Sox Late Surge Blasts O's (4/11/17)

Before the game the Sox welcomed back Hanley Ramirez and Xander Bogaerts to the lineup but placed Jackie Bradley Jr on the 10 day disabled list. Devin Marrero was sent down to Pawtucket and Drew Pomeranz was activated for tonight's game.

                                                                         OUT

                                                                            IN

The Sox offense finally came alive in this one, better late than never. Riding the hot hand of Drew Pomeranz, the Sox woke up late to defeat the Baltimore Orioles 8-1 at Fenway Park.

                                                 Alexander Hamilton approves of the win

Pomeranz got some defensive help in the top of the first inning. Craig Gentry looked at strike 3 and Dustin Pedroia made a great lunge and throw to nab Adam Jones. Manny Machado walked but Mark Trumbo swung and missed on a full count to end the inning. Dylan Bundy got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and got Dustin Pedroia to pop up in foul territory. Andrew Benintendi beat out an infield single but was erased on the Mookie Betts double play.

Pomeranz froze Chris Davis with strike 3 to begin the top of the second inning but Wellington Castillo singled to right-center. Trey Mancini doubled Castillo to third but Jonathan Scoop popped up to first. JJ Hardy flied out to center to end the inning but Pomeranz had already thrown 37 pitches. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second inning. The returning Ramirez walked and Mitch Moreland doubled off the Monster to advance Hanley to third. Xander Bogaerts whiffed but Pablo Sandoval scored Ramirez with a sac fly. Chris Young swung at a curveball in the dirt to end the inning but the Sox were up 1-0.

Pomeranz whiffed Gentry to open the top of the third. Jones grounded out to second and Sandoval snared a line drive by Machado to end the inning. Christian Vazquez poked a single into right to open the bottom of the third inning. Pedroia popped up on a full count and Vazquez swiped second base for his first major league stolen base. Benny The Kid popped up and Mr. Mookie hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

Trumbo popped up to short to begin the top of the fourth. David whiffed and Castillo flied out to end the inning. Ramirez singled to right-center to begin the bottom of the fourth inning. Moreland popped up and the inning ended on the strike em out, throw em out double play when Bogaerts struck out as Ramirez was thrown out trying to steal.

                                       Ex-Prez Obama's message to Bogaerts....or Ramirez

Pomeranz struck out Mancini to open the top of the fifth. Pedroia made a great play and throw to get Schoop at first. Hardy grounded out to end the inning with the Sox still on top 1-0. The Sox added to the lead although Sandoval was tagged out on a dribbler to first to begin the bottom of the fifth inning. Young singled and Vazquez doubled off the Monster. Pedroia lofted a sac fly to score Young and advance Vazquez to third. Benny The Kid grounded out to first to end the inning but the Sox now led 2-0.

                                                        Sac fly makes it 2-0

Pomeranz returned for the top of the 6th inning and got Gentry to ground out to start. Jones doubled but Machado popped up. Trumbo flied out to end the inning. Big effort by Pomeranz to toss 6 shut-out innings. The Sox threatened again when Mr. Mookie lined a leadoff singled but Ramirez flied out and Moreland banged into a double play to end the inning.

Pomeranz returned for the top of the seventh to face Davis who he whiffed twice before, but the move backfired as Davis singled to chase him. Still was a great effort by Drew as Heath Hembree came in to replace him. Castillo made a boo-boo as he hit one into the left field corner but curiously stopped at first although Davis moved to third. Hembree bore down to strike out Mancini but Schoop beat out a double play ball to score Davis. Hardy grounded into a force to end the inning with the lead still intact 2-1. The Sox then pounced on the Baltimore bullpen with some terrible defense although Bundy returned for the bottom of the seventh, Bogaerts grounded out but Sandoval walked to chase him. Darren O'Day relieved Bundy and got no help as Hardy booted a ground ball by Young for an error. Vazquez then lofted a routine fly to center and Schoop DROPPED IT! Actually it never actually touched the glove so it was ruled a clean single, as pathetic as that sounds. Pedroia then singled in the hole at short to score Sandoval and Young. Benintendi singled home Vazquez then took second on the throwing error by Gentry. 3 miscues by Baltimore and it was 5-1. Pedroia got caught in a rundown on a ground ball by Mr. Mookie allowing Benny The Kid to reach third and Mookie second. Ramirez flied out to end the inning but what a rally.

                                                              Keystone Kops

Matt Barnes took over for the top of the 8th. Seth Smith pinch hit for Gentry and he whiffed to open the inning. Jones also whiffed and Machado flied out to end the inning, The Sox put the game away in the bottom of the 8th against Oliver Drake who is a MA resident of Gardner. Moreland struck out but Bogaerts walked. Sandoval whiffed but Young singled. Vazquez then hit a triple as Gentry missed a line drive in the right field corner to give the Sox a 7-1 lead. Pedroia then lined one off Drake, Schoop missed it and Vazquez was safe at home. Benny The Kid beat out an infield single and Mr. Mookie lined one off the glove of Machado to load the bases. Ramirez lined out to end the inning but the game was all but over 8-1.

                                         A three bagger for Vazquez puts it out of reach

Joe Kelly relieved Barnes for the top of the ninth. Trumbo grounded out but Davis walked. Ryan Flaherty pinch hit for Castillo and flied out. Mancini grounded out to end the game, the Sox had won 8-1.

Hero of the night is Drew Pomeranz. Facing a dangerous Baltimore lineup, he tossed 6 innings of 1 run ball while striking out 6.

                                               Hero of the Night: Drew Pomeranz


The Good:

Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 4 with 4 rbi's.

Andrew Benintendi was 3 for 5 with an rbi.

Mookie Betts was 2 for 5

Chris Young was 2 for 4 with 3 runs scored.

Christian Vazquez was 4 for 4 with 2 runs scored, 2 rbi's and a stolen base.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless 8th inning

Joe Kelly pitched a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

None....a shock!



The Ugly:

Hanley Ramirez was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored a run.

Mitch Moreland was just 1 for 4.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 3 but walked and scored a run.

Pablo Sandoval was 0 for 2 but walked, drove in a run and scored a run.

Heath Hembree allowed an inherited runner to score but gave up none of his own.


Final Thoughts:

Now THAT'S more like it. When the offense isn't hurt, grieving or puking its guts out, it actually is a dangerous lineup. Now that everyone but Bradley is back, they produced in a big time tonight against the O's bullpen. Drew Pomeranz had a hell of a game and maybe this is what Dave Dombrowski saw when he traded for him last year. This was no fluke either, Baltimore's lineup is damn good with a lot of power. If Pomeranz is healthy and can give you games like this, they can survive without David Price long enough to be in contention until he gets back. Tomorrow night Steven Wright goes for the Sox opposite Ubaldo Jimenez at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Let Down Sale, Tigers Take Three of Four (4/10/17)

Before the game it was revealed that Xander Bogaerts' flight back from Aruba got cancelled so he will be out one more day. The Sox still optioned Deven Marrero to Pawtucket anyway to make room for him.

                                                                              OUT

As for the game, another terrible offensive performance that ruined yet another Chris Sale (0-1) start. This time the Sox ran into Tigers ace Justin Verlander and even though the Sox dropped the game 2-1 to the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, it still was a heck of a pitcher's duel.

Dustin Pedroia led off the game with a routine fly out to left field. Andrew Benintendi popped up to short and Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to end the inning. Sale was good through the first inning as he got Ian Kinsler to ground out. Nick Castellanos popped up to first and Miguel Cabrera grounded out to end the inning.

The Sox wasted a golden chance in the top of the second. Mitch Moreland continued his hot streak by doubling down the right field line. Pablo Sandoval worked a great at-bat against Verlander to work a walk. Chris Young hit a double play ball but Castellanos booted it and the bases were loaded. Brock "Hitman" Holt banged into a double play by slipping coming out of the batter's box but Moreland scored to give the Sox a 1-0 lead. Sandy Leon popped up to third to end the inning. Victor Martinez led off the bottom of the second by striking out swinging. Mike Mahtook waived at strike three and James McCann popped up to end the inning.

Marco Hernandez flied out to center to open the top of the third inning. Pedroia singled past Kinsler at second but Benny The Kid flied out to right. Mr. Mookie popped up to end the inning. Jose Iglesias popped up to begin the bottom of the third. JaCoby Jones whiffed but Austin Romine stroked a ground rule double. Kinsler whiffed on a 3-2 count to end the inning.

The Sox wasted another chance as Moreland stroked another lead-off double in the top of the fourth. Sandoval whiffed on a 3-2 count, Young flied out to left and Holt flied out to center to end the inning. Sale struck out Castellanos to open the bottom of the fourth. Cabrera took Benintendi to the wall but Andrew ran it down for out number two. That was probably gone at Fenway Park. Martinez struck out on a nasty slider to end the inning.

Verlander whiffed Leon to open the top of the fifth inning. Hernandez grounded out and Pedroia flied out to end the inning. Sale got Mahtook to pop up to open the bottom of the fifth inning. McCann and Iglesias both popped up to end the inning. Sale was working on a one hitter.

Verlander remained hot in the top of the sixth inning. Benny The Kid and Mr. Mookie both flied out before Moreland struck out to end the inning. The Tigers finally got to Sale in the bottom of the sith inning. He got Jones swinging to begin the frame then Romine swung at strike 3 in the dirt for Sale's 8th strikeout. Kinsler then launched a solo home run to tie the game. Castellanos looked at strike three to end the inning but the Tigers had tied it.

Verlander returned for the top of the seventh and Sandoval was robbed at the wall to open the frame. Young looked at a 3-2 pitch for out number 2 but Hitman Holt worked a walk and Tigers manager Brad Ausmus came out to talk to Verlander. Justin told him to get lost and he stayed in to pitch to Leon. Leon popped up to end the inning. Sale came back for the bottom of the seventh and got Cabrera to line out to Betts to start. Martinez singled but Mahtook popped up. McCann grounded out to end the inning.

Verlander was gone, replaced by Justin Wilson in the top of the eighth inning. The Sox offense continued to scuffle. Hernandez struck out and Pedroia lined out, but Benny The Kid walked. Mr. Mookie flied out to end the inning. A tiring Sale came back for the bottom of the eighth. Iglesias flied out and Jones struck out, Sale was just one out away from sending it to the ninth. He failed as Romin doubled and Kinsler walked. Rather than bring in Heath Hembree, Sox manager John Farrell left in Sale to face Castellanos. The gamble failed as Nick singled home Romine to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead. Finally Hembree came in to retire Cabrera but the damage was done. Sale did the best he could and deserved a better fate.

                                        "Assholes couldnt score for me....AGAIN!"

Could the Sox rally in the top of the ninth against Fransisco Rodriguez? Moreland got it started with a base hit and was replaced by pinch-runner Steve Selsky. Sandoval whiffed and Mitch was erased on the force by Young. Hitman Holt struck out to end the game, the Tigers had won 2-1.

Jackass of the Night is a tough one since nobody on the Sox could generate much offense, so I'm going with Mookie Betts. He's supposed to be the MVP candidate and the one to take the Sox into the next generation and he's been useless lately. A bloop or a blast could have won the game or turn the tide in favor of the Sox.

                                               Sorry Mookie, you're Jackass

The Good:

Mitch Moreland was 3 for 4 with a run scored.

One of the rare times the losing pitcher is on the good list. Chris Sale tossed 7 2/3 innings of 2 run bll which would have been a win 9 times out of 10. He scattered 5 hits and a walk while striking out 10.

Heath Hembree retired the only man he faced.



The Bad:

Chris Young was 0 for 4.

Sandy Leon was 0 for 3 with a strikeout

Marco Hernandez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout



The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 4.

Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 3 but walked.

Pablo Sandoval was 0 for 3 but walked.

Brock Holt was 0 for 3 but walked.



Honorable Mention:

Steve Selsky pinch ran in the top of the ninth.



Final Thoughts:

This damn flu bug is ruining everything. The Sox just couldn't generate much offense against Verlander and Sale did the best he could. Sox manager John Farrell took some heat for leaving Sale in but most anyone would rather have Sale on the mound instead of Matt Barnes, Joe Kelly, etc. Still, the Sox are getting some guys back tomorrow and as the others recover from the effects of the flu, they'll start hitting again. Not to mention all 3 losses to Detroit came down to the final at-bat so the Sox have been battling the whole time. The Sox return to action tomorrow night at home against Baltimore. Drew Pomeranz makes his season debut against Dylan Bundy.

Sox Show Guts, Outlast Tigers (4/9/27)

The banged up and sick Boston Red Sox got some good news and more bad news before the game. The bad news was Jackie Bradley Jr was out of the lineup due to knee soreness after yesterday's scare. The good news was the return of Mookie Betts to the lineup. Last year's MVP runner-up should be able to help a team that's scored in just 4 innings in 4 games this season. The somewhat good news was the X-Ray and MRI on Bradley's knee showed no structural damage. Dave O'Brien returned to the announce booth and Andrew Benintendi was in the lineup so things are starting to look up. Tomorrow Xander Bogaerts and Matt Barnes come back as well. To make room for Matt Barnes returning, Noe Ramirez was sent back to Pawtucket.

                                                            OUT

                                                                 IN

As for the game, the banged up Red Sox showed some life to take Game 3 of this 4 game set. The Sox used some late inning magic to down the Detroit Tigers 7-5 at Comerica Park.

                                                                        Happy fans

Daniel Norris got the ball to start the top of the first and Dustin Pedroia greeted him with a single up the middle. Andrew Benintendi popped up to center and Pedroia was foolishly picked off. Mr. Mookie Betts made his return to the lineup by working a walk. Chris Young flied out to center to end the inning. What a waste.

                                            "Damn you Pedroia!!"

"Slick" Rick Porcello took the mound in the bottom of the first and the Tigers quickly pounced on him. He struck out Ian Kinsler to start the afternoon but Nicholas Castellanos singled in the hole at short and Miguel Cabrera singled to right. Porcello recovered to strike out Victor Martinez for career strikeout number 1,000 but Justin Upton singled home Castellanos to make it 1-0 Tigers. Tyler Collins flied out to the wall in right to end the inning but Porcello had already thrown 25 pitches.

The Sox somehow tied the game in the top of the second. Mitch Moreland worked a walk but Steve Selsky whiffed. Sandy Leon jacked one into the gap but the Sox bad luck continued as it bounced over the fence for a ground rule double. Moreland would have scored had it not gone over the fence. Right on cue Moreland was thrown out at home on a ground ball by Pablo Sandoval. Leon did move to third and Marco Hernandez stepped up to single down the left field line to score Leon. Pedroia grounded out to end the inning but the game was tied 1-1.  Right on cue the Tigers re-took the lead as Alex Avila worked a leadoff walk. Austin Romine then hit a picture perfect double play ball and Avila was out at second but NOBODY COVERED FIRST! Neither Moreland or Porcello knew what was going on and the ball got away, allowing Romine to reach second. Hernandez got the error and Romine moved to third on the force by Jose Iglesias. Kinsler made the Sox pay with a flare to center to drive in Romine to make it 2-1. Castellanos flied out to center to end the inning but it didn't look good.

                                                          Ren turns his back on bad defense

The Sox refused to go quietly in the top of the third. Benny The Kid popped up to begin and Mr. Mookie grounded out but Young worked a walk. Moreland doubled into the gap and this time the ball stayed in play as Young motored around to score the tying run. Rally killer Selsky grounded out to end the inning but it was now 2-2. Porcello got Cabrera to line out to open the bottom of the third but Martinez singled to center. Upton beat out a double play ball and Collins singled him to third. Avila struck out to end the inning but it was a struggle.

Leon popped up to begin the top of the fourth inning. Sandoval grounded out to third and Hernandez popped up to end the inning. The Tigers pounced on Porcello again as Romine doubled in the gap to start the bottom of the fourth. Iglesias hit a line shot to Betts as Romine nearly got thrown out at second tagging up on a cross up with the third base coach. Porcello came up limping on the play and immediately surrendered an RBI single to Kinsler to give the Tigers a 3-2 lead. That's 8 hits for the Tigers in just 3 1/3 innings. Castellanos hit one to the wall but it was snared down by Selsky. Porcello struck out Cabrera to end the inning but the Tigers had the lead back.

The Sox mustered nothing in the top of the fifth inning. Pedroia whiffed, Benny The Kid flied out to left and Mr. Mookie grounded out to end the inning. Porcello returned for the bottom of the fifth and Martinez flied out to the left field wall. Upton whiffed and Collins looked at strike three to end the inning.

Lefty killer Young stroked a single off Norris to open the top of the sixth inning but was erased on the Moreland double play. The DP loomed large as Selsky doubled into the gap. Leon grounded out to end the inning. Porcello came back for the bottom of the sixth and struck out Avila on 3 pitches to begin. Romine singled but Iglesias popped up. Kinsler took strike three to end the inning. Porcello battled but still gave the Sox six solid innings.

Sandoval grounded out to start the top of the seventh inning but Hernandez beat out an infield single to chase Daniel Norris. Old friend Alex Wilson was brought in to pitch to Pedroia and got him to bounce into a double play to end the inning.....BUT WAIT! Turns out second basemen Kinsler never touched second base so Hernandez was ruled safe. The "neighborhood" rule has been abolished and it gave the Sox new life. Benny The Kid made the Tigers pay by singling home Hernandez to tie the game but was foolishly thrown out at second trying to stretch. Still, the Sox had tied the game 3-3. Porcello returned for the bottom of the seventh and the Tigers wasted no time re-taking the lead a Castellanos crushed a solo home run to left field to give the Tigers a 4-3 lead. Hernandez then threw wide of first to allow Cabrera reach first. That was it for Porcello as Sox manager John Farrell pulled him for the returning Matt Barnes. Martinez looked at strike three and Cabrera was gunned down by Leon trying to steal. Upton grounded out to end the inning but the Tigers had the lead back.

                                                   Not the best effort from Porcello

Bruce Rondon came on to pitch the top of the eighth inning and the Sox sprang to life. Mr. Mookie worked a leadoff walk and Young singled but Upton inexplicably threw home which allowed Betts to reach third and Young to take second. Tigers manager Brad Ausmus had Moreland intentionally walked to load the bases as Sox manager John Farrell countered by pinch hitting Selsky with Brock "Hitman" Holt. Ausmus then relieved Rondon with lefty Kyle Ryan. Holt worked a walk to tie the game and re-load the bases. Leon then singled home Young and Moreland, sending Holt to third to give the Sox a 6-4 lead. Sandoval banged into a double play but Holt scored to make it 7-4. Hernandez stroked a single up the middle but Pedroia grounded out to end the inning.

                                                     Leon gives the Sox the lead

Could the bullpen hold the lead unlike Friday? Benny The Kid moved to center and Holt took over in left as Barnes returned for the bottom of the 8th. Collins grounded out to second but Avila doubled. Barnes froze Romine for a called third strike and Barnes punched out Iglesias to end the inning. Outstanding effort by Barnes to put the fire out in the seventh and slam the door in the 8th.

Former Sox prospect Anibal Sanchez got the call to pitch the top of the ninth and he began by striking out Benny The Kid. Mr. Mookie grounded out and Young popped up to end the inning. Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel was brought in to close out the bottom of the ninth. Right on cue he walked Kinsler and Castellanos on 9 pitches, none of which were close. Kimbrel recovered to punch out Cabrera but Martinez singled home Kinsler and advanced Castellanos to third to make it 7-5. Kimbrel managed to strike out Upton and Collins to end the game. The Sox had held on to win 7-5, whew.

Hero of The Night is Matt Barnes. Coming off the bereavement list, he tosses 2 scoreless innings including putting a fire out and slamming the door.

                                              From grieving to Hero


The Good:

Steve Selsky was 1 for 3

Chris Young was 2 for 4 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Mitch Moreland was 1 for 2 with 2 walks, a run scored and an rbi.

Brock Holt walked to drive in a run and scored himself

Sandy Leon was 2 for 4 with a run scored and the big 2 rbi single.

Marco Hernandez was 3 for 4 with a run scored and an rbi.


The Bad:

Rick Porcello had his first stinker of the year, allowing 4 runs on 11 hits and a walk in 6 innings of work, getting knocked out in the 7th inning.

Pablo Sandoval was 0 for 4



The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 5

Andrew Benintendi was 1 for 5 but drove in a run.

Mookie Betts was 0 for 3 but walked twice and scored a run.

Craig Kimbrel allowed a run in the ninth on 2 walks and a hit but earned his second save of the season.



Final Thoughts:

That was a BIG, BIG win for Boston early in the season. With so many guys sick grieving and injured someone had to step up and a lot of the role players did today. The fact they were down in the game 4 times and came back all four showed some serious balls in the face of adversity. Porcello wasn't good but it was only one game. The good news is Xander Bogaerts comes back from bereavement tomorrow and Mookie Betts should be feeling better. Getting Robbie Ross Jr, Jackie Bradley Jr and Hanley Ramirez back is the next step. Tomorrow afternoon is the big monster matchup as Chris Sale (1-0) takes on Tigers ace Justin Verlander. You won't want to miss it.

Flu Riddled Sox Drop Second Straight To Detroit (4/8/17)

The pesky flu bug struck again this morning, claiming Joe Kelly as its latest victim. Not only that, Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell and coach Brian Butterfield aren't feeling well either. This isn't just a nuisance, this is a full fledged epidemic. Mookie Betts, Hanley Ramirez and Robbie Ross Jr are already out with Mitch Moreland and Brock Holt still recovering. They better get this under control quick.

                                               Paging Dr. Winchester

As for the game, the lack of depth from all the injuries, bereavement and flu caught up with the Sox in this one. They couldn't generate any offense and Eduardo Rodriguez (0-1) didn't have it, leading to a 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.

                                                             Grumpy Sox fans

Brock "Hitman" Holt led the game off in the top of the first by striking out. Dustin Pedroia and Andrew Benintendi grounded out to end the inning. Eduardo Rodriguez made his season debut by getting Ian Kinsler to pop up to right field. Nicholas Castellanos grounded out to short and Miguel Cabrera struck out to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the second. Mitch Moreland doubled and moved to third on the Pablo Sandoval fly out. Jackie Bradley Jr scored Moreland with a 400 foot out in center field to make it 1-0 Boston. Chris Young popped up to end the inning. Old buddy Victor Martinez walked to lead off the bottom of the second but was erased on the Upton fielder's choice. Some moron ran onto the field to delay the game before the alert security team seized the intruder and wrestled him to the ground. Upton then made the mistake of running on Christian Vazquez and Vaz gunned him down at second base. It was good he was out because Rodriguez walked Mike Mahtook. James McCann popped up to end the inning.

Marco Hernandez led off the top of the third with a ground out. Vazquez followed up his good throw with a long at bat that ended with a double to the wall in left. Hitman Holt also had a good at-bat to draw a walk. Pedroia poked a single to shallow center to load the bases. Unfortunately Benny The Kid bounced into a double play to end the inning. Right on cue the Tigers struck. JaCoby Jones led off the bottom of the third with a strikeout but old pal Jose Iglesias swatted a home run to left to tie the game. Hernandez made a great running catch to rob Kinsler of a hit. Not to be out-done, JBJ made a great diving catch to rob Castellanos of a hit to end the inning.

Moreland singled off the right field wall to begin the top of the fourth inning. Sandoval popped up and JBJ struck out. Young grounded out to end the inning. Rodriguez got some help in the bottom of the fourth as Cabrera worked a leadoff walk but was erased on the Martinez double play. Upton took a borderline pitch for strike to end the inning.

Hernandez whiffed to open the top of the fifth inning but Vazquez was drilled in the shoulder. Hitman Holt popped up and Pedroia was robbed at the wall to end the inning. Both teams are playing great defense. The Tigers blasted Rodriguez in the bottom of the fifth. Mahtook struck out, but McCann blasted a solo home run to left to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead. Jones doubled and moved to third on the wild pitch by Rodriguez. Iglesias doubled home Jones and Kinsler singled in Jones before being tagged out in a run-down. Castellanos struck out to end the inning but the Tigers now led 4-1.

Could the Sox rally in the top of the sixth? NO! Benny The Kid flied out to left, Moreland grounded out to first and Sandoval popped up to end the inning. Even Sox commentator Dave O'Brien wasn't immune to the flu as he had to leave the booth Tom Caron took over for him as Ben Taylor took over for the ineffective Rodriguez in the bottom of the sixth. Taylor whiffed Cabrera and Martinez before getting Upton to fly out to end the inning.

Shane Greene took over for Zimmerman in the top of the seventh. Another fan ran out onto the field as Jerry Remy scoffed with disgust. JBJ struck out, Young flied out to the wall but Hernandez got his first hit of the season and Vazquez was plunked again. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch but Hitman Holt took strike 3 to end the inning. The Red Sox had scored in just 4 out of 37 innings so far this season. Ben Taylor returned for the bottom of the seventh and struck out Mahtook to open the frame but walked both McCann and Jones. That was it for Taylor as Sox manager John Farrell brought in Noe Ramirez. Iglesias popped up to Moreland and Kinsler flied out to end the inning. Good job Ramirez.

Kyle Ryan as brought in to pitch the top of the eighth inning. Pedroia worked a leadoff walk and Benny The Kid singled to right. Benintendi was forced at second by Moreland's grounder as Pedroia moved to third. The rally was killed dead by a Sandoval double play to end the inning. Ramirez returned for the bottom of the 8th and JBJ nearly killed himself running into the wall to rob a double from Castellanos. Cabrera whiffed and Martinez flied out to end the inning.

Justin Wilson came in to close the game with a 3 run lead. The Sox got a scare when JBJ collapsed in a heap after rounding first during a fly out. Luckily he walked off under his own power. Young whiffed and Steve Selsky pinch hit for Hernandez. Selsky looked at strike 3 to end the game. A tough loss for a depleted team, 4-1.

Jackass of the Night is Eduardo Rodriguez. Needing a long outing, he took the loss and got smacked around for 4 runs. Not what the team needed.

                                                     Nice going Jackass



The Good:

Marco Hernandez was 1 for 3.

Dustin Pedroia was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Mitch Moreland was 2 for 4 with a run scored

Christian Vazquez was hit twice, doubled and gunned down a runner trying to steal.

Ben Taylor tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Noe Ramirez tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.


The Bad:

Pablo Sandoval was 0 for 4.

Chris Young was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Steve Selsky struck out as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Brock Holt was 0 for 3 with a walk.

Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 but drove in the team's only run.



Final Thoughts:

The Sox have been shut out in 35 of 39 innings so far this season and the losses of Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts and Hanley Ramirez to flu and bereavement certainly explains a lot of it. Still, guys like Pedroia, Benintendi and JBJ have got to step up in their absence. Guys like Eduardo Rodriguez and Steven Wright can't be expected to throw 7 innings of shut out ball like Porcello and Sale can. Still, with so many key members of the team out, better to have these losses in April than September. Tomorrow afternoon Rick Porcello (1-0) goes for the Sox opposite Daniel Norris.

Bullpen Melts Down Against Tigers (4/7/17)

Before the game it was announced that Hanley Ramirez and Mookie Betts would be out a few days due to flu like symptoms. Combined with Robbie Ross Jr placed on the DL, Matt Barnes and Xander Bogaerts on the bereavement list....the Boston Red Sox are depleted just two games into the season. This is getting ridiculous considering both Mitch Moreland and Brock Holt are still recovering from the flu as well.

                                                  Paging Dr. Hunnicutt

As for the game, the depleted Red Sox bullpen couldn't get the job done against the Detroit Tigers. The Sox rallied to take a 5-4 lead in the 8th inning due to a clutch home run by Pablo Sandoval only to blow it and drop the game 6-5 in Comerica Park.

Michael Fulmer got the ball in the top of the first inning and whiffed Brock “Hitman” Holt in short order. Dustin Pedroia also struck out but Andrew Benintendi worked a walk. Mitch Moreland flied out to end the inning. Steven Wright made his first start of the season by immediately crapped his pants. Ian Kinsler singled and Nicholas Castellanos walked. Sox commentator Jerry Remy pointed out that the howling wind and cold conditions are going to make it tough on Wright. Chris Young made a leaping catch on a Miguel Cabrera pop up but Kinsler moved to third. Old friend Victor Martinez scored Kinsler with a sac fly to make it 1-0. Justin Upton walked but Wright recovered to strike out Tyler Collins to end the inning.

The Sox went in short order in the top of the second. Young flied out to right, Jackie Bradley Jr was robbed at the wall and Sandy Leon grounded out meekly to end the inning. Wright recovered in the bottom of the second. James McCann grounded out but JaCoby Jones singled. Old pal Jose Iglesias grounded into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox had a chance in the top of the third but their new rally killer ended that. Pablo Sandoval struck out and Marco Hernandez grounded out, but Hitman Holt singled. Pedroia singled and Benny The Kid was hit with a pitch to load the bases....but Moreland struck out to end the inning. He's 0-11 with 6 strikeouts so far this year. Wright kept the Sox in the game in the bottom of the third. Kinsler was hit with a pitch to open the bottom of the third but Castellanos banged into a double play. Cabrera gave one a ride but JBJ ran it down to end the inning.

Young opened the top of the fourth with a single to left but JBJ flied out and Leon bounced into a double lay to end the inning. The Sox have been shut-out in 22 of 24 innings they've played this season. Wright froze Martinez with a fastball to start the bottom of the fourth. Upton whiffed but Collins check-swinged a single to Sandoval who couldn't throw him out. Luckily Sandy Leon is here and he gunned down Collins at second trying to steal to end the inning.

Sandoval redeemed himself by doubling down the right field line to begin the top of the fifth. Unfortunately he was stranded as Hernandez popped up. Hitman Holt worked a walk but was erased on the force by Pedroia. With runners at the corners, Benny The Kid popped up to end the inning. Another chance wasted. Wright tried to keep the Sox in the game by getting McCann to ground out to begin the bottom of the fifth inning. Steven froze Jones with an 85 mph fastball and Iglesias flied out to end the inning.

Moreland continued his cold streak by flying out to right to open the top of the 6th inning. Young grounded out and JBJ lined out softly to end the inning. The Tigers struck again in the bottom of the sixth. Kinsler popped up but Castellanos tripled to the wall. Sox manager John Farrell ordered Cabrera intentionally walked to set up the double play. The plan backfired as Martinez singled in Castellanos to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead. Wright did manage to get Upton to ground into a double play to end the inning but the damage was done.

It may as well have been 200-0 against the flu riddled Sox in the top of the seventh. Justin Wilson replaced Fullmer who tossed 6 shut-out innings. Leon grounded out but Collins dropped an easy pop-up, allowing Sandoval to reach second. It didn't matter as Hernandez popped up meekly to short and Steve Selsky made his season debut by pinch hitting for Hitman Holt. A wild pitch moved Sandoval to third but Selsky whiffed on a 3-2 fastball to end the inning. Wright returned for the bottom of the seventh inning and the Tigers stomped him. Collins singled and McCann blasted a 2 run bomb to make it 4-0. Jones popped up and Iglesias flied out before John Farrell pulled the plug on Wright, lifting him for rookie Ben Taylor. Wright battled but left with a 4-0 deficit, not the best we've seen from him.

                                               Subpar effort from Wright today


Taylor punched out Kinsler to end the inning but the game looked out of reach.

                                           From Greenville to Boston in just 2 years

Bruce Rondon took over in the top of the 8th and the Sox suddenly sprang to life. Pedroia flied out to begin the inning but Benny The Kid walked. Benintendi swiped second and Moreland got his first Sox hit by slamming a single to right, moving Andrew to third. Young smashed a double down the left field line on a 3-2 curveball to score Benintendi to put the Sox on the board. That was it for Rondon as old friend Alex Wilson came on to stop the bleeding for Detroit. JBJ greeted him with a single that scored Moreland and moved Young to third. Leon whiffed on a 3-2 count and Tigers manager Brad Ausmus pulled Wilson for ageless closer Fransisco Rodriguez. The move backfired as Pablo Sandoval gave the middle finger to critics by launching an opposite field 3 run bomb to put the Red Sox on top 5-4. Somehow the Sox were now just 6 outs from victory in a game they were dead in the water in an inning earlier. Hernandez popped up to end the inning.

                                         Sandoval sticks it to the haters with a 3 run bomb

Just as soon as the Sox took the lead, they coughed it up. Heath Hembree (0-1) took the mound and immediately struck out both Castellanos and Cabrera. Then it all went to hell as Hembree started nibbling, walking both Martinez and Upton. Austin Romine pinch ran for Martinez as lefty specialist Robbie Scott came in to pitch to Collins. Tigers manager Brad Ausmus countered by pinch hitting Collins with righty Mike Mahtook. Rather than bring in Joe Kelly to counter, Sox manager John Farrell left Scott in. Bad idea....Mahtook doubled home Romine to tie the game. Farrell brought in Kelly to keep the game tied and he couldn't even do that. Kelly walked both  He walked both McCann and Jones to give the Tigers a 6-5 lead. Iglesias grounded out but the damage was done.

                                             "Next time, THROW STRIKES!!!" - Leon

Could the Sox rally again in the top of the 9th? Mahtook remained in the game in right field as K-Rod came back for the bottom of the ninth. The lack of bench strength cost the Sox again as Selsky had to hit to begin the inning and as expected he grounded out. Pedroia legged out an infield single but Benny The Kid flied out. Moreland stepped up with a big double to put the go-ahead run at second base....but Young popped up to end the game. The Tigers had won it 6-5.

Jackass of the night is Heath Hembree. He had the bases empty with two outs in the 8th and decided to nibble against Martinez and Upton. Both runs came around to score to give him the loss.

                                                 Throw strikes...Jackass

   

The Good:

Brock Holt was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 5

Mitch Moreland was 2 for 5 with a run scored

Pablo Sandoval was 2 for 4 with the big 3 run home run. Had the Sox won, he would have been Hero.

Ben Taylor made his major league debut with a strikeout of the only man he faced and would have ended up with the win.

The Bad:

Steve Selsky was 0 for 2 as a pinch hitter.

Sandy Leon was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Marco Hernandez was 0 for 4

Steven Wright gave up 4 runs in 6 innings that would have earned him the loss had the Sox not rallied.

Robbie Scott gave up a double to the only man he faced.

Joe Kelly walked in the go-ahead run.

The Ugly:

Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 2 but walked twice and scored a run.

Chris Young was 2 for 5 with a run scored and rbi but made the final out of the game with the tying run at third base.

Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

In 18 years of covering baseball I've never seen a team get wiped out by the flu, bereavement and injuries this badly and so early before. David Price, Tyler Thornburg, Carson Smith, Josh Rutledge, Matt Barnes, Xander Bogaerts, Mookie Betts, Hanley Ramirez and Robbie Ross Jr are all out....that's 9 of your original 25 man roster. Still, if Joe Kelly or Heath Hembree had thrown strikes, they could have actually won the game regardless of who was missing. The fact the Sox showed some balls is a good sign moving forward. When the Sox are at full strength, they are going to be very tough to beat. They just have to hold the fort until they start getting some guys back. Tomorrow at 1:00 PM Eduardo Rodriguez makes his season debut against Jordan Zimmerman in Game 2 of the four game series.

Sox Rained Out, Moves Made (4/6/17)

Today's Boston Red Sox game was rained out but there were several roster moves made. Matt Barnes and Xander Bogaerts were placed on the bereavement list for a few days and Robbie Ross Jr was placed on the 10 Day Disabled List for the pesky flu that terrorized the Sox during Spring Training.

Replacing Bogaerts is Marco Hernandez, replacing Barnes is Noe Ramirez and replacing Ross Jr is Deven Marrero. The Sox now have plenty of infield depth for the series against the Detroit Tigers beginning this Friday.

                                                                         Out

                                                                      In

The Sox need to do something quickly to kill off this flu bug because in the new era of the second wild card, EVERY game counts. If the Sox miss the playoffs by a game because half the team was out with the flu in April, heads are gonna roll. Paging Trapper John MD.

Sox Outlast Pittsburgh in Extra Inning Win (4/5/17)

Before the game it was announced Mookie Betts, Brock Holt and Robbie Ross Jr were all out due to flu like symptoms, the same flu bug that terrorized the Sox during the tail end of Spring Training. They better get this thing under control pretty soon.

                                                       Paging Dr. Pierce

The Boston Red Sox ended up needing all 3 of these guys but unfortunately they didn't have them in tonight's extra inning marathon with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Luckily new Sox ace Chris Sale and Sandy Leon were here to save the day. On a cold April night the Sox won it on a walkoff 3-0.

                                  The late George "The Animal" Steele approves of the win

Chris Sale breezed in the first inning of his Red Sox career. Jordy Mercer led off the top of the first by grounding out to short. Starling Marte swung and missed for strike three and Andrew McCutchen flied out to center to end the inning. Jameson Taillon got the start for Pittsburgh and he blew away Dustin Pedroia to open the bottom of the first. Andrew Benintendi grounded out to third and Xander Bogaerts flied out to center to end the inning.

Gregory Polanco led off the top of the second with a fly out to center. David Freese stroked the first hit of the game to right center. Sale whiffed Fransisco Cervelli and Josh Harrison to end the inning. Hanley Ramirez got the Sox first hit of the season by slamming a single to left. Mitch Moreland flied out to center and Chris Young made his season debut by banging into a double play to end the inning.

Sale almost had a clean top of the third. Josh Bell popped up to right but Todd Frazier bunted for a single. Mercer lined out to center and Marte whiffed to end the inning. Jackie Bradley Jr struck out to begin the bottom of the third. Pablo Sandoval grounded out to short but Sandy Leon doubled down the right field line. Pedroia singled to right but Leon made the stupid decision to try for home despite the stop sign from third base coach Brian Butterfield. McCutchen gunned him down at home by a mile for the final out, nice going Leon.

Sale began the top of the fourth by getting McCutchen to ground out to short. Polanco whiffed and Bogaerts snared a line drive by Freese to end the inning.

                                                       Sale was dealing early on

Benny The Kid grounded out to open the bottom of the fourth. Bogaerts then grounded out to Freese on a bang-bang play at first. Sox manager John Farrell challenged the call but Bogaerts was still called out. Ramirez worked a walk and McCutchen robbed Moreland of a home run at the wall to end the inning. If it was June it was gone, oh well.

Sale began the top of the fifth by punching out Cervelli on 3 pitches. Harrison tagged one off the Monster for a single but was erased on the Bell double play to end the inning. Young worked a walk to open the bottom of the fifth and Farrell called for a hit and run with JBJ. It worked as JBJ singled Young over to third. Unfortunately Sandoval was up next and he whiffed on a high fastball. King Leon whiffed as well to a chorus of boos in Fenway. The very next pitch, Taillon uncorked a wild pitch to send JBJ to second. Pedroia put the exclamation point on the incompetence by grounding back to Taillon to end the inning. What a waste.

                                                 My sentiments exactly

Sale was unfazed by the offensive fiasco as he whiffed Frazier to open the top of the sixth. Mercer flied out to left and Marte grounded out to end the inning. Benny The Kid singled to open the bottom of the sixth but Bogaerts whiffed and Ramirez banged into a double play to end the inning.

Sale returned for one last inning in the top of the seventh.  McCutchen flied out to left and Polanco grounded out, but Freese walked. Cervelli flied out to end Sale's impressive debut. 7 shut-out inning and not a single batter reached second base. Outstanding.

                                                     Welcome to Boston Chris Sale

Unfortunately the Red Sox offense couldn't pick him up. Moreland whiffed but Young walked. JBJ lined out and Sandoval grounded out to end the inning. That's 3 men left on base by Sandoval.

Matt Barnes took over in the top of the 8th and was much better than his opening day stinker. Harrison flied out and he punched out Bell. Frazier grounded out to end the inning. John Jaso took over at first for Bell and Daniel Hudson replaced the outstandingh Tallion in the bottom of the 8th. Leon popped up, Pedroia flied out and Benny The Kid popped up to end the inning. The Sox have been shut-out for 16 of 17 innings so far this season.

                                                   Yeah really

Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel took over in the top of the ninth, apparently John Farrell forgot Craig's 5.12 ERA in non-save situations last year. Right on cue Sandoval booted a ground ball by Mercer to allow the leadoff man to reach. Marte tried to bunt Mercer over but popped up the attempt to Sandoval. Pedroia then saved a potential hit with a diving stop to force Mercer at second on the grounder by McCutchen. Polanco grounded out to end the inning. Could the Sox walk it off in the bottom of the ninth? NO!  Felipe Rivero came on to pitch and got Bogaerts to fly out to right,  Ramirez to line out and Moreland to whiff in short order. Time for extra innings.

Heath Hembree replaced Kimbrel in the top of the tenth inning. Freese grounded out to begin the inning on a great play by Bogaerts but Cervelli singled off the Monster, held to first on a great throw by Benintendi. Harrison popped up and that was it for Hembree. John Farrell lifted him for lefty specialist Robbie Scott. Pirates manager Clint Hurdle countered by pinch hitting Jaso with Phil Gosselin. Scott did his job by striking out Gosselin to end the inning. Could the Sox walk it off in the bottom of the 10th? NO! Hurdle relieved Rivero with Tony Watson and Young grounded out to greet him. JBJ singled to put the winning run on but Sandoval whiffed on 3 pitches. The strikeout loomed large as Leon singled JBJ over to third to put the winning run 90 feet away. Pedroia walked to load the bases but Benny The Kid grounded out to end the threat. More lack of clutch hitting.

Joe Kelly made his season debut in the top of the 11th. Frazier and Mercer grounded out but Marte singled. McCutchen popped up to end the inning. Could the Sox walk it off in the bottom of the 11th? NO! Juan Nicasio replaced Tony Watson and got Bogaerts to look at strike 3 to begin the inning. Ramirez grounded out and Moreland whiffed again for the hat trick to send the game to the 12th inning.

JBJ made another highlight reel catch, this time on Polanco to save Kelly's bacon to open the top of the 12th. Pedroia then snared a line drive smacked by Freese and Cervelli grounded out to end the inning. Finally could the Sox walk it off? YES! Antonio Bastardo came in to pitch and Young gave one a ride but Marte snared it in center. JBJ walked to put the winning run on again to bring up the much maligned Sandoval. JBJ managed to outrace a pickoff attempt at second for his first stolen base despite being spiked by Mercer. Sandoval shocked the world by drawing a walk and King Leon sent the cold and tired fans home happy with a 3 run blast into the Monster Seats to end it 3-0.

                                                   WALKOFF!


Hero of the night is Sandy Leon. He was 3 for 5 including the walkoff 3 run bomb to end the game.

                                                  Hero of the Night: Sandy Leon


The Good:

Chris Sale was outstanding. He tossed 7 innings of shut-out ball allowing just 3 hits and a walk while striking out 7 without anybody reaching second base. A great debut.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless 8th.

Craig Kimbrel pitched a scoreless 9th.

Heath Hembree recorded the first two outs of the 10th.

Robbie Scott struck out the only man he faced.

Joe Kelly tossed 2 scoreless innings to earn his first win of the season




The Bad:

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Mitch Moreland was 0 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.


The Ugly:

Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4.

Dustin Pedroia and Hanley Ramirez were both 1 for 4 with a walk.

Chris Young was 0 for 3 but walked twice.

Pablo Sandoval 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts and would have been Jackass but worked a walk in the 12th that set up the Leon homer.


Final Thoughts:

If this was a sample of what Chris Sale brings to the table, the Red Sox are going to be in pretty good shape. He was amazing tonight and its a shame he got literally no run support. The Sox are missing David Ortiz already because apart from the walkoff in the 12th inning and the 5th inning of Monday's game, they've been shut out in every other inning. Hopefully Betts, Benintendi, Bogaerts and Pedroia can carry the load. It was great to see the bullpen step up with 5 scoreless innings after Sale left. Tomorrow's game looks to be rained out so no sense hyping it up, the Sox probably resume Friday in Detroit at 1 PM.