Sox Rout Jays Behind Hillenbrand (4/16/02)

Everything's going right for the Boston Red Sox as they continued to roll against the Toronto Blue Jays. After taking 3 out of 4 from the Yankees, the Sox made mincemeat out of the Jays pounding out 14 hits and 14 runs. Shea Hillenbrand led the charge with a 3 run home run in the third to give the Sox a commanding lead. Frank Castillo (1-0, 2.00 ERA) earned his first win of the season with 6 solid innings allowing just a home run to Vernon Wells. Manny Ramirez also homered and a hit parade put the game out of reach. Rolando Arrojo allowed two unearned runs in relief but still slammed the door as the Sox took the game 14-3 at the Skydome.

                                                       Robert Ulrich (RIP) approves of the win

The Sox wasted no time getting to Toronto starter Brandon Lyon in the top of the first inning as Johnny Damon took strike three to start. Hillenbrand doubled to left and took third on a wild pitch before scoring on the Nomar Garciaparra grounder to short to put Boston on top. Ramirez grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                           Nomar drives in a run

Castillo got the ball in the bottom of the first and Shannon Stewart grounded out to third to start. Eric Hinske walked but Raul Mondesi banged into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the second as Tony Clark grounded out to second to start. Brian Daubach and Jason Varitek both grounded out to first to end the inning. Carlos Delgado was rung up for strike three to start the bottom of the second before Jose Cruz Jr popped up to third in foul territory. Darrin Fletcher flied out to center to end the inning.

                                                             Castillo gets Delgado

The Sox struck again in the top of the third as Trot Nixon singled to left to start. Nixon swiped second and moved to third on the Rey Sanchez base hit to left. Damon ripped a base hit to left to score Nixon and Hillenbrand capped the rally with a three run home run. Garciaparra grounded out to second but Manny got a base hit to left. Ramirez was forced at second by Clark and Daubach popped up to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-0.

                                                 Hillenbrand goes yard

The Jays tagged Castillo in the bottom of the third as Vernon Wells pounded a home run all the way to Calgary to start. Homer Bush and Felipe Lopez both grounded out to first but Stewart singled in the hole at second. Hinske took strike three to end the inning with the Jays down 5-1.

                                                               Wells hits one out

Varitek flied out to right to start the top of the fourth and Nixon watched strike three go by. Sanchez lined out to center to end the inning. Mondesi grounded out to second to start the bottom of the fourth before Delgado grounded out to short. Cruz Jr singled to right but Fletcher popped up to third to end the inning.

Damon flied out to right to start the top of the fifth before Hillenbrand grounded out to short. Nomar popped up to second to end the inning. Wells flied out to center to start the bottom of the fifth before Bush lined out to center. Lopez grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the sixth as Ramirez hit his third home run of the season to increase the lead. Clark popped up to third in foul territory before Daubach and Varitek grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-1.

                                                                  Ramirez drives in a run

Castillo returned for one final inning in the bottom of the sixth as Stewart grounded out to short to start. Hinske struck out swinging and Mondesi grounded out to third to end the inning. Castillo tossed 6 innings and allowed just 1 run on the home run to Wells. He was pretty good.

                                                              Great effort by Frank

The Sox exploded in the top of the seventh with Justin Miller on the mound. Nixon walk and Sanchez singled to left before both runners moved over on the grounder to third by Damon. Hillenbrand hit a routine grounder to Hinske who booted it for an error to score both runners. Nomar doubled to left to score Shea and took third on a wild pitch. Ramirez walked to put runners at the corners and Clark beat out a double play ball to score Hillenbrand with another run. Daubach flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 10-1.

                                                               Rookie mistake by Hinske

Rolando Arrojo came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Delgado took strike three to start. Cruz singled in the hole at short and Fletcher walked but Wells struck out swinging. Bush grounded back to the mound but Arrojo threw the ball away allowing Cruz to score. Lopez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Jays down 10-2.

                                                                Cruz scores a run

Feliz Heredia came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Varitek got a base hit to left to start. Nixon struck out swinging and Sanchez banged into a double play to end the inning. Lou Merloni came in for Nomar and Carlos Baerga came in for Hillenbrand to start the bottom of the eighth and Stewart grounded out to short to start. Hinske grounded out to first and Mondesi flied out to right to end the inning.

The Sox poured it on in the top of the ninth against Bob File as Damon got a base hit to center to start. Baerga singled to right and Merloni singled to left to load the bases. Ramirez pounded a ground rule double down the left field line to score Damon and Baerga and Clark grounded out to second to score Merloni. Manny moved to third on the play and he scored on the grounder to third by Daubach. Varitek flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 14-2.

                                                                 Damon starts a rally

Arrojo came back to close out the bottom of the ninth and Delgado was hit with a pitch to start. Cruz hit a grounder to the mound but Rolando's throw to second was off-line for an error to move Delgado to third. Fletcher grounded into a double play to score Delgado but Wells lined out to second to end the game. The Sox had won it 14-3.

Hero of the Night is Shea Hillenbrand. His 3 run home run gave the Sox a commanding lead they wouldn't relinquish.

                                                                Shea Hero

The Good:

Johnny Damon was 2 for 5 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Carlos Baerga singled and scored in his only at-bat.

Lou Merloni singled and scored in his only at-bat.

Manny Ramirez was 3 for 4 with a walk, 3 total rbis, two total runs scored and a home run.

Trot Nixon was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Rey Sanchez was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored.

Frank Castillo got the win by tossing 6 innings of 1 run ball. He allowed 3 hits and walked 1

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Nomar Garciaparra was just 1 for 4 but drove in 2 runs and scored a run.

Tony Clark was 0 for 5 but drove in 2 runs.

Brian Daubach was 0 for 5 but drove in a run.

Jason Varitek was just 1 for 5.

Rolando Arrojo got the save by tossing 3 innings but allowed 2 unearned runs on his two errors.

Final Thoughts:

Another good win and the Sox definitely avoided a hangover after beating the Yankees three out of four games. Castillo stepped up and pitched a hell of a game and the Sox bats turned it on. Hillenbrand and Ramirez drove in some key runs when it was still a game and it became a laugher in later innings. Not much you can say about a blowout like this other than its always fun to see the team win easy and not have to worry about the game. Arrojo threw the ball all over the field but he saved the rest of the bullpen tomorrow and beyond. If only Tony Clark could get going this offense would be deadly with Baerga and Rickey Henderson coming off the bench. Beating the Jays in a blowout was great but hopefully they can save some of that offense for tomorrow's game. The Sox look to make it two in a row over the Jays tomorrow night when Darren Oliver (2-0, 3.14 ERA) gets the start for Boston against Scott Eyre of Toronto. The game begins at 7:05 PM at the Skydome.

Royals Stun Sox In Ninth (4/11/02)

For eight innings it looked like the Boston Red Sox were headed for their fifth victory in their first seven games of the season. Then in one inning the Kansas City Royals stunned the Sox with a monumental ninth inning comeback. The Sox broke out to a 4-1 lead after the second inning but the Royals tied the game against Boston starter Frank Castillo and reliever Rolando Arrojo. A Johnny Damon rbi triple in the bottom of the eighth seemed to put the game away. Ugueth Urbina (0-2, 8.31 ERA) got shelled for 4 runs and Carlos Beltran hit the killshot with a two run double off Willie Banks. What shuld have been a 5-4 victory turned into a bitter 8-5 defeat by the Royals at Fenway Park.

                                                         "Dammit Urbina!"

Castillo got the ball in the top of the first inning and Chuck Knoblauch struck out swinging to start. Castillo snuffed out a Neifi Perez bunt attempt but Carlos Beltran doubled to left. Mike Sweeney walked but Michael Tucker grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally against Royals starter Chad Durbin in the bottom of the first as Johnny Damon grounded out to first to start. Shea Hillenbrand took strike three but Nomar Garciaparra walked. Manny Ramirez walked and Durbin threw a pickoff threw away allowing both runners to move up. Tony Clark walked to load the bases but Brian Daubach took strike three to end the inning.

The Royals struck first in the top of the second although Joe Randa grounded out to second to start. Raul Ibanez hit a home run all the way to St. Louis to put KC on top. AJ Hinch grounded out to third but Luis Alicea walked. Knoblauch struck out swinging to end the inning but the Royals were up 1-0.

                                                            Ibanez hits one out

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The Sox answered in the bottom of the second as Jason Varitek singled to left to begin. Trot Nixon singled to right and Rey Sanchez doubled to center to score Varitek. Damon grounded out to first to score Nixon and move Sanchez to third before Hillenbrand capped the rally with a 2 run home run into the screen. Garciaparra flied out to center and Ramirez grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 4-1.

                                                               Hillenbrand with a home run

Perez flied out to left to start the top of the third before Beltran's bunt attempt was snuffed out by Castillo. Sweeney popped up to short to end the inning. Clark grounded back to the mound to begin the bottom of the third before Daubach struck out swinging. Varitek grounded out to first to end the inning.

Tucker went down hacking to start the top of the fourth before Randa was frozen for strike three. Ibanez flied out to center to end the inning. Nixon flied out to center to begin the bottom of the fourth before Sanchez singled to center. Damon walked and the duo pulled off a double steal, but Hillenbrand struck out swinging. Nomar popped up to right to end the inning.

Hinch flied out to center to start the top of the fifth and Alicea lined out to second. Knoblauch grounded out to short to end the inning. Blake Stein took over for Durbin in the bottom of the fifth and Ramirez flied out to right to start. Knoblauch dropped a pop-up by Clark for an error and Daubach walked. Varitek popped up to short and Nixon struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Royals struck back in the top of the sixth inning although Perez flied out to right to start. Beltran waked and Sweeney ripped a base hit to left. Ramirez picked the ball up and threw it into the Royals bullpen for an error to move the runners over. Tucker grounded out to second to score Beltran but Randa grounded out to short to end the inning with the Royals down 4-2. That was it for Castillo who tossed 6 innings and allowed just two runs. If only the bullpen could have held the lead.

                                                       Six solid innings from Castillo

Sanchez flied out to right to begin the bottom of the sixth before Damon popped up to short. Hillenbrand walked but Nomar flied out to center to end the inning.

Rolando Arrojo came in to vomit up his intestines in the top of the seventh as Ibanez walked to start. Hinch was hit with a pitch and Alicea caught the sleep with a bunt single to third to load the bases. Knoblauch grounded out to short to score Ibanez and Perez flied out to center to score Hinch who had moved to third on the grounder. Beltran grounded out to third to end the inning with the game tied 4-4.

                                                              Arrojo blows the lead

Ramirez walked to start the bottom of the seventh but Clark grounded into a double play. Daubach struck out swinging to earn the hat trick to end the inning. 

Casey Fossum came in to pitch the top of the eighth inning and Sweeney popped up to right to start. Tucker grounded out to first and Randa grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox took command against Jason Grimsley in the bottom of the eighth as Varitek flied out to left to start. Nixon grounded out to short but Sanchez singled to left. Grimsley threw the pickoff throw away but Damon tripled into the right field corner to put the Sox on top. Hillenbrand took strike three to end the inning with the Sox up 5-4.

                                                             Damon with an rbi triple

Ugueth Urbina came in to crap his pants in the top of the ninth as Ibanez singled to center to start. Old friend Donnie Sadler pinch ran for Ibanez and promptly stole second. Hinch walked and a wild pitch moved both runners over. Alicea grounded out to second to score Sadler to tie the game and move Hinch to third. Knoblauch doubled to left to score Hinch to give the Royals the lead and Perez walked to chase the incompetent Urbina. Willie Banks came in and a passed ball moved Perez to second and Beltran iced the game with a two run double to center. Another passed ball moved Sweeney to third but Sweeney and Tucker both struck out swinging to end the inning. The Royals had taken the lead 8-4.

                                                                 Sadler's revenge

Carlos Febles took over at second to start the bottom of the ninth and Nomar walked to start. Ramirez flied out to center, Clark struck out swinging and Daubach went down hacking to earn the golden sombrero to end the game. The Royals had won it 8-4.

Jackass of the Night is Ugueth Urbina. He got shelled in the ninth inning to give away the game.

                                                               Urbina The Jackass

The Good:

Rey Sanchez was 3 for 4 with a stolen base, rbi and 2 runs scored.

Frank Castillo pitched six solid innings and allowed just 2 runs.

Casey Fossum pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Rolando Arrojo allowed 2 runs in an inning of work.

The Ugly:

Johnny Damon was just 1 for 4 but walked, stole a base, walked and drove in 2 runs.

Shea Hillenbrand was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but walked, drove in 2 runs and scored a run.

Manny Ramirez was 0 for 3 but walked twice.

Tony Clark was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but walked.

Brian Daubach was 0 for 4 with a golden sombrero of 4 strikeouts but walked.

Jason Varitek was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

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

Willie Banks allowed 2 inherited runners to score but none of his own in the ninth inning.

Final Thoughts:

That game was a boot to the head. It looked like the Sox had them when Damon tripled home Sanchez but Urbina couldn't get the job done. After what the Sox went through last year with Derek Lowe, the LAST thing they need is the guy they traded the career of Tomo Ohka away for to turn into the next Lowe. Hopefully its just early season jitters because the Sox are going to need Urbina to match the bullpens of other teams in the league. The offense was fine for the most part but one bad inning by Arrojo and one terrible inning from Urbina sealed their fate. It sucks for Castillo who's pitched well in two straight games but has nothing to show for it. Still, its only one loss and the Sox have plenty more action to come this season. The Sox better get their gamefaces on because the current four-peat American League Champion New York Yankees come to town for a four game set. Darren Oliver gets the spot start tomorrow night to take the place of Dustin Hermanson against Orlando Hernandez of the Yankees. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Sweep O's Behind Hillenbrand, Martinez (4/7/02)

After the Opening Day disaster many Boston Red Sox fans wondered if Pedro Martinez (1-0, 7.00 ERA) would ever be the same again. Well hopefully today's strong start against the Baltimore Orioles is the beginning of the comeback for Pedro. Martinez threw just 85 pitches in 6 innings but it was enough to hold the punchless Orioles to just an unearned run. Meanwhile Shea Hillenbrand was a one man wrecking crew with not one but two 2 run home runs to pace the offense. Nearly everyone in the lineup got on base at least once and the bullpen stepped up to finish Pedro's work. Ugueth Urbina notched his third save in a row as the Sox swept Baltimore out of their own stadium with a 4-1 victory at Camden Yards.

                                                    Tsianina Joelson approves of the win

Calvin Maduro got the start for Baltimore in the top of the first and Johnny Damon led off with a pop up to left. Carlos Baerga made his Red Sox debut by grounding out to first and Nomar Garciaparra flied out to center to end the inning. Pedro Martinez got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jerry Hairston popped up to left to begin. Chris Singleton flied out to center and David Segui struck out swinging to start.

The Sox struck first in the top of the second as Manny Ramirez walked to start. Manny moved to second on the grounder to first by Clark and Trot Nixon struck out swinging. Shea Hillenbrand then smashed his first home run of the season to give the Sox the lead. Jason Varitek struck out swinging to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 2-0.

                                                              Hillenbrand hits one out

Jeff Conine popped up to first to start the bottom of the second and Tony Batista grounded out to third. Jay Gibbons smacked a ground rule double to center but Melvin Mora struck out swinging to end the inning. 

Lou Merloni made his season debut by slapping a base hit to left to open the top of the third. Damon popped up to left in foul territory and Baerga popped up to third. Nomar singled to center but Ramirez grounded out to second to end the inning. Geronimo Gil struck out swinging to start the bottom of the third before Mike Bordick flied out to right. Hairston walked but Singleton flied out to right to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the fourth as Clark doubled to center to start. Nixon lined out to second but Hillenbrand smacked his second two run homer of the day to ice the game early. Varitek flied out to left and Merloni popped up to second to end the inning but it was 4-0 Sox.

                                                     Hillenbrand does it again

The O's got a run back thanks to a blunder in the bottom of the fourth. Segui flied out to center to start but Conine doubled to left. Batistia hit one up the elevator shaft but Gibbons hit a little roller to third. Rather than just hold the ball and let Gibbons have his hit, Hillenbrand chucked the ball 100 feet over Tony Clark's head and Conine came around to score. Mora struck out swinging to end the inning but it was 4-1 Sox.

                                                        "Hillenbrand....."

Rodrigo Lopez came in to pitch the top of the fifth and Damon grounded back to the mound to begin. Baerga singled to left but Nomar flied out to right. Ramirez walked but Clark popped up to second to end the inning. Martinez cruised in the bottom of the fifth as Gil was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to start. Bordick popped up to second and Hairston struck out swinging to end the inning.

Lopez cruised in the top of the sixth as Nixon struck out swinging to start. Hillenbrand flied out to right and Varitek struck out swinging to end the inning. Singleton lined out to right to begin the bottom of the sixth and Segui popped up to second. Conine lined out to center to end the inning. That was it for Pedro who threw just 85 pitches but tossed 6 innings of 1 run ball. He allowed just 3 hits and a walk.

                                                            Pedro gets the job done

Merloni flied out to center to open the top of the seventh and Damon struck out swinging. Baerga got his first hit with a single to left but Nomar flied out to left to end the inning. Rolando Arrojo came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Batista walked to start. Gibbons banged into a double play and Mora took strike three to end the inning.

Ramirez led off the top of the eighth with a ground out to short. Clark flied out to center but Nixon ripped a base hit to center. Hillenbrand flied out to center to end the inning. The O's threatened in the bottom of the eighth as Gil popped up to Clark in foul territory to start. Bordick was hit with a pitch but Hairston popped up a bunt to Varitek. Singleton singled to left to bring the tying run to the plate but Segui flied out to right to end the inning.

Jorge Julio came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Varitek grounded out to second to start. Merloni walked and Damon singled him to third, but Johnny could only move to second on the fly out to left by Damon. Nomar flied out to right to end the inning. Ugueth Urbina came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Conine led off with a base hit to center. Batista popped up to short but Conine walked to second on defensive indifference. Gibbons singled in the hole at short to put runners at the corners but Mora struck out swinging. Gary Matthews pinch hit for Gil as Gibbons also walked to second base on defensive indifference. Matthews grounded out to first to end the game. The Sox had swept the Orioles with a 4-1 victory.

                                                              Sox win

Hero of the Night is Shea Hillenbrand. His two 2 run homers were the difference in the game.

                                                       Hero Hillenbrand

The Good:

Carlos Baerga was 2 for 5.

Manny Ramirez walked twice in four plate appearances and scored a run.

Lou Merloni was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Pedro Martinez allowed an unearned run in 6 innings to get the win. He struck out 5 batters.

Rolando Arrojo tossed two scoreless innings.

Ugueth Urbina earned his third save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Jason Varitek was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Johnny Damon was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

Nomar Garciaparra was just 1 for 5.

Tony Clark was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Trot Nixon was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Final Thoughts:

I'd say the pitching has been spectacular the past three games but to be fair, the Orioles offense is as rancid as their bathroom facilities. The Sox allowed a total of 3 runs in 3 games and the run allowed in this one was on an error. Still, seeing Castillo, Lowe and Pedro pitch well is better than the alternative. Urbina has been used for three straight games but at least he's locked it down in all three. Hillenbrand carried the offense in this one the same as Nomar Garciaparra carried the offense in the previous game. Some days are going to be like that and other days its going to be a balanced attack. Still, the more wins they get from guys like Hillenbrand doing the damage is a bonus when Manny Ramirez, Johnny Damon and Nomar heat up. All in all there wasn't much to complain about other than Hillenbrand's error but the home runs more than made up for that. After an off-day tomorrow, the Sox look to make it four wins in a row as they come home for a set with the Kansas City Royals beginning on Tuesday night. Dan Reichert goes for the Royals against Tim Wakefield of the Red Sox making his season debut. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Blue Jays Spoil Opening Day Slugfest (4/1/02)

Happy 2002 Season Boston Red Sox fans....it sucks already! In what was a memorable Opening Day the Sox engaged in a surprise slugfest with the Toronto Blue Jays. Jays ace Chris Carpenter and Sox ace Pedro Martinez both laid eggs as the two teams teed off with a lot of offense. The Sox trailed 8-3 before rallying to take an 11-8 lead only to give it up. Closer Ugueth Urbina couldn't keep it tied and after all of that it was the Jays that took Opening Day 12-11 at Fenway Park. Not a good start to the year.

Pedro took the mound in the top of the first and wasn't himself. Shannon Stewart drew a full count walk before rookie Eric Hinske popped up to a running Manny Ramirez in left. Raul Mondesi flied out to right but Carlos Delgado was plunked. Jose Cruz Jr stroked a double in front of the Monster to score Stewart and advance Delgado to third. Darrin Fletcher doubled into the gap to score both runners as Sox analyst Jerry Remy remarked not only was Pedro's velocity down but his changeup was out of sorts. Vernon Wells grounded out to second to end the inning but it was 3-0 Jays.

                                                         Pedro gets hammered

The Sox fought back against Blue Jays starter Chris Carpenter although new centerfielder Johnny Damon grounded out to third to begin. Jose Offerman struck the Sox' first home run into the season beyond the bullpen to cut into the lead. Nomar Garciaparra grounded out to short before Manny Ramirez walked. New first basemen Tony Clark grounded out to first to end the inning but it was 3-1 Toronto.

                                                       Opening day homer for Offerman

Pedro returned for another beating in the top of the second as Homer Bush hit a blooping double down the right field line to start. Felipe Lopez dropped down a bunt and Pedro dropped it for an error. Stewart blooped a single to center to load the bases before Hinske blooped a single down the right field line to score both Bush and Lopez. Mondesi hit a roller up the middle that crossed up Nomar and Rey Sanchez to score Stewart. Delgado blooped a single to center to score Hinske. Pedro froze Mondesi for strike three on the outside corner before blowing away Fletcher. Pedro turned up the heat to blow away Wells to end the inning with the score now 7-1 Toronto.

                                                   Pedro couldn't find his groove

The Sox tried to fight back in the bottom of the second as Trot Nixon launched a solo shot to dead center to cut into the lead. Shea Hillenbrand popped up to center but Jason Varitek in his first at-bat since June of last year launched a home run of his own to right. Sanchez looked at strike three on the outside corner but Damon grounded one up the middle for a base hit. Offerman was rung up on a check swing for strike three to end the inning but it was now 7-3 Jays.

                                                 Nixon and Varitek go yard

The Blue Jays pounced again in the top of the third although Pedro got Bush to ground out to short to begin. Lopez motored around for a triple into the gap before Stewart was plunked. Hinske hit a warning track fly out to center but Stewart advanced to second and Lopez scored to increase the lead.

                                                            The score says it all

The Sox refused to go quietly in the bottom of the third as Nomar led off with a double off the top of the centerfield wall. Ramirez walked and Clark lit up the crowd with a 3 run home run to center to put the Sox back in it. Welcome to Boston Clark! Nixon whiffed but Hillenbrand walked to chase Carpenter. Scott Eyre replaced Chris and Varitek greeted him with a single. Sanchez walked to load the bases but Damon made a huge out by popping up to Hinske in foul territory. Offerman grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox down 8-6.

                                                        Clark with a three run homer

Pedro came out for the top of the fourth and Delgado blooped a single to right center to start. Cruz Jr drew a walk and that was it for Pedro. In one of his worst starts in memory, Pedro lasted just 3 innings while giving up a career high 7 earned runs (8 total). Guess he was rusty as hell.

                                                     Not Pedro's best work

Lefty Darren Oliver, who was supposed to be the fifth starter with John Burkett on the DL, came in to relieve Pedro as Fletcher bunted both men into scoring position. Some yahoo ran out onto the field and went to shake Nomar's hand before alert Fenway security seized the intruder and wrestled him to the ground. When action resumed Oliver got a key out when Wells hit one up the elevator shaft that Varitek snared in an eerily similar play to last June when he broke his elbow. Oliver whiffed Bush to end the inning.

The Sox exploded in the bottom of the fourth although Nomar was rung up for strike three to start. Ramirez walked and Clark batting from the right side this time lined a base hit to center. Nixon walked on four pitched to load the bases and Hillenbrand lined a base hit up the middle to score Manny and reload the bases. Varitek blooped a single into right to score Clark, tie the game and once again reload the bases. Sanchez worked the count full and stroked a base hit to right center to score Nixon and Hillenbrand to give the Sox their first lead of the game. Jays manager Buck Martinez brought in rookie Scott Cassidy making his MLB debut to pitch to Damon only to uncork a wild pitch to advance Sanchez to second. A strange play occured when Wells made a diving catch to rob Damon and Varitek tagged up and scored. Damon didn't think the ball was caught and ran hard to second, confusing Sanchez into running back to the bag. The Jays thought that Sanchez was called out at second and ran off the field. The umpires got together and ruled it was a sac fly to score Varitek and Sanchez was safe at second although the irony was the replays showed Wells didn't actually catch the ball. Things suddenly got hot as the Jays appealled at third that Varitek left early and he clearly didn't. Jays bench coach Cookie Rojas stormed out of the dugout and shouted invectives at third base umpire Andy Fletcher. Fletcher told him to sit down and shut up which caused Cookie to run at him screaming, fists flying. First base umpire Derryl Cousins said that's enough of that and gave Cookie the heave ho. Buck Martinez then flew out of the dugout screaming like a banshee to home plate umpire Joe Brinkman that the first base umpire shouldn't be trying to interject himself while trying to hold back Rojas who had now torn his clothes off in frustration. Martinez hauled Rojas off the field and finally play resumed. Offerman walked to reload the bases but Nomar popped up to center to end the inning After all of that the Sox had scored 5 runs to take an 11-8 lead.

                                                     Mayhem at Fenway

Give the Jays credit for coming right back in the top of the fifth inning although Lopez grounded out to short to start. Stewart hit a routine grounder to Nomar who threw the ball straight in the air and caught it in his hat for an error to advance Shannon to second before Hinske singled off the leg of Oliver to put runners at the corners. Mondesi lined out to a running Damon to score Stewart to cut the lead. Delgado was plunked and Cruz Jr singled in Hinske. Fletcher blooped a single to center to tie game and chase Oliver. Rolando Arrojo made his season debut by getting Wells to ground out to short to end the inning with the game tied 11-11.

The offense was done for a while in the bottom of the fifth although Manny walked to begin. Clark walked before Nixon popped up to center. Hillenbrand popped up to second before Varitek walked to load the bases. Sanchez whiffed on a 3-2 fastball to end the inning, what a waste.

Arrojo came back for the top of the 6th and plunked Bush to start. Lopez advanced him to second on a bang bang play at first before Arrojo froze Stewart on a check swing strike three. Hinske walked and Sox pitching coach Tony Cloninger went to the mound to inform Rolando a new episode of Friends was on that night. Arrojo got so excited he got Mondesi to ground into a force to end the inning. Felix Heredia was brought in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Damon flied out to right to start. Offerman grounded out to first and Nomar lined out to third to end the inning.

Casey Fossum was brought in to pitch the top of the seventh and he walked Delgado to start. Cruz Jr flied out to left before Fletcher flied out to deep right. Wells grounded out to third to end the inning. Ramirez led off the bottom of the seventh by striking out swinging before Clark was robbed of extra bases by Cruz making a diving catch. Nixon walked and Hillenbrand blooped a single to no man's land in left before a wild pitch moved the runners into scoring position. Varitek walked to load the bases and Cruz made an even better diving catch to rob Sanchez of a bloop single to end the inning.

                                                           Cruz saves the day for the Jays

"El Guapo" Rich Garces came in to pitch the top of the eighth inning and got Bush to line out to right to start. Lopez flied out to left before Stewart grounded back to the agile Garces to end the inning. Dan Plesac came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Damon took ball four to start. The boo's rained down when Offerman popped up the bunt to first. That was it for Plesac as Buck Martinez brought in closer Kelvim Escobar. Damon was thrown out at second trying to steal and Nomar whiffed to end the inning.

Sox closer Ugueth Urbina took the mound in the top of the ninth and got Hinske to fly out to right to begin. Mondesi walked and Delgado singled to right before they executed a double steal. Cruz Jr was intentionally walked to set up the double play but Fletcher scored Mondesi with a sac fly to give the Jays the lead. Wells whiffed to end the inning but the Jays took the lead 12-11.

                                                     Fletcher gives the sox the lead

The Sox had one last chance to rally in the bottom of the ninth but Ramirez whiffed to start. Clark singled to right and the legendary Rickey Henderson pinch ran for Tony. Nixon popped up to Lopez in foul territory and Hillenbrand grounded into a force to end the game. The Jays had survived the slugfest and had won it 12-11.

Jackass of the Night is Ugueth Urbina. Yes Pedro Martinez stunk the joint out and Darren Oliver gave up the lead but it was Urbina who blew the game in the top of the ninth.

                                            Why are you pumping your fist, Jackass?



The Good:

Manny Ramirez walked 4 times and scored 2 runs.

Tony Clark was 3 for 5 with a walk, 2 total runs scored and a 3 run home run.

Shea Hillenbrand was 2 for 5 with a walk, rbi and run scored.

Jason Varitek was 3 for 3 with 2 walks, 2 total rbis, 2 total runs scored including a home run.

Rolando Arrojo pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings

Casey Fossum pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Rich Garces pitched a scoreless 8th inning.



The Bad:

Pedro Martinez was terrible in 3 plus innings of work allowing 8 runs, 7 earned.

Darren Oliver was trusted with a 3 run lead and gave all 3 runs back.



The Ugly:

Johnny Damon was just 1 for 4 but walked and drove in a run.

Jose Offerman was just 1 for 5 with a walk but the one hit was a solo home run.

Nomar Garciaparra was just 1 for 6.

Trot Nixon was just 1 for 4 but walked twice, scored two total runs including a home run.

Rey Sanchez was just 1 for 4 but walked and drove in 2 runs.



Honorable Mention:

Ricky Henderson pinch ran for Clark in the bottom of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

Well that was a very interesting opening day even if the Sox didn't win. The offense looked damn good and they can build on a lot of what happened today. Pedro Martinez was rusty and he probably won't give up 8 runs in a start the rest of the year. A normal Pedro start and the Sox would have won this game in a rout. Urbina is supposed to be their answer to Mariano Rivera and he sure didn't look it today. Still if Clark can be the hitter he was in Detroit then this will be the offense they invisioned last year with Nomar healthy. Still, a loss at home sucks and this one hurt. After an off-day the Sox are back in action Wednesday night against the Blue Jays as Dustin Hermanson makes his Red Sox debut opposite Luke Prokopec. The game starts at 6 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Rally Past Blue Jays Late (5/31/01)

Well this game between the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays wasn't exactly a pitcher's duel. For five innings Hideo Nomo held the high powered Jays to just 1 run before getting knocked out in the sixth. The Red Sox rallied to take a 4-2 lead thanks to a two run bomb by Manny Ramirez. In the bottom of the seventh, Shannon Stewart hit a three run blast off Rod Beck to put the Blue Jays ahead. The Sox rallied for four runs in the top of the eighth against the Jays bullpen and three more in the ninth to take a commanding lead. Rolando Arrojo shut the door in the ninth and the Sox had outslugged Toronto 11-5 at the Skydome.

                                                      Angelina Jolie approves of the win

Jays starter Chris Michalak got the ball in the top of the first inning and Jose Offerman grounded out to short to start. Brian Daubach flied out to center and Carl Everett grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Nomo got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Shannon Stewart grounded out to second to start. Alex Gonzalez popped up to second and Carlos Delgado struck out swinging to end the inning.

Manny Ramirez popped up to short to start the top of the second but Dante Bichette doubled to left. Troy O'Leary struck out swinging and Shea Hillenbrand flied out to center to end the inning. Raul Mondesi grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the second and Jose Cruz took strike three. Brian Simmons grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the third as Jason Varitek lined out to left to start. Mike Lansing doubled to left and Offerman got a base hit up the middle to score him. Daubach grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                               Jose drives in a run

Tony Batista struck out swinging to start the bottom of the third and Darrin Fletcher flied out to left. Homer Bush grounded out to third to end the inning.

Everett grounded out to second to start the top of the fourth and Ramirez flied out to right. Bichette walked but was picked off to end the inning. Stewart lined out to second to start the bottom of the fourth and Gonzalez struck out swinging. Delgado struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the fifth as O'Leary popped up to short to start. Hillenbrand popped up to third but Varitek smashed his sixth home run of the year to increase the lead. Lansing got a base hit to center but Offerman forced him at second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                            Home run Varitek

The Jays answered in the bottom of the fifth although Hillenbrand made a great diving catch to rob Mondesi of a hit. The perfect game was broken up when Cruz beat out an infield single to short. Simmons got a base hit to right and both runners moved over on a passed ball. Batista singled in the hole at short to score Cruz and Simmons moved to third on a fly ball to right by Fletcher. Bush walked to load the bases but Stewart popped up to second to end the inning with the Jays down 2-1.

                                                  Hillenbrand with a great catch

The Sox looked to have the game wrapped up in the top of the sixth when Daubach singled to right to start. Everett forced him at second then Manny hit his 16th home run of the season to the opposite field. Bichette flied out to right and O'Leary struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-1.

                                                       Another blast for Manny

Nomo fell apart in the top of the sixth when Gonzalez hit a home run all the way to Montreal to cut the lead. Delgado walked and Sox manager Jimy Williams felt that was enough for Nomo after 5 1/3 innings and 2 runs allowed. "El Guapo" Rich Garces came in and Mondesi grounded out to second to move Delgado to second. Cruz struck out swinging but Simmons walked. Batista struck out swinging to end the inning with the Jays down 4-2.

                                              Perfect through 4 1/3, didn't last much longer

Kelvim Escobar came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Hillenbrand grounded out to short to start. Varitek flied out to left but Lansing struck out swinging to end the inning. The wheels fells off in the bottom of the seventh as Fletcher got a base hit to center. Bush singled to left and that was it for Garces. Rod Beck came in to stop the bleeding and did the opposite. Stewart hit a three run home run completely out of the Skydome to put the Jays on top. Gonzalez grounded out to short and Delgado flied out to center, but Mondesi tripled into the centerfield gap. Cruz flied out to left to end the inning with the Jays ahead 5-4.

                                                        Dammit Beck

Suddenly the Sox rallied in the top of the eighth as Offerman got a base hit to center to start. Daubach also got a base hit to center and both runners moved over on a grounder to first by Everett. Ramirez was intentionally walked to load the bases and Bichette made them pay with a sac fly to right to score Offerman to tie the game. Dan Plesac came in to face O'Leary for the lefty on lefty....and walked him to re-load the bases. Old friend Paul Quantrill came in to face Hillenbrand but wait! Jimy Williams countered by bringing in Trot Nixon to pinch hit. Nixon got plunked to score Daubach with the go-ahead run and Varitek stoked a 2 run opposite field base hit to increase the lead. Lansing struck out looking to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 8-5.

                                                           Good work Varitek

John Valentin came in for Bichette's spot while playing third and Craig Grebeck came in to play short for Lansing with Nixon now in right for the bottom of the eighth. Simmons grounded out to second, Batista flied out to center and Fletcher flied out to left to end the inning.

Jays closer Billy Koch came in to take a beating in the top of the ninth as Offerman grounded out to second to start. Daubach took strike three but Everett got a base hit to center. Ramirez got a base hit to center to move Everett to third and Valentin followed with a single to center as well to score Carl. O'Leary doubled to left to score Ramirez and chase Koch from the game. Pedro Borbon Jr struck Nixon out swinging with the Sox ahead 11-5.

                                                              Valentin drives in a run

Rolando Arrojo came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Bush struck out swinging to start. Stewart took strike three and Gonzalez grounded out to short to end the game. The Sox had won it 11-5.

Hero of The Night is Trot Nixon. His bases loaded hit by pitch put the Sox up for good.

                                                                  Hero Nixon

The Good:

Jose Offerman was 2 for 5 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Brian Daubach was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Manny Ramirez was 2 for 4 with a walk, a 2 run home run and 3 total runs scored.

Dante Bichette was 1 for 2 with a walk and an rbi.

John Valentin singled, scored and drove in two runs.

Jason Varitek was 2 for 4 with a home run and 3 total rbis.

Mike Lansing was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Hideo Nomo allowed just 2 runs in 5 innings off 4 hits and 2 walks.

Rolando Arrojo pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Shea Hillenbrand was 0 for 3.

Rich Garces allowed 2 runs in an inning of work.

The Ugly:

Carl Everett was just 1 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

Troy O'Leary was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked, drove in a run and scored a run.

Rod Beck vultured the win by allowing a run in 2 innings of work.

Honorable Mention:

Craig Grebeck played shortstop in the final two innings.

Final Thoughts:

That game was a mixed bag for sure. The pitching was concerning with Garces and Beck getting shelled and Nomo didn't do very well either. On the other hand the offense was smoothly operating thanks to the efforts of just about everyone. After the offense failed miserably last year, adding Ramirez and keeping Bichette is paying dividends already. Just have to hold the fort until Nomar Garciaparra comes back and this might be the most deadliest offense in baseball with a 3-4-5 of Nomar, Ramirez and Everett. Just have to keep everyone healthy. On the other side of the ball, the Sox need to fix their pitching woes because they've vastly underperformed. Both the rotation and the bullpen need to pick things up if the Sox want to hang on to first place and see October again. The win improved the Sox to 29-22, tied for first place in the AL East with the New York Yankees. The Sox look to make it 3 wins in a row and second straight against the Blue Jays tomorrow night when Frank Castillo (5-3, 3.74 ERA) takes on Steve Parris of Toronto. The game begins at 7:07 PM at the Skydome.