Braves Bash Sox, Bullpen (8/10/22)

Before the game it was announced that the Greenville Drive released Brandon Howlett. He was a 21st round pick back in 2018 and hit just .253 for Greenville last year. This year he hit .194 in Greenville and .167 for Portland. If he can't hit A or AA pitching, its time to go.

                                                                    Bye bye Howlett

As for the game, for the second year in a row the Boston Red Sox bullpen is complete toast by the second half of the season. Only this time, they don't have a lead in the AL East or Wild Card to fall back on. Nick Pivetta (8-9, 4.51 ERA) tossed six solid innings allowing just 3 runs while the Sox kept it close against the Atlanta Braves trailing by just two runs. Then Darwinzon Hernandez allowed a two run home run to Vaughn Grissom making his ML debut. Still, Tommy Pham hit a three run homer to put the Sox in reach but Ryan Brasier allowed two runs followed by another by Kaleb Ort. The bullpen allowed 5 total runs as the Sox lost another one to the Braves 8-4 at Fenway Park.

                                                     Live look at the bullpen

Pivetta got the ball in the top of the first inning and Ronald Acuna Jr popped up to first to start. Dansby Swanson struck out swinging and Austin Riley grounded out to third to end the inning. Kyle Wright got the ball in the bottom of the first and Tommy Pham grounded out to third to start. Rafael Devers grounded out to second but Swanson threw a ball by Bogaerts away for an error. Alex Verdugo struck out swinging to end the inning.

Matt Olson flied out to right to start the top of the second but William Contreras singled in the hole at short. Eddie Rosario grounded into a double play to end the inning. JD Martinez grounded out to short to start the bottom of the second but Christian Arroyo singled to right. Reese McGuire got a base hit to right and Bobby Dalbec beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners. Jarren Duran struck out swinging to end the inning.

Marcell Ozuna took strike three to start the top of the third before Michael Harris Jr walked. Vaughn Grissom made his ML debut forced Harris at second and Acuna Jr singled to right. Swanson struck out swinging to end the inning. Pham grounded out to second to start the bottom of the third before Devers grounded back to the mound. Bogaerts lined out to short to end the inning.

The Braves struck first in the top of the fourth as Riley got a base hit to center to start. Olson flied out to center and Contreras lined out to right, but Rosario walked. Ozuna then hit a home run all the way to Venus to put the Braves up for good. Harris grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Braves up 3-0.

                                                      Braves take the lead

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the fourth as Verdugo got a base hit to center to start. Martinez struck out swinging and Arroyo was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to move Alex to second. McGuire struck out swinging to end the inning.

Grissom struck out swinging to start the top of the fifth before Acuna Jr grounded out to second. Swanson singled to right and Riley flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the fifth as Dalbec doubled to left to start. Duran got a base hit to center to put runners at the corners but Pham hit into a double play, scoring Dalbec in the process. Devers got a base hit to center but Bogaerts grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox down 3-1.

                                                       Sox couldn't touch Wright

Pivetta returned for one final inning in the top of the sixth and Olson grounded out to short to start. Contreras grounded out to third and Rosario struck out swinging to end the inning. That was it for Pivetta who tossed 6 innings of 3 run ball allowing 5 hits and 2 walks.

                                                       Pivetta deserved better

Verdugo walked to start the bottom of the sixth but Martinez grounded into a double play. Arroyo struck out swinging to end the inning. 

Darwinzon Hernandez came in to pour gas on the fire in the top of the seventh although Ozuna struck out swinging to start. Harris beat out a roller down the first base line and Grissom smashes his first career home run into the Charles River to ice the game. Acuna Jr flied out to right and Swanson struck out swinging but it was 5-1 Braves.

                                                         What a debut by Grissom

The Sox suddenly rallied in the bottom of the seventh with Dylan Lee now on the mound. McGuire flied out to right but Dalbec singled to center. Jaylin Davis pinch hit for Duran and got a base hit to center. Pham then belted his 14th home run of the season to cut the lead. Devers struck out swinging and Kirby Yates was brought in to face Bogaerts. Xander popped up to second to end the inning with the Sox down 5-4.

                                                             Pham takes a ride

Ryan Brasier came in to crap his pants in the top of the eighth as Riley struck out swinging to start. Olson got a base hit to center while Contreras got a base hit by Brasier. Rosario doubled off the Monster to score Olson and Ozuna hit a sac fly to center to score Contreras to ice the game. That was it for Brasier as Austin Davis struck out Harris swinging to end the inning with the Braves up 7-4.

                                                              Ozuna ices it

AJ Minter took over on the mound for the bottom of the eighth and Verdugo walked to start. Martinez and Arroyo both struck out swinging before Kevin Plawecki pinch hit for McGuire. Plawecki struck out swinging to end the inning. What the hell was that supposed to accomplish?

The Braves put the icing on the cake with Kaleb Ort now on the mound to start the top of the ninth. Grissom got a base hit to left while Acuna Jr struck out swinging. Grissom stole second and scored on the base hit to right by Swanson to wrap up the scoring. Riley grounded into a double play to end the inning but it was 8-4 Braves.

                                                        Swanson drives in the final run

Raisel Iglesias came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and Dalbec lined out to third to start. Davis grounded out to short and Pham struck out swinging to end the game. The Braves had won it 8-4.

                                                               Braves win

Jackass of The Night is Ryan Brasier. After the Sox got back in the game, he allowed the dagger runs to put the game out of reach.

                                                            Jackass Brasier

The Good:

Alex Verdugo was 1 for 2 with 2 walks.

Reese McGuire was 1 for 3.

Bobby Dalbec was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored.

Jarren Duran was 1 for 2.

Jaylin Davis was 1 for 2 with a run scored.

Austin Davis struck out the only man he faced.

The Bad:

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4.

JD Martinez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Kevin Plawecki struck out as a pinch hitter.

Darwinzon Hernandez allowed 2 runs in an inning.

Kaleb Ort allowed a run in the ninth inning.

The Ugly:

Tommy Pham was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but the one hit was a 3 run home run.

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Christian Arroyo was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Nick Pivetta took the loss but allowed just 3 runs in 6 innings. He gave up 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5.

Final Thoughts:

The name of the game is pitching and the Boston Red Sox simply don't have it. You need great pitching to beat the world champs and the Sox didn't have it tonight. Pivetta did the best he could but the pen can't allow 5 runs in 3 innings and expect to win. The Sox bats weren't the issue either as Pham's three run bomb almost overcame the lousy pitching but Ryan Brasier and Kaleb Ort just couldn't get it done. A year and a half of bullpen burnout led to this although this year it wasn't Alex Cora's fault with all the starters getting hurt except Pivetta. You can't lose Rich Hill, Nathan Eovaldi, Michael Wacha and Connor Seabold (as bad as he was) and not burn out the bullpen when the replacements falter. Its all adding up to a lost season which sucks considering the Sox were two wins away from the World Series last year. The less said of this disaster, the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 54-58, good for last place in the AL East. The Sox now must suffer another beating at the hands of the AL East when the Baltimore Orioles come to town for a makeup game. Josh Winckowski gets the start for the Sox against Dean Kremer of Baltimore. The game begins tomorrow night at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Bradley Jettisoned, Royals Beat Sox (8/4/22)

It was a long time coming but the Boston Red Sox made some much needed roster moves. Matt Barnes was activated from the Injured List and Darwinzon Hernandez was called up from Worcester. Brayan Bello was placed on the Injured List with a bad groin pull and Kaleb Ort was mercifully sent back to Worcester. The big news was Jackie Bradley Jr was released to make room for Eric Hosmer on the roster. Quite frankly Chaim Bloom completely botched the Hunter Renfroe trade. Alex Binelas is hitting just .136 in AA and David Hamilton is hitting just .228 although he does have FIFTY stolen bases. That pails in comparison to the black hole Bradley was on offense this year. The theory was Renfroe could hit 30 home runs but turtle in October while Bradley would hit .200 but turn into Superman in the post-season like he did in 2018. The problem that everyone saw coming but Bloom is the entire offense crapped the bed right out of the gate in April. Bradley's lack of offense killed rally after rally when the Sox desperately needed a base hit. With the Sox pretty much out of it with their offense in shambles and too many injuries, Bloom cut his losses by telling Bradley his services are no longer needed. If their offense was booming they could afford to hide a guy like Bradley in the nine hole and have him play defense. As it is they need all the help they can get offensively with Christian Vazquez gone and JBJ wasn't going to get it done. Unless David Hamilton becomes the next Tommy Harper, this trade is going to haunt the Sox for a long, LONG time. Speaking of trades, the two prospects the Sox got from San Diego in the Eric Hosmer trade, Max Ferguson and Corey Rosier were activated to the Greenville Drive. The drive released pitcher Alexander Montero and infielder Antoni Flores as corresponding moves. Like I mentioned here back in May, Montero was struggling in Salem and Greenville and it was just a matter of time before he was released. Also like I mentioned back in May, Flores was hitting .218 and the rise of Marcello Mayer made him expendable. The addition of the older and more experienced Ferguson sealed Flores' fate. With the Lowell Spinners gone, there's not many places to hide bad players anymore so if you don't produce, bye bye.

                                                                         OUT

                                                                      IN

As for the game, Murphy's Law continued only this time it was manager Alex Cora that could do no right. After Reese McGuire went 2 for 3 last night, naturally Cora benched him for Kevin Plawecki tonight. The Kansas City Royals stole 4 bases off Plawecki which led to some of their runs scoring. Nick Pivetta had thrown just 86 pitches but was once again yanked after five innings. With the score tied 3-3, Cora brought in Darwinzon Hernandez in the seventh inning and he proceeded to give up 4 hits and 2 walks including the backbreaking 3 run home run to Salvador Perez. Tanner Houck, Garrett Whitlock and John Schreiber were all rested but the decision to go with Hernandez cost Cora the game. The pathetic Royals held the miserable Sox offense to just three runs and easily won the game 7-3 at Kauffman Stadium.

                                                   Live look at Alex Cora supporters

The Sox wasted no time getting to Royals starter Kris Bubic in the top of the first inning. Jaylin Davis walked, Tommy Pham doubled to right to move Jaylin to third and Rafael Devers cleared the bases with a base hit to left to put the Sox up just like that. Naturally the rally ended as Xander Bogaerts and JD Martinez both weakly flied out to right before Eric Hosmer made his Sox debut by flying out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                           Devers puts Boston on top

The Royals wasted no time getting to Pivetta in the bottom of the first as MJ Melendez hit a home run all the way to St Louis instantly. Bobby Witt Jr effortlessly got a base hit in the hole at short, stole second and took third on a Salvador Perez fly out to center. Vinnie Pasquantino hit a sac fly to center to score Witt to tie the game. Hunter Dozier flied out to center to end the inning with the game tied 2-2. 

                                                           Melendez answers

The Sox offense was done for the night although Christian Arroyo got a lucky hit to center to start. Naturally Kevin Plawecki banged into a double play and Jarren Duran flied out into left to end the inning. The Royals threatened in the bottom of the second although Michael Massey grounded out to first to start. Michael A Taylor was ruled safe on a grounder to second but Sox manager Alex Cora challenged that he was out at first, the replays showed he was. Nate Eaton easily beat out a roller to third, Nicky Lopez effortlessly singled to center to move Eaton to third and Nicky stole second. Somehow Melendez struck out swinging to end the inning. 

The Sox gave up in the top of the third as Davis struck out swinging to start. Pham flied out to right and Devers grounded out to first to end the inning. Somehow Witt Jr took strike three to start the bottom of the third before Perez flied out to center. Pasquantino grounded out to first to end the inning.

The misery continued in the top of the fourth as Bogaerts went down hacking to start. Martinez struck out swinging and Hosmer grounded pathetically back to the mound to end the inning. Dozier froze for strike three to begin the bottom of the fourth but Massey got a base hit to left. Taylor flied out to right but Massey swiped second. Eaton grounded out to third to end the inning. 

Arroyo grounded out weakly to the mound to start the top of the fifth but Plawecki got a lucky hit to left. Duran tried to drop down a bunt but Plawecki was thrown out at second. Didn't matter anyway because Davis struck out swinging to end the inning. Lopez walked to start the bottom of the fifth but Melendez struck out swinging. Lopez effortlessly stole second but Witt Jr took strike three. Perez easily got a base hit to right to score Lopez and put Kansas City on top. Pasquantino laughed at Pivetta as he doubled to right but Dozier flied out to right to end the inning with Royals ahead 3-2. That was it for Pivetta as Cora threw in the towel on this one as Nick allowed 3 runs in just 5 innings.

                                                         Pivetta doesn't last long

The ineptitude continued in the top of the sixth as Pham took strike three right down the middle to start. Devers grounded out weakly to the mound and Bogaerts went down hacking to end the inning. The Sox haven't had a base runner reach second after the Devers base hit in the first. The returning Matt Barnes came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Massey grounded out to short to start. Taylor grounded back to the mound and Eaton flied out to right to end the inning.

The Sox somehow fought back in the top of the seventh with Taylor Clarke on the mound. Martinez struck out swinging and Hosmer flied out to right, but Arroyo doubled to left. Shockingly Plawecki got a base hit to center to score Arroyo to tie the game. Duran walked and Alex Verdugo pinch hit for Davisn only to take strike three right down the middle to end the inning with the game tied 3-3.

                                                      Plawecki drives in a run

Naturally Darwinzon Hernandez came in to blow the game in the bottom of the seventh by walking Lopez to start. Melendez got a base hit to right to move Lopez to third and Nicky scored on the Witt base hit to left. Perez ended matters with a three run bomb into the Baltic Sea and Sox fans worldwide threw a fit that Cora brought in Hernandez into a tie game only to give up 4 runs on 3 hits and a walk. Cora ended up getting thrown out of the game by umpire Bill Welke to save him from himself. To add insult to injury Hernandez walked Pasquantino and Kyle Isabel ran for him. Isabel got picked off, Dozier lined out to short and Massey struck out swinging to end the inning but Cora cost the Sox the game with them now trailing 7-3.

                                                           Cora blows the game

Dylan Coleman came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Pham looked at strike three right down the middle to start. Devers drew a walk but Bogaerts lined out to right. Martinez popped up weakly to right to end the inning. Just for laughs, Hernandez came back for the bottom of the eighth and Taylor effortlessly singled to left to start. Somehow Eaton grounded into a double play and Lopez flied out to center to end the inning. 

Scott Barlow came in to close out the top of the ninth and Hosmer walked to start. Arroyo forced Hosmer at second and Plawecki grounded into a double play to end the game. The Royals had won it 7-3.

                                                            Royals win

Jackass of the Night should be Alex Cora but unfortunately its Darwinzon Hernandez. He turned a 3-3 game into 7-3 without recording an out.

                                                      Jackass Hernandez

The Good:

Rafael Devers was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs batted in.

Christian Arroyo was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless sixth inning.

The Bad:

Alex Verdugo struck out as a pinch hitter.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

JD Martinez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Jaylin Davis was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts but walked and scored a run.

Tommy Pham was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.

Eric Hosmer was 0 for 3 but walked.

Kevin Plawecki was 2 for 4 with an rbi but allowed 4 stolen bases and hit into the game ending double play.

Jarren Duran was 0 for 2 but walked.

Nick Pivetta allowed 3 runs in just 5 innings of work.

Final Thoughts:

Just when you think the season couldn't get any worse, it does. The Sox score 3 total runs against a team that's notorious for giving up the long ball. The combination of piss-poor roster construction, injuries and down years by just about everyone has this one of the worst offenses in baseball. Its not just Bloom's fault, the magic seems to have worn off for Cora. Not that the Sox were going to score much anyway with their pathetic lineup, but bringing in Hernandez in a tie game in the seventh inning with your trio of terror rested is inexcusable. Just yet another bad move in a long line of them this season which can't end fast enough. Martinez just doesn't have it anymore, Duran and Verdugo regressed and the Sox aren't going to get much out of Reese McGuire, Pham and Hosmer. The only question is after the season, who pays the price? Cora? Bloom? Maybe both? Either way someone has to pay for the failure this year after coming two wins short of the world series last year. The loss dropped the Sox to 53-54, 4 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for the third wild card. The Sox get shut down tonight in game two of this series by Zack Greinke of the Royals while Josh Winckowski (4-5, 5.00 ERA) gets lit up by the Royals offense. The massacre begins at 8:10 PM eastern time at Kauffman Stadium.

Jays Embarrass Sox at Fenway (7/22/22)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made some roster moves. Chris Sale was placed on the Injured List with a fractured pinkie finger and Connor Wong was sent back to Worcester. In their places, Brayan Bello and Yolmer Sanchez were called up from Worcester. Sucks that Sale got hurt AGAIN but this season is circling the drain anyway.

                                                                           OUT

                                                                          IN

As for the game, this may be one of the most embarrassing games in Boston Red Sox history. Back in 2000 the Yankees beat the Sox 22-1 at Fenway and in 2016 the Angels spanked the Sox 21-2 but this game was worse for one reason, the collective effort was AWFUL. The Toronto Blue Jays utterly demolished the Red Sox by getting TWENTY-NINE hits as well as 28 runs. Nathan Eovaldi was toast after just 2 2/3 innings and 9 runs allowed but the Boston bullpen got annihilated for 19 runs after he was gone. Worst yet, Raimel Tapia hit an inside the park grand slam when Jarren Duran lost the ball in the lights and didn't bother to go after the ball. The Sox also made two errors as the Jays poured on the attack. Only two of the nine innings the Jays didn't score as the Sox ineptitude against the AL East continued with a 28-3 massacre by the Jays at Fenway Park.

                                         A microcosm of the season for both Duran and the Sox

The Jays wasted no time getting to Eovaldi in the top of the first as Raimel Tapia struck out swinging. Vladimir Guerrero Jr doubled to left and Alejandro Kirk singled in the hole at short to move Vlad to third. Bo Bichette grounded out to Eovaldi but Guerrero scored to put the Jays on top. Teoscar Hernandez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Jays up 1-0.

                                                      The carnage begins

Kevin Gausman got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jarren Duran's bunt attempt was snuffed out by Santiago Espinal. Ron Refsnyder took strike three but Rafael Devers doubled to left. Xander Bogaerts struck out swinging to end the inning. 

The Jays struck again in the top of the second as Lourdes Gurriel Jr got a base hit to center to start. Matt Chatman hit a home run all the way back to Toronto but Espinal popped up to short. Danny Jansen and Tapia both grounded out to short to end the inning with the Jays up 3-0.

                                                         It's about to get worse

Alex Verdugo grounded out to second to start the bottom of the second and Christian Vazquez got a base hit to right. Kevin Plawecki also got a base hit to right but Jackie Bradley Jr struck out swinging. Jeter Downs struck out swinging to end the inning. 

Things fell apart in the top of the third as Guerrero Jr grounded out to short to start. Kirk singled to right, Bichette doubled to left and Hernandez walked to load the bases. Gurriel Jr singled to center to score Kirk and Bichette, but Chapman struck out swinging. Espinal got a base hit to right to score Hernandez and everyone moved up. Jansen walked to re-load the bases and the plug was pulled on Eovaldi. Austin Davis came in and Tapia hit a fly ball to center.....that Duran never saw..it bounced 20 feet behind him and he just stared at it. Verdugo had to throw it back in but by the time he sis, Tapia had made it around for an inside the park grand slam. Guerrero Jr walked and took second on a wild pitch but Kirk lined out to right to end the inning with the Jays up 10-0.

                                                      Eovaldi can't bear to watch this

Duran struck out swinging to start the bottom of the third and Refsnyder lined out to right. Devers struck out swinging to end the inning. 

The Jays teed off on Davis in the top of the fourth as Bichette struck out swinging to start. Hernandez hit a home run all the way to Venus but Gurriel Jr flied out to right. Chapman was hit with a pitch and Davis fielded a grounder by Espinal then threw it away for an error. Jansen hit a home run all the way to Mongolia to increase the lead. Tapia grounded out to short to end the inning with the Jays up by two touchdowns 14-0.

                                                      Home run derby at Fenway

Bogaerts struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fourth before Verdugo grounded out to second. Somehow Vazquez belted his 7th home run of the year to break up the shutout. Espinal threw a grounder by Plawecki away for an error and JBJ smashed his second home run of the season to cut the lead. Downs took strike three to end the inning but the Sox kicked a field goal to trail 14-3.

                                                                Home run JBJ

Things got much worse in the top of the fifth with Kaleb Ort on the mound. Guerrero Jr took strike three and Kirk grounded out to first, but Bichette singled to right. Hernandez got a base hit to right and Gurriel Jr singled to center to score Bichette. Chapman hit a pop up on the infield and naturally no one called it, allowing it to drop in for a "hit" to score Hernandez. Espinal walked and Jansen singled to right to score Gurriel. Tapia doubled to center to score Chapman and Espinal then Guerrero Jr got a base hit to left to score both runners. Finally Ort was pulled and Darwinzon Hernandez came in to get beat up. Kirk walked and JBJ missed a pop up by Bichette to score Guerrero. Hernandez singled to right to score Kirk and Gurriel Jr doubled to center to clear the bases. Chapman took strike three to end the inning but the Jays scored 11 runs with two outs in the inning to lead 25-3.

                                                           Jays are all smiles

Duran doubled to left to start the bottom of the fifth but Refsnyder took strike three. Devers lined out to left and Bogaerts struck out swinging to end the inning. 

Bobby Dalbec came in for Devers as the massacre continued in the top of the sixth. Downs threw a grounder away by Espinal for an error and Jansen hit yet another home run to increase the lead. Tapia ate up Downs at second for another hit and Zack Collins pinch hit for Guerrero. Collins popped up to short but Kirk singled to center. Cavan Biggio pinch hit for Bichette and forced Kirk at second. Bradley Zimmer pinch hit for Hernandez and struck out swinging to end the inning with the Jays up 27-3.

                                                          Jays can't miss tonight

The Sox got a run back against Jeremy Beasley in the bottom of the sixth as Verdugo flied out to left to start. Vazquez pounded his second home run of the night to cut the lead and Plawecki singled to left. JBJ and Downs both struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 27-4.

                                                     Vazquez is still fighting

Yolmer Sanchez came in for Bogaerts with Jake Diekman now on the mound for the top of the seventh. Gurriel Jr singled to right but Chapman hit one up the elevator shaft. Espinal popped up to short but a wild pitch moved Gurriel to second. Jansen took strike three to end the inning for Boston's first scoreless inning of the game. Duran struck out swinging to open the bottom of the seventh but Jansen dropped a pop up by Refsnyder. Rob made him pay back by hitting his fourth home run of the season but Dalbec took strike three. Sanchez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 27-5.

                                                           Refsnyder jacks one

Hiro Sawamura came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Tapia grounded out to third to start. Collins watched strike three go by and Kirk grounded out to third to end the inning. Franchy Cordero pinch hit for Verdugo and flied out to center to start the bottom of the eighth. Vazquez grounded out to second and Plawecki also grounded out to second to end the inning.

Sanchez the infielder took over on the mound to start the top of the ninth and Biggio doubled to left. JBJ made a running catch to rob Zimmer of a hit but Gurriel Jr got a base hit to center. Chapman singled to left to score Biggio to wrap up the scoring. Espinal forced Chapman at second and Jansen popped up to third to end the inning with the Jays up 28-5.

                                     Sanchez didn't even allow the most runs by a pitcher

Anthony Banda came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and JBJ grounded out to short to start. Downs flied out to center and Duran struck out swinging to end the game. The Jays had beaten the crap out of the Sox 28-5.

                                                             Jays win

Jackass of The Night is Jarren Duran. Lollygagging after fly balls you lost in the lights is a bad look, doesn't matter what the score is

                                                                Nice one Jackass          

The Good:

Rafael Devers was 1 for 3.

Christian Vazquez was 3 for 4 with 2 home runs.

Kevin Plawecki was 3 for 4 with a run scored.

Jake Diekman pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

Hiro Sawamura pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Bobby Dalbec struck out in his only at-bat.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Yolmer Sanchez struck out in his only at-bat and gave up a run in the ninth inning on the mound.

Alex Verdugo was 0 for 3.

Franchy Cordero was 0 for 1 in his only at-bat.

Jeter Downs was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts and an error.

Nathan Eovaldi took the loss by allowing 9 runs in just 2 2/3 innings off 8 hits and 2 walks.

Austin Davis allowed 5 runs in 1 1/3 innings.

Kaleb Ort allowed 8 runs in 2/3 of an inning.

Darwinzon Hernandez allowed 5 runs in 1 1/3 innings.

The Ugly:

Rob Refsnyder was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but hit a home run.

Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but the one hit was a 2 run home run.

Final Thoughts:

I think its time to sell at the trade deadline. Xander Bogaerts, Nathan Eovaldi and JD Martinez are all free agents after this season and Sox GM Chaim Bloom might want to get something for them. Lourdes Gurriel Jr had 6 hits and the Sox as a team had 10, that's just inexcusable. Duran also needs to be sent back to Worcester because lollygagging after balls is what got Izzy Alcantara sent on a rocket ship to obscurity back in 2000. Speaking of 2000, the Sox getting smashed at home by the Yankees in June of 2000 was somehow not as bad as this. Getting beat by the World Champs is one thing, getting dominated by THIS Jays team is another. Jake Diekman and Hiro Sawamaura were the only pitchers not to give up runs and what do you say at this point? Here's the worst part, they allowed 27 runs to the Yankees in the two games before the all-star break and 28 in this one. That's 55 total runs in three games, that'll get you a one way ticket to last place in team ERA. The offense managed four home runs and scored 5 runs, not the best but any other night that would at least put them in a position to win. Jeter Downs looked as lost as Duran did so things are not looking good for the youngsters. The less said of this, the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 48-46, 16.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow against the Jays as Kutter Crawford (2-2) takes on Alek Manoah of the Jays. The game begins at 4:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Lose Sale, Game To Yankees (7/17/22)

Chris Sale (0-1, 3.18 ERA) and the Boston Red Sox are legitimate cursed. He was out with a fractured rib since Spring Training then returned five days ago. Then in the first inning of today's first half finale against the New York Yankees, he takes a line drive off his pitching hand, breaking his pinkie finger just six batters into the game. The Yankees feasted on the Red Sox bullpen and added to Boston's AL East misery by pounding out 14 hits with 13 runs. Meanwhile Gerrit Cole stymied the shell-shocked Boston bats for just 2 runs in 7 innings. The Yankees relentless attack pounded the Sox in the last game before the All-Star break 13-2 at Yankee Stadium.

                                               A microcosm of the season, down and out

Cole got the ball in the top of the first inning and Jarren Duran struck out swinging. Rafael Devers also went down hacking and Xander Bogaerts grounded out to third to end the inning. The game and the season fell apart in the bottom of the first inning as DJ LeMahieu doubled to right to start. Aaron Judge was hit with a pitch and both runners moved over on the Anthony Rizzo grounder to first. Gleyber Torres hit a routine grounder to Devers who turned and threw the ball into the left field bleachers for an error to score LeMahieu. Matt Carpenter grounded out to short but Judge scored another run. Hicks then hit a bullet off the hand of Sale into right to score Torres and knock Sale out with a broken finger. He lasted just 2/3 of an inning and charged with 3 runs. Hiro Sawamura came in to pitch and Isiah Kiner-Falefa grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Yankees up 3-0.

                                                              So much for Sale

JD Martinez struck out swinging to start the top of the second before Alex Verdugo lined out to right. Christian Vazquez lined out to right to end the inning. Tim Locastro singled to center to start the bottom of the second before Kyle Higashioka popped up to short. Locastro stole second and LeMahieu walked. Judge lined out to third and Darwinzon Hernandez came in to pitch to Rizzo. Naturally he hit Rizzo to load the bases but Torres flied out to right to end the inning.

Franchy Cordero struck out swinging to start the top of the third but Jackie Bradley Jr singled to center. Jeter Downs then clubbed his first career home run to cut the lead. Duran struck out swinging and Devers lined out to first to end the inning with the Sox down 3-2.

                                                         First home run for Downs

Carpenter struck out swinging to start the bottom of the third but Hicks walked to chase Hernandez. Ryan Brasier came in and got Kiner to ground into a double play to end the inning.

Bogaerts grounded out to short to start the top of the fourth before Martinez took strike three. Verdugo struck out swinging to end the inning. The Yankees exploded in the bottom of the fourth as Locastro singled to left to start the inning before stealing second. Higashioka singled in the hole at short and LeMahieu singled to right to score Locastro. Judge singled to left to chase Brasier and Jake Diekman came in to pour gas on the fire. Rizzo walked to load the bases but Torres struck out swinging. Carpenter doubled to right to score LeMahieu and Judge and Hicks singled to right to score Rizzo. Carpenter moved to third on the Hicks single and scored on the Kiner sac fly to left. Locastro hit the exclamation point with a two run home run. LeMahieu took strike three to end the inning with the Yankees scoring eight runs to take an 11-2 lead.

                                                        Eight run inning thanks to Locastro

Vazquez grounded out to first to start the top of the fifth before Cordero struck out swinging. JBJ popped up to short to end the inning. Tanner Houck came in to pitch the bottom of the fifth with Kevin Plawecki now behind the plate. Judge began with a base hit to left but Rizzo flied out to left. Torres flied out to right but Carpenter walked. Hicks grounded out to first to end the inning.

Downs doubled to left to start the top of the sixth but Duran struck out swinging. Devers went down hacking and Bobby Dalbec pinch hit for Bogaerts. Dalbec took strike three to end the inning. Connor Wong took over for Devers with Garrett Whitlock now on the mound for the bottom of the sixth. Kiner flied out to left to start and Locastro struck out swinging. Higashioka went down hacking to end the inning.

Joey Gallo came in for Judge and Marwin Gonzalez came in for Rizzo to start the top of the seventh. Rob Refsnyder pinch hit for Martinez and took strike three before Verdugo got a base hit to right. Plawecki grounded into a double play to end the inning. John Schreiber came in to crap his pants in the bottom of the seventh as LeMahieu singled to right to start. Gallo hit a home run all the way to Pasadena to increase the lead. Gonzalez flied out to left, Torres grounded out to third and Carpenter lined out to center to end the inning with the Yankees up 13-2.

                                                          Home run Gallo

Lucas Luetge came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Cordero struck out swinging to start. JBJ grounded out to first and Downs took strike three to end the inning. Kaleb Ort came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Hicks took strike three to start. Kiner singled to left but Locastro flied out to left. Higashioka walked and LeMahieu was hit with a pitch to load the bases, but Gallo flied out to right to end the inning. 

Jonathan Loaisiga came in to close out the top of the ninth and Duran struck out swinging to begin. Wong singled to right and Dalbec took strike three to end the game. The Yankees had won it 13-2.

                                                     "We suck" - Bogaerts

Jackass of The Night is Ryan Brasier. He let the flood gates open by allowing 4 runs in the bottom of the fourth.

                                           "Yeah you're out, Jackass, now beat it!" - Cora

The Good:

Connor Wong got a base hit in his only at-bat.

Rob Refsnyder was 1 for 2.

Jackie Bradley was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Jeter Downs was 2 for 3 with a 2 run home run.

Hiro Sawamura pitched a full scoreless inning.

Darwinzon Hernandez tossed 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

Tanner Houck tossed a full scoreless inning.

Garrett Whitlock tossed a full scoreless inning.

The Bad:

Jarren Duran was 0 for 4 with the golden sombrero of 4 strikeouts.

Rafael Devers was 0 for 3 with an error and 2 strikeouts.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 2.

Bobby Dalbec was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts.

JD Martinez was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts.

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 2.

Kevin Plawecki was 0 for 1.

Franchy Cordero was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Chris Sale was knocked out of the game after being charged with 3 runs in 2/3 of an inning.

Jake Diekman got lit up for 4 runs in 1 full inning.

John Schreiber allowed 2 runs in an inning.

The Ugly:

Alex Verdugo was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Final Thoughts:

If you thought this season couldn't get more embarrassing, think again. Not only can the Boston Red Sox not beat the AL East, they're not even competitive. The Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Rays and the Yankees not just beat them, but feast on them. The Sox starting rotation is decimated by injury but at the same time, they're not supposed to be THIS bad against the AL East. On top of that, whatever deal John Henry made with the devil for 15 years of success has expired because now they can't do anything right. Their entire rotation got hurt, but here comes Chris Sale. Now Sale is hurt again with a broken pinkie and who knows when he'll be back. Its just more bad vibes in a season full of them that's spiraling down the drain. The less said of this disaster, the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 48-45, 16.5 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox are now off for four days for the MLB Draft and will face the Toronto Blue Jays when action resumes this Friday night. It looks like Nathan Eovaldi will be getting the start for the Sox and Kevin Gausman for the Blue Jays at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.