Pedro Hurt Again, Yankees Win (9/7/01)

The Red Sox worst fears came true when Pedro Martinez' aching shoulder finally gave out after 3 innings against the New York Yankees. The injured Martinez gutted through 6 innings last week but couldn't answer the bell this time. The Sox offense was once again shut down by Orlando Hernandez who's only two wins this year have come against the Red Sox. As it was, the Yankees took the game 3-2 at Yankee Stadium.

                                                  "Why oh why did Pedro come back?"

Orlando Hernandez got the ball to start the game and the Sox immediately pounced on him in the top of the first. Jose Offerman flied to centerfield on the third pitch. Last week's hero Trot Nixon flied out to left but Carl Everett doubled off the bottom of the centerfield wall. Manny Ramirez had been hitting .242 since June 5 but he singled home Everett here to make it 1-0 Sox. Brian Daubach doubled over the glove of Chuck Knoblauch in left to score Ramirez. Troy O'Leary flied out to left to end the inning but the Sox led 2-0. The injured Pedro Martinez took the mound in the bottom of the first and got Knoblauch to ground out to Mike Lansing at short. Randy Velarde flied out to center as Sox analyst Jerry Remy said Pedro's velocity was down. Bernie Williams grounded out to second to end the inning.

Hernandez settled down in the top of the second. Scott Hatteberg flied out to center, Shea Hillenbrand grounded out to third and Lansing struck out to end the inning. The Yankees figured out Pedro's fastball was gone so they teed off on him in the bottom of the second. Sox analyst Jerry Remy said his delivery was off as Tino Martinez chopped a single past a diving Lansing into center for a base hit. David Justice doubled into the left field corner and Tino scored on the groundout by Jorge Posada. Sox manager Joe Kerrigan brought the infield in since the Sox have been utterly useless at the plate lately. It didn't matter as Paul O'Neil singled into right to score Justice to tie the game. Alfonso Soriano then singled past the diving Lansing to move O'Neil to third. That's twice now Lansing could have made a play. It got even worse when Enrique Wilson grounded right to Lansing....right out of his glove, scoring O'Neil to give the Yankees a 3-2 lead. Knoblauch walked to load the bases as Sox analyst Jerry Remy said Pedro shouldn't be out there and should shut it down for the season. Sox broadcaster Sean McDonough said Pedro was too proud to quit which is why he took the ball. Right on cue Pedro struck out Velarde and Williams grounded out to end the inning.

Hernandez cruised in the top of the third inning. Offerman flied out to the right field wall, Nixon grounded out and Everett flied out to the right field wall as well to end the inning. Pedro returned for the bottom of the third and got Posada to pop up to third. Justice walked but Posada struck out on a foul tip. O'Neil looked at strike three to end the inning.

The Sox got off to a good start in the top of the fourth when Ramirez hit a ball beyond the third base line that struck the ballboy's chair, somehow it was ruled a double. Daubach crushed one to the wall but Williams snared it, but it was a productive out as Manny moved to third. Manny was stranded when O'Leary whiffed. Hatteberg walked but Hillenbrand popped up to end the inning. Pedro was done as Tim Wakefield was brought in to pitch the bottom of the fourth. Soriano beat out an infield single and advanced to second on the ground out by Wilson. Some fan ran on the field and slid into second and third before being tackled and arrested. Knoblauch was hit with a pitch and both runners moved over on the ground out by Velarde. Williams grounded out to end the inning.

Hernandez cruised in the top of the fifth. Lansing grounded out, Offerman flied out to the wall in right and Nixon hit a rocket to Martinez at first to end the inning, Wakefield returned for the bottom of the fifth and Martinez reached on a ground ball booted by Offerman. Justice singled to center but Posada flied out to left. Martinez got picked off and O'Neil popped up to end the inning.

Another fan ran onto the field to begin the top of the sixth as Yankees PA announcer Bob Shepard warned fans not to run out on the field. Bob should have said "The next person to run out on the field will be shot!" Everett swung for the fences on a 3-2 count...and missed. Ramirez grounded out and Daubach struck out to end the inning. Wakefield returned for the bottom of the sixth after a commercial for the movie Rock Star. Marky Mark as a rock star, yeah that makes sense. Soriano struck out but Wilson hit a little flare in front of Everett for a single. Wilson was thrown out trying to steal and Knoblauch looked at strike three to end the inning.

Hernandez cruised in the top of the seventh. O'Leary watched strike three go by, Hatteberg grounded out and Hillenbrand popped up to end the inning. The Sox got their lone late inning highlight when Velarde singled and O'Leary gunned him down at second trying to steal. Williams walked but Martinez and Justice flied out to end the inning.

Ramiro Mendoza took the mound in the top of the eighth. Lansing grounded out, Offerman flied out and Nixon grounded out to end the inning. That's 13 in a row retired by Yankee pitching. Rod Beck was brought in to pitch the bottom of the eighth. Posada walked and moved to second on the ground out by O'Neil. Soriano whiffed and Hillenbrand made a diving stab to rob Wilson of a hit to end the inning.

Mariano Rivera got the ball in the top of the ninth. Everett broke his bat on a liner to Soriano, Ramirez grounded out and Daubach whiffed to end the game. The Yankees had won it 3-2, not allowing a baserunner after the fourth inning.

Jackass of the night is Mike Lansing. His horrid defense allowed the Yankees to beat around Pedro in the second inning when a few plays would have kept the Yankees off the scoreboard.  He was also 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

                                                          Mike Lansing: Jackass


The Good:

Manny Ramirez was 2 for 4 with a run and an rbi.


The Bad:

Jose Offerman and Trot Nixon were both 0 for 4. Troy O'Leary was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts. Shea Hillenbrand was 0 for 3. Pedro Martinez took the loss only lasting 3 innings while giving up 3 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3. He never should have been out there. Tim Wakefield was outstanding, tossing 4 innings of scoreless relief to keep the Sox in the game. Rod Beck pitched a scoreless eighth inning.



The Ugly:

Carl Everett was 1 for 4 but scored a run. Brian Daubach was 1 for 4 but drove in a run. Scott Hatteberg was 0 for 2 but walked.




Final Thoughts:

As if things weren't going down the drain to begin with, the loss of Martinez pretty much puts the exclamation point on this miserable season. Nomar Garciaparra never got out of the box after suffering the wrist injury in spring training, Pedro Martinez blows his shoulder out in May, Jason Varitek breaks his elbow in June, Derek Lowe suddenly went from one of the best closers in the game to one of the worst, they fired the manager when he was twelve games OVER 500 and replaced him with a pitching coach who apparently isn't as respected as we all thought. Bret Saberhagen's comeback was short lived. Craig Grebeck was super utility man last year and his career evaporated this year. Don't forget the Sox pitching staff holds the Yankees to 6 earned runs, ONE by the starters last week and they fired John Cumberland the new pitching coach. Manny Ramirez has been useless since July and Carl Everett has been mediocre since the second half of LAST year. Where would the Sox be without Hideo Nomo and Rich Garces this year? I really don't want to find out. The loss puts the Sox at 72-67, 11 games behind the Yankees for first place with just 23 to go. The Sox hope to bounce back tomorrow with David Cone (8-4) up against last week's near perfecto Mike Mussina (14-11).

Yankees Sweep Sox, Mussina Nearly Perfect (9/2/01)

If you were to tell me the Boston Red Sox starting pitching held the New York Yankees to 1 earned run in 3 games I would have said "Wow, what a sweep." Yeah, it was a sweep alright, sweep for the YANKEES. After Joe Kerrigan's awful pitch count rules spoiled Frank Castillo's shutout start Friday night andUgueth Urbina spoiled Pedro Martinez' start yesterday, Mike Mussina damn near pitched a perfect game tonight. After all that, the Sox were swept by the world champion Yankees. The 3-peat champs always seem to find a way to win no matter what. Tonight David Cone (8-4, 4.13 ERA) pitched his ass off but Mussina came one strike away from throwing a perfect game. It took a pinch hit effort by Carl Everett to spoil the perfecto but the Yankees still swept the Sox out of Fenway with a 1-0 win.

                                                                "I almost had it!"

Cone took the mound in the top of the first inning and Chuck Knoblauch whiffed to start. Derek Jeter hit a routine ground ball to Mike Lansing at short who turned around and threw the ball into the third base seats for an error. David Justice popped up to short but Jeter swiped second. Bernie Williams grounded out to second to end the inning. Mussina began his dominance in the bottom of the first as Trot Nixon whiffed to start. Lansing looked at strike three on the inside corner before Izzy Alcantara lined out to short to end the inning.

Tino Martinez began the top of the second inning with a single up the middle but Jorge Posada whiffed on a splitter down and away. Paul O'Neil banged into a double play to end the inning. Manny Ramirez looked at strike three to begin the bottom of the second before Dante Bichette whiffed. Brian Daubach thought he had ball four but he was rung up for strike three to end the inning.

Cone got no help from his defense in the top of the third inning although Randy Velarde popped up to second to start. Alfonso Soriano flied out to the warning track in front of the Monster before Knoblauch hit a routine grounder to Lansing who kicked the ball over to second, running in a circle screaming "GOALLLL!!" for another error. Jeter grounded into a force to end the inning. The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the third as Shea Hillenbrand led off by grounding out to short to start. Lou Merloni also grounded out to short before Joe Oliver grounded out to second to end the inning.

Cone did what he could in the top of the fourth inning as Justice grounded out to first to start. Williams flied out to the warning track in center but Martinez walked. Posada whiffed to end the inning. Mussina remained perfect in the bottom of the fourth as Nixon grounded out to first to start. Lansing was rung up for strike three on a high fastball before Alcantara was frozen by a curve at the knees to end the inning.

Cone continued his own good game in the top of the fifth as O'Neil froze on a back door curveball for strike three to begin. Velarde whiffed on a curveball before Soriano popped up to a running Lansing to end the inning. The Sox couldn't touch Mussina in the bottom of the fifth as Manny looked at strike three on the inside corner to start. Bichette grounded out to third before Daubach was frozen for strike three on the outside corner to end the inning.

Cone kept pace in the top of the sixth although Knoblauch singled in the hole at short. Cone recovered to get Jeter to hit into a double play before Justice whiffed badly to end the inning. Mussina remained perfect in the bottom of the sixth as Hillenbrand popped up to center to start. As sad as it sounds, that was the first ball out of the infield for the Sox. Merloni popped up to right and Oliver took strike three to end the inning.

Cone matched Mussina in the top of the seventh as Williams grounded out to first to start. Martinez lined out to short but Posada doubled down the right field line past the diving Daubach. O'Neil was intentionally walked and rookie Nick Johnson pinch hit for Velarde only for Cone to strike him out on a splitter to end the inning. The Sox still couldn't hit Mussina in the bottom of the seventh with Enrique Wilson now at third. Nixon grounded out to first before Lansing lined out to Soriano at second. Alcantara was frozen for strike three to end the inning.

Miraculously Cone kept the shut-out going in the top of the eighth although Soriano singled to right to begin. Knoblauch flied out to the centerfield warning track before Jeter whiffed. Soriano swiped second before Justice walked. Sox pitching coach John Cumberland went to the mound and informed Cone that Star Trek Voyager was on in the clubhouse and David responded by getting Williams to fly out to the centerfield wall to end the inning. Mussina kept the perfect game in the bottom of the eighth as Manny popped up to short to start. Bichette flied out to center and Daubach earned the hat trick with another strikeout to end the inning.

The Yankees finally got to Cone in the top of the ninth but not without some help. Martinez blooped a single to center but Posada popped up to left. O'Neil hit a routine double play ball to Merloni but he dove on the ball and wrestled with it for an error that allowed Martinez to go to third. Clay Bellinger pinch ran for Martinez as Sox manager Joe Kerrigan went to the mound. Rather than take Cone out he told him to go get Wilson before leaving. Leaving David in backfired as Wilson doubled down the right field line to score Bellinger and give the Yankees the lead. That was it for Cone who was outstanding, going 8 1/3 inning allowing just the unearned run.

                                                      Cone deserved better

Derek Lowe came in to stop the bleeding and he struck out Soriano to get a key out. Knoblauch hit a grounder to third that Hillenbrand damn near threw away. Daubach scooped it but almost got cleaned out by Knoblauch to end the inning with the Yankees up 1-0.

Mussina came out to finish the perfect game in the bottom of the ninth as Troy O'Leary pinch hit for Hillenbrand. O'Leary hit a bullet but Bellinger made a great diving stop and flip to Mussina for the out. Merloni whiffed on a curve in the dirt before Carl Everett pinch hit for Oliver. Mussina was one strike away from perfection when Everett lined a base hit to left to break up the perfecto. Darren Lewis pinch ran for Everett and now after all of that, one swing of the bat would either tie or win the game. Nixon took Roger Clemens yard to win a game in the ninth last season but this time Mussina got Trot to ground out to second to end the game. The Yankees had swept the Red Sox out of Fenway with 3 straight late inning rallies and effectively ended the AL East race.

Jackass of the Night is a tough one since 10 out of 11 guys failed to put the ball in play just once but I'll go with Lou Merloni. Not only did he go 0 for 4 but his error in the ninth led to the only run scoring for the Yankees.

                                                         Merloni you Jackass!



The Good:

Carl Everett got the only hit of the game for the Sox pinch hitting in the ninth.

David Cone was the hard luck loser but he was hardly a loser. He tossed 8 1/3 innings and gave up no earned runs, just the unearned in the ninth while striking out 8.

Derek Lowe retired the only two men he faced.



The Bad:

Trot Nixon was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Mike Lansing was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts and 2 errors.

Izzy Alcantara was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Manny Ramirez was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Dante Bichette was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Brian Daubach was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Shea Hillenbrand was 0 for 2.

Troy O'Leary was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Joe Oliver was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.



The Ugly:

None



Honorable Mention:

Darren Lewis pinch ran for Everett in the bottom of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

As the season goes down the crapper this series was a microcosm of exactly why. The Sox had 3 straight outstanding starting pitching performances against the Yankees but the champs still found ways to win. Nothing is going right for the Red Sox and it feels like the titanic is sinking. They did their best to hold on waiting for Nomar Garciaparra and Pedro Martinez to return but Nomar's wrist just couldn't get healthy and Pedro's shoulder is definitely not right. That extra inning marathon loss seemed to sap the life of this team and it doesn't look like they are a playoff contender. How do you come back from this? You hold the best team in baseball to 2 runs in 3 games by your starters and lose all three of them, how are you going to beat anyone else? The loss dropped the Sox to 71-64, 9 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East with just 27 games to play. After an off-day the Sox return to action Tuesday night with the Cleveland Indian coming to town. Indians ace Bartolo Colon goes for the Indians against Hideo Nomo (11-6) of the Sox at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Yankees Late Blast Sinks Sox (9/1/01)

The New York Yankees are 3-peat World Champions for a reason, timely hitting and great pitching. One day after ruining arguably Frank Castillo's best start of the year, they outlasted a tremendous start by Pedro Martinez, dropping the Sox on a 9th inning home run by Bernie Williams to take the game 2-1 at Fenway Park. The Sox have now lost seven in a row and back to back games where the Sox couldn't score off the Yankees.

                                              "God damn Yankees!"

Pedro took the hill in the top of the 1st and Chuck Knoblauch greeted him with a full count single into right. Derek Jeter then sacrifice bunted Knobluach to second base and Bernie Williams moved Chuck to third with a ground out to second. Tino Martinez then struck out on a changeup in the dirt to end the inning. Orlando Hernandez (1-6, 5.43 ERA) got the ball in the bottom of the first. Trot Nixon greeted him with a solo blast over the bullpen, his 21st homer of the year to give the Sox a 1-0 lead. Sadly the Sox would have just four hits the rest of the game. Chris Stynes grounded out to second on a bang bang play then Carl Everett grounded out as well. Ramirez came into the game hitting just .233 in the last 68 games. He's been dealing with a bad hamstring and its no coincidence it got worse when former Sox manager Jimy Williams started putting him in left field. Ramirez lashed a base hit past Jeter into left field. Dante Bichette lined out softly to Alfonso Soriano at second to end the inning.

Jorge Posada looked at strike three on the inside corner to open the top of the second. Pedro then struck out Paul O'Neil with a 2-2 changeup. Shane Spencer then whiffed on a full count to end the inning. Brian Daubach led off the bottom of the second with a walk. Shea Hillenbrand popped up near the first base stands as Fox analyst Joe Buck said Jimy Williams got more out of the Red Sox than anybody could have expected, agreed. Scott Hattberg nearly banged into a double play but Soriano threw the ball away, allowing Scott to reach second. Mike Lansing grounded out to end the inning.

Soriano grounded out to third to open the top of the third inning. Pedro killer Enrique Wilson poked a base hit into center. Knoblauch popped up and Jeter grounded out to short to end the inning. Nixon was robbed of a leadoff hit by Williams to open the bottom of the third. Stynes walked but was erased on the stirke em out, throw em out double play on Everett.

Pedro got Williams to ground out to second to open the top of the fourth inning. Tino Martinez grounded out to first and Posada struck out on a pitch in the dirt to end the inning. The Sox still failed to score off Hernandez in the fourth. Ramirez popped up on a full count, Bichette grounded out and Daubach looked at strike three to end the inning.

Pedro returned for the top of the fifth and blew away O'Neil to begin the inning. Spencer was hit with a pitch but Soriano flied out to shallow right. Wilson grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox once again couldn't score off Hernandez in the bottom of the fifth. Hillenbrand whiffed and Hatteberg popped up to center. Lansing popped up to end the inning.

Rich Garces began warming up as Pedro reached his pitch limit in the top of the sixth. Knoblauch and Jeter grounded out to third and Everett made a great diving catch to rob Williams of a hit to end Pedro's day. The Sox were just 9 outs from giving him a much needed win. The Sox failed to get Pedro any insurance against Hernandez in the bottom of the sixth. Nixon whiffed and Stynes grounded out but Everett walked. Manny then cracked a shot off the top of the Monster that moved Everett to third. That ball was gone in Yankee Stadium. Sure enough Bichette grounded out to end the inning.

"El Guapo" Rich Garces got the ball in the top of the seventh inning. Tino Martinez popped up to right and Posada flied out to left. O'Neil singled and stole second, but Spencer whiffed to end the inning. Hernandez returned for the bottom of the seventh and got Daubach to fly out to left to begin the frame. Hillenbrand grounded out and Hatteberg lined out to end the inning. The Sox had scored one measly run against a pitcher that hadn't won a game all year.

Rather than go to the much maligned Derek Lowe, Sox manager Joe Kerrigan brought in closer Ugueth Urbina for the six out save with Doug Mirabelli taking over behind the plate. Things looked bleak immediately when Stynes lost a routine pop up in the sun, allowing Soriano to take second on a double. Pinch hitter David Justice (for Wilson) flied out to the wall in center, moving Soriano to third. Knoblauch then singled off the Monster to tie the game, but was foolishly thrown out at second trying to stretch into a double. Jeter grounded out to end the inning but the Yankees had tied it.

                      Stynes "Yerrrrr out!"  Knoblauch "We'reeeee tied!"
Hernandez returned for the bottom of the eighth as David Justice moved to left field as Clay Bellinger moved to third. Lansing did manage to single and advance to second on the sacrifice bunt by Nixon. Stynes whiffed and Everett grounded out to end the inning. 8 innings of 1 run ball by a winless pitcher, the epitome of futile for the slumping Red Sox.

Fox was barely back from commercial in the top of the ninth when Bernie Williams blasted a solo home run into center to give the Yankees a 2-1 lead. The Yankees had done it again. Urbina recovered to blow away Martinez and Posada then get O'Neil to fly out to end the inning. Mariano Rivera came out for the bottom of the ninth to close it out. Ramirez had hit a game tying homer off of him on June 4...not today! Manny whiffed and Bichette whiffed as the fans began to file out of Fenway Park. Sox manager Joe Kerrigan then made the bizarre move of pinch-hitting Daubach with Izzy Alcantara. Izzy did manage to get a base hit to represent the tying run. Darren Lewis pinch hit for Izzy....but Hillenbrand grounded out to end the game. The Yankees had won it 2-1.

Jackass of the Night is Ugueth Urbina. Staked to a 1-0 lead, he gave up both the game tying and go-ahead runs, losing the game 2-1.

                                                           Urbina you Jackass!



The Good:

Trot Nixon was 1 for 3 with a run scored off his 22nd homer of the year. Manny Ramirez was 2 for 4. Izzy Alcantara singled in his pinch hitting appearance. Mike Lansing was 1 for 3. Pedro Martinez was outstanding, gutting through 6 innings with a bad shoulder. He allowed 2 hits and struck out 6 on pure guile. Rich Garces pitched a scoreless seventh inning.



The Bad:

Dante Bichette and Shea Hillenbrand were both 0 for 4 with a strikeout. Scott Hatteberg was 0 for 3.



The Ugly:

Chris Stynes was 0 for 3 and lost the ball in the sun during the crucial 8th inning...but walked. Carl Everett was 0 for 3 but walked. Brian Daubach was 0 for 2 with a walk.



Honorable Mention:

Darren Lewis pinch ran for Alcantara in the 9th. Doug Mirabelli caught the top of the ninth inning.




Final Thoughts:

Nothing is going right for the Red Sox at the plate. Pedro Martinez shuts out the Yankees on a bad shoulder, facing a starting pitcher who hadn't won a game all year....AND THEY STILL LOST. It doesn't matter if its Jimy Williams, Joe Kerrigan or Nancy Kerrigan managing this team, they're just not that good. They miss Jason Varitek, Nomar Garciaparra and the normal Pedro Martinez that could go 7-9 innings in the worst way. Carl Everett, Scott Hatteberg, Mike Lansing and Brian Daubach are all hitting under .265 for the season and Manny Ramirez has been hitting .230 the last 2 months. There's your problem right there. The loss dropped the Sox to 71-63, 8 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow David Cone goes for the Sox facing his old team with Mike Mussina going for the Yankees.

Everett Punks Moyer, Mariners Take Game in 11 (8/14/01)

The Boston Red Sox found another way to lose a winnable game again against the AL West leading Seattle Mariners. 3 outs from a 3-2 victory, Derek Lowe crapped his pants once again before the Mariners pounced on the Sox in the 11th. What started with Carl Everett getting some payback against Jamie Moyer ended with a 6-3 Mariners win in 11 innings at Fenway Park.

Hideo Nomo got the start in the top of the first inning and Ichiro Suzuki took strike three to start. Mark McLemore grounded out to second but Edgar Martinez drew a walk. John Olerud whiffed to end the inning. Things got testy against Moyer in the bottom of the first inning although Nomar Garciaparra popped up to second to begin. Chris Stynes flied out to center but Moyer wanted Everett to back off the plate. When Everett refused, Moyer plunked Carl causing him to laugh. When standing on first base, Carl said he'd take Jamie deep. Manny Ramirez popped up to short to end the inning.

                                                     Don't poke the bear

The Mariners struck first in the top of the second inning as Bret Boone doubled past the diving Everett to start. Boone swiped third off the asleep Doug Mirabelli before Mike Cameron jacked a 2 run bomb onto Landsdowne Street to put the Mariners on top. Carlos Guillen whiffed before David Bell doubled high off the Monster. Dan Wilson whiffed before Suzuki popped up to a running Mike Lansing to end the inning with the Mariners ahead 2-0.

                                                    Cameron goes yard

Dante Bichette led off the bottom of the second by getting rung up for strike three. Lansing grounded out to first before Shea Hillenbrand grounded out to short to end the inning.

Nomo got McLemore to pop up to first to start the top of the third but Martinez lined a single to the left field wall. Olerud walked but Boone was rung up for strike three. Cameron whiffed on a full count to end the inning. Cameron leaned into the bullpen to rob a home run from Nixon to start the bottom of the third. Mirabelli drew a walk and Nomar stretched a double off the Monster. Stynes grounded back to the mound and Everett grounded out to third to end the inning.

Guillen grounded out to second to begin the top of the fourth before Bell popped up to center. Wilson popped up to second to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fourth although Manny was rung up for strike three to start. Bichette lashed a single to left before Lansing lined a base hit to center that moved Dante to third. Bichette scored on the Hillenbrand sac fly to cut the lead in half. Nixon lined a base hit up the middle but Mirabelli grounded out to third to end the inning with the Mariners still in front 2-1.

                                                      Bichette scored a run

Nomo held the fort in the top of the fifth although Suzuki stuck his bat out and singled to right to start. McLemore singled Ichiro to third but Martinez took strike three on the outside corner. McLemore swiped second before Olerud whiffed. Hillenbrand fell into the Sox dugout to retire Boone to end the inning. That was it for Nomo who lasted just 5 innings but only allowed 2 runs.

                                                  Short and sweet for Nomo

The Sox tied it in the bottom of the fifth although Nomar grounded out to short to start. Stynes popped up to second but Everett made good on his earlier promise by swatting an opposite field home run to tie the game, staring at Moyer as he rounded the bases. Manny hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning but the game was tied 2-2.

                                              "Take that, Moyer" - Everett

Rich Garces came on for the top of the sixth and Cameron watched strike three go by to begin. Guillen grounded out to short and Hillenbrand made a great diving stab to rob Bell of a hit to end the inning. Bichette popped up to center to start the bottom of the sixth before Lansing popped up to left. Hillenbrand stuck his bat out and poked a single to right but Nixon flied out to right to end the inning.

Garces came back for the top of the seventh and froze Wilson for strike three to start. Suzuki beat out an infield single to short and then swiped second. McLemore walked but Martinez grounded into a double play to end the inning. Moyer returned for the bottom of the seventh and Mirabelli popped up to right to start. Nomar drew a walk but Stynes flied out to center. Everett popped up to third to end the inning.

Ugueth Urbina took over for the top of the eighth and Olerud doubled to the left field wall to start. Boone dropped down a bunt to move Olerud to third but he stayed there as Cameron grounded out to third. Guillen grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox took the lead in the bottom of the eighth against Jeff Nelson as Manny doubled off the centerfield wall to start. A wild pitch moved Manny to third but Bichette popped up to second. Lansing popped up to first but Hillenbrand beat out an infield single to third to score Ramirez with the go-ahead run. Nixon worked a walk but Mirabelli struck out looking to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-2.

                                                Way to go Shea

Derek Lowe came in looking for the save in the top of the ninth but once again crapped his pants. Bell singled to left and Charles Gipson ran for him with Stan Javier pinch hitting for Wilson. Javier singled up the middle and Gipson made it to third. Suzuki singled home Gipson to tie the game as Javier went to third as Lowe was thunderously booed. Sox manager Jimy Williams sprinted out of the dugout with a machine gun and started shooting at Lowe's feet. Lowe ran into the dugout screaming as rookie Casey Fossum took over on the mound after Williams ran off. McLemore walked to load the bases but Martinez popped up to center. Olerud grounded into a double play to end the inning but the game was tied 3-3.

                                                      Mariners tie it up

Tom Lampkin came in to play catcher in the bottom of the ninth and Nomar led off by flying out to center. Stynes watched strike three go by before Everett popped up to left to end the inning, on to extras we go.

Rod Beck took over in the top of the tenth inning and Boone slammed a base hit to right to start. Lansing made a basket catch on a pop up from Cameron but Boone made it to second on the grounder by Guillen. Gipson whiffed to end the inning. Jose Paniagua came in for the bottom of the tenth and the Sox went quietly. Ramirez whiffed, Bichette grounded out to third and Lansing flied out to center to end the inning.

The Mariners put the Sox out of their misery in the top of the 11th inning. Lampkin popped up to third but Suzuki got yet another base hit. Ichiro swiped second before McLemore walked and Martinez settled matters with a 50,000 foot 3 run home run to clear everyone out. Olerud looked at strike three but Boone singled. The alert Mirabelli gunned down Boone trying to steal to end the inning but it was 6-3 Mariners.

                                                          Dammit Beck

Mariners closer Kazuhiro Sasaki came in to close out the bottom of the eleventh and the Sox went quietly. Hillenbrand and Nixon both whiffed before Scott Hatteberg pinch hit for Mirabelli. Hatteberg popped up to second to end the game. The Mariners had won it 6-3 in the 11th inning.

Jackass of the Night is Derek Lowe. Yes Rod Beck gave up the 3 run homer but it wouldn't have come to that if Lowe had gotten the job done in the 9th inning.

                                                  Lowe the Jackass


The Good:

Shea Hillenbrand was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis.

Hideo Nomo tossed 5 strong innings and allowed just 2 runs.

Rich Garces tossed 2 scoreless innings.

Ugueth Urbina pitched a scoreless 8th inning.



The Bad:

Chris Stynes was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Scott Hatteberg was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Rod Beck took the loss by giving up the 3 run homer in the 11th.



The Ugly:

Nomar Garciaparra was just 1 for 4 but walked.

Carl Everett was just 1 for 4 with a hit by pitch but the one hit was a home run.

Manny Ramirez was just 1 for 5 with a run scored.

Dante Bichette was just 1 for 5 with a run scored.

Mike Lansing was just 1 for 5.

Trot Nixon was just 1 for 4 but walked.

Doug Mirabelli was 0 for 3 but walked.




Final Thoughts:

Seattle is having one hell of a season and comeback wins like this are the reason why. They seem to be the most complete team in baseball, even better than the New York Yankees it seems. The Sox chased Moyer and got to the bullpen but the Mariners still won. Derek Lowe shouldn't be the closer anymore, especially since they picked up Urbina at the deadline. I don't know what happened to him this year but he's blown at least 6 games that could be the difference in making the playoffs or not come October. Even without Pedro Martinez and Jason Varitek, the return of Nomar should be the spark this team needs to make a run in the second half. As for this game, the less said of it the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 65-52, 4 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox look to bounce back when they send Frank Castillo (7-6) to the mound to face Freddy Garcia at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

White Sox Shut Down Red Sox (7/28/01)

That sucked. In a game the Boston Red Sox had to have to keep pace with the New York Yankees, instead they drop a turd against the now .500 Chicago White Sox. Tim Wakefield (6-6, 3.38 ERA) was game but Mark Buehrle was better. A clutch double by Magglio Ordonez was the difference in the game as the White Sox bullpen slammed the door on the 3-1 victory by the ChiSox at Fenway Park.

Wakefield got the ball in the top of the first and Ray Durham whiffed to begin. Aaron Rowand walked but Carlos Lee popped up to third. Ordonez popped up to short to end the inning. The Sox got their only run in the bottom of the first against Buehrle. Jose Offerman and Chris Stynes drew back to back walks before a Trot Nixon flyout moved Offerman to third. Ramirez scored Jose with a sac fly to give the BoSox the lead. Dante Bichette grounded into a force to end the inning with the Bosox ahead 1-0.

                                                                 Manny drives in a run

Jose Canseco flied out to center to start the top of the second before Paul Konerko looked at strike three. Herbert Perry lined out to third to end the inning. Nothing happened in the bottom of the second as Carl Everett lined out to left to start. Mike Lansing singled to right and took second on a balk. Shea Hillenbrand popped up to third and Scott Hatteberg popped up to second to end the inning.

Sandy Alomar drew a walk to begin the top of the third but Wakefield struck out Royce Clayton. Durham singled to center but Rowand banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox blew their chance to blow it open in the bottom of the third as Offerman popped up to second to begin. Stynes singled to left but Nixon whiffed. Ramirez walked but Bichette whiffed to end the inning.

The White Sox threatened in the top of the fourth although Lee whiffed to start. Ordonez doubled to left then swiped third before Canseco walked to put runners at the corners. Konerko popped up to second but Perry was plunked to load the bases. Alomar grounded into a force to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fourth as Everett flied out to center to start. Lansing grounded out to second and Hatteberg grounded out to third to end the inning.

The White Sox struck back in the top of the fifth although Clayton flied out to left to begin. Durham grounded out to second but Rowand singled. Rowand took second on a passed ball and Lee singled him home. Ordonez doubled and Canseco walked to load the bases but Konerko whiffed to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

The BoSox failed to respond in the bottom of the fifth as Hatteberg lined back to Buehrle to start. Offerman flied out to right but Stynes doubled down the right field line. Nixon grounded out to second to end the inning.

Wakefield cruised in the top of the sixth as Perry and Alomar both flied out to left. Clayton flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox threatened again in the bottom of the sixth as Ramirez singled and Bichette walked but Everett popped up to second. Lansing banged into a double play to end the inning.

The ChiSox took command in the top of the seventh as Durham walked to start. Durham was erased on the force by Rowand before Rowand swiped second.  Lee tripled home Rowand to put Chicago on top and chase Wakefield. "El Guapo" Rich Garces replaced Wakefield and Ordonez doubled home Lee to ice the game. Canseco flied out to left and Konerko whiffed to end the inning but the White Sox were up for good 3-1.

                                                          Ordonez with the backbreaker

The BoSox did nothing in the bottom of the seventh as Hillenbrand lined out to third to begin. Hatteberg lined out to center and Offerman grounded out to second to end the inning.

Garces returned for the top of the eighth and Perry singled to right to start. Perry moved to second on the sacrifice bunt by Alomar but Clayton grounded out to third. Durham grounded out to first to end the inning. Stynes singled to start the bottom of the eighth and Nixon sacrificed him to second to chase Buehrle. Bob Howry was brought in to pitch to Manny and Ramirez walked to put the tying run on. Bichette grounded out to third and closer Keith Foulke came in for the four out save. With the game on the line...Everett whiffed to end the inning.

23 year old rookie Casey Fossum made his major league debut in the top of the ninth and Rowand grounded out to short to begin. Lee singled to right but was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double. Ordonez grounded out to second to end the inning. Chris Singleton took Lee's spot in the batting order but was in left with Rowand moving to center to start the bottom of the ninth. Brian Daubach pinch hit for Lansing but grounded out to first. Troy O'Leary pinch hit for Hillenbrand but whiffed. Hatteberg popped up to short to end the inning. The ChiSox had won it 3-1.

Jackass of the Night is Carl Everett. He was 0 for 4 at the plate including the big strikeout to end the 8th inning rally.

                                                         Everett is a Jackass

The Good:

Chris Stynes was 3 for 3 with a walk.

Manny Ramirez walked 3 times and drove in a run.

Mike Lansing was 1 for 3.

Rich Garces tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Casey Fossum pitched a scoreless 9th inning in his major league debut.

The Bad:

Trot Nixon was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Brian Daubach grounded out as a pinch hitter.

Shea Hillenbrand was 0 for 3.

Troy O'Leary struck out as a pinch hitter.

Scott Hatteberg was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

Jose Offerman was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.

Dante Bichette was just 1 for 4.

Tim Wakefield took the loss but pitched reasonably well. He went 6 1/3 innings and was charged with 3 runs. The 5 walks killed him in the end.

Final Thoughts:

The BoSox are in trouble if they keep losing games to inferior teams while the New York Yankees continue to win. They only mustered 5 hits and a single run against Mark Buehrle but Keith Foulke owned them in the final four outs. The Sox had their chances to do some damage but couldn't get any hits with men in scoring position. Not having Jason Varitek hurts because both Doug Mirabelli and Hatteberg are backup catchers so offense has been hard to come by once the Sox get to the bottom of the order. If only Everett was hitting like he was last year, the Sox would still be in first place. The word on the street is the Sox are looking for a closer since Derek Lowe has been garbage this season. The Sox have 3 days to find one before the season gets out of hand. The less said of this worthless defeat, the better. The good news is Nomar Garciaparra makes his season debut tomorrow. The loss dropped the BoSox to 59-44, 3.5 games behind the surging Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to bounce back in the rubber game of this series tomorrow afternoon when David Cone goes up against Sean Lowe of the ChiSox at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park. Help us Nomar!

Braves Shut Out Sox (7/8/01)

What the hell was that? In the last game before the All-Star break the Boston Red Sox laid an egg against the NL East leading Atlanta Braves. Local boy Tom Glavine was magnificent by tossing 7 shut-out innings while the Braves offense pounded Tomo Ohka and a host of Red Sox relievers. When it all was said and done the Braves took 2 out of 3 to end the first half on a low note with an 8-0 victory at Fenway Park. How many runs did the Sox score Dean Wormer?

Ohka started off strong by getting Quilvio Veras to ground out to second to start the top of the first. BJ Surhoff doubled to left but Andruw Jones flied out to right and Chipper Jones grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox missed a chance to score off Glavine in the bottom of the first as Jose Offerman started with a walk. Chris Stynes flied out to right but Trot Nixon singled. Manny Ramirez flied out to right which sent Offerman to third, but Dante Bichette grounded out to short to end the inning.

Ohka whiffed Ken Caminiti to open the top of the second but Brian Jordan singled to center. Javy Lopez banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the second as Shea Hillenbrand popped up to second, Mike Lansing was thrown out trying to bunt and Doug Mirabelli whiffed to end the inning.

Rico Brogna grounded out to second to begin the top of the third but Mark DeRosa singled to center. Veras grounded out to second and Surhoff popped up to third to end the inning. Glavine cruised in the bottom of the third as Darren Lewis flied out to right to begin. Offerman grounded out to first and Stynes grounded out to short to end the inning.

                                                          Stynes can't crack Glavine

Ohka got the Braves to beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the fourth inning. Andruw Jones grounded out to short, Chipper Jones grounded out to first and Caminiti also grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fourth as Nixon grounded out to short to start. Ramirez walked but Bichette banged into a double play to end the inning.

All of a sudden Ohka lost it in the top of the fifth as Jordan cracked a 400,000 foot home run to put the Braves on top. Lopez flied out to center and Brogna flied out to left but DeRosa and Veras stroked back to back singles before moving into scoring position on a balk. Surhoff doubled home both runners to ice the game. Andruw Jones put the exclamation point on with a 2 run bomb. Chipper Jones whiffed to end the inning but the Braves had pounded the Sox for 5 runs. That was it for Ohka as he allowed 5 runs in 5 innings to trail 5-0 as he left.

                                                            Nice going Ohka

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the fifth as Hillenbrand flied out to right, Lansing flied out to center and Mirabelli grounded out to third.

Hipolito Pichardo came in to crap his pants in the top of the sixth as Caminiti doubled to start. Jordan singled and Lopez singled in Caminiti to score a run and chase Pichardo. Bryce Florie was brought in and got Brogna to bang into a double play. DeRosa flied out to right to end the inning with the Braves ahead 6-0.

Glavine cruised in the bottom of the sixth as Lewis lined out to second to start. Offerman flied out to center before Stynes watched strike three go by to end the inning.

Florie cruised in the top of the seventh as Veras grounded out to second to begin. Surhoff flied out to right before Andruw Jones looked at strike three to end the inning. The Sox had their only rally in the bottom of the seventh as Nixon and Ramirez stroked back to back singles to start. That was it as Bichette popped up to first, Hillebrand whiffed and Lansing grounded out to short to end the inning.

Bill Pulsipher was brought in for the top of the eighth and got no help from his defense. Chipper Jones hit a routine grounder to Lansing who fielded the ball and threw it over the Monster into the screen for an error. Jones ended up on second before moving to third on the grounder to short by Caminiti. Jordan doubled home Jones to increase the lead. Lopez walked before Wes Helms pinch hit for Brogna only to strike out. DeRosa walked to load the bases but Veras whiffed to end the inning with the Braves ahead 7-0.

Mike Remlinger relieved Glavine and cruised in the bottom of the eighth. Mirabelli whiffed but Lewis somehow singled. Offerman banged into a double play to end the inning.

Carlos Castillo came in to take a beating in the top of the ninth although Surhoff grounded out to first to start. Andruw Jones popped up to first but Chipper Jones launched a 5,000 foot home run to wrap up the scoring. Caminiti grounded out to third to end the inning with the Braves ahead 8-0.

Steve Reed had mop up duty in the bottom of the ninth and Stynes grounded out to short to begin. Nixon flied out to right and Ramirez took strike three to end the game. The Sox mustered just 4 hits, committed an error and was humiliated 8-0.

Jackass of the Night is Tomo Ohka. Now that the Sox offense were going to crack Glavine but he didn't do them any favors by allowing 5 runs in 5 innings.

                                                            Nice going Jackass

The Good:

Trot Nixon was 2 for 4.

Manny Ramirez was 1 for 3.

Darren Lewis was 1 for 3.

Bryce Florie tossed 2 full scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Chris Stynes was 0 for 4.

Dante Bichette was 0 for 3.

Shea Hillenbrand was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Mike Lansing was 0 for 3 with an error.

Doug Mirabelli was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Hipolito Pichardo faced 3 men and allowed 2 hits, a double and a run.

Carlos Castillo allowed a run in the top of the ninth.

The Ugly:

Jose Offerman was 0 for 3 but walked.

Bill Pulispher allowed an unearned run in the top of the eighth.

Final Thoughts:

Talk about limping into the All-Star break. The Sox entered July in first place and ended up in second just 7 days later. The red hot New York Yankees have won 10 out of 11 to take control of the division and the Sox are going to have to step it up in the second half to get back in first. The loss of Pedro Martinez and Jason Varitek hurts but the Sox still have enough talent to compete, especially for the wild card if nothing else. As for this game, not much you can do against Glavine but tip your cap and go get em tomorrow...or in this case after the break. The Sox head into the All-Star break 51-36, 1.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox head out on a 4 team road trip beginning Thursday in New York against the Mets in interleague play. Nobody knows who's going to start but that's when the season resumes.

Basebawful Report of The Month

Rolando Arrojo - 4 Good, 2 Bad, 2 Jackass

Rod Beck - 6 Good, 3 Bad, 1 Ugly

Dante Bichette - 5 Good, 1 Bad, 10 Ugly

Frank Castillo - 1 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Hero, 1 Jackass

David Cone - 3 Bad

Paxton Crawford - 1 Bad, 1 Hero

Brian Daubach - 8 Good, 2 Bad, 5 Ugly

Carl Everett - 7 Good, 4 Bad, 12 Ugly, 1 Hero, 2 Jackass

Rich Garces - 3 Good, 5 Bad, 2 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Craig Grebeck - 1 Bad, 1 Honorable Mention

Scott Hatteberg - 2 Good, 6 Bad

Shea Hillenbrand - 9 Good, 7 Bad, 8 Ugly, 1 Hero

Mike Lansing - 7 Good, 5 Bad, 6 Ugly

Darren Lewis - 5 Good, 5 Bad, 1 Ugly

Derek Lowe - 7 Good, 2 Bad, 2 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Pedro Martinez - 2 Good, 4 Hero

Lou Merloni - 2 Good, 2 Bad, 1 Honorable Mention

Trot Nixon - 6 Good, 4 Bad, 8 Ugly, 2 Honorable Mention

Hideo Nomo - 2 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Hero, 1 Jackass

Jose Offerman - 8 Good, 2 Bad, 14 Ugly

Tomo Ohka - 1 Bad, 1 Jackass

Troy O'Leary - 5 Good, 2 Bad, 8 Ugly

Hipolito Pichardo - 1 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly

Manny Ramirez - 17 Good, 3 Bad, 5 Ugly

Pete Schourek - 2 Good, 4 Bad, 1 Jackass

Chris Stynes - 3 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Jackass

John Valentin - 4 Good, 5 Bad, 4 Ugly. 1 Honorable Mention

Jason Varitek - 9 Good, 6 Bad, 7 Ugly, 2 Hero

Tim Wakefield - 5 Good, 2 Ugly, 1 Hero, 1 Jackass

Most Valuable Player is Manny Ramirez with 17 Good

Least Valuable Player is Shea Hillenbrand with 7 Bad

Ugliest Player of The Month is Jose Offerman with 14 Ugly

Hero of The Month is Pedro Martinez with 4 Hero

The Co-Jackasses of The Month are Rolando Arrojo and Carl Everett with 2 Jackass

Honorable Player of The Month is Trot Nixon with 2 Honorable Mention

Sox Rally Past Blue Jays Late (5/31/01)

Well this game between the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays wasn't exactly a pitcher's duel. For five innings Hideo Nomo held the high powered Jays to just 1 run before getting knocked out in the sixth. The Red Sox rallied to take a 4-2 lead thanks to a two run bomb by Manny Ramirez. In the bottom of the seventh, Shannon Stewart hit a three run blast off Rod Beck to put the Blue Jays ahead. The Sox rallied for four runs in the top of the eighth against the Jays bullpen and three more in the ninth to take a commanding lead. Rolando Arrojo shut the door in the ninth and the Sox had outslugged Toronto 11-5 at the Skydome.

                                                      Angelina Jolie approves of the win

Jays starter Chris Michalak got the ball in the top of the first inning and Jose Offerman grounded out to short to start. Brian Daubach flied out to center and Carl Everett grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Nomo got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Shannon Stewart grounded out to second to start. Alex Gonzalez popped up to second and Carlos Delgado struck out swinging to end the inning.

Manny Ramirez popped up to short to start the top of the second but Dante Bichette doubled to left. Troy O'Leary struck out swinging and Shea Hillenbrand flied out to center to end the inning. Raul Mondesi grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the second and Jose Cruz took strike three. Brian Simmons grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the third as Jason Varitek lined out to left to start. Mike Lansing doubled to left and Offerman got a base hit up the middle to score him. Daubach grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                               Jose drives in a run

Tony Batista struck out swinging to start the bottom of the third and Darrin Fletcher flied out to left. Homer Bush grounded out to third to end the inning.

Everett grounded out to second to start the top of the fourth and Ramirez flied out to right. Bichette walked but was picked off to end the inning. Stewart lined out to second to start the bottom of the fourth and Gonzalez struck out swinging. Delgado struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the fifth as O'Leary popped up to short to start. Hillenbrand popped up to third but Varitek smashed his sixth home run of the year to increase the lead. Lansing got a base hit to center but Offerman forced him at second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                            Home run Varitek

The Jays answered in the bottom of the fifth although Hillenbrand made a great diving catch to rob Mondesi of a hit. The perfect game was broken up when Cruz beat out an infield single to short. Simmons got a base hit to right and both runners moved over on a passed ball. Batista singled in the hole at short to score Cruz and Simmons moved to third on a fly ball to right by Fletcher. Bush walked to load the bases but Stewart popped up to second to end the inning with the Jays down 2-1.

                                                  Hillenbrand with a great catch

The Sox looked to have the game wrapped up in the top of the sixth when Daubach singled to right to start. Everett forced him at second then Manny hit his 16th home run of the season to the opposite field. Bichette flied out to right and O'Leary struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-1.

                                                       Another blast for Manny

Nomo fell apart in the top of the sixth when Gonzalez hit a home run all the way to Montreal to cut the lead. Delgado walked and Sox manager Jimy Williams felt that was enough for Nomo after 5 1/3 innings and 2 runs allowed. "El Guapo" Rich Garces came in and Mondesi grounded out to second to move Delgado to second. Cruz struck out swinging but Simmons walked. Batista struck out swinging to end the inning with the Jays down 4-2.

                                              Perfect through 4 1/3, didn't last much longer

Kelvim Escobar came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Hillenbrand grounded out to short to start. Varitek flied out to left but Lansing struck out swinging to end the inning. The wheels fells off in the bottom of the seventh as Fletcher got a base hit to center. Bush singled to left and that was it for Garces. Rod Beck came in to stop the bleeding and did the opposite. Stewart hit a three run home run completely out of the Skydome to put the Jays on top. Gonzalez grounded out to short and Delgado flied out to center, but Mondesi tripled into the centerfield gap. Cruz flied out to left to end the inning with the Jays ahead 5-4.

                                                        Dammit Beck

Suddenly the Sox rallied in the top of the eighth as Offerman got a base hit to center to start. Daubach also got a base hit to center and both runners moved over on a grounder to first by Everett. Ramirez was intentionally walked to load the bases and Bichette made them pay with a sac fly to right to score Offerman to tie the game. Dan Plesac came in to face O'Leary for the lefty on lefty....and walked him to re-load the bases. Old friend Paul Quantrill came in to face Hillenbrand but wait! Jimy Williams countered by bringing in Trot Nixon to pinch hit. Nixon got plunked to score Daubach with the go-ahead run and Varitek stoked a 2 run opposite field base hit to increase the lead. Lansing struck out looking to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 8-5.

                                                           Good work Varitek

John Valentin came in for Bichette's spot while playing third and Craig Grebeck came in to play short for Lansing with Nixon now in right for the bottom of the eighth. Simmons grounded out to second, Batista flied out to center and Fletcher flied out to left to end the inning.

Jays closer Billy Koch came in to take a beating in the top of the ninth as Offerman grounded out to second to start. Daubach took strike three but Everett got a base hit to center. Ramirez got a base hit to center to move Everett to third and Valentin followed with a single to center as well to score Carl. O'Leary doubled to left to score Ramirez and chase Koch from the game. Pedro Borbon Jr struck Nixon out swinging with the Sox ahead 11-5.

                                                              Valentin drives in a run

Rolando Arrojo came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Bush struck out swinging to start. Stewart took strike three and Gonzalez grounded out to short to end the game. The Sox had won it 11-5.

Hero of The Night is Trot Nixon. His bases loaded hit by pitch put the Sox up for good.

                                                                  Hero Nixon

The Good:

Jose Offerman was 2 for 5 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Brian Daubach was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Manny Ramirez was 2 for 4 with a walk, a 2 run home run and 3 total runs scored.

Dante Bichette was 1 for 2 with a walk and an rbi.

John Valentin singled, scored and drove in two runs.

Jason Varitek was 2 for 4 with a home run and 3 total rbis.

Mike Lansing was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Hideo Nomo allowed just 2 runs in 5 innings off 4 hits and 2 walks.

Rolando Arrojo pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Shea Hillenbrand was 0 for 3.

Rich Garces allowed 2 runs in an inning of work.

The Ugly:

Carl Everett was just 1 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

Troy O'Leary was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked, drove in a run and scored a run.

Rod Beck vultured the win by allowing a run in 2 innings of work.

Honorable Mention:

Craig Grebeck played shortstop in the final two innings.

Final Thoughts:

That game was a mixed bag for sure. The pitching was concerning with Garces and Beck getting shelled and Nomo didn't do very well either. On the other hand the offense was smoothly operating thanks to the efforts of just about everyone. After the offense failed miserably last year, adding Ramirez and keeping Bichette is paying dividends already. Just have to hold the fort until Nomar Garciaparra comes back and this might be the most deadliest offense in baseball with a 3-4-5 of Nomar, Ramirez and Everett. Just have to keep everyone healthy. On the other side of the ball, the Sox need to fix their pitching woes because they've vastly underperformed. Both the rotation and the bullpen need to pick things up if the Sox want to hang on to first place and see October again. The win improved the Sox to 29-22, tied for first place in the AL East with the New York Yankees. The Sox look to make it 3 wins in a row and second straight against the Blue Jays tomorrow night when Frank Castillo (5-3, 3.74 ERA) takes on Steve Parris of Toronto. The game begins at 7:07 PM at the Skydome.