Darwin, Sox Beat A's (4/28/94)

A week ago Boston Red Sox fans were complaining that the Red Sox were relying on aging starting pitching and it would come back to haunt them. Well the last two days Frank Viola and Danny Darwin (4-1, 5.17 ERA) have combined for 12 2/3 innings and 1 run allowed. Darwin held the Oakland A's to just one measly run in 6 2/3 gutty innings as the Sox tagged Todd Van Poppel for four runs in this one. Scott Cooper was the offensive star in this one, driving in all four of the Sox runs while the only run Darwin allowed was a home run by Mike Aldrete. The Sox bullpen held the A's scoreless the rest of the way as the Sox knocked off the A's 4-1 at Oakland Coliseum.

                                                       Lorna Luft approves of the win

Van Poppel got the ball in the top of the first inning as Otis Nixon grounded out to short to start. Billy Hatcher struck out swinging and Mike Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning. Darwin got the ball in the bottom of the first as Stan Javier flied out to center to begin. Hatcher dropped a pop up by Mike Aldrete for an error and Aldrete moved to third on a grounder to second by Troy Neel. Geronimo Berroa struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the second as Mo Vaughn walked to start. Andre Dawson doubled to center and Scott Cooper doubled to left to score both runners. Tim Naehring struck out swinging, Damon Berryhill took strike three and John Valentin popped up to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                              Cooper drives in a pair

Ruben Sierra flied out to center to start the bottom of the second and Terry Steinbach also flied out to center. Mike Brumley struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the third as Nixon singled to left to start. Nixon stole second and Hatcher walked before Greenwell took strike three. Vaughn got a base hit to right but Nixon stopped and had to turn back to third, causing Naehring to go back to second. Vaughn got thrown out at first on the play. Dawson grounded out to third to end the inning. Scott Brosius grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the third and Mike Bordick flied out to center. Javier grounded out to second to end the inning.

Cooper grounded out to second to start the top of the fourth before Naehring flied out to right. Berryhill popped up to short to end the inning. The A's struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Aldtrete hit a home run all the home run to South Carolina to cut the lead. Neel flied out to left, Berroa watched strike three go by and Sierra hit a double to left....but was thrown out at third trying to stretch a triple to end the inning with the A's down 2-1.

                                                                 Aldrete tags Darwin

Valentin flied out to right to start the top of the fifth before Nixon grounded out to short. Hatcher flied out to left to end the inning. Steinbach singled to center to start the bottom of the fifth but Brumley struck out swinging. Brosius went down hacking but Bordick caught Cooper asleep with a bunt single. Javier flied out to right to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the sixth as Greenwell popped up to third to start. Vaughn singled to center but Dawson popped up to short. Cooper struck his sixth home run of the season to double the lead. Naehring was hit with a pitch but Berryhill struck out swinging. Valentin popped up to short to end the inning with the Sox up 4-0.

                                                       Another home run by Cooper

Aldrete was frozen for strike three to start the bottom of the sixth before Neel doubled to right. Berroa flied out to right and Sierra lined out to center to end the inning. 

Valentin popped up to second to begin the top of the seventh before Nixon flied out to center. Hatcher also flied out to center to end the inning. Steinbach flied out to center to start the bottom of the seventh before Brumley struck out swinging. Brosius got a base hit to center and Bordick got a base hit to right to chase Darwin. Danny did well, allowing just 1 run in 6 2/3 innings off 7 hits. Ken Ryan came in and got Javier to fly out to center to end the inning.

                                                               Good work Darwin

Vince Horsman came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Greenwell flied out to center to start. Vaughn struck out swinging but Dawson singled to center. Bob Zupcic pinch ran for Dawson and was thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning. Lee Tinsley came in to play right with Tony Fossas now on the mound to start the bottom of the eighth. A's manager Tony La Russa pinch hit Ricky Henderson for Aldrete but he took strike three. Neel singled to right to chase Fossas. Greg Harris came in and Berroa singled to right, but Sierra grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Junior Noboa came in for Henderson with old buddy Dennis Eckersley now on the mound for the top of the ninth. Cooper grounded out to first before Naehring grounded out to short. Berryhill grounded out to first to end the inning. Jeff Russell came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Steinbach grounded out to second to start. Brumley walked then took second on defensive indifference. Brosius flied out to center but Bordick walked. Javier walked to load the bases and Mark McGwire pinch hit for Noboa. McGwire struck out swinging to end the game. The Sox had won it 4-1.

Hero of The Night is Scott Cooper. He drove in all four of the Sox runs including a two run home run.

                                                                   Hero Cooper

The Good:

Mo Vaughn was 2 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Andre Dawson was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Danny Darwin tossed 6 2/3 innings of 1 run ball to earn the win. He allowed 7 hits and struck out 7.

Ken Ryan got the final out of the seventh inning.

Tony Fossas got the first out of the eighth inning.

Greg Harris got the final two outs of the eighth inning.

Jeff Russell earned his 8th save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Bob Zupcic got thrown out at second trying to steal as a pinch runner.

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Damon Berryhill was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

John Valentin was 0 for 3.

The Ugly:

Otis Nixon was just 1 for 4 but stole a base.

Billy Hatcher was 0 for 3 with a strikeout and an error but walked.

Tim Naehring was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but was hit with a pitch.

Honorable Mention:

Lee Tinsley played right field in the final innings.

Final Thoughts:

Turns out the old pro's aren't washed up yet. Frank Viola pitched a shutout yesterday and Darwin allowed just 1 run in this one. The Sox bats have somewhat cooled off since their hot streak last week but the pitching has held up big time. The lefty/righty combo with Fossas and Harris is working and Russell had one bad game this month, otherwise he's been fine. Cooper made the all-star team last year and so far he's trying to do it again with six home runs already. If it wasn't for the equally red hot New York Yankees, the Sox would be leaving April with a commanding lead in the AL East. As it is, they just have to keep on winning. The Sox look to continue their winning ways in Anaheim as they travel there to play a three game set with the California Angels. Aaron Sele (2-0) gets the start for the Sox against Phil Leftwich of the Angels. The game begins tomorrow night at 10:00 PM at Anaheim Stadium.

Darwin, Naehring Drop Angels (4/23/94)

The bad news was the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Boston Bruins in Game 4 of their first round NHL playoff series but the good news was the Boston Red Sox defeated the California Angels. For the first couple weeks of the season Danny Darwin (3-1, 6.20 ERA) has looked every bit of 38 years old but today he turned back the clock for a vintage performance. He dazzled the Angels for 7 innings, allowing 3 runs and putting the Sox in position to win. Tim Naehring was the offensive star, driving in two runs including breaking a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the fifth. Mike Greenwell hit a home run and Mo Vaughn knocked in a run as well and Darwin gave way to the returning Ken Ryan. Jeff Russell closed out the Angels in the ninth and the Sox had won the game 5-3 at Fenway Park.

                                                 The Duke of Paducah approves of the win

Darwin got the ball in the top of the first and old friend Spike Owen flied out to right to start. Dwight Smith grounded out to second and Tim Salmon flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox wasted no time getting to old pal John Dopson in the bottom of the first as Otis Nixon got a base hit to left to start. Billy Hatcher forced Otis at second but Mike Greenwell grounded out to second to move Billy to second. Tim Naehring ripped a base hit to center to score Hatcher but Mo Vaughn grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                             Another rbi for Naehring'

Chili Davis singled to left to start the top of the second but was doubled off first on a line drive to Scott Cooper by Eduardo Perez. Chad Curtis took strike three to end the inning. Damon Berryhill grounded out to first to start the bottom of the second before John Valentin singled in the hole at short. Scott Cooper got a base hit to left but Valentin was thrown out at third. Dave Valle struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Angels struck back in the top of the third although Greg Myers took strike three to start. Harold Reynolds got a base hit to right but Gary Disarcina flied out to center. Owen doubled to right to score Reynolds and Smith grounded out to second to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                                   Look familiar?

The Sox answered in the bottom of the third as Nixon grounded out to short to start but Hatcher doubled to left. Greenwell then struck his fifth home run of the season to increase the lead. Naehring grounded out to third but Vaughn ripped a base hit to right. Berryhill grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox up 3-0.

                                                              Home run Greenwell

The Angels got another run in the top of the fourth as Salmon singled to left to start. Davis walked and Perez moved Salmon to third with a fly ball to center. Chad Curtis beat out a double play ball to score Salmon but Myers flied out to left to end the inning with the Angels down 3-2.

                                                         RBI for Curtis

Valentin singled to left to start the bottom of the fourth but took second on an error by the left fielder. Cooper moved Valentin to third with a grounder to second but Valle grounded back to the mound. Nixon took strike three to end the inning.

The Angels tied it in the top of the fifth as Reynolds lined out to second to start. Disarcina singled to right but Hatcher booted the ball for an error to move Gary to second. Owen hit a line drive to center for a hit to score Disarcina but Smith forced Spike at second. Salmon singled to right to move Smith to third but Davis flied out to center to end the inning with the game tied 3-3.

                                                                 Another rbi for Owen

The Sox broke the tie in the bottom of the fifth as Hatcher walked to start. Greenwell got a base hit to right and Naehring got a base hit to center to score Billy. That was it for Dopson as Craig Lefferts came in to pitch to Vaughn. Mo hit a fly ball to center and Myers dropped the throw home when Greenwell cleaned him out for another run. Myers had to leave the game and Chris Turner took over behind the plate. Berryhill hit a fly ball to center to move Naehring to third and Valentin took strike three to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-3.

                                                              This guy's dangerous

Perez popped up to second to start the top of the sixth before Curtis lined out to second. Turner popped up to first to end the inning. Cooper grounded out to short to start the bottom of the sixth but Valle doubled to center. Nixon grounded out to second to move Valle to third but Hatcher flied out to center to end the inning.

Darwin returned for one last inning in the top of the seventh as Reynolds grounded out to first to start. Disarcina flied out to center and Owen flied out to left to send the inning. Darwin pitched well, allowing 3 runs in 7 innings off 7 hits and a walk.

                                                                 Good work Darwin

Greenwell flied out to left to start the bottom of the seventh before Naehring drew a walk. Vaughn flied out to center and Berryhill took strike three to end the inning.

Ken Ryan made his season debut in the top of the eighth and Smith grounded out to short to start. Salmon and Davis both struck out swinging to end the inning. Joe Grahe came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Valentin took strike three. Cooper struck out swinging and Valle grounded out to second to end the inning.

Jeff Russell came in to close out the top of the ninth and Perez walked to start. Curtis forced Perez at second and Turner struck out swinging. Bo Jackson pinch hit for Reynolds and he too struck out swinging to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-3.

Hero of The Night is Tim Naehring. He knocked in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the fifth and the Sox held on the rest of the way.

                                                       Hero Naehring

The Good:

Billy Hatcher was 1 for 3 with a walk and 3 runs scored.

Mike Greenwell was 2 for 4 with a 2 run home run and 2 total runs scored.

Mo Vaughn was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

John Valentin was 2 for 4.

Danny Darwin tossed 7 innings while allowing just 3 runs off 7 hits and a walk.

Ken Ryan tossed a scoreless inning.

Jeff Russell earned his fifth save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Damon Berryhill was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Otis Nixon was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Scott Cooper was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Dave Valle was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Final Thoughts:

Another good win for the Sox and Tim Naehring is batting .400. Can he stay healthy for a season just once? This offense is absolutely rolling with the blend of youth and veteran mix and the pitching has held up so far. This was Darwin's best start this season and hopefully he's shaken off the early season jitters. Getting Ken Ryan back was also big as he was one of their best relievers last year for a team destined to go nowhere. To have a trio of Ryan, Russell and Paul Quantrill is going to shorten a lot of games this year. Apart from the catching situation, there's really not much to complain about this season so far. Hopefully health can hold up and the starting pitching improves. The Sox look to sweep California tomorrow afternoon when Aaron Sele (1-0) takes on Phil Leftwich of the Angels. The game begins at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.

White Sox Crush Darwin, Red Sox (4/18/94)

It was bad news all around as the Boston Bruins lost Game 2 of their first round NHL playoff series to the Montreal Canadiens and the Chicago White Sox laid waste to the Boston Red Sox. The White Sox bats pounded out 11 hits and 12 runs against Danny Darwin (2-1, 7.13 ERA), Ricky Trlicek and Tony Fossas. On the other side of the ball, Wilson Alvarez held Boston to just 1 run in 6 innings of work. Jose DeLeon and Dennis Cook held the fort for Chicago while the White Sox continued to pile on. It all added up to a 12-1 defeat by the White Sox at Commiskey Park.

Alvarez got the ball in the top of the first inning and Tim Raines immediately hit a home run to Moscow, Russia to set the tone for the game. Joey Cora grounded out to first, Frank Thomas popped up to second and Julio Franco flied out to center to end the inning with the White Sox up 1-0.

                                                                Raines hits one out

Alvarez got the ball in the bottom of the first and Otis Nixon popped up a bunt to first to start. Billy Hatcher popped up to short and Mike Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning.

Ventura singled to right to start the top of the second before Darrin Jackson popped up to short. Lance Johnson singled to center but Ron Karkovice struck out swinging. Ozzie Guillen lined out to right to end the inning. Andre Dawson struck out swinging to start the bottom of the second before Mo Vaughn walked. Tim Naehring popped up to second but John Valentin walked. Rich Rowland struck out swinging to end the inning.

Raines hit yet another home run to start the top of the third but Cora flied out to left. Thomas grounded out to third but Franco walked. Ventura took strike three to end the inning with Chicago up 2-0.

                                                            Another home run for Raines

The BoSox failed to respond in the bottom of the third as Scott Fletcher flied out to right to start. Nixon popped up to short and Hatcher grounded out to second to end the inning.

Things went south in the top of the fourth as Jackson struck out swinging to start. Johnson walked and stole second before Karkovice walked as well. A passed ball moved both runners over but Karkovice was hung out to dry on a grounder to first by Guillen. Raines was intentionally walked to load the bases and the gamble failed as Cora tripled into the right field corner to clear the bases. Thomas flied out to right to end the inning but it was 5-0 White Sox.

                                                        Cora adds to the misery

Greenwell struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fourth before Dawson drew a walk. Vaughn popped up to third but Naehring drew a walk. Valentin popped up to second to end the inning.

Franco grounded out to third to start the top of the fifth before Ventura popped up to second. Jackson took strike three to end the inning. Rowland struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth before Fletcher flied out to center. Nixon grounded out to short to end the inning.

Johnson lined out to first to start the top of the sixth before Karkovice struck out swinging. Guillen lined out to second to end the inning. The BoSox blew another rally in the bottom of the sixth as Hatcher grounded out to third to start. Greenwell grounded out to second but Dawson got a base hit to left. Vaughn got a base hit to left and Naehring flied out to right to end the inning.

The White Sox finished off Darwin in the top of the seventh as Raines singled to left to begin. Cora sacrificed Tim to second with a bunt and Thomas walked. Both runners moved over on a grounder to first by Franco and Ventura was intentionally walked to load the bases. Jackson ripped a base hit to center to score both Raines and Thomas, chasing Darwin. Danny battled but was charged with 8 runs in 6 2/3 innings allowing 7 hits and SIX walks. Ricky Trlicek came in to pitch and Johnson singled to right to score Ventura but Johnson was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double to end the inning with the White Sox ahead 8-0.

                                                            Danny was AWFUL'

The BoSox tried to start a rally in the bottom of the seventh as Valentin doubled to center to begin. Rowland singled to left to score John and chase Alvarez from the game. Jose DeLeon came in to pitch and Fletcher singled to right. Nixon popped up to third and the ball got away on Hatcher's swinging strikeout to move the runners over. Greenwell walked to load the bases and with a chance to get the Sox back in it....Dawson grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox down 8-1.

                                                                  Rowland drives in a run

The White Sox poured it on in the top of the eighth as Karkovice walked to start. Ron moved to second on Guillen's grounder to third and Raines crushed his third home run of the game. Cora walked and Thomas hit a home run all the way to Saturn to wrap up the scoring. That was it for Trlicek as Tony Fossas came in to pitch to pinch hitter Warren Newson. Newson and Ventura struck out swinging to end the inning with the White Sox up 12-1.

                                                         Another home run for Raines

Dan Pasqua came in for Thomas to start the bottom of the eighth and Vaughn flied out to left to start. Naehring walked and Guillen booted a grounder by Valentin for an error. Rowland struck out swinging and Fletcher flied out to center to end the inning.

Dave Valle came in for Vaughn with Lee Tinsley in for Mike Greenwell to start the top of the ninth and Jackson doubled to center to start. Johnson popped up to second but Karkovice walked. Guillen took strike three but Naehring booted a grounder by Raines for an error to load the bases. Cora grounded out to third to end the inning. Dennis Cook came in to finish off the bottom of the ninth and Nixon flied out to right to start. Hatcher flied out to right but Pasqua dropped a pop up by Tinsley for an error. Damon Berryhill pinch hit for Dawson and walked but Valle took strike three to end the game. The White Sox had won 12-1.

Jackass of the Night is Danny Darwin. He got smacked around for 8 runs in 6 2/3 innings allowing 7 hits and 6 walks while striking out 5.

                                                                 Jackass Darwin

The Good:

Andre Dawson was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Damon Berryhill walked as a pinch hitter.

Mo Vaughn was 1 for 3 with a walk.

John Valentin was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Tony Fossas tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Otis Nixon was 0 for 5.

Billy Hatcher was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Lee Tinsley was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Dave Valle struck out as a pinch hitter.

Ricky Trlicek allowed 4 runs in just 2/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Tim Naehring was 0 for 2 with an error but walked twice.

Rich Rowland was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but drove in a run.

Scott Fletcher was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

That game sucked for all the wrong reasons. Darwin got lit up by Tim Raines of all people and the BoSox couldn't get a clutch hit when it counted. Boston had men on base almost every inning and couldn't get anyone in most of the time. Just a bad day for the offense but there will be better ones. Darwin and Trlicek got hammered for 12 runs so hopefully the pitchers tomorrow do a lot better job. Its only April but Frank Viola and Danny Darwin don't look good so far this season. Time could be catching up to them but then again, its only April. The less said of this epic disaster, the better. The Sox now welcome the Oakland A's in for a three game set tomorrow afternoon in Boston. Aaron Sele looks for his first win of the season against Bob Welch of Oakland. The game begins at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Win Shootout With Royals (4/12/94)

That was one of the craziest games in Boston Red Sox history. If you were told before the game the Kansas City Royals would get 15 hits and score 11 runs, you'd think the Sox lost right? Wrong! The Sox managed to DOUBLE the production of the Royals as they scored TWENTY-TWO runs off 15 hits. The Sox as a team hit 5 home runs in the onslaught as pitching was at a premium. Shockingly, Sox starter Danny Darwin (2-0, 4.91 ERA) pitched relatively well allowing just 4 runs in 6 innings. The bullpen allowed the remaining five runs but the Sox pounded Kevin Appier and the Kansas City bullpen. The big hero was Scott Cooper who hit for the cycle, totalling five hits and five rbi's as the Sox smacked the Royals 22-11 at Kauffman Stadium.

                                                    Talisa Soto approves of the win

The Sox wasted no time getting to Appier in the top of the first as Otis Nixon led off by catching KC asleep with a bunt single to short. Billy Hatcher walked and Mike Greenwell doubled to right to score Nixon. Mo Vaughn tripled into the right field corner to clear the bases and scored on the Andre Dawson base hit to left. Dawson stole second, Tim Naehring drew a walk and Scott Cooper doubled to right to score both runners. That's 6 runs without even making an out but the streak ended as John Valentin lined out to third. Dave Valle took strike three and Nixon grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-0.

                                                                Vaughn hits a triple

Darwin got the ball in the bottom of the first and Vince Coleman dropped down a bunt but was snuffed out by Vaughn. Brian McRae grounded out to second and Wally Joyner flied out to left to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the second as Hatcher crushed his first home run of the season to increase the lead. Greenwell popped up to short, Vaughn struck out swinging and Dawson grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox up 7-0.

                                                             Hatcher hits his first

The Royals struck back in the bottom of the second as Mike Macfarlane grounded out to third to start. Dave Henderson, Bob Hamelin and Jose Lind hit three straight singles to score Henderson. David Howard moved both runners over with a grounder to second and Terry Shumpert struck out swinging to end the inning with the Royals down 7-1.

                                                             Lind drives in a run

The Sox played home run derby in the top of the third although Naehring flied out to left to start. Cooper belted his first home run of the season to increase the lead but Valentin flied out to left. Valle mashed his first home run of the season and Nixon struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 9-1.

                                                               Home run Valle

The Royals answered in the bottom of the third as Coleman flied out to center to start. McRae grounded out to second but Joyner doubled to right. Macfarlane walked and Henderson hit a three run home run all the way to St. Louis to cut the lead. Hamelin flied out to left to end the inning with the Royals down 9-4.

                                                       Another home run for Henderson

Hipolito Pichardo came in to pitch the top of the fourth and Hatcher struck out swinging to start. Greenwell and Vaughn both grounded out to second to end the inning. Lind took strike three to start the bottom of the fourth and Howard also watched strike three go by. Shumpert singled to right but Coleman grounded out to short to end the inning.

Dawson struck out swinging to open the top of the fifth before Naehring grounded out to second and Cooper tried for an inside the park home run after belting a ball into the left field corner but was thrown out at home to end the inning. McRae popped up to first to start the bottom of the fifth before Joyner grounded out to first. Macfarlane popped up to center to end the inning.

The Sox exploded in the top of the sixth with Stan Belinda on the mound. Valentin walked and took second on the Valle grounder to short. Nixon walked and Hatcher doubled to right to score Valentin. Greenwell hit a sac fly to center to score Nixon and move Hatcher to third. Vaughn walked and Dawson was hit with a pitch to load the bases. Naehring hit a routine grounder to second but Lind booted it for an error to score Hatcher. Cooper then hit a routine grounder to Howard who booted that one for another error to score Vaughn and Dawson. Valentin hit the exclamation point with a 3 run blast to increase the lead. Valle walked but Nixon lined out to left to end the inning. The Sox scored eight runs and led 17-4.

                                                                   Home run Valentin

With the game well in hand Greg Blosser took over for Greenwell and Lee Tinsley replaced Nixon for the bottom of the sixth. Henderson grounded back to the mound to start. Hamelin singled to right before moving to second on the Lind grounder to first. Howard walked but Shumpert flied out to right to end the inning. That was it for Darwin who tossed 6 innings and allowed 4 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks.

                                                                Not great but it'll do

Brent Mayne came in to catch, Tom Goodwin came in for Henderson and Jeff Montgomery came in to pitch the top of the seventh. Hatcher popped up to third but Blosser walked. Vaughn then belted his first home run of the year to add to the Royals misery. Scott Fletcher pinch hit for Dawson and was hit with a pitch. Fletcher took second on defensive indifference and Naehring walked. Cooper cleared the bases with a double to right but Valentin flied out to right. Rich Rowland pinch hit for Valle and flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox up 21-4.

                                                           Home run Vaughn

Ricky Trlicek came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Coleman beat out a roller to first. Kevin Koslofski pinch hit for McRae and hit a line drive off Trlicek for a base hit. Joyner ripped a base hit to center to score Coleman before both runners moved over on the Mayne grounder to first. Goodwin popped up to short but Hamelin hit a home run all the way to El Paso to cut the lead. Lind grounded out to third to end the inning with the Royals down 21-8.

                                                     Hamelin jacks one

Gary Gaetti came in for Hamelin to start the top of the eighth and Tinsley walked to start. Hatcher hit a routine fly ball to Koslofski who dropped it for an error. Hatcher was thrown out at second on the play but Blosser walked. Vaughn walked to load the bases and Fletcher singled to right to score Tinsley to wrap up the scoring. Naehring banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox up 22-8.

                                                           Rbi for Fletcher

Howard popped up to third in foul territory to start the bottom of the eighth and Shumpert grounded out to third. Coleman singled to center and took second on defensive indifference. Koslofski grounded out to second to end the inning.

Cooper singled to center to complete the cycle to start the top of the ninth and Valentin walked. Rowland flied out to left and Tinsley beat out a double play ball. Hatcher walked to load the bases but Blosser flied out to center to end the inning. Joyner singled to right to start the bottom of the ninth and Mayne walked. Goodwin struck out swinging but a balk moved the runners over. All of a sudden Sox manager Butch Hobson fell down coming out of the dugout and brought in Tony Fossas to pitch who hadn't even been warming up. Gaetti laughed as he doubled to left to clear the bases but Lind flied out to right. Howard doubled to right to score Gaetti but Shumpert grounded out to second to end the game. The Sox won the slugfest 22-11.

Hero of the Night is Scott Cooper. He was 5 for 6 and hit for the cycle. He also had 5 total rbis and 2 total runs scored.

                                                           Cycle Hero Cooper

The Good:

Lee Tinsley walked and scored a run in two plate appearances.

Billy Hatcher was 2 for 5 with 2 walks, 2 rbis, a home run and 3 runs scored.

Mike Greenwell was 1 for 3 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Greg Blosser walked twice and scored a run.

Mo Vaughn was 2 for 4 with a home run, 2 walks, 4 total rbis and 3 total runs scored.

Andre Dawson was 1 for 3 with a hit by pitch, stolen base, rbi and two runs scored.

Scott Fletcher was 1 for 1 with a hit by pitch, rbi and a run scored.

Dave Valle was 1 for 3 with a home run and a walk.

The Bad:

Rich Rowland was 0 for 2.

Ricky Trlicek allowed 6 runs in 2 1/3 innings.

Tony Fossas allowed a run in 2/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Otis Nixon was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and scored two runs.

Tim Naehring was 0 for 4 but walked twice and scored 3 runs.

John Valentin was just 1 for 4 but walked twice, drove in 3 runs and scored two runs.

Danny Darwin got the win but allowed 4 runs in just 6 innings allowing 7 hits and 2 walks.

Final Thoughts:

Chalk that one up as one of the most insane games in Red Sox history. The Sox allowed 11 runs on 15 hits and managed to double up the Royals run production. Cooper hit for the cycle, the Sox played home run derby and the entire team except for Rowland scored at least one run. Darwin didn't pitch that great but still kept the Sox in the game, but Trlicek was AWFUL. Still, its only one game so he'll bounce back next time. Moving forward the Sox are going to need more out of Darwin but it'll do today. The Sox are more than likely going to have trouble scoring runs tomorrow but today was clearly not so hard. The Sox go for the series sweep tomorrow in Kansas City when Aaron Sele gets the start for Boston. Tom Gordon goes for Kansas City and the game begins at 8:05 PM Eastern time at Kauffman Stadium.

Sox Sweep Tigers (4/7/94)

How about those Boston Red Sox? New Sox GM Dan Duquette promised good things in the future when he was hired and so far the Sox have won all three games they have played. It was timely hitting yesterday that got them by the Detroit Tigers and today it was an all out offensive attack. The Sox pounded out SIXTEEN hits and 9 runs, knocking Detroit starter Tim Belcher out in the fourth inning. Sox starter Danny Darwin (1-0, 3.60) lasted just 5 innings but held the Tigers to just 3 runs as the Sox took command. The Tigers rallied for 3 runs off of Scott Bankhead and Tony Fossas, but Greg Harris slammed the door with 2 scoreless innings. The Sox had swept the Tigers out of Boston with a 9-6 victory at Fenway Park.

                                                     Robert Parish approves of the win

The Tigers struck first against Darwin in the top of the first as Tony Phillips struck out swinging to start. Lou Whitaker singled to right but Eric Davis took strike three. Cecil Fielder hit a home run all the way to Nebraska to give the Tigers the lead. Travis Fryman struck out swinging to end the inning with the Tigers ahead 2-0.

                                                      Fielder gives Detroit the lead

Belcher took the mound in the bottom of the first and Otis Nixon ripped a base hit to left to start. Tim Naehring banged into a double play but Mike Greenwell tripled into the centerfield triangle. Mo Vaughn grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Tigers struck again in the top of the second as Mickey Tettleton hit a line drive to right, dropped by Greg Blosser in right for an error to send Mickey to third. Kirk Gibson hit a sac fly to score Tettleton and increase the lead. Alan Trammell and Scott Livingstone stroked back to back base hits but Phillips popped up to right. Whitaker grounded out to second to end the inning with the Tigers up 3-0.

                                                            "Nice going Blosser"

The Sox struck back in the bottom of the second with Milt Cuyler now playing center. Andre Dawson singled to left but Scott Cooper struck out swinging. John Valentin popped up to second but the ball fell in to force Dawson at second and Damon Berryhill walked. Blosser atoned for his error with a base hit to left to score Valentin and cut the lead. Nixon singled to left to load the bases but Naehring flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox down 3-1.

                                                         That's more like it Greg

Cuyler beat out an infield single to the mound to start the top of the third and stole second on the Fielder swinging strikeout. Fryman struck out swinging but Tettleton walked. Gibson flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox got power happy in the bottom of the third as Greenwell launched his second home run of the season to start. Vaughn doubled to left and Dawson crushed his second home run of the season to put the Sox in front. Cooper struck out swinging, Valentin lined out to left and Berryhill grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-3.

                                                Greenwell and Dawson give the Sox the lead

Trammell singled to center to start the top of the fourth but Livingstone lined out to right. Phillips singled to left but was erased on the force by Whitaker to put runners at the corners. Cuyler struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Blosser walked to start. Nixon beat out a bunt down the first base line and Naehring sacrificed the runners over with a bunt of his own. Mike Greenwell was intentionally walked to load the bases and chase Belcher from the game. Bill Krueger was brought in to face Vaughn and he struck Mo out swinging. Old pal Mike Gardiner was brought in to face Dawson but Andre walked home Blosser to increase the lead. Cooper flied out to center to end the inning but it was 5-3 Sox.

                                                               Dawson walks for an rbi

Fielder grounded out to third to start the top of the fifth and Fryman flied out to left. Tettleton walked but Gibson flied out to right to end the inning. That was it for Darwin who lasted just 5 innings but left with the Sox in front.

                                                        Not great but it'll do

Bill Gullickson took over for the bottom of the fifth and Valentin doubled to center to start. Berryhill scored Valentin with a double to left but was thrown out at third on a grounder to the mound by Blosser. Greg moved to third on the Nixon grounder but Naehring grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-3.

                                                          Berryhill drives in a run

Scott Bankhead took over for the top of the sixth and Trammell lined out to right to start. Livingstone singled to center but Phillips grounded into a double play to end the inning. Greenwell popped up to left to start the bottom of the sixth but Vaughn singled to right. Vaughn moved to second the on the grounder by Dawson and Cooper popped up to left to end the inning.

The Tigers inched closer in the top of the seventh when Whitaker hit a home run off Bankhead that landed in Lake Eerie to start. Cuyler lined out to right, Fielder grounded out to third and Fryman grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox poured it on in the bottom of the seventh as Valentin popped up to third in foul territory to start. Berryhill singled to right and Lee Tinsley came in to run for him. Blosser flied out to left but Tinsley stole second base. Nixon walked and Naehring blasted his first home run of the season to ice the game. Greenwell was hit with a pitch and that was it for Gullickson. Greenwell had to be carried out on a stretcher, loaded into an ambulance and rushed to Mass General's ICU. Mike Henneman came in to pitch and Rich Rowland came in to run for Mike. Vaughn singled Rowland to third but Dawson flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 9-4.

                                                      Naehring hits one out

Billy Hatcher replaced Blosser in right, Rowland took over behind the plate, Tinsley moved to left and Tony Fossas came in to pitch the top of the eighth. Tettleton walked and Danny Bautista pinch hit for Gibson. Bautista hit a home run all the way to Pawtucket, Rhode Island to cut the lead and that was it for Fossas. Greg Harris came in to pitch and Trammell grounded out to third before Livingstone  popped up to third. Phillips struck out swinging to end the inning with the Tigers down 9-6.

                                                        Bautista hits a home run

Cooper flied out to left to start the bottom of the eighth but Valentin singled to left. Tinsley walked but Hatcher flied out to left. Nixon forced Tinsley at second to end the inning.

Harris came back to finish off the top of the ninth and Whitaker walked to start. Cuyler lined out to first and Fielder banged into a double play to end the game. The Sox had won it 9-6.

Hero of the Night is Andre Dawson. He put the Sox on top with a 2 run homer and they never looked back.

                                                 Andre Hero

The Good:

Otis Nixon was 3 for 5 with a walk and a run scored.

Mike Greenwell was 2 for 3 with a walk and a home run.

Mo Vaughn was 3 for 5 with a run scored.

John Valentin was 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

Damon Berryhill was 2 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Lee Tinsley walked, stole a base and scored a run.

Greg Blosser was 1 for 3 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Greg Harris tossed 2 scoreless innings to earn the save.

The Bad:

Scott Cooper was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Billy Hatcher was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Tony Fossas allowed a 2 run homer in the eighth inning.

The Ugly:

Tim Naehring was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a 3 run homer.

Danny Darwin allowed 3 runs in just 5 innings but got credit for the win.

Scott Bankhead allowed a run in 2 innings of work.

Honorable Mention:

Rich Rowland caught the final two innings.

Final Thoughts:

One thing is for sure through the first few games of the season, the Sox are rusty on the pitching side but aren't missing a beat offensively. Roger Clemens, Frank Viola and Danny Darwin haven't looked good but the offense picked them up big time. The Sox bats have scored 23 runs in 3 games and have done it with small ball and the long ball. Otis Nixon has been good at the leadoff spot and even the unsung players have stepped it up. Dave Valle stepped up yesterday and today it was Damon Berryhill and Greg Blosser. The Sox have high hopes for Blosser even after his September disaster. Hopefully the big hit after he made an error will get his confidence going. The rotation's struggles are concerning but its early yet. Clemens will definitely get it going as the season progresses and hopefully the others fall suit. Darwin had his best season with the Sox last year so having another 15 win season this year would help. All in all it was a good win and winning the first three games is never a bad thing. The Sox now travel to Chicago to take on the White Sox. Aaron Sele makes his season debut against Jason Bere of the White Sox. The game begins tomorrow afternoon at 2:05 PM at Commiskey Park,