Henderson's Single Guides A's Past Sox in Game 1 (10/5/88)

Uh oh....It looks like the AL West champion Oakland A's are for real. Boston Red Sox fans were concerned when they lost 6 of their last 7 games and it certainly carried over into the American League Championship Series. The offense was non-existent against the Oakland A's pitching and old friend Dave Henderson was the difference maker in today's game. The game was tied when Henderson drove in the winning run and the A's bullpen held on to beat the Red Sox 2-1 to take Game 1 of the ALCS at Fenway Park.

"DAMMIT!!!!!!!!!!!"

Bruce Hurst took the mound in the top of the first inning and old pal Carney Lansford took strike three on the outside corner to begin the game. Another old friend Dave Henderson singled in the hole at short but Jose Canseco flied out a running Dwight Evans in right. Mark McGwire hit a squibber back to Hurt to end the inning. Stewart got the ball in the bottom of the first and Wade Boggs lashed a single to center to begin. Marty Barrett popped up to short before a passed ball moved Boggs to second. Dwight Evans whiffed on a forkball before Mike Greenwell hit a bullet but right to Canseco in right to end the inning.

Hurst was wild in the top of the second as Terry Steinbach led off with a four pitch walk before another old friend, Don Baylor looked at strike three after Hurst was in a 3-0 hole. Tony Phillips whiffed and his bat went into the crowd to boot, causing two fans to rumble over the bat. A mediator had to flip a coin to decide the winner. Mike Gallego popped up to third to end the inning. Todd Benzinger led off the bottom of the second by striking out before Ellis Burks grounded back to the mound. Jim Rice poked a single into right before Jody Reed walked. Walt Weiss made a great stab on a Rich Gedman ground ball but Rice slid into second safely to load the bases. Boggs whiffed to end the inning, what a huge squander.

Weiss led off the top of the third by lining out to a running Evans in right before Lansford grounded out to short. Henderson whiffed badly to end the inning. The Sox failed to crack Stewart in the bottom of the third as Barrett popped up to right to begin. Evans whiffed before Greenwell lined out to a running Phillips in left to end the inning.

The A's struck first in the top of the fourth when Canseco smashed a towering blast completely out of Fenway on a 3-2 pitch to give the A's the lead. McGwire grounded out to second before Steinbach singled on a roller up the middle but Baylor hit a pop up a mile high to first. Phillips walked before Gallego check swinged a pop up to first to end the inning with the A's ahead 1-0

                                            Canseco makes it 1-0

The Sox failed to score in the bottom of the fourth when Lansford made a great diving catch in foul territory off a pop up from Benzinger to begin. Burks was rung up for strike three before Rice whiffed to end the inning.

Hurst tried to keep pace in the top of the fifth inning but Weiss led off with a double off the Monster. Lansford grounded out to the mound to advance Weiss to third but Hurst got a huge out when Henderson grounded out to third, failing to score Weiss. Hurst got his revenge on Canseco by striking him out on some high heat to end the inning. Stewart cruised in the bottom of the fifth as Reed popped up to short to start before Gedman hit one up the elevator shaft. Boggs flied out to the left field warning track to end the inning.

Hurst returned for the top of the sixth inning and McGwire flied out to left field warning track to begin before Steinbach grounded out to third. Baylor popped up to center to end the inning. Still nothing for the Sox offense in the bottom of the sixth as Barrett lined out to a running Phillips to start. Evans smacked a ground rule double into the bullpen and Greenwell walked, but Benzinger banged into a double play to end the inning.

Hurst came back for the top of the seventh and Burks helped with a great diving catch to rob Phillips to start. Gallego grounded back to the mound and Weiss flied out to right to end the inning. Finally the Sox rallied against Stewart in the bottom of the seventh inning. Burks popped up to center on a 3-1 count before Rice walked. Kevin Romine pinch ran for Rice as commentators Joe Morgan and Reggie Jackson said this was a bad move with Rice due up potentially in the ninth. Reed was plunked and the Sox caught a break when Henderson slipped and fell on a sinking liner by Gedman to load the bases. That was it for Stewart as the lefty Rick Honeycutt was summoned to pitch to Boggs All Boggs had to do was bloop a single and the Sox would have had the lead but all he could do was hit a sac fly to score Romine. Barrett grounded out to short to end the inning but it was 1-1.

Hurst failed to keep the game tied in the top of the eighth as Lansford began the top of the second with a double to begin. 2 years ago Henderson dropped a home run over the fence in Game 5 of the ALCS before hitting the big home run to keep the Sox season alive. Sure enough, after his miscue allowed the tying run to score, his base hit scored Lansford with the go-ahead run. Canseco banged into a double play and Weiss struck out to end the inning but the damage was done, 2-1 A's.

                                             Should have known Henderson would be clutch

Ron Hassey took over behind the plate with old friend Dennis Eckersley coming in to pitch the bottom of the eighth. Evans whiffed on 3 pitches before Greenwell popped up to left. Benzinger grounded out to first to end the inning.

Hurst returned for the top of the ninth and Hassey flied out to left to begin. Baylor walked and Luis Polonia pinch ran for him only for Phillips to watch strike three go by. Gallego flied out to center to end the inning. Hurst tossed a complete game 6 hitter while allowing just 2 runs while striking out 7. 9 times out of 10 this should win the game, what a shame.

                                                      Hurst deserved better

Down to their final three outs, Burks popped up to right to start. Larry Parrish pinch hit for Romine and looked at strike three. I have a feeling both Romine or Rice would have at least swung the bat. The Sox weren't dead yet as Reed doubled and Gedman walked. Ed Romero pinch ran for Gedman as Boggs stepped in to face Eckersley. Eckersley's first pitch was a meatball right down the middle but Boggs took it for a strike. Sox manager Joe Morgan ran out of the dugout to make sure Eck wasn't balking on every pitch, he wasn't. Boggs whiffed to end the game. The A's had taken Game 1 by a 2-1 score.

                                                 Eck sticks it to the Sox with the save


Jackass of the Night is Wade Boggs. Sure he drove in the only run but on a sac fly, not a base hit. He also made two key outs during the course of the game.

                                                 Boggs the Game 1 Jackass



The Good:

Jim Rice was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Jody Reed was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Rich Gedman was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Kevin Romine scored a run as a pinch runner.

Bruce Hurst was the hard luck loser but hardly pitched like one. He pitched a complete game, 9 inning effort striking out 7 guys while allowing just 2 runs.



The Bad:

Marty Barrett was 0 for 4.

Todd Benzinger was 0 for 4.

Ellis Burks was 0 for 4.

Larry Parrish struck out as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4.

Mike Greenwell was 0 for 3 but walked.



Honorable Mention:

Ed Romero pinch ran for Gedman in the bottom of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

Dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit!!! This is the kind of game the Sox were able to win during the regular season but October is a different animal. The Sox played well but the A's were just simply better. They had the guys like Henderson to get the clutch hit and Eckersley to get the clutch outs which were good enough for the A's to win this. Boggs cost them big time twice which ruined a spectacular start by Hurst. Hurst pitched his ass off and deserved better. Losing Game 1 sucks but the Sox are far from dead. Tomorrow night the Sox look to bounce back in Game 2 when their ace Roger Clemens meets Storm Davis at 8:00 PM at Fenway Park.

Indians Down Sox in Season Finale (10/2/88)

The good news is the Boston Red Sox will play in the American League Championship Series this Wednesday night at Fenway Park. The bad news is they will be going into it losers of 6 of their last 7 games. The Cleveland Indians had nothing to play for but administered a whooping on the Sox. Boston manager Joe Morgan had a very peculiar pitching strategy by having Mike Boddicker start and Bruce Hurst in relief. The Indians feasted on Dennis Lamp (7-6, 3.48 ERA), Hurst and Tom Bolton as the Sox ended the season with a 6-5 defeat in front of a paltry crowd of 10,456 people at Cleveland Stadium.

                                                 "We lost? Meh"

Indians starter Tom Candiotti cruised in the top of the first inning as Spike Owen lined back to the mound to start. Marty Barrett flied out to center and Dwight Evans popped up to third to end the inning. Boddicker got the Indians to beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the first inning. Terry Francona and Andy Allanson both grounded out to second and Dave Clark grounded out to second to end the inning.

Jim Rice flied out to center to start the top of the second inning and Todd Benzinger grounded out to first and Ellis Burks flied out to center to end the inning. Luis Medina singled to center to start the top of the second and took second on a wild pitch. Mel Hall popped up to short, Brook Jacoby lined out to short and Ron Washington took strike three to end the inning. That was it for Boddicker who's now set to start Game 3 on Saturday.

                                                     Boddicker goes just 2 innings

It was the Sox turn to beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the third inning as Rich Gedman grounded out to second to start. Ed Romero grounded out to short and Kutcher grounded out to first to end the inning. Dennis Lamp came in for the bottom of the third inning as Paul Zuvella grounded out to second to start. Scott Jordan flied out to right and Francona grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the fourth inning as Owen grounded out to first to start. Barrett singled to left but Evans flied out to center. Rice then crushed his 15th and final home run of the season to put the Sox on top. Benzinger grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                           Rice hits one out

The Indians wasted no time taking command in the bottom of the fourth with Kevin Romine taking over for Evans in right. Allanson doubled to left and Clark singled him to third, but Medina went down swinging. Hall tripled home both runners and Jacoby singled him home to give the Indians the lead. Washington grounded out to first and Zuvella went down swinging to end the inning with the Indians up 3-2.

                                                           Dammit Dennis

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fifth as Burks flied out to center to start. Gedman popped up to Candiotti and Romero whiffed to end the inning. Sox manager Joe Morgan sent Bruce Hurst to the mound to get some work in before his Wednesday night start in the bottom of the fifth. Jordan took strike three as Rod Allen pinch hit for Francona, doubling to center. Allanson singled Allen to third and Allen scored on the Clark sac fly. Medina lined out to third to end the inning but the Indians were ahead 4-2.

                                                         Hurst makes a cameo

The Sox fought back in the top of the sixth as Kutcher doubled to center to start. Kutcher moved to third on the Owen grounder and Randy scored on the Barrett base hit to right. Evans whiffed and Rice grounded back to the mound to end the inning but the Sox trailed 4-3.

                                                             Barrett drives in a run

The Sox emptied their bench in the bottom of the sixth with Tom Bolton now on the mound, Rick Cerone behind the plate, Larry Parrish at first in Barrett's spot, Romero at second, Kutcher at third and Benzinger in left. Reggie Williams pinch hit for Hall and singled to start before scoring on the Jacoby double. Eddie Williams pinch ran for Jacoby but Washington grounded out to third. Zuvella took strike three but Jordan singled home Williams. Allen flied out to right to end the inning but the Indians were up 6-3.

                                                       Bolton giving up runs

The Sox fought back in the top of the seventh as Benzinger singled to left to begin. Burks doubled Todd to third but Cerone whiffed. Romero scored Benzinger with a sac fly but Kutcher took strike three to end the inning with the Sox down 6-4.

                                                            Benzinger scores a run

Bob Stanley came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Allanson flied out to center to start. Clark grounded out to second and Medina popped up to second to end the inning.

Bud Black came in for the top of the eighth and Owen whiffed to start. Parrish and Romine both flied out to right to end the inning. Lee Smith came in for the bottom of the eighth and Reggie Williams struck out swinging to start. Eddie Williams grounded out to third but Washington hit a ground rule double into the third base grandstand. Joe Carter pinch hit for Zuvella and flied out to center to end the inning.

The Sox tried to rally in the top of the ninth with Jay Bell now at short. Rice singled to right but the ball went under Clark's glove, Rice motoring around to third. Benzinger grounded out to second but Rice scored to cut the lead. Burks whiffed but Cerone got a base hit to left. Carlos Quintana pinch ran for Cerone but Romero grounded out to second to end the game. The Indians had won the season finale 6-5.

\

Jackass of the Night is Tom Bolton. His two runs allowed ended up being the difference in the game.

                                                            Bolton the Jackass

The Good:

Marty Barrett was 2 for 3 with an rbi and a run scored.

Jim Rice was 2 for 4 with a 2 run home run and two total runs scored.

Rick Cerone was 1 for 2 at the plate.

Randy Kutcher was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Mike Boddicker pitched 2 scoreless innings.

Bob Stanley pitched a scoreless inning.

Lee Smith pitched a scoreless inning.



The Bad:

Spike Owen was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Larry Parrish was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Dwight Evans was 0 for 2.

Kevin Romine was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Rich Gedman was 0 for 2.

Dennis Lamp took the loss with 3 runs allowed in 2 innings.

Bruce Hurst allowed a run in an inning of work.



The Ugly:

Todd Benzinger was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored a run.

Ellis Burks was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Ed Romero was 0 for 3 but drove in a run.



Honorable Mention:

Carlos Quintana pinch ran for Cerone in the top of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

What a season this was. What started with Wade Boggs' shenanigans, the fight on the bus and John McNamara getting fired ended with Morgan Magic. Winning 12 in a row and 19 out of 20 improved team morale and jump started their run to the AL East crown. Trading Brady Anderson and the kid in AAA for Mike Boddicker worked tremendously and everything seemed to go right this year. Winning 8 out of 10 from September 4 to 14 was arguably the best baseball they played all season and its been fun to watch. The Sox are going to need all their guns if they want to go back to the World Series Standing in their way of a possible rematch with the New York Mets are the Oakland A's. They're going to need shut down pitching if they have any hope of winning that series. With any luck the Sox and Mets win their respective series so they can have a rematch. With Boddicker on the Sox, the advantage would shift to Boston this time around. That's all in the future but for now the Sox are AL East champs and play the Oakland A's this Wednesday night in the American League Championship Series. Bruce Hurst goes for the Sox up against Dave Stewart at 8 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Snap Streak, Drop Yankees (6/6/88)

The Boston Red Sox losing streak has ended at four games thanks to a gutty win over the New York Yankees. Bruce Hurst (7-3, 3.77 ERA) tossed 8 dazzling innings, holding the Yankees to just two runs. The Yankees took the lead right away in the bottom of the first on rbi singles by Jay Buhner and Jack Clark but Mike Greenwell answered with a 2 run double off Neil Allen in the top of the third. Greenwell added a home run in the top of the fifth and Hurst led the way after. Lee Smith earned his 7th save of the season as the Sox beat the Yankees 3-2 at Yankee Stadium.

                                                             Take that, Yankees

Hurst got the ball in the top of the first and Wade Boggs led off with a base hit to left but Marty Barrett popped up to left. Ellis Burks flied out to right but Dwight Evans reached on a throwing error by Rafael Santana. Mike Greenwell popped up to third to end the inning. The Yankees got to Hurst quickly in the bottom of the first as Rickey Henderson walked to start. Willie Randolph dropped down the perfect bunt down the third base line for a single. Jay Buhner got a base hit to left to score Henderson to put New York on top. Jack Clark dumped a base hit to left to score Randolph with another run. Hurst got a huge out when Dave Winfield hit into a double play then Gary Ward struck out swinging with the Yankees up 2-0.

                                                             Yankees strike first

Jim Rice struck out swinging to start the top of the second before Rich Gedman grounded out to first and Pat Dodson got a base hit to center. Spike Owen walked and Boggs lined out to second to end the inning. Mike Pagliarulo grounded out to second to start the bottom of the second before Rafael Santana flied out to center. Joel Skinner took strike three to end the inning.

The Sox struck back in the top of the third as Barrett poked a single to left to start. Burks doubled to the left field wall but Evans popped up to second. Greenwell doubled down the first base line to score both runners to tie the game. Rice grounded out to first to move Mike to third and Gedman hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                               Sox tie it up

Burks made a great diving catch to rob Henderson of a hit to start the bottom of the third. Randolph took strike three and Buhner struck out swinging to end the inning.

Dodson grounded out to first to start the top of the fourth but Owen beat out a chopper over the mound. Boggs singled to center but Owen was thrown out at third. Barrett flied out to left to end the inning. Clark struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fourth before Winfield flied out to center. Ward grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the fifth as Burks lined out to second to start. Evans flied out to center but Greenwell crushed his seventh home run of the season to put the Sox on top. Rice grounded out to third to end the inning with Boston ahead 3-2.

                                                            Home run Greenwell

Pagliarulo flied out to left to start the bottom of the fifth but Santana got a base hit to center. Skinner forced Santana at second and Henderson forced Skinner at second to end the inning.

Hipolito Pena came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Gedman walked to start. Dodson struck out swinging and Owen grounded into a double play to end the inning. Randolph grounded out to third to start the bottom of the sixth before Buhner did the same. Clark walked and Winfield lined a base hit into right field off the glove of Dodson. Clark moved to third on the play but Ward grounded out to third to end the inning.

Boggs grounded out to second to start the top of the seventh but Barrett doubled down the left field line to chase Pichardo. Cecilio Guante took over on the mound and Burks struck out swinging. Evans grounded out to short to end the inning. Hurst struck out Pagliarulo swinging to start the bottom of the seventh before Santana grounded out to short. Skinner grounded out to short as well to end the inning.

Greenwell flied out to left to start the top of the eighth before Rice popped up to third. Gedman flied out to left to end the inning. Kevin Romine took over for Rice to start the bottom of the eighth and Henderson flied out to center to start. Randolph and Buhner both grounded out to short to end the inning. Hurst was outstanding, tossing 8 innings and allowed just 2 runs off 5 hits and 2 walks.

                                                        Way to go Hurst

Dave Righetti came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Dodson grounded out to first to start. Owen flied out to right but Boggs walked. Barrett forced Boggs at second to end the inning. Lee Smith came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Clark walked to start. Winfield singled off the gloves of both Smith and Barrett and Claudell Washington pinch hit for Ward. Washington struck out swinging and Pagliarulo moved Clark to third with a fly out to center. Jose Cruz pinch hit for Santana and forced Winfield at second to end the game. The Sox snapped their four game losing streak with a 3-2 win.

                                                            Sox win

Hero of the Night is Mike Greenwell. He drove in all three runs himself including the go-ahead home run.

                                                                Hero Greenwell

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 4 with a walk.

Marty Barrett was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Spike Owen was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Bruce Hurst got the win with 8 outstanding innings allowing 2 runs off 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out six.

Lee Smith earned his 7th save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Dwight Evans was 0 for 4.

Jim Rice was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Ellis Burks was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Rich Gedman was 0 for 3 but walked.

Pat Dodson was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Honorable Mention:

Kevin Romine played left field in the final two innings.

Final Thoughts:

The Sox needed that win as they lost four in a row previously. Hurst was the stopper in this one hurling 8 strong innings of 2 run ball. Mike Greenwell was a one man wrecking crew at the plate and he drove in all three runs. Lee Smith nailed down the save and three of those guys were the heroes of this one. Boggs and Barrett got a couple of hits too and Burks played great defense in the outfield. Its a shame the Sox can't get any kind of consistency this season because the talent on the team is too good not to produce every day. Still, instead of squawking about the games they don't win, they should enjoy this one because it was well earned. The win improved the Sox to 26-26, 8 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it two in a row against New York when Oil Can Boyd (5-4) takes on Charles Hudson of the Yankees. The game begins at 7:35 PM at Yankee Stadium.

Sox Collapse, Mets Take Series in Seven (10/27/86)

Most of the world saw this coming after the Boston Red Sox committed an all-time collapse in Game 6 but it doesn't make it hurt any less. After a rainout postponed Game 7, the New York Mets finally pounded the final nail in the Red Sox coffin with an 8-5 comeback victory to win the 1986 World Series. The Sox took a 3-0 lead and Bruce Hurst continued his dominance for 5 innings....then it all went to hell as the Mets got the last laugh in Shea Stadium.

                                                Doom and gloom all around

Ron Darling was scheduled to start Game 7 before the rainout and he took the mound to start the game. Wade Boggs lined out to short to start and Marty Barrett flied out to right. Bill Buckner got a mock standing ovation by the Mets crowd but he shut them up real quick with a base hit to right. Jim Rice flied out to right to end the inning. Oil Can Boyd was scheduled to start Game 7 before the rainout but Sox manager John McNamara decided to start Bruce Hurst on 3 days rest. At first the gamble worked in the bottom of the first when Mookie Wilson grounded out to second on the first pitch. Tim Teufel popped up to second and Keith Hernandez lined out to center to end the inning.

The Red Sox took out their frustrations of Game 6 on Darling in the top of the second inning. Dwight Evans and Rich Gedman crushed back to home runs, the Gedman homer popping out of the glove of Strawberry in right field. Dave Henderson walked but Spike Owen popped up to short. Hurst bunted Henderson over to second and Dave scored on the roller up the middle hit by Boggs to increase the lead. Barrett caught Ray Knight asleep at third with a bunt single. With a chance to break the game open early....Buckner flied out to center to end the inning. Still, the Sox shook off the effects of Game 6 to take a 3-0 lead.

                                              Gedman helps out with a home run

Hurst breezed through the bottom of the second as Gary Carter was snuffed out on a bunt single attempt to start. Darryl Strawberry popped up to left but Ray Knight singled. Kevin Mitchell grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Sox missed a chance to hit Darling hard in the top of the third when Rice singled off the left field wall but Mitchell gunned him down at second trying to stretch. Evans popped up to center and Gedman grounded out to first to end the inning. Hurst cruised in the bottom of the third as well, punching out Rafael Santana to start. Darling hit a ball hard to right but Evans snared it at the wall. Wilson flied out to right to end the inning.

The Sox knocked out Darling in the top of the fourth as Henderson was plunked to start. Owen flied out to right and Hurst sacrifice bunted Henderson over to second, shades of the second inning. That was it for Darling as Mets manager Davey Johnson pulled him in favor of Sid Fernandez. Boggs walked to put two men on and with another chance to break it open....Barrett flied out to right to end the inning. Hurst remained perfect in the bottom of the fourth as Teufel whiffed, Hernandez flied out to a running Evans in right and Carter grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox went quietly in the top of the fifth inning as Buckner flied out to right, Rice whiffed and Evans also swung and missed at strike three to end the inning. Hurst would not be denied in the bottom of the fifth as Strawberry flied out to center to begin. Knight grounded out to short and Mitchell whiffed to end the inning. At this point Hurst was working on a 1 hitter with 4 innings to go after already dominating his first two World Series starts. He could have been a legend in Boston if he could have gotten those last 12 outs.

                                                       1 hit through 5 for Hurst

Fernandez returned for the top of the sixth and froze Gedman to start. Henderson flied out to center and Owen watched strike three go by to end the inning. The wheels fell off for Hurst in the bottom of the sixth although Santana grounded out to short to start. Lee Mazzilli pinch hit for Fernandez and singled. Wilson singled and Teufel walked to load the bases. Sox manager John McNamara came out to chat with Bruce but to no avail as Hernandez dealt the crushing blow to Hurst with a base hit to center that scored Mazzilli and Wilson, moving Teufel to third. Wally Backman pinch ran for Teufel and he scored when Evans dove for a Carter flare and missed. Hernandez was tagged out at second but the game was tied. Strawberry flied out to left to end the inning but Hurst was done and the game was tied.

                                                   The Mets tie it up

Shea Stadium was in a frenzy as Roger McDowell took over on the mound with Tony Armas pinch hitting for Hurst. Armas whiffed on 3 pitches. Boggs grounded out to third and Barrett grounded out to short to end the inning. For some inane reason, Sox manager John McNamara brought in Calvin Schiraldi to pitch the bottom of the seventh despite getting rocked and rolled in Game 6. The gamble failed miserably for the Sox as Knight blasted a leadoff home run to put the Mets just 6 outs away from victory. Lenny Dykstra pinch hit for Mitchell and singled before a wild pitch moved him up to second. Santana singled home Dykstra to increase the lead as the crowd got even louder. McDowell bunted Santana to second as Sox manager John McNamara finally realized his mistake and pulled Schiraldi out of there.

                                               Knight gives the Mets the lead

Lefty specialist Joe Sambito was brought in but the idiot McNamara decided to intentionally walk Wilson, which begs the question why would you bring in the lefty only to intentionally walk the lefty batter? That move also backfired because Sambito walked Backman to load the bases. Hernandez flied out to center but Santana scored to give the Mets what seemed to be an insurmountable lead. That was it for Sambito as Bob Stanley was brought in to mop up the mess. Stanley did manage to get Carter to ground out to end the inning but the Mets were up 6-3 and on the verge of the title.

                                                      Another run, another nail in the coffin

With their backs to the wall, the Sox briefly sprang to life in the top of the eighth against McDowell. Buckner blooped a single to left to open the inning and Rice lined a base hit past Santana. Evans continued to torture Mets pitching by lining a double to center that scored both runners to cut the lead to 1. That meant if McNamara let Sambito pitch to Wilson, maybe the 6th run doesn't score and its now a tied game. Instead, Davey Johnson brought in lefty Jesse Orosco to face the lefties. Once again McNamara was asleep as Gedman didn't try to bunt Evans to third, instead he lined out to second, nearly getting Evans doubled off at second. There would be no magic for Henderson this time as he whiffed. Finally McNamara got his head out of his ass by pinch hitting the righty Don Baylor for Spike Owen to face Orosco. Unfortunatey Baylor grounded out to short to end the inning but the Sox had gotten within a run 6-5.

                                              One last moment of glory for the Sox

Inexplicably McNamara pulled off a double switch, putting Ed Romero at short but bringing in Al Nipper of all people to relieve Stanley. Oil Can Boyd was nowhere to be found and once AGAIN the move backfired as Strawberry smashed a solo home run off Nipper to kill any momentum the Sox generated. Knight singled and moved to second on the groundout by Dykstra. Santana was intentionally walked and Davey Johnson was going to live or die with Orosco, so he left him in to bat. As if anything else could go wrong this season, Orosco who had just 3 at-bats all season faked a bunt and singled up the middle with the entire infield breaking to field a bunt. Santana scored to ice the game. McNamara then pulled Nipper for Steve Crawford which begs the question why he didn't have Crawford start the inning? Wilson was plunked to load the bases but Crawford recovered to get Knight at home on a force by Backman. Hernandez grounded out to end the inning but it was all over, 8-5 Mets.

                               Nipper can't bear to watch anymore, neither can Roger Clemens

The season came to an end in the top of the ninth inning. Romero hit one up the elevator shaft, caught by Hernandez for the first out. Boggs grounded out to second and Orosco punched out Barrett to put the Sox out of their misery. The Mets had won the game and the World Series by a score of 8-5.

                                                                    Ugh


Jackass of the Night should be John McNamara just like in Game 6 for all his idiotic decisions but unfortunately it has to be a player so its Calvin Schiraldi. He was charged with the loss, allowing 3 runs that ended up being the difference in the game in just 1/3 of an inning pitched.

                                           Game 7 Jackass....same as Game 6


The Good:

Bill Buckner was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Jim Rice was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Dwight Evans did all he could, going 2 for 4 with a home run and 3 total rbi's.

Dave Henderson walked, was hit with a pitch and scored a run in 4 plate appearances.

Bob Stanley retired the only man he faced.

Steve Crawford got the final two outs of the eighth inning.



The Bad:

Spike Owen was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Tony Armas struck out as a pinch hitter.

Don Baylor was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Ed Romero was 0 for 1 in his plate appearance.

Al Nipper allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk in just 1/3 of an inning.



The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was just 1 for 4 with a walk but drove in a run.

Marty Barrett was just 1 for 5.

Rich Gedman was just 1 for 4 but made the hit count as it was a solo home run.

Bruce Hurst fell apart in the 6th inning and was charged with 3 runs in his no-decision. Had he not fell apart, the Sox may have won the game.

Joe Sambito walked two and allowed an inherited runner to score in 1/3 of an inning.




Final Thoughts:

Is this team cursed? It sure feels like it after one of the greatest seasons in history with so many high points crashed harder than a 747 jet. If Game 6 wasn't bad enough, this was just as bad. The Sox had a 3-0 lead in the 6th inning and it blew away. Then John McNamara brought in the wrong pitcher 3 times and it cost the Sox the game. He brought in Schiraldi who sucked, Sambito who walked 2 guys (albeit one intentionally) and Nipper who sucked. For all the heat Bill Buckner took about Game 6, most of which wasn't his fault to begin with, he deserves no blame for Game 7. McNamara made one bumbling decision after another and Schiraldi couldn't get it done twice. Its a shame such a promising season came to an end like this. In 1967 and 1975 you could say the better team won and no hard feelings, but the Sox had the Mets dead to rights twice and couldn't put them away. As it is, this is one of the all-time chokes that may never be equaled. How can the Sox come back from this? You come within a strike of winning it all in Game 6 and 12 outs in Game 7 and lose both games. I dread to think what 1987 will be like with the world series hangover they're going to have. Give the Mets the credit they deserve for coming back down 2-0 going to Fenway, coming back in Game 6 and then again in Game 7. They earned their World Series title, too bad the Sox couldn't put them away.

Hurst Pitches Gem, Sox One Win Away (10/23/86)

The 68 year old world championship drought could be coming to an end for the Boston Red Sox. After the 108 win New York Mets came into Fenway Park and stomped the Sox by a combined score of 13-3 in the prior two games, Sox starter Bruce Hurst said "That's the end of that!" Hurst went the distance, scattering 10 hits and a walk as the Sox got some timely offense to squeak by with a 4-2 win over Dwight Gooden and the Mets at Fenway Park. The Sox need just one more win at Shea Stadium over the heavily favored Mets and they're the champions.

                                                  NYDN gets it right again

After Ted Williams threw out the first pitch, Bruce Hurst took the mound in the top of the first inning. Len Dykstra grounded out to second to begin the frame before Tim Teufel made up for his game one error with a gap shot double. Keith Hernandez advanced Teufel with a ground out to second but Gary Carter also grounded out to second to end the inning. Dwight Gooden got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Wade Boggs hit a weak tapper back to Gooden for the first out. Marty Barrett walked but was foolishly picked off before Bill Buckner could even step to the plate. The pickoff was costly as Buckner singled up the middle and Jim Rice hit one off the glove of Teufel. Instead of the bases loaded and one out, it was 2 on and 2 out as Teufel was not charged with an error. Don Baylor got plunked to load the bases (which would have scored Barrett) which brought up Dwight Evans, who failed to produce in the first inning last night. History repeated itself as Evan popped up to left to end the inning. The Sox had 4 men on base but couldn't score any of them.

Darryl Strawberry began the top of the second inning by grounding out to first, Hurst having to cover first since Buckner couldn't move on his bad heels. Ray Knight flied out to right and Boggs made a diving grab and threw to first to nab Kevin Mitchell to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second as Vin Scully put over Ted Williams' final at-bat at Fenway back in 1960. Rich Gedman greeted Gooden by lofting a broken bat pop up to short to begin. Dave Henderson then lined one into the gap that made both Strawberry and Dykstra fall down, Hendu motoring into third with a triple. Spike Owen popped up to left but Henderson made a mad dash home to score the game's first run. Boggs grounded out to first to end the inning but the Sox had a 1-0 lead.

                                              Hendu scores to make it 1-0

Hurst began the top of the third inning by freezing Mookie Wilson as Scully says this was the first time the home team has led in the entire series. Rafael Santana walked and Dykstra blooped a single to center to put the Mets in business. Hurst recovered to get Teufel and Hernandez to both fly out to left to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the second although Barrett grounded out to second to begin. Buckner reached on a Santana error and Rice walked, but Baylor swung at a ball in the dirt for strike three. Evans lashed a single to center and Buckner dove into home safe. Gedman flied out to center to end the inning but the Sox were now up 2-0.

                                                    Buckner scores to make it 2-0

Could Hurst pitch with the lead in the top of the fourth? YES! He froze Carter with a pitch at the knees although Strawberry lashed a single by the lunging Barrett. Knight banged into a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning. The Sox threatened in the bottom of the fourth although Henderson swung at a ball in the dirt to begin. Scully brought up how Gooden was drafted 5th overall by the Mets in the 1982 draft and Spike Owen was chosen 6th overall by the Mariners. Owen whiffed but Boggs singled up the middle just as Scully said he was 0 for his last 8. Barrett stroked a seeing eye single that moved Wade to third but Hernandez robbed Buckner of a single to end the inning.

The Mets threatened in the top of the fifth inning when Mitchell blooped a single to right and Wilson singled in the hole at second. Santana dropped down a sac bunt to move both runners into scoring position but Hurst got a huge out by striking out Dykstra. Teufel grounded out to third to end the inning as Fenway roared. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fifth inning. Rice lit up the crowd with a wind blown triple off the top off the bullpen wall, mere feet from a home run. Baylor scored Rice with a bloop single to right and Evans chased Gooden with a single to move Baylor to third. Bye Bye Gooden.

                                                Gooden leaves with the Sox up 3-0

Sid Fernandez took the mound and struck out Gedman but Henderson doubled down the left field line to score Baylor. Evans moved to third and was one hit away from breaking it open, but Owen was robbed of an rbi single by Teufel and Evans couldn't move. Boggs flied out to left to end the inning but it was 4-0 Sox.

                                                   Baylor "We got this one guys!"

Hurst returned for the top of the sixth and retired Hernandez on a one hopper to Owen. Carter grounded out to third and Strawberry was caught looking to end the inning as Scully was reciting The Music Man for no apparent reason. Fernandez returned for the bottom of the sixth and Barrett popped up to first to begin. Buckner flied out to left and Rice struck out to end the inning.

Knight led off the top of the seventh with a bloop single to right with 3 guys chasing the ball, but holding Ray at first on a heads up play by Gedman to cover second. Hurst recovered to make Mitchell swing at air and Wilson to fly out to right. Santana popped up to second to end the inning, that's 15 innings and ZERO runs allowed by Hurst in this series. Fernandez came back for the bottom of the seventh and whiffed Baylor to start. Evans grounded out to short and Gedman whiffed as well to end the inning.

The Mets finally cracked Hurst in the top of the eighth inning. Dykstra popped up to Owen to start but Teufel hit a wind aided, 300 foot home run down the right field line to put the Mets on the board. Hernandez blooped a single to right but Hurst recovered to get Carter to ground out to second. With the sell-out crowd on their feet, Hurst got Strawberry to pop up to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-1

                                               A pop up to right somehow goes out

The fans started taunting Strawberry in the bottom of the eighth as he tipped his cap to the crowd. The Sox threatened in the bottom of the eighth while it appeared Hurst's night was done with Calvin Schiraldi warming in the bullpen. Henderson flied out to right and Owen whiffed but Boggs singled off the ankle of Teufel who hopped around screaming "habooooowoahhowhowhow!!!!" Barrett doubled off the Monster but Buckner ended his night by popping up to third to end the inning.

Hurst shockingly came back to finish his work in the top of the ninth. Dave Stapleton took over at first for Buckner as Bruce needed just one pitch to retire Knight on a grounder to third. Mitchell popped up to first as the crowd rose to its feet in the final game at Fenway Park this season. Wilson delayed the celebration with a double into the left field corner. Santana made it interesting by lining a base hit to right to score Wilson and bringing the tying run to the plate in Dykstra. Hurst got Dykstra to chase a high pitch to end the game. The Sox had won it 4-2 and were one win away from being World Series champions.

                                           The mob congratulates Hurst for going the distance

Hero of the Night is Bruce Hurst. He went the distance to save the bullpen for Game 6 and tossed a gem. 9 innings of 2 run ball to put the Sox one win away from the championship.

                                                     Hero of the Night: Bruce Hurst

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 5.

Marty Barrett was 2 for 4 with a walk.

Jim Rice was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Don Baylor was 1 for 3 with an rbi and a run scored.

Dwight Evans was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Dave Henderson was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

The Bad:

Rich Gedman was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Bill Buckner was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

Spike Owen was 0 for 3 but walked.

Honorable Mention:

Dave Stapleton played first base in the top of the ninth inning.

Final Thoughts:

Could it be? Could the Sox finally win the championship that's eluded them for 68 years? It sure looks good after Hurst's complete game victory. The bullpen will be well rested headed into Game 6 with Roger Clemens, the shoo-in for the AL Cy Young award, looming to pitch. Bob Ojeda pitched a great Game 3 so he'll be tough but Clemens is due for a gem. As mentioned earlier, the Sox look to finish off the World Series in Game 6 with Clemens going opposite Ojeda at Shea Stadium. If the Sox were to win it all, it will have to be on the road. Still, after nearly 68 years of misery it won't matter where they win it as long as they win it. For guys like Rice who missed the 75 Series and guys like Sammy Stewart that have already won it, it will all be worth it in the end if they win just one more game.

Hurst Outduels Darling in Game 1 (10/18/86)

The 1986 World Series got off to a great start for the Boston Red Sox. With offense at a premium, they were able to do just enough to scratch out the only run they needed. Bruce Hurst was OUTSTANDING, out-pitching Ron Darling to give the Sox a 1-0 victory in Game 1 over the heavily favored New York Mets in Shea Stadium.

                                                 New York Daily News gets it right

The MA-native Darling took the mound in the top of the first inning. Wade Boggs greeted him by hitting a short hopper to 3rd for out number one. Marty Barrett got the first of the World Series with a single off the glove of Tim Teufel at second. Bill Buckner then banged into a double play to end the inning. Hurst began his incredible start by punching out Mookie Wilson and Len Dykstra to start the bottom of the first. Keith Hernandez flied out to center to end the inning.

Jim Rice made his World Series debut after missing the 1975 Series in the top of the second by grounding out to third. Dwight Evans hit a sure home run if the wind wasn't blowing, so it died at the centerfield wall. Rich Gedman popped up to short to end the inning. Hurst ran into trouble although Gary Carter led off the bottom of the second by grounding out to second. Darryl Strawberry looked at strike three but Ray Knight walked on 4 pitches. Teufel singled to left but Rafael Santana grounded back to Hurst to end the inning.

LCS hero Dave Henderson led off the top of the third with another hard hit ball that died at the centerfield wall. Spike Owen struck out and Hurst whiffed as well to end the inning. Hurst got his revenge in the bottom of the third by striking out Darling. Wilson singled up the middle and stole second immediately. Dykstra walked and Hernandez nearly hit one into the left field corner, but Evans sprinted to run it down. Wilson tagged and moved to third but there were now 2 outs. Carter grounded into a force at second to end the inning.

Darling hung tough in the top of the fourth inning by striking out Boggs and Barrett to begin. Buckner slapped a single to left and hobbled to second on a wild pitch by Darling. Rice walked but Evans flied out to left to end the inning. Strawberry led off the bottom of the fourth with a walk but Knight popped up to third. Strawberry swiped second on a strikeout of Teufel but Henderson made a mad dash to rob Santana of a hit to end the inning.

Gedman led off the top of the fifth inning by striking out. Henderson did single up the middle but Owen popped up to center. Hurst whiffed to end the inning. Darling gave on a ride to open the bottom of the fifth but Henderson ran it down. Wilson flied out to right and Dykstra whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox mustered nothing in the top of the sixth inning as Boggs led off with a comebacker right to Darling for the first out. Barrett flied out to Strawberry and Buckner whiffed on a ball in the dirt to end the inning. Hurst got in trouble early by walking Hernandez to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning and allowing Carter to hit a broken bat single up the middle. Hurst recovered to strike out Strawberry looking and get Teufel to ground into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the seventh inning as Rice walked to lead off the inning. A wild pitch moved Rice to second but Evans hit a comebacker back to Darling for the first out. Gedman hit a routine grounder to Teufel.....UNDER HIS GLOVE! Rice ran all the way home as Gedman made it to second. Somehow Henderson the on-deck hitter crashed into Darling, knocking both down for a minute. Darling recovered but it was now 1-0 Boston. Henderson popped up to right and Mets manager Davey Johnson had Owen intentionally walked. Hurst struck out to end the inning but the Sox had the lead.

                                            The only run of the game.

Could Hurst keep it a 1-0 game in the bottom of the seventh inning? It didn't look good when Teufel made up for his error with a base hit in the hole at short. Wally Backman pinch ran for Teufel and advanced on the sacrifice bunt by Santana. Kevin Mitchell pinch hit for Darling and Hurst caught him looking for the second out. Boggs then made a huge snare of a Wilson ground ball, throwing him out at first to end the inning and keep the lead intact.

Roger McDowell came in to pitch the top of the eighth inning with Mitchell in left field. Boggs hit a bullet but it was snared by Santana for the out. Barrett hit a comebacker to Darling and Buckner grounded out to short to end the inning. Dave Stapleton took over for Buckner at first in the bottom of the eighth as Hurst returned to the mound. Dykstra flied out to center to quiet the crowd and Hernandez flied out to left. Carter jacked one to the gap but Henderson made a gold medal sprint to run it down for the third out. Hurst needed just 3 more outs to take the game.

McDowell returned for the top of the ninth and Rice singled off his glove to begin. Evans walked but Gedman dropped the bunt right to McDowell, who threw out Rice at third. Henderson then singled to left but Evans was thrown out at home by a mile. Davey Johnson had Spike Owen intentionally walked to load the bases but Sox manager John McNarmara countered by pinch hitting Hurst with Mike Greenwell. Mike flied out to end the inning. What a squander.

Calvin Schiraldi took the mound and Shea Stadium came alive when he walked Strawberry. Knight tried to bunt him to second but the alert Stapleton made the gutsy decision to get Darryl at second. Backman flied out to a running Rice in left which brought up Danny Heep to pinch hit for Santana. Schiraldi punched him out to end the game. The Sox had won it 1-0 and had taken home field advantage from the Mets in the process.

                                    Gedman congratulates Schiraldi after a job well done



Hero of the Night is Bruce Hurst. He tossed 8 innings of shut-out ball to earn the win.

                                      Hurst is the Hero of Game 1


The Good:

Normally Dave Stapleton would be on the honorable mention list but he made a GREAT play to keep the 1-0 lead intact in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Jim Rice was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and scored the game's only run.

Dave Henderson was 2 for 4.

Spike Owen walked twice in four plate appearances

Calvin Schiraldi earned the save with a scoreless ninth inning.



The Bad:

Wade Boggs was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Mike Greenwell flied out as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Marty Barrett was just 1 for 4.

Bill Buckner was just 1 for 4.

Dwight Evans was 0 for 3 but walked.

Rich Gedman was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.



Final Thoughts:

That's the way to get things going. On a night when your offense is struggling, your pitching and defense has to step up and it did. Henderson, Rice and Evans ran down everything that was in the air while Hurst and Schiraldi kept the ball down all night. The offense will come as the series goes on so to steal a game like this is huge, especially with games 3-5 in Boston. Game 2 features the monster match between Roger Clemens of the Sox and Dwight Gooden of the Mets. This could be another pitcher's duel so hold on to your hats for that one.

Sox Hammer Angels in Game 2 (10/8/86)

That's more like it. After the California Angels shelled the Boston Red Sox in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, this time it was the Red Sox who shoved it up the Angels collective bungholes in Game 2. For 6 innings the Sox held a slim 3-2 lead when the Angels threw up on themselves in the 7th inning. Bruce Hurst tossed a complete game allowing just 2 runs while Jim Rice settled matters with a 2 run homer in the 8th inning. When it was over the Sox had evened the series and sent it back to Anaheim with a 9-2 win at Fenway Park.

                 Sox even the series

Hurst took the ball in the top of the first inning and Rick Burleson popped up to Marty Barrett in short right to begin the game. Wally Joyner knocked down Wade Boggs with a base hit to third but was erased on the Brian Downing force. Doug DeCinces popped up into the sun but Dwight Evans snared it to end the inning. McCaskill got the ball in the bottom of the first and the Sox immediately tagged him. Boggs tripled off the Monster before Barrett doubled down the right field line to put the Sox up 2 batters into the game. Bill Buckner hit a shot but right to Gary Pettis and Barrett was caught in a rundown on a ground ball by Rice. Baylor singled off the Monster to put runners at the corners but Dwight Evans lined out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                             Boggs gets the rally started, Barrett finishes it

Hurst struck out George Hendrick to begin the top of the second before Bobby Grich hit a broken bat bloop single. Dick Schofield flied out to a running Tony Armas before Bob Boone hit a routine pop up but Spike Owen dropped for an error in foul territory. Boone failed to take advantage of the second chance as he looked at strike three to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the first when Rich Gedman singled to left center to start. Armas whiffed but Owen atoned for his error with a base hit off a rock that went up the middle, fooling Schofield. McCaskill was blinded by the sun on a ground ball by Boggs which was ruled a hit to load the bases. Barrett lined a base hit to drive in another run as Gedman scored. Buckner banged into a double play to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 2-0.

                                                        Gedman scores a run

Hurst kept up the pace in the top of the third inning as Pettis grounded out to third to start. Mark "The Bird" Fidrych was shown in the crowd as Burleson flied out to right. Evans climbed the wall in right to rob Joyner of a home run to end the inning. Rice whiffed to begin the bottom of the third before Baylor drew a walk. Evans flied out to right before Gedman grounded into a force to end the inning.

The Angels struck back in the top of the fourth as Downing led off with a base hit just in front of Armas. DeCinces whacked a single into left field but Hendrick popped up to third. Grich hit a routine grounder to third but Boggs booted it to load the bases on the error. Owen compounded the situation by failing to get the ball out of his glove on a grounder by Schofield to score Downing. Hurst got a big out when Boone popped up to second and Pettis lined out to a running Armas to end the inning but it was 2-1 Sox.

                                             "Oooooopssssss" - Boggs

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fourth as Armas and Owen both grounded out to first to start. Boggs grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Angels tied it up in the top of the fifth inning although Burleson grounded out to short to begin. Joyner crushed a 500,000 foot home run to tie the game. Downing popped up to first and DinCinces grounded out to short to end the inning with the game tied 2-2

                                                     Tie game

The Sox retook the lead although Barrett led off the bottom of the fifth by looking at strike three. Buckner singled up the middle but Rice whiffed. Baylor drew a walk and Evans hit a routine pop up to Grich but he lost it in the sun. The ball dropped in and Buckner scored to give the Sox the lead on the "single" by Evans. Evans ended up on second and Baylor on third but Gedman was rung up on a check swing to end the inning with the Sox now ahead 3-2.

                                              "I got it, I got it...I don't got it" - Grich

Hurst got Hendrick to pop up to Buckner to begin the top of the sixth. Grich and Schofield struck back to back singles before the Angels made a huge blunder. Boone lined a single to left and Rice gunned it to the cutoff man. Angels third base coach Moose Stubing never moved and Grich rounded third. He figured the throw was coming home so he trotted back to third only to see Schofield barreling toward third. Hung up, Grich was tagged out and was FURIOUS with Stubing for falling asleep at the switch. Hurst froze Pettis for strike three to end the inning with the lead still intact.

                                                           YERRR OUT!

Boston failed to capitalize on the break in the bottom of the 6th as Armas grounded out to short to start. Owen grounded out to first before Boggs lined out to second to end the inning.

Hurst came back for the top of the seventh and Burleson hit a bloop single just in front of a diving Armas to start. Joyner helped the Sox by banging into a double play before Downing whiffed to end the inning. The Angels puked on themselves in the bottom of the seventh inning although Barrett took strike three to start. Buckner hit a routine grounder to second that Grich booted for an error. Rice lined a base hit to center and Baylor walked to load the bases. Evans hit a routine grounder to third but DiCences tripped and fell, allowing Rice to reach third safely. Buckner scored the insurance run and the bases were reloaded. Gedman hit a perfect double play ball to second but Schofield threw the relay throw to first away which allowed Rice to score. Baylor made the turn for home and Joyner heaved the ball over everything which allowed Don to score the killshot. The Angels managed to commit 3 errors (4 really) in the same inning. Armas grounded out to third but the Sox now led 6-2

                                              Angels need the Benny Hill theme

Dave Henderson came in for Armas in the top of the eighth and DeCinces flied out to right to begin. Hurst had to hustle to field a throw from Buckner to get Hendrick at first and Grich grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox wrapped up the scoring in the bottom of the eighth with Gary Lucas now on the mound. Owen drew a walk and Boggs dropped down a bunt to move him a second. Barrett singled Owen to third and Buckner scored Spike with a sac fly to left. That was it for Lucas as Doug Corbett was brought in to pitch to Rice. Rice made the Angels pay by smashing a 2 run home run into the Angels bullpen to end the scoring. The Fenway faithful started serenading the Angels with "Na na na na, kiss him goodbye" before Baylor singled off the Monster. Evans lined out to 3rd to end the inning with the Sox ahead 9-2.

                                                   Rice hits one out

Dave Stapleton took over at first in the top of the ninth and Barrett caught a looper by Schofield to start. Boone flied out to center but Pettis singled to center. Burleson grounded into a force to end the game. The Sox had taken Game 2 with a 9-2 win to send the series to California tied.

                 Big, big win


Hero of the Night is Bruce Hurst. The offense was rocking and rolling but Hurst went the distance allowing just 2 runs, 1 earned.

                                                                 Hurst the Hero
                                                 

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Marty Barrett was 3 for 5 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Jim Rice was 2 for 5 with a 2 run home run.

Don Baylor was 2 for 2 with 3 walks and a run scored.

Spike Owen was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.



The Bad:

Tony Armas was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.



The Ugly:

Bill Buckner was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored twice.

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 5 but drove in 2 runs.

Rich Gedman was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored.



Honorable Mention:

Dave Henderson played centerfield in the final 2 innings.

Dave Stapleton played first base in the top of the ninth.




Final Thoughts:

Even though it was a feel good win to beat up the Angels, trouble looms on the horizon. The Sox are going to have to rely on Oil Can Boyd and Al Nipper in Anaheim and that may not be ideal. The injury to Tom Seaver put the Sox behind the 8-ball after Hurst and Clemens. The Sox offense is going to have to step up in the next two games to get it back to Clemens and Hurst in the following games. As for this one, the Sox offense didn't really pound the Angels as it was California just throwing up on themselves. The Angels couldn't get out of their own way defensively and they're going to rebound for sure in Anaheim. Still, Hurst stepped up big and now its time for the others to pitch in if the Sox want to get to the World Series for the first time in 11 years. After an off-day tomorrow, the Sox travel to Anaheim for Game 3 of the series. Oil Can Boyd goes for the Sox up against John Candelaria this Friday night at 8:00 PM Eastern Time at Anaheim Stadium.