As this miserable season comes to a close, at least the Boston Red Sox are still playing hard. Tonight the Sox were down 3-0 going into the top of the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Sox scored a pair to cut the lead then Butch Hobson clobbered a go-ahead 2 run home run in the ninth. Rick Krueger (1-0, 3.18 ERA) won his first game of the season, Tom Murphy nailed down the save and the Sox defeated the Brewers 4-3 at County Stadium.
Quint approves of the win
Milwaukee starter Jim Colborn got the ball in the top of the first inning and Rick Burleson singled to right....only to get thrown out trying to steal. Steve Dillard took strike three before Rick Miller went down swinging to end the inning. Krueger got the ball in the bottom of the first and Robin Yount grounded out to third to start. Charlie Moore popped up to short but George Scott singled. Hank Aaron walked but Sixto Lezcano took strike three to end the inning.
Carl Yastrzemski flied out to left to start the top of the second before Carlton Fisk struck out swinging. Cecil Cooper grounded out to first to end the inning. Dan Thomas grounded out to short to open the bottom of the second before Steve Bowling flied out to right. Gary Sutherland singled but Jack Heidemann struck out to end the inning.
Jim Rice singled to third to start the top of the third but Dwight Evans flied out to right. Butch Hobson flied out to left before Burleson grounded into a force to end the inning. Yount flied out to right to start the bottom of the third before Moore grounded out to third. Scott singled to left but was erased on the Aaron force to end the inning.
Dillard's bunt attempt was snuffed out to begin the top of the fourth but Miller singled and stole second. Yaz struck out and Fisk lined out to center to end the inning. The Brewers struck first in the bottom of the fourth although Lezcano whiffed. Thomas then hit a 90,000 foot home run to give the Brewers the lead. Bowling popped up to right before Sutherland struck out to end the inning with the Brewers up 1-0.
Thomas hits one out
The Sox failed to respond in the top of the fifth as Cooper flied out to left to start. Rice whiffed and Evans grounded out to short to end the inning. The Brewers threatened in the bottom of the fifth although Heidemann flied out to center to start. Yount caught the Sox asleep with a bunt single and Moore singled him to third. Scott struck out and Aaron flied out to left to end the inning. Good work by Krueger to keep the Brewers off the board.
Hobson flied out to right to begin the top of the sixth before Burleson popped up to second. Dillard flied out to left to end the inning. Lezcano grounded out to short to start the bottom of the sixth before Thomas singled. Thomas moved to second on the Bowling grounder before Sutherland lined out to third to end the inning.
The Sox threatened in the top of the seventh when Miller and Yaz drew back to back walks to begin, but Fisk damn near hit into a triple play, barely beating out the throw to first. Cooper singled Fisk to third but Rice flied out to left to end the inning. The Brewers looked to have iced the game in the bottom of the seventh although Heidemann flied out to center to begin. Yount flied out to right but Moore doubled over the head of Evans. Old pal Scott blasted a 200,000 foot home run to increase their lead. Aaron grounded out to short to end the inning but the Brewers were up 3-0.
Dammit Boomer
The Sox mounted their comeback beginning in the top of the eighth as Evans walked to chase Colborn. Danny Frisella came in and Hobson singled. Burleson singled to load the bases with nobody out but Dillard popped up to second. Miller managed to hit a sac fly to center to score Evans and Yaz singled home Hobson. Fisk popped up to short to end the inning but the Sox were back in it down 3-2.
Yaz drives in a run.
Krueger returned for the bottom of the eighth and Lezcano singled to start. Thomas whiffed before Lezcano was thrown out by Fisk trying to steal. Bowling popped up to first to end the inning.
The Sox took command in the top of the ninth as Cooper and Rice stroked back to back singles to start. Bill Castro came in to face Evans and things looked bleak when Dwight grounded into a double play. All of a sudden Hobson smashed his 6th home run of the season to put the Sox in front. Burleson grounded out to short to end the inning with Boston ahead 4-3.
What a blast by Hobson
Tom Murphy came in for the save in the bottom of the ninth with Mike Hegan pinch hitting for Sutherland. Hegan grounded out to second and old pal Bernie Carbo pinch hit for Heidemann just to strike out. Yount flied out to right to end the game. The Sox had somehow won it 4-3.
Hero of the Night is Butch Hobson. His home run won the game for the Sox.
Hero Hobson
The Good:
Rick Miller was 1 for 2 with a walk and an rbi.
Carl Yastrzemski was 1 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.
Cecil Cooper was 2 for 4 with a run scored.
Jim Rice was 2 for 4.
Rick Krueger earned the win by allowing 3 runs in 8 innings of work while striking out 6.
Tom Murphy earned his 7th save with a scoreless ninth inning.
The Bad:
Steve Dillard was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Carlton Fisk was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
The Ugly:
Rick Burleson was just 1 for 4 but walked.
Dwight Evans was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.
Final Thoughts:
Good win but nobody cares at this point. Its too bad the Sox had a massive World Series hangover and the year turned out the way it did. Still, prospects look bright as Butch Hobson looks like he can replace Rico Petrocelli at third base. Ferguson Jenkins should have a better year next year and the Sox should be back in contention. Its too bad the Rollie Fingers and Joe Rudi trade didn't go through because this team would have been MUCH different. As for this game, kudos to Krueger and Hobson to win this one. The win improved the Sox to 70-76, nowhere near first place. The Sox now travel to Detroit for a set with the Tigers. Luis Tiant (18-11) goes one on one with the eccentric rookie Mark Fidrych at 7:05 PM at Tiger Stadium.
Thursday, September 16, 1976
Wednesday, August 25, 1976
Sox Ride Tiant To Win Over Angels (8/25/76)
The Boston Red Sox may be a mess this season but Luis Tiant (15-10, 3.05 ERA) is always a pleasure to watch pitch. Today El Tiante tossed 8 innings of 2 run ball to help the Sox to victory over the California Angels. The Sox offense pounded Don Kirkwood and a host of relievers into submission in a collective team effort. The Sox made a winner of Tiant with an 8-2 win at Fenway Park.
Sonny Wortzik approves of the win
Tiant cruised in the top of the first inning as Dave Collins took strike three to start. Rusty Torres popped up to first before Dan Briggs grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox wasted no time scoring in the bottom of the first as Rick Burleson led off with a walk. Denny Doyle singled Rick to third and he scored on the Fred Lynn sac fly. Carlton Fisk singled to left and both runners moved over on the Cecil Cooper grounder. Jim Rice grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.
Herculean Sac Fly by Lynn
Tiant mowed them down in the top of the second inning as Tony Solarita flied out to right to start. Bob Jones grounded out to second before Mario Guerrero flied out to center to end the inning. Rick Miller drew a walk but Bobby Darwin lined out to center. Butch Hobson forced Miller at second before Burleson grounded out to second to end the inning.
Tiant kept up the pace in the top of the third inning as Ron Jackson flied out to left to start. Dave Chalk popped up to third before Andy Etchebarren hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. The Sox pounced on Kirkwood in the bottom of the third as Doyle singled to right to begin. Lynn popped up to third but a wild pitch moved Denny to second. Fisk whiffed but Cooper walked. Rice doubled home both runners to increase the lead and Miller singled home Rice, taking second on the throw home. Darwin took strike three to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 4-0.
Rice doubles home a pair
The Angels threatened in the top of the fourth as Collins whiffed to start. Torres hit one up the elevator shaft but Briggs broke up the perfect game by drawing a walk. Solaita walked but Jones popped up to short to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Hobson singled to start. Hobson was thrown out trying to steal but Burleson singled to left. Doyle forced Burleson at second but Lynn doubled home Doyle to chase Kirkwood. Mike Overy took over on the mound and Fisk was plunked. Cooper whiffed to end the inning but the Sox were up 5-0.
Doyle scores a run
Guerrero broke up the no hitter with a base hit to center to open the top of the fifth. Jackson whiffed but Chalk singled to left. Guerrero moved to third on the fly out by Etchebarren but Collins grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Rice whiffed to start. Miller flied out to center and Darwin flied out to right to end the inning.
Tiant cruised in the top of the sixth as Torres grounded out to second to begin. Briggs flied out to right and Solaita flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox got another run in the bottom of the sixth as Hobson whiffed to start. Burleson walked and Doyle singled him to second to chase Overy. Mickey Scott came in and Burleson moved to third on the fly out by Lynn. Fisk singled home Burleson to increase the lead. A bizarre play occured when Cooper lined one off of Fisk running to get credit for a hit but Fisk was out to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-0.
YERRRR OUT!
Tiant preserved the shut out in the top of the seventh as Jones grounded out to first to start. Guerrero flied out to left before Jackson lined out to third to end the inning. The Sox poured it on in the bottom of the seventh as Rice singled to center to begin. Miller flied out to left but Darwin singled and Hobson walked to load the bases. John Verhoven came in to pitch and Burleson said hello with a base hit to score Rice and Darwin. The runners moved over on a grounder by Doyle and Lynn was intentionally walked to re-load the bases. Fisk flied out to center to end the inning but it was 8-0 Sox.
Burleson drives in a pair
The Angels finally scored in the top of the eighth as Chalk walked to start. Etchebarren singled and Chalk moved to third on the fly ball by Collins. Torres popped up to first before Briggs walked to load the bases. Solaita doubled home Chalk and Etchebarren to get the Angels on the board. Jones popped up to third to end the inning but it was 8-2 Sox. That was it for Tiant who was masterful, allowing just the two runs in 8 innings of work.
The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the eighth as Cooper grounded out to first to start. Both Rice and Miller grounded out to short to end the inning.
Tom Murphy came in to close out the top of the ninth and Guerrero grounded out to short to start. Bruce Bochte pinch hit for Jackson and singled to right, but Chalk banged into a double play to end the game. The Sox had won the game 8-2.
Hero of the Night is Luis Tiant. He tossed 8 innings of 2 run ball, allowing just 4 hits and 4 walks while striking out 3.
El Hero.
The Good:
Rick Burleson was 2 for 3 with 2 walks, 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.
Denny Doyle was 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored.
Fred Lynn was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.
Carlton Fisk was 2 for 4 with a hit by pitch and an rbi.
Jim Rice was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.
Butch Hobson was 1 for 3 with a walk.
Tom Murphy pitched a scoreless ninth.
The Bad:
None.
The Ugly:
Cecil Cooper was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.
Rick Miller was just 1 for 4 but walked and an rbi.
Bobby Darwin was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.
Final Thoughts:
This has been an awful season coming off the World Series last year but Tiant has been amazing. Where would the Sox be without him? Its a shame things turned out the way they did with Bill Lee getting hurt and Bowie Kuhn blocking the Rudi and Fingers trade. Who knows where the Sox would be with those two on the team? As it is, the season only has a month to go and the only thing left to play for is to gain respect back with a strong September. Games like this where everyone chipped in on offense helps. The win improved the Sox to 59-65, 16.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Kansas City Royals come to town for a set. Old friend Marty Pattin goes for the Royals up against Reggie Cleveland for the Sox at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.
Sonny Wortzik approves of the win
Tiant cruised in the top of the first inning as Dave Collins took strike three to start. Rusty Torres popped up to first before Dan Briggs grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox wasted no time scoring in the bottom of the first as Rick Burleson led off with a walk. Denny Doyle singled Rick to third and he scored on the Fred Lynn sac fly. Carlton Fisk singled to left and both runners moved over on the Cecil Cooper grounder. Jim Rice grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.
Herculean Sac Fly by Lynn
Tiant mowed them down in the top of the second inning as Tony Solarita flied out to right to start. Bob Jones grounded out to second before Mario Guerrero flied out to center to end the inning. Rick Miller drew a walk but Bobby Darwin lined out to center. Butch Hobson forced Miller at second before Burleson grounded out to second to end the inning.
Tiant kept up the pace in the top of the third inning as Ron Jackson flied out to left to start. Dave Chalk popped up to third before Andy Etchebarren hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. The Sox pounced on Kirkwood in the bottom of the third as Doyle singled to right to begin. Lynn popped up to third but a wild pitch moved Denny to second. Fisk whiffed but Cooper walked. Rice doubled home both runners to increase the lead and Miller singled home Rice, taking second on the throw home. Darwin took strike three to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 4-0.
Rice doubles home a pair
The Angels threatened in the top of the fourth as Collins whiffed to start. Torres hit one up the elevator shaft but Briggs broke up the perfect game by drawing a walk. Solaita walked but Jones popped up to short to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Hobson singled to start. Hobson was thrown out trying to steal but Burleson singled to left. Doyle forced Burleson at second but Lynn doubled home Doyle to chase Kirkwood. Mike Overy took over on the mound and Fisk was plunked. Cooper whiffed to end the inning but the Sox were up 5-0.
Doyle scores a run
Guerrero broke up the no hitter with a base hit to center to open the top of the fifth. Jackson whiffed but Chalk singled to left. Guerrero moved to third on the fly out by Etchebarren but Collins grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Rice whiffed to start. Miller flied out to center and Darwin flied out to right to end the inning.
Tiant cruised in the top of the sixth as Torres grounded out to second to begin. Briggs flied out to right and Solaita flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox got another run in the bottom of the sixth as Hobson whiffed to start. Burleson walked and Doyle singled him to second to chase Overy. Mickey Scott came in and Burleson moved to third on the fly out by Lynn. Fisk singled home Burleson to increase the lead. A bizarre play occured when Cooper lined one off of Fisk running to get credit for a hit but Fisk was out to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-0.
YERRRR OUT!
Tiant preserved the shut out in the top of the seventh as Jones grounded out to first to start. Guerrero flied out to left before Jackson lined out to third to end the inning. The Sox poured it on in the bottom of the seventh as Rice singled to center to begin. Miller flied out to left but Darwin singled and Hobson walked to load the bases. John Verhoven came in to pitch and Burleson said hello with a base hit to score Rice and Darwin. The runners moved over on a grounder by Doyle and Lynn was intentionally walked to re-load the bases. Fisk flied out to center to end the inning but it was 8-0 Sox.
Burleson drives in a pair
The Angels finally scored in the top of the eighth as Chalk walked to start. Etchebarren singled and Chalk moved to third on the fly ball by Collins. Torres popped up to first before Briggs walked to load the bases. Solaita doubled home Chalk and Etchebarren to get the Angels on the board. Jones popped up to third to end the inning but it was 8-2 Sox. That was it for Tiant who was masterful, allowing just the two runs in 8 innings of work.
The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the eighth as Cooper grounded out to first to start. Both Rice and Miller grounded out to short to end the inning.
Tom Murphy came in to close out the top of the ninth and Guerrero grounded out to short to start. Bruce Bochte pinch hit for Jackson and singled to right, but Chalk banged into a double play to end the game. The Sox had won the game 8-2.
Hero of the Night is Luis Tiant. He tossed 8 innings of 2 run ball, allowing just 4 hits and 4 walks while striking out 3.
El Hero.
The Good:
Rick Burleson was 2 for 3 with 2 walks, 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.
Denny Doyle was 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored.
Fred Lynn was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.
Carlton Fisk was 2 for 4 with a hit by pitch and an rbi.
Jim Rice was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.
Butch Hobson was 1 for 3 with a walk.
Tom Murphy pitched a scoreless ninth.
The Bad:
None.
The Ugly:
Cecil Cooper was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.
Rick Miller was just 1 for 4 but walked and an rbi.
Bobby Darwin was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.
Final Thoughts:
This has been an awful season coming off the World Series last year but Tiant has been amazing. Where would the Sox be without him? Its a shame things turned out the way they did with Bill Lee getting hurt and Bowie Kuhn blocking the Rudi and Fingers trade. Who knows where the Sox would be with those two on the team? As it is, the season only has a month to go and the only thing left to play for is to gain respect back with a strong September. Games like this where everyone chipped in on offense helps. The win improved the Sox to 59-65, 16.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Kansas City Royals come to town for a set. Old friend Marty Pattin goes for the Royals up against Reggie Cleveland for the Sox at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.