Sox Drop Embarrassing Game to A's (7/19/23)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox announced Jake Faria cleared waivers and returned to Worcester. Yippie.....

                                                                 Back to Worcester

As for the game, talk about taking two giant steps backward. After winning 8 of 9, the Sox fell flat on their face against the worst team in baseball. After getting blanked yesterday, Brayan Bello (7-6, 3.60 ERA) got hammered by the A's for three 2 run home runs in today's game. Meanwhile the Sox offense put up 5 runs on the board through six innings but couldn't get a clutch hit when it counted the rest of the way. With Connor Wong at second base, Rob Refsnyder hit a measly pop up to end the game to give the A's a 6-5 win at Oakland Coliseum.

                                                     "Can't get a clutch it!"

Ken Waldichuk got the ball in the top of the first inning and the Sox immediately struck. Rob Refnsyder walked to start but Masataka Yoshida flied out to center. Justin Turner then belted his 15th home run of the season to put the Sox on top. Rafael Devers flied out to right but Adam Duvall got a base hit to left. Duvall took off for second and Shea Langeliers threw the ball away, allowing Duvall to reach third on an error. Alex Verdugo struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                               Home run Turner

The A's answered against Bello in the bottom of the first as Tony Kemp got a base hit to center and JJ Bleday hit a home run all the way to San Jose just like that. Jordan Diaz struck out swinging, Seth Brown popped up to third and Tyler Soderstrom grounded out to first to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                     Kiss that one goodbye

Kike Hernandez tried to start a rally with a base hit to right to start the top of the second. Connor Wong forced Hernandez at second but Yu Chang flied out to right. Wong got thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning. Langeliers grounded out to first to start the bottom of the second but Jace Peterson walked. Cody Thomas then hit his first home run of the season to put the A's up for good. Nick Allen struck out swinging but Kemp was plunked. Bleday forced Kemp at second to end the inning with the A's up 4-2.

                                                             That one is gone

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the third as Refsnyder grounded out to short to start. Yoshida struck out swinging and Turner flied out to right to end the inning. Diaz grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the third but Brown walked. Soderstrom banged into a double play to end the inning.

Devers took strike three right down the middle to start the top of the fourth before Duvall did the same. Verdugo drew a walk but Hernandez flied out to right to end the inning. The A's iced it in the bottom of the fourth as Langeliers doubled to right and Peterson hit a home run all the way to the outer reaches of Mongolia to put the game out of reach. Thomas struck out swinging, Allen grounded out to third and Kemp grounded out to second to end the inning with the A's up 6-2. That was it for Bello who got beat up by the worst team in baseball, allowing 6 runs in just 4 innings.

                                                      "I sucked today" - Bello

The Sox did fight back in the top of the fifth as Wong walked to start. Chang struck out swinging and Wong scored all the way around on a base hit to center by Refsnyder. Yoshida doubled to right to chase Waldichuk and Lucas Erceg came in to face Turner. Turner grounded out to second but Refsnyder scored to cut the lead. Devers grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox down 6-4.

                                                       Refsnyder brings the Sox closer

Joely Rodriguez came in to pitch the bottom of the fifth and it was the A's turn for stupidity. Bleday doubled to right and Diaz beat out a roller to short to put runners at the corners. Brent Rooker pinch hit for Brown and hit a grounder to second. For some reason Bleday hesitated going home so after Rooker was thrown out at first, Bleday was gunned down at home by Turner for the double play. Solderstrom struck out swinging to end the inning. Had the Sox come back to win, that would have been the play of the game.

It looked like the Sox would come back when Duvall singled to left to pen the top of the sixth. Verdugo struck out but Peterson threw Hernandez' grounder into the stands to score Duvall. Angel Felipe came in to pitch and Wong struck out swinging. Sox manager Alex Cora countered by having Triston Casas pinch hit for Chang but he too struck out swinging to end the inning with the A's ahead 6-5.

                                                                       Whoooooops!!!

Josh Winckwoski came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Langeliers struck out swinging to start. Peterson grounded out to short but Thomas hit a seeing eye single to left. Allen took strike three to end the inning.

The Sox failed to tie the game in the top of the seventh as Refsnyder lined out to center to start. Yoshida popped up to third and Turner lined out to short to end the inning. Kemp singled to center to start the bottom of the seventh but Bleday flied out to center. Diaz singled to left but Rooker struck out swinging. Soderstrom struck out swinging to end the inning.

The ineptitude continued in the top of the eighth with Sam Long now on the mound. Devers flied out to left, Duvall also flied out to left and Verdugo grounded out to second to end the inning. Just to get him some work, Kenley Jansen came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Langeliers popped up to third to begin. Peterson walked but Thomas flied out to center. Allen struck out swinging to end the inning. Valiant effort by the bullpen to shut the door after Bello left the game.

Aledmys Diaz came in for Soderstrom with Trevor May in to close out the top of the ninth. Jarren Duran pinch hit for Hernandez and flied out to left, but Wong walked to put the tying run on. Casas struck out swinging again but Wong stole second. With the tying run in scoring postion......Refsnyder lined out to right to end the game. The Sox had lost 2 of 3 to the worst team in baseball 6-5.

                                                          A's win

Jackass of the Night is Brayan Bello. He got lit up by the worst team in baseball, allowing 6 runs off three home runs in just 4 innings.

                                                            Jackass Bello

The Good:

Adam Duvall was 2 for 4 with a run scored and a stolen base.

Kike Hernandez was 1 for 3.

Connor Wong walked twice, stole a base and scored a run.

Joely Rodriguez pitched a scoreless fifth inning

Josh Winckowski tossed two scoreless innings

Kenley Jansen pitched a scoreless inning.

The Bad:

Rafael Devers was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jarren Duran was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Yu Chang was 0 for 2 with a strikeout

Triston Casas was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Rob Refsnyder was just 1 for 4 but walked, stole a base, drove in a run and scored twice

Masataka Yoshida was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Justin Turner was just 1 for 4 but drove in 3 total runs including a two run homer.

Alex Verdugo was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but drew a walk.

Final Thoughts:

Its been that kind of season for the Sox who have lost series to all three of the last place teams in baseball this year. Unlike last year where they beat up the bad teams but were completely incompetent against AL East teams, this year is the total opposite. If the Sox end up missing the playoffs this year by a few games when all is said and done, look at all these losses to bottom feeding teams as to the reason why. Losing two of three to a team that's not even trying to hide the fact they're tanking is inexcusable. The worst part is Paxton and Bello got beat up and they've been their best starters this season. They desperately need another starter since Tanner Houck, Garrett Whitlock and Chris Sale remain out. They got plenty of talent in the minors to make a move so its up to Sox GM Chaim Bloom whether he wants to blow it up or add in a few weeks. As of right now they're an incomplete team due to injuries. The loss dropped the Sox to 51-46, 9 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the AL East. The Sox have an off-day tomorrow and they come back home Friday night to play the enigmatic New York Mets. James Paxton (5-2, 3.51 ERA) looks to rebound the Sox against Kodai Senga of the Mets. The game begins Friday night at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Pivetta, Sox Blank Hapless A's (7/17/23)

No starter? No problem for the Boston Red Sox. Against the worst team in baseball, the Sox feasted on them and set some records in the process. Nick Pivetta (6-5, 4.44 ERA) tossed 6 no-hit innings in relief while setting the Red Sox relief record for strikeouts with 13. On the other side of the ball, Connor Wong led the Boston attack with 3 hits and 3 rbis. Justin Turner knocked in two runs, Yu Chang added one, Adam Duvall added one and the Sox ran away with this one 7-0 at Oakland Coliseum.

                                                       Farenheit approves of the win

Paul Blackburn got the start for Oakland and the Sox wasted no time scoring. Jarren Duran doubled to right to start before moving to third on the Alex Verdugo ground out to second. Justin Turner then hit a sac fly to right to score Duran with the first run. Masataka Yoshida grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                         Turner drives in a run

Brennan Bernardino was the "opener" and he got the ball in the bottom of the first. Zack Gelof struck out swinging but Jordan Diaz was hit with a pitch. Ryan Noda got a base hit to right but Brent Rooker banged into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the second as Adam Duvall doubled to left to start. Triston Casas got a base hit to left but Christian Arroyo popped up to second. Connor Wong ripped a base hit to left to score Duvall but Yu Chang grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                          Wong gets it done

Tyler Soderstrom grounded out to first to start the bottom of the second before Shea Langeliers struck out swinging. JJ Bleday grounded out to second to end the inning. Good work by Bernardino to allow no runs to keep the Sox on top.

                                                    Bernardino gets it done

Duran grounded out to first to start the top of the third but Verdugo doubled to center. Turner lined out to left and Yoshida also flied out to left to end the inning. Nick Pivetta came in to pitch the bottom of the third and Nick Allen struck out looking to start. Seth Brown flied out to right but Gelof walked. Diaz struck out swinging to end the inning.

Duvall went down hacking to start the top of the fourth but Casas walked. Arroyo lined out to center and Wong took strike three to end the inning. Pivetta cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Noda went down hacking to start. Rooker struck out swinging and Soderstrom took strike three to end the inning.

Chang struck out swinging to start the top of the fifth before Blackburn made a great stab of a Duran line drive. Verdugo grounded out to second to end the inning. Langeliers grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fifth before Bleday flied out to left. Allen grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox iced the game in the top of the sixth as Turner doubled to right to begin. Yoshida got a base hit to left to put runners at the corners and Duvall scored Turner with a sac fly to right. Yoshida swiped second, Casas drew a walk and Arroyo dumped a base hit to right to load the bases. Wong ripped a double to left to score Yoshida & Casas and Chang scored Arroyo with a grounder to third. That was it for Blackburn as Sam Moll came in to pitch to Duran. Jarren flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox up 6-0.

                                                                  Wong ices the game

Pivetta was relentless in the bottom of the sixth as Brown struck out swinging to start. Gelof went down hacking and Aledmys Diaz pinch hit for Jordan Diaz. Aledmys took strike three to end the inning.

Verdugo struck out swinging to start the top of the seventh before Turner flied out to right. Yoshida took strike three to end the inning. Noda struck out swinging to start the bottom of the seventh and got so mad he attacked home plate umpire Emil Jimenez with a bat. He had to be escorted out by armed security as Rooker also struck out swinging. Soderstrom also went down hacking to end the inning.

                                                           Yerrrrr out!

Cody Thomas came in for Noda with Angel Felipe now on the mound for Oakland to start the top of the eighth. Duvall grounded out to short, Casas went down hacking and Arroyo flied out to center to end the inning. Pivetta returned for one last inning in the bottom of the eighth and Langeliers struck out swinging. Bleday walked but Allen struck out swinging. Brown flied out to left to end the masterpiece. Pivetta tossed 6 no-hit innings of relief while striking out 13 batters, Dick Radatz never did that.

                                                          Outstanding job

The Sox wrapped up the scoring in the top of the ninth as Wong singled to left to start. Chang popped up to second but Duran drew a walk. Verdugo walked to load the bases and Turner scored Wong by forcing Duran at third. Yoshida struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 7-0.

                                                      Turner drives in a run

Chris Martin came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and Gelof struck out swinging to begin. Diaz struck out swinging but Thomas walked. Rooker went down hacking to end the game. Sox pitchers had struck out 18 batters and won the game 7-0.

                                                            Red Sox win

Hero of the Night is Nick Pivetta. He earned the win by throwing 6 no-hit innings while striking out 13 batters, a new Red Sox relief record.

                                                Hero Pivetta

The Good:

Adam Duvall was 1 for 3 with an rbi and a run scored.

Triston Casas was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Brennan Bernardino tossed 2 scoreless innings.

Chris Martin pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

Connor Wong was 3 for 4 with 3 rbis and a run scored.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Jarren Duran was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored a run.

Alex Verdugo was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked.

Justin Turner was just 1 for 4 but drove in 2 runs and scored a run.

Masataka Yoshida was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts but stole a base and scored a run.

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

Yu Chang was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Final Thoughts:

I know the A's are terrible but 18 strikeouts are still 18 strikeouts. Bernardino, Pivetta and Martin mowed down the A's and with Rafael Devers out with a calf strain, Connor Wong took command tonight. Both Wong and Casas are starting to hit a little better and that's desperately needed, especially with Trevor Story rumored to be near a return. Pivetta was outstanding and the combination of Pivetta & Bernardino may be unorthodox but its working. The Sox still need to get key guys back from injury like Garrett Whitlock, Tanner Houck, Chris Sale, Story and Devers. If they get those guys back, the Sox may be primed for an October run. The win improved the Sox to 51-44, 8 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the AL East. It should be noted that the New York Yankees are in last place this late in the season for the first time since 1990. Guess what happened in 1990, the Sox won the AL East. The Sox look to make it four wins in a row and two against the A's tomorrow night when Alex Cora picks a name out of a hat to face Luis Medina of Oakland. The game begins at 9:40 PM Eastern time at Oakland Coliseum.

Sox Homer Parade Tames Cubs (7/14/23)

Good news Boston Red Sox fans, they picked up where they left off before the All-Star break. After going into the break winning five in a row, the Sox made it six after downing the Chicago Cubs. The Sox as a team hit five home runs in this one, two of them by Rafael Devers who's not happy about not being an All-Star. On the other side of the ball, Brayan Bello (7-5, 3.14 ERA) won his seventh game of the year by tossing six solid innings while allowing just three runs. Josh Winckowski and Brennan Bernardino slammed the door in the next two innings before Kenley Jansen earned his 20th save by getting out of a bases loaded jam in the ninth inning. It all added up to an 8-3 victory over the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

                                                 Dr. Brian Virgil approves of the win

Kyle Hendricks got the ball in the top of the first inning and Jarren Duran struck out swinging to start. Masataka Yoshida grounded out to second and Justin Turner took strike three right down the middle to end the inning. Bello got the ball in the bottom of the first and Mike Tauchman grounded out to first to start. Nico Hoerner took strike three and Ian Happ lined out to center to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the second when Rafael Devers launched his 21st home run of the season to put Boston on top. Alex Verdugo grounded out to short but Adam Duvall clobbered his seventh home run of the season to increase the lead. Triston Casas got a base hit to center but Connor Wong struck out swinging. Yu Chang also struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                         Devers & Duvall go yard

Seiya Suzuki struck out swinging to begin the bottom of the second before Cody Bellinger struck out swinging. Christopher Morel beat out a roller to third but Jared Young grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the third as Duran legged out a double to left to start before making a mad dash to third on a fly out to center by Yoshida. Turner hit a sac fly to right to score Duran and Devers belted his second home run of the night to increase the lead. Verdugo singled to center and stole second, but Duvall grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-0.

                                                          Devers does it again

The Cubs tagged Bello in the bottom of the third as Miles Mastrobuoni struck out swinging to start. Tucker Barnhart doubled to center and Tauchman doubled to center to score Barnhart. Hoerner singled in the hole at short but Happ popped up to third. Suzuki grounded out to second to end the inning with the Cubs down 4-1.

                                                                   Cubs get one back

The Sox got that run right back when Casas belted his 10th home run of the season to start the top of the fourth. Wong grounded out to third, Chang struck out swinging and Duran grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox up 5-1.

                                                           Casas says "kiss it goodbye"

The Cubs answered in the bottom of the fourth as Bellinger hit a home run all the way to Indiana to cut the lead. Morel struck out swinging, Young grounded out to second and Mastrobuoni flied out to left to end the inning with the Cubs down 5-2.

                                                    Home run Bellinger

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the fifth as Yoshida grounded out to first to start. Turner grounded out to third but Devers got a base hit to right. Anthony Kay came in to face Verdugo and walked him before both runners advanced on a wild pitch. Duvall struck out swinging to end the inning. Barnhart singled to right to start the bottom of the fifth but was gunned down by Verdugo trying to stretch a double. Tauchman grounded out to second and Hoerner grounded out to third to end the inning.

Casas lined out to center to start the top of the sixth before Wong struck out swinging. Chang lined out to left to end the inning. Happ lined out to center to start the bottom of the sixth before Suzuki grounded out to short. Bellinger smashed a home run all the way to Neptune to cut the lead and Morel singled in the hole to short. Young popped up to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-3. That was it for Bello who tossed 6 solid innings allowing just 3 runs on 8 hits. He did strike out 5 batters.

                                                        Bello gets it done

The Sox iced the game in the top of the seventh inning with Mark Leiter Jr now on the mound. Duran grounded out to first to start but Yoshida singled to center. Turner then belted his 14th home run of the season to increase the lead. Devers went down hacking and Verdugo grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox up 7-3.

                                                         Turner jacks one out

Josh Winckowski came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Mastrobuoni flied out to left to start. Barnhart struck out swinging and Tauchman flied out to left to end the inning.

Javier Assad came in to pitch the top of the eighth inning and Duvall watched strike three go by to start. Casas grounded out to short and Wong did the same to end the inning. Brennan Bernardino came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth with Christian Arroyo taking Casas' spot. Hoerner flied out to center, Happ took strike three and Suzuki struck out swinging to end the inning. 

The Sox wrapped up the scoring in the top of the ninth when Chang belted his fourth home run of the season to add to the lead. Duran singled to left and Yoshida also got a hit to left before Turner moved Jarren to third with a line out to center. Devers took strike three and Verdugo grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-3. 

                                                            Chang launches one

Tayler Scott came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and Bellinger flied out to left to start. Morel singled to center and moved to third on a stolen base and a throwing error by Wong. Young walked but Mastrobuoni struck out swinging. Barnhart walked to load the bases and Sox manager Alex Cora threw his hands up, pulling Scott for closer Kenley Jansen. Tauchman struck out swinging to end the game. The Sox had won it 8-3.

                                                                    Red Sox win

Hero of the Night is Rafael Devers, his two home runs powered the offense to victory

                                                               Hero Devers

The Good:

Jarren Duran was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Masataka Yoshida was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Triston Casas was 2 for 4 with a home run.

Brayan Bello got the win by allowing 3 runs in 6 solid innings. He gave up 8 hits and struck out 5.

Josh Winckowski tossed 2 scoreless innings.

Kenley Jansen got the only man he faced out.

The Bad:

Connor Wong was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

Justin Turner was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but hit a 2 run homer and drove in 3 total runs.

Alex Verdugo was just 1 for 4 but walked.

Adam Duvall was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a home run.

Yu Chang was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a home run.

Tayler Scott left the bases loaded after 2/3 of an inning.

Honorable Mention:

Christian Arroyo played second base in the bottom of the ninth.

Final Thoughts:

Big win tonight as not only did it set the tone to start the second half but they move into a tie for fourth place with the New York Yankees who lost tonight to the Colorado Rockies. The Sox are only 2 games behind the Houston Astros for the final wild card so the Sox are definitely within striking distance. They need to get their injured pitchers back if they have any hope for October because their lineup and bench is as good as anyone and Sox manager Alex Cora can mix and match the bullpen, but without Whitlock, Sale and Houck they can forget about a stretch run. Still, a win is a win and they all count. The win improved the Sox to 49-43, 8.5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it seven wins in a row and two over the Cubs when James Paxton 5-1, 2.73 ERA takes on Marcus Stroman of the Cubs. The game begins at 2:20 PM Eastern time at Wrigley Field.

Sox Lose Chang, Game To Orioles (4/24/23)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Brayan Bello was optioned back to Worcester and the Sox called up Brennan Bernardino. Bello looked like crap in his two starts after coming off the Injured List and the Sox want him to get right in Worcester before getting another chance. Bernardino is this season's Yacksel Rios, a castoff from Seattle. Hopefully they won't need him much.

                                                                       OUT

                                                                        IN

As for the game, what a disaster. Once again the Boston Red Sox got a bad start from Chris Sale (1-2, 8.22 ERA) who was tipping his pitches against the Baltimore Orioles. The O's didn't miss against Sale and Chris did not record a strikeout in five innings. The Sox broke out to a 4-0 lead after 3 innings on Dean Kremer but Dean and the Baltimore bullpen allowed just one hit and two walks after that. The O's scored a run in the third, three in the fourth and one in the fifth to take command. The Sox had trouble with the umpires all night as both Hitting Coach Pete Fatse and Manager Alex Cora were both ejected as the O's beat the Sox 5-4 at Camden Yards.

                                                                This game sucks

Kremer got the ball in the top of the first inning and Alex Verdugo was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to start. Rafael Devers took strike three and Justin Turner went down hacking to end the inning. Sale got the ball in the bottom of the first and Austin Hays grounded out to short to start. Adley Rutschman flied out to left and Ryan Mountcastle grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the second inning as Masataka Yoshida got a base hit to center to start. Kike Hernandez grounded into a double play but Triston Casas belted his third home run of the season to put the Sox ahead. Jarren Duran grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                              Casas launches one

Anthony Santander flied out to center to start the top of the third before Ramon Urias drew a walk. James McCann flied out to center and Urias was thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the third as Connor Wong drew a walk to start. Wong moved to second on the grounder to short by Yu Chang and Verdugo singled him home. Devers then blasted his 9th home run of the season to increase the lead. Turner flied out to center but Yoshida ripped a base hit to center. Hernandez popped up to short to end the inning with the Sox up 4-0.

                                                          Devers hits his ninth

The O's began their comeback in the bottom of the third as Cedric Mullins doubled to left to start. Jorge Mateo lined out to right but Adam Frazier singled to left to score Mullins. Hays grounded into a double play to end the inning but it was 4-1 Sox.

                                                                  Frazier drives in a run

Kremer turned up the heat in the top of the fourth as Casas took strike three to start. Duran and Wong both struck out swinging to end the inning. The O's pounded Sale in the bottom of the fourth as Rutschman flied out to center to start. Mountcastle singled to left, Santander doubled to center and Urias scored both runners with a double to center. McCann ripped a base hit to right to score Urias with the tying run. Mullins grounded into a double play to end the inning with the game tied 4-4.

                                                    O's tie it up

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the fifth as Chang flied out to right to start. Verdugo lined out to left and Devers grounded out to first to end the inning. The O's completed the comeback in the bottom of the fifth as Mateo doubled to left to start. Mateo moved to third on the Frazier grounder to first but Hays singled to left to score Mateo, putting the O's up for good. Rutchsman singled to right to move Hays to third but Mountcastle hit into a double play to end the inning with the O's up 5-4. Sale gave up a hit to all 9 men in the lineup and left the game after 5 innings and 4 runs allowed.

                                                          Sale sucked again

The O's got a little help from the umpires in the top of the sixth as Turner singled to left to start. Yoshida got a base hit to left but Turner was foolishly thrown out at third. Home plate umpire Junior Valentine called a a pitch to Hernandez not even close a strike and Red Sox hitting coach Peter Fatse ran out of the dugout with a bat, chasing Valentine with it until he was ejected. Hernandez flied out to right to chase Kremer as Keegan Akin came in to pitch to Casas. Casas grounded out to second to end the inning. 

                                                       YERRRR OUT FATSE!

Ryan Brasier came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Santander popped up to third to start. Urias grounded out to third and McCann grounded out to third as well to end the inning.

Bryan Baker came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Duran struck out swinging to start. Wong walked but everything fell apart as Wong was thrown out at second and Chang keeled over clutching his hand. Chang had to be carried out on a stretcher, loaded onto an ambulance and rushed to the local ICU as Christian Arroyo took his spot. Arroyo struck out swinging to end the inning. Not what the Sox needed, another injury.

                                                                Chang goes down

Brennan Bernardino made his Sox debut in the bottom of the seventh and Mullins greeted him with a seeing eye single to short. Mateo lined out to right but Frazier forced Mullins at second. Hays got a base hit to right to move Frazier to third but Rutschman flied out to right to end the inning.

Danny Coulumbe came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Verdugo grounded out to first to start. Devers struck out swinging and Turner flied out to right to end the inning. Mountcastle got a base hit to right to start the bottom of the eighth but Santander banged into a double play. Urias got a base hit to right but McCann flied out to right to end the inning.

                                                           Good work Bernardino

Ryan McKenna took over in right to start the top of the ninth and Yoshida walked to chase Coulumbe. Yennier Cano came in to face Hernandez and Raimel Tapia pinch ran for Yoshida. Tapia took second on a balk and Hernandez was rung up on yet another borderline call. Casas struck out swinging and third base umpire Quinn Wolcott tossed Cora for barking at the umpires. Cora ran out of the dugout with a sickle and chased Wolcott into the bleachers but Duran lined out to third to end the game. The O's had won it 5-4.

                                                                  O's win

Jackass of the Night is Chris Sale. He was handed a 4 run lead and pissed it away, allowing 5 runs in 5 innings while tipping his pitches to the point of striking out zero batters.

                                                                      Jackass Sale

The Good:

Masataka Yoshida was 3 for 3 with a walk.

Connor Wong walked twice and scored a run.

Ryan Brasier tossed a scoreless sixth inning.

Brennan Bernardino tossed 2 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Kike Hernandez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jarren Duran was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Yu Chang was 0 for 2

Christian Arroyo struck out for Chang in the 7th.

The Ugly:

Alex Verdugo was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored a run.

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but the one hit was a 2 run home run.

Justin Turner was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Triston Casas was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but the one hit was a home run.

Honorable Mention:

Raimel Tapia pinch ran for Yoshida in the ninth inning.

Final Thoughts:

This was one of the most frustrating games of the season in yet another winnable game. Cora was asleep at the wheel by letting Sale pitch the fifth inning when it was clear he was tipping and why in the holy blue hell didn't he have Hernandez bunt Tapia to third after the balk was called? The umpiring was giving questionable calls the Baltimore all night but that's not even close to the problem of Sale tipping. If he doesn't fix himself, how many other teams are going to tee off on him? Even on bad days he gets a a lot of strikeouts but the O's knew exactly when to swing and when to lay off. If Yu Chang is hurt for a significant amount of time, we may see Enmanuel Valdez or Bobby Dalbec back up here by tomorrow. The Sox have way too many injuries early in the season but better now than in July. Bernardino and Brasier have to be given credit not only for holding the fort but saving the rest of the arms for tomorrow when its most likely they'll be needed. The less said of this disaster, the better. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow evening when Corey Kluber (0-4, 8.50 ERA) looks to get out of his funk as he takes on Kyle Bradish of Baltimore. The game begins at 6:35 PM at Camden Yards.

Sox Blast Brewers In 9 Run Rally (4/23/23)

It was a fantastic day for Boston sports. The Boston Bruins defeated the Florida Panthers in Game 4 of their first round NHL playoff series, the Boston Celtics defeated the Atlanta Hawks in Game 4 of their first round NBA playoff series and the Boston Red Sox shocked the Milwaukee Brewers with a victory following a 9 run rally. The Sox broke out to a 3-0 lead on Milwaukee starter Corbin Burnes but the Brewers came back to tie the game in the fifth against Sox starter Brayan Bello. Two innings later it looked bad when Kaleb Ort allowed the go-ahead run on a wild pitch. Then the Sox exploded in the eighth inning as Justin Turner tied the game with a home run and Masataka Yoshida put the Sox ahead with a home run of his own. The Sox batted around against Matt Bush and old friend Javy Guerra before Yoshida then hit a grand slam to cap the rally. It was a great day all around as the Sox bashed the Brewers 12-5 at American Family Field.

                                                   Taylor Hall approves of the win

Burnes got the ball in the top of the first inning and Alex Verdugo beat out a roller to the mound to begin. Rafael Devers took strike three but Justin Turner got a base hit to right, booted by Blake Perkins for an error to move Verdugo to third. Masa Yoshida scored Verdugo with a sac fly to right and Kike Hernandez lined out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                            Verdugo is dead but the run scored

Bello got the ball in the bottom of the first and Christian Yelich grounded out to second to start. Jesse Winker grounded out to short but Willy Adames walked. A wild pitch moved Adames to second and Rowdy "Roddy" Tellez worked a walk. Brian Anderson struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox rallied in the top of the second as Triston Casas walked to start. Jarren Duran ripped a base hit to center and Connor Wong caught the Brewers asleep with a bunt single down the third base line to load the bases. Yu Chang lined out to second but Verdugo worked a walk to score Casas. The big inning ended as Devers hit a fly ball to right to score Duran but Wong was thrown out at third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                     Duran scores before Wong is thrown out

Victor Caratini grounded out to short to start the bottom of the second before Brice Turang lined out to third. Joey Wiemer got a base hit down the third base line but Blake Perkins was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to end the inning.

Turner flied out to right to start the top of the third before Yoshida struck out swinging. Hernandez doubled down the left field line but Casas struck out swinging to end the inning. Yelich grounded out to short to start the bottom of the third before Winker popped up to short. Adames grounded out to short to end the inning.

Duran struck out swinging to start the top of the fourth before Wong grounded out to third. Chang lined out to first to end the inning. The Brewers got one back in the bottom of the fourth as Tellez took strike three to start. Anderson hit a home run all the way to Butte, Montana to cut the lead. Caratini struck out swinging and Turang grounded out to short to end the inning but the Brewers cut the lead 3-1.

                                                               Anderson jacks one gone

Verdugo took strike three to start the top of the fifth before Devers grounded out to first. Turner walked but Yoshida grounded out to first to end the inning. Bello fell apart in the bottom of the fifth as Wiemer doubled to left to start. Perkins dropped down a sacrifice bunt and the gamble worked as Yelich singled to right to score Wiemer. Winker singled to right to move Yelich to third and Christian scored on a sac fly by Adames to tie the game. That was it for Bello as Sox manager Alex Cora wouldn't let him face Tellez. He lasted 4 2/3 innings and allowed 3 runs, still an improvement over Patriots Day. Richard Bleier came in and struck out Tellez swinging to end the inning with the game tied 3-3.

                                                        Bello needs to be better

Elvis Peguero came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Hernandez struck out looking to start. Casas flied out to right and Duran struck out swinging to end the inning. Anderson walked to start the bottom of the sixth but Caratini banged into a double play. Turang took strike three to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the seventh as Wong grounded out to third to start. Chang blooped a base hit to right to chase Perguero and get Holby Milner into the game. Verdugo was plunked but Devers grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Brewers took command in the bottom of the seventh against a wild Kaleb Ort as Wiemer walked to start. Wiemer stole second and Perkins dropped down another sacrifice bunt. Yelich walked and a wild pitch scored Wiemer to put Milwaukee ahead. Winker walked but Adames popped up to third. Tellez grounded out to first to end the inning with the Brewers ahead 4-3.

                                                        Brewers surge ahead

Suddenly the Sox came out swinging in the top of the eighth against Matt Bush. Turner launched his second home run of the season to tie the game and Yoshida also hit his second home run of the season to put Boston on top. Hernandez doubled to right and moved to third on the line out to right by Casas. Duran walked and that was it for Bush. Former Sox minor league infielder Javy Guerra came in to pitch and Duran promptly swiped second. Wong ripped a base hit up the middle to score both runners and Chang blooped a base hit to center to move Connor to third. Verdugo flied out to center but Devers was intentionally walked to get to Turner. Turner ended up drawing a walk and Yoshida pounded a no doubt grand slam to cap off the rally. Hernandez hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning but the Sox broke it open up 12-4.

                                                            What an inning!

John Schreiber got tagged in the bottom of the eighth as Anderson hit another home run all the way to Arizona to cut the lead. Caratini grounded out to first, Turang went down hacking and Wiemer struck out swinging to end the inning with the Brewers down 12-5.

                                                          Another homer for Anderson

Owen Miller took over for Adames to start the top of the ninth as Casas walked to start. Duran singled off the glove of Tellez but Wong struck out swinging. Casas moved to third on the Chang fly out to right before Duran moved to second on a wild pitch. Verdugo took strike three to end the inning. Ryan Brasier came in to mop up the bottom of the ninth and Perkins took strike three to begin. Mike Brosseau pinch hit for Yelich and popped up to second. Winker grounded out to second to end the game. The Sox had won it 12-5.

                                                                   Red Sox win

Hero of the Night is Masataka Yoshida. He hit the go-ahead home run in the eighth inning and the grand slam later in the inning.

                                                Put your hands in the air for our Hero

The Good:

Justin Turner was 2 for 3 with 2 walks, a home run, 2 total rbis and 2 total runs scored.

Kike Hernandez was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Jarren Duran was 2 for 4 with a walk, stolen base and 2 runs scored.

Connor Wong was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Yu Chang was 2 for 5 with a run scored and a stolen base.

Richard Bleier tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Kaleb Ort allowed a run in the seventh inning.

John Schreiber allowed a run in the eighth inning.

The Ugly:

Alex Verdugo was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked, was hit with a pitch, drove in a run and scored a run.

Rafael Devers was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked, drove in a run and scored a run.

Triston Casas was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked twice and scored a run.

Bryan Bello lasted just 4 2/3 innings while allowing 3 runs. He allowed 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3.

Final Thoughts:

That was a fun win on a fun day. Boston is buzzing over the Bruins and the Celtics but the Sox made a statement of their own with a big outburst against Milwaukee. There were some negatives like Bello once again struggling and Schreiber giving up a bomb but for the most part this was a good day. Hernandez continues to bust out of his slump and the Sox got multiple hits from Duran, Wong and Chang as well. Nice to have an offense that's not an automatic black hole in the bottom of the order. Casas continues to have no success hitting the ball but is drawing a lot of walks to at least get on base. One of the important aspects is the team speed and they used it today with Duran & Chang stealing bases. Duran is the fastest player on the team and if he can get on base, he can be a terror on the bases. The Sox have David Hamilton in Worcester who's another speed demon so this offense could be very dangerous when its at full strength if both Duran and eventually Hamilton can get on base. Not only that but Tapia and Chang are pretty fast as well. The only thing really stopping this team is the starting pitching but they have seven starters right now and two of them have to go. Its just a question of who and when since their first off-day in almost a month is Thursday. All in all it was another series win and the Sox just need to keep plugging along. The Sox now travel to Baltimore for their next big test against the red hot Orioles beginning tomorrow evening. Chris Sale (1-1, 8.00 ERA) looks to make it two good starts in a row against Dean Kremer of the Orioles. The game begins at 6:35 PM at Camden Yards.