Sox 5 Run Sixth Drops Rays (4/29/14)

Going into the bottom of the sixth it was a hell of a battle between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox. John Lackey (4-2, 3.83 ERA) and Erik Bedard locked into a 1-1 pitcher's duel. Shane Victorino hit a sac fly in the bottom of the fifth and Evan Longoria answered in the top of the sixth with his own sac fly. Then the Sox exploded against Brandon Gomes and Juan Carlos Oviedo in the bottom of the sixth for five runs. AJ Pierzynski, Will Middlebrooks and Jackie Bradley Jr poured it on with Victorino hitting the kill shot. Ryan Hanigan got a run off Lackey in the top of the seventh and the Rays rallied in the ninth inning, but Koji Uehara struck out Ben Zobrist to end the game. The Sox had won the game 7-4 at Fenway Park.

                                                     Van Halen approves of the win

Lackey got the ball in the top of the first and Ben Zobrist struck out swinging to start. Desmond Jennings popped up to Jackie Bradley Jr and Matt Joyce struck out swinging to end the inning. Bedard got the ball in the bottom of the first and Dustin Pedroia grounded out to third to start. Shane Victorino singled in the hole at second but David Ortiz struck out swinging. Mike Napoli grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Evan Longoria led off the top of the second by grounding out to third and old pal James Loney grounded out to first. Wil Myers singled to left but David Dejesus lined out to Gomes at the left field wall to end the inning. Gomes popped up to second to start the bottom of the second but Xander Bogaerts drew a walk. AJ Pierzynski took strike three and Will Middlebrooks forced Bogaerts at second to end the inning.

Yunel Escobar popped up to first to start the top of the third before Ryan Hanigan grounded out to third. Zobrist grounded out to first to end the inning. Jackie Bradley Jr popped up to third to start before Pedroia flied out to right. Victorino lined a ball off the Monster but was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double to end the inning.

The Rays beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the fourth as Jennings grounded out to second to start. Joyce grounded out to third and Longoria grounded out to short to end the inning. Ortiz struck out swinging to begin the bottom of the fourth before Napoli walked. Gomes doubled off the Monster but Bogaerts struck out swinging. Pierzynski grounded out to first to end the inning.

Loney doubled off the Monster to begin the top of the fifth but Myers struck out swinging. DeJesus walked but Escobar flied out to right. Hanigan struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the fifth as Middlebrooks walked to start. JBJ doubled to center but Pedroia lined out to third. Middlebrooks scored on the sac fly to center by Victorino. Ortiz grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                          Sox strike first

The Rays struck back in the top of the sixth as Zobrist grounded out to first to start. Jennings doubled to center then took third on the Joyce base hit to right. Longoria hit a sac fly to center to score Jennings and Loney grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                             Rays tie it up

The Sox exploded in the bottom of the sixth with Brandon Gomes now on the mound. Napoli walked to start before Jonny Gomes also drew a walk. Bogaerts popped up to left and Rays manager Joe Maddon wanted Juan Carlos Oviedo to face Pierzynski. AJ responded with a base hit to center to score Napoli. Middlebrooks doubled off the centerfield wall to score Gomes and JBJ also doubled off the centerfield wall to score Pierzynski and Middlebrooks. A wild pitch moved JBJ to third but Pedroia grounded out to short. Victorino hit a ground rule double down the right field line to score Bradley to increase the lead. Ortiz struck out swinging to end the inning but it was 6-1 Sox.

                                                             Good work Victorino

The Rays struck back in the top of the eighth as Myers doubled off the centerfield wall. Myers moved to third on a grounder to first by DeJesus but Escobar struck out swinging. Hanigan singled off the Monster to score Myers to cut the lead but Zobrist forced Ryan at second to end the inning with the Rays down 6-2.

                                                  Andover's own drives in a run

Josh Lueke came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh as Napoli got a base hit to left to start. Gomes beat out a double play ball and Bogaerts struck out swinging, but Pierzynski got a base hit to right. Sox analyst "Psycho" Steve Lyons made a hilarious comment he got a royalty check for the TV show VIP for 10 cents while quipping "It cost more to print the check!" Middlebrooks struck out swinging to end the inning.

Lackey returned for the top of the eighth and Jennings grounded out to short to start. Joyce lined out to a running JBJ and Longoria grounded out to short to end the inning. Lackey was great, gutting out 8 innings and allowing 2 runs off 6 hits and a walk.

                                                           Lackey gets it done

The Sox wrapped up the scoring against Joel Peralta in the bottom of the eighth and JBJ flied out to right to start. Pedroia dropped a base hit to right as "Psycho" Steve told a story of how there's a famous photograph of the 20 strikeout game by Roger Clemens where Steve is the only one celebrating. Victorino got a base hit to left and Ortiz got a base hit to center to score Pedroia. Napoli beat out a double play ball but Gomes took strike three to end the inning with the Sox up 7-2.

                                                               Ortiz joins the hit parade

Edward Mujica came in to close out the top of the ninth and Loney pounded a ground rule double down the right field line to start. Myers walked and both runners moved over on the DeJesus grounder to short. Escobar singled in the hole at short but Bogaerts threw the ball away for an error to score Loney & Myers, moving Escobar to second. Hanigan flied out to right and Sox manager John Farrell took no chances, bringing in Koji Uehara to face Zobrist. Ben struck out swinging to end the game. The Sox had won it 7-4.

                                                           Sox win

Hero of the Night is John Lackey. He went 8 strong innings allowing just 2 runs off 6 hits and a walk while striking out five.

                                                        Hero Lackey

The Good:

Shane Victorino was 4 for 4 with 2 rbis.

Mike Napoli was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and and an rbi.

AJ Pierzynski was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Will Middlebrooks was 1 for 3 with a walk, an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Koji Uehara earned his sixth save by finishing off the ninth inning.

The Bad:

Edward Mujica allowed 2 runs in 2/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

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

David Ortiz was just 1 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but drove in a run.

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

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 3 with two strikeouts and an error but walked.

Final Thoughts:

Good win but that's yet another game where Mujica couldn't get the job done. The fact Uehara had to come into a game the Sox were leading 7-2 is a disgrace. Its not like Sox fans couldn't see it coming, after all he famously lost the closer's job at the end of last year to Trevor Rosenthal. Still, the encouraging sign was the offense has returned with Victorino going 4 for 4. Combined with the rotation pitching as well as it has, let's see if the Sox can repeat the magic of last season. That five run sixth inning was the quick strike offense the Sox need to display moving forward. If they want to leave April in the past, they better come out swinging in the month of May. They can't afford to fall behind the other teams in the AL East with the way they're playing to start the season. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the Rays tomorrow night when Jake Peavy (1-0) takes on Cesar Ramos of Tampa. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Dickey, Jays Drop Lester & Sox (4/27/14)

Just when you think the Boston Red Sox are going on a run, they fall completely flat on their face. After taking the first two games against the Toronto Blue Jays, they lay an egg against Jays ace RA Dickey while their own ace Jon Lester (2-4, 3.10 ERA) get pounded. The Sox struck first with a Jackie Bradley Jr rbi single but Brett Lawrie hit a home run to tie it. The Sox couldn't get a run off Dickey while the Jays rallied for a run in the third and two more in the seventh to take a commanding lead. The Jays then got three runs off Andrew Miller and Burke Badenhop in the bottom of the eighth to put the game away. It was a crushing loss for the Red Sox as they dropped the game 7-1 at the Skydome.

Dickey got the ball in the top of the first and Dustin Pedroia grounded out to short to start. Grady Sizemore and Mike Napoli both struck out swinging to end the inning. Lester got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jose Reyes flied out to right to start. Melky Cabrera struck out swinging and Jose Bautista popped up to right to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the second as AJ Pierzynski lined out to short to start. Will Middlebrooks popped up to first but Jonny Gomes got a base hit to left. Xander Bogaerts struck a single to center and Jackie Bradley Jr blooped a base hit to left to score Gomes. David Ross forced Bradley at second to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                          Sox strike first

The Jays answered in the bottom of the second as Edwin Encarnacion lined out to a sliding Bradley to start. Brett Lawrie hit a home run all the way to Newfoundland to tie the game. Juan Francisco and Moises Sierra both struck out swinging to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                        Lawrie ties it

Pedroia struck out swinging to start the top of the third before Sizemore was frozen for strike three. Napoli got a base hit to center but Pierzynski went down hacking to end the inning. The Jays took command in the bottom of the third as Josh Thole drilled a base hit down the third base line to begin. Jonathan Diaz dropped down a bunt to move Thole to second but Reyes struck out swinging. Cabrera doubled to right to score Thole and Bautista flied out to center to end the inning with the Jays up 2-1.

                                                           Jays take the lead

Middlebrooks popped up to short to start the top of the fourth before Gomes popped up to left. Bogaerts struck out swinging to end the inning. Lester cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Encarnacion lined out to center to start. Lawrie struck out swinging and Francisco popped up to third to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fifth as JBJ grounded out to short to start. Ross popped up to short and Pedroia grounded out to third to end the inning. Lester matched Dickey in the bottom of the fifth as Sierra lined out to short to start. Thole grounded out to second and Diaz grounded out to third to end the inning.

Sizemore grounded out to second to start the top of the sixth before Napoli popped up to short. Pierzynski grounded out to short to end the inning. Reyes popped up to first to start the bottom of the sixth before Cabrera flied out to left. Bautista struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the seventh as Middlebrooks got hit with a pitch to start. Gomes popped up to first but Bogaerts doubled to left to chase Dickey. Steve Delabar came in to face JBJ and Bradley popped up to third. Ross flied out to center to end the inning. Lester fell apart in the bottom of the seventh as Encarnacion doubled to left to start. Lawrie also doubled down the left field line to score Edwin to ice the game. Francisco flied out to center to move Lawrie to third and Brett scored on the grounder to Lester by Sierra. Thole took strike three to end the inning but the game was over 4-1. Lester allowed four runs in 7 innings off five hits.

                                                       Lester wasn't good enough

Colby Rasmus took over for Sierra in the top of the eighth and Pedroia got a base hit to right to start. Sizemore flied out to right, Napoli lined out to center and Pierzynski grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Andrew Miller crapped his pants in the bottom of the eighth as Diaz grounded out to second to start. Reyes singled in the hole at second but Ross dropped a pop up by Cabrera for an error. That proved costly as Melky got a base hit to right to put runners at the corners. Bautista grounded a ball up the middle that Bogaerts couldn't corral for a "single" to score Reyes. Sox manager John Farrell kicked the air as he stormed out of the dugout to take the ball from Miller. Burke Badenhop came in and immediately allowed a double to center to Encarnacion to clear the bases. Lawrie took strike three.

                                                                  Jays finish it off

Esmil Rogers came in to close out the top of the ninth as Middlebrooks struck out swinging to start. Gomes took strike three and Bogaerts went down hacking to end the game. The Jays had won it 7-1.

                                                          Jays win

Jackass of The Night is Jon Lester. He got rocked for four runs in 7 innings off 5 hits while striking out 7.

                                                             Jackass Lester

The Good:

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 4.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

The Bad:

Grady Sizemore was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

AJ Pierzynski was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

David Ross was 0 for 3 with an error.

Andrew Miller allowed 3 runs in 1/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Mike Napoli was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Will Middlebrooks was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but was hit with a pitch.

Jonny Gomes was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Burke Badenhop allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own in 2/3 of an inning.

Final Thoughts:

The story of the Red Sox this season is just when you think they're about to go on a nice long win streak, they fall flat on their face. Their offense accomplished nothing today against RA Dickey while the Jays offense systematically got to Lester little by little. Then after they got to Lester, they got three runs off Badenhop and Miller. The Sox just can't seem to build momentum no matter what's in front of them. Grady Sizemore looks like he can't hit anymore while Gomes, Bradley and Ross all looked terrible at the plate. I know Shane Victorino and David Ortiz didn't play ahead of the off-day tomorrow but they should have gotten more than one measly run. Hopefully they can bounce back in the next one. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox come home for a three game set with the Tampa Bay Rays. John Lackey (3-2) takes on old pal Erik Bedard of Tampa. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Hold On, Defeat Blue Jays (4/26/14)

It was good news all around for the city of Boston as the Boston Bruins eliminated the Detroit Red Wings in Game 5 of their first round NHL playoff series and the Boston Red Sox defeated the Toronto Blue Jays. That was too close for comfort although the Red Sox offense put a six spot on the board against Brandon Morrow of the Jays in the third inning. AJ Pierzynski belted a grand slam in that inning and the Sox as a unit had only 5 hits but that one was a big one. On the other side of the ball, Clay Buchholz (1-2, 6.66 ERA) held the Jays to just 3 runs in 7 innings of work. The bullpen bent as Junichi Tazawa got lit up for two runs to inch the Jays closer, but Chris Capuano and Koji Uehara slammed the door on the Jays. The Sox narrowly held on to win 7-6 at the Skydome.

                                                   Torey Krug (and pals) approves of the win

Morrow got the ball in the top of the first inning and Dustin Pedroia walked to start. Shane Victorino popped up to second but David Ortiz walked. Mike Carp grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Jays jumped on Buchholz in the bottom of the first as Jose Reyes walked to start. Melky Cabrera got a base hit to left to move Reyes to third. Jose Bautista got a base hit to left to score Reyes, moving Cabrera to third and a wild pitch scored Melky. Juan Francisco struck out swinging but Dioner Navarro got a base hit to right to score Bautista. Colby Rasmus flied out to left and Brett Lawrie flied out to center to end the inning with the Jays up 3-0.

                                                             Jays got up big early

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the second as Grady Sizemore walked to start. AJ Pierzynski walked but Will Middlebooks flied out to right to move Sizemore to third. Jonathan Herrera grounded into a double play to end the inning. Moises Sierra flied out to center to start the bottom of the second before Ryan Goins hit a bullet right to Buchholz. It looked like Reyes beat out a grounder to short but Sox manager John Farrell challenged the call. New York Yankees manag....err Head of MLB Operations Joe Torre was in the bathroom so the call was overturned to end the inning.

Morrow completely fell apart in the top of the third although Jackie Bradley Jr took strike three to start. Pedroia flied out to left but both Victorino and Ortiz drew back to back walks. Blue Jays pitching Pete Walker came out to take a swing at the home plate umpire for squeezing Morrow and was thrown out of the building. A passed ball moved the runners over and Carp walked to load the bases. Sizemore walked to score Victorino and chase Morrow.  Chad Jenkins came in and suddenly Pierzsynki cracked a grand slam to put the Sox up for good. Middlebrooks then hit a home run for back to back jacks. Herrera grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox up 6-3.

                                                 Middlebrooks with the exclamation point

Cabrera struck out swinging to start the bottom of the third before Bautista flied out to right. Francisco and Navarro drew back to back walks but Rasmus flied out to center to end the inning.

JBJ took strike three to open the top of the fourth but Pedroia got a base hit to left. Pedroia got thrown out at second trying to steal and Victorino grounded out to short to end the inning. Lawrie got a base hit to left to start the bottom of the fourth and Sierra flied out to right. Goins forced Lawrie at second and Reyes lined out to left to end the inning.

Ortiz was called out on strikes to begin the top of the fifth but Carp pounded a ground rule double over the left field wall. Sizemore doubled to center to score Carp and chase Jenkins from the game. Aaron Loup came in and Pierzynski moved Grady to third on a swinging bunt in front of the plate. Middlebrooks struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 7-3.

                                                            Sizemore drives in a run

Cabrera grounded out to second to start the bottom of the fifth but Bautista doubled to left. Francisco moved Jose to third with a grounder to first and Navarro was caught looking at strike three to end the inning. Navarro heaved his bat in frustration saying the strike was a ball when its the Toronto pitcher and he might have a point, some of the calls against Morrow were ugggggggly!

Herrera grounded back to the mound to begin the top of the sixth and JBJ lined out to third. Pedroia lined out to first to end the inning. Buchholz dominated the bottom of the sixth as Rasmus grounded out to second to start. Lawrie grounded out to third and Sierra flied out to center to end the inning.

Brett Cecil came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Victorino struck out swinging to start. Ortiz walked but Carp flied out to center. Sizemore struck out swinging to end the inning. Buchholz returned for one final inning in the bottom of the seventh and Goins got a base hit to center to start. Reyes grounded out to first to move Goins to second and Cabrera grounded out to second. Goins moved to third on the grounder but Bautista flied out to left to end the inning. Clay started off slow but hung on to allow 3 runs in 7 innings off 6 hits and 3 walks.

                                                            Good work Buchholz

Steve Delabar came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Pierzynski grounded out to second to begin. Middlebrooks lined out to right and Herrera grounded out to second to end the inning. Junichi Tazawa came in to crap his pants in the bottom of the eighth as Francisco hit a home run all the way to Madagascar to cut the lead. Navarro singled to center and Rasmus singled to right before Lawrie beat out a double play ball. Edwin Encarnacion pinch hit for Sierra and got a base hit to center to score Navarro. Sox manager John Farrell kicked over a tub of gatorade and yanked Tazawa from the game. Chris Capuano came in to face old pal Jonathan Diaz who was pinch hitting for Goins. Diaz took strike three but Reyes walked to load the bases. Farrell took no chances and brought in Koji Uehara for the four out save. Uehara got Cabrera to fly out to left to end the inning with the Jays down 7-5.

                                                Encarnacion drives in a run

Sergio Santos took over for Delbar to pitch the top of the ninth and JBJ struck out swinging to start. Pedroia grounded out to third and Victorino struck out swinging to end the inning. Uehara came back to close out the bottom of the ninth but Bautista hit a home run all the way to Hamilton, Ontario to cut the lead. Francisco struck out swinging but Navarro got a base hit to center. Rasmus struck out swinging but Lawrie got a base hit to center. Encarnacion flied out to center to end the game. The Sox had won it 7-6.

                                                          Uehara is all smiles after the win

Hero of The Night is AJ Pierzynski. His grand slam put the Sox up for good in the third inning.

                                                              Grand Slam Hero

The Good:

David Ortiz walked 3 times and scored a run.

Mike Carp was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Grady Sizemore was 1 for 2 with 2 walks, 2 rbis and a run scored.

Clay Buchholz got the win by tossing 7 strong innings allowing 3 runs off 6 hits and 3 walks.

Chris Capuano got the second out of the eighth inning.

The Bad:

Jonathan Herrera was 0 for 4.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Junichi Tazawa allowed 2 runs in 1/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 4 with a walk.

Shane Victorino was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked and scored.

Will Middlebrooks was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but the one hit was a home run.

Koji Uehara got the save but allowed a run in 1 1/3 innings.

Final Thoughts:

Second game in a row after Victorino and Middlebrooks were back together that the Sox put up 7 plus runs. Pierzynski was the hero with the grand slam but the offense in general was a team effort. Middlebrooks hit a ball a mile and that was good to see after he was out for a while. If only Grady Sizemore would step it up, the offense would be as deadly as last year with Grady in the Jacoby Ellsbury role. Pitching wise Buchholz got lit up early but got stronger as the game went on. Junichi Tazawa's personal kryptonite is Toronto and today was no different. He hadn't allowed a run yet this year and he gets rocked. Uehara served up a bomb to Bautista but luckily the Sox had a 2 run lead at the time. One of the few times somebody tagged both members of the Orient Express but the Sox survived this one. Hopefully the Sox can ride this momentum until the end of the month and get back on track. The Sox look for a series sweep tomorrow against the Jays when Jon Lester (2-3) takes on RA Dickey of Toronto. The game begins at 1:05 PM at the Skydome.

Peavy, Sox Bash Blue Jays (4/25/14)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made an unpopular roster move. Brock Holt has been sent down to Pawtucket and Will Middlebrooks has been activated. Holt had been getting on base a lot but Sox brass wants Jonathan Herrera's defense and the thinking is Middlebrooks will re-discover his bat. Then again, if anyone else goes down Brock is just a phone call away.

                                                                              OUT

                                                                     IN

As for the game, now that was just what the doctor ordered. Jake Peavy (1-0, 2.87 ERA) tossed his best game of the season to win his first game of 2014. He allowed the Toronto Blue Jays to just one run in seven strong innings. Offensively the Sox pounced on Mark Buehrle early and often for 12 hits and 7 runs. The Sox scored another run against the Toronto bullpen while Boston's relievers held the fort for them. The returns of Will Middlebrooks and Shane Victorino helped big time and the Sox looked like themselves for the first time in a while as they won 8-1 over the Jays at the Skydome.

                                                          Leola Bell approves of the win

Buehrle got the ball in the top of the first inning and Dustin Pedroia led off with a base hit to center. Shane Victorino grounded into a double play and David Ortiz grounded out to third to end the inning. Peavy got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jose Reyes struck out swinging to start. Melky Cabrera struck out swinging and Jose Bautista popped up to first to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the second as Mike Napoli walked to start. Jonny Gomes lined out to center but Xander Bogaerts doubled over the head of Edwin Encarnacion down the right field line. AJ Pierzsynski hit a sac fly to center to score Napoli and the returning Will Middlebrooks blooped a base hit to right to score Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley Jr to left. Pedroia lashed a base hit to left to score both runners but was thrown out at second to end the inning trying to stretch a double with the Sox up 4-0.

                                                       "You're out you dummy!"

Encarnacion struck out swinging to start the bottom of the second before Dioner Navarro flied out to center. Juan Francisco got a base hit to right but Brett Lawrie lined out to right to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the third as Victorino grounded out to short to start. Ortiz then bashed his fifth home run of the season to add to the lead. Napoli doubled off the left field wall and Gomes walked, but Bogaerts grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Sox up 5-0.

                                                             Big Papi delivers

Colby Rasmus popped up to Bogaerts in foul territory to start the bottom of the third before Ryan Goins flied out to left. Reyes popped up to Middlebrooks in foul territory to end the inning.

Pierzynski lined out to Bautista to start the top of the fourth before Middlebrooks flied out to Cabrera. JBJ hit a triple into the gap in center but Pedroia popped up to right to end the inning. Cabrera lined out to center to start the bottom of the fourth before Bautista doubled to right. Encarnacion walked but Bautista was thrown out trying to steal third. Navarro popped up to short to end the inning.

Victorino lined out to left to start the top of the fifth before Ortiz grounded out to first. Napoli singled to left and Gomes beat out a roller to third. Bogaerts flied out to center to end the inning. Francisco struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth before Lawrie grounded back to the mound. Rasmus grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox added to the lead in the top of the sixth as Pierzynski singled to center to start. Middlebrooks hit a gap shot to center to score Pierzynski but was thrown out at third trying to stretch a triple. JBJ walked and that was it for Buehrle as Neil Wagner came in to pitch. Pedroia hit a routine grounder to Reyes but his relay throw to Goins pulled Ryan off the back for an error. Victorino popped up to third and JBJ stole third base. Ortiz walked to load the bases and Napoli walked to score Pedroia. Gomes struck out swinging to end the inning but it was 7-0 Red Sox.

                                                           Sox walk in a run

Goins grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the sixth but Reyes doubled to right. Cabrera got a base hit to right to put runners at the corners but Bautista took strike three. Encarnacion struck out swinging to end the inning.

Bogaerts popped up to third to begin the top of the seventh but Pierzynski got a base hit to right. Middlebrooks got plunked and both runners moved over on the JBJ grounder to first. Todd Redmond came in to pitch to Pedroia and Dustin lined out to right to end the inning. Peavy got tagged in his final inning as Navarro grounded out to first to begin the bottom of the eighth. Francisco hit a home run all the way to Santiago, DR to cut the lead. Lawrie walked but Rasmus struck out swinging. Goins grounded out to first to end the inning. Peavy was outstanding, allowing just 1 run in 7 innings of work. He allowed 5 hits and 2 walks.

                                                                  Good work Peavy

Victorino doubled to left to start the top of the eighth but Ortiz struck out swinging. Napoli grounded out to short and Gomes lined out to second to end the inning. Chris Capuano came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Reyes struck out swinging. Cabrera also went down hacking and Bautista watched strike three go by to end the inning.

The Sox got another run in the top of the ninth and Bogaerts flied out to center to start. Pierzynski doubled to center then moved to third on the Middlebrooks grounder to short. JBJ lashed a double to left and Pedroia drew a walk. Victorino took strike three to end the inning with the Sox up 8-1.

                                                         Bradley drives in the final run

Andrew Miller came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Encarnacion took strike three to begin. Navarro got an infield single to short but Francisco struck out swinging. Lawrie popped up to second to end the game. The Sox won the game 8-1.

                                                                Sox win

Hero of the Night is Jake Peavy. He held the Jays to just 1 run in 7 innings allowing 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out seven.

                                                        Hero Peavy

The Good:

Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 5 with a walk and 2 rbis.

Will Middlebrooks was 2 for 4 with a hit by pitch, 2 rbis and a run scored.

Mike Napoli was 2 for 3 with 2 walks, an rbi and a run scored.

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

Jackie Bradley Jr was 3 for 4 with a walk, rbi, 2 runs scored and a stolen base.

Chris Capuano pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Andrew Miller pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

David Ortiz was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and hit a home run.

Jonny Gomes was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

THIS is the team the Red Sox were looking for when they started the season. Victorino and Middlebrooks coming back healthy complete the lineup they were looking for when they signed Grady Sizemore and Pierzynski to replace Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Jacoby Ellsbury. Not only that, this was Peavy's best start of the season and if he can have another season like he did last year, the Sox will be in contention as long as everyone stays healthy. Having Miller back healthy and the addition of Capuano has also helped tremendously. All in all, this was the first win since the beginning of April that felt remotely like 2013 with their guns back. Hopefully the Sox can ride the momentum back into contention from here on in. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the Blue Jays tomorrow afternoon when Clay Buchholz (0-2) looks for his first win of the season against Brandon Morrow of Toronto. The game begins at 1:05 PM at the Skydome.

Sox Beat Cheating Yankees (4/23/14)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Struggling outfielder Daniel Nava was sent down to Pawtucket and relief pitcher Alex Wilson was called up to take his place. Nava just wasn't getting it done this season and with Shane Victorino due to come off the Disabled List pretty soon, Sox brass figured they could use Wilson now and hope Victorino comes off later. Its a shame because Nava was an integral part of last year's team and couldn't find his stroke this year.

                                                                        OUT

                                                                       IN

As for the game, those dirty double crossers! After New York Yankees pitcher Michael Pineda was caught on camera with pine tar on his hand last week in Yankee Stadium, Boston media raked Sox manager John Farrell over the coals for not calling attention to it. Tonight, he had no choice as Pineda had it all over his neck, practically daring the Sox to say something. Well Farrell did, and Pineda was ejected in the second inning. The real story of the game was the pitching of John Lackey (3-2, 4.22 ERA) who stoned the Yankees cold for 8 innings while allowing just one run. The Sox used a balance attack to drive in runs when they needed as they beat the Yankees 5-1 at Fenway Park.

                                                           "There it is!"

Lackey got the ball in the top of the first inning and Jacoby Ellsbury grounded out to short to start. Derek Jeter grounded out to first but Carlos Beltran singled to center. Brian McCann flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox wasted no time getting to Pineda in the bottom of the first as Grady Sizemore tripled into the right field corner to start. Dustin Pedroia grounded a base hit to center to score Grady but David Ortiz flied out to the centerfield wall. Mike Napoli got a broken bat bloop single to right to move Pedroia to third but Mike Carp popped up to left. AJ Pierzynski hit a bullet to Jeter but Derek couldn't come up with it to score Pedroia. Xander Bogaerts flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                   "I don't got it" - Jeter

Alfonso Soriano went down hacking to start the top of the second before Mark Teixeira looked at strike three. Brett Gardner struck out swinging to end the inning. The Yankees embarrassed themselves in the bottom of the second as Brock Holt lined out to center to start. NESN cameras picked up pine tar on the neck of Pineda as Jackie Bradley Jr flied out to left. Finally Sox manager John Farrell had seen enough and came out to tell home plate umpire Gerry Davis that there was pine tar on Pineda's neck. The umpires checked Pineda's neck and immediately ejected him. Yankees manager Joe Girardi came out to argue and umpires simply laughed at him. David Phelps came in to pitch and got Sizemore to strike out swinging to end the inning but Pineda was gone.

                                                  "You're out, you cheater!" - Davis

Brian Roberts beat out a roller to third to start the top of the third before being forced at second by Kelly Johnson. Ellsbury struck out swinging as Roberts stole second base. Jeter struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox took command in the bottom of the third as Pedroia hit a routine grounder to Jeter who threw low to first for an error. Ortiz made Jeter pay with a base hit to right and Napoli hit a fly ball down the right field line. Gardner couldn't come up with it and it bounced into the seats for the ground rule double to score Pedroia. Carp struck out swinging but Pierzynski walked to load the bases. Bogaerts flied out to right but Ortiz scored on a wild pitch to increase the lead. Holt walked to re-load the bases but JBJ took strike three to end the inning with the Sox up 4-0.

                                                        "Dagnabbit!" - Gardner

Beltran grounded out to second to open the top of the fourth but Carp failed to catch a bloop by McCann for a "single". Soriano and Teixeira both struck out swinging to end the inning. Sizemore watched strike three go by to start the bottom of the fourth before Pedroia got a base hit to right. Ortiz walked and both runners moved over on the grounder to third by Napoli. Old friend Matt Thornton game in to face Carp and Mike took strike three to end the inning.

Gardner got a base hit to right to start the top of the fifth but Roberts popped up to short. Johnson hit a ground rule double into the bullpen but Ellsbury struck out swinging. Jeter grounded out to second to end the inning. Pierzynski popped up to third to start the bottom of the fifth and Bogaerts grounded back to the mound. Holt walked but JBJ lined out to left to end the inning.

The Yankees struck back in the top of the sixth as Beltran doubled to center to start. McCann chopped a grounder back to the mound to move Beltran to third and Carlos scored on the Soriano sac fly to the right field wall. Teixeira struck out swinging to end the inning with the Yankees down 4-1.

                                                     Beltran scores a run

Preston Claiborne came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Sizemore struck out swinging. Pedroia flied out to center and Ortiz grounded out to third to end the inning. 

Gardner grounded out to second to start the top of the seventh but Roberts lashed a base hit to right. Johnson took strike three and Ellsbury grounded out to first to end the inning. Napoli got a base hit to left to start the bottom of the seventh but Carp lined out to right. Napoli was thrown out at second trying to steal and Pierzynski flied out to right to end the inning.

Lackey returned for the top of the eighth with Jonny Gomes in left, and Jeter grounded back to the mound to start. Beltran was frozen for strike three and McCann flied out to center to end the inning. That was it for Lackey as he was outstanding, allowing just 1 run on 7 hits in 8 strong innings.

                                                            Lackey was amazing

The Sox struck again in the bottom of the eighth as Bogaerts hit a roller to Johnson, who threw the ball away for a single and an error to move Xander to second. Holt got a base hit to right to score Xander and wrap up the scoring. Adam Warren came in to pitch to JBJ and Bradley forced Holt at second. Sizemore hit a grounder to Warren who threw low to Jeter for another error. Pedroia grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-1.

                                                            Bogaerts scores a run

Koji Uehara came in to close out the top of the ninth and Soriano got a base hit off the Monster to start. Teixeira and Gardner both struck out swinging to leave it up to Roberts. Brian struck out swinging to end the game. The Sox had won 5-1.

                                                                     Sox win

Hero of The Night is John Lackey. He was outstanding, holding the Yankees to just 1 run on 7 hits and 11 strikeouts.

                                                        Hero Lackey

The Good:

Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

David Ortiz was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Mike Napoli was 3 for 4 with an rbi.

AJ Pierzynski was 1 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Brock Holt was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and an rbi.

Koji Uehara pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Mike Carp was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Grady Sizemore was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

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

Honorable Mention:

Jonny Gomes played left field in the final innings.

Final Thoughts:

Yankees radio announcer Suzy Waldman openly complaining about Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz when their pitcher just got caught red handed (or pine tarred) is just embarrassing deflection. Farrell knows all about gamesmanship as an ex-pitcher but in that situation. He himself said before the game that Pineda needed to be more discreet about it but Pineda was just daring them to call them out for it for having it in plain view. Typical New York Yankee arrogance that in the last 13 years has been getting increasingly ridiculous the less rings they win. Lackey was outstanding tonight and looked almost as good as he was against the Detroit Tigers back in October. The Yankees had no chance in this one the way they bobbled balls and couldn't hit. Its nice for the Red Sox to be on the other side of that for once. Hopefully the Sox can ride this momentum on a good winning streak to end the month. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the Yankees tomorrow night when Felix Doubront (1-2) takes on CC Sabathia of the Yankees. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Yankees Bash Lester, Sox (4/22/14)

The good news was the Boston Bruins defeated the Detroit Red Wings in Game 3 of their first round NHL playoff series but the bad news was the Boston Red Sox lost to the New York Yankees. Don't look now but the Boston Red Sox are in trouble. They've played 21 games this season and have trailed in almost every single one of them. This time it was the New York Yankees and their new ace Masahiro Tanaka that added to Boston's misery. Tanaka mastered the Sox, allowing just 2 runs in 7 1/3 innings to keep the Yankees ahead. Meanwhile the Yankees blasted Sox ace Jon Lester for eight runs, knocking him out in the fifth inning. The only runs the Sox scored off Tanaka were solo home runs by David Ortiz and Mike Napoli but it wasn't nearly enough. Carlos Beltran hit a home run off Edward Mujica for the exclamation point as the Yankees crushed the Sox 9-3 at Fenway Park.

                                                        "THEY BEAT LESTER!!!!"

Lester got mauled in the top of the first inning as old pal Jacoby Ellsbury hit a ball off the top of the wall that a fan reached out and grabbed it for interference. The umpires ruled it a triple and Derek Jeter did the honors with a base hit to center to score him, putting the Yankees up for good two batters into the game. AJ Pierzynski managed to muff a ball and throw it away to advance Jeter all the way to third and Carlos Beltran ripped a base hit to center to score Jeter. Alfonso Soriano and Mark Teixeira both struck out swinging but Brian McCann walked. Yangervis Solarte flied out to left to end the inning with the Yankees up 2-0.

                                                               Beltran drives in a run

Tanaka got the ball in the bottom of the first and Ellsbury made a great diving catch to rob Grady Sizemore of a hit. Dustin Pedroia doubled to the left field wall but David Ortiz struck out swinging. Mike Napoli also went down hacking to end the inning.

Ichiro Suzuki got a base hit to center to start the top of the second and Brian Roberts got a seeing eye single past the diving Xander Bogaerts. Ellsbury flied out to left but Jeter walked to load the bases. Beltran grounded into a double play to end the inning. Jonny Gomes popped up to third to begin the bottom of the second and Pierzynski struck out swinging. Bogaerts flied out to right to end the inning.

The Yankees struck again in the top of the third as Soriano doubled to center to start. Teixeira blooped a double down the right field line to score Soriano and McCann doubled off the scoreboard to score Teixeira. Solarte struck out swinging but Ichiro walked. Sizemore failed to catch a liner by Roberts for a single to load the bases but Ellsbury grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Yankees up 4-0.

                                                     Yankees pour it on

Brock Holt grounded out to first to start the bottom of the third before Jackie Bradley Jr got a base hit to center. Sizemore grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Jeter was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to start the top of the fourth before Beltran struck out swinging. Soriano struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Pedroia grounded out to second to start. Ortiz smashed his fourth home run of the season before Napoli belted his fifth home run of the year for back to back jacks. Gomes popped up to left but Pierzynski doubled high off the Monster. Bogaerts took strike three to end the inning with the Sox down 4-2.

                                                              Back to back jacks

The Yankees finished off Lester in the top of the fifth as Teixeira walked to start. McCann got a base hit to left off the Monster but Solarte struck out swinging. Ichiro went down hacking and Roberts hit a liner off the glove of Napoli for an error to score Teixeira. Ellsbury doubled to left to score both McCann and Roberts. Sox manager John Farrell had enough of Lester and yanked him after just 4 2/3 innings allowing 8 runs on 11 hits and 4 walks. Chris Capuano came in and Jeter immediately greeted him with a base hit to center to score Ellsbury. Beltran flied out to right to end the inning with the Yankees up 8-2.

                                                        Lester gets pounded

Holt grounded out to second to start the bottom of the fifth and JBJ grounded out to first. Sizemore flied out to right to end the inning.

Soriano popped up to center to start the top of the sixth and Teixeira hit a bullet to Bogaerts. McCann was retired on a swinging bunt to end the inning. Pedroia flied out to right to start the bottom of the sixth before Ortiz grounded out to short. Napoli doubled to center but Gomes struck out swinging to end the inning.

Solarte struck out swinging to start the top of the seventh but Ichiro doubled to left. Roberts flied out to center and Ellsbury grounded out to second to end the inning. Pierzynski struck out swinging to start the bottom of the seventh before Bogarts grounded out to third. Holt lined a base hit up the middle but JBJ's bunt attempt was snuffed out by Solarte to end the inning.

Edward Mujica came in to get tagged in the top of the eighth as Jeter grounded back to the mound to start. Beltran then hit a home run all the way to the Azores to increase the lead. Soriano grounded out to short and Teixeira struck out swinging to end the inning with the Yankees up 9-2.

                                                       Beltran goes yard

Brett Gardner took over in left to start the bottom of the eighth and Sizemore struck out swinging to start. Dellin Betances came in to pitch to Pedroia and caught him looking for strike three. Ortiz also watched strike three go by to end the inning.

Jonathan Herrera took over Pedroia with Junichi Tazawa in to pitch the top of the ninth. McCann singled off the Monster but Solarte flied out to center. McCann moved to second on the grounder to second by Ichiro. Roberts lined out to first to end the inning.

Dean Anna came in for Jeter to start the bottom of the ninth and Napoli grounded out to third to start. Gomes doubled off the Monster but Pierzynski grounded out to first to move Gomes to third. Bogaerts crushed a double off the Monster to score Gomes but Holt grounded back to the mound to end the game. The Yankees had won it 9-3.

                                                         Yankees win

Jackass of The Night is Jon Lester. He got rocked for 8 runs in just 4 2/3 innings allowing 11 hits and 4 walks.

                                                          Lester The Jackass

The Good:

Mike Napoli was 2 for 4 with a home run.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 1 for 3.

Chris Capuano tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

Junichi Tazawa tossed a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Grady Sizemore was 0 for 4.

Edward Mujica allowed a run in the eighth inning.

The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

David Ortiz was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but hit a home run.

Jonny Gomes was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

AJ Pierzynski was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts and an error.

Xander Bogarts was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Brock Holt was just 1 for 4.

Honorable Mention:

Jonathan Herrera played second base in the final inning.

Final Thoughts:

Great, now the Sox can't even beat the Yankees. The Yankees aren't exactly lighting the world on fire to start the season but they've handled the Red Sox so far this year. This was arguably Lester's worst game of the season while Tanaka blinded the Sox apart from two solo home runs back to back. Once again the offense was almost non existent and they can't possibly be this bad without Jacoby Ellsbury and Shane Victorino. Jackie Bradley Jr and Grady Sizemore went 1-7 combined in this one and so far the production just hasn't been there. Then again no one is really hitting to begin with. Lester was due for a stinker but this isn't an isolated incident where the bats just aren't working. The world series hangover is real, folks. Tomorrow might be interesting because Michael Pineda is pitching and he was shown after last week's game to have pine tar on his hand. We'll see if he tries any shenanigans tomorrow with people looking for it this time. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow against the Yankees when John Lackey (2-2) gets the start against Pineda. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.