Clemens, Sox Down Orioles (6/21/86)

The Boston Red Sox are in a bit of a pickle after losing not only Bruce Hurst, Sammy Stewart and Al Nipper in the span of a month but Mike Brown took a line drive off the arm last night to add him to the growing injury list. Needing a big win after last night's disaster, Roger Clemens (13-0, 2.18 ERA) continued his dominating season with an 8 inning gem against the Baltimore Orioles. The Red Sox blasted O's starter Ken Dixon for 4 first inning runs to set the tone and got a sac fly by Rich Gedman in the fourth to pretty much ice the game. Without Wade Boggs, who is still grieving the death of his mother, the Sox got another two runs off the Orioles bullpen in the eighth and Bob Stanley slammed the door in the ninth to give Boston a 7-3 victory over Baltimore at Fenway Park.

                                                        So far its been true

Clemens got the ball in the top of the first and Tom O'Malley took strike three on the outside corner to start. Juan Beniquez whiffed on a 95 mph fastball and Jim Dwyer flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox blitzed Ken Dixon in the bottom of the first as Marty Barrett led off by striking out swinging. Ed Romero hit one under the glove of Dixon and beat out the throw to first for a "single." Bill Buckner slapped a base hit to right to move Romero to third but Jim Rice popped up to Juan Bonilla in foul territory. Don Baylor swung and missed for strike three....but the ball got away from catcher Rick Dempsey. Romero scored and Baylor was safe at first. Evans made Dixon play by clubbing his 8th home run of the season into the screen in left to increase the lead. Tony Armas struck out swinging to end the inning with Boston ahead 4-0.

                                                          Evans hits a three run bomb

The Orioles beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the second as Eddie Murray grounded out to second to begin. Cal Ripken Jr grounded out to short and Larry Sheets hit a comebacker to Clemens who threw to first to end the inning. NBC posted a graphic of everyone on the Disabled List for the Sox with Bruce Hurst pulling a groin on June 1st, Al Nipper was spiked by Larry Parrish on May 19th, Sammy Stewart pulled a muscle in his forearm the same game Hurst got hurt, Wes Gardner got hurt in Spring Training and Glenn Hoffman has a cardiac issue. Rich Gedman led off by striking out swinging before Rey Quinones flied out to center. Barrett popped up to right field to end the inning.

Mike Young flied out to a running Armas to start the top of the third before Bonilla singled in the hole at second. Dempsey struck out swinging and O'Malley grounded out to third to end the inning. Barrett flied out to right to start the bottom of the third before Buckner also flied out to right. Rice completed the trifecta with a fly out to right to end the inning.

The O's struck back in the top of the fourth as Beniquez walked to start. Dwyer dumped a base hit to right to move Juan to third but Murray lined out to Quinones. Ripken hit a seeing eye single through the hole at short to score Beniquez. Sheets slapped a base hit to right to load the bases but Young took strike three. Bonilla grounded into a force to end the inning with the O's down 4-1.

                                                          O's get a run back

The Sox answered in the top of the fifth as Baylor walked to start. Evans struck out swinging but Armas walked on a pitch that got away which allowed Don to reach third. Gedman hit a sac fly to left to score Baylor to increase the lead, but Quinones popped up to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-1.

                                                          Baylor scores a run

Dempsey popped up to second to start the top of the fifth before O'Malley grounded out to second. Beniquez also popped up to second to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Barrett popped up to Murray to start. Romero popped up to short and Buckner flied out to left to end the inning.

Dwyer led off the top of the sixth with a fly out to center but Quinones threw high of first on a grounder hit by Murray for an error. A wild pitch moved Murray to second but Ripken popped up to Buckner in foul territory. Sheets struck out swinging to end the inning. Rice led off the bottom of the sixth with a pop up to center and Baylor hit one up the elevator shaft. Dixon threw over the head of Evans and Dwight took a dim view of that, pointing at him and having to be restrained by the umpires. When cooler heads prevailed, Evans hit a seeing eye single into left field. Armas struck out swinging to end the inning.

                                               "I've had it up to HERE with Dixon" - Evans

The O's got another run in the top of the seventh as Young grounded out to first to start. Bonilla beat out an infield single to short but Dempsey struck out swinging. O'Malley walked and Beniquez dumped a base hit to center to score Bonilla. Dwyer popped up to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-2.

                                                           Old pal Beniquez

Gedman walked to start the bottom of the seventh and was sacrificed to second on a bunt by Quinones. Barrett popped up to left. Romero grounded out to short to end the inning.

Clemens returned for one last inning in the top of the eighth with Steve Lyons now playing centerfield. Murray led off with a walk but Ripken flied out to right. Murray moved to second on the grounder to Buckner by Sheets and Buckner robbed a hit from Young with a great stab & throw to Clemens to end the inning. Roger was outstanding, going 8 strong innings while allowing 2 runs while striking out six batters.

                                                        Clemens goes above and beyond

The Sox wrapped up the scoring in the bottom of the eighth as Buckner hit a pop up that Young lost in the sun. It hit off the glove of Young for a "double" and Buckner moved to third on the fly out to the centerfield triangle by Rice. Baylor hit a foul ball about 500 feet just foul and O's manager Earl Weaver decided to pull the plug on Dixon before the next pitch was hit that far but fair. Nate Snell came in and immediately plunked Baylor before Evans singled to center to score Buckner, moving Baylor to third. That was it for Snell and Weaver brought in Brad Havens to pitch to Lyons. Steve scored Baylor with a sac fly to center and Evans promptly stole second. Gedman grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-2.

                                                            Baylor scores the final run

Bob Stanley came in to close out the top of the ninth and Bonilla grounded out to short to start. Al Pardo pinch hit for Dempsey and grounded out to short as well. Tom O'Malley grounded out to first to end the game. The Sox had won it 7-2.

                                                                   Sox win

Hero of the Night is Roger Clemens. He tossed 8 innings of 2 run ball allowing 6 hits while walking three. He also struck out six batters.

                                                              Hero Rocket

The Good:

Bill Buckner was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored.

Don Baylor walked, was hit with a pitch and scored 3 runs.

Dwight Evans was 3 for 4 with a three run blast and 4 total rbis.

Steve Lyons drove in a run in his only at-bat.

Bob Stanley pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Marty Barrett was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jim Rice was 0 for 4.

Rey Quinones was 0 for 2.

The Ugly:

Ed Romero was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Tony Armas was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts but drew a walk.

Rich Gedman was 0 for 2 but walked and drove in a run.

Final Thoughts:

Clemens continues to be the odds-on favorite for the American League Cy Young and another great performance keeps them well ahead in first place in the AL East. This was also a big win with Wade Boggs still out on bereavement and with the rotation shaky due to injuries & ineffectiveness. Still, good news is on the horizon with Bruce Hurst and Al Nipper due to return soon and Clemens is out of this world. It would be nice for Rice's power to return and Evans & Baylor to get their averages up but not everything will be perfect. The Sox need Hurst back to keep up this momentum but they've had a great start to this season as we're only a few weeks before the All-Star game. The win improved the Sox to 44-22, 6 games ahead of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the Orioles tomorrow afternoon when Jeff Sellers (0-2) goes up against Storm Davis of Baltimore. The game begins at 1:00 PM at Fenway Park.

Clemens, Sox Bash Yankees (6/16/86)

Oh the New York Yankees have stepped in it now. Recently the Yankees made the statement that the Boston Red Sox have been "playing over their heads" so far this season and tonight the Sox went in their own building and dominated. Roger Clemens (12-0, 2.17 ERA) tossed a complete game 4 hitter and surrendered just one run to hold the Yankees offense in check. Meanwhile the Sox bats pounded the aging Ron Guidry and his replacement Ed Whitson into submission. The offense was a balanced attack with Jim Rice leading the charge with four rbis. Rookie Rey Quinones got 3 hits and 2 rbis as well as the Sox made a statement by playing "over their heads" again by beating the Yankees 10-1 at Yankee Stadium.

                                                  Christine Richters approves of the win

The Sox wasted no time getting to Guidry in the top of the first inning as Marty Barrett lined a base hit up the middle to start. Ed Romero drew a walk and Bill Buckner moved both runners over with a grounder to second. Jim Rice singled up the middle to score Barrett and Romero to put Boston on top. Don Baylor got a base hit to center but Dwight Evans flied out to right. Tony Armas ripped a base hit to left and Rice beat Ken Griffey's throw home to increase the lead. Gedman grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                      Rice slides in safe and just sits there

Clemens got the ball in the bottom of the first and Rickey Henderson led off by taking strike three to start. Don Mattingly grounded out to first and Dave Winfield grounded out to short to end the inning.

Rey Quinones led off the top of the second by flying out to the left field warning track and Barrett grounded out to third. Romero also flied out to the left field warning track to end the inning. The Yankees struck back in the bottom of the second as old friend Mike Easler hit one passed the diving Barrett for a single to start. Griffey hit into a double play but Mike Pagliarulo doubled to left. Ron Hassey hit a ground rule double down the left field line to score Pagliarulo but Willie Randolph flied out to right to end the inning with the Yankees down 3-1.

                                                 Yankees get a run back

The Sox struck again in the top of the third as Buckner walked to start. Buckner stole second and Rice slashed a base hit to left to score Buckner with another run. Yankees manager Lou Piniella pulled the plug on Guidry after getting just 6 outs and replaced him with Ed Whitson. Don Baylor ripped a base hit to center but Rice was thrown out at third. Evans struck out swinging but Armas sliced a base hit past Randolph who fell down to score Baylor with another run. Gedman walked but Quinones forced Armas at third to end the inning with the Sox up 5-1.

                                                        Buckner scores a run

Ivan de Jesus led off the bottom of the third and grounded out to first to start. Henderson popped up to Buckner in foul territory and Mattingly popped up to right to end the inning.

The Sox kept attacking in the top of the fourth as Barrett doubled to right to start. Romero popped up his bunt to Mattingly but Buckner doubled over the head of Henderson to score Barrett. Rice singled up the middle to score Buckner and ice the game, but Baylor forced Jim at second. Evans struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-1.

                                                  "We suck tonight!" - Lou Piniella

Winfield struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fourth but Easler singled to right. Suddenly home plate umpire Don Denkinger started barking at Clemens. Sox manager John McNamara sprinted out of the dugout to ask what's going on and apparently Clemens had a chain around his neck that was distracting. Clemens responded by getting Griffey to ground into a double play to end the inning.

                                       "Get the hell away from my pitcher" - Johnny Mac

The Sox got another run in the top of the fifth as Armas tripled into the gap in center to start. Gedman grounded out to first but Quinones tripled into the gap in left to score Tony. Barrett grounded out to third and Romero flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-1.

                                                        Big triple for Quinones

Clemens cruised in the bottom of the fifth as Pagliarulo grounded back to the mound to start. Hassey grounded out to second and Randolph was frozen for strike three to end the inning.

Buckner grounded back to the mound to start the top of the sixth before Rice grounded out to third. Baylor got a base hit to right but Evans popped up to center to end the inning. de Jesus flied out to right to start the bottom of the sixth before Evans made a jumping catch at the right field wall to rob Henderson of a double. Mattingly hit a grounder off of Buckner who flipped it to Clemens.....who dropped it for an error. Winfield popped up to Barrett to end the inning.

                                                          Big whoops from Roger

Armas lined out to short to start the top of the seventh before Gedman grounded out to second. Quinones caught the Yankees asleep with a bunt single to third and some idiot threw a smokebomb on the field. Yankees broadcaster Phil Ruzzuto said it was the third one in the game. Barrett lined out to Winfield to end the inning.

                                                        Yankee security isn't worth a damn

Steve Lyons took over for Armas to start the bottom of the seventh and Easler grounded out to first to start. Griffey grounded out to first and Pagliarulo flied out to center to end the inning.

Gary Roenicke took over in center to start the top of the eighth and Romero singled to right to begin. Buckner banged into a double play and Rice flied out to the centerfield wall for a 400 foot out to end the inning. Hassey flied out to Rice to start the bottom of the eighth before Randolph grounded out to third. Dan Pasqua pinch hit for de Jesus and took strike three to end the inning.

Dale Berra took over at short for the top of the ninth and Baylor flied out to center to start. Evans was robbed of a hit by a diving Randolph but Lyons walked. Gedman drew a walk and Quinones dumped a base hit to right to score a sliding Lyons. Barrett hit a routine grounder to second and Randolph threw the ball away allowing Gedman to score and Quinones to reach third. Romero grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 10-1.

                                                       Lyons scores a run

Clemens came back to finish his work in the bottom of the ninth and Roenicke grounded out to short to start. Mattingly flied out to the right field wall and Winfield popped up to Rice to end the game. Clemens went the distance and the Sox had buried the Yankees 10-1.

                                                   Dominating effort by Roger

Hero of the Night is Roger Clemens. He tossed a complete game 4 hitter, allowing just 1 run while striking out 4 batters

                                                       Roger Hero

The Good:

Marty Barrett was 2 for 6 with 2 runs scored.

Jim Rice was 3 for 5 with 4 rbis and a run scored.

Don Baylor was 3 for 5 with a run scored.

Tony Armas was 3 for 4 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Steve Lyons walked and scored a run.

Rey Quinones was 3 for 5 with 2 rbis.

The Bad:

Dwight Evans was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Ed Romero was just 1 for 5 but walked and scored a run.

Bill Buckner was just 1 for 4 but walked, drove in a run and scored two runs.

Rich Gedman was 0 for 3 but walked twice and scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

So much for the Sox playing over their heads. Clemens had the best quote "If we're playing over our heads I don't know what THEY'RE doing." What they're doing is losing, that's what. The Sox made a statement tonight not just by beating the Yankees but by dominating as well. Scoring 10 runs on 16 hits with Clemens pitching one of his better games of the season was an all around effort. With Wade Boggs out, the speed of Quinones and the bat of Barrett has been huge at the top of the order to set the table for Evans, Rice and Baylor. The only thing missing from this team are the home runs but as long as they're driving in runs, doesn't matter how far the balls are hit. With Bruce Hurst and Al Nipper out. the other starters and the younger pitchers need to step up in their absence. Clemens did his part tonight but let's see what happens in the next game. The win improved the Sox to 41-21, 4.5 games ahead of the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night Rob Woodward gets the start for Boston against Joe Niekro of the Yankees. The game begins at 7:30 PM at Yankee Stadium.

Sox Sweep Indians (6/4/86)

As the song says, "The kids are alright." Smarting from the losses of Glenn Hoffman and Bruce Hurst, tonight the Boston Red Sox turned to the kids to bail them out to win tonight's game against the Cleveland Indians. Rob Woodward (1-1, 3.45 ERA) stepped up big to toss 6 1/3 innings of 3 run ball. Rey Quinones hit his first career home run and the Sox held on to sweep the Cleveland Indians. The win was Boston's 5th in a row and they dispatched Cleveland 6-4 at Fenway Park.

                                                       Sam Vincent approves of the win

Woodward took the mound in the top of the first inning and Brett Butler grounded out to short to start. Julio Franco doubled to center and moved to third on the Joe Carter grounder to short. Andre Thornton struck out to end the inning. 47 year old Phil Niekro took the mound in the bottom of the first and Marty Barrett grounded back to the mound to begin. Wade Boggs singled to center but Bill Buckner flied out to right. Jim Rice struck out to end the inning.

Mel Hall lined out to left to begin the top of the second but Tony Bernazard singled. Pat Tabler banged into a double play to end the inning. Don Baylor was plunked to open the bottom of the second but was erased on the Rich Gedman force. Gedman was erased on the Dwight Evans force before Steve Lyons whiffed to end the inning.

Brook Jacoby flied out to right to start the top of the third before Chris Bando grounded out to second. Butler singled to center but the alert Gedman gunned him down trying to steal second to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the third as Rey Quinones walked to start. Barrett lined out to right but Boggs doubled Rey to third. Buckner grounded out to short but Quinones scored to put the Sox on top. Rice doubled home Boggs to increase the lead and Baylor singled Jim to third. Gedman popped up to second to end the inning but the Sox were up 2-0.

                                                         Rice puts the Sox up by 2

The Indians wasted no time tying the game in the top of the fourth as Franco and Carter stroked back to back singles to put runners at the corners. Thornton scored Franco with a sac fly and Hall doubled home Carter to tie the game. Bernazard lined out to left and Tabler grounded out to short to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Evans singled to center to begin. Lyons popped up to short but Quinones crushed his first career home run to give Boston the lead back. Barrett and Boggs both struck out to end the inning but it was 4-2 Sox.

                                                    The rookie comes through

Woodward ran into trouble in the top of the fifth although both Jacoby and Bando flied out to left to begin. Butler singled to left, stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch before Franco walked. Carter flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Buckner grounded out to first to start. Rice struck out and Baylor flied out to center to end the inning.

The Indians got one back in the top of the sixth although Thornton popped up to third to begin. Hall singled and Bernazard doubled him home to cut the lead. Tabler grounded back to the mound and Jacoby grounded out to short to end the inning but it was 4-3 Sox.

Niekro got Gedman to pop up to third to open the bottom of the seventh but Evans drew a walk. Lyons flied out to center and Quinones grounded out to third to end the inning.

Sox manager John McNamara rolled the dice by bringing Woodward out for the top of the seventh and that almost backfired when Bando singled. Bando tried for second but was thrown out trying to stretch but Butler singled to chase Woodward. That was it for the rookie as Steve Crawford was summoned to stop the bleeding. Woodward tossed a gutty game of 6 1/3 innings of 3 run ball.

                                                          Not great but it'll do

Crawford got Franco to pop up to third and Carter flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox got some insurance in the bottom of the seventh although Barrett struck out to start. Boggs lined out to left but Buckner cracked his 5th home run of the season to increase the lead. Rice popped up to second to end the inning but it was 5-3 Sox.

                                                                    Buckner goes yard

Crawford returned for the top of the eighth inning and Thornton grounded back to the mound to start. Hall singled to left but Bernazard popped up to third. Tabler grounded into a force to end the inning. Baylor pounded his 13th home run of the year to increase the lead to start the bottom of the eighth. Gedman grounded out to first, Evans grounded out to second and Lyons flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-3.

                                                                 Baylor hits one out

Crawford returned for the top of the ninth but Jacoby blooped a single to right. Bando flied out to center and for some reason McNamara refused to let Crawford finish the job. Bob Stanley was brought in and Jacoby was erased on the force by Butler. Franco doubled to center to score Butler and bring the tying run to the plate. Carter grounded out to second to end the game. The Sox had swept Cleveland and had won the game 6-4.

Hero of the Night is Rey Quinones. The rookie's first homer of the year gave the Sox the lead they would not give up.

                                                              Rey the hero



The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Don Baylor was 2 for 3 with a solo home run.

Dwight Evans was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Rob Woodward earned his first win of the season by tossing 6 1/3 innings of 3 run ball. He allowed 10 hits and 2 walks.



The Bad:

Marty Barrett was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Rich Gedman was 0 for 4.

Steve Lyons was 0 for 4.



The Ugly:

Bill Buckner was just 1 for 4 but drove in 2 runs, one of which was a solo home run.

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

Steve Crawford allowed a run in 2 innings of work.

Bob Stanley earned his 9th save but allowed an inherited runner to score.




Final Thoughts:

Who are these Red Sox? For the first time in 8 years the Sox look legitimate good. The rotation has been solid (until Bruce Hurst went down anyway) and the offense picked it up the last two months. With the injury to Hoffman and Ed Romero struggling at the plate, maybe Quinones is the answer at shortstop. If he can hit above .250 that could be a huge boost. Speaking of boosts, Woodward going 6 1/3 was big considering the Sox are a little short on starters with Al Nipper and Hurst out. All in all it was a good win and the Sox need to keep on chugging. The win improved the Sox to 36-15, 4.5 games in front of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox travel to Milwaukee for a showdown with the Brewers. Jeff Sellers goes for the Sox opposite Bill Wegman at 7:00 PM at County Stadium.

Angels Rally Late, Defeat Sox (5/6/86)

The good news was the Boston Celtics eliminated the Atlanta Hawks in Game 5 of their second round NBA playoff series but the bad news was the California Angels defeated the Boston Red Sox. The Angels and the Sox battled to a 2-2 tie through seven innings. Oil Can Boyd (2-3, 3.57 ERA) had been solid up to that point but allowed a run in the top of the eighth to put California ahead. In the top of the eighth, the Sox defense failed Steve Crawford and Tim Lollar as an error by Lyons and a mental one by Glenn Hoffman allowed three big runs to score. The Sox failed to score against the California bullpen as the Angels defeated the Sox 6-2 at Fenway Park.

                                                                     Ugh

Boyd got the ball in the top of the first inning and Gary Pettis struck out swinging to start. Rob Wilfong popped up to Bill Buckner and Wally Joyner grounded out to first to end the inning. Jim Slaton got the ball in the bottom of the first and Dwight Evans led off by striking out swinging. Wade Boggs hit a comebacker to Slaton and Buckner flied out to right to end the inning.

Reggie Jackson led off the top of the second with a fly out to left and Brian Downing grounded out to third. Doug DeCinces flied out to right to end the inning. Jim Rice led off the bottom of the second with a grounder to third and Don Baylor grounded out to second. Rich Gedman popped up to DeCinces in foul ground to end the inning.

The Angels took command in the top of the third as Ruppert Jones hit a ground ball through Glenn Hoffman's legs to start. Jerry Narron hit a grounder to Buckner who didn't see Jones directly behind him and threw to second for the force. Had he saw Jones it would have been a double play. Boyd then threw a pickoff throw away to move Narron to second and Dick Schofield Jr popped up to Boggs. The opening error and Buckner not seeing Jones came back to haunt the Sox as Pettis hit a 296 foot home run just inside the Pesky Pole to put the Angels on top. Wilfong grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox down 2-0.

                                                   Pettis hits one out of an empty Fenway

Marty Barrett led off the bottom of the third with a fly out to right and Steve Lyons flied out to the left field warning track. Hoffman grounded out to short to end the inning.

Joyner grounded out to second to start the top of the fourth before Jackson flied out to left. Downing lined out to a running Lyons to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Evans dropped a base hit to left to start. Boggs doubled off the Monster and Evans scored on the sac fly by Buckner to right. Rice grounded out to short but Baylor walked. Gedman hit a fly ball to left and Pettis collided with Downing, but Al held on to end the inning with the Sox down 2-1.

                                                              Evans scores a run

DeCinces grounded out to third to start the top of the fifth and Jones struck out swinging. Narron doubled into the gap in center but Schofield Jr struck out swinging to end the inning. George Hendrick came in for Pettis to start the bottom of the fifth as Barrett hit a comebacker to the mound. Lyons flied out to left but Hoffman shot a base hit into right. Evans forced Hoffman at second to end the inning.

Hendrick grounded out to third to start the top of the sixth before Wilfong struck out swinging. Joyner lined out to a running Lyons to end the inning. Boggs doubled to the left field wall to start the bottom of the sixth but Buckner popped up to right. Rice also popped up to right and Baylor grounded out to short to end the inning.

Jackson got a broken bat grounder to second to start the top of the seventh but Downing got a base hit to left. DeCinces forced Downing at second and Jones got a base hit to right. Narron popped up to center to end the inning. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the seventh as Gedman flied out to the right field warning track to start. Barrett sliced a base hit to right and Lyons drew a walk but Hoffman lined out to third. Evans doubled down the left field line to score Barrett to tie the game. That was it for Slaton as Terry Forster came in to pitch. Boggs walked and Buckner popped up to second to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                           Barrett scores to tie it

The Angels finished off Boyd in the top of the eighth as Schofield Jr singled to right to start. Hendrick dropped down a bunt to move Dick to second and Schofield scored on the Wilfong single to center. That was it for Boyd who allowed 3 runs in 7 1/3 innings on six hits. Joe Sambito came in to pitch and got Joyner to pop up to short. Jackson flied out to left to end the inning with the Angels up 3-2.

                                                      Boyd deserved better

Doug Corbett came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Rice grounded out to third to start. Baylor grounded out to first and Gedman lined out to short to end the inning.

Things fell apart in the top of the ninth with Steve Crawford now on the mound. Downing poked a double down the first base line but DeCinces lined out to right. Jones was intentionally walked but Angels manager Gene Mauch pinch hit Bob Boone for Narron. Boone lined a single to center but Lyons booted the ball for an error to score Downing and Jones. Schofield Jr took strike three but Hendrick walked to chase Crawford. Tim Lollar came in to face Wilfong and Rob beat out a roller to third to load the bases. Joyner hit a roller to Hoffman who failed to get Wilfong at second to score Boone with another run. Jackson struck out swinging to end the inning with the Angels up 6-2.

                                                    "Dammit Lyons" - Evans

Barrett grounded out to short to start the bottom of the ninth before Lyons lined out to third. Tony Armas pinch hit for Hoffman and chopped a base hit up the middle. Ed Romero pinch ran for Armas but Evans forced Ed at second to end the game. The Angels had won 6-2.

                                                             Angels win

Jackass of the Night is Steve Crawford. He was charged with 3 runs in 2/3 of an inning to put the game out of reach.

                                                             Steve The Jackass

The Good:

Dwight Evans was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Wade Boggs was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Tony Armas got a base hit as a pinch hitter.

Joe Sambito got the final two outs of the eighth inning.

The Bad:

Jim Rice was 0 for 4.

Rich Gedman was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

Bill Buckner was 0 for 3 but drove in a run.

Don Baylor was 0 for 3 but walked.

Marty Barrett was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Steve Lyons was 0 for 3 with an error but walked.

Glenn Hoffman was 1 for 3 but committed a crucial error.

Oil Can Boyd took the loss but allowed 3 runs (just 1 earned) in 7 1/3 strong innings. He allowed 6 hits while striking out four.

Tim Lollar allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own in 1/3 of an inning.

Honorable Mention:

Ed Romero pinch ran for Armas in the ninth inning.

Final Thoughts:

Things fell apart in this one after the Sox battled to tie the game in the seventh. The Boggs leadoff double that got wasted was a big turning point as was Hoffman's error leading to Jones' home run. Lyons' error in the eighth opened the floodgates. Buckner failing with two men on in the seventh hurt as well. Its a shame the Sox lost this one because both the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians won their games. The Sox had a surprising April to keep them near first place and need to make a run to take over in May. Still, the Sox hadn't made errors in over a week so maybe they got it out of their system tonight before their road trip. Boyd pitched well but the bullpen and defense let him down big time. The less said of this disaster, the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 15-10, 1.5 behind the Indians for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow night as they hit the road against the Seattle Mariners. Al Nipper (2-3) gets the start for the Sox against Milt Wilcox of Seattle. The game begins at 10:00 PM Eastern time at the Kingdome.

Brewers 5 run Second Sinks Sox (9/13/85)

In another ho-hum loss in a season full of them, the Boston Red Sox dropped to 3 games under .500 after being dropped by the equally mediocre Milwaukee Brewers. Tim Lollar (7-10, 4.49 ERA) got lit up for 5 runs in the second inning and the Sox could not recover. A home run by Mike Easler and rbis by Tony Armas and Wade Boggs were the only runs the Sox could push across and the Brewers took the game 6-3 at County Stadium.

                                                Dr. Gogol hates the Red Sox pitching woes

The Sox did strike first against Brewers starter Tim Leary in the top of the first inning. Dwight Evans drew a walk and Wade Boggs doubled him home but was thrown out at third trying to stretch. Bill Buckner back to the mound but Rich Gedman walked. Tony Armas struck out to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                          YERRRRRR OUT!

Lollar got out of the bottom of the first okay as Mike Felder grounded out to second to start. Paul Molitor flied out to center but Billy Jo Robidoux walked. Cecil Cooper popped up to short to end the inning.

Mike Easler flied out to left to start the top of the second before Marty Barrett struck out. Rookie Mike Greenwell flied out to left to end the inning. The Brewers pounded the Sox in the bottom of the second as Randy Ready flied out to center to start. Ernie Riles struck out but Paul Householder doubled to left. Jim Gantner singled home Householder and took second on the throw. Charlie Moore singled home Gantner and Felder singled him to third. Molitor doubled home Moore and Robidoux walked to load the bases. Cooper singled home Molitor and Felder to chase the ineffective Lollar. Tim lasted just 1 2/3 innings and allowed 5 runs. Rookie Rob Woodward came in and got Ready to fly out to right to end the inning but it was 5-0 Brewers.

                                                     Terrible effort by Lollar

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the third as Glenn Hoffman beat out an infield single to start. Evans flied out to right but Boggs singled. Buckner flied out to left and Gedman grounded out to short to end the inning. Woodward cruised in the bottom of the third as Riles grounded out to second to begin. Householder popped up to short but Gantner tripled. Moore grounded out to third to end the inning.

Armas tried to start a rally with a scintillating triple to open the top of the fourth but was stranded when Easler grounded out to third. Barrett popped up to second and Greenwell struck out to end the inning. Felder grounded out to short to open the bottom of the fourth but Molitor singled. Robidoux flied out to right before Molitor swiped second. Cooper flied out to left to end the inning.

Hoffman grounded out to short to start the top of the fifth before Evans flied out to center. Boggs grounded out to second to end the inning. The Brewers struck again in the bottom of the fifth as Ready walked to start. Riles singled to right and Householder doubled home Ready. Woodward recovered to strike out Gantner and get Moore to pop up to second. Felder walked to load the bases but Molitor grounded out to short to end the inning with the Brewers ahead 6-1.

                                             "This pitching blows"

Boston failed to respond in the top of the sixth as Buckner popped up to short to start. Gedman popped up to third and Armas struck out to end the inning. Woodward got Robidoux to strike out to open the bottom of the sixth before Cooper flied out to left. Ready walked but Riles grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox finally got a run in the top of the seventh when Easler launched his 15th home run of the year to cut the deficit. Barrett flied out to center, Greenwell struck out and Hoffman grounded out to second to end the inning but it was 6-2 Brewers.

                                                         Home run for Easler

Householder walked to start the bottom of the seventh and was sacrificed to second by Gantner. Moore flied out to center and Felder flied out to left to end the inning.

The Sox rallied in the top of the eighth although Evans struck out to start. Boggs grounded out to short but Buckner walked. Gedman got a base hit and Armas singled home Buckner to cut the lead in half and bring the tying run to the plate. Ray Searage came in to pitch with Steve Lyons coming in to run for Armas. With a chance to extend the rally....Easler struck out to end the inning with the Sox down 6-3.

                                                          Armas cuts the lead in half

Woodward finished up in the bottom of the eighth as Molitor lined out to right to begin. Robidoux flied out to left but Cooper walked. Ready grounded out to short to end the inning. Hell of an effort by Woodward to limit the Brewers to just 1 run in 6 1/3 innings of relief.

                                                    Double A in April, Boston in September

The Sox had one last chance in the top of the ninth with Ed Romero now in left field. Barrett led off with a double to right and Ed Jurak pinch hit for the rookie Greenwell. Jurak struck out as Jim Rice pinch hit for Hoffman, drawing a walk to bring the tying run to the plate. Jackie Gutierrez ran for Rice as Danny Darwin came in to close out the game. Evans hit one up the elevator shaft and Boggs flied out to left to end the game. The Brewers held on to win the game 6-3.

Jackass of the Night is Tim Lollar. He got lit up for 5 runs in just 1 2/3 innings.

                                                      Lollar the Jackass



The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

Rich Gedman was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Tony Armas was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Glenn Hoffman was 1 for 3.

Jim Rice walked as a pinch hitter.

Rob Woodward allowed just 1 run in 6 1/3 innings of relief.



The Bad:

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Ed Jurak struck out as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Dwight Evans was 0 for 4 but walked and scored.

Bill Buckner was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.

Mike Easler was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a home run.

Marty Barrett was just 1 for 4.



Honorable Mention:

Steve Lyons played center in the bottom of the eighth.

Jackie Gutierrez pinch ran for Jim Rice.




Final Thoughts:

How sad is it the only positive from this game was a relief effort by the rookie Rob Woodward? The Sox went nowhere this season and are going to have to make some changes if they hope to contend next season. The offense is as good as anyone but good lord do they need pitching help. Woodward could be the key next year if he can be the pitcher they thought the Sox were getting when they drafted him. The Sox have some talent with Roger Clemens, Bruce Hurst, Al Nipper, Bob Ojeda and Oil Can Boyd but someone has to step up. The Sox really missed John Tudor this year but who would have thought he'd pitch as well as he did for the St. Louis Cardinals when the Sox sent him packing to the Pittsburgh Pirates? As for this game? Meh...who cares. Tomorrow night these two teams have another snooze when Bill Wegman goes for the Brewers against Bruce Hurst of the Red Sox at 8:00 PM Eastern Time at County Stadium.

White Sox Walkoff Red Sox (8/26/85)

Murphy's Law in the month of August continued for the Boston Red Sox. Today's game against the Chicago White Sox was supposed to be played on August 7th that was cancelled due to the brief player's strike and the BoSox wish this game was never played. Boston broke out to a 2-0 lead over Joel Davis and Chicago but the White Sox answered with 5 runs against Oil Can Boyd. The BoSox tied the game in the top of the seventh and Dwight Evans put them on top with an eight inning home run. Who else but Carlton Fisk tied the game in the bottom of the eighth with a home run and Greg Walker settled matters with a home run off Bob Stanley in the bottom of the 10th to win it for Chicago, 7-6 at Comiskey Park.

                                                          Dammit

The BoSox wasted no time getting to Davis in the top of the first as Dwight Evans tripled over the head of Rudy Law to begin. Wade Boggs chopped a base hit up the middle to score Evans but Bill Buckner flied out to center. Rich Gedman grounded a base hit up the middle to move Boggs to third and Wade scored on the Mike Easler sac fly to left. Ozzie Guillen bobbled a grounder by Tony Armas for an error and Marty Barrett walked to load the bases. With a chance to do some huge damage, Steve Lyons flied out to right to end the inning with Boston up 2-0.

                                                           BoSox take the lead

Boyd got the ball in the bottom of the first and Law struck out swinging to start. Bryan Little flied out to right and Harold Baines flied out to the left field wall to end the inning.

Jackie Gutierrez struck out swinging to start the top of the second and Evans flied out to center. Boggs flied out to left to end the inning. Greg Walker hit one up the elevator shaft to start the bottom of the third before Carlton Fisk popped up to third in foul territory. Joe DeSa took strike three to end the inning.

Buckner flied out to center to start the top of the third but Gedman got a base hit up the middle but Easler grounded into a double play to end the inning. The White Sox rallied in the bottom of the third as Ron Kittle got a base hit to left to start. Guillen hit a double play ball to Barrett but Marty bobbled it, only able to throw Ozzie out at first. That proved costly as Luis Salazar doubled to center to score Kittle. Law grounded out to third but Little hit a ground rule double into the right field seats to score Salazar. Baines lined a base hit up the middle and Little came around third. Lyons' throw was late and Kittle scored with Harold taking second on the throw to give the White Sox the lead. Walker grounded out to second to end the inning with Chicago up 3-2.

                                                    Baines puts Chicago on top

The BoSox failed to respond in the top of the fourth as Armas flied out to right to start. Barrett hit a routine grounder to the mound but not only did Davis miss it but Little bobbled it as well for an error. Lyons dumped a check swing base hit to center but Gutierrez struck out swinging. Evans grounded out to third to end the inning. Fisk hit a routine grounder to Gutierrez who bobbled it for an error to start the bottom of the fourth. DeSa hit a double play ball to Gutierrez but instinctively flipped to Barrett rather than take it himself. Instead of a double play, they ended up with a force. It ultimately didn't matter as Kittle flied out to left and Guillen grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Boggs grounded out to short to start the top of the fifth but Buckner drew a walk. Gedman also walked and Easler slashed a base hit to left but Buckner was thrown out at home. Armas lined out to left to end the inning.

                                                             Yerrrrrr out!

The White Sox struck again in the bottom of the fifth as Salazar hit a roller to short and Buckner dropped the throw from Gutierrez for a "single". Law popped up to second and Little flied out to left but Salazar swiped second. Baines then crushed a home run all the way to Florida to increase the lead. Walker lined out to right to end the inning with the White Sox ahead 5-2.

                                                        Baines hits one out

The BoSox fought back in the top of the sixth as Barrett walked to start. Lyons flied out to center but Gutierrez got a base hit to left. Evans walked to load the bases, chasing Davis. Jerry Don Gleaton came in to pitch to Boggs and Wade beat out a double play ball to score Barrett. Buckner forced Boggs at second to end the inning with the BoSox down 5-3.

                                                                  Barrett scores a run

Fisk grounded out to third to start the bottom of the sixth before DeSa flied out to left. Kittle singled past the diving Gutierrez but Guillen flied out to center to end the inning.

The BoSox came back in the top of the seventh as Gedman dribbled one to second and Little bobbled it for a "single". Easler struck out swinging and that was it for Gleaton. Dan Spillner came in to pitch to Armas and Tony struck out swinging. Barrett doubled to the left field wall to score Gedman who would have been thrown out at the plate if the White Sox didn't lollygag the throw to short. Lyons blooped a base hit just out of reach of Little to score Barrett with the tying run. Lyons swiped second but Gutierrez took strike three to end the inning with the game tied 5-5.

                                                           Boston ties it up

The White Sox finally chased Boyd in the bottom of the seventh as Salazar singled off the glove of Gutierrez to start. Salazar was thrown out at second trying to steal but Law walked to send Boyd to the showers. Oil Can lasted 6 1/3 innings allowing 5 runs on 8 hits and a walk. Bob Stanley came in to pitch and Little drilled a base hit to right to put runners at the corners. Baines struck out swinging on a sinker that didn't sink and Walker grounded out to third to end the inning.

                                                   Boyd gets knocked out

The BoSox shocked Chicago as Evans led off the top of the eighth with his 16th home run of the season to put Boston on top. Juan Agosto came in to pitch and Boggs walked, but Buckner forced Wade at second. Buckner was picked off....but somehow wormed his way to second for a "stolen base". He was doubled off anyway on a failed hit and run when he took off for third but Gedman's liner to center was caught. The inning was over but the BoSox now led 6-5.

                                                    Evans puts Boston ahead

The lead lasted 8 seconds in the bottom of the eighth as....who else....Fisk hit a home run off the left field foul pole to tie the game. Does THAT LOOK FAMILIAR???? DeSa popped up to right, Kittle grounded out to second and Guillen grounded out to third to end the inning with the game tied 6-6.

                                                           Fisk ties it up

Old pal Reid Nichols came in for Kittle to start the top of the ninth and Easler grounded out to first to start. Bob James came in to pitch to Armas and Tony grounded out to short. Barrett dropped a base hit in front of Nichols and took second on a balk. Lyons grounded out to first to end the inning. Stanley returned for the bottom of the ninth and Salazar flied out to right to begin. Law took strike three and Little's bunt attempt was snuffed out by Stanley to end the inning.

Gutierrez lined out to center to start the top of the tenth but Evans flied out to left. Boggs grounded out to short to end the inning. For whatever reason, Stanley returned for the bottom of the tenth and Baines grounded out to second to start. Walker then hit a home run all the way to Lake Michigan to end the game. The White Sox had walked off the Red Sox 7-6.

                                                             White Sox win

Jackass of The Night is Bob Stanley. He gave up the game tying and game winning home runs.

                                                        Jackass Stanley

The Good:

Dwight Evans was 2 for 5 with a walk, a home run and 2 total runs scored.

Rich Gedman was 3 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

Marty Barrett was 2 for 3 with 2 walks, an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Steve Lyons was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a stolen base.

The Bad:

Tony Armas was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was just 1 for 5 but walked, drove in two runs and scored a run.

Bill Buckner was 0 for 4 but walked and stole a base.

Mike Easler was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked.

Oil Can Boyd allowed 5 runs in just 6 1/3 innings on 8 hits and a walk while striking out 2.

Jackie Gutierrez was just 1 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts and an error.

Final Thoughts:

This game, this month and this season has been one giant sucker punch to the gonads. Losing Roger Clemens for the season was bad enough but losing games as gutwrenching as this is just pouring salt in an open wound. Boyd hasn't been the same since the All-Star break and he wasn't good at all in this one. Still, the Red Sox had this game won but Stanley blew it. Why was he still even in the game in the bottom of the tenth? Where was Steve Crawford or Mark Clear? Was John McNamara asleep in the dugout? Just another tough loss in a season full of them. Can't even blame the offense who scratched and clawed to not only come back from the deficit but to take the lead as well. The way the Sox fell apart this month can be seen clear as day. They needed starting pitching and they didn't get it. Guess trading John Tudor was a bad idea huh? The loss dropped the Sox to 58-64, 18.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. The Sox now travel to Cleveland for a set with the Indians. Mike Trujillo (3-2) takes on Curt Wardle of the Indians. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Cleveland Stadium.