Rainout News (4/16/84)

Once again tonight's game against the Detroit Tigers has been rained out and postponed until August. The Sox will now play four games in two days with the Tigers on August 6 and 7th.

On this day in Basebawful history:

1915 - Red Sox tie A's

1970 - Sox sweep Yankees

1971 - Sox edge Tigers

1973 - Sox rally falls short against Detroit

1974 - Stottlemyre, Yankees beat Sox

1982 - White Sox hand Red Sox fourth straight loss

1983 - Hurst, Sox drop Rangers

The Sox look to hopefully play tomorrow night against the Texas Rangers. Dennis Eckersley goes for the Sox against old friend Frank Tanana. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Tigers Outslug Sox, Streak at 4 (4/12/84)

Well the good news was the Boston Red Sox offense finally woke up to knock around the red hot Detroit Tigers for 9 runs off 14 hits. The bad news was the Tigers offense knocked the Sox pitching staff six ways from Sunday for 13 runs off 16 hits along with 3 errors committed by the Sox defense. When all was said and done the Tigers stomped the Red Sox 13-9 at Fenway Park in front of a capacity crowd for the fourth straight loss by the Sox.

                                          Dr Hook McCracken can't stand Sox pitching

Bruce Hurst (1-2, 2.55 ERA) never got out of the box as he was ambushed by the angry Tigers. Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell worked back to back walks before Barbaro Garbey hit a routine double play ball to Glenn Hoffman at short. Hoffman fielded the ball and threw it straight up in the air before catching it in his hat much to the chagrin of the irate crowd. Glenn was charged with an error but the bases were loaded with nobody out. Hurst somehow managed to strike out Lance Parrish but Larry Herndon walked to drive in the game's first run. Chet Lemon singled home Trammell and Garbey to increase the lead before Rod Allen singled in Herndon. Rusty Kuntz singled home Lemon and that was it for Hurst. He lasted just 1/3 of an inning although the insane error by Hoffman didn't help and was on the hook for 5 runs with two runners still on base.

                                                   "I sucked today!" - Hurst

Mike Brown came in and poured gas on the fire by allowing a double to Tom Brookens. Whitaker hit a routine tapper in front of Rich Gedman who was so angry at Hoffman that he wrestled with the ball instead of throwing it to a base, allowing Kuntz and Brookens to both score, causing half the crowd to get up and leave. Trammell doubled and for some reason Tigers manager Sparky Anderson pinch hit Dave Bergman for Garbey. Bergman was intentionally walked to re-load the bases but Brown got Parrish to bang into a double play to end the inning. The Tigers put up 8 runs on 5 hits and 2 errors to take an 8-0 lead.

                                           Major Burns prays for the Sox pitchers

Somehow the Sox came roaring back in the bottom of the first inning against Milt Wilcox. Remy singled and Dwight Evans was hit with a pitch. Wade Boggs walked to load the bases and Jim Rice singled home Remy and Evans. Mike Easler singled home Boggs but Tony Armas banged into a double play, still managing to score Rice but it cleared the bases. This was huge because Gedman belted a solo home run to chase Wilcox and put the Sox back in striking distance. Doug Bair replaced Wilcox and got Dave Stapleton to strike out to end the inning but the Sox put up a five spot to trail 8-5.

                                                 "WE'RE NOT DEAD YET!!" - Gedman

Brown trudged back to the mound for the top of the second inning and Herndon doubled to lead off. Lemon struck out then Darrell Evans pinch hit for Rod Allen only to strike out. Herndon took third on a wild pitch but Kuntz flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox inched closer in the bottom of the second inning although Hoffman struck out to start. Remy popped up to first but Evans launched a solo home run to cut the lead to just two. Boggs struck out to end the inning but the Sox were back in it, 8-6.

                                                           Evans gets a run back

All Brown had to do was hold the fort until the offense kept clawing back in the top of the third and somehow he did. Brookens grounded out to first before Whitaker hit a routine ground ball to Hoffman at short. This time Hoffman picked the ball up, threw it over his head like a grenade and stuck his fingers in his ears waiting for the explosion that never came. The only reason Whitaker didn't take second was he was too busy laughing at Glenn. Whitaker was forced at second by Trammell and Alan was thrown at second trying to steal by Gedman to end the inning. The Sox didn't do much in the bottom of the third although Rice led off with a single. Mike Easler struck out and Tony Armas forced Rice at second. Gedman struck out to end the inning.

Brown couldn't tame the Tigers in the top of the fourth inning although he got Bergman to ground out to begin. Parrish then launched a 1,000 foot home run to give the Tigers their 3 run lead back. Herndon flied out to left and Lemon grounded out to third to end the inning with the Tigers up 9-6.

The Sox failed to answer in the bottom of the fourth as Stapleton singled but Hoffman banged into a double play. Remy popped up to short to end the inning.

Brown recovered in the top of the fifth to get Evans to fly out to right. Kuntz struck out but Brookens singled. Whitaker popped up to third to end the inning. The Sox failed to score in the bottom of the fifth although Evans walked to begin. Boggs flied out to left but Rice banged into a double play to end the inning.

Brown finally ran out of gas in the top of the sixth inning although Trammell hit one up the elevator shaft to begin. Bergman singled but Parrish popped up to first. Herndon doubled and Sox manager Ralph Houk made the change to bring in Bob Stanley. Brown had allowed 2 runs in nearly 6 innings pitched, it could have been a lot worse. Stanley got Lemon to fly out to right to end the inning. Glenn Abbott came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Easler greeted him with a single. Armas got hit with a pitch to put the tying run at the plate. Gedman grounded out to first but both runners moved into scoring position. Stapleton walked to load the bases and Houk pinch hit Rick Miller for Hoffman hoping for a spark. The opposite happened as Miller banged into a double play to end the inning. What a waste.

Jackie Gutierrez took over at short as Stanley returned for the top of the seventh. Evans grounded out to short, Kuntz struck out and Brookens grounded out back to Stanley to end the inning. The Sox hit into ANOTHER double play as Evans bounced into one after Remy singled. Boggs flied out to center to end the inning but that was 5 double plays in 7 innings...that ain't funny.

The Tigers finally iced the game in the top of the eighth inning. Whitaker, Trammell, Bergman and Parrish all singled to score two runs and put runners at the corners. Herndon beat out a double play ball to score another run and Lemon singled Parrish to third. Evans beat out a double play ball to score yet another run although Kuntz struck out to end the inning with the Tigers up 13-6. Game over.

                                           "Awww man I crapped mah pants!" - Stanley

Willie Hernandez came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth with Dwight Lowry taking over behimd the dish in the bottom of the eighth. Rice struck out but Easler and Armas struck back to back singles. Gedman walked to load the bases for some hope but Stapleton hit one up the elevator shaft. Reid Nichols pinch hit for Gutierrez and came through with a double to score Easler and Armas. Remy followed through with a single to score Gedman but Evans struck out to end the inning. The Sox did manage to get closer but was still too far out of reach 13-9.

                                                    Nichols brings the Sox closer.

Mark Clear came in to pitch with Ed Jurak taking over at short for the top of the ninth inning. Brookens struck out but Whitaker doubled. Trammell walked but Bergman flied out to right. Lowry grounded out to second to end the inning. The end finally came in the bottom of the ninth although Boggs walked to begin. Naturally Rice grounded into the SIXTH double play of the game. Easler doubled but Armas grounded out to short to end the game. The Sox lost their fourth straight 13-9.

Jackass of the Night is Bob Stanley. Had he held the fort after Mike Brown left, the Sox could have taken the game or at least had a solid chance. Instead he allowed 4 runs in 2 1/3 innings that ended up being the difference in the game.

                                                         Jackass of the Night: Bob Stanley


The Good:

Jerry Remy was 3 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Dwight Evans was 1 for 3 with a walk, hit by pitch, solo home run and 2 total runs scored.

Jim Rice was 2 for 5 with 2 rbi's and a run scored.

Mike Easler was 4 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Dave Stapleton was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Reid Nichols doubled in 2 runs as a pinch hitter.

Mike Brown tossed 5 1/3 innings of relief allowing just 2 runs to keep the Sox in the game.

Mark Clear pitched a scoreless ninth.



The Bad:

Glen Hoffman was 0 for 2 with a strikeout and 2 errors committed in the field.

Rick Miller hit into a double play as a pinch hitter.

Bruce Hurst sucked, allowing 7 runs (5 earned) in just 1/3 of an inning.



The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was 0 for 3 but walked twice and scored a run.

Tony Armas was just 1 for 4 but was hit with a pitch and scored.

Rich Gedman was 1 for 3 with a walk, solo home run and 2 total runs scored but his error in the first allowed 2 runs to score which ended up being crucial.



Honorable Mention:

Jackie Gutierrez played shortstop in the top of the eighth.

Ed Jurak played shortstop in the top of the ninth.



Final Thoughts:

It was nice for the offense to finally wake up but the pitching picked a fine time to take the day off. The Sox couldn't get anyone out whether it was Hurst, Brown or Stanley. The good news is THIS is the offense the front office expected going into the season and its unlikely Hurst is going to suck like that too often. If they can keep this kind of offense going, they have a chance to catch Baltimore in the AL East race, even if they have no ace. Tomorrow night the Texas Rangers are in town as the Sox look to snap their four game losing streak. Old buddy Frank Tanana matches up with Dennis Eckersley (0-1) in the first game of the series at Fenway Park.

Late Rally Falls Short, Drop Third Straight (4/11/84)

For eight innings it seemed the Seattle Mariners were cruising toward an easy 5-1 win. Then all of a sudden the Boston Red Sox exploded but it just wasn't enough. Dennis Eckersley (0-1, 5.28 ERA) was game but all 5 of his runs allowed counted and the 5th one proved to be a difference maker as the Mariners sent the Sox to their third straight loss with a 5-4 squeaker at the Kingdome.

                                           Luke can't stand 3 straight losses

Jerry Remy led off the top of the first by striking out. Dwight Evans drew a walk and stole second on the strikeout from Wade Boggs. Jim Rice grounded out to short to end the inning. Eckersley began the bottom of the first by getting Jack Perconte to fly out to center. Barry Bonnell struck out and Gorman Thomas flied out to left to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second inning as Mike Easler flied out to center, Tony Armas whiffed and Dave Stapleton grounded out to short to end the inning. Eckersley began the bottom of the second by striking out Pete Putnam before getting Al Cowens to fly out to left. Alvin Davis also flied out to left to end the inning.

The miserable Sox offense failed to mount anything in the top of the third inning as Glenn Hoffman grounded out to third to start. Gary Allenson flied out to center and Remy struck out to end the inning. Eck allowed a leadoff double to Bob Kearney and Phil Bradley caught the Sox asleep with a bunt single. Eck recovered to get Spike Owen to pop up to second and Perconte to fly out to left. Kearney broke for home and Rice heaved the ball to the plate....YER OUTTA THERE! Rice's throw nailed him and the inning was over.

                                                    "Hey Bob...where you goin?" - Rice

Still no offense in the top of the fourth as Evans flied out to center to start. Boggs hit a comebacker to the mound and Rice grounded out to third to end the inning. The Mariners struck first in the bottom of the fourth as Bonnell singled to start. Thomas flied out to left but Putnam singled. Cowens beat out a double play and that proved huge as Davis blasted a three run home run to give the Mariners a commanding 3-0 lead. Kearney walked but Bradley grounded out to second to end the inning.

                                                      "Dadgummit Avin Davis!!!"

Easler singled to start the top of the fifth inning but Armas struck out. Stapleton banged into a double play to end the inning. Eck settled down in the bottom of the fifth as Owen was thrown out on a squibber in front of the plate. Perconte and Bonnell both grounded out to short to end the inning.

Young kept on dominating in the top of the sixth inning as Hoffman flied out to center to start. Allenson struck out but Remy singled. Evans hit a comebacker to the mound to end the inning. The Mariners struck again in the bottom of the sixth although Thomas grounded out to short to start. Putnam grounded out to first but Cowens launched a 70,000 foot home run halfway to British Columbia to increase the lead. Davis walked and Kearney flied out to center to end the inning with the Mariners leading 4-0.

                                                   "I own Eckersley" - Cowens

Young kept the Sox down in the top of the seventh inning as Boggs grounded out to second to start. Rice singled but both Easler and Armas struck out to end the inning. Eck got three ground ball outs in the bottom of the seventh, retiring Bradley on a comebacker to start. Owen grounded out to second and Perconte grounded out to third to end the inning.

Somehow the Sox scored in the top of the eighth inning with Domingo Ramos now in the game at third with Bonnell taking over for Thomas in left. Stapleton doubled and moved to third on the Hoffman ground out. Allenson singled home Stapleton to put the Sox on the board. Rice struck out but Evans singled. Boggs walked to load the bases to chase Young from the game. With a chance to take the lead with one swing....Dave Beard struck out Rice to end the inning. Still, the Sox got one back to trail 4-1.

                                                     Allenson's single puts the Sox on the board

Just as soon as the Sox scored a run, the Mariners got it back in the bottom of the eighth. Bonnell grounded out to first to start before Ramos struck out. Putnam doubled and Larry Milbourne pinch ran for him. Cowens doubled home Milbourne for another Seattle run and Davis was intentionally walked. That was it for Dennis Eckersley as Sox manager Ralph Houk pulled him before he could register a complete game. Mark Clear induced a ground out by Kearney to end the inning with the Mariners up 5-1.

The game looked to be all over but the Sox sprang to life in the top of the ninth. Easler doubled and Armas walked but Stapleton popped up to short. Rick Miller pinch hit for Hoffman and beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners with one down. Rich Gedman pinch hit for Allenson and Beard tried to pick Miller off at first...only the ball went under Davis' glove, scoring Easler and sending Miller to third. Gedman walked to put runners at the corners and bring the tying run to the plate. Mariners manager Dell Crandall brought in Mike Stanton and Stanton looked to have the game over when Remy hit a routine grounder to short. Owen somehow threw the ball away to allow Miller to score. Evans hit a ground ball up the middle for a base hit to score Gedman and somehow put the tying run on second. That was it for the incompetent Stanton as Crandall brought in Ed Vande Berg to finish the job. Instead Boggs walked to load the bases to put the tying run at third. Roy Thomas replaced Vande Berg and finally Rice flied out to left to end the game. A furious rally fell short and the Mariners had won 5-4.

Jackass of the Night is Dennis Eckersley. Sure the bats didn't wake up until the end but still, Eck allowed 5 runs in 7 2/3 innings when 4 or even 3 would have given the Sox a chance to win.

                                                         Eck the Jackass


The Good:

Dwight Evans was 2 for 4 with a walk, rbi and stolen base.

Mike Easler was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Mark Clear retired the only man he faced.

Rick Miller pinch hit for Hoffman and scored a run.

Gary Allenson was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Rich Gedman walked and scored a run as a pinch hitter.



The Bad:

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 3.



The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was just 1 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Wade Boggs was 0 for 3 but walked twice.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

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

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




Final Thoughts:

Close but no cigar for the Sox in this one. After going lifeless for most of the game, at least it was nice to see them spring to life in the ninth inning...albeit with the help of two errors. Still, at least they made it interesting at the end despite another dud pitched by Eckersley. He needs to get his head out of his ass because the Sox need him with everyone not named Bruce Hurst struggling. Speaking of Hurst (1-0), he goes Friday night against the red hot Detroit Tigers who haven't lost a game yet. Milt Wilcox will be Bruce's opponent when the Sox return home to Fenway Park.

Sox Offense Falters in Seattle (4/10/84)

Another game, another miserable performance by the Boston Red Sox bats. After getting stoned in both Anaheim and Oakland to begin the season, the Sox then brought their anemic offense to Seattle where they were beaten by the Mariners. This time the Sox mustered just 6 hits and 1 run as Jim Beattie looked unhittable. Bob Ojeda (0-1, 4.50 ERA) wasn't good enough as the Mariners took the game 5-1 at the Kingdome.

                                                  Lt Goldblume cant stand the Sox offense

Beattie got the ball in the top of the first and Jerry Remy greeted him by flying out to left. Dwight Evans walked and broke for third on a base hit by Wade Boggs....and got thrown out by a mile. Boggs managed to take second on the throw but Jim Rice flied out to left to end the inning. Nice going Dwight. The Mariners wasted no time scoring in the bottom of the first inning. Jack Perconte doubled and was advanced to third on the sacrifice bunt by Larry Milbourne. Barry Bonnell singled home Perconte and Gorman Thomas doubled Bonnell home to increase the lead. Steve Henderson struck out but Dave Henderson was hit with a pitch. Bob Kearney hit a comebacker to end the inning but the Mariners were up for good already 2-1.

                                                "Hey you...Ojeda....pitch better!"

Did you expect the Sox to come back in this one? Me neither, although Mike Easler somehow worked a walk to begin the top of the second. Tony Armas grounded out to advance Easler to second but Rich Gedman flied out to right. Dave Stapleton flied out to center to end the inning. Ojeda got himself back on track in the bottom of the second as Phil Bradley hit a comebacker to begin. Spike Owen popped up to second but Perconte singled. Milbourne flied out to right to end the inning.

More bawfulness occurred in the top of the third as Jackie Gutierrez flied out to right to start. Remy somehow motored around for a triple but Evans left him there by grounding out sharply to second. Boggs grounded out to second to end the inning, what a waste. Ojeda ran into trouble in the bottom of the third by walking Bonnell to start. Thomas flied out to center but Steve Henderson singled. Dave Henderson and Kearney struck out to end the inning.

Rice worked a walk to open the top of the fourth inning but Easler flied out to left. Armas struck out and Gedman hit a comebacker to the mound to end the inning. The Mariners struck again in the bottom of the fourth although Bradley grounded out to short to start. Owen hit a routine single to center but Arms inexplicably tried to dive on the ball like a grenade, allowing Spike to reach second on the error. Perconte popped to short but Milbourne singled Owen to third. Bonnell singled home Spike for another insurance run. Thomas struck out to end the inning but it was now 3-0 Seattle.

                                               "OJEDAAAAAA!!!!!"

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fifth inning as Stapleton grounded out to short and Gutierrez grounded out to to second. Remy somehow singled but Evans struck out to end the inning. The Mariners ran themselves into outs in the bottom of the fifth. Steve Henderson walked and stole second and Dave Henderson beat out an infield single. Gedman then managed to throw out both Hendersons trying to steal and Kearney flied out to center to end the inning.

                                              "Those Hendersons can't run on me" - Gedman

The futility continued in the top of the sixth as Boggs struck out to start. Rice somehow singled but Easler flied out to center and Armas struck out to end the inning. Gedman came up big again in the bottom of the sixth as Bradley grounded out to short to start. Owen walked and he was thrown out at second trying to steal. Perconte was hit with a pitch but Milbourne flied out to left to end the inning.

The Sox went quietly in the top of the seventh as Gedman and Stapleton both flied out to center before Gutierrez flied out to right to end the inning. The Mariners finally knocked out Ojeda in the bottom of the seventh inning. Bonnell walked but Thomas flied out to center. Steve Henderson then blasted a 2 run bomb to chase Ojeda from the game. The offense was non existent but he still gave up 5 runs in 6 1/3 innings.

                                                             Poor performance by Ojeda

Sunday's failed starter Mike Brown was given a shot to redeem himself by Sox manager Ralph Houk and he delivered. Dave Henderson flied out to right but Kearney singled. Bradley walked and the two runners got revenge on Gedman by pulling off a double-steal. Brown struck out Owen to end the inning with the Mariners up 5-0.

Bonnell moved to left as Domingo Ramos came in to play first, eliminating Gorman Thomas to begin the top of the eighth. The Sox rallied with Remy getting a base hit before Evans walked to chase Beattie. Ed Vande Berg came in and walked Boggs to load the bases Now the Sox were a double or a blast away from getting back in the game....but Rice banged into a double play, scoring Remy and moving Evans to third. Easler walked to put runners at the corners and Mike Stanton replaced Vande Berg on the mound. With a chance to put the Sox closer...Armas struck out AGAIN to end the inning with the Sox down 5-1. Brown returned for the bottom of the eighth and got Perconte to fly out to start. Milbourne walked but Bonnell flied out to right. Ramos grounded out to third to end the inning.

The game finally came to an end in the top of the ninth inning. Gedman struck out but Stapleton singled. Rick Miller pinch hit for Gutierrez and banged into a double play to end the game. The Mariners had won it 5-1.

Jackass of the Night is Bob Ojeda. He gave up 5 runs and failed to get out of the seventh inning. Yes the putrid offense failed to produce but 5 runs is 5 runs.

                                             Jackass of the Night: Ojeda


The Good:

Jerry Remy was 3 for 4 with a run scored.

Wade Boggs was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Jim Rice was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Mike Brown threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

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

Rich Gedman was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jackie Gutierrez was 0 for 3.

Rick Miller was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Dwight Evans was 0 for 2 but walked twice.

Mike Easler was 0 for 2 but walked twice.

Dave Stapleton was just 1 for 4.




Final Thoughts:

Apart from Boggs and Remy, this team has hit like complete crap for the first 7 games of this season. Hard to win games when you hit that poorly. Still, these guys are too good to hit this bad. Maybe warmer weather will warm them up, I don't know. Ojeda pitched like crap but with no offense it really didn't matter. Its good to have a healthy Remy to fall back on and hopefully he can stay healthy. Tomorrow is Game 2 of this 3 game set with Dennis Eckersley on the mound opposite Matt Young at the Kingdome.

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.