Red Sox Game Mini Summary 6 - Glimpses of Brilliance

The Red Sox dropped their 4th game of the year today in a 13-4 loss to the Braves.  The game was much closer than the final score suggests. 

The Braves got out to an early start with 3 runs in the top of the 1st.  Red Sox starting pitcher, Lawrence Gilliam, allowed  a single, a walk, a double, and a triple in the inning.   Grant Craddolph, SS,  had the 1st put out of the game easily fielding a hard hit line drive to short.  The play would prove to be a harbinger of the great Red Sox defensive plays to follow.

Lawrence drew a walk in the bottom of the 1st but was caught stealing 2nd base.  Braves pitcher Joshua Holmes retired the balance of the side on strikes.

Strong defense and pitching for both teams would follow for the next 2 innings.  Red Sox pitcher, Lawrence Gilliam, worked the 2nd and 3rd innings.  He allowed 1 more run.   In total, he threw 31 of 52 pitches for strikes, walked 1, and struck out 3.  The Red Sox played exceptional defense.  Grant  and David Cooper, 1B,  connected for a 6-4 putout in the 2nd.  Lawrence and David had a 1-3 putout to start the 3rd.  Grant caught another sizzling line drive to short, and Ricky Powell, 3B,  handily fielded a pop fly to 3rd.

The Red Sox scored their first run in the 2nd.  Derek Marshall drew a walk and advanced to 2nd and 3rd on a wild pitch and passed, respectively.  With 2 outs, Jonathan Phelps delivered a clutch RBI single to score Derek.

The Red Sox added another run in the 3rd.  Lawrence walked, stole a base, and scored on a wild pitch.  Rick and Derek also drew walks in the 3rd but were left stranded.

At the end of 3, the score was 4-2 Braves.

Derek relieved Lawrence on the mound to start the 4th.  He turned in another strong inning of work, and the superb defense continued.  Grant had a 6-3 put out to Charles Heard at 1B on a sharply hit ball to short.  Derek handled a comebacker to the mound to retire the 2nd batter with a strong throw to Charles.  Jonathan fielded a pop fly to 2B to close out the side.

The Red Sox offense was held in check by a strong pitching effort by Braves reliever, Jalen.  The Sox were held scoreless in the 4th and 5th.  They only mustered 2 base runners.  Jonathan took one for the team with a HBP in the 4th.  Lawrence continued his 4 game hitting streak with a single in the 5th.  Both were left stranded on base. 

Derek and Grant combined to work the 5th inning from the mound.  The inning started off with a bang, literally.  Ricky handled a shot to the hot corner and calmly gunned the runner down at first (okay enough firearm imagery - i gotta stop writing these things at 1:30AM).  Walks would due the Sox in as Red Sox pitchers gave up 4 free bases, leading to 4 runs.

In the 6th, walks continued to be a source of pain as 5 walks led to 4 runs.  The Red Sox were unable to stop the aggressive Braves base runners from scoring once they reached base.  Coming soon to a practice field near you - passed ball drills!!!

The 6th inning also the debut of Charles on the pitcher's mound.  The hard throwing lefty retired all 3 batters that he faced.  He had 1 strikeout and 1 assist on a put out to Jonathan at 1B.  Ricky fielded another pop fly to end the half.  A promising debut.

The enthusiastic crowd was wowed by the spectacular defensive plays turned in by the Sox.  We saw glimpses of brilliance, indeed.  With more the 2/3 of the season left, we are already seeing marked improvement. 

Thanks to Charles' family for bringing the tasty sandwiches and Gatorade.

For you stats heads - DEREK, I have attached the usual files.

You can find the game summary here.

You can find the season stats to date here.

There are a few more pics on the blog .  If you have any that you'd like to see posted, please send them to me.

Coach Barry breaks down the keys to victory.

There they are!!! Burgers!!!

Where are the snacks?

A win well earned. The guys look a little tired.

..but win or lose, I will always do my best. PLAY BALL!!!!

... and I will respect its laws. I will play fair and strive to win...

I trust in God, I love my country...

Red Sox Practice Today 6PM La Dera

We will hold a short practice today, Thur, at 6PM at La Dera. The
focus will be on pitching , catching , and hitting.

Red Sox Game 5 Summary - Sweet Taste of Victory

The Sox dug deep and came up with their 2nd win of the young season with an 11-5 win over the Diamondbacks.  The combined aggressive at bats with solid pitching and a stingy defense to take the win. 

1st Inning

Lawrence started the game with a single up the middle 3rd pitch of the game.  The Dbacks starting pitcher, Marxey, dug in and retired the rest of the side on strike outs.

Lawrence started the game for the Sox on the mound.  In the first inning, Lawrence struck out 3, walked 1, allowed a single, and 1 run. 

At the end of 1, the score was 1-0 Diamondbacks

2nd Inning

In the top of the 2nd, Grant flied out with a sharp comebacker to the pitcher.  Gary walked and proceeded to steal 2nd and 3rd with extremely aggressive base running tactics.  He later scored the Red Sox's first run on a passed ball.

Lawrence stayed on a pitcher in the bottom of the second.  He held the D'backs scoreless - striking out the side and allowing 1 hit. 

At the end of 2, the score was tied 1-1


3rd Inning

David started the top of the 3rd with a walk.  He moved to 2nd on Lawrence's ground out to 3rd and later scored on a wild pitch.

Lawrence took the mound for a final inning of work in the bottom of the 3rd.  He benefited from superb defense by his infield.  David took care of out number 1 with an unassisted put out at 1st.  The next batter singled and promptly advanced to 2nd and 3rd on a stolen base and passed ball.  The runner would later score on a wild pitch.  Lawerence struck out the next batter.   Out 3 was recorded on a crisp 6-3 putout from  Grant to David. 

That would close the book on Lawrence's mound appearance.  In 3 innings of work, Lawrence threw 37 of 58 pitches for strikes, struck out 7, allowed 2 runs, 3 hits, and walked one.

At the end of 3, the score was tied at 2-2.


4th Inning

The Red Sox rallied for 3 runs in the top of the 4th.  Rick got things started off with a single to center field.  Grant followed up with a walk.  Norey collected an RBI on a 1-3 ground out - scoring Rick.  Derek, Trent and David followed with walks.  Grant stole home during Derek's at bat to score run 4 for the Sox.  Lawrence collected his second hit of the night with an RBI single up the middle scoring Trent to give the Sox and 5-2 lead.  Jonathan closed the inning with a sharply hit ground out to 2nd.

D'Angelo came on in relief for the Sox in the top of the 4th.  Stingy defense from the Sox held the D'Backs to 2 runs in the inning despite a home run by the D'Backs' Bukhari.  Out 1 was recorded on a 3-4 put out from David to Lawrence.  Out 2 was recorded by Derek on an unassisted put out of a runner attempting to advance home on a passed ball.  The 3rd out was also recorded on a great catcher to pitcher put out at home and Derek retrieved a wild pitch and quickly tossed it to D'Angelo who applied the tag on the sliding runner.

In one inning of work, D'Angelo threw 9 of 27 pitches for strikes, allowed 2 hits, 2 walks, and 2 runs. 

At the end of 4, the score was 5-4 Red Sox.


5th Inning

The Red Sox looked to add some insurance runs in the top of the 5th.  D'Angelo got the inning started with a walk.  Gary, Norey, Derek, Trent and David followed with walks.  D'Angelo, Norey, and Derek scored to make the score 8-4.  Grant followed with an RBI base hit to score Trent making the score 9-4.  Grant was called out after reaching 1st due to a thrown bat.  Jonathan followed with a single up the middle but was called out on close steal attempt at the plate to record out 3.

Grant relieved D'Angelo to close out the game in the bottom of the 5th.  Out 1 was recorded on a 4-3 put out from D'Angelo and Jonathan.  Grant recorded a strike out for out 2.   Grant and Jonathan closed out the game on a 1 - 3 put out.

In one inning of work, Grant threw 9 of 22 pitches for strikes, stuck out 1, walked 2, allowed 0 hits, and 1 run. 


It was a very satisfying win for the Red Sox, ending a 3 game slide.  The guys did a much better job of swinging the bat.  They would like to thank the enthusiastic crowd for providing needed morale.  A special thank you also goes out to Blake's parents for the KFC chicken snacks.


You can find the game summary by clicking here.

The season to date stats can by viewed by clicking here.

Red Sox Updated Schedule/Snack List/ Game 4 Summary

Game & Snack Schedule

It appears that we finally have a firm schedule.  I have attached the updated schedule in Excel format.  The schedule includes the person responsible for snacks.  The link to the schedule has also been updated on the blog.

This week:
Wed. 4/19  6PM   at Diamondbacks   - Snacks: Blake
Fri. 4/21  vs. Braves   - Snacks Charles
Sun 4/23 vs. Diamondbacks - Snacks D'Angelo



Picture Day

To follow up on Michelle's email, picture day is this Saturday at 9:30. 
Please be sure our players are in full uniform and try to be BE EARLY if possible. 

 

Everyone should bring their picture order envelops that Marie passed out and they should be completed with your payments included. They may not have extra order envelopes on that day.

 

I have inquired if there will be a picture make-up day for anyone who will not be able to attend, no reply yet....I will let you know.

 

Any questions, please give Michelle a call at:  323-815-2146


Game 4 Summary

Another tough lost in the last game vs. the Nationals (8-2) to run our record to 1-4.

We were plagued by strikeouts.  We only put 2 balls in play the entire game:
1) A fly out to the 3rd baseman by Jonathan
2) An RBI single in the 3rd by Ricky to score D'Angelo.  Ricky would later score on heady base running.

Defensively, we got a Herculean effort on the mound for D'Angelo.  He went 2 1/3 innings recording 4 strike outs, ZERO hits, an assist, and a put out.

We also saw the debut of Grant on the mound.  Grant pitched 1 2/3 innings, striking out 2, walking 1 and allowing ZERO runs. 

Charles recorded another put out behind the plate catching a National base runner trying to steal home in the 2nd.  He also had an assist (2-1) on a put out at home.  Jonathan in his debut at catcher also has a put out 2-1 to get a runner trying to advance home.

The defensive play of the game was turned in by Terry, Jonathan and Ricky.  Terry fielded a line drive single to left field and fired it home to Jonathan to get the runner in a pickle.  Jonathan ran the runner back to 3rd and fired a strike to Ricky who applied the tag at 3rd.

The game summary can be found by clicking here.

As always, you can find these by reviewing the articles on the blog.

Red Sox Schedule for the Week

Practice: Tuesday 5:30  Rancho Cienega Park

Game: Wednesday 6PM  vs. Diamondbacks

Game: Friday 5PM vs. Braves

Red Sox Batting Practice Cancelled

Due to rain, we are cancelling today's batting practice.

Lawrence

On 4/14/06, Lawrence Gilliam <lgrhythm@gmail.com> wrote:
> We have a reservation at Slamo for 6PM today (Friday).
>
> Slamo is located at 5750 Mesmer Avenue in Culver City. There is a link to
> the mapquest site below.
>
> http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=home&formtype=address&popflag=0&latitude=&longitude=&name=&phone=&level=&cat=&address=+5750+Mesmer+Ave+%09+&city=Culver+City&state=CA&zipcode=
>
>
>
> _______________________________
> Lawrence Gilliam
> http://LaderaRedSox.blogspot.com <http://laderaredsox.blogspot.com/>
>
>

Red Sox Batting Practice Today 6PM Slamo

We have a reservation at Slamo for 6PM today (Friday).

Slamo is located at 5750 Mesmer Avenue in Culver City.  There is a link to the mapquest site below. 

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=home&formtype=address&popflag=0&latitude=&longitude=&name=&phone=&level=&cat=&address=+5750+Mesmer+Ave+%09+&city=Culver+City&state=CA&zipcode=


_______________________________
Lawrence Gilliam
http://LaderaRedSox.blogspot.com

Red Sox vs Braves Game Summary / Season to Date Stats

The Red Sox took another lost last night 13 - 3 against the Braves to run their season record to 1-2. 

They took an early 2 run lead in the top of the 1st inning.  D'Angelo and Norey led off the inning with walks.  Derek collected a 2 RBI single to score D'Angelo and Norey.

In the bottom of the first, the Braves recorded 6 runs.  Jonathan started on the mound for the Red Sox and did a good job in a fill in start for Lawrence who was on the 1 day DL (flu).   Jonathan threw 22 out 33 pitches for strikes, 1 strike out,  and issued 0 walks.  There were several "almost" great plays in the field where the guys fielded the ball well but missed the out on close plays at 1st and 3rd. 

The Braves ace pitcher - Julian - settled in the 2nd inning and retired the side on strike outs - all looking.  This points to one of the key areas where the team needs to improve.  Of the 9 strikes called in the inning, Red Sox batters only swung the bat twice.  7 out of 9 strikes were called.  We simply have to be more aggressive.  The umps are more prone to give the close calls to the pitcher if the batters are not swinging.

Derek took the mound at the top of the 2nd.  The Braves recorded another 6 runs in the 2nd on good hitting by the meat of their lineup.  An excellent 4-6 out was recorded by Gary on a bang-bang play to Grant at second.  Derek threw 15 of 39 pitches for strikes, struck out 1, and walked 4. 

D'Angelo started top of the 3rd with a rope double to left center.  The Red Sox, however, were not able to take advantage of the lead off double.  Coach Lawrence sent D'Angelo home on a wild pitch that bounced direcltly back to the catcher, and D'Angelo was CS at home.

The Red Sox went to fire balling D'Angelo on the mound in the top of the 3rd.  In another strong effort on the mound, D'Angelo through 11 of 19 pitches for strikes, recorded 3 strike outs, 0 walks, and 1 base hit - on the 2 through 4 hitters in the Braves lineup.

The top of the 4th started with an electrifying line drive TRIPLE by Rick to right center.  The ball almost rolled to the fence.  Rick later came home to score on a wild pitch by the Brave's closer - Malik - to make the score 13 - 3 Braves.

I have attached the game summary (html) file.  You can also access it by clicking here.

I have also attached the season stats to date (xls) file.  You can access the stats here.

Red Sox Game Schedule Week of 4/10

The league transition team is still in the process of revising the game schedule.  They have completed the revision of games up to this weekend. 

The game dates below are firm:

Tuesday  4/11 6 PM vs. Braves
Thursday  4/13 6 PM vs. Nationals

Please plan to arrive at the field by 5PM.


________________________________
Lawrence Gillliam
http://LaderaRedSox.blogspot.com

Red Sox Game 2 Summary - Encouraging Loss

The guys showed a lot of heart today in a losing effort against the Rockies.  They rallied back from a 4 run deficit in the 1st to score 5 in the top of the 2nd and take the lead.  They took a 6-4 lead into the 3rd before succumbing to Rockie clutch hitting in the 3rd to lose 10 -

In the top of the 1st, the Red Sox stranded 3 runners after walks by Terry, Gary, and Charles.

Lawrence started the game on the mound for the Red Sox.  He did an admirable job given the short notice.  He faced 7 batters, throwing 20 strikes out of 24 pitches.  The Rockies delivered several clutch 2 hit singles to score 4 runs in the fourth.  The Red Sox almost escaped the inning with minimal damage but were on the short end of a close play at first - with D'Angelo delivering a bullet shot from 3rd to Charles at first.  Looked like an out to me - but I need glasses.  Lawrence recorded out 1 on a routing pop up to the mound. Derek recorded out 3 on an unassisted CS at the plate.


The team rallied for 5 runs in the top of the second - batting around the order.  After walks by Norey, Jonathan, Blake, Gary, and Charles,   D'Angelo delivered a 2 RBI line drive double to right center.  Derek followed with a single.  Runs were scored by Jonathan, Lawrence, Blake, Gary and Charles. 

D'Angelo relived Lawrence on the mound in the top of the 2nd.  He promptly stuck out the side in order on 12 pitches.  Awesome inning.

The Red Sox added a run in the 3rd on a walk and aggressive base running by Jonathan.

The Rockies struck for 3 runs to take a 7-6 lead in the bottom of the 3rd with 5 consecutive singles.  Derek recorded another unassisted CS at the plate.  D'Angelo struck out 2 more batters to stretch his K total to 5 for the day.

The Rockies brought in their closer in the top of 4th and held the guys at bay - surrendering only a walk to Derek and striking out the side.

We should all be proud of the determination showed by the guys in coming off of the canvas after the 1st to give last year's 1st Half champions a serious challenge.

Key opportunities for improvement include:

- more accurate throws to first from our infielders
- more aggressive/confident plate appearances
- improved wild pitch blocking skills from the catchers

I have attached the score sheet.  The game summary/boxscore  can be found here and on the the blog .

I have also attached an Excel Spreadsheet containing season stats.  They can also be found by clicking here.

Red Sox Game 1 Summary

The guys took their opening game tonight with a solid effort. 

The Red Sox jumped out to an early lead, scoring 6 runs in the first inning behind RBI singles from Lawrence and Jonathan.  Norey also had a base hit in the 1st.  Trent, Norey, Garry, Rick, Lawrence, and D'Angelo scored in the first.

In the bottom of the first, the Red Sox retired 3 of the first 4 Mets batters.  Behind solid pitching from Lawrence, the Red Sox did not allow a run.  Lawrence struck out 2 and hit one batter.  Out 3 was recorded on a solid play by Gary throwing out the runner at 1st (played by Jonathan).

The Red Sox scored 3 more runs in the 2nd.  Derrick, Gary and D'Angelo singled.  D'Angelo collected an RBI.  Derrick, Gary and Rick scored.

The Red Sox held the Mets scoreless in the 3rd and 4th behind stellar pitching by Derrick.  Derrick struck out 5 and walked 3.  In the 3rd inning, Rick and Jonathan turned in the defensive play of the game.  Rick fielded a sharp grounder hit to 3rd and delivered a shot to Jonathan on first.  Jonathan streched to make the catch and stayed on the bag to beat the runner by half a stride.  Web Gem material indeed.

The Red Sox scored 1 run in the 3rd.  Derrick walked, advanced to 2nd on a wild pitch, stole 3rd, and advanced home on passed ball.

In the top of the 4th, the Red Sox scored 2 runs.  Lawrence led things off with a base hit up the middle.  Grant walked.  Blake hit an RBI single to the left side of the diamond, scoring Lawrence.  Grant scored on a wild pitch.

Jonathon took the mound in the 4th inning to close out the game.

The guys did a great job in their first game. 

You can find the box score for the game by clicking here.

The team will practice tomorrow at 5:30 at Rancho Cienega Park  (intersection of Rodeo Rd and King Blvd).

Red Sox Make Up Game Tomorrow, Photo Gallery 1 Posted

We will play the Mets tomorrow at 6PM to make up Monday's rain out.  Please arrive at 5:15PM so that the players have time to warm up. 

I've posted at few pictures to the blog from practice and Opening Day.  They can be found here:  PICTURE GALLERY 1

Please let me know if you are not comfortable with your child's photo on the blog.


_________________________________
Lawrence Gilliam
http://LaderaRedSox.BlogSpot.Com