Matt Barnes had 6 Good appearances, 1 Bad appearance and 1 Jackass
Andrew Benintendi had 7 Good appearances, 2 Bad appearances, 11 Ugly appearances, 2 Heroes and 1 Honorable Mention
Mookie Betts had 11 Good appearances, 1 Bad appearance, 6 Ugly appearances and 3 Heroes.
Xander Bogaerts had 3 Good, 2 Bad's, 2 Ugly's and 1 Hero.
Jackie Bradley Jr had 8 Good, 4 Bad's, 10 Uglies and 1 Honorable Mention
Rafael Devers had 10 Good, 6 Bad's, 7 Uglies, 1 Hero and 1 Honorable Mention
Brian Johnson had 2 Good, 4 Bad, 1 Ugly and 1 Hero
Heath Hembree had 8 Good and 3 Bad.
Brock Holt had 7 Good, 2 Bad and 6 Uglies.
Joe Kelly had 8 Good and 1 Bad.
Craig Kimbrel had 9 Good appearances and 1 Jackass.
Sandy Leon had 1 Good, 5 Bad, 2 Uglies and 1 Hero
Tzu-Wei Lin had 3 Good, 6 Bad, 2 Uglies and 1 Hero
JD Martinez had 11 Good, 5 Bad, 5 Uglies and 1 Hero.
Mitch Moreland had 6 Good, 4 Bad, 5 Uglies and 2 Heroes
Eduardo Nunez had 5 Good, 5 Bad and 11 Uglies
Drew Pomeranz had 1 Ugly and 1 Jackass
Rick Porcello had 4 Good and 1 Hero.
Bobby Poyner had 3 Good and 2 Uglies.
David Price had 2 Good, 1 Bad and 2 Jackass.
Hanley Ramirez had 12 Good, 2 Bad, 4 Ugly, 3 Heroes and 1 Jackass.
Eduardo Rodriguez had 2 Good, 2 Bad and 1 Hero.
Chris Sale had 4 Good and 1 Ugly.
Carson Smith had 6 Good and 3 Bad.
Blake Swihart had 2 Good, 9 Bad and 1 Honorable Mention
Christian Vazquez had 5 Good, 7 Bad and 7 Uglies
Hector Velazquez had 6 Good and 1 Bad.
Marcus Walden had 5 Good and 2 Bad.
Hero of the Month AND Most Valuable Player is Hanley Ramirez with 12 Good and 3 Heroes.
Least Valuable Player is Blake Swihart with 9 Bad.
Ugliest Player of the Month due to a tiebreaker is Eduardo Nunez with 11 Uglies.
Jackass of the Month is David Price with 2 Jackass.
The Honorable Players of the Month are Blake Swihart, Rafael Devers, Jackie Bradley Jr and Andrew Benintendi
Monday, April 30, 2018
Sox Rout Royals (4/30/18)
The bad news is the Boston Bruins lost Game 2 of their second round matchup with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The good news was not only did the Boston Celtics win Game 1 of their own second round matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers, but the Boston Red Sox beat the daylights out of the lowly Kansas City Royals. The Sox overcame an ineffective start by Eduardo Rodriguez to pound out 13 hits and 10 runs. When it was all over the Sox had taken the first game on this rainy night at Fenway Park 10-6.
Terry Rozier approves of the win
Rodriguez took the mound for the top of the first inning and immediately crapped his pants. Whit Merrifield singled and Jorge Soler walked. Mike Moustakas was plunked to load the bases. Salvador Perez walked to drive in a run. Rodriguez did manage to strike out Cheslor Cuthbert but Lucas Duda walked for another run. Jon Jay hit a ground ball that ate up Eduardo Nunez to allow Soler to score with another run. Alex Gordon banged into a double play to end the inning but it was 3-0.
The Sox did nothing against Royals starter Jimmy Hammel in the bottom of the first inning. Andrew Benintendi lined out to center, Hanley Ramirez flied out to right and JD Martinez grounded out to third to end the inning.
Rodriguez came out for the top of the second inning and got Alcides Escobar to fly out to center on the first pitch. Merrifield whiffed on 3 pitches but Soler took advantage of Nunez' bad knee to beat out an infield single. Moustakas had to leave the game and Abraham Almonte pinch hit for him only to fly out to right to end the inning. The Sox somehow got a run in the bottom of the second when Mitch Moreland homered to cut the lead. That was it as Xander Bogaerts flied out to center, Rafael Devers also flied out to center and Nunez grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox down 3-1.
Moreland hits a solo home run
Rodriguez whiffed Perez to start the top of the third before Cuthbert flied out to center. Duda flied out to left to end the inning. The Sox exploded in the bottom of the third inning. Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to first and Christian Vazquez grounded out to short, but Benintendi singled. Ramirez hit a ball into the right field corner that got lodged underneath the wall so Benintendi had to stay at third. Martinez walked to load the bases and Moreland took a gutsy full count walk to make it 3-2. Bogaerts got a 3-2 meatball down the middle and he crushed it for a grand slam to give the Sox the lead. Devers looked at strike three to end the inning but the Sox pounced for a 6-3 lead.
Another grand salami
The incompetent Rodriguez damn near gave it all back in the top of the fourth inning. Jay whiffed but Gordon was hit with a pitch. Escobar doubled home Gordon and Merrifield doubled home Escobar. Soler and Almonte whiffed to end the inning but that was it for Rodriguez. He lasted just four innings and gave up 5 runs but left with a 6-5 lead.
Nice going E-Rod
The Sox got one of the runs back in the bottom of the fourth although Nunez popped up to second to start. JBJ walked and Vazquez singled him to third before JBJ scored on the sac fly by Benintendi. Ramirez grounded back to the mound to end the inning but it was 7-5 Sox.
Another run in
Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez (4-0, 2.05 ERA) took over for the top of the fifth inning and cruised. Perez flied out to right, Cuthbert grounded out to short and Duda whiffed to end the inning. The Sox added another insurance run in the bottom of the fifth as Martinez doubled to start. Moreland flied out to center but Bogaerts singled Martinez to third. Devers whiffed but Nunez singled home Martinez to chase Hammel. Tim Hill took over and JBJ grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 8-5.
Velazquez kept the Royals off the board in the top of the sixth inning as he whiffed Jay to start. Gordon whiffed but Escobar singled. Merrifield grounded into a force to end the inning. Scott Barlow came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth as Vazquez froze for strike three to start. Benintendi flied out to left but Ramirez singled. Martinez grounded into a force to end the inning.
Carson Smith took over for the top of the seventh inning and got Soler to fly out to center to start. Almonte was rung up on what should have been ball four but Perez singled to left. Cuthbert whiffed to end the inning. The Sox iced the game in the bottom of the seventh inning as Moreland doubled and Bogaerts singled him to third. Devers grounded out into the shift to erase Bogaerts but Moreland scored to increase the lead. Nunez was retired on a squibber in front of the mound but Devers made it to second. JBJ hit a routine grounder to Cuthbert at third but he booted it, scoring Devers on the error. Vazquez lined out to third to end the inning but it was 10-5 Red Sox.
Brian Johnson took over for the top of the eighth inning and got Duda to pop up to second at start. Jay lined out to left and Gordon froze for strike three to end the inning. The Sox almost scored again in the bottom of the eighth inning although Benintendi flied out to left to start. Ramirez grounded out to first but Martinez and Moreland stroked back to back singles. Bogaerts grounded back to the mound to end the inning.
Johnson ran into trouble in the top of the ninth when Escobar and Merrifield stroked back to back doubles to cut into the lead. Johnson recovered to get Soler to fly out to center, Almonte to line out to center and Perez on strikes to end the game. The Sox ended April with a 21-7 record and won this game 10-6.
Hero of the Night is Xander Bogaerts. His grand slam turned the game around and gave the Sox the lead they would not relinquish.
Xander Bogaerts is the Hero
The Good:
Hanley Ramirez was 2 for 5 with a run scored.
JD Martinez was 2 for 4 with a walk and 2 runs scored.
Mitch Moreland was 3 for 4 with a walk two total rbis and 3 total runs scored including a solo home run.
Hector Velazquez got the win by throwing 2 scoreless innings.
Carson Smith pitched a scoreless 7th inning.
The Bad:
Eduardo Rodriguez sucked by giving up 5 runs in just 4 innings on 5 hits and 3 walks.
The Ugly:
Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored.
Rafael Devers was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but drove in a run and scored.
Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.
Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 4.
Brian Johnson gave up a run in two innings of work.
Final Thoughts:
Its a good thing the Red Sox ran smack into one of the worst pitching teams in the American League with Nunez hobbled, Holt out, Betts out and the black hole in the bottom of the order. Rodriguez stunk but Velazquez picked up the pieces big time. If Rodriguez and Pomeranz don't discover their true talent, this year is going to be tougher than it should be. Dustin Pedroia and Mookie Betts can't come back fast enough because the bottom of the order is useless right now. Getting the hobbled Nunez off second base and guys like Tzu-Wei Lin out of the lineup will increase the Sox odds of scoring. The win gave the Sox a 21-7 record to end the month of April, their best start since going 20-8 in 2013. Tomorrow night Chris Sale (2-1, 2.31 ERA) goes for the Sox opposite Jakob Junis at 7:07 PM at Fenway Park.
Rodriguez took the mound for the top of the first inning and immediately crapped his pants. Whit Merrifield singled and Jorge Soler walked. Mike Moustakas was plunked to load the bases. Salvador Perez walked to drive in a run. Rodriguez did manage to strike out Cheslor Cuthbert but Lucas Duda walked for another run. Jon Jay hit a ground ball that ate up Eduardo Nunez to allow Soler to score with another run. Alex Gordon banged into a double play to end the inning but it was 3-0.
The Sox did nothing against Royals starter Jimmy Hammel in the bottom of the first inning. Andrew Benintendi lined out to center, Hanley Ramirez flied out to right and JD Martinez grounded out to third to end the inning.
Rodriguez came out for the top of the second inning and got Alcides Escobar to fly out to center on the first pitch. Merrifield whiffed on 3 pitches but Soler took advantage of Nunez' bad knee to beat out an infield single. Moustakas had to leave the game and Abraham Almonte pinch hit for him only to fly out to right to end the inning. The Sox somehow got a run in the bottom of the second when Mitch Moreland homered to cut the lead. That was it as Xander Bogaerts flied out to center, Rafael Devers also flied out to center and Nunez grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox down 3-1.
Rodriguez whiffed Perez to start the top of the third before Cuthbert flied out to center. Duda flied out to left to end the inning. The Sox exploded in the bottom of the third inning. Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to first and Christian Vazquez grounded out to short, but Benintendi singled. Ramirez hit a ball into the right field corner that got lodged underneath the wall so Benintendi had to stay at third. Martinez walked to load the bases and Moreland took a gutsy full count walk to make it 3-2. Bogaerts got a 3-2 meatball down the middle and he crushed it for a grand slam to give the Sox the lead. Devers looked at strike three to end the inning but the Sox pounced for a 6-3 lead.
The incompetent Rodriguez damn near gave it all back in the top of the fourth inning. Jay whiffed but Gordon was hit with a pitch. Escobar doubled home Gordon and Merrifield doubled home Escobar. Soler and Almonte whiffed to end the inning but that was it for Rodriguez. He lasted just four innings and gave up 5 runs but left with a 6-5 lead.
The Sox got one of the runs back in the bottom of the fourth although Nunez popped up to second to start. JBJ walked and Vazquez singled him to third before JBJ scored on the sac fly by Benintendi. Ramirez grounded back to the mound to end the inning but it was 7-5 Sox.
Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez (4-0, 2.05 ERA) took over for the top of the fifth inning and cruised. Perez flied out to right, Cuthbert grounded out to short and Duda whiffed to end the inning. The Sox added another insurance run in the bottom of the fifth as Martinez doubled to start. Moreland flied out to center but Bogaerts singled Martinez to third. Devers whiffed but Nunez singled home Martinez to chase Hammel. Tim Hill took over and JBJ grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 8-5.
Velazquez kept the Royals off the board in the top of the sixth inning as he whiffed Jay to start. Gordon whiffed but Escobar singled. Merrifield grounded into a force to end the inning. Scott Barlow came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth as Vazquez froze for strike three to start. Benintendi flied out to left but Ramirez singled. Martinez grounded into a force to end the inning.
Carson Smith took over for the top of the seventh inning and got Soler to fly out to center to start. Almonte was rung up on what should have been ball four but Perez singled to left. Cuthbert whiffed to end the inning. The Sox iced the game in the bottom of the seventh inning as Moreland doubled and Bogaerts singled him to third. Devers grounded out into the shift to erase Bogaerts but Moreland scored to increase the lead. Nunez was retired on a squibber in front of the mound but Devers made it to second. JBJ hit a routine grounder to Cuthbert at third but he booted it, scoring Devers on the error. Vazquez lined out to third to end the inning but it was 10-5 Red Sox.
Brian Johnson took over for the top of the eighth inning and got Duda to pop up to second at start. Jay lined out to left and Gordon froze for strike three to end the inning. The Sox almost scored again in the bottom of the eighth inning although Benintendi flied out to left to start. Ramirez grounded out to first but Martinez and Moreland stroked back to back singles. Bogaerts grounded back to the mound to end the inning.
Johnson ran into trouble in the top of the ninth when Escobar and Merrifield stroked back to back doubles to cut into the lead. Johnson recovered to get Soler to fly out to center, Almonte to line out to center and Perez on strikes to end the game. The Sox ended April with a 21-7 record and won this game 10-6.
Hero of the Night is Xander Bogaerts. His grand slam turned the game around and gave the Sox the lead they would not relinquish.
The Good:
Hanley Ramirez was 2 for 5 with a run scored.
JD Martinez was 2 for 4 with a walk and 2 runs scored.
Mitch Moreland was 3 for 4 with a walk two total rbis and 3 total runs scored including a solo home run.
Hector Velazquez got the win by throwing 2 scoreless innings.
Carson Smith pitched a scoreless 7th inning.
The Bad:
Eduardo Rodriguez sucked by giving up 5 runs in just 4 innings on 5 hits and 3 walks.
The Ugly:
Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored.
Rafael Devers was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but drove in a run and scored.
Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.
Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 4.
Brian Johnson gave up a run in two innings of work.
Final Thoughts:
Its a good thing the Red Sox ran smack into one of the worst pitching teams in the American League with Nunez hobbled, Holt out, Betts out and the black hole in the bottom of the order. Rodriguez stunk but Velazquez picked up the pieces big time. If Rodriguez and Pomeranz don't discover their true talent, this year is going to be tougher than it should be. Dustin Pedroia and Mookie Betts can't come back fast enough because the bottom of the order is useless right now. Getting the hobbled Nunez off second base and guys like Tzu-Wei Lin out of the lineup will increase the Sox odds of scoring. The win gave the Sox a 21-7 record to end the month of April, their best start since going 20-8 in 2013. Tomorrow night Chris Sale (2-1, 2.31 ERA) goes for the Sox opposite Jakob Junis at 7:07 PM at Fenway Park.
Sunday, April 29, 2018
Sox Rally Past Rays (4/29/18)
The Tampa Bay Rays had won 8 games in a row and had a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the 6th inning against the Boston Red Sox. Thanks to some timely hitting and shut-down pitching, the Sox were able to tie the game and eventually take the lead. After a gutty inning by Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel (1-1, 0.77 ERA), the Sox broke the 8 game win streak and became the first team to win 20 games this season with a come from behind 4-3 win at Fenway Park
Happy fan
Rick Porcello got the start for the Red Sox and cruised in the top of the first inning. Denard Span flied out to center and CJ Cron grounded out to third. Joey Wendle grounded out to second to end the inning. Matt Andriese cruised in the bottom of the first inning as well as Eduardo Nunez grounded out to third to start. Andrew Benintendi flied out to left and Hanley Ramirez whiffed in short order.
Porcello was lights out in the top of the second as Brad Miller whiffed to start. Daniel Robertson grounded out to third and Mallex Smith looked at strike three to end the inning. JD Martinez singled to open the bottom of the second but Mitch Moreland flied out to right. Rafael Devers struck out and Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to first to end the inning.
The Rays struck first in the top of the third inning when Adeiny Hechavarria singled to start. Porcello tried to pick Hechavarria off at first but Moreland was checking out The Great Crapini doing tricks in the first row and the throw got away, allowing Hechavarria to reach second. Jesus Sucre flied out to center and Johnny Field popped up to first, but Span smashed a 1,532 foot home run to give the Rays the lead. Cron grounded out to second to end the inning but it was 2-0 Rays.
Way to pay attention Moreland
The Sox failed to answer against Andriese in the bottom of the third inning. Sandy Leon flied out to left, Tzu-Wei Lin flied out to center and Nunez whiffed to end the inning.
The Rays struck again in the top of the fourth inning although Wendle flied out to right to start. Miller doubled to center but Robertson whiffed. Smith hit a little roller into right to score Miller with another run. Porcello threw over to first and Moreland nailed Smith with a tag. The umpire ruled safe but Sox manager Alex Cora demanded to take another look. Yankees manag....err Head of MLB Operations Joe Torre was in the can so his assistant made the call that Smith was indeed out. The assistant was immediately fired when Torre got back but the inning was over with the Rays leading 3-0.
"Smith was safe....dammit...grumble grumble!" - Torre
Andriese returned for the bottom of the fourth and got Benintendi to line out to second. Ramirez was plunked and Martinez singled to chase him. The Rays had to be thrilled as Andriese gave them 3 1/3 shut-out innings. Jonny Venters came in and got Moreland to fly out to center and Devers to pop up to second to end the inning.
Porcello worked his ground ball magic in the top of the fifth inning as Hechavarria grounded out to third, Sucre grounded back to the mound and Field grounded out to short to end the inning. Venters returned just to get JBJ to ground out to start the bottom of the fifth before he departed. Andrew Kittredge came in and got Leon to fly out to left. Lin flied out to right to end the inning.
Porcello froze Span to begin the top of the sixth before whiffing Cron. Wendle singled to right but Miller grounded out to short to end the inning. Somehow the Sox exploded in the bottom of the sixth inning. Nunez beat out an infield single to third and Benintendi walked. Ramirez singled to load the bases and FINALLY the Sox got a clutch hit when Martinez singled in both Nunez and Benintendi. Moreland walked to re-load the bases and that was it for Kittredge. Sergio Romo came in and froze Devers for strike three but JBJ hit a sac fly to score Ramirez to tie the game. Moreland swiped second and Leon was hit with a pitch to re-load the bases. The rally ended as Lin flied out to right to end the inning with the game tied 3-3.
Tie game
Porcello came back for the top of the seventh and gave up a single to Robertson to start. Smith lined out to left before Hechavarria banged into a double play to end the inning....oh, not so fast! Alert Rays manager Kevin Cash challenged that not only did Lin's foot come off the bag at second but Moreland's at first as well. The umpires got together and concluded that Robertson was safe at second but Moreland got the toe down in time at first. Porcello got Sucre to line out to right to end the inning as it was rumored that Joe Torre wanted a word with the umpires about the out call at first after the game. The Sox failed to capitalize in the bottom of the seventh as Nunez whiffed, Benintendi flied out to right and Ramirez whiffed to end the inning.
Porcello came back for the top of the eighth and struck out Field to start. Span flied out to left but Cron singled to chase Rick. Porcello made one mistake to Cron but had given up 3 runs in 7 2/3 innings. With Joe Kelly suspended and the bullpen taxed, Craig Kimbrel was brought in to pitch. Wendle greeted him with a double but Kimbrel blew away Miller to end the inning.
Porcello was a good effort to save the bullpen
The Rays went to closer Alex Colome for the 6 out save but the move backfired. Martinez got the rally started with a single but Moreland whiffed. Devers lined out to left but JBJ walked. Leon hadn't had a big hit all year but this time he singled down the left field line, Martinez motoring around to score the go-ahead run. Way to go Leon! Leon then stole second for the heck of it before Lin grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox now had the 4-3 lead.
Leon delivers in the clutch
Could Kimbrel get the final 3 outs to get the win in the top of the ninth? At first it didn't look like it as Robertson and Smith stroked back to back singles to start. Hechavarria dropped down the perfect sacrifice bunt to put both runners into scoring position with one out. Kimbrel showed some brass balls by blowing away Sucre for the second out. Carlos Gomez pinch hit for Field and Kimbrel blew him away on 3 pitches to end the game. The Sox had broken the streak and rallied for a 4-3 win. What a ballclub.
"Did we win?" - Kimbrel "Si, senor" - Leon
Hero of the Night is Sandy Leon. His rbi single in the bottom of the eighth inning was the difference in the game. He also was hit with a pitch and stole a base.
Hero of the Night: Leon
The Good:
Hanley Ramirez was 1 for 3 with a hit by pitch and a run scored.
JD Martinez was 4 for 4 with 2 rbis and a run scored.
Rick Porcello tossed 7 2/3 innings of 3 run ball while striking out 6.
Craig Kimbrel tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings to earn the win.
The Bad:
Rafael Devers was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Tzu-Wei Lin was 0 for 4.
The Ugly:
Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.
Mitch Moreland was 0 for 3 but walked and stole a base.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 2 with a walk and a sacrifice fly.
Final Thoughts:
That was a much needed, gutty win considering the circumstances. The New York Yankees have won 7 in a row so this was a very important win to keep pace ahead of them. It also left a good taste in the mouths of the fans after suffering through 4 losses in 6 games. Porcello once again pitched well but there are some concerns. The bottom of the order is a black hole and now with Betts gone, its getting harder to score runs. Luckily the worthless Kansas City Royals come to town next so hopefully they can pound them without him. The Sox move on to a 3 game set with the struggling Royals (7-20). Jimmy Hammel goes for the Royals with Eduardo Rodriguez (3-0, 3.63 ERA) taking the ball for the Red Sox at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.
Rick Porcello got the start for the Red Sox and cruised in the top of the first inning. Denard Span flied out to center and CJ Cron grounded out to third. Joey Wendle grounded out to second to end the inning. Matt Andriese cruised in the bottom of the first inning as well as Eduardo Nunez grounded out to third to start. Andrew Benintendi flied out to left and Hanley Ramirez whiffed in short order.
Porcello was lights out in the top of the second as Brad Miller whiffed to start. Daniel Robertson grounded out to third and Mallex Smith looked at strike three to end the inning. JD Martinez singled to open the bottom of the second but Mitch Moreland flied out to right. Rafael Devers struck out and Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to first to end the inning.
The Rays struck first in the top of the third inning when Adeiny Hechavarria singled to start. Porcello tried to pick Hechavarria off at first but Moreland was checking out The Great Crapini doing tricks in the first row and the throw got away, allowing Hechavarria to reach second. Jesus Sucre flied out to center and Johnny Field popped up to first, but Span smashed a 1,532 foot home run to give the Rays the lead. Cron grounded out to second to end the inning but it was 2-0 Rays.
The Sox failed to answer against Andriese in the bottom of the third inning. Sandy Leon flied out to left, Tzu-Wei Lin flied out to center and Nunez whiffed to end the inning.
The Rays struck again in the top of the fourth inning although Wendle flied out to right to start. Miller doubled to center but Robertson whiffed. Smith hit a little roller into right to score Miller with another run. Porcello threw over to first and Moreland nailed Smith with a tag. The umpire ruled safe but Sox manager Alex Cora demanded to take another look. Yankees manag....err Head of MLB Operations Joe Torre was in the can so his assistant made the call that Smith was indeed out. The assistant was immediately fired when Torre got back but the inning was over with the Rays leading 3-0.
Andriese returned for the bottom of the fourth and got Benintendi to line out to second. Ramirez was plunked and Martinez singled to chase him. The Rays had to be thrilled as Andriese gave them 3 1/3 shut-out innings. Jonny Venters came in and got Moreland to fly out to center and Devers to pop up to second to end the inning.
Porcello worked his ground ball magic in the top of the fifth inning as Hechavarria grounded out to third, Sucre grounded back to the mound and Field grounded out to short to end the inning. Venters returned just to get JBJ to ground out to start the bottom of the fifth before he departed. Andrew Kittredge came in and got Leon to fly out to left. Lin flied out to right to end the inning.
Porcello froze Span to begin the top of the sixth before whiffing Cron. Wendle singled to right but Miller grounded out to short to end the inning. Somehow the Sox exploded in the bottom of the sixth inning. Nunez beat out an infield single to third and Benintendi walked. Ramirez singled to load the bases and FINALLY the Sox got a clutch hit when Martinez singled in both Nunez and Benintendi. Moreland walked to re-load the bases and that was it for Kittredge. Sergio Romo came in and froze Devers for strike three but JBJ hit a sac fly to score Ramirez to tie the game. Moreland swiped second and Leon was hit with a pitch to re-load the bases. The rally ended as Lin flied out to right to end the inning with the game tied 3-3.
Porcello came back for the top of the seventh and gave up a single to Robertson to start. Smith lined out to left before Hechavarria banged into a double play to end the inning....oh, not so fast! Alert Rays manager Kevin Cash challenged that not only did Lin's foot come off the bag at second but Moreland's at first as well. The umpires got together and concluded that Robertson was safe at second but Moreland got the toe down in time at first. Porcello got Sucre to line out to right to end the inning as it was rumored that Joe Torre wanted a word with the umpires about the out call at first after the game. The Sox failed to capitalize in the bottom of the seventh as Nunez whiffed, Benintendi flied out to right and Ramirez whiffed to end the inning.
Porcello came back for the top of the eighth and struck out Field to start. Span flied out to left but Cron singled to chase Rick. Porcello made one mistake to Cron but had given up 3 runs in 7 2/3 innings. With Joe Kelly suspended and the bullpen taxed, Craig Kimbrel was brought in to pitch. Wendle greeted him with a double but Kimbrel blew away Miller to end the inning.
The Rays went to closer Alex Colome for the 6 out save but the move backfired. Martinez got the rally started with a single but Moreland whiffed. Devers lined out to left but JBJ walked. Leon hadn't had a big hit all year but this time he singled down the left field line, Martinez motoring around to score the go-ahead run. Way to go Leon! Leon then stole second for the heck of it before Lin grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox now had the 4-3 lead.
Could Kimbrel get the final 3 outs to get the win in the top of the ninth? At first it didn't look like it as Robertson and Smith stroked back to back singles to start. Hechavarria dropped down the perfect sacrifice bunt to put both runners into scoring position with one out. Kimbrel showed some brass balls by blowing away Sucre for the second out. Carlos Gomez pinch hit for Field and Kimbrel blew him away on 3 pitches to end the game. The Sox had broken the streak and rallied for a 4-3 win. What a ballclub.
Hero of the Night is Sandy Leon. His rbi single in the bottom of the eighth inning was the difference in the game. He also was hit with a pitch and stole a base.
The Good:
Hanley Ramirez was 1 for 3 with a hit by pitch and a run scored.
JD Martinez was 4 for 4 with 2 rbis and a run scored.
Rick Porcello tossed 7 2/3 innings of 3 run ball while striking out 6.
Craig Kimbrel tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings to earn the win.
The Bad:
Rafael Devers was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Tzu-Wei Lin was 0 for 4.
The Ugly:
Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.
Mitch Moreland was 0 for 3 but walked and stole a base.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 2 with a walk and a sacrifice fly.
Final Thoughts:
That was a much needed, gutty win considering the circumstances. The New York Yankees have won 7 in a row so this was a very important win to keep pace ahead of them. It also left a good taste in the mouths of the fans after suffering through 4 losses in 6 games. Porcello once again pitched well but there are some concerns. The bottom of the order is a black hole and now with Betts gone, its getting harder to score runs. Luckily the worthless Kansas City Royals come to town next so hopefully they can pound them without him. The Sox move on to a 3 game set with the struggling Royals (7-20). Jimmy Hammel goes for the Royals with Eduardo Rodriguez (3-0, 3.63 ERA) taking the ball for the Red Sox at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.
Saturday, April 28, 2018
Rays Annihilate Red Sox (4/28/18)
On a day where the Boston Bruins defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 of the Eastern Semifinals and the Boston Celtics extended their season with a Game 7 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, the Boston Red Sox failed to join the victory party as they were collectively mauled by the scorching hot Tampa Bay Rays. The relentless Rays attack pounded out 18 hits and 12 runs, knocking out Sox starter David Price (2-3, 3.78 ERA) and a host of relievers to take their 8th straight game 12-6 at Fenway Park.
Grumpy Sox fans
Somehow Price kept the Rays off the board in the top of the first inning. Matt Duffy belted a leadoff double but Rafael Devers made a heads up play on a ground ball hit by CJ Cron to tag Duffy before firing to first for the double play. Price froze Carlos Gomez to end the inning. The Sox wasted no time scoring against starter Yonny Chirinos. Mookie Betts was plunked and Andrew Benintendi singled. A wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position and Hanley Ramirez walked to load the bases with no one out. The miserable 2017 offense returned as JD Martinez struck out and the returning Xander Bogaerts could only muster a sac fly to score Betts. Devers whiffed to end the inning with the Sox holding a measly 1-0 lead.
Betts - "Habooooowowowowow!!!"
The lead evaporated in almost record time in the top of the second inning. Wilson Ramos doubled but Daniel Robertson flied out to right. Denard Span then hit a routine single to center but Jackie Bradley Jr decided to jump out of the way of the ball, letting it roll to the centerfield wall for an inside the park home run to give the Rays the lead. Adeiny Hechavarria walked but Rob Refsnyder took strike three. Johnny Field struck out to end the inning with the Rays up 2-1.
The Sox got the run right back but the offensive misery continued in the bottom of the second inning. Eduardo Nunez and Jackie Bradley Jr stroked back to back singles before a wild pitch moved Nunez to third. Sure enough Christian Vazquez banged into a double play although Nunez scored to tie the game. Betts whiffed to end the inning but it was 2-2.
The Rays wasted no time getting the lead back in the top of the third. Duffy watched strike three go by but Cron doubled. Gomez whiffed but Ramos swatted a 950 foot home run to give the Rays the lead back. Robertson grounded back to the mound to end the inning but it was 4-2 Rays.
Ugh
Once again the Sox answered but this time the squander proved fatal in the bottom of the third. Benintendi led off with a double and Ramirez singled him to third. Martinez walked to load the bases and Bogaerts singled in Benny to cut the lead to one run. That was it for Chirinos as Ryan Yarbrough came in and stoned the Sox cold. With the bases loaded and no one out, Devers looked at strike three, Nunez lined out to short and JBJ whiffed to end the inning. Once again the Sox had the bases loaded and no one out twice and only managed one lousy run, leading to a 4-3 Rays lead.
Somehow Price kept the Rays off the board in the top of the fourth inning. Span walked but Hechavarria lined out to right. Refsnsyder grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth. Vazquez flied out to center but Betts doubled. Benitendi advanced Betts to third with a groundout and Ramirez singled Mookie home to tie the game. Martinez whiffed to end the inning but it was tied 4-4.
Suddenly Betts keeled over grabbing his leg and passed out, getting hauled off on a gurney headed for Mass General. Blake Swihart took his place while playing left with Benintendi moving to center and JBJ moving to right. Field flied out to center but Duffy singled. Duffy was erased on the Cron force and Price was one out away from keeping the game tied. It didn't happen as Gomez singled and Ramos walked to load the bases. Robertson walked to drive in a run and give the Rays the lead. Span lined out to short to end the inning but it was 5-4 Tampa.
The lead lasted 30 seconds in the bottom of the fifth although Bogaerts popped up to short to start. Devers then launched a solo home run to tie the game. Nunez grounded out to first and JBJ whiffed but the game was tied 5-5.
Price came back for the top of the sixth and Hechavarria singled to start. Refsnyder flied out to right and a passed ball allowed Hechavarria to advance to second. Field grounded out to short and Price was again one out away from keeping the game tied. He didn't get the chance as he was curiously lifted by Sox manager Alex Cora after 5 2/3 innings. Heath Hembree came in and induced a ground ball by Duffy to second. Nunez fielded it but then turned around and fired the ball 100 feet into the third base seats for an error that scored Hechavarria with the go-ahead run. Cron lined out to center to end the inning but the Rays had got the lead back 6-5.
Not Price's best effort
This time the Sox could not respond in the bottom of the sixth as Vazquez whiffed, Swihart flied out to center and Benintendi whiffed to end the inning.
Hembree vomited up his intestines in the top of the seventh as Gomez blasted a 5,713 foot home run to increase the lead. Ramos singled for the 900th time and because he had been running the bases so much this series, he finally passed out. Jesus Sucre ran for Ramos and Robertson walked to chase Heath. Matt Barnes came in and blew away Span. Hechavarria grounded out and Brad Miller pinch hit for Refsnyder only to strike out to end the inning with the Rays up 7-5.
Chaz Roe came on to pitch the bottom of the seventh as Ramirez grounded out to second to start. Duffy booted a ball hit by Martinez but Bogaerts whiffed. Jose Alvarez replaced Roe and Devers singled to put the tying run on first. Naturally Nunez whiffed to end the inning.
The relentless Rays attacked again in the top of the eighth inning with Brian Johnson now on the mound. Ramirez lost a pop up hit by Field and it landed in fair territory for a single. Duffy singled to right and the Nunez fell down after catching the relay throw, but Cron struck out. Gomez lined out to left but Sucre doubled home Field. Robertson grounded out to third to end the inning but it was now 8-5 Rays, thanks a lot Ramirez and Nunez.
Nice going Nunez
The Sox went quietly as JBJ grounded out to second, Vazquez grounded back to the mound and Swihart whiffed to end the inning.
Johnson was left out to dry in the top of the ninth inning. Span and Hechavarria singled in about 5 seconds before Miller singled in Span. Field then swatted a 25,000 foot bomb into the Charles River to ice the game. Duffy whiffed and Cron flied out to right before Gomez grounded out to second to end the inning with the Rays up 12-5.
The Sox refused to go quietly in the bottom of the ninth despite being down 7 runs. Sergio Romo came in to pitch and Benintendi greeted him with a double. Ramirez walked but Martinez earned a hat trick with his third strikeout. Bogaerts flied out to center but a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position. Devers whacked a single to left to score Benintendi and cut the lead. Devers made it to second on defensive indifference but Nunez whiffed to end the game. The Rays had won their 8th in a row with a 12-6 beatdown.
Jackass of the Night is David Price. The supposed ace only lasted 5 2/3 innings and gave up 6 runs. A good start by Price and the Sox may have won the game.
Price the Jackass
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 1 for 2 with a hit by pitch and 2 runs scored before being hauled off on a gurney.
Andrew Benintendi was 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored.
Hanley Ramirez was 2 for 3 with 2 walks and an rbi.
Rafael Devers was 3 for 5 with 2 total rbis and a solo home run.
Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless inning.
The Bad:
Blake Swihart was 0 for 2 with a strikeout at the plate.
Christian Vazquez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Heath Hembree allowed a run in just 1/3 of an inning while allowing an inherited to score.
Brian Johnson gave up 5 runs in 2 innings of work.
The Ugly:
JD Martinez was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but walked.
Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 but drove in 2 runs.
Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.
Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4.
Final Thoughts:
The Rays and the Red Sox swapped places it seems. Last week the Sox won 8 in a row while hitting everything out of the park and now its the Rays doing the same. The Rays are a lot more surprising considering they don't have the pitching or offense theoretically to get it done. Nobody could get anyone out as the Rays pounded out 18 hits and 5 walks against the Sox pitching. Johnson had to get lit up in the ninth to save everyone else for tomorrow's game with Joe Kelly suspended. Its only one game but that was alarming to see Price get lit up again. Now not only is Holt hobbled but so is Betts as well. You would think these guys that run for a living are in good enough shape to not suffer so many hamstring tears. Tomorrow the Rays look for the series sweep with Matt Andriese on the mound taking on Rick Porcello (4-0) at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.
Somehow Price kept the Rays off the board in the top of the first inning. Matt Duffy belted a leadoff double but Rafael Devers made a heads up play on a ground ball hit by CJ Cron to tag Duffy before firing to first for the double play. Price froze Carlos Gomez to end the inning. The Sox wasted no time scoring against starter Yonny Chirinos. Mookie Betts was plunked and Andrew Benintendi singled. A wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position and Hanley Ramirez walked to load the bases with no one out. The miserable 2017 offense returned as JD Martinez struck out and the returning Xander Bogaerts could only muster a sac fly to score Betts. Devers whiffed to end the inning with the Sox holding a measly 1-0 lead.
The lead evaporated in almost record time in the top of the second inning. Wilson Ramos doubled but Daniel Robertson flied out to right. Denard Span then hit a routine single to center but Jackie Bradley Jr decided to jump out of the way of the ball, letting it roll to the centerfield wall for an inside the park home run to give the Rays the lead. Adeiny Hechavarria walked but Rob Refsnyder took strike three. Johnny Field struck out to end the inning with the Rays up 2-1.
The Sox got the run right back but the offensive misery continued in the bottom of the second inning. Eduardo Nunez and Jackie Bradley Jr stroked back to back singles before a wild pitch moved Nunez to third. Sure enough Christian Vazquez banged into a double play although Nunez scored to tie the game. Betts whiffed to end the inning but it was 2-2.
The Rays wasted no time getting the lead back in the top of the third. Duffy watched strike three go by but Cron doubled. Gomez whiffed but Ramos swatted a 950 foot home run to give the Rays the lead back. Robertson grounded back to the mound to end the inning but it was 4-2 Rays.
Once again the Sox answered but this time the squander proved fatal in the bottom of the third. Benintendi led off with a double and Ramirez singled him to third. Martinez walked to load the bases and Bogaerts singled in Benny to cut the lead to one run. That was it for Chirinos as Ryan Yarbrough came in and stoned the Sox cold. With the bases loaded and no one out, Devers looked at strike three, Nunez lined out to short and JBJ whiffed to end the inning. Once again the Sox had the bases loaded and no one out twice and only managed one lousy run, leading to a 4-3 Rays lead.
Somehow Price kept the Rays off the board in the top of the fourth inning. Span walked but Hechavarria lined out to right. Refsnsyder grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth. Vazquez flied out to center but Betts doubled. Benitendi advanced Betts to third with a groundout and Ramirez singled Mookie home to tie the game. Martinez whiffed to end the inning but it was tied 4-4.
Suddenly Betts keeled over grabbing his leg and passed out, getting hauled off on a gurney headed for Mass General. Blake Swihart took his place while playing left with Benintendi moving to center and JBJ moving to right. Field flied out to center but Duffy singled. Duffy was erased on the Cron force and Price was one out away from keeping the game tied. It didn't happen as Gomez singled and Ramos walked to load the bases. Robertson walked to drive in a run and give the Rays the lead. Span lined out to short to end the inning but it was 5-4 Tampa.
The lead lasted 30 seconds in the bottom of the fifth although Bogaerts popped up to short to start. Devers then launched a solo home run to tie the game. Nunez grounded out to first and JBJ whiffed but the game was tied 5-5.
Price came back for the top of the sixth and Hechavarria singled to start. Refsnyder flied out to right and a passed ball allowed Hechavarria to advance to second. Field grounded out to short and Price was again one out away from keeping the game tied. He didn't get the chance as he was curiously lifted by Sox manager Alex Cora after 5 2/3 innings. Heath Hembree came in and induced a ground ball by Duffy to second. Nunez fielded it but then turned around and fired the ball 100 feet into the third base seats for an error that scored Hechavarria with the go-ahead run. Cron lined out to center to end the inning but the Rays had got the lead back 6-5.
This time the Sox could not respond in the bottom of the sixth as Vazquez whiffed, Swihart flied out to center and Benintendi whiffed to end the inning.
Hembree vomited up his intestines in the top of the seventh as Gomez blasted a 5,713 foot home run to increase the lead. Ramos singled for the 900th time and because he had been running the bases so much this series, he finally passed out. Jesus Sucre ran for Ramos and Robertson walked to chase Heath. Matt Barnes came in and blew away Span. Hechavarria grounded out and Brad Miller pinch hit for Refsnyder only to strike out to end the inning with the Rays up 7-5.
Chaz Roe came on to pitch the bottom of the seventh as Ramirez grounded out to second to start. Duffy booted a ball hit by Martinez but Bogaerts whiffed. Jose Alvarez replaced Roe and Devers singled to put the tying run on first. Naturally Nunez whiffed to end the inning.
The relentless Rays attacked again in the top of the eighth inning with Brian Johnson now on the mound. Ramirez lost a pop up hit by Field and it landed in fair territory for a single. Duffy singled to right and the Nunez fell down after catching the relay throw, but Cron struck out. Gomez lined out to left but Sucre doubled home Field. Robertson grounded out to third to end the inning but it was now 8-5 Rays, thanks a lot Ramirez and Nunez.
The Sox went quietly as JBJ grounded out to second, Vazquez grounded back to the mound and Swihart whiffed to end the inning.
Johnson was left out to dry in the top of the ninth inning. Span and Hechavarria singled in about 5 seconds before Miller singled in Span. Field then swatted a 25,000 foot bomb into the Charles River to ice the game. Duffy whiffed and Cron flied out to right before Gomez grounded out to second to end the inning with the Rays up 12-5.
The Sox refused to go quietly in the bottom of the ninth despite being down 7 runs. Sergio Romo came in to pitch and Benintendi greeted him with a double. Ramirez walked but Martinez earned a hat trick with his third strikeout. Bogaerts flied out to center but a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position. Devers whacked a single to left to score Benintendi and cut the lead. Devers made it to second on defensive indifference but Nunez whiffed to end the game. The Rays had won their 8th in a row with a 12-6 beatdown.
Jackass of the Night is David Price. The supposed ace only lasted 5 2/3 innings and gave up 6 runs. A good start by Price and the Sox may have won the game.
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 1 for 2 with a hit by pitch and 2 runs scored before being hauled off on a gurney.
Andrew Benintendi was 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored.
Hanley Ramirez was 2 for 3 with 2 walks and an rbi.
Rafael Devers was 3 for 5 with 2 total rbis and a solo home run.
Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless inning.
The Bad:
Blake Swihart was 0 for 2 with a strikeout at the plate.
Christian Vazquez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Heath Hembree allowed a run in just 1/3 of an inning while allowing an inherited to score.
Brian Johnson gave up 5 runs in 2 innings of work.
The Ugly:
JD Martinez was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but walked.
Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 but drove in 2 runs.
Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.
Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4.
Final Thoughts:
The Rays and the Red Sox swapped places it seems. Last week the Sox won 8 in a row while hitting everything out of the park and now its the Rays doing the same. The Rays are a lot more surprising considering they don't have the pitching or offense theoretically to get it done. Nobody could get anyone out as the Rays pounded out 18 hits and 5 walks against the Sox pitching. Johnson had to get lit up in the ninth to save everyone else for tomorrow's game with Joe Kelly suspended. Its only one game but that was alarming to see Price get lit up again. Now not only is Holt hobbled but so is Betts as well. You would think these guys that run for a living are in good enough shape to not suffer so many hamstring tears. Tomorrow the Rays look for the series sweep with Matt Andriese on the mound taking on Rick Porcello (4-0) at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.
Friday, April 27, 2018
Rays Bomb Pomeranz (4/27/18)
Before the game it was announced that Xander Bogaerts had made a miraculous recovery from a fractured foot to be activated from the Disabled List for tonight's game. Unfortunately with Brock Holt carried out on a stretcher last night, he took Xander's place on the DL although Bogaerts is back. Hopefully Brock isn't out for too long because he was starting to heat up before he went down.
OUT
IN
It looks like Drew Pomeranz (0-1, 7.27 ERA) isn't ready for prime time yet. With diminished velocity Pomeranz served up one home run after another to the suddenly red hot Tampa Bay Rays. They bolted out to a 4-0 lead on the ineffective Pomeranz before hanging on for a 4-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Looks like the stench of the 2017 offense is back.
The Rays wasted no time scoring in the top of the first inning as Matt Duffy lined out to third to begin. CJ Cron lashed a single to left but Carlos Gomez froze for strike three. Wilson Ramos crushed a 500,000 foot home run halfway to Bradford, New Hampshire to give the Rays the early lead. Daniel Robertson lined out to right to end the inning but it was 2-0.
The Sox failed to respond against Tampa starter Blake Snell in the bottom of the first inning. Mookie Betts grounded out to short, Hanley Ramirez popped up to first and JD Martinez whiffed to end the inning.
Pomeranz recovered in the top of the second inning as Brad Miller flied out to left to start. Adeiny Hechavarria singled but Mallex Smith banged into a double play to end the inning. Snell turned up the heat in the bottom of the second inning as Mitch Moreland, Xander Bogaerts and Eduardo Nunez all whiffed in short order.
The Rays struck again in the top of the third inning as Rob Refsnyder smashed a 6,000 foot home run to increase the lead. Duffy grounded out to third but Cron singled. Gomez froze for strike three again before Ramos grounded into a force to end the inning with the Rays up 3-0.
"Dammit! Dammit!" -DP
The Sox failed to reach base in the bottom of the third as Jackie Bradley Jr whiffed, Christian Vazquez lined out to left and Tzu-Wei Lin grounded out to short to end the inning.
Pomeranz with his diminished velocity served up another jack in the top of the fourth inning as Robertson belted a 950 foot home run to ice the game early. Miller flied out to left, Hechavarria flied out to right and Smith flied out to center to end the inning with the Rays up 4-0.
Well this one's over
The Sox failed to capitalize on a break in the bottom of the fourth as Betts walked to start. Ramirez watched strike three go by but Snell dropped a routine pop up by Ramirez to put runners at the corners. Moreland banged into a double play to end the inning....damn.
Pomeranz gutted through the top of the fifth although he walked Refsnyder to start. The alert Vazquez gunned him down trying to steal after Duffy struck out. Cron walked as Gomez whiffed for the third time to end the inning. That was it for Pomeranz who was done after 5 innings and 4 runs allowed. His velocity isn't back yet.
Pomeranz
Bogaerts got his first hit after coming off the DL in the bottom of the fifth but was erased on the Nunez force. JBJ grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez took the mound in the top of the sixth and Ramos grounded out to short to start. Robertson doubled but Miller lined out to center. Hechavarria grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox finally cracked Snell in the bottom of the sixth inning as Vazquez led off with a double. Lin grounded out to first but Betts doubled home Vazquez to put a run on the board. Ramirez whiffed but Martinez doubled in Betts to cut the deficit in half. With the tying run at the plate...Moreland whiffed to end the inning with the Sox down 4-2.
Nice strikeout Mitch
Velazquez did his part in the top of the seventh as Smith popped up a bunt to Vazquez to begin. Refsnyder and Duffy stroked back to back singles but Cron hit into a double play to end the inning. The Sox failed to cash in a leadoff double by Bogaerts to start the bottom of the seventh. That's because Nunez whiffed, JBJ grounded out and Vazquez flied out to right to end the inning.
Velazquez returned for the top of the eighth inning and got Gomez to ground out to third to begin. Ramos grounded out to short but Robertson was plunked. Miller singled to center but Hechavarria popped up to short to end the inning.
The Sox failed to crack Snell in the bottom of the eighth as pinch hitter Blake Swihart (for Lin) flied out to right to start. That was it for Blake as he tossed 7 1/3 innings of 2 run ball, much better than Pomeranz that's for sure. Chaz Roe came in and Betts greeted him with a double to bring the tying run to the plate. Ramirez popped up but Martinez singled home Betts to cut the lead to 1. With the tying run on first...Moreland grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox down 4-3.
Martinez gets it done
Rafael Devers took over at third to start the top of the ninth and Smith lined out to left to start. Dernard Span pinch hit for Refsnyder and walked to chase Velazquez. Had the Sox won, Velazquez would have been the hero with his relief effort. Heath Hembree relieved Hector and Vazquez gunned down Span trying to steal before Duffy struck out to end the inning.
Rays closer Alex Colome took the mound in the bottom of the ninth and Bogaerts singled to put the tying run on. He never moved as Nunez hit one up the elevator shaft and JBJ whiffed. Andrew Benintendi pinch hit for Vazquez and....looked at strike three to end the game. The Rays had held on to win 4-3.
Way to swing the bat Benny
Jackass of the Night is Drew Pomeranz. He lasted just 5 innings, gave up 3 home runs and 4 runs total to put the Sox in a hole they couldn't climb out of.
Drew the Jackass
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 2 for 3 with a walk, a steal, an rbi and 2 runs scored.
JD Martinez was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis.
Xander Bogaerts was 3 for 4.
Christian Vazquez was 1 for 3 with a run scored.
Hector Velazquez tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings.
Heath Hembree pitched 2/3 of a scoreless inning.
The Bad:
Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Mitch Moreland was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Andrew Benintendi struck out as a pinch hitter.
Tzu-Wei Lin was 0 for 2.
Blake Swihart was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.
The Ugly:
None
Honorable Mention:
Rafael Devers played third base in the top of the ninth.
Final Thoughts:
Looks like the miserable Red Sox offense that stunk up the 2017 season and the first 11 games of this season is back. When you think about, maybe the 8 games in between the 9-2 start and the current 2-4 streak was just an aberration. Maybe the Sox are doomed to an inconsistent offense all year. If that's the case than maybe the New York Yankees will win the division after all. Getting Xander Bogaerts back helps but Andrew Benintendi and the bottom of the order is a stinking black hole right now. Something has to be done with Dustin Pedroia out until May and Brock Holt gone for two weeks. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow afternoon against the Rays when David Price (2-2, 2.93 ERA) takes on Yonny Chirinos looking to halt Tampa Bay's 7 game win streak at 4:05 PM at Fenway Park.
It looks like Drew Pomeranz (0-1, 7.27 ERA) isn't ready for prime time yet. With diminished velocity Pomeranz served up one home run after another to the suddenly red hot Tampa Bay Rays. They bolted out to a 4-0 lead on the ineffective Pomeranz before hanging on for a 4-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Looks like the stench of the 2017 offense is back.
The Rays wasted no time scoring in the top of the first inning as Matt Duffy lined out to third to begin. CJ Cron lashed a single to left but Carlos Gomez froze for strike three. Wilson Ramos crushed a 500,000 foot home run halfway to Bradford, New Hampshire to give the Rays the early lead. Daniel Robertson lined out to right to end the inning but it was 2-0.
The Sox failed to respond against Tampa starter Blake Snell in the bottom of the first inning. Mookie Betts grounded out to short, Hanley Ramirez popped up to first and JD Martinez whiffed to end the inning.
Pomeranz recovered in the top of the second inning as Brad Miller flied out to left to start. Adeiny Hechavarria singled but Mallex Smith banged into a double play to end the inning. Snell turned up the heat in the bottom of the second inning as Mitch Moreland, Xander Bogaerts and Eduardo Nunez all whiffed in short order.
The Rays struck again in the top of the third inning as Rob Refsnyder smashed a 6,000 foot home run to increase the lead. Duffy grounded out to third but Cron singled. Gomez froze for strike three again before Ramos grounded into a force to end the inning with the Rays up 3-0.
The Sox failed to reach base in the bottom of the third as Jackie Bradley Jr whiffed, Christian Vazquez lined out to left and Tzu-Wei Lin grounded out to short to end the inning.
Pomeranz with his diminished velocity served up another jack in the top of the fourth inning as Robertson belted a 950 foot home run to ice the game early. Miller flied out to left, Hechavarria flied out to right and Smith flied out to center to end the inning with the Rays up 4-0.
The Sox failed to capitalize on a break in the bottom of the fourth as Betts walked to start. Ramirez watched strike three go by but Snell dropped a routine pop up by Ramirez to put runners at the corners. Moreland banged into a double play to end the inning....damn.
Pomeranz gutted through the top of the fifth although he walked Refsnyder to start. The alert Vazquez gunned him down trying to steal after Duffy struck out. Cron walked as Gomez whiffed for the third time to end the inning. That was it for Pomeranz who was done after 5 innings and 4 runs allowed. His velocity isn't back yet.
Bogaerts got his first hit after coming off the DL in the bottom of the fifth but was erased on the Nunez force. JBJ grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez took the mound in the top of the sixth and Ramos grounded out to short to start. Robertson doubled but Miller lined out to center. Hechavarria grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox finally cracked Snell in the bottom of the sixth inning as Vazquez led off with a double. Lin grounded out to first but Betts doubled home Vazquez to put a run on the board. Ramirez whiffed but Martinez doubled in Betts to cut the deficit in half. With the tying run at the plate...Moreland whiffed to end the inning with the Sox down 4-2.
Velazquez did his part in the top of the seventh as Smith popped up a bunt to Vazquez to begin. Refsnyder and Duffy stroked back to back singles but Cron hit into a double play to end the inning. The Sox failed to cash in a leadoff double by Bogaerts to start the bottom of the seventh. That's because Nunez whiffed, JBJ grounded out and Vazquez flied out to right to end the inning.
Velazquez returned for the top of the eighth inning and got Gomez to ground out to third to begin. Ramos grounded out to short but Robertson was plunked. Miller singled to center but Hechavarria popped up to short to end the inning.
The Sox failed to crack Snell in the bottom of the eighth as pinch hitter Blake Swihart (for Lin) flied out to right to start. That was it for Blake as he tossed 7 1/3 innings of 2 run ball, much better than Pomeranz that's for sure. Chaz Roe came in and Betts greeted him with a double to bring the tying run to the plate. Ramirez popped up but Martinez singled home Betts to cut the lead to 1. With the tying run on first...Moreland grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox down 4-3.
Rafael Devers took over at third to start the top of the ninth and Smith lined out to left to start. Dernard Span pinch hit for Refsnyder and walked to chase Velazquez. Had the Sox won, Velazquez would have been the hero with his relief effort. Heath Hembree relieved Hector and Vazquez gunned down Span trying to steal before Duffy struck out to end the inning.
Rays closer Alex Colome took the mound in the bottom of the ninth and Bogaerts singled to put the tying run on. He never moved as Nunez hit one up the elevator shaft and JBJ whiffed. Andrew Benintendi pinch hit for Vazquez and....looked at strike three to end the game. The Rays had held on to win 4-3.
Jackass of the Night is Drew Pomeranz. He lasted just 5 innings, gave up 3 home runs and 4 runs total to put the Sox in a hole they couldn't climb out of.
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 2 for 3 with a walk, a steal, an rbi and 2 runs scored.
JD Martinez was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis.
Xander Bogaerts was 3 for 4.
Christian Vazquez was 1 for 3 with a run scored.
Hector Velazquez tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings.
Heath Hembree pitched 2/3 of a scoreless inning.
The Bad:
Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Mitch Moreland was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Andrew Benintendi struck out as a pinch hitter.
Tzu-Wei Lin was 0 for 2.
Blake Swihart was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.
The Ugly:
None
Honorable Mention:
Rafael Devers played third base in the top of the ninth.
Final Thoughts:
Looks like the miserable Red Sox offense that stunk up the 2017 season and the first 11 games of this season is back. When you think about, maybe the 8 games in between the 9-2 start and the current 2-4 streak was just an aberration. Maybe the Sox are doomed to an inconsistent offense all year. If that's the case than maybe the New York Yankees will win the division after all. Getting Xander Bogaerts back helps but Andrew Benintendi and the bottom of the order is a stinking black hole right now. Something has to be done with Dustin Pedroia out until May and Brock Holt gone for two weeks. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow afternoon against the Rays when David Price (2-2, 2.93 ERA) takes on Yonny Chirinos looking to halt Tampa Bay's 7 game win streak at 4:05 PM at Fenway Park.
Thursday, April 26, 2018
Sox Grind Out Win Over Jays (4/26/18)
Before the game the Boston Red Sox got some bad but ironic news. Joe Kelly and Taylor Austin's suspension appeals came down and New York Yankees manag....er Head of MLB Operations Joe Torre upheld the 6 game ban for Joe Kelly but reduced Austin's suspension to just four games. Fans and media were outraged including Kelly, who tweeted out "At least buy me dinner" in reference to...well you get the idea. Once again this is Torre getting back at the Red Sox for humiliating him in 2004 as Joe serves his 6 game ban beginning tonight.
The bad news was the Boston Celtics lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 6 of their first round NBA playoff series but the good news was the Boston Red Sox defeated the Toronto Blue Jays. It wasn't pretty but tonight the Red Sox gutted out a grinding game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Chris Sale (2-1, 2.32 ERA) was mortal but pitched well enough to keep the Sox in the game long enough for JD Martinez to deliver the decisive blow. The Sox bullpen experienced a minor hiccup but was able to lock down the hard fought 5-4 victory at Skydome.
The Sox did nothing against Marco Estrada in the top of the first inning. Mookie Betts popped up to first and Andrew Benintendi whiffed. Hanley Ramirez singled to right but Martinez flied out to left to end the inning. Sale had nothing in the bottom of the first inning although Steve Pearce lined out to first to start. Teoscar Hernandez walked before Justin Smoak singled. Yangervis Solarte was plunked to load the bases and Kevin Pillar scored Hernandez with a sac fly to give the Jays the quick lead. Martinez made a great running catch to rob Lourdes Gurriel Jr of a sure double to end the inning with the Jays up 1-0.
Estrada turned up the heat in the top of the second inning as Mitch Moreland, Eduardo Nunez and Rafael Devers all whiffed badly in short order. The Jays struck again in the bottom of the second although Randal Grichuk hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Luke Maile looked at strike three but Devon Travis crushed a 957 foot bomb to increase the lead. Pearce also hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning but it was 2-0 Jays.
The Sox managed to get one back in the top of the third inning. Christian Vazquez looked at strike three but Brock Holt doubled....only to double over in pain clutching his hamstring. Holt had to be carried out on a stretcher and Tzu-Wei Lin came in to replace him. Betts flied out to center but Benintendi doubled home Lin to cut the lead in half. Ramirez walked but Benintendi was foolishly picked off of second with the Sox trailing 2-1.
The Jays got that run right back in the bottom of the third inning although Hernandez struck out to start. Smoak then swatted a 589 foot bomb to increase the lead. Solarte lined out to center but Pillar lined a ground rule double down the left field line. Gurriel Jr grounded out to third to end the inning but it was 3-1 Jays.
The Sox answered in the top of the fourth inning as Martinez singled to start. JD was erased on the Moreland force but Nunez doubled into the gap. Devers scored Moreland with a sac fly but Vazquez popped up to second to end the inning with the Sox down 3-2.
Sale settled down in the bottom of the fourth as Grichuk grounded out to second to start. Maile whiffed and Travis grounded out to second to end the inning.
The Sox somehow took the lead in the top of the fifth inning. Lin popped up to first and Betts flied out to center. Benintendi and Ramirez singled and Martinez pounded a 3 run opposite field home run to give the Sox the lead. Moreland flied out to left to end the inning but it was now 5-3 Sox.
Sale pounced on the Jays in the bottom of the fifth as Pearce popped up to second to start. Hernandez walked but Smoak whiffed. Solarte flied out to right to end the inning
Aaron "Fruit" Loup took over for Estrada in the top of the sixth inning. Nunez flied out to right, Devers whiffed and Vazquez lined out to right to end the inning. Sale came back for one last inning in the bottom of the sixth. Pillar flied out to right and Gurriel Jr grounded out to third. Grichuk hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. Sale had gone 6 innings and had given up just three runs. Not great but it'll do.
Loup returned for the top of the seventh inning and Lin grounded out to third to start. Betts grounded out to short and Benintendi watched strike three go by to end the inning. Carson Smith took over for Sale in the bottom of the seventh and crapped his pants. Maile grounded out to short to start before Travis belted a triple. Travis scored on the Kendrys Morales ground out to cut the lead and Hernandez smashed a double to chase the incompetent Smith. Matt Barnes was brought in and whiffed Smoak to end the inning but it was 5-4 Sox.
Seung Hwan Oh took over for the top of the eighth and whiffed Ramirez to start. Martinez flied out to center as did Moreland to end the inning. Barnes got lucky when a borderline strike three pitch was called to freeze Solarte to open the bottom of the eighth. He didn't get so lucky when Pillar walked and Curtis Granderson pinch hit for Gurriel Jr. Granderson also walked and both runners moved into scoring position on the ground-out by Grichuk. With the go-ahead run at second, Barnes whiffed Maile to end the inning.
Aledmys Diaz took over at short with Danny Barnes now on the mound in the top of the ninth. Nunez whiffed but Devers walked. Vazquez lined out to center but Devers swiped second. Lin walked but Betts broke his on-base streak by flying out to center to end the inning. Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel came in for the third game in a row to lock down the save in the bottom of the ninth with Jackie Bradley Jr now in center (replacing JD Martinez) with Betts moving to right. Travis whiffed and Morales popped up to third. Hernandez popped up to first to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-4.
Hero of the Night is JD Martinez. His 3 run home run was the deciding blow of the game.
The Good:
Andrew Benintendi was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.
Hanley Ramirez was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.
Brock Holt doubled before leaving the game.
Chris Sale tossed 6 solid innings giving up just the 3 runs
Matt Barnes pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings.
Craig Kimbrel earned his 7th save with a scoreless ninth.
The Bad:
Mookie Betts broke his 24 game on base streak by going 0 for 5.
Christian Vazquez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Carson Smith gave up a run in just 2/3 of an inning.
The Ugly:
Mitch Moreland was 0 for 4 with a run scored.
Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 4.
Rafael Devers was 0 for 2 but walked, stole a base and drove in a run.
Tzu-Wei Lin was 0 for 2 but walked and scored.
Honorable Mention:
Jackie Bradley Jr played centerfield in the bottom of the ninth.
Final Thoughts:
That was a grinder and a half but the Sox had the balls to come away with the victory. The offense has come back to earth after flying high for eight games but this is where the pitching has to step up. Apart from Carson Smith the bullpen has nailed down the win the past two nights. It was much needed as the New York Yankees feasted on their personal nerds the Minnesota Twins the past 4 games in Yankee Stadium. The Sox had to keep pace and they won 2 out of 3 to remain 4 games ahead of them. Its too bad Holt got hurt because he was just starting to find his groove at the plate....just like Xander Bogaerts when he went down. Speaking of Xander, he made a miraculous recovery from his foot fracture and could come back tomorrow night. Putting Holt on the DL would be the logical move since Holt practically tore his hamstring running the bases. Tomorrow night the Sox return home to face the Tampa Bay Rays. Drew Pomeranz (7.36 ERA) looks to bounce back from his first start as he takes on Blake Snell at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Boston Sports Prevail Over Toronto (4/25/18)
The outlook didn't look good in the city of Boston. The Toronto Maple Leafs led Game Seven 4-3 going into the 3rd period and the Toronto Blue Jays led the Boston Red Sox 3-2 going into the top of the seventh inning. Thanks to an inspiring effort by GI Jimbo, the Bruins rallied for a 7-4 win to advance and the Red Sox rallied behind a huge Mookie Betts home run to take a 4-3 win at the Skydome.
GI Jimbo saves the day AGAIN
Mookie Betts had enough of the monkeyshines and swatted a leadoff homer off Aaron Sanchez to open the top of the first inning, giving the Red Sox the instant lead. The slumping Andrew Benintendi flied out to center but Hanley Ramirez caught a break when Teoscar Hernandez dropped a routine pop up in right, allowing Hanley to reach first. Hanley was erased on the force by JD Martinez and Rafael Devers whiffed to end the inning. The Sox had made Sanchez throw 24 pitches and led 1-0.
"That's one" - Betts
As usual this past week, as soon as the Sox got the lead they immediately coughed it up. Steve Pearce wasted no time in hitting a leadoff double against Eduardo Rodriguez (3-0, 3.63 ERA) to open the bottom of the first when Eduardo Nunez failed to make a swiping tag. Hernandez lined out to right but Justin Smoak hit a routine ground ball to Devers.....who turned around and fired it into the stands, scoring Pearce to tie the game. Yangervis Solarte flied out to left and Kendrys Morales whiffed to end the inning, but it was tied 1-1.
Nunez compounded his inablity to tag out Pearce by striking out on 3 pitches to open the top of the second. Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to second and Christian Vazquez continued his miserable season by whiffing badly to end the inning. Rodriguez settled down in the bottom of the second as Russell Martin grounded out to second to start. Kevin Pillar lined out to left but Devers dove on a ball hit by Lourdes Gurriel Jr and swam on it for another error. Aledmys Diaz grounded out to third to end the inning.
The incompetent Red Sox offense did nothing in the top of the third as Brock Holt grounded out to second, Betts whiffed and Benintendi grounded out to first to end the inning. Rodriguez got revenge on Pearce by striking him out to begin the bottom of the third before Benintendi snared a high fly ball by Hernandez at the left field wall. Devers redeemed himself with a nice barehanded play and toss to Ramirez doing a split to rob Smoak of a hit to end the inning.
The Sox failed to score in the top of the fourth as Ramirez whiffed to start the frame. Somehow Martinez got a lucky single up the middle but Devers popped up to left. Nunez grounded out to third to end the inning. Rodriguez got Solarte to ground out to second to end the inning as Sox analyst Jerry Remy talked about the no-hitters he's seen and been apart of. Dave Righetti liked that. Morales grounded out to short and Martin grounded back to the mound to end the inning.
The Sox struck back in the top of the fifth although JBJ drew a lucky walk to open the frame. Vazquez couldn't hit the ball out of his hand lately but he was hit with a pitch. The Sox screwed up when Holt hit a double into the gap but JBJ stopped to see if it would be caught, Vazquez nearly overran him but JBJ did score although Vazquez had to stop at third. Jays manager Jay Gibbons waddled over to the umpires to challenge to see if JBJ did get passed, but he didn't. Still both runners should have scored but Vaz didn't when Betts flied out to right. Benintendi walked to load the bases but Ramirez made JBJ look like an even bigger jackass by banging into a double play to end the inning with the Sox only ahead 2-1.
The Jays made the Sox pay in the bottom of the fifth inning for their horrid baserunning although Pillar grounded out to first to start. Gurriel Jr singled and stole second when Vazquez' throw barely reached second. Diaz grounded out to third but Pearce singled home Gurriel Jr to tie the game. Hernandez singled but Smoak grounded out to third to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.
The Sox got a lucky baserunner when Martinez was plunked to start the top of the sixth inning but Devers whiffed again. Nunez whiffed and JBJ watched strike three go by to end the inning. The Jays and Maple Leafs scored at almost the exact same time to bury each Boston team as Solarte crushed a 800 foot bomb off Rodriguez to give the Jays the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth. Morales grounded out to second but Martin walked. Pillar flied out to left and Gurriel Jr lined out to left to end the inning.
Danny Barnes took over for Sanchez for the top of the seventh with Randall Grichuk taking over for Pearce. Vazquez flied out to center but Holt singled up the middle. All of a sudden the Sox took the lead when Betts blasted an opposite field two run home run to right. Benintendi walked and swiped second. Benintendi swiped third and Ramirez walked to put runners at the corners. That was it for Barnes as Seung Hwan Oh came in and walked Martinez to load the bases. More bad baserunning occured when Devers flied out to right....but Benintendi hesitated going home and the run didn't score. Nunez grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-3, but it should have been by more.
"We got the lead!" - Betts
Rodriguez returned for the bottom of the seventh and got Diaz to ground out to first to begin. Rodriguez fired a 3-2 fastball by Grichuk to end this outing. It wasn't pretty but he went 6 2/3 innings and allowed just three runs. Heath Hembree came in to strike out Hernandez to end the inning.
Rodriguez throws 6 2/3 solid innings
Tim Mayza came on to pitch the top of the eighth inning. JBJ watched strike three go by, Vazquez flied out to center but the red hot Holt singled to right to chase Mayza. Jay Gibbons waddled to the mound and brought in Ryan Tepera to pitch to Betts. Betts flied out to left to end the inning. With 20 pitches on his arm from last night, Sox manager Alex Cora brought in Joe Kelly to pitch the bottom of the eighth inning. Smoak and Solarte grounded out to second and Morales whiffed to end the inning.
Tyler Clippard had the top of the ninth inning for the Blue Jays. Benintendi flied out to center and Ramirez grounded out to third but Martinez drew a walk. Devers earned a hat trick with a strikeout to end the inning. Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel looked to shook off last night's disaster to nail down the save in the bottom of the ninth. Martin hit one up the elevator shaft to begin before Pillar grounded out to short. Gurriel Jr flied out to right to end the game. The Sox had come from behind to win 4-3.
Hero of the Night is Mookie Betts. His two home runs and 3 rbi's were instrumental in the 4-3 comeback win.
Mookie the Hero
The Good:
JD Martinez was 1 for 2 with 2 walks.
Brock Holt was 3 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.
Eduardo Rodriguez got the win by tossing 6 2/3 solid innings, giving up 3 runs off 6 hits and a walk.
Heath Hembree retired the only man he faced.
Joe Kelly pitched a scoreless eighth inning.
Craig Kimbrel earned his 6th save of the year with a scoreless 9th inning.
The Bad:
Rafael Devers was 0 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts and 2 errors....yuck!
Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.
Christian Vazquez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.
The Ugly:
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 3 but walked twice.
Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 4 but walked.
Final Thoughts:
It was ugly as all hell but a win is a win. The Sox needed a win after dropping three straight and they'll take it. Devers and Benintendi have hit big slumps and Nunez appears to be favoring his knee. Luckily Xander Bogaerts is on his way back and Holt is on a hot streak so Eduardo should get some rest when Xander returns. Rodriguez pitched well despite Devers' incompetence in the field and it looks like Betts has turned back the clock to 2016. That's what they were missing last year so if he can keep this up all year, we're talking MVP consideration. Their horrid baserunning almost bit them in the ass with JBJ and Benintendi being unable to score from third base, hopefully that can be addressed. Its a good thing the Sox won because the New York Yankees are on a 5 game winning streak. It helps they happen to have a three game set at home against the Minnesota Twins, a team that absolutely cannot win at Yankee Stadium. Tomorrow the Sox end their roadtrip with Chris Sale (1-1, 1.86 ERA) taking on Marco Estrada in the finale at 7:07 PM in the Skydome.
Mookie Betts had enough of the monkeyshines and swatted a leadoff homer off Aaron Sanchez to open the top of the first inning, giving the Red Sox the instant lead. The slumping Andrew Benintendi flied out to center but Hanley Ramirez caught a break when Teoscar Hernandez dropped a routine pop up in right, allowing Hanley to reach first. Hanley was erased on the force by JD Martinez and Rafael Devers whiffed to end the inning. The Sox had made Sanchez throw 24 pitches and led 1-0.
As usual this past week, as soon as the Sox got the lead they immediately coughed it up. Steve Pearce wasted no time in hitting a leadoff double against Eduardo Rodriguez (3-0, 3.63 ERA) to open the bottom of the first when Eduardo Nunez failed to make a swiping tag. Hernandez lined out to right but Justin Smoak hit a routine ground ball to Devers.....who turned around and fired it into the stands, scoring Pearce to tie the game. Yangervis Solarte flied out to left and Kendrys Morales whiffed to end the inning, but it was tied 1-1.
Nunez compounded his inablity to tag out Pearce by striking out on 3 pitches to open the top of the second. Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to second and Christian Vazquez continued his miserable season by whiffing badly to end the inning. Rodriguez settled down in the bottom of the second as Russell Martin grounded out to second to start. Kevin Pillar lined out to left but Devers dove on a ball hit by Lourdes Gurriel Jr and swam on it for another error. Aledmys Diaz grounded out to third to end the inning.
The incompetent Red Sox offense did nothing in the top of the third as Brock Holt grounded out to second, Betts whiffed and Benintendi grounded out to first to end the inning. Rodriguez got revenge on Pearce by striking him out to begin the bottom of the third before Benintendi snared a high fly ball by Hernandez at the left field wall. Devers redeemed himself with a nice barehanded play and toss to Ramirez doing a split to rob Smoak of a hit to end the inning.
The Sox failed to score in the top of the fourth as Ramirez whiffed to start the frame. Somehow Martinez got a lucky single up the middle but Devers popped up to left. Nunez grounded out to third to end the inning. Rodriguez got Solarte to ground out to second to end the inning as Sox analyst Jerry Remy talked about the no-hitters he's seen and been apart of. Dave Righetti liked that. Morales grounded out to short and Martin grounded back to the mound to end the inning.
The Sox struck back in the top of the fifth although JBJ drew a lucky walk to open the frame. Vazquez couldn't hit the ball out of his hand lately but he was hit with a pitch. The Sox screwed up when Holt hit a double into the gap but JBJ stopped to see if it would be caught, Vazquez nearly overran him but JBJ did score although Vazquez had to stop at third. Jays manager Jay Gibbons waddled over to the umpires to challenge to see if JBJ did get passed, but he didn't. Still both runners should have scored but Vaz didn't when Betts flied out to right. Benintendi walked to load the bases but Ramirez made JBJ look like an even bigger jackass by banging into a double play to end the inning with the Sox only ahead 2-1.
The Jays made the Sox pay in the bottom of the fifth inning for their horrid baserunning although Pillar grounded out to first to start. Gurriel Jr singled and stole second when Vazquez' throw barely reached second. Diaz grounded out to third but Pearce singled home Gurriel Jr to tie the game. Hernandez singled but Smoak grounded out to third to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.
The Sox got a lucky baserunner when Martinez was plunked to start the top of the sixth inning but Devers whiffed again. Nunez whiffed and JBJ watched strike three go by to end the inning. The Jays and Maple Leafs scored at almost the exact same time to bury each Boston team as Solarte crushed a 800 foot bomb off Rodriguez to give the Jays the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth. Morales grounded out to second but Martin walked. Pillar flied out to left and Gurriel Jr lined out to left to end the inning.
Danny Barnes took over for Sanchez for the top of the seventh with Randall Grichuk taking over for Pearce. Vazquez flied out to center but Holt singled up the middle. All of a sudden the Sox took the lead when Betts blasted an opposite field two run home run to right. Benintendi walked and swiped second. Benintendi swiped third and Ramirez walked to put runners at the corners. That was it for Barnes as Seung Hwan Oh came in and walked Martinez to load the bases. More bad baserunning occured when Devers flied out to right....but Benintendi hesitated going home and the run didn't score. Nunez grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-3, but it should have been by more.
Rodriguez returned for the bottom of the seventh and got Diaz to ground out to first to begin. Rodriguez fired a 3-2 fastball by Grichuk to end this outing. It wasn't pretty but he went 6 2/3 innings and allowed just three runs. Heath Hembree came in to strike out Hernandez to end the inning.
Tim Mayza came on to pitch the top of the eighth inning. JBJ watched strike three go by, Vazquez flied out to center but the red hot Holt singled to right to chase Mayza. Jay Gibbons waddled to the mound and brought in Ryan Tepera to pitch to Betts. Betts flied out to left to end the inning. With 20 pitches on his arm from last night, Sox manager Alex Cora brought in Joe Kelly to pitch the bottom of the eighth inning. Smoak and Solarte grounded out to second and Morales whiffed to end the inning.
Tyler Clippard had the top of the ninth inning for the Blue Jays. Benintendi flied out to center and Ramirez grounded out to third but Martinez drew a walk. Devers earned a hat trick with a strikeout to end the inning. Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel looked to shook off last night's disaster to nail down the save in the bottom of the ninth. Martin hit one up the elevator shaft to begin before Pillar grounded out to short. Gurriel Jr flied out to right to end the game. The Sox had come from behind to win 4-3.
Hero of the Night is Mookie Betts. His two home runs and 3 rbi's were instrumental in the 4-3 comeback win.
The Good:
JD Martinez was 1 for 2 with 2 walks.
Brock Holt was 3 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.
Eduardo Rodriguez got the win by tossing 6 2/3 solid innings, giving up 3 runs off 6 hits and a walk.
Heath Hembree retired the only man he faced.
Joe Kelly pitched a scoreless eighth inning.
Craig Kimbrel earned his 6th save of the year with a scoreless 9th inning.
The Bad:
Rafael Devers was 0 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts and 2 errors....yuck!
Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.
Christian Vazquez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.
The Ugly:
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 3 but walked twice.
Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 4 but walked.
Final Thoughts:
It was ugly as all hell but a win is a win. The Sox needed a win after dropping three straight and they'll take it. Devers and Benintendi have hit big slumps and Nunez appears to be favoring his knee. Luckily Xander Bogaerts is on his way back and Holt is on a hot streak so Eduardo should get some rest when Xander returns. Rodriguez pitched well despite Devers' incompetence in the field and it looks like Betts has turned back the clock to 2016. That's what they were missing last year so if he can keep this up all year, we're talking MVP consideration. Their horrid baserunning almost bit them in the ass with JBJ and Benintendi being unable to score from third base, hopefully that can be addressed. Its a good thing the Sox won because the New York Yankees are on a 5 game winning streak. It helps they happen to have a three game set at home against the Minnesota Twins, a team that absolutely cannot win at Yankee Stadium. Tomorrow the Sox end their roadtrip with Chris Sale (1-1, 1.86 ERA) taking on Marco Estrada in the finale at 7:07 PM in the Skydome.
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Jays Walkoff on Sox in 10 (4/24/18)
The good news was the Boston Celtics defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 5 of their first round NBA playoff series, the bad news was the Boston Red Sox lost to the Toronto Blue Jays. It was bound to happen but the Red Sox have hit their first skid of the season. After blitzing through the schedule for most of April, they were cooled off by Sean Manaea's no hitter and tonight they suffered a devastating loss to the Blue Jays. Trailing 3-1 in the top of the ninth, the Sox staved off execution by pulling off a game tying rally only to serve up a walkoff home run to Curtis Granderson in the bottom of the 10th. The Jays served the Sox their third loss in a row with a 4-3 walkoff win at Skydome.
JA Happ turned back the clock to 2016 as he dominated the Sox in the top of the first inning. Mookie Betts popped up to first, Andrew Benintendi whiffed badly and Hanley Ramirez grounded out to short to end the inning. Meanwhile Porcello struck out the side in the bottom of the first inning. Curtis Granderson whiffed but Teoscar Hernandez walked. Justin Smoak took strike three and Yangervis Solarte whiffed on a 93 mph fastball to end the inning.
The Sox continued their ineptitude in the top of the second inning as JD Martinez grounded out to second, Rafael Devers grounded out to first and Eduardo Nunez flied out to right to end the inning. The Jays wasted no time blasting Porcello in the bottom of the second as Steve Pearce walked and Russell Martin singled him to third. Kevin Pillar hit a ground ball to third and Devers foolishly tried to nail Pearce at home...he failed and the run scored. Aledmys Diaz beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners, but Devers got a second chance on a ground ball by Devon Travis. This time Devers nailed Martin at home before a wild pitch moved the remaining runners into scoring position. That proved the dagger as Granderson's hot shot liner ate up Devers and both runners scored to pad the lead early. Hernandez struck out to end the inning but it was 3-0 Jays.
Yerrrrrr out!
The Sox failed to respond in the top of the third although Jackie Bradley Jr got a lucky single when Travis misplayed a ground ball. Naturally Sandy Leon and Brock Holt both whiffed before Betts took a 3-2 meatball for strike three to end the inning. Porcello recovered to have a good bottom of the third as Smoak grounded out to second to begin. Solarte and Pearce both whiffed to end the inning.
The shut-out continued in the top of the fourth as Benintendi whiffed again to open the frame. Ramirez reached first on a dropped pop up by Diaz. but Martinez whiffed. Devers grounded out to short to end the inning. Porcello froze Martin for strike three to begin the bottom of the fourth before Pillar whiffed. Diaz froze for strike three to end the inning with Porcello at 9 k's through four.
The Sox continued to suck in the top of the fifth as Nunez lined out to center, JBJ flied out to center and Leon watched strike three go by to end the inning. Porcello did what he could in the bottom of the fifth as Travis grounded out to third to start. Granderson doubled but Betts made a great catch to rob Hernandez of an rbi double. Smoak walked but Solarte lined out to short to end the inning.
The Sox somehow broke through in the top of the sixth inning when Holt led off with a double. Betts flied out to center as Benintendi earned a hat trick with a strikeout. Ramirez somehow singled in Holt to get the run in. With a chance to tie the game, Martinez whiffed to end the inning but the Sox were down 3-1.
Porcello kept the Jays off the board in the bottom of the sixth inning as Pearce flied out to center to start. Martin hit one up the elevator shaft and Pillar grounded out to second to end the inning.
Happ ended his night with a flurry by getting Devers to fly out to left to start. Nunez grounded out to short and JBJ whiffed to end the inning. 7 innings of 1 run ball by Happ, shades of 2016. Also shades of 2016, Porcello finished the bottom of the seventh strong. Diaz grounded out to third, Travis grounded out to short and Granderson lined out to second to end the inning. Apart from Devers' miscues in the second inning, Porcello pitched well to toss 7 innings of 3 run ball.
Porcello did what he could
Ryan Tepera took over for the top of the eighth with Mitch Moreland pinch hitting for Leon. Moreland grounded out to third but Holt singled. Betts whiffed and Benintendi earned a golden sombrero by striking out swinging to end the inning. Joe Kelly came in for Porcello with Christian Vazquez taking over at catcher for the bottom of the eighth. Hernandez flied out to right and Smoak struck out. Solarte popped up to second to end the inning.
The Sox somehow rallied against closer Roberto Osuna in the top of the ninth. Ramirez did get a lucky single to bring the tying run to the plate. Martinez earned a hat trick with his third strikeout but Devers somehow singled to right. Nunez singled home Ramirez and advanced Devers to third to put the tying run at third....but JBJ whiffed. Nunez swiped second to put the go-ahead run at second and Vazquez walked to load the bases. Holt got the clutch hit with a single to score Devers but Nunez was foolishly thrown out trying to score to end the inning. The Sox did manage to tie the game and send it to the bottom of the ninth 3-3.
Holt ties it up
Kelly came back for the bottom of the ninth with Kendrys Morales pinch hitting for Pearce to begin. Morales grounded out to short before Martin flied out to right. Pillar doubled to put the winning run on second but Diaz lined out to right to end the inning, on to extras we go.
Tyler Clippard got the call to pitch the top of the tenth inning and Betts drew a leadoff walk. Benintendi flied out to center and Ramirez banged into a double play to end the inning. Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel took over for the bottom of the 10th and froze Travis for strike three. He tried to sneak a fastball by Granderson but Granderson smashed the pitch all the way to Jupiter to give the Jays a 4-3 walkoff win.
Ugh
Jackass of the Night is Craig Kimbrel. He served up the game winning home run to Granderson.
Kimbrel is Jackass
The Good:
Hanley Ramirez was 3 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.
Christian Vazquez walked as a pinch hitter.
Brock Holt was 3 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.
Rick Porcello survived shaky defense to toss 7 innings of 3 run ball while striking out 9.
Joe Kelly pitched two scoreless innings.
The Bad:
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 5 with a golden sombrero of 4 strikeouts.
JD Martinez was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.
Sandy Leon was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts.
Mitch Moreland was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.
The Ugly:
Mookie Betts was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked.
Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 with several defensive miscues but scored a run.
Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and stole a base.
Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Final Thoughts:
Welcome to the first losing streak of the 2018 season. Things are the pitts right now but it was bound to happen. Benintendi, Vazquez, Leon and Martinez look lost at the plate and the losses of Xander Bogaerts and Dustin Pedroia hurt when there are black holes in the lineup. The good news was Xander had a great game down in Pawtucket so he could be back any time now. I'm not too worried about Kimbrel serving up the home run. When you're a fastball closer, eventually someone is going to get a piece of one, it happens. You'd rather see that then him nibbling all the time like he did in 2016. Porcello once again pitched well and if he's turned back the clock two years, this team is going to be in good shape with him on the mound. Tomorrow night its Game 7 of the NHL Playoffs between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins at the Boston Garden. Also Eduardo Rodriguez (2-0, 3.45 ERA) takes on Aaron Sanchez in game 2 of this series at 7:07 PM at the Skydome.
JA Happ turned back the clock to 2016 as he dominated the Sox in the top of the first inning. Mookie Betts popped up to first, Andrew Benintendi whiffed badly and Hanley Ramirez grounded out to short to end the inning. Meanwhile Porcello struck out the side in the bottom of the first inning. Curtis Granderson whiffed but Teoscar Hernandez walked. Justin Smoak took strike three and Yangervis Solarte whiffed on a 93 mph fastball to end the inning.
The Sox continued their ineptitude in the top of the second inning as JD Martinez grounded out to second, Rafael Devers grounded out to first and Eduardo Nunez flied out to right to end the inning. The Jays wasted no time blasting Porcello in the bottom of the second as Steve Pearce walked and Russell Martin singled him to third. Kevin Pillar hit a ground ball to third and Devers foolishly tried to nail Pearce at home...he failed and the run scored. Aledmys Diaz beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners, but Devers got a second chance on a ground ball by Devon Travis. This time Devers nailed Martin at home before a wild pitch moved the remaining runners into scoring position. That proved the dagger as Granderson's hot shot liner ate up Devers and both runners scored to pad the lead early. Hernandez struck out to end the inning but it was 3-0 Jays.
The Sox failed to respond in the top of the third although Jackie Bradley Jr got a lucky single when Travis misplayed a ground ball. Naturally Sandy Leon and Brock Holt both whiffed before Betts took a 3-2 meatball for strike three to end the inning. Porcello recovered to have a good bottom of the third as Smoak grounded out to second to begin. Solarte and Pearce both whiffed to end the inning.
The shut-out continued in the top of the fourth as Benintendi whiffed again to open the frame. Ramirez reached first on a dropped pop up by Diaz. but Martinez whiffed. Devers grounded out to short to end the inning. Porcello froze Martin for strike three to begin the bottom of the fourth before Pillar whiffed. Diaz froze for strike three to end the inning with Porcello at 9 k's through four.
The Sox continued to suck in the top of the fifth as Nunez lined out to center, JBJ flied out to center and Leon watched strike three go by to end the inning. Porcello did what he could in the bottom of the fifth as Travis grounded out to third to start. Granderson doubled but Betts made a great catch to rob Hernandez of an rbi double. Smoak walked but Solarte lined out to short to end the inning.
The Sox somehow broke through in the top of the sixth inning when Holt led off with a double. Betts flied out to center as Benintendi earned a hat trick with a strikeout. Ramirez somehow singled in Holt to get the run in. With a chance to tie the game, Martinez whiffed to end the inning but the Sox were down 3-1.
Porcello kept the Jays off the board in the bottom of the sixth inning as Pearce flied out to center to start. Martin hit one up the elevator shaft and Pillar grounded out to second to end the inning.
Happ ended his night with a flurry by getting Devers to fly out to left to start. Nunez grounded out to short and JBJ whiffed to end the inning. 7 innings of 1 run ball by Happ, shades of 2016. Also shades of 2016, Porcello finished the bottom of the seventh strong. Diaz grounded out to third, Travis grounded out to short and Granderson lined out to second to end the inning. Apart from Devers' miscues in the second inning, Porcello pitched well to toss 7 innings of 3 run ball.
Ryan Tepera took over for the top of the eighth with Mitch Moreland pinch hitting for Leon. Moreland grounded out to third but Holt singled. Betts whiffed and Benintendi earned a golden sombrero by striking out swinging to end the inning. Joe Kelly came in for Porcello with Christian Vazquez taking over at catcher for the bottom of the eighth. Hernandez flied out to right and Smoak struck out. Solarte popped up to second to end the inning.
The Sox somehow rallied against closer Roberto Osuna in the top of the ninth. Ramirez did get a lucky single to bring the tying run to the plate. Martinez earned a hat trick with his third strikeout but Devers somehow singled to right. Nunez singled home Ramirez and advanced Devers to third to put the tying run at third....but JBJ whiffed. Nunez swiped second to put the go-ahead run at second and Vazquez walked to load the bases. Holt got the clutch hit with a single to score Devers but Nunez was foolishly thrown out trying to score to end the inning. The Sox did manage to tie the game and send it to the bottom of the ninth 3-3.
Kelly came back for the bottom of the ninth with Kendrys Morales pinch hitting for Pearce to begin. Morales grounded out to short before Martin flied out to right. Pillar doubled to put the winning run on second but Diaz lined out to right to end the inning, on to extras we go.
Tyler Clippard got the call to pitch the top of the tenth inning and Betts drew a leadoff walk. Benintendi flied out to center and Ramirez banged into a double play to end the inning. Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel took over for the bottom of the 10th and froze Travis for strike three. He tried to sneak a fastball by Granderson but Granderson smashed the pitch all the way to Jupiter to give the Jays a 4-3 walkoff win.
Jackass of the Night is Craig Kimbrel. He served up the game winning home run to Granderson.
The Good:
Hanley Ramirez was 3 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.
Christian Vazquez walked as a pinch hitter.
Brock Holt was 3 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.
Rick Porcello survived shaky defense to toss 7 innings of 3 run ball while striking out 9.
Joe Kelly pitched two scoreless innings.
The Bad:
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 5 with a golden sombrero of 4 strikeouts.
JD Martinez was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.
Sandy Leon was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts.
Mitch Moreland was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.
The Ugly:
Mookie Betts was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked.
Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 with several defensive miscues but scored a run.
Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and stole a base.
Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Final Thoughts:
Welcome to the first losing streak of the 2018 season. Things are the pitts right now but it was bound to happen. Benintendi, Vazquez, Leon and Martinez look lost at the plate and the losses of Xander Bogaerts and Dustin Pedroia hurt when there are black holes in the lineup. The good news was Xander had a great game down in Pawtucket so he could be back any time now. I'm not too worried about Kimbrel serving up the home run. When you're a fastball closer, eventually someone is going to get a piece of one, it happens. You'd rather see that then him nibbling all the time like he did in 2016. Porcello once again pitched well and if he's turned back the clock two years, this team is going to be in good shape with him on the mound. Tomorrow night its Game 7 of the NHL Playoffs between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins at the Boston Garden. Also Eduardo Rodriguez (2-0, 3.45 ERA) takes on Aaron Sanchez in game 2 of this series at 7:07 PM at the Skydome.
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