Dodgers Crush Sale, Sox (7/13/19)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox FINALLY made a move to bolster the pitching staff. The Red Sox sent teenage Dominican prospects Noelberth Romero and Elio Prado along with $1.8 million to the Baltimore Orioles for pitcher Andrew Cashner. Cashner is having a hell of a season for the Orioles as he comes to the Red Sox with a record of 9-3 and a 3.83 ERA. With Chris Sale hitting the skids and Nathan Eovaldi hurt, the Sox were in desperate need of a starter and they got it. Whether or not Cashner will pan out remains to be seen but at least it was the right move to make. The Sox need may need another starter and some bullpen help but they have two more weeks until the trade deadline to figure it out.

                                                       Cashner

As for the game, it may be time to pull the plug on Chris Sale (3-9, 4.27) this season. The former ace got lit up by the same Los Angeles Dodgers he mowed down last October to help the Sox win the World Series. The Dodgers knocked Sale around for 5 runs and sent him to the showers in the fifth inning. The Dodgers then laid waste to the bungholes of the Sox bullpen to pound out 14 total hits and 11 runs. The Sox bats once again cowered at the sign of trouble, scoring just a single run off starter Ross Stripling and another off old friend Joe Kelly. All the momentum the Sox built up leading up to the All-Star break evaporated as the Dodgers sent them back to mediocrity with an 11-2 win at Fenway Park.

                                                     Yup

The Dodgers wasted no time getting to sale in the top of the first inning. Chris Taylor walked but Justin Turner went down hacking. David Freese took strike three but Cody Bellinger singled off of Sale. AJ Pollock singled to right to score Taylor to put the Dodgers up for good 5 batters into the game. Max Muncy struck out swinging to end the inning with the Dodgers ahead 1-0.

                                                       Dodgers strike first

Stripling got the ball in the bottom of the first and Mr. Mookie Betts flied out to center to start. Rafael Devers caught the Dodgers asleep with a bunt single to short but Xander Bogaerts took strike three. Devers was then thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning.

Sale recovered in the top of the second as Corey Seager grounded out to first to start. Kike' Hernandez and Austin Barnes both went down hacking to end the inning. JD Martinez flied out to right to start the bottom of the second and Andrew Benintendi grounded out to first. Christian Vazquez whiffed to end the inning.

The Dodgers tagged Sale in the top of the third although Taylor lined out to first to begin. Turner then smashed a home run all the way into the Charles River to increase the lead. Freese struck out swinging and Bellinger grounded out to third to end the inning with the Dodgers up 2-0.

                                                        Turner hits one out

Brock "The Hitman" Holt tried to start a rally with a base hit to right to begin the bottom of the third. Sandy Leon struck out swinging and Holt was erased on the force by Jackie Bradley Jr. JBJ swiped second but Mr. Mookie took strike three to end the inning.

Pollock took strike three to open the top of the fourth but Muncy singled to right. Seager banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox got a run back in the bottom of the fourth although Devers grounded out to first to start. Bogaerts stepped up to clobber his 19th home run of the season to cut the lead in half. Martinez took strike three and Benintendi whiffed to end the inning but the Sox were down 2-1.

                                                       X gon give it to ya

The Dodgers finished off Sale in the top of the fifth as Hernandez singled to left to start. Barnes was plunked and Taylor moved Hernandez to third with a line out to center. Turner doubled home Hernandez and Freese doubled home both runners to ice the game. Bellinger lined out to right to move Freese to third and Sox manager Alex Cora had seen enough. Sale was pulled after allowing 5 runs in less than 5 innings, he's completely broken. Heath Hembree came in to pitch and he plunked Pollock before striking out Muncy swinging to end the inning with the Dodgers ahead 5-1.

                                              Just doesn't have it anymore

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the fifth as Vazquez whiffed to start. Holt singled to right but Leon lined out to right and JBJ grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Colten Brewer took over for the top of the sixth and Seager grounded out to second to start. Hernandez walked and moved to second on a wild pitch, but Barnes struck out swinging. Taylor walked but Turner popped up to first to end the inning. Old friend Joe Kelly came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and the Sox tagged him. Mr. Mookie singled to right but Devers flied out to center. Mr. Mookie swiped second then took third when Hernandez muffed the throw. Bogaerts singled home Betts to cut the lead but Martinez could only advance Xander to second with a grounder to second. Benintendi walked to bring the tying run to the plate and both runners moved over on a wild pitch. Unfortunately Vazquez whiffed to end the inning with the Sox still down 5-2.

                                                  Vazquez kills the rally

The Dodgers ate Steven Wright alive in the top of the seventh inning although Joc Pederson pinch hit for Freese only to fly out to left. Bellinger then hit a home run all the way to Saturn and Pollock blasted a home run all the way to Neptune to turn this into a laughter. Muncy singled off of the foot of Wright and he collapsed in pain. Wright had to be carried out on a stretcher, loaded into an ambulance and headed to Mass General's ICU while Marcus Walden came in to pitch. Walden did manage to get Seager to ground out to first, but Vazquez turned and threw the ball completely out of Fenway Park for an error to score Muncy. Hernandez walked and Barnes tripled into the left field corner to increase the lead. Taylor grounded out to short to end the inning with the Dodgers ahead 9-2.

                                                      Dodgers pour it on

Julio Urias took over for Kelly for the bottom of the seventh as the bench began to empty for the Red Sox. Eduardo Nunez pinch hit for Holt and grounded out to second before Leon grounded out to third. JBJ flied out to right to end the inning.

Ryan Brasier came in to take a beating in the top of the eighth as Turner doubled to center to start. Pederson flied out to right to send Turner to third and Justin scored on the sac fly by Bellinger. Pollock grounded out to short to end the inning with the Dodgers ahead 10-2.

                                                      Brasier can't get it done

Mr. Mookie took strike three to open the bottom of the eighth and Michael Chavis pinch hit for Devers. Chavis grounded out to third and Marco Hernandez pinch hit for Bogaerts, striking out swinging to end the inning.

Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez came in to mop up the top of the ninth and Muncy greeted him with a home run all the way to Billings, Montana to wrap up the scoring. Seager whiffed but Hernandez beat out a little roller to third. Barnes took strike three and Taylor whiffed to end the inning with the Dodgers up 11-2.

                                                     Fourth home run for the Dodgers

Alex Verdugo took over in right with JT Chargois now on the mound for the bottom of the ninth. Martinez grounded out to short, Benintendi flied out to left and Vazquez grounded out to first to end the game. The Dodgers had whooped the Sox 11-2.

                                                      Vazquez ends it

Jackass of the Night is Chris Sale. Once again the Sox needed him to step up and he failed, allowing 5 runs in 4 2/3 innings to put the Sox in a hole they couldn't climb out of.

                                                     Look down, Jackass

The Good:

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 3 with a home run and 2 total runs batted in.

Brock Holt was 2 for 2.

Heath Hembree got the final out of the fifth inning.

Colten Brewer tossed a scoreless sixth inning.

The Bad:

Michael Chavis was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Marco Hernandez struck out as a pinch hitter.

JD Martinez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts and an error.

Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Sandy Leon was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3.

Steven Wright was charged with 3 runs in just 1/3 of an inning.

Marcus Walden allowed an inherited runner to score and  one of his own in 2/3 of an inning.

Ryan Brasier allowed a run in the eighth inning.

Hector Velazquez allowed a run in the ninth inning.

The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.

Rafael Devers was 1 for 3 but was thrown out trying to steal.

Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Final Thoughts:

Sale is broken, there's no other way to say it. This is much worse than the second half of 2017 because at least you could say he had a dead arm. There's no excuse for stinking out the joint the entire season this year. The Sox are also in deep trouble if they don't get bullpen help in the next two weeks. Even with Sale out of the game, the bullpen still allowed 6 runs after he left. Once again the Sox fell behind and failed to come back, which has been their M.O. almost all season. Literally if they fall behind, stick a fork in them. It seems the fire from last year is gone and complacency is the worst thing that can happen to any team. Look how bad the Dodgers wanted it tonight compared to the Red Sox, THAT'S a hungry team looking for revenge for last season. The Baltimore Sun has also given up on the Red Sox contending this season by printing that the Sox acquired Cashner to "compete for the wild card". Hopefully Cashner can make a difference because this season went to hell in a hand basket real quick. The loss dropped the Sox to 50-42, 9 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night is the rubber game of the series and its a re-match of Game 2 of the World Series. Hyun Jin Ryo goes for the Dodgers against David Price of the Red Sox. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Jays Beat Sale, Sox (7/3/19)

Want to know the biggest reason why the Boston Red Sox are 11 games behind the New York Yankees and look completely mediocre this season? Look no further than the incompetent Chris Sale (3-8, 4.04 ERA) and the bad year he's had so far. Sale got knocked out in the sixth inning to take yet another loss to put the Sox further in the hole. He allowed 5 runs in 5 2/3 innings and the worst part is Toronto starter David Phelps was gone after the first inning. Jacob Waguespack held the Sox to just 3 runs in 5 innings and the rest of the Jays bullpen held on to send the Sox further out of the AL East race with a 6-3 win over the Sox at the Skydome.

                                                          Morty is sad

The Sox did nothing in the top of the first although Mr. Mookie Betts drew a walk to start. Rafael Devers grounded into a double play and Xander Bogaerts took strike three to end the inning. The Jays looked to strike first in the bottom of the first when Freddy Galvis doubled to left to begin. Sale responded by blowing away Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Lourdes Gurriel Jr and Cavan Biggio to end the inning.

Waguespack came in for Phelps in the top of the second and JD Martinez struck out swinging to begin. Andrew Benintendi grounded back to the mound and Christian Vazquez flied out to right to end the inning. The Jays threatened in the bottom of the second although Randal Grichuk grounded out to short to start. Justin Smoak singled to left but Danny Jansen popped up to third. The Sox personal tormentor Rowdy "Roddy" Tellez doubled to left but Brandon Drury lined out to right to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the third although Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to second to start. Michael Chavis doubled to left and took third on the Brock "Hitman" Holt single, but was thrown out at home on the Betts grounder to third. Devers then singled home Holt and Betts came around to slide....OUT! But wait! Sox manager Alex Cora challenged the play and sure enough, Betts beat the tag for the second run. Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning but the Sox led 2-0.

                                                       Devers drives in more runs

The Jays got one back in the bottom of the third as Galvis singled to center to start. Guerrero Jr banged into a double play but Gurriel Jr pounded a home run all the way to Terrasini, Sicily to cut the lead in half. Biggio grounded out to first to end the inning with the Jays down 2-1.

                                            The ball on the beach is the one Gurriel Jr hit

The Sox answered in the top of the fourth although Martinez flied out to right to start. Benintendi also flied out to right but Vazquez smacked his 13th home run of the season to increase the lead. JBJ popped up to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1.

                                                          Vazquez goes yard

The Jays roared back in the bottom of the fourth although Grichuk whiffed to start. Smoak walked and Jansen smashed a 400,000 foot home run to tie the game. Tellez lined out to right but Drury singled to center. Galvis walked but Guerrero Jr whiffed to end the inning with game tied 3-3.

                                                        Jansen tags Sale for 2 runs

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fifth inning as Chavis grounded out to third to start. Holt also grounded out to third but Mr. Mookie doubled to center. Devers whiffed to end the inning. Sale recovered to get the Jays to beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the fifth. Gurriel Jr grounded back to the mound, Biggio grounded out to first and Grichuk grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the sixth as Bogaerts struck out swinging to start. Martinez grounded out to short and Benintendi grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The Jays finished off Sale in the bottom of the sixth as Smoak was plunked to start. Jansen banged into a double play but Tellez singled to right. Drury then pulverized a home run all the way to Favignana Beach to chase Sale. Sale just doesn't have it anymore as he was pounded for 5 runs in just 5 2/3 innings.

                                                  Ace turned batting practice

Marcus Walden came in to replace Sale and Galvis greeted him with a base hit to center. Guerrero Jr grounded out to third to end the inning with the Jays ahead 5-3.

As usual once the Sox fell behind, they didn't come back in the top of the seventh inning. Vazquez singled to right to chase Waguespack....who would have thought he'd outpitch Chris Sale? Tim Mayza came in and JBJ whiffed, but Chavis doubled Vazquez to third. Eduardo Nunez pinch hit for Holt and the Jays countered by bringing in Daniel Hudson to pitch to him. Nunez flied out to left and Mr. Mookie whiffed to end the rally. Walden returned for the bottom of the seventh and Gurriel Jr grounded out to second to start. Biggio walked but Grichuk whiffed. Biggio stole second but Smoak struck out swinging to end the inning.

Devers flied out to center to start the top of the eighth before Bogaerts whiffed to earn the dubious golden sombrero. Martinez beat out an infield single to third but Benintendi flied out to right to end the inning. Steven Wright came in for the bottom of the eighth and got tagged. Jansen grounded out to third but Tellez walked and Drury doubled Rowdy to third. Galvis hit a sac fly to score Tellez and wrap up the scoring. Guerrero Jr walked but Gurriel Jr took strike three to end the inning with the Jays ahead 6-3.

                                                   All Jays in this one

The Jays put the Sox out of their misery in the top of the ninth inning with closer Ken Giles on the mound. Vazquez whiffed, JBJ grounded out to first and Chavis flied out to right to end the game. The Jays had beaten Sale and pushed the Sox further behind in the AL East race with a 6-3 win.

                                                           Jays win

Jackass of the Night is Chris Sale. The once proud ace was once again batting practice as he allowed 5 runs including 3 home runs in just 5 2/3 innings to take another loss.

                                                                 Sale the Jackass

The Good:

Mookie Betts was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Christian Vazquez was 2 for 4 with a home run.

Michael Chavis was 2 for 4.

Brock Holt was 1 for 2.

Marcus Walden tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4 with a golden sombrero of 4 strikeouts.

Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 4.

Jackie Bradley was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Steven Wright allowed a run in the ninth inning.

The Ugly:

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

JD Martinez was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Final Thoughts:

 

Remember how I said yesterday that the Sox can't get out of their own way? Once again the Sox failed to keep the momentum of a win by laying an egg in tonight's game. Chris Sale continued to struggle and once again when the Sox fell behind, they did not come back. Its not as if the Jays have an indomitable bullpen either, for some reason when the Sox fall behind they just don't score. This has been happening all season and its getting dangerously late to think of a turn around. Red Sox GM Dave Dombrowski has 4 weeks to make a trade to improve the team or else they're stuck in mediocrity for the rest of the season. It all comes down to the pitching and Chris Sale simply doesn't have it this year. Whatever was bothering him at the end of last year never got fixed. If he can't go the Sox need to make a move for another starter to get back into this thing. The loss dropped the Sox to 45-41 on the year, 11 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox wrap up their three game set with the Jays with a Fourth of July showdown tomorrow night. Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez goes for the Sox up against Derek Law of the Jays at 7:05 PM at the Skydome.

Yankees Outslug Sox in London Debut (6/29/19)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made some roster moves. Brian Johnson was placed on the Injured List with an undisclosed ailment and Hector "The Insurance Policy" was activated from the Injured List to take Brian's place. Sam Travis was also called up to be the 26th man for the next two games against the New York Yankees.

                                                                        OUT

                                                                    IN

Well this game was bad news for the Boston Red Sox but great news for worldwide baseball relations, that's for sure. In the first professional American baseball game held in London, the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees combined to score 30 runs on 27 hits and 6 home runs. Unfortunately for the Sox the Yankees scored 17 and Boston only scored 13. "Slick" Rick Porcello didn't make it out of the first inning as the Yankees scored 6 runs. Then the Sox countered by knocking out Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka in the bottom of the first with 6 runs of their own. The Yankees pitching then didn't suck as hard as the Sox for the next 8 innings as the Yankees took the first game of this London series 17-13 at Yankee Stadium.

                                                   "THOSE DAMN YANKEES!"

The massacre began in the top of the first inning when DJ LeMahieu singled to right to start. Aaron Judge flied out to the centerfield wall but Gary Sanchez walked. Luke Voit doubled home LeMahieu and Didi Gregorius doubled both runners home. Edwin Encarnacion doubled home Gregorius and Aaron Hicks smashed a home run all the way to Stonehenge to knock Porcello out. Colten Brewer came in and Gleyber Torres walked before moving to second on the grounder by Brett Gardner. LeMahieu took strike three but it was 6-0 Yankees.

                                                       "Are these balls juiced?" - Porcello

The Sox answered in the bottom of the first as Mr. Mookie Betts greeted Tanaka with a base hit to left to start. Rafael Devers doubled home Betts to put the Sox on the board. Xander Bogaerts and JD Martinez walked to load the bases, but Andrew Benintendi popped up to short. Christian Vazquez hit a sac fly to score Devers and Brock "The Hitman" Holt got a base hit to right to score Bogaerts to cut the lead in half. Michael Chavis then made the Boston fan portion of Wembley roar as he smashed a 3 run bomb to tie the game. Chad Green came in to pitch and Jackie Bradley Jr got a base hit to right. Mr. Mookie grounded into a force to end the inning but the Sox had tied it 6-6, how about that?

                                                            Sox counter punch

Steven Wright came in for the top of the second and Judge singled to left to start. Sanchez whiffed but Voit singled to left. Gregorius banged into a double play to end the inning. Devers doubled to right to begin the bottom of the second and Bogaerts lined out to center. Martinez singled Bogaerts to third but Benintendi whiffed. Vazquez grounded into a force to end the inning.

The Yankees took command for good in the top of the third as Encarnacion took strike three to start. Hicks lined out to center but Torres singled to left. Gardner then smashed as home run all the way to Piccadilly to put the Yankees on top. LeMahieu singled to right and Judge walked, but Sanchez grounded out to third to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 8-6.

                                                         Wright gives up a few runs

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the third as Holt lined out to left to start. Chavis flied out to right but JBJ singled to left. David Hale came in to pitch to Betts and Mr. Mookie took strike three to end the inning.

The Yankees iced the game in the top of the fourth against Mike Shawaryn as Voit doubled to center to start. Gregorius walked but Encarnacion whiffed and Hicks flied out to left. The floodgates opened as Torres singled to left to load the bases and Gardner walked home Voit. LeMahieu cleared the bases with a double to put the game out of reach. Judge put the exclamation point on the rally with a home run all the way to Cockfosters to increase the lead. Sanchez whiffed to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 14-6.

                                                      LeMahieu ices the game

The Sox failed to answer in the bottom of the fourth as Devers flied out to center to start. Bogaerts singled to right but Martinez lined iout to short. Nestor Cortes Jr replaced Hale and Benintendi popped up to third to end the inning.

The Yankeed poured it on in the top of the fifth as Voit doubled to left to start. Gio Urshela ran for Voit and moved to third on a wild pitch. Gregorius singled home Urshela but Encarnacion whiffed. Finally Sox manager Alex Cora pulled Shawaryn and Josh Taylor gave up a single to Hicks before a wild pitch moved both runners over. Torres walked but Gardner took strike three. LeMahieu singled home Gregorius and Hicks to wrap up the scoring. Judge flied out to right to end the inning but it was 17-6 Yankees.

                                                      LeMahieu does it again

The Red Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the fifth as Vazquez grounded out in front of the plate to start. Holt and Chavis both grounded out to short to end the inning.

Ryan Brasier came in for the top of the sixth and Sanchez flied out to center to start. Urshela lined back to Brasier and Gregorius flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox got a run back in the bottom of the sixth when JBJ clobbered his 9th home run of the season to start. Mr. Mookie took strike three, Devers grounded out to third and Bogaerts took strike three to end the inning with the Sox down a touchdown and a field goal 17-7.

                                                           JBJ hits one out

Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez took over on the mound, Sandy Leon took Holt's spot in the lineup but behind the plate, Vazquez moved to third, Sam Travis came in for Benintendi and Marco Hernandez replaced Devers in the lineup at second base to begin the top of the seventh. Encarnacion whiffed, Hicks took strike three and Torres grounded out to first to end the inning. Mike Tauchman came in for Judge and Austin Romine came in to catch the bottom of the seventh as the Sox rallied. Martinez took strike three and Travis lined out to right, but Vazquez singled to left. Leon singled to short and Chavis smashed his second 3 run bomb of the game to put the Sox behind by a touchdown. JBJ singled to right and the Yankees were forced to bring in Tommy Kahnle. Mr. Mookie walked and both runners moved over on a wild pitch. Hernandez singled home JBJ and Kahnle airmailed ball four to Bogaerts, scoring Betts on a mad dash. Adam Ottavino came in and Martinez doubled home Hernandez. Travis popped up to first to end the inning but the Sox somehow cut the lead 17-13.

                                                           Chavis does it again

Eduardo Nunez came in for Bogaerts to start the top of the eighth as Gardner flied out to center to start. LeMahieu lined out to Velazquez and Tauchman whiffed to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the eighth as Vazquez flied out to right to start. Leon singled and Chavis walked, but JBJ beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners. Mr. Mookie walked to load the bases...but Hernandez grounded out to third to end the inning.

Marcus Walden came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Romine grounded out to second to start. Urshela doubled to left but Gregorius grounded out to second. Encarnacion whiffed to end the inning. Aroldis Chapman came on to close out the bottom of the ninth as Nunez grounded out to third to start. Martinez singled to left but Travis banged into a double play to end the game. The Yankees had won the slugfest 17-13.

                                                         Yankees win

Jackass of the Night is Mike Shawaryn. The Sox were still relatively in the game when he came in and was charged with 8 runs in 1 1/3 innings.

                                                               London Jackass

The Good:

Rafael Devers was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Marco Hernandez was 1 for 2 with an rbi and run scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3 was 2 walks and a run scored.

JD Martinez was 3 for 5 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Brock Holt was 1 for 3 with an rbi and a run scored.

Sandy Leon was 2 for 2 with a run scored.

Michael Chavis was 2 for 4 with 6 total rbis, a walk and 2 home runs.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 4 for 5 with a home run and 2 total runs scored.

Colten Brewer got the final 2 outs of the first inning.

Ryan Brasier tossed a scoreless inning.

Hector Velazquez tossed 2 scoreless innings.

Marcus Walden tossed a scoreless inning.

The Bad:

Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Sam Travis was 0 for 3.

Rick Porcello allowed 6 runs in just 1/3 of an inning.

Steven Wright allowed 2 runs in 2 innings to take the loss.

Josh Taylor allowed inherited runners to score and one of his own in 2/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 but walked twice and scored two runs.

Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored.

Final Thoughts:

What a slugfest, too bad the Sox didn't win. There's not much you can do when the Yankees can't miss. Still, the baseballs must have been tampered with to give the London crowd a show because there were absolute rockets hit by people who normally don't hit rockets. DJ LeMahieu was a one man wrecking crew but Michael Chavis tried to match him. If this game didn't prove that the Sox need bullpen help, I don't know what will. The Sox have one month left before the trade deadline, time for Sox GM Dave Dombrowski to make a move before they fall too far behind. As for this game, great offense, lousy pitching. The loss dropped the Sox to 44-39, 9 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Sox try to rebound against the Yankees in their last game in London together. Eduardo Rodriguez goes for the Sox up against Stephen Tarpley of the Yankees at 3:05 PM Eastern time, 8:05 PM London time at Wembley Stadium.

White Sox Stun Red Sox in Ninth (6/26/19)

16 blown saves. That's how many blown saves the Boston Red Sox have this season and we're not even out of June yet. As the Sox fall further and further behind the New York Yankees in the AL East division race, Red Sox manager Dave Dombrowski needs to do something about the bullpen or they're never coming back. The lowly White Sox dropkicked Chris Sale around in the early going, taking a 5-3 lead over the Sox which ultimately ended up 6-3. The Red Sox fought all the way back to take the lead 7-6 in the bottom of the eighth. 2 outs from victory, Matt Barnes served up a 2 run game winning home run to Jose Abreu and the Sox head to London 9 games back of the red hot Yankees after the 8-7 defeat at Fenway Park.

                                                 "16 blown saves!!!"

The White Sox wasted no time lighting up Sale in the top of the first as Leury Garcia easily lined a base hit to right to start. Yoan Moncada was plunked and Jose Abreu effortlessly doubled to right to score Garcia and put the game away 3 batters into the game. Yolmer Sanchez pinch ran for Moncada who was in pain after getting plunked and he scored on the James McCann single. Somehow Elroy Jimenez struck out but Jon Jay singled in Abreu to ice the game. Jose Rondon walked to load the bases but somehow Ryan Cordell whiffed. Charlie Tilson grounded out to third to end the inning with the White Sox up 3-0.

                                                      That was easy

Sanchez went to second with Rondon going to third for the bottom of the first where the BoSox fought back against Reynaldo Lopez. Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to second although Rafael Devers singled. Xander Bogaerts whiffed badly but JD Martinez crushed his 17th home run of the year to put the BoSox back in the game. Jackie Bradley Jr singled to left and Michael Chavis doubled to center, but Marco Hernandez flied out to left to end the inning with the BoSox down 3-2.

                                                   Martinez goes yard

Sale cruised in the top of the second as Garcia flied out to right to begin. Sanchez whiffed and Abreu grounded out to second to end the inning. Lopez cruised in the bottom of the second as Eduardo Nunez flied out to center, Sandy Leon grounded out to third and Mr. Mookie whiffed to end the inning.

Sale got tagged in the top of the third as McCann blasted a 50,000 foot home run to increase the lead. Jimenez whiffed but Jay was plunked. Rondon bunted Jay to second and Cordell singled Jay home. Tilson grounded out to second to end the inning with the Chisox ahead 5-2.

                                                McCann goes yard

The BoSox fought back in the bottom of the third as Garcia misplayed a pop up by Devers which dropped in for a double. Bogaerts grounded out to short and Martinez whiffed, but Devers moved to third when McCann's pickoff throw went to center. JBJ walked and a wild pitch scored Devers and moved JBJ to second. Chavis hit a ball to deep second and was called out on a bang bang play. Sox manager Alex Cora challenged the call and it was overturned, base hit for Chavis. Hernandez popped up to third to end the inning but it was 5-3 Chicago.

Sale froze Garcia for strike three to begin the top of the fourth before Sanchez grounded out to short. Abreu looked at strike three to end the inning.  Nunez lined out to second to start the bottom of the fourth before Leon singled. Mr. Mookie flied out to center before Devers popped up to first to end the inning.

Sale got McCann to strike out swinging to start the top of the fifth before Jimenez grounded out to short. Jay also grounded out to short to end the inning. Bogaerts singled to start the bottom of the fifth but Martinez banged into a double play. JBJ grounded out to short to end the inning.

Sale dominated the top of the sixth inning in his last frame. Rondon was frozen for strike three, Cordell whiffed and Tilson struck out swinging to end the inning. Sale was a complete mixed bag, he had 2 bad innings out of 6 but it cost him as he allowed 5 runs in 6 innings.

                                                     Not good

Chavis grounded out to short to start the bottom of the sixth before Hernandez singled. Nunez popped up to second and Leon flied out to center to end the inning.

The White Sox got an insurance run off Marcus Walden in the top of the seventh inning as Garcia doubled to start. Garcia moved to third on the bunt by Sanchez before scoring on the single by Abreu. McCann grounded out to third and Jimenez whiffed to end the inning but it was 6-3 Chicago.

                                                 Abreu does it again

The BoSox fought back against Aaron Bummer with Jay in at right field. Mr. Mookie grounded out to short but Devers singled. Bogaerts whiffed but Martinez doubled home Devers. JBJ singled to put the tying on at first...but Chavis flied out to right to end the inning with the BoSox down 6-4.

Steven Wright, fresh off his 80 game suspension made his season debut in the top of the eighth inning. Jay whiffed but Rondon was plunked. Cordell singled as Yonder Alonso pinch hit for Bummer and banged into a double play to end the inning. Jace Fry came in as the BoSox completed their rally in the bottom of the eighth. Christian Vazquez pinch hit for Hernandez and flied out to right to begin. Evan Marshall came in for Fry and Nunez singled to center. Brock "The Hitman" Holt pinch hit for Leon and smacked a ground rule double. Brian Johnson, yes the pitcher, ran for Holt as Alex Colome was brought in to close out the game. Mr. Mookie hit a grounder to third and Rondon fired home but Nunez beat the tag to score. Devers grounded out but both runners moved into scoring position where they scored on the clutch, 2 out hit by Bogaerts to give the BoSox the lead. Martinez grounded into a force to end the inning but the BoSox rallied to take the lead 7-6.

                                                   What a rally

Vazquez stayed behind the plate, Nunez took over at second and Matt Barnes came on looking for the save. Naturally Garcia singled to left to start. Garcia was thrown out at second trying to steal but Sanchez singled to right. Abreu then crushed a backbreaking 2 run bomb 500,000 feet over the Monster to effectively end the AL East race. Sox manager Alex Cora kicked over a Gatorade jug and took the ineffective Barnes out to a chorus of boos. Josh Taylor came in and struck out both McCann and Jimenez to end the inning but the White Sox were ahead 8-7.

                                                          Game over

JBJ tried to start a rally with a walk to start the bottom of the ninth but the bottom of the order came up. Chavis flied out to center, Vazquez lined out to second and Nunez grounded out to second to end the game. The White Sox had won it to send the Sox to London out of the AL East race with a 8-7 victory.

                                                         You lose


Jackass of the Night is Matt Barnes. He served up the 2 run jack to Abreu to lose the game in the top of the ninth.

                                                  Good going Jackass


The Good:

Rafael Devers was 3 for 5 with 3 runs scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

JD Martinez was 2 for 5 with 3 total rbis including a 2 run home run.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 3 with 2 walks.

Michael Chavis was 2 for 5.

Marco Hernandez was 1 for 3.

Sandy Leon was 1 for 3.

Brock Holt doubled as a pinch hitter.

Brian Johnson scored a run as a pinch runner.

Steven Wright pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

Josh Taylor struck out the only two men he faced.



The Bad:

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 2.

Chris Sale allowed 5 runs in 6 innings of work while striking out 10.

Marcus Walden allowed a run in an inning of work.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was 0 for 5 but drove in a run and scored.

Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.




Final Thoughts:

Patience is wearing thin for Red Sox fans for what's turning into a completely frustrating season. Forget Cora sandbagging Spring Training that got the Sox off to their horrid start, they never fixed the problem that was in their face since the end of last year.....the bullpen. That was the concern going into the season and Dombrowski never fixed it. He let Joe Kelly and Craig Kimbrel walk and never replaced them. It may kill them in the end because they've blown SIXTEEN saves this season. We still have the second half of the season to play and at the rate they are going, their inept bullpen may cost them the playoffs entirely. Hangover slumps by Betts, Martinez, etc are to be expected but Dombrowski is in big trouble now. He better fix the bullpen quick or they're dead meat when it matters. The loss dropped the Sox to 44-38, 9 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. After two off-days the Sox travel to London, England to face the Yankees in a neutral site two game set. Masahiro Tanaka goes for the Yankees against "Slick" Rick Porcello (5-7, 4.52 ERA) at 1:10 PM Eastern time in Wembley Stadium.

Sox Annihilate Orioles in Game 1 (9/26/18)

After a rainout turned today into a doubleheader, the Boston Red Sox took their frustrations out on the hapless Baltimore Orioles in Game 1 this afternoon. The Sox pounded out 22 hits and 19 runs to beat around the last place O's. David Price (16-7, 3.58 ERA) tossed 5 effective innings and the Sox laughed all the way to a 19-3 drubbing at Fenway Park.

                                                      Talk about a mercy killing

Price got the ball in the top of the first and Cedric Mullins whiffed to start. Jonathan Villar flied out to left and Adam Jones grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox exploded on O's starter Ryan Meisinger early. Mr. Mookie Betts got the party started with a base hit but was erased on the Andrew Benintendi force. JD Martinez doubled Benintendi to third and Xander Bogaerts doubled both runners home to give the Sox the early lead. Mitch Moreland walked and Ian Kinsler singled to load the bases and chase Meisinger after just 1/3 of an inning. Donnie Hart was the next victim as Rafael Devers cleared the bases with a double to ice the game in the first inning.  Blake Swihart popped up to second and Sandy Leon did as well to end the inning with the Sox up 5-0.

                                                   The Sox strike first

Right on cue Price fell apart in the top of the second inning as Trey Mancini led off with a 400,000 foot home run into the Atlantic Ocean to start the inning. Tim Beckham walked and Renato Nunez crushed a 3,000 foot bomb to cut the lead. Joey Rickard singled and Austin Wynns walked to make the fans groan but Price recovered to strike out Steve Wilkerson. Mullins walked to load the bases but Villar was frozen for strike three. Jones grounded into a force to end the inning but the O's had clawed back to make it 5-3.

                                                     The O's answer

Mr. Mookie walked to start the bottom of the second before he swiped second. Benintendi lined out to left and Betts moved to third on the Martinez fly out to right, but Bogaerts flied out to center to end the inning.

Price recovered in the top of the third as Mancini grounded out to short to begin. Beckham singled but Nunez looked at strike three. Rickard doubled to center and Beckham took off for home. The relay throw from Bogaerts came in and.....YOU'RE OUTTA THERE! Beckham was out and Buck Showalter ran out to argue but to no avail, inning over. John Means came in to pitch the bottom of the third and Moreland whiffed to start. Kinsler grounded out to first and Devers popped up to third to end the inning.

Price cruised in the top of the fourth as Wynns popped up to second, Wilkerson grounded out to first and Mullins whiffed to end the inning. The Sox exploded again in the bottom of the fourth although Swihart flied out to right to begin. Leon looked at strike three but Mr. Mookie doubled. Benintendi singled and Martinez crushed his 42nd home run of the year to increase the lead. Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning but it was 8-3 Sox.

                                                  Martinez goes yard

Price came back for one more inning and Villar singled to start the top of the fifth. Jones advanced Villar to second by grounding back to the mound but Mancini whiffed. Villar stole third but Beckham grounded out to second to end the inning. Price had a rocky second inning but he dominated the other four to earn the win.

                                                      A win for Price

The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fifth as Moreland doubled and Kinsler doubled him home. Devers singled home Kinsler but Swihart whiffed. Leon flied out to left and Betts was given the rest of the day off when Tzu-Wei Lin pinch hit for him only to ground out to short to end the inning with the score 10-3 Sox.

                                                   Take a rest Mookie

Steven Wright came in for the top of the sixth and froze both Nunez and Rickard to begin. Wynns singled and took second on a passed ball but Wilkerson grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox weren't done in the bottom of the sixth as Benintendi lined out to second to start. Cody Carroll replaced Means and poured gas on the fire. Martinez singled and Bogaerts smashed his 22nd home run of the year to increase the lead. Moreland flied out to left and Kinsler popped up to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 12-3.

                                                  Bogaerts goes yard

Sam Travis took Bogaerts spot in the batting order but went to left field with Lin moving to short and Benintendi going to center to open the top of the seventh. Mullins grounded out to third, Villar grounded back to the mound and Jones grounded out to short to end the inning. Jace Peterson took over for Villar but went to second, John Andreoli took over for Jones but went to right with Rickard going to left and Wilkerson moving to short to begin the bottom of the seventh. The Sox poured it on when Devers and Swihart crushed back to back jacks to start, the 20th of the year for Devers. Leon whiffed but Lin walked and Benintendi doubled him home. Martinez lined out to first and Travis looked at strike three to end the inning but it was 15-3 Sox.

                                                 Devers pounds a home run to right

Heath Hembree came in to pitch the top of the eighth and struck out Mancini to start. Beckham flied out to center and Nunez flied out to left to end the inning. To prove how much of a jerk Showalter is, despite having SEVEN pitchers left in the bullpen, he had Jace Peterson move from second base to pitch the bottom of the eighth with Caleb Joseph at first and Corban Joseph taking over for Beckham playing second. The Sox teed off on the infielder as Moreland singled but Kinsler banged into a double play. Devers then blasted his second homer of the game before Peterson was late covering first, leading to a Swihart single to keep the inning going. Leon doubled Blake to third and Lin doubled both men home. Benintendi singled Lin home and Sox manager Alex Cora gave Martinez the night off by having Christian Vazquez hit for him. Vazquez whiffed to end the inning with the Sox ahead 19-3, yikes.

                                                Devers goes yard again

Brandon Workman had mop up duty in the top of the ninth as DJ Stewart pinch hit for Rickard only to ground out to first. Wynns grounded out to second as Wilkerson doubled. Mullins flied out to left to end the game. The Sox embarrassed the Orioles and handed them their franchise record 112th loss with a 19-3 victory.

                                                     Another win


Hero of the Night is a tough one with so much offense but I'll go with Rafael Devers. He was 4 for 5 with 2 runs scored, 2 home runs and 6 total rbis.

                                                     Devers the Hero


The Good:

Mookie Betts was 2 for 2 with a walk, stolen base and a run scored.

Tzu-Wei Lin was 1 for 2 with a walk, 2 runs scored and 2 rbi's.

Andrew Benintendi was 3 for 6 with 2 rbi's and 2 runs scored.

JD Martinez was 3 for 5 with 3 total rbis, 3 runs scored and a home run.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored, 4 total rbis and a home run.

Mitch Moreland was 2 for 4 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Ian Kinsler was 2 for 5 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Blake Swihart was 2 for 5 with 2 total runs scored and a home run.

David Price got the win with 5 innings of 3 run ball while striking out 6.

Steven Wright pitched 2 scoreless innings.

Heath Hembree pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

Christian Vazquez struck out as a pinch hitter.

Sam Travis struck out in his only plate appearance.



The Ugly:

Sandy Leon was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.




Final Thoughts:

What a massacre that was. Couldn't happen to a nicer manager too as Buck Showalter has been chirping at the Red Sox for 8 years now with nothing much to show for it. Remember how adamant he was that the 2013 Red Sox weren't that good, or making fun of the flu riddled Sox last year? Well if this is his last year before they fire him, here's one more middle finger for him. The O's may win the nightcap but it doesn't matter at this point, 112 losses is a franchise record. The 1962 Mets are saying "who are these bums?" It was good to see the starters produce even if it was against a bad team because they need momentum going into the post-season next week. It would have been nice to see Price go 7 but oh well. The win propelled the Sox to 107-51 with 4 games remaining. Chris Sale (12-4) starts the nightcap opposite Jimmy Yacabonis at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park