Clemens, Burks Slam Mariners (5/20/92)

Don't look now but the Boston Red Sox have won 3 games in a row. Didn't know they had it in them! It helped that Roger Clemens (6-3, 1.70 ERA) was on the mound but better yet, they actually scored some runs. For 7 innings the Sox battled the Seattle Mariners to a 2-2 tie after Dave Fleming held the Sox to just 2 runs. Ellis Burks cracked a grand slam in the bottom of the eighth to put the game on ice. Tony Fossas crapped his pants in the top of the ninth after 8 good innings by Clemens but Jeff Reardon saved the day as the Sox beat Seattle 6-2 at Fenway Park.

                                                       Cady Cantrell approves of the win

Clemens got the ball in the bottom of the first and Harold Reynolds grounded out to second to start. Edgar Martinez doubled off the bottom of the Monster but Ken Griffey Jr struck out swinging. Tino Martinez grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox struck first against Fleming in the bottom of the first as Reed ate up Harold Reynolds for a base hit to start. Reed took second on a wild pitch and moved to third on a liner to center by Mike Greenwell. Boggs doubled off the Monster to score Reed and Jack Clark blooped a single to right to move Wade to third. Ellis Burks popped up to second and Tom Brunansky grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                              Boggs puts the Sox on top

The Mariners struck back in the top of the second as Pete O'Brien whacked a home run around the Pesky Pole to cut the lead. Dave Cochrane and Greg Briley both grounded out to second and Omar Vizquel flied out to right to end the inning with Seattle down 2-1.

                                                    O'Brien takes Clemens deep

The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the second as Bob Zupcic grounded out to third to start. Luis Rivera flied out to left and Tony Pena grounded out to first to end the inning.

Bert Heffernan grounded out to third to open the top of the third but Reynolds drew a walk. Reynolds moved to second on a grounder to first by Edgar Martinez but Griffey Jr grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the third as Reed walked to start. Greenwell reached on an error by Reynolds but Boggs lined out to center. Clark beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners but Burks walked to load the bases. Brunansky flied out to left to end the inning.

Tino Martinez grounded out to second to start the top of the fourth before O'Brien grounded out to first. Cochrane struck out swinging to end the inning. Zupcic grounded out to short to begin the bottom of the fourth but Rivera singled to left. Rivera swiped second but Pena flied out to center. Reed lined out to a running Griffey Jr to end the inning.

Clemens struck out Briley swinging to begin the top of the fifth but Vizquel fisted a base hit to right. Heffernan banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox blew another rally in the bottom of the fifth as Greenwell singled down the third base line to start. Boggs walked but Clark flied out to left. Burks flied out to center and Brunansky lined out to a running Griffey to end the inning.

Clemens cruised in the top of the sixth as Reynolds grounded out to second to start. Edgar Martinez lined out to first and Griffey Jr lined out to center to end the inning. The Sox blew yet another rally in the bottom of the sixth although Zupcic grounded out to third to start. Rivera struck out swinging but Pena got a base hit to left. Reed lined a base hit to center and both runners moved over on a balk. Greenwell grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Mariners tagged Clemens in the top of the seventh as Tino Martinez was hit in the shoulder to start. Zupcic made a great diving catch in the right field corner to rob O'Brien of a hit but Cochrane dropped a base hit into right. Briley singled to left to score Martinez but Vizquel forced Briley at second with a grounder to Brunansky. Heffernan struck out swinging to end the inning with the Mariners up 2-1.

                                                 Martinez scores a run

The Sox answered in the bottom of the seventh as Boggs reached on an error by Tino Martinez to start. Clark hit one up the elevator shaft and Burks struck out swinging, but Boggs swiped second. Brunansky walked but Zupcic doubled into the left field corner to score Boggs. Jeff Nelson came in to pitch and Rivera walked, but Pena lined out to first to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                      Sox tie it up

Clemens returned for one final inning in the top of the eighth and Reed bobbled a ball by Reynolds for an error that he took forever to find. Edgar Martinez dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Reynolds to second and Griffey Jr beat out an infield single to short to put runners at the corners. Reynolds and Griffey took off on a squeeze but Martinez swung and missed. Pena tagged Reynolds coming home but Griffey made it to second on the play. Martinez took strike three to end the inning and Clemens had tossed 8 innings of 2 run ball.

                                                            Clemens goes 8 strong

The Sox took command in the bottom of the eighth as Reed singled in the hole at short to start. Dennis Powell relieved Nelson and Reed was thrown out at second trying to steal. Greenwell blooped a base hit to left and Boggs hit a routine pop up down the right field line but Briley lost it in the lights for a "double". Clark was intentionally walked to get to Burks and Herm Winningham pinch ran for Clark. Mike Schooler came in to pitch to Burks and Ellis clubbed a grand slam over everything in left to put the Sox on top. Brunansky lined out to center and Zupcic took strike three to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-2.

                                                      Burks hits a grand slam

Tony Fossas came in to pitch in the top of the ninth and O'Brien grounded out to short to start. Cochrane singled to center and Henry Cotto pinch hit for Briley. Cotto doubled down the left field line to chase Fossas. Old Mets nemesis Kevin Mitchell pinch hit for Vizquel and Jeff Reardon came in to close out the game. Mitchell singled off the left field railing to score both runners to cut the lead. Jay Buhner pinch hit for Heffernan and flied out to left, but Brunansky booted a grounder by Reynolds for an error. Edgar Martinez flied out to right to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-4.

                                                              Sox win

Hero of the Night is Ellis Burks. His grand slam proved to be the difference in the game.

                                                                Burks The Hero

The Good:

Jody Reed was 3 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

Mike Greenwell was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Wade Boggs was 2 for 4 with a walk, rbi and 2 runs scored.

Herm Winningham scored a run as a pinch runner.

Luis Rivera was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Roger Clemens tossed 8 innings of 2 run ball while striking out 5 batters to earn the win.

Jeff Reardon earned his 10th save by getting the last 2 outs of the ninth.

The Bad:

Tony Fossas was charged with 2 runs in the top of the ninth.

The Ugly:

Jack Clark was just 1 for 4 but walked.

Tom Brunansky was 0 for 4 with an error but walked.

Bob Zupcic was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run.

Tony Pena was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

Don't look now but the Sox have won 3 in a row. Maybe this will be the start of a nice long run to get them back in the AL East race. The offense has been offensive but Burks came through big time tonight. Clemens will be Clemens and he once again gave the Sox 8 much needed innings. Sox manager Butch Hobson guessed wrong when he figured Fossas could close out the ninth but good thing Reardon stepped up. If only they still had Jeff Gray but that's just bad luck. Hopefully the Sox can ride this momentum moving forward. The win improved the Sox to 19-17, 4 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox are back in action Friday night against Oakland. Frank Viola (5-2) goes for the Sox against A's ace Dave Stewart. The game begins at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Basebawful Report of The Month

Wade Boggs - 9 Good, 1 Bad, 7 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Tom Bolton - 1 Bad, 1 Jackass

Tom Brunansky - 4 Good, 3 Bad, 3 Ugly

Ellis Burks - 6 Good, 2 Bad, 9 Ugly

Jack Clark - 4 Good, 4 Bad, 6 Ugly

Roger Clemens - 1 Good, 1 Ugly, 3 Hero

Scott Cooper - 1 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Hero, 3 Honorable Mention

Danny Darwin - 4 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Jackass

John Flaherty - 2 Good, 2 Honorable Mention

Tony Fossas - 4 Good, 1 Bad

Mike Gardiner - 2 Good, 1 Hero

Mike Greenwell - 4 Good, 1 Bad, 9 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Greg Harris - 5 Good, 1 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Joe Hesketh - 2 Good, 1 Bad

Peter Hoy - 1 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly

Tim Naehring - 4 Good, 4 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Hero, 1 Honorable Mention

Tony Pena - 5 Good, 5 Bad, 4 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Phil Plantier - 7 Good, 1 Bad, 9 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Jeff Reardon - 4 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly

Jody Reed - 7 Good, 2 Bad, 8 Ugly, 1 Hero

Luis Rivera - 7 Good, 4 Bad, 2 Ugly, 1 Honorable Mention

Mo Vaughn - 6 Good, 3 Bad, 5 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Frank Viola - 2 Good, 2 Bad, 1 Hero

Herm Winningham - 1 Good, 4 Bad, 4 Ugly, 1 Jackass, 1 Honorable Mention

Matt Young - 2 Good, 1 Ugly

Bob Zupcic - 1 Good, 1 Ugly

Most Valuable Player of the month is Wade Boggs with 9 Good

Least Valuable Player of the month is Tony Pena with 5 Bad

The Co-Ugliest Players of the month are Ellis Burks, Mike Greenwell and Phil Plantier with 9 Ugly

Hero of the month is Roger Clemens with 3 Hero

Jackass of the month is 9 different guys, the hell with it.

The Honorable Player of the month is Scott Cooper with 3 Honorable Mention

Off-Day News (4/30/92)

On this day in Boston Red Sox Basebawful history:

1901 - Boston wins first game in franchise history

1970 - Sox sweep A's

1971 - Sox come back to defeat Twins

1972 - Krausse, Sox shutout Rangers

1981 - Sox lose fourth game in a row with defeat at the hands of the Twins

1982 - Sox, Torrez takes down Rangers

1983 - Angels defeat Sox in 11 innings

1989 - Rangers behind Nolan Ryan beats Clemens, Sox

1991 - Sox beat Twins late

The Sox return to action tomorrow night against the Kansas City Royals. Mike Gardiner (3-0) goes for the Sox against Mark Gubicza of Kansas City. The game begins at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Viola, Red Sox Shut Down White Sox (4/29/92)

It was a weird month but the Boston Red Sox ended April on a high note by defeating the Chicago White Sox. Frank Viola (2-2, 3.06 ERA) almost went the distance as he allowed just 1 run through 8 2/3 innings. Meanwhile the much maligned Red Sox offense finally cashed in with runners in scoring position against White Sox starter Alex Fernandez. Phil Plantier and Wade Boggs supplied most of the offense by driving in 5 of the team's six runs. Jody Reed went 3 for 4 as well to aid the cause while Viola pitched his gem. With Viola on the run in the ninth, Jeff Reardon came in to slam the door. The BoSox ended the month of April on a good note with a 6-1 win over the White Sox at Fenway Park.

                                                        Hawkeye Pierce approves of the win

The White Sox wasted no time tagging Viola in the top of the first as Luis Rivera scooped up a grounder by Tim Raines and threw the ball into the centerfield bleachers for an error. Steve Sax singled to right to move Raines to third and move himself to second on the throw. Robin Ventura hit a sac fly to left to score Raines with the first run. Sax stole third but Frank Thomas struck out swinging. George Bell popped up to third in foul territory to end the inning with the White Sox up 1-0.

                                                              Ventura drives in a run

The Red Sox didn't wait around to get to Fernandez as Wade Boggs walked to start then moved to third on the base hit to right by Jody Reed. Phil Plantier doubled to left to score Boggs and Reed but Ellis Burks hit a routine grounder to Sax. Sax threw the ball away for an error that scored Plantier with another run and Burks took third on a passed ball. Herm Winningham walked but Jack Clark popped up to second. Winningham stole second as Mo Vaughn struck out swinging but Tony Pena grounded out to third to end the inning with the BoSox ahead 3-1.

                                                           Plantier drives in a run

Mike Huff began the top of the second by flying out to left. Ron Karkovice flied out to left and Lance Johnson grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Luis Rivera flied out to center to start the bottom of the second before Boggs struck out swinging. Reed got a base hit to left but Plantier struck out swinging to end the inning.

Craig Grebeck beat out an infield single to short to start the top of the third but Raines flied out to right. Sax flied out to left and Ventura grounded out to second to end the inning. Burks grounded out to second to start the bottom of the third before Winningham lined out to left. Clark flied out to right to end the inning.

Thomas grounded out to second to start the top of the fourth before Bell walked. Huff forced Bell at second and got thrown out trying to steal to end the inning. Vaughn flied out to right to open the bottom of the fourth and Pena took strike three. Rivera flied out to right to end the inning.

Karkovice struck out swinging to open the top of the fifth but Johnson singled to center. Johnson was also thrown out trying to steal and Grebeck grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fifth although Boggs flied out to right to open. Reed singled in the hole at second then swiped second base. Plantier doubled down the first base line to score Reed with another run. Burks struck out swinging and Winningham grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-1.

                                                          Reed scores a run

Viola cruised in the top of the sixth as Raines grounded out to short to start. Sax popped up to first and Ventura grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox wrapped up the scoring in the bottom of the sixth as Clark popped up to first in foul territory to start. Vaughn struck out swinging but Grebeck booted a grounder by Pena to keep the inning alive. Rivera ripped a base hit to center and Boggs doubled into the gap in center to score both runners. Roberto Hernandez came in to pitch to Reed and Jody walked. Plantier walked to load the bases but Burks popped up to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-1.

                                                             Boggs drives in a pair

Thomas grounded out to short to start the top of the seventh but Bell singled to left. Bell tried to stretch a double but was thrown out by Winningham at second. Huff flied out to right to end the inning. Scott Radinsky came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Winningham took strike three to start. Clark grounded out to short and Vaughn took strike three to end the inning.

Karkovice walked to begin the top of the eighth but Johnson banged into a double play. Grebeck grounded out to short to end the inning. Bobby Thigpen came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth but Pena singled to right to start. Rivera struck out swinging but Boggs walked, only for Reed to ground into a double play to end the inning.

Viola tried to finish what he started in the top of the ninth and Raines singled to left to start. Sax flied out to left but Ventura walked. Thomas flied out to center but Bell walked to load the bases. Sox manager Butch Hobson felt Viola had done enough as he mastered the White Sox for 8 2/3 innings. Jeff Reardon came in and Matt Merullo pinch hit for Huff. Merullo popped up to third in foul territory to end the game. The Red Sox had won it 7-1.

Hero of the Night is Frank Viola. He almost threw a complete game but went 8 2/3 innings while allowing 1 run on 5 hits and 3 walks to earn the win.

                                                              Viola The Hero

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 1 for 3 with 2 walks, 2 rbis and a run scored.

Jody Reed was 3 for 4 with a walk, a stolen base and scored two runs.

Phil Plantier was 2 for 3 with a walk, 3 rbis and a run scored.

Jeff Reardon earned the save by getting the final out of the ninth inning.

The Bad:

Ellis Burks was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jack Clark was 0 for 4.

Mo Vaughn was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of three strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Herm Winningham was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked and stole a base.

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

Luis Rivera was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

That was an up and down month for sure. The offense didn't get untracked until the very end but the pitching held up for the most part. The trio of Roger Clemens, Frank Viola and Mike Gardiner looked great and Joe Hesketh had a good game last time he pitched. The bullpen of Greg Harris, Danny Darwin, Tony Fossas and Jeff Reardon has been solid and there's a chance they can hold up all season. The offense is too talented not to come around, especially Mike Greenwell, Vaughn, Plantier, Boggs and Clark. Tonight's game was a glimpse of what can happen when the offense cashes in on their chances given by mistakes and runners in scoring position. The win improved the Sox to 9-9, 5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox are back in action Friday night against the Kansas City Royals. Mike Gardiner (3-0) goes for the Sox against Mark Gubicza of Kansas City. The game begins at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Clemens, Red Sox Down White Sox (4/28/92)

When all else fails, the Boston Red Sox usually turn to Roger Clemens (3-2, 1.38 ERA) to bail them out. Tonight against the Chicago White Sox the ace of the staff held them to just a single run in seven innings of work. The usually putrid Red Sox offense somehow managed to score six runs against Chicago starter Kirk McCaskill and the White Sox bullpen. Nearly everyone on offense contributed but things got hairy when the White Sox rallied against Danny Darwin in the eighth inning. Tony Fossas and Jeff Reardon saved the day as the Red Sox defeated the White Sox 6-3 at Fenway Park.

                                                    Karen Witter approves of the win

Clemens got the ball in the top of the first inning and Tim Raines popped up to short to start. Steve Sax lined out to short and Robin Ventura took strike three to end the inning. The BoSox rallied in the bottom of the first against McCaskill as Wade Boggs singled in the hole at second to start. Jody Reed singled to right to move Boggs to third and Wade scored on the lineout to left by Mike Greenwell. Ellis Burks beat out a roller to third and McCaskill threw a wild pitch and Matt Merullo the catcher threw the ball away to allow Reed to score. Phil Plantier walked but Jack Clark took strike three. Mo Vaughn grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                             Reed scores a run

Frank Thomas grounded out to second to start the top of the second but George Bell singled to center. Dan Pasqua struck out swinging and Merullo took strike three to end the inning. Tony Pena grounded out to short to start the bottom of the second before Luis Rivera popped up to first in foul territory. Boggs drew a walk but Reed flied out to right to end the inning. 

Lance Johnson singled to center to start the top of the third before swiping second. Craig Grebeck lined out to first and Johnson moved to second on the grounder to first by Raines. Sax grounded out to third to end the inning. Greenwell grounded out to first to start the bottom of the first and Burks flied out to center. Plantier singled to right and Clark grounded out to short to end the inning.

Ventura lined out to right to start the top of the fourth before Thomas walked. Bell singled to left to move Thomas to third and swiped second during the swinging strikeout by Pasqua. Merullo struck out swinging to end the inning. Vaughn grounded out to first to start the bottom of the fourth before Pena struck out swinging. Rivera singled in the hole at short and Boggs walked, but Reed popped up to first in foul territory to end the inning.

Johnson flied out to left to start the top of the fifth and Grebeck grounded out to second. Raines struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Greenwell flied out to center to start. Burks also flied out to center and Plantier struck out swinging to end the inning.

The White Sox struck back in the top of the sixth as Sax doubled to left to start. Ventura also doubled to left to score Sax and Thomas walked. Bell banged into a double play and Pasqua took strike three to end the inning with Chicago down 2-1.

                                                            Ventura drives in a run

The BoSox rallied in the bottom of the sixth as Clark walked to start. Vaughn singled to center and Bob Zupcic pinch ran for Clark. Pena dropped down a bunt to move the runners over and Rivera singled to left to score Zupcic. Vaughn moved to third on the hit but Wilson Alvarez came in to pitch to Boggs. Wade hit a sac fly to center to score Vaughn to ice the game. Reed lined out to left to end the inning with the Red Sox up 4-1.

                                                              Rivera drives in a run

Clemens returned for one final inning in the top of the seventh and Merullo grounded out to second to start. Johnson and Grebeck both struck out swinging to end the inning. Clemens was masterful, tossing 7 innings and allowing just the one run while striking out nine.

                                                          Clemens gets it done

The BoSox rallied again in the bottom of the seventh as Greenwell walked to start. Ventura booted a routine grounder by Burks for an error but Plantier struck out swinging. Zupcic singled to left to score Greenwell and move Burks to third. Vaughn forced Zupcic at second but Burks scored another run. Pena grounded out to third to end the inning with the BoSox ahead 6-1.

                                                               Zupcic drives in a run

Danny Darwin came in to throw up on himself in the top of the eighth inning as Raines doubled to left to start. Sax singled Raines to third before he swiped second himself. Ventura lined a base hit to right to score both runners and chase Danny from the game, Greg Harris came in and Thomas walked to bring the tying run to the plate. Bell flied out to left and Pasqua earned the golden sombrero by taking strike three. Merullo was plunked to load the bases and Sox manager Butch Hobson brought in Tony Fossas to pitch to Johnson. Johnson grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox still ahead 6-3.

                                                              Fossas saves the day

Terry Leach came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Rivera grounded out to first to start. Boggs flied out to center and Reed grounded out to third to end the inning.

Jeff Reardon came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Warren Newson pinch hit for Grebeck. Newson singled to right but was doubled off of first on the bullet to first by Raines. Sax singled to center and Esteban Beltre ran for him. Ventura doubled to right but Thomas flied out to right to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-3.

Hero of the Night is Roger Clemens. He dominated the White Sox by holding them to 1 run in 7 innings of work. He allowed 5 hits and struck out 9 batters.

                                                          Rocket Hero

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 1 for 2 with 2 walks, an rbi and a run scored.

Phil Plantier was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Bob Zupcic was 1 for 1 at the plate with an rbi and a run scored.

Luis Rivera was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Greg Harris got the first 2 outs of the eighth inning.

Tony Fossas retired the only man he faced.

Jeff Reardon earned his third save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Tony Pena was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Danny Darwin allowed 2 runs without recording an out.

The Ugly:

Jody Reed was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 2 but walked, drove in a run and scored a run.

Ellis Burks was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Jack Clark was 0 for 2 with a strikeout but walked.

Mo Vaughn was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

So THAT'S what offense looks like? Granted they didn't hit home runs out of Fenway but they finally drove some guys in when they were in scoring position. Rivera's rbi single, Zupcic's rbi single and even the grounders to drive in runs. After a month of futility it was nice to see them score some runs. They needed them too because Darwin crapped his pants big time. That was his first hiccup all season really and its a good thing Harris, Fossas and Darwin got the outs they did. Sox manager Butch Hobson has taken some criticism for not switching up his batting orders but he's been managing the bullpen really well so far. Fossas has been the guy that if you absolutely need to get a lefty out, he's the one to do it. Hopefully the Sox can keep scoring like this the rest of the season because their pitching's been pretty good all things considered. Clemens was his usual self and not much needs to be said about his greatness. The Sox have one more game this month and its tomorrow night against the White Sox. Frank Viola (1-2) goes for Boston up against Alex Fernandez of the White Sox. The game begins at 7:35 PM at Fenway Park.

Off-Day News (4/27/92)

On This Day In Basebawful History:

1915 - Yankees shut out Sox

1970 - Sox beat A's

1971 - Brewers hang on to beat Sox

1981 - Rangers massacre Red Sox

1982 - Sox win 8th in a row

1983 - Sox beat Mariners

1984 - Red Sox, Eck defeat White Sox

1991 - Sox hang on to beat Royals

The Sox are back in action tomorrow night against the Chicago White Sox at home. Roger Clemens (2-2) takes on Kirk McCaskill of the White Sox. The game begins at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Rangers Rally Past Sox in Game 2 (4/26/92)

The Boston Red Sox are sure inventing new ways to lose these days. In Game 1 of their doubleheader against the Texas Rangers, the Sox outhit the Rangers only to score 1 measly run. In Game 2 it was more of the same. The Red Sox took a 2-0 lead over Texas with Joe Hesketh outdueling Jeff Robinson. In the top of the eighth Brian Downing hit a 2 run bomb off Greg Harris (1-1, 1.93 ERA) and rallied for two more runs in the ninth against Harris and Jeff Reardon. Meanwhile the 2 early runs the Sox scored ended up being the only runs they'd plate. The worst offense in baseball ended an 18 inning day scoring just 3 runs and dropped the nightcap 4-2 at Fenway Park.

                                                      "LEARN HOW TO HIT!!!"

Hesketh got the ball in the top of the first inning and Brian Downing grounded out to third to start. Palmeiro took strike three and Juan Gonzalez grounded out to third to end the inning. Robinson got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Wade Boggs lined a base hit to left to start. Julio Franco booted a routine grounder by Jody Reed for an error and Phil Plantier managed to hit into a 3-6-5 double play. Tom Brunansky grounded out to third to end the inning.

Ruben Sierra singled in the hole at third to start the top of the second but Franco lined out to right. Dean Palmer struck out swinging and Sierra was thrown out trying to steal to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the second as Herm Winningham singled to right to start. Tim Naehring caught the Rangers asleep with a bunt single and both runners moved over on a wild pitch. Scott Cooper popped up to short and Bob Zupcic made his season debut with a pop up to short. John Flaherty grounded out to short to end the inning.

Kevin Reimer struck out swinging to start the top of the third and Dickie Thon grounded back to the mound. Ivan Rodriguez grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the third as Boggs flied out to left to start. Reed doubled to center and Plantier hit a grounder to second that was thrown away by Franco for an error that scored Reed. Brunansky flied out to right and Winningham grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                                  Reed scores a run

Downing grounded out to third to start the top of the fourth but Palmeiro singled to center. Gonzalez popped up to second but Sierra singled to center. Winningham booted the ball which allowed everyone to advance. Franco grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Naehring grounded out to short to start. Cooper flied out to left but Zupcic hit a ground rule double to right. Flaherty singled up the middle to score Bob and Boggs ripped a base hit to center to move John to third. Reed struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                                    Flaherty drives in a run

Palmer and Reimer both struck out swinging to start the top of the fifth and Thon flied out to right to end the inning. Plantier struck out swinging to open the bottom of the fifth before Brunansky  grounded out to short. Winningham grounded out to second to end the inning.

Rodriguez singled in the hole at second to start the top of the sixth but Downing forced him at second. Palmeiro struck out swinging and Gonzalez forced Downing at second to end the inning. Naehring popped up to left to start the bottom of the sixth and Cooper grounded out to second. Zupcic hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

Hesketh returned for the top of the seventh and Sierra popped up to second to start. Franco grounded out to second but Palmer and Reimer both walked to chase Hesketh. Joe pitched a hell of a game, shutting out the Rangers for 6 2/3 innings. Greg Harris came in and Rangers manager Bobby Valentine sent in Jack Daugherty to pinch hit for Thon. Daugherty lined out to first to end the inning.

                                                    Hesketh with 6 2/3 shutout innings

Jeff Huson came in to play short with Floyd Bannister now on the mound for Texas to start the bottom of the seventh. Flaherty grounded out to short but Boggs reached on an error by Franco. Reed walked but Plantier lined out to third. Terry Mathews came in to pitch to Brunansky and Bruno flied out to right to end the inning.

The game changed on a dime in the top of the eighth as Rodriguez caught the sleep with a bunt single to third and Downing hit a home run all the way to Albuquerque to tie the game. Palmeiro grounded out to first, Gonzalez popped up to first and Sierra struck out swinging to end the inning but the game was tied 2-2.

                                             Downing ties it up

Winningham took strike three to start the bottom of the eighth but Naehring doubled to left. Cooper struck out swinging and Zupcic took strike three to end the inning.

The wheels fell off in the top of the ninth as Franco and Palmer drew back to back walks to start. Al Newman pinch hit for Reimer but Sox manager Butch Hobson countered by bringing in Tony Fossas to pitch to him. Newman bunted foul for strike three and John Cangelosi pinch hit for Huson with Hobson countering by bringing in Jeff Reardon. The move backfired as Cangelosi hit a fly ball to left that Winningham tried to catch unsuccessfully in his hat for an error to score Franco. Rodriguez hit the killshot with a base hit to left to score Palmer with the insurance run. Downing grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Rangers up 4-2.

                                                          Reardon blows it

Rangers closer Jeff Russell came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Mike Greenwell pinch hit for Flaherty to start. Greenwell got a base hit to center but Boggs flied out to center. Reed popped up to short but Plantier singled to right to put the tying run on. Brunansky took strike three to end the game. The Rangers had swept the doubleheader with a 4-2 win.

Jackass of the Night is Greg Harris. He allowed the tying runs and was charged with the go-ahead runs to blow the game,

                                                             Jackass Harris

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 5.

Phil Plantier was 2 for 5.

Tim Naehring was 2 for 4.

John Flaherty was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Mike Greenwell singled as a pinch hitter.

Joe Hesketh tossed 6 2/3 shutout innings. He allowed 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 6.

Tony Fossas struck out the only guy he faced.

The Bad:

Tom Brunansky was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Scott Cooper was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Jody Reed was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Herm Winningham was just 1 for 4 with 2 errors and a strikeout.

Bob Zupcic was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Jeff Reardon allowed 2 inherited runners to score but none of his own in 2/3 of an inning.

Final Thoughts:

Wow, what more can be said? The Sox pitching held the Rangers to 7 runs in two games but only managed to score three of their own. They actually out-hit the Rangers in both games but couldn't get the clutch hit with men on base or hit a home run. Nobody on the team is hitting right now. Not Boggs, Reed, Plantier, Vaughn, Clark...no one. If Boggs and Reed can't get on base there isn't much Greenwell Clark and Plantier can do but even they aren't hitting either. Who would have thought for the past 50 years its been all-bat and no pitching but now its the other way around? Hesketh pitched great and Harris hadn't a bad game all season to this point. Just another troubling sign that the Morgan Magic Red Sox where everything went right is over. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox turn to their ace as they continue their homestand against the Chicago White Sox. Roger Clemens (2-2) goes for Boston Tuesday night against Kirk McCaskill of Chicago. The game begins at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.