Clemens, Sox Power Past Angels (4/30/94)

Hopefully the Boston Red Sox starting pitching holds up this season because so far this year, the Red Sox are a wagon with them. Roger Clemens (3-1, 3.16) tossed an eight inning gem allowing just 1 run to keep the Sox in the game. The Boston bats were held to just 7 hits by Mark Leiter but the Sox made them count. Andrew Dawson drove two big runs while Scott Cooper batted in another. It was the Clemens show as he dazzled the Angels before giving way to the bullpen. Ken Ryan and Greg Harris finished the game off as the Sox ended the month of April on a hot streak with a 4-1 victory over the Angels at Angels Stadium.

                                                       Jeannine Taylor approves of the win

The Sox jumped on Leiter in the top of the first inning as Otis Nixon lined out to left to start. Mike Greenwell doubled to center but Tim Naehring grounded out to third. Mo Vaughn was hit with a pitch and Andre Dawson pounded a ground rule double down the left field line to score Greenwell. Scott Cooper walked and Billy Hatcher popped up to third to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                              Dawson drives in a run

Clemens got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Damion Easley grounded out to second to start. Dwight Smith popped up to short and Tim Salmon struck out swinging to end the inning.

Damon Berryhill popped up to short to start the top of the second inning and Scott Fletcher grounded out to short. Nixon also grounded out to short to end the inning. Chili Davis got hit with a pitch to start the bottom of the second but Eduardo Perez grounded into a double play. Chad Curtis grounded out to short to end the inning.

Greenwell struck out swinging to start the top of the third before Naehring singled to left. Vaughn popped up to third in foul territory and Dawson flied out to right to end the inning. The Angels tied it in the bottom of the third as Jorge Fabregas struck out swinging to start. Harold Reynolds walked, stole second and scored on the Gary Disarcina base hit to right. Easley took strike three but Disarcina stole second as well. Smith grounded out to second to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                                 Disarcina ties it

The Sox struck back in the top of the fourth as Cooper doubled to left to start. Hatcher hit a routine grounder to Easley who threw the ball away for an error to score Cooper. Berryhill grounded out to first to move Hatcher to third but Fletcher flied out to center. Nixon struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 2-1.

                                                                 Cooper scores a run

Salmon singled to center to start the bottom of the fourth but Davis struck out swinging. Perez struck out swinging and Curtis lined out to right to end the inning.

The Sox added on in the top of the fifth as Greenwell popped up to third to start. Easley made another error to allow Naehring to reach first and Vaughn got a base hit to right. Dawson got a base hit to right to score Naehring and move Vaughn to third. Cooper beat out a double play ball to score Vaughn with another run but Hatcher popped up to third to end the inning with the Sox up 4-1.

                                                                  Vaughn scores a run

Fabregas lined out to second to start the bottom of the fifth and Reynolds struck out swinging. Disarcina flied out to center to end the inning.

Berryhill flied out to center to start the top of the sixth before Fletcher singled to left. Fletcher swiped second but Nixon grounded back to the mound. Greenwell was intentionally walked but Naehring flied out to right to end the inning. Easley popped up to second to start the bottom of the sixth but Smith got a base hit to right. Smith was thrown out at second trying to steal and Salmon grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Vaughn struck out swinging to start the top of the seventh before Dawson also went down hacking. Cooper walked but Hatcher flied out to left to end the inning. Davis took strike three to start the bottom of the seventh and shouted invectives at home plate umpire Fieldin Culbreth. Fieldin threw Davis out of the game and Perez flied out to right. Curtis grounded out to third to end the inning.

                                                                     Yerrrrr out!

Berryhill flied out to right to open the top of the eighth and Fletcher lined out to center. Nixon grounded out to first to end the inning. Clemens returned for one final inning in the bottom of the eighth as Fabregas popped up to third to start. Reynolds doubled to right but Disarcina struck out swinging. Easley grounded out to short to end the inning. Clemens was outstanding, allowing just 1 run in 8 strong innings allowing 4 hits and a walk.

                                                             The Rocket delivered

Craig Lefferts came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Greenwell grounded back to the mound to start. Naehring flied out to left and Lefferts dropped the throw from Disarcina on Vaughn's grounder for an error. Dawson was intentionally walked and Lee Tinsley pinch ran for him. Cooper flied out to center to end the inning. Ken Ryan came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Smith lined out to short to start. Salmon lined out to right but Bo Jackson pinch hit for Davis. Jackson walked and Perez got a base hit to center. Suddenly Sox manager Butch Hobson kicked over a gatorade jug and threw a bat at Ryan before needing to be restrained by arm security as Ryan ran over to take a swing at him. Greg Harris tiptoed to the mound to pitch to Curtis and got him to fly out to right to end the game. The Sox had won the game 4-1.

Hero of The Night is Roger Clemens. He allowed just 1 run in 8 innings while allowing 4 hits and walk. He also struck out 8 batters

                                                                Rocket Hero

The Good:

Andre Dawson was 2 for 4 with a walk and 2 rbis.

Scott Cooper was 1 for 3 with 2 walks, an rbi and a run scored.

Ken Ryan got the first two outs of the ninth inning.

Greg Harris earned the save by getting the final out of the game.

The Bad:

Otis Nixon was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Billy Hatcher was 0 for 4.

Damon Berryhill was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Mo Vaughn was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but was hit with a pitch and scored a run.

Scott Fletcher was just 1 for 4.

Honorable Mention:

Lee Tinsley ran for Dawson in the ninth.

Final Thoughts:

For the second year in a row the Red Sox have had a strong April but this year has a different vibe. The offense is gelling incredibly and the starting pitching has held up so far. Clemens was his normal self and he dominated the Angels tonight. Combined with the efforts of Danny Darwin and Frank Viola, Clemens added to the Sox win streak big time. Ken Ryan looked a little shaky but Harris got the final out nicely. Billy Hatcher and Otis Nixon have cooled off a little but can't argue that the Sox have gotten the hits they needed to win games lately. Hopefully everyone stays healthy because good things are in store at this pace. The win improved the Sox to 17-7, 1.5 games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look for the series sweep and fifth consecutive win tomorrow night against the Angels. Joe Hesketh (0-1) looks for his first win of the season against Brian Anderson of the Angels. The fame begins at 8:05 PM eastern time at Angels Stadium.

Sele, Sox Clip Angels (4/29/94)

It was good news all around tonight in Boston sports as the Boston Bruins eliminated the Montreal Canadiens in Game 7 of their first round NHL playoff series and the Boston Red Sox knocked off the California Angels. Aaron Sele (3-0, 2.56 ERA) continued his strong start to the season by holding the Angels to just one run in six solid innings. Meanwhile the Sox pounced on Phil Leftwich for four early runs, three of them off a Mo Vaughn home run. Scott Cooper hit a two run home run in the top of the eighth but the Angels rallied for three runs off Scott Bankhead in the bottom of the eighth. Greg Harris and Ken Ryan managed to slam the door as the Sox won the game 6-4 at Anaheim Stadium.

                                                     Ray Bourque approves of the win

Leftwich got the ball in the top of the first inning and Otis Nixon walked to start. Mike Greenwell singled to center and Tim Naehring got a base hit to left to score Nixon. Mo Vaughn pounded a three run home run to put the Sox up big early. Andre Dawson flied out to right, Scott Cooper struck out swinging and Billy Hatcher popped up to first to end the inning with the Sox up 4-0.

                                                                Home run Vaughn

Sele got the ball in the bottom of the first and Damion Easley grounded back to the mound to start. Dwight Smith took strike three and Tim Salmon grounded out to short to end the inning. 

Dave Valle took strike three to begin the top of the second and Scott Fletcher grounded out to short. Nixon beat out a bunt single down the third base line then stole second. Greenwell was hit with a pitch but Naehring forced him at second to end the inning. Chili Davis took strike three to start the bottom of the second and Eduardo Perez grounded out to second. Chad Curtis took strike three to end the inning.

Vaughn grounded out to second to start the top of the third before Dawson flied out to center. Cooper grounded out to first to end the inning. Jorge Fabregas singled to center to open the bottom of the third before Harold Reynolds flied out to right. Gary Disarcina grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Hatcher grounded out to short to begin the top of the fourth and Valle flied out to right. Fletcher singled to left but Nixon's bunt attempt to third was snuffed out to end the inning. Easley grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fourth and Smith struck out swinging. Salmon took strike three to end the inning.

Greenwell grounded out to second to start the top of the fifth and Naehring struck out swinging. Vaughn singled to center but took second when Leftwich's pickoff throw went wide for an error. Dawson struck out swinging to end the inning. Davis grounded out to second to start the bottom of the fifth but Perez singled to right. Curtis took strike three but Fabregas got a base hit to left. Reynolds forced Perez at third to end the inning.

Cooper grounded out to short to start the top of the sixth and Hatcher flied out to left. Valle singled to center but was thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning. Disarcina grounded out to short to start the bottom of the sixth but Easley singled to left. Smith popped up to short and Salmon took strike three to end the inning.

Fletcher lined out to right to begin the top of the seventh but Nixon grounded out to short. Greenwell grounded out to first to end the inning. Sele ran out of gas in the bottom of the seventh as Davis hit a home run to Pluto to start and Perez walked to chase Sele. Aaron allowed just one run in six innings of work and Scott Bankhead came in to pitch. Curtis flied out to center and Fabregas popped up to short, but Perez stole second. Reynolds popped up to third to end the inning with the Angels down 4-1.

                                                                 Good work by Sele

The Sox finished off the Leftwich in the top of the eighth as Naehring singled to center to start. Vaughn walked by Dawson grounded into a double play. Angels manager Buck Rodgers decided to bring in Bob Patterson to face Cooper and the gamble backfired as Cooper launched his seventh home run of the season to ice the game. Hatcher grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-1.

                                                             Big home run by Cooper

Those extra runs were needed as the Angels rallied in the bottom of the eighth. Disarcina singled to right and Easley hit a home run all the way into the Atlantic Ocean to cut the lead. Smith got a base hit in the hole at second and Sox manager Butch Hobson had seen enough. Greg Harris came in and Cooper booted a grounder by Salmon for an error. Davis walked to load the bases and Rex Hudler came in to run for Chili. Perez grounded into a double play to score Smith but Curtis grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Angels down 6-4.

                                                              Home run for Easley

Valle grounded out to first to start the top of the ninth and Fletcher flied out to center. Nixon struck out swinging to end the inning. Ken Ryan came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Fabregas singled in the hole at second to begin. Reynolds hit a routine grounder to Cooper who threw the ball over the catcher's head for no reason for an error. Disarcina dropped down a bunt to move both runners over but Easley took strike three. Smith grounded out to second to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-4.

Hero of The Night is Scott Cooper. His two run homer proved to be the difference in the game.

                                                            Scott The Hero

The Good:

Mike Greenwell was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Tim Naehring was 2 for 4 with a walk, rbi and 2 runs scored.

Mo Vaughn was 2 for 3 with a hit by pitch, a walk and a three run home run.

Aaron Sele allowed 1 run in 6 innings of work off 5 hits and a walk.

Ken Ryan got his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Andre Dawson was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Billy Hatcher was 0 for 4.

Scott Bankhead got lit up for 3 runs in a full inning.

The Ugly:

Otis Nixon was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked, stole a base and scored a run.

Dave Valle was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Scott Fletcher was just 1 for 4.

Greg Harris allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own in an inning.

Final Thoughts:

That was too close for comfort at the end but a win is a win. The trio of Mo Vaughn, Aaron Sele and Scott Cooper with the deciding factor in the game with a nod to Ken Ryan as well. All four of those guys are 26 or younger and could help win a lot of games this season. Hopefully they all stay healthy because the Sox are red hot as the month of April comes to a close. The Sox combination of speed and power has been working to perfection so far this season and they've been getting good starting pitching as well. Sele has the potential to win 15-18 games this year and hopefully he can pitch as well as Bruce Hurst did behind Roger Clemens all those years. Speaking of Roger, the Sox look for a series sweep tomorrow night against the Angels with Clemens on the mound. He takes on Al Leiter and the Angels at 10:30 PM Eastern time at Anaheim Stadium.

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

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

                                                       Lorna Luft approves of the win

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

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

                                                              Cooper drives in a pair

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

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

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

                                                                 Aldrete tags Darwin

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

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

                                                       Another home run by Cooper

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

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

                                                               Good work Darwin

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

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

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

                                                                   Hero Cooper

The Good:

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

Andre Dawson was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

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

Ken Ryan got the final out of the seventh inning.

Tony Fossas got the first out of the eighth inning.

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

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

The Bad:

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

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Damon Berryhill was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

John Valentin was 0 for 3.

The Ugly:

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

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

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

Honorable Mention:

Lee Tinsley played right field in the final innings.

Final Thoughts:

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

Sele, Sox Sweep Angels (4/24/94)

Former Boston Red Sox general manager Lou Gorman took a lot of heat for having an "old" starting rotation which included Frank Viola (34), Danny Darwin (38), Joe Hesketh (35) and even Roger Clemens (31). However Gorman did make one good move before he left, he drafted a potential future ace in 23 year old Aaron Sele (2-0, 2.81 ERA). Sele won his second consecutive game despite giving up 4 runs in the third inning. The red hot Boston bats picked him up as they scored three first inning runs against Phil Leftwich then Scott Cooper hit a home run to tie the game in the fourth. Cooper hit another homer in the bottom of the sixth and Sele finally left in the seventh inning. Greg Harris and Jeff Russell held the fort and the Sox had swept the California Angels 5-4 at Fenway Park.

                                                                Angels get swept

Sele got the ball in the top of the first and Damion Easley grounded back to the mound to start. Dwight Smith flied out to left and Tim Salmon grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox wasted no time getting to Leftwich in the bottom of the first as Otis Nixon walked to start. Billy Hatcher doubled off the Monster to score Nixon and Mike Greenwell walked. Tim Naehring was hit with a pitch but Mo Vaughn struck out swinging. John Valentin got a base hit up the middle to score Hatcher and Greenwell. Scott Cooper and Dave Valle both struck out swinging to end the inning with the Red Sox up 3-0.

 

                                                             Valentin drives in a pair

Chili Davis flied out to left to start the top of the second but Eduardo Perez flied out to center. Jim Edmonds singled to left but Chris Turner forced him at second to end the inning. Scott Fletcher lined out to second to start the bottom of the second but Nixon dropped down a bunt to second for a single. Greenwell grounded into a double play to end the inning.

The Angels exploded in the top of the third as Harold Reynolds walked to start. Gary Disarcina singled to center but Easley doubled off the Monster to score Reynolds. Smith got a base hit to right to score both runners to tie the game. Salmon took strike three but Smith stole second. Davis doubled to center to score Smith and put California on top. Perez grounded out to third and Edmonds struck out swinging to end the inning with the Angels up 4-3.

                                                             Davis puts the Angels on top

Greenwell flied out to left to start the bottom of the third before Naehring grounded out to short. Vaughn doubled to right but Valentin flied out to center to end the inning.

Turner was hit with a pitch to start the top of the fourth and Reynolds drew a walk. Disarcina grounded into a double play and Easley lined out to second to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Cooper smacked his fourth home run of the season to tie the game instantly. Valle flied out to center and Fletcher singled to right, but Nixon grounded back to the mound to move Scott to second. A wild pitch moved Fletcher to third but Hatcher flied out to right to end the inning with the game tied 4-4.

                                                            Home run Cooper

Smith walked to start the top of the fifth before moving to second on the grounder to third by Salmon. Davis was intentionally walked and the gamble worked as Perez banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Greenwell popped up to second to start. Naehring struck out swinging but Vaughn walked. Valentin forced Vaughn to end the inning.

Edmonds struck out swinging to open the top of the sixth before Turner also went down hacking. Reynolds flied out to left to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the sixth as Cooper hit his second home run of the game to put the Sox on top. Valle doubled to left and Fletcher dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Dave to third, but Nixon lined out to first. Hatcher flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-4

                                                             Cooper puts Boston on top

Disarcina grounded out to second to start the top of the seventh but Easley walked to chase Sele. Aaron went 6 1/3 innings allowing 4 runs, all in one inning to put the Sox in line for the win. Greg Harris came in and Easley moved to second on a grounder back to the mound by Smith. Salmon grounded out to third to end the inning.

                                                               Not great but it'll do

Ken Patterson came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Greenwell popped up to third to start. Naehring struck out swinging and that was it for Ken Patterson. Bob Patterson got Vaughn to fly out to center to end the inning.

The Angels threatened in the top of the eighth as David popped up to third to start. Perez singled to left and Reynolds walked before Bo Jackson pinch hit for Turner. A wild pitch moved both runners over but Jackson struck out swinging. Reynolds flied out to right to end the inning. Jorge Fabregas came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Valentin hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Cooper struck out swinging and Valle also hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

Jeff Russell came in to close out the top of the ninth and Disarcina popped up to second to start. Easley lined out to second and Smith took strike three to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-4.

Hero of The Night is Scott Cooper. He hit two home runs, one tying the game and the other to put the Sox up for good.

                                                                 Hero Cooper

The Good:

Otis Nixon was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Mo Vaughn was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Scott Fletcher was 1 for 2.

Greg Harris tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Jeff Russell earned his sixth save with a scoreless ninth.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Billy Hatcher was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored a run.

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 3 but walked and scored a run.

Tim Naehring was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but was hit with a pitch.

John Valentin was just 1 for 4 but drove in 2 runs.

Dave Valle was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Aaron Sele got the win by allowing 4 runs in just 6 1/3 innings off 5 hits and 5 walks.

Final Thoughts:

Sele might not have pitched great but considering how he's supposed to be the ace of the future, a good win is a good win. Cooper was an All-Star last year and he's definitely trying to make the team this year as well with those big home runs. The Sox did well to not let the game slip away after the four run inning Sele allowed and Cooper tying the game then putting the Sox on top with home runs was just what the doctor ordered. The rest of the offense contributed at least something in this one, whether it was a walk, a sacrifice or a hit. This kind of balanced attack is going to be tough to beat as well as everyone stays healthy. The Sox have now won 6 in a row and now start their west coast trip against the AL West. Tomorrow night the Sox start a two game tilt with the Seattle Mariners with a monster match between Mariners ace Randy Johnson and Sox ace Roger Clemens (2-0) the game begins at 10:00 PM Eastern time at the Kingdome.

Red Sox Walkoff Angels (4/22/94)

One day after the Boston Red Sox came back in dramatic fashion to walkoff the Oakland Athletics, the Red Sox did the same thing against the California Angels. The red hot Boston offense scored four early runs off Chuck Finley but the Angels rallied for 5 runs against Sox starter Frank Viola in the top of the fourth. Then in the bottom of the seventh, Finley casually walked Mo Vaughn but Billy Hatcher made a mad dash home to tie the game on a straight steal. Then in the bottom of the ninth, the Sox loaded the bases against Craig Lefferts and Mo Vaughn did the honors with a walkoff rbi single to bring home Otis Nixon. The Sox had won the game 6-5 at Fenway Park.

                                           Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat approves of the win

Viola got the ball in the top of the first as Damion Easley singled to center to start. Chas Curtis hit into a double play and Tim Salmon flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox wasted no time getting to Finley in the bottom of the first as Otis Nixon's bunt attempt to first was snuffed out. Billy Hatcher flied out to right but Mike Greenwell lashed a base hit to center. Tim Naehring walked and Mo Vaughn got a base hit to left to score Greenwell. John Valentin popped up to first to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                               Vaughn drives in a run

Chili Davis flied out to right to start the top of the second inning but Bo Jackson walked. Eduardo Perez grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the second as Cooper belted his third home run of the season to start. Rich Rowland grounded out to short and Scot Fletcher walked. Fletcher stole second and Nixon drove a base hit to center to score Scott. Nixon was thrown out at second trying to steal which was important because Hatcher doubled off the Monster. Greenwell flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox up 3-0.

                                                              Home run Cooper

Greg Myers grounded out to first to start the top of the third but Rex Hudler singled to center. Gary DiScarcina grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Sox kept coming in the bottom of the third as Naehring doubled off the Monster to start. Vaughn popped up to short and Naehring moved to third on the fly ball to center by Valentin. Cooper walked and Rowland hit a seeing eye single into left to score Naehring with another run. Fletcher flied out to left to end the inning with Boston up 4-0.

                                                            RBI for Rowland

The Angels sprang to life in the top of the fourth as Easley singled to left to start. Curtis doubled to center but Salmon took strike three. Davis singled to right to score both runners and Jackson doubled to right. Perez doubled to right to score both runners to tie the game before Eduardo moved to third on a grounder to second by Myers. Hudler doubled off the top of the Monster to score Perez to give the Angels the lead. Disarcina flied out to center to end the inning with the Angels roaring back to lead 5-4.

                                                           Hudler puts California on top

Nixon struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fourth but Hatcher singled to right. Greenwell popped up to short and Hatcher was thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning. 

Rowland threw a bunt attempt by Easley away for an error to start the top of the fifth but was thrown out at second trying to steal. Curtis walked and he too was thrown out at second trying to steal. Salmon singled to left but Davis grounded out to second to end the inning. Naehring blooped a single to left to start the bottom of the fifth but Vaughn grounded into a double play. Valentin struck out swinging to end the inning.

Jackson grounded out to short to start the top of the sixth before Perez grounded out to second. Myers flied out to left to end the inning. That was it for Viola who had one bad inning but allowed 5 runs in it over 6 full innings of work.

                                                            One bad inning for Frank     

Cooper flied out to right to start the bottom of the sixth but Rowland walked. Fletcher forced Rowland at second and Nixon forced Scott at second to end the inning.

Greg Harris came in to pitch the top of the seventh inning with Harold Reynolds pinch hitting for Hudler. Reynolds got a single to right before being sacrificed to second by Disarcina. Reynolds moved to third on a grounder to short by Easley but Curtis flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the seventh as Hatcher walked to start. A wild pitch moved Billy to second and he went to third on the Greenwell grounder to short. Naehring struck out swinging and Vaughn took ball four.....with Hatcher making a mad dash home for a legitimate stolen base to tie the game. Valentin hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning with the game tied 5-5.

                                                              One of the few to steal home

Salmon took strike three to start the top of the eighth before Davis went down hacking. Jackson grounded out to second to end the inning. Jim Edmonds took over in left for Jackson with Bob Patterson now on the mound. Cooper grounded out to short before Rowland grounded out to first. Fletcher popped up to second to end the inning.

Harris returned for the top of the ninth and Perez struck out swinging to start. Myers and Reynolds both grounded out to second to end the inning. Bill Sampen came in to close out the bottom of the ninth but Nixon walked to start. Hatcher dropped down a bunt to move Nixon to second and that was it for Sampen. Craig Lefferts came in to face Greenwell and Mike lashed a base hit past second to put runners at the corners. Naehring was intentionally walked to set up a double play but Vaughn did the honors with a base hit to right to score Nixon with the winning run. The Sox had walked off the Angels 6-5.

Hero of The Night is Billy Hatcher. Yes, Vaughn got the game winner but it wouldn't have been possible without Hatcher's steal of home to tie the game in the seventh.

                                                         Billy Hero-tcher

The Good:

Mike Greenwell was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Tim Naehring was 2 for 3 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Mo Vaughn was 2 for 4 with a walk and 2 rbis.

Scott Cooper was 1 for 3 with a walk and a home run.

Rich Rowland was 1 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Greg Harris earned the win with 3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

John Valentin was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Frank Viola got lit up for 5 runs in 6 innings of work. He allowed 9 hits and 2 walks.

The Ugly:

Otis Nixon was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked, drove in a run and scored a run.

Scott Fletcher was 0 for 3 but walked, stole a base and scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

Two nights in a row the Sox pulled off late inning heroics to win a game. Once again the speed of the Sox came into play with Fletcher stealing a bag and Hatcher stole home for a key run. Vaughn is quickly becoming the Sox best hitter after struggling in 1992 but the real stars are Cooper, Valentin and Naehring. Cooper gets a lot of flack for not being Jeff Bagwell but he doesn't have to be him, just himself. His home run in this one was also crucial. The Sox now have won four in a row and they look like a wagon offensively. The problem is the pitching although Greg Harris came back strong in this one. The "old" pros Danny Darwin, Frank Viola and Joe Hesketh have looked awful so far this season but there's plenty of time to turn it around. Things are looking up for the Sox if the pitching can hold up and hopefully it does. The Sox look to make it five wins in a row and two straight over the Angels tomorrow afternoon when Danny Darwin (2-1) takes on old pal John Dopson. The game begins at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Boston Bats Bash A's (4/19/94)

Welcome back the Boston Red Sox offense. After being held to one run by the Chicago White Sox in the previous game, the bats exploded against the Oakland Athletics in today's tilt. Aaron Sele (1-0, 1.86 ERA) pitched well, holding the A's to 3 runs in seven strong innings before giving way to Greg Harris. Meanwhile the bats pounded out 16 hits and 13 runs against Bob Welch and the Oakland bullpen. Scott Cooper went 4 for 5 with 4 runs batted in and a grand slam while both Tim Naehring and Mo Vaughn each clubbed two home runs. Mike Greenwell also went yard as the Sox pounded the A's 13-5 at Fenway Park.

                                                   Bret Hart approves of the win

Sele got the ball in the top of the first inning and Rickey Henderson flied out to center to start. Stan Javier grounded out to first and Ruben Sierra grounded out to second to end the inning. Welch got the ball in the bottom of the first and Otis Nixon's bunt attempt was snuffed out at first to start. Billy Hatcher grounded back to the mound and Mike Greenwell flied out to right to end the inning.

Mark McGwire walked to start the top of the second and Troy Neel took strike three. Terry Steinbach struck out swinging and old pal Mike Brumley flied out to left to end the inning. Mo Vaughn led off the bottom of the second with a towering home run to put Boston on top then Tim Naehring went yard for back to back jacks. Damon Berryhill singled to right and John Valentin looked to have hit a double play balll....if Brumley didn't throw the relay throw away for an error. Scott Cooper singled to center and Dave Valle walked to load the bases, but Cooper was doubled off second on a bullet hit to short by Nixon to end the inning. The Sox now led 2-0.

                                                                  Back to back jacks

Scott Brosius hit one up the elevator shaft to start the top of the third and Mike Bordick flied out to center. Henderson grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox exploded in the bottom of the third as Hatcher singled to left to start. Greenwell walked but Vaughn struck out swinging. Naehring walked and Berryhill walked with the bases loaded to score Hatcher. Valentin popped up to third but Cooper slugged a grand slam to ice the game early. That was it for Welch as Carlos Reyes came in to pitch to Valle. Dave grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-0.

                                                          Grand slam Cooper

Sele's only bad inning was the top of the fourth as Javier's bunt attempt was snuffed out by Aaron to start. Sierra hit a home run all the way to Pluto to cut the lead and McGwire singled to center. Neel also singled to center and both runners moved over on a wild pitch. Steinbach struck out swinging but Brumley got a base hit to right to score both runners. Brosius got a base hit to left but Bordick flied out to left to end the inning with the A's down 7-3.

                                                                Home run by Sierra

The Sox answered in the bottom of the fourth although Nixon flied out to left to start. Hatcher lined out to left but McGwire muffed a ball by Greenwell for an error. Vaughn singled to center and Naehring singled to left to score Greenwell. Berryhill grounded out to second to end the inning.

                                                               Rbi by Naehring

Henderson flied out to center to start the top of the fifth but Javier singled in the hole at second. Sierra struck out swinging and McGwire forced Sierra at second to end the inning. Valentin grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the fifth but Cooper singled to right. Valle struck out swinging but Nixon doubled to center. Hatcher took strike three to end the inning.

Neel struck out swinging to start the top of the sixth and Steinbach grounded out to second. Brumley blooped a base hit over Valentin's head but Brosius took strike three to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the sixth as Greenwell grounded out to second to start. Once again Vaughn and Naehring struck back to back home runs to increase the lead. That was it for Reyes as Ed Nunez came in to pitch to Berryhill and Damon flied out to right. Valentin took strike three to end the inning with the Sox ahead 10-3.

                                                            Back to back jacks....again

Sele returned for one final inning in the top of the seventh and Bordick lined out to right to start. Henderson walked but Javier and Sierra both struck out swinging to end the inning. That was it for Sele who allowed 3 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks.

                                                           Good work by Sele

Cooper grounded out to first to start the bottom of the seventh and Valle struck out swinging. Nixon lined out to left to end the inning.

Greg Harris came in to pitch the top of the eighth and McGwire walked to start. Neel then hit a home run all the way to Norway to cut the lead. Steinbach struck out swinging, Brumley took strike three and Brosius flied out to left to end the inning.

                                                             Home run Neel

Old foe Dave Righetti came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Hatcher singled to right to start. Greenwell then clubbed his fourth home run of the year to increase the lead. Vaughn walked and Naehring singled to left before Berryhill's fly ball to right moved Mo to third. Valentin hit a sac fly to center to score Vaughn and Cooper got a base hit to right to move Tim to third. Valle grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 13-5.

                                                            Home run Greenwell

Harris returned to mop up the top of the ninth and Mike Aldrete pinch hit for Bordick. Aldrete lined out to left and Geronimo Berroa pinch hit for Henderson. Berroa struck out swinging and Junior Noboa pinch hit for Javier. Noboa popped up to left to end the game. The Sox had won it 13-5.

Hero of The Night is Scott Cooper. His grand slam was essentially the difference in the game.

                                                                     Hero Cooper

The Good:

Billy Hatcher was 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

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

Tim Naehring was 4 for 4 with 2 home runs, a walk and 3 total runs scored.

Aaron Sele got the win with 7 strong innings allowing just 3 runs off 7 hits and 2 walks while striking out 8 batters.

The Bad:

Greg Harris allowed 2 runs in 2 innings.

The Ugly:

Otis Nixon was just 1 for 5.

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 4 but hit a 2 run homer, walked and scored three runs.

Damon Berryhill was just 1 for 4 but walked, drove in a run and scored a run.

John Valentin was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Dave Valle was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Final Thoughts:

That was a great team win and the Boston offense is really gelling. The veterans Nixon, Greenwell and Hatcher are mixing with the youth movement of Cooper, Vaughn, Naehring and Valentin big time. Andre Dawson didn't play but add him to the veteran's list as eight players out of nine have been producing in different ways day in and out. Cooper's grand slam pretty much ended the game early but Naehring and Vaughn have been on fire to start the season. The quartet of Cooper, Vaughn, Valentin and Naehring might be Lou Gorman's finest work when all is said and done even if Lou is no longer here. Add Sele to the list as well who pitched well today. Not much to complain about in this one apart from Greg Harris being ineffective again. Oh well, he'll figure it out. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the A's tomorrow evening when Roger Clemens (1-0) takes on Steve Karsay of the A's. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.