Rainout News (4/21/91)

The Boston Red Sox game against the Cleveland Indians has been postponed due to bad weather. The good news was the Boston Bruins defeated the Montreal Canadiens in Game 3 of their second round NHL playoff series. Congrats to them.

                                                                 Bruins win

On This Day in Basebawful History:

1915 - Senators beat up Sox

1971 - Sox outslug Indians

1981 - Tudor, Sox beat Rangers

1984 - Sox fall to the A's

Tomorrow night the Sox are back in action tomorrow night against the Toronto Blue Jays. Danny Darwin goes for the Sox up against David Wells of Toronto. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Edge Indians (4/20/91)

After a rainout postponed yesterday's game to August, today the Sox continued their string of good pitching against the Cleveland Indians. This time it was Greg Harris (1-2, 3.31 ERA) who tossed 6 shutout innings against the Indians. Tom Candiotti was tough on the Sox allowing just two runs in 7 innings, but those two runs just happened to be enough. Carlos Quintana and Mike Greenwell knocked in the crucial runs, Jeff Gray and Jeff Reardon slammed the door and the Sox had taken the game 2-1 at Cleveland Stadium.

                                                             Stacy Arthur approves of the win

Candiotti took the mound in the top of the first inning and Wade Boggs led off by lining out to short. Steve Lyons made his season debut by popping up to short. Mike Greenwell singled to third and a passed ball moved him to second. Jack Clark walked but Ellis Burks struck out swinging to end the inning. Harris took the mound in the bottom of the first and Alex Cole struck out swinging to start. Jerry Browne popped up to left in foul territory and Chris James struck out looking to end the inning.

Tom Brunansky flied out to center to begin the top of the second and Carlos Quintana grounded out to second. Tony Pena walked but Tim Naehring grounded into a force to end the inning. Albert Belle grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the second but Brook Jacoby doubled to left. Carlos Baerga walked and Sandy Alomar was plunked to load the bases. Felix Fermin banged into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the third as Boggs doubled to left to start. Lyons popped up to second in shallow right but Greenwell singled home Boggs to give the Sox the lead. Jack Clark flied out to right and Greenwell was picked off first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                          Greenwell drives in a run

Mitch Webster struck out swinging to start the bottom of the third but Cole grounded back to the mound. Browne grounded out to short to end the inning.

Burks grounded out to third to start the top of the fourth inning and Brunansky struck out swinging. Quintana flied out to center to end the inning. The Indians threatened in the bottom of the fourth as James singled in the hole at short to start. Belle walked but Jacoby messed up the bunt and James was thrown out at third. Belle got picked off second and Baerga popped up to second to end the inning.

Pena hit one up the elevator shaft to start the top of the fifth and Naehring struck out looking. Boggs and Lyons stroked back to back singles but Greenwell popped up to Alomar to end the inning. Alomar flied out to right to start the bottom of the fifth but Fermin singled to second and stole second base. Fermin moved to third on the Webster grounder but Cole grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the sixth as Clark flied out to center to start. Burks singled to left and took second when Belle booted the ball. Brunansky grounded out to third but Quintana doubled to left to score Burks with the insurance run. Pena flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                            Quintana with an rbi double

Harris returned for one more inning in the bottom of the sixth as Browne grounded out to first to start. James walked and Belle hit a routine grounder to Naehring who picked the ball up and dove on the ground with it for an error. Jacoby popped up to second and Baerga lined out to first to end the inning. Good work by Harris to throw 6 shutout innings to keep the Sox in front.

                                                                 Harris goes 6 strong

Naehring popped up to second to start the top of the seventh and Boggs grounded out to short. Lyons drew a walk and Greenwell popped up to third to end the inning. Jeff Gray came in for the bottom of the seventh and Alomar hit a routine grounder to Naehring who ran and jumped on third base for an error. Fermin flied out to center and Webster struck out swinging, but Cole singled past the diving Naehring. Browne singled down the right field line to score Alomar but Cole tried to score from first and was caught in a rundown to end the inning with the Sox still ahead 2-1.

                                                    "Catch the damn ball Naehring!"

Steve Olin came in to pitch the top of the eighth inning and Clark grounded out to third to start. Burks walked but Brunansky was called out on catcher interference. Quintana grounded out to second to end the inning. Gray returned for the bottom of the eighth and James grounded out to short to start. Belle whiffed and Jacoby popped up to short to end the inning.

Olin came back for the top of the ninth and Pena popped up to first to start. Naehring walked but was forced at second by Boggs. Lyons flied out to right to end the inning. Jeff Reardon came in for the save in the bottom of the ninth and Baerga popped up to second to start. Alomar flied out to left and Beau Allred pinch hit for Fermin. Reardon punched out Allred to end the game. The Sox had won it 2-1.

Hero of the Night is Greg Harris. He tossed 6 shutout innings on a day the Sox offense accomplished almost nothing.

                                                                   Harris Hero

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Mike Greenwell was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Ellis Burks was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Jeff Reardon earned his 3rd save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Tom Brunansky was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Steve Lyons was just 1 for 4 with a walk.

Jack Clark was 0 for 3 but walked.

Carlos Quintana was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Tony Pena was 0 for 3 but walked.

Tim Naehring was 0 for 3 with 2 errors but walked.

Jeff Gray allowed an unearned run in two innings of work.

Final Thoughts:

The Red Sox offense continues to struggle but they're getting good pitching lately to keep them afloat. This can't possibly last and the Sox are gonna have to do something to generate some offense. This looks like last year already and Jack Clark so far has made little difference. The sad part is the acquisitions of Matt Young, Danny Darwin and Clark were supposed to offset the losses of Mike Boddicker, Dwight Evans and in essence Bruce Hurst. Still, its too early in the season to judge and the Sox still won the game. Harris pitched a heck of a game and take nothing away from that. The Sox look to make it 5 wins in a row tomorrow against the Indians when they send Dana Kiecker to the mound opposite Charles Nagy at 2:05 PM Eastern time at Cleveland Stadium.

Clemens Outduels Saberhagen, Sox Sweep Royals (4/19/91)

In one of the best pitchers duels of the season, Roger Clemens (3-0, 0.36 ERA) of the Boston Red Sox defeated Bret Saberhagen and the Kansas City Royals in an instant classic. Roger tossed 8 shutout innings to pick up the win as Saberhagen was doomed by an unearned run in 7 innings of work himself. A fielding error by Jim Eisenreich off a Jody Reed base hit scored Wade Boggs with the game's only run. Tony Fossas and Jeff Reardon nailed down the save in the bottom of the ninth as the Sox swept the Royals with a narrow 1-0 victory at Fenway Park.

                                                      Lefty Grove approves of the win

Clemens got the ball in the top of the first and Jim Eisenreich lined out to center to start. Kevin Seitzer struck out swinging but George Brett walked. Danny Tartabull struck out swinging to end the inning. Saberhagen got the ball in the bottom of the first and Wade Boggs lined out to third to start. Jody Reed popped up to second but Mike Greenwell walked. Jack Clark grounded into a force to end the inning.

Kirk Gibson flied out to center to start the top of the second and Kurt Stillwell struck out swinging. Mike Macfarlane popped up to second to end the inning. Ellis Burks grounded out to third to start the bottom of the second before Tom Brunansky lined out to left. Carlos Quintana flied out to right to end the inning.

Brian McRae took strike three to start the top of the third before Terry Shumpert lined out to third. Eisenreich struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the third as Tony Pena grounded out to short to start. Tim Naehring struck out swinging but Boggs singled to left. Reed singled to left but Eisenreich bobbled the ball, allowing Boggs to score the game's first run. Greenwell grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                             Boggs scores a run

Seitzer whiffed to start the top of the fourth but Brett grounded out to second. Tartabull grounded out to short to end the inning. Clark singled in the hole at short to start the bottom of the fourth but Burks took strike three. Brunansky flied out to left and two wild pitches moved Clark all the way to third. Quintana flied out to center to end the inning.

Gibson flied out to right to start the top of the fifth but Clemens threw away a grounder by Stillwell for an error. Macfarlane singled to left but McRae popped up to second. Shumpert took strike three to end the inning. Pena whiffed to begin the bottom of the fifth before Naehring took strike three. Boggs grounded out to second to end the inning.

Eisenreich singled to center to start the top of the sixth but Clemens struck out Seitzer swinging. Eisenreich stole second then moved to third on the Brett grounder, but Tartabull popped up to first in foul territory to end the inning. Saberhagen got Reed to ground out to short to start the bottom of the sixth. Greenwell popped up to third in foul territory but Clark walked. Burks lined out to third to end the inning.

Gibson singled to left to begin the top of the seventh then stole second. Stillwell lined out to left and Macfarlane whiffed, but Warren Cromartie pinch hit for McRae. Cromartie lined out to left to end the inning. Saberhagen returned for the bottom of the seventh and Brunansky doubled down the left field line to start. Quintana moved Bruno to third with a sacrifice bunt but Pena lined out to short. Naehring took strike three to end the inning.

Clemens returned for the top of the eighth and Shumpert struck out swinging to start. Eisenreich and Seitzer both grounded out to second to end the inning. That was it for Clemens who tossed eight shutout innings giving up 3 hits and a walk while striking out 10 batters.

                                                                Clemens goes 8 strong

Jeff Montgomery came in for the bottom of the eighth and Boggs lined out to left to start. Reed lined out to center and Greenwell grounded out to first to end the inning.

Tony Fossas came in to pitch to Brett to start the top of the ninth and got him to ground out to short. Jeff Reardon came in and Tartabull struck out swinging. Gibson walked but Stillwell lined out to right to end the game. The Sox had won it 1-0.

Hero of the Night is Roger Clemens. He tossed 8 shutout innings while allowing just 3 hits.

                                                           Rocket Hero

The Good:

Jack Clark was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Tom Brunansky was 1 for 3.

Tony Fossas got the first out of the top of the ninth.

Jeff Reardon got the save by getting the final two outs of the ninth inning.

The Bad:

Ellis Burks was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Carlos Quintana was 0 for 2.

Tony Pena was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Tim Naehring was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was just 1 for 4 with a run scored.

Jody Reed was just 1 for 4.

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 3 but walked.

Final Thoughts:

That was an instant classic but the Sox damn near pulled off a repeat of Patriots Day. Clemens was outstanding and the Sox were lucky to get the one run that they did. The offense has been pretty pitiful this season for the most part and today was no different. The Sox best hitter is technically Tom Brunansky hitting .273...pathetic. Still, as bad as the offense has been, apart from some games here and there the pitching has been pretty good. Clemens has been almost unhittable this season and he's a man on a mission after his embarrassment in the playoffs last year. He's still appealing his suspension and we may find out if he serves it next week or so. As for this game, great pitching clinic and even better the Sox were on the right side of it. Tomorrow the Sox head to Cleveland to play the Indians in a three game set. Greg Harris (0-2) takes on Tom Candiotti of the Indians tomorrow afternoon at 3 PM Eastern time at Cleveland Stadium.

Rainout News (4/18/91)

Today's pitchers duel between Roger Clemens and Bret Saberhagen has been postponed due to rain. They will face each other tomorrow but today's game between the Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals has been rained out.

On This Day in Basebawful History:

1970 - Tigers crush Lee, Red Sox

1971 - Siebert, Sox beat Tigers

1981 - Trout outduels Tanana, White Sox beat Red Sox

1983 - Brewers dominate Sox on Patriots Day

1984 - Rangers hand Sox sixth straight loss

1990 - Red Sox hang on to beat White Sox

Tomorrow night the Sox face the Royals with Roger Clemens (2-0) taking on Bret Saberhagen of the Royals. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Bolton, Sox Beat Royals (4/17/91)

The city of Boston got a double dose of good news as the Boston Bruins defeated the Montreal Canadians in Game 1 of their second round NHL playoff series and the Boston Red Sox defeated the Kansas City Royals in today's game. Tom Bolton (1-0, 1.46 ERA) tossed 7 solid innings, allowing just 2 runs to keep the Sox in the game. The offense once again provided a spark with Jack Clark and Mike Greenwell slugging home runs. Tom Brunansky also drove in two runs as the Sox enjoyed their second straight victory over the Royals 6-2 at Fenway Park.

                                                          Cam Neely approves of the win

The Royals struck first in the top of the first against Bolton as Gary Thurman singled to right to start. Kevin Seitzer forced Thurman at second then advanced to second on the George Brett grounder. A wild pitch moved Seitzer to third and he scored on the Danny Tartabull double to right. Kirk Gibson lined out to first to end the inning with the Royals ahead 1-0.

                                                 Jose Tartabull would be proud of his son

Storm Davis got the ball in the bottom of the first and Wade Boggs led off with a grounder to short. Jody Reed popped up to short and Mike Greenwell flied out to center to end the inning.

Russ Morman flied out to right to start the top of the second and Mike Macfarlane grounded out to short. Bill Pecota took strike three to end the inning. The Sox tied it up in the bottom of the second as Jack Clark doubled to center to begin. Ellis Burks moved Clark to third with a grounder and Tom Brunansky scored Jack with a sac fly to tie the game. Mike Marshall lined out to right to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                             Bruno ties it up

Shumpert lined out to center to start the top of the third and Thurman flied out to right. Seitzer grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the third as Tony Pena singled blooped a single to right to start. Luis Rivera made his season debut by moving Pena to third with a base hit and Boggs scored Tony with a grounder to give the Sox the lead. Reed banged into a double play to end the inning but it was 2-1 Sox.

                                                               First game, first hit

The Royals answered in the top of the fourth as Brett grounded out to second to start. Tartabull singled to left and took second on a wild pitch. Gibson walked and Morman singled home Tartabull to tie the game. Macfarlane grounded into a double play to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                                  Tartabull scores a run

The Sox took the lead back in the bottom of the fourth as Greenwell walked to start. Clark then mashed his second home run of the season to give Boston the lead. Burks grounded out to short and Brunansky grounded out to third, but Marshall singled to right. Pena grounded into a force to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-2.

                                                                       Home run for Clark

Pecota popped up to second to start the top of the fifth and Shumpert grounded out to short. Thurman doubled to left and Seitzer grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fifth and Rivera grounded back to the mound to start. Boggs flied out to left and Reed grounded out to third to end the inning.

Brett grounded out to second to start the top of the sixth but Tartabull flied out to right. Gibson grounded out to first to end the inning. Greenwell singled to start the bottom of the sixth but Clark flied out to center. Burks singled to left but Brunansky popped up to short. Marshall grounded into a force to end the inning.

Bolton returned for one last inning in the top of the seventh and Morman lined out to center to start. Macfarlane doubled to left and moved to third on the grounder by Pecota. Shumpert flied out to center to end the inning. That was a great effort by Bolton to toss 7 innings of 2 run ball to keep the Sox in front.

                                                         Great effort by Bolton

Pena popped up to short to begin the bottom of the seventh and Rivera struck out swinging. Boggs grounded out to third to end the inning.

Jeff Gray came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Jim Eisenreich pinch hit for Thurman. Eisenreich lined out to center, Seitzer grounded out to short and Brett flied out to center to end the inning. Boston wrapped up the scoring in the bottom of the eighth as Reed grounded out to third to start. Greenwell then struck his first bomb of the year to increase the lead. Clark flied out to left but Burks walked to chase Davis. Luis Aquino came in to pitch and Burks moved to second on a wild pitch before scoring on the Brunansky single off the Monster. Marshall singled to center but Pena grounded into a force to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-2.

                                                                         Home run Greenwell

Gray returned to close out the top of the ninth and Tartabull grounded out to short to start. Gibson whiffed but Kurt Stillwell pinch hit for Morman. Stillwell flied out to left to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-2.

Hero of the Night is Tom Bolton. He tossed 7 innings of 2 run ball to earn the win. He allowed 6 hits and just one walk.

                                                                  Hero Tom

The Good:

Mike Greenwell was 2 for 3 with a walk, home run and 2 runs scored.

Jack Clark was 2 for 4 with a two run home run and 2 total runs scored.

Ellis Burks was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Tom Brunansky was 1 for 3 with 2 total rbis.

Mike Marshall was 2 for 4.

Luis Rivera was 1 for 3.

Jeff Gray got the save with 2 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Jody Reed was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was 0 for 4 but drove in a run.

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

Final Thoughts:

Two straight games the Sox offense came to play and the Sox got a great effort for the third game in a row from their starter. Matt Young on Patriots Day, Danny Darwin yesterday and Tom Bolton today. Nobody expects Bolton to win 20 games but if he can be the air apparent to Bruce Hurst they've been missing for the last two years, that would be nice. As mentioned earlier, the offense is starting to pick up with two straight games of multiple home runs. If only they had this on Patriots Day but oh well. It was still a good win and hopefully the momentum carries them into tomorrow's game with the Kansas City Royals. Roget Clemens (2-0) goes for the Sox up against Bret Saberhagen of the Royals in what should be a pitching clinic. The game begins at 2:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Darwin, Sox Defeat Royals (4/16/91)

Now that's more like it, Danny Darwin (1-1, 7.71 ERA). After his disasterous debut against the Cleveland Indians, Darwin rebounded to beat the Kansas City Royals. Danny tossed 7 shutout innings before running out of gas in the eighth inning. Tony Fossas and Jeff Reardon saved the day for the Sox to preserve the win. The Sox got a trio of home runs from Wade Boggs, Mike Marshall and Tom Brunansky to pace the offense in this one. The Sox got back on the winning track with a 5-2 victory over the Royals at Fenway Park.

                                                       Ingrid Pitt approves of the win

Darwin got the ball in the top of the first and Brian McRae grounded out to short to start. Kevin Seitzer grounded out to third but George Brett and Danny Tartabull stroked back to back singles to right. Kirk Gibson flied out to left to end the inning. The Sox wasted no time getting to Royals starter Kevin Appier in the bottom of the first as Wade Boggs flied out to right to start. Jody Reed lined out to right but Mike Greenwell singled into right. Mike Marshall hit a routine grounder to Kurt Stillwell who threw the ball away for an error. Ellis Burks singled home Greenwell to put the Sox on the board and Tom Brunansky singled home Marshall to increase the lead. Carlos Quintana lined out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                             Brunansky drives in a run

Jim Eisenreich flied out to left to start the top of the second and Mike Macfarlane flied out to right. Stillwell walked but Terry Shumpert took strike three to end the inning. Tony Pena singled to right to start the bottom of the second then moved to second on the sacrifice bunt by Tim Naehring. Boggs walked but Reed lined out to center. Greenwell flied out to left to end the inning.

Darwin cruised in the top of the third as McRae popped up to third to start. Seitzer grounded out to second and Brett took strike three to end the inning. The Sox got a run in the bottom of the third although Marshall took strike three to start. Burks whiffed but Brunansky cracked his first home run of the season to increase the lead. Quintana flied out to center to end the inning but it was 3-0 Sox.

                                                          Brunansky finally hits one out

Tartabull grounded out to second to start the top of the fourth before Gibson also grounded out to second. Eisenreich whiffed to end the inning. The Sox tagged Appier again in the bottom of the fourth although Pena grounded out to second to start. Naehring struck out swinging but Boggs hit his first home run of the season to increase the lead. Reed lined out to center to end the inning with Boston ahead 4-0.

                                                                   Home run Boggs

Macfarlane flied out to left to begin the top of the fifth and Stillwell took strike three. Shumpert flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox got another run in the bottom of the fifth as Greenwell flied out to center to start. Marshall belted his first home run of the season to increase the lead but Burks went down hacking. Brunansky grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-0.

                                                        First bomb for Marshall

Darwin cruised in the top of the sixth as McRae lined out to right to begin. Seitzer grounded out to second and Brett lined out to left to end the inning. Tom Gordon took over for Appier in the bottom of the sixth and Quintana singled past second base to start. Pena flied out to right, Naehring took strike three and Boggs grounded into a force to end the inning.

Tartabull struck out swinging to open the top of the seventh and Gibson went down hacking as well. Eisenreich flied out to left to end the inning. Reed took strike three to start the bottom of the seventh and Greenwell grounded out to first. Marshall swung at air for strike three to end the inning.

Darwin ran out of gas in the top of the eighth as Macfarlane singled to left and Stillwell hit a home run all the way to Venus to cut the lead. Warren Cromartie pinch hit for Shumpert and lined out to left and McRae whiffed, but Seitzer singled to right to chase Darwin. He was much improved over his first start, tossing 7 2/3 innings of 2 run ball. Tony Fossas came in and got Brett to ground out to first to end the inning with the Royals down 5-2.

                                               Good effort from Darwin

Dave Howard took McRae's spot in the batting order with old friend Steve Crawford now on the mound for the bottom of the eighth. Burks grounded out to third, Brunansky flied out to left and Quintana took strike three to end the inning.

Jeff Reardon came in to close out the top of the ninth and Tartabull flied out to left to start. Gibson singled over the first base bag but Eisenreich lined out to left. Macfarlane struck out swinging to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-2.

Hero of the Night is Danny Darwin. He tossed 7 2/3 innings of 2 run ball to lead the Sox to victory.

                                                                Hero Darwin

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 1 for 3 with a walk including a solo home run.

Tom Brunansky was 2 for 4 with a home run and 2 total rbis.

Tony Pena was 1 for 3.

Tony Fossas retired the only man he faced.

Jeff Reardon earned his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Jody Reed was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Tim Naehring was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Mike Greenwell was just 1 for 4 but the hit was a home run and scored two total runs.

Ellis Burks was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Carlos Quintana was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

THIS is the Darwin the Sox were expecting when they signed him to replace Larry Andersen. He was great through 7 innings even if he did run out of gas in the eighth inning. The offense finally woke up with some desperately needed longballs. The Sox kept Marshall over Dwight Evans so its about time he does something to justify that. As a whole, only Ellis Burks is hitting above .275 but hopefully that changes as April goes on. All in all it was a good win and hopefully the Sox can go on a nice winning streak. The Sox are back in action tomorrow against the Royals with Tom Bolton making his first start of the season opposite Storm Davis of the Royals. The game begins at 2:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Indians Blank Sox in 13 Innings on Patriots Day (4/15/91)

Well this was a waste of a Patriots Day. After the Boston Red Sox failed to score a run in 9 innings yesterday against the Cleveland Indians, today they topped it by failing to cross the plate in 13 futile innings. Charles Nagy tossed 8 1/3 scoreless innings for the Indians before the bullpen tossed the remaining 4 2/3. Matt Young pitched his ass off for the Sox, going 9 shutout innings while allowing just 2 hits and 6 walks. Jeff Gray and Joe Hesketh kept the Tribe off the board but it was Dennis Lamp (0-1, 4.50 ERA) that surrendered the go-ahead run in the top of the 13th inning. Doug Jones closed out the game in the bottom of the frame as the Sox have now gone 22 straight innings without scoring a run, losing this Patriots Day marathon 1-0 at Fenway Park.

                                                   "Is this team ever gonna score?" 

Young got the ball in the top of the first and Mike Huff struck out swinging to start. Felix Fermin grounded out to short and Mitch Webster grounded out to third to end the inning. Nagy got the ball in the bottom of the first and Wade Boggs grounded out to second to start. Jody Reed walked but Mike Greenwell banged into a double play to end the inning.

Albert Belle struck out swinging to start the top of the second and Brook Jacoby grounded out to short. Chris James and Jeff Manto drew back to back walks but Joel Skinner struck out swinging to end the inning. Jack Clark struck out swinging tos tart the bottom of the second and Ellis Burks popped up to second. Mike Marshall made his season debut by grounding out to short to end the inning.

Joel Escobar flied out to center to start the top of the third and Huff hit one up the elevator shaft. Fermin walked but Webster flied out to left to end the inning. Carlos Quintana got the Sox first hit of the game with a base hit to right but Tony Pena hit into a double play. Tim Naehring lined out to center to end the inning.

Belle grounded out to second to start the top of the fourth but Jacoby got the Indians first hit with a single to center. Jacoby moved to second on the James grounder and Manto grounded out to short to end the inning. Boggs singled to right to start the bottom of the fourth but was thrown out at second trying to steal. Reed whiffed and Greenwell flied out to right to end the inning.

Skinner flied out to right to begin the top of the fifth and Escobar grounded out to second. Huff grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox blew a chance to take the lead in the bottom of the fifth as Clark walked to start. Burks doubled to left but Clark was foolishly thrown out at home on the grounder to third by Marshall. Quintana flied out to right and Pena grounded into a fielder's choice to end the inning.

                                                           What the hell was that Jack?

Fermin walked to begin the top of the sixth and moved to second on the grounder to third by Webster. Belle flied out to left and Jacoby grounded out to first to end the inning. Naehring whiffed to start the bottom of the sixth and Boggs walked. Boggs was erased on the force by Reed and Greenwell popped up to second to end the inning.

James walked to open the top of the seventh but Manto lined out to center. James stole second on the Skinner strikeout but Escobar walked. Huff grounded out to short to end the inning. Clark whiffed to start the bottom of the second but Burks singled to center. Marshall banged into a double play to end the inning and Sox manager Joe Morgan had seen enough of Marshall.

Kevin Romine made his season debut by taking over in right to begin the top of the eighth and Fermin grounded out to first to start. Webster's bunt attempt was snuffed out by Pena and Belle grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the eighth as Quintana grounded out to third to start. Pena grounded out to second and Naehring grounded out to third to end the inning.

Young came back for one more inning in the top of the ninth as Jacoby grounded out to third to start. James flied out to center but Jeff Manto singled. Alex Cole pinch ran for Manto and Sandy Alomar pinch hit for Skinner, grounding into a force to end the inning. Matt Young had tossed a 9 inning shutout allowing 2 hits but walked 6.

                                                               Young throws 9 shutout innings

The Sox had their chance to win the game in the bottom of the ninth with Carlos Baerga now at third when Boggs walked to start. Reed dropped down a bunt to get Wade to second and Greenwell was intentionally walked. Steve Olin came in to pitch to Clark and naturally Clark banged into a double play to end the inning.

Jeff Gray came in to pitch the top of the tenth and Jerry Browne pinch hit for Escobar, grounding out to short. Huff singled to right and stole second, but Webster lined out to right to end the inning. Ellis Burks struck out looking to start the bottom of the tenth and Romine whiffed. Quintana grounded out to short to end the inning.

Belle was plunked to start the top of the eleventh and took second on a wild pitch. Jacoby took strike three, James flied out to center and Baerga popped up to center to end the inning. Pena lined out to center to start the bottom of the eleventh and Naehring grounded out to second. Boggs flied out to left to end the inning.

Joe Hesketh came in to pitch the top of the 12th and Alomar grounded out to second to start. Browne dropped down a bunt single and Huff walked, but Fermin could only advance the runners with a grounder. Webster whiffed to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the 12th as Reed lined out to left to start. Greenwell flied out to center and Clark whiffed to end the inning.

Dennis Lamp came in for the top of the 13th and Belle flied out to right to start. All of a sudden Jacoby hit a home run all the way into the Charles River to give the Indians the lead. James flied out to center and Baerga grounded out to second to end the inning with the Indians up 1-0.

                                                        Jacoby puts Cleveland on top

Doug Jones came in for the bottom of the 13th and Burks grounded out to short to start. Tom Brunansky pinch hit for Romine and got a base hit to left. Quintana got a base hit to left to put the tying run at second but Pena could only advance the runners with a grounder. With no one else on the bench to pinch hit, Naehring popped up to second to end the game. The Indians had won it 1-0 in 13 innings.

Jackass of the Night is Dennis Lamp. He served up the home run to Jacoby in the 13th inning.

                                                       Jackass Lamp

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 1 for 3 with 2 walks.

Ellis Burks was 2 for 5.

Tom Brunansky singled as a pinch hitter.

Carlos Quintana was 2 for 5.

Matt Young was outstanding, tossing 9 shutout innings while allowing 2 hits and 6 walks.

Jeff Gray tossed 2 scoreless innings.

Joe Hesketh pitched a scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Mike Marshall was 0 for 3.

Kevin Romine was 0 for 1.

Tony Pena was 0 for 5.

Tim Naehring was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Jody Reed was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 4 but walked.

Jack Clark was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but walked.

Final Thoughts:

The Red Sox weren't a very good offensive team last year but they looked totally incompetent the last few days. They've been shut out in back to back games and things aren't working. The Sox haven't displayed any power or getting hits in the clutch. Its early in the season but that's a bad sign. Apart from Dennis Lamp, the pitching was wonderful. Young tossed 9 shutout innings which wins the game 9 times out of 10. Jeff Gray and Joe Hesketh did what they could so no sense blasting them. Its a shame the Sox couldn't win on Patriots Day but those are the breaks. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow when the Kansas City Royals come to town. Danny Darwin (0-1) looks to rebound from his disaster of a debut when he takes on Kevin Appier of the Royals. The game begins at 2:05 PM at Fenway Park.