Brewers 5 run Second Sinks Sox (9/13/85)

In another ho-hum loss in a season full of them, the Boston Red Sox dropped to 3 games under .500 after being dropped by the equally mediocre Milwaukee Brewers. Tim Lollar (7-10, 4.49 ERA) got lit up for 5 runs in the second inning and the Sox could not recover. A home run by Mike Easler and rbis by Tony Armas and Wade Boggs were the only runs the Sox could push across and the Brewers took the game 6-3 at County Stadium.

                                                Dr. Gogol hates the Red Sox pitching woes

The Sox did strike first against Brewers starter Tim Leary in the top of the first inning. Dwight Evans drew a walk and Wade Boggs doubled him home but was thrown out at third trying to stretch. Bill Buckner back to the mound but Rich Gedman walked. Tony Armas struck out to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                          YERRRRRR OUT!

Lollar got out of the bottom of the first okay as Mike Felder grounded out to second to start. Paul Molitor flied out to center but Billy Jo Robidoux walked. Cecil Cooper popped up to short to end the inning.

Mike Easler flied out to left to start the top of the second before Marty Barrett struck out. Rookie Mike Greenwell flied out to left to end the inning. The Brewers pounded the Sox in the bottom of the second as Randy Ready flied out to center to start. Ernie Riles struck out but Paul Householder doubled to left. Jim Gantner singled home Householder and took second on the throw. Charlie Moore singled home Gantner and Felder singled him to third. Molitor doubled home Moore and Robidoux walked to load the bases. Cooper singled home Molitor and Felder to chase the ineffective Lollar. Tim lasted just 1 2/3 innings and allowed 5 runs. Rookie Rob Woodward came in and got Ready to fly out to right to end the inning but it was 5-0 Brewers.

                                                     Terrible effort by Lollar

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the third as Glenn Hoffman beat out an infield single to start. Evans flied out to right but Boggs singled. Buckner flied out to left and Gedman grounded out to short to end the inning. Woodward cruised in the bottom of the third as Riles grounded out to second to begin. Householder popped up to short but Gantner tripled. Moore grounded out to third to end the inning.

Armas tried to start a rally with a scintillating triple to open the top of the fourth but was stranded when Easler grounded out to third. Barrett popped up to second and Greenwell struck out to end the inning. Felder grounded out to short to open the bottom of the fourth but Molitor singled. Robidoux flied out to right before Molitor swiped second. Cooper flied out to left to end the inning.

Hoffman grounded out to short to start the top of the fifth before Evans flied out to center. Boggs grounded out to second to end the inning. The Brewers struck again in the bottom of the fifth as Ready walked to start. Riles singled to right and Householder doubled home Ready. Woodward recovered to strike out Gantner and get Moore to pop up to second. Felder walked to load the bases but Molitor grounded out to short to end the inning with the Brewers ahead 6-1.

                                             "This pitching blows"

Boston failed to respond in the top of the sixth as Buckner popped up to short to start. Gedman popped up to third and Armas struck out to end the inning. Woodward got Robidoux to strike out to open the bottom of the sixth before Cooper flied out to left. Ready walked but Riles grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox finally got a run in the top of the seventh when Easler launched his 15th home run of the year to cut the deficit. Barrett flied out to center, Greenwell struck out and Hoffman grounded out to second to end the inning but it was 6-2 Brewers.

                                                         Home run for Easler

Householder walked to start the bottom of the seventh and was sacrificed to second by Gantner. Moore flied out to center and Felder flied out to left to end the inning.

The Sox rallied in the top of the eighth although Evans struck out to start. Boggs grounded out to short but Buckner walked. Gedman got a base hit and Armas singled home Buckner to cut the lead in half and bring the tying run to the plate. Ray Searage came in to pitch with Steve Lyons coming in to run for Armas. With a chance to extend the rally....Easler struck out to end the inning with the Sox down 6-3.

                                                          Armas cuts the lead in half

Woodward finished up in the bottom of the eighth as Molitor lined out to right to begin. Robidoux flied out to left but Cooper walked. Ready grounded out to short to end the inning. Hell of an effort by Woodward to limit the Brewers to just 1 run in 6 1/3 innings of relief.

                                                    Double A in April, Boston in September

The Sox had one last chance in the top of the ninth with Ed Romero now in left field. Barrett led off with a double to right and Ed Jurak pinch hit for the rookie Greenwell. Jurak struck out as Jim Rice pinch hit for Hoffman, drawing a walk to bring the tying run to the plate. Jackie Gutierrez ran for Rice as Danny Darwin came in to close out the game. Evans hit one up the elevator shaft and Boggs flied out to left to end the game. The Brewers held on to win the game 6-3.

Jackass of the Night is Tim Lollar. He got lit up for 5 runs in just 1 2/3 innings.

                                                      Lollar the Jackass



The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

Rich Gedman was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Tony Armas was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Glenn Hoffman was 1 for 3.

Jim Rice walked as a pinch hitter.

Rob Woodward allowed just 1 run in 6 1/3 innings of relief.



The Bad:

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Ed Jurak struck out as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Dwight Evans was 0 for 4 but walked and scored.

Bill Buckner was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.

Mike Easler was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a home run.

Marty Barrett was just 1 for 4.



Honorable Mention:

Steve Lyons played center in the bottom of the eighth.

Jackie Gutierrez pinch ran for Jim Rice.




Final Thoughts:

How sad is it the only positive from this game was a relief effort by the rookie Rob Woodward? The Sox went nowhere this season and are going to have to make some changes if they hope to contend next season. The offense is as good as anyone but good lord do they need pitching help. Woodward could be the key next year if he can be the pitcher they thought the Sox were getting when they drafted him. The Sox have some talent with Roger Clemens, Bruce Hurst, Al Nipper, Bob Ojeda and Oil Can Boyd but someone has to step up. The Sox really missed John Tudor this year but who would have thought he'd pitch as well as he did for the St. Louis Cardinals when the Sox sent him packing to the Pittsburgh Pirates? As for this game? Meh...who cares. Tomorrow night these two teams have another snooze when Bill Wegman goes for the Brewers against Bruce Hurst of the Red Sox at 8:00 PM Eastern Time at County Stadium.

Twins Four Run 7th Sink Sox (8/23/85)

For 6 innings it looked like Tim Lollar (5-8, 4.81 ERA) and the Boston Red Sox were about to best Frank Viola and the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park. Instead the Twins scored 4 runs in the top of the seventh inning and Viola went the distance to defeat the Sox 5-2.

                                  "That damn Frank Viola" - Sonny Crockett

Lollar took the mound in the top of the first inning and got Kirby Puckett to strike out. Mickey Hatcher grounded out to short and Kent Hrbek popped up to short to end the inning. Boston wasted no time scoring as Dwight Evans led off the bottom of the first inning with a solo home run off Viola to give the Sox the quick lead. Wade Boggs walked but Bill Buckner banged into a double play. Jim Rice struck out to end the inning but it was 1-0 Boston.

                                            Dewey says "Take that Viola!"

Lollar stayed tough in the top of the second by getting Tom Brunansky to ground out to third. Dave Engle flied out to right but Tim Laudner singled. Gary Gaetti grounded into a force to end the inning. Viola blanked the Sox in the bottom of the second by getting both Mike Easler and Marty Barrett to ground out to short. Jackie Gutierrez struck out to end the inning.

The Twins struck back in the top of the third inning. Tim Teufel doubled to start and moved to third on the Alvaro Espinoza bunt single. Puckett beat out a double play ball to score Teufel with the tying run then stole second base himself. Hatcher grounded to third and Hrbek grounded to second to end the inning but it was 1-1.

                                           "Damn you Teufel...and you too Puckett!" - Pierce

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the third inning as Steve Lyons popped up to third, Marc Sullivan struck out and Evans popped to second to end the inning.

Lollar recovered to get Brunansky to ground out o open the top of the fourth inning. Engle flied out to center but Laudner walked. Gaetti lined out to center to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fourth inning. Boggs singled and moved to second on the sacrifice bunt by Buckner. Rice walked but was foolishly picked off. That lost run loomed large as Easler doubled home Boggs to give the Sox the lead. Barrett grounded out to end the inning but a 2-1 lead should have been 3-1.

                                                Easler says "Come on Rice, I had it!"

Lollar cruised in the top of the fifth as he got Teufel to fly out to right to begin. Espinoza grounded out to third and Puckett grounded out to short to end the inning. Viola matched Lollar in the bottom of the fifth as he got Gutierrez to ground out to second to start. Lyons struck out and Sullivan lined out to center to end the inning.

Lollar returned for the top of the sixth inning and got Hatcher to ground to second to begin. Hrbek singled but Brunansky struck out. Engle grounded into a force to end the inning. The Sox accomplished nothing in the bottom of the sixth inning as Evans grounded meekly to third, but Boggs singled. Buckner flied out but Boggs was distracted by a rodeo clown falling down the steps in the stands, getting doubled off first to end the inning.

Somehow the Twins exploded in the top of the seventh inning. Laudner doubled and moved to third on a wild pitch. Gaetti walked but Teufel struck out. Espinoza singled home Laudner tied the game. Puckett iced the game with a scintillating triple to send the fans home angry. That was it for Lollar and Steve Crawford came in, only to give up an rbi single by Hatcher to score Puckett. Hrbek singled but Brunansky struck out. Ron Smalley pinch hit for Engle and popped to second to end the inning but it was now 5-2 Twins.

                              "I can't believe Lollar can't get Puckett out" - Ms Fletcher

Viola put it on cruise control in the bottom of the seventh inning.  Rice flied out and Easler grounded out but Barrett doubled. Gutierrez ended the rally with a 360 strikeout, falling over in the process to end the inning.

Crawford returned for the top of the eighth and Laudner singled AGAIN, but Gaetti struck out. Teufel flied out and Espinoza struck out to end the inning. Viola would not be denied in the bottom of the eighth in a near empty Fenway Park as Lyons flied out to right to start. Sullivan and Evans both whiffed to end the inning.

Crawford returned for the top of the ninth and was greeted by a Puckett single. Hatcher banged into a double play and Hrbek lined out to center to end the inning. Viola came back to finish his work in the botom of the ninth. Boggs flied out to left, Buckner grounded out to second and Rice flied out to left to end the game. The Twins had won it 5-2.

Jackass of the Night is Tim Lollar. He had a 2-1 lead to protect and he let the team down by getting pounded in the 7th, giving up 5 total runs.

                                                    Lollar is the Jackass


The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Mike Easler was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Marty Barrett was 1 for 3.

Steve Crawford tossed 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.




The Bad:

Bill Buckner was 0 for 3.

Jackie Gutierrez was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Steve Lyons was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Marc Sullivan was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.




The Ugly:

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a home run.

Jim Rice was 0 for 3 but walked..




Final Thoughts:

Another pitiful loss for a team going absolutely nowhere. I know Tim Lollar isn't exactly Jack Morris but with Roger Clemens got, SOMEBODY has to step up and win some games down the stretch, if nothing else but for personal pride. Frank Viola going the distance hurt plus he's lost 10 games this year, the offense should have smacked him around. This year can't end fast enough and Clemens get healthy quick enough. The loss dropped the Sox to 58-62, 17 games behind Toronto for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow Bruce Hurst matches up against Mike Smithson for the Twins. Isn't this year over yet? Ugh.

Yankees Down Sox Late (8/18/85)

As 1985 continues to be a mediocre season for the Boston Red Sox, one thing is for sure and that's the New York Yankees catch every lucky break in the world. A day after being held to a single run, this time the Sox could barely score two against Phil Neikro and Bob Shirley. Meanwhile Roger Clemens had to be scratched from his start due to shoulder stiffness and Tim Lollar (5-7, 4.68 ERA) continued to struggle, getting lit up by the Yankees for 4 runs in 6 1/3 innings. The Sox and Yankees battled to a 2-2 tie after the top half of the seventh inning but the Yankees rallied for two runs against Lollar before Sox manager John McNamara yanked him. The Sox did manage to load the bases against Dave Righetti in the top of the ninth but Brian Fisher got Dwight Evans to fly out to end the game. Clemens may have been able to make a difference but the Yankees still made it two in a row over the Sox as they took the game 4-2 at Yankee Stadium.

                                                      Sox fans are not happy

Niekro got the ball in the top of the first inning and Marty Barrett dumped a base hit to left on the first pitch of the game. Bob Meacham threw a double play ball by Wade Boggs away to allow Wade to take second and Boggs moved to third on the warning track fly ball to center by Dwight Evans. Bill Buckner struck out swinging to end the inning. Lollar got the emergency start in the bottom of the first and Willie Randolph flied out to right to start. Don Mattingly walked on four pitches but Dave Winfield banged into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the second although Mike Easler flied out to center to start. Jim Rice clobbered his 20th home run of the season to put Boston on top but Rich Gedman flied out to Billy Sample. Jackie Gutierrez grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                 Number 20 for Rice

The Yankees answered in the bottom of the second as Don Baylor walked to start. Ken Griffey got a line drive base hit to left to put runners at the corners and Baylor scored on the grounder to third by Sample. Andre Robertson grounded out to short and Butch Wynegar grounded out to third to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                       Yankees tie it up

Steve Lyons walked to start the top of the third but Barrett grounded into a double play. Boggs grounded out to second to end the inning. Meacham struck out swinging to start the bottom of the third but Randolph worked a walk. Mattingly forced Randolph at second and Winfield popped up to third to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fourth as Evans grounded out to third to start. Buckner grounded out to first and Easler flied out to the left field warning track to end the inning. The Yankees struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Red Sox broadcaster Bob Montgomery said Roger Clemens "couldn't get it up today." Baylor walked but Griffey flied out to left and Sample grounded back to Lollar. Baylor moved to second on the play and scored on the base hit to center by Robertson. The fans cost the Yankees a run as Wynegar hit a ball past the diving Boggs that should have scored Robertson but a fan reached over and snatched the ball. It was ruled a ground rule double and Meacham popped up to Lyons to end the inning with the Yankees up 2-1.

                                                         Yankees take the lead

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the fifth as Rice walked to start. Gedman walked and Gutierrez dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners over. Unfortunately Lyons struck out swinging and Barrett grounded out to short to end the inning. Randolph popped up to Evans to start the bottom of the fifth and Mattingly grounded out to second. Winfield struck out swinging to end the inning.

Boggs popped up to Griffey to start the top of the sixth before Buckner flied out to left. Easler struck out swinging to end the inning. Baylor flied out to left to start the bottom of the sixth before Griffey grounded out to first. Sample walked but Robertson struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox rallied in the top of the seventh as Mike Pagliarulo took over at third to begin. Rice and Gedman worked back to back walks but Gutierrez popped up a bunt to Wynegar. Lyons came through with a base hit to right to load the bases. Rich Bordi came in to pitch to Barrett and Sample made a great diving catch to rob Barrett of a bases clearing double. Yankees manager Billy Martin brought in Bob Shirley to pitch to Boggs but Wade got a base hit to shallow left. Rice scored easy but Gedman was foolishly sent home only to get thrown out at the plate to end the inning. That proved costly as the Sox only tied the game 2-2.

                                                              Yerrrr out!

Things fell apart in the bottom of the seventh as the ball four pitch to Wynegar got away and Gedman panicked, throwing the ball completely out of Yankee Stadium to move Butch to second. Buckner fell down trying to catch a pop up from Meacham that dropped in for a "single" but Randolph flied out to center. Mattingly slapped a double down the right field line and both runs scored, Don taking third on the throw. That was it for Lollar who was let down by his defense but still allowed 4 runs in 6 1/3 innings. Bob Stanley came in to pitch and Winfield popped up to Boggs in foul territory. Baylor popped up to second to end the inning with the Yankees up 4-2.

                                                          Mattingly puts the Yankees on top

Dave Righetti came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Evans struck out swinging to start. Buckner popped up to short but Easler lined a base hit to center. Old pal and Yankees pitching coach Bill Monbouquette came out to chat with Righetti and Rice struck out swinging to end the inning. Griffey grounded out to short to start the bottom of the eighth before Dan Pasqua pinch hit for Sample. Pasqua took strike three and Pagliarulo grounded out to first to end the inning.

Gedman popped up to center to start the top of the ninth inning and Gutierrez also flied out to center. Tony Armas pinch hit for Lyons and drilled a base hit up the middle. Ed Jurak pinch ran for Tony and Barrett drew a walk. Boggs walked to load the bases and chase Righetti. Brian Fisher came in to pitch to Evans and Dwight popped up to Winfield to end the game. The Yankees had won it 4-2.

                                                       Yankees win

Jackass of the Night is Tim Lollar. He allowed the go-ahead double by Mattingly to put the Yankees up for good in the seventh.

                                                     Lollar The Jackass

\

The Good:

Jim Rice was 1 for 2 with a home run, 2 walks and 2 total runs scored.

Steve Lyons was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Tony Armas singled as a pinch hitter.

Bob Stanley tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Bill Buckner was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jackie Gutierrez was 0 for 3.

The Ugly:

Marty Barrett was just 1 for 4 but walked.

Wade Boggs was just 1 for 4 but walked and drove in a run.

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

Mike Easler was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Rich Gedman was 0 for 2 with an error but walked twice.

Honorable Mention:

Ed Jurak pinch ran for Armas in the top of the ninth.

Final Thoughts:

Forget the loss, the true bad news is the injury to Clemens. Remember he was shut down at the end of last season with a bad shoulder and apparently it never healed. The Sox can't afford to lose a pitcher the caliber of Clemens with a month left in the season but shutting him down and getting proper surgery might be the right thing to do to keep him healthy for next year. Nothing has gone right this season for the Sox and today was a microcosm of that. The Sox couldn't field at all in the seventh inning which allowed the Yankees to take the lead and Gedman geting thrown out at the plate shouldn't have happened. Evans failing in the ninth inning just put a damper on what could have been a nice comeback. Lollar did the best he could on short notice but even he tired in the seventh. Want the ultimate kick in the pants? Mike Easler is hitting .263 so far this year while John Tudor is on pace to win 20 games for the St. Louis Cardinals. Why am I not surprised? The loss dropped the Sox to 57-58, good for 5th place in the AL East. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow afternoon against the Yankees when they send Bruce Hurst to the mound against Marty Bystrom of New York. The game begins at 1:00 PM at Yankee Stadium.

Guidry, Yankees Sweep Red Sox (8/11/85)

Not only did the New York Yankees sweep the Boston Red Sox out of Fenway Park but the Sox may have to shut down Roger Clemens (7-5, 3.29 ERA) for the season with a bad arm. Clemens lasted just five innings before his arm gave out and the Sox trailing 1-0. Steve Crawford came in and poured gas on the fire by allowing four runs to put the game out of reach. Meanwhile Ron Guidry of the Yankees held the Sox bats to just 1 earned run in 7 1/3 innings. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the eighth but couldn't deliver the knockout blow to the Yankees bullpen. The Yankees swept the Sox with a 5-3 victory at Fenway Park.

                                                                   Dammit

Clemens got the ball in the top of the first and Rickey Henderson grounded out to short to start. Don Mattingly flied out to left and Dave Winfield grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Guidry got the ball in the bottom of the first and Dwight Evans led off with a base hit off the glove of Mike Pagliarulo. Wade Boggs hit into a double play and Bill Buckner launched his bat to second base by accident before popping up to short to end the inning.

Ken Griffey walked to start the top of the second before moving to second on a balk because home plate umpire Kenny Kaiser didn't want Clemens to keep throwing over to first on a sweltering day....seriously. Sox manager John McNamara came out to yell at Kaiser before going back to the dugout disgusted. Don Baylor struck out swinging on a high fastball and Griffey moved to third on a Willie Randolph grounder to second. Butch Wynegar took strike three right down the middle to end the inning.

                                             "Its too hot for this, John" - Kaiser

Jim Rice led off the bottom of the second with a pop up to Randolph to start. Tony Armas struck out swinging on a nasty slider before Mike Easler popped up to Griffey to end the inning.

Mike Pagliarulo struck out swinging to start the top of the third before Bob Meachum grounded out to second. Henderson singled off the Monster but was thrown out at second by Rice trying to stretch a double to end the inning. Marty Barrett led off the bottom of the third with a flyout to center and Jackie Gutierrez grounded out to third. Marc Sullivan struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Yankees broke through in the top of the fourth as Mattingly ripped a base hit to center to start. Winfield grounded back to the mound but Mattingly moved to second. Griffey dumped a base hit in front of Evans and Mattingly scored to put the Yankees up for good. Baylor took a questionable strike three call on the inside corner but Griffey stole second

                                                         Yankees take the lead

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the fourth as Evans lined out to a running Griffey to start. Boggs dumped a base hit to left but Buckner grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Clemens' velocity had deteriorated by the top of the fifth although Evans made a great diving catch to rob Wynegar of extra bases. Pagliarulo and Meacham both grounded out to second to end the inning. That was it for Clemens who's shoulder gave out after allowing a run in 5 innings on 3 hits and a walk.

                                                        Bye bye Clemens

The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the fifth as Rice singled off the Monster to start. Armas chased a pitch way outside for strike three but Easler dumped a base hit to center. Barrett hit a bullet to third and Gutierrez flied out to the centerfield warning track to end the inning.

Steve Crawford came in to crap his pants in the top of the sixth although he struck out Henderson swinging to start. Mattingly singled off the Monster and Winfield tripled into the centerfield triangle to increase the lead. Griffey dumped a base hit in front of Rice....that bounced away from Jim for a "double" to score Winfield. Baylor popped up to Buckner and Randolph lined out to a running Evans to end the inning with the Yankees leading 3-0.

                                                            "Hey get back here" - Rice

The Sox got a run back in the bottom of the sixth as Sullivan walked to start. Evans missed a home run by two feet, instead doubling off the right field wall. A Sox fan then screwed the team when a fan reached into the field on a foul ball by Boggs, the umpires ruled Wade out. That proved costly as Buckner grounded out to second to score Sullivan. Rice flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox down 3-1.

                                                 Buckner drives in a run

Wynegar walked to start the top of the seventh but Pagliarulo flied out to center. Meacham flied out to right and Henderson grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the seventh as Armas grounded out to second to start. Easler struck out swinging and Barrett flied out to center to end the inning.

The Yankees iced the game in the top of the eighth as Mattingly doubled off the Monster to start. Winfield hit a chopper to short but the ball went under Gutierrez for a "double" to score Mattingly. Griffey hit a liner off the glove of Crawford for a "single" and Baylor looked to have been robbed of a hit by a diving Evans but the umpire ruled it a trap. It became a "double" for Baylor as Winfield scored on the play to increase the lead. That was it for Crawford as Bob Stanley was brought in to pitch to Randolph and Willie hit a grounder to Gutierrez who threw home to catch Griffey in a rundown but abandoned him to instead get Baylor at second instead. Wynegar went for the suicide squeeze but only missed the bunt but Griffey was tagged out to end the inning with the Yankees up 5-1.

                                                         Yankees luck never ends

The Sox rallied in the bottom of the eighth as Gutierrez flied out to right to start. Rich Gedman pinch hit for Sullivan and reached on an error by Pagliarulo to start. Evans doubled just over the head of Henderson in center and Boggs dumped an opposite field single to left to score Gedman. That was it for Guidry as Yankees manager Billy Martin brought in Bob Shirley to pitch to Buckner. Bill flied out to the centerfield wall to score Evams and bring the tying run to the plate. Martin brought in Bill Fisher to pitch to Rice who represented the tying run. Rice grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox down 5-3.

                                                               Evans scores a run

Stanley returned for the top of the ninth and Pagliarulo grounded out to short to start. Meacham foolishly tried to bunt with two strikes and fouled it off for strike three but Henderson walked. Mattingly hit a rocket to Buckner to end the inning. Fisher returned for the bottom of the ninth and Armas flied out to Winfield to start. Easler struck out swinging and Barrett also went down hacking to end the game. The Yankees completed the sweep with a 5-3 win.

                                                                Yankees win

Jackass of the Night is Steve Crawford. He allowed 4 runs in just two innings to put the game out of reach.

                                                Jackass should have stayed in the bullpen

The Good:

Dwight Evans was 3 for 4 with a run scored.

Wade Boggs was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Marc Sullivan walked and scored a run in two plate appearances.

Rich Gedman scored a run as a pinch hitter.

Bob Stanley tossed two scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Tony Armas was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Marty Barrett was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jackie Gutierrez was 0 for 3.

The Ugly:

Bill Buckner was 0 for 3 but drove in 2 runs.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4.

Mike Easler was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Roger Clemens took the loss and lasted just 5 innings while allowing 1 run on 3 hits and a walk while striking out four.

Final Thoughts:

If Clemens is gone for the season with a bad shoulder, that's it for the Sox in terms of going after the AL East this year. They're already way behind the Toronto Blue Jays and without their best pitcher, its too much of a hill to overcome. Ironically the Sox traded John Tudor before the 1984 season for Mike Easler and Tudor has won 14 games for the St. Louis Cardinals so far this season. The offense could have been a lot better this season but regressed. The trio of Bruce Hurst, Al Nipper and Bob Ojeda failed to deliver a big season and Oil Can Boyd has been mush since the All-Star break. Without Clemens, you can pretty much say goodbye to this season. Losing to the Yankees always sucks, especially since they're nowhere near the team they were in 1981. The loss dropped the Sox to 56-53, 13 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow when they welcome in the Kansas City Royals. Al Nipper (7-7) goes for the Sox against Mark Gubicza of Kansas City. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Morris, Tigers Blank Sox (6/25/85)

So much for the red hot Boston Red Sox. After winning 14 of 15 to start the month, they have certainly cooled off. After pounding the Detroit Tigers for nine runs yesterday, they got shut out today by Jack Morris. Morris tossed a complete game, 4 hit shutout while Bobby Ojeda (4-2, 3.16 ERA) pitched a gutty game but got no run support. Darrell Evans clobbered a two run home run in the fourth inning and Tom Brookens knocked in a run in the eighth inning. That's all Detroit needed as they beat the Red Sox 3-0 at Fenway Park. How many runs did the Sox score, Dean Wormer?

Ojeda got the ball in the top of the first inning and Lou Whitaker smacked an opposite field double to the Monster to start. Alan Trammell hit a broken bat grounder to short and Kirk Gibson struck out swinging on a full count fastball. Lance Parrish hit a bullet....right to Wade Boggs to end the inning. Morris got the ball in the bottom of the first and Steve Lyons grounded a base hit up the middle. Boggs singled in the hole at third but Jim Rice grounded into a double play. Lyons did advance to third but Bill Buckner grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox would get just two hits the rest of the game.

The Tigers blew a rally in the top of the second as Larry Herndon walked to start. Chet Lemon ripped a base hit to left and Evans caught the Sox asleep with a bunt down the third base line. Ojeda fielded it but Boggs had ran in too so nobody covered third. Boggs made up for it with a great play on a grounder by Barbaro Garvey to come home for the force. Tom Brookens popped up to Buckner and Whitaker took strike three on the outside corner to end the inning. Mike Easler struck out swinging to start the bottom of the second before Dwight Evans doubled off the Monster. Rich Gedman grounded out to first to move Evans to third but Marty Barrett flied out to right to end the inning.

Trammell lined one off the glove of Boggs for a "hit" to start the top of the third but Gibson struck out swinging. Parrish flied out to right and Herndon took strike three to end the inning. Glenn Hoffman grounded out to short to start. Lyons popped up to third in foul territory and Boggs grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Tigers struck first in the top of the fourth as Lemon ripped a base hit to left before Evans clobbered a home run all the way into the Charles River to give Detroit the lead. Garbey walked but Brookens flied out to a running Lyons. Whitaker dumped a base hit just in front of Lyons but Garbey was picked off second to end the inning with Detroit up 2-0.

                                                        "Damn you Evans" - Ojeda

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the fourth as Rice grounded out to third to start. Buckner grounded out to short and Easler lined out to a running Lemon to end the inning.

Gibson smashed a double to right to start the top of the fifth but Parrish grounded out to short. Herndon flied out to deep right and it was enough to move Gibson to third. Lemon also flied out to right to end the inning. Evans led off the bottom of the fifth by grounding out to third before Gedman flied out into the centerfield triangle. Barrett flied out to right to end the inning.

Ojeda stayed strong in the top of the sixth as Evans took strike three to start. Garbey popped up to second and Brookens grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox blew their last chance to get back in the game in the bottom of the sixth as Hoffman doubled to the Monster to start. Lyons struck out swinging on a pitch in the dirt and Boggs flied out to left. Hoffman moved to third on a wild pitch but Rice grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Tigers threatened in the top of the seventh as Whitaker lined a base hit up the middle to start. Trammell dropped down a bunt to move Whitaker to second but Gibson struck out swinging. Parrish was intentionally walked but Herndon also struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox failed to pick up Ojeda in the bottom of the seventh as Buckner flied out to left to start. Easler hit a bullet right to Darrell Evans but Dwight Evans drew a walk. Gedman flied out to left to end the inning.

The Tigers finally knocked out Ojeda in the top of the eighth although Evans made a running catch to rob Lemon of a double to start. Hoffman made a great stab of a Darrell Evans liner but Garbey doubled off the Monster to chase Ojeda. Bobby tossed 7 2/3 innings and would be charged with 3 runs on 10 hits. Sox manager John McNamara waited until the last second then brought in Mark Clear to pitch to Brookens. The gamble failed as Brookens dunped a base hit in front of Rice. Garbey turned and ran for home and Rice had him beat....if the throw didn't bounce 30 feet from home plate for an error to score Barbaro. Whitaker grounded back to Clear to end the inning but the damage was done, 3-0 Tigers.

                                                         Ojeda deserved better

The Sox went into the tank in the bottom of the eighth inning as Barrett lined out to short to start. Hoffman whiffed badly on a pitch in the dirt and Lyons grounded out to second to end the inning.

Clear returned for the top of the ninth and Trammell popped up to Buckner to start. Gibson lined out to Hoffman and Parrish popped up to Barrett to end the inning. Morris came back to complete the game in the bottom of the ninth but Boggs walked to start. Rice completed his horrible day by banging into a double play. Buckner popped up to third in foul territory to end the game. The Tigers had won it 3-0.

                                                            Complete game for Morris

Jackass of the Night is Jim Rice. He was 0 for 4, grounded into two double plays, made a critical throwing error and left a man at third.

                                               Jackass couldn't hit or throw in this one

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Dwight Evans was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Glenn Hoffman was 1 for 3.

The Bad:

Bill Buckner was 0 for 4.

Mike Easler was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Rich Gedman was 0 for 3.

Marty Barrett was 0 for 3.

The Ugly:

Steve Lyons was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Bobby Ojeda took the loss but allowed just 3 runs in  7 2/3 innings. He allowed 10 hits and 3 walks while striking out 7.

Mark Clear allowed an inherited runner to score but allowed no runs of his own in 1 1/3 innings.

Final Thoughts:

That game sucked for the Red Sox. Morris totally dominated them after the second inning and Ojeda did the best he could. Jim Rice had his worst game as a professional as he left men on base all game and his throwing error led to the dagger run scoring. Still, doesn't matter if it was 2-0 or 20-0, nobody was touching Morris after the second inning. The problem with the Sox offense is its too inconsistent. Tony Armas not playing didn't help but otherwise, they ran into one of the best in the game tonight. Ojeda did the best he could and Clear held the fort as well, but sometimes there's nothing you can do. The loss dropped the Sox to 37-32, six games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow night when Al Nipper (4-5) takes on Randy O'Neal of Detroit. The game begins at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Beat Yankees in 11 Innings (4/23/85)

The bad news was the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of their first round NBA playoff series but the good news was the Boston Red Sox knocked off the New York Yankees in extra innings. The Sox jumped out to a 3-0 lead on Joe Cowley and the Yankees but New York fought back to score two runs against Oil Can Boyd. Dwight Evans drew a bases loaded walk but the Yankees tied it by knocking out Boyd in the seventh and getting a run off Bob Stanley in the eighth. In the top of the eleventh, Evans knocked in Barrett to give the Sox the lead and Bob Ojeda (2-0, 2.35 ERA) slammed the door to win the game for the Sox 5-4 in 11 innings at Yankee Stadium.

                                                    Donna Smith approves of the win

Cowley got the ball in the top of the first instead of the sick Dennis Rasmussen and Wade Boggs walked on a pitch to the backstop to start. Dwight Evans walked but Jim Rice struck out swinging. Mike Easler grounded into a double play to end the inning. Boyd got the ball in the bottom of the first and Rickey Henderson made his season debut by popping up to third to start. Willie Randolph drew a full count walk but Don Mattingly struck out swinging. Dave Winfield popped up to right to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the second as Tony Armas golfed a base hit past Bob Meachem to start. Bill Buckner drew a walk but was forced at second by Rich Gedman to put runners at the corners. Marty Barrett scored Armas hit a sac fly to score Armas to put the Sox on top. Jackie Gutierrez sliced a base hit to right but Boggs flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                          Armas scores the first run

Don Baylor led off the bottom of the second by striking out swinging on a big curveball to start. Ken Griffey flied out to right but Mike Pagliarulo walked. Butch Wynegar grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the third inning although Evans struck out swinging to start. Rice also went down hacking but Easler cranked his second home run of the season to right to increase the lead. Armas popped up to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                  Easler goes deep

Meachem led off the bottom of the third with a bloop hit to left and moved to second on the Henderson grounder to third. Randolph grounded back to the mound and Mattingly struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fourth as Randolph knocked down a Buckner grounder and threw him out to start. Gedman popped up to short and Barrett popped up to center to end the inning. Winfield hit one up the elevator shaft to start the bottom of the fourth before Baylor flied out to left. Griffey flied out to right to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the fifth as Gutierrez singled off the glove of Meachem to begin. Gutierrez took off for second and Wynegar bounced the throw into center to advance Jackie to third on the error. Boggs scored Gutierrez with a sac fly to left to increase the lead but Evans grounded out to second. Rice flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                        Sac fly for Boggs

The Yankees threatened in the bottom of the fifth as Pagliarulo doubled to the right field wall to start. Wynegar flied out into the right field corner and Evans told the umpires that somebody threw trash at him while he was trying to make the catch. Meachem caught Boyd asleep with a bunt single to put runners at the corners. Henderson popped up to Buckner and Randolph flied out to the left field warning track to end the inning.

                               "There, that linguini eating stugotz, that's the one!" - Evans

Bob Shirley replaced Cowley to start the top of the sixth and Easler grounded out to short to start. Armas flied out to center and Buckner struck out swinging to end the inning. The Yankees began their comeback in the bottom of the sixth although Mattingly lined out to short to start. Winfield singled over the head of Gutierrez and Baylor hit a hanging curve into the left field stands to cut the lead. Griffey flied out to deep right and a fan tried to throw beer at Evans making the catch. Alert Yankee Stadium security seized the beer thrower and wrestled him to the ground. Pagliarulo struck out swinging to end the inning but the Yankees were back in it down 3-2.

                                                       Baylor takes Boyd deep

The Sox answered in the top of the seventh as Gedman singled down the first base line to start. Barrett dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Gedman to second and Randolph booted a grounder by Gutierrez for an error. Boggs walked to load the bases and Evans walked to score Gedman with another run. With a chance to break the game open....Rice banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox led 4-2 but the double play cost them dearly.

                                                       Gedman scores on a walk

The Yankees knocked Boyd out in the bottom of the seventh although Wynegar popped up to first to start. Meachem walked and Henderson singled down the left field line to chase Boyd. Bob Stanley replaced Boyd and Randolph forced Henderson at second, but Mattingly singled home Meachem to cut the lead. Winfield went down swinging to end the inning with the Yankees down 4-3.

                                                   Boyd leaves with the lead

Easler hit a routine pop up to Griffey who dropped it for an error to leave Mike at second base to start the top of the eighth. Armas grounded out to short and Meachem dove into the stands to catch a pop up by Buckner. Gedman struck out swinging to end the inning. The Yankees tied it in the bottom of the eighth although Baylor grounded out to second to start. Griffey and Pagliarulo drew back to back walks before Wynegar doubled to right to score Griffey to tie the game. Meachem was intentionally walked and Henderson banged into a double play to end the inning with the game tied 4-4.

                                                        Tie game

Barrett hit a routine grounder to Meachem who booted it for an error to start the top of the ninth. Gutierrez moved Barrett to second with a sacrifice bunt and Dave Righetti came in to pitch. Boggs and Evans both struck out swinging to end the inning. Stanley cruised in the bottom of the ninth as Randolph struck out swinging to start. Mattingly popped up to short and Winfield flied out to a running Rice to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the tenth as Rice grounded back to the mound to start. Easler struck out swinging but Armas ripped a base hit to left. Steve Lyons pinch ran for Armas and Buckner sliced a base hit to left to advance Steve to third. Reid Nichols pinch hit for Gedman but grounded out to third to end the inning. Baylor struck out swinging to start the bottom of the tenth with Marc Sullivan now behind the plate. All of a sudden Sox manager John McNamara brought in Bob Ojeda to pitch and Griffey flied out to left. Pagliarulo struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox rallied against Righetti in the top of the eleventh as Barrett lined a base hit to center to begin. Gutierrez dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Marty to second and Boggs singled in the hole at short to put runners at the corners. Evans slashed a base hit to left to score Barrett to give the Sox the lead. Rice banged into a double play to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 5-4.

                                                          Evans with the go-ahead hit

Ojeda came back to close out the bottom of the eleventh but Wynegar lined a base hit to right to start. Henry Cotto pinch ran for Wynegar and Meachem sacrificed Henry to second. Henderson lined out to short and Randolph grounded out to second to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-4 in 11 innings.

Hero of the Night is Dwight Evans. His rbi single in the eleventh inning was the difference in the game.

                                                                 Dwight Hero

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and an rbi.

Tony Armas was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Marty Barrett was 1 for 3 with an rbi and a run scored.

Jackie Gutierrez was 2 for 3 with a stolen base and a run scored.

Oil Can Boyd pitched well, allowing just 3 runs in 6 1/3 innings. He allowed 6 hits and 3 walks.

Bob Ojeda got the win with 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Jim Rice was 0 for 6 with 2 strikeouts.

Reid Nichols grounded out as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

Mike Easler was just 1 for 5 but the one hit was a home run.

Bill Buckner was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked.

Rich Gedman was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Bob Stanley allowed an inherited runner to score and one of his own in 3 innings of work.

Honorable Mention:

Steve Lyons pinch ran for Armas and played center in the final inning.

Marc Sullivan caught the final two innings.

Final Thoughts:

It wasn't easy but a win is a win, especially on the road. The Sox could have broken this game open when it was 4-2 but instead the Yankees came back to tie the game. Hats off to the Sox to keep the game tied after that with Stanley and Ojeda giving New York nothing after the eighth inning. Evans had an eventful night dealing with rowdy fans and still managed to deliver the game winning hit. The Sox are treading water in April and hopefully their pitching can hold up the whole season to match the offense. Boyd looked good tonight and its a shame Stanley couldn't hold the lead. Ojeda coming out of the bullpen was interesting but at least it worked tonight. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the Yankees tomorrow night when Al Nipper takes the mound against Ron Guidry of New York. The game begins at 7:00 PM at Yankee Stadium.