Terrell, Yankees Blank Sox (9/27/89)

Its only fitting for a schizophrenic team like the Boston Red Sox to head to the end of the season with one of the most pathetic losses all season. Its one thing to get shut out by a great pitcher like Nolan Ryan, Jack Morris or Dave Stewart....its another to get completely shut down by a guy who's lost EIGHTEEN games this season. Walt Terrell of the New York Yankees has been complete batting practice this season but he gave the Red Sox a middle finger for them to sit and spin on in tonight's game. Terrell threw a complete game 5 hit shutout, blanking the Jekyll & Hyde Sox in the middle of a September hot streak. John Dopson (11-8, 4.08 ERA) pitched admirably in defeat, allowing just 3 runs as he went the distance as well. The Sox have had a lot of losses this season but this one was humiliating as the Yankees blanked them 3-0 at Fenway Park. How many runs did the Sox score Dean Wormer?

Dopson took the mound in the top of the first inning and Steve Sax grounded out to third to start. Luis Polonia lined out to center and Don Mattingly grounded out to first to end the inning. Terrell cruised in the bottom of the first as Wade Boggs led off with a grounder to second. Marty Barrett grounded back to the mound and Dwight Evans struck out swinging to end the inning.

Mel Hall struck out swinging to open the top of the second before Jesse Barfield also went down hacking. Roberto Kelly grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the second as Alvaro Espinoza booted a Mike Greenwell grounder to start. Nick Esasky singled to second but Danny Heep banged into a double play. Luis Rivera grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Yankees struck first in the top of the third as Mike Blowers walked to start. Espinoza moved Blowers to second on a grounder to third but Brian Dorsett singled to center to score Mike. Sax hit a routine grounder to Rivera who threw his glove at the ball and started wrestling with second base for an error to put runners at the corners. Polonia hit into a double play to end the inning with the Yankees up 1-0.

                                                               Dorsett drives in a run

The Red Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the third as Kevin Romine grounded out to first to start. John Marzano grounded out to second and Boggs grounded out to first to end the inning.

Mattingly flied out to center to start the top of the fourth before Hall grounded out to second. Barfield grounded out to short to end the inning. Barrett was plunked to start the bottom of the fourth but was thrown out trying to steal on the Evans swinging strikeout. Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning.

Dopson cruised in the top of the fifth as Kelly grounded out to short to start. Blowers took strike three and Espinoza grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Esasky blooped a single to right to begin the bottom of the fifth but Heep forced him at second. Rivera forced Heep at second but Romine beat out a roller just past Terrell. Marzano grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Yankees struck again in the top of the sixth as Dorsett singled to center to start. Dorsett moved to second on a wild pitch and Sax ripped a base hit to center. Dorsett teased going home and Sax took second on the throw home. Polonia hit a sac fly to score Dorsett to increase the lead but Mattingly grounded out to second. Hall also grounded out to second to end the inning with the Yankees up 2-0.

                                                            Polonia drives in a run

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the sixth as Boggs grounded out to short to start. Barrett flied out to right and Evans grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Yankees iced the game in the top of the seventh as Barfield smashed a home run all the way to Claypit Pond to increase the lead. Kelly grounded out to short, Blowers struck out swinging and Espinoza took strike three to end the inning with the Yankees up 3-0.

                                                        No run support for Dopson

Greenwell tried to start a rally with a base hit to right to begin the bottom of the seventh but Esasky flied out to center. Heep grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Dopson rebounded in the top of the eighth as Dorsett grounded out to short to start. Sax grounded back to the mound and Polonia popped up to center to end the inning. Rivera singled to center to start the bottom of the eighth and Jeff Stone pinch hit for Romine. Stone lined out to left and Sam Horn pinch hit for Marzano. Rivera moved to second on the grounder to second by Horn but Boggs grounded out to short to end the inning.

Dopson returned for the top of the ninth inning with Rick Cerone now behind the plate. Mattingly grounded back to the mound but Hall singled to center. Hall was doubled off first on the line drive to Boggs to end the inning. Dopson had thrown a complete game while allowing 3 runs, 9 times out of 10 that's good enough to win.

                                                     Complete game for Dopson

Wayne Tolleson took over at second for Sax for the bottom of the ninth and Barrett grounded out to short to start. Jody Reed pinch hit for Evans and struck out swinging before Greenwell popped up to third in foul territory to end the game. Terrell had thrown a complete game shutout and beat the Sox 3-0.

Jackass of the Night is Danny Heep. He was 0 for 3 including hitting into a double play with 2 men on when the game was in reach.

                                                             A Heep of Jackass

The Good:

Nick Esasky was 2 for 3.

Kevin Romine was 1 for 2.

One of the rare times the losing pitcher ends up on the Good list but John Dopson threw a complete game 5 hitter, allowing just 3 runs while walking 1 batter.

The Bad:

Wade Boggs was 0 for 4.

Dwight Evans was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Jody Reed struck out as a pinch hitter.

Jeff Stone was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

John Marzano was 0 for 2.

Sam Horn was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

Marty Barrett was 0 for 3 but was hit with a pitch.

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 4.

Luis Rivera was 1 for 3 but committed an error.

Honorable Mention:

Rick Cerone caught the last inning.

Final Thoughts:

If the Red Sox didn't crap the bed on the west coast trip where they went 1-9, the Sox would be right there with the Toronto Blue Jays with just four games left in the season. As it is, they're mathematically eliminated and are just playing out the string. If going 1-9 against the west coast teams wasn't bad enough, tonight they got shutout by a guy who lost 18 games this season. Its one thing to lose a slugfest, its another to get shutout. I know Terrell wasn't as bad as his record indicates but this was still embarrassing. In a season that had more drama than fun, hopefully next year won't be such a headache for everyone involved. The less said of this disaster, the better. The loss drops the Sox to 80-78, tied with the Milwaukee Brewers for third place in the AL East. The Sox now welcome the Brewers for a four game showdown to end the regular season. Only thing left to play for is who finishes third place and tomorrow night Mike Boddicker makes his last start of the season up against Don August of Milwaukee. The makeup game from July 5th begins at 7:35 PM at Fenway Park.

Clemens, Sox Beat Yankees (9/25/89)

This season has been an epic disaster for the Boston Red Sox but thankfully Roger Clemens (17-10, 3.17 ERA) is still with the team. Clemens was mortal tonight against the New York Yankees, allowing 4 runs and 11 hits against the Yankees in 6 innings of work. Thankfully the offense came to play in this one. The bats knocked Yankees starter Kevin Mmahat in the second inning and pounded out 7 runs off 12 hits. Dwight Evans got the party started with a 3 run homer in the first inning and Mike Greenwell drove in a few runs of his own. The Sox are trying to end the season on a hot streak and they beat the Yankees 7-4 at Fenway Park.

                                                         Gianna Amore approves of the win

The Yankees wasted no time getting to Clemens in the top of the first inning as Steve Sax singled to right to start. Luis Polonia doubled to left and Sax scored on the rbi groundout by Don Mattingly. Mel Hall lined out to second but Jesse Barfield singled to center to score Polonia. Randy Velarde singled in the hole at second but Roberto Kelly struck out swinging to end the inning with the Yankees up 2-0.

                                                     Barfield puts the Yankees up two runs

The Sox answered against Mmahat in the bottom of the first inning as Wade Boggs singled to left to start. Jody Reed walked and Dwight Evans smashed his 20th home run of the season to put the Sox on top. Mike Greenwell and Nick Esasky drew back to back walks but Nick was erased on a force by Carlos Quintana. Kevin Romine hit a sac fly to score Greenwell but Rivera flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-2.

                                                             3 run homer for Evans

Clemens settled down in the top of the second inning as Bob Geren struck out swinging to start. Alvaro Espinoza grounded out to second but Sax singled to center. Sax was thrown out trying to steal second to end the inning. The Sox knocked out Mmahat in the bottom of the second inning as Rick Cerone flied out to center to start. Boggs singled to center, Reed walked and Evans singled to left to load the bases. Greenwell scored Boggs by beating out a double play ball to increase the lead. Esasky walked to reload the bases and that was it for Mmahat. Danny Heep pinch hit for the injured Quintana and Clay Parker came in to pitch. Heep flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-2.

                                                           Greenwell drives in a run

The Yankees tagged Clemens in the top of the third inning as Polonia singled to center to start. Mattingly singled to center to move Polonia to third, Don taking second on the throw. Hall grounded out to second to score Polonia to cut the lead but Mattingly was thrown out at home on a grounder to Clemens by Barfield. Velarde singled to right but Kelly grounded out to third to end the inning with the Yankees down 5-3.

                                                                   Hall drives in a run

The Sox answered in the bottom of the third as Romine grounded out to short to start. Rivera flied out to left and Cerone hit a routine grounder to Espinoza....thrown away for an error to move Rick to second. Boggs doubled to center to score Cerone but Reed grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 6-3.

                                                             Boggs drives in a run

Geren singled to center to start the top of the fourth but Espinoza struck out swinging. Sax singled to right but Polonia banged into a double play to end the inning. Evans walked to start the bottom of the fourth but Greenwell hit into a double play. Esasky grounded out to short to end the inning.

Mattingly lined out to right to start the top of the fifth but Hall popped up to third. Barfield struck out swinging to end the inning. Heep lined out to center to start the bottom of the fifth before Romine lined out to short. Rivera singled to left but Cerone grounded out to second.

Velarde grounded out to second to start the top of the sixth but Kelly struck out swinging. Green struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox got another run in the bottom of the sixth as Boggs grounded out to short to start. Reed and Evans stroked back to back singles and Greenwell doubled home Reed to increase the lead. Esasky walked but Heep banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-3.

                                                      Greenwell drives in another run

Jeff Stone came in for Heep to start the top of the seventh and Espinoza hit a routine grounder to Reed to start. Reed kicked the ball and gave it the finger for an error then Espinoza took second on a wild pitch. Sax beat out an infield single to Cerone to put runners at the corners and that was it for Clemens. Roger was mortal tonight but still left with the lead. Steve Balboni pinch hit for Polonia and Rob Murphy sprinted from the bullpen to pitch to him. Balboni banged into a double play to score Espinoza and Mattingly grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-4.

                                                                  Clemens was mortal

Romine grounded out to second to start the bottom of the seventh but Rivera singled to left. Cerone took strike three but Boggs singled to left. Reed struck out swinging to end the inning.

Murphy made a mad dash to the mound just to get Hall to ground out to first leading off the top of the eighth. Murphy bolted into the dugout and into the clubhouse as closer Lee Smith came in for the 5 out save. Barfield struck out swinging and Velarde took strike three to end the inning. Evans singled in the hole at third to start the bottom of the eighth to chase Parker from the game. Lee Guetterman came in to pitch and Evans took second on a wild pitch. Greenwell struck out swinging and Esasky was intentionally walked. Stone banged into a double play to end the inning.

Smith returned to close out the top of the ninth and Kelly hit a little roller to Rivera. Luis dropped an elbow on the ball and pinned it for an error but Green struck out swinging. Espinoza struck out swinging and Sax grounded into a force to end the game. The Sox had won it 7-4.

 

Hero of the Night is Dwight Evans. This 3 run homer gave the Sox the lead they wouldn't relinquish.

                                                                  Hero Evans

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 4 for 5 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Jody Reed was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored.

Nick Esasky walked 4 times.

Luis Rivera was 2 for 4.

Rob Murphy tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Lee Smith earned his 25th save with 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Carlos Quintana was 0 for 1 before leaving the game.

Danny Heep was 0 for 3.

Jeff Stone was 0 for 1.

The Ugly:

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked, drove in 2 runs and scored a run.

Kevin Romine was 0 for 3 but drove in a run.

Rick Cerone was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Roger Clemens got the win but allowed 4 runs in 6 plus innings of work while allowing 11 hits.

Final Thoughts:

Clemens wasn't his usual self tonight and could be running out of gas this season. Thankfully we're at the end so he has all winter to rest. After Bruce Hurst left in free agency after the Wade Boggs trainwreck, who can blame him now? The team self destructed with bickering, locker room cliques and really bad pitching. Even Clemens suffered this season as he posted his highest ERA since 1985. Still, Rob Murphy and Lee Smith solidified a bullpen that can help more often to not if the starting rotation doesn't throw up on themselves. The Sox have a lot of work to do in the off-season to get back to where they were in 86 and 88. As for this game? Meh, who cares. At least the Sox have a chance to finish above .500....yay. The win improved the Sox to 79-77, tied with the Milwaukee Brewers for third place in the AL East. The Sox take on the Yankees again tomorrow night when Eric Hetzel (1-3) takes on Andy Hawkins of New York. The game begins at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Rout Angels in Nightcap (8/29/89)

Watch out for those Boston Red Sox. For the second straight game the Sox demolished the California Angels. In the afternoon game it was the Dwight Evans show but in the nightcap everyone on offense pitched in. Eric Hetzel didn't make it out of the fifth inning but Bob Stanley (5-2, 4.64 ERA) was there to quell the uprising. The Sox pounded out 16 hits and 13 runs to crush the Angels 13-5 at Fenway Park for their ninth straight win.

                                                        Ira Flagstead approves of the win

The Angels struck first in the top of the first inning against Hetzel as Claudell Washington led off with with a walk. Washington stole second but Bobby Rose struck out swinging. Washington stole third and scored on the Chili Davis sac fly. Wally Joyner walked but Brian Downing grounded out to short to end the inning with the Angels up 1-0.

The Sox attacked the Angels in the bottom of the first for the second straight game. Angels starter Dan Petry allowed a leadoff single to Wade Boggs but Jody Reed lined out to left. Ellis Burks got a base hit and Mike Greenwell doubled home both men to give the Sox the lead. Greenwell moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on the Nick Esasky single. Danny Heep flied out to center but Evans doubled Nick to third. Luis Rivera whiffed to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 3-1.

                                                       Greenwell drives in two

Old pal Tony Armas led off the top of the second by flying out to center before Bill Schroeder flied out to left. Jack Howell singled to right and old friend Glenn Hoffman lined out to center to end the inning.

                                                     Welcome back Tony

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the second inning as Rick Cerone grounded out to second to start. Wade Boggs grounded out to short before Reed grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Angels came back in the top of the third inning as Washington singled to right to start. Rose whiffed but Washington took second on a balk. Davis flied out to center but Joyner singled home Washington. A wild pitch moved Joyner to second before Downing walk. ANOTHER wild pitch moved the runners over but Armas flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox still ahead 3-2.

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the third as Burks lined out to center to start. Greenwell singled to right but Esasky popped up to second. Greenwell swiped second before Heep lined out to second to end the inning.

Schroeder singled to left to start the top of the fourth but Howell struck out swinging. Reed booted a ball to allow Hoffman to reach but Washington whiffed. Rose popped up to first to end the inning.

                                                      Welcome back Glenn

The Sox exploded in the bottom of the fourth inning as Evans walked to start. Rivera flied out to right but Cerone walked. Boggs singled to left to load the bases and Willie Fraser poured gas on the fire for the Angels. Reed singled home Evans and reload the bases then Burks singled home Cerone and Boggs. Greenwell was intentionally walked and Esasky walked in a run to reload the bases. A wild pitch scored Burks and moved everyone up and Heep got a base hit to drive home Greenwell and Esasky. Greenwell took second on a wild pitch as Evans singled to center to bat around. Rivera singled home Heep and move Evans to third and Dwight scored on the Cerone ground out. Boggs beat out an infield single to second and Reed was plunked to load the bases again. Burks lined out to right to end the inning but the Sox scored 9 runs to take a 12-2 lead.

                                                         Evans gets the party started

The Angels refused to go quietly in the top of the fifth and Davis singled to center to start. Joyner whiffed but Downing walked. Armas gave his former club the bird when he swatted a three run home run to chase the ineffective Hetzel, Eric failed to last 5 innings and gave up 5 runs. Bob Stanley came in and Schroeder grounded out to third to begin. Howell lined out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 12-5.

                                                       A flop by Eric

Bob McClure came in for the bottom of the fifth and Greenwell whiffed to start. Esasky singled and Heep singled him to third before Nick scored on the Evans sac fly. Rivera grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 13-5.

                                                           Esasky scores a run

Stanley cruised in the top of the sixth inning as Hoffman grounded out to short to start. Washington grounded back to the mound before Rose took strike three to end the inning. The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the sixth with Greg Minton on the mound and Kent Anderson coming in for Washington. Cerone and Boggs grounded back to the mound and Reed was retired on a squibber up the first base line to end the inning.

Davis looked at strike three to start the top of the seventh before Joyner lined out to right. Downing and Armas stroked back to back singles before Schroeder grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the seventh as Burks grounded out to second to start. Greenwell grounded out to short and Esasky singled to left. Heep grounded out to first to end the inning.

Stanley returned for the top of the eighth and Howell grounded out to second before Hoffman grounded out to short. Anderson flied out to center to end the inning. All of a sudden the rains game to delay the game. The umpires got together with the managers and mercifully called the game. The Sox had won it 13-5.

Hero of the Night is Mike Greenwell. He put the Sox on top in the first inning and they never looked back.

                                                         Greenwell is the Hero


The Good:

Wade Boggs was 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

Ellis Burks was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Nick Esasky was 3 for 4 with a walk, 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Danny Heep was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Dwight Evans was 1 for 2 with a walk, rbi and 2 runs scored.

Bob Stanley got the win with 3 2/3 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Eric Hetzel allowed 5 runs in just 4 1/3 innings.



The Ugly:

Jody Reed was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored.

Luis Rivera was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Rick Cerone was 0 for 3 but walked, drove in a run and scored.




Final Thoughts:

Could Morgan Magic be striking twice? The Sox have won 9 straight game to get them back in earshot of the AL East lead. This year would be even more impressive than last year since Bruce Hurst is gone. If the Sox can do it with Roger Clemens, Mike Boddicker and pray....this would be the most improbable season since 1967. There's a long way to go but the Sox seem to have found their rhythm. Hetzel sucked but Stanley saved the day and the offense produced big time. The win improved the Sox to 67-65, 4 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Sox look to make it ten straight games when they send John Dopson (9-5) to the mound to take on Jim Abbott at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Top Angels in Game 1 (8/29/89)

Better late than never when it comes to the Boston Red Sox. After floundering for most of the season the Sox are on a recent hot streak. Today the Sox are playing a day/night doubleheader against the California Angels and they took the first game to run their win streak to 8 straight games. The Sox jumped on Angels ace Bert Blyleven for 5 first inning runs and never looked back. Sox starter Mike Smithson got knocked out in the third inning but Dennis Lamp (3-1, 2.64 ERA) and Joe Price saved the day with 6 solid innings. The Sox head to the nightcap with an 8-4 victory over the Angels.

                                                 8 in a row...ah ah ah!

Smithson got the ball in the top of the first inning and Devon White grounded out to second to begin. Claudell Washington grounded out to first. Johnny Ray grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox pounded Blyleven in the first inning as Wade Boggs doubled to center to start. Marty Barrett singled Wade to third and Ellis Burks beat out a double play ball to score Boggs with the first run. Mike Greenwell walked but Nick Esasky whiffed. Danny Heep scored Burks with a double and Dwight Evans pounded his 15th home run of the season to cap off the inning. Jody Reed flied out to left to end the inning but the Sox led 5-0.

                                                    Heep drives in a run

The Angels answered in the top of the second inning although Wally Joyner grounded out to first to start. Chili Davis singled to center and Brian Downing doubled Davis to third. Lance Parrish grounded out to short but Davis scored a run. Jack Howell scored Downing with a single before Kent Anderson got a base hit as well. White grounded out to second to end the inning but the Angels were down 5-2.

The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the second as Rich Gedman struck out swinging to start. Boggs grounded out to short before Barrett flied out to center to end the inning.

The Angels struck again in the top of the third inning as Washington doubled to left to begin. Washington moved to third on the grounder by Ray and Joyner singled him home. Davis took strike three but Reed booted a ball by Downing to allow him a reach. Sox manager Joe Morgan had enough of Smithson and brought in Dennis Lamp to put out the fire. Parrish flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox still up 5-3.

                                             Smithson doesn't last long

The Sox took command in the bottom of the third although Burks lined out to short to start. Greenwell singled and Esasky hit a ground rule double into the third base stands. Heep grounded out to second but Greenwell scored and Esasky moved to third. Evans singled home Esasky for his 4th rbi of the day. Reed flied out to left to end the inning but it was now 7-3 Sox.

                                                       Evans is on fire

Lamp cruised in the top of the fourth inning and Howell grounded out to second to start. Anderson popped up to second and White grounded out to short to end the inning.

Rick Monteleone came in to bitch the bottom of the fourth and the Sox wrapped up the scoring. Gedman singled to center and Boggs doubled Rich home. Barrett dropped down a bunt to move Boggs to third but Burks grounded out to short. Greenwell grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-3.

                                                         Boggs drives in a run

Lamp dominated the top of the fifth as Washington grounded out to first to start. Ray singled to right but Joyner banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox threatened in the bottom of the fifth although Esasky whiffed to start. Heep grounded out to first but Evans and Reed stroked back to back singles. Gedman grounded out to second to end the inning.

Kevin Romine took over for Heep in right to start the top of the sixth and Davis singled to left to begin. Davis moved to second on the grounder by Downing and to third on the grounder by Parrish. Howell whiffed to end the inning. Nothing happened in the bottom of the sixth as Boggs grounded out to second to start. Barrett popped up to second but Burks singled to center. Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning.

Lamp returned for the top of the seventh and froze Anderson for strike three. White singled to center but was thrown out trying to stretch a double. Sox manager Joe Morgan felt that was good enough for Lamp who saved the day with 4 scoreless innings. Joe Price came in and served up back to back base hits for Washington and Ray before Joyner took strike three to end the inning.

                                                           Outstanding effort by Lamp

The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the seventh as Esasky popped up to short to start. Romine whiffed before Evans popped up to second to end the inning.

Price cruised in the top of the eighth as Davis whiffed to start. Downing and Parrish both flied out to center to end the inning. Reed singled to center to start the bottom of the eighth but Gedman banged into a double play. Barrett walked but Burks grounded into a force to end the inning.

The Angels had a last gasp against Price in the top of the ninth although Howell whiffed to start. Anderson singled to center but White whiffed. Washington doubled home Anderson before Ray walked. Joyner whiffed to end the game with the Sox taking the day game of his doubleheader 8-4.

Hero of the Night is Dennis Lamp. He allowed just 3 hits in 4 scoreless innings as the Sox offense tacked on enough runs to win.

                                                       Lamp is the Hero



The Good:

Wade Boggs was 3 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Marty Barrett was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Mike Greenwell was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Danny Heep was 1 for 3 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Dwight Evans was 3 for 4 with 4 total rbis and a 3 run homer.

Jody Reed was 2 for 4.



The Bad:

Kevin Romine was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Mike Smithson allowed 3 runs in 2 2/3 innings.



The Ugly:

Ellis Burks was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run and scored.

Joe Price allowed a run in 2 1/3 innings.

Nick Esasky was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

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




Final Thoughts:

Don't look now but the Sox have won 8 games in a row. 2 weeks ago they were hopelessly out of contention but they're starting to get back in it. Morgan Magic may be repeating two years in a row. The offense stepped up big time and Lamp was outstanding in relief of Smithson. Taking the first game of a doubleheader is always important because it forces the other team to play behind the 8-ball going into the nightcap. It was a good win and the Sox need to win tonight to keep the momentum going. The win improved the Sox to 67-66, 4.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. Tonight Eric Hetzel gets the start for the Sox opposite Dan Petry at 8:20 PM at Fenway Park.

Yaz Inducted into HoF, Sox Beat White Sox (7/24/89)

It was a special day for Boston Red Sox fans as Carl Yastrzmeski was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame today. He needed just 6 years after he retired to be enshrined into Cooperstown and now he takes his place alongside Ted Williams in baseball immortality. As for the game itself, current future hall of famer Roger Clemens (11-7, 3.21 ERA) brought the Sox a game closer to .500 with his 11th win of the season. Clemens outwitted the Chicago White Sox, surrendering just 1 run in 7 innings of work. Randy Kutcher drove in more runs by himself than the entire White Sox team, Nick Esasky hit a home run and the BoSox knocked off the White Sox 8-2 in an economical 2 hours an 34 minutes at Fenway Park.

                                             Yaz approves of the win and his HoF plaque

The White Sox got to Clemens first in the top of the first inning as Dave Gallagher singled to right to start. Steve Lyons sacrificed him to second and Dave moved to third on the Harold Baines grounder. Ivan Calderon tripled home Gallagher to put Chicago on top. Dan Pasqua walked but Carlton Fisk grounded out to second to end the inning with the ChiSox up 1-0.

                                                   Clemens watches the triple fly

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt against Chicago starter Steve Rosenberg in the bottom of the first inning. Wade Boggs grounded out to third, Luis Rivera also grounded out to third and Kevin Romine grounded out to short to end the inning.

Clemens found his groove in the top of the second inning as he blew away Daryl Boston to start. Carlos Martinez took strike three but Ozzie Guillen beat out an infield single. Guillen was thrown out at second trying to steal by the alert Rick Cerone to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the second as Mike Greenwell hit a grounder up the middle for a base hit to start. Nick Esasky flied out to right but Jim Rice also singled to center. Randy Kutcher broke his bat on a blooper to right that scored Greenwell to tie the game and Cerone doubled home Rice. Ed Romero scored Kutcher with a sac fly and Boggs got a base hit to left. Rivera flied out to left to end the inning but it was 3-1 Red Sox.

                                                                Kutcher drives in a run

Gallagher flied out to right to start the top of the third inning before Lyons watched strike three go by. Baines grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox iced the game in the bottom of the third although Romine grounded out to short to start. Greenwell drew a walk but Esasky flied out to right. Rice walked and Kutcher launched a 3 run home run into the centerfield bleachers to effectively end the game. Cerone hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning with the BoSox ahead 6-1.

                                                        No going back to Pawtucket now

Calderon tried to start a rally in the top of the fourth but Pasqua flied out to right and Fisk banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Romero flied out to left to start. Boggs smacked a double to center and moved to third on the fly ball by Rivera. Romine singled home Boggs to increase the lead and chase Rosenberg. Ken Patterson got Greenwell to fly out to left to end the inning with the BoSox ahead 7-1.

                                                            Romine drives in a run

Clemens got Boston to fly out to second to begin the top of the fifth before Martinez grounded out to short. Guillen doubled to left but Gallagher got rung up for strike three to end the inning. The Sox wrapped up their portion of the scoring in the bottom of the fifth when Esasky launched a 454 bomb off Patterson to increase the lead. Rice popped up to first, Kutcher whiffed and Cerone went down hacking to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-1.

                                                      Esasky is all smiles

Lyons beat out a bunt to start the top of the sixth but Greg Walker pinch hit for Baines who hurt his wrist only to hit into a double play. Calderon grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the seventh as Romero popped up to first to start. Boggs took strike three and Rivera also popped up to first to end the inning.

Clemens cruised in the top of the seventh in his final inning. Pasqua flied out to center to start before Fisk went down swinging. Boston grounded out to first to end the inning. Clemens was great, tossing 7 innings of 1 run ball to earn the win.

                                                    Roger pitches very well

The BoSox threatened in the bottom of the seventh as Romine flied out to right to start. Greenwell singled to left but Esasky went down swinging. Rice got a base hit to left and Greenwell took third on a passed ball. Kutcher grounded out to short to end the inning.

Lee Smith came in for the top of the eighth and Martinez grounded out to third to start. Guillen grounded out to third and Gallagher lined out to right to end the inning. Shawn Hillegas got the call for the bottom of the eighth and Cerone lined out to left to begin. Romero popped up to second and Boggs whiffed to end the inning.

The White Sox rallied against Smith in the top of the ninth as Lyons singled to right to begin. Walker whiffed but Calderon walked and Pasqua singled home Lyons. Fisk forced Pasqua at second on a grounder and Boston popped up to short to end the game. The Sox had won the game 8-2.

Hero of the Night is Randy Kutcher. His 3 run bomb was all the Sox needed to win and he drove in another run to boot.

                                                          Kutch Potato Hero



The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Mike Greenwell was 2 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Jim Rice was 2 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Roger Clemens earned his 11th win with 7 innings of 1 run ball while striking out 5.



The Bad:

Luis Rivera was 0 for 4.



The Ugly:

Kevin Romine was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Nick Esasky was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was his 15th home run.

Rick Cerone was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Ed Romero was 0 for 3 but drove in a run.

Lee Smith allowed a run in 2 innings of work.




Final Thoughts:

That was a great win but the team is still quite unpopular with the local press and fans. Still, winning games like that will help get rapport back after the awful first half this team had. Kutcher stepped up big today and the Sox need that from him with Ellis Burks and Marty Barrett sidelined. Speaking of Barrett, after being sidelined since June 6th with knee surgery, he begins his rehab with Pawtucket tomorrow. Clemens said after the game that this one was for Yaz and even though the season has been a mess, that was a nice touch. The Sox aren't too far behind to make a run as repeat AL East champions and they have a week to find another piece at the trade deadline to do it. The win improved the Sox to 45-48, 6.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for 1st place in the AL East. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox welcome the Kansas City Royals in for a set. Mike Boddicker (8-7) goes for the Sox up against Charlie Leibrandt at 7:35 PM at Fenway Park.

Brewers Pound Sox, Drop Third Straight (6/28/89)

Nothing is going right for the Boston Red Sox these days. The Sox continued to drop further under .500 with today's drubbing at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers. Mike Smithson (4-6, 5.02 ERA) took the beating as he allowed 6 runs in just over 6 innings of work. Bob Stanley and Mike Rochford also got knocked around by the Brewers in this all around embarrassment. The Sox scratched out 5 runs but it wasn't enough as the Brewers laid waste to the Red Sox 12-5 at County Stadium.

                                                Sox fans wondering how bad 89 can get

The Sox did manage to strike first in the top of the first inning against Milwaukee starter Teddy Higuera. Jody Reed led off with a walk but Luis Rivera and Wade Boggs both took strike three but Reed stole second. Mike Greenwell singled home Reed to put the Sox up early. Dwight Evans drew a walk but Nick Esasky struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                         Greenwell drives in a run

Smithson initially pitched well in the bottom of the first as Paul Molitor grounded out to short to start. Robin Yount drew a walk but Gary Sheffield flied out to right. Greg Brock popped up to second to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the second as Jim Gantner booted a routine grounder by Rick Cerone to begin the top of the second. Cerone was erased on the force by Randy Kutcher and Randy stole second. Kevin Romine lined out to short but Reed singled home Kutcher to increase the lead. Rivera popped up to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                                Reed knocks in a run

The Brewers pounced in the bottom of the second as Glenn Braggs doubled to left to start. Rob Deer then smacked a 5,000,000 foot home run into Lake Eerie to tie the game. BJ Surhoff walked and Terry Francona singled to left. Both runners moved over on the grounder by Gantner and Molitor scored Surhoff with a sac fly to give the Brewers the lead. Yount singled to center to score Francona with another run. Sheffield lined out to short to end the inning but it was 4-2 Brewers.

                                                 Some guy named Francona scores a run

The Sox tried to rally in the top of the third as Boggs got a base hit to center to start. Boggs moved to second on a deep fly out to right by Greenwell and Evans drew a walk. Esasky got a base hit to left but Cerone killed the rally with a pop up to short. Kutcher took strike three to end the inning. Smithson recovered in the bottom of the third as Brock flied out to left to start. Braggs and Deer both whiffed to end the inning.

Higuera cruised in the top of the fourth inning as Romine grounded out to third to start. Reed flied out to center and Rivera whiffed to end the inning. Surhoff flied out to center to open the bottom of the fourth before Francona also flied out to center. Gantner singled and stole second before Molitor walked. Yount popped up to first in foul territory to end the inning.

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the fifth inning as Boggs grounded out to short to start. Greenwell and Evans both grounded out to short to end the inning. Sheffield grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fifth before Brock singled to center. Brock moved to second on the grounder by Braggs but Deer took strike three to end the inning.

The Sox inched closer when Esasky mauled his 12th home run of the year to start the top of the sixth. Rick Cerone walked to chase Higuera from the game. Chuck Crim came in and Kutcher banged into a double play. Romine flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox down 4-3.

                                                        Esasky hits one out

Smithson kept pace in the bottom of the sixth as Surhoff grounded out to short to start. Francona lined out to left and Gantner grounded out to first to end the inning.

Crim cruised in the top of the seventh as Reed popped up to first to start. Rivera grounded out to third and Boggs grounded out to second to end the inning. The wheels fell off in the bottom of the seventh as Molitor singled to center to begin. Yount flied out to center but Molitor stole second and Sheffield walked. That was it for Smithson who left trailing 4-3 and eventually was charged with 6 runs in 6 1/3 innings.

                                                       Not his best stuff

Bob Stanley poured gas on the fire when he came in as Brock singled home Molitor with the insurance run. Braggs beat out a double play ball and Deer walked to load the bases. Surhoff then cleared the bases with a double to put the game out of reach. Francona grounded out to third to end the inning but the Brewers were up 8-3.

Tony Fossas made the Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the eighth inning as Greenwell grounded out to second to start. Evans grounded out to third and Esasky also grounded out to third to end the inning. Rookie Mike Rochford came in to take a beating in the bottom of the eighth although Gantner popped up to third to start. Molitor flied out to center but Yount walked. Sheffield beat out an infield single to short before Brock walked to load the bases. Braggs hit a routine grounder to second but Reed threw the ball away allowing Yount and Sheffield to score. Deer was intentionally walked to reload the bases and Surhoff singled home Brock and Bragggs. Francona flied out to left to end the inning with the Brewers ahead 12-3.

                                                         Bad defense leads to bad pitching

Dave Engle came in for Surhoff behind the plate with Jay Aldrich now on the mound to begin the top of the ninth. Cerone popped up to second and Kutcher lined back to the mound, but Romine beat out an infield single to short. Reed walked and Rivera singled home Romine. Boggs singled home Reed and if Stanley and Rochford didn't crap themselves, this game would have been interesting. As it was, Greenwell grounded out to second to end the game. The Brewers had won it 12-5.

Jackass of the Night is Bob Stanley. He allowed 2 inherited runners to score and 2 of his own to put the game out of reach

                                                Stanley The Jackass

The Good:

Jody Reed was 1 for 3 with 2 walks, an rbi, a stolen base and 2 runs scored.

Wade Boggs was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

Dwight Evans walked twice in four plate appearances.

Nick Esasky was 2 for 4 with a solo home run.

The Bad:

Mike Smithson got lit up for 6 runs in 6 1/3 innings to take the loss. He allowed 7 hits and 4 walks while striking out 3.

Mike Rochford allowed 4 runs in an inning although none were earned.

The Ugly:

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run.

Luis Rivera was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run.

Rick Cerone was 0 for 3 but walked.

Randy Kutcher was 0 for 4 but stole a base and scored a run.

Kevin Romine was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

Can this season end already? Its only June but it appears Morgan Magic has definitely worn off. Not that Sox manager Joe Morgan himself is the problem, but he's just not getting through to these guys like he did last year. It could be a clubhouse issue which means some of these guys won't be back next year. The loss of Bruce Hurst hurt the most as the Sox are getting almost nothing beyond Roger Clemens and Mike Boddicker pitching wise. Smithson took another beating and Stanley looks to have lost it as well. All in all it added up to another piece of crap loss in a season full of them. The loss dropped the Sox to 34-39, 8.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to snap their 3 game losing streak in the series finale with the Brewers tomorrow when they send John Dopson (7-5) to the mound up against Chris Bosio at 2:30 PM at County Stadium.