Matt Barnes - 7 Good, 2 Bad, 1 Jackass
Andrew Benintendi - 10 Good, 2 Bad, 11 Ugly, 1 Hero
Mookie Betts - 12 Good, 2 Bad, 12 Ugly
Xander Bogaerts - 9 Good, 2 Bad, 10 Ugly, 3 Hero
Jackie Bradley Jr - 9 Good, 4 Bad, 10 Ugly
Ryan Brasier - 7 Good, 3 Bad, 2 Jackass
Colten Brewer - 3 Good, 5 Bad
Michael Chavis - 7 Good, 6 Bad, 9 Ugly, 4 Hero
Rafael Devers - 15 Good, 3 Bad, 8 Ugly
Heath Hembree - 10 Good, 2 Ugly
Brock Holt - 1 Good, 2 Ugly
Travis Lakins - 1 Good, 2 Bad
Tzu-Wei Lin - 2 Good, 1 Honorable Mention
Sandy Leon - 4 Good, 5 Bad, 2 Ugly, 1 Hero
JD Martinez - 9 Good, 4 Bad, 8 Ugly, 1 Hero
Mitch Moreland - 7 Good, 5 Good, 4 Ugly, 1 Hero
Eduardo Nunez - 6 Good, 4 Bad, 4 Ugly, 1 Jackass
Steve Pearce - 8 Good, 6 Bad, 2 Ugly
Rick Porcello - 4 Good, 1 Ugly
David Price - 4 Good
Eduardo Rodriguez - 1 Good, 1 Ugly, 2 Hero, 1 Jackass
Chris Sale - 2 Good, 1 Ugly, 1 Hero, 2 Jackass
Josh Smith - 3 Good, 1 Jackass
Josh Taylor - 1 Good, 1 Bad
Tyler Thornburg - 1 Good, 3 Bad
Christian Vazquez - 11 Good, 4 Bad, 6 Ugly, 1 Honorable Mention
Hector Velazquez - 4 Good, 1 Bad, 3 Ugly, 2 Jackass
Marcus Walden - 7 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Hero
Ryan Weber - 2 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Hero
Brandon Workman - 11 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Jackass
Most Valuable Player is Rafael Devers with 15 Good
Least Valuable Player due to a tiebreaker is Steve Pearce with 6 Bad
Ugliest Player of the Month is Mookie Betts with 12 Ugly
Hero of the Month is Michael Chavis with 5 Hero
Jackass of the Month due to a tiebreaker is Chris Sale with 2 Jackass
The Honorable Players of the Month are Tzu-Wei Lin and Christian Vazquez with 1 apiece
Friday, May 31, 2019
Yankees Hammer Sale, Sox (5/31/19)
Once again the Boston Red Sox have come into Yankee Stadium this year and crapped their pants against the New York Yankees. The AL East frontrunners got to the slumping Chris Sale (1-7, 4.35 ERA) for 4 runs which was all they needed. The potent Red Sox attack were shut down by 36 year old JA Happ and the Yankees bullpen. When the dust settled the Sox found themselves 8.5 games back heading to June with a 4-1 defeat at Yankee Stadium.
Happ effortlessly shut down the Sox in the top of the first inning as Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to short to start. Somehow Andrew Benintendi drew a walk but JD Martinez whiffed. Xander Bogaerts struck out swinging to end the inning. Sale started strong in the bottom of the first by striking out the side. DJ LeMahieu whiffed, Luke Voit struck out swinging and Aaron Hicks went down hacking to end the inning.
The Sox struck first in the top of the second inning when Rafael Devers launched his 8th home run of the year to put Boston on top. Steve Pearce popped up to first and Eduardo Nunez grounded out to second, but Jackie Bradley Jr singled to short. Sandy Leon whiffed to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.
Kiss that one goodbye
All of a sudden Steve Pearce fell down in the dugout and had to be carried out on a stretcher to an ambulance heading to the ICU. Michael Chavis took his place at first base in the bottom of the second. Gary Sanchez lined a base hit to right but Gleyber Torres flied out to right. Kendrys Morales banged into a double play to end the inning.
Mr. Mookie grounded out to short to start the top of the third before Benintendi grounded out to second. Martinez whiffed to end the inning. The Yankees took command in the bottom of the third as Gio Urshela singled to center to begin. Cameron Maybin whiffed but Brett Gardner singled to center. LeMahieu tied the game with an rbi double but Voit struck out swinging. Hicks singled to left to score both runners, icing the game. Sanchez whiffed to end the inning but it was 3-1 Yankees.
Damn Yankees
The Sox were deflated in the top of the fourth inning as Bogaerts grounded out to third to start. Devers grounded out to second and Chavis flied out to center to end the inning. Sale continued to strike people out in the bottom of the fourth as Torres went down swinging to start. Morales swung at air for strike three but Urshela doubled to left. Maybin flied out to left to end the inning.
Nunez tried to start a rally with a base hit to center to start the top of the fifth before moving to second on the JBJ gronder Leon whiffed but Betts was intentionally walked. All of a sudden Nunez got picked off to end the inning, what a waste. The Yankees wrapped up the scoring in the bottom of the fifth although Gardner grounded out to first to start. LeMahieu crushed a 45,000 foot home run to increase the lead. Voit grounded out to third but Hicks walked. Sanchez grounded into a force to end the inning with the Yankees up 4-1.
LeMahieu ices it
Adam Ottavino came in to shut down the Sox in the top of the sixth as Benintendi whiffed to start. Martinez lined out to left but Bogaerts singled to third. Devers popped up to third to end the inning. Sale finished strong in the bottom of the sixth as Torres whiffed to start. Morales grounded out to third and Urshela was frozen for strike three to end the inning. A couple of mistakes to LeMahieu was the difference in the game as Sale went 6 innings and struck out 10, but allowed 4 runs.
Sale get no run support again
Tommy Kahnle came in to dominate the Sox in the top of the seventh as Chavis whiffed to start. Nunez grounded out to second but JBJ singled to center. Christian Vazquez pinch hit for Leon and flied out to center to end the inning. Ryan Brasier came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Maybin whiffed to start. Gardner walked but LeMahieu lined out to right. Voit took strike three to end the inning.
Zack Britton came in to own the Sox in the top of the eighth inning as Mr Mookie lined out to short to begin. Benintendi walked but Martinez banged into a double play to end the inning. Rookie Josh Taylor came in for the bottom of the eighth and Hicks whiffed to start. Sanchez flied out to right but Torres singled to center. The alert Vazquez gunned down Torres trying to steal to end the inning.
Aroldis Chapman came in for the top of the ninth and the Sox went quietly. Bogaerts grounded out to third, Devers took strike three and Chavis whiffed in short order to end the game. The Yankees continued to be perfect against the Sox with a 4-1 win.
Yankees win again..dammit.
Jackass of the Night is Chris Sale. He couldn't hold the Yankees down again and they got him for 4 runs in 6 innings. He did strike out 10 batters though.
Sale "I'm a jackass" Leon "Yup"
The Good:
Andrew Benintendi walked twice in four plate appearances.
Eduardo Nunez was 1 for 3.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 3.
Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless 7th inning.
Josh Taylor pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
The Bad:
JD Martinez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Steve Pearce was 0 for 1 before leaving with an injury.
Michael Chavis was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.
Sandy Leon was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts.
Christian Vazquez was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.
The Ugly:
Mookie Betts was 0 for 3 but walked.
Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.
Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a home run.
Final Thoughts:
Are the Red Sox ever going to beat the Yankees? Where's the fire from last year to defend the crown? It totally feels like the Yankees are hungrier than the Sox because they've beaten them in every game this season. Who says London will be any different or tomorrow for that matter? Obviously the season is only 2 months old but good grief when are the Sox going to turn it around? This is reaching 2012 level of bad minus the detestable players. Its hard to come back the next year with the same fire after reaching the world series but this is ridiculous. The less said of this game, the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 29-28, 8.5 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Yankees beat the Sox again when they send Domingo German up against "Slick" Rick Porcello (4-4) at 7:10 PM at Yankee Stadium.
Happ effortlessly shut down the Sox in the top of the first inning as Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to short to start. Somehow Andrew Benintendi drew a walk but JD Martinez whiffed. Xander Bogaerts struck out swinging to end the inning. Sale started strong in the bottom of the first by striking out the side. DJ LeMahieu whiffed, Luke Voit struck out swinging and Aaron Hicks went down hacking to end the inning.
The Sox struck first in the top of the second inning when Rafael Devers launched his 8th home run of the year to put Boston on top. Steve Pearce popped up to first and Eduardo Nunez grounded out to second, but Jackie Bradley Jr singled to short. Sandy Leon whiffed to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.
All of a sudden Steve Pearce fell down in the dugout and had to be carried out on a stretcher to an ambulance heading to the ICU. Michael Chavis took his place at first base in the bottom of the second. Gary Sanchez lined a base hit to right but Gleyber Torres flied out to right. Kendrys Morales banged into a double play to end the inning.
Mr. Mookie grounded out to short to start the top of the third before Benintendi grounded out to second. Martinez whiffed to end the inning. The Yankees took command in the bottom of the third as Gio Urshela singled to center to begin. Cameron Maybin whiffed but Brett Gardner singled to center. LeMahieu tied the game with an rbi double but Voit struck out swinging. Hicks singled to left to score both runners, icing the game. Sanchez whiffed to end the inning but it was 3-1 Yankees.
The Sox were deflated in the top of the fourth inning as Bogaerts grounded out to third to start. Devers grounded out to second and Chavis flied out to center to end the inning. Sale continued to strike people out in the bottom of the fourth as Torres went down swinging to start. Morales swung at air for strike three but Urshela doubled to left. Maybin flied out to left to end the inning.
Nunez tried to start a rally with a base hit to center to start the top of the fifth before moving to second on the JBJ gronder Leon whiffed but Betts was intentionally walked. All of a sudden Nunez got picked off to end the inning, what a waste. The Yankees wrapped up the scoring in the bottom of the fifth although Gardner grounded out to first to start. LeMahieu crushed a 45,000 foot home run to increase the lead. Voit grounded out to third but Hicks walked. Sanchez grounded into a force to end the inning with the Yankees up 4-1.
Adam Ottavino came in to shut down the Sox in the top of the sixth as Benintendi whiffed to start. Martinez lined out to left but Bogaerts singled to third. Devers popped up to third to end the inning. Sale finished strong in the bottom of the sixth as Torres whiffed to start. Morales grounded out to third and Urshela was frozen for strike three to end the inning. A couple of mistakes to LeMahieu was the difference in the game as Sale went 6 innings and struck out 10, but allowed 4 runs.
Tommy Kahnle came in to dominate the Sox in the top of the seventh as Chavis whiffed to start. Nunez grounded out to second but JBJ singled to center. Christian Vazquez pinch hit for Leon and flied out to center to end the inning. Ryan Brasier came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Maybin whiffed to start. Gardner walked but LeMahieu lined out to right. Voit took strike three to end the inning.
Zack Britton came in to own the Sox in the top of the eighth inning as Mr Mookie lined out to short to begin. Benintendi walked but Martinez banged into a double play to end the inning. Rookie Josh Taylor came in for the bottom of the eighth and Hicks whiffed to start. Sanchez flied out to right but Torres singled to center. The alert Vazquez gunned down Torres trying to steal to end the inning.
Aroldis Chapman came in for the top of the ninth and the Sox went quietly. Bogaerts grounded out to third, Devers took strike three and Chavis whiffed in short order to end the game. The Yankees continued to be perfect against the Sox with a 4-1 win.
Jackass of the Night is Chris Sale. He couldn't hold the Yankees down again and they got him for 4 runs in 6 innings. He did strike out 10 batters though.
The Good:
Andrew Benintendi walked twice in four plate appearances.
Eduardo Nunez was 1 for 3.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 3.
Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless 7th inning.
Josh Taylor pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
The Bad:
JD Martinez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Steve Pearce was 0 for 1 before leaving with an injury.
Michael Chavis was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.
Sandy Leon was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts.
Christian Vazquez was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.
The Ugly:
Mookie Betts was 0 for 3 but walked.
Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.
Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a home run.
Final Thoughts:
Are the Red Sox ever going to beat the Yankees? Where's the fire from last year to defend the crown? It totally feels like the Yankees are hungrier than the Sox because they've beaten them in every game this season. Who says London will be any different or tomorrow for that matter? Obviously the season is only 2 months old but good grief when are the Sox going to turn it around? This is reaching 2012 level of bad minus the detestable players. Its hard to come back the next year with the same fire after reaching the world series but this is ridiculous. The less said of this game, the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 29-28, 8.5 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Yankees beat the Sox again when they send Domingo German up against "Slick" Rick Porcello (4-4) at 7:10 PM at Yankee Stadium.
Thursday, May 30, 2019
Rainout News (5/30/19)
The Boston Red Sox made a roster move when they placed Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez on the 10 Day Injured list with a back strain. In his place the Sox called up number 21 ranked prospect Mike Shawaryn from Pawtucket. Considering everyone else they bring up fails, why not him too?
OUT
IN
Tonight's game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees has been rained out. The game will be made up as a second game of a doubleheader on August 3rd later this year.
Live look at Sox manager Alex Cora in New York
On this day in Basebawful history:
2000 - Sox lose John Valentin to season ending injury
2013 - Sox pound Phillies into the ground
2016 - Steven Wright tosses complete game vs Orioles
2017 - BoSox win slugfest against ChiSox
2018 - Sox sweep Blue Jays
Final Thoughts:
Tomorrow night Chris Sale (1-6) gets the start for the Sox up against JA Happ of the Yankees at 7:05 PM at Yankee Stadium.
Tonight's game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees has been rained out. The game will be made up as a second game of a doubleheader on August 3rd later this year.
On this day in Basebawful history:
2000 - Sox lose John Valentin to season ending injury
2013 - Sox pound Phillies into the ground
2016 - Steven Wright tosses complete game vs Orioles
2017 - BoSox win slugfest against ChiSox
2018 - Sox sweep Blue Jays
Final Thoughts:
Tomorrow night Chris Sale (1-6) gets the start for the Sox up against JA Happ of the Yankees at 7:05 PM at Yankee Stadium.
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Indians Bash Sox (5/29/19)
Before the game the Boston Red Sox made some roster moves. Travis Lakins was sent down to Pawtucket and Mitch Moreland was placed on the ten day Injured List with a lower back strain. In their places the Sox called up Colten Brewer and Josh Taylor, making his major league debut.
OUT
IN
It was a bad day all around for Boston sports. The St Louis Blues defeated the Boston Bruins in overtime in Game 2 of their Stanley Cup Final series and the Boston Red Sox lost to the Cleveland Indians. What an unmitigated disaster. Ryan Weber (1-1, 4.50 ERA) crashed down to earth and the Indians destroyed the Red Sox JV bullpen. The Indians pounded out 18 hits and 14 runs off the pathetic bullpen. The Sox offense had themselves a night with 14 hits and 9 runs of their own but it wasn't enough as the Indians croaked the Red Sox 14-9 at Fenway Park.
The Sox bullpen feels the same way
The Indians started their attack right out of the gate in the top of the first inning although Fransisco Lindor grounded out to second to start. Oscar Mercado singled to left and Carlos Santana scored Mercado with a triple. A wild pitch scored Santana before Jason Kipnis popped up to short. Jose Ramirez took strike three to end the inning with the Indians up 2-0.
Mercado motors around
The Sox struck back in the bottom of the first inning against Cleveland starter Shane Bieber although Andrew Benintendi grounded out to first to start. Mr. Mookie Betts launched his 9th home run of the season to cut the lead in half. Rafael Devers whiffed and JD Martinez looked at strike three to end the inning but the Sox were down 2-1.
Betts hits one out
The Indians struck again in the top of the second inning as Jake Bauers doubled to center to start. Greg Allen was plunked and Kevin Plawecki singled home Bauers. Leonys Martin flied out to left and Lindor lined out to a running Benintendi. Mercado whiffed to end the inning but it was 3-1 Indians.
Once again the Sox answered in the bottom of the second as Xander Bogaerts singled to left and Brock "The Hitman" Holt doubled him home. Michael Chavis flied out to center and Jackie Bradley Jr whiffed, but Christian Vazquez beat out an infield single to short to put runners at the corners. Benintendi lashed a base hit to right to score Holt to tie the game. Mr. Mookie looked at strike three to end the inning but the game was tied 3-3.
Holt scores the tying run
Weber took another beating in the top of the third as Santana walked to start. Kipnis singled but was erased on the force by Ramirez. Bauers singled home Santana to put the Indians back on top. Allen tripled home both runners to increase the lead. Plawecki grounded out to third but Martin walked. Martin was thrown out trying to steal to end the inning with the Indians ahead 6-3.
Allen tripled home two runs
The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the third as Devers grounded out to short to begin. Martinez lined out to right and Bogaerts flied out to deep right to end the inning.
The Indians kept coming in the top of the fourth as Lindor flied out to left to start. Mercado grounded out to third but Santana clubbed a 900 foot home run to increase the lead. Kipnis grounded out to short to end the inning but it was 7-3 Indians. That was it for Weber as he lasted just 4 innings and allowed 7 runs.
Oye como va
The Sox fought back in the bottom of the fourth although Holt grounded out to second to start. Chavis whiffed but JBJ smashed his 4th home run of the year to cut the lead. Vazquez singled and Benitnendi belted his 6th home run of the year to bring the Sox within one. Mr. Mookie popped up to first to end the inning but the Sox were back in it 7-6.
Benintendi keeps the Sox in it
Josh Taylor made his major league debut in the top of the fifth inning and Ramirez greeted him with a double. Bauers grounded out to short and Allen flied out to center, but Plawecki doubled home Ramirez with another run. Martin struck out swinging to end the inning but it was 8-6 Indians.
First career strikeout for Taylor
The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Devers whiffed to start. Martinez grounded out to third and Bogaerts flied out to center to end the inning.
Colten Brewer came in to take a beating in the top of the sixth as Lindor singled to start. Mercado whiffed but Santana walked. Kipnis lined one off of Brewer right to Chavis for the out but both runners moved over. Ramirez pounded a ground rule double to right to ice the game. Bauers grounded out to first to end the inning but it was 10-6 Indians.
Brewer takes a beating
Oliver Perez came in for the bottom of the sixth and Holt grounded out to second to start. Chavis whiffed but JBJ singled to left. Vazquez whiffed to end the inning.
The Indians put the game away in the top of the seventh against Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez. Allen tripled again and Plawecki walked to put runners at the corners. Martin whiffed but Lindor singled home Allen. Mercado singled to left to load the bases and Santana cleared them with a double. Kipnis whiffed and Ramirez grounded out to second but the game was out of reach, 14-6 Indians.
What a massacre
The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the seventh as Benintendi whiffed to start. Mr. Mookie flied out to center before Devers flied out to left to end the inning.
Shockingly the Indians went quietly in the top of the eighth as Bauers whiffed to start. Allen lined out to center and Plawecki whiffed to end the inning. The Sox pulled off a rally against AJ Cole in the bottom of the eighth as Martinez reached on an error by Ramirez to start. Bogaerts crushed his 10th homer of the year to center to cut the lead. Holt whiffed and Chavis flied out to left but JBJ doubled to center. Vazquez doubled in the exact same spot to score Bradley. How big was the 4 run top of the seventh now? Tyler Olson came in to punch out Benintendi to end the inning but it was 14-9 Indians.
Bogaerts hits one out
Heath Hembree came in for the top of the ninth as Martin popped up to third to start. Lindor and Mercado stroked back to back singles but Santana whiffed. Kipnis whiffed to end the inning. The massacre ended in the bottom of the ninth although Mr. Mookie and Devers stroked back to back singles to start. Nick Wittgren froze Martinez for strike three but Bogaerts walked to load the bases. Brad Hand came in to face Eduardo Nunez, pinch hitting for Holt only for Nunez to pop up to third. Chavis grounded into a force to end the game. The Indians had won it 14-9, what a disaster.
The carnage is over
Jackass of the Night is Hector Velazquez. The final four runs he allowed proved to be the difference.
Which one is the Jackass?
The Good:
Andrew Benintendi was 2 for 5 with 3 total rbis and a 2 run home run.
Mookie Betts was 2 for 5 with a solo home run.
Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 4 with a walk, 2 runs scored and a 2 run home run.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored and a solo home run.
Christian Vazquez was 3 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.
Heath Hembree pitched a scoreless 9th inning.
The Bad:
Eduardo Nunez popped out as a pinch hitter.
Michael Chavis was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.
Ryan Weber got hammered for 7 runs in just 4 innings.
Josh Taylor gave up a run in his one inning of work in his debut.
Colten Brewer gave up 2 runs in an inning.
The Ugly:
Rafael Devers was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.
JD Martinez was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.
Brock Holt was just 1 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.
Final Thoughts:
The Red Sox have two months to turn their pitching staff around because this garbage isn't going to cut it. The Indians have had trouble scoring runs all season and they scored 26 in 3 games. Dave Dombrowski screwed up not getting bullpen help because the Sox could have easily won this game if they had anyone that could get a big out. Colten Brewer was supposed to replace Joe Kelly and that's failed miserably. The less said of this ridiculous disaster, the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 29-27, 7.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Sox travel to New York to play the Yankees in a three game set. Chris Sale (1-6) takes the ball against JA Happ at 7:10 PM at Yankee Stadium.
It was a bad day all around for Boston sports. The St Louis Blues defeated the Boston Bruins in overtime in Game 2 of their Stanley Cup Final series and the Boston Red Sox lost to the Cleveland Indians. What an unmitigated disaster. Ryan Weber (1-1, 4.50 ERA) crashed down to earth and the Indians destroyed the Red Sox JV bullpen. The Indians pounded out 18 hits and 14 runs off the pathetic bullpen. The Sox offense had themselves a night with 14 hits and 9 runs of their own but it wasn't enough as the Indians croaked the Red Sox 14-9 at Fenway Park.
The Indians started their attack right out of the gate in the top of the first inning although Fransisco Lindor grounded out to second to start. Oscar Mercado singled to left and Carlos Santana scored Mercado with a triple. A wild pitch scored Santana before Jason Kipnis popped up to short. Jose Ramirez took strike three to end the inning with the Indians up 2-0.
The Sox struck back in the bottom of the first inning against Cleveland starter Shane Bieber although Andrew Benintendi grounded out to first to start. Mr. Mookie Betts launched his 9th home run of the season to cut the lead in half. Rafael Devers whiffed and JD Martinez looked at strike three to end the inning but the Sox were down 2-1.
The Indians struck again in the top of the second inning as Jake Bauers doubled to center to start. Greg Allen was plunked and Kevin Plawecki singled home Bauers. Leonys Martin flied out to left and Lindor lined out to a running Benintendi. Mercado whiffed to end the inning but it was 3-1 Indians.
Once again the Sox answered in the bottom of the second as Xander Bogaerts singled to left and Brock "The Hitman" Holt doubled him home. Michael Chavis flied out to center and Jackie Bradley Jr whiffed, but Christian Vazquez beat out an infield single to short to put runners at the corners. Benintendi lashed a base hit to right to score Holt to tie the game. Mr. Mookie looked at strike three to end the inning but the game was tied 3-3.
Weber took another beating in the top of the third as Santana walked to start. Kipnis singled but was erased on the force by Ramirez. Bauers singled home Santana to put the Indians back on top. Allen tripled home both runners to increase the lead. Plawecki grounded out to third but Martin walked. Martin was thrown out trying to steal to end the inning with the Indians ahead 6-3.
The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the third as Devers grounded out to short to begin. Martinez lined out to right and Bogaerts flied out to deep right to end the inning.
The Indians kept coming in the top of the fourth as Lindor flied out to left to start. Mercado grounded out to third but Santana clubbed a 900 foot home run to increase the lead. Kipnis grounded out to short to end the inning but it was 7-3 Indians. That was it for Weber as he lasted just 4 innings and allowed 7 runs.
The Sox fought back in the bottom of the fourth although Holt grounded out to second to start. Chavis whiffed but JBJ smashed his 4th home run of the year to cut the lead. Vazquez singled and Benitnendi belted his 6th home run of the year to bring the Sox within one. Mr. Mookie popped up to first to end the inning but the Sox were back in it 7-6.
Josh Taylor made his major league debut in the top of the fifth inning and Ramirez greeted him with a double. Bauers grounded out to short and Allen flied out to center, but Plawecki doubled home Ramirez with another run. Martin struck out swinging to end the inning but it was 8-6 Indians.
The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Devers whiffed to start. Martinez grounded out to third and Bogaerts flied out to center to end the inning.
Colten Brewer came in to take a beating in the top of the sixth as Lindor singled to start. Mercado whiffed but Santana walked. Kipnis lined one off of Brewer right to Chavis for the out but both runners moved over. Ramirez pounded a ground rule double to right to ice the game. Bauers grounded out to first to end the inning but it was 10-6 Indians.
Oliver Perez came in for the bottom of the sixth and Holt grounded out to second to start. Chavis whiffed but JBJ singled to left. Vazquez whiffed to end the inning.
The Indians put the game away in the top of the seventh against Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez. Allen tripled again and Plawecki walked to put runners at the corners. Martin whiffed but Lindor singled home Allen. Mercado singled to left to load the bases and Santana cleared them with a double. Kipnis whiffed and Ramirez grounded out to second but the game was out of reach, 14-6 Indians.
The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the seventh as Benintendi whiffed to start. Mr. Mookie flied out to center before Devers flied out to left to end the inning.
Shockingly the Indians went quietly in the top of the eighth as Bauers whiffed to start. Allen lined out to center and Plawecki whiffed to end the inning. The Sox pulled off a rally against AJ Cole in the bottom of the eighth as Martinez reached on an error by Ramirez to start. Bogaerts crushed his 10th homer of the year to center to cut the lead. Holt whiffed and Chavis flied out to left but JBJ doubled to center. Vazquez doubled in the exact same spot to score Bradley. How big was the 4 run top of the seventh now? Tyler Olson came in to punch out Benintendi to end the inning but it was 14-9 Indians.
Heath Hembree came in for the top of the ninth as Martin popped up to third to start. Lindor and Mercado stroked back to back singles but Santana whiffed. Kipnis whiffed to end the inning. The massacre ended in the bottom of the ninth although Mr. Mookie and Devers stroked back to back singles to start. Nick Wittgren froze Martinez for strike three but Bogaerts walked to load the bases. Brad Hand came in to face Eduardo Nunez, pinch hitting for Holt only for Nunez to pop up to third. Chavis grounded into a force to end the game. The Indians had won it 14-9, what a disaster.
Jackass of the Night is Hector Velazquez. The final four runs he allowed proved to be the difference.
The Good:
Andrew Benintendi was 2 for 5 with 3 total rbis and a 2 run home run.
Mookie Betts was 2 for 5 with a solo home run.
Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 4 with a walk, 2 runs scored and a 2 run home run.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored and a solo home run.
Christian Vazquez was 3 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.
Heath Hembree pitched a scoreless 9th inning.
The Bad:
Eduardo Nunez popped out as a pinch hitter.
Michael Chavis was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.
Ryan Weber got hammered for 7 runs in just 4 innings.
Josh Taylor gave up a run in his one inning of work in his debut.
Colten Brewer gave up 2 runs in an inning.
The Ugly:
Rafael Devers was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.
JD Martinez was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.
Brock Holt was just 1 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.
Final Thoughts:
The Red Sox have two months to turn their pitching staff around because this garbage isn't going to cut it. The Indians have had trouble scoring runs all season and they scored 26 in 3 games. Dave Dombrowski screwed up not getting bullpen help because the Sox could have easily won this game if they had anyone that could get a big out. Colten Brewer was supposed to replace Joe Kelly and that's failed miserably. The less said of this ridiculous disaster, the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 29-27, 7.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Sox travel to New York to play the Yankees in a three game set. Chris Sale (1-6) takes the ball against JA Happ at 7:10 PM at Yankee Stadium.
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Bullpen Implodes Late (5/28/19)
For 7 innings it looked like the Boston Red Sox were going to cruise to their third straight win and second straight over the Cleveland Indians. Then it all fell apart as Marcus Walden, Ryan Brasier and Travis Lakins allowed 7 runs in the final two innings to one of the worst offenses in baseball. The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the ninth and in a season full of horrible losses, this one might be the worst as the Indians shocked the Sox 7-5 at Fenway Park.
"This bullpen sucks"
David Price took the mound in the top of the first inning and Fransisco Lindor flied out to right to start the game. Oscar Mercado grounded out to short before Carlos Santana looked at strike three to end the inning. Zach Plesac got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to third to begin. Rafael Devers whiffed before Xander Bogaerts flied out to center to end the inning.
Price got Jordan Luplow to ground out to short to open the top of the second but Jose Ramirez singled to left. Roberto Perez took strike three before Jake Bauers whiffed to end the inning. A rain delay pushed the game back to 8:45 and when play resumed, JD Martinez doubled to start the bottom of the second. Michael Chavis popped up to second but Brock "The Hitman" Holt singled Martinez to third. Steve Pearce flied out to right and Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to second to end the inning.
Price cruised in the top of the third inning as Greg Allen lined out to second to begin. Mike Freeman grounded out to third before Lindor also grounded out to third to end the inning. Christian Vazquez singled to open the bottom of the third but Mr. Mookie flied out to center. Vazquez got picked off of first and Devers grounded out to second to end the inning.
Mercado singled to left to start the top of the fourth but Santana banged into a double play. Luplow grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fourth as Bogaerts flied out to right to begin. Martinez grounded out to second and Chavis popped up to second to end the inning.
Ramirez singled to start the top of the fifth but Perez whiffed. Ramirez swiped second but Bauers hit one up the elevator shaft. Allen lined out to right to end the inning. Plesac kept up the pace in the bottom of the fifth as Holt flied out to left to start. Pearce grounded out to third but JBJ walked. Vazquez whiffed to end the inning.
Price came back for one more inning in the top of the sixth and Freeman whiffed to start. Lindor walked and moved to second on the Mercado ground out to third. Santana looked at strike three to end the inning. Price had thrown 6 shutout innings and allowed just 3 hits and a walk.
Good work Price
The Sox took the lead in the bottom of the sixth although Mr. Mookie grounded out to third to begin. Devers tripled into the right field corner to chase Plesac. AJ Cole came in and Bogaerts singled home Devers to put the Red Sox on top. Martinez doubled off the Monster but Chavis whiffed. Holt hit a routine grounder to Freeman who went OLE! for an error to score both runners. Pearce whiffed to end the inning but it was 3-0 Sox.
Devers triples
Brandon Workman came in for the top of the seventh and snuffed out a bunt attempt by Luplow to start. Ramirez walked and stole second before taking third on the Perez grounder. Bauers grounded to third to end the inning. Tyler Clippard came on to pitch the bottom of the seventh and plunked JBJ to start. JBJ took second but was stranded when Vazquez flied out to left. Mr. Mookie flied out to right but JBJ moved to third. Devers popped up to third to end the inning.
The wheels began to fall off in the top of the eighth with Marcus Walden walked Allen to start. Freeman singled and Lindor doubled home both men. Mercado popped up to short and that was it for Walden. Matt Barnes came in and walked Santana but whiffed Luplow and got Ramirez to ground out to short to end the inning with the Sox still head 3-2.
The rally begins
Nick Wittgren replaced Clippard in the bottom of the eighth and the Sox rallied. Bogaerts doubled to left but Martinez flied out to almost the same spot. Chavis lined a base hit to right to score Bogaerts although Holt flied out to right. Pearce doubled off the bullpen wall to score Chavis. JBJ grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox now enjoying a 5-2 lead with 3 outs to go.
Sox up by 3
Ryan Brasier was tasked with holding the three run lead and completely puked on himself. Perez hit one of the most effortless home runs in history before Bauer walked. The light hitting Allen then crushed his first home run of the year to tie the game as the boo birds rained down. Travis Lakins poured gas on the fire as he hit Freeman and walked Lindor but got a big out when Mercado got Freeman thrown out at third on a bunt attempt. Santana walked to load the bases and Luplow doubled home Lindor and Mercado to put Cleveland on top. Ramirez walked and Santana was forced at home on a grounder by Perez. Bauers lined out to right to end the inning but the Indians erased a 3 run deficit and led 7-5, absolutely pathetic.
Party time for Cleveland
Indians closer Brad Hand came in for the bottom of the ninth and whiffed Vazquez to start. Somehow Mr. Mookie walked and Devers singled to put the tying runs on, but Bogaerts whiffed. With the game on the line, Martinez whiffed to end the game. The Indians came back to stun the Sox 7-5.
Disgusting
Jackass of the Night is Ryan Brasier. He gave up the tying runs in the 9th inning and put the Sox in position to lose.
Jackass Brasier
The Good:
Rafael Devers was 2 for 5 with a run scored.
Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 5 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.
JD Martinez was 2 for 5 with a run scored.
Jackie Bradley Jr was plunked and walked in 4 plate appearances.
David Price tossed 6 shut out innings allowing just 3 hits and a walk.
Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless 7th inning.
Matt Barnes got the final two outs of the eighth inning.
The Bad:
Marcus Walden allowed 2 runs in just 1/3 of an inning.
Travis Lakins allowed the go-ahead runs to score in the top of the ninth.
The Ugly:
Mookie Betts was 0 for 4 but walked.
Michael Chavis was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored.
Brock Holt was just 1 for 4.
Steve Pearce was just 1 for 4 with an rbi.
Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 4.
Final Thoughts:
THIS is the reason the Red Sox are going nowhere. Forget Cora sandbagging spring training, forget the starters not being ready and forget the terrible start to the year, THIS is their downfall. Dombrowski had all winter to get bullpen help after Joe Kelly and Craig Kimbrel jumped ship and didn't do it. Now they're paying for it because they don't have a closer and as its been proven many times, closer by committee doesn't work. Tonight's game is proof of that as the Sox had a 3 run lead in the 9th against a terrible offense and gave up 5 runs. This loss hurts for a variety of reasons and if Dave Dombrowski doesn't get some relief by the trade deadline, they're going to be sorry. The loss dropped the Sox to 29-26, 6.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow Ryan Weber (1-0) looks to build on his start against Toronto as he takes on Shane Bieber at 6:10 PM at Fenway Park.
David Price took the mound in the top of the first inning and Fransisco Lindor flied out to right to start the game. Oscar Mercado grounded out to short before Carlos Santana looked at strike three to end the inning. Zach Plesac got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to third to begin. Rafael Devers whiffed before Xander Bogaerts flied out to center to end the inning.
Price got Jordan Luplow to ground out to short to open the top of the second but Jose Ramirez singled to left. Roberto Perez took strike three before Jake Bauers whiffed to end the inning. A rain delay pushed the game back to 8:45 and when play resumed, JD Martinez doubled to start the bottom of the second. Michael Chavis popped up to second but Brock "The Hitman" Holt singled Martinez to third. Steve Pearce flied out to right and Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to second to end the inning.
Price cruised in the top of the third inning as Greg Allen lined out to second to begin. Mike Freeman grounded out to third before Lindor also grounded out to third to end the inning. Christian Vazquez singled to open the bottom of the third but Mr. Mookie flied out to center. Vazquez got picked off of first and Devers grounded out to second to end the inning.
Mercado singled to left to start the top of the fourth but Santana banged into a double play. Luplow grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fourth as Bogaerts flied out to right to begin. Martinez grounded out to second and Chavis popped up to second to end the inning.
Ramirez singled to start the top of the fifth but Perez whiffed. Ramirez swiped second but Bauers hit one up the elevator shaft. Allen lined out to right to end the inning. Plesac kept up the pace in the bottom of the fifth as Holt flied out to left to start. Pearce grounded out to third but JBJ walked. Vazquez whiffed to end the inning.
Price came back for one more inning in the top of the sixth and Freeman whiffed to start. Lindor walked and moved to second on the Mercado ground out to third. Santana looked at strike three to end the inning. Price had thrown 6 shutout innings and allowed just 3 hits and a walk.
The Sox took the lead in the bottom of the sixth although Mr. Mookie grounded out to third to begin. Devers tripled into the right field corner to chase Plesac. AJ Cole came in and Bogaerts singled home Devers to put the Red Sox on top. Martinez doubled off the Monster but Chavis whiffed. Holt hit a routine grounder to Freeman who went OLE! for an error to score both runners. Pearce whiffed to end the inning but it was 3-0 Sox.
Brandon Workman came in for the top of the seventh and snuffed out a bunt attempt by Luplow to start. Ramirez walked and stole second before taking third on the Perez grounder. Bauers grounded to third to end the inning. Tyler Clippard came on to pitch the bottom of the seventh and plunked JBJ to start. JBJ took second but was stranded when Vazquez flied out to left. Mr. Mookie flied out to right but JBJ moved to third. Devers popped up to third to end the inning.
The wheels began to fall off in the top of the eighth with Marcus Walden walked Allen to start. Freeman singled and Lindor doubled home both men. Mercado popped up to short and that was it for Walden. Matt Barnes came in and walked Santana but whiffed Luplow and got Ramirez to ground out to short to end the inning with the Sox still head 3-2.
Nick Wittgren replaced Clippard in the bottom of the eighth and the Sox rallied. Bogaerts doubled to left but Martinez flied out to almost the same spot. Chavis lined a base hit to right to score Bogaerts although Holt flied out to right. Pearce doubled off the bullpen wall to score Chavis. JBJ grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox now enjoying a 5-2 lead with 3 outs to go.
Ryan Brasier was tasked with holding the three run lead and completely puked on himself. Perez hit one of the most effortless home runs in history before Bauer walked. The light hitting Allen then crushed his first home run of the year to tie the game as the boo birds rained down. Travis Lakins poured gas on the fire as he hit Freeman and walked Lindor but got a big out when Mercado got Freeman thrown out at third on a bunt attempt. Santana walked to load the bases and Luplow doubled home Lindor and Mercado to put Cleveland on top. Ramirez walked and Santana was forced at home on a grounder by Perez. Bauers lined out to right to end the inning but the Indians erased a 3 run deficit and led 7-5, absolutely pathetic.
Indians closer Brad Hand came in for the bottom of the ninth and whiffed Vazquez to start. Somehow Mr. Mookie walked and Devers singled to put the tying runs on, but Bogaerts whiffed. With the game on the line, Martinez whiffed to end the game. The Indians came back to stun the Sox 7-5.
Jackass of the Night is Ryan Brasier. He gave up the tying runs in the 9th inning and put the Sox in position to lose.
The Good:
Rafael Devers was 2 for 5 with a run scored.
Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 5 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.
JD Martinez was 2 for 5 with a run scored.
Jackie Bradley Jr was plunked and walked in 4 plate appearances.
David Price tossed 6 shut out innings allowing just 3 hits and a walk.
Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless 7th inning.
Matt Barnes got the final two outs of the eighth inning.
The Bad:
Marcus Walden allowed 2 runs in just 1/3 of an inning.
Travis Lakins allowed the go-ahead runs to score in the top of the ninth.
The Ugly:
Mookie Betts was 0 for 4 but walked.
Michael Chavis was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored.
Brock Holt was just 1 for 4.
Steve Pearce was just 1 for 4 with an rbi.
Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 4.
Final Thoughts:
THIS is the reason the Red Sox are going nowhere. Forget Cora sandbagging spring training, forget the starters not being ready and forget the terrible start to the year, THIS is their downfall. Dombrowski had all winter to get bullpen help after Joe Kelly and Craig Kimbrel jumped ship and didn't do it. Now they're paying for it because they don't have a closer and as its been proven many times, closer by committee doesn't work. Tonight's game is proof of that as the Sox had a 3 run lead in the 9th against a terrible offense and gave up 5 runs. This loss hurts for a variety of reasons and if Dave Dombrowski doesn't get some relief by the trade deadline, they're going to be sorry. The loss dropped the Sox to 29-26, 6.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow Ryan Weber (1-0) looks to build on his start against Toronto as he takes on Shane Bieber at 6:10 PM at Fenway Park.
Monday, May 27, 2019
Sox Crush Indians on Memorial Day (5/27/19)
Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move when Brock "The Hitman" Holt returned from the Injured List after being out almost two months because his son nearly scratched his eye out. Darwinzon Hernandez was sent down to Portland to make room for Holt.
OUT
IN
Big win
JD The Hero
As for the game, what a day. It started when Dustin Pedroia made a press conference stating he's stepping away from the game for a while. While not officially announcing his retirement, he admits his knee is not healing and he may as well be finished. If that wasn't enough, while the conference was going on the news broke that former Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner passed away at the age of 69. Also the Boston Bruins defeated the St. Louis Blues in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals. When we finally got to the game, the Sox thrashed old friend Terry Francona's Cleveland Indians. The Sox trailed 3-0 before they fought back to tie the game then erupted for 6 runs in the bottom of the fifth. The offense ended up with 13 hits and 12 runs as the Sox won it 12-5 at Fenway Park.
The late Bill Buckner approves of the win
The Indians were one of the worst offensive teams in the league but they took a big dump on Porcello in the top of the first. Fransico Lindor led the game off by slicing a single to left and took third when Xander Bogaerts muffed a picture perfect double play ball hit by Oscar Mercado to put runners at the corners. Mercado swiped second but somehow Porcello whiffed Carlos Santana. Right on cue Jason Kipnis singled home Lindor and put runners back on the corners. Jake Bauers was plunked to load the bases an Roberto Perez beat out a double play ball to score Mercado. Mike Freeman flied out to left to end the inning but the Indians led 2-0.
Jefry Rodriguez began his domination in the bottom of the first inning as Andrew Benintendi whiffed badly on 3 pitches to start. Mr. Mookie Betts tried to pull a ball on the outside corner and grounded out to short before Rafael Devers whiffed on a pitch that bounced in the dirt to end the inning.
Greg Allen led off the second inning with a routine pop up that Bogaerts nearly fell down trying to catch. Leonys Martin hit a routine pop up to third and Devers did fall down but caught it anyway. Lindor hit a rocket but Bogaerts snared it to end the inning. The Sox quit in the bottom of the second as JD Martinez weakly grounded out to short to start. Bogaerts whiffed on a pitch that bounced 5 feet in the dirt but somehow Michael Chavis got a lucky single to center. Chavis took second on a wild pitch before Holt grounded out to first to end the inning.
The supposedly punchless Indians kept up the attack in the top of the third inning as Mercado effortlessly singled to left to begin. Mercado easily swiped second before Santana walked. Kipnis dropped down a bunt to move the runners over and naturally Bauers drove home Mercado with a ground out. Perez was frozen for strike three but it was 3-0 Indians.
The Sox got a lucky break in the bottom of the third although Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out weakly to short to start. Sandy Leon took a straight fastball right down the middle but somehow Benintendi walked. Somehow Benintendi swiped second when Mercado dropped a routine pop up from Betts that allowed Benintendi to score and advance Betts all the way to third. Betts scored on a lucky wild pitch by Perez before Devers weakly grounded out to first to end the inning but the Sox got lucky to cut it 3-2.
The Indians poured it on in the top of the fourth as Freeman singled to center to start. Freeman moved to second on the sacrifice bunt by Allen and to third on the grounder by Martin. Lindor was intentionally walked and easily swiped second before Mercado walked to load the bases. Santana hit a rocket to the Sox bullpen but Betts snared it to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Martinez looked at strike three to start. Bogaerts stroked a single before hustling to third on a base hit by Chavis. Chavis took second on the throw and Holt stroked a single to left that scored Bogaerts and sent Chavis to third. JBJ walked to load the bases but Leon popped up to left. Benintendi swung up at his eyes on a pitch headed for the dirt to end the inning but the Sox had tied it 3-3.
Mr. Mookie made a great diving catch to rob Kipnis of extra bases to begin the top of the fifth but Bauers doubled off the Monster. Perez popped up to second before Holt made a great stop to rob Freeman of an rbi to end the inning. The Sox took the lead as Mr. Mookie followed up his catch with a single off the Monster to start the bottom of the fifth. Devers smoked a double off the centerfield wall to score Betts to give the Sox the lead but Martin made a great diving catch to rob Martinez of a double. Bogaerts scolded a double down the left field line to score Devers with another run before Chavis was intentionally walked to chase Rodriguez. Oliver Perez got Holt to ground into a force to put runners at the corners but JBJ doubled home Bogaerts. Leon iced the game with a 3 run bomb as Benintendi grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 9-3.
Leon hammers one out
Porcello cruised in the top of the sixth as Allen flied out to center to begin. Martin grounded out to second before Lindor grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the sixth against Dan Otero although Mr. Mookie whiffed to start. Devers flied out to center but Martinez plastered his 10th home run of the year to increase the lead. Bogaerts grounded out to short to end the inning but the Sox lead 10-3.
Martinez with his 10th homer
Porcello ran out of gas in the top of the seventh inning as Mercado singled to start. Santana looked at strike three but Kipnis doubled. Bauers looked at strike three but Perez singled home Mercado to chase Porcello. Rick hung around at the end to go 6 2/3 innings and be charged with 3 earned runs, The Bogaerts error proved costly in the end. Heath Hembree came in and allowed a double to Freeman to score Kipnis but got Allen to fly out to center to end the inning with the Indians down 10-5.
Porcello exits with the lead
Josh D Smith came in for the bottom of the seventh and the Sox tagged him too. Chavis was plunked but was erased on the Holt force. JBJ doubled home Holt but Leon looked at strike three. Benintendi walked but Mr. Mookie took strike three to end the inning with the Sox ahead 11-5.
Ryan Brasier was brought in to pitch the top of the eighth and Martin flied out to right to begin. Lindor popped up to first and Mercado flied out to left to end the inning. Adam Cimber got tagged in the bottom of the eighth although Devers grounded out to first to begin. Martinez belted his second home run of the game to wrap up the scoring. Bogaerts grounded out to short and Chavis whiffed to end the inning with the Sox ahead 12-5.
Martinez goes yard again
Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez had mop up duty in the top of the ninth and Santana grounded out to short to begin. Kipnis grounded back to the mound but Bauers walked. Perez took strike three to end the game. The Sox pounded out 13 hits and 12 runs to win this one for Bill Buckner 12-5.
Hero of the Night is JD Martinez. He cracked not one but two home runs to pace the offensive attack.
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 2 for 5 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.
Michael Chavis was 2 for 3 with a hit by pitch and a walk.
Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 5 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 3 with a walk, 2 rbi's and a run scored.
Rick Porcello got the win with 6 2/3 innings and allowed 3 earned runs. He struck out 4 batters.
Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
Hector Velazquez pitched a scoreless 9th inning.
Mookie Betts was 2 for 5 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.
Michael Chavis was 2 for 3 with a hit by pitch and a walk.
Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 5 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 3 with a walk, 2 rbi's and a run scored.
Rick Porcello got the win with 6 2/3 innings and allowed 3 earned runs. He struck out 4 batters.
Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
Hector Velazquez pitched a scoreless 9th inning.
The Bad:
None.
None.
The Ugly:
Heath Hembree allowed 2 inherited runners to score but none of his own in 1/3 of an inning.
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 3 but walked twice and scored a run.
Rafael Devers was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run and scored.
Brock Holt was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored twice.
Sandy Leon was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a 3 run home run.
Heath Hembree allowed 2 inherited runners to score but none of his own in 1/3 of an inning.
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 3 but walked twice and scored a run.
Rafael Devers was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run and scored.
Brock Holt was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored twice.
Sandy Leon was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a 3 run home run.
Final Thoughts:
What a day. Bill Buckner was a very important member of the mid 80's Red Sox and he finished a few hundreds hits shy of 3,000. Pedroia may be done for good and if so, he had a Dave Cowens like career that was reckless, short and sweet. As for this game, the Sox needed a big win to prove they can beat good teams and this is what the doctor ordered. This was a decisive beat down that was shades of last year. Hopefully the Sox can ride this momentum going forward if they hope to cut into the New York Yankees stranglehold of the AL East. The win improved the Sox to 29-25, 6.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox are back in action against the Indians as Zach Plesac takes on David Price if the weather permits at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.
What a day. Bill Buckner was a very important member of the mid 80's Red Sox and he finished a few hundreds hits shy of 3,000. Pedroia may be done for good and if so, he had a Dave Cowens like career that was reckless, short and sweet. As for this game, the Sox needed a big win to prove they can beat good teams and this is what the doctor ordered. This was a decisive beat down that was shades of last year. Hopefully the Sox can ride this momentum going forward if they hope to cut into the New York Yankees stranglehold of the AL East. The win improved the Sox to 29-25, 6.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox are back in action against the Indians as Zach Plesac takes on David Price if the weather permits at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.
Sunday, May 26, 2019
Rodriguez, Sox Salvage Series in Houston (5/26/19)
Before the game the Boston Red Sox sent Colten Brewer to Pawtuckett. To say he was struggling this season is an understatement but he's unfortunately the embodiment of Dave Dombrowski's passive nature in the off-season. After Joe Kelly and Craig Kimbrel departed, Dave thought Colten Brewer would be the answer. He was wrong. Rookie Darwinzon Hernandez was called up to replace him.
OUT
IN
The outlook didn't look good for the Boston Red Sox when they dropped two out of three to the Houston Astros as the New York Yankees continued to pull away in the AL East race. On top of that, they had to face Astros ace Justin Verlander in the finale of the series today. Instead it was the Sox that struck back, getting to Verlander for 3 runs. Eduardo Rodriguez (5-3, 5.04 ERA) shocked the world by tossing 6 innings of one run ball. The much maligned Red Sox bullpen slammed the door as the Sox salvaged the series with a 4-1 win at Minute Maid Park.
Carl Soderberg approves of the win
Verlander took the ball in the top of the first inning and Andrew Benintendi whiffed to start. Mr. Mookie Betts flied out to right and Rafael Devers flied out to center to end the inning. The Astros wasted no time scoring in the bottom of the first as Aledmys Diaz singled to right to start. Alex Bregman grounded out to third but that moved Diaz to third on the play. Michael Brantley grounded out to short before Carlos Correa singled home Diaz to give the Astros the lead. Correa took second on the throw home then third on a passed ball before Yuli Gurriel took strike three to end the inning with the Astros ahead 1-0.
Astros take the lead
Diaz keeled over in between innings and was replaced by Tyler White to start the top of the second inning. JD Martinez whiffed, Michael Chavis looked at strike three and Christian Vazquez whiffed to end the inning. The Astros did nothing in the bottom of the second as Josh Reddick grounded out to short to begin. Robinson Chirinos whiffed before Jake Marisnick was plunked. Derek Fisher singled to left before White whiffed to end the inning.
The Sox struck back in the top of the third inning as Steve Pearce singled to third to begin. Pearce took second on a wild pitch and took third on a grounder by Jackie Bradley Jr. Eduardo Nunez beat out an infield single to third to put runners at the corners before Nunez took second on a wild pitch. Benintendi scored Pearce with a sac fly to tie the game before Mr. Mookie popped up to first to end the inning. The Sox had tied the game 1-1.
A Herculean sac-fly
Bregman doubled to left to start the bottom of the third before moving to third on the Brantley grounder. Rodriguez got a big out when Correa grounded out to third on a great play by Devers before Gurriel flied out to left to end the inning.
Devers put the Sox on top with his 7th home run of the season to begin the top of the fourth inning. Martinez singled to left but Chavis looked at strike three. Vazquez flied out to right and Pearce lined out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1.
Devers goes yard
Rodriguez cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Reddick flied out to center to start. Chirinos looked at strike three before Marisnick flied out to right to end the inning.
The Sox got an insurance run in the top of the fifth although JBJ flied out to center to begin. Nunez struck a rocket to the left field wall for a double before Benintendi hit a routine grounder to second. Gurriel went OLE and the ball went through his legs for an error to score Nunez. Benintendi swiped second and Mr. Mookie hit a ball to the hole in short...THROWN AWAY. That put runners at the corners until Mr. Mookie swiped second, but Devers popped up to short. Martinez popped up to shallow right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1.
Stop flying out to center!
Rodriguez cruised in the bottom of the fifth as Fisher grounded out on a chopper to first to begin. White took a 94 mph fastball on the inside corner for strike three before Bregman lined out to a running JBJ to end the inning.
Chavis whiffed to begin the top of the sixth before Vazquez popped up to center. Pearce grounded out to third to end the inning. Rodriguez came back for one last inning and got Brantley to ground out to short to start. Correa walked but the alert Vazquez picked him off of first. Gurriel popped up to second to end the inning and Rodriguez' day. Eduardo outpitched Verlander by tossing 6 innings of 1 run ball, walking just 1 batter while striking out 5.
Good work E-Rod
Verlander returned for the top of the seventh and got JBJ to pop up to short left to start. Nunez grounded out to third and Benintendi lined out to center to end the inning. Brandon Workman took over for Rodriguez in the bottom of the seventh and Reddick popped up to left to begin. Chirinos was rung up for a swinging strike three before Marisnick also took strike three to end the inning.
Josh James came in for Verlander in the top of the eighth as Mr. Mookie flied out to right to begin. Devers singled to right but Martinez whiffed. Devers swiped second before Chavis walked. Vazquez whiffed badly to end the inning. Matt Barnes was summoned for the bottom of the eighth and he blew away Fisher on a curve in the dirt to begin. Tony Kemp pinch hit for White and drew a walk but Bregman popped up to center. Brantley took a questionable curve on the outside corner for strike three to end the inning.
Framber Valdez came in for the top of the ninth and Pearce lined out to right to begin. JBJ walked and took second on a balk by Valdez. JBJ took third on a passed ball and scored on the rbi grounder by Nunez. Benintendi popped up to right to end the inning but it was 4-1 Sox.
Marcus Walden was brought in to close out the game in the top of the ninth and Correa grounded to short on a broken bat to start. Gurriel whiffed and Reddick flied out to the right field wall to end the game. The Sox had won the game 4-1 and salvaged the series.
Big win for the Sox
Hero of the Night is Eduardo Rodriguez. He outpitched Justin Verlander by tossing 6 inning of 1 run ball against one of the best teams in the league. He allowed just 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 5.
Eduardo the Hero
The Good:
Rafael Devers was 2 for 4 with a stolen base and a home run.
Eduardo Nunez was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.
Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless 7th inning.
Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
Marcus Walden got his first save with a scoreless 9th inning.
The Bad:
Christian Vazquez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
The Ugly:
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 4 but stole a base and drove in a run.
Mookie Betts was 0 for 4 but stole a base.
JD Martinez was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Michael Chavis was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but walked.
Steve Pearce was just 1 for 4 with a run scored.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.
Final Thoughts:
Wow, a rare win against a good team and it was impressive too. Verlander is one of the best pitchers in the league and Rodriguez outdueled him. Hats off to Eduardo for stepping up his game. The offense did just enough to win although Michael Chavis is quickly showing he can't lay off high fastballs. Maybe Kit Keller can show him how to hit them. Devers has been one of the few bright spots this season and he stepped it up against the Astros big time. All in all it was a good win and hopefully the Sox can build some momentum out of it. The win improved the Sox to 28-25, 6.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Sox return home to play the Cleveland Indians in a three game set. "Slick" Rick Porcello (3-4) goes for the Sox against Jefry Rodriguez at a special Memorial Day 4:05 PM start time at Fenway Park.
The outlook didn't look good for the Boston Red Sox when they dropped two out of three to the Houston Astros as the New York Yankees continued to pull away in the AL East race. On top of that, they had to face Astros ace Justin Verlander in the finale of the series today. Instead it was the Sox that struck back, getting to Verlander for 3 runs. Eduardo Rodriguez (5-3, 5.04 ERA) shocked the world by tossing 6 innings of one run ball. The much maligned Red Sox bullpen slammed the door as the Sox salvaged the series with a 4-1 win at Minute Maid Park.
Verlander took the ball in the top of the first inning and Andrew Benintendi whiffed to start. Mr. Mookie Betts flied out to right and Rafael Devers flied out to center to end the inning. The Astros wasted no time scoring in the bottom of the first as Aledmys Diaz singled to right to start. Alex Bregman grounded out to third but that moved Diaz to third on the play. Michael Brantley grounded out to short before Carlos Correa singled home Diaz to give the Astros the lead. Correa took second on the throw home then third on a passed ball before Yuli Gurriel took strike three to end the inning with the Astros ahead 1-0.
Diaz keeled over in between innings and was replaced by Tyler White to start the top of the second inning. JD Martinez whiffed, Michael Chavis looked at strike three and Christian Vazquez whiffed to end the inning. The Astros did nothing in the bottom of the second as Josh Reddick grounded out to short to begin. Robinson Chirinos whiffed before Jake Marisnick was plunked. Derek Fisher singled to left before White whiffed to end the inning.
The Sox struck back in the top of the third inning as Steve Pearce singled to third to begin. Pearce took second on a wild pitch and took third on a grounder by Jackie Bradley Jr. Eduardo Nunez beat out an infield single to third to put runners at the corners before Nunez took second on a wild pitch. Benintendi scored Pearce with a sac fly to tie the game before Mr. Mookie popped up to first to end the inning. The Sox had tied the game 1-1.
Bregman doubled to left to start the bottom of the third before moving to third on the Brantley grounder. Rodriguez got a big out when Correa grounded out to third on a great play by Devers before Gurriel flied out to left to end the inning.
Devers put the Sox on top with his 7th home run of the season to begin the top of the fourth inning. Martinez singled to left but Chavis looked at strike three. Vazquez flied out to right and Pearce lined out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1.
Rodriguez cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Reddick flied out to center to start. Chirinos looked at strike three before Marisnick flied out to right to end the inning.
The Sox got an insurance run in the top of the fifth although JBJ flied out to center to begin. Nunez struck a rocket to the left field wall for a double before Benintendi hit a routine grounder to second. Gurriel went OLE and the ball went through his legs for an error to score Nunez. Benintendi swiped second and Mr. Mookie hit a ball to the hole in short...THROWN AWAY. That put runners at the corners until Mr. Mookie swiped second, but Devers popped up to short. Martinez popped up to shallow right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1.
Rodriguez cruised in the bottom of the fifth as Fisher grounded out on a chopper to first to begin. White took a 94 mph fastball on the inside corner for strike three before Bregman lined out to a running JBJ to end the inning.
Chavis whiffed to begin the top of the sixth before Vazquez popped up to center. Pearce grounded out to third to end the inning. Rodriguez came back for one last inning and got Brantley to ground out to short to start. Correa walked but the alert Vazquez picked him off of first. Gurriel popped up to second to end the inning and Rodriguez' day. Eduardo outpitched Verlander by tossing 6 innings of 1 run ball, walking just 1 batter while striking out 5.
Verlander returned for the top of the seventh and got JBJ to pop up to short left to start. Nunez grounded out to third and Benintendi lined out to center to end the inning. Brandon Workman took over for Rodriguez in the bottom of the seventh and Reddick popped up to left to begin. Chirinos was rung up for a swinging strike three before Marisnick also took strike three to end the inning.
Josh James came in for Verlander in the top of the eighth as Mr. Mookie flied out to right to begin. Devers singled to right but Martinez whiffed. Devers swiped second before Chavis walked. Vazquez whiffed badly to end the inning. Matt Barnes was summoned for the bottom of the eighth and he blew away Fisher on a curve in the dirt to begin. Tony Kemp pinch hit for White and drew a walk but Bregman popped up to center. Brantley took a questionable curve on the outside corner for strike three to end the inning.
Framber Valdez came in for the top of the ninth and Pearce lined out to right to begin. JBJ walked and took second on a balk by Valdez. JBJ took third on a passed ball and scored on the rbi grounder by Nunez. Benintendi popped up to right to end the inning but it was 4-1 Sox.
Marcus Walden was brought in to close out the game in the top of the ninth and Correa grounded to short on a broken bat to start. Gurriel whiffed and Reddick flied out to the right field wall to end the game. The Sox had won the game 4-1 and salvaged the series.
Hero of the Night is Eduardo Rodriguez. He outpitched Justin Verlander by tossing 6 inning of 1 run ball against one of the best teams in the league. He allowed just 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 5.
The Good:
Rafael Devers was 2 for 4 with a stolen base and a home run.
Eduardo Nunez was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.
Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless 7th inning.
Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
Marcus Walden got his first save with a scoreless 9th inning.
The Bad:
Christian Vazquez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
The Ugly:
Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 4 but stole a base and drove in a run.
Mookie Betts was 0 for 4 but stole a base.
JD Martinez was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Michael Chavis was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but walked.
Steve Pearce was just 1 for 4 with a run scored.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.
Final Thoughts:
Wow, a rare win against a good team and it was impressive too. Verlander is one of the best pitchers in the league and Rodriguez outdueled him. Hats off to Eduardo for stepping up his game. The offense did just enough to win although Michael Chavis is quickly showing he can't lay off high fastballs. Maybe Kit Keller can show him how to hit them. Devers has been one of the few bright spots this season and he stepped it up against the Astros big time. All in all it was a good win and hopefully the Sox can build some momentum out of it. The win improved the Sox to 28-25, 6.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Sox return home to play the Cleveland Indians in a three game set. "Slick" Rick Porcello (3-4) goes for the Sox against Jefry Rodriguez at a special Memorial Day 4:05 PM start time at Fenway Park.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)