1970 - Sox lose fourth straight game
The Sox return to action tomorrow night in Toronto against the Blue Jays. Drew Pomeranz (1-5, 6.56 ERA) takes the hill against Marcus Stroman at 7:07 PM at the Skydome.
Monday, August 6, 2018
Sunday, August 5, 2018
Sox Rally To Sweep Yankees (8/5/18)
The Boston Red Sox sent a message to the New York Yankees that they were for real with their complete four game sweep headlined by tonight's late inning heroics. Down 4-1 entering the final frame the Sox rallied for 3 runs off Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman and walked it off in the bottom of the 10th to take a shocking 5-4 victory against the reeling Yankees at Fenway Park.
SWEEP THIS, YANKEES!
David Price took the ball in the top of the first and Aaron Hicks grounded out to first to start. Giancarlo Stanton hit a 3-1 meatball into centerfield for a base hit. Didi Gregorius was hit with a pitch but Price froze Gleybar Torres with a backdoor cutter for strike three. Miguel Andujar singled to load the bases but Luke Voit accidentally check swinged a ball back to Price who threw to first for the out to end the inning. Price got lucky Voit was up and not Sanchez or Judge. Tanaka got the ball in the bottom of the first and Mr. Mookie Betts grounded into the shift to begin. Andrew Benintendi doubled off the top of the Monster but Steve Pearce whiffed. JD Martinez whiffed on a 3-2 splitter to end the inning.
Price got Brett Gardner to fly out to the centerfield wall to begin the top of the second before Austin Romine popped up to second. Shane Robinson hit a bullet to center but Betts ran it down to end the inning. Xander Bogaerts took advantage of Gregorius booting a hard grounder to reach first. Mitch Moreland hit a rocket but Gregorius made a great diving stab for the out. Bogaerts was thrown out trying to steal on a blown ball four call. Eduardo Nunez made a kamikaze dive to first when Tanaka failed to cover first and was safe, but knocked the wind out of himself. He gathered himself but Brock "Hitman" Holt lined out to center to end the inning.
Price returned for the top of the third and got Hicks to ground out to short on a full count to begin. Stanton whiffed and Gregorius flied out to the centerfield wall to end the inning. Tanaka continued his dominance in the bottom of the third by blowing away Sandy Leon to start. Mr. Mookie singled past a diving Andujar and Benintendi did as well to put pressure on. Pearce went around on a check swing for strike three and Martinez swung at complete air to end the inning although Tanaka had thrown 57 pitches.
Bogaerts made a great stab at a Torres rocket to open the top of the fourth. Andujar grounded out to short but Voit walked. Gardner was rung up on a borderline strike three to end the inning, another tougher than it should have been inning. Bogaerts tried to get a rally going with a walk to begin the bottom of the fourth but Moreland and Nunez both whiffed. Holt lined out to left to end the inning.
The Yankees tried some small ball after Romine beat out an infield single to start the top of the fifth. Robinson dropped down a bunt to move Romine to second and he moved to third on the Hicks force. Romine was stranded when Stanton grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the fifth inning although Leon whiffed to start. Mr. Mookie opened the scoring with his 26th home run of the year to give the Sox the lead. Benintendi looked at strike three but Andujar threw a ground ball by Pearce away. That was it for Tanaka after just 4 2/3 innings as David Robertson entered the game. Martinez whiffed to end the inning but the Sox led 1-0.
Betts puts the Sox on the board
Price returned for the top of the sixth and got Gregorius to ground out to second to begin. Torres walked but Price blew away Andujar and Voit to end the inning. For all the criticism against Price, 6 shut-out innings is a step in the right direction. The Sox failed to add to the lead in the bottom of the sixth as Bogaerts flied out to right to begin. Moreland grounded out to first but Nunez beat out an infield single. Holt grounded out to second to end the inning.
Sox manager Alex Cora made a rookie mistake when he sent Price back to the mound in the top of the seventh with over 100 pitches on his arm. Right on cue Gardner singled and Romine walked. Heath Hembree was summoned to the mound but it was too late, the flood gates were opened. Robinson walked to load the bases and Hicks hit a perfect double play ball to Bogaerts. Instead of fielding the ball, Bogaerts dove on it and curled up like it was a grenade for a 2 base error that scored two runs to give the Yankees the lead. Stanton pounded a base hit to score Robinson and a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position. Gregorius whiffed but that was it for the incompetent Hembree. He allowed both inherited runners to score and two of his own in just 1/3 of an inning.
"I sucked tonight" - HH
Ryan Brasier came in and got Torres to fly out to center....but Hicks scored to put the game out of reach. Andujar grounded out to short to end the inning but the Yankees led 4-1.
Things looked good for the Yankees
Greg Bird took over at first with Zach Britton on the mound for the bottom of the seventh. Leon walked but Mr. Mookie looked at strike three. A passed ball moved Leon to second and he moved to third on a Benintendi grounder. Pearce grounded out to short to end the inning.
Brasier returned for the top of the eighth and Bird whiffed to start. Gardner singled and moved all the way to third on a ground out by Romine. Robinson flied out to right to end the inning. Dellin Betances came in for the bottom of the eighth and hit Martinez to start. Bogaerts and Moreland whiffed and Nunez grounded out to third to end the inning.
Tyler Thornburg came in for the top of the ninth and walked Hicks to begin. Stanton popped up to third and Gregorius flied out to center but Torres walked. Andujar flied out to left to end the inning. Aroldis Chapman took the mound for the Yankees to close out the bottom of the ninth and couldn't find the plate. Holt was rung up on a borderline strike three call but Leon and Mr. Mookie walked. Benintendi took strike three but Pearce walked. Jackie Bradley Jr pinch ran for Pearce and Martinez singled home both Leon and Betts to put the tying run and second. Bogaerts hit a perfect game ending ground ball to Andujar...WHO THREW IT AWAY! JBJ scored and the winning run was at second. Moreland whiffed to end the inning but the Sox tied it 4-4.
TIE GAME!
Matt Barnes (4-3, 2.25 ERA) got the call for the top of the tenth and the Yankees were deflated. Bird flied out to center, Gardner flied out to left and Romine whiffed to end the inning. Jonathan Holder came in for the bottom of the tenth and struck out Nunez to start. Holt grounded out to second but Leon singled and moved to second on a wild pitch. Mr. Mookie was intentionally walked and Tony Renda pinch ran for Leon. Benintendi hit a ground ball into the shift....AND THROUGH FOR A BASE HIT! Renda scored and the Red Sox had shocked the Yankees 5-4 to sweep them out of Fenway Park.
IN YOUR FACE CASHMAN!
Hero of the Night is Andrew Benintendi. His 2 out single drove in the winning run in the bottom of the 10th
Benny The Hero
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 2 for 4 with 2 walks, 2 runs scored and a solo home run.
Jackie Bradley Jr pinch ran for Steve Pearce and scored the tying run.
Eduardo Nunez was 2 for 5.
Sandy Leon was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and a run scored.
Tony Renda pinch ran for Leon and scored the winning run.
David Price pitched well until he ran out of gas. Still 6 innings plus with just 2 runs is a huge improvement against the Yankees.
Ryan Brasier tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.
Tyler Thornburg pitched a scoreless ninth inning.
Matt Barnes got the win with a scoreless tenth inning.
The Bad:
Mitch Moreland was 0 for 5 with a hat trick of three strikeouts.
Brock Holt was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.
Heath Hembree not only coughed up the lead but allowed 2 of his own runs.
The Ugly:
Steve Pearce was 0 for 4 but walked.
JD Martinez was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of three strikeouts but the one hit drove in 2 runs.
Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 with a walk and a crucial error.
Final Thoughts:
What a win, what a series and what a sweep. This one had everything from a blowout, two dominating pitching performances and a comeback for the ages. They beat the Yankees in every way possible and it was all entertaining to watch. The Sox now own an 8-5 season series lead and need a few good weeks to lock up the division.The Yankees are reeling right now and the Sox must take advantage of it. The Yankees play a cream puff schedule until SEPTEMBER so they're going to win a ton of games. The Sox need to put the pedal to the medal in order to keep them at a distance. Getting some key pieces back healthy will be the key to winning 100 games and beyond. The win put the Sox at 79-34, 9.5 games ahead of the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The 1913 Red Sox who suffered a World Series hangover won 79 total games, this year's team has 79 wins on August 5th. The Sox return to action Tuesday night in Toronto against the Blue Jays. Drew Pomeranz (1-5, 6.56 ERA) trudges to the mound against Marcus Stroman at 7:07 PM at the Skydome.
David Price took the ball in the top of the first and Aaron Hicks grounded out to first to start. Giancarlo Stanton hit a 3-1 meatball into centerfield for a base hit. Didi Gregorius was hit with a pitch but Price froze Gleybar Torres with a backdoor cutter for strike three. Miguel Andujar singled to load the bases but Luke Voit accidentally check swinged a ball back to Price who threw to first for the out to end the inning. Price got lucky Voit was up and not Sanchez or Judge. Tanaka got the ball in the bottom of the first and Mr. Mookie Betts grounded into the shift to begin. Andrew Benintendi doubled off the top of the Monster but Steve Pearce whiffed. JD Martinez whiffed on a 3-2 splitter to end the inning.
Price got Brett Gardner to fly out to the centerfield wall to begin the top of the second before Austin Romine popped up to second. Shane Robinson hit a bullet to center but Betts ran it down to end the inning. Xander Bogaerts took advantage of Gregorius booting a hard grounder to reach first. Mitch Moreland hit a rocket but Gregorius made a great diving stab for the out. Bogaerts was thrown out trying to steal on a blown ball four call. Eduardo Nunez made a kamikaze dive to first when Tanaka failed to cover first and was safe, but knocked the wind out of himself. He gathered himself but Brock "Hitman" Holt lined out to center to end the inning.
Price returned for the top of the third and got Hicks to ground out to short on a full count to begin. Stanton whiffed and Gregorius flied out to the centerfield wall to end the inning. Tanaka continued his dominance in the bottom of the third by blowing away Sandy Leon to start. Mr. Mookie singled past a diving Andujar and Benintendi did as well to put pressure on. Pearce went around on a check swing for strike three and Martinez swung at complete air to end the inning although Tanaka had thrown 57 pitches.
Bogaerts made a great stab at a Torres rocket to open the top of the fourth. Andujar grounded out to short but Voit walked. Gardner was rung up on a borderline strike three to end the inning, another tougher than it should have been inning. Bogaerts tried to get a rally going with a walk to begin the bottom of the fourth but Moreland and Nunez both whiffed. Holt lined out to left to end the inning.
The Yankees tried some small ball after Romine beat out an infield single to start the top of the fifth. Robinson dropped down a bunt to move Romine to second and he moved to third on the Hicks force. Romine was stranded when Stanton grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the fifth inning although Leon whiffed to start. Mr. Mookie opened the scoring with his 26th home run of the year to give the Sox the lead. Benintendi looked at strike three but Andujar threw a ground ball by Pearce away. That was it for Tanaka after just 4 2/3 innings as David Robertson entered the game. Martinez whiffed to end the inning but the Sox led 1-0.
Price returned for the top of the sixth and got Gregorius to ground out to second to begin. Torres walked but Price blew away Andujar and Voit to end the inning. For all the criticism against Price, 6 shut-out innings is a step in the right direction. The Sox failed to add to the lead in the bottom of the sixth as Bogaerts flied out to right to begin. Moreland grounded out to first but Nunez beat out an infield single. Holt grounded out to second to end the inning.
Sox manager Alex Cora made a rookie mistake when he sent Price back to the mound in the top of the seventh with over 100 pitches on his arm. Right on cue Gardner singled and Romine walked. Heath Hembree was summoned to the mound but it was too late, the flood gates were opened. Robinson walked to load the bases and Hicks hit a perfect double play ball to Bogaerts. Instead of fielding the ball, Bogaerts dove on it and curled up like it was a grenade for a 2 base error that scored two runs to give the Yankees the lead. Stanton pounded a base hit to score Robinson and a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position. Gregorius whiffed but that was it for the incompetent Hembree. He allowed both inherited runners to score and two of his own in just 1/3 of an inning.
Ryan Brasier came in and got Torres to fly out to center....but Hicks scored to put the game out of reach. Andujar grounded out to short to end the inning but the Yankees led 4-1.
Greg Bird took over at first with Zach Britton on the mound for the bottom of the seventh. Leon walked but Mr. Mookie looked at strike three. A passed ball moved Leon to second and he moved to third on a Benintendi grounder. Pearce grounded out to short to end the inning.
Brasier returned for the top of the eighth and Bird whiffed to start. Gardner singled and moved all the way to third on a ground out by Romine. Robinson flied out to right to end the inning. Dellin Betances came in for the bottom of the eighth and hit Martinez to start. Bogaerts and Moreland whiffed and Nunez grounded out to third to end the inning.
Tyler Thornburg came in for the top of the ninth and walked Hicks to begin. Stanton popped up to third and Gregorius flied out to center but Torres walked. Andujar flied out to left to end the inning. Aroldis Chapman took the mound for the Yankees to close out the bottom of the ninth and couldn't find the plate. Holt was rung up on a borderline strike three call but Leon and Mr. Mookie walked. Benintendi took strike three but Pearce walked. Jackie Bradley Jr pinch ran for Pearce and Martinez singled home both Leon and Betts to put the tying run and second. Bogaerts hit a perfect game ending ground ball to Andujar...WHO THREW IT AWAY! JBJ scored and the winning run was at second. Moreland whiffed to end the inning but the Sox tied it 4-4.
Matt Barnes (4-3, 2.25 ERA) got the call for the top of the tenth and the Yankees were deflated. Bird flied out to center, Gardner flied out to left and Romine whiffed to end the inning. Jonathan Holder came in for the bottom of the tenth and struck out Nunez to start. Holt grounded out to second but Leon singled and moved to second on a wild pitch. Mr. Mookie was intentionally walked and Tony Renda pinch ran for Leon. Benintendi hit a ground ball into the shift....AND THROUGH FOR A BASE HIT! Renda scored and the Red Sox had shocked the Yankees 5-4 to sweep them out of Fenway Park.
Hero of the Night is Andrew Benintendi. His 2 out single drove in the winning run in the bottom of the 10th
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 2 for 4 with 2 walks, 2 runs scored and a solo home run.
Jackie Bradley Jr pinch ran for Steve Pearce and scored the tying run.
Eduardo Nunez was 2 for 5.
Sandy Leon was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and a run scored.
Tony Renda pinch ran for Leon and scored the winning run.
David Price pitched well until he ran out of gas. Still 6 innings plus with just 2 runs is a huge improvement against the Yankees.
Ryan Brasier tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.
Tyler Thornburg pitched a scoreless ninth inning.
Matt Barnes got the win with a scoreless tenth inning.
The Bad:
Mitch Moreland was 0 for 5 with a hat trick of three strikeouts.
Brock Holt was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.
Heath Hembree not only coughed up the lead but allowed 2 of his own runs.
The Ugly:
Steve Pearce was 0 for 4 but walked.
JD Martinez was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of three strikeouts but the one hit drove in 2 runs.
Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 with a walk and a crucial error.
Final Thoughts:
What a win, what a series and what a sweep. This one had everything from a blowout, two dominating pitching performances and a comeback for the ages. They beat the Yankees in every way possible and it was all entertaining to watch. The Sox now own an 8-5 season series lead and need a few good weeks to lock up the division.The Yankees are reeling right now and the Sox must take advantage of it. The Yankees play a cream puff schedule until SEPTEMBER so they're going to win a ton of games. The Sox need to put the pedal to the medal in order to keep them at a distance. Getting some key pieces back healthy will be the key to winning 100 games and beyond. The win put the Sox at 79-34, 9.5 games ahead of the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The 1913 Red Sox who suffered a World Series hangover won 79 total games, this year's team has 79 wins on August 5th. The Sox return to action Tuesday night in Toronto against the Blue Jays. Drew Pomeranz (1-5, 6.56 ERA) trudges to the mound against Marcus Stroman at 7:07 PM at the Skydome.
Eovaldi, Sox Defeat Yankees (8/4/18)
Before the game the Boston Red Sox placed Ian Kinsler on the 10 Day Disabled List with a season ending hamstring tear just 24 hours after Blake Swihart tore his as well. In his place the Sox called up Tony Renda, who hit .183 with the Cincinnati Reds in 2016.
OUT
IN
As for the game, the Yankees are in deep trouble. The Sox are steamrolling them in this huge four game set and today was no different. Riding the hot hand of Nathan Eovaldi (2-0,0.00 ERA) and timely offense from the bats, the Sox survived a 9th inning surge to take their third game in a row against New York. When all was said and done the Sox walked away with a 4-1 win to give them an 8.5 game lead heading into a potential sweep tomorrow night at Fenway Park.
ET approves of the win
Eovaldi began his masterpiece in the top of the first inning by getting Brett Gardner to pop up to second to begin the ballgame. Giancarlo Stanton whiffed and Didi Gregorius popped up to short to end the inning. The Yankees started rookie Chance Adams making his major league debut n the bottom of the firs and the Sox didn't waste any time scoring off him. Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to third to start before Andrew Benintendi singled to center. Mitch Moreland kept up the offense this series with a 2 run shot to give the Sox the lead. JD Martinez lined out to right and Xander Bogaerts flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0 on the rookie.
Moreland welcomes Adams to the big leagues
Eovaldi kept the lead intact in the top of the second inning although he walked Aaron Hicks to start. Gleybar Torres banged into a double play and Greg Bird flied out to center to end the inning. Adams settled down in the bottom of the second as Eduardo Nunez grounded out to short to start. Brock "The Hitman" Holt grounded out to first and Sandy Leon lined out to short to end the inning,
Eovaldi was unhittable in the top of the third inning as Miguel Andujar whiffed to start. Austin Romine grounded out to short and Shane Robinson flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the third as Jackie Bradley Jr lined out to center to start before Mr. Mookie swung at air. Benintendi lined out to short to end the inning.
The Yankees got their first hit when Gardner singled to open the fourth. Obnoxious Yankee fans boasted that this was the big comeback to overtake the game....except Stanton lined out to center and Gregorius grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fourth although Moreland whiffed. Martinez crushed his 33rd home run of the season to increase the lead before Bogaerts walked to put the pressure on. Nunez hit into a double play to end the inning but it was 3-0 Sox.
"That's 3" - JD
There was no stopping Eovaldi in the top of the fifth inning as Hicks popped up to short, Torres lined out to center and Bird grounded out to second to end the inning. Adams returned for one last inning in the bottom of the fifth and cruised. Holt flied out to left, Leon grounded out to short and JBJ grounded out to second to end the inning.
The Yankees got their second hit of the game when Andujar singled to open the top of the sixth. Eovaldi recovered to get Romine to fly out to right. Andujar was erased on the force by Robinson and Gardner popped up to third to end the inning. That's 3 hits in 15 innings for the Yankees. Chad Green took over for the bottom of the sixth and Mr. Mookie whiffed to start. Benintendi grounded out to second and Moreland whiffed to end the inning.
Stanton tried to rally the Yankees in the top of the seventh by leading off with a double but Gregorius popped up to first. Hicks lined out to center and Torres whiffed to end the inning. AJ Cole took over for the Yankees in the bottom of the seventh and the Sox got to him too. Bogaerts whiffed but Nunez and Holt stroked back to back singles. The same umpire that threw out Alex Cora in 2 seconds last night then ruled a ground rule double by Leon was foul. Cora challenged the call and they reversed it, ground rule double for Leon which scored Nunez to increase the lead. JBJ flied out to center to end the inning but it was 4-0 Sox.
Leon gets it done
Eovaldi came back for the top of the eighth and cruised. Bird flied out to left, Andujar lined out to center and Romine was caught looking to end the inning. Eovaldi had tossed 8 scoreless innings, allowed just 3 hits and struck out 4, he was masterful.
"NOBODY CAN TOUCH ME!" - Eovaldi
The Sox mustered nothing in the bottom of the eighth as Mr. Mookie whiffed to start. Benintendi whiffed but Moreland walked. Martinez whiffed to end the inning.
A rusty Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel took the mound for the top of the ninth to close it out and nearly crapped his pants big time. He froze pinch hitter Neil Walker for strike three on a bad call that Walker was rightfully upset about. Gardner also froze and barked at the umpire although this was a curve right down the middle. Kimbrel had Stanton down 0-2 then completely fell apart. Stanton doubled to the centerfield wall and Gregorius doubled him home. Hicks walked on 5 pitches and only one was even close. Torres also walked to load the bases and everyone started panicking. All was right in the world as Bird flied out to center to end the game.The Sox had taken the first three games of this set including this one by a score of 4-1.
"That was close! That was close..." - CK
Hero of the Night is Nathan Eovaldi. He improved to 2-0 for the Sox and hasn't allowed a run yet in 15 innings pitched. He tossed 8 shut-out innings while giving up 3 hits, a walk and struck out 4.
Eovaldi the Hero
The Good:
Mitch Moreland was 1 for 3 with a walk including a 2 run home run.
Eduardo Nunez was 1 for 3 with a run scored.
Brock Holt was 1 for 3.
Sandy Leon was 1 for 3 with an rbi.
The Bad:
Mookie Betts was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3.
Craig Kimbrel allowed a run in the top of the ninth.
The Ugly:
Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.
JD Martinez was just 1 for 4 but made the hit count as it was a solo home run.
Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 2 but walked.
Final Thoughts:
The Yankees are in deep trouble and the Sox are just throwing more dirt on them. Nathan Eovaldi has been amazing in his first two starts in Boston but this was the big one. This is the Sox collective chance to bury the Yankees and Eovaldi did his part with 8 shutout innings. The bats were quiet for the most part but they got the pitching they needed, until the end anyway. It was unwise to use Kimbrel in that spot the way Eovaldi was pitching but that's a rookie mistake by Cora. Still, a win is a win and the Yankees are reeling. This game was the most important with Masahiro Tanaka the Sox killer going tomorrow night against David Price (11-6, 3.97 ERA) who can't beat the Yankees. The Sox have absolutely no chance for a sweep with those two elements together so winning tonight was clutch. The win propelled the Sox to 78-34, 8.5 games ahead of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. It should be noted the 2015 Red Sox that rallied under Torey Lovullo finished with 78 wins, the Sox matched it on August 4th. Tomorrow night its Price vs Tanaka at 8:05 PM on that god awful Sunday Night Baseball at Fenway Park.
As for the game, the Yankees are in deep trouble. The Sox are steamrolling them in this huge four game set and today was no different. Riding the hot hand of Nathan Eovaldi (2-0,0.00 ERA) and timely offense from the bats, the Sox survived a 9th inning surge to take their third game in a row against New York. When all was said and done the Sox walked away with a 4-1 win to give them an 8.5 game lead heading into a potential sweep tomorrow night at Fenway Park.
Eovaldi began his masterpiece in the top of the first inning by getting Brett Gardner to pop up to second to begin the ballgame. Giancarlo Stanton whiffed and Didi Gregorius popped up to short to end the inning. The Yankees started rookie Chance Adams making his major league debut n the bottom of the firs and the Sox didn't waste any time scoring off him. Mr. Mookie Betts grounded out to third to start before Andrew Benintendi singled to center. Mitch Moreland kept up the offense this series with a 2 run shot to give the Sox the lead. JD Martinez lined out to right and Xander Bogaerts flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0 on the rookie.
Eovaldi kept the lead intact in the top of the second inning although he walked Aaron Hicks to start. Gleybar Torres banged into a double play and Greg Bird flied out to center to end the inning. Adams settled down in the bottom of the second as Eduardo Nunez grounded out to short to start. Brock "The Hitman" Holt grounded out to first and Sandy Leon lined out to short to end the inning,
Eovaldi was unhittable in the top of the third inning as Miguel Andujar whiffed to start. Austin Romine grounded out to short and Shane Robinson flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the third as Jackie Bradley Jr lined out to center to start before Mr. Mookie swung at air. Benintendi lined out to short to end the inning.
The Yankees got their first hit when Gardner singled to open the fourth. Obnoxious Yankee fans boasted that this was the big comeback to overtake the game....except Stanton lined out to center and Gregorius grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fourth although Moreland whiffed. Martinez crushed his 33rd home run of the season to increase the lead before Bogaerts walked to put the pressure on. Nunez hit into a double play to end the inning but it was 3-0 Sox.
There was no stopping Eovaldi in the top of the fifth inning as Hicks popped up to short, Torres lined out to center and Bird grounded out to second to end the inning. Adams returned for one last inning in the bottom of the fifth and cruised. Holt flied out to left, Leon grounded out to short and JBJ grounded out to second to end the inning.
The Yankees got their second hit of the game when Andujar singled to open the top of the sixth. Eovaldi recovered to get Romine to fly out to right. Andujar was erased on the force by Robinson and Gardner popped up to third to end the inning. That's 3 hits in 15 innings for the Yankees. Chad Green took over for the bottom of the sixth and Mr. Mookie whiffed to start. Benintendi grounded out to second and Moreland whiffed to end the inning.
Stanton tried to rally the Yankees in the top of the seventh by leading off with a double but Gregorius popped up to first. Hicks lined out to center and Torres whiffed to end the inning. AJ Cole took over for the Yankees in the bottom of the seventh and the Sox got to him too. Bogaerts whiffed but Nunez and Holt stroked back to back singles. The same umpire that threw out Alex Cora in 2 seconds last night then ruled a ground rule double by Leon was foul. Cora challenged the call and they reversed it, ground rule double for Leon which scored Nunez to increase the lead. JBJ flied out to center to end the inning but it was 4-0 Sox.
Eovaldi came back for the top of the eighth and cruised. Bird flied out to left, Andujar lined out to center and Romine was caught looking to end the inning. Eovaldi had tossed 8 scoreless innings, allowed just 3 hits and struck out 4, he was masterful.
The Sox mustered nothing in the bottom of the eighth as Mr. Mookie whiffed to start. Benintendi whiffed but Moreland walked. Martinez whiffed to end the inning.
A rusty Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel took the mound for the top of the ninth to close it out and nearly crapped his pants big time. He froze pinch hitter Neil Walker for strike three on a bad call that Walker was rightfully upset about. Gardner also froze and barked at the umpire although this was a curve right down the middle. Kimbrel had Stanton down 0-2 then completely fell apart. Stanton doubled to the centerfield wall and Gregorius doubled him home. Hicks walked on 5 pitches and only one was even close. Torres also walked to load the bases and everyone started panicking. All was right in the world as Bird flied out to center to end the game.The Sox had taken the first three games of this set including this one by a score of 4-1.
Hero of the Night is Nathan Eovaldi. He improved to 2-0 for the Sox and hasn't allowed a run yet in 15 innings pitched. He tossed 8 shut-out innings while giving up 3 hits, a walk and struck out 4.
The Good:
Mitch Moreland was 1 for 3 with a walk including a 2 run home run.
Eduardo Nunez was 1 for 3 with a run scored.
Brock Holt was 1 for 3.
Sandy Leon was 1 for 3 with an rbi.
The Bad:
Mookie Betts was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3.
Craig Kimbrel allowed a run in the top of the ninth.
The Ugly:
Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.
JD Martinez was just 1 for 4 but made the hit count as it was a solo home run.
Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 2 but walked.
Final Thoughts:
The Yankees are in deep trouble and the Sox are just throwing more dirt on them. Nathan Eovaldi has been amazing in his first two starts in Boston but this was the big one. This is the Sox collective chance to bury the Yankees and Eovaldi did his part with 8 shutout innings. The bats were quiet for the most part but they got the pitching they needed, until the end anyway. It was unwise to use Kimbrel in that spot the way Eovaldi was pitching but that's a rookie mistake by Cora. Still, a win is a win and the Yankees are reeling. This game was the most important with Masahiro Tanaka the Sox killer going tomorrow night against David Price (11-6, 3.97 ERA) who can't beat the Yankees. The Sox have absolutely no chance for a sweep with those two elements together so winning tonight was clutch. The win propelled the Sox to 78-34, 8.5 games ahead of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. It should be noted the 2015 Red Sox that rallied under Torey Lovullo finished with 78 wins, the Sox matched it on August 4th. Tomorrow night its Price vs Tanaka at 8:05 PM on that god awful Sunday Night Baseball at Fenway Park.
Friday, August 3, 2018
Porcello Shuts Down Yankees (8/3/18)
Before the game the walking wounded list grew as Blake Swihart was placed on the 10 Day DL with a hamstring issue. It came at a bad time with the New York Yankees in town and Swihart finally discovering his groove for the first time since the end of the 2015 season. Old pal Dan Butler was called up from Pawtucket to be the emergency catcher in the meantime.
OUT
IN
As for the game, Brian Cashman must be ready to crawl into a hole after his "Damage" comment woke up the Boston Red Sox. Luis Severino tried to send a message to the Sox after last night by throwing at Mookie Betts to begin the game. The Sox got mad and pounded Severino for 4 runs in less than 6 innings but the real star was "Slick" Rick Porcello (14-4, 3.89 ERA). Rick completely shut down the Yankees by tossing an 86 pitch complete game one hitter. The only blemish was a solo homer by Michael Andujar but this was the fewest pitches thrown in a complete game since Aaron Cook did it in 2012. The Sox had taken the first two games of this big set with a 4-1 win.
Aaron Cook approves of the win
Porcello took the mound in the top of the first and promptly hit Brett Gardner to begin the game. Porcello recovered to get Giancarlo Stanton to bang into a double play and Didi Gregorius to pop up to third to end the inning. The Sox got fired up when Severino began the game by throwing right at the head of Mr. Mookie Betts. Sox manager Alex Cora bolted out of the dugout and rushed Severino only for Adam Hamari the home plate umpire to intercept him. Cora turned and took a swing at him instead and was thrown out of the game. Fenway security had to carry Cora out kicking and screaming.
"You suck" - Cora "YER OUTTA HERE!" - Hamari
When action resumed Mr. Mookie grounded out to third. Andrew Benintendi smacked a ground rule double and new Yankee killer Steve Pearce smashed a 2 run bomb as the Sox dugout exploded with invectives aimed at Severino. JD Martinez flied out to right but Ian Kinsler walked and stole second. Eduardo Nunez blooped a single into no man's land to score Nunez to increase the lead. Brock "The Hitman" Holt lined out to center to end the inning but the Sox got mad and led 3-0.
"Take that Severino"
Unfortunately Kinsler completely tore his hamstring celebrating in the dugout and has to be rushed to Mass General. Mitch Moreland took his spot in the batting order with Pearce moving to right and Mr. Mookie moving to second for the first time since 2014 to begin the top of the second. Aaron Hicks grounded out to second, Gleyber Torres hit one up the elevator shaft and Greg Bird whiffed to end the inning. Severino settled down in the bottom of the second as Sandy Leon flied out to center and Jackie Bradley Jr watched strike three go by. Mr. Mookie doubled and Benintendi walked, but Pearce grounded out to end the inning. Severino was up to 52 pitches so the Sox were making sure he would not have an easy night.
The Yankees struck back in the top of the third when Michael Andujar crushed a 100,000 foot home run to cut the lead. Porcello recovered to get Austin Romine to ground out to first and to freeze Neil Walker for strike three. Gardner watched strike three go by to end the inning with the Yankees down 3-1.
The lone highlight for New York
The Sox failed to score in the bottom of the third as Martinez grounded out to third to start although Moreland singled. Mitch was erased on the force by Nunez and Holt grounded out to second to end the inning.
Porcello cruised in the top of the fourth as Stanton and Gregorius lined out to center to begin. Hicks lined out to center to end the inning. Severino continued to dominate the bottom of the fourth as Leon grounded out to short to begin. Jackie Bradley Jr took strike three again and Mr. Mookie lined out to center to end the inning.
Porcello kept up the pace in the top of the fifth inning by blowing away both Torres and Bird to start. Andujar flied out to left and Porcello had allowed just 1 hit on 51 pitches through 5 innings. Meanwhile the Sox struck again in the bottom of the fifth inning. Benintendi flied out to center and Pearce lined out to left, but Martinez doubled and Moreland singled him home to increase the lead. Nunez popped up to short to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 4-1 and Severino was up to 101 pitches.
Porcello made quick work of the Yankees in the top of the sixth inning as Romine grounded out to second to begin. Walker whiffed and Gardner grounded out to first to end the inning. Severino showed some guts by returning for the bottom of the sixth and getting Holt to fly out to right to start. Leon grounded out to third but JBJ walked to chase Severino. He pitched well after the first inning but David Robertson was now in the game. Mr. Mookie grounded into a force to end the inning.
Porcello was unhittable in the top of the seventh as he caught Stanton looking to start. Gregorius whiffed and Hicks grounded out to first on the first pitch he saw to end the inning, 7 innings, 1 hit, 69 pitches for Porcello.
"These Yankee bastards have NO chance!"
Robertson came back for the bottom of the seventh and Benintendi grounded out to first to start. Pearce walked but Martinez banged into a double play to end the inning.
Porcello marched out for the top of the eighth inning and brought Xander Bogaerts with him to play short, giving Pearce the night off. Betts moved back to right and Holt moved to second. Porcello kept up his dominance by whiffing Torres to start. Bird flied out to center on the first pitch and Andujar grounded out to third on the second pitch to end the inning. 8 innings, 1 hit allowed on just 79 pitches, outstanding.
"They can't touch me" - RP
Tommy Kahnle came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth inning and struck out Moreland to begin. Nunez grounded out to third and Holt lined out to center to end the inning.
Porcello came out to finish his work in the top of the ninth. Romine lined out to center and JBJ made a great diving catch to rob Walker of extra bases for the second out. Gardner grounded out to short to end the game at just 2 hours and 15 minutes. The Red Sox had taken the second game of this four game set 4-1.
Hero of the Night is undoubtedly Rick Porcello. He went the distance giving up just 1 hit, the homer by Andujar, while striking out 9.
Slick Rick the Hero
The Good:
Andrew Benintendi was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.
Steve Pearce was 1 for 3 with a walk, 2 total rbi's and another home run.
Ian Kinsler walked, stole a base and scored in his only appearance.
Mitch Moreland was 2 for 3 with an rbi.
The Bad:
Brock Holt was 0 for 4.
The Ugly:
Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4.
JD Martinez was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.
Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts but walked.
Honorable Mention:
Xander Bogaerts played shortstop for the last few innings.
Final Thoughts:
Yankee fans are running out of ammo. First it was "winning percentage baybeee" when they were neck and neck in the division race, that's gone. Then it was "Da Sox can't beat good times baybeeee", that's gone. Now finally "we got da better head to head record baybeee!" That's gone too. One idiot is so desparate that he started chanting "1918" on Twitter. That's how you know the Yankees haven't a clue how to slow down the Red Sox. Severino pitched better than he had lately but he couldn't match Porcello. The offense was mostly held in check but that was expected after scoring 15 runs last night. The only drawback in this game was losing Ian Kinsler to a season ending hamstring tear just 24 hours after Swihart was sent to Mass General. Its a good thing Bogaerts is back because they're running out of bodies. The win improved the Sox to 77-34, 7.5 games ahead of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The 1944 Red Sox missing everyone but Bobby Doerr and Tex Hughson due to World War 2 finished with 77 wins, this year's team has 77 on August 3rd. Tomorrow afternoon the Sox look to put the stranglehold on with Nathan Eovaldi (4-4, 3.80 ERA) going for the Sox with the Yankees starter still to be determined. This could be the most important game of the season so far with David Price's well documented failures against the Yankees looming on Sunday. A win tomorrow would put the Sox 8.5 games in front with just 50 to play. The game starts at 4:05 PM at Fenway Park.
As for the game, Brian Cashman must be ready to crawl into a hole after his "Damage" comment woke up the Boston Red Sox. Luis Severino tried to send a message to the Sox after last night by throwing at Mookie Betts to begin the game. The Sox got mad and pounded Severino for 4 runs in less than 6 innings but the real star was "Slick" Rick Porcello (14-4, 3.89 ERA). Rick completely shut down the Yankees by tossing an 86 pitch complete game one hitter. The only blemish was a solo homer by Michael Andujar but this was the fewest pitches thrown in a complete game since Aaron Cook did it in 2012. The Sox had taken the first two games of this big set with a 4-1 win.
Porcello took the mound in the top of the first and promptly hit Brett Gardner to begin the game. Porcello recovered to get Giancarlo Stanton to bang into a double play and Didi Gregorius to pop up to third to end the inning. The Sox got fired up when Severino began the game by throwing right at the head of Mr. Mookie Betts. Sox manager Alex Cora bolted out of the dugout and rushed Severino only for Adam Hamari the home plate umpire to intercept him. Cora turned and took a swing at him instead and was thrown out of the game. Fenway security had to carry Cora out kicking and screaming.
When action resumed Mr. Mookie grounded out to third. Andrew Benintendi smacked a ground rule double and new Yankee killer Steve Pearce smashed a 2 run bomb as the Sox dugout exploded with invectives aimed at Severino. JD Martinez flied out to right but Ian Kinsler walked and stole second. Eduardo Nunez blooped a single into no man's land to score Nunez to increase the lead. Brock "The Hitman" Holt lined out to center to end the inning but the Sox got mad and led 3-0.
Unfortunately Kinsler completely tore his hamstring celebrating in the dugout and has to be rushed to Mass General. Mitch Moreland took his spot in the batting order with Pearce moving to right and Mr. Mookie moving to second for the first time since 2014 to begin the top of the second. Aaron Hicks grounded out to second, Gleyber Torres hit one up the elevator shaft and Greg Bird whiffed to end the inning. Severino settled down in the bottom of the second as Sandy Leon flied out to center and Jackie Bradley Jr watched strike three go by. Mr. Mookie doubled and Benintendi walked, but Pearce grounded out to end the inning. Severino was up to 52 pitches so the Sox were making sure he would not have an easy night.
The Yankees struck back in the top of the third when Michael Andujar crushed a 100,000 foot home run to cut the lead. Porcello recovered to get Austin Romine to ground out to first and to freeze Neil Walker for strike three. Gardner watched strike three go by to end the inning with the Yankees down 3-1.
The Sox failed to score in the bottom of the third as Martinez grounded out to third to start although Moreland singled. Mitch was erased on the force by Nunez and Holt grounded out to second to end the inning.
Porcello cruised in the top of the fourth as Stanton and Gregorius lined out to center to begin. Hicks lined out to center to end the inning. Severino continued to dominate the bottom of the fourth as Leon grounded out to short to begin. Jackie Bradley Jr took strike three again and Mr. Mookie lined out to center to end the inning.
Porcello kept up the pace in the top of the fifth inning by blowing away both Torres and Bird to start. Andujar flied out to left and Porcello had allowed just 1 hit on 51 pitches through 5 innings. Meanwhile the Sox struck again in the bottom of the fifth inning. Benintendi flied out to center and Pearce lined out to left, but Martinez doubled and Moreland singled him home to increase the lead. Nunez popped up to short to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 4-1 and Severino was up to 101 pitches.
Porcello made quick work of the Yankees in the top of the sixth inning as Romine grounded out to second to begin. Walker whiffed and Gardner grounded out to first to end the inning. Severino showed some guts by returning for the bottom of the sixth and getting Holt to fly out to right to start. Leon grounded out to third but JBJ walked to chase Severino. He pitched well after the first inning but David Robertson was now in the game. Mr. Mookie grounded into a force to end the inning.
Porcello was unhittable in the top of the seventh as he caught Stanton looking to start. Gregorius whiffed and Hicks grounded out to first on the first pitch he saw to end the inning, 7 innings, 1 hit, 69 pitches for Porcello.
Robertson came back for the bottom of the seventh and Benintendi grounded out to first to start. Pearce walked but Martinez banged into a double play to end the inning.
Porcello marched out for the top of the eighth inning and brought Xander Bogaerts with him to play short, giving Pearce the night off. Betts moved back to right and Holt moved to second. Porcello kept up his dominance by whiffing Torres to start. Bird flied out to center on the first pitch and Andujar grounded out to third on the second pitch to end the inning. 8 innings, 1 hit allowed on just 79 pitches, outstanding.
Tommy Kahnle came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth inning and struck out Moreland to begin. Nunez grounded out to third and Holt lined out to center to end the inning.
Porcello came out to finish his work in the top of the ninth. Romine lined out to center and JBJ made a great diving catch to rob Walker of extra bases for the second out. Gardner grounded out to short to end the game at just 2 hours and 15 minutes. The Red Sox had taken the second game of this four game set 4-1.
Hero of the Night is undoubtedly Rick Porcello. He went the distance giving up just 1 hit, the homer by Andujar, while striking out 9.
The Good:
Andrew Benintendi was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.
Steve Pearce was 1 for 3 with a walk, 2 total rbi's and another home run.
Ian Kinsler walked, stole a base and scored in his only appearance.
Mitch Moreland was 2 for 3 with an rbi.
The Bad:
Brock Holt was 0 for 4.
The Ugly:
Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4.
JD Martinez was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.
Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts but walked.
Honorable Mention:
Xander Bogaerts played shortstop for the last few innings.
Final Thoughts:
Yankee fans are running out of ammo. First it was "winning percentage baybeee" when they were neck and neck in the division race, that's gone. Then it was "Da Sox can't beat good times baybeeee", that's gone. Now finally "we got da better head to head record baybeee!" That's gone too. One idiot is so desparate that he started chanting "1918" on Twitter. That's how you know the Yankees haven't a clue how to slow down the Red Sox. Severino pitched better than he had lately but he couldn't match Porcello. The offense was mostly held in check but that was expected after scoring 15 runs last night. The only drawback in this game was losing Ian Kinsler to a season ending hamstring tear just 24 hours after Swihart was sent to Mass General. Its a good thing Bogaerts is back because they're running out of bodies. The win improved the Sox to 77-34, 7.5 games ahead of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The 1944 Red Sox missing everyone but Bobby Doerr and Tex Hughson due to World War 2 finished with 77 wins, this year's team has 77 on August 3rd. Tomorrow afternoon the Sox look to put the stranglehold on with Nathan Eovaldi (4-4, 3.80 ERA) going for the Sox with the Yankees starter still to be determined. This could be the most important game of the season so far with David Price's well documented failures against the Yankees looming on Sunday. A win tomorrow would put the Sox 8.5 games in front with just 50 to play. The game starts at 4:05 PM at Fenway Park.
Thursday, August 2, 2018
Sox Send Message, Rout Yankees (8/2/18)
Last week New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman quipped that the Yankees have "done some damage" against the Boston Red Sox this season on the eve of their big four game series beginning tonight. While the Yankees did own a 5-4 record going into tonight, it was the Red Sox that opened the salvo on the unsuspecting Yankees. Down 4-0 to CC Sabathia with Brian Johnson (2-3, 3.74 ERA) struggling in the place of Chris Sale, the Sox offense exploded in the fourth inning and never looked back to walk away with a 15-7 spanking of the Yankees.
Detective Stefan Bekowski approves of the win
Things started sour right off the bat as Aaron Hicks began the top of the first with a routine grounder to Brock "The Hitman" Holt. Holt dove on the ball and wrestled with it for an error. Giancarlo Stanton and Didi Gregorius compounded the error by pounding a 3 run bomb to give the Yankees a 3-0 lead 3 batters into the game. Johnson recovered to whiff Gleybar Torres and get Miguel Andujar to pop up to short but Greg Bird singled. Luke Voit lined out to right to end the inning with the Yankees up 3-0.
Yankees up 3-0 already
CC Sabathia was clearly impacted by the weather as he walked Mr. Mookie Betts to begin the bottom of the first. Andrew Benintendi lined out to left but Mr. Mookie swiped second. Steve Pearce flied out to center and JD Martinez grounded out to short to end the inning.
The Yankees struck again in the top of the second inning. Austin Romine and Brett Gardner both struck out but Aaron Hicks hit a 590,000 foot home run to increase the lead. Stanton whiffed to end the inning but it was 4-0 New York.
"Damn it all to hell" - Johnson
The Sox finally struck back against a struggling CC in the bottom of the second. Ian Kinsler singled to left and Eduardo Nunez beat out an infield single. Blake Swihart whiffed but Holt walked to load the bases. Jackie Bradley Jr whiffed but Mr. Mookie drew a walk to put the Sox on the board. Benintendi flied out to left to end the inning but it was 4-1 Yankees. Sabathia was wilting in the heat and it showed.
"Water....need....water...." - CC
Johnson finally settled down in the top of the third as Gregorius was rung up to begin the frame. Torres walked but Andujar lined out to short. Bird whiffed to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the third when Pearce hit a moonshot over the Monster to cut the lead in half. Martinez walked but Kinsler flied out to right. Martinez swiped second but was thrown out on a ground ball hit by Nunez. Swihart hit a roller back to Sabathia who threw it so far over first that birds had to fly out of the way to put runners at second and third. Holt flied out to right to end the inning but it was 4-2 Yankees.
"That's one" - Pearce
Johnson battled in the top of the fourth as Voit popped up to second to start. Romine doubled but Gardner was rung up for strike three. Hicks drew a walk but Stanton was also rung up to end the inning. That was it for Sabathia as he was lifted after 87 pitches and Nick Holder was brought in. The Sox unleashed the seventh circle of hell as JBJ drew a walk to begin the onslaught. Mr. Mookie doubled him to third and he scored on a hustle play to third by JBJ on a ground ball by Benintendi. Pearce then smashed a 3 run bomb to give the Sox the lead. Martinez doubled and Kinsler singled him home. Kinsler swiped second and Nunez doubled him home to chase the incompetent Holder. Chad Green came in and Swihart whiffed. Holt lined out to right but JBJ doubled home Nunez and Mr. Mookie singled JBJ to third. Benintendi singled home JBJ to chase Green. Luis Cessa took the mound and got Pearce to ground out to end the inning. The Sox had scored 8 runs on 8 hits, a walk, a fielder's choice and 2 steals to lead 10-4.
"That's two" - Pearce
Johnson got pissed off in the top of the fifth after he allowed Gregorius to swat another 900 foot home run by striking out the side. Torres whiffed, Andujar was caught looking and Bird whiffed to end Johnson's day after 5 innings and a 10-5 lead. He had a very weird outing as he gave up 5 runs (4 earned) in just 5 innings but struck out 11,
Johnson goes 5 to get the win
The Sox got one off Cessa too as Martinez doubled to lead off the bottom of the fifth. A wild pitch moved him to third and Kinsler doubled him home. Nunez popped up to second and Swihart popped up to third. Holt grounded out to short to end the inning but it was 11-5.
Martinez scores to make it 11-5
Brandon Workman took over on the mound for the top of the sixth with Sandy Leon now behind the plate due to Swihart tearing a groin and having to be rolled onto an ambulance via a wheelbarrow. Voit grounded out to short, Romine whiffed and Gardner grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox had another rally in store for the Yankees in the bottom of the sixth although JBJ whiffed to start. Mr. Mookie singled and Benintendi doubled him home. Pearce then blasted his third home run of the night as Fenway rocked and rolled. A career night for Pearce for sure. Martinez flied out to center as did Kinsler to end the inning with the Sox ahead 14-5.
"THAT'S THREE!!!!" - Pearce
Workman returned for the top of the seventh and got Hicks to line out to second but Stanton refused to go quietly and he launched a 40,000 foot bomb halfway to Everett to cut the lead. Gregorius grounded out to first and Torres grounded out to second to end the inning but it was 14-6 Sox.
Another Stanton homer?
The Sox finally went quietly in the bottom of the seventh as Nunez grounded out to second, Leon popped up to short and Holt grounded out to second to end the inning,
Joe "Machine Gun" Kelly was brought in for the top of the eighth and he responded. Andujar lined out to left, Bird flied out to left and Voit lined out to right to end the inning. The Sox had one last rally in the bottom of the eighth and JBJ grounded out to second to begin. Mr. Mookie and Benintendi stroked back to back singles before Pearce walked to load the bases and chase Cessa. Zach Britton was brought in and Martinez beat out an infield single to score Betts with another run. Unfortunately Kinsler lined into a double play when Gregorius doubled off Pearce to end the inning with the Sox ahead 15-6.
"WHAT THE HELLLLL??????"
Ryan Brasier had mop up duty in the top of the ninth but the Yankees didn't go quietly. Romine whiffed to start but Gardner tripled. Hicks walked and took second on defensive indifference when Stanton scored Gardner with a sac fly. Gregorius grounded out to short to end the inning and the game. The Sox struck first in this four game set with a 15-7 beat down of the Yankees.
Hero of the Night is unquestionably Steve Pearce. He belted three home runs, drove in 6 runs by himself and walked.
Pearce The Hero
The Good:
Mookie Betts broke out of his slump by going 4 for 4 with 2 walks, 3 runs scored, a stolen base and an rbi.
Andrew Benintendi was 3 for 6 with 3 rbis, a stolen base and 3 runs scored.
JD Martinez was 3 for 5 with an rbi, a walk, a stolen base and 2 runs scored.
Ian Kinsler was 3 for 6 with 2 rbi's, a stolen base and 2 runs scored.
Eduardo Nunez was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.
Joe Kelly pitched a scoreless eighth inning.
The Bad:
Blake Swihart was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Sandy Leon was 0 for 1 after coming in for Swihart.
Brock Holt was 0 for 4 with an error but walked.
Ryan Brasier allowed a run in the top of the ninth.
The Ugly:
Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked, drove in a run and scored twice.
Brian Johnson got the win but allowed 5 runs in 5 innings (4 earned) although he struck out 11.
Brandon Workman gave up a run in 2 innings of work.
Final Thoughts:
If Brian Cashman lit a fire under the Red Sox, the Yankees are in trouble. With Sabathia's success against the Sox the last few years and Brian Johnson filling in for Chris Sale, this game looked to be advantage Yankees. Instead the Sox smacked them around and now its up to the struggling Luis Severino to stem the tide or else the Yankees are in trouble going into Saturday with no scheduled starter at the moment. The Sox have been miserable offensively since the All-Star break but tonight they righted the ship big time in a game they needed to have. The Sox can send a message to the Yankees by taking at least 3 out of 4 in the series and they got one of those wins tonight. It was nice to see the offense bust out but allowing 7 runs isn't going to cut it with Severino on the mound tomorrow. Even with the Yankees missing Aaron Judge due to injury, they're still a dangerous lineup and they need to be slowed down in order to beat them. The win improved the Sox to 76-34, 6.5 games ahead of the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The 1963 Red Sox with Carl Yastrzemski, Dick Stuart, Dick Radatz and not much else finished with 76 wins, the 2018 Red Sox have 76 wins in August 2nd. Tomorrow night is now the biggest game of the series with Luis Severino matched up against "Slick" Rick Porcello (13-4, 4.03 ERA). The Sox either have momentum going into Saturday or the Yankees retake the season series lead. It all goes down at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.
Things started sour right off the bat as Aaron Hicks began the top of the first with a routine grounder to Brock "The Hitman" Holt. Holt dove on the ball and wrestled with it for an error. Giancarlo Stanton and Didi Gregorius compounded the error by pounding a 3 run bomb to give the Yankees a 3-0 lead 3 batters into the game. Johnson recovered to whiff Gleybar Torres and get Miguel Andujar to pop up to short but Greg Bird singled. Luke Voit lined out to right to end the inning with the Yankees up 3-0.
CC Sabathia was clearly impacted by the weather as he walked Mr. Mookie Betts to begin the bottom of the first. Andrew Benintendi lined out to left but Mr. Mookie swiped second. Steve Pearce flied out to center and JD Martinez grounded out to short to end the inning.
The Yankees struck again in the top of the second inning. Austin Romine and Brett Gardner both struck out but Aaron Hicks hit a 590,000 foot home run to increase the lead. Stanton whiffed to end the inning but it was 4-0 New York.
The Sox finally struck back against a struggling CC in the bottom of the second. Ian Kinsler singled to left and Eduardo Nunez beat out an infield single. Blake Swihart whiffed but Holt walked to load the bases. Jackie Bradley Jr whiffed but Mr. Mookie drew a walk to put the Sox on the board. Benintendi flied out to left to end the inning but it was 4-1 Yankees. Sabathia was wilting in the heat and it showed.
Johnson finally settled down in the top of the third as Gregorius was rung up to begin the frame. Torres walked but Andujar lined out to short. Bird whiffed to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the third when Pearce hit a moonshot over the Monster to cut the lead in half. Martinez walked but Kinsler flied out to right. Martinez swiped second but was thrown out on a ground ball hit by Nunez. Swihart hit a roller back to Sabathia who threw it so far over first that birds had to fly out of the way to put runners at second and third. Holt flied out to right to end the inning but it was 4-2 Yankees.
Johnson battled in the top of the fourth as Voit popped up to second to start. Romine doubled but Gardner was rung up for strike three. Hicks drew a walk but Stanton was also rung up to end the inning. That was it for Sabathia as he was lifted after 87 pitches and Nick Holder was brought in. The Sox unleashed the seventh circle of hell as JBJ drew a walk to begin the onslaught. Mr. Mookie doubled him to third and he scored on a hustle play to third by JBJ on a ground ball by Benintendi. Pearce then smashed a 3 run bomb to give the Sox the lead. Martinez doubled and Kinsler singled him home. Kinsler swiped second and Nunez doubled him home to chase the incompetent Holder. Chad Green came in and Swihart whiffed. Holt lined out to right but JBJ doubled home Nunez and Mr. Mookie singled JBJ to third. Benintendi singled home JBJ to chase Green. Luis Cessa took the mound and got Pearce to ground out to end the inning. The Sox had scored 8 runs on 8 hits, a walk, a fielder's choice and 2 steals to lead 10-4.
Johnson got pissed off in the top of the fifth after he allowed Gregorius to swat another 900 foot home run by striking out the side. Torres whiffed, Andujar was caught looking and Bird whiffed to end Johnson's day after 5 innings and a 10-5 lead. He had a very weird outing as he gave up 5 runs (4 earned) in just 5 innings but struck out 11,
The Sox got one off Cessa too as Martinez doubled to lead off the bottom of the fifth. A wild pitch moved him to third and Kinsler doubled him home. Nunez popped up to second and Swihart popped up to third. Holt grounded out to short to end the inning but it was 11-5.
Brandon Workman took over on the mound for the top of the sixth with Sandy Leon now behind the plate due to Swihart tearing a groin and having to be rolled onto an ambulance via a wheelbarrow. Voit grounded out to short, Romine whiffed and Gardner grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox had another rally in store for the Yankees in the bottom of the sixth although JBJ whiffed to start. Mr. Mookie singled and Benintendi doubled him home. Pearce then blasted his third home run of the night as Fenway rocked and rolled. A career night for Pearce for sure. Martinez flied out to center as did Kinsler to end the inning with the Sox ahead 14-5.
Workman returned for the top of the seventh and got Hicks to line out to second but Stanton refused to go quietly and he launched a 40,000 foot bomb halfway to Everett to cut the lead. Gregorius grounded out to first and Torres grounded out to second to end the inning but it was 14-6 Sox.
The Sox finally went quietly in the bottom of the seventh as Nunez grounded out to second, Leon popped up to short and Holt grounded out to second to end the inning,
Joe "Machine Gun" Kelly was brought in for the top of the eighth and he responded. Andujar lined out to left, Bird flied out to left and Voit lined out to right to end the inning. The Sox had one last rally in the bottom of the eighth and JBJ grounded out to second to begin. Mr. Mookie and Benintendi stroked back to back singles before Pearce walked to load the bases and chase Cessa. Zach Britton was brought in and Martinez beat out an infield single to score Betts with another run. Unfortunately Kinsler lined into a double play when Gregorius doubled off Pearce to end the inning with the Sox ahead 15-6.
Ryan Brasier had mop up duty in the top of the ninth but the Yankees didn't go quietly. Romine whiffed to start but Gardner tripled. Hicks walked and took second on defensive indifference when Stanton scored Gardner with a sac fly. Gregorius grounded out to short to end the inning and the game. The Sox struck first in this four game set with a 15-7 beat down of the Yankees.
Hero of the Night is unquestionably Steve Pearce. He belted three home runs, drove in 6 runs by himself and walked.
The Good:
Mookie Betts broke out of his slump by going 4 for 4 with 2 walks, 3 runs scored, a stolen base and an rbi.
Andrew Benintendi was 3 for 6 with 3 rbis, a stolen base and 3 runs scored.
JD Martinez was 3 for 5 with an rbi, a walk, a stolen base and 2 runs scored.
Ian Kinsler was 3 for 6 with 2 rbi's, a stolen base and 2 runs scored.
Eduardo Nunez was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.
Joe Kelly pitched a scoreless eighth inning.
The Bad:
Blake Swihart was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Sandy Leon was 0 for 1 after coming in for Swihart.
Brock Holt was 0 for 4 with an error but walked.
Ryan Brasier allowed a run in the top of the ninth.
The Ugly:
Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked, drove in a run and scored twice.
Brian Johnson got the win but allowed 5 runs in 5 innings (4 earned) although he struck out 11.
Brandon Workman gave up a run in 2 innings of work.
Final Thoughts:
If Brian Cashman lit a fire under the Red Sox, the Yankees are in trouble. With Sabathia's success against the Sox the last few years and Brian Johnson filling in for Chris Sale, this game looked to be advantage Yankees. Instead the Sox smacked them around and now its up to the struggling Luis Severino to stem the tide or else the Yankees are in trouble going into Saturday with no scheduled starter at the moment. The Sox have been miserable offensively since the All-Star break but tonight they righted the ship big time in a game they needed to have. The Sox can send a message to the Yankees by taking at least 3 out of 4 in the series and they got one of those wins tonight. It was nice to see the offense bust out but allowing 7 runs isn't going to cut it with Severino on the mound tomorrow. Even with the Yankees missing Aaron Judge due to injury, they're still a dangerous lineup and they need to be slowed down in order to beat them. The win improved the Sox to 76-34, 6.5 games ahead of the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The 1963 Red Sox with Carl Yastrzemski, Dick Stuart, Dick Radatz and not much else finished with 76 wins, the 2018 Red Sox have 76 wins in August 2nd. Tomorrow night is now the biggest game of the series with Luis Severino matched up against "Slick" Rick Porcello (13-4, 4.03 ERA). The Sox either have momentum going into Saturday or the Yankees retake the season series lead. It all goes down at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.
Wednesday, August 1, 2018
Off-Day News (8/1/18)
On this day in Boston Red Sox Basebawful history:
1970 - Peters, Sox blank Angels
2017 - Sox walkoff Indians
The Sox now start a crucial four game set with the New York Yankees. Brian Johnson will get the start for the Sox against CC Sabathia of New York. The two burly lefties will meet tomorrow night at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.
Basebawful Report of The Month
Blake Swihart had 10 Good, 2 Ugly and 1 Hero
Jalen Beeks had 1 Bad
Matt Barnes had 9 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly and 1 Jackass
Andrew Benintendi had 11 Good, 4 Bad, 6 Ugly and 1 Hero
Mookie Betts had 9 Good, 2 Bad, 11 Ugly and 3 Hero
Xander Bogaerts had 6 Good, 6 Bad, 8 Ugly and 3 Hero
Jackie Bradley Jr had 11 Good, 2 Bad and 9 Ugly
Ryan Brasier had 8 Good and 1 Bad
William Cuevas had 1 Ugly
Rafael Devers had 4 Good, 2 Bad, 8 Ugly and 1 Hero.
Nathan Eovaldi had 1 Hero
Justin Haley had 1 Ugly
Heath Hembree had 8 Good, 2 Bad and 1 Ugly
Brock Holt had 4 Good, 7 Bad, 6 Ugly, 1 Hero and 1 Honorable Mention
Brian Johnson had 2 Good and 2 Ugly
Joe Kelly had 8 Good, 3 Bad and 1 Jackass
Craig Kimbrel had 9 Good, 1 Bad and 1 Ugly
Ian Kinsler had 1 Ugly
Sandy Leon had 5 Good, 5 Bad, 9 Ugly and 1 Hero
Tzu-Wei Lin had 2 Good, 1 Bad and 1 Honorable Mention
JD Martinez had 9 Good, 11 Ugly and 1 Hero
Mitch Moreland had 5 Good, 3 Bad, 8 Ugly and 1 Jackass
Eduardo Nunez had 8 Good, 5 Bad and 6 Ugly
Steve Pearce had 8 Good, 4 Bad and 3 Ugly
Drew Pomeranz had 1 Bad and 1 Ugly
Rick Porcello had 1 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly and 2 Hero
David Price had 2 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Hero and 1 Jackass
Eduardo Rodriuez had 2 Good and 1 Hero
Chris Sale had 1 Good and 3 Hero
Robby Scott had 1 Jackass
Blake Swihart had 10 Good, 1 Ugly and 1 Hero
Tyler Thornburg had 7 Good, 2 Bad and 1 Jackass
Sam Travis had 1 Ugly
Christian Vazquez had 3 Bad and 1 Ugly
Hector Velazquez had 6 Good and 3 Bad
Brandon Workman had 7 Good, 3 Bad and 1 Ugly
The Co-MVP's with 11 Good apiece are Andrew Benintendi and Jackie Bradley Jr
The Least Valuable Player is Brock Holt with 7 Bad
The Co-Ugliest Players of the Month are Mookie Betts and JD Martinez with 11 Ugly apiece
The Co-Heroes of the Month are Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts with 3 Hero apiece
The 6 Jackasses of the month are Matt Barnes, David Price, Joe Kelly, Tyler Thornburg, Robby Scott and Mitch Moreland
Jalen Beeks had 1 Bad
Matt Barnes had 9 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly and 1 Jackass
Andrew Benintendi had 11 Good, 4 Bad, 6 Ugly and 1 Hero
Mookie Betts had 9 Good, 2 Bad, 11 Ugly and 3 Hero
Xander Bogaerts had 6 Good, 6 Bad, 8 Ugly and 3 Hero
Jackie Bradley Jr had 11 Good, 2 Bad and 9 Ugly
Ryan Brasier had 8 Good and 1 Bad
William Cuevas had 1 Ugly
Rafael Devers had 4 Good, 2 Bad, 8 Ugly and 1 Hero.
Nathan Eovaldi had 1 Hero
Justin Haley had 1 Ugly
Heath Hembree had 8 Good, 2 Bad and 1 Ugly
Brock Holt had 4 Good, 7 Bad, 6 Ugly, 1 Hero and 1 Honorable Mention
Brian Johnson had 2 Good and 2 Ugly
Joe Kelly had 8 Good, 3 Bad and 1 Jackass
Craig Kimbrel had 9 Good, 1 Bad and 1 Ugly
Ian Kinsler had 1 Ugly
Sandy Leon had 5 Good, 5 Bad, 9 Ugly and 1 Hero
Tzu-Wei Lin had 2 Good, 1 Bad and 1 Honorable Mention
JD Martinez had 9 Good, 11 Ugly and 1 Hero
Mitch Moreland had 5 Good, 3 Bad, 8 Ugly and 1 Jackass
Eduardo Nunez had 8 Good, 5 Bad and 6 Ugly
Steve Pearce had 8 Good, 4 Bad and 3 Ugly
Drew Pomeranz had 1 Bad and 1 Ugly
Rick Porcello had 1 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly and 2 Hero
David Price had 2 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Hero and 1 Jackass
Eduardo Rodriuez had 2 Good and 1 Hero
Chris Sale had 1 Good and 3 Hero
Robby Scott had 1 Jackass
Blake Swihart had 10 Good, 1 Ugly and 1 Hero
Tyler Thornburg had 7 Good, 2 Bad and 1 Jackass
Sam Travis had 1 Ugly
Christian Vazquez had 3 Bad and 1 Ugly
Hector Velazquez had 6 Good and 3 Bad
Brandon Workman had 7 Good, 3 Bad and 1 Ugly
The Co-MVP's with 11 Good apiece are Andrew Benintendi and Jackie Bradley Jr
The Least Valuable Player is Brock Holt with 7 Bad
The Co-Ugliest Players of the Month are Mookie Betts and JD Martinez with 11 Ugly apiece
The Co-Heroes of the Month are Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts with 3 Hero apiece
The 6 Jackasses of the month are Matt Barnes, David Price, Joe Kelly, Tyler Thornburg, Robby Scott and Mitch Moreland
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