Monday, April 21, 2014

Buchholz Hammered on Patriots Day (4/21/14)

One year after the most infamous Boston Marathon of all time, the Sox could not repeat the magic on Patriots Day 2014. Clay Buchholz once again stunk the joint out as its become apparent he's not the same pitcher he was from the first half of 2013.

Nick Markakis led the game off with a ground out to second base. Nelson "pain in the ass" Cruz struck out but Chris Davis walked. Jonny Gomes then made a diving catch to rob Adam Jones of a hit to end the inning. Wei-Yin Chen got Brock Holt to ground out to begin the bottom of the first. Pedroia grounded out but not before nearly taking out Jonathan Schoop at third base when Pedroia lost control of his bat on a swinging strike two. David Ortiz drew a 4 pitch walk but Napoli grounded out to end the inning.

Steve Clevenger grounded out to second to begin the top of the second, Schoop grounded out to short and Ryan Flaherty grounded out to Buchholz to end the inning. In the bottom of the second, last night's comeback starter Jonny Gomes did what he usually does, strike out. Xander Bogaerts popped up to center and Daniel Nava struck out to end the inning.

Steve Lombardozzi started the third inning rally with a single. David Lough singled and after Holt dropped his pop up into the stands, Markakis singled Lombardozzi home. Lough took third and he scored on Cruz' single. The hits kept on coming as Davis singled Markakis home and Cruz took third. Cruz scored on the force at second by Jones. Clevenger then doubled home Jones to make it 5-0 just like that. Not only have the Red Sox trailed in nearly every game they've played this season, they've trailed big. Schoop doubled home Clevenger and Sox manager John Farrell had seen enough. After breezing through the first two innings, Buchholz allowed 7 hits and was replaced by Burke Badenhop. After finishing last night's game less than 12 hours ago, the Sox needed Buchholz to pitch a good game with the rest of the troops tired....well he failed miserably. Luckily Badenhop got Flaherty to bang into a double play to end the inning. Just like that the game was over 2 1/2 innings into it.  Could the Red Sox rally? Hell no! David Ross and Jackie Bradley Jr struck out to begin the bottom of the third and Holt grounded out to end the inning.

Picking up where he left off, Lombardozzi led off the top of the 4th with a single. Somehow Badenhop got Lough to line out to center but Markakis walked. Cruz banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox got their first runner of the day on a miracle walk by Pedroia to begin the 4th. Somehow Ortiz singled but Napoli kept up the incompetence with a full count strike out. More basebawful continued when Gomes lined out to short.....who doubled off Pedroia to end the inning.

Badenhop walked Davis to begin the top of the 5th but recovered to strike out Jones and get Clevenger to bang into a double play. 3 double plays by Badenhop, talk about putting out the fire. The Sox finally struck in the bottom of the 5th. Bogaerts worked a lead-off walk and Nava somehow hit one in the hole at short. Ross nearly hit into a double play but beat out the relay throw to first. Somehow Jackie Bradley Jr hit a ground rule double to score Boegarts and advance Nava to third. Holt lined out to center but Ross scored to cut the lead 6-2. Pedroia then cut the lead in half with a double down the line to score Bradley Jr. Ortiz lined one off the glove at second but was thrown out at first to end the inning. Still, a 3 run deficit with 4 innings to go is better than 6.

Badenhop continued his scoreless streak by getting Schoop to ground out to begin the top of the 6th. Flaherty and Lombardozzi both grounded out to first to end the inning. 3 2/3 scoreless innings for Badenhop, great job to keep them in the game. Ryan Webb replaced Chen for the 6th inning and struck out Napoli, Gomes and Bogaerts in short order.

Craig Breslow took over for the top of the 7th and Lough grounded out to first. Markakis flied out but Cruz walked. Cruz was the first base runner since Clevenger's double in the 3rd. He didn't go far as Davis grounded out into the shift to end the inning. Zach Britton took the mound for the bottom of the 7th. Nava flied out to right but David Ross clocked his first home run of the year to make it 6-4. Bradley Jr grounded out but Holt singled to left. Pedroia walked and with the tying runs on.....Ortiz grounded out to end the inning. Inching closer but still trailing.

The O's struck back in the top of the 8th. Jones singled to lead off and Clevenger hit a picture perfect ground ball to Pedroia but Bogaerts botched the relay throw and Steve was safe at first. Schoop flied out to center but Clevenger tagged up and advanced to second. Flaherty singled to center and Bradley Jr threw a hundred feet from home but Ross got Flaherty at second to end the inning. Still, it was back to a 3 run lead for Baltimore. It goes down as an earned run allowed on Breslow but Bogaerts, Clevenger and Bradley Jr were more responsible. Darren O'Day replaced Britton for the bottom of the 8th and Mike Napoli greeted him with a blast to centerfield to cut the lead 7-5. Mike Carp pinch hit for Gomes and grounded out to short, great clutch hitting. Bogaerts lashed a base hit to left to put the tying run at the plate. Nava singled off the glove of O'Day and that was it for him, O's manager Buck Showalter brought in lefty Brian Matusz. For some reason, Sox manager John Farrell pinch hit David Ross for Jonathan Herrera the utility infielder. The Sox then literally ran into a double play as Herrera struck out and Bogaerts stopped halfway to third and allowed himself to be tagged. BASEBAWFUL!

Carp stayed in left, AJ Pierzynski took over at the dish and Andrew Miller took the mound for the top of the 9th. Lombardozzi lined out and Lough popped up. Bradley Jr made a basket catch to rob Markakis of a hit to retire the side. O's closer Tommy Hunter was brought in to finish the game. Bradley Jr grounded out and it looked like Holt did as well....until Lombardozzi threw the ball away. They ruled it a hit but it was clearly an error. Pedroia nearly tied the game but the ball hit the top of the wall for a double. Showalter then made the bold move by intentionally walking Ortiz to load the bases for Napoli, who ended last year's Patriots Day game with a wall ball. This year....he grounded out to second, but Holt scored to make it 7-6. This left it up to Mike Carp, not the master of walkoffs Jonny Gomes, to win the game. As expected, Carp grounded out to end the game. A tough loss but it was great to see the Sox come back after being down 6-0.


THE GOOD:

Burke Badenhop kept the Sox in the game with 3 2/3 scoreless relief. Andew Miller pitched a scoreless 9th. Brock Holt was 2 for 4 with a run and an rbi. Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 3 with 2 walks and an rbi. David Ortiz was 1 for 3 with 2 walks.


THE BAD:

Jackass of the Day is an easy one. With the Sox needing to rest their bullpen, Clay Buchholz went out and pitched miserably, lasting only 2 1/3 while giving up 7 hits and 6 runs that cost the Sox the game. Jonathan Herrera struck out with the tying runs on base in the 8th. Mike Carp came up twice with a chance to win the game and failed both times. Jonny Gomes was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts


THE UGLY:

Craig Breslow allowed the eventual deciding run in the 7th but that was more of heads up baseball by Steve Clevenger than his own fault, especially in 2 innings of relief. Mike Napoli was just 1 for 5 but that included a home run and an rbi groundout in the 9th. Xander Bogaerts countered going 1 for 3 with a walk and run scored by playing horrendous defense and running the bases horribly, leading to the defeat. Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored on his lone hit.


Honorable Mention:

AJ Pierzynski caught the top of the 9th with no problems.


Final Thoughts:

None

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Sox Stun Rangers Late (4/9/14)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Craig Breslow was activated off the Disabled List and activated for tonight's game. Breslow gives the Sox a much needed shot in the arm as his relief experience is badly needed. The Sox sent Brandon Workman back to Pawtucket as a corresponding move.
                                                                          OUT
                                                                               IN

As for the game, once again the Red Sox looked like they were sleepwalking through another game. Once the Rangers took a 2-1 lead in the eighth, all hope looked lost. Suddenly the Sox rallied in the bottom of the eighth. Who else but David Ortiz hit the 3 run shot off reliever Neil Cotts to put the Sox ahead. Koji Uehara slammed the door in the ninth inning and the Sox stole one against the Texas Rangers 4-2 at Fenway Park.
                                                           Britt Linn approves of the win

Jake Peavy got the start for the Red Sox and Shin-Soo Choo hit the first pitch of the game over the head of Jackie Bradley Jr for a double to start. Elvis Andrus hit a grounder to Napoli but Choo didn't run to third. That was a huge mistake as Prince Fielder grounded out to second and Choo went to third. Alex Rios walked and stole second but Mitch Moreland struck out swinging to end the inning. Robbie Ross Jr got the start for Texas and Jonny Gomes grounded out to third to start. Dustin Pedroia also grounded out to third and David Ortiz was retired on a dribbler in front of the plate to end the inning.

Peavy cruised in the top of the second inning as Donnie Murphy struck out swinging on a nasty changeup to start. Leonys Martin popped up to left and Robinson Chirinos took strike three to end the inning. Mike Napoli and Xander Bogaerts drew back to back walks to start the bottom of the second but Daniel Nava took strike three. Ryan Roberts banged into a double play to end the inning.

Josh Wilson struck out swinging to start the top of the third but Choo walked. David Ross threw out Choo trying to steal and Andrus grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the third as Ross hit one up the elevator shaft to start. JBJ and Gomes both walked and Pedroia hit a dribbler in front of the plate. Ross Jr threw the ball away allowing JBJ to score and Pedroia to take second. Ortiz banged into a double play to end the inning but it was 1-0 Sox.
                                                     Ooops!

Peavy turned up the heat in the top of the fourth as Fielder, Rios and Moreland all struck out swinging in short order. Napoli grounded out to third to start the bottom of the fourth but Bogaerts walked. Nava was called out on strike three and Bogaerts overslid the bag on a steal attempt for a double play to end the inning.
                                                       Yerrrrr out!

Murphy popped up to Pedroia to start the top of the fifth but Martin hit a routine grounder to third. Roberts threw the ball wide of first for a "single". Chirinos popped up to Roberts in foul territory and Wilson popped up to second to end the inning

Choo walked to start the top of the sixth and moved to second on the swinging bunt by Andrus. Fielder moved Choo to third with a grounder but Rios flied out to third to end the inning. Pedroia began the bottom of the sixth by striking out swinging before Ortiz doubled off the garage door in center. That was it for Ross Jr as Alexi Ogando came in to pitch. Napoli popped up to short on the first pitch and Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning.

The Rangers finally tagged Peavy in the top of the seventh when Moreland hit a home run all the way to Santo Domingo to tie the game. Murphy grounded out to short and Martin went down hacking. Chirinos walked and that was it for Peavy after 109 pitches. He made one mistake to Moreland but was outstanding otherwise. Kevin Kouzmanoff pinch hit for Wilson and Junichi Tazawa came in to pitch. Kouzmanoff singled to right but Choo flied out to center to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.
                                                           Peavy deserved better

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the seventh as Nava took strike three to start. Mike Carp pinch hit for Roberts and also took strike three. Ross whiffed to end the inning. 

Jonathan Herrera took over at third with Andrew Miller on the mound for the top of the eighth. Andrus doubled into the right field corner to start and moved to third on the grounder by Fielder. Rios hit a fly ball to JBJ with Andrus and Jackie fired home...safe! Andrus scored and the Rangers took the lead.
                                                      Rangers take the lead

Somehow the Sox rallied in the bottom of the eighth as JBJ walked to start. AJ Pierzynski pinch hit for Gomes and dumped a base hit down the right field line. Grady Sizemore pinch ran for Pierzynski and was erased by the Pedroia force. Neal Cotts came in to pitch to Ortiz and Big Papi swatted a 3 run bomb just over the Pesky Pole to give the Sox the lead. Rangers manager Ron Washington wanted the call reviewed and when the umpires looked at the tape, nobody had any clue where the ball landed so it was upheld. Napoli whiffed and Bogaerts grounded out to short to end the inning but the Sox led 4-2.
                                                  Ortiz pounds a home run into right

Koji Uehara came in to pitch the top of the ninth with Sizemore now in to center, Nava now in left and JBJ in right. Murphy grounded back to Koji to start and Martin whiffed. Jim Adduci pinch hit for Chirinos and popped up to Herrera in foul territory to end the game. The Sox had stole one 4-2.
                                                            Sox win


Hero of the Night is David Ortiz. His 3 run home run was the difference in the game.
                                                        Hero Big Papi


The Good:

AJ Pierzynski singled as a pinch hitter.

Jackie Bradley Jr walked 3 times and scored 2 runs.

Jake Peavy deserved the win by going 6 2/3 innings while allowing just the home run to Moreland. He struck out 8 batters.

Junichi Tazawa retired the final batter of the seventh inning.

Koji Uehara got the save with a scoreless ninth inning.



The Bad:

Daniel Nava was 0 for 3 with 3 strikeouts.

Ryan Roberts was 0 for 2.

Mike Carp struck out as a pinch hitter.

David Ross was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Andrew Miller vultured the win by allowing a run in the eighth inning.



The Ugly:

Jonny Gomes was 0 for 2 but walked.

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Mike Napoli was 0 for 3 but walked.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 2 and got caught stealing but walked twice.



Honorable Mention:

Grady Sizemore pinch ran for Pierzynski in the bottom of the eighth.

Jonathan Herrera played third base in the bottom of the eighth.




Final Thoughts:

That was a good comeback win but it would be nice for the offense to not fall asleep for seven innings day after day. Jake Peavy pitched his ass off but has nothing to show for it because the bats were quiet for most of the game. The Ortiz homer bailed out another bad offensive performance and something's not right with this team. They hit into more double plays than they score runs it seems. Losing Jacoby Ellsbury severely impacted team speed but who would have thought it would be this bad? Still, a win is a win even if its better late than never. Ortiz has been bailing out the Sox for 11 years now and they're gonna miss him when he's gone. As mentioned earlier, Craig Breslow has been activated so they have the trio that got them to the World Series last year back. The Sox now travel to the Bronx for a set with the New York Yankees. Clay Buchholz takes the mound for the Sox opposite Michael Pineda of the Yan kees. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Yankee Stadium.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Rangers Outslug Sox at Fenway (4/8/14)

The 2014 Boston Red Sox seem to be stuck in a rut. A day after John Lackey pitches a good game, Felix Doubront (1-1, 9.00 ERA) craps his pants against the Texas Rangers. The Rangers lit up Felix for 5 runs and knocked him out in the third inning. Burke Badenhop and Brandon Workman also took a beating as the Rangers pounded out a total of 13 hits and 10 runs. The Sox offense woke up late to score 7 total runs but clearly it wasn't enough. The Rangers feasted on the Sox and won the game 10-7 at Fenway Park.
                                                    "CAN SOMEONE PITCH WELL!!!"

Doubront got the ball in the top of the first and Shin-Soo Choo led off by drawing a walk. Elvis Andrus dropped down a bunt to move Choo to second and Shin moved to third on the fly out to center by Prince Fielder. Adrian Beltre flied out to right to end the inning with Stevie Ray Vaughn's rendition of Voodoo Child blaring on the stadium speakers. Martin Perez got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Jonny Gomes led off with a walk. Dustin Pedroia banged into a double play and David Ortiz whiffed to end the inning as Blind Melon's No Rain played over the Fenway speakers.

Alex Rios led off the top of the second by grounding out to new Sox player Ryan Roberts to start. Donnie Murphy popped up to Pedroia near foul territory and Michael Choice took strike three to end the inning. The Sox failed with men on base again as Mike Napoli chopped a single up the middle to start. Grady Sizemore dumped a base hit to center and Napoli moved to third on the liner to right by Xander Bogaerts. AJ Pierzynski killed the rally by banging into a double play to end the inning.

The Rangers pulverized Doubront in the top of the third as Robinson Chirinos hit one onto the Mass Pike to give the Rangers the lead. Josh Wilson grounded out to third but Choo singled off the Monster. Andrus took strike three but Fielder chopped a double over the head of Napoli into the right field corner that scored Choo. Fielder took third on the throw home and he scored when Beltre singled past the diving Bogaerts. Rios singled to left and Sox pitching coach Juan Nieves came out to tell Doubront that Law & Order SVU was on in the clubhouse. Murphy hit a pop up but Sizemore dove the wrong way and the ball dropped in for an rbi "double". Doubront was squeezed on a walk by Choice and Chirinos chased him by drawing a walk. The postage stamp strike zone frustrated Felix too much and he was gone after 2 2/3 innings and 5 runs allowed. Burke Badenhop came in and got Wilson to ground into a force to end the inning with the Rangers ahead 5-0.
                                                     Not Doubront's day

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the third although Roberts walked to start. Jackie Bradley Jr banged into a double play and Gomes took strike three to end the inning. 

The Rangers lit up Badenhop in the top of the fourth as Choo led off with a walk. Andrus singled past the diving Bogaerts and Fielder singled past the diving Pedroia to score Choo plus advance Andrus to third. Beltre pounded a double off the Monster to score Andrus but Rios grounded out to short. JBJ ran down a Murphy liner to right but it scored Fielder with another run. Choice grounded out to short to end the inning but the game was over early 8-0.
                                                          Rangers pour it on

The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Pedroia doubled into the left field corner to start. Ortiz hit a fly out to deep center but it was enough to move Pedroia to third. Napoli hit another chop up the middle for a hit to score Pedroia with the Sox' first run. Sizemore hit a grounder to Murphy who tagged out Napoli but Sizemore beat out the throw to first. Sox manager John Farrell came out to argue that Murphy never tagged him and umpire Ron Kulpa told Farrell that he was out of the baseline anyway. Farrell said the hell with it and went back to the dugout as Bogaerts grounded into a force to end the inning. The Sox did get a run but trailed 8-1.
                                                      Pedroia scores a run

The Rangers got the run back in the top of the fifth as Chirinos doubled to left to start. He moved to third on the bunt by Wilson and scored on the double down the right field line by Choo. Choo moved to third on the Andrus grounder but Fielder grounded out to second to end the inning with the Rangers up 9-1. Badenhop allowed four runs of his own, not great.
                                                              Badenhop wasn't much help

Pierzynski singled up the middle to start the bottom of the fifth but Roberts banged into the Sox fourth double play of the game. JBJ struck out swinging to end the inning.

Brandon Workman came in to pitch the top of the sixth inning and Jim Adduci pinch hit for Beltre to begin. Adduci hit a ground ball to Napoli who flipped it to Workman for the out. Gomes made a running grab of a Rios liner and Murphy swung and missed for strike three to end the inning. Gomes led off with a walk but...stop me if you've heard this....Pedroia banged into a double play. Ortiz grounded into the shift to end the inning.

Workman cruised in the top of the seventh as Choice grounded out to second to start. Chirinos flied out to left and Wilson grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox fought back in the bottom of the seventh as Napoli got a base hit to right to start. Sizemore lined a base hit to right and Napoli moved to third on the fly out by Bogaerts. A wild pitch moved Sizemore to second and Pierzynski singled up the middle to score Napoli and move Grady to third. That was it for Perez as Jason Frasor came in to pitch. Roberts walked to load the bases and JBJ doubled off the top of the Monster to score both Sizemore and Pierzynski. Gomes struck out swinging and Pedroia grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox down 9-4.
                                                       Pierzynski is pumped up

Workman kept up the pace in the top of the eighth as Choo grounded out to second to start. Andrus was rung up by home plate umpire Chris Conroy for strike three and Fielder whiffed to end the inning. Neal Cotts came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Ortiz whiffed on a 92 mph fastball to start. Napoli also went down hacking but Sizemore doubled into the right field corner. Bogaerts flied out to right to end the inning.

The Rangers finally got to Workman in the top of the ninth as Adduci doubled off the Monster to start. Rios hit a liner off Pedroia for an infield single to put runners at the corners but Murphy forced Rios at second. Choice hit a sac fly to center to score Adduci with another run. Chirinos grounded into a force to end the inning with the Rangers ahead 10-4.
                                                        Rangers score another run

Somehow the Sox rallied in the bottom of the ninth against Joakim Soria. Pierzynski singled to center to start but Roberts was rung up for strike three. JBJ singled to right and Gomes singled up the middle to score AJ. Pedroia whiffed but Ortiz doubled off the centerfield wall to score JBJ and Gomes to cut the lead. Napoli whiffed on a big curveball to end the game. The rally was fun but it wasn't enough as the Rangers had won it 10-7.
                                                                Dammit


Jackass of the Night is Felix Doubront. He got rocked for 5 runs in just 2 2/3 innings.
                                                                     Jackass Doubront



The Good:

Jonny Gomes was 1 for 3 with 2 walks, an rbi and a run scored.

Mike Napoli was 3 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Grady Sizemore was 3 for 4 with a run scored.

AJ Pierzynski was 3 for 4 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Ryan Roberts walked twice in four plate appearances.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 4 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.



The Bad:

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4.

Burke Badenhop allowed 4 runs in 2 1/3 innings.



The Ugly:

Brandon Workman allowed a run in 4 innings of work.

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but scored a run.

David Ortiz was just 1 for 5 but drove in 2 runs.




Final Thoughts:

Seems like the Red Sox are stuck in a rut they can't get out of. They somehow ground into 5 double plays yet still put 7 runs on the board. Too bad Felix Doubront and Burke Badenhop stunk the joint out in this one. Doubront seems to fall apart when calls don't go his way and that needs to change or else umpires will prey on that. The Sox are going to have to make a roster move tomorrow because Craig Breslow is ready. The word is Brandon Workman may be sent back to Pawtucket even though it should be Badenhop after that performance. The healthier the Sox get, the better they'll be in the long run. Tomorrow afternoon the Sox look to take the rubber game of this series when they send Jake Peavy (0-0, 3.00 ERA) to the mound up against Alexi Ogando of the Rangers. The game begins at 4:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Monday, April 7, 2014

Lackey, Sox Down Rangers (4/7/14)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a surprise roster move. Brock Holt was sent down to AAA and the Sox signed free agent Ryan Roberts, formerly of the Tampa Bay Rays. This was an experience move as Roberts could help the team immediately with Will Middlebrooks out.
                                                                  OUT
                                                                IN

After a terrible weekend, the world champion Boston Red Sox got back on track against the visiting Texas Rangers. John Lackey (2-0, 1.38 ERA) tossed 7 gutty innings to earn the win while Jackie Bradley Jr and AJ Pierzynski paced the offensive attack. RBI's by Daniel Nava and Dustin Pedroia along with shutdown relief by Chris Capuano and Koji Uehara sent the Sox to a 5-1 victory over the Rangers at Fenway Park.
                                          Tiffany approves of the win

Lackey got the ball in the top of the first inning and Shin-Soo Choo was rung up for strike three on a high strike to begin the game. Elvis Andrus lined a bullet right to Pedroia for the out before Prince Fielder grounded out to second to end the inning. Tanner Scheppers got the ball in the bottom of the first and Daniel Nava led off the game by getting hit with a pitch. Dustin Pedroia whiffed on a curveball before David Ortiz grounded into the shift but Andrus dropped the throw to extend the inning. Rangers manager Ron Washington came out to challenge that the ball was caught but the relay throw was dropped. The call was upheld only for Mike Napoli to bang into a double play to end the inning.

Old buddy Adrian Beltre lined out to center to open the top of the second before Alex Rios got a base hit to left only for Nava to boot the ball, allowing Rios to reach second. Mitch Moreland struck out swinging and Jackie Bradley Jr made a sliding catch on a Donnie Murphy liner to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second inning as Grady Sizemore grounded out to second to start. Xander Bogaerts legged out a seeing eye single and made it to third on a hit and run single by AJ Pierzynski. Jonathan Herrera popped up to Beltre in foul territory but JBJ got a base hit up the middle to score Bogaerts and advance Pierzynski to third. Nava drew a walk to load the bases but Pedroia grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0
                                                 JBJ drives in a run

Leonys Martin tried to catch the Sox asleep with a bunt to start the top of the third but the alert Pedroia gunned him down at first. JP Arencibia flied out to a running JBJ before Choo tripled just over the head of Sizemore in center. Andrus grounded out to second to end the inning. Ortiz led off the bottom of the third by grounding into the shift before Napoli singled to left. Sizemore hit into a double play to end the inning.

The Rangers struck back in the top of the fourth although Fielder grounded out to second to start. Beltre and Rios stroked back to back singles before a passed ball moved them both into scoring position. Sizemore made a great diving catch on a Moreland liner but Beltre scored to tie the game. Murphy whiffed to end the inning but the game was tied 1-1.
                                            Moreland makes the grab

The Sox wasted no time getting the lead back in the bottom of the fourth although Bogaerts grounded out to short to start. Pierzynski singled to center and Herrera singled him to third. The defensive wizard JBJ came up big as his base hit to left scored AJ and moved Herrera to third. Nava popped up to left and Pedroia popped up to first in foul territory to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-1.

Lackey whiffed Martin to begin the top of the fifth before Arencibia grounded out to second. Choo was frozen for strike three to end the inning. The Sox blew a chance to get some insurance in the bottom of the fifth as Ortiz whiffed on a 95 mph fastball. Napoli singled past the diving Murphy to right and Sizemore singled in almost the same spot. Bogaerts popped up to first but a wild pitch moved the runners over. Pierzynski whiffed to end the inning.

Lackey kept up the pace in the top of the sixth although Andrus singled up the middle to start. Fielder popped up to center and Beltre hit into a double play to end the inning. Pedro Figueroa took over on the mound for the bottom of the sixth and Herrera was plunked to start. JBJ flied out to center as Sox analyst learned how to send a text, but Nava banged into a double play to end the inning.

Rios worked a leadoff walk to start the top of the seventh and swiped second. Rios moved to third on the grounder by Moreland but Lackey got a big out when Murphy popped up to second. Martin drew a walk and Sox pitching coach Juan Nieves sprinted to the mound to tell Lackey that 2 plus 2 is 4. Martin swiped second but Arencibia grounded out to second to end the inning. That was it for Lackey who tossed 7 innings of 1 run ball to put the Sox in line for the win.
                                            Good effort from a happy Lackey

Seth Rosin came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Pedroia led off by grounding out to short to begin. Ortiz hit a fly out a mile high to center before Napoli beat out a grounder under the glove of Murphy. Sizemore doubled off the Monster but Bogaerts took strike three to end the inning.

Chris Capuano got the call to pitch the top of the eighth and Choo singled into the left field corner to start. Andrus lined out to Sizemore in center before Fielder banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox iced the game in the bottom of the eighth as Pierzynski singled to center to begin. Herrera tried to bunt but Rosin ended up walking him. JBJ did drop down a bunt but everyone ran for it and nobody covered first. Fielder threw the ball to no one and Pierzynski scored, Herrera moving to third on the error. That was it for Rosin as Shawn Tolleson came in to pour gas on the fire as Nava singled home Herrera and moved JBJ to third. Pedroia beat out a double play ball to score JBJ with another run. Ortiz forced Pedroia at second and Napoli forced Ortiz at second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-1.

It was time for the Orient Express as Koji Uehara came in to close out the top of the ninth inning. Beltre lined out to left and Herrera nearly fell into the Ranger dugout to snare a pop up from Rios. Moreland extended the inning with a base hit over the head of Pedroia before Murphy doubled off the Monster. Martin whiffed to end the game. The Sox snapped their 3 game losing streak with a 5-1 win.
                                                  Sox win


Hero of the Night is Jackie Bradley Jr. He drove in 2 runs and made 2 great catches to lead the Sox to victory.
                                                          Jackie Bradley Hero



The Good:

Daniel Nava was 1 for 3 with a walk, rbi and a hit by pitch.

Mike Napoli was 3 for 5.

Grady Sizemore was 2 for 4.

AJ Pierzynski was 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored.

Jonathan Herrera was 1 for 2 with a walk, hit by pitch and a run scored.

John Lackey got the win by tossing 7 innings of 1 run ball. He allowed just 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5.

Chris Capuano tossed a scoreless eighth inning.

Koji Uehara pitched a scoreless ninth inning.



The Bad:

David Ortiz was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.



The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 3 but drove in a run.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.




Final Thoughts:

The Sox offense is off to a cold start but John Lackey is picking up where he left off last season. He pitched a determined game after the Sox had lost 3 straight games and the offense picked him up. Koji Uehara looks just as dominant as he did last year so that's encouraging. The Sox offense is going to have to figure itself out if the Sox hope to repeat this season. Sizemore hasn't played in 3 years so he's going to have to knock some rust off. Getting Shane Victorino back to full strength would help big time. Tomorrow night the Sox look to make it two in a row over the Rangers when they send Felix Doubront (1-0) to the mound to take on Martin Perez at 6:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Brewers Sweep, Shutout Sox (4/6/14)

Before the game it was announced Will Middlebrooks was placed on the Disabled List with a calf strain and the Boston Red Sox called up Brock Holt to replace him. Holt was the other guy in the trade with Joel Hanrahan currently recovering from Tommy John surgery. He's supposed to be a third basemen but not the power hitter Middlebrooks is.
                                                             OUT
                                                                      IN


As for the game, what an epic failure. Not only did the Red Sox get swept by the Milwaukee Brewers at home, they laid an egg and got shut-out as well. Yovani Gallardo outpitched Jon Lester to hand the Sox a 4-0 loss at Fenway Park. How many runs did the Sox score Dean Wormer?

Lester took the mound in the top of the first inning and Carlos Gomez popped up to center to start. Rickie Weeks grounded out to short but Ryan Braun singled off the glove of shortstop Xander Bogaerts. Aramis Ramirez flied out to left to end the inning. Yovani Gallardo began his dominance in the bottom of the first inning when Daniel Nava grounded out to a diving Mark Reynolds at third. Dustin Pedroia hit a little roller up the middle that would have been a single but Weeks through the ball away, allowing Dustin to reach second. David Ortiz lined out to center and Mike Napoli watched strike three go by to end the inning.

The Brewers struck first in the top of the second when Jonathan Lucroy led off with a double off the Monster. Khris Davis caught the Sox asleep with a bunt single that put runners at the corners and Mark Reynolds singled to right. Nava picked the ball up and spiked it like a football before doing a dance as both Lucroy and Davis scored to give the Brewers a 2-0 lead. Reynolds stood at second but remained as Lyle Overbay flied out to the left field warning track. Nava crashed into the right field wall, reaching into the stands to catch a ball hit byJeff Bianchi and Carlos Gomez flied out to center to end the inning with the Brewers up 2-0

The Sox looked to rally when Bogaerts led off the bottom of the second with a single to center. Jonny Gomes watched strike three go by but Jonathan Herrera singled to center. Jackie Bradley Jr hit a hot shot to second that flummoxed Weeks. He threw to first on a bang bang play....OUT! But wait! Sox manager John Farrell used the new challenge system to challenge the call, but JBJ was still ruled out. Both runners moved into scoring position but David Ross grounded out to short to end the inning. Very frustrating not to get the call at first.
                                                    Ross is distraught that Jackie is out

Lester recovered to pitch a clean top of the third inning. Herrera made a great play to throw out Weeks at first before Lester whiffed Braun. Ramirez was rung up on a check swing in the dirt to end the inning. Gallardo robbed Nava of a line drive up the middle by snaring it at the last second to open the bottom of the third. Pedroia grounded out to short but Ortiz singled to center. Napoli grounded out to short to end the inning.

Lester stayed tough in the top of the fourth inning, getting Lucroy to fly out to right to begin. Davis whiffed and Herrera robbed Reynolds of a line drive hit to end the inning. The Sox mustered nothing in the bottom of the fourth as Bogaerts grounded out to short to start. Davis made a great catch to rob Gomes of a hit and Herrera grounded out to second to end the inning.

Lester was red hot in the top of the fifth inning as Overbay hit a broken bat grounder back to the mound to begin. Bianchi whiffed and Gomez grounded out to short to end the inning. That's 12 in a row retired by Lester after the single/error.
                      "Can someone score a run FOR THE LOVE OF GODD!!!"

Unfortunately the Sox would not score in the bottom of the fifth. JBJ grounded out to first and Ross grounded out to third, but somehow Nava doubled into the right field corner. Pedroia grounded out to third to end the inning.

Lester continued his hot streak in the top of the sixth inning. Weeks whiffed to begin before Braun flied out to right. Ramirez also flied out to right to end the inning, that's 15 in a row retired by Lester. The Sox continued to struggle in the bottom of the sixth as Ortiz grounded out to first to begin. Napoli was rung up on a 3-2 pitch for strike three and Bogaerts flied out to center to end the inning.

The Brewers struck again in the top of the seventh inning. Lucroy grounded out to third but Davis doubled to the centerfield wall when Pedroia missed the tag. Reynolds walked but Overbay whiffed. Bianchi singled in the hole and Davis beat Gomes' throw to increase the lead. Reynolds swiped third but Gomez was retired by Herrera on a bunt attempt to end the inning with the Brewers ahead 3-0.
                                                         Angry Lester

The lead remained intact after the bottom of the seventh. Gomes and Herrera both flied out to center but JBJ doubled off the Monster. Ross beat out an infield single to put runners at the corners and that was it for Gallardo. Zach Duke came in and....Nava flied out to center to end the inning.

With 101 pitches on his arm, Lester returned for the top of the eighth inning. Weeks lined out to left but Braun singled to chase Lester. He pitched reasonably well but Nava's error and the incompetence at the plate didn't help at all.
                                            Not today Jon, not today

Edward Mujica came in and also got no help from his defense. Braun took off for second and Ross decided to throw the ball to FIRST base instead. Napoli was not ready for the throw and Braun ended up on third. Sure enough, Ramirez singled to score Braun and close the book on Lester. He tossed 7 1/3 innings and was charged with 4 runs, not the best but Nava and Ross didn't help with their errors. Lucroy worked a walk but Davis popped up to short right. Mujica froze Reynolds on the outside corner for strike three but it was now 4-0 Milwaukee.

Tyler Thornburg came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth with Scooter Gennett now playing second base. Pedroia flied out to right and Ortiz grounded back to the mound, but Napoli beat out a chopper to second base. Bogaerts was rung up on a check swing to end the inning.

Andrew Miller came on to pitch the top of the ninth and snared a line drive by Overbay to start the inning. Bianchi singled to left but Bogaerts made a good jumping catch to rob Gomez of a hit. Gennett whiffed to end the inning. Thornburg came back to close out the game in the bottom of the ninth. Gomes somehow singled off the Monster but Herrera whiffed. JBJ whiffed and AJ Pierzynski pinch hit for Ross.....and grounded out to first to end the game. The Brewers had swept the Red Sox out of Fenway Park with a dominating 4-0 win.


Jackass of the Night is Daniel Nava. His error allowed the go-ahead runs to score and his failure at the plate inhibited the team's chances to win.
                                                  Jackass of the Night: Nava



The Good:

David Ross was 1 for 3.

Edward Mujica got the final two outs in the eighth inning.

Andrew Miller pitched a scoreless ninth inning.



The Bad:

AJ Pierzynski was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 4.

David Ortiz was just 1 for 4.

Mike Napoli was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jonny Gomes was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jonathan Herrera was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jon Lester took the loss by giving up 4 runs (2 earned) in 7 1/3 innings.




Final Thoughts:

Gadzooks that was bad! Getting swept at home is embarrassing enough but being shutout in the finale is even worse. The Sox are suffering from a serious World Series hangover but that's to be expected. They better shake it off soon because they can't afford to fall behind the Detroit Tigers or the Tampa Bay Rays too far. The Sox are back in action tomorrow as John Lackey (1-0) looks to stop the losing streak against the visiting Texas Rangers. Tanner Scheppers goes for the Rangers at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Brewers Outlast Sox in 11 Innings (4/5/14)

Last year's World Series champion Boston Red Sox were the masters of the walkoff and winning in extra innings. 5 games into the season this year they are finding ways to lose games they were winning last year. Tonight the Milwaukee Brewers battled the Sox to a 6-6 tie after 6 innings. The Brewers bullpen held the Sox to just 1 hit in the next 5 innings, jumped on yesterday's warrior Burke Badenhop and defeated the Sox 7-6 in 11 innings at Fenway Park.
                                             "START WINNING GAMESSSSSS!!!"

Clay Buchholz got the ball in his season debut in the top of the first inning and Carlos Gomez greeted him by popping up to a running Dustin Pedroia in shallow center. Jean Segura lined one off the leg of Buchholz for an infield single. Segura took off for second as Jonathan Lucroy grounded out to first, Jean eventually taking third on the head's up play. Aramis Ramirez put the Brewers on top by lining one off the glove of Xander Bogaerts, scoring Segura to give Milwaukee the lead. Khris Davis blooped a single to left but Logan Schafer grounded out to third to end the inning with the Brewers up 1-0.

Wily Peralta got the start for the Brewers and cruised in the bottom of the first inning. Grady Sizemore flied out to center, Pedroia grounded out to second and Daniel Nava popped up to short to end the inning.

Buchholz crapped his pants in the top of the second as Mark Reynolds smashed a line drive home run into the Monster Seats to increase the lead. Scooter Gennett whiffed on a fastball down the middle and Martin Maldonado popped up to first in foul territory, but Gomez blasted a home run off the light tower in left to increase the lead. Segura grounded out to short to end the inning but Buchholz looked like poo and the Brewers had the lead 3-0.
                                              "Boy do I suck" - CB

The Sox struck back in the bottom of the second although Mike Napoli froze on a 2-2 pitch on the outside corner to begin the inning. Bogaerts lined a single by the diving Reynolds and Jonny Gomes doubled to left field to put runners in scoring position. AJ Pierzynski grounded out to first but Bogaerts scored to put the Sox on the board. Jonathan Herrera hit a ground ball to Segura who kicked it, allowing Gomes to score. Herrera was somehow credited with a hit but he was thrown out at second base trying to steal to end the inning. The Sox had Peralta on the ropes when Herrera let him off the hook with the Sox down 3-2.
                                                Herrera cuts the deficit

Unfortunately Clay continued to suck in the top of the third. Lucroy doubled to center and Ramirez singled in the hole at short to put runners at the corners. Davis singled home Lucroy to increase the lead. Schafer grounded out to first but both runners moved into scoring position. Buchholz got Reynolds swinging on a 2-2 change but Gennett doubled home both runners to give the Brewers a commanding lead. Maldonado grounded out to second to end the inning but the Sox were down 6-2.
                                          "DAMN YOU BUCHHOLZ!!!!"

The Sox roared back in the bottom of the third although Jackie Bradley Jr whiffed on a slider in the dirt to start. Sizemore drew a walk and Pedroia lofted a picture perfect double play ball to Ramirez...right through his legs and everyone was safe. Nava hit a picture perfect double play ball to Segura who bobbled it but still was able to throw Nava out at first. Napoli made the Brewers pay for the errors by swatting a 3 run home run to dead center to bring the Sox to within one. Bogaerts walked but Gomes grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox now down 6-5.
                                  "Way to go Nap" - Pedroia "You guys suck" - Maldonado

Buchholz got bailed out by his defense in the top of the fourth inning. Gomez singled to left and Segura dropped a bunt down that Herrera fielded but Nava couldn't scoop for a base hit. Clay recovered to strike out Lucroy and then got Ramirez to fly out to the centerfield wall. For some reason Gomez tagged and  tried to come all the way around from second base, but was thrown out at home to end the inning. What was he thinking?
                                                "Yerrrrrrrrrrr Out" - Pierzynski

The Sox failed to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Pierzynski grounded out to second, Herrera struck out swinging and JBJ popped up to left to end the inning.

Clay returned for the top of the fifth but didn't last long. Davis grounded out but Schafer doubled over the head of Sizemore in center. Reynolds blooped a single to right to advance Schafer to third and Sox manager John Farrell had seen enough. He took Buchholz out after the incompetent starter allowed 6 runs on a whopping 13 hits in just 4 1/3 innings.
                                            "Yeah you're out Clay, now beat it!" - JF

The Springfield Massachusetts native Chris Capuano came in and stopped the bleeding, getting Gennett on a short fly ball to shallow left then striking out Maldonado to end the inning. The Sox failed to score in the bottom of the fifth. Sizemore watched strike three go by but Pedroia singled in the hole at second. Nava and Napoli whiffed to end the inning.

Capuano returned for the top of the sixth inning and struck out Gomez to begin the inning. Segura grounded out to short on a bang bang play and Lucroy whiffed to end the inning. Not a bad Fenway debut for Capuano.
                                        Capuano sparkles in his first ever game at Fenway

Jim Henderson relieved Peralta in the bottom of the sixth and the Sox rallied. Bogaerts doubled off the Monster and Gomes worked a walk to chase Henderson. Zach Duke came in and got Pierzynski to bang into a double play, although Bogaerts moved to third. Herrera lofted a ground ball to Segura who booted another one, allowing Bogaerts to score the tying run. Bawful defense by Milwaukee tonight. JBJ looked at strike three to end the inning but the Sox had tied it 6-6.

Capuano returned for the top of the seventh inning and Ramirez greeted him with a base hit to left. Davis singled to left but Gomes kicked the ball back to the infield screaming "GOALLLLL!!!!" for an error to put runners on the corners. Schafer froze on a strike three pitch and that was it for Capuano. Brandon Workman came in and punched out both Reynolds and Gennett to end the inning. Sizemore flied out to left begin the bottom of the seventh and that was it from Duke. Brandon Kintzler replaced him and got Pedroia to ground out to short. Nava lined out to center to end the inning.

Workman returned for the top of the eighth and got Maldonado to fly out to left. Gomez struck out swinging but Segura singled. Segura stole second but Lucroy lined out to Nava to end the inning. The Sox failed to take the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning although Napoli singled to right to lead off. Bogaerts struck out swinging but Gomes hit into a double play to end the inning.

Koji Uehara came in to pitch the top of the ninth and turned up the dial. He struck out Ramirez, Davis and Schafer all swinging to begin and end in short order.
                                                     Koji keeps them in the game

Could the Sox win the game in the bottom of the ninth against Will Smith? NO! Pierzynski struck out swinging and Herrera grounded out to short. A roar came over the crowd as David Ortiz lumbered out of the dug-out to pinch hit for JBJ. Unfortunately all he did was ground out to short to end the inning and send the game into extra innings.

Junichi Tazawa came in to pitch the top of the 10th as Mike Carp came in to play first with Nava moving to right. Reynolds struck out swinging but Gennett doubled to center. Maldonado whiffed but Gomez walked. Segura struck out but the ball got away from Pierzynski and everyone was safe. With the winning run at third, Lucroy flied out to right to end the inning. Now could the Sox win the game? NO! Tyler Thornburg relieved Smith and struck out Sizemore swinging to start the bottom of the teneth. Pedroia grounded back to the mound and Nava flied out to center to end the inning.

The Brewers took command in the top of the 11th off Burke Badenhop. Ramirez grounded out to first but Davis hit a ground rule double to right. Schafer then gave the Brewers the lead with a double to center as the boo's rained down. Reynolds struck out swinging and that was it for Badenhop. Andrew Miller came in and Schafer moved to third on a wild pitch. Miller struck out Gennett looking to end the inning but the Brewers had a 7-6 lead.
                                             Brewers take the lead

Brewers closer Fransisco Rodriguez got the ball in the bottom of the 11th inning and cruised. Napoli, Bogaerts and Gomes all whiffed to end the game in short order. The Brewers had won it 7-6 in 11.


Jackass of the Night is Burke Badenhop for coughing up the game in the top of the 11th inning.
                                                     Badenhop is Jackass tonight


The Good:

Mike Napoli was 2 for 5 including his 3 run home run.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 4 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Chris Capuano tossed 2 innings of scoreless relief.

Brandon Workman pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Koji Uehara pitched a scoreless 9th inning.

Junichi Tazawa pitched a scoreless 10th inning.

Andrew Miller got the final out of the 11th inning.



The Bad:

Clay Buchholz was rocked for 6 runs on THIRTEEN hits in just 4 1/3 innings.

Daniel Nava was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts

David Ortiz pinch hit for JBJ and grounded out.



The Ugly:

Grady Sizemore was 0 for 4 but walked and scored a run.

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

Jonny Gomes was just 1 for 4 with an error but walked and scored a run.

AJ Pierzynski was 0 for 4 but drove in a run.

Jonathan Herrera was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.



Honorable Mention:

Mike Carp played first base in the final two innings.



Final Thoughts:

This was a very tough loss considering this was the kind of game they won last season with frequency. Fall behind, come back, win......well not tonight. Tonight the Brewers were able to hang on to win this one. The pre-game losses of Mike Carp and Will Middlebrooks thinned the bench in terms of pinch hitting options toward the end but if Buchholz didn't pitch like complete crap, none of that would have mattered. Still, it was his first start and he was more than rusty, maybe it was a temporary setback after how well he pitched the first 2 1/2 months last year. Hopefully there will be better times ahead. The Sox look to avert a sweep tomorrow against the Brewers at 1:30 PM tomorrow afternoon. Jon Lester takes on Yovani Gallardo in the finale.

Friday, April 4, 2014

Brewers Spoil Home Opener (4/4/14)

It was supposed to be a great day for the Boston Red Sox. They were going to receive their 2013 World Series rings and play their home opener against the Milwaukee Brewers. Unfortunately a lack of clutch hitting and shoddy 9th inning relief led to their demise. The Sox and Brewers battled to a 2-2 tie when the floodgates opened in the top of the ninth inning. Interim closer Edward Mujica got smacked around for 4 runs and the Brewers dropped the Sox in front of their own crowd 6-2 at Fenway Park.
                                              So much for the home opener

Before the game, the Red Sox held their ring ceremony. It was their third in the last decade....that has a nice "ring" to it doesn't it? David Ortiz got a special ring along with it for being World Series MVP, probably a bonus for his lowballed contract.
                                               Check out the bling

                                                City of Champions

Jake Peavy took the ball to start the top of the first and struck out Carlos Gomez on 3 pitches. Jean Segura then tripled down the left field line and today's heel Ryan Braun struck out as well. Peavy completed the trifecta by striking out Aramis Ramirez to end the inning. Marco Estrada took the ball for the visitors and Daniel Nava popped up to left. Dustin Pedroia hit one to the warning track but was caught in center. David Ortiz struck out to end the inning.

Jonathan Lucroy led off the second inning with a blast over everything to give the Brewers the lead. Logan Schafer also blasted one to right but it died at the wall. Kris Davis then doubled off the Monster and Scooter Gennett hit one to deep right but again caught just before the warning track. 4 straight hard hit balls and Lyle Overbay bucked the trend by walking. Gomez singled down the line to score Davis but was caught stealing to end the inning. The Brewers led 2-0 and Peavy got hit HARD.
                                               Lucroy goes yard

The Sox struck back in the bottom of the second. Mike Napoli worked a 10 pitch leadoff walk to begin but Mike Carp hit one up the elevator shaft. Grady Sizemore singled and Napoli took off for third and the relay throw by Schafter hit him in the back. The ball rolled into right field allowing Napoli go come home and Sizemore advance to second to cut the lead. Sizemore then swiped third only because Ramirez missed the tag, Lucroy's throw was there in time. Xander Bogaerts then hit a fly ball but Schafer made up for his throw by gunning down Sizemore at home trying to score. Inning over, Brewers still had the lead 2-1.
                                                  Close, but Sizemore was out.

Jean Segura led off the top of the third by grounding out to second. Braun popped up to second and Ramirez flied out to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the third although AJ Pierzynski struck out swinging. Will Middlebrooks smashed one into the Monster seats to tie the game, his first of the season. Nava gave one a ride but it was caught in right. Pedroia struck out swinging to end the inning but the game was tied 2-2.
                                                    First of the season for Middlebrooks

Lucroy led off the top of the 4th with a double off the Monster that ate up Carp. Peavy got Schafer to pop up to short and Carp made up for it by snagging the fly ball hit by Davis. Gennett popped up to Middlebrooks to end the inning. Ortiz popped up and Napoli struck out to begin the bottom of the 4th but Schafer missed a blooper by Carp and Mike ended up at second base. Sizemore worked a 9 pitch walk but Bogaerts was robbed of a certain triple by Gomez in center to end the inning.

Peavy began the top of the 5th by striking out Overbay swinging. Gomez hit a wall ball single and advanced to second on the swinging sacrifice bunt by Segura. With the go-ahead run on second, Braun flied out to right to end the inning. Estrada remained tough as Pierzynski led off the bottom of the 5th by going down hacking. Middlebrooks flied out to center and Nava struck out swinging to end the inning.

Peavy got into a jam into the top of the 6th. Bogaerts dropped a line drive by Braun, his first error of the season and Lucroy walked. The Sox caught a break when Schafer botched a bunt before popping up to Middlebrooks. Davis flied out to left and Gennett grounded back to Peavy to end the inning. Peavy finished with 6 innings of 2 run ball, just like John Lackey in the second game of the year.
                                            6 solid innings for Peavy

Pedroia singled to right to begin the bottom of the 6th but was thrown out trying to steal. Ortiz grounded out to Overbay and Napoli worked a 10 pitch walk to chase Estrada. Will Smith (no, not the Fresh Prince) relieved Estrada as Jonny Gomes pinch hit for Carp. Napoli advanced to second on a wild pitch....then to third on a passed ball. With the go-ahead run 90 feet away....Gomes took strike three to end the inning.
                                           This guy doesn't like pinch hit strikeouts

It came down to a battle of the bullpens as Burke Badenhop made his season debut by getting Overbay to ground out to lead off the top of the 7th. Gomez got his third hit of the day with an infield single to third but Badenhop struck out Segura swinging. Braun grounded out to Bogaerts to end the inning. Sizemore worked a leadoff walk to begin the bottom of the 7th and advanced to second on the groundout by Bogaerts. Pierzynski lined out sharply to Overbay and Brewers manager Ron Roenicke had Middlebrooks intentionally walked to get to Nava. With the go-ahead run at second base....Nava grounded out to short, 2 more runners left on base.
                                       Lack of clutch hitting kills you every time

Badenhop returned for the top of the 8th and was greeted by a Ramirez single. Fortunately, Lucroy banged into a double play. Schafer flied out to right to end the inning, a solid effort by Badenhop.
                                                Good debut by Badenhop

Brandon Kintzler relieved Smith in the bottom of the 8th and Pedroia lined out to Overbay to start. Ortiz reached on a single into the shift. Once again there would be no clutch hitting as Napoli banged into a double play to end the inning.

Edward Mujica came on to pitch the top of the 9th and crapped his pants. He was greeted with a leadoff double by Davis. Gennett dropped a bunt down but Mujica foolishly threw to third and everyone was safe. Overbay made them pay with a triple down the right field line to score both runners to ice the game. Gomez continued to be red hot with an rbi single to increase the lead. Segura beat out a double play ball and stole second to boot. Braun flied out to right but Ramirez singled home Segura to chase Mujica. Farrell had enough and lifted him for Andrew Miller. Miller provided no relief as he walked Lucroy and Schafer to load the bases. Somehow Miller struck out Davis to end the decrepit inning with the Brewers ahead 6-2.
                                                Brewers ice the game

Fransisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez was brought in to close out the 9th. Gomes looked at strike 3, Sizemore grounded out to second and Bogaerts popped up to end the game just like that. The Brewers had spoiled the home opener with a 6-2 win over the Sox.


Jackass of the Night is easy. Edward Mujica gave up 4 runs on 4 hits in just 2/3 of the 9th inning. Accordian Man translated Mujica as "sh*t the bed"
                                                Jackass Mujica



The Good:

Mike Napoli walked twice in four plate appearances and scored a run.

Mike Carp was 1 for 2.

Grady Sizemore was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and a stolen base

Will Middlebrooks was for 2 with a walk and solo home run.

Jake Peavy tossed 6 innings and allowed 2 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4

Burke Badenhop pitched 2 scoreless innings of relief.



The Bad:

Daniel Nava was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Johnny Gomes was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4 with an error.

AJ Pierzynski was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.



The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 4.

David Ortiz was just 1 for 4.

Andrew Miller faced 3 batters and walked 2 of them.




Final Thoughts:

Once again the Sox have trouble scoring runs. They managed only 5 hits in the entire game. If the Sox had a 3 or 4-2 lead going into the 9th, it would have been a lot different but Mujica looked frozen on the mound and it showed. This has been one of the coldest, nastiest winters in recent memory so it may take a while for the team and the weather to warm up. The offense better wake up because the team has had 4 good games by the starters and only 2 wins to show for it. Now is not the time to go into a slump with the season just starting. The Sox blitzed through everyone last April and it led to the division title but this season is starting out the opposite. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow when Clay Buchholz takes the mound for his season debut opposite Wily Peralta at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.