June 3, 1991
The Red Sox finished an up and down week on a high note by taking 3 out of 4 games against the reigning American League champion Baltimore Orioles. It was much needed, as it came on the heels of a three game sweep at Yankee Stadium. The team enjoys an off day today as they head out west for a 9 game road trip with a 20-30 record. Sitting in 6th place and 14.5 games behind the division leading Yankees, this upcoming road trip is likely a crossroad for the team. Anything short of an outstanding trip will likely put the team in position to be sellers over the next two months leading into the July 31st trade deadline.
The Red Sox did make some roster decisions over the last week. After another very poor start by Pat Hentgen this weekend, he will be moved back to the bullpen. The Rule 5 selection from Toronto had opened the season very successfully in the bullpen, but has really struggled since moving into the rotation. In 5 starts, Hentgen is 0-4 and has allowed 36 earned runs in just 19.1 innings pitched. He’ll be replaced in the rotation by lefty Pedro Borbon, who has worked exclusively as a reliever with Pawtucket this season. He has been working to stretch himself out in recent weeks.
To make room on the active roster, 38 year old relief pitcher Dennis Lamp was designated for assignment. He made 18 appearances this season and struggled to the tune of a 7.06 ERA. He seems likely to clear waivers given his $750k salary, but it is uncertain if he will accept a minor league assignment with the organization.
Seldom used outfielder Kevin Romine was also designated for assignment earlier today. He was just 2-for-21 in limited action with the Red Sox this season. His removal opens a roster spot for 24 year old top prospect Moises Alou. He was hitting .282 with 2 home runs in Pawtucket so far this season. There doesn’t appear to be an immediate path to playing team in Boston’s outfield. However, with Phil Plantier recently struggling, Alou could form a platoon in right field in the near term.
One way for playing time to open up would be for the Red Sox to move veteran left fielder Mike Greenwell. Rumors of a trade began to heat up last week with word that the Dodgers were interested in Greenwell. Los Angeles possesses one of the deepest farm systems in the league, so the Red Sox are sure to be interested in some of their young players. To this point, word around the league is that Boston’s asking price for Greenwell has been sky high.
In Winter Haven, Boston’s top draft pick Manny Ramirez was named the Florida State League player of the week. Ramirez, who celebrated his 19th birthday last week, went 11-for-25 with 3 home runs during the week. He now possesses a .298 average with 10 home runs on the season and seems to be on the fast track to the big leagues.
Around the League
There was one significant injury across the league this week with Montreal outfielder Larry Walker suffering a shoulder injury. The 24 year old is expected to be out until the All-Star break. He had been hitting .309 with 5 home runs at the time of his injury.
Two other star outfielders suffered injuries last week with Texas’ Juan Gonzalez sustaining a hand injury and Atlanta’s Ron Gant injuring his hamstring. The players are both expected to try to play through their ailments. The 21 year old Gonzalez is tied for the American League lead in home runs with 15. Gant is hitting .294 with 11 home runs so far this season for the NL West leading Braves.
MLB released an update on All-Star voting with no surprises at the top. Oakland’s Rickey Henderson and Pittsburgh’s Barry Bonds, the reigning MVPs in each league, top the voting. Bonds, fresh off signing an 8 year/$22 million extension that will keep him in Pittsburgh through 1999, is on pace for an historic season as he currently is hitting .312 and on pace for 51 home runs and 68 stolen bases.
The Red Sox’ Roger Clemens leads the voting amongst AL starting pitchers, while Ellis Burks in 2nd behind Ken Griffey Jr. in centerfield, and Jody Reed is 3rd amongst shortstops.
The American League player of the month for May was named as Minnesota’s Darryl Strawberry, who hit .309 with 10 home runs and 31 RBI during the month. David Justice of the Atlanta Braves earned the award in the National League after hitting .363 with 9 home runs and 24 RBI.
New York’s Mariano Rivera continues his superb rookie season by taking home AL pitcher of the month and rookie of the month honors. He went 6-0 with a 1.00 ERA during May. Rivera is now 10-0 with a 1.14 ERA in his 11 starts this season and is the early season favorite for both the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards.
In the National League, the Mets’ Sid Fernandez was named pitcher of the month, going 4-2 with a 1.76 ERA and 48 strikeouts over 46 innings. San Diego’s Salomon Torres earned the rookie of the month award, going 3-2 with a 2.30 ERA. He also earned NL player of the week honors today after throwing 17.1 shutout innings across his two starts last week. Kent Hrbek of the Twins was named AL player of the week after going 11-for-29 with 3 home runs during the week.
Week in Review
The Red Sox got their first shot against the first place Yankees today at Yankee Stadium. New York sent the crowd home happy with a walkoff 3-2 win on this Memorial Day. Opposing arguably the best pitcher in the game (Roger Clemens), New York's Tim Rumer pitched a 7 inning gem, allowing just 2 hits while punching out 9. A two run double for Jeff Bagwell gave the Red Sox a 2-1 lead in the 7th, and put Rumer on the hook for the loss. However, the Yankees pushed across the tying run in the 8th and walked off with the win in the 9th on a two out infield single by Jesse Barfield that score Darrin Fletcher from third base. Jeff Treadway had 3 hits for the Yankees, including a key RBI double in the 8th inning which tied the game. Bagwell had two of Boston's 4 hits in the game.
The Yankees won their second straight against the Red Sox, tonight winning by a score of 7-6. The Red Sox came up on the losing end despite outhitting the Yankees 15-10. Jody Reed remained red hot, going 4-for-4, while Mike Greenwell and Ellis Burks each added 3 hits for Boston. Luis Polonia drove in 3 runs for the Yankees, and a day after being the hero with a walkoff hit, Jesse Barfield went deep for his 8th home run of the season in the 2nd inning. Clay Parker earned the win, despite allowing 12 hits in 5.1 innings. He was able to limit the damage to 4 runs. Dana Kiecker started for Boston and took the loss, lasting only 3.1 innings and allowing 7 runs. The Yankees were aided by a key error by Jeff Bagwell in the 2nd inning which led to 2 unearned runs.
Sterling Hitchcock was masterful for New York, as the Yankees finished off a 3 game sweep of their rival Red Sox tonight. Boston managed just two hits in the 11-0 loss. Hitchcock pitched a complete game, walking 3 and striking out 6. For the Red Sox, Jimmy Key got the start and worked through 5 ineffective innings while allowing 6 runs on 9 hits to go along with an astounding 8 walks. Luis Polonia and Jim Leyritz had 3 hits apiece to lead New York's 15 hit effort, while Roberto Kelly and Bernie Williams each homered off of reliever Ricky Bones. The Red Sox now head back to Boston for a weekend series against the Orioles.