Mariners Pound Sox, Rodriguez Shelled (6/23/18)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move by sending Robby Scott down to Pawtucket and called up Tzu-Wei Lin for some infield depth. Scott didn't look good and Lin gives the Sox another defender/pinch hitter.

                                                                   OUT

                                                                 IN

As for the game, what a disaster. Eduardo Rodriguez (9-2, 3.86 ERA) didn't have it and the Sox were shut down by the Seattle Mariners, mainly by starter Mike Leake. Leake held the Sox to no runs and 4 hits in 8 innings as Rodriguez got lit up for 5 runs in just 4 innings. Nelson Cruz continued to hit balls all over Fenway and when the game was over it was the Mariners who ran away with a 7-2 victory at Fenway Park.

The Mariners wasted no time scoring against Rodriguez in the top of the first inning. Dee Gordon singled and Mitch Haniger doubled to give the Mariners the lead two batters into the game. Nelson Cruz grounded out but Haninger moved to third. Kyle Seager flied out to left and Ryon Healy flied out to center to end the inning with the Mariners up 1-0.

                                              Mariners strike first

The Sox squandered a huge chance to tie the game in the bottom of the first as Tzu-Wei Lin struck out to start. Andrew Benintendi lined out to first but JD Martinez and Mitch Moreland stroked back to back singles. Brock "The Hitman" Holt walked to load the bases but Rafael Devers grounded out to second to end the inning.

Rodriguez got in trouble in the top of the second as Ben Gamel was plunked to open the frame. Guillermo Heredia whiffed but Chris Hermann singled. Andrew Romine popped up to first and Gordon lined out to left to end the inning. Leake dominated the bottom of the second as Eduardo Nunez flied out to right, Christian Vazquez grounded out to third and Jackie Bradley Jr lined out back to Leake to end the inning.

The Mariners struck again in the top of the third although Haniger struck out to start. The pain in the ass Cruz doubled but Seager flied out to center. Not only did Lin strike out to open the first he threw a routine grounder by Healy away allowing Cruz to score. Gamel flied out to center to end the inning but it was 2-0 Seattle.

                                                 Pain in the ass Cruz

Lin did not redeem himself by striking out again in the bottom of the third. Benintendi singled but was erased on the force by Martinez. Martinez was gunned down at second on a blown hit and run to end the inning.

The Mariners broke the game open in the top of the fourth inning although Rodriguez snuffed out a bunt by Heredia to start. Hermann walked and Romine singled before Gordon advanced both runners with a ground out to the mound. Haniger doubled home both runners to increase the lead. Cruz was intentionally walked and Seager singled home Haniger. Healy grounded out to short to end the inning but it was 5-0 Mariners, game over. That was it for Rodriguez who lasted just 4 innings and gave up 5 runs.

                                              "I sucked tonight." - Eduardo "I know." - Vaz

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fourth as Moreland grounded out to second to start. Holt grounded out to short and Devers whiffed to end the inning.

Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez came in for the top of the fifth and got Gamel to ground out to short to begin. Heredia singled but Hermann flied out to center. Romine lined out to left to end the inning. The Sox failed to score in the bottom of the fifth as Nunez flied out to right to start. Vazquez grounded out to third and JBJ lined out to center to end the inning.

The Mariners tagged Velazquez in the top of the sixth as Gordon flied out to start. Haniger grounded out to short but the pain in the ass Cruz singled and Seager doubled him to third. Healy hit a grounder to third that Devers snared but couldn't make the play to score Cruz. Gamel grounded into a force to end the inning but it was 6-0 Mariners.

The Sox caught a break when Lin reached on an error by Healy to start the bottom of the sixth then moved to second on the Benintendi ground out. Martinez grounded out to second to advance Lin to third but Moreland flied out to left to end the inning.

The Mariners got to Velazquez again in the top of the seventh as Heredia singled and Hermann stroked a single to advance Heredia to third. Romine whiffed but Heredia scored on the Gordon ground out. Haniger flied out to left to end the inning but it was 7-0 Mariners.

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the seventh as Holt grounded out to first to start. Devers also grounded out to first but Nunez walked. Vazquez took strike three to end the inning.

Brandon Workman got the call to pitch the top of the eighth as Blake Swihart took over at third for Devers. Cruz singled again but Seager took strike three. Healy whiffed and Gamel lined out to left to end the inning. Leake finished off his night in the bottom of the eighth as JBJ whiffed to start. Lin grounded out to third and Benintendi lined out to right to end the inning.

Heath Hembree had mop up duty in the top of the ninth and he froze Heredia for strike three to start. Hermann walked but Romine popped up to third. Gordon lined out to right to end the inning. Edwin Diaz took over for Leake in the bottom of the ninth but the Sox sprang to life. Martinez singled and Moreland tripled him home. Holt and Swihart both whiffed but Nunez singled home Moreland while taking second on a muff in right. Vazquez grounded out to third to end the inning as the Mariners won it 7-2.

Jackass of the Night is Eduardo Rodriguez. He got it up for 5 runs in 4 innings and the Sox couldn't climb out of that kind of hole.

                                                Eduardo the Jackass



The Good:

JD Martinez was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Mitch Moreland was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Eduardo Nunez was 1 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

Heath Hembree pitched a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

Tzu-Wei Lin was 0 for 4 with an error and 2 strikeouts.

Rafael Devers was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Blake Swihart was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.



The Ugly:

Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4.

Brock Holt was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Hector Velazquez allowed 2 runs in 3 innings of work.




Final Thoughts:

What a disaster that was. The Sox were bound for a stinkeroo this week and this was it. They couldn't do anything right on offense, defense or on the mound. They just can't seem to get Cruz out and Rodriguez nibbled so much its a wonder the mound is still intact. Its only one game but they looked like complete crap in this one. You can't get up for 162 games a year and they certainly didn't get up for this one. The less said of this game the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 51-27, 1 game behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox wrap up their series with the Mariners tomorrow afternoon with Chris Sale (6-4) taking on Marco Gonzales at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Outslug Mariners at Fenway (6/22/18)

Now that was a good old fashioned slugfest. The Boston Red Sox and the Seattle Mariners combined for 34 hits and 24 runs in tonight's bloodbath between two potential playoff opponents. The Mariners pounded Boston starter Steven Wright for TEN runs to take a 10-5 lead in the fourth inning but the Sox rallied for 9 more runs to defeat the Seattle Seahawks....errrrr Mariners by a score of 14-10 at Fenway Park.

                                                      Happy fans

The Mariners pounced on Wright immediately in the top of the first inning as Dee Gordon started with a base hit. Mitch Haniger whiffed but Denard Span singled. Nelson Cruz crushed a 40,000 foot bomb to put the Mariners up early. Kyle Seager grounded back to the mound but Ryon Healy followed with a 970 foot home run of his own to increase the lead. Mike Zunno grounded out to third to end the inning with the Mariners ahead 4-0 early.

                                                Pain in the ass does it again

The Sox roared back in the home half of the first against Wade LeBlanc as Mr. Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi stroked back to back singles to begin. JD Martinez doubled home Betts and Mitch Moreland scored Benintendi with a hit, advancing Martinez to third. Xander Bogaerts whiffed but Brock "The Hitman" Holt doubled home Martinez. Rafael Devers grounded out to second but Holt moved to third and Moreland scored to tie the game. Christian Vazquez crushed a ground rule double to score Holt to give the Sox the lead before Blake Swihart lined out to left to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-4.

                                                The Sox storm back

The Mariners responded in the top of the second inning although Guillermo Heredia grounded back to the mound to start. Andrew Romine singled and a passed ball moved him to second before Gordon walked. Haniger singled to left and Martinez fired home to nail Romine.....SAFE! The Sox challenged the tag at home although New York Yankees manag....errrr Head of MLB Operations Joe Torre DEMANDED the call be upheld to tie the game. Span erased Haniger at second with a force but the pain in the ass Cruz singled home Gordon to give the Mariners the lead back. Seager grounded into a force to end the inning with the Mariners ahead 6-5.

                                                   Gordon is all smiles so far

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the second although Mr. Mookie walked to start. Benintendi flied out to left but Martinez doubled. Moreland hit a bullet but right to short and Bogaerts lined out to left to end the inning.

Wright settled down in the top of the third as he struck out Healy to start. Zunino flied out to center before Heredia hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the third as Holt whiffed to start. Devers flied out to left before Vazquez was thrown out at second trying to stretch a single to end the inning.

The Mariners looked to have put the game away against the incompetent Wright in the top of the fourth inning. Romine singled but Gordon flied out to left. Haniger walked and Benintendi dropped a bullet hit by Span for a double to score Romine. Who else but Cruz then launched another 3 run bomb to increase the lead and chase Wright from the game after allowing TEN earned runs in just 3 1/3 innings.

                                             "I sucked tonight!" - Wright

Brian Johnson took over for Wright and blew away Seager before Healy flied out to center to end the inning with the Mariners ahead 10-5.

                                                   "I don't got it!" - Benintendi

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fourth as Swihart popped up to short to start. Mr. Mookie grounded out to third and Benintendi grounded out to first to end the inning.

Johnson got in trouble in the top of the fifth although he struck out Zunino to start. Heredia whiffed but Romine singled. Gordon and Haniger stroked back to back singles to load the bases but Span flied out to left to end the inning. The Sox began their comeback in the bottom of the fifth although Martinez lined out to right to begin. Moreland singled but Bogaerts flied out to right. Holt singled and Devers singled home Moreland to chase LeBlanc. James Pazos came in for LeBlanc and got Vazquez to fly out to right to end the inning but the Sox were now down 10-6.

                                                   Devers drives one in

Once again Cruz singled to open the top of the sixth but Seager popped up to third. Healy banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the sixth although Swihart flied out to center to start. Mr. Mookie popped up to second but Benintendi walked. Nick Vincent was brought into pitch to Martinez and JD greeted him by launching his 23rd home run of the year to cut into the lead. Moreland tripled and Bogaerts singled him home. Bogaerts swiped second but Holt grounded out to short to end the inning but the Sox were down 10-9.

                                                  Martinez inches the Sox closer

Matt Barnes came in and turned up the heat in the top of the seventh inning. Barnes blew away Zunino before Heredia was frozen for strike three. Romine whiffed to end the inning. The Sox took command against Juan Nicasio in the bottom of the seventh. Devers singled but Vazquez took strike three. Swihart singled and Mr. Mookie walked to load the bases before Benintendi singled in Devers to tie the game. Martinez singled home Swihart and Betts to take the lead and that was it for Nicasio. Nick Rumbelow came in and Moreland was frozen for strike three. All of a sudden Bogaerts keeled over and had to be rushed to Mass General with Eduardo Nunez replacing him. Rumbelow uncorked a wild pitch on a Martinez steal that scored Benintendi. Another wild pitch moved Martinez to third and Nunez singled him home. Holt whiffed to end the inning with the Sox ahead 14-10.

                                                Tom Brady approves of 14-10 leads

Nunez moved to second with Holt moving to short with Joe Kelly now on the mound. Gordon looked at strike three before Haniger walked. Span banged into a double play to end the inning. Old pal Roenis Elias came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Devers greeted him with a double. Devers was thrown out at third on a ground ball by Vazquez before Swihart flied out to left. A wild pitch moved Vazquez to second but Mr. Mookie flied out to center to end the inning.

Craig "The Buzzard" Kimbrel took over for the top of the ninth and Cruz popped up to first to start. Seager whiffed and Healy lined out to center to end the game. The Sox had come back to win 14-10.

                                                              Another win


Hero of the Night is JD Martinez. He was 4 for 5 with 3 runs scored and 5 total rbis including a 2 run home run and a stolen base.

                                                       Martinez is the Hero



The Good:

Andrew Benintendi was 2 for 4 with a walk, rbi and 3 runs scored.

Mitch Moreland was 3 for 5 with an rbi and 3 runs scored.

Eduardo Nunez singled and scored as a pinch hitter.

Brock Holt was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Rafael Devers was 3 for 5 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Christian Vazquez was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

Brian Johnson tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless 7th inning to earn the win.

Joe Kelly pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

Craig Kimbrel pitched a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

Steven Wright lasted just 3 1/3 innings while giving up TEN runs.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was just 1 for 4 but walked twice and scored 2 runs.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 with an rbi and a stolen base.

Blake Swihart was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.




Final Thoughts:

Now that was a big win considering the circumstances. The Sox were down by 6 runs to one of the better teams in the AL and refused to quit. Everybody on offense contributed at one point and they needed each and every one of them to pull off this comeback. Wright got absolutely hammered but the bullpen shut the door after that. Maybe his knee is acting up again but the story is Bogaerts having to come out of the game. Hopefully he's ok but you never know with him. The New York Yankees lost so the Sox inch closer in the division race as well. The win improved the Sox to 51-26, 1 game behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox are back in action against the Mariners as they send Mike Leake to the mound to counter Eduardo Rodriguez (9-1) at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Bash Twins for 50th Win (6/21/18)

The Boston Red Sox became the first team in Major League Baseball to win 50 games this season and they did it by smashing the Minnesota Twins. The entire team pitched in on offense with home runs by Andrew Benintendi and Mookie Betts and "Slick" Rick Porcello (9-3, 3.44 ERA) pitched shutout ball through 7 innings for the win. The Sox need to win every game they can to keep pace with the New York Yankees and they won this one going away 9-2 at Target Field.

                                       The Road Warriors approve of the road win

The Sox blew a chance to strike early against their nemesis Kyle Gibson in the top of the first inning. Mr. Mookie Betts singled to left to begin but Benintendi lined out to left. JD Martinez walked but Mitch Moreland looked at strike three. Xander Bogaerts lined out to center to end the inning. Porcello started his dominance in the bottom of the first by getting Joe Mauer to ground out to second. Brian Dozier grounded out to third but Eduardo Escobar was plunked. Logan Morrison singled but Robbie Grossman grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second as Rafael Devers looked at strike three to start before Brock "The Hitman" Holt grounded out to first. Sandy Leon walked but Jackie Bradley Jr lined out to second to end the inning. Max Kepler flied out to center to start the bottom of the second before Ehire Adrianza whiffed. Ryan LaMarre walked but Bobby Wilson flied out to center to end the inning.

Nothing happened in the top of the third as Mr. Mookie popped up to short to start. Benintendi whiffed and Martinez looked at strike three to end the inning. Porcello matched Gibson in the bottom of the third as Mauer grounded out to short to start. Dozier lined out to left before Escobar whiffed to end the inning.

Taylor Motter took over for Escobar in the top of the fourth after Escobar had to leave the game due to the HBP earlier. The Sox struck first when Moreland walked to start but Bogaerts lined out to center. Devers whiffed but Holt and Leon struck back to back singles to score Mitch to put the Sox on top. JBJ popped up to short to end the inning but the Sox had the lead 1-0.

                                                             Leon drives in a run

Porcello kept up the dominance in the bottom of the fourth as Morrison popped up to third to start. Grossman and Kepler both took strike three to end the inning.

The Sox got another run quickly in the top of the fifth when Mr. Mookie swatted the first pitch he saw into the stands for his 19th home run of the year. Benintendi singled but Martinez flied out to right. Moreland and Bogaerts hit back to back singles to load the bases but Devers popped up to second. Holt grounded out to second to end the inning and squander a bases loaded chance but at least led 2-0.

                                                    Mr. Mookie goes yard

Porcello continued to pitch well in the bottom of the fifth as Adrianza whiffed to start. LaMarre lined out to third before Wilson lined out to left to end the inning.

Leon was hit with a pitch to begin the top of the sixth but JBJ banged into a double play. Mr. Mookie flied out to right to end the inning. Porcello mowed them down in the bottom of the sixth as Mauer lined out to right to begin. Dozier flied out to center and Motter popped up to second to end the inning.

The Sox iced the game in the top of the seventh against Ryan Pressly. Benintendi whiffed but Martinez singled.Moreland walked and Bogaerts doubled both men home, taking third on the throw. That was it for Pressly as Taylor Rogers came in only for Devers to ground out to second, scorin Bogaerts with another run. Holt grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-0.

                                                  Martinez scores a run

Porcello came back for one final inning in the bottom of the seventh and Morrison flied out to right to begin. Grossman flied out to left and Kepler flied out to right to end the inning. Porcello had allowed just 1 hit and a walk in 7 shutout innings, outstanding!

                                              Porcello dominated today

The Sox tacked it on against Matt Belisle in the top of the eighth as Leon single. JBJ whiffed before Mr. Mookie lined out to left. Benintendi then smashed his 13th home run of the year to increase the lead. Martinez doubled and Moreland doubled him home but Bogaerts popped up to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-0.

                                             Benintendi hits one out

Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez got the ball in the top of the eighth and Adrianza flied out to center to begin. LaMarre singled but Wilson banged into a double play.

The Sox weren't done scoring yet in the top of the ninth with Mitch Garver now at first and Matt Magill on the mound. Devers lined out to right but Holt doubled. Blake Swihart pinch hit for Leon and whiffed but JBJ singled home Holt to wrap up the offense. Mr. Mookie singled but Benintendi looked at strike three to end the inning with the Sox ahead 9-0.

                                                    Holt scores another run

The Twins finally woke up but it was too late as Garver singled to open the bottom of the ninth. Dozier doubled Garver to third and Garver scored on the Motter ground out. Dozier moved to third on that play and he scored on the Morrison sac fly. Grossman grounded out to second to end the game with the Sox victorious 9-2.

                                                     "WE WON!!"


Hero of the Night is Rick Porcello. He pitched 7 innings of shutout ball allowing just 1 hit and a walk while striking out 5.

                                                   Slick Rick the Hero


The Good:

Mookie Betts was 3 for 6 with a solo home run.

Andrew Benintendi was 2 for 6 with a 2 run home run.

JD Martinez was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored.

Mitch Moreland was 2 for 3 with 2 walks, rbi and 2 runs scored.

Xander Bogaerts ws 2 for 5 with 2 rbi's and a run scored.

Brock Holt was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

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



The Bad:

Blake Swihart struck out as a pinch hitter.

Hector Velazquez gave up 2 runs in 2 innings of work.



The Ugly:

Rafael Devers was 0 for 5 but drove in a run.

Jackie Bradley Jr was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run.




Final Thoughts:

Always nice to end a series with a win after losing the first two games. Porcello was absolutely outstanding today and the Sox needed a start like that from him. The offense finally woke up to score runs in bunches to put the game out of reach halfway through. The Sox also needed this win big time to keep pace with the New York Yankees who have jumped ahead of them in the AL East race. As long as the Sox continue the pace they are on, they still should be able to come out on top when all this is over. Keeping Chris Sale, David Price, Eduardo Rodriguez and Porcello healthy would help big time. The win propelled the Sox to 50-26, 2 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox come home for an important series with a potential playoff bound Seattle Mariners. Steven Wright gets the start for the Sox opposite Wade Leblanc. The game begins at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park

Twins Shut Down Sox (6/20/18)

As if yesterday wasn't bad enough with Chris Sale not getting enough run support, this time it was David Price (8-5, 3.81 ERA) that didn't get any help at all. The Minnesota Twins held the Sox to just 4 total hits and an unearned run. Lance Lynn and the bullpen held the Sox in check as a Max Kepler home run turned out to be the difference in the game. After it was over it was the Twins that took the game and the series 4-1 at Target Field

                                              "I pity Price!" - BA

The Sox did nothing against Lynn in the top of the first as Mr. Mookie Betts flied out to right to begin. Andrew Benintendi grounded out to short before Xander Bogaerts doubled. JD Martinez whiffed to end the inning. The Twins struck first in the bottom of the first when Robbie Grossman launched the 5th pitch Price threw 8,000 feet for a solo home run. Eddie Rosario singled but Eduardo Escobar flied out to right. Price caught Rosario napping in a rundown and froze Brian Dozier to end the inning but the Twins were ahead 1-0.

                                                     Twins get on the board

The Sox fought back with some help from the Twins in the top of the second. Mitch Moreland walked to start but Rafael Devers popped up to first. Brock "The Hitman" Holt walked but Christian Vazquez lined out to first. Jackie Bradley Jr hit a routine grounder to first but Logan Morrison threw the ball away allowing Moreland to score to tie the game. Holt got picked off third to end the inning but it was 1-1.

                                                    "We got one!" - Vaz

Price kept up the pace in the bottom of the second as Morrison flied out to right to begin. Ehire Adrianza singled to left but Kepler lined out to short. Mitch Garver lined out to second to end the inning.

Mr. Mookie singled to start the top of the third and advanced to second on the Benintendi grounder, but was stranded when Bogaerts grounded out to third. Martinez grounded out to short to end the inning. Old friend Ryan LaMarre flied out to right to begin the bottom of the third before Grossman flied out to left. Rosario smacked a triple but Escobar grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

The Sox blew their last chance to take the lead after Moreland singled and Devers walked to open the top of the fourth. Holt banged into a double play and Vazquez whiffed to end the inning. The Twins iced the game in the bottom of the fourth as Dozier doubled and Morrison walked to start. Adrianza grounded into a double play but Kepler smashed a 200,000 foot bomb to put the Twins up for good. Garver flied out to right to end the inning but it was 3-1 Twins.

                                                 Kepler ices it

The Sox threatened again in the top of the fifth when JBJ led off with a walk before moving to second on the Mr. Mookie grounder. Benintendi walked to put the tying run on but Bogaerts erased Benintendi at second. Martinez grounded out to second to end the inning. LaMarre singled to begin the bottom of the fifth but Grossman flied out to center. Rosario whiffed before Escobar hit a routine grounder to Devers. He instead threw the ball AT LaMarre rather than to the base for an error. Luckily Dozier lined out to center to end the inning.

The Twins bullpen was lights out as Taylor Rogers was first up in the top of the sixth. Moreland whiffed, Devers flied out to right and Holt looked at strike three to end the inning. Price had one more inning in him and he got Morrison to ground out to first to start the bottom of the sixth. Adrianza whiffed before Kepler lined out to second to end the inning. Price pitched relatively well but got no support by the offense, Chris Sale feels his pain.

                                                          Price did well, just didn't get any runs

Old buddy Addison Reed came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Vazquez grounded out to short to start. JBJ flied out to center but Mr. Mookie singled to bring the tying run to the plate. Benintendi flied out to right to end the inning. Heath Hembree was first out of the pen in the bottom of the seventh and Garver flied out to center to begin. LaMarre looked at strike three before Grossman flied out to right to end the inning.

Trevor Hildenberger held the Sox down in the top of the eighth as Bogaerts grounded out to second to start. Martinez looked to have singled when Kepler just missed a diving catch but Twins manager Paul Molitor challenged the call. New York Yankees manag...errr Head of MLB Operations Joe Torre DEMANDED the call be overturned and it was ruled a catch. Moreland whiffed to end the inning.

The Twins got an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth as Brian Johnson walked Rosario to start. Escobar whiffed but Dozier doubled home Rosario for another run. Dozier stole third but Morrison grounded out to first. Adrianza whiffed to end the inning with the Twins up 4-1.

                                                  Dozier does damage

Fernando Rodney came in to close out the top of the ninth as Devers flied out to center to start. Holt grounded out to first and Vazquez grounded out to third to end the game. The Twins had won it 4-1.

                                                   Ugh, not this crap again


Jackass of the Night is Brock Holt. He got picked off to kill one rally and banged into a double play to kill another one. In a game decided by 3 runs those two rally killers were huge.

                                                Turn around you Jackass


The Good:

Mookie Betts was 2 for 4.

Mitch Moreland was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Heath Hembree pitched a scoreless 7th inning.



The Bad:

JD Martinez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Brian Johnson got tagged for a run in the eighth inning.



The Ugly:

Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 3 but walked.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4.

Rafael Devers was 0 for 3 but walked.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 2 but walked.

David Price took the loss but didn't pitch bad, allowing 3 runs in 6 innings while striking out 3.




Final Thoughts:

Another loss that reminds everyone of last year where they couldn't get a clutch hit to save their lives. They had multiple men on base in multiple innings but needed an error to get one in. The worst part is they lost to a team like the Twins that aren't going anywhere. A lot of these guys may be on other teams a month from now. Luckily the Sox offense seems to be better than last year so maybe this was a hiccup. The less said of this game the better. The loss drops the Sox to 49-26, 2 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox return to action tomorrow afternoon facing their nemesis Kyle Gibson. The Sox will counter with "Slick" Rick Porcello (8-3) at 1:00 PM at Target Field.

Sox Blow It Late Against Twins (6/19/18)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a pitching change so to speak. Justin Haley was sent down to Pawtucket and Robby Scott has been called up. The Sox may be interested in having another lefty in the bullpen so it would make sense to try out Scott to see if he shows them something before they start looking for lefty relief pitchers elsewhere.

OUT

                                                                IN

As for the game, what a disaster. The Sox were trailing 2 to 1 going into the eighth inning and somehow tied the game only for the Minnesota Twins to put 4 runs on the board in the bottom of the eighth to defeat the Sox. Chris Sale's brilliant start was wasted and Eduardo Escobar was the primary culprit as the Sox lost 6-2 at Target Field.

Jose Berrios was unhittable in the top of the first although Mr. Mookie Betts walked to begin. Andrew Benintendi grounded back to the mound but Betts moved to second. Xander Bogaerts whiffed but JD Martinez beat out an infield single to put runners at the corners. Mitch Moreland whiffed to end the inning.  Sale was equally unhittable in the bottom of the first inning. Joe Mauer whiffed, Eddie Rosario flied out to center and Eduardo Escobar looked at strike three to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second inning as Rafael Devers grounded out to second, Eduardo Nunez popped up to third and Sandy Leon failed to get a bunt past Berrios to end the inning. Sale got Brian Dozier to ground out to third to begin the bottom of the second. Robbie Grossman whiffed and Ehire Adrianza struck out swinging as well to end the inning.

The Sox squandered their only scoring chance in the top of the third inning. Jackie Bradley Jr walked and took second on a wild pitch, but Mr. Mookie lined out to left. Berrios tried to pick JBJ off but airmailed the throw and JBJ motored to third. Benintendi whiffed and Bogaerts grounded out to third to end the inning. Sale dominated the bottom of the third as Taylor Motter grounded out to first, Mitch Garver looked at strike three and old friend Ryan LaMarre flied out to right to end the inning

The Sox squandered another chance in the top of the fourth as Martinez and Moreland stroked back to back singles but Devers whiffed. Nunez popped up to first and Leon flied out to right to end the inning. Sale did not allow a runner in the bottom of the fourth as Mauer looked at strike three to start. Rosario watched strike three go by before Escobar grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Still nothing in the top of the fifth as JBJ flied out to right to start. Mr. Mookie walked but Benintendi lined out to left. Bogaerts grounded out to third to end the inning. The Mariners struck first in the bottom of the fifth due to bad defense although Dozier flied out to right to start. Grossman looked at strike three but Adrianza singled off the glove of Devers. Nunez dropped a throw by Leon and Adrianza swiped second before Motter walked. Garver flied out to right to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the sixth as Martinez lined out to right to start. Moreland flied out to center but Devers crushed a solo shot to put the Sox on top. Nunez singled but Leon struck out to end the inning with Boston ahead 1-0.

                                                   Devers goes yard

Just as soon as the Sox scored, Sale coughed it up in the bottom of the sixth. LaMarre singled and Mauer was plunked before both runners advanced on the Rosario ground out. Escobar doubled home both runners to give the Twins the lead. Dozier grounded out to third and Grossman whiffed to end the inning but the Twins were up 2-1.

                                                          The Twins take the lead

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the seventh as JBJ whiffed to start. Mr. Mookie was plunked and that was it for Berrios. Trevor Hildenberger replaced Berrios and Betts swiped second before Benintendi walked to put the tying run at first. Both runners advanced on the ground out by Bogaerts but Martinez whiffed to end the inning. Sale returned for the bottom of the seventh and froze Adrianza to begin. Motter whiffed and Garver grounded out to short to end the inning. That was it for Sale who tossed 7 innings of 2 run ball but had nothing to show for it as usual.

                                                  Sale dominates but doesn't win

The Sox did manage to get Sale off the hook in the top of the eighth inning. Zach Duke pitched for the Twins and Moreland flied out to left to start. Devers singled and advanced on the Nunez ground out to third. Leon singled home Devers to tie the game. JBJ grounded out to second to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                            Leon ties it up

Robby Scott made his season debut in the bottom of the eighth and he promptly crapped his pants. LeMarre walked and Mauer was plunked but Rosario popped up to center. That was it for Scott as Joe Kelly was brought in to stop the bleeding. Instead he made it worse as Rosario hit a bullet that JBJ muffed for a two run double to put the Twins back on top. Dozier walked and Grossman smacked a triple that JBJ missed catching to ice the game. That was it for the incompetent Kelly as Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez came in to clean up the mess. Adrianza flied out to center and Grossman broke for home.....YER OUTTA THERE! The Twins challenged the call but it was upheld and the inning was over with the Twins up 6-2.

                                                     The Twins are up for good

Fernando Rodney came in to close out the top of the ninth and whiffed Mr. Mookie to start. Benintendi looked at strike three but Bogaerts singled. Martinez whiffed to end the game, the Twins had won it 6-2.

Jackass of the Night is Joe Kelly. He allowed two inherited runners to score and two of his own to put the game out of reach

                                             "You're a Jackass, Kelly" - DL                           



The Good:

Mookie Betts walked twice in 4 plate appearances with a stolen base.

JD Martinez was 2 for 5.

Rafael Devers was 2 for 4 with 2 total runs scored and a solo home run.

Chris Sale tossed 7 innings of 2 run ball while striking out 11.

Hector Velazquez tossed 2/3 of a scoreless inning.




The Bad:

Robby Scott was charged with 2 runs in just 1/3 of an inning.



The Ugly:

Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 4 but drove in a run.

Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 5.

Mitch Moreland was just 1 for 4.

Eduardo Nunez was just 1 for 4.

Sandy Leon was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 0 for 3 but walked.




Final Thoughts:

What is it about Chris Sale that transforms the Red Sox offense into the Stooges and opposing pitchers into Cy Young? The last two years Sale has run into the most mediocre starters that turn into Bob Gibson while the Sox offense evaporates. Still, Robby Scott didn't exactly endear himself with his performance either. Edwin Escobar had a career day but those things happen. If the Sox had any kind of an offense against Berrios then they could have countered the offense by Escobar. The less said of this game the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 49-25, 1 game behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night its David Price (8-4) going for the Sox opposite Lance Lynn against these same Twins at 8:00 PM at Target Field.

Off-Day News (6/18/18)

On This Day in Basebawful History:

2000 - Frank Castillo, Blue Jays shut down Sox

2013 - Sox win Game 1 of doubleheader in the rain

   

           Sox walkoff Rays in Game 2 of doubleheader

2016 - Sox beat Mariners

2017 - Bogaerts helps Sox defeat Astros, reclaim 1st place

Tomorrow night the Sox are back in action against the Minnesota Twins. Chris Sale takes the mound up against Jose Berrios of Minneosta. The game begins at 8:05 PM Eastern time at Target Field.

Sox Bats Earn Split With Mariners (6/17/18)

If the Seattle Mariners are a possible playoff opponent, the Boston Red Sox can certainly hang with them. In essence the Sox were a bullpen meltdown and a two run home run away from sweeping the series in Seattle but had to settle for a split. Today Eduardo Rodriguez (9-1, 3.64 ERA) gutted through 6 innings while the Boston bats pounded out 13 hits and 9 runs to take the finale of this four game set 9-3 at Safeco Field.

                                                 Judge Dredd approves of the win

Mike Leake got the start for Seattle and he cruised in the top of the first inning. Mr. Mookie Betts flied out to right to begin but Andrew Benintendi blooped a single to left. Xander Bogaerts banged into a double play to end the inning. Rodriguez took the mound in the bottom of the first and Dee Gordon greeted him with a single. Jean Segura popped up to first and Mitch Haniger grounded out to second. Nelson Cruz grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Sox threatened in the top of the second inning when JD Martinez singled to start but Mitch Moreland flied out to center. Rafael Devers singled but Brock "The Hitman" Holt lined out to first. Christian Vazquez flied out to right to end the inning. Rodriguez nibbled but struck out Kyle Seager to open the bottom of the second. Ryon Healy popped up to second and Guillermo Heredia flied out to left to end the inning.

The Sox exploded in the top of the third inning although Jackie Bradley Jr flied out to center to start. Mr. Mookie grounded out to third but Benintendi and Bogaerts stroked back to back singles. Martinez walked to load the bases and Moreland singled home Benintendi and Bogaerts to give the Sox the lead. Suddenly Devers absolutely crushed a 3 run bomb into the second deck in right to ice the game early. Holt singled but Vazquez grounded out to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-0.

                                                  Devers with the big fly

Rodriguez got so excited about pitching with the lead that he whiffed Ben Gamel to begin the bottom of the third inning. David Freitas looked at strike three but Gordon singled. Segura walked but Rodriguez took forever to strike out Haniger to end the inning. Once again all Rodriguez did was nibble but it was effective.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fourth as JBJ grounded out to first to begin. Mr. Mookie popped up to second and Benintendi lined out to center to end the inning. The Mariners struck back in the bottom of the fourth when Cruz blasted a 977 foot home run to break up the shutout. Rodriguez nibbled to strike out Seager, Healy and Heredia to end the inning but his pitch count was high and it was 5-1.

                                               Pain in the ass Cruz again

Leake stayed strong in the top of the 5th as Bogaerts grounded out to third to begin. Martinez grounded out to short and Moreland looked at strike three to end the inning. Rodriguez got in trouble when Gamel smacked a ground rule double to open the bottom of the fifth. Devers got eaten up on an infield single by Freitas and Gordon caught Rafael asleep with a bunt single to load the bases with nobody out. Segura beat out a double play ball to score Gamel and put runners at the corners but Rodriguez got a huge second out when Haniger flied out to right without advancing anyone. Cruz popped up to first to end the inning with the Mariners down 5-2, huge squander there and big balls by Rodriguez to get out of it.

                                                     Rodriguez pitches out of the jam

Leake finished strong in the top of the sixth as Devers lined out to right to start. Holt grounded out to first and Vazquez flied out to right to end the inning. Somehow Rodriguez returned for the bottom of the sixth and got Seager to fly out to center to start. Healy whiffed and Heredia did as well to end the inning. Rodriguez had gone 6 innings, threw 113 pitches but struck out 9 and allowed just 2 runs. Good enough to win.

                                                      Good enough to win

The Sox tacked it on in the top of the seventh against Chasen Bradford when JBJ crushed his 4th homer of the year to increase the lead. Mr. Mookie lined out to center but Benintendi singled and Bogaerts annihilated his 12th home run of the year to put the game away. Martinez flied out to right and old friend Roenis Elias came in to replace Bradford. Moreland greeted him with a single but Devers flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-2.

                                                         Another victory is at hand

Matt Barnes looked to avenge his disaster on friday night by striking out Gamel to begin the bottom of the seventh. Freitas grounded out to short and Gordon grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox tagged Elias in the top of the eighth to wrap up the scoring. Holt grounded out to first but Vazquez doubled and JBJ walked. Mr. Mookie walked to load the bases and Benintendi hit a sac fly to score Vazquez. Bogaerts whiffed to end the inning with the Sox ahead 9-2.

Brandon Workman replaced Barnes for the bottom of the eighth and crapped his pants. Andrew Romine pinch hit for Segura and whiffed but Haniger and Cruz walked. Seager flied out to left but Healy doubled home Haniger to chase Workman. Hector "The Insurance Policy" Velazquez came in and got Heredia to ground out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 9-3.

Martinez whiffed to open the top of the ninth but Blake Swihart pinch hit for Moreland only to pop up to second. Devers whiffed to end the inning. Velazquez stayed to pitch the bottom of the ninth and Gamel grounded out to first to begin. Freitas singled but Gordon flied out to left. Romine grounded back to the mound to end the game. The Sox had won it 9-3.

                                                       Good work on the victory

Hero of the Night is Rafael Devers. His 3 run home run was the difference in the game.

                                                   Devers the Hero



The Good:

Andrew Benintendi was 3 for 4 with a stolen base, rbi and 2 runs scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 5 with 2 total runs scored including a 2 run home run.

Mitch Moreland was 2 for 4 with 2 runs batted in and a run scored.

Jackie Bradley Jr was 1 for 3 with a walk including a solo home run.

Eduardo Rodriguez earned the win with 6 innings of 2 run ball with 9 strikeouts.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Hector Velazquez pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Blake Swihart was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Brandon Workman allowed a run in 2/3 of an inning.



The Ugly:

Mookie Betts was 0 for 4 but walked.

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

Brock Holt was just 1 for 4.

Christian Vazquez was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.




Final Thoughts:

Now that is more like it. The Sox needed a win against these guys to show that they can hang with possible playoff opponents. Granted, they'll have to do better against Felix Hernandez and James Paxton but if this is an ALDS matchup then as a Sox fan you have to feel good. The offense continues to roll and Rodriguez is looking damn good. He still has trouble going long distance but he does keep runs off the board, unlike Drew Pomeranz. The Sox are one win away from 50 in the middle of June yet still can't shake the New York Yankees. They're gonna have to do it themselves in two weeks so they need to win as many games as possible to keep pace with them. The win improves the Sox to 49-24, 0.5 games ahead of the Yankees for first place in the AL East. After an off-day tomorrow, the Sox return to action Tuesday Night in Minnesota for a three game set with the Twins. Chris Sale goes for the Sox opposite Jose Berrios at 8:05 PM at Target Field.