Red Sox Hang On By Fingernails In Wacky, 8-6 Win Over Hapless Orioles

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This was one of the oddest games of 2019. For most of the contest, both teams seemed to be sleepwalking through a tedious slog of a game. Then, finally, the Red Sox nudged ahead, 2-1 and held that lead until Baltimore scored twice in the bottom of the eighth inning. Yikes! It was looking like another pathetic loss to a crappy team—thanks to an equally crappy Red Sox bullpen. Then, the unheralded Marco Hernandez (once a top prospect) clouted a one-out solo home run to knot the game at 3-3. In the tenth, Boston seemed to salt away the victory—scoring five times (including a Rafael Devers HR). But, here came the bullpen again—this time in the form of Josh "Not-Ready-For-Prime-Time" Smith. Bingo—Baltimore scores three times on two home runs. Thankfully, this one was finally put to bed (8-6) after four hours and forty-four minutes! The win keeps Boston 5.5 back in the AL East—as they head to the wide-open prairie to face the Twinkies.

Red Sox Finally Score Some Runs For Chris Sale, Boston Tops O's, 7-2

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Chris Sale delivered yet another superb start—and this time, his teammates delivered for him. Boston scratched out three runs in the fifth inning to give the lanky lefty a lead that would normally be more than enough for him. However, tiring in the sixth, Sale gave up two runs to tighten the game to 3-2. He ended up going six innings and giving up just two earned runs, while striking out ten. The offense, however, picked him up again. J.D. Martinez homered again (his third in two days), and the Red Sox added three more runs in the ninth to salt things away in the eventual 7-2 win. The bullpen was sharp once again—going three scoreless innings. Also pacing the offense were: Brock Holt (3-5, 2 RBIs), Xander Bogaerts (1-2, R, 2 RBIs), Rafael Devers (2-5, 2 Rs), Andrew Benintendi (2-5, R) and Michael Chavis (2-5). The win temporarily pulled the Red Sox within 5 games of the AL East lead.

Sox Go 'Camden' Yard Six Times In Baltimore, Beat- Up On Hapless O's, 13-2

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In the last two days, the Red Sox have launched 11 home runs. This is the kind of offensive potential we had expected from the 2018 World Series Champions. On Friday night, Boston players went 'yard' six times—two by the suddenly hot J.D. Martinez (#s 14 and 15)—on the way to a 13-2 evisceration of the lowly O's. In addition to Martinez, home runs were clouted by: Christian Vazquez (#8); Michael Chavis (#12); Brock Holt (#1) and Jackie Bradley, Jr. (#7). Others contributing to the 16-hit Boston attack were: Rafael Devers (3-4) and Andrew Benintendi (2 RBIs). Former Baltimore Oriole Eduardo Rodriguez hurled seven solid innings—giving up just one earned run on six hits. The lefty earned his seventh win of 2019. The victory moved the Red Sox to just six games behind the new division leaders—the Tampa Bay Rays. Amazingly, Boston now has only four fewer wins that the "juggernaut" Evil Ones.

Red Sox Homer Five Times, Bogey Blast Puts Boston Up To Stay, Win, 7-6

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After falling behind 4-0 and 6-1, the Red Sox stormed back with five home runs to defeat the Texas Rangers 7-6 on Thursday. Xander Bogaerts clouted a solo blast (his team-leading 14th HR) in the seventh inning to put Boston up for good—with the Red Sox bullpen coming to the rescue of a lousy David Price start. Also homering for the Red Sox were: J.D. Martinez (#13); Jackie Bradley, Jr. (#6); Michael Chavis (#11) and Rafael Devers (#10). The bullpen delivered 7.2 innings of scoreless relief—after Price could not finish the second inning. Seven relievers gave up just four hits over that span—with Mike Shawaryn getting the most work (2.1 innings). Josh Smith recorded his first career save. The win pulled Boston to within 6.5 games of The Evil Ones and just one game out of a second AL Wild Card spot. Boston now moves on to play the hapless Orioles in Camden Yards.

Porcello And Walk-Off Walk In Ninth Give Sox Needed Win Over Rangers, 4-3

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This one was really needed. On a gorgeous late afternoon at Fenway (a 4:05 PM start to accommodate Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Final a few miles away at 8PM), Boston topped the Rangers 4-3 on a bases-loaded walk by Mookie Betts in the bottom of the ninth. The hitting star of the day was Andrew Benintendi—who went 3-4, with 2 RBIs and a run scored. Rafael Devers knocked in the other run—going 2-4 on the day. But the really encouraging sign was the stellar outing by starter Rick Porcello. The former Cy Young-winner went 6.2 solid innings—giving up just two earned runs (in the first inning) on five hits. The righty walked none and struck out six. The win moved The Carmine Hose to 7.5 back of The Evil Ones. They are now two games back for the second Wild Card spot in the American League (hey, let's be realistic out there!).

Red Sox Stumble To .500, Get Embarrassed By Rangers At Fenway, 9-5

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Things are so bad for the Red Sox, that some TwitterDorks are actually calling for them to trade away Mookie Betts. Now, that will never happen, of course (you don't willingly get rid of a five-tool player)—but it is emblematic of the mood in Red Sox Nation. After last night's 9-5 debacle at Fenway, that mood is as sour as it's been in a long time. Boston is now officially a .500 ballclub (34-34), and can't seem to get out of it's own way—literally. Brock Holt (out of position due to an ejection of Andrew Benintendi) botched a flyball to right that ended in an inside-the-park-home-run. It was one of those nights. No further embarrassing details are needed.

VIDEO: Pedro Martinez Speaks For All Sox Fans On The David Ortiz Shooting

Red Sox Bullpen Blows Tenth Save Of 2019, Boston Falls In 11 Innings, 4-3

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When all is said and done, the fate of your 2019 Red Sox may be determined by decisions not made by Dave Dombrowski. The inability to land a legitimate closer is looming as the biggest non-move by the Boston GM. Last night, Matt Barnes (overworked and in the wrong role) coughed up Boston's tenth blown save of the year in an eventual 4-3 extra-innings loss to the Rangers. But it's not all the fault of Barnes. As FenwayNation contributor Henry Kanter puts it: "It's blown save by committee". Indeed. This loss is particularly galling given the brilliant performance turned in by starter Chris Sale. The lanky lefty went seven superb innings—giving up just three hits and one earned run while striking out ten. Andrew Benintendi (2-run HR) and Brock Holt (2-out game-tying hit in the 9th) were the only bright lights on the offensive side of the ledger. The defeat puts Boston a full eight games behind division-leading Tampa—while hovering one game over .500.

Surgeons Removed Internal Organ Parts From David Ortiz After Shooting

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In a shocking revelation, surgeons in the Dominican Republic had to remove portions of David Ortiz's internal organs to stop the bleeding from a shooting on Sunday. CNN reports the following details:

"David Ortiz was 'bleeding from his liver' and had portions of his organs removed after the shooting, according to Ortiz's assistant Leo Lopez. During surgery last night, doctors told his family and assistant that "portions of his intestines, colon and his gallbladder [was] taken out" to stop the bleeding, Lopez told CNN. Lopez is at the Dominican Republic hospital with Ortiz's father and sisters, while the former ballplayer remains in intensive care, he said.  The family is waiting to speak to medical staff and hopes to move Ortiz to a hospital in the US as soon as doctors allow. Lopez said Ortiz's wife is in the US at this time."

Ortiz was shot last night at a disco in the Dominican Republic. Stay tuned for further details on Big Papi's condition.

Red Sox Stumble Again, Lose Three Of Four To Rays, Fall Sunday, 6-1

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What is it with ex-University of Maryland Terrapins? First, former Terp Mike Shawaryn performed extremely well for the Red Sox in two relief stints. Then, ex-Terp Brandon Lowe was 'Ruthian' in his first Fenway Park series—yesterday clouting two home runs and knocking in three for the Rays in the eventual 6-1 loss to Tampa. In any event, the Red Sox are again looking like a .500 ballclub—with the loss dropping them down to 34-32 (7 games behind both Tampa and The Evil Ones). The Boston 'offense' was nowhere to be found—although multi-hit games were turned in by Jackie Bradley, Jr., Sandy Leon and Marco Hernandez. All in all, though—thanks to a crappy outing by starter Eduardo Rodriguez—The Carmine Hose really had no chance against Cy Young Winner Blake Snell.

Price To The Rescue! Red Sox Salvage Saturday Split With Rays, Win, 5-1

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David Price is now the unchallenged ace of the Red Sox staff. The lefty secured another critical 2019 win by shutting down Tampa in the 5-1 nightcap victory on Saturday. After being embarrassed 9-2 in the first game, Boston jumped ahead early 2-0 and eventually widened the lead in the fifth and sixth innings. Price went six innings, giving up just one earned run on five hits. He struck out a season-high ten. The offense was led by: Michael Chavis (1-3, BB, R, 2 RBIs); Mookie Betts (2-3, 2Rs) and Marco Hernandez (1-4, 2 RBIs). The win moves Boston to six games out behind both the Rays and The Bronx Embalmers.

Now Is The Time For The Red Sox To Make Their Move In The AL East

Your 2019 Red Sox have won four games in a row. Granted, it was partly against the 'Quadruple A' Kansas City Royals—but wins are wins. The team sits poised 6.5 games behind The Evil Ones and just 5 games behind their next opponent—the Tampa Bay Rays. Because of a previous rainout, Boston will play Tampa four times in three days. Conceivably, the Red Sox could essentially catch the Rays with a sweep. That needs to be the team's mindset. As Yogi Berra once said, "It's getting late early". Before you know it, it will be the All-Star Break—so now is the time to seize the moment in the American League East. On the hill for Boston will be: Rick Porcello (Friday); David Price (Saturday's Game One); the legendary "TBD" (Saturday's Game Two); and Eduardo Rodriguez (Sunday). Either (recently promoted) ex-University of Maryland Terp Mike Shawaryn or Darwinzon Hernandez will make the nightcap start on Saturday. The bottom line is that all four need to step up like their start is Game Seven of the World Series. Tampa will be running out two of their best pitchers—Cy Young winner Blake Snell and Charlie Morton—at some point during the four games. This could be the make-or-break series for Boston. They need to display the urgency of a champion.

Mookie Homers, Sox Pitchers Give Up 14 Hits, Boston Still Beats Royals, 7-5

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Seven Red Sox pitchers—including "opener" Ryan Weber—gave up 14 hits to the hapless Royals, but Boston still got a win this afternoon, 7-5. Mookie Betts clouted his 10th home run of the year to pace Boston's attack. The 2018 AL MVP now has five home runs in his last seven plate appearances against KC starter Danny Duffy. Three Red Sox hitters had two-RBI games—Betts, Rafael Devers and the red-hot Christian Vazquez (now hitting .289). Matt Barnes pitched a shaky ninth inning for his fourth save of 2019. The victory—Boston's fourth straight—puts the Carmine Hose temporarily just six games back of The Bronx Embalmers. With a 33-29 record, the Red Sox are now four games over .500, as they head back to Fenway Park for a big series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Chris Sale Delivers A Complete Game Gem, Red Sox Dominate Royals, 8-0

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In case anyone questioned Chris Sale's standing as one of the game's great pitchers, Wednesday night's performance should put those questions to rest. The lanky lefty hurled a complete game shutout—giving up just three hits, walking none and striking out twelve. It was as dominant a performance as we've seen in 2019. Boston's bats—for once—gave Sale some serious run support in the eventual 8-0 win. Andrew Benintendi (3-4, R), Rafael Devers (2-5, HR, 3 R, 3 RBIs); and Brock Holt (3-5, 2 R, RBI) led the Red Sox offense in the rout. The victory allowed Boston to pull within 6.5 games of The Bronx Embalmers who lost again in America Lite.

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Red Sox Break Through Late On Nunez Pinch-Hit HR, Beat Royals, 8-3

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Early on, the Red Sox were smacking the ball all over Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday night—but mostly those balls were landing in Royals gloves. After overcoming a 2-0 deficit in the sixth, Alex Cora sent up Eduardo Nunez to pinch-hit for Brock Holt (who had earlier knocked in a run) with Boston up 3-2 in the eighth inning. Like clockwork, Nunez delivered a three-run blast to put Boston comfortably in the lead in the eventual 8-3 win. Rafael Devers added two RBIs, while J.D. Martinez knocked in one with a triple. Eduardo Rodriguez went 5.2 solid innings—yielding just two earned runs, while striking out seven and walking none. It was the lefty's sixth win of 2019. The victory pulled Boston within 7.5 games of The Evil Ones in the American League East.

Red Sox Salvage One Game At Concrete Bunker In Bronx, Beat Evil Ones, 8-5

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Preserving some level of dignity, the Red Sox escaped the Bronx (and a sub-.500 record) by beating The Evil Ones last night, 8-5. David Price finally exorcised his Yankee Stadium ghosts by winning there for the first time in a Red Sox uniform. The lefty went 6.1 solid innings—yielding just two earned runs. The early Boston offense was powered by solo home runs from J.D. Martinez and Xander Bogaerts, then helped substantially by horrific defense by The Pinstriped Posers—especially the completely inept Clint Frazier. By the way, the Red Sox have got to hold the record for most solo some runs before the All-Star Break. It seems like they almost never go yard with men on base. Others who contributed offensively to the win were: Andrew Benintendi (2-5, RBI), Eduardo Nunez (2-4, R, RBI), Rafael Devers (1-4, R, RBI) and Brock Holt (1-2, R, RBI). Matt Barnes almost blew the game late, but Boston held on. It was the 30th win of the year for the Red Sox—putting them on-pace for just 82 wins—26 fewer than last year.

Sale And Red Sox Get Beaten At Concrete Bunker In The Bronx, Lose 4-1

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Do you get the sense that the 2019 season is beginning to slip away? The Red Sox continued their 'Road To Oblivion' tour by rolling over to The Bronx Embalmers 4-1 on Friday night. Chris Sale was mediocre again—yielding four earned runs in six innings of work. The offense was pretty much limited to Wunderkind Rafael Devers—who clouted his eighth home run. Boston mustered just five hits on the night—with Jackie Bradley, Jr. collecting the only multi-hit performance (2-3). The Yankee starter and four relievers essentially shut down Boston's bats. It's becoming increasingly evident that there are only a handful of elite teams in the American League this year—and your Red Sox are not one of them. The loss drops Boston to just one game over .500. Is this our destiny—a .500 ballclub after a World Series Championship? Apparently.