Basebawful Report of The Month

Matt Barnes - 6 Good, 3 Bad, 1 Hero

Mookie Betts - 14 Good, 2 Bad, 6 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Xander Bogaerts - 10 Good, 1 Bad, 13 Ugly, 1 Hero

Jackie Bradley Jr - 12 Good, 6 Bad, 7 Ugly

Bryce Brentz - 5 Good, 5 Bad, 3 Ugly

Clay Buchholz - 3 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly

Ryan Hanigan - 3 Bad, 3 Ugly

Heath Hembree - 3 Good, 3 Bad, 1 Jackass

Marco Hernandez - 2 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Honorable Mention

Aaron Hill - 1 Good, 3 Bad, 6 Ugly, 1 Hero

Brock Holt - 13 Good, 1 Bad, 5 Ugly, 1 Hero

Joe Kelly - 1 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly

Craig Kimbrel - 2 Good, 1 Jackass

Ryan LaMarre - 1 Good

Tommy Layne - 6 Good, 2 Bad, 1 Ugly

Sandy Leon - 9 Good, 4 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Hero

Pat Light - 1 Bad

Michael Martinez - 1 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Honorable Mention

David Ortiz - 7 Good, 3 Bad, 10 Hero, 2 Hero, 1 Jackass

Sean O'Sullivan - 1 Good, 1 Ugly

Dustin Pedroia - 9 Good, 15 Ugly, 1 Hero

Drew Pomeranz - 1 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Jackass

Rick Porcello - 2 Ugly, 3 Hero

David Price - 2 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Hero

Hanley Ramirez - 7 Good, 3 Bad, 7 Ugly, 1 Hero, 2 Jackass

Eduardo Rodriguez - 1 Good, 2 Ugly

Robbie Ross Jr - 7 Good, 2 Bad, 1 Jackass

Travis Shaw - 9 Good, 4 Bad, 5 Ugly, 1 Hero, 1 Honorable Mention

Junichi Tazawa - 3 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly

Koji Uehara - 6 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly

Christian Vazquez - 2 Good

Steven Wright - 1 Good, 2 Bad, 2 Ugly, 1 Hero

Brad Ziegler - 7 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Jackass

Most Valuable Player with 14 Good is Mookie Betts

Least Valuable Player with 6 Bad is Jackie Bradley Jr

The Ugliest Player of The Month is Xander Bogaerts with 13 Ugly

Hero of The Month is Rick Porcello with 3 Hero

Jackass of The Month is Hanley Ramirez with 2 Jackass

The Honorable Players of The Month are Michael Martinez, Marco Hernandez and Travis Shaw with 1 Honorable Mention

Sox Ninth Inning Rally Stuns Angels (7/31/16)

For eight innings it looked like the Boston Red Sox were headed to another miserable loss with no offense. Tyler Skaggs and the Angels bullpen had held the Sox scoreless while the Angels put up 3 runs in 5 innings against Boston starter Steven Wright. Clay Buchholz (4-9, 5.79 ERA) manage to hold the Angels scoreless and the Sox went into the ninth down 3-0. All of a sudden Mookie Betts drove in a run and Dustin Pedroia clobbered a 3 run home run to put the Sox ahead. Xander Bogaerts hit a home run of his own and suddenly the Sox had a two run lead. The tying run came to the plate in the bottom of the ninth but Brad Ziegler slammed the door and the Sox stole one, 5-3 at Angel Stadium.

                                                                      Happy fans

Skaggs got the ball in the top of the first inning and Mr. Mookie Betts walked to start. Dustin Pedroia swung at strike three in the dirt and Xander Bogaerts took strike three and David Ortiz grounded out to third to end the inning. Wright got the ball in the bottom of the first and Yunel Escobar doubled to left to start. Kole Calhoun walked and Mike Trout got a base hit to left. Escobar tried for home and Ryan Hanigan missed the tag....but Escobar never touched home. The alert Wright picked up the ball and tagged Escobar out. Albert Pujols singled to right to load the bases and Andrelton Simmons struck out swinging but the ball got away. Hanigan made a mad dash to retrieve the ball and throw out Calhoun at home to end the inning. The Angels got 3 hits and a walk and ended up with nothing.

                                                   "You're out you dummy!" - Wright

Hanley Ramirez beat out a roller to second to start the top of the second before taking second on a passed ball. Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to short, Aaron Hill took strike three and Ryan Hanigan grounded out to second to end the inning. Jefry Marte singled to left to start the bottom of the second then Ji-Man Choi singled in the hole at short. Carlos Perez took strike three before Johnny Giavotella flied out to right. Escobar took strike three to end the inning.

Bryce Brentz walked to start the top of the third but Mr. Mookie struck out swinging. Pedroia struck out swinging and Bogaerts flied out to right to end the inning. Calhoun struck out swinging to start the bottom of the third and Trout grounded back to the mound. Pujols popped up to first to end the inning.

Ortiz grounded back to the mound to start the top of the fourth and Ramirez grounded out to second. JBJ dumped a base hit to right but Hill flied out to left to end the inning. Simmons singled to center to start the bottom of the fourth but Marte hit one up the elevator shaft. Choi took strike three and Perez flied out to right to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the fifth as Hanigan grounded out to short to start. Brentz and Betts both got singles but Pedroia took strike three that was a little high. Sox manager John Farrell sprinted out of the dugout with a sickle and took a swing at home plate umpire Gabe Morales. Farrell was escorted out of the park by armed security. Bogaerts struck out swinging to end the inning.

                                                  "YOU SUCK MORALES!" - Farrell

Wright fell apart in the bottom of the fifth as Giavotella flied out to left to start. Escobar got a base hit to center and Calhoun blooped a base hit to center to move Yunel to third. Trout singled off the glove of a jumping Bogaerts to score Escobar and move Calhoun to third. Pujols grounded out to second to score Calhoun and Simmons walked. Marte drilled a base hit to center to score Trout to seemingly ice the game. Choi was hit with a pitch but home plate umpire Gabe Morales refused to send him to first because he made no attempt to get out of the way. Choi popped up to Bogaerts to end the inning with the Rangels up 3-0. That was it for Wright who allowed 3 runs in just 5 innings off 10 hits and 2 walks.

                                                           Not Wright's best stuff

Ortiz struck out swinging to start the top of the sixth and that was the day for Skaggs. Deolis Guerra came in to face Ramirez and Hanley popped up to first. JBJ reached on an error by Marte but Hill flied out to right to end the inning. Clay Buchholz came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Perez hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Giavotella lined out to second and Escobar flied out to right to end the inning.

Hanigan took strike three to start the top of the seventh and Brock "The Hitman" Holt pinch hit for Brentz. Holt doubled into the left field corner but Betts struck out swinging. Angels manager Mike Scoscia brought in JC Ramirez to face Pedroia and Dustin grounded out to second to end the inning. Calhoun struck out swinging to start the bottom of the seventh but Trout drew a walk. Pujols flied out to center but Buchholz threw a pickoff throw away to allow Mike to reach third. Simmons flied out to right to end the inning.

                                                          Nice throw Claydro

Bogaerts grounded out to third to start the top of the eighth with Shane Robinson in for Marte. Ortiz struck out swinging and Ramirez lined out to center to end the inning. Robinson grounded out to third to start the bottom of the eighth and Choi lined out to center. Perez popped up to Pedroia to end the inning.

Suddenly the Sox sprang to life in the top of the ninth with Gregorio Petit in for Giavotella and Huston Street now on the mound. JBJ walked and Hill got a base hit to center, but Hanigan struck out swinging. Holt struck out swinging and Mr. Mookie was down to his last strike....when Betts singled to right to score JBJ. Out of nowhere Pedroia jacked a 3 run home run to dead center to put the Sox on top. Not to be outdone, Bogaerts clobbered his 14th home run of the season to increase the lead. Jose Alvarez came in to pitch to Ortiz and David flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-3.

                                                              Happy Sox

Brad Ziegler came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Petit grounded out to second to start. Escobar ate up Ziegler on a comebacker but Brad recovered to get Calhoun to bang into a double play to end the game. The Sox had stole the game 5-3.

                                                                  What a victory

Hero of The Night is Dustin Pedroia. His 3 run home run in the top of the ninth won the game for the Sox.

                                                              Hero Pedroia

The Good:

Mookie Betts was 2 for 4 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Bryce Brentz was 1 for 1 with a walk.

Brock Holt was 1 for 2.

Clay Buchholz got the win with 3 scoreless innings.

Brad Ziegler earned his 20th save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

David Ortiz was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Ryan Hanigan was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts but the one hit was a home run.

Hanley Ramirez was just 1 for 4.

Aaron Hill was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Steven Wright was tagged for 3 runs in just 5 innings on TEN hits and 2 walks.

Final Thoughts:

That was the biggest win of the season so far. The Baltimore Orioles snapped their losing streak and the Sox was one strike away from losing 3-0 with their manager ejected. All of a sudden Mookie Betts, Dustin Pedroia and Xander Bogaerts turned the game from 3-0 down to up 5-3. The Sox had one of the best offenses in baseball and they proved it today. On the other side of the ball, Wright faltered but Buchholz was there to pick up the pieces. On top of that, Ziegler locked it down after getting drilled on a comebacker. The Sox can't afford to lose Brad with Craig Kimbrell still out. That was definitely a gutty win and the Sox needed it badly on this road trip. The Sox may make a move at the trade deadline tomorrow, they might now. If they do, it'll be interesting to see who they get and who they give up. Until then, hopefully this win can give them some momentum. The win improved the Sox to 57-46, 1.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox now continue their west coast trip by flying to Seattle for a four game set with the Mariners beginning tomorrow night. Eduardo Rodriguez goes for the Sox against James Paxton of Seattle. The game begins at 10:10 PM Eastern time at Safeco Field.

Angels Drop Pomeranz, Sox (7/30/16)

Just when you think the Boston Red Sox offense is back to normal, they lay yet another egg against yet another mediocre opponent. The immortal Hector Santiago of the Los Angeles Angels held the Sox to just 2 runs in 5 innings. Then the Angels bullpen pitched shutout ball the rest of the way. Meanwhile Drew Pomeranz (8-9, 3.09 ERA) got lit up for 5 runs before being knocked out in the sixth inning. The Sox broke out to a 2-0 lead, but Pomeranz gave up a run in the first and a two run home run to Albert Pujols in the third. A Jeff Bandy double in the bottom of the sixth proved to be all the insurance the Angels needed as they knocked off the Red Sox 5-2 at Angels Stadium.

                                                        "Lost to Hector Santiago?"

The Sox wasted no time getting to Santiago in the top of the first as Mr. Mookie Betts launched the third pitch of the game out of the yard for his 21st home run of the season. Dustin Pedroia and Xander Bogaerts worked back to back walks but Jackie Bradley Jr took strike three. Hanley Ramirez got a base hit to left to score Pedroia with another run. Aaron Hill popped up to second but Travis Shaw walked to load the bases. Bryce Brentz took strike three to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                           Sox strike first

The Angels answered against Pomeranz in the bottom of the first as Yunel Escobar grounded out to third to start. Mike Trout singled to left and Albert Pujols singled to center before both men moved over on a wild pitch. Jefry Marte grounded out to second to score Trout. Andrelton Simmons flied out to center to end the inning with the Angels down 2-1.

                                                          Trout scores a run

Sandy Leon took strike three to start the top of the second before Mr. Mookie grounded out to third. Pedroia lined out to right to end the inning. Jeff Bandy popped up to third to start the bottom of the second and Johnny Giavotella struck out swinging. Gregorio Petit also went down hacking to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the third as Bogaerts blooped a base hit to left to begin. JBJ walked but Ramirez struck out swinging. Hill flied out to center but a wild pitch moved both runners over. Shaw walked to load the bases but Brentz took strike three to end the inning. The Angels took command in the bottom of the third as Shane Robinson grounded back to the mound to start. Escobar walked but Trout struck out swinging. Pujols then hit a home run all the way to Yellowstone to put LA up for good. Marte lined out to left to end the inning with the Angels up 3-2.

                                                    Angels take the lead

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the fourth as Leon got a base hit to center. Mr. Mookie forced Leon at second but Pedroia walked. Bogaerts struck out swinging and JBJ flied out to right to end the inning.  The Angels struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Simmons doubled into the left field corner to start. Bandy lined out to left to move Simmons to third and Giavotella drilled a base hit to left to score Simmons. Petit ate up Bogaerts on a grounder to short for a "single" but Robinson grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Angels up 4-2.

                                                     Angels get another run

Ramirez flied out to right to start the top of the fifth and Hill did the same. Shaw was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to end the inning. Escobar popped up to right to start the bottom of the fifth and Trout grounded out to second. Pujols lined out to center to end the inning.

Fernando Salas came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Brock "The Hitman" Holt pinch hit for Brentz. Holt grounded out to short and Leon struck out swinging. Mr. Mookie and Pedroia both walked to chase Salas. Joe Smith came in to face Bogaerts and Xander grounded forced Betts at third to end the inning. The Angels finished off Pomeranz in the bottom of the sixth although Marte struck out swinging to start. Simmons walked and that was it for Pomeranz. He lasted just 5 1/3 innings and gave up 5 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks. Joe Kelly came in and Bandy doubled to left to score Simmons. Giavotella grounded out to second to move Bandy to third but Petit walked. Robinson lined out to left to end the inning with the Angels ahead 5-2.

                                                   Drew was a dud tonight

JBJ lined out to left to start the top of the seventh and Ramirez took strike three. Hill grounded out to third to end the inning. Escobar grounded out to short to start the bottom of the seventh but Trout walked. Pujols grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Kole Calhoun came in for Giavotella with Cam Bedrosian now on the mound for the top of the eighth. Shaw struck out swinging to start and Holt also went down hacking. Leon got a base hit to right but Mr. Mookie struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox had left 11 men on base in this one. Marte got a base hit to center to start the bottom of the eighth but Simmons took strike three. Bandy lined out to center but Sox manager John Farrell wanted Tommy Layne to face Calhoun. Kole struck out swinging to end the inning.

Huston Street came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Pedroia grounded out to first to start. Bogaerts popped up to second and JBJ took strike three to end the game. The Angels had won 5-2.

                                                           Angels win

Jackass of the Night is Drew Pomeranz. He allowed 5 runs in 5 1/3 innings on 6 hit and 2 walks to take the loss.

                                                         Jackass Pomeranz

The Good:

Dustin Pedroia was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Travis Shaw walked twice in four plate appearances.

Sandy Leon was 2 for 4.

Tommy Layne got the final out of the eighth inning.

The Bad:

Aaron Hill was 0 for 4.

Bryce Brentz was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts.

Brock Holt was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and hit a home run.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Hanley Ramirez was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but drove in a run.

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

Final Thoughts:

Once again the Sox are sputtering due to a lack of offense that shouldn't be happening. Not that Pomeranz gave them much by allowing 5 runs in just over 5 innings, but leaving 11 men on base was inexcusable. One three run home run or two run double and the game turns out completely different. Its shocking how bad things have gone lately for an offense that's supposed to be this good. The sad part is the Sox have lost 7 of their last 9 and are still within striking distance in the AL East because neither the Toronto Blue Jays nor Baltimore Orioles have gone on a tear. If the Sox can survive this god-awful stretch and get back to mashing the ball, they have as good as chance as any. The trade deadline is Monday so it'll be interesting to see if they make any further moves besides Aaron Hill, Drew Pomeranz and Brad Ziegler. The loss dropped the Sox to 56-46, 2 games behind the Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to salvage the series tomorrow afternoon against the Angels when Steven Wright takes on Tyler Skaggs of Los Angeles. The game begins at 3:30 PM at Angel Stadium.

Porcello, Sox Drop Angels (7/29/16)

Just when things started to take a turn for the worse in the Boston Red Sox, leave it to the stopper "Slick" Rick Porcello (14-2, 3.47 ERA) to set things right again. Stopping a four game losing streak, Porcello tossed a complete game 5 hitter allowing just two runs to the Los Angeles Angels. Trailing 2-0, the Sox batted around former San Francisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum for three runs to take the lead. An rbi from Mookie Betts and home runs by Jackie Bradley Jr and Xander Bogaerts provided the insurance runs. Porcello went the distance, David Ortiz knocked in a run and the Sox had beaten the Angels 6-2 at Angel Stadium.

                                                     Dustin Johnson approves of the win

Lincecum got the ball in the top of the first inning and Mr. Mookie Betts led off with a four pitch walk. Dustin Pedroia also drew a 4 pitch walk but Xander Bogaerts struck out swinging. David Ortiz flied out to left to move Betts to third but Hanley Ramirez grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Porcello got the ball in the bottom of the first and Yunel Escobar lined out to second to start. Kole Calhoun struck out swinging and Mike Trout flied out to right to end the inning.

Jackie Bradley Jr took strike three to start the top of the second and Aaron Hill flied out to center. Ryan Hanigan flied out to left to end the inning. The Angels struck first in the bottom of the second as Albert Pujols ripped a base hit to center. Daniel Nava doubled past Bradley in center and Andrelton Simmons grounded out to short to score Pujols. Jiman Choi grounded out to second but Carlos Perez got a base hit up the middle to score Nava. Gregorio Petit grounded out to second to end the inning with the Angels up 2-0.

                                                         Angels take the lead

The Sox wasted no time tying the game in the top of the third as Brock "The Hitman" Holt grounded out to first to start. Mr. Mookie walked before promptly stealing second. Pedroia walked but Betts was thrown out trying to steal third. Bogaerts doubled to center to score Pedroia and Ortiz lined a base hit to left to score Bogaerts to tie the game. Ramirez walked but JBJ flied out to center to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                       Ortiz ties it up

Escobar struck out swinging to start the bottom of the third and Calhoun grounded out to short. Trout lined out to third to end the inning.

The Sox took the lead in the top of the fourth as Hill got a base hit to center to start. Hanigan walked and Holt singled to right to load the bases. Betts hit a sac fly to center to score Hill but Pedroia grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Sox up 3-2.

                                                           Sox take the lead

Pujols singled to left to start the bottom of the left but Nava lined out to center. Simmons grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Bogaerts lined out to right to start the top of the fifth before Ortiz popped up to short. Ramirez struck out swinging to end the inning. Choi took strike three to begin the bottom of the fifth before Perez grounded out to short and Petit grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Sox chased Lincecum in the top of the sixth when JBJ belted his 17th home run of the season to increase the lead. Jhoulys Chacin came in to pitch and Hill grounded back to the mound. Hanigan took strike three and Holt grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox up 4-2.

                                                      Home run Bradley

Escobar flied out to right to start the bottom of the sixth before Calhoun got a base hit to center. Trout flied out to center and Pujols lined out to a running Betts to end the inning. 

The Sox wrapped up the scoring in the top of the seventh as Betts flied out to right to start. Pedroia singled to center and Bogaerts blasted his 13th home run of the season to increase the lead. Ortiz and Ramirez both watched strike three go by to end the inning with the Sox up 6-2.

                                                          Bogaerts launches one

Nava flied out to left to start the bottom of the seventh before Simmons grounded out to short. Choi flied out to left to end the inning.

JBJ grounded out to first to start the top of the eighth before Hill took strike three. Hanigan hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. Perez grounded out to short to start the bottom of the eighth before Petit grounded out to third. Escobar flied out to right to end the inning.

Holt grounded out to second to start the top of the ninth before Mr. Mookie flied out to center. Pedroia walked and took second on a wild pitch, but Bogaerts took strike three to end the inning. Porcello came back to finish the job in the bottom of the ninth as Calhoun grounded out to second to start. Trout popped up to center and Pujols grounded out to third to end the game. Porcello had thrown a complete game 5 hitter as the Sox won 6-2.

                                                                Sox win

Hero of the Night is Rick Porcello. He tossed a complete game allowing 5 hits and 2 runs while striking out 3.

                                                     Great work by the Hero

The Good:

Mookie Betts walked twice, stole a base and drove in a run.

Dustin Pedroia was 1 for 2 with 3 walks and 2 runs scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 5 with a home run, 3 total rbis and 2 total runs scored.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

David Ortiz was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but the one hit was a home run.

Aaron Hill was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Ryan Hanigan was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Brock Holt was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

Porcello's march to the AL Cy Young award continued with stopping the losing streak by going the distance. He was outstanding in this one and saved the bullpen for better days. The offense picked up finally by scoring 6 runs and the Sox are capable of doing that more often. Its all about the pitching, if the Sox get good pitching, they're usually going to win. The Sox still have a chance to take the AL East with the trade deadline approaching but it looks like the only moves they're going to make were Brad Ziegler and Drew Pomeranz. Still, that should be enough to get them over the hump when Craig Kimbrel comes back. All in all it was a good win and hopefully the Sox can close out July with some momentum. The win improved the Sox to 56-45, 1.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the Angels when Drew Pomeranz goes one on one with Hector Santiago of Los Angeles. The game begins at 9:05 PM Eastern time at Angel Stadium.

Angels Walkoff Ziegler, Sox (7/28/16)

For the second straight night, the normally reliable Brad Ziegler blew a save to allow the other team to win. Only this time, he wasn't the only problem. The Boston Red Sox behind David Price held the Angels scoreless for eight innings while Mookie Betts had driven the game's only run against Jered Weaver. In the bottom of the ninth, the Angels loaded the bases with one out. Old friend Daniel Nava hit a grounder to Hanley Ramirez. Ramirez threw the ball away trying to get Mike Trout at home allowing Mike and Albert Pujols to score, ending the game just like that. The Angels had stunned the Sox 2-1 at Angel Stadium.

                                                           "Another loss"

Weaver got the ball in the top of the first inning and Mr. Mookie Betts flied out to the centerfield wall to start. Dustin Pedroia got a base hit to right and looked to have stolen second....but Angels manager Mike Scioscia challenged that Dustin was out. Sure enough, replays showed Pedroia was out and Xander Bogaerts took strike three to end the inning. Price got the ball to start the bottom of the first and Yunel Escobar hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Kole Calhoun struck out swinging and Mike Trout grounded out to short to end the inning.

David Ortiz walked to start the top of the second but Hanley Ramirez lined out to a running Gregorio Petit. Jackie Bradley Jr struck out swinging and Travis Shaw flied out to left to end the inning. Albert Pujols got a base hit to right to start the bottom of the second but Jefry Marte grounded into a double play. Andrelton Simmons grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the third as Sandy Leon lashed a base hit to right to start. Brock "The Hitman" Holt ripped a base hit to right to move Leon to third and Mr. Mookie hit a sac fly to left to score Leon. Pedroia hit a bullet to Simmons who doubled Holt off first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                               Leon scores a run

Jet Bandy got a base hit to left to start the bottom of the third but Gregorio Petit grounded into a double play. Johnny Giavotella struck out swinging to end the inning.

Bogaerts flied out to left to start the top of the fourth but Ortiz lined a base hit to right. Ramirez singled to center but JBJ grounded into a double play to end the inning. Escobar grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fourth but Calhoun caught Price asleep with a bunt single. Trout forced Calhoun at second and Pujols took strike three to end the inning.

Shaw lined out to second to start the top of the fifth and Leon flied out to left. Holt lined out to second to end the inning. The Angels threatened in the bottom of the fifth as Marte got a base hit up the middle to start. Simmons struck out swinging but Bandy walked. Marte was thrown out trying to steal third but Petit singled to center. Giavotella singled to right to load the bases but Escobar forced Giavotella at second to end the inning.

Mr. Mookie flied out to center to start the top of the sixth before Pedroia flied out to right. Bogaerts ripped a base hit to center and Ortiz was intentionally walked. JC Ramirez was brought in to face Ramirez and Hanley flied out to the centerfield warning track to end the inning. Calhoun grounded out to second to start the bottom of the sixth before Trout grounded out to short. Pujols lined out to center to end the inning.

Fernando Salas came in to pitch the top of the seventh and JBJ grounded out to first to start. Shaw singled to right but Leon forced him at second. Holt grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Marte grounded out to first to start the bottom of the seventh and Simmons took strike three. Bandy grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Joe Smith came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Mr. Mookie singled to left to start. Betts got picked off and Pedroia grounded out to second. Bogaerts grounded out to short to end the inning. Price returned for one final inning in the bottom of the eighth and Petit grounded out to third to start. Giavotella flied out to right but Escobar singled to center. Calhoun struck out swinging to end the inning. That was it for Price who pitched arguably his best game of the season, tossing 8 shutout innings allowing 7 hits and a walk.

                                                         Great work Price

Cam Bedrosian came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Ortiz popped up to third. Ramirez and JBJ both struck out swinging to end the inning. Brad Ziegler came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Trout beat out a grounder to third to start. Pujols ripped a base hit to left and Carlos Perez pinch hit for Marte. Ji-man Choi pinch ran for Pujols, but Perez fouled off a bunt for strike three. Simmons ripped a base hit to center to load the bases and old pal Daniel Nava pinch hit for Bandy. Ziegler was 0-2 on Nava when Daniel hit a routine grounder to Ramirez. Hanley threw home....5 feet over the glove of Leon. Both Trout and Choi scored to win the game for the Angels 2-1 just like that.

                                                             Angels win

Jackass of the Night is Hanley Ramirez. His error led the game winning runs to score.

                                                             Nice throw, Jackass

The Good:

David Ortiz was 1 for 2 with 2 walks.

Travis Shaw was 1 for 3.

Sandy Leon was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Brock Holt was 1 for 3.

David Price deserved the win with 8 shutout innings allowing just 7 hits and a walk while striking out 6.

The Bad:

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Brad Ziegler took the loss by allowing 2 runs in the bottom of the ninth.

The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was 1 for 3 with an rbi but got picked off in a one run game.

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 4 and was caught stealing in a one run game.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but stole a base.

Final Thoughts:

That game and especially that ending was an absolute nut punch. The last two weeks the Sox either get outslugged or outpitched when desperately needed. David Price pitches arguably his best game of the season and the Sox can only scratch out a run against Michael Fulmer and Cam Bedrosian. Even in the ninth inning all Ramirez had to do was throw correctly home and they might have won this one. Still, it was Ziegler who walked the bases loaded and the offense that only scored one run. No one is safe in this one, even Mr. Mookie got picked off and Pedroia was thrown out trying to steal. The return of Craig Kimbrel soon should give the Sox a proven closer back but Ziegler's been shaky the last two games. If the AL East race wasn't so close, every game wouldn't be as important. Unfortunately this was a winnable game and they blew it big time. Two days in a row they allow a last second home run and now they've lost 6 out of their last 7 games. Only thing they can do is try to salvage the rest of this series. The loss dropped the Sox to 55-45, 2.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to bounce back against the Angels tomorrow night when "Slick" Rick Porcello (13-2) takes on former San Francisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum. The game begins at 10:10 PM Eastern time at Angel Stadium.

Tigers Outslug Sox (7/26/16)

For the second time in four days the Boston Red Sox were outslugged by an AL Central foe. This time it was the Detroit Tigers that put a hurt on the suddenly shaky Red Sox pitching. Miguel Cabrera took Steven Wright deep for a two run home run 3 batters into the game before putting two more on the board in the second inning. David Ortiz hit a 3 run shot against Mike Pelfrey in the bottom of the third and went ahead in the fourth, but the Tigers surged ahead in the fifth. Rbis by Dustin Pedroia and Xander Bogaerts tied the game in the sixth. Tyler Collins drew a bases loaded walk against Robbie Ross Jr t(1-2, 4.06 ERA) to put Detroit in the lead in the top of the seventh. Francisco Rodriguez slammed the door in the ninth inning and the Tigers had beaten the Sox 9-8 at Fenway Park.

                                                                    Angry Morty

Wright got the ball in the top of the first and Ian Kinsler hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Jose Iglesias got a base hit to center and Miguel Cabrera hit a home run all the way to Altoona to put the Tigers up early. Victor Martinez flied out to left but Nick Castellanos walked. Justin Upton flied out to center to end the inning with the Tigers up 2-0.

                                                            Cabrera jacks one

Pelfrey got the ball in the bottom of the first and the Sox beat the ball in the dirt. Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to third, Dustin Pedroia grounded out to short and Xander Bogaerts grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Tigers struck again in the top of the second as Mike Aviles singled to left to start. Aviles took second on a wild pitch and another old friend, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, grounded out to short to move Aviles to third. Tyler Collins drilled a base hit to left to score Aviles and promptly stole second. Kinsler flied out to right to move Collins to third and Iglesias lined a base hit to left to score Tyler. Cabrera popped up to first to end the inning with the Tigers up 4-0.

                                                     Iglesias torments his old team

David Ortiz took strike three to start the bottom of the second and Hanley Ramirez grounded out to second. Jackie Bradley Jr got a base hit to right and Travis Shaw singled off the glove of Castellanos but Sandy Leon flied out to left to end the inning.

Martinez struck out swinging to start the top of the third before Castellanos flied out to right. Upton grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the third as Brock "The Hitman" Holt lined out to first to start. Mr. Mookie doubled to center and moved to third on the Pedroia grounder to short. Xander Bogaerts was hit by pitch and Ortiz launched his 25th home run of the season to cut the lead. Ramirez grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox down 4-3.

                                                      Big Papi does it again

Aviles flied out to center to start the top of the fourth but Saltalamacchia got a base hit to left. Collins struck out swinging and Kinsler flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox took command in the bottom of the fourth as JBJ walked to start. Shaw got a base hit to center and Leon flied out to center to move Bradley to third. Holt hit a ground out to second where Shaw barely avoided the double play tag to score JBJ with the tying run. Mr. Mookie hit a line drive off the glove of Upton for a "double" to score Shaw. Pedroia grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-4.

                                                            Betts puts the Sox ahead

The Tigers finished off Wright in the top of the fifth as Iglesias walked to start. Cabrera walked and Martinez got a base hit to right to score Iglesias. After Hanley lost a pop up in the lights in foul territory, Casatellanos made him pay with a base hit to left to load the bases. Upton scored Cabrera with a grounder to first and Aviles popped up to first. Saltalamacchia singled up the middle to score both runners to chase Wright. The normally reliable Wright had his worst start of the year, allowing 8 runs in just 4 2/3 innings. Robbie Ross Jr came in to pitch to Collins and Tyler grounded out to second to end the inning with the Tigers up 8-5.

                                                      "I sucked tonight!" - Wright

Bogaerts walked to start the bottom of the fifth but Ortiz grounded into a double play. Ramirez popped up to short to end the inning.

Kinsler got a base hit to left to open the top of the sixth but Iglesias forced Ian at second. Cabrera grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the sixth against Kyle Ryan as JBJ pounded his 16th home run of the season to start. Shaw struck out swinging but Leon was hit with a pitch. Holt hit a routine grounder to second but Kinsler threw the ball away for an error. That was it for Ryan as old friend Alex Wilson came in to pitch to Mr. Mookie. Betts drew a walk to load the bases and Pedroia got a base hit to center to score Leon. Bogaerts beat out a double play ball to score Holt with the tying run. Ortiz flied out to center to end the inning with the game tied 8-8.

                                                           Sox tie it up

Just as soon as the Sox tied the game, the Tigers struck again in the top of the seventh. Martinez struck out swinging to start and Castellanos grounded out to first. One strike away from being out of the inning, Ross plunked Upton. The floodgates opened as Aviles singled to center and Saltalamacchia walked to load the bases. Collins walked to score Upton to put the Tigers back on top and chase Ross. Joe Kelly got Kinsler to line out to center to end the inning but the Tigers now led 9-8.

                                                        Tigers walk to the lead

Bruce Rondon came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Ramirez struck out swinging to start. JBJ grounded out to second and Shaw took strike three to end the inning.

Junichi Tazawa came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Iglesias grounded out to second to start. Cabrera grounded out to short but Martinez walked. Castellanos flied out to right to end the inning. Andrew Romine took over at third with Shane Greene now on the mound in the bottom of the eighth. Leon grounded out to second, Holt lined out to second and Mr. Mookie did the same to end the inning.

Tommy Layne came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Upton doubled off the Monster to start. Upton got picked off and Aviles grounded out to second. Saltalamacchia singled to right and Collins grounded out to second to end the inning. Francisco Rodriguez came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Pedroia grounded out to first to start. Bogaerts got a base hit to center but Ortiz banged into a double play to end the game. The Tigers had won it 9-8.

                                                            Tigers win

Jackass of the Night is Robbie Ross Jr. The Sox had rallied to tie the game and he coughed it up in the top of the seventh.

                                            "Sorry Ross, you're Jackass" - Carl Willis

The Good:

Mookie Betts was 2 for 4 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3 with a hit by pitch, walk, rbi and a run scored.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 3 with a walk, home run and 2 total runs scored.

Travis Shaw was 2 for 4 with a home run.

Joe Kelly retired the only man he faced.

Junichi Tazawa pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Tommy Layne pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.hhh

Steven Wright allowed 8 runs in 4 2/3 innings off 9 hits and 3 walks.

The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 5 with an rbi.

David Ortiz was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but the one hit was a 3 run home run.

Sandy Leon was 0 for 3 but was hit with a pitch and scored a run.

Brock Holt was 0 for 4 but drove in a run and scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

The Sox have hit the skids for sure. Either they can't hit or they can't pitch the last week or so. Yesterday they couldn't hit Justin Verlander and tonight they scored 8 runs...only to give up 9. Steven Wright tossed a rare stinker tonight but Ross falling apart in the seventh was the difference maker. He lost all composure after hitting Upton with two strikes. That can't happen moving forward. This past week has been frustrating as they've been shut down by Kyle Gibson and Justin Verlander and lost two games when scoring 8 runs or more. The Sox better find a way to right the ship because they're going to lose major ground to Toronto and Baltimore otherwise. The loss dropped the Sox to 55-43, 2.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to avoid a sweep tomorrow afternoon when Eduardo Rodriguez takes on Michael Fulmer of Detroit. The game begins at 1:35 PM at Fenway Park.

Verlander, Tigers Shut Down Sox (7/25/16)

Just like Game 3 of the 2013 ALCS, Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers pitched well against the Boston Red Sox. Unfortunately, there was no John Lackey to save the Sox this time, only Drew Pomeranz (8-8, 2.84 ERA) that was game. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second when Travis Shaw doubled home Jackie Bradley Jr. In the top of the sixth, none other than Jose Iglesias hit a 2 run home run to put Detroit ahead. James McCann drove in a run against Joe Kelly and Victor Martinez drove in a run against Clay Buchholz to ice the game. The Sox did load the bases in the bottom of the eighth but could only scratch one run across. It all added up to a 4-2 Tigers victory over the Sox at Fenway Park.

                                                                     Angry fan

Pomeranz got the ball in the top of the first inning and Ian Kinsler led off by striking out swinging to start. Old friend Jose Iglesias grounded out to short but Miguel Cabrera walked. Old pal Victor Martinez struck out swinging to end the inning. Verlander got the ball in the bottom of the first and Mr. Mookie Betts returned to the lineup by grounding out to third. Dustin Pedroia also grounded out to third and Xander Bogaerts grounded out to second to end the inning.

Nick Castellanos doubled off the centerfield wall to start the top of the second inning but Justin Upton struck out swinging. Old buddy Mike Avilies hit one up the elevator shaft and James McCann struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second as David Ortiz struck out swinging to start. Hanley Ramirez grounded out to short but Jackie Bradley Jr singled off the second base bag. Travis Shaw doubled down the right field line to score JBJ to put the Sox on top. Sandy Leon was frozen for strike three to end the inning but the Sox were up 1-0.

                                                            JBJ slides in safe

Andrew Romine grounded out to short to start the top of the third before Kinsler grounded out to third. Iglesias flied out to left to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the third as Brock ''The Hitman'' Holt drilled a base hit to left. Mr. Mookie popped up to left but Pedroia drilled a base hit to left. Bogaerts flied out to center and Ortiz flied out to right to end the inning.

Cabrera got a base hit just inside the first base bag to start the top of the fourth but Martinez grounded into a double play. Castellanos struck out swinging to end the inning. Ramirez took strike three to start the bottom of the fourth before JBJ grounded out to short. Shaw struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Tigers beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the fifth inning as Upton grounded out to short to start. Avilies also grounded out to short and McCann grounded out to third to end the inning. Leon led off the bottom of the fifth by lining out to short. Holt walked but Mr. Mookie lined out to short and Pedroia lined back to the mound to end the inning.

The Tigers struck back in the top of the sixth as Romine singled to center to start. Kinsler flied out to right but Iglesias laughed at his old team with a two run home run to put the Tigers up for good. Cabrera walked but Martinez struck out swinging. Castellanos also went down hacking to end the inning with the Tigers up 2-1.

                                                             Of all people

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the sixth as Bogaerts singled to left to start. Ortiz popped up to Iglesias and Ramirez forced Bogarts at second. JBJ walked but Shaw struck out swinging to end the inning,

That was it for Pomeranz who allowed two runs off 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 7.

                                                       Drew deserved better

Joe Kelly came in to barf up a lung in the top of the seventh as Upton tripled into the centerfield triangle to start. Avilies popped up to center but McCann got a base hit to center to score Upton. Romine forced McCann at second and Kinsler grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Tigers up 3-1.

                                                         McCann with the clutch hit

Shane Greene came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Leon lashed a base hit up the middle to start. Holt popped up to Kinsler and Mr. Mookie popped up to Cabrera in foul territory. Pedroia walked but Bogaerts popped up to short to end the inning.

Clay Buchholz added to the misery in the top of the eighth as Iglesias blooped a base hit over Bogaerts to start. A passed ball moved Jose to second and Betts made a running catch on a line drive by Cabrera, moving Iglesias to third. Martinez ripped a base hit to right to score Iglesias to seemingly end the game. Castellanos flied out to the right field warning track and Upton took strike three to end the inning with the Tigers up 4-1.

                                                           Ex-Sox getting it done

Tyler Collins came in for Castellanos with Justin Wilson coming in to pitch the bottom of the eighth. Ortiz missed a home run by 10 feet, singling off the top of the Monster. Ramirez drilled a base hit to left. JBJ singled up the middle to load the bases with nobody out and Bryce Brentz pinch hit for Shaw. Brentz struck out swinging but Leon lined a base hit to center to score Ortiz. Holt took strike three and Francisco Rodriguez came in to pitch to Betts. Mr. Mookie forced Leon at second to end the inning with the Sox down 4-2.

                                                            Leon drives in a run

Aviles lined out to center to start the top of the ninth before McCann flied out to center. Romine grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Rodriguez returned to close out the bottom of the ninth and Pedroia struck out swinging to start. Bogaerts popped up to short and Ortiz grounded back to the mound to end the game. The Tigers had won the game 4-2.

                                                                 Tigers Win

Jackass of The Night is Mookie Betts. He was 0 for 5 including leaving the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth.

                                                        Jackass Betts

The Good:

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Travis Shaw was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Sandy Leon was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Brock Holt was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Drew Pomeranz was the hard luck loser allowing just 2 runs in 6 strong innings. He gave up 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 7.

The Bad:

Bryce Brentz struck out as a pinch hitter.

Joe Kelly gave up a run in the seventh inning.

The Ugly:

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

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 5.

David Ortiz was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Hanley Ramirez was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Clay Buchholz gave up a run in 2 innings of work.

Final Thoughts:

After slugging it out with the Minnesota Twins the Sox now get rung up by the Detroit Tigers. Verlander always pitches well against the Sox and Pomeranz couldn't keep pace. Drew pitched well but once again the bullpen couldn't keep the Tigers to just 2 runs. If its not one thing, its another this season. Still, once Koji Uehara and Craig Kimbrel come back, things should get better. The offense will be at a premium against ace pitchers and they walked into one of the best in this one. The Sox need to go on a nice win streak or else they'll fall too far behind the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays. The loss dropped the Sox to 55-42, 2.5 games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow night against the Tigers when Steven Wright gets the ball for Boston against Mike Pelfrey of Detroit. The game begins at 7:10 Pm at Fenway Park.