Yankees Hammer Sale, Sox (5/31/19)

Once again the Boston Red Sox have come into Yankee Stadium this year and crapped their pants against the New York Yankees. The AL East frontrunners got to the slumping Chris Sale (1-7, 4.35 ERA) for 4 runs which was all they needed. The potent Red Sox attack were shut down by 36 year old JA Happ and the Yankees bullpen. When the dust settled the Sox found themselves 8.5 games back heading to June with a 4-1 defeat at Yankee Stadium.

Happ effortlessly shut down the Sox in the top of the first inning as Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to short to start. Somehow Andrew Benintendi drew a walk but JD Martinez whiffed. Xander Bogaerts struck out swinging to end the inning. Sale started strong in the bottom of the first by striking out the side. DJ LeMahieu whiffed, Luke Voit struck out swinging and Aaron Hicks went down hacking to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the second inning when Rafael Devers launched his 8th home run of the year to put Boston on top. Steve Pearce popped up to first and Eduardo Nunez grounded out to second, but Jackie Bradley Jr singled to short. Sandy Leon whiffed to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                   Kiss that one goodbye

All of a sudden Steve Pearce fell down in the dugout and had to be carried out on a stretcher to an ambulance heading to the ICU. Michael Chavis took his place at first base in the bottom of the second. Gary Sanchez lined a base hit to right but Gleyber Torres flied out to right. Kendrys Morales banged into a double play to end the inning.

Mr. Mookie grounded out to short to start the top of the third before Benintendi grounded out to second. Martinez whiffed to end the inning. The Yankees took command in the bottom of the third as Gio Urshela singled to center to begin. Cameron Maybin whiffed but Brett Gardner singled to center. LeMahieu tied the game with an rbi double but Voit struck out swinging. Hicks singled to left to score both runners, icing the game. Sanchez whiffed to end the inning but it was 3-1 Yankees.

                                                       Damn Yankees

The Sox were deflated in the top of the fourth inning as Bogaerts grounded out to third to start. Devers grounded out to second and Chavis flied out to center to end the inning. Sale continued to strike people out in the bottom of the fourth as Torres went down swinging to start. Morales swung at air for strike three but Urshela doubled to left. Maybin flied out to left to end the inning.

Nunez tried to start a rally with a base hit to center to start the top of the fifth before moving to second on the JBJ gronder Leon whiffed but Betts was intentionally walked. All of a sudden Nunez got picked off to end the inning, what a waste. The Yankees wrapped up the scoring in the bottom of the fifth although Gardner grounded out to first to start. LeMahieu crushed a 45,000 foot home run to increase the lead. Voit grounded out to third but Hicks walked. Sanchez grounded into a force to end the inning with the Yankees up 4-1.

                                                  LeMahieu ices it

Adam Ottavino came in to shut down the Sox in the top of the sixth as Benintendi whiffed to start. Martinez lined out to left but Bogaerts singled to third. Devers popped up to third to end the inning. Sale finished strong in the bottom of the sixth as Torres whiffed to start. Morales grounded out to third and Urshela was frozen for strike three to end the inning. A couple of mistakes to LeMahieu was the difference in the game as Sale went 6 innings and struck out 10, but allowed 4 runs.

                                                 Sale get no run support again

Tommy Kahnle came in to dominate the Sox in the top of the seventh as Chavis whiffed to start. Nunez grounded out to second but JBJ singled to center. Christian Vazquez pinch hit for Leon and flied out to center to end the inning. Ryan Brasier came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Maybin whiffed to start. Gardner walked but LeMahieu lined out to right. Voit took strike three to end the inning.

Zack Britton came in to own the Sox in the top of the eighth inning as Mr Mookie lined out to short to begin. Benintendi walked but Martinez banged into a double play to end the inning. Rookie Josh Taylor came in for the bottom of the eighth and Hicks whiffed to start. Sanchez flied out to right but Torres singled to center. The alert Vazquez gunned down Torres trying to steal to end the inning.

Aroldis Chapman came in for the top of the ninth and the Sox went quietly. Bogaerts grounded out to third, Devers took strike three and Chavis whiffed in short order to end the game. The Yankees continued to be perfect against the Sox with a 4-1 win.

                                                       Yankees win again..dammit.


Jackass of the Night is Chris Sale. He couldn't hold the Yankees down again and they got him for 4 runs in 6 innings. He did strike out 10 batters though.

                                                  Sale "I'm a jackass"  Leon  "Yup"


The Good:

Andrew Benintendi walked twice in four plate appearances.

Eduardo Nunez was 1 for 3.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 3.

Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Josh Taylor pitched a scoreless 8th inning.



The Bad:

JD Martinez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Steve Pearce was 0 for 1 before leaving with an injury.

Michael Chavis was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Sandy Leon was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts.

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was 0 for 3 but walked.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a home run.




Final Thoughts:

Are the Red Sox ever going to beat the Yankees? Where's the fire from last year to defend the crown? It totally feels like the Yankees are hungrier than the Sox because they've beaten them in every game this season. Who says London will be any different or tomorrow for that matter? Obviously the season is only 2 months old but good grief when are the Sox going to turn it around? This is reaching 2012 level of bad minus the detestable players. Its hard to come back the next year with the same fire after reaching the world series but this is ridiculous. The less said of this game, the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 29-28, 8.5 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Yankees beat the Sox again when they send Domingo German up against "Slick" Rick Porcello (4-4) at 7:10 PM at Yankee Stadium.

Bullpen Implodes Late (5/28/19)

For 7 innings it looked like the Boston Red Sox were going to cruise to their third straight win and second straight over the Cleveland Indians. Then it all fell apart as Marcus Walden, Ryan Brasier and Travis Lakins allowed 7 runs in the final two innings to one of the worst offenses in baseball. The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the ninth and in a season full of horrible losses, this one might be the worst as the Indians shocked the Sox 7-5 at Fenway Park.

                                                      "This bullpen sucks"

David Price took the mound in the top of the first inning and Fransisco Lindor flied out to right to start the game. Oscar Mercado grounded out to short before Carlos Santana looked at strike three to end the inning. Zach Plesac got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to third to begin. Rafael Devers whiffed before Xander Bogaerts flied out to center to end the inning.

Price got Jordan Luplow to ground out to short to open the top of the second but Jose Ramirez singled to left. Roberto Perez took strike three before Jake Bauers whiffed to end the inning. A rain delay pushed the game back to 8:45 and when play resumed, JD Martinez doubled to start the bottom of the second. Michael Chavis popped up to second but Brock "The Hitman" Holt singled Martinez to third. Steve Pearce flied out to right and Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to second to end the inning.

Price cruised in the top of the third inning as Greg Allen lined out to second to begin. Mike Freeman grounded out to third before Lindor also grounded out to third to end the inning. Christian Vazquez singled to open the bottom of the third but Mr. Mookie flied out to center. Vazquez got picked off of first and Devers grounded out to second to end the inning.

Mercado singled to left to start the top of the fourth but Santana banged into a double play. Luplow grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fourth as Bogaerts flied out to right to begin. Martinez grounded out to second and Chavis popped up to second to end the inning.

Ramirez singled to start the top of the fifth but Perez whiffed. Ramirez swiped second but Bauers hit one up the elevator shaft. Allen lined out to right to end the inning. Plesac kept up the pace in the bottom of the fifth as Holt flied out to left to start. Pearce grounded out to third but JBJ walked. Vazquez whiffed to end the inning.

Price came back for one more inning in the top of the sixth and Freeman whiffed to start. Lindor walked and moved to second on the Mercado ground out to third. Santana looked at strike three to end the inning. Price had thrown 6 shutout innings and allowed just 3 hits and a walk.

                                                   Good work Price

The Sox took the lead in the bottom of the sixth although Mr. Mookie grounded out to third to begin. Devers tripled into the right field corner to chase Plesac. AJ Cole came in and Bogaerts singled home Devers to put the Red Sox on top. Martinez doubled off the Monster but Chavis whiffed. Holt hit a routine grounder to Freeman who went OLE! for an error to score both runners. Pearce whiffed to end the inning but it was 3-0 Sox.

                                                    Devers triples

Brandon Workman came in for the top of the seventh and snuffed out a bunt attempt by Luplow to start. Ramirez walked and stole second before taking third on the Perez grounder. Bauers grounded to third to end the inning. Tyler Clippard came on to pitch the bottom of the seventh and plunked JBJ to start. JBJ took second but was stranded when Vazquez flied out to left. Mr. Mookie flied out to right but JBJ moved to third. Devers popped up to third to end the inning.

The wheels began to fall off in the top of the eighth with Marcus Walden walked Allen to start. Freeman singled and Lindor doubled home both men. Mercado popped up to short and that was it for Walden. Matt Barnes came in and walked Santana but whiffed Luplow and got Ramirez to ground out to short to end the inning with the Sox still head 3-2.

                                                The rally begins

Nick Wittgren replaced Clippard in the bottom of the eighth and the Sox rallied. Bogaerts doubled to left but Martinez flied out to almost the same spot. Chavis lined a base hit to right to score Bogaerts although Holt flied out to right. Pearce doubled off the bullpen wall to score Chavis. JBJ grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox now enjoying a 5-2 lead with 3 outs to go.

                                                    Sox up by 3

Ryan Brasier was tasked with holding the three run lead and completely puked on himself. Perez hit one of the most effortless home runs in history before Bauer walked. The light hitting Allen then crushed his first home run of the year to tie the game as the boo birds rained down. Travis Lakins poured gas on the fire as he hit Freeman and walked Lindor but got a big out when Mercado got Freeman thrown out at third on a bunt attempt. Santana walked to load the bases and Luplow doubled home Lindor and Mercado to put Cleveland on top. Ramirez walked and Santana was forced at home on a grounder by Perez. Bauers lined out to right to end the inning but the Indians erased a 3 run deficit and led 7-5, absolutely pathetic.

                                                      Party time for Cleveland

Indians closer Brad Hand came in for the bottom of the ninth and whiffed Vazquez to start. Somehow Mr. Mookie walked and Devers singled to put the tying runs on, but Bogaerts whiffed. With the game on the line, Martinez whiffed to end the game. The Indians came back to stun the Sox 7-5.

                                                  Disgusting


Jackass of the Night is Ryan Brasier. He gave up the tying runs in the 9th inning and put the Sox in position to lose.

                                               Jackass Brasier


The Good:

Rafael Devers was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 5 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.

JD Martinez was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Jackie Bradley Jr was plunked and walked in 4 plate appearances.

David Price tossed 6 shut out innings allowing just 3 hits and a walk.

Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Matt Barnes got the final two outs of the eighth inning.



The Bad:

Marcus Walden allowed 2 runs in just 1/3 of an inning.

Travis Lakins allowed the go-ahead runs to score in the top of the ninth.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was 0 for 4 but walked.

Michael Chavis was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored.

Brock Holt was just 1 for 4.

Steve Pearce was just 1 for 4 with an rbi.

Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 4.




Final Thoughts:

THIS is the reason the Red Sox are going nowhere. Forget Cora sandbagging spring training, forget the starters not being ready and forget the terrible start to the year, THIS is their downfall. Dombrowski had all winter to get bullpen help after Joe Kelly and Craig Kimbrel jumped ship and didn't do it. Now they're paying for it because they don't have a closer and as its been proven many times, closer by committee doesn't work. Tonight's game is proof of that as the Sox had a 3 run lead in the 9th against a terrible offense and gave up 5 runs. This loss hurts for a variety of reasons and if Dave Dombrowski doesn't get some relief by the trade deadline, they're going to be sorry. The loss dropped the Sox to 29-26, 6.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow Ryan Weber (1-0) looks to build on his start against Toronto as he takes on Shane Bieber at 6:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Rodriguez, Sox Salvage Series in Houston (5/26/19)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox sent Colten Brewer to Pawtuckett. To say he was struggling this season is an understatement but he's unfortunately the embodiment of Dave Dombrowski's passive nature in the off-season. After Joe Kelly and Craig Kimbrel departed, Dave thought Colten Brewer would be the answer. He was wrong. Rookie Darwinzon Hernandez was called up to replace him.

                                                             OUT

                                                               IN


The outlook didn't look good for the Boston Red Sox when they dropped two out of three to the Houston Astros as the New York Yankees continued to pull away in the AL East race. On top of that, they had to face Astros ace Justin Verlander in the finale of the series today. Instead it was the Sox that struck back, getting to Verlander for 3 runs. Eduardo Rodriguez (5-3, 5.04 ERA) shocked the world by tossing 6 innings of one run ball. The much maligned Red Sox bullpen slammed the door as the Sox salvaged the series with a 4-1 win at Minute Maid Park.

                                                  Carl Soderberg approves of the win

Verlander took the ball in the top of the first inning and Andrew Benintendi whiffed to start. Mr. Mookie Betts flied out to right and Rafael Devers flied out to center to end the inning. The Astros wasted no time scoring in the bottom of the first as Aledmys Diaz singled to right to start. Alex Bregman grounded out to third but that moved Diaz to third on the play. Michael Brantley grounded out to short before Carlos Correa singled home Diaz to give the Astros the lead. Correa took second on the throw home then third on a passed ball before Yuli Gurriel took strike three to end the inning with the Astros ahead 1-0.

                                                         Astros take the lead

Diaz keeled over in between innings and was replaced by Tyler White to start the top of the second inning. JD Martinez whiffed, Michael Chavis looked at strike three and Christian Vazquez whiffed to end the inning. The Astros did nothing in the bottom of the second as Josh Reddick grounded out to short to begin. Robinson Chirinos whiffed before Jake Marisnick was plunked. Derek Fisher singled to left before White whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox struck back in the top of the third inning as Steve Pearce singled to third to begin. Pearce took second on a wild pitch and took third on a grounder by Jackie Bradley Jr. Eduardo Nunez beat out an infield single to third to put runners at the corners before Nunez took second on a wild pitch. Benintendi scored Pearce with a sac fly to tie the game before Mr. Mookie popped up to first to end the inning. The Sox had tied the game 1-1.

                                                   A Herculean sac-fly

Bregman doubled to left to start the bottom of the third before moving to third on the Brantley grounder. Rodriguez got a big out when Correa grounded out to third on a great play by Devers before Gurriel flied out to left to end the inning.

Devers put the Sox on top with his 7th home run of the season to begin the top of the fourth inning. Martinez singled to left but Chavis looked at strike three. Vazquez flied out to right and Pearce lined out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1.

                                              Devers goes yard

Rodriguez cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Reddick flied out to center to start. Chirinos looked at strike three before Marisnick flied out to right to end the inning.

The Sox got an insurance run in the top of the fifth although JBJ flied out to center to begin. Nunez struck a rocket to the left field wall for a double before Benintendi hit a routine grounder to second. Gurriel went OLE and the ball went through his legs for an error to score Nunez. Benintendi swiped second and Mr. Mookie hit a ball to the hole in short...THROWN AWAY. That put runners at the corners until Mr. Mookie swiped second, but Devers popped up to short. Martinez popped up to shallow right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1.

                                              Stop flying out to center!

Rodriguez cruised in the bottom of the fifth as Fisher grounded out on a chopper to first to begin. White took a 94 mph fastball on the inside corner for strike three before Bregman lined out to a running JBJ to end the inning.

Chavis whiffed to begin the top of the sixth before Vazquez popped up to center. Pearce grounded out to third to end the inning. Rodriguez came back for one last inning and got Brantley to ground out to short to start. Correa walked but the alert Vazquez picked him off of first. Gurriel popped up to second to end the inning and Rodriguez' day. Eduardo outpitched Verlander by tossing 6 innings of 1 run ball, walking just 1 batter while striking out 5.

                                                     Good work E-Rod

Verlander returned for the top of the seventh and got JBJ to pop up to short left to start. Nunez grounded out to third and Benintendi lined out to center to end the inning. Brandon Workman took over for Rodriguez in the bottom of the seventh and Reddick popped up to left to begin. Chirinos was rung up for a swinging strike three before Marisnick also took strike three to end the inning.

Josh James came in for Verlander in the top of the eighth as Mr. Mookie flied out to right to begin. Devers singled to right but Martinez whiffed. Devers swiped second before Chavis walked. Vazquez whiffed badly to end the inning. Matt Barnes was summoned for the bottom of the eighth and he blew away Fisher on a curve in the dirt to begin. Tony Kemp pinch hit for White and drew a walk but Bregman popped up to center. Brantley took a questionable curve on the outside corner for strike three to end the inning.

Framber Valdez came in for the top of the ninth and Pearce lined out to right to begin. JBJ walked and took second on a balk by Valdez. JBJ took third on a passed ball and scored on the rbi grounder by Nunez. Benintendi popped up to right to end the inning but it was 4-1 Sox.

Marcus Walden was brought in to close out the game in the top of the ninth and Correa grounded to short on a broken bat to start. Gurriel whiffed and Reddick flied out to the right field wall to end the game. The Sox had won the game 4-1 and salvaged the series.

                                                    Big win for the Sox


Hero of the Night is Eduardo Rodriguez. He outpitched Justin Verlander by tossing 6 inning of 1 run ball against one of the best teams in the league. He allowed just 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 5.

                                            Eduardo the Hero



The Good:

Rafael Devers was 2 for 4 with a stolen base and a home run.

Eduardo Nunez was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

Marcus Walden got his first save with a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.



The Ugly:

Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 4 but stole a base and drove in a run.

Mookie Betts was 0 for 4 but stole a base.

JD Martinez was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Michael Chavis was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but walked.

Steve Pearce was just 1 for 4 with a run scored.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.




Final Thoughts:

Wow, a rare win against a good team and it was impressive too. Verlander is one of the best pitchers in the league and Rodriguez outdueled him. Hats off to Eduardo for stepping up his game. The offense did just enough to win although Michael Chavis is quickly showing he can't lay off high fastballs. Maybe Kit Keller can show him how to hit them. Devers has been one of the few bright spots this season and he stepped it up against the Astros big time. All in all it was a good win and hopefully the Sox can build some momentum out of it. The win improved the Sox to 28-25, 6.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Sox return home to play the Cleveland Indians in a three game set. "Slick" Rick Porcello (3-4) goes for the Sox against Jefry Rodriguez at a special Memorial Day 4:05 PM start time at Fenway Park.

Astros Hold Off Sale, Sox (5/24/19)

As the 2019 season continues to be a disaster for the Boston Red Sox, every loss becomes more frustrating. Back in the park they clinched the AL pennant in last year, this year its the Houston Astros that are the hungrier team. Old friend Wade Miley outpitched the fading Chris Sale (1-6, 4.19 ERA) and the offense was silenced until the end. As it was the Astros continued their dominance over the Red Sox with a hard fought 4-3 win at Minute Maid Park.

                                                 "Another loss....really?"

Miley blew away Michael Chavis to begin the top of the first inning before Mr. Mookie Betts popped up weakly to right. Xander Bogaerts popped up weakly to second to end the inning. Sale took the mound and Jackie Bradley Jr had to climb the centerfield wall to rob George Springer of a home run to start. Alex Bregman hit an absolute rocket Benintendi had to reach over the left field wall to catch before he had to rob Carlos Correa of a triple to end the inning.

JD Martinez whiffed badly to open the top of the second inning before Steve Pearce whiffed on a straight fastball right down the middle. Andrew Benintendi looked at strike three right down the middle to end the inning. Benintendi made a great diving catch off a rocket by Yuli Gurriel to rob him of a triple before Aledmys Diaz effortlesly crushes a single to right. The bumbling Sandy Leon muffed a pitch by Sale to allow Diaz to reach second but somehow Sale struck out Robinson Chirinos. Josh Reddick hit a routine grounder to Pearce who threw 100 feet behind Sale to the backstop. Leon grabbed the ball and ran sideways rather in front of Diaz which allowed him to score on the error to put Houston up for good. Michael Chavis had to make a great diving catch of a bullet hit by Tyler White to end the inning but the game was over, 1-0 Astros.

Eduardo Nunez popped up weakly to left to open the top of the third before Sandy Leon swung at a pitch that bounced in front of the plate for strike three. Jackie Bradley Jr whiffed on a straight fastball right down the middle to end the inning. The Astros struck again in the bottom of the third when Jake Marisnick effortlessly pounded a 50,000 foot home run to increase the lead. Mr. Mookie robbed Springer of a home run before Bregman walked. Somehow Sale struck out Correa but Bogaerts booted a routine grounder for an error to allow Gurriel to reach. Diaz whiffed to end the inning with the Astros ahead 2-0.

                                                     Another home run allowed by Sale

The Sox blew a chance at a comeback in the top of the fourth as Chavis grounded back to the mound to begin. Mr. Mookie doubled and Bogaerts walked, but Martinez banged into a double play to end the inning. The Astros poured it on in the bottom of the fourth as Chirinos drew a walk to start. Reddick singled Chirinos to third but White whiffed. Marisnick hit a routine grounder to Bogaerts who threw the ball completely out of the park for an error to score Chirinos and and advance Reddick to third. Springer hit a sac fly to score Reddick to ice the game. Mr. Mookie robbed Bregman of a home run to end the inning with the Astros up for good 4-0.

                                                       Game over

Pearce tried to start a rally in the top of the fifth with a single but Benintendi lined out to center. Nunez singled and Leon walked to load the bases....but JBJ whiffed. Marisnick robbed Chavis of extra bases to end the inning, what a waste. Sale got Correa to line out to short to begin the bottom of the fifth before Gurriel grounded out to short. Diaz whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox finally struck in the top of the sixth inning. Mr. Mookie flied out to right but Bogaerts atoned for his errors with his 9th home run of the season. Martinez grounded out to third and Pearce whiffed to end the inning but it was 4-1 Astros.

                                                  Bogaerts goes yard

Sale came back for one final inning in the bottom of the sixth inning. Chirinos popped up to second to start before Reddick popped up to short. White flied out to right to end the inning. Sale failed to hold down the Astros by allowing 4 runs in 6 innings.

                                                       Sale couldn't get it done

Will Harris replaced Miley for the top of the seventh and Benintendi whiffed to start. Nunez grounded out to third and Leon popped up to third to end the inning. Marcus Walden came in for the bottom of the seventh but Marisnick singled to start. Jake was erased on the force by Springer and he himself was erased on the force by Bregman. Correa grounded into a force to end the inning.

The Sox inched closer against Ryan Pressly in the top of the eighth when JBJ launched his third home run of the season to cut the lead in half. Mr. Mookie singled and Tony Kemp came in to play for Springer. Bogaerts whiffed but Martinez walked to put the tying runs on. Mitch Moreland pinch hit for Pearce,...and took strike three to end the inning with the Sox down 4-2.

                                             JBJ homering in Houston again

Heath Hembree came in for the bottom of the eighth and had no idea where the ball was going. Gurriel flied out to center but Diaz and Chirinos walked. Reddick flied out to center but White walked to load the bases. Hembree recovered to punch out Marisnick to end the inning.

The Sox had a chance to crack Houston closer Roberto Osuna in the top of the ninth but failed. Benintendi flied out to center to begin before Nunez whiffed. Vazquez pinch hit for Leon and crushed his 7th home run of the season to bring the tying run to the plate. Unfortunately JBJ whiffed to end the game. The Astros had won it 4-3.

                                                     Astros win


Jackass of the Night is Chris Sale. He failed to live up to his ace billing by allowing 4 runs in 6 innings.

                                               Sale is a Jackass



The Good:

Mookie Betts was 2 for 4.

Steve Pearce was 1 for 3.

Christian Vazquez hit a pinch hit home run.

Marcus Walden pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Heath Hembree pitched a scoreless 8th inning.



The Bad:

Michael Chavis was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Mitch Moreland struck out as a pinch hitter.

Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.



The Ugly:

Xander Bogaerts hit a home run but committed 2 errors and struck out.

JD Martinez was 0 for 3 but walked.

Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 4.

Sandy Leon was 0 for 2 but walked.

Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a home run.




Final Thoughts:

What a miserable season this has been so far. Not only are the Red Sox completely mediocre, they can't do ANYTHING right. They can't hit in the clutch, make the clutch pitch or even field properly. They had every chance to win this game and just couldn't get the job done. Its one thing if this was the 1982 Red Sox offense but this is the same team that won 108 games last year, what happened? The Astros look better in every facet of the game and this was the same team the Sox curbstomped last October. The Sox better get fired up in a hurry or they're going to fall so far out of the race they may be sellers instead of buyers at the trade deadline. The less said of this unmitigated disaster, the better. Tomorrow the Sox are back in action against the Astros with Brad Peacock going for Houston and David Price on the mound for Boston. The game begins at 8:15 PM Eastern time at Minute Maid Park.

Sox Ride Weber, Pound Jays (5/23/19)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox announced they had placed Tyler Thornburg on the ten day Injured List with a bad hip. In his place they brought back Travis Lakins from Pawtucket. This was more damage control than an actual injury because Thornburg hasn't pitched well at all and many fans are calling for his release. Maybe a mini-vacation will help. Who knows?

                                                                      OUT

                                                              IN

Well that was interesting. In a battle of journeyman bums starting for the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays, it was the Sox that got the start they wanted. Ryan Weber (1-0, 1.29 ERA) came off the scrap heap to give the Sox one of the best starts of the season to help beat the Jays. The Sox offense pounded Toronto pitching for 15 hits and 8 runs to take 3 games out of 4 in this series including this one 8-2 at the Skydome.

                                                  Marty Lapointe approves of the win

Jays starter Clayton Richard shut down the Sox in the top of the first inning as Michael Chavis whiffed to start. Mr. Mookie Betts walked and took second on a failed pickoff throw but Xander Bogaerts flied out to right. Rafael Devers lined out to right to end the inning. Weber took the ball in the bottom of the first and Eric Sogard looked at strike three to start. Vladimir Guerrero Jr grounded out to third before Justin Smoak grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second inning as Steve Pearce whiffed to start. Andrew Benintendi walked before Christian Vazquez banged into a double play to end the inning. The Jays struck first in the bottom of the second as Rowdy "Roddy" Tellez doubled to begin. Brandon Drury singled but Tellez held fast and Freddy Galvis doubled home Tellez. Weber then saved the game by getting McKinney to fly out to right and Danny Jansen to pop up to second. Jonathan Davis grounded out to third to end the inning and Weber avoided a huge inning to only be down 1-0.

                                                      1-0 Jays

Boston wasted no time tying the game in the top of the third as Eduardo Nunez singled to left before advancing to second on a balk. Nunez moved to third on the Jackie Bradley Jr ground out and scored on the Michael Chavis groundout. Mr. Mookie lined out to right to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                 Herculean ground out by Chavis

Weber cruised in the bottom of the third as Sogard grounded out to third to begin. Guerrero Jr flied out to center and Smoak looked at strike three to end the inning.

The Sox blew a chance to take the lead in the top of the fourth as Bogaerts flied out to center to start. Devers grounded out to third but Pearce singled to center. Benintendi was plunked but Vazquez hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. Tellez got plunked to start the bottom of the fourth and moved to second when Pearce robbed Drury of a home run. Galvis looked at strike three before McKinney grounded out to first to end the inning.

Sam Gaviglio replaced Richard for the top of the fifth and Nunez grounded out to short to begin. JBJ singled to third but Chavis popped up to second. Mr. Mookie grounded out to short to end the inning. Weber's sinker was working in the bottom of the fifth as Jansen grounded out to short to start. Davis grounded back to the mound and Sogard hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

The Sox took the lead in the top of the sixth as Bogaerts singled to start and Devers doubled him home. Pearce singled home Devers to increase the lead but Benintendi flied out to center. Pearce moved to third but Vazquez whiffed and Nunez lined out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1.

                                                        Devers drives in the go-ahead run

Could Weber pitch with the lead for one final inning in the bottom of the sixth? YES! Guerrero Jr grounded out to third, Smoak whiffed and Tellez lined out to end the inning. Weber was outstanding, tossing 6 innings of 1 run ball allowing just 3 hits.

                                                    Solid effort by Weber

Moved by Weber's effort, the Sox iced the game in the top of the seventh against Elvis Luciano. JBJ hit a ground rule double and Chavis singled him to third. Mr. Mookie doubled home JBJ to increase the lead. Bogaerts and Devers both whiffed before Pearce flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-1.

                                                              Betts drives one in

Today's call up Travis Lakins got the call to pitch the bottom of the seventh inning and Drury greeted him with a double. Galvis grounded out to second to move Drury over but McKinney whiffed. Jansen grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Sox got another run in the top of the eighth when Benintendi singled to right and took second on a wild pitch. Vazquez flied out to left but Benintendi stole third. Nunez singled home Benintendi to increase the lead and chase Luciano. Ryan Feirabend whiffed JBJ and Chavis to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-1.

Ryan Brasier came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and got Davis to ground out to short to start. Sogard lined out to center and Guerrero Jr whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox kept attacking in the top of the ninth although Mr. Mookie flied out to right to start. Bogaerts doubled and Devers singled him in before Pearce crushed his first home run of the season to light up the Sox fans in attendance. Benintendi flied out to left but Vazquez singled. Nunez grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-1.

                                                 Welcome back Pearce

Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez had mop up duty in the bottom of the ninth. Smoak smashed a 35,000 foot home run to start before Tellez popped up to first. Drury popped up to second before Richard Urena pinch hit for Galvis. Urena grounded out to short to end the game. The Sox had won it 8-2.

Hero of the Night is Ryan Weber. His 6 innings of 1 run ball was very unlikely but very much needed to win the game.

                                              Ryan the Hero



The Good:

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

Rafael Devers was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Steve Pearce was 3 for 5 with 3 total rbis including a home run.

Andrew Benintendi was 1 for 3 with a walk, stolen base and a run scored.

Eduardo Nunez was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Travis Lakins pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless 8th inning.



The Bad:

Hector Velazquez allowed a run in the ninth inning.



The Ugly:

Michael Chavis was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run.

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 with a walk and an rbi.

Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 5.




Final Thoughts:

The Sox did what they had to do and that's take the series against Toronto, too bad the New York Yankees got to feast on the Baltimore Orioles the past four days. Still the Sox need to beat bad teams in order to get back into the race and beating Toronto 3 out of 4 is what the doctor ordered. Having an emergency starter dominate a game is a welcome sight and it reminds us of Brian Johnson's complete game once upon a time. Steve Pearce looked like himself for the first time all season and the entire offense in general stepped up. Wish the Sox could do that moving forward. The win improved the Sox to 27-23, 5.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. As if it was bad enough the Yankees swept the Orioles 4 straight, now they get to go to Kansas City to feast on the Royals. Meanwhile the Sox go on the road back to the place they clinched the American League Pennant last year against a pissed off Houston Astros team. Old pal Wade Miley gets the start tomorrow night but the Sox counter with Chris Sale (1-5, 4.31 ERA) at 8:00 PM at Minute Maid Park.

Jays Pound Rodriguez, Sox (5/21/19)

The old saying turnabout is fair play and this series turned about in a hurry. After the Boston Red Sox pounded 16 hits and 12 runs last night, tonight it was the Jays who caused destruction with 11 hits and 10 runs. Eduardo Rodriguez (4-3, 5.43 ERA) got hammered by Rowdy "Roddy" Telez who drove in 5 runs off two home runs and the JV bullpen got tagged for 4 runs of their own as the Jays routed the Sox 10-3 at the Skydome.

Andrew Benintendi led the game off against Jays starter Marcus Stroman by looking at strike three to begin. Mr. Mookie Betts popped up to second before Mitch Moreland grounded out to first to end the inning. Rodriguez began his night but allowing a leadoff single to Jonathan Davis in the bottom of the first. Vladimir Guerrero Jr hit a rocket to Michael Chavis at second who doubled off Davis at first for the double play. Justin Smoak lined out to right to end the inning.

The Sox blew a chance to take the lead when Xander Bogaerts walked to start the top of the second. Rafael Devers singled up the middle but Chavis banged into a double play. Christian Vazquez grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Rowdy "Roddy" Tellez flied out to right to start the bottom of the second before Randal Grichuk looked at strike three. Freddy Galvis grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox blew another chance to take the lead in the top of the third as Jackie Bradley Jr whiffed to start. Steve Pearce drew a walk before Benintendi singled to left. Mr. Mookie walked to load the bases but both Moreland and Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning. Rodriguez punched out Billy McKinney to begin the bottom of the third before Danny Jansen flied out to right. Brandon Drury drew a walk but Davis whiffed to end the inning.

Devers grounded out to first to start the top of the fourth but Chavis reached on an error by Guerrero Jr. The Sox failed to capitalize when Vazquez banged into a double play to end the inning. The Jays took the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth when Guerrero Jr started with a base hit to right. Smoak flied out to center but Tellez effortlessly crushed a 500,000 foot home run to right to put the Jays up for good. For good measure Grichuk smashed a 20,000 foot home run for back to back jacks to ice it. Galvis walked but Rodriguez froze McKinney for strike three before Jansen struck out swinging to end the inning with the Jays up 3-0.

                                                          Tellez smokes one

The Sox failed to get back in the game in the top of the fifth as JBJ grounded out to second to begin. Pearce singled but Benintendi flied out to left. Mr. Mookie grounded out to short to end the inning. The Jays put the exclamation point on the rout in the bottom of the fifth inning. Drury popped up to second before Davis flied out to right. Then with two outs Guerrero Jr singled, Smoak walked and Tellez crushed a 350,000 foot bomb to make the fans laugh at the Sox. Grichuk flied out to center to end the inning and thankfully that was enough of Rodriguez. He stunk the joint out by allowing 6 runs off 3 home runs to let the Jays lead 6-0, brutal.

                                                    Nice going E-Rod

The Sox did manage to get one back in the top of the sixth as Moreland belted his 13th home run of the season to cut the lead. Bogaerts lined out to center but Devers walked. Chavis walked but Vazquez banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox down 6-1.

                                            Moreland gets one back

Tyler Thornburg sprinted out of the bullpen to take a dump on himself in the bottom of the sixth. Galvis and McKinney drew back to back walks before Jansen singled home Galvis. Drury singled home McKinney but somehow Davis struck out looking. Guerrero Jr whiffed but Smoak was plunked to load the bases. Tellez looked at strike three to end the inning with the Jays up 8-1.

The Sox tried to fight back in the top of the seventh as JBJ singled and Pearce walked to start the frame. Stroman was lifted for Tim Mayza and Benintendi walked to load the bases with nobody out. If the Sox had any chance to get back in the game they'd need a few big hits....and ended up getting nothing. Betts and Benintendi both whiffed before Joe Biagini got Bogaerts to ground out to short to end the inning. Colten Brewer came in to puke on himself in the bottom of the seventh. Grichuk and Galvis singled but McKinney looked at strike three. Jansen popped up to first but Drury doubled home Grichuk and Galvis to wrap up the scoring for Toronto. Davis grounded out to third to end the inning with the Jays up 10-1.

The Sox did give their fans some highlights in the top of the eighth as Devers blasted his 5th homer of the season to begin. Chavis whiffed and Sam Gaviglio came in to get Vazquez to line out to center. Somehow JBJ struck his second home run in many days to wrap up the scoring for Boston. Pearce whiffed to end the inning but it was 10-3 Jays.

                                                       Devers goes yard.

Brewer returned for the bottom of the eighth and Guerrero Jr grounded out to second to begin. Smoak grounded out to first and Tellez looked at strike three to end the inning.

The Sox went quietly in the top of the ninth as Benintendi flied out to center to begin. Mr. Mookie whiffed but Moreland walked. Bogaerts whiffed to end the game. The Jays had routed the Sox 10-3.

Jackass of the Night is Eduardo Rodriguez. He got lit up for 3 home runs, 6 total runs in just 5 innings to take the loss.

                                                      E-Jackass


The Good:

Rafael Devers was 2 for 3 with a walk and a solo home run.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 4 with a solo home run.

Steve Pearce was 1 for 2 with 2 walks.



The Bad:

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 4.

Tyler Thornburg allowed 2 runs in 1 inning.

Colten Brewer allowed 2 runs in 2 innings.



The Ugly:

Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4 with a walk.

Mookie Betts was 0 for 4 with a walk.

Mitch Moreland was just 1 for 4 with a walk but the hit was a solo home run.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4 but walked.

Michael Chavis was 0 for 3 but walked.




Final Thoughts:

Well that was a kick in the ass. After the Sox beat the Houston Astros on Sunday and Toronto last night it seemed like a nice winning streak was in order. That went to hell real quick as Rodriguez and the usual suspects in the bullpen coughed up 10 runs. The sad thing was the Sox had a chance numerous times to take the lead or bop their way back but kept leaving men on base. It was one of those nights that anything the Jays hit found a hole and anything the Sox hit when it counted found a glove. The less said of this disaster the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 25-23, 5.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox look to bounce back against the Jays when "Slick" Rick Porcello (3-4, 4.80 ERA) goes up against Aaron Sanchez at 7:07 PM at the Skydome.