Sox Late Rally Stuns Angels (4/5/84)

The bad news was the Boston Bruins dropped Game 2 of their first round NHL playoff series but the good news was the Boston Red Sox beat the California Angels again. For 7 innings it looked like the Sox would meet sure defeat at the hands of the Angels. They trailed 2-0 going into the top of the eighth when they finally came alive. They scored 4 times that inning and 3 times in the ninth to shock the Angels 7-4 at Anaheim Stadium.

                                           Disorderly Orderly approves of the win

Ron Romanick got the ball to start the top of the first inning and Jerry Remy hit a comebacker to the mound to start the game. Dwight Evans popped up to second and Wade Boggs flied out to center to end the inning. Dennis Eckersley got the start in the bottom of the first inning and Brian Downing flied out to right to start. Rod Carew grounded out to second and Daryl Sconiers popped up to short to end the inning.

The Sox went quietly in the top of the second inning as Jim Rice grounded out to third to start. Mike Easler struck out and Tony Armas flied out to right to end the inning. The Angels struck first in the bottom of the second when Doug DeCinces singled. Eckersley got Fred Lynn to fly out to right and struck out Bobby Grich, but DeCinces stole second. Dick Schofield Jr singled home DeCinces to give the Angels the lead. Schofield swiped second but Bob Boone popped up to short to end the inning with the Angels up 1-0.

                                                     "I scored...haha!" - DeCinces

Rich Gedman singled to open the top of the third inning but Dave Stapleton grounded into a double play. Glenn Hoffman grounded out to first to end the inning. Eckersley matched Romanick in the bottom of the third inning. Garry Pettis and Downing struck out before Carew flied out to left to end the inning.

The Sox mustered nothing in the top of the fourth inning as Remy flied out to left before both Evans and Boggs flied out to center to end the inning. Eckersley tried to keep pace in the bottom of the fourth inning. Sconiers singled but DeCinces banged into a double play. Lynn grounded out to second to end the inning.

Rice looked to get things going in the top of the fifth inning with a base hit to start. Easler walked but Armas killed the rally with a double play. Gedman grounded out to second to end the inning. Grich singled to lead off the bottom of the fifth but Schofield Jr popped up to third. The alert Gedman gunned down Grich trying to steal and Boone popped to third to end the inning.

Romanick dominated in the top of the sixth as Stapleton grounded out to short to start. Hoffman flied to center and Remy grounded to short to end the inning. Eckersley matched Romanick in the bottom of the sixth inning as Pettis flied out to right to start. Downing popped to short and Carew grounded out to second to end the inning.

Evans looked to get things started in the top of the seventh inning with a lead-off double...but he was stranded. Boggs flied out to right, Rice grounded out to short and Easler popped up to third to end the inning. The Angels struck again in the bottom of the seventh although Sconiers flied out to center to start. DeCinces grounded out to short but Lynn singled. Grich doubled home Lynn to increase the lead but Schofield Jr flied out to center to end the inning with the Angels up 2-0.

The Sox roared back in the top of the eighth inning. Juan Beniquez took over in left for the Angels as Armas started it off with a base hit. Gedman singled to put the tying run on as Reid Nichols pinch ran for him. Stapleton dropped down a bunt and Romanick fired to third....OVER HIS HEAD AND INTO LEFT! Armas scored and Nichols motored around home.....AND BENIQUEZ THREW IT AWAY! Nichols scored and Stapleton ended up on third with the game tied. Hoffman punctuated the bad baseball by California with a double to score Dave and take the lead. Remy dropped down and was thrown out at first, but Hoffman moved to third. Glenn scored on the sac fly by Evans as Boggs singled. Rice flied out to end the inning but the Sox had taken a 4-2 lead with 6 outs to go.

                                                                  Hoffman gives the Sox the lead

Gary Allenson took over behind the plate as the Angels struck back in the bottom of the eighth inning. Eckersley got Boone to ground out to third as Reggie Jackson pinch hit for Pettis only to pop up to first. One out away from going into the ninth with the lead, Beniquez singled and CAREW blasted a 87,648 foot home run into the Pacific Ocean to tie the game. Nice going Eck! That was it for Eckersley who was just one out away from 8 innings of 2 run ball. Bob Stanley chugged in from the bullpen and got Sconiers to hit a routine grounder to second. Unfortunately Jerry Remy was playing air guitar and the ball went through his legs for an error. Rob Wilfong pinch ran for Sconiers but DiCinces flied out to center to end the inning with the score tied 4-4.

The Sox answered in the top of the ninth with Ron Jackson now in left field. Easler started the rally with a double but Armas flied out to left and Allenson popped up to third. Stapleton gave the Sox the lead with a go-ahead double as Hoffman worked a walk. Remy atoned for his error by scoring Stapleton with a single to chase Kaufman. Talk about leaving someone in for too long. Frank LaCorte came in to pitch and Evans greeted him with a double to score Hoffman to ice the game. Boggs flied out to left but the Sox now led 7-4 with 3 outs to go.

                                                 Stapleton puts the Sox on top

Stanley came back for the ninth and slammed the door shut. Lynn grounded out to second and Grich struck out. Schofield hit a comebacker to Stanley to end the game. The Sox had rallied twice in the late innings to take the game 7-4.

Hero of the Night is Dave Stapleton. His go-ahead double in the top of the ninth was the deciding run.

                                                     Stapleton the Hero


The Good:

Dwight Evans was 2 for 4 with 2 rbi's.

Mike Easler was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Rich Gedman was 2 for 3.

Jeff Newman scored as a pinch runner.

Glenn Hoffman was 1 for 3 with a walk, rbi and 2 runs scored.

Bob Stanley earned the win by getting out of the 8th inning jam and slamming the door in the 9th.



The Bad:

Gary Allenson was 0 for 1 at the plate.



The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was just 1 for 4 with an error but drove in a run.

Wade Boggs was just 1 for 5.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4.

Tony Armas was 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Dennis Eckersley went 7 2/3 innings allowing 4 runs and leaving with a no-decision. His failure to retire Carew in the 8th cost him the victory.



Final Thoughts:

Now that was a balsy win. Any time you win on the West Coast is one less road game to worry about and this was a big win. Stapleton and Hoffman picked up the slack for the cleanup crew and Stanley was lights out in the end. Its a shame Eck couldn't get Carew in the eighth but there will be another time. Nobody really had a bad game which is a sign of good things. Hopefully the Sox can keep the momentum tomorrow against the Oakland A's when the Sox visit Oakland. Larry Sorenson goes for the A's while Oil Can Boyd makes his season debut for the Sox.

Easler's Blast Leads Sox Past Angels (4/4/84)

The bad news was the Boston Bruins dropped Game 1 of their first round NHL playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens. The good news was the Boston Red Sox defeated the California Angels. For the second straight game, the Sox and Angels were locked in a grueling low scoring affair. This time, Mike Easler of the Red Sox said "That's the end of this crap, we be moving on now" as he launched a go-ahead two run home run in the top of the ninth inning. The Sox held on and they defeated the Angels 2-1 at Anaheim Stadium.

                                                Bo Derek approves of the win

Once again the Boston Red Sox offense were shut down and in the top of the first inning, Mike Witt established dominance. Jerry Remy grounded out to first and Dwight Evans struck out. Wade Boggs singled but was foolishly thrown out trying to stretch a double. Red Sox starter Bob Ojeda was just as tough in the bottom of the first inning. Brian Downing flied out to right, Rod Carew grounded out to third and Juan Beniquez flied out to center.

Witt also dominated the top of the second inning. Jim Rice grounded out to first, Mike Easler struck out and Tony Armas flied out to center to end the inning. Ojeda matched Witt in the bottom of the second inning. Doug DeCinces grounded out to short, Fred Lynn struck out and Bobby Grich popped up to second.

Witt dominated the top of the third inning as well. Rich Gedman grounded out, Dave Stapleton flied out and Glenn Hoffman grounded out to end the inning. The Angels got their first hit off Ojeda in the bottom of the third although Dick Schofield flied out to start. Bob Boone grounded out but Gary Pettis singled and swiped second. Downing grounded out to end the inning,

The Sox looked to get something going in the top of the fourth when Remy singled only for Evans to bang into a double play. Boggs singled but Rice grounded out to end the inning. Carew singled to lead off the bottom of the fourth but was erased on the Beniquez force. DeCinces banged into a double play to end the inning.

Once again the Sox blundered a chance in the top of the fifth inning. Easler hit a routine ground ball to DiCinces only for Doug to boot it, allowing Mike to reach first. Armas singled Mike to third but Easler foolishly was picked off. Gedman flied out and Stapleton grounded out to end the inning. Right on cue the Angels took the lead when Lynn blasted a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the fifth. Grich walked and advanced to second on the sacrifice bunt by Schofield. Boone walked but Pettis struck out. Downing flied out to end the inning with the Angels up 1-0.

The Sox went quietly in the top of the sixth inning. Hoffman flied out, Remy grounded out and Evans flied out to end the inning. Ojeda ran into major trouble in the bottom of the sixth although Carew grounded out to start. 3 straight singles by Beniquez, DiCinces and Lynn loaded the bases. Ojeda showed some balls by getting Grich to pop up to short and Schofield to pop to third to end the inning.

                                                 "Ojeda you son of a gun, way to go!" - Houk

Unfortunately the Sox couldn't capitalize on the break in the top of the seventh inning. Boggs worked a leadoff walk but Rice and Easler both struck out. Armas grounded into a force to end the inning. Ojeda got some defensive help in the bottom of the seventh inning. Boone walked but Pettis flied out to right. Downing walked but Carew banged into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox threatened in the top of the eighth although Gedman flied out to center to start the inning. Stapleton walked and Rick Miller pinch hit for Hoffman. Miller walked to chase Witt. Angels manager Gene Mauch pulled Witt for Luis Sanchez. Remy grounded back to the pitcher but both runners advanced. With a chance to take the lead....Evans struck out to end the inning. The Sox had been shutout in 16 of 17 innings to start the season. Ojeda returned for the bottom of the eighth with Jackie Gutierrez now at short. Ojeda was quickly chased after Beniquez doubled. Normally 7 innings of 1 run ball means a victory, poor Bobby.

                                                   Tough break Bobby

Mark Clear made his season debut by keeping Beniquez at second on the DiCinces ground out. Lynn was intentionally walked but Grich flied out. Schofield struck out to end the inning.

Somehow the Sox broke through in the top of the ninth inning. Boggs led off with a single but Rice flied out. Sanchez then tossed a pitch to Easler who BLASTED IT OUT OF THE YARD FOR A HOME RUN! Just like that the Sox had a 2-1 lead. Armas walked and Pettis made a great diving catch to rob Gedman of extra bases, although Armas tagged up and moved to second. Stapleton was intentionally walked to get to Gutierrez and Jackie flied out to end the inning but the Sox had the lead.

                                             Easler says "Take that you bloody wankers!"

Now could Clear nail down the win in the bottom of the ninth despite having serious control issues? Daryl Sconiers pinch hit for Boone and Clear walked him. Pettis dropped down a sac bunt to move Sconiers to second and Downing walked. There would be no back to back walkoffs as Carew struck out and Beniquez flied out to end the game. The Sox had stole one 2-1.

Hero of the Night is an easy choice. Mike Easler's 2 run home run gave the Sox the victory in the top of the ninth.

                                               Hero of the Night: Mike Easler


The Good:

Wade Boggs was 3 for 3 with a walk and a run scored

Tony Armas was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Dave Stapleton walked twice in 4 plate appearances.

Rick Miller pinch hit for Hoffman and walked.

Bob Ojeda pitched 7 innings and allowed only 1 run on 6 hits and 5 walks.

Mark Clear earned the win win 2 innings of scoreless relief.



The Bad:

Dwight Evans was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Jim Rice was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Rich Gedman was 0 for 4.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 2.

Jackie Gutierrez was 0 for 1 at the plate.



The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was just 1 for 4.



Final Thoughts:

If you're looking for offense this season you may have to wait a minute. Scoring 3 runs in two games is not a recipe for success but on the flip side is the Sox have only allowed 1 earned run in 2 games. Bob Ojeda pitched his ass off and Mark Clear got a little shaky, but shut down the Angels big time. If only the Sox could get this kind of pitching all year, they'd be in business. The offense definitely needs to wake up though, especially on this West Coast trip. Tomorrow night Dennis Eckersley makes his season debut opposite Ron Romanick.

Bonehead Blunder Costs Sox Opening Day (4/2/84)

For 8 innings it appeared the Boston Red Sox were heading to a 1-0 victory over the California Angels. Bruce Hurst had pitched 8 innings of shut out ball and all appeared to be well. It wasn't, an untimely error by rookie shortstop Jackie Gutierrez led the way for a come from behind 2-1 Angels win. If this is a harbinger of things to come, the 84 Red Sox are in big trouble.

                                           "That damn Gutierrez!" - Archie Bunker

Angels starter Ken Forsch pitched a tough game and it began in the top of the first inning. Jerry Remy grounded out to short to begin before Dwight Evans struck out. Wade Boggs flied out to end the inning. Hurst got the ball in the bottom of the frame and Brian Downing flied out. Rod Carew slapped a single but the alert Hurst picked him off first base. Old friend Juan Beniquez flied out to right to end the inning.

Jim Rice opened the top of the second inning with a strikeout. Mike Easler singled for the first Sox hit of the season and took second on the ground out by Tony Armas. Rich Gedman grounded out to end the inning. Hurst stayed strong in the bottom of the second when he got Doug DiCinces to ground out to short to start. Old buddy Freddy Lynn grounded out to second then Bobby Grich popped up to third to end the inning.

The pitcher's duel continued in the top of the third inning. Dave Stapleton flied out to left and Glenn Hoffman struck out, but Remy singled. Remy was then thrown out at second trying to steal....nice going Jerry. Luckily Hurst was up to the task of matching Forsch. Dick Schofield flied out to right, Bob Boone flied out to center and Gary Pettis grounded out to end the inning.

Dwight Evans grounded out to begin the top of the fourth inning but Wade Boggs got his first hit of the year. Boggs was erased on the force by Rice then Easler grounded out to end the inning.

                                   Boggs says he's safe, Umpire Al Clark says otherwise

Hurst remained undeterred in the bottom of the fourth inning. Downing popped up to first, Carew struck out and Beniquez popped to second to end the inning.

The Sox still couldn't score in the top of the fifth inning. Armas grounded out, Gedman flied out and Stapleton grounded out to end the inning. The Angels threatened in the bottom of the fifth inning. DeCinse flied out but Lynn doubled. Grich struck out but Schofield singled. Boone flied out to end the inning.

Forsch remained red hot in the top of the sixth inning. Hoffman flied out before both Remy and Evans struck out to end the inning. Hurst ran into more trouble in the bottom of the sixth inning. Pettis grounded out but Downing walked. Carew slapped a single but Beniquez flied out. DeCinse grounded back to Hurst to end the inning.

They still couldn't crack Forsch in the top of the seventh inning. Boggs struck out, Rice grounded out and Easler struck out to end the inning. Hurst tried to match Forsch in the bottom of the seventh. Lynn grounded out but Grich singled. Schofield struck out and Boone flied out to end the inning.

The Sox finally broke through in the top of the eighth. Armas struck out but Gedman singled. Reid Nichols pinch-ran for Gedman and moved to second on the Stapleton ground out. Rick Miller pinch hit for Hoffman and doubled home Nichols for the game's first run. Remy slapped a single but Miller made the mistake of trying for home where he was gunned down to end the inning. Still, Miller put the Sox one the board 1-0.

                                            Miller's double makes it 1-0 Boston.

Jeff Newman took over behind the plate as rookie Jackie Gutierrez took over at short while Hurst took the mound in the bottom of the eighth. Pettis struck out before both Downing and Carew grounded out to end the inning.

Forsch returned to finish his game in the top of the ninth as Evans and Boggs grounded out. Rice flied out to right to end the inning. Hurst returned for the ill-fated bottom of the ninth and Beniquez greeted him with a single. DiCinces flied out but Lynn walked to chase Hurst after 8 1/3 inings. Sox manager Ralph Houk brought in Bob Stanley to finish it off and Bob got Grich to ground out but both runners advanced. Daryl Scorniers pinch hit for Schofield and Houk had him intentionally walked to give a force at any base. Boone then lofted a ground ball to Gutierrez who fired to first......WAY PAST Stapleton which allowed Beniquez and Lynn to score to win the game. An absolutely devastating way to lose to start the season. What should have been a win for Hurst and save for Stanley was ruined.

Jackass of the Night is easy. Jackie Gutierrez' bases loaded error in the 9th inning cost the team the win on Opening Day.

                                                     Jackie the Jackass on Opening Day


The Good:

Jerry Remy was 2 for 4

Mike Easler was 1 for 3

Rich Gedman was 1 for 3.

Reid Nichols pinch ran for Gedman and scored.



The Bad:

Dwight Evans was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Jim Rice was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Tony Armas was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Dave Stapleton was 0 for 3.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Rick Miller pinch hit for Hoffman and doubled in the Sox' only run.

In one of the rare instances where the losing pitcher ends up on the good list, Bruce Hurst was outstanding pitching 8 1/3 innings of shut-out ball and both runs allowed were un-earned. He deserved a better fate.



The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was just 1 for 4.

Bob Stanley is here and its mostly unfair since he got the 2 ground balls needed to close out the game only Gutierrez threw the second one away. He gets a blown save but anyone who saw the game knows it wasn't his fault.



Honorable Mention:

Jeff Newman caught the final two innings



Final Thoughts:

What a horrible way to start the season in just a blink of an eye. Had Gutierrez not thrown the ball away it would have been a grinding 1-0 victory. Still, you can't just blame Jackie, after all Hurst couldn't finish the job and the offense was only able to scratch out one run against Rick Forsch with a lineup that includes a lot of power in Rice, Evans, Easler and Armas. Still, the lineup will produce eventually but this was not one of their better days. Even Stanley can't be blamed because he got the ground ball he needed, it just didn't end well. The Sox look to bounce back Wednesday when Bobby Ojeda makes his season debut opposite Mike Witt.

Indians Beat Sox, Ruin Yaz Day (10/1/83)

In a season where nothing went right for the Boston Red Sox, it was fitting that on Carl Yastrzemski Day they would lose to the Cleveland Indians. In a pregame ceremony, Yaz said goodbye to the fans despite having two more games to play. An hour long tribute to Yaz made everyone feel good about what he had accomplished in the last 22 years. As for the game itself, Oil Can Boyd (4-8, 3.28 ERA) continued to look like a potential ace of the future tossing a complete game against the Indians. The only problem was he allowed 3 runs (1 earned) while his counterpart Larry Sorensen pitched the game of his life. Sorensen held the Sox to just 1 run in a complete game 5 hitter. Yaz himself went 0 for 4 in his second to last game of his career as the Indians put yet another miserable loss in a season full of them on the Sox, 3-1 at Fenway Park.

                                                  "New England, I love you" - CY

Boyd took the mound to start the top of the first and Jack Perconte took a fastball on the outside corner for strike three to start. Toby Harrah dumped a base hit to left but Mike Hargrove struck out swinging and Andre Thornton tapped a grounder to short to end the inning. Sorensen got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jerry Remy led off by popping a bunt back to Larry to start. Wade Boggs lined out to center and Jim Rice struck out swinging to end the inning.

Ron Hassey led off the top of the second by popping up to short to start. Alan Bannister grounded out to third and George Vukovich grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the second as Tony Armas grounded out to first to start. Carl Yastrzemski grounded out to first and Rick Miller grounded out to short to end the inning.

Kevin Rhomberg grounded back to the mound to start the top of the third before Mike Fischlin got a base hit to center. Fischlin took second but Perconte took strike three. Harrah grounded out to third to end the inning. Dave Stapleton led off the bottom of the third by striking out on a nasty changeup to start. Jeff Newman hit a rocket to Mike Fischlin that was ruled a base hit but was doubled off first on a rocket liner to Sorensen by Jackie Gutierrez to end the inning.

The Indians struck first in the top of the fourth as Hargrove walked to start before taking second on a wild pitch. Thornton hit a deep fly to right to move Hargrove to third and Mike scored on the grounder to second by Hassey. Bannister grounded out to third to end the inning with the Indians up 1-0.

                                                  Hargrove scores a run

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the fourth as Remy grounded out to second to start. Boggs and Rice also grounded out to second to end the inning.

Marty Barrett took over for Remy to start the top of the fifth and Vukovich singled to left to start...but was thrown out second trying to steal. Rhomberg ripped a base hit up the middle but was forced at second on a comebacker to Boyd by Fischlin. Perconte popped up to short to end the inning.

                                                      Yerrrrrr out!

Armas flied out to right to start the bottom of the fifth and Yaz grounded out to second. Miller also grounded out to second to end the inning.

Chico Walker took over for Rice and Lee Graham came in for Armas to start the top of the sixth and Harrah hit a ground rule double down the left field line to start. Hargrove back to the mound but Harrah moved to third on the fly ball to Miller by Thornton. Hassey flied out to center to end the inning. Stapleton led off the bottom of the sixth by lining back to the mound and but Newman drew a walk. Gutierrez took strike three and Barrett flied out to right to end the inning.

Boyd cruised in the top of the seventh as Bannister took strike three to start. Vukovich flied out to right and Rhomberg struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the seventh as Boggs grounded out to second to start. Walker tripled off the centerfield wall and scored on the Graham sac fly to tie the game. Yaz grounded out to second to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                          Walker scores to tie the game

Boyd froze Fischlin for strike three to start the top of the eighth but Perconte doubled to right. Harrah flied out to the left field warning track and Hargrove flied out to left to end the inning. The Sox blew their best chance to take the lead in the bottom of the eighth as Miller grounded out to second to start. Stapleton grounded out to Fischlin but Newman slapped a base hit to center. Ed Jurak pinch ran for Newman and Gutierrez singled off the glove of Perconte. Barrett grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Indians finally broke through in the top of the ninth as Gary Allenson took over behind the plate. Thornton poked a double just over the third base bag to start and Bake McBride pinch ran for him. Hassey grounded out to Stapleton and Broderick Perkins pinch hit for Bannister. Perkins hit a liner to Boggs who booted it for an error to keep the inning going. This proved huge as Carmelo Castillo ran for Perkins and Vukovich lashed a base hit to left. McBride made a mad dash home but Walker's throw was in time for the out. Due to the error to Boggs, instead of being out of the inning there were runners on second and third with two out. Just like everything else that's gone wrong this season, Boyd uncorked a wild pitch that scored Castillo to put the Indians on top. Rhomberg ripped a base hit to center that scored Vukovich but was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double to end the inning with the Indians up 3-1.

                                                    Thanks a lot Boggs

Boggs atoned for his error with a base hit to right to start the bottom of the ninth but Walker flied out to the centerfield warning track. Graham grounded out to third to move Boggs to third and the crowd gave Yaz a standing ovation. Unfortunately Yaz grounded back to the mound to end the game. The Indians spoiled the party by winning the game 3-1.

                                                    Indians win

Jackass of the Night is Carl Yastrzemski. In his own retirement ceremony game he went 0 for 4 including grounding back to the mound with the game on the line.

                                                                   Bye Bye Jackass

The Good:

Chico Walker was 1 for 2 with a run scored and outfield assist.

Lee Graham drove in the only run the Sox scored and got an outfield assist.

Jeff Newman was 2 for 2 with a walk.

Jackie Gutierrez was 1 for 3.

One of the rare times the losing pitcher ends up on the Good list but Oil Can Boyd threw a gutty game. He was failed by his defense and was charged with 3 runs in a complete game. Only one of the runs was earned.

The Bad:

Jerry Remy was 0 for 2.

Marty Barrett was 0 for 2.

Jim Rice was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Tony Armas was 0 for 2.

Rick Miller was 0 for 3.

Dave Stapleton was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was just 1 for 4 with an error.

Honorable Mention:

Ed Jurak pinch ran for Newman in the eighth inning.

Gary Allenson caught the top of the ninth inning.

Final Thoughts:

This season can't end fast enough and its a shame Yaz cost the team on his own day, but that's par for the course this season since nothing went right. Tony Armas hit .218 this season, Dave Stapleton regressed, Dwight Evans hit only .238 and Yaz was down to .266 with 10 homers in his final year. Still, Boggs is going to be league batting champion and Oil Can Boyd could be a future stud if he has better run support. As for this game, Boyd had one bad inning in the ninth and that's sometimes all it takes. Walker and Graham did the best they could to throw runners out but the error and wild pitch sealed the deal. Still, the true story was Sorensen shutting down the Boston bats in a complete game effort. Gotta tip your cap and admitted he was the better man on this day. The loss dropped the Sox to 77-84, good for 6th place in the AL East. Tomorrow is the final regular season game of the year and Carl Yastrzemski's last before he retires. Al Nipper (0-1) takes the ball in the season finale for the Sox against Bud Anderson of the Indians. The game begins at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Angels Rally Past Sox (7/10/83)

Is it possible for the Boston Red Sox to get any kind of relief pitching this season? Time and time again their bullpen has blown one game after another and today was no different. The Sox were leading 3-1 when the California Angels rallied for 4 runs in the top of the seventh inning. Their bullpen was able to slam the door and the Angels dropped the Sox back to .500 with a 5-3 victory at Fenway Park.

                                                  "I hate bad relief pitching" - Carl

Hurst took the ball in the top of the first inning and Rod Carew singled up the middle to start. Rick Burelson banged into a double play and Reggie Jackson whiffed on a breaking ball to end the inning. Tommy John got the start for the Angels and Jerry Remy led off the bottom of the first with a routine ground out to second. Dave Stapleton popped up to center before Jim Rice poked a seeing eye single to left. Tony Armas grounded into a force to end the inning.

Brian Downing led off the top of the second inning with a base hit before Ellis Valentine hit a pop up to right. Remy and Dwight Evans collided and the ball fell in for a single. Bobby Grich beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners but Bobby Clark hit into a real one to end the inning. Angels manager John McNamara came out to argue but the call stood. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second although Evans was foolishly thrown out at second trying to stretch a single to left. Reid Nichols singled down the left field line and Ed Jurak (replacing the injured Wade Boggs) singled to center. Glenn Hoffman lined a bullet to Tim Foli at third who bobbled it for an error to load the bases. Gary Allenson smacked a sac fly to right to score Nichols to give the Sox the lead. Remy grounded into a force to end the inning but the Sox had taken the lead 1-0

                                              Nichols scores to put Boston on top

Could Hurst pitch with the lead in the top of the third inning? YES! Foli popped up to first before Bob Boone hit one up the elevator shaft. Carew reached on a bunt single in front of the plate and Burelson smacked a single to right. Jackson was rung up for strike three by the third base umpire to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the third as Stapleton popped up to right to begin before Rice lined out to a jumping Downing in left. Armas grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Angels beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the fourth inning as Downing grounded out to a bumbling Remy to start. Valentine also grounded to second before Grich grounded out to short to end the inning. Evans flied out to right to begin the bottom of the fourth before Nichols doubled off the Monster. Jurak grounded to second and Hoffman flied out to center to end the inning.

The Angels wasted no time tying the game in the top of the fifth inning as Clark opened the inning with a home run into the screen in left. Foli singled but Hurst picked him off in a rundown. Boone grounded out to second and Carew grounded out to short to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                       The Angels tie it

Allenson dumped a single to right field to begin the bottom of the fifth but made a big boo-boo. Remy hit a drag bunt back to the mound and John looked to second but Allenson was already there. He turned and threw to first and Remy was safe. Allenson got greedy and took off for third but was thrown out by a mile. Grich thought he had Remy at first and shouted at first base umpire Steve Palermo. Palermo had to be restrained by Rod Carew and Angels manager John McNamara from attacking Grich.

                            "I'VE HAD IT UP TO HERE WITH YOU, GRICH!"

When action resumed Stapleton popped up to second but Rice swatted his 23rd home run of the season into the bullpen. Armas flied out to right to end the inning but the Sox now led 3-1.

                                                   Number 23 for Rice

Hurst shut down the Angels in the top of the sixth as Burleson flied out to left to begin. Jackson looked at strike three to earn a hat trick before Downing grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the sixth as Evans was robbed at the warning track in right to begin. Nichols flied out to the centerfield warning track before Jurak hit a routine grounder to Burleson. Rick threw it just wide to first and Jurak was safe on the error. Hoffman struck out to end the inning.

The Angels exploded in the top of the seventh as Valentine beat out a great throw by Jurak to start. Valentine advanced to second on a wild pitch before Grich walked. Clark beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners before Valentine scored on the infield hit to third by Foli to chase Hurst. Bob Stanley came in and got Foli at second on the force by Boone but Allenson muffed a pitch from Stanley which allowed Clark to score the tying run. Carew was intentionally walked and Burleson made the Sox pay by getting a base hit to score Boone to give the Angels the lead. Jackson singled home Carew for the insurance run. Downing flied out to center to end the inning with the Angels ahead 5-3.

                                                        Not good enough Hurst

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the seventh as Allenson grounded out to short to start. Remy hit a chopper that ate up Carew for a single but Stapleton flied out to center. That was it for Tommy John as McNamara brought in Luis Sanchez to pitch to Rice. Rice grounded out to short to end the inning.

Stanley returned for the top of the eighth and got Valentine to ground out to second on the first pitch. Grich grounded out to short on the first pitch he saw before Clark hit a routine grounder to short. Hoffman fielded it cleanly but threw the ball completely out of Fenway for an error to allow Clark to reach second. Foli grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the eighth as Armas grounded out to short to begin. Evans lined out to center but Nichols blooped a single to left. Jurak took strike three to end the inning. If Wade Boggs didn't pull his groin, he probably would have hit here.

Stanley finished up the top of the ninth as Boone grounded out to short to start. Carew also grounded out to short before Burleson popped up to first to end the inning. Stanley finished strong but where was this in the 7th inning? Clark moved to left with Fred Lynn taking over in center for the bottom of the ninth. Rick Miller pinch hit for Hoffman but Foli snared a high chopper to retire him. Carl Yastrzemski pinch hit for Allenson and doubled off the Monster to bring the tying run to the plate. Marty Barrett pinch ran for Yaz but Remy grounded back to the mound. Stapleton grounded out to third to end the game. The Angels had won it 5-3 to send the Sox back to .500.

                                                                Sox lose again


Jackass of the Night is Bob Stanley. He allowed 2 inherited runners to score and one of his own in a disasterous 7th inning to blow the game.

                                                        Stanley The Jackass



The Good:

Jim Rice was 2 for 4 with a 2 run home run.

Reid Nichols was 3 for 4 with a run scored.

Carl Yastrzemski singled as a pinch hitter.

Gary Allenson was 1 for 2 with an rbi.



The Bad:

Dave Stapleton was 0 for 5.

Tony Armas was 0 for 4.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 3 with an error.

Rick Miller grounded out as a pinch hitter.

Bruce Hurst took the loss by allowing 4 runs in just 6 1/3 innings. He allowed 9 hits and a walk.



The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4.

Ed Jurak was just 1 for 4.



Honorable Mention:

Marty Barrett ran for Yaz in the bottom of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

Another tough loss for a mediocre team. There's really nothing that can be done unless a miracle happens and the Sox can get an ace pitcher sometime soon. Still, the team could have won the game and Stanley has been solid all season but just couldn't slam the door this time. The offense had their chances but just didn't have anyone to deliver the knockout blow. I know Boggs was hurt but the lack of a power threat with the decline of Yaz is glaring. Hurst pitched well but once again ran out of gas in the 7th inning. If he ever learns command then he could be a good lefty pitching. He's shown it in the past this season, maybe his time will come with more experience. As for this game, the less said of it the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 40-40, 6.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox return home for a set with the Seattle Mariners. Bob Ojeda gets the start for the Sox opposite Mike Moore. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park

Righetti No-Hits Red Sox (7/4/83)

Talk about an unhappy Fourth of July for the Boston Red Sox. Looking for a series win against the New York Yankees, the Yankees avoided that in historic fashion as Dave Righetti no-hit the Red Sox. The Sox had their best lineup available and nobody could get a single hit against him. John Tudor (5-5, 3.57 ERA) was game, allowing 4 runs in 7 2/3 innings but the Sox bats failed him big time. Andre Robertson's rbi single in the fifth was all the scoring the Yankees would need although Don Baylor hit a home run as well. The Sox dropped a crucial game the day before the All-Star break in record fashion as the Yankees took the game 4-0 at Yankee Stadium.

                                                         Wrong side of baseball history

Righetti got the ball in the top of the first and Jerry Remy struck out swinging on a high fastball to start. Wade Boggs took strike three on the outside corner but Jim Rice took a close pitch for ball four. Tony Armas struck out swinging to end the inning. Tudor got the ball to start the bottom of the first and Bert Campaneris led off with a base hit to left. Campaneris swiped second but Don Mattingly flied out to left. Dave Winfield drew a walk and Lou Piniella hit a bullet...right to Glenn Hoffman who stepped on second for the double play to end the inning.

Dwight Evans led off the top of the second by striking out swinging on a curveball before Reid Nichols lined out to a running Steve Kemp. Dave Stapleton struck out swinging on the same pitch that got Evans to end the inning. Don Baylor led off the bottom of the second by popping up to a running Rice to start. Butch Wynegar hit a bullet right through the legs of Boggs for an "error" but he ended up on second base. Wynegar moved to third on a grounder to first by Kemp and Roy Smalley grounded out to Stapleton to end the inning.

                                                               "OLE" - Boggs

Jeff Newman led off the top of the third by striking out swinging before Glenn Hoffman struck out swinging on a slider down and in before Remy grounded out to short to end the inning. Andre Robertson flied out to left to begin the bottom of the third but Campaneris blooped a single to right. The Yankees goofed when Campaneris had second base stolen....had Mattingly not popped up to Remy. Remy doubled Bert off first to end the inning.

Righetti was unhittable in the top of the fourth as Boggs lined out to center to start. Rice flied out to right and Armas grounded out to third to end the inning. Tudor stayed tough in the bottom of the fourth as Winfield flied out to center to start. Piniella flied out to the left field wall and Baylor flied out to Armas to end the inning.

Evans led off the top of the fifth by striking out swinging to start. Nichols drew a walk but was immediately picked off. Stapleton popped up to Robertson to end the inning. The Yankees struck first in the bottom of the fifth as Wynegar popped up to Remy to start. Kemp then hit a ball off the glove of Stapleton but it was ruled a base hit. The Yankees made Stapleton pay as Smalley grounded a base hit to right and Robertson singled to left to score Kemp with the go-ahead run. Campaneris walked to load the bases but Mattingly struck out swinging. Winfield struck out swinging to end the inning with the Yankees up 1-0.

                                                          Yankees take the lead

Newman flied out to right to start the top of the sixth inning before Hoffman popped up to a running Smalley. Remy popped up to third to end the inning. Righetti was just nine outs away from a no-hitter. The Yankees iced the game in the bottom of the sixth as Piniella flied out to the centerfield warning track to start. Baylor then hit a home run all the way to Yonkers to increase the lead. Rice then caught a Wynegar line drive at the left field wall and Kemp grounded out to first to end the inning with the Yankees leading 2-0.

                                                          Baylor hits one out

Boggs flied out to Winfield to start the top of the seventh before Rice drew a walk. Armas banged into a double play to end the inning. Righetti was six outs from the no-no. Smalley popped up to a running Rice to start the bottom of the seventh before Robertson flied out to right. Campaneris also flied out to right to end the inning.

Kemp jumped into the right field bleachers to catch a fly ball by Evans to start the top of the eighth. Nichols flied out to center and Stapleton popped up to Mattingly in foul territory to end the inning. Righetti was three outs from the no-hitter. The Yankees finally chased Tudor in the bottom of the eighth as Mattingly popped up to first to start. Winfield hit a routine grounder to Hoffman but the throw was low and Stapleton dropped it for a "hit." Jeff Newman dove into the stands to corral a pop up by Piniella but Winfield made a heads up play to run to second base. Umpire Steve Palermo knocked himself goofy running into the wall trying to follow Newman. Baylor was intentionally walked but Wynegar walked on a very close pitch to load the bases. Kemp lashed the first pitch he saw into right field for a base hit to score Winfield and Baylor to put the game out of reach. That was it for Tudor who did the best he could but got knocked out in the eighth inning, surrendering 4 runs in 7 2/3 innings. Bob Stanley came in and with one pitch, got Smalley to ground out to first to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 4-0.

                                                         Tudor got no help here

Somehow the Sox got a baserunner when Newman walked to start. Hoffman just barely beat out a double play ball and moved to second on a grounder by Remy to Robertson, but there were two outs. Yankee Stadium went crazy when Boggs struck out swinging to end the game. Righetti had pitched a no-hitter and the Yankees had won it 4-0.

                                                     Righetti has done it

Jackass of the Night is a tough one since nobody got a hit. I gotta go with Wade Boggs. Not only did he go 0 for 4 with the final out, but he booted a grounder for an error.

                                                    Thanks for the final out, ya Jackass

The Good:

Jim Rice walked twice in three at-bats.

Bob Stanley retired the only man he faced.

The Bad:

Jerry Remy was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Tony Armas was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Dwight Evans was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Dave Stapleton was 0 for 3 with a strikeout

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 3.

John Tudor allowed 4 runs in 7 2/3 innings to take the loss. He allowed 8 hits and 4 walks while striking out two.

The Ugly:

Reid Nichols was 0 for 2 but drew a walk.

Jeff Newman was 0 for 2 with a strikeout but drew a walk.

Final Thoughts:

What a way to lose a game. The Sox needed this game to take three out of four from New York and keep pace in the division race and instead they get no-hit. The only thing close to a hit was Jerry Remy's grounder to short in the top of the third. That was as dominant a performance as anyone's ever seen despite the walks. Tudor ran out of gas in the eighth inning otherwise he pitched well. If he was removed after the seventh after allowing just two runs, more often than not that would win the game. Once again the bottom of the order makes you want to hurl with the way the bats have performed this season. Remember last year when we said that if the bullpen wasn't great, the Sox wouldn't be either? Here we are. There's not much they can do but hope the starters can pull it together in the second half. The loss drops the Sox to 39-38, 4.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. The Sox now take a three day break for the All-Star game and come back on Friday night against the California Angels. Looks like it'll be Dennis Eckersley (5-5) getting the ball for Boston against Bruce Kison of the Angels. The game begins at 7:00 PM at Fenway Park.

Hurst Shuts Out ChiSox (5/25/83)

After floundering in between starting and relieving since 1980, Bruce Hurst (4-2, 3.70 ERA) seems to have finally figured it out this season. Tonight against the Chicago White Sox he was outstanding, outdueling Britt Burns and tossing a complete game 3 hit shut-out. Reid Nichols provided the only rbi's Hurst needed and the Boston Red Sox defeated the ChiSox 2-0 at Commiskey Park.

                                              Sam Malone approves of the win

Burns took the mound in the top of the first inning and Jerry Remy grounded out to second to start. Dwight Evans was robbed of extra bases by Rusty Kuntz in center and Jim Rice hit a comebacker to the mound to end the inning. Hurst began his dominance in the bottom of the first and Tony Bernazard popped up to center to start. Carlton Fisk walked but Harold Baines banged into a double play to end the inning.

                                                "These bums can't touch me" - Hurst

Tony Armas began the top of the second inning by whiffing on a full count fastball. Dave Stapleton whiffed but Wade Boggs singled to left. Reid Nichols popped up to first to end the inning. Greg Luzinski led off the bottom of the second with a walk but Tom Paciorek flied out to right. Ron Kittle singled over the head of Glenn Hoffman but Kuntz grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Gary Allenson flied out to right to begin the top of the third inning before Hoffman looked at strike three. Remy popped up to left to end the inning

                            "Dagnabbit that Britt Burns sure is hard to beat" - Allenson

Hurst ran into some trouble in the bottom of the third inning. Lorenzo Gray whiffed but Jerry Dybzinski singled in the hole at short. Bernazard beat out a double play ball and stole second, but Fisk grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Sox did absolutely nothing in the top of the fourth inning as Evans grounded out to third, Rice watched strike three go by and Armas whiffed to end the inning. Hurst matched Burns in the bottom of the fourth as Baines hit a comebacker to start. Luzinski grounded out to third and Paciorek flied out to the left field warning track to end the inning.

The Sox did mount a threat in the top of the fifth although Stapleton flied out to right to start. Boggs drew a walk and Nichols lined a base hit to left to put some pressure on. Unfortunately Allenson popped up to left and Hoffman whiffed to end the inning. Hurst kept up the pace in the bottom of the inning as he whiffed Kittle to open the frame. Kuntz singled but Gray banged into a double play to end the inning.

Remy led off the top of the sixth with a laser to center for a base hit but Evans hit into a double play. Baines ran down a line drive by Rice to end the inning. Hurst was unhittable in the bottom of the sixth as Dybzinski flied out to left to start. Bernazard flied out to right and Fisk popped up to third to end the inning.

Burns stayed tough in the top of the seventh inning as Armas whiffed and Stapleton just missed as home run by 10 feet before he grounded out to short. Boggs popped up to left to end the inning. There was no stopping Hurst in the bottom of the seventh as Baines grounded out to third, Luzinski popped up to third and Paciorek watched strike three go by to end the inning.

Nichols led off the top of the eighth with a base hit just over the jumping Dybzinski. Allenson dropped down a sacrifice bunt to advance Reid to second but Hoffman popped up to center. Remy lined a ball almost as high as where Nichols hit it but this time Dybzinski was able to snare it for the third out to retire the side. Hurst came out firing in the bottom of the eighth, getting Kittle to ground out to third to start. Kuntz froze on a borderline pitch for strike three and Gray grounded out to third to end the inning.

The BoSox finally broke through in the top of the ninth as Dennis Lamp replaced Burns on the mound. Evans sliced a single to right field but was erased on the force by Rice. Armas popped up to center but Stapleton hit a ground ball out of the glove of Bernazard at second. Boggs walked to load the bases and Nichols blooped a single to right to score Rice and Stapleton for the first runs of the game. Allenson was plunked to re-load the bases but Hoffman was rung up on a check swing strike three to end the inning but the BoSox were up 2-0.

                                                 Nichols puts the Sox on top

Hurst came back to finish the job in the bottom of the ninth inning. Jerry Hairston pinch hit for Dybzinski and was rung up on a borderline payoff pitch for the first out. Bernazqrd whiffed badly and Fisk grounded out to third to end the game. Hurst had thrown a complete game 3 hit shutout to give the Bosox a 2-0 win.

                                                  Boggs congratulates Hurst


Hero of the Night is Reid Nichols. Yes, Hurst tossed a shutout but it was Nichols who had the game winning hit, also going 3 for 4 total in the game.

                                                Hero of the Night: Reid Nichols


The Good:

Wade Boggs was 1 for 2 with 2 walks.

Bruce Hurst was outstanding. He tossed a complete game 3 hit shut-out, the first of his career while walking just two batters.



The Bad:

Tony Armas was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.



The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was just 1 for 4.

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4.

Jim Rice was 0 for 4 but scored a run.

Dave Stapleton was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Gary Allenson was 0 for 2 but was hit with a pitch.



Final Thoughts:

Check out those first place Red Sox. The season has been a surprise so far and the key to it has been the development of Hurst. He's always had the talent but never could get out of the box, this season he has. If John Tudor and Bob Ojeda can follow suit, this could be a devastating young trio for years to come. As for the offense, they got the timeliest of timely offense to win but need to do better overall. The win improved the Sox to 23-17, tied for first place in the AL East with the Toronto Blue Jays. It just so happens the Sox now travel to Toronto for a 3 game set, tomorrow night Ojeda goes one on one with Dave Stieb at 7:30 PM at the Skydome.