Indians Massacre Red Sox (8/24/17)

Before the game it was announced that Blaine Boyer was activated from the Disabled List and Rajai Davis would also be activated for tonight's game.

                                                                        IN

Its not very often the Boston Red Sox get their brains completely beat in but this was one of them. This was not a baseball game, this was a mugging with an audience. The Cleveland Indians ambushed Chris Sale (14-6, 2.88 ERA) and the Red Sox bullpen for 18 hits and 13 runs, demolishing the Sox 13-6 at Jacobs Field

                                                   "Chris Sale sucks!"

Trevor Bauer took the mound in the top of the first inning and Eduardo Nunez greeted him with a single to left. Mookie Betts struck out on a check swing then Andrew Benintendi took a full count pitch right down the middle for strike three....and Nunez jogged to second thinking it was ball four, being thrown out by a mile. Way to pay attention Nunez. Sale got the start in the bottom of the first inning and Fransisco Lindor popped up to right to start. Austin Jackson looked at strike three but Jose Ramirez singled up the middle. Ramirez swiped second but Betts made a great diving catch to rob Encarnarcion of an rbi single to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing against Bauer in the top of the second as Hanley Ramirez looked at strike three to begin. Rafael Devers grounded out to first and Xander Bogaerts popped up to second to end the inning. The Indians struck first in the bottom of the second as Jay Bruce poked a single to left and Guyer singled up the middle. Yandy Diaz walked to load the bases and Roberto Perez singled home Bruce. Giovanny Urshela beat out a double play ball to score Guyer and Lindor scored Diaz with a single to left. Jackson hit a picture perfect double play ball to Devers WHO THREW IT AWAY! Perez scored to increase the lead. Ramirez banged into a double play to end the inning but the game was over already 4-0.

                                               Perez sez "The rout is on"

The Sox did manage to get one back when Mitch Moreland blasted a solo home run to lead off the top of the third inning. Sandy Leon walked but Brock Holt whiffed and Nunez banged into a double play to end the inning. Still, the Sox would not be shut-out as they trailed 4-1.

                                              "We got one!"

Sale continued to suck in the bottom of the third inning when he walked Encarnarcion to start. He did strike out Bruce but Guyer walked as well. Diaz doubled home Encarnarcion to increase the lead although Perez hit a comebacker to Sale for the second out. Urshela iced the game with a 2 run single before Lindor struck out to end the inning. The Indians were up for good 7-1 and Sale was finished.

                                          "Chris I gotta tell ya, you suck!" - Carl Willis

The Sox tried like hell to get back in the game after Betts doubled to lead off the top of the fourth. Benintendi watched strike three go by and Betts moved to third on the ground out by Ramirez. Devers worked a walk and Bogaerts tripled the runners home. Moreland slammed a single to score Bogaerts but Leon whiffed to end the inning. Still, it was now 7-4 Cleveland with Bauer on the ropes.

                                              Bogaerts trying to keep the Sox in it

Heath Hembree replaced the incompetent Sale in the bottom of the fourth inning and struck out Jackson to start. Even more miraculous was that he got Ramirez to line out to first. Naturally he walked Encarcion. Somehow Bruce grounded out to end the inning.

The Sox failed to score in the top of the fifth inning although Holt walked to start the inning. Nunez and Betts both struck out but Benintendi singled. Representing the tying run.....Ramirez lined out to Bruce to end the inning on a 3-0 pitch. Hembree came back for the bottom of the fifth and struck out Guyer to start. Diaz singled up the middle and Perez walked. Suddenly Leon heaved the ball into center field for absolutely no reason, allowing Diaz to reach third. Urshela singled home Diaz and that was it for Hembree. Brandon Workman came in and Lindor singled to load the bases. Workman recovered to strike out Jackson as Ramirez grounded out toend the inning but the Indians now led 8-4.

                                            I know James, this sucks

Bauer returned for the top of the sixth and got Devers to pop up to short but Bogaerts singled to chase him. Tyler Olsen was brought in and Bogaerts was erased on the force by Moreland before Leon lined out to center to end the inning. The rout continued in the bottom of the sixth although Encarnarcion struck out to start. Bruce absolute crushed a moon shot to increase the lead. Guyer flied out to right but Diaz tripled and Perez doubled him home to chase Workman. Blaine Boyer was nextto be sacrificed although he got Urshela to pop up to end the inning with the Indians leading 10-4.

Bradley Zimmer took over in center for the Indians with Bryan Shaw now on the mound to begin the top of the seventh. Holt walked and Nunez singled but Eduardo was erased on the force by Betts. Benintendi and Ramirez whiffed to end the inning. The massacre continued in the bottom of the seventh as Lindor absolutely blasted a solo home run. Zimmer singled and Ramirez doubled before Encarnarcion walked to load the bases. That was it for Boyer as Fernando Abad came in. The rout was too much for Betts as he collapsed and had to be wheeled out on a gurney, being replaced by Rajai Davis. Bruce watched strike 3 go by but Guyer hit a sac fly to score Zimmer. Diaz hit a shot into the gap that scored Ramirez but was thrown out at third himself trying to stretch a triple. It was 13-4 and getting worse.

                                                       Fan reaction to the game

Erik Gonzalez replaced Lindor in the field with Nick Goody on the mound. Devers whiffed but Bogaerts walked. Moreland pissed off the fans a little by launching a 2 run hone run to cut the lead to a touchdown. Leon looked at strike three and Holt lined out to left to end the inning with the score 13-6.

                       A touchdown lead would be easy to overcome by Tom Brady, not by the Sox

Shockingly the Indians did not score in the bottom of the eighth. Perez singled and moved to second on a ground out by Urshela. Gonzalez struck out and Zimmer grounded out to second to end the inning.

Dan Otero got the ball in the top of the ninth and Nunez grounded out to short to start. Davis looked at strike three amd Benintendi flied out to left to end the game. The Indians had stomped a mudholein Sale amd the Sox with a 13-6 win.

Jackass of The Night is Chris Sale. The supposed ace lasted just 3 innings and gave up 7 runs. Terrible performance.

                                                   Second half Jackass: Sale


The Good:

Eduardo Nunez was 2 for 5.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 3 with a walk, 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Mitch Moreland was 3 for 4 with 4 total rbis and 2 home runs.

Brock Holt walked twice in 4 plate appearances.

Fernando Abad tossed 2 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Rajai Davis pinch hit for Mookie Betts and struck out.

Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Heath Hembree served up a run in 1 1/3 innings.

Brandon Workman served up 2 runs in 1 1/3 imnings.

Brandon Boyer gave up 3 runs in just 1/3 of an inning.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 with a run scored.

Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Rafael Devers was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.

Sandy Leon was 0 for 3 but walked.



Final Thoughts:

Remember when Pedro Martinez used to get beat by the Yankees after they figured him out? The Cleveland Indians seem to have Chris Sale's number which is terrifying for Red Sox fans. If your best pitcher can't beat the Indians in the playoffs, who can? David Price is not coming back, and you really cannot trust Rick Porcello or Eduardo Rodriguez. Then again the Sox offense is so bad, they may not even make the playoffs all together. Still, they took the first two games of the series so they should have a little bit of momentum going home against Baltimore. The loss dropped the Sox to 73-54, 4.5 games ahead of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night Rick Porcello (8-14) matches up against Jeremy Hellickson as the Baltimore Orioles come to town for a 3 game set. First pitch is at 7:05 PM.

Pomeranz Outpitches Kluber, Sox Win (8/23/17)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox placed Jackie Bradley Jr on he 10 Day Disabled List with a sprained thumb. Luckily a sprain isn't as bad as a tear so he really could be ready in a few weeks. Its still a huge blow on the defensive side of the ball as the games get more important moving forward. Deven Marrero has been called up to take his spot on the roster.

                                                                          OUT

                                                                   IN

As for the game, not much you can do against Corey Kluber but hope he makes a mistake. That's exactly what happened as Kluber allowed a solo home run to Mitch Moreland and then tried to go old school by drilling Eduardo Nunez. The plunk backfired as the Sox pounced on Kluber and the bullpen to turn a 1-0 game into a 6-1 rout. Drew Pomeranz (13-4, 3.18 ERA) pitched shut-out ball into the sixth inning to defeat the Cleveland Indians 6-1 at Jacobs Field.

                                                Eddie Murphy approves of the win

Kluber took the mound to start the top of the first inning and Nunez whiffed on a check swing to open the game. Mookie Betts did his usual pull-pop up to second and Andrew Benintendi popped up to left to end the inning. Pomeranz had the unenviable task to match Kluber but he did strike out Fransisco Lindor on 3 pitches to start the bottom of the first. Austin Jackson grounded to short but Jose Ramirez walked. Edwin Encarnarcion popped up to short to end the inning.

Kluber made short work of the Red Sox in the top of the second inning as Hanley Ramirez froze on strike three to start. Rafael Devers also looked at strike three and Xander Bogaerts whiffed badly to end the inning. Drew matched Kluber in the bottom of the second inning although Jay Bruce beat out an infield single to start. Sox analyst Dave O'Brien broke the news the Red Sox traded a minor leaguer for Oakland A's outfielder/speedster Rajai Davis and Pomeranz was so excited that he struck out Brandon Guyer. Yany Diaz also whiffed as did Yan Gomes to end the inning.

                                                   Welcome aboard Davis

The Sox went quietly in the top of the third as Mitch Moreland popped up to center, Christian Vazquez popped to right and Brock Holt looked at strike three to end the inning.

                 "I have a structured settlement and I need cash nowwwwwww" - Holt

Pomeranz tried to match Kluber in the bottom of the third as Giovanny Urshela grounded out to second to start. Lindor drew a walk and Jackson nearly tripled him home but the ball JUST hooked foul. Pomeranz eventually froze Jackson for strike three before Ramirez grounded to short to end the inning.

There would be no perfect game for Kluber as Nunez beat out an infield single to open the top of the fourth inning. He was stranded as both Betts and Benintendi struck out in short order. Ramirez watched strike three go by to end the inning. The Indians threatened in the bottom of the fourth as Encarnarcion was rung up for strike three but Bruce was plunked. Guyer poked a single to left but Pomeranz struck out Diaz and Gomes to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the fifth as Devers grounded out to first, Bogaerts grounded out to short as Sox analyst Jonny Gomes said Moreland could "buggywhip" one out of the ballpark. Sure enough, Moreland blasted a solo home run to right to give the Sox the lead. Good call Jonny. Vazquez struck out to end the inning but the Sox had the lead 1-0.

                                              Moreland's homer puts the Sox on top

Could Pomeranz maintain the lead in the bottom of the fifth? YES! Betts ran down a soft liner by Urshela to start. Lindor struck out swinging but Jackson walked. Ramirez popped up to end the inning but Pomeranz was near 100 pitches in just 5 innings.

Holt gave one a ride to start the top of the sixth inning but it died at the centerfield wall. Nunez lined out to a running Ramirez at second and Betts popped up to right to end the inning. The Indians roared back in the bottom of the sixth as Encarnarcion walked to start. Bruce lined out to left and that was it for Pomeranz. Sox manager John Farrell sprinted out of the dug-out when he realized Pomeranz was over 100 pitches and removed him. Joe Kelly came in and got Guyer to pop up to left then got Diaz to ground into a force to end the inning. Pomeranz did damn good to last 5 1/3 innings without giving up an earned run, especially matched against Corey Kluber.

                                           The unlikely ace of tonight's game

The Sox looked to get something going in the top of the seventh when Benintendi beat out an infield single to start. Ramirez whiffed badly for the hat trick although Benintendi moved to second on a sharp ground ball by Devers that Encarnarcion barely corralled for the out. Bogaerts struck out to end the inning. Kelly returned for the bottom of the seventh and got Gomes to ground out to start. Benintendi made a great running catch on a sinking liner by Urshella but suddenly John Farrell sprinted out of the dugout to take the ball from Kelly. In more micro-managing, Farrell brought in Addison Reed to pitch to Lindor. Bogaerts made a GREAT diving stab to rob Lindor of a hit to end the inning. The Sox were 6 outs away from defeating Kluber.

Kluber returned for the top of the eighth inning and got Moreland to fly out to left to start. Vazquez looked at strike three but Holt worked a walk against a tiring Kluber. Nunez swung for the downs and Kluber didn't like it, so he plunked him. Nunez gave him a death glare on his way to first and Mookie Betts made Kluber pay with an rbi single off the glove of Urshella. That was it for Kluber as Tyler Olson was brought in to face Benintendi, but walked him. Joe Smith was brought in to pitch to Hanley with the bases loaded.....and Ramirez watched strike three go by to earn the golden sombrero to end the inning. Still, it was 2-0 Sox with 6 outs to go.

                                            Plunking Nunez didn't go too well, did it Kluber?

The Indians struck back in the bottom of the eighth although Jackson grounded out to second to start. Ramirez flied out to left but Encarnarcion crushed a 450 foot bomb to left field. Reed recovered to strike out Bruce to end the inning but the Indians were back within a run 2-1.

The Sox exploded on the Indians in the top of the ninth. Devers was happy to see Kluber gone as he beat out an infield single to start as Bogaerts blooped a single to right to move Devers to third. Gomes missed on an airmailed pitch by Smith and Devers scampered home with the insurance run, Bogaerts moving to second. Moreland moved Bogaerts to third with a ground out but was stranded when Vazquez struck out to earn the hat trick. Holt iced the game with an rbi double down the left field line to clear the rest of the paltry crowd out. That was it for Smith as Indians manager Terry Francona replaced Smith with Bryan Shaw. Yet another passed ball moved Holt to third and Nunez smacked a 2 run home run just over the left field fence to put the game out of reach. Betts grounded out to third but it was now 6-1 Red Sox....game over.

Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth with a 5 run lead to piss off Red Sox fans. Kimbrel froze Guyer for strike three but Diaz walked. Kimbrel blew away Gomes then pinch hitter Bradley Zimmer to end the game. The Sox had beaten Kluber with Drew Pomeranz and won it 6-1.

Hero of the Night is Drew Pomeranz. He was matched with Corey Kluber and managed to pitch 5 1/3 innings of shut-out ball to give the Sox a chance to outlast him.

                                                  Hero of the Night: Drew Pomeranz



The Good:

Eduardo Nunez was 2 for 4 with an HBP and a 2 run home run in the 9th.

Andrew Benintendi was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Brock Holt was 1 for 3 with a walk, rbi and 2 runs scored.

Joe Kelly pitched a full scoreless inning.

Craig Kimbrel pitched a scoreless ninth.



The Bad:

Hanley Ramirez was 0 for 4 with a golden sombrero of 4 strikeouts.

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 5 but made the hit count as he knocked in a huge insurance run.

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

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

Mitch Moreland was just 1 for 4 but made the hit count with a solo home run.

Addison Reed allowed a solo home run in 1 1/3 innings of work.



Final Thoughts:

The Sox had a tall task to defeat Corey Kluber and not only did they do it with Pomeranz, they exploded on the bullpen to smack them around. The momentum of the series completely changed after the Moreland home run as now the Sox have taken 2 of 3 with Chris Sale looming tomorrow. The Sox showed some serious balls to win this one not only to outlast Kluber but to kick around the Indians bullpen. It was especially sweet to see Betts make Kluber pay for drilling Nunez for just trying to do his job. Then to see Nunez homer in the 9th anyway, priceless. In other news, the acquisition of Rajai Davis is huge not only since JBJ is going to be out, but it gives the Sox a pinch running and baserunning threat much like Dave Roberts in 2004 and Quintin Berry in 2013. Anytime you get someone with speed on the bases, it effects the opposing pitchers psyche. The win propelled the Sox to 73-53 on the season, 4.5 games ahead of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. This was a big, big win to outlast Kluber because tomorrow Chris Sale (14-5, 2.62 ERA) hopes to gives the Sox the series victory on the road. Standing in his way will be the eccentric Trevor Bauer at 7:10 PM at Jacobs Field.

Fister 1 Hits Indians in Rout (8/22/17)

Before the game it was announced Matt Barnes had been placed on the disabled list with a bad back. In his place the Boston Red Sox called up Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velasquez. The Sox made it clear they won't activate Carson Smith until September 1st so the Sox have to hold the for the next 9 days.

                                                                   OUT

                                                                   IN

As for the game, you never know what is going to happen in baseball. One day after the Sox bullpen implodes, scrap heap pickup Doug Fister (3-6, 4.78 ERA) throws a complete game 1 hitter against the defending American League champion Cleveland Indians. Fister allowed a leadoff home run then just 2 baserunners after as the Sox routed the Indians 9-1 at Jacobs Field.

                                          The McQuaid Brothers approve of the win

The Sox wasted no time scoring in the top of the first inning. Eduardo Nunez flied out to center but Mookie Betts singled to left. Betts was erased on a force by Andrew Benintendi and Andrew swiped second. That was a big stolen base as Hanley Ramirez singled up the middle to score Benintendi with the game's first run. Rafael Devers struck out to end the inning but Boston was up 1-0

                                      Ramirez puts the Sox on top.

It took the Indians just 3 pitches to tie the game as Fransisco Lindor launched a solo home run off Fister to leadoff the bottom of the first. Shockingly that would be the last hit of the game for the Indians. Jason Kipnis grounded out to short and Jose Ramirez looked at strike three. Edwin Encarnarcion walked as fair-weather Red Sox fans started complaining on social media. Fister recovered to get Jay Bruce to fly out to left but it was 1-1.

                                              "I GOT THE ONLY HIT!" - Lindor

The Sox wasted no time getting the lead back in the top of the second inning as Xander Bogaerts doubled to center, then moved to third on a Mitch Moreland ground out. Sandy Leon stepped up with a sac fly to score Bogaerts. Jackie Bradley Jr struck out to end the inning but the Sox were up for good 2-1.

                                         "I SCORED!" - Bogaerts

Fister began to dominate the game in the bottom of the second inning. Brandon Guyer lined out to JBJ but Bradley Zimmer was plunked. Yan Gomes banged into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox went quietly against Carrassco in the top of the third inning. Nunez grounded out to short, Betts groundd out to third and Benintendi grounded out to second in short order. The Indians went quietly as well in the bottom of the third as Giovanny Urshela grounded out to short to start. Lindor grounded out to second and Jason Kipnis was apparently abducted by UFO's because Yandy Diaz pinch hit for him only to watch strike three go by to end the inning.

Carrassco stayed tough in the top of the fourth inning as Ramirez whiffed to start. Devers grounded out to short but Bogaerts singled to left. Moreland grounded out to second to end the inning. Fister matched Carlos in the bottom of the fourth inning. Ramirez grounded out to third, Encarnarcion flied out to right and Bruce looked at strike three to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the fifth although Sandy Leon popped up to start. JBJ stepped up to crush a solo home run to center to increase the lead. Nunez popped to short and Betts popped up to right but the Sox had a 3-1 lead.

                                               JBJ makes it 3-1 with a home run

Guyer walked to begin the bottom of the fifth but Zimmer grounded into a double play. Gomes whiffed to end the inning as the Indians would not have another baserunner.

Carrassco turned up the heat in the top of the sixth inning as Benintendi struck out to start. Ramirez walked but both Devers and Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning. Fister kept pace in the bottom of the sixth as Urshela grounded to short, Lindor flied out to left and Diaz grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox iced the game in the top of the seventh inning. Moreland grounded out but Leon was hit with a pitch. JBJ singled and Nunez doubled home both runners, but JBJ was hurt sliding into home. Betts flied out to center but Benintendi doubled home Nunez. That was it for Carrassco as Zach McAllister took over and Ramirez greeted Adam with a single to left. Devers flied to left to end the inning with the Sox up 6-1.

                                                                 JBJ is hurt but scores

JBJ had to be carried out on a stretcher with a bad thumb as Chris Young replaced him playing left with Benintendi now in center. Fister had enough cushion in the bottom of the seventh as he got Ramirez to fly to center, Encarnarcion to ground to third and Bruce to whiff to end the inning.

The Sox wrapped up the scoring in the top of the eighth inning. Bogaerts grounded out to short and Moreland lined out to center, but Leon singled through the hole in second. That was it for Zach McAllister as Shawn Armstrong replaced him only for Young to single to left. Nunez then swatted a 3 run home run to center to increase the lead. Betts flied out to right but it was a 9-1 game.

                                                    Nunez is having a game

Fister kept up his hot streak in the bottom of the eighth inning. Guyer grounded out to first, Zimmer watched strike three go by and Gomes lined out to right to end the inning.

                                                    Fister with the game of his life

The Sox offense was done for the night in the top of the ninth as Benintendi lined out to right. Ramirez looked at strike three and Devers grounded out to end the inning. Fister returned to finish his work in the bottom of the ninth. Urshela grounded out to short and Lindor popped up to first. Diaz flied out to right to end the game. What an outstanding performance by Doug Fister and the Sox had won it 9-1.

                                                  Leon congrats the big winner


Hero of The Night is Doug Fister. He threw a complete game 1 hitter, walking 2 guys while striking out 6.

                                               Fister is the Hero till the end of the night


The Good:

Eduardo Nunez was 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored and 5 rbis including a 3 run home run.

Hanley Ramirez was 2 for 4 with a walk and an rbi.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Sandy Leon was 1 for 2 with an rbi, hit by pitch and 2 runs scored.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored and a solo home run before leaving with injury.

Chris Young singled and scored as a pinch hitter.



The Bad:

Rafael Devers was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Mitch Moreland was 0 for 4.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 5.

Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 5 but stole a base, scored a run and drove one in.



Final Thoughts:

The only two negatives to come out of this is Rafael Devers has cooled off and JBJ hurt his thumb. Sox fans hope Devers doesn't turn into Yoan Moncada last year who had a hole in is bat by the middle of September. The bigger loss is JBJ who pretty much has the gold glove locked up and its only August. If he's seriously hurt that's a huge blow to the Sox. As for the positives, Fister provided his monthly gem and the offense smacked Carrasco and the JV Indian relievers good. With Corey Kluber going tomorrow the Sox needed a game like this. Every game becomes more important than the last so every win counts. The win improves the Sox to 72-53 on the year, 4.5 games ahead of the New York Yankees in the AL East race and 4.5 games behind the Houston Astros for best record in the AL. Tomorrow the Sox run smack into Corey Kluber and will try to counter with Drew Pomeranz (12-4, 3.31 ERA). The game begins at 7:10 PM in Cleveland.

Bullpen Blows Another, Indians Win (8/21/17)

If the Boston Red Sox have to play the Cleveland Indians in the first round of the playoffs....if the Sox ever make it....they're in trouble. Tonight the Indians took advantage of another bullpen meltdown to steal a 4-3 win at Jacobs Field.

The Sox wasted no time scoring in the top of the first inning. Eduardo Nunez led off the game by grounding out back to the pitcher to start. Mookie Betts walked and Andrew Benintendi blasted a 2 run home run off the right field fence to give the Sox a quick lead. Hanley Ramirez grounded out back to the pitcher and Rafael Devers struck out to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                        Sox go up 2-0 early

Eduardo Rodriguez got the call to start the game and Fransisco Lindor popped up to a running Nunez to start. Austin Jackson singled up the middle as Jose Ramirez popped up to a running Xander Bogaerts. Edwin Encarnarcion popped up to third to end the inning.

Clevinger settled down in the top of the second inning as Bogaerts watched strike three go by to begin. Brock "Hitman" Holt, in for Mitch Moreland who was scratched with a stiff neck, grounded out to short. Christian Vazquez the birthday boy singled down the right field line but Jackie Bradley Jr whiffed badly to end the inning. Rodriguez got tagged in the bottom of the second as Jay Bruce singled to right but Carlos Santana flied out to center. Brandon Guyer walked and the .198 hitting Roberto Perez crushed a 400 foot bomb to center to put the Indians up 3-2. Giovanny Urshela grounded out to second and Lindor grounded out to short to end the inning but the Indians were up....yuck!

                                              "I gave up a home run to HIM? I suck" - ERod

The Indians flashed the leather in the top of the third as Urshela made a great catch to rob Nunez of a hit. Betts accidentally pulled his bat back and still bunted down the first base line for an out. Benintendi got a lucky single up the middle and somehow Ramirez walked, but Devers was robbed on another great catch by Urshela to end the inning. Rodriguez blew away Jackson to start the bottom of the third inning and Devers got some revenge by making a great play to rob Ramirez of a hit. Encarnarcion struck out to end the inning.

Something appeared to be brewing in the top of the fourth when Bogaerts drew a leadoff walk but Holt whiffed badly. Bogaerts moved to second on the ground out by Vazquez as JBJ was hit in the leg. With 2 men on.....Nunez grounded out to first to end the inning. Rodriguez almost had a clean inning as he struck out Bruce to begin the bottom of the fourth inning. Santana grounded out to third but Guyer singled. E-Rod got revenge on Perez for taking him deep by striking out to end the inning.

The Sox struck back in the top of the fifth inning as Betts worked a leadoff walk. Benintendi popped up but Betts was thrown out at second trying to steal....but wait! Sox manager John Farrell challenged the call and sure enough, Betts was ruled safe on the replay. That was a huge call as Ramirez stepped up to blast a 2 run bomb to give the Sox a 4-3 lead to chase Clevinger. Tyler Olson came in and got Devers to pop up to third. Bogaerts walked but Holt lined out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead.

                                             Ramirez puts the Red Sox back on top

Could Rodriguez slam the door in the bottom of the fifth? Urshela grounded out to second, Lindor grounded back to the mound and Jackson grounded out to second to end the inning. I'd say that was a yes.

Nick Goody got the call to pitch the top of the sixth inning and dominated. Vazquez struck out, JBJ grounded out to second and Nunez whiffed to end the inning. Rodriguez returned for the bottom of the sixth and got Ramirez to ground out, but walked Encarnarcion. Rodriguez got called for a balk to move Encarnarcion to second but recovered to strike out Bruce. Suddenly, John Farrell bounded out of the dug-out and Rodriguez threw the rosin bag down in disgust. Sure enough he was taken out of a game he badly wanted to stay in and he gave Farrell a death glare going back to the dug-out. He made one mistake to Perez but for the most part had kept Cleveland in check.

                                               If only he could have gone longer

Joe Kelly came in and nearly killed home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt with a warm-up pitch. Wendelstedt then started calling balls and strikes backwards so you knew he wasn't right. Santana flied out to end the inning but Wendelstedt had to be wheeled out on a gurney.

                                            "Man down, MAN DOWN!"

Old pal Andrew Miller was brought in as second base umpire Alan Porter had to replace Hunter behind the plate causing a delay. During the delay Miller contracted Tarellian Death Syndrome and walked Mookie Betts before he too was wheeled out on a gurney. Sox fans might remember the last time Miller had to leave a game. Dan Otero came in to pitch for Cleveland as Betts was erased on the force by Benintendi only for Ramirez to bang into a double play to end the inning.

                                              Bye bye Miller.

Kelly cruised in the bottom of the seventh inning and got Guyer to fly out to right to start. Perez looked at strike three and Urshela lined out to right to end the inning.

Otero returned for the top of the eighth inning and Dervers whiffed to start. Bogaerts grounded out and Holt whiffed to end the inning. The Sox had literally no hits since Ramirez chased Clevinger in the 5th inning. It was learned that Carlos Santana had to be hauled off in an ambulance so Bradley Zimmer came in to play for him. We got bodies left and right. Sox manager John Farrell decided to give Addison Reed the night off but made the inexcusable decision to bring in Matt Barnes to pitch the bottom of the eighth. Its been proven that Barnes can't pitch on the road and he showed why as he walked Lindor on 5 pitches that weren't even close. After another 3 pitches that weren't close, Jackson singled. Sox manager John Farrell was one batter too late but he pulled the incompetent Barnes.

                                   "Gimmie that ball...and..and GET OUTTA HERE!" - JF

Farrell made another inexcusable blunder by bringing in Heath Hembree? Why was this just as bad as Barnes? Hembree literally is the worst pitcher in Major League Baseball when it comes to inherited runners. Nearly 50% of the men he inherits score on him. So Farrell not only brought in a guy who sucks on the road to start the inning, he put the worst guy in the majors in the game with 2 men on. Somehow Hembree struck out Ramirez but Encarnarcion hit a little roller into left to score Lindor. Benintendi decided to heave the ball 50 feet over the head of Vazquez so both runners advanced. That was it for Hembree as Robby Scott was summoned to stop the bleeding. Scott did his job by striking out Bruce and Zimmer to end the inning with the game still tied. Why couldn't Farrell have started the inning with Hembree then gone to Scott if he got in trouble?

                                            Hembree gives it up and the game is tied

The Sox tried to fight back against Cody Allen in the top of the ninth when Allen's nemesis Vazquez singled for the Sox first hit since the fifth inning. He was stranded as JBJ lined out to right as Chris Young suddenly bolted out of the dug-out to pinch run for Vazquez. Nunez flied out to right and Betts popped up to end the inning. The Sox had just 1 hit off the Indians bullpen in the final 4 2/3 innings, that's PATHETIC. Mercifully the game came to an end in the bottom of the ninth. Here's another brilliant idea by Farrell, bringing in Brandon Workman to pitch the bottom of the ninth. He wants to give Reed a day off even though its been proven that he's a rubber arm but he goes to the guy COMING OFF TOMMY JOHN SURGERY to pitch another game. Sandy Leon took over behind the plate and sure enough, Guyer doubled to start the inning. Perez dropped down a routine sac bunt....AND HOLT THREW IT AWAY! Guyer scored the winning run and the Indians won. The lack of offense and bad managerial decisions finally cost Farrell and it was a 5-4 Indians walkoff win.

                                                   Disgusting

Jackass of the Night is Matt Barnes. Yes, Heath Hembree gave up the game tying hit and Workman/Holt pissed themselves in the 9th but Barnes putting two runners on in the 8th inning led the way for the defeat. Had he done his job, Hembree and Holt wouldn't have mattered.

                                               Matt Barnes is the Jackass



The Good:

Mookie Betts walked 3 times in 5 plate appearances and scored 2 runs.

Andrew Benintendi was 2 for 4 with a 2 run home run.

Hanley Ramirez was 1 for 3 with a walk and a 2 run home run.

Xander Bogaerts walked twice in 4 plate appearances.

Christian Vazquez was 2 for 4.

Eduardo Rodriguez made one mistake to Perez but not much else has he pitched 5 2/3 innings of 3 run ball.

Joe Kelly pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Robby Scott got two huge outs to keep the game tied.



The Bad:

Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 5.

Rafael Devers was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Brock Holt was the runner up for Jackass by going 0 for 4 and making the game ending throwing error.

Heath Hembree gave up the game tying hit.

Brandon Workman took the loss in the bottom of the ninth.



The Ugly:

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 but took an HBP.


Honorable Mention:

Chris Young pinch ran for Vazquez in the 9th.

Sandy Leon caught the bottom of the ninth.



Final Thoughts:

Another horrible loss that's strictly on the manager. Its been proven Barnes sucks on the road so why would you bring him in with a one run lead with the game on the line? Then, how do you not bring in your best strikeout pitcher in Kimbrel afterwards to stop the bleeding? The Sox look like they have absolutely no chance to beat Cleveland not only in the post-season (if there is one) but this series as well. It will take a miracle for the Sox not to get swept the next 3 days. Also, Clevinger was gone in the top of the 5th meaning the Indians bullpen pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings. The loss drops the Sox to 71-53, 4.5 games ahead of the idle Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox lose to Carlos Carrassco with Doug Fister (2-6, 5.56 ERA) taking the almost guaranteed loss at 7:10 PM at Jacobs Field.

Porcello Shuts Down Yankees (8/20/17)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox honored the 30 year announcing career of Jerry Remy who has been battling lung cancer for most of the summer and pretty much the last 8 years. Remy was presented a ginormous 75 inch tv and an oversized glove courtesy of Dustin Pedroia.

As for the game, the Boston Red Sox sent a message that the AL East still goes through Boston after the Sox wiped out the New York Yankees 5-1 today behind the solid pitching of Rick Porcello (8-14, 4.48 ERA) and some timely hitting against Yankee starter Sonny Gray and the leaky NY bullpen. The Sox had taken the game, 2 out of 3 at Fenway and 4 of 6 since last week.

              Jerry Lewis (RIP) approves of the win

Porcello got the ball in the top of the first inning and cruised. Brett Gardner grounded out to first to start and Aaron Hicks struck out on an unhittable curveball. Aaron Judge flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox made Gray work in the bottom of the first but accomplished nothing. Brock "The Hitman" Holt grounded out to third and Mookie Betts grounded out to second, but Andrew Benintendi singled to left. Hanley Ramirez flied out to right to end the inning.

Porcello ran into trouble in the top of the second although Didi Gregorious lined out to short to start. Gary Sanchez grounded out to third but Chase Headley doubled. Porcello got squeezed on a ball four call to Todd Frazier but froze Tyler Austin for strike three to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second as Rafael Devers flied out to deep center to start. Xander Bogaerts blooped a single to right but Hicks made a great diving catch to rob Mitch Moreland of a base hit. Sandy Leon blooped a single to left and Jackie Bradley Jr cleared the bases with a triple into center. Holt then grounded out to first on a 3-1 count to end the inning, but the Sox had a 2-0 lead.

                                               JBJ triples home 2 runs

Could Porcello pitch with the lead? Ronald Torreyes lined out softly to short but Gardner hit a seeing eye single through the hole in short. Gardner was immediately picked off.....oh wait, Yankees manager Joe Girardi challenged the call and sure enough, he was safe. The Sox got one half of a strike em out, throw em out as Gardner swiped second but Hicks was called out on strikes. Porcello then threw 2 pitches right on the outside corner on a 0-2 count to Judge, both called balls. Judge finally grounded out to second to end the inning but Porcello lost about 20 pounds by getting squeezed so much. The Sox failed to score in the bottom of the third as Betts grounded out to short trying to pull a pitch to start. Benintendi worked a 10 pitch at bat only to fly out harmlessly to left. Ramirez also put up an 8 pitch at bat but doubled off the Monster. Devers drew a 4 pitch walk but then made the astronomically stupid decision to take off for second....with Ramirez standing there and he was picked off first to end the inning. Just like with Holt last night, Devers mistake cost them dearly with Gray on the ropes. Gray had thrown 69 pitches but that was a huge chance wasted.

As usual once the Sox made a mistake, the Yankees made them pay in the top of the fourth inning. Gregorious flied out to left but Sanchez and Headley worked back to back walks. Frazier popped up to first and Austin struck out but Porcello was up to 80 pitches. The Yankees didn't score here but laid the groundwork for the future. Porcello wasn't effective but Gray was in the bottom of the fourth. Bogaerts grounded out to third and Moreland grounded out to short but Leon drew a walk. JBJ grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Yankees finally got to Porcello in the top of the fifth inning although Torreyes grounded out to short to start. Gardner then hit his typical 300 foot home run around the Pesky Pole to cut the lead. Hicks grounded out to first and Judge popped to first to end the inning. The Yankees had Porcello up to 94 pitches through 5 innings but the Sox still led 2-1.

                                               "I hit the ball 275 feet!!!" - Gardner

The score remained 2-1 after the bottom of the 5th inning although Holt got a lucky single to right to start. Betts popped up on a 3-2 count but Benintendi somehow singled to left. Hicks then completely faked out Holt at second by jumping to make a catch on a bullet by Ramirez. Devers grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox had probably finished off Gray but only had 2 runs to show for it.

Porcello somehow made it through the top of the sixth as Gregorious lined right to a running JBJ to start. Sanchez popped up to left on the first pitch and Headley grounded into the shift to end the inning. Porcello had gone 6 innings and only gave up 1 run, on any other day that would be good enough for the win.

                                                    Fabulous effort by Porcello

Gray was gone and Adam Warren was in for the bottom of the sixth and the Sox added an insurance run. Hicks made another running catch to rob Bogaerts of a hit, but Moreland singled to left. A wild pitch moved Moreland to second and he moved to third on the Leon ground out. JBJ stepped up with a base hit to score Leon. That was it for Warren as the much maligned Aroldis Chapman came in to strike out Holt to end the inning, although the Sox were now up 3-1.

                                                   Leon scores he big insurance run

The Sox needed that insurance run as Brandon Workman took over for the top of the seventh. He did manage to get Frazier to pop out to start. Austin lined out to center and Torreyes grounded to short to end the inning. Good job Workman. Chapman returned for the bottom of the seventh and Betts worked a leadoff walk. A wild pitch moved Betts to second and he moved to third on the Benintendi fly out to right. He was stranded as Ramirez hit a weak pop up to shallow center and Devers struck out to end the inning.

The failed attempt to get the fourth run didn't seem to matter as Addison Reed took the mound in the top of the eighth inning. Gardner was out on a bang bang play at first after a diving stop by Holt. Hicks flied out to Betts and Judge whiffed to end the inning. The Sox were 3 outs away from going up 5 games with 39 remaining. The Sox iced the game in the bottom of the eighth as new pitcher Tommy Kahnle walked Bogaerts on 4 straight pitches to start. Moreland doubled off the top of the Monster and Leon doubled into the corner to score the two runners. That was it for Kahnle as Caleb Smith came in to walk JBJ. Holt singled and the Sox had the bases loaded and nobody out but once again turned completely inept. Betts ran away screaming from strike three, Benintendi flied out to left, and Ramirez tried to kill a fastball over the Monster....but grounded out to Smith to end the inning. Another bases loaded, nobody out waste....but it was still 5-1.

Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel was brought in to close out the game even though they had a 4 run lead and a 4 game set with Cleveland approaching. Gregorious popped up to second and Craig blew away Sanchez on a 99 mph high fastball. Kimbel blew away Headley to end the game. The Sox had taken the series and this game 5-1.

                                            Win, Dance, Repeat


Hero of the Night is Rick Porcello. He tossed 6 innings of 1 run ball to earn his 8th win of the season.

                                              Porcello is the Hero of his one



The Good:

Brock Holt was 2 for 5.

Andrew Benintendi was 2 for 5.

Xander Bogaerts was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Mitch Moreland was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored.

Sandy Leon was 2 for 3 with a walk, 2 rbis and a run scored.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 3 with a walk and 3 rbis.

Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Addison Reed pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

Craig Kimbrel pitched a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

None...a miracle.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was 0 for 4 but walked.

Hanley Ramirez was just 1 for 5.

Rafael Devers was 0 for 3 but walked.



Final Thoughts:

That's how you send a message to the AL East that the road goes through you. Yankee fans were dancing in the streets after the Yankees traded for Frazier, David Robertson, Kahnle and Gray at the deadline demanding not only the AL East title but the pennant as well. 3 weeks later the wrong team got hot as the Red Sox shed Dustin Pedroia and David Price, added Eduardo Nunez, Rafael Devers and Addison Reed, then took off. The Yankees have gone 10-10 since the trade deadline while the Sox have gone 13-3. One thing is for sure, the Red Sox are not afraid of the Yankees this year anymore. Up until the rally against Chapman last week the Sox were totally dominated in 6 of the 9 games they played. By taking 4 of 6 the past week, it shows they can hang with them. Tomorrow night the Sox begin a crucial 4 game set in Cleveland against the Indians. Not so much crucial for the AL East standings but if they can't catch Houston for the AL's best record, the Indians will be their first round opponent. Just to show they can hang with Cleveland, it would be nice to take 3 of 4. Tomorrow night Eduardo Rodriguez (4-3, 3.97 ERA) goes for the Sox against Mike Clevinger in Game 1 at Jacobs Field at 7:10 PM.