Brewers Edge Sox Late (4/8/87)

It was bad news all around for Boston sports. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Boston Bruins in Game 1 of their first round NHL playoff series and the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Boston Red Sox. Al Nipper started for the Sox and lasted just 5 1/3 innings while allowing 2 runs. The Sox offense managed to score 2 runs of their own against Bill Wegman of the Brewers, but Billy Jo Robidoux drove home Glenn Braggs to hang the loss on Wes Gardner (0-1, 6.75 ERA). After the Brewers scored to go ahead, the Sox offense went quiet the rest of the day. For the second game in a row the Boston bats were silent as Milwaukee took the game 3-2 at County Stadium.

                                                "Hello operator? The Sox offense sucks"

Wegman got the ball in the top of the first inning and Wade Boggs grounded out to second to start. Marty Barrett flied out to right and Bill Buckner flied out to left to end the inning. Nipper got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Paul Molitor doubled to right to start. Robin Yount moved Molitor to second with a grounder to Barrett and Glenn Braggs drew a walk. Greg Brock popped up to third and Billy Jo Robidoux grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Jim Rice got a base hit to center to start the top of the second and Don Baylor drew a walk. Dwight Evans popped up to second, Dave Henderson flied out to right and Marc Sullivan flied out to left to end the inning. Rob Deer flied out to center to begin the bottom of the second but BJ Surhoff singled to center. Jim Gantner singled up the middle to move Surhoff to third but Dale Sveum banged into a double play to end the inning.

Spike Owen led off the top of the third with a ground out to short and Boggs also grounded out to short. Barrett flied out to right to end the inning. Molitor doubled to left to start the bottom of the third but Yount struck out swinging. Braggs went down hacking and Brock hit a routine grounder to Barrett...who went OLE! for an error. Robidoux struck out swinging to end the inning.

Wegman cruised in the top of the fourth as Buckner flied out to left to start. Rice took strike three and Baylor grounded out to short to end the inning. Nipper matched Wegman in the bottom of the fourth although Deer was plunked to start. Surhoff flied out to center, Gantner flied out to right and Sveum flied out to left to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the fifth as Evans singled to center to start. Evans moved to second on the Henderson grounder to second and scored on the double to left by Sullivan. Owen lined out to short but Boggs was intentionally walked. Barrett made the Brewers pay with a base hit to right to score Sullivan with another run. Buckner flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                    RBI double for Sullivan

The Brewers answered in the bottom of the fifth as Molitor walked to start. Yount singled to left and Braggs walked to load the bases with nobody out. Brock grounded out to first to score Molitor and Robidoux also grounded out to first to score Yount to tie the game. Deer struck out swinging to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                        Robidoux ties it up

Chuck Crim came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Rice struck out swinging to start. Baylor and Henderson both grounded out to third to end the inning. Nipper returned briefly for the bottom of the sixth and snuffed out a bunt by Surhoff to start. Gantner and Sveum stroked back to back base hits to chase Al after 5 1/3 innings and 2 runs allowed. Wes Gardner made his season debut and got Molitor to ground into a double play to end the inning. 

                                                          Nipper deserved better

Henderson grounded out to short to start the top of the seventh before Sullivan took strike three. Owen grounded out to second to end the inning. The Brewers took command in the bottom of the seventh as Yount grounded out to second to start. Braggs and Brock stroked back to back base hits and Robidoux singled home Braggs to give Milwaukee the lead. Deer took strike three and that was it for Gardner. Joe Sambito made his season debut by getting Surhoff to fly out to left to end the inning with the Brewers ahead 3-2.

                                                   Robidoux gives Milwaukee the lead

The Sox went quietly in the top of the eighth with Dan Plesac on the mound. Boggs flied out to left, Barrett grounded out to second and Buckner flied out to left to end the inning. Gantner took strike three to start the bottom of the eighth before Sveum struck out swinging. Calvin Schiraldi was brought in to pitch to Molitor and Paul grounded out to short to end the inning. 

Rick Manning took over in right to start the top of the ninth and Rice grounded out to short to start. Baylor grounded out to third and Henderson flied out to right to end the game. The Sox didn't have a baserunner after Barrett's hit in the fifth and the Brewers had won it 3-2.

Jackass of the Night is Wes Gardner. He allowed the go-ahead run to score in the seventh inning.

                                                          Jackass Gardner

The Good:

Marc Sullivan was 1 for 3 with an rbi and a run scored.

Al Nipper tossed 5 1/3 innings of 2 run ball. He allowed 7 hits and 3 walks.

Joe Sambito tossed a full scoreless inning.

Calvin Schiraldi retired the only man he faced.

The Bad:

Bill Buckner was 0 for 4.

Dave Henderson was 0 for 3.

Spike Owen was 0 for 3.

The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was 0 for 3 but walked.

Marty Barrett was just 1 for 4 with an error but drove in a run.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Don Baylor was 0 for 3 but walked.

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

That wasn't as bad as Opening Day but still frustrating. The offense hasn't been there the first two games of the season and hopefully that's just opening weekend rust. The Sox barely had time to recover with just 3 months off after the World Series so they may come out of the gate slow as molasses. They better wake up soon because now everyone in the American League is gunning for them. The Brewers have outplayed them in every phase of the game the past two games and the Sox look to be stuck in the mud. Wegman only lasted 5 innings but the Milwaukee bullpen tossed 4 scoreless innings and retired 13 in a row to end the game. Hopefully the Sox can bounce back soon and get some key pieces healthy because right now, they're in trouble and its only two games into the season. The Sox look to avoid a sweep tomorrow night when Jeff Sellers makes his season debut against Mike Birkbeck of the Brewers. The game begins at 2:05 PM Eastern time at County Stadium.

Sox Collapse, Mets Take Series in Seven (10/27/86)

Most of the world saw this coming after the Boston Red Sox committed an all-time collapse in Game 6 but it doesn't make it hurt any less. After a rainout postponed Game 7, the New York Mets finally pounded the final nail in the Red Sox coffin with an 8-5 comeback victory to win the 1986 World Series. The Sox took a 3-0 lead and Bruce Hurst continued his dominance for 5 innings....then it all went to hell as the Mets got the last laugh in Shea Stadium.

                                                Doom and gloom all around

Ron Darling was scheduled to start Game 7 before the rainout and he took the mound to start the game. Wade Boggs lined out to short to start and Marty Barrett flied out to right. Bill Buckner got a mock standing ovation by the Mets crowd but he shut them up real quick with a base hit to right. Jim Rice flied out to right to end the inning. Oil Can Boyd was scheduled to start Game 7 before the rainout but Sox manager John McNamara decided to start Bruce Hurst on 3 days rest. At first the gamble worked in the bottom of the first when Mookie Wilson grounded out to second on the first pitch. Tim Teufel popped up to second and Keith Hernandez lined out to center to end the inning.

The Red Sox took out their frustrations of Game 6 on Darling in the top of the second inning. Dwight Evans and Rich Gedman crushed back to home runs, the Gedman homer popping out of the glove of Strawberry in right field. Dave Henderson walked but Spike Owen popped up to short. Hurst bunted Henderson over to second and Dave scored on the roller up the middle hit by Boggs to increase the lead. Barrett caught Ray Knight asleep at third with a bunt single. With a chance to break the game open early....Buckner flied out to center to end the inning. Still, the Sox shook off the effects of Game 6 to take a 3-0 lead.

                                              Gedman helps out with a home run

Hurst breezed through the bottom of the second as Gary Carter was snuffed out on a bunt single attempt to start. Darryl Strawberry popped up to left but Ray Knight singled. Kevin Mitchell grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Sox missed a chance to hit Darling hard in the top of the third when Rice singled off the left field wall but Mitchell gunned him down at second trying to stretch. Evans popped up to center and Gedman grounded out to first to end the inning. Hurst cruised in the bottom of the third as well, punching out Rafael Santana to start. Darling hit a ball hard to right but Evans snared it at the wall. Wilson flied out to right to end the inning.

The Sox knocked out Darling in the top of the fourth as Henderson was plunked to start. Owen flied out to right and Hurst sacrifice bunted Henderson over to second, shades of the second inning. That was it for Darling as Mets manager Davey Johnson pulled him in favor of Sid Fernandez. Boggs walked to put two men on and with another chance to break it open....Barrett flied out to right to end the inning. Hurst remained perfect in the bottom of the fourth as Teufel whiffed, Hernandez flied out to a running Evans in right and Carter grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox went quietly in the top of the fifth inning as Buckner flied out to right, Rice whiffed and Evans also swung and missed at strike three to end the inning. Hurst would not be denied in the bottom of the fifth as Strawberry flied out to center to begin. Knight grounded out to short and Mitchell whiffed to end the inning. At this point Hurst was working on a 1 hitter with 4 innings to go after already dominating his first two World Series starts. He could have been a legend in Boston if he could have gotten those last 12 outs.

                                                       1 hit through 5 for Hurst

Fernandez returned for the top of the sixth and froze Gedman to start. Henderson flied out to center and Owen watched strike three go by to end the inning. The wheels fell off for Hurst in the bottom of the sixth although Santana grounded out to short to start. Lee Mazzilli pinch hit for Fernandez and singled. Wilson singled and Teufel walked to load the bases. Sox manager John McNamara came out to chat with Bruce but to no avail as Hernandez dealt the crushing blow to Hurst with a base hit to center that scored Mazzilli and Wilson, moving Teufel to third. Wally Backman pinch ran for Teufel and he scored when Evans dove for a Carter flare and missed. Hernandez was tagged out at second but the game was tied. Strawberry flied out to left to end the inning but Hurst was done and the game was tied.

                                                   The Mets tie it up

Shea Stadium was in a frenzy as Roger McDowell took over on the mound with Tony Armas pinch hitting for Hurst. Armas whiffed on 3 pitches. Boggs grounded out to third and Barrett grounded out to short to end the inning. For some inane reason, Sox manager John McNamara brought in Calvin Schiraldi to pitch the bottom of the seventh despite getting rocked and rolled in Game 6. The gamble failed miserably for the Sox as Knight blasted a leadoff home run to put the Mets just 6 outs away from victory. Lenny Dykstra pinch hit for Mitchell and singled before a wild pitch moved him up to second. Santana singled home Dykstra to increase the lead as the crowd got even louder. McDowell bunted Santana to second as Sox manager John McNamara finally realized his mistake and pulled Schiraldi out of there.

                                               Knight gives the Mets the lead

Lefty specialist Joe Sambito was brought in but the idiot McNamara decided to intentionally walk Wilson, which begs the question why would you bring in the lefty only to intentionally walk the lefty batter? That move also backfired because Sambito walked Backman to load the bases. Hernandez flied out to center but Santana scored to give the Mets what seemed to be an insurmountable lead. That was it for Sambito as Bob Stanley was brought in to mop up the mess. Stanley did manage to get Carter to ground out to end the inning but the Mets were up 6-3 and on the verge of the title.

                                                      Another run, another nail in the coffin

With their backs to the wall, the Sox briefly sprang to life in the top of the eighth against McDowell. Buckner blooped a single to left to open the inning and Rice lined a base hit past Santana. Evans continued to torture Mets pitching by lining a double to center that scored both runners to cut the lead to 1. That meant if McNamara let Sambito pitch to Wilson, maybe the 6th run doesn't score and its now a tied game. Instead, Davey Johnson brought in lefty Jesse Orosco to face the lefties. Once again McNamara was asleep as Gedman didn't try to bunt Evans to third, instead he lined out to second, nearly getting Evans doubled off at second. There would be no magic for Henderson this time as he whiffed. Finally McNamara got his head out of his ass by pinch hitting the righty Don Baylor for Spike Owen to face Orosco. Unfortunatey Baylor grounded out to short to end the inning but the Sox had gotten within a run 6-5.

                                              One last moment of glory for the Sox

Inexplicably McNamara pulled off a double switch, putting Ed Romero at short but bringing in Al Nipper of all people to relieve Stanley. Oil Can Boyd was nowhere to be found and once AGAIN the move backfired as Strawberry smashed a solo home run off Nipper to kill any momentum the Sox generated. Knight singled and moved to second on the groundout by Dykstra. Santana was intentionally walked and Davey Johnson was going to live or die with Orosco, so he left him in to bat. As if anything else could go wrong this season, Orosco who had just 3 at-bats all season faked a bunt and singled up the middle with the entire infield breaking to field a bunt. Santana scored to ice the game. McNamara then pulled Nipper for Steve Crawford which begs the question why he didn't have Crawford start the inning? Wilson was plunked to load the bases but Crawford recovered to get Knight at home on a force by Backman. Hernandez grounded out to end the inning but it was all over, 8-5 Mets.

                               Nipper can't bear to watch anymore, neither can Roger Clemens

The season came to an end in the top of the ninth inning. Romero hit one up the elevator shaft, caught by Hernandez for the first out. Boggs grounded out to second and Orosco punched out Barrett to put the Sox out of their misery. The Mets had won the game and the World Series by a score of 8-5.

                                                                    Ugh


Jackass of the Night should be John McNamara just like in Game 6 for all his idiotic decisions but unfortunately it has to be a player so its Calvin Schiraldi. He was charged with the loss, allowing 3 runs that ended up being the difference in the game in just 1/3 of an inning pitched.

                                           Game 7 Jackass....same as Game 6


The Good:

Bill Buckner was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Jim Rice was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Dwight Evans did all he could, going 2 for 4 with a home run and 3 total rbi's.

Dave Henderson walked, was hit with a pitch and scored a run in 4 plate appearances.

Bob Stanley retired the only man he faced.

Steve Crawford got the final two outs of the eighth inning.



The Bad:

Spike Owen was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Tony Armas struck out as a pinch hitter.

Don Baylor was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Ed Romero was 0 for 1 in his plate appearance.

Al Nipper allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk in just 1/3 of an inning.



The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was just 1 for 4 with a walk but drove in a run.

Marty Barrett was just 1 for 5.

Rich Gedman was just 1 for 4 but made the hit count as it was a solo home run.

Bruce Hurst fell apart in the 6th inning and was charged with 3 runs in his no-decision. Had he not fell apart, the Sox may have won the game.

Joe Sambito walked two and allowed an inherited runner to score in 1/3 of an inning.




Final Thoughts:

Is this team cursed? It sure feels like it after one of the greatest seasons in history with so many high points crashed harder than a 747 jet. If Game 6 wasn't bad enough, this was just as bad. The Sox had a 3-0 lead in the 6th inning and it blew away. Then John McNamara brought in the wrong pitcher 3 times and it cost the Sox the game. He brought in Schiraldi who sucked, Sambito who walked 2 guys (albeit one intentionally) and Nipper who sucked. For all the heat Bill Buckner took about Game 6, most of which wasn't his fault to begin with, he deserves no blame for Game 7. McNamara made one bumbling decision after another and Schiraldi couldn't get it done twice. Its a shame such a promising season came to an end like this. In 1967 and 1975 you could say the better team won and no hard feelings, but the Sox had the Mets dead to rights twice and couldn't put them away. As it is, this is one of the all-time chokes that may never be equaled. How can the Sox come back from this? You come within a strike of winning it all in Game 6 and 12 outs in Game 7 and lose both games. I dread to think what 1987 will be like with the world series hangover they're going to have. Give the Mets the credit they deserve for coming back down 2-0 going to Fenway, coming back in Game 6 and then again in Game 7. They earned their World Series title, too bad the Sox couldn't put them away.

Mets Pound Sox, Even Series (10/22/86)

It seemed too good to be true and it turned out to be a nightmare. The Boston Red Sox came home to Fenway Park up 2-0 and are now tied going into Game 5. After Bob Ojeda shut down the Sox attack last night, tonight it was Ron Darling who threw 7 shut-out innings. Gary Carter hit two home runs and the Mets evened the series with a 6-2 win at Fenway Park.

                                                               Series tied

Nipper took the mound in the top of the first and Len Dykstra grounded out to short to begin the game. A graphic showed an unflattering fact that Nipper was the only starter in the post-season with a losing record in the regular season. The injury to Tom Seaver is the only reason he's pitching...plus he's on SEVENTEEN DAYS rest. Wally Backman hit a little roller to Bill Buckner who hobbled to first for the out. Keith Hernandez drew a walk as Buckner slipped and fell trying to catch a pop-up by Gary Carter. Nipper recovered to freeze an irate Carter looking to end the inning. Worcester native Ron Darling came back on 3 days rest to get the Game 4 start. Wade Boggs hit a comebacker to Darling to begin the bottom of the first inning. Marty Barrett doubled into the gap in left then moved to third on the ground-out by Buckner. Jim Rice drew a walk to put runners at the corners and Don Baylor walked to load the bases. Dwight Evans had a chance to break it open early but he grounded into a force to end the inning. Huge chance wasted there.

Darryl Strawberry began the top of the second inning but grounding out to second but Ray Knight singled. Danny Heep then grounded into a double play to end the inning. Rich Gedman greeted Darling in the bottom of the second with a double down the right field line. Some idiot released a bunch of balloons with a GO SOX billboard on it from the right field facade which made its way down to the field. This distracted Dave Henderson long enough to strike out. Gedman moved to third on the ground out by Spike Owen but was stranded when Boggs popped up to end the inning. That's 4 men left on base by the Sox, not good.

Mookie Wilson opened the top of the third inning by grounding out to Buckner, flipping to Nipper for the out. Rafael Santana hit a check swing chopper back to Nipper for the second out. Dykstra grounded out to first to end the inning. Darling cruised in the bottom of the third as Barrett hit a broken bat looper right to short to start. Buckner popped up to first and Rice struck out to end the inning.

The Mets struck first in the top of the fourth as Backman singled up the middle to start. Hernandez swung at a pitch out and grounded to short, but it moved Backman to second. Carter then put the Mets on a board with a 2 run bomb into the screen in left. Strawberry then hit a double off the Monster and Knight singled to center to score Darryl. Heep popped up to right and Wilson popped up to center but it was now 3-0 Mets

                                                Carter's bomb makes it 2-0

Pitching with the lead, the Sox mustered nothing in the bottom of the fourth inning against Darling. Darling struck out Baylor to start before Evans popped up to left, sending Mookie Wilson sprawling to the ground. Gedman popped up to third to end the inning.

Nipper returned for the top of the fifth and struck out Santana in short order. Dykstra hit a comebacker back to Nipper but Backman hit a seeing eye single in the hole at short. Backman swiped second but Hernandez grounded out to the crippled Buckner to end the inning.

                                             "I got these bums" - Nipper

The Sox tried to rally in the bottom of the fifth as Henderson watched strike three go by to begin. Owen walked as Vin Scully said that was sacrilegious to walk him hitting lefty. Boggs flied out to the left field wall but Barrett singled Owen to third. Buckner popped up to second to end the inning. More men left on base the Sox could ill afford.

Nipper returned for the top of the sixth inning and Buckner couldn't catch an inside out double by Carter down the right field line. Strawberry was robbed of a home run by Evans at the wall but Carter moved to third. Knight lined out sharply to Rice and Carter broke for home. Carter slid.....YER OUTTA THERE! The great throw by Rice and tag by Gedman gunned down Carter to end the inning with the game still 3-0.

                                            "Yeah you're out Carter" - Gedman

The crowd sprang to life as the Sox came to bat in the bottom of the sixth inning. Rice flied out to center to start as Baylor flied out to the left field wall. Evans worked a walk and Gedman singled off the Monster....but was thrown out at second trying to stretch to end the inning. That was a huge out considering the Sox had Darling on the ropes.

                                                "Yeah you're out Gedman" - Backman

That was it for Nipper as Steve Crawford took over for the top of the seventh and got Heep to pop up by the Mets dugout to start. Wilson singled up the middle but Santana watched strike three go by. Wilson swiped second and Dwight Evans dropped a fly ball by Dykstra over the right field wall for a 2 run home run to ice the game. Backman grounded out to second to end the inning but it was all but over, 5-0 Mets.

                                The entire city of Boston feels the same as Dwight, 5-0 Mets

Darling returned for the bottom of the seventh and got Henderson to break his bat flying out to left field. Owens drew another walk to piss Darling off. Boggs flied out to right and kicked the dugout steps in disgust. Barrett worked a walk but Buckner popped up to short to end the inning.

Crawford returned for the top of the eighth and Hernandez lined right to Evans to start. The pain in the ass Carter launched an even longer home run completely out of Fenway to increase the lead. Strawberry singled past the diving Barrett but was thrown out at second trying to steal, but the Mets led 6-0.

                                                 Carter is all smiles as its 6-0

The Sox FINALLY got on the board against Roger McDowell in the bottom of the eighth inning as Rice led off with a double down the right field line. Baylor lined out to Santana and Evans made up for dropping the home run by driving in Rice with a seeing eye single up the middle. Gedman hit another seeing eye single that moved Evans to third. Henderson flied out to right but Evans ran home to cut the lead further. How big was the 3 runs allowed by Crawford now? Mike Greenwell pinch hit for Spike Owen and walked. Ed Romero pinch ran for Greenwell as Fenway came alive. That was it for McDowell as Mets manager Davey Johnson brought in Jesse Orosco to pitch to Boggs. Again, how big were the Crawford runs? Boggs grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox trailing 6-2.

                                                     Evans gets some redemption but its 6-2

Bob Stanley took the mound in the top of the ninth and got Heep to pop up to begin. Wilson singled past Stanley to center and broke for center. Gedman threw the ball away due to Santana throwing the bat in his face, moving Wilson to third. Santana hit a comebacker to Stanley who caught Wilson in a run-down, although Santana made it to second base. Dykstra grounded out to second to end the inning.

                                         Stanley says "Not on my watch Mookie"

The Sox had one last shot in the bottom of the ninth but Barrett grounded out to short to start. Buckner grounded out to first and Rice struck out to end the game. The Mets had evened the series with a 6-2 victory.

Jackass of the Night is Steve Crawford. Yes Nipper gave up the first 3 runs but Crawford gave the Sox no chance for a comeback by giving up 3 runs of his own.

                                      Crawford is Jackass tonight



The Good:

Marty Barrett was 2 for 4 with a walk.

Rich Gedman was 3 for 4.

Spike Owen walked twice in 3 plate appearances.

Mike Greenwell pinch hit for Owen and walked.

Bob Stanley pitched a scoreless ninth inning.




The Bad:

Wade Boggs was 0 for 5.

Bill Buckner was 0 for 5.




The Ugly:

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored.

Don Baylor was 0 for 3 but walked.

Dwight Evans was 1 for 3 with a walk, a run scored and an rbi single but he dropped a catchable over the wall for a crucial 2 run home run.

Dave Henderson was 0 for 3 but drove in a run.

Al Nipper took the loss but pitched 6 solid innings and made one mistake to Gary Carter.




Honorable Mention:

Ed Romero played shortstop in the top of the ninth inning.




Final Thoughts:

So much for clinching the World Series at Fenway. Now they have to win Game 5 just to have a chance to win it in New York. Going 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position will get this team nowhere especially when you have your worst starting pitcher going. Evans dropping the home run over the wall was the microcosm of the game slipping away. Well, now the Sox HAVE to win Game 5 but they're going to throw Bruce Hurst up against Dwight Gooden in Game 5. Hurst dominated the Mets in Game 1 and he'll have to do it again if they have any prayer of winning the series.

White Sox Pound Nipper, Hold On To Defeat Red Sox (4/29/84)

The good news was the Boston Celtics defeated the New York Knicks in Game 1 of their second round NBA playoff series. The bad news was the Boston Red Sox lost to the Chicago White Sox. It was an up and down month for the Red Sox but it ended on a down note as the White Sox avoided a sweep by delivering a beating to Al Nipper (0-1, 4.58 ERA). Nipper was game for 7 innings of work but the White Sox beat him up for 6 runs on the day. Ron Kittle blasted two home runs and drove in 5 rbis by himself, Richard Dotson nearly went the distance for Chicago and the White Sox sent the Red Sox into the month of May with a 6-4 loss at Commiskey Park.

                                  Officer Bimbeau says the Red Sox aren't allowed to win

The BoSox struck first in the top of the first inning as Jerry Remy hit a routine grounder to Julio Cruz at second...OLE! The ball went through for an error and Cruz responded by going OLE! on a grounder by Dwight Evans as well. Mike Easler singled home Remy and put runners at the corners, but Jim Rice banged into a double play. Evans did score to increase the lead and Tony Armas drew a walk. Rich Gedman grounded out to third to end the inning but the Red Sox led 2-0.

                                                                 OLE!

The White Sox instantly got the lead back against Nipper in the bottom of the first. Rudy Law popped up to short but Marc Hill doubled. Greg Walker grounded back to the mound but Greg Luzinsky singled home Hill. Ron Kittle then hit a home run all the way into Lake Eerie to give the White Sox the lead. Harold Baines popped up third to end the inning with the White Sox ahead 3-2.

The Red Sox answered in the top of the second inning as Reid Nichols singled to start and Ed Jurak singled him to third. Glenn Hoffman grounded back to the mound to score Nichols and tie the game. Jurak moved to third on a grounder by Remy before Evans struck out to end the inning with the game tied 3-3.

                                                        Nichols scores a run

Vance Law flied out to right to start the bottom of the second but Cruz caught the BoSox asleep with a bunt single. Nipper picked off Cruz but Dybzinski walked. Rudy Law singled Dybzinski to third but Hill flied out to center to end the inning.

Dotson cruised in the top of the third as Easler struck out to start. Rice flied out to center and Armas struck out to end the inning. The White Sox wrapped up the scoring in a big way in the bottom of the third as Walker and Luzinsky stroked back to back singles to start. Kittle smashed a home run all the way into Lake Michigan to ice the game. Kittle drove in more runs by himself than the BoSox would as a team. Baines grounded out to second, Vance Law flied out to right and Cruz flied out to center to end the inning with Chicago ahead 6-3.

                                                        One man wrecking crew

The BoSox failed to respond in the top of the fourth as Gedman grounded out to short to start. Nichols grounded out to third but Jurak walked. Hoffman struck out to end the inning. Nipper recovered in the bottom of the fourth as Dybzinski grounded out to short to start. Rudy Law flied out to center but Hill walked and Walker singled. Luzinski flied out to right to end the inning.

Remy grounded out to second to begin the top of the fifth but Evans got a base hit. Easler banged into a double play to end the inning. Kittle flied out to left to start the bottom of the fifth before Baines also flied out to left. Vance Law grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Nothing happened in the top of the sixth as Rice popped up to first to start. Armas grounded out to second but Gedman singled. Nichols hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. Nipper got Cruz to pop up to second to begin the bottom of the sixth and Dybzinski flied out to left. Rudy Law smacked a triple but Hill popped up to third to end the inning.

Jurak grounded out to short to start the top of the seventh but Hoffman somehow doubled. Remy flied out to left and Evans struck out to end the inning. Nipper returned for the bottom of the seventh and finished strong. Walker grounded out to second, Luzinski flied out to right and Kittle popped up to first to end the inning. Nipper got hammered in the first few innings but was almost unhittable the final four. He finishes with 7 innings and 6 runs allowed, not good enough.

                                                         7 innings but 6 runs run allowed

The BoSox fought back in the top of the eighth with Mike Squires now at first base. Easler singled and moved to second on the Rice grounder. Armas popped up to second but Gedman singled home Easler and bring the tying run to the plate. Nichols grounded into a force to end the inning but the Sox were down 6-4.

                                                      Gedman drives in a run

John Henry Johnson came in for the bottom of the eighth and cruised. Baines flied out to center, Vance Law popped up to first and Cruz flied out to right to end the inning.

Dotson came back to finish the job in the top of the ninth but Jurak walked to chase him. Rick Miller was sent in to pinch hit but Juan Agosto came on in relief. Sox manager Ralph Houk pulled Miller and sent in Marty Barrett instead. Barrett forced Jurak at second and Remy popped up to Agosto. Al Jones came in for the final out and Evans took strike three to end the game. The Red Sox were denied a sweep as they lost 6-4.

Jackass of the Night is Al Nipper. He allowed 6 early runs and the Sox couldn't bop their way back into it this time.

                                                      Nipper the Jackass



The Good:

Mike Easler was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Rich Gedman was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Ed Jurak was 1 for 2 with 2 walks.

Glenn Hoffman was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

John Henry Johnson pitched a scoreless inning.



The Bad:

Jim Rice was 0 for 4.

Marty Barrett was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was 0 for 5 but scored a run.

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 5 with a hat trick of three strikeouts but scored a run.

Tony Armas was 0 for 3 but walked.

Reid Nichols was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.



Honorable Mention:

Rick Miller "pinch hit" in the top of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

As the first month of the season comes to a close, its very obvious the weakness of the Red Sox is pitching. They've lost more games than they've won because they have to score 8 runs a game with the bad pitching they've had. Bruce Hurst and Dennis Eckersley didn't look sharp early, Bob Ojeda hasn't looked good, Al Nipper hasn't looked good and Mike Brown hasn't looked good. Mark Clear and Bob Stanley's arms are going to fall off unless the starters can pitch more consistently. Nipper allowed 6 runs and the Red Sox just couldn't fight their way back this time. At least Nipper picked himself up to toss 4 scoreless innings after the third inning. The month can pretty much be summed up as good offense, bad pitching. The loss dropped the Sox to 9-13, 10 games behind the Detroit Tigers for first place in the AL East. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox have a chance to get back in the race when they venture to Detroit to take on the red hot Tigers. Bruce Hurst (3-2) takes on Milt Wilcox at 8:05 PM Eastern time at Tiger Stadium.

Angels Beat Sox Late (4/24/84)

The good news was the Boston Celtics eliminated the Washington Bullets with a Game 4 win in their first round NBA playoff series, the bad news is the Boston Red Sox dropped another game to the California Angels. Remember yesterday when the consensus was if the Red Sox bats come alive they have a chance to win? That's if the pitching is at least somewhat decent. Tonight it was anything but decent. The Sox offense pounded out 13 hits and 7 runs but the Angels smacked around Boston for 16 hits and 8 runs. Oil Can Boyd lasted just 3 innings and allowed three straight home runs before John Henry Johnson took a beating as well. Brian Downing drove in a run against Bob Stanley (1-1, 2.65 ERA) in the top of the ninth and the Angels drove the Sox to another loss with an 8-7 victory at Fenway Park.

                                                      "Damn Stanley."

The Angels wasted no time getting to Boyd in the top of the first as Gary Pettis and Rod Carew stroked back to back singles to start. Fred Lynn walked to load the bases and Doug DeCinces scored Pettis with a sac fly. Reggie Jackson struck out and Brian Downing flied out to right to end the inning with the Angels ahead 1-0.

The Sox struck back in the bottom of the first against Angels starter Steve Brown. Jerry Remy led off with a single then moved to second on a wild pitch. Dwight Evans popped up to second and Wade Boggs flied out to left, but Jim Rice doubled home Remy to tie the game. Mike Easler singled home Rice to give the Sox the lead but Tony Armas struck out to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-1.

                                                           Rice ties it up

Boyd cruised in the top of the second as Bobby Grich struck out to start. Bob Boone singled but Dick Schofield Jr banged into a double play to end the inning. Rich Gedman grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the second before Reid Nichols popped up to second. Jackie Gutierrez doubled but Remy grounded out to short to end the inning.

Pettis grounded out to short to start the top of the third but Carew singled and Lynn doubled him to third. Carew then tried to steal home but was caught in a run-down. DeCinces popped up to second to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the third as Evans and Boggs walked to start. Rice then tripled home both runners to increase the lead. Easler grounded out to second and Armas grounded out to short, but Gedman doubled home Rice. Nichols popped up to second to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 5-1.

                                                      Gedman adds to the lead

The Angels then went back to back to back off Boyd in the top of the fourth. Jackson, Downing and Grich all homered in short order as the boo birds rained down. Boone singled and Sox manager Ralph Houk pulled Boyd before it could get any worse. Boyd was clearly rattled and lasted just 3 innings and allowed 4 runs. John Henry Johnson came in and got Schofield to force Boone at second. Pettis singled but Carew struck out. Lynn flied out to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-4.

                                                        Back to back to back jacks isn't good

Steve Brown didn't last long in the bottom of the fourth as Gutierrez flied out to right to start. Remy walked to chase Brown. Jim Slaton came in and the Sox rallied. Evans flied out to center but Boggs singled Remy to third. Rice singled home Jerry to increase the lead. Easler struck out to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 6-4.

                                                        Remy scores another run

The slugfest continued in the top of the fifth as DeCinces bashed a home run all the way into Walden Pond to cut the lead. Jackson grounded out to short, Downing grounded out to second and Grich flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-5.

                                                    Can anyone keep the ball in the yard?

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Armas popped up to third to start. Gedman popped up to short and Nichols flied out to center to end the inning.

The Angels took command in the top of the sixth as Boone singled to start. Schofield Jr hit a double play ball to Remy BUT HE BOOTED IT! Pettis walked to load the bases and Carew walked in a run to tie the game. That was it for Johnson as Al Nipper was brought in only for Lynn to score Schofield Jr with the go-ahead run. DeCinces forced Pettis at home and Jackson struck out to end the inning with the Angels ahead 7-6.

                                                 The old man would be proud of his son

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the sixth as Gutierrez singled to start. Remy forced Jackie at second and Evans banged into a double play to end the inning.

Nipper got Downing to fly out to left to start the top of the seventh before Grich grounded back to the mound. Boone doubled and Schofield Jr popped up to short to end the inning. Boggs flied out to center to start the bottom of the seventh before Rice grounded out to short. Easler grounded out to first to end the inning.

Nipper got Pettis to ground back to the mound to begin the top of the eighth but Carew singled. Lynn banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox showed some balls in the bottom of the eighth as Armas singled to start. Gedman doubled to chase Slaton. Luis Sanchez came in and Nichols was plunked to load the bases with nobody out. Rick Miller pinch hit for Gutierrez and Marty Barrett pinch ran for Gedman. Miller scored Armas with a sac fly and Remy singled to reload the bases. All Evans needed was a sac fly but instead he struck out. Boggs grounded out to first to end the inning which was a huge waste, although the Sox tied the game 7-7.

                                                          Miller ties the game

Bob Stanley came in for the top of the ninth with Jeff Newman behind the plate and Glenn Hoffman taking over at short. DeCinces grounded out to third but Jackson doubled. Downing singled home Jackson to give the Angels the lead. Grich flied out to right and Boone grounded out to short to end the inning with the Angels ahead 8-7.

                                                                Dammit Bob!

The Sox tried to rally in the bottom of the ninth although Rice popped up to second to start. Easler singled and moved to second on the Armas grounder. A passed ball moved Easler to third and Newman walked to put runners at the corners. Nichols flied out to right to end the game. The Angels won the hard fought battle 8-7.

Jackass of the Night is Bob Stanley. He allowed the go-ahead run to score in the top of the ninth.

                                                       Stanley The Jackass



The Good:

Jerry Remy was 2 for 4 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Jim Rice was 3 for 4 with 4 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Mike Easler was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

Rich Gedman was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Jeff Newman walked in his only plate appearance.

Jackie Gutierrez was 2 for 3.

Rick Miller drove in a run in his only at bat.

Al Nipper tossed 2 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Oil Can Boyd allowed 4 runs in just 3 innings included 3 straight home runs.



The Ugly:

Dwight Evans was 0 for 4 but walked and scored.

Wade Boggs was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored a run.

Tony Armas was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

Reid Nichols was 0 for 4 but was hit with a pitch.

John Henry Johnson was charged with 2 runs in 3 innings of work.





Honorable Mention:

Marty Barrett pinch ran in the bottom of the eighth.

Glenn Hoffman played short in the top of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

The Sox offense can't save the day every time and tonight was one of those nights. Boyd didn't have it and Henry Johnson couldn't hold the lead. The Angels couldn't miss with 16 hits and even then, if the Sox could push across a second run in the bottom of the eighth, maybe Stanley closes it out. The Sox need to make a trade big time because they can't compete with pitching that's THIS bad. They have young arms in Boyd, Nipper, Bruce Hurst and Bob Ojeda. Somebody either has to step up or be traded for a proven starter. Going life or death with the California Angels isn't a good thing because the Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers are much better. Tomorrow night the Sox start a set with the Seattle Mariners. Jim Beattie goes for Seattle up against Bruce Hurst (2-2) at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Eckersley Hammered, Streak Reaches 5 (4/17/84)

The good news was the Boston Celtics defeated the Washington Bullets in Game 1 of their first round NBA playoff series. The bad news was...yikes! The Boston Red Sox can't do anything right these days. Even after getting 3 days off they still can't pitch or hit which is why they have lost 5 straight games. This time it was the Texas Rangers who beat the daylights out of Dennis Eckersley (0-2, 6.75 ERA). Old buddy Frank Tanana held off the Sox and the Rangers had won it 8-4 at Fenway Park.

                                          "Those Red Sox sure do stink" - Lamar

Once again the Sox threw up on themselves to open the top of the first game. Mickey Rivers hit a routine ground ball to Jerry Remy at second who inexplicably tried to swat the ball over to first with his glove. It didn't come close and Rivers reached first on the error. Pete O'Brien hit a routine grounder to Mike Easler at firs t, who was laughing so hard at Remy that the ball went right through his legs. Rivers ended up on third and O'Brien was standing on second. Eckersley did manage to get George Wright to pop up to first, but Buddy Bell grounded out to short to score Rivers, causing Eckersley to throw up his hands in disgust at his infield. Larry Parrish struck out to end the inning but the Rangers led 1-0 without a single hit.

                                                        "I suck" - Remy

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the first as Remy flied out to center to start. Dwight Evans walked but Wade Boggs struck out. Jim Rice singled to put the tying run on second....but Easler flied out to left to end the inning.

Eckersley did what he could in the top of the second, striking out both Billy Sample and Ned Yost to start. Wayne Tolleson doubled but Curt Wilkerson flied out to left to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the second when Tony Armas singled to start. Reid Nichols was hit with a pitch but Glenn Hoffman hit a little squibber in front of the plate, getting Armas thrown out at third. Gary Allenson flied out to left but Remy made up for his earlier error with a 2 run double to give the Sox the lead. Evans struck out to end the inning but the Sox led 2-1.

                                                  "I don't suck" - Remy

It took about 30 seconds for Eckersley to cough up the lead in the top of the third inning. Rivers flied out to right but O'Brien crushed a 583,000 foot home run halfway to Vermont to tie the game. Wright grounded out to second and Bell flied out to center to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                         "No no Jerry, I suck" - Eckersley

The Sox blew a chance in the top of the third inning to take the lead. Boggs singled but was erased on the Rice force. Rice swiped second but Easler whiffed. Armas flied out to right to end the inning.

The Rangers took command in the top of the fourth inning although Parrish flied out to center to start. Sample singled and Yost singled him to third. Tolleson hit a sac fly to score Sample to give Texas the lead. Wilkerson grounded back to the mound to end the inning but it was now 3-2 Texas.

The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the fourth inning as Nichols struck out to start. Hoffman popped up to second and Allenson popped up to first to end the inning.

The Rangers struck again in the top of the fifth inning although Rivers grounded out to second to start. O'Brien singled and Wright doubled him to third. Bell was intentionally walked to load the bases and set up the double play but it backfired as Parrish singled to score two runners, advancing Bell to third. Sample hit a sac fly to score Bell and Yost grounded back to the mound to end the inning but it was now 6-2 Rangers and getting worse.

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the fifth inning as Remy grounded out back to the mound, Evans grounded out to short and Boggs grounded out to second in short order.

Tolleson singled to lead off the top of the sixth and was sacrificed to second by Wilkerson. Rivers flied out to right but Tolleson moved to third. O'Brien popped up to third to end the inning. Rice walked to lead off the bottom of the sixth but Easler flied out to right and Armas popped up to third. Nichols singled but Hoffman flied out to left to end the inning.

The Rangers delivered the knockout blow in the top of the seventh inning. Wright doubled and Bell singled him home to finally chase Eckersley. Rookie Al Nipper took the mound and walked Parrish but Sample grounded into a double play. Yost doubled home Bell to close the book on Eck, he had surrendered EIGHT runs in 6 innings. Tolleson flied out to right to end the inning but it was now 8-2 Rangers.

                                                         Eck not looking good anymore

The Sox went quietly against Tanana in the bottom of the seventh as Allenson grounded back to the mound, Remy struck out and Evans grounded out to short to end the inning.

Nipper returned for the top of the eighth and Wilkerson flied out to center to start. Rivers flied out to left but O'Brien singled. Wright flied out to left to end the inning. The Sox somehow rallied in the bottom of the eighth against Tom Henke. Boggs walked but Rice popped up to second. A wild pitch moved Boggs to second and a balk moved him to third. Easler walked as Rangers manager Bobby Cox brought in Odell Jones to pitch to Armas. Tony popped up to second but Nichols singled in Boggs. Rick Miller pinch hit for Hoffman and flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox down 8-3.

                                                 Nichols drives in a run

Nipper came back for the top of the ninth with Jackie Gutierrez now at short. Bell popped up to short, Parrish struck out and Sample grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox refused to go quietly in the bottom of the ninth as Rich Gedman pinch hit for Allenson but flied out to center. Remy struck out but Evans walked. Boggs hit a routine grounder to Bell but he booted it for an error, allowing the inning to continue. Rice singled home Evans but Easler struck out to end the game. The Rangers had won it 8-4.

Jackass of the Night is Dennis Eckersley. He allowed EIGHT runs in just 6 innings to take the loss.

                                                      Eck the Jackass


The Good:

Jim Rice was 2 for 4 with a walk, stolen base and an rbi.

Reid Nichols was 2 for 3 with a run scored and an rbi.

Al Nipper tossed 3 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Rick Miller was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Gary Allenson was 0 for 3.

Rich Gedman was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was just 1 for 5 with an error but knocked in two runs.

Dwight Evans was 0 for 3 but walked twice and scored a run.

Wade Boggs was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored a run.

Mike Easler was 0 for 4 with an error but walked.

Tony Armas was just 1 for 4.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 3 but scored a run.



Honorable Mention:

Jackie Gutierrez played short in the top of the ninth




Final Thoughts:

Is this team ever going to win again? It sure doesn't seem like it as they have no ace and can't seem to field at all. Bruce Hurst can't pitch every game so someone else has to step up on the mound. The offense will hit their stride but it won't mean anything if Dennis Eckersley, Mike Brown, Bob Ojeda, etc get pounded more often than not. The Sox also look like fools for letting Frank Tanana slip away but oh well. Speaking of Ojeda, he goes tomorrow night against the Rangers opposite Danny Darwin at Fenway Park.