Sox Shutout Mariners, Streak Hits Five (5/26/17)

It was another messy, rainy night at Fenway Park but the home team sent the fans home happy. Eduardo Rodriguez (4-1, 2.77 ERA) combined with 3 relievers to shut out the visiting Seattle Mariners in Game 1 of this 3 game set. The Sox benefited from a comedy of errors by Seattle to win the game 3-0.

                                              Detective Fish approves of the win

Rodriguez got the ball in the top of the first and Jean Segura flied out to right. Guillermo Heredia singled but Robinson Cano grounded out to third, advancing Heredia to third. Nelson Cruz grounded back to Rodriguez to end the inning. Seattle starter Yovani Gallardo retired Mr. Mookie Betts on a liner to center to begin the bottom of the first inning. Andrew Benintendi popped up and Xander Bogaerts struck out to end the inning.

Rodriguez nearly got tagged in the top of the second inning when he walked Kyle Seager to start the top of the second inning. Old friend Danny Valencia singled off the Monster but tried to stretch it into a double. Jackie Bradley Jr fired to second and Josh Rutledge applied the tag...OUT! Turns out he was safe but Seattle didn't challenge so the Sox got away with one, although Seager moved to third. Seager couldn't score on the sharp liner by Taylor Motter. Ben Gamel struck out to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second inning as Hanley Ramirez snapped an 0 for 9 slump with a double down the left field line. Mitch Moreland grounded out but Hanley moved to third. Rutledge grounded out but Ramirez scored to make it 1-0 Sox. Jackie Bradley Jr hustled to second on a double and Christan Vazquez worked a rare walk, but Deven Marrero struck out on a full count to end the inning.

                                         "Way to go Hanley" - Vaz   "Meh" - Hanley

Mike Zunino popped up to begin the top of the third inning but Segura doubled. Heredia whiffed but Segura stole third. Cano grounded out to end the inning with the Sox still ahead. Gallardo barely got through the bottom of the third by getting Mr. Mookie and Benny The Kid to ground out, but Bogaerts singled off the foot of Gallardo. Ramirez and Moreland worked back to back walks to load the bases. Rutledge popped up to end the inning, a huge chance wasted.

Rodriguez labored through the top of the fourth as Cruz grounded out but Seager singled. Valencia hit into a double play to end the inning. Gallardo matched Rodriguez in the bottom of the fourth. JBJ grounded out but Vazquez singled. Marrero singled to Gamel who muffed the ball on the ground, allowing Vazquez to reach third on the error. The Sox failed to capitalize as Mr. Mookie banged into a double play to end the inning.

Rodriguez battled in the top of the fifth, getting Motter to fly out to start the inning. Gamel took strike three down the middle but Zunino walked. Segura legged out an infield single but Heredia flied out to end the inning. The M's played some bad defense in the bottom of the fifth although Benny The Kid and Bogaerts struck out. Ramirez singled to center and Heredia bobbled the ball, allowing Hanley to take second. Moreland whiffed to end the inning.

Rodriguez returned for one last inning in the top of the sixth. Cano flied out and Cruz grounded out but Seager walked. On his 112th pitch, Rodriguez froze Valencia to end the inning. He had tossed 6 innings of shut-out ball, good work.

The Sox added some insurance in the bottom of the sixth without really having to do anything. Rutledge got it started with a single and JBJ walked. Vazquez grounded out to advance the runners although JBJ pulled up lame at second, the same leg he hurt last month. He did stay in the game as Marrero walked to load the bases. A wild pitch by Gallardo scored Rutledge and advanced the others. Mr. Mookie walked to re-load the bases and that was it for Gallardo. Dan Altavilla came in and Zunino muffed a pitch allowing JBJ to score and advance the others. Benny The Kid whiffed but Bogaerts walked to re-load the bases again. The gifts were over as Ramirez flied out to end the inning. The Sox scored 2 runs on 3 walks, a single, a wild pitch and a passed ball. Go team.

                                          Rutledge and JBJ score the big insurance runs.

Heath Hembree got the call in the top of the seventh inning. Motter flied out to right, Gamel flied out to left and Zunino looked at strike three to end the inning.  The Sox offense shut it down in the bottom of the seventh as Moreland struck out, Rutledge lined out and JBJ whiffed to end the inning.

Matt Barnes came in to pitch the top of the eighth inning and immediately Segura singled passed Marrero at third. Heredia flied out to Betts and Cano struck out before Cruz grounded out to end the inning.

                                                  "I got it...I got it...I GOT IT!" - MB

Steve Cishek had the bottom of the eighth and Vazquez greeted him with a single but was erased on the force by Marrero. Deven was erased on the force by Mr. Mookie and Benny The Kid lined out to end the inning.

Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel came on to pitch the top of the ninth looking for the save. Right handed batters hadn't gotten a hit off him yet this season and this continued. Seager, Valencia and Motter all grounded out in short order to end the game. The Sox had gotten the shut-out 3-0 at a rainy Fenway.

Hero of the night is Eduardo Rodriguez. The offense was basically gifted by the Mariners incompetence but Rodriguez kept them in the game with 6 innings of shut out ball.

                                              Hero of the Night: Eduardo Rodriguez


The Good:

Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3 with a walk.

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

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

Christian Vazquez was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Deven Marrero was 1 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Heath Hembree pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

Craig Kimbrel earned his 13th save with a scoreless ninth inning.



The Bad:

Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 5



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was 0 for 4 but walked.

Mitch Moreland was 0 for 3 but walked.

Josh Rutledge was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored.



Final Thoughts:

Wow, a 5 game winning streak...this is what it feels like? It was a long time coming because the Sox were too talented to suck for this long. Even though they didn't exactly light up the sky tonight, they pitched well enough to win. They're going to have to score runs tomorrow with Brian Johnson rumored to be the scheduled starter. Rodriguez has emerged as a bonafide 3rd starter and you can argue he's out performed Rick Porcello this year. If only David Price was healthy then the Sox would have a scary four man rotation. The offense was off tonight but it was worse for Seattle. The win moved the Sox to 26-21, 2 games behind the New York Yankees, who lost to Oakland tonight, for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow Brian Johnson (1-0, 7.20 ERA) takes on call-up Rob Whalen at 4.05 PM.

Sox Pitchers Strike Out 20 Rangers, Sweep Series (5/25/17)

The bad news was the Boston Celtics were eliminated by the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of their NBA East Finals series but the good news was the Boston Red Sox beat the Texas Rangers. In a soggy game marred by rain and cold weather, the Boston Red Sox sent the fans home happy by unofficially striking out 20 Texas Rangers during the 9 inning game. The Sox got a big lift from starter Drew Pomeranz (4-3, ) and the first home runs of the year by Xander Bogaerts and Deven Marrero to sweep the Rangers 6-2.

                                                    Robert Irvine approves of the win

Pomeranz got the ball in the top of the first inning after a 28 minute rain delay and Delino DeShields Jr struck out on a big curveball to start. Elvis Andrus struck out on another curveball but Nomar Mazara singled. Jonathan Lucroy grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the first off Texas starter Nick Martinez. Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out and Dustin Pedroia popped up, but Xander Bogaerts singled down the left field line. Bogaerts swiped second and scored on the Andrew Benintendi single to center to give the Sox the lead. Benintendi swiped second and Hanley Ramirez walked. Mitch Moreland singled home Benintendi and advanced Ramirez to third. Jackie Bradley Jr grounded into a force but the Sox had a 2-0 lead.

                                             The runnin' Red Sox lead 2-0

Pomeranz turned up the heat in the top of the second inning. Rougned Odor struck out swinging, Mike Napoli took strike three and Ryan Rua struck out swinging to end the inning. Christian Vazquez led off the bottom of the second with a single to right. Deven Marrero struck out and Mr. Mookie banged into a double play to end the inning.

Joey Gallo whiffed to start the top of the third and Vazquez ran off the field after Pete Kozma struck out looking, not knowing there were only two outs. DeShields Jr popped up to a falling Pedroia to end the inning. Yes, for real this time Vazquez. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the second as Pedroia led off with a walk. Bogaerts blasted his first home run of the year to increase the lead. Benny The Kid flied out and Ramirez struck out, but Moreland singled. JBJ singled but Vazquez struck out to end the inning with the Sox up 4-0.

                                         "I finally got one" - XB  "About damn time!" - AB

The Rangers struck back in the top of the fourth when Andrus homered to left to break up the shutout. Pomeranz recovered to get Mazara to ground out and Lucroy to line out. Odor singled and Napoli hit one completely out of Fenway Park....foul. Napoli struck out to end the inning with the Rangers now down 4-1. Marrero whiffed to start the bottom of the fourth before both Mr. Mookie and Pedroia grounded out to end the inning.

Pomeranz returned for the top of the fifth and Marrero nearly ran into the 3rd base wall fielding a pop up from Rua. Gallo lined out to Betts and Kozma struck out to end the inning, that's 9 K's for Pomeranz. Bogaerts popped up to begin the bottom of the fifth. Benny The Kid flied out to left and Ramirez flied out to center to end the inning.

There was concern in the top of the sixth when Pedroia left the game with a leg injury, Josh Rutledge came in to replace him. Pomeranz made a boo-boo when he walked Deshields Jr. He did manage to strike out Andrus but DeShields Jr took second when Pomeranz was too slow on a pickoff throw. Right on cue Mazara singled home DeShields Jr. Lucroy flied out to center and Pomeranz earned his 11th strikeout by getting Odor to end the sixth inning. Good bounce back game for Drew.

                                            "I showed that bastard Farrell, didn't I?" DP

Dario Alvarez took over in the bottom of the sixth and was all over the place. Moreland was plunked and JBJ walked on four pitches that wasn't even close. That was it for Alvarez as Tony Barnette replaced him and got Vazquez to ground into a double play after Vaz messed up a bunt attempt. Bogaerts whiffed badly to end the inning, terrible clutch hitting.

Heath Hembree relieved Pomeranz in the top of the seventh and struck out Napoli on a full count. Hembree struck out Rua and that was it for him. Sox manager John Farrell brought in Robby Scott for the lefty/lefty matchup with Gallo. Scott won the matchup with a strikeout to end the inning. Keone Kela came on to pitch the bottom of the seventh inning. He was wild too as Mr. Mookie worked a walk on four pitches. Rutledge struck out but Betts stole second on the throw. Bogaerts struck out but Andrew Benintendi was intentionally walked. Ramirez failed to make them pay by grounding out to end the inning.

Matt Barnes got the ball in the top of the eighth inning and Kozma fought for 11 pitches but eventually took the full count pitch at the knees for strike three. DeShields Jr flied out to right but Andrus whiffed to end the inning. That's 16 strikeouts for Red Sox pitching. The Sox iced the game in the bottom of the eighth off Alex Claudio, Moreland and JBJ grounded out but Vazquez doubled off the Monster. Marrero then hit a 2 run home run into the Monster Seats to give the Sox a 4 run lead. Mr. Mookie singled but Rutledge lined out to end the inning with the Sox up 6-2.

                                  Marrero sings and dances in the rain after his 2 run homer

Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel hadn't pitched in 5 days so he came in to pitch the top of the ninth. Mazara swung and missed at strike three but the ball hit Nomar's leg and he ran to first. He should have been called out but he was shockingly ruled safe. Sox manager John Farrell screamed at the umpire but stayed in the game, ruled as a strikeout and a passed ball.

                                         "You people are complete idiots!" -JF

Kimbrel recovered to strike out Lucroy and Odor in short order. Napoli struck out for the fourth time tonight to end the game. The Sox had won 6-2.

     "We're the rain warriorrssssss...ain't gonna rain no more"

Hero of the Night is Drew Pomeranz. He put together his best start of the season, pitching 6 innings of one run ball and striking out 11 batters.

                                            Drew Pomeranz: Hero



The Good:

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored, a stolen base and a 2 run home run, his first.

Andrew Benintendi was 1 for 3 with a walk, rbi, stolen base and a run scored.

Mitch Moreland was 2 for 3 with an rbi and was hit with a pitch.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Christian Vazquez was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Heath Hembree struck out the only 2 men he faced.

Robby Scott struck out the only man he faced.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

Craig Kimbrel ultimately struck out 4 men in the ninth inning.



The Bad:

Josh Rutledge was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base.

Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 2 but walked and a scored a run before leaving with an injury.

Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 3 but walked.

Deven Marrero was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts, but hit his first home run and drove in another.



Final Thoughts:

After all the criticism Pomeranz took, this was a great way to bounce back. He still didn't go 7 innings but he struck out 11 and kept the Sox in the game. Its nice to see the offense continue to produce which led to the Sox 4th straight win. Amazingly the Sox struck out 20 batters, nice stat to have every once in a while. The Sox also got some news that David Price will start next Monday in Chicago rather than make another rehab start. He'll probably be rusty as hell so get the bullpen rested the night before. The win propelled the Sox to 25-21, 3 games behind the rained out New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Seattle Mariners come to town for a 3 game set at Fenway Park. Eduardo Rodriguez (3-1, 3.10 ERA) takes the hill opposite Yovani Gallardo in Game 1 at 7:05.

Sox Pick Up Sale, Bash Rangers (5/24/17)

Before the game it was announced that Marco Hernandez would have season ending shoulder surgery. That is a huge blow to the struggling third base corps as he was developing as a hitter before going down.

                                                  Sorry Hernandez

As for the game, Chris Sale (5-2, 2.34 ERA) was surprisingly mortal. Normally this is bad news for the Boston Red Sox but for the first time all season, the Sox offense picked up Sale with a huge late inning rally to beat the Texas Rangers 9-4 at Fenway Park.

                                              Judge Harry T Stone approves of the win.

Sale got the ball in the top of the first and immediately struck out Delino Deshields Jr to begin the game. Shin-Soo Choo grounded out to short and Elvis Andrus flied out to right to end the inning. Martin Perez matched Sale in the bottom of the first as Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to short to begin. Dustin Pedroia flied out to right and Xander Bogaerts grounded out to end the inning.

Sale got Jonathan Lucroy to ground out to begin the top of the second inning. Rougned Odor struck out swinging and Mike Napoli also whiffed to end the inning. The Sox almost went quietly in the bottom of the second. Ramirez popped up on a full count but Chris Young walked. Andrew Benintendi grounded out to end the inning.

Sale remained red hot in the top of the third inning. Ryan Rua flied out to left, Joey Gallo flied out to right and Robinson Chirinos whiffed to end the inning. In his major league debut, Sam Travis grounded out to short on a bang bang play. Leon popped up but Deven Marrero singled to right over the head of Odor. Marrero swiped second and scored on the Mr. Mookie single up the middle past the diving Odor. A wild pitch by Perez moved Mookie to second and Pedroia walked. Bogaerts struck out to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                             "Alright show me your hands, who wants dinner?" - DM

Sale gave up his first base runner when DeShields Jr walked to start the top of the fourth inning then moved to second on a passed ball. Choo advanced DeShields to third on a ground out and Andrus drove in Delino with a sac fly to tie the game. Lucroy grounded out but the Rangers had tied it up 1-1. Napoli made a boo-boo by dropping a pop-up off the bat of Ramirez, but Hanley flied out anyway to begin the bottom of the fourth. Young struck out and Benny The Kid grounded out to end the inning.

The wheels fell off for Sale in the top of the fifth inning. Odor whiffed but Napoli did what he did so many times for the Sox in the past, he homered to left to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead. Rua doubled and Gallo singled home Rua. With Sale on the ropes, he fought his way off by getting Chirinos to ground into a fielder's choice and DeShields Jr to fly out to right. The damage was done and the Rangers led 3-1.

                                              "God dammit all to hell!!" - Sale

The Sox couldnt strike back in the bottom of the fifth inning against Perez although Travis got his first major league hit by beating out an infield single. Leon promptly banged into a double play and Marrero whiffed to end the inning.

Sale settled down in the top of the sixth as Choo flied out, Andrus grounded out to third and Lucroy grounded back to Chris to end the inning. The Sox still couldn't crack Perez in the bottom of the sixth as Mr. Mookie flied out to the wall to start. Pedroia grounded out but Bogaerts beat out an infield single. Ramirez whiffed to end the inning.

Sale came back out for the top of the seventh and Odor grounded out. Napoli singled but Rua struck out. Gallo flied out to end the inning. The Sox absolutely exploded in the bottom of the seventh inning. Young flied out but Benny The Kid beat out an infield single. Travis singled Benny The Kid to third and that was it for Perez. Sam Dyson came in and poured gas on the fire as Mitch Moreland pinch hit for Leon. Moreland singled home Benintendi. Sox manager John Farrell pinch hit Marrero with Josh Rutledge and he singled home Travis, everybody advancing when Choo threw wide of home. Mr. Mookie was intentionally walked to load the bases and Perez gifted the Sox another run with a wild pitch, scoring Moreland and advancing both runners. Pedroia singled home both runners off the glove of Gallo at third. Bogaerts hit a ground rule double into the bullpen and Ramirez was intentionally walked to load the bases. Young walked to score Pedroia and that was it for Dyson who didn't retire a single batter. Austin Bibers-Dirkx came in and got a pop up from Benny The Kid only Napoli dropped it. Benny made Napoli pay by hitting a sac fly to score Bogaerts. Travis struck out to end the inning but the Sox rallied for 7 runs to take an 8-3 lead.

                                                     What a rally

Sale sat for nearly a half hour and it showed as he came back for the top of the eighth. Christian Vazquez took over behind the plate and Moreland took over at first, replacing Travis and Leon. Chirinos popped up but DeShields doubled. Choo singled home DeShields Jr to chase Sale. He gave it his all but had allowed 4 earned runs in 7 1/3 innings. Normally that's not good enough but the Sox scored for once.

                                              Sox fans giving Sale a well deserved ovation

Joe Kelly replaced Sale and got Andrus to line out. Lucroy grounded out to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the eighth as Moreland singled to start and took second on another wild pitch. Rutledge flied out but Mr. Mookie singled home Moreland to increase the lead. Pedroia lined out and Bogaerts popped up to end the inning but the Sox now had a 9-4 lead.

With a commanding lead, Craig Kimbrel sat down and Joe Kelly came out to finish the the game in the top of the ninth. Odor singled but Napoli struck out. Nomar Mazara pinch hit for Rua and Odor was out at second on a force. Vazquez then went under a pop up but decided to check out a woman bending over, muffing the pop up for an error. Luckily Kelly picked up Vaz by striking out Gallo to end the game, The Sox had won it 9-4.

Hero of the Night is Sam Travis. He got his first major league hit then sparked the 7 run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning.

                                         Sam Travis: Hero for a night


The Good:

Mookie Betts was 2 for 4 with a walk, 2 rbi's and a run scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Chris Young walked twice in four plate appearances, driving in a run with his second.

Andrew Benintendi was 1 for 3 with a run scored and rbi.

Mitch Moreland was 2 for 2 as a pinch hitter, scoring twice and driving in a run.

Deven Marrero was 1 for 2 with a run scored and a stolen base.

Josh Rutledge was 1 for 2 with a run scored and an rbi.

Joe Kelly pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Christian Vazquez was brought in to play defense and he muffed a pop up in the ninth.

Sandy Leon was 0 for 2.



The Ugly;

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 4 but walked, drove in 2 runs and scored one of his own.

Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 3 but walked.

Chris Sale got the win but he was mortal in this one.



Final Thoughts:

Looks like the offense has come back in a big way. They still aren't hitting home runs but a run scored is a run scored. Sam Travis looked to be the real deal after tearing up the minors from 2014-15 before a knee injury wiped out his 2016. Its too bad Marco Hernandez is out for the year because he could have joined Travis and turning the corners into on base machines this season. Still, a Moreland/Travis platoon would be ideal for now if Hanley Ramirez continues to refuse to play first. Marrero is a defensive wizard but his offense was never very good. Meanwhile down in Pawtucket, Pablo Sandoval looked good while David Price got lit up. His velocity was there but his command wasn't. Considering Price never really had spring training, that's partially expected to be rusty. Still, if he's too rusty to contribute, that means the Sox have to rely on the revolving door of Pawtucket guys and Drew Pomeranz...not good. Still, the top of the order is producing and the bottom of the order looks to be improving. We'll see how this turns out real quick. The win improved the Sox to 24-21, 3 1/2 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night is the final game of the series and Pomeranz (3-3, 4.97 ERA) looks to bounce back opposite Nick Martinez at 7:10 PM in Fenway Park.

Sox Outlast Sloppy Rangers (5/23/17)

Before the game it was announced that Hector Velazquez was sent back to Pawtucket and in his place, highly touted prospect Sam Travis was called up. Also Chase d'Arnaud was picked up on waivers by San Diego, so you won't see him no more. Travis was having a fast track to the majors before blowing his knee out last year in Pawtucket. Hanley Ramirez refuses to play first base so the Sox really had no choice but to bring Travis up.

                                                                 OUT

                                                                   IN

The bad news was the Boston Celtics were defeated in Game 4 of their NBA East Finals series with the Cleveland Cavaliers but the good news was the Boston Red Sox beat the Texas Rangers. The Rangers were the gift that kept on giving. "Slick" Rick Porcello (3-5, 4.35 ERA) stunk the joint out but the Rangers fumbled and bumbled around for 9 innings which allowed the Boston Red Sox to ultimately defeat the sloppy Rangers 11-6 at Fenway Park.

                                                Marcus Smart approves of the win

Porcello took the mound in the top of the first and Shin-Soo Choo flied out to right. Elvis Andrus flied out to center and Nomar Mazara struck out to end the inning. Andrew Cashner got the ball in the bottom of the first and got Mr. Mookie Betts to line out to left. Dustin Pedroia grounded out to the pitcher and Xander Bogaerts watched strike three go by to end the inning.

Porcello got some help from his defense in the top of the second inning. Mr. Mookie ran down a pop up by Jonathan Lucroy and Pedroia made a diving stab and throw to rob Rougned Odor. Old friend Mike Napoli struck out to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second as Andrew Benintendi grounded out but Hanley Ramirez drew a walk. Moreland almost cleaned out Cashner on a base hit up the middle. A wild pitch by Cashner advanced both runners and Jackie Bradley Jr walked to load the bases. Sandy Leon beat out a double play ball to score Ramirez to give the Sox the lead. Deven Marrero struck out to end the inning but the Sox were up 1-0.

Could Porcello pitch with the lead in the top of the third inning? NO! Joey Gallo doubled off the ledge of the Scoreboard to start. Jared Hoying singled to right and Gallo scored on the sac fly by Delino DeShields Jr. Choo flied out to left and Andrus lined out to a jumping Betts to end the inning. The Sox took advantage of shoddy defense in the bottom of the third although Mr. Mookie grounded out to start. Pedroia grounded out but Bogaerts just beat out a ground ball for a single. Andrus then dropped a flare by Benintendi, allowing Xander to reach third. Another wild pitch scored Bogaerts and sent Benintendi to second. Ramirez lined out to second but the gift run put the Sox up 2-1.

Things looked grim as Mazara singled to right to lead off the top of the fourth but Lucroy grounded into a double play. Odor singled but Pedroia literally ran over to short, fielding a ground ball to get Napoli at first to end the inning. Cashner cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Moreland lined out, JBJ flied out and Leon popped up to end the inning.

The Rangers tied it up in the top of the fifth although Porcello struck out both Gallo and Hoying. Deshields Jr then reached on a swinging bunt that commentator Dennis Eckersley called a "crime" then Choo doubled off the Monster to score Deshields Jr. Andrus grounded out to end the inning but the Rangers had tied it, 2-2. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the fifth, Shockingly Marrero singled to lead off. Mr. Mookie singled and Pedroia walked to load the bases. Bogaerts singled home Marrero and Betts to give the Sox the lead back. Benny The Kid walked but Pedroia was forced home on a fielder's choice by Ramirez. The side was retired when Moreland hit a sac fly to score Bogaerts but Benny The Kid was thrown out at third to end the inning. The Sox now had a 5-2 lead.

                                            Bogaerts flying into home with grace

The Rangers struck again in the top of the sixth inning. Mazara grounded out and Lucroy flied out but Odor hit a ground rule double down the left field line. Napoli singled to right and Mr. Mookie decided to fire the ball at a heckling fan behind the bullpen for an error that scored Odor. Gallo popped up to end the inning with the Rangers now down 5-3. The Sox tacked it on in the bottom of the sixth against Dario Alvarez. JBJ grounded out and Leon struck out but Marrero walked to chase Alvarez. Jeremy Jeffress came in to pour gas on the fire. Mr. Mookie walked and Pedroia doubled home both runners. Bogaerts doubled home Pedroia and Benny The Kid was intentionally walked. Ramirez walked to load the bases and Bogaerts scored on a wild pitch. Moreland struck out to end the inning but the Sox were now up 9-3.

                                                  Pedroia adds to the lead.

As soon as the Sox took a big lead, Porcello found a way to give it back. Hoying singled and Deshields Jr was hit with a pitch. Choo singled home Hoying and advance DeShields Jr to third. Andrus grounded into a double play but DeShields Jr scored. Mazara singled to chase Porcello. He lasted just 6 2/3 innings and gave up 5 runs, its a good thing the offense woke up tonight.

                                            "Dadgummit I pitched like poo" - RP

Heath Hembree came in and allowed a double to Lucroy but Mazara was gunned down at the plate to end the inning with the Sox up 9-5. Tony Barnette got the ball in the bottom of the seventh and struck out JBJ to start. Leon doubled but Marrero flied out. Mr. Mookie struck out to end the inning.

Robby Scott got the ball in the top of the eighth inning and got Odor and Napoli to ground out, then surrendered the first home run of his career off the bat of Gallo. Hoying flied out but it was now a save situation in a 9-6 game. Just as soon as Texas clawed back, the Sox iced the game in the bottom of the eighth. Pedroia singled but was erased on the Bogaerts fielder's choice. Benny The Kid singled but Ramirez struck out. That was it for Barnette as Alex Claudio came in and allowed a single to Moreland, scoring Bogaerts and advancing Benintendi to third. Claudio then balked Benintendi home but JBJ grounded out to end the inning with the Sox now up 11-6.

With the save situation gone, Matt Barnes got the call to pitch the top of the ninth. DeShields Jr flied out, Choo grounded out and Andrus struck out to end the game. The Sox had won 11-6.

"Too cool for school Matt" - SL  "What??" - MB

Hero of the Night is a tough one but I'll go with Xander Bogaerts. He went 3 for 5, scoring 4 runs and driving in 3 of his own.

                                             Xander Bogaerts: Hero


The Good:

Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 4 with a walk, 2 rbi's and a run scored.

Andrew Benintendi was 2 for 3 with 2 walks, a stolen base and a run scored.

Mitch Moreland was 2 for 4 with 2 rbi's.

Deven Marrero was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Heath Hembree got the final out of the 7th inning.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless ninth inning.




The Bad:

Robby Scott allowed the first home run of his career in the top of the eighth.




The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 with a walk and a throwing error but scored 2 runs.

Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 3 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4 but walked.

Sandy Leon was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Rick Porcello got the win but got smacked around, giving up 5 runs (4 earned) and 11 hits, although he did go 6 2/3.



Final Thoughts:

Not the best pitched game on either side but a win is a win. The bigger news is what's going on around the team than on the field. David Price, Brock Holt and Pablo Sandoval are rehabbing in Pawtucket and Carson Smith is close to a rehab assignment. Still no word on Marco Hernandez and Tyler Thornburg. Porcello continued to struggle but at least this time the Sox scored some runs. Price can't come back fast enough because after Chris Sale and Eduardo Rodriguez, it gets dicey. Sam Travis is rumored to get the start tomorrow night and its been a long time coming. He was a hit machine in the minors in 2014 and 2015 before getting hurt last year. The win improved the Sox to 23-21, 3 1/2 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night is Game 2 of the series with Chris Sale looking to make major league history opposite Martin Perez at Fenway Park at 7:10 PM.

Is Trey Ball The New Tom Bolton (5/22/17)

As of this time the Boston Red Sox first round picks in 2011 (Matt Barnes, Jackie Bradley Jr), 2012 (Deven Marrero) and 2015 (Andrew Benintendi) are in the Majors on the Red Sox. Their 2014 first round pick Michael Kopech was the centerpiece of the Chris Sale trade and he could make the majors by the end of the season for Chicago. What about their 2013 first round pick Trey Ball? Many people are calling the 6 foot 6 lefty a bust already since he's struggled in Single A Salem and Double A Portland the last two seasons. These guys are a bit premature on writing off Ball. After all, there was another tall lefty that was drafted out of high school in 1980 that didn't make his debut until 1987. That was Tom Bolton.

                                                       Took 7 years to make the majors.

Bolton was a 2nd round pick in 1980 and pitched well in Elmira (Low A) that season. He spent 1981 and 1982 in Winter Haven (High A) and did well in 1982 at the age of 22. He was doing very well for New Britain (AA) in 1983 but was bashed around in Pawtucket. He regressed in 1984 and 1985 back in New Britain going 9-11 with an ERA over 4 in those two years. At that point he was 25 years old and pitching mediocre in the minors. A total bust right? Well not so fast! In 1986 in Pawtucket he went 4-6 but with an ERA of 2.79. FINALLY in 1987 he made his major league debut with the Red Sox, appearing in 5 games. He shuttled back between Pawtucket and Boston in 1988 and 1989 before finding his groove in 1990.

10 years after being drafted, Bolton went 10-5 with the Sox to help the 1990 club win the AL East division title. He regressed in 1991 going 8-9 but going 18-14 in 2 seasons after being a "bust" 6 years earlier is nothing to sneeze at.

Which brings me to Trey Ball. He went 5-10 for Low A Greenville at age 19 in 2014 before going 9-13 in High A Salem in 2015. He did go 8-6 in Salem last year but he's currently 1-3 with a 5.06 ERA in Portland.

So at age 22 (turning 23 in June) Ball is struggling in Double A. Bolton was still in High A at the same age back in 1982. Bolton also had 2 mediocre years in AA at age 24 and 25 so its unfair to close the book on Ball just yet. Yes, he may get traded or get hurt, but to call him a bust is just wrong. Who knows, he may pull a Bolton and win 10 games in 2023. D'Angelo "Little Papi" Ortiz should be on the Red Sox by then right?

Sox Bash A's, Avoid Sweep (5/21/17)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move, sending Noe Ramirez back to Pawtucket and bringing back Brandon Workman, Ramirez was batting practice while Workman showed some promise in his first action after 3 years.

                                                                            OUT

                                                                         IN

It was a great day for Boston Sports as the Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3 of their NBA East Finals series and the Boston Red Sox finally beat the Oakland A's. The Red Sox had lost 3 in a row and needed an easy win like this to go into an off-day with some confidence. The Sox offense had a blast against the dreadful A's starting pitching and Eduardo Rodriguez (3-1, 3.10 ERA) was amazing. All in all it meant the Sox had beaten the Oakland A's 12-3 to avoid a sweep at the Oakland Coliseum.

                                                     Avery Bradley approves of the win

The Sox wasted no time scoring in the top of the first for once against Andrew Triggs. Mr. Mookie Betts walked and Dustin Pedroia singled, only for Mark Canha to throw the ball away. Bets scored and Pedroia advanced to second. A wild pitch moved Pedroia to third but Xander Bogaerts struck out. Andrew Benintendi ht a sac fly to score Pedroia but Hanley Ramirez grounded out to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                      Benny The Kid makes it 2-0

Rodriguez had a strong bottom of the first although Rajai Davis singled to begin. Mark Canha struck out and Jed Lowrie popped up, then Khris Davis struck out to end the inning.

The errors continued for Oakland in the top of the second as Chad Pinder booted a ground ball hit by Mitch Moreland, allowing Moreland to reach first. Moreland then made a boo-boo as Jackie Bradley Jr hit a rocket to center and somehow caught it then dropped it on the transfer. Moreland saw the ball rolling so he ran all the way home...only to be doubled off first. Nice going Mitch. Christian Vazquez whiffed to end the inning. Right on cue the A's bashed their way back into the game although Trevor Plouffe struck out to begin the bottom of the second. Ryon Healy flied out but Pinder doubled to the wall and scored on the Josh Phegley rbi single. Adam Rosales popped up to end the inning but the A's cut it to 2-1.

The Sox mustered nothing in the top of the third as Deven Marrero popped up, Mr. Mookie struck out and Pedroia popped up to end the inning. Davis flied out to start the bottom of the third as Moreland battled the sun to stab a pop up from Canha. Lowrie then singled in the hole but Davis whiffed to end the inning.

Triggs gutted through the top of the fourth as Bogaerts popped up. Somehow Benny The Kid beat out an infield single and swiped second. Ramirez walked but Moreland struck out, only for Benintendi to swipe third. With runners at the corners JBJ struck out as usual and the inning was over. Right on cue the A's took command in the bottom of the fourth. Plouffe lined out but Healy singled and Pinder blasted a 2 run bomb to give the A's a 3-2 lead. Phegley lined out and Rosales struck out to end the inning with the A's up.

                                              Sale is probably saying "Eh goddammit!"

Shockingly the Sox roared back in the top of the fifth. Vazquez somehow singled to lead off the top of the fifth, swiped second and took third on a bad throw by Phegley. Marrero struck out but Mr. Mookie singled in Vazquez to tie the game. Pedroia then singled Betts all the way from first to give the Sox the lead back. Pedroia was then thrown out trying to steal but Bogaerts walked. HE stole second but was stranded as Benny The Kid flied out to end the inning, but the Sox had taken a 4-3 lead.

                                               "Yes! I got one! Wooooooo!" - Mookie

Rodriguez recovered to strike out Davis to begin the bottom of the fifth. Canha popped up and Lowrie grounded out to end the inning.

It was time for more offense in the top of the sixth inning. Ramirez led off with a single and Moreland blasted a no doubt home run into the upper deck to increase the lead. JBJ struck out again but Vazquez singled to chase Triggs. Bobby Wahl took over and got Marrero to ground out although Vaz moved to second. Mr. Mookie walked but Pedroia grounded out to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-3.

                                       "Its a control panel" - Hanley   "Huh?" - Moreland

Rodriguez responded with a clean bottom of the sixth. Davis flied out, Plouffe struck out and Healy flied out in short order.

The Sox threatened in the top of the seventh. Bogaerts singled but Benny The Kid popped up. Ramirez singled Bogaerts to third to chase Wahl. Danil Coulombe came in and got Moreland to bang into a double play to end the inning. Rodriguez returned for the bottom of the seventh and finished with a flurry. Pinder and Phegley flied out to right, but Rosales walked. Davis flied out to end the inning. That's 7 strong innings by Rodriguez, just what the doctor ordered.

The Sox got another one in the top of the eighth against John Axord. JBJ hustled to second on a double before moving to third on the fly out by Vazquez. Marrero grounded out but JBJ scored to increase the lead. Mr. Mookie grounded out but the Sox were in front 7-3.

                                             "I'm safe...for the love of god I'm safe!" - JBJ

With only 89 pitches on his arm, Rodriguez returned for the bottom of the eighth and got a little help from Betts on his knees to retire Canha on a line drive. Lowrie thought he had ball four but instead he had strike three for the second out....just as NESN decided to show Rodriguez' near no-hitter last September when Bob Melvin decided that being 20 games under .500 was better than 21 and challenged an out call at first. Still not over that. Back in present time, Mr. Mookie made a jumping catch at the wall to rob Davis of a hit to end the inning. 8 innings of 3 run ball by Rodriguez, outstanding.

                                               Outstanding start by Rodriguez

The Sox iced the game in the top of the ninth with Josh Smith on the mound. Pedroia grounded out as a flock of seagulls invaded the empty left field bleachers. Bogaerts and Benny The Kid worked back to back walks and Ramirez cleared the bases with a double. Moreland flied out but JBJ singled home Hanley for another run. Vazquez then doubled down the right field line to score JBJ. Marrero joined the hit parade with a bloop single to right to score Vaz. Mr. Mookie popped up to end the inning with the Sox ahead 12-3.

                                           Artist's rendition of the 9th inning

With the game all but over, Rodriguez sat down and Matt Barnes took over in the bottom of the ninth. Matt Joyce pinch hit for Plouffe and struck out. Healy grounded out to first and Pinder popped up to end the game. The Sox had won it 12-3.

Hero of the Night is Eduardo Rodriguez. He went 8 strong innings and allowed 3 runs to give the bullpen a much needed break.

                                              Eduardo Rodriguez: Hero


The Good:

Mookie Betts walked twice, singled, drove in a run and scored twice.

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

Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Andrew Benintendi was 1 for 3 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Hanley Ramirez was 3 for 4 with a walk, 2 runs batted in and a run scored.

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

Christian Vazquez was 3 for 5 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless ninth inning.



The Bad:

None...wow



The Ugly:

Mitch Moreland was just 1 for 5 but made the hit count as it was a 2 run home run.

Deven Marrero was just 1 for 5 but drove in 2 runs.


Final Thoughts:

It was a lousy road trip but a win is a win. The Sox needed a game like this on both sides of the ball because they have been struggling to hit mediocre pitching and anyone not named Chris Sale has had trouble going 6 innings lately. Luckily the Sox smashed around the A's pitching and Rodriguez went 8 strong innings. The emergence of Rodriguez comes at a crucial time with David Price near returning. If Porcello can get some run support and Sale keeps doing what he's doing, the Sox could have a 1-4 as good as anyone. As for the 5th starter, Brandon Workman is back from the dead, why not him instead of Drew Pomeranz? He did go 1-10 in 2014 but that was a lost year and his arm was hanging by a thread, now that he's healthy, let's see what he can do. The win propelled the Sox to 22-21, still 4 1/2 games behind the New York Yankees. As bad as the Sox have played, they're still within striking distance in the AL East. Tomorrow is an off-day and the Sox return to action this Tuesday in Texas....no not the WWF pay per view from 1991. Rick Porcello (2-5, 4.23 ERA) takes on Andrew Cashner in Game 1 at 7:10 PM.