Basebawful Report of The Month

Wade Boggs - 9 Good, 1 Bad, 7 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Tom Bolton - 1 Bad, 1 Jackass

Tom Brunansky - 4 Good, 3 Bad, 3 Ugly

Ellis Burks - 6 Good, 2 Bad, 9 Ugly

Jack Clark - 4 Good, 4 Bad, 6 Ugly

Roger Clemens - 1 Good, 1 Ugly, 3 Hero

Scott Cooper - 1 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Hero, 3 Honorable Mention

Danny Darwin - 4 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Jackass

John Flaherty - 2 Good, 2 Honorable Mention

Tony Fossas - 4 Good, 1 Bad

Mike Gardiner - 2 Good, 1 Hero

Mike Greenwell - 4 Good, 1 Bad, 9 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Greg Harris - 5 Good, 1 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Joe Hesketh - 2 Good, 1 Bad

Peter Hoy - 1 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly

Tim Naehring - 4 Good, 4 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Hero, 1 Honorable Mention

Tony Pena - 5 Good, 5 Bad, 4 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Phil Plantier - 7 Good, 1 Bad, 9 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Jeff Reardon - 4 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly

Jody Reed - 7 Good, 2 Bad, 8 Ugly, 1 Hero

Luis Rivera - 7 Good, 4 Bad, 2 Ugly, 1 Honorable Mention

Mo Vaughn - 6 Good, 3 Bad, 5 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Frank Viola - 2 Good, 2 Bad, 1 Hero

Herm Winningham - 1 Good, 4 Bad, 4 Ugly, 1 Jackass, 1 Honorable Mention

Matt Young - 2 Good, 1 Ugly

Bob Zupcic - 1 Good, 1 Ugly

Most Valuable Player of the month is Wade Boggs with 9 Good

Least Valuable Player of the month is Tony Pena with 5 Bad

The Co-Ugliest Players of the month are Ellis Burks, Mike Greenwell and Phil Plantier with 9 Ugly

Hero of the month is Roger Clemens with 3 Hero

Jackass of the month is 9 different guys, the hell with it.

The Honorable Player of the month is Scott Cooper with 3 Honorable Mention

Off-Day News (4/30/92)

On this day in Boston Red Sox Basebawful history:

1901 - Boston wins first game in franchise history

1970 - Sox sweep A's

1971 - Sox come back to defeat Twins

1972 - Krausse, Sox shutout Rangers

1981 - Sox lose fourth game in a row with defeat at the hands of the Twins

1982 - Sox, Torrez takes down Rangers

1983 - Angels defeat Sox in 11 innings

1989 - Rangers behind Nolan Ryan beats Clemens, Sox

1991 - Sox beat Twins late

The Sox return to action tomorrow night against the Kansas City Royals. Mike Gardiner (3-0) goes for the Sox against Mark Gubicza of Kansas City. The game begins at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Viola, Red Sox Shut Down White Sox (4/29/92)

It was a weird month but the Boston Red Sox ended April on a high note by defeating the Chicago White Sox. Frank Viola (2-2, 3.06 ERA) almost went the distance as he allowed just 1 run through 8 2/3 innings. Meanwhile the much maligned Red Sox offense finally cashed in with runners in scoring position against White Sox starter Alex Fernandez. Phil Plantier and Wade Boggs supplied most of the offense by driving in 5 of the team's six runs. Jody Reed went 3 for 4 as well to aid the cause while Viola pitched his gem. With Viola on the run in the ninth, Jeff Reardon came in to slam the door. The BoSox ended the month of April on a good note with a 6-1 win over the White Sox at Fenway Park.

                                                        Hawkeye Pierce approves of the win

The White Sox wasted no time tagging Viola in the top of the first as Luis Rivera scooped up a grounder by Tim Raines and threw the ball into the centerfield bleachers for an error. Steve Sax singled to right to move Raines to third and move himself to second on the throw. Robin Ventura hit a sac fly to left to score Raines with the first run. Sax stole third but Frank Thomas struck out swinging. George Bell popped up to third in foul territory to end the inning with the White Sox up 1-0.

                                                              Ventura drives in a run

The Red Sox didn't wait around to get to Fernandez as Wade Boggs walked to start then moved to third on the base hit to right by Jody Reed. Phil Plantier doubled to left to score Boggs and Reed but Ellis Burks hit a routine grounder to Sax. Sax threw the ball away for an error that scored Plantier with another run and Burks took third on a passed ball. Herm Winningham walked but Jack Clark popped up to second. Winningham stole second as Mo Vaughn struck out swinging but Tony Pena grounded out to third to end the inning with the BoSox ahead 3-1.

                                                           Plantier drives in a run

Mike Huff began the top of the second by flying out to left. Ron Karkovice flied out to left and Lance Johnson grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Luis Rivera flied out to center to start the bottom of the second before Boggs struck out swinging. Reed got a base hit to left but Plantier struck out swinging to end the inning.

Craig Grebeck beat out an infield single to short to start the top of the third but Raines flied out to right. Sax flied out to left and Ventura grounded out to second to end the inning. Burks grounded out to second to start the bottom of the third before Winningham lined out to left. Clark flied out to right to end the inning.

Thomas grounded out to second to start the top of the fourth before Bell walked. Huff forced Bell at second and got thrown out trying to steal to end the inning. Vaughn flied out to right to open the bottom of the fourth and Pena took strike three. Rivera flied out to right to end the inning.

Karkovice struck out swinging to open the top of the fifth but Johnson singled to center. Johnson was also thrown out trying to steal and Grebeck grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fifth although Boggs flied out to right to open. Reed singled in the hole at second then swiped second base. Plantier doubled down the first base line to score Reed with another run. Burks struck out swinging and Winningham grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-1.

                                                          Reed scores a run

Viola cruised in the top of the sixth as Raines grounded out to short to start. Sax popped up to first and Ventura grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox wrapped up the scoring in the bottom of the sixth as Clark popped up to first in foul territory to start. Vaughn struck out swinging but Grebeck booted a grounder by Pena to keep the inning alive. Rivera ripped a base hit to center and Boggs doubled into the gap in center to score both runners. Roberto Hernandez came in to pitch to Reed and Jody walked. Plantier walked to load the bases but Burks popped up to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-1.

                                                             Boggs drives in a pair

Thomas grounded out to short to start the top of the seventh but Bell singled to left. Bell tried to stretch a double but was thrown out by Winningham at second. Huff flied out to right to end the inning. Scott Radinsky came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Winningham took strike three to start. Clark grounded out to short and Vaughn took strike three to end the inning.

Karkovice walked to begin the top of the eighth but Johnson banged into a double play. Grebeck grounded out to short to end the inning. Bobby Thigpen came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth but Pena singled to right to start. Rivera struck out swinging but Boggs walked, only for Reed to ground into a double play to end the inning.

Viola tried to finish what he started in the top of the ninth and Raines singled to left to start. Sax flied out to left but Ventura walked. Thomas flied out to center but Bell walked to load the bases. Sox manager Butch Hobson felt Viola had done enough as he mastered the White Sox for 8 2/3 innings. Jeff Reardon came in and Matt Merullo pinch hit for Huff. Merullo popped up to third in foul territory to end the game. The Red Sox had won it 7-1.

Hero of the Night is Frank Viola. He almost threw a complete game but went 8 2/3 innings while allowing 1 run on 5 hits and 3 walks to earn the win.

                                                              Viola The Hero

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 1 for 3 with 2 walks, 2 rbis and a run scored.

Jody Reed was 3 for 4 with a walk, a stolen base and scored two runs.

Phil Plantier was 2 for 3 with a walk, 3 rbis and a run scored.

Jeff Reardon earned the save by getting the final out of the ninth inning.

The Bad:

Ellis Burks was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jack Clark was 0 for 4.

Mo Vaughn was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of three strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Herm Winningham was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked and stole a base.

Tony Pena was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Luis Rivera was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

That was an up and down month for sure. The offense didn't get untracked until the very end but the pitching held up for the most part. The trio of Roger Clemens, Frank Viola and Mike Gardiner looked great and Joe Hesketh had a good game last time he pitched. The bullpen of Greg Harris, Danny Darwin, Tony Fossas and Jeff Reardon has been solid and there's a chance they can hold up all season. The offense is too talented not to come around, especially Mike Greenwell, Vaughn, Plantier, Boggs and Clark. Tonight's game was a glimpse of what can happen when the offense cashes in on their chances given by mistakes and runners in scoring position. The win improved the Sox to 9-9, 5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox are back in action Friday night against the Kansas City Royals. Mike Gardiner (3-0) goes for the Sox against Mark Gubicza of Kansas City. The game begins at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Clemens, Red Sox Down White Sox (4/28/92)

When all else fails, the Boston Red Sox usually turn to Roger Clemens (3-2, 1.38 ERA) to bail them out. Tonight against the Chicago White Sox the ace of the staff held them to just a single run in seven innings of work. The usually putrid Red Sox offense somehow managed to score six runs against Chicago starter Kirk McCaskill and the White Sox bullpen. Nearly everyone on offense contributed but things got hairy when the White Sox rallied against Danny Darwin in the eighth inning. Tony Fossas and Jeff Reardon saved the day as the Red Sox defeated the White Sox 6-3 at Fenway Park.

                                                    Karen Witter approves of the win

Clemens got the ball in the top of the first inning and Tim Raines popped up to short to start. Steve Sax lined out to short and Robin Ventura took strike three to end the inning. The BoSox rallied in the bottom of the first against McCaskill as Wade Boggs singled in the hole at second to start. Jody Reed singled to right to move Boggs to third and Wade scored on the lineout to left by Mike Greenwell. Ellis Burks beat out a roller to third and McCaskill threw a wild pitch and Matt Merullo the catcher threw the ball away to allow Reed to score. Phil Plantier walked but Jack Clark took strike three. Mo Vaughn grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                             Reed scores a run

Frank Thomas grounded out to second to start the top of the second but George Bell singled to center. Dan Pasqua struck out swinging and Merullo took strike three to end the inning. Tony Pena grounded out to short to start the bottom of the second before Luis Rivera popped up to first in foul territory. Boggs drew a walk but Reed flied out to right to end the inning. 

Lance Johnson singled to center to start the top of the third before swiping second. Craig Grebeck lined out to first and Johnson moved to second on the grounder to first by Raines. Sax grounded out to third to end the inning. Greenwell grounded out to first to start the bottom of the first and Burks flied out to center. Plantier singled to right and Clark grounded out to short to end the inning.

Ventura lined out to right to start the top of the fourth before Thomas walked. Bell singled to left to move Thomas to third and swiped second during the swinging strikeout by Pasqua. Merullo struck out swinging to end the inning. Vaughn grounded out to first to start the bottom of the fourth before Pena struck out swinging. Rivera singled in the hole at short and Boggs walked, but Reed popped up to first in foul territory to end the inning.

Johnson flied out to left to start the top of the fifth and Grebeck grounded out to second. Raines struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Greenwell flied out to center to start. Burks also flied out to center and Plantier struck out swinging to end the inning.

The White Sox struck back in the top of the sixth as Sax doubled to left to start. Ventura also doubled to left to score Sax and Thomas walked. Bell banged into a double play and Pasqua took strike three to end the inning with Chicago down 2-1.

                                                            Ventura drives in a run

The BoSox rallied in the bottom of the sixth as Clark walked to start. Vaughn singled to center and Bob Zupcic pinch ran for Clark. Pena dropped down a bunt to move the runners over and Rivera singled to left to score Zupcic. Vaughn moved to third on the hit but Wilson Alvarez came in to pitch to Boggs. Wade hit a sac fly to center to score Vaughn to ice the game. Reed lined out to left to end the inning with the Red Sox up 4-1.

                                                              Rivera drives in a run

Clemens returned for one final inning in the top of the seventh and Merullo grounded out to second to start. Johnson and Grebeck both struck out swinging to end the inning. Clemens was masterful, tossing 7 innings and allowing just the one run while striking out nine.

                                                          Clemens gets it done

The BoSox rallied again in the bottom of the seventh as Greenwell walked to start. Ventura booted a routine grounder by Burks for an error but Plantier struck out swinging. Zupcic singled to left to score Greenwell and move Burks to third. Vaughn forced Zupcic at second but Burks scored another run. Pena grounded out to third to end the inning with the BoSox ahead 6-1.

                                                               Zupcic drives in a run

Danny Darwin came in to throw up on himself in the top of the eighth inning as Raines doubled to left to start. Sax singled Raines to third before he swiped second himself. Ventura lined a base hit to right to score both runners and chase Danny from the game, Greg Harris came in and Thomas walked to bring the tying run to the plate. Bell flied out to left and Pasqua earned the golden sombrero by taking strike three. Merullo was plunked to load the bases and Sox manager Butch Hobson brought in Tony Fossas to pitch to Johnson. Johnson grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox still ahead 6-3.

                                                              Fossas saves the day

Terry Leach came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Rivera grounded out to first to start. Boggs flied out to center and Reed grounded out to third to end the inning.

Jeff Reardon came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Warren Newson pinch hit for Grebeck. Newson singled to right but was doubled off of first on the bullet to first by Raines. Sax singled to center and Esteban Beltre ran for him. Ventura doubled to right but Thomas flied out to right to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-3.

Hero of the Night is Roger Clemens. He dominated the White Sox by holding them to 1 run in 7 innings of work. He allowed 5 hits and struck out 9 batters.

                                                          Rocket Hero

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 1 for 2 with 2 walks, an rbi and a run scored.

Phil Plantier was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Bob Zupcic was 1 for 1 at the plate with an rbi and a run scored.

Luis Rivera was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Greg Harris got the first 2 outs of the eighth inning.

Tony Fossas retired the only man he faced.

Jeff Reardon earned his third save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Tony Pena was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Danny Darwin allowed 2 runs without recording an out.

The Ugly:

Jody Reed was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 2 but walked, drove in a run and scored a run.

Ellis Burks was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Jack Clark was 0 for 2 with a strikeout but walked.

Mo Vaughn was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

So THAT'S what offense looks like? Granted they didn't hit home runs out of Fenway but they finally drove some guys in when they were in scoring position. Rivera's rbi single, Zupcic's rbi single and even the grounders to drive in runs. After a month of futility it was nice to see them score some runs. They needed them too because Darwin crapped his pants big time. That was his first hiccup all season really and its a good thing Harris, Fossas and Darwin got the outs they did. Sox manager Butch Hobson has taken some criticism for not switching up his batting orders but he's been managing the bullpen really well so far. Fossas has been the guy that if you absolutely need to get a lefty out, he's the one to do it. Hopefully the Sox can keep scoring like this the rest of the season because their pitching's been pretty good all things considered. Clemens was his usual self and not much needs to be said about his greatness. The Sox have one more game this month and its tomorrow night against the White Sox. Frank Viola (1-2) goes for Boston up against Alex Fernandez of the White Sox. The game begins at 7:35 PM at Fenway Park.

Off-Day News (4/27/92)

On This Day In Basebawful History:

1915 - Yankees shut out Sox

1970 - Sox beat A's

1971 - Brewers hang on to beat Sox

1981 - Rangers massacre Red Sox

1982 - Sox win 8th in a row

1983 - Sox beat Mariners

1984 - Red Sox, Eck defeat White Sox

1991 - Sox hang on to beat Royals

The Sox are back in action tomorrow night against the Chicago White Sox at home. Roger Clemens (2-2) takes on Kirk McCaskill of the White Sox. The game begins at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Rangers Rally Past Sox in Game 2 (4/26/92)

The Boston Red Sox are sure inventing new ways to lose these days. In Game 1 of their doubleheader against the Texas Rangers, the Sox outhit the Rangers only to score 1 measly run. In Game 2 it was more of the same. The Red Sox took a 2-0 lead over Texas with Joe Hesketh outdueling Jeff Robinson. In the top of the eighth Brian Downing hit a 2 run bomb off Greg Harris (1-1, 1.93 ERA) and rallied for two more runs in the ninth against Harris and Jeff Reardon. Meanwhile the 2 early runs the Sox scored ended up being the only runs they'd plate. The worst offense in baseball ended an 18 inning day scoring just 3 runs and dropped the nightcap 4-2 at Fenway Park.

                                                      "LEARN HOW TO HIT!!!"

Hesketh got the ball in the top of the first inning and Brian Downing grounded out to third to start. Palmeiro took strike three and Juan Gonzalez grounded out to third to end the inning. Robinson got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Wade Boggs lined a base hit to left to start. Julio Franco booted a routine grounder by Jody Reed for an error and Phil Plantier managed to hit into a 3-6-5 double play. Tom Brunansky grounded out to third to end the inning.

Ruben Sierra singled in the hole at third to start the top of the second but Franco lined out to right. Dean Palmer struck out swinging and Sierra was thrown out trying to steal to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the second as Herm Winningham singled to right to start. Tim Naehring caught the Rangers asleep with a bunt single and both runners moved over on a wild pitch. Scott Cooper popped up to short and Bob Zupcic made his season debut with a pop up to short. John Flaherty grounded out to short to end the inning.

Kevin Reimer struck out swinging to start the top of the third and Dickie Thon grounded back to the mound. Ivan Rodriguez grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the third as Boggs flied out to left to start. Reed doubled to center and Plantier hit a grounder to second that was thrown away by Franco for an error that scored Reed. Brunansky flied out to right and Winningham grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                                  Reed scores a run

Downing grounded out to third to start the top of the fourth but Palmeiro singled to center. Gonzalez popped up to second but Sierra singled to center. Winningham booted the ball which allowed everyone to advance. Franco grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Naehring grounded out to short to start. Cooper flied out to left but Zupcic hit a ground rule double to right. Flaherty singled up the middle to score Bob and Boggs ripped a base hit to center to move John to third. Reed struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                                    Flaherty drives in a run

Palmer and Reimer both struck out swinging to start the top of the fifth and Thon flied out to right to end the inning. Plantier struck out swinging to open the bottom of the fifth before Brunansky  grounded out to short. Winningham grounded out to second to end the inning.

Rodriguez singled in the hole at second to start the top of the sixth but Downing forced him at second. Palmeiro struck out swinging and Gonzalez forced Downing at second to end the inning. Naehring popped up to left to start the bottom of the sixth and Cooper grounded out to second. Zupcic hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

Hesketh returned for the top of the seventh and Sierra popped up to second to start. Franco grounded out to second but Palmer and Reimer both walked to chase Hesketh. Joe pitched a hell of a game, shutting out the Rangers for 6 2/3 innings. Greg Harris came in and Rangers manager Bobby Valentine sent in Jack Daugherty to pinch hit for Thon. Daugherty lined out to first to end the inning.

                                                    Hesketh with 6 2/3 shutout innings

Jeff Huson came in to play short with Floyd Bannister now on the mound for Texas to start the bottom of the seventh. Flaherty grounded out to short but Boggs reached on an error by Franco. Reed walked but Plantier lined out to third. Terry Mathews came in to pitch to Brunansky and Bruno flied out to right to end the inning.

The game changed on a dime in the top of the eighth as Rodriguez caught the sleep with a bunt single to third and Downing hit a home run all the way to Albuquerque to tie the game. Palmeiro grounded out to first, Gonzalez popped up to first and Sierra struck out swinging to end the inning but the game was tied 2-2.

                                             Downing ties it up

Winningham took strike three to start the bottom of the eighth but Naehring doubled to left. Cooper struck out swinging and Zupcic took strike three to end the inning.

The wheels fell off in the top of the ninth as Franco and Palmer drew back to back walks to start. Al Newman pinch hit for Reimer but Sox manager Butch Hobson countered by bringing in Tony Fossas to pitch to him. Newman bunted foul for strike three and John Cangelosi pinch hit for Huson with Hobson countering by bringing in Jeff Reardon. The move backfired as Cangelosi hit a fly ball to left that Winningham tried to catch unsuccessfully in his hat for an error to score Franco. Rodriguez hit the killshot with a base hit to left to score Palmer with the insurance run. Downing grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Rangers up 4-2.

                                                          Reardon blows it

Rangers closer Jeff Russell came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Mike Greenwell pinch hit for Flaherty to start. Greenwell got a base hit to center but Boggs flied out to center. Reed popped up to short but Plantier singled to right to put the tying run on. Brunansky took strike three to end the game. The Rangers had swept the doubleheader with a 4-2 win.

Jackass of the Night is Greg Harris. He allowed the tying runs and was charged with the go-ahead runs to blow the game,

                                                             Jackass Harris

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 5.

Phil Plantier was 2 for 5.

Tim Naehring was 2 for 4.

John Flaherty was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Mike Greenwell singled as a pinch hitter.

Joe Hesketh tossed 6 2/3 shutout innings. He allowed 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 6.

Tony Fossas struck out the only guy he faced.

The Bad:

Tom Brunansky was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Scott Cooper was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Jody Reed was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Herm Winningham was just 1 for 4 with 2 errors and a strikeout.

Bob Zupcic was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Jeff Reardon allowed 2 inherited runners to score but none of his own in 2/3 of an inning.

Final Thoughts:

Wow, what more can be said? The Sox pitching held the Rangers to 7 runs in two games but only managed to score three of their own. They actually out-hit the Rangers in both games but couldn't get the clutch hit with men on base or hit a home run. Nobody on the team is hitting right now. Not Boggs, Reed, Plantier, Vaughn, Clark...no one. If Boggs and Reed can't get on base there isn't much Greenwell Clark and Plantier can do but even they aren't hitting either. Who would have thought for the past 50 years its been all-bat and no pitching but now its the other way around? Hesketh pitched great and Harris hadn't a bad game all season to this point. Just another troubling sign that the Morgan Magic Red Sox where everything went right is over. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox turn to their ace as they continue their homestand against the Chicago White Sox. Roger Clemens (2-2) goes for Boston Tuesday night against Kirk McCaskill of Chicago. The game begins at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Witt Outduels Young, Rangers Take Game 1 (4/26/92)

Ten years ago to the day the Boston Red Sox swept a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox. Today the Sox dropped Game 1 of their own doubleheader against the Texas Rangers. The Sox offense did manage 10 hits and 4 walks against Bobby Witt and the Rangers bullpen but could only muster 1 measly run. Matt Young (0-2, 2.95 ERA) was game for 5 innings but allowed 3 rubs. Danny Darwin kept the Sox in it with 4 shutout innings but the Sox bats couldn't generate any offense. The Sox had chances all game but the Rangers took Game 1 by a score of 3-1 at Fenway Park.

                                                This offense makes Counselor Troi cry 

The Rangers wasted no time scoring in top of the first inning as John Cangelosi struck out swinging to start. Rafael Palmeiro grounded out to second but Juan Gonzalez hit a home run to the moon to put Texas on top. Ruben Sierra singled in the hole at second but Brian Downing took strike three to end the inning with the Rangers up 1-0.

                                                               Gonzalez hits one out

The Sox began their rally killing woes in the bottom of the first as Wade Boggs flied out to left to start. Jody Reed grounded out to third but Mike Greenwell singled to left. Ellis Burks doubled to left but Phil Plantier lined out to left to end the inning. 

Young cruised in the top of the second as Dean Palmer grounded out to short to start. Dickie Thon struck out swinging and Ivan Rodriguez grounded out to short to end the inning. Jack Clark popped up to short to start the bottom of the second and Mo Vaughn grounded out to second. Tony Pena flied out to center to end the inning.

The Rangers iced the game in the top of the third as Al Newman struck out swinging to start. Cangelosi grounded out to short but Palmeiro walked. Gonzalez singled to right and Sierra lined a base hit to center. Burks had Sierra at first but Clark muffed the throw to score Palmeiro and the runners moved over on the error. Downing struck out swinging but the ball got away from Pena and Gonzalez scored. Palmer forced Downing at second to end the inning with the Rangers ahead 3-0.

                                                             Catch the ball Vaughn!

The Sox blew their next rally in the bottom of the third as Luis Rivera singled in the hoke at short to start. Boggs lined out to third and Reed popped up to third but Greenwell was plunked. Burks walked to load the bases but Plantier popped up to second to end the inning. 

Thon singled to right to start the top of the fourth but was doubled off first on a bullet to Boggs by Rodriguez. Newman grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Clark grounded out to short to start. Vaughn singled to center and Pena doubled him home to cut the lead. Rivera walked and both runners moved over on the grounder to first by Boggs. Reed walked to load the bases but Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox down 3-2.

                                                               Pena drives in a run 

Cangelosi walked to open the top of the fifth and moved to second on the sacrifice bunt by Palmeiro. Gonzalez flied out to left and Sierra popped up to second to end the inning. Burks struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth but Plantier singled inside the bag at first. Clark took strike three but Vaughn walked. Pena struck out swinging to end the inning. 

Downing walked to start the top of the sixth and Palmer singled to center to chase Young. He lasted just 5 plus innings and allowed 3 runs. Danny Darwin came on in relief and Thon dropped down a bunt but Darwin got Downing at third. Rodriguez grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Jeff Huson pinch hit for Newman to start the top of the seventh and struck out swinging. Kevin Reimer pinch hit for Cangelosi and doubled to right before Palmeiro singled him to third. Reimer made a mad dash for home on a hit and run but the only problem was Gonzalez struck out swinging. Reimer was out at home to end the inning. The Red Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the seventh as Burks grounded out to third to start. Plantier grounded out to first and Clark grounded out to third to end the inning.

Darwin got Sierra to ground out to third to start the top of the eighth but Downing was plunked. Palmer took strike three and Thon popped up to short to end the inning. Kenny Rogers came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth with Tom Brunansky pinch hitting for Vaughn to start. Bruno blooped a base hit to right but was foolishly thrown out at second trying to steal. Pena doubled to left and Rivera hit a seeing eye single to left that would have scored Brunansky. Boggs flied out to left and Reed grounded into a force to end the inning.

Darwin returned for the top of the ninth and Rodriguez struck out swinging to start. Huson lined out to center but Reimer doubled to left. Jack Daugherty pinch ran for Reimer and Palmeiro was intentionally walked. Gonzalez popped up to second to end the inning. Good work by Darwin to toss 4 innings of shutdown ball.

                                                            Darwin gets it done

Rogers returned for the bottom of the ninth and Greenwell grounded out to first to start. Burks flied out to right and Tim Naehring was set to pinch hit for Plantier. Rangers manager Bobby Valentine countered by bringing in closer Jeff Russell. Sox manager Butch Hobson pulled back Naehring and sent Herm Winningham to pinch hit instead. Naturally Winningham looked at strike three to end the game. The Rangers won Game 1 by a score of 3-1.

Jackass of the Night is Wade Boggs. He was 0 for 5 including leaving the tying runs on in the fourth inning.

                                                         Jackass Boggs

The Good:

Mo Vaughn was 1 for 2 with a walk and a run scored.

Tony Pena was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Luis Rivera was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Danny Darwin tossed 4 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Herm Winningham struck out as a pinch hitter.

Jack Clark was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Jody Reed was just 1 for 4 with walk.

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 4 but was hit with a pitch.

Ellis Burks was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked.

Phil Plantier was just 1 for 4.

Tom Brunansky singled as a pinch hitter but was thrown out trying to steal.

Matt Young took the loss but allowed just 3 runs in 5 plus innings.

Honorable Mention:

Tim Naehring "pinch hit" for Phil Plantier.

Final Thoughts:

The offensively challenged Sox sure bit the big one today. They actually outhit the Rangers 10-9 but they couldn't cash in on almost any of their chances. They're dead last offensively in the American League despite the pitching actually being good. Young wasn't great today but he didn't suck either. Darwin was damn good in relief and its a shame the Sox couldn't pick him up because he certainly deserved the win. The fact the veterans such as Boggs, Clark and Greenwell haven't been producing and the younger guys like Vaughn and Plantier haven't been hitting well either. There really isn't any way to fix it because their recent draft picks were mostly pitchers and apart from John Valentin, there isn't really any help coming from Pawtucket either. Way to go Sox GM Lou Gorman, although to be honest who thought the entire team would slump in April? The Sox have no time to dwell on the loss as they are back in action in a few minutes against these same Rangers. Joe Hesketh gets the start for Boston against Jeff Robinson of Texas. The game begins at 4:05 PM at Fenway Park.