Twins Rally, Outslug Sox (7/23/16)

The good news was the Boston Red Sox offense returned in tonight's game against the Minnesota Twins. The bad news was David Price was left in too long and the Boston bullpen got shelled by the Twins offense. The Twins broke out to a 4-1 lead after two innings but a five run rally capped off by a Hanley Ramirez three run bomb put the Sox on top. Jackie Bradley Jr knocked in a run in the bottom of the fourth and things appeared to be good. Then Price was knocked out in the top of the sixth but the Sox ended the sixth inning ahead 8-5. Then in the top of the seventh the Twins scored 5 runs off Clay Buchholz, Tommy Layne and Heath Hembree to put the Twins on top. The Sox did battle back to make it 10-9 but JBJ failed to drive the tying run in. Miguel Sano hit the killshot off Hembree and the Twins stunned the Sox 11-9 at Fenway Park.

                                                 "Scored nine runs and LOST????"

The Twins wasted no time getting to Price in the top of the first inning as Eduardo Nunez grounded out to first to start. Robbie Grossman hit a fly ball deep to right and Michael Martinez lost it in the wind, dropping for a "triple". Miguel Sano walked but Brian Dozier hit a sac fly to the bullpen wall in right to score Grossman. Max Kepler got a base hit to left but Kennys Vargas took strike three to end the inning with the Twins up 1-0.

                                                              Twins strike first

Nolasco got the ball in the bottom of the first as Brock "The Hitman" Holt led off with a base hit to center. Dustin Pedroia lined out to center but Xander Bogaerts got a base hit to left to move Holt to third. Ortiz hit a fly ball to center and Holt made a mad dash home to tie the game on a sac fly. Bogaerts moved to second on the throw home and Hanley Ramirez walked. Jackie Bradley Jr was plunked to load the bases but Aaron Hill forced Bradley at second to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                          Holt is safe at home

The Twins bashed Price in the top of the second as Eddie Rosario singled to right. Kurt Suzuki doubled to left to score Rosario to put Minnesota on top. Byron Buxton caught Aaron Hill asleep with a bunt single and Hill threw the ball away. Suzuki scored and Buxton made it all the way to third. Nunez ripped a base hit to left to score Buxton but was thrown out at second on the throw. Grossman walked and Sano got a base hit to right, but Dozier grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Twins up 4-1.

                                                              Yerrrrr out!

The Sox exploded in the bottom of the second as Sox analyst Dave O'Brien announced that Jerry Remy went home because the wind blew a monitor off and hit Remy in the head. Yikes! Sandy Leon struck out swinging but Michael Martinez walked. Brock Holt singled to right and Pedroia struck Suzuki with an errant foul ball, knocking him out of the game. Juan Centeno came in for Suzuki and Pedroia hit a ground rule double into the right field stands to score Martinez. Bogaerts struck out swinging but Ortiz walked on a wild pitch that scored Holt. Ramirez smashed his 12th home run of the season to put the Sox on top. JBJ singled off the glove of Nolasco but Hill grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 6-4.

                                                      Ramirez puts the Sox on top

Kepler popped up to first to start the top of the third before Hill failed to get a glove on a base hit by Vargas. Rosario got a base hit to left but Centeno grounded into a double play to end the inning. Buddy Boshers came in to pitch the bottom of the third and Leon walked to start. Martinez and Holt both took strike three and Pedroia grounded out to first to end the inning.

Buxton grounded back to the mound to start the top of the fourth before Nunez struck out swinging to start. Nunez struck out swinging and Grossman flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Bogaerts doubled high off the Monster to start. Ortiz hit a routine pop up to short but neither Nunez nor Sano called it and it dropped in for a "single". Ramirez grounded into a double play but JBJ doubled off the Monster to score Ortiz. Michael Tonkin came in to pitch to Hill and he grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-4.

                                                          JBJ drives in another

Sano grounded back to the mound to start the top of the fifth and Dozier flied out to center. Kepler took strike three to end the inning. Taylor Rogers came in to pitch the bottom of the fifth and Leon grounded out to short to start. Sox broadcaster Dave O'Brien reported Chris Sale caused an incident in the Chicago White Sox clubhouse but would like to have him pitch anyway. Martinez flied out to center and Holt popped up to third to end the inning.

The Twins knocked Price out in the top of the sixth as Vargas struck out swinging to start. Rosario beat out an infield hit to short and Ceteno got a base hit to center to put runners at the corners. Buxton lined out to a running Martinez to score Rosario. That was it for Price as he allowed 5 runs in 5 2/3 innings off 11 hits and 2 walks. Clay Buchholz came in and struck out swinging to end the inning with the Twins down 7-5.

                                             "Yeah you're out Price, now beat it" - Farrell

The Sox got the run back in the bottom of the sixth as Pedroia struck out swinging to start. Bogaerts singled off the glove of Dozier and Ortiz singled to right to move Xander to third. Ryan Pressly came in to face Ramirez and Hanley popped up to second. JBJ hit a roller to third and Sano threw the ball away for an error to score Bogaerts. Hill walked to load the bases and Leon grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox up 8-5.

                                                      An error on the Twins

Suddenly the Sox fell apart in the top of the seventh as Grossman popped up to third to start. Sano lined a base hit to left but Dozier struck out swinging. Kepler hit a routine pop up to Martinez who misplayed it for a ''triple'' to score Sano. The floodgates opened as Vargas hit a routine pop up to left that Holt fell down trying to catch for a ''double'' to score Kepler. That was it for Buchholz who should have been out of the inning but was failed by his defense. Tommy Layne came in and Rosario drilled a base hit to center and Vargas took off for home. Bradley thew home....OUT! But wait, Twins manager Paul Molitor challenged that Vargas slid around the tag and sure enough....he was ruled safe to tie the game.

                                                              Twins tie it up

But wait there's more! Centeno hit a routine grounder to short but because the Sox were foolishly shifting, nobody got it for a single. Buxton walked to load the bases and that was it for Layne. Heath Hembree came in and Nunez ripped a base hit to center to score both Rosario and Centeno to put the Twins ahead. Nunez stole second but Grossman struck out swinging to end the inning with the Twins ahead 10-8.

                                                      Nunez puts the Twins on top

The Sox tried to fight back in the bottom of the seventh as Martinez struck out swinging to start. Holt grounded out to short but Pedroia drilled a base hit to center. Bogaerts singled to the left field wall and that was it for Pressly. Fernando Abad came in to face Ortiz and David missed a 3 run home run by 10 feet down the left field line. Instead, he doubled to the Monster to score Pedroia. Ramirez was intentionally walked to load the bases....but JBJ flied out to the right field warning track to end the inning with the Twins up 10-9.

                                                       Ortiz doubles in a run

The Twins iced the game in the top of the eighth as Sano hit a home run all the way to the Galapagos Islands to increase the lead. Dozier doubled to center to chase Hembree and Robbie Ross Jr came in to pitch. Kepler flied out to center and a passed ball moved Dozier to third. Vargas grounded out to second but Rosario was hit with a pitch. Centeno was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to end the inning with the Twins up 11-9.

                                                      Sano ices it

Hill flied out to right to start the bottom of the eighth before Leon struck out swinging. Bryce Brentz pinch hit for Martinez and flied out to left to end the inning. 

Brad Ziegler came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Buxton struck out swinging to start. Nunez flied out to center but Grossman reached first on strike three when the ball got away from Leon. Danny Santana pinch ran for Grossman and Sano popped up to second to end the inning. Brandon Kintzler came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Holt grounded out to second to start. Pedroia also grounded out to second and Bogaerts grounded out to third to end the game. The Twins had won it 11-9.

                                                             Sox lose

Jackass of The Night is Heath Hembree. He allowed two inherited runners to score and one of his own to put the game out of reach.

                                                         Way to blow it Jackass

The Good:

Brock Holt was 2 for 6 with 2 runs scored.

Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 6 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 4 for 6 with a run scored.

David Ortiz was 3 for 3 with a walk, 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Hanley Ramirez was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and a 3 run home run.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 3 for 4 with 2 rbis and a hit by pitch.

Robbie Ross Jr pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Brad Ziegler pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Bryce Brentz was 0 for 1 at the plate.

David Price allowed 5 runs in 5 2/3 innings off 11 hits and 2 walks.

Clay Buchholz was charged with 3 runs in a full inning of work.

Tommy Layne was charged with 2 runs without recording an out.

The Ugly:

Aaron Hill was 0 for 4 with an error but walked.

Sandy Leon was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts and a passed ball, but walked.

Michael Martinez was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked and scored.

Final Thoughts:

Well this game was a sucker punch to the gonads. The loss of Mookie Betts hurt this one as that Michael Martinez misplay in the seventh inning opened the floodgates. Buchholz, Layne and Hembree could have easily pitched out of it, but if he caught that ball the inning and pretty much the game was over. This game showed how flawed the Sox are with their rotation since Price once again got rocked. The Twins are 23 games under .500 and they pounded out 18 hits in this one. The Sox are in a three way death match with the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles so every win counts at this point. The offense is one of the best in baseball but the pitching leaves a lot to be desired, which is insane considering John Farrell is a pitching first manager. He still has 2 months to get something out of Price and he better do it sooner rather than later. The loss dropped the Sox to 54-41, 1.5 games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to tie up the series tomorrow afternoon when ''Slick'' Rick Porcello takes on Tommy Milone of the Twins at 1:35 PM at Fenway Park

Sox Outslug Giants (7/20/16)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made an expected roster move. Koji Uehara was placed on the 15 Day Disabled List with a strained pectoral muscle. It shouldn't be too serious but the Red Sox are already without Craig Kimbrel and Junichi Tazawa. The Sox called up Noe Ramirez from Pawtucket to take his place but now the Sox are gonna have to run with Brad Ziegler as the closer. Still, hopefully Uehara, Tazawa and Kimbrel come back soon.

                                                                     OUT

                                                                        IN

As for the game, this is NOT good. The Sox traded for Drew Pomeranz expecting him to be the missing piece in the rotation to get them to October and tonight he couldn't handle the pressure of Fenway Park. He got lit up for 5 runs in just 3 innings, forcing the Boston bullpen already without Koji Uehara and Craig Kimbrel to throw 6 innings. The good news was the Boston bats picked up the pace. The Sox scored 7 early runs off Matt Cain including two separate 2 run home runs from Hanley Ramirez. The Giants added two runs off Robbie Ross Jr and Heath Hembree to make it 8-7 in the 5th, but the bullpen held fast after. Hanley Ramirez hit his third 2 run home run of the game and Sandy Leon added one for good measure as the Sox outslugged the Giants 11-7 at Fenway Park.

                                                                Serana approves of the win

Pomeranz got the ball in the top of the first inning and Denard Span walked to start. Angel Pagan lined out to first and Span moved to second on the Brandon Belt grounder to first. Buster Posey flied out to center to end the inning. Cain got the ball in the bottom of the first and Mr. Mookie Betts popped up to third to start. Dustin Pedroia grounded out to third and Xander Bogaerts popped up to first to end the inning.

Brandon Crawford doubled to center to start the top of the second but Mac Williamson struck out swinging. Grant Green grounded out to first to move Crawford to third but Trevor Brown took strike three to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second as David Ortiz walked to start. Hanley Ramirez then smashed a two run home run into the bullpen that took Williamson with the ball. Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to short but Travis Shaw hit a home run completely over the bullpen for his 11th home run of the season. Sandy Leon took strike three but Brock "The Hitman" Holt got a base hit to left. Mr. Mookie got a base hit to right to move Holt to third and promptly stole second. Pedroia lined out to third to end the inning with the Sox up 3-0.

                                                 There goes the ball and Williamson

Ramiro Pena led off the top of the third by popping up to first. Span took strike three but Pagan ripped a base hit to center. Belt struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox poured it on in the bottom of the third as Bogaerts got a base hit to left to start. Ortiz flied out to the centerfield warning track but Ramirez blasted another two run homer to dead center to chase Cain.

                                                         Another blast for Hanley

Albert Suarez came in to pour gas on the fire as JBJ doubled to right but Shaw flied out to left. Leon tripled off the centerfield wall to score JBJ and Hitman Holt doubled into the left field corner to score Leon. Mr. Mookie doubled to the left field wall to score Holt and Pedroia was retired on a nubber in front of the plate to end the inning with the Sox up 8-0.

                                                     The Sox pour it on

All of a sudden the Giants exploded on Pomeranz in the top of the fourth as Posey walked to start. Crawford dumped a base hit in front of JBJ and Williamson hit a home run all the way to Bombay, India to cut the lead. Green blooped a single to right and Sox pitching coach Carl Willis sprinted to the mound to tell Pomeranz that Red Dead Redemption is a good video game. Brown crushed a home run all the way to Natick as the fans started booing. Pena beat out a grounder to third and Span caught the Sox asleep with a bunt single and that was FINALLY it for Pomeranz. Handed an 8 run lead, he allowed 5 runs without getting an out in the fourth inning. Robbie Ross Jr came in and Pagan lined out to second before Pena moved to third on the fly out to center by Belt. Posey forced Span at second to end the inning but it was now 8-5 Sox.

                                                                Nice debut Drew

Bogaerts got hit in the head on a grounder to third with the throw for a "single" to start the bottom of the fourth. Ortiz grounded out to second to move Bogaerts to second and Ramirez was hit with a pitch. Hanley stared down Suarez and said he'd get him back as the umpires warned both benches to not escalate this further. JBJ forced Hanley at second and Shaw popped up to third to end the inning.

The Giants struck again in the top of the fifth as Crawford struck out swinging to begin. Williamson took strike three but Green walked to chase Ross. Heath Hembree came in to pour gas on the fire as Brown singled off the Monster and Pena hit a grounder in no man's land at short to score Green. Span got a base hit to right to score Brown and put the tying run at second base. Shaw fell into the stands to catch a pop up by Pagan to end the inning but the 8-0 game was now 8-7.

                                                                      Giants inch closer

Leon popped up to short to start the bottom of the fifth and Holt was rung up for strike three. Mr. Mookie doubled high off the Monster but Pedroia popped up to short to end the inning.

Tommy Layne came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Belt got a base hit to center to start. Posey got a base hit to center as well and Crawford walked to load the bases with nobody out. Matt Barnes was brought in to face pinch hitter Gregor Blanco. Blanco hit a grounder to first and Ramirez tagged the back before throwing home. Leon swipe tagged Belt and Giants manager Bruce Bochy challenged that Belt was safe. The call was upheld and the double play stood. Conor Gillaspie pinch hit for Green and popped up to first to end the inning. Outstanding work by Barnes.

                                                                    Yerrrrr out!

The Sox took advantage of the Giants' misfortunate in the bottom of the sixth although Bogaerts flied out to left to start. Ortiz got a base to right and Ramirez got his revenge on Suarez by hooking a home run just over the Monster to increase the lead. Josh Osich came in to pitch to JBJ and Bradley lined out to Pena. Shaw grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 10-7.

                                                                    Happy Hanley

Barnes returned for the top of the seventh and Brown singled to right to start. Pena flied out to center and Span did the same, but Pagan lashed a base hit to center. Belt struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox wrapped up the scoring in the bottom of the seventh as Leon smashed his third home run of the season to ice the game. Holt popped up to Pagan and that was it for Osich. Derek Law came in to pitch to Mr. Mookie and Betts grounded back to the mound. Pedroia walked but Bogaerts flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox up 11-7.

                                                                 Leon with the dagger

Barnes came back for the top of the eighth and Posey was frozen for strike three on the outside corner to start. Crawford grounded out to second and Blanco flied out to left to end the inning. Ortiz grounded out to second to start the bottom of the eighth but Hanley failed to hit four home runs, as he grounded back to the mound. JBJ got a base hit to left but Shaw struck out swinging to end the inning.

Brad Ziegler came in to close out the top of the ninth and Gillaspie grounded out to second to start. Brown grounded out to short and Pena lined out to a running Holt to end the game. The Sox had won it 11-7.

                                                                  Sox win

We got two Heroes of the Night. First is Hanley Ramirez. He hit not one, not two but THREE 2 run home runs to almost outslug the Giants by himself.'

                                                             Hero Hanley

The second is Matt Barnes. He inherited a bases loaded, nobody out situation and Houdini'd out of it to keep the Sox on top before tossing 3 full scoreless innings.

                                       "Bases loaded nobody out? No problem" - Barnes

The Good:

Mookie Betts was 3 for 5 with an rbi.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Sandy Leon was 2 for 4 with 2 total rbis, a home run and 2 total runs scored.

Brock Holt was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Brad Ziegler pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Drew Pomeranz allowed 5 runs in just 3 innings off 8 hits and 2 walks.

Robbie Ross Jr allowed a run in 1 2/3 innings.

Heath Hembree allowed a run in 1/3 of an inning.

Tommy Layne allowed 2 hits and a walk without recording an out.

The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 4 but walked.

David Ortiz was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored two runs.

Travis Shaw was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but the one hit was a home run.

Final Thoughts:

Thank goodness for Hanley Ramirez because that game headed for a loss the way the pitching gave it up. Pomeranz was supposed to be the big help in the rotation and he was anything but. Brad Ziegler continues to be worth every penny but he can't pitch every day. The worst part about Pomeranz getting lit up is the offense exploding is supposed to save your key arms, they couldn't save them tonight. Still, a win is a win and the Sox leapfrogged the Baltimore Orioles into first place. Still, if you're thinking of October, the Sox are going to need Pomeranz for a fourth start in a series after Rick Porcello, Steven Wright and David Price. Maybe it was just opening game jitters but that was not a good impression. Its great to see Hanley turn into David Ortiz for one game anyway. Kudos to Matt Barnes for pulling the Houdini in the sixth inning. That was as important to the outcome as the Hanley home runs. The win improved the Sox to 53-39, 0.5 game in front of the Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox now welcome the Minnesota Twins for a three game set beginning tomorrow night. Steven Wright (11-5) takes on Tyler Duffey of the Twins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Tanaka, Yankees Shut Down Sox (7/17/16)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. William Cuevas was sent back to Pawtucket and the Sox activated pitcher Drew Pomeranz. If Pomeranz pitches well, the Sox will have a 5 man rotation that will be pretty tough to beat.

                                                                           OUT

                                                                          IN

As for the game, the Red Sox got bushwhacked by the New York Yankees and their ace Masahiro Tanaka on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball. Dustin Pedroia caught Tanaka with a first inning home run but the Sox would have just two hits the rest of the way. David Price (9-7, 4.36 ERA) played with fire all game, allowing 11 total hits. He got tagged for 3 runs in the fourth inning and was knocked out in the sixth with the Sox trailing 3-1. The Sox bullpen held the Yankees scoreless but the Yankees bullpen shut down the Sox. The Sox got the tying run to the plate in the top of the ninth but Hanley Ramirez grounded into a double play to end it. The Yankees had beaten the Sox 3-1 at Yankee Stadium.

                                                                    This game sucked

Tanaka got the ball in the top of the first inning and Mr. Mookie Betts flied out to left to start. Dustin Pedroia then launched his ninth home run of the season to put Boston on top. Xander Bogaerts popped up to center and David Ortiz flied out to Jacoby Ellsbury to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                        Sox strike first

Price got the ball in the bottom of the first and Brett Gardner lined out to a diving Brock Holt to start. Jacoby Ellsbury grounded out to second but Carlos Beltran doubled off the right field wall. Alex Rodriguez walked but Chase Headley grounded out to first to end the inning.

Hanley Ramirez struck out swinging to start the top of the second before Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to short. Travis Shaw drew a walk and Sandy Leon drilled a base hit to right, but Holt grounded out to first to end the inning. Didi Gregorius grounded out to short to start the bottom of the second before Starlin Castro drilled a base hit to right as the ESPN analysists brought up the fact Chicago White Sox pitcher Thornton Lee somehow got a first place MVP vote over Ted Williams and Joe Dimaggio in 1941. Rob Refsnyder grounded out to first to move Castro to second but Austin Romine lined out to a running Bradley to end the inning.

Mr. Mookie flied out to left to start the top of the third before Pedroia lined out to right. Bogaerts lined out to second to end the inning. Gardner grounded out to short to start the bottom of the third before Ellsbury popped up to second. Beltran got a base hit to left but A-Rod grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Ortiz struck out swinging to open the top of the fourth before Ramirez also went down hacking. Jackie Bradley Jr took strike three to end the inning. The Yankees blasted price in the bottom of the fourth as Headley lined out to right to start. Gregorius got a base hit to center and Castro doubled to left to score Didi to tie the game. Refsnyder struck out swinging but Romine singled off the glove of Pedroia to score Castro. Gardner singled to left and Ellsbury dumped a base hit to center. Bradley Jr then turned and fired the ball 100 feet over the head of the catcher for an error to score Romine. Beltran grounded out to short to end the inning with the Yankees up 3-1.

                                                         JBJ overthrows everyone

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the fifth as Shaw flied out to center to start. Leon struck out swinging but Hitman Holt doubled to right. Mr. Mookie struck out swinging to end the inning. A-Rod grounded out to second to start the bottom of the fifth before Headley grounded out to third. Gregorius doubled to right and Castro popped up to second to end the inning.

Pedroia flied out to right to start the top of the sixth before Bogaerts struck out swinging. Ortiz flied out to center to end the inning. The Yankees finished off Price in the bottom of the sixth as Refsnyder flied out to left to start. Romine also flied out to left but Gardner lined a base hit over the head of Pedroia. Ellsbury singled to right and that was it for Price. He allowed ELEVEN hits and a walk in just 5 2/3 innings. Robbie Ross Jr got Beltran to pop up to third to end the inning.

                                "Gimmie that ball....and...AND GET OUTTA HERE!" - Farrell

Dellin Betances came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Ramirez lined out to center to start. JBJ grounded out to third and Shaw took strike three to end the inning. A-Rod struck out swinging to start the bottom of the seventh and Headley grounded out to third. Gregorius was hit with a pitch and that was it for Ross. Heath Hembree came in to get Castro to force Gregorius at second to end the inning.

Aaron Hicks came in for Beltran with Andrew Miller coming in to pitch the top of the eighth. Leon flied out to center and Bryce Brentz pinch hit for Holt. Brentz walked but Mr. Mookie lined out to center. Pedroia struck out swinging to end the inning. Refsnyder walked to start the bottom of the eighth but Romine popped a bunt up to Romine. Tommy Layne came in to pitch to Gardner and Brett forced Refsnyder at second. Gardner stole second but Ellsbury grounded out to short to end the inning.

Aroldis Chapman came in to close out the top of the ninth and Bogaerts lined out to right to start. Ortiz walked and Michael Martinez pinch ran for him. Ramirez grounded into a double play to end the game. The Yankees had won it 3-1.

                                                              Yankees win

Jackass of the Night is Hanley Ramirez. He was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts including grounding into the game ending double play.

                                                             Jackass Ramirez

The Good:

Sandy Leon was 1 for 3.

Brock Holt was 1 for 2.

Bryce Brentz walked as a pinch hitter.

Robbie Ross Jr pitched a scoreless inning.

Heath Hembree tossed 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

Tommy Layne pitched 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

The Bad:

Mookie Betts was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 with a strikeout and an error.

The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but hit a solo home run.

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

Travis Shaw was 0 for 2 with a strikeout but walked.

David Price took the loss but allowed only 3 runs in 5 2/3 innings, He allowed 11 hits and a walk.

Honorable Mention:

Michael Martinez pinch ran for Ortiz in the ninth inning.

Final Thoughts:

Sometimes you get beat by a good pitcher and this was one of those games. Tanaka was on his game tonight and it takes a lot to beat him on one of those nights. The scary part is David Price was matched up against him and lost. That's not a good sign going forward if Price can't beat other team's aces. Madison Bumgarner outpitched him back in June and now this. The worst part is the Sox could have gained ground if they won because the Baltimore Orioles lost to Tampa Bay today. The Sox couldn't generate any offense and even if JBJ didn't throw the ball away, they still would have lost. It was one of those games where you just tip your hat and say "ya got me". The loss dropped the Sox to 51-39, 2 games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox are back in action against the San Francisco Giants. Rick Porcello (11-2) faces old pal Jake Peavy this Tuesday night at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Outslug Rangers (7/6/16)

A day after the Boston Red Sox were relatively silent against the Texas Rangers, the bats woke up in a hurry to defeat the Texas Rangers in tonight's game. The Sox needed the offense because the Rangers smacked around Steven Wright (10-5, 2.68 ERA) for six runs in 6 innings. David Ortiz hit a two run home run in the bottom of the first that set the tone and rookie Bryce Brentz knocked in three runs of his own. Ryan Hanigan also drove in a pair of runs to add to the cause. After Wright left the Boston bullpen shut down the Rangers the rest of the way as the Sox got 10 hits and 11 runs to beat the Rangers 11-6 at Fenway Park.

                                                   Josie Canseco approves of the win

Wright got the ball in the top of the first inning and Jurickson Profar grounded back to the mound to begin. Ian Desmon struck out swinging and Rougned Odor flied out to left to end the inning. Martin Perez got the ball in the bottom of the first and Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to short to start. Dustin Pedroia grounded out to second but Xander Bogaerts singled off the glove of Elvis Andrus. David Ortiz then launched his 20th home run of the season to put the Sox on top. Hanley Ramirez flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                           Big Papi does it again

The Rangers struck back in the top of the second as Adrian Beltre ate up Pedroia with a grounder for an error. Prince Fielder was hit with a pitch but Ryan Rua flied out to right. Nomar Mazara got a base hit to left to score Beltre to cut the lead. A wild pitch moved the runners over but Andrus struck out swinging. Bobby Wilson struck out swinging with the Rangers down 2-1.

                                                     Beltre scores a run

The Sox exploded in the bottom of the second as Jackie Bradley Jr walked to start. Bryce Brentz hit a double play ball to Rougned Odor but JBJ ran in front of him causing Odor to bobble the ball for an error. Travis Shaw hit a routine grounder to Beltre who bobbled that one for another error to load the bases. Ryan Hanigan dropped a base hit to right to score both JBJ and Brentz. Mr. Mookie doubled off the Monster to score Shaw and Pedroia hit a routine grounder to Andrus....booted for yet another error to score Hanigan. Bogaerts hit a fly ball to right to move Betts to third and he scored on the sac fly to left by Ortiz. Ramirez lined out to right to end the inning with the Sox up 7-1.

                                                          Sox pour it on

Profar flied out to the centerfield warning track to start the top of the third and Desmond got a base hit to center. Odor and Beltre both struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the third as JBJ lined a ball off the glove of Odor into centerfield and Bradley took second on the throw. Brentz hit a ground ball into right field and Mazara threw the ball over everything to score JBJ, advancing Bryce to second. Shaw doubled to the Monster to score Brentz but Hanigan lined out to a sliding Rua. Shaw stole third but Mr. Mookie grounded out to third. Pedroia grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 9-1.

                                                  Not even Giant Gonzalez catches THAT one

Fielder walked to start the top of the fourth but Rua struck out swinging. Mazara got a base hit to left but Andrus grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Sox poured it on in the bottom of the fourth as Bogaerts drew a walk to start. Ortiz hit a bullet but right to Odor but Ramirez doubled to right. JBJ grounded out to second but Brentz blooped a single to right to score both runners. Shaw struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 11-1.

                                                           Good work Brentz

Wilson grounded out to third to start the top of the fifth before Profar struck out swinging. Desmond grounded out to short to end the inning. Jared Hoying took over for Beltre with Jose Leclerc taking over for Perez on the mound to start the bottom of the fifth. Hanigan struck out swinging to start before Mr. Mookie smacked a double off the bottom of the Monster. Pedroia walked but Bogaerts struck out swinging. Ortiz walked to load the bases but Ramirez forced him at second to end the inning.

The Rangers tagged Wright in the top of the sixth as Odor flied out to center to start. Hoying beat out a roller to third and Fielder hit a home run all the way to Columbia to cut the lead. Rua got a base hit to center but Mazara flied out to right. Andrus grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Rangers down 11-3.

                                                            Home run Fielder

JBJ grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the sixth and Brentz struck out swinging. Shaw flied out to left to end the inning.

The Rangers rallied in the top of the seventh as Wilson singled to center to start. Profar singled to right to move Wilson to third and Sox pitching coach Carl Willis sprinted to the mound to tell Wright that he forgot his gum in the locker. Desmond then tripled into the centerfield triangle to clear the bases, ending Wright's night. He got hammered for 6 runs in 6 innings allowing 9 runs and a walk. Tommy Layne came in to pitch and Odor struck out swinging. Hoying singled to center to score Desmond but Fielder struck out swinging. Rua struck out swinging to end the inning with the Rangers down 11-6

                                                      Not the best outing from Wright

Hanigan grounded out to second to start the bottom of the seventh and Mr. Mookie struck out swinging to end the night for Leclerc. Tony Barnette got Pedroia to fly out to center to end the inning.

Marco Hernandez took over for Shaw to start the top of the eighth and Mazara was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to begin. Andrus walked to chase Layne and Matt Barnes came in to face Wilson. Wilson struck out swinging but Andrus swiped second base. Profar grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Bogaerts was plunked to start the bottom of the eighth but Ortiz flied out to right. Ramirez grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Desmond struck out swinging to start. Odor grounded out to first but Hoying walked. Hoying took second and third on defensive indifference then Fielder drew a walk. Pitching coach Carl Willis ran to the mound to tell Kimbrell that Bring It On: All or Nothing was on in the locker room. Kimbrel blew away Rua to end the game. The Sox had won it 11-6.

                                                               Sox win

Hero of The Night is David Ortiz. His two run homer started the party and his sac fly in the second was the difference in the game.

                                                       Saluting the Hero

The Good:

Mookie Betts was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3 with a walk, hit by pitch and 2 runs scored.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Bryce Brentz was 2 for 4 with 3 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Matt Barnes tossed 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

Craig Kimbrel pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

One of the ultra rare times the winning pitcher ends up on the Bad list but Steven Wright got hammered for 6 runs in 6 innings. He allowed 9 hits and a walk while striking out 7.

The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 4 but walked and drove in a run.

Hanley Ramirez was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

Travis Shaw was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored a run.

Ryan Hanigan was just 1 for 4 but drove in 2 runs and scored a run.

Tommy Layne allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own in 1 1/3 innings.

Honorable Mention:

Marco Hernandez played third base in the ninth inning.

Final Thoughts:

Big win by the Sox with the All-Star game approaching. The Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays are hanging around the first place position but the Sox are hanging in there too. The Sox offense is as good as anyone in the league but the pitching isn't quite up to snuff. Today's game was a microcosm of the season as the Sox allowed 6 runs but scored 11. They can't beat up everyone like they did the Rangers, but Wright had an unusually bad day. Still, hats off to Brentz, Ortiz and the bullpen for locking it all down. The win improved the Sox to 46-38, 3 games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. After an off-day tomorrow, the Sox are back in action Friday night against the Tampa Bay Rays. Sean O'Sullivan gets the start for the Sox against Chris Archer of Tampa. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Turn Tables, Bash Angels (7/3/16)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Pat Light was sent back to Pawtucket to make room for Sean O'Sullivan to get called up for today's game against the Los Angeles Angels. Light did manage to strike out Mike Trout, that's good for something I guess.

                                                                      OUT

                                                                        IN

As for the game, that's a little more like it. Last night the Angels humiliated the Red Sox by beating them by eighteen runs. Today it was the Sox bats that pounded the Angels into submission. The Sox scored 7 runs in the fifth while Sean O'Sullivan (2-0, 6.61 ERA) held the Jays scoreless through 5 innings. The Jays got to Sean and Matt Barnes for three runs in the sixth but Sandy Leon and Dustin Pedroia gave the Sox some breathing room in the later innings. Leon drove in 3 key runs and the Sox held on to win 10-5 at Fenway Park.

                                                       Eduard Khil approves of the win

O'Sullivan got the ball in the top of the first and Yunel Escobar dumped a base hit to center but was foolishly thrown out at second by Jackie Bradley Jr trying to stretch a double. Kole Calhoun popped up to Xander Bogaerts in foul territory but Mike Trout walked. Trout swiped second but was thrown out at third trying to steal to end the inning.

                                                               Yerrrr out!

Matt Shoemaker got the ball in the bottom of the first and Mr. Mookie Betts popped up to right to start. Dustin Pedroia popped up to a running Trout but Bogaerts doubled off the Monster. David Ortiz lined out to a running Calhoun to end the inning.

Albert Pujols led off the top of the second by grounding out to short before CJ Cron popped up to Hanley Ramirez in foul territory. Jefry Marte took strike three down the middle to end the inning. Ramirez led off the bottom of the second by striking out swinging on a splitter to start. JBJ popped up to Marte and Brock "The Hitman" Holt poked a base hit to left on the end of the bat but Sandy Leon grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Gregorio Petit was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to start the top of the third but Jett Bandy was plunked. Andrelton Simmons beat out a bunt back to O'Sullivan for a base hit but Escobar hit a fly ball to center. Bradley ran it down for the out but Bandy had thought the ball had fallen in and was halfway home. Bradley threw to second to get the force to end the inning.

                                                         "You're out, you dummy" - Bogaerts

Marco Hernandez led off the bottom of the third with a base hit up the middle but was doubled off first on a blown hit and run because Mr. Mookie popped up to Cron. Pedroia roped a single to left but Bogaerts forced Pedroia at second to end the inning.

Calhoun grounded out to short to start the top of the fourth but Trout and Pujols drew back to back walks. Red Sox pitching coach Carl Willis came out to tell O'Sullivan that Chicago Med was on in the clubhouse. O'Sullivan was so excited that he got Cron to hit into a double play to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the fourth as Ortiz walked to start. Ramirez lined a base hit up the middle but JBJ struck out swinging on a splitter down the middle. Holt was frozen for strike three down the middle and Leon flied out to right to end the inning.

Marte flied out to a running Betts to start the top of the fifth and Petit flied out to center. Bandy took strike three on the inside corner to end the inning. The Sox exploded in the bottom of the fifth although Hernandez popped up to left to start. Mr. Mookie dropped a base hit to right but Pedroia forced him at second. Bogaerts walked and Ortiz pounded a ground rule double into the centerfield stands to put the Sox on top. Ramirez stroked an opposite field single to right to clear the bases, moving to second on the throw home. JBJ dropped a base hit to right, Ramirez scored and JBJ took second on the throw to chase Shoemaker. Jose Alvarez came in and promptly walked Holt before Leon doubled high off the Monster to clear the bases again. Hernandez dumped a base hit to left that was muffed by Marte which allowed Leon to score another run. Hernandez took second on the error and JC Ramirez came in to pitch to Mr. Mookie. Betts flied out to the centerfield warning track to end the inning with the Sox up 7-0.

                                                        Marte muffs it

O'Sullivan returned briefly in the top of the sixth but Simmons singled off the glove of Bogaerts to start. Simmons stole second and took third on the base hit to left by Escobar. That was it for O'Sullivan who would be charged with 2 runs in 5 innings, not bad. Matt Barnes came in and immediately allowed Calhoun to double off the wall to score Simmons. Trout grounded out to short but Simmons scored and Calhoun moved to third on the play. Pujols doubled off the Red Sox bullpen to score Calhoun. Red Sox pitching coach Carl Willis sprinted to the mound to tell Barnes that All In The Family was on in the clubhouse. Barnes got so excited that he got both Cron and Marte to ground out to second to end the inning with the Angels down 7-3.

                                                     Good work by O'Sullivan

Cam Bedrosian came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Pedroia grounded out to short to start. Bogaerts took strike three but Ortiz drew a walk. Sox broadcaster Jerry Remy told a hilarious story of how ex-Sox manager Dick Williams once got thrown out of the game just handing over the lineup card before the game even started and Ramirez forced Ortiz at second to end the inning.

Junichi Tazawa came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Petit singled up the middle to start. Bandy flied out to center but Simmons hit a foul ball down the left field line...BUT WAIT! Angels manager Mike Scioscia challenged that it was fair. The umpires looked at the replay and the ball indeed was fair for a double. Escobar doubled off the left field foul stands to clear the bases and bring the tying run to the plate. Carl Willis came out of the dugout to tell Tazawa that Barnaby Jones was on in the clubhouse and Taz got so excited he got Calhoun to line out to Holt. Trout flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox still ahead 7-5.

                                                           Fair ball

The Sox rallied against Joe Smith in the bottom of the seventh as JBJ dropped a base hit to center to begin. The Hitman dribbled a hit up the middle to move JBJ to third and Bradley scored on the infield single to short by Leon. Hernandez walked to load the bases but Mr. Mookie was rung up on a check swing strikeout. Pedroia drilled a base hit to left that scored JBJ and Leon but was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double. Bogaerts grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 10-5.

                                                                   Yerrrr out!

Koji Uehara came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Pujols hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Cron flied out to right and Marte popped up to second to end the inning. Huston Street came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Ortiz flied out to center to start. Ramirez doubled to the left field wall but Holt lined out to a running Calhoun to end the inning.

Tommy Layne came in to finish off the Angels in the top of the ninth and Petit grounded back to the mound to start. Bandy walked but Simmons forced him at second before moving up a base on defensive indifference. Escobar drilled a base hit to right to move Simmons to third but Calhoun flied out to center to end the game. The Sox had won the game 10-5.

                                                              Sox win

Hero of the Night is Sandy Leon. He was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored and his three runs driven in turned out to be the difference in the game.

                                                                  Holt salutes our Hero

The Good:

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

David Ortiz was 1 for 3 with 2 walks, an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Hanley Ramirez was 3 for 5 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 5 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Brock Holt was 2 for 4 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Marco Hernandez was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Sean O'Sullivan got the win by pitching 5 plus innings of 2 run ball. He allowed 4 hits and struck out 2.

Koji Uehara tossed a scoreless inning.

Tommy Layne pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Matt Barnes allowed two inherited runners to score and one of his own in a full inning.

Junichi Tazawa allowed 2 runs in an inning of work.

The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

That was more like it for the Red Sox after last night's disaster. Scoring 10 runs after getting blown away last night sends a message that they can turn things around. The only concerns was Matt Barnes and Junichi Tazawa combined to allow 5 runs in two innings, even if two of which were charged to O'Sullivan. For Sean to toss 5 shutout innings was huge after the Sox were pretty much out of the game early and couldn't get anyone out. Its also funny how the Sox have to deal with the Toronto Blue Jays and the Baltimore Orioles this season instead of the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees. The Sox could use some bullpen help coming up at the trade deadline and maybe another starter. The win improved the Sox to 44-37, 3 games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox now welcome the Texas Rangers for a three game series starting tomorrow afternoon. "Slick" Rick Porcello (9-2, 3.78 ERA) gets the start for Boston against Nick Martinez of the Rangers. The game begins at 1:30 PM at Fenway Park.