Price Shuts Out Orioles in Game 1 (8/11/18)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox announced William Cuevas was brought up from Pawtucket for today's double-header with the Baltimore Orioles as 26th man. Hopefully he won't be needed but he'll be around just in case. If nothing else Tyler Thornburg can send him to get sunflower seeds or something.

                                                             IN

As for the game, David Price (12-6) and the Boston bullpen combined for a shutout in Game 1 of today's doubleheader against the Orioles. Price went 6 strong innings while striking out 10. The Sox smacked three home runs, two by Jackie Bradley Jr to take Game 1 by a score of 5-0 at Fenway Park.

                                                Bonkowski approves of the win

Jimmy Yacabonis got the start for Baltimore and Mr. Mookie Betts flied out to right to start. Andrew Benintendi lined out to left and Mitch Moreland flied out to left to end the inning. Price got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jonathan Villar flied out to center to begin. Tim Beckham popped up to first and Adam Jones whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second as JD Martinez grounded out to short to start. Xander Bogaerts singled but Brock "The Hitman" Holt whiffed. Eduardo Nunez flied out to right to end the inning. Mark Trumbo popped up to second to open the bottom of the second before Trey Mancini singled. Chris Davis whiffed and Renato Nunez flied out to center to end the inning.

More nothing in the top of the third as Leon popped up to third to begin. Jackie Bradley Jr flied out to left and Mr. Mookie swung at air to end the inning. Price struck out Cedric Mullins to open the bottom of the third before Austin Wynns singled. Villar grounded out to short and Beckham whiffed to end the inning.

Boston went quietly in the top of the fourth as Benintendi flied out to left to start. Moreland grounded out to second and Martinez grounded out to third to end the inning.  Jones singled to start the bottom of the fourth and Price was so offended he struck out Trumbo, Mancini and Davis in short order.

                                                          "Hit off me? NO WAY!"

The Sox broke through in the top of the fifth when Bogaerts singled to start. Holt lined out to center and Nunez smoked a 2 run homer to give the Sox the lead. Leon grounded out to second but JBJ crushed a solo shot to increase the lead. Mr. Mookie singled to chase Yacabonis. Sean Gilmartin replaced him but Benintendi greeted him with a single. Moreland grounded into a force to end the inning but it was 3-0 Sox.

                                             Nunez homers in front of a packed crowd

Price continued his dominance in the bottom of the fifth as Nunez flied out to left to begin. Mullins singled and Price was so miffed he struck out Wynns and Villar to end the inning.

The Sox got a run back with some heads up baserunning in the top of the sixth inning. Martinez lined out to center but Bogaerts doubled. Xander took off to third but Nunez fumbled the throw and Bogaerts made a mad dash home to increase the lead. Holt caught Nunez asleep with a bunt single but Eduardo Nunez banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-0.

                                                Bogaerts motors around for a run

Price came back for one more inning in the bottom of the sixth and Beckham lined out to second to begin. Jones doubled and Price got so mad he struck out Trumbo. Mancini grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Price went 6 strong throwing 94 pitches and striking out TEN batter.

                                                   Outstanding effort by Price

Leon worked a walk to open the top of the seventh but JBJ grounded back to the mound. Mr. Mookie walked but Benintendi flied out to left. Moreland grounded out to end the inning. Tyler Thornburg sprinted from the bullpen and whiffed Davis to begin. Nunez flied out to center and Mullins flied out to right to end the inning. Thornburg made a mad dash to the dugout for good measure afterwards.

Miguel Castro came in to pitch the top of the eighth and he whiffed Martinez and Bogaerts to start. Holt walked but Nunez grounded out to third to end the inning. Ryan Brasier had the bottom of the eighth and Wynns popped up to second to begin. Villar whiffed and Beckham flied out to left to end the inning.

Castro returned for the top of the ninth and the Sox struck one final time. Leon whiffed but JBJ smacked his second home run of the afternoon to wrap up the scoring. Mr. Mookie flied out to left before Benintendi lined out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-0.

                                             JBJ with another home run

Matt Barnes had mop up duty in the bottom of the ninth and Jones whiffed to start. Trumbo swung at air for the second out before Mancini flied out to center to end the game. The Sox had taken Game 1 of the doubleheader 5-0.

Hero of the Night is David Price. He tossed 6 innings of shutout ball allowing just 5 measly hits while striking out 10.

                                                Hero Price? Wow


The Good:

Xander Bogaerts was 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored.

Brock Holt was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 4 with two solo home runs.

Tyler Thornburg pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

Mitch Moreland was 0 for 4.

JD Martinez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 but walked.

Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 5.

Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 4 but made the hit count as it was a 2 run homer.

Sandy Leon was 0 for 3 but walked.




Final Thoughts:

THIS is the David Price the Red Sox hoped they were getting when they signed him before the 2016 season. He looked crisp tonight with all his pitches and he had the Orioles all out of whack. He could have went longer but Sox manager Alex Cora is trying to save his starters' bullets for October. Tonight's game is going to be tougher with 3 relievers already pitching today but a win is a win. Great to see the bottom of the order, especially Bradley, contribute. Also good to see Thornburg pitch well. The win improved the Sox to 83-55, won't know how many games in front of the New York Yankees for first place until they play later. The 1976 Red Sox suffering from a World Series hangover finished with 83 wins while this year's team has 83 on August 11th. Game 2 is later tonight with Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez taking on Yefry Ramirez at 7:05 PM at Oriole Park in Camden Yards.

Sox Outslug Baltimore in Shootout (8/10/18)

The bad news for the Boston Red Sox is that they allowed 12 runs on a whopping 17 hits in tonight's game against the Baltimore Orioles. The good news is that they scored 19 runs on 16 hits of their own to outgun the Orioles 19-12 in the first game of a set in Baltimore. Trailing 8-3 going into the fourth inning, the Sox exploded for 12 more tuns to blow past the dirty birds for a 19-12 win at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

                                                   Gabriel Logan approves of the win\

The Sox smacked around Dylan Bundy in the top of the first inning. Mr. Mookie Betts walked to begin the game but Andrew Benintendi lined out to left. Betts was erased on the force by Mitch Moreland but JD Martinez doubled. Xander Bogaerts put the Sox on top with a 3 run bomb to give them the lead. Rafael Devers grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                           Bogaerts homers in front of a jam packed crowd of nothing

Nathan Eovaldi was hit hard in the bottom of the first as Jonathan Villar walked to begin. Tim Beckham banged into a double play but Adam Jones singled. Mark Trumbo singled but Trey Mancini grounded out to short to end the inning.

Brock "The Hitman" Holt singled to open the top of the second but Dan Butler whiffed. Jackie Bradley Jr popped up to short but Mr. Mookie doubled. Benintendi popped up to second to end the inning. The O's pounded Eovaldi in the bottom of the second as Chris Davis smashed a 2,000 foot home run to put the O's on the board. Renato Nunez walked and Caleb Joseph singled. Cedric Mullins doubled home Nunez but Villar flied out to center. Beckham popped up to second but Jones singled home both runners to give the O's the lead. Trumbo lined out to right to end the inning with the O's ahead 4-3.

                                                        O's take the lead

Bundy was strong in the top of the third as Moreland and Martinez both whiffed to begin. Bogaerts grounded out to third to end the inning. The O's finished off Eovaldi in the bottom of the third although Mancini lined out to right to begin. Davis and Nunez stroked back to back singles and Jackie Bradley Jr tried to catch a pop up by Joseph in his hat, missing for an error to score Davis. Mullins singled home Nunez and Villar dropped down a safety squeeze to score Joseph. Beckham singled home Mullins and FINALLY Sox manager Alex Cora had enough of the incompetent Eovaldi. After looking like a stud his first two outings, Nathan finally turned back into a pumpkin with this performance. Brandon Workman took over and Beckham was gunned down by the alert Butler trying to steal to end the inning but it was 8-3 Baltimore.

                                               "I sucked today" - Eovaldi

The Sox fought back in the top of the fourth although Devers grounded out to first to begin the inning. Holt walked but Butler flied out to center. JBJ tripled home Holt and scored on a passed ball. Mr. Mookie flied out to right to end the inning but it was 8-5 Baltimore.

                                            Bradley is...SAFE!

Workman allowed a leadoff single to Jones in the bottom of the fourth and found the concept of the hit so offensive he blew away Trumbo. Jones swiped second and Workman got so bad that Mancini whiffed badly. Davis whiffed to end the inning,

The Sox blew a chance to inch closer in the top of the fifth as Benintendi popped up to third to begin. Moreland doubled and moved to third on a grounder by Martinez. Bogaerts walked and stole second but Devers flied out to center to end the inning. The much maligned Drew Pomeranz (2-5, 6.19 ERA) came in for the bottom of the fifth and Nunez grounded out to third to start. Joseph whiffed but Mullins walked. Villar lined out to left to end the inning.

The Sox exploded in the top of the sixth and it began with a Hitman Holt leadoff home run. Butler singled and JBJ walked to knock Bundy out. Miguel Castro came in and Mr. Mookie walked to load the bases but Benintendi grounded into a force at home. Moreland hit a sac fly to score JBJ and advance everyone up as Martinez was intentionally walked to load the bases. Bogaerts drew a walk to tie the game and Donnie Hart was brought in only to walk Devers with the go-ahead run. Holt singled hine Martinez and Bogaerts for his 3rd rbi of the inning. Butler grounded out to end the inning but six runs scored and the Sox now led 11-8

                                                 Holt was a one man wrecking crew

Heath Hembree got the call to pitch the bottom of the sixth and the first thing he did was give up a bomb to Beckham to start the frame. Jones grounded out to third but Trumbo singled and Mancini doubled him to third. Davis hit a sac fly to score Trumbo to inch the O's closer and Mancini took third ona  passed ball. Nunez walked but Joseph lined out to center to end the inning with the Sox still ahead 11-10.

                                                             Beckham hits one out

The Sox iced the game in the top of the seventh as JBJ doubled to start. Mr. Mookie beat out an infield single to put runners at the corners and Benintendi blasted a 3 run bomb to put the Patriots up 14-10 on the Ravens....just kidding. Moreland singled to chase Hart and Evan Phillips replaced him. Martinez banged into a double play and Bogaerts grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 14-10.

                                                Benintendi ices it with a field goal

Ryan Brasier came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Mullins flied out to left to begin. Villar whiffed and Beckham took strike three to end the inning.

The Sox kept up the onslaught in the top of the eighth although Devers grounded out to short to start. Holt walked and Steve Pearce pinch hit for Dan Butler only to get plunked. JBJ beat out an infield single to load the bases and Mr. Mookie doubled home everyone. Tanner Scott came in for Phillips and uncorked a wild pitch that sent Betts to third before Benintendi walked. A wild pitch by Scott moved Benintendi to second but Moreland grounded out to first. Martinez singled home both runners to wrap up the scoring. Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning with the Sox ahead 19-10.

                                                 Betts pours it on

Sandy Leon took Benintendi's spot in the batting order but as catcher with Pearce taking over in left. Matt Barnes came in to pitch and Jones flied out to right to start. Trumbo crushed a 500,000 foot bomb to add to the Sox bullpen misery. Mancini looked at strike three and Davis whiffed to end the inning with the Sox ahead 19-11.

                                                     Trumbo keeps the offense going

The Sox were finally kept off the board in the top of the ninth inning as Devers whiffed to start. Holt whiffed and Pearce flied out to right to end the inning. Joe Kelly replaced Barnes to close out the game and Nunez whiffed to start. Joseph whiffed but Mullins doubled and Villar singled him home. Beckham grounded out to first to end the game with the Sox winning 19-12.

                     

Hero of the Night is a tough one considering everyone contributed on offense but I'll go with Mookie Betts. He was 3 for 4 with 2 walks, 3 rbis and 3 runs scored.

                                                       Mr. Mookie is Mr. Hero



The Good:

Mitch Moreland was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

JD Martinez was 2 for 5 with 2 rbi's, a walk and 2 runs scored.

Xander Bogaerts drove in 4 runs, walked twice, scored twice, stole a base and hit a 3 run homer.

Steve Pearce was hit with a pitch and scored a run.

Brock Holt was 3 for 4 including 3 total rbi's, 2 walks, 3 runs scored and a solo home run.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 3 for 4 with a walk, rbi and 4 runs scored.

Brandon Workman tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Drew Pomeranz got the win with a scoreless 5th inning.

Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless 7th inning.



The Bad:

Nathan Eovaldi was smacked around for 8 runs on TEN hits and 2 walks in just 2 2/3 innings.

Heath Hembree gave up 2 runs in an inning of work.

Matt Barnes allowed a run in the bottom of the eighth.

Joe Kelly allowed a run in the bottom of the ninth.



The Ugly:

Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 5 but walked, scored 3 total runs and clubbed a 3 run homer.

Rafael Devers was 0 for 5 but walked and drove in a run.

Dan Butler was just 1 for 4.



Honorable Mention:

Sandy Leon caught the bottom of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

Giving up 12 runs is never a good thing but scoring 19 makes up for it a little bit. The offense just laid waste to the O's and the runs allowed are concerning from the bullpen side. Eovaldi is only a stopgap until Eduardo Rodriguez returns but Barnes, Kelly and Hembree allowing runs is concerning. The Sox just need to survive the month if they want to win the division with the New York Yankees schedule getting tougher in September. The Sox just need to win the games that are put in front of them at this point, no need to scoreboard watch. The win improved the Sox to 82-35, 10 games in front of the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The 2001 Red Sox who collapsed after Jimy Williams was fired finished with 82 total wins, this year's team has 82 wins on August 10th. Tomorrow is a day/night doubleheader against the Orioles. Game 1 features David Price taking on Jimmy Yacabonis in the first game at 1:05 PM at Oriole Park in Camden Yards.

Jays Rout Sox, Betts Hits For Cycle (8/9/18)

All good things must come to an end and the Boston Red Sox 6 game winning streak was snapped by the red hot Toronto Blue Jays offense. Rick Porcello (14-5, 4.17 ERA) got absolutely shelled and allowed 7 runs in just 4 plus innings. The Sox tried to fight back as Mookie Betts hit for the cycle but ultimately fell short. As it was the Blue Jays averted a sweep with an 8-5 win over the Sox at the Skydome.

The Sox wasted no time scoring against Toronto starter Ryan Borucki in the top of the first inning. Mr. Mookie Betts lashed a single to left before Andrew Benintendi beat out an infield single to short. Steve Pearce popped up to first and JD Martinez flied out to right, but Xander Bogaerts walked. Eduardo Nunez lined a single to right to score Betts and Benintendi to give the Sox the quick lead. Brock "The Hitman" Holt grounded out to second to end the inning but the Sox were up 2-0.

                                                          Nunez makes it 2-0

Unfortunately Porcello had nothing and gave it right back in the bottom of the first. He walked Curtis Granderson and Devon Travis to begin before Justin Smoak singled home Curtis and advanced Travis to third. Randal Grichuk hit a perfect double play ball but Holt dropped the relay throw and Travis scored to tie the game. Yangervis Solarte grounded out to short and Teoscar Hernandez looked at strike three to end the inning but the game was tied 2-2.

                                                         Smoak almost cleans out Holt

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second as Sandy Leon flied out to left to start. Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to third but Mr. Mookie legged out a triple. Benintendi grounded out to first to end the inning but Betts was halfway to the cycle. The Jays took the lead in the bottom of the second as Russell Martin walked to start. Aledmys Diaz singled him to third and Kevin Pillar hit a perfect double play ball to Nunez....who instead tried to kick it to first for an error to score Martin with the go-ahead run. Granderson flied out to center which advanced Diaz to third and Pillar swiped second. Travis hit a ground ball to third and Nunez gunned it home for the run-down out. Smoak whiffed to end the inning but it was 3-2 Jays.

                                             Smoak whiffs but Jays take the lead

The Sox looked to rally when Pearce walked to start the top of the third but Martinez banged into a double play. Bogaerts walked and Nunez singled but Holt whiffed to end the inning. The Jays struck again in the bottom of the third although Grichuk popped up to third to start. Solarte grounded out to first but Hernandez belted a 45,000 foot home run to increase the deficit. Martin whiffed to end the inning but it was 4-2 Jays.

                                                   Another run allowed

Nothing happened in the top of the fourth as Leon flied out to center to start. JBJ whiffed but Mr. Mookie doubled. Benintendi grounded out to first to end the inning. Porcello pitched a clean bottom of the fourth as Diaz flied out to center before Pillar whiffed. Granderson watched strike three go by to end the inning.

The Sox struck back in the top of the fifth inning although Pearce grounded out to third to start. Martinez smashed his 35th home run of the year to inch the Sox closer but Bogaerts flied out to right. Nunez singled and stole second before Holt singled home Eduardo to tie the game. The fun ended as Holt got picked off to end the inning with the game tied 4-4.

                                                    Martinez ties it up

Just as soon as the Sox tied it up, Porcello coughed it up in the bottom of the fifth. Travis singled and Smoak doubled him home before Grichuk pounded a 800 foot home run to ice the game. that was it for Porcello who lasted just 4 innings and allowed 7 runs 6 hits and 3 walks.

                                               Terrible effort by Porcello

Brandon Workman came in and allowed a single to Solarte but Hernandez flied out to right. Martin whiffed and the alert Leon gunned down Solarte trying to steal to end the inning.

                                                   Yerrrrr out!

Jaime Garcia came in to pitch the top of the sixth inning and Leon flied out to left to start. JBJ grounded back to the mound but Mr. Mookie walked. Benintendi grounded out to first to end the inning. Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez got the ball in the bottom of the sixth and the Jays pounced on him. Diaz grounded out to short and Pillar lined out to right before Granderson doubled. Travis singled to score Granderson but was thrown out at second trying to stretch to end the inning with the Jays ahead 8-4.

                                                  That will do it

Tyler Clippard took over for the top of the seventh and Pearce grounded back to the mound to start. Martinez whiffed and Bogaerts lined out to third to end the inning. Velazquez returned for the bottom of the seventh and Smoak singled only for Grichuk to ground into a double play. Solarte flied out to center to end the inning.

Ryan Tepera had the eighth inning and the Sox did nothing. Nunez hit one up the elevator shaft before Holt flied out to left. Leon flied out to right to end the inning. Tyler Thornburg came in for the bottom of the eighth and froze Hernandez to start. Martin whiffed but Diaz and Pillar stroked back to back singles. Diaz stole third but Granderon whiffed to end the inning.

Jays closer Ken Giles took the mound in the top of the ninth and got JBJ to fly out to right. Mr. Mookie completed the cycle with a solo home run, number 27 on the season. Benintendi whiffed as Mitch Moreland pinch hit for Pearce only to look at strike three to end the game. The Jays had won it 8-5 despite the Betts cycle.

Jackass of the Night is Rick Porcello. He got lit up giving up 7 runs in just 4 innings to take the loss.

                                                  Jackass Porcello


The Good:

Mookie Betts hit for the cycle with a walk included for good measure, 4 for 4 with 2 total runs scored.

Xander Bogaerts walked twice in four plate appearances.

Eduardo Nunez was 3 for 4 with 2 rbi's and a run scored.

Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless 5th inning.

Tyler Thornburg pitched a scoreless eighth inning.



The Bad:

Mitch Moreland took strike three as a pinch hitter.

Sandy Leon was 0 for 4.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.



The Ugly:

Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

Steve Pearce was 0 for 3 but walked.

JD Martinez was just 1 for 4 but made the hit count as it was a solo home run.

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

Hector Velazquez allowed a run in 2 innings of work.




Final Thoughts:

It was fun while it lasted but the Sox 6 game winning streak is over. They can't win them all but it seems like the only games the Sox lose, something funny happens. They get no-hit in Oakland, David Price loses feeling in his hand in New York and now Mr. Mookie hits for the cycle in Toronto. If you're gonna lose, may as well lose in style. Porcello got rocked and its obvious he's going to be all or nothing the rest of the season. At this point the Sox need to survive the month as the New York Yankees will be facing nothing but garbage including these Jays for the rest of August. The loss dropped the Sox to 81-35, 8 games ahead of the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Red So travel to Baltimore for a 3 game set with the miserable Orioles. Nathan Eovaldi goes for the Sox up against Dylan Bundy at 7:05 PM at Camden Yards.

Devers Returns, Sox Rout Jays (8/8/18)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox activated Rafael Devers off the disabled list prior to tonight's contest. His hamstring has healed and Tony Renda has been sent down to Pawtucket to free up the space for his return. With Ian Kinsler still out and Brock Holt in a slump, the Sox need Devers back healthy for the stretch run.

                                                                      OUT

                                                                     IN

As for the game, welcome back Rafael Devers! The second year third basemen made an immediate impact in tonight's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. He sparked a 3rd inning rally, hit a two run homer of his own and sparked the Red Sox to put another ten spot on the Jays, taking game two of this series by a score of 10-5 at the Skydome. The Sox have now won 6 in a row and 81 games total.

                                                          PH Balance approves of the win

Mike Hauschild took the mound in the top of the first inning for the Jays and Mr. Mookie Betts flied out to center to start. Andrew Benintendi walked but Mitch Moreland banged into a double play to end the inning. Johnson got the ball in the bottom of the first and Randal Grichuk grounded back to the mound to begin. Devon Travis lined out to center and Justin Smoak whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second as JD Martinez grounded out to short to start. Xander Bogaerts flied out to left but Jackie Bradley Jr walked. Eduardo Nunez grounded into a force to end the inning. Johnson cruised in the bottom of the second as Teoscar Hernandez looked at strike three to start. Kendrys Morales flied out to right and Yangervis Solarte popped up to first to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the third inning when the returning Rafael Devers doubled to start. Sandy Leon walked and Mr. Mookie was hit with a pitch to load the bases. Benintendi hit a sac fly to score Devers and Benintendi made a mad dash to third. Mr. Mookie swiped second and Moreland cleared the bases with a double. Martinez singled Moreland to third to chase Hauschild from the game. Luis Santos came in and Bogaerts scored Moreland with a sac fly. JBJ grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox up 4-0.

                                                              Betts scores

Could Johnson pitch with the lead in the bottom of the third? Well Russell Martin singled to start but Aledmys Diaz flied out to right. Kevin Pillar whiffed and Grichuk struck out as well to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fourth as Nunez lined out to short to start. Devers walked but was thrown out trying to steal. Leon whiffed to end the inning. Johnson kept up the pace in the bottom of the fourth as Travis flied out to center to start. Smoak doubled but Hernandez struck out. Morales grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the fifth as Mr. Mookie led off with a base hit before Benintendi doubled him to third. Moreland flied out to right but Martinez was intentionally walked to load the bases. Bogaerts walked to score Betts and chase Santos. Jake Petricka came in and got JBJ to bang into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-0.

Johnson got Solarte to ground out to third to begin the bottom of the fifth but Martin walked. Martin was erased on the force by Diaz and Pillar grounded out to end the inning,

The Sox wasted no time scoring in the top of the sixth as Nunez singled and Devers smashed his 16th homer of the year to increase the lead. Welcome back Devers! Leon lined out to second and Mr. Mookie flied out to center before Benintendi doubled. Moreland lined out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-0.

                                                 Devers hits one out

The Jays finally struck in the bottom of the sixth as Grichuk flied out to right to start. Travis popped up to short but Smoak singled and Hernandez launched a 500,000 foot bomb to put the Jays on the board. Morales grounded back to the mound to end the inning but it was 7-2.

The Sox wasted no time scoring against new pitcher Danny Barnes in the top of the seventh as Martinez doubled and Bogaerts doubled him home. JBJ whiffed and Nunes grounded out to short before Devers whiffed to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-2.

The Jays refused to go quietly in the bottom of the seventh although Solarte lined out to center to start. Martin walked but Diaz whiffed. One out away from a commanding lead, Johnson gave up a single to Pillar and a 3 run bomb to Grichuk to make it a game. Travis grounded out to third to end the inning but it was 8-5 Red Sox. Johnson gave up 5 runs for the second straight start but this time went 7 innings and struck out 6.

                                                     Johnson goes 7

The Sox got the runs right back in the top of the eighth as Leon singled to start. Mr. Mookie whiffed on a 3-2 curveball but Benintendi walked. Moreland flied out to center but Martinez singled home Leon. Bogaerts walked to load the bases and a wild pitch scored Benintendi. JBJ whiffed to end the inning but it was 10-5 Sox.

Ryan Brasier came in for the bottom of the eighth and Smoak immediately singled. Hernandez and Morales whiffed but Bogaerts dropped an elbow on a ground ball hit by Solarte for an error. Martin grounded out to first to end the inning.

Jaime Garcia came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning and the Sox went quietly. Nunez popped up to third, Devers grounded out to first and Leon whiffed to end the inning. Joe Kelly had mop up duty in the bottom of the ninth and still struggled. Diaz singled to right but Pillar whiffed. Grichuk singled but Travis banged into a double play to end the game. The Sox had won it 10-5.

Hero of the Night is Rafael Devers. He sparked the third inning rally and hit a 2 run bomb that helped put the game away early.

                                                 Raffy The Hero


The Good:

Andrew Benintendi was 2 for 2 with 2 walks, an rbi and a run scored.

JD Martinez was 3 for 4 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and 3 rbi's.

Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Joe Kelly pitched a scoreless ninth inning.



The Bad:

None



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 but scored 2 runs.

Mitch Moreland was just 1 for 5 but made the hit count as it was a 2 run double, he also scored.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4 but walked.

Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

Sandy Leon was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored 2 runs.

Brian Johnson got the win but gave up 5 runs in his 7 innings including two home runs.




Final Thoughts:

Too bad Johnson fell apart at the end, had he not allowed the bomb in the bottom of the seventh he would have locked up the 5th starter slot moving forward with Eduardo Rodriguez coming back and Drew Pomeranz struggling. This is the second straight start Johnson allowed a bunch of runs and that may mean Pomeranz gets another shot. With the New York Yankees playing a cream puff schedule of bad teams until the end of the MONTH, the Sox need to win as many games as possible to keep pace and Pomeranz isn't giving them the best chance to win. Still, something is in the air in Toronto right now because both teams have been hitting the ball all over the park and its a good thing the Sox offense woke up after being average during the Yankees series and below average before that. The win improved the Sox to 81-34, 9 games ahead of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The 1985 Red Sox finished with 81 total wins and this year's team reached that on August 8th. Tomorrow night the Sox go for the sweep when Rick Porcello (14-4, 3.84 ERA) takes on Ryan Borucki at 7:07 PM at the Skydome.

Sox Outslug Jays For 80th Win (8/7/18)

I don't know what is in the air at Skydome but tonight balls were flying all over the ballpark. The Boston Red Sox fell behind 3-1 before rallying to take a 5-3 lead only to blow it, but score 5 in extra innings and hold on to win a 10-7 slugfest over the Toronto Blue Jays. The Red Sox bullpen is in deep trouble as they allowed 4 runs tonight and haven't had a total scoreless frame in over a week. Still, the Sox became the first team in baseball to reach 80 wins.

                                                  Jim Murray approves of the win

Stroman began his dominance in the top of the first inning when Mr. Mookie Betts opened the game by swinging at air. Andrew Benintendi got the first of many ground outs with one to third and Mitch Moreland watched strike three go by to end the inning. Pomeranz began his miserable outing by getting Randal Grichuk to ground out to second to begin. Devon Travis flied out to center but Justin Smoak singled and Teoscar Hernandez walked. Kendrys Morales flied out to left to end the inning.

The sinkerballs continued when JD Martinez began the top of the second by grounding out to second. Xander Bogaerts walked but Jackie Bradley Jr banged into a double play to end the inning. Pomeranz began the bottom of the second by walking Yangervis Solarte but Aledmys Diaz grounded into a double play. Kevin Pillar flied out to center to end the inning.

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the third inning as Eduardo Nunez grounded out to first, Brock "The Hitman" Holt grounded out to second and Sandy Leon grounded out to short to end the inning. The Jays struck first in the bottom of the third although Luke Maile popped up to first to start. Grichuk walked and Travis smashed a 30,000 foot bomb to give the Jays the lead. Smoak grounded out to third but Hernandez singled. Morales grounded out to third to end the inning with the Jays leading 2-0.

                                                      Jays strike first

The Sox struck back with pure luck in the top of the fourth inning. Mr. Mookie flied out to center but Travis booted a ground ball by Benintendi for an error. Moreland walked and Martinez slammed a single to right to score Benintendi to cut the lead. Bogaerts banged into a double play to end the inning but it was 2-1 Jays.

                                                    Martinez gets the Sox within 1

Pomeranz got Solarte to line out back to him to start the bottom of the fourth before Diaz walked. Pillar hit into a double play to end the inning.

Stroman was unhittable in the top of the fifth inning as JBJ looked at strike three to start. Nunez whiffed and Holt grounded out to second to end the inning. Pomeranz got rocked in the bottom of the fifth as Maile doubled to start. Grichuk struck out and Travis lined out to short, but Smoak walked to chase Pomeranz. He failed to last 5 innings although he only gave up 2 runs in 85 pitches. Heath Hembree came in and got Hernandez to fly out to right to end the inning, thanks a lot Pomeranz.

                                       Cora "Yeah you're out Drew, now beat it!"

More incompetence followed in the top of the sixth as Leon grounded back to the mound and Mr. Mookie grounded out to first. Benintendi walked but Moreland grounded out to first to end the inning. Brandon Workman came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and damn near gave the game away. Morales singled, Solarte walked and Diaz singled to load the bases with nobody out. The lack of speed of Toronto manifested as Pillar flied out to right but the slow Morales stayed at third. Maile hit a swinging bunt and Leon was able to gather the ball and tag Morales for the second out. Grichuk then grounded back to Workman who flipped it to Leon for the final out. Workman manged to Houdini out of his own mess.

Stroman returned for the top of the seventh and Martinez pounded a ground rule double to try to get a rally going. Bogaerts failed to move him over by grounding out to short and by the time JBJ advanced JD to third with a grounder, there were two outs. Nunez grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Joe Kelly came on for the bottom of the seventh and crapped his pants again. Travis singled to right and Benintendi picked the ball up, did a dance with it and spiked it like a football which allowed Travis to make it to second. Kelly blew away Smoak but Kelly turned around and threw over to first even though the runner was at second. Moreland had no idea the ball was coming so Travis made it to third. Hernandez hit a sac fly to center to score Travis with the insurance run. Morales whiffed to end the inning but the Jays were up 3-1. Thanks a lot Kelly.

                                               "KELLY!!!!!!!!!!"

Stroman came out for the eighth but there was something wrong with his hand, so he had to come out. The Sox capitalized on an ice cold Ryan Tepera although Holt whiffed to start. Leon doubled and Mr. Mookie walked before Benintendi singled to load the bases. The play of the game when Moreland hit a picture perfect double play to second but Travis couldn't get the ball to second fast enough and Moreland was safe at first, scoring Leon. Martinez put the exclamation point with a 3 run blast to give the Sox the lead. Bogaerts grounded out to end the inning and Tepera went berserk, chasing the home plate umpire around the infield grass before he was ejected and escorted away by security. The Sox were now 6 outs from victory with a 5-3 lead.

                                               Martinez gives the Sox the lead

Matt Barnes came on for the bottom of the eighth and pissed himself. Solarte singled but Diaz flied out to right. Pillar whiffed but Maile doubled home Solarte. Grichuk popped up to first but the Jays inched closer at 5-4.

Tyler Clippard came in to pitch the top of the ninth as JBJ flied out to right to start. Nunez whiffed and Holt looked at strike three to end the inning. Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel (3-1, 2.49 ERA) came on to pitch the bottom of the ninth and blew away Travis to start. Suddenly Smoak crushed a 5,000 foot bomb to tie the game out of nowhere. Hernandez and Morales both whiffed to end the inning but Kimbrel had thrown way too many pitches and blew the save, 5-5.

                                                Kimbrel "I sucked tonight!"

The Sox found the concept of a blown save offensive and attacked former Astros closer Ken Giles in the top of the tenth. Leon whiffed but Mr. Mookie motored around with a triple. Benintendi walked to put runners at the corners but Moreland cleared the bases with a three run bomb to give the Sox the lead. They weren't done although Martinez grounded out to short for the second out. Bogaerts singled and stole second before JBJ crushed his 9th homer of the year to extend the lead. That was it for Giles as Luis Santos came in to get Nunez to pop up to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 10-5.

                                                   Moreland puts the Sox on top

Tyler Thornburg got the call to close out the game but he also struggled. Solarte singled but Diaz popped up to shirt. Pillar then blasted a 400,000 foot home run to cut the lead. Maile hit one up the elevator shaft but Grichuk singled. Travis flied out to left to end the game, the Sox had held on to win 10-7 for their 80th win of the season.

                                               Another victory

Co-Heroes of the night are JD Martinez and Mitch Moreland. Martinez' blast gave the Sox the lead in the top of the eighth and Moreland's 3 run homer was the difference in the end.

                                             Hero 1 - Martinez

                                                  Hero 2 - Moreland


The Good:

Andrew Benintendi was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored.

Heath Hembree retired the only man he faced.

Brandon Workman houdini'd out of the 6th inning.



The Bad:

Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Brock Holt was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Joe Kelly gave up a run in the 7th inning.

Matt Barnes gave up a run in the 8th inning.

Craig Kimbrel gave up a run in the 9th inning.

Tyler Thornburg gave up 2 runs in the 10th inning.



The Ugly:

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

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 with a run scored and a stolen base.

Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 5 but made the hit count as it was a 2 run home run.

Sandy Leon was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Drew Pomeranz lasted just 4 2/3 innings by walking 5 guys, but only allowed 2 runs.





Final Thoughts:

The bullpen is in big trouble as its been allowing runs in bunches. The offense isn't going to be able to bop its way to victory every night if the bullpen is getting pounded nightly, especially in one run games. Still the offense is rolling coming out of the Yankees series and tonight was great. Right now we're having a two way fight for the fifth starter slot when Eduardo Rodriguez returns and Pomeranz is failing miserably. Brian Johnson is giving up runs but can at least go 6 or 7 innings. If Johnson can pitch well tomorrow than Pomeranz' days in the rotation are numbered because he's useless with diminished velocity. The win catapulted the Sox to 80-34, 9 games ahead of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The 1993 Red Sox collapsed at the end and finished with 80 wins, this year's team reached 80 wins on August 7th. Tomorrow night Johnson (2-3) takes on Mike Hauschild in game 2 of this set at 7:07 PM at the Skydome.