Orioles Pound Seabold, Sox (9/26/22)

When the season ends in under two weeks there's going to be a lot of finger pointing as to why the season went as badly as it did. One of them is unquestionably the failure of the kids in the rotation. Connor Seabold (0-4, 11.29 ERA) was straight batting practice this year and a big part of why the Sox fell apart in July. He got rocked for 5 runs in just 2 innings by the relentless Baltimore Orioles in tonight's game. The Boston bullpen got rocked as well for NINE runs after Seabold was gone as the Orioles pounded out 14 hits and 14 runs. The sad part was the Boston offense plated 8 runs against Jordan Lyles and the Baltimore bullpen. If Kaleb Ort, Franklin German and Eduardo Bazardo didn't allow 6 runs in the final four innings, this game might have turned out different. As it was, the O's pounded the Sox 14-8 at Fenway Park.

                                                              Sox fans have had enough

Seabold got tagged immediately in the top of the first as Cedric Mullins hit the second pitch of the game out of the yard for a home run to put the Orioles up for good just like that. Adley Rutschman flied out to left and Anthony Santander flied out to right, but Ryan Mountcastle walked. Gunnar Henderson walked but Austin Hays forced Henderson at second to end the inning with the O's up 1-0.

                                                            Mullins jacks one out

Lyles got the ball in the bottom of the first and Enrique Hernandez lined out to third to start. Rafael Devers doubled to left but Xander Bogaerts lined out to center. Alex Verdugo also flied out to center to end the inning.

The O's finished off Seabold in the top of the second as Rougned Odor hit a ground rule double down the right field line. Kyle Stowers got a base hit to left and Jorge Mateo doubled to right to score Odor. Mullins tripled into the centerfield triangle to clear the bases but Rutschman popped up to center. Seabold had Mullins picked off....but threw the ball away for an error to score Cedric. Santander and Mountcastle both struck out swinging to end the inning with the O's up 5-0. Due to rain later, that was it for Seabold who got rocked for 5 run in just 2 innings off 5 hits and 2 walks.

                                                        "I sucked tonight" - Seabold

The Sox did fight back in the bottom of the second as JD Martinez smashed his 13th home run of the season to start. Triston Casas walked and Rob Refsnyder got a base hit to left, but Reese McGuire flied out to left. Abraham Almonte got a base hit to center to load the bases and Hernandez got a base hit to left to score Casas. With a chance to do damage....Devers grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Sox down 5-2.

                                                            Martinez gets one back

The rains came and when play resumed, Tyler Danish came in to pitch the top of the third. Henderson walked to start but Hays forced him at second. Odor lined out to left but Stowers tripled into the left field corner to score Henderson. Mateo struck out swinging to end the inning with the O's up 6-2.

                                                                 O's pull away

Spencer Watkins came in to pitch the bottom of the third and Bogaerts lined out to short to start. Verdugo got a base hit to right but Martinez grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Mullins popped up to third to start the top of the fourth but Rutschman got a base hit to left. Santander grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the fourth as Casas was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to start. Refsnyder singled to center and took second on a passed ball. McGuire walked and Almonte got a base hit to center to load the bases. Hernandez singled inside the bag at third to score Refsnyder and McGuire but Almonte was thrown out at third on the play. Hernandez took second and Devers blooped a base hit to left to score him. Bogaerts got a base hit to left and with the tying run at second....Verdugo flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox down 6-5.

                                                      Devers isn't ready to give up

Naturally the O's poured it on in the top of the fifth as Mountcastle and Henderson both walked to start. Hays beat out a grounder to third to load the bases with nobody out and Zack Kelly was summoned to stop the bleeding. Naturally he gave up back to back base hits to Odor and Stowers to drive in Mountcastle and Henderson. Mateo took strike three, Mullins popped up to left and Rutschman flied out to left to end the inning with the O's up 8-5.

                                                       O's pour it on

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the fifth as Martinez struck out swinging to start. Casas got a base hit to right but Refsnyder forced Triston at second. McGuire walked but Almonte flied out to center to end the inning.

Kaleb Ort came in to take a beating in the top of the sixth as Santander hit a home run all the way to Sweden to start. Mountcastle walked and Henderson hit a home run all the way to Norway to put the game out of reach. Hays struck out swinging, Odor flied out to center and Stowers lined out to center to end the inning with the O's ahead 11-5.

                                                          Henderson watches it go

Hernandez lined out to third to start the bottom of the sixth and Devers lined out to left. Bogaerts popped up to second to end the inning.

Franklin German came in to get tagged in the top of the seventh as Mateo grounded out to short to start. Mullins also grounded out to short but Rutschman walked. Santander hit another home run as everyone in Boston threw their hands up. Mountcastle grounded out to short to end the inning with the O's up 13-5.

                                                            This sucks

The Sox answered in the bottom of the seventh as Verdugo took strike three to start. Martinez doubled to left and that was it for Watkins. Logan Gillaspie came in and Odor booted a grounder by Casas. Suddenly Refsnyder pounded his sixth home run of the year to cut the lead. McGuire flied out to center and Almonte struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 13-8.

                                                           Refsnyder doing his best

It was Eduardo Bazardo's turn to give up a run in the top of the eighth as Henderson struck out swinging to start. Hays launched Baltimore's fifth home run of the night to wrap up the scoring. Odor grounded out to second and Stowers popped up to second to end the inning with the O's up 14-8.

                                                           Bazardo knew it too

Ryan McKenna took over for Stowers in the bottom of the eighth and Hernandez flied out to right to start. Devers got a base hit to center but Bogaerts grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Mateo walked to start the top of the ninth but Mullins flied out to left. Rutschman struck out swinging. Santander grounded out to second to end the inning. Verdugo flied out to left to start the bottom of the ninth and Martinez grounded out to short. Casas took strike three right down the middle to end the game. The O's had won 14-8.

                                                                   O's win

Jackass of the Night is Connor Seabold. He put the Sox in a huge hole early by allowing 5 runs in just 2 innings.

                                                          Jackass Seabold

The Good:

Kike Hernandez was 2 for 5 with 3 rbis and a run scored.

Rafael Devers was 3 for 5 with an rbi.

JD Martinez was 2 for 5 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Rob Refsnyder was 3 for 4 with a 3 run home run with 2 runs scored.

Abraham Almonte was 2 for 4.

Zack Kelly tossed a scoreless inning.

The Bad:

Tyler Danish allowed 3 runs in 2 innings.

Kaleb Ort allowed 3 runs in an inning.

Franklin German allowed 2 runs in an inning.

The Ugly:

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 5.

Alex Verdugo was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

Triston Casas was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and scored 2 runs.

Reese McGuire was 0 for 2 with an error but walked twice and scored a run.

Eduardo Bazardo allowed a run in 2 innings of work.

Final Thoughts:

Nine more games of torture left and its easy to see where this season went wrong. The Sox rotation all got hurt and the rookies were not ready for prime time. Not that most teams would survive if they had to use their AAA rotation in crucial June and July games, but they got nothing out of the quartet of Josh Winckowski, Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford and Seabold. That's an indictment of Sox GM Chaim Bloom as Wink and Seabold were his 2020 trade deadline pickups. The worst part is the offense responded by putting up 8 runs which should have won the game. Another problem was bullpen overuse due to the bad starts which is why the Sox bullpen faltered in the end, just like last year. At least this year Sox manager Alex Cora can say he had no rotation but its still a shame of how things turned out. If the Sox had held the fort after Seabold left, they might have won this one. As it is, we're almost done with this lost season. The Sox have a lot of work to do in the off-season in terms of getting starting pitching depth and potentially replacing Bogaerts and Martinez. The loss dropped the Sox to 72-81, good for last place in the AL East. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow night against the Orioles when Michael Wacha goes one on one with Kyle Bradish of Baltimore. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Anderson, Reds Shut Down Sox (9/21/22)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made some roster moves. Jaxx Groshans was released from the Greenville Drive after hitting just .154 in 53 games. He was a fifth round pick back in 2019 and if he can't hit in High A, not much you can do with him. In the majors, the Red Sox placed Garrett Whitlock on the Injured List with a bad hip. To make today's start, the Sox are calling up Connor Seabold. So long Groshans and see you next year Whitlock.

                                                                  OUT

                                                                         IN

The 2022 Boston Red Sox season is just about over and hopefully next year they have better luck health wise. Garrett "The Lock" Whitlock's season is over and Connor Seabold (0-3, 10.47 ERA) failed to win his first game as he was beaten by the Cincinnati Reds. Chase Anderson held the supposedly good Sox offense to just 3 measly hits and a run in 5 innings. All in all the Boston bats had just 6 hits in a total no-show against a Reds team playing out the string. The Reds got 4 runs off Seabold and another run off Franklin German to end the Sox win streak with a 5-1 victory at Great American Ballpark.

                                                               Sox season just about over

Anderson got the ball in the top of the first inning and Tommy Pham was plunked to start. Rafael Devers flied out to right, Xander Bogaerts flied out to left and Alex Verdugo grounded out to first to end the inning. Seabold got the ball in the bottom of the first and TJ Friedl struck out swinging to start. Jonathan India struck out swinging but Kyle Farmer was hit with a pitch. Jake Fraley struck out swinging to end the inning.

JD Martinez grounded out to short to start the top of the second before Triston Casas did the same. Rob Refsnyder took strike three to end the inning. Donovan Solano popped up to first to start the bottom of the second before Aristides Aquino grounded out to third. Alejo Lopez popped up to short to end the inning.

Reese McGuire lined out to center to start the top of the third before Kike Hernandez lined out to left. Pham took strike three to end the inning. The Reds struck first in the bottom of the third as Stuart Fairchild got a base hit to right to start. Chuckie Robinson flied out to right and Friedl flied out to center, but a wild pitch moved Fairchild to second. India got a base hit to left and Fairchild scored when Pham threw the ball away. A wild pitch moved India to third but Farmer flied out to center to end the inning with the Reds up 1-0.

                                                             Nice throw Pham

The Sox responded in the top of the fourth as Devers beat out a roller to third to start. Bogaerts got a base hit to left to move Rafael to third, and Devers scored on the sac fly by Verdugo to center. Martinez struck out swinging and Bogaerts was thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                           Devers is safe

Fraley got a base hit to center but was immediately thrown out in a rundown trying to stretch a double to begin the bottom of the fourth. Solano popped up to second and Aquino flied out to right to end the inning.

Casas flied out to right to start the top of the fifth but Refsnyder got a base hit to left. McGuire struck out swinging and Hernandez grounded out to short to end the inning. The Reds broke Seabold in the bottom of the fifth as Lopez grounded out to first to start. Fairchild beat out a roller to third but Robinson struck out swinging. A wild pitch moved Fairchild to second but Friedl walked anyway. India got a base hit to center to score Fairchild and move Friedl to third. India swiped second and Farmer blooped a base hit to right to score both runners to ice the game. A wild pitch moved Farmer to second but Fraley grounded out to short to end the inning with the Reds up 4-1. That was it for Seabold who got rocked for 4 runs in 5 innings off 6 hits and a walk.

                                                        Seabold doesn't last long

Fernando Cruz came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Pham struck out swinging to start. Devers struck out swinging but Bogaerts grounded out to third to end the inning. Eduard Bazardo came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Solano flied out to right to start. Aquino and Lopez both flied out to center to end the inning.

Reiver Sanmartin came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Verdugo got a base hit to right to start. Martinez lined out to center and Casas grounded into a double play to end the inning. Tyler Danish came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Fairchild struck out swinging to start. Robinson got a base hit to right but Friedl flied out to center. India forced Robinson at second to end the inning.

Derek Law came in to pitch the top of the eighth with Matt Reynolds in for Lopez. Refsnyder grounded out to first, McGuire lined out to right and Hernandez flied out to right to end the inning. Franklin German came in to crap his pants in the bottom of the eighth as Farmer grounded out to first to start. Fraley struck out swinging but Solano hit a home run all the way to Nebraska to wrap up the scoring. Aquino popped up to second to end the inning with the Reds up 5-1.

                                                             Home run Solano

Pham struck out swinging to start the top of the ninth but Devers got a base hit to left. Bogaerts also got a base hit to left and Alexis Diaz was brought in to face Verdugo. Naturally Verdugo grounded into a double play to end the game. The Reds had won it 5-1.

                                                                  Reds win

Jackass of the Night is Connor Seabold. He got lit up for 4 runs in just 5 innings of work to take the loss.

                                                        Jackass Seabold

The Good:

Rafael Devers was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 4.

Alex Verdugo was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Rob Refsnyder was 1 for 3.

Eduard Bazardo pitched a scoreless sixth inning.

Tyler Danish pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

The Bad:

JD Martinez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Triston Casas was 0 for 3.

Reese McGuire was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Kike Hernandez was 0 for 3.

Franklin German allowed a run in the eighth inning.

The Ugly:

Tommy Pham was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but was hit with a pitch.

Final Thoughts:

Thankfully the season is just about over because this is flat out embarrassing. Its as if the Sox have totally checked out when they let guys like Chase Anderson and the Angels bullpen dominate them. Then again, starting guys like Connor Seabold doesn't exactly inspire confidence. Seabold was doing very well before falling apart in the fifth but that seems to be his M.O. This season went down the drain due to injuries but the offense falling flat down the stretch again and again with supposedly elite talent shouldn't be ignored. Devers, Martinez, Bogaerts and Verdugo should be killing the ball but instead they only get slap singles. Its fairly obvious that Martinez won't be coming back next year and Bogaerts might be gone as well. Its a shame how the season was supposed to be better than last year and fell completely apart. The loss dropped the Sox to 72-76, good for last place in the AL East with just 14 games left. The Sox look to get revenge on the New York Yankees tomorrow night when Michael Wacha (11-1, 2.61 ERA) takes on Jameson Taillon of New York. The game begins at 7:15 at Yankee Stadium.

Royals Blank Sox (9/17/22)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a bizarre roster move. Kevin Plawecki was designated for assignment with just 18 games left in the season. He was a serviceable backup for 3 seasons and it looks like they're gonna go with a tandem of Reese McGuire and Connor Wong. Still, you won't let him finish the season? In his place the Sox called up relief pitcher Franklin German. The Sox got German from the Yankees along with Adam Ottavino before last season and hopefully he can be better than Jeurys Familia.

                                                                          OUT

                                                                       IN

As for the game, the Red Sox looked totally lifeless against the worthless Kansas City Royals. With the season on the line, Rich Hill (7-7, 4.61 ERA) laid an egg by getting knocked out in the fifth inning after allowing 4 runs. Meanwhile Brady Singer held the supposedly high power offense to no runs and 5 hits in 6 innings. Rookie Frankin German made his ML debut by getting shelled for 4 runs without getting an out. Tyler Danish gave up a run as well for good measure. The Sox were blanked by the Royals 9-0 at Fenway Park. How many runs did the Sox score Dean Wormer?

Hill got the ball in the top of the first inning and MJ Melendez grounded back to the mound to start. Bobby Witt Jr took strike three but Salvador Perez got a base hit to left. Vinnie Pasquantino flied out to center to end the inning. Singer got the ball in the bottom of the first as Tommy Pham took strike three to start. Rafael Devers flied out to left and JD Martinez was frozen for strike three to end the inning.

Michael Taylor grounded out to third to begin the top of the second before Edward Olivares lined out to left. Michael Massey struck out swinging to end the inning. Witt Jr booted a grounder by Alex Verdugo for an error to start the bottom of the second but was immediately picked off. Christian Arroyo got a base hit to left but Triston Casas grounded into a double play to end the inning.

The Royals struck first in the top of the third as Hunter Dozier grounded out to second to start. Nate Eaton singled in the hole at short and promptly stole second. Melendez got a base hit to right to score Eaton then took second on a grounder to short by Witt Jr. Perez ripped a base hit to center to score Melendez to ice the game. Pasquantino struck out swinging to end the inning with the Royals up 2-0.

                                                                Perez drives in a run

The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the third as Kike Hernandez singled to left to start. Yu Chang walked and Connor Wong singled in the hole at short to load the bases with nobody out. Naturally Pham hit one up the elevator shaft, Devers took strike three and Martinez popped up to first to end the inning. Couldn't even get the ball out of the infield.

Taylor grounded out to short to start the top of the fourth but Olivares singled to center. Olivares took second on a balk but Massey flied out to right to move Olivares to third. Dozier struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Royals finished off Hill in the top of the fifth as Eaton flied out to left to start. Melendez got a base hit to right and stole second. Witt Jr singled in the hole at short to score Melendez but Perez flied out to left. Pasquantino dumped a base hit to right....booted for Verdugo for an error to score Witt Jr. That was it for Hill who got croaked for 4 runs in just 4 2/3 innings. Ryan Brasier came in and struck Taylor out swinging to end the inning with the Royals up 4-0.

                                                           Hill didn't have it today

Hernandez singled in the hole at short to start the bottom of the fifth but Chang lined out to short. Wong struck out swinging but Pham flied out to left to end the inning.

Franklin German pissed down his leg in his major league debut to start the top of the sixth. Olivares walked, Massey singled to right and Dozier walked to load the bases with nobody out. Eaton singled to center to score Olivares and chase German. Eduard Bazardo poured gas on the fire as Melendez grounded beat out a double play ball to score Massey and Witt Jr got a base hit to right to score Dozier. Perez hit one up the elevator shaft and Pasquantino singled to right to score Melendez. Taylor grounded out to short to end the inning with the Royals up 8-0.

                                                 "Thanks a lot Bazardo" - German

Devers got a base hit to right to start the bottom of the sixth but Martinez flied out to left. Verdugo struck out swinging and Arroyo grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Olivares doubled to right to start the top of the seventh but Massey lined out to first. Dozier grounded out to short and Eaton flied out to center to end the inning. Brad Keller came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Casas grounded out to short to start. Hernandez popped up to second and Chang struck out swinging to end the inning.

Tyler Danish came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Melendez doubled to left to start. Witt Jr grounded out to short and Perez did the same. Pasquantino got a base hit to right to score Melendez to wrap up the scoring. Taylor popped up to center to end the inning with the Royals up 9-0.

                                                     Another rbi for Pasquantino

Carlos Hernandez came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Wong grounded out to third to start. Pham grounded out to second and Devers lined out to center to end the inning.

Danish returned for the top of the ninth and Olivares popped up to second to start. Massey struck out swinging and Dozier grounded out to third to end the inning. Anthony Misiewicz came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and Martinez flied out to right to start. Verdugo grounded out to second but Arroyo got a base hit to left. Casas flied out to left to end the game. The Royals shut out the Red Sox 9-0.

                                                "GADZOOKS this game sucked!" - Arroyo

Jackass of the Night is Rich Hill. He allowed 4 runs in 4 2/3 innings to put the Sox in a position to fail.

                                                                 Nice game Jackass

The Good:

Christian Arroyo was 2 for 4.

Kike Hernandez was 2 for 3.

Connor Wong was 1 for 3.

Ryan Brasier got the only batter he faced.

The Bad:

Tommy Pham was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

JD Martinez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Alex Verdugo was 0 for 4 with a strikeout and an error.

Triston Casas was 0 for 4.

Franklin German was charged with 4 runs without getting an out.

The Ugly:

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Yu Chang was 0 for 2 with a strikeout but walked.

Eduard Bazardo allowed 4 inherited runners to score but none of his own in 2 innings.

Tyler Danish allowed a run in 2 innings of work.

Final Thoughts:

With the season all but over it looks like the Sox have given up. Yes Xander Bogaerts didn't play but where was the power from Devers and Martinez? Where was the contact from Pham and Verdugo? It was a totally lifeless performance. Rich Hill didn't have it but the bullpen didn't either. Frank German got lit up and Eduard Bazardo didn't help by allowing all those runners to score. It was an all around failure from the whole team on both sides of the ball. If Chaim Bloom isn't fired after this disaster, what will it take? 2 last place finishes in 3 years is inexcusable, especially with the rumors the Sox aren't signing any of their free agents back. To think they came within two games of the world series to THIS is disgusting. The less said of this game and this season, the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 70-75, good for last place in the AL East. The Sox look to salvage the series tomorrow afternoon when Nick Pivetta (9-11) takes on Kris Bubic of Kansas City. The game begins at 1:35 PM at Fenway Park.

Rays Crush Hill, Sox (9/6/22)

When the gravestone for the 2022 Boston Red Sox is finally cemented in a week or so, let it be known the primary cause of death was the AL East. The Sox absolutely could not beat any team in the AL East. The Tampa Bay Rays made it two in a row against the Sox to take the series by bashing around Rich Hill (6-6, 4.79 ERA) for 5 runs in just 4 innings. Randy Arozarena hit a 3 run first inning home run but rookie Triston Casas answered with his first career homer in the top of the second. The Rays got two more runs off hill and two more home runs off Eduard Bazardo. Francisco Mejia provided the final run for the Rays as they knocked out the Red Sox 8-4 at Tropicana Field.

                                                 Sox fans realizing they can't beat the AL East

JT Chargois got the ball in the top of the first inning and Tommy Pham struck out swinging to start. Alex Verdugo flied out to center and Xander Bogaerts flied out to right to end the inning. The Rays pounced on Hill in the bottom of the first as Yandy Diaz doubled to right to start. Old pal Manny Margot beat out a roller to second and Randy Arozarena hit a three run home run to end the game just like that. Harold Ramirez walked but Isaac Parades struck out swinging. Francisco Mejia lined out to right and Christian Bethancourt grounded out to third to end the inning.

                                                            Rays jump ahead early

The Sox fought back in the top of the second as Rafael Devers popped up to third to start. Trevor Story lined out to left but Christian Arroyo singled to right. Triston Casas belted his first career home run to cut the lead, but Kike Hernandez flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox down 3-2.

                                                  First of the year for Casas

Yu Chang singled to left to start the bottom of the second before Jose Siri flied out to center. Yandy Diaz grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Garrett Cleavinger came in to pitch the top of the third and Reese McGuire singled to left to start. Pham forced Reese at second and Verdugo flied out to left. Bogaerts struck out swinging to end the inning. The Rays struck again in the bottom of the third as Margo dropped down a bunt to catch the Sox asleep to start. Arozarena doubled to left and Ramirez dropped a base hit to left. Both runners scored but Ramirez was thrown out at second. Paredes grounded out to third but Mejia beat out a roller to first. Bethancourt beat out a roller to third but Chang struck out swinging to end the inning with the Rays up 5-2.

                                                      Rays pour it on

Devers flied out to center to open the top of the fourth but Story walked. Arroyo and Casas both struck out swinging to end the inning. Siri took strike three to start the bottom of the fourth before Diaz flied out to right. Margot grounded out to second to end the inning. That was it for Hill who allowed 5 runs in just 4 innings.

                                                           Hill wasn't good enough

Calvin Faucher came in to pitch the top of the fifth and Hernandez lined out to center. McGuire grounded out to third and Pham struck out swinging to end the inning. Eduard Bazardo came in to pitch the bottom of the fifth and Arozarena flied out to center to start. Ramirez struck out swinging and Parades took strike three to end the inning.

Brooks Raley came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Verdugo got a base hit to center to start. Bogaerts grounded into a double play and Devers grounded out to third to end the inning. The Rays poured it on in the bottom of the sixth as Mejia grounded out to second to start. Bethancourt hit a home run all the way to Santo Domingo and then Chang hit a home run off the roof of the dome. Siri flied out to right but Diaz was hit with a pitch. Diaz took second on a wild pitch and Margot struck out swinging to end the inning with the Rays up 7-2.

                                                              Rays are all smiles

Story took strike three to start the top of the seventh before Arroyo lined out to right. Casas struck out swinging to end the inning. Tyler Danish came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh with Rob Refsnyder taking over for Bogaerts. Arozarena doubled to center to start before Ramirez grounded out to short. A wild pitch moved Arozarena to third but Paredes struck out swinging. Mejia doubled to center to score Arozarena but Bethancourt grounded out to second to end the inning with the Rays up 8-2.

                                                              Rays get another run

The Sox had one last gasp against old pal Jalen "Twin" Beeks in the top of the eighth. Hernandez flied out to center to begin but McGuire walked. Pham then blasted a home run to cut the lead in half. Verdugo singled past the pitcher but Refsnyder forced him at second. Devers struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 8-4.

                                                            Home run Pham

Ryan Brasier came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Chang walked to start. Siri struck out swinging and Diaz grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Jason Adam came in to close out the top of the ninth and Story went down hacking to start. Arroyo popped up to left and Casas struck out swinging to end the game. The Rays had won it 8-4.

                                                                  Rays win

Jackass of The Night is Rich Hill. He allowed 5 early runs to put the Sox in a hole they couldn't climb out of.

                                                             Jackass Hill

The Good:

Alex Verdugo was 2 for 4.

Reese McGuire was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Ryan Brasier tossed a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Rob Refsnyder was 0 for 1.

Rafael Devers was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Kike Hernandez was 0 for 3.

Eduard Bazardo allowed 2 runs in 2 innings.

Tyler Danish allowed a run in an inning of work.

The Ugly:

Tommy Pham was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but hit a 2 run home run.

Trevor Story was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Christian Arroyo was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Triston Casas was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but hit a 2 run home run.

Final Thoughts:

All it took was two games against the Tampa Bay Rays to send the Sox back to reality and pretty much out of the playoffs. When push came to shove against the AL East, the Sox just couldn't get it done. The sad part was they have a winning record against any other division but just couldn't beat Tampa, Toronto, New York or Baltimore. Hill got hammered in this game but so did the bullpen. The Sox bats were silenced by a bullpen game by Tampa and that's pretty embarrassing. The Sox need their offense to stay hot but its too little, too late. Sox GM Craig Breslow bargain bin shopping for starting pitchers didn't work but can't predict the entire rotation getting hurt. The bad news is the rumors are getting louder of Nathan Eovaldi, JD Martinez and Bogaerts are as good as gone in free agency. Hopefully they can keep them, but its doubtful. The loss dropped the Sox to 67-70, good for last place in the AL East. The Sox look to salvage the season tomorrow night when Nick Pivetta takes on old pal Jeffrey Springs of Tampa. The game begins at 6:30 PM at Tropicana Field.

Sox Rout Rangers, Lose Pivetta (9/2/22)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. New papa Zack Kelly was placed on the Paternity List to celebrate the birth of his child and in his place the Sox called up Tyler Danish to take his place for tonight's game. Congratulations Zack.

                                                                         OUT

                                                                  IN

As for the game, the good news was the Red Sox beat the crap out of the Texas Rangers. The bad news was they lost Nick Pivetta in the process. Pivetta came off the mound clutching his arm following the top of the third and left the game with the game tied 1-1. Tyler Danish (3-1, 3.90 ERA) and the Boston bullpen stepped up to not allow a run the rest of the game. Offensively the Sox employed a balanced attack to score 9 runs off Dallas Keuchel and the Texas bullpen. Kike Hernandez, Connor Wong and Christian Arroyo all drove in 2 runs apiece. JD Martinez, Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers also knocked in a run. Who knows how long Pivetta is out but the Sox won the game 9-1 at Fenway Park.

                                                              Paris Love approves of the win

Pivetta got the ball in the top of the first inning and Marcus Semien doubled to left to start. Corey Seager flied out to left but Nathaniel Lowe walked. It looked like Adolis Garcia grounded into a double play but Rangers manager Tony Beasley challenged that Semien was safe at third. The call was overturned but Jonah Heim took strike three to end the inning. Dallas Keuchel got the ball in the bottom of the first and Tommy Pham got a base hit to left to start. Alex Verdugo forced Pham at second but Xander Bogaerts doubled to center to score Verdugo. Rafael Devers walked but JD Martinez grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                           Bogaerts drives in a run

Leody Taveras flied out to right to start the top of the second before Kole Calhoun flied out to center. Ezequiel Duran grounded out to short to end the inning. Trevor Story took strike three to start the bottom of the second before Kike Hernandez flied out to center. Christian Arroyo struck out swinging to end the inning.

All of a sudden Pivetta started clutching his arm in the top of the third inning as Bubba Thompson got a base hit to left to start. Thompson took second then moves to third on the Semien grounder to short. Seager got a base hit inside the first base bag to score Thompson to tie the game. Lowe got a base hit to center but Garcia struck out swinging. Heim walked to load the bases but Taveras grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Pivetta had to come out of the game, get carried out on a stretcher, loaded into an ambulance and rushed to Mass General's ICU after 3 innings and 1 run allowed.

                                                          Pivetta leaves with injury

Connor Wong grounded out to short to start the bottom of the third before Pham grounded out to second. Verdugo struck out swinging to end the inning.

Tyler Danish came in to pitch the top of the fourth and Calhoun grounded out to short to start. Duran grounded out to short but Thompson walked. Thompson was picked off to end the inning. The Sox iced the game in the bottom of the fourth as Bogaerts took strike three to start. Devers got a base hit to right and Martinez walked, but Story struck out swinging. Hernandez doubled to left to score Devers and Arroyo got a base hit to center. Taveras booted the ball to allow both Martinez and Hernandez to score. Wong struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 4-1.

                                                  Hernandez drives in a run

Semien singled to right to start the top of the fifth and that was it for Danish. Matt Strahm came in to pitch and Seager lined out to right. Lowe flied out to center and Garcia popped up to first to end the inning. The Sox iced the game in the bottom of the fifth as Pham grounded out to second to start. Verdugo grounded out to first but Bogaerts walked. Devers doubled to center to score Bogaerts and Martinez singled to center to score Devers, taking second on the throw home. That was it for Keuchel as AJ Alexy came in to pitch to Story. Trevor singled in the hole at short to move Martinez to third and Hernandez doubled home JD to increase the lead. Arroyo lined out to right to end the inning with the Sox up 7-1.

                                                       Sox pour it on

Heim grounded out to third to start the top of the sixth before Taveras struck out swinging. Calhoun struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the sixth as Wong beat out a grounder to short to start.....but wait, Rangers manager Tony Beasley challenged that Wong was out. Sure enough, the umps overturned the call and Pham got a base hit to left. Verdugo took strike three but Bogaerts hit a ball to third. Duran threw the ball away for a single and an error to put both runners in scoring position. Devers walked to load the bases but Martinez grounded out to third to end the inning.

Ryan Brasier came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Duran popped up to second. Thompson grounded out to second and Semien struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox wrapped up the scoring in the bottom of the seventh as Story hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Hernandez walked and moved to second on a grounder to short by Arroyo. Wong then belted his first career home run to increase the lead. Pham struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 9-1.

                                                            First big fly for Wong

Kaleb Ort came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Seager popped up to third to start. Lowe doubled to left but Garcia lined out to third. Heim popped up to third to end the inning. Charlie Culberson came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Verdugo grounded out to second to start. Bogaerts also grounded out to second and Franchy Cordero pinch hit for Devers. Cordero walked and Martinez got a base hit to left, but Story flied out to left to end the inning.

Eduard Bazardo came in to close out the top of the ninth and Taveras lined out to center to start. Calhoun struck out swinging and Duran grounded out to short to end the game. The Sox had won it 9-1.

                                                          Bazardo closes it out

Hero of The Night is Kike Hernandez. His rbi double put the Sox up for good then drove in another run for good measure.

                                                         Hero Hernandez

The Good:

Tommy Pham was 2 for 5.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 4 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Rafael Devers was 2 for 2 with 2 walks, an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Franchy Cordero walked as a pinch hitter.

JD Martinez was 2 for 4 with a walk, rbi and 2 runs scored.

Nick Pivetta only allowed a run in 3 innings before he left with injury.

Tyler Danish got the win with a scoreless fourth inning.

Matt Strahm tossed 2 scoreless innings.

Ryan Brasier tossed a scoreless seventh inning.

Kaleb Ort pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Eduard Bazardo tossed a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Alex Verdugo was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.

Trevor Story was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Christian Arroyo was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in 2 runs.

Connor Wong was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but hit his first two run homer.

Final Thoughts:

The bad news was the Sox lost Pivetta who hasn't missed a start all season but the good news was THIS is the offense the Sox hoped for after the trade deadline. Yes, losing Eric Hosmer wasn't ideal but the addition of Pham to go with Devers, Bogaerts and Martinez along with the returns of Story and Hernandez gave the Sox a 1-6 as good as anyone. The trade of Christian Vazquez was for the future but the team is in the hands of Connor Wong now. He hit a home run tonight and hopefully it was the first of many. The bullpen stepped up big time in tonight's game after Pivetta left in the third inning. Danish, Strahm tossed 6 scoreless innings to preserve the win. The offense is going to be there but they can't outslug every team, every game. Hopefully Pivetta will be okay because they're going to need him with 29 games remaining. The win improved the Sox to 65-68, 7 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for the second wild card. The Sox look to win their fourth game in a row and third against the Rangers tomorrow afternoon when Brayan Bello (0-4) takes on Dennis Santana of Texas. The game begins at 4:10 PM at Fenway Park.