Sox Late Rally Sinks Mariners (5/14/15)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made some roster moves. Luis Jimenez was optioned down to Pawtucket and Justin Masterson was placed on the Disabled List with right shoulder tendinitis. To take Justin's place, the Sox called up Robbie Ross Jr. Masterson has pitched like crap lately so hopefully some rest will get him right.

                                                                          OUT

                                                                IN

As for the game, for eight innings the Boston Red Sox and the Seattle Mariners were locked in a pitcher's duel. Joe Kelly of the Sox and Roenis Elias of the Mariners combined to allow a single earned run apiece in 6 plus innings. A Shane Victorino home run in the top of the fourth and a Logan Morrison rbi in the bottom of the sixth amounted for the only runs of the game. Then in the top of the ninth, Mookie Betts hit a fly ball to Rickie Weeks who threw the ball away, allowing Brock Holt to score. Koji Uehara slammed the door in the bottom of the ninth and the Sox had won it 2-1 at Safeco Field.

                                                        Jimmy Valmer approves of the win

Elias got the ball in the top of the first and Mr. Mookie Betts lined out to Brad Miller to start. Dustin Pedroia popped up to first and David Ortiz grounded out to short to end the inning. Kelly got the ball in the bottom of the first and Seth Smith flied out to center to start. Miller got a base hit to left but was forced at second on a grounder by Robinson Cano. Nelson Cruz got a base hit to right to move Cano to third but Kyle Seager grounded out to first to end the inning.

Hanley Ramirez reached on a swinging bunt in front of the plate to start the top of the second but was thrown out at second trying to steal. Mike Napoli took strike three but Shane Victorino dumped a base hit to left. Brock "The Hitman" Holt ripped a base hit to right but Xander Bogaerts grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Logan Morrison grounded back to the mound to start. Mike Zunino grounded out to short and Dustin Ackley also grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Blake Swihart grounded out to third to start the top of the third before Mr. Mookie got a base hit to left. Pedroia popped up to second and Ortiz flied out to center to end the inning. Chris Taylor grounded out to short to start the bottom of the third and Smith grounded out to first. Miller grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the fourth as Ramirez got a base hit to left to start. Ortiz grounded into a double play but Victorino belted his first home run of the season to put the Sox on top. Holt walked but Bogaerts flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                      Home run Victorino

Cano grounded out to second to start the bottom of the fourth but Cruz got a base hit to center. Seager singled to left and Morrison walked to load the bases. Zunino was frozen for strike three and Ackley lined a ball off Napoli's glove, but the alert Pedroia threw to Kelly covering for the out to end the inning.

Swihart popped up to first to start the top of the fifth before Mr. Mookie popped up to second. Pedroia flied out to center to end the inning. Taylor grounded out to short to begin the bottom of the fifth before Smith lined out to center. Miller grounded out to short to end the inning.

Ortiz grounded out to short to start the top of the sixth but Ramirez doubled to right. Napoli struck out swinging but Victorino walked. Holt forced Shane at second to end the inning. The Mariners struck back in the bottom of the sixth as Cano grounded out to second to start. Cruz walked and Seager got a base hit to right before a wild pitch moved both runners. Morrison grounded out to second but Cruz scored to tie the game. Zunino took strike three to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                             Mariners tie it

Bogaerts got a base hit to center to start the top of the seventh and Swihart dropped down a bunt to move him to second. Elias was sent to the showers and Mark Lowe came in to face Betts. Mr. Mookie struck out swinging but Pedroia walked to chase Lowe. Charlie Furbush got Ortiz to line out to center to end the inning. Ackley popped up to third to start the bottom of the seventh before Taylor walked to chase Kelly. Joe did well, allowing just 1 run in 6 1/3 innings off 5 hits and 3 walks. Tommy Layne came in to face pinch hitter Justin Ruggiano. Taylor got caught at first base on a botched hit and run when Victorino made a great jumping catch on a Ruggiano line drive to end the inning.

                                                         Kelly pitched well

Carson Smith came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Ramirez singled in the hole at short to begin. Ramirez was thrown out second trying to steal and Napoli struck out looking. Victorino took strike three to end the inning. Matt Barnes came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Rickie Weeks pinch hit for Miller. Weeks grounded back to the mound but Cano got a base hit to center. Cruz reached on a swinging bunt by Barnes but Seager grounded into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox rallied against Fernando Rodney in the top of the ninth as Holt doubled to center to start. Bogaerts dropped down a bunt and Mr. Mookie hit a fly ball to left. I'll let Sox broadcaster Don Orsillo handle this...."In the air to left field for Mookie Betts, Weeks goes back, he is under it, he makes the ca...NO HE DOESN'T!" Weeks dropped the ball for an error to score Holt to put the Sox on top. Pedroia grounded out to second to move both runners over and Ortiz walked to load the bases. Ramirez popped up to third in foul territory to end the inning but the Sox were up 2-1.

                                                     "I don't got it" - Weeks

Jackie Bradley Jr came in to play left, Sandy Leon came in to catch and Koji Uehara came in to close out the bottom of the ninth. Morrison flied out to left, Zunino popped up to second and Ackley was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to end the game. The Sox had won it 2-1.

                                                                  Sox win

Hero of The Night is Brock Holt. His ninth inning double started the rally and he finished it by scoring the go-ahead run.

                                                            Hitman Hero

The Good:

Hanley Ramirez was 4 for 5.

Pablo Sandoval was hit with a pitch as a pinch hitter.

Shane Victorino was 2 for 3 with a walk and a home run.

Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3.

Joe Kelly tossed 6 1/3 innings of 1 run ball allowing just 5 hits and 3 walks.

Tommy Layne tossed 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

Matt Barnes earned the win with a scoreless eighth inning.

Koji Uehara earned his 8th save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Mike Napoli was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Blake Swihart was 0 for 2.

The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 4 but walked.

David Ortiz was 0 for 4 but walked.

Honorable Mention:

Sandy Leon caught the bottom of the ninth.

Jackie Bradley Jr played left in the bottom of the ninth.

Final Thoughts:

The Red Sox are officially in bizarro world as they've won 2 of the last three games despite scoring just 2 runs in each of the games. Wade Miley last night and Joe Kelly tonight stepped up big with good starts and the bullpen locked it down. The Sox were built on their offense but if they get this kind of pitching more often, they'll be in the hunt this season. The offense will come but the question all along was the pitching, so far its held up recently. Still, the underlying problem is the Sox bats have suddenly gone quiet, especially with men on base. It took a cataclysmic error by Weeks just to get the winning run across. Still, a win is a win no matter how it comes by. The win improved the Sox to 17-18, 3.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it three wins in a row and second straight over Seattle tomorrow night when Clay Buchholz goes one on one with JA Happ of the Mariners. The game begins at 10:00 PM Eastern time at Safeco Field.

A's Crush Masterson, Sox (5/12/15)

It might be time to pull the plug on the Justin Masterson (2-2, 6.37 ERA) experiment as a starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. He's been inconsistent with diminished velocity and tonight he got absolutely shelled by the lowly Oakland A's. The A's pounded Justin for 6 runs in just 2 1/3 innings, knocking him out in the bottom of the third. Steven Wright allowed 3 runs in relief while A's starter Drew Pomeranz held the Sox to just two measly runs in 7 innings. Blake Swihart and Mike Napoli drove in Boston's only runs as Oakland pounded out 12 hits and 9 runs to win the game 9-2 at Oakland Coliseum.

                                                      "Hello, Pawtucket? Got any starters?"

Pomeranz got the ball in the top of the first inning and Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to short to start. Dustin Pedroia got a base hit to left but was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double. David Ortiz lined out to center to end the inning. The A's pounced on Masterson in the bottom of the first as Coco Crisp grounded out to second to start. Marcus Semien tripled to center and Josh Reddick singled to right to score Marcus. Billy Butler grounded out to short and Stephen Vogt hit a home run all the way to the Klingon Homeworld to ice the game. Max Muncy flied out to right to end the inning with the A's up 3-0.

                                                              A's strike first

Hanley Ramirez led off the top of the second with a grounder to short. Mike Napoli lined out to left and Pablo Sandoval was retired on a swinging bunt in front of the plate to end the inning. The A's struck again in the bottom of the second as Brett Lawrie singled in the hole at short. Sam Fuld grounded out to second to move Lawrie to second and Eric Sogard doubled to right to score Lawrie. Crisp grounded out to first to move Sogard to third and Semien struck out swinging to end the inning with the A's up 4-0.

                                                         Sogard with a double

Shane Victorino flied out to left to start the top of the third before Xander Bogaerts popped up to second. Blake Swihart hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. The A's finished off Masterson in the bottom of the third as Reddick hit a home run all the way to Great Britain to increase the lead. Butler flied out to center but Vogt walked. Sox manager John Farrell tossed a Gatorade jug, screamed and ran out of the dugout to tell Masterson to get out of here. He got bashed for 6 hits, a walk and 6 runs in just 2 1/3 innings. Steven Wright came in and promptly walked Muncy. Lawrie got a base hit to left to load the bases. Fuld popped up to short but Sogard ripped a base hit to center to score Vogt and Muncy. Crisp grounded out to second to end the inning but it was 7-0 Oakland.

                                                          Good for Josh

Mr. Mookie lined out to right to start the top of the fourth before Pedroia lined out to right. Ortiz struck out swinging to end the inning. The A's struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Semien hit a home run all the way to Texas to increase the lead. Reddick took strike three, Butler grounded out to short and Vogt popped up to third to end the inning with the A's up 8-0.

                                                             Home run Semien

Ramirez watched strike three go by to begin the top of the fifth before Napoli lined out to center. Sandoval flied out to center to end the inning. Muncy struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth before Lawrie grounded back to the mound. Fuld walked but Sogard forced him at second to end the inning.

The Sox fought back in the top of the sixth as Victorino doubled to left. Bogaerts grounded out to short to move Shane to third and Swihart grounded out to second to score Victorino. Betts grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox down 8-1.

Crisp grounded out to second to start the bottom of the sixth and Semien took strike three. Reddick got a base hit to center but Butler grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the seventh as Pedroia beat out a roller to short to start. Ortiz struck out swinging and Ramirez grounded out to first to move Pedroia to third. Napoli got a base hit to right to score Dustin but Sandoval grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox down 8-2.

                                                            Napoli drives in a run

Brock "The Hitman" Holt came in for Pedroia to start the bottom of the seventh and Vogt struck out swinging to start. Muncy grounded out to first and Lawrie grounded out to short to end the inning.

Fernando Rodriguez Jr came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Victorino flied out to center to start. Bogaerts lined out to center and Swihart struck out swinging to end the inning. The A's wrapped up the scoring in the bottom of the eighth with Daniel Nava now in right as Fuld grounded out to short to start. Sogard grounded out to second but Crisp walked. Semien singled to left and Reddick got a base hit to center to score Crisp. Butler grounded out to third to end the inning with the A's up 9-2.

                                                                       Booooooo

Dan Otero came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Mr. Mookie popped up to third to start. Holt grounded out to second and Ortiz struck out swinging to end the game. The A's had won it 9-2.

Jackass of the Night is Justin Masterson. He got lit up for 6 runs in just 2 1/3 innings off 6 hits and a walk.

                                                 Keep the ball in the yard, Jackass

The Good:

Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 3 with a run scored.

Mike Napoli was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

The Bad:

Mookie Betts was 0 for 4.

Brock Holt was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

David Ortiz was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Pablo Sandoval was 0 for 3.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 3.

The Ugly:

Blake Swihart was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Steven Wright allowed 3 runs in 5 2/3 innings.

Honorable Mention:

Daniel Nava played right field in the bottom of the eighth.

Final Thoughts:

Its one thing to get shut down by Drew Pomeranz, its another thing to get lit up by THAT offense. The A's aren't good this year but they looked like world beaters against Masterson and Wright. Wright took the bullet for the bullpen in this one much like Tim Wakefield would 15-20 years ago. The offense once again fell asleep and now things are getting ridiculous. Besides Ryan Hanigan they have a full, healthy team so why are they constantly getting shut down? Pomeranz is good but he's not supposed to be THIS good. Hopefully things turn around soon because the offense has to be good or else they won't survive this year. The loss dropped the Sox to 15-18, good for last place in the AL East. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow afternoon against Oakland when Wade Miley (1-4) takes on Sonny Gray of the A's. The game begins at 3:30 PM Eastern time at Oakland Coliseum.

Sox Drop A's in Eleven (5/11/15)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Shane Victorino was activated from the Disabled List and Luis Jimenez was designated for assignment to make room for him. Right field has been a mess this season with Daniel Nava and Allen Craig struggling. Hopefully Victorino can rediscover the form he had in 2013.

                                                                           OUT

                                                                     IN

As for the game, that was one of the best back and forth games all season for the Red Sox with Boston coming out on top. Both starters Scott Kazmir of Oakland and Rick Porcello of Boston lasted just 5 innings with the A's leading 3-2. The Sox jumped ahead against Evan Scribner on rbis from Mookie Betts and Dustin Pedroia. Craig Breslow blew the lead in the seventh and the score remained until the top of the eleventh. Pablo Sandoval cracked a home run off Angel Castro and Matt Barnes (1-0, 1.69 ERA) slammed the door in the bottom of the frame. The Sox had won the game 5-4 in 11 innings at the Oakland Coliseum.

                                                        Jack Nicklaus approves of the win

Kazmir got the ball in the top of the first inning and Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to third to start. Dustin Pedroia struck out swinging and David Ortiz grounded out to Eric Sogard to end the inning. Porcello got the ball in the bottom of the first and Billy Burns took strike three to start. Old pal Coco Crisp lined out to left but old friend Josh Reddick got a base hit to left. Billy Butler grounded out to Pedroia to end the inning.

Hanley Ramirez walked to start the top of the second but Mike Napoli lined out to right. Pablo Sandoval grounded into a double play to end the inning. Stephen Vogt led off the bottom of the second by grounding out to short. Ike Davis watched strike three go but Brett Lawrie lined a base hit to center. Marcus Semien flied out to the centerfield warning track to end the inning. Shane Victorino hit one up the elevator shaft to start the bottom of the second before Xander Bogaerts grounded out to short. Blake Swihart flied out to right to end the inning.

The A's struck first in the top of the third as Sogard flied out to left to start. Billy Burns dropped down a bunt to reach on a single then took second on a wild pitch. Crisp grounded out to second to move Burns to third and Reddick walked. Butler lashed a base hit to right to score Burns to put Oakland on top. Vogt flied out to right to end the inning with the A's up 1-0.

                                                             Butler drives in a run

The Sox answered in the top of the fourth as Mr. Mookie grounded back to Kazmir to start. Pedroia walked and Ortiz lofted a base hit to center. Pedroia tried for home but Semien's throw was off to allow Dustin to score on the "error". Ramirez struck out swinging but Napoli walked. Sandoval grounded out to first to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                                   Pedroia scores

The A's struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Davis doubled to center to start. Lawrie got a base hit to center to move Davis to third but Davis pulled up lame and had to leave the game. Max Muncy pinch ran for Davis and scored on the double play hit by Semien. Sogard got a base hit to center but Burns popped up to left to end the inning with the A's up 2-1.

                                                        Semien hits into a double play

The Sox answered in the top of the fifth as Victorino popped up to short to start. Bogaerts popped up to second but Swihart doubled to the right field wall. Mr. Mookie dumped a base hit to left to score Swihart to tie the game. Crisp made a great jumping catch to rob Pedroia of a double to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                          Swihart scores a run

The A's got another run in the bottom of the fifth as Crisp took strike three to start. Reddick flied out to left but Butler doubled to right. Vogt doubled over the head of Victorino to score Butler with the go-ahead run. Muncy flied out to center to end the inning with the A's ahead 3-2. That was it for Porcello who was charged with 3 runs off 5 hits and a walk in 5 innings.

                                                               A's take the lead

Ortiz doubled to left to start the top of the sixth but was immediately picked off. Sox manager John Farrell challenged that Ortiz was safe, but replays upheld the call. Ramirez lined out to center but Napoli walked. Sandoval struck out swinging to end the inning. Alexi Ogando came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Lawrie grounded out to second to start. Semien struck out swinging but Sogard lashed a base hit to center. Burns doubled to center but Napoli made a leaping catch to rob Crisp to end the inning.

Evan Scribner came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Victorino lined out to right to start. Bogaerts got a base hit to right and Swihart drilled a base hit to move Xander to third. Mr. Mookie drilled a base hit to center to score Bogaerts and move Swihart to third. Pedroia beat out a double play ball to score Swihart to put the Sox on top and chase Scribner. Fernando Abad came in to pitch to Ortiz and David hit a bullet...right to Muncy to end the inning with the Sox up 4-3.

                                                        Swihart scores a run

Craig Breslow came in to cough up the lead in the bottom of the seventh as Reddick struck a base hit to center to start. Butler singled up the middle to move Reddick to third and Josh scored on the sac fly to right by Vogt. Mark Canha pinch hit for Muncy and struck out swinging to chase Breslow. Junichi Tazawa got Lawrie to ground into a force to end the inning with the game tied 4-4.

                                                            We're tied again

Old friend Edward Mujica came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Ramirez flied out to right to start. Napoli struck out swinging and Sandoval flied out to left to end the inning. Semien struck out swinging to open the bottom of the eighth but Sox manager John Farrell wanted Tommy Layne to face Sogard. Eric's bunt attempt was snuffed out by Pedroia and Burns popped up to short to end the inning.

Tyler Clippard came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Victorino lined out to right to start. Bogaerts lined a base hit up the middle then moved to second on a grounder to first by Swihart. Mr. Mookie popped up to right to end the inning. Jackie Bradley Jr took over in right field for Victorino to start the bottom of the ninth. Crisp lined out to a running JBJ before Reddick walked to chase Layne. Sox closer Koji Uehara came in and Butler flied out to right. Vogt also flied out to right to end the inning.

Pedroia walked to start the top of the tenth but Ortiz flied out to center. Ramirez flied out to left but a wild pitch moved Pedroia to second. Napoli lined out to first to end the inning. Matt Barnes came in to pitch the bottom of the tenth and Canha walked to start. Lawrie flied out to center and Semien struck out swinging. Canha stole second but Sogard popped up to short to end the inning.

The Sox finally struck in the top of the eleventh with Angel Castro now on the mound. Sandoval crushed his fourth home run of the season to put Boston on top. JBJ walked and moved to second on the sacrifice bunt by Bogaerts. Swihart struck out swinging but Mr. Mookie walked. Pedroia lined a base hit up the middle but JBJ was caught napping at third to end the inning. The Sox now led 5-4.

                                                             Sandoval puts Boston ahead

Barnes returned for the bottom of the eleventh and Burns flied out to left to start. Crisp popped up to second and Reddick lined out to left to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-4.

                                                           Sox win

Hero of the Night is Pablo Sandoval. His home run in the eleventh won the game.

                                                            Hero Sandoval

The Good:

Mookie Betts was 2 for 5 with a walk and 2 rbis.

David Ortiz was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

Jackie Bradley Jr walked in his only plate appearance.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Blake Swihart was 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

Alexi Ogando pitched a scoreless sixth inning.

Junichi Tazawa tossed 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

Tommy Layne pitched a full scoreless inning.

Koji Uehara pitched 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

Matt Barnes earned the win with 2 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Shane Victorino was 0 for 4.

Craig Breslow allowed a run in 2/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked twice, drove in a run and scored a run.

Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but walked.

Mike Napoli was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked twice.

Rick Porcello was charged with 3 runs in just 5 innings of work allowing 9 hits and a walk while striking out three.

Final Thoughts:

That was a tough one to win but it counts all the same. Porcello only lasting 5 innings meant the bullpen had to throw the final six innings. Not good when you have rotation issues as the Sox do. Still, they scored runs when they had to and shout out to Sandoval for his first big hit of the season. The offense is going to be there this season but the team is going to live or die with that rotation....god help us. Things worked out this time but tomorrow might be a different story. The win improved the Sox to 15-17, 5.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the A's tomorrow night when Justin Masterson (2-1, 5.18 ERA) takes on Drew Pomeranz of Oakland. The game begins at 10:00 PM Eastern time at Oakland Coliseum.

Sox Blow Four Run Lead, Rays Win (4/22/15)

The Boston Red Sox had the Tampa Bay Rays dead to rights heading into the bottom of the sixth inning of tonight's game. The Rays refused to give up as they pounded out 12 total hits and completed a huge rally to take the lead in the next two innings Sox starter Joe Kelly was dominant through 5 innings but fell apart in the sixth. The Sox bullpen also faltered as an all-around bawful game cost the Sox big time. When the game was over, the Rays had stunned the Red Sox 7-5 in front of a paltry crowd of just over 12,000 fans at Tropicana Field. 

Rays starter Nathan Karns was hardly effective but Mr. Mookie Betts made his life easier with a ground out to third to begin the top of the first. Dustin Pedroia flied out to right but David Ortiz walked. Hanley Ramirez jacked one to the centerfield wall but Kiermaier tracked it down for the third out. Sox starter Joe Kelly got David Dejesus to strike out but allowed Steven Souza Jr to bash one over the left field fence to give Tampa a quick lead. Asdrubal Cabrera took strike three and Evan Longoria struck out swinging but the damage was done with the Rays leading 1-0.

                                                         Souza goes yard

Mike Napoli walked to open the top of the second but was erased on the Pablo Sandoval fielder's choice. Shane Victorino watched strike three go by and Xander Bogaerts struck out swinging to end the inning. Desmond Jennings grounded out to Kelly to begin the bottom of the second before Allan Dykstra struck out looking. Logan Forsythe singled to right but Kiermaier grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox struck back in the top of the third although Ryan Hanigan grounded out to third to start. Mr. Mookie walked and Pedroia then swatted a pitch up in his eyes for a 2 run home run to give the Sox the lead. Pedroia didn't have his fourth home run until June of last year. Ortiz grounded out  to second but  Ramirez walked. Napoli singled and Ramirez motored all the way around, blowing past Brian Butterfield's stop sign to increase the lead. Napoli advanced to second but was stranded when Sandoval grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1. 

                                                      Pedroia hits a home run

Rene Rivera flied out to center to begin the bottom of the third. Dejesus struck out looking but Souza Jr doubled down the third base line. Cabrera flied out to left to end the inning.

Victorino was hit with a pitch to begin the top of the fourth but Bogaerts flied out to right. Hanigan also flied out to right but Victorino stole second base. He was stranded when Mr. Mookie grounded out to short to end the inning. Longoria grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fourth but Jennings beat out an infield single to third. Dykstra popped up to second and Forsythe popped up to third to end the inning.

The Sox tacked on another one in the top of the fifth. Pedroia lined out to center but Ortiz crushed a 430 foot bomb to right to increase the lead. The homer moved Ortiz passed Chipper Jones on the all-time home run list and past Joe Dimaggio on the all-time RBI list. Ramirez singled to right and Napoli hit a ground rule double, but this is where the Sox lost the game. Sandoval grounded out to second and pinch hitter Allen Craig (for Victorino) flied out to left to end the threat. A base hit would have probably put the game out of reach but the Sox still led 4-1.

                                                       Ortiz passes Chipper and Joe D
 

Kelly showed no signs of struggle when he struck out Kiermaier looking to begin the bottom of the fifth. Rivera whiffed but Dejesus was hit by a pitch. Souza Jr grounded into a force to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the sixth although Bogaerts went down hacking to start. Hanigan doubled to left and advanced to third on a wild pitch before Mr. Mookie singled him home Hanigan to increase the lead. Betts then got doubled off of first on the line drive out by Pedroia to right to end the inning. Who would have known how big that out was as the Sox still enjoyed a 5-1 lead?

                                               The Sox looked headed to victory

Suddenly the Rays came alive in the bottom of the sixth as Cabrera singled to center to start. Longoria singled to left and Jenning singled to center to load the bases. Dykstra dumped a base hit to center to score Cabrera and Forsythe walked to score Longoria. Sox manager John Farrell had seen enough of Kelly and pulled him before it could get any worse after just 5 innings and 3 runs (and counting) allowed.

                                             Kelly stinks the joint out in the sixth

Craig Breslow came in to pitch and Jake Elmore pinch ran for Dykstra. Brandon Guyer pinch hit for Kiermaier and hit an 0-2 fastball into center to tie the game. Breslow got Rivera to pop up to first and pinch hitter Tim Beckham (for DeJesus) to strike out swinging. Edward Mujica relived Breslow and Souza Jr struck out swinging to end the inning with the game tied 5-5.

                                                      Tie game

Could the Sox strike back in the top of the seventh with Bobby Wilson taking over for Souza?  Rays manager Kevin Cash made the bold move by bringing in his closer to get the heart of the order. Brad Boxberger punched out Ortiz, Ramirez and Napoli all swinging just like that. The Rays took the lead for good in the bottom of the seventh as Cabrera singled to right to start. Allen Craig misplayed a single to right by Longoria, allowing Cabrera to reach third. Jennings banged into a double play but the go-ahead run scored. Elmore then crushed a solo home run for insurance to increase the lead. Forsythe walked and that was it for Mujica. Anthony Varvaro was brought in and Forsythe was gunned down trying to steal to end the inning but the Rays had iced it 7-5.

                                                        Elmore ices it

Kevin Jepsen was brought in to pitch the top of the eighth and Sandoval struck out swinging to start. Allen Craig made it to second on an error by Longoria but Bogaerts struck out swinging too. Hanigan grounded out to second to end the inning. Varvaro returned for the bottom of the eighth and walked Guyer to start. Guyer advanced to second on the Rivera ground out to third.....but was thrown out at third trying to stretch it. Rays managed Kevin Cash challenged the out call at third but the call upheld. Beckham struck out looking to end the inning.

Steve Geltz was brought in to close out the game in the top of the ninth. Mr Mookie popped to first but Pedroia singled to left to bring the tying run to the plate....only for Ortiz to fly out to left. Ramirez ground out to second to end the game. The Rays stormed back to win it 7-5.

Jackass of the Night is a tough one but I'll go with Edward Mujica. Yes Joe Kelly fell apart and Craig Breslow served up the 0-2 base hit, but Mujica gave up the go-ahead runs including a home run to Jake Elmore. 

                                               Mujica you jackass!



The Good:

Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 5 with a run scored and a two run bomb.

Mike Napoli was 2 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Shane Victorino was hit and stole second before leaving the game. 

Anthony Varvaro pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Pablo Sandoval was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Allen Craig was 0 for 2 after coming in for Victorino.

Joe Kelly allowed 5 runs in 5 innings of work, getting knocked out in the sixth inning.

The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 5 but walked, scored and drove in a run. 

David Ortiz was just 1 for 4 with a walk but the one hit was a home run. 

Hanley Ramirez was just 1 for 4 with a walk and a run scored. 

Craig Breslow allowed the tying runs to score but gave up none of his own in 2/3 of an inning.

Final Thoughts:

This one hurt. The Sox had the game in the bag and give the Rays credit for not rolling over and dying. Still, Sox pitchers continue to struggle after the fifth inning and the team is not going to win too many games if this keep up. Kelly was cruising until the sixth and the normally reliable Breslow coughed up the lead. The Sox wasted a golden chance to put some early distance between themselves and the Rays in the AL East race by losing this one, hopefully it doesn't come back to bite them in September. Victorino left the game due to a hamstring pull and Xander Bogaerts looks lost at the plate...again. Pablo Sandoval has ONE extra base hit this season and the bullpen isn't going to last long at this rate. Still, its only April and these guys have plenty of time to get back in gear. The Sox are now in danger of dropping their first series of the year unless they can win tomorrow night. The Sox turn to staff "ace" Clay Buchholz to right the ship when he faces Jake Odorizzi at 7:10 PM at Tropicana Field.

Miley, Sox, Shut Out Rays (4/21/15)

The bad news was the Boston Celtics dropped Game 2 of their first round NBA playoff series to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The good news was the Boston Red Sox defeated the Tampa Bay Rays. Once again it wasn't pretty but a win is a win for the Red Sox. Tonight the Red Sox outlasted the Tampa Bay Rays in the opening game of a three game series at Tropicana Field. The Sox did it with lights out pitching by Wade Miley (1-1, 6.08 ERA) combined with what Michael Felger describes as other teams "puking on themselves". Still, the one run they got was all they needed to win the game. The Sox scored their run on an error and hung on to win the game 1-0 at Tropicana Field.

                                                     Happy fan

Sox nemesis Chris Archer took the mound to begin the game. Archer was famous for celebrating strikeouts but complained when David Ortiz "pimps" his home runs. Mr. Mookie Betts flied out to center and Dustin Pedroia grounded out to third. Archer took the first battle against Ortiz when he lined out to left to end the inning. Miley got the ball to start the bottom of the first and got Brandon Guyer to ground out to second. Steven Souza Jr smashed one but it was snared by Pablo Sandoval at third. Logan Forsythe struck out looking to end the inning.

Hanley Ramirez singled to right to begin the top of the third inning but Sandoval struck out swinging. Ramirez took second on the strikeout for his first stolen base of the year. Daniel Nava struck out looking and Shane Victorino popped up to second to end the inning. Evan Longoria began the bottom of the third by flying out to right. Desmond Jennings also flied out to right but Tim Beckham walked. Rene Rivera grounded out to short to end the inning.

                                              Now that's more like it Wade

The Sox broke through in the top of the third. Brock "Hitman" Holt lined out to third but Ryan Hanigan beat out a bobbled shot to Archer, for some reason it was ruled as a hit. Mr. Mookie walked and Pedroia appeared to have grounded into a double play...only second baseman Ryan Brett chucked the ball into the dugout on the throw to first, allowing Hanigan to score. As sad as it was, this was the only run the Sox would score the whole game. Ortiz grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                      "I don't got it" -LF

Brett atoned for his error by getting a base hit to lead off the bottom of the third. Bobby Wilson struck out swinging and Brett nearly got picked off. During the at bat to Guyer, he DID get picked off. Inexcusable base running that's for sure. Guyer grounded out to third to end the inning.

Brett left the game holding his hand so Forsythe moved to second base and Allan Dykstra came in at first in the top of the fourth. Ramirez singled off Archer (again ruled a hit for whatever reason) and took second on a wild pitch. Sandoval, Nava and Victorino all struck out swinging to end that threat. Miley remained hot in the bottom of the fourth. Souza Jr walked but Forsythe flied out to right. Longoria struck out swinging and Jennings popped up to second to end the inning.

Holt grounded out to second to begin the top of the fifth. Hanigan and Mr. Mookie hit back to back singles but Archer rallied to strike out Pedroia and his nemesis Ortiz swinging to end the inning. Archer celebrated coming off the mound. Sounds hypocritical but it would get worse. Miley let his pitching do the talking in the bottom of the fifth as Beckham lined out to Betts to begin. Rivera singled to left but was erased on the Dykstra double play to end the inning.

Ramirez struck out to begin the top of the sixth but Sandoval singled to center. Nava singled to right but Archer struck out Victorino swinging for his 9th K of his outing. That was it for Archer as Rays manager Kevin Cash pulled him for Brandon Gomes. Holt flied out to left and Archer began celebrating loudly in the Rays dugout as the inning ended.  Last time I checked, he was losing.

                                            "I'm losing the game but I'm the man!"

Wilson grounded back to the mound to begin the bottom of the sixth and predictably, the wheels fell off for Miley. Guyer singled to left but was erased on the fielder's choice by Souza Jr. Forsythe and Longoria walked to load the bases and Sox manager John Farrell pulled the plug. He learned his lesson by leaving Rick Porcello in too long, so this time he brought in Alexi Ogando to pitch to Jennings. Jennings grounded into a force to end the inning but Miley didn't celebrate and dance around in the dugout like Archer did. Miley did manage to throw 5 2/3 innings of shutout ball.

                                     John Farrell  "Oh no you don't. Not gonna fool me this time!"

Hanigan struck out swinging to lead off the top of the seventh. Mr. Mookie popped up to third and Pedroia grounded out to third to end the inning. Ogando returned for the bottom of the frame to retire Beckham on a fly out to left to start. Rivera whiffed and Farrell didn't want to leave Ogando in too long so he replaced him with Robbie Ross Jr to pitch to pinch hitter Asdrubal Cabrera. Asdrubal grounded out to short to end the inning. Good situational pitching and managing there.

Forsythe moved back to first base, Beckham moved to second and Cabrera took over at short in the top of the eighth. Ernesto Frieri, the man who blazed through the Red Sox in the heartbreaker 2 years ago in LA, relieved Gomes and walked Ortiz to begin. Ramirez lined out to center, Sandoval flied out to left and Nava popped up to third to end the inning. It was time for the Orient Express to put the game away as Junichi Tazawa relieved Ross for the bottom of the eighth. David DeJesus pinch hit for Wilson (which cost them the DH) and popped up to short. Guyer grounded out to second and Souza Jr struck out swinging to end the inning.

Rivera moved to catcher and DeJesus stayed in left as Jose Dominguez relieved Frieri in the top of the ninth. Victorino got his first extra base hit of the season when he doubled to right. Shane moved to third on the sacrifice bunt by Holt but Hanigan struck out swinging. Mr. Mookie flied out to left to end the inning. Still, Koji Uehara took the mound to close the game in the bottom of the ninth. Forsythe made things interesting by getting a base hit to left but Longoria banged into a double play. Jennings grounded to third and that was it, the Sox had won it 1-0.

Hero of the Night is Wade Miley. The Sox offense sputtered but the shut-out pitching got them the victory. Wade fell apart in the 6th inning but still tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings with just 3 hits allowed.

                                              Hero of the Night: Wade Miley



The Good:

Hanley Ramirez was 2 for 4 with a stolen base.

Ryan Hanigan was 2 for 4 and scored the game's only run.

Alexi Ogando pitched out of the bases loaded jam in the bottom of the 6th and ended his outing with 1 total scoreless inning.

Robbie Ross Jr pitched in by retiring the only man he faced in the bottom of the 7th

Junichi Tazawa pitched a scoreless 8th.

Koji Uehara got his second save of the year with a scoreless 9th.



The Bad:

Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Brock Holt was 0 for 3.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 with a walk.

David Ortiz was 0 for 3 but walked.

Pablo Sandoval was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Daniel Nava was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Shane Victorino was  just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.




Final Thoughts:

Chris Archer can dance in the dugout all he wants but he lost the game. Once again the Sox took advantage of shoddy defense although the real reason was their pitching. Getting double plays and out of jams when needed. Sure the Rays offense wouldn't scare Steve Urkel, but the Sox still have to win the game. Miley, Ogando and The Orient Express was lights out and you're going to need games like that on days when the offense does nothing. Its encouraging to win a game like that. Archer is a clown but he held the Sox to a lone run and the Tampa bullpen allowed nothing. Every win counts and tomorrow night Joe Kelly looks to keep the momentum going when he goes up against Nate Karns. The Sox have yet to lose a series this season and winning tomorrow night will keep that going. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Tropicana Field.

Sox Pound O's in rain shortened win on Patriot's Day (4/20/15)

The rains came and most people were at the Boston Marathon, but the soaked Boston Red Sox fans that stayed got their money's worth as the Sox won a gritty game over the Baltimore Orioles to even their series at two games apiece. Justin Masterson (2-0, 5.74 ERA) threw way too many pitches but was just good enough to defeat Wei-Yin Chen. The Sox took advantage of shoddy defense to take a big lead on the O's when the rains came. Rather than play 5 hours later, the umpires called the game during the seventh inning stretch. It was cheap but the Sox had won it 7-1 at Fenway Park on Patriots Day.

                                                              Happy fan

Masterson got the ball in the top of the first inning and Alejandro De Aza led the game off with a swinging strikeout. Jimmy Paredes grounded out. to second but Adam Jones walked. Chris Davis struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox got to Chen in the bottom of the first as Mr. Mookie Betts singled to right to begin. Betts made a mad dash for second and made it, then advanced to third when old friend Ryan Lavarnway threw the ball into centerfield. Dustin Pedroia whiffed but David Ortiz put the Sox on the board with a sac fly. Hanley Ramirez grounded out to first to end the inning but the Sox had a 1-0 lead.

                                                      Herculean sac fly by Ortiz

The Dirty Birds wasted no time tying the game as Travis Snider tripled to lead off the top of the second inning. Manny Machado lined out to short but Ryan Flaherty doubled in Snider. Lavarnway struck out and Everth Cabrera grounded out to short to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

Mike Napoli popped up to first to begin the bottom of the second inning. Shane Victorino stuck out swinging and Brock "The Hitman" Holt lined out to left to end the inning.

Masterson returned for the top of the third but Hanley Ramirez did not. Allen Craig took over in left field as Hanley left due to "illness". De Aza tried to bunt his way on but he failed as Masterson snuffed it out. Paredes hit a ground rule double to center but Jones flied out to center. Davis walked but Snider grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox broke the game open in the bottom of the third. Xander Bogaerts walked to start and Ryan Hanigan singled to right. Chen threw a perfect double play ball away off the bat of Mr. Mookie, scoring Bogaerts. Pedroia laid down a picture perfect sacrifice bunt to advance the runners. Ortiz popped up to third but Craig walked to load the bases. Napoli walked to drive in the Sox' third run. Victorino lined one off the glove of Machado, scoring Betts and Craig to increase the lead. Holt walked to re-load the bases but Bogaerts popped up to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-1.

                                                    Betts and the Sox tack it on

Masterson returned for the top of the fourth and got Machado to fly out to right to start. Flaherty grounded out to first and Lavarnway struck out swinging to end the inning. Hanigan got plunked in the knee to begin the bottom of the fourth. Betts flied out to center but Pedroia singled to center. Ortiz then banged into a double play to end the inning.

The rain began to fall harder as Masterson whiffed Cabrera to open the top of the fifth. De Aza worked a full count walk and Parades struck out swinging, but De Aza stole second. Jones grounded out to short to end the inning, but Masterson had already thrown 93 pitches. Sox manager John Farrell decided that was enough from Masterson in the pouring rain. Don't want to get your starter hurt in April like Dustin Hermanson way back in 2002. Masterson put the Sox in line for the win with 5 innings of 1 run ball.

                                                 Masterson gets it done


Craig struck out to begin the bottom of the fifth but Napoli walked to chase Chen from the game. Old Sox draft pick Jason Garcia was brought in and Victorino popped it up to the pitcher. Holt grounded out to second to end the inning.

Junichi Tazawa replaced Masterson to begin the top of the sixth as the rain intensified. Davis flied out to left and Snider hit one up the elevator shaft. Machado struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the sixth. Bogaerts flied out to center but Hanigan was plunked again on the belt buckle. Mr. Mookie flied out to center but Pedroia doubled home Hanigan thanks to heads up coaching by Brian Butterfield. Ortiz was intentionally walked and Craig singled home Pedroia to wrap up the scoring. Sox analyst Don Orsillo started cracking up for no-reason as Napoli grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-1.

                                                               Safe at home

Tazawa returned for the top of the seventh as most of the crowd had left. Flaherty singled up the middle but Lavaranway flied out to center. Tazawa was pulled for Robbie Ross Jr and Ross made up for yesterday by getting the 3-6-3 double play to end the inning. The umpires FINALLY put the game in a rain delay....Hours later the game was called. The Sox had won it 7-1.

                                                            Sox win!

Hero of the night is tough. The offense was pretty spread out so let's go with the starter. Justin Masterson pitched 5 solid innings, allowing just 1 run to earn the win.

                                               Hero of the Night: Justin Masterson


The Good:

Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 3 with a run scored and an rbi

Allen Craig was 1 for 2 with a walk, an rbi and a run scored after taking over from Hanley Ramirez.

Ryan Hanigan was 1 for 1, was hit twice and scored two runs.

Junichi Tazawa pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Robbie Ross Jr got the game ending double play.


The Bad:

Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 1 before leaving the game due to illness.

Shane Victorino was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 but he singled, stole second and scored twice.

David Ortiz was 0 for 2 but walked and drove in a run with a sac fly.

Mike Napoli was 0 for 2 but walked twice and drove in a run. Brock Holt was 0 for 2 but walked.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 2 but walked and scored.




Final Thoughts:

Not pretty but a win is a win. The Sox remained in first place by fending off the Dirty Birds although their starting pitching situation continues to be a problem. Masterson only went 5 like Rick Porcello yesterday and this can't continue or else the bullpen's collective arms are gonna fall off. The rain was a blessing in disguise because it saved the bullpen 2 innings of work. The offense was pretty good with Ortiz, Petts and Bogaerts leading the charge. Betts and Bogaerts are going to be deadly for years to come. Hope Hanley Ramirez is okay because the Sox are going to need his bat. The Sox hit the road and head to Tampa Bay for a series with the Rays beginning tomorrow night. Wade Miley (0-1) goes for the Sox against Chris Archer at 7:05 PM at Tropicana Field.