning.

The BoSox struck back in the top of the sixth as Greenwell walked to start. Mike moved to second on the Vaughn grounder to first and Dawson smashed his 3rd home run of the season to put Boston on top.  Naehring singled to left and took second on a wild pitch but Cooper struck out swinging. Valentin grounded out to short to end the inning with the BoSox ahead 3-1.

                                                               Home run Dawson

Chicago struck back in the bottom of the sixth as Thomas smashed a home run all the way to Jupiter to cut the lead. Franco took strike three and Ventura flied out to center, but Pasqua doubled to right. Johnson grounded out to short to end the inning with the White Sox down 3-2.

                                                                Thomas hits one out

Boston struck again in the top of the seventh as Valle popped up to first in foul territory to start. Nixon caught the White Sox asleep with a bunt single and Hatcher doubled him to third. Greenwell hit a sac fly to score Nixon but Vaughn struck out swinging to end the inning with the Red Sox ahead 4-2.

                                                                Greenwell with a sac fly

The bottom fell out in the bottom of the seventh as LaValliere singled to right to start. Ron Karkovice pinch ran for LaValliere and Guillen singled to left to chase Clemens. Greg Harris came in and Raines bunted up the line for a hit to load the bases. Cora forced Karkovice at home and Thomas struck out swinging, but Franco singled in the hole at short to score Guillen and Raines. Ventura singled to right to score Cora to put the White Sox on top. Pasqua popped up to left in foul territory to end the inning but Chicago now led 5-4. Clemens left with a no-decision after allowing 4 runs in 6 innings.

                                                      Clemens gets lets down by Harris

Darrin Jackson came in for Raines with Roberto Hernandez taking over on the mound for the top of the eighth. Dawson struck out swinging, Naehring popped up to second and Cooper grounded out to short to end the inning. Tony Fossas came in for the bottom of the seventh and Johnson grounded back to the mound. Karkovice hit a home run all the way to Gotham City to increase the lead before Guillen struck out swinging. Ricky Trilicek came in to walk Jackson but Cora lined out to short to end the inning with the White Sox up 6-4.

                                                                       Fossas allows a run

The Sox rallied in the top of the ninth although Valentin flied out to center to start. Damon Berryhill pinch hit for Valle and singled to right. Scott Fletcher ran for Beryhill and Nixon walked. Greg Blosser pinch hit for Hatcher and took strike three before Greenwell hit a grounder back to the mound....THROWN AWAY BY HERNANDEZ! Fletcher scored and the other runners moved over to set the stage for Vaughn. Big Mo.... struck out swinging to end the game. The White Sox had won it 6-5.

Jackass of the Night is Mo Vaughn. He was 0 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts including the ninth inning with the game on the line.

                                                          Vaughn is Jackass

The Good:

Otis Nixon was 2 for 3 with 2 walks, a run scored and 2 stolen bases.

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

Andre Dawson was 2 for 4 with a 2 run homer and 2 runs scored.

Tim Naehring was 3 for 4.

Damon Berryhill singled as a pinch runner.

Scott Fletcher scored a run as a pinch runner.

Ricky Trilicek got the final out of the eighth inning.

The Bad:

Greg Blosser struck out as a pinch hitter.

John Valentin was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Dave Valle was 0 for 3.

Greg Harris allowed 2 inherited runners to score and one of his own to take the loss.

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

The Ugly:

Billy Hatcher was just 1 for 4.

Scott Cooper was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Roger Clemens allowed 4 runs in 6 innings of work.

Final Thoughts:

That was a rough way to lose the first game of the season but the concerning factor is Clemens. He had his first bad year ever last year and its carried over to this year so far. This still plenty of time to turn it around but right now he isn't pitching well. The bats did what they could in this one but Vaughn cost them big time. Bad relief pitching from Harris and Fossas didn't help either. New Sox GM Dan Duquette wants the Sox to get younger but with so many aging veterans on the team, a purge may be in order. Its just a question of who gets the axe and when. All in all the Sox fought hard to the bitter end so hopefully they can bounce back tomorrow against Chicago. Joe Hesketh takes the mound for Boston up against Alex Fernandez of the White Sox. The game begins at 2:30 PM at Commiskey Park.

Naehring, Sox Rally Past Chicago (4/8/94)

Everything's coming up Boston Red Sox so far this season. The Sox have won their fourth straight game to start the season and their latest victims were the Chicago White Sox. BoSox starter Aaron Sele only lasted 5 innings but allowed just 1 run. The BoSox bolted out to a 4-0 lead before the White Sox rallied for 6 unanswered runs including a 3 run homer by Julio Franco. Down 6-4 with the bases loaded in the top of the eighth, Tim Naehring cleared the bases and scored on an error for a little league home run to give the BoSox the lead. Tony Fossas, Scott Bankhead and Jeff Russell slammed the door in the later innings and the BoSox stunned the White Sox 8-6 at Commiskey Park.

                                                        Ron McGovney approves of the win

The BoSox wasted no time getting to Chicago starter Jason Bere in the top of the first inning. Otis Nixon walked and immediately stole second. Billy Hatcher hit a routine grounder to short and Ozzie Guillen airmailed Frank Thomas at first to score Nixon on the error, Hatcher taking third. Mike Greenwell grounded out to second to score Hatcher and Mo Vaughn singled to center. Andre Dawson forced Vaughn at second and Tim Naehring flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                                Nixon scores a run

Sele got the ball in the bottom of the first and Tim Raines singled to center to start. Joey Cora popped up to short and Frank Thomas forced Raines at second. Julio Franco grounded out to short to end the inning.

Scott Cooper grounded out to second to start the top of the second and John Valentin doubled to center. Dave Valle lined out to third and Nixon grounded out to second to end the inning. Robin Ventura struck out swinging to open the bottom of the second before Darrin Jackson singled to center. Lance Johnson popped up to third but Ron Karkovice singled to left. Guillen grounded out to second to end the inning.

Hatcher flied out to left to start the top of the third before Greenwell walked. Vaughn banged into a double play to end the inning. Raines took strike three to start the bottom of the third but Cora walked. Thomas walked but Franco struck out swinging. Ventura took strike three to end the inning.

Dawson lined out to short to open the top of the fourth but Naehring drew a walk. Naehring was thrown out at second trying to steal and Cooper took strike three to end the inning. Sele got Jackson to ground out to short to start the bottom of the fourth and Johnson popped up to left in foul territory. Karkovice walked but Guillen lined out to left to end the inning/

The BoSox struck again in the top of the fifth as Vallentin and Valle dropped back to back base hits to start. Nixon dropped down a bunt to move the runners over and Hatcher scored Valentin with a sac fly. Greenwell blooped a single to right to score Valle and increase the lead, but Vaughn watched strike three go by to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-0.

                                                      Greenwell drives in a run

The White Sox struck back in the bottom of the fifth as Raines hit a home run all the way to Wrigley Field to start. Cora singled to left but Thomas struck out swinging. Franco hit into a double play to end the inning with the White Sox down 4-1. Sox manager Butch Hobson felt at 97 pitches, Sele had done enough and Aaron did well, allowing just 1 run in 5 innings.

                                                        Good work Sele

Jose DeLeon came in to pitch the top of the sixth inning and Dawson popped up to first to start. Naehring struck out swinging and Cooper took strike three to end the inning. Hobson brought in Paul Quantrill to pitch the bottom of the sixth and he immediately served up a home run to Mercury by Ventura to cut the lead. Jackson flied out to center, Johnson popped up to short and Karkovice flied out to center to end the inning but the White Sox were down 4-2.

                                                            Ventura goes yard

Valentin flied out to left to start the top of the seventh before Valle grounded out to third. Nixon took strike three to end the inning. The wheels fell off in the bottom of the seventh although Guillen grounded out to short to start. Raines then smashed his second home run of the game to chase Quantrill. Ricky Trilicek came in and Cora singled to right. Thomas walked but Franco hit a home run all the way to Montreal, Canada to give the White Sox the lead. Ventura singled to left and Jackson flied out to center to chase Trilicek. Tony Fossas got Johnson to hit a routine grounder to Cooper....booted for an error. Karkovice grounded into a force to end the inning as the White Sox went from down 4-2 to up 6-4.

                                                           Franco puts Chicago on top

The BoSox rallied in the top of the eighth as Hatcher singled to right to chase DeLeon to start. Paul Assenmacher came in and Greenwell singled to center. Vaughn singled to right to load the bases and chase Assenmacher. Kirk McCaskill came in and got Dawson to pop up to second. Naehring then hit a bullet into the gap to right. Hatcher and Greenwell scored easily and the ball got away from Karkovice. Vaughn scored and Naehring scored on the error for a little league home run to put the BoSox back on top. Cooper flied out to center and Valentin took strike three to end the inning with Boston ahead 8-6.

                                                      Naehring comes up big

Guillen singled to right to start the bottom of the eighth but Raines popped up to short. Cora flied out to center and that was it for Fossas. Scott Bankhead came in to pitch to Thomas and Frank grounded into a force to end the inning.

Valle took strike three to start the top of the ninth but Cora threw a grounder by Nixon away for an error. Nixon was thrown out trying to steal and Hatcher struck out swinging to end the inning. Jeff Russell came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Franco grounded out to second to start. Ventura flied out to center and Jackson popped up to second to end the game. The BoSox had won it 8-6.

Hero of the Night is Tim Naehring. He ripped the game winning 3 run double to put Boston up for good.

                                                                Naehring the Hero

The Good:

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

Mo Vaughn was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

John Valentin was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Aaron Sele tossed 5 innings of 1 run ball.

Tony Fossas tossed a full scoreless innings to get the win.

Scott Bankhead retired the only man he faced.

Jeff Russell earned his third save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Andre Dawson was 0 for 4.

Scott Cooper was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Paul Quantrill was charged with 2 runs in 1 1/3 innings.

Ricky Trilicek allowed the 3 run homer to Franco.

The Ugly:

Otis Nixon was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked, stole a base and scored a run.

Billy Hatcher was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run and scored two runs.

Dave Valle was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

That was another good come from behind win but there are warts starting to develop. The offense has been fine but the pitching hasn't been there so far. Aaron Sele looked good but could go only 5 innings which led to the White Sox making their comeback. Jeff Russell is as good as any closer in the league but getting to him is going to be tricky this season. The Sox starters should be able to get on track as the season progresses so any time the BoSox can steal a win, it'll be beneficial down the road. Winning four straight games to start the season is fun and its almost the opposite of last year. Last April the Sox got some outstanding starting pitching but not much offense, this year its the other way around. Still a win is a win whether its 3-0 or 9-8 and this was four in a row. Boston looks to make it five in a row and two straight over Chicago tomorrow when Roger Clemens looks to rebound from his Opening Day dud against Jack McDowell of the ChiSox. The game begins at 3:30 PM at Commiskey Park.

Sox Outlast Tigers (4/6/94)

It was a hard fought game between the Boston Red Sox and the Detroit Tigers but the Red Sox did just enough to come out the winners. Frank Viola started for the Red Sox but was knocked out in the fifth inning after allowing 3 runs. Mike Greenwell tied the game with a 3 run bomb and Dave Valle struck a two run triple to put the Sox ahead. Greg Harris allowed a run in the seventh but Boston closer Jeff Russell slammed the door in the ninth inning. The Sox made it two in a row to start the season as they defeated the Tigers 5-4 at Fenway Park.

                                                 Donna Wilkes approves of the win

Viola got the ball in the top of the first inning and Tony Phillips grounded out to short to start. Juan Samuel walked but Eric Davis popped up to first. Cecil Fielder flied out to center to end the inning. David Wells got the start for the Tigers and Otis Nixon greeted him with a comebacker to start the bottom of the first. Tim Naehring flied out to center and Mike Greenwell grounded out to first to end the inning.

Travis Fryman lined out to third to start the top of the second before Alan Trammell hit one up the elevator shaft. Mickey Tettleton flied out to right to end the inning. Mo Vaughn led off the bottom of the second by striking out swinging and Andre Dawson flied out to right. John Valentin flied out to center to end the inning.

Danny Bautista singled down the first base line to start the top of the third but was thrown out trying to steal Chad Kreuter lined out to center and Phillips popped up to second to end the inning. Dave Valle flied out to right to start the bottom of the third and Lee Tinsley flied out to center. Scott Fletcher also flied out to center to end the inning.

The Tigers mauled Viola in the top of the fourth as Samuel popped up to first to start. Davis walked and somehow Fielder tripled into the right field corner to score him. Fryman doubled home Fielder and Trammell blooped a single over the head of Fletcher to put runners at the corners. Tettleton took strike three but Bautista singled to left to score Fryman and Kreuter walked to load the bases. Phillips grounded into a force at third to end the inning but it was 3-0 Tigers.

                                                       THIS guy tripled??

The Sox answered right back in the bottom of the fourth as Nixon caught Wells asleep with a bunt single and Naehring got a base hit to left. Greenwell pounded his first home run of the year to tie the game and Vaughn singled in the hole at second. Dawson doubled off the Monster and Valentin walked to load the bases, but Valle took strike three. Tinsley banged into a double play to end the inning but it was tied 3-3.

                                                          Greenwell ties the game

The Tigers quickly chased Viola in the top of the fifth as Samuel singled in the hole at short to start. Davis flied out to right but Fielder walked to chase Viola. He was rusty as hell as he allowed 3 runs in 4 1/3 innings. Ricky Trilicek made his Red Sox debut by striking out both Fryman and Trammell to end the inning. The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the fifth as Fletcher grounded out to second to start. Nixon also grounded out to second and Naehring grounded out to third to end the inning.

Tettleton struck out swinging to begin the top of the sixth and Bautista popped up to second. Kreuter grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the sixth although Greenwell grounded out to second to start. Vaughn grounded out to first but Dawson blooped a double in no mans land just over second base. Valentin was intentionally walked to get to Valle and Dave made the Tigers pay by smacking a bases clearing triple into the centerfield triangle. Tinsley popped up to first in foul territory to end the inning but it was 5-3 Red Sox.

                                                     Valle puts the Sox on top

Greg Harris came in to pitch the top of the seventh and the Tigers pounced. Phillips and Samuel struck back to back base hits but Davis beat out a double play ball. Fielder forced Davis at second but Phillips scored to cut the lead. Fryman struck out looking to end the inning with the Tigers down 5-4.

                                                        Nice going Harris

Joe Boever came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Fletcher struck out swinging to start. Nixon popped up to left and Naehring popped up to first to end the inning. 

Scott Cooper took over at third for Naehring to start the top of the eighth and Trammell flied out to left to start. Tettleton grounded out to second and Kirk Gibson pinch hit for Bautista. There would be no 1988 World Series repeat as Kirk grounded out to second to end the inning. Greenwell popped up to first to start the bottom of the eighth before Vaughn grounded out to second. Dawson popped up to third in foul territory to end the inning.

Sox closer Jeff Russell took the mound to start the top of the ninth and Junior Felix pinch hit for Kreuter. Felix flied out to left but Phillips beat out a roller to third to put the tying run on and Lou Whitaker pinch hit for Samuel. Whitaker banged into a double play to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-4.

Hero of the Night is Dave Valle. His 2 run triple ended up being the decisive blow.

                                                          Valle the Hero

The Good:

Andre Dawson was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

John Valentin walked twice and scored a run in 3 plate appearances.

Ricky Trilicek got the win with 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Jeff Russell earned his second save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Lee Tinsley was 0 for 3.

Scott Fletcher was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Frank Viola was tagged for 3 runs in 4 1/3 innings.

The Ugly:

Otis Nixon was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Tim Naehring was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a 3 run homer.

Mo Vaughn was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Greg Harris allowed a run in 2 innings of work.

Honorable Mention:

Scott Cooper played third base in the final two innings.

Final Thoughts:

Starting the season 2-0 is better than starting 0-2 or 1-1 for that matter. Viola didn't look good at all but the bats and bullpen picked him up. Trilicek and Russell didn't give an inch and Valle getting that triple was the difference in the game. Good to see Greenwell start the season with some power with his first home run. Also good to see Andre Dawson get it going early as well, the Sox are gonna need his power and hopefully his knees hold up this season. Apart from Viola there wasn't much to sneeze about in this one. New Sox GM Dan Duquette has a lot of work to do to fix a roster that's finished under .500 two years in a row but so far so good. The Sox look for the series sweep tomorrow afternoon with the Tigers when Danny Darwin makes his season debut opposite Tim Belcher of Detroit. The game begins at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.