Indians Outlast Sox in 11 (9/22/18)

You know the dog days of summer? Well these are the dog days of the regular season. The Boston Red Sox have already clinched the AL East and the Cleveland Indians have already clinched the AL Central so essentially these games are glorified Spring Training games. Apart from keeping guys in shape and hopefully off the disabled list, there's really nothing to get excited about. Still, its good to know who will be on the post season roster and who won't and judging by tonight's game, Drew Pomeranz (2-6, 6.37 ERA) won't likely be on it. The Sox and Indians battled into extra innings before Drew allowed 3 hits, 2 stolen bases and a walk to punch his ticket out of the playoffs and give Terry Francona's boys a 5-4 win at Progressive Field.

                                                              Grumpy Sox fans

Indians starter Mike Clevinger took the mound in the top of the first inning and Andrew Benintendi walked to start. Ian Kinsler and Rafael Devers whiffed but JD Martinez walked. Xander Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning. Porcello started the bottom of the first by getting Fransisco Lindor to fly out to center. Michael Brantley singled but Jose Ramirez flied out to center. Edwin Encarnacion grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox threatened in the top of the second as Mitch Moreland walked and Brock "The Hitman" Holt was plunked to put two runners on, but Blake Swihart popped up to short. Jackie Bradley Jr looked at strike three before Benintendi grounded out to short to end the inning. The Indians struck first in the bottom of the second as Josh Donaldson singled to start. Yonder Alonso flied out to right but Melky Cabrera singled Donaldson to third. Gomes doubled home Donaldson to give the Indians the lead but Jason Kipnis lined out to first. Lindor lashed a single to right that scored Cabrera but Gomes was thrown out at home to end the inning with the Indians up 2-0.

                                                              Gomes puts the Indians on top

The Sox struck back in the top of the third although Kinsler grounded out to short to begin. Devers then crushed his 19th homer of the year to cut the lead in half. Martinez lined out to right but Bogaerts and Moreland drew back to back walks to once again put two runners on. As usual the Sox squandered as Holt whiffed to end the inning with the Sox down 2-1.

                                                 Devers goes yard

The Indians answered in the bottom of the third as Brantley singled to start before Ramirez walked. It looked like Porcello would get out of it when Encarnacion banged into a double play....but Donaldson singled home Ramirez to get the two run lead back. Alonso grounded out to short to end the inning but it was 3-1 Indians.

                                                       Damn Brantley

The Sox wasted no time answering in the top of the fourth as Swihart belted his second home run of the year to cut the lead again. JBJ whiffed, Benintendi flied out to left and Kinsler grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox down 3-2.

                                                   Swihart gets the Sox closer

Porcello got no help from his defense in the bottom of the fourth although Cabrera grounded out to second to begin. Gomes hit a routine grounder to short but Bogaerts picked the ball up and did the antler dance with it for an error. Kipnis walked and Lindor singled home Gomes to increase the lead. Brantley then lined a bullet to Benintendi who caught Kipnis asleep at second to end the inning but it was 4-2 Cleveland.

The Sox did nothing the top of the fifth as Devers grounded out to third to start. Martinez flied out to right but Bogaerts singled. Moreland flied out to left to end the inning. Porcello came back for one more inning and got Ramirez to fly out to center to start the bottom of the fifth. Encarnacion whiffed and Donaldson grounded out to third to end the inning. Another average start by Porcello, allowing 4 runs in just 5 innings.

                                                           "Go 7 innings? Hell no!"

Oliver Perez came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Holt greeted him with a single only to get picked off. Swihart looked at strike three and JBJ whiffed to end the inning. Robby Scott took over for the bottom of the fifth and got Alonso to fly out to center to start. Cabrera grounded out to short before Gomes whiffed to end the inning.

Brandon Barnes took over for Cabrera in the top of the seventh with old friend Andrew Miller on the mound. Benintendi walked but Kinsler flied out to left. Devers hit a double play ball to second but Ramirez threw the ball away. It didn't matter as Martinez flied out to right and Bogaerts lined out to second to end the inning. Kipnis singled to chase Scott as Greg Allen pinch ran for him. Brian Johnson came in to pitch and Allen swiped second only for Lindor to ground out to short. Brantley flied out to left but both Ramirez and Encarnacion walked to load the bases. Johnson got Donaldson to fly out to right to end the inning.

It was time for the comeback and Moreland got it started with a base hit to left before Steve Pearce pinch hit for Holt only to fly out to center. Swihart looked at strike three before Tzu-Wei Lin randomly pinch ran for Moreland. Brad Hand replaced Miller and JBJ doubled Lin to third. Benintendi tied the game up with a base hit but was foolishly thrown out at second trying to stretch to end the inning. Still the game was tied 4-4.

                                                            YERRRR OUT!

Johnson returned for the bottom of the eighth and Alonso popped up to first to start. Barnes flied out to right and Gomes whiffed to end the inning.

Jon Edwards replaced Hand for the top of the ninth and Kinsler grounded out to third to start. Devers grounded out to short but Martinez singled. Bogaerts grounded into a force to end the inning. Johnson came back for the bottom of the ninth and Allen grounded out to third to begin before Lindor flied out to right. Brantley grounded out to second to end the inning.

On to extras we went with Tyler Olson on the mound in the top of the tenth as Sam Travis pinch hit for Lin....only to fly out to center. Pearce grounded out to third and Swihart grounded out to short to end the inning. Johnson ran out of gas in the bottom of the tenth as he walked both Ramirez and Encarnacion. Joe Kelly came in and somehow slammed the door. He blew away Donaldson and Alonso before Yandy Diaz pinch hit for Barnes only to ground out to short to end the inning. Good work Kelly.

Erik Gonzalez came in for Donaldson with Brandon Guyer in for Diaz to start the top of the eleventh. JBJ and Benintendi whiffed before Kinsler grounded out to short to end the inning. Sox manager Alex Cora looked at his watch and said the hell with this game and brought in Drew Pomeranz. Drew did not disappoint as  Gomes singled before Rajai Davis ran for him only for Allen to single. They both pulled off a double steal and Lindor was intentionally walked. Brantley ended the torture with a base hit to score Davis with the winning run and end the game 5-4. Pomeranz faced four batters and they all reached. Guess who's NOT gonna be on the post-season roster?

                                                 At least Terry Francona is happy


Jackass of the Night is easy. Drew Pomeranz faced four batters and gave up a walk and 3 singles along with two stolen bases to end the game.

                                                       One last Jackass for Pomeranz


The Good:

Mitch Moreland was 1 for 2 with 2 walks.

Tzu-Wei Lin scored a run as a pinch runner.

Brock Holt was 1 for 2 with a hit by pitch.

Robby Scott pitched a scoreless 6th inning.

Brian Johnson tossed 3 scoreless innings.

Joe Kelly put out the fire in the 10th inning.



The Bad:

Ian Kinsler was 0 for 6 with a strikeout.

Sam Travis was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Steve Pearce was 0 for 2 at the plate.



The Ugly:

Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4 but walked twice and drove in 2 runs.

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 5 but the hit was a solo home run.

JD Martinez was just 1 for 4 with a walk.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 with an error but walked.

Blake Swihart was just 1 for 5 but the hit was a solo home run.

Jackie Bradley jr was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

Rick Porcello lasted just 5 innings while giving up 4 runs (3 earned) while only striking out 1 guy.




Final Thoughts:

Well this was a forgettable game. With the regular season coming to a close these games mean diddly apart from keeping people fresh and see who will be on the post-season roster. Judging by Drew Pomeranz' performance he won't be on it. Joe Kelly showed some life and kudos to Brian Johnson for keeping the Indians off the board for 3 innings. Porcello was average again so he most likely will be the third or fourth starter behind David Price and Chris Sale. As for the game itself, meh, who cares? Nobody got hurt so no big loss. The loss dropped the Sox to 105-50 with just 7 games remaining. Tomorrow night Adam Plutko goes for the Indians opposite Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez at 7:05 PM at Progressive Field.

Mets Crush, Shut Out Sox (9/14/18)

You knew the Boston Red Sox were in trouble when Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez keeled over and had to be rushed to Mass General before the game with a severe case of influenza. The New York Mets pounced on emergency starter William Cuevas and Jay Bruce outscored the entire Sox offense by himself. The normally inept Boston bullpen remained true to their uselessness and the Mets kicked the ass of the Sox 8-0 at Fenway Park. How many runs did the Sox score Dean Wormer?

The Mets wasted no time scoring in the top of the first inning although Amed Rosario lined out to center to begin. Jeff McNeil whiffed but Michael Conforto and Jay Bruce stroked back to back doubles to put the Mets on top. Todd Frazier walked but Brandon Nimmo grounded out to second to end the inning with the Mets up 1-0.

                                          Cuevas doing the best he can on short notice

Noah Snydergaard was unhittable in the bottom of the first as Mr. Mookie Betts flied out to right to begin. Andrew Benintendi grounded out to second and Mitch Moreland looked at strike three to end the inning.

Cuevas got mad in the top of the second inning and struck out the side. Dominic Smith whiffed, Austin Jackson looked at strike three and Tomas Nido struck out swinging to end the inning.  The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the second as JD Martinez grounded out to third, Xander Bogaerts grounded out to short and Rafael Devers whiffed to end the inning.

The Mets iced the game in the top of the third as a single by Rosario chased Cuevas. For an emergency starter he didn't do too bad in 2 innings of work. Robby Scott came in and crapped his pants although Jeff McNeil flied out to left. Conforto was hit with a pitch and Bruce crushed a 500,000 foot bomb into the Atlantic Ocean to put the game out of reach. Frazier walked, Nimmo was plunked and Smith walked to chase the incompetent Scott. He hit two batters, walked two and gave up a 3 run home run...some relief. Brian Johnson came in and got Jackson to ground into a double play to end the inning with the Mets up 4-0.

                                               The Mets end it early

The Sox tried to fight back in the bottom of the third when Ian Kinsler singled and stole second to start. Jackie Bradley Jr walked but Blake Swihart whiffed and Mr. Mookie flied out to left. The Sox pulled off a double steal when Kinsler and JBJ stole third and second respectively but Benintendi grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Mets struck again in the top of the fourth although Nido whiffed to begin. Rosario grounded out to short but McNeil crushed a 900 foot home run to increase their lead. Conforto grounded out to first to end the inning but the Mets now led 5-0.

                                                 The Mets are all smiles

Snydergaard stayed hot in the bottom of the fourth as Moreland flied out to right but Martinez singled. Bogaerts popped up to second but Devers flied out to left to end the inning.

Johnson returned for the top of the fifth and froze Bruce for strike three but Frazier singled. Nimmo looked at strike three and Smith flied out to left to end the inning. The Sox rolled over in the bottom of the fifth as Kinsler and JBJ whiffed although Swihart walked. Mr. Mookie flied out to right to end the inning.

Jackson popped up to second to begin the top of the sixth and Nido whiffed. Rosario flied out to right to end the inning. More nothing in the bottom of the sixth as Benintendi and Moreland grounded out to second but Martinez walked. Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning.

Johnson came back for the top of the seventh and finished strong. McNeil flied out to left but Conforto walked. Bruce flied out to center and Frazier grounded into a force to end the inning. His effort saved the bullpen for better days.

                                                  Valiant effort by Johnson

 The Sox rolled over again in the bottom of the seventh as Devers grounded out to third to begin. Kinsler singled but was foolishly picked off. JBJ lined out to second to end the inning with the Sox getting just 4 hits against Snydergaard.

Tyler Thornburg sprinted out of the bullpen to the mound to get lit up in the top of the eighth inning. Nimmo walked but Smith flied out to center. Nimmo swiped second before Jackson crushed a 29,000 foot home run to piss off the remaining fans. Nido grounded out but Rosario smashed a 300,000 foot bomb as fans pelted Thormburg with garbage. Sox manager Alex Cora brought in Drew Pomeranz as a sign of waiving the white flag. McNeil singled but Conforto lined out to left to end the inning with the Mets up 8-0. The Sox gave up Travis Shaw for THIS?

                                                 Another horrid outing by Thornburg

Jerry Blevins had the bottom of the eighth for the Mets and Swihart popped up to second to start. Mr. Mookie singled and Steve Pearce pinch hit for Benintendi only to pop up to first. Sam Travis pinch hit for Moreland and whiffed to end the inning.

Tzu-Wei Lin took over for Bogaerts in the top of the ninth as Pomeranz got Bruce flied out to left to begin. Frazier whiffed and Nimmo looked at strike three to end the inning. The torture ended in the bottom of the ninth with Tyler Bashor on the mound. Brandon Phillips pinch hit for Martinez and whiffed to start. Lin lined out to right before Devers grounded out to second to end the game. The Mets had won it 8-0.

Jackass of the Night is Robby Scott. He faced 6 men, walked two, hit two and allowed a home run. Some relief.

                                                 "Gimmie the ball you Jackass"



The Good:

JD Martinez was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Ian Kinsler was 2 for 3 with 2 stolen bases.

Brian Johnson saved the bullpen with 4 2.3 innings of 1 run ball.

Drew Pomeranz tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 3.

Steve Pearce was 0 for 1.

Mitch Moreland was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Sam Travis struck out as a pinch hitter.

Brandon Phillips struck out as a pinch hitter.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Tzu-Wei Lin was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Rafael Devers was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Tyler Thornburg allowed 3 runs in 2/3 of an inning.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 2 but walked and stole a base.

Blake Swihart was 0 for 2 but walked.

William Cuevas took the loss with 2 runs allowed in 2 plus innings as an emergency starter. Not his fault Robby Scott sucked afterwards.




Final Thoughts:

When discussing some of the worst losses of the season, this one ranks right up there. It had to be expected with a pitcher like Snydergaard dealing and an emergency starter pitching on very short notice. Still, the Sox offense could have at least TRIED to make a game of it. Instead this game was totally embarassing. Still, its just one game and the Sox have two more to get their act together before they head to the Bronx to face the New York Yankees. Martinez desperately needs a day off because he looks lost and the rest of the offense took a big coffee break. They better not be on cruise control because the last two years ended badly when that happened. The loss dropped the Sox to 101-47, 9.5 games ahead of the Yankees with 14 to play. Tomorrow afternoon "Slick" Rick Porcello (16-7) takes the mound opposite Corey Oswalt at 4:05 PM at Fenway Park.

White Sox Blank Red Sox (9/2/18)

There have been some pretty bad or embarrassing losses this season. Whether the Sox get no hit, or David Price pisses himself in New York or the Sox get swept for the first time in a year...but this takes the cake. At least the A's, Rays and Yankees have winning records, tonight's epic beating came at the hands of the 55-82 Chicago White Sox. The White Sox offense scored early and often against a battered and reeling pitching staff while former Sox nemesis "Big Game" James Shields turned back the clock 5 years, shutting out the Sox 8-0 at Commiskey Park. How many runs did the Sox score Dean Wormer?

The BoSox blew one of their only scoring chances in the top of the first inning as Mr. Mookie Betts flied out to right to begin. Xander Bogaerts singled but Mitch Moreland flied out to left. A wild pitch by Shields moved Bogaerts to second and JD Martinez walked. Eduardo Nunez lined out to center to end the inning and the Sox would have just 4 hits the rest of the game. The White Sox had no trouble scoring against Brian Johnson (4-4, 4.36 ERA) in the bottom of the first. Ryan LaMarre whiffed but Tim Anderson crushed a 500,000 foot bomb to give the ChiSox the lead for good two batters into it. Matt Davidson singled but Daniel Palka whiffed. Jose Rondon walked and Kevan Smith singled home Davidson. Yoan Moncada singled to load the bases but Yolmer Sanchez flied out to left to end the inning with Chicago up 2-0.

                                                  Anderson gets it started

Shields shut the BoSox down in the top of the second as Ian Kinsler and Brock "The Hitman" Holt both looked at strike three to start. Blake Swihart singled and stole second but Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to second to end the inning. The ChiSox poured it on in the bottom of the second as Adam Engel and LaMarre stroked back to back singles before Anderson advanced Engel to third with a fly out to left. Davidson doubled home both runners to chase the incompetent Johnson from the game. He had been solid all year but against one of the worst teams in the league he gave up 4 runs in 1 1/3 innings. Pathetic! Bobby Poyner made his first appearance in a long time and got Palka to fly out to right and Rondon to pop up to second to end the inning with Chicago up 4-0.

                                                            This got out of hand in a hurry

The BoSox went down in the top of the third inning as Mr. Mookie whiffed to start before Bogaerts lined out to left. Moreland walked but Martinez lined out to center to end the inning. The White Sox literally ran the Bosox ragged in the bottom of the third inning. Smith walked but Moncada struck out swinging. Sanchez erased Smith with a force but swiped second and scored on the Engel single. Engel swiped second but LaMarre grounded out to third to end the inning with Chicago ahead 5-0.

The BoSox did nothing in the top of the fourth as Nunez grounded out to short to start. Kinsler whiffed but Holt was plunked. Swihart flied out to right to end the inning. The ChiSox scored again in the bottom of the fourth with William Cuevas now on the mound for Boston. Anderson and Davidson whiffed but Palka crushed a 800,000 foot moon shot to extend the lead. Rondon whiffed to end the inning. Cuevas challenged them all and got burned 1 out of the 4 times, trailing 6-0.

                                                       Tacking it on...and on....

JBJ whiffed to open the top of the fifth before Mr. Mookie grounded out to second. Bogaerts singled and stole second but Moreland whiffed to end the inning. For the first time the ChiSox were kept off the board in the bottom of the fifth. Smith walked but Moncada whiffed. Sanchez singled but Engel whiffed. LaMarre grounded out to first to end the inning.

Martinez looked to start a rally in the top of the sixth but Nunez banged into a double play. kinsler popped up to second to end the inning. Cuevas returned for the bottom of the sixth but started clutching his arm after Anderson doubled. Davidson was plunked and Anderson moved to third on the Palka fly out to right. Rondon beat out a double play ball to score Anderson to increase the lead. Cuevas then threw a pitch to the backstop, advancing Rondon to second, before collapsing in a heap. He had to be hauled off on a gurney headed to the hospital but Robby Scott materialized out of thin air on the mound to pitch for Boston. Smith walked and Moncada singled but Sanchez flied out to left to end the inning with Chicago ahead 7-0.

                                                   Bye bye Cuevas

Nicky Delmonico came in for LaMarre but played left with Palka moving to right with Caleb Frare now on the mound to pitch the top of the seventh. Holt grounded out to second, Swihart whiffed and JBJ whiffed to end the inning. The bench emptied in the bottom of the seventh with Sam Travis replaced Bogaerts but played right, Tzu-Wei Lin took over for Betts but was at short, Steve Pearce replaced Moreland while playing first, Sandy Leon replaced Nunez but caught. Holt remained at second with Swihart moving to third with Robby Scott batting sixth now. Engel whiffed but Delmonico was plunked. Anderson doubled but Davidson looked at strike three. Palka whiffed to end the inning.

Juan Minaya came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Lin whiffed to start. Travis looked at strike three before Pearce flied out to right to end the inning. Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth as Rondon singled to start. Smith lined out to center snd Moncada grounded back to the mound but Rondon advanced to third. Sanchez wrapped up the scoring with an rbi single. Engel whiffed to end the inning with Chicago up 8-0.

Hector Santiago was brought in to pitch the top of the ninth and Martinez singled to start. Leon whiffed and Christian Vazquez pinch hit for Velazquez and struck out. Holt walked but Swihart hit one up the elevator shaft to end the game. The White Sox had won it 8-0.

Jackass of the Night is Brian Johnson. The Sox needed a good start and he lasted just 1 1/3 innings and gave up 4 runs. Thanks for nothing.

                                                             Jackass Johnson


The Good:

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 3.

JD Martinez was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Brock Holt was hit with a pitch and walked in four plate appearances.

Robby Scott tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Mookie Betts was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Tzu-Wei Lin was 0 for 1 with a strikeout.

Sam Travis was 0 for 1 with a strikeout.

Steve Pearce was 0 for 1.

Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 3.

Sandy Leon was 0 for 1 with a strikeout.

Ian Kinsler was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Christian Vazquez struck out as a pinch hitter.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Hector Velazquez allowed a run in an inning of work.



The Ugly:

Mitch Moreland was 0 for 2 but walked.

Blake Swihart was just 1 for 4.

Bobby Poyner allowed a run in 1 2/3 innings of work.

William Cuevas allowed 2 runs in 2 2/3 innings of work while striking out 5.




Final Thoughts:

Time to get the hell out of Chicago. The 55 win White Sox have taken 4 of the 7 games the two teams have played and this series opened up a black hole in the Red Sox rotation. With David Price, Chris Sale and Steven Wright all out or just coming back, the remaining starters have sucked for two weeks now. Johnson, Nathan Eovaldi, Rick Porcello and Hector Velazquez are getting hammered in every game now and the Sox need a change in a bad way. The offense was non-existent again and this is getting a 2011 vibe all over again. Changes need to be made or this September is going to get ugly in a hurry. The only good news is the New York Yankees lost to the Detroit Tigers and with that, the loss drops the Sox to 94-44, 7.5 games ahead of the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow is Labor Day Monday where the Sox travel to Atlanta for a 3 game interleague set with the NL East leading Braves. Rookie Touki Toussaint goes for the Braves while Nathan Eovaldi gets a chance of redemption since technically his last start ended early due to rain. The game begins at 1:05 PM at Turner Field.

Jays Crush Sox, Snap Streak (7/13/18)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox announced Andrew Benintendi was sent home on Bereavement Leave after a death in his family. In his place Sam Travis has been called up from Pawtucket to take his place.

                                                                     OUT

                                                                       IN

As for the game, al good things must come to an end and the Red Sox ten game winning streak was snapped at the hands of the Toronto Blue Jays. "Slick" Rick Porcello (11-4, 4.13 ERA) got shelled for 8 runs allowed in just 2 innings, the bullpen was of no help late and though the Sox offense put up 7 runs, the Jays put 13 up with 14 hits. The streak was snapped as Toronto took the game 13-7 at Fenway Park.

Porcello did manage to get out of the top of the first unscathed as Curtis Granderson led off with a fly out to center. Lourdes Gurriel Jr grounded out to short but Yangervis Solarte singled. Justin Smoak took strike three to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the first against starter Ryan Borucki as Mr. Mookie Betts led off with a triple over the head of Kevin Pillar. Brock "The Hitman" Holt whiffed and JD Martinez hit a perfect double play ball to Gurriel Jr...UNDER HIS GLOVE. Betts came around to score to give the Sox the lead. Xander Bogaerts whiffed and a passed ball moved Martinez to second but Mitch Moreland grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                 Run Mookie! Run!

The Jays pounced on Porcello in the top of the second as Kendrys Morales and Russell Martin drew back to back walks before Pillar doubled home Morales to tie the game. Dwight Smith hit a sac fly to score Martin and advance Pillar to third before Devon Travis walked. Granderson whiffed but Gurriel Jr singled home Pillar to increase the Jays lead. Solarte grounded out to short to end the inning with the Jays ahead 3-1.

                                                      The Jays strike back

The Sox exploded in the bottom of the second although Eduardo Nunez grounded out to second to begin. Sam Travis walked and Gurriel Jr booted another grounder leading to Sandy Leon reaching. Jackie Bradley Jr singled to center and Travis booked it home. Pillar's throw sailed into the stands and Travis scored, Leon advancing to third on yet another error. Mr. Mookie then looked to have hit a three run homer but it was ruled a triple to score two runs. Holt singled home Mookie anyway but Martinez flied out to center. Borucki then tried to pick off Holt but threw the ball away and Holt not only stole second but took third as well. Bogaerts singled home Holt and Moreland walked. Nunez grounded out to second to end the inning but the Sox took advantage of 3 errors to take a 6-3 lead.

                                               The highlight of the night for the Sox

The Jays showed some balls to knock Porcello out in the top of the third inning as Smoak crushed a 400,000 foot home run to cut into the lead. Morales walked and Martin singled before Pillar doubled home both runners. Sox manager Alex Cora left Rick in one batter too long as Smith smashed a 13,000 foot blast to knock out Porcello and put the Jays up big. Porcello was pulled after giving up 8 earned runs in just 2 plus innings, yuck!

                                         "Get outta here before I give ya a slap!" - Cora

Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez stopped the bleeding as Travis grounded out to short, Granderson whiffed and Gurriel Jr grounded out to third to end the inning but the Jays were up 8-6.

The Sox looked to rally when Travis doubled to start the bottom of the third but Leon and JBJ both whiffed. Mr. Mookie was intentionally walked and Holt took strike three to end the inning.

Velazquez returned for the top of the fourth and struck out Solarte to start. Smoak and Morales drew back to back walks but Martin whiffed. Pillar singled to load the bases but Smith grounded into a force to end the inning. The Sox looked to get back in the game when Martinez singled to open the bottom of the fourth. Bogaerts drew a walk and Moreland singled home Martinez, advancing Moreland to third. The play of the game turned out to be when Jake Petricka relieved Borucki and got Nunez to pop up to second so the tying run couldn't score. Travis hit a grounder to first but Bogaerts was out at home. Leon walked to load the bases but JBJ grounded out to end the inning. After all that the Sox still trailed 8-7.

                                              "Just one run? Damn" - Bogaerts

Tyler Thornburg made a mad dash to the mound to pitch the top of the fifth and Travis whiffed to begin. Granderson whiffed but Gurriel Jr singled. Solarte grounded out to second to end the inning and Thornburg bolted into the dugout. Mr. Mookie singled to put the tying run on in the bottom of the fifth but Holt banged into a double play. Martinez doubled but Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning.

Ryan Brasier came in for the top of the sixth and Smoak flied out to right to begin. Morales grounded out to first but Martin walked. Pillar whiffed to end the inning. Aaron "Fruit" Loup came in for the bottom of the sixth and Moreland grounded back to the mound to start. John Axford came in and Nunez grounded out to short before Travis also grounded to short to end the inning.

Brasier came back for the top of the seventh and Smith flied out to center to begin. Travis grounded out to short and Granderson lined out to left to end the inning. Leon grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the seventh before JBJ grounded out to third. Seunghwan Oh came in to get Mr. Mookie to line out to third to end the inning.

Joe Kelly came in for the top of the eighth and crapped his pants. Gurriel Jr was plunked and Solarte singled before a passed ball moved both runners over. Smoak singled home Gurriel Jr to increase their lead. That was it for Kelly as Robby Scott came in to pour gas on the fire. Morales hit a ground rule double to score Solarte but Smoak was thrown out at home on a force by Martin. Pillar singled home Morales to ice the game. Randal Grichuk pinch hit for Smith and whiffed before Travis hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning with the Jays ahead 11-7

                                                        Nice going Kelly

Holt tried to rally the Sox with a leadoff double in the bottom of the eighth but Martinez and Bogaerts both struck out. Tom Mayza came in and got Moreland to ground out to second to end the inning.

Scott came back for a beating in the top of the ninth as he plunked Granderson to start. Gurriel Jr flied out to left but Holt forced Granderson at second when he dropped a pop up by Solarte. Aledmys Diaz pinch ran for Solarte but Smoak crushed a 160,000 foot home run to wrap up the scoring. Morales whiffed to end the inning but it was 13-7 Jays.

                                                 Smoak with another bomb

Tyler Clippard came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and Nunez singled to start. Travis and Leon both whiffed before JBJ grounded out to first to end the game. The Jays had won the game 13-7.

Jackass of the Night is Robby Scott. He allowed 2 inherited runners to score and 2 of his own to put the Sox in a hole they couldn't get out of

                                            "Everything stinks." - Scott the Jackass



The Good:

Mookie Betts was 3 for 4 with a walk, 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Brock Holt was 2 for 5 with an rbi, stolen base and a run scored.

JD Martinez was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Hector Velazquez tossed 2 scoreless innings.

Tyler Thornburg pitched a scoreless 5th inning.

Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless 6th inning.



The Bad:

Rick Porcello got hammered for 8 runs in just 2 innings on 7 hits, 4 walks and 2 longballs.

Joe Kelly faced 3 batters giving up 2 hits and a walk.



The Ugly:

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but walked and drove in a run.

Mitch Moreland was just 1 for 4 but walked and drove in a run.

Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 5.

Sam Travis was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored.

Sandy Leon was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked and scored.

Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run and scored.




Final Thoughts:

Offensively the Sox kept on rolling but the pitching finally let them down. Scoring 7 runs usually means you win the game but giving up 13 is less than idea. The Sox were due for a stinkeroo after 10 straight wins so better now than the last game before the all-star break. Hopefully they can win the next two so they have momentum going into the break. Scott has been useless this season and Kelly has been struggling a lot this month. Porcello was due for a stinker so no sense ragging on him too much, some days you just don't have it. The less said of this disaster the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 66-30, 3.5 games ahead of the slumping New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox will look to bounce back tomorrow afternoon with Eduardo Rodriguez going up against Sam Gaviglio at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Blow It Late Against Twins (6/19/18)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a pitching change so to speak. Justin Haley was sent down to Pawtucket and Robby Scott has been called up. The Sox may be interested in having another lefty in the bullpen so it would make sense to try out Scott to see if he shows them something before they start looking for lefty relief pitchers elsewhere.

OUT

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As for the game, what a disaster. The Sox were trailing 2 to 1 going into the eighth inning and somehow tied the game only for the Minnesota Twins to put 4 runs on the board in the bottom of the eighth to defeat the Sox. Chris Sale's brilliant start was wasted and Eduardo Escobar was the primary culprit as the Sox lost 6-2 at Target Field.

Jose Berrios was unhittable in the top of the first although Mr. Mookie Betts walked to begin. Andrew Benintendi grounded back to the mound but Betts moved to second. Xander Bogaerts whiffed but JD Martinez beat out an infield single to put runners at the corners. Mitch Moreland whiffed to end the inning.  Sale was equally unhittable in the bottom of the first inning. Joe Mauer whiffed, Eddie Rosario flied out to center and Eduardo Escobar looked at strike three to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second inning as Rafael Devers grounded out to second, Eduardo Nunez popped up to third and Sandy Leon failed to get a bunt past Berrios to end the inning. Sale got Brian Dozier to ground out to third to begin the bottom of the second. Robbie Grossman whiffed and Ehire Adrianza struck out swinging as well to end the inning.

The Sox squandered their only scoring chance in the top of the third inning. Jackie Bradley Jr walked and took second on a wild pitch, but Mr. Mookie lined out to left. Berrios tried to pick JBJ off but airmailed the throw and JBJ motored to third. Benintendi whiffed and Bogaerts grounded out to third to end the inning. Sale dominated the bottom of the third as Taylor Motter grounded out to first, Mitch Garver looked at strike three and old friend Ryan LaMarre flied out to right to end the inning

The Sox squandered another chance in the top of the fourth as Martinez and Moreland stroked back to back singles but Devers whiffed. Nunez popped up to first and Leon flied out to right to end the inning. Sale did not allow a runner in the bottom of the fourth as Mauer looked at strike three to start. Rosario watched strike three go by before Escobar grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Still nothing in the top of the fifth as JBJ flied out to right to start. Mr. Mookie walked but Benintendi lined out to left. Bogaerts grounded out to third to end the inning. The Mariners struck first in the bottom of the fifth due to bad defense although Dozier flied out to right to start. Grossman looked at strike three but Adrianza singled off the glove of Devers. Nunez dropped a throw by Leon and Adrianza swiped second before Motter walked. Garver flied out to right to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the sixth as Martinez lined out to right to start. Moreland flied out to center but Devers crushed a solo shot to put the Sox on top. Nunez singled but Leon struck out to end the inning with Boston ahead 1-0.

                                                   Devers goes yard

Just as soon as the Sox scored, Sale coughed it up in the bottom of the sixth. LaMarre singled and Mauer was plunked before both runners advanced on the Rosario ground out. Escobar doubled home both runners to give the Twins the lead. Dozier grounded out to third and Grossman whiffed to end the inning but the Twins were up 2-1.

                                                          The Twins take the lead

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the seventh as JBJ whiffed to start. Mr. Mookie was plunked and that was it for Berrios. Trevor Hildenberger replaced Berrios and Betts swiped second before Benintendi walked to put the tying run at first. Both runners advanced on the ground out by Bogaerts but Martinez whiffed to end the inning. Sale returned for the bottom of the seventh and froze Adrianza to begin. Motter whiffed and Garver grounded out to short to end the inning. That was it for Sale who tossed 7 innings of 2 run ball but had nothing to show for it as usual.

                                                  Sale dominates but doesn't win

The Sox did manage to get Sale off the hook in the top of the eighth inning. Zach Duke pitched for the Twins and Moreland flied out to left to start. Devers singled and advanced on the Nunez ground out to third. Leon singled home Devers to tie the game. JBJ grounded out to second to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                            Leon ties it up

Robby Scott made his season debut in the bottom of the eighth and he promptly crapped his pants. LeMarre walked and Mauer was plunked but Rosario popped up to center. That was it for Scott as Joe Kelly was brought in to stop the bleeding. Instead he made it worse as Rosario hit a bullet that JBJ muffed for a two run double to put the Twins back on top. Dozier walked and Grossman smacked a triple that JBJ missed catching to ice the game. That was it for the incompetent Kelly as Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez came in to clean up the mess. Adrianza flied out to center and Grossman broke for home.....YER OUTTA THERE! The Twins challenged the call but it was upheld and the inning was over with the Twins up 6-2.

                                                     The Twins are up for good

Fernando Rodney came in to close out the top of the ninth and whiffed Mr. Mookie to start. Benintendi looked at strike three but Bogaerts singled. Martinez whiffed to end the game, the Twins had won it 6-2.

Jackass of the Night is Joe Kelly. He allowed two inherited runners to score and two of his own to put the game out of reach

                                             "You're a Jackass, Kelly" - DL                           



The Good:

Mookie Betts walked twice in 4 plate appearances with a stolen base.

JD Martinez was 2 for 5.

Rafael Devers was 2 for 4 with 2 total runs scored and a solo home run.

Chris Sale tossed 7 innings of 2 run ball while striking out 11.

Hector Velazquez tossed 2/3 of a scoreless inning.




The Bad:

Robby Scott was charged with 2 runs in just 1/3 of an inning.



The Ugly:

Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 4 but drove in a run.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 5.

Mitch Moreland was just 1 for 4.

Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 4.

Sandy Leon was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 but walked.




Final Thoughts:

What is it about Chris Sale that transforms the Red Sox offense into the Stooges and opposing pitchers into Cy Young? The last two years Sale has run into the most mediocre starters that turn into Bob Gibson while the Sox offense evaporates. Still, Robby Scott didn't exactly endear himself with his performance either. Edwin Escobar had a career day but those things happen. If the Sox had any kind of an offense against Berrios then they could have countered the offense by Escobar. The less said of this game the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 49-25, 1 game behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night its David Price (8-4) going for the Sox opposite Lance Lynn against these same Twins at 8:00 PM at Target Field.

Pomeranz, Benintendi Guides Sox Past A's (9/14/17)

Before the game the Red Sox made the shocking news that David Price is coming off the disabled list. After disappearing at the end of July conveniently when Red Sox fans were ready to boo him off the field, he's coming back to pitch out of the bullpen these last two weeks. The 217 million dollar arm is going to be out of the bullpen with the season on the line, think about that for a second. This is not 2008 either where the Tampa Bay Devil Rays could afford for him to be in the bullpen in crunch time. Still, if he has anything left this season, the time is now to deliver.

                                                                         IN

As for the game, what a remarkable season Drew Pomeranz (16-5, 3.28 ERA) is having. One year after fans questioned why the Boston Red Sox didn't give him back to San Diego when it was discovered they had the chance to, he's become the most dependable starter on the team. With Chris Sale's second half struggles well documented, Pomeranz has been solid all season and today was no different. Getting some unusual late inning run support, Drew tossed 6 innings of 1 run ball to earn the win over the Oakland A's. The Sox finished the homestand with a 6-2 victory over the A's at Fenway Park.

                                                        Happy fan

Pomeranz got the ball in the top of the first inning and got Marcus Semien to ground out to second. Chad Pinder was rung up for strike three but Jed Lowrie walked. Ryon Healy flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox went quietly against Ryan Gossett in the bottom of the first. Xander Bogaerts flied out to right, Dustin Pedroia grounded out to third and Andrew Benintendi flied out to right to end the inning.

Pomeranz cruised in the top of the second inning as Matt Olson flied out to left, Matt Chapman whiffed and Renato Nunez popped up to first to end the inning. The Sox mustered nothing in the bottom of the second as Mookie Betts whiffed, Mitch Moreland lined out to right and Christian Vazquez grounded out to short to end the inning.

Mark Canha opened the top of the third inning with a fly out to right before Josh Phegley flied out to left. Semien hit a fly ball to left and Benintendi mysteriously threw his glove straight up in the air to knock the ball down, Semien advancing to second on the bizarre error. Pinder singled in the hole at short and Semien broke for home...but when Benintendi's throw got there, Semien went back to third. Not realizing this, Pinder made a mad dash to second and Vazquez gunned the ball there. Pinder put on the brakes and tried to scamper back to first hoping Semien would try for home. He didn't, and Holt threw the ball to first where Moreland tagged out Pinder to end the inning. Very bad baserunning by Oakland.

                                                 YERRRRRR OUT!

The Sox failed to capitalize in the bottom of the third inning as Rafael Devers struck out to begin. Brock Holt walked and Jackie Bradley Jr singled, but Bogaerts grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Pomeranz cruised in the top of the fourth as Lowrie watched strike three go by, Healy lined out to right and Olson popped up to short to end the inning. Pedroia whiffed to open the bottom of the fourth but Benintendi doubled. Betts popped up to first and Moreland flied out to center to end the inning.

The A's struck first in the top of the fifth inning as Chapman walked. Nunez struck out but Canha doubled. Phegley hit a fly ball to Benintendi who said to hell with Chapman and gunned the ball to third, catching Canha in a rundown. Mark was tagged out to end the inning but it was 1-0 A's.

                                             Oakland's only run

Boston took exactly two pitches to tie the game when Vazquez croaked a home run to left. Devers lined out to center, Holt grounded out to third and JBJ grounded out to first to end the inning, but it was tied 1-1.

                                                 Vazquez ties it up

Pomeranz returned for the top of the sixth and Semien singled but was erased on the Pinder double play. Lowrie walked and Healy singled but Drew stepped up to strike out Olson to end the inning. After 111 pitches, Pomeranz was done but had held the A's to just 1 run at this point.

                                                 Pomeranz gets it done

The Sox took command in the bottom of the sixth although Bogaerts flied out to center to start. Pedroia and Benintendi mashed back to back doubles to give the Sox the lead and chase Gossett from the game. Ryan Dull came in and Betts flied out to left, but Moreland doubled home Benintendi with an insurance run. Vazquez struck out to end the inning but it was now 3-1 Boston.

                                               RBI double for Benny

Oakland manager Bob Melvin and Sox manager John Farrell engaged in a proverbial chess match in the top of the seventh inning. Brandon Workman started the inning and walked Chapman, which prompted Melvin to send up Matt Joyce as a pinch hitter. Farrell countered by bringing in Robby Scott, so Melvin tackled Joyce and dragged him away. Franklin Barreto pinch hit for Joyce only to strike out. Addison Reed came in and gave up a double to Canha, so Melvin pinch hit Bruce Maxwell for Phegley. Reed blew away Maxwell but Semien walked to load the bases. Reed froze Pinder for strike 3 to end the inning. Guess Farrell won that one. Boog Powell came in to play center with Sam Moll on the mound. The Sox iced it as Devers doubled and Chapman threw a ground ball hit by Holt away, allowing Holt to reach second with Devers on third. JBJ struck out and Melvin, managing this game like it was the world series, brought in Santiago Cassila who plunked Bogaerts to load the bases. Pedroia hit a sac fly to score Devers and Bogaerts stole second. Benintendi iced it with a single to score both men. Betts flied out to center to end the inning with the score 6-1.

                                               "Talk to the hand" - Benny

Joe Kelly began the top of the eighth inning by striking out Lowrie, but Healy blasted a solo home run just to piss him off. Olson walked but was erased on the force by Chapman. Powell grounded out to end the inning but it was now 6-2.

                                                             Nice going Kelly

The Sox offense was done for the night in the bottom of the eighth with old friend Chris Smith on the mound. Chris was drafted in the fourth round of the 2002 draft by the Sox. Guess who was their 2nd round pick? Jon Lester...wish they still had him. Moreland grounded out to Smith, Vazquez grounded out to short and Devers flied out to center to end the inning.

                                            Lester and Smith still active 15 years later

Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Canha greeted him with a single. Maxwell walked to scare the fans but Semien flied out to right. Kimbrel blew away Pinder and froze Lowrie to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-2

                                            "WE DID IT! WE DID IT! YES! YES!"



Hero of the Night is Andrew Benintendi. He was 3 for 4 with a run scored and drove in 3 runs by himself.

                                                 Benny The Hero


The Good:

Dustin Pedroia was 1 for 3 with an rbi and a run scored.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 1 for 3.

Drew Pomeranz earned his 16th win by tossing 6 innings of 1 run ball, giving up 5 hits, walking 3 and striking out 5.

Robby Scott struck out the only man he faced.

Addison Reed got the final 2 outs of the 7th inning.

Craig Kimbrel pitched a scoreless ninth inning.



The Bad:

Mookie Betts was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Brandon Workman walked the only man he faced

Joe Kelly gave up a home run in the top of the eighth inning.




The Ugly:

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 3 but was hit with a pitch, stole a base and scored a run.

Mitch Moreland was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 4 but made the hit count as it was a solo home run.

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Brock Holt was 0 for 2 but walked and scored.




Final Thoughts:

I hate to say it after a win but that was a disappointing home-stand. They played 3 bottom dwelling teams and managed to go just 6-3. Meanwhile the Cleveland Indians are in the midst of a 21 game winning streak where the games aren't even close. It doesn't matter if the Red Sox collapse in the final 16 games or win the division because nobody is giving them a chance against Cleveland or the Houston Astros in the playoffs. Why should they? The most mediocre of pitchers shut down their offense and the starters seem to crap themselves at the worst of times. Chris Sale is mortal, Eduardo Rodriguez, Doug Fister and Rick Porcello are inconsistent and the last time Pomeranz pitched in October, he gave up what turned out to be the decisive run in Game 3's season ending loss. You would think the Sox lost today and it sure felt like they did to lose three games on the homestand. The win put the Sox at 83-63, 3 games in front of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox are on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays. Chris Sale (16-7, 2.76 ERA) goes up against Matt Andriese at 7:10 PM.