Sox Blitz Devil Rays, Win Game 2 (4/29/04)

That's how you win a doubleheader! After the Boston Red Sox blanked the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the first game, it was unlikely the Sox would shut them out again. The Rays did get two first inning runs against Derek Lowe (3-1, 4.98 ERA) to lead for the only time in the series.....but the Sox exploded against Tampa starter Damian Moss. The Sox got 5 runs off Moss highlighted by the Bill Mueller three run home run to chase him early. Pokey Reese added a two run single of John Halama and the Sox cruised from there. Lowe did allow a run in the fifth but Scott Williamson and Keith Foulke slammed the door in the final innings. The Sox swept the doubleheader and won this game 7-3 at Fenway Park.

                                                     Tsianina Joelson approves of the win

The Devil Rays attacked Lowe in the top of the first inning as Carl Crawford doubled off the Monster to start. Julio Lugo dropped down a bunt but Lowe misplayed it for an error to move Crawford to third. Aubrey Huff grounded back to the mound to move Lugo to second and Baldelli grounded out to second to score Crawford. Robert Fick doubled to right to score Lugo with another run before Jose Cruz Jr grounded out to second to end the inning with the Devil Rays up 2-0. 

                                                                 Fick with an rbi double

The Sox exploded on Moss in the bottom of the first as Johnny Damon walked to start. Mueller singled to left and David Ortiz got a base hit to right to score Damon. A wild pitch moved the runners over and Manny Ramirez stroked a base hit to right to score Mueller. Jason Varitek crushed his fourth home run of the season to put the Sox on top and David McCarty singled to left. Mark Bellhorn took strike three but Gabe Kapler doubled to center to chase Moss. John Halama came in to pitch and Pokey Reese got a base hit to left to score Kapler and McCarty but Damon popped up to short. Mueller forced Reese at second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-2.

                                                        Reese with the exclamation point

Lowe settled down in the top of the second inning as Geoff Blum flied out to left to start. Toby Hall grounded out to second but Rey Sanchez singled to center. Crawford struck out swinging to end the inning. Ortiz flied out to right to begin the bottom of the seventh and Ramirez grounded out to third. Varitek grounded out to short to end the inning.

Lugo blooped a single to left to start the top of the third but Huff moved Julio to second with a grounder to short. Baldelli flied out to right but Fick walked. Cruz Jr struck out swinging to end the inning. McCarty grounded out to second to start the bottom of the third before Bellhorn struck out swinging. Kapler got the Rays asleep with a bunt single and stole second, but Reese grounded out to short to end the inning.

Blum got a seeing eye single into right field to start the top of the fourth but Hall grounded into a double play. Sanchez grounded out to second to end the inning. Damon grounded out to second to start the bottom of the fourth and Mueller grounded out to third. Ortiz struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Rays struck back in the top of the fifth as Crawford doubled to left and Lugo tripled into the left field corner. Huff popped up to second, Baldelli lined out to second and Fick grounded out to short to end the inning with the Rays down 7-3.

                                                             Lugo with a triple

Ramirez grounded out to second to begin the bottom of the fifth before Varitek also grounded out to second. McCarty flied out to center to end the inning.

Cruz struck out swinging to start the top of the sixth and Blum grounded out to short. Hall got a base hit to right and Sanchez flied out to right to end the inning. Bellhorn grounded out to first to start the bottom of the sixth and Kapler grounded out to third. Reese got a base hit to right and moved to second on an error by Cruz. Trever Miller came in to pitch to Damon and Johnny grounded out to second to end the inning.

Lowe returned for one final inning in the top of the seventh as Crawford lined a ball off Derek to start. Lugo was hit with a pitch but Huff grounded into a double play. Baldelli grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Solid effort by Lowe who allowed 3 runs in 7 innings off 9 hits and a walk.

                                                             Good work Lowe

Mueller grounded out to short to open the bottom of the seventh and Ortiz did the same. Ramirez got a base hit to left and Varitek beat out a roller to short to chase Miller. Chad Gaudin walked McCarty to load the bases but Bellhorn popped up to first to end the inning.

Scott Williamson came in to pitch the top of the eighth with Cesar Crespo taking Ortiz' spot. Fick took strike three before Cruz drew a walk. Blum flied out to center and Hall struck out swinging to end the inning. Kapler watched strike three go by to start the bottom of the eighth before Reese flied out to center. Damon doubled off the Monster but Mueller struck out swinging to end the inning.

Keith Foulke came in to close out the top of the ninth and Sanchez grounded out to second to start. Crawford was frozen for strike three and Lugo went down hacking to end the game. The Sox had won the game 7-2.

Hero of The Night is Jason Varitek. His three run home run turned out to be the difference in the game.

                                                             Hero Tek

The Good:

Manny Ramirez was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

David McCarty was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Gabe Kapler was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Pokey Reese was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis.

Derek Lowe got the win by tossing 7 innings of 3 run (1 earned) ball while allowing 9 hits and a walk.

Scott Williamson tossed a scoreless eighth inning.

Keith Foulke pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Mark Bellhorn was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Johnny Damon was just 1 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

Bill Mueller was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but scored a run.

David Ortiz was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run and scored a run.

Honorable Mention:

Cesar Crespo played left field in the final innings.

Final Thoughts:

Good work by the Sox to sweep the doubleheader. The Sox offense only scored in one inning but it was enough to win the game. The rally showcased what a quick strike offense they are but going cold for eight innings was a little disappointing. Still, the way Lowe and the bullpen pitched, it didn't matter. Once again Williamson and Foulke slammed the door and the Sox are going to have a devastating bullpen moving forward. It was also good to see McCarty, Reese and Kapler contribute big hits as well. The Sox have a long way to go until Nomar Garciaparra and Trot Nixon are healthy so Boston has to make due until then. Boston has one game left in the month of April and they can end on a high note big time. The Sox now travel to Texas for a three game set with the Rangers. Bronson Arroyo gets the start for the Sox against Ryan Drese of Texas. The game begins at 8:05 PM Eastern time at Arlington Park.

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

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

                                                           Happy Sox fans

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

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

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

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

                                                            Home run Ramirez

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

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

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

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

                                                        Good work Pedro

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

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

                                                            Sox win

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

                                                              Hero Pedro

The Good:

David Ortiz was 2 for 4.

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

Scott Williamson got the save with 2 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Jason Varitek was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Cesar Crespo was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Pokey Reese was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

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

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

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

Honorable Mention:

Gabe Kapler played right field in the final two innings.

Final Thoughts:

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

Sox Defeat Yankees in 12 Innings (4/24/04)

The New York Yankees might be in trouble. The Boston Red Sox have now beaten them five out of six games and today's game might have been the best one yet. The Red Sox took the lead against Kevin Brown with sac flies from Manny Ramirez and Pokey Reese but the Yankees got a run in the 4th off Bronson Arroyo and another in the seventh to tie the game. The Boston bullpen stepped up with six lights out innings to keep the Yankees off the board but the Yankees bullpen stayed tough as well. In the top of the 12th, Mark Bellhorn hit a sac fly off old buddy Paul Quantrill. Mike Timlin slammed the door in the bottom of the 12th as the Sox beat the Yankees 3-2 at Yankee Stadium.

                                                        Clare Kramer approves of the win

The Sox wasted no time getting to Brown in the top of the first as Johnny Damon walked to start. Bill Mueller walked as well and David Ortiz moved both runners over with a grounder to first. Manny Ramirez hit a sac fly to center to score Damon and put the Sox on top. Jason Varitek grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                            Damon scores the first run

Arroyo got the ball in the bottom of the first and Derek Jeter walked to start. Hideki Matsui took strike three and Jeter was gunned down at second trying to steal. Alex Rodriguez grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Brown couldn't do anything right in the top of the second as Kevin Millar lined a ball off Brown and he threw the ball into the crowd, moving Millar to second. Mark Bellhorn hit a grounder to Travis Lee who flipped to Brown.....DROPPED IT! Gabe Kapler was plunked to load the bases and Pokey Reese hit a sac fly to center to score Millar. Damon flied out to left and Mueller grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                        Reese drives in a run

Jason Giambi took strike three to start the bottom of the second before Gary Sheffield also watched strike three go by. Jorge Posada grounded out to second to end the inning.

Ortiz doubled to center to start the top of the third but Manny grounded back to the mound. Varitek walked and Millar moved both runners over with a grounder to third. Bellhorn flied out to center to end the inning. Both Lee and Bernie Williams grounded out to second to begin the bottom of the third but Enrique Wilson walked. Jeter flied out to right to end the inning.

Kapler grounded out to third to start the top of the fourth before Reese flied out to right. Damon grounded out to short to end the inning. The Yankees struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Matsui struck out swinging to start. A-Rod hit a home run all the way to Los Angeles to cut the lead. Giambi and Sheffield both grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Yankees down 2-1.

                                                     A-Rod hits one out

Mueller doubled down the right field line to start the top of the fifth before moving to third on the Ortiz fly ball to right. Ramirez grounded back to the mound and Varitek flied out to center to end the inning. Posada flied out to center to open the bottom of the fifth and Lee flied out to left. Williams flied out to left to end the inning.

Millar flied out to right to open the top of the sixth and Bellhorn flied out to center. Kapler grounded out to short to end the inning. The Yankees beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the sixth as Wilson grounded out to first to start. Jeter grounded out to third and Matsui grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the seventh as Reese got a base hit to center to start. Damon flied out to right but Mueller walked. Ortiz took strike three and Ramirez forced Miller at second to end the inning. Arroyo ran out of gas in the bottom of the seventh as A-Rod beat out a roller to third to begin. Giambi dropped a base hit to right but Millar bobbled the ball for an error to move Rodriguez to third. Sheffield got a base hit to left to score A-Rod to tie the game and chase Arroyo. Bronson battled but lasted just 6+ innings while allowing 2 runs off four hits and 2 walks. Bubba Crosby pinch ran for Giambi with Scott Williamson coming in to pitch. Posada grounded out to first to move both runners over and Lee was intentionally walked to load the bases. The gamble worked as Williams grounded into a double play to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                     Better luck next time Arroyo

Old pal Tom Gordon came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Varitek struck out swinging to start. Millar and Bellhorn both went down hacking to end the inning. Alan Embree came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and old buddy Tony Clark pinch hit for Wilson. Clark grounded out to second before Jeter struck out swinging. Matsui flied out to right to end the inning.

Miguel Cairo took over at second to start the top of the ninth and Kapler walked to start. Reese dropped down a bunt to move Kapler to second and Gabe moved to third on the Damon grounder to second. Mueller popped up to short to end the inning. A-Rod walked to put the winning run on first to start the bottom of the ninth and moved to second on the sacrifice bunt by Crosby. Sheffield popped up to short and Posada was intentionally walked. Lee grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Mariano Rivera came in to pitch the top of the tenth and Ortiz flied out to the right field wall to start. Ramirez got a base hit to right but Varitek forced him at second. Varitek swiped second but Millar hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. Keith Foulke came in to pitch the bottom of the tenth and Ortiz booted a grounder by Williams for an error to start. Cairo dropped down a bunt to move Williams to second and Williams moved to third on a grounder to second by Jeter. Matsui walked and A-Rod was intentionally walked to load the bases. Ruben Sierra pinch hit for Crosby and grounded into a force to end the inning.

Bellhorn walked to start the top of the eleventh but Kapler's bunt forced him at second. Ellis Burks pinch hit for Reese and got hit with a pitch before Damon walked to load the bases. Mueller popped up to short and Ortiz struck out swinging to end the inning. Cesar Crespo took over at short for the bottom of the eleventh and Sheffield was hit with a pitch to start. Posada flied out to center, Lee also flied out to center and Sheffield was thrown out trying to steal second to end the inning.

Paul Quantrill came in to pitch the top of the 12th and Ramirez doubled off the right field wall to start. Varitek grounded out to second to move Ramirez to third and Millar got hit with a pitch. Bellhorn hit a sac fly to center to score Ramirez to put the Sox on top. Kapler forced Millar at second to end the inning with the Sox up 3-2. 

                                                        Ramirez scores the go-ahead run

Mike Timlin came in to close out the bottom of the 12th with David McCarty now at first base. Williams took strike three to start and Cairo struck out swinging. Jeter grounded out to third to end the game. The Sox had won it 3-2.

                                                               Sox win

Hero of The Night is Mark Bellhorn. His sac fly in the 12th put the Sox up for good.

                                                        Mark Hero

The Good:

Ellis Burks got hit with a pitch as a pinch hitter.

Manny Ramirez was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Pokey Reese was 1 for 2 with an rbi.

Bronson Arroyo tossed 6+ innings allowing just 2 runs of 4 hits and 2 walks.

Scott Williamson pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

Alan Embree pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Keith Foulke tossed 3 scoreless innings to get the win.

Mike Timlin earned the save with a scoreless 12th inning.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Johnny Damon was 0 for 4 but walked twice and scored a run.

Bill Mueller was just 1 for 4 but walked twice.

David Ortiz was just 1 for 6 with 2 strikeouts and an error.

Kevin Millar was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout and an error but was hit with a pitch and scored a run.

Jason Varitek was 0 for 5 with a strikeout but walked and stole a base.

Gabe Kapler was 0 for 4 but walked.

Honorable Mention:

Cesar Crespo played short in the final two innings.

David McCarty played first in the final inning.

Final Thoughts:

I hate to bring up last year but this is what Sox brass envisioned Game 7 going down if the Sox had one more arm in the bullpen. Keith Foulke matched Mariano Rivera in extra innings and they still had Mike Timlin left in the bullpen. There was no Aaron Boone this time and the Sox got to Paul Quantrill in the 12th inning. Arroyo pitched well and the bullpen was lights out as they were last October. Its only April but that's a huge sign of good things to come if everyone can stay healthy. The Yankees have no answer for Timlin, Embree, Williamson and Foulke and that's not counting the starters. Again, there's a long way to go but winning 5 out of 6 against the Yankees is nothing to sneeze at. Good work by Bellhorn for getting the run in to win this marathon. The Sox now look for the sweep against the Yankees tomorrow afternoon when Pedro Martinez (2-1) returns to Yankee Stadium to face Javier Vazquez of New York. The game begins at 1:05 PM at Yankee Stadium.

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

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

                                                       Chris Benoit approves of the win

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

                                                              Ramirez drives in a run

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

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

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

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

                                                                Varitek scores a run

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

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

                                                            Millar drives in a run

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

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

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

                                                          Mueller scores a run

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

                                                               Martinez gets it done

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

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

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

                                                              Pedro Hero

The Good:

Bill Mueller was 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

David Ortiz was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

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

Scott Williamson pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Keith Foulke earned the save with a scoreless ninth.

The Bad:

Pokey Reese was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Johnny Damon was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

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

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

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

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

Honorable Mention:

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

Final Thoughts:

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

Wakefield, Sox Down Yankees (4/16/04)

Last year was a bitter defeat suffered by the Boston Red Sox against the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series and tonight was the first game of nineteen this season. The Red Sox opened the salvo with a convincing win over the Yankees by knocking around their off-season acquisition Javier Vazquez for four first inning runs. Bill Mueller and Manny Ramirez both hit home runs to lead 4-0 early. Tim Wakefield (1-0, 2.19 ERA) continued his mastery over the Yankees (starting anyway) by allowing just two runs in seven innings of work to keep the Sox in front. Doug Mirabelli knocked in two runs of his own including a home run to wrap up the scoring. Keith Foulke slammed the door in the ninth and the Sox had their first victory against the Yankees this season 6-2 at Fenway Park.

                                                 John Carroll approves of the win

Wakefield got the ball in the top of the first inning and Kenny Lofton led off by grounding out to Pokey Reese to start. Derek Jeter flied out to center and Alex Rodriguez grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox wasted no time getting to Vazquez in the bottom of the first as Johnny Damon reached on an error by Jason Giambi to start. Bill Mueller made Giambi pay with a two run homer into the bullpen. David Ortiz struck out swinging but Manny Ramirez was awarded a home run when replays showed it hit off the right field wall and should have been a triple. Kevin Millar singled off the Monster but Ellis Burks forced him at second. Mark Bellhorn walked and Doug Mirabelli hit a routine grounder to Jeter....through his legs for an error to score Burks for another run. Pokey Reese flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-0.

                                                      Ole!!!

The Yankees got one back in the top of the second although Giambi flied out to the right field warning track to start. Gary Sheffield popped up to Manny but Jorge Posada hit a home run into the Charles River to cut the lead. Hideki Matsui grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Yankees down 4-1.

                                                       Home run Posada

Damon flied out to left to begin the bottom of the second but Mueller slashed an opposite field single into left field. Ortiz banged into a double play to end the inning.

Bernie Williams took strike three to start the top of the third and Enrique Wilson grounded out to third. Lofton also grounded out to third to end the inning. Vazquez turned up the heat in the bottom of the third as Ramirez struck out swinging to start. Millar and Burks both struck out swinging to end the inning.

Jeter grounded a single up the middle to start the top of the fourth but A-Rod waived badly for strike three. Giambi walked but Sheffield grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Bellhorn flied out to right to start. Fox decided it would be cute to play Bucky Dent's home run from 1978 and Mirabelli stuck it up their ass with a home run into the bullpen to increase the lead. Reese popped up to short and Damon grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-1.

                                                 "Take THAT, Fox" - Mirabelli

The Yankees answered in the top of the fifth as Posada grounded out to second to start. Matsui lined a base hit past Reese then took second on a passed ball. Williams dumped a base hit to right to score Matsui to cut the lead. Bernie moved to second on a grounder back to the mound by Wilson and Lofton grounded out to second to end the inning with the Yankees down 5-2.

                                                   Williams drives in a run

Mueller led off the bottom of the fifth with a base hit through the right side, but was thrown out at second trying to steal when Ortiz struck out swinging. Ramirez grounded out to short to end the inning.

Jeter grounded out to third to start the top of the sixth but Reese bobbled a grounder by A-Rod for an error. Giambi walked but A-Rod was thrown out at third on a double steal attempt, although Jason moved to second. Sheffield took strike three on the inside corner for strike three to end the inning. The Sox finished off Vazquez in the bottom of the sixth as Millar hit a bullet to A-Rod to start. Burks singled off the bottom of the Monster then moved to third on a base hit to right by Bellhorn. Mirabelli doubled into the left field corner to score Burks, chasing Vazquez. Paul Quantrill came in to face Reese and he hit a comebacker, getting Bellhorn caught in a rundown. All of a sudden Joe Torre came out and lifted Quantrill in favor of Gabe White to pitch to Damon. Damon flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-2.

                                                  Mirabelli drives in a run

Wakefield returned for one final inning in the top of the seventh and Posada grounded out to second to start. Fox decided to be cute again by showing Aaron Boone's home run before Matsui walked. Williams walked and old pal Tony Clark pinch hit for Wilson. Clark struck out swinging and Lofton forced Williams at second to end the inning. That was it for Wakefield who went 7 strong innings and held the Yankees to 2 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks.

                                                     Wakefield gets it done

Miguel Cairo came in to play second in the bottom of the seventh as Mueller led off with a walk. Ortiz popped up to left and that was it for White. Jorge De Paula came in to face Ramirez and Manny grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Scott Williamson was all over the place in the top of the eighth as Jeter grounded out to second to start. A-Rod hit a bullet to Mueller but Ramirez dropped a routine pop up by Giambi for an error. A wild pitch moved Giambi to second and Sheffield walked. A wild pitch moved both runners over and Posada walked to chase Williamson. Alan Embree came in and struck out Matsui swinging to end the inning. Millar grounded out to short to start the bottom of the eighth and Fox once again tried to stick it to the Sox by showing a flashback to Grady Little leaving Pedro Martinez on the mound in Game 7. Burks, Bellhorn and Mirabelli all walked to load the bases and that was it for De Paula. Donovan Osbourne came in to pitch and Reese grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Keith Foulke came in to close out the top of the ninth with Gabe Kapler in for defense in right field. Williams popped up to center to start but Ortiz dropped a pop up in foul territory by Cairo for an error. Cairo was plunked and moved to second on a Lofton comebacker, but Jeter popped up to center to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-2.

                                                             Sox win

Hero of the Night is Tim Wakefield. He got the win by tossing 7 innings and allowing just two runs (one earned) allowing 4 hits and 4 walks while striking out four batters.

                                                   Dave Wallace talks to our Hero

The Good:

Bill Mueller was 3 for 3 with a two run home run and a walk.

Ellis Burks was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Mark Bellhorn was 1 for 2 with 2 walks.

Doug Mirabelli was 2 for 3 with a walk, a home run and two total rbis.

Scott Williamson got the first two outs of the eighth inning.

Alan Embree got the final out of the eighth inning.

Keith Foulke pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

David Ortiz was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts and an error.

Pokey Reese was 0 for 4 with an error.

The Ugly:

Johnny Damon was 0 for 4 but scored a run.

Manny Ramirez was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout and an error but hit a home run.

Kevin Millar was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Honorable Mention:

Gabe Kapler played right field in the ninth inning.

Final Thoughts:

Fox thought they were being funny by making fun of Johnny Damon's hair and showing all those anti-Red Sox graphics throughout the game but the Sox shoved it up their keister tonight. Wakefield dominated the Yankees in two starts in last year's ALCS (but Fox doesn't want you to know that) and he had another great start tonight. The offense knocked around Javier Vazquez early and it was good to see Doug Mirabelli join the party after not playing for eight days. That eighth inning could have gotten a lot worse after Manny casually dropped the ball and Williamson couldn't find the plate, kudos to Alan Embree for making quick work of Matsui. Keith Foulke once again did the job and has been worth every penny so far. The Sox have to fight not only the Yankees but Fox itself moving forward apparently, they should use the ammo for tomorrow afternoon. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the Yankees when Curt Schilling (1-0) gets the ball against Mike Mussina of New York. The game begins at 1:20 PM at Fenway Park.

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

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

                                                                            OUT

                                                                   IN

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

                                                    "This sucks" - Andrew Raycroft

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

                                                        Home run Roberts

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

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

                                                            Bigbie drives in a run

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

                                                    Home run Mueller

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

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

                                                         Matos is a menace

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

                                                          Damon drives in a run

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

                                                          "I sucked tonight" - Pedro

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

                                                        Home run Tejada

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

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

                                                               Jackass Arroyo

The Good:

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

Manny Ramirez was 2 for 5 with a walk.

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

Pokey Reese was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Mark Malaska pitched a scoreless sixth inning.

Scott Williamson pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

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

Keith Foulke tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Alan Embree tossed a scoreless tenth inning.

The Bad:

David McCarty grounded out as a pinch hitter.

Cesar Crespo was 0 for 1 at the plate.

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

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

The Ugly:

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

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

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

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

Gabe Kapler was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

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

Final Thoughts:

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