Sox Lose Eckersley, Game (8/19/82)

If the Boston Sox had any hope of catching the Milwaukee Brewers, those dreams went up in smoke in tonight's game against the California Angels. Dennis Eckersley was pitching well until pulling a muscle in his bicep and had to leave in the third inning. After he was gone the bullpen gave up 8 runs in his absence. The Sox got 5 quick runs off old pal Steve Renko but Bruce Kison tossed 6 shutout innings to give the game to the Angels 8-5 at Anaheim Stadium.

The Red Sox wasted no time pounding Renko in the top of the first inning. Jerry Remy singled and Dwight Evans hit a roller to the mound that Renko threw away to put runners at the corners. Jim Rice doubled home both men to give the Sox the lead. Carl Yastrzemski popped up to short and Carney Lansford flied out to left but Dave Stapleton singled home Rice. Rick Miller flied out to left to end the inning but it was 2-0 Sox.

                                                        Rice knocks in a pair

Eckersley started off well in the bottom of the first although Brian Downing singled to start. Rob Wilfong forced Downing at second and Rod Carew banged into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second as Rich Gedman grounded out to second to start. Glenn Hoffman flied out to right and Remy flied out to center to end the inning. Eck got Reggie Jackson to ground out to second to start the bottom of the second before Fred Lynn flied out to right. Don Baylor flied out to right to end the inning.

Renko got Evans to strike out to open the top of the third before Rice grounded out to short. Yaz flied out to left to end the inning. Disaster struck in the bottom of the third as Ron Jackson popped up to third to start. Tom Foli popped up to third but after Eck made the pitch he fell to the ground clutching his arm. Eck had to be carried out on a stretcher after just 2 2/3 innings. Bob Stanley came in and got Bob Boone to ground out to third to end the inning but Eck was gone.

                                                    Done with a pulled bicep muscle

The Sox struck again in the top of the fourth inning as Lansford began with a double. Stapleton doubled him home and Gedman singled in Stapleton. At this point it was 5-0 and the Angels were on the ropes but the Sox let them off the hook. Bruce Kison came in and dominated as Gedman flied out to right but Hoffman walked. Remy grounded out to first but both runners advanced. With a chance to hit a knockout punch, Evans struck out to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-0.

                                                       Stapleton adds to the lead

Stanley got Downing to ground out to first to start the bottom of the fourth before Wilfong flied out to left. Carew grounded out to second to end the inning.

Kison got Rice to ground out to third to begin the top of the fifth before Yaz flied out to left. Lansford singled to center but Stapleton struck out to end the inning. The Angels began their comeback in the bottom of the fifth inning as Jackson walked to start. Lynn popped up to third but Baylor walked. Jackson beat out an infield single to load the bases but Foli beat out a double play ball to score Jackson. Boone flied out to left to end the inning but it was now 5-1 Sox.

Miller grounded out to second to start the top of the sixth before Gedman also grounded out to second as well. Hoffman singled to right but was foolishly thrown out trying to stretch a double to end the inning. The Angels inched closer in the bottom of the sixth although Downing grounded out to first to begin. Wilfong singled and Carew doubled before Jackson singled home both runners to chase Stanley. Mark Clear came in and walked Lynn but Baylor popped up back to Mark. Jackson walked to load the bases but Foli took strike three to end the inning with the Sox still ahead 5-3.

                                                         3 runs allowed, not good

The Sox did nothing in the top of the seventh as Remy flied out to left to start. Evans grounded out to third but Rice singled to center. Yaz lined out to first to end the inning. The Sox fell apart in the bottom of the seventh as Boone doubled to start. Bob moved to third on the grounder by Downing before Wilfong grounded to the mound. Carew and Reggie Jackson both walked to load the bases and chase Clear. Lynn singled home Boone and Carew to tie the game before Baylor singled to left. Rice fired home but Jackson beat the throw to give the Angels the lead. Both runners advanced before Ron Jackson hit a routine grounder to third. Lansford went OLE! and Lynn scored with Baylor moving to third. Foli singled home Baylor and Sox manager Ralph Houk had enough of Burgmeier. He came in with the bases loaded and allowed all the runners to score plus two of his own. Luis Aponte got Boone to fly out to center but the Angels put up 5 runs to take the lead for good, 8-5.

                                                        Clear takes the loss

Lansford tried to atone for his error with a walk to open the top of the eighth but Stapleton flied out to right. Miller banged into a double play to end the inning. Aponte held the fort in the bottom of the eighth as Downing popped to short to start. Wilfong and Carew hit back to back singles but Jackson flied out to left. Lynn flied out to center to end the inning.

Juan Beniquez came in to play first and Bobby Clark came in to play right in the top of the ninth. Gedman grounded out to short before Wade Boggs pinch hit for Hoffman. Boggs hit one up the elevator shaft and Remy grounded out to short to end the game. The Angels had come back to win the game 8-5.

Jackass of the Night is Tom Burgmeier. He came in with the bases loaded and the Sox still in the lead, allowed all 3 runs to score and 2 of his own to put the Sox behind to good.

                                             Burgmeier is Jackass


The Good:

Jim Rice was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Carney Lansford was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Dave Stapleton was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Glenn Hoffman was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Dennis Eckersley tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings before leaving with an injury.

Luis Aponte tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 4.

Rich Gedman was 0 for 4.

Wade Boggs popped up as a pinch hitter.

Bob Stanley allowed 3 runs in 2 2/3 innings.

Mark Clear took the loss with 3 runs allowed in 1 1/3 innings.



The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was just 1 for 5 with a run scored.

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4 with a run scored.

Rick Miller was just 1 for 4 with an rbi.




Final Thoughts:

Well this game was a sucker punch to the balls. Not only did they lose Eckersley but the bullpen blew the game as well. Blowing a 5 run lead is almost hard to do especially since the bullpen has been one of the strong points this year. Stanley, Clear and Burgmeier combined to give up 8 runs between them against an Angels you can't afford to let get hot. If Eckersley is done for a month that could end the season for the Sox considering they're relying on the aging Mike Torrez and the spot starters like Chuck Rainey to carry them to the playoffs. As good as the offense has been, they don't have enough starting pitching. It was a tough loss but the Sox are now 65-54, 4 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the AL East. The Sox are back in action tomorrow night with a set against the Oakland A's in Oakland. Brian Kingman goes for the A's with Mike Torrez going for the Sox at a horrible 10:30 PM Eastern time start at the Oakland Coliseum.

Sox Blank Orioles (8/15/82)

In one of the biggest wins of the season, the Boston Red Sox shut out the Baltimore Orioles to keep pace in the AL East race. Mike Torrez tossed 4 shutout innings before Bob Stanley (8-5, 2.98 ERA) tossed the final 5 innings to preserve the win. Offensively it was a combined effort with big hits from Dwight Evans and Glenn Hoffman among others. All in all it was a good 8-0 win on a Sunday at Fenway Park.

                                                           Kenickie approves of the win

Torrez got the ball in the top of the first inning and Al Bumbry led the game off with a lineout to short. Glenn Gulliver walked but Ken Singleton banged into a double play to end the inning. Scott McGregor got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jerry Remy struck out to begin. Dwight Evans walked but Jim Rice grounded into a double play to end the inning.

The Orioles beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the second inning as Eddie Murray grounded out to first to start. John Lowenstein grounded out to first and Cal Ripken Jr grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the second as Tony Perez flied out to right to begin. Carney Lansford drew a walk but Dave Stapleton flied out to left. Reid Nichols grounded out to third to end the inning.

The O's did nothing in the top of the third inning as Jim Dwyer flied out to center to start. Joe Nolan grounded out to first before Rich Dauer lined a base hit to center. Bumbry grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox failed to score in the bottom of the third as Gary Allenson grounded back to the mound to begin. Glenn Hoffman flied out to left before Remy popped up to short to end the inning.

Torrez got Gulliver to strike out looking to begin the top of the fourth before Singleton got a base hit to center. Murray banged into a double play to end the inning. That was it for Torrez who didn't allow a run in 4 innings of work.

                                                            Short and sweet for Torrez

McGregor cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Evans grounded back to the mound to start. Rice flied out to right and Perez looked at strike three to end the inning.

Bob Stanley got the call to pitch the top of the fifth and Lowenstein grounded back to the mound to start. Ripken Jr flied out to center and Dwyer struck out to end the inning. The Sox threatened in the bottom of the fifth although Lansford struck out to start. Stapleton grounded out to second but Nichols beat out an infield single to short. Allenson drew a walk but Hoffman popped up to short to end the inning.

Nolan flied out to center to open the top of the sixth before Dauer grounded out to short. Bumbry beat out an infield single to second and Gulliver doubled to left. Rice gunned it to third and Lansford gunned it home with Bumbry on his way...OUT! Bumbry was out and the Sox were out of the inning. The Sox didn't cash in on the break as Remy's bunt attempt to third was snuffed out to start the bottom of the sixth. Evans grounded out to third and Rice flied out to right to end the inning.

Stanley cruised in the top of the seventh as Singleton grounded out to second to begin. Murray struck out and Lowenstein flied out to left to end the inning. The Sox finally got something going in the bottom of the seventh when Perez singled to start. Wade Boggs pinch ran for Perez and Lansford singled. Stapleton popped up to second but Nichols doubled home both runners to give the Sox the lead. For whatever reason Allenson was intentionally walked to get to Hoffman and Glenn made the O's pay by lashing a single to right. Lansford scored and the throw home got away. Nichols scored, Allenson went to third and Hoffman took second on the error. That was it for McGregor as Tim Stoddard came in only to foolishly intentionally walk Remy to load the bases for Evans. Dwight doubled home Allenson and Hoffman to ice the game. ANOTHER foolish intentional walk to Rice allowed Boggs to single home Remy. Mike Boddicker came in and Lansford greeting him with a base hit to score Evans. A base hit by Stapleton scored Boggs to wrap up the scoring. Nichols struck out and Allenson flied out to left to end the inning but the Sox batted around to put 8 runs up on the board and lead 8-0.

                                                     Nichols gets the rally started

Stanley dominated the top of the eighth inning as Ripken Jr grounded out to third to start. Dwyer singled but Nolan banged into a double play to end the inning. Hoffman singled to open the bottom of the eighth but both Remy and Evans struck out. Rice grounded into a force to end the inning.

Stanley returned to finish the job in the top of the ninth with Terry Crowley pinch hitting for Dauer. Crowley grounded out to second before Bumbry looked at strike three. Gulliver singled to center but Singleton grounded out to short to end the game. The Sox big 7th inning was enough to win going away 8-0.

Hero of The Night is Reid Nichols. He got the rally started in the bottom of the seventh with his 2 run double.

                                                      Hero Nichols



The Good:

Tony Perez was 1 for 3.

Wade Boggs singled, drove in a run and scored as a pinch hitter/runner

Carney Lansford was 2 for 3 with a walk, rbi and run scored.

Gary Allenson walked twice and scored in 4 plate appearances.

Glenn Hoffman was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Mike Torrez pitched 4 scoreless innings.

Bob Stanley got the win with 5 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

None



The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was 0 for 4 but walked and scored.

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4 but walked, drove in 2 runs and scored a run.

Jim Rice was 0 for 4 but walked and scored.

Dave Stapleton was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.




Final Thoughts:

As time begins to run out, the Sox HAVE to go on a win streak if they want to keep pace with the Milwaukee Brewers and even the charging Orioles. At some point the starters are going to have to step up because Stanley, Luis Aponte and Mark Clear can't bail them out every single game. The offense stepped up to have a big inning but they're going to need more consistency if they want to make a run at the AL East crown. The Brewers and Orioles aren't going to go away so the Sox are going to have to make a stand now. The win improved the Sox to 63-52, 4.5 games behind the Brewers for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the Birds tomorrow night when Chuck Rainey goes for the Sox up against Dennis Martinez at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Outslug Brewers (6/28/82)

Its about time the Boston Red Sox punched back. After getting kicked around for 3 games at home by the Milwaukee Brewers, this time it was the Red Sox that did the kicking. The potent Brewers offense knocked out Sox starter Chuck Rainey but the offense led by Jerry Remy was able to counterpunch Pete Vuckovich into submission. The Sox rode a 5 run seventh inning then survived a late surge by the relentless Milwaukee offense to salvage game four of this series with a 9-7 win at Fenway Park.

                                                  Indiana Jones approves of the win

Rainey took the ball in the top of the first inning and Paul Molitor grounded out to third to begin. Robin Yount singled to left but Cecil Cooper popped up to third. A passed ball moved Yount to second but Ted Simmons flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox ran themselves out in the bottom of the first inning against Vuckovich. Remy grounded out to second to begin before Dwight Evans flied out to center. Jim Rice and Carl Yastrzemski worked back to back walks before Wade Boggs laced a single to left. Rice motored around third and the throw came home...YERRRR OUT! Rice was out to end the inning, damn.

                                                         Nice going Rice

Ben Oglivie grounded out to first to start the top of the second before Gorman Thomas and Roy Howell drew back to back walks. Rainey recovered by getting Ed Romero to bang into a double play to end the inning. The Red Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the second inning as Dave Stapleton grounded out to short to begin. Rich Gedman grounded out to first and Glenn Hoffman grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Brewers struck first in the top of the third inning although Charlie Moore grounded out to second to begin. Molitor beat out an infield single to short but Yount popped up to second. Cooper singled to center and Simmons singled home both runners to put Milwaukee on top. Oglivie flied out to right to end the inning but the Brewers were up 2-0.

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the third although Rick Miller walked to start. Remy lined out to short but Evans walked as well. Rice beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners but Yaz flied out to right to end the inning.

Rainey struck out Thomas to start the top of the fourth but Howell singled to center. Romero flied out to left but Moore walked. Molitor popped up to second to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Boggs singled to right to begin. Stapleton hit a routine grounder to Romero who went OLE! to allow Dave to reach. Gedman doubled home Boggs to put the Sox on the board and Hoffman scored Stapleton with an rbi grounder to tie the game. Miller grounded out to short but a wild pitch by Vuckovich sent Gedman to third. Remy doubled home Gedman to give the Sox the lead. Evans drew a walk but Rice popped up to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-2.

                                                         Clutch double by Gedman

Could Rainey pitch with the lead in the top of the fifth? Miraculously yes. Yount grounded out to third, Cooper flied out to right and Simmons grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox tried to rally in the bottom of the fifth although Yaz flied out to center to start. Boggs and Stapleton stroked back to back base hits but Gedman grounded out to third. Hoffman flied out to center to end the inning.

The Brewers finally chased Rainey in the top of the sixth although Oglivie flied out to center to begin. Thomas walked and Howell crushed a 7,000 foot home run to give the Brewers the lead. Sox manager Ralph Houk pulled Rainey after allowing 4 runs in 5 1/3 innings. He was game but the home run killed him in the end. Bob Stanley came in and got both Romero and Moore to ground out to short to end the inning with the Brewers ahead 4-3.

                                                Not the best but not the worst either

The Sox answered in the bottom of the sixth as Miller singled to start. Remy poked a single to left and the hustling Miller made it all the way to third with Remy advancing to second on the throw. Evans popped up to second but a passed ball scored Miller and advanced Remy to third. Rice grounded out to short and Yaz grounded out to first but the game was tied 4-4.

                                                              Good hustle Miller

Stanley cruised in the top of the seventh as Molitor struck out to start. Yount grounded out to third and Cooper grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox exploded in the bottom of the seventh although Boggs grounded out to first to begin. Stapleton and Gedman drew back to back walks but Hoffman struck out. Miller was plunked to load the bases and Remy cleared the bases with an rbi double. That was it for Vuckovich as Jim Slaton came in and walked Evans. Rice cleared the bases with a triple to chase Slaton. Jamie Easterly came in and Yaz looked at strike three to end the inning with the Sox ahead 9-4.

                                                      Remy gets it done

The Brewers fought back in the top of the eighth as Simmons singled to center to start. Oglivie flied out to center but Thomas crushed a 97,000 foot home run to inch the Brewers closer. Marshall Edwards pinch hit for Romero but grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Brewers down 9-6.

Rob Picciolo came in to play second in the bottom of the eighth as the Sox beat the ball in the dirt. Boggs grounded out to short, Stapleton grounded back to the mound and Hoffman grounded out to short to end the inning.

Stanley came out to finish the top of the ninth but the Brewers refused to go quietly. Moore popped up to second but Molitor doubled to left. Yount grounded out to third but Cooper singled home Molitor to put the tying run at the plate. With the game on the line, Simmons flied out to center to end the game. The Sox hung on to win 9-7

Hero of the Night is Jerry Remy. He put the Sox on top twice by going 3 for 5 with a run scored and 4 total rbis.

                                                            Remy the Hero


The Good:

Dwight Evans walked 3 times in 5 plate appearances and scored a run.

Wade Boggs was 3 for 5 with a run scored.

Rick Miller was 1 for 2 with a walk, hit by pitch and 2 runs scored.



The Bad:

None



The Ugly:

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4 with a walk but drove in 2 runs.

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 4 but walked.

Dave Stapleton was just 1 for 4 but walked and drove in 2 runs.

Rich Gedman was just 1 for 4 but walked, drove in a run and scored twice.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 4 but drove in a run.

Bob Stanley got the win but allowed 3 runs in 3 2/3 of an inning.

Chuck Rainey allowed 4 runs in just 5 1/3 innings, allowing 6 hits and 4 walks.




Final Thoughts:

The Brewers are for real and the Sox need better pitching or else they won't be able to handle the high powered Milwaukee offense going forward. If the Brewers take 3 out of 4 at Fenway, what are they going to do when they get back home? The Sox don't have the starting pitching to hold the Brewers down or the lineup to bop their way back when they go down. Hoffman, Nichols, Stapleton and Miller aren't 30 homer a year guys but that may be what the Sox need to keep the AL East lead. Still, a win is a win so no use panicking just yet. The win improved the Sox to 43-28, 3 games ahead of the Brewers for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox travel to Detroit to play a set with the Detroit Tigers. Dennis Eckersley (7-6) goes for the Sox up against Jerry Ujdur at 7:30 PM at Tiger Stadium.

Sox Late Rally Falls Short Against Brewers (6/27/82)

Close but no cigar. The Boston Red Sox fell behind the Milwaukee Brewers 7-1 going into the eighth inning of tonight's game but ultimately fell short. Starter Mike Torrez (4-4, 6.22 ERA) continued to falter by allowing 6 runs in 5 innings to put the Sox in the hole. The Sox fought back in the eighth inning but a crucial double play by Dave Stapleton led the way for the Brewers to recover. The Brewers inched closer to the Sox with their 7-5 win at Fenway Park.

                                             Ex president Ford is angry

Torrez got the ball in the top of the first and Paul Molitor grounded out to first to begin. Robin Yount struck out and Cecil Cooper popped up to short to end the inning. Bob McClure got the start for Milwaukee and Jerry Remy greeted him by watching strike three go by to start the bottom of the first. Dwight Evans and Jim Rice stroked back to back singles but Tony Perez popped up to second. Stapleton popped up to third in foul territory to end the inning.

Torrez cruised in the top of the second inning as Ted Simmons and Ben Oglivie both grounded out to first. Gorman Thomas grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the second as Glenn Hoffman struck out to start. Gary Allenson flied out to left before Wade Boggs grounded out to third to end the inning.

Roy Howell struck out to begin the top of the third inning before Ed Romero popped up to second. Charlie Moore hit a routine grounder to Hoffman who dove on top of it and swam on it for an error. More swiped second before Molitor flied out to left to end the inning. Reid Nichols flied out to left to open the bottom of the third before Remy grounded out to third. Evans struck out to end the inning.

The Brewers struck first in the bottom of the third as Yount and Cooper stroked back to back singles to start. Simmons singled in Yount and sent Cooper to third to give the Brewers the lead. Oglivie struck out but Thomas drove in Cooper with a sac fly. Howell doubled but Romero grounded out to third to end the inning with the Brewers up 2-0.

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the fourth as Rice flied out out to center to begin. Perez struck out and Stapleton grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Brewers struck again in the top of the fifth inning as Moore walked to start. Molitor popped up to second but Yount tripled home Moore. Cooper scored Yount with a sac fly and Simmons flied out to left to end the inning with the Brewers ahead 4-0.

The Sox fought back in the bottom of the fifth as Hoffman walked to start. Allenson lined out to short but Boggs singled to center. Nichols hit one up the elevator shaft but Remy singled in Hoffman to put the Sox on the board. Evans struck out to end the inning with the Sox down 4-1.

                                                      Remy drives in a run

Torrez returned for the top of the sixth but was immediately chased. Oglivie smashed a 400,000 foot bomb and Thomas responded with a 90,000 foot home run to go back to back. Sox manager Ralph Houk had seen enough and pulled Torrez after allowing 6 runs in 5 plus innings. He's been terrible this year.

                                                             Torrez stinks again

Tom Burgmeier came in and Howell grounded back to the mound before Romero grounded out to short. Moore popped up to Burgmeier to end the inning. The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the sixth as Rice flied out to center to start. Perez flied out to left and Stapleton hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

Burgmeier got the Brewers to beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the seventh inning. Molitor and Yount both grounded out to third before Cooper grounded out to first to end the inning. McClure cruised in the bottom of the seventh as Hoffman struck out to begin. Allenson grounded out to short and Boggs popped up to third to end the inning.

The Brewers got a key insurance run in the top of the eighth inning. Simmons flied out to left and Oglivie flied out to center but Thomas belted his second home run of the game. Howell flied out to left to end the inning but it was 7-1 Brewers.

Somehow the Sox exploded in the bottom of the eighth. Nichols singled to start before Remy walked. Evans singled Nichols in and sent Remy to third. Rice doubled home Remy and Perez singled Evans home and sent Rice to third to chase McClure from the game. The tying run came to the plate but Dwight Benard got Stapleton to bang into a double play. Rice scored but there were two outs, the bases empty and the Sox were still down 2. Hoffman grounded out to third to end the inning but it was 7-5 Brewers.

                                                             Thanks a lot Dave

Burgmeier returned for the top of the ninth and Romero looked at strike three to start. Moore singled to right but Molitor grounded out to third. Yount beat out an infield single to third before Cooper struck out to end the inning. Rick Miller pinch hit for Allenson and looked at strike three to begin. Boggs grounded out to short and Carl Yastrzemski pinch hit for Nichols only to strike out to end the game. The Brewers had won 3 in a row against the Sox and this game 7-5.

Jackass of the Night is Mike Torrez. He got lit up for 6 runs in just 5 innings to take the loss.

                                                             Jackass Torrez


The Good:

Jerry Remy was 1 for 3 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Dwight Evans was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Jim Rice was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Reid Nichols was 1 for 3 with a walk.



The Bad:

Dave Stapleton was 0 for 4.

Gary Allenson was 0 for 3.

Rick Miller struck out as a pinch hitter.

Carl Yastrzemski struck out as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Tony Perez was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 3 with an error but walked and scored.

Wade Boggs was just 1 for 4.

Tom Burgmeier allowed a run in 4 innings of work.




Final Thoughts:

Looks like the Brew Crew are for real. They just took 3 games in a row from the Sox and are looking for the sweep tomorrow. The Sox lead in the AL East has dwindled and their lack of a third starter is killing them. Their offense isn't good enough like Milwaukee's to bop their way back into games started by Mike Torrez or whoever else isn't Dennis Eckersley. The bullpen can't bail them out EVERY game. The Sox need to do something about Torrez because he's just getting hammered. The loss dropped the Sox to 42-28, 2 games ahead of the Brewers for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox look to avoid a sweep when they send Chuck Rainey to the mound up against Pete Vuckovich at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Indians Walk Off in 14 (6/20/82)

In a heartbreaking loss for the Boston Red Sox, the Cleveland Indians rallied in the 8th inning to send the game into extras where they won in the 14th. Mark Clear couldn't slam the door after a decent Bruce Hurst start and Luis Aponte couldn't slam the door in the fourteenth inning. It was a hard fought game but the Indians took it 5-4 in the 14th inning at Cleveland Stadium.

                                             This game makes George Bailey mad

Len Barker got the start for the Indians and he cruised in the top of the first inning. Jerry Remy struck out before Dwight Evans grounded out to first. Carney Lansford grounded out to short to end the inning. Hurst got the ball in the bottom of the first and the Indians immediately tagged him. Miguel Dilone grounded out to third but Toby Harrah smashed a 400,000 foot bomb to put the Indians on top. Mike Hargrove and Andre Thornton both whiffed to end the inning but the Indians were up 1-0.

The lead stayed the same in the top of the second as the Sox beat the ball in the dirt. Carl Yastrzemski grounded out to second, Rich Gedman grounded out to third and Dave Stapleton also grounded out to second to end the inning. The Indians struck again in the bottom of the second as Evans dropped a routine pop up by Alex Bannister to start. Rick Manning caught the Sox asleep with a bunt to put runners at first and third. Von Hayes grounded out to second to score Bannister and move Manning to second before Chris Bando flied out to center. Mike Fischlin tripled into the gap to score both runners. Dilone hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning but it was 3-0 Indians.

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the third as Glenn Hoffman and Reid Nichols both flied out to left to start. Rick Miller singled to left but Remy flied out to left to end the inning. Hurst got in trouble in the bottom of the third by walking the bases loaded. Harrah, Hargrove and Thornton all walked but Bannister hit a ground ball to third. Lansford gunned it home to nail Harrah at home before Gedman fired to first to get Bannister for the double play. Manning struck out to end the inning.

The Sox struck back in the top of the fourth as Evans walked to start. Lansford hit one up the elevator shaft but Yaz cracked his 9th home run of the year to cut into the lead. Gedman stuck out and Stapleton grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox down 3-2.

                                                               Yaz hits one out

Hurst recovered in the bottom of the fourth as Hayes grounded out to second to start. Bando grounded out to short but Fischlin bunted his way on. Dilone lined out to right to end the inning.

Barker cruised in the top of the fifth inning as Hoffman struck out to start. Nichols grounded out to third and Miller grounded out to second to end the inning. Hurst kept pace in the bottom of the fifth although Harrah walked to start. Hargrove lined out to right but Thornton singled. Bannister and Manning both flied out to center to end the inning.

The Sox took command in the top of the sixth as Remy started the rally with a single. Evans lashed a double to left that Dilone bobbled, allowing Remy to score the tying run and advancing Dwight to third. A wild pitch by Barker scored Evans to give the Sox the lead but both Lansford and Yaz flied out to right. Gedman singled to right and Stapleton singled to center but Nichols flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-3.

                                                           Evans gives the Sox the lead

Hurst cruised in the bottom of the sixth as Hayes grounded out to second to begin. Bando grounded out to short and Fischlin struck out to end the inning. That was it for Hurst who turned in a solid effort, throwing 6 innings of 3 run ball to put himself in line for the win.

                                                               Good work Hurst

Barker cruised in the top of the seventh as Miller lined back to the mound to start. Remy popped up to left and Evans struck out to end the inning. Mark Clear was summoned for the bottom of the seventh and Dilone grounded out to first to start. Harrah looked at strike three and Hargrove grounded out to short to end the inning.

Barker returned for the top of the eighth and Lansford grounded out to first to begin. Yaz struck out before Gedman grounded out to first to end the inning. The Indians got to Clear in the bottom of the eighth as Thornton walked and was sacrificed to second by Bannister. Manning struck out but Hayes tied the game with a double. Bando looked at strike three to end the inning but the game was tied 4-4.

                                                        Thanks a lot Clear

Ron Hassey took over behind the plate for the top of the ninth and Stapleton popped up to first to begin. Hoffman lined out to right and Nichols struck out to end the inning. The Indians almost won it in the bottom of the ninth when Fischlin singled to start. Dilone looked at strike three but Harrah singled. Hargrove walked to load the bases but Thornton looked at strike three. Karl Pagel pinch hit for Bannister but Clear froze him for strike three to end the inning.

Jack Perconte came in to play second in the top of the tenth with Barker still on the mound. Miller beat out an infield single and was sacrificed to second by Remy, but Evans grounded out to third. Yaz flied out to center to end the inning. Tom Burgmeier came in to pitch the bottom of the tenth and Manning grounded out to first to start. Hayes lined out to second but Hassey singled to center. Fischlin grounded out to third to end the inning.

Dan Spillner came in to pitch the top of the eleventh and Yaz struck out to begin. Gedman grounded out to second and Stapleton looked at strike three to end the inning. The Indians almost won it in the bottom of the eleventh when Dilone singled to start and was sacrificed to second by Harrah. Dilone swiped third and Hargrove was plunked. Thornton was intentionally walked and Jerry Dybzinsky pinch hit for Percone....only to bang into a double play to end the inning.

Dybzinsky moved to short with Fischlin taking over at second to open the top of the 12th inning. Wade Boggs pinch hit for Hoffman and flied out to right to start. Nichols looked at strike three before Miller grounded out to short to end the inning.

Julio Valdez took over at short for the bottom of the 12th and Manning singled to right to begin. Manning was sacrificed to second by Hayes and he moved to third on the grounder by Hassey. Fischlin popped up to first to end the inning.

Remy grounded out to second to start the top of the 13th but Evans drew a walk. Lansford looked at strike three before Yaz popped up to third to end the inning. Luis Aponte came in for the bottom of the 13th and Dilone grounded out to short to start. Harrah flied out to left and Hargrove watched strike three go by to end the inning.

Gedman singled to start the top of the 14th and Gary Allenson pinch ran for him. Stapleton singled and Valdez dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners into scoring position. They never moved as Nichols flied out to right and Miller flied out to center to end the inning. The end mercifully came in the bottom of the 14th when Thornton singled to start. Dybzinsky sacrificed him to second but for some reason Sox manager Ralph Houk had Manning intentionally walked. Hayes walked to load the bases and Hassey singled home Thornton to end the game. It took 14 innings but the Indians had won it 5-4.

Jackass of the Night is Reid Nichols. He was 0 for 6 including 2 strikeouts and failed to get two men in scoring position in during the crucial top of the 14th inning.

                                                             Nice clutch hitting Jackass



The Good:

Rich Gedman was 2 for 6.

Dave Stapleton was 2 for 6.

Julio Valdez dropped down a perfect bunt in the top of the 14th inning.

Rick Miller was 2 for 6.

Bruce Hurst tossed 6 innings of 3 run ball to keep the Sox in the game. Only 1 run was earned, he walked four and struck out 4.

Tom Burgmeier tossed 3 shutout innings of relief.



The Bad:

Carney Lansford was 0 for 6 with a strikeout.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Wade Boggs flied out as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4 with an error but walked twice and scored 2 runs.

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 6 but the one hit was a 2 run home run.

Mark Clear blew the lead in the bottom of the 8th but pitched scoreless 7th and 9th innings.

Luis Aponte took the loss in the bottom of the 14th but pitched a clean top of the 13th.



Honorable Mention:

Gary Allenson ran for Gedman in the top of the 14th and caught the bottom of the 14th.




Final Thoughts:

This game was a sucker punch to the gonads. As mediocre as the Sox offense was against Barker today, they still had a chance to win if Clear didn't blow it. Still, they had 2 on and 1 out in the top of the 14th but couldn't get the clutch hit they needed. The Indians are a perfectly mediocre 31-32 and the Sox blew a big chance to gain a game in the AL East standings by dropping this one. The less said of this unmitigated disaster, the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 39-25, 2 games in front of the Detroit Tigers for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox are back home against the Tigers with a chance to put some distance from them in the East standings. Dan Petry goes for the Tigers up against John Tudor (5-5) of the Red Sox at 7:00 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Late Rally Defeats A's (5/22/82)

On a day when the Boston Red Sox removed their starter with 2 outs in the first inning, they still managed to come back to defeat the Oakland A's. Bob Ojeda lasted just 2/3 of an inning and the Sox trailed 3-0 before even coming to the plate. The Sox had come from behind to win 13 games already this year and this would be number 14. The Sox took advantage of miscues to take the lead in the 2nd inning. The A's tied it in the third but the Sox pulled away in the 8th. Bob Stanley (4-1, 2.83 ERA) pitched 8 1/3 innings of 1 run ball to beat the A's 7-4 at Fenway Park.

                                         President Millard Fillmore approves of the win

Ojeda got the ball in the top of the first and the A's tagged him. Ricky Henderson singled to right and stole second as Davey Lopes took strike three. Henderson swiped third and scored on the Cliff Johnson bloop single. Joe Rudi walked as Bob Stanley began warming in the bullpen. Jeff Newman grounded out to short but both runners moved into scoring position. Both men scored on the ground rule double by Mike Heath. Sox manager Ralph Houk had seen enough and removed Ojeda before it could get any worse. He lasted just 2/3 of an inning and had given up 3 runs. Bob Stanley came in and got Jimmy Sexton to ground into a force to end the inning with the A's ahead 3-0.

                                               Rough day for Ojeda

Bo McLaughlin got his first start in 3 years for the A's and Jerry Remy led off the bottom of the first by grounding out to second to start. Dwight Evans and Jim Rice drew back to back walks. Carl Yastrzemski flied out to right but Evans took third. Carney Lansford walked to load the bases but Dave Stapleton hit a soft line drive to second to end the inning,

Stanley got Rick Bosetti to ground out to third to start he top of the second inning. Fred Stanley singled up the middle before Henderson hit a double play ball to second. Remy flipped to Hoffman who fell down laughing for no reason for an error. Lopes beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners but Johnson grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox exploded in the bottom of the third due to some A's miscues. Rich Gedman hit a seeing eye single to right before Glenn Hoffman hit a routine grounder to Jeff Newman but instead of throwing to first, he panicked and threw the ball into left field for an error. Rick Miller blooped a single to center to load the bases before Remy hit a double play ball to second. Lopes flipped to Stanley WHO DROPPED IT! Gedman scored and everyone was safe on the error. Evans walked home Hoffman before Rice singled home Miller to tie the game. Yaz banged into a double play but Remy scored to give the Sox the lead. Lansford lined out to left but the Sox came back to lead 4-3.

                                                   Oops

The A's tied it in the top of the third inning as Rudi walked to begin. Rudi moved to second on the grounder by Newman and scored on the double to left by Heath. The A's made a boo-boo when Heath tried to steal third but was doubled off second when Sexton lined out to second to end the inning with the game tied 4-4.

                                                           Rudi scores the tying run

The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the third as Stapleton grounded out to third to start. Gedman grounded out to second and Hoffman popped up to short to end the inning.

The Sox got two radically different defensive plays in the top of the fourth inning. Hoffman booted a ground ball by Bosetti for an error but Bob Stanley fielded a bunt from Fred Stanley and somehow turned a double play. Henderson grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fourth inning as Miller lined out to center to start. Remy flied out to left but Evans lashed a single to left. Rice and McLaughlin suddenly had words and had to be separated by the benches. Then Billy Martin went out to talk to McLaughlin which prompted a pissed off Ralph Houk to run out of the dugout and demanded Billy be ejected. Rice then got into it with Heath before things calmed down. When play resumed Rice struck out to end the inning.

                                                         Things get testy

Stanley got Lopes to ground out to second to begin the top of the fifth before Johnson whiffed. Rudi singled to left before Newman grounded out to short to end the inning. Yaz led off the bottom of the fifth by flying out to left before Lansford popped up to first. Stapleton grounded out to short to end the inning.

Stanley returned for the top of the sixth and struck out Heath to start. Wayne Gross pinch hit for Sexton as NBC analyst Bob Costas told the story of how Ralph Houk was the third string catcher for the Yankees in the late 40's and 50's and Roger LaFrancois was the current Red Sox third string catcher. LaFrancois hadn't had an at-bat yet this season while Houk had 29 at-bat in the years he was 3rd string. Houk told Costas that LaFrancois is his own Ralph Houk. Not only that, in 1947 Houk hit a ball off the foul pole that landed in the foul territory stands. The rule at the time was if it bounced foul it was a ground rule double, denying Houk his only home run of his career. The very next year the rule changed to anyone striking the pole is a home run regardless of where it lands. Officially the foul pole rule is the "Ralph Houk rule". After the yarns were spun, Gross walked but Bosetti grounded into a double play to end the inning.

                                                  "I hate foul poles!" - Houk

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the sixth as Gedman grounded out to second to start. Hoffman flied out to center and Miller hit a bullet to first to end the inning.

Danny Goodwin pinch hit for Stanley to start the top of the seventh and struck out. Henderson grounded out to second and Lopes grounded out to short to end the inning. Tony Phillips took over for the bottom of the seventh and Remy whiffed to start. Evans flied out to right before Rice lined out t center to end the inning.

Stanley made the A's beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the eighth inning as Johnson grounded out to short to start. Rudi hit a roller to Lansford who threw wide of first but Stapleton grabbed it and tagged Joe out. Newman grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox rallied to take command in the bottom of the eighth and Yaz got the rally started with a line drive into the right field corner. Yaz caught Rudi asleep and stretched the hit into a double. Reid Nichols pinch ran for Yaz and made it to third on the fly ball by Lansford. Stapleton blooped a single to right to score Nichols with the go-ahead run. Gedman doubled off the Monster and Stapleton made a mad dash home for the insurance run. Hoffman lined out to left but Miller doubled into the right field corner to score Gedman to ice the game. Gross made a hell of a diving catch to rob Remy of a bloop single to end the inning but the Sox put the game away and led 7-4.

                                                Yaz enjoys the rally he started

Stanley came back to finish the job in the top of the ninth and Heath hit a 379 foot out to dead center to start. Gross took Evans to the wall but Dwight snared the out before Dan Meyer pinch hit for Bosetti. Meyer grounded out to second to end the inning. A hell of an effort by Stanley and the Sox rally in the 8th secured the 7-4 win.

                                                   Stanley gets mobbed


Hero of the Night is Bob Stanley. He came in for Ojeda in the first inning and went the distance, allowing just 1 run in 8 1/3 innings.

                                                                Stanley The Hero


The Good:

Dwight Evans was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and an rbi.

Jim Rice was 1 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Reid Nichols scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth.

Rich Gedman was 2 for 4 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Rick Miller was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.



The Bad:

Bob Ojeda was tagged for 3 runs in just 2/3 of an inning.



The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run.

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 4 but the one hit started the game winning rally.

Carney Lansford was 0 for 3 but walked.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 4 with an error but scored a run.

Dave Stapleton was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and cored.




Final Thoughts:

That was a hell of an effort by Stanley and a great rally by the Red Sox offense. They needed to pick up Ojeda after he faltered and they did. Not only that, they saved Mark Clear and Luis Aponte for tomorrow if needed. Yaz is having an amazing season at his age and its unlikely he can keep it up all year so the Sox have to ride him while he's hot. Hoffman is on a cold streak but he should bounce of that soon. The Sox are in first place and it feels good to be in the driver's seat for once. The win improved the Sox to 27-13, 1 game in front of the Detroit Tigers for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Sox look for the series sweep when they send Dennis Eckersley (4-3) to the mound to take on Mike Norris. The game begins at 2 PM at Fenway Park.

Royals Blast Red Sox (5/13/82)

Maybe the Boston Red Sox are getting tired. In the midst of a ten game, three city road trip that's taken them from Texas to Minnesota, tonight the Kansas City Royals whacked the Red Sox real bad. Riding a six run bottom of the first, the Royals rode Dave Frost to victory as the ineffective Chuck Rainey (3-1, 3.62 ERA) failed to make it out of the first inning. Bruce Hurst took a beating in relief and the Royals rolled over the Sox 11-2 at Royals Stadium.

The Sox did nothing against Frost in the top of the first inning as Jerry Remy flied out to left to begin.  Dwight Evans whiffed and Jim Rice flied out to right to end the inning. Rainey had nothing in the bottom of the first as Willie Wilson singled and stole second to start. John Wathan caught the Sox napping with a bunt single to put runners at the corners before Wathan stole second. George Brett singled Wilson home and Willie Aikens singled home Wathan. Somehow Amos Otis looked at strike three before Hal McRae singled home Brett. Jerry Martin whiffed before Frank White doubled home Aikens. Onix Concepcion doubled home McRae and Sox manager Ralph Houk had finally seen enough. Chuck got hammered for 6 runs in just 2/3 of an inning, yuck! Bruce Hurst came in and got Wilson to ground back to the mound to end the inning but the game was over already 6-0.

                                                           "I sucked tonight" - Rainey

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second as Tony Perez popped up to second to begin.  Carney Lansford flied out to right but Dave Stapleton singled and took second on a wild pitch. Glenn Hoffman flied out to center to end the inning. Hurst cruised in the bottom of the second as Wathan grounded out to second to start. Brett grounded out to third before Aikens watched strike three go by to end the inning.

Frost cruised in the top of the third as Rich Gedman lined out to left to start. Rick Miller grounded out to short before Remy grounded out to first to end the inning. The Royals struck again in the bottom of the third as Otis doubled to start and McRae singled him home. Hurst recovered to get Martin to pop up to third before striking out White. Concepcion grounded out to short to end the inning with the Royals ahead 7-0.

The Sox finally got on the board in the top of the fourth although Evans popped up to short to begin. Rice grounded back to the mound but Perez drew a walk. Lansford doubled home Perez to put Boston on the board. Stapleton flied out to left to end the inning but it was 7-1 Royals.

                                                           Lansford isn't ready to quit

Wilson singled to open the bottom of the fourth but Wathan grounded into a double play. Brett grounded out to first to end the inning.

Frost cruised in the top of the fifth as Hoffman grounded out to third to start. Gedman grounded out to second before Miller flied out to left to end the inning. The Royals tagged Hurst in the bottom of the fifth although Aikens grounded out to second to begin. Otis doubled and McRae singled him in before Martin singled Hal to third. White scored McRae with a sac fly and a wild pitch moved Martin to third. Concepcion grounded out to short to end the inning but it was 9-1 Kansas City.

The Sox failed to score in the top of the sixth as Remy grounded out to second to begin. Evans singled to left but Rice popped up to first. Perez singled but Lansford popped up to second to end the inning. Wilson singled to start the bottom of the sixth and Wathan whiffed, but Brett drew a walk. Brett was so bored that he shook his head and left the game with Greg Pryor running for him. Aikens grounded back to the mound and Otis flied out to left to end the inning.

Frost cruised in the top of the seventh as Stapleton popped up to left, Hoffman popped up to third and Gedman popped up to left to end the inning. The Royals got to Hurst again in the bottom of the seventh although McRae grounded out to short to start. Martin whiffed before White doubled. Concepcion singled home White before he too got bored. He threw his hands up at the Sox and left the game, Tim Ireland running for him. Wilson doubled home Ireland to wrap up the scoring for Kansas City. Wathan flied out to center to end the inning but it was 11-1 Kansas City, what a massacre.

                                                          5 runs allowed by Hurst

Ireland moved to third with Pryor at short as the Sox actually got a run in the top of the eighth. Miller singled and took second on the grounder by Remy. Evans singled home Miller to cut the lead. Rice flied out to right and Perez popped up to second to end the inning with the Sox down 11-2.

                                                             Evans gets a run back

Luis Aponte relieved Hurst in the bottom of the eighth and struck out Pryor to start. Aikens struck out but Otis walked. McRae flied out to right to end the inning.

Grant Jackson came in to close it out in the top of the ninth. Lansford singled but Stapleton flied out to left. Hoffman and Gedman both struck out to end the game. The Royals plastered the Red Sox 11-2.

Jackass of the Night is Chuck Rainey. He got lit up for 6 runs in just 2/3 of an inning, woof!

                                                 Nice start, Jackass


The Good:

Dwight Evans was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Tony Perez was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Carney Lansford was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Rick Miller was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Luis Aponte pitched a scoreless 8th inning.



The Bad:

Jerry Remy was 0 for 4.

Jim Rice was 0 for 4.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Rich Gedman was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Bruce Hurst allowed 5 runs in 6 1/3 innings.



The Ugly:

Dave Stapleton was just 1 for 4.




Final Thoughts:

What a disaster. Its been a long road trip for sure but the Sox looked tired in this one. They looked stuck in the mud on offense and neither Rainey nor Hurst could get anyone out. The Royals pounded out 11 runs on 17 hits and the Sox could muster just 2 runs on 7 hits. The Sox better hope Rainey can pitch better than THAT moving forward. Still, the Sox are still in first and that's all that matters for the moment. The loss dropped the Sox to 22-11, 2.5 games ahead of the Detroit Tigers for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Sox look to bounce back when Mike Torrez (2-2) battles Vida Blue at 1:30 PM at Royals Stadium.