Sox Sweep Twins (4/25/12)

The bad news was the Boston Bruins were eliminated in Game 7 of their first round NHL playoff series by the Washington Capitals but the good news was the Boston Red Sox swept the Minnesota twins for their third straight win. The Red Sox jumped out to a 7-1 lead thanks to a Mike Aviles three run home run, a Jarrod Saltalamacchia two run hit and two other run scored. Then the Twins came back as Clay Buchholz (2-1, 8.87 ERA) got knocked out in the sixth innings after allowing 5 runs. Scott Atchison, Justin Thomas and Matt Albers allowed rbis to cut the lead...but the trio of Vicente Padilla, Franklin Morales and Alfredo Aceves put Saturday behind them as they slammed the door on the victory. The Sox had held on to win 7-6 and sweep the Twins at Target Field.

                                                       Cael Sanderson approves of the win

Liam Hendriks got the ball in the top of the first inning and Mike Aviles grounded out to second to start. Ryan Sweeney struck out swinging but Dustin Pedroia doubled to left. Adrian Gonzalez grounded out to short to end the inning after 32 pitches. Buchholz got the ball in the bottom of the first and Denard Span grounded back to the mound to start. Jamey Carroll walked and Joe Mauer dropped a base hit in front of Sweeney but Justin Morneau forced Joe at second. Chris Parmalee walked to load the bases but Trevor Plouffe popped up to second to end the inning.

The Sox exploded in the top of the second inning as David Ortiz walked to start. Kevin Youkilis ripped a base hit to center to move Ortiz to third but Jarrod Saltalamacchia took strike three. Cody Ross dropped a base hit to left to score Ortiz but Marlon Byrd lined out to center. Aviles then pounded his third home run of the season to put the Sox up big early. Sweeney struck out swinging again to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-0.

                                                                Aviles with another homer

The Twins fought back in the bottom of the second although Sean Burroughs grounded out to short to start. Ben Revere doubled to center and Alexi Casilla dropped a base hit to left to score Revere to cut the lead. Casilla stole second and moved to third on the Span grounder to first, but Carroll grounded out to first to end the inning with the Twins down 4-1.

                                                  Casilla drives in a run

The Sox answered in the top of the third as Pedroia beat out a roller to third to start. Gonzalez walked but Ortiz popped up to third in foul territory. Both runners moved over on the grounder to third by Youkilis but Saltalamacchia dropped a base hit to right. Pedroia and Gonzalez scored but Saltalmacchia was thrown out trying to stretch a double to end the inning with the Sox up 6-1.

                                                 "You're out you dummy!"

Mauer grounded out to short to start the bottom of the third but Morneau got a base hit to left. Parmalee singled to right but Plouffe struck out swinging. Burroughs flied out to Byrd to end the inning.

Ross flied out to left to start the top of the fourth before Byrd singled in the hole at second. Aviles lined out to center and Sweeney lined out to third to end the inning. Revere grounded out to second to start the bottom of the fourth but Casilla got a base hit to left. Span hit one off Buchholz for a single and both runners moved over on a grounder to third by Carroll. Mauer popped up to short to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the fifth as Plouffe missed a catch at the right field wall allowing Pedroia to reach third on a "triple". Gonzalez lifted an opposite field single to left to score Pedroia and chase Hendriks from the game. Anthony Swarzak came in and Ortiz flied out to left before Youkilis grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-1.

                                                       Sox are all smiles

Buchholz cruised in the bottom of the fifth as Morneau grounded out to second to start. Parmalee and Plouffe both grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the sixth as Saltalamacchia flied out to left to begin. Ross struck out swinging and Byrd flied out to center to end the inning. Suddenly Buchholz fell apart in the bottom of the sixth with Darnell McDonald now in left. Burroughs struck out swinging but Revere caught Buchholz asleep with a bunt single. Casilla got a base hit to center but Span doubled into the right field corner to score Revere. Carroll walked to load the bases and that was it for Buchholz. He'd eventually be charged with 5 runs in just 5 1/3 innings.

                                                          So much for Buchholz

Scott Atchison came in to pitch to Mauer and Joe lined a ball off him into left to score Casilla and Span. One and done for Atchison as Justin Thomas was brought in to face Morneau and Justin doubled to center to score Carroll. A scary moment occurred when Thomas hit Parmalee in the head with a fastball, knocking him out cold. Sox manager Bobby Valentine yanked Thomas out of the game with Danny Valencia running for Parmalee. Matt Albers came in and Plouffe got a base hit to center to score Mauer and cut the lead. 9 straight batters reached for Minnesota but Burroughs banged into a double play to end the inning with the Twins down 7-6.

                                                  Hope Parmalee is okay

The Sox did nothing in the top of the seventh as Aviles grounded out to third to start. Sweeney got a base hit to left but Pedroia hit into a double play to end the inning. Vicente Padilla came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Revere grounded out to third to start. Casilla grounded out to second and Span took strike three to end the inning.

Glen Perkins came in to pitch the top of the eighth and blew away the side. Gonzalez, Ortiz and Youkilis all went down hacking to end the inning. Franklin Morales came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Carroll struck out swinging to start. Mauer grounded out to first and Morneau flied out to the centerfield warning track to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the ninth with Jared Burton now on the mound. Saltalamacchia grounded out to first, McDonald grounded back to the mound and Byrd struck out swinging to end the inning. The Twins pitchers had retired 15 in a row after Gonzalez' single drove in the seventh run. Alfredo Aceves came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Valencia grounded out to short. Plouffe walked and Ryan Doumit pinch hit for Burroughs. Doumit singled to right and both runners moved over on the grounder to first by Revere. Casilla was hit with a pitch to load the bases but Span struck out swinging to end the game. The Sox had won it 7-6.

                                                          Red Sox win

Hero of the Night is Mike Aviles. His 3 run home run put the Sox up big and helped the team to victory.

                                                         Hero Aviles

The Good:

Dustin Pedroia was 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored.

Adrian Gonzalez was 1 for 3 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Cody Ross was 1 for 3 with an rbi and a run scored.

Vicente Padilla pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

Franklin Morales pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Alfredo Aceves earned his fourth save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Darnell McDonald was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Clay Buchholz got charged with 5 runs in just 5 1/3 innings. He allowed 10 hits and 3 walks.

Scott Atchison gave up a hit to the only man he faced.

Justin Thomas didn't record an out after giving up a hit and a hit batsmen.

The Ugly:

Ryan Sweeney was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

David Ortiz was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Kevin Youkilis was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was just 1 for 4 with a strikeouts but drove in 2 runs.

Marlon Byrd was just 1 for 4.

Matt Albers allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own in 2/3 of an inning.

Final Thoughts:

That was too close for comfort for the Red Sox. They won the game but they damn near blew a huge lead again. Losing Andrew Bailey in spring training took away their closer but it looks like the guys they brought in to be the set-up guys aren't going to get it done. With the slow start the starters have gotten off to, this team can ill-afford bullpen meltdowns like this and especially the natural disaster last Saturday. The good news is the offense is producing and they just won three in a row against the Twins. The Twins may be a bad team with a TV broadcast that can put you to sleep, but taking three in a row is nothing to sneeze at. Buchholz fell apart in the sixth inning and the sad part is no starter looks good right now. Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Buchholz have the ability to dominate, apart from Beckett against the Tampa Bay Rays we really haven't seen it yet. Expecting Felix Doubront and Daniel Bard to pitch like those three would be unfair. Still, the offense is rolling and they did just enough to win. The Sox now move on to a set with the Chicago White Sox in the Windy City. Felix Doubront gets the start for the Red Sox against Phillip Humber of the White Sox. The game begins at 8:10 PM Eastern time at Comiskey Park.

Beckett, Sox Thrash Twins (4/24/12)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox announced Nate Spears cleared waivers and was returned back to Pawtucket. As for the game, the Boston Red Sox left no doubt in this one against the Minnesota Twins. The Boston bats woke up to launch an 18 hit attack against Nick Blackburn and the Minnesota bullpen. Mike Aviles and David Ortiz both went yard and Adrian Gonzalez drove in a couple of runs. On the other side of the ball Josh Beckett tossed 6 solid innings and held the Twins to just two runs. Scott Atchison and Matt Albers was perfect out of the bullpen and the Sox ran away with an 11-2 victory over the Twins at Target Field.

                                                 Jill Valentine approves of the win

The Sox ambushed Blackburn in the top of the first as Mike Aviles doubled to center to start. Ryan Sweeney singled up the middle to score Aviles but Dustin Pedroia forced him at second. Adrian Gonzalez singled to right to move Pedroia to third and David Ortiz scored Dustin with a base hit to left. Kevin Youkilis dropped a base hit to right to load the bases and Gonzalez scored on the Cody Ross grounder to first. Marlon Byrd grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                            Sox take the lead

The Twins wasted no time getting to Beckett in the bottom of the first as Denard Span drilled a base hit to center to start. Jamey Carroll forced Span at second and Joe Mauer walked. Josh Willingham walked to load the bases and Justin Morneau walked to score Carroll. Beckett recovered to strike out Ryan Doumit swinging but felt he was getting squeezed. Danny Valencia grounded out to third to end the inning and Beckett started screaming at home plate umpire Adrian Johnson who screamed back. All this mayhem had the Twins down 3-1.

                                                         Twins score a run

Kelly Shoppach doubled off the right field wall to start the top of the second and Aviles dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Kelly to third. Unfortunately Sweeney grounded out to second and Pedroia grounded out to short to end the inning. Chris Parmalee struck out swinging to start the bottom of the second before Trevor Plouffe grounded out to third. Span grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Sox iced the game in the top of the third as Gonzalez walked to start. Ortiz clubbed his third home run of the season to increase the lead but Youkilis struck out swinging. Ross flied out to the left field warning track but Byrd ripped a base hit to left. Shoppach struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-1.

                                                        Ortiz jacks one out

Carroll grounded out to second to start the bottom of the third but Mauer singled to center. Willingham doubled to right but Morneau hit a liner to short. Doumit popped up to Byrd to end the inning.

Matt Maloney came in to pitch the top of the fourth and Aviles greeted him with his third home run of the season to increase the lead. Sweeney doubled to the centerfield wall but Pedroia grounded out to short. Gonzalez got a base hit to right to score Sweeney but Ortiz forced Adrian at second. Youkilis got a base hit to left but Ross struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-1.

                                                              Aviles hits one out

Beckett cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Valencia grounded out to third to start. Parmalee flied out to center and Byrd made a running catch to rob Plouffe of a double to end the inning.

The Sox rallied in the top of the fifth as Byrd singled to center to start. Shoppach struck out swinging but Aviles hit a double that got caught under the centerfield wall to score Byrd. Sweeney struck out swinging but Pedroia doubled off the right field scoreboard to score Aviles. Gonzalez doubled to left to score Pedroia and chase Maloney. Jeff Gray came in and Ortiz struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 10-1.

                                                     Gonzalez drives in a run

Span blooped a double into center to start the bottom of the fifth but got caught in a rundown on a grounder to the mound by Carroll. Mauer flied out to center but Willingham doubled to left to score Carroll to cut the lead. Morneau flied out to left to end the inning with the Twins down 10-2.

                                                       Twins score a run

The Sox did nothing in the top of the sixth inning as Youkilis flied out to right to start. Ross struck out swinging and Byrd grounded out to short to end the inning. Beckett returned for one last inning in the bottom of the sixth and Doumit took strike three to start. Valencia and Parmalee both struck out swinging to end the inning. Beckett tossed 6 solid innings, survived early squeezing and held the Twins to two runs.

                                                           Beckett gets it done

Shoppach struck out swinging to start the top of the seventh before Aviles also went down hacking. Sweeney flied out to center to end the inning. Scott Atchison came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Plouffe flied out to right to start. Span took strike three and Carroll grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the eighth with Alex Burnett now on the mound. Pedroia flied out to right and Lars Anderson pinch hit for Gonzalez. Anderson got a base hit to left and Ortiz drew a walk. Nick Punto pinch hit for Youkilis and walked to load the bases. Darnell McDonald pinch hit for Ross and beat out a double play ball to score Anderson. Byrd grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 11-2.

                                                                    Anderson scores a run

Atchison returned for the bottom of the eighth and Mauer took strike three to start. Clete Thomas pinch hit for Willingham and struck out swinging while Morneau grounded out to first to end the inning.

Shoppach grounded out to third to start the top of the ninth but Aviles got a base hit to left. Sweeney forced Aviles at second and Pedroia grounded out to third to end the inning. Matt Albers came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and Doumit grounded out to second to start. Sean Burroughs pinch hit for Valencia and doubled to right but Parmalee flied out to left. Plouffe popped up to McDonald to end the game. The Sox had won it 11-2.

                                                          Sox win

Hero of the Night is David Ortiz. He outscored the Twins by himself by driving in three runs including a 2 run homer.

                                                           Aviles salutes our Hero

The Good:

Mike Aviles was 4 for 5 with a two run home run and 3 total runs scored.

Ryan Sweeney was 2 for 6 with an rbi and a run scored.

Adrian Gonzalez was 3 for 3 with a walk, 2 rbis and two runs scored.

Lars Anderson singled and scored.

Kevin Youkilis was 2 for 4.

Nick Punto walked as a pinch hitter.

Darnell McDonald drove in a run in his only at-bat.

Marlon Byrd was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Josh Beckett earned the win by tossing 6 innings and allowing just the two runs. He allowed 5 hits and struck out 5.

Scott Atchison pitched two scoreless innings.

Matt Albers pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 6 but drove in a run and scored twice.

Cody Ross was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but drove in a run.

Kelly Shoppach was just 1 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Final Thoughts:

Looks like the New York Yankees woke up the Red Sox as they've scored 17 runs against the Twins so far. The Sox are flexing their offensive muscle and the addition of Marlon Byrd is paying off already. Instead of having the black hole of Nate Spears/Jason Repko, Byrd is a threat to get on base to give the Sox a deadly 1-9 when everyone's healthy and hitting. Youkilis and Jarrod Saltalamacchia are beginning to come around too and that's bad news for the rest of the league. Pitching wise Beckett looked good although he was definitely squeezed early. It was encouraging to see Atchison and Albers do well out of the bullpen, especially Albers after that disaster on Saturday. All in all it was a good win and hopefully the Sox can keep up the momentum to have a good rest of the month. The Sox look for the series sweep tomorrow night against the Twins when Clay Buchholz (1-1) gets the ball against Liam Hendriks of Minnesota. The game begins at 8:10 PM Eastern time at Target Field.

Ross, Sox Edge Twins (4/23/12)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Jason Repko was placed on the Disabled List after hurting his shoulder crashing into the wall and the Sox brought up 2007 Lancaster Jethawk leader Lars Anderson to replace him. The Sox are desperate for outfield help with Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury out so hopefully Anderson can give them something.

                                                                            OUT

                                                                   IN

After the embarrassing loss on Fox Saturday baseball and the rainout last night, the Boston Red Sox regrouped and rebounded in tonight's game against the Minnesota Twins. Things looked good early when the Sox jumped out to a 3-0 lead thanks to a Jarrod Saltalamacchia two run homer but the Twins rallied for 5 runs against Jon Lester. Cody Ross hit a two run home run in the seventh to tie the game as Lester hung on to go seven innings. Sox manager Bobby Valentine brought Daniel Bard out of the bullpen to keep the game tied and in the top of the ninth, Cody Ross hit another home run to put the Sox on top. Alfredo Aceves slammed the door in the bottom of the ninth and the Sox had won the game 6-5 at Target Field.

                                                             Leola Bell approves of the win

Jason Marquis got the start for the Twins in the top of the first and Mike Aviles dropped a base hit just in front of Chris Parmalee to start. Ryan Sweeney struck out swinging but Dustin Pedroia blooped a base hit to center to move Aviles to third. Adrian Gonzalez hit a sac fly to left to score Mike but Pedroia was thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                              Sox take the lead

Lester got the ball in the bottom of the first and Denard Span walked to start. Jamey Carroll banged into a double play but Joe Mauer ripped a base hit to center. Josh Willingham struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the second as David Ortiz led off with a check swing base hit down the vacated third base line. Kevin Youkilis forced David at second but Jarrod Saltalamacchia struck his second home run of the season to increase the lead. Cody Ross took strike three and Marlon Byrd made his Red Sox debut after going 3 for 43 with the Cubs and grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                       Saltalamacchia hits one out

Justin Morneau flied out to center to start the bottom of the second but Ryan Doumit singled to left. Danny Valencia banged into a double play to end the inning.

Aviles flied out to left to start the top of the third but Sweeney doubled to right. Sweeney was thrown out at third on a grounder to short by Pedroia and Gonzalez took strike three to end the inning. Chris Parmalee struck out swinging to start the bottom of the third and Trevor Plouffe flied out to center. Span struck out swinging to end the inning.

Ortiz ripped a base hit to center to start the top of the fourth but Youkilis was robbed of a hit by a diving Span. Saltalamacchia banged into a double play to end the inning. The Twins exploded in the bottom of the fourth as Carroll grounded back to the mound to start. Mauer singled to left and Willingham walked, but Morneau was called out on strikes. Doumit doubled down the left field line to score both runners and Valencia smashed a two run home run all the way to the jungle of Peru to give the Twins the lead. Parmalee grounded out to third to end the inning with the Twins up 4-3.

                                                           Twins take the lead

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fifth as Ross grounded out to third to begin. Byrd grounded out to third and Aviles flied out to left to end the inning. The Twins got another run in the bottom of the fifth as Plouffe walked to start. Span dumped a base hit to center to move Plouffe to third and Trevor scored on the double play ball hit by Carroll. Mauer walked but Willingham grounded out to third to end the inning with the Twins up 5-3.

                                                            Carroll brings a run in

Sweeney singled to right to start the top of the sixth before Pedroia dumped a base hit to left. Gonzlez beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners but Ortiz did hit into one to end the inning. Lester came back for the bottom of the sixth and Morneau hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Doumit grounded out to third and Valencia grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

The Sox rallied in the top of the seventh although Youkilis grounded out to third to start. Saltalamacchia ripped a base hit to right and Ross smashed his fourth home run of the season to tie the game. Byrd got a base hit to left to chase Marquis. Jared Burton came in to get Aviles to fly out to left and Sweeney grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the game tied 5-5.

                                                             Ross ties it up

Lester came back for one final inning in the bottom of the seventh and Parmalee flied out to right to start. Plouffe grounded out to short and Span grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Lester got roughed up for 5 runs but held on to go 7 innings.

                                                    Not great but it'll do

Pedroia struck out swinging to open the top of the eighth and that was it for Burton. Brian Duensing came in to pitch to Gonzalez and Adrian flied out to center. Ortiz went down hacking to end the inning. Franklin Morales came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Carroll sliced a base hit down the right field line only for Sweeney to boot it for an error to allow Jamey to take third. Morales got a big out when Mauer grounded out to first and Sox manager Bobby Valentine turned to Daniel Bard to bail him out. Willingham lined out to third and Morneau was intentionally walked to set up a force. Doumit popped up to short to end the inning. That was the turning point in the game to hold the Twins with a runner on third and nobody out.

The Sox capitalized in the top of the ninth with Matt Capps now on the mound. Youkilis grounded out to short and Saltalamacchia flied out to center, but Ross smashed his second home run of the game to put Boston on top. Byrd flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-5.

                                                      Ross does it again

Alfredo Aceves came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Valencia grounded back to the mound to start. Parmalee singled to center to put the tying run on and Clete Thomas pinch ran for him. Plouffe flied out to left and Span grounded back to the mound to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-5.

                                                                 Red Sox win

Hero of the Night is Cody Ross. He hit the two run homer to tie the game and the go-ahead home run in the top of the ninth.

                                                      Happy Hero

The Good:

Ryan Sweeney was 2 for 4.

Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 4.

David Ortiz was 2 for 4.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was 2 for 4 with a 2 run home run and two total runs scored.

Franklin Morales got the first out of the eighth inning.

Daniel Bard got the win with 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

Alfredo Aceves earned his third save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Mike Aviles was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Adrian Gonzalez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Kevin Youkilis was 0 for 4 but scored a run.

Marlon Byrd was just 1 for 4.

Jon Lester allowed 5 early runs but battled to toss 7 innings, allow 6 hits and strike out 4.

Final Thoughts:

Of the 5 measly wins the Sox have this season, two of them happened to be ninth inning rallies. Coming off the embarrassing loss to the New York Yankees, the Sox needed to make a statement against the Twins and for 5 innings it didn't look good. Thank goodness for Saltalamacchia and Ross in this one. Ross has been the best free agent signing of the off-season with five home runs already including two tonight. Lester didn't look good at all again but at least he battled through seven innings. Bringing Bard out of the bullpen was a little peculiar but it got the job done. The Sox have a lot of work to do to right the ship but they took a good first step by the way they won. Not letting Carroll score the go-ahead run in the eighth led to Ross' blast in the ninth. Hopefully things are looking up for the Red Sox because that was truly a gutty win. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the Twins tomorrow night when Josh Beckett (1-2) takes on Nick Blackburn of Minnesota. The game begins at 8:05 PM Eastern time at Target Field.

Rainout News (4/22/12)

Good news Boston Red Sox fans! Tonight's game between the Red Sox and New York Yankees has been rained out, thus sparring us from being swept at Fenway Park by CC Sabathia on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball. The game has been rescheduled for July 7th to make that day a doubleheader. Yay for not being sweept!

In other news, Nate Spears was mercifully designated for assignment. One of the reasons the Red Sox offense has been struggling is their top two hitters are out with injury. Carl Crawford won't be back until June and it looks like Ellsbury will be gone a while too. The trio of Darnell McDonald, Nate Spears and Jason Repko aren't getting it done and the Spears may be given his release or go back to Pawtucket. In a minor league now, veteran 4A catcher Mike Rivera was signed and assigned to the Pawtucket Red Sox. He's been up and down the minors with Detroit and Milwaukee but now he's been signed. Jarrod Saltalamacchia has stunk the joint out so far this season and in case Ryan Lavarnway turns into a bust or god forbid Kelly Shoppach gets hurt, the Sox at least have some veteran insurance.

                                                                        OUT

                                                                   IN

The Sox now travel to Minnesota for a set with the Twins. Jon Lester goes for the Sox up against Jason Marquis of Minnesota. The game begins at 8:10 PM eastern time at Target Field.

Yankees Erase Nine Run Lead, Blow Out Sox (4/21/12)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a few roster moves. 25 year old pitcher Michael Bowden was traded to the Chicago Cubs along with a Player To Be Named Later in exchange for 34 year old outfielder Marlon Byrd. Byrd was an All-Star two years ago and with Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford out, the Sox needed better outfield depth than Jason Repko.

                                                                           OUT

                                                                        IN 

It was embarrassing news all around as the Boston Bruins gagged to the Washington Capitals in Game 5 of their first round NHL playoff series and the New York Yankees erased a 9-0 deficit and humiliated the Boston Red Sox by blowing THEM out in today's game. Felix Doubront held the Yankees to just 1 run in 6 innings while the Sox built a 9-1 lead. All of a sudden the Yankees exploded with 7 runs in the top of the seventh to pull within a run against Vicente Padilla and Matt Albers. Then the Yankees scored another 7 runs against Franklin Morales, Alfredo Aceves and Justin Thomas to put the game out of reach. The entire bullpen with the exception of Junichi Tazawa and Scott Atchison was humiliated as the Yankees went from being blown out to blowing out the Red Sox 15-9 at Fenway Park.

                                                            Sox fans have had enough

Doubront got the ball in the top of the first inning and Derek Jeter led off with a base hit to right. Nick Swisher grounded into a double play but Robinson Cano drew a walk. Cano took second on a passed ball but Alex Rodriguez grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox shelled Yankees starter Freddy Garcia in the bottom of the first as Mike Aviles flied out to left to start. Ryan Sweeney stroked an opposite field double to left but Dustin Pedroia hit one up the elevator shaft. Adrian Gonzalez pounded a ground rule double into the right field stands to score Sweeney and David Ortiz doubled down the left field line to score Adrian. Kevin Youkilis grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                        Ortiz drives in a run

Mark Teixeira led off the top of the second by grounding out to second before Curtis Granderson took strike three. Andruw Jones drew a walk but Russell Martin struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the second as Jarrod Saltamacchia was retired on a slow roller to first to start. Cody Ross dropped a base hit to left and Darnell McDonald doubled off the Monster, Ross scoring on the base hit to center by Aviles. McDonald moved to third on the hit and Sweeney hit a sac fly to right to score Darnell. Aviles swiped second and Pedroia scored him with a base hit to right. That was it for Garcia as Clay Rapada came in to get Gonzalez to fly out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-0.

                                                       Pedroia knocks in a run

Eduardo Nunez grounded out to short to start the top of the third before Jeter grounded out to second. Swisher singled to left but Cano flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox were relentless in the bottom of the third as Ortiz singled through the shift to chase Rapada. David Phelps came in to take a beating as Youkilis was hit on the left hip. Saltalamacchia drilled a base hit to right to load the bases but Ross struck out swinging. McDonald hit a sac fly to center to score Ortiz and Aviles drilled a base hit to right to score Youkilis. Saltalamacchia moved to third on the hit but Sweeney forced Aviles at second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-0.

                                                        Youkilis scores another run

A-Rod grounded out to short to start the top of the fourth inning and Teixeira took strike three. Granderson took strike three on the inside corner to end the inning. Pedroia flied out to right to start the bottom of the fourth before Gonzalez grounded out to first. Ortiz walked and Nate Spears pinch hit for Youkilis who apparently was more hurt by the HBP than it seemed. Spears struck out swinging to end the inning.

Jones grounded out to short to start the top of the fifth before Martin struck out swinging. Nunez walked and Jeter singled Eduardo to third with a base hit to center but Swisher grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fifth as Saltalamacchia hit a double off the Monster to start. Ross blasted his third home run of the season to increase the lead. McDonald flied out to Swisher at the warning track and Aviles flied out to center. Sweeney flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox up 9-0.

                                                               Ross with the two run shot

The Yankees began their comeback in the top of the sixth as Cano struck out swinging to start. A-Rod struck out swinging but Teixeira hit a home run all the way to New Hampshire to cut the lead. Granderson popped up to short to end the inning. Doubront pitched his best game of the season allowing just the home run in 6 innings of work as the Sox enjoyed a 9-1 lead,

                                                          Doubront gets it done

Pedroia tried to start a rally in the bottom of the sixth with a base hit to center to start. Gonzalez banged into a double play but Ortiz got a base hit to center. Spears grounded out to first to end the inning.

Suddenly the Yankees exploded against Vicente Padilla in the top of the seventh. Jones took strike three and at this point the Sox were just eight outs away from a blowout win.....instead Martin singled to right, Nunez beat out a roller to third and Jeter walked to load the bases. Swisher than pounded a grand slam to the outer reaches of Mongolia to make it a game again. Cano doubled to left and that was it for Padilla as Matt Albers came in to stop the bleeding. A-Rod hit a routine grounder to short...BOOTED BY AVILES FOR AN ERROR! Teixeira took advantage by sending a home run into outer space to cut the lead to just one run just like that. Franklin Morales came in and Granderson singled to right, but Jones struck out swinging. Martin forced Granderson at second to end the inning with the Yankees only down 9-8 in a blink of an eye.

                                                          Yankees storm back

Rafael Soriano came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Saltalamacchia tried to start a rally with a ground rule double into the right field stands. Ross grounded out to short, McDonald popped up to Teixeira in foul territory and Aviles took strike three to end the inning.

The Yankees humiliated the Sox in the top of the eighth as Nunez singled to left to chase Morales. Alfredo Aceves was brought in for the six out save....and Jeter walked. Swisher doubled to right to score both runners and the Yankees had come all the way back to take the lead. But wait there's more! Cano was intentionally walked and A-Rod drew a conventional walk to load the bases. Teixeira pounded a ground rule double down the right field line to score two more runners and Granderson was intentionally walked. That was it for Aceves who didn't record an out. Justin Thomas came in and Ibanez hit a rocket to Gonzalez who doubled off Granderson. At this point a 3 run deficit would not be too much to overcome with two innings to go....but Martin doubled to center to score A-Rod and Teixeira. Nunez singled in the hole at short to move Martin to third and Valentine had enough of him. Junichi Tazawa came in and Nunez promptly stole second. Jeter hit a routine grounder to Aviles who fell down making the play to score Martin. Swisher flied out to center to end the beat down with the Yankees ahead 15-9.

                                                          What a disaster

Boone Logan came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Sweeney flied out to left to start. Pedroia struck out swinging as Fox broadcaster Tim McCarver brought up the Sox' collapse last year and how they needed to get off to a good start this season only to end up "woeful". Ken Rosenthal brought up the very real power struggle that Larry Lucchino overruled Sox GM Ben Cherrington by hiring Bobby Valentine to manage the team. Gonzalez popped up to shallow right to end the inning.

Tazawa returned for the top of the ninth and Cano grounded back to the mound to start. Rodriguez grounded out to third and Teixeira popped up to third to end the inning. Ortiz got a base hit to right to start the bottom of the ninth and Cody Eppley came in to pitch. Nick Punto pinch hit for Spears and naturally lined out to Teixeira who doubled off Ortiz. Saltalamacchia singled to center and took second on a wild pitch, but Ross took strike three to end the game. The Yankees completed one of the biggest comebacks in major league history and humiliated the Red Sox 15-9.

                                                        Yankees win

Jackass of the Night is Alfredo Aceves. The entire bullpen imploded but he could have slammed the door in the eighth, instead he allowed an inherited runner to score and was charged with 5 runs of his own without getting an out.

                                                                   Jackass Aceves

The Good:

Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

David Ortiz was 4 for 4 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Kevin Youkilis was hit with a pitch and scored a run before leaving the game.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was 4 for 5 with a run scored.

Cody Ross was 2 for 5 with a 2 run homer and 2 total runs scored.

Darnell McDonald was 1 for 3 with an rbi and a run scored.

Felix Doubront tossed 6 solid innings and allowed just the one run. He allowed 4 hits and struck out 7.

The Bad:

Nate Spears was 0 for 2.

Nick Punto hit into a double play as a pinch hitter.

Vicente Padilla was charged with 5 runs in just 1/3 of an inning.

Matt Albers was charged with 2 runs without recording an out.

Franklin Morales was charged with a run in 2/3 of an inning.

Justin Thomas was charged with a run in 2/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Mike Aviles was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis, a stolen base and a run scored but he made a huge fielding error that allowed the Yankees comeback to continue.

Ryan Sweeney was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored a run.

Adrian Gonzalez was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run and scored a run.

Junichi Tazawa allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own in 1 1/3 innings.

Final Thoughts:

The Red Sox have officially hit rock bottom. The Red Sox are officially 11-30 since September of last season and today was the microcosm of everything wrong with them. After not hitting at all for most of the season the Sox scored 9 runs today. After the rotation didn't look good to start the season Felix Doubront looked good today. Then the bullpen completely implodes to hand the Sox one of their most ignominious defeats of all time. They had an 8 run lead with 8 outs to go after Padilla struck out Jones and then collapsed. When you look at the bullpen, its not that good. They let Jonathan Papelbon walk and replaced him with Mark Melancon only for him to have one of the worst meltdowns since Michael Rappaport in the movie The Scout. Alfredo Aceves, Vicente Padilla and Justin Thomas haven't gotten it done and Franklin Morales is better suited as a starter or long man than a late inning guy. If its not the bats that are asleep, its the rotation. If its not the rotation, its the bullpen. Nothing has gone right since the end of August last year and clearly the problem wasn't Terry Francona and Theo Epstein. There's plenty of time to turn things around but fans are becoming increasingly impatient. Bobby Valentine ripped Youkilis to fire him up only for the opposite to happen, he let Daniel Bard rot against Tampa and there's rumors he's upset the core of the team in other ways. Its all giving off a bad vibe to a team that was under a microscope to begin with and they've remained flat on their face. If today wasn't bad enough, now the Sox have to face Yankees ace CC Sabathia tomorrow night on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball. Daniel Bard (0-2) is tasked with ending the Yankees dominance over Boston at 8:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Yankees Beat Sox On 100th Anniversary of Fenway Park (4/20/12)

The New York Yankees were the Boston Red Sox first victims 100 years ago in Fenway Park's first game. 100 years later it was the Yankees that were the spoilers with 5 home runs off Clay Buchholz (1-1, 9.00 ERA). Eric Chavez homered twice while Alex Rodriguez, Nick Swisher and Russell Martin went deep against Buchholz. Meanwhile the Sox anemic offense did almost nothing against Yankees starter Ivan Nova. David Ortiz hit a home run and Mike Aviles drove in a run but that was it. The sad part was the Yankees only outhit Boston 11 to 10 but five home runs will kill you every time. Mariano Rivera slammed the door as the Yankees handed Boston their fourth straight loss by the score of 6-2 on the day honoring 100 years at Fenway Park.

                                               Bringing out the ghosts didn't do any good

Derek Jeter led off the game with a pop up that Pedroia lost in the sun allowing Derek to reach first to start. Curtis Granderson flied out to right and Jeter moved to second on the wild pitch over the head of Jeter by Buchholz. Sure enough A-Rod's single to left  brought home Jeter after the two mistakes. Robinson Cano flied out to deep center as A-Rod tagged and advanced to second. Mark Teixeira grounded out to first to end the inning but the Sox now trailed for their 13th consecutive game 1-0. 

                                                   "I got it, I got it....I don't got it" - Pedroia

Mike Aviles led off the bottom of the first against Ivan Nova with a pop up to Cano. Ryan Sweeney then took three straight pitches for a strikeout. Pedroia made up for his error with a two out single to center. Adrian Gonzalez flied out to Granderson at the edge of the Monster to end the inning. 

Nick Swisher led off the second with a wind blown homer into the Monster seats to start. Raul Ibanez grounded out to second and then Eric Chavez homered into the bullpen as well. Russell Martin grounded out to third but Derek Jeter got on with a single off the glove of Kevin Youkilis. Granderson singled Jeter over to third with a hit to right but A-Rod forced Granderson to end the inning with the score now 3-0 Yankees. 

                                                   Yankees add to the lead

The Sox attempted to rally in the bottom of the second as David Ortiz hit a ball off the top of the center field wall that was called a double. Sox manager Bobby Valentine argued it was a home run and after replay, Ortiz second home run of the year to cut the deficit. Youkilis doubled down the right field line and advanced to third on the ground out to first by Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Cody Ross then struck out swinging to kill the rally as Jason Repko continued his torrid streak with a ground out to third to end the inning. The Sox did manager to cut the lead 3-1.

                                         "That's a home run ya worthless umpire!" - BV

Cano singled off the glove of Buchholz to begin the top of the third but Teixeira popped up to center. Nick Swisher worked an eight pitch walk but Buchholz escaped trouble when Ibanez banged into a double play to end the inning. Aviles grounded out to sort to begin the bottom of the third but Ryan Sweeney doubled to left. Once again the Sox could do nothing as Pedroia flied out to center and Gonzalez looked at strike three to end the inning. 

Chavez tagged Buchholz again for his second home run of the day to dead center to begin the the top of the fourth. Repko then made the catch of the year, robbing Martin of a sure double. Granderson grounded out to and Jeter struck out to end the inning but the Yankees led 4-1. 

                                                          Repko with a damn good catch

Nova cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Ortiz grounded out to Teixeira to start. Youkilis grounded out to short and Saltalamacchia continued his 2 for 26 slump by striking out swinging to end the inning.

A-Rod crushed a homer over the Monster to begin the top of the fifth inning but Cano grounded out to second. Teixeira grounded out to first and Swisher lined out to short to end the inning with the Yankees up 5-1.

                                                                 Rodriguez goes deep

Cody Ross led off the top of the fifth with a double off the centerfield wall but Cano robbed Repko of a hit with a diving catch. Aviles then drove home Ross when Swisher lost the ball in the sun allowing Aviles to reach second. Sweeney lined out to left and Pedroia flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox down 5-2

                                                            Aviles with a sun aided rbi

The Yankees struck again in the top of the sixth although Ibanez popped up to center to start. Pedroia did not lose a pop up by Chavez this time, retiring him for the second out. Martin then hit another bomb off Buchholz for the fifth homer of the day for the Yankees. Jeter struck out to end the inning with the Yankees now leading 6-2.

                                                Jeter is out but the Yankees get a run

Gonzalez struck out swinging to start the bottom of the sixth but Ortiz singled to right. Youkilis got hit on the elbow but Saltalamacchia continued his season long slump by hitting into a double play to end the inning.

Buchholz returned briefly in the top of the seventh but walked Granderson to end his day. He allowed 6 runs off 5 home runs in 6 plus innings, yuck! Scott Atchison came in and struck out A-Rod swinging, but Granderson took second on a wild pitch. Cano grounded back to the mound and Teixeira grounded out to second to end the inning.

                                                            Not good enough, Clay!

Cory Wade came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Ross grounded out to third begin. Nate Spears pinch hit for Repko and looked at strike three but Aviles somehow singled up the middle but Sweeney grounded out to second to end the inning. 

Swisher led off the top of the eighth with a double down the line to chase Atchinson. Justin Thomas was brought in who allowed Ibanez to single Swisher to third but recovered to strike out Chavez looking. Valentine pulled Thomas for the returning Junichi Tazawa who missed 2011 with Tommy John surgery. The Sox then caught a break when Ibanez was caught in a run down with Swisher asleep at third for out number two. Martin grounded out to short to end the inning. 

                                                           Yerrrr out!

David Robertson replaced Wade for the bottom of the eighth inning and struck out Pedroia swinging. Gonzalez somehow singled to left but Ortiz lined out to center. Youk whiffed to end the inning.

Tazawa returned for the top of the ninth and got Jeter to ground back to the mound to start. Granderson lined out to Pedroia and A-Rod flied out to center to end the inning. Cody Eppley replaced Robertson for the bottom of the ninth and Saltalamacchia somehow singled to right. Quick hook Yankees manager Joe Girardi pulled Eppley for invincible closer Mariano Rivera. Rivera punched out Ross swinging as Nick Punto pinch hit for Nate Spears. Punto struck out swinging and Aviles grounded out to second to end the game. The Yankees had won it 6-2.

                                                                      Yankees win

Jackass of the Night is Clay Buchholz. He allowed 5 home runs and 6 total runs to put the Sox in a hole they couldn't climb out of.

                                                               Jackass Buchholz

The Good:

Mike Aviles was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

David Ortiz was 2 for 4 with a home run.

Kevin Youkilis was 1 for 3.

Scott Atchison pitched a full scoreless inning.

Justin Thomas got the first out of the eighth inning.

Junichi Tazawa tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad: 

Jason Repko was 0 for 2.

Nate Spears struck out as a pinch hitter.

Nick Punto struck out as a pinch hitter

The Ugly: 

Ryan Sweeney was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout and an error.

Adrian Gonzalez was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Cody Ross was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

It seems typical that on the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park this year's team looks borderline lifeless. Its been a perfect storm as Buchholz got shelled just like Jon Lester the other night against Texas and the offense has been dormant. The problem is without Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury, the likes of Jason Repko and Nate Spears have to play....and they aren't good. Saltalamacchia is about an automatic out as you can get right now and Youkilis is only recently coming out of it. Without Crawford and Ellsbury at the top of the lineup, the Sox don't have the table setters that Gonzalez, Youkilis and Ortiz should be driving in. That doesn't help the pitching though and the rotation has picked up where they left off in 2011 getting shelled more often than dominating. Its only April so the Sox have plenty of time to wake up but playing from behind in all thirteen games this season isn't a recipe for success. The Sox have now dropped 4 in a row and 9 of their last 13 overall. The Sox look to stem the tide tomorrow when Felix Doubront pitches for the Sox tomorrow to try and right the ship. He goes up against Freddy Garcia of the Yankees at 4:05 PM at Fenway Park.