Viola Dazzles White Sox (4/18/93)

The bad news was the Boston Bruins dropped Game 1 of their first round NHL playoff series with the Buffalo Sabres. The good news was the Boston Red Sox defeated the Chicago White Sox. Good to see the Boston Red Sox playing a friendly game of "Anything you can do, I can do better". After Joe Hesketh mastered the Chicago White Sox for 8 innings and no runs yesterday, Frank Viola (3-0, 0.75) looked the ace of old with a complete game, 9 hit shutout. Andre Dawson, Scott Cooper and Mike Greenwell provided the timely offense and the BoSox shut down the ChiSox 4-0 a Fenway Park.

                                                 Ann Margret approves of the win

Viola began his dominance in the top of the first inning when Joey Cora flied out to right to start. Mike Huff doubled to left before moving to third on the Frank Thomas grounder. George Bell flied out to right to end the inning. Rod Bolton got the start for the White Sox and Scott Fletcher grounded out to short to begin. Bob Zupcic singled to right and moved to second on the grounder Mike Greenwell. Andre Dawson flied out to center to end the inning.

Robin Ventura tried to rally the White Sox in the top of the second with a leadoff double to start. Ellis Burks grounded out to short before Ventura was caught in a rundown during a Bo Jackson grounder. Carlton Fisk flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second as Mo Vaughn walked and somehow stole second. Ivan Calderon whiffed but Scott Cooper singled home Vaughn to give the Sox the lead. Tony Pena popped up to the pitcher before Cooper got caught checking out some girl in the crowd and got picked off to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                  Pay attention to the game, good sir

Ozzie Guillen grounded out to third to begin the top of the third inning but Cora drew a walk. The alert Pena gunned down Cora trying to steal and its a good thing he did because Huff beat out an infield single. Thomas grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the third although Luis Rivera popped up to second to start. Fletcher singled and swiped second base before Zupcic walked. Greenwell singled home Fletcher to increase the lead. Dawson banged into a double play to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 2-0.

                                                        Greenwell increases the lead

Bell singled to center to start the top of the fourth but Ventura hit into a double play. Burks grounded out to second to end the inning. Vaughn tried to start a rally in the bottom of the fourth with a base hit to right but Calderon banged into a double play. Cooper singled to right but Pena forced him at second to end the inning.

Viola cruised in the top of the fifth inning as Jackson whiffed to start. Fisk flied out to center and Guillen grounded out to third to end the inning. Bolton matched Viola in the bottom of the fifth as Rivera grounded out to third to start. Fletcher popped up to short and Zupcic flied out to left to end the inning.

Cira grounded out to short to open the top of the sixth before Huff took strike three. Thomas doubled off the Monster but Bell lined out to right to end the inning. The Sox iced the game in the bottom of the sixth as Greenwell tripled into the centerfield gap to begin. Dawson lined out to center but Greenwell scored to increase the lead. Vaughn grounded out to short and Calderon grounded out to short as well to end the inning.

                                                  Ever heard of offense Ivan?

Viola got in trouble in the top of the seventh but Ventura grounded out to second to begin. Burks flied out to right but Jackson singled. Fisk singled to center but Guillen popped up to third to end the inning. Bolton cruised in the bottom of the seventh as Cooper grounded out to first to start. Pena lined out to left and Rivera popped up to second to end the inning.

Viola got Cora to ground out to second to start the top of the eighth before Huff took strike three. Thomas grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox got another run in the bottom of the eighth as Fletcher singled to left to begin. Zupcic hit one up the elevator shaft and that was it for Bolton. Scott Radinsky came in and Greenwell singled Fletcher to third. Dawson singled home Fletcher to wrap up the scoring. Jeff Richardson pinch ran for Dawson but Vaughn whiffed. Calderon grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 4-0.

                                                  Dawson drives in a run

Viola came out to finish the job in the top of the ninth as Bell grounded out to third to start. Ventura flied out to left but Burks and Jackson stroked back to back singles. Fisk lined out to second to end the game. The BoSox won the game 4-0.

Hero of the Night is Frank Viola. He tossed a complete game shutout scattering 9 hits and a walk to guide the BoSox to victory.

                                                            Viola the Hero


The Good:

Scott Fletcher was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored and a stolen base.

Bob Zupcic was 1 for 3 and a walk.

Mike Greenwell was 3 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Andre Dawson was 1 for 3 with 2 rbis.

Mo Vaughn was 1 for 3 with a walk, stolen base and run scored.

Scott Cooper was 2 for 3 with an rbi.



The Bad:

Ivan Calderon was 0 for 4 with a strike out.

Tony Pena was 0 for 3.

Luis Rivera was 0 for 3.



The Ugly:

None



Honorable Mention:

Jeff Richardson pinch ran in the bottom of the eighth inning.




Final Thoughts:

If Viola and Joe Hesketh can keep this up, the Sox may have something this year. The offense seems to have found its groove and the pitching has been phenomenal to start the season. Clemens and Viola look unhittable and if Danny Darwin can pick things up, they could be a contender again. Its only April but they already look improved from last year. Bob Zupcic has been filling in admirably for Billy Hatcher and when Billy comes back, his speed along with Fletcher will give opposing pitchers fits. It may not last but for the first 3 weeks of the season, its been fun. Tomorrow will be the Patriots Day game against the White Sox at a special start time. John Dopson takes on Alex Fernandez at 11:00 AM at Fenway Park.

Hesketh Tosses Gem, Beats ChiSox (4/17/93)

After Danny Darwin got hammered yesterday, the Boston Red Sox needed a pick me up. Thank you very much Joe Hesketh (2-0, 3.48 ERA). The lefty picked up the Sox in a big way by pitching 8 innings of shut out ball allowing 6 walks and 3 hits. Andre Dawson and Mike Greenwell knocked in 2 runs apiece and the BoSox knocked off the Chicago White Sox 5-1 at Fenway Park.

                                                   Ray Stantz approves of the win

Hesketh got the ball rolling in the top of the first as Joey Cora walked to start. Cora moved to second on a grounder by Lance Johnson before Frank Thomas walked. George Bell banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the first inning as Scott Fletcher doubled to left to begin. Bob Zupcic walked and Mike Greenwell doubled home Fletcher. Zupcic scored on the Andre Dawson grounder as Mo Vaughn was intentionally walked. Ivan Calderon banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                    Greenwell knocks in a run

Chicago threatened in the top of the second inning as Robin Ventura and Ellis Burks drew back to back walks to start. Bo Jackson banged into a double play and Ron Karkovice whiffed to end the inning. Chicago starter Kirk McCaskill settled down in the bottom of the second as Scott Cooper grounded back to the mound to start. Bob Melvin and Jeff Richardson both whiffed to end the inning.

Ozzie Guillen popped up to first to start the top of the third before Cora flied out to left. Johnson doubled into the right field corner but Thomas took strike three to end the inning. Fletcher grounded back to the mound to begin the top of the third but Zupcic singled in the hole at short. Greenwell grounded into a double play to end the inning.

The walks continued to haunt Hesketh in the top of the fourth although Bell grounded out to short to start. Ventura whiffed but Burks and Jackson drew back to back walks. Karkovice lined out to center to end the inning. That's 6 walks in just 4 innings.

                                         Hesketh taking "Walk This Way" too seriously

The BoSox muffed a chance to add some insurance in the bottom of the fourth as Dawson struck out swinging to begin. Vaughn and Calderon stroked back to back base hits but Cooper popped up to second. Melvin grounded out to third to end the inning.

Hesketh said "that's the end of this walking stuff" in the top of the fifth inning as Guillen flied out to center to start. Cora singled to right but Johnson flied out to left. Thomas once again took strike three to end the inning. The BoSox iced the game in the bottom of the fifth as they were handed a gift to begin. Cora booted a routine grounder by Richardson and allowed Jeff to reach on an error. Fletcher sacrifice bunted him to second and Zupcic drew a walk. Greenwell singled home Richardson to add to the lead. The White Sox made another error when nobody called "I got it" on a pop up by Dawson, letting the ball drop and Zupcic score. It was credited as an rbi single but there was no mistaking Vaughn's rbi double down the right field line that scored Greenwell and chase McCaskill from the game. Don Pall came in to get Calderon to ground out to third and Cooper to fly out to left to end the inning but the BoSox were ahead 5-0.

                                                   Dawson with a clutch "single"

Hesketh stayed tough in the top of the sixth as Bell flied out to left to start. Ventura grounded out to second and Burks grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox threatened again in the bottom of the sixth although Melvin grounded out to second to start. Richardson grounded out to short but Fletcher and Zupcic stroked back to back singles. Greenwell popped up to second to end the inning.

Hesketh got Jackson to strike out swinging to begin the top of the seventh before getting Karkovice to fly out to right. Guillen gronded out to short to end the inning. Bobby Thigpen replaced Pall for the bottom of the seventh and the first thing he did was plunk Dawson. Dawson had to be hauled off on a gurney and Ernie Riles pinch ran for him. Vaughn whiffed but Calderon singled to left. Cooper banged into a double play to end the inning.

Hesketh returned for one more inning in the top of the eighth although Cora greeted him with a single. Cora was erased on the Johnson force before Thomas flied out to right. Bell lined out to center to end the inning. That was it for Joe who shook off the walks to toss 8 shutout innings, he was outstanding.

                                               Outstanding work by Hesketh

Roberto Hernandez took over on the mound with Mike Huff now in right to begin the bottom of the eighth. Melvin watched strike three go by before Richardson struck out swinging. Fletcher flied out to center to end the inning.

Tony Fossas had mop up duty in the top of the ninth but fell flat on his face. Ventura walked before a passed ball moved him to second. Huff whiffed but Jackson singled Ventura to chase Fossas. Butch Hobson staggered out of the dugout and fell down before bringing in closer Jeff Russell. Karkovice singled home Ventura but Guillen beat out a double play ball to keep the game going. A passed ball moved Guillen to second but Russell blew away Cora to end the game. The BoSox had defeated the ChiSox 5-1.

Hero of the Night is Joe Hesketh. The lefty earned his second win with an incredible effort of 8 innings of shutout ball. He walked 6 but allowed just 3 hits.

                                                         Hesketh The Hero


The Good:

Scott Fletcher was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Bob Zupcic was 2 for 2 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored.

Mike Greenwell was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Andre Dawson was 1 for 3 with 2 rbis.

Mo Vaughn was 2 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Ivan Calderon was 2 for 4.

Jeff Russell got the final 2 outs of the top of the ninth.



The Bad:

Scott Cooper was 0 for 4.

Bob Melvin was 0 for 4.

Tony Fossas was charged with a run in just 1/3 of an inning.



The Ugly:

Jeff Richardson was 0 for 4 but scored a run.



Honorable Mention:

Ernie Riles pinch ran for Dawson in the bottom of the eighth.




Final Thoughts:

The BoSox are going to need other starters to step up this season and for one day, Hesketh did. I don't know why Sox manager Butch Hobson insists on putting Fossas out against right handed batters because he clearly is a better situational lefty. The offense put some runs on the board but the bottom of the order doesn't look scary at all. Still, a win is a win and so far the Sox have had a good start to the season. If Russell can have a good year, he can finish what a lot of guys start. Tomorrow afternoon the BoSox look to make it two in a row over the ChiSox when they send Frank Viola (2-0) to the mound up against Rod Bolton at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Chisox Defeat Darwin, Red Sox (4/16/93)

Leave it to Danny Darwin (0-2, 7.20 ERA) to spoil the good start to the season by the Boston Red Sox. The often injured pitcher that the Sox paid a boatload of money to failed to keep the momentum going by getting his ass handed to him by the Chicago White Sox. By the 5th inning Chicago had knocked Darwin out by scoring 6 runs before the Sox bullpen was tagged for another 3. When it was over the Chisox defeated the BoSox 9-4 at Fenway Park.

Darwin did manage to cruise in the top of the first inning as Joey Cora flied out to left to start. Lance Johnson lined out to center before Frank Thomas popped up to second to end the inning. ChiSox starter Jack McDowell got the ball in the bottom of the first and Scott Fletcher flied out to right to begin. Billy Hatcher drew a walk but Mike Greenwell popped up to short. Mo Vaughn grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Chisox struck first in the top of the second inning although George Bell lined out to left to start. Robin Ventura grounded out to first and old friend Ellis Burks made the Sox pay for getting rid of him by crushing a 59,000 foot home run to give Chicago the lead. Dan Pasqua singled but was thrown out trying to steal by the alert Tony Pena to end the inning with the ChiSox ahead 1-0.

                                                         Done in by an old friend

The BoSox surged ahead in the bottom of the second inning after Carlos Quintana worked a lead off walk. Scott Cooper swatted his first home run of the year to give the Sox the lead. Ivan Calderon grounded out to short before Tony Pena whiffed. Luis Rivera flied out to left to end the inning with Boston ahead 2-1.

                                                            Cooper's first home run

The Chisox tied the game in the top of the third as Ron Karlovice smashed a 890 foot home run to start. Ozzie Guillen grounded out to short before Cora doubled to left. Cora went to third on the grounder by Johnson but Thomas flied out to right to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

The BoSox retook the lead in the bottom of the third as Fletcher was plunked to start. Hatcher beat out an infield single to short and Greenwell doubled Fletcher home. The rally ended after Vaughn grounded out to second but Hatcher scored on the play. Quintana whiffed but Cooper was intentionally walked to get to the slumping Calderon. Naturally Ivan grounded into a force to end the inning but it was 4-2 Red Sox.

                                                         Greenwell adds to the lead

The ChiSox tied it instantly in the top of the fourth as Bell singled to start and Ventura crushed a 30,000,000 foot home run into the Baltic Sea to tie the game. Burks flied out to left, Pasqua flied out to center and Karkovice lined out to center to end the inning but the game was tied 4-4.

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fourth as Pena lined out to center to start. Rivera walked but Fletcher lined out to left. Hatcher grounded out to third to end the inning.

Darwin came back for the top of the fifth but was instantly chased. Guillen singled and Cora doubled and that was it for Darwin. The incompetent Darwin would be eventually charged with 6 runs in 4 innings, woof!

                                                 Not Danny's best stuff.

Greg Harris was warming in the bullpen but Sox manager Butch Hobson stumbled out of the dugout and tried to take the ball from Tony Pena before being directed to the mound. Instead of bringing in Harris, for whatever reason Hobson brought in Scott Bankhead ice cold out of the bullpen. Naturally Johnson doubled home both runners to give the ChiSox the lead and Thomas doubled home Johnson for the insurance run. Bell popped up to second but Ventura was intentionally walked. Burks whiffed and Pasqua flied out to center to end the inning but Chicago was up for good 7-4.

                                            Talk about pouring gas on the fire

The BoSox tried to fight back when Greenwell singled to open the bottom of the fifth but Vaughn flied out to center. Quintana walked but Cooper flied out to left. Calderon grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Bankhead returned for the top of the sixth and the ChiSox got another run. Karkovice hit a routine grounder to Cooper who picked up the ball, spiked it like a football and did a dance for an error. Bankhead tried to pick him off but ended up throwing the ball completely out of Fenway Park to advance the runner to second. Guillen dropped down a sacrifice bunt to advance Karkovice to third and he scored on the Cora infield single. Johnson flied out to left and Thomas grounded out to short to end the inning but it was now 8-4 Chicago.

The BoSox threatened in the bottom of the sixth although Pena popped up to third to start. Rivera ripped a double to center and Fletcher hit a squibber to third that he beat out for a base hit. Hatcher grounded out to third and both runners advanced....but Greenwell grounded out to first to end the inning.

Hobson woke up from his nap and finally brought in Greg Harris in the top of the seventh and the first thing he did was plunk Bell. Ventura banged into a double play and Burks whiffed to end the inning. Mike Huff came in to play left in the bottom of the seventh and McDowell continued to get himself out of jams. Vaughn grounded out to third to start but Quintana singled to left. Cooper hit a routine grounder to first but Thomas threw the ball past the pitcher for an error. The BoSox failed to capitalize as the rally killer Calderon lined out to right and Pena flied out to left to end the inning.

Harris returned for the top of the eighth inning and Huff lined out to right to begin. Karkovice whiffed but Guillen singled to right. Cora whiffed to end the inning. Ernie Riles pinch hit for Rivera and Terry Leach came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth. Riles popped up to second, Fletcher lined out to first and Hatcher popped up to third to end the inning.

Harris got tagged one final time in the top of the ninth although Johnson flied out to left to begin. Thomas and Bell stroked back to back singles and Steve Sax pinch ran for Bell. Ventura walked to load the bases and Thomas scored on the sac fly by Burks. Huff walked and Hobson had seen enough of Harris, bring in Ken Ryan to finish off the disaster. Ryan got Karkovice to fly out to center to end the inning but the ChiSox wrapped up the scoring by leading 9-4.

Scott Radinsky finished off the BoSox in the bottom of the ninth as Greenwell grounded out to short to start. Vaughn took strike three and Quintana lined out to center to end the game. The White Sox had beaten the Red Sox 9-4.

Jackass of the Night is Danny Darwin. He was hammered for 6 runs in just 4 innings of work.

                                                          Jackass Darwin


The Good:

Mike Greenwell was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

Carlos Quintana was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Scott Cooper was 1 for 3 with a walk and a 2 run home run.

Luis Rivera was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Ken Ryan retired the only man he faced.



The Bad:

Ivan Calderon was 0 for 4.

Tony Pena was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Ernie Riles was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Scott Bankhead allowed 2 runs in 2 innings of work including committing a throwing error.



The Ugly:

Scott Fletcher was just 1 for 4 with a hit by pitch.

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

Mo Vaughn was 0 for 5 but drove in a run.

Greg Harris allowed a run in 2 2/3 innings of work.




Final Thoughts:

That was an unmitigated disaster from beginning to end. The White Sox had 14 total hits and took advantage of 2 errors by the Red Sox. Darwin once again looked lousy and if he can't get his act together, this season is going to go south in a hurry. Roger Clemens and Frank Viola can't do it by themselves and they're going to need some help. The offense stopped getting clutch hits after Chicago took the lead and it felt that if Calderon wasn't in a slump, the outcome of this game would have been different. As it was, the White Sox took the game. The BoSox look for revenge tomorrow afternoon when they send Joe Hesketh (1-0) to the mound up against Kirk McCaskill at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Sweep Indians on Walkoff (4/15/93)

How sweep it is! The Boston Red Sox have gotten off to a swell start to the season and tonight they swept the Cleveland Indians out of Fenway Park. After battling to a 2-2 deadlock going into extra innings, Paul Quantrill (1-0, 2.57 ERA) gave up the lead in the top of the 13th inning. The unlikely duo of Bob Melvin and Jeff Richardson stepped up to win the game for the Red Sox. The Sox roll into their next series with Chicago with a 13 inning 4-3 win at Fenway Park.

                                                 Lt. Mike Harrigan approves of the win

"Rocket" Roger Clemens got the start for the Sox and he got Thomas Howard to fly out to left to begin the top of the first inning. Jeff Treadway flied out to center and Carlos Baerga flied out to center as well to end the inning. Jose Mesa got the start for the Indians and Scott Fletcher began the bottom of the first by popping up to first. Billy Hatcher also popped up to first and Mike Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Indians struck first in the top of the second although Albert Belle popped up to first to start. Paul Sorrento flied out to center but Reggie Jefferson doubled to left. Glenallen Hill singled home Jefferson to give the Indians the lead. Felix Fermin grounded out to third to end the inning with the Indians up 1-0.

The Sox answered quickly in the bottom of the second when Andre Dawson launched his first home run of the season and 400th of his career into the screen in left to tie the game. Mo Vaughn grounded out to short but Carlos Quintana singled to right. Scott Cooper banged into a double play to end the inning but the game was tied 1-1.

                                                              Dawson's first

Clemens got Junior Ortiz to ground out to third to open the top of the third before Howard grounded out to second. Treadway beat out an infield single to third but Baerga grounded out to third to end the inning. Mesa cruised in the bottom of the third as Tony Pena looked at strike three to start. Luis Rivera whiffed before Fletcher lined out to center to end the inning.

The Indians threatened in the top of the fourth inning although Belle flied out to center to start. Sorrento looked at strike three but Jefferson singled. Hill and Fermin both singled to load the bases. Ortiz grounded out to second to end the inning. Mesa dominated the bottom of the fourth as Hatcher grounded out to second to start. Greenwell flied out to center and Dawson grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Indians struck again in the top of the fifth although Howard grounded out to second to start. Treadway doubled to left but Baerga grounded out to third. Belle singled in Treadway to give the Indians the lead. Sorrento walked but Jefferson whiffed to end the inning with the Indians leading 2-1.

Once again the Sox took just seconds to tie the game when Vaughn smashed his second home run of the season to start the bottom of the fifth. Quintana watched strike three go by, Cooper whiffed and Pena grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                        Vaughn hammers one out

Clemens cruised in the top of the sixth as he froze Hill for strike three to start. Fermin grounded out to first before Ortiz grounded out to second to end the inning. Mesa matched Clemens in the bottom of the sixth as Rivera hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Fletcher whiffed and Hatcher popped up in foul territory to end the inning.

Clemens dominated the top of the seventh as Howard grounded out to first to begin. Treadway flied out to center before Baerga grounded out to first to end the inning. Mesa kept pace in the bottom of the seventh as Greenwell popped up to short to begin. Dawson was retired on a squibber in front of the plate and Vaughn grounded out to third to end the inning.

Clemens got Belle to line out to right to open the top of the eighth before Sorrento whiffed. Jefferson singled before Hill whiffed to end the inning. Mesa cruised in the bottom of the eighth as Quintana flied out to left to begin. Cooper whiffed and Pena grounded out to third to end the inning.

Kenny Lofton pinch hit for Fermin to start the top of the ninth and grounded out to short. Ortiz grounded out to second and Howard whiffed to end the inning. That was it for Clemens who would have had a complete game but had to leave after allowing 9 hits and 2 runs while striking out 6.

                                                             Great effort by Clemens

Alvaro Espinoza took over at short as Ernie Riles pinch hit for Rivera to begin the bottom of the ninth. Riles doubled to center to put the winning run at second and moved to third on the sacrifice bunt by Fletcher. All off a sudden Riles got picked off coming home and there went that rally. The kick in the ass was Hatcher singled which would have been the winning hit but Greenwell grounded out to second to end the inning. On to extra innings we go.

Greg Harris got the call for the top of the tenth and Treadway singled to to center. Baerga forced Treadway at second but a wild pitch moved Carlos to second. Belle whiffed and Sox manager Butch Hobson stumbled out of the dugout to bring in Tony Fossas to face Sorrento. Fossas did the job as Sorrento popped up to left to end the inning. Mesa came out for one more batter in the bottom of the tenth and got Dawson to ground out to short to begin. Derek Lilliquist came in and Vaughn greeted him with a single. Quintana flied out to center but Cooper singled to put the winning run at second. Eric Plunk came in with Ivan Calderon pinch hitting for Pena. Calderon grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Indians almost took the lead against Ken Ryan in the top of the eleventh with Bob Melvin now behind the plate. Jefferson grounded out to second but Hill singled to short. Hill swiped second and third but Ryan got a big strikeout of Espinoza. Carlos Martinez pinch hit for Ortiz only to line out to second to end the inning. Sandy Alomar took over behind the plate for the bottom of the eleventh and Richardson grounded out to second to start. Fletcher looked at strike three and Hatcher grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Indians almost took the lead again in the top of the 12th when Howard doubled to start. Paul Quantrill came in for Ryan and got Treadway to pop up to third to begin. Baerga was intentionally walked but Belle banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the 12th as Greenwell flied out to left to start. Dawson and Vaughn both whiffed to end the inning.

The Indians took command in the top of the 13th inning as Sorrento doubled to start. Jefferson was intentionally walked and Hill dropped down a bunt to advance both runners. Hatcher made a great catch to rob Espinoza of extra bases, but Sorrento scored and Jefferson moved to third to give the Indians the lead. Alomar flied out to right to end the inning with the Indians ahead 3-2.

The Sox refused to go quietly in the bottom of the 13th inning as Quintana singled to start. Bob Zupcic ran for Quintana and Cooper singled him to third. Melvin lined out to right but Zupcic scored to tie the game. Richardson then doubled into the right field corner to score Cooper with the winning run. The Sox had won the game in 13 innings 4-3.

Hero of the Night is Jeff Richardson. His rbi double was the game winning hit.

                                                       Richardson the Hero



The Good:

Mo Vaughn was 2 for 5 with a solo home run.

Carlos Quintana was 2 for 5.

Bob Zupcic scored the tying run in the 13th inning.

Scott Cooper was 2 for 5 and scored the winning run.

Bob Melvin drove in the tying run.

Roger Clemens pitched 9 innings of 2 run ball while allowing 9 hits and struck out 6.

Greg Harris got the first two outs of the 10th inning.

Tony Fossas retired the only man he faced.

Ken Ryan tossed a scoreless inning.



The Bad:

Scott Fletcher was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 5.

Tony Pena was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Luis Rivera was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Ivan Calderon was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Billy Hatcher was just 1 for 5.

Andre Dawson was just 1 for 5 but the one hit was a solo home run.

Ernie Riles doubled as a pinch hitter but got himself thrown out at home.

Paul Quantrill got the win but gave up the go-ahead run in the 13th.




Final Thoughts:

What a game. For the most part the Sox offense was limited to the two solo home runs until the game winning rally off Plunk in the 13th. Its unfortunate the Sox wasted a 9 inning gem by Clemens but give credit to Jose Mesa for keeping pace. The Sox got some clutch pitching to get out of the jams they were in and a win is a win, doesn't matter who its against or how much. The Sox are off to a good start this year and hopefully Dawson's bat can replace what Jack Clark was 2 years ago. Tomorrow evening the Chicago White Sox are in town with Jack McDowell on the mound taking on Danny Darwin (0-1) of the Red Sox. The game begins at 6:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Outslug Indians at Fenway (4/14/93)

For a team that's as offensively challenged as the Boston Red Sox, tonight's slugfest was a good sign that the offense maybe improved from last year. Mo Vaughn led the charge as the Sox scored 10 runs in the first four innings before cruising to a 12-7 win at Fenway Park.

                                              Don Johnson approves of the win

The Indians struck first in the top of the first against Sox starter John Dopson although Thomas Howard grounded out to short to start. Felix Fermin grounded out to third but Carlos Baerga crushed a 15,000 foot home run to give the Indians the lead. Albert Belle looked at strike three to end the inning with the Indians up 1-0.

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the first against starter Mike Bielecki as Scott Fletcher popped up to second to start. Billy Hatcher and Mike Greenwell both struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Indians struck again in the top of the second inning as Paul Sorrento doubled to start. Sorrento moved to third on the Carlos Martinez grounder and scored on the Reggie Jefferson single. Glenallen Hill hit a routine grounder to Scott Cooper who picked the ball up and did the antler dance with it for an error. Hatcher then made a great play to rob Sandy Alomar of extra bases and double off Jefferson at second to end the inning with the Indians up 2-0.

The Sox struck back in the bottom of the second although Andre Dawson grounded back to the mound to start. Vaughn doubled to left and moved to third on the Carlos Quintana grounder and Cooper atoned for his error by scoring Vaughn with a base hit. Bob Melvin grounded back to the mound to end the inning but the Sox were down 2-1.

                                                          Cooper singles one in

The Indians got to Dopson again in the top of the third as Howard singled and Fermin singled him to third. Baerga flied out to center but Howard scored to increase the lead. Belle lined out to left and Sorrento grounded to second to end the inning with the Indians ahead 3-1.

The Sox roared back in the bottom of the third as Luis Rivera doubled to start the inning before he swiped third. Fletcher looked at strike three but Hatcher doubled home Rivera. Greenwell beat out an infield single to advance Billy to third and Dawson walked to load the bases. Vaughn delivered with a base hit to score Hatcher and Greenwell to give the Sox the lead. Quintana popped up to second but Cooper walked to re-load the bases. Melvin grounded out to second to end the inning but the Sox led 4-3

                                                           Hatcher gets the rally going

Right on cue the Indians fought back in the top of the fourth as Martinez doubled to start. Jefferson whiffed but Hill walked. Alomar looked at strike three but Howard singled home Martinez to tie the game. Fermin flied out to right to end the inning but it was 4-4.

The Sox exploded in the bottom of the fourth as Rivera looked at strike three to start. Fletcher walked but Hatcher flied out to right. Fletcher swiped second and Greenwell was intentionally walked. Dawson made the Indians pay with a base hit to score Fletcher with the go-ahead run. That was it for Bielecki as Dennis Cook was brought in. Vaughn doubled home Greenwell and Dawson to increase the lead. Quintana walked and Cooper doubled home both Vaughn and Quintana and chase Cook. Tom Kramer came in to pitch and Melvin doubled home Cooper. Rivera looked at strike three to end the inning but the Sox now led 10-4.

                                                   Even Melvin got an rbi

Sox manager Butch Hobson had enough of Dopson giving up runs and brought in Joe Hesketh (1-0) to pitch the top of the fifth inning. Baerga singled but Belle popped up to first. Sorrento hit a picture perfect double play ball to second but Rivera dropped the transfer throw for an error and everyone was safe. Luckily Hesketh got Martinez to bang into a double play to end the inning. The Sox were silenced in the bottom of the fifth although Fletcher walked to start. Hatcher flied out to center, Greenwell flied out to right and Dawson grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Scott Bankhead took the mound in the top of the sixth inning and the first thing he did was give up a 14,000 foot home run to Jefferson. Hill whiffed, Alomar lined out to right and Howard whiffed to end the inning with the Indians closer 10-5.

Mike Christopher took over for Cleveland in the bottom of the sixth and Vaughn singled to start. Quintana and Cooper stroked back to back singles to load the bases with nobody out but Melvin lined out to second and Vaughn was doubled off third. Rivera popped up to second to end the inning.

Bankhead came back for the top of the seventh to give up another run. Fermin flied out to center and Baerga popped up to second but Belle crushed a 600,000 foot home run to cut into the lead. Sorrento grounded out to first to end the inning but the Sox were up 10-6.

Derek Lilliquist took the mound for the bottom of the seventh and the Sox struck again. Fletcher hit a ground rule double and Hatcher doubled him home. Greenwell singled home Hatcher and it was time to take some starters out. Ivan Calderon pinch hit for Dawson to spell his knees and Bob Zupcic pinch ran for Greenwell to give him the rest of the game off. Calderon banged into a double play and Vaughn looked at strike three to end the inning with the Sox ahead 12-6.

                                                            Greenwell wraps up the offense

Greg Harris took the mound in the top of the eighth inning and the Indians struck again. Martinez hit a routine grounder to Cooper who threw himself on the ball and tried to eat it for an error. Jefferson singled Carlos to third and Martinez scored on the Hill sac fly. Alomar banged into a double play to end the inning but it was 12-7 Sox.

Eric Plunk came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Quintana doubled to start. Cooper singled him to third but Melvin and Rivera both whiffed. Ernie Riles pinch hit for Fletcher and struck out swinging to end the inning.

Jeff Richardson took over at second with closer Jeff Russell on the mound to start the top of the ninth. Howard singled to start before Jeff Treadway pinch hit for Fermin only to fly out to right. Baerga banged into a double play to end the game. The Sox had won it 12-7.

Hero of the Night is Mo Vaughn. He was 4 for 5 with 4 total rbis and 2 runs scored.

                                                           Vaughn the Hero



The Good:

Scott Fletcher was 1 for 3 with 2 walks, a stolen base and 2 runs scored.

Billy Hatcher was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Mike Greenwell was 2 for 4 with a walk, rbi and 2 runs scored.

Andre Dawson was 1 for 3 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Carlos Quintana was 2 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

Scott Cooper was 4 for 4 with a walk, 3 rbi's and a run scored.

Joe Hesketh got the win with a scoreless 5th inning.

Jeff Russell pitched a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

Ernie Riles struck out as a pinch hitter.

Ivan Calderon was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

John Dopson was pulled after giving up 4 runs in 4 innings despite the huge lead.

Scott Bankhead allowed 2 runs in 2 innings.

Greg Harris allowed a run in the top of the 8th.



The Ugly:

Bob Melvin was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run.

Luis Rivera was just 1 for 5 but stole a base and scored a run.



Honorable Mention:

Bob Zupcic played left field the final two innings

Jeff Richardson played second in the top of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

A rare offensive explosion from a team usually begging for offense. Then again when Hatcher and Fletcher are getting on base, its easier for the guys like Greenwell, Vaughn and Dawson to drive them in for the runs they need. The bottom of the order is near useless but there's not much that can be done. Unless they can develop a better hitting shortstop then they're going to go with what they got. Dopson sucked today as did Bankhead and Harris but the Sox had a big enough lead to overcome that. There will be other days where the offense won't be there so they'll need to tighten that up. All in all it was a good win and the Sox will look for the sweep tomorrow night with "Rocket" Roger Clemens going up against Jose Mesa at 6:05 PM at Fenway Park

Sox Knock Off Indians in Home Opener (4/13/93)

After a 6 game road-trip where the Boston Red Sox went 4-2, the Sox came home to whoop the Cleveland Indians' damn ass in the first game of the season at Fenway Park. Frank Viola (2-0, 1.20 ERA) pitched a hell of a game and the offense pounded out 6 runs on 10 hits to win the game 6-2 to send the fans home happy.

                                               Dr. Vink approves of the win

Viola got the ball in the top of the first and he whiffed Kenny Lofton to begin the game. Thomas Howard grounded out to short and Carlos Baerga struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the first against Cleveland starter Jeff Mutis. Scott Fletcher grounded out to short but Billy Hatcher singled in the hole at short. Mike Greenwell hit a pop up to second but Baerga let it drop so they could get Hatcher at second. Andre Dawson singled in the hole at short but Mo Vaughn grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

The Indians struck first in the top of the second inning although Albert Belle grounded out to second to start. Paul Sorrento grounded out to short but Carlos Martinez doubled and Glenallen Hill beat out an infield single to second to put runners at the corners. Sandy Alomar was hit with a pitch to load the bases and Felix Ferman singled off Fletcher to score Martinez. Lofton grounded out to second to end the inning but the Indians were up 1-0 with all their damage coming with two outs.

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the second as Carlos Quintana grounded out to third, Scott Cooper grounded back to the mound and Tony Pena flied out to left to end the inning.

Viola recovered to have a strong top of the third inning. Howard whiffed but Baerga was plunked. Belle grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the third inning. Luis Rivera reached first on a swinging bunt but was erased on the force by Fletcher. Hatcher singled and Greenwell tripled both runners home to give the Sox the lead. Dawson whiffed but Vaughn singled home Greenwell. Quintana popped up to right to end the inning but the Sox were up 3-1

                                                     Greenwell gives the Sox the lead

The Indians tried to answer when Sorrento and Martinez struck back to back singles to start the top of the fourth inning. Hill grounded back to the mound but both runners advanced into scoring position. Alomar grounded back to the mound and Viola easily threw out Sorrento at home for the second out. Fermin grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox iced the game in the bottom of the fourth inning although Cooper grounded out to short to second to start. Pena singled but Rivera hit one up the elevator shaft. Fletcher pounded a two home run into the Monster's screen to tack on the lead. Hatcher flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-1.

                                                  Fletcher with a bomb

Viola held the Indians in check in the top of the fifth as Lofton grounded out to second, Howard grounded out to third and Baerga lined out to left to end the inning. Greenwell was plunked to begin the bottom of the fifth but Dawson flied out to right. Greenwell advanced to second on the groundout by Vaughn and Quintana was intentionally walked. Cooper grounded out to first to end the inning.

Viola dominated the top of the sixth as Belle grounded out to short to start. Sorrento doubled but Martinez was retired on a swinging bunt in front of the plate. Hill grounded out to third to end the inning. Mutis matched Viola in the bottom of the sixth as Pena grounded out to first, Rivera watched strike three go by and Fletcher grounded out to second to end the inning.

Viola came back for one final inning in the top of the seventh inning. Alomar singled but was doubled off on the Fermin line out to second. Lofton also lined out to second to end the inning. Great defense by Fletcher helped Viola toss 7 innings of 1 run ball, outstanding.

                                              Viola goes 7 strong innings

The Sox got another run for the hell of it in the bottom of the seventh inning with Kevin Wicklander now on the mound. Hatcher popped up to short and Greenwell lined out to right, but Martinez threw a ground ball by Dawson away, allowing him to reach second. Ernie Riles pinch ran for Dawson to give Andre's knees a rest. A wild pitch moved Riles to third and Vaughn singled him home to increase the lead. Quintana grounded out to short to end the inning but the Sox were up 6-1.

                      "See Ernie? That's home plate. You're supposed to run there" - Clemens

Paul Quantrill took over on the mound with Bob Zupcic now in left field for the top of the eighth inning. Howard reached on a bunt single to third but foolishly ran all the way to third on a pop up to third by Baerga, getting doubled off first.  Belle then crushed a 42,000 foot home run halfway to Everett to cut into the lead. Sorrento singled but Martinez flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox up 6-2.

Ted Power took over for the bottom of the eighth and got both Cooper and Pena to fly out to left. Rivera beat out an infield single and Fermin managed to boot a ground ball by Fletcher AND throw it away to boot for a double error to put runners on second and third. Hatcher walked to load the bases but Zupcic took strike three to end the inning.

Ken Ryan was brought in to finish off the top of the ninth inning. Hill flied out to right and Alomar grounded out to third before Jeff Treadway pinch hit for Fermin. Treadway walked but Lofton's bunt to third was snuffed out to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-2.

Hero of the Night is Frank Viola. He tossed 7 innings of 1 run ball without walking anyone to earn the win.

                                                  Frank the Hero



The Good:

Billy Hatcher was 2 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

Mike Greenwell was 1 for 3 with a hit by pitch, 2 rbis and a run scored.

Ernie Riles pinch ran for Andre Dawson and scored.

Mo Vaughn was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis.

Luis Rivera was 2 for 4.

Ken Ryan pitched a scoreless ninth.



The Bad:

Bob Zupcic struck out as a pinch hitter.

Scott Cooper was 0 for 4.

Paul Quantrill gave up a run in the top of the eighth inning.



The Ugly:

Scott Fletcher was just 1 for 5 but made the hit count as it was a 2 run home run. He scored 2 total runs.

Andre Dawson was just 1 for 4.

Carlos Quintana was 0 for 3 but walked.

Tony Pena was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.




Final Thoughts:

Another good pitching performance by a Sox starter. If this offense produces like today, the Sox could challenge Toronto for AL East supremacy. Viola, Roger Clemens and Danny Darwin could be a triple threat if healthy. Its too bad this team can't hit consistently, maybe Quintana can regain the form he had from 1990 and 1991. Its doubtful Viola can be the ace he was in 1987 but starts like these will be accepted every time. Tomorrow afternoon the Sox play the Indians again with John Dopson getting the start opposite Mike Bielecki at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Off-Day News (4/12/93)

On this day in Basebawful History:

1913 - A's beat Red Sox

1965 - Sox blast Senators on Opening Day

1970 - Sox can't compete rally against Senators

1971- Sox pummel Senators

1981 - Red Sox rally past White Sox

1983 - Kansas City hands Sox fourth loss in a row

1984 - Tigers hand Sox fourth loss in a row

1992 - Young Throws No-Hitter, Indians still beat Sox

Tomorrow afternoon the Sox are back in action against the Cleveland Indians in their home opener. Frank Viola (1-0) takes on Mutis at 2:05 PM at Fenway Park.