Sox Pound Twins at Fenway (8/16/97)

What a power surge by the Boston Red Sox. Not much has gone right this season on the pitching side but the offense has been the only thing worth watching this season. Tonight the Sox laid waste to the Minnesota Twins by pounding out 12 hits and 12 runs. 6 different batters drove in runs while Tim Wakefield (7-14, 4.33 ERA) tossed 5 1/3 gutty innings before the bullpen slammed the door. When the dust settled the Sox had won the game 12-4 at Fenway Park.

                                                      Curtis Martin approves of the win

Wakefield took the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Chuck Knoblauch went down swinging to start. Rich Becker lined out to first but the strike three ball to Paul Molitor got away, allowing Paul to reach first on the passed ball. Molitor swiped second but Matt Lawton grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox struck first against Shane Bowers in the bottom of the first inning as Nomar Garciaparra flied out to center to start. John Valentin popped up to short but Mo Vaughn was hit with a pitch. Reggie Jefferson doubled home Mo to put the Sox on top. Wil Cordero flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                         Jefferson drives in a run

The Twins fought right back in the top of the second as Scott Stahoviak was hit with a pitch to start. Ron Coomer got a base hit but Brent Brede popped up to short. Damien Miller hit a routine grounder back to the mound but Wakefield tripped on the ball and went head over heels for an error that scored Stahoviak. A passed ball moved Miller to second and Danny Hocking singled home both runners to give the Twins the lead. Knoblauch banged into a double play to end the inning but the Twins were up 3-1.

                                                          Hocking puts the Twins on top

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the second as Troy O'Leary grounded out to first to start. Bill Haselman singled to left but Darren Bragg flied out to center. Jeff Frye also flied out to center to end the inning.

Wakefield recovered in the top of the third as Becker grounded out to first to start. Molitor beat out an infield single and advanced to second on the fly out to deep center by Lawton. Stahoviak whiffed to end the inning. The Sox poured it on in the bottom of the third as Nomar walked to start. Valentin singled to center and Vaughn walked to load the bases with nobody out. Jefferson beat out a double play ball to score Nomar and Cordero cleared the bases with a triple to give the Sox the lead and chase Bowers. Rich Robertson came in and O'Leary popped up to third. Haselman doubled home Cordero to increase the lead before Bragg grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-3.

                                                       Cordero puts the Sox on top

Wakefield got in trouble in the top of the fourth inning although Coomer grounded out to short to start. Brede whiffed but Miller and Hocking stroked back to back singles. Knoblauch popped up to second to end the inning. Frye singled to center to start the bottom of the fourth but was forced at second by Nomar. Valentin flied out to left but Nomar swiped second. Vaughn whiffed to end the inning.

                                                               Swing and a miss

The Twins got a run back in the top of the fifth although Becker and Molitor both flied out to right to begin. Lawton hit a routine grounder to Vaughn but he threw his glove at the ball and screamed at it for an error. Stahoviak walked and Coomer singled home Lawton for an unearned run. Brede flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox still ahead 5-4.

                                                              Nice defense Mo

The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the fifth as Jefferson grounded out to first to start. Cordro flied out to right and O'Leary flied out to center to end the inning.

Wakefield returned briefly for the top of the sixth as Miller grounded out to short to start. Hocking and Knoblauch stroked back to back singles and that was it for Wakefield. He allowed 4 runs but only 1 earned in 5 1/3 innings of work. John Wasdin came in and got Becker to pop up to third and Molitor to fly out to center to end the inning.

                                                      Wakefield did what he could

Nothing happened in the bottom of the sixth as Haselman grounded out to short to start. Bragg whiffed but Frye singled to left. Nomar flied out to center to end the inning.

Wasdin returned for the top of the seventh and struck out Lawson swinging to start. Stahoviak popped up to short and Coomer grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox iced the game in the bottom of the seventh with a huge rally. Valentin doubled off the Monster to start then Ritchie threw away a double play ball by Vaughn to keep things going. Vaughn moved to second on the grounder by Jefferson and Cordero was intentionally walked to load the bases but also set up the double play. O'Leary made the Twins pay with a double to center to score Valentin and Vaughn. Haselman flied out to left but Cordero scored and O'Leary moved to third. Bragg hit a routine grounder to first but that ball was booted to score O'Leary and chase Robertson. Todd Ritchie poured gas on the fire as Frye singled Bragg to third and a wild pitch scored Darren plus moved Jeff to second. Nomar doubled home Frye and Valentin single home Nomar. Vaughn walked to chase the incompetent Ritchie Eddie Guardado came in to get Jefferson to ground into a force to end the inning but the Sox scored 7 runs to put the game away.

                                                         O'Leary and Nomar add to the lead

With the game now well in hand, Joe Hudson came in for the top of the eighth inning. Brede greeted him with a base hit to left but Miller flied out to right. Hocking banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the eighth as Cordero flied out to center to start. O'Leary also flied out to center and Haselman flied out to right to end the inning.

Hudson returned to finish off the Twins in the top of the ninth as the Sox made some weird defensive moves. Reggie Jefferson left the DH spot to play first, replacing Vaughn. Mike Benjamin took over at short for Nomar and Jose Malave took over for Cordero in left. Knoblauch groundd out to second to start but Becker got a base hit to right. Molitor walked but Lawton banged into a double play to end the game. The Sox had won the game 12-4

                                                 Hudson closes it out


Hero of The Night is a tough one with so much offense. I gotta go with Troy O'Leary. They walked Cordero to get to him and he responded with a big "screw you" with a 2 run double.

                                                          O'Leary the Hero



The Good:

Mo Vaughn walked twice, got hit with a pitch and scored two runs.

John Valentin was 3 for 5 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Bill Haselman was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis.

Jeff Frye was 3 for 4 with a run scored.

John Wasdin tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Joe Hudson tossed 2 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

None



The Ugly:

Nomar Garciaparra was just 1 for 4 but walked, stole a base, drove in a run and scored twice.

Reggie Jefferson was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run and scored.

Wil Cordero was just 1 for 4 but walked, drove in 2 runs and scored twice.

Darren Bragg was 0 for 4 but scored a run.

Time Wakefield got the win by allowing 4 runs in 5 1/3 innings but only one run was earned.



Honorable Mention:

Mike Benjamin played shortstop in the top of the ninth.

Jose Malave played left field in the top of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

Don't look now but the Sox are inching closer to .500. Considering they have one of the worst pitching staffs in baseball, this should be classified as a miracle. If only Sox general manager Dan Duquette got an actual ace after letting Roger Clemens walk rather than Steve F'n Avery. Wakefield didn't really pitch well but was hampered by errors. I wish the Sox has this kind of offense next year if the Sox go get a few pitchers they desperately need. Nomar looks like he'll win Rookie of The Year if he keeps up this pace. The win improved the Sox to 61-63, nowhere near a playoff spot. Tomorrow afternoon the Sox look to make it 4 wins in a row and a sweep over the Twins when they sent Aaron Sele (11-9) to the mound up against Concord, NH native Bob Tewksbury at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Tigers Maul Sox, Snap Streak (6/20/97)

So much for the Boston Red Sox 4 game winning streak. The normally punchless Detroit Tigers put a hurting on the Sox pitchers. Tim Wakefield (2-7, 5.48 ERA) got creamed in just 2 1/3 innings, allowing 6 runs. The bullpen got lit up for 6 runs of their own. The Sox offense did manage 6 runs and 10 hits off Detroit pitching but the Tigers offense pounded out 12 runs on 16 hits to knock out the Sox 12-6 at Tiger Stadium.

Justin Thompson got the start for Detroit and Nomar Garciaparra grounded out to short to start. Jeff Frye also grounded out to short and Mike Stanley whiffed to end the inning. Wakefield somehow cruised in the bottom of the first inning as Brian Hunter flied out to right to begin. Curtis Pride whiffed before Tony Clark lined out to short to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the second although Wil Cordero grounded out to third to begin. Tim Naehring singled to right but John Valentin popped up to short. Shane Mack beat out an infield single and Scott Hatteberg walked to load the bases. Jesus Tavarez got his first start with the Sox and he hit a routine grounder to short, but Deivi Cruz bobbled it allowing Naehring to score and reloading the bases. Nomar singled home Mack and Frye walked home Hatteberg. With a chance to break the game open...Stanley lined out to center to end the inning but the Sox led 3-0.

                                                       Tavarez' first start.

The Tigers tied it up in the bottom of the second in about 30 seconds. Bob Hamelin singled to left before Phil Nevin doubled him to third. Melvin Nieves then crushed a 5,000,000 foot home run into the Atlantic Ocean to tie the game. Damion Easley popped up to second before Raul Casanova doubled to right. Deivi Cruz doubled off the Monster to give the Tigers the lead. Hunter whiffed and Pride grounded out to second but the Tigers took the lead 4-3.

                                                              Wake gets lit up

The Sox took command in the top of the third as Cordero flied out to right to start. Naehring, Valentin and Mack all singled to load the bases. Hatteberg walked to tie the game and with a chance to do some serious damage.... Tavarez flied out to right although Valentin scored the go-ahead run. Nomar grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-4.

                                                       Hatteberg walks in a run

The Tigers knocked Wakefield out in the bottom of the third as Clark walked to start. Hamelin flied out to right but Nevin smashed a 40,000 foot home run to give the Tigers the lead and chase Wakefield. He lasted just 2 1/3 innings and gave up 6 runs. Mark Brandenburg came in and whiffed Nieves before Easley lined out to left to end the inning with the Tigers up 6-5.

Frye grounded out to second to start the top of the fourth but Stanley walked. Cordero lined out to left and Naehring flied out to right to end the inning. The Tigers pounded the Sox in the bottom of the fourth although Casanova grounded back to the mound to start. Cruz singled but was forced on the Hunter grounder. Hunter took off for second and Hatteberg threw the ball completely out of Fenway for an error to advance him to third. Pride singled home hunter and Clark singled Curtis to third. Hamelin singled home Pride to chase Brandenburg. Joe Hudson came in and got Nevin flied out to right to end the inning with the Tigers up 8-5.

                                                          Hudson gets out of it

Somehow the Sox fought back in the top of the fifth as Valentin grounded out to second to start. Mack grounded out to short but Hatteberg singled to right. Tavarez walked and Nomar doubled home Scott. With the tying run at second....Frye flied out to right to end the inning but it was 8-6 Tigers.

                                                        Nomar drives in a run

The Tigers were offended the Sox had the unmitigated audacity to try to come back by rallying in the bottom of the fifth. Nieves doubled to center and moved to third on the Easley grounder to chase Hudson. Heathcliff Slocumb came in and struck out Casanova, but Cruz singled home Nieves to increase the lead. Cruz stole second and third but Hunter grounded out to short to end the inning with the Tigers ahead 9-6.

AJ Sager came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Stanley grounded out to short to start. Cordero flied out to right but Naehring singled to left. Valentin flied out to right to end the inning. The Tigers rallied again in the bottom of the sixth although Pride grounded out to second to start. Clark singled, Hamelin walked and Nevin walked to load the bases. Easley popped up to first to end the inning.

Troy O'Leary pinch hit for Mack to open the top of the seventh, flying out to right. Hatteberg singled to right and Darren Bragg pinch hit for Tavarez. Bragg and Nomar both grounded out to short to end the inning. John Wasdin got the call for the bottom of the seventh and he took a beating too. Casanova grounded out to short but Cruz walked. Cruz moved to second on the Hunter grounder and scored on the Pride triple. Clark singled home Pride to increase the lead. Hamelin grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Tigers ahead 11-6.

                                                         Wasdin gets hammered too

The Sox surrendered in the top of the eighth as Frye walked to start but Stanley banged into a double play. Cordero lined out to center to end the inning. The Tigers continued to pummel Wasdin in the bottom of the eighth as Nevin walked to start. Somehow Nieves went down hacking but Easley doubled Nevin to third. Casanova was intentionally walked to load the bases and Cruz scored Nevin with a sac fly to wrap up the scoring. Hunter whiffed to end the inning with the Tigers up 12-6.

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt to end the game in the top of the ninth. Naehring grounded out to short, Valentin grounded out to third and O'Leary grounded out to second to end the game. The normally impotent Tigers knocked the Sox goofy 12-6.

Jackass of the Night could be any of the pitchers but I'll go with Tim Wakefield. He lasted just 2 1/3 innings and allowed 6 runs, putting the Sox in a hole they couldn't get out of.

                                                           Tim the Jackass



The Good:

Nomar Garciaparra was 2 for 5 with 2 runs batted in.

Tim Naehring was 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

Shane Mack was 2 for 3 with a run scored.

Scott Hatteberg was 2 for 2 with 2 walks, an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Jesus Tavararez walked and drove in a run in 2 at bats.



The Bad:

Wil Cordero was 0 for 5.

Troy O'Leary was 0 for 2.

Darren Bragg was 0 for 1.

Mark Brandenburg allowed 2 runs in just 1 1/3 innings.

Joe Hudson was charged with a run in 2/3 of an inning.

John Wasdin allowed 3 runs in 2 innings.



The Ugly:

Jeff Frye was 0 for 3 but walked twice and drove in a run.

Mike Stanley was 0 for 4 but walked.

John Valentin was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

Heathcliff Slocumb allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own in 1 2/3 innings.




Final Thoughts:

It was too good to be true and sure enough the real Red Sox showed up tonight. It was nice to see the Sox string a few victories in a row but the pitching is such trash that it wasn't going to last. Its sad to see the pitching fall apart this hard considering how hard the offense is working to keep them in games. Not only did the Sox get lit up, it was from a team that doesn't really hit well to boot. Wakefield is a long way from his 1995 season and maybe its time to cut the chord with him. Then again, nobody else is pitching well either so its not like he's the problem. The less said of this disaster the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 31-39, 16 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look for revenge tomorrow night against the Tigers when they send Vaughn Eshelman to the mound against Brian Moehler at 8:05 PM Eastern time at Tigers Stadium.

Sox Rally Past Angels on Opening Day (4/2/97)

For eight innings it looked like the Boston Red Sox were about to drop their first Opening Day without Roger Clemens in 13 years. The Angels pounced on Sox starter Tom Gordon for 2 runs before knocking him out in the fifth inning. Vaughn Eshelman and Butch Henry also got tagged as the Angels led 5-2 going into the ninth inning. All of a sudden the Sox sprang to life with two outs and used two walks and a hit batsmen to tie the game. Troy O'Leary beat out an infield single to drive in the go-ahead run and Sox closer Heathcliff Slocumb slammed the door in the bottom of the ninth. It was an epic come from behind 6-5 win on Opening Day for the Sox at Anaheim Stadium.

                                               Kimber West approves of the win

Mark Langston got the start for the Angels and rookie Nomar Garciaparra led off with a fly out to right. John Valentin doubled and Mo Vaughn walked, but Valentin could only advance to third on the fly out to center by Mike Stanley. Tim Naehring grounded out to short to end the inning. The Angels wasted no time getting to Gordon in the bottom of the first although Darin Erstad led off with a swinging strikeout. Old friend Luis Alicea also went down swinging but Jim Edmonds hit a home run all the way to San Diego to put the Angels on top. Tim Salmon took strike three but the Sox were down 1-0.

                                                       Edmonds puts Anaheim on top

Wil Cordero struck out swinging to start the top of the second before Rudy Pemberton popped up to third, sending his bat flying. Bill Haselman walked and Shane Mack made his Red Sox debut by hitting a bullet to Alicea to end the inning. Dave Hollins popped up to short to start the bottom of the second but Garret Anderson beat out a chopper to third. 41 year old Eddie Murray hit a grounder to Gordon who threw wide of second for an error. Jim Leyrtiz flied out to the centerfield wall which moved Anderson to third. Gary DiSarcina forced Murray at second to end the inning.

                                                  Bad throw by Gordon

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the third as Garciaparra flied out to Salmon in right to start. Valentin walked and Langston tried to pick him off, but the throw hit him and the ball got away. Valentin scampered to second and moved to third on the grounder by Vaughn. Stanley walked but Naehring struck out swinging to end the inning. The Angels struck again in the bottom of the third although Erstad grounded out to second to start. Alicea walked, Edmonds singled Luis to third with a base hit to left and Salmon walked to load the bases. Red Sox pitching coach Joe Kerrigan came out to tell Tom that he sucks and Hollins hit a grounder to second for the force but Valentin's throw was off, scoring Alicea when Dave was safe. Anderson grounded out to first to end the inning with the Angels ahead 2-0.

                                                 Another bad throw leads to a run

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fourth as Cordero struck out swinging to start. Pemberton grounded out to short and Haselman struck out swinging. Murray lined out to short to start the bottom of the fourth and Leyritz went down hacking. DiSarcina singled to center and stole second, but Erstad struck out swinging to end the inning.

Langston cruised in the top of the fifth as Mack struck out swinging to start. Garciaparra flied out to left and Valentin grounded out to short to end the inning. The Angels chased Gordon in the bottom of the fifth as Alicea singled to left to start. Alicea stole second and moved to third on the grounder by Edmonds. Salmon struck out swinging but Hollins walked. Sox manager Jimy Williams pulled Gordon after 4 2/3 innings and 2 runs allowed. Anderson popped up to first to end the inning.

                                                  Not the best outing for Gordon

The Sox struck back in the top of the sixth as Vaughn struck out swinging to start. Stanley was retired on a ground ball to third but Naehring hit the first home run for Boston this season to cut the lead. Cordero singled to center but Pemberton popped up to third to end the inning with the Sox down 2-1.

                                                  Naehring hits a home run

The Angels roared back in the bottom of the sixth as Murray and Leyritz stroked back to back singles to start. DiSarcina lined a base hit to center to load the bases but Erstad forced Murray at home on a grounder back to the mound. Alicea blooped a base hit to right to score Leyritz and DiSarcina to increase the lead. That was it for Eshelman as Butch Henry made his Red Sox debut by getting Edmonds to hit a bullet to Valentin, doubling off Alicea at first to end the inning with Anaheim ahead 4-1.

                                                        Eshelman is NOT happy

The Sox fought back in the top of the seventh with Mike James now pitching for Anaheim. Haselman struck out swinging but Darren Bragg pinch hit for Mack. Bragg walked and moved to second on the Garciaparra grounder. Valentin lined a base hit to center to score Bragg and cut the lead. Vaughn beat out a chopper up the middle to chase James. Chuck McElroy came in to pitch and Sox manager Jimy Williams had Reggie Jefferson pinch hit for Stanley. Jefferson struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 4-2.

                                                            Valentin drives in a run

Just when the Sox clawed back in the game, the Angels struck again in the bottom of the seventh although Salmon popped up to second to start. Hollins singled to center and Anderson dropped a base hit to right to move Hollins to third. Murray scored Hollins with a sac fly to increase the lead but Leyritz grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox down 5-2.

                                                      Murray drives in a run

Naehring tried to start a rally in the top of the eighth with a base hit to right but Cordero lined out to left. Pemberton Struck out swinging and Haselman struck out swinging to end the inning. Pat Mahomes came in for the bottom of the eighth and DiSarcina popped up to first to start. Erstad flied out to center and Alicea struck out swinging to end the inning. Good work Mahomes!

                                                Mahomes shuts them down

All of a sudden the Sox exploded in the top of the ninth with Jorge Fabregas behind the plate and Troy Percival now on the mound. Bragg and Garciaparra both struck out swinging and down to their final out, Valentin doubled to left. Down to their last strike....Vaughn drew a walk and Jefferson beat out a chopper to third to load the bases. Jeff Frye pinch ran for Jefferson and Naehring drew a walk to score Valentin. Down to HIS last strike, Cordero walked to score Vaughn and re-load the bases. Pemberton was plunked to tie the game and chase Percival from the game. Pep Harris was brought in to pitch and Troy O'Leary pinch hit for Haselman. O'Leary beat out a chopper to third to score Naehring and give the Sox the lead. Bragg hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-5.

                                                 Pemberton takes one for the team

Heathcliff Slocumb came in to close out the bottom of the ninth with Scott Hatteberg now behind the plate. Edmonds grounded out to second to start and Tim Salmon grounded out to short. Hollin walked, Anderson singled in the hole at second and Murray walked to load the bases. Orlando Palmeiro pinch ran for Murray but on a 3-2 count Fabregas popped up to left to end the game. The Sox had pulled a miracle and won it 6-5.

                                                            Sox win

Hero of the Night is Troy O'Leary. He came off the bench to drive in the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth.

                                                 Troy O'Hero

The Good:

John Valentin was 3 for 4 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Mo Vaughn was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Tim Naehring was 2 for 4 with a walk, home run, 2 total rbis and 2 total runs scored.

Reggie Jefferson was 1 for 2 as a pinch hitter.

Jeff Frye scored a run as a pinch runner.

Pat Mahomes got the win with a scoreless eighth inning.

Heathcliff Slocumb got the save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Nomar Garciaparra was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Shane Mack was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Vaughn Eshelman allowed 2 runs in 2/3 of an inning.

Butch Henry allowed a run in 1 2/3 innings.

The Ugly:

Wil Cordero was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked and drove in a run.

Rudy Pemberton was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but his HBP drove in the tying run.

Bill Haselman was 0 for 3 with 3 strikeouts but walked.

Darren Bragg was 0 for 2 but walked and scored a run

Tom Gordon only lasted 4 2/3 innings but allowed just 2 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks.

Honorable Mention:

Scott Hatteberg caught the bottom of the ninth.

Final Thoughts:

What a game! Prognosticators had the Red Sox dead in the water this season after Roger Clemens left but for one day at least, they can all eat crow. The Sox were down to their final strike four times in the top of the ninth and each batter delivered. It took brass balls from Vaughn, Jefferson, Naehring and Cordero to fight off Percival when down to their last strike. Pemberton taking one for the team was great and O'Leary coming off the bench ice cold to drive in the winning run takes a lot of heart. The Sox may not be good this season but for one night they stuck a big middle finger to the haters. The pitching was nothing special but kudos to Pat Mahomes and Heathcliff Slocumb for keeping the Angels off the board. The offense showed a lot of toughness but that's tough to maintain over 162 games. Its only one game but a win is a win, they all count. Tomorrow night Tim Wakefield makes his season debut against Jason Dickson of the Angels. The game begins at 10:30 PM Eastern time at Anaheim Stadium.