Price, Martinez Guide Sox Past Dodgers in Game 2 (10/24/18)

The Boston Red Sox are halfway to the World Series title after their Game 2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Tonight David Price tossed 6 innings of 2 run ball, the normally shaky Boston bullpen was lights out and a clutch 2 out, 2 run single by Martinez paced the Sox to the win. The Dodgers look overmatched in the bullpen, rotation and lineup and its going to be tough for them to come back as the Sox took Game 2 by a score of 4-2 at Fenway Park.

                                    Dave Roberts steals the first pitch ceremony...Good!

Price took the ball in the top of the first and Brian Dozier grounded out to third to begin. Justin Turner looked at strike three but David Freese walked. Manny Machado popped up to first to end the inning. Dodgers starter Hyun-Jin Ryu dominated the bottom of the first as Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to short to start. Andrew Benintendi whiffed and Steve Pearce popped up to first to end the inning.

Price cruised in the top of the second as Chris Taylor whiffed on 3 pitches to start. Matt Kemp looked at strike three and Enrique Hernandez flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second although JD Martinez lined out to center to begin. Xander Bogaerts doubled high off the centerfield wall but Rafael Devers whiffed. Ian Kinsler singled to left to score Bogaerts to give the Sox the lead. Jackie Bradley Jr singled to left but Kinsler was foolishly thrown out at third to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                    Kinsler gives the Sox the lead

Price kept the lead in the top of the third as Yasiel Puig lined out to second to start. Austin Barnes flied out to right but Brian Dozier drew a full count walk. Justin Turner grounded into a force to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the third as Christian Vazquez whiffed to start. Mr. Mookie singled to center but Benintendi lined out to center. Pearce popped up to short to end the inning.

The Dodgers struck back in the top of the fourth as Freese and Machado stroked back to back singles to start. Taylor walked to load the bases and Kemp scored Freese with a sac fly to deep center to tie the game. Price whiffed Hernandez on a full count fastball but Puig singled over the head of Kinsler to score Machado to give the Dodgers the lead. Barnes whiffed to end the inning but the Dodgers were up 2-1.

                                                Dodgers strike back

The Sox went quietly against Ryu in the bottom of the fourth as Martinez grounded out to short to start. Bogaerts watched strike three go by and Devers whiffed to end the inning.

The momentum shifted for the game in the top of the fifth when Benintendi made a great leaping catch against the Monster to rob Dozier of a double to start. Turner grounded out to third and Freese flied out to center to end the inning.

                                                Here's one for the highlight reel

Cody Bellinger took over for Dozier in the batting order but went to center with Hernandez moving to second for the big rally in the bottom of the fifth. Kinsler grounded out to first and JBJ popped up to short, but Vazquez singled to right. Mr. Mookie pounded a ground ball up the middle for a base hit and Benintendi drew a full count walk to load the bases. That was it for Ryu as Ryan Madson came in only to walk Pearce on 5 pitches to tie the game. Martinez singled to right to score Betts and Benintendi to give the Sox the lead. Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning but it was 4-2 Sox.

                                              Betts and Benintendi score the go-ahead runs

Price came back for one more inning in the top of the sixth as Machado flied out to left to begin. Taylor tried to fool Devers with a bunt but Rafael snuffed it out. Kemp grounded out to third to end the inning. That was it for Price who once again shattered his post-season choke artist image with 6 innings of 2 run ball for a World Series win on his resume.

                                              Price earns his money big time

Julio Urias came in and cruised through the bottom of the sixth as Devers lined out to center to begin. Kinsler flied out to center and JBJ popped up to third to end the inning.

Joe Kelly was first out of the pen in the top of the seventh and he blew away pinch hitter Max Muncy (for Hernandez) to start. Puig grounded out and Yasmani Grandal pinch hit for Barnes only to freeze for strike three to end the inning. Great work Kelly. Kenta Maeda got the ball in the bottom of the seventh and Vazquez grounded out to second to begin. Mr. Mookie doubled to left but Benintendi whiffed. Mitch Moreland pinch hit for Pearce but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts countered by bringing in Scott Alexander to pitch to him. A wild pitch moved Betts to third but Moreland whiffed to end the inning.

Nathan Eovaldi was summoned for the top of the eighth and he blew away Bellinger to start. Turner grounded out to short and Joc Pederson pinch hit for Freese only to fly out to left to end the inning. Pederson took over in left with Taylor moving to second, Muncy moving to first with Pedro Baez on the mound to start the bottom of the eighth. Martinez and Bogaerts flied out to center before Devers grounded out to second to end the inning.

Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel came in to lock up the save in the top of the ninth and Machado flied out to center to begin. Taylor grounded out to second and Kemp grounded out to short to end the game. The Sox pitchers had retired 16 in a row and had won Game 2 by a score of 4-2.

                                                   Two down, two to go


Hero of the Night is David Price. He tossed 6 innings of 2 run ball while allowing just 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out 5.

                                                        From Zero to Hero



The Good:

Mookie Betts was 3 for 4 with a run scored.

Ian Kinsler was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 1 for 3.

Christian Vazquez was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Joe Kelly pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Nathan Eovaldi pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

Craig Kimbrel got the save with a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

Mitch Moreland struck out in his only plate appearance.

Rafael Devers was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.



The Ugly:

Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.

Steve Pearce was 0 for 2 but walked in the tying run.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.




Final Thoughts:

The Sox are halfway home to the championship of the world and it doesn't seem like the Dodgers can keep pace. Their lineup isn't as imposing as the New York Yankees or Houston Astros, they don't have the bullpen like the Yankees or the rotation like the Astros. Unless the Dodgers wake up out in LA this bears a striking resemblance to the 2007 World Series where the Colorado Rockies looked completely overmatched by the Sox. Its only 2 games but the Dodgers are running out of room for error. Once again the Sox got timely hitting and shut down pitching in order to win and two more games like that mean its celebration time. Price continued to erase his choke artist image and it was reported that the reason Kimbrel struggled so much in the first two rounds was because he was tipping his pitches. Guess who was the gumshoe who figured out Kimbrel was tipping and informed him on how to fix it? None other than our old buddy Eric Gagne of the 07 Sox. He's done more to help the 2018 Red Sox than he did for the 07. All kidding aside the Sox are in great position to take it all and need to make a statement in Game 3 on Friday Night. "Slick" Rick Porcello is the odds on favorite to get the start for the Sox going up against Walker Buehler, one of the favorites to win NL Rookie of The Year. The game begins out in LA at 8:05 PM Eastern time at Dodger Stadium.

Sox Power Past Dodgers, Win Game 1 (10/23/18)

The Boston Red Sox opened the salvo in the 2018 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Red Sox rode their bullpen to record the final 15 outs, surrendering just 1 run to the vaunted Dodger offense. Sox ace Chris Sale and Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw failed to live up to a pitchers duel with both men gone by the 6th inning. The game was tied going into the bottom of the fifth when the Sox took the lead then rode a huge home run by Eduardo Nunez to take Game 1 by a score of 8-4 at Fenway Park.

                                               The Sox strike first in the 2018 World Series

Sale came out throwing bullets in the top of the first as he struck out Brian Dozier to start. Justin Turner whiffed but David Freese singled to right. Manny Machado flied out to left to end the inning. The Sox struck first against Kershaw in the bottom of the first as Mr. Mookie Betts singled up the middle to begin. Betts swiped second and scored on the double down the right field line by Andrew Benintendi to give the Sox the lead. Steve Pearce popped up to a backpedalling David Freese but JD Martinez singled home Benintendi to increase the lead. The count ran full to Xander Bogaerts but the rally ended as Martinez got picked off and Bogaerts popped up to Freese to end the inning with the Sox in front 2-0.

                                                  Benintendi gets the party started

That set the down as the Dodgers controlled the rest of the game, beginning their domination in the top of the second by tagging Sale. Chris Taylor whiffed on a full count but Matt Kemp blasted a 80,000 foot home run into the Charles River to cut into the lead. Enrique Hernandez grounded out to third but Yasiel Puig walked. Austin Barnes whiffed to end the inning but it was 2-1 Sox.

                                                That ball is gone

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the second although Rafael Devers walked to begin. Ian Kinsler whiffed but Sandy Leon singled Devers to third. The ALCS MVP Jackie Bradley Jr turned back into a pumpkin as he banged into a double play to end the inning.

The Dodgers tied the game in the top of the third inning although Dozier flied out to left to begin. Turner and Freese stroked back to back singles and Machado effortlessly singled Turner home to tie the game. Taylor looked at strike three and Kemp grounded back to the mound to end the inning but it was 2-2 and Sale looked to have nothing left.

                                                Machado ties it up

The Sox fought back against Kershaw in the bottom of the third as Mr. Mookie whiffed to start. Benintendi somehow singled but Pearce banged into a double play to en.....wait. Sox manager Alex Cora challenged that Pearce beat out the relay throw. The call was overturned and the Sox pounced as Martinez doubled high off the centerfield wall to score Pearce to give the Sox the lead back. Martinez rolled his ankle at second but stayed in the game as Bogaerts was intentionally walked. The overmatched Devers whiffed on 3 pitches not even close to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 3-2.

                                                       Martinez gives the Sox the lead

Sale cruised in the top of the fourth as Chris struck out Hernandez to start. Puig whiffed and Barnes lined out to center to end the inning with Sale at 86 pitches. The Sox did nothing against Kershaw in the bottom of the fourth as Kinsler whiffed again to start. Leon looked at strike three and JBJ grounded out to first to end the inning.

Sale returned for the top of the fifth inning but walked Dozier on 5 pitches. That was it for Sale who had absolutely no command of his fastball but battled for 4 plus innings. Matt Barnes came in and Turner singled. Barnes blew away Freese but a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position. That proved to be costly as Machado hit a perfect double play ball to second but Kinsler was only able to get the out at first, Dozier scoring the tying run. Cody Bellinger pinch hit for Taylor and flied out to right to end the inning with the game tied 3-3.

                                               Sale just couldn't go long

Bellinger stayed in the game in center with Hernandez moving to right for the bottom of the fifth where the Sox struck back. Mr. Mookie walked and Benintendi singled to chase Kershaw. Ryan Madson came in and Pearce walked to load the bases with nobody out. Martinez whiffed badly on 3 pitches but Bogaerts beat out a double play ball to score Mookie with the go-ahead run. Devers singled home Benintendi for the insurance run but Kinsler lined out to right to end the inning with the Sox up 5-3.

                                                  Devers with another big hit

Joe Kelly came in for the top of the sixth and dominated. He blew away Kemp and Hernandez before Puig grounded out to first to end the inning. Julio Urias came in for the bottom of the sixth and matched Kelly. Leon whiffed, JBJ watched strike three go by and Mr. Mookie popped up to first to end the inning.

Ryan Brasier was brought in for the top of the seventh and crapped his pants. Joc Pederson pinch hit for Barnes and grounded out to short, but Max Muncy pinch hit for Dozier and singled. Turner singled and Yasmani Grandal pinch hit for Freese and walked to load the bases. Machado jacked one deep to center but JBJ ran it down, but Muncy scored to cut the lead. That was it for Brasier as Eduardo Rodriguez was brought in to pitch to Bellinger and got him to pop up to center to end the inning with the Sox still ahead 5-4.

                                               Not Brasier's best night

Pederson took over in left with Hernandez moving to second as the Sox iced the game in the bottom of the seventh. Benintendi started the rally with a ground rule double and Pedro Baez came in for Urias. Mitch Moreland pinch hit for Pearce and whiffed but Martinez was intentionally walked. Bogaerts whiffed but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (yes, THAT one) brought in Alex Wood to pitch to Devers. Cora responded by pinch hitting Nunez for Devers and Eduardo responded by smashing a 3 run bomb into the Monster Seats to put the game away. Kinsler popped up to second to end the inning but it was 8-4 Sox.

                                                      Nunez with the big fly

Nathan Eovaldi the potential Game 3 starter came out for the top of the eighth and made the Dodgers beat the ball in the dirt. Kemp grounded out to short, Hernandez grounded out to second and Puig grounded out to short to end the inning. Leon singled to center to open the bottom of the eighth but JBJ whiffed. Mr. Mookie looked at strike three on the inside corner and Benintendi grounded out to second to end the inning.

Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel came in to lock down the top of the ninth and Pederson grounded out to second to begin. Muncy whiffed and Kimbrel blew away Turner on a full count fastball to end the game. The Sox had taken Game 1 by a score of 8-4.

                                                           That's one!


Hero of the Night is Eduardo Nunez. His 3 run pinch hit home run iced the game in the bottom of the seventh.

                                               Nunez the unlikely Hero



The Good:

Andrew Benintendi was 4 for 5 with an rbi and 3 runs scored.

JD Martinez was 2 for 3 with a walk, 2 rbis and a run scored.

Rafael Devers was 1 for 2 with a walk and rbi.

Sandy Leon was 2 for 4.

Joe Kelly pitched a scoreless 6th inning.

Eduardo Rodriguez retired the only man he faced.

Nathan Eovaldi pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

Craig Kimbrel pitched a scoreless 9th.



The Bad:

Mitch Moreland struck out as a pinch hitter.

Ian Kinsler was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Ryan Brasier allowed a run in just 2/3 of an inning.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 but walked, stole a base and scored 2 runs.

Steve Pearce was 0 for 2 but walked and scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 3 but walked and drove in a run.

Chris Sale lasted just 4 plus innings and allowed 3 runs but struck out 7.

Matt Barnes allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own in an inning of work.




Final Thoughts:

That's the way to start the World Series. The Sox got the timely hits they needed and got some good bullpen work with the exception of Brasier. Sale is still broken but at least he has the balls to go out and compete. If the Sox can win the next 3 games (and that's a big if) then he has all winter to get surgery or rest whatever is bothering him. The Dodgers look to be in trouble because if the Sox tag their best pitcher Kershaw like this, what are they going to do to the rest of their rotation? After all the Sox have pounded Luis Severino, CC Sabathia, Justin Verlander, Charlie Morton and Dallas Keuchel already this October. Still, the pitching needs to be better in order to take the series because the Dodgers offense is still good and can strike in the blink of an eye. Its going to be up to Eovaldi, Rick Porcello and especially David Price to carry the load with Sale nowhere close to being himself. Tomorrow night the Sox look to get halfway home in Game 2 by sending the rejuvinated David Price to the mound up against Hyun-Jin Ryu at 8:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Price Pitches Gem, Sox Win Pennant (10/18/18)

For the first time in five years the Boston Red Sox are the American League Champions. David Price shedded his post-season choke artist image by tossing 6 shutout innings in Game 5 of the ALCS while the Sox actually got to Astros ace Justin Verlander. JD Martinez put the Sox on the board with a solo home run before Rafael Devers hit the dagger homer. Thanks to the efforts of Nathan Eovaldi and the redeemed Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel, the Sox knocked off the Astros 4 games to 1 to head to the World Series on the back of their 4-2 win in Game 5 at Minute Maid Park.

                                                WORLD SERIES BOUND!

Verlander shut down the Sox in the top of the first as Mr. Mookie Betts started the game by popping up to third. Andrew Benintendi flied out to right on the first pitch before JD Martinez drew a walk. Xander Bogaerts grounded into a force to end the inning. Price began the bottom of the first by getting Alex Bregman to fly out to the left field wall. George Springer whiffed but Jose Altuve singled to center. Carlos Correa took strike three to end the inning.

The Sox threatened in the top of the second inning although Mitch Moreland flied out to left to begin. Bregman threw wide of first on a routine grounder by Ian Kinsler for an error but Rafael Devers lined out to left. Christian Vazquez singled to right and Jackie Bradley Jr walked to load the bases. Mr. Mookie whiffed on a high fastball to end the inning, what a waste. Somehow Price kept his composure after Yuli Gurriel singled to center to start the bottom of the second. Marwin Gonzalez flied out to left, Tony Kemp flied out to right and Martin Maldonado looked at strike three to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the third although Benintendi was frozen for strike three. Martinez then crush an inside fastball into the left field stands for a solo home run to put the Sox on top. Bogaerts flied out to left but Moreland singled to right. Kinsler grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                 Martinez gets the party started

Somehow Price cruised in the bottom of the third as Jake Marisnick flied out to right to begin. Bregman was rung up for strike three and Springer grounded out to short to end the inning.

Verlander cruised in the top of the fourth inning as Devers looked at strike three to start. Vazquez whiffed before JBJ grounded out to first to end the inning. Price came back for the bottom of the fourth and blew away Altuve to start. Price got Correa swinging with a changeup but Gurriel put on an amazing at-bat coming back from down 0-2 to double into the left field corner. Price rebounded to punch out Gonzalez to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fifth as Mr. Mookie grounded out to third to begin before Benintendi popped up to third. Martinez singled but Bogaerts lined out to right to end the inning. Price kept up his mastery in the bottom of the fifth as Kemp whiffed to begin. Maldonado flied out to center before Marisnick grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

The Sox iced the game in the top of the sixth inning as Moreland doubled off the glove of Kemp to start. Kinsler singled Mitch to third before Devers launched a 3 run bomb into the box seats in center to put the Sox up big. Vazquez flied out to left JBJ grounded out to first and Mr. Mookie flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox up 4-0.

                                                   Betts and Devers celebrate the homer

Price came back for one more inning in the bottom of the sixth and Mr. Mookie made another great jumping catch over the right field wall, this time to rob Bregman of a home run. Springer grounded out to third and Altuve whiffed to end the inning. For all his failures, Price saved his best for the biggest game of his career. He shut out the Astros for 6 innings without walking anyone while striking out 9. 217 million dollar redemption.

                                                 Price finally gets over the hump

The Astros bullpen stepped up to keep the Sox off the board the rest of the way as Roberto Osuna came in to pitch the top of the seventh as the Sox beat the ball in the dirt. Benintendi grounded out to third, Martinez grounded out to short and Bogaerts grounded out to third to end the inning. Matt Barnes came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Correa grounded out to third to start. Gurriel also grounded out to third but Gonzalez smashed a 3,000 foot bomb to wake up the crowd. Kemp walked and that was it for Barnes. Tyler White came in to hit for Maldonado but Sox manager Alex Cora countered by turning to his unlikely ace Nathan Eovaldi to get the final out. Josh Reddick pinch hit for White and gave one a ride to right but Betts ran it down to end the inning with the Sox up 4-1.

                                               They're not dead yet

Brian McCann took over behind the plate for the top of the eighth and the Sox did nothing. Moreland whiffed but Kinsler doubled. A wild pitch moved Kinsler to third but Devers whiffed. Brock "The Hitman" Holt pinch hit for Vazquez but grounded out to first to end the inning. Eovaldi returned for the bottom of the eighth with Sandy Leon behind the plate and McCann grounded out to short to begin. Bregman whiffed but Springer singled to center. JBJ made a running catch on Altuve to end the inning with the Sox 3 outs away from the World Series.

                                              Eovaldi gets it done

The Sox went quietly in the top of the ninth as JBJ lined out to first, Mr. Mookie flied out to left and Benintendi whiffed to end the inning. Defying all logic, Sox manager Alex Cora brought in the exhausted Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel for the save in the bottom of the ninth. Kimbrel responded by blowing away Correa on a 99 mph fastball. Gurriel walked on four pitches not even close but Kimbrel froze Gonzalez for strike three. Kemp jacked one to the centerfield wall but Benintendi MADE THE CATCH! THE RED SOX WIN THE PENNANT! The ALCS was over and the Sox were headed to the World Series with their 4-1 win.

                                                 Hail to the Champs



We have Co-Heroes of the Night. The first one is Rafael Devers. His 3 run home run proved to be the difference in the game.

                                               Devers the Hero

The other Hero is David Price. He's a choker no more as he shut out the Astros for 6 innings while striking out 9.

                                                   David Price the Hero


The Good:

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

Mitch Moreland was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Ian Kinsler was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Christian Vazquez was 1 for 3.

Nathan Eovaldi tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Craig Kimbrel earned the save with a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

Mookie Betts was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4.

Brock Holt was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Matt Barnes allowed a run in 2/3 of an inning.



The Ugly:

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 but drew a walk.



Honorable Mention:

Sandy Leon caught the final two innings.




Final Thoughts:

Enjoy it Boston, the Red Sox are American League Champions. Nobody can say they didn't earn it either. The New York Yankees won 100 games, set a major league record for home runs and had the best bullpen in the game....and the Sox wiped them out in four. The Houston Astros were the defending 103 win world champions with arguably the best rotation and all around lineup...the Sox wiped them out in five. 5 of the 7 wins were on the road including 5-0 on the road period. Price finally pitched like the ace he's supposed to be and the offense beat Verlander who is on the same level as Curt Schilling come October. The word was none other than Eric Gagne (07 Sox) noticed Kimbrel was tipping his pitches and talked to him before the game. Sure enough Kimbrel came out throwing bullets tonight and looked more like the closer he was for last year and most of this year. The thing about this series was everyone stepped up at one point or another. Who do they play in the World Series? That's still to be decided. The Los Angeles Dodgers lead the Milwaukee Brewers 3 games to 2 with Game 6 in Milwaukee tomorrow night. No matter who the opponent is, the World Series begins next Tuesday. As for now, hail to the American League champions.

Sox Slam Astros in Game 3 (10/16/18)

The Boston Red Sox are halfway to the World Series after tonight's big win against the Houston Astros in Game 3 of the American League Championship series. Nathan Eovaldi stepped up big to toss 6 solid innings to keep the Sox in the game. The offense pounced on Astros starter Dallas Keuchel for two early runs before Steve Pearce hit a moonshot to give the Sox the lead. An 8th inning rally highlighted by a Jackie Bradley Jr grand slam shocked the defending champs and put the Sox up 2 games to 1 with a 8-2 victory at Minute Maid Park.

                                                 "We got those bastards!" - JBJ

Keuchel took the mound in the top of the first and Mr. Mookie Betts lined a single up the middle to start. Andrew Benintendi sliced a single in the hole at third and JD Martinez lined a double down the right field line to score Betts. Xander Bogaerts grounded out to short but Martinez moved to third and Benintendi scored another run. Steve Pearce failed to get the run in as he grounded out to second and Eduardo Nunez lined out to second to end the inning but the Sox struck first 2-0.

                                               Benintendi scores the second run

Eovaldi got the ball in the bottom of the first and whiffed George Springer on a cutter on the outside corner to begin. Jose Altuve lined a single to left and naturally Alex Bregman singled in the hole at short. Yuli Gurriel beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners after Nunez bobbled it and naturally Marwin Gonzalez singled home Altuve, moving Bregman to third. Josh Reddick flied out to left to end the inning but it was 2-1 Sox and Eovaldi was up to 26 pitches.

                                                    Astros are back in it

The miserable bottom of the Sox order did nothing in the top of the second as Ian Kinsler popped up to right to start. Christian Vazquez popped up to center and Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to short to end the inning. The Astros drove up Eovaldi's pitch count in the bottom of the second as miraculously Nunez made a play to throw out Carlos Correa at first to start. Brian McCann whiffed on a cutter and Tony Kemp popped up to center to end the inning but Eovaldi had tossed 44 pitches.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the third inning as Mr. Mookie popped up to left and Benintendi grounded out to second. Martinez and Bogaerts drew back to back walks but Kemp made a jumping catch at the wall to rob Pearce of a double to end the inning. The Astros nearly took the lead in the bottom of the third as Springer singled to right to start. Altuve beat out a double play ball and Bregman walked AGAIN. Gurriel advanced both runners by grounding out to third before Benintendi had to make a catch at the wall to rob Gonzalez of the go-ahead double to end the inning.

Somehow Nunez beat out an infield single to open the top of the fourth but collapsed in a heap after touching first. Nunez was hauled off on a gurney and Rafael Devers pinch ran for him. Reddick made a great diving catch to rob Kinsler of an rbi double before Vazquez lined a bullet....right to Reddick. JBJ grounded out meekly to end the inning. Eovaldi cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Reddick grounded out to second to start. Correa whiffed on a curveball and McCann lined out to center to end the inning with Eovaldi at 65 pitches.

Keuchel cruised in the top of the fifth inning as Mr. Mookie grounded off the glove of Keuchel right to Correa for the out. Correa then made a great lunging play to rob Benintendi of an infield hit before Martinez grounded out weakly to third to end the inning. The Astros finally tied the game in the bottom of the fifth although Kemp grounded out to first to start. Springer hit an absolute rocket but right to Pearce before Altuve drew a walk and Bregman hit a routine grounder to Devers.....RIGHT THROUGH HIS GLOVE! Altuve came all the way around to score the tying run as the ball went into the corner and although Gurriel grounded out to short to end the inning, the game was tied 2-2.

                                                         Bregman ties it up

Somehow the Sox responded in the top of the sixth with Joe Smith now on the mound. Bogaerts popped up 20 feet in front of the plate to short to start but Pearce somehow bashed a 456 foot home run off the building wall in left to give the Sox the lead back. That was it for Smith as Tony Sipp came in to face the lefty Devers only to walk him. Naturally Kinsler whiffed on a pitch in the dirt before Bregman made an outstanding diving play to get Vazquez to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-2.

                                                  Pearce puts the Sox back on top

Eovaldi somehow got through the bottom of the sixth as Gonzalez grounded out to second to start. Eovaldi blew away Reddick but Astros luck struck again when Correa singled off the glove of Pearce to extend the inning. McCann hit one a mile to center but JBJ caught it to end the inning. That was it for Eovaldi who did what he could but was failed by his defense, still tossing 6 innings of 2 run ball.

                                              Eovaldi steps up big

Ryan Pressly came in for the top of the seventh and JBJ whiffed badly to start. Mr. Mookie hit a slow roller but once again Bregman fired a bullet to first for the out. Benintendi whiffed badly on a pitch in the dirt to end the inning. Sox manager Dr. Quick Hook Cora pulled Eovaldi for Ryan Brasier in the bottom of the seventh and Kemp lined out to left to start. Brasier blew away Springer but Altuve caught Vazquez asleep with a bunt single. A passed ball moved Altuve to second but Brasier got a huge out by getting Bregman to line out to center to end the inning.

The Sox iced the game against Roberto Osuna in the top of the eighth inning. Martinez flied out to right but Bogaerts reached on a squibber in front of the plate. Bregman made yet another great play to get Bogaerts on second on the force by Pearce before Devers singled through the shift. Brock "The Hitman" Holt pinch hit for Kinsler only to get plunked to load the bases. Mitch Moreland pinch hit for Vazquez and he was plunked as well to score Bogaerts. Sandy Leon pinch ran for Moreland and JBJ smashed a grand slam to right to clear out the crowd, icing the game. That was it for Osuna as Collin McHugh came in to pitch and Mr. Mookie grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-2.

                                                            Grand Slam Jackie

Matt Barnes came in for the bottom of the eighth and promptly walked Gurriel. Gurriel was erased on the force by Gonzalez before Reddick whiffed. Sox manager Alex Cora decided to save some bullets for tomorrow by lifting Barnes for Joe Kelly. Kelly got Correa to ground out to short to end the inning.

Hector Rondon came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Benintendi singled to right to start. Martinez banged into a double play before Bogaerts grounded out to short to end the inning. Eduardo Rodriguez had mop up duty in the bottom of the ninth as Tyler White pinch hit for McCann only to strike out swinging. Evan Gattis pinch hit for Kemp and grounded out to short. Springer whiffed to end the game. The Sox had taken a 2 games to 1 lead with an 8-2 victory.

                                                       Big Game 3 win

Hero of the Night is Nathan Eovaldi. He tossed 6 solid innings to earn the win allowing just 2 runs (off a bad play by Devers) while striking out 4.

                                                 Eovaldi the Hero



The Good:

Andrew Benintendi was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Eduardo Nunez was 1 for 2.

Rafael Devers singled, walked and scored a run.

Mitch Moreland was plunked to drive in a run.

Sandy Leon scored a run as a pinch runner.

Brock Holt was plunked and scored a run.

Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Matt Barnes pitched 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

Joe Kelly retired the only man he faced.

Eduardo Rodriguez pitched a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

Ian Kinsler was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 3.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

JD Martinez was just 1 for 4 but walked and drove in a run.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 but walked and drove in a run.

Steve Pearce was just 1 for 4 but scored two total runs and hit a 457 foot homer.

Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4 but made the hit count as it was a grand slam to ice the game.




Final Thoughts:

Three games into the ALCS and its very apparent that these are not the same teams from last year. The Red Sox are hungrier and the Astros look to be weaker than last year despite the addition of Gerrit Cole. Bandwagon Astros fans are chirping that Altuve and Correa are hurt nevermind the fact Nunez can't stay upright, Dustin Pedroia and Steven Wright are gone and Mitch Moreland is playing hurt as well. Still this was a huge win considering the Sox struggles in Houston the past two years. Eovaldi stepped up big again and so did the bullpen to lock it down. The Astros are reeling after dropping two games in a row and the Sox can some put some serious pressure on tomorrow night. Tomorrow night "Slick" Rick Porcello takes the ball up against Charlie Morton on the hill for the Astros. The Sox can put the Astros on the brink if they can take Game 4 tomorrow night at 8:30 PM at Minute Maid Park.

Sox Rally Past Astros, Win Game 2 (10/14/18)

At the very least the Boston Red Sox will not be swept out of the American League Championship Series by the Houston Astros. David Price once again failed to live up to his price tag but luckily Jackie Bradley Jr was there to save the day. Trailing 4-2 in the bottom of the third, JBJ ripped a 3 run double to put the Sox ahead. The shaky Boston bullpen held together to shut down the Astros long enough for the Sox to score some insurance runs. Surviving another lousy Craig Kimbrel appearance, the Sox evened the series at 1 game apiece going back to Houston with a 7-5 win at Fenway Park.

                                                      One down, three to go

Price got the ball in the top of the first and George Springer popped up to first to start. Naturally Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman drew back to back walks before he froze Yuli Gurriel for strike three on the inside corner. Tyler White whiffed to end the inning. Cole got the start for the Astros in the bottom of the first and the Sox tagged him. Mr. Mookie Betts greeted him with a double off the centerfield wall before Andrew Benintendi lined a single to right center to score Betts and give the Sox the lead. JD Martinez lined out to second before Xander Bogaerts hit a little tapper to the mound. Cole threw the ball away for an error to advance both runners into scoring position. Steve Pearce walked to load the bases and Rafael Devers should have been rung up for strike three, but instead he singled to left to score Benintendi and reload the bases. Ian Kinsler killed the rally by whiffing on 3 pitches before Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                           Devers drives in a run

The Sox defense let Price down in the top of the second although Marwin Gonzalez grounded out to second to start. Bogaerts lollygagged after a ground ball by Carlos Correa and Carlos beat out the infield single. Martin Maldonado made Bogaerts pay with a double into the left field corner although Price somehow got Josh Reddick to pop up to second. Just like last night, you give the Astros extra outs and they kill you and Springer blooped a 2 run double into the right field corner to tie the game. Price blew away Altuve to end the inning but it was 2-2.

                                                               Springer ties it up

Cole settled down in the bottom of the second as Christian Vazquez flied out harmlessly to right. Mr. Mookie popped up to center and Benintendi flied out harmlessly to left to end the inning.

The Astros iced the game in the top of the third although Bregman to popped up to Vazquez in foul territory to open the top of the third before Gurriel singled. White flied out to right but Gonzalez crushed a 400,000 foot home run to put the Astros up for good. Correa flied out to left to end the inning but it was 4-2 Astros.

                                                   Gonzalez goes yard

The Sox wasted no time getting back in the game in the bottom of the third. Martinez whiffed but Bogaerts singled. Pearce doubled off the Monster before Devers walked to load the bases. Cora let Kinsler who was 2 for 26 against Cole hit away and naturally he whiffed. JBJ then sliced a double off the Monster that bounced on top of the shelf of the foul wall to score all 3 runners to give the Sox the lead. Vazquez whiffed to end the inning with the Sox somehow ahead 5-4.

                                                Has a ball ever bounced around up there?

More surprising was Price having a shut down inning in the top of the fourth. He finally unleashed his changeup to strike out Maldonado to start. Reddick lined out to left and Springer flied out to right to end the inning. Cole cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Mr. Mookie continued his uselessness by grounding back to the mound to start. Benintendi lined out to center before Martinez flied out to center to end the inning.

Price came back for the top of the fifth and got a good play from Devers to get Altuve at first for the first out. Naturally Bregman walked AGAIN before moving to second on the Gurriel grounder to short. White walked and Dr. Quick Hook Cora decided that was it for Price. Another post-season dud for Price by allowing 4 runs in just 4 2/3 innings.

                                                        D+ effort from Price

Matt Barnes came in and struck out Gonzalez on four pitches to end the inning with the lead intact. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Bogaerts grounded out to third to start. Pearce whiffed and Devers grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Barnes cruised in the top of the sixth inning as Bogaerts learned from his earlier mistake to quickly gun to first on a grounder by Correa for the first out. Maldonado popped up to third and Devers made a hell of a play to rob Reddick of extra bases to end the inning. For whatever reason Kinsler was allowed to hit against Cole in the bottom of the sixth and he grounded out to short to start. JBJ looked to have been retired on a squibber in front of the mound but eagle eyed Cora challenged that it was a foul ball. The call was reversed but JBJ flied out to right anyway. Vazquez grounded out to third to end the inning.

Ryan Brasier had the top of the seventh and got Springer to fly out to right to start. Altuve hit a bullet but JBJ ran it down for the second out. The pain in the ass Bregman walked AGAIN but Gurriel grounded into a force to end the inning. Lance McCullers Jr got the ball for the Astros in the bottom of the seventh and somehow Mr. Mookie walked. Benintendi whiffed badly on a pitch in the dirt but that allowed Betts to take second base. Betts took third on a passed ball but Martinez gagged by whiffing badly. The Sox caught a break when Maldonado muffed another passed ball to score Betts with the insurance run. Astros manager AJ Hinch decided to bring in Josh James in the middle of the count to pitch to Bogaerts and he walked anyway. Pearce grounded out to short to end the inning but it was 6-4 Sox.

                                                       Betts slides in safe

Cora rolled the dice by having Game 4 starter "Slick" Rick Porcello come out for the top of the eighth inning and Tony Kemp pinch hit for White and grounded out to first to begin. Porcello blew away Gonzalez with a high fastball and fooled Correa with a slider to end the inning. Devers tried to start a bottom of the eighth rally with a base hit to right but Kinsler half assed swung for strike three. JBJ whiffed but Mitch Moreland pinch hit for Vazquez and singled. The slow Sandy Leon pinch ran for Moreland and that was it for McCullers. Hector Rondon was brought in to pitch to Betts and Mr. Mookie made the Astros pay with an rbi double to score Devers with a huge insurance run. Tony Sipp was brought in to replace Rondon and fell behind 3-0 but Benintendi foolishly popped up to left rather than take a pitch to end the inning with the Sox up 7-4.

                                                   Devers scores the big run

Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel came in with a 3 run lead to close out the top of the ninth with Evan Gattis pinch hitting for Maldonado. Kimbrel got the bearded Gattis to pop up to second before blowing away Reddick. Houston extended the inning when Springer doubled to left and took third on a wild pitch. Altuve drove a double off the Monster to bring up the white hot Bregman. Beniteni climbed the Monster to haul in Bregman's fly and that was it. The Sox had evened the series going back to Houston with a 7-5 win.

                                                       Big win at Fenway



Hero of the Night is Jackie Bradley Jr. His three run double put the Sox up for good in the bottom of the third.

                                                        Jackie Bradley Hero



The Good:

Mookie Betts was 2 for 4 with a walk, rbi and 2 runs scored.

Mitch Moreland pinch hit for Christian Vazquez and singled.

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

Steve Pearce was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

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

Matt Barnes earned the win with 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Rick Porcello pitched a scoreless 8th inning.



The Bad:

JD Martinez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Ian Kinsler was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.



The Ugly:

Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run and scored.

David Price put in a D+ effort, lasting just 4 2/3 innings while allowing 4 runs although the first two weren't totally his fault.

Craig Kimbrel allowed yet another run but still locked down the save in the top of the ninth.



Honorable Mention:

Sandy Leon pinch ran for Moreland and caught the bottom of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

Once again David Price couldn't get it done in the playoffs but at least the offense showed up against a tough pitcher. Cole had been masterful so far this post-season and the Sox got to him for 5 runs. The much maligned Sox bullpen got the job done (sans Kimbrel) and the Sox have a bit of a chip on their shoulder going to Houston. Not only Astros fans but disgruntled Yankee fans were saying the Astros would sweep or win in 5 and now the Sox are in good shape headed to Game 3. Having Mookie Betts heat up is crucial if the Sox have any hope of winning the pennant. JD Martinez historically doesn't hit the Astros well so they're going to have to pull a 2013 Sox and win this series with timely hitting instead of consistent. JBJ was the timely hitting tonight and they're gonna need that from someone in Game 3. The series shifts to Houston where Nathan Eovaldi takes the ball for the Sox opposite Dallas Keuchel on Tuesday afternoon at 5:00 PM at Minute Maid Park.