Sox Hold On To Beat Mets (7/29/20)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Jonathan Lucroy was designated for assignment. With Kevin Plawecki showing some signs of life as the backup catcher, Lucroy never really had a chance. Meanwhile the Sox called up yet another no-name bum pitcher to replace him. Somebody named Chris Mazza took Lucroy's spot on the roster.

                                                                     OUT

                                                                 IN

As for the game, somehow the Boston Red Sox snapped their 4 game losing streak by outlasting the best pitcher in the National League. The New York Mets trotted out their ace Jake deGrom but the Sox got to him for 2 runs in 6 innings to keep the game close. The normally inept Sox offense tied the game in the top of the seventh and took the lead in the eighth against the Mets bullpen. The Sox bullpen then tried to give the game away by allowing 2 runs. As it was, the Sox won their second game of the season by the skin of their teeth 6-5 at Citi Field.

                                                             "We won?"

The Sox were futile in the top of the first inning as Andrew Benintendi popped up weakly to center to start. JD Martinez got a lucky double to center but Rafael Devers lined a weak shot to center. Mitch Moreland popped up weakly to left to end the inning. Naturally the Mets took 5 seconds to pounce on Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi.  Brandon Nimmo flied out to left but Jeff McNeil, Pete Alonso and Michael Conforto easily singled to load the bases. Dominic Smith beat out a double play ball to score McNeil to put the Mets on top. Yoenis Cespedes whiffed to end the inning but the Mets were up 1-0.

                                                 deGrom laughs at the Sox

The Sox did absolutely nothing in the top of the second as Christian Vazquez grounded out weakly to first to begin. Alex Verdugo grounded out weakly to second and Jose Peraza swung and missed at a pitch headed to the backstop to end the inning. Robinson Cano popped up to short to start the bottom of the second but Andres Giminez singled to left. Eovaldi picked off Giminez and struck out Rene Rivera swinging to end the inning.

deGrom laughed at the Sox in the top of the third as Jackie Bradley Jr whiffed badly to start. Tzu-Wei Lin closed his eyes and swung at a pitch in the dirt for strike three although Benintendi drew a lucky walk. Naturally Benintendi was thrown out trying to steal to end the inning. Eovaldi kept tough in the bottom of the third as Nimmo took strike three to start. McNeil flied out to left but Alonso was plunked. Conforto grounded out to short to end the inning.

Somehow the Sox rallied in the top of the fourth although Martinez grounded out weakly to third to start. Somehow Devers got a lucky double to left and Moreland took advantage of a blown strike three call to double him home to tie the game. A wild pitch moved Moreland to third but naturally Vazquez grounded back to the mound. Suddenly deGrom uncorked another wild pitch and Moreland scored to give the Sox their first lead since Opening Day. Verdugo grounded out to third to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 2-1.

                                                  Sox take the lead

Eovaldi nearly gave the lead back as Smith effortlessly singled to right to start the bottom of the fourth. Cespedes followed with a base hit to left but Cano banged into a double play. Somehow Giminez popped up to short to end the inning.

The Sox failed to add to the lead in the top of the fifth as Peraza flied out to center to start. JBJ whiffed again and Lin flied out to left to end the inning. Finally the Mets came back in the bottom of the fifth although Rivera whiffed to start. Nimmo effortlessly hit a 400,000 foot home run into the Long Island Sound to tie the game. McNeil walked and Alonso singled to center, but Conforto banged into a double play to end the inning with the game tied 2-2. That was it for Eovaldi as Sox manger Ron Roenicke felt more than 5 innings was too much for anyone.

                                                         5 and done for Eovaldi

The Sox did nothing in the top of the sixth as Benintendi flied out to left to start. Martinez lined out to center and Devers grounded out to first to end the inning. Marcus Walden came in for the bottom of the sixth and crapped his pants. He did manage to punch out Smith and Cespedes swinging, but Cano singled to center. Giminez then tripled past JBJ to give the Mets the lead. Rivera took strike three to end the inning but it was 3-2 Mets.

                                                      Mets go on top

Somehow the Sox fought back in the top of the seventh against Seth Lugo. Moreland grounded out to third but Vazquez struck his second home run of the season to tie the game. Verdugo took strike three but Peraza flied out to right to end the inning with the game tied 3-3.

                                                       Tie game

Josh Osich was brought in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and struck out Nimmo swinging to start. McNeil was hit by a pitch and Alonso singled to third before both runners moved over on the grounder Conforto. JD Davis pinch hit for Smith and Roenicke countered by bringing in Heath Hembree. Hembree punched out Davis to end the inning.

Somehow the Sox rallied in the top of the eighth with Justin Wilson on the mound. Kevin Pillar pinch hit for JBJ and dumped a base hit to left to start. Xander Bogaerts pinch hit for Tzu-Wei Lin and drew a walk. Jonathan Arauz pinch ran for Bogaerts as both runners moved over on the sacrifice bunt by Benintendi. Martinez was intentionally walked to load the bases but Devers whiffed. Somehow Moreland singled past third base to score Pillar with the go-ahead run. Vazquez then singled home both Arauz and Martinez to increase the lead. Verdugo walked to re-load the bases and chase Wilson. Dellin Betances came in but Peraza whiffed to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-3.

                                                   Sox take the lead

6 outs from victory naturally the Sox bullpen almost imploded. Matt Barnes came in for the bottom of the eighth and Cespedes bashed a 900,000 foot home run to cut into the lead. Cano singled to left but Giminez whiffed. Wilson Ramos pinch hit for Rivera and banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-4.

                                                   Dammit Barnes

Jeurys Famillia came in for the top of the ninth and Pillar grounded back to the mound to start. Arauz grounded out to first but Benintendi hit a ground rule double to left. Martinez whiffed to end the inning. 3 outs from victory Brandon Workman nearly imploded in the bottom of the ninth. Nimmo and McNeil drew back to back walks and Alonso blooped a single just over Moreland's head to load the bases. Somehow Workman froze Conforto for strike three but naturally Davis beat out an infield single to score Nimmo. Somehow Workman got Cespedes swinging on a curveball down in the dirt and Cano lined out to Peraza to end the game. Somehow the Sox had won the game 6-5.

                                                            "Had em all the way"


Hero of the Night is Mitch Moreland. He drove in 3 big runs to guide the Sox to victory.

                                                       Our Hero is safe


The Good:

Andrew Benintendi was 1 for 3 with a walk and a perfect sacrifice bunt.

Christian Vazquez was 2 for 4 with 3 rbis including a solo home run.

Kevin Pillar was 1 for 2 with a run scored.

Xander Bogaerts walked as a pinch hitter.

Nathan Eovaldi tossed 5 innings of 2 run ball, striking out 4.

Josh Osich got the first two outs of the 7th inning.

Heath Hembree got the win by striking out the only man he faced.



The Bad:

Jose Peraza was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts.

Tzu-Wei Lin was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Marcus Walden allowed a run in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Matt Barnes allowed a run in the bottom of the 8th inning.



The Ugly:

JD Martinez was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Alex Verdugo was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Jonathan Arauz was 0 for 1 at the plate but scored a run.

Brandon Workman got the save but allowed a run in the bottom of the 9th.




Final Thoughts:

We won? ITS A MIRACLE!!! Who would have thought the Sox would lay down and die in 4 straight games, two of which against the Baltimore Orioles....only to survive the best pitcher in the National League. Eovaldi kept pace for 5 innings and the much maligned offense got to the Mets bullpen for 4 runs. The Sox needed a win like this to get back on track especially against a pitcher like deGrom. The team is still a mess so any win needs to be celebrated. The problem is the Sox can't keep up any momentum because of the bums in their rotation. So if the Sox only have a chance to win 1 game out of 5, by god they got this one! The win improved the Sox to 2-4 with 54 games to go. The Sox somehow try to make it two in a row against the Mets when they send Martin Perez (0-1, 7.20) to the mound against Steven Matz at 7:07 PM at Citi Field.

Mets Pound Sox at Fenway (7/28/20)

At this point its becoming painful to watch the Boston Red Sox this season. For the fourth day in a row they started someone off the scrap heap and for the fourth day in a row the pitching staff gave up at least 7 runs. Somebody named Matt Hall who only pitched in a few big league games previously got lit up for 3 runs in less than 3 innings against the New York Mets. Austin Brice and Ryan Brasier allowed 5 runs combined and the Sox offense remained asleep for the fourth game in a row. Hard to win games when you can't pitch or hit and the Sox didn't win this one. The Mets easily won this game 8-3 at Fenway Park.

Hall made his Red Sox debut in the top of the first inning and surprisingly did NOT crap his pants. Amed Rosario flied out to right and Pete Alonso went down hacking. Jeff McNeil grounded out to short to end the inning. Jose Peraza tried to start a rally in the bottom of the first against David Peterson with a base hit...but was thrown out at second trying to stretch. JD Martinez whiffed on a pitch not even close and Rafael Devers grounded out to second to end the inning.

As usual the Sox fell behind in the top of the second as JD Davis singled to start. Michael Conforto took strike three but old friend Yoenis Cespedes was hit with a pitch. Robinson Cano effortlessly doubled to left to score Davis to put the Mets up for good. Wilson Ramos grounded out to third but Brandon Nimmo walked to load the bases. Naturally Rosario laughed as he singled to right to score both Cespedes and Cano. JBJ had to climb the centerfield wall to rob Alonso of a home run to end the inning but the game was over 3-0.

                                               "This is easy" - Rosario

As usual when the Sox fell behind, they failed to come back. Xander Bogaerts flied out to right to start but Kevin Pillar got a lucky infield single to short. Pillar took second when Conforto reached into the stands to get a pop up from Michael Chavis but Jackie Bradley Jr flied out to left to end the inning.

The end came quickly for Hall in the top of the third as McNeil flied out to left to start. Davis whiffed but Conforto drew a walk to chase him. Once again the Sox went with a bum to start the game and for the fourth straight game, they failed because of it. Hall lasted just 2 2/3 innings and gave up 3 runs.

                                               Devers wants this season to end so bad

Austin Brice came in and Conforto stole second, but Cespedes struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox pulled off a perfect microcosm of their terrible season in the bottom of the third. Kevin Plawecki doubled to left to start and Andrew Benintendi walked. Jose Peraza drilled a single to load the bases but Martinez struck out swinging. Devers hit a bullet to Cano and the Mets caight Benintendi in a run-down to end the inning. Plawecki did score during the rundown, but in essence in the Sox had the bases loaded with nobody out and did nothing. The Sox were down 3-1 and the fans would boo if there were any.

                                                       "You're out you dummy!"

Somehow Brice didnt crap his pants in the top of the fourth inning. Cano walked but Ramos struck out swinging. Cano moved to second on the force by Nimmo but Rosario grounded back to the mound to end the inning. As usual the Sox failed to come back when trailing in the bottom of the fourth. Bogaerts lined out to right, Pillar lined out to center and Chavis flied out to right to end the inning.

The Mets iced the game in the top of the fifth although Alonso grounded out to second to start. McNeil singled and Davis bashed a 5,000,000 foot home run halfway to Delaware to put the game out of reach. That was it for Brice who surrendered two runs again. Colten Brewer came in and Confirto went down swinging. Cespedes grounded out to third to end the inning with the Mets up 5-1.

                                                             "Game over"

JBJ whiffed to begin the bottom of the fifth but Plawecki singled to third and took second on a throwing error. Benintendi walked but naturally Peraza banged into a double play to end the inning.

Plawecki made a rare error to allow Cano to reach in the top of the sixth. Ramos singled Cano to third but could only go to second on the Nimmo grounder. Somehow Brewer struck out Rosario swinging and got Alonso to fly out to left to end the inning. The Sox showed some life in the bottom of the sixth although Martinez grounded out to third to start. Devers doubled to center but Bogaerts lined out to left. Pillar doubled home Devers to cut the lead and chase Peterson. Drew Smith came in to pitch as Mitch Moreland pinch hit for Chavis. Naturally Moreland whiffed to end the inning with the Sox down 5-2.

                                                            Pillar with an rbi

McNeil grounded out to second to open the top of the seventh but Davis was hit with a pitch. Conforto struck out swinging again and Cespedes also went down hacking to end the inning. Good to see Brewer toss 2 2/3 solid innings.

                                                  Yeoman's effort for Brewer

Jake Marisnick took over for Davis while playing center with Nimmo going to left with Justin Wilson on the mound for the bottom of the seventh. The Sox rolled over as JBJ popped to short, Plawecki grounded out to third and Benintendi whiffed to end the inning. Say what you will about the dumpster diving pitching, the offense has scored 4 runs a less in 4 straight games.

Ryan Brasier made his season debut in the top of the eighth and puked on himself. Cano singled to left and Andres Giminez ran for him. Giminez moved to second on the Ramos grounder and scored on the Nimmo double to right. Rosario grounded out to short but Alonso walked and McNeil cleared the bases with a double to center to wrap up the scoring. Marisnick flied out to center to end the inning with the Mets up 8-2.

                                                   "Make it stop" - Plawecki

Dellin Betances came in for the bottom of the eighth and Peraza grounded out to third to start. Martinez grounded out to short but Devers singled to left. Bogaerts flied out to right to end the inning.

Sox closer Brandon Workman made his season debut in the top of the ninth inning but Conforto greeted him with a single to right. Cespedes banged into a double play and Giminez grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox had a too little too late rally against Hunter Strickland in the bottom of the ninth. Pillar doubled to right and moved to third on the Moreland grounder. JBJ grounded out to short to score Pillar but Plawecki singled. How big were the 5 runs allowed by Brice and Brasier now? Benintendi whiffed to end the game, the Mets had won it 8-3.

                                                Another loss


Jackass of the Night is Austin Brice. He turned a 3-1 game into a 5-1 one and the Sox couldn't recover

                                                  "This guy sucks!" - Umpire



The Good:

Jose Peraza was 2 for 4.

Rafael Devers was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Kevin Pillar was 3 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Kevin Plawecki was 3 for 4 with a run scored.

Colten Brewer tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings.

Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless ninth.



The Bad:

JD Martinez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4.

Michael Chavis was 0 for 2.

Mitch Moreland was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Matt Hall allowed 3 runs in just 2 2/3 innings.

Ryan Brasier allowed 3 runs in the eighth inning.



The Ugly:

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts and got caught in a run down, but walked twice.




Final Thoughts:

With MLB postponing games after the latest Covid outbreak, the Sox and their fans can't wait until the season gets cancelled. Its one thing for a pitching staff not to work out, like in 1997 and 2015, its another thing to not even make an attempt to improve it. The pitchers the Sox have sent out after Nathan Eovaldi aren't from the bargain bin, but from the bottom of the dumpster. Barely any of them should be in the league and they're in prominent positions on the Red Sox. How in the world can the Sox be competitive when they're down 3-5 runs before they even come to bat? The offense hasn't done themselves any favors either. They scored 13 runs on Opening Night and 12 runs total since. Having a new lineup by Sox manager Ron Roenicke every day isn't helping for consistency either. Can't even blame Roenicke because he's just an interim manager until Alex Cora comes back next year anyway. It would be nice if the Sox could find some starters that at least people have heard of. The Braves released Mike Foltynewicz because his velocity dropped from 94 to 89. As bad as all the guys that came after Eovaldi were, could he be any worse? The loss dropped the Sox to 1-4 on the season. The good news is tomorrow night the Sox will finally have a legitimate starting pitcher going. The bad news is Nathan Eovaldi (1-0, 1.50 ERA) has to take on Mets ace Jake deGrom at 7:35 PM at Citi Field.

Mets Annihilate Red Sox (7/27/20)

This may be the worst Boston Red Sox team in recorded history when this season is over. In yet another unmitigated disaster, the Sox laid a total egg against the New York Mets. The garbage bin pitching staff was lit up by the Mets almost effortlessly while the Sox offense gave up after the first inning. No Sox fan knew who Josh Osich and Jeffrey Springs were two weeks ago and they combined to give up 7 runs in 3 1/3 innings. Michael Wacha hasn't been effective in years yet he easily shut the Sox down for 5 innings. The Sox couldn't get the big hit when it mattered and the Mets won it 7-4 at Fenway Park.

The Sox were schizophrenic defensively in the top of the first inning with Josh Osich as the "opener". Amed Rosario hit a routine grounder to Jose Peraza who dove on the ball and dryland swam with it for an error. Pete Alonso lined out to center and Jeff McNeil hit a bullet off the glove of Rafael Devers. Xander Bogaerts picked it up and chased down Rosario although the umpires called him safe at third. Sox manager Ron Roenicke challenged the call and sure enough, replays showed Bogaerts got him on the heel and Rosario was out. McNeil then got picked off by Osich to end the inning.

                                              "Hey get back here you!" - Bogaerts

Michael Wacha got the ball in the bottom of the first and Andrew Benintendi put down a drag bunt. He would have been out had Wacha not thrown the ball away, allowing Benintendi tor each. JD Martinez whiffed badly on a curve in the dirt before Rafael Devers also whiffed badly on a fastball right down the middle. Benintendi swiped second but Xander Bogaerts popped up to right to end the inning.

The Mets struck first in the top of the second as JD Davis walked to start. Michael Conforto effortlessly pounded a 2 run home run over the bullpen to put the Mets up for good. Somehow Osich struck out Wilson Ramos swinging and got Robinson Cano to ground out to second. Dominic Smith popped up to right to end the inning but the Sox were down 2-0.

                                                No fans, no effort

As usual when the Sox fell behind, they didn't come back as Wacha easily cruised in the bottom of the second. Mitch Moreland weakly grounded out to first, Christian Vazquez weakly grounded to short and Alex Verdugo grounded into the shift to end the inning.

Jeffrey Springs made his Red Sox debut in the top of the third and Brandon Nimmo popped up to short to start. Rosario dumped a base hit to center and Alonso effortlessly pounded a home run off the Monster Seats to ice the game. Devers then threw a routine grounder by McNeil away for an error, but Springs somehow struck Davis out swinging. Conforto took strike three to end the inning but the game was over 4-0.

                                                      This sucks

Jackie Bradley Jr drew a 4 pitch walk to open the bottom of the third before Jose Peraza somehow singled to left but naturally Benintendi waived at a pitch nowhere near the plate and Martinez banged into a double play to end the inning.

The Mets tacked it on in the top of the fourth inning as Ramos hit a double off the centerfield wall one handed to start. Cano drew a full count walk and Smith blasted a 3 run bomb as the Mets dugout burst out laughing. Nimmo grounded out to first and finally Sox manager Ron Roenicke got Springs out of there. Springs was considered one of the worst pitchers last year so naturally the Sox signed him and also naturally he gives up 5 runs in 1 1/3 innings. Heath Hembree came in and Rosario grounded out to short before Alonso whiffed to end the inning with the Mets ahead 7-0.

                                                   Disgusting

The Sox finally showed some life in the bottom of the fourth although Devers lined out to short to start. Bogaerts gave up on strike three but Moreland pounded his second home run of the year to right to put the Sox on the board. Vazquez weakly popped up to right to end the inning with the Sox down 7-1.

                                             Moreland breaks up the shutout

Zack Godley made his Red Sox debut in the top of the fifth and somehow struck out McNeil on a full count. Davis hit a chopper in front of the plate that both Godley and Vazquez booted for a "hit." Conforto was rung up on a check swing for strike three and Ramos grounded into a force to end the inning. Somehow Verdugo beat out an infield single to short to open the bottom of the fifth. Somehow JBJ singled up the middle to put two on and none out but naturally Peraza popped up to center. Benintendi hit a piece of crap grounder to Wacha to advance the runners but Martinez popped up weakly to right to end the inning. Say what you want about the pitching, but the Sox offense has scored fewer runs in three games than they did in two innings of Opening Day.

Godley returned for the top of the sixth and Cano popped up to first to start. Smith popped up to short but Nimmo singled to right. Rosario hit a seeing eye single to right but Alonso whiffed to end the inning. Devers showed how out of shape he was by failing to run out a booted grounder to start the bottom of the sixth against new pitcher Chasen Shreve. Bogaerts did give a glimmer of hope with his first home run of the season to cut the lead. Moreland tried to drag bunt but Shreve snuffed it out to retire him. Vazquez flied out to right to end the inning but it was 7-2 Mets.

                                                   Bogaerts with a home run

Godley came back for the top of the seventh and McNeil grounded out to first to start. Davis grounded out to second and Conferto whiffed to end the inning. If Roenicke had brought in Godley instead of Springs, maybe the Sox would have a chance now. The Sox offense failed to respond in the bottom of the seventh anyway as Jake Marisnick took over for Davis in center with Nimmo moving to right. Verdugo grounded out weakly to second, JBJ grounded out weakly to the mound and Peraza lined out to center to end the inning.

Godley cruised in the top of the eighth although Ramos singled to right to start. Godley struck out both Cano and Smith swinging before Nimmo was rung up to end the inning. Outstanding effort by Godley who struck out 7 in 4 innings of work.

                                              Great effort by Godley

Meanwhile Benintendi continued to struggle by grounding out into the shift to start the bottom of the eighth against Jeurys Famillia. Martinez drew a walk and Devers finally broke out of his slump with an opposite field double off the Monster. Bogaerts could only score Martinez with a grounder to third. Moreland lined a base hit up the middle to score Devers to cut the lead. That was it for Famillia as Seth Lugo was brought in to pitch to Vazquez. On a full count...Vazquez swung and missed at a fastball down the middle to end the inning with the Sox down 7-4.

Phillips Valdez came in for the top of the ninth and froze Rosario for strike three to start. Alonso grounded back to the mound but McNeil singled to center. Marisnick popped up to Devers to end the inning. The game finally ended in the bottom of the ninth as Verdugo grounded out to second again to start. JBJ also grounded out to second and Peraza grounded out to short to end the game. The Sox drop their third straight game with a 7-4 loss.

Jackass of the Night is Jeffrey Springs. He lasted just 1 1/3 innings and put the game out of reach by allowing 5 runs.

                                               Jackass Springs


The Good:

Mitch Moreland was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis and a run scored including a solo home run.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Heath Hembree retired the only two men he faced.

Zack Godley struck out 7 in 4 shutout innings pitched.

Phillips Valdez pitched a scoreless ninth.



The Bad:

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Josh Osich took the loss by allowing 2 runs in 2 innings.



The Ugly:

Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4 but stole a base.

JD Martinez was 0 for 3 but walked and scored a run.

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 with an error but scored a run.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 but drove in 2 runs including a solo home run.

Ryan Verdugo was just 1 for 4.

Jose Peraza was just 1 for 4.




Final Thoughts:

When notorious Red Sox buttkisser Dan Schaughnessy says the Sox gave up on this season, you know its serious. The Sox are trotting out pitchers that have no business being in the majors day after day and the only explanations are either Rachel Phelps secretly owns the team or they're tanking. If they're tanking, they sure picked the right year to do it with MLB in complete chaos with Covid cases popping up left and right. The Sox aren't even competitive at this point because the dumpster pitching puts the offense in a 5 run hole before they can even blink, and the offense presses to get something going because they have no choice. The Sox are going to have to score 8 runs a game in order to compete and that's damn near impossible. Tomorrow night the Sox lose to the Mets again with somebody named Matt Hall going for the Sox against nobody knows at 7:35 PM at Fenway Park.

O's Pound Weber, Take Two of Three From Sox (7/26/20)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. After yesterday's disaster, Dylan Covey was sent to the "Alternate Training Site" since minor league baseball is cancelled this season. Basically without Pawtucket, the Sox can basically go "Don't call us, we'll call you." In his place the Sox called up Zack Godley from the training site. The Sox went for pennies on the dollar this season so get used to one bum after another coming and going.

                                                  OUT

                                                       IN

As for the game, good thing there's only 57 games left because the Sox are HORRIBLE. Ryan Weber (0-1, 14.73 ERA) shouldn't even be on a major league roster but somehow he's the Sox number 3 starter. He pitched like the bum he is by getting shelled for 6 runs in just 3 2/3 innings. The Sox offense could only scratch out 4 runs against the same Baltimore Orioles the Yankees took 17 of 19 games against last year. Bad offense and bad pitching leads to losses and today was no different as the Orioles took a 7-4 dump in Fenway Park and made the Sox clean it up.

                                            Judge Doom hates bad pitching

Weber got the ball in the top of the first and crapped his pants. Austin Hays popped up to left to start the game before Anthony Santander lined out to a running Jackie Bradley Jr. O's manager Brandon Hyde was shown wearing a mask in the dugout before Jose Iglesias dumped a single into right. Rio Ruiz then ended the game early with a 2 run bomb into the bullpen to put the O's up 4 batters into the game. Hanser Alberto dropped down the bunt and Christian Vazquez throw pulled Michael Chavis off the bag. Chris Davis grounded into the shift to end the inning but the O's were up for good 2-0.

                                               Ruiz goes yard

Wade LeBlanc got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jose Peraza popped up to center to start. JD Martinez gave up on a called strike three and Rafael Devers popped up harmlessly to right to end the inning.

Weber almost took another beating in the top of the second although Renato Nunez popped up to second to start. Chance Sisco walked but DJ Stewart popped up to center. Hays hit a sinking liner but JBJ made a great diving catch to rob him of a hit to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the second as Bogaerts flied out to the right field corner. Kevin Pillar hit a routine pop up to center but Christian Vazquez smashed his first home run of the season into the Monster Seats, just missing the cardboard cutouts. Alex Verdugo went down hacking to end the inning but the Sox were down 2-1.

                                                Vazquez with a home run

Weber failed to hold the fort in the top of the third as Santander walked to start and Iglesias effortlessly doubled off the wall to score him. Vazquez called for a pop up by Ruiz but Devers nearly cleaned him out to catch it, almost forgetting Iglesias at second to boot. Alberto flied out to the left field warning track and Verdugo made a sliding catch to rob Davis of a hit to end the inning with the O's up 3-1.

                                                             O's pour it on

The Sox rolled over in the bottom of the third as Michael Chavis whiffed to start. Jackie Bradley Jr hit a weak grounder to second and Peraza grounded out to third to end the inning.

Weber took another beating in the top of the fourth as Nunez effortlessly singled to left to start. Sisco drew another walk and both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Stewart. Hays hit a deep fly ball to center to score Nunez and advance Sisco to third. Santander somehow golfed a pitch two inches off the ground into the Sox bullpen to chase Weber. As everyone expected, Weber got pounded for 6 runs in just 3 2/3 innings. Another lousy start in a season about to be full of them.

                                              Weber with a flat out dud for a start

Colten Brewer wasn't much better as Iglesias effortlessly singled to right before Ruiz drew a walk. Somehow Alberto struck out swinging to end the inning with the Orioles ahead 6-1. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fourth as Martinez grounded out to short to start. Devers flied out to right and Santander reached into the stands to rob Bogaerts of a home run to end the inning.

Brewer returned for the top of the fifth and Davis lined out to left to start. Nunez whiffed and Sisco grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox tried to fight back in the bottom of the fifth when Pillar blasted a solo home run onto Landsdowne Street to start. Vazquez grounded out to third, Verdugo grounded out to first and Chavis whiffed again to end the inning with the Sox down 6-2.

                                              Pillar goes yard

Marcus Walden made his Red Sox debut in the top of the sixth and Stewart grounded out to short to start. Hays walked but Santander lined out to center. Hays was then thrown out at second by the alert Vazquez trying to steal to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the sixth when JBJ hit a bullet off of LeBlanc to start. Peraza popped up to first and Martinez lined out to right, but Devers got his first hit of the season with a double to right. That was it for Wade Leblanc who blinded the Sox for 5 2/3 innings apart from two longballs, Miguel Castro came in and Bogaerts got a clutch hit with a base hit through the hole at short to score both runners. Bogaets was tagged out on a ground ball by Pillar to end the inning but the Sox were back in it 6-4.

                                               Bogaerts inches the Sox closer

Walden got in a jam in the top of the seventh as Iglesias continued to stay hot with a double to center. Walden manged to snare a grounder by Ruiz to keep Jose at second but Alberto walked. Both runners moved over on a grounder by Davis but Walden punched out Nunez to end the inning. The Sox failed to rally in the bottom of the seventh as Vazquez flied out to right to start. O's manager Bruce Hyde replaced Castro with Tanner Scott and Verdugo grounded out to second. Chavis weakly grounded out to short to end the inning.

Matt Barnes was brought in to pitch the top of the eighth and a blown strike three call led him walking Cisco. Stewart then took ball four on a pitch in the zone before Cedric Mullins pinch ran for him. Barnes came black to blow away Hays and get Santander to pop up to JBJ on a pitch an inch off the ground. The now dangerous Iglesias lined one off Barnes but Matt gathered the ball and threw to Chavis for the out to end the inning. JBJ tried to start a rally with a seeing eye single in the hole at short to start the bottom of the eighth to chase Scott. Cole Sulser came in and naturally Peraza banged into a double play. Martinez hit a routine grounder to Iglesias but he dropped it for an error. Devers failed to capitalize with a grounder to first to end the inning.

Austin Brice came in for the top of the ninth and crapped his pants again. Ruiz flied out to center but Alberto singled to right and Davis doubled off the centerfield wall to score Alberto with the killshot. Nunez hit what should have been a bomb over everything in left...but the wind blew it back where it was caught at the wall by Verdugo. Davis thought the ball was gone and he trotted home only to be doubled off second to end the inning with the O's up 7-4.

The game ended in the bottom of the ninth as Bogaerts grounded out to short to start. Andrew Benintendi pinch hit for Pillar and whiffed on a pitch nowhere close. Vazquez dumped a base hit to right to keep the game going but Verdugo whiffed to end the game. The Sox dropped 2 of 3 at home to the lowly Orioles with a 7-4 defeat.

                                                 Dammit



Jackass of the Night is Ryan Weber. The supposed number 3 starter lasted just 3 2/3 innings and got shelled for 6 runs off two home runs.

                                                  Weber The Jackass


The Good:

Kevin Pillar was 1 for 3 with a solo home run.

Christian Vazquez was 2 for 4 with a solo home run.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 3 with a run scored.

Colten Brewer tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Marcus Walden tossed 2 scoreless innings.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless eighth inning.



The Bad:

Jose Peraza was 0 for 4.

JD Martinez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Andrew Benintendi struck out as a pinch hitter.

Alex Verdugo was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Michael Chavis was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Austin Brice allowed a run in the top of the ninth.




The Ugly:

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 but his one hit drove in 2 runs.




Final Thoughts:

Good thing this season only lasts 60 games because 162 games of this would be true torture. The Sox sandbagged this season and it shows. The offense looks lifeless apart from solo home runs here and there and the pitching is just dreadful. The worst part is, there's nothing they can do about it. Minor League Baseball is cancelled and there's no trade deadline so they're stuck with what they got the rest of the season. Weber is a bum, Martin Perez is a bum and most of their relievers are bums. Years of bad contracts doled out by Ben Cherrington and Dave Dombrowski put the Sox in this position. Weber has no business being in the majors and he's the Sox number 3 starter by default. Eduardo Rodriguez now has a heart condition brought on by Covid so he may not pitch at all this season. Only 57 games left of this crap....god help us. Tomorrow night the Sox take on the New York Mets in a 4 game set with the first two at Fenway. Michael Wacha goes for the Mets and will face Josh Osich, who Sox manager Ron Roenicke picked out of a hat, tomorrow night at 7:35 PM at Fenway Park.

Orioles Rough Up Sox (7/25/20)

The feel good Opening Day win lasted less than 24 hours as the rest of the Boston Red Sox pitching staff reared its ugly head in today's disaster against the Baltimore Orioles. Martin Perez (0-1, 7.20 ERA) has been a below average pitcher his whole career and he lived up to his rancid billing in his Sox debut. The hapless Orioles lit up Perez for 5 runs in 5 innings. The Sox offense was shut down by Alex Cobb, new Sox reliever Dylan Covey got smacked around as well and the Orioles evened the series with a 7-2 win over the Sox at Fenway Park.

                                              "Awww Perez, gross. GROSSSSSS!!!

Perez immediately crapped his pants in the top of the first inning as Austin Hays effortlessly singled to right to start. Hanser Alberto doubled to left but somehow Perez punched out Jose Iglesias. Anthony Sandtander hit a liner to right that wasn't deep enough to score Hays, but Renato Nunez pounded a double off the Monster to put the O's up for good 5 batters into the game. A wild pitch moved Nunez to third and Pedro Severino hit a routine grounder to third. Rafael Devers dove on the ball and wrestled it for an error to score Nunez. Chris Davis grounded into a force to end the inning but the O's had iced the game early 3-0.

                                                 That's game

Alex Cobb mowed the Sox down in the bottom of the first inning as Andrew Benintendi took strike three to start. JD Martinez lashed a base hit to left but Devers watched strike three go by and Mitch Moreland made his season debut by grounding out to short to end the inning.

The beating continued in the top of the second as Pat Valaika singled to right to start. Cedric Mullins walked but somehow Perez got Hays to pop up to second. Naturally Alberto singled home Valaika and Iglesias singled home Mullins. Red Sox pitching coach Dave Bush made a mad dash to the mound to remind Martin that Dangerous Liaisons was on in the clubhouse. Perez got so excited he induced a pop up from Santander that was ruled an infield fly. Alberto somehow forgot the rule and ran to third, getting tagged up on second for the double play to end the inning with the O's ahead 5-0.

                                                    Game was over already

Cobb cruised in the bottom of the second as Jose Peraza grounded out to short to start. Alex Verdugo made his Red Sox debut by hitting a bullet to Iglesias but Jackie Bradley Jr beat the shift with a base hit to center. Kevin Plawecki made his Red Sox debut by getting hit with a pitch but Tzu-Wei Lin grounded into a force to end the inning.

Somehow Perez settled down in the top of the third inning as Nunez popped up to first to start. Severino flied out to JBJ but Davis walked. Valaika lined out to third to end the inning. The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the third as Benintendi lined out to third to start. Martinez took strike three and Devers grounded out to first to end the inning.

Perez cruised in the top of the fourth inning as Mullins lined out to second to start. Hays flied out to left and Alberto lined out to center to end the inning. The Sox blew a chance to come back in the bottom of the fourth as Moreland reached on a strike three passed ball to start. Peraza lined out to left but Verdugo got his first hit of the season with a line driver to left. JBJ beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners but Plawecki grounded out to second to end the inning.

Perez returned for one final inning in the top of the fifth and got Iglesias to ground out to third. Santander grounded out to short and Nunez whiffed to end the inning. Perez stunk the joint out the first two innings and it cost the Sox dearly as he allowed 5 runs in 5 innings of work.

                                           Knocked around by Baltimore....pathetic.

Cobb cruised in the bottom of the fifth as Lin flied out to left to start. Benintendi whiffed and Martinez grounded out to second to end the inning.

Heath Hembree made his season debut in the top of the sixth, getting Severino to fly out to left to begin. Davis and Valaika both flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox sprang to life in the bottom of the sixth although Devers whiffed again to start. Moreland then belted his first home run of the season to put the Sox on the board. That was it for Cobb who blinded the Sox for 5 1/3 innings, allowing just the home run just seconds before he was lifted. Paul Fry came in and Peraza lined out to center but Verdugo singled to right. JBJ singled to left but Santander airmailed the throw which allowed both runners to advance into scoring position. Plawecki beat out an infield dribber to score Verdugo to cut the lead. Miguel Castro was brought in to pitch as Sox manager Ron Roenicke sent in Xander Bogaerts to pinch hit for Lin. Representing the tying run....Bogaerts whiffed on 3 pitches to end the inning but the Sox were back in it 5-2.

                                                   First home run for Moreland

Just when the Sox were back in it, Dylan Covey pissed it away in the top of the seventh in his Red Sox debut. Mullins grounded out to second but Hays singled to left. Hays was erased on the force by Alberto but Iglesias blooped a single to right. Santander pounded a double off the Monster to score both runners to ice the game. Nunez lined out to center to end the inning but the game was out of reach 7-2.

                                                Santander with a back breaking double

Andrew Velazquez took over in left with Richard Bleier on the mound for the bottom of the seventh. Benintendi grounded out to second but Martinez was plunked. Devers whiffed to earn a hat trick and Moreland grounded out to first to end the inning.

Covey returned for the top of the eighth and Severino struck out swinging to start. Davis grounded back to the mound and Valaika went down hacking to end the inning. Peraza lined out to center to start the bottom of the eighth but Verdugo got a base hit to center. Verdugo moved to second on a wild pitch but JBJ whiffed. Mychal Givens came in to pitch to Plawecki and got him to line out to center to end the inning.

Josh Osich made his Red Sox debut in the top of the ninth and Mullins grounded out to third to start. Hays took strike three but Alberto singled to left. Iglesias grounded into a force to end the inning. The game ended in the bottom of the ninth as Bogaerts struck out swinging to start. Benintendi flied out to center but Martinez got a base hit to center. Fittingly, Devers earned a golden sombrero to go with his error as he struck out swinging to end the game. The lowly Orioles beat up Martin Perez and won the game 7-2.

                                               Dammit


Jackass of the Night is Martin Perez. The below average pitcher was exactly that, putting the Sox in a 5 run hole early that they couldn't come out of.

                                                Jackass Perez


The Good:

JD Martinez was 2 for 4 with a hit by pitch.

Alex Verdugo was 3 for 4 with a run scored.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 4.

Kevin Plawecki was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Heath Hembree pitched a scoreless 6th inning.

Josh Osich tossed a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Rafael Devers was 0 for 5 with a golden sombrero of 4 strikeouts and an error.

Jose Peraza was 0 for 4.

Tzu-Wei Lin was 0 for 2.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts.

Dylan Covey allowed 2 runs in 2 innings of work.



The Ugly:

Mitch Moreland was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a solo home run.




Final Thoughts:

THIS is what the Sox fans were expecting for this season and its going to be a long two months for sure. Sox general manager Chaim Bloom pretty much said to hell with this season by dumping Rick Porcello and having no backup plan in case of injury or illness. Perez and Covey were laughed at by Sox fans last season and the Sox ended up signing them for pennies on the dollar because they were cheap. The problem is the Sox have so much money invested in dead money such as Pablo Sandoval, Dustin Pedroia, Rusney Castillo, Hanley Ramirez and Chris Sale that they had to trade Mookie Betts just to stay under the luxury tax. After this season is over they'll be out from under Castillo, Hanley and Sandoval plus hopefully Dustin Pedroia officially retires. Until then they're stuck with the Triple A pitching staff that they have. The Sox offense that couldn't miss last night couldn't get a clutch hit against Alex Cobb and Devers & Benintendi not only look lost at the plate, but can't field either. Not much to stay about this disaster apart from the loss dropped them to 1-1 on the season. The Sox look to take the series tomorrow afternoon when Ryan Weber makes his season debut against Wade LeBlanc of the Orioles at 1:35 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Bash Orioles on Opening Day (7/24/20)

In what will be the weirdest season of baseball in recorded history, at least the Boston Red Sox opening the season in style with a straight demolition over the hapless Baltimore Orioles. In a 60 game season with no fans at Fenway Park, the Sox crushed the O's behind a 17 hit Boston attack led by JD Martinez and new Sox addition Kevin Pillar. Nathan Eovaldi (1-0, 1.50 ERA) tossed six solid innings to earn his first win of the season and the Sox thrashed the Orioles 13-2 at Fenway Park.

                                                      Joker approves of the win.

Eovaldi took the ball in the top of the first and new Sox outfielder Kevin Pillar made his presence felt by making a great catch to rob Austin Hays of a double to begin the top of the first. Anthony Santander grounded back to the mound and old pal Jose Iglesias grounded out to second to end the inning. Tommy Milone got the ball for the Orioles in the bottom of the first and Andrew Benintendi grounded out to second to start. JD Martinez drew a walk but Rafael Devers whiffed. Xander Bogaerts struck out swinging to end the inning.

Renato Nunez grounded back to the mound to start the top of the second before Chris Davis grounded out to second. Hanser Alberto singled to left but Rio Ruiz grounded out to second to end the inning. Pillar popped up to third to start the bottom of the second but Christian Vazquez drew a walk. Vazquez was immediately picked off and Michael Chavis whiffed to end the inning.

Pedro Severino singled to center to start the top of the third but was forced at second by DJ Stewart. Hays banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox struck first when Jackie Bradley Jr got the first hit of the season with a leadoff double. New Sox player Jose Peraza drove in the first run with an rbi double that scored JBJ to give the Sox the lead. Benintendi whiffed but Martinez drove in his first run of the season with a double to left to score Peraza. Devers walked and a wild pitch moved both runners over, but Bogaerts went down swinging. Pillar would have lit up the crowd if there was one with an rbi double to left to score both Martinez and Devers. Vazquez flied out to right to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 4-0.

                                              Welcome to Boston Jose Peraza

Eovaldi kept the lead intact in the top of the fourth as Santander flied out to left to begin. Iglesias doubled to right and Nunez hit a routine grounder to Devers. Devers then turned and fired the ball into the Monster Seats aiming for the Jon Wallach cardboard cut-out for an error to put runners at the corners. Davis then hit a bullet to Chavis who doubled off Nunez to end the inning. The Sox broke it open in the bottom of the fourth against new pitcher Cody Carroll. Chavis and JBJ drew back to back walks and Peraza singled to left to load the bases with nobody out. Benintendi worked a walk to score Chavis as old buddy Travis Lakins was brought in to take a beating. Martinez iced the game with a ground rule double to right that scored Peraza and Benintendi. Devers grounded out to third but Bogaerts singled home Benintendi. Pillar singled home Martinez and Vazquez singled home Bogaerts to cap off the rally. Chavis whiffed but took first when the ball got away from the catcher to load the bases, but JBJ whiffed as well to end the inning with the game all but over 10-0.

                                           Martinez tacks on to the lead

Eovaldi got Alberto to ground out to third to open the top of the fifth before Ruiz took strike three. Severino walked but Stewart swung and missed for strike three to end the inning. Peralta grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fifth before Benintendi went down hacking. Martinez singled to left but Devers lined out to center to end the inning.

Eovaldi was finally tagged in the top of the sixth inning although Hays grounded out to short to start. Santander doubled to center but Iglesias whiffed. Nunez doubled home Santander to break up the shutout. Davis whiffed to end the inning and that was enough for Eovaldi. Basically the only starter left from last year not injured, sick or gone delivered with 6 innings of 1 run ball. Granted it was against the Orioles but its better than having your lunch served to you.

                                                 Eovaldi with his first win

David Hess came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth with Dwight Smith Jr taking over for Santander in left field with Stewart moving over to right. Bogaerts grounded out to short but Pillar singled to left and Vazquez pounded a ground rule double to right. Chavis whiffed but JBJ doubled home Pillar and Vazquez. Peraza doubled home JBJ to wrap up the scoring as Benintendi flid out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 13-1.

                                            JBJ enjoying the rout

Austin Brice made his Red Sox debut by crapping his pants in the top of the seventh. Alberto popped up to first but Ruiz pounded a 379,000 foot home run into the Atlantic Ocean to cut the lead. Brice recovered to get both Severino and Stewart swinging but the O's were down 13-2.

                                                    The lone highlight for Baltimore

Pat Valaika took over for Iglesias in the bottom of the seventh as Martinez flied out to right to start. Devers grounded out to second as Tzu-Wei Lin pinch hit for Bogaerts and got a base hit to right. Pillar grounded into a force to end the inning.

Phillips Valdez came in to pitch the top of the eighth with Jonathan Arauz taking Vazquez' spot while playing third and Jonathan Lucroy replacing Devers while playing behind the plate, all making their Red Sox debuts. Hays was hit with a pitch but Smith Jr banged into a double play. Valaika flied out to right to end the inning. Chance Sisco came in to play short, Andrew Velazquez took over at first, Valaika moved to first and Cedric Mullins took over in center to begin the bottom of the eighth. Arauz and Chavis both flied out to right but JBJ and Peraza struck back to back singles. Benintendi walked to load the bases but Martinez popped up to second to end the inning.

Valdez returned to end the top of the ninth and Nunez grounded out to third to start. Velazquez took strike three but Alberto was plunked. Ruiz whiffed to end the game, the Sox had crushed the Orioles on Opening Day 13-2.

                                                     "Gimmie five....toes that is"


Hero of the Night is Kevin Pillar. He set the tone with his running catch in the top of the first and paced the offensive attack by going 3 for 5 with 3 rbis and a run scored.

                                                Vazquez salutes our Hero


The Good:

JD Martinez was 3 for 5 with a walk, 3 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Tzu-Wei Lin singled as a pinch hitter.

Christian Vazquez was 2 for 3 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 3 for 4 with a walk, 2 rbis and 3 runs scored.

Jose Peraza was 4 for 5 with 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Nathan Eovaldi got the win with 6 innings of 1 run ball. He allowed 5 hits and struck out 4.

Phillips Valdez tossed 2 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Jonathan Arauz was 0 for 1 behind the plate.

Austin Brice allowed a run in the top of the seventh.



The Ugly:

Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 4 but walked twice, drove in a run and scored.

Rafael Devers was 0 for 4 with an error but walked and scored a run.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored.

Michael Chavis was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of three strikeouts, but walked and scored a run.



Honorable Mention:

Jonathan Lucroy caught the final two innings.




Final Thoughts:

This season is going to suck hard but at least it started out on the right note. New Sox manager Ron Roenicke had his guys ready for this one even though it was against the terrible Orioles. The Sox are reeling from the trade of Mookie Betts and the loss of 4/5 of their rotation. Rick Porcello is now with the Mets., David Price went to LA in the Betts trade, Sale had Tommy John surgery in February and Eduardo Rodriguez is recovering from Covid. Eovaldi is going to have to pull a 1981 Fernando Valenzuela if the Sox have any hope of a respectable season. The offense is going to be fun to watch, especially if Kevin Pillar can perform and JD Martinez is motivated in his contract year. Remember how bad the 2015 Red Sox were with their lousy pitching staff? This year could very well be a repeat of that. Still, for one day anyway the Sox are undefeated. The Sox look to make it two in a row over the Orioles tomorrow afternoon as Martin Perez makes his Sox debut against former Tampa Bay Ray Alex Cobb at 1:35 PM at Fenway Park.

Baseball is Coming Back (6/24/20)

After Spring Training was cancelled back in March, both the MLB and Owners played back and forth with the idea of resuming the season. Today an agreement was reached that there would be a 60 game season starting July 24th. Spring Training will resume on July 1st giving players a month to get back in shape.

This is good news for the Red Sox who dont have the rotation to survive a normal 162 game season. If Eduardo Rodriguez and Nathan Eovaldi can pitch well, maybe the Sox can sneak into the wild card game. See you all in a month