Sox Top Guardians (7/25/22)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. The Sox sent a sack full of cash to the Milwaukee Brewers for backup outfielder Abraham Almonte. The former major leaguer was with the Nashville Sounds in AAA before being bought. There might be guys going at the trade deadline next week so this may be a pre-emptive move once some deals are made.

                                                                         IN

As for the game, thank God the Sox are playing someone other than the AL East. The Sox bats were mostly silent against the Cleveland Guardians but their bats were even worse against Nick Pivetta and the Boston bullpen. Yolmer Sanchez drove in Jackie Bradley Jr to put the Sox up first in the third inning but Jose Ramirez tied it with a base hit in the fifth. Alex Verdugo and Christian Vazquez drove in runs in the bottom of the sixth to make a winner out of John Schreiber (3-1, 1.50 ERA). Garrett Whitlock slammed the door in the final two innings as the Sox snapped their losing streak with a 3-1 win at Fenway Park. 

                                                           Tori Black approves of the win

Pivetta got the ball in the top of the first inning and Steven Kwan popped up to third to start. Amed Rosario flied out to right and Jose Ramirez grounded out to short to end the inning. Zach Plesac got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Jarren Duran struck out swinging to start. Rob Refsnyder lined out to first and Alex Verdugo lined out to center to end the inning. 

Josh Naylor grounded out to short to start the top of the second but Franmil Reyes got a base hit to left. Andres Gimenez got a base hit to left but Nolan Jones went down hacking. Austin Hedges also struck out swinging to end the inning. Xander Bogaerts struck out swinging to start the bottom of the second before Christian Vazquez grounded out to short. Franchy Cordero walked and Bobby Dalbec forced him at second to end the inning.

Myles Shaw singled to left to start the top of the third before Kwan flied out to right. It looked like Rosario grounded into a double play but Guardians manager Terry Francona challenged that Rosario was safe. The call was overturned and Amed was ruled safe but Ramirez struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the third as Jackie Bradley Jr doubled to center to begin. Yolmer Sanchez got a base hit to left to score Bradley but was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double. The rains came and delayed the game but when action resumed, Duran popped up to second. Refsnyder grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                         Sanchez drives in the run in the rain

Naylor walked to start the top of the fourth but Reyes struck out swinging. Gimenez walked and both runners moved over on the Jones grounder to first. Hedges grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Ramirez booted a grounder by Verdugo to start the bottom of the fourth before Bogaerts flied out to right. A wild pitch moved Verdugo to second but Vazquez grounded out to third. Cordero walked but Dalbec took strike three to end the inning.

The Guardians struck back in the top of the fifth as Straw got a base hit to center to start. Kwan also got a base hit to left but Rosario grounded into a double play. Ramirez beat out a roller down the third base line to score Straw to tie the game. Naylor grounded out to second to end the inning with the game tied 1-1. 

JBJ grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fifth before Sanchez grounded out to second. Duran struck out swinging to end the inning. 

Reyes struck out swinging to begin the top of the sixth and Gimenez went down hacking as well. Jones walked and Hedges singled to left to chase Pivetta from the game. Pivetta tossed 5 2/3 innings of 1 run ball allowing 7 hots and 3 walks. John Schreiber came in and got Straw to force Hedges to end the inning.

                                                                Pivetta did well

The Sox took command in the bottom of the sixth as Refsnyder walked to start. Verdugo hot a rocket off the Monster and Kwan fell down trying to field it, allowing Refsnyder to score. Plesac left the game and Trevor Stephan came in to pitch to Bogaerts. Xander lined a base hit to right and Vazquez singled to center to score Verdugo. Cordero and Dalbec struck out swinging and Sam Hentges came in to face Bradley. JBJ flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1.

                                                       Verdugo drives in a run

Schreiber returned for the top of the seventh and Kwan grounded out to short to start. Rosario struck out swinging but Ramirez singled to right. Naylor struck out swinging to end the inning. Sanchez grounded out to third to start the bottom of the seventh but Duran singled in the hole at short. James Karinchak came in to pitch to Refsnyder and Rob struck out swinging. Verdugo flied out to left to end the inning. 

Garrett "The Lock" Whitlock came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Reyes swung at air to start. Both Gimenez and Jones grounded out to short to end the inning. Bogaerts watched strike three go by to start the bottom of the eighth and Vazquez also left the bat on his shoulder for strike three. Cordero whiffed to end the inning.

The Lock returned to close out the top of the ninth and Owen Miller pinch hit for Hedges. Miller took strike three and Straw lined out to right. Kwan popped up to short to end the game. The Sox had won it 3-1.

                                                                 Sox win

Hero of The Night is Alex Verdugo. He drive in the go-ahead run uh the sixth inning.

                                                                  Alex Hero

The Good:

Franchy Cordero walked twice in four plate appearances. 

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

Yolmer Sanchez was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Nick Pivetta tossed 5 2/3 innings of 1 run ball. He allowed 7 hits and 3 walks while striking out 6.

John Schreiber got the win with 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Garrett Whitlock got the save with 2 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Bobby Dalbec was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Jarren Duran was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Rob Refsnyder was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run

Final Thoughts:

Now that the Toronto Blue Jays left town, maybe the Sox can win a few games. They can't beat the AL East but they can beat anyone else apparently. This was a gutty win as the offense once again did almost nothing but the pitching held up big time. Pivetta, Schreiber and Whitlock got the job done and if Chris Sale didn't get hurt, Sox fans would be feeling better about their chances in the second half. The Sox are better off selling at the deadline next week and rumors are they just might. They still could add a few pieces but if they can't beat the AL East, what's the point? Still, gotta win the games they got now and tonight they did just that. The win improved the Sox to 49-48, 17 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East and 4.5 games behind the Blue Jays for the wild card. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the Guardians tomorrow night when Josh Winckowski (3-4) takes on Bryan Shaw of Cleveland. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Jays Sweep Sox Out Of Fenway (7/24/22)

So much for this year's Boston Red Sox. One year after the Sox went from last place to Game 6 of the American League Championship Series, the Boston Red Sox have fallen flat on their face against the AL East in 2022. The Toronto Blue Jays finished off an embarrassing sweep of the Sox with yet another beat down. Rookie starter Brayan Bello (0-2, 10.50 ERA) got tagged for five first inning runs while the Sox defense committed three errors in the field. The Sox did rally to score a few runs but Hiro Sawamura allowed three runs in the top of the fifth to put the game away. The Sox did get two runs back but it wasn't enough as the Blue Jays swept the Sox 8-4 at Fenway Park.

                                                             Sox can't beat the AL East

Bello got ramrodded in the top of the first as George Springer singled in the hole at short. Vladimir Guerrero Jr doubled down the third base line but Lourdes Gurriel Jr lined out to second. Bo Bichette walked to load the bases but Teoscar Hernandez struck out swinging. Cavan Biggio got a base hit to left but Cordero booted the ball for an error to score Springer and Guerrero. Biggio stole second but Matt Champan walked. Raimel Tapia tripled into the right field corner to clear the bases and ice the game instantly. Danny Jansen took strike three to end the inning with the Jays up 5-0.

                                                            Tapia is all smiles

Ross Stripling got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jarren Duran doubled to right to begin. Christian Vazquez popped up to third and Alex Verdugo singled to left. Xander Bogaerts singled in the hole at short to score Duran, cutting the lead. Franchy Cordero grounded out to second but the runners moved over, only for Bobby Dalbec to take strike three to end the inning with the Sox down 5-1.

                                                       Bogaerts drives in a run

Springer got a base hit to right to start the top of the second and then took off for second. Vazquez threw the ball away and Springer took third on the error. Guerrero Jr grounded out to short before Gurriel Jr was retired on a swinging bunt in front of the plate. Bichette flied out to center to end the inning. Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to short to start the bottom of the second but Yolmer Sanchez walked. Jeter Downs grounded out to short to move Sanchez to second but Duran grounded out to second to end the inning.

Hernandez grounded out to second to start the top of the third before Biggio grounded out to first. Chapman doubled down the left field line and Tapia beat out an infield single to third. Jansen forced Chapman at third to end the inning. Vazquez popped up to second to start the bottom of the third before Verdugo grounded out to second. Bogaerts flied out to right to end the inning.

Springer grounded out to first to start the top of the fourth but Guerrero Jr singled to center. Gurriel Jr singled to left but Bichette grounded into a double play to end the inning. That was it for Bello who got rocked for 5 runs in just 4 innings of work.

                                                           Not good enough from Bello

The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Cordero got a base hit to left to begin. Dalbec popped up to first and JBJ flied out to left but Franchy stole second. Sanchez got a base hit to center to score Cordero. Sanchez was thrown out trying to steal to end the inning with the Sox down 5-2.

                                                         Sanchez cuts the lead'

Hiro Sawamura came in to vomit up his intestines in the top of the fifth as Hernandez walked to start. Biggio lined out to right but Chapman doubled to left. Tapia got a base hit to left to score Hernandez and Jansen ate up Downs on a grounder to score Chapman. Downs then made another error on a grounder by Springer to load the bases. Guerrero Jr then beat out a roller to first to score Tapia. Gurriel Jr grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Jays ahead 8-2.

                                                        Jays pour it on

Trevor Richards came in to pitch the bottom of the fifth and Downs flied out to right to start. Duran hit a triple to the centerfield triangle but Vazquez struck out swinging. Verdugo got a base hit to center to score Duran but Bogaerts struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 8-3.

                                                         Verdugo drives in a run

Garrett Whitlock came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Bichette struck out swinging to start. Hernandez doubled to center but Biggio flied out to right. Chapman struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the sixth as Cordero grounded out to short to start. Dalbec struck out swinging but JBJ clocked his third home run of the season to cut the lead in half. Sanchez walked and David Phelps came in to face Downs. Downs took strike three to end the inning with the Sox down 8-4.

                                                               JBJ with a home run

Austin Davis came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Tapia lined out to third to start. Jansen took strike three and Springer lined out to short to end the inning. Duran walked to start the bottom of the seventh but Vazquez flied out to right. Tim Mayza came in to face Verdugo and Alex banged into a double play to end the inning.

Kaleb Ort came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Guerrero Jr got a base hit to right to start. Gurriel Jr popped up to third and Bichette took strike three, but Hernandez singled to center. Biggio walked to load the bases but Chapman hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. Bradley Zimmer came in for Hernandez with Santiago Espinal in for Biggio and Yimi Garcia now on the mound for the bottom of the eighth. Bogaerts grounded out to third, Cordero flied out to right and Dalbec struck out swinging to end the inning.

Jake Diekman came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Tapia struck out swinging to start. Jansen grounded out to third and Springer flied out to center to end the inning. Adam Cimber came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and JBJ singled to center to start. Sanchez and Downs struck out swinging but JBJ moved to second on defensive indifference. Duran struck out swinging to end the game. The Jays had swept the Sox 8-4.

                                                                 Jays win
 

Jackass of The Night is Brayan Bello. He got rocked for 5 first inning runs to end the game early.

                                                                Jackass Bello

The Good:

Jarren Duran was 2 for 4 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Alex Verdugo was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

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

Yolmer Sanchez was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and an rbi.

Garrett Whitlock tossed a scoreless inning.

Austin Davis pitched a scoreless inning.

Kaleb Ort pitched a scoreless inning.

Jake Diekman pitched a scoreless inning.

The Bad:

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Bobby Dalbec was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Jeter Downs was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts and an error.

Hiro Sawamura allowed 3 runs in the 5th inning.

The Ugly:

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Franchy Cordero was just 1 for 4 with an error but stole a base and scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

The Red Sox limped into the All-Star game after being embarrassed by the New York Yankees and they're limping out of the break after getting embarrassed by the Blue Jays. This was utter domination as they allowed 40 runs in three games and scored just 10 themselves. The Jays have a good offense but this was out of this world. What do you even say at this point? They can't beat the AL East and it just so happens to be the division they play more than anyone. They're better off blowing it all up a week from now and playing for next year. They can get top pitching or hitting prospects for Bogaerts, Martinez and Eovaldi so why not? They got Marcello Mayer, Nick Yorke, Bryan Mata and Niko Kavadas coming in a year or two so why not get something for the stars before they walk for nothing? It all goes back to the Mookie Betts trade because Verdugo is good but nowhere near Betts while Wong and Downs have been a huge let down. Also Andrew Benintendi or Franchy Cordero and Josh Winckowski also looks like a failure as well. There's still over sixty games left in the season but it can't end fast enough. Hopefully the end is near for this group a week from now. The Sox now welcome in the Cleveland Guardians in for a three game set. Tomorrow night Nick Pivetta gets the start against Zach Plesac of the Guardians. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Manoah, Jays Shut Down Sox (7/23/22)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Rafael Devers was placed on the Injured List with a bad hamstring and Jaylin Davis was called up from Worcester to take his place. The Sox are going to need Devers in August so may as well rest him now.

                                                                               OUT

                                                                       IN

As for the game, the Red Sox seem to invent new ways to lose this season. The good news was after allowing 28 runs last night, they only allowed a meager four. The bad news was Alek Manoah and the Toronto Blue Jays held them to just one. The Sox struck first in the second inning on a Bobby Dalbec home run but a third inning rally off Kutter Crawford (2-3, 4.50 ERA) where the Jays scored 3 runs was enough. Teoscar Hernandez tagged Ryan Brasier in the ninth and the Sox had just 7 total hits as a team to lose the game 4-1 at Fenway Park.

                                                                 Sox fans have had it

Crawford got the ball in the top of the first inning and George Springer grounded out to second to start. Vladimir Guerrero Jr flied out to right and Alejandro Kirk lined out to second to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally against Manoah in the bottom of the first as Jarren Duran took strike three to start. Christian Vazquez popped up to third but Alex Verdugo got a base hit to left. Xander Bogaerts got a base hit to center but Franchy Cordero popped up to third to end the inning.

Bo Bichette walked to start the top of the second but Teoscar Hernandez grounded into a double play. Lourdes Gurriel Jr flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second as Bobby Dalbec clocked his eighth home run of the year to start before Jackie Bradley Jr singled to right. Yolmer Sanchez grounded out to second to move JBJ to second and Bradley took third on a wild pitch. Jeter Downs struck out swinging and Duran flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                                  Dalbec goes yard

Naturally the Jays rallied in the top of the third as Matt Chapman singled to left and Santiago Espinal ripped a base hit to right that scored Chapman all the way from first. Cavan Biggio doubled to center and Springer got a base hit to center to score Espinal. Guerrero Jr lined out to center but Kirk hit a sac fly to right to score Biggio. Bichette struck out swinging to end the inning with the Jays up 3-1.

                                                               Jays take the lead.

Vazquez singled to left to start the bottom of the third but Verdugo grounded into a double play. Springer made a jumping catch at the wall to rob Bogaerts of a double to end the inning.

Hernandez flied out to left to start the top of the fourth before Gurriel Jr grounded out to third. Chapman struck out swinging to end the inning. Cordero grounded out to first to start the bottom of the fourth but Dalbec beat out a roller to the mound. JBJ forced Dalbec at second but Sanchez took strike three to end the inning.

Espinal struck out swinging to begin the top of the fifth and Biggio lined out to right. Springer flied out to center to end the inning. Downs struck out swinging to open the bottom of the fifth before Duran popped up to third. Vazquez grounded out to short to end the inning.

Guerrero Jr singled to right to start the top of the sixth but Kirk banged into a double play. Bichette took strike three to end the inning. That was it for Crawford who tossed six solid innings but allowed 3 runs on 5 hits and a walk.

                                                              Crawford deserved better

Verdugo got a base hit to center to start the bottom of the sixth but Bogaerts struck out swinging. Cordero and Dalbec both watched strike three go by to end the inning.

John Schreiber came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Hernandez took strike three to start. Gurriel Jr walked but Chapman struck out swinging. Gurriel Jr was picked off to end the inning. Yimi Garcia came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and JBJ popped up to third to start. Sanchez walked but both Downs and Duran took strike three to end the inning as the boo's rained down at Fenway.

Tanner Houck came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Espinal grounded out to third to start. Biggio grounded out to first but Springer walked. Guerrero Jr struck out swinging to end the inning. Adam Cimber came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Vazquez walked to start. Verdugo flied out to center but Bogaerts was hit with a pitch to bring the tying run to the plate. Instead, Cordero struck out swinging and Jordan Romano came in to face Dalbec. Bobby flied out to center to end the inning.

Ryan Brasier came in to take a beating in the top of the ninth as Kirk singled to center to start. Bradley Zimmer came in to run for Kirk and promptly stole second. Bichette grounded out to second to move Zimmer to third and Hernandez doubled to left to score him. Gurriel Jr grounded out to short but Chapman walked. Chapman stole second but Espinal struck out swinging to end the inning with the Jays ahead 4-1.

                                                        Sox can't do anything right

Danny Jansen came in for Hernandez to start the bottom of the ninth and JBJ grounded out to third. Sanchez grounded out to first and Kevin Plawecki pinch hit for Downs. Plawecki struck out swinging to end the game. The Jays had won it 4-1.

                                                          Jays win

Jackass of The Night is Franchy Cordero. He was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts including striking out with two men on.

                                                       Make contact, Jackass

The Good:

Christian Vazquez was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Alex Verdugo was 2 for 4.

Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3 with a hit by pitch.

Bobby Dalbec was 2 for 4 with a home run.

John Schreiber pitched a scoreless seventh.

Tanner Houck pitched a scoreless eighth.

The Bad:

Jarren Duran was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Jeter Downs was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Kevin Plawecki struck out as a pinch hitter.

Ryan Brasier allowed a run in the ninth inning.

The Ugly:

Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4.

Yolmer Sanchez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Kutter Crawford took the loss by allowing 3 runs in 6 innings. He allowed 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out four.

Final Thoughts:

How? How the Red Sox THIS bad against the AL East? Not just the Blue Jays but everyone? This reminds me of the Red Sox getting destroyed by the National League back in 2002 when they got swept by the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks. But that was just 9 games. The Sox are now 12-28 vs the AL East and haven't won a series yet. If the Sox were a mediocre 19-21 they'd be in a playoff position. The Sox have the talent to win games but for some reason their bats just evaporate against Toronto. How do you get clowned by Alek Manoah? We're about a week and change away from the trade deadline and it might be time to sell. The starting rotation getting hurt at the end of June pretty much sank the season. JD Martinez, Bogaerts and Nathan Eovaldi are impending free agents and Sox GM Chaim Bloom might want to get something for them before they walk. They could get top rated prospects to help the rebuild if they choose to do that. Unless the rotation magically gets healthy and the Sox start beating AL East teams, standing pat would be detrimental not just this year but next year as well. Until then, here's another loss in a season full of them. The loss dropped the Sox to 48-47, 16.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to avoid the sweep tomorrow afternoon when Brayan Bello (0-1) takes on Ross Stripling of Toronto. The game begins at 1:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Jays Embarrass Sox at Fenway (7/22/22)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made some roster moves. Chris Sale was placed on the Injured List with a fractured pinkie finger and Connor Wong was sent back to Worcester. In their places, Brayan Bello and Yolmer Sanchez were called up from Worcester. Sucks that Sale got hurt AGAIN but this season is circling the drain anyway.

                                                                           OUT

                                                                          IN

As for the game, this may be one of the most embarrassing games in Boston Red Sox history. Back in 2000 the Yankees beat the Sox 22-1 at Fenway and in 2016 the Angels spanked the Sox 21-2 but this game was worse for one reason, the collective effort was AWFUL. The Toronto Blue Jays utterly demolished the Red Sox by getting TWENTY-NINE hits as well as 28 runs. Nathan Eovaldi was toast after just 2 2/3 innings and 9 runs allowed but the Boston bullpen got annihilated for 19 runs after he was gone. Worst yet, Raimel Tapia hit an inside the park grand slam when Jarren Duran lost the ball in the lights and didn't bother to go after the ball. The Sox also made two errors as the Jays poured on the attack. Only two of the nine innings the Jays didn't score as the Sox ineptitude against the AL East continued with a 28-3 massacre by the Jays at Fenway Park.

                                         A microcosm of the season for both Duran and the Sox

The Jays wasted no time getting to Eovaldi in the top of the first as Raimel Tapia struck out swinging. Vladimir Guerrero Jr doubled to left and Alejandro Kirk singled in the hole at short to move Vlad to third. Bo Bichette grounded out to Eovaldi but Guerrero scored to put the Jays on top. Teoscar Hernandez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Jays up 1-0.

                                                      The carnage begins

Kevin Gausman got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jarren Duran's bunt attempt was snuffed out by Santiago Espinal. Ron Refsnyder took strike three but Rafael Devers doubled to left. Xander Bogaerts struck out swinging to end the inning. 

The Jays struck again in the top of the second as Lourdes Gurriel Jr got a base hit to center to start. Matt Chatman hit a home run all the way back to Toronto but Espinal popped up to short. Danny Jansen and Tapia both grounded out to short to end the inning with the Jays up 3-0.

                                                         It's about to get worse

Alex Verdugo grounded out to second to start the bottom of the second and Christian Vazquez got a base hit to right. Kevin Plawecki also got a base hit to right but Jackie Bradley Jr struck out swinging. Jeter Downs struck out swinging to end the inning. 

Things fell apart in the top of the third as Guerrero Jr grounded out to short to start. Kirk singled to right, Bichette doubled to left and Hernandez walked to load the bases. Gurriel Jr singled to center to score Kirk and Bichette, but Chapman struck out swinging. Espinal got a base hit to right to score Hernandez and everyone moved up. Jansen walked to re-load the bases and the plug was pulled on Eovaldi. Austin Davis came in and Tapia hit a fly ball to center.....that Duran never saw..it bounced 20 feet behind him and he just stared at it. Verdugo had to throw it back in but by the time he sis, Tapia had made it around for an inside the park grand slam. Guerrero Jr walked and took second on a wild pitch but Kirk lined out to right to end the inning with the Jays up 10-0.

                                                      Eovaldi can't bear to watch this

Duran struck out swinging to start the bottom of the third and Refsnyder lined out to right. Devers struck out swinging to end the inning. 

The Jays teed off on Davis in the top of the fourth as Bichette struck out swinging to start. Hernandez hit a home run all the way to Venus but Gurriel Jr flied out to right. Chapman was hit with a pitch and Davis fielded a grounder by Espinal then threw it away for an error. Jansen hit a home run all the way to Mongolia to increase the lead. Tapia grounded out to short to end the inning with the Jays up by two touchdowns 14-0.

                                                      Home run derby at Fenway

Bogaerts struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fourth before Verdugo grounded out to second. Somehow Vazquez belted his 7th home run of the year to break up the shutout. Espinal threw a grounder by Plawecki away for an error and JBJ smashed his second home run of the season to cut the lead. Downs took strike three to end the inning but the Sox kicked a field goal to trail 14-3.

                                                                Home run JBJ

Things got much worse in the top of the fifth with Kaleb Ort on the mound. Guerrero Jr took strike three and Kirk grounded out to first, but Bichette singled to right. Hernandez got a base hit to right and Gurriel Jr singled to center to score Bichette. Chapman hit a pop up on the infield and naturally no one called it, allowing it to drop in for a "hit" to score Hernandez. Espinal walked and Jansen singled to right to score Gurriel. Tapia doubled to center to score Chapman and Espinal then Guerrero Jr got a base hit to left to score both runners. Finally Ort was pulled and Darwinzon Hernandez came in to get beat up. Kirk walked and JBJ missed a pop up by Bichette to score Guerrero. Hernandez singled to right to score Kirk and Gurriel Jr doubled to center to clear the bases. Chapman took strike three to end the inning but the Jays scored 11 runs with two outs in the inning to lead 25-3.

                                                           Jays are all smiles

Duran doubled to left to start the bottom of the fifth but Refsnyder took strike three. Devers lined out to left and Bogaerts struck out swinging to end the inning. 

Bobby Dalbec came in for Devers as the massacre continued in the top of the sixth. Downs threw a grounder away by Espinal for an error and Jansen hit yet another home run to increase the lead. Tapia ate up Downs at second for another hit and Zack Collins pinch hit for Guerrero. Collins popped up to short but Kirk singled to center. Cavan Biggio pinch hit for Bichette and forced Kirk at second. Bradley Zimmer pinch hit for Hernandez and struck out swinging to end the inning with the Jays up 27-3.

                                                          Jays can't miss tonight

The Sox got a run back against Jeremy Beasley in the bottom of the sixth as Verdugo flied out to left to start. Vazquez pounded his second home run of the night to cut the lead and Plawecki singled to left. JBJ and Downs both struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 27-4.

                                                     Vazquez is still fighting

Yolmer Sanchez came in for Bogaerts with Jake Diekman now on the mound for the top of the seventh. Gurriel Jr singled to right but Chapman hit one up the elevator shaft. Espinal popped up to short but a wild pitch moved Gurriel to second. Jansen took strike three to end the inning for Boston's first scoreless inning of the game. Duran struck out swinging to open the bottom of the seventh but Jansen dropped a pop up by Refsnyder. Rob made him pay back by hitting his fourth home run of the season but Dalbec took strike three. Sanchez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 27-5.

                                                           Refsnyder jacks one

Hiro Sawamura came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Tapia grounded out to third to start. Collins watched strike three go by and Kirk grounded out to third to end the inning. Franchy Cordero pinch hit for Verdugo and flied out to center to start the bottom of the eighth. Vazquez grounded out to second and Plawecki also grounded out to second to end the inning.

Sanchez the infielder took over on the mound to start the top of the ninth and Biggio doubled to left. JBJ made a running catch to rob Zimmer of a hit but Gurriel Jr got a base hit to center. Chapman singled to left to score Biggio to wrap up the scoring. Espinal forced Chapman at second and Jansen popped up to third to end the inning with the Jays up 28-5.

                                     Sanchez didn't even allow the most runs by a pitcher

Anthony Banda came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and JBJ grounded out to short to start. Downs flied out to center and Duran struck out swinging to end the game. The Jays had beaten the crap out of the Sox 28-5.

                                                             Jays win

Jackass of The Night is Jarren Duran. Lollygagging after fly balls you lost in the lights is a bad look, doesn't matter what the score is

                                                                Nice one Jackass          

The Good:

Rafael Devers was 1 for 3.

Christian Vazquez was 3 for 4 with 2 home runs.

Kevin Plawecki was 3 for 4 with a run scored.

Jake Diekman pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

Hiro Sawamura pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Bobby Dalbec struck out in his only at-bat.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Yolmer Sanchez struck out in his only at-bat and gave up a run in the ninth inning on the mound.

Alex Verdugo was 0 for 3.

Franchy Cordero was 0 for 1 in his only at-bat.

Jeter Downs was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts and an error.

Nathan Eovaldi took the loss by allowing 9 runs in just 2 2/3 innings off 8 hits and 2 walks.

Austin Davis allowed 5 runs in 1 1/3 innings.

Kaleb Ort allowed 8 runs in 2/3 of an inning.

Darwinzon Hernandez allowed 5 runs in 1 1/3 innings.

The Ugly:

Rob Refsnyder was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but hit a home run.

Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but the one hit was a 2 run home run.

Final Thoughts:

I think its time to sell at the trade deadline. Xander Bogaerts, Nathan Eovaldi and JD Martinez are all free agents after this season and Sox GM Chaim Bloom might want to get something for them. Lourdes Gurriel Jr had 6 hits and the Sox as a team had 10, that's just inexcusable. Duran also needs to be sent back to Worcester because lollygagging after balls is what got Izzy Alcantara sent on a rocket ship to obscurity back in 2000. Speaking of 2000, the Sox getting smashed at home by the Yankees in June of 2000 was somehow not as bad as this. Getting beat by the World Champs is one thing, getting dominated by THIS Jays team is another. Jake Diekman and Hiro Sawamaura were the only pitchers not to give up runs and what do you say at this point? Here's the worst part, they allowed 27 runs to the Yankees in the two games before the all-star break and 28 in this one. That's 55 total runs in three games, that'll get you a one way ticket to last place in team ERA. The offense managed four home runs and scored 5 runs, not the best but any other night that would at least put them in a position to win. Jeter Downs looked as lost as Duran did so things are not looking good for the youngsters. The less said of this, the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 48-46, 16.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow against the Jays as Kutter Crawford (2-2) takes on Alek Manoah of the Jays. The game begins at 4:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Off-Day News: Draft Day 3 Coverage (7/19/22)

Today concluded the 2022 MLB Draft and the Boston Red Sox kicked things off with their 11th round pick. Right handed pitcher Marques Johnson of Long Beach State was chosen after tossing 44 innings and posting a 3.25 ERA out of the bullpen. Last year's 11th round pick Niko Kavadas is second in the organization in home runs and may see Portland this year. It would be unfair to expect Johnson to be in Portland next year but you never know.

                                                      Long Beach in the HOUSEEEEEEE

In the 12th round the Sox took injured right handed pitcher Hayden Mullins from Auburn University. Mullins was 2-1 with a 3.63 ERA in 34 innings before suffering a season ending elbow injury. He's got a low 90's fastball but a great curveball. Just like when the Sox drafted Hunter Dobbins knowing they'd have to wait for him, they're going to take the same approach with Mullins. Hope this turns out to be a sneaky good pick.

                                                               Get well soon Mullins

Once again the Sox yet another shortstop when they made their 13th round selection Gavin Kilen out of Milton High School in Milton, Wisconsin. Why they chose yet another shortstop is anyone's guess, not to mention he's already committed to Louisville, University. He can either turn pro for $125,000 now or go to Louisville and up his stock, the choice is his.

                                                             Boston or Louisville?

Not learning anything, the Sox used their 14th round pick on ANOTHER shortstop. This time they took Copperas Cove Texas infielder Travis Sanders. He's 6'1 and has pretty good speed. Only drawback is he's committed to Texas Tech. Once again, will he turn pro for 125K or improve his draft stock by going to Texas Tech. With so many damn shortstops drafted this year, he may as well go to school.

                                                         And the crowd goes wild!

The Sox got another pitcher when they took left handed Nathan Landry from the Missouri Tigers in the 15th round. The Quebec native made 4 starts and 11 relief appearances as a Junior for the Tigers, posting a 3.67 ERA. He struck out 54 batters in 41 innings but the good news is he only walked 7. If he can keep the contact down, he could be a good reliever down the road.

                                                              A lefty with control

The Sox 16th round pick was another pitcher, right handed pitcher Garrett Ramsey of Southern Miss University. He posted a 2.61 ERA out of the bullpen while going 5-1 with 4 saves this year. The Greenville Drive and Salem Red Sox are dominated by the end of the Dave Dombrowski era draft picks not counting last year's picks. Its very apparent Bloom is restocking the lower minors with pitching to see if any of them at least can be an improvement over the current Greenville Drive that's 20 games under .500.

                                                              Another reliever drafted

The Sox finally did something different in the 17th round when they chose high school outfielder Deundre Jones from Lutheran South Academy out of Texas. He isn't projected to be a top 10 star so this pick is a big crapshot. Not to mention he's also committed to Kansas State University. This may be the last time you hear of him so take a good look.

                                                     Tall task to make the majors for Jones

The Sox went to Junior College to take their 18th round pick. Right handed pitcher Austin Ehrlicher is a 6'5 former basketball player that's spent the year at Santa Rosa Junior College in California. Apparently he wanted a career change and tried his hand at pitching. Last year the JuCo pitcher the Sox drafted was Luis Guerrero who's currently 2-3 with a 3.78 ERA at Salem. Let's see how Ehrlicher turns out.

                                       From the basketball court to the baseball mound

In the 19th round, the Sox took right handed pitcher Jaret Goodman of Oklahoma University. Just like their 19th round pick last year (Tyler Uberstine), Goodman can maintain status of a bum as he allowed 17 runs in 19 innings to post a hideous 6.98 ERA. Uberstine is currently 5-4 with a mediocre 4.37 ERA in Salem so the bar won't be set too high for Goodman. If he doesn't develop, oh well.

                                   UrinatingTree "He's going to be nothing, he's a BUM!"

Rounding out this crew, the Sox took a left handed pitcher named Connor Butler out of little known Biola University in the 20th round. He was 1-2 with 2 saves and a 4.50 ERA for Biola which isn't good. If he allows 5 runs in one inning to Fresno Pacific University, what's he going to do when he faces minor league hitters that are of much better quality? Biola actually stands for Bible Institute of Los Angeles so if Butler doesn't work out as a pitcher, he can go be an ordained minister.

                                                       Father Connor Butler

As an extra bonus, the Sox signed an undrafted free agent. UConn catcher Matt Donlan. Donlan actually started out at Stonehill before transferring to UConn. He hit .260 with 12 home runs for the Huskies and since the Sox are desperate for catching prospects, may as well give him a shot.

                                             Let's see if Donlan can fight his way to Boston

Rounding out the group, the Sox took another undrafted free agent when they signed 18 year old infielder Bryant Zayas out of Miami Christian High School. He was one of the top 500 players in high school baseball so let's see how he does.

                                                          Another longshot, Bryant Zayas

Late round picks usually don't turn into superstars so it would be unfair to expect any of these guys to be a major league regular. Although Niko Kavadas has been one of the better hitters for Single A this season, that's the exception rather than the norm. Still, the endgame for Bloom drafting so many pitchers is to replenish the system that's relying on Dominican League graduates and the dregs of the Dombrowski draft. If nothing else, these guys will fill out the lower level rosters to end this season. This may be the last time you ever hear of these guys so take a good look.