Sox Outslug Astros, Take Game 2 (10/16/21)

At least the Boston Red Sox won't be swept in the American League Championship Series. The Sox made history against the Houston Astros in Game 2 as they became the first team in post-season history to hit grand slams in consecutive innings. JD Martinez set the tone with a first inning grand slam against Houston starter Luis Garcia. The following inning Rafael Devers hit another grand slam off Jake Odorizzi to pretty much ice the game early. Kike Hernandez made some history of his own by tying the single post-postseason record for home runs with his fifth. Nathan Eovaldi held the high powered Astros offense to 3 runs in 5 1/3 innings to earn the win as Adam Ottavino and Garrett Whitlock continued to keep the Astros off the board. Darwinzon Hernandez allowed two home runs in the ninth inning but Ryan Brasier slammed the door to send the series back to Boston tied with a 9-5 victory in Game 2 at Minute Maid Park.

                                                               "Yeahhhh we won!" - Cora

The Sox wasted no time getting to Garcia in the top of the first inning as Kyle Schwarber led off with a double to right. Chas McCormick made a great diving catch to rob Kike Hernandez of a bloop single but Rafael Devers walked. Xander Bogaerts struck out swinging but Alex Verdugo walked. JD Martinez put the Sox on top with a grand slam although Hunter Renfroe struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-0.

                                                              Grand Slam Martinez

Eovaldi got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jose Altuve grounded out to short to start. Michael Brantley grounded out to second but Alex Bregman singled to left. Yordan Alvarez lined out to center to end the inning.

Kevin Plawecki walked on four pitches not even close to start the top of the second and Garcia started grabbing his knee. Sure enough, Houston's starter was done after one inning and old Tampa Bay Rays nemesis Jake Odorizzi came in to pitch. Christian Arroyo singled to right but Schwarber went down hacking. Hernandez got a base hit to left to load the bases and Devers made ML history with a grand slam to ice the game. No team had hit two grand slams in consecutive innings in the playoffs before. Bogaerts popped up to first but Verdugo singled to left. Martinez grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-0.

                                                             Grand Slam Devers

Eovaldi kept the lead in the bottom of the second as Carlos Correa hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Kyle Tuckler grounded out to first and Yuli Gurriel popped up to second to end the inning.

Renfroe struck out swinging to start the top of the third before Plawecki flied out to center. Arroyo grounded out to third to end the inning. McCormick struck out swinging to begin the bottom of the third before Martin Maldonado grounded out to short. Altuve hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

The Sox had another record in the top of the fourth although Schwarber struck out swinging to start. Hernandez then joined an exclusive club including Todd Walker and David Ortiz with his fifth home run in a single post-season. Devers took strike three but Bogaerts got a base hit to center. Verdugo hit a ground rule double to right but Martinez took a full count strike three down the middle to end the inning with the Sox ahead 9-0.

                                                  5th home run for Hernandez this October

The Astros rallied in the bottom of the fourth as Hernandez made a running grab to rob Brantley of extra bases to start. Bregman grounded out to second but Alvarez walked. Correa blooped a single to right and Tucker just missed a home run by inches, settling for an rbi double off the left field wall to score Alvarez. Sox pitching coach Dave Bush sprinted to the mound to tell Eovaldi that radar spelled backwards is radar and Gurriel sliced a base hit to right to score both runners. McCormick struck out swinging to end the inning with the Astros inching closer down 9-3.

                                                    Astros fight back

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fifth as Renfroe grounded out to third to start. Plawecki popped up to third and Arroyo flied out to left to end the inning. Eovaldi recovered in the bottom of the fifth as Maldonado struck out swinging to start. Altuve popped up to first and Brantley grounded out to short to end the inning.

Blake Taylor came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Schwarber took strike three to start. Hernandez watched strike three go by and Devers grounded out to short to end the inning. The Astros almost rallied in the bottom of the sixth as Bregman popped up to first to start. Naturally Alvarez ripped a base hit to right and Sox manager Dr. Quick Hook Cora pulled Eovaldi at the first sign of trouble AGAIN. Eovaldi allowed 3 runs in 5 1/3 innings as Cora made the bullpen have to get the remaining 11 outs. Adam Ottavino came in and somehow struck out Correa swinging but Tucker moved Alvarez to third with a base hit to center. Gurriel grounded out to third to end the inning.

                                                             Eovaldi gets the job done

Bogaerts struck out swinging to start the top of the seventh before Verdugo lined out to center. Martinez ripped a base hit to center but Yimi Garcia replaced Taylor. Renfroe struck out swinging to end the inning. Garrett "The Lock" Whitlock came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and McCormick struck out swinging to start. Jason Castro pinch hit for Maldonado and walked but Altuve flied out to center. Brantley grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the eighth as Vazquez took strike three to start. Arroyo grounded out to second but Schwarber walked. Bobby Dalbec pinch ran for Schwarber, Hernandez was plunked and Devers popped up to first to end the inning. The Lock returned for the bottom of the eighth and Bregman went down hacking to start. Alvarez popped up to shallow left and Correa grounded out to short to end the inning.

Ryne Stanek came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Bogaerts greeted him with a leadoff double into the right field corner out of the reach of Tucker to start. Verdugo moved Bogaerts to third with a grounder to first but Martinez just happened to hit a rocket right to third, getting Bogaerts tagged out on the double play to end the inning. Darwinzon Hernandez came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Tucker went down hacking to start. Gurriel hit a home run all the way to Oklahoma to cut the lead but Aledmys Diaz pinch hit for McCormick. Diaz struck out swinging but Castro hit a home run to Santo Domingo to cut the lead even more. Sox manager Alex Cora had enough of Darwinzon and replaced him with Ryan Brasier. Altuve hit one to the left field wall but Verdugo made the catch to end the game. The Sox had won it 9-5.

                                                             Sox win

Hero of the Night is JD Martinez. His grand slam in the first inning set the tone for the game.

                                                                JD Hero

The Good:

Kike Hernandez was 2 for 4 with a home run and 2 runs scored.

Xander Bogaerts was 2 for 5.

Alex Verdugo was 2 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

Nathan Eovaldi got the win with 5 1/3 innings of 1 run ball. He struck out 3 and walked just 1 batter.

Adam Ottavino got the final two outs of the sixth inning.

Garrett Whitlock tossed 2 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Hunter Renfroe was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Christian Vazquez struck out in his only plate appearance.

Darwinzon Hernandez allowed two home runs in the ninth inning.

The Ugly:

Kyle Schwarber was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but scored a run.

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 with a walk but the one hit was a grand slam.

Kevin Plawecki was 0 for 2 but walked and scored.

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

Honorable Mention:

Bobby Dalbec pinch ran and played first base.

Final Thoughts:

The Red Sox are in big trouble, that's for sure. Yes, the Sox won the game but the Astros still put 5 runs on the board in a game they were hopelessly behind. If they're going to be averaging 5 runs a game, the Sox don't stand much of a chance in a seven game series. Still, a win is a win and the Sox needed both grand slams to ice the game early. Eovaldi pitched well but Cora pulling him in the sixth inning has gotten old this season. Its only a matter of time before the bullpen implodes, but until then its time to enjoy the win. Hernandez has reached Todd Walker status just 2 games into the ALCS and there's at least three more games to play to break the record. If the Sox offense can continue to roll, they'll be able to hang with the Astros. Historically the Astros are better at home but now they must play the next three games at Fenway Park. The Sox HAVE to win at least one of them if they want to push this to Game 6 where Eovaldi goes again. The Sox pitching needs to improve in a hurry because they're not going to survive giving up 4-5 runs a game, or possibly more. Still, Eovaldi pitched well and the bats showed up today to get the win. As crazy as it sounds, especially going into the season, the Sox are three wins away from the World Series. The series resumes Monday night with Jose Urquidy going for the Astros against Eduardo Rodriguez for the Sox at 8:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Astros Edge Sox, Take Game 1 (10/15/21)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made two roster moves before the American League Championship Series began. Matt Barnes and Austin Davis were removed from the roster as Darwinzon Hernandez and Hiro Sawamura have been added. Davis had been inconsistent since the Sox traded for him in July and Matt Barnes never recovered the mojo he had from April to July. Hernandez gives them a power lefty and Sawamura hopefully can resurrect the magic he had from April to July as well.

                                                                       OUT

                                                                   IN

As for the game, the Houston Astros showed why they've been close to or in the World Series for the last 5 years now. The Boston Red Sox had a 3-1 lead after 5 innings but the vaunted Astros offense demolished the Red Sox bullpen for 4 runs in the later innings. Jose Altuve hit a 2 run home run off Tanner Houck to tie it in the sixth, Carlos Correa hit a solo home run off Hansel Robles to put the Astros up in the seventh and the Astros got another run in the eighth inning to ice it. Kike Hernandez provided the Sox only offense with a home run in the third and a home run in the ninth but it wasn't enough as the Astros drew first blood with a 5-4 Game 1 win at Minute Maid Park.

Framber Valdez got the ball in the top of the first inning and Kike Hernandez led off by beating the shift with a base hit to start. Kyle Schwarber banged into a double play although Xander Bogaerts drew a walk. Rafael Devers blooped a base hit right in front of Alex Bregman and Bogaerts motored around to third. JD Martinez walked to load the bases but Hunter Renfroe lined out to center to end the inning. The Astros wasted no time getting to Sale in the bottom of the first as Jose Altuve walked to start. Michael Brantley lined out to center but Alex Bregman singled to left. A wild pitch moved both runners over and Yordan Alvarez scored Altuve with a sac fly to left. Carlos Correa grounded out to second to end the inning with the Astros up 1-0.

                                                              Astros strike first

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the second although Alex Verdugo got a base hit to left to start. Christian Arroyo banged into a double play and Christian Vazquez struck out swinging to end the inning. Sale got in trouble again in the bottom of the second as Kyle Tucker popped up to second to start. Yuli Gurriel and Chas McCormick both singled to left before Martin Maldonado was plunked to load the bases. Somehow Sale struck out Altuve swinging and Hernandez made a great diving catch to end the inning.

                                                               Hernandez with a great catch

Speaking of Hernandez, it was him who hit a leadoff home run to tie the game in the top of the third to start the frame. Schwarber grounded out to short but Bogaerts walked. Devers singled to center and Altuve booted a grounder by Martinez to score Bogaerts on the error. Renfroe doubled to left to score Devers  but Verdugo struck out swinging to chase Valdez. Yimi Garcia came in and Arroyo struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1.

                                                       Hernandez does it all

Dr Quick Hook Cora appeared in the bottom of the third although Bregman grounded out to short to start. Alvarez and Correa stroked back to back base hits but Sale struck out Tucker swinging. Sox manager Alex Cora bounded out of the dugout and decided to cut his losses before any further damage could be done, pulling Sale after just 8 outs. Adam Ottavino got Gurriel to ground out to second to end the inning but the Sox bullpen now had to get the next 19 outs.

                                                        Sale doesn't last long

Cristian Javier came in to pitch the top of the fourth and Vazquez flied out to right to start. Hernandez doubled to left but Schwarber struck out swinging. Bogaerts also went down hacking to end the inning. Ottavino cruised in the bottom of the fourth as McCormick struck out swinging to start. Maldonado flied out to right and Altuve grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fifth as Devers flied out to right to start. Martinez took strike three and Renfroe went down hacking to end the inning. Josh Taylor came in to pitch the bottom of the fifth and Brantley singled to center to start. Bregman flied out to center and Alvarez struck out swinging to bring Cora out of the dugout. Ryan Brasier was summoned to face Correa and Carlos ripped a base hit to left. Tucker lined out to center to end the inning with no damage.

Phil Maton came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Verdugo walked to start. Arroyo looked to have actually beat out a bunt attempt but Astros manager Dusty Baker challenged the call. Sure enough, Arroyo was called out and all Vazquez could do was move Verdugo to third with a grounder. Hernandez went down hacking to end the inning. Taylor Houck came in to crap his pants in the bottom of the sixth as Gurriel hit one up the elevator shaft to start. McCormick singled to center but Maldonado flied out to left. The Sox were 10 outs from victory but naturally Altuve hit a home run all the way to San Antonio to tie the game. Brantley took strike three to end the inning with the game tied 3-3.

                                                               Altuve ties it up

Brooks Raley came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Schwarber singled to left to start. Bogaerts struck out swinging but Devers flied out to center to chase Raley. Ryan Stanek came in and Martinez grounded into a force to end the inning. The Astros took command in the bottom of the seventh with Hansel Robles now on the mound. Bregman grounded out to short to start and Alvarez went down hacking....but Correa hit a home run all the way to Austin, Texas to put the Astros up for good. Tucker grounded out to first to end the inning with the Astros up 4-3.

                                                            Astros jump in front

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the eighth as Kendall Graveman came in to pitch. Danny Santana pinch hit for Renfroe and struck out swinging before Verdugo flied out to center. Arroyo got a base hit to left and Travis Shaw pinch hit for Vazquez only to fly out to right to end the inning. Kevin Plawecki came in to catch with Hiro Sawamura in to pitch the bottom of the eighth. Gurriel walked, McCormick singled to left and Maldonado was plunked to load the bases with nobody out. Altuve hit a sac fly to score Gurriel and that was it for Sawamura. Martin Perez came in to get Brantley to hit into a double play to end the inning but the Astros had iced it with a 5-3 lead.

                                                           Safe at home

Ryan Pressly came in to close out the top of the ninth and Hernandez greeted him with a solo home run to put the Sox within one. That was it though as Schwarber grounded out to second, Bogaerts grounded out to short and Devers grounded out to short as well to end the game. The Astros had survived Kike Hernandez and won the game 5-4.

                                                    Astros take Game 1

Jackass of the Night is Hiro Sawamura. The run he was allowed ended up being the difference in the game.

                                                        Sawamura Jackass

The Good:

Kike Hernandez was 4 for 5 with 2 solo home runs.

Rafael Devers was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Hunter Renfroe was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Alex Verdugo was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Christian Arroyo was 1 for 3.

The Bad:

Danny Santana struck out as a pinch hitter.

Christian Vazquez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Travis Shaw was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

Kyle Schwarber was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked twice and scored a run.

JD Martinez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Chris Sale allowed a run in 2 2/3 innings.

Honorable Mention:

Kevin Plawecki caught the bottom of the eighth.

Final Thoughts:

This game was a sucker punch to the gonads. The Sox bats were silenced by the Astros bullpen after Framber Valdez was out of the game and the Sox bullpen imploded after the fifth inning. The Astros offense is damn good, the second best in all of baseball, but the Sox can't afford to get into grinders with them. Chris Sale once again wasn't ready for primetime and the Sox are better off shutting him down if this continues. At this point Martin Perez has a better chance to go 5 innings than Sale does. Even then, had Houck, Sawamura and Robles done their job the Sox would have won. Thankfully this is only the first game and its a Best of 7. This is no time to panic but this definitely was a lot more disconcerting if they had simply lost 7-1 or 9-8. Still, Hernandez is on a roll and hopefully the Sox just took their best punch and can come back tomorrow. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow afternoon in Game 2 when Nathan Eovaldi goes for the Sox up against Luis Garcia of the Astros. The game begins at 4:20 PM at Minute Maid Park

Sox Walkoff Rays Again in Game 4, Advance to ALCS (10/11/21)

For five innings it looked like the Boston Red Sox were going to cruise to the American League Championship Series in Game 4 of the American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Eduardo Rodriguez had held the 100 win Rays to 1 run while the Red Sox offense pounded out 5 runs, 3 of which on a Rafael Devers home run. Then the Sox committed one of the biggest post-season chokes since Game 7 against the New York Yankees. Tanner Houck allowed a two run jack to Wander Franco in the sixth and Ryan Brasier allowed three straight hits to tie the game. Then the momentum shifted as Garrett Whitlock dominated the Rays the final two innings to send the stage for the bottom of the ninth. Christian Vazquez drew a leadoff walk and Christian Arroyo dropped down a bunt to move him over. Pinch hitter Travis Shaw hit a roller to Yandy Diaz who threw low to Ji-Man Choi to put runners at the corners. Kike Hernandez did the honors with a sac fly to left to score pinch runner Danny Santana to send the underdog Red Sox to the American League Championship Series with a 6-5 victory at Fenway Park.

                                                     WE'RE GOING TO THE ALCS!!

Eduardo Rodriguez got the ball to start the top of the first inning and got some help from his defense when Hunter Renfroe snared a line drive by Randy Arozarena to start. Wander Franco was frozen for strike three and the ice cold Brandon Lowe struck out swinging to end the inning. Collin McHugh got the ball to start the bottom of the first and Kyle Schwarber grounded out to short to start. Arozarena made a great running catch on a Kike Hernandez line drive but Rafael Devers dropped a base hit to right. Xander Bogaerts looked to have beat out a ground ball to short but Rays manager Kevin Cash challenged the call to overturn it for the third out to end the inning.

Rodriguez cruised in the top of the second as Nelson Cruz took strike three to start. Jordan Luplow struck out swinging and Yandy Diaz grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox just missed in the bottom of the second as Alex Verdugo flied out to the centerfield wall to start. Kevin Kiermaier made a great diving catch to rob JD Martinez of a hit before Hunter Renfroe also flied out to the centerfield wall to end the inning.

Austin Meadows went down hacking to begin the top of the third before Mike Zunino popped up to second. Kiermaier grounded out to third to end the inning. Rays manager Kevin Cash made a fatal error by taking McHugh out and bringing in rookie Shane McClanahan to pitch the bottom of the third inning. Christian Vazquez got a base hit to center although Christian Arroyo flied out to right. Schwarber drew a walk but Hernandez flied out to left. Devers got the party started with a no doubt 3 run blast to center to put Boston on top. Bogaerts ripped a base hit to left and Verdugo belted a double off the Monster to score Xander. Martinez singled to left to score Verdugo and that was it for McClanahan. JT Chargois came in and Renfroe greeted him with a double to center. The game turned when Vazquez struck out to end the inning. The Sox led 5-0 but one more hit would have broke the Rays.

                                                             Devers hits a big bomb

Rodriguez did his part in the top of the fourth although Arozarena singled to right to start. Franco popped up to first, Lowe struck out swinging and Cruz popped up to second to end the inning. Andrew Kittredge came in for the bottom of the fourth and Arroyo grounded out to short to start. Schwarber popped up to second and Hernandez grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Rays struck back in the top of the fifth inning as Luplow doubled to left to start. Diaz moved Luplow to third with a flyout to center and Jordan scored on the grounder to first by Meadows. Zunino grounded out to first to end the inning but the Rays were down 5-1.

                                                   Rodriguez looked good after 5

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Devers flied out to left to start. Bogaerts flied out to right and Verdugo flied out to left to end the inning.

Rodriguez returned to start the top of the sixth but Kiermaier led off with a double to left to chase him. He did his job but Tanner Houck did not when he came in. Arozarena flied out to center but Franco hit a ball all the way to Metlife Stadium in New Jersey to inch Tampa closer. Lowe struck out swinging again and Cruz flied out to right to end the inning but Tampa was down 5-3.

                                                         Arozarena with a bomb

Luis Patino came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Martinez dropped a base hit to left to start. Renfroe and Vazquez both struck out swinging before Arroyo grounded out to third to end the inning.

Ji-Man Choi was sent in to pinch hit for Luplow but Sox manager Alex Cora countered by bringing in lefty Josh Taylor. Taylor struck Choi out swinging before Diaz flied out to center. Meadows grounded out to second to end the inning. Josh Fleming came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and the Sox gagged. Schwarber grounded out to first to start before Hernandez singled to left. Devers ripped a base hit to center to put runners at the corners and chase Fleming. Pete Fairbanks came in and Bogaerts gagged by hitting into a double play to end the inning.

Cora then made the wrong move by sending in Ryan Brasier to pitch the top of the eighth. Bobby Dalbec came in to play first but Zunino doubled to right to start. Kiermaier got revenge for last night by doubling to right to score Zunino and Arozarena dumped a base hit to right. Renfroe threw home but missed Kiermaier scoring by a mile and Arozarena took second. That was it for Brasier as Garrett "The Lock" Whitlock was summoned to stop the bleeding with the game tied and a man on second with nobody out. Franco flied out to right but Renfroe's throw to third missed both Bogaerts and Devers, luckily Whitlock backed up the throw. Lowe grounded back to the mound and Cruz grounded out to third to end the inning with the game tied 5-5.

                                                            Rays tie it

Once again the Sox failed to score in the bottom of the eighth as Franco threw a ball hit by Verdugo away to start. Verdugo took second on the play but Martinez failed to advance him with a fly out to right. Renfroe then hit a ball to Kiermaier who gunned down Verdugo to end the inning....BUT WAIT! Sox manager Alex Cora challenged that Verdugo beat the tag. He did....but his hand came off the base and the call was upheld.

                                                     Yerrrrrr out!

Whitlock returned for the top of the ninth and Choi grounded out to first to start. Diaz grounded out to second and Meadows flied out to left to end the inning. JP Feyereisen came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and Vazquez lined a base hit up the middle to start. Arroyo dropped down a perfect bunt to move Vazquez to second and Travis Shaw pinch hit for Dalbec. Shaw hit a little roller to third and Diaz threw low to Choi and both runners were safe. Danny Santana was sent in to run for Vazquez and Hernandez drove him in with a sac fly to left to win the game. The Sox had knocked out the Rays 3 games to 1 to head to the ALCS with a 6-5 Game 4 win.

                                                       RED SOX WIN!!!

Hero of the Night is Garrett Whitlock. It was a team effort to score the winning run but Whitlock getting out of the eighth inning without allowing the go-ahead run kept the Sox in the driver's seat. Not bad for a Rule 5 pick the Yankees gave up on.

                                               The Lock is your Game 4 Hero

The Good:

Travis Shaw got credited with a single as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning.

Rafael Devers was 3 for 4 with a 3 run home run.

JD Martinez was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Christian Vazquez was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Danny Santana scored the winning run as a pinch runner.

Eduardo Rodriguez allowed just 2 runs in 5 plus innings of work. He struck out 6 and walked nobody.

Josh Taylor pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

The Bad:

Tanner Houck allowed a 2 run home run in the sixth inning.

Ryan Brasier allowed 2 runs in the top of the eighth on 3 hits.

The Ugly:

Kyle Schwarber was 0 for 3 but walked and scored a run.

Kike Hernandez was just 1 for 4 but drove in the winning run with a sac fly.

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

Alex Verdugo was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored.

Hunter Renfroe was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Christian Arroyo was 0 for 3 but dropped down a key bunt in the ninth inning.

Honorable Mention:

Bobby Dalbec played first base in the last two innings.

Final Thoughts:

Say whatever you want about the faults and negatives of the Red Sox but they have balls of steel. Finishing the season 30-31 after July turned a lot of fans off and losing 5 of 6 to the Yankees and the 110 loss Baltimore Orioles to end September made things look bleak. Even after the Sox knocked the Yankees out of the Wild Card game, they got steamrolled in Game 1 in Tampa and were down 5-2 in the second inning of Game 2 with Chris Sale finished. Its been all Red Sox ever since and they showed poise and balls to win the series. This game had great and bad defense from both teams and it came down to who wanted it more. Chaim Bloom looks like a genius after trading for Nick Pivetta who saved their bacon in Game 3 and stealing Whitlock from the Yankees in the Rule 5 draft. Not to mention getting Schwarber for a low level prospect and Shaw for free bolstered this team's bench considerably. Before the season Cora was excited the Sox signed Hernandez and he was the difference maker in this series. The criticism of Cora was pulling starters too early all season and it ruined the bullpen by July, but now in the playoffs even the starters are in the bullpen. Cora can mix and match all he wants and he's been burned by that only once tonight. Hats off to Rodriguez, Taylor and Whitlock for pitching well, especially E-Rod after his Game 1 disaster. You can say all you want about how Chris Sale is broken, the other starters are bums and the bullpen is on fumes...but one thing you can't say is they don't have heart. The last three games were all gutsy wins by the Sox and this one sent them to the American League Championship series. The Houston Astros and Chicago White Sox game got postponed to tomorrow due to rain so the Sox don't know who they'll be facing yet. Still, the Sox weren't expected to do anything this season after they tanked last year, they weren't supposed to beat the Yankees in a one game playoff and they sure as hell weren't expected to steamroll the Rays. Alex Cora deserves a lot of flack for essentially collapsing down the stretch but he's now 4-0 in playoff series for the Red Sox as manager. No matter what happens against Houston or Chicago, you can't deny how great this season has been. The Sox are going from last place at the end of 2020 to being four wins away from the World Series. Game 1 either in Chicago or Houston starts this Friday and nobody knows who's pitching yet. Until then its time to enjoy the ALDS victory.

On to the ALCS

Vazquez, Sox Walkoff Rays in 13, Take Game 3 (10/10/21)

In a game eerily similar to Game 3 of the 2003 American League Division Series against the Oakland A's, eighteen years later the Sox got a lot of luck and timely extra inning home runs to knock off the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of this year's ALDS. The Red Sox broke out to a 4-2 lead going into the eighth inning thanks to the pitching of Nathan Eovaldi and thanks to the bats, notably Kyle Schwarber and the red hot Kike Hernandez. Hansel Robles gagged the game away in the top of the eighth and the Rays bullpen allowed just 1 run between the third and 13th inning. Shades of some lucky breaks in Game 3 in 2003 and a major flashback to Tony Clark in Game 5 in 2004 ALCS, in the top of the 13th inning Kevin Kiemaier hit a line drive off the wall, off of Hunter Renfroe and into the bullpen. Thanks to a hidden rule in the rule book, that was considered a ground rule double and Yandy Diaz had to stay at first. Nick Pivetta, in the process of tossing 4 shutout innings to earn the win, struck out Mike Zunino to end the threat and keep the game tied. In the bottom of the 13th, Christian Vazquez pulled the Trot Nixon by swatting a 2 run home run into the Monster Seats to take the game 6-4 at Fenway Park to move the Sox one game closer to the next round.

                                                           SOX WIN!

The Rays tagged Eovaldi right out of the gate in the top of the first inning although Brandon Lowe struck out swinging to start. Wander Franco singled to right but Austin Meadows hit a home run all the way to Neptune to put the Rays on top three batters into the game. Eovaldi responded by striking out both Nelson Cruz and Ji-Man Choi swinging to end the inning but the Rays were on top 2-0.

                                                              Meadows hits one out

The Sox wasted no time getting back in the game as Kyle Schwarber took rookie Rays starter Drew Rasmussen deep two pitches into the bottom of the second. Kike Hernandez continued his hot streak with a base hit to left but Rafael Devers took strike three. Xander Bogaerts popped up to second and Alex Verdugo grounded into a force to end the inning with the Sox down 2-1.

                                                Schwarber with a leadoff home run

Eovaldi recovered in the top of the second inning to get Randy Arozarena swinging to start. Kevin Kiermaier walked but Mike Zunino struck out swinging. Joey Wendle also went down hacking to end the inning. JD Martinez tried to start a rally with a base hit to left to begin the bottom of the second but Hunter Renfroe flied out to left. Kevin Plawecki banged into a double play to end the inning.

Things didn't look good when Schwarber airmailed a throw to first on a routine grounder by Lowe for an error to start the top of the third. The Sox recovered as Franco forced Lowe at second, Meadows flied out to right and Cruz struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the third as Christian Arroyo led off with a base hit to center to begin. Schwarber atoned for his error with a base hit to right and Hernandez drove home Arroyo with a base hit to center to tie the game and chase Rasmussen, Josh Fleming came in to pitch and Devers got a base hit to center to score Schwarber to give the Sox the lead. The game's direction turned as Bogaerts struck out swinging and Verdugo grounded out to first to chase Fleming. Andrew Kittredge came in to strike out Martinez swinging to end the inning. The Sox took the lead 3-2 but stranded 2 on with nobody out. The Sox would score just 1 run the next ten innings.

                                                     Hernandez puts the Sox on top

Eovaldi cruised in the top of the fourth with a little comedic value from Schwarber. Choi grounded out to first to start and Schwarber celebrated making the routine play much to the crowd's delight. Arozarena struck out swinging and Kiermaier lined out to center to end the inning. 

                                                              "Yeahhhh I did it!" - KS

The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the fourth as Renfroe lined a base hit to left to begin. Plawecki grounded into another double play but Arroyo got a single in the hole at short. Schwarber took strike three to end the inning.

Eovaldi returned for one last inning in the top of the fifth as Zunino lined out to left to start. Wendle doubled to left but Lowe lined out to center. Franco grounded out to first to end the inning. Eovaldi was done after just 85 pitches and taking him out of the game was the first bad move Sox manager Alex Cora made this game.

                                                              Eovaldi goes 5 strong

Pete Fairbanks came in to pitch the bottom of the fifth and Hernandez greeted him with a solo blast for Kike's seventh consecutive hit. Devers struck out swinging but Bogaerts walked. Verdugo swung and missed at strike three but the ball got away to allow Bogaerts to take second. Martinez lined out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-2.

                                                          Hernandez is red hot

Josh Taylor was first up out of the bullpen in the top of the sixth inning as Meadows grounded out to short to start. Cruz singled to left but Yandy Diaz pinch hit for Ji-Man Choi only to pop up to second. That was it for Taylor as Ryan Brasier came in to get Arozarena to ground back to the mound to end the inning. J.P. Feyereisen came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth inning and Renfroe singled to right to start. Christian Vazquez pinch hit for Plawecki and dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Renfroe to second. The rally failed as Arroyo grounded out to third and Schwarber grounded out to second to end the inning.

Brasier returned for the top of the seventh and Kiermaier struck out swinging to start. Zunino grounded out to short and Sox manager Alex Cora brought in lefty Austin Davis to face pinch hitter Jordan Luplow. Luplow walked and Lowe lined out to a running Hernandez to end the inning. The Sox were just 6 outs from going to Game 4 with a lead in the series. Matt Wisler came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Hernandez lined out to third to start. Devers flied out to center and Meadows made a nice running grab of a Bogaerts liner to end the inning.

Hansel Robles was brought in to pitch the top of the eighth and he crapped his pants. Franco hit a home run all the way to Neptune and Meadows followed with a double to center. Cruz was retired on a swinging bunt in front of the plate but Meadows moved to third on the play. Old Sox farmhand Manny Margot came in to run for Meadows but somehow Robles struck out Diaz swinging. Arozarena doubled to left to score Margot with the tying run and that was it for Robles. Garrett "The Lock" Whitlock came in to intentionally walk Kiermaier to get to the struggling Zunino. The Lock struck out Zunino looking to end the inning but the Rays had tied the game 4-4.

                                                         Arozarena ties it up

Verdugo lined out to center to start the bottom of the eighth but JT Chargois came in to pitch to Martinez. JD was retired on a swinging bunt in front of the plate but Renfroe walked. Vazquez popped up to second to end the inning.

The Lock returned for the top of the ninth and Luplow went down swinging to start. Lowe also went down hacking and Franco grounded out to first to end the inning. Boston had a chance to win in the bottom of the ninth although Arroyo grounded out to third to start. Schwarber got a base hit to center and Bobby Dalbec was sent in to run for him. Unfortunately Hernandez struck out swinging and Devers grounded out to second to end the inning.

Nick Pivetta came in to pitch the top of the tenth and Margot greeted him with a base hit to left to start. Cruz flied out to center, Diaz flied out to left and Margot was thrown out trying to steal second to end the inning. David Robertson came in to pitch the bottom of the tenth and the Sox blew another chance to win the game. Bogaerts grounded out to short but Verdugo singled to left. Martinez flied out to center and Renfroe popped up to first to end the inning.

Arozarena walked to start the top of the 11th inning and stole second on the Kiermaier strike out. Zunino struck out swinging and Luplow took strike three to end the inning. Once again the Sox got a man on in the bottom of the 11th although Vazquez lined out to center to start. Arroyo doubled to left to put the winning run at second but Dalbec went down hacking and Hernandez grounded out to short to end the inning.

Pivetta cruised in the top of the 12th inning as the ice cold Lowe struck out swinging to start. Franco flied out to center and Margot struck out swinging to end the inning. Luis Patino came in to pitch the bottom of the 12th and Devers grounded back to the mound to start. Bogaerts hit one up the elevator shaft and Verdugo flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox had scored just 1 run since the third inning off the Rays bullpen.

The Sox got extremely lucky in the top of the 13th inning although Cruz struck out swinging to start. Diaz got a base hit to right but Arozarena lined out to left to set the stage for Kiermaier. Kevin hit a rocket that caromed off the wall, off of Renfroe and into the bullpen. The Rays argued that should be a triple and a run scored but it was ruled a ground rule double and the run did not score. Rays manager Kevin Cash challenged the call but according to little known Rule 5.06 "any fair ball deflected by the fielder into the stands leads to the batter advancing two bases." In other words, its in the rule book as a ground rule double. Given new life, Pivetta struck out the ice cold Zunino swinging to end the inning. Gotta be lucky and good sometimes.

                                                          Controversy at Fenway

The Sox finally ended the festivities in the bottom of the 13th although Martinez flied out to center to start. Renfroe walked and Vazquez sent the first pitch he saw into the Monster Seats to end the game. The Sox had taken a 2 to 1 series lead with a 6-4 walkoff victory in Game 3.

                                                              RED SOX WIN!!

We have Co-Heroes of the Night for this one. Hero number 1 is the unsung one, Nick Pivetta. Pivetta kept the Sox in the game with 4 shutout innings to earn the win.

                                                       Hero 1: Pivetta

Hero number 2 is a no-brainer, Christian Vazquez. Vazquez' walkoff home run won the game and put the Sox one game away from the ALCS.

                                                         Hero 2: Vazquez

The Good:

Kyle Schwarber was 3 for 5 with a home run and 2 total runs scored.

Kike Hernandez was 3 for 6 with a home run and 2 total rbis.

Hunter Renfroe was 2 for 4 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Christian Arroyo was 3 for 5 with a run scored.

Nathan Eovaldi tossed 5 innings of 2 run ball to put the Sox in front.

Josh Taylor retired 2 of the 3 men he faced.

Ryan Brasier pitched a full scoreless inning,.

Austin Davis got the final out of the seventh inning.

Garrett Whitlock tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Bobby Dalbec struck out in his only plate appearance.

Kevin Plawecki was 0 for 3 including 2 double plays.

Hansel Robles allowed 2 runs in the top of the eighth.

The Ugly:

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 6 with 2 strikeouts but drove in a run.

Xander Bogaerts was 0 for 5 with a strikeout but walked.

Alex Verdugo was just 1 for 6 with a strikeout.

JD Martinez was just 1 for 6 with a strikeout.

Final Thoughts:

This was a game for the ages and it was a flashback to three separate games all rolled into one. It reminded us of Game 3 in 2003 against Oakland including the extra inning walkoff home run at Fenway. It reminded us of the Tony Clark ground rule double in Game 5 of the 2004 ALCS and the controversy from the Mookie Betts interference call in Houston. Even with all the drama, the Sox showed some serious balls to win this game. Tampa had been coming from behind to beat teams all year so to withstand their onslaught and still come out on top shows this team will run through a brick wall for Cora, despite his downright abuse of the bullpen. Eventually its going to bite Cora and it almost did in the regular season but so far so good as the Sox are now one win away from the ALCS. Red Sox GM Chaim Bloom is looking like a genius for trading washed up Heath Hembree and Brandon Workman for Pivetta (and Connor Seabold), stealing Whitlock from the Yankees and getting Schwarber for a Salem Red Sox prospect (Aldo Ramirez). It seems amazing that a team that wasn't expected to compete back in April could collapse in the second half and STILL get this far. Win or lose in the next two games, its been a hell of a season. Vazquez came off the bench to deliver the biggest hit of the season so far. The season could extend even longer if the Sox are able to take Game 4 tomorrow. Eduardo Rodriguez goes for the Sox looking to rebound from his Game 1 disaster against Collin McHugh of Tampa at 4:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Crush Rays, Take Game 2 (10/8/21)

Now that's more like it. After looking lifeless in Game 1 of the American League Division Series, the Boston Red Sox bounced back time in Game 2 to lay waste to the bungholes of the Tampa Bay Rays. The Sox hit a club record five post-season home runs in one game, pounded out 20 hits and drove in a total of 14 runs to put this game in the bag late. It started out well with the Sox jumping on Rays starter Shane Baz for 2 early runs but the Rays clawed back with five runs in the bottom of the first courtesy of a Jordan Luplow grand slam off an incompetent Chris Sale. The tide turned after the first inning when rookie Tanner Houck held the Rays to just one run in the next five innings as the Sox worked their way back in the game. Xander Bogaerts and Alex Verdugo hit back to back home runs in the third inning and Kike Hernandez tied the game with a home run in the fifth. Later in the inning JD Martinez crushed a three run home run as Tropicana Field sounded more like Fenway Park with a standing ovation for JD. Rafael Devers joined the homer parade in the seventh inning with a two run shot as the Sox romped over the Rays 14-6 in Game 2 at Tropicana Field.

                                                "They thought we'd get swept" - Verdugo

Baz got the ball in the top of the first inning and the Sox pounced on him right from the get go. Kyle Schwarber walked to start and Kike Hernandez doubled him to third. Rafael Devers struck out swinging but Xander Bogaerts singled home Schwarber to put the Sox on top. Alex Verdugo singled home Hernandez to add to the lead and JD Martinez ripped a base hit to right to load the bases. The rally ended as Hunter Renfroe banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                          Verdugo drives in a run

The Rays roared back in the bottom of the first against the inept Chris Sale as Randy Arozarena singled to left to start. Wander Franco ripped a base hit to right but Brandon Lowe struck out swinging. Nelson Cruz walked to load the bases and Yandy Diaz singled to right to score Arozarena and reload the bases. Jordon Luplow then cleared the bases with a grand slam all the way to Santo Domingo to put the Rays on top. Manny Margot flied out to right and Mike Zunino struck out swinging to end the inning with the Rays up 5-2.

                                                  Grand Slam Luplow, bye bye Sale

Christian Vazquez led off the top of the second with a base hit to right and Christian Arroyo moved him to second with a grounder to third, but Schwarber went down hacking. A passed ball moved Vazquez to third but Hernandez grounded out to short to end the inning. Sale was finished after just one inning and Tanner Houck came in to pitch the bottom of the second. Kevin Kiermaier flied out to center, Arozarena struck out swinging and Franco lined out to left to end the inning.

The Sox struck back in the top of the third inning although Devers lined out to center to start. Bogaerts then cracked his first home run of the playoffs to chase Baz from the game. Collin McHugh came in to pitch and Verdugo went back to back with his own home run to cut the lead. Martinez flied out to right and Renfroe flied out to left to end the inning but the Sox were back in the game 5-4.

                                                      Bogaerts and Verdugo go back to back

Houck dominated the bottom of the third as he struck out Lowe looking to start. Cruz and Diaz both went down swinging to end the inning.

Ji-Man Choi came in to play first to start the top of the fourth and Vazquez struck out swinging to begin. Arroyo struck out swinging and Schwarber grounded out to short to end the inning. Houck cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Choi grounded out to short to start. Margot struck out swinging and Zunino grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Sox exploded in the top of the fifth as Hernandez blasted a solo home run to tie the game instantly. Devers walked to chase McHugh from the game and Matt Wisler came in to pitch. Bogaerts singled to left but Verdugo lined out to right to move Devers to third. Martinez then smashed a 3 run bomb as the crowd exploded to give the Sox the lead. Renfroe struck out swinging and Vazquez grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-5.

                                                      Martinez puts Boston ahead

Houck returned for the bottom of the fifth as Kiermaier flied out to left to start. Arozarena grounded out to third but Franco singled to center. Lowe grounded out to second to end the inning.

David Robertson came in for the top of the sixth and Arroyo flied out to right to start. Schwarber struck out swinging but Hernandez doubled to center. Devers walked but Bogaerts popped up to first. The Rays struck back in the bottom of the sixth as Verdugo had to dive into the left field stands to steal a home run away from Cruz to start.  Diaz flied out to right but Choi hit a home run all the way to Sarasota to inch the Rays closer. Margot flied out to center to end the inning with the Rays down 8-6. Houck stepped up with 5 strong innings only giving up the one mistake to Choi.

                                                             What a catch by Verdugo

The Sox got another run against Michael Wacha in the top of the seventh as Verdugo beat out an infield single to short to start. Martinez dropped a base hit to right but Renfroe banged into a double play. Vazquez delivered with a base hit to right to score  Verdugo but Arroyo's surprise bunt attempt was popped up to Zunino to end the inning with Boston ahead 9-6.

                                                       Vazquez drives in a run

Ryan Brasier came in to dominate the bottom of the seventh as Zunino struck out swinging to start. Kiermaier also went down hacking and Arozarena completed the tri-fecta with a swinging strikeout to end the inning.

The Sox iced the game in the top of the eighth although Schwarber struck out swinging to start. Hernandez pounded a ground rule double down the left field line and Devers blasted a 2 run home run to put the Rays further behind. Bogaerts struck out swinging and Verdugo grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 11-6.

                                            Devers hits Boston's fifth home run of the night

Bobby Dalbec took over at first for defense to start the bottom of the eighth with Hansel Robles now on the mound. Franco and Lowe both struck out swinging but Cruz singled in the hole at second. Diaz flied out to center to end the inning.

The Sox poured it on in the top of the ninth as Martinez doubled to left to start. Danny Santana pinch ran for JD and Renfroe singled to right. Vazquez hit a roller to short that scored Santana with another run but Arroyo struck out swinging. A wild pitch moved Vazquez to second but Dalbec went down swinging. The red hot Hernandez got a base hit to center to score Renfroe and Vazquez to wrap up the scoring. JT Chargois came in to get Devers to line out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 14-6.

                                                            Hernandez drives in another

Matt Barnes came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and Choi ripped a base hit to right to start. Austin Meadows pinch hit for Margot and struck out swinging before Francisco Mejia pinch hit for Zunino. Mejia walked but Kiermaier beat out a double play to extend the game. Arozarena walked to load the bases but Franco grounded into a force to end the game. The Sox had won Game 2 by a score of 14-6.

                                                   Barnes gets it done to lock down Game 2

We have Co-Heroes of the night for this one. Hero number 1 is Tanner Houck. He held the Rays to just 1 run in 5 innings after Sale melted down, keeping the Sox in the game.

                                                                  Hero Number 1: Houck

Hero number 2 is JD Martinez. His 3 run homer gave the Sox the lead they wouldn't relinquish.

                                                              Hero Number 2: Martinez

The Good:

Kike Hernandez was 5 for 6 with 3 total rbis, 3 total runs scored and a home run.

Xander Bogaerts was 3 for 5 with a home run, 2 total rbis and 2 total runs scored.

Alex Verdugo was 3 for 5 with a home run, 2 total rbis and 2 total runs scored.

Danny Santana scored a run as a pinch runner.

Christian Vazquez was 3 for 5 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

Hansel Robles pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Bobby Dalbec struck out in his only plate appearance.

Christian Arroyo was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Chris Sale allowed 5 runs in just 1 inning of work.

The Ugly:

Kyle Schwarber was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but walked and scored a run.

Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked, hit a 2 run homer and scored two runs.

Hunter Renfroe was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

That's how you get back in the series and shut up the critics. After the Red Sox beat the New York Yankees, their fans were saying "DA SUX R GON GET SWEPT LMAO CRYIN" and after Luplow hit the grand slam off Sale, it sure looked like that was on the table/ Thankfully the offense woke up at the right time and came back with a vengeance. This was a straight demolition of the Rays and now the scene will shift back to Fenway Park for Game 3. All the talks of a Rays sweep are dead and now the Sox are back in the series. Sale only going one inning was the only blemish on an otherwise perfect night. Tanner Houck was supposed to be the next great stud for the Sox and tonight he was. He was tough as nails with essentially a 0-2 deficit facing the Sox in the face and allowed just one home run. Its unlikely the Sox bats will be that prolific again but now that they've proven they're not intimidating by Rays pitching, this could be a different series going home. Kike Hernandez was on fire today and his post-season success is going to pay dividends now that they're in it. Nathan Eovaldi has been named the starter for the Sox this Sunday in Game 3 and he'll be taking on Drew Rasmussen of the Rays. The game begins at 4:05 PM at Fenway Park.