Sox Crush, Blank Angels (5/15/21)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Garrett Whitlock was placed on the Covid List and Colten Brewer was called up from Worcester to tale his place.

                                                                     OUT

                                                                    IN

On a night where the Boston Bruins lost their Game 1 of their first round NHL Playoff series to the Washington Capitals, the Boston Red Sox beat the daylights out of the Los Angeles Angels. The Boston bats pounded out 12 total hits and 9 runs in a balanced attack, knocking out Angels starter Dylan "King Kong" Bundy. Alex Verdugo hit a home run on his 25th birthday, Franchy Cordero drove in a pair of runs and Rafael Devers smacked his tenth home run of the season. Martin Perez (1-2, 3.40 ERA) tossed 6 shutout innings and the Boston JV bullpen didn't allow a run to preserve the shutout. It was an easy, all-around fun win as the Sox blanked the Angels 9-0 at Fenway Park.

                                                      Assistant DA Casey Novak approves of the win

Perez got the ball to start the top of the first inning and Taylor Ward walked to start. Shohei Ohtani hit a cue shot down the left field line but Ward stopped at second with Ohtani running with his head down. Ohtani tried to run back to first but was tagged out in a rundown. Mike Trout walked but Anthony Rendon popped up to Hunter Renfroe. Jose Iglesias grounded into a force to end the inning. 

                                                            Yerrr out!

Bundy got the ball in the bottom of the first and Marwin Gonzalez flied out to right to start. The birthday boy Alex Verdugo broke his 0 for 14 slump with a home run over the Red Sox bullpen to give the Sox the lead. JD Martinez hit a little roller up the middle for a base hit and Xander Bogaerts walked, but Rafael Devers popped up to center. Christian Vazquez grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                      Happy birthday Verdugo

Phil Gosselin took strike three to start the top of the second and Justin Upton also watched strike three go by. Kurt Suzuki walked but David Fletcher grounded into a force to end the inning. Hunter Renfroe and Bobby Dalbec grounded out to Rendon to start the bottom of the second. Franchy Cordero grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Ward took strike three to start the top of the third before Perez struck out Ohtani swinging on a fastball up and in. Trout walked on borderline pitch but Rendon popped up to second to end the inning. Gonzalez took strike three to start the bottom of the third before Verdugo popped up to Iglesias and Martinez swung at strike three in the dirt to end the inning.

Iglesias grounded out to third to begin the top of the fourth but Gosselin blooped a single to center. Upton banged into a double play to end the inning. Bogaerts doubled to left to start the bottom of the fourth before Devers walked. Naturally Vazquez popped up to first and Renfroe took strike three right down the middle. Dalbec hit a fly ball to the left field wall and Upton just missed catching it for a double to score both runners. Somehow Cordero doubled down the first base line to score Dalbec with another run. Gonzalez popped up to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-0.

                                                   Cordero drives in a run

Perez got Suzuki to ground out to third to start the top of the fifth and Fletcher grounded out to second. Ward singled to center but Ohtani took strike three to end the inning. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the fifth as Verdugo singled to right to begin. Martinez blooped a base hit to center and Bogaerts hit a home run onto Lansdowne Street to ice the game. That was it for Bundy as old friend Noe Ramirez came in and Devers greeted him with a base hit to right. Vazquez lined out to center and Renfroe banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-0.

                                                     Bogaerts hits one a mile

Perez returned for one last inning in the top of the sixth. Trout lined out to center, Rendon grounded out to third and Iglesias popped up to second to end the inning. Perez was outstanding, tossing 6 shutout innings while allowing 3 hits and 4 walks.

                                                                Perez shuts them down

The Sox got another run in the bottom of the sixth as Dalbec doubled to left to start. Cordero doubled into right to score Dalbec and increase the lead. Gonzalez flied out to right to move Cordero to third but Verdugo grounded out to first. Martinez flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-0.

                                                        Another rbi for Cordero

Phillips Valdez came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Gosselin flied out to left to start. Upton struck out swinging but Suzuki walked. Fletcher grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The Sox got another run in the bottom of the seventh as Jonathan Arauz pinch hit for Bogaerts. Arauz lined out to left but Devers hit his 10th bomb of the season to right to wrap up the scoring. Vazquez flied out to right and Renfroe flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 9-0.

                                                           Devers hits one out

Darwinzon Hernandez came in to pitch the top of the eighth with Kevin Plawecki now behind the plate. Ward walked but Ohtani struck out swinging. Trout popped up to first and a wild pitch moved Ward to second. Rendon walked but Iglesias grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Alex Claudio came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Dalbec flied out to right to start. Cordero struck out swinging and Gonzalez grounded out to first to end the inning.

Austin Brice came in to close out the top of the ninth but Gosselin lined a base hit to center to start. Upton popped up to Dalbec, Suzuki took strike three and Fletcher grounded out to first to end the game. The Sox had won it 9-0.

                                                             Sox win

Hero of the Night is Alex Verdugo. The birthday boy got the rally started with a first inning home run.

                                                 Bogaerts salutes our Hero

The Good:

JD Martinez was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 2 with a 3 run bomb, a walk and 2 total runs scored.

Rafael Devers was 2 for 3 with a walk, solo home run and 2 runs scored.

Bobby Dalbec was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Franchy Cordero was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis.

Martin Perez tossed 6 shutout innings while allowing 3 hits and 4 walks.

Phillips Valdez pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

Darwinzon Hernandez pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Austin Brice pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Marwin Gonzalez was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Jonathan Arauz was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 4.

Hunter Renfroe was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

None

Honorable Mention:

Kevin Plawecki caught the final two innings.

Final Thoughts:

The word is with a glut of players about to come off the Injured List, its created the good kind of competition where guys are playing for their jobs. Last night it was Hunter Renfroe and Bobby Dalbec, today it was Dalbec and Franchy Cordero. Austin Price, Darwinzon Hernandez and Phillips Valdez are also on the chopping block if the Sox decide to go with extra bodies on the bench instead of the bullpen, and all three of them pitched shutout innings. Martin Perez got his first win of the season and Cora learned his lesson not to pull him an inning early this time. The Sox are halfway through May and even though they have some problems, they're staying afloat for now.  The win improved the Sox to 25-16, 2 games ahead of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to sweep the Angels tomorrow when Nathan Eovaldi (4-2, 4.20 ERA) takes on Jose Quintana of the Angels. The game begins at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.

A's Shut Down Sox Offense (5/12/21)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Nick Pivetta was placed on the Covid-19 list after getting a vaccine and the Sox called up Eduard Bazardo to take his spot until the side effects go away. This shouldn't be a problem moving forward.

                                                                OUT

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As for the game, what more could be said about the Red Sox offense other than it needs an overhaul. The Sox were once again held to just 5 hits and a run, combining for a total of 13 hits and 5 runs over the last 3 games. The A's offense hasn't been much better but it did just enough against Eduardo Rodriguez (5-1, 4.15 ERA). James Kaprielian dominated the Sox, holding them to 1 run in 5 innings in his first professional start. The A's broke a 1-1 tie with 2 runs in the 5th and one in the 6th to give them the lead for good. The Sox offense is in a slump and the A's easily beat them 4-1 at Fenway Park.

                                                                Sox woes at Fenway continue

Rodriguez got the ball in the top of the first inning and Mark Canha lined out to second to start. "Glassbones" Jed Lowrie flied out to right and "Razor" Ramon Laueano grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox incompetence with men on base continued in the bottom of the first against Kaprielian continued as Marwin Gonzalez doubled to right to begin. Alex Verdugo walked and JD Martinez singled to center to load the bases with nobody out but Xander Bogaerts struck out swinging. Rafael Devers popped up to first but Christian Vazquez walked home Verdugo to give the Sox the lead. Hunter Renfroe struck out swinging and the Sox only managed a 1-0 lead.

                                                      Vazquez walks for an rbi

Naturally the A's effortlessly tied the game in the top of the second although Matt Olson flied out to center to start. Mark Chapman doubled past Franchy Cordero but Renfroe gunned him down at third. Stephen Piscotty singled to right and Sean Murphy doubled to the centerfield wall to tie the game. Mitch Moreland struck out swinging to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                         Murphy ties it

Cordero flied out to left to start the bottom of the second and Michael Chavis struck out swinging. Gonzalez hit a double to right but Verdugo flied out to left to end the inning.

Elvis Andrus got a base hit to center to start the top of the third but Canha flied out to center. Lowrie and Laureano both took strike three to end the inning. Laureano then proceeded to throw his bat at home umpire Ryan Wills and threatened to take off his pants before he was escorted out of Fenway by armed security.

                                             "THAT CALL WAS GARBAGE!!!" - Ramon

Seth Brown took Ramon's spot in the lineup but went to left with Canha going to center for the bottom of the third. Martinez flied out to right, Bogaerts grounded out to short and Devers flied out to left to end the inning.

Olson struck out swinging to start the top of the fourth and Chapman went down hacking as well. Piscotty walked but Murphy took strike three to end the inning. The Sox blew another rally in the bottom of the fourth as Vazquez grounded out to short to start. Renfroe doubled to right but Cordero struck out swinging. Chavis flied out to center to end the inning.

The A's took the lead in the top of the fifth as Moreland singled to left to start. Andrus doubled to center but somehow Canha struck out swinging. Lowrie scored Moreland with a grounder to short but Rodriguez balked home Andrus. Brown lined out to first to end the inning with the A's ahead 3-1.

                                                    A's take the leader

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the fifth although Gonzalez walked to start. Kaprielian threw away a double play ball to put runners at the corners but Gonzalez was thrown out at home on a grounder to the mound by Martinez. Bogaerts and Devers both whiffed badly to end the inning.

The A's iced the game in the top of the sixth inning when Olson hit a home run all the way to Pluto to start. Chapman took strike three, Piscotty flied our to right and Murphy struck out swinging to end the inning. Rodriguez was human tonight as he allowed 4 runs in just 6 innings, trailing 4-1.

                                                         Not tonight E-Rod

Burch Smith came in for the bottom of the sixth and Vazquez flied out to right to start. Renfroe popped up to first and Cordero grounded out to third to end the inning.

Eduard Bazardo came in for the top of the seventh and Moreland flied out to right to start. Andrus struck out swinging but Canha doubled to left. Lowrie struck out swinging to end the inning. Smith cruised in the bottom of the seventh as Chavis was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to start. Gonzalez whiffed and Verdugo flied out to center to end the inning.

Brown popped up to first to start the top of the eighth and Olson flied out to right. Chapman popped up to first to end the inning. Lou Trivino came on for the bottom of the eighth and Martinez struck out swinging to start. Bogaerts walked and Devers doubled to right, but Vazquez not only grounded out to first but Xander was thrown out at home to end the inning.

Austin Brice came in for top of the ninth and Piscotty struck out swinging to start. Murphy grounded out to second and Moreland flied out to left to end the inning. Jake Diekman came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Renfroe flied out to right to start.  Jonathan Arauz made his season debut by pinch hitting for Cordero....and struck out swinging. Chavis whiffed to end the game. The Sox had lost their 3rd straight game, 4-1.

                                                            A's win

Jackass of the Night is Xander Bogaerts. He left 5 men on base by himself and got thrown out at home to kill a potential rally.

                                                     You're out you Jackass!

The Good:

Marwin Gonzalez was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Eduard Bazardo tossed 2 scoreless innings.

Austin Brice tossed a scoreless inning.

The Bad:

Franchy Cordero was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Jonathan Arauz struck out as a pinch hitter.

Michael Chavis was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Eduardo Rodriguez took the loss by allowing 4 runs in 6 innings while striking out 9.

The Ugly:

Alex Verdugo was 0 for 3 but walked.

JD Martinez was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 3 but walked and drove in a run.

Hunter Renfroe was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Final Thoughts:

Another unmitigated disaster on offense and its definitely time to shake up the roster. Its become apparent that Franchy Cordero isn't going to work out and if the Sox were at full health, Renfroe may take a seat as well. If Bogaerts, Devers and Martinez aren't getting hits, essentially the team is doing nothing at all. This is normal for offenses to go into slumps during the season but its terribly bad timing since the New York Yankees finally got hot. Rodriguez didn't pitch that good today but it didn't matter if he allowed only 2 runs, the Sox weren't going to win this game. Bogaerts looked awful today but he himself is going to take that personal. He may have a good bounce back game tomorrow. Bazardo looked good tonight and the Sox may keep him over Austin Brice in the long run if and when Pivetta comes back. The loss dropped the Sox to 23-16, 1 game in front of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Things aren't going to get easier in tomorrow night's game because Sean Manaea, the guy who no-hit the Red Sox 3 years ago, goes for the A's against Garrett Richards (2-2, 4.54 ERA) of the Red Sox. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Bash Orioles (5/8/21)

Everything's coming up Boston Red Sox lately. The Sox walked into Baltimore without having to face their ace John Means and won their second straight game against the Baltimore Orioles. The Sox offense were led by the returning Michael Chavis who belted a 2 run homer in his first game back from Worcester. The Sox bats pounded out 14 hits and 11 runs to make this game a laughter early. Garrett Richards (2-2, 4.54 ERA) went 7 innings and allowed 4 runs to keep the Sox ahead for most of the game. Everyone on offense either got a hit, walked or drove in a run in a balanced effort. Austin Brice failed to close out the ninth but Josh Taylor slammed the door and the Sox had won it 11-6 at Camden Yards.

                                         The late Tawny Kitaen (RIP) approves of the win

Rookie Zac Lowther got the ball in the top of the first inning and Michael Chavis struck out swinging to start. Alex Verdugo singled to center but JD Martinez lined out to center. Xander Bogaerts grounded into a force to end the inning. The O's wasted no time getting to Richards in the bottom of the first as Cedric Mullins singled in the hole at second to start. Mullins swiped second but Austin Hays popped up to first. Trey Mancini moved Mullins to third with a grounder but DJ Stewart singled home Mullins to give the O's the lead. Ryan Mountcastle grounded into a force to end the inning with the O's up 1-0.

                                                           Stewart strikes first

The Sox roared back in the top of the second inning as Rafael Devers grounded out to second to start. Christian Vazquez walked and Marwin Gonzales hit a line drive to right. Stewart airmailed the throw back and Vazquez scored on the error. Hunter Renfroe singled home Gonzalez but Bobby Dalbec flied out to right. Chavis then smashed his first home run of the season to increase the lead. Verdugo singled to center but Martinez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-1.

                                                          Welcome back Chavis

The O's fought back in the bottom of the second as Freddy Galvis hit a home run all the way to the Schloss Adler to cut the lead. Maikel Franco grounded out to short and Chance Sisco grounded out to second, but Rio Ruiz singled to left. Mullins grounded out to short to end the inning with the O's down 4-2.

                                                                  Galvis hits one out

The Sox iced the game early in the top of the third as Bogaerts singled to short to start. Devers walked and Vazquez singled home Bogaerts. Gonzalez struck out swinging and that was it for Lowther. Shawn Armstrong came in and Renfroe hit one up the elevator shaft, but Dalbec singled home both Devers and Vazquez to put the game out of reach. Chavis struck out swinging to end the inning with Boston ahead 7-2.

                                                      Dalbec drives in a pair

Richards cruised in the bottom of the third as Hays flied out to center to start. Mancini grounded out to short and Stewart grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the fourth as Verdugo and Martinez stroked back to back singles to start. Bogaerts blooped a base hit over the head of Mancini to load the bases and Devers beat out a double play ball to score Verdugo. Vazquez got a base hit to left to score Martinez with another run but Gonzalez took strike three. Renfroe whiffed to end the inning with the Sox ahead 9-2.

                                                  "I did it!" - Vazquez

Richards cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Mountcastle took strike three to start. Galvis struck out swinging and Franco grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Old pal Travis Lakins came in to pitch the top of the fifth and Dalbec flied out to right to start. Chavis flied out to right and Verdugo flied out to left to end the inning. Sisco singled to left to start the bottom of the sixth but Ruiz banged into a double play. Mullins struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the sixth with Tyler Wells now on the mound. Martinez walked and moved to second on a wild pitch before Bogaerts clobbered his seventh homer of the season to increase the lead. Devers and Vazquez struck out swinging and Gonzalez grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox ahead 11-2.

                                                      Bogaerts crushes his seventh

The O's wasted no time getting to Richards in the bottom of the sixth when Hays doubled down the third base line to start. Mancini also doubled down the third base line to score Hays with another run. Stewart walked but Mountcastle struck out swinging. Ramon Urias pinch hit for Galvis and singled home Mancini but Franco banged into a double play to end the inning with the O's down 11-4.

                                                 Urias drives in a run

Renfroe singled to right to start the top of the seventh but Dalbec struck out swinging. Chavis lined out to right and Verdugo flied out to left to end the inning. Richards returned for one final inning in the bottom of the seventh and Sisco grounded out to third to start. Ruiz struck out swinging and Mullins lined out to short to end the inning. Richards wasn't spectacular but he went 7 innings, allowed 4 runs and struck out 5.

                                                    Good work Garrett

Tanner Scott came in for the top of the eighth and Martinez took strike three to start. Kevin Plawecki pinch hit for Bogaerts and walked before Franchy Cordero pinch hit for Devers. Cordero walked and a wild pitch moved both runners over, but Vazquez struck out swinging. Gonzalez lined out to first to end the inning. The entire defense shifted to different positions and Austin Brice came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth. Hays took strike three and Mancini grounded out to second, but Stewart was plunked. Mountcastle flied out to right to end the inning.

Pat Valaika the second basemen came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Urias booted a grounder by Renfroe to start. Dalbec forced Renfroe at second and Chavis flied out to right. Verdugo grounded out to second to end the inning. All of a sudden Brice fell apart in the bottom of the ninth as Urias was hit to start. Franco forced Urias at second and Sisco struck out swinging, but Ruiz was plunked too. Mullins walked to load the bases and Hays singled home both Franco and Ruiz to cut the lead. Josh Taylor had to clean up the mess and he struck out Mancini swinging to end the game. The Sox had won it 11-6.

                                                         Game over

Hero of the Night is Michael Chavis. In his first ML game in over a month, his 2 run homer keyed the Sox onslaught.

                                                              Hero Chavis

The Good:

Alex Verdugo was 3 for 6 with a run scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 3 for 4 with a 2 run homer and 2 total runs scored.

Kevin Plawecki walked as a pinch hitter.

Franchy Cordero walked as a pinch hitter.

Christian Vazquez was 2 for 4 with a walk, 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Hunter Renfroe was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Garrett Richards got the win with 7 innings of 4 run ball. He allowed 8 hits and struck out 5.

The Bad:

Austin Brice allowed 2 runs in 1 1/3 innings.

The Ugly:

JD Martinez was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked and scored 2 runs.

Rafael Devers was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked, drove in a run and scored a run.

Marwin Gonzalez was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.

Bobby Dalbec was just 1 for 5 but drove in 2 runs.

Final Thoughts:

Its just the Orioles but the Sox offense came alive in this one. Chavis was a much needed shot in the arm although his only hit of the game was that home run. Bogaerts, Dalbec and Vazquez all had good games. It was nice to finally see a starter go seven innings and Richards wasn't great, but he gave the tired bullpen a much needed rest. Speaking of which, the Sox need to get Austin Brice out of here because he's this year's Pedro Ciriaco. In 2012 Ciriaco was a nice little sparkplug on a team going nowhere but by 2013 the Sox were contenders and didn't need Pedro anymore. Last year Brice and Philips Valdez were the only two who could get anyone out but this year the Sox actually have competent pitching that they need better than what Brice is giving them. The Sox still have Colten Brewer on the 40 Man Roster and at this point, he'd be better than Brice. All in all it was a nice balanced win and hopefully the Sox can keep the momentum going. The win improves the Sox to 21-13, 3 games ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Sox look to win their fourth straight game when the undefeated Nick Pivetta (4-0, 3.23 ERA) takes on Dean Kremer of the Orioles at 1:05 PM at Camden Yards.

Sox Outslug Tigers (5/4/21)

This was NOT the game to show young aspiring baseball players. The Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers played in one of the sorriest affairs in ML history. Both teams pitching combined to allow 18 runs and 24 hits. Both teams committed a combined 4 errors and even some plays that weren't errors, should have been. The good news was the Red Sox came out on the right side of it. "The Undefeated" Nick Pivetta (4-0, 3.23 ERA) continued his win streak by tossing 5 innings of 3 runs ball. The Sox offense came alive to knock out starter Michael Fulmer in the first inning, scoring 9 runs to take a 9-3 lead after 5. As usual the Sox bullpen crapped the bed after that as Austin Brice allowed 4 runs in the top of the sixth to make a game of it. Hunter Renfroe hit his 100th career home run to give some cushion but Darwinzon Hernandez walked the bases loaded in the top of the eighth. Matt Barnes came in to get a double play and slam the door in the top of the ninth to save the game. The Sox gave up 7 runs and committed 3 errors but won the game 11-7 at Fenway Park.

                                                 Buhle Samuels approves of the win

Pivetta got the ball to start the top of the first and Robbie Grossman walked to start. Jeimer Candelario struck out swinging but Grossman swiped second. Miguel Cabrera grounded out to third and Xander Bogaerts made a great play to rob Jonathan Schoop of a home run to end the inning. Fulmer got the ball to start the bottom of the first and the Sox pounded him. Kike Hernandez walked to start but Alex Verdugo hit a double play ball to Fulmer....that he THREW AWAY! Hernandez made it to third and he scored when JD Martinez beat out a double play ball. Xander Bogaerts singled to right and Christian Vazquez scored Martinez with a base hit to center. Marwin Gonzalez singled to center to score Bogaerts to increase the lead. Hunter Renfroe singled home Vazquez for another run and chase Fulmer after just 2/3 of an inning. Alex Lange came in and Bobby Dalbec struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-0.

                                                          Renfroe makes it a 4-0 game

The Tigers struck right back in the top of the second although Niko Goodrum took strike three to start. Wilson Ramos and Willi Castro stroked back to back singles but JaCoby Jones struck out swinging. Victor Reyes singled home Ramos and Grossman singled home Castro to cut the lead, but Candelario grounded out to first to end the inning with the Tigers down 4-2.

                                                      Grossman cuts the lead

The Sox roared back in the bottom of the second although Hernandez grounded out to short to start. Verdugo pounded his fourth home run of the season into the Monster Seats to increase the lead and Martinez singled to center. Bogaerts then crushed his sixth home run into the Monster Seats to increase  the lead before Vazquez singled to right to chase Lange. Daniel Norris got Gonzalez to bang into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-2.

                                                         Sox pour it on

Pivetta cruised in the top of the third as Cabrera took strike three to start. Schoop went down hacking and Goodrum also struck out swinging to end the inning. Arroyo stuck out swinging to start the bottom of the third but Renfroe hit a ground-rule double into the bullpen. Renfroe moved to third on the grounder by Dalbec and Hernandez walked. A wild pitch scored Renfroe and Verdugo walked to chase Norris. Bryan Garcia came in to pitch and Martinez was rung up for strike three to end the inning with the Sox up 8-2.

                                                                    Safe!

Pivetta stayed strong in the top of the fourth as Ramos struck out swinging to start. Castro grounded out to first and Jones whiffed to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fourth as Bogaerts lined out to left to start. Vazquez lined out to second and Gonzalez popped up to third to end the inning.

The Tigers struck back in the top of the fifth as Reyes singled to left and Grossman doubled him home to cut the lead. Candelario walked but Cabrera banged into a double play. Schoop grounded out to third to end the inning. That was it for Pivetta who threw 100 pitches in 5 innings but left with an 8-3 lead.

                                                  Pivetta gets another win

The Sox got the run back in the bottom of the fifth off new pitcher Buck Farmer. Arroyo grounded out to short but Renfroe clobbered career home run number 100 into the Monster Seats to increase the lead. Dalbec flied out to center and Hernandez grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 9-3.

                                              3rd of the season, career 100th for Renfroe

Austin Brice came in to crap his pants in top of the sixth as Goodrum singled to right to start. Ramos flied out to right but Castro was plunked. JaCoby Jones hit a home run all the way to Gloucester Harbor to cut the lead. Reyes doubled to left and that was it for Brice. Matt Andriese came in and Grossman singled home Reyes to cut the lead. Grossman took off for second and Vazquez' throw went 100 feet over the head of Bogaerts for an error that allowed Grossman to take third. Andriese recovered to freeze both Candelario and Cabrera to end the inning but the Tigers were back in it 9-7.

                                                     Jones watches it go

The Sox got some insurance in the bottom of the sixth against Tyler Alexander although Verdugo lined out to center to start. Martinez singled to left but Bogaerts whiffed. Vazquez doubled home Martinez to increase the lead but Gonzalez flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 10-7.

                                                        Vazquez drives in a run

Adam Ottavino came in for the top of the seventh and Schoop was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to start. Goodrum walked and took off for second only for Vazquez throw to bounce off the mound and riccochet into the stands for an error to move Goodrum to third. Ottavino recovered to strike out both Ramos and Castro swinging to end the inning. Arroyo struck out swinging to start the bottom of the seventh and Renfroe flied out to right. Dalbec lined out to third to end the inning.

Darwinzon Hernandez came in for the top of the eighth and got Jones to pop up to second to start. The floodgates opened as Reyes hit a routine grounder to Dalbec who dropped an elbow on the ball and pinned it for an error. Grossman walked, a wild pitch moved both runners over and Candelario walked to load the bases. Sox manager Alex Cora brought in closer Matt Barnes to stop the bleeding and he got Cabrera to bang into a double play to end the inning.

Jose Cisnero came in for the bottom of the eighth and Hernandez iced the game with his fourth home run of the season to increase the lead. Verdugo singled to center but Martinez lined out to center. Verdugo moved to second on a swinging bunt by Bogaerts in front of the plate but Vazquez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 11-7.

                                                   Hernandez hits one out

Barnes came back to close out the top of the ninth as Schoop popped up to first to start. Goodrum struck out swinging and Ramos flied out to right to end the game. The Sox had won it 11-7.

                                                             Sox win

Hero of the Night is Matt Barnes. He escaped a bases loaded jam in the eighth and slammed the door in the ninth.

                                              Barnes the Hero

The Good:

Kike Hernandez was 1 for 3 with 2 walks, 2 runs scored and a home run.

Alex Verdugo was 2 for 4 with a walk and a home run.

JD Martinez was 2 for 5 with an rbi and 3 runs scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 5 with a 2 run homer and 2 runs scored.

Christian Vazquez was 3 for 5 with an 2 rbis and a run scored.

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

Nick Pivetta got the win by tossing 5 innings of 3 run ball while striking out 8.

Adam Ottavino pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

The Bad:

Christian Arroyo was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Bobby Dalbec was 0 for 4 with a strikeout and an error.

Austin Brice was charged with 4 runs in 1/3 of an inning.

Darwinzon Hernandez walked the bases loaded in the top of the eighth.

The Ugly:

Marwin Gonzalez was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Matt Andriese allowed an inherited runner to score in 2/3 of an inning.

Final Thoughts:

That win was UGGGGGGGGGLY! The Sox have no business going life or death with the Detroit Tigers, especially how easily the New York Yankees beat them over the weekend. Giving up 7 runs and committing 3 errors is inexcusable against a team this bad but the Tigers found a way to screw that up. I know its the Tigers but Renfroe finally seemed to actually be able to hit the ball and Hernandez found a way to go yard. The minor league season started today so Franchy Cordero's days are numbered, its a matter of if Renfroe and Dalbec can avoid Worcester by playing well. At least Renfroe answered the call tonight, falling a triple short of the cycle. The bullpen almost blew another one and its becoming clear the Sox are going to need more help in there. Phillips Valdez hasn't pitched in a week and Brice pitched like crap tonight. Darwinzon Hernandez also struggled and its not looking good for the 2020 holdovers. Andriese, Ottavino and Barnes had to bail them out after Pivetta left and that can't continue, especially if guys aren't capable of going more than 5 or 6 innings. Still, the good news is the offense came to play tonight and Pivetta remains undefeated. The win improved the Sox to 18-12, 2.5 games ahead of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox look to make it two in a row when they send Martin Perez (0-2, 4.70 ERA) to the mound against Casey Mize of the Tigers. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Crush Rangers (4/30/21)

It was a month of retribution for the Boston Red Sox and it ended on a high note. The Red Sox were picked by many to finish fourth in the AL East but as of right now they sit alone in first place. They were going into May in first to begin with but tonight's win against the Texas Rangers was a bonus. JD Martinez left last night's game with a bad headache and he took his frustrations out on the Texas pitchers. 3 batters into the first inning he put Boston on top with a 3 run bomb off Texas starter Kohei Arihara. Two innings later JD tagged Arihara again for a solo shot. Rafael Devers and Xander Bogaerts also went yard as the top of the order carried the Sox for 6 hits and 6 runs. Nathan Eovaldi (4-2, 3.63 ERA) earned the win with 6 solid innings of 1 run ball, matching his win total from last year. The B-Team of the bullpen tossed 3 scoreless innings and the Sox ended the month of April with a 6-1 win over the Rangers at Globe Life Field.

                                                       Buffy Summers approves of the win

The Sox wasted no time getting to Arihara in the top of the first inning. Christian Arroyo and Alex Verdugo drew back to back walks and JD Martinez plastered his 8th homer of the season to put the Sox up for good three batters into the game. Xander Bogaerts made it back to back jacks with his fourth homer of the season to increase the lead. Rafael Devers lined out to right and but Christian Vazquez reached on an error but Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Bobby Dalbec popped up to second and Hunter Renfroe struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-0.

                                                       Back to back jacks

Eovaldi got the ball in the bottom of the first and Willie Calhoun lined out to his real life best friend Verdugo to start. Nick Solak lined out to right and Joey Gallo struck out swinging to end the inning.

Franchy Cordero led off the top of the second by flying out to left to start. Arroyo grounded out to short and Verdugo grounded out to first to end the inning. The Rangers struck back in the bottom of the second as Nate Lowe took strike three to start. Adolis Garcia was plunked and moved to second on the David Dahl grounder, then Kiner walked. Old friend Brock "The Hitman" Holt lashed a base hit to right to score Garcia and send Kiner to third. Holt swiped second but Jonah Heim grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-1.

                                                       A familiar sight, a Holt base hit

The Sox struck again in the top of the third as Martinez pounded another home run to increase the lead. Bogaerts flied out to center but Devers crushed his 7th home run of the season to ice the game. Vazquez flied out to right but Dalbec was plunked to chase Arihara. Hyeon-Jong Yang came in to pitch and Renfroe lined out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-1.

                                                      Devers goes yard

Calhoun lined out to short to start the bottom of the third and Solak struck out swinging. Gallo walked but Lowe flied out to left to end the inning.

Yang cruised in the top of the fourth as Cordero grounded out to first to start. Arroyo grounded out to second and Verdugo took strike three to end the inning. Garcia struck out swinging to begin the bottom of the fourth but Dahl singled to center. Kiner singled to right but Dahl was doubled off second on a bullet to Renfroe hit by Holt to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the fifth as Martinez got a base hit to center to start but was forced at second by Bogaerts. Devers walked and both runners moved over on the Vazquez grounder. Dalbec flied out to right to end the inning. Heim popped up to third to open the bottom of the fifth but Calhoun singled to left. Solak and Gallo both flied out to right to end the inning.

Yang froze Renfroe for strike three to start the top of the sixth and Cordero flied out to right. Arroyo grounded out to short to end the inning. Eovaldi came back for one last inning in the bottom of the sixth as Lowe flied out to center to begin. Garcia grounded out to second and Dahl whiffed to end the inning. Eovaldi pitched great, allowing just 1 run in 6 innings of work.

                                               Eovaldi gets it done

Verdugo popped up to short to begin the top of the seventh and Martinez struck out swinging. Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning. Josh Taylor came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Kiner grounded out to short to start. Holt singled to left but Heim struck out swinging. Calhoun hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

Brett de Geus came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Devers grounded out to third to start. Vazquez grounded out to short and Dalbec flied out to left to end the inning. Darwinzon Hernandez came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and blew away Solak with a 95 mph fastball to start. Gallo whiffed on a slider in the dirt but Lowe singled off the glove of Hernandez. Garcia took strike three to end the inning.

Renfroe flied out to center to start the top of the ninth and Cordero took strike three. Arroyo got Boston's first hit since the fifth inning with a single to center but Verdugo flied out to right to end the inning. Austin Brice came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Dahl flied out to right to start. Kiner struck out swinging but Holt walked. Holt took second and third on defensive indifference and Heim walked. Calhoun grounded back to the mound to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-1.

                                                       Sox win

Hero of the Night is JD Martinez. His two home runs put the Sox up for good.

                                                  JD Hero

The Good:

Rafael Devers was 1 for 3 with a walk including a solo home run.

Nathan Eovaldi got the win with 6 innings of 1 run ball. He allowed just 4 hits and 2 walks.

Josh Taylor pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

Darwinzon Hernandez pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Austin Brice pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 4.

Hunter Renfroe was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Franchy Cordero was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Christian Arroyo was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored a run.

Alex Verdugo was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but the one hit was a home run.

Bobby Dalbec was 0 for 3 but was hit with a pitch.

Final Thoughts:

The good news is the Sox finished the month on a high note with a good win. The top of the order supplied the offense and got shut down pitching from the bullpen as well as Eovaldi. That's where the good news ends. Batters 6-9 went 0 for 15 with 3 strikeouts. Dalbec did get plunked but apart from that, the achillies heel of this year's Sox team is the bottom of the order. Vazquez, Dalbec, Renfroe, Cordero, Gonzalez and Kike Hernandez are all hitting under .240. That can't continue in the month of May if the Sox hope to keep their good season going. Eovaldi stepped up big tonight and so did the B-Team trio of Taylor, Hernandez and Brice. The Sox go into tomorrow night's game with the A-Team rested and a 17-10 record, good for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night is game 3 of this four game set and Eduardo Rodriguez (4-0, 3.52 ERA) takes on Jordan Lyles of the Rangers at 7:05 PM Eastern time at Globe Life Field.