Angels Sweep Sox (8/25/91)

Well this west coast trip began with a thud now didn't it? With the Boston Red Sox desperately needing some momentum heading into the home stretch, the Sox got swept out of Anaheim by the mediocre California Angels. Joe Hesketh (8-3, 3.69 ERA) had one of his worst starts all year as he allowed 7 runs and got knocked out in the fifth inning. Dennis Lamp gave up two big insurance runs and the normally light hitting Angels earned the sweep with a 9-5 victory at Anaheim Stadium.

                                            Judge Doom hates getting swept

Mark Langston got the start for the Angels and Wade Boggs started the top of the first with a ground out to first to start. Jody Reed grounded out to short but Carlos Quintana drew a walk. Jack Clark grounded out to third to end the inning. Hesketh got the Angels to beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the first inning. Luis Polonia grounded out to first, Gary Gaetti grounded out to short and Wally Joyner grounded out to first to end the inning.

Phil Plantier walked to begin the top of the second but Ellis Burks banged into a double play. Tom Brunansky grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Dave Winfield doubled to begin the bottom of the second and moved to third on the Lance Parrish fly out. Hesketh got a big out when Junior Felix grounded out to third and Shawn Abner whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the third inning as John Marzano flied out to center to begin. Luis Rivera and Boggs stroked back to back singles before moving into scoring position on the Reed grounder. Quintana hit a routine fly to right but Felix dropped it to allow both runners to score and Carlos to reach second. Clark doubled home Quintana to increase the lead but got picked off to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                           Quintana scores a run

The Angels struck back in the bottom of the third as Luis Sojo flied out to right to start. Dick Schofield grounded out to third but Polonia walked. Gaetti pounded a home run to left to cut the lead. Joyner grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-2.

                                                           Home run Gaetti

The Sox answered in the top of the fourth as Plantier walked to start. Burks went down swinging but Bruno crushed his 14th home run of the year to increase the lead. Marzano singled to center but Rivera flied out to left. Boggs grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-2.

                                                 Brunansky hits one out

The Angels countered in the bottom of the fourth although Winfield grounded out to third to start. Parrish and Felix stroked back to back singles before the light hitting Abner crushed a 300,000,000 foot home run into the Fiji Islands to tie the game. Sojo grounded out to third but Schofield singled to center. Polonia popped up to third to end the inning with the game tied 5-5.

                                                     The light hitting Abner ties it

Mike Fetters took over for the top of the fifth and Reed lined out to third to begin. Quintana got a base hit up the middle but Clark banged into a double play to end the inning. The Angels knocked Hesketh out in the bottom of the fifth as Gaetti flied out to left to start. Joyner doubled and Winfield walked to chase Hesketh. He lasted just 4 1/3 innings and was charged with 7 runs. Dennis Lamp came in and poured gas on the fire as Parrish singled home Joyner, Felix singled home Winfield and Abner doubled home Parrish. Sojo flied out to left and Schofield flied out to center to end the inning with the Angels up 8-5.

                                                        Terrible effort by Hesketh

The Sox had one last chance to come back in the top of the sixth but Plantier grounded out to first to start. Burks took strike three but Brunansky walked. Marzano singled to bring the tying run to the plate but Rivera grounded out to second to end the inning. The Angels iced the game in the bottom of the sixth as Polonia took strike three to start. Gaetti hit one up the elevator shaft but Joyner tripled and Winfield doubled him home to wrap up the scoring. Parrish swung and missed for strike three but the Angels were up 9-5.

                                                     Not much relief tonight

Boston went quietly in the top of the seventh as Boggs popped up to short to start. Reed and Quintana both grounded out to third to end the inning. Tom Bolton came in for the bottom of the seventh inning and Felix grounded out to third to start. Abner whiffed and Sojo grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Clark flied out to right to start the top of the eighth before Plantier singled to center. Burks banged into a double play to end the inning. Bolton returned for the bottom of the eighth and cruised. Schofield grounded out to short, Polonia whiffed and Gaetti grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox did try to rally in the top of the ninth although Bruno popped up to second to begin. Marzano grounded out to second but Rivera beat out an infield single to second. Boggs drew a walk to chase Fetters. Mark Eichhorn came in to pitch with "Psycho" Steve Lyons pinch hitting for Reed. Lyons grounded out to first to end the game. The Angels completed the sweep over the frazzled Sox with a 9-5 win.

Jackass of the Night is Dennis Lamp. He allowed 2 inherited runners to score and two of his own to put the game out of reach.

                                                       Lamp the Jackass



The Good:

Carlos Quintana was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Phil Plantier was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Tom Brunansky was 1 for 3 with a walk and a 2 run home run.

John Marzano was 2 for 4.

Luis Rivera was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Tom Bolton tossed 2 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Jody Reed was 0 for 4.

Steve Lyons was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Ellis Burks was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Joe Hesketh got creamed for 7 runs in just 4 1/3 innings. He gave up 7 hits and walked two batters.



The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored a run.

Jack Clark was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.



Final Thoughts:

Well this west coast trip is off to a caterwauling of nonsense. The Sox needed to win 2 of 3 to keep pace with the Toronto Blue Jays and instead they fell further behind. Unless the Sox go on a tear in September, it doesn't look like the Sox will be repeating as AL East champions. If they kept Mike Boddicker and left Matt Young on the scrap heap, maybe they'd be frontrunners for the playoffs. As it is, they may not have enough to get it done this year. Its too bad their two big free agent signings on the pitching side, Young and Danny Darwin, fell flat on their faces. The loss dropped the Sox back to .500 at 62-62, 5.5 games behind the Detroit Tigers for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Sox travel to Oakland to continue their road trip and Roger Clemens (12-8) goes up against Mike Moore at 10:05 PM Eastern Time at Oakland Coliseum.

Abbot, Angels Shut Down Sox (8/23/91)

Well this game was a sucker punch to the go-nads. The Boston Red Sox needed a big win against the California Angels to stay afloat in the AL East and instead they were shut down by the one handed Jim Abbott. The Sox offense got three hits and a run against Abbott in the first inning but just three hits the rest of the way. Matt Young (3-4, 4.23 ERA) couldn't keep pace by allowing one of the longest home runs in recorded history to Wally Joyner and 3 total runs. Dan Petry allowed a big insurance run charged to Tony Fossas and the Angels sent the Sox further down the hole with a 4-1 victory at Anaheim Stadium.

                                                            "lousy bums!"

The Sox got to Abbott in the top of the first inning as Wade Boggs beat out an infield single to third to start. Jody Reed beat out an infield single to second but Carlos Quintana hit into a double play that left Reed at second. Jack Clark drew a walk and Mike Greenwell singled home Reed to put the Sox on top. Ellis Burks lined out to right to end the inning with the Sox head 1-0.

                                                             Greenwell puts Boston ahead

Sox starter Matt Young gave the lead away in about 40 seconds in the bottom of the first. Luis Polonia walked, took second on a passed ball and stole third just like that. Gary Gaetti walked but Wally Joyner popped up to Greenwell. Dave Winfield singled home Polonia to tie the game but Dave Parker flied out to left. Bobby Rose singled home Gaetti to give the Angels the lead. Lance Parrish grounded out to first to end the inning with the Angels up 2-1.

                                                          That damn Winfield 

The Sox offense was done for the day as Abbott cruised in the top of the second. Tom Brunansky grounded out to short to start before John Marzano whiffed. Luis Rivera struck out swinging to end the inning. Shawn Abner popped up to first to begin the bottom of the second but Dick Schofield Jr walked. Polonia lined out to second and Abner was thrown out trying to steal by the alert Marzano to end the inning.

                                                       "Where you goin Abner?"

The Sox blew their last chance to rally in the top of the third when Boggs and Reed stroked back to back singles to start. Quintana whiffed and Clark banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox would have just 1 hit the rest of the way. The Angels struck back in the bottom of the third as Gaetti whiffed to start. Joyner then smashed one of the longest home runs in recorded history to increase the lead. Winfield singled to left but Parker and Rose both struck out swinging to end the inning with the Angels ahead 3-1.

                                               "Holy moly that went far" - WJ

The Sox went lifeless in the top of the fourth as Greenwell flied out to left to start. Burks grounded out to short and Brunansky flied out to center to end the inning. Young got Parrish and Abner to both ground out to short to start. Schofield Jr singled but Polonia grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the fifth as Marzano grounded out to second to start. Rivera grounded back to the mound and Boggs grounded out to second to end the inning. Gaetti walked to start the bottom of the fifth and moved to second on the Joyner grounder. Winfield walked but both Parker and Rose flied out to center to end the inning.

Reed grounded out to short to open the top of the sixth but Quintana singled to center. Clark banged into a double play to end the inning. Parrish struck out swinging to begin the bottom of the sixth before Abner whiffed. Schofield Jr lined out to second to end the inning.

The Sox blew another rally in the top of the seventh although Greenwell flied out to left to start. Burks grounded out to third but Brunansky walked. Marzano walked but Rivera grounded into a force to end the inning. The Angels finally chased Young in the bottom of the seventh as Polonia walked to start. Gaetti flied out to left but Joyner singled Polonia to third to chase Young. He was matched up with Abbott and failed to keep pace, allowing 3 runs in 6 1/3 innings. Dennis Lamp came in and Winfield lined out to third. One and done for Lamp as Tony Fossas came in and got Parker to fly out to left to end the inning. 

                                                         Not Young's best start

Mark Eichhorn replaced Abbott for the top of the eighth and Boggs flied out to right to start. Reed struck out swinging and Quintana lined out to first to end the inning. The Angels got an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth as Rose and Parrish stroked back to back singles to start. Dan Petry came in and Abner struck out swinging, but Schofield Jr scored Rose with a grounder. Polonia was intentionally walked and Gaetti flied out to left to end the inning with the Angels ahead 4-1.

                                                      Not much Petry could have done

Bryan Harvey came in to close out the top of the ninth and Clark flied out to right to start. Greenwell popped up to third and Mo Vaughn pinch hit for Burks. Vaughn grounded back to the mound to end the game. The Angels had won it 4-1.

Jackass of the Night is Matt Young. He allowed 3 runs to the Angels when he could ill afford to do to take the loss.

                                                Jackass Young's face says it all

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 4.

Jody Reed was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Dennis Lamp retired the only man he faced

The Bad:

Ellis Burks was 0 for 3.

Mo Vaughn grounded out as a pinch hitter.

Luis Rivera was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Tony Fossas was charged with a run in 1/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Carlos Quintana was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jack Clark was 0 for 3 but walked.

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Tom Brunansky was 0 for 2 but walked.

John Marzano was 0 for 2 but walked.

Dan Petry allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own in an inning of work.

Final Thoughts:

Another tough loss in a season full of them. Abbott brought his A game but the Sox missed a chance to do some damage three times during the game. They couldn't get a clutch hit when it counted and they deserved this loss big time. Matt Young once again didn't justify his price tag, making the Sox look like even bigger fools for letting Mike Boddicker walk. Tony Fossas didn't inspire anyone out of the bullpen either, putting Dan Petry in an impossible situation. The Sox are falling further and further behind the Toronto Blue Jays and they just don't seem to have the "Morgan Magic" this year. Roger Clemens can only do so much by himself. Still, the Sox still have a month to turn it around and repeat as division champions. The loss dropped the Sox to 62-60, 4.5 games behind the Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Sox look to bounce back against the angels when they send rookie Kevin Morton (3-2, 4.89 ERA) to the mound against Kirk McCaskill of the Angels. The game begins at 10:00 PM Eastern time at Anaheim Stadium.

                

Boggs, Sox Top Jays (4/22/91)

Welcome back Boston Red Sox bats! After being dormant for much of April, the Sox offense needed to come alive in tonight's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Sox starter Danny Darwin was out after 4 innings and 4 runs allowed with a bad case of pneumonia. Tom Brunansky hit a two run homer to keep the Sox in the game and Wade Boggs hit the 2 run go-ahead shot in the 5th. The Sox bullpen led by Dennis Lamp didnt surrender a run the rest of the game. The Sox made it 5 wins in a row with their 6-4 victory at Fenway Park.

                                                    Ivan Drago approves of the win

Darwin got the ball in the top of the first and Devon White flied out to center to start. Roberto Alomar flied out to center and Kelly Gruber flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox wasted no time getting to Jays starter David Wells in the bottom of the first inning. Wade Boggs grounded out to short to start and Jody Reed lined out to left. Mike Greenwell tripled into the centerfield gap and scored on the base hit by Jack Clark. Ellis Burks grounded into a force to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 1-0.

                                                                Clark drives in a run

Joe Carter popped up to short to begin the top of the second and John Olerud grounded out to first. Rance Mulliniks grounded out to second to end the inning. Tom Brunansky grounded out to third to start the bottom of the second before Carlos Quintana singled to left. Quintana foolishly tried to stretch a double and was thrown out at second. Tony Pena hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

The Jays tied it up in the top of the third as Greg Myers doubled to to left to start. Myers moved to third on the sacrifice bunt by Manuel Lee and Mookie Wilson was hit with a pitch. Wilson stole second and White scored Myers with a sac fly to tie the game. Alomar flied out to center to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                       Still torturing the Sox 5 years later

Tim Naehring grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the third but Boggs singled to center. Reed flied out to center and Greenwell grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Rangers finished off Darwin in the top of the fourth as Gruber tripled to start and Carter crushed a home run all the way to Burlington to give the Jays the lead. Olerud doubled to left but Mulliniks took strike three. Myers singled to second to score Olerud but Lee struck out looking. Wilson grounded out to second to end the inning with the Jays ahead 4-1. That was it for Darwin after 4 innings and 4 runs allowed, give him credit for trying to pitch through pneumonia but he was finished.

                                                          A sick Danny couldn't continue

The Sox clawed back in the bottom of the fourth as Clark singled to left to start. Lee dropped a pop up by Burks which forced Clark at second but Alomar threw the ball away to allow Burks to take second. Brunansky then clobbered his second home run of the year to cut the lead. Quintana singled to left to start but Pena banged into a double play to end the inning with the Jays up 4-3.

                                                             Brunansky brings the Sox closer

Dennis Lamp came in to pitch the top of the fifth and White grounded out to first to start. Alomar singled to left and swiped second before Gruber walked. Carter hit a rocket to center that Burks dove and caught. Alomar tried to tag up and score all the way from second but was thrown out at home to end the inning. The Sox took command in the bottom of the fifth as Naehring walked to start and Boggs plastered his second home run of the year to give the Sox the lead. Reed walked but Greenwell flied out to center to chase Wells. Mike Timlin came in and Clark singled. Burks lined out to short and Brunansky grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-4.

                                                   Boggs puts the Sox on top

Lamp walked Olerud to begin the top of the sixth and Sox manager Joe Morgan pulled him for Joe Hesketh. Pat Tabler pinch hit for Mulliniks and singled but Myers struck out swinging. Lee hit a routine grounder to reed who threw his glove at the ball and dove onto second base for an error to load the bases. Wilson banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the sixth as Quintana lined out to short to start. Pena grounded out to second and Naehring popped up to first to end the inning.

Hesketh cruised in the top of the seventh as White grounded out to short to start. Alomar grounded out to third and Gruber flied out to center to end the inning. Boggs walked to start the bottom of the seventh but Reed took strike three. Greenwell lined out to left and Clark took strike three to end the inning.

Jeff Gray came in for the top of the eighth and Carter flied out to right to start. Olerud and Tabler both grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Frank Wills came in for the bottom of the eighth and Burks walloped his first home run of the season to increase the lead. Brunansky grounded back to the mound but Quintana was hit with a pitch. Pena moved Quintana to second with a grounder but Naehring grounded out to third to end the inning with the score 6-4 Boston.

                                                        Burks hits the kill shot

Jeff Reardon came in for the top of the ninth with Kevin Romine taking over in right. Myers grounded out to short and Lee flied out to left, but Wilson tripled into the centerfield triangle. White grounded out to first to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-4.

Hero of the Night is Wade Boggs. His 2 run homer put the Sox in front for good.

                                                                  Boggs is the Hero

The Good:

Jack Clark was 3 for 4 with an rbi.

Carlos Quintana was 2 for 3 with a hit by pitch

Dennis Lamp earned the win with a scoreless fifth inning.

Joe Hesketh tossed 2 scoreless innings.

Jeff Gray pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Jeff Reardon earned his fourth save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Tony Pena was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

Jody Reed was 0 for 3 with an error but walked.

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Ellis Burks was just 1 for 4 but the hit was a home run and he scored two total runs.

Tom Brunansky was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a two run home run.

Tim Naehring was 0 for 3 but walked and scored a run.

Honorable Mention:

Kevin Romine played right field in the top of the ninth.

Final Thoughts:

As expected, Danny Darwin was placed on the Disabled List following the game. Its only April so it makes no sense for him to die of pneumonia trying to pitch for the Sox. The good news is at least the Sox won the game despite Danny being out after four. The offense picked him up in this one as Brunansky, Boggs and Burks all homered and Carlos Quintana had a multiple hit game. Naehring looks lost out there but it could be just April jitters. Give him time to see what he can do. If the Sox bullpen going forward can pitch as well as they did today. the Sox are in good shape as the season progresses. The Sox are on a 5 game winning streak and they look to make it 6 in a row tomorrow night against the Blue Jays. Things look good because Roger Clemens (3-0, 0.39 ERA) goes for the Sox up against Dennis Boucher of the Jays. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Indians Blank Sox in 13 Innings on Patriots Day (4/15/91)

Well this was a waste of a Patriots Day. After the Boston Red Sox failed to score a run in 9 innings yesterday against the Cleveland Indians, today they topped it by failing to cross the plate in 13 futile innings. Charles Nagy tossed 8 1/3 scoreless innings for the Indians before the bullpen tossed the remaining 4 2/3. Matt Young pitched his ass off for the Sox, going 9 shutout innings while allowing just 2 hits and 6 walks. Jeff Gray and Joe Hesketh kept the Tribe off the board but it was Dennis Lamp (0-1, 4.50 ERA) that surrendered the go-ahead run in the top of the 13th inning. Doug Jones closed out the game in the bottom of the frame as the Sox have now gone 22 straight innings without scoring a run, losing this Patriots Day marathon 1-0 at Fenway Park.

                                                   "Is this team ever gonna score?" 

Young got the ball in the top of the first and Mike Huff struck out swinging to start. Felix Fermin grounded out to short and Mitch Webster grounded out to third to end the inning. Nagy got the ball in the bottom of the first and Wade Boggs grounded out to second to start. Jody Reed walked but Mike Greenwell banged into a double play to end the inning.

Albert Belle struck out swinging to start the top of the second and Brook Jacoby grounded out to short. Chris James and Jeff Manto drew back to back walks but Joel Skinner struck out swinging to end the inning. Jack Clark struck out swinging tos tart the bottom of the second and Ellis Burks popped up to second. Mike Marshall made his season debut by grounding out to short to end the inning.

Joel Escobar flied out to center to start the top of the third and Huff hit one up the elevator shaft. Fermin walked but Webster flied out to left to end the inning. Carlos Quintana got the Sox first hit of the game with a base hit to right but Tony Pena hit into a double play. Tim Naehring lined out to center to end the inning.

Belle grounded out to second to start the top of the fourth but Jacoby got the Indians first hit with a single to center. Jacoby moved to second on the James grounder and Manto grounded out to short to end the inning. Boggs singled to right to start the bottom of the fourth but was thrown out at second trying to steal. Reed whiffed and Greenwell flied out to right to end the inning.

Skinner flied out to right to begin the top of the fifth and Escobar grounded out to second. Huff grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox blew a chance to take the lead in the bottom of the fifth as Clark walked to start. Burks doubled to left but Clark was foolishly thrown out at home on the grounder to third by Marshall. Quintana flied out to right and Pena grounded into a fielder's choice to end the inning.

                                                           What the hell was that Jack?

Fermin walked to begin the top of the sixth and moved to second on the grounder to third by Webster. Belle flied out to left and Jacoby grounded out to first to end the inning. Naehring whiffed to start the bottom of the sixth and Boggs walked. Boggs was erased on the force by Reed and Greenwell popped up to second to end the inning.

James walked to open the top of the seventh but Manto lined out to center. James stole second on the Skinner strikeout but Escobar walked. Huff grounded out to short to end the inning. Clark whiffed to start the bottom of the second but Burks singled to center. Marshall banged into a double play to end the inning and Sox manager Joe Morgan had seen enough of Marshall.

Kevin Romine made his season debut by taking over in right to begin the top of the eighth and Fermin grounded out to first to start. Webster's bunt attempt was snuffed out by Pena and Belle grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the eighth as Quintana grounded out to third to start. Pena grounded out to second and Naehring grounded out to third to end the inning.

Young came back for one more inning in the top of the ninth as Jacoby grounded out to third to start. James flied out to center but Jeff Manto singled. Alex Cole pinch ran for Manto and Sandy Alomar pinch hit for Skinner, grounding into a force to end the inning. Matt Young had tossed a 9 inning shutout allowing 2 hits but walked 6.

                                                               Young throws 9 shutout innings

The Sox had their chance to win the game in the bottom of the ninth with Carlos Baerga now at third when Boggs walked to start. Reed dropped down a bunt to get Wade to second and Greenwell was intentionally walked. Steve Olin came in to pitch to Clark and naturally Clark banged into a double play to end the inning.

Jeff Gray came in to pitch the top of the tenth and Jerry Browne pinch hit for Escobar, grounding out to short. Huff singled to right and stole second, but Webster lined out to right to end the inning. Ellis Burks struck out looking to start the bottom of the tenth and Romine whiffed. Quintana grounded out to short to end the inning.

Belle was plunked to start the top of the eleventh and took second on a wild pitch. Jacoby took strike three, James flied out to center and Baerga popped up to center to end the inning. Pena lined out to center to start the bottom of the eleventh and Naehring grounded out to second. Boggs flied out to left to end the inning.

Joe Hesketh came in to pitch the top of the 12th and Alomar grounded out to second to start. Browne dropped down a bunt single and Huff walked, but Fermin could only advance the runners with a grounder. Webster whiffed to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the 12th as Reed lined out to left to start. Greenwell flied out to center and Clark whiffed to end the inning.

Dennis Lamp came in for the top of the 13th and Belle flied out to right to start. All of a sudden Jacoby hit a home run all the way into the Charles River to give the Indians the lead. James flied out to center and Baerga grounded out to second to end the inning with the Indians up 1-0.

                                                        Jacoby puts Cleveland on top

Doug Jones came in for the bottom of the 13th and Burks grounded out to short to start. Tom Brunansky pinch hit for Romine and got a base hit to left. Quintana got a base hit to left to put the tying run at second but Pena could only advance the runners with a grounder. With no one else on the bench to pinch hit, Naehring popped up to second to end the game. The Indians had won it 1-0 in 13 innings.

Jackass of the Night is Dennis Lamp. He served up the home run to Jacoby in the 13th inning.

                                                       Jackass Lamp

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 1 for 3 with 2 walks.

Ellis Burks was 2 for 5.

Tom Brunansky singled as a pinch hitter.

Carlos Quintana was 2 for 5.

Matt Young was outstanding, tossing 9 shutout innings while allowing 2 hits and 6 walks.

Jeff Gray tossed 2 scoreless innings.

Joe Hesketh pitched a scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Mike Marshall was 0 for 3.

Kevin Romine was 0 for 1.

Tony Pena was 0 for 5.

Tim Naehring was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Jody Reed was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 4 but walked.

Jack Clark was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but walked.

Final Thoughts:

The Red Sox weren't a very good offensive team last year but they looked totally incompetent the last few days. They've been shut out in back to back games and things aren't working. The Sox haven't displayed any power or getting hits in the clutch. Its early in the season but that's a bad sign. Apart from Dennis Lamp, the pitching was wonderful. Young tossed 9 shutout innings which wins the game 9 times out of 10. Jeff Gray and Joe Hesketh did what they could so no sense blasting them. Its a shame the Sox couldn't win on Patriots Day but those are the breaks. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow when the Kansas City Royals come to town. Danny Darwin (0-1) looks to rebound from his disaster of a debut when he takes on Kevin Appier of the Royals. The game begins at 2:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Jays Stun Sox Late (4/10/91)

If last night's loss to the Toronto Blue Jays was frustrating for the Boston Red Sox, tonight's gag job was even worse. Matt Young made his Red Sox debut by tossing 5 gutty innings of 2 run ball. The Sox offense scored 3 runs off Jays starter Todd Stottlemyre. The Sox cruised until the bottom of the eighth when Jeff Gray (0-1, 11.57 ERA) served up the backbreaking 3 run home run to Pat Tabler. The Sox put the tying run on in the top of the ninth but Tom Henke slammed the door as the Jays stunned the Sox 4-3 at the Skydome.

                                                               "Damn you Gray!"

Stottlemyre got the ball in the top of the first and Wade Boggs grounded out to first to start. Jody Reed popped up to first and Mike Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning. Young got the ball in the bottom of the first and Devon White struck out swinging to start. 

Stottlemyre had no control in the top of the second as Jack Clark and Ellis Burks were both plunked to start. Tom Brunansky singled in the hole at short to load the bases with nobody out. Carlos Quintana lined out to right and Tony Pena struck out swinging, but Tim Naehring doubled down the left field line to score Clark and Burks to give the Sox the lead. Boggs was intentionally walked to load the bases and Reed made them pay by walking home Brunansky with another run. Greenwell flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                                 Naehring drives in a pair

Young got the Jays to beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the second inning as Joe Carter grounded out to short to start. Pat Tabler and Pat Borders both grounded out to short to end the inning.

Clark whiffed to start the top of the third but Burks drew a walk. Bruno lined out to left and Quintana flied out to right to end the inning. Mark Whiten walked to start the bottom of the third but Manuel Lee struck out swinging. Glenallen Hill banged into a double play to end the inning.

Pena grounded out to short to start the top of the fourth and Naehring hit one up the elevator shaft. Boggs walked and Reed singled to left but Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning. White grounded out to second to start the bottom of the fourth before Alomar walked. Gruber walked but Carter struck out swinging. Tabler grounded out to second to end the inning.

Stottlemyre cruised in the top of the fifth as Clark whiffed to start. Burks popped up to second and Bruno whiffed to end the inning. The Jays struck back in the bottom of the fifth although Borders grounded out to short to start. Whiten grounded out to short but Lee doubled to right. Hill walked and White doubled home both runners to cut the lead. Alomar flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox still ahead 3-2.

                                                         Young goes 5 strong

Jim Acker came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Quintana whiffed to start. Pena grounded out to short but Naehring singled to left. Boggs beat out an infield single to second but Reed whiffed to end the inning. Young returned briefly in the bottom of the sixth but he was chased by a Gruber single to short. Dennis Lamp came in to pitch and Gruber moved to second on the Carter ground out. Tabler walked but Borders popped up to first in foul territory. Whiten grounded out to second to end the inning.

Greenwell flied out to right to start the top of the seventh and Clark flied out to center. Burks grounded out to third to end the inning. Lee walked to start the bottom of the seventh and Rance Mulliniks pinch hit for Hill. Sox manager Joe Morgan countered by bringing in Joe Hesketh to pitch to him. Hesketh froze Mulliniks for strike three and got White to bang into a double play to end the inning.

Mike Timlin came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Bruno whiffed to start. Quintana struck out swinging and Pena grounded out to third to end the inning. The Jays rallied in the bottom of the eighth when Hesketh walked Alomar to start. Jeff Gray came in and Gruber lined out to left. Carter walked but Traber hit a home run all the way to Montreal to give the Jays the lead. Borders grounded out to short and Whiten whiffed to end the inning but the Jays were ahead 5-3.

                                                           Tabler gives the Jays the lead

Tom Henke came in to close out the top of the ninth but Naehring singled to right to start. Boggs banged into a double play but Reed singled to second. Greenwell lined out to second to end the game. The Jays had won it 5-3.

Jackass of the Night is Jeff Gray. He gave up the 3 run bomb in the bottom of the eighth.

                                                            Jackass Jeff

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 1 for 3 with 2 walks.

Jody Reed was 2 for 4 with a walk and an rbi.

Ellis Burks walked, was hit with a pitch and scored a run.

Tim Naehring was 3 for 4 with 2 rbis.

Matt Young tossed 5 innings of 2 run ball while walking 4 and striking out 3.

Dennis Lamp tossed a scoreless sixth inning.

The Bad:

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 5.

Carlos Quintana was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Tony Pena was 0 for 4 with a strikeout

Joe Hesketh was charged with a run in an inning of work.

The Ugly:

Jack Clark was 0 for 3 but was hit with a pitch and scored a run.

Tom Brunansky was just 1 for 4 with an error but scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

That game was a swift kick in the junk for sure. The Sox had this game in the bag but Gray let it slip away in the eighth. This is the kind of game that comes back to haunt you come September when the AL East race rides on every game. The Sox had a chance to establish some dominance early against the Blue Jays and they failed miserably. Young lasted just 5 innings because he walked too many guys but the bullpen still could have held the foot. The Sox also scored no runs after the first inning and that also contributed to the loss. The less said of this disaster, the better. After an off-day the Sox are back in action at home against the Cleveland Indians. Danny Darwin makes his Red Sox debut opposite Eric King of the Indians. The game begins at 2 PM at Fenway Park.

Timely Pitching and Big 3rd Inning Defeats Tigers (4/10/90)

Starting the season 2-0 is always a good thing even if it wasn't pretty. Today the Boston Red Sox defeated the Detroit Tigers again behind a lights out Boston bullpen and some timely hitting from the offense to take a 4-2 victory at Fenway Park.

                                             Reginald Tarkington approves of the win

Mike Boddicker (1-0) made his season debut in the top of the first inning by getting Tony Phillips to ground out to short to start. Alan Trammell flied out to center and Lou Whitaker froze on strike three to end the inning. The Sox threatened in the bottom of the first against Kevin Ritz although Wade Boggs grounded out to short after the ball was deflected by Ritz. Marty Barrett and Mike Greenwell stroked back to back singles but Ellis Burks flied out to left. A wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position but Dwight Evans watched strike three go by to end the inning.

The Tigers threatened in the top of the second inning although Cecil Fielder flied out to right to start. Lloyd Moseby singled but Matt Nokes flied out to right as well. Larry Sheets doubled Moseby to third but Boddicker punched out Chet Lemon to end the inning. Billy Jo Robidoux walked to lead off the bottom of the second and Tony Pena singled. Jody Reed dropped down a sac bunt to move both runners into scoring position but Kevin Romine lined out back to the mound. Tigers manager Sparky Anderson wisely intentionally walked Boggs to load the bases and Barrett failed to make them pay by grounding out to first to end the inning. That's 5 men left on base in the first two innings.

Boddicker remained tough in the top of the third inning as Dave Bergman flied out to center to start. Phillips grounded out to second and Trammell struck out to end the inning. The Sox exploded in the bottom of the third although Greenwell grounded out to second to start. Burks singled and stole second before advancing to third on the Evans single. Robidoux walked to load the bases and Pena lined a base hit to score Burks and Evans to put the Sox on top. Reed doubled home Robidoux to chase Ritz from the game. Dan Petry came in and got Romine to ground out, but Pena scored to increase the lead and moved Reed to third. Boggs was once again intentionally walked and Barrett walked the traditional way to re-load the bases. Greenwell started the inning with a ground out and he ended it with one. Even though the Sox had now left 8 men on base, they had a commanding 4-0 lead.

                                                     Pena got the rally started

Boddicker did his part to keep the Tigers off the board in the top of the fourth inning. Whitaker singled in the hole at short to start but Boddicker whiffed fielder. Moseby flied out to center and Nokes grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox finally went quietly in the bottom of the fourth inning.  Burks popped up to third, Evans grounded out to third and Robidoux struck out to end the inning.

The Tigers roared back in the top of the fifth inning. Sheets singled and Lemon was hit with a pitch to start. Bergman grounded out and both runners advanced into scoring position, where Sheets scored on the ground-out by Phillips. Trammell singled in the hole at short to score Lemon but Whitaker popped up to short to end the inning. The Tigers cut the lead in half 4-2. That was it for Boddicker who labored through 5 innings to leave with a 4-2 lead. Sox manager Joe Morgan wants to keep the starters fresh for better days. Sparky Anderson approves of the quick hook.

                                       "We scored? Well if that don't beat all..." - Sparky

The Sox failed to answer in the bottom of the fifth inning although Pena doubled to start. Reed whiffed and Romine grounded out while Boggs was intentionally walked again. Barrett popped up to left to end the inning. That's 10 men left on by the way.

Dennis Lamp took over for the top of the sixth and got Fielder to fly out to start. Moseby hit a comebacker to the mound and Nokes flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox once again failed with men in base in the bottom of the sixth inning. Greenwell grounded out to first but both Burks and Evans singled. A wild pitch moved both into scoring position and Sparky Anderson made the decision to walk Robidoux to load the bases but set up the double play. Right on cue guess what Pena did....ground into a double play to end the inning. 12 men left on but that is why Sparky is a future hall of fame manager.

Lamp returned for the top of the seventh but Sheets greeted him with a single. Sheets was erased on the force by Lemon but Bergman singled to chase Lamp. Rob Murphy made a mad dash from the bullpen and got both Phillips and Trammell to fly out to end the inning. The Sox mustered nothing in the bottom of the seventh as Reed flied out to center, Romine grounded back to the mound and Boggs grounded out to second to end the inning.

Murphy sprinted to the mound for the top of the eighth and got Whitaker to ground out to first to start. Murphy whiffed both Fielder and Moseby to end the inning before running as fast as he could off the mound, jumping into the dug-out and sprinting to the clubhouse.

                                                         Always in a hurry

Mike Henneman took the mound in the bottom of the eighth and Barrett flied out to right. Greenwell walked but Burks banged into a double play to end the inning.

Sox closer Lee Smith got the call to close it out in the top of the ninth. Nokes walked and was replaced by Johnny Parades. Smith struck out Sheets and got Lemon to fly out. With the tying run at the plate, Smith got Bergman to hit one up the elevator shaft to end the game. The Sox had won it 4-2.

Hero of the night is a tough one but I gotta go with Tony Pena. His 2 run single started the rally in the bottom of the third inning.

                                            Hero of the Night: Tony Pena


The Good:

Wade Boggs walked 3 times in 5 plate appearances.

Ellis Burks was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Dwight Evans was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Billy Jo Robidoux walked 3 times in 4 plate appearances and scored a run.

Jody Reed was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Mike Boddicker earned the win with 5 innings of 2 run ball while striking out 4.

Dennis Lamp tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings

Rob Murphy threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Lee Smith got his second save with a scoreless ninth inning.



The Bad:

None



The Ugly:

Marty Barrett was just 1 for 4 with a walk.

Mike Greenwell was also just 1 for 4 with a walk.

Kevin Romine was 0 for 4 but drove in a run.




Final Thoughts:

A win is a win even if the starter didn't last long and the Sox left a parade on base. Still, the bullpen was lights out and the offense produced when it had to. The Sox did enough to win but they're gonna have to do better than that if they have any hope of beating Toronto out for the division title this year. They need a spark on offense wherever that may come by. Boddicker and Clemens both picked up victories and now it gets interesting with the rest of the rotation now having to step up. Tomorrow afternoon at 1:05 PM John Dopson makes his season debut opposite Jeff Robinson as the Sox look to win again at Fenway Park.

Sox Top Angels in Game 1 (8/29/89)

Better late than never when it comes to the Boston Red Sox. After floundering for most of the season the Sox are on a recent hot streak. Today the Sox are playing a day/night doubleheader against the California Angels and they took the first game to run their win streak to 8 straight games. The Sox jumped on Angels ace Bert Blyleven for 5 first inning runs and never looked back. Sox starter Mike Smithson got knocked out in the third inning but Dennis Lamp (3-1, 2.64 ERA) and Joe Price saved the day with 6 solid innings. The Sox head to the nightcap with an 8-4 victory over the Angels.

                                                 8 in a row...ah ah ah!

Smithson got the ball in the top of the first inning and Devon White grounded out to second to begin. Claudell Washington grounded out to first. Johnny Ray grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox pounded Blyleven in the first inning as Wade Boggs doubled to center to start. Marty Barrett singled Wade to third and Ellis Burks beat out a double play ball to score Boggs with the first run. Mike Greenwell walked but Nick Esasky whiffed. Danny Heep scored Burks with a double and Dwight Evans pounded his 15th home run of the season to cap off the inning. Jody Reed flied out to left to end the inning but the Sox led 5-0.

                                                    Heep drives in a run

The Angels answered in the top of the second inning although Wally Joyner grounded out to first to start. Chili Davis singled to center and Brian Downing doubled Davis to third. Lance Parrish grounded out to short but Davis scored a run. Jack Howell scored Downing with a single before Kent Anderson got a base hit as well. White grounded out to second to end the inning but the Angels were down 5-2.

The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the second as Rich Gedman struck out swinging to start. Boggs grounded out to short before Barrett flied out to center to end the inning.

The Angels struck again in the top of the third inning as Washington doubled to left to begin. Washington moved to third on the grounder by Ray and Joyner singled him home. Davis took strike three but Reed booted a ball by Downing to allow him a reach. Sox manager Joe Morgan had enough of Smithson and brought in Dennis Lamp to put out the fire. Parrish flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox still up 5-3.

                                             Smithson doesn't last long

The Sox took command in the bottom of the third although Burks lined out to short to start. Greenwell singled and Esasky hit a ground rule double into the third base stands. Heep grounded out to second but Greenwell scored and Esasky moved to third. Evans singled home Esasky for his 4th rbi of the day. Reed flied out to left to end the inning but it was now 7-3 Sox.

                                                       Evans is on fire

Lamp cruised in the top of the fourth inning and Howell grounded out to second to start. Anderson popped up to second and White grounded out to short to end the inning.

Rick Monteleone came in to bitch the bottom of the fourth and the Sox wrapped up the scoring. Gedman singled to center and Boggs doubled Rich home. Barrett dropped down a bunt to move Boggs to third but Burks grounded out to short. Greenwell grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-3.

                                                         Boggs drives in a run

Lamp dominated the top of the fifth as Washington grounded out to first to start. Ray singled to right but Joyner banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox threatened in the bottom of the fifth although Esasky whiffed to start. Heep grounded out to first but Evans and Reed stroked back to back singles. Gedman grounded out to second to end the inning.

Kevin Romine took over for Heep in right to start the top of the sixth and Davis singled to left to begin. Davis moved to second on the grounder by Downing and to third on the grounder by Parrish. Howell whiffed to end the inning. Nothing happened in the bottom of the sixth as Boggs grounded out to second to start. Barrett popped up to second but Burks singled to center. Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning.

Lamp returned for the top of the seventh and froze Anderson for strike three. White singled to center but was thrown out trying to stretch a double. Sox manager Joe Morgan felt that was good enough for Lamp who saved the day with 4 scoreless innings. Joe Price came in and served up back to back base hits for Washington and Ray before Joyner took strike three to end the inning.

                                                           Outstanding effort by Lamp

The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the seventh as Esasky popped up to short to start. Romine whiffed before Evans popped up to second to end the inning.

Price cruised in the top of the eighth as Davis whiffed to start. Downing and Parrish both flied out to center to end the inning. Reed singled to center to start the bottom of the eighth but Gedman banged into a double play. Barrett walked but Burks grounded into a force to end the inning.

The Angels had a last gasp against Price in the top of the ninth although Howell whiffed to start. Anderson singled to center but White whiffed. Washington doubled home Anderson before Ray walked. Joyner whiffed to end the game with the Sox taking the day game of his doubleheader 8-4.

Hero of the Night is Dennis Lamp. He allowed just 3 hits in 4 scoreless innings as the Sox offense tacked on enough runs to win.

                                                       Lamp is the Hero



The Good:

Wade Boggs was 3 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Marty Barrett was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Mike Greenwell was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Danny Heep was 1 for 3 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Dwight Evans was 3 for 4 with 4 total rbis and a 3 run homer.

Jody Reed was 2 for 4.



The Bad:

Kevin Romine was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Mike Smithson allowed 3 runs in 2 2/3 innings.



The Ugly:

Ellis Burks was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run and scored.

Joe Price allowed a run in 2 1/3 innings.

Nick Esasky was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Rich Gedman was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.




Final Thoughts:

Don't look now but the Sox have won 8 games in a row. 2 weeks ago they were hopelessly out of contention but they're starting to get back in it. Morgan Magic may be repeating two years in a row. The offense stepped up big time and Lamp was outstanding in relief of Smithson. Taking the first game of a doubleheader is always important because it forces the other team to play behind the 8-ball going into the nightcap. It was a good win and the Sox need to win tonight to keep the momentum going. The win improved the Sox to 67-66, 4.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. Tonight Eric Hetzel gets the start for the Sox opposite Dan Petry at 8:20 PM at Fenway Park.