Jays Down Lifeless Sox (6/23/19)

Guess that winning streak was fool's gold and the real 2019 Boston Red Sox are back. After a tough loss yesterday to the Toronto Blue Jays, the Sox didn't even try against the Jays in today's game. "Slick" Rick Porcello (5-7, 4.52 ERA) got lit up for 5 runs in 6 innings of work. Josh Smith allowed a run of his own during the final innings and the Jays pounded out 10 total hits. The Sox offense went to sleep and was shutout for 6 innings by Marcus Stroman. The Sox barely scratched out a run in the ninth inning but the Jays cruised to an easy 6-1 victory at Fenway Park.

                                                              Sad Jerry

Porcello got the ball in the top of the first inning and Eric Sogard grounded out to short to start. Vladimir Guerrero Jr grounded out to second but Lourdes Gurriel Jr singled to left. Cavan Biggio struck out swinging to end the inning. Stroman cruised in the bottom of the first as Mr. Mookie Betts flied out to center to start. Andrew Benintendi grounded out to short and Xander Bogaerts popped up to short to end the inning.

The Jays struck first in the top of the second as Freddy Galvis tried to bunt his way on but was snuffed out by Christian Vazquez. Randal Grichuk grounded out to short but Rowdy "Roddy" Tellez hit a ground rule double down the right field line. Brandon Drury singled him home to give the Jays the lead. Danny Jansen grounded into a force to end the inning with the Jays ahead 1-0.

                                                   Gonna be a long day, Rick

The Sox blew their only chance to get in the game in the bottom of the second although JD Martinez flied out to right to start. Brock "The Hitman" Holt singled to center and Christian Vazquez got a base hit to left. Jackie Bradley Jr singled to left and Holt tried for home. Gurriel Jr came up throwing and....YOU'RE OUT! Holt was out at home and Chavis grounded out to second to end the inning. What a waste!

                                                  YERRR OUT!

Naturally the Jays got another run in the top of the third although Sogard lined out to center to start. Guerrero Jr lined out to center as well but Gurriel Jr singled to center. Biggio doubled over the head of Bradley to score Gurriel Jr with another run. Galvis walked but Grichuk grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Jays up 2-0.

                                                  Bradley can't do it all himself

The Sox blew another rally in the bottom of the third as Marco Hernandez whiffed to start. Mr. Mookie singled to right and Benintendi walked, but Bogaerts could only move the runners over with a ground out. Martinez grounded out to third to end the inning.

All of a sudden Brock Holt keeled over in the dugout grabbing his leg and had to be carried out on a stretcher, loaded into an ambulance and rushed to Addison Gilbert's ICU. Eduardo Nunez took over for Holt as Tellez began the top of the fourth with a base hit to center. Drury lined out to third and Jansen banged into a double play to end the inning. Nunez popped up to second to start the bottom of the fourth but Vazquez took strike three. JBJ also watched strike three go by to end the inning.

Porcello cruised in the top of the fifth as Sogard lined out to second to start. Guerrero Jr grounded back to the mound and Gurriel Jr lined out to left to end the inning. Chavis struck out swinging to open the bottom of the fifth before Hernandez grounded back to the mound. Mr. Mookie grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Jays iced the game in the top of the sixth as Biggio walked to start. Galvis hit a ground rule double down the right field line and Porcello balked home Biggio. moving Freddy to third. Grichuk grounded out to second and Tellez was intentionally walked. The gamble backfired as Drury walked and Jansen singled home Galvis and Tellez to ice the game. Sogard flied out to left and Guerrero Jr whiffed to end the inning with the Jays ahead 5-0. That was it for Porcello who allowed 5 runs in 6 innings of work, another stinker.

                                              Porcello can't get it done

Benintendi singled to center to start the bottom of the sixth but Bogaerts popped up to second. Martinez took strike three but a wild pitch moved Andrew to second. Nunez struck out swinging to end the inning.

Josh A Smith came out of the bullpen in the top of the seventh and Gurriel Jr doubled to left to begin. Gurriel Jr moved to third on the Biggio fly out to right but Galvis walked. Grichuk whiffed and Tellez grounded out to first to end the inning. Tim Mayza replaced Stroman for the bottom of the seventh and Vazquez whiffed to start. JBJ was plunked but Chavis whiffed. Hernandez grounded out to short to end the inning.

Smith got tagged in the top of the eighth as Drury took strike three to start. Jansen grounded out to third but Sogard hit a home run all the way to LaGuardia Airport to increase the lead. Guerrero Jr took strike three to end the inning with the Jays up 6-0.

                                                Sogard go yard

David Phelps came in for the bottom of the eighth and Mr. Mookie got a hit to center to start. Benintendi popped up to third. Bogaerts flied out to right and Martinez grounded out to first to end the inning.

Smith returned for the top of the ninth and Gurriel Jr popped up to first to start. Biggio lined out to right and Galvis took strike three to end the inning. Smith wasn't perfect but his 3 innings saved the bullpen for better days. Joe Biagini took over for the bottom of the ninth with Teoscar Hernandez taking Tellez' spot in the lineup but in center. Nunez doubled to center but Vazquez whiffed. JBJ hit a routine grounder to Biagini who booted it to score Nunez. Chavis earned the hat trick with another swinging strikeout and Hernandez grounded out to second to end the game. The Jays had won it 6-1.

                                                           Jays win

Jackass of the Night is Rick Porcello. He took the loss by allowing 5 runs in 6 innings of work. Not what the Sox needed at all.

                                                Lonely Jackass

The Good:

Mookie Betts was 2 for 4.

Andrew Benintendi was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Brock Holt was 1 for 1 before leaving the game.

Eduardo Nunez was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 1 for 3 with a hit by pitch.

The Bad:

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4.

JD Martinez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Michael Chavis was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Marco Hernandez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Josh Smith tossed 3 innings and allowed a run.

Final Thoughts:

So much for that winning streak the Sox had. They had gotten to within 5 games of the New York Yankees to give the fans hope that things were turning around. Nope! Back to 8 games and mediocre baseball again. Porcello got lit up again but just like 2017, he could have given up 2 runs and still would have lost. Can't win games without run support, ask any pitcher ever. Martinez and Bogaerts going 0 for was the biggest culprit but they've been hitting so well lately, they were bound to have an off-day. Losing Holt to an injured leg hurt and hopefully he's not out for too long. As mentioned earlier, kudos to Josh Smith for eating 3 crucial innings to save the bullpen for later days. Unless Dave Dombrowski wakes up to make a trade for a starter, the bullpen is going to have to throw a lot of innings this season. As for this game, the less said of this disaster the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 42-37, 8 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox now welcome the Chicago White Sox for a three game set before they shuffle off to London to play the Yankees. Eduardo Rodriguez (8-4, 4.71 ERA) goes for the Red Sox up against Lucas Giolito of the White Sox. The first game of the series begins tomorrow night at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Bullpen Implodes against Blue Jays (6/22/19)

Think its time to do something about the bullpen Dave Dombrowski? Tonight the Boston Red Sox had the borderline AAA Toronto Blue Jays down 6-1 going into the 7th inning and completely fell apart. Mike Shawaryn, Marcus Walden, Matt Barnes and Ryan Brasier combined to allow 7 runs off 6 hits, 5 walks and 2 home runs to blow their 15th save of the season. The 6-1 lead turned into a bitter defeat as the Sox rallied in the ninth, but fell short. When the nightmare was over the Jays had handed an 8-7 loss on the Sox.

                                                  "You all suck!"

Brian Johnson got the ball in the top of the first inning and got Eric Sogard to pop up to right to begin. Vladimir Guerrero Jr grounded out to third before Lourdes Gurriel Jr dumped a single to left....that Andrew Benintendi went OLE on to allow Gurriel to reach second on the error. Benintendi atoned for his error by running down a bullet by Randal Grichuk to end the inning. Derek Law got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to second to begin. Benintendi also grounded out to second before Xander Bogaerts grounded out to short to end the inning.

Teoscar Hernandez led off the top of the second inning by striking out swinging on a 90 mph fastball. Brock "The Hitman" Holt made a diving stab to rob Calvin Biggio of a hit before Freddy Galvis flied out to the centerfield wall to end the inning. JD Martinez drew a walk and moved to second when Holt grounded a ball off the foot of Law, but right to first for an out. Last night's hero Christian Vazquez drew a walk before Jackie Bradley Jr doubled off the left field wall to score both runners, giving the Sox the lead. A jealous Jerry Remy told a story how Fred Lynn and Wade Boggs could pepper the Monster whenever they wanted while he barely ever hit the wall himself. Michael "The Ice Horse" Chavis singled up the middle to score JBJ and chase the opener Law. Sam Gaviglio came in and got Eduardo Nunez to ground back to the mound but Chavis moved to second. Mr. Mookie walked and Benintendi lashed a double off the wall to score both runners. Bogaerts grounded out to second to end the inning but it was 5-0 Red Sox.

                                                   Sox go on top

Rowdy "Roddy" Telez grounded out to second to begin the top of the third inning before Holt snared a pop-up by Luke Maile. Sogard hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. Martinez lined one off of Telez to begin the bottom of the third but he flipped the ball to first for the out. Holt lined out to center but Vazquez sliced his 10th homer of the year just inside the Pesky Pole to increase the lead. JBJ lashed a single to center but Chavis popped up to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-0.

                                                    Vazquez hits one out

The Jays struck back in the top of the fourth inning as Guerrero Jr singled off the foot of the left field wall to begin. Guerrero Jr took second on a wild pitch before Chavis OLE'd a routine grounder to short to score Vlad and advance Gurriel Jr to second. Somehow the error was charged to Bogaerts as Johnson recovered to strike out Grichuk. Hernandez beat out an infield single to the mound but Biggio was rung up on a check swing for strike three. Galvis popped up to second to end the inning but it was now 6-1 Sox.

Nunez stroked a single up the middle to begin the bottom of the fourth but Biggio was in the right place to turn an unassisted double play on Betts. Benintendi doubled into the left field corner but Bogaerts grounded out to third to end the inning.

Telez flied out to the centerfield wall to begin the top of the fifth before Maile whiffed. Sogard flied out to right to end the inning with Johnson finished after 83 pitches. He allowed just the 1 run in 5 innings of work.

                                                      Johnson finishes strong

Martinez was fooled for strike three to begin the bottom of the fifth but Holt singled to right. Biggio dropped a double play ball by Vazquez but JBJ grounded out to first to end the inning.

Mike Shawaryn whiffed Guerrero Jr to open the top of the sixth before Gurriel Jr also went down on strikes. Grichuk grounded out to second to end the inning. Nick Kingham came in for the bottom of the sixthn and whiffed Chavis to start. Nunez grounded out to first but Mr. Mookie walked. Benintendi flied out to left to end the inning.

The Sox completely melted down in the top of the seventh inning although Holt corralled a pop-up by Hernandez to start. Biggio singled to center and Galvis pulvarized a 500,000 foot home run to cut the lead in half. Tellez then pounded a million foot home run as the boo birds rained down. Sox manager Alex Cora had seen enough and took Shawaryn out. Marcus Walden came in and promptly walked Maile. Somehow Walden froze Sogard for strike three but Guerrero Jr poked a seeing eye single to right to advance Maile to third. The nightmare continued as a wild pitch scored Maile and advanced Guerrero Jr to second. Somehow Gurriel Jr whiffed on a high fastball to end the inning but the comeback was underway with the Jays only down 6-5.

                                                    Nice going Shawaryn

The Sox offense laid down and died in the bottom of the seventh inning as Bogaerts popped up weakly to short to begin. Martinez and Holt whiffed badly to end the inning.

The Jays completed the comeback in the top of the eighth inning against Matt Barnes. Grichuk was rung up for strike three but naturally Hernandez beat out an infield single to short. Hernandez took second on another wild pitch and scored on the hit off the glove of Holt by Biggio to tie the game. Somehow Galvis flied out to left but naturally Telez walked. Billy McKinney pinch hit for Maile and yet another wild pitch moved the runners into scoring position. Naturally McKinney walked to load the bases and chase the ineffective Barnes. Ryan Brasier came in and walked Sogard on four pitches to give the Jays the lead. Guerrero Jr walked to score Tellez to ice the game. Somehow Gurriel Jr popped up to first to end the inning. The Sox bullpen allowed 6 hits, 5 walks and 2 home runs in just two innings to give the Jays the 8-6 lead. Absolutely pathetic.

                                               This sucks

Naturally the Sox offense was done for the night as Vazquez flied out weekly to right against Daniel Hudson. JBJ weekly popped up to left and Chavis whiffed badly on a pitch heading to the backstop to end the inning. The Jays bullpen had retired 7 in a row and 11 of 12, what a difference.

Josh Smith had mop up duty in the top of the ninth as Grichuk took strike three to start. Hernandez whiffed and Biggio froze for strike three to end the inning. Jays closer Ken Giles came in for the bottom of the ninth and blew away pinch hitter Rafael Devers (for Nunez) to begin. Somehow Mr. Mookie walked to bring the tying run to the plate before swiping second. Naturally Benintendi whiffed on a high fastball but the Jays made a boo boo. Bogaerts hit a routine pop up to left but Galvis let the ball drop and bounce into the stands for a ground rule double to score Betts. With the game on the line...Giles blew away Martinez to end the game. A frustrating loss in a season full of the left the Jays the 8-7 winners over the loser Sox.

                                                          Another loss

Jackass of the Night is Matt Barnes. He was charged with 3 runs on 2 walks and 2 hits to blow the game.

                                                        Hide your face Jackass


The Good:

Mookie Betts walked 3 times in 5 plate appearances and scored 2 runs.

Andrew Benintendi was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis.

Christian Vazquez was 1 for 3 with a walk, 2 runs scored and a solo home run.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Eduardo Nunez was 1 for 3.

Brian Johnson came up big tossing 5 innings of 1 run ball throwing a season high 84 pitches.

Josh Smith struck out the side in the top of the ninth inning.



The Bad:

Rafael Devers struck out as a pinch hitter.

Mike Shawaryn allowed 2 runs in 2 innings.

Marcus Walden allowed a run in just 2/3 of an inning.

Ryan Brasier walked in two in herited runners.



The Ugly:

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run.

JD Martinez was 0 for 4 but walked and scored.

Brock Holt was just 1 for 4.

Michael Chavis was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored.




Final Thoughts:

In a season full of frustrating losses, this one takes the cake. They had a 6-1 lead over a glorified Triple A team and not only didn't score anymore runs, but allowed 7 in just two innings. Sox general manager Dave Dombrowski screwed up by letting Joe Kelly and Craig Kimbrel walk without replacing them and then screwed up again by not making a move in May to prevent some of these 15 blown saves. He HAS to do something now because the Tampa Bay Rays are fading and the Sox have a realistic chance to win the wild card, let alone challenge the New York Yankees. The loss dropped the Sox to 42-36, 8 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Sox look to rebound against the Jays when they send "Slick" Rick Porcello (5-6, 4.31 ERA) to the mound up against Marcus Stroman of the Jays. The game begins at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Walkoff on Jays in 10 (6/21/19)

What a game! After the Boston Red Sox won 7 of their last 8 games heading into the off-day yesterday, Sox fans wondered if they could keep up the momentum. After falling behind 5-1 to the Toronto Blue Jays, the Sox mounted an amazing comeback to tie the game. A Christian Vazquez walkoff home run won it for the Sox to keep pace in the AL East race with a 7-5 come from behind win at Fenway Park.

                                              "Tom Brady" approves of the win

Sale got pounded in the top of the first inning as Eric Sogard effortlessly singled to begin the game. Jackie Bradley Jr had to climb the wall to rob Vladimir Guerrero Jr of a home run before Mookie Betts reached into the bullpen to steal a homer from Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Sogard swiped second base as Teoscar Hernandez and Randal Grichuk walked to load the bases. Freddy Galvis singled to left and Andrew Benintendi turned and fired the ball into the Monster seats for an error to score both Sogard and Hernandez to put the Jays up early. Somehow Danny Jansen looked at strike three to end the inning but the Jays were up already 2-0.

                                                         Jays up early

The Sox naturally failed to respond in the bottom of the first against Jays starter Trent Thornton. Mr. Mookie lined out to left but somehow Benintendi walked. Xander Bogaerts whiffed but somehow JD Martinez singled. Brock "The Hitman" Holt watched strike three go by to end the inning.

Sale somehow struck out Billy McKinney to open the top of the second before Brandon Drury was frozen for strike three. Sogard and Guerrero Jr both easily singled but Gurriel Jr grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox couldn't respond in the bottom of the second although Michael Chavis got a lucky single to begin. JBJ popped up to short but Eduardo Nunez also got a lucky single. Sandy Leon popped up to short and Mr. Mookie whiffed to end the inning.

The Jays iced the game in the top of the third as Hernandez singled and Grichuk launched a 400,000 foot home run. Galvis took strike three while laughing at Sale while somehow Jansen popped up to second. McKinney was plunked but Drury took strike three to end the inning with the Jays up 4-0.

                                                       Jays up big

The Sox got a run back in the bottom of the third as Benintendi got a lucky single to start. Bogaerts flied out to center but Martinez somehow singled Benintendi to third. Holt somehow scored Benintendi with a sac fly for a measly run. Chavis whiffed to end the inning but the Sox got a  run to make it 4-1.

                                                              Herculean Sac Fly by Holt

Sale cruised in the top of the fourth as Sogard grounded out to short to start. Guerrero Jr and Gurriel Jr both whiffed to end the inning. Thornton cruised in the bottom of the fourth as JBJ grounded out to first to start. Nunez grounded out to short and Leon flied out to center to end the inning.

The Jays damn near struck again in the top of the fifth as JBJ had to climb the wall to rob Hernandez of a home run before Grichuk smashed a single off the wall. Galvis effortlessly singled before Betts robbed Jansen of a home run. Somehow McKinney whiffed to end the inning with Sale up to 101 pitches. He was awful tonight, allowing 7 hits, 4 runs (3 earned) and 2 walks while striking out 8.

                                                         Sale sucked this time

The Sox failed to score in the bottom of the fifth inning as Mr. Mookie whiffed to start. Benintendi popped up to short and Bogaerts grounded out to third to end the inning.

Colten Brewer took over for the top of the sixth inning and Drury was rung up for strike three to start. Sogard singled but Guerrero Jr banged into a double play to end the inning. Martinez flied out to right to start the bottom of the sixth but Holt and Chavis stroked back to back base hits. Both runners moved over on the grounder by JBJ but Nunez whiffed to end the inning.

The Jays looked to have iced the game in the top of the seventh although Gurriel Jr flied out to right to begin. Hernandez walked and took second on a wild pitch before Grichuk singled home Hernandez to increase the lead. That was it for Brewer as Josh Taylor came in to get Galvis to ground into a double play to end the inning with the Jays up 5-1.

                                                  Thanks a lot Brewer

Suddenly the Sox sprang to life in the bottom of the seventh as Leon was rung up for strike three to start. Mr. Mookie tripled into the triangle to chase Thornton. Tim Mayza came in and Benintendi singled home Mookie to cut the lead. Joe Biagini came in to face Bogaerts and Xander doubled home Benintendi for another run. A wild pitch moved Bogaerts to third and Martinez singled him home. Holt banged into a double play to kill the rally and end the inning, but the Sox clawed back to make it 5-4.

                                                    Bogaerts helps the Sox rally

Taylor returned briefly for the top of the eighth inning to strike out Jansen to start. Taylor also got McKinney before being lifted for Ryan Brasier. Drury and Sogard stroked back to back singles but Guerrero Jr flied out to right to end the inning. David Phelps came in for the bottom of the eighth and things looked bleak when Chavis whiffed to start. JBJ then tripled into the right field corner and Sox manager Alex Cora sent in Rafael Devers to pinch hit for Nunez. The gamble worked as Devers lashed a base hit to right to score JBJ with the tying run. Marco Hernandez ran for Devers with Christian Vazquez coming in to pinch hit for Leon. Vazquez lined out to center and Mr. Mookie popped up to second to end the inning with the game tied 5-5.

                                                 Devers ties it up

Holt moved to third, Hernandez took over at second, Vazquez was behind the plate and Matt Barnes was on the mound for the top of the ninth inning. Gurriel Jr took strike three to start before Hernandez whiffed. Grichuk flied out to center to end the inning. Jordan Romano came in for the bottom of the ninth and Benintendi whiffed to start. Bogaerts walked but Martinez struck out swinging. Holt also went down hacking to end the inning to send the game to extras.

Brandon Workman had the top of the tenth inning and Galvis struck out swinging to start. Cavan Biggio pinch hit for Jansen and drew a walk. Biggio swiped second on the strikeout by McKinney and Rowdy "Roddy" Tellez pinch hit for Drury. Workman intentionally walked him to load the bases and Sogard grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Luke Maile came in to catch the bottom of the ninth and Chavis struck out swinging again. JBJ whiffed but Hernandez was plunked. On a full count, Vazquez then crushed a 2 run walkoff home run to win the game 7-5.

                                                     RED SOX WIN!!!


Hero of the Night is Christian Vazquez. His two run home run won the game in the 10th inning.

                                                               Vazquez the Hero


The Good:

Andrew Benintendi was 2 for 4 with a walk, rbi and 2 runs scored.

JD Martinez was 3 for 5 with an rbi.

Rafael Devers drove in the tying run with a pinch hit single in the eighth.

Michael Chavis was 2 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Eduardo Nunez was 1 for 3.

Marco Hernandez was hit with a pitch and scored a run.

Josh Taylor tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Ryan Brasier got the final out of the eighth inning.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless 9th inning.

Brandon Workman got the win with a scoreless 10th inning.



The Bad:

Sandy Leon was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Chris Sale lasted just 5 innings and allowed 4 runs, he did manage to strike out 8.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

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

Brock Holt was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

Colten Brewer allowed a run in 1 1/3 innings.




Final Thoughts:

Don't look now but the Sox have won 8 of their last 9 games. They still haven't been able to crack the AL East deficit but at least they're back to respectability. The warts on the pitching staff are still there with Sale's continuing ineffectiveness but the Sox are surviving. Good pinch hitting by Devers and Vazquez won this game for the Sox as well as the bullpen effort by Barnes and Workman. The Sox may need another starter to go with the bullpen help they desperately need. There's still time to turn the season around but its getting harder to go on sustained win streaks with inconsistent pitching. Still, tonight was a great win and there's been too few of those. The win improved the Sox to  42-35, 7 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow afternoon the Sox look to keep pace with the bombers when they send Brian Johnson (1-1, 10.00 ERA) to the mound up against Derek Law of the Blue Jays in the second game of this set at 4:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Off-Day News: Belated MLB Draft Coverage (6/20/19)

Even though the second day of the MLB Draft was 16 days ago, it wasn't properly given its due. With an off-day today and nothing going on, may as well cover the draft picks the Boston Red Sox chose between rounds 3 through 10.

The Sox third round pick was right handed pitcher Ryan Zeferjahn, a Kansas Jayhawk who completed his Junior year going 5-2 with a 3.97 ERA. He can throw 95 consistently but issued 44 walks in 88 innings. If he can learn control that fastball could be very effective.

                                                    Can throw 95 but has no idea where its going

The Sox took a big crapshot with their fourth round pick, US Naval Academy pitcher Noah Song. Song may not play for the Sox for a while as he must serve at least 2 years in the United States Navy much like David Robinson the basketball Hall of Famer. From a baseball standpoint Noah was 11-1 with a 1.44 ERA striking out 161 batters in 94 innings his senior year. If he wasn't locked into military service he'd be drafted first overall with those kinds of numbers. Sox GM Dave Dombrowski may be rewarded down the road or Song may stick with the Navy. Real life is more important than a game so here's a salute to the Annapolis graduate no matter what he does after this.

                                             Don't expect to see him anytime soon

The Sox 5th round pick didn't have any military strings attached as they went back to Kansas University to take catcher Jaxx Groshans. The battery mate of Zeferjahn hit .340 with 12 home runs for the Jayhawks this season. Christian Vazquez won't be in Boston forever so starting to search for a replacement isn't such a bad idea. If nothing else maybe he'll hit some bombs for Lowell this year.

                                          Groshans will be reunited with Zeferjahn

In the sixth round the Sox selected San Diego University left handed pitcher Chris Murphy. Chris was perfectly medicore his senior year going 4-3 with a 3.50 ERA as a starter. The Sox aren't known for their lefty pitchers outside of Jon Lester so hopefully Murphy can contribute one way or another to the organization. 

                                                    About time the Sox took a lefty

In the seventh round the Sox took a familiar face, Junior College pitcher Brock Bell who is the son of former MLB infielder Jay Bell. The right hander battled Tommy John surgery in college but is expected to be healthy now. If Jay could make the show, hopefully Brock can too.

                                                         His old man would be proud

In the eighth round the Sox took Florida Gators junior centerfielder Wil Dalton. This pick was a bit of a head scratcher as Dalton regressed from 2018 to 2019, batting just .250 with 7 homers for the Gators. This may be a stretch by the Sox but what the hell, its the eighth round.

                                 Being mediocre in college doesn't translate to ML success

The Sox used their 9th round pick to take right handed junior pitcher Cody Scroggins of Arkansas University. This was another crapshot because Scroggins was a total bum his last two years for the Razorbacks. He posted a 4.60 ERA his junior year and 4.19 ERA his senior year. Maybe Dombrowski can hope the minor league pitching coordinators can fix him. Otherwise this could be a wasted pick.

                                            Can Scroggins go from college bum to MLB star?

Rounding out the day in the tenth round, the Sox took Vanderbilt University outfielder Stephen Scott who hit .335 for the Commodores his senior year. He also hit 11 home runs so this could be a sneaky pick for the Sox if he develops....the key word being "if".

                                                             See you in Lowell, Scott

Sox GM Dave Dombrowski isn't known for his drafting so this could be the last you see of any of these guys. Noah Song has talent but he's committed to the Navy and some of these guys were bums in college. Still, maybe Dave will get lucky with one of these guys. If not, oh well, he won a World Series last year, he's entitled to whiff on a few draft picks.

On This Day in Basebawful History:


1970 - Yankees beat Nagy, Sox

1979 -Red Sox maul Tigers, hit 6 homers

1997 - Tigers beat the daylights out of the Sox

2000 -Yankees blank Pedro, Sox

2013 - Tigers rally to defeat Sox

2017 - Sale, Sox Defeat Royals

2018 - Twins Defeat Price, Sox






Final Thoughts:

Tomorrow night the Toronto Blue Jays come to town with Trent Thornton on the mound against Chris Sale (3-7, 3.49 ERA) of the Red Sox at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Bash Twins, Take Two of Three (6/19/19)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez was once again placed on the Injured List with a bad back. Josh Smith was called up to take his place. So much for Hector.

                                                                  OUT

                                                                       IN

After last night's 17 inning the disaster the Boston Red Sox were looking for revenge on the Minnesota Twins. The Twins snapped Boston's 6 game win streak and the Sox snapped them in tonight's game. Riding the mediocre hand of Eduardo Rodriguez (8-4, 4.71 ERA), the Sox fell behind 4-3 before exploding for 6 unanswered runs. Brock "The Hitman" Holt drove in 3 runs, Michael "The Ice Horse" Chavis drove in two and the Sox stomped on the Twins 9-4 at Target Field.

                                  NCIS Special Agent Dwayne Pride approves of the win

Twins starter Kyle Gibson cruised in the top of the first inning. Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to short to begin before Andrew Benintendi popped up to second. JD Martinez grounded out to third to end the inning. The Twins wasted no time scoring on Rodriguez in the bottom of the first inning. Max Kepler popped up to first but CJ Cron singled. Nelson Cruz doubled into the gap but Jackie Bradley Jr fired a bullet to nail Cron at the plate. All that work was for naught as Eddie Rosario singled home Cruz to give the Twins the lead. Miguel Sano whiffed to end the inning but the Twins led 1-0.

                                                     YERRRR OUT!

The Sox struck back in the top of the second inning as Rafael Devers singled to center to begin. Xander Bogaerts walked and The Hitman singled home Devers to tie the game. Ice Horse singled home Bogaerts to give the Sox the lead before JBJ drew a walk. Sandy Leon whiffed but Mr. Mookie beat out an infield single to third to score Holt. Benintendi popped up to third and Martinez grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1.

                                                  Holt scores another run

Luis Arraez walked to start the bottom of the second but Jake Cave whiffed. Willians Astudillo singled to right but Jason Castro flied out to left. Kepler whiffed to end the inning.

Devers flied out to right to begin the top of the third before Bogaerts whiffed. Holt grounded out to short to end the inning. The Twins responded in the bottom of the third although Cron grounded back to the mound to start. Cruz walked but Rosario struck out swinging. Sano walked and Arraez singled home Cruz. Cave took strike three to end the inning but the Sox only led 3-2.

                                                Can you not walk the ballpark?

The Sox blew a chance to add insurance in the top of the fourth inning as Chavis struck out swinging to start. JBJ drew a walk but Leon flied out to center. Mr. Mookie walked but Benintendi grounded out to first to end the inning. The Twins took command in the bottom of the fourth as Astudillo smashed a 34,000 foot home run to tie the game. Castro lined out to third but Kepler croaked a 300,000 foot bomb to give the Twins the lead. Cron grounded out to second and Cruz grounded out to third but the Twins now led 4-3.

                                                              Twins take the lead

The Sox immediately responded in the top of the fifth as Martinez walked to start. Devers singled and Bogaerts doubled home JD to tie the game. All of a sudden Devers keeled over and had to be carried out on a stretcher, Eduardo Nunez taking his place on the base paths. Nunez scored on the sac fly by Holt as Chavis scored Bogaerts with a base hit to increase the lead. That was it for Gibson as Ryne Harper was brought in. JBJ flied out to right but Leon walked. Mr. Mookie struck out swinging to end the inning but the Sox took the lead 6-4.

                                                 Bogaerts helps the Sox take the lead

Rodriguez reovered in the bottom of the fifth although Rosario singled to the right of Eduardo to start.. Sano whiffed, Arraez grounded out to second and Cave went down swinging to end the inning.

Sean Poppen came in for the top of the sixth and Benintendi walked to start. The rally ended as Martinez banged into a double play although Nunez doubled. Bogaerts grounded out to short to end the inning. Rodriguez was still strong in the bottom of the sixth as Astudillo flied out to right to begin. Castro flied out to center and Kepler went down hacking to end the inning.

Holt walked to begin the top of the seventh but Chavis hit into a double play. JBJ fanned to end the inning and Rodriguez finished strong in the bottom of the seventh. Cron grounded out to short, Cruz took strike three and Rosario grounded out to short to end the inning. It wasn't pretty but Eduardo went 7 innings, allowing 4 runs while striking out 9.

                                                      Good effort to go 7 by E-Rod

Boston iced it in the top of the eighth although Leon went down swinging to start. Betts motored around with a triple and he scored on the Benintendi doubled. Martinez drove home Andrew with a base hit and Nunez doubled Martinez to third. Bogaerts walked to load the bases and Holt walked home Martinez. Chavis grounded into a double play to end the inning but it was 9-4 Sox.

                                                   Nunez picks up the pace

Matt Barnes came in for the bottom of the eighth and Sano grounded out to short to start. Arraez walked but was erased on the Cave force. Astudillo singled to short but Castro flied out to left to end the inning.

JBJ lined out to left to start the top of the ninth before Leon flied out to center. Mr. Mookie grounded out to short to end the inning. Marcus Walden had mop up duty in the bottom of the ninth and Kepler grounded out to second to begin. Cron grounded out to third before Cruz whiffed to end the game. The Sox had taken 2 of 3 from the Twins on the road including this game 9-4.

                                                     Another victory



Hero of the Night is Brock Holt. He drove in 3 big runs including the go-ahead one to put the Sox up for good.

                                                         Hitman Hero


The Good:

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

Rafael Devers was 2 for 3 with a run scored.

Eduardo Nunez was 2 for 2 with a run scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3 with 2 walks, an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Michael Chavis was 2 for 5 with 2 runs batted in.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

Marcus Walden pitched a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

None.



The Ugly:

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

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

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 but walked twice.

Sandy Leon was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Eduardo Rodriguez earned the win by allowing 4 runs in 7 innings of work. He allowed 8 hits and 3 walks while striking out 9.




Final Thoughts:

Now that was more like it. That was the first big series win on the road for the Sox in a long time. If the bullpen didn't mess its pants Tuesday night this would have been their eighth straight win and a series sweep. Still, winning 2 out of 3 in Minnesota is nothing to sneeze at. Every time Chris Sale pitches they struggle but every time Rodriguez pitches they find a way to win. The win improved the Sox to 41-33, 6.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox come home Friday to start a 6 game homestand before heading to London. The Toronto Blue Jays are first on the agenda with Trent Thornton on the mound against Chris Sale (3-7, 3.49 ERA) Friday night at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Twins Outlast Sox in 17 Innings (6/18/19)

Well this was a sucker punch to the gonads. After the Boston Red Sox ripped off six straight wins to get them some level of respectability, they piss it all away in one of the most agonizing losses of the season. The Sox jumped out to a 2-1 lead over the Minnesota Twins when the Twins tied it in the 8th inning. 5 innings later the Sox took the lead only for the Twins to come back again. Then in the 17th inning the Twins nailed the decisive blow to take the game 4-3 in 17 innings at Target Field.

                                                Morty is sad the Sox lost

Michael Pineda began his dominance in the top of the first inning as Mr. Mookie Betts whiffed to start the game. Andrew Benintendi singled to right but JD Martinez banged into a double play to end the inning. Price began the bottom of the first by allowing a single to Jorge Polanco to start. Mitch Garver and Nelson Cruz both flied out to right before Eddie Rosario flied out to center to end the inning.

Pineda dominated the top of the second inning as Rafael Devers grounded out to second to start. Xander Bogaerts flied out to center before Brock "The Hitman" Holt also flied out to center to end the inning. Price cruised in the bottom of the second as CJ Cron grounded back to the mound to start. Marwin Gonzalez grounded out to short before Miguel Sano whiffed to end the inning.

Pineda cruised in the top of the third inning as Michael Chavis whiffed to start. Jackie Bradley Jr flied out to right and Christian Vazquez flied out to left to end the inning. Price got Jake Cave to hit a 390 foot fly out to center on the first pitch of the bottom of the third inning. Jonathan Schoop whiffed and Polanco flied out to right to end the inning.

Somehow Mr. Mookie walked to open the top of the fourth inning before swiping second. Benintendi and Martinez both whiffed but Devers singled home Betts to give the Sox the lead. Devers was thrown out trying to steal second to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                 Devers puts the Sox up a run

The Twins fought back in the bottom of the fourth as Garver lined out to left to start. Cruz grounded out to third but Rosario doubled and Cron singled him home to tie the game. Gonzalez grounded out to second to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                          Tie game

Bogaerts singled to open the top of the fifth but Holt erased him on a force. Chavis struck out swinging and JBJ flied out to center to end the inning. Price got Sano to pop up to third to start the bottom of the fifth before Cave grounded out to first. Schoop singled to left but Polanco popped up to second to end the inning. That was it for Price who lasted just 5 innings and threw 73 pitches, but only allowed a run.

                                                          Short but pointless

Vazquez singled to open the top of the sixth but Mr. Mookie banged into a double play. The DP was big because Benintendi caught Sano asleep with a bunt single but Martinez flied out to right to end the inning. Mike Shawaryn came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Garver doubled to left to begin. Cruz singled Garver to third but Mitch was picked off by the alert Vazquez. Rosario hit one up the elevator shaft but Cron was plunked. Max Kepler pinch hit for Gonzalez and walked but somehow Shawaryn punched out Sano to end the inning.

The Sox took the lead in the top of the seventh with Ryne Harper now on the mound. Devers bashed his 12th homer of the year to start the inning before Bogaerts grounded out to short. Holt grounded out to second but Chavis took strike three to end the inning with the Sox up 2-1.

                                                              Devers goes yard

Ryan Brasier took over for the bottom of the seventh and blew away Cave to start. Schoop was called out on batter interference and Polanco flied out to center to end the inning.

Trevor May came in for the top of the eighth and JBJ greeted him with a base hit to right. Vazquez flied out to right but Mr. Mookie lined out to Kepler. Benintendi whiffed to end the inning. Going for the six out save, the Sox brought in Brandon Workman to close it out and the move backfired. Garver walked but Cruz whiffed and Rosario popped up to short to put the Sox 4 outs from victory. It didn't happen as Cron walked and Kepler singled home Garver to tie the game. Sano whiffed to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                     Kepler ties it up

Taylor Rogers came in for the top of the ninth and Martinez whiffed to start. Devers took strike three before Bogaerts flied out to right to end the inning. Matt Barnes came in for the bottom of the ninth and hit Cave to start. Schoop took strike three before Barnes blew away Polanco. Garver popped up to second to end the inning.

Tyler Duffey had the top of the tenth and the Sox looked to take command when The Hitman doubled to right before moving to third on the Chavis grounder. JBJ was plunked but the rally ended when Vazquez popped up to right and Mr. Mookie did the same to end the inning. Josh Taylor had the bottom of the tenth and Cruz whiffed to start. Rosario lined out to center but Cron singled to center. Kepler whiffed to end the inning.

Duffey cruised in the top of the eleventh as Benintendi whiffed and Martinez earned the hat trick with his third strikeout. Devers was called out for batter interference to end the inning. Taylor punched out Sano to start the bottom of the eleventh before Cave also went down hacking. Schoop lined out to center to end the inning.

Blake Parker had the top of the 12th and the Sox tried to end it although Bogaerts flied out to center to start. Holt singled to right but was erased on the Chavis force. JBJ singled but Vazquez whiffed to end the inning. Colten Brewer almost gave the game away in the bottom of the 12th although Polanco flied out to center to start. Garver lined out to left but Cruz walked. Rosario singled to right and Luis Arraez ran for Cruz, but Cron flied out to right to end the inning.

Mike Morin came in for the top of the 13th and Mr. Mookie had a nasty surprise for him in the form of his 12th home run of the season to put the Sox on top. Benintendi grounded out to second, Martinez lined out to left but Devers singled to right. Bogaerts flied out to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-2.

                                              Betts jacks one out

With Workman and Brasier already used, Sox manager Alex Cora had no choice but to go with Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez for the bottom of the 13th. Naturally the pain in the ass Kepler homered instantly to tie the game. Sano grounded out to second, Cave grounded out to second and Schoop grounded out to third to end the inning but the Twins had tied it again 3-3.

                                             Kepler ties it again

Matt Magill came in for the top of the fourteenth inning and the Sox looked to take the lead again when Holt singled to center to start. Chavis singled to right and JBJ moved both runners over with a bunt. Vazquez popped up and Mr. Mookie was intentionally walked to load the bases. Benintendi failed to make the Twins pay by grounding out to second to end the inning. Velazquez got Polanco to fly out to left to start the bottom of the frame before Garver went down swinging. Arraez lined out to third to end the inning.

Martinez earned the golden sombrero with a strikeout swinging to start the top of the 15th inning. Devers grounded out to first but Bogaerts doubled to left. Holt whiffed to end the inning and Velazquez returned for the bottom of the frame.  Rosario doubled to start but was doubled off second on the bullet to first by Cron. Kepler took strike three to end the inning.

Zack Littell came in for the top of the 16th inning and Chavis earned a golden sombrero of his own by striking out swinging. JBJ grounded out to third but Vazquez singled to left. Eduardo Nunez ran for Vazquez but Mr. Mookie popped up to first to end the inning. Sandy Leon took over behind the plate for the bottom of the 16th and Velazquez froze Sano for strike three to start. Cave grounded out to first but Schoop singled to left. Polanco grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Sox blew a chance to finish off the Twins in the top of the 17th inning when Benintendi singled to right to start. Benintendi went to steal second and the throw sail which moved Andrew to third. With the go-ahead run 90 feet away...Martinez earned the rare Platinum Doughnut with his 5th strikeout of the night. Devers grounded out to first and Bogaerts grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox deserved to lose after that lack of clutch hitting and they did in the bottom of the 17th with Brian Johnson on the mound. Garver grounded out to short but Arraez singled to center. Rosario doubled to right and Cron was intentionally walked. The pain in the ass Kepler ended it with a base hit to right. The Twins had snapped the 6 game win streak with a 4-3 win in 17 innings.

                                                  A bitter loss


Jackass of the Night is JD Martinez. He was 0 for 8 with the Platinum Doughnut of 5 strikeouts including stranding Benintendi at third base in the top of the 17th.

                                              Keep swinging and missing, Jackass



The Good:

Mookie Betts walked twice, scored 2 runs and hit a solo home run.

Rafael Devers was 3 for 8 with a solo home run and 2 total rbis.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 5 with a hit by pitch.

Brock Holt was 3 for 7.

David Price pitched 5 innings of 1 run ball to keep the Sox in it.

Mike Shawaryn pitched a scoreless 6th inning.

Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless 9th inning.

Josh Taylor tossed 2 scoreless innings.

Colten Brewer pitched a scoreless 12th inning.



The Bad:

Brandon Workman allowed a run in the 8th inning.

Brian Johnson took the loss with a run allowed in the 17th inning.



The Ugly:

Andrew Benintendi was 3 for 8 but had a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Xander Bogaerts was just 2 for 8.

Michael Chavis was just 1 for 7 with a golden sombrero of 4 strikeouts.

Christian Vazquez was just 2 for 7.



Honorable Mention:

Eduardo Nunez ran for Vazquez in the 16th inning.

Sandy Leon caught the final two innings.




Final Thoughts:

Dammit, dammit, dammit, DAMMIT! The Sox had a golden chance to win 7 games in a row and pissed it away 3 times. Workman and Velazquez blowing leads and failing to take the lead in the 17th all led to the Sox demise. David Price only lasting 5 innings hurt because the Sox were forced to use Brasier, Workman and Barnes early. If Price went 7 maybe the Sox could have had one of those three for the later innings instead of Velazquez and Johnson. Maybe if Dave Dombrowski didn't put his faith in Colten Brewer, maybe the Sox would have another reliever to depend on. Everything stinks right now. The loss dropped the Sox to 40-35, 6.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look for revenge tomorrow night when they send Eduardo Rodriguez (7-4) up against the Sox nemesis Kyle Gibson at 8:10 PM Eastern time at Target Field.