Hansack "No-Hits" Orioles In Season Finale (10/1/06)

In a season that turned into a complete disappointment, the 2006 Boston Red Sox season ended on a high note. The Red Sox finished in third place for the first time since finishing dead last in 1997 but tonight career minor leaguer Devern Hansack (1-1, 2.70 ERA) ended the season with an unofficial no-hitter. Hansack held the Baltimore Orioles hitless for 5 innings as the Red Sox bashed Hayden Penn and the Baltimore bullpen for 9 runs. Then a huge rainstorm swept through Boston and since it was the last game of the year with nothing on the line, the umpires said to hell with it and called the game. It goes down in the record books as an unofficial no-hitter for Hansack and a 9-0 season ending win over the Orioles at Fenway Park.

                                                       Frodo is glad to see the season end

Hansack got the ball in the top of the first inning and Brian Roberts led off with a grounder to third to start. Corey Patterson struck out swinging on a hanging slider and Melvin Mora flied out to left to end the inning. In what could be his final game in Boston, Trot Nixon led off the bottom of the first against O's starter Hayden Penn with a ground ball base hit up the middle. Mark Loretta was plunked but David Ortiz hit one up the elevator shaft. Mike Lowell clobbered his 20th home run of the season to put Boston on top. Jason Varitek flied out to center and Eric Hinske struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 3-0.

                                                   Last home run of the season for Lowell

Hansack froze Miguel Tejada for strike three on the outside corner but Fernando Tatis walked. Chris Gomez banged into a double play to end the inning. Carlos Pena dropped a base hit to right to start the bottom of the second and Gabe Kapler hit a grounder under the legs of Mora for an error. Alex Cora hit a bullet to Roberts who doubled off Pena at second for a double play and Nixon

                                                             Yerrrr out!

David Newhan grounded out to first to start the top of the third and Brandon Fahey grounded out to second. Raul Chavez flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox poured it on in the bottom of the third although Loretta flied out to right to start. Ortiz walked and Lowell hit one in the hole at short, but Varitek struck out swinging. Hinske walked to load the bases and Pena walked to score Ortiz with another run. Kapler then cleared the bases with a double down the third base line. Kapler took third on the throw and that was it for Penn. Julio Manon came in to pitch and Cora grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead by a touchdown 7-0.

                                                       Kapler with his final rbis

Hansack stayed strong in the top of the fourth as Roberts struck out swinging to start. Patterson struck out swinging and Mora popped up to Pena in foul territory to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth although Newhan made a great sliding catch to rob Nixon of a hit to start. Loretta smashed his 5th home run of the season just inside the left field foul pole to increase the lead and Ortiz walked. Doug Mirabelli came in to pinch run and that was it for Ortiz for the 2006 season, hope he wins MVP. Lowell took strike three and Varitek struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 8-0.

                                                       Loretta hits one out

Dustin Pedroia took over at second for Loretta to start the top of the fifth as the rain came. Tejeda struck out swinging and Tatis took strike three to start the bottom of the fifth. With the rain coming down and unlikely the game would last much longer, Sox manager Terry Francona pulled Trot Nixon out so he could get one last standing ovation at Fenway. David Murphy replaced him and Gomez flied out to center to end the inning. Hansack had thrown 5 no-hit innings and Nixon got a heroes sendoff.

                                                       Goodbye Trot

Russ Ortiz came in to pitch the bottom of the fifth and Hinske hooked his first home run in a Sox uniform around the right field foul pole to increase the lead. Pena walked but Kapler banged into a double play. Cora grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 9-0.

                                                    Hinske's first homer in the last game.

Before the top of the sixth inning could commence, umpires had the tarp pulled on the field for a rain delay. The area was so soggy it took a whole team to move it into position as what was left of the crowd roared with laughter. An hour later with it pouring out, the game out of reach and nothing left to play for...the game was called and the Red Sox were winners in their final game. Hansack had pitched a 5 inning no-hitter.

                                                              Red Sox win

Hero of the Night is Devern Hansack. He threw a 5 inning no-no against the Orioles to earn his first ML win.

                                                           Hero Hansack

The Good:

Trot Nixon was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Mark Loretta was 1 for 2 with a hit by pitch, home run and 2 runs scored.

David Ortiz walked twice and scored a run.

Mike Lowell was 2 for 3 with a 3 run home run and 2 total runs scored.

Eric Hinske was 1 for 2 with a walk, home run and 2 runs scored.

Carlos Pena was 1 for 1 with 2 walks, an rbi and a run scored.

Gabe Kapler was 1 for 3 with 3 rbis.

The Bad:

Jason Varitek was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Alex Cora was 0 for 3.

The Ugly:

None

Honorable Mention:

Dustin Pedroia played second base in the top of the fifth.

Doug Mirabelli pinch ran for Ortiz in the bottom of the fourth.

David Murphy replaced Trot Nixon for the final out of the bottom of the fifth.

Final Thoughts:

Sox manager Terry Francona had some chilling words before the game today when he said "This is the first time since I've been here that we know this is the last game of the year." The 2004 and 2005 seasons were very successful so Francona and the remnants of the "Idiots" aren't used to failure. This could possibly be Trot Nixon's last game here after nearly a decade and it'll be sad to see him go. Injuries and incompetence are the reasons the Sox are in third place at the end of this season. Curt Schilling had a nice bounceback season but Josh Beckett served up longballs like hot dog vendors serving barkers. Jonathan Papelbon and Jon Lester looked good but both of them were lost for the year. Coco Crisp for about a week looked like the real deal before he got hurt. The catching situation nosedived in August and the Sox didn't really have a third starter when both Matt Clement and Tim Wakefield went down. Julian Tavarez looked like a starter for next year's team with his September showing but the Sox are gonna have to do better than that if they want to rebound in 2007. The Sox are going to need another elite starter because Schilling is getting old and Beckett didn't appear to be the answer. They're also going to need to replace Nixon in right field if he's gone. Mark Loretta is rumored to not be coming back either. One thing is for sure, if the Sox can remain healthy and add a few key pieces, 2007 could be a good year. Hats off to Hansack who pitched a no-hitter, even if it was only 5 innings. At least the season ended on a positive as the Sox finished 86-76. Its now on to 2007....hope that season turns out better.

Yankees Walkoff Red Sox (4/5/05)

If Sunday night's epic beatdown by the New York Yankees was bad, today the Yankees found a different way to beat the Boston Red Sox. The Yankees enjoyed a 3-0 lead over new Sox pitcher Matt Clement and the Sox but Boston slowly clawed back. A David Ortiz home run and Johnny Damon rbi single set the stage for Jason Varitek's dramatic ninth inning home run to tie the game. Unfortunately for the Sox, Derek Jeter sent the fans home happy with a walkoff home run off closer Keith Foulke to beat the Red Sox 4-3 at Yankee Stadium.

                                              "Tie the game in the ninth only to lose?"

Old Sox prospect Carl Pavano got the ball in the top of the first and Johnny Damon popped up to second to start. Trot Nixon and Manny Ramirez both struck out swinging to end the inning. Clement made his Sox debut in the bottom of the first and Derek Jeter grounded out to short to start. Alex Rodriguez struck out swinging and Gary Sheffield flied out to left to end the inning.

David Ortiz struck out swinging to start the top of the second and Kevin Millar watched strike three go by. Edgar Renteria grounded out to short to end the inning. Clement got in trouble in the bottom of the second as Hideki Matsui singled to right to start. Jorge Posada walked but Jason Giambi struck out swinging. Bernie Williams walked to load the bases but Tino Martinez hit one up the elevator shaft. Tony Womack popped up to second to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the third as Jason Varitek grounded out to short to start. Bill Mueller got a base hit to left but Mark Bellhorn struck out swinging. Damon lined a base hit to left but Nixon struck out swinging to end the inning. The Yankees pounced in the bottom of the third as Jeter was plunked to start. A-Rod hit a routine grounder to Renteria who turned and fired the ball into the dugout for a bizarre error to move both runners into scoring position. Sheffield scored Jeter with a grounder to third and Matsui hit a home run all the way into the Empire State Building to increase the lead. Posada struck out swinging and Giambi grounded out to second to end the inning with the Yankees up 3-0.

                                                            Yankees strike first

The Sox struck back in the top of the fourth although Manny took strike three to start. Ortiz clobbered his first home run of the season to cut the lead and Millar drew a walk. Renteria flied out to center and Varitek flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox down 3-1.

                                                          Ortiz hits one out

Williams flied out to left to start the bottom of the fourth and Martinez grounded out to second. Womack singled to left and swiped second before Jeter walked. A-Rod struck out swinging to end the inning.

Mueller grounded out to short to start the top of the fifth but Bellhorn singled to right.  Damon flied out to center and Nixon grounded out to second to end the inning. The Yankees chased Clement in the bottom of the fifth as Sheffield singled in the hole at third to start. Matsui flied out to left but Posada singled to center. That was it for Clement who was knocked out after 4 1/3 innings and 3 runs allowed, not the best debut. John Halama came in and plunked Giambi to load the bases, but got Williams to hit into a double play to end the inning.

                                                     Not Clement's best stuff

Manny grounded out to second to begin the top of the sixth but Ortiz singled to right. Millar got a base hit to left but Renteria banged into a double play to end the inning. Halama got Martinez and Womack to both ground out to second to begin the bottom of the sixth but he was lifted for righty Matt Mantei. Jeter grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Sox struck back in the top of the seventh although Varitek grounded out to second to start. Mueller singled to center and Bellhorn singled him to third to chase Pavano. Old friend Mike Stanton came in and Damon dropped a base hit to right to score Mueller. With a chance to do some damage....Nixon banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox down 3-2.

                                                Pavano leaves with the lead

A-Rod walked to start the bottom of the seventh but Sheffield flied out to center. Sox manager Terry Francona sent in Mike Myers just to pitch to Matsui but Hideki got a base hit to left. Alan Embree came in for Myers and Rodriguez moved to third on the fly ball to center by Posada. Giambi struck out swinging to end the inning.

Tom Gordon came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Manny flied out to right to start. Ortiz popped up to third and Millar lined out to left to end the inning. For some reason Sox closer Keith Foulke came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Williams flied out to right to begin. Martinez took strike three and Womack grounded out to short to end the inning.

Mariano Rivera came in to close out the top of the ninth and Renteria struck out swinging to start. Suddenly Varitek smashed his first home run of the season to tie the game out of nowhere. Mueller singled to center to put the go-ahead run on but Bellhorn struck out swinging. Damon flied out to right to end the inning but the game was tied 3-3.

                                                          Varitek ties it

The end came quickly in the bottom of the ninth when Jeter hit a home run out of Earth's atmosphere off Foulke to win the game for New York. The Yankees had walked off the Red Sox 4-3.

                                                           Yankees win

Jackass of the Night is Keith Foulke, He served up the home run ball to Jeter to lose the game.

                                                                Way to go Jackass

The Good:

Johnny Damon was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

David Ortiz was 2 for 4 with a solo home run.

Kevin Millar was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Bill Mueller was 3 for 4 with a run scored.

Mark Bellhorn was 2 for 4.

John Halama tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Matt Mantei retired 2 of the 3 men he faced.

Alan Embree got the final two outs of the eighth inning.

The Bad:

Trot Nixon was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Manny Ramirez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Edgar Renteria was 0 for 4 with a strikeout and an error.

Matt Clement lasted just 4 1/3 innings and allowed 3 runs.

Mike Myers gave up a hit to the only man he faced.

The Ugly:

Jason Varitek was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a solo home run.

Final Thoughts:

This is worst case scenario for the Boston Red Sox. Yankee fans have been waiting since October for revenge and I'm sure the Yankees themselves that were on the 04 squad are chomping at the bit as well. First Sunday night's blowout and now this just gives more ammo for Yankee fans to use. The Sox showed a lot of heart to come back down 3-0 and for Foulke to blow it was another sucker punch to the gonads. Varitek and Jeter as the two captains going tit for tat was fun to watch, even if the wrong team won. So far both David Wells and Clement failed to impress, which isn't to say Pedro Martinez & Derek Lowe were guaranteed to do better, but this was not a good first impression. The season is starting out on the wrong foot for the starters and that can't continue. Its only two games but losing to the Yankees like this after beating them here in October leaves a bad taste in the mouths of the fans. The Sox look to avoid a sweep tomorrow afternoon when Tim Wakefield makes his season debut against Mike Mussina of the Yankees. The game begins at 1:05 PM at Yankee Stadium.

Yankees Massacre Sox in Game 3 (10/16/04)

After a rainout pushed Game 3 back a day, maybe they should have played last night in the rain anyway. The Boston Red Sox' epic season is about to come crashing down at the hands of the New York Yankees. The Yankees added a new chapter in their 86 year beat down of the Red Sox by knocking the Sox flat tonight in Game 3. The Yankees pounded starter Bronson Arroyo and a host of relief pitchers for 22 hits and 19 runs in one of the most decisive routs in MLB history. Though the Sox scored a bunch of runs of their own, it wasn't nearly enough as the Yankees are now one game away from a four game sweep as they took Game 3 by a score of 19-8 at Fenway Park.

Arroyo took the mound in the top of the first and immediately crapped his pants. Derek Jeter started with a walk and Alex Rodriguez doubled into the left field corner to score him. A-Rod moved to third when Gary Sheffield flied out to the centerfield wall and Hideki Matsui smashed a 40,000 foot home run to right to increase the lead. Bernie Williams singled to right but Jorge Posada banged into a double play to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 3-0.

                                                         Matsui puts the Yankees up big

The Sox had no trouble hitting Yankees starter Kevin Brown in the bottom of the first but ran themselves out. Johnny Damon grounded out to short and Mark Bellhorn whiffed, but Manny Ramirez singled. Ortiz singled to right but Manny was foolishly thrown out at third trying to stretch to end the inning.

Ruben Sierra doubled to the left field wall start the top of the second but Jon Olerud popped up to short. Miguel Cairo popped up to first and Jeter flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox fought back in the bottom of the second as Jason Varitek walked to start. Trot Nixon pounded a home run just over the head of Sheffield into the stands to cut the lead. Kevin Millar flied out to the centerfield wall but Bill Mueller doubled off the bottom of the right field wall. Cabrera grounded out to third but Damon lined one off the glove of Olerud over to second. The hustling Mueller scored to tie the game but Cairo foolishly threw home which allowed Damon to reach second. A wild pitch moved Damon to third before Bellhorn drew a walk. Manny hit a liner to Jeter who bobbled it, allowing Damon to score the go-ahead run. That was the first lead in the series for the Sox. Ortiz grounded out to second to end the inning but it was 4-3 Sox.

                                                            Nixon gets the Sox back in it

The Yankees pounded Arroyo in the top of the third inning as A-Rod pounded a home run over the Monster Seats to tie the game. Sheffield walked and Matsui pounded a double to right to chase Arroyo. In a game the Sox had to win, Arroyo lasted just 2 innings and was charged with 6 runs.

                                                 Damn Yankees

Ramiro Mendoza came in to take a beating as Williams singled home Sheffield to put the Yankees back on top. Mendoza balked home Matsui as the boo birds came out. Sox manager Terry Francona ran out to argue but it was clearly a balk. Posada popped up on the infield to Millar before Sierra swung at a changeup in the dirt for strike three. Olerud grounded out to short to end the inning but the Yankees were up 6-4.

The Sox tied it up in the bottom of the third with Javier Vazquez on the mound for the Yankees. Varitek got the rally started with a base hit to left but Nixon whiffed. Millar doubled off the Monster before Mueller walked to load the bases. Cabrera hit a line drive out of the reach of Sheffield that went to the wall. Varitek and Millar scored but Mueller was gunned down at home for a huge out. Damon grounded out to first to end the inning but the game was tied 6-6.

                                                     Cabrera with the clutch hit

The Yankees wasted no time getting the lead back in the top of the fourth inning as Cairo was plunked to start. That was it for Mendoza as Curtis Leskanic was brought in to pour gas on the fire. Nixon made a great diving catch to rob Jeter of a hit but A-Rod walked. Sheffield then crushed a 3 run home run into the Monster seats to give the Yankees the lead back. Matsui doubled into the left field corner to chase Leskanic. Tomorrow's starter Tim Wakefield came in and got Williams to pop up to first but Posada was intentionally walked. Sierra made the Sox pay by tripling past Nixon to score two more runs. Olerud lined out to short to end the inning but the 5 run inning put the Yankees up for good 11-6.

                                                     The Yankees pour it on

Bellhorn whiffed to start the bottom of the fourth but Ramirez walked. Ortiz got a base hit to right but Varitek hit a bullet to first and Ortiz was doubled off to end the inning.

The Yankees were relentless in the top of the fifth inning although Cabrera made a great play to rob Cairo of a hit to begin. Jeter walked and A-Rod doubled to the right field wall to score Jeter. Sheffield crushed a double to the Monster to score A-Rod with another run. Matsui flied out to left and Williams whiffed to end the inning but the Yankees were up 13-6.

                                                        A-Rod keeps up the destruction

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the fifth as Nixon popped up to center to start. Millar popped up to second and Mueller grounded out to second to end the inning.

Wakefield cruised in the top of the sixth as Posada flied out to center to start. Sierra flied out to the centerfield wall before Olerud grounded out to short to end the inning, hurting himself in the process.

                                                 Stephen King is used to horror shows

Tony Clark replaced Olerud in the bottom of the sixth and Cabrera started a rally with a double to the centerfield wall. Damon popped up to right but Bellhorn whiffed. Manny whiffed to end the inning.

The carnage continued in the top of the seventh as Cairo hit a base hit in the hole at short to start. Damon made a sliding catch to rob Jeter of a hit before Bellhorn dropped a routine pop up by A-Rod. Luckily Cairo never moved so he got Miguel at second on the force. Sheffield hit a laser off the Monster but it was just a single that moved Jeter to third. That was it for Wakefield who did the best he could to save the rest of the bullpen for tomorrow's game. Alan Embree came in to pitch to Matsui and naturally Matsui singled home A-Rod for another run. Williams doubled home both runners to increase the lead. Posada crushed a double off the Monster for yet another run as the remaining Sox fans booed the Sox pitching staff. Sierra grounded out to short to end the inning but it was 17-6 Yankees.

                                          Can anyone get Matsui out?

Ortiz singled off the Monster to start the bottom of the seventh and Varitek smashed a two run home run to center just to piss the Yankees off. Nixon flied out to right and that was it for Vazquez. Paul Quantrill came in and Millar grounded out to short before Mueller lined a base hit into the left field corner. Cabrera lined a base hit to center but Damon lined out to left to end the inning. If nothing else the Sox beat around the Yankees pitching but trailed 17-8

                                                        Varitek goes yard.

Mike Myers came in to pitch the top of the eighth with Doug Mirabelli now behind the plate. Myers whiffed Clark and Cairo but Jeter poked a single to center. Bellhorn made a diving stop to rob A-Rod of a hit, forcing Jeter at second to end the inning. Bellhorn earned the golden sombrero with his 4th strikeout to start the bottom of the eighth before Manny flied out to center. Ortiz whiffed to end the inning.

The Yankees had one final kick in the ass for the Sox in the top of the ninth when Sheffield singled up the middle to start. Bubba Crosby ran for Sheffield and Matsui ended the massacre with a two run bomb to center. Williams and Posada stroked back to back hits before Sierra was frozen for strike three. Clark hit a liner to Mueller who doubled off Williams to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 19-8.

                                                   Scoreboard says it all

The torture ended with Tom Gordon now on the mound for the bottom of the ninth. Mirabelli popped up to second but Nixon doubled off the centerfield wall. Nixon moved to third on a wild pitch but Millar whiffed. Mueller flied out to center to end the game. The Yankees had a stranglehold on the American League Championship Series and was up 3 games to 0 with a 19-8 rout.

                                                          Can't argue this


Jackass of the Night is a tough one considering everyone the Sox threw out there got hammered but I'll go with Arroyo. He had absolutely nothing and he put the Sox in a hole that was too big to climb out of. He lasted just two innings and was charged with 6 runs.

                                                   Arroyo The Jackass



The Good:

David Ortiz was 3 for 5 with a run scored.

Jason Varitek was 2 for 3 with a walk, 3 runs scored and a 2 run home run.

Trot Nixon was 2 for 5 including a 2 run homer.

Bill Mueller was 2 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

Orlando Cabrera was 3 for 4 with 2 rbis.



The Bad:

Doug Mirabelli was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Ramiro Mendoza allowed a run in the third inning.

Curtis Leskanic was charged with 3 runs in just 1/3 of an inning.

Tim Wakefield allowed 5 runs in 3 1/3 innings.

Alan Embree allowed 2 runs in just 1/3 of an inning.

Mike Myers allowed 2 runs in 2 innings of work.



The Ugly:

Johnny Damon was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run and scored.

Mark Bellhorn was 0 for 4 with a golden sombrero of 4 strikeots but walked.

Manny Ramirez was just 1 for 4 but walked.

Kevin Millar was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.




Final Thoughts:

It can't end like this. Seriously, it can't end like this. After coming within a horrendous managerial decision from winning the pennant last year, the Sox can't just fall on their face and get swept after everything that's happened since Game 7 last year...can it? The Yankees offense looks to be completely unstoppable, scoring 32 runs in the first 3 games of this series. Not only that, Curt Schilling has a serious ankle problem and Pedro Martinez got out-pitched by Jon Lieber. The offense scored 8 runs today but the pitching just can't stop the Yankees. The worst apart about it is the only thing standing between the Red Sox and an embarrassing four game sweep is Derek Lowe. The same Lowe that was supposedly hung over when he got bombed by the Yankees on national television. The Sox look to avoid a sweep tomorrow night when they send Lowe to the mound against Orlando Hernandez at 8:00 PM at Fenway Park.

Yankees Beat Pedro Again, Take Game 2 (10/13/04)

Now its time to panic Boston Red Sox fans. After Curt Schilling got hammered in Game 1 the Sox turned to Pedro Martinez to bail them out against the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series. It didn't happen as Pedro allowed 3 runs in 6 innings but the Sox offense was silenced by Jon Lieber. Lieber tossed 7 innings of 1 run ball, John Olerud hit a back breaking home run and the Yankees sent the series back to Fenway with a 3-1 victory at Yankee Stadium.

                                                  The two aces fail to deliver

The Sox did nothing in the top of the first inning against Lieber as Johnny Damon grounded weakly to Olerud to begin the game. Mark Bellhorn popped up to short before Manny Ramirez whiffed to end the inning. Yankee fans rose to their feet and chanted "Who's Your Daddy" as Pedro took the mound for the bottom of the first and the chants got louder as the Yankees rallied. Derek Jeter drew a leadoff walk before taking off for second. The Yankees caught a break when Bellhorn dropped the ball as the throw did manage to beat Jeter. Alex Rodriguez was plunked and Gary Sheffield singled home Jeter to give the Yankees the lead. Hideki Matsui and Bernie Williams both looked at strike three before Jorge Posada grounded out to second to end the inning but it was 1-0 Yankees.

                                                   Yankees strike first

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the second although David Ortiz walked to start. Kevin Millar popped up to short, Trot Nixon flied out to left and Jason Varitek grounded out to second to end the inning. The Yankees drove Pedro's pitch count in the bottom of the second as Olerud grounded out to second to start. Miguel Cairo walked and Kenny Lofton singled before Cairo moved to third on the Jeter line out to center but A-Rod looked at strike three to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the third although Orlando Cabrera singled to start. Cabrera moved to third on groundouts by Bill Mueller and Damon before Bellhorn flied out to center to end the inning. Pedro settled down in the bottom of the third as Sheffield popped up to short to start. Matsui and Williams both grounded out to first to end the inning.

Lieber was untouchable in the top of the fourth as Ramirez popped up to center to start. Ortiz popped up to center and Millar grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Pedro did what he could in the bottom of the fourth although Posada walked to start. Olerud popped up to second before Cairo flied out to left. Lofton whiffed to end the inning.

Still nothing for the Sox in the top of the fifth inning as Nixon flied out to left to begin. Varitek hit a squibber back to the mound and Cabrera whiffed to end the inning. Pedro kept pace in the bottom of the fifth as Jeter grounded out to short to start. A-Rod beat out an infield single to third before Sheffield whiffed. Matsui was frozen for strike three to end the inning.

Shades of Game 1, the Sox couldn't hit in the top of the sixth as Mueller popped up to third to start. Damon lined out to a running Williams in center before Bellhorn whiffed to end the inning. Through the first through innings of Game 1 they had no hits and through the first six tonight they had 1 hit.

                                                 Exactly Bob

The Yankees iced the game against Pedro in the bottom of the sixth inning although Williams lined out to center to begin. Posada walked and Olerud iced the game with a 2 run bomb into the right field seats to increase the lead. Pedro recovered to freeze Cairo with a fastball on the inside corner before Lofton popped up to third to end the inning. That was it for Pedro after 6 innings of 3 run ball, the one mistake to Olerud made the difference as the Sox trailed 3-0.

                                                Olerud goes yard

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the seventh inning as Ramirez grounded out to short to start. Ortiz managed a base hit to right but Manny banged into a double play to end the inning. Mike Timlin came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh inning and got Jeter to ground to short to begin. A-Rod lined a bullet that a diving Mueller caught before Sheffield singled to chase Timlin. Alan Embree came in and Matsui blooped a single to left but Williams popped up to right to end the inning.

Lieber returned for the complete game shutout but he was chased by a Nixon single to open the top of the eighth inning. Old pal Tom Gordon took the mound and Varitek greeted him with a double into the gap to bring the tying run to the plate. Cabrera grounded out to short but Nixon scored to put the Sox on the board. Mueller grounded out but Cabrera moved to third and Yankees manager Joe Torre took no chances, bringing in Mariano Rivera to finish off the Sox. Damon took strike three to end the inning but it was 3-1 Sox.

                                                       Nixon scores a run

Embree returned for the bottom of the eighth and Posada greeted him with a single. Olerud flied out to right and that was it for Embree. Sox closer Keith Foulke came in and hit Cairo with a pitch before Lofton whiffed. Jeter walked to load the bases but A-Rod flied out to right to end the inning.

Rivera came back to close out the top of the ninth and Bellhorn grounded out to first to start. Manny doubled to center to bring the tying run to the plate but Ortiz whiffed on a high fastball. Millar whiffed to end the game with the Yankees winning 3-1 to send the series back to Fenway with a 2-0 series lead.

         

Jackass of the Night is Johnny Damon. He was 0 for 4 with a strikeout and is supposed to be the catalyst for the offense. He's 0 for 8 with 5 strikeouts so far in this series.

                                                            Damon the Jackass



The Good:

David Ortiz was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Trot Nixon was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Jason Varitek was 1 for 3.

Orlando Cabrera was 1 for 3 and drove in the only run.

Mike Timlin retired 2 of the 3 men he faced.

Alan Embree pitched 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

Keith Foulke pitched 2/3 of a scoreless inning.



The Bad:

Mark Bellhorn was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Kevin Millar ws 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Bill Mueller was 0 for 3.



The Ugly:

Manny Ramirez was just 1 for 4.

Pedro Martinez took the loss but didn't pitch that bad, allowing 3 runs in 6 innings while striking out 7.




Final Thoughts:

So much for the vaunted 1-2 punch of Curt Schilling and Pedro Martinez. Schilling's ankle couldn't hold up and Pedro was doomed by one pitch to Olerud and a lousy offense. Who would have guessed Jon Lieber would shut down the Sox the way he did? Damon really is killing the Sox as he's 0 for 8 with 5 strikeouts in the first two games of the series. With Bellhorn being as streaky as he is, that's not a good thing for Ramirez or Ortiz to come up with nobody on. The back end of the bullpen is going to burn out if this kind of workload continues as Embree, Timlin and Foulke had to work the first two games and in a 7 game series that adds up. Luckily the Sox may catch a break as Kevin Brown has been named the Game 3 starter for New York and they have hit him hard this season. The Sox need to make a stand Friday night in Game 3 when Bronson Arroyo goes one on one with Brown at 8:00 PM at Fenway Park.

Yankees Pound Schilling, Take Game 1 (10/12/04)

Talk about the worst case scenario for the Boston Red Sox. It was feared Curt Schilling was injured more seriously than it looked at the end of his Game 1 win against the Anaheim Angels and those fears came true tonight in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the hated New York Yankees. Schilling got blasted for 6 runs in 3 innings, the bullpen was no help as they allowed 4 more runs,Mike Mussina was perfect through 6 innings and Mariano Rivera literally ran off a plane from Panama to save the game for the Yankees. When it was over the Sox had lost 10-7 and Schilling looks done for the year, just great.

                                                            Dammit

Mussina was perfect in the top of the first as he made Johnny Damon look silly on a 3 pitch strikeout. Mark Bellhorn lined out to a running Bernie Williams in center and Manny Ramirez grounded out to first to end the inning. The injured Schilling took the mound in the bottom of the first inning and the Yankees tagged him. His velocity was down as Derek Jeter flied out to right field warning track before Alex Rodriguez flied out to right. Gary Sheffield crushed a double down the left field line and Hideki Matsui took a splitter in the dirt and lined it past Ramirez for an rbi double. Bernie Williams effortlessly singled up the middle for another run but Jorge Posada grounded out to second to end the inning with the Yankees up 2-0.

                                                          The Yankees strike first

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second as David Ortiz grounded out to first to begin. Kevin Millar grounded out to short and Trot Nixon popped up to short to end the inning. John Olerud grounded out to second to begin the bottom of the second before Miguel Cairo flied out to left. Kenny Lofton whiffed to end the inning.

Mussina remained perfect in the top of the third as Jason Varitek flied out to left to begin. Mark Bellhorn flied out to center and Ramirez grounded back to the mound. The Yankees exploded to knock out Schilling in the bottom of the third inning. Jeter singled to center and A-Rod singled in the hole at short. Sheffield walked and Matsui cleared the bases with a double into the corner. Williams advanced Matsui to third with a grounder to second then he scored on the Posada sac fly to center. Olerud walked before Cairo flied out to center to end the inning. That was it for Schilling as he was knocked out after giving up 6 runs in just 3 innings. Typical Red Sox luck that the guy they got to beat the Yankees tears up his ankle before facing them when it counts.

                                                 Schilling failed in his biggest game

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the fourth inning as Damon took strike three on the outside corner to start. Bellhorn also took strike three on the outside corner while Ramirez looked at strike three on the inside corner to end the inning. Curtis Leskanic took the mound in the bottom of the fourth and walked both Lofton and Jeter to start. Leskanic got A-Rod to bang into a double play and Sheffield struck out to end the inning.

Mussina remained perfect in the top of the fifth inning as Ortiz whiffed on a full count to begin. Millar whiffed on a knucklecurve in the dirt before Nixon was retired on a squibber in front of the mound to end the inning. Ramiro Mendoza was summoned to pitch the bottom of the fifth and Manny had to run to the wall to get a line drive by Matsui to start. Williams grounded out to second but Posada got hit on the foot. Olerud blooped a single to left to send Posada to third but Cairo lined out to short to end the inning.

The perfect game continued in the top of the sixth inning as Varitek whiffed to start. Cabrera popped up to right a graphic showed Mussina's near perfect game on September 2, 2001 in Fenway. Mueller popped up to left to end the inning as the high powered Sox offense was held without a baserunner through six. Game 4's scheduled starter Tim Wakefield was brought in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and the Yankees pounced. Lofton swatted a solo home run to right to increase the lead before Jeter grounded out to third. Sheffield doubled to left and Matsui singled down the right field line to score Gary and seemingly put the game out of reach. Williams lined out to a running Manny in left to end the inning but it was now 8-0 Yankees.

                                              5 rbis for Matsui

Out of nowhere the Sox exploded off Mussina in the top of the seventh inning although Damon earned the hat trick with his third strikeout of the game. Bellhorn broke up the perfect game with a double to the left field wall before Ortiz singled him to third. Millar doubled off the glove of Matsui to score both runners to put the Sox on the board. Millar took third on a passed ball and scored on the Nixon base hit. That was it for Mussina who went from being perfect to out of the game in a blink of an eye. Tanyon Sturtze was brought in and Varitek got his first hit in Yankee Stadium all YEAR with a 2 run bomb to right to make it a three run game. Cabrera whiffed to end the inning but suddenly the Sox were back in it 8-5.

                                               Varitek goes yard to inch the Sox closer

With the game now in reach Sox manager Terry Francona turned to Alan Embree in the bottom of the seventh inning. Posada grounded out to second before Matsui popped up to left. Cairo singled down the right field line but Lofton popped up to left to end the inning.

Old pal Tom Gordon took the mound in the top of the eighth and the Sox rallied again. Cairo made a diving grab on a Mueller grounder but couldn't make the throw for a leadoff hit. Damon earned the golden sombrero with his fourth strikeout of the game but Bellhorn popped up to left. Ramirez singled Mueller to third and Ortiz missed a game tying home run by 5 feet with a triple off the glove of Matsui field that still scored both runners. The Sox were down 8-0 having a perfect game thrown against them going into the top of the 7th and were one swing away from taking the lead one inning later. In a scene out of a movie, Mariano Rivera who began the day in Panama took the mound for the four out save to pick up the Yankees. Sure enough Millar popped up to short to end the inning but the Sox were knocking at the door down 8-7.

                                                    Ortiz nearly hits it out

Unfortunately the bullpen couldn't keep it a one run game in the bottom of the eighth as Mike Timlin took the mound. Jeter grounded out to short to start but A-Rod shook off being buzzed by Timlin to single to left. Sheffield also singled to left but Matsui popped up to short. Needing just one out to keep this a one run game, Williams instead lined a triple just out of reach from Manny to ice the game. One batter too late Francona replaced Timlin with Keith Foulke and Posada lined out to third to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 10-7.

                                               Williams ices it.

The horse was out of the barn as the Sox went quickly in the top of the ninth inning with Rivera back on the mound. Nixon popped to short but Varitek and Cabrera stroked back to back singles to bring the tying run to the plate. Once again out of a movie, Mueller hit a walkoff three run homer off Rivera on July 24th but this time Rivera got Bill to bang into a double play to end the game. The Sox comeback fell short and the Yankees had taken Game 1.

Jackass of the Night is Mike Timlin. Sure, Curt Schilling put the Sox in a hole but the Sox were rallying to get back into it only for Mike to give up the deciding two runs. Getting one run off Rivera is hard enough but 3 was too much to overcome.

                                                        Jackass of the Night: Timlin



The Good:

David Ortiz was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Jason Varitek was 2 for 4 including a 2 run home run.

Curtis Leskanic pitched a scoreless 4th inning.

Ramiro Mendoza pitched a scoreless 5th inning.

Alan Embree pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Keith Foulke retired the only man he faced.



The Bad:

Johnny Damon was 0 for 4 with a golden sombrero of 4 strikeouts.

Curt Schilling lasted just 3 innings and allowed 6 runs, his worst start in October history.

Tim Wakefield allowed 2 runs in 1 inning of work.



The Ugly:

Mark Bellhorn was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Manny Ramirez was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Kevin Millar was just 1 for 4 but drove in 2 runs and scored.

Trot Nixon was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored.

Orlando Cabrera was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Bill Mueller was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.




Final Thoughts:

Its only one game but this was an ominous start to the ALCS. If Schilling is pitching on one foot then he's useless for the rest of the series. He was supposed to be the answer to the Yankees they didn't have last year and he failed big time. The Yankees offense not only knocked him around but almost the same bullpen that was unhittable last year as well. The Sox got off on the wrong foot, no pun intended, but there are positives to build on. The Sox pulled off a huge rally to score 7 runs after having a perfect game tossed against them and this a 7 game series so there's plenty more action to come. The negatives outweigh the positives unfortunately and they needed Schilling to win this series and now have to turn to Pedro Martinez to stem the tide. The same Pedro who has been knocked around by the Yankees this year and who started that god awful "Who's your daddy" chant that Yankee fans were bellowing tonight. Tomorrow night Pedro takes on Jon Lieber at 8 PM at Yankee Stadium

Yankees Stun Sox in 11, Win Pennant (10/16/03)

25 years ago when Bucky Dent hit his famous home run in the one game playoff to decide the 1978 AL East division race in favor of the New York Yankees, some fan was heard saying "They killed our fathers and now those sons of bitches are coming after us." Well now its a new generation that can say the exact same thing. This generation got its first dose of true heartbreak in tonight's Game 7 loss to the Yankees. The Red Sox were enjoying a 5-2 lead in the 8th inning when Sox manager Grady Little left Sox ace Pedro Martinez in too long, allowing the tying runs to score and sending this game to extra innings. In the bottom of the 11th, the light hitting Aaron Boone sent ALCS MVP runner up Tim Wakefield's pitch into the stands for a walkoff home run to win the pennant for the Yankees. As Joe Buck said on the broadcast "Fans in New England....more heartbreak" once the Yankees won the game 6-5 in Yankee Stadium.

                                                              Damn Yankees

The retiring Roger Clemens took the ball in the top of the first inning and Johnny Damon grounded out to short to start. Todd Walker sliced a single to center before moving to second on the fly out by Nomar Garciaparra. Manny Ramirez flied out to right to end the inning. Martinez took the mound to a chorus of boo's and blew away Alfonso Soriano to start. Nick Johnson drew a walk but Derek Jeter popped up to Kevin Millar in foul territory. Bernie Williams lined a base hit to left before Hideki Matsui popped up nto center to end the inning.

The Sx struck first in the top of the second inning although David Ortiz lined out to center to begin. Millar lined a single to right and Trot Nixon continued to haunt Clemen by pounding a 2 run home run to right center to put the Sox on top. Bill Mueller whiffed on a pitch in the dirt but Jason Varitek doubled into the right field corner. Damon hit a routine grounder to Enrique Wilson but he threw the ball away, allowing Varitek to score another run. Walker grounded out to first to end the inning but it was 3-0 Sox.

                                                      Nixon puts the Sox on top

Could Pedro pitch with a 3 run lead in the bottom of the second? YES! Jorge Posada popped up to center, Jason Giambi whiffed on a high fastball and Wilson popped up to left to end the inning.

Clemens settled down in the top of the third as Nomar popped up to first to start. Manny flied out to right and Ortiz grounded out to first to end the inning. Pedro matched Clemens in the bottom of the third as Karim Garcia popped up to center to start before Soriano whiffed. Johnson popped up to center to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the fourth when Millar swatted a solo home run just over the fence in right to increase the lead. Nixon walked and Mueller singled him to third to chase Clemens. In what could be Rocket Roger's final game before retiring, he was knocked out after 3 innings. Mike Mussina came on for his first relief appearance ever and in what turned out to be the turning point, Mussina got Varitek to strike out and Damon to bang into a double play to end the inning. The Sox had a 4-0 lead but their only chance to blow it open was lost.

                                                   Millar adds to the lead

Pedro kept the Yankees out of sorts in the bottom of the fourth as Jeter grounded out to third to begin. Williams whiffed but Matsui doubled over the head of Damon in center. Posada grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Sox blew another chance in the top of the fifth although Walker popped up to left to start. Nomar and Ramirez stroked back to back singles but Ortiz whiffed. Millar grounded out to short to end the inning. The Yankees began their comeback in the bottom of the fifth as Giambi crushed a solo home run to dead center to put them on the board. Wilson flied out to left, Garcia whiffed and Soriano looked at strike three to end the inning but it was 4-1 Sox.

                                                     Giambi tags Pedro

The Sox did nothing in the top of the sixth as Nixon was rung up for strike three to start. Mueller grounded out to third before Varitek grounded out to second to end the inning. Pedro kept up the pace in the bottom of the sixth as Johnson grounded out to first to start. Jeter whiffed and Williams flied out to right to end the inning.

Felix Heredia came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Damon whiffed to start. Walker popped up to third and that was it for Heredia. Jeff Nelson came in to get Garciaparra to strike out to end the inning. Pedro got tagged again in the bottom of the seventh although Matsui grounded out to second to begin. Posada lined out to center but Giambi blasted his second homer of the night to wake the crowd up. Wilson and Garcia stroked back to back singles as Pedro looked like he was running out of gas. Pedro turned up the velocity thinking it was his last batter to blow away Soriano on his 100th pitch to end the inning with the Sox still ahead 4-2.

                                                             Giambi does it again

Nelson returned briefly in the top of the eighth to get Ramirez to ground out to third. The Yankees turned to David Wells, the hero of Game 5, to keep the Sox at bay but Ortiz had other plans. David launched the first pitch he saw over the right field wall for a home run to once again quiet the crowd. Millar grounded out to short and Nixon popped up to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-2.

                                                                 Ortiz goes yard

The trio of Mike Timlin, Alan Embree and Scott Williamson had given up a combined 1 run in 20 innings through 12 playoff games but Grady Little defied all logic by bringing back Pedro to pitch the top of the eighth when everyone knows he's out of gas out of 100 pitches. Pedro did manage to get Johnson to pop up to short to put the Sox 5 outs away from the pennant but Jeter lined an 0-2 high fastball over the head of Nixon for a double. Timlin and Embree were ready in the bullpen when Williams lined Pedro's 115th pitch into center to score Jeter to cut the lead. Finally Grady Little bounded out of the dugout and Sox fans exhaled thinking help was on the way to pitch to Matsui. In what proved to be one of the most monumental mistakes, all Little did was ask if Pedro could get Matsui. Pedro said yes and Little went back to the dugout. Matsui lined an 0-2 fastball down the right field line for a ground rule double to put the tying runs into scoring position. With Embree and Timlin standing in the bullpen and Sox owner John Henry staring a hole at him, Little never budged. Posada made Little pay by lining a blooper into center out of the reach of both Nomar and Walker. Williams and Jeter scored and with nobody covering second, Posada took second on the double to tie the game. Yankee Stadium went absolutely nuts in one of the loudest ovations in Stadium history. FINALLY Little took Pedro out but the damage was done. Little had been a decent manager the past two years but this one decision to leave in Pedro despite all scouting reports saying he was done after 100 pitches will haunt him forever. As for Pedro, what should have been 7 innings of 2 run ball turned into a nightmare no-decision.

                                                        Yankee fans taunt Pedro

Alan Embree came in to face the lefty Giambi and got him to line out to center, begging the question why didn't he come in to face Matsui two batters earlier? Little bounded out of the dugout again and a clearly pissed off Embree didn't move. It was clear Embree didn't want to come out and logic indicated now you've lost him for the rest of the game if you take him out. Since logic and Little weren't friends that night, in came Timlin to face the pinch hitter Ruben Sierra for Wilson. Sierra was intentionally walked and Aaron Boone came in to run for him. Timlin walked Garcia to load the bases but Soriano lined a ball off the second base bag right to Walker for the force to end the inning with the game tied 5-5.

Mariano Rivera came in to pitch the top of the ninth and the Sox were deflated. Mueller grounded out to second but Varitek singled to right to put the go-ahead run at first. Damien Jackson ran for Varitek and Damon grounded out to third, adavancing Damien to second. Soriano made a jumping stab on a Walker liner to end the inning. Timlin returned for the bottom of the ninth with Doug Mirabelli now bhind the plate and got Johnson to pop up to start. Jeter whiffed which made Grady Gump look even worse for leaving in Pedro to face him. Not known for his defense, Walker made a great stab to get Williams to end the inning. On to extra innings we went.

Rivera returned for the top of the tenth and whiffed Nomar to start. Manny grounded out to second but Ortiz lined a double into the left field corner to put the go-ahead run at second. Grady Gump then made another idiotic decision to pinch run Ortiz with Gabe Kapler. Millar popped up to short to end the inning and now Ortiz' bat was out of the lineup. Tim Wakefield was summoned to pitch the bottom of the 10th and got Matsui to ground out to first to start. Posada popped up to center and Giambi popped up to left to end the inning. At this point both candidates for MVP were going mano e mano.

Rivera returned for the top of the eleventh and froze Nixon for strike three to start. Mueller grounded out to second and Mirabelli whiffed to end the inning. As the bottom of the eleventh began, Jeff Weaver began warming up in the Yankees bullpen. If only Wakefield could get through the inning the Sox would have the advantage with Scott Williamson still available. Turns out he couldn't as Boone sent the first pitch Wakefield through into the left field stands to win the game and the pennant for the Yankees. After 19 regular season games, Pedro throwing down Zimmer, the fight in the bullpen, the Game 6 comeback and the Game 7 comeback for New York....Aaron Boone was the one who ended it for the Sox.

                                                         Poor Wakefield

Jackass of the Night is Grady Little. I refuse to blame Tim Wakefield for a game he should never have been in or Pedro Martinez for being left to rot by Grady Gump. He ignored scouting reports all year and cost the Sox Game 1 of the Division Series.....but this one takes the cake.

                                                      Grady Gump....Jackass



The Good:

David Ortiz was 2 for 5 with a solo home run.

Kevin Millar was 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored and a home run.

Jason Varitek was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Alan Embree retired the only man he faced.

Mike Timlin tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Johnny Damon was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Doug Mirabelli was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Tim Wakefield took the loss by allowing the walkoff home run by Boone.



The Ugly:

Todd Walker was just 1 for 5.

Nomar Garciaparra was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Manny Ramirez was just 1 for 5.

Trot Nixon was just 1 for 4 with a walk but the one hit was a 2 run home run.

Bill Mueller was just 1 for 5.

Pedro Martinez was left in too long and he left with a no decision, allowing 5 runs in 7 1/3 innings.



Honorable Mention:

Damien Jackson pinch ran for Varitek in the 9th.

Gabe Kapler pinch ran for Ortiz in the 10th.




Final Thoughts:

How do you come back from this? How do you get this close to the World Series only for an astronomically bad managerial decision to occur to take it all away? Its been 25 years since Bucky Dent's home run and this generation now has its own Bucky...named Boone. A whole new generation of fans have their own heartbreaking misery. There was no shame in losing to the Yankees in 99 because they were simply better, but this was far worse because they had the game won. They had a 3 run lead with 5 outs to go and nobody on base and lost. This was a choke for the ages and now the question is, what the hell do they do now? They just had one of the most prolific offenses in ML history an it'll be hard to duplicate that. Pedro Martinez will be a year older as will Derek Lowe. The one component they were inferior to the Yankees in was their starting pitching. Quite frankly at the rate they are going, Clemens, Wells, Pettite and Mussina will all be in the HoF someday so the Sox are gonna need another ace to compete with that. Obviously Clemens is retiring but the others should still be there and so will Rivera. This was one of the weaker Yankee lineups in the bottom of the order and they still beat the Sox with clutch hits. Maybe the Sox will need better bench strength as well. Either way the Cowboy Up 2003 Red Sox season is over but what a ride it was. How do you come back though? Hopefully with a new manager, a new ace and a better bench. Here's to 2004!