Dustin Pedroia Retires (2/1/21)

Not to anyone's surprise, star Red Sox second basement Dustin Pedroia called it a career today. The baseball equivalent of Dave Cowens of the Boston Celtics hung up the spikes when his problematic knee wouldn't allow him to be Dustin Pedroia anymore. He was the ultimate underdog from 2006 to his last game in 2019. He missed a good portion of 2017 and nearly all of 2018 and 2019. It was time for him to step away before he did any permanent damage to his knee. We'll miss Dustin for sure and hopefully see him in Cooperstown.

                                                             Thanks for the memories

Pedroia came up at the end of 2006 and hit .191 as a backup to Mark Loretta and fill-in for Alex Gonzalez. Fans at the time didn't see him doing much despite his reputation for spraying base hits all over the field in the minors. 

                                                                Pedroia in 06

At the beginning of 2007, Pedroia was struggling to hit as the starting second basemen. Fans and radio personalities were calling for him to be demoted in favor of backup second basemen Alex Cora....yes, THAT Alex Cora. Dustin then suddenly transformed into Bobby Doerr as he captured AL Rookie of the Year honors with .317 batting average, 8 homers and 50 runs batted in. He teamed with fellow rookie Jacoby Ellsbury as a 1-2 punch in the post-season that helped the Red Sox win the World Series.

                                                         World champs

Pedroia looked like the next great second basemen when he bettered his stats in 2008. He led the league in runs, hits and doubles and captured American League MVP Honors. Injuries to Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell derailed the Red Sox in their quest to repeat as World Series champs although it was Pedroia's leadoff home run in Game 7 that accounted for Boston's only run of that game.

                                                           Pedroia's Game 7 homer

Pedroia led the league in runs scored in 2009 for another Sox team that made the playoffs but his injury woes started in 2010 when he tore a knee that ended up limiting him to just 75 games. Pedroia had a good bounceback season in 2011, taking a backseat to his partner Ellsbury's MVP runner up season. After Bobby Valentine stunk up the 2012 Red Sox, Pedroia was an integral part of the 2013 World Series run. A bad wrist sapped him of his power but he still managed to hit .301 out of the three spot for the eventual world champs.

                                                    Pedroia's last real hurrah in the World Series

As with the rest of the team, Pedroia had a down year in 2014 (for him that is) as he hit "only" .278 as the Sox plummeted into last place. The bad knee once again limited him to just 93 games in 2015 but had one last good season in 2016. He hit .318 with 15 homers including a go-ahead shot against the Angels in Anaheim. Dustin also made a Spiderman-esque romp to home plate in Tampa to secure Boston's 11th win in a row in September of that season. If fans want to remember Dustin as the player he was before he retired, that's the season they should think of.

                                                            Mr. Mookie approves

The knee clearly bothered him in 2017 as he appeared in 105 games for the AL East champs and he was never the same. He appeared in just 3 games for the 108 win World Series champs in 2018 and just 6 in 2019. He didn't play at all in 2020 and finally called it a career on the eve of the 2021 season. Its a shame things ended how they did but rarely does a player go out on top like David Ortiz. Someday Dustin may be enshrined in the Hall of Fame, he may not. He was always fun to watch for the last 14 years. Goodbye Dustin, and thank you.

Off-Day News (4/18/19)

As expected, the season of Dustin Pedroia and pretty much his career has come to and end. Dustin apparently "felt something pop" in his left knee and has been placed on the Injured List. In his place for now the Sox called up Marcus Walden from Pawtucket.

                                                                       OUT

                                                               IN



On this day in Basebawful history:

1971: Sox edge Tigers 1-0

1983: Brewers Pound Sox

1984: Sox drop 6th loss in a row

1992: Blue Jays Defeat Viola, Sox

1993: Viola Blanks White Sox

2000: Schourek shuts out Tigers

2004: Yankees Pound Lowe, Sox

2013: Lester, Sox sweep Indians

2015: O's defeat Buchholz, Sox

2016: Blue Jays spoil Patriots Day at Fenway

2017: Sox outslug Blue Jays

2018: Sox pound Angels in Anaheim




Tomorrow the Sox are back in action against the Tampa Bay Rays. Eduardo Rodriguez goes for the Sox against the "opener" Ryan Stanek at 7:05 PM at Tropicana Field.

Gardner, Yankees Slam Sox (4/17/19)

Those good for nothing Boston Red Sox ruined what should have been a great night for Boston sports. The Boston Celtics defeated the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of their first round NBA playoff series and the Boston Bruins defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 4 of their first round NHL playoff series. The Red Sox are crashing hard after their successful season last year with tonight being the latest nail in the coffin. Not only did Dustin Pedroia's chronic knee act up but the Sox wasted a brilliant effort by Nathan Eovaldi to allow a backbreaking grand slam to Brett Gardner of the New York Yankees. The Sox got 3 early runs against JA Happ but fell right in the tank as the Yankee fans danced on the Sox graves with a 5-3 win over the tanking Sox at Yankee Stadium.

The Sox struck first against Happ in the top of the first inning although Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to short to begin. Xander Bogaerts popped up to second but JD Martinez crushed his fourth home run of the year to put the Sox up early. Steve Pearce popped up to second to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                   They got one

Eovaldi took the ball in the bottom of the first and Gardner flied out to left to start. Aaron Judge whiffed but Luke Voit doubled. Gleyber Torres whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the second as Mitch Moreland singled to start. Dustin Pedroia flied out to right and keeled over in the dugout grabbing his knee. He had to be carried out on a stretcher headed to a local hospital. Rafael Devers whiffed but somehow Christian Vazquez smashed a two run home run to increase the lead. The Sox would have just 5 hits the rest of the game as Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 3-0.

                                                      Vazquez goes yard

Eduardo Nunez took over at second for the bottom of the second and DJ LeMahieu grounded back to the mound to start. Clint Frazier singled but Mike Tauchman flied out to center. Gio Urshela popped up to first to end the inning.

Betts flied out to center to open the top of the third but Bogaerts singled. Martinez and Pearce both whiffed to end the inning. Eovaldi cruised in the bottom of th third as Romine hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Gardner grounded out to first and Judge grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fourth as Moreland flied out to center to open the frame. Nunez grounded out to short but Devers singled to the side of the mound. Vazquez lined out to left to end the inning. The Yankees struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Voit walked on a borderline pitch to start. Torres then hit a perfect double play ball to Boagerts who flipped it to Nunez...WHO DROPPED IT! Eovaldi did punch out LeMahieu but Frazier made Eovaldi pay with a double to sore Voit. Somehow Eovaldi struck out Tauchman and got Urshela to ground out to first to end the inning but it was 3-1 Sox.

                                                            "I got it...I got it...I don't got it"

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fifth inning as JBJ grounded out to short to start. Betts flied out to left before Bogaerts grounded out to short to end the inning. Eovaldi rolled in the bottom of te fifth as Romine flied out to right to begin. Gardner grounded out to second and Judge flied out to right to end the inning.

Martinez walked to begin the top of the sixth inning but Pearce banged into a double play. Moreland grounded out to first to end the inning. Eovaldi came back for one more inning in the bottom of the sixth. Voit looked at strike three, Torres grounded out to third and LeMahieu looked at strike three to end the inning. Eovaldi finally had his first good start of the season by tossing 6 innings of 1 run ball. He allowed just 3 hits and a walk while striking out 6.

                                                  Eovaldi finally pitches well

Nunez whiffed to start the top of the seventh before Devers singled to chase Happ. Tommy Kahnle came in and Devers swiped second. Devers moved to third on the grounder by Vazquez but JBJ whiffed to end the inning. Brandon Workman came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and he crapped himself. Frazier singled to begin before Tauchman walked. Urshela whiffed but Romine walked to load the bases and chase Workman. Sox manager Alex Cora turned to Ryan Brasier to put out the fire and instead Gardner smashed a 500,000 foot grand slam to put the Yankees up for good. Yankee fans danced and sang even though Judge and Voit both struck out to end the inning. The Yankees were up 5-3 and it was all over.

                                                    All smiles in New York

The Sox pissed away a chance to tie the game against Adam Ottavino in the top of the eighth. Betts whiffed badly and Bogaerts flied out to right to start. Martinez beat out a lucky single before somehow Pearce singled to center. Moreland walked to load the bases but Nunez popped up to right on the first pitch to end the inning. Heath Hembree came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and got Torres to line out to left to begin. LeMahieu grounded out to second and Frazier looked at strike three to end the inning.

Aroldis Chapman came on for the top of the ninth and the Sox rolled over and died. Devers lined out to short, Vazquez flied out to right and JBJ whiffed to end the game. Game, set, match goodbye Red Sox 5-3.

Jackass of the Night is Ryan Brasier. Yes Workman loaded the bases but how do you give up a grand slam to Brett Gardner? That's just embarrasing.

                                                       Brasier the Jackass



The Good:

JD Martinez was 2 for 3 with a walk and a solo home run.

Mitch Moreland was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Rafael Devers was 2 for 4 with a stolen base.

Nathan Eovaldi pitched great, tossing 6 innings of 1 unearned run ball. He allowed just 3 hits and a walk while striking out 6.

Heath Hembree pitched a scoreless 8th inning.



The Bad:

Mookie Betts was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 1 before leaving with a knee injury.

Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout and an error.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Brandon Workman was charged with 3 runs in just 1/3 of an inning.



The Ugly:

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4.

Steve Pearce was just 1 for 4.

Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a 2 run homer.




Final Thoughts:

Looks like the Sox are done for good. Not only did they lose Pedroia to retirement most likely, they lost yet another game they should have won. The Sox have played 19 games this season and trailed in at least 15 of them. They don't just lose, most of their games aren't even competitve. They can't hit in the clutch, they can't pitch and can't close games out. The Yankees aren't even that good with all their injuries but anybody can look good against the Sox. If the Yankees beating them around wasn't bad enough, the Sox now have to travel to Tampa Bay to play the best team in baseball. After an off-day tomorrow, the Sox face the Rays as Eduardo Rodriguez takes on Ryan Stanek at 7:10 PM at Tropicana Field.

Orioles Bash Sox on Patriots Day (4/15/19)

It was a bad day all around for Boston sports. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Boston Bruins in Game 3 of their first round NHL playoff series and the Baltimore Orioles knocked out the Boston Red Sox. Not even Patriot's Day could wake the Red Sox up from their miserable start to the season. On a day they historically played well, today they did not. Dan Straily had been hit hard in every game he pitched this season for the Orioles but today he pitched like Mike Cuellar. The miserable Sox offense mustered just 4 hits and a run while the bullpen surrendered 7 runs as the Orioles laughed at the Sox 8-1 at Fenway Park.

                                                               This team sucks

Velazquez got the ball in the top of the first inning and walked Jonathan Villar on a full count. Trey Mancini popped up to first and Dwight Smith banged into a double play turned by Christian Vazquez at second base to end the inning. The Sox couldn't touch Dan Straily in the bottom of the first as Dustin Pedroia grounded out to short, Mr. Mookie Betts lined out to the mound and Mitch Moreland grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

The O's struck back in the top of the second as Rio Ruiz walked to start. A wild pitch moved Ruiz to second and he scored on the Renato Nunez single, although Nunez was thrown out at second trying to stretch. Chris Davis walked and moved to second when Rafael Devers botched a routine grounder by Jesus Sucre. Richie Martin walked to load the bases but Cedric Mullins whiffed and Villar popped up to first to end the inning with the O's ahead 1-0.

Nothing happened in the bottom of the second as JD Martinez grounded out to third to begin. Xander Bogaerts flied out to left before Devers drew a walk. Steve Pearce whiffed to end the inning.

Velazquez returned for one more inning in the top of the third and Mancini greeted him with a single. Smith banged into a double play before Ruiz flied out to center to end the inning. The four walks killed Velazquez otherwise he may have gone longer than 3 innings. Blake Swihart lined out to left to open the bottom of the third before Vazquez grounded out to short. Pedroia flied out to left to end the inning.

                                                   "This team sucks"

Marcus Walden came in to pitch the top of the fourth and he punched out the side. Nunez, Davis and Sucre all whiffed in short order. The no-hitter continued in the bottom of the fourth as Mr. Mookie whiffed, Moreland grounded out to short and Martinez lined out to center to end the inning.

The O's iced it in the top of the fifth as Martin walked to start and moved to second on the Mullins grounder. Villar singled home Martin but Mancini whiffed. Smith put the exclamation point on the horrid season the Sox have had with a 290 foot home run just inside the Pesky Pole to ice the game. Ruiz looked at strike three to end the inning with the O's up for good 4-0.

                                                   "The Sox suck" - Smith

The Sox did manage to fight back in the bottom of the fifth as Bogaerts singled to start before Devers singled him to third. Controversy erupted when Pearce beat out a double play ball to score Bogaerts with Devers sliding hard into second. O's manager Brandon Hyde challenged that Devers used an illegal slide but the call stood on replay. Hyde then bolted out of the dugout with a bat and took a swing at 1st base umpire Mark Wegner. Luckily he missed and was thrown out of the game, being escorted out of the park by heavily armed security. The rally ended as Swihart lined out to right and Vazquez grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox down 4-1.

                                                          YERRRRR OUT!

Colten Brewer took over for the top of the sixth and almost crapped his pants. Nunez singled to center but Davis looked at strike three. Sucre singled Nunez to third but Martin hit a grounder to the mound. Nunez was throw out in a rundown and Pearce bailed out Bogaerts when Bogaerts missed a pop up from Mullins but Pearce made a sliding catch underneath him to end the inning. The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the sixth against Jimmy Yacabonis. Pedroia flied out to the centerfield warning track, Mr. Mookie popped up to second and Moreland flied out to center to end the inning.

                                                       This team sucks

Brandon Workman took over for the top of the seventh and Villar whiffed to start. Mancini grounded out to third and Smith hit a squibber in front of the plate to end the inning. Martinez tried to start a rally in the bottom of the seventh with a double to right to begin. He was stranded as Bogaerts whiffed to chase Yacabonis. Paul Fry came in, Devers lined out to left and Pearce whiffed to end the inning.

Heath Hembree came in for the top of the eighth and vomited up his intestines. Ruiz grounded out to first to start but Nunez doubled. Davis smashed a 400,000 foot bomb to further humiliate the Sox. Sucre walked but was doubled off first after Pearce made a great diving catch off a Martin line drive followed by a throw to first to end the inning with the O's ahead 6-1.

                                                         Davis woke up

Swihart walked to start the bottom of the eighth and Evan Phillips came in to pitch and Vazquez lined out to right. Pedroia banged into a double play to end the inning.

The O's poured it on in the top of the ninth after Tyler Thornburg made a mad dash to the mound. Mullins grounded out to third but Villar walked. Mancini doubled before Smith scored both runners with a double of his own. Ruiz grounded back to the mound before Nunez struck out to end the inning with the O's up 8-1.

Joey Rickard came in to play right with Miguel Castro on the mound for the bottom of the ninth. Mr. Mookie walked but Moreland banged into a double play. Martinez singled but Bogaerts flied out to center to end the game. The O's had won it 8-1.

Jackass of the Night is Marcus Walden. The 3 runs he allowed in the top of the fifth was the difference in the game.

                                                      Walden the Jackass


The Good:

JD Martinez was 2 for 4.

Rafael Devers was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Colten Brewer pitched a scoreless 6th inning.

Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless 7th inning.



The Bad:

Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 4.

Mitch Moreland was 0 for 4.

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 3.

Heath Hembree allowed 2 runs in the 8th inning.

Tyler Thornburg allowed 2 runs in the 9th inning.



The Ugly:

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Mookie Betts was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Steve Pearce was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but drove in a run.

Blake Swihart was 0 for 2 but walked.

Hector Velazquez took the loss by allowing a run in 3 innings of work.




Final Thoughts:

Another horrific loss in a season that's down the drain. Just when it seems the Sox turn the corner they fall flat on their face. Getting beat up by the Orioles in 3 out of 4 games (needing another miracle rally to salvage one of which) puts the exclamation point on what a terrible team this is. Its amazing how this is the exact same team that won 108 games last year and blitzed through the World Series. They don't hit, pitch or field well and it doesn't look like anything will change soon. Betts looks lost and the starters have no command apart from David Price and Eduardo Rodriguez. If the Sox need a wakeup call, they're going to get it tomorrow night when they play the New York Yankees. James Paxton goes for New York With Chris Sale (0-3) looking to right himself at the special start time of 6:30 PM at Yankee Stadium.

Price, Sox Blank Orioles (4/14/19)

It was a good say for Boston sports. The Boston Celtics defeated the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of their first round NBA playoff series and the Boston Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles. The Red Sox offense continued to struggle for most of the game but finally a starter stepped up with a gem. David Price (1-1, 3.79 ERA) tossed 7 spectacular innings and Xander Bogaerts struck the kill shot in the 8th inning to defeat the Orioles. Price's 7 shutout innings were instrumental as the Sox finally won a game with a 4-0 victory at Fenway Park.

                                              Marcus Morris approves of the win

Price cruised in the top of the first inning as Jonathan Villar popped up to first to start. Joey Rickard whiffed and Trey Mancini lined out to short to end the inning. The Sox couldn't crack John Means in the bottom of the first as Andrew Benintendi whiffed badly on a pitch that bounced to start. Mr. Mookie Betts hit a pathetic grounder back to the mound and Steve Pearce whiffed on a 3-2 slider in the dirt to end the inning.

Renato Nunez hit one of the hardest hit balls to left to start the top of the second before JD Martinez had to nearly fall into the bullpen to rob Hanser Alberto of a home run. Martinez then had to dive into the right field corner to rob Jesus Sucre of a triple before Chris Davis grounded out to first to end the inning. Somehow JD Martinez was hit with a pitch to begin the bottom of the second and more shocking that Xander Bogaerts singled him to third. Naturally Dustin Pedroia hit a piece of crap pop up to right and Eduardo Nunez banged into a double play to end the inning.

Price turned on the heat in the top of the third by blowing away both Richie Martin and Cedric Mullins to start. Villar then hit an absolute rocket Betts had to climb the wall to get to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the third as Rafael Devers hit a measly pop up to short before Christian Vazquez whiffed on a 3-2 pitch in the dirt. Somehow Benintendi killed his own foot with a foul ball but still poked a double into the left field corner. Naturally Mr. Mookie his a routine pop up to center to end the inning.

                                                    Down goes Benintendi

Benintendi keeled over as soon as he got back in the dugout. He had to be hauled off on a gurney headed to Mass General while Blake Swihart replaced him in left for the top of the fourth. Rickard hit a routine grounder to Devers who picked the ball up and spiked it like a football, doing the funky chicken after for an error. Price whiffed Mancini and the alert Vazquez gunned down Rickard trying to steal third. Price blew away Nunez to end the inning. The Sox took the lead in the bottom of the fourth as Pearce singled to right to begin. Martinez doubled Pearce to third and Bogaerts scored him with a sac fly to give the Sox the lead. Martinez took third on the throw but was thrown out at home when Pedroia hit a piece of crap grounder back to the mound. Dustin took second when Martinez was caught in the rundown and Nunez walked. Devers hit a piece of crap grounder to short to end the inning but it was 1-0 Sox.

                                                        Yerrrrrrrr out!

Price cruised in the top of the fifth as Alberto flied out to right, Sucre popped up to first and Davis popped up to second to end the inning. The Sox failed to score as usual in the bottom of the fifth as Vazquez hit a measly pop up to left, Swihart hit a pathetic grounder to third and Betts hit a worthless grounder to short to end the inning.

The O's almost struck back in the top of the sixth as Martin effortlessly doubled to start before Price somehow froze Mullins for strike three. Villar whiffed and Devers robbed Rickard of a sure double on a line drive to end the inning. That was it for Means as Evan Phillips came on to pitch the bottom of the sixth. Pearce was plunked but Bogaerts took a 2-2 pitch right down the middle for strike three. Pedroia reached on an error by Martin but Nunez whiffed on a full count pitch in the dirt to end the inning. As good as Price has been, the offense was downright horrible.

Right on cue the O's almost took the lead in the top of the seventh as Mancini effortlessly crushed a double off the Monster to start. Betts climbed the wall to rob Nunez of a tying double before Alberto somehow grounded back to the mound Sucre popped up to first to end the inning and Price's afternoon. He was outstanding tossing 7 shutout innings while allowing just 3 hits.

                                                  Price stepped it up

The Sox failed to get any insurance runs against Paul Fry in the bottom of the seventh as Devers grounded out to first, Vazquez grounded out to second and Swihart whiffed to end the inning.

Ryan Brasier took over for the top of the eighth and he punched out Davis to start. Rio Ruiz pinch hit for Martin and walked before Betts made a running over the shoulder grab on Mullins in center. Villar lined one over the head of Brasier to center to send Ruiz to third. Dwight Smith pinch hit for Rickard and Betts made another mad dash to snare the line drive to end the inning. Villar moved to short, Smith went to left, Mancini moved to right, Alberto went to second and Ruinz stayed at first to start the bottom of the eighth. Mr. Mookie singled up the middle to chase Fry as Josh Lucas came in to pitch. Pearce was rung up for strike three on a check swing of a pitch headed to the backstop but Martinez singled to left. Bogaerts iced the game with a 3 run bomb to dead center on a slider that didn't slide to ice it. Miguel Castro came in and froze Pedroia for strike three before Nunez flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-0.

                                                  X gonna give it to ya

Matt Barnes had the top of the ninth and made it interesting by walking Mancini to start. Barnes froze Nunez for strike three but Alberto singled to right. Sucre moved both runners over with a groundout to short but Davis looked at strike three to end the game. The Sox had won it 4-0.

Hero of the Night is David Price. He was amazing tossing 7 shutout innings while allowing just 3 hits while striking out 7.

                                                   Price is the Hero



The Good:

Andrew Benintendi was 1 for 2 before leaving.

Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless 8th.

Steve Pearce was 1 for 3 with a hit by pitch and a run scored.

JD Martinez was 2 for 3 with a hit by pitch and a run scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 3 with 4 total rbis including a 3 run home run.



The Bad:

Blake Swihart was 0 for 2 with a strikeout

Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Rafael Devers was 0 for 3 with an error.

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 3 but walked.




Final Thoughts:

Looks like Price has it figured out this year, time for Chris Sale, Rick Porcello and Nathan Eovaldi to follow suit. The Sox offense was mostly dormant today but came alive when needed but the real story was Price pitching well. Yes it was the against the Orioles but the fact he didn't walk anyone is a breath of fresh air after last night's disaster. The Sox needed a start like that to rest their beleaguered bullpen for tomorrow's morning game. Patriots Day will see Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez take on Dan Straily at the special start time of 11:00 AM at Fenway Park.

O's Embarass Sox at Fenway (4/13/19)

The good news was the Boston Bruins defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 2 of their first round NHL playoff series, the bad news was the Boston Red Sox lost to the Baltimore Orioles. That was an unmitigated disaster by the Red Sox in a season that's spiraling down the drain early. The Sox can't get out of their own way these days and the lowly Orioles took advantage of that. Due to terrible relief pitching and a comedy of errors, the Orioles rode Andrew Cashner and Chris Davis to victory. Chris Davis hadn't had a hit in 62 plate appearances this season but today he was 3 for 5 with 4 total rbis. When it was over the Orioles had pounded out 13 hits and 9 runs to take the game 9-5 at Fenway Park

                                                         Sox fans this year

The O's wasted no time scoring against Porcello in the top of the first inning. Jonathan Villar hit a hard grounder back to Porcello to start while Trey Mancini missed a home run by inches before settling with a double. Dwight Smith walked but somehow Renato Nunez struck out swinging. Rio Ruiz walked to load the bases and none other than the 0-56 Chris Davis singled home Mancini and Smith to put the O's up early. Hanser Alberto grounded into a force to end the inning with the O's up 2-0.

                                                      Sox are so bad even Davis hits them

Andrew Benintendi walked to start the bottom of the first but kept on running to second where he was thrown out by a mile to end that. Mr. Mookie Betts flied out to center before Mitch Moreland grounded out to first to end the inning.

Pedro Severino hit an absolute rocket but right to third to start the top of the second inning before Cedric Mullins walked. Villar effortlessly singled to left before both runners moved over on the Mancini grounder to third. Smith walked to load the bases but Dustin Pedroia had to make a spectacular catch to rob Nunez of a bases clearing triple to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the second as JD Martinez grounded out to short, Xander Bogaerts whiffed and Steve Pearce grounded out to first to end the inning.

Somehow Porcello cruised in the top of the third inning as Ruiz grounded out to second, Davis grounded out to first and Alberto popped up to second to end the inning. Somehow the Sox rallied in the bottom of the third as Rafael Devers walked to start. Devers moved to second as Pedroia grounded out before Christian Vazquez socked a 2 run home run to tie the game. Benintendi flied out to center but Betts walked. Moreland looked at strike three to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                      Vazquez goes yard

Severino singled to open the top of the fourth and moved to second on the sacrifice bunt by Mullins. Severino moved to third on the Villar grounder before Mancini walked to put runners at the corners. Smith whiffed to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fourth as Martinez, Bogaerts and Pearce all flied out to center in short order.

The O's took the lead for good in the top of the fourth when back to back singles by Nunez and Ruiz chased Porcello. He played with fire all game and left after allowing 3 runs in just 4 innings. He walked 5 men to show his command is not there. Heath Hembree came in and poured gas on the fire when Davis...yes him again...doubled in Nunez to put Baltimore ahead for good. Hembree got out of it by getting Alberto to fly out to right, Severino to strike out and Mullins to fly out to right to end the inning with Baltimore ahead 3-2;.

                                            Another lousy Porcello start

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the fifth inning. Devers grounded out to first before Pedroia and Vazquez grounded out to short to end the inning.

Colten Brewer came in for the top of the sixth inning and puked his guts out. Villar walked, Mancini singled and Smith walked to load the bases within seconds. Nunez singled home Villar before Ruiz singled home Mancini and Smith to chase Brewer. He faced 5 batters, giving up 3 hits and 2 walks. Thanks for nothing. Marcus Walden came in and got Davis to ground into a force at second but Nunez scored another run. Alberto whiffed and Severino popped up to first but the game was over 7-2.

                                                    Davis drives in another

The Sox had a small chance to get back in the game in the bottom of the sixth but pissed it away. Benintendi doubled and Mr. Mookie singled him to third to begin. Jimmy Yacabonis replaced Cashner and Moreland ended the rally by banging into a double play, scoring Benintendi in the process. Martinez hit a whopping squibber in front of the plate to end the inning with the Sox down 7-3.

                                                    Betts actually does something

The Sox were a comedy of errors in the top of the seventh. Martinez fell down trying to catch a routine pop up from Mullins and Cedric was credited with a "single" to begin. Villar walked on a 3-2 pitch 100 feet over the head of Vazquez before somehow Mancini whiffed. Smith hit a routine grounder to first.....under the glove of Pearce for an error to score Mullins. Nunez hit a routine grounder to third and Devers threw his glove at it and shot at it with finger pistols for another error to score Villar. Smith was thrown out at second because he pulled up to laugh at Devers before Ruiz flied out to center to end the inning with the O's ahead 9-3, what a disaster.

                                                    Sox can't do anything right

Somehow the Sox put runs on the board in the bottom of the seventh although Bogaerts lined out to second to start. Pearce popped up to the pitcher but Devers atoned for his error with a base hit to center. Pedroia walked and Vazquez doubled in both men. Tanner Scott came in to pitch and Benintendi walked. Had the bullpen not crapped themselves the Sox would have had a chance to take the lead here. Instead Betts flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox down 9-5.

                                                    Vazquez refuses to go quietly

Tyler Thornburg sprinted out of the bullpen and made a mad dash to the mound in the top of the eighth inning. Davis doubled to start but Alberto whiffed. Severino popped up to third but a wild pitch moved Davis to third. Mullins grounded out to second to end the inning and Thornburg ran as fast as he could into the dugout. Eduardo Nunez pinch hit for Moreland in the bottom of the eighth and flied out to right. Martinez singled to center to chase Scott as Mychal Givens came in and struck out Bogaerts. Blake Swihart pinch hit for Pearce and a passed ball moved Martinez to second. Swihart whiffed to end the inning, great pinch hitting!

Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez came in for the top of the ninth and Villar singled to begin. A wild pitch moved Villar to second but Mancini whiffed. Villar was thrown out at third trying to steal before Smith took strike three to end the inning. Joey Rickard came in to play right and Richie Martin came in to play short with Villar moving to second to begin the bottom of the ninth. Devers whiffed, Pedroia grounded out to short and Vazquez took strike three to end the game. The O's had ended the misery with a 9-5 win.

Jackass of the Night is Colten Brewer. He allowed a total of 4 runs without retiring a batter to put the game out of reach.

                                                         Brewer is Jackass



The Good:

Andrew Benintendi was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Mookie Betts was 1 for 3 with a walk.

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

Christian Vazquez was 2 for 4 with 4 total rbis including a 2 run home run.

Tyler Thornburg pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

Hector Velazquez pitched a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

Mitch Moreland was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Steve Pearce was 0 for 3 with an error.

Rick Porcello took the loss by getting knocked out in the fifth inning after allowing 3 runs on 6 hits and FIVE walks.



The Ugly:

JD Martinez was just 1 for 4.

Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.

Heath Hembree allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own in the 5th inning.

Marcus Walden allowed 2 runs but neither were earned in 2 innings of work.





Final Thoughts:

So much for coming home and playing well. So far the Sox have been completely outclassed by every team they have faced so far, needing miracle rallies or nearly perfect pitching to win the only games they have. They can't hit in the clutch, they can't pitch and they can't field. Sox manager Alex Cora is paying very dearly for sandbagging Spring Training. This is turning out worse than 2014 by the day and unless the rotation picks it up in a hurry, they'll be trading their players by July. Porcello, Chris Sale and Nathan Eovaldi have been horrendous to start the year but maybe they'll turn it around tomorrow. Tomorrow David Price (0-1) looks to stem the tide against John Means and the Orioles at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park

Sox Walkoff on Jays (4/11/19)

The bad news was the Toronro Maple Leafs defeated the Boston Bruins in Game 1 of their first round NHL playoff series. The good news was the Boston Red Sox defeated the Toronto Blue Jays. For the 12th game out of 13 the Boston Red Sox fell behind in a game. For the 11th time out of those 13 it was by multiple runs. After Nathan Eovaldi melted down in the third inning, the Sox trailed 5-0 and seemed headed to their 10th loss in 13 games. Instead the Sox rallied to tie the game in the 7th, fall behind in the 8th and stun the Toronto Blue Jays in the bottom of the ninth. Mitch Moreland and Rafael Devers made sure the fans went home happy in the shocking 7-6 victory at Fenway Park.

                                                           Jump for Joy

Eovaldi started out well by striking out Billy McKinney to begin the top of the first. Freddy Galvis singled and Justin Smoak walked, but Randal Grichuk banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox missed a golden chance to break the game open early in the bottom of the first against Toronto starter Aaron Sanchez. Andrew Benintendi led off with a base hit and Mr. Mookie Betts was plunked. Mitch Moreland whiffed and JD Martinez walked to load the bases. The rally ended as Xander Bogaerts whiffed and Rafael Devers grounded out to short to end the inning. What a waste!

Rowdy "Roddy" Tellez whiffed open the top of the second inning before Danny Jansen walked. Brandon Drury banged into a double play to end the inning. Dustin Pedroia whiffed to open the bottom of the second inning but Jackie Bradley Jr drew a walk. JBJ was erased on the force by Blake Swihart before Benintendi grounded into a force as well to end the inning.

The Jays exploded in the top of the third inning as Lourdes Gurriel Jr walked. Gurriel was erased on the Socrates Brito force before McKinney flied out to left. One out away from a clean inning the floodgates opened as Galvis singled and Smoak crushed a 100,000 foot home run to Newton to give the Jays the lead. Grichuk walked and Tellez smashed an honest to goodness 500 foot home run to make the crowd boo. Jansen whiffed to end the inning but for the 12th time in 13 games, the Sox were trailing. For the 11th time in those games, it was by multiple runs as the Jays led 5-0.

                                                    500 foot blast

Somehow the Sox rallied in the bottom of the third as Grichuk dropped a routine pop up by Mr. Mookie to begin. Moreland whiffed but Martinez doubled to the centerfield wall to score Betts. Bogaerts lined out to left but Devers doubled in Martinez and Pedroia singled in Devers. JBJ grounded out to short to end the inning but the Sox showed some life and were down 5-3.

                                                   Pedroia drives one in

Eovaldi came back for the top of the fourth and froze Drury for strike three to start. Gurriel Jr singled but Brito grounded into a double play to end the inning. Sanchez recovered in the bottom of the fourth as Swihart grounded to first to begin. Benintendi walked but Mr. Mookie whiffed. Moreland grounded out to second to end the inning.

Eovaldi came back for one more inning in the top of the fifth and got McKinney to fly out to right to start. Galvis singled but was doubled off by Moreland on a line drive to Mitch by Smoak to end the inning. Eovaldi came down with Dice K Disease in the third inning but pitched well otherwise. He left after 5 allowing 5 earned runs, not good.

                                             Not Eovaldi's best stuff

The Sox ran themselves out of tying the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. Martinez grounded out to short to start but Bogaerts singled to left. Devers walked and two straight wild pitches scored Bogaerts and sent Devers to third. Devers then made a mistake as Pedroia hit a pop up to shallow center and Devers never saw where the ball landed. He ran home and was thrown out by a mile to end the inning with the Sox down 5-4.

                                                     Yerrrrrr out....by a mile

Heath Hembree came in to pitch the top of the sixth inning and Grichuk popped up to second to start. Tellez and Jansen both whiffed to end the inning. Tim Mayza replaced Sanchez for the bottom of the sixth and JBJ whiffed to start. Swihart struck out swinging before Benintendi grounded out to short to end the inning.

Colten Brewer had the top of the seventh inning and Drury grounded out to second to begin. Gurriel Jr and Brito both whiffed to end the inning. The Sox rallied to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh against Joe Biagini. Mr. Mookie whiffed but Moreland swatted his 5th home run of the season to take Eovaldi off the hook. Martinez flied out to center but Bogaerts walked to chase Biagini. Thomas Pannone came in to throw one pitch to Devers to get him to pop up to third to end the inning with the game tied 5-5.

                                                               Tie game

As soon as the Sox clawed back in it, the Jays went ahead again in the top of the eighth against Ryan Brasier. McKinney whiffed but Galvis smashed a 40,000 foot home run to give the Jays the lead. Smoak grounded out to first before Grichuk grounded out to third to end the inning with the Jays up 6-5.

                                                     Jays take the lead AGAIN!

Javy Guerra came in for the bottom of the eighth and the Sox went quietly. Pedroia flied out to center, JBJ looked at strike three and Swihart grounded out to short to end the inning.

Marcus Walden (2-0, 0.00 ERA) had the top of the ninth and things looked bleak when Tellez singled to start. Jansen was plunked but Drury popped up to second. Gurriel Jr walked but Walden got a huge out by punching out Brito. McKinney grounded out to first to end the inning. Good work Walden to get out of that jam. Ken Giles came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Benintendi grounded out to second. Mr. Mookie worked a full count walked and Moreland was the hero again with a double off the top of the centerfield wall to tie the game. Eduardo Nunez pinch ran for Moreland and Martinez was intentionally walked to get to Bogaerts. Nunez swiped third base which caused the rattled Giles to walk Bogaerts. Devers ended matters with a base hit to right to win the game. The Sox worked a hell of a rally to win the game 7-6.

                                                  WE WON!!!!

We have Co-Heroes of the Night. The first is Mitch Moreland for tying the game twice in the 7th and the ninth.

                                                         Hero Number 1

The other Hero is Rafael Devers for his first walkoff hit of his career.

                                                       Hero Number 2


The Good:

Eduardo Nunez stole third and scored the winning run as a pinch runner in the ninth.

JD Martinez was 1 for 3 with 2 walks, an rbi and a run scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Heath Hembree pitched a scoreless 6th inning.

Colten Brewer pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Marcus Walden earned the win with a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

Blake Swihart was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Nathan Eovaldi allowed 5 runs in just 5 innings of work off 6 hits, 4 walks and 2 home runs.

Ryan Brasier allowed a run in an inning of work.



The Ugly:

Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4 but walked.

Mookie Betts was 0 for 3 but walked, was plunked and scored 2 runs.

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 but walked.




Final Thoughts:

The Sox have just 4 wins on the season and 3 of the 4 were huge rallies. Whenever the Red Sox rotation wants to pitch well on the day the bats are working would be nice. Its pretty bad when we're 13 games in and the starters have zero wins on the season. Eovaldi still has no command, Chris Sale's velocity is gone, Rick Porcello has been batting practice, Eduardo Rodriguez keeps nibbling with no faith in his stuff and David Price has been average. There's always a chance to turn it around but its never a good thing to start the year 4-9. Still, a win is a win and the New York Yankees aren't lighting it up either with their 5-7 record. The offense will be there but its time for the rotation to step up as well. Tomorrow night Eduardo Rodriguez (0-2, 12.38 ERA) looks to get his head out of his rear end when he takes on David Hess and the incoming Baltimore Orioles. If the Sox can't beat these guys they don't deserve to win the division. Game 1 of this set starts tomorrow night at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.