Indians Beat Sox, Ruin Yaz Day (10/1/83)

In a season where nothing went right for the Boston Red Sox, it was fitting that on Carl Yastrzemski Day they would lose to the Cleveland Indians. In a pregame ceremony, Yaz said goodbye to the fans despite having two more games to play. An hour long tribute to Yaz made everyone feel good about what he had accomplished in the last 22 years. As for the game itself, Oil Can Boyd (4-8, 3.28 ERA) continued to look like a potential ace of the future tossing a complete game against the Indians. The only problem was he allowed 3 runs (1 earned) while his counterpart Larry Sorensen pitched the game of his life. Sorensen held the Sox to just 1 run in a complete game 5 hitter. Yaz himself went 0 for 4 in his second to last game of his career as the Indians put yet another miserable loss in a season full of them on the Sox, 3-1 at Fenway Park.

                                                  "New England, I love you" - CY

Boyd took the mound to start the top of the first and Jack Perconte took a fastball on the outside corner for strike three to start. Toby Harrah dumped a base hit to left but Mike Hargrove struck out swinging and Andre Thornton tapped a grounder to short to end the inning. Sorensen got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jerry Remy led off by popping a bunt back to Larry to start. Wade Boggs lined out to center and Jim Rice struck out swinging to end the inning.

Ron Hassey led off the top of the second by popping up to short to start. Alan Bannister grounded out to third and George Vukovich grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the second as Tony Armas grounded out to first to start. Carl Yastrzemski grounded out to first and Rick Miller grounded out to short to end the inning.

Kevin Rhomberg grounded back to the mound to start the top of the third before Mike Fischlin got a base hit to center. Fischlin took second but Perconte took strike three. Harrah grounded out to third to end the inning. Dave Stapleton led off the bottom of the third by striking out on a nasty changeup to start. Jeff Newman hit a rocket to Mike Fischlin that was ruled a base hit but was doubled off first on a rocket liner to Sorensen by Jackie Gutierrez to end the inning.

The Indians struck first in the top of the fourth as Hargrove walked to start before taking second on a wild pitch. Thornton hit a deep fly to right to move Hargrove to third and Mike scored on the grounder to second by Hassey. Bannister grounded out to third to end the inning with the Indians up 1-0.

                                                  Hargrove scores a run

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the fourth as Remy grounded out to second to start. Boggs and Rice also grounded out to second to end the inning.

Marty Barrett took over for Remy to start the top of the fifth and Vukovich singled to left to start...but was thrown out second trying to steal. Rhomberg ripped a base hit up the middle but was forced at second on a comebacker to Boyd by Fischlin. Perconte popped up to short to end the inning.

                                                      Yerrrrrr out!

Armas flied out to right to start the bottom of the fifth and Yaz grounded out to second. Miller also grounded out to second to end the inning.

Chico Walker took over for Rice and Lee Graham came in for Armas to start the top of the sixth and Harrah hit a ground rule double down the left field line to start. Hargrove back to the mound but Harrah moved to third on the fly ball to Miller by Thornton. Hassey flied out to center to end the inning. Stapleton led off the bottom of the sixth by lining back to the mound and but Newman drew a walk. Gutierrez took strike three and Barrett flied out to right to end the inning.

Boyd cruised in the top of the seventh as Bannister took strike three to start. Vukovich flied out to right and Rhomberg struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the seventh as Boggs grounded out to second to start. Walker tripled off the centerfield wall and scored on the Graham sac fly to tie the game. Yaz grounded out to second to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                          Walker scores to tie the game

Boyd froze Fischlin for strike three to start the top of the eighth but Perconte doubled to right. Harrah flied out to the left field warning track and Hargrove flied out to left to end the inning. The Sox blew their best chance to take the lead in the bottom of the eighth as Miller grounded out to second to start. Stapleton grounded out to Fischlin but Newman slapped a base hit to center. Ed Jurak pinch ran for Newman and Gutierrez singled off the glove of Perconte. Barrett grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Indians finally broke through in the top of the ninth as Gary Allenson took over behind the plate. Thornton poked a double just over the third base bag to start and Bake McBride pinch ran for him. Hassey grounded out to Stapleton and Broderick Perkins pinch hit for Bannister. Perkins hit a liner to Boggs who booted it for an error to keep the inning going. This proved huge as Carmelo Castillo ran for Perkins and Vukovich lashed a base hit to left. McBride made a mad dash home but Walker's throw was in time for the out. Due to the error to Boggs, instead of being out of the inning there were runners on second and third with two out. Just like everything else that's gone wrong this season, Boyd uncorked a wild pitch that scored Castillo to put the Indians on top. Rhomberg ripped a base hit to center that scored Vukovich but was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double to end the inning with the Indians up 3-1.

                                                    Thanks a lot Boggs

Boggs atoned for his error with a base hit to right to start the bottom of the ninth but Walker flied out to the centerfield warning track. Graham grounded out to third to move Boggs to third and the crowd gave Yaz a standing ovation. Unfortunately Yaz grounded back to the mound to end the game. The Indians spoiled the party by winning the game 3-1.

                                                    Indians win

Jackass of the Night is Carl Yastrzemski. In his own retirement ceremony game he went 0 for 4 including grounding back to the mound with the game on the line.

                                                                   Bye Bye Jackass

The Good:

Chico Walker was 1 for 2 with a run scored and outfield assist.

Lee Graham drove in the only run the Sox scored and got an outfield assist.

Jeff Newman was 2 for 2 with a walk.

Jackie Gutierrez was 1 for 3.

One of the rare times the losing pitcher ends up on the Good list but Oil Can Boyd threw a gutty game. He was failed by his defense and was charged with 3 runs in a complete game. Only one of the runs was earned.

The Bad:

Jerry Remy was 0 for 2.

Marty Barrett was 0 for 2.

Jim Rice was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Tony Armas was 0 for 2.

Rick Miller was 0 for 3.

Dave Stapleton was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was just 1 for 4 with an error.

Honorable Mention:

Ed Jurak pinch ran for Newman in the eighth inning.

Gary Allenson caught the top of the ninth inning.

Final Thoughts:

This season can't end fast enough and its a shame Yaz cost the team on his own day, but that's par for the course this season since nothing went right. Tony Armas hit .218 this season, Dave Stapleton regressed, Dwight Evans hit only .238 and Yaz was down to .266 with 10 homers in his final year. Still, Boggs is going to be league batting champion and Oil Can Boyd could be a future stud if he has better run support. As for this game, Boyd had one bad inning in the ninth and that's sometimes all it takes. Walker and Graham did the best they could to throw runners out but the error and wild pitch sealed the deal. Still, the true story was Sorensen shutting down the Boston bats in a complete game effort. Gotta tip your cap and admitted he was the better man on this day. The loss dropped the Sox to 77-84, good for 6th place in the AL East. Tomorrow is the final regular season game of the year and Carl Yastrzemski's last before he retires. Al Nipper (0-1) takes the ball in the season finale for the Sox against Bud Anderson of the Indians. The game begins at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Angels Rally Past Sox (7/10/83)

Is it possible for the Boston Red Sox to get any kind of relief pitching this season? Time and time again their bullpen has blown one game after another and today was no different. The Sox were leading 3-1 when the California Angels rallied for 4 runs in the top of the seventh inning. Their bullpen was able to slam the door and the Angels dropped the Sox back to .500 with a 5-3 victory at Fenway Park.

                                                  "I hate bad relief pitching" - Carl

Hurst took the ball in the top of the first inning and Rod Carew singled up the middle to start. Rick Burelson banged into a double play and Reggie Jackson whiffed on a breaking ball to end the inning. Tommy John got the start for the Angels and Jerry Remy led off the bottom of the first with a routine ground out to second. Dave Stapleton popped up to center before Jim Rice poked a seeing eye single to left. Tony Armas grounded into a force to end the inning.

Brian Downing led off the top of the second inning with a base hit before Ellis Valentine hit a pop up to right. Remy and Dwight Evans collided and the ball fell in for a single. Bobby Grich beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners but Bobby Clark hit into a real one to end the inning. Angels manager John McNamara came out to argue but the call stood. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second although Evans was foolishly thrown out at second trying to stretch a single to left. Reid Nichols singled down the left field line and Ed Jurak (replacing the injured Wade Boggs) singled to center. Glenn Hoffman lined a bullet to Tim Foli at third who bobbled it for an error to load the bases. Gary Allenson smacked a sac fly to right to score Nichols to give the Sox the lead. Remy grounded into a force to end the inning but the Sox had taken the lead 1-0

                                              Nichols scores to put Boston on top

Could Hurst pitch with the lead in the top of the third inning? YES! Foli popped up to first before Bob Boone hit one up the elevator shaft. Carew reached on a bunt single in front of the plate and Burelson smacked a single to right. Jackson was rung up for strike three by the third base umpire to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the third as Stapleton popped up to right to begin before Rice lined out to a jumping Downing in left. Armas grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Angels beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the fourth inning as Downing grounded out to a bumbling Remy to start. Valentine also grounded to second before Grich grounded out to short to end the inning. Evans flied out to right to begin the bottom of the fourth before Nichols doubled off the Monster. Jurak grounded to second and Hoffman flied out to center to end the inning.

The Angels wasted no time tying the game in the top of the fifth inning as Clark opened the inning with a home run into the screen in left. Foli singled but Hurst picked him off in a rundown. Boone grounded out to second and Carew grounded out to short to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                       The Angels tie it

Allenson dumped a single to right field to begin the bottom of the fifth but made a big boo-boo. Remy hit a drag bunt back to the mound and John looked to second but Allenson was already there. He turned and threw to first and Remy was safe. Allenson got greedy and took off for third but was thrown out by a mile. Grich thought he had Remy at first and shouted at first base umpire Steve Palermo. Palermo had to be restrained by Rod Carew and Angels manager John McNamara from attacking Grich.

                            "I'VE HAD IT UP TO HERE WITH YOU, GRICH!"

When action resumed Stapleton popped up to second but Rice swatted his 23rd home run of the season into the bullpen. Armas flied out to right to end the inning but the Sox now led 3-1.

                                                   Number 23 for Rice

Hurst shut down the Angels in the top of the sixth as Burleson flied out to left to begin. Jackson looked at strike three to earn a hat trick before Downing grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the sixth as Evans was robbed at the warning track in right to begin. Nichols flied out to the centerfield warning track before Jurak hit a routine grounder to Burleson. Rick threw it just wide to first and Jurak was safe on the error. Hoffman struck out to end the inning.

The Angels exploded in the top of the seventh as Valentine beat out a great throw by Jurak to start. Valentine advanced to second on a wild pitch before Grich walked. Clark beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners before Valentine scored on the infield hit to third by Foli to chase Hurst. Bob Stanley came in and got Foli at second on the force by Boone but Allenson muffed a pitch from Stanley which allowed Clark to score the tying run. Carew was intentionally walked and Burleson made the Sox pay by getting a base hit to score Boone to give the Angels the lead. Jackson singled home Carew for the insurance run. Downing flied out to center to end the inning with the Angels ahead 5-3.

                                                        Not good enough Hurst

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the seventh as Allenson grounded out to short to start. Remy hit a chopper that ate up Carew for a single but Stapleton flied out to center. That was it for Tommy John as McNamara brought in Luis Sanchez to pitch to Rice. Rice grounded out to short to end the inning.

Stanley returned for the top of the eighth and got Valentine to ground out to second on the first pitch. Grich grounded out to short on the first pitch he saw before Clark hit a routine grounder to short. Hoffman fielded it cleanly but threw the ball completely out of Fenway for an error to allow Clark to reach second. Foli grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the eighth as Armas grounded out to short to begin. Evans lined out to center but Nichols blooped a single to left. Jurak took strike three to end the inning. If Wade Boggs didn't pull his groin, he probably would have hit here.

Stanley finished up the top of the ninth as Boone grounded out to short to start. Carew also grounded out to short before Burleson popped up to first to end the inning. Stanley finished strong but where was this in the 7th inning? Clark moved to left with Fred Lynn taking over in center for the bottom of the ninth. Rick Miller pinch hit for Hoffman but Foli snared a high chopper to retire him. Carl Yastrzemski pinch hit for Allenson and doubled off the Monster to bring the tying run to the plate. Marty Barrett pinch ran for Yaz but Remy grounded back to the mound. Stapleton grounded out to third to end the game. The Angels had won it 5-3 to send the Sox back to .500.

                                                                Sox lose again


Jackass of the Night is Bob Stanley. He allowed 2 inherited runners to score and one of his own in a disasterous 7th inning to blow the game.

                                                        Stanley The Jackass



The Good:

Jim Rice was 2 for 4 with a 2 run home run.

Reid Nichols was 3 for 4 with a run scored.

Carl Yastrzemski singled as a pinch hitter.

Gary Allenson was 1 for 2 with an rbi.



The Bad:

Dave Stapleton was 0 for 5.

Tony Armas was 0 for 4.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 3 with an error.

Rick Miller grounded out as a pinch hitter.

Bruce Hurst took the loss by allowing 4 runs in just 6 1/3 innings. He allowed 9 hits and a walk.



The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4.

Ed Jurak was just 1 for 4.



Honorable Mention:

Marty Barrett ran for Yaz in the bottom of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

Another tough loss for a mediocre team. There's really nothing that can be done unless a miracle happens and the Sox can get an ace pitcher sometime soon. Still, the team could have won the game and Stanley has been solid all season but just couldn't slam the door this time. The offense had their chances but just didn't have anyone to deliver the knockout blow. I know Boggs was hurt but the lack of a power threat with the decline of Yaz is glaring. Hurst pitched well but once again ran out of gas in the 7th inning. If he ever learns command then he could be a good lefty pitching. He's shown it in the past this season, maybe his time will come with more experience. As for this game, the less said of it the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 40-40, 6.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox return home for a set with the Seattle Mariners. Bob Ojeda gets the start for the Sox opposite Mike Moore. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park

Sox Edge A's (4/24/83)

What a day for Boston sports. The Boston Celtics eliminated the Atlanta Hawks in Game 3 of their NBA playoff series and Brad Park scored in overtime for the Boston Bruins to eliminate the Buffalo Sabres in their NHL second round playoff series. After a rainout postponed last night's game with the Oakland A's to July 26th, the Boston Red Sox picked up where they left off Friday night with a good pitching performance by someone who needed to step up. John Tudor (1-1, 3.18 ERA) won his first game of the season with 7 gutty innings. Bob Stanley saved the day again and two home runs by Dwight Evans were all the difference as the Sox made it 3 wins in a row with a 4-2 victory over the A's in Oakland Coliseum.

                                                           Brad Park approves of the win

The Sox wasted no time scoring in the top of the first inning against Oakland starter Mike Norris. Wade Boggs flied out to center but Dwight Evans clocked his second home run of the season to put the Sox up two batters into the game. Jim Rice flied out to right and Carl Yastrzemski grounded out to second to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 1-0.

                                                            Evans hits one out

The A's wasted no time getting to Tudor in the bottom of the first as Rickey Henderson led off with a walk. Mike Davis got a base hit to left and both runners pulled off a double steal. Tudor managed to strike out Carney Lansford and get Henderson throw out at home on a grounder by Jeff Burroughs, but a Dwayne Murphy single scored Davis with the tying run. Davey Lopes flied out to center to end the inning but the game was tied 1-1.

Tony Armas beat out an infield single to third to open the top of the second but Rich Gedman banged into a double play. Dave Stapleton flied out to center to end the inning. Kelvin Moore flied out to center to open the bottom of the second before Bob Kearney struck out. Tony Phillips walked and stole second before Henderson walked. Davis popped up to third to end the inning.

Glenn Hoffman opened the top of the third with a ground out to short but Ed Jurak reached on a dropped fly ball by Murphy. Boggs flied out to left and Evans grounded out to third to end the inning. The A's ran the Sox ragged in the bottom of the third although Lansford flied out to center to start. Burroughs beat out an infield single to short but Murphy struck out. Lopes and Moore stroked back to back singles to score Burroughs with the go-ahead run. Lopes and Moore pulled off a double steal but Kearney flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox down 2-1.

                                                       Can ya watch baserunners please?

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the fourth as Rice struck out to start. Yaz flied out to right and Armas popped up to short to end the inning. Tudor got in trouble in the bottom of the fourth inning although Phillips flied out to center to start. Henderson singled to left and swiped second before moving to third on a balk. Tudor managed to get Davis to pop up to second and Lansford to fly out to right to end the inning.

Gedman singled to start the top of the fifth but Stapleton flied out to center. Hoffman struck out and Jurak popped up to first to end the inning. Tudor cruised in the bottom of the fifth as Burroughs flied out to center to start. Murphy grounded back to the mound and Lopes flied out to left to end the inning.

Boggs beat out an infield single to start the top of the sixth but Evans hit one up the elevator shaft. Rice flied out to right but Yaz got a base hit to put the tying run at second. Armas popped up to short to end the inning. Moore got plunked to open the bottom of the sixth but was thrown out trying to steal second. Kearney popped up to first and Phillips hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

Norris cruised in the top of the seventh inning as Gedman grounded out to second to start. Stapleton popped up to third and Hoffman flied out to right to end the inning. Henderson walked to start the bottom of the seventh inning but was gunned down by the alert Gedman trying to steal. Davis popped up back to Tudor and Lansford struck out to end the inning. That was it for Tudor who allowed 2 runs in 7 innings of work.

                                                          Tudor goes 7 strong

The Sox stormed back in the top of the eighth inning as Jurak and Boggs stroked back to back singles to chase Norris. Steve Baker came in and Evans pounded a 3 run home run to put the Sox on top. Rice singled to chase Baker and old pal Tom Burgmeier came in to get Yaz to bang into a double play. Armas hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning with the Sox 6 outs from victory with a 4-2 lead.

                                                        Evans jacks one out

Mark Clear came in for the bottom of the eighth and threw up on himself. Burroughs walked and was replaced by pinch runner Mitchell Page. Murphy walked and Sox manager Ralph Houk had seen enough. Bob Stanley came in and both runners moved over on the sacrifice bunt by Lopes. Wayne Gross pinch hit for Moore and he was intentionally walked to load the bases. The gamble worked as Kearney banged into a double play to end the inning.

                                                         Great job Stanley

The Sox did nothing in the top of the ninth inning as Gedman grounded out to second to start. Stapleton flied out to left but Hoffman reached on an error by Lansford. Jurak flied out to right to end the inning. Stanley came back to close out the bottom of the ninth and Bill Almon pinch hit for Phillips, lining a base hit to left. Henderson flied out to right, Davis forced Almon at second and Lansford grounded out to short to end the game. The Sox had come back to win the game 4-2.

Hero of the Night is Dwight Evans. He drove in all 4 runs himself including swatting two home runs.

                                                                 Hero Dwight


The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

John Tudor got the win with 7 innings of 2 run ball. He gave up 6 hits and struck out 4.

Bob Stanley earned his 4th save with 2 shutout innings.



The Bad:

Dave Stapleton was 0 for 4.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Mark Clear walked the only two batters he faced.



The Ugly:

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4.

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 4.

Tony Armas was just 1 for 4.

Rich Gedman was just 1 for 4.

Ed Jurak was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.




Final Thoughts:

Good pitching by Tudor and clutch hitting by Evans is what the doctor ordered for the Sox in this one. Not much to complain about with Tudor stepping up to win a big game like Bruce Hurst did on Friday night. Hopefully Hurst and Tudor can ride the momentum moving forward because the team is counting on them to carry the pitching with Dennis Eckersley on the decline. The only drawback was Mark Clear's control issues but Stanley saved the day this time. A win is a win and the Sox have to keep pace with the Milwaukee Brewers any way they can. The Sox look to win their fourth game in a row Tuesday night when they send Mike Brown (1-1) to the mound to take on 44 year old Gaylord Perry at 10:30 PM Eastern time at the Kingdome.

Sox Walkoff Brewers in Ninth (4/20/83)

What a day for Boston sports. The Boston Bruins wiped out the Buffalo Sabres 9-0 in Game 5 of their second round NHL playoff series and the Boston Red Sox finally beat the Milwaukee Brewers. After the Sox got their heads caved in by the AL Champion Brewers on Monday morning, they had a whole 48 hours to think about it. The Sox responded by falling behind 4-2 going into the ninth inning. Dennis Eckersley allowed 4 runs as the Brewers looked to finish off the Sox. Instead the Sox staged a dramatic rally as Jim Rice tied the game with a two run home run and Tony Armas walked with the bases loaded. Somehow the Sox had shocked the champs 5-4 at Fenway Park.

                                                               Peter McNab approves of the win

Eckersley cruised in the top of the first inning as Paul Molitor flied out to left to begin. Robin Yount grounded out to short and Cecil Cooper flied out to right to end the inning. Wade Boggs drew a leadoff walk to start the bottom of the first against Brewers starter Moose Haas. Dwight Evans flied out to center before Jim Rice banged into a double play to end the inning.

Ted Simmons popped up to short to begin the the top of the second before Ben Oglivie flied out to left before Gorman Thomas popped up to first to end the inning. Carl Yastrezmski walked to begin the bottom of the second but Dave Stapleton hit into a double play. Rich Gedman struck out swinging to end the inning.

Charlie Moore singled to start the top of the third before Ned Yost hit one up the elevator shaft. Jim Gantner flied out to right but Moore swiped second. Molitor went down by strikeout to end the inning. Haas cruised in the bottom of the third as Reid Nichols popped up to first to start. Glenn Hoffman whiffed before Jerry Remy grounded out to second to end the inning.

Eckersley cruised the top of the fourth as Yount flied out to left to begin. Cooper flied out to left and Simmons flied out to center to end the inning. Boggs flied out to left to start the bottom of the fourth and Evans grounded out to second. Rice popped up to first to end the inning.

Oglivie tried to start a rally with a base hit to start the top of the fifth inning but Thomas flied out to left. Moore popped up to short and Yost struck out to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the fifth inning as Yaz doubled off the Monster to begin. Yaz then got thrown out in a rundown on a grounder by Stapleton although he made it to second. Dave moved to third on the grounder by Gedman and he scored on the double by Nichols. Hoffman singled home Nichols to increase the lead but Remy grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                         Nichols drives in a run

The Brewers tied the game up in 30 seconds flat in the top of the sixth. Gantner doubled off the Monster and Molitor clobbered a 2 run homer into the Charles River to tie the game. Yount singled and Cooper doubled him to third before Robin scored on the grounder by Simmons to give the Brewers the lead. Oglivie popped up to second and Thomas lined out to left to end the inning with the Brewers ahead 3-2.

                                                            Cooper still haunts the Sox

Haas cruised in the bottom of the sixth as Boggs flied out to left to start. Evans and Rice both grounded out to third to end the inning.

Eck got Moore to ground out to third to start the top of the seventh and Yost also grounded out to third as well. Gantner singled and stole second but Molitor struck out to end the inning. Haas finished strong in the bottom of the seventh inning as Yaz lined out to short to start. Stapleton grounded out to second and Gedman grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Brewers finished off Eckersley in the top of the eighth although Yount struck out to start. Old buddy Cooper smashed a bomb all the way into the Baltic Sea to increase the lead. Simmons popped up to short but Oglivie walked. Thomas flied out to left to end the inning with the Brewers up 4-2. Not Eckersley's best stuff but he did give the Sox 8 innings of 4 run ball.

                                                        Eck goes 8 but gives up 4

Pete Ladd came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and cruised. Nichols whiffed before Hoffman watched strike three go by. Remy lined out to left to end the inning.

Mark Clear came in for the top of the ninth and Moore lashed a base hit to center. Moore took off for second and Rice gunned him down at second for the out. Clear froze Yost for strike three and Gantner flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox pulled off a furious rally in the bottom of the ninth as Boggs walked to start. Evans took strike three but Rice bashed his third home run of the season to tie the game and light up the crowd. Yaz got a base hit to right and Julio Valdez ran for him. Stapleton doubled off the Monster and Gedman was intentionally walked to load the bases. Nichols popped up to first and Sox manager Ralph Houk sent in Rick Miller to pinch hit for Hoffman. Brewers manager Harvey Kuenn sent in Jamie Easterly to pitch to him. Houk then re-countered by pinch hitting Tony Armas for Rick Miller. On a 3-2 pitch...ARMAS WALKED! THE RED SOX WIN 5-4!

The Co-Heroes of the Night are Jim Rice and Tony Armas. Rice hit the game tying homer in the ninth and Tony Armas walked home the winning run.

                                                          Hero 1: Rice

                                                            Hero 2: Armas



The Good:

Wade Boggs walked twice in four plate appearances and scored a run.

Carl Yastrzemski was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Julio Valdez scored a run as a pinch hitter.

Glenn Hoffman was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Mark Clear pitched a scoreless ninth.



The Bad:

Dwight Evans was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jerry Remy was 0 for 3.



The Ugly:

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

Rich Gedman was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Reid Nichols was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Dennis Eckersley went 8 innings but allowed 4 runs including 2 home runs.



Honorable Mention:

Rick Miller "pinch hit" for Hoffman in the bottom of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

Now that was more like it. After the Sox were embarrassed by the Brewers on Monday, this was the way to come back and show some balls. Armas came off the bench to drive in a run and the clutch homer by Rice set up the winning run. Any time you can beat the AL Champs is a good thing and hopefully a win like this can send the Sox on a hot streak or something. After yet another off-day, the Sox travel to Oakland for a 3 game set with the A's beginning on Friday night. John Tudor (0-1) goes for the Sox up against Mike Norris at 4:05 PM Eastern Time at Oakland Coliseum.

Brewers Annihilate Sox on Patriots Day (4/18/83)

The good news was the Boston Bruins defeated the Buffalo Sabres in Game 4 of their NHL playoff second round series. As for baseball, so much for the Boston Red Sox sending a message to the American League champion Milwaukee Brewers. The defending champs stomped a mudhole in the Sox to show that they're still the team to beat in the American League. As if yesterday's 1-0 loss to the Texas Rangers wasn't painful enough, the inept offense was blanked again, this time by Don Sutton. Harvey's Wallbangers pounded out 22 hits and 14 runs, pounding Mike Brown (1-1, 4.15 ERA). Doug Bird and Luis Aponte into submission. The Sox mustered just 6 hits and the Brewers to a two touchdown victory 14-0 over the Sox on Patriots Day at Fenway Park. How many runs did the Sox score Dean Wormer?

The Brewers wasted no time scoring in the top of the first inning as Paul Molitor singled to right to start. Paul was erased on the force by Robin Yount before old friend Cecil Cooper walked. The Brewers pulled off a double steal before Yount scored on the grounder by Ben Simmons. Old pal Ben Oglivie grounded out to second to end the inning with the Brewers up 1-0.

The Sox blew a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the first as Wade Boggs doubled to left to begin. Dwight Evans struck out but Jim Rice singled Wade to third. Carl Yastrzemski hit one up the elevator shaft but Dave Stapleton walked to load the bases. With a chance to do some damage...Rich Gedman grounded out to second to end the inning.

The floodgates opened in the top of the second inning as Gorman Thomas and Roy Howell stroked back to back singles to begin. Charlie Moore singled home Thomas and a flyball by Jim Gantner moved Howell to third. Molitor singled home Howell and a wild pitch moved the runners over. Yount walked to load the bases and Cooper beat out a double play ball to score Molitor. Simmons flied out to center to end the inning with the Brewers ahead 4-0.

                                         Cooper making the Sox pay for trading him

Boston failed to answer in the bottom of the second as Reid Nichols flied out to left to start. Glenn Hoffman grounded out to third but Jerry Remy beat out an infield single. Boggs grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Somehow Brown pitched a clean top of the third as Oglivie flied out to left to start. Thomas flied out to right and Howell flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the third as both Evans and Rice flied out to left, but Yaz singled off Sutton. Stapleton struck out to end the inning.

Brown cruised in the top of the fourth inning as Moore grounded out to third to start. Gantner flied out to center before Molitor grounded out to short to end the inning. Sutton got Gedman to pop up to third to start the bottom of the fourth before Nichols grounded out to short. Hoffman singled to center but Remy flied out to center to end the inning.

Yount tripled into the triangle to start the top of the fifth but was stranded as Cooper grounded out to first. Simmons also grounded out to first but Oglivie walked to put runners at the corners. Thomas grounded into a force to end the inning. Boggs lined out to second to start the bottom of the fifth but Evans singled to left. Evans was erased on the force by Rice before Yaz flied out to left to end the inning.

Brown returned for the top of the sixth and Howell grounded out to second to start. Moore singled to left but Gantner banged into a double play to end the inning. After the dreadful start, Mike Brown recovered to toss 6 innings. Too bad the Sox couldn't generate any offense.

                                      Good recovery by Brown to keep the Sox in it

Too bad the Sox offense was asleep for the second straight day as Stapleton hit one up the elevator shaft to start the bottom of the sixth. Gedman flied out to left and Nichols grounded out to third to end the inning,.

Doug Bird came in for the the top of the seventh inning as Molitor popped up to short to start. Yount and Cooper stroked back to back singles but Simmons banged into a double play to end the inning. Sutton cruised in the bottom of the seventh as Hoffman grounded out to short to start. Remy flied out to center but Boggs walked. Evans popped up to short to end the inning.

The Brewers iced the game with a huge rally in the top of the eighth inning. Oglivie took strike three and Thomas hit a routine grounder to Boggs....but Wade was too busy singing opera as Thomas reached on the error. The Brewers pounced on the Sox as Howell and Moore stroked back to back doubles to increase the lead. Gantner singled home both runners and took second on the throw. Molitor and Yount both flied out to center to end the inning but the Brewers were up 7-0.

                                                           Nice going Boggs

Tom Tellmann came in to get the Sox to beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the eighth inning. Rice grounded out to second, Yaz grounded out to short and Stapleton grounded out to second in short order.

The Brewers pulverized the Sox in the top of the ninth as Cooper and Simmons stroked back to back singled to start. Oglivie singled home Cooper and Thomas doubled home Simmons. Howell singled home both runners and Moore doubled home Howell to chase Bird. The guy came in with a 4-0 deficit and left with it 12-0. Luis Aponte poured gas on the fire although Gantner flied out to left. Molitor singled home Moore before Yount and Cooper stroked back to back singles to load the bases. Simmons singled home Molitor to wrap up the scoring. Oglivie took strike three and Thomas hit one up the elevator shaft to end the carnage with the Brewers up two touchdowns 14-0.

                                                "Aye carumba!" - Aponte

Mercifully the game ended in the bottom of the ninth with Ed Romero at third. Gedman lined out to left and Nichols flied out to center, but Hoffman walked. Remy flied out to center to end the game. The Brewers had won it big 14-0.

Jackass of the Night is Doug Bird. He was charged with 9 runs in just 2 innings and gave up a staggering 11 hits.

                                                    Nice relief, Jackass


The Good:

Glenn Hoffman was 1 for 3 with a walk.



The Bad:

Rich Gedman was 0 for 4.

Reid Nichols was 0 for 4.

Mike Brown took the loss by allowing 4 runs in 6 innings of work off 7 hits and 3 walks.

Luis Aponte allowed 2 inherited runners to score and 1 of his own in an inning of work.



The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was 1 for 3 with a walk but his error allowed the floodgates to open.

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4.

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 4.

Dave Stapleton was 0 for 3 but walked.

Jerry Remy was just 1 for 4.





Final Thoughts:

Good grief what a massacre. The Brewers have the best offense in the American League and showed why this morning. If the Sox want to compete against the champs, they're going to need better starting pitching than Mike Brown. Wish they had John Tudor or Bruce Hurst going instead. The offense was nonexistent for the second straight game as well. It may or may not be a concern going forward but we'll have to wait and see. Doug Bird had his lunch handed to him but I think Sox manager Ralph Houk figured the game was over and wanted Bird to finish it no matter how many runs he gave up, unfortunately he couldn't. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow evening against the Brewers when Dennis Eckersley takes on Moose Haas at 6:05 PM at Fenway Park

Rangers Blank Sox in 14 (4/17/83)

What a waste of time this day was. The Buffalo Sabres defeated the Boston Bruins in Game 3 of their NHL second round playoff series and in a game where both teams had no desire to score runs, the Texas Rangers defeated the Boston Red Sox in 14 excruciating innings. If you are a fan of offense, this game was a snooze. If you like pitching and defense, have a ball. John Tudor tossed 10 shutout innings which should have been enough to win. Bob Stanley (1-2, 2.16 ERA) pitched well for a few innings but a throwing error by Glenn Hoffman scored the game's only one. The Sox were beaten 1-0 in 14 by the Rangers. How many runs did the Sox score Dean Wormer?

Tudor got in trouble in the top of the first inning when Billy Sample led off with a double to right. Mike Richardt grounded out to third but Sample swiped third. Buddy Bell walked to put runners at the corners but Tudor somehow struck out Dave Hostetler. Larry Parrish flied out to right to end the inning. Texas starter Rick Honeycutt was greeted by a Wade Boggs single to center to start the bottom of the first. Dwight Evans flied out to center and Boggs was erased on the force by Jim Rice. Tony Armas flied out to center to end the inning.

Tudor punched out Bob Johnson to start the top of the second but Jim Sundberg walked. George Wright popped up to third and Wayne Tolleson popped up to first to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the second as Reid Nichols grounded out to third to start. Dave Stapleton flied out to center and Glenn Hoffman grounded out to third to end the inning.

Sample popped up to second to begin the top of the third before Richardt grounded out to short. Bell singled to left but Hostetler struck out again to end the inning. Gary Allenson grounded out to second to start the bottom of the third before Jery Remy lined out to center. Boggs flied out to left to end the inning.

Tudor cruised in the top of the fourth as Parrish popped up to first to start. Johnson flied out to left and Sundberg popped up to second to end the inning. Evans walked to open the bottom of the fourth but Rice banged into a double play. Armas struck out to end the inning.

Tudor dominated the top of the fifth although Wright singled to left to start. Tolleson banged into a double play and Sample struck out to end the inning. Honeycutt matched Tudor in the bottom of the fifth as Nichols flied out to right to begin. Stapleton grounded out to short and Hoffman struck out to end the inning.

Richardt flied out to left to start the top of the sixth before Bell did the same. Hostetler grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox got a rare baserunner in the bottom of the sixth although Allenson grounded out to third to begin. Remy singled to left but was erased on the force by Boggs. Evan grounded into a force to end the inning.

The Rangers threatened in the top of the seventh as Parrish popped up to third to begin. Johnson walked, Sundberg singled and Johnson swiped third to put runners at the corners. Tudor froze Wright for strike three as Bill Stein pinch hit to Tolleson only to take strike three to end the inning. Jim Anderson took over for Stein in the bottom of the seventh as Rice singled to center to start. Rice was forced at second by Armas before Tony was thrown out to steal to end the inning on a "strike em out, throw em out" double play by Nichols.

Sample lined back to the mound to begin the top of the eighth before Richardt grounded back to the mound. Bell popped up to second to end the inning. The Sox blew their only chance for a lead in the bottom of the eighth when Stapleton singled but was thrown out trying to stretch a double. Hoffman singled but Allenson struck out. Remy flied out to left to end the inning.

                                                  What were you thinking Dave?

Tudor cruised in the top of the ninth as Hostetler popped up to third to start. Parrish struck out and Johnson flied out to left to end the inning. If the game had ended, Tudor would have tossed a complete game 4 hit shutout. Instead the game moved to the bottom of the ninth where the Sox blew a chance to win the game against Odell Jones. Boggs doubled to left and Evans walked to put the winning run on second. Rather than have his best hitter drop down a bunt, Sox manager Ralph Houk let Rice hit away. All Rice did was fly out to right, but Boggs moved to third to put the winning run 90 feet away. Armas walked to load the bases and Ed Jurak pinch ran for him. All Nichols needed was a sac fly but he could only pop up to center. Stapleton popped up to second to end the inning, what a waste.

Tudor had one last inning in him and he cruised in the top of the tenth inning. Sundberg hit one up the elevator shaft before Wright grounded out to short. Anderson popped up to first to end the inning. Tudor tossed 10 innings of shutout ball, he deserved the win big time.

                                                      10 innings of shutout ball down the drain

Hoffman singled to start the bottom of the tenth and Rich Gedman pinch hit for Allenson just to drop down a bunt to sacrifice Hoffman to second. Remy was intentionally walked but the rally ended as Boggs flied out to left and Evans popped up to second to end the inning.

Bob Stanley came on for the top of the eleventh and walked Sample to start. Richardt banged into a double play and Bell grounded out to short to end the inning. Rice flied out to center to start the bottom of the eleventh before Carl Yastrzemski pinch hit for Jurak...just to ground out to short. Nichols popped up to second to end the inning.

Stanley struck out Hostetler to start the top of the 12th inning but Parrish doubled to left. Bucky Dent ran for Parrish as Pete O'Brien pinch hit for Johnson only to line out to right. Sundberg popped up to first to end the inning. Larry Biittner took over at first for the bottom of the 12th and Stapleton flied out to center to begin. Hoffman popped up to second and Gedman grounded out to first to end the inning.

Stanley hung tough in the top of the 13th inning although Wright doubled to left to start. Anderson sacrificed Wright over to third but Sample grounded out to third. Richardt flied out to right to end the inning. Remy grounded out to third to start the bottom of the 13th before Boggs flied out to left. Evans singled to center but Rice grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Rangers finally took command in the top of the 14th inning although Bell grounded out to short to start. Hostetler struck out and all Stanley needed was one more out but Biittner singled to center. O'Brien doubled off the Monster and Biittner made a mad dash home. Rice threw to Hoffman who airmailed the throw over Gedman's head for an error to score Biittner with the game's only run. Sundberg grounded out to third to end the inning but the Rangers surged ahead on an unearned run 1-0.

                                                         Stanley the hard luck loser

Dave Tobik came in to close out the bottom of the 14th and Yaz flied out to right to start. Nichols doubled to left to put the tying run at second but Stapleton struck out. With a chance to atone for his error....Hoffman grounded out to third to end the game. The Rangers had won it 1-0.

Jackass of the Night is Glenn Hoffman. His throwing error allowed the winning run to score and grounded out with the tying run on to end the game.

                                                           Hoffman the Jackass


The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 6.

John Tudor was amazing, tossing 10 shutout innings while allowing just 4 hits and 3 walks while striking out 7.



The Bad:

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 2.

Gary Allenson was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Rich Gedman was 0 for 1.



The Ugly:

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4 but walked twice.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 6.

Tony Armas was 0 for 3 but walked.

Reid Nichols was just 1 for 6.

Dave Stapleton was just 1 for 6.

Jerry Remy was just 1 for 4 but walked.

Bob Stanley was the hard luck loser, allowing an unearned run in 4 innings of work.



Honorable Mention:

Ed Jurak pinch ran for Armas.




Final Thoughts:

What a bore that was. Its bad enough the offense was completely incompetent but to have the winning run score on an error is even worse. John Tudor pitched amazing and its a shame he didn't get the win for this. Pitching 9 innings of shutout ball is impressive and he did 10. The Sox thought Tony Armas would be a difference maker but so far he hasn't been that great. The Sox are still desperate for offense in the bottom of the order but hopefully Jerry Remy's knees can hold up. It was a boring loss but its only one game. If the Sox want to make a statement against the current AL Champion Milwaukee Brewers, they have their chance now with the Brewers coming to Fenway for a set. Tomorrow morning the Sox play their Patriots Day game with Mike Brown (1-0) on the hill opposite Don Sutton at 11:05 AM at Fenway Park.

Hurst Shuts Down Rangers (4/16/83)

The Boston Red Sox have been waiting for Bruce Hurst (1-1, 2.65 ERA) to develop into a stud pitcher and tonight's game against the Texas Rangers could be the start. Hurst dazzled the Rangers into the eighth inning allowing just one run. Jim Rice and Wade Boggs drove in the only runs Hurst needed as Mark Clear slammed the door on the hard fought 2-1 victory in front of a paltry crowd of 13,534 people at Fenway Park.

                                                   Father Mulcahy approves of the win

Hurst began the top of the first inning by catching Billy Sample looking to start. Mike Richardt whiffed but Buddy Bell singled to center. Dave Hostetler whiffed to end the inning. Jerry Remy grounded out to short to start the bottom of the first but Dwight Evans walked. Jim Rice forced Evans at second and Carl Yastrzemski lined out to center to end the inning.

Larry Parrish lined out to left to start the top of the second before Hurst punched out Bob Johnson. Jim Sundberg grounded out to short to end the inning. Reid Nichols tried to rally against Texas starter Danny Darwin with a base hit to begin the bottom of the second. Nichols swiped second but Wade Boggs whiffed. Nichols moved to third on the Dave Stapleton grounder but Rich Gedman whiffed to end the inning.

The Rangers threatened in the top of the third when George Wright and Wayne Tolleson stroked back to back singles to start. Hurst got a big out when Sample popped up to first before Richardt beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners. Bell grounded out to short to end the inning. Glenn Hoffman grounded out to first to begin the bottom of the third before Remy grounded back to the mound. Evans hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

Hostetler watched strike three go by to open the top of the fourth before Parrish whiffed. Johnson doubled off the Monster but Sundberg flied out to right to end the inning. Rice popped up to second to begin the bottom of the fourth but Yaz singled to right. Yaz was forced at second by Nichols and Boggs grounded out to second to end the inning.

Wright took strike three to begin the top of the fifth before Tolleson flied out to right. Sample hit a routine grounder to Boggs who kicked the ball over to first before running in a circle screaming "GOALLLL!" for an error. Richardt lined out to left to end the inning. Stapleton whiffed to begin the bottom of the fifth before Parrish dropped a routine pop up by Gedman for an error. Hoffman grounded out to short and Remy lined out to left to end the inning.

Hurst cruised in the top of the sixth as Bell flied out to center to start. Hostetler singled to left but Parrish banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox finally broke Darwin in the bottom of the sixth as Evans singled and Rice doubled him home to put the Sox on top just like that. Rice moved to third on the Yaz grounder before Nichols also grounded to third. Boggs made up for his error with a double to center to increase the lead. Stapleton singled to right and that was it for Darwin. John Butcher came in and froze Gedman for strike three to end the inning but Boston was up 2-0.

                                                        Rice puts the Sox ahead

Hurst pitched well with the lead in the top of the seventh. Johnson grounded out to second, Sundberg flied out to center and Wright whiffed to end the inning. The Sox tried to ice the game in the bottom of the seventh although Hoffman grounded back to the mound to start. Remy beat out an infield single but was forced at second by Evans. Rice walked and a wild pitch moved both runners over. Yaz was intentionally walked but Nichols flied out to center to end the inning.

Hurst ran out of gas in the top of the eighth although Tolleson flied out to center to start. Sample and Richardt drew back to back singles before Sample moved to third on the Bell fly out. Hostetler doubled home Sample and put the go-ahead run at second to chase Hurst. Sox manager Ralph Houk came out and brought in Mark Clear to finish the job. Hurst went strong for 7 2/3 innings, allowing just 1 run. With the pressure on, Clear got Parrish to fly out to center to end the inning with the Sox still ahead 2-1.

                                                          Clear gets the job done

Pete O'Brien took over at first for the bottom of the eighth and Boggs grounded back to the mound to start. Stapleton popped up to second and Hoffman grounded out to third to end the inning.

Clear came back to finish off the Rangers in the top of the ninth and got O'Brien to pop up to third to start. Sundberg whiffed and Wright was frozen for strike three to end the game. The Sox had held on to win 2-1.

Hero of the Night is Bruce Hurst. Hurst tossed 7 2/3 innings of 1 run ball while scattering 8 hits and striking out 8.

                                                          Hero Hurst


The Good:

Dwight Evans was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Jim Rice was 1 for 3 with a walk, run scored and an rbi.

Carl Yastrzemski was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Mark Clear earned his first save with 1 1/3 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Rich Gedman was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 3.



The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was just 1 for 4.

Reid Nichols was just 1 for 4 but stole a base.

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

Dave Stapleton was just 1 for 4.




Final Thoughts:

Bruce Hurst ladies and gentleman. The 25 year old looked great and could be a fixture in the rotation if he pitches like this more often. The weakness of the Red Sox last year was their rotation and if Hurst can become the ace they need, they may be able to knock off the Milwaukee Brewers for AL East supremacy. The bottom of the order needs a little work but today was a good win. Tomorrow afternoon the Sox look to jump above .500 when they send John Tudor to the mound up against Rick Honeycutt at 2:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Drop 4th in a Row (4/12/83)

Nothing went right for the Boston Red Sox in this one. One day after being shut down by the Kansas City Royals the Sox got shut down again. Riding the hot pitching of old friend Steve Renko and some late heroics, the Royals defeated the Sox 5-1 at Royals Stadium to send Boston to their fourth straight loss.

Somehow it was the Red Sox who scored first in the top of the first inning against Renko. Wade Boggs singled but Dwight Evans grounded into a double play. Jim Rice walked before Tony Armas singled. Carl Yastrzemski singled home Rice but Armas got greedy and tried for home, getting thrown out by a mile to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0. Ironically it would be the last time the Sox would score today.

                                                       Nice baserunning Armas

John Tudor got the ball in the bottom of the first and Willie Wilson whiffed to begin. UL Washington and George Brett both flied out to right to end the inning.

Renko settled down in the top of the second inning and Dave Stapleton hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Rich Gedman struck out before Glenn Hoffman grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Amos Otis began the bottom of the second by striking out before Hal McRae lined out to center. Frank White hit a routine grounder to Hoffman who decided to wrestle with it for an error. Willie Aikens struck out to end the inning.

Julio Valdez flied out to center to begin the top of the third inning before Boggs grounded out to short. Evans reached on an error by Washington but Rice lined out to left to end the inning. Tudor stayed tough in the bottom of the third although Jerry Martin singled to start. John Wathan bunted Martin to second and Martin moved to third on the grounder by Wilson. Washington walked but Tudor struck out Brett to end the inning.

The Sox failed to score in the top of the fourth inning as Armas flied out to center to start. Yaz singled but was erased on the Stapleton force. Gedman singled but Hoffman popped up to second to end the inning. The Royals tied the game in the bottom of the fourth as Otis and McRae hit back to back singles to start. White banged into a double play but Otis moved to third, scoring on a wild pitch by Tudor. Aikens struck out to end the inning and Tudor was kicking himself for that one.

                                                 A wild pitch? Seriously Tudor?

The Sox blew their chance to do some damage in the top of the fifth inning. Valdez walked and Boggs singled but Evans erased Boggs at second. Rice walked to load the bases but Armas banged into a double play to end the inning. Tudor tried to keep it tied in the bottom of the fifth as Martin flied out to left to begin. Wathan popped up to first and Wilson hit a routine grounder to second....for some reason Valdez dove on the ball and dryland swam with it for an error. Washington lined out to right to end the inning.

The Sox blew another chance in the top of the sixth although Yaz grounded to first to start. Stapleton popped up to first but Gedman walked. Hoffman singled and Sox manager Ralph Houk had seen enough of Valdez after that puzzling error. Rick Miller pinch hit for Valdez only to ground out to second to end the inning. Marty Barrett took over at second in the bottom of the sixth and Brett started it with a single. Otis popped up to second before McRae flied out to right. White singled before Aikens popped up to second to end the inning.

Mike Armstrong took over for Renko in the top of the seventh and Boggs greeted him with a base hit. He was stranded as Evans flied out to center but Rice walked. Once again Armas banged into a double play to end the inning. Tudor came back for the bottom of the seventh and Martin grounded out to short to begin. Wathan flied out to left but Wilson singled and stole second. Washington grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the eighth as Yaz flied out to center, Stapleton popped up to short and Gedman grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The Royals put the game away in the bottom of the eighth when Brett doubled to begin. Otis popped up to first but McRae was intentionally walked. White made the Sox pay with a single to score Brett. Don Slaught pinch hit for Aikens and walked to load the bases, chasing Tudor from the game. Luis Aponte came in and poured gas on the fire. Martin singled home McRae and white before Wathan singled to reload the bases. Wilson walked to score another run before Washington struck out. Martin was picked off third to end the inning but it was 5-1 Royals.

                                         "What the hell is wrong with Aponte!!!???"

Dan Quisenberry had mop up duty in the top of the ninth and Hoffman flied out to center. Reid Nichols pinch hit for Barrett and grounded out to short. Boggs grounded back to the mound to end it. The Royals had won 5-1 and sent the Sox to their fourth straight loss.

Jackass of the Night is Luis Aponte. He turned a 2-1 deficit into an out of reach 5-1 defeat.

                                                 Nice relief, Jackass


The Good:

Wade Boggs was 3 for 5

Jim Rice walked 3 times and scored a run.

Carl Yastrzemski was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Rich Gedman was 1 for 3 with a walk.



The Bad:

Dwight Evans was 0 for 4.

Dave Stapleton was 0 for 4.

Rick Miller was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Reid Nichols was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Tony Armas was just 1 for 4.

Glen Hoffman was just 1 for 4.

Julio Valdez was 0 for 1 with an error but walked.

John Tudor took the loss but pitched great until running out of gas in the 8th inning. He went 7 1/3 and was charged for all 5 runs even though Aponte allowed the last three.



Honorable Mention:

Marty Barrett played second base from the 6th inning on.




Final Thoughts:

Wow, what happened to the offense? The Sox have arguably one of the best lineups in baseball with sluggers such as Rice and Armas with contact hitters Evans, Boggs and Yaz. I understand once in a while but the offense has been anemic most of the season already. Granted its only April and they have plenty of time to bounce back but they have lost 5 of their first 7 games, that's not good. Tudor running out of gas didn't help but Aponte blowing it was worse. Who knows what would have happened if it was a one run game in the 8th or 9th. Tomorrow the Sox turn to Mike Brown to take on Paul Splittorff at 8:30 Eastern time at Royals Stadium.