Brewers Rally Past Red Sox (5/29/81)

For eight innings it looked like the Boston Red Sox were going to beat the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers jumped on Sox starter Mike Torrez for a run in the top of the first, but the Sox answered in the bottom of the inning. The Brewers got two more runs off Torrez while Carl Yastrzemski got one for Boston. In the bottom of the eighth, Joe Rudi clobbered a two run home run off his old buddy Rollie Fingers to put Boston ahead. Unfortunately with one out in the ninth, Tom Burgmeier allowed a 2 run bomb by Ted Simmons. The Sox did nothing in the ninth and the Brewers had dropped the Sox 5-4 at Fenway Park.

                                                         "That damn Burgmeier"

The Brewers wasted no time getting to Torrez in the top of the first as Jim Gantner flied out to left to start. Robin Yount then hit a home run all the way to Maine to put Milwaukee on top. Cecil Cooper walked but moved to second on the Ben Oglivie grounder to first. Ted Simmons grounded out to second to end the inning with the Brewers up 1-0.

                                                                   Brewers take the lead

The Sox responded in the bottom of the first against Jim Slaton as Jerry Remy got a base hit to right to start. Dwight Evans popped up to first but Remy swiped second. Carl Yastrzemski doubled to right to score Remy but Jim Rice popped up to first. Carney Lansford flied out to right to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                                  Yaz ties it

Roy Howell walked to start the top of the second but Don Money flied out to center. Mark Brouhard forced Howell at second and Marshall Edwards struck out swinging to end the inning. Joe Rudi led off the bottom of the second with a grounder to third. Dave Stapleton flied out to center but Rich Gedman doubled to center. Rick Miller flied out to center to end the inning.

Gantner flied out to center to start the top of the third but Yount got a base hit to right but Cooper grounded into a double play to end the inning. Remy grounded out to second to start the bottom of the third and Evans flied out to center. Yaz grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Brewers struck again in the top of the fourth Oglivie flied out to right to start. Simmons popped up to first but Howell hit a home run all the way to Neptune to put Milwaukee back on top. Money struck out swinging to end the inning with the Brewers up 2-1.

                                                            Howell goes yard

Rice flied out to right to start the bottom of the fourth and Lansford reached on an error by Howell. Rudi grounded out to third to move Carney to second and Stapleton popped up to second to end the inning.

The Brewers struck again in the top of the fifth as Brouhard flied out to right to start. Lansford booted a grounder by Edwards for an error and Marshall moved to third on a throwing error by Gedman. Gantner grounded out to first to score Edwards and Yount grounded out to third to end the inning with the Brewers up 3-1.

                                                                Nice error Carney

The Sox answered in the bottom of the fifth as Gedman doubled to center to start. Miller flied out to left and Remy grounded out to second to move Rich to third. Evans walked and Yaz hit a ground rule double into the bullpen to score Gedman. Rice flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox down 3-2.

                                                                   Gedman scores a run

Cooper walked to start the top of the sixth but was thrown out at second trying to steal. Oglivie popped up to short and Simmons struck out swinging to end the inning. Lansford walked to start the bottom of the sixth but Rudi popped up to third. Stapleton grounded out to third to move Lansford to second but Gedman flied out to left to end the inning.

Howell flied out to center to start the top of the seventh before Money grounded out to short. Brouhard grounded out to second to end the inning. Jamie Easterly came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Miller's bunt attempt was snuffed out by the catcher to start. Remy and Evans both flied out to left to end the inning.

Edwards grounded out to second to start the top of the eighth and Gantner did the same. Yount grounded out to short to end the inning. Torrez pitched great, allowing 3 runs in 8 innings off 3 hits and 3 walks.

                                                             Torrez with 8 great innings

The Sox rallied in the bottom of the eighth as Yaz struck out swinging to start. Rice got a base hit to right and Brewers manager Buck Rodggers brought in Rollie Fingers for the five out save. Lansford flied out to right but a wild pitch moved Rice to second. All of a sudden Rudi blasted his second home run of the year to put the Sox on top. Stapleton struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 4-3.

                                                              Rudi puts Boston ahead

Tom Burgmeier came in to close out the top of the ninth and crapped his pants. Cooper was hit with a pitch but Oglivie forced him at second. Simmons then hit a home run all the way to Alaska to put the Brewers on top. Sal Bando pinch hit for Howell and got a base hit to left. Money got a double to left and that was it for Burgmeier. Bill Campbell came in to get Brouhard to fly out to center and Edwards to pop up to third to end the inning with the Brewers up 5-4.

                                                             Simmons sinks the Sox

Gedman grounded out to second to start the bottom of the ninth and Miller flied out to left. Remy also flied out to left to end the game. The Brewers had won it 5-4.

Jackass of The Night is Tom Burgmeier. 2 outs from victory and he gives up the backbreaking home run to Simmons to lose the game.

                                                                Jackass Burgmeier

The Good:

Carl Yastrzemski was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis.

Rich Gedman was 2 for 4.

Mike Torrez allowed 3 runs but only 2 earned in 8 innings off 3 hits and 3 walks.

Bill Campbell got the final two outs of the ninth inning.

The Bad:

Dave Stapleton was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Rick Miller was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was just 1 for 5 with a run scored.

Dwight Evans was 0 for 3 with a run scored.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4 with a run scored.

Carney Lansford was 0 for 3 with an error but walked.

Joe Rudi was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a 2 run home run.

Final Thoughts:

That game was a sucker punch to the gonads. The Sox trailed the whole game only to take the lead for about five minutes. Joe Rudi hasn't done much all year but he was 2 outs away from being the hero. Burgmeier was an anchor out of the bullpen all year in 1980 but this year has been different. Its a shame because a win would have done wonders since they were only four games out of first place going into this one. There's still time to go on a run but losing like this kills any sort of momentum. Just have to shake it off and come back against the Brewers tomorrow. The loss dropped the Sox to 24-20, 5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to rebound against the Brewers tomorrow afternoon when Frank Tanana takes on Moose Haas of Milwaukee. The game begins at 4:00 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Bash Brewers For Fifth Straight Win (5/22/81)

The red hot Boston Red Sox have won their fifth straight game, this time they beat the Milwaukee Brewers on the back of 6 solid innings from John Tudor (2-1, 4.15 ERA) and some long balls. Jim Rice set the tone with a 2 run bomb off Moose Haas in the top of the first and Jerry Remy stroked a 2 run single in the third. Old pal Reggie Cleveland got tagged for an rbi single by Dwight Evans before Dwight struck a 2 run homer in the fourth. Tudor survived a Jim Gantner rbi but a two run homer by Sal Bando ended his night. Bill Campbell slammed the door the rest of the way and the Sox had won it 7-3 at County Stadium.

                                                      Ron Ehrhart approves of the win

The Sox struck first immediately against Haas in the top of the first as Jerry Remy got a base hit to right to start. Dwight Evans grounded into a double play but Carl Yastrzesmki walked. Jim Rice belted his sixth home run of the year to put the Sox on top. Tony Perez flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                               Rice hits one out

Tudor got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jim Gantner got a base hit to right to start.  Gantner got thrown out at second trying to steal and Robin Yount lined out to second. Old friend Cecil Cooper doubled to right and Gorman Thomas walked, but old friend Ben Oglivie grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Sox iced the game in the top of the second as Carney Lansford got a base hit to right to start. Dave Stapleton also got a base hit to right to move Carney to third. Rich Gedman struck out swinging but Rick Miller walked to load the bases. Remy got a base hit to center to score both Lansford and Stapleton. That was it for Haas as old friend Reggie Cleveland came in only for Evans to drill a base hit to right to score Miller. Yaz flied out to left and Rice forced Evans at second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-0.

                                                              Remy drives in a pair

The Brewers struck back in the bottom of the second as Ted Simmons flied out to right to start. Sal Bando walked and Mark Brouhard got a base hit to center. Ed Romero flied out to center but Gantner doubled to left to score Bando. Yount grounded out to second to end the inning with the Brewers down 5-1.

                                                             Brewers get a run back

Perez walked to start the top of the third but was forced at second by Lansford. Stapleton grounded back to the mound to move Tony to second but Gedman grounded out to short to end the inning. Cooper grounded out to short to start the bottom of the third and Thomas took strike three. Oglivie flied out to right to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the fourth as Gantner booted a grounder by Miller for an error to start. Remy grounded out to second to move Miller over but Evans smashed his 10th home run of the season to increase the lead. Yaz grounded out to second and Rice flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox up 7-1.

                                                              Evans hits one out

Simmons grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fourth and Bando flied out to right. Brouhard grounded out to second to end the inning. 

Perez flied out to right to start the top of the fifth and Lansford did the same. Romero booted a grounder by Stapleton for an error but Gedman grounded out to first to end the inning. Romero flied out to left to start the bottom of the fifth and Gantner grounded out to second. Yount struck out swinging to end the inning.

Jerry Augustine came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Miller flied out to right to start. Remy flied out to center but Evans walked. Yaz singled to center but Rice flied to center to end the inning. Cooper popped up to third to open the bottom of the sixth and Thomas flied out to center. Oglivie grounded out to third to end the inning,

Perez struck out swinging to start the top of the seventh and Lansford flied out to right. Stapleton flied out to left to end the inning. The Brewers struck back in the bottom of the seventh as Simmons got a base hit to right to start. Bando hit a home run all the way to the Klingon Homeworld to cut the lead. Brouhard flied out to left and that was it for Tudor. He pitched well, allowing just 3 runs off 6 hits and 2 walks. Bill Campbell came in to pitch and Romero grounded out to short, but Gantner singled to center. Yount walked but Cooper flied out to center to end the inning with the Brewers down 7-3.

                                                                     Tudor gets it done

Rickey Keeton came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Gedman flied out to center to start. Miller popped up to short but Remy got a base hit to center. Evans walked but Yaz grounded out to first to end the inning. Thomas struck out swinging to start the bottom of the eighth and Oglivie did the same. Simmons walked but Bando forced him at second to end the inning.

Rice got a base hit to start the top of the ninth but Perez grounded into a double play. Lansford flied out to right to end the inning. Campbell came back to close out the bottom of the ninth and Brouhard struck out swinging to start. Roy Howell pinch hit for Romero and struck out swinging, but Gantner got a base hit to center. Yount forced him at second to end the game. The Sox had won it 7-3.

Hero of the Night is Dwight Evans. He drove in 3 runs by himself including a two run home run to match Milwaukee's entire output.

                                                                   Hero Evans

The Good:

Jerry Remy was 3 for 5 with 2 rbis.

Jim Rice was 2 for 5 with a 2 run home run.

John Tudor tossed 6 1/3 solid innings allowing 3 runs off 6 hits and 2 walks.

Bill Campbell tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Rich Gedman was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored.

Tony Perez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but walked.

Carney Lansford was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

Dave Stapleton was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Rick Miller was 0 for 3 but walked and scored 2 runs.

Final Thoughts:

Good time for the Sox to get hot after their mediocre start to the season. The Baltimore Orioles aren't as scary as they were two years ago so the Sox definitely will have a chance this season if certain things go their way. Frank Tanana has to pitch better but John Tudor stepped up in this one. The Sox can't rely on Dennis Eckersley and Mike Torrez to do everything, they're going to need some help. Tudor needs to be more consistent in order for the Sox to compete this season. The bats will bop them back into a lot of games and the bullpen isn't half bad, but getting good starting pitching will be the difference in the end if it gets that far. The win improved the Sox to 21-16, 3 games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it 6 wins in a row tomorrow afternoon and second straight over Milwaukee when Mike Torrez (3-2) takes on Randy Lerch of Milwaukee. The game begins at 2:30 PM tomorrow afternoon at County Stadium.

Sox Rally Past Mariners Late (5/18/81)

For seven innings the Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners engaged in a classic slugfest. Mike Torrez of the Sox was knocked out in the fourth inning after allowing 2 runs and Bryan Clark of Seattle was tagged for 5 while getting knocked out in the sixth. The Sox scored three runs in the bottom of the first but Seattle got one back in the top of the third. The Sox got another run in the bottom of the third and Torrez was gone after allowing a run in the fourth. Seattle scored a run off Bob Stanley in the top of the sixth but the Sox answered with one in the bottom of the frame. The Mariners tied it in the seventh with runs off Bob Stanley and Mark Clear (4-0, 3.04 ERA) but the Sox rallied for three eighth inning runs off old pal Dick Drago and Larry Andersen. Bill Campbell slammed the door in the top of the ninth and the Sox had won the game 8-5 at Fenway Park.

                                                             Jim Craig approves of the win

Torrez got the ball in the top of the first inning and Julio Cruz grounded out to short to start. Dave Edler flied out to right and Dan Meyer grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox wasted no time getting to Clark in the bottom of the first as Dwight Evans walked to start. Evans took second on a balk and Dave Stapleton walked. Carney Lansford doubled to center to score Evans and Jim Rice hit a sac fly to right to score Stapleton, moving Carney to third. Tony Perez struck out swinging but a wild pitch scored Lansford. Joe Rudi grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                            Lansford doubles and scores

Richie Zisk grounded out to third to start the top of the second and Jeff Burroughs struck out swinging. Bruce Bochte walked but Dave Henderson forced him at second to end the inning. Dave Schmidt walked to start the bottom of the second but Reid Nichols struck out swinging. Jerry Remy forced Schmidt at second but Evans doubled to left. Stapleton flied out to right to end the inning.

The Mariners struck back in the top of the third as Jerry Narron singled to center to start. Jim Anderson grounded out to third to move Narron to second but Cruz walked. Edler got a base hit to center to load the bases and Meyer hit a sac fly to center to score Narron. Zisk struck out swinging to end the inning with the Mariners down 3-1.

                                                                Meyer drives in a run

The Sox answered in the bottom of the third as Lansford singled to center to start. Rice got a base hit to center to move Lansford to third, and Carney scored on the double play by Perez. Rudi lined out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-1.

                                                      Another run scored by Carney

The Mariners knocked Torrez out in the top of the fourth as Burroughs flied out to right to start. Bochte doubled to left and Henderson got a base hit to center to put runners at the corners. Narron struck out swinging but Anderson got a base hit to center to score Bochte. Sox manager Ralph Houk had seen enough and yanked Torrez after allowing 2 runs in just 3 2/3 innings. Bob Stanley got Cruz to force Anderson at second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-2.

                                                        Torrez didn't have it in this one

Schmidt struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fourth and Nichols flied out to right. Remy singled to center and Evans singled to right, but Stapleton flied out to right to end the inning.

Edler grounded out to first to start the top of the fifth and Meyer flied out to right. Lansford booted a grounder by Zisk but Burroughs forced him at second to end the inning. Lansford grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fifth and Rice flied out to center. Perez walked but Rudi grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Mariners inched closer in the top of the sixth as Bochte singled to center to start. Henderson walked and Narron moved both runners over with a grounder to first. Anderson walked to load the bases but Cruz struck out swinging. Edler got hit with a pitch to score Bochte but Meyer flied out to center to end the inning with the Mariners down 4-3.

                                                           "Owwwwwww" - Edler

The Sox rallied in the bottom of the sixth as Schmidt walked to start. Nichols dropped down a bunt to move Dave to second but Remy grounded back to the mound. Evans was intentionally walked and Stapleton made the Mariners pay with a base hit to left to score Schmidt. That was it for Clark as old friend Dick Drago came in to pitch. Lansford walked to load the bases but Rice struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-3.

                                          "How DARE you walk Evans to get to me" - DS

The Mariners rallied in the top of the seventh as Zisk got a base hit to left to start. Burrough also got a base hit to left and Bochte got a base hit to right to score Zisk, chasing Stanley. Mark Clear came in and Henderson walked to load the bases with nobody out. Narron flied out to right and Tom Paciorek pinch hit for Anderson and got a base hit to left. Burroughs scored to tie the game but Bochte was thrown out at home. Cruz flied out to left to end the inning with the game tied 5-5.

                                                                Yerrrrr out!

Rick Auerbach took over at short for the bottom of the seventh and Perez struck out swinging to start. Rudi grounded back to the mound and Schmidt struck out swinging to end the inning.

Edler walked to start the top of the eighth and Meyer dropped down a bunt to move him to second. Zisk struck out swinging but Burroughs walked. Bochte grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the eighth as Yaz pinch hit for Nicholz to start. Yaz walked and Rick Miller ran for him. Miller stole second but Remy popped up to first in foul territory. Evans walked and Stapleton once again delivered with a double to center, scoring Miller. Larry Andersen came in and Lansford hit a grounder to third. Evans scored on the throw home and Stapleton moved to third. Rice forced Lansford at second but Stapleton scored another run. Perez got a base hit to left but Rudi struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 8-5.

                                                              Rice drives in a run

Bill Campbell came in to close out the top of the ninth and Henderson grounded out to short to start. Narron grounded out to first and Auerbach flied out to left to end the game. The Sox had won it 8-5.

Hero of The Night is Dave Stapleton. His rbi double in the eighth put the Sox up for good.

                                                             Stapleton The Hero

The Good:

Dwight Evans was 2 for 2 with 3 walks and 2 runs scored.

Carney Lansford was 2 for 4 with a walk, 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Dave Schmidt walked twice in four plate appearances with a run scored.

Carl Yastrzemski walked as a pinch hitter.

Rick Miller stole a base and scored a run as a pinch runner.

Bill Campbell earned his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Joe Rudi was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Reid Nichols was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Mike Torrez allowed 2 runs in 3 2/3 innings off 5 hits and 2 walks.

Bob Stanley allowed 3 runs in 2 1/3 innings.

The Ugly:

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4 but drove in 2 runs.

Tony Perez was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Jerry Remy was just 1 for 4.

Mark Clear allowed an inherited runner to score but picked up the win with 2 scoreless innings.

Final Thoughts:

Big win by the Red Sox after Stanley and Clear blew the lead and kudos to Dave Stapleton in this one. Twice Evans was walked to get to him, one intentionally and he delivered both times. Lansford continues to be a batting wizard and Ralph Houk pinch hitting Yaz in the eighth paid off. Rick Miller took over from there and the Sox were off and running. The only blemishes was Torrez getting knocked out in the fourth and Stanley coughing up the lead. Clear did settle things down after giving up the tying run and Campbell closing the game out gave the Sox the win. You'd like to see the old pros Rudi and Perez pick it up but nobody and nothing is perfect. Enjoy the win. The win improved the Sox to 17-16, 4 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the Mariners tomorrow night when Frank Tanana (0-4) looks for his first win of the season against Mike Parrott of Seattle. The game begins at 7:30 at Fenway Park.

Rangers Blank Sox for Third Straight Shutout (4/29/81)

The good news was the Boston Celtics stayed alive in their Eastern Finals series with the Philadelphia Sixers with their Game 5 win. The bad news was the Boston Red Sox were blanked by the Texas Rangers for the third straight game. This time it was Danny Darwin who tossed a complete game, 1 hit shutout against the Sox. John Tudor (1-1, 4.50 ERA) was game but got absolutely no run support. The Rangers thoroughly dominated the Sox the last three games scoring 24 runs (40 counting last week at Fenway) while not allowing a single run. The Rangers will be sad to see the Sox go as they enjoyed a 5-0 series sweeping win at Arlington Stadium. For the third game in a row how many runs did the Sox score Dean Wormer?

Darwin began his dominance in the top of the first inning as Jerry Remy struck out swinging to start. Dave Stapleton grounded out to second and Dwight Evans struck out swinging to end the inning. The Rangers wasted no time getting to Tudor in the bottom of the first although Bump Wills grounded back to the mound to start. Mickey Rivers singled to left but was forced at second by Al Oliver. Buddy Bell walked and Billy Sample was plunked to load the bases. Naturally Johnny Grubb cleared the bases with a double to left to put the Rangers up for good. Pat Putnam took strike three to end the inning with the Rangers up 3-0.

                                                       Grubb ends it early

Jim Rice struck out swinging to start the top of the second then Carl Yastrzemski grounded out to first. Carney Lansford flied out to right to end the inning. Larry Cox grounded out to short to begin the bottom of the second but Mario Mendoza singled to center. Wills banged into a double play to end the inning.

Gary Allenson flied out to center to start the top of the third before Glenn Hoffman did the same. Rick Miller walked but Remy grounded into a force to end the inning. Rivers flied out to right to begin the bottom of the third and Oliver grounded out to short. Bell grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Stapleton grounded back to the mound to begin the top of the fourth but Evans drew a walk. Rice struckout swinging and Yaz flied out to left to end the inning. Sample flied out to left to open the bottom of the fourth and Grubb grounded out to first. Putnam grounded out to short to end the inning.

Lansford grounded out to third to begin the top of the fifth and Allenson popped up to second. Hoffman took strike three to end the inning. Tudor got Cox to go down hacking to begin the bottom of the fifth before Mendoza grounded out to second. Wills flied out to right to end the inning.

Miller tried to start a rally with a base hit to left to begin the top of the sixth but Remy watched strike three go by. Stapleton banged into a double play to end the inning. Rivers grounded out to second to start the bottom of the sixth and Oliver grounded back to the mound. Bell singled to left but Sample flied out to right to end the inning.

Evans walked to start the top of the seventh and moved to second on the grounder by Rice. Yaz lined out to first and Lansford grounded out to third to end the inning. Grubb walked to start the bottom of the seventh and Putnam struck out swinging. Cox singled to center and Mendoza beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners. Wills popped up to second to end the inning.

Allenson walked to start the top of the eighth but Hoffman flied out to right and Miller banged into a double play to end the inning. Tudor ran out of gas in the bottom of the eighth as Rivers beat out an infield single to short to start. Oliver clobbered a home run to Mount Saint Helens to increase the lead. Bell walked and that was it for Tudor. He never should have started the inning but he left after allowing 5 runs in 7 innings. Bill Campbell came in and Sample doubled to left. Grubb hit a fly ball to right and Bell tried for home. Evans gunned him down at home for the double play and Putnam popped up to second to end the inning with the Rangers up 5-0.

                                                         Tudor wasn't good enough tonight

Remy walked to start the top of the ninth and Stapleton forced him at second. Evans forced Stapleton at second and Rice whiffed to end the game. Darwin had tossed a complete game 1 hit shutout and the Rangers swept the Sox with a 5-0 win.

Jackass of the Night is John Tudor. Not much you can do if your offense gets just one hit but he put them in an early hole and ended up surrendering 5 runs in 7 innings.

                                                               Jackass Tudor

The Good:

Dwight Evans walked twice in four plate appearances.

Rick Miller was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Bill Campbell pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Dave Stapleton was 0 for 4.

Jim Rice was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 3.

Carney Lansford was 0 for 3.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was 0 for 3 but walked.

Gary Allenson was 0 for 2 but walked.

Final Thoughts:

This month can't end fast enough the way things spiraled out of control. Even when things were going good you can see the signs of impending failure as the middle of the order has been all but useless so far this season. Getting one hit by Danny Darwin was the icing on the cake but the fact of the matter is apart from Dwight Evans, nobody from 1-5 hit well at all. Lansford was doing well until this past week and the bottom of the order crashed back to earth big time. Can't really complain about the pitching too much if you get shut out in three straight games. Losing Fred Lynn and Carlton Fisk hurt but it shouldn't hurt THIS much. There is a belief the offense will pick up eventually but the Sox can't afford to fall too far behind the New York Yankees. The Sox thankfully are getting out of Texas and are coming home to play the Minnesota Twins. Frank Tanana (0-2) gets the start for the Sox against Roger Erickson of the Twins. The game begins tomorrow afternoon at 2 PM at Fenway Park.

Rangers Bash Sox Again (4/28/81)

This is just getting ridiculous. Apparently the Texas Rangers can only beat one team in the American League and that's the Boston Red Sox. After scoring 26 runs in the previous two games against them, you'd think the Sox would find an answer to slow them down. Clearly, there was no answer. Rookie Steve Crawford (0-2, 4.70 ERA) wasn't ready for prime time as he got beat up for 4 runs in 4 innings to put the Sox in the hole. Tom Burgmeier and Bill Campbell were no help either as the Rangers pounded out 13 hits and 9 runs. The Sox caught a break when old friend Fergie Jenkins left after the third inning but could only muster 3 hits off Steve Comer and Bob Babcock. Just like yesterday, the Rangers shelled the Sox and shut them out 9-0 at Arlington Stadium. How many runs did the Sox score Dean Wormer?

The Sox tried to rally against Jenkins in the top of the first when Jerry Remy singled to right to start. Dwight Evans flied out to left but Carl Yastrzemski drew a walk. Jim Rice flied out to right and Carney Lansford grounded into a force to end the inning. Crawford struck out Bump Wills to start the bottom of the first but a passed ball by Allenson allowed Bump to reach first. Mickey Rivers popped up to third and Al Oliver banged into a double play to end the inning.

Tony Perez struck out looking to start the top of the second but Allenson atoned for the passed ball with a base hit to right. Glenn Hoffman struck out swinging but Rick Miller walked. Remy flied out to left to end the inning. Buddy Bell flied out to center to start the bottom of the second and Johnny Grubb grounded back to the mound. Pat Putnam singled to center but Jim Sundberg popped up to first to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the third as Evans struck out swinging to start. Yaz grounded out to second but Rice popped up to first to end the inning. Crawford got Billy Sample to ground out to short to start the bottom of the third and Mario Mendoza grounded out to third. Wills took strike three to end the inning.

Jenkins was gone after the bottom of the third and Steve Comer came in for the top of the fourth. Lansford lined out to second and Perez flied out to left, but Allenson singled to left. Hoffman lined out to second to end the inning. The Rangers ambushed Crawford in the bottom of the fourth as Rivers singled to left to start. Oliver was plunked and Bell singled to third to load the bases. Grubb scored Rivers with a sac fly to give the Rangers the lead and Putnam hit a home run all the way to El Paso to ice the game. Sundberg lined out to first but Sample doubled to left. Mendoza grounded out to short to end the inning with the Rangers ahead 4-0. That was it for Crawford who fell apart the second time threw the order, allowing 4 runs in 4 innings.

                                                        Putnam hits a bomb

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the fifth as Miller flied out to center to start. Remy grounded out to short but Evans singled to center. Yaz grounded out to short to end the inning. Tom Burgmeier came in for the bottom of the fifth and Wills grounded out to short to start. Rivers singled to center but Oliver popped up to second. Bell flied out to right to end the inning.

Rice walked to start the top of the sixth but Lansford forced him at second and Perez banged into a double play to end the inning. The Rangers got to Burgmeier in the bottom of the sixth although Grubb watched strike three go by to begin. Putnam struck out swinging but Sundberg singled to left and Sample hit a ground rule double. Mendoza singled to left to score Sundberg and Sample then Wills got a base hit to center. Miller threw himself on the ball and swam on it for an error that allowed Mendoza to score. Rivers flied out to right to end the inning with the Rangers up 7-0.

                                                "What the hell are you doing, Miller?" - TB

Allenson grounded out to third to start the top of the seventh and Hoffman grounded out to second. Bob Babcock came in to pitch to Miller and he singled in the hole at short. Remy flied out to left to end the inning. Bill Campbell came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and 24 year old rookie Dave Schmidt made his Major League debut taking over for Allenson behind the plate. Oliver grounded out to second to start but Bell walked. Grubb singled to right and Evans tried to field it with his hat for an error to advance the runners. Putnam was intentionally walked to load the bases but Sundberg scored Bell with a sac fly. Sample singled home Grubb to wrap up the scoring. Mendoza grounded into a force to end the inning but it was 9-0 Texas.

                                                  Tough way for Schmidt to make his debut

Evans whiffed to begin the top of the eighth and Yaz grounded out to first. Rice grounded out to third to end the inning. Tom Poquette made his season debut taking over for Rice and Gary Hancock came in for Evans to start the bottom of the eighth. Wills struck out swinging but Rivers singled to center. Oliver struck out swinging and Bell grounded out to third to end the inning.

The end came in the top of the ninth when Lansford flied out to center to start. Perez grounded out to first and Schmidt struck out swinging in his first ML at-bat to end the game. The Rangers crushed the Sox 9-0.

Jackass of the Night is Steve Crawford. Not that the Sox were going to score for him but he could have lasted more than 4 innings and not given up 4 runs to put them in a hole they couldn't climb out of.

                                                           Jackass Crawford

The Good:

Gary Allenson was 2 for 3.

Rick Miller was 1 for 2 with a walk.

The Bad:

Carney Lansford was 0 for 4.

Tony Perez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Dave Schmidt struck out in his first ML at-bat

Tom Burgmeier allowed 3 runs in 2 innings.

Bill Campbell allowed 2 runs in 2 innigs.

The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was just 1 for 4.

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4 with an error and 2 strikeouts.

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 3 but walked.

Jim Rice was 0 for 3 but walked.

Honorable Mention:

Gary Hancock played right field in the bottom of the eighth.

Tom Poquette played left field in the bottom of the eighth.

Final Thoughts:

For those scoring at home the Rangers have now scored 35 runs in their last 3 games against the Red Sox. I don't remember this lineup being murderer's row so something is terribly wrong with the Sox pitching. Not even Bob Stanley, Tom Burgmeier or Bill Campbell has looked good the last few games. Obviously this can't continue or the Sox have no chance to compete in the AL East this year. The New York Yankees are riding Dave Winfield as much as they can and Dwight Evans is the only one on the Sox remotely close to playing as well. Crawford looked beat the second time around and if he's not going to make it as a starter, maybe its time to bring up Bruce Hurst for another go? Also, one of the reasons the Sox might be stinking the joint out is they're getting tired. Yes they've had rainouts and off-days but apart from Rick Miller and Jerry Remy, the starters have played every game so far this season. Gary Allenson has caught all 14 games they've played and this was one of the few times even some of the starters got some rest. If bench strength is weak to the point Sox manager Ralph Houk is running starters into the ground early, they better go get some competent backups or bring up the kids in Pawtucket. Reid Nichols is supposedly a good utility guy, if Perez or Rice is struggling then give them a breather with Reid? The Sox look to score a run for once when John Tudor (1-0) takes on Danny Darwin of the Rangers tomorrow night at 10:05 PM Eastern time at Arlington Stadium.

Rangers Rout Sox, Avoid Sweep (4/22/81)

The good news was the Boston Celtics evened their East Finals series with the Philadelphia Sixers at one game apiece after their Game 2 victory. The bad news was the Texas Rangers gave a devastating beating to the Boston Red Sox. After the Red Sox pitched back to back complete games, Dennis Eckersley (1-1, 7.11 ERA) didn't even make out of the first inning, getting charged with 7 runs before the Sox could even come to bat. Chuck Rainey made his season debut getting pounded for 6 runs of his own and the Rangers never let up. When the carnage was over the Rangers pounded out 18 hits and 16 runs to annihilate the Red Sox 16-8 at Fenway Park.

                                                   Flounder can't stand Sox pitching

The Rangers ambushed Eckersley immediately in the top of the first inning as Bump Wills pounded a ground rule double to start. Mickey Rivers struck out swinging but Al Oliver singled home Wills to give the Rangers the lead. Buddy Bell singled and Johnny Grubb walked to load the bases and Pat Putnam cleared them with a double. Jim Sundberg walked and Billy Sample hit a perfect double play ball to Glenn Hoffman...UNDER HIS GLOVE! The error scored Putnam and kept the inning going. Both runners moved over on the grounder by Mario Mendoza but Wills singled home Sundberg and Sample to make it a touchdown. Sox manager Ralph Houk had seen enough and pulled the ineffective Eckersley after just 2/3 of an inning. Chuck Rainey made his season debut to get Rivers to line out to right to end the inning with the Rangers ahead 7-0.

                                                     "I sucked today." - Eck

Rangers starter Danny Darwin got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jerry Remy walked to start. Dwight Evans and Carl Yastrzemski both flied out to left and Jim Rice grounded out to third to end the inning.

It was Rainey's turn to take a beating in the top of the second as Oliver doubled to right to begin. Bell grounded back to the mound but Grubb singled Oliver to third. Putnam hit a sac fly to score Oliver with another run and Sundberg hit a routine grounder to Hoffman....OFF HIS GLOVE! Another error kept the inning alive and Sample doubled home Sundberg. Mendoza singled home Sample but Wills took strike three to end the inning. Hoffman's errors loomed large as the Rangers now led 11-0.

                                                   "Catch the damn ball, Glenn!" - CR

It was the Sox turn to rally in the bottom of the second as Tony Perez singled to right to start. Carney Lansford doubled Tony to third but Gary Allenson struck out swinging. Hoffman popped up to first but Rick Miller walked to load the bases. Remy singled home Perez and Lansford to put the Sox on the board. Evans doubled home Miller and Yaz drove in both runners with a single to cut the lead. Rice grounded out to second to end the inning but at least the Sox showed some fight to trail 11-5.

                                                            "Not dead yet!" - Yaz

Rainey recovered in the top of the third as Rivers grounded out to first to start. Oliver grounded out to second and Bell grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the third as Perez grounded out to short to start. Lansford flied out to left and Allenson grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Rangers settled matters in the top of the fourth as Grubb and Putnam stroked back to back singles to open. Sundberg doubled home Grubb to increase the lead but Sample lined out to third. Mendoza scored Putnam with a sac fly to put the game out of reach. Wills hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning with the Rangers up 13-5.

                                                           Grubb starts another rally

The Sox did get a run back in the bottom of the fourth although Hoffman and Miller both grounded out to short to start. Remy walked and Evans tripled into the centerfield triangle to cut the lead. Yaz flied out to left to end the inning but it was 13-6 Texas.

                                                          Evans doing what he can

Rainey got Rivers to ground out to first to start the top of the fifth and Oliver flied out to center. Bell grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Rice grounded out to second to start. Perez flied out to center but Lansford walked. Allenson flied out to center to end the inning.

Mark Clear came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Grubb grounded out to second to start. Putnam popped up to second but Sundberg singled to left. Sample doubled Sundberg to third but Mendoza grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox had some more fight left in them in the bottom of the sixth against Bob Babcock coming into pitch. Hoffman singled to right but Miller flied out to left. Remy walked and Evans singled him to third, scoring Hoffman with another run. Yaz beat out a double play ball to score Remy and Rice beat out an infield single to third. Perez flied out to right to end the inning but it was 13-8 Rangers.

                                                           Remy walking and scoring

The Rangers wrapped up the scoring in the top of the seventh as Wills walked to start. Rivers singled him to third but Oliver popped up to third. Bell then hit a home run all the way to Denton, Texas to add to the lead. Grubb was plunked and Putnam singled to left, but Sundberg took strike three. Sample struck out swinging to end the inning with the Rangers up 16-8.

                                                                  Dammit Clear

Lansford tried to start a rally with a walk to begin the bottom of the seventh but Allenson flied out to left. Hoffman forced Lansford at second and Miller flied out to left to end the inning.

Mendoza singled to left to start the top of the eighth but Wills banged into a double play. Rivers walked but Oliver flied out to center to end the inning. Jim Kern came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Remy walked to start. Evans singled to left and both runners moved over on the grounder by Yaz. Rice took strike three and Perez grounded out to second to end the inning.

Bill Campbell made his season debut in the top of the ninth and struck out Bell swinging to start. Grubb flied out to left and Putnam grounded out to first to end the inning. Lansford grounded out to second to start the bottom of the ninth and Allenson took strike three. Hoffman walked but Miller took strike three to end the game. The Rangers had won it 16-8.

Jackass of the Night is Dennis Eckersley. He didn't even make it out of the first inning and got plastered for 7 runs to put the game out of reach early.

                                                              Eck the Jackass

The Good:

Jerry Remy was 1 for 1 with 4 walks, 2 rbis and 3 runs scored.

Dwight Evans was 4 for 5 with 3 rbis and a run scored.

Carney Lansford was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Bill Campbell pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Gary Allenson was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Chuck Rainey allowed 6 runs in 4 1/3 innings.

Mark Clear allowed 3 runs in 3 innings.

The Ugly:

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 5 but drove in 3 runs.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

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

Glenn Hoffman was just 1 for 4 with 2 errors but walked and scored a run.

Rick Miller was 0 for 4 but walked and scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

Gadzooks that was bad. It wouldn't be fair to expect Eckersley to continue the string of success Sox starters had the past few days but that was the complete opposite. The Rangers had a week's worth of offense in one day as they beat around every Sox pitcher they threw out there. The sad part was the Sox offense came to play by getting 10 hits and 8 runs of their own. Lansford and Evans were the driving force behind today's game and pretty much all April. Rice is going to catch fire eventually and it'll be glorious when he does. The only thing the Sox can do is forget about today and move on to the next game. The Sox are back in action Friday night when they visit the Baltimore Orioles. Frank Tanana (0-1) takes on Mike Flanagan of the Orioles. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Memorial Stadium.