Sox Rally Falls Short in Toronto (4/10/12)

Another game, another loss for the Boston Red Sox. Converted starter Daniel Bard (0-1, 9.00 ERA) got knocked out in the sixth inning with the Sox trailing 3-1. The Sox bullpen poured gas on the fire by allowing 4 more runs to seemingly put the game out of reach. Meanwhile Kyle Drabek held the Sox in check by nearly throwing 6 full innings of 1 run ball. Somehow the Sox pulled off a rally in the ninth inning to cut the lead to 7-3 with two runners on. David Ortiz then watched strike three go by to end the game. The Sox have played 5 games this season and have lost 4 of them including this one 7-3 at the Skydome.

                                                     "These guys can't win ANYTHING!"

Drabek got the ball in the top of the first inning and Jacoby Ellsbury grounded out to third to start. Dustin Pedroia took strike three on the outside corner and Adrian Gonzalez hit a looper to Brett Lawrie to end the inning. The Jays wasted no time getting to Bard in the bottom of the first as Yunel Escobar dropped a base hit to left on the first pitch. Kelly Johnson popped up to Nick Punto and Jose Bautista flied out to right. Adam Lind doubled just inside the third base line and Edwin Encarnacion scored Escobar with a shot to short that Punto couldn't handle. Edwin swiped second but Lawrie struck out swinging to end the inning with the Jays up 1-0.

                                                       "I don't got it" - Punto

David Ortiz led off the top of the second by striking out swinging to start. Kevin Youkilis doubled off the top of the right field wall and Ryan Sweeney walked. Cody Ross struck out swinging on a high fastball and Jarrod Saltalamaccchia took strike three to end the inning. Bard settled down in the bottom of the second as Eric Thames grounded out to short to start. JP Arencibia whiffed on an 83 mph slider and Rasmus grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the third as Punto popped up to center to start. Ellsbury grounded out to second and Pedroia grounded out to short to end the inning. The Jays struck again in the bottom of the third as Escobar flared a base hit to center to start. Johnson singled past Pedroia but Bautista whiffed on a 97 mph fastball. Lind singled up the middle to score Escobar and Sox pitching coach Bob McClure sprinted to the mound to tell Bard to throw strikes. Encarnacion flied out to center but Lawrie chopped a base hit to right. Johnson came around to score with Sweeney's throw too late to increase the lead. Thames went around for strike three to end the inning with the Jays ahead 3-0.

                                                           Johnson is safe

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fourth as Gonzalez grounded out to third to start. Ortiz flied out to left and Youkilis grounded out to short to end the inning. Bard got Arencibia to ground out to third to begin the bottom of the fourth before Rasmus flied out to left. Escobar took strike three to end the inning.

Sweeney grounded out to second to start the top of the fifth but Ross doubled off the left field wall. Saltalmacchia lined out to Bautista and Punto popped up to short to end the inning. Bard cruised in the bottom of the fifth as Pedroia made a great diving catch to rob Johnson of a hit to start. Bautista struck out swinging and Lind grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox finally got to Drabek in the top of the sixth as Ellsbury walked to start. Pedroia smashed a double to center and Ellsbury scored on the sac fly by Gonzalez. Ortiz walked to chase Drabek as Jason Frasor came in to pitch to Youkilis. Youk banged into a double play to end the inning but the Sox were down 3-1.

                                                    Sox get a run back

Bard ran out of gas in the bottom of the sixth as Encarncion walked to start the bottom of the frame. Encarnacion stole second and took third on the infield single to short by Lawrie. That was it for Bard who was lifted after 96 pitches in 5 innings of work. Justin Thomas came in to pour gas on the fire as Lawrie stole second and Thames walked to load the bases. Arencibia lashed a base hit up the middle to score Encarnacion and Lawrie to break the game open. Thames moved to third on the hit and he scored on the Rasmus sac fly to ice the game. Arencibia moved to second on the grounder to short by Escobar and Johnson grounded out to first to end the inning with the Jays ahead 6-1.

                                              "You sucked tonight." - Saltalamacchia

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the seventh when Sweeney doubled to the left field wall to begin. Ross took strike three but Saltalmacchia walked. Punto flied out to left and Jays manager John Farrell brought in Luis Perez to pitch to Ellsbury. Ellsbury popped up to Escobar to end the inning. Michael Bowden came in to get tagged in the bottom of the seventh as Bautista struck out swinging to start. Lind popped up to Punto but Encarnacion hit one all the way to Hamilton, Ontario to increase the lead. Lawrie grounded out to short to end the inning with the Jays up 7-1.

                                                          Edwin jacks one out

The Sox blew another rally in the top of the eighth as Pedroia beat out a roller to third base to start. Gonzalez flied out to center and Ortiz flied out to the left field warning track, but Youkilis grounded a base hit up the middle. Sweeney struck out swinging to put the Sox 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position as the inning ended. Bowden returned for the bottom of the eighth and Thames hit a grounder right back to him. Bowden threw wide of first but it was ruled a hit. Arencibia took a 92 mph fastball on the outside corner for strike three before Rasmus went down hacking at an 86 mph slider. Escobar flied out to center to end the inning.

Casey Jannsen came in to close out the top of the ninth and things looked bleak when Ross struck out swinging to start. Saltlamacchia struck out swinging but Punto chopped a seeing eye single into right for a base hit. Ellsbury drew a walk and Pedroia lashed a base hit to left to load the bases. Gonzalez ripped a ground rule double down the right field line to score Punto and Ellsbury to cut the lead. Ortiz took a 92 mph fastball down the middle for strike three to end the game. The Jays had held on to win the game 7-3.

                                                           Jays win

Jackass of the Night is Justin Thomas. Thomas turned a 3-1 game into 6-1 by allowing 2 inherited runners to score and one of his own in the sixth inning.

                                                       Justin The Jackass

The Good:

Dustin Pedroia was 3 for 5.

Kevin Youkilis was 2 for 4.

Ryan Sweeney was 1 for 3 with a walk.

The Bad:

Daniel Bard was charged with 5 runs in 5 plus innings to take the loss. He allowed 8 hits and a walk while striking out 6.

The Ugly:

Jacoby Ellsbury was 0 for 3 but walked twice and scored two runs.

Adrian Gonzalez was just 1 for 4 but drove in 3 runs.

David Ortiz was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Cody Ross was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of three strikeouts.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Nick Punto was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Michael Bowden served up a home run to Encarnacion in two innings of work.

Final Thoughts:

Its as if 2011 never ended it seems for the Red Sox. They went 7-20 last September and have lost 4 of the first 5 games they've played this season. Daniel Bard was supposed to be stretched out to be a starter but he ran out of gas in the 6th inning. Then again he threw damn near 100 pitches just to get to that point, hopefully he can get some better control as the year goes on. The offense once again did nothing until it was too late and Carl Crawford being out hurts, but he's not THAT important. There's no reason why perennial MVP candidates like Gonzalez, Ortiz, Ellsbury and Pedroia can't combine with Youkilis and Ross to create a power lineup. There were rumors that Sox manager Bobby Valentine wasn't getting along with the team but it can't be THAT bad can it? All in all the Sox look just as lifeless as they did in September and you can't blame Terry Francona or Theo Epstein anymore. The Sox have all season to turn things around so this is no time to panic. The Sox look to take the rubber game of the series tomorrow afternoon when Jon Lester gets the start for Boston against Ricky Romero of the Blue Jays. The game begins at 12:30 PM at the Skydome.

Sox Rally in Ninth, Stun Jays (4/9/12)

For eight innings it looked like the Boston Red Sox were headed to their fourth straight defeat to start the season. Henderson Alvarez the 3rd held the Sox to one measly run through six innings of work. Felix Doubront lasted just 5 innings and left trailing 2-1. In the top of the ninth Adrian Gonzalez tied the game with a sac fly and Ryan Sweeney knocked in the go-ahead run and the Sox got an insurance run on a wild pitch. Alfredo Aceves locked down the game in the bottom of the ninth and the Sox had won their first game of the season 4-2 at the Skydome.

                                                   Andre Ward approves of the win

Alvarez got the ball to start the top of the first and Jacoby Ellsbury grounded out to first to start. Dustin Pedroia grounded out to third and Adrian Gonzalez struck out swinging on a pitch in the dirt to end the inning. Doubront got the ball in the bottom of the first and Yunel Escobar lined out to center to start. Kelly Johnson drew a walk but Jose Bautista banged into a double play to end the inning.

Kevin Youkilis grounded out to short to start the tip of the second but David Ortiz dropped a base hit to left. Cody Ross banged into a double play to end the inning. Edwin Encarnacion lined out to right to start the bottom of the second before Adam Lind was rung up for strike three on a check swing in the dirt. Brett Lawrie chopped a base hit to left but Rajai Davis popped up to center to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the third as Ryan Sweeney grounded out to third to start. Jarrod Saltalamacchia was robbed of a single by a diving Colby Rasmus and Mike Avilies fell down while striking out swinging to end the inning. The Jays struck first in the bottom of the third as JP Arencibia took a curveball for strike three to start. Rasmus then chopped a triple to the right field wall and Escobar walked to put runners at the corners. Johnson grounded back to the mound but Rasmus beat the throw home to give the Jays the lead. Bautista flied out to right but Encarnacion dumped a base hit to left to score Escobar. Lind grounded out to second to end the inning but the Jays led 2-0.

                                          Jays take the lead much to Gonzalez' chagrin

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the fourth as Ellsbury flied out to left to start. Pedroia flied out to center but Gonzalez worked a walk. Youkilis grounded out to third to end the inning. Doubront struck out Lawrie on an 88 mph fastball to start the bottom of the fourth before Davis went down hacking at a curveball. Arencibia walked but Rasmus grounded out to first to end the inning.

Ortiz grounded out to third to start the top of the fifth but Ross ripped a base hit to center. Sweeney pounded a ground rule double into the left field stands but Saltalamacchia grounded out to first. Avilies grounded out to third to end the inning. Escobar went down hacking to begin the bottom of the fifth but Johnson ripped a base hit up the middle. Bautista popped up to third in foul territory and Encarnacion took a 92 mph fastball down the middle for strike three to end the inning. That was it for Doubront who gutted through 5 innings, allowed 2 runs and struck out 6 in 101 pitches.

                                                         Not great but it'll do

The Sox got a run back in the top of the sixth although Ellsbury grounded back to the mound to start. Pedroia absolutely hammered his first home run of the season to the upper deck in left to cut the lead. Gonzalez grounded out to second and Youkilis flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox down 1-1.

                                               First homer of 2012 for Pedroia

Scott Atchison came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Lind went down hacking to start. Lawrie also went down swinging and Eric Thames pinch hit for Davis only to ground out to first to end the inning.

Old friend Darren Oliver came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Ortiz dropped another base hit to left to start. Ross struck out swinging and Ortiz was foolishly gunned down trying to steal second on a possible blown hit and run call. Sweeney struck out swinging to end the inning. Atchison returned for the bottom of the seventh and Arencibia grounded out to second to start. Rasmus flied out to center but Escobar beat out a grounder to third. Johnson grounded out to second to end the inning.

Francisco Cordero came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Saltalamacchia went down hacking to start. Avilies grounded out to first and Lind made a great diving catch to rob Ellsbury of a sure triple to end the inning. Atchison returned for his third inning of work in the bottom of the eighth and Bautista flied out to right to start. Encarnacion grounded out to short and Lind struck out swinging to end the inning. Great job by Scott to keep the Sox within striking distance.

Things looked bleak as Sergio Santos came in to close out the top of the ninth but Pedroia ripped a double into the left field corner to start. A passed ball moved Pedroia to third and he scored on the sac fly by Gonzalez to tie the game. Youkilis went down hacking but Ortiz and Ross drew back to back walks. Darnell McDonald ran for Ortiz and Sweeney chopped a base hit to right. McDonald motored around to score the go-ahead run as the ball got away from Arencibia at the plate. Ross moved to third on the play and he scored on a wild pitch. Sweeney moved to third on the wild pitch and Saltalamacchia walked to chase Santos. Luis Perez came in to pitch and Avilies forced Salty at second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-2.

                                                      Sox take the lead

Alfredo Aceves came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Lawrie grounded out to short to start. Thames went down hacking and Arencibia grounded out to short to end the game. The Sox had their first win of the season 4-2 over the Blue Jays.

                                                              Sox win

Hero of the Night is Scott Atchison. His 3 scoreless innings kept the Sox in the game to post the big comeback in the ninth.

                                                           Scott Hero

The Good:

Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 4 with a home run and 2 total runs scored.

David Ortiz was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Darnell McDonald scored a run as a pinch runner.

Cody Ross was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Ryan Sweeney was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Felix Doubront tossed 5 innings of 2 run ball while striking out 6 batters.

Alfredo Aceves earned his first save of the year with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Jacoby Ellsbury was 0 for 4.

Kevin Youkilis was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Mike Avilies was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Adrian Gonzalez was 0 for 2 with a strikeout but walked and drove in a run.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Final Thoughts:

So that's what winning felt like? After the September collapse of last season and getting stomped by the Detroit Tigers to open this season, it felt like the Sox would never win again. For eight innings it looked like another loss but the Sox turned it on in the ninth inning to come away with the win. Kudos to Atchison to keep them in the game and the hustling Sox advanced on passed balls, wild pitches and guile to take the lead. The Sox offense will come around when the weather heats up but for now they have to scratch and claw for every run they can. Its just a matter of time before Gonzalez, Youkilis, Ortiz and Ellsbury get hot. Let's just hope Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz and Josh Beckett can stay in shape this year. All in all it was a good win and hopefully they can ride the momentum into tomorrow night's game. Daniel Bard makes his first start of the season against Kyle Drabek of the Jays at 7:05 PM at the Skydome.

Tigers Walkoff Sox in 11 Inning Slugfest (4/8/12)

The great Casey Stengal once said "I've been in this game a hundred years but I've seen new ways to lose I never knew existed before" while he was managing the hapless New York Mets in the early 1960's. The Boston Red Sox are making Casey laugh from beyond the grave as they were swept in their season opening series by the Detroit Tigers. After getting walked off on Opening Day, the Sox got pasted 10-0 yesterday. Today was a slugfest with the Tigers and the Sox blew not one, but two leads in the later innings. The Sox fell behind 5-2 only to rally for 5 runs in the top of the third. The Sox took a 10-7 lead into the bottom of the ninth when interim closer Alfredo Aceves allowed a 3 run bomb to Miguel Cabrera to tie the game. Dustin Pedroia and Nick Punto gave the Sox the lead in the top of the eleventh but new set-up man Mark Melancon allowed a backbreaking 2 out, 2 run game winning home run to Alex Avila to give the Tigers a shocking 13-12 victory at Comerica Park.

                                                  "Dammit all to hell!" - BV

Max Scherzer got the ball in the top of the first inning and Nick Punto sliced a line out to Jhonny Peralta at short to start. Jacoby Ellsbury struck out swinging but Dustin Pedroia ripped a base hit to left. Adrian Gonzalez flied out to left to end the inning. The Tigers bushwhacked Sox starter Clay Buchholz in the bottom of the first as Austin Jackson got the rally started with a double down the left field line. Brennan Boesch moved Jackson to third with a fly out to left and Austin scored on the Miguel Cabrera base hit to right. Prince Fielder ripped a base hit to right but Delmon Young struck out swinging but Alex Avila walked to load the bases. Peralta then jacked a ball deep out to center that Ellsbury slid....and dropped for a bases clearing double. Andy Dirks popped up to left to end the inning but Ellsbury's drop contributed to the Tigers leading 4-0.

                                                           Jackson starts the rally

The Sox fought back in the top of the second as David Ortiz beat the shift with a base hit to right to start. Darnell McDonald drew a walk but Ryan Sweeney popped up to Cabrera in foul territory. Mike Avilies doubled to center to score both runs to cut the lead and Kelly Shoppach was hit with a pitch. Punto popped up to short but Ellsbury walked to load the bases. Pedroia whiffed on a 96 mph fastball to end the inning but the Sox were down 4-2.

                                                   Sox cut the lead

The Tigers struck again in the bottom of the second as Ryan Raburn was plunked to start. The Tigers executed a perfect hit and run as Jackson beat out a roller to third and Raburn made it all the way to third. Boesch took strike three but Raburn scored on the diving catch by Ellsbury off a Cabrera line drive. Fielder popped up to center to end the inning with the Tigers ahead 5-2.

                                                        Good catch by Ellsbury

The Sox exploded in the top of the third as Gonzalez hit a rocket into right for a base hit and Ortiz doubled to left to score Adrian. McDonald struck out swinging but Sweeney singled off the glove of Raburn. Avilies singled to left to score Ortiz and Shoppach was hit with a pitch again. Punto hit a fly ball to center and Sweeney made a mad dash home to tie the game. Shoppach took second on the throw and Scherzer somehow balked home Avilies and moved Shoppach to third. Ellsbury chased Scherzer with a seeing eye single to left to score Shoppach to increase the lead. Collin Balester came in to pitch and Pedroia grounded into a force to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-5.

                                                        Sox score 5 in the third

Buchholz did his part in the bottom of the third as Young grounded out to short to start. Avila walked but Peralta flied out to center. Dirks grounded out to second to end the inning.

Gonzalez flied out to center to start the top of the fourth but Ortiz singled to left. McDonald flied out to right and Sweeney grounded out to short to end the inning. The Tigers finished off Buchholz in the bottom of the fourth as Raburn singled to left to start. Jackson singled to left and Boesch singled to right to score Raburn. Cabrera banged into a double play but Jackson scored to tie the game. Fielder grounded into the shift to end the inning with the game tied 7-7.

                                                                 Bad start for Buchholz

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fifth as Avilies grounded out to third to start. Boesch made a great diving catch to rob Shoppach of a bloop single and Peralta made a great throw to rob Punto of a base hit to end the inning. Vicente Padilla came in to pitch the bottom of the fifth and Young hit a rocket to Scutaro to start. Avila grounded back to the mound and Peralta took strike three to end the inning.

The Sox took command in the top of the sixth as Ellsbury doubled down the left field line to start. Pedroia moved Ellsbury to third with a fly out to right and Tigers manager Jim Leyland made a pitching change. Daniel Schlereth came in to pitch and Gonzalez greeted him with his first home run of the season to put the Sox ahead. Ortiz went down hacking and McDonald flied out to left to end the inning with Boston ahead 9-7.

                                                        Gonzalez puts the Sox on top

Dirks led off the bottom of the sixth with a base hit to center to start but Raburn went down hacking. Jackson swung and missed on a 93 mph fastball for strike three and Boesch also struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the seventh as Sweeney grounded out to second to start. Avilies grounded out to third and Shoppach went down swinging to end the inning. Padilla returned for the bottom of the seventh and Cabrera grounded out to short to start. Fielder flied out to left but Punto bobbled a grounder by Young for a "single". Avila grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the eighth as Punto doubled into the centerfield gap to start. Ellsbury chased Schlereth by grounding out to first to move Punto to third. Brayan Villarreal came in to pitch and Pedroia hit a grounder to short that should have scored Punto....but he stopped halfway and tried to go back, only to get caught in a rundown for the second out. Pedroia made it to second on the play and that was it for Villarreal. Phil Coke came in and uncorked a wild pitch to move Pedroia to third. Gonzalez was hit with a pitch and Sox manager Bobby Valentine stormed out on the field to argue that Coke did it intentionally. Home plate umpire Dan Iasssogna warned BOTH teams and Valentine started screaming at the top of his lungs that the Tigers hit Shoppach twice, now Gonzalez. Ortiz struck out swinging to end the inning, what a waste.

                                                                YOU'RE OUT!!

Padilla returned for one final inning in the bottom of the eighth and Peralta grounded out to second to start. Dirks grounded out to first and Raburn flied out to center to end the inning. Padilla tossed 4 scoreless innings to keep the Sox in the game.

                                                      Hell of an effort by Padilla

The Sox got another run in the top of the ninth as McDonald blooped a single to right to begin. Cody Ross pinch hit for Sweeney and Ross dropped a base hit out of the reach of Raburn's glove. Avilies dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners and chase Coke from the game. Octavio Dotel came in and struck out Shoppach swinging, but Punto beat out an infield single to short to score McDonald. Ellsbury grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox ahead 10-7.

                                                     McDonald scores a run.

The Tigers wasted no time tying the game in the bottom of the ninth against Alfredo Aceves as Jackson singled to right to start. Boesch beat out a roller up the middle and Cabrera hit a home run all the way to the Palace of Auburn Hills to tie the game. That was it for Aceves as Franklin Morales came in to mitigate the damage. Fielder struck out swinging, Young grounded out to third and Avila flied out to left to end the inning with the game tied 10-10.

                                                              Tie game

Joaquin Benoit came in to pitch the top of the tenth and Pedroia walked to start. Gonzalez flied out to center, Ortiz did the same and McDonald struck out swinging to end the inning. Morales returned for the bottom of the tenth and Peralta took strike three to start. Danny Worth pinch hit for Dirks and hit a seeing eye single to left but Raburn flied out to center. Worth took second on a wild pitch but Jackson struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox somehow took the lead as Ross walked to start before moving to third on the Avilies base hit to right. Jarrod Saltalamacchia pinch hit for Shoppach and struck out swinging but Punto blooped a base hit to left to score Ross. Avilies made it to third on the play but Ellsbury struck out swinging. Pedroia lined a base hit to left to score Avilies and move Punto to third to increase the lead. Pedroia swiped second but Gonzalez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 12-10.

                                                     Pedroia drives in a run

Mark Melancon was tasked to save the game in the bottom of the eleventh but instead crapped his pants. Boesch grounded out to first but Cabrera ripped a base hit to right field. Fielder slapped a base hit to left and a wild pitch moved Cabrera to third. Young hit a sac fly to center to score Cabrera but the Sox were one out away from victory. Melancon worked the count to 2-2, one strike away......and Avila smashed a two run home run all the way to the Gulf of Mexico to win the game. The Tigers had walked off the Sox 13-12.

                                                             Tigers win

Jackass of the Night is Mark Melancon. Yes Aceves gave up the home run in the ninth but Melancon was one strike away from victory when he served up the jack to Avila.

                                                       Nice relief, Jackass

The Good:

Nick Punto was 3 for 6 with 3 rbis.

Jacoby Ellsbury was 2 for 6 with an rbi, walk, rbi and a run scored.

Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 6 with a walk, stolen base and an rbi.

Adrian Gonzalez was 2 for 6 with a 2 run home run and two total runs scored.

David Ortiz was 3 for 6 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Cody Ross was 1 for 1 with a walk and a run scored.

Mike Avilies was 3 for 5 with 3 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Vicente Padilla tossed 4 scoreless innings.

Franklin Morales tossed 2 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Jarrod Saltalamacchia struck out as a pinch hitter.

Clay Buchholz got hammered, allowing 7 runs in 4 innings while striking out just two batters.

Alfredo Aceves allowed the three run home run to Cabrera in the ninth inning.

The Ugly:

Darnell McDonald was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts but walked and scored 2 runs.

Ryan Sweeney was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Kelly Shoppach was 0 for 3 but was hit with a pitch twice and scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

A lot of things went wrong today. Ellsbury dropping the Peralta double in the first started it and Melancon giving up the bomb to Avila was the icing on the cake. Ellsbury missed a two run double in the 11th by inches that would have iced the game, and on and on. At least the offense showed up but the pitching has been dreadful the first three games this season. To be fair, they were relying on Andrew Bailey to be the closer and instead have to turn to Aceves and Melancon. After the collapse of last year, getting off on the wrong foot was the last thing the Sox needed but here we are. Buchholz, Josh Beckett and Jon Lester all looked like garbage the same as Lester and Beckett looked at the end of last year. The Sox have plenty of time to turn things around but getting smacked around by the Tigers is a bad look after what happened last year. Blowing multiple run leads twice with the game on the line isn't going to win any games. The Sox now travel to Toronto for a three game set with the Toronto Blue Jays. Felix Doubront makes his season debut up against Henderson Alvarez the 3rd tomorrow night in Toronto. The game begins at 7:30 PM at the Skydome.

Tigers Massacre Sox (4/7/12)

After the Boston Red Sox dropped Opening Day in walkoff faction, fans thought it could only get better from there. Turns out the complete opposite happened in the second game of the season against the Detroit Tigers. Josh Beckett (0-1, 13.50 ERA) was not ready for prime time this season. The fallen ace allowed 5 home runs to the Tigers in less than 5 innings. If getting one run off of Justin Verlander on Thursday was bad enough, they got even less against Doug Fister and the Detroit bullpen. Fister was gone after just 3 2/3 innings but the bullpen tossed 5 1/3 innings of shutout ball. The Tigers offense pounded Beckett for 7 runs and 3 off the bullpen to hand the Sox a decisive 10-0 beatdown at Comerica Park. How many runs did the Sox score Dean Wormer?

Fister got the ball in the top of the first and the Sox laid down and died. Jacoby Ellsbury flied out to left, Dustin Pedroia grounded out to third and Adrian Gonzalez struck out swinging to end the inning. The Tigers immediately pounced on Beckett in the bottom of the first inning as Austin Jackson led off with a walk. Brennan Boesch lined out to short but Miguel Cabrera hit a home run all the way to San Jose to give the Tigers the lead. Prince Fielder lined out to second and Delmon Young popped up to first in foul territory to end the inning with the Tigers up 2-0.

                                             Tigers start the torture early

David Ortiz singled past the shift to begin the top of the second but Kevin Youkilis struck out swinging. Ryan Sweeney drew a walk but Cody Ross banged into a double play to end the inning. Beckett recovered in the bottom of the second inning as Alex Avila grounded out to first to start. Jhonny Peralta also grounded out to first and Andy Dirks flied out to left to end the inning.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia smacked a double to right to begin the top of the third but stayed there as Mike Avilies grounded out to third. Saltalamacchia moved to third on the grounder by Ellsbury but Pedroia grounded out to third to end the inning. Beckett blew away Ryan Raburn to start the bottom of the third but Jackson doubled to left. Boesch lined out to right and Cabrera took strike three to end the inning.

The Sox caught a break in the top of the fourth inning when Gonzalez singled to center and Fister started clutching his side. Ortiz flied out to right and Youkilis took strike three but Fister waved his arms and fell down. Fister had to be carried out on a stretcher and Duane "Look Out" Below came in. Sweeney popped up to short to end the inning but Detroit's starter was gone.

                                               So much for Fister

The Tigers picked up their teammate by smacking Beckett around in the bottom of the fourth inning. Fielder pounded a 50,000 foot home run to increase the lead before Young singled in the hole at first. Avila then crushed an 800,000 foot bomb to put the game out of reach. Peralta grounded out to third, Dirks grounded out to short and Raburn flied out to center to end the inning with the Tigers ahead 5-0.

                                                         Fielder takes Beckett deep

The Sox rolled over and died in the top of the fifth inning as Ross grounded out to third, Saltalamacchia lined out to third and Avilies whiffed to end the inning. The Tigers finished off Beckett in the bottom of the fourth although Jackson took strike three to start. Boesch grounded out to first but Cabrera bashed his second home run of the day to light up the crowd. Fielder then crushed HIS second home run of the day to add to the misery. Young hit a routine grounder to Avilies who turned a round and threw the ball into the bullpen to make it look like a home run. He was charged with the error and Sox manager Bobby Valentine woke up from his nap to take Beckett out. He was ravaged for 5 home runs and 7 runs in 4 2/3 innings. Scott Atchison made his season debut and got Avila to fly out to center to end the inning but it was 7-0

                                                   What a disaster

The Sox failed to mount a comeback in the top of the sixth as Ellsbury grounded out to second to start. Pedroia took strike three but Gonzalez singled to right. Ortiz flied out to center to end the inning. The relentless Tigers got another run in the bottom of the sixth as Peralta and Dirks stroked back to back singles to start. Raburn forced Dirks at second and Jackson beat out a double play ball to score Peralta. Boesch grounded into a force to end the inning but it was 8-0 Tigers.

Octavio Dotel came in for the top of the seventh and Youkilis grounded out to third to start. Sweeney singled to center but Ross whiffed. Sweeney took second on defensive indifference and Saltalamacchia struck out swinging to end the inning. Matt Albers came in to take a beating in the bottom of the seventh as Cabrera grounded out to third to start. Fielder was hit with a pitch before Young and Avila stroked back to back singles to load the bases. Peralta hit a ground ball to third and Youkilis fired home for the force but Saltalamacchia spiked the ball like a football and did a boogie woogie for an error that scored Young. Avila moved to third on the error and that was it for Albers. Journeyman Justin Thomas came in and Dirks singled in the hole at short to scored Avila. Raburn struck out swinging to end the inning but it was 10-0 Tigers.

                                                "Good luck Justin, you're gonna need it" - BV

Ramon Santiago came in to play second, taking over for Young with Raburn moving to left to start the top of the eighth. Dotel struck out Avilies swinging before Phil Coke came in to get pinch hitter Darnell McDonald (for Ellsbury) looking. Pedroia drew a walk but Gonzalez whiffed to end the inning. Michael Bowden made his season debut in the bottom of the eighth by walking Jackson. Boesch banged into a double play and Cabrera grounded out to third to end the inning.

Joaquin Benoit came in to pitch the top of the ninth with Don Kelly now at first base. Kelly Shoppach pinch hit for Ortiz and singled to right but Youkilis banged into a double play. Sweeney singled to left but Ross whiffed to end the game. The Tigers had obliterated the Sox 10-0.

Jackass of the Night is Josh Beckett. He got pounded for 7 runs off FIVE home runs in just 4 2/3 innings.

                                         Keep the ball in the yard next time, Jackass



The Good:

Adrian Gonzalez was 2 for 4.

David Ortiz was 1 for 3.

Kelly Shoppach singled as a pinch hitter.

Ryan Sweeney was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was 1 for 3.

Michael Bowden pitched a scoreless eighth inning.



The Bad:

Jacoby Ellsbury was 0 for 3.

Darnell McDonald struck out as a pinch hitter.

Kevin Youkilis was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Cody Ross was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Mike Avilies was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Scott Atchison allowed a run in 1 1/3 innings.

Matt Albers was charged with 2 runs in 2/3 of an inning.



The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 3 but walked.

Justin Thomas allowed an inherited runner to score in 1/3 of an inning




Final Thoughts:

If losing on walkoff on Opening Day wasn't bad enough, today the Sox got their brains totally beat in. Their supposed big time offense has scored 2 runs in two games while the Tigers scored 10 in this game alone. There were rumblings of some clubhouse problems in Spring Training and it seemed to have carried over to the regular season. The Sox offense and starters have been completely non-existent and the bullpen doesn't look too good either. Still, its only the second game of the season and the Sox have plenty of time to turn it around. The stench of last September seems to loom large over this team even with some new personnel. The Sox look to avoid a sweep in the series finale when they send Clay Buchholz to make his season debut against Max Scherzer at 2:05 PM Eastern time at Comerica Park.

Off-Day News (4/6/12)

On this day in Boston Red Sox Basebawful History:

1971 - Culp outstanding on Opening Day

1973 - Sox crush Yankees on Opening Day

1984 - A's beat Sox

1987 - Brewers beat Sox on Opening Day

1989 - O's beat up Boddicker, Sox

1994 - Sox beat Tigers

2000 - Mariners knock around Sox bullpen

2001 - Sox crush Rays in Home Opener

2010 - Yankees beat Red Sox

2011 - Sox lose fifth straight, bow to Indians

The Sox are back in action tomorrow afternoon against the Detroit Tigers. Josh Beckett makes his season debut against Doug Fister of Detroit. The game begins at 5:05 PM Eastern time at Comerica Park.

Tigers Walkoff Sox on Opening Day (4/5/12)

Opening Day meant a new year but the same old for the Boston Red Sox as they were defeated by the Detroit Tigers on a walkoff. Justin Verlander was unhittable in an 8 inning, 7 strikeout, 2 hit gem. Jon Lester was outstanding but the supposedly revamped bullpen blew the game in the end. 2012 picked up where 2011 left off as the Sox got walked off by the Detroit Tigers 3-2 at Comerica Park.

                                                      Tigers win Opening Day

Verlander, the reigning Cy Young and MVP, shut down the Boston attack in the top of the first inning. Jacoby Ellsbury popped up to left to start before Dustin Pedroia popped up to second. Adrian Gonzalez flied out to left to end the inning. Lester took the mound in the bottom of the first. Austin Jackson greeted Lester's first pitch by driving it into centerfield for a base hit. The Sox defense recovered when Lester induced a double play from Brennan Boesch. Kevin Youkilis snared a broken bat liner off the bat of AL Batting champion Miguel Cabrera to end the inning. 

David Ortiz got the Sox first hit of the season with a double down the left field line. Kevin Youkilis could not move him along as he grounded out to short. Newcomer Ryan Sweeney did manage to move Ortiz to third but his groundout to second put them at 2 outs. Another newcomer, Cody Ross looked at strike 3 to end the inning. Hometown hero Prince Fielder made his debut with a single off Lester but was erased on the Delmon Young double play. Ryan Raburn struck out to end the inning.
                                                           
Verlander then got hot in the top of the third, striking out Jarrod Saltalamacchia and newcomer Mike Aviles to open. Ellsbury grounded out to first to end the inning. Jhonny Peralta opened the third with a base hit to center giving the Tigers the lead runner for the 3rd consecutive inning. Lester recovered when Alex Avila lined out to right, Ramon Santiago popped up to short left and Jackson flied out to center to end the inning. 

Verlander remained red hot in the top of the fourth. Pedroia popped up to right, Gonzalez took strike three and Ortiz flied out to center to end the inning with Verlander throwing a mere 9 pitches. Lester induced a ground out from Boesch but then walked Cabrera on 4 pitches to start the bottom of the fourth. Lester recovered to punch out Fielder on his 52nd pitch. Young popped up in foul territory to end the inning. 

Youkilis popped up meekly to shallow center to open the top of the fifth. Sweeney then poked one into center for a base hit but Ross missed a home run by inches in a fly out to right. Saltalamacchia grounded out to second to end the inning. Lester then got into trouble as Peralta singled past Aviles to open the bottom of the fifth and Raburn walked. Lester then struck out Avila after he failed to drop a bunt down and got Santiago popped up to shallow left. Lester labored but got Jackson to fly out to right to end the inning.

Aviles led off the sixth with a meek ground out to short and Ellsbury meekly popped up in foul territory. The Sox caught a break when a Pedroia grounder went under the glove of Miguel Cabrera at third. Gonzalez worked a walk to get 2 men on for the first time all day. Unfortunately Ortiz whiffed to end the rally. Boesch opened the 6th with a lineout to Avilies on the first pitch. Lester jumped out 0-2 on Cabrera but walked him again. Lester jumped out to 0-2 on Fielder as well and this time got Fielder to bang into a double play to end the threat. 

Youkilis whiffed badly to open the top of the seventh and so did Sweeney. Ross then popped up to left to end the inning. The Tigers struck first in the bottom of the seventh. Lester got Delmon Young to fly out to right and Raburn to fly out to center, but Jhonny Peralta and Avila hit back to back doubles to give the Tigers the lead. Lester struck out Santiago but the damage was done. That was it for Lester. He was outstanding but left trailing 1-0 after giving up just 1 run in 7 innings.

                                                   7 innings, 1 run for Lester

The Sox had one last crack at Verlander but failed in the top of the eighth. Saltalamacchia flied out to center, Aviles lined out to short and Ellsbury grounded out to second to end the inning. Verlander was just as good as ever with eight innings of shutout ball.

Vicente Padilla made his Red Sox debut by allowing Jackson to triple to lead off the inning. The infield was pulled in and it worked briefly as Boesch grounded out to short without Jackson scoring. Cabrera was intentionally walked and Sox manager Bobby Valentine pulled Padilla for lefty Franklin Morales. Morales did manage to get Fielder to pop up but it was to noodle-armed Jacoby Ellsbury who hit the mound with his throw allowing Jackson to score and Cabrera to reach second. Young flied out to right to end the inning but the insurance run was knocked in as the Tigers led 2-0.

                                                       Jackson scores the big run.

Clete Thomas replaced Young in the left field with Don Kelly in right for the top of the 9th as Detroit closer Jose Valverde (49-49 in save opportunities last year) was brought in to close out the game. The Sox pulled off a miracle rally as Pedroia doubled in the gap in left center to start and Gonzalez singled to move Pedroia over to third. Ortiz could only bring home Pedroia with a sac fly. Darnell McDonald pinch ran for Gonzalez as Youkilis made a very un-clutch strikeout to bring up Sweeney. McDonald stole second base and scored on the triple from Ryan Sweeney to tie the game. Cody Ross lined out to short to end the inning but the Sox had tied it 2-2.

                                                 Sweeney gets it done

Nick Punto took over at third as Youkilis moved to 1st with Mark Melancon (0-1) on the mound for the 9th. Raburn gave the ball a ride but flied out to Sweeney on the warning track. Peralta capped off his great day with his 3rd single of the day. Avila also singled to chase Melancon as Bobby V brought in Alfredo "The Vulture" Aceves. Danny Worth pinch-ran for Peralta at this point. Aceves hit Santiago on the foot to load the bases for Jackson. Jackson singled past Punto at third to end the game. The Tigers had won Opening Day 3-2 on a walk-off by Jackson.

                                              Dammit


Jackass of the Night is Alfredo Aceves. Yes Melancon put the two runners on but Aceves responded by hitting Santiago in the foot and allowing the walkoff by Jackson.

                                                "I no Jackass" - AV    "Yeah you are" - BV



The Good:

Adrian Gonzalez was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Darnell McDonald scored a run as a pinch runner.

David Ortiz was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Ryan Sweeney was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Jon Lester pitched great. He tossed 7 innings of 1 run ball on 6 hits and 3 walks.

Franklin Morales got the final two outs of the eighth inning.



The Bad:

Jacoby Ellsbury was 0 for 4.

Kevin Youkilis was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Cody Ross was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was 0 for 3.

Mike Aviles was 0 for 3.

Vicente Padilla allowed a run in just 1/3 of an inning.

Mark Melancon took the loss by getting charged with the winning run.



The Ugly:

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.



Honorable Mention:

Nick Punto played third base in the bottom of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. The bottom line was the Sox only managed two hits off Verlander even with Gonzalez, Ellsbury, Ortiz, Pedroia, etc. Lester was outstanding and 9 times out of 10, 1 run in 7 innings will win the game. Jacoby Ellsbury being unable to throw out Jackson at home was also a key moment. Still, Verlander is arguably one of the best in the game and not every starter is going to be as indomitable. Vicente Padilla and Alfredo Aceves certainly didn't do the Sox any favors out of the bullpen either. The Sox will hope to bounce back Saturday afternoon against the Tigers with Josh Beckett taking the mound against Doug Fister at 5:05 PM Eastern time at Comerica Park.

Sox Offense Sweeps Mariners Away (7/24/11)

The Red Sox continued to explode offensively to give the Sox a convincing series sweep in a 12-8 slugfest today at Fenway Park.

In the top of the 1st, Tim Wakefield (6-3 5.15 ERA) took the mound and nabbed a ground ball from Ichiro to retire him to begin the first. Wake then plunked Brendan Ryan but Jacoby Ellsbury made a mad dash to snare a line drive off the bat of Dustin Ackley. Miguel Olivo then gave the Mariners a 2-0 lead with his 14th home run of the year into the Monster seats. Justin Smoak then smoked a line drive off the center field wall for a double. Mike Carp then stroked a single to right but Josh Reddick's herculean throw gunned down Smoak at home to end the inning. Ellsbury led the bottom of the frame off with a double down the line off Miguel Pineda (8-7 3.64 ERA). A wild pitch moved Ellsbury to third but Pedroia's fly out failed to bring home. Adrian Gonzalez then drove home Jacoby with a single to cut the deficit 2-1. Kevin Youkilis then crushed his 14th home run of the year to give the Sox a 3-2 lead. David Ortiz and Carl Crawford both hit shots off the Monster to put runners on second and third. Reddick then chased a pitch in the dirt for the second out. Jarrod Saltalamacchia then singled home Papi and Crawford to increase the lead 5-2. Marco Scutaro grounded out to end the inning.

Inspired by the offense, Wakefield struck out Adam Kennedy and Jack Cust to open the second. Franklin Gutierrez flied out to end the frame. Pineda whiffed Ellsbury to begin the bottom of the second before Pedroia grounded out. Gonzalez then struck out to end the inning.

Ichiro flied out to right to begin the 3rd before Brendan Ryan grounded out. Ackley doubled down the line but Wakefield got revenge by getting Olivo to ground out to end the frame. Youkilis grounded out to begin the bottom of the 3rd and Ortiz whiffed. Crawford singled and was caught stealing second only the ball came loose and Crawford stayed on second. Reddick then struck out to end the inning.

Justin Smoak flied out to begin the 4th before Reddick jumped up to steal a double from Carp. Kennedy grounded out to second to end the quick half inning. Saltalamacchia grounded out to begin the bottom half. Scutaro grounded out to short and Ellsbury grounded out to third to end the inning.

Wakefield opened the 5th by striking out Cust but trouble brewed when he walked Gutierrez and gave up a single to Ichiro that sent Gutierrez to third. Alert Wakefield then picked off Ichiro without allowing Gutierrez to score. Ryan then doubled off the wall to drive in the runner to cut the lead 5-3. Ackley flied out to end the inning with the lead still intact. Pedroia grounded out to begin the bottom half but Gonzalez singled off the glove of Ryan. Youk walked to chase Pineda from the game 1 out into the 5th. Aaron Laffey came on to face Ortiz who hit a nubber to third but Gonzalez outran Kennedy to the bag to load the bases. Crawford then singled home Gonzalez and Youkilis to extend the lead 7-3. Reddick then doubled home Ortiz as Jamey Wright began warming up. Saltlamacchia singled home Crawford and Reddick to give the Sox a commanding 10-3 lead and chase Laffey. Wright came on and retired Scutaro on a lineout to center. Ellsbury grounded out to end the inning but the Sox was now in complete control.

Wakefield returned for the 6th and induced a fly out from Olivo before getting Smoak to ground out. He then struck out Carp for this 2,000th of his career to end the frame. Pedroia extended his hitting streak to 21 games with a double off the monster. Gonzalez continued his rbi steak by singling home Pedroia to make it 11-3. Youk struck out and Ortiz flew out as his bat shattered into the bleachers. Crawford struck out to end the inning.

With the game seemingly out of reach, Yamico Navarro replaced Youk at third. Wake retired Kennedy to open the 7th but then things fell apart quickly. Cust got his obligatory hit off Wakefield (came in hitting .426 lifetime against) and Gutierrez walked. Ichiro then singled sharply to Reddick to load the bases and Brendan Ryan hit a grand slam over the Monster seats to cut the lead 11-7. That was it for Wakefield as Alfredo Aceves hurried in from the mound to replace him. Ackley flied out and Olivo popped up to end the frame. Josh Lueke replaced Wright and gave up a single to Reddick to open the bottom of the 7th. Saltalamacchia singled Reddick over the third and Ellsbury blooped home Reddick to increase the lead 12-7. Pedroia beat out a double play ball to move Saltalamacchia over to third but Gonzalez grounded out to first to end the inning.
Brandon League began warming up as Aceves returned for the 8th. Smoak grounded out to second but Carp blooped a single to short right. Kennedy struck out on 9 pitches and Cust hit a flyball to the warning track that Crawford snared to end the frame. League came on for the bottom of the 8th and struck out Navarro before getting Ortiz to ground out. Crawford walked but Reddick lined out to end the inning.

Aceves returned to finish off the game. Gutierrez singled to lead off but Ichiro grounded out to send Franklin to second. Ryan then grounded out before Ackley doubled home Gutierrez on Aceves' 40th pitch. Finally Olivo popped up to end the game. The Sox improve to a season's best 25 games over .500 at 62-37 and move on to face the Royals tomorrow night with Jon Lester (10-4. 3.31 ERA) returning to face slumping Kyle Davies (1-9, 7.32 ERA).