Yankees Massacre Sox in Game 3 (10/16/04)

After a rainout pushed Game 3 back a day, maybe they should have played last night in the rain anyway. The Boston Red Sox' epic season is about to come crashing down at the hands of the New York Yankees. The Yankees added a new chapter in their 86 year beat down of the Red Sox by knocking the Sox flat tonight in Game 3. The Yankees pounded starter Bronson Arroyo and a host of relief pitchers for 22 hits and 19 runs in one of the most decisive routs in MLB history. Though the Sox scored a bunch of runs of their own, it wasn't nearly enough as the Yankees are now one game away from a four game sweep as they took Game 3 by a score of 19-8 at Fenway Park.

Arroyo took the mound in the top of the first and immediately crapped his pants. Derek Jeter started with a walk and Alex Rodriguez doubled into the left field corner to score him. A-Rod moved to third when Gary Sheffield flied out to the centerfield wall and Hideki Matsui smashed a 40,000 foot home run to right to increase the lead. Bernie Williams singled to right but Jorge Posada banged into a double play to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 3-0.

                                                         Matsui puts the Yankees up big

The Sox had no trouble hitting Yankees starter Kevin Brown in the bottom of the first but ran themselves out. Johnny Damon grounded out to short and Mark Bellhorn whiffed, but Manny Ramirez singled. Ortiz singled to right but Manny was foolishly thrown out at third trying to stretch to end the inning.

Ruben Sierra doubled to the left field wall start the top of the second but Jon Olerud popped up to short. Miguel Cairo popped up to first and Jeter flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox fought back in the bottom of the second as Jason Varitek walked to start. Trot Nixon pounded a home run just over the head of Sheffield into the stands to cut the lead. Kevin Millar flied out to the centerfield wall but Bill Mueller doubled off the bottom of the right field wall. Cabrera grounded out to third but Damon lined one off the glove of Olerud over to second. The hustling Mueller scored to tie the game but Cairo foolishly threw home which allowed Damon to reach second. A wild pitch moved Damon to third before Bellhorn drew a walk. Manny hit a liner to Jeter who bobbled it, allowing Damon to score the go-ahead run. That was the first lead in the series for the Sox. Ortiz grounded out to second to end the inning but it was 4-3 Sox.

                                                            Nixon gets the Sox back in it

The Yankees pounded Arroyo in the top of the third inning as A-Rod pounded a home run over the Monster Seats to tie the game. Sheffield walked and Matsui pounded a double to right to chase Arroyo. In a game the Sox had to win, Arroyo lasted just 2 innings and was charged with 6 runs.

                                                 Damn Yankees

Ramiro Mendoza came in to take a beating as Williams singled home Sheffield to put the Yankees back on top. Mendoza balked home Matsui as the boo birds came out. Sox manager Terry Francona ran out to argue but it was clearly a balk. Posada popped up on the infield to Millar before Sierra swung at a changeup in the dirt for strike three. Olerud grounded out to short to end the inning but the Yankees were up 6-4.

The Sox tied it up in the bottom of the third with Javier Vazquez on the mound for the Yankees. Varitek got the rally started with a base hit to left but Nixon whiffed. Millar doubled off the Monster before Mueller walked to load the bases. Cabrera hit a line drive out of the reach of Sheffield that went to the wall. Varitek and Millar scored but Mueller was gunned down at home for a huge out. Damon grounded out to first to end the inning but the game was tied 6-6.

                                                     Cabrera with the clutch hit

The Yankees wasted no time getting the lead back in the top of the fourth inning as Cairo was plunked to start. That was it for Mendoza as Curtis Leskanic was brought in to pour gas on the fire. Nixon made a great diving catch to rob Jeter of a hit but A-Rod walked. Sheffield then crushed a 3 run home run into the Monster seats to give the Yankees the lead back. Matsui doubled into the left field corner to chase Leskanic. Tomorrow's starter Tim Wakefield came in and got Williams to pop up to first but Posada was intentionally walked. Sierra made the Sox pay by tripling past Nixon to score two more runs. Olerud lined out to short to end the inning but the 5 run inning put the Yankees up for good 11-6.

                                                     The Yankees pour it on

Bellhorn whiffed to start the bottom of the fourth but Ramirez walked. Ortiz got a base hit to right but Varitek hit a bullet to first and Ortiz was doubled off to end the inning.

The Yankees were relentless in the top of the fifth inning although Cabrera made a great play to rob Cairo of a hit to begin. Jeter walked and A-Rod doubled to the right field wall to score Jeter. Sheffield crushed a double to the Monster to score A-Rod with another run. Matsui flied out to left and Williams whiffed to end the inning but the Yankees were up 13-6.

                                                        A-Rod keeps up the destruction

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the fifth as Nixon popped up to center to start. Millar popped up to second and Mueller grounded out to second to end the inning.

Wakefield cruised in the top of the sixth as Posada flied out to center to start. Sierra flied out to the centerfield wall before Olerud grounded out to short to end the inning, hurting himself in the process.

                                                 Stephen King is used to horror shows

Tony Clark replaced Olerud in the bottom of the sixth and Cabrera started a rally with a double to the centerfield wall. Damon popped up to right but Bellhorn whiffed. Manny whiffed to end the inning.

The carnage continued in the top of the seventh as Cairo hit a base hit in the hole at short to start. Damon made a sliding catch to rob Jeter of a hit before Bellhorn dropped a routine pop up by A-Rod. Luckily Cairo never moved so he got Miguel at second on the force. Sheffield hit a laser off the Monster but it was just a single that moved Jeter to third. That was it for Wakefield who did the best he could to save the rest of the bullpen for tomorrow's game. Alan Embree came in to pitch to Matsui and naturally Matsui singled home A-Rod for another run. Williams doubled home both runners to increase the lead. Posada crushed a double off the Monster for yet another run as the remaining Sox fans booed the Sox pitching staff. Sierra grounded out to short to end the inning but it was 17-6 Yankees.

                                          Can anyone get Matsui out?

Ortiz singled off the Monster to start the bottom of the seventh and Varitek smashed a two run home run to center just to piss the Yankees off. Nixon flied out to right and that was it for Vazquez. Paul Quantrill came in and Millar grounded out to short before Mueller lined a base hit into the left field corner. Cabrera lined a base hit to center but Damon lined out to left to end the inning. If nothing else the Sox beat around the Yankees pitching but trailed 17-8

                                                        Varitek goes yard.

Mike Myers came in to pitch the top of the eighth with Doug Mirabelli now behind the plate. Myers whiffed Clark and Cairo but Jeter poked a single to center. Bellhorn made a diving stop to rob A-Rod of a hit, forcing Jeter at second to end the inning. Bellhorn earned the golden sombrero with his 4th strikeout to start the bottom of the eighth before Manny flied out to center. Ortiz whiffed to end the inning.

The Yankees had one final kick in the ass for the Sox in the top of the ninth when Sheffield singled up the middle to start. Bubba Crosby ran for Sheffield and Matsui ended the massacre with a two run bomb to center. Williams and Posada stroked back to back hits before Sierra was frozen for strike three. Clark hit a liner to Mueller who doubled off Williams to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 19-8.

                                                   Scoreboard says it all

The torture ended with Tom Gordon now on the mound for the bottom of the ninth. Mirabelli popped up to second but Nixon doubled off the centerfield wall. Nixon moved to third on a wild pitch but Millar whiffed. Mueller flied out to center to end the game. The Yankees had a stranglehold on the American League Championship Series and was up 3 games to 0 with a 19-8 rout.

                                                          Can't argue this


Jackass of the Night is a tough one considering everyone the Sox threw out there got hammered but I'll go with Arroyo. He had absolutely nothing and he put the Sox in a hole that was too big to climb out of. He lasted just two innings and was charged with 6 runs.

                                                   Arroyo The Jackass



The Good:

David Ortiz was 3 for 5 with a run scored.

Jason Varitek was 2 for 3 with a walk, 3 runs scored and a 2 run home run.

Trot Nixon was 2 for 5 including a 2 run homer.

Bill Mueller was 2 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

Orlando Cabrera was 3 for 4 with 2 rbis.



The Bad:

Doug Mirabelli was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Ramiro Mendoza allowed a run in the third inning.

Curtis Leskanic was charged with 3 runs in just 1/3 of an inning.

Tim Wakefield allowed 5 runs in 3 1/3 innings.

Alan Embree allowed 2 runs in just 1/3 of an inning.

Mike Myers allowed 2 runs in 2 innings of work.



The Ugly:

Johnny Damon was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run and scored.

Mark Bellhorn was 0 for 4 with a golden sombrero of 4 strikeots but walked.

Manny Ramirez was just 1 for 4 but walked.

Kevin Millar was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.




Final Thoughts:

It can't end like this. Seriously, it can't end like this. After coming within a horrendous managerial decision from winning the pennant last year, the Sox can't just fall on their face and get swept after everything that's happened since Game 7 last year...can it? The Yankees offense looks to be completely unstoppable, scoring 32 runs in the first 3 games of this series. Not only that, Curt Schilling has a serious ankle problem and Pedro Martinez got out-pitched by Jon Lieber. The offense scored 8 runs today but the pitching just can't stop the Yankees. The worst apart about it is the only thing standing between the Red Sox and an embarrassing four game sweep is Derek Lowe. The same Lowe that was supposedly hung over when he got bombed by the Yankees on national television. The Sox look to avoid a sweep tomorrow night when they send Lowe to the mound against Orlando Hernandez at 8:00 PM at Fenway Park.

Yankees Pound Schilling, Take Game 1 (10/12/04)

Talk about the worst case scenario for the Boston Red Sox. It was feared Curt Schilling was injured more seriously than it looked at the end of his Game 1 win against the Anaheim Angels and those fears came true tonight in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the hated New York Yankees. Schilling got blasted for 6 runs in 3 innings, the bullpen was no help as they allowed 4 more runs,Mike Mussina was perfect through 6 innings and Mariano Rivera literally ran off a plane from Panama to save the game for the Yankees. When it was over the Sox had lost 10-7 and Schilling looks done for the year, just great.

                                                            Dammit

Mussina was perfect in the top of the first as he made Johnny Damon look silly on a 3 pitch strikeout. Mark Bellhorn lined out to a running Bernie Williams in center and Manny Ramirez grounded out to first to end the inning. The injured Schilling took the mound in the bottom of the first inning and the Yankees tagged him. His velocity was down as Derek Jeter flied out to right field warning track before Alex Rodriguez flied out to right. Gary Sheffield crushed a double down the left field line and Hideki Matsui took a splitter in the dirt and lined it past Ramirez for an rbi double. Bernie Williams effortlessly singled up the middle for another run but Jorge Posada grounded out to second to end the inning with the Yankees up 2-0.

                                                          The Yankees strike first

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second as David Ortiz grounded out to first to begin. Kevin Millar grounded out to short and Trot Nixon popped up to short to end the inning. John Olerud grounded out to second to begin the bottom of the second before Miguel Cairo flied out to left. Kenny Lofton whiffed to end the inning.

Mussina remained perfect in the top of the third as Jason Varitek flied out to left to begin. Mark Bellhorn flied out to center and Ramirez grounded back to the mound. The Yankees exploded to knock out Schilling in the bottom of the third inning. Jeter singled to center and A-Rod singled in the hole at short. Sheffield walked and Matsui cleared the bases with a double into the corner. Williams advanced Matsui to third with a grounder to second then he scored on the Posada sac fly to center. Olerud walked before Cairo flied out to center to end the inning. That was it for Schilling as he was knocked out after giving up 6 runs in just 3 innings. Typical Red Sox luck that the guy they got to beat the Yankees tears up his ankle before facing them when it counts.

                                                 Schilling failed in his biggest game

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the fourth inning as Damon took strike three on the outside corner to start. Bellhorn also took strike three on the outside corner while Ramirez looked at strike three on the inside corner to end the inning. Curtis Leskanic took the mound in the bottom of the fourth and walked both Lofton and Jeter to start. Leskanic got A-Rod to bang into a double play and Sheffield struck out to end the inning.

Mussina remained perfect in the top of the fifth inning as Ortiz whiffed on a full count to begin. Millar whiffed on a knucklecurve in the dirt before Nixon was retired on a squibber in front of the mound to end the inning. Ramiro Mendoza was summoned to pitch the bottom of the fifth and Manny had to run to the wall to get a line drive by Matsui to start. Williams grounded out to second but Posada got hit on the foot. Olerud blooped a single to left to send Posada to third but Cairo lined out to short to end the inning.

The perfect game continued in the top of the sixth inning as Varitek whiffed to start. Cabrera popped up to right a graphic showed Mussina's near perfect game on September 2, 2001 in Fenway. Mueller popped up to left to end the inning as the high powered Sox offense was held without a baserunner through six. Game 4's scheduled starter Tim Wakefield was brought in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and the Yankees pounced. Lofton swatted a solo home run to right to increase the lead before Jeter grounded out to third. Sheffield doubled to left and Matsui singled down the right field line to score Gary and seemingly put the game out of reach. Williams lined out to a running Manny in left to end the inning but it was now 8-0 Yankees.

                                              5 rbis for Matsui

Out of nowhere the Sox exploded off Mussina in the top of the seventh inning although Damon earned the hat trick with his third strikeout of the game. Bellhorn broke up the perfect game with a double to the left field wall before Ortiz singled him to third. Millar doubled off the glove of Matsui to score both runners to put the Sox on the board. Millar took third on a passed ball and scored on the Nixon base hit. That was it for Mussina who went from being perfect to out of the game in a blink of an eye. Tanyon Sturtze was brought in and Varitek got his first hit in Yankee Stadium all YEAR with a 2 run bomb to right to make it a three run game. Cabrera whiffed to end the inning but suddenly the Sox were back in it 8-5.

                                               Varitek goes yard to inch the Sox closer

With the game now in reach Sox manager Terry Francona turned to Alan Embree in the bottom of the seventh inning. Posada grounded out to second before Matsui popped up to left. Cairo singled down the right field line but Lofton popped up to left to end the inning.

Old pal Tom Gordon took the mound in the top of the eighth and the Sox rallied again. Cairo made a diving grab on a Mueller grounder but couldn't make the throw for a leadoff hit. Damon earned the golden sombrero with his fourth strikeout of the game but Bellhorn popped up to left. Ramirez singled Mueller to third and Ortiz missed a game tying home run by 5 feet with a triple off the glove of Matsui field that still scored both runners. The Sox were down 8-0 having a perfect game thrown against them going into the top of the 7th and were one swing away from taking the lead one inning later. In a scene out of a movie, Mariano Rivera who began the day in Panama took the mound for the four out save to pick up the Yankees. Sure enough Millar popped up to short to end the inning but the Sox were knocking at the door down 8-7.

                                                    Ortiz nearly hits it out

Unfortunately the bullpen couldn't keep it a one run game in the bottom of the eighth as Mike Timlin took the mound. Jeter grounded out to short to start but A-Rod shook off being buzzed by Timlin to single to left. Sheffield also singled to left but Matsui popped up to short. Needing just one out to keep this a one run game, Williams instead lined a triple just out of reach from Manny to ice the game. One batter too late Francona replaced Timlin with Keith Foulke and Posada lined out to third to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 10-7.

                                               Williams ices it.

The horse was out of the barn as the Sox went quickly in the top of the ninth inning with Rivera back on the mound. Nixon popped to short but Varitek and Cabrera stroked back to back singles to bring the tying run to the plate. Once again out of a movie, Mueller hit a walkoff three run homer off Rivera on July 24th but this time Rivera got Bill to bang into a double play to end the game. The Sox comeback fell short and the Yankees had taken Game 1.

Jackass of the Night is Mike Timlin. Sure, Curt Schilling put the Sox in a hole but the Sox were rallying to get back into it only for Mike to give up the deciding two runs. Getting one run off Rivera is hard enough but 3 was too much to overcome.

                                                        Jackass of the Night: Timlin



The Good:

David Ortiz was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Jason Varitek was 2 for 4 including a 2 run home run.

Curtis Leskanic pitched a scoreless 4th inning.

Ramiro Mendoza pitched a scoreless 5th inning.

Alan Embree pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Keith Foulke retired the only man he faced.



The Bad:

Johnny Damon was 0 for 4 with a golden sombrero of 4 strikeouts.

Curt Schilling lasted just 3 innings and allowed 6 runs, his worst start in October history.

Tim Wakefield allowed 2 runs in 1 inning of work.



The Ugly:

Mark Bellhorn was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Manny Ramirez was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Kevin Millar was just 1 for 4 but drove in 2 runs and scored.

Trot Nixon was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored.

Orlando Cabrera was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Bill Mueller was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.




Final Thoughts:

Its only one game but this was an ominous start to the ALCS. If Schilling is pitching on one foot then he's useless for the rest of the series. He was supposed to be the answer to the Yankees they didn't have last year and he failed big time. The Yankees offense not only knocked him around but almost the same bullpen that was unhittable last year as well. The Sox got off on the wrong foot, no pun intended, but there are positives to build on. The Sox pulled off a huge rally to score 7 runs after having a perfect game tossed against them and this a 7 game series so there's plenty more action to come. The negatives outweigh the positives unfortunately and they needed Schilling to win this series and now have to turn to Pedro Martinez to stem the tide. The same Pedro who has been knocked around by the Yankees this year and who started that god awful "Who's your daddy" chant that Yankee fans were bellowing tonight. Tomorrow night Pedro takes on Jon Lieber at 8 PM at Yankee Stadium

Damon, Sox Bash Orioles (4/7/04)

It was a good day for Boston sports as the Boston Bruins beat the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1 of their first round playoff series and the Boston Red Sox trounced the Baltimore Orioles. The Red Sox offense were pretty much silenced the first two games by the Orioles but they finally broke out in tonight's game. Johnny Damon was 5 for 5 at the top of the order and a seven run second inning by the Sox bats against O's starter Kurt Ainsworth was more than enough damage. Derek Lowe (1-0, 3.00 ERA) went six strong innings holding the O's to just two runs. Bill Mueller, Manny Ramirez and Kevin Millar all drove in runs but the exclamation point was hit by David Ortiz in the form of a three run home run against Rick Bauer. Bobby Jones and Ramiro Mendoza slammed the door and the Sox won the game 10-3 at Camden Yards.

                                                           Bruins approve of the win

Ainsworth got the ball in the top of the first inning and Damon started his big night with a double down the left field line. Bill Mueller struck out swinging, David Ortiz popped up to third in foul territory and Manny Ramirez grounded out to second to end the inning. Lowe started off strong in the bottom of the first as Brian Roberts took strike three to start. Melvin Mora got a base hit up the middle but Miguel Tejada banged into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox blitz Ainsworth in the top of the second as Kevin Millar doubled down the left field line to begin. Jason Varitek walked but Gabe Kapler grounded into a double play to move Millar to third. Mark Bellhorn walked and Pokey Reese beat out an infield single to short to load the bases. Damon ripped a base hit to left to score Millar and Bellhorn. Mueller got a base hit to center to score Reese and Damon to increase the lead, then Ortiz drew a walk. Ramirez hit a routine fly to Matos who lost it in the lights for a "double" to score Mueller and Ortiz. The guy who started the inning, Millar, got a base hit to center to score Manny. That was it for Ainsworth who got slaughtered for seven runs in just 1 2/3 innings. Rick Bauer came in and froze Varitek for strike three to end the inning as the Sox led 7-0

                                                        Ainsworth knocked out early

Lowe started the bottom of the second ominously as he hit Rafael Palmeiro to begin. Javy Lopez got a base hit to left and both runners moved over on the Jay Gibbons grounder to first. Lowe got a big out when David Segui watched strike three go by. Matos walked to load the bases but Larry Bigbe grounded out to first to end the inning.

Kapler grounded out to second to start the top of the third before Bellhorn struck out swinging. Reese also struck out swinging to end the inning. The O's got on the board in the bottom of the third as Roberts grounded out to second to start. Mora caught Lowe asleep with a bunt down the third base line and moved to second on the Tejeda grounder to second. Palmeiro ripped a base hit to right to score Mora to cut the lead. Lopez forced Raffy at second to end the inning with the O's down 7-1.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the fourth as Damon singled to left to start. Damon stole second but Mueller flied out to left. Ortiz walked but got picked off at first. Ramirez took strike three to end the inning. Gibbons walked to start the bottom of the fourth but Segui hit into a double play. Matos grounded out to short to end the inning.

Millar singled to right to start the top of the fifth but Varitek flied out to center. Kapler hit a bullet to Tejeda who doubled off Millar at first to end the inning. Bigbie took strike three to start the bottom of the fifth before Roberts grounded out to second. Mora grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

The Sox iced the game in the top of the seventh as Bellhorn popped up to short to start. Reese grounded out to short but Damon got another base hit to left. Mueller singled to right and Ortiz bashed his first home run of the season to put the game out of reach. Ramirez grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 10-1.

                                                           Home run Ortiz

Lowe returned for one last inning in the bottom of the sixth as Tejeda singled to center to start. Pameiro flied out to center but Lopez singled to center. Gibbons got a base hit up the middle to score Tejeda with another run. Damon made a huge catch to rob Segui of a three run home run to move Lopez to third. Matos also flied out to deep center to end the inning. Lowe had tossed 6 innings of two run ball allowing 7 hits and 2 walks as the Sox now led 10-2.

                                                                   Good work Lowe

Buddy Groom came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Millar flied out to left to start. Varitek popped up to first in foul territory and Kapler watched strike three go by to end the inning. Bobby Jones made his Sox debut in the bottom of the seventh and Bigbie hit a home run all the way into the Gulf of Mexico to cut the lead. Roberts flied out to right and Mora struck out swinging, but Tejada got a base hit to left. Palmeiro struck out swinging to end the inning with the O's down 10-3.

Groom returned to pitch the top of the eighth and Bellhorn struck out swinging to start. Reese took strike three but Damon completed his torrid day with a base hit to center. Mueller popped up to second to end the inning. Lopez walked to start the bottom of the eighth but Gibbons banged into a double play. Segui grounded out to short to end the inning.

Jorge Julio came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Keith Osik took over behind the plate. Ortiz walked and Manny got a base hit to right. Cesar Crespo pinch ran for Ramirez and Millar walked to load the bases with nobody out. Varitek popped up to third in foul territory, Kapler hit one up the elevator shaft and Bellhorn flied out to center to end the inning. So much for that rally. Ramiro Mendoza came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Jose Bautista pinch hit for Matos to start. Bautista got a single to right and Jack Cust pinch hit for Bigbe. Cust struck out swinging and Luis Lopez pinch hit for Roberts. Lopez hit into a double play to end the game. The Sox had won 10-3.

Hero of the Night is Johnny Damon. He was 5 for 5 and drove in the first two runs while scoring two total runs.

                                                                   Hero Damon

The Good:

Bill Mueller was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Kevin Millar was 3 for 4 with a hit by pitch and an rbi.

David Ortiz was 1 for 2 with 3 walks, 2 total runs scored and a 3 run homer.

Manny Ramirez was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Derek Lowe got the win by allowing 2 runs in 6 innings of work. He allowed 7 hits and 2 walks while striking out three.

Ramiro Mendoza tossed a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Gabe Kapler was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Jason Varitek was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Mark Bellhorn was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked and scored a run.

Pokey Reese was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.

Bobby Jones allowed a run in 2 innings of work.

Honorable Mention:

Cesar Crespo pinch ran for Ramirez and played left field in the ninth inning.

Final Thoughts:

Derek Lowe himself is somewhat sheepish about how much run support he gets during his starts, but he pitched well tonight to earn the win. The bats essentially only scored in two innings but made them both count. Damon finally broke out after being quiet the first two games and the balanced attack worked to knock out the starter in the second inning. Ortiz' home run off Bauer will be the first of many this season. The Sox are definitely going to miss Nomar Garciaparra and Trot Nixon's bats until they return but the defense with Pokey Reese was flawless in this one. When the only negatives of this game was Gabe Kapler going 0 for 5 and Bobby Jones allowing a home run, you know you had a good game. Hopefully the Sox can ride this momentum to the next game, especially offensively. The Sox look to take the fourth game of this series tomorrow night when Tim Wakefield makes his season debut opposite Matt Riley of Baltimore. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Camden Yards.

Rays Walkoff Sox on Opening Day Collapse (3/31/03)

It took only one game for the Boston Red Sox' "closer by committee" plan blew up in their faces as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays stunned the Sox in one of those most epic opening day collapses ever. The new look Red Sox got to Tampa starter Joe Kennedy for 4 runs with 3 rbis courtesy of Shea Hillenbrand. Pedro Martinez tossed 7 dominating innings, allowing just 1 run. Ex-Yankee Ramiro Mendoza tossed a scoreless eighth and fans thought the game was in the bag.....it wasn't. Alan Embree allowed a 2 run home run to Terry Shumpert and with 2 outs, Chad Fox (0-1, 27.00) allowed a stunning walkoff 3 run homer to Carl Crawford. Somehow the Rays beat the Red Sox to put a damper on Opening Day 6-4 at Tropicana Field.

                                                           Dammit

The Sox wasted no time getting to Kennedy in the top of the first although Johnny Damon lined out to right to begin. Todd Walker made his Red Sox debut by reaching on an error by Brent Abernathy. Nomar Garciaparra lined a base hit up the middle and Manny Ramirez hit a routine grounder to Aubrey Huff but it bounced off his shoulder for an error to score Walker for the season's first run. Kevin Millar made his Red Sox debut with a seeing eye single to left to load the bases and Shea Hillenbrand cracked an opposite field double just out of the reach of Ben Grieve to score Nomar & Manny. Jeremy Giambi made his Red Sox debut by striking out swinging and Trot Nixon grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                  Shea drives in a pair

Martinez got the ball in the bottom of the first and Carl Crawford led off with a grounder to short to start. Rhode Island's own Rocco Baldelli made his ML debut by striking out swinging and Aubrey Huff grounded out to second to end the inning.

Jason Varitek tried to start a rally with a double into the right field corner but Damon popped up the bunt to catcher Toby Hall. Walker grounded back to the mound and Nomar struck out swinging to end the inning. Travis Lee grounded out to first to start the bottom of the second before Al Martin took a fastball down the middle for strike three. Grieve hit a rocket but Walker dove and caught it to end the inning.

                                                   Great catch Todd

Manny tried to start a rally in the top of the third with a base hit to left but Millar struck out swinging. Hillenbrand just barely beat out a double play ball but was thrown at second after a pitch bounced in front of Hall to end the inning. Hall popped up to first to start the bottom of the third before Abernathy flied out to center. Rey Ordonez walked but Crawford grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Giambi grounded out to first to start the top of the fourth and Nixon popped up to short. Varitek doubled to the centerfield wall but Damon grounded out to second to end the inning. Pedro got in trouble in the bottom of the fourth as Baldelli doubled down the left field line for his first major league hit to start. Huff popped up to right and Baldelli moved to second on the grounder to second by Lee. Martin was plunked but Grieve struck out swinging to end the inning.

                                                      Baldelli's first hit

The Sox got another run in the top of the fifth as Walker beat out a roller to third to start. Nomar lashed a base hit to left but Manny popped up to first. Millar got plunked and Tampa pitching coach Chris Bosio waddled to the mound to tell Kennedy to throw strikes. Hillenbrand grounded out to second but Walker scored to increase the lead. Giambi grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-0.

                                                     Walker scores a run

Hall lined out softly to Walker to start the bottom of the fifth before Abernathy grounded out to third. Ordonez took strike three to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the sixth as Nixon grounded out to second to start. Varitek also grounded out to second before Damon popped up to second to end the inning. Crawford struck out swinging to start the bottom of the sixth before Baldelli grounded out to short. Huff lashed a base hit to right but Lee struck out swinging to end the inning.

Kennedy cruised in the top of the seventh as Walker grounded out to second to start. Nomar grounded out to third and Manny flied out to right to end the inning. The Rays tagged Pedro in his final inning in the bottom of the seventh as Martin singled to right to start. Grieve was plunked and Martin moved to third on the fly out by Hall. Abernathy hit a routine grounder to third by Hillenbrand bounced the throw to Varitek for an error to score Martin. Ordonez hit into a double play to end the inning with the Rays down 4-1. Pedro was Pedro tonight, tossing 7 innings of 1 run ball while striking out 6.

                                                       Pedro goes 7 strong

Seth McClung made his ML debut in the top of the eighth and Millar struck out swinging to start. Hillenbrand flied out to the right field wall. Giambi struck out swinging to end the inning. Ramiro Mendoza made his Sox debut in the bottom of the eighth with Bill Mueller making his debut at third base. Hillenbrand moved to first and Crawford grounded back to the mound to start. Baldelli flied out to a running Damon and Johnny outdid himself with a great diving catch to rob Huff of extra bases to end the inning.

                                                  Great catch Johnny

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the ninth as Nixon popped up to Baldelli to start. Varitek struck out swinging but Damon walked. Walker walked but Nomar flied out to left to end the inning. Alan Embree came in to close out the top of the ninth and everything fell apart. Lee singled to right and Devil Rays manager Lou Piniella sent in old friend Terry Shumpert to pinch hit. For some ungodly reason Embree threw him an inside fastball and Shumpert hit it out of the yard to cut the lead. Grieve singled to right to chase the incompetent Embree. Damian Rolls pinch ran for Grieve as Chad Fox made his Red Sox debut by getting Hall to strike out swinging. Abernathy hit a grounder to short and Nomar stepped on second but Rolls disrupted Garciaparra just enough that he couldn't get Brent at first. That proved to be fatal as Marlon Anderson pinch hit for Ordonez and walked. One strike away away from victory, suddenly Crawford launched a 3 run bomb to center to win the game. One of the most heartbreaking Opening Day games ever ended with the Rays walking off the Sox 6-4.

                                                          Devil Rays win

Jackass of the Night is Chad Fox. He served up the 3 run bomb to Crawford after getting the first two outs.

                                                  Jackass Fox

The Good:

Nomar Garciaparra was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Kevin Millar was 1 for 3.

Jason Varitek was 2 for 4.

Pedro Martinez dazzled by tossing 7 innings of 1 run ball. He allowed 3 hits and a walk while striking out 6.

Ramiro Mendoza tossed a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Jeremy Giambi was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Trot Nixon was 0 for 4.

Alan Embree was charged with 3 runs without recording an out.

The Ugly:

Johnny Damon was 0 for 4 but made a great catch and walked.

Todd Walker was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored 2 runs.

Manny Ramirez was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Shea Hillenbrand was just 1 for 4 with an error but drove in 3 runs.

Honorable Mention:

Bill Mueller played third base in the final two innings.

Final Thoughts:

What an absolute disaster. For eight innings the Sox did everything right. They made great defensive plays, they got some clutch hits and Pedro Martinez (and Ramiro Mendoza) pitched well. Then one inning undid the entire game. What was Alan Embree doing throwing Terry Shumpert a fastball and clearly Chad Fox is NOT a closer. That was one of the worst, most improbable losses ever and hopefully that's not a harbinger of a bad season. New Sox GM Theo Epstein pulled a Dan Duquette in 1994 and signed a whole bunch of players to see what will stick. Hopefully the Sox get a bonafide closer before the season gets out of hand. Its only one loss but this one hurts considering they had the game in the bag. Tomorrow night the Sox look to rebound when Tim Wakefield makes his season debut when he takes on Victor Zambrano of the Devil Rays. The game begins at 7:15 PM at Tropicana Field.