May 13, 1991
A week that began with optimism with the Red Sox beginning a 9 game home stand following the team winning 6 out of 9 games and management adding to the team’s bullpen ended with a much different feeling. The Red Sox dropped 5 of their first 6 on the homestand to the Twins and Rangers. The lone win came in an outstanding start for Roger Clemens against Texas over the weekend.
Pat Hentgen made his first start for the team following a strong April in Boston’s bullpen. He struggled out of the chute allowing 4 runs to the Rangers in the 1st inning, but settled down from there to work 5 innings without allowing any additional runs. He is expected to make his next start this week against the Chicago White Sox.
In an effort to spark the team, manager Jim Fregosi shook up the lineup yesterday by moving Wade Boggs back into his traditional leadoff role with Ellis Burks returning to the cleanup spot he held last season. Two of the more disappointing bats so far this season have belonged to youngsters Mo Vaughn and Jeff Bagwell, and each of them have been moved down in the order. Both players heated up over the weekend against Ranger pitching, with Bagwell 7-for his last-16 and Vaughn 6-for-12 over his last 3 games.
The Red Sox executed a transaction this week, claiming RHP Cal Eldred off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers. Eldred made 6 appearances for the Brewers last season, going 1-3 with a 6.59 ERA. He’s been in the minor leagues for the entirety of the season thus far. It’s unclear if the 23 year old will immediately join the team in Boston or if he will be assigned to AAA Pawtucket. If he joins the Major League club, it could spell trouble for Rule 5 pick Ricky Bones who has struggled so far this season. If the Red Sox are to release Bones, he will be returned to San Diego.
Around the League
There was one major injury around the league this week with Minnesota 3B Gary Gaetti sustaining a fractured fibula that will keep him out of action until mid-August at the earliest. Gaetti’s season had gotten off to a rough start as he was hitting just .187 with 1 home run. 21 year old Denny Hocking is expected to serve as the team’s third baseman in Gaetti’s stead.
Blue Jays rookie Carlos Delgado was named American League player of the week by going 9-for-18 with 4 home runs and 9 RBI last week. The 18 year old catcher who entered the season as one of the top prospects in all of baseball appears ticketed for super stardom.
It was an interesting winner in the National League with Dodgers backup shortstop Tim Barker earning the award. In limited playing time, Barker went 5-for-6 with a home run and 6 RBI.
Week in Review
Minnesota starter John Burkett dominated the Red Sox today in a 4-1 victory. He allowed just 1 run in his 8 innings of work. He was matched by Boston's Dana Kiecker who took a shutout into the 6th inning before running out of gas. Outfielder Darryl Strawberry, in his first game back from suspension, got some revenge against the Red Sox with an RBI single to tie the game. Gene Larkin followed with his second home run of the season, a three run shot of Kiecker, to put the Twins in front. Kiecker's day finished with 6 innings of work, allowing 4 runs on 6 hits to go along with 5 strikeouts. Mike Greenwell went 2-for-4 with 2 doubles in the losing effort for Boston.
The Red Sox offense was dominated by left handed starter Allan Anderson, as the Twins earned a sweep of this brief two game series. Anderson threw 116 pitches and came within 1 out of a complete game, throwing 8.2 innings and allowing no runs on just 4 hits. Minnesota's Kirby Puckett hit a two run home run off Red Sox starter Jimmy Key in the 5th inning to extend the Twins' lead to 3-0 and give Anderson some breathing room. Catcher Paul Russo went 3-for-4 with a home run off Key as well. Key went 6.2 innings for the Red Sox, allowing 4 runs on 9 hits to go along with 4 strikeouts.