Red Sox Hang On, Beat White Sox (4/18/90)

Any time Roger Clemens (3-0, 4.12 ERA) gets a 5 run lead he's sure to win right? That's what happened when the Boston Red Sox exploded for 6 runs in the top of the third inning to take a five run lead. It wasn't easy though, Clemens tired in the bottom of the seventh and the Chicago White Sox took advantage. The ChiSox scored 3 runs off Clemens in the bottom of the seventh and another run in the eighth against the bullpen. Still, the BoSox held on in the ninth inning to win the game 7-5 at Commiskey Park.

                                                             Talisa Soto approves of the win

White Sox starter Jack McDowell cruised in the top of the first as Wade Boggs grounded out to second to start. Marty Barrett grounded out to first and Ellis Burks struck out swinging to end the inning. Clemens got the ball in the bottom of the first and Lance Johnson flied out to left to start. Scott Fletcher flied out to right and Ivan Calderon struck out swinging to end the inning.

Mike Greenwell singled to center to open the top of the second but Dwight Evans flied out to right. Billy Jo Robidoux banged into a double play to end the inning. The White Sox struck first in the bottom of the second as Dan Pasqua doubled down the right field line and Carlton Fisk singled him home. Greg Walker singled in the hole at short and Robin Ventura moved both runners over with a sacrifice bunt. Clemens got a big out when he struck out Sammy Sosa swinging and got Ozzie Guillen to ground back to the mound to end the inning with the White Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                             Fisk puts Chicago on top

The floodgates opened in the top of the third when Tony Pena singled down the left field line to start. Jody Reed got a base hit to right and Randy Kutcher walked to load the bases with nobody out. Boggs put the BoSox on top with a base hit up the middle to score Pena and Reed. Boggs got picked off and Barrett hit a routine fly ball to center...but Sosa and Johnson collided and the ball was dropped. Kutcher scored on the error and Burks walked. Greenwell walked to load the bases and chase McDowell from the game. Bill Long came in and walked Evans to score Barrett with another run. Robidoux lined out to first but Pena lined a broken bat base hit to center to score two more runs. Both Pena and Evans moved up on the throw but Reed flied out to center to end the inning with Boston ahead 6-1.

                                                         Ooops!

Clemens cruised in the bottom of the third as Johnson flied out to right to start. Fletcher struck out swinging and Calderon flied out to center to end the inning.

Long cruised in the top of the fourth as Kutcher flied out to right to start. Boggs grounded out to short and Barrett grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Clemens blew away Pasqua to start the bottom of the fourth but Pena muffed a strike three swing by Fisk and Carlton took first on the passed ball. Walker struck out swinging and Ventura flied out to right to end the inning.

                                                    "I don't got it" - Pena

Wayne Edwards took over on the mound in the top of the fifth inning and Burks lined out to left to start. Greenwell grounded out to first and Evans took strike three to end the inning. Sosa began the bottom of the fifth by striking out swinging but Guillen lined a base hit to center. Guillen moved to second on the Johnson grounder and Fletcher flied out to right to end the inning.

Carlos Quintana pinch hit for Robidoux to start the top of the sixth and he walked to start. Pena banged into a double play and Reed grounded out to third to end the inning. Clemens blew away Calderon and Pasqua to start the bottom of the sixth but Burks dropped a routine fly ball by Fisk for an error. Walker lined out to left to end the inning.

                                                          Dammit Burks

Ron Karkovice took over behind the plate for the top of the seventh with Ken Patterson now on the mound. Kutcher cracked his first home run of the year to left to increase the lead but Boggs grounded out to short. Barrett grounded out to second but Burks got a base hit to left. Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning with the BoSox ahead 7-1.

                                                   Kutcher's first of the season

The White Sox stormed back in the bottom of the seventh with Luis Rivera taking over for Boggs at third. Ventura hit a home run all the way to Wrigley Field to cut the lead and Darryl Boston pinch hit for Sosa. Boston grounded out to second but Guillen got a base hit to center. Johnson beat out an infield single to the mound and Fletcher walked to load the bases. That was it for Clemens as he would eventually be charged with 4 runs in 6 1/3 innings. Jeff Reardon came in and Calderon singled to center to score both Guillen and Johnson. Calderon was thrown out at second trying to steal but Pasqua walked. Karkovice popped up to left in foul territory to end the inning with the BoSox still ahead 7-4.

                                "I aughta take you out of this game and I think I will!" - Morgan

Don Pall came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Evans grounded back to the mound to start. Quintana flied out to center and Pena grounded out to third to end the inning. Rob Murphy made a mad dash to the mound to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Dave Gallagher pinch hit for Walker to start. Gallagher struck out swinging and Ventura took strike out inning. Carlos Martinez pinch hit for Boston and got a hit to right. Guillen singled to center and Murphy sprinted into the dugout, being replaced by Sox closer Lee Smith. Ron Kittle pinch hit for Johnson and dumped a base hit to left to score Martinez and put the tying run at first. Craig Grebeck pinch ran for Kittle and old friend "Psycho" Steve Lyons pinch hit for Fletcher. Lyons struck out swinging to end the inning with the BoSox barely hanging on to the lead 7-5.

                                                          Kittle drives in a run

Bobby Thigpen came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Reed flied out to left to start. Kutcher singled to right but Rivera banged into a double play to end the inning. Smith came back for the bottom of the ninth and Calderon grounded out to second to start. Pasqua walked to bring the tying run to the plate but Karkovice struck out swinging. Gallagher lined out to center to end the game. The BoSox had won it 7-5.

Hero of the Night is Randy Kutcher. His clutch home run ended up being the difference in the game.

                                                     Hero Kutcher

The Good:

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

Mike Greenwell was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Carlos Quintana walked in his second plate appearance.

Tony Pena was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

The Bad:

Luis Rivera was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Billy Jo Robidoux was 0 for 2.

Rob Murphy was charged with a run in 2/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was just 1 for 4 but drove in 2 runs.

Marty Barrett was 0 for 3 but drove in a run and scored a run.

Dwight Evans was 0 for 3 but walked and drove in a run.

Jody Reed was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Roger Clemens got the win but allowed 4 runs in 6 1/3 innings. He did strike out 9.

Jeff Reardon allowed an inherited runner to score in 2/3 of an inning.

Lee Smith got the save but alllowed an inherited runner to score in 1 1/3 innings.

Final Thoughts:

That was one of the ugliest wins ever. The BoSox took advantage of shoddy defense to score all those runs in the third inning and every pitcher brought in after Clemens allowed a run or let an inherited run to score. Clemens was mortal in this game but still gave the Sox 6 1/3 solid innings. I don't know what's with Murphy this season but thank goodness for Reardon and Smith. The offense wasn't much outside of the third inning but sometimes that's all you need to win a game. It was an ugly win but its better to win ugly than not win at all, especially against a team like the White Sox. Hopefully the bullpen has better days ahead this season. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox return to action Friday night in Milwaukee for a set with the Brewers. Mike Boddicker (1-1) goes for the Sox against Tom Filer of the Brewers. The game begins at 7:05 PM Eastern time at County Stadium.

Timely Pitching and Big 3rd Inning Defeats Tigers (4/10/90)

Starting the season 2-0 is always a good thing even if it wasn't pretty. Today the Boston Red Sox defeated the Detroit Tigers again behind a lights out Boston bullpen and some timely hitting from the offense to take a 4-2 victory at Fenway Park.

                                             Reginald Tarkington approves of the win

Mike Boddicker (1-0) made his season debut in the top of the first inning by getting Tony Phillips to ground out to short to start. Alan Trammell flied out to center and Lou Whitaker froze on strike three to end the inning. The Sox threatened in the bottom of the first against Kevin Ritz although Wade Boggs grounded out to short after the ball was deflected by Ritz. Marty Barrett and Mike Greenwell stroked back to back singles but Ellis Burks flied out to left. A wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position but Dwight Evans watched strike three go by to end the inning.

The Tigers threatened in the top of the second inning although Cecil Fielder flied out to right to start. Lloyd Moseby singled but Matt Nokes flied out to right as well. Larry Sheets doubled Moseby to third but Boddicker punched out Chet Lemon to end the inning. Billy Jo Robidoux walked to lead off the bottom of the second and Tony Pena singled. Jody Reed dropped down a sac bunt to move both runners into scoring position but Kevin Romine lined out back to the mound. Tigers manager Sparky Anderson wisely intentionally walked Boggs to load the bases and Barrett failed to make them pay by grounding out to first to end the inning. That's 5 men left on base in the first two innings.

Boddicker remained tough in the top of the third inning as Dave Bergman flied out to center to start. Phillips grounded out to second and Trammell struck out to end the inning. The Sox exploded in the bottom of the third although Greenwell grounded out to second to start. Burks singled and stole second before advancing to third on the Evans single. Robidoux walked to load the bases and Pena lined a base hit to score Burks and Evans to put the Sox on top. Reed doubled home Robidoux to chase Ritz from the game. Dan Petry came in and got Romine to ground out, but Pena scored to increase the lead and moved Reed to third. Boggs was once again intentionally walked and Barrett walked the traditional way to re-load the bases. Greenwell started the inning with a ground out and he ended it with one. Even though the Sox had now left 8 men on base, they had a commanding 4-0 lead.

                                                     Pena got the rally started

Boddicker did his part to keep the Tigers off the board in the top of the fourth inning. Whitaker singled in the hole at short to start but Boddicker whiffed fielder. Moseby flied out to center and Nokes grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox finally went quietly in the bottom of the fourth inning.  Burks popped up to third, Evans grounded out to third and Robidoux struck out to end the inning.

The Tigers roared back in the top of the fifth inning. Sheets singled and Lemon was hit with a pitch to start. Bergman grounded out and both runners advanced into scoring position, where Sheets scored on the ground-out by Phillips. Trammell singled in the hole at short to score Lemon but Whitaker popped up to short to end the inning. The Tigers cut the lead in half 4-2. That was it for Boddicker who labored through 5 innings to leave with a 4-2 lead. Sox manager Joe Morgan wants to keep the starters fresh for better days. Sparky Anderson approves of the quick hook.

                                       "We scored? Well if that don't beat all..." - Sparky

The Sox failed to answer in the bottom of the fifth inning although Pena doubled to start. Reed whiffed and Romine grounded out while Boggs was intentionally walked again. Barrett popped up to left to end the inning. That's 10 men left on by the way.

Dennis Lamp took over for the top of the sixth and got Fielder to fly out to start. Moseby hit a comebacker to the mound and Nokes flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox once again failed with men in base in the bottom of the sixth inning. Greenwell grounded out to first but both Burks and Evans singled. A wild pitch moved both into scoring position and Sparky Anderson made the decision to walk Robidoux to load the bases but set up the double play. Right on cue guess what Pena did....ground into a double play to end the inning. 12 men left on but that is why Sparky is a future hall of fame manager.

Lamp returned for the top of the seventh but Sheets greeted him with a single. Sheets was erased on the force by Lemon but Bergman singled to chase Lamp. Rob Murphy made a mad dash from the bullpen and got both Phillips and Trammell to fly out to end the inning. The Sox mustered nothing in the bottom of the seventh as Reed flied out to center, Romine grounded back to the mound and Boggs grounded out to second to end the inning.

Murphy sprinted to the mound for the top of the eighth and got Whitaker to ground out to first to start. Murphy whiffed both Fielder and Moseby to end the inning before running as fast as he could off the mound, jumping into the dug-out and sprinting to the clubhouse.

                                                         Always in a hurry

Mike Henneman took the mound in the bottom of the eighth and Barrett flied out to right. Greenwell walked but Burks banged into a double play to end the inning.

Sox closer Lee Smith got the call to close it out in the top of the ninth. Nokes walked and was replaced by Johnny Parades. Smith struck out Sheets and got Lemon to fly out. With the tying run at the plate, Smith got Bergman to hit one up the elevator shaft to end the game. The Sox had won it 4-2.

Hero of the night is a tough one but I gotta go with Tony Pena. His 2 run single started the rally in the bottom of the third inning.

                                            Hero of the Night: Tony Pena


The Good:

Wade Boggs walked 3 times in 5 plate appearances.

Ellis Burks was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Dwight Evans was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Billy Jo Robidoux walked 3 times in 4 plate appearances and scored a run.

Jody Reed was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Mike Boddicker earned the win with 5 innings of 2 run ball while striking out 4.

Dennis Lamp tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings

Rob Murphy threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Lee Smith got his second save with a scoreless ninth inning.



The Bad:

None



The Ugly:

Marty Barrett was just 1 for 4 with a walk.

Mike Greenwell was also just 1 for 4 with a walk.

Kevin Romine was 0 for 4 but drove in a run.




Final Thoughts:

A win is a win even if the starter didn't last long and the Sox left a parade on base. Still, the bullpen was lights out and the offense produced when it had to. The Sox did enough to win but they're gonna have to do better than that if they have any hope of beating Toronto out for the division title this year. They need a spark on offense wherever that may come by. Boddicker and Clemens both picked up victories and now it gets interesting with the rest of the rotation now having to step up. Tomorrow afternoon at 1:05 PM John Dopson makes his season debut opposite Jeff Robinson as the Sox look to win again at Fenway Park.

Clemens Outduels Morris on Opening Day (4/9/90)

The 1990 season is off to a fast start as Roger Clemens and the Boston Red Sox outpitched Jack Morris and the Detroit Tigers to secure the team's first win on Opening Day. 2 years ago Morris and Clemens matched each other for 9 innings but this time Clemens got the duke. Dwight Evans provided the spark on offense as the Red Sox took the first game 5-2 in front of a sold out Fenway Park crowd.

                                   "Remember the time Roger Clemens beat Jack Morris?"

Clemens took the mound in the top of the first and retired Tony Phillips on a pop up to third. Alan Trammell flied out to center and Lou Whitaker grounded out to second to end the inning. The Red Sox wasted no time scoring in the bottom of the first inning as Wade Boggs singled to right to start the frame. Marty Barrett blooped a single to right that advanced Boggs all the way to third. Mike Greenwell popped up to left on the first pitch and the Sox caught a break when Ellis Burks popped up to first but Cecil Fielder dropped it. Burks walked to load the bases and Dwight Evans made the Tigers pay with a bases clearing double to put the Sox up early. Billy Jo Robidoux flied out to center and Tony Pena grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 3-0.

                                                    The bases are cleared and its 3-0

Clemens began the top of the second inning by striking out Fielder but walked Lloyd Moseby. Matt Nokes flied out to left and Gary Ward grounded into a force to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the second as Jody Reed struck out but Kevin Romine doubled. Boggs blooped a single to right to score Romine but was erased on the force by Barrett. Greenwell flied out to right to end the inning but the Sox were up 4-0.

                                               Romine scores!

Clemens got the Tigers to beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the third inning. Chet Lemon grounded to third while both Dave Bergman and Tony Phillips grounded out to second to end the inning. Morris finally held the Sox in check in the bottom of the third inning. Burks flied out to left, Evans popped up to third and Robidoux grounded out to second to end the inning.

Clemens remained tough in the top of the fourth inning. Trammell whiffed and Whitaker grounded out to third but Fielder walked. Moseby grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox threatened in the bottom of the fourth although Pena whiffed on a pitch in the dirt to start. Reed flied out to left but Romine doubled again. Realizing runs were at a premium against Clemens, Tigers manager Sparky Anderson had Boggs intentionally walked to get to Barrett. Morris punched out Marty on a check swing to end the inning.

Clemens froze both Nokes and Ward to begin the top of the fifth inning before Lemon lofted a routine grounder to Reed at short. Reed went OLE! and Lemon reached. Clemens got Bergman to ground out to end the inning. Morris finally had a shut-down inning in the bottom of the fifth as Greenwell flied out to right, Burks grounded out to short and Evans flied out to center to end the inning.

Suddenly the Tigers roared back in the top of the sixth inning. Phillips singled and Trammell doubled down the left field line before Phillips scored on the Whitaker sac fly that Burks had to slide to catch. Fielder hit a comebacker back to Clemens but Moseby singled home Trammell to cut the lead in half. Nokes grounded out to third to end the inning but it was now 4-2 Sox.

The Sox failed to answer in the bottom of the sixth as Robidoux grounded out weekly to first, Pena lined out to short and Reed grounded out to short to end the inning.

Clemens came back out for the top of the seventh and Burks had to run down a line drive by Ward. Lemon whiffed and with 101 pitches on Clemens' arm, Sox manager Joe Morgan decided to save him for better days by bringing in Rob Murphy. The Rocket had surrendered just 2 runs in 6 2/3 innings.

                                                  Clemens in line for his first win

Ken Williams pinch hit for Bergman and grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox took advantage of shoddy defense to get a run back in the bottom of the seventh inning. Romine was called out on a bang bang play at first that raised the ire of Sox manager Joe Morgan when replay showed he was safe. The mistake by the first base umpire was compounded when Boggs doubled, which would have scored Romine for sure. The double was also Wade's 1,600th career hit. Barrett flied out to right and for some reason Greenwell was intentionally walked to get to Burks. The move appeared to work when Ellis hit a lazy fly out to right field...AND LEMON DROPPED IT! Boggs ran home with the insurance run and Sparky Anderson was disgusted. That was it for Morris who settled down after a lousy first inning that shouldn't have happened had Fielder caught the ball. In fact, 4 of the 5 runs he allowed came after or from errors. Ed Nunez came in and got Evans to pop up to end the inning but it was now 5-2 Sox.

                                             "I got it, I got it...I don't got it" - Lemon

Murphy returned for the top of the eighth and suffered a massive headache after Reed once again went OLE! on a ground ball, this time by Phillips. Murphy recovered to get Trammell and Whitaker to fly out, but walked Fielder. With the tying run at the plate, Murphy got an irate Moseby to pop up to third to end the inning with no damage done. The Sox had a chance to put the game away in the bottom of the eighth but Robidoux grounded back to the mound to start. Pena blooped a single to right but Reed flied out to right. Romine walked to chase Nunez as Paul Gibson came in to get Boggs to fly out to the left field warning track to end the inning.

Murphy was asked to get the final three outs in the top of the ninth inning. Tracy Jones pinch hit for Nokes and flied out to right. Ward singled past the diving Reed at short but Lemon flied out to center. One out away from the save, Murphy walked Williams. Sox manager Joe Morgan took no further chances and brought in closer Lee Smith to finish it off with the tying run coming to the plate. Phillips singled in the hole at short when Reed threw to second unsuccessfully to load the bases, but Smith punched out Trammell to end it. The Sox had won it 5-2

Hero of the Night is Dwight Evans. His 3 run double was the difference in the game.

                                 Opening Day Hero: Dwight Evans



The Good:

Wade Boggs was 3 for 4 with a walk, rbi and 2 runs scored.

Kevin Romine was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Roger Clemens earned the win with 6 2/3 innings of 2 run ball while striking out 5.

Rob Murphy tossed 2 scoreless innings.

Lee Smith earned the save by striking out Trammell to end the game.



The Bad:

Billy Jo Robidoux was 0 for 4.

Jody Reed was 0 for 4 with a strikeout and 2 errors in the field.



The Ugly:

Marty Barrett was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 3 but walked.

Ellis Burks was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.

Tony Pena was just 1 for 4.




Final Thoughts:

Always great to win on Opening Day. The Sox are going to have to lean on Burks, Boggs, Evans and Pena to lead the way on offense and pray to God everyone besides Clemens doesn't suck. That doesn't seem like a recipe for success but stranger things have happened. Jody Reed was hot garbage today but there are 162 games a year and you're bound to have a stinker. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the rotation after Clemens holds up. Mike Boddicker usually delivers the goods but after that, better hope it rains or there's an off-day. Speaking of Boddicker, he goes tomorrow at 1:05 PM against Kevin Ritz and the same Tigers in Game 2 of this series at Fenway Park.

Terrell, Yankees Blank Sox (9/27/89)

Its only fitting for a schizophrenic team like the Boston Red Sox to head to the end of the season with one of the most pathetic losses all season. Its one thing to get shut out by a great pitcher like Nolan Ryan, Jack Morris or Dave Stewart....its another to get completely shut down by a guy who's lost EIGHTEEN games this season. Walt Terrell of the New York Yankees has been complete batting practice this season but he gave the Red Sox a middle finger for them to sit and spin on in tonight's game. Terrell threw a complete game 5 hit shutout, blanking the Jekyll & Hyde Sox in the middle of a September hot streak. John Dopson (11-8, 4.08 ERA) pitched admirably in defeat, allowing just 3 runs as he went the distance as well. The Sox have had a lot of losses this season but this one was humiliating as the Yankees blanked them 3-0 at Fenway Park. How many runs did the Sox score Dean Wormer?

Dopson took the mound in the top of the first inning and Steve Sax grounded out to third to start. Luis Polonia lined out to center and Don Mattingly grounded out to first to end the inning. Terrell cruised in the bottom of the first as Wade Boggs led off with a grounder to second. Marty Barrett grounded back to the mound and Dwight Evans struck out swinging to end the inning.

Mel Hall struck out swinging to open the top of the second before Jesse Barfield also went down hacking. Roberto Kelly grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the second as Alvaro Espinoza booted a Mike Greenwell grounder to start. Nick Esasky singled to second but Danny Heep banged into a double play. Luis Rivera grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Yankees struck first in the top of the third as Mike Blowers walked to start. Espinoza moved Blowers to second on a grounder to third but Brian Dorsett singled to center to score Mike. Sax hit a routine grounder to Rivera who threw his glove at the ball and started wrestling with second base for an error to put runners at the corners. Polonia hit into a double play to end the inning with the Yankees up 1-0.

                                                               Dorsett drives in a run

The Red Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the third as Kevin Romine grounded out to first to start. John Marzano grounded out to second and Boggs grounded out to first to end the inning.

Mattingly flied out to center to start the top of the fourth before Hall grounded out to second. Barfield grounded out to short to end the inning. Barrett was plunked to start the bottom of the fourth but was thrown out trying to steal on the Evans swinging strikeout. Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning.

Dopson cruised in the top of the fifth as Kelly grounded out to short to start. Blowers took strike three and Espinoza grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Esasky blooped a single to right to begin the bottom of the fifth but Heep forced him at second. Rivera forced Heep at second but Romine beat out a roller just past Terrell. Marzano grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Yankees struck again in the top of the sixth as Dorsett singled to center to start. Dorsett moved to second on a wild pitch and Sax ripped a base hit to center. Dorsett teased going home and Sax took second on the throw home. Polonia hit a sac fly to score Dorsett to increase the lead but Mattingly grounded out to second. Hall also grounded out to second to end the inning with the Yankees up 2-0.

                                                            Polonia drives in a run

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the sixth as Boggs grounded out to short to start. Barrett flied out to right and Evans grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Yankees iced the game in the top of the seventh as Barfield smashed a home run all the way to Claypit Pond to increase the lead. Kelly grounded out to short, Blowers struck out swinging and Espinoza took strike three to end the inning with the Yankees up 3-0.

                                                        No run support for Dopson

Greenwell tried to start a rally with a base hit to right to begin the bottom of the seventh but Esasky flied out to center. Heep grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Dopson rebounded in the top of the eighth as Dorsett grounded out to short to start. Sax grounded back to the mound and Polonia popped up to center to end the inning. Rivera singled to center to start the bottom of the eighth and Jeff Stone pinch hit for Romine. Stone lined out to left and Sam Horn pinch hit for Marzano. Rivera moved to second on the grounder to second by Horn but Boggs grounded out to short to end the inning.

Dopson returned for the top of the ninth inning with Rick Cerone now behind the plate. Mattingly grounded back to the mound but Hall singled to center. Hall was doubled off first on the line drive to Boggs to end the inning. Dopson had thrown a complete game while allowing 3 runs, 9 times out of 10 that's good enough to win.

                                                     Complete game for Dopson

Wayne Tolleson took over at second for Sax for the bottom of the ninth and Barrett grounded out to short to start. Jody Reed pinch hit for Evans and struck out swinging before Greenwell popped up to third in foul territory to end the game. Terrell had thrown a complete game shutout and beat the Sox 3-0.

Jackass of the Night is Danny Heep. He was 0 for 3 including hitting into a double play with 2 men on when the game was in reach.

                                                             A Heep of Jackass

The Good:

Nick Esasky was 2 for 3.

Kevin Romine was 1 for 2.

One of the rare times the losing pitcher ends up on the Good list but John Dopson threw a complete game 5 hitter, allowing just 3 runs while walking 1 batter.

The Bad:

Wade Boggs was 0 for 4.

Dwight Evans was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Jody Reed struck out as a pinch hitter.

Jeff Stone was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

John Marzano was 0 for 2.

Sam Horn was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

Marty Barrett was 0 for 3 but was hit with a pitch.

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 4.

Luis Rivera was 1 for 3 but committed an error.

Honorable Mention:

Rick Cerone caught the last inning.

Final Thoughts:

If the Red Sox didn't crap the bed on the west coast trip where they went 1-9, the Sox would be right there with the Toronto Blue Jays with just four games left in the season. As it is, they're mathematically eliminated and are just playing out the string. If going 1-9 against the west coast teams wasn't bad enough, tonight they got shutout by a guy who lost 18 games this season. Its one thing to lose a slugfest, its another to get shutout. I know Terrell wasn't as bad as his record indicates but this was still embarrassing. In a season that had more drama than fun, hopefully next year won't be such a headache for everyone involved. The less said of this disaster, the better. The loss drops the Sox to 80-78, tied with the Milwaukee Brewers for third place in the AL East. The Sox now welcome the Brewers for a four game showdown to end the regular season. Only thing left to play for is who finishes third place and tomorrow night Mike Boddicker makes his last start of the season up against Don August of Milwaukee. The makeup game from July 5th begins at 7:35 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Top Angels in Game 1 (8/29/89)

Better late than never when it comes to the Boston Red Sox. After floundering for most of the season the Sox are on a recent hot streak. Today the Sox are playing a day/night doubleheader against the California Angels and they took the first game to run their win streak to 8 straight games. The Sox jumped on Angels ace Bert Blyleven for 5 first inning runs and never looked back. Sox starter Mike Smithson got knocked out in the third inning but Dennis Lamp (3-1, 2.64 ERA) and Joe Price saved the day with 6 solid innings. The Sox head to the nightcap with an 8-4 victory over the Angels.

                                                 8 in a row...ah ah ah!

Smithson got the ball in the top of the first inning and Devon White grounded out to second to begin. Claudell Washington grounded out to first. Johnny Ray grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox pounded Blyleven in the first inning as Wade Boggs doubled to center to start. Marty Barrett singled Wade to third and Ellis Burks beat out a double play ball to score Boggs with the first run. Mike Greenwell walked but Nick Esasky whiffed. Danny Heep scored Burks with a double and Dwight Evans pounded his 15th home run of the season to cap off the inning. Jody Reed flied out to left to end the inning but the Sox led 5-0.

                                                    Heep drives in a run

The Angels answered in the top of the second inning although Wally Joyner grounded out to first to start. Chili Davis singled to center and Brian Downing doubled Davis to third. Lance Parrish grounded out to short but Davis scored a run. Jack Howell scored Downing with a single before Kent Anderson got a base hit as well. White grounded out to second to end the inning but the Angels were down 5-2.

The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the second as Rich Gedman struck out swinging to start. Boggs grounded out to short before Barrett flied out to center to end the inning.

The Angels struck again in the top of the third inning as Washington doubled to left to begin. Washington moved to third on the grounder by Ray and Joyner singled him home. Davis took strike three but Reed booted a ball by Downing to allow him a reach. Sox manager Joe Morgan had enough of Smithson and brought in Dennis Lamp to put out the fire. Parrish flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox still up 5-3.

                                             Smithson doesn't last long

The Sox took command in the bottom of the third although Burks lined out to short to start. Greenwell singled and Esasky hit a ground rule double into the third base stands. Heep grounded out to second but Greenwell scored and Esasky moved to third. Evans singled home Esasky for his 4th rbi of the day. Reed flied out to left to end the inning but it was now 7-3 Sox.

                                                       Evans is on fire

Lamp cruised in the top of the fourth inning and Howell grounded out to second to start. Anderson popped up to second and White grounded out to short to end the inning.

Rick Monteleone came in to bitch the bottom of the fourth and the Sox wrapped up the scoring. Gedman singled to center and Boggs doubled Rich home. Barrett dropped down a bunt to move Boggs to third but Burks grounded out to short. Greenwell grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-3.

                                                         Boggs drives in a run

Lamp dominated the top of the fifth as Washington grounded out to first to start. Ray singled to right but Joyner banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox threatened in the bottom of the fifth although Esasky whiffed to start. Heep grounded out to first but Evans and Reed stroked back to back singles. Gedman grounded out to second to end the inning.

Kevin Romine took over for Heep in right to start the top of the sixth and Davis singled to left to begin. Davis moved to second on the grounder by Downing and to third on the grounder by Parrish. Howell whiffed to end the inning. Nothing happened in the bottom of the sixth as Boggs grounded out to second to start. Barrett popped up to second but Burks singled to center. Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning.

Lamp returned for the top of the seventh and froze Anderson for strike three. White singled to center but was thrown out trying to stretch a double. Sox manager Joe Morgan felt that was good enough for Lamp who saved the day with 4 scoreless innings. Joe Price came in and served up back to back base hits for Washington and Ray before Joyner took strike three to end the inning.

                                                           Outstanding effort by Lamp

The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the seventh as Esasky popped up to short to start. Romine whiffed before Evans popped up to second to end the inning.

Price cruised in the top of the eighth as Davis whiffed to start. Downing and Parrish both flied out to center to end the inning. Reed singled to center to start the bottom of the eighth but Gedman banged into a double play. Barrett walked but Burks grounded into a force to end the inning.

The Angels had a last gasp against Price in the top of the ninth although Howell whiffed to start. Anderson singled to center but White whiffed. Washington doubled home Anderson before Ray walked. Joyner whiffed to end the game with the Sox taking the day game of his doubleheader 8-4.

Hero of the Night is Dennis Lamp. He allowed just 3 hits in 4 scoreless innings as the Sox offense tacked on enough runs to win.

                                                       Lamp is the Hero



The Good:

Wade Boggs was 3 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Marty Barrett was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Mike Greenwell was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Danny Heep was 1 for 3 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Dwight Evans was 3 for 4 with 4 total rbis and a 3 run homer.

Jody Reed was 2 for 4.



The Bad:

Kevin Romine was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Mike Smithson allowed 3 runs in 2 2/3 innings.



The Ugly:

Ellis Burks was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run and scored.

Joe Price allowed a run in 2 1/3 innings.

Nick Esasky was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Rich Gedman was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.




Final Thoughts:

Don't look now but the Sox have won 8 games in a row. 2 weeks ago they were hopelessly out of contention but they're starting to get back in it. Morgan Magic may be repeating two years in a row. The offense stepped up big time and Lamp was outstanding in relief of Smithson. Taking the first game of a doubleheader is always important because it forces the other team to play behind the 8-ball going into the nightcap. It was a good win and the Sox need to win tonight to keep the momentum going. The win improved the Sox to 67-66, 4.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. Tonight Eric Hetzel gets the start for the Sox opposite Dan Petry at 8:20 PM at Fenway Park.

Finley Tosses 1 Hitter, Angels Shut Out Sox (5/26/89)

Sometimes you just have to tip your cap to pitchers that have a career day against your team. Tonight was one of those nights as Chuck Finley of the California Angels damn near no-hit the Boston Red Sox. Roger Clemens (5-4, 3.14 ERA) could only watch Finley tossed a complete game 1 hit shutout while walking just 4 batters. Finley has been one of the best pitchers in the AL this season and he showed why tonight. The Angels scored 5 runs in the later innings to knock off the Sox 5-0 at Fenway Park. How many hits did the Sox get Mr. Uecker?

Clemens did what he could in the top of the first inning as Brian Downing led off with a base hit to left. Claudell Washington followed with a base hit to center but was doubled off on the liner by Johnny Ray to Clemens. Devon White flied out to right to end the inning. Finley began his dominance in the bottom of the first as Wade Boggs struck out swinging to start. Marty Barrett drew a walk but Ellis Burks banged into a double play to end the inning.

The Angels beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the second inning as Wally Joyner grounded out to second, Chili Davis also grounded out to second and Lance Parrish grounded out to third to end the inning. Mike Greenwell grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the second before Dwight Evans walked. Jim Rice popped up to first as Evans was thrown out trying to steal to end the inning.

Jack Howell took strike three to open the top of the third before Dick Schofield flied out to right. Downing grounded out to short to end the inning. Nick Esasky grounded out to second to open the bottom of the third before Jody Reed flied out to left. Rick Cerone whiffed to end the inning.

Washington walked to start the top of the fourth but Ray banged into a double play. White popped up to Clemens himself to end the inning. Boggs whiffed to begin the bottom of the fourth before Barrett flied out to center. Burks flied out to left to end the inning.

Joyner lined out to center to start the top of the fifth before Davis flied out to left. Parrish popped up to short to end the inning. Finley remained perfect in the bottom of the fifth as Greenwell grounded out to second to start. Evans and Rice both whiffed to end the inning.

The Angels struck first in the top of the sixth inning as Howell flied out to right to start. Schofield singled to center but Downing lined out to center. Washington doubled home Howell to give the Angels the lead and Ray doubled home Claudell. White popped up to second to end the inning but it was 2-0 Angels.

                                                                 2-0 Angels

Esasky grounded out to short to begin the bottom of the sixth before Reed flied out to center. Cerone broke up the perfect game with a walk but was erased on the Boggs force to end the inning.

The Angels poured it on in the top of the seventh although Joyner flied out to left to start. Davis lined out to center but Parrish crushed a 230,000 foot home run to increase the lead. Howell took strike three to end the inning but the Angels were up 3-0.

                                                              Parrish hits one out

The Sox failed to get a hit in the bottom of the seventh as Barrett lined out to center to start. Burks grounded out to third and Greenwell lined out to center to end the inning.

Clemens cruised in the top of the eighth as Schofield popped up to third to begin. Downing whiffed and Washington grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox had their only chance in the bottom of the eighth although Evans popped up to third to begin. Rice walked but Esasky popped up to right. Reed broke up the no-no with a base hit to center to bring the tying run to the plate. Unfortunately it was Cerone and he grounded out to short to end the inning.

                                                              The Sox lone hit of the game

The Angels iced it in the top of the ninth as Ray hit a routine grounder to first. Esasky pulled out a bazooka and blew the ball to smithereens for an error. Kent Anderson ran for Ray as White popped up to third. Joyner then lashed a base hit to right to chase Clemens. Roger got no run support but he ended up being charged with 5 runs in 8 1/3 innings.

                                                             Just wasn't Roger's day.

Rob Murphy sprinted from the bullpen to get Davis to force Joyner at second before making a mad dash to the dugout. Bob Stanley came in and he poured gas on the fire as Parrish singled home Anderson. Howell singled home Davis before Schofield whiffed to end the inning with the Angels up 5-0.

The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the ninth as Boggs lined out to right to start. Barrett grounded out to third before Burks flied out to center to end the game. Finley had tossed a complete game 1 hit shutout to beat the Sox 5-0.

                                                           Great game by Finley


Jackass of the Night is Roger Clemens. Not that the Sox were going to score any runs but he was charged with 5 runs in 8 1/3 innings.

                                                                Rocket Jackass


The Good:

Jody Reed was 1 for 3.

Rob Murphy got the only out he faced.



The Bad:

Wade Boggs was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Ellis Burks was 0 for 4.

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 3.

Nick Esasky was 0 for 3.

Bob Stanley allowed 2 inherited runners to score in 1/3 of an inning.



The Ugly:

Marty Barrett was 0 for 3 but walked.

Dwight Evans was 0 for 2 with a strikeout but walked.

Jim Rice was 0 for 2 with a strikeout but walked.

Rick Cerone was 0 for 2 with a strikeout but walked.





Final Thoughts:

The Sox are back to .500 after this one but gotta give credit to Finley for the game he pitched. The Sox mustered just 1 hit and 4 walks in this one against Finley, not even Cy Young could have survived that. Clemens was game but things fell apart in the ninth inning. Esasky's error and Stanley allowing the final 2 runs weren't Roger's fault but once again, the offense was asleep in this one. Not much to crow about and tomorrow is another day. Tomorrow the forecast calls for heavy rain but if the Sox play, John Dopson (5-2) goes up against Kirk McCaskill at 7:05 PM at Feway Park.

Rangers Walkoff Sox in 12 Innings (4/28/89)

For 5 innings the Boston Red Sox were in complete control of this game against the Texas Rangers. Mike Boddicker had held the Rangers to just 2 runs at that point while the Sox were ahead 6-2. Then the wheels fell off as the Rangers chased Boddicker in the sixth and tied the game off Bob Stanley in the bottom of the eighth. With the game well past midnight and no end in sight, the game was suspended until the following morning. When action resumed, Julio Franco hit a walkoff home run against Rob Murphy (0-2, 3.95 ERA) to end the game once and for all. The Rangers needed 12 innings to beat the Red Sox 7-6 at Arlington Stadium.

                                                     Doc Brown can't believe it

The Sox exploded against Rangers starter Kevin Brown in the bottom of the first inning as Wade Boggs walked to start. Ed Romero doubled to left and Ellis Burks walked to load the bases. Mike Greenwell whiffed but Jim Rice scored Boggs with a ground out. Dwight Evans walked to reload the bases and Nick Esasky pounded a grand slam to put the Sox up big early. Jody Reed beat out an infield single to third but Rick Cerone took strike three to end the inning. Things looked good with the Sox ahead 5-0 already.

                                                              Esasky with the grand slam

The Rangers wasted no time getting back in the game against Boddicker in the bottom of the first as Cecil Espy struck out looking to start. Scott Fletcher walked and Rafael Palmeiro doubled him to third. Ruben Sierra scored Fletcher with a sac fly and Julio Franco singled home Palmeiro. Franco swiped second but Geno Petralli flied out to center to end the inning with the Rangers down 5-2.

                                                      Why can't the Sox have guys like this?

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second as Boggs grounded back to the mound to start. Romero grounded out to third but Steve Buechele booted a grounder by Burks for an error. Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning. Pete Incaviglia was plunked to start the bottom of the second but Rick Leach flied out to left. Incaviglia stole second but Buechele took strike three. Espy grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the third when Rice got a base hit to left to start and took second on the Evans strikeout. Esasky walked and that was it for Brown. Brad Arnsberg came in and Reed walked to load the bases. Cerone beat out a double play ball to score Rice and Boggs walked to re-load the bases. Naturally Romero grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-2.

                                                                  Rice scores a run

Boddicker cruised in the bottom of the third as Fletcher grounded out to second to start. Palmeiro lined out to first and Sierra popped up to center to end the inning.

Burks walked to start the top of the fourth and moved to second on the Greenwell grounder. Rice struck out swinging and Evans flied out to right to end the inning. Franco grounded out to second to begin the bottom of the second but Petralli and Incaviglia stroked back to back singles. Leach flied out to right and Buechele grounded out to short to end the inning.

Esasky flied out to right to start the top of the fifth then Reed flied out to left. Cerone walked to chase Arnsberg and Drew Hall got Boggs to strike out swinging to end the inning. Espy dropped down a bunt but then tackled Cerone trying to make the play, forcing the umpire to call him out on interference. Fletcher lined out to first but Palmeiro walked. Sierra flied out to right to end the inning.

Romero walked to start the top of the sixth but was thrown out trying to steal. Burks walked but Greenwell flied out to left and Rice flied out to center to end the inning. The Rangers fought back in the bottom of the sixth as Franco walked to start. Petralli flied out to right but Incaviglia singled to left to chase Boddicker. Bob Stanley came in and Leach singled home Franco to cut the lead. Buechele struck out swinging but both runners moved over on a wild pitch. Espy grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the seventh as Evans flied out to center to start. Esasky grounded out to third and Reed grounded out to second to end the inning. Fletcher walked to begin the bottom of the seventh but Palmeiro flied out to center. Sierra flied out to right and Franco grounded out to third to end the inning.

Kenny Rogers came in to pitch the top of the eighth and the Sox blew their best chance to ice the game. Cerone walked and Boggs singled to left to put two men on and nobody out. Marty Barrett pinch ran for Cerone and Romero moved both runners over with a sacrifice bunt. Burks was intentionally walked to set up the double play...and naturally Greenwell hit into one to end the inning. Dammit!

                                                           Good going Mike.

Rich Gedman took over behind the plate for the bottom of the eighth and things looked good when Petralli whiffed to start. Incaviglia walked and Leach doubled him home to cut the lead, but Buechele struck out swinging. One out away from escaping the jam....Espy singled home Leach to chase Stanley. Lee Smith came in and Espy stole second before scoring on the Fletcher base hit to left to tie the game. Fletcher was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double to end the inning but the Rangers tied it 6-6.

                                                        Nice going Stanley

Cecillo Guante came in to pitch the top of the ninth and struck out the side. Rice, Evans and Esasky all went down hacking in short order to end the inning. Palmeiro singled to center to put the winning run on in the bottom of the ninth but Sierrs flied out to right. Franco banged into a double play to end the inning.

Reed grounded back to the mound to start the top of the tenth and Gedman watched strike three go by. Boggs grounded out to short to end the inning. With the game heading toward 3 AM in Boston and well past midnight in Texas, the game was suspended until the following day. When action resumed in the bottom of the tenth, Rob Murphy was on the mound and Mike Stanley pinch hit for Petralli, getting a base hit to second. Jeff Stone pinch ran for Stanley and Incaviglia singled to center. Jeff Kunkel pinch hit for Leach and bunted both runners over. Murphy got a big out by striking out Buechele and Buddy Bell pinch hit for Espy and struck out swinging to end the inning.

Jim Sundberg took over behind the plate for the top of the eleventh and Romero struck out swinging to start. Burks whiffed but Greenwell walked. Rice went down hacking to end the inning. Fletcher grounded out to second to start the bottom of the eleventh and Palmeiro flied out to left. Sierra lined out to left to end the inning.

Evans grounded out to third to open the top of the 12th inning then Esasky flied out to right. Reed popped up to third in foul territory to end the inning. The game finally ended quickly in the bottom of the 12th inning. Franco hit a home run to South America to win the game. After all of that, the Rangers had won it 7-6.

                                                                  Damn it

Jackass of the Night is Rob Murphy. He allowed the home run to Franco to end the game.

                                                                     Nice going Jackass

The Good:

Ellis Burks walked 4 times and scored a run.

Rick Cerone walked twice and drove in a run.

Mike Boddicker was solid for 5 1/3 innings getting charged with 3 runs while striking out 2.

The Bad:

Rich Gedman struck out in his only plate appearance.

Bob Stanley allowed 3 runs of his own and let an inherited runner to score in 2 1/3 innings.

The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was just 1 for 4 but walked twice and scored a run.

Ed Romero was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored a run.

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 5 but walked.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 6 but drove in a run and scored.

Dwight Evans was 0 for 5 but walked and scored a run.

Nick Esasky was just 1 for 5 with a walk but the one hit was a grand slam.

Jody Reed was just 1 for 5 but walked.

Lee Smith allowed the tying run to score but none of his own in 1 1/3 innings.

Honorable Mention:

Marty Barrett pinch ran for Cerone in the top of the eighth.

Final Thoughts:

The Sox had a 6-2 lead and the Rangers starter out in the third inning yet still found a way to lose. The Rangers bullpen essentially tossed 9 2/3 scoreless innings. The Sox would have only needed 4 to have won the game. Hats off to the Rangers for pulling that off but that's terrible offense by the Sox to not score a single run after Kevin Brown was out of the game. Its not like the Rangers are known for their bullpen like the Oakland A's or New York Mets. Its been a bad month for the Sox as the Texas Rangers have been finding ways to win and the Sox finding ways to lose. Once again, give credit to the Rangers for not quitting when they lost their starter in the third inning. The Sox look to bounce back later tonight as it turns out when Wes Gardner (0-1) takes on Charlie Hough of the Rangers at 10:35 PM Eastern time at Arlington Stadium.