Injury Report:
Tyler Thornberg will be starting a rehab assignment soon for his bad elbow.
Xander Bogaerts is still out with a broken foot.
Steven Wright is currently pitching for Pawtucket trying to come back.
Dustin Pedroia is still out long term with a bad knee.
On This Day:
2013 - Aceves Quits on Sox in A's Win
2015 - Rays Walkoff on Sox
2016 - Astros Win on Rasmus Slam
2017 - Barnes Throws at Machado as Sox Beat Orioles
Tomorrow night we get a time warp back to 2016 where Rick Porcello (4-0, 1.40 ERA) takes on JA Happ and the Toronto Blue Jays at 7:07 PM at Skydome.
Monday, April 23, 2018
Sunday, April 22, 2018
Davis' Late Blast Sinks Sox (4/22/18)
It was a bad day for Boston sports as the Boston Celtics lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 4 of their first round NBA playoff series and the Boston Red Sox once again lost to the Oakland A's. One day after the Boston Red Sox were no-hit by Sean Manaea and the Oakland A's, the offense fell asleep a second time. They mustered only a single run off Daniel Mengden and the A's bullpen, only getting 6 hits and a walk. Only the pitching of David Price (2-2, 2.93 ERA) kept the Sox in the game until the very end. Running out of gas, Price was left in to face Khris Davis and he paid for it. Davis hit the backbreaking home run that led to the 4-1 A's victory at Oakland Coliseum.
"Oh Price....."
As sad as it sounds, one of the only real Sox chances to take control happened in the top of the first inning against Daniel Mengden. Jackie Bradley Jr led off with a single to break up a no-hitter attempt before it could even begin. Andrew Benintendi lined out to left and JD Martinez whiffed. Mitch Moreland singled but Rafael Devers whiffed to end the inning. The A's wasted no time scoring in the bottom of the first inning. Marcus Semien doubled to lead off the game and moved to third on the ground out by Stephen Piscotty. "Glassbones" Jed Lowrie took strike three but Khris Davis singled home Semien to give the A's the lead. Matt Chapman hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning with the A's up 1-0.
Davis makes it 1-0
The Sox failed to respond in the top of the second inning. Blake Swihart watched strike three go by, Brock Holt grounded out to third and Christian Vazquez whiffed to end the inning. Price settled down in the bottom of the second although Mark Canha singled to start. Chad Pinder took strike three and Jake Smolinski banged into a double play to end the inning.
The Sox did nothing in the top of the third inning as Tzu-Wei Lin lined out to short, JBJ grounded out to second and Benintendi lined out to center to end the inning. Price had a quick bottom of the third inning as Bruce Maxwell grounded out to short, Semien lined out to right and Holt snared a Piscotty liner to end the inning.
The Sox still couldn't score in the top of the fourth inning as Martinez watched strike three go by, Moreland lined out to center and Devers lined out to left to end the inning. Price whiffed Lowrie to begin the bottom of the fourth before Davis popped up to first. Chapman walked but Canha grounded into a force to end the inning.
The Sox finally got a baserunner in the top of the fifth inning although Swihart lined out to left to begin. Holt grounded out to second but Vazquez doubled. Lin hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. Price stayed tough in the bottom of the fifth as Pinder whiffed to start. Smolinski doubled but Maxwell flied out to left. Semien lined out to right to end the inning.
More incompetence in the top of the sixth inning as JBJ flied out to right to start. Benintendi grounded out to first and Martinez grounded out to short to end the inning. Piscotty singled to open the bottom of the sixth but Lowrie banged into a double play. Davis grounded out to third to end the inning.
The Sox finally broke through in the top of the seventh inning as Moreland and Devers stroked back to back singled to start. Swihart got Moreland thrown out at third on a swinging bunt but Holt doubled home Devers to tie the game. That was it for Mengden as Yusmeiro Petit took over and got the biggest out of the game when Vazquez popped up to first. Lin whiffed to end the inning with the game tied
Holt ties up the game
Price came back for the bottom of the seventh inning and froze Chapman to start. Canha flied out to right but Pinder singled. Smolinski grounded into a force to end the inning.
Matt Olson took over for Pinder with Ryan Buchter now on the mound. JBJ whiffed but Benintendi walked to chase Buchter. Blake Treinen replaced Buchter and whiffed Martinez. Benintendi swiped second but Moreland struck out to end the inning. The A's iced the game in the bottom of the eighth as Price returned. Maxwell grounded out to third but Semien and Piscotty singled. Cora came out to see if David could handle Lowrie and Price said sure. Price managed to strike out Lowrie...but Davis blasted a back-breaking 3 run bomb to left to put the A's up for good. You can say Price was left in one batter too many, but he still should have been able to get the last out. He lasted 7 2/3 innings and gave up 4 runs. Carson Smith came in to retire Chapman on a flyout to right to end the inning with the A's up 4-1.
Yup, that autta do it
Treinen returned for the top of the ninth and struck out Devers to start. Swihart grounded out to the mound but Holt reached when Semien booted a routine ground ball. Vazquez popped up to first to end the game. The Sox had lost 4-1.
Jackass of the Night is David Price. He had one more out to get and instead gave up the backbreaking home run to Davis.
Price the Jackass
The Good:
Mitch Moreland was 2 for 4.
Carson Smith got the final out of the bottom of the eighth.
The Bad:
JD Martinez was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of three strikeouts.
Blake Swihart was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Tzu-Wei Lin was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.
The Ugly:
Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 3 but walked.
Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.
Brock Holt was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.
Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 4.
Final Thoughts:
Well the Sox were due for a let-down after starting the season 17-2. Back to back losses to the 11-17 Oakland A's should erase any ideas of going after the 1984 Tigers hot streak. The offense only pushed across one measly run in the past two games but they were due for a letdown. A lot of criticism is being leveled at Alex Cora for leaving Price in but he had just one more out to get, if he got it, then its a tie game going into a ninth. It wasn't the biggest mistake ever made especially the way Price was pitching, oh well. After an off-day, the Red Sox travel to Toronto to play the Blue Jays. Tuesday night its a time warp back to 2016 as Rick Porcello (4-0, 1.40 ERA) takes on old rival JA Happy. The game begins at 7:07 PM at the Skydome.
As sad as it sounds, one of the only real Sox chances to take control happened in the top of the first inning against Daniel Mengden. Jackie Bradley Jr led off with a single to break up a no-hitter attempt before it could even begin. Andrew Benintendi lined out to left and JD Martinez whiffed. Mitch Moreland singled but Rafael Devers whiffed to end the inning. The A's wasted no time scoring in the bottom of the first inning. Marcus Semien doubled to lead off the game and moved to third on the ground out by Stephen Piscotty. "Glassbones" Jed Lowrie took strike three but Khris Davis singled home Semien to give the A's the lead. Matt Chapman hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning with the A's up 1-0.
The Sox failed to respond in the top of the second inning. Blake Swihart watched strike three go by, Brock Holt grounded out to third and Christian Vazquez whiffed to end the inning. Price settled down in the bottom of the second although Mark Canha singled to start. Chad Pinder took strike three and Jake Smolinski banged into a double play to end the inning.
The Sox did nothing in the top of the third inning as Tzu-Wei Lin lined out to short, JBJ grounded out to second and Benintendi lined out to center to end the inning. Price had a quick bottom of the third inning as Bruce Maxwell grounded out to short, Semien lined out to right and Holt snared a Piscotty liner to end the inning.
The Sox still couldn't score in the top of the fourth inning as Martinez watched strike three go by, Moreland lined out to center and Devers lined out to left to end the inning. Price whiffed Lowrie to begin the bottom of the fourth before Davis popped up to first. Chapman walked but Canha grounded into a force to end the inning.
The Sox finally got a baserunner in the top of the fifth inning although Swihart lined out to left to begin. Holt grounded out to second but Vazquez doubled. Lin hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. Price stayed tough in the bottom of the fifth as Pinder whiffed to start. Smolinski doubled but Maxwell flied out to left. Semien lined out to right to end the inning.
More incompetence in the top of the sixth inning as JBJ flied out to right to start. Benintendi grounded out to first and Martinez grounded out to short to end the inning. Piscotty singled to open the bottom of the sixth but Lowrie banged into a double play. Davis grounded out to third to end the inning.
The Sox finally broke through in the top of the seventh inning as Moreland and Devers stroked back to back singled to start. Swihart got Moreland thrown out at third on a swinging bunt but Holt doubled home Devers to tie the game. That was it for Mengden as Yusmeiro Petit took over and got the biggest out of the game when Vazquez popped up to first. Lin whiffed to end the inning with the game tied
Price came back for the bottom of the seventh inning and froze Chapman to start. Canha flied out to right but Pinder singled. Smolinski grounded into a force to end the inning.
Matt Olson took over for Pinder with Ryan Buchter now on the mound. JBJ whiffed but Benintendi walked to chase Buchter. Blake Treinen replaced Buchter and whiffed Martinez. Benintendi swiped second but Moreland struck out to end the inning. The A's iced the game in the bottom of the eighth as Price returned. Maxwell grounded out to third but Semien and Piscotty singled. Cora came out to see if David could handle Lowrie and Price said sure. Price managed to strike out Lowrie...but Davis blasted a back-breaking 3 run bomb to left to put the A's up for good. You can say Price was left in one batter too many, but he still should have been able to get the last out. He lasted 7 2/3 innings and gave up 4 runs. Carson Smith came in to retire Chapman on a flyout to right to end the inning with the A's up 4-1.
Treinen returned for the top of the ninth and struck out Devers to start. Swihart grounded out to the mound but Holt reached when Semien booted a routine ground ball. Vazquez popped up to first to end the game. The Sox had lost 4-1.
Jackass of the Night is David Price. He had one more out to get and instead gave up the backbreaking home run to Davis.
The Good:
Mitch Moreland was 2 for 4.
Carson Smith got the final out of the bottom of the eighth.
The Bad:
JD Martinez was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of three strikeouts.
Blake Swihart was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Tzu-Wei Lin was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.
The Ugly:
Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 3 but walked.
Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.
Brock Holt was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.
Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 4.
Final Thoughts:
Well the Sox were due for a let-down after starting the season 17-2. Back to back losses to the 11-17 Oakland A's should erase any ideas of going after the 1984 Tigers hot streak. The offense only pushed across one measly run in the past two games but they were due for a letdown. A lot of criticism is being leveled at Alex Cora for leaving Price in but he had just one more out to get, if he got it, then its a tie game going into a ninth. It wasn't the biggest mistake ever made especially the way Price was pitching, oh well. After an off-day, the Red Sox travel to Toronto to play the Blue Jays. Tuesday night its a time warp back to 2016 as Rick Porcello (4-0, 1.40 ERA) takes on old rival JA Happy. The game begins at 7:07 PM at the Skydome.
Saturday, April 21, 2018
Manaea No Hits Sox (4/21/18)
It was a bad day for Boston sports. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Boston Bruins in Game 5 of their first round NHL playoff series and the Boston Red Sox got no-hit by the Oakland A's. That's one way to cool off the red hot Boston Red Sox, hold them to no hits. Almost 25 years to the day Chris Bosio threw a no-hitter, Sean Manaea of the Oakland A's no-hit the Sox in one of the most embarrassing losses in the last few years. Chris Sale (1-1, 1.86 ERA) was the hard luck loser as the A's humbled the Sox 3-0 at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland. How many hits and runs did the Sox have tonight Dean Wormer?
Manaea took the mound in the top of the first and Mookie Betts drew a leadoff walk. Betts was erased on the force by Andrew Benintendi and Hanley Ramirez whiffed. JD Martinez whiffed to end the inning. Sale got the ball in the bottom of the first and Marcus Semien greeted him by drawing a leadoff walk. Stephen Piscotty whiffed but Semien swiped second. The pain in the ass Jed Lowrie doubled home Semien to give Oakland the quick lead. Khris Davis was frozen for strike three and Mark Chapman flied out to left to end the inning but Sale had thrown 24 pitches, trailing 1-0.
Semien is safe
The Sox did nothing in the top of the second as Eduardo Nunez grounded out to short to start. Rafael Devers whiffed before Sandy Leon popped up to short to end the inning. Sale recovered for the bottom of the second as Matt Olson grounded out to first to start. Mark Canha hit one up the elevator shaft and Chad Pinder lined out to center to end the inning.
Manaea turned up the heat in the top of the third inning by striking out Jackie Bradley Jr and Tzu-Wei Lin to start. Betts grounded out to second to end the inning. The A's struck again in the bottom of the third although Jonathan Lucroy struck out to start. Semien singled and Piscotty doubled him home. Lowrie whiffed and Davis once again took strike three to end the inning but Oakland now led 2-0.
Still nothing doing for the Sox in the top of the fourth as Benintendi grounded out to short to start. Ramirez whiffed badly as did Martinez to end the inning. Sale returned for the bottom of the fourth and got Chapman to ground out on a swinging bunt in front of the plate to start. Olson watched strike three go by but Canha doubled to the right field wall. Pinder whiffed to end the inning. Sale was up to 73 pitches.
The Sox failed to even get a hit in the top of the fifth inning as Nunez lined out to right, Devers flied out to left and Leon popped up to short.....only Semien dropped it for an error. Leon moved to second on a wild pitch but JBJ whiffed to end the inning. Still no hits for the Sox. Meanwhile the A's got to Sale in the bottom of the fifth as Lucroy grounded out to third to start but Semien blasted a solo home run to left for the decisive blow. Piscotty whiffed and Lowrie grounded out to second to end the inning but it was 3-0 A's.
Dammit
Still no hits for the Sox in the top of the 6th as Lin flied out to right, Betts grounded out to short and Benintendi looked to have beaten a swipe tag by Manaea but was ruled out to end the inning to preserve the no-hitter. Sale got a big lift from his defense when Lin made an outstanding sliding stop and throw Davis out to start the bottom of the sixth....but Benintendi misplayed a ball hit by Chapman for a triple. Sale got Olson to pop up to center and Canha to ground out to third to end the inning.
The no-hitter continued in the top of the seventh as Ramirez popped up to first, Martinez grounded out to third and Nunez popped up to Manaea to end the inning, good grief. Sale returned for the bottom of the seventh inning and struck out Pinder to start. Lucroy flied out to right and Semien whiffed to end the inning. Sale had gone 7 innings and gave up 3 runs, usually that's good enough to win.
Manaea continued the no-no in the top of the eighth as Devers looked at strike three, Leon popped up to first and JBJ whiffed to end the inning. Heath Hembree took over on the mound in the bottom of the eighth and got Piscotty to ground out to the mound. Lowrie grounded back to the mound but Davis doubled to right. Chapman walked but Olson grounded out to first to end the inning.
The Sox had one last chance to crack Manea in the top of the ninth. Blake Swihart pinch hit for Lin and grounded out to short. Betts hit a rocket to right but it died at the wall for the second out. Benintendi walked but Ramirez grounded out to end the game. Manea had no-hit the Sox, embarrassing.
Unbelievable
Jackass of the Night is Hanley Ramirez. He was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts, two at-bats coming with the only men on base.
Hanley the Jackass
The Good:
Chris Sale was the hard luck loser but pitched well. He tossed 7 innings of 3 run ball while striking out 10. Once again he got no luck on the offensive side.
Heath Hembree pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
The Bad:
JD Martinez was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.
Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 3.
Rafael Devers was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.
Sandy Leon was 0 for 3.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.
Tzu-Wei Lin was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.
Blake Swihart was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.
The Ugly:
Mookie Betts was 0 for 3 but walked.
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 3 but walked.
Final Thoughts:
Who would have thought the only way to stop the Red Sox winning 17 out of 18 would be a no-hitter by San Manaea? The offense was due for a stinker after lighting up the Anaheim Angels but this was ridiculous. The sad part it was almost 25 years to the day Chris Bosio threw his no-hitter against the Red Sox. The difference is that Red Sox team was 11-5 but was headed nowhere because of their offense. This team is now 17-3 and in much better shape offensively, theoretically. The only question now is how will the Sox respond to this, will they come back tomorrow guns a blazing or will they be shellshocked for tomorrow afternoon? We're going to find out shortly because David Price goes for the Sox up against Daniel Mengden tomorrow afternoon at 4:05 PM at Oakland Coliseum.
Manaea took the mound in the top of the first and Mookie Betts drew a leadoff walk. Betts was erased on the force by Andrew Benintendi and Hanley Ramirez whiffed. JD Martinez whiffed to end the inning. Sale got the ball in the bottom of the first and Marcus Semien greeted him by drawing a leadoff walk. Stephen Piscotty whiffed but Semien swiped second. The pain in the ass Jed Lowrie doubled home Semien to give Oakland the quick lead. Khris Davis was frozen for strike three and Mark Chapman flied out to left to end the inning but Sale had thrown 24 pitches, trailing 1-0.
The Sox did nothing in the top of the second as Eduardo Nunez grounded out to short to start. Rafael Devers whiffed before Sandy Leon popped up to short to end the inning. Sale recovered for the bottom of the second as Matt Olson grounded out to first to start. Mark Canha hit one up the elevator shaft and Chad Pinder lined out to center to end the inning.
Manaea turned up the heat in the top of the third inning by striking out Jackie Bradley Jr and Tzu-Wei Lin to start. Betts grounded out to second to end the inning. The A's struck again in the bottom of the third although Jonathan Lucroy struck out to start. Semien singled and Piscotty doubled him home. Lowrie whiffed and Davis once again took strike three to end the inning but Oakland now led 2-0.
Still nothing doing for the Sox in the top of the fourth as Benintendi grounded out to short to start. Ramirez whiffed badly as did Martinez to end the inning. Sale returned for the bottom of the fourth and got Chapman to ground out on a swinging bunt in front of the plate to start. Olson watched strike three go by but Canha doubled to the right field wall. Pinder whiffed to end the inning. Sale was up to 73 pitches.
The Sox failed to even get a hit in the top of the fifth inning as Nunez lined out to right, Devers flied out to left and Leon popped up to short.....only Semien dropped it for an error. Leon moved to second on a wild pitch but JBJ whiffed to end the inning. Still no hits for the Sox. Meanwhile the A's got to Sale in the bottom of the fifth as Lucroy grounded out to third to start but Semien blasted a solo home run to left for the decisive blow. Piscotty whiffed and Lowrie grounded out to second to end the inning but it was 3-0 A's.
Still no hits for the Sox in the top of the 6th as Lin flied out to right, Betts grounded out to short and Benintendi looked to have beaten a swipe tag by Manaea but was ruled out to end the inning to preserve the no-hitter. Sale got a big lift from his defense when Lin made an outstanding sliding stop and throw Davis out to start the bottom of the sixth....but Benintendi misplayed a ball hit by Chapman for a triple. Sale got Olson to pop up to center and Canha to ground out to third to end the inning.
The no-hitter continued in the top of the seventh as Ramirez popped up to first, Martinez grounded out to third and Nunez popped up to Manaea to end the inning, good grief. Sale returned for the bottom of the seventh inning and struck out Pinder to start. Lucroy flied out to right and Semien whiffed to end the inning. Sale had gone 7 innings and gave up 3 runs, usually that's good enough to win.
Manaea continued the no-no in the top of the eighth as Devers looked at strike three, Leon popped up to first and JBJ whiffed to end the inning. Heath Hembree took over on the mound in the bottom of the eighth and got Piscotty to ground out to the mound. Lowrie grounded back to the mound but Davis doubled to right. Chapman walked but Olson grounded out to first to end the inning.
The Sox had one last chance to crack Manea in the top of the ninth. Blake Swihart pinch hit for Lin and grounded out to short. Betts hit a rocket to right but it died at the wall for the second out. Benintendi walked but Ramirez grounded out to end the game. Manea had no-hit the Sox, embarrassing.
Jackass of the Night is Hanley Ramirez. He was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts, two at-bats coming with the only men on base.
The Good:
Chris Sale was the hard luck loser but pitched well. He tossed 7 innings of 3 run ball while striking out 10. Once again he got no luck on the offensive side.
Heath Hembree pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
The Bad:
JD Martinez was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.
Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 3.
Rafael Devers was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.
Sandy Leon was 0 for 3.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.
Tzu-Wei Lin was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.
Blake Swihart was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.
The Ugly:
Mookie Betts was 0 for 3 but walked.
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 3 but walked.
Final Thoughts:
Who would have thought the only way to stop the Red Sox winning 17 out of 18 would be a no-hitter by San Manaea? The offense was due for a stinker after lighting up the Anaheim Angels but this was ridiculous. The sad part it was almost 25 years to the day Chris Bosio threw his no-hitter against the Red Sox. The difference is that Red Sox team was 11-5 but was headed nowhere because of their offense. This team is now 17-3 and in much better shape offensively, theoretically. The only question now is how will the Sox respond to this, will they come back tomorrow guns a blazing or will they be shellshocked for tomorrow afternoon? We're going to find out shortly because David Price goes for the Sox up against Daniel Mengden tomorrow afternoon at 4:05 PM at Oakland Coliseum.
Friday, April 20, 2018
Moreland Slams A's (4/20/18)
Before the game it was announced that Drew Pomeranz would be activated from the Disabled List to make tonight's start against the Oakland A's. Marcus Walden was sent back to Pawtucket to make room for Drew. If Drew can rediscover his form from last year, this will be the deadliest rotation in baseball with David Price healthy.
OUT
IN
The bad news was the Boston Celtics were defeated by the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 3 of their first round NBA playoff series but the good news was the Boston Red Sox defeated the Oakland A's. Its another eight game win streak for the Sox. This time it was the shutdown Boston bullpen, Jackie Bradley Jr and Mitch Moreland that guided the Sox past the Oakland A's. The Sox fell behind 3-0 when Pomeranz faltered in his season debut but JBJ tied it up with a 3 run bomb. Later Moreland smacked a grand salami to give the Sox a 7-3 win over the A's at Oakland Coliseum. Yes, once again that's 8 in a row.
Another 8 wins in a row...ah ah ah!
Mookie Betts greeted Oakland starter Kendall Graveman by grounding out to second to open the top of the first. Andrew Benintendi whiffed but Hanley Ramirez singled....only to be foolishly thrown out second trying to steal to end the inning. Pomeranz made his season debut by completely crapping his pants in the bottom of the first inning. Marcus Semien grounded out to first but Stephen Piscotty walked. Old friend "Glassbones" Jed Lowrie doubled in Piscotty to give the A's the lead. Khris Davis whiffed and so did Matt Chapman to end the inning....OH NO HE DIDN'T! Catcher Christian Vazquez muffed the pitch and Chapman ended up on first with Jed at third. Matt Olson made Vazquez pay with a single to score Lowrie and Mark Canha singled in Chapman for another run. Chad Pinder blasted one into orbit but it was ruled foul on the replay. That saved the game as Pinder froze for strike three to end the inning with the A's up 3-0.
"Glassbones" Jed doing damage
The Sox wasted no time getting back in the game in the top of the second inning. Mitch Moreland whiffed but Rafael Devers and Eduardo Nunez stroked back to back singles. Jackie Bradley Jr stepped up by swatting a 3 run bomb to center to tie the game. Vazquez grounded out to first and Brock Holt grounded out to short to end the inning but it was now 3-3.
A wonderful rendition of Jackie
Pomeranz settled down in the bottom of the second as he got Jonathan Lucroy to fly out to right to start. Semien walked but Piscotty flied out to left. Lowrie singled but Davis whiffed to end the inning.
The Sox did nothing in the top of the third inning as Betts lined out to third to start. Benintendi and Ramirez both whiffed to end the inning. Pomeranz matched Graveman in the bottom of the third, freezing Chapman for strike three to start. Olson whiffed and Canha watched strike three go by to end the inning.
Nothing doing for the Sox in the top of the fourth as Moreland grounded out to short to begin. Devers lined out to left and Nunez whiffed to end the inning. The A's threatened to take the lead when Pinder doubled to open the bottom of the fourth but Lucroy flied out to center. Semien lined out to left and that was it for Pomeranz. Sox manager Alex Cora wanted him to throw 85-90 pitches and he was up to 88. He looked pretty rusty in the beginning but turned it on after the first inning for what its worth.
Welcome back Drew
Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez (3-0, 2.70 ERA) took over for the Sox and got Piscotty to line out to short to end the inning.
Graveman cruised in the top of the fifth as JBJ grounded out to first to start. Vazquez whiffed and Holt grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The pain in the ass Lowrie singled to open the bottom of the fifth but Davis banged into a double play. Chapman singled but Olson lined out to a running JBJ to end the inning.
The Sox took control quickly in the top of the sixth inning. Betts, Benintendi and Ramirez stroked back to back to back singles to load the bases and chase Graveman. Emilio Pagan replaced him and Moreland greeted him by blasting a grand slam to put the Sox up for good. Devers lined out to right but Nunez doubled. JBJ flied out to left and Vazquez grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-3.
Devers and Moreland play mime after the GS
More than enough cushion for Velazquez in the bottom of the sixth inning. Canha lined out to center and Pinder grounded out to short, but Lucroy singled. Semien flied out to right to end the inning.
There would be no more scoring in the top of the seventh with Josh Lucas now on the mound. Holt singled but Betts bounced into a double play. Benintendi flied out to left to end the inning. Piscotty grounded out to third to begin the bottom of the seventh but Lowrie doubled as usual. Davis was hit with a pitch but Chapman whiffed. All of a sudden Cora emerged from the dugout and wanted the lefty/lefty matchup with Brian Johnson to face Olson. The gamble failed as Olson singled to load the bases, causing Cora to bring in Matt Barnes. Matt Joyce pinch hit for Canha and Barnes blew him away to end the inning, good work Matt.
The Sox mustered nothing in the top of the eighth as Ramirez popped up to short, Moreland grounded out to short and Devers also grounded out to short to end the inning. Barnes stayed in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and froze Pinder to start. Lucroy grounded out to third and Semien grounded out to first to end the inning.
The Sox nearly scored again in the top of the ninth when Nunez singled and JBJ walked to begin. The rally ended cold turkey as Vazquez bounced into a double play and Holt grounded out to third to end the inning. Joe Kelly came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and he got Piscotty to ground out to second to start. Lowrie was finally retired on a fly out to center and Kelly blew away Davis to end the game. The Sox had won 8 in a row again and this game by a 7-3 score.
Hero of the Night is Mitch Moreland. His grand slam was the deciding blow to win the game.
Mitch The Hero
The Good:
Hanley Ramirez was 2 for 4 with a run scored.
Eduardo Nunez was 3 for 4 with a run scored.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 1 for 3 with a walk including a 3 run home run.
Hector Velazquez got the win with 3 shutout innings of relief.
Matt Barnes got out of the bases loaded jam with 1 1/3 scoreless innings.
Joe Kelly pitched a scoreless ninth.
The Bad:
Christian Vazquez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Brian Johnson allowed a single to the only man he faced.
The Ugly:
Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.
Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.
Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.
Brock Holt was just 1 for 4.
Drew Pomeranz allowed 3 runs in the first inning but finished strong in 3 2/3 innings in his first start of the season.
Final Thoughts:
As the New York Yankees continue to falter (they lost to the Toronto Blue Jays 8-5) there seems to be no stopping the Red Sox. Even when a rusty Drew Pomeranz falters they still managed to bop their way to victory with two timely pieces of hitting. That's how you pick up your teammates day in and day out to keep a streak going. It seems crazy for the Sox to be doing this well but when you look at it, this is what they were supposed to do. Like I said before, the 2016 offense combined with the 2017 pitching and defense is deadly, so far that's what 2018 has been. Think of it this way, this team would be undefeated apart from Carson Smith's opening day meltdown and David Price's hand going numb. The scary part is the Sox are still missing three key guys (Dustin Pedroia, Xander Bogaerts, Tyler Thornberg) that will make the team even better. If the baseball pundits thought this was the A's only chance to win a game in this series, they certainly blew it and another sweep isn't out of the realm of possibility. Tomorrow night the A's toss out Sean Manea but run smack into Chris Sale (1-0, 1.23 ERA). The game begins at 9:00 PM at Oakland Coliseum.
The bad news was the Boston Celtics were defeated by the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 3 of their first round NBA playoff series but the good news was the Boston Red Sox defeated the Oakland A's. Its another eight game win streak for the Sox. This time it was the shutdown Boston bullpen, Jackie Bradley Jr and Mitch Moreland that guided the Sox past the Oakland A's. The Sox fell behind 3-0 when Pomeranz faltered in his season debut but JBJ tied it up with a 3 run bomb. Later Moreland smacked a grand salami to give the Sox a 7-3 win over the A's at Oakland Coliseum. Yes, once again that's 8 in a row.
Mookie Betts greeted Oakland starter Kendall Graveman by grounding out to second to open the top of the first. Andrew Benintendi whiffed but Hanley Ramirez singled....only to be foolishly thrown out second trying to steal to end the inning. Pomeranz made his season debut by completely crapping his pants in the bottom of the first inning. Marcus Semien grounded out to first but Stephen Piscotty walked. Old friend "Glassbones" Jed Lowrie doubled in Piscotty to give the A's the lead. Khris Davis whiffed and so did Matt Chapman to end the inning....OH NO HE DIDN'T! Catcher Christian Vazquez muffed the pitch and Chapman ended up on first with Jed at third. Matt Olson made Vazquez pay with a single to score Lowrie and Mark Canha singled in Chapman for another run. Chad Pinder blasted one into orbit but it was ruled foul on the replay. That saved the game as Pinder froze for strike three to end the inning with the A's up 3-0.
The Sox wasted no time getting back in the game in the top of the second inning. Mitch Moreland whiffed but Rafael Devers and Eduardo Nunez stroked back to back singles. Jackie Bradley Jr stepped up by swatting a 3 run bomb to center to tie the game. Vazquez grounded out to first and Brock Holt grounded out to short to end the inning but it was now 3-3.
Pomeranz settled down in the bottom of the second as he got Jonathan Lucroy to fly out to right to start. Semien walked but Piscotty flied out to left. Lowrie singled but Davis whiffed to end the inning.
The Sox did nothing in the top of the third inning as Betts lined out to third to start. Benintendi and Ramirez both whiffed to end the inning. Pomeranz matched Graveman in the bottom of the third, freezing Chapman for strike three to start. Olson whiffed and Canha watched strike three go by to end the inning.
Nothing doing for the Sox in the top of the fourth as Moreland grounded out to short to begin. Devers lined out to left and Nunez whiffed to end the inning. The A's threatened to take the lead when Pinder doubled to open the bottom of the fourth but Lucroy flied out to center. Semien lined out to left and that was it for Pomeranz. Sox manager Alex Cora wanted him to throw 85-90 pitches and he was up to 88. He looked pretty rusty in the beginning but turned it on after the first inning for what its worth.
Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez (3-0, 2.70 ERA) took over for the Sox and got Piscotty to line out to short to end the inning.
Graveman cruised in the top of the fifth as JBJ grounded out to first to start. Vazquez whiffed and Holt grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The pain in the ass Lowrie singled to open the bottom of the fifth but Davis banged into a double play. Chapman singled but Olson lined out to a running JBJ to end the inning.
The Sox took control quickly in the top of the sixth inning. Betts, Benintendi and Ramirez stroked back to back to back singles to load the bases and chase Graveman. Emilio Pagan replaced him and Moreland greeted him by blasting a grand slam to put the Sox up for good. Devers lined out to right but Nunez doubled. JBJ flied out to left and Vazquez grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-3.
More than enough cushion for Velazquez in the bottom of the sixth inning. Canha lined out to center and Pinder grounded out to short, but Lucroy singled. Semien flied out to right to end the inning.
There would be no more scoring in the top of the seventh with Josh Lucas now on the mound. Holt singled but Betts bounced into a double play. Benintendi flied out to left to end the inning. Piscotty grounded out to third to begin the bottom of the seventh but Lowrie doubled as usual. Davis was hit with a pitch but Chapman whiffed. All of a sudden Cora emerged from the dugout and wanted the lefty/lefty matchup with Brian Johnson to face Olson. The gamble failed as Olson singled to load the bases, causing Cora to bring in Matt Barnes. Matt Joyce pinch hit for Canha and Barnes blew him away to end the inning, good work Matt.
The Sox mustered nothing in the top of the eighth as Ramirez popped up to short, Moreland grounded out to short and Devers also grounded out to short to end the inning. Barnes stayed in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and froze Pinder to start. Lucroy grounded out to third and Semien grounded out to first to end the inning.
The Sox nearly scored again in the top of the ninth when Nunez singled and JBJ walked to begin. The rally ended cold turkey as Vazquez bounced into a double play and Holt grounded out to third to end the inning. Joe Kelly came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and he got Piscotty to ground out to second to start. Lowrie was finally retired on a fly out to center and Kelly blew away Davis to end the game. The Sox had won 8 in a row again and this game by a 7-3 score.
Hero of the Night is Mitch Moreland. His grand slam was the deciding blow to win the game.
The Good:
Hanley Ramirez was 2 for 4 with a run scored.
Eduardo Nunez was 3 for 4 with a run scored.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 1 for 3 with a walk including a 3 run home run.
Hector Velazquez got the win with 3 shutout innings of relief.
Matt Barnes got out of the bases loaded jam with 1 1/3 scoreless innings.
Joe Kelly pitched a scoreless ninth.
The Bad:
Christian Vazquez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Brian Johnson allowed a single to the only man he faced.
The Ugly:
Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.
Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.
Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.
Brock Holt was just 1 for 4.
Drew Pomeranz allowed 3 runs in the first inning but finished strong in 3 2/3 innings in his first start of the season.
Final Thoughts:
As the New York Yankees continue to falter (they lost to the Toronto Blue Jays 8-5) there seems to be no stopping the Red Sox. Even when a rusty Drew Pomeranz falters they still managed to bop their way to victory with two timely pieces of hitting. That's how you pick up your teammates day in and day out to keep a streak going. It seems crazy for the Sox to be doing this well but when you look at it, this is what they were supposed to do. Like I said before, the 2016 offense combined with the 2017 pitching and defense is deadly, so far that's what 2018 has been. Think of it this way, this team would be undefeated apart from Carson Smith's opening day meltdown and David Price's hand going numb. The scary part is the Sox are still missing three key guys (Dustin Pedroia, Xander Bogaerts, Tyler Thornberg) that will make the team even better. If the baseball pundits thought this was the A's only chance to win a game in this series, they certainly blew it and another sweep isn't out of the realm of possibility. Tomorrow night the A's toss out Sean Manea but run smack into Chris Sale (1-0, 1.23 ERA). The game begins at 9:00 PM at Oakland Coliseum.
Thursday, April 19, 2018
Sox Rout Angels for Series Sweep (4/19/18)
It was a great day for Boston sports as the Boston Bruins defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 4 of their first round NHL playoff series and the Boston Red Sox defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Before this three game set, irate New York Yankee fans were convinced the Boston Red Sox were doomed as they were scheduled to play the 13-3 Anaheim Angels with their phenom Shohei Ohtani on the mound in Game 1 and at the plate for Game 3. Instead the Red Sox steamrolled them the same way they have steamrolled everyone else, scoring a combined 27 runs in the series while allowing just 3. Tonight Mookie Betts hit another leadoff bomb, Andrew Benintendi added his first of the year, Eduardo Rodriguez (2-0, 3.45 ERA) pitched well and the Sox had won their 7th game in a row. The 8-2 victory completed the sweep of the Angels right out of Angels Stadium. Is there no stopping this team?
For the third game in a row the Sox wasted no time scoring in the top of the first inning. Mookie Betts smashed the third pitch of the ballgame into the left field bleachers for his 6th home run of the year. Andrew Benintendi grounded out to short but Hanley Ramirez walked. JD Martinez grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.
Rodriguez kept the Angels at bay in the bottom of the first. Ian Kinsler flied out to center but then home plate umpire Jerry Layne keeled over and had to be hauled off on a gurney after taking a ball off the arm hit by Mike Trout. When action resumed Rodriguez punched out Trout and Justin Upton to end the inning.
Tropeano recovered in the top of the second as Mitch Moreland was rung up for strike three to start. Rafael Devers beat out an infield single to third but Eduardo Nunez hit one up the elevator shaft. Christian Vazquez flied out to right to end the inning. The Angels fought back in the bottom of the second although Albert Pujols grounded out to short to start. Andrelton Simmons walked and somehow moved to third on a ground out by Shohei Ohtani (yes, the pitcher is also an outfielder). Zack Cozart singled home Simmons to tie the game. Chris Young flied out to left to end the inning but it was 1-1.
The game remained deadlocked through the top of the third as Brock Holt grounded out to second to start. Betts whiffed and Benintendi struck out as well to end the inning. Rodriguez recovered in the bottom of the third as Martin Maldonado grounded out to third to start. Kinsler singled but was erased on the force by Trout. Upton grounded into a force to end the inning.
The Sox broke through in the top of the fourth as Ramirez drew a leadoff walk and Martinez doubled him home. Moreland grounded out to third and Devers singled to center. Martinez broke for home and was safe but Devers was foolishly thrown out at second trying to stretch. Nunez popped up to third to end the inning but it was now 3-1 Sox.
Rodriguez held the lead in the bottom of the fourth as Pujols popped up to short to start. Simmons walked but Ohtani whiffed. Cozart popped up to first to end the inning.
Vazquez grounded out to short to start the top of the fifth but Holt singled. Betts banged into a double play to end the inning. The Angels struck back in the bottom of the fifth when our old friend Young smashed a 70 trillion foot home run completely out of the atmosphere to cut the lead to one. Maldonado whiffed and Kinsler flied out to left. Trout grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox still ahead 3-2.
The Sox answered in the top of the sixth when Benintendi crushed his first home run of the year to right. Ramirez flied out to center but Martinez singled to chase Tropeano. Jose Alvarado came in and Moreland doubled Martinez to third. Devers singled home Martinez to put runners at the corners and chase Alvarado. Jim Johnson came in and got Nunez to bang into a double play to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 5-2.
Rodriguez came back for one more inning in the bottom of the sixth. Upton flied out to right and Pujols popped up to first, but Simmons walked. Rodriguez hung on to whiff Ohtani to end his outing. Eduardo had tossed 6 innings of 2 run ball to put the Sox in position to win.
The Sox had a chance to tack on an insurance run in the top of the seventh but failed. Vazquez grounded out to third but Holt doubled. Betts whiffed and Benintendi flied out to left to end the inning. Heath Hembree came on to pitch the bottom of the seventh but got no help from his defense. Cozart hit a routine ground ball by Devers but he picked it up and spiked it like a football before doing a boogie woogie, Zack taking first on the error. Kole Calhoun pinch hit for Young but Hembree threw a fastball into the fourth row of the bleachers for a wild pitch to advance Cozart to second. Cozart advanced to third on the Calhoun grounder to second and Luis Valbuena pinch hit for Maldonado. Hembree froze Valbuena for strike three before Kinsler grounded out to third to end the inning.
Rene Rivera took over behind the plate and Blake Wood took the mound for the top of the eighth inning. Ramirez got the rally started with a single and Martinez doubled him to third. Jackie Bradley Jr pinch ran for Martinez to give him the night off. Mitch Moreland hit a sac fly to score Hanley and Devers was intentionally walked. Nunez beat out a double play ball but Vazquez grounded out to end the inning with the Sox up 6-2.
Carson Smith took over on the mound with JBJ in center, moving Benintendi to left to begin the bottom of the eighth. Trout flied out to center before Upton froze for strike three. Pujols popped up to third to end the inning.
The Sox iced the game in the top of the ninth with Noe Ramirez taking the beating. Cozart booted a ground ball to allow Holt to reach and Betts smacked a ground rule double to left. Benintendi singled home both runners and took second on the throw home. Ramirez flied out to center but Benintendi moved to third. JBJ was hit with a pitch and that was it for Ramirez. That's why he was sent out of town, folks. Luke Bard came in and struck out Moreland before getting Devers to fly out to end the inning. Still, it was now 8-2 and all but over.
Joe Kelly had mop up duty in the bottom of the ninth. Simmons hit a leadoff single and advanced to second on defensive indifference. Ohtani whiffed before Cozart lined out to right. Kelly blew away Calhoun to end the game. The Sox had swept the Angels out of Anaheim, scoring 27 runs in the three game set, winning this one 8-2.
Hero of the night is Andrew Benintendi. He drove in 3 runs and hit his first home run of the year
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored and hit his 6th homer of the year.
Hanley Ramirez was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored.
JD Martinez was 3 for 4 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.
Jackie Bradley Jr was hit with a pitch in his only plate appearance.
Rafael Devers was 3 for 4 with a walk and 2 rbis.
Brock Holt was 2 for 4 with a run scored.
Eduardo Rodriguez pitched 6 innings, allowing just 2 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out 5 to earn the win.
Heath Hembree pitched a scoreless 7th inning.
Carson Smith pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
Joe Kelly pitched a scoreless 9th inning.
The Bad:
Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 4.
Christian Vazquez was 2 for 4.
The Ugly:
Mitch Moreland was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.
Final Thoughts:
How about the smoking hot Red Sox? The red hot offense has come alive in the last two weeks and they can't possibly keep this up, can they? Then again the 1984 Detroit Tigers started the season 35-5 (one of their losses included a gem pitched by Bob Ojeda) and the 2001 Seattle Mariners won 116 games. Its not out of the realm of possibility if the 2016 offense combines with 2017's pitching to win 100 games this year. Obviously its only April and a lot could go wrong, but 16-2 is still 16-2. The 2013 Red Sox started 20-8 and this year's squad needs to go just 4-6 to accomplish that. The Sox move on for a three game set with the Oakland A's. Tomorrow night Drew Pomeranz comes off the disabled list to make his season debut opposite Kendall Graveman. The action begins at 10:05 PM Eastern time at Oakland Coliseum.
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Sox Slaughter Angels Again (4/18/18)
This is starting to get ridiculous with how well the Boston Red Sox have played lately. The Sox smoked the 13-3 Anaheim Angels 10-1 last night and a lot of people (New York Yankee fans) called it a fluke. Well tonight proved it was no fluke as the offense once made mincemeat out of the Angels pitching staff. Rick Porcello (4-0, 1.40) tossed 6 shut-out innings, Rafael Devers hit a grand slam, Mitch Moreland drove in four and the Sox once against laid waste to the Angels with a 9-0 beat-down at Angels Stadium.
Elvira and Wizard Master approve of the win
The Sox for the second night in a row wasted no time scoring in the top of the first inning off Tyler Skaggs. Mookie Betts grounded out to short to begin but Hanley Ramirez doubled. JD Martinez whiffed but Mitch Moreland singled home Hanley to give the Sox the early lead. Eduardo Nunez drew a walk and both runners advanced on a passed ball. Rafael Devers popped up to third to end the inning but it was 1-0 Sox.
Moreland gets the party started
Porcello got in trouble early in the bottom of the first inning. Ian Kinsler lashed a hard hit single as did Mike Trout, but Justin Upton whiffed. Albert Pujols lashed a single to load the bases but Kole Calhoun whiffed. Zack Cozart struck out to end the inning and that was the closest the Angels would come the rest of the night.
The Sox did nothing in the top of the second as Sandy Leon was rung up for strike three to begin. Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to second and Tzu-Wei Lin grounded out to first to end the inning. Porcello cruised in the bottom of the second as Luis Valbuena lined out to a running JBJ to start. Andrelton Simmons lined out to short as did Martin Maldonado to end the inning.
The Sox exploded in the top of the third to put the game away early. Betts singled to start before Cozart tried to nail him at second on the force by Ramirez, but failed and everyone was safe. Martinez singled to load the bases and Moreland singled home Betts to re-load them. Nunez was rung up for strike three but Devers stepped up big by launching a grand slam to right to ice it early. Leon flied out to left and JBJ grounded out to second to end the inning but it was now 6-0.
A grand salami for Devers
The Angels tried to fight back in the bottom of the third when Kinsler was plunked and Trout singled to start, but Upton lined out to center. Pujols whiffed and Calhoun grounded out to short to end the inning.
The Sox threatened again in the top of the fourth although Lin whiffed to start. Betts flied out to left but Simmons threw a routine grounder by Ramirez away for an error. Martinez singled but Moreland grounded out to second to end the inning. Porcello whiffed Cozart to begin the bottom of the fourth but Valbuena singled. Luis was erased on the force by Simmons and Maldonado watched strike three go by to end the inning.
Nunez singled to start the top of the fifth but was foolishly thrown out at second trying to stretch. That was it for Skaggs as Jose Alvarez replaced him to punch out Devers. Leon grounded out to first to end the inning. Kinsler tried to start a rally in the bottom of the fifth with a single but Trout flied out to center. Upton lined out to right and Pujols flied out to center to end the inning.
The Sox knocked Alvarez out in the top of the sixth inning although JBJ lined out to left to start. Lin whiffed but Betts beat out an infield single to third to chase Alvarez. Blake Wood came in to pitch and Ramirez was rung up for strike three to end the inning. Porcello ended his night in the bottom of the sixth inning. Calhoun grounded out to second, Cozart grounded out to short and Valbuena lined out to right to end the inning. Porcello had tossed 6 shut-out innings on 6 hits, no walks, 6 k's and 101 pitches.
Porcello picks up another win
The Sox got another run in the top of the seventh when Martinez belted his fourth homer of the year to right to start the inning. Moreland walked but Nunez banged into a double play. Devers whiffed to end the inning but it was 7-0 Red Sox.
"Hey JD let's do the earthworm squirm" - Betts "No" - Martinez
Carson Smith took over for the bottom of the seventh and got Simmons to fly out to right to start. Maldonado whiffed but Kinsler walked. Trout popped up to first to end the inning.
Cam Bedrosian came in to pitch the top of the eighth and whiffed Leon to start. JBJ doubled and Lin walked before Betts lined a ball into no man's land, getting Lin thrown out at second to put runners at the corners. Blake Swihart pinch hit for Ramirez to give him the night off and whiffed to end the inning. Marcus Walden came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and got Upton looking to start. Pujols popped up to second and Calhoun grounded out to third to end the inning.
The Sox offense continued to roll in the top of the ninth against Kenyan Middleton. Martinez singled and Moreland blasted a 2 run bomb to increase the lead. Nunez whiffed but Devers doubled. Leon whiffed for the hat trick and JBJ lined out to right to end the inning with the Sox up 9-0.
"Oh yeah I'm the man, I'm the man" - Moreland
Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth just out of pure boredom. Cozart grounded out to third, Valbuena flied out to center and Simmons grounded out to short to end the game. The Sox annihilated the Angels 9-0 for the Sox sixth win in a row.
Hero of the Night is Mitch Moreland. He drove in 4 runs including the first two then with a two run home run to put the Sox up for good.
Mitch the Hero
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 2 for 5 with a run scored.
JD Martinez was 4 for 5 with 3 runs scored and a solo home run.
Rafael Devers was 2 for 5 with a grand slam.
Rick Porcello earned his 4th win of the season with 6 innings of shutout ball, striking out 6.
Carson Smith pitched a scoreless 7th inning.
Marcus Walden pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
Craig Kimbrel pitched a scoreless 9th inning.
The Bad:
Blake Swihart struck out as a pinch hitter.
Sandy Leon was 0 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.
The Ugly:
Hanley Ramirez was just 1 for 4 but scored two runs.
Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 4 but walked.
Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 5.
Tzu-Wei Lin was 0 for 3 but walked.
Final Thoughts:
Know what the absolutely scary part about this season is? The Sox are still missing some guys. Dustin Pedroia, Drew Pomeranz, Xander Bogaerts, Tyler Thornberg and Steven Wright are still MIA. How deadly will the Sox be with .300 hitting Bogaerts and Pedroia back with Nunez going into the sixth man role? How unhittable will the Sox rotation be with Pomeranz and Wright back in it after Drew won 17 games last year and Steven 13 in 2016? The Sox 8th inning woes would be over with Thornberg settling into the set-up man role to bridge the gap to Kimbrel. The Sox are rolling at 15-2 to start the year missing most of those guys (sans Bogaerts) since the beginning. Yankee fans are running out of excuses now. They were so sure the Sox would be done for when they played "a real team" and now they're in position to sweep the first place Angels out of Anaheim. JD Martinez has laid waste to Giancarlo Stanton and Mookie Betts has blown past Aaron Judge. If it wasn't for the injury, Xander Bogaerts would be making Didi Gregorious look like Luis Rivera. What's the next excuse going to be? Tomorrow night the Sox look for the sweep with Eduardo Rodriguez (1-0, 3.72 ERA) looking to duplicate last week's good start against Nick Tropeano at 10:07 PM at Angels Stadium.
The Sox for the second night in a row wasted no time scoring in the top of the first inning off Tyler Skaggs. Mookie Betts grounded out to short to begin but Hanley Ramirez doubled. JD Martinez whiffed but Mitch Moreland singled home Hanley to give the Sox the early lead. Eduardo Nunez drew a walk and both runners advanced on a passed ball. Rafael Devers popped up to third to end the inning but it was 1-0 Sox.
Porcello got in trouble early in the bottom of the first inning. Ian Kinsler lashed a hard hit single as did Mike Trout, but Justin Upton whiffed. Albert Pujols lashed a single to load the bases but Kole Calhoun whiffed. Zack Cozart struck out to end the inning and that was the closest the Angels would come the rest of the night.
The Sox did nothing in the top of the second as Sandy Leon was rung up for strike three to begin. Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to second and Tzu-Wei Lin grounded out to first to end the inning. Porcello cruised in the bottom of the second as Luis Valbuena lined out to a running JBJ to start. Andrelton Simmons lined out to short as did Martin Maldonado to end the inning.
The Sox exploded in the top of the third to put the game away early. Betts singled to start before Cozart tried to nail him at second on the force by Ramirez, but failed and everyone was safe. Martinez singled to load the bases and Moreland singled home Betts to re-load them. Nunez was rung up for strike three but Devers stepped up big by launching a grand slam to right to ice it early. Leon flied out to left and JBJ grounded out to second to end the inning but it was now 6-0.
The Angels tried to fight back in the bottom of the third when Kinsler was plunked and Trout singled to start, but Upton lined out to center. Pujols whiffed and Calhoun grounded out to short to end the inning.
The Sox threatened again in the top of the fourth although Lin whiffed to start. Betts flied out to left but Simmons threw a routine grounder by Ramirez away for an error. Martinez singled but Moreland grounded out to second to end the inning. Porcello whiffed Cozart to begin the bottom of the fourth but Valbuena singled. Luis was erased on the force by Simmons and Maldonado watched strike three go by to end the inning.
Nunez singled to start the top of the fifth but was foolishly thrown out at second trying to stretch. That was it for Skaggs as Jose Alvarez replaced him to punch out Devers. Leon grounded out to first to end the inning. Kinsler tried to start a rally in the bottom of the fifth with a single but Trout flied out to center. Upton lined out to right and Pujols flied out to center to end the inning.
The Sox knocked Alvarez out in the top of the sixth inning although JBJ lined out to left to start. Lin whiffed but Betts beat out an infield single to third to chase Alvarez. Blake Wood came in to pitch and Ramirez was rung up for strike three to end the inning. Porcello ended his night in the bottom of the sixth inning. Calhoun grounded out to second, Cozart grounded out to short and Valbuena lined out to right to end the inning. Porcello had tossed 6 shut-out innings on 6 hits, no walks, 6 k's and 101 pitches.
The Sox got another run in the top of the seventh when Martinez belted his fourth homer of the year to right to start the inning. Moreland walked but Nunez banged into a double play. Devers whiffed to end the inning but it was 7-0 Red Sox.
Carson Smith took over for the bottom of the seventh and got Simmons to fly out to right to start. Maldonado whiffed but Kinsler walked. Trout popped up to first to end the inning.
Cam Bedrosian came in to pitch the top of the eighth and whiffed Leon to start. JBJ doubled and Lin walked before Betts lined a ball into no man's land, getting Lin thrown out at second to put runners at the corners. Blake Swihart pinch hit for Ramirez to give him the night off and whiffed to end the inning. Marcus Walden came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and got Upton looking to start. Pujols popped up to second and Calhoun grounded out to third to end the inning.
The Sox offense continued to roll in the top of the ninth against Kenyan Middleton. Martinez singled and Moreland blasted a 2 run bomb to increase the lead. Nunez whiffed but Devers doubled. Leon whiffed for the hat trick and JBJ lined out to right to end the inning with the Sox up 9-0.
Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth just out of pure boredom. Cozart grounded out to third, Valbuena flied out to center and Simmons grounded out to short to end the game. The Sox annihilated the Angels 9-0 for the Sox sixth win in a row.
Hero of the Night is Mitch Moreland. He drove in 4 runs including the first two then with a two run home run to put the Sox up for good.
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 2 for 5 with a run scored.
JD Martinez was 4 for 5 with 3 runs scored and a solo home run.
Rafael Devers was 2 for 5 with a grand slam.
Rick Porcello earned his 4th win of the season with 6 innings of shutout ball, striking out 6.
Carson Smith pitched a scoreless 7th inning.
Marcus Walden pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
Craig Kimbrel pitched a scoreless 9th inning.
The Bad:
Blake Swihart struck out as a pinch hitter.
Sandy Leon was 0 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.
The Ugly:
Hanley Ramirez was just 1 for 4 but scored two runs.
Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 4 but walked.
Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 5.
Tzu-Wei Lin was 0 for 3 but walked.
Final Thoughts:
Know what the absolutely scary part about this season is? The Sox are still missing some guys. Dustin Pedroia, Drew Pomeranz, Xander Bogaerts, Tyler Thornberg and Steven Wright are still MIA. How deadly will the Sox be with .300 hitting Bogaerts and Pedroia back with Nunez going into the sixth man role? How unhittable will the Sox rotation be with Pomeranz and Wright back in it after Drew won 17 games last year and Steven 13 in 2016? The Sox 8th inning woes would be over with Thornberg settling into the set-up man role to bridge the gap to Kimbrel. The Sox are rolling at 15-2 to start the year missing most of those guys (sans Bogaerts) since the beginning. Yankee fans are running out of excuses now. They were so sure the Sox would be done for when they played "a real team" and now they're in position to sweep the first place Angels out of Anaheim. JD Martinez has laid waste to Giancarlo Stanton and Mookie Betts has blown past Aaron Judge. If it wasn't for the injury, Xander Bogaerts would be making Didi Gregorious look like Luis Rivera. What's the next excuse going to be? Tomorrow night the Sox look for the sweep with Eduardo Rodriguez (1-0, 3.72 ERA) looking to duplicate last week's good start against Nick Tropeano at 10:07 PM at Angels Stadium.
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Sox Homer Parade Pounds Angels (4/17/18)
It was a good day for Boston sports. The Boston Celtics defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2 of their firs round NBA playoff series and the Boston Red Sox defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. One of the major issues for the Red Sox in 2017 was a lack of offense, primarily home runs. The 2018 Sox took a step in the other direction tonight as they launched SIX home runs against the Angels. Mookie Betts clobbered three by himself, Angels phenom pitcher Shohei Otani lasted just 2 innings before leaving with a blister and David Price (2-1, 2.25 ERA) pitched well enough to earn the win. The Sox offense pounded out 15 hits and massacred the Angels 10-1 at Angels Stadium.
Jaylen Brown approves of the win
The Sox wasted no time pouncing on Otani in the top of the first inning. Betts clobbered a full count meatball to dead center for a solo home run to put the Sox up one batter into the game. Andrew Benintendi grounded out to second but Hanley Ramirez singled to center. JD Martinez whiffed but Ramirez took second on a wild pitch. Rafael Devers popped up to third to end the inning but the Sox were up 1-0.
"That's one" - MB
Price had a much easier time with the Angels in the bottom of the first as Ian Kinsler led off with a groundout back to the mound. Mike Trout walked but Justin Upton whiffed. Albert Pujols grounded into a force to end the inning.
The Sox pounded Otani in the top of the second inning as Eduardo Nunez lined out to center to start. Jackie Bradley Jr singled to right but Christian Vazquez walked. Brock Holt singled home JBJ for the second run. Betts walked to load the bases and Benintendi scored Vazquez with a sac fly. Ramirez grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 3-1.
"Oh this is very bad" - Otani
Price got Zack Cozart to ground out to short to start. Kole Calhoun grounded out to second but Andrelton Simmons walked. Jefry Marte grounded out to second to end the inning.
Luke Bard replaced Otani, who left with a blister, for the top of the third where the Sox teed off. Martinez singled to center but Devers whiffed. Martinez was forced at second on a groundout by Nunez but JBJ smashed a 2 run bomb to give the Sox a commanding lead. Vazquez was hit with a pitch and Holt launched a 2 run homer of his own. Betts ended the trifecta with his second home run of the night. Benintendi grounded back to the mound but the Sox had ended the game by leading 8-0.
"That's one" - Holt "That's two" - Betts
The Angels struck back in the bottom of the third as Martin Maldonado walked to open the frame. Kinsler popped up to short and Trout whiffed, but Upton singled. Pujols singled home Maldonado but Price froze Cozart for strike three to end the inning with the Angels down 8-1.
The homer parade continued in the top of the fourth although Ramirez lined out to left to start. Martinez flied out to right but Devers crushed a solo home run to increase the lead. Nunez singled and that was it for the incompetent Bard. Blake Parker came in and JBJ greeted him with a single. Vazquez singled and Nunez broke for home......SAFE! But wait! Angels manager Mike Scoscia challenged the call and Yankees mana....errr, head of MLB Operations Joe Torre DEMANDED the call be overturned and Nunez was ruled out. Still the Devers homer put the Sox up 9-1.
"Did I say you could homer Raf? DID I???" - Hanley
Price mowed down the Angels in the bottom of the fourth as Calhoun grounded out to second to start. Simmons walked but Marte popped up to short. Price blew away Maldonado to end the inning.
Finally the Sox failed to score in the top of the fifth as Holt grounded out to second to start. Betts walked but Benintendi flied out to center. Kinsler robbed Ramirez on a snagged liner to end the inning. Tzu-Wei Lin came in for Benintendi to give him the night off although he played short with Holt moving to left to start the bottom of the fifth. Kinsler flied out to left but Trout singled. Upton whiffed and Pujols was rung up for strike three to end the inning. Pujols was so mad he smashed his bat on home plate and chased the umpire with the broken pieces, earning him an ejection. That was it for Price as Sox manager Alex Cora decided that 5 innings and 78 pitches was enough with an 8 run lead. Price had tossed 5 innings of 1 run ball while striking out 6.
Solid effort for Price
Old pal Noe Ramirez was brought in to pitch the top of the sixth as Blake Swihart pinch hit for Martinez to give him the rest of the night off. Swihart grounded back to the mound but Devers singled. Nunez lined a shot to Marte at first who doubled off Devers to end the inning. Monday's scheduled starter Brian Johnson got the ball for the bottom of the sixth and he struck out Cozart to start. Calhoun flied out to center and Simmons was rung up to end the inning except he didn't attack the umpire.
Ramirez stayed tough in the top of the seventh as JBJ grounded out to second to start. Vazquez popped up to short and Holt flied out to left to end the inning. Marte singled to start the bottom of the seventh before Maldonado hit a routine double play ball to Devers. Rafael picked up the ball, threw it over his head like a grenade and stuck his fingers in his ears waiting for the non-existent explosion. Devers was charged with an error but redeemed himself when he started a double play hit by Kinsler. Trout walked to put runners at the corners but Upton lined out to left to end the inning.
Old buddy Chris Young took over for Trout, Luis Valbuena replaced Simmons and Cam Bedrosian took over on the mound for the top of the eighth. Betts repeated his May 31, 2016 performance by smashing his third home run of the game to put the exclamation point on his night. Lin was rung up for strike three and Mitch Moreland pinch hit for Ramirez, drawing a walk. Mitch was erased at second on the force by Swihart and Devers grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 10-1.
"That's three" - Betts
Rene Rivera pinch hit for the ejected Pujols to start the bottom of the eighth and Johnson whiffed him. Cozart walked but Calhoun banged into a double play to end the inning. Johnson didn't get to start yesterday but he pitched 3 shut-out innings to save the bullpen tonight.
Jim Johnson got the call to pitch the top of the ninth and Nunez walked to start. JBJ lined out to right but Vazquez singled. Holt banged into a double play to end the inning. Marcus Walden had mop up duty in the bottom of the ninth. Valbuena whiffed and Marte grounded out to third. Maldonado grounded out to short to end the game. The Sox had blasted the Angels 10-1 to claim the best record in the American League.
Hero of the Night is obviously Mookie Betts. He was a perfect 3 for 3 at the plate with 2 walks and 3 home runs.
Mookie The Hero
The Good:
Mitch Moreland walked as a pinch hitter.
JD Martinez was 1 for 3.
Rafael Devers was 2 for 5 with a home run.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored and a 2 run home run.
Christian Vazquez was 2 for 3 with an HBP, a walk and 2 runs scored.
Brock Holt was 2 for 5 with 3 total rbi's and a 2 run home run.
David Price earned the win with 5 innings of 1 run ball including 6 strikeouts.
Brian Johnson pitched 3 scoreless innings.
Marcus Walden pitched a scoreless 9th inning.
The Bad:
Tzu-Wei Lin struck out in his only plate appearance.
Blake Swihart was 0 for 2.
The Ugly:
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 3 but drove in a run.
Hanley Ramirez was just 1 for 4.
Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored a run.
Final Thoughts:
New York Yankee fans are running out of ammo to use against the Red Sox these days. They laughed/whined when the Red Sox drew the Miami Marlins after the Tampa Bay Rays that the Sox had an "easy schedule". Tonight the Yankees played the Marlins and lost 9-1 with Masahiro Tanaka getting lit up again. The same team the Sox beat two straight by the way. Also they were saying "wait till da Sox play a real team." Well the Angels came into this game 1/2 game behind the Red Sox for best record in the AL and the Sox smacked them around pretty good. Not only that but Alex Cora is limiting the innings and pitches thrown by the starters in April to save them for September and October. Here's the ultimate kick in the ass no one saw coming, Giancarlo Stanton is hitting .197 with 3 homers and 10 rbis. JD Martinez is hitting .271 with 3 home runs and 13 rbi's. There's plenty of time for Stanton to turn things around but he's been dreadful so far. Aaron Judge is hitting .339 with 4 home runs and 11 rbis. Mookie Betts is hitting .389 with 5 home runs and 13 rbis. I thought Judge was supposed to run away with AL MVP, what's happening Yankee fans? So far its been all Red Sox this season and it may not last, so may as well enjoy it while we can. Tomorrow night the Sox return to action looking to make it 6 straight wins as Rick Porcello (3-0, 1.83 ERA) takes on Tyler Skaggs at 10:05 PM at Angels Stadium.
The Sox wasted no time pouncing on Otani in the top of the first inning. Betts clobbered a full count meatball to dead center for a solo home run to put the Sox up one batter into the game. Andrew Benintendi grounded out to second but Hanley Ramirez singled to center. JD Martinez whiffed but Ramirez took second on a wild pitch. Rafael Devers popped up to third to end the inning but the Sox were up 1-0.
Price had a much easier time with the Angels in the bottom of the first as Ian Kinsler led off with a groundout back to the mound. Mike Trout walked but Justin Upton whiffed. Albert Pujols grounded into a force to end the inning.
The Sox pounded Otani in the top of the second inning as Eduardo Nunez lined out to center to start. Jackie Bradley Jr singled to right but Christian Vazquez walked. Brock Holt singled home JBJ for the second run. Betts walked to load the bases and Benintendi scored Vazquez with a sac fly. Ramirez grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 3-1.
Price got Zack Cozart to ground out to short to start. Kole Calhoun grounded out to second but Andrelton Simmons walked. Jefry Marte grounded out to second to end the inning.
Luke Bard replaced Otani, who left with a blister, for the top of the third where the Sox teed off. Martinez singled to center but Devers whiffed. Martinez was forced at second on a groundout by Nunez but JBJ smashed a 2 run bomb to give the Sox a commanding lead. Vazquez was hit with a pitch and Holt launched a 2 run homer of his own. Betts ended the trifecta with his second home run of the night. Benintendi grounded back to the mound but the Sox had ended the game by leading 8-0.
The Angels struck back in the bottom of the third as Martin Maldonado walked to open the frame. Kinsler popped up to short and Trout whiffed, but Upton singled. Pujols singled home Maldonado but Price froze Cozart for strike three to end the inning with the Angels down 8-1.
The homer parade continued in the top of the fourth although Ramirez lined out to left to start. Martinez flied out to right but Devers crushed a solo home run to increase the lead. Nunez singled and that was it for the incompetent Bard. Blake Parker came in and JBJ greeted him with a single. Vazquez singled and Nunez broke for home......SAFE! But wait! Angels manager Mike Scoscia challenged the call and Yankees mana....errr, head of MLB Operations Joe Torre DEMANDED the call be overturned and Nunez was ruled out. Still the Devers homer put the Sox up 9-1.
Price mowed down the Angels in the bottom of the fourth as Calhoun grounded out to second to start. Simmons walked but Marte popped up to short. Price blew away Maldonado to end the inning.
Finally the Sox failed to score in the top of the fifth as Holt grounded out to second to start. Betts walked but Benintendi flied out to center. Kinsler robbed Ramirez on a snagged liner to end the inning. Tzu-Wei Lin came in for Benintendi to give him the night off although he played short with Holt moving to left to start the bottom of the fifth. Kinsler flied out to left but Trout singled. Upton whiffed and Pujols was rung up for strike three to end the inning. Pujols was so mad he smashed his bat on home plate and chased the umpire with the broken pieces, earning him an ejection. That was it for Price as Sox manager Alex Cora decided that 5 innings and 78 pitches was enough with an 8 run lead. Price had tossed 5 innings of 1 run ball while striking out 6.
Old pal Noe Ramirez was brought in to pitch the top of the sixth as Blake Swihart pinch hit for Martinez to give him the rest of the night off. Swihart grounded back to the mound but Devers singled. Nunez lined a shot to Marte at first who doubled off Devers to end the inning. Monday's scheduled starter Brian Johnson got the ball for the bottom of the sixth and he struck out Cozart to start. Calhoun flied out to center and Simmons was rung up to end the inning except he didn't attack the umpire.
Ramirez stayed tough in the top of the seventh as JBJ grounded out to second to start. Vazquez popped up to short and Holt flied out to left to end the inning. Marte singled to start the bottom of the seventh before Maldonado hit a routine double play ball to Devers. Rafael picked up the ball, threw it over his head like a grenade and stuck his fingers in his ears waiting for the non-existent explosion. Devers was charged with an error but redeemed himself when he started a double play hit by Kinsler. Trout walked to put runners at the corners but Upton lined out to left to end the inning.
Old buddy Chris Young took over for Trout, Luis Valbuena replaced Simmons and Cam Bedrosian took over on the mound for the top of the eighth. Betts repeated his May 31, 2016 performance by smashing his third home run of the game to put the exclamation point on his night. Lin was rung up for strike three and Mitch Moreland pinch hit for Ramirez, drawing a walk. Mitch was erased at second on the force by Swihart and Devers grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 10-1.
Rene Rivera pinch hit for the ejected Pujols to start the bottom of the eighth and Johnson whiffed him. Cozart walked but Calhoun banged into a double play to end the inning. Johnson didn't get to start yesterday but he pitched 3 shut-out innings to save the bullpen tonight.
Jim Johnson got the call to pitch the top of the ninth and Nunez walked to start. JBJ lined out to right but Vazquez singled. Holt banged into a double play to end the inning. Marcus Walden had mop up duty in the bottom of the ninth. Valbuena whiffed and Marte grounded out to third. Maldonado grounded out to short to end the game. The Sox had blasted the Angels 10-1 to claim the best record in the American League.
Hero of the Night is obviously Mookie Betts. He was a perfect 3 for 3 at the plate with 2 walks and 3 home runs.
The Good:
Mitch Moreland walked as a pinch hitter.
JD Martinez was 1 for 3.
Rafael Devers was 2 for 5 with a home run.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored and a 2 run home run.
Christian Vazquez was 2 for 3 with an HBP, a walk and 2 runs scored.
Brock Holt was 2 for 5 with 3 total rbi's and a 2 run home run.
David Price earned the win with 5 innings of 1 run ball including 6 strikeouts.
Brian Johnson pitched 3 scoreless innings.
Marcus Walden pitched a scoreless 9th inning.
The Bad:
Tzu-Wei Lin struck out in his only plate appearance.
Blake Swihart was 0 for 2.
The Ugly:
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 3 but drove in a run.
Hanley Ramirez was just 1 for 4.
Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored a run.
Final Thoughts:
New York Yankee fans are running out of ammo to use against the Red Sox these days. They laughed/whined when the Red Sox drew the Miami Marlins after the Tampa Bay Rays that the Sox had an "easy schedule". Tonight the Yankees played the Marlins and lost 9-1 with Masahiro Tanaka getting lit up again. The same team the Sox beat two straight by the way. Also they were saying "wait till da Sox play a real team." Well the Angels came into this game 1/2 game behind the Red Sox for best record in the AL and the Sox smacked them around pretty good. Not only that but Alex Cora is limiting the innings and pitches thrown by the starters in April to save them for September and October. Here's the ultimate kick in the ass no one saw coming, Giancarlo Stanton is hitting .197 with 3 homers and 10 rbis. JD Martinez is hitting .271 with 3 home runs and 13 rbi's. There's plenty of time for Stanton to turn things around but he's been dreadful so far. Aaron Judge is hitting .339 with 4 home runs and 11 rbis. Mookie Betts is hitting .389 with 5 home runs and 13 rbis. I thought Judge was supposed to run away with AL MVP, what's happening Yankee fans? So far its been all Red Sox this season and it may not last, so may as well enjoy it while we can. Tomorrow night the Sox return to action looking to make it 6 straight wins as Rick Porcello (3-0, 1.83 ERA) takes on Tyler Skaggs at 10:05 PM at Angels Stadium.
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