Sox Defeat Yankees in 12 Innings (4/24/04)

The New York Yankees might be in trouble. The Boston Red Sox have now beaten them five out of six games and today's game might have been the best one yet. The Red Sox took the lead against Kevin Brown with sac flies from Manny Ramirez and Pokey Reese but the Yankees got a run in the 4th off Bronson Arroyo and another in the seventh to tie the game. The Boston bullpen stepped up with six lights out innings to keep the Yankees off the board but the Yankees bullpen stayed tough as well. In the top of the 12th, Mark Bellhorn hit a sac fly off old buddy Paul Quantrill. Mike Timlin slammed the door in the bottom of the 12th as the Sox beat the Yankees 3-2 at Yankee Stadium.

                                                        Clare Kramer approves of the win

The Sox wasted no time getting to Brown in the top of the first as Johnny Damon walked to start. Bill Mueller walked as well and David Ortiz moved both runners over with a grounder to first. Manny Ramirez hit a sac fly to center to score Damon and put the Sox on top. Jason Varitek grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                            Damon scores the first run

Arroyo got the ball in the bottom of the first and Derek Jeter walked to start. Hideki Matsui took strike three and Jeter was gunned down at second trying to steal. Alex Rodriguez grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Brown couldn't do anything right in the top of the second as Kevin Millar lined a ball off Brown and he threw the ball into the crowd, moving Millar to second. Mark Bellhorn hit a grounder to Travis Lee who flipped to Brown.....DROPPED IT! Gabe Kapler was plunked to load the bases and Pokey Reese hit a sac fly to center to score Millar. Damon flied out to left and Mueller grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                        Reese drives in a run

Jason Giambi took strike three to start the bottom of the second before Gary Sheffield also watched strike three go by. Jorge Posada grounded out to second to end the inning.

Ortiz doubled to center to start the top of the third but Manny grounded back to the mound. Varitek walked and Millar moved both runners over with a grounder to third. Bellhorn flied out to center to end the inning. Both Lee and Bernie Williams grounded out to second to begin the bottom of the third but Enrique Wilson walked. Jeter flied out to right to end the inning.

Kapler grounded out to third to start the top of the fourth before Reese flied out to right. Damon grounded out to short to end the inning. The Yankees struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Matsui struck out swinging to start. A-Rod hit a home run all the way to Los Angeles to cut the lead. Giambi and Sheffield both grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Yankees down 2-1.

                                                     A-Rod hits one out

Mueller doubled down the right field line to start the top of the fifth before moving to third on the Ortiz fly ball to right. Ramirez grounded back to the mound and Varitek flied out to center to end the inning. Posada flied out to center to open the bottom of the fifth and Lee flied out to left. Williams flied out to left to end the inning.

Millar flied out to right to open the top of the sixth and Bellhorn flied out to center. Kapler grounded out to short to end the inning. The Yankees beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the sixth as Wilson grounded out to first to start. Jeter grounded out to third and Matsui grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the seventh as Reese got a base hit to center to start. Damon flied out to right but Mueller walked. Ortiz took strike three and Ramirez forced Miller at second to end the inning. Arroyo ran out of gas in the bottom of the seventh as A-Rod beat out a roller to third to begin. Giambi dropped a base hit to right but Millar bobbled the ball for an error to move Rodriguez to third. Sheffield got a base hit to left to score A-Rod to tie the game and chase Arroyo. Bronson battled but lasted just 6+ innings while allowing 2 runs off four hits and 2 walks. Bubba Crosby pinch ran for Giambi with Scott Williamson coming in to pitch. Posada grounded out to first to move both runners over and Lee was intentionally walked to load the bases. The gamble worked as Williams grounded into a double play to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                     Better luck next time Arroyo

Old pal Tom Gordon came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Varitek struck out swinging to start. Millar and Bellhorn both went down hacking to end the inning. Alan Embree came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and old buddy Tony Clark pinch hit for Wilson. Clark grounded out to second before Jeter struck out swinging. Matsui flied out to right to end the inning.

Miguel Cairo took over at second to start the top of the ninth and Kapler walked to start. Reese dropped down a bunt to move Kapler to second and Gabe moved to third on the Damon grounder to second. Mueller popped up to short to end the inning. A-Rod walked to put the winning run on first to start the bottom of the ninth and moved to second on the sacrifice bunt by Crosby. Sheffield popped up to short and Posada was intentionally walked. Lee grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Mariano Rivera came in to pitch the top of the tenth and Ortiz flied out to the right field wall to start. Ramirez got a base hit to right but Varitek forced him at second. Varitek swiped second but Millar hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. Keith Foulke came in to pitch the bottom of the tenth and Ortiz booted a grounder by Williams for an error to start. Cairo dropped down a bunt to move Williams to second and Williams moved to third on a grounder to second by Jeter. Matsui walked and A-Rod was intentionally walked to load the bases. Ruben Sierra pinch hit for Crosby and grounded into a force to end the inning.

Bellhorn walked to start the top of the eleventh but Kapler's bunt forced him at second. Ellis Burks pinch hit for Reese and got hit with a pitch before Damon walked to load the bases. Mueller popped up to short and Ortiz struck out swinging to end the inning. Cesar Crespo took over at short for the bottom of the eleventh and Sheffield was hit with a pitch to start. Posada flied out to center, Lee also flied out to center and Sheffield was thrown out trying to steal second to end the inning.

Paul Quantrill came in to pitch the top of the 12th and Ramirez doubled off the right field wall to start. Varitek grounded out to second to move Ramirez to third and Millar got hit with a pitch. Bellhorn hit a sac fly to center to score Ramirez to put the Sox on top. Kapler forced Millar at second to end the inning with the Sox up 3-2. 

                                                        Ramirez scores the go-ahead run

Mike Timlin came in to close out the bottom of the 12th with David McCarty now at first base. Williams took strike three to start and Cairo struck out swinging. Jeter grounded out to third to end the game. The Sox had won it 3-2.

                                                               Sox win

Hero of The Night is Mark Bellhorn. His sac fly in the 12th put the Sox up for good.

                                                        Mark Hero

The Good:

Ellis Burks got hit with a pitch as a pinch hitter.

Manny Ramirez was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Pokey Reese was 1 for 2 with an rbi.

Bronson Arroyo tossed 6+ innings allowing just 2 runs of 4 hits and 2 walks.

Scott Williamson pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

Alan Embree pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Keith Foulke tossed 3 scoreless innings to get the win.

Mike Timlin earned the save with a scoreless 12th inning.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Johnny Damon was 0 for 4 but walked twice and scored a run.

Bill Mueller was just 1 for 4 but walked twice.

David Ortiz was just 1 for 6 with 2 strikeouts and an error.

Kevin Millar was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout and an error but was hit with a pitch and scored a run.

Jason Varitek was 0 for 5 with a strikeout but walked and stole a base.

Gabe Kapler was 0 for 4 but walked.

Honorable Mention:

Cesar Crespo played short in the final two innings.

David McCarty played first in the final inning.

Final Thoughts:

I hate to bring up last year but this is what Sox brass envisioned Game 7 going down if the Sox had one more arm in the bullpen. Keith Foulke matched Mariano Rivera in extra innings and they still had Mike Timlin left in the bullpen. There was no Aaron Boone this time and the Sox got to Paul Quantrill in the 12th inning. Arroyo pitched well and the bullpen was lights out as they were last October. Its only April but that's a huge sign of good things to come if everyone can stay healthy. The Yankees have no answer for Timlin, Embree, Williamson and Foulke and that's not counting the starters. Again, there's a long way to go but winning 5 out of 6 against the Yankees is nothing to sneeze at. Good work by Bellhorn for getting the run in to win this marathon. The Sox now look for the sweep against the Yankees tomorrow afternoon when Pedro Martinez (2-1) returns to Yankee Stadium to face Javier Vazquez of New York. The game begins at 1:05 PM at Yankee Stadium.

Sox Crush Contreras, Yankees (4/23/04)

The bad news was the Boston Celtics lost Game 3 of their first round NBA playoff series to the Indiana Pacers but the good news was the Boston Red Sox routed the New York Yankees. Boston's personal punching bag Jose Contreras was once again rocked by the Sox as they lit him up for five runs before he left in the fourth inning. Bill Mueller then hit a three run home run off Donovan Osbourne to put the game out of reach. Derek Lowe (2-1, 6.75 ERA) tossed 6 solid innings allowing just 2 runs to keep the Sox in front. The Sox poured it on against the Yankees bullpen with Manny Ramirez hitting a home run as the exclamation point. The Sox had made a statement to the Yankees on the road as they beat them 11-2 at Yankee Stadium.

                                                  Cynthia Brimhall approves of the win

Contreras got the ball in the top of the first inning and Johnny Damon led off by striking out swinging on a pitch in the dirt. Bill Mueller popped up to Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz flied out to center to end the inning. Lowe got the ball in the bottom of the first and Bubba Crosby grounded out to second to start. Derek Jeter lined out to right but A-Rod doubled to right. Jason Giambi walked but Damon made a snowcone catch to rob Gary Sheffield to end the inning. 

The Sox struck first in the top of the second as Manny Ramirez took strike three to start. Ellis Burks singled in the hole in right and somehow stole second base. Jason Varitek grounded back to the mound to move Ellis to third and Kevin Millar walked. Mark Bellhorn got a seeing eye single into right to score Burks and Pokey Reese popped up to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                     Bellhorn drives in a run

Hideki Matsui singled down the left field line to start the bottom of the second before Bernie Williams lined out to Bellhorn. John Flaherty grounded into a double play to end the inning. 

Damon walked to start the top of the third before stealing second. Mueller flied out to left but Ortiz walked. Ramirez hit a 410 foot out to center to move both runners over but Burks grounded out to third to end the inning. Enrique Wilson grounded out to short to start the bottom of the third before Crosby struck out swinging. Jeter grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

The Sox knocked out Contreras in the top of the fourth although Varitek struck out swinging to start. Millar belted his second home run of the season to increase the lead and Bellhorn responded with his second home run of the season for back to back jacks. Reese singled to right and stole second before Damon walked to chase Contreras. Donovan Osbourne came in and Mueller promptly hit a three run bomb to ice the game. Ortiz flied out to right and Ramirez popped up to first to end the inning.

                                                    Sox pour it on

A-Rod grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the fourth before Giambi grounded out to short. Sheffield walked but Matsui grounded out to third to end the inning.

Burks struck out swinging to start the top of the fifth before Varitek grounded out to second. Millar walked and Bellhorn struck out swinging to end the inning. Williams singled to center to start the bottom of the fifth before Flaherty grounded into a double play. Wilson got a base hit to center but Crosby grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox struck again int he top of the sixth as Reese grounded out to second to start. Damon doubled into the right field corner but Mueller flied out to center. Ortiz ripped a double to center to score Damon and chase Osbourne. Scott Proctor got Ramirez to fly out to right to end the inning with the Sox up 7-0.

                                                          Ortiz drives in another run

Jeter struck out swinging to start the bottom of the sixth before A-Rod grounded out to short. Giambi grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Sox kept pouring it on in the top of the seventh as Burks walked to start. Varitek struck out swinging and Millar flied out to left but Bellhorn got a base hit over the head of Wilson into right. Reese hit a pop up but Crosby fell down and couldn't make the play, scoring Burks and Bellhorn for a "double". Damon got a base hit to center to score Pokey and Mueller walked. Ortiz struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 10-0.

                                              Microcosm of tonight's game for New York

David McCarty came in for Ortiz at first to start the bottom of the seventh but Sheffield got a base hit to left to start. Matsui then hit a home run all the way to Long Island and that was it for Lowe. He went 6 plus innings and allowed 2 runs. Mike Timlin came in and Williams grounded out to second before Flaherty struck out swinging. Wilson flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox up 10-2.

                                                              Good work by Lowe

Alex Graman came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Ramirez greeted him with his fourth home run of the season to wrap up the scoring. Burks flied out to right and Varitek hit a pop up to shallow right. Sheffield dropped it for an error but Millar forced Varitek at second. Bellhorn took strike three to end the inning with the Sox up 11-2.

                                                      Home run Manny

Cesar Crespo came in for Mueller to start the bottom of the eighth and Crosby lined out to short to start. Jeter struck out swinging but Mueller failed to throw out A-Rod in time on a ground ball for a "single". Giambi took strike three to end the inning.

Reese flied out to center to start the top of the ninth before Damon grounded out to third. Crespo struck out swinging to end the inning. Doug Mirabelli took over behind the plate as Lenny DiNardo made his ML debut on the mound in the bottom of the ninth. Sheffield grounded out to third and DiNardo got his first career K when Matsui went down hacking. Williams grounded out to third to end the game. The Sox had won it 11-2.

                                                            Sox win

Hero of The Night is Bill Mueller. His three run bomb put the game out of reach.

                                                        Bill Hero

The Good:

Johnny Damon was 2 for 4 with 2 walks, an rbi, a stolen base and 2 runs scored.

Kevin Millar was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and a home run.

Mark Bellhorn was 3 for 5 with a home run, 2 total rbis and 2 total runs scored.

Pokey Reese was 2 for 5 with a stolen base, 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Derek Lowe got the win with 6 innings of 2 run ball. He allowed 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out two.

Mike Timlin tossed two scoreless innings.

Lenny DiNardo pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Cesar Crespo struck out in his only plate appearance.

Jason Varitek was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

David Ortiz was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and drove in a run.

Manny Ramirez was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but the one hit was a home run.

Ellis Burks was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but stole a base, walked and scored two runs.

Honorable Mention:

David McCarty played first base in the final innings.

Doug Mirabelli caught the bottom of the ninth.

Final Thoughts:

That's four out of five to start the season for the Red Sox against the Yankees. Usually the Sox have good April's but fall apart by June, not just against the Yankees but against everyone. It remains to be seen how June will be but so far the Yankees have no answers for the Red Sox. Derek Lowe was their punching bag last year but came up big tonight. The bats delivered tonight but mostly the trio of Bill Mueller, Ellis Burks and Mark Bellhorn. Yes Ortiz drove in a run and Manny hit one out but those three were the key factors. Ellis stealing a base, Bellhorn's homer, Damon's steal...everything went right. Lowe was pitching great but the long inning where the Sox had the rally disrupted his rhythm. Still, that's a great problem to have when you get a 10 run lead and have your bullpen ready to help. Good work by Timlin and by rookie Lenny DiNardo in his ML debut. All in all the Sox pounded Contreras again and beat the Yankees in their home turf. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the Yankees tomorrow afternoon when Bronson Arroyo goes one on one with Kevin Brown. The game begins at 1:05 PM at Yankee Stadium.

Mirabelli, Wakefield Drop Blue Jays (4/21/04)

Rikishi and Scotty Two Hotty may be the current WWE Tag Team Champions but Doug Mirabelli and Tim Wakefield (2-0, 2.37 ERA) tag teamed the Toronto Blue Jays into submission in tonight's game. Wakefield pitched into the seventh inning while holding the Jays to just two runs allowed. His partner Mirabelli clubbed two home runs, driving in three runs to outscore the Jays by himself. David Ortiz scored on a wild pitch by Kerry Ligtenberg for a big insurance run. After Wakefield left, Alan Embree and Keith Foulke slammed the door as the Sox made it two in a row over the Jays with a 4-2 victory at the Skydome.

                                                    The champs approve of the win

Ted Lilly got the start for Toronto in the top of the first and Mark Bellhorn walked to start. Bill Mueller struck out swinging and David Ortiz grounded into a double play to end the inning. Wakefield got the ball in the bottom of the first and Frank Catalanotto flied out to left. Eric Hinske struck out swinging and Vernon Wells popped up to short to end the inning.

Manny Ramirez struck out swinging to start the top of the second and Kevin Millar took strike three. Ellis Burks drilled a base hit to left but Gabe Kapler flied out to center to end the inning. Carlos Delgado lined out to short to start the bottom of the second before Josh Phelps grounded out to second. Greg Myers singled to right and Reed Johnson doubled to left. Orlando Hudson flied out to center to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the third as Doug Mirabelli belted his second home run of the year to start. Pokey Reese singled to center but Bellhorn struck out swinging. Reese swiped second and Mueller walked, but Ortiz beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners. Ramirez flied out to left to end the inning but the Sox were up 1-0.

                                                      Home run Mirabelli

Chris Gomez grounded out to third to start the bottom of the third but Catalanotto walked. Hinske grounded into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the fourth as Millar singled to left to start. Burks flied out to right and Kapler hit one up the elevator shaft, but Mirabelli pounded his second home run of the game to increase the lead. Reese took strike three to end the inning but the Sox now led 3-0.

                                                   Mirabelli does it again

The Jays struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Wells popped up to second to start. Delgado walked but Phelps struck out swinging. Myers doubled to center to score Delgado and get Toronto on the board. Johnson struck out swinging to end the inning with the Jays down 3-1.

                                                             Myers drives in a run

Bellhorn struck out swinging to open the top of the fifth and Mueller lined out to first. Ortiz popped up to short to end the inning. The Jays rallied in the bottom of the fifth as Hudson grounded out to first to start. Gomez doubled to center and moved to third on a passed ball. Catalanotto doubled to left to score Gomez but Hinske flied out to center. Catalanotto took third on a passed ball but Wells flied out to center to inch the Jays closer down 3-2.

                                                               Pain in the ass

Ramirez beat out a roller to third to start the top of the sixth but Millar popped up to second. Burks popped up to short but Kapler walked to chase Lilly. Jason Frasor came in to face Mirabelli and Doug took strike three to end the inning. Delgado grounded out to first to start the bottom of the sixth but Phelps got a base hit to right. Myers struck out swinging and Johnson grounded out to second to end the inning.

Reese popped up to second to start the top of the seventh before Bellhorn took strike three. Mueller flied out to left to end the inning. Hudson grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the seventh and Gomez hit one up the elevator shaft. Rather than extend his starter after 107 pitches, Sox manager Terry Francona pulled Wakefield in favor of Alan Embree. Wakefield allowed just 2 runs in 6 2/3 gutty innings allowing 6 hits and 2 walks. Catalanotto took strike three to end the inning.

                                                                 Good start by Wakefield

Valerio De Los Santos came in to pitch to Ortiz to start the top of the eighth and Big Papi doubled to right. Kerry Ligtenberg came in to pitch to Ramirez and Manny flied out to right to move Ortiz to third. David scored on a wild pitch and Millar struck out swinging. Burks flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox up 4-2.

                                                           Ortiz scores on a wild pitch

Dave Berg (not the lighter side) pinch hit for Hinske to start the bottom of the eighth and flied out to right. Wells popped up to second and Delgado flied out to left to end the inning.

Justin Speier came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Kapler flied out to right to start. Mirabelli singled to right but Reese flied out to right. Bellhorn flied out to center to end the inning. Cesar Crespo came in for Millar for defense with Keith Foulke on the mound to close out the bottom of the ninth. Phelps took strike three and Myers popped up to short before Howie Clark pinch hit for Johnson. Clark flied out to right to end the game. The Sox had won it 4-2.

Hero of The Night is Doug Mirabelli. He hit two home runs, good for three runs to outscore the Jays by himself.

                                                          Doug The Hero

The Good:

Tim Wakefield got the win by tossing 6 2/3 innings of 2 run ball. He allowed 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out four.

Alan Embree pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Keith Foulke earned his 5th save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Mark Bellhorn was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but walked.

Bill Mueller was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

David Ortiz was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Manny Ramirez was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Kevin Millar was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.

Ellis Burks was just 1 for 4.

Gabe Kapler was 0 for 3 but walked.

Pokey Reese was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but stole a base.

Honorable Mention:

Cesar Crespo played center in the ninth inning.

Final Thoughts:

Good win by the Sox and Mirabelli was the star of it. Wakefield pitched a good game but for one of the only times, Doug overshadowed him. He outscored the Jays by himself and Sox manager Terry Francona after the game playfully said "He's a horseshit player!" Another factor is Toronto has been completely inept at home to start the season, going 0-8 so far. Mirabelli himself said after the game that the Sox are not on a roll, they expect to play like this every night. Hopefully the offense doesn't rely on Mirabelli every night or they'd be in trouble. All in all it was a good win and the Sox do look like they're on a roll. The Sox look for the series sweep tomorrow night when Curt Schilling (2-0, 2.66 ERA) takes on Miguel Batista of Toronto. The game begins at 7:05 PM at the Skydome.

Yankees Strike Back, Pound Sox (4/18/04)

After the Boston Red Sox dropkicked the New York Yankees around during the first two games of this series, the Yankees were bound to get revenge. It came today as the bats came alive against Derek Lowe (1-1, 9.35 ERA). The well balanced Yankee attack pounded Lowe for 7 early runs and the pitching of the bullpen surrendered just 3 hits and a walk in 6 2/3 innings. When the game was over the Yankees had won it 7-3 at Fenway Park.

The Yankees wore down Lowe early in the top of the first inning. Derek Jeter grounded out to second before Bernie Williams struck out swinging. Alex Rodriguez and Jason Giambi worked back to back walks before Gary Sheffield grounded into a force to end the inning. The Sox struck first against Yankees starter Jose Contreras in the bottom of the first inning. Johnny Damon whiffed to start but Bill Mueller singled to left. David Ortiz whiffed but Manny Ramirez singled. Kevin Millar put the Sox on top with a double to score Mueller before Ellis Burks flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                   Swing and a miss

The Yankees wasted no time coming back against Lowe in the top of the second inning. Hideki Matsui grounded out to second but Jorge Posada walked. Travis Lee singled to left but Enrique Wilson flied out to left. Jeter singled home Posada to tie the game. Williams grounded into a force to end the inning but it was tied 1-1.

Jason Varitek singled to open the bottom of the second but Cesar Crespo whiffed. Pokey Reese flied out to left and Varitek was gunned down trying to steal to end the inning.

The Yankees knocked Lowe out in the top of the third inning. A-Rod walked before Giambi singled A-Rod to third. Sheffield doubled A-Rod home to give the Yankees the lead before Matsui singled in Giambi to put runners at the corners. Posada doubled home Sheffield but somehow Lowe punched out Lee. Wilson singled home Matsui and moved Posada to third before Jorge scored on the Jeter groundout. Williams doubled home Wilson and Sox manager Terry Francona had seen enough. Lowe was absolutely hammered in the third inning and left allowing 7 runs in just 2 2/3 innings...woof! Mark Malaska came in and A-Rod flied out to center to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 7-1.

                                                           A-Rod trots around the bases

The Sox did manage to fight back in the bottom of the third as Damon singled to start. Mueller walked and Damon went to third on the fly out by Ortiz. Ramirez doubled home both men to cut the lead. Millar walked and a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position. Yankees manager Joe Torre had seen enough and lifted the incompetent Contreras mid at-bat. Paul Quantrill came in and the rally ended when Burks hit a ground ball to to third, Manny getting thrown out at home on the play. Varitek grounded out to first to end the inning but the Sox were down 7-3.

                                                  Ramirez drives in two

Malaska came out for the top of the fourth as Giambi flied out to right to start. Sheffield doubled to left and Matsui walked but Posada popped up to second. Lee grounded into a force to end the inning. The Sox threatened in the bottom of the fourth although Crespo grounded out to second to begin. Reese walked but was erased on the Damon force. Mueller singled to left but Ortiz popped up to short to end the inning.

Malaska returned for one final inning in the top of the fifth. Wilson flied out to center to start but Jeter singled to right. Williams popped up to first before A-Rod looked at strike three to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Manny flied out to right, Millar whiffed and Burks flied out to right to end the inning.

Phil Seibel came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Giambi was plunked to start. Giambi was erased on the Sheffield force before Matsui flied out to center. Posada grounded into a force to end the inning. Gabe White took the mound in the bottom of the sixth and Varitek singled to start. The rally ended as Crespo lined out to second before Reese popped up to first. Damon grounded into a force to end the inning.

                                                                Nice try Crespo

Seibel returned for the top of the seventh and Lee flied out to right to begin. Wilson grounded back to the mound before Jeter and Williams drew back to back walks. A-Rod grounded out to second to end the inning. White got Mueller to fly out to left to start the bottom of the seventh before Ortiz grounded out to first. Tom Gordon came in to pitch to Manny and Ramirez flied out to right to end the inning.

Seibel got Giambi to strike out swinging to open the top of the eighth. Sheffield grounded out to short before Matsui flied out to center to end the inning. Gordon cruised in the bottom of the eighth as Millar popped up to short to begin. Burks flied out to center before Varitek flied out to left to end the inning.

Seibel returned for the top of the ninth but ran out of gas, walking Posada to start. Lee flied out to center and Wilson flied out to right but Jeter walked to chase Seibel. A yeoman's effort by Seibel who tossed 3 2/3 shutout innings against the high powered Yankees lineup. None other than Frank Castillo came on for the final out although he walked Williams to load the bases. A-Rod flied out to center to end the inning.

                                                Great effort by Seibel

Yankees manager Joe Torre took no chances and brought in Mariano Rivera with a four run lead to close out the bottom of the ninth. Crespo grounded out to third before Gabe Kapler pinch hit for Reese and singled to right. Damon flied out to right and Mueller grounded out to short to end the game. The Yankees bullpen tossed 6 2/3 shutout innings to win the game 7-3.

Jackass of the Night is Derek Lowe. He got knocked out in the third inning and gave up 7 runs that the offense couldn't come back from.

                                                              Jackass Lowe


The Good:

Bill Mueller was 2 for 4 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Manny Ramirez was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis.

Kevin Millar was 1 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Jason Varitek was 2 for 4.

Gabe Kapler singled as a pinch hitter

Mark Malaska tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

Phil Seibel held the Yankees scoreless for 3 2/3 innings.

Frank Castillo got the final out of the top of the ninth.



The Bad:

David Ortiz was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Ellis Burks was 0 for 4.

Cesar Crespo was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.



The Ugly:

Johnny Damon was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Pokey Reese was 0 for 2 but walked.




Final Thoughts:

Any loss hurts but against the Yankees it hurts even more. Lowe simply didn't have it but that was a tremendous effort by the little used members of the bullpen. Malaska, Castillo and Seibel held the Yankees scoreless after Lowe left the game but unfortunately so did the Yankees bullpen after Contreras left. That's an encouraging sign for future games if the bullpen doesn't crap themselves, normally the Sox could bop their way back into a game. Just not today it seemed as the Yankees owed them one. Still the Sox have won two games already in this four game set and tomorrow the finale will be the Patriots Day morning game. Bronson Arroyo takes the hill for the Sox up against Kevin Brown at the special start time of 11 AM at Fenway Park.

Wakefield, Sox Down Yankees (4/16/04)

Last year was a bitter defeat suffered by the Boston Red Sox against the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series and tonight was the first game of nineteen this season. The Red Sox opened the salvo with a convincing win over the Yankees by knocking around their off-season acquisition Javier Vazquez for four first inning runs. Bill Mueller and Manny Ramirez both hit home runs to lead 4-0 early. Tim Wakefield (1-0, 2.19 ERA) continued his mastery over the Yankees (starting anyway) by allowing just two runs in seven innings of work to keep the Sox in front. Doug Mirabelli knocked in two runs of his own including a home run to wrap up the scoring. Keith Foulke slammed the door in the ninth and the Sox had their first victory against the Yankees this season 6-2 at Fenway Park.

                                                 John Carroll approves of the win

Wakefield got the ball in the top of the first inning and Kenny Lofton led off by grounding out to Pokey Reese to start. Derek Jeter flied out to center and Alex Rodriguez grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox wasted no time getting to Vazquez in the bottom of the first as Johnny Damon reached on an error by Jason Giambi to start. Bill Mueller made Giambi pay with a two run homer into the bullpen. David Ortiz struck out swinging but Manny Ramirez was awarded a home run when replays showed it hit off the right field wall and should have been a triple. Kevin Millar singled off the Monster but Ellis Burks forced him at second. Mark Bellhorn walked and Doug Mirabelli hit a routine grounder to Jeter....through his legs for an error to score Burks for another run. Pokey Reese flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-0.

                                                      Ole!!!

The Yankees got one back in the top of the second although Giambi flied out to the right field warning track to start. Gary Sheffield popped up to Manny but Jorge Posada hit a home run into the Charles River to cut the lead. Hideki Matsui grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Yankees down 4-1.

                                                       Home run Posada

Damon flied out to left to begin the bottom of the second but Mueller slashed an opposite field single into left field. Ortiz banged into a double play to end the inning.

Bernie Williams took strike three to start the top of the third and Enrique Wilson grounded out to third. Lofton also grounded out to third to end the inning. Vazquez turned up the heat in the bottom of the third as Ramirez struck out swinging to start. Millar and Burks both struck out swinging to end the inning.

Jeter grounded a single up the middle to start the top of the fourth but A-Rod waived badly for strike three. Giambi walked but Sheffield grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Bellhorn flied out to right to start. Fox decided it would be cute to play Bucky Dent's home run from 1978 and Mirabelli stuck it up their ass with a home run into the bullpen to increase the lead. Reese popped up to short and Damon grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-1.

                                                 "Take THAT, Fox" - Mirabelli

The Yankees answered in the top of the fifth as Posada grounded out to second to start. Matsui lined a base hit past Reese then took second on a passed ball. Williams dumped a base hit to right to score Matsui to cut the lead. Bernie moved to second on a grounder back to the mound by Wilson and Lofton grounded out to second to end the inning with the Yankees down 5-2.

                                                   Williams drives in a run

Mueller led off the bottom of the fifth with a base hit through the right side, but was thrown out at second trying to steal when Ortiz struck out swinging. Ramirez grounded out to short to end the inning.

Jeter grounded out to third to start the top of the sixth but Reese bobbled a grounder by A-Rod for an error. Giambi walked but A-Rod was thrown out at third on a double steal attempt, although Jason moved to second. Sheffield took strike three on the inside corner for strike three to end the inning. The Sox finished off Vazquez in the bottom of the sixth as Millar hit a bullet to A-Rod to start. Burks singled off the bottom of the Monster then moved to third on a base hit to right by Bellhorn. Mirabelli doubled into the left field corner to score Burks, chasing Vazquez. Paul Quantrill came in to face Reese and he hit a comebacker, getting Bellhorn caught in a rundown. All of a sudden Joe Torre came out and lifted Quantrill in favor of Gabe White to pitch to Damon. Damon flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-2.

                                                  Mirabelli drives in a run

Wakefield returned for one final inning in the top of the seventh and Posada grounded out to second to start. Fox decided to be cute again by showing Aaron Boone's home run before Matsui walked. Williams walked and old pal Tony Clark pinch hit for Wilson. Clark struck out swinging and Lofton forced Williams at second to end the inning. That was it for Wakefield who went 7 strong innings and held the Yankees to 2 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks.

                                                     Wakefield gets it done

Miguel Cairo came in to play second in the bottom of the seventh as Mueller led off with a walk. Ortiz popped up to left and that was it for White. Jorge De Paula came in to face Ramirez and Manny grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Scott Williamson was all over the place in the top of the eighth as Jeter grounded out to second to start. A-Rod hit a bullet to Mueller but Ramirez dropped a routine pop up by Giambi for an error. A wild pitch moved Giambi to second and Sheffield walked. A wild pitch moved both runners over and Posada walked to chase Williamson. Alan Embree came in and struck out Matsui swinging to end the inning. Millar grounded out to short to start the bottom of the eighth and Fox once again tried to stick it to the Sox by showing a flashback to Grady Little leaving Pedro Martinez on the mound in Game 7. Burks, Bellhorn and Mirabelli all walked to load the bases and that was it for De Paula. Donovan Osbourne came in to pitch and Reese grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Keith Foulke came in to close out the top of the ninth with Gabe Kapler in for defense in right field. Williams popped up to center to start but Ortiz dropped a pop up in foul territory by Cairo for an error. Cairo was plunked and moved to second on a Lofton comebacker, but Jeter popped up to center to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-2.

                                                             Sox win

Hero of the Night is Tim Wakefield. He got the win by tossing 7 innings and allowing just two runs (one earned) allowing 4 hits and 4 walks while striking out four batters.

                                                   Dave Wallace talks to our Hero

The Good:

Bill Mueller was 3 for 3 with a two run home run and a walk.

Ellis Burks was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Mark Bellhorn was 1 for 2 with 2 walks.

Doug Mirabelli was 2 for 3 with a walk, a home run and two total rbis.

Scott Williamson got the first two outs of the eighth inning.

Alan Embree got the final out of the eighth inning.

Keith Foulke pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

David Ortiz was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts and an error.

Pokey Reese was 0 for 4 with an error.

The Ugly:

Johnny Damon was 0 for 4 but scored a run.

Manny Ramirez was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout and an error but hit a home run.

Kevin Millar was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Honorable Mention:

Gabe Kapler played right field in the ninth inning.

Final Thoughts:

Fox thought they were being funny by making fun of Johnny Damon's hair and showing all those anti-Red Sox graphics throughout the game but the Sox shoved it up their keister tonight. Wakefield dominated the Yankees in two starts in last year's ALCS (but Fox doesn't want you to know that) and he had another great start tonight. The offense knocked around Javier Vazquez early and it was good to see Doug Mirabelli join the party after not playing for eight days. That eighth inning could have gotten a lot worse after Manny casually dropped the ball and Williamson couldn't find the plate, kudos to Alan Embree for making quick work of Matsui. Keith Foulke once again did the job and has been worth every penny so far. The Sox have to fight not only the Yankees but Fox itself moving forward apparently, they should use the ammo for tomorrow afternoon. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the Yankees when Curt Schilling (1-0) gets the ball against Mike Mussina of New York. The game begins at 1:20 PM at Fenway Park.

Blue Jays Spoil Fenway Opener (4/9/04)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Ramiro Mendoza was placed on the 15 day Disabled List while Mark Malaska was called up to take his place. Mendoza was dealing with an issue in Spring Training but Malaska had a good season for the Tampa Bay Rays last year. 

                                                                        OUT

                                                                        IN

The good news was the Boston Bruins won Game 2 of their first round NHL playoff series but the bad news was the Toronto Blue Jays spoiled Opening Day at Fenway Park by beating the Boston Red Sox. The Jays and Sox battled to a 4-4 tie as Bronson Arroyo went six innings. The Sox took the lead with a Jason Varitek home run but things fell apart as Mike Timlin got hammered for three runs in the eighth. Alan Embree allowed another run in the ninth and Dave McCarty the first baseman was sent to the mound to finish the game. It all added up to a 10-5 Blue Jays victory at Fenway Park.

 

Arroyo got the ball in the top of the first and Reed Johnson took strike three to start. Frank Catalanotto tripled into the right field corner but Vernon Wells popped up to David Ortiz for a big out. Carlos Delgado lined out to a running Johnny Damon to end the inning. Lilly got the ball in the bottom of the first and Damon led off by grounding out to short. Bill Mueller popped up to third in foul territory and Ellis Burks struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Jays struck first in the top of the second as Josh Phelps walked to start. Eric Hinske dropped a base hit to right and Orlando Hudson walked to load the bases. Chris Woodward popped up to Mark Bellhorn and Kevin Cash struck out swinging, but Johnson singled off the Monster to score both Phelps and Hinske. Catalanotto grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox down 2-0.

                                                                      Jays take the lead

Manny Ramirez flied out to right to start the bottom of the second before David Ortiz flied out to left. Kevin Millar grounded out to third to end the inning.

Wells struck out swinging to start the top of the third before Delgado grounded out to first. Phelps got hit in the shoulder but Hinske lined out to a running Damon to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the third as Jason Varitek singled to center to start. Mark Bellhorn forced Varitek at second and Pokey Reese grounded out to third to move Bellhorn to second. Damon dumped a base hit to right to score Bellhorn to cut the lead. Hudson kamikazed himself into the wall in foul territory to catch a pop up by Mueller to end the inning with thr Sox down 2-1.

                                                             Bellhorn scores a run

The Jays struck back in the top of the fourth as Hudson walked to start. Woodward popped up to short but Cash fisted a bloop single over the head of Bellhorn to move Hudson to third. Johnson beat out a double play ball to score Hudson and Damon missed a line drive by Catalanotto resulting in a base hit. Wells hit a double to right to score Johnson but Catalanotto was thrown out at home to end the inning with the Jays up 4-1.

                                                                      YERRRR OUT!

The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fourth although Burks struck out swinging to start. Ramirez hit a line drive off of the foot of Hinske and it rolled into the dugout for a "ground rule double" before Ortiz hit a conventional ground rule double into the right field corner to score Manny. Ortiz moved to third on the Millar grounder to second. Varitek and Bellhorn both walked to load the bases before Reese doubled to the Monster to score Ortiz & Varitek to tie the game. Gabe Kapler pinch hit for Damon and grounded out to short to end the inning but the game was tied 4-4.

                                                           Reese ties the game

The Jays threatened in the top of the fifth as Delgado singled to center to start. Phelps singled over the head of Reese and Hinske just barely beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners. Hudson took strike three and Hinske was gunned down at second trying to steal to end the inning.

                                                         Yerrrr out!

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fifth as Mueller popped up to right to start. Burks struck out swinging and Ramirez grounded out to third to end the inning.

Arroyo returned for one last inning in the top of the sixth and Woodward lined out to a running Kapler to start. Cash popped up to Reese and Johnson flied out to left to end the inning. Arroyo wasn't the sharpest but battled to go six innings while allowing four runs. He allowed 8 hits and 3 walks while striking out four.

                                                                 Good work Arroyo

The Sox took command in the bottom of the sixth as Ortiz grounded out to second to chase Lilly. Jays manager Carlos Tosca summoned Justin Speier to face Millar and Kevin grounded to short. Varitek clobbered his first home run of the year to put Boston on top. Bellhorn flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox up 5-4.

                                                             Home run Varitek

Mark Malaska made his Sox debut in the top of the seventh and Catalanotto flied out to the left field wall to start. Wells grounded out to third and Delgado flied out to left to end the inning. Reese struck out swinging to open the bottom of the seventh before Kapler flied out to left. Mueller grounded out to first to end the inning.

Everything fell apart in the top of the eighth with Mike Timlin on the mound. Phelps struck out swinging but Hinske singled to center. Hudson doubled to the centerfield wall to score Hinske with the tying run and Simon Pond pinch hit for Woodward. Pond struck out swinging but Cash doubled to center to score Hudson with the go-ahead run. Johnson was plunked and Catalanotto hit the kill shot with a ground rule double into the bullpen. Wells popped up to second to end the inning with the Jays up 7-5.

                                                Game gets away from Millar and the Sox

Terry Adams came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth with Chris Gomez playing short for Pond. Burks grounded out to third and Ramirez grounded out to short, but Ortiz walked to bring the tying run to the plate. Auquilino Lopez came in to face Millar and Kevin forced Ortiz at second to end the inning.

Alan Embree came in to take a beating in the top of the ninth as Delgado led off with a home run into the Charles River to ice the game. Phelps flied out to right and Hinske walked to chase Embree. Sox manager Terry Francona wanted to save his bullpen after last night's marathon so he brought in first baseman David McCarty to finish the game. Hudson hit a comebacker to McCarty to allow Hinske to move to second. Gomez walked and Hinske took third when the ball went to the backstop. Cash doubled into the centerfield triangle to score both runners. Johnson grounded out to short to end the inning with the Jays up 10-5.

                                                     New relief pitcher....David McCarty?

Kerry Ligtenberg came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Varitek struck out swinging to start. Bellhorn flied out to center and Brian Daubach made his return to Fenway by pinch hitting for Reese. Daubach grounded out to second to end the game. The Jays had won it 10-5.

                                                               Jays win

Jackass of the Night is Mike Timlin. He allowed 3 runs to take the loss and put the game out of reach

                                                           Timlin The Jackass

The Good:

Johnny Damon was 1 for 2 with an rbi before leaving the game.

David Ortiz was 1 for 3 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Jason Varitek was 2 for 3 with a walk, a home run and 2 runs scored.

Pokey Reese was 1 for 3 with 2 rbis.

Mark Malaska pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

The Bad:

Bill Mueller was 0 for 4.

Ellis Burks was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of three strikeouts.

Kevin Millar was 0 for 4.

Brian Daubach was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Alan Embree was charged with 2 runs in just 1/3 of an inning.

Dave McCarty the first baseman allowed a run in 2/3 of an inning on the mound.

The Ugly:

Manny Ramirez was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Mark Bellhorn was 0 for 3 but walked and scored a run.

Bronson Arroyo went 6 innings but allowed four runs on eight hits and three walks. He did strike out four.

Final Thoughts:

Well this was an unmitigated disaster. The Sox plane didn't land until 6 this morning and then they had to do the Opening Day ceremony. Makes sense the team ran out of gas as the game went along. The Jays offense feasted on Sox pitching for 14 hits and 10 runs including battering Timlin and Embree. Those two were integral to the bullpen last year so hopefully they're getting the badness out of their system early. Arroyo didn't look that great but it was the first start of his season. Johnny Damon left the game with a knee injury but Sox manager Terry Francona said it wasn't that serious, thankfully. All in all the Sox are 2-3 to start the season but they're too good to be this bad. They'll turn it around eventually but they're definitely stumbling to start. If that wasn't bad enough, the Sox now have to face Roy Halladay tomorrow who had their number last year. Luckily Pedro Martinez (0-1) is here to match him and the game begins at 7:05 PM at Fenway park.