Yaz Inducted into HoF, Sox Beat White Sox (7/24/89)

It was a special day for Boston Red Sox fans as Carl Yastrzmeski was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame today. He needed just 6 years after he retired to be enshrined into Cooperstown and now he takes his place alongside Ted Williams in baseball immortality. As for the game itself, current future hall of famer Roger Clemens (11-7, 3.21 ERA) brought the Sox a game closer to .500 with his 11th win of the season. Clemens outwitted the Chicago White Sox, surrendering just 1 run in 7 innings of work. Randy Kutcher drove in more runs by himself than the entire White Sox team, Nick Esasky hit a home run and the BoSox knocked off the White Sox 8-2 in an economical 2 hours an 34 minutes at Fenway Park.

                                             Yaz approves of the win and his HoF plaque

The White Sox got to Clemens first in the top of the first inning as Dave Gallagher singled to right to start. Steve Lyons sacrificed him to second and Dave moved to third on the Harold Baines grounder. Ivan Calderon tripled home Gallagher to put Chicago on top. Dan Pasqua walked but Carlton Fisk grounded out to second to end the inning with the ChiSox up 1-0.

                                                   Clemens watches the triple fly

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt against Chicago starter Steve Rosenberg in the bottom of the first inning. Wade Boggs grounded out to third, Luis Rivera also grounded out to third and Kevin Romine grounded out to short to end the inning.

Clemens found his groove in the top of the second inning as he blew away Daryl Boston to start. Carlos Martinez took strike three but Ozzie Guillen beat out an infield single. Guillen was thrown out at second trying to steal by the alert Rick Cerone to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the second as Mike Greenwell hit a grounder up the middle for a base hit to start. Nick Esasky flied out to right but Jim Rice also singled to center. Randy Kutcher broke his bat on a blooper to right that scored Greenwell to tie the game and Cerone doubled home Rice. Ed Romero scored Kutcher with a sac fly and Boggs got a base hit to left. Rivera flied out to left to end the inning but it was 3-1 Red Sox.

                                                                Kutcher drives in a run

Gallagher flied out to right to start the top of the third inning before Lyons watched strike three go by. Baines grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox iced the game in the bottom of the third although Romine grounded out to short to start. Greenwell drew a walk but Esasky flied out to right. Rice walked and Kutcher launched a 3 run home run into the centerfield bleachers to effectively end the game. Cerone hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning with the BoSox ahead 6-1.

                                                        No going back to Pawtucket now

Calderon tried to start a rally in the top of the fourth but Pasqua flied out to right and Fisk banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Romero flied out to left to start. Boggs smacked a double to center and moved to third on the fly ball by Rivera. Romine singled home Boggs to increase the lead and chase Rosenberg. Ken Patterson got Greenwell to fly out to left to end the inning with the BoSox ahead 7-1.

                                                            Romine drives in a run

Clemens got Boston to fly out to second to begin the top of the fifth before Martinez grounded out to short. Guillen doubled to left but Gallagher got rung up for strike three to end the inning. The Sox wrapped up their portion of the scoring in the bottom of the fifth when Esasky launched a 454 bomb off Patterson to increase the lead. Rice popped up to first, Kutcher whiffed and Cerone went down hacking to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-1.

                                                      Esasky is all smiles

Lyons beat out a bunt to start the top of the sixth but Greg Walker pinch hit for Baines who hurt his wrist only to hit into a double play. Calderon grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the seventh as Romero popped up to first to start. Boggs took strike three and Rivera also popped up to first to end the inning.

Clemens cruised in the top of the seventh in his final inning. Pasqua flied out to center to start before Fisk went down swinging. Boston grounded out to first to end the inning. Clemens was great, tossing 7 innings of 1 run ball to earn the win.

                                                    Roger pitches very well

The BoSox threatened in the bottom of the seventh as Romine flied out to right to start. Greenwell singled to left but Esasky went down swinging. Rice got a base hit to left and Greenwell took third on a passed ball. Kutcher grounded out to short to end the inning.

Lee Smith came in for the top of the eighth and Martinez grounded out to third to start. Guillen grounded out to third and Gallagher lined out to right to end the inning. Shawn Hillegas got the call for the bottom of the eighth and Cerone lined out to left to begin. Romero popped up to second and Boggs whiffed to end the inning.

The White Sox rallied against Smith in the top of the ninth as Lyons singled to right to begin. Walker whiffed but Calderon walked and Pasqua singled home Lyons. Fisk forced Pasqua at second on a grounder and Boston popped up to short to end the game. The Sox had won the game 8-2.

Hero of the Night is Randy Kutcher. His 3 run bomb was all the Sox needed to win and he drove in another run to boot.

                                                          Kutch Potato Hero



The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Mike Greenwell was 2 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Jim Rice was 2 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Roger Clemens earned his 11th win with 7 innings of 1 run ball while striking out 5.



The Bad:

Luis Rivera was 0 for 4.



The Ugly:

Kevin Romine was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Nick Esasky was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was his 15th home run.

Rick Cerone was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Ed Romero was 0 for 3 but drove in a run.

Lee Smith allowed a run in 2 innings of work.




Final Thoughts:

That was a great win but the team is still quite unpopular with the local press and fans. Still, winning games like that will help get rapport back after the awful first half this team had. Kutcher stepped up big today and the Sox need that from him with Ellis Burks and Marty Barrett sidelined. Speaking of Barrett, after being sidelined since June 6th with knee surgery, he begins his rehab with Pawtucket tomorrow. Clemens said after the game that this one was for Yaz and even though the season has been a mess, that was a nice touch. The Sox aren't too far behind to make a run as repeat AL East champions and they have a week to find another piece at the trade deadline to do it. The win improved the Sox to 45-48, 6.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for 1st place in the AL East. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox welcome the Kansas City Royals in for a set. Mike Boddicker (8-7) goes for the Sox up against Charlie Leibrandt at 7:35 PM at Fenway Park.

Brewers Pound Sox, Drop Third Straight (6/28/89)

Nothing is going right for the Boston Red Sox these days. The Sox continued to drop further under .500 with today's drubbing at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers. Mike Smithson (4-6, 5.02 ERA) took the beating as he allowed 6 runs in just over 6 innings of work. Bob Stanley and Mike Rochford also got knocked around by the Brewers in this all around embarrassment. The Sox scratched out 5 runs but it wasn't enough as the Brewers laid waste to the Red Sox 12-5 at County Stadium.

                                                Sox fans wondering how bad 89 can get

The Sox did manage to strike first in the top of the first inning against Milwaukee starter Teddy Higuera. Jody Reed led off with a walk but Luis Rivera and Wade Boggs both took strike three but Reed stole second. Mike Greenwell singled home Reed to put the Sox up early. Dwight Evans drew a walk but Nick Esasky struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                         Greenwell drives in a run

Smithson initially pitched well in the bottom of the first as Paul Molitor grounded out to short to start. Robin Yount drew a walk but Gary Sheffield flied out to right. Greg Brock popped up to second to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the second as Jim Gantner booted a routine grounder by Rick Cerone to begin the top of the second. Cerone was erased on the force by Randy Kutcher and Randy stole second. Kevin Romine lined out to short but Reed singled home Kutcher to increase the lead. Rivera popped up to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                                Reed knocks in a run

The Brewers pounced in the bottom of the second as Glenn Braggs doubled to left to start. Rob Deer then smacked a 5,000,000 foot home run into Lake Eerie to tie the game. BJ Surhoff walked and Terry Francona singled to left. Both runners moved over on the grounder by Gantner and Molitor scored Surhoff with a sac fly to give the Brewers the lead. Yount singled to center to score Francona with another run. Sheffield lined out to short to end the inning but it was 4-2 Brewers.

                                                 Some guy named Francona scores a run

The Sox tried to rally in the top of the third as Boggs got a base hit to center to start. Boggs moved to second on a deep fly out to right by Greenwell and Evans drew a walk. Esasky got a base hit to left but Cerone killed the rally with a pop up to short. Kutcher took strike three to end the inning. Smithson recovered in the bottom of the third as Brock flied out to left to start. Braggs and Deer both whiffed to end the inning.

Higuera cruised in the top of the fourth inning as Romine grounded out to third to start. Reed flied out to center and Rivera whiffed to end the inning. Surhoff flied out to center to open the bottom of the fourth before Francona also flied out to center. Gantner singled and stole second before Molitor walked. Yount popped up to first in foul territory to end the inning.

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the fifth inning as Boggs grounded out to short to start. Greenwell and Evans both grounded out to short to end the inning. Sheffield grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fifth before Brock singled to center. Brock moved to second on the grounder by Braggs but Deer took strike three to end the inning.

The Sox inched closer when Esasky mauled his 12th home run of the year to start the top of the sixth. Rick Cerone walked to chase Higuera from the game. Chuck Crim came in and Kutcher banged into a double play. Romine flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox down 4-3.

                                                        Esasky hits one out

Smithson kept pace in the bottom of the sixth as Surhoff grounded out to short to start. Francona lined out to left and Gantner grounded out to first to end the inning.

Crim cruised in the top of the seventh as Reed popped up to first to start. Rivera grounded out to third and Boggs grounded out to second to end the inning. The wheels fell off in the bottom of the seventh as Molitor singled to center to begin. Yount flied out to center but Molitor stole second and Sheffield walked. That was it for Smithson who left trailing 4-3 and eventually was charged with 6 runs in 6 1/3 innings.

                                                       Not his best stuff

Bob Stanley poured gas on the fire when he came in as Brock singled home Molitor with the insurance run. Braggs beat out a double play ball and Deer walked to load the bases. Surhoff then cleared the bases with a double to put the game out of reach. Francona grounded out to third to end the inning but the Brewers were up 8-3.

Tony Fossas made the Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the eighth inning as Greenwell grounded out to second to start. Evans grounded out to third and Esasky also grounded out to third to end the inning. Rookie Mike Rochford came in to take a beating in the bottom of the eighth although Gantner popped up to third to start. Molitor flied out to center but Yount walked. Sheffield beat out an infield single to short before Brock walked to load the bases. Braggs hit a routine grounder to second but Reed threw the ball away allowing Yount and Sheffield to score. Deer was intentionally walked to reload the bases and Surhoff singled home Brock and Bragggs. Francona flied out to left to end the inning with the Brewers ahead 12-3.

                                                         Bad defense leads to bad pitching

Dave Engle came in for Surhoff behind the plate with Jay Aldrich now on the mound to begin the top of the ninth. Cerone popped up to second and Kutcher lined back to the mound, but Romine beat out an infield single to short. Reed walked and Rivera singled home Romine. Boggs singled home Reed and if Stanley and Rochford didn't crap themselves, this game would have been interesting. As it was, Greenwell grounded out to second to end the game. The Brewers had won it 12-5.

Jackass of the Night is Bob Stanley. He allowed 2 inherited runners to score and 2 of his own to put the game out of reach

                                                Stanley The Jackass

The Good:

Jody Reed was 1 for 3 with 2 walks, an rbi, a stolen base and 2 runs scored.

Wade Boggs was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

Dwight Evans walked twice in four plate appearances.

Nick Esasky was 2 for 4 with a solo home run.

The Bad:

Mike Smithson got lit up for 6 runs in 6 1/3 innings to take the loss. He allowed 7 hits and 4 walks while striking out 3.

Mike Rochford allowed 4 runs in an inning although none were earned.

The Ugly:

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run.

Luis Rivera was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run.

Rick Cerone was 0 for 3 but walked.

Randy Kutcher was 0 for 4 but stole a base and scored a run.

Kevin Romine was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

Can this season end already? Its only June but it appears Morgan Magic has definitely worn off. Not that Sox manager Joe Morgan himself is the problem, but he's just not getting through to these guys like he did last year. It could be a clubhouse issue which means some of these guys won't be back next year. The loss of Bruce Hurst hurt the most as the Sox are getting almost nothing beyond Roger Clemens and Mike Boddicker pitching wise. Smithson took another beating and Stanley looks to have lost it as well. All in all it added up to another piece of crap loss in a season full of them. The loss dropped the Sox to 34-39, 8.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to snap their 3 game losing streak in the series finale with the Brewers tomorrow when they send John Dopson (7-5) to the mound up against Chris Bosio at 2:30 PM at County Stadium.

Sox Rally Falls Short in Milwaukee (6/27/89)

Its been that kind of year for the Boston Red Sox and we're not even out of June yet. The Red Sox incompetence this season is mind-boggling and tonight was no different against the Milwaukee Brewers. Not even Roger Clemens (8-6, 3.06 ERA) could save the Sox this time as the Brewers got to him for 5 runs in just 6 1/3 innings. Rob Murphy was able to hold the fort and the Sox tried to pull off a feverish rally in the top of the ninth. Unfortunately the Sox fell short and the Brewers beat them by the skin of their teeth 5-4 at County Stadium.

                                                     Bill Murray's message to the Red Sox

The Sox wasted no time getting to Brewers starter Don August in the top of the first inning. Jody Reed grounded out to short to start but Danny Heep singled to center. Gary Sheffield booted a grounder by Wade Boggs and Jim Gantner booted a grounder by Greenwell to score Heep to put the Sox on top. Dwight Evans whiffed and Greenwell was thrown out trying to steal second to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                              Heep scores a run

Clemens took the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Paul Molitor led off by lining out to center.  Robin Yount grounded out to short but Sheffield singled to short. Greg Brock struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox tried to rally in the top of the second when Nick Esasky singled to center to start. Rich Gedman walked but Luis Rivera forced Esasky at third. Randy Kutcher watched strike three go by and Reed flied out to left to end the inning. Glenn Braggs struck out looking to begin the bottom of the second before Rob Deer popped up to third. BJ Surhoff lined out to short to end the inning.

The Sox blew another rally in the top of the third when Heep walked to start. Boggs singled to left but Greenwell lined out to center. Evans hit one up the elevator shaft and Esasky flied out to center to end the inning. The Brewers took command in the bottom of the third although Terry Francona grounded back to the mound to start. Gantner singled to short and Molitor walked before Yount hit a double play ball to short. Rivera flipped to Reed who turned and fired the ball all the way to Idaho to score Gantner with the tying run. Sheffield singled to left to score Yount to give the Brewers the lead before he stole second. Brock whiffed to end the inning with the Brewers ahead 2-1.

                                                                  Nice error Reed

August cruised in the top of the fourth as Gedman popped up to third to start. Rivera whiffed and Kutcher grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The Brewers struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Braggs singled to right to start. Deer moved Braggs to second with a grounder and a wild pitch moved Braggs to third. Surhoff singled him home to increase the lead then moved to second on the grounder by Francona. Gantner grounded out to second to end the inning with the Brewers ahead 3-1.

                                                            Can someone get him out?

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the fifth as Reed grounded out to short to start. Heep grounded out to second and Boggs also grounded out to second to end the inning. Molitor took strike three to start the bottom of the fifth before Yount flied out to center. Sheffield doubled to left but Brock grounded out to second to end the inning.

Greenwell got a base hit to center to start the top of the sixth but Evans banged into a double play. Esasky grounded out to third to end the inning. Braggs popped up to first to begin the bottom of the sixth but Deer and Surhoff stroked back to back singles. Both runners moved over on the Francona grounder but Gantner whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox rallied in the top of the seventh as Gedman singled to right to begin. Dana Williams pinch ran for Gedman but Rivera banged into a double play. Kutcher doubled to center and Reed singled him home to cut the lead and chase August. Kevin Romine pinch hit for Heep and Tony Fossas came in to pitch. Romine singled to left but Boggs grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox down 3-2.

                                                            Kutcher scores a run

The Brewers iced the game in the bottom of the seventh with Rick Cerone now behind the plate. Molitor walked to start but was thrown out by Cerone trying to steal. Yount singled to right and Sheffield walked to chase Clemens. Roger didn't have it tonight as he would be tagged for 5 runs in just 6 1/3 innings. Rob Murphy made a mad dash out of the bullpen to the mound only to allow Brock to single home Shefield and Yount to increase the lead. Braggs popped up to first and Deer took strike three to end the inning with the Sox down 5-2.

                                                             Not Roger's best outing

Greenwell tried to start a rally with a base hit to start the top of the eighth and Chuck Crim came in to pitch. Evans singled to center but Esasky flied out to center and Cerone banged into a double play to end the inning. Murphy sprinted out of the dugout to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Surhoff doubled to right to begin. Francona popped up to first and Surhoff was thrown out trying to steal third by Cerone. Gantner grounded out to second to end the inning.

Suddenly the Sox rallied in the top of the ninth as Rivera and Kutcher stoked back to back singles to start. Reed flied out to center and Romine grounded back to the mound, but Crim was lifted for Dan Plesac. Boggs beat out a little roller to short to score Rivera and Greenwell singled home Kutcher to put the tying run at third. Unfortunately Evans flied out to center to end the game. The Sox fought hard but the Brewers held on to win 5-4.

Jackass of the Night is Roger Clemens. Yes Murphy allowed the final two runs to score but had Clemens pitched better, the Sox may have won the game. As it was, he took the loss by allowing 5 runs in 6 1/3 innings.

                                                            Jackass Clemens

The Good:

Danny Heep was 1 for 2 with a walk and a run scored.

Kevin Romine was 1 for 2.

Wade Boggs was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

Mike Greenwell was 3 for 5 with an rbi.

Rich Gedman was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Luis Rivera was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Randy Kutcher was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Jody Reed was just 1 for 5 with an error but drove in a run.

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 5.

Nick Esasky was just 1 for 4.

Rick Cerone was 0 for 1 at the plate but threw out two runners trying to steal.

Rob Murphy allowed 2 inherited runners to score but none of his own in 1 2/3 innings.

Honorable Mention:

Dana Williams pinch ran for Gedman in the top of the seventh.

Final Thoughts:

That 9th inning was a sucker punch to the gonads. Not that the Sox would have won in extra innings guaranteed but with the way things are going this season, a win like that would bring much needed rapport back. The Sox just don't have the magic this season and its very evident. There's something wrong and the loss of Bruce Hurst couldn't hurt THAT much. Hopefully the Sox can turn it around this season or else they may go from first to worst like in 1987 again. Even Clemens looked mortal in this one and that's never a good thing. The loss dropped the Sox to 34-38, 7.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox look to bounce back when they send Mike Smithson (4-5) to the mound up against Teddy Higuera of the Brewers. The game begins at 8:05 PM Eastern time at Fenway Park.

Clemens, Sox Beat Tigers (6/5/89)

This season is a disaster for the Boston Red Sox but thank goodness for Roger Clemens (6-4, 2.82 ERA) this season. One of the only silver linings so far held the Detroit Tigers to just 5 hits and 2 runs while pitching into the eighth inning. Mike Greenwell put the Sox up early with a 2 run bomb off Detroit starter David Palmer. Dwight Evans added a solo blast off old pal Mike Trujillo and the Sox scratched out two other runs. Rob Murphy slammed the door in the final two innings and the Sox had beaten the Tigers 5-2 at Tiger Stadium.

                                                       Monique Noel approves of the win

The Sox bushwhacked Palmer in the top of the first inning as Jody Reed walked to start. Reed moved to second on the grounder to first by Ed Romero and Wade Boggs singled home Reed to put Boston top. Mike Greenwell smashed his eighth hone run of the year to increase the lead and Dwight Evans singled to left. Ellis Burks forced Evans at second then stole second base, but Carlos Quintana took strike three to end the inning with the Sox up 3-0.

                                                              Home run Greenwell

Clemens got the ball in the bottom of the first and Gary Pettis flied out to left to start. Dave Bergman grounded out to second and Lou Whitaker flied out to right to end the inning.

Nick Esasky walked to start the top of the second but Rich Gedman flied out to left. Reed banged into a double play to end the inning. The Tigers struck back in the bottom of the second as old friend Fred Lynn popped up to first in foul territory to start. Keith Moreland hit a home run to Addison Gilbert Hospital to cut the lead but Matt Nokes grounded back to the mound. Chet Lemon took strike three to end the inning with the Tigers down 2-1.

                                                           Moreland goes deep

The Sox answered in the top of the third as Romero walked to start. Boggs doubled to right and Romero scored on the grounder to first by Greenwell. Evans grounded out to short and Burks went down hacking to end the inning with the Sox up 3-1.

                                                              Romero scores a run

Clemens cruised in the bottom of the third as Rick Schu flied out to right to start. Alex Pedrique flied out to right and Pettis took strike three to end the inning.

Quintana flied out to right to start the top of the fourth before Esasky grounded out to short. Gedman grounded out to second to end the inning. Clemens dominated the bottom of the fourth as Bergman grounded back to the mound to start. Whitaker grounded out to second and Lynn struck out swinging to end the inning. 

Reed walked to start the top of the fifth but Jody was doubled off first on the bullet to third hit by Romero. Boggs singled in the hole at first and that was it for Palmer. Paul Gibson came in to pitch and Greenwell flied out to center to end the inning. Moreland grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the fifth but Nokes singled to left. Lemon walked but Schu went down hacking. Pedrique went down swinging to end the inning.

Old friend Mike Trujillo came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Evans greeted him with his eighth home run of the season to increase the lead. Burks took strike three but Quintana and Esasky drew back to back walks to chase Trujillo. Frank Williams came in and Quintama was doubled off second on a bullet hit to Whitaker by Gedman to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-1.

                                                                Evans jacks one

The Tigers got a run back in the bottom of the sixth as Pettis struck out swinging to start. Bergman grounded out to first but Whitaker hit a home run all the way to Venus to cut the lead. Lynn grounded out to second to end the inning with the Tigers down 4-2.

                                                                Whitaker hits one out

Reed grounded out to third to start the top of the seventh before Romero popped up to second. Boggs grounded out to second to end the inning. Moreland hit a squibber in front of the plate that Gedman spiked like a football for an error to start the bottom of the seventh. Nokes banged into a double play but Lemon singled to center. Schu grounded out to second to end the inning. 

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the eighth as Greenwell grounded out to short to start. Evans singled up the middle and stole second for good measure. Burks walked and Quintana lined a base hit to right. Evans came around to score but was thrown out at home. Esasky grounded out to third to end the inning. Clemens returned briefly for the bottom of the eighth and Pat Sheridan pinch hit for Pedrique to start. Sheridan struck out swinging but Pettis singled to center to chase Clemens. Roger was game, tossing 7 1/3 innings and giving up just the two solo shots. Rob Murphy sprinted from the bullpen to take the mound and Gary Ward pinch hit for Bergman. Ward popped up to first in foul territory and Whitaker grounded out to second to end the inning.

                                                             Clemens pitches into the eighth

Mike Heath came in for the top of the ninth and the Sox blew another rally. Gedman grounded out to second but Reed and Romero drew back to back walks. Willie Hernandez came in to pitch to Boggs and Wade flied out to left. Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning. Murphy bolted out of the dugout to close out the bottom of the ninth and Lynn struck out swinging to start. Moreland singled to center but Nokes struck out swinging. Lemon took strike three to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-2.

Hero of the Night is Roger Clemens. The Sox had a balanced offensive attack but Roger Clemens held the fort for 7 1/3 innings, allowing just two solo home runs to earn the win.

                                                                  Rocket Hero

The Good:

Jody Reed walked three times in five plate appearances and scored a run.

Wade Boggs was 3 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Dwight Evans was 3 for 4 with an rbi, stolen base and a run scored.

Carlos Quintana was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Nick Esasky walked twice in four plate appearances.

Rob Murphy got the save with 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Rich Gedman was 0 for 4 with an error.

The Ugly:

Ed Romero was 0 for 3 but walked twice and scored a run.

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 5 but knocked in 3 total runs and hit a 2 run homer.

Ellis Burks was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked and stole a base.

Final Thoughts:

The Sox can't get untracked this season but Clemens has been his usual self for sure. He didn't completely dominate the Tigers but they could only muster two solo home runs against him. Murphy has been damn good this season and slammed the door big time. Greenwell knocked in 3 big runs and its good to see the offense do some running with Burks and Evans swiping bags. If Morgan Magic is wearing off, the Sox have a lot of work to do to prepare for next season. Still, the Sox were a balanced attack in this game and hopefully the Sox can turn the ship around like they did last year. The win improved the Sox to 25-27,  5.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to beat the Tigers again tomorrow night when Joe Price (1-1) takes on Mike Schwabe of Detroit. The game begins at 8:30 PM Eastern time at Tiger Stadium.

Finley Tosses 1 Hitter, Angels Shut Out Sox (5/26/89)

Sometimes you just have to tip your cap to pitchers that have a career day against your team. Tonight was one of those nights as Chuck Finley of the California Angels damn near no-hit the Boston Red Sox. Roger Clemens (5-4, 3.14 ERA) could only watch Finley tossed a complete game 1 hit shutout while walking just 4 batters. Finley has been one of the best pitchers in the AL this season and he showed why tonight. The Angels scored 5 runs in the later innings to knock off the Sox 5-0 at Fenway Park. How many hits did the Sox get Mr. Uecker?

Clemens did what he could in the top of the first inning as Brian Downing led off with a base hit to left. Claudell Washington followed with a base hit to center but was doubled off on the liner by Johnny Ray to Clemens. Devon White flied out to right to end the inning. Finley began his dominance in the bottom of the first as Wade Boggs struck out swinging to start. Marty Barrett drew a walk but Ellis Burks banged into a double play to end the inning.

The Angels beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the second inning as Wally Joyner grounded out to second, Chili Davis also grounded out to second and Lance Parrish grounded out to third to end the inning. Mike Greenwell grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the second before Dwight Evans walked. Jim Rice popped up to first as Evans was thrown out trying to steal to end the inning.

Jack Howell took strike three to open the top of the third before Dick Schofield flied out to right. Downing grounded out to short to end the inning. Nick Esasky grounded out to second to open the bottom of the third before Jody Reed flied out to left. Rick Cerone whiffed to end the inning.

Washington walked to start the top of the fourth but Ray banged into a double play. White popped up to Clemens himself to end the inning. Boggs whiffed to begin the bottom of the fourth before Barrett flied out to center. Burks flied out to left to end the inning.

Joyner lined out to center to start the top of the fifth before Davis flied out to left. Parrish popped up to short to end the inning. Finley remained perfect in the bottom of the fifth as Greenwell grounded out to second to start. Evans and Rice both whiffed to end the inning.

The Angels struck first in the top of the sixth inning as Howell flied out to right to start. Schofield singled to center but Downing lined out to center. Washington doubled home Howell to give the Angels the lead and Ray doubled home Claudell. White popped up to second to end the inning but it was 2-0 Angels.

                                                                 2-0 Angels

Esasky grounded out to short to begin the bottom of the sixth before Reed flied out to center. Cerone broke up the perfect game with a walk but was erased on the Boggs force to end the inning.

The Angels poured it on in the top of the seventh although Joyner flied out to left to start. Davis lined out to center but Parrish crushed a 230,000 foot home run to increase the lead. Howell took strike three to end the inning but the Angels were up 3-0.

                                                              Parrish hits one out

The Sox failed to get a hit in the bottom of the seventh as Barrett lined out to center to start. Burks grounded out to third and Greenwell lined out to center to end the inning.

Clemens cruised in the top of the eighth as Schofield popped up to third to begin. Downing whiffed and Washington grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox had their only chance in the bottom of the eighth although Evans popped up to third to begin. Rice walked but Esasky popped up to right. Reed broke up the no-no with a base hit to center to bring the tying run to the plate. Unfortunately it was Cerone and he grounded out to short to end the inning.

                                                              The Sox lone hit of the game

The Angels iced it in the top of the ninth as Ray hit a routine grounder to first. Esasky pulled out a bazooka and blew the ball to smithereens for an error. Kent Anderson ran for Ray as White popped up to third. Joyner then lashed a base hit to right to chase Clemens. Roger got no run support but he ended up being charged with 5 runs in 8 1/3 innings.

                                                             Just wasn't Roger's day.

Rob Murphy sprinted from the bullpen to get Davis to force Joyner at second before making a mad dash to the dugout. Bob Stanley came in and he poured gas on the fire as Parrish singled home Anderson. Howell singled home Davis before Schofield whiffed to end the inning with the Angels up 5-0.

The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the ninth as Boggs lined out to right to start. Barrett grounded out to third before Burks flied out to center to end the game. Finley had tossed a complete game 1 hit shutout to beat the Sox 5-0.

                                                           Great game by Finley


Jackass of the Night is Roger Clemens. Not that the Sox were going to score any runs but he was charged with 5 runs in 8 1/3 innings.

                                                                Rocket Jackass


The Good:

Jody Reed was 1 for 3.

Rob Murphy got the only out he faced.



The Bad:

Wade Boggs was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Ellis Burks was 0 for 4.

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 3.

Nick Esasky was 0 for 3.

Bob Stanley allowed 2 inherited runners to score in 1/3 of an inning.



The Ugly:

Marty Barrett was 0 for 3 but walked.

Dwight Evans was 0 for 2 with a strikeout but walked.

Jim Rice was 0 for 2 with a strikeout but walked.

Rick Cerone was 0 for 2 with a strikeout but walked.





Final Thoughts:

The Sox are back to .500 after this one but gotta give credit to Finley for the game he pitched. The Sox mustered just 1 hit and 4 walks in this one against Finley, not even Cy Young could have survived that. Clemens was game but things fell apart in the ninth inning. Esasky's error and Stanley allowing the final 2 runs weren't Roger's fault but once again, the offense was asleep in this one. Not much to crow about and tomorrow is another day. Tomorrow the forecast calls for heavy rain but if the Sox play, John Dopson (5-2) goes up against Kirk McCaskill at 7:05 PM at Feway Park.

Ryan Outduels Clemens, Rangers Beat Sox (4/30/89)

The good news is the Roger Clemens (3-1, 1.96 ERA) held the Texas Rangers to two runs in a complete game effort for the Boston Red Sox. The bad news was 42 year old Nolan Ryan held the Red Sox to just 1 run in 8 innings himself. Ryan left after 8 innings of 1 run ball and the Rangers rallied for two runs in the bottom of the eighth on a one out home run by Rafael Palmeiro. Rangers closer Jeff Russell slammed the door in the top of the ninth and the Rangers had beaten the Red Sox 2-1 at Arlington Stadium. Its been that kind of year so far.

                                                 Barnaby hates blown leads in the 8th

Ryan got the ball in the top of the first and Boggs drew a leadoff walk. Danny Heep forced Boggs at second and Ellis Burks took a fastball to the head and collapsed. Ellis had to be carried out on a stretcher and rushed to the local ICU as Randy Kutcher pinch ran for him. Both runners moved over on the grounder to second by Mike Greenwell before Boggs scored on the wild pitch by Ryan. Jim Rice hit a 380 foot out to the left field wall to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                 Burks gets knocked out

Clemens got the ball in the top of the first inning and Cecil Espy led off by taking a curveball down the middle for strike three. Scott Fletcher flied out to right and Clemens sent a message to the Rangers by brushing back Rafael Palmeiro before he walked. Ruben Sierra flied out to right to end the inning.

Nick Esasky led off the top of the second by striking out swinging before Rich Gedman flied flied out to center. Jody Reed reached when Scott Fletcher's throw pulled Palmeiro off the bag but Ed Romero flied out to the left field wall to end the inning. The red hot Julio Franco led off the bottom of the second with a grounder to third to start. Geno Petralli got a base hit to left and moved to second on the Rick Leach grounder. Steve Buechele was plunked unintentionally and Gedman trotted to the mound to tell Roger to calm the heck down. Jeff Stone grounded out to second to end the inning.

Boggs led off the top of the third by taking strike three to start. Heep whiffed but Kutcher drew a walk. Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning. Espy lined out to third to start the bottom of the third before Fletcher grounded out to short. Palmeiro grounded out to second to end the inning.

Rice led off the top of the fourth by getting plunked before moving to second on a passed ball. Esasky whiffed again before Gedman went down hacking. Reed took strike three to end the inning after the Rangers telecast said Reed struck out only 21 times in 1988. Sierra flied out to center to start the bottom of the fourth before Franco grounded out to short. Petralli dumped a base hit in front of Greenwell in left and Leach walked, but Buechele grounded into a force to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the fifth as Romero and Boggs grounded out to second to start. The Sox got their first hit when Heep dumped a single to right. Kutcher drew another walk but Greenwell popped up to left to end the inning.

                                                Ryan allowed just 1 hit through 5

Stone grounded out to second to start the bottom of the fifth before Espy also grounded out to second. Clemens blew away Fletcher to end the inning.

                                              Clemens gets it done through 5

Ryan turned up the heat in the top of the sixth as Rice whiffed to start. Esasky earned the hat trick with his third strikeout and Gedman also went down hacking to end the inning. Clemens matched Ryan by catching Palmeiro looking to start the bottom of the sixth. Sierra grounded out to first and Heep reached into the stands to corral a Franco fly out to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the seventh as Reed doubled just on the left field foul line to start. Romero failed to drop down a bunt but instead lashed a base hit to right. Sierra threw home but the throw was cut-off and Romero was caught in a rundown. Foolishly Reed tried for home and he got caught in a rundown. Reed motioned Romero to go to third but Ed didn't move from second and Reed was tagged out. Boggs was intentionally walked but Heep banged into a double play to end the inning. What the hell was Reed thinking?

                                                IDIOT!

Dwight Evans took over for Heep in the bottom of the seventh as Petralli took strike three to start. Leach whiffed but Buechele beat out a little roller to Romero for an infield single. Stone lined out to center to end the inning.

Ryan cruised in the top of the eighth as Kutcher swung at ball four to start. Greenwell flied out to right but Rice whiffed to end the inning. Ryan had thrown 136 pitches and allowed just the one run in 8 innings while striking out 11.

                                                     Ryan was tough

The Rangers took command in the bottom of the eighth as Espy dumped a base hit to left to start. Fletcher tried to bunt him over but popped up to first, but Palmeiro smashed a two run home run off the right field foul pole to give the Rangers the lead. Sierra flied out to center but Franco singled up the middle. Petralli took strike three to end the inning with the Rangers leading 2-1. Clemens went the distance but the two run home run was the difference in the game.

                                                 Dammit

Rangers closer Jeff Russell came on for the top of the ninth with Pete Incaviglia now in left field. Esasky earned the dubious golden sombrero with his fourth strikeout of the game to start. Gedman grounded out to second and Sam Horn pinch hit for Reed. Horn took strike three to end the game. The Rangers shocked the Sox to win the game 2-1.

                                                 Rangers win


Jackass of the Night is Nick Esasky. In a one run game he was 0 for 4 with a golden sombrero of 4 strikeouts.

                                                Golden Sombrero Jackass


The Good:

Ellis Burks had a hit by pitch before leaving.

Randy Kutcher walked twice in three plate appearances.

Ed Romero was 1 for 3.

One of the few times the losing pitcher ends up on the good list but Roger Clemens was outstanding. He threw a complete game 6 hitter with the one mistake being a two run homer by Palmeiro. He walked 2 and struck out 6.



The Bad:

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 4.

Rich Gedman was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Sam Horn struck out to end the game.



The Ugly:

Jim Rice was 0 for 3 but was plunked.

Wade Boggs was 0 for 2 but walked twice.

Jody Reed was 1 for 3 but got caught in a crucial rundown.

Danny Heep was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.



Honorable Mention:

Dwight Evans played right field in the final two innings.




Final Thoughts:

Well this game was a kick to the gonads. The Sox weren't going to get much off of Ryan and Clemens kept pace for 7 innings. One bad pitch to Palmeiro ended up being the difference in the game because the Sox ran themselves into outs and couldn't get a clutch hit when it counted. The Sox would have been shut out if it wasn't for a bad pitch by Ryan. The Rangers started out hot in the month of April and basically found ways to win all month, today was no different. The Sox have found ways to lose all month, today was also no different. The Sox better get things in gear because you're not going to win the AL East playing mediocre baseball. The loss dropped the Sox to 10-12 for the month of April, 1 game behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Clemens and Ryan are due to meet again next week at Fenway but tomorrow the Sox head to Minnesota to play a set with the Twins. Oil Can Boyd (1-1) goes for the Sox up against Allan Anderson of the Twins at 8:05 PM Eastern time at the Metrodome.