Sox Pound Rangers, Even Series (4/10/93)

One day night after getting shut down by 46 year old Nolan Ryan, the Boston Red Sox took out their frustrations on the rest of the Texas Rangers pitching staff. The offense erupted for 10 runs off 15 hits to avenge last night's defeat. Roger Clemens (2-0, 1.20 ERA) shut down the Rangers offense as the Sox took an easy 10-2 victory at Arlington Park.

                                              Quark and Odo approve of the win

The Sox wasted no time scoring against Craig Lefferts in the top of the first inning. Scott Fletcher motored around for a leadoff triple but Billy Hatcher made his season debut by popping up to short. Mike Greenwell lined out to first but Andre Dawson singled home Scott for the early lead. The returning Carlos Quintana, who missed all of last year recovering from his car accident, grounded into a force to end the inning but it was 1-0 Sox.

                                                             Dawson makes it 1-0

The Rocket took the mound in the bottom of the first and cruised. David Hulse grounded out to second, Rafael Palmeiro flied out to center and Jose Canseco lined out to short to end the inning.

Lefferts settled down in the top of the second inning but getting Ivan Calderon to pop up to third to start. Scott Cooper grounded back to the mound and Tony Pena grounded out to short to end the inning. The Rangers threatened in the bottom of the second when Juan Gonzalez hit a routine grounder to Quintana at first, only for Carlos to belly flop on the ball and dry land swim on it for an error. Julio Franco flied out to right but Dean Palmer singled. Ivan Rodriguez was hit with a pitch to load the bases but Roger got a huge out when he blew away Benji Gil. Billy Ripken lined out to second to end the inning.

Luis Rivera popped up to first to begin the top of the third inning before Fletcher lined out to second. Hatcher grounded out to short to end the inning. Clemens blew away Hulse to start the bottom of the third and then he froze Palmeiro for strike three. Canseco singled but the alert Pena gunned him down trying to steal to end the inning.

The Sox couldn't score in the top of the fourth inning as Greenwell grounded out to first to start. Dawson beat out an infield single to short but Quintana flied out to left. Calderon flied out to right to end the inning. Clemens stayed tough in the bottom of the fourth as he got Gonzalez to ground out to third to begin. Franco flied out to right but Palmer singled. The alert Pena gunned down Palmer trying to steal to end the inning.

The Sox absolutely exploded in the top of the fifth inning as Cooper singled to begin. Pena beat out an infield single to third and things looked bleak when Rivera popped up a bunt. The Sox caught a miraculous break when Palmer dropped the ball and Cooper made a mad dash home to increase the lead. The floodgates opened as Fletcher singled home Pena and Hatcher singled home Rivera. Greenwell grounded back to the mound but Fletcher and Hatcher moved into scoring position. Dawson was intentionally walked to load the bases for Quintana. The comeback tour was complete as Quintana singled home Fletcher and Hatcher, chasing Lefferts from the game. Brian Bohanon replaced Lefferts and Calderon walked to re-load the bases. The rally ended as Dawson was forced at home by a Cooper force and Pena lined to first to end the inning. The Sox blew it open to lead 6-0.

                                             Welcome back Quintana

With a huge lead, Bob Zupcic replaced Dawson in right field to begin the bottom of the fifth inning. Rodriguez grounded back to the mound but Gil singled. Doug Strange pinch hit for Ripken and Clemens blew him away. Hulse whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox failed to score in the top of the sixth inning as Rivera grounded out to second to begin. Fletcher grounded out to short but Hatcher singled. Greenwell flied out to center to end the inning. Clemens got tagged in the bottom of the sixth as Palmeiro grounded out to second to start. Canseco hit one up the elevator shaft but Gonzalez blasted a 950,000 foot home run halfway to Peterborough. Franco flied out to right to end the inning but the Sox were up 6-1.

The Sox answered in the top of the seventh inning although Zupcic grounded out to second to start. Quintana and Calderon stroked back to back singles before Cooper singled in Quintana with Ivan moving to third. Pena hit a sac fly to score Calderon and Rivera whiffed to end the inning with the Sox up 8-1.

                                                          "I scored" - Calderon

Clemens finished with a flurry in the bottom of the seventh inning. Palmer singled to right but Rodriguez flied out to right. Clemens blew away Gil and Strange to end the inning. Clemens went 7 innings and allowed only 1 run, he was outstanding.

                                                        The Rocket in line for the win

Robb Nen took over for the top of the eighth with John Russell now behind the plate. Ernie Riles pinch hit for Fletcher and grounded out to second. Hatcher singled and Greenwell doubled. Nen uncorked a wild pitch and Greenwell scored but Hatcher foolishly tried to score from second, failing miserably by getting thrown out. Zupcic walked but Quintana grounded into a force to end the inning with the Sox ahead 9-1.

Jeff Richardson took over at second base with Tony Fossas now on the mound to begin the bottom of the eighth. Doug Dascenzo pinch hit for Hulse and doubled. Gary Redus pinch hit for Palmeiro and singled Dascenzo to third. Sox manager Butch Hobson fell down getting out of the dugout and brought in Paul Quantrill. Canseco banged into a double play but Dascenzo scored. Gonzalez grounded out to short to end the inning with the score 9-2.

                                                    "I sucked tonight!" - TF

Dan Peltier took over in right for the top of the ninth as Calderon whiffed to start. Cooper walked but was erased on the force by Pena. Rivera walked and Richardson singled to score Pena but Rivera was foolishly thrown out in a rundown to end the inning with the Sox ahead 10-2.

                                                            "I got an rbi!" - JR

Quantrill returned for the bottom of the ninth as Butch Davis pinch hit for Franco and doubled. Paul recovered to get Palmer to fly out to right. Russell took strike three and Gil whiffed to end the game. The Sox had won it 10-2.

Hero of the night is Carlos Quintana. He missed all of last year and he capped off the 5th inning rally to give the Sox the easy win.

                                                Hero of the Night: Quintana


The Good:

Scott Fletcher was 2 for 4 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Jeff Richardson singled to drive in a run in the 9th.

Billy Hatcher was 3 for 5 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Andre Dawson was 2 for 2 with a walk and an rbi.

Bob Zupcic walked once in two plate appearances.

Scott Cooper was 2 for 4 with a walk, rbi and run scored.

Roger Clemens got the win by pitching 7 innings of 1 run ball while striking out 7.

Paul Quantrill pitched 2 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Ernie Riles was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Tony Fossas faced two batters and both reached.



The Ugly:

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 5.

Ivan Calderon was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored.

Tony Pena was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored twice.

Luis Rivera was 0 for 4 but walked and scored.




Final Thoughts:

If only the offense could perform like this all the time, they could challenge Toronto for AL East supremacy. The pitching was their strong suit last year and if they can come close this year, maybe an improved offense will carry them. Obviously they're not the Blue Jays but days like this sure are fun. Getting Carlos Quintana back and healthy would be a huge lift because it would save wear on tear on the veterans Calderon and Dawson. Clemens looked spectacular as usual but if they want to contend, they're going to need the other starters to step up. Tomorrow afternoon Danny Darwin goes for the Red Sox opposite Kevin Brown at 2:05 PM at Arlington Park.

Ryan, Rangers Shut Down Sox (4/9/93)

Sometimes it seems like Nolan Ryan will pitch forever and tonight was one of those times. The 46 year old Ryan served the Boston Red Sox their lunch by allowing no earned runs for 6 innings before the Texas Rangers bullpen finished the job. John Dopson (0-1, 5.40 ERA) was game but couldn't handle the old cowboy as the Rangers took the game 3-1 at Arlington Park.

                                           "That damn Nolan Ryan always wins"

Ryan took the mound in the top of the first inning and the Sox proceeded to beat the ball in the dirt. Scott Fletcher was retired on a squibber in front of the mound before Scott Cooper and Mike Greenwell both grounded out to second to end the inning. Dopson came out firing in the bottom of the first inning, striking out both David Hulse and Rafael Palmeiro. Jose Canseco flied out to center to end the inning.

The Sox had one of their only chances in the game in the top of the second inning. Andre Dawson doubled to lead off but Mo Vaughn flied out to left. Ivan Calderon walked and Bob Zupcic singled in the hole at short to load the bases. The rally ended abruptly as Tony Pena banged into a double play to end the inning. Dopson ran into trouble in the bottom of the second although Juan Gonzalez grounded out to short to start. Julio Franco singled to left but Dean Palmer struck out. Ivan Rodriguez walked but Benji Gil struck out to end the inning. That's 4 k's for Dopson in two innings.

The Sox struck first by accident in the top of the third inning. Luis Rivera struck out and Fletcher popped up to second but Cooper singled. Cooper took off for second and Pudge Rodriguez managed to throw the ball into the centerfield bleachers to score Cooper. Greenwell walked but Dawson flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                    "I scored!" - Cooper

The Rangers answered right back in the bottom of the third inning. Billy Ripken hit a ground ball to Cooper at third and the ball deflected away, allowing Ripken to scoot into second base. Hulse dropped down a sacrifice bunt to advance Ripken to third and Palmero singled Billy home to tie the game. Palmero took off for second and Pena decided to turn around and throw the ball at the Texas Rangers batboy for no apparent reason, advancing Palmero to third. Canseco popped up to center and Gonzalez struck out to end the inning but it was now 1-1.

                                                 "I hate batboys" - Pena

Ryan took control in the top of the fourth inning by striking out both Vaughn and Calderon to start. Zupcic hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. Dopson matched Ryan in the bottom of the fourth as Franco flied out to right to start. Palmer struck out and Rodriguez lined out to second to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fifth inning as Pena grounded out to second, Rivera watched strike three go by and Fletcher popped up to first to end the inning. Dopson kept pace in the bottom of the fifth inning by striking out Gil to start. Ripken and Hulse both grounded out back to the mound to end the inning.

The Sox had a chance to take the lead but wasted it in the top of the sixth inning. Cooper watched strike three go by and Greenwell flied out to center before the Rangers made a boo-boo. Dawson hit a routine pop up to Ripken but he dove for it and missed, allowing Dawson to reach second with a credited double. A wild pitch moved Andre to third but Vaughn grounded out to short to end the inning. The end came quickly for Dopson in the bottom of the sixth when Palmeiro smashed a 37,000 foot home run to Sommerville and Canseco hit a 450,000 foot home run to Providence. Sox manager Butch Hobson stumbled out onto the field and tried to take the ball from second baseman Scott Fletcher when Scott had to point at Dopson standing on the mound totally confused. Dopson was game but was given the quick hook after 5 innings and 3 runs allowed.

                                                    "Wow, my manager is an idiot" - Dopson

Harris put out the fire as Gonzalez lined out to center and Franco struck out. Palmer flied out to center to end the inning with the Rangers leading 3-1.

That was it for the old man as Matt Whiteside took over in the top of the seventh inning. Calderon and Zupcic struck out before Pena grounded out to first to end the inning. Harris walked Rodriguez to begin the bottom of the seventh and Gil sacrifice bunted Ivan to second. Ripken grounded out back to the mound and Hulse grounded out to second to end the inning.

Kenny Rogers took over for the top of the eighth and Ernie Riles saw his name on the batting order pinch hitting for Rivera and went to the plate but all of a sudden Hobson realized he penciled in the wrong guy so he bolted out of the dugout and tackled Riles to the ground, sending in a confused Jeff Richardson to pinch hit instead. Richardson flied out to center, Fletcher popped up to second and Cooper struck out to end the inning. Harris returned for the bottom of the eighth and got Palmeiro to ground out to second to start. Canseco walked and stole second but Gonzalez struck out. Franco was intentionally walked and Palmer popped up to second to end the inning.

Rogers came back to pitch to Greenwell in the top of the ninth and got him to fly out to right. Tom Henke came in to finish the job and Dawson singled to bring the dying run to the plate. That was it as Vaughn and Calderon grounded out to end the game. The Rangers had won it 3-1.

Jackass of the Night is Mo Vaughn. He was 0 for 4 and came up to bat 3 times with men on base and failed each time.

                                                      Vaughn the Jackass


The Good:

Andre Dawson was 3 for 4.

Bob Zupcic was 1 for 3.

Greg Harris tossed 4 shutout innings.



The Bad:

Scott Fletcher was 0 for 4.

Tony Pena was 0 for 3 with an error.

Luis Rivera was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts.

Jeff Richardson was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Scott Cooper was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 3 with a walk.

Ivan Calderon was 0 for 3 with a walk.

John Dopson took the loss by pitching 5 innings of 3 run ball. With better run support, he may have won the game.



Honorable Mention:

Ernie Riles was scheduled to pinch hit in the top of the eighth.




Final Thoughts:

This game is a reminder of the incompetence of last year's team. Dopson and Harris pitched well but the Sox couldn't generate any offense, and really can anyone expect any different? Andre Dawson was an upgrade over Jack Clark but that's like getting rid of a 1978 Ford Fairmont with a 1979 model. Average hitters such as Scott Fletcher and Ivan Calderon aren't going to help in the long run so the Sox better have the season of their lives on the mound. Luckily the ace goes tomorrow night as "Rocket" Roger Clemens (1-0) takes on Craig Lefferts at 7:30 PM at Arlington Park.

Sox Outslug Royals (4/8/93)

After the first two games of this season were pitchers' duels, the Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals flipped the script for the series finale. Both the Royals and the Red Sox put on an offensive display but it was the Red Sox that had enough firepower to run off with a 9-4 victory and series sweep at Kauffman Stadium.

                                                  Dave Barry approves of the win

Mark Gubicza got the start for Kansas City and the Sox immediately pulverized him. Scott Fletcher walked and Carlos Quintana singled. Mike Greenwell doubled home both runners to put the Sox on top. Andre Dawson grounded out to third and Mo Vaughn grounded out to short, but Bob Zupcic singled home Greenwell to increase the lead. Zupcic swiped second and scored on the Scott Cooper single. Bob Melvin singled but Luis Rivera flied out to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-0.

                                                    Zupzic singles, steals and scores

Joe Hesketh got the start for the Sox and had an easier bottom of the first inning. Brian McRae grounded out to first, Greg Gagne lined out to right and George Brett grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox poured it on in the top of the second inning. Fletcher singled but both Quintana and Greenwell grounded out. Dawson and Vaughn stroked back to back singles to score Fletcher and chase Gubicza from the game. Hipolito Pichardo came on in relief and Zupcic doubled home Dawson, advancing Vaughn to third. Cooper singled both runners home but Melvin struck out to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-0.

                                                   Zupcic is everywhere

Unfortunately Hesketh got rocked and rolled in the bottom of the second. Felix Jose struck out but Wally Joyner doubled. Harold McReynolds walked and Hesketh balked them both into scoring position. Mike MacFarlane walked to load the bases and Paul Hiatt singled two runs in. Lind doubled in MacFarlane and Sox manager Butch Hobson had seen enough. Hesketh was pulled after 1 1/3 ineffective innings.

                                             "I sucked tonight" - Hesketh

Scott Bankhead replaced Hesketh and got McRae to ground out, but Hiatt scored. Gagne grounded out as well but it was now 8-4.

Pichardo shut the door in the top of the third inning as Rivera flied to center to begin. Fletcher grounded to short but Quintana singled. Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning. Bankhead returned for the bottom of the third inning and got Brett to fly out to center to start. Jose and Joyner both struck out to end the inning.

The Sox got to Pichardo in the top of the fourth inning. Dawson grounded out to second and Vaughn grounded out to first, but Zupcic singled and scored on the double by Cooper. Melvin grounded out to end the inning but it was now 9-4 Red Sox.

                                                  Cooper drove in 4 in this game

Bankhead cruised in the bottom of the fourth inning as McReynolds flied out to center to start. Brett grounded to third and Hiatt popped up to short to end the inning.

Frank Dipino came in to pitch the top of the fifth inning and Rivera greeted him with a walk. Fletcher lined to center and Quintana banged into a double play to end the inning. Bankhead returned for one final inning in the bottom of the fifth inning. Lind grounded out to second and McRae struck out. Gagne grounded to short to end the inning. Good job by Bankhead to slam the door after Hesketh faltered.

                                           Bankhead does the job in this one

Dipino returned for the top of the sixth inning and Greenwell grounded out to third to start. Dawson grounded out to short but Vaughn singled. Zupcic grounded out to end the inning. Tony Fossas got the ball in the bottom of the sixth inning and Brett flied out to left. Jose struck out and Joyner flied out to center to end the inning.

The Sox failed to score in the top of the seventh as Cooper flied out to left to begin. Melvin walked but Rivera flied out to left. Fletcher grounded out to second to end the inning. Paul Quantrill was summoned to pitch the bottom of the seventh and McReynolds flied out to right to start. MacFarlane singled but Hiatt grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Billy Brewer came in to pitch the top of the eighth inning and Quintana greeted him with a single. Greenwell lined to right and Dawson popped up to short. Ivan Calderon pinch hit for Vaughn.....and popped up to end the inning. Quantrill returned for the bottom of the eighth as Lind grounded out to second to start. McRae flied to center and Gagne grounded out to second to end the inning.

Jeff Montgomery pitched the top of the ninth as Zupcic popped up to third to begin. Cooper hit a comebacker to Montgomery and Melvin whiffed to end the inning. Ken Ryan made his season debut by pitching the bottom of the ninth. Brett grounded out to short and Jose grounded out to second in short order. Joyner and McReynolds drew back to back walks but MacFarlane grounded out to end the game. The Red Sox had swept the Royals with a 9-4 victory.

Hero of The Night is Bob Zupcic. He was 3 for 5 with 2 rbi's and 3 runs scored.

                                                 Hero of the Night: Zupcic


The Good:

Carlos Quinana was 3 for 5 with a run scored.

Mo Vaughn was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Scott Cooper was 3 for 5 with 4 rbi's.

Scott Bankhead earned the win with 3 2/3 scoreless innings.

Tony Fossas pitched a scoreless 6th inning.

Paul Quantrill pitched 2 scoreless innings.

Ken Ryan pitched a scoreless 9th.



The Bad:

Joe Hesketh got knocked out in the second inning after already allowing 4 runs.

Ivan Calderon was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Scott Fletcher was just 1 for 4, but walked and scored 2 runs.

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 5 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Andre Dawson was 1 for 5 with a run scored.

Bob Melvin was 1 for 4 with a walk.

Luis Rivera was 0 for 3 but walked.



Honorable Mention:

Billy Hatcher played right field in the final 2 innings.




Final Thoughts:

3 straight wins to start the year is pretty damn good. I don't know what Hesketh's problem was but good for Bankhead, Fossas, Quantrill and Ryan to slam the door without any further damage. Its nice to see the offense put the game away early rather than it come down to the wire like the previous two games. Still, hopefully it was just first game jitters for Hesketh because they need him to match his 1991 performance because you can't trust Danny Darwin to stay healthy anymore and John Dopson isn't exactly Curt Schilling. If the season comes down to Clemens, Viola and pray for rain...its going to get ugly real quick. Speaking of Dopson, he has the unenviable task to match the ageless Nolan Ryan tomorrow night as the Sox start a series with the Texas Rangers at Arlington Park. The game will be at 7:30 PM.

Viola Spins Beauty, Sox Beat Royals (4/7/93)

If the starting pitching is as good as this all year, the Sox may actually challenge Toronto for the division title this season. 2 days after Roger Clemens nearly blanked the Kansas City Royals, tonight's starter Frank Viola almost did it as well. Frank was outstanding and got some timely hitting to defeat the Royals 3-2 at Kauffman Stadium.

                                              The Concierge approves of the win

David Cone took the mound in the top of the first inning and Scott Fletcher flied to center to begin. Billy Hatcher grounded out to short and Mike Greenwell flied out to left to end the inning. Viola got the start in the bottom of the first inning and the Royals immediately pounced. Brian McRae singled and Jose Lind doubled him home. George Brett grounded out and Lind broke for home on the Felix Jose grounder to short. Luis Rivera fired home.....YERRRRR OUT! Jose swiped second but Wally Joyner flied out to left to end the inning. Rivera saved a run and it was 1-0 Kansas City.

The Sox missed a huge chance to tie the game in the top of the second inning. Andre Dawson doubled but did not score on the Mo Vaughn double. Cone got two huge outs when Ivan Calderon and Scott Cooper both struck out. Tony Pena flied out to right to end the inning. What a waste. Viola recovered for the bottom of the second inning. Harold McReynolds hit a comebacker right to Viola for the out. Mike McFarlane singled but was thrown out trying to steal. Phil Hiatt struck out to end the inning.

Cone breezed through the top of the third inning as Rivera popped up to start. Fletcher and Hatcher both struck out to end the inning. Viola matched Cone in the bottom of the third inning as both Greg Gagne and McRae struck out to begin. Lind grounded out to end the inning.

The Sox tied the game in the top of the fourth inning. Greenwell doubled and Dawson singled him home to tie the game. Vaughn banged into a double play and Calderon grounded out to end the inning but it was now 1-1.

                                                     Dawson makes it 1-1

Viola cruised in the bottom of the fourth inning. Brett lined out to left, Jose grounded out to short and Joyner popped up to end the inning.

Cone dominated the top of the fifth as Cooper grounded right back to the mound to start. Pena singled but Rivera hit into a double play to end the inning. Viola matched Cone in the bottom of the fifth inning as McReynolds popped up to start. MacFarlane grounded out and Hiatt struck out to end the inning.

The Sox took the lead in the top of the sixth inning as Fletcher smacked a triple to lead off the inning. Hatcher walked and Greenwell grounded into a force at first, scoring Fletcher. Andre Dawson popped up but Vaughn walked to load the bases. Calderon flied out to end the inning but the Sox had a 2-1 lead.

                                           Fletcher's triple leads to the lead

Viola started the bottom of the sixth inning by getting Gagne to fly out to center to start. McRae grounded out to second and Lin grounded out to short to end the inning.

Cone returned for the top of the seventh and Cooper grounded to second to start. Pena singled but Rivera popped up. Fletcher singled and Pena tried to motor all the way around from first....but was thrown out at home to end the inning. Viola returned for the bottom of the seventh and Brett greeted him with a single. Jose flied out to right and Joyner banged into a double play to end the inning.

Cone came back for one final inning in the top of the eighth inning. Hatcher grounded out to short and Greenwell flied to right. Dawson flied out to right to end the inning. Viola returned for the bottom of the eighth inning and McReynolds flied out to center to start. MacFarlane lined to third but Hiatt walked. Gagne grounded out to second to end the inning. Viola had thrown 8 innings of 1 run ball, outstanding.

                                                         Great effort by Frank

The Sox added some insurance in the top of the ninth inning against Rusty Meachem when Vaughn singled to start. Calderon tried to bunt his way on but popped it up for the out. Vaughn then tried to steal second and MacFarlane threw the ball away, moving Vaughn to third. Cooper doubled home Vaughn but Pena grounded out. Rivera reached on an error and Fletcher was plunked to load the bases. Hatcher hit a comebacker to the mound to end the inning, but it was 3-1 Sox.

                                                      Cooper knocks in an insurance run

Bob Zupcic took over in left as Jeff Russell came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth. McRae doubled and Russell uncorked a wild pitch to move him to third. Lind grounded to short but McRae held. Brett hit a sac fly to score McRae to cut the lead to one. Russell blew away Jose to end the game. The Sox had won it 3-2.

Hero of the Night is Frank Viola. He was outstanding by pitching 8 innings of 1 run ball to out-duel David Cone. He allowed just 4 hits and a walk while striking out 4.

                                            Viola is the Hero tonight



The Good:

Scott Fletcher was 2 for 4 with a run scored and an HBP.

Andre Dawson was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Mo Vaughn was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Tony Pena was 2 for 4.



The Bad:

Ivan Calderon was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Luis Rivera was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.




The Ugly:

Billy Hatcher was 0 for 4 but walked.

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored.

Scott Cooper was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Jeff Russell allowed a 9th inning run but earned the save.




Honorable Mention:

Bob Zupzic played left field in the bottom of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

Its too bad these guys can't pitch like this all year, otherwise the black hole offense wouldn't really matter. As it is that's 2 consecutive wins due to outstanding starting pitching. Still, Kevin Appier and David Cone aren't pushovers so the Sox will glady take the W's against them. It would be nice for the Sox to score some extra runs for a change next time. Tomorrow night Joe Hesketh makes his season debut opposite Mark Gubicza at 7:30 PM in Kansas City.

Off-Day News (4/6/93)

On This Day in Boston Red Sox Basebawful History:

1971 - Culp, Sox beat Yankees on Opening Day

1973 - Sox crush Yankees on Opening Day

1984 - A's shut down Sox

1987 - Brewers defeat Sox on Opening Day

1989 - Orioles defeat Boddicker, Sox

The Sox are back in action against the Kansas City Royals tomorrow night. Frank Viola goes for the Sox up against David Cone of the Royals. The game begins at 8:30 PM Eastern time at Kauffman Stadium.

Clemens Dazzles Royals on Opening Day (4/5/93)

Nothing like an ace pitcher to shut down a hostile crowd on the road on Opening Day. The Boston Red Sox took over Kauffman Stadium led by ace pitcher Roger Clemens (1-0) and defeated the Kansas City Royals by a score of 3-1.

                                                     The Joker approves of the win

Kansas City ace Kevin Appier took the mound in the top of the first inning. Scott Fletcher grounded out to third. Billy Hatcher jacked one deep out to left but was robbed at the wall in left field. Mike Greenwell flied out to center to end the inning. Sox ace Roger Clemens took the hill in the bottom of the first inning and Keith Miller got the first hit of the game with an infield hit to short. Clemens got Wally Joyner looking and Miller was erased on the force by George Brett. Felix Jose walked but Brent Mayne whiffed to end the inning.

Andre Dawson flied out to left to open the top of the second inning and Mo Vaughn grounded out to third. Ivan Calderon and Scott Cooper worked back to back walks but Tony Pena grounded out to second to end the inning. Clemens got Harold McReynolds flied out to right to open the bottom of the second as Brian McRae grounded out to second. Jose Lind struck out to end the inning.

Appier dominated the top of the third inning. Luis Rivera tried to bunt his way on but was thrown out by Appier. Fletcher grounded out to third and Hatcher flied out to left to end the inning. The Royals struck first in the bottom of the third inning. Greg Gagne grounded out to first and Miller flied out to center, but Joyner doubled. The age-less Brett doubled home Joyner to give Kansas City the lead. Jose grounded out to first but the Royals led 1-0.

Ricco Rossy took over for Miller to begin the top of the fourth inning as Greenwell flied out to right and Dawson grounded out to short. Vaughn got the first hit of the season for the Sox with a single to center, but Calderon struck out to end the inning. Mayne greeted Clemens with a single to open the bottom of the fourth and broke for home on the double by McReynolds. Greenwell fired to Rivera who slung the ball home......YER OUT! A huge run was saved which was big as McRae walked. McRae was erased at second on a force by Lind and Gagne grounded out to end the inning with no damage done.

                                                    Rivera says "Hey Mayne, where you goin?"

Moved by the defensive effort, the Sox took the lead in the top of the fifth inning. Cooper and Pena both grounded out to short but Rivera doubled. Fletcher walked and Hatcher beat out an infield single to third to load the bases. Greenwell then cleared the bases with a scintillating triple to give the Sox the lead. Dawson struck out but it was 3-1 Red Sox.

                                                             Greenwell makes it 3-1

Could Clemens pitch with the lead in the bottom of the fifth? YES! Rossy struck out as Joyner flied out to left. Brett walked but Jose grounded out to second to end the inning.

Appier came back for the top of the sixth and Vaughn lined out to first to start. Calderon got his first hit of the year by beating out an infield single to third. Cooper flied out to center but Pena singled in the hole at second base. Rivera walked to load the bases but Fletcher grounded out to end the inning. Clemens kept up the pace in the bottom of the sixth as he got Mayne to ground out to short to begin. McReynolds flied out to right and McRae grounded to first to end the inning.

That was it for Appier as Tom Gordon was brought in to pitch the top of the seventh inning. Hatcher and Greenwell worked back to back walks but Dawson flied out and Vaughn banged into a double play to end the threat. Clemens stayed strong in the bottom of the seventh as he got Lind to lined to first to start. Gagne grounded out to short and Rossy grounded out to second to end the inning.

Calderon greeted Gordon with a base hit to lead off the top of the eighth inning but Cooper flied out to left. Pena whiffed and Calderon was thrown out trying to steal to end the inning. Clemens returned for the bottom of the eighth and got Joyner to ground out to first. Brett grounded out to short but Jose singled and swiped second. Clemens bore down to strike out Mayne to end the inning. Clemens had gone 8 outstanding innings giving up just the 1 run.

                                            "I got these bums today!" - Clemens

Gordon came back for the top of the ninth and Rivera drew a walk. Fletched dropped down a sac bunt to move Luis to second but Hatcher lined out to short. Greenwell walked but Dawson flied out to left to end the inning. Sox closer Jeff Russell took the mound in the bottom of the ninth to close the game out with Bob Zupcic now in left field. McReynolds flied to right and McRae hit a comebacker to Russell for the second out. Lind grounded out to second to end the game. The Sox had taken Opening Day on the road behind Roger Clemens 3-1.

Hero of the Night is Mike Greenwell. His 3 run triple proved to be the difference in the game and he saved a run by getting a runner thrown out a home.

                                   Greenwell is Opening Day Hero



The Good:

Ivan Calderon was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Luis Rivera was 1 for 2 with 2 walks, a run scored and threw out a runner at the plate.

Roger Clemens was outstanding, tossing 8 innings of 1 run ball while striking out 5.

Jeff Russell earned the save with a scoreless ninth.



The Bad:

Andre Dawson was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.



The Ugly:

Scott Fletcher was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.

Billy Hatcher was just 1 for 4 but, but walked and scored.

Mo Vaughn was just 1 for 4.

Scott Cooper was 0 for 3 but walked.

Tony Pena was just 1 for 4.



Honorable Mention:

Bob Zupcic played left field in the top of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

Always good to start the year off on the right foot and the Boston Red Sox did. Clemens and Russell looked solid on the mound and hopefully the inclusion of Calderon and Dawson into the offense will generate a lot more than the 1992 edition did. There's a long way to go and the Sox have a lot of work to do but a win is a win. After an off-day, Frank Viola makes his season debut Wednesday night opposite David Cone of the Kansas City Royals at 7:30 PM in Kansas City.

Clemens Outduels Ryan, Sox Blank Rangers (9/7/92)

In a game overshadowed by Jose Canseco's debut with the Texas Rangers, the Boston Red Sox took a big dump on his debut. Roger Clemens (18-8, 2.18 ERA) avenged his previous loss to Nolan Ryan 3 years ago by tossing 8 innings of shut out ball. The anemic Red Sox offense only scratched out 3 runs but it was enough with Clemens on the mound. In a season that very little has gone right, Clemens march to the Cy Young award continues with a 3-0 victory over the Rangers at Arlington Park.

                                                     What a game

Ryan got the ball in the top of the first and Billy Hatcher led off by taking strike three on a nasty curve to start. Somehow Jose Canseco made a great jumping catch at the wall to rob Scott Cooper of extra bases and Wade Boggs grounded out weakly to second to end the inning.

                                                       Robbed by Canseco??

Clemens got the ball in the bottom of the first and Brian Downing hit a 333 foot out to Hatcher to start. Clemens blew away Rafael Palmeiro and Jose Canseco made his Rangers debut by drawing a walk. Juan Gonzalez drew a walk and it was revealed that Sox manager Butch Hobson and pitcher Greg Harris had the runs and wasn't there tonight. Rick Burleson was the acting manager and he was pleased when Roger got Kevin Reimer to fly out to right to end the inning.

                                                  Imagine if he was manager all year?

Mo Vaughn led off the top of the second inning by grounding out to second to start. Bob Zupcic ate up Dean Palmer on a little roller for a credited base hit. Jody Reed flied out to left and Zupcic was thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning. Dean Palmer grounded out to short to start the bottom of the second before Geno Petralli lined out to center. Jeff Frye singled up the middle but he too was thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning.

Herm Winningham led off the top of the third with a fly out to right to start. Tony Pena grounded out to short but John Valentin hit a pop up to shallow right. Frye was called off by Canseco and the ball dropped in between them for a "double". Hatcher popped up to right to end the inning.

                                                          Oops

Al Newman grounded out to second to open the bottom of the third but Downing doubled over the head of Hatcher. Palmeiro was frozen for strike three and Canseco grounded out to second to end the inning.

Cooper led off the top of the fourth by grounding out to first to start. Boggs drew a walk but Vaughn whiffed on a pitch that got away from the catcher, moving Boggs to second on a "wild pitch". Zupcic popped up to short to end the inning. The Rangers threatened in the bottom of the fourth as Gonzalez was plunked to start. Reimer blooped a single down the left field line but Palmer popped up to Boggs in foul territory. Petralli banged into a double play to end the inning.

Monty Fariss took over for Gonzalez (who left due to being hit but thankfully it was just a bruise) to start the top of the fifth and Reed watched strike three go by to start. Winningham flied out to left and Pena popped up to right to end the inning. A news bulletin that Fay Vincent resigned as MLB Commissioner scrolled as Frye began the bottom of the fifth by popping up to Boggs in foul territory. Newman hit one up the elevator shaft and Downing was rung up on a check swing strike three to end the inning.

Ryan stayed tough in the top of the sixth as Valentin flied out to left to start. Hatcher swung and missed for strike three but Cooper doubled down the right field line. Boggs grounded out to short to end the inning. Clemens matched Ryan in the bottom of the sixth as Palmeiro struck out swinging for his third of the night. Canseco whiffed on a nasty curve and Fariss took strike three go by.

Ryan cruised in the top of the seventh as Vaughn flied out to right to begin. Zupcic flied out to center and Reed was frozen for strike three to end the inning. Clemens turned up the heat in the bottom of the seventh as Reimer whiffed on a curveball to start. Clemens blew away Palmer and Petralli to end the inning. That was Roger's seventh consecutive strikeout.

The Sox broke through in the top of the eighth as Winningham lashed a base hit to right to start. Pena dropped down a bunt to move Herm to second and Winningham moved to third on a wild pitch. Valentin missed a 2 run home run by 5 feet but had to settle for a wall ball double to put the Sox on top. Hatcher popped up to first but Cooper hit a line drive off the first base bag for a base hit to score Valentin with the insurance run. Boggs whiffed to end the inning but it was 2-0 Sox.

                                                  Valentin doubles and scores

The Rangers tried to fight back in the bottom of the eighth as Jack Daugherty pinch hit for Frye and walked to start. Ivan Rodriguez pinch hit for Newman and banged into a double play. Downing flied out to the left field warning track to end the inning. That was it for Clemens who was outstanding, pitching 8 shutout innings while striking out nine men.

                                                     Clemens gets it done

The Sox added an insurance run in the top of the ninth with Mario Diaz now at short and Donald Harris in center. Vaughn popped up to right and that was it for Ryan. Rangers pitching coach and old pal Tom House came out to get him and Matt Whiteside took his place. Zupcic grounded out to third but Reed lined a base hit up the middle. Winningham blooped a pitch to right that Reimer pulled up on, allowing the ball to drop for a single that advanced Reed to third. The fans booed Reimer for not hustling and Pena made the Ranger pay with a ground ball up the middle to score Reed with the base hit. Valentin walked to load the bases but Hatcher flied out to center to end the inning Boston ahead 3-0.

                                                 Pena hits the killshot

Tony Fossas was brought in by acting manager Rick Burleson to pitch to Palmeiro only to walk him. Burleson pulled Fossas for Paul Quantrill and a passed ball moved Rafael to second. Canseco singled Palmeiro to third but Quantrill got a big out when he got Fariss to strike out swinging. Burleson pulled Quantrill for lefty Joe Hesketh to pitch to Reimer. Reimer banged into a double play to end the game. The Sox had won the game 3-0.

                                              Hesketh is all smiles as he locks up the save

Hero of the Night is Roger Clemens. He tossed 8 innings of shutout ball allowing just 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out 9.

                                                       Rocket Hero

The Good:

Scott Cooper was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Herm Winningham was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Tony Pena was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

John Valentin was 2 for 3 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Joe Hesketh got the final 2 outs to earn the save.

The Bad:

Billy Hatcher was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Mo Vaughn was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Tony Fossas walked the only guy he faced.

The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was 0 for 3 but walked.

Bob Zupcic was just 1 for 4.

Jody Reed was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Paul Quantrill retired one of the two men he faced.

Final Thoughts:

As this miserable season comes to an end, at least there have been bright spots. Valentin looks like he's going to be a star someday and Clemens is now two wins away from 20 again. Its a feather in Roger's cap to beat Ryan in Texas and he did it tonight. The Sox terrible offense was only able to scratch out 3 runs but tonight it was enough. Somehow, some way the Sox need to desperately improve the bats for next season. Mike Greenwell and Mo Vaughn disappointed this year and Jack Clark fell off a cliff offensively. There's only 25 games left to sit through and hopefully the Sox can win a few of these games to show some hope for next season. The win improved the Sox to 64-73 on the season, good for last place in the AL East. The Sox are back in action tomorrow night when they face the Rangers with Matt Young (0-3) getting the start up against Kevin Brown of Texas. The game begins at 10 PM Eastern time at Arlington Stadium.