Mariners Pound Newcomb, Sox Pen (4/23/25)

The good news was the Boston Celtics defeated the Orlando Magic in Game 2 of their first round NBA playoff series but the bad news was the Boston Red Sox got cracked by the Seattle Mariners. Sean Newcomb (0-3, 4.43 ERA) lasted five innings but allowed 4 runs, three of them on a JP Crawford three run home run. The Sox managed to fight back with rbis from Romy Gonzalez and Rafael Devers, but Brennan Bernardino and Josh Winckowski allowed four runs combined in "relief" to put the game away. Triston Casas did smack a three run home run but it wasn't enough as the Mariners pounded out 13 hits and 8 runs to win it 8-5 at Fenway Park.

                                            "SEND NEWCOMB BACK TO WORCESTER!"

The Mariners wasted no time getting to Newcomb in the top of the first inning as Dylan Moore grounded out to short to start. Julio Rodriguez got a base hit to right and Cal Raleigh walked, but Randy Arozarena took strike three. Mitch Garver lined a base hit to center to score Rodriguez to put the Mariners up for good just five batters into the game. Donovan Solano struck out swinging to end the inning with the game over already 1-0 Seattle.

                                                         Garver drives in a run

Hancock got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jarren Duran struck out swinging to start. Rafael Devers also went down hacking but Alex Bregman doubled off the Monster. Wilyer Abreu flied out to center to end the inning.

Newcomb almost fell apart in the top of the second as Ben Williamson lined a base hit to right to start. Leo Rivas caught Romy Gonzalez asleep with a bunt single and JP Crawford walked to load the bases with nobody out. Newcomb caught a break when Moore hit a bullet to Casas, who stepped on first to double off Crawford. Rodriguez struck out swinging to end the inning, what a Houdini by Newcomb. Trevor Story struck out swinging to start the bottom of the second before Triston Casas took strike three. Romy Gonzalez flied out to right to end the inning.

Raleigh took strike three to start the top of the third before Arozarena beat out an infield single to short. Garver struck out swinging but Randy took second on a passed ball. Solano took strike three to end the inning. Blake Sabol grounded out to first to start the bottom of the third before Ceddanne Rafaela lined out to right. Duran singled to center and stole second, but Devers took strike three to end the inning.

The Mariners iced the game in the top of the fourth as Williamson got a base hit to left to start. Rivas got a base hit to center and Crawford hit his first home run of the year all the way to Venezuela to put the game out of reach. Moore grounded out to short, Rodriguez grounded out to third and Raleigh flied out to center to end the inning with the Mariners up 4-0.

                                                             This one's over

The Sox rallied in the bottom of the fourth as Bregman struck out swinging to start. Abreu grounded out to second but Story walked. Casas walked and Gonzalez singled to right to score Story. Sabol took strike three to end the inning with the Sox down 4-1.

                                                       Gonzalez drives in a run

Newcomb returned for the top of the fifth and Arozarena flied out to center to start. Garver took strike three but Solano struck out swinging to end the inning. Newcomb once again allowed four runs to put the Sox behind in just 5 innings.

                                                       Newcomb gets rocked

The Sox rallied in the bottom of the fifth as Rafaela got a base hit to center to begin. Duran doubled to left to move Rafaela to third and Ceddanne scored on a grounder to second by Devers. Duran moved to third on the play but Bregman grounded out to third. Abreu flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox down 4-2.

                                                       Devers cuts the lead in half

Brennan Bernardino poured gas on the fire in the top of the sixth as Williamson grounded out to short to start. Rivas walked but Crawford flied out to left. Bernardino booted a grounder by Moore for an error then threw the ball away for another error to score Rivas. Rodriguez got a base hit to left to score Moore but Raleigh flied out to right to end the inning with the Mariners up 6-2.

Story grounded out to second to start the bottom of the sixth before Casas grounded out to short. Gonzalez grounded out to short to end the inning,

The Mariners pounded Josh Winckowski in the top of the seventh as Arozarena got a base hit to left to start. Arozarena stole second and Garver walked before Rowdy "Roddy" Tellez pinch hit for Solano. Naturally Tellez got a base hit to right to load the bases and Williamson got a base hit to right to score Arozarena. Rivas forced Garver at home but Crawford got a base hit to left to score Tellez. Moore struck out swinging and Rodriguez grounded out to third to end the inning with the Mariners up 8-2.

                                                            Williamson drives in a run

Gabe Speier came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Sabol grounded out to third to start. Rafaela struck out swinging and Duran grounded out to third to end the inning.

Raleigh took strike three to start the top of the eighth before Arozarena struck out swinging. Garver struck out swinging to end the inning. Somehow the Sox rallied against Casey Legumina in the bottom of the eighth. Devers walked and Bregman got a base hit to right, but Abreu struck out swinging. Story took strike three but Casas mashed his third home run of the season to cut the lead. Gonzalez flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox down 8-5.

                                                           Casas gets the wally head

Tellez flied out to left to start the top of the ninth before Williamson grounded out to third. Rivas walked but Crawford popped up to short to end the inning. Andres Munoz came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and Rob Refsnyder pinch hit for Sabol. Refsnyder took strike three, Rafaela grounded out to third and Duran lined out to left to end the game. The Mariners had won it 8-5.

                                                          Mariners win

Jackass of the Night is Brennan Bernardino. He made two costly errors and allowed the backbreaking runs to score.

                                                    Nice going Jackass

The Good:

Jarren Duran was 2 for 5 with a stolen base.

Alex Bregman was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Triston Casas was 1 for 3 with a walk and a 3 run home run.

The Bad:

Wilyer Abreu was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Blake Sabol was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Rob Refsnyder struck out as a pinch hitter.

Sean Newcomb took the loss by allowing 4 runs, 8 hits and 2 walks in 5 innings.

Josh Winckowski allowed 2 runs in 3 innings.

The Ugly:

Rafael Devers was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked, drove in a run and scored a run.

Trevor Story was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked and scored a run.

Romy Gonzalez was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Ceddanne Rafaela was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

Well that game sucked. It should be noted that some of the major bums on this team should and will not be on this team much longer. The only reason Blake Sabol, Sean Newcomb and Josh Winckowski are even here is because of injuries to Connor Wong, Lucas Giolito and Kutter Crawford. This should be the last we see of Newcomb because Richard Fitts should be back from his strained pectoral and they still have Hunter Dobbins in Worcester, who looked a hell of a lot better than Newcomb. With an off-day coming on Monday, they're only going to need four starters until May 2nd. By that point Dobbins or Fitts should get the start unless Giolito's back from his rehab starts. The only bright spot to tonight's game is Casas hit another bomb to hopefully break out of his season long slump. Getting his head out of his ass is integral considering the struggles of Rafael Devers and the mediocre start to the season by Rafaela and Duran. One of the main problems of last year's team was they couldn't go on a prolonged winning streak because their rotation wasn't good enough. They're pretty much on the same course this year because guys like Cooper Criswell last year and Newcomb this year just aren't going to allow sustained success day to day and week to week. Hopefully once the Sox get some guys back, games like tonight will be a distant memory. The Sox look to take the series tomorrow afternoon when Garrett Crochet (2-1, 1.13 ERA) takes on Seattle starter Bryan Woo. The game begins at 1:35 PM at Fenway Park.

Story, Red Sox Bash White Sox (4/18/25)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a bevy of roster moves. Alex Bregman was reinstated from the Paternity List and the Sox called up Hunter Dobbins from Worcester to make tonight's start. Nick Sogard was sent back down to Worcester and Michael Fulmer was designated for assignment to make room for them.

                                                                           OUT

                                                                            IN

As for the game, looks like Trevor Story is sick of hearing people complain about bringing up Marcelo Mayer. It was the Trevor Story show tonight as he belted not one, but two 3 run home runs to outscore the Chicago White Sox all by himself. Ceddanne Rafaela and Carlos Narvaez also belted their first home runs of the season and Rob Refsnyder drove in a run as well. Hunter Dobbins (2-0, 2.45 ERA) once again came up from Worcester to toss six solid innings, allowing just two runs to keep Chicago down. The Red Sox bullpen locked down the rest of the game and the BoSox defeated the ChiSox 10-2 at Fenway Park.

                                                    Tiffany Rafalko approves of the win

Dobbins got the ball in the top of the first inning and former Sox prospect Chase Meidroth popped up to first to start. Old friend Andrew Benintendi popped up to second and Lenyn Sosa hit a routine grounder to Trevor Story. Story threw himself on the ball like a grenade for an error to allow the inning to continue. Joshua Palacios struck out swinging to end the inning. Perez got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jarren Duran lined out to left to start. Rafael Devers hit a ground rule double into the bullpen and new dad Alex Bregman drew a walk. Trevor Story crushed his fourth home run of the year to put the Sox on top early. Romy Gonzalez lined out to center and Rob Refsnyder dumped a base hit to right....booted by Palacios for an error to move Rob to second. Kristian Campbell walked but Carlos Narvaez grounded out to second to end the inning with the BoSox ahead 3-0.

                                                                That's one

Andrew Vaughn struck out swinging to start the top of the second before Nick Maton popped up to short. Matt Thaiss also popped up to short to end the inning. Ceddanne Rafaela flied out to right to start the bottom of the second before Duran grounded out to short. Devers flied out to center to end the inning.

Brooks Baldwin grounded out to second to start the top of the third before Michael Taylor flied out to right. Meidroth struck out swinging to end the inning. Bregman grounded out to short to start the bottom of the third but Story singled off the glove of Baldwin. Gonzalez flied out to center but Refsnyder doubled to left to score Story with another run. Campbell flied out to center to end the inning with the BoSox ahead 4-0.

                                                                Refsnyder doubles in a run                                 

The White Sox got a run back in the top of the fourth when Benintendi hit a home run all the way to Morocco to cut the lead. Sosa grounded out to Narvaez, Palacios lined out to left and Vaughn struck out swinging to end the inning with Chicago down 4-1.

                                                          The return of Benny The Kid

Perez had to leave the game and was replaced by Penn Murfee to start the bottom of the fourth. Narvaez got a double to right and Rafaela crushed his first home run of the season to increase the lead. Duran grounded out to first, Devers took strike three and Bregman grounded out to second to end the inning with the BoSox ahead 6-1.

                                                          Rafaela gets the wally head

Maton looked to have hit a home run off the top of the right field wall but it was ruled a double to start the top of the fifth. Thaiss was frozen for strike three but Maton moved to third on a grounder to second by Baldwin. Taylor took strike three to end the inning. Story popped up to second to start the bottom of the fifth before Gonzalez struck out swinging. Refsnyder doubled to right but Campbell flied out to right to end the inning.

Meidroth grounded out to short to start the top of the sixth but Benintendi singled in the hole at short....make that a fielding error by Story (the score was changed later from hit to error). Sosa singled to right to move Benintendi to third and Andrew scored on the grounder back to the mound by Palacios. Vaughn flied out to center to end the inning with the White Sox down 6-2. That was it for Dobbins who allowed just two runs on 4 hits in 6 innings of work.

                                                     Dobby pitches another good game

Tyler Gilbert came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Narvaez struck out swinging to start. Rafaela grounded out to third and Duran lined out to third to end the inning.

Brennan Bernardino came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Miguel Vargas pinch hit for Maton to start. Vargas popped up to second and Edgar Quero pinch hit for Thaiss. Quero lined out to right and Baldwin grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox iced it in the bottom of the seventh as Devers walked to start. Bregman walked and Story clobbered his second three run homer of the game to put it away. Gonzalez struck out swinging and Jordan Leasure came in to face Refsnyder. Rob struck out swinging and Campbell took strike three to end the inning with the Sox ahead 9-2.

                                                          That's two

Josh Winckowski came in to pitch the top of the eighth inning and Taylor lined out to right to start. Meidroth lined out to second but Benintendi walked. Sosa was retired on a nubber in front of the plate to end the inning. The Sox poured it on in the bottom of the eighth with Bryse Wilson now on the mound. Narvaez launched his first home run of the season but Rafaela grounded out to second. Duran got a base hit to right but was forced at second by Devers. Bregman flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 10-2.

                                                         First of the year for Narvaez

Winckowski returned to close out the top of the ninth and Palacios was retired on a nubber in front of the plate to start. Vaughn got a base hit to center but Vargas lined out to a running Rafaela. Naturally Quero doubled to left and Baldwin got a base hit to left to score Vaughn, moving Quero to third. Taylor popped up to first to end the game. The Red Sox had won it 10-3.

                                                              Red Sox win

 

Hero of The Night is Trevor Story. He hit not one but two three run home runs to guide the Sox to victory.

                                                        Our Hero gets the wally head

The Good:

Rob Refsnyder was 3 for 4 with an rbi.

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

Hunter Dobbins got the win with 6 innings of 2 run ball. Only 1 run was earned on 3 hits while striking out six.

Brennan Bernardino pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

The Bad:

Romy Gonzalez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Jarren Duran was just 1 for 5.

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and scored two runs.

Alex Bregman was 0 for 3 but walked twice and scored two runs.

Kristian Campbell was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Ceddanne Rafaela was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a 2 run home run.

Josh Winckowski allowed a run in 2 innings of work.

Final Thoughts:

Its only a small sample size but if Hunter Dobbins can pitch as well as he has, this might be the depth they need to compete with the AL East once the other injured starters come back. Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler are locked in at 1 and 2 but the rest is a crapshot right now. Dobbins stepping up with four guys injured and Tanner Houck ineffective is just what the doctor ordered. Trevor Story continues to hit the ball out of sight and someone needs to step up to carry the team if Rafael Devers, Jarren Duran and Triston Casas continue to struggle. Kristian Campbell appears to be crashing but the good news is fresh troops are available. The Worcester Red Sox killed Rochester tonight 20-7 with 26 hits with Roman Anthony batting .293, Mayer hitting a grand slam and Vaughn Grissom going 5 for 6. This is going to create the good kind of competition where everyone down to the backup catcher in Boston is playing for a job. You never wish injury on someone but unless there's one, a trade might have to be made because you can't keep Grissom, Mayer and Anthony rotting away in Worcester. Still, its better to have too much depth than not enough, especially on the pitching end. Brayan Bello is coming back this week so someone has to go, only question is who. The BoSox look to make it two in a row over Chicago tomorrow afternoon when Garrett Crochet (2-1, 1.38 ERA) goes for Boston against Shane Smith of Chicago. The game begins at 4:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Rays Massacre Lifeless Red Sox (4/14/25)

Throughout the season the Boston Red Sox have been stumbling and bumbling, either not hitting well, not fielding well or not pitching well. Tonight against the Tampa Bay Rays the Red Sox did all three of them in one of the most embarrassing losses since the infamous game against Toronto in 2022. Tanner Houck (0-2, 9.16) got absolutely creamed for 12 runs in just 2 1/3 innings. He clearly had nothing but so did the Sox defense. Once again they made mental and physical errors that didn't help their beleaguered pitchers. Worse yet, the Boston bats were once again silenced by Shane Baz and the Tampa pitching. The Sox damn near had many strikeouts as a team (14) as the Rays scored runs (16). The Red Sox got just 6 hits, allowed  16 runs and committed yet another error as they lost a big one 16-1 to Tampa at Steinbrenner Field.

                                                         "TRADE THEM ALLLLLLL!!!"

Baz got the ball in the top of the first inning and Jarren Duran flied out to to left to start. Rafael Devers struck out swinging and Alex Bregman grounded out to third to end the inning. The Rays set the tone early as Yandy Diaz hit the first pitch Houck threw in the bottom of the first into the Atlantic Ocean to put the Rays up for good one pitch into the game. Brandon Lowe lined out to third, Junior Caminero grounded out to short and Jonathan Aranda grounded out to short to end the inning with the Rays up 1-0.

                                                       That didn't take long

Wilyer Abreu took strike three to start the second inning before Trevor Story struck out swinging. Triston Casas struck out swinging to end the inning. The Rays absolutely pounded Houck in the bottom of the second as Christopher Morel singled in the hole at second to start. Kameron Minser hit a home run all the way into the Arctic Ocean to ice the game. Taylor Walls walked but old pal Danny Jansen popped up to second. Jake Mangum singled in the hole at short but Diaz took strike three. Lowe got a bae hit to center and Duran inexplicably threw to second base allowing both runners to score. Caminero forced Lowe at second to end the inning with the Rays up 5-0.

                                                         Misner hits one out of here

The Sox struck back in the top of the third as Kristian Campbell belted his third home run of the season to start. David Hamilton flied out to center, Carlos Narvaez popped up to first and Duran struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 5-1.

                                                        Home run Campbell

The Rays finished off Houck in the bottom of the third as Aranda singled to center to start. Morel got a base hit to left and Minser got a base hit in the hole at second to load the bases with nobody out. Walls beat out a double play ball to score Aranda and Bregman booted a grounder by Jansen for an error to score Minser. A wild pitch moved Walls to third and he scored on the base hit to center by Mangum. Jansen moved to third on the play and Mangum promptly stole second. Diaz got a base hit to right to score Jansen and Lowe walked to FINALLY chase Houck. He had absolutely nothing today, allowing 12 runs on 10 hits and 2 walks. Michael Fulmer made his Red Sox debut by allowing a base hit by Caminero to score Mangum. Aranda pounded a ground rule double to center to score Diaz & Lowe and Morel doubled to center to score both Caminero and Aranda. Misner walked but Walls flied out to right. Jansen struck out swinging with Tampa ahead 14-1.

                                                         Houck gets rocked

Devers took strike three to start the top of the fourth before Bregman grounded out to third. Abreu struck out swinging to end the inning. Mangum walked to start the bottom of the fourth but Diaz grounded into a double play. Lowe lined out to center to end the inning.

Baz turned up the heat in the top of the fifth as Story struck out swinging to start. Casas and Campbell both went down hacking to end the inning. Caminero hit a home run all the way to Argentina to start the bottom of the fifth before Aranda popped up to short. Morel took strike three and Misner popped up to short to end the inning with the Rays up 15-1.

                                                             Rays pour it on

Hamilton took strike three to start the top of the sixth before Narvaez grounded out to short. Duran got a base hit to center but Devers popped up to third to end the inning. Greg Weissert came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Walls struck out swinging to start. Jansen got a base hit to left but was forced at second by Mangum. Curtis Mead pinch hit for Diaz and struck out swinging to end the inning.

Coco Montes took over for Morel and Hunter Bigge came in to pitch the top of the seventh. Bregman and Abreu both struck out swinging, but Story got a base hit to center. Casas grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Josh Winckowski came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Lowe struck out swinging. Caminero struck out swinging and Aranda took strike three to end the inning.

Eric Orze came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Campbell got a base hit to left to start. Hamilton forced Kristian at second and Narvaez grounded into a double play to end the inning. Brennan Bernarino came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Montes grounded out to third to start. Misner clocked his second home run of the game to wrap up the scoring and Walls took strike three. Jansen grounded out to second to end the inning with the Rays up 16-1.

                                                         Misner does it again

Duran flied out to left to start the top of the ninth before Blake Sabol pinch hit for Devers. Sabol got a base hit to right but Bregman took strike three. Abreu got a base hit to right but Story flied out to center to end the game. The Rays had won it 16-1.

                                                                Rays win

Jackass of the Night is Tanner Houck. He got left out to dry by Cora and the defense but he still allowed 12 runs in just 2 1/3 innings off 10 hits and 2 walks.

                                                                  Jackass Houck

The Good:

Blake Sabol got a hit as a pinch hitter.

Kristian Campbell was 2 for 3 with a home run.

Greg Weissert tossed a scoreless inning.

Josh Winckowski pitched a scoreless inning.

The Bad:

Rafael Devers was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Alex Bregman was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts and an error.

Triston Casas was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

David Hamilton was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Christian Narvaez was 0 for 3.

Brennan Bernardino allowed a run in the bottom of the eighth.

Michael Fulmer allowed 3 runs in 2 2/3 innings.

The Ugly:

Jarren Duran was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Wilyer Abreu was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Trevor Story was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Final Thoughts:

That was, without a doubt, the most humiliating loss of the season. They were in most of their games to begin the season but lately they aren't even competitive. The Sox allowed 16 hits and 16 runs while striking out 14 times at the plate. At what point do heads roll for this mediocre start to the season? They've changed some personnel around on the field but they're making the same errors, pitching terribly and not hitting well at all. Houck has looked like garbage since the second half of last season and once some of the injured starters come back, he'll be in the bullpen with Garrett Whitlock and Aroldis Chapman instead of Michael Fulmer or Sean Newcomb. Either way a change needs to be made because this clearly isn't working. After the game Alex Cora took the blame for not having his team prepared, but its also the players too. Hopefully they can snap out of it quickly before the AL East starts to slip away. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow night when Walker Buehler takes on Ryan Pepiot of Tampa. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Steinbrenner Field.

White Sox Annihilate Red Sox (4/11/25)

Just when you thought it couldn't get any more embarrassing for the Boston Red Sox, they sink to a whole new level. After dropping 3 out of 4 to the Toronto Blue Jays (with many considering them to be lucky to win the fourth) the Boston Red Sox came to Chicago and got destroyed by the 2-10 White Sox. Sean Newcomb (0-2, 4.97 ERA) got rocked for 6 runs in just 4 innings while Josh Winckowski and Brennan Bernardino allowed five runs apiece. The story once again were the Sox scoring just 1 run and going 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position. The BoSox also committed FIVE errors as a team throughout the game. The BoSox currently can't pitch, field or hit so the worst team in baseball wallopped them 11-1 at Comiskey Park.

                                                                 Yup

Davis Martin got the ball in the top of the first inning and Jarren Duran grounded out to first to start. Rafael Devers popped up to short but Alex Bregman was hit with a pitch. Triston Casas struck out swinging to end the inning. Newcomb got the ball to start the bottom of the first and Miguel Vargas walked to start. Luis Robert Jr grounded out to first to move Vargas to second but Lenyn Sosa took strike three. Andrew Vaughn took strike three to end the inning.

The BoSox blew their first rally in the top of the second as Trevor Story flied out to right to start. Wilyer Abreu and Kristian Campbell stroked back to back base hits but naturally Blake Sabol grounded into a double play to end the inning. The ChiSox struck first in the bottom of the second as Michael A Taylor caught Sabol asleep with a bunt single but Brooks Baldwin struck out swinging. Taylor stole second base and former BoSox prospect Chase Meidroth drew a walk. Omar Narvaez took strike three but Jacob Amaya doubled home both runners to put Chicago up for good. Vargas flied out to center to end the inning with Chicago ahead 2-0.

                                                       Amaya puts Chicago on top

The BoSox failed to respond in the top of the third as Ceddanne Rafaela struck out swinging to start. Duran grounded out to third but Devers walked. Bregman doubled to left and with a chance to tie the game....Casas flied out to center to end the inning. Sabol ran into Robert Jr for interference to start the bottom of the third before then Robert stole second base. Robert moved to third on the grounder to third by Sosa but Vaughn flied out to right. Taylor struck out swinging to end the inning.

Story tried to start a rally with a base hit to center to start the top of the fourth but Abreu struck out swinging. Campbell struck out swinging, but Story took off for second and Narvaez threw the ball away, allowing Trevor to take third. Naturally with a runner in scoring position, Sabol struck out swinging to end the inning. The floodgates opened in the bottom of the fourth as Baldwin flied out to center to start. Meidroth got his first major league hit with a base hit to right and Casas booted a grounder by Narvaez for an error. Amaya took strike three but Vargas doubled home both runners to ice the game. Robert Jr ripped a base hit to center to score Vargas and promptly stole second. Sosa got a base hit to right to score Robert and Vaughn flied out to right to end the inning with the ChiSox up 6-0. That was it for Newcomb who was failed by his defense, but still allowed 6 runs in just 4 innings.

                                                         Newcomb gets rocked

Rafaela flied out to center to start the top of the fifth before Duran also flied out to center. Devers struck out swinging to end the inning. Josh Winckowski came in to pitch the bottom of the fifth and Taylor got a base hit to center....under the glove of Rafaela for an error to move Taylor to third. Baldwin struck out swinging but Meidroth walked. Narvaez hit sac fly to right to score Taylor and Amaya grounded out to short to end the inning with the ChiSox up 7-0.

                                                                Another rbi for the White Sox

Bregman flied out to left to open the top of the sixth before Casas popped up to first. Story grounded out to second to end the inning. Vargas grounded out to short to start the bottom of the sixth before Robert did the same. Sosa also grounded out to short to end the inning. At least Story could field the ball. 

The BoSox finally broke through in the top of the seventh as Abreu doubled to right to start. Campbell got a base hit to center to move Abreu to third and chase Martin. Old friend Cam Booser came in and all Sabol could do was hit a sac fly to center to score Abreu. Rafaela was hit with a pitch to move Campbell into scoring position. You know what that means! Duran forced Rafaela at second and Devers walked to load the bases. With a chance to get back in the game....Bregman grounded out to third to end the inning with Boston down 7-1.

                                                         Sac fly for Sabol

Vaughn flied out to left to start the bottom of the seventh but Taylor singled to left. Baldwin hit a double play ball to Winckowski....thrown away for Boston's fourth error of the night. Naturally Baldwin stole second base and Meidroth walked again to load the bases. Narvaez did the honors with a base hit to left to score Taylor and Baldwin. Amaya flied out to center and Vargas forced Meidroth at second to end the inning with the BoSox down 9-1.

                                                      A microcosm of the night

Joshua Palacios came in for Meidroth with Penn Murfee now on the mound to start the top of the eighth. Casas somehow doubled to right but with a runner in scoring position...you know what that means! Story, Abreu and Campbell all struck out swinging to end the inning. Like clockwork. Brennan Bernardino came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and once again Sabol ran into Robert Jr for an error to start. Sosa doubled home Robert and Vaughn flied out to right. Taylor struck out swinging but Baldwin got a base hit up the middle to score Sosa. Palacios took strike three to end the inning with the White Sox up 11-1.

                             The late Steve Sabol of NFL Films might be a better catcher at this point

Nick Maton took over for Robert and Brandon Eisert came in to mop up the top of the ninth. Sabol capped off his unimpressive day with a ground out to second before Rafaela swung at air for strike three. Duran also struck out swinging to end the game. The White Sox had won it 11-1.

                                                               White Sox win

Jackass of The Night is Sean Newcomb. He put the Sox in a hole they couldn't climb out of by allowing 6 runs in just 4 innings of work.

                                                               Jackass Newcomb

The Good:

Rafael Devers walked twice in four plate appearances.

Alex Bregman was 1 for 3 with a hit by pitch.

Wilyer Abreu was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Kristian Campbell was 2 for 4.

The Bad:

Jarren Duran was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Josh Winckowski allowed 3 runs in 3 innings.

Brennan Bernardino allowed 2 runs in 1 inning.

The Ugly:

Triston Casas was just 1 for 4 with an error and a strikeout.

Trevor Story was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but stole a base.

Blake Sabol was 0 for 3 with a strikeout and 2 errors but drove in a run.

Ceddanne Rafaela was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but was hit with a pitch.

Final Thoughts:

Not only did the Sox give up 11 runs to a team that can barely score but committing 5 errors is inexcusable. Blake Sabol and Sean Newcomb have no business being on major league rosters but when 3/5 of your rotation is injured and your starting catcher is gone, this is what you got. The real story, no pun intended, is the top 5 hitters going 3 for 18 with 4 strikeouts against a terrible team. Not to mention Jarren Duran, Triston Casas and especially Ceddanne Rafaela look completely lost at the plate. Can't even blame the pitching too much when the Sox can't field the ball. Sox manager Alex Cora should be on the hot seat for not having his team prepared fundamentally year after year but no one in the front office seems to give a damn it seems as long as money is made. The Sox are just going to have to hope nobody gets hot while they can't hit or field and trot out AAA pitchers. Things should turn around but the last few years have given very little indication it will. Hats off to Chase Meidroth for a successful ML debut. At least he didn't throw the ball away like these bums did. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow when "Big" Dick Fitts (0-2, 4.50 ERA) looks for his first win of the season against old friend Martin Perez. The game begins at 4:05 PM Eastern time at Comiskey Park.

A's Blast Pivetta, Sox (7/10/24)

One of the problems with this year's Boston Red Sox team is they don't have the starting rotation to match other franchises. The Sox have had a good month but couldn't really close the gap between them and the Baltimore Orioles due to games like this. Needing a big win, instead, Nick Pivetta (4-7, 4.09 ERA) didn't have it against the Oakland A's. The A's put the game away early in the top of the third as Shea Langeliers drew a bases loaded walk followed by a 2 run double by Lawrence Butler. Meanwhile JP Sears allowed a Rob Refsnyder homer in the bottom of the sixth as the only blemish on his day, shutting down the Boston bats. Pivetta allowed 4 runs total and the A's got another one off Josh Winckowski to win the game 5-2 at Fenway Park.

                                                          "Dammit Pivetta"

Pivetta got the ball in the top of the first inning and JJ Bleday flied out to left to start. Miguel Andujar grounded out to third and Brent Rooker flied out to left to end the inning. Sears got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jarren Duran got a base hit to right to start. Rob Refsnyder struck out swinging but Duran swiped second. Tyler O'Neill walked but Devers struck out swinging. Connor Wong walked to load the bases but Romy Gonzalez grounded out to third to end the inning.

Shea Langeliers grounded out to short to start the top of the second but Lawrence Butler singled off the glove of Devers. Zack Gelof popped up to second but Butler swiped second base. Tyler Nevin struck out swinging to end the inning. Masataka Yoshida struck out swinging to start the bottom of the second and Jamie Westbrook grounded out to second. Rafaela struck out swinging to end the inning.

Brett Harris flied out to left to begin the top of the third but Max Schuemann singled off the glove of Ceddanne Rafaela. Bleday struck out swinging but Andujar got a base hit to left. Both runners pulled off a double steal and Rooker walked to load the bases. Langeliers walked to score Schuemann and Butler doubled to left to score both Andujar and Rooker. Gelof struck out swinging to end the inning with the A's up 3-0.

                                                              Butler is all fired up

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the third as Duran grounded out to second to start. Refsnyder grounded out to third and O'Neill flied out to center to end the inning. 

Nevin struck out swinging to start the top of the fourth and Harris did the same. Schuemann struck out swinging to end the inning. Devers flied out to center to start the bottom of the fourth and Wong struck out swinging. Gonzalez went down hacking to end the inning.

Bleday took strike three to begin the top of the fifth and Andujar also watched strike three go by. Rooker went down hacking to end the inning. Yoshida grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the fifth but Harris booted a grounder by Westbrook. Rafaela doubled to center but Westbrook was thrown out at home. Duran struck out swinging to end the inning.

Langeliers struck out swinging to start the top of the sixth and Butler lined out to third. Gelof grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox fought back in the bottom of the sixth as Refsnyder struck his fourth home run of the season to start. O'Neill struck out swinging and Devers popped up to second, but Wong got a base hit to right. That was it for Sears as Austin Adams came in to face Gonzalez. Romy struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 3-1.

                                                           Refsnyder goes yard

The A's finished off Pivetta in the top of the seventh as Nevin flied out to center to start. Harris flied out to right but Schuemann singled to center. Bleday doubled to center to chase Pivetta. Nick allowed 4 runs in 6 2/3 innings off 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out 10. Josh Winckowski came in and Andujar was retired on a nubber in front of the plate to end the inning with the A's up 4-1.

                                                           Pivetta wasn't good enough

TJ McFarland came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Yoshida grounded out to first to start. Westbrook grounded out to short but Rafaela got a base hit to right. Duran got a base hit to center to chase McFarland. Lucas Erceg was brought in to face Refsnyder but Sox manager Alex Cora countered by bringing in Wilyer Abreu to pinch hit. A wild pitch moved the runners over and Abreu walked to load the bases. O'Neill beat out a roller to third to score Rafaela and put the tying run at second. Devers forced O'Neill at second to end the inning with the Sox down 4-2.

                                                              Sox with a rally

Naturally the A's fought back in the top of the eighth as Rooker hit a ground rule double down the right field line to start. Langeliers singled to right to move Rooker to third and Butler walked to load the bases. Gelof took strike three but Nevin hit a sac fly to right to score Rooker. Harris grounded out to third to end the inning with the A's up 5-2.

                                                             A's get another run

Wong was retired on a tapper in front of the plate to start the bottom of the eighth and Dominic Smith pinch hit for Gonzalez. Smith flied out to left and Yoshida struck out swinging to end the inning. 

Schuemann flied out to right to start the top of the ninth and Bleday lined out to center. Andujar grounded out to first to end the inning. Mason Miller came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Hamilton took strike three to start. Rafaela grounded out to third but Duran got a base hit to center. Duran took second on defensive indifference but Abreu struck out swinging to end the game. The A's had won it 5-2.

                                                           A's win

Jackass of The Night is Rafael Devers. He was 0 for 4 with a strikeout including leaving the bases loaded in the seventh down by 2.

                                                               Jackass Devers

The Good:

Jarren Duran was 3 for 5 with a stolen base.

Rob Refsnyder was 1 for 3 with a home run.

Wilyer Abreu walked in two plate appearances.

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

Connor Wong was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Ceddanne Rafaela was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

The Bad:

Romy Gonzalez was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Dominic Smith was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Masataka Yoshida was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Jamie Westbrook was 0 for 3.

David Hamilton struck out as a pinch hitter.

Nick Pivetta took the loss by allowing 4 runs in 6 2/3 innings off 6 hits and 2 walks.

The Ugly:

Josh Winckowski allowed a run in 2 1/3 innings.

Final Thoughts:

That game was one of the more frustrating ones of the season for a variety of reasons. Westbrook getting thrown out at home, Devers failing to come through with the bases loaded and Winckowski allowing that final run. Not that the Sox were going to touch Mason Miller in the ninth but a little bit more production prior to that and this could have been a different game. Still, tonight was a big reason why the Sox have trouble keeping momentum because other teams can throw out ace pitchers while the Sox have the Kutter Crawfords and Nick Pivettas of the world. Sox GM Craig Breslow screwed up not signing or trading for an ace this past off-season and its coming back to bite them now. This is a game you needed to have especially with the all-star break and trade deadline looming. Breslow knows this team needs a starter and if you have to part with the Goldust Trio (Roman Anthony, Kyle Teel and Marcelo Mayer) then it might be the right option. It also doesn't help that Triston Casas is out which forces them to play the likes of Jamie Westbrook as well. Hopefully things work themselves out and this was a temporary hiccup. The loss dropped the Sox to 50-42, 7 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to bounce back in the rubber game of the series tomorrow night against the A's when Tanner Houck (7-6) takes on Luis Medina of Oakland. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.