Sox Routed by A's (4/8/84)

Holy moly that was an epic beatdown. As if the sputtering Boston Red Sox offense wasn't bad enough, today the pitching staff got absolutely shelled by a relentless Oakland A's attack. One day after getting shutout, the A's pounded out 14 runs off 16 hits and ambushed the unsuspecting Red Sox 14-2 at Oakland Coliseum.

                                             Wonka doesn't like bad pitching staffs

Steve McCatty got the ball for the A's in the top of the first inning and Jerry Remy flied out to right to start. Dwight Evans grounded out to short but Wade Boggs walked. Jim Rice singled but Mike Easler grounded out to second to end the inning. Mike Brown (0-1) got the start for the Sox and promptly pissed his pants. Rickey Henderson singled, stole second and promptly moved to third on the flyout by Dwayne Murphy. Joe Morgan singled home Henderson and Carney Lansford singled as well. Bruce Bochte singled in Morgan and moved Lansford to third. Right away Sox manager Ralph Houk knew Brown wasn't ready and got Al Nipper hot in the bullpen. It was too late as Kingman singled home Lansford to increase the lead. Davey Lopes singled to center but the ball got under Tony Armas' glove, allowing Bochte to score and chase Brown from the game after just 1/3 of an inning. Yeesh, better off letting Al Nipper start.

                                                            Couldn't make it out of the first

Nipper came in and promptly allowed a 2 run single to Mike Heath. Donnie Hill hit a comebacker to the mound and Henderson flied out to right but the A's had ambushed the Sox for a 6-0 lead.

Could the Sox answer in the top of the second inning? Actually yes! Tony Armas did what he could by launching a solo home run off McCatty to pull within 5 runs. That was it for the rally as Rich Gedman flied out to left, Dave Stapleton popped up to third and Glenn Hoffman popped up to second to end the inning.

                                                    Armas blasts one to cut the lead

Something was wrong with Remy as he was replaced with Marty Barrett for the bottom of the second inning. Murphy singled but Nipper recovered to induce a double play by Morgan. Lansford struck out to end the inning.

The Sox tried to fight back in the top of the third inning when Barrett drew a walk and Evans doubled. Boggs flied out for a huge out at the time and all Rice could do was bring in Barrett with a groundout. Easler struck out to end the inning but the Sox cut the lead again 6-2.

                                          Marty comes in for Jerry and scores

Nipper hung tough in the bottom of the third as Bochte walked but Kingman popped up to first. Lopes singled but Heath popped up to second. Hill grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox threatened in the top of the fourth although Armas grounded out to short to start. Gedman singled but Stapleton flied out to left. Hoffman singled but Barrett popped to short to end the inning. That would be the last time the Sox would come close to getting back in the game. After the Sox squandered, right on cue Henderson smacked a solo home run to increase the Oakland lead to begin the bottom of the fourth. Murphy hit a comebacker to Nipper, Morgan flied out to right and Lansford grounded out to short to end the inning but it was 7-2 Oakland.

The Sox mustered nothing in the top of the fifth as Evans flied out to left to start. Boggs walked but Rice banged into a double play to end the inning. The A's iced the game in the bottom of the fifth as Bochte walked but Kingman popped up to second. Lopes continued the carnage with a 2 run bomb to put the game out of reach. Heath struck out and Hill flied out to left to end the inning with the A's up 9-2.

                                              My sentiments exactly, Kent

The Sox went to sleep in the top of the sixth as Easler struck out to start the frame. Armas doubled and moved to third on the Gedman ground out. Stapleton grounded out to second to end the inning. Mark Clear was brought in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and he poured gas on the fire as well. Henderson walked and Murphy singled him to third. Murphy took second on a wild pitch and Morgan brought home Henderson with a sac fly. Lansford popped to short but Bochte and Kingman smacked back to back run scoring doubles. Jeff Burroughs pinch ran for Kingman but Lopes popped up to third to end the inning with the A's now up 12-2.

                                             Nice going Clear

The Sox fell asleep in the top of the seventh as the Oakland bench emptied. Jeff Bettendorf came in to pitch, Bill Almon took over for Lansford, Heath moved from catcher to right, Essian took over for Lopes but caught and Tony Phillips took over at second. Hoffman popped up to first, Barrett struck out and Evans hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. John Henry Johnson came in for Clear and he took a beating as well. Heath led off with a double and Hill doubled him home. Henderson flied out but Hill moved to third. Murphy struck out and Johnson was called for a balk, allowing Hill to run home. Phillips struck out to end the inning but the carnage continued, 14-2 A's.

                                                  Way to balk, Johnson

The ice cold offense did nothing in the top of the eighth although Boggs worked a walk. Rice struck out, Easler popped to second and Armas flied out to right to end the inning. Bob Stanley came in to pitch with Reid Nichols in for Rice to begin the bottom of the eighth. Stanley got Almon to hit a comebacker before Bochte grounded out to second. Burroughs grounded out to third to end the inning.

Finally the game came to an end in the top of the ninth. Gedman flied out to center and Stapleton popped up to first but Houk decided to pinch hit Rick Miller for Hoffman just in case they rallied for 12 runs without an out. Miller popped up to third and the game was over, the A's had won it 14-2.

Jackass of the Night is Mike Brown. He failed to make it out of the first inning and was charged with 6 runs.

                                                       Jackass of the Night: Brown


The Good:

Wade Boggs walked 3 times in 4 plate appearances.

Tony Armas was 2 for 4 with a home run.

Glenn Hoffman was 1 for 3.

Bob Stanley pitched a scoreless eighth inning.



The Bad:

Jerry Remy was 0 for 1 before leaving.

Mike Easler was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Dave Stapleton was 0 for 4.

Rick Miller was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Mark Clear allowed 3 runs in just 1 inning.

John Henry Johnson allowed 2 runs in 1 inning.



The Ugly:

Marty Barrett was 0 for 2 but walked and scored.

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Rich Gedman was just 1 for 4.

Al Nipper allowed 3 runs in 4 1/3 innings after coming in as an emergency for the ineffective Brown. He was better off starting the damn game.



Honorable Mention:

Reid Nichols played left field in the bottom of the eighth




Final Thoughts:

Gadzooks that was bawful. As if the ice cold offense wasn't bad enough, the A's couldn't miss. The bullpen has some major issues but they had to pitch 7 2/3 innings because Mike Brown pissed himself. The season is only 6 games in and the Sox already need a dependable starter and someone who can hit for power at the bottom of the order. Maybe Ojeda and Hurst can step it up, maybe not. Either way the Sox are 3-3 and don't look good already. Rice has been ice cold but he'll heat up, the question is when. The Sox now travel to Seattle on Tuesday for a 3 game set with the Mariners with Bob Ojeda on the mound for the Sox taking on Jim Beattie at the Kingdome.

Hurst Spins Beauty, Defeats A's (4/7/84)

The bad news was the Boston Bruins were swept out of the first round of the NHL playoffs by the Montreal Canadiens but the good news was the Boston Red Sox defeated the Oakland A's. Once again the supposedly potent Red Sox offense was held in check for the second consecutive day by the A's pitching. Only this time they got bailed out by the superb pitching of Bruce Hurst (1-0, 0.00 ERA), who's yet to allow an earned run this season. Hurst scattered just 6 base runners in a complete game 4 hit shut-out as the offense did just enough to come away with a 3-0 victory at the Oakland Coliseum.

                                        Corporal Chesty approves of the win

Oakland starter Mike Warren hung tough in the top of the first inning as Jerry Remy struck out to begin the game. Dwight Evans singled but moved to second when Rickey Henderson botched the play. Wade Boggs beat out an infield single but Jim Rice banged into a double play to end the inning.  Bruce Hurst began his mastery in the bottom of the first, getting Henderson to ground out to first to start. Bruce Bochte flied out to center and Davey Lopes grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox mustered nothing in the top of the second inning as Mike Easler and Tony Armas both struck out immediately. Rich Gedman grounded out to first to end the inning. Hurst matched Warren in the bottom of the second inning by striking out Carney Lansford and Dave Kingman. Bill Almon grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the third inning although Dave Stapleton grounded out to second to start. Jackie Gutierrez and Remy stroked back to back singles before Evans walked to load the bases. Boggs struck a sac fly that scored Jackie and advanced Remy to third to give the Sox the lead. A wild pitch moved Evans to second but Rice whiffed to end the inning. Still, Hurst had a lead to work with as it was now 1-0 Boston.

                                         A Herculean sac fly by Boggs puts the Sox on top

Could Hurst pitch with the lead? YES! Jim Essian flied out to left to begin the bottom of the third inning. Mike Davis doubled but Donnie Hill popped up to second. Henderson grounded out to third to end the inning.

Warren got back on track in the top of the fourth inning as Easler flied out to left to begin. Armas and Gedman both struck out to end the inning. Hurst almost had a clean inning in the bottom of the fourth when Bochte grounded out to first to start. Lopes walked and Lansford flied out to right. Lopes swiped second but Kingman struck out to end the inning.

The Sox scratched out another run in the top of the fifth inning and it began with Stapleton grounding out to short. Gutierrez walked and stole second but Remy flied out to center. Evans hit a routine grounder to Lopes who went OLE! allowing Jackie to motor home with another run. Boggs grounded out to second to end the inning but it was now 2-0.

                                                      Gutierrez' hustle pays off

Hurst kept the A's in check in the bottom of the fifth inning as Almon grounded out to first to start. Essian and Davis both flied out to left to end the inning.

The Sox tacked on another run in the top of the sixth the more conventional way. Rice and Easler grounded out to short but Armas blasted his first home run of the year to give the Sox a commanding lead. Gedman flied out to center to end the inning but it was now 3-0.

                                                     1st homer for Tony

Hurst kept up his end of the bargain in the bottom of the sixth when Hill grounded out to second to start. Henderson flied out to left but Bochte and Lopes lined back to back singles. Hurst struck out Lansford to end the inning and the threat.

The Sox threatened again in the top of the seventh when Stapleton singled and Gutierrez sacrifice bunted him to second. Remy flied out but Dave moved to third before Evans walked. Boggs grounded out to second to end the inning. Hurst remained tough in the bottom of the seventh as Kingman struck out again to start. Almon flied out to right but Eissan walked. Davis flied out to center to end the inning.

                                                "These bastards can't touch me" - Hurst

Keith Atheron replaced Warren in the top of the eighth inning and Davis hurt himself snaring a fly ball from Rice to start. Dwayne Murphy hustled out to center to replace Mike as Easler walked. Armas singled but Gedman hit one up the elevator shaft. Stapleton grounded out to third to end the inning. Hurst came back for the bottom of the eighth and Jeff Burroughs pinch hit for Hill. Hurst struck out Burroughs and got both Henderson and Bochte to fly out to center to end the inning.

Tony Phillips took over at short in the top of the ninth and right on cue Gutierrez grounded out to him. Remy singled but Evans popped up to second. Remy then gunned it for second but was thrown out to end the inning. Hurst came back to finish the job in the bottom of the ninth. Lopes popped up to first and Lansford flied out to right, but Kingman singled. Almon flied out to center to end the game. Hurst had tossed a 4 hit shutout and the Sox had won 3-0.

Hero of the Night is Bruce Hurst. He was masterful, tossing a complete game 4 hit shutout while walking 2 and striking out 6.

                                                   Hero of the Night: Bruce Hurst


The Good:

Jerry Remy was 2 for 5.

Dwight Evans was 1 for 3 with 2 walks.

Wade Boggs was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Tony Armas was 2 for 4 including his first home run.

Jackie Gutierrez was 1 for 2 with a walk, stolen base and 2 runs scored.



The Bad:

Jim Rice was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Rich Gedman was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.



The Ugly:

Mike Easler was 0 for 3 but walked.

Dave Stapleton was just 1 for 4.




Final Thoughts:

The offense still isn't there yet but that was a hell of a game pitched by Hurst. He had Kingman tied up in knots for most of the game and somehow kept the dangerous Lansford and Henderson off the bases most of the game. Rice is struggling out of the gate but his offense will be there once the season progresses. Only question is will the pitching match the offense? For one day at least it did. Tomorrow Mike Brown makes his season debut opposite Steve McCatty in the rubber game of this 3 game set at Oakland Coliseum.

Offense Sputters In Oakland (4/6/84)

Of all the teams and of all the places to be shut down, its not very pleasant to have your offense fall asleep in the Oakland Coliseum against the Oakland A's. Larry Sorensen pitched like Catfish Hunter and spoiled the season debut of Oil Can Boyd (0-1) who went the distance in a losing effort. The Sox mustered just 5 hits and 1 run as the A's took the game 3-1.

                                      Michael Landon hates a lack of offense

Sorensen took the mound in the top of the first and Jerry Remy greeted him with a base hit. Dwight Evans popped up to first and Remy moved to second on the groundout by Wade Boggs. Jim Rice grounded out to short to end the inning. Oil Can Boyd made his season debut by getting smacked around in the bottom of the first inning. Rickey Henderson walked and stole second although Boyd punched out Dwayne Murphy. Boyd had Henderson dead to rights with a pickoff throw....right through the glove of Dave Stapleton at first which allowed Rickey to move to third. Joe Morgan walked to put runners at the corners and old pal Carney Lansford singled home Henderson, moving Morgan to third. Bruce Botche singled home Morgan although Boyd recovered to strike out Dave Kingman. Mike Davis flied out to left to end the inning but the A's were up 2-0.'

                                                      Boyd down 2-0 early

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the second inning. Mike Easler struck out, Tomy Armas grounded out to short and Stapleton grounded out to second to end the inning. Boyd settled down in the bottom of the second inning as he got Mike Heath to ground out to second to start. Donnie Hill and Henderson both flied out to center to end the inning.

The duel continued in the top of the third inning when Glenn Hoffman grounded out to third to start.Gary Allenson flied out to right and Remy grounded out to second to end the inning. Boyd matched Sorensen in the bottom of the third as Murphy flied out to right to begin. Morgan popped up to first and Lansford hit a comebacker to the mound to end the inning.

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the fourth inning. Evans grounded out to third, Boggs grounded out to first and Rice grounded out to short to end the inning. Boyd nearly had similar success in the bottom of the fourth by getting Bochte to fly out to left to begin. Kingman popped up to third but Davis walked. The alert Allenson gunned down Davis trying to steal to end the inning.

                                            "Davis yerrrrrr out!" - Allenson

The Sox couldn't capitalize on the caught stealing in the top of the fifth inning. Easler whiffed and Armas grounded out to short, although Stapleton singled. Hoffman grounded into a force to end the inning. Boyd almost had a perfect bottom of the fifth when Heath grounded out to third to start. Hill flied out to left but Henderson doubled. Murphy grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox still couldn't crack Sorensen in the top of the sixth inning as Allenson popped up to short, Remy grounded out to second and Evans popped to short to end it. Morgan popped up to first to start the bottom of the sixth before Lansford doubled. Bochte walked but the Sox got some defensive helped when Remy snared a line drive by Kingman and doubled Carney off second to end the inning.

Still no scoring for the Sox offense in the top of the seventh inning a Boggs grounded out to second to start. Rice popped up to first but Easler doubled. Representing the tying run...Armas grounded out to short to end the inning. The A's struck again in the bottom of the seventh although Davis flied out to center to start. Heath doubled but Hill grounded out to second. Henderson singled home Heath then swiped second. Murphy struck out to end the inning but it was now 3-0 A's.

                                                        Boyd deserved better

The Sox finally woke up in the top of the eighth but it was too little, too late. Stapleton singled and Rick Miller pinch hit for Hoffman...just to fly out to right. Rich Gedman pinch hit for Allenson and grounded out, advancing Stapleton to second. Remy poked a single to score Stapleton and cut the lead to two runs. That was it for Sorensen as Bob Caudill came in and got Evans to fly out to right to end the inning with the Sox down 3-1.

                                        Remy cuts the lead to 3-1

Boyd came back to finish his work in the bottom of the eighth inning with Jackie Gutierrez playing short and Gedman behind the plate. Morgan grounded out to third and Lansford flied out to right, but Bochte walked. Kingman popped up to first to end the inning.

The Sox had one last chance against Caudill in the top of the ninth inning. Boggs grounded out to second and Rice popped up to first, but Easler walked. Once again representing the tying run...Armas whiffed to end the game. The A's had won it 3-1.

Jackass of the Night is Tony Armas. Twice he came up representing the tying run and twice he failed to drive in a run.

                                                  Armas the Jackass this time


The Good:

Jerry Remy was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Mike Easler was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Dave Stapleton was 2 for 3 with a run scored.

One of the rare times the losing pitcher ends up on the good list. Oil Can Boyd tossed a complete game, going the distance and allowing just 3 runs. Unfortunately the offense never showed up and he took the loss.



The Bad:

Dwight Evans was 0 for 4.

Wade Boggs was 0 for 4.

Jim Rice was 0 for 4.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 2 at the plate.

Rick Miller flied out in his only plate appearance.

Gary Allenson was 0 for 2 at the plate.

Rich Gedman grounded out in his only plate appearance.



The Ugly:

None



Honorable Mention:

Jackie Gutierrez played short in the bottom of the eighth.




Final Thoughts:

Not much Boyd could have done if the offense couldn't wake up. Maybe they're homesick, who knows? Bottom line is the offense took the day off and they can't afford to do that unless they find an ace pitcher somewhere down the road. Tomorrow Bruce Hurst (0-1) looks for redemption opposite Mike Warren at the Oakland Coliseum. Maybe the offense will have better luck tomorrow than they did in this one.

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.