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.

Reds Win World Series, Edge Sox in Game 7 (10/22/75)

The 1975 Boston Red Sox had a hell of a season but it all came to end in tonight's winner take all Game 7 against the Cincinnati Reds. For the second game in a row the Red Sox took a 3-0 lead only to cough it up. Unfortunately this time the Reds pitching held the Sox scoreless the rest of the way. Rookie Jim Burton gave up the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth, Will McEnaney slammed the door and Cincinnati were the world champs for the first time since 1940 with a 4-3 win at Fenway Park.

                                                           Dammit

Bill Lee got the start for the Sox and he retired Pete Rose on a pop up to right to begin the top of the first. Joe Morgan swung at air for strike three and Johnny Bench grounded out to short to end the inning. Don Gullet got the ball in the bottom of the first and Bernie Carbo led off with a double off the Monster. Denny Doyle flied out to right and Carl Yastrzemski moved Carbo to third with a grounder to second. Carlton Fisk struck out swinging to end the inning.

Tony Perez started the top of the second inning by grounding out to third before George Foster hit a rocket off the Monster. Foster tried for second but Carbo gunned him down at second. Dave Concepcion grounded out to short to end the inning.

                                                      YER OUTTA THERE!

Fred Lynn led off the bottom of the second by drawing a walk. Rico Petrocelli struck out swinging on a high fastball before Dwight Evans popped up to Rose in foul territory. Rick Burleson flied out to right to end the inning.

Ken Griffey led off the top of the third by dumping a base hit to center before Cesar Geronimo banged into a double play. Gullet singled to right but Rose lined one off of Lee, Bill recovering to throw out Gullet to end the inning. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the third although Lee bunted foul for strike three to start. Carbo drew a walk before Doyle singled him to third. Yaz lashed a base hit to right that scored Carbo and sent Doyle to third. Fisk was intentionally walked to load the bases and Lynn was rung up for strike three much to Fred's dismay. Petrocelli walked to bring in Doyle and re-load the bases. Evans walked to score Yaz and put Gullet on the ropes. The play of the game occurred when Burleson whiffed to end the inning. One more run could have been a difference maker but the Sox still led 3-0.

                                                   Yaz scores the last run of the Sox season

Lee kept the lead in the top of the fourth inning although Morgan bunted his way on to start. Bench hit a rocket to center but Lynn snared it to keep Morgan at first. Morgan did swipe second but Perez popped up to a running Evans. Foster hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. The Sox looked to knock Gullet out again when Lee singled to start and took second on a wild pitch. Carbo moved Lee to third on a grounder but Doyle check swing grounded out to third to kill the rally. Yaz popped up to Morgan in foul territory to end the inning. The Sox failure to get the fourth run proved to be the killer in the end.

The Reds threatened in the top of the fifth as Concepcion beat out a ground ball to first before Doyle butchered a double play ball by Griffey for an error that moved Dave to third. Lee got a key out by striking out Geronimo swinging and Reds manager Sparky Anderson put the game in the hands of his bullpen when he pinch hit Gullet with Merv Rettenmund. The move looked to be advantage Red Sox when Rettenmund hit into a double play to end the inning. The Sox blew yet another chance to break the game open against Jack Billingham in the bottom of the fifth although Fisk whiffed to start. Lynn drew a walk and Petrocelli lashed a base hit to left. Evans flied out to deep center which moved Lynn to third and put runners at the corners. Burleson walked to load the bases again and Sox manager Darrell Johnson let Lee hit away with him pitching a shut-out. Lee flied out to deep center to end the inning.

The Reds finally broke through against Lee in the top of the sixth as Rose singled to right. Morgan popped up to right before Bench hit a double play ball to short. Burleson flipped to second but Doyle threw the relay throw away for an error that allowed Bench to reach second. Perez hit Lee's infamous eephus pitch onto Landsdowne Street to cut the lead. Foster flied out to right to end the inning but the Reds were back in it 3-2.

                                                       Perez goes yard

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the sixth as Carbo grounded out to first to start. Doyle flied out to left and Yaz grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Reds tied it in the bottom of the seventh with Rick Miller now in left. Concepcion grounded out to first to start but Griffey drew a walk to chase Lee after Bill developed a blister. Lee ended up giving up 3 runs in 6 1/3 innings.

                                                       Bye Bye Lee

Roger Moret came in and got Geronimo to pop up to short before Ed Armbrister pinch hit for Billingham. Griffey swiped second and Armbrister walked before Rose dumped a base hit to center to score Griffey with the tying run. Morgan walked to chase Moret who just didn't have it tonight. Jim Willoughby came in and got Bench to pop up to Fisk reaching into the stands to end the inning with the game tied 3-3.

                                                     The Reds tie it up

Clay Carroll came in for the bottom of the seventh inning but the Sox offense was done for the night. Fisk whiffed to start before Lynn grounded out to first. Petrocelli grounded out to short to end the inning.

Willoughby came back for the top of the eighth inning and Perez popped up to third to begin. Foster grounded out to short and Concepcion grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox looked to rally when Evans walked to start the bottom of the eighth but Burleson banged into a double play. Sox manager Darrell Johnson sealed the fate of the season when he sent the slumping 1 for 18 Cecil Cooper in to pinch hit for Willoughby. Cooper popped up to Rose in foul territory to end the inning.

Darrell Johnson decided it was best for the team to send rookie Jim Burton to the mound rather than Rick Wise, Reggie Cleveland or Dick Drago for the top of the ninth inning. Griffey drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on the bunt by Geronimo. Dan Driessen pinch hit for Carroll and grounded out to second but Griffey moved to third. Rose drew a full count walk and Darrel Johnson let Burton pitch to Morgan. The lefty on lefty matchup failed as Morgan hit a broken bat single to center that scored Griffey and sent Rose to third. That was it for Burton as Johnson brought in Reggie Cleveland one batter too late. Bench walked but Perez flied out to right to end the inning with the Reds ahead 4-3.

                                                      Rose is safe and the Reds lead

Will McEnaney came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Juan Beniquez pinch hit for Miller to start. Beniquez flied out to right and Darrell Johnson sent Bob Montgomery in to pinch hit for Doyle. Montgomery wasn't even wearing a batting helmet as he grounded out to short on the first pitch. Representing the last out, Yaz popped up to center to end the game. The Cincinatti Reds won the 1975 World Series with a 4-3 comeback win in Game 7.

                                                     Dammit


Jackass of the Night is Jim Burton. He allowed the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth.

                                                               Game 7 Jackass


The Good:

Bernie Carbo was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Fred Lynn walked twice in four plate appearances.

Rico Petrocelli was 1 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Dwight Evans walked twice in four plate appearances and drove in a run.

Bill Lee tossed 6 1/3 innings of 3 run ball allowing 7 hits while striking out 2. He was also 1 for 3 at the plate.

Jim Willoughby tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Reggie Cleveland got the final out of the 9th inning.



The Bad:

Juan Beniquez was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Bob Montgomery was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Cecil Cooper was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Roger Moret allowed the tying run to score in the 7th inning.



The Ugly:

Denny Doyle was just 1 for 4 with 2 errors in the field but scored a run.

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 5 and made the final out of the game, but drove in a run.

Carlton Fisk was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but walked.

Rick Burleson was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.



Honorable Mention:

Rick Miller played left field for a few innings.



Final Thoughts:

What a shame. Just like the 1967 World Series the Red Sox lost to the better team. Also like in 1967 they were missing a key cog. Back then it was Tony Conigliaro and this time it was Jim Rice. Not to make excuses but nearly every game was decided by one run and Jim Rice's bat was sorely missed in those games. Still, this game and every game really was hard fought and decided by the smallest of margins. Lee pitched well but Perez was sitting on that damn eephus pitch and Moret didn't have it. Having a rookie like Burton come in to pitch the 9th inning of a winner take all Game 7 probably wasn't the best idea but if the offense didn't squander 3 big chances during the game, it probably doesn't come to that. Still, the Sox crushed the 3-peat Oakland A's to get to the World Series and fell 7 outs short of winning it. If the Sox bring the same energy they had this year, there's no reason not to believe they won't be in contention again in 1976. Congratulations to the Reds for a well earned victory and a hell of a 1975 season.

Sox Win Greatest Game of All Time, Force Game 7 (10/21/75)

In what was arguably the greatest baseball game ever played, the Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds put on a clinic for 12 innings. The Red Sox forced a Game 7 in the World Series by winning an instant classic. The Sox took a 3-0 lead in the first inning but the Reds fought back to take a 6-3 lead going into the eighth. Bernie Carbo cracked a pinch hit 3 run homer to tie the game and Carlton Fisk walked it off in the 12th inning. The Big Red Machine may win the World Series after all but the Sox took it to them tonight with a 7-6 Game 6 win at Fenway Park.

                                                   One more win to the championship

Tiant took the ball in the top of the first inning and Pete Rose lined out to a sliding Carl Yastrzemski to start. Ken Griffey drew a full count walk but Joe Morgan hit one up the elevator shaft. Johnny Bench whiffed to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the first against Reds starter Gary Nolan. Cecil Cooper popped up to center to begin but Denny Doyle almost beat out a grounder to first that Tony Perez bobbled. Yaz started the rally with a base hit to right before Carlton Fisk lashed a base hit to left. Fred Lynn lit the crowd up with a 3 run home run over the bullpens to put the Sox on top. Rico Petrocelli flied out to the centerfield warning track to end the inning but it was 3-0 Sox.

                                                        Sox on top

Tiant held the lead in the bottom of the second as Perez waived at strike three in the other batters box to start. George Foster popped up to Cooper in foul territory before Dave Concepcion popped up to center to end the inning. Dwight Evans took strike three on a curveball on the outside corner before Rick Burleson grounded out to first. Tiant hilariously struck out to end the inning.

Cesar Geronimo led off the top of the third by waiving at strike three before Darryl Chaney pinch hit for Nolan. Chaney flied out to the left field warning track but Rose blooped a single to center. Griffey grounded out to second to end the inning. Fred Norman took over for the bottom of the third and Cooper popped up to Concepcion to start. Doyle doubled down the right field line but Yaz popped up to second. Fisk was intentionally walked to get to Lynn and he walked to load the bases. Reds manager Sparky Anderson brought in Jack Billingham to pitch to Petrocelli and the gamble worked as Petrocelli chased strike three to end the inning. One more hit and the game would have been a rout.

Morgan led off the top of the fourth by grounding out to second to begin. Bench struck out on a slow curve but Perez stroked a line drive past the diving Doyle for a base hit. Foster hit a routine grounder to short but Doyle dropped the throw from Burleson for an error. Tiant recovered by getting Concepcion to pop up to first in foul territory to end the inning.  The Sox blew a huge chance to ice the game as Evans led off the bottom of the fourth with a ground rule double into the right field bleachers to start. Burleson walked and Tiant popped up a bunt over the head of Perez, but Tony got the out at first. With runners in scoring position, Cooper grounded out to first to strand the runners. Doyle grounded out to second to end the inning.

Right on cue the Reds started the comeback in the top of the fifth inning although Geronimo flied out to right to start. Game 3's villain Ed Armbrister started the rally by pinch hitting for Billingham, drawing a walk. Rose singled to center to move Armbrister to third and Griffey lined a ball to the centerfield wall. Lynn crashed into it and the ball caromed into right. Both runners scored, Griffey made it to third with a triple and Lynn was knocked goofy. Lynn eventually got up and remained in the game as Morgan popped up to third. Bench then hit a rocket off the Monster for a single that scored Griffey and tied the game. Perez struck out to end the inning but the Reds tied it up 3-3.

                                                          Down goes Lynn

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the fifth with Clay Carroll on the mound. Yaz tried to start a rally with a base hit to left but was erased on the Fisk force. Lynn popped up to left and Petrocelli grounded into a force to end the inning.

Tiant held the fort in the top of the sixth as Foster check swing grounded back to the mound to start. Concepcion flied out to right but Geronimo singled down the left field line off the barrier. Terry Crowley pinch hit for Carroll and hit a routine grounder to Burleson but nobody was at second base and everyone was safe. Rose grounded out to second to end the inning. Pedro Borbon came in for the bottom of the sixth and Evans grounded out to second to start. Burleson drew a walk and Sox manager Darrell Johnson rolled the dice by letting Tiant hit. Tiant bunted foul for strike three and Cooper grounded out to second to end the inning.

The gamble to let Tiant hit backfired in the top of the seventh as the Reds took the lead. Griffey led off with a seeing eye single into right before Morgan dumped a single to left. Tiant managed to get Bench to line out to Yaz at the wall before Perez moved Griffey to third with a fly out to right. Foster doubled off the centerfield wall to score both runners and give the Reds the lead. Concepcion grounded out to short to end the inning but it was 5-3 Reds.

                                                     Foster doubles in a pair

Borbon returned for the bottom of the seventh and Doyle popped up to short to start. Yaz grounded out to second and Fisk grounded out to short to end the inning.

The end of Tiant came quickly in the top of the eighth when Geronimo pounded a home run just inside the Pesky Pole to start the inning. That was it for Tiant who ran out of gas after carrying the Sox on his back all year. Done after 7 innings and allowing 6 runs to one of the best offenses in baseball. Roger Moret came in and Sparky made the same mistake Johnson did by letting Borbon hit. Borbon grounded out to first before Rose grounded back to the mound. Griffey lined out to center to end the inning with the Reds 6 outs from the title, leading 6-3.

                                                  Didn't look good for the Sox

Borbon returned for the bottom of the eighth and the Sox pulled off a dramatic rally. Lynn lined one off the leg of Borbon for a base hit before Petrocelli drew a walk to chase Borbon. Rawly Eastwick came in and struck Evans out swinging on a full count. Burleson lined out to right and Sox manager Darrell Johnson sent Bernie Carbo to pinch hit for Moret. After swinging at two bad pitches, Carbo pounded a clutch 3 run home run into the centerfield bleachers to tie the game. Cooper whiffed badly but the Sox had tied it 6-6.

                                                   Carbo ties it up

Carbo stayed in left field with Yaz moving to first to replace Cooper and Dick Drago on the mound for the top of the ninth. Morgan popped up to first to start before Bench grounded out to third. Perez also popped up to first to end the inning. The Sox blew their first chance to win the game in the bottom of the ninth when Doyle walked and Yaz singled him to third to chase Eastwick. Wil McEnaney came in and intentionally walked Fisk to load the bases with nobody out. Lynn hit a pop up to left but for some reason Doyle took off for home where he was thrown out by Foster. Petrocelli grouned out to short to end the inning.

                                                      YERRRR OUT!

On to extras we go as Drago returned for the top of the tenth inning. Foster grounded out to short to start but Concepcion singled up the middle. Concepcion swiped second but Geronimo struck out swinging on a pitch out of the zone. Dan Driessen pinch hit for McEnaney and popped up to Carbo to end the inning. Pat Darcy came in for the bottom of the tenth and got Evans on a squibber back to him to start. Doyle popped up to short and Carbo went down swinging to end the inning.

The Reds blew their chance in the top of the eleventh inning as Rose was plunked to start. The alert Fisk gunned down Rose at second on a bunt attempt by Griffey before Evans made the defensive play of the game. Morgan hit a bullet headed to the right field corner when Evans jumped to catch it. Griffey had no idea the ball was caught and was headed home when he was doubled off to end the inning.

                                                     What a catch

Rick Miller pinch hit for Drago to open the bottom of the eleventh by flying out to left to start. Doyle grounded out to short before Yaz also grounded out to short to end the inning.

Rick Wise came on for the top of the 12th inning for his first relief appearance all season. Bench led off by popping up to Fisk who fell down making the catch. Perez singled to center and Foster dumped a single to left. Concepcion flied out to right and Geronimo took strike three to end the inning. Darcy returned for the bottom of the 12th and Fisk led off by taking the first pitch high and inside. The second pitch Fisk launched toward the left field pole. Fisk frantically waived his arms to will the ball fair and it worked, the ball caromed off the pole for a walkoff home run to win the game. Dick Stockton announced "We will have a seventh game in the 1975 World Series." as the Sox celebrated their 7-6 Game 6 victory.

                                                      What a win

The Co-Heroes of the Night are Bernie Carbo and Carlton Fisk. Without the clutch, 2 out three run bomb by Carbo, the game never makes it to the 12th inning.

                                                Hero 1: Carbo

Hero Number 2 is Carlton Fisk for the walkoff home run to send the series to Game 7

                                                  Hero 2: Fisk


The Good:

Carl Yastrzemski was 3 for 6 with a run scored.

Fred Lynn was 2 for 4 with a walk, 2 runs scored and a 3 run home run.

Roger Moret pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

Dick Drago tossed 3 scoreless innings.

Rick Wise got the win with a scoreless 12th inning.



The Bad:

Cecil Cooper was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Rick Miller was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Luis Tiant got lit up for 6 runs in 7 innings and was 0 for 2 at the plate.



The Ugly:

Denny Doyle was just 1 for 5 and got himself thrown out at the plate, but walked.

Rico Petrocelli was 0 for 4 but walked and scored a run.

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Rick Burleson was 0 for 3 with an error but walked twice.




Final Thoughts:

If that wasn't the greatest World Series game of all time then I don't know what is. The Sox essentially kept their season alive with 3 swings of the bat. The Lynn home run put them in the driver seat, the Carbo home run saved their asses and Fisk's homer sent the series to Game 7. Along the way Lynn nearly killed himself, Evans made one of the best catches since Willie Mays and Doyle made the biggest blunder of the night by trying to score on a pop up in the ninth. Pete Rose at one point during the game turned to Fisk and said "This is some kind of game huh?" The Sox missed Jim Rice big time in this series but they're still one win away from ending their 57 year drought. No matter what happens in Game 7, the Sox should be proud of themselves for getting this far. They crushed the 3-peat champion Oakland A's and are one win away from knocking off the Big Red Machine. Tomorrow night its winner take all as Don Gullet of the Reds goes up against Bill Lee at 8:00 PM at Fenway Park.

Reds Win Game 5, Push Sox To Brink (10/16/75)

They don't call the Cincinnati Reds the "Big Red Machine" for nothing and it looks like the Reds are on their way to being World Series champions. The Red Sox are missing Jim Rice big time and the lack of offense doomed them in Game 5. Don Gullet held the Red Sox to 2 measly runs while the Reds lit up Sox starter Reggie Cleveland. Reggie lasted just 5 innings while allowing 5 runs to the Reds. When it was all said and done, the Reds moved just one win away from the world championship with a 6-2 victory over the Sox at Riverfront Stadium.

                        Reds win Game 5

Gullet got the ball in the top of the first inning and the Sox immediately tagged him. Juan Beniquez hit a routine grounder to second to begin but Denny Doyle tripled into the right field corner. Carl Yastrzemski scored Doyle with a sac fly to put the Sox on top. Ironically the Sox would have just 4 hits the rest of the game. Carlton Fisk looked at strike three on the outside corner to end the inning but the Sox were up 1-0.

                       Sox strike first

Cleveland got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Pete Rose greeted him by poking a base hit to right. Ken Griffey was rung up on a check swing for strike three but Joe Morgan singled Rose to third. Morgan swiped second when Johnny Bench lofted a fly ball to left field. Beniquez fired home and Rose was OUT AT THE PLATE! Great play by Beniquez to end the inning with the Sox still ahead.

                        YERRR OUT!!

Fred Lynn popped up to third to begin the top of the second before Rico Petrocelli whiffed. Dwight Evans lined a broken bat liner to left to end the inning. Cleveland cruised in the bottom of the second inning as Tony Perez whiffed. George Foster hit one up the elevator shaft before Dave Concepcion grounded out to short to end the inning. 

Rick Burleson popped up to second and Morgan called off the entire infield to make the catch to open the top of the third inning. Cleveland struck out swinging before Beniquez lined out to a running Morgan to end the inning. Cesar Geronimo led off the bottom of the third by popping up to center. Gullet whiffed but Rose walked. Doyle made a leaping grab to rob Morgan of a base hit to end the inning.

Gullet continued his dominance in the top of the fourth inning as Doyle was retired on a chopper in front of the plate to start. Yaz lined out to a running Geronimo before Fisk whiffed to end the inning. The Reds struck back in the bottom of the fourth inning although Morgan popped up to right to begin. Bench hit an absolute rocket but right to Petrocelli for the out. Perez hit another bullet but this one went over the left field fence for a home run to tie the game. Foster popped up to first to end the inning but the game was tied 1-1.

                      Perez ties it up

Gullet continued to cruise in the top of the fifth inning as Lynn whiffed to start. Petrocelli popped up to center before Evans flied out to the centerfield warning track to end the inning. The Reds took command in the bottom of the fifth although Concepcion grounded out to third to begin. Geronimo grounded out to second but somehow Gullet lined a base hit up the middle. Rose made Cleveland pay by doubling down the left field line to score Gullet with the go-ahead run. Griffey popped up to third to end the inning but the Reds now led 2-1.

                        Reds take the lead

Gullet got Burleson to fly out to right to begin the top of the sixth before Cleveland himself struck out. Beniquez broke up the streak of 15 in a row set down by Gullet by drawing a walk. Doyle grounded out to first to end the inning. The Reds iced the game quickly in the bottom of the sixth as Morgan walked on a borderline full count pitch to start. Bench singled Morgan to third and Perez crushed his second homer of the game to put the game out of reach. That was it for Cleveland who made two mistakes to Perez but left after allowing 5 runs in 5 plus innings.

                Cleveland gets hammered

Jim Willoughby came in and Foster lined one back to him to start. Concepcion was plunked on the hands and swiped second before moving to third on the grounder by Geronimo. Gullet whiffed to end the inning but the game was all but over 5-1.

Gullet cruised in the top of the seventh inning as Yaz popped up to first in foul territory to start. Fisk lined out to left before Evans popped up to center to end the inning. Willoughby matched Gullet in the bottom of the seventh as Rose flied out to left to begin. Griffey hit a routine grounder to Doyle who gloved it over the head of Yaz at first, technically a single by Ken. Morgan hit a rocket but right to Burleson who flipped it to first to double off Griffey to end the inning. The Sox defense came to play tonight, unfortunately so did Tony Perez.

Gullet carried his one hitter into the top of the eighth inning and Petrocelli flied out to center to start. Evans somehow singled up the middle but Burleson popped up to center. Doug Griffin pinch hit for Willoughby and lined out to a running Morgan to end the inning. Dick Pole came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and managed to walk both Bench and Perez. Sox manager Darrell Johnson had seen enough and brought in Diego Segui to pitch to Foster. George flied out to right but Bench tagged up and moved to third. Concepcion scored Bench with a sac fly to wrap up the scoring for the Reds. Geronimo flied out to center to end the inning with the Reds up 6-1.

Gullet came out to finish his job but the Sox refused to go quietly in the top of the ninth. Beniquez whiffed and Doyle grounded out to second but Yaz lined a single to right past Morgan. Fisk poked a single to right which brought out Reds manager Sparky Anderson. The crowd booed expecting Sparky to take out Gullet but surprisingly he left him in. Lynn made Sparky pay by lining a double down the right field line to score Yaz. How big was the 3 run bomb now? Finally Anderson pulled Gullet for Rawly Eastwick to close out the game. Petrocelli whiffed to end the game and send the Reds one win away from the championship with a 6-2 win over the Sox.

Jackass of the Night is Reggie Cleveland. He got lit up for 5 runs in 5 plus innings to take the loss.

                       Reggie Jackass

The Good:

Carl Yastzremski was 1 for 3 with an rbi and a run scored.

Dwight Evans was 1 for 3.

Jim Willoughby tossed 2 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Rico Petrocelli was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Rick Burleson was 0 for 3.

Doug Griffin was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Dick Pole allowed a run by walking 2 batter

The Ugly:

Juan Beniquez was 0 for 3 but walked.

Denny Doyle was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Carlton Fisk was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Fred Lynn was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Deigo Segui allowed an inherited runner to score in an inning of work.

Final Thoughts:

If this is the end, the Red Sox better go down swinging in Game 6. The Sox have fought bravely against a team of all-stars but they may not be good enough. After Luis Tiant an Bill Lee, the rest of the pitchers haven't been able to shut down the Big Red Machine. Both Cleveland and Rick Wise faltered as did reliever Dick Drago. Rose, Bench, Perez and Morgan could be in the Hall of Fame someday and the Sox just can't match their talent without Rice. Tonight's game was proof as they couldn't crack Gullet. Still, the series is not over and Fenway Park will be where the series is decided. After an off-day tomorrow, Game 6 is this Saturday afternoon where Bill Lee goes for the Sox up against Jack Billingham at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Battle Back To Tie Series (10/15/75)

If nothing else the 1975 World Series will be going back to Boston for a Game 6 come hell or high water. Luis Tiant threw one of the guttiest games in World Series history, tossing an incredible 163 pitches to outwit the Cincinatti Reds. The Boston Red Sox only scored in one inning but made it count, pushing 5 runs across the plate. Those 5 runs were enough for Tiant as the Sox barely held on to beat the Reds 5-4 to tie the Series at 2 games apiece at Riverfront Stadium.

                                                           All tied up

Fred Norman got the start for the Reds and Juan Beniquez led off the top of the first by popping up to center. Denny Doyle grounded out to second but Carl Yastrzemski dumped a single to right. Carlton Fisk was rung up for strike three to end the inning. Tiant came out in the bottom of the first and Pete Rose lined a single up the middle to start. Ken Griffey lined a double to the gap that scored Rose but Griffey was thrown out at third trying to stretch. Joe Morgan walked and advanced to second on the grounder by Tony Perez before scoring on the double into the gap by Johnny Bench. George Foster hit a rocket to third but Rico Petrocelli snared it and fired it first for the out to end the inning with the Reds ahead 2-0.

                                                  YERRRRR OUT!

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the second inning as Fred Lynn whiffed on a high curveball to start. Petrocelli lined a broken bat single to left but Dwight Evans forced Rico at second on a grounder to short. Rick Burleson grounded out to third to end the inning. Dave Concepcion led off the bottom of the second with a grounder to third. Cesar Geronimo grounded out to second before Norman popped up to left to end the inning.

Tiant himself drew a walk to begin the top of the third before Beniquez lined a seeing eye single to right. The rally ended as Doyle lined out to center and Yaz banged into a double play to end the inning. Tiant cruised in the bottom of the third inning a Rose lined out to center to start. Griffey grounded back to the mound and Morgan lined out to a running Beniquez to end the inning.

The Sox exploded to take command in the top of the fourth inning as Fisk began with a single to left. Lynn lined a single to right before Petrocelli popped up to short. Evans tripled to the right field wall to tie the game and Burleson caught Foster asleep by stretching a double to score Lynn to give the Sox the lead. That was it for Norman as Pedro Borbon was brought in and Tiant singled to center to put runners at the corners. Perez bobbled a routine grounder by Beniquez to score Burleson with another run on the error. Doyle popped up to Rose in foul territory but Yaz blooped a single to center to score Tiant. Fisk popped up to center to end the inning but the Sox now led 5-2.

                                                    Sox bat around to take the lead

The Reds answered in the bottom of the fourth although Perez whiffed on a full count to start. Bench flied out to left but Foster hit a rocket to second. Doyle corralled it but threw the ball into the dugout which allowed Foster to reach second. The Sox made another mental error as Lynn, Beniquez and Burleson all ran into each other on a pop up by Concepcion. Technically it was ruled a double that scored Foster. Geronimo sliced a triple to left that went over the head of Beniquez to score Concepcion. Terry Crowley pinch hit for Norman and whiffed to end the inning but the Reds had fought back to make it 5-4.

Clay Carroll took over for the top of the fifth inning and Lynn grounded out to second quickly. Petrocelli whiffed but Evans drilled a fastball off Carroll into right for a single. Thankfully Carroll was ok and Burleson grounded into a force to end the inning. Tiant battled in the bottom of the fifth as Rose walked to start. Griffey flied out to the right field warning track before Morgan walked as well. Perez advanced the runners into scoring position with a grounder but Bench flied out to left to end the inning. Tiant was already over 100 pitches and it was just the fifth inning.

Tiant whiffed to start the top of the sixth inning before Beniquez grounded out to third. Doyle lined a ball up the middle for a base hit but Yaz grounded out to first to end the inning. Rick Miller came in for Beniquez for the bottom of the sixth as Foster popped up to center to begin. Concepcion popped up to left but Geronimo blooped a single to center. Darrel Cheney pinch hit for Carroll and whiffed to end the inning.

Rawly Eastwick cruised in the top of the seventh inning as Fisk popped up to first to start. Lynn grounded out to second before Petroceli also grounded out to second to end the inning. Tiant returned for the bottom of the seventh and Rose hit a rocket...right to Doyle for an out. Griffey grounded out to second and Morgan took Tiant to a full count before lining out to a running Lynn to end the inning.

Eastwick cruised in the top of the eighth inning as Evans flied out to center to start. Burleson grounded out to third and Tiant grounded out to short to end the inning. Somehow Tiant returned for the bottom of the eighth with 120 pitches on his arm and Perez flied out to left to begin. Bench whiffed but Foster singled up the middle. Concepcion flied out to right to end the inning.

Eastwick returned for the top of the ninth and Miller grounded out to second to begin. Doyle grounded out to second but Yaz drew a walk. Fisk popped up to short to end the inning. The exhausted Tiant came out to finish the job in the bottom of the ninth but Geronimo greeted him with a base hit to right. Last night's villain Ed Armbrister pinch hit for Eastwick and dropped down a bunt without interference this time to advance Geronimo to second. Rose drew a walk to put the winning run on first as Tiant was over 150 pitches. Sox manager Darrell Johnson let Tiant pitch to Griffey and Lynn made a great running over the shoulder catch to rob Ken of a walkoff double. That took the wind out of the Reds' sails as Morgan popped up to first to end the game. The Sox had held on to tie up the World Series with a 5-4 win.

                                                      Sox celebrate the win

Hero of the Night is Luis Tiant. He threw an amazing 163 pitches in his complete game win. He allowed 4 runs off 9 hits and 4 walks in 9 innings. He also was 1 for 3 with at the plate with a run scored.

                                             A valiant effort by our Hero



The Good:

Carl Yastrzemski was 2 for 4 with a walk and an rbi.

Dwight Evans was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis and a run scored.



The Bad:

Rick Miller was 0 for 1 at the plate.



The Ugly:

Juan Beniquez was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Denny Doyle was just 1 for 5 with an error.

Carlton Fisk was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

Fred Lynn was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Rico Petrocelli was just 1 for 4.

Rick Burleson was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored.



Final Thoughts:

Don't look now but the Boston Red Sox are halfway to the World Series championship. Progsnosticators said the Big Red Machine was too loaded not to win the Series but the Sox are still hanging in there. They definitely are missing Jim Rice in left and at the plate but they just need two more wins and they're the champions, Rice or no Rice. Tiant has pitched his ass off in the series and may not have enough left in the tank to start Game 7. The Sox may have to win the series with Bill Lee and Rick Wise and that may be too much to ask. Still, the Sox won Game 4 on the road and guaranteed a Game 6 back in Fenway. Tomorrow night is the final game in Cincinatti with Don Gullet going for the Reds against Reggie Cleveland. Sox manager Darrell Johnson wants to push Lee back for Game 6 so Cleveland faces Gullet at 8 PM at Riverfront Stadium.

Reds Take Game 3 Amidst Controversy (10/14/75)

The Big Red Machine Cincinnati Reds have taken Game 3 of the 1975 World series and a 2 games to 1 lead but not without some controversy. The Reds took a 5-1 lead but the Sox rallied with an rbi from Fred Lynn and home runs from Bernie Carbo and Dwight Evans to send the game into extra innings. In the bottom of the tenth with Cesar Geronimo on first Ed Armbrister dropped down a bunt but failed to get out of the way of Carlton Fisk. Fisk had to bump Ed out of the way and hurry a throw to center that got away. Interference was NOT called and two batters later Joe Morgan ended the game with a rocket to center to give the Reds a 6-5 Game 3 victory at Riverfront Stadium.

                                            "Get out of the way you idiot!" - Fisk

Gary Nolan got the start for the Reds in the top of the first inning and Cecil Cooper grounded out to first to start. Denny Doyle also grounded out to first before Carl Yastrzemski grounded out to second to end the inning. Rick Wise took the mound in the bottom of the first and Pete Rose greeted him with a routine ground out to second. Ken Griffey also grounded out to second before Joe Morgan flied out to center to end the inning.

The Sox wasted no time scoring in the top of the second as Carlton Fisk put the Sox on top with a solo blast to left to begin. Fred Lynn flied out to center but Rico Petrocelli hit a seeing eye single in the hole at short. Dwight Evans flied out into the right field corner before Rick Burleson grounded into a force to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                     Fisk checks the bat for termites before hitting one out

Could Wise pitch with the lead in the bottom of the second? YES! Tony Perez flied out to center before Johnny Bench grounded out to deep third. George Foster drew a full count walk and took off for second. Doyle went OLE! on Fisk's throw and Foster went to third on the error charged to Fisk. Dave Concepcion lined out to a running Evans to end the inning.

Wise himself led off the top of the third with a fly out to left. Cooper popped up to left before Doyle popped up to third to end the inning. Cesar Geronimo led off the bottom of the third by grounding out to second to start. Nolan grounded out to first and Rose grounded out to second to end the inning.

Yaz hit a grounder to first to start the top of the fourth but Fisk drew a walk. Lynn singled to right that advanced Fisk to third but was thrown out at first after overruning the bag. Morgan robbed Petrocelli of an rbi single to end the inning. The Reds struck back in the bottom of the fourth although Griffey flied out to center to begin. Morgan also flied out to center but Perez walked and stole second. Bench then crushed a 2 run bomb halfway to Columbus to give the Reds the lead. Foster grounded out to Petrocelli to end the inning but the Reds were up 2-1.

                                              Bench puts the Reds on top

Pat Darcy took over for the top of the fifth as the scoreboard at Riverfront Stadium said that Nolan left the game due to a stiff neck. Evans grounded out to short to start but Burleson singled in the hole at short. Burleson was erased on the force by Wise before Cooper grounded out to second to end the inning. Wise suddenly fell victim to the longball as both Concepcion and Geronimo struck back to back jacks to put the Reds up by 3 runs just like that. Wise struck out Darcy but Rose chased Wise by motoring around for a triple on a jack to the centerfield wall. Wise had lasted just 4 1/3 innings giving up 5 runs including 3 home runs. Jim Burton was brought in and he walked Griffey to put runners at the corners before Morgan hit a sac fly to center to score Rose with another run. Griffey swiped second and Sox manager Darrell Johnson had enough of Burton. Reggie Cleveland was brought in to strike out Perez to end the inning with the Reds ahead 5-1.

                                                     The Reds poured it on

The Sox needed to rally and they started in the top of the sixth although Doyle popped up to Rose in foul territory to start. Yaz and Fisk drew back to back walks before a wild pitch moved both guys into scoring position. Lynn scored Yaz with a sac fly to cut into the lead before Petrocelli grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox down 5-2.

Cleveland held the fort in the bottom of the sixth and whiffed Bench to start. Foster flied out to left and Concepcion grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Sox got another run in the top of the seventh as Evans lined a base hit up the middle to start. Clay Carroll came in for Darcy and got Burleson to bang into a double play. Bernie Carbo pinch hit for Cleveland and clubbed a solo home run to left to cut into the lead. That was it for Caroll as Will McEnaney came in to pitch to Cooper. Cecil popped up to short to end the inning but it was 5-3 Reds.

Jim Willoughby came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and got Geronimo to fly out to deep center to begin. McEnaney himself beat out an infield single to second when Cooper dropped the throw by Doyle, but was doubled off first when Rose hit a scorcher to third for a double play to end the inning.

McEnaney cruised in the top of the eighth as Doyle grounded out to first to start. Yaz whiffed and Fisk was retired on a swinging bunt in front of the mound to end the inning. Willoughby returned for the bottom of the eighth and got Griffey to ground out to second to start. Morgan grounded out to second and Perez whiffed to end the inning.

Down to their final 3 outs the Sox needed to rally but it didn't look good when Lynn whiffed to start the top of the ninth. Petrocelli and Reds manager Sparky Anderson pulled McEnaney to have the right hander Rawley Eastwick pitch to Dwight Evans. The gamble backfired as Evans belted a two run home run to left to tie the game. Burleson dropped a single to center to put the go-ahead run on and moved to second on the Willoughby sacrifice bunt. That was it as Cooper flied out to center to end the inning but it was tied 5-5.

                                                       Evans ties it up

Willoughby returned for the bottom of the ninth and made the Reds beat the ball in the dirt. Bench grounded out to third, Foster grounded out to short and Concepcion grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Sox had a chance to take the lead in the top of the tenth when Doyle beat out an infield single up the middle to begin. Yaz blasted one deep to center but Geronimo caught it at the wall. 5 more feet it was gone. Fisk banged into a double play to end the inning. The Reds finally ended it in the bottom of the 10th but not without some help from the umpires. Geronimo singled up the middle before Ed Armbrister pinch hit for Eastwick. Armbrister dropped down a bunt but failed to get out of Fisk's way, Fisk had to throw Ed out of the way and hurry a throw to second that sailed into center. Geronimo made it to third and Armbrister to second as the entire Sox team went berserk. Sox manager Darrell Johnson kicked and screamed that Armbrister interfered with Fisk and Fisk himself had to be restrained from attacking the umpire. With the comissioner of baseball Bowie Kuhn sitting right behind home plate, the umpires shrugged and said play ball. Roger Moret replaced Willoughby and intentionally walked Rose to load the bases with nobody out. Merv Rettenmund pinch hit for Griffey but Moret did manage to strike him out. Morgan ended the game with a base hit to deep center to give the Reds the victory. The Sox fought hard but couldn't beat the umps and the Reds as Cincinnati hung on to win Game 3 by a score of 6-5.

                                                  Good grief


Jackass of the Night is unfortunately Roger Moret. He was brought in with men on second and third with nobody out then gave up a walk (intentional) and a base hit to end the game.

                                                            Moret the Jackass


The Good:

Fred Lynn was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Rico Petrocelli was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Dwight Evans was 2 for 4 with a 2 run homer in the ninth.

Rick Burelson was 2 for 4.

Bernie Carbo hit a pinch hit home run in the 7th inning.

Reggie Cleveland tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Cecil Cooper was 0 for 5.

Rick Wise lasted just 4 1/3 innings and allowed 5 runs including 3 home runs.



The Ugly:

Denny Doyle was just 1 for 5.

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 4 but walked and scored.

Carlton Fisk was 1 for 3 with 2 walks including a solo home run but made 2 costly errors including the Armbrister play.

Jim Burton allowed an inherited runner to score, walked a man and allowed a stolen base in 1/3 of an inning but allowed none of his own runs.

Jim Willoughby took the loss but allowed just the controversial run in 3 innings of work.




Final Thoughts:

God damned National League umpires. The Big Red Machine doesn't need any help from the umpires to win games but tonight they got a huge assist. The Armbrister play is going to be talked about for a long time and with good reason. How in the world do you stand right in front of the catcher and NOT get called for interference? Still, the play didn't end the game and Moret still had to get Morgan out so no sense blaming the game entirely on that play. Wise pitched like crap and it took a clutch home run by Evans just to send it to extra innings. This World Series is shaping up to be one of the greats because the first 3 games were great nailbiters. The Sox need to rally tomorrow night and they better with Louis Tiant taking the mound opposite Fred Norman at 8 PM Eastern time at Riverfront Stadium.