Jays Pound Rodriguez, Sox (5/21/19)

The old saying turnabout is fair play and this series turned about in a hurry. After the Boston Red Sox pounded 16 hits and 12 runs last night, tonight it was the Jays who caused destruction with 11 hits and 10 runs. Eduardo Rodriguez (4-3, 5.43 ERA) got hammered by Rowdy "Roddy" Telez who drove in 5 runs off two home runs and the JV bullpen got tagged for 4 runs of their own as the Jays routed the Sox 10-3 at the Skydome.

Andrew Benintendi led the game off against Jays starter Marcus Stroman by looking at strike three to begin. Mr. Mookie Betts popped up to second before Mitch Moreland grounded out to first to end the inning. Rodriguez began his night but allowing a leadoff single to Jonathan Davis in the bottom of the first. Vladimir Guerrero Jr hit a rocket to Michael Chavis at second who doubled off Davis at first for the double play. Justin Smoak lined out to right to end the inning.

The Sox blew a chance to take the lead when Xander Bogaerts walked to start the top of the second. Rafael Devers singled up the middle but Chavis banged into a double play. Christian Vazquez grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Rowdy "Roddy" Tellez flied out to right to start the bottom of the second before Randal Grichuk looked at strike three. Freddy Galvis grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox blew another chance to take the lead in the top of the third as Jackie Bradley Jr whiffed to start. Steve Pearce drew a walk before Benintendi singled to left. Mr. Mookie walked to load the bases but both Moreland and Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning. Rodriguez punched out Billy McKinney to begin the bottom of the third before Danny Jansen flied out to right. Brandon Drury drew a walk but Davis whiffed to end the inning.

Devers grounded out to first to start the top of the fourth but Chavis reached on an error by Guerrero Jr. The Sox failed to capitalize when Vazquez banged into a double play to end the inning. The Jays took the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth when Guerrero Jr started with a base hit to right. Smoak flied out to center but Tellez effortlessly crushed a 500,000 foot home run to right to put the Jays up for good. For good measure Grichuk smashed a 20,000 foot home run for back to back jacks to ice it. Galvis walked but Rodriguez froze McKinney for strike three before Jansen struck out swinging to end the inning with the Jays up 3-0.

                                                          Tellez smokes one

The Sox failed to get back in the game in the top of the fifth as JBJ grounded out to second to begin. Pearce singled but Benintendi flied out to left. Mr. Mookie grounded out to short to end the inning. The Jays put the exclamation point on the rout in the bottom of the fifth inning. Drury popped up to second before Davis flied out to right. Then with two outs Guerrero Jr singled, Smoak walked and Tellez crushed a 350,000 foot bomb to make the fans laugh at the Sox. Grichuk flied out to center to end the inning and thankfully that was enough of Rodriguez. He stunk the joint out by allowing 6 runs off 3 home runs to let the Jays lead 6-0, brutal.

                                                    Nice going E-Rod

The Sox did manage to get one back in the top of the sixth as Moreland belted his 13th home run of the season to cut the lead. Bogaerts lined out to center but Devers walked. Chavis walked but Vazquez banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox down 6-1.

                                            Moreland gets one back

Tyler Thornburg sprinted out of the bullpen to take a dump on himself in the bottom of the sixth. Galvis and McKinney drew back to back walks before Jansen singled home Galvis. Drury singled home McKinney but somehow Davis struck out looking. Guerrero Jr whiffed but Smoak was plunked to load the bases. Tellez looked at strike three to end the inning with the Jays up 8-1.

The Sox tried to fight back in the top of the seventh as JBJ singled and Pearce walked to start the frame. Stroman was lifted for Tim Mayza and Benintendi walked to load the bases with nobody out. If the Sox had any chance to get back in the game they'd need a few big hits....and ended up getting nothing. Betts and Benintendi both whiffed before Joe Biagini got Bogaerts to ground out to short to end the inning. Colten Brewer came in to puke on himself in the bottom of the seventh. Grichuk and Galvis singled but McKinney looked at strike three. Jansen popped up to first but Drury doubled home Grichuk and Galvis to wrap up the scoring for Toronto. Davis grounded out to third to end the inning with the Jays up 10-1.

The Sox did give their fans some highlights in the top of the eighth as Devers blasted his 5th homer of the season to begin. Chavis whiffed and Sam Gaviglio came in to get Vazquez to line out to center. Somehow JBJ struck his second home run in many days to wrap up the scoring for Boston. Pearce whiffed to end the inning but it was 10-3 Jays.

                                                       Devers goes yard.

Brewer returned for the bottom of the eighth and Guerrero Jr grounded out to second to begin. Smoak grounded out to first and Tellez looked at strike three to end the inning.

The Sox went quietly in the top of the ninth as Benintendi flied out to center to begin. Mr. Mookie whiffed but Moreland walked. Bogaerts whiffed to end the game. The Jays had routed the Sox 10-3.

Jackass of the Night is Eduardo Rodriguez. He got lit up for 3 home runs, 6 total runs in just 5 innings to take the loss.

                                                      E-Jackass


The Good:

Rafael Devers was 2 for 3 with a walk and a solo home run.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 4 with a solo home run.

Steve Pearce was 1 for 2 with 2 walks.



The Bad:

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 4.

Tyler Thornburg allowed 2 runs in 1 inning.

Colten Brewer allowed 2 runs in 2 innings.



The Ugly:

Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4 with a walk.

Mookie Betts was 0 for 4 with a walk.

Mitch Moreland was just 1 for 4 with a walk but the hit was a solo home run.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4 but walked.

Michael Chavis was 0 for 3 but walked.




Final Thoughts:

Well that was a kick in the ass. After the Sox beat the Houston Astros on Sunday and Toronto last night it seemed like a nice winning streak was in order. That went to hell real quick as Rodriguez and the usual suspects in the bullpen coughed up 10 runs. The sad thing was the Sox had a chance numerous times to take the lead or bop their way back but kept leaving men on base. It was one of those nights that anything the Jays hit found a hole and anything the Sox hit when it counted found a glove. The less said of this disaster the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 25-23, 5.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox look to bounce back against the Jays when "Slick" Rick Porcello (3-4, 4.80 ERA) goes up against Aaron Sanchez at 7:07 PM at the Skydome.

Astros Pound Sox (5/18/19)

The Houston Astros have won 10 straight games and have completely humiliated the Boston Red Sox in the process. The red hot Astros tore apart Boston starter Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez (1-3, 5.53 ERA) for 5 runs before adding two more runs off the incompetent Red Sox bullpen. The Sox offense tried to come back but once again they trailed by too many. When it was over the Sox were handed yet another loss and the Astros won their 10th straight with a 7-3 victory at Fenway Park.

The destruction began in the top of the first inning when Springer effortlessly tripled to begin the game. Alex Bregman walked and Michael Brantley ended the game early with a double that scored Springer to put the Astros up for good 3 batters into the game. Carlos Correa walked and Josh Reddick hit a sacrifice fly to score Bregman. Yuli Gurriel singled and Sox manager had seen enough of Velazquez. The incompetent starter got just one guy out and would be charged with 5 runs, yuck. Colten Brewer came in and poured gas on the fire as Tyler White doubled home both runners to ice the game. Max Strassi grounded out to third and Jake Marisnick whiffed to end the inning but it was 5-0 Astros.

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

The Sox tried to answer in the bottom of the first against Astros starter Corbin Martin although Andrew Benintendi lined out to center to start. Mr. Mookie Betts popped up to first before JD Martinez, Mitch Moreland and Xander Bogaerts all walked to load the bases. A passed ball by Strassi scored Martinez but Rafael Devers flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox down 5-1.

The Astros got another run in the top of the second although Springer flied out to center to start. Bregman doubled and Brantley singled him to third before Correa scored him with a sac fly to increase the lead. Reddick grounded out to second to end the inning but it was 6-1 Astros.

                                                   Brewer gives up a run

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the second as Michael Chavis grounded out to short to start. Christian Vazquez and Jackie Bradley Jr both grounded out to second to end the inning.

Gurriel walked and a wild pitch moved him to second to begin the top of the third but White grounded out to short. Strassi grounded out to second before Strassi whiffed to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the third although Benintendi popped up to third to start. Mr. Mookie walked but Martinez flied out to right. Moreland doubled home Betts to cut the lead. Bogaerts grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox down 6-2.

                                                          Moreland drives in a run

Ryan Weber came in to pitch the top of the fourth and grounded out to third to start. Bregman walked before moving to second on the Brantley grounder. Correa grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The Sox got a run back in the bottom of the fourth as Devers grounded out to third to begin. Chavis singled but was foolishly thrown out at second trying to stretch a double. That was a big out as Vazquez smashed his 6th home run of the season to cut the lead in half. JBJ flied out to center to end the inning but it was 6-3 Red Sox.

                                                        Vazquez goes yard

As soon as the Sox inched closer the Astros got the run right back in the top of the fifth inning. Reddick crushed a 950 foot home run off Weber to ice the game. Gurriel looked at strike three before White hit a routine grounder to Bogaerts. Bogaerts threw his glove at the ball and barked at it for an error before Strassi and Marisnick singled to load the bases. White was forced at home on the grounder by Springer and Bregman grounded into a force to end the inning with the Astros ahead 7-3.

                                                     Damn Reddick

The Sox had a chance in the bottom of the fifth inning when Andrew Benintendi and Mr. Mookie stroked back to back singles. The rally ended when Josh James relieved Martin and got Martinez to fly out to center although Benintendi took third. Mr. Mookie swiped second and Moreland walked to load the bases. Bogaerts whiffed and Devers grounded out to third to end the inning, what a waste.

Brantley grounded out to third to start the top of the sixth inning but Correa beat out a little roller to the mound. Reddick lined out to left and Gurriel flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the sixth as Chavis flied out to right to start. Vazquez grounded out to third and JBJ popped up to third to end the inning.

Tyler Thornburg made a mad dash from the bullpen to the mound in the top of the seventh inning and White immediately singled. Stassi walked but Marisnick beat out a double play ball. Springer walked to load the bases and Bregman hit a fly ball to JBJ. White went for home and JBJ fired....YER OUTTA THERE! White was out and Thornburg sprinted into the dugout. The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the seventh as Benintendi flied out to center to begin. Mr. Mookie took strike three before Martinez grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Brantley singled to start the top of the eighth but Correa banged into a double play. Reddick flied out to left to end the inning. Will Harris came in for the bottom of the eighth and Moreland grounded out to first to start. Bogaerts flied out to center and Devers whiffed to end the inning.

Josh Smith had mop up duty in the top of the ninth and Gurriel grounded out to short to start. White lined out to center but Strassi singled. Marisnick watched strike three go by to end the inning. Astros closer Roberto Osuna had the bottom of the ninth and Chavis lined out to center to start. Vazquez grounded out to third and JBJ grounded out to first to end the game. The Astros had won it 7-3.

                                                        Damn it


Jackass of the Night is Hector Velazquez. He got hammered for 5 runs in just 1/3 of an inning.

                                                     Jackass Velazquez


The Good:

Mookie Betts was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Mitch Moreland was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and an rbi.

Tyler Thornburg tossed 2 scoreless innings.

Josh Smith pitched a scoreless eighth inning.



The Bad:

Rafael Devers was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Michael Chavis was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4.

Colten Brewer allowed two inherited runners to score and one of his own in 2 2/3 innings.



The Ugly:

Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4.

JD Martinez was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 3 with a strikeout and an error but walked.

Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a solo home run.

Ryan Weber gave up a run in 3 innings of work.




Final Thoughts:

Thanks a lot Dave Dombrowski. His refusal to get pitching help after the departures of Joe Kelly and Craig Kimbrel has led the Sox to this point. They're throwing out 5th starters that suck and the bullpen is overworked already and its only May. The bullpen had to toss 7 2/3 innings and admirably only allowed 2 runs. The offense is at fault too because they had plenty of chances to bop their way back into the game but failed almost every time. It would be nice to score more than 3 runs in a game wouldn't it? The less said of this disaster the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 23-22, 5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow afternoon the Sox look to avoid a sweep with Chris Sale on the mound opposite old friend Wade Miley at 2 PM at Fenway Park.

Red Sox Maul White Sox (5/4/19)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox announced Tzu-Wei Lin is out with an injury. He becomes the newest member of an already growing injury list. The good news is Eduardo Nunez has returned from his injury and will take Lin's spot in the lineup.

                                                                OUT

                                                                        IN

It was a good night for Boston sports. The Boston Bruins defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets in Game 5 of their NHL second round playoff series and the Boston Red Sox whacked the Chicago White Sox. What a massacre!The dormant Red Sox offense came alive to annihilate the White Sox. Rookie Michael Chavis homered twice and the Sox pounded out 15 runs on a whopping 21 total hits. The Sox had 10 straight hits and 3 home runs in in the top of the third, Eduardo Rodriguez (3-2, 5.40 ERA) pitched well and the BoSox beat the ChiSox 15-2 at Commiskey Park.

                                                         Brandon Carlo approves of the win

Manny Banuelos got the ball in the top of the first inning as Benintendi lined out to center to begin. Mr. Mookie Betts whiffed before JD Martinez struck out swinging to end the inning. The Chisox struck first in the bottom of the first as Leury Garcia singled to start. Garcia moved to second on the Tim Anderson ground out before he scored on the Jose Abreu single. James McCann banged into a double play to end the inning with the ChiSox up 1-0.

Xander Bogaerts grounded out to short to begin the top of the second before Michael Chavis flied out to center. Rafael Devers grounded out to first to end the inning. The White Sox threatened to blow it open in the bottom of the third when Yoan Moncada singled to start. Jose Rondon looked at strike three before Yonder Alonso whiffed. Ryan Cordell and Nicky Delmonico stroked back to back singles to load the bases but Garcia grounded into a force to end the inning.

The BoSox put out one of the biggest offensive explosions in MLB history in the top of the third inning although it began with Steve Pearce looking at strike three to start. Eduardo Nunez popped up to first but Christian Vazquez got the party started with a base hit to center. Benintendi singled and Mr. Mookie doubled home both men to give Boston the lead. Martinez doubled home Betts and Bogaerts smashed his fifth home run of the year to ice the game. Speaking of ice, the newly christened "Ice Horse" Chavis crushed his 5th home run of the year for back to back jacks. Devers doubled and Pearce singled him home. ChiSox manager Rick Renteria refused to remove his starter and Nunez made him pay with the third homer of the inning and his first of the year. Vazquez singled for the 10th consecutive hit for Boston and FINALLY Renteria removed his shaken starter. Carson Fulmer was brought in and Benintendi walked but Mr. Mookie ended the rally with a pop up to right. 10 hits, 3 home runs and 9 runs were put on the board to put Boston up 9-1, wow.

                                                               Boom, Boom, Boom!

After such a long layoff Rodriguez cruised in the bottom of the third inning. Anderson grounded out to first, Abreu grounded out to second and McCann grounded out to first to end the inning.

The BoSox continued the onslaught in the top of the fourth inning as Martinez and Bogaerts drew back to back walks to begin. Chavis singled home Martinez and sent Bogaerts to third before Devers hit a routine grounder to first. Abreu went OLE! and Bogaerts scored. Pearce singled home Chavis and Nunez hit a routine grounder to Abreu. Abreu managed to throw the ball away allowing Devers to score. Josh Osich came in to pitch and Vazquez banged into a double play. Benintendi doubled home Pearce but Mr. Mookie flied out to right to end the inning with Boston ahead 14-1.

                                                           Sox piling it on

Rodriguez cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Moncada whiffed to start. Rondon looked at strike three before Alonso grounded out to short to end the inning.

The BoSox wrapped up the scoring for themselves in the top of the fifth as Martinez grounded out to second to start. Bogaerts whiffed but Chavis smacked his second homer of the night. Devers singled to left but Pearce flied out to right to end the inning with the BoSox ahead 15-1.

                                                              Ice Horse fans

Rodriguez got in trouble in the bottom of the fifth as Cordell walked to start. Delmonico whiffed but Garcia singled. Anderson walked to load the bases but Abreu banged into a double play to end the inning.

Jose Ruiz came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Nunez whiffed to start. Vazquez and Benintendi stroked back to back singles before Mr. Mookie walked to load the bases. Martinez lined out to short and Bogaerts flied out to left to end the inning. Rodriguez came back for one more inning in the bottom of the sixth as McCann grounded out to short to start. Moncada whiffed before Rondon grounded out to third to end the inning. As the offense whacked the Chicago pitching, Rodriguez did well tossing 6 innings of 1 run ball.

                                                   Rodriguez was good tonight

Adam Engel took over for Garcia for the top of the seventh as Chavis doubled to start. Devers whiffed and Pearce flied out to right before Nunez grounded out to second to end the inning. Tyler Thornburg sprinted from the bullpen to the mound in the bottom of the seventh and got Alonso flied out to right to begin. Cordell whiffed before Delmonico popped up to third to end the inning. Thornburg bolted into the dugout after the final out.

Yolmer Sanchez came in for Anderson but played second with Rondon going to short with Evan Marshall now on the mound in the top of the eighth. Vazquez singled to right but Benintendi banged into a double play. Mr. Mookie beat out an infield single to short as Sandy Leon pinch hit for Martinez to give him the night off. Leon singled to left but Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning. Leon took over behind the plate, Vazquez moved to second, Nunez moved to short, Bogaerts was out and the Sox lost the DH to begin the bottom of the eighth. Thornburg sprinted out of the dugout to the mound and Engel took strike three to start. Sanchez looked at strike three but Abreu crushed a 40,000 foot home run to wrap up the scoring. McCann whiffed to end the inning with the BoSox on top 15-2 and Thornburg running as fast as he could back into the dugout.

Kelvin Herrera took over for the top of the ninth and Chavis popped up to first to start. Devers walked but Pearce whiffed. Nunez popped up to second to end the inning, Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez had mop up duty in the bottom of the ninth inning and Moncada whiffed to start. Rondon lined out to Velazquez but Alonso walked. Cordell grounded out to third to end the game. The Red Sox plastered the White Sox and ran away with the game 15-2.

                                                       A rare win


Hero of the Night is Michael Chavis. The rookie smashed two home runs and drove in more runs than the entire White Sox offense.

                                                             Devers congratulates our Hero



The Good:

Andrew Benintendi was 3 for 5 with an rbi, a walk and a run scored.

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

Sandy Leon singled as a pinch hitter.

Rafael Devers was 2 for 5 with a walk, rbi and 2 runs scored.

Steve Pearce was 2 for 6 with 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Christian Vazquez was 4 for 5 with a run scored.

Eduardo Rodriguez got the win with 6 innings of 1 run ball. He allowed 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out 6.

Hector Velazquez pitched a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

None



The Ugly:

JD Martinez was just 1 for 4 but walked, drove in a run and scored twice.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 5 with a walk but scored twice and hit a two run home run.

Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 6 but the one hit was a 2 run home run.

Tyler Thornburg allowed a run in two innings of work.




Final Thoughts:

Wow, what a massacre. The Red Sox were due for an offensive explosion but this was ridiculous. TEN straight hits is absurd but at least it put the game away early. Good to see Rodriguez pitch well and Chavis is turning into the second coming of Sam Horn in 1987. All in all the Sox needed a win like this on their march back to respectability. Hopefully the offense comes back to the way it was last season with the pitching just as good. The win improved the Sox to 16-18, 5.5 game behind the Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to win the finale tomorrow afternoon when "Slick" Rick Porcello takes on Dylan Covey at 1 PM at Commiskey Park.

Porcello Shuts Down A's (4/30/19)

It was shaping up to be a bad night for Boston sports as the Boston Celtics dropped Game 2 of their second round NHL playoff series to the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Bruins lost Game 3 of their second round NHL playoff series with the Columbus Blue Jackets. As for the Boston Red Sox, welcome back "Slick" Rick Porcello (2-3, 5.52 ERA). After spending the first month of the season stinking the place out, Porcello came back with a vengeance tonight against the Oakland A's. The A's were powerless as Porcello mowed them down for 8 brilliant innings, yielding just 2 hits and 2 walks with no runs. Mr. Mookie Betts sparked the offense with a first inning home run and the Sox made it two in a row over the A's with a 5-1 victory at Fenway Park.

                                                                 Happy fan

Porcello began his dominance in the top of the first inning as Marcus Semien popped up to first to start. Robbie Grossman flied out to center and Matt Chapman looked at strike three to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the first against Aaron Brooks although Andrew Benintendi grounded out to short to begin. Mr. Mookie Betts pounded his 6th home run of the season to center to give the Sox the early lead. JD Martinez grounded out to short before Xander Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                      "That's one" - Betts

Porcello got Khris Davis to fly out to center to start the top of the second but Stephen Piscotty walked. Kendrys Morales popped up to third and Chad Pinder watched strike three go by to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the second as Rafael Devers lined out to center to start. Michael Chavis blooped a single to center and Mitch Moreland walked. Jackie Bradley Jr beat out a double play ball which set up a Sandy Leon single to score Chavis. Benintendi grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                            Chavis scores to make it 2-0

Ramon Laureano singled to start the top of the third but Nick Hundley whiffed. Semien lined out to third but Grossman walked. Chapman grounded into a force to end the inning. The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the third as Mr. Mookie and Martinez both grounded out to third before Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning.

Porcello cruised in the top of the fourth as Davis whiffed to start. Piscotty popped up to second and Morales whiffed to end the inning. The Sox iced the game in the bottom of the fourth although Devers flied out to right to begin. Chavis singled and Moreland blasted his 8th home run of the season to increase the lead. JBJ grounded out to short but Leon walked. Benintendi grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-0.

                                                        Moreland goes yard

Porcello got Pinder to ground out to short to begin the top of the fifth before Laureano looked at strike three. Hundley doubled but Semien whiffed to end the inning. The Sox took advantage of an error to score another run although Mr. Mookie grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fifth. Laureano dropped a pop up by Martinez and Bogaerts walked. Devers doubled home Martinez to increase the lead. That was it for Brooks as Liam Hendriks came in and whiffed Chavis before Moreland flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-0.

                                                                   Devers makes it 5-0

Porcello got Grossman to pop up to short, Chapman to pop up to third and Davis to pop up to first in short order in the top of the sixth. JBJ whiffed to start the bottom of the sixth before Hendriks snared a line drive by Leon. Benintendi flied out to left to end the inning.

Porcello made the A's beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the seventh inning as Piscotty grounded out to third to start. Morales grounded back to the mound and Pinder grounded out to short to end the inning.  Mr. Mookie beat out an infield single to start the bottom of the seventh but Martinez flied out to right. Bogaerts flied out to right to chase Hendriks. Ryan Butcher blew away Devers to end the inning.

Porcello came back for one more inning in the top of the eighth and struck out Laureano to begin. Hundley grounded out to short and Semien lined out to right to end the inning. Porcello pitched one of the best games of his career with 8 shutout innings allowing just 2 hits.

                                                      Porcello mowed them down

Joakim Soria came in for the bottom of the eighth and Chavis whiffed to start. Moreland grounded out to short and JBJ whiffed to end the inning.

Tyler Thornburg sprinted to the mound to crap his pants again in the top of the ninth. Robbie Grossman ruined the shutout with a 950 foot bomb to put the A's on the board. Chapman flied out to center but Davis walked. Piscotty whiffed and Morales grounded into a force to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-1.

Hero of the Night is Rick Porcello. He fired 8 shutout innings allowing just 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 8.

                                                       Porcello the Hero



The Good:

Mookie Betts was 2 for 4 including a home run.

Michael Chavis was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored.

Mitch Moreland was 1 for 3 with a walk including a 2 run home run.

Sandy Leon was 1 for 2 with a walk and an rbi.



The Bad:

Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 4.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Tyler Thornburg allowed a run in the top of the ninth.



The Ugly:

JD Martinez was 0 for 4 but scored a run.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 3 but walked.




Final Thoughts:

Its about time Porcello pitched well. Better late than never and it came at a good time with the Sox season threatening to roll down the drain. The Sox have been bad this season mostly due to horrendous starting pitching but tonight Porcello turned it around big time. Chavis continues to get on base and Betts seemed to have broken out of his month long slump. Chavis has been a breath of fresh air and could be the heir apparent to Dustin Pedroia at second even though he's a natural third basemen. There's no chance in hell Devers is going to play second so short term, Chavis is the man. Hopefully the starters can pitch long and well going forward because the Sox can't afford to fall further behind as the calendar turns to May. Tomorrow afternoon the Sox finish their homestand with a 1:00 PM game against the A's. Mike Fiers goes for the A's with Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez (0-2, 3.86 ERA) going for the Sox at Fenway Park.

Sox Bash Tigers Late (4/24/19)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox returned rookie Darwinzon Hernandez back to Pawtucket. He looked great, firing 97 mph fastballs in his debut. He may be back sometime soon with the way the bullpen has struggled lately.

                                                           OUT

As for the game, that's more like it Eduardo Rodriguez (2-2, 5.88 ERA). For the second time in three starts Eduardo has pitched well now. Tonight he grounded the Detroit Tigers, holding them to just two hits and a run in 6 innings of work. The offense took a 4-1 lead before exploding late to pound out 12 hits and 11 runs. The Sox finally won a game they didn't trail in by multiple runs with a 11-4 victory at Fenway Park.

                                                 Ann Margret approves of the win

Rodriguez came out strong in the top of the first inning, getting Jeimer Candelario to ground out to short to start. Nicholas Castellanos walked before Miguel Cabrera lined out to right. Niko Goodrum whiffed to end the inning. The Sox failed to score in the bottom of the first against starter Tyson Ross as Andrew Benintendi whiffed to start. Mr. Mookie Betts looked at strike three before Mitch Moreland grounded out to second to end the inning.

Rodriguez got Brandon Dixon to ground out to short to open the top of the second before Ronny Rodriguez struck out swinging. Gordon Beckham whiffed to end the inning. The Sox actually got a clutch hit in the bottom of the second inning as JD Martinez singled to start. Martinez moved to second on the Xander Bogaerts force and he scored on the Rafael Devers base hit. Devers managed to get himself thrown out at second trying to steal before Michael Chavis walked. Jackie Bradley Jr singled Chavis to third and Christian Vazquez singled home Chavis to increase the lead. Benintendi lined out to center to end the inning but it was 2-0 Sox.

                                                      Sox are on top

Rodriguez kept up the pace in the top of the third as Grayson Greiner grounded out to third to start. JaCoby Jones looked at strike three before Candelario flied out to right to end the inning. Nothing happened in the bottom of the third as Mr. Mookie whiffed to start. Moreland grounded out to second but Martinez ripped a ground rule double into the left field stands. Bogaerts grounded out to third to end the inning.

Rodriguez came out firing in the top of the fourth as Castellanos lined out to right to start. Cabrera whiffed before Goodrum grounded out to third to end the inning. Rodriguez had yet to allow a hit through four innings. The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the fourth as Devers grounded out to third, Chavis whiffed and JBJ lined out to right to end the inning.

The Tigers threatened in the top of the fifth as Dixon walked to start. Rodriguez flied out to right but Beckham broke up a no hitter with a base hit to center. Rodriguez recovered to strike out Geiner and Jones to end the inning. The Sox got some much needed insurance in the bottom of the fifth although Vazquez flied out to right to start. Benintendi walked and scored on the Mr. Mookie double off the top of the wall. Moreland walked and Martinez singled home Betts. Bogaerts whiffed and Devers flied out to left to end the inning but it was 4-0 Sox.

                                                          Betts just misses a home run

Eduardo came back for one final inning although he got in trouble in the top of the sixth. Candelario doubled to center and Castellanos walked before JBJ robbed Cabrera of a triple. Candelario moved to third and he scored on the Goodrum sac fly. Dixon popped up to first to end the inning and that was it for Rodriguez. Eduardo was outstanding, tossing 6 innings of 1 run ball while allowing just 2 hits as the Sox were ahead 4-1

                                                             Good work Rodriguez

Reed Garrett took over for the bottom of the sixth and Chavis walked to start. JBJ flied out to center and Chavis was gunned down at second on a pitch out. Vazquez walked but Benintendi flied out to right to end the inning.

Brandon Workman took over for the top of the seventh and he struck out Rodriguez to start. Beckham walked but Workman struck out both Greiner and Jones to end the inning. Betts hustled down the line to beat out an infield single to start the bottom of the seventh but Moreland flied out to center. Martinez flied out to right but Bogaerts singled. Jose Manuel Fernandez replaced Garrett and Devers grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Matt Barnes came in for the top of the eighth and he blew away Candelario on a full count to start. Castellanos struck out swinging but Cabrera singled. Goodrum walked and Dizon singled to load the bases. Just like that the Tigers were one swing of the bat away from taking the lead but Barnes blew away Rodriguez to end the inning. The Sox responded by blowing the doors off the Tigers in the bottom of the eighth. Chavis was hit with a pitch but JBJ whiffed before Michael swiped second. Vazquez singled home Chavis and Benintendi doubled in Vazquez. Mr. Mookie was intentionally walked before Moreland walked to load the bases. Drew VerHagen replaced Fernandez and poured gas on the fire although he struck out Martinez for the second out. Bogaerts, Devers and Chavis all walked in runs before Buck Farmer took over. JBJ singled in Bogaerts and Devers, sending Chavis to third. Vazquez grounded out to second to end the inning but the Sox batted around, scored 7 runs and led 11-1.

                                                   Vazquez gets the rally going

Tyler Thornburg sprinted to the mound to crap his pants in the top of the ninth inning. Tzu-Wei Lin took over at short with Sandy Leon replacing Moreland but was behind the plate. Vazquez moved to first and Beckham walked to start. Greiner flied out to center and Jones flied out to right, but Candelario walked. Castellanos singled home Beckham as Dustin Peterson pinch hit for Cabrera and cleared the bases with a double. Goodrum looked at strike three to end the game with the Sox winning it 11-4.

Hero of the night is Eduardo Rodriguez. He was sharp in tossing 6 innings of 1 run ball while allowing just two hits while striking out 7.

                                                        Eduardo The Hero



The Good:

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

Mitch Moreland walked twice in 5 plate appearances and scored a run.

JD Martinez was 3 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Michael Chavis walked 3 times, drove in a run, scored twice, got hit with a pitch and stole a base.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis.

Christian Vazquez was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis, a walk and a run scored.

Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless 8th inning.



The Bad:

Tyler Thornburg allowed 3 runs in the top of the ninth.



The Ugly:

Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4 but walked, drove in a run and scored twice.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 but walked, drove in a run and scored.

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 but walked, drove in 2 runs and scored.



Honorable Mention:

Sandy Leon played catcher in the top of the ninth.

Tzu-Wei Lin played short in the top of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

Its about time the Sox won a game they didn't trail and pulled away from. The New York Yankees have gone on a winning streak and the Sox have to turn it around now or they'll be chasing them the rest of the season. Beating the Tigers is nothing special but they needed a win like this to get some momentum back.  Rodriguez bounced back from his mediocre start to look like the pitcher he was the previous one. They're gonna need him to go 6-7 innings to make up for the lack of bullpen depth. Hopefully Chavis can be a force because with Dustin Pedroia, Brock Holt and Eduardo Nunez all out, they need some production big time. All in all they needed a win and they got one for once. Tomorrow night the Sox look to salvage the fourth game of this series when Rick Porcello (0-3, 8.47 ERA) goes up against Jordan Zimmermann at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Routed by Tigers in Game 1 (4/23/19)

All the good that the Boston Red Sox did over the weekend against the Tampa Bay Rays completely fell apart in just 48 hours. In Game 1 of today's doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers, the Sox looked more like the heap of garbage they have been all season instead of the team in Tampa. Chris Sale lasted just 5 measly innings getting hammered all over the field, Tigers starter Matt Boyd effortlessly shut down the Sox and the Boston bullpen once again got creamed. When all was said and done the punchless Tigers easily crushed the Red Sox 7-4 at Fenway Park.

Sale trudged to the mound for the top of the first and Jeimer Candelario fouled off 400 pitched before somehow striking out. Mookie Betts had to climb the centerfield wall to rob Nicholas Castellanos of a home run before the scared Sale walked the washed up Miguel Cabrera. Niko Goodrum fouled off another 20 pitches before striking out to end the inning. Meanwhile Andrew Benintendi drew a lucky walk to start the bottom of the first before naturally Betts popped up weakly to center and JD Martinez banged into a double play to end the inning.

Dustin Peterson effortlessly singled to start the top of the second but Ronny Rodriguez somehow struck out. Betts had to climb the wall again to rob Josh Harrison of a sure home run before Sale somehow struck out Grayson Greiner to end the inning. Xander Bogaerts grounded out weakly to third to start the bottom of the second before Steve Pearce popped up weakly to short. Michael Chavis popped up weakly to center to end the inning.

The umpire felt sorry for Sale and rang up JaCoby Jones for strike three to start the top of the third inning. Tzu-Wei Lin had to drive to stop a crushed liner by Candelario for the second out before somehow Castellanos whiffed to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the third when Christian Vazquez walked to start. Lin doubled Vazquez to third but Sandy Leon couldn't advance anyone with a groundout to third. Benintendi grounded back to the mound but Mr. Mookie singled in Vazquez and Lin to put the Sox on top. Martinez whiffed to end the inning but it was 2-0 Sox.

                                                   Betts puts the Sox on top

Just as soon as the Sox took the lead, Sale began to give it away in the top of the fourth. Cabrera flied out to right but Goodrum walked. Goodrum swiped second but Peterson whiffed. Rodriguez doubled home Goodrum to cut the lead. Harrison whiffed to end the inning but it was 2-1 Sox.

                                                              Rodriguez doubles one in

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fourth as Bogaerts popped up to second to start. Pearce reached first on catcher's interference but Chavis banged into a double play to end the inning.

The Tigers tied the game in the top of the fifth as Greiner smashed a 4,000 foot home run to start. Jones singled to right but Candelario whiffed. Castellanos flied out to center but Cabrera doubled. Goodrum took strike three to end the inning but the Tigers had tied it 2-2. That was it for Sale as he was done after just 5 innings although he limited the damage to just 2 runs while striking out 10.

                                                          Here we go again

The Sox did nothing again in the bottom of the fifth even though Vazquez reached on a throwing error by Candelario to start. Lin whiffed, Leon flied out to right and Benintendi flied out to center to end the inning.

The Tigers struck back in the top of the sixth with Heath Hembree on the mound. Peterson grounded out to short but Rodriguez gave the Tigers the lead with a 10,900 foot home run. Harrison singled but was thrown out at second trying to steal. Greiner walked and that was it for the incompetent Hembree. Tyler Thornburg made a mad dash to the mound just to strike out Jones to end the inning. Thornburg sprinted into the dugout but it was now 3-2 Tigers.

                                                         Tigers lead it

The Sox showed some life in the bottom of the sixth as Mr. Mookie lined out to third to start. Martinez popped up to second but Bogaerts crushed his third home run of the season to tie the game. Pearce whiffed to end the inning with the game tied 3-3.

                                                         Bogaerts goes yard

Thornburg bolted out of the dugout for the top of the seventh and he froze Candelario to start. Castellanos grounded back to the mound before Cabrera flied out to right to end the inning. Thornburg sprinted into the dugout but Chavis popped up to second to start the bottom of the seventh. Vazquez popped up to second before Lin flied out to right to end the inning.

Colten Brewer pissed the game away in the top of the eighth inning. Goodrum walked but Peterson flied out to right. Rodriguez doubled again and Harrison put the Tigers up for good with a double that cleared the bases. Greiner singled in Harrison as the boo birds came out. Jones banged into a double play to end the inning but it was all over, 6-3 Tigers.

                                                         Brewer blows it

Daniel Stumpf replaced Matthew Boyd for the bottom of the eighth and Rafael Devers pinch hit for Leon, singling to center. Benintendi looked at strike three and that was it for Stumpf. Victor Alcantara got Mr. Mookie to bang into a double play to end the inning.

The Tigers kicked Bobby Poyner in the ass in the top of the ninth inning as Candelario walked and Castellanos singled to start. Cabrera singled in Candelario to ice the game. Goodrum hit a fly ball deep to right and Castellanos broke for home....OUT! Martinez gunned him down for the second out as Brandon Dixon ran for Cabrera. Peterson hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning but it was 7-3 Tigers.

Drew VerHagen finished off the Red Sox in the bottom of the ninth as Martinez whiffed to start. Bogaerts managed to blast his second home run of the day as Mitch Moreland pinch hit for Pearce....just to ground out to short. Chavis looked at strike three to end the game with the Tigers taking Game 1 by a score of 7-4.

Jackass of the Night is Colten Brewer. He got hammered for the deciding 3 runs that lost the game.

                                                 Good job Jackass



The Good:

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 4 with 2 solo home runs.

Tzu-Wei Lin was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Rafael Devers singled as a pinch hitter

Chris Sale tossed 5 innings of 2 run ball while striking out 10.

Tyler Thornburg tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

JD Martinez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Steve Pearce was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Mitch Moreland was 0 for 1.

Michael Chavis was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Sandy Leon was 0 for 2.

Heath Hembree allowed a run in 2/3 of an inning.

Bobby Poyner allowed a run in the top of the ninth.



The Ugly:

Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 3 but walked.

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 but drove in 2 runs

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 2 but walked and scored.




Final Thoughts:

Who saw this coming? The 2013 Red Sox were a complete fluke so when the 2014 Sox fell flat on their face, it wasn't very surprising. The exact same team that won 108 games last year could very well lose 100 games this year. Apart from Benintendi, Martinez and Bogaerts not a single Sox batter can hit. Betts is completely lost, Devers may well be just a .230 hitter and everyone else is a bonafide black hole. Even last year the 7-8-9 for the Sox were useless but now its 4-9 and you can't win many games like that. Sale once again completely sucked as did the bullpen with the exception of Tyler Thornburg. Combined with the season ending injuries to Nathan Eovaldi, Brian Johnson, Brock Holt and Dustin Pedroia, this team went south real fast. Tonight the Sox will drop the second game of the doubleheader against the Tigers when Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez takes the beating while Spencer Turnbull effortlessly shuts down the worthless Sox offense at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park