Royals Snap Sox Streak (8/6/25)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox organization released two prospects from the Greenville Drive roster. 22 year old outfielder Kelvin Diaz and 26 year old right handed pitcher Darvin Garcia were released. Diaz was a Dominican teenager signed in 2019 and hit just .234 in 2021 with the DoSox. He hit .242 in 2022 but at least had 6 home runs. He hit .298 for the Florida Complex League in 2024 but hit just .214 upon his callup to Salem. He hit .176 to start this season for Salem then was 2 for 32 once he was called up to Greenville. If he can't hit High A pitching, its time to cut your losses. Garcia was picked up from the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Rule 5 draft and allowed 43 runs in 36 innings for the Drive. If he's 26 and can't get High A batters out, time to retire.

                                                                          OUT

As for the game, the Boston Red Sox seven game winning streak was snapped at the hands of the mediocre Kansas City Royals. The Sox got two first inning runs against old friend Michael Wacha but Dustin May (6-8, 4.93 ERA) got rocked for 3 runs in 3 2/3 innings. Jordan Hicks and Isaiah Campbell allowed four combined runs to put the game away. The Sox bats scored just 1 run after the first inning and lost the game 7-3 at Fenway Park.

May got the ball in the top of the first inning and Mike Yastrzemski singled to right. Bobby Witt Jr flied out to right and Vinnie Pasquantino struck out swinging, but Maikel Garcia walked. Salvador Perez flied out to center to end the inning. Wacha got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Roman Anthony flied out to right to start. Alex Bregman got a base hit to left but Trevor Story forced him at second. Jarren Duran singled to right to move Story to third and Romy Gonzalez doubled off the Monster to score both runners. Wilyer Abreu flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                        Romy drives in a pair

Adam Frazier flied out to left to start the top of the second inning but Bregman booted a grounder by Jonathan India for an error. John Rave struck out swinging and Kyle Isbel was frozen for strike three to end the inning. Masataka Yoshida took strike three to start the bottom of the second and Ceddanne Rafaela lined out to center. Connor Wong grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Royals struck back in the top of the third as Yaz hit a ground rule double into the right field stands to start. Witt Jr got a base hit to left to score Yaz to cut the lead. Witt stole second and took third on the Pasquantino grounder to second. Garcia grounded out to short and Perez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Royals down 2-1.

                                                              Royals get one back

Anthony flied out to right to start the bottom of the third and Bregman grounded out to second. Story struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Royals took command in the top of the fourth inning as Frazier walked to start. Frazier was thrown out at second trying to steal but India singled to left. Rave got a base hit to center and India made it to third, Rave taking second on the throw. Duran dove and missed a base hit by Isbel to score both runners, putting Kansas City up for good. Yaz popped up to second but Witt was hit with a pitch, and that was it for May. The big trade deadline pickup lasted just 3 2/3 innings allowing 3 runs on 6 hits, a walk and a hit by pitch. Chris Murphy came in and struck out Pasquantino swinging to end the inning with the Royals up 3-2.

                                                         May gets hammered

Duran flied out to right to start the bottom of the fourth but Gonzalez doubled to left. Abreu grounded out to second to move Gonzalez to third but Yoshida flied out to center to end the inning.

Garcia flied out to right to start the top of the fifth and Perez grounded out to short. Frazier struck out swinging to end the inning. Rafaela flied out to center to start the bottom of the fifth and Wong grounded out to short. Yastrzemski then jumped over the wall to rob Anthony of a home run to end the inning.

India was hit with a pitch to start the top of the sixth and Rave was as well. Isbel bunted foul for strike three and Randal Grichuk pinch hit for Yaz. Duran made a leaping grab to rob Grichuk of a triple but Rafaela threw the relay throw away for an error to move the runners up. Witt Jr was intentionally walked but Pasquantino grounded out to first to end the inning. Bregman struck out swinging to start the bottom of the sixth but Story got a base hit to center. Duran grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Jordan Hicks came in to crap his pants in the top of the seventh as Garcia grounded out to short to start. Perez got a base hit to left, Frazier got a base hit to left and India hit a home run all the way into the Charles River to ice the game. Rave struck out swinging and Isbel grounded out to second to end the inning with the Royals ahead 6-2.

                                                         India blasts one

Hunter Harvey came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Gonzalez struck out swinging to start. Abreu walked and moved to second on the Yoshida grounder to second. Rafaela struck out swinging to end the inning.

Isaiah Campbell came in to get tagged in the top of the eighth as Grichuk was plunked to start. Tyler Tolbert ran for him and promptly stole second. Witt Jr popped up to first then Tolbert stole third. Pasquantino got a bae hit to right to score Tolbert but Garcia grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Royals up 7-2.

                                                        Another run for Kansas City

Lucas Erceg came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Wong got a base hit to center to start. Wong moved to second on the Anthony grounder to short but Bregman grounded out to third. Story got a base hit to center to score Wong but Duran grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox down 7-3.

                                                             Story drives in a run

Perez struck out swinging to start the top of the ninth and Frazier got a base hit to right. India struck out swinging but Rave got a base hit to left. Isbel grounded out to third to end the inning. Carlos Estevez came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Gonzalez struck out swinging to start. Abreu struck out swinging and Yoshida grounded back to the mound to end the game. The Royals had won it 7-3.

                                                              Royals win

Jackass of The Night is Jordan Hicks. He came into a 3-2 game and allowed 3 runs to put it out of reach.

                                                                  Jordan Jackass

The Good:

Trevor Story was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Romy Gonzalez was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis.

Connor Wong was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Chris Murphy tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Roman Anthony was 0 for 4.

Ceddanne Rafaela was 0 for 3 with an error and a strikeout.

Masataka Yoshida was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Dustin May got clobbered for 3 runs in 3 2/3 innings to take the loss off 6 hits and a walk.

The Ugly:

Alex Bregman was just 1 for 4 with an error and a strikeout.

Jarren Duran was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Wilyer Abreu was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Isaiah Campbell allowed a run in 2 innings of work.

Final Thoughts:

All good things must come to an end but the concerning part was Dustin May didn't look good at all. Maybe it was first start jitters with his new team but if you're going to trade a top prospect like James Tibbs, you expect more than that out of the piece you get back. Not only that but the bats were asleep in this one as old pal Wacha shut them down for six innings. If anything the Sox should have traded Tibbs for HIM instead. The Sox are back in the thick of things after a torrid July and the Sox are going to need May to step up in future games if they have any hope of toppling the Toronto Blue Jays. Speaking of the Blue Jays, they annihilated the Colorado Rockies 20-1 tonight. At least the Sox didn't play THAT badly in this one. Just have to tip your cap to the Royals for getting the hits and making the plays that they needed to win. The loss dropped the Sox to 64-52, 4 games behind the Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox go out west to face Xander Bogaerts and the San Diego Padres beginning Friday night. Walker Buehler (6-6) looks to pick the team up when he faces old pal Nick Pivetta of San Diego. The game begins Friday night at 9:40 PM eastern time at Petco Park.

Sox Rout, Sweep Rockies (7/9/25)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Masataka Yoshida was finally removed from the Injured List to make his season debut. Nate Eaton was sent down to Worcester to clear room for Yoshida. Eaton had a couple of good hits during this recent stretch so thanks for the contributions.

                                                                   OUT

                                                                       IN

As for the game, the Sox did what they had to do. They had 10 games against the Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals and Colorado Rockies staring them in the face...and won 9 of them. Tonight the Sox swept the hapless Rockies on the back of another late inning offense surge and shutdown pitching by Lucas Giolito (6-1, 3.36 ERA). Giolito held the Rockies to just 4 hits in six shutout innings. Meanwhile the Sox beat up Antonio Senzatela and the Rockies bullpen for 15 hits and 10 runs. Carlos Narvaez set the tone with a second inning home run and Masataka Yoshida made his reutrn with an rbi in the fourth. The floodgates opened as Wilyer Abreu hit a two run shot, Romt Gonzalez hit a two run home run and Jarren Duran hit another 3 run bomb. The only blip was Isaiah Campbell giving up a two run jack to Kyle Farmer. It all added up to winning 9 out of 10, 6 in a row and tonight's game 10-2 at Fenway Park.

                                                              Happy fans

Giolito got the ball in the top of the first inning and Tyler Freeman grounded out to second to start. Jordan Beck singled to left but Ryan McMahon struck out swinging. The alert Carlos Narvaez gunned down Beck trying to steal to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the first against Senzatela as Jarren Duran's routine grounder up the middle turned into a double and an error by Yanquiel Fernandez to move Jarren to third. Roman Anthony was hit with a pitch but Trevor Story struck out swinging and Wilyer Abreu grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Michael Toglia struck out swinging to open the top of the second inning and Brenton Doyle flied out to right. Orlando Arcia grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second as Carlos Narvaez belted his 8th home run of the season to put Boston on top. Masataka Yoshida got his first at-bat since September 2024 and got a base hit to center. Romy Gonzalez flied out to center and Marcelo Mayer forced Yoshida at second. David Hamilton lined out to center to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                             Home run Narvaez

Fernandez grounded out to first to start the top of the third before Kyle Farmer grounded out to short. Austin Nola struck out swinging to end the inning. Duran walked to start the bottom of the third but Anthony lined out to right. Story banged into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox defense came up big in the top of the fourth as Freeman got a base hit to center to start. Beck flied out to center and McMahon did the same, but Toglia doubled off the Monster. Duran fired the ball back to Story who gunned down Freeman at home to end the inning.

                                                        YERRRR OUT!!!

The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Abreu lined out to center to start. Narvaez doubled to right and took third on a balk. Yoshida tied Connor Wong for his season total in rbis with a base hit to right to score Carlos. Gonzalez struck out swinging but Mayer got a base hit to center. Hamilton flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                       Happy Sox

Doyle struck out swinging to start the top of the fifth before Arcia took strike three. Fernandez flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox struck in the bottom of the fifth as Duran struck out swinging to start. Anthony got a base hit to left but Story popped up to third. Abreu mashed his 18th home run of the season to double the lead, but Narvaez flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox up 4-0.

                                                Sox bullpen loved the Abreu home run

Farmer grounded out to third to start the top of the sixth before Nola lined out to center. Freeman got a base hit past Giolito but Beck struck out swinging to end the inning. That was it for Giolito who tossed shutout ball through six innings allowing just 4 hits while striking out six.

                                                                 Giolito gets it done

Ryan Rolison came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Yoshida grounded out to second to start. Gonzalez walked and moved to second on the grounder to first by Mayer. Hamilton stepped up with a base hit to right to score Romy with another run. Duran grounded back to the mound to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 5-0.

                                                           Big RBI for Hamilton

Jorge Alcala came in to pitch the top of the seventh and McMahon popped up to short to start. Toglia struck out swinging and Doyle grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Tyler Kinley came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Anthony lined out to left to start. Story doubled to left but Abreu struck out swinging. Narvaez flied out to center to end the inning.

The Rockies struck back against Isaiah Campbell making his season debut in the top of the eighth. Arcia grounded out to third before Fernandez got a base hit to left. Farmer hit a home run all the way to Brazil to cut the lead. Nola flied out to right and Freeman grounded out to short to end the inning with the Rockies down 5-2.

                                                      Rockies get closer

The Sox blew the game open against Seth Halvorsen in the bottom of the eighth as Yoshida hit a ground rule double into the right field stands to start. Gonzalez then pounded his fifth home run of the season to get the five run lead back. Mayer singled to left, Hamilton walked and Duran clobbered his 8th home run of the season to put the game out of reach. That was it for the incompetent Halvorsen as Jimmy Herget got the ball. Anthony got a base hit to right but Story struck out swinging. Abreu grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 10-2.

                                                    "Right to the bitter end" - Rockies fan

Beck got a base hit to left to start the top of the ninth but McMahon grounded into a double play. Toglia singled to left but Doyle lined out to right to end the game. The Sox had won it 10-2.

                                                               Sox win

Hero of The Night is Lucas Giolito. He tossed 6 shutout innings allowing just 4 hits while striking out six batters.

                                                          "I'm the Hero" - Giolito

The Good:

Jarren Duram was 2 for 4 with a walk and a 3 run home run.

Roman Anthony was 2 for 4 with a hit by pitch and a run scored.

Carlos Narvaez was 2 for 4 with a home run and 2 total runs scored.

Mastaka Yoshida was 3 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Romy Gonzalez was 1 for 3 with a walk, a 2 run home run and 2 total runs scored.

Marcelo Mayer was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

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

Jorge Alcala pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

The Bad:

Isaiah Campbell allowed 2 runs in 2 innings of work.

The Ugly:

Trevor Story was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Wilyer Abreu was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but the one hit was a 2 run home run.

Final Thoughts:

The Sox had to beat up on the bad teams and they did just that. They've won 9 out of 10 games to get back in the race but now they are staring at the Tampa Bay Rays with third place on the line heading into the all-star break. The Sox took advantage of bad teams but at least they built momentum the last two weeks. The Sox have Walker Buehler, Brayan Bello and Garrett Crochet lined up for Tampa with a wild card on Friday night. It might be Hunter Dobbins, it might be Cooper Criswell, it might even be Jordan Hicks. Still, Giolito continues to be everything they could have asked for out of a fourth starter and hopefully his arm holds up the rest of the season. The offense was great but....its Colorado. Now the hard part starts and we'll see what the Sox are made of. The win improved the Sox to 49-45, 5.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. The Sox now have four huge games with the Rays before the All-Star break. Taking 3 of 4 would vault them into the second wild card. Walker Buehler (6-6, 6.25 ERA) has to step up tomorrow night against Taj Bradley of Tampa. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Red Sox Walkoff Blue Jays (6/24/24)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made some roster moves. Mercifully Brad Keller and Cam Booser were sent back to Worcester as Isaiah Campbell and Josh Winckowski were brought back in return. Also new papa Connor Wong was placed on the Paternity List and Tyler Heineman was called up to take his place. Congratulations to Connor.

                                                                               OUT

                                                                      IN

As for the game, don't look now but the mediocre Red Sox have won three games in a row including walking off the Toronto Blue Jays tonight. The Sox took a 2-1 lead on Toronto thanks to a two run shot off Toronto starter Chris Bassitt, but Sox starter Tanner Houck got blitzed in the seventh inning. After allowing a game tying single to Kevin Keirmaier, Isaiah Campbell came in only for David Hamilton to throw a ball away and Vladimir Guerrero Jr to hit a home run to put the Jays up 6-2. A furious rally in the eighth culminated in a Romy Gonzalez bases loaded single to tie the game. A Ceddanne Rafaela single, a balk and a Jarren Duran base hit to right was enough to win the game in the bottom of the ninth. The Sox had stunned the Jays 7-6 at Fenway Park.

                                                     The Mayor approves of the win

Tanner Houck got the ball in the top of the first inning and Isiah Kiner-Falefa struck out swinging to start. Spencer Horowitz flied out to left and Vladimir Guerrero Jr grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Chris Bassitt got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jarren Duran lined out to right to start. David Hamilton grounded out to second and Wilyer Abreu flied out to center to end the inning.

Old friend Justin Turner took strike three to begin the top of the second and George Springer grounded out to third. Addison Barger grounded out to second to end the inning. Rafael Devers grounded out to second to start the bottom of the second and Tyler O'Neill grounded out to third. Masataka Yoshida lined out to center to end the inning.

Davis Schneider lined out to left to start the top of the third and Alejandro Kirk grounded out to short. Kevin Kiermaier struck out swinging to end the inning. Dominic Smith walked to start the bottom of the third but Reese McGuire banged into a double play. Ceddanne Rafaela was hit with a pitch but was thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning.

The Jays struck first in the top of the fourth as Kiner singled to center to start. Horowitz took strike three but Guerrero Jr singled in the hole at short. Turner ripped a base hit to center to score Kiner to put the Jays on top. Springer grounded into a double play to end the inning but the Jays were up 1-0.

                                                     It had to be Turner didn't it?

The Sox answered in the bottom of the fourth as Duran ripped a base hit to center to start. Hamilton popped up to short and Abreu took strike three, but Devers belted his 15th home run of the season to put Boston on top. O'Neill popped up to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-1.

                                                     Devers puts Boston on top

Duran made a great catch at the centerfield wall to rob Barger of extra bases to lead off the top of the fifth. Schneider grounded out to third and so did Kirk to end the inning. Yoshida got a base hit to right to begin the bottom of the fifth but was forced at second by Smith. McGuire popped up to third and Rafaela forced Smith at second to end the inning.

Kiermaier struck out swinging to open the top of the sixth before Kiner took strike three. Horowitz was hit with a pitch, Guerrero Jr doubled to center and Turner walked to load the bases. Springer flied out to Duran to end the inning. Jarren lined out to short to start the bottom of the sixth before Hamilton lined out to center. Abreu hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

The Jays struck back in the top of the seventh as McGuire ran into Barger for catcher's interference to start. Schneider took strike three but Kirk moved Barger to second with a grounder to third. Naturally Kiermaier got a base hit to center to score Barger to tie the game. That was it for Houck who once again got no run support, allowing 3 runs in 6 2/3 innings on 5 hits and a walk. Isaiah Campbell made his return to the Sox and Hamilton threw a routine grounder by Kiner away for an error to move Kiermaier to third. Naturally Horowitz lined a base hit to right to score Kiermaier and Guerrero Jr hit a home run all the way to Cuba to increase the lead. Turner took strike three to end the inning with the Sox down 6-2.

                                                       Houck deserved better

Devers got a base hit to center to start the bottom of the seventh but O'Neill flied out to right. Yoshida got a base hit to center but Smith struck out swinging. Enmanuel Valdez pinch hit for McGuire but popped up to third to end the inning.

Tyler Heineman took over behind the plate with Chase Anderson now on the mound to start the top of the eighth. Springer flied out to left to start before Barger struck out swinging. Schneider flied out to left to end the inning. Nate Pearson came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Rafaela popped up to second to start. Duran doubled down the third base line and Hamilton crushed his fifth home run of the year to cut the lead. Abreu struck out swinging but Tim Mayza came in to pitch to Devers and Rafael singled to center. Kiermaier failed to come up with a double by O'Neill and Rob Refsnyder pinch hit for Yoshida. Refsnyder was intentionally walked to load the bases and Romy Gonzalez pinch hit for Smith. Zach Pop came in to pitch to Romy and Gonzalez responded with a base hit to left to score Devers and O'Neill to tie the game. Heineman struck out swinging to end the inning but the Sox roared back to tie the game 6-6.

                                                        Gonzalez ties it up

Kenley Jansen came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Kirk got a base hit to center to start. Steward Berroa came in to run for Kirk and Kiermaier struck out swinging. Berroa was thrown out trying to steal and Hamilton made a great play to rob Kiner of a hit to end the inning. Danny Jansen took over behind the plate to start the bottom of the ninth and Horowitz booted a grounder by Rafaela to start. A balk was called to move Ceddanne to second and he scored to win the game on the Duran base hit to right. The Sox had rallied down 6-2 to win the game 7-6.

                                                           Sox win

The Co-Heroes of the Night are Romy Gonzalez for his 2 out 2 run single and Jarren Duran for his walkoff base hit.

                                                           Hero 1

                                                        Hero 2

The Good:

Rafael Devers was 3 for 4 with a 2 run home run and 2 total runs scored.

Masataka Yoshida was 2 for 3.

Rob Refsnyder walked in his only plate appearance.

Ceddanne Rafaela was 1 for 3 with a run scored and a hit by pitch.

Tanner Houck was charged with 3 runs in 6 2/3 innings but only 2 were earned. He allowed 5 hits and a walk while striking out 7.

Chase Anderson tossed a scoreless eighth inning.

Kenley Jansen got the win with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Wilyer Abreu was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Reese McGuire was 0 for 2 with an error.

Enmanuel Valdez was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Taylor Heineman struck out in his only plate appearance.

Isaiah Campbell allowed a 3 run home run to Guerrero Jr.

The Ugly:

David Hamilton was just 1 for 4 with an error but the one hit was a 2 run home run.

Tyler O'Neil was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Dominic Smith was 0 for 2 with a strikeout but walked.

Final Thoughts:

Don't look now but the Sox have finally began to come back to win games. Ever since that loss to the White Sox, Boston has come back again and again in the later innings. Also, ever since that loss they have gone 11-3 and took control of one of the wild card spots. They had every reason to pack it in tonight down 6-2 in the eighth inning with five outs to go. The big home run by Hamilton and the two run single by Gonzalez showed this team has balls after all. Its too bad Isaiah Campbell crapped his pants because everything else went right. Duran took another step toward an All-Star nod while Hamilton continues to fill in for Trevor Story admirably. Yoshida even got a couple of hits so this team is absolutely rolling right now.  The Cleveland Guardians beat the Baltimore Orioles so the Sox picked up a half game on the idle New York Yankees and a full game on Baltimore. All of a sudden the Sox are inching their way back into contention, which is remarkable given how the season was going heading into June. The win improved the Sox to 43-36, 8.5 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the Jays when Brayan Bello (7-4, 4.93 ERA) takes on Kevin Gausman of Toronto. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Orioles Rally Past Red Sox (4/10/24)

For five innings the Boston Red Sox were cruising against the Baltimore Orioles. They had a 5-0 lead with the exclamation point being a Triston Casas two run home run. Kutter Crawford was throwing a shutout....and then Cora pulled Crawford. The O's pounced on the Boston bullpen for SEVEN runs in the next two innings, pounding Isaiah Campbell and Chris Martin. A three run home run by Jordan Westburg in the seventh inning off Martin put the O's up for good. The Sox had just two baserunners the rest of the way and the O's won it 7-5 at Fenway Park.

Crawford got the ball in the top of the first inning and Gunnar Henderson flied out to center to start. Adley Rutschman struck out swinging and Anthony Santander popped up to third. Irvin got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Jarren Duran got a base hit to left to start. Tyler O'Neill walked but Rafael Devers struck out swinging and Triston Casas grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Ryan O'Hearn lined out to center to start the top of the second before Ryan Mountcastle popped up to first. Cedric Mullins struck out swinging to end the inning. Romy Gonzalez started with a walk to start the bottom of the second but Pablo Reyes flied out to right. Masataka Yoshida hit into a double play to end the inning.

Colton Cowser walked to begin the top of the third but Jordan Westburg flied out to left. Jackson Holliday struck out swinging but Cowser stole second. Henderson took strike three to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the third as Connor Wong flied out to center to start. Ceddanne Rafaela struck out swinging but Duran got a base hit to left. O'Neill hit a pop up in no man's land that fell in, scoring Duran on a mad dash to home. Devers flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                            Sox take the lead

Rutschman grounded out to short to start the top of the fourth but Santander popped up to third. O'Hearn walked, Mountcastle grounded a base hit up the middle and Mullins walked to load the bases. Cowser struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Santander failed to come up with a bloop single by Casas to start. Gonzalez got a base hit to right but Reyes took strike three. Yoshida grounded out to first to move the runners over but Wong got a clutch base hit to right to score both of them. Rafaela grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                                  Wong drives in a pair

Crawford barely survived the top of the fifth as Westburg was hit with a pitch to start. Holliday forced him at second and Henderson walked. Rutschman struck out swinging but Santander singled in the hole at short to load the bases. With the count full....O'Hearn grounded out to first to end the inning. That was it for Crawford as he tossed 5 shutout innings allowing just 2 hits but 4 walks.

                                                               Good start for Crawford

The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fifth as Duran grounded back to the mound to start. O'Neill took strike three but Devers drew a walk. Casas belted his second home run of the year to increase the lead before Gonzalez grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox up 5-0.

                                                               Casas home run

The Orioles tee'd off on Isaiah Campbell in the top of the sixth as Mountcastle got a base hit to right to start. Mullins got a base hit to right....booted by O'Neill for an error to move both runners over. Cowser ripped a base hit to left and Westburg doubled to left, then Holliday grounded out to second to score Cowser. Henderson hit a bullet but right to Reyes and Rutschman grounded out to first to end the inning but the O's were back in it down 5-3.

                                                         Orioles rally

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the sixth as Mike Baumann came in to pitch. Wilyer Abreu pinch hit for Reyes and struck out swinging before Yoshida singled to right. Wong and Rafaela both struck out swinging to end the inning.

Chris Martin came in to crap his pants in the top of the seventh inning as Santander flied out to center to start. O'Hearn singled to left and took second on a passed ball. Mountcastle walked and a wild pitch moved O'Hearn to third. Wong interfered with Mullins to load the bases and another wild pitch scored O'Hearn. Cowser struck out swinging but Westburg hit a back breaking three run homer to put the O's up for good. Holliday struck out swinging to end the inning with the O's up 7-5.

                                                          O's complete the comeback

Keegan Akin came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Duran struck out swinging to start. O'Neill went down hacking but Devers walked. Casas took strike three to end the inning.

Brennan Bernardino came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Henderson tripled into the triangle to start. Bernardino managed to strike out both Rutschman and Santander swinging before Austin Hays pinch hit for O'Hearn. Hays lined out to a running Duran to end the inning, good work Bernardino. Cowser made a great jumping catch to rob Gonzalez of a Monster double to start the bottom of the eighth and Abreu took strike three. Yoshida flied out to left to end the inning.

                                                      Gotta respect that one

Mountcastle grounded out to second to start the top of the ninth before Mullins took strike three. Cowser grounded out to first to end the inning. Old friend Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel returned to Fenway for the first time since Game 2 of the 2018 World Series to close out the bottom of the ninth. Reese McGuire pinch hit for Wong and struck out swinging and David Hamilton pinch hit for Rafaela. Hamilton also struck out swinging and Duran grounded out to third to end the game. The O's had came back to win 7-5.

                                      A familiar sight of Kimbrel getting the save at Fenway

Jackass of the Night is Chris Martin. He allowed four runs to take the loss including the backbreaking three run homer.

                                                             Jackass Martin

The Good:

Jarren Duran was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Tyler O'Neill was 1 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Rafael Devers walked twice in four plate appearances and scored a run.

Triston Casas was 2 for 4 with a 2 run home run and two total runs scored.

Romy Gonzalez was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Connor Wong was 1 for 3 with 2 rbis.

Kutter Crawford pitched 5 shutout innings.

Brennan Bernardino tossed a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Pablo Reyes was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Wilyer Abreu was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts.

Reese McGuire struck out in his only plate appearance.

Ceddanne Rafaela was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

David Hamilton struck out as a pinch hitter.

Isaiah Campbell was lit up for 3 runs in the sixth inning.

The Ugly:

Masataka Yoshida was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

Looks like it took the AL East to snap the Sox back to reality. The Sox had a five run lead evaporate in the span of two innings and the offense went right to sleep. Campbell looked solid the first couple of games he pitched and Martin was a rock last year. Its only two games but combining the season ending injuries to Nick Pivetta and Trevor Story, the vibes about this team are gone. Only 26,000 fans showed up and if the Sox are who we thought they were, even less will be showing up moving forward. Who'd want to pay the highest ticket prices in the league to watch a last place team? Cora is a lame duck as well because there's been zero talks of an extension and why should they? He keeps pulling guys after 5 innings year after year and the bullpen crumbles like a graham cracker year after year. That's enough bad news for one night. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow night when Garrett Whitlock (1-0, 0.96 ERA) takes on Grayson Rodriguez of Baltimore. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Sloppy Sox Fall To Angels (4/6/24)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a predictable roster move. Trevor Story's MRI revealed a dislocated shoulder and he was placed on the 10 Day Injured List. He's going to have further tests on Monday but for now its the 10 day. In his place the Sox called up speedster David Hamilton. The base stealing phenom will definitely be a menace on the basepaths...if he can get on them.

                                                                       OUT

                                                                      IN

As for the game, the Sox have lost three games this year and this might have been the most frustrating. Garrett Whitlock lasted just 4 1/3 innings as he had no control at all, but he didn't allow a run. The Sox could only scratch out one run and three hits against Reid Detmers and the Los Angeles Angels bullpen. Greg Weissert (0-1, 0.00 ERA) put two men on in the bottom of the sixth and Isaiah Campbell loaded the bases before Rafael Devers booted a routine grounder for an error to score two runners. The Sox offense didn't have a single baserunner after Masataka Yoshida was hit with a pitch and the Angels stole this one 2-1 at Angels Stadium.

                                                     "Dammit Devers...."

Detmers got the ball in the top of the first and Jarren Duran led off by striking out swinging. Pablo Reyes went down hacking and Rafael Devers also struck out swinging to end the inning. Whitlock got the ball in the bottom of the first and Anthony Rendon got a base hit to right to start. Rendon was thrown out at second trying to steal and Nolan Schanuel grounded out to first. Mike Trout walked but Taylor Ward struck out swinging to end the inning.

Tyler O'Neill walked to start the top of the second but Bobby Dalbec took strike three. Triston Casas struck out swinging and Ceddanne Rafaela took strike three to end the inning. Aaron Hicks took strike three to start the bottom of the second but Logan O'Hoppe beat out a roller to short. Luis Rengifo lined out to right but Mickey Moniak walked. Zach Neto forced Moniak at second to end the inning.

Connor Wong doubled to left to start the top of the third before moving to third on the Enmanuel Valdez grounder to first. Duran ripped a base hit to left to score Wong to put the Sox on top. Duran got picked off and Reyes took strike three to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0. 

                                                         Sox take the lead.

Rendon took strike three to start the bottom of the third as Schanuel lined out to first. Trout struck out swinging to end the inning.

Devers got a base hit to center to start the top of the fourth but O'Neill took strike three. Devers moved to second on the grounder to short by Dalbec and Casas struck out swinging to end the inning. Ward walked to start the bottom of the fourth but Hicks popped up to first. O'Hoppe flied out to right but Rengifo blooped a base hit to center. Valdez made a great play on a Moniak grounder to end the inning.

Rafaela struck out swinging to start the top of the fifth before Wong flied out to left. Valdez flied out to center to end the inning. Neto singled to left to start the bottom of the fifth but Rendon lined out to center. Neto looked to have been thrown out trying to steal but the call was overturned. Schanuel walked and that was it for Whitlock. Unlike others being pulled early, Sox manager Alex Cora yanked him before it could get worse. He allowed no runs but gave up 4 hits and 4 walks in 4 1/3 innings. Greg Weissert came in and Duran made a great diving catch to rob Trout of a double. Ward flied out to right to end the inning.

                                                          The Lock didn't have it

Duran struck out swinging to start the top of the sixth before Reyes took strike three. Devers flied out to center to end the inning. The Angels struck back in the bottom of the sixth although Hicks struck out swinging to start. O'Hoppe popped up to third but Rengifo singled in the hole at second. Once again it looked like Rengifo was out at second trying to steal but was overturned again. Moniak walked and that was it for Weissert. Isaiah Campbell came in and Neto hit a grounder to Reyes who failed to get anyone out to load the bases. Rendon then hit a routine grounder to devers.....booted for an error to score Rengifo and Moniak. Schanuel walked but Trout flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox down 2-1.

                                                             Angels take the lead

Adam Cimber came in to pitch the top of the seventh and O'Neill grounded out to short to start. Masataka Yoshida pinch hit for Dalbec and got hit with a pitch. Casas struck out swinging and Wilyer Abreu pinch hit for Rafaela. Abreu flied out to center to end the inning. Justin Slaten came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Ward struck out swinging to start. Hicks went down hacking and O'Hoppe struck out swinging to end the inning.

Matt Moore came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Wong flied out to left to start. Valdez flied out to center and Trout made a great catch to rob Duran of a hit to end the inning. Rengifo struck out swinging to start the bottom of the eighth before Moniak flied out to center. Neto took strike three to end the inning, 5 out of 6 strikeouts for Slaten.

Carlos Estevez came in to close out the top of the ninth and Reese McGuire pinch hit for Reyes. McGuire took strike three and Devers flied out to left. O'Neill popped up to Rendon to end the game. The Angels had won it 2-1.

                                                        Angels win

Jackass of the Night is Rafael Devers. His error allowed the winning runs to score.

                                                                  Jackass Devers

The Good:

Masataka Yoshida was hit with a pitch in his only at-bat.

Connor Wong was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Garrett Whitlock tossed 4 1/3 innings and allowed no runs, 4 hits and 4 walks.

Justin Slaten struck out 5 of the 6 batters he faced.

The Bad:

Pablo Reyes was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Reese McGuire was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Bobby Dalbec was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Triston Casas was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Ceddanne Rafaela was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts.

Wilyer Abreu was 0 for 1.

Enmanuel Valdez was 0 for 3.

The Ugly:

Jarren Duran was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but drove in a run.

Tyler O'Neill was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Greg Weissert took the loss but was charged with 2 unearned runs in 1 1/3 innings.

Isaiah Campbell allowed the go-ahead runs to score but it was on an error in 1/3 of an inning.

Final Thoughts:

What a shame it is that the Sox lost this one because the pitching held up but the offense and defense didn't.  The Sox were once again held to just three hits and a run. Combined with the 1-0 loss to Seattle and 1-0 win over Oakland, that's three games they've scored a combined two runs. Casas, Rafaela and Valdez are hitting under .200 and Story is out with an injury. This is going to be a long year if they don't pick up the hitting. Whitlock was all over the place but managed to get out of most of the jams he was in. Its a shame Weissert took the loss because of the Devers error because the bullpen for the most part held the fort. Still, the good thing is the Sox have won 6 of 9 games and the 3 losses fans are lamenting that they could have won. Just have to move on and win the next one. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow afternoon against the Angels when Tanner Houck (1-0, 0.00 ERA) takes on Chase Silseth of Los Angeles. The game begins at 4:00 PM Eastern time at Angels Stadium.