Sox Outlast Yankees in 11 Innings (7/15/22)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made some big roster moves. Josh Winckowski tested positive for Covid and was placed on the Covid List. Matt Strahm was placed on the Injured List after getting hit on the hand and Phillips Valdez was sent down to Worcester. Garrett Whitlock and Nathan Eovaldi were activated for tonight's game and Darwinzon Hernandez was called up from Worcester to take their places. Winckowski was the Sox best rookie pitcher while the regulars were out, damn.

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As for the game, holy bleep the won? The Boston Red Sox actually won a game against an AL East team? No that's not a typo, the Red Sox actually beat the New York Yankees tonight in eleven innings. The Sox jumped out to a 2-0 lead early on Jordan Montgomery but Nathan Eovaldi got rocked for 3 runs in the bottom of the third. The Sox took a 4-3 lead into the ninth but Tanner Houck threw a ball away for the game tying error. The Sox took advantage of a wild pitch to score a run in the top of the 11th and somehow Ryan Brasier slammed the door in the bottom of the 11th. The Sox had won the game 5-4 in 11 innings at Yankee Stadium.

                                                              Happy fans

The Sox shockingly pounced on Montgomery immediately in the top of the first. Rob Refsnyder drew a walk and Rafael Devers pounded his 21st home run of the season to put the Sox on top. JD Martinez smacked a ground rule double down the left field line and Xander Bogaerts for a base hit to left to put runners at the corners. Naturally the rally ended as Alex Verdugo popped up to left, Christian Vazquez also popped up to left and Bobby Dalbec did what he usually does and strike out swinging with two men on to end the inning. The Sox had a golden chance to break it open early but led just 2-0.

                                                      Devers hits one out

The returning Eovaldi got the ball in the bottom of the first and DJ LeMahieu effortlessly singled to left to start. Somehow Rob Refsnyder climbed the right field wall to rob Aaron Judge of a triple and Anthony Rizzo banged into a double play to end the inning. 

Jackie Bradley Jr led off the top of the second by grounding back to the mound and Jeter Downs grounded out to third. Refsnyder took strike three right down the middle to end the inning. The Yankees threatened in the bottom of the second although Giancarlo Stanton grounded out to short to start. Gleyber Torres walked and Matt Carpenter moved him to third with a base hit to right, but Isiah Kiner lined out to third. Kyle Higashioka grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

The Sox continued to do nothing in the top of the third as Devers hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Martinez flied out to left and Bogaerts grounded out to first to end the inning. Joey Gallo took strike three to start the bottom of the third but LeMahieu effortlessly got a base hit to right. JBJ had to climb the wall to rob Judge of another triple but Rizzo walked. Stanton did the honors by hitting a home run all the way to the moon to put the Yankees up. Torres struck out swinging to end the inning but the Yankees led 3-2.

                                                         Stanton hits one out

The Sox struck back in the top of the fourth inning although Verdugo grounded out to first to start. Somehow Vazquez pulverized his sixth home run of the season to tie the game and Dalbec got a base hit to left. JBJ banged into a double play to end the inning with the game tied 3-3. 

                                                                 Tie game

Carpenter struck out swinging to open the bottom of the fourth but Kiner doubled to right. Higashioka grounded out to short and Gallo grounded out to first to end the inning.

Downs struck out swinging to start the top of the fifth but Refsnyder got a base hit to left. Devers moved Rob to second with a grounder to first but Martinez struck out swinging to end the inning. The Yankees struck back in the bottom of the fifth as LeMahieu got his third hit of the night with a single to right. Judge struck out swinging and that was it for Eovaldi. The plan all along was 80 pitches and he left after allowing 3 runs in just 4 1/3 innings. Last night's goat John Schreiber came in to pitch to Rizzo and got Anthony to hit into a double play to end the inning. 

                                                             Welcome back Eovaldi

The Sox failed to do anything in the top of the sixth as Bogaerts grounded out to third to start. Verdugo grounded out to second and Vazquez grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The Sox had just three hits off Montgomery after the first inning rally. Stanton grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the sixth and Torres grounded out to first. Carpenter hit a ground rule double to right but Kiner struck out swinging to end the inning. 

Aroldis Chapman came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Dalbec struck.......A HOME RUN TO LEFT TO PUT THE SOX ON TOP! JBJ popped up to short, Downs struck out swinging and Refsnyder went down hacking to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-3.

                                                           Dalbec puts Boston ahead

Garrett "The Lock" Whitlock made his return in the bottom of the seventh and Aaron Hicks pinch hit for Higashioka. Hicks popped up to second, Gallo struck out swinging and LeMahieu grounded out to second to end the inning. 

Jose Trevino came in for Gallo but behind the plate to start the top of the eighth with Wandy Peralta now on the mound. Devers flied out to right to start before Martinez grounded out to short. Bogaerts somehow beat our a roller to first but Verdugo flied out to left to end the inning. Judge took strike three to start the bottom of the eighth before Rizzo grounded out to first. Stanton struck out swinging to end the inning, welcome back Whitlock.

Vazquez struck out swinging to begin the top of the ninth before Dalbec struck out swinging. JBJ popped up to Kiner to end the inning. JBJ is now 4 for his last 48...pathetic. Tanner Houck came in to blow the game in the bottom of the ninth as Torres effortlessly singled in the hole at third to start. Home plate umpire DJ Reyburn called strike one to Carpenter not even close to the plate and Yankees manager Aaron Boone ran out of the dugout with a Chainsaw screaming his head off, chasing DJ out of Yankee Stadium. When play resumed Carpenter got plunked and Kiner dropped down a sacrifice bunt....THROWN AWAY BY HOUCK! Torres scored easily to tie the game and Hicks was intentionally walked to load the bases. Marwin Gonzalez ran for Carpenter, Trevino hit into a 5-2-3 double play and LeMahieu grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the game tied 4-4.

                                                                      Tie game

JBJ started the top of the tenth inning at second with Clay Holmes on the mound. Once again Sox manager Alex Cora refused to bunt which allowed Downs to naturally struck out swinging. Refsnyder also went down hacking and the Yankees wisely intentionally walked Devers. Martinez did manage a base hit to right but Bradley was foolishly held at third to load the bases. Naturally Bogaerts struck out swinging to end the inning. LeMahieu started at second but Judge grounded out to third to start. Rizzo was intentionally walked but Stanton singled in the hole at short to load the bases. Torres banged into a double play to end the inning. 

Bogaerts started the top of the eleventh at second with Michael King on the mound. Verdugo flied out to left but Bogaerts moved to third, only for Vazquez to ground out to third. The Sox caught a break when King uncorked a wild pitch to score Bogaerts because Dalbec flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-4.

                                                                    SAFE!

Ryan Brasier came in to close out the game in the bottom of the eleventh with Torres starting at second base. Josh Donaldson pinch hit for Gonzalez but struck out swinging. Kiner grounded out to third to put the Sox on out away from victory. Naturally Hicks stepped up to hit the game winning home ru....wait, what? What do you mean Hicks took strike three to end the game? THE RED SOX WIN IT 5-4 IN 11 INNINGS!

                                                                      We won?

Hero of the Night is Ryan Brasier. He slammed the door with the tying run at second inning with nobody out to earn the save.

                                                               Hero Brasier

The Good:

JD Martinez was 2 for 5.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Bobby Dalbec was 2 for 5 with a home run.

Garrett Whitlock tossed two scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Alex Verdugo was 0 for 5.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 4.

Jeter Downs was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Nathan Eovaldi allowed 3 runs in just 4 1/3 innings. He allowed 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4.

The Ugly:

Rob Refsnyder was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of three strikeouts but walked and scored a run.

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 with a walk but the one hit was a two run home run.

Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but the one hit was a home run.

Tanner Houck got the win but allowed the tying run to score in the ninth.

Final Thoughts:

Wow, that was unexpected. With the Red Sox being totally inept against the AL East this year, winning a game like this was a gut check for sure. Not just beating the Yankees but beating them in New York in extra innings was even more impressive. Eovaldi was definitely restricted in this one but next time he should be able to go longer. The Sox also had this game won if it wasn't for Houck's error as well. Kudos to Brasier who slammed the door in the final frame even though they had two men on. The Sox need some help at the deadline if they want to compete moving forward but going into the all-star break on a win streak would be nice. As of right now they're not too far out of a playoff spot but they need to make a stand if they want to be taken serious. The flip side is they should trade Martinez and Eovaldi if they want to say screw it and play for next year. Do SOMETHING! The win improved the Sox to 48-43, 14.5 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the Yankees when Nick Pivetta (8-6) goes one on one with Jameson Taillon of New York. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Yankee Stadium

Rays Rally, Sweep Sox (7/14/22)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox placed Josh Wincowski on the Covid List and called up Darwinzon Hernandez to take his spot. One last chance for Hernandez to show something or else he's had it.

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As for the game, the Boston Red Sox appear to be cursed against the AL East. After getting thouroughly dominated by the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays in the month of July, for one night it looked like things went their way. The Sox jumped out to a 3-0 lead against Tampa starter Drew Rasmussen and Boston starter Kutter Crawford tossed 6 shutout innings. Naturally in the bottom of the seventh the Rays rallied for 3 straight hits to score a run and chase Crawford. John Schreiber had been lights out virtually all season but this time he allowed the trying runs to score and two of his own for a 5 run rally. The Sox did rally in the top of the ninth against Jalen "Twin Beeks" and got the tying run at second but failed to bring it in. The Rays swept the Sox in four games out of Tropicana Field with a come from behind 5-4 win.

 

Rasmussen got the ball in the top of the first inning and Jarren Duran lined out to center to start. Rafael Devers got a base hit to left and took second on a wild pitch, but JD Martinez struck out swinging. Xander Bogaerts struck out swinging to end the inning. Crawford got the ball in the bottom of the first and Yandy Diaz grounded out to second to start. Ji-Man Choi struck out swinging and Harold Ramirez grounded out to short to end the inning. 

Alex Verdugo struck out swinging to start the top of the second and Franchy Cordero went down hacking as well. Kevin Plawecki grounded out to third to end the inning. The Rays threatened in the bottom of the second as Jonathan Aranda got a base hit to right to start. Christian Bethancourt flied out to right and Josh Lowe struck out swinging, but Taylor Walls doubled to right to move Aranda to third. Luke Raley grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the third as Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to second to start. Jeter Downs struck out swinging and Duran popped up to third to end the inning. The Sox have scored exactly three runs in the last 25 innings, pathetic. Brett Phillips struck out swinging to start the bottom of the third before Diaz lined out to center. Choi doubled to left but Ramirez grounded out to short to end the inning.

Somehow the Sox took the lead in the top of the fourth as Devers clubbed his 20th home run of the season to put Boston on top. Martinez flied out to center, Bogaerts grounded out to short and Verdugo grounded out to first to end the inning but the Sox led 1-0.

                                                         Devers hits one out

Aranda struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fourth before Bethancourt grounded back to the mound. Lowe lined out to short to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fifth as Cordero popped up to second to start. Plawecki grounded out to third and JBJ flied out to left to end the inning. The Sox have scored just four runs in the last 27 innings, horrible. Meanwhile Crawford got Walls to fly out to center to start the bottom of the fifth. Raley struck out swinging and Phillips took strike three to end the inning.

Downs popped up to short to start the top of the sixth but Duran got a base hit to center. Duran stole second but could only go to third on the grounder to second by Devers. Martinez walked and the Rays made a rare mistake as Rasmussen uncorked a wild pitch to score Duran. Bogaerts then doubled into the gap in center to score Martinez with another run. Verdugo grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0. 

                                                      Sox in command

Crawford kept up the pace in the bottom of the sixth as Diaz lined out to center to start. Choi grounded out to third and Ramirez grounded out to second to end the inning.

Tommy Romero came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Cordero struck out swinging to start. Plawecki grounded out to second and JBJ grounded out to third to end the inning. The Rays exploded in the bottom of the seventh as Aranda pounded a ground rule double to left to begin. Bethancourt ripped a base hit to center to put runners at the corners and Lowe hit a double to right to score Aranda to put the Rays on the board. Crawford was great for 6 innings but fell apart in the 7th and ultimately allowed 3 runs in 6 plus innings. He did strike out six batters.

                                                         Crawford deserved better

John Schreiber came in and poured gas on the fire as Walls singled to left to clear the bases to tie the game then took second on the throw home. Raley was hit with a pitch and Phillips dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners over. Diaz did the honors with a base hit to center to clear the bases and put the Rays up for good. Choi then doubled to left but Diaz was thrown out at home by Bogaerts. Ramirez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Rays up 5-3.

                                                       Yerrrrrr out!

Brooks Raley took over for the top of the eighth with Yu Chang taking over at second with Francisco Mejia behind the plate. Downs struck out swinging but Rob Refsnyder pinch hit for Duran and doubled to left. With a chance to tie the game.....Devers struck out swinging. Jason Adam came in to pitch to Martinez and JD struck out swinging to end the inning. Darwinzon Hernandez came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Mejia grounded out to third to start. Chang and Lowe both struck out swinging to end the inning.

Jalen "Twin" Beeks came in to close out the top of the ninth and Bogaerts started a rally with a base hit to left. Verdugo doubled to right to score Xander and suddenly bring the tying run to second. Christian Vazquez pinch hit for Cordero and hit one up the elevator shaft, but Plawecki walked. Bobby Dalbec pinch hit for JBJ and....struck out swinging. Downs grounded out to short to end the game, the Rays ha swept the Sox out of Tampa with a 5-4 victory.

                                                        Rays win

Jackass of the night is John Schreiber. He allowed 2 inherited runners to score and 2 of his own to lose the game.

                                                                   Jackass Schreiber

The Good:

Jarren Duran was 1 for 3 with a stolen base and a run scored.

Rob Refsnyder doubled as a pinch hitter.

Rafael Devers was 2 for 4 with a home run.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Darwinzon Hernandez pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Franchy Cordero was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3.

Bobby Dalbec struck out as a pinch hitter.

Jeter Downs was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

JD Martinez was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked and scored a run.

Alex Verdugo was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Kevin Plawecki was 0 for 3 but walked.

Kutter Crawford picked up a no decision allowing 3 runs in 6 plus innings. He allowed 6 hits and struck out six.

Final Thoughts:

That should do it for the Red Sox in terms of competing in the AL East this year. They've been thoroughly dominated all year and this month was the exclamation point. They dominated this game through 6 innings and then WHAM, its 5-3. They had chances in the eighth and ninth to tie the game but once again failed in the clutch. Schreiber had been lights out all year and this was the one time Cora let a starter pitch longer. Its been that kind of season where everything goes wrong. Crawford deserved the win but it wasn't meant to be. The bottom line is this team needs some serious starting pitching help at the trade deadline but they don't have the assets to get them. They may be better off trading some of their expiring contracts and play for next year. If you can't beat your own division then you have no chance to making the playoffs. The loss dropped the Sox to 47-43, 15.5 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Speaking of New York, Nathan Eovaldi (4-2) is coming off the injured list as he takes on Jordan Montgomery of the Yankees in the final series before the all-star break. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Yankee Stadium.

McClanahan, Rays Dominate Fading Sox (7/13/22)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Kevin Plawecki was removed from the Covid List and Connor Wong was optioned back to Worcester. We'll be seeing Wong in September if he doesn't get hurt by then. Least Plawecki is okay....for now.

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As for the game, say good night to the 2022 Boston Red Sox. Needing big wins over the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays to keep pace in the AL East and wild card races.....they've fallen flat on their faces instead. This time it was Rays ace Shane McClanahan that did the damage, holding the Trevor Story-less offense to just one measly run in 6 1/3 dominant innings. Josh Winckowski (3-4, 4.38 ERA) tossed a solid game but was tagged for three runs in six innings. Jake Diekman allowed the huge insurance run in the seventh inning as the Sox bats were silenced by the Rays bullpen. The Rays have now taken the first three games of this four game set including this one 4-1 at Tropicana Field.

                                                      Live look at the Red Sox

McClanahan got the ball in the top of the first inning and Rob Refsnyder hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Rafael Devers and JD Martinez both grounded out to second to end the inning. Winckowski got the ball in the bottom of the first and Yandy Diaz grounded out to short to start. Ji-Man Choi took strike three and Harold Ramirez grounded out to short to end the inning. 

Xander Bogaerts popped up to second to start the top of the second before Alex Verdugo struck out swinging. Christian Vazquez grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox haven't hit the ball out of the infield since Verdugo got picked off last night. Isaac Parades grounded out to first to start the bottom of the second and Jonathan Aranda lined out to second. Randy Arozarena walked but Taylor Walls grounded out to second to end the inning. 

Bobby Dalbec finally hit a ball out of the infield but it was right to Josh Lowe to start the top of the third. Jeter Downs struck out swinging and Jackie Bradley Jr grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox haven't had a baserunner since Verdugo got picked off last night. Josh Lowe walked to start the bottom of the third and Francisco Mejia got a base hit to left. Diaz beat out a double play ball and Choi got a base hit to center to score Lowe, putting the Rays up for good. Ramirez iced the game by blooping a single over the head of Downs to score Diaz. Parades lined out to right and Aranda struck out swinging to end the inning but the game was over 2-0.

                                                       Rays take the lead

The Sox boneheaded baserunning continued in the top of the fourth although Refsnyder struck out swinging to start. Devers managed to double to right but was foolishly thrown out at third trying to advance on a wild pitch. Martinez struck out swinging to end the inning. Arozarena grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the fourth but the .167 hitting Walls hit a home run all the way to Sarasota to increase the lead. Lowe lined out to left and Mejia struck out swinging but the Rays led 3-0.

                                                      How did HE hit one out?

Somehow Bogaerts got a base hit off the glove of Diaz to start the top of the fifth and shockingly Verdugo got a base hit to center to move Xander to third. Naturally Christian Vazquez banged into a double play to score Bogaerts and Dalbec struck out on three pitches not even close to end the inning with the Sox hopelessly down 3-1.

                                                               Bogaerts got a hit?

Diaz struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth and Choi grounded out to second. Ramirez lined out to second to end the inning.

The Sox quit in the top of the sixth as Downs lined out to short to start. JBJ grounded out to short and Refsnyder struck out swinging again to end the inning. Parades took strike three to begin the bottom of the sixth and Aranda flied out to center. Arozarena grounded out to second to end the inning and Winckowski's night. Apart from one bad inning he hung in there to toss 6 solid innings and allowed just 3 runs, too bad he had no run support.

                                                            Winckowski deserved better

Devers flied out to left to start the top of the seventh and that was it for McClanahan after 6 1/3 dominating innings. Jason Adam came in and Martinez grounded out to second, but Bogaerts doubled to right. Bogaerts stole third but Verdugo grounded out to first to end the inning. Sox manager Alex Cora sent up the white flag by having Jake Diekman pitch the bottom of the seventh although Walls struck out swinging to start. Lowe walked but Mejia flied out to right. Diaz hit a seeing eye single to right and Refsnyder lollygagged the throw to third....and Lowe came all the way around to score on yet another mental error this series. Choi walked but Ramirez grounded out to third to end the inning with the Rays up 4-1.

                                                    Lowe scores the backbreaking run

Brett Phillips took over for Ramirez with Ryan Thompson now on the mound for the top of the eighth inning. Vazquez grounded out to short, Dalbec struck out swinging and Downs grounded out to short to end the inning. Phillips Valdez came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Parades grounded out to short to start. Aranda lined out to right and Arozarena walked. Walls grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Colin Poche came in to close out the top of the ninth and JBJ grounded out to third to start. Refsnyder got a base hit to third but Devers struck out swinging. Martinez popped up to short to end the game. The Rays had won it 4-1.

                                                            Rays win

Jackass of the Night is JD Martinez. He was 0 for 4 with a strikeout and his offense was badly needed against McClanahan.

                                                          JD Jackass

The Good:

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 3 with a stolen base and a run scored.

Alex Verdugo was 1 for 3.

Phillips Valdez tossed a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 3.

Bobby Dalbec was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Jeter Downs was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3.

Jake Diekman allowed a run in the 7th inning.

The Ugly:

Rob Refsnyder was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Josh Winckowski took the loss but tossed 6 solid innings and allowed just 3 runs.

Final Thoughts:

The Sox needed to make a statement against the AL East and they did...."I surrender!" They've played 10 games against the Rays and New York Yankees and have gone 3-7 so far. The bats were completely silenced by McClanahan and it ruined a good start by Winckowski who's been struggling since his callup. The bottom of the order is a bonifide black hole but the top of the order didn't do much in this one. Its a shame the season turned out the way it did so far because they looked to have found their footing in May and June but injuries decimated the rotation. The season is far from over but in terms of trying to win the AL East, a 15 game deficit with an injured rotation with 73 games left is too much for any team to overcome. Sox GM Chaim Bloom screwed up big time by spending 10 million on James Paxton knowing he probably wasn't going to pitch this season. The loss dropped the Sox to 47-42, 15.5 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to avoid the sweep tomorrow night when Kutter Crawford takes on Drew Rasmussen. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Tropicana Field.

Rays Sixth Inning Rally Dooms Sox (7/12/22)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Chris Sale made his long awaited return from the Injured List and Brayan Bello was sent back to Worcester for more seasoning. Bello was rushed to the majors because of all the injuries so hopefully he can build on that down in Worcester. The Sox need Sale to rediscover his top form if they have any hope to compete with the AL East this year.

                                                                        OUT

                                                                      IN

As for the game, another day another loss to an AL East team. The Sox season isn't just going down the drain, it's rocketing at light speed to last place in the AL East. The Sox are losing players as much as they are losing game and tonight was no different. Chris Sale made his long awaited debut with 5 shutout innings and the Sox scored two runs off Corey Kluber. Then it was all downhill as Trevor Story was hit in the wrist and had to leave the game. Taylor Walls hit a line drive off the wrist of Matt Strahm who threw the ball away to allow the Rays to tie the game. Franchy Cordero then bounced a throw home to allow the winning run to score. Alex Verdugo got picked off third in the next half inning and that was it. The Sox bats did nothing the rest of the way and the Rays beat the Sox 3-2 at Tropicana Field.

                                                        Sox lose the game and Story

Kluber dominated the Sox in the top of the first inning as Jarren Duran struck out swinging to start. Christian Vazquez and the returning Rafael Devers all went down hacking to end the inning. Sale made his season debut in the bottom of the first as Yandy Diaz grounded back to the mound to start. Harold Ramirez got a base hit to right but Christian Bethancourt flied out to right. Isaac Parades lined out to short to end the inning.

The Sox had no chance in the top of the second as Xander Bogaerts popped up to first to start. Alex Verdugo flied out to center and Trevor Story lined out to short to end the inning. Randy Arozarena grounded out to short to start the bottom of the second and Ji-Man Choi struck out swinging. 

Kluber remained perfect in the top of the third as Franchy Cordero struck out swinging to start. Bobby Dalbec went down hacking and Jackie Bradley Jr flied out to left to start. The Rays threatened in the bottom of the third as Yu Chang singled to center to start. Brett Phillips took strike three but Diaz walked. Ramirez lined out to center and Bethancourt took strike three to end the inning.

Duran walked to start the top of the fourth but Kluber kept the no hitter intact when Vazquez banged into a double play. Devers grounded out to short to end the inning. Parades effortlessly doubled to left to start the bottom of the fourth and Arozarena moved Isaac to third with a grounder to second. Choi grounded out to second on the first pitch he saw and Taylor Walls flied out to center to end the inning. Sale needed just three pitches to get the three outs he needed.

Bogaerts struck out swinging to start the top of the fifth but Verdugo broke up the no-hitter with a base hit to left. All of a sudden Trevor Story swung and missed on a pitch that hit him in the hand. Story fell down clutching his hand and had to be carried out on a stretcher, loaded into an ambulance and rushed to the local ICU. Jeter Downs took his place and blooped a base hit to left to move Verdugo to third. Cordero dropped down a safety squeeze bunt to score Verdugo and move Downs to second to give the Sox the lead. Phillips fell down trying to catch a routine pop up by Dalbec and it fell in for an rbi triple to score Downs. JBJ grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0. 

                                                            Dalbec hopes Story is okay

Chang took strike three to start the bottom of the fifth before Phillips went down hacking. Diaz grounded out to third to end the inning. That was it for Sale who tosses 5 shutout innings in his return while striking out 5.

                                                           Good work Sale

Kluber dominated the top of the sixth as Duran grounded out to first to start. Vazquez struck out swinging again but Devers got a base hit to center. Bogaerts lined out to right to end the inning. Ryan Brasier came in to blow the game in the bottom of the sixth as Ramirez beat out a roller to short to start. Bethancourt lined out to short but Parades walked. Arozarena struck out swinging and that was it for Brasier. Matt Strahm came in to face Choi but Rays manager Kevin Cash countered by bringing in Francisco Mejia to pinch hit. Naturally Mejia ripped a base hit to center to score Ramirez and Strahm threw a line drive by Walls away to score Parades. Cordero fired home and the ball bounced off Vazquez allowing Mejia to score the go-ahead run. Somehow Strahm had to be rushed to the same ICU Story is at and Kaleb Ort came in to pitch to Chang. Chang took strike three to end the inning but the Rays were up for good 3-2.

                                                            Strahm throws the game away

Old pal Jalen "Twin" Beeks came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Verdugo tried to start a rally with a double to left. Somehow Downs got a base hit to left to move Verdugo to third....but Verdugo compounded the terrible night by foolishly getting picked off third. Cordero took strike three right down the middle but Dalbec walked. Rob Refsnyder pinch hit for Bradley and popped up to first to end the inning. If the Sox were at Fenway they'd be thunderous booed.

                                          Getting picked off third with nobody out. Pathetic

John Schreiber came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Phillips struck out swinging to start. Diaz struck out swinging and Ramirez was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to end the inning. 

Josh Lowe came in for Ramirez to staert the top of the eighth and Sox manager Alex Cora continued to make all the wrong moves by having Connor Wong pinch hit for Duran...only to strike out swinging on a pitch not even close. Vazquez popped up to third and Devers popped up to short to end the inning. Hiro Sawamura came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Jonathan Aranda pinch hit for Bethancourt. Aranda grounded out to short and Parades popped up to third, but Arozarena walked. A wild pitch moved Arozarena to second but Mejia grounded out to second to end the inning. 

Brooks Raley came in to close out the top of the ninth and Bogaerts popped up to first to start. Verdugo struck out swinging but Downs drew a walk to put the tying run on. Naturally Cordero struck out swinging to end the game. The Sox didn't hit a ball out of the infield after Verdugo was picked off and lost the game 3-2.

                                                                      Rays win

Jackass of the Night is a take your pick tonight. I'll go with Alex Verdugo on the principle of getting picked off third with nobody out to kill a rally.

                                                              Jackass Verdugo

The Good:

Jeter Downs was 2 for 2 with a walk and a run scored.

Bobby Dalbec was 1 for 2 with a walk and an rbi.

John Schreiber pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

Chris Sale tossed 5 shutout innings in his season debut allowing 3 hits and a walk while striking out 5.

Kaleb Ort retired the only man he faced.

Hiro Sawamura tossed a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Connor Wong struck out as a pinch hitter.

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Trevor Story was 0 for 1 before leaving with injury.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 2.

Rob Refsnyder was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Ryan Brasier was charged with 2 runs in the sixth inning.

Matt Strahm committed an error and allowed an unearned run.

The Ugly:

Jarren Duran was 0 for 2 with a strikeout but walked.

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Franchy Cordero was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts and an error but walked.

Final Thoughts:

This season fell apart in less than three weeks. 4/5 of the starting rotation got hurt, Trevor Story got hurt and Matt Strahm got hurt. No idea how long Strahm will be out but that could be the season for Story because wrist injuries are the worst. Nomar Garciaparra was never the same after he hurt his in 2001 and while that's a drastic example, it would be unfair to expect Story to hit well anytime soon. The offense is already struggling as it is, losing him will make it even worse in this crucial month. Just another sign that it isn't their year. Sale looked good today and once again Sox manager Alex Cora pulling him after 5 cost the Sox the game. If he goes one more inning they might not have needed Strahm and Brasier. Hope Strahm, Story and the guys already injured get well soon because the Sox are falling too far behind with 2 1/2 months still to go. It doesn't look good right now, that's for sure. At least Chris Sale is back, right? The loss dropped the Sox to 47-41, 14.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow night in game three of this four game set against the Rays when Josh Winckowski (3-3) gets the start against Rays ace Shane McClanahan. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Tropicana Field.

Rays Pound Bello, Sox (7/11/22)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Kevin Plawecki was placed on the Covid List and Connor Wong was called up from Worcester to replace him. This marks the first time all three players the Sox got in the Mookie Betts trade are on the same roster.

                                                                     OUT

                                                                           IN

As for the game, the Sox simply cannot beat AL East teams. It doesn't help the Sox are trudging out rookie pitchers that can't get it done like Brayan Bello, but the overall fact is the Sox cant get over the hump. The Tampa Bay Rays proved that by knocking out Bello and the Boston bullpen for 14 hits and 10 runs. The Sox bats rallied down 5-1 to tie the game 5-5 but the Rays kept coming. They rallied for 2 runs in the sixth and 3 in the eighth against Jake Diekman and Phillips Valdez. Just another sign the Sox can't compete this year as the Rays stomped them 10-5 at Tropicana Field.

Matt Wisler got the ball in the top of the first inning and Jarren Duran struck out swinging to start. Christian Vazquez popped up to second and JD Martinez grounded out to third to end the inning. Bello got the ball in the bottom of the first and the Rays wasted no time pounding him. Yandy Diaz was plunked and Ji-Man Choi walked, but somehow Randy Arozarena struck out swinging. Jonathan Aranda got a base hit to right to load the bases and Josh Lowe effortlessly singled to center to score two runs to put the Rays up just 8 batters into the game. Francisco Mejia banged into a double play to end the inning with the score 2-0 Tampa.

                                                     Lowe puts the Rays up

Josh Fleming came in to pitch the top of the second and Xander Bogaerts doubled to right to begin. A wild pitch moved Xander to third and Verdugo hit a grounder to Choi who did nothing with it to score Bogaerts. Bret Phillips made an amazing catch to rob Trevor Story of a double and Franchy Cordero struck out swinging. Rob Refsnyder forced Verdugo at second to end the inning with the Sox down 2-1.

                                                     Phillips keeps the Rays up for good

Bello got pounded in the top of the second inning as the .111 hitting Luke Raley walked on 6 pitches not even close to start. Taylor Walls lined out to left and Phillips took strike three, but Diaz doubled down the left field line to score Raley. Choi effortlessly got a base hit to left to score Diaz, Arozarena walked and Aranda easily got a base hit to right to score Choi. Somehow Lowe struck out swinging to end the inning with the Rays up 5-1.

                                                            Rays pour it on

The Sox rallied in the top of the third as Bobby Dalbec somehow drew a walk to start. Dalbec was forced at second by Duran but Vazquez doubled to left and Martinez cleared the bases with a double to left as well. Bogaerts walked to put the tying run on but Verdugo lined out to left and Story struck out swinging to end the rally with the Sox down 5-3.

                                                               JD with a double

Sox manager Alex Cora left Bello in to pitch the bottom of the third and Mejia doubled to right to start. Raley struck out swinging but Walls dropped down a bunt to catch the Sox asleep only for the alert Vazquez to throw him out at first with no advancement. Phillips flied out to left to end the inning. 

The Sox struck again in the top of the fourth although Cordero struck out swinging to start. Refsnyder got a base hit to center and moved to second on the grounder to second by Dalbec. Duran got a base hit to left to score Refsnyder but was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double to end the inning with the Sox down 5-4.

                                                      Nice going Duran

Bello trudged out for the bottom of the fourth and Diaz got a base hit to left to start. Choi struck out swinging and Arozarena banged into a double play to end the inning. That was it for Bello who recovered to end his day allowing 5 runs in just 4 innings. Not good enough at all.

                                                          Bello struggles again

The Sox rallied against Luke Bard in the top of the fifth although Vazquez lined out to right to start. Martinez doubled to right and Bogaerts ripped a base hit to right to score JD to tie the game. Verdugo singled to left and both runners pulled off a double steal...but Story grounded out to third. Naturally Cordero earned the hat trick by striking out swinging to end the inning with the game tied 5-5.

                                                                   Tie game!

Austin Davis came in to pitch the bottom of the fifth and Aranda struck out swinging to start. Lowe struck out swinging but Mejia singled to right. Raley grounded out to first to end the inning. 

Refsnyder tried to start a rally by walking to start the top of the sixth but Dalbec lined out to second. Duran forced Refsnyder at second and got thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning....but wait, Sox manager Alex Cora challenged that Duran was safe. Umps ruled Duran was safe but Vazquez struck out swinging to end the inning. That's six men left on base to this point. Jake Diekman came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and guess what he did? Hit Walls with a pitch to put the first guy on AGAIN! Phillips would have walked but swung at ball four and lined out to left. Diaz effortlessly pounded a double to left to score Walls to put the Rays up for good. That was it for Diekman as Kaleb Ort came in with Harold Ramirez pinch hitting for Choi. Of course Ramirez ripped a base hit to right to score Diaz to ice the game. Ramirez was thrown out at second trying to steal and Arozarena grounded out to short to end the inning with the game all but over 7-5.

                                                        Rays go up for good

The Sox quit in the top of the seventh as Martinez flied out to right to start. Bogaerts flied out to left and Verdugo lined out to center to end the inning. Phillips Valdez came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Aranda flied out to center to start. Lowe grounded back to the mound and Mejia popped up to short to end the inning.

Yu Chang came in for Aranda with Colin Poche now on to pitch the top of the eighth. Story grounded out to third, Cordero earned the golden sombrero by striking out swinging and Refsnyder flied out to right to end the inning. Valdez returned for the bottom of the eighth and got his lunch handed to him. Raley hit a routine grounder to Dalbec who kicked the ball over to first for an error although Walls forced Raley at second. Phillips got a base hit to right to move Walls to third and Diaz hit a sac fly to right to score Walls. Ramirez singled to center, Arozarena singled to right and Chang singled to left to score Ramirez. Lowe flied out to center to end the inning with the Rays up 10-5.

                                                        Rays are all smiles in this one

Mercifully Jason Adam put an end to the torture in the top of the ninth. Dalbec, Duran and Vazquez all struck out swinging to end the game. The Rays had won it 10-5.

                                                           Rays win

Jackass of the Night is Jake Diekman. He allowed the go-ahead runs to score in the sixth inning.

                                                           Jackass Diekman

The Good:

JD Martinez was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 3 with a walk, rbi, stolen base and a run scored.

Alex Verdugo was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a stolen base.

Rob Refsnyder was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Austin Davis pitched a scoreless fifth inning.

The Bad:

Trevor Story was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Franchy Cordero earned the golden sombrero by going 0 for 4 with 4 strikeouts.

Brayan Bello got lit up for 5 runs in just 4 innings. He allowed 7 hits and 3 walks.

Phillips Valdez allowed 3 runs in 2 innings.

The Ugly:

Jarren Duran was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts but stole a base, drove in a run and scored a run.

Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.

Bobby Dalbec was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Kaleb Ort allowed an inherited runner to score in 2/3 of an inning. 

Final Thoughts:

Bello clearly isn't ready for the big time yet but the only reason he's here is 4 out of the 5 starters are out with injuries. He was thrown right in the fire and was told to sink or swim....and he sank. Still, even when he was gone the bullpen allowed 5 more runs. The Sox might have been able to come back if the bullpen did their job. Its just a sign of the times that the Sox can't compete with the AL East. They've yet to win a series this year and we're a week out from the all-star break. Things need to change and fast or else they'll be sellers at the deadline. Bogaerts, Devers, Martinez, Eovaldi and Vazquez are free agents at the end of the year and we could be seeing the last of them unless they can start beating teams in their own division. The loss dropped the Sox to 47-40, 14.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow night against the Rays when Chris Sale makes his long awaited season debut against Corey Kluber of Tampa. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Tropicana Field.