Sox Outlast Rangers (8/3/80)

Hahaaaaa! The Boston Red Sox have won a whopping TWO in a row? Time to play Stars & Stripes Forever because the Sox took down the Texas Rangers for the second straight day. The Sox broke out to a 6-0 lead on the back of Glenn Hoffman's 4 runs batted in. Mike Torrez (6-12 4.50 ERA) lasted just 5 innings but the bullpen managed to hold on just enough to preserve the victory. Skip Lockwood earned his second save of the season due some strange Don Zimmer managing and the Sox won the game 6-4 at Arlington Park.

                                                   Ted Kramer approves of the win

John Matlack got the start for Texas and Rick Burleson greeted him with a pop up to second base to start the top of the first inning. Dave Stapleton and Fred Lynn stroked back to back singles but Tony Perez popped up to second. Jim Rice grounded out to third to end the inning. Torrez got the ball in the bottom of the first and Mickey Rivers flied out to right to start. Bump Wills struck out and Al Oliver grounded out to second to end the inning.

Boston struck first in the top of the second as Carlton Fisk and Dwight Evans pounded back to back doubled to put Boston on top. Evans moved to third on the grounder by Gary Allenson. Glenn Hoffman hit his second home run of the year to cap off the inning. Burleson lined out to right and Stapleton grounded out to third to end the inning but the Sox were up 3-0.

                                                   Evans doubles in a run

Torrez kept the lead in the bottom of the second as Buddy Bell grounded out to third to start. Rusty Staub grounded out to short and Pat Putnam struck out to end the inning.

The Sox tried to rally in the top of the third as Lynn and Perez stroked back to back singles to start. Rice beat out a double play ball and Fisk walked to load the bases. Evans banged into a double play to end the inning. Torrez cruised in the bottom of the third as Johnny Grubb flied out to right to start. Jim Sundberg flied out to center and Pepe Frias struck out to end the inning.

Allenson got a base hit to left to start the top of the fourth before moving to second on the sacrifice bunt by Hoffman. Burleson grounded out to third and Stapleton grounded out to short to end the inning. Rivers got an infield single to third to start the bottom of the fourth but Wills flied out to left. Rivers was doubled off first on the line drive to first by Oliver to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the fifth although Lynn grounded back to the mound to start. Perez grounded out to short but Rice singled to left. Fisk and Evans stroked back to back base hits to load the bases and Allenson singled home Rice. Hoffman singled home Fisk to wrap up the scoring and chase Matlack. Charlie Hough came in and Burleson flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-0.

                                                          Allenson drives in a run

Torrez suddenly fell apart in the bottom of the fifth as Bell singled to left to start. Staub doubled him to third but Putnam struck out. Grubb singled home Bell but Staub was thrown out at home on a ground ball by Sundberg. Jim Norris pinch hit for Frias and doubled home Sundberg. Rivers grounded out to first to end the inning with the Rangers down 6-2. Torrez only went 5 innings but allowed just 2 runs.

                                                      Not great but it'll do

Dave Roberts took over at short for the top of the sixth and Stapleton grounded out to third to start. Lynn also grounded out to third and Jim Dwyer pinch hit for Perez only to ground out to first to end the inning. Dick Drago came in for the bottom of the sixth and threw up on himself. Wills singled to center and Oliver singled him to third. Bell beat out a double play ball to score Wills to cut the lead in half. Staub grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-3.

                                                        Nice going Drago, ugh!

The Sox did nothing in the top of the seventh as Rice grounded out to third to start. Fisk grounded back to the mound and Evans took strike three to end the inning. Drago got the Rangers to beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the seventh as Putnam grounded out to first to start. Grubb also grounded out to first but Sundberg grounded out to third to end the inning.

Allenson took strike three to start the top of the eighth but Hoffman walked. Hoffman swiped second but Burleson struck out. Stapleton grounded out to first to end the inning. Drago ran out of steam in the bottom of the eighth although Roberts struck out to start. Rivers singled to center but was forced at second by Wills. Oliver singled and Bell doubled home Wills to cut the lead and put the tying run at second. Richie Zisk pinch hit for Staub and Sox manager Don Zimmer countered by bringing in Tom Burgmeier to face him. Zisk lined out to short to end the inning with the Sox still ahead 6-4.

Lynn walked to begin the top of the ninth and John Henry Johnson came in to pitch to Dwyer. A wild pitch moved Lynn to second but Dwyer struck out. One and done for Johnson as Danny Darwin came in and got Rice to hit a fly out to center. Fisk was intentionally walked and Evans struck out to end the inning. Burgmeier returned for a crazy bottom of the ninth as Billy Sample pinch hit for Putnam and was hit with a pitch. John Ellis pinch hit for Grubb and banged into a double play. Sundberg singled to center and Zimmer pulled off the move of the century. The next batter was Roberts but Rivers was on deck. He wanted Burgmeier to face Rivers if it got to that point but didn't want him pitching to the righty hitting Roberts. Zimmer then had Burgmeier trot out to left field to take Jim Rice out of the game and brought in Skip Lockwood to face Roberts, praying he didn't hit the ball to left. Lockwood got Roberts to hit one up the elevator shaft to end the game. A bit of razzle dazzle by Zimmer worked and the Sox had won it 6-4.

Hero of the Night is Glenn Hoffman. He was 2 for 2 with a walk, a 2 run homer, a stolen base and 4 total runs batted in.

                                                        Hero Hoffman



The Good:

Fred Lynn was 2 for 4 with a walk.

Tony Perez was 1 for 3.

Carlton Fisk was 2 for 3 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored.

Dwight Evans was 2 for 5 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Gary Allenson was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Mike Torrez got the win with 5 innings of 2 run ball.

Tom Burgmeier pitched a full scoreless inning.

Skip Lockwood earned his second save by retiring the last batter in the ninth inning.



The Bad:

Rick Burleson was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Jim Dwyer was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Dick Drago allowed 2 runs in 2 1/3 innings.



The Ugly:

Dave Stapleton was just 1 for 5.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 5 with a run scored.




Final Thoughts:

Gice props for creativity to Zimmer for putting Burgmeier in left hoping Skip Lockwood could get Roberts to hit the ball anywhere but left field in the bottom of the ninth. Still, it was a good victory for the Sox who need to get hot real quick if they want to get anywhere close to the New York Yankees. Dwight Evans seems to be finding his groove and Glenn Hoffman had a hell of a game. The Sox pitching is still their achillies heel but they found a way to win this game. The win improved the Sox to 52-50, 12.5 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it three in a row when they start a series with the Milwaukee Brewers. Steve Renko (5-4) goes for the Sox against old pal Reggie Cleveland at 7:35 PM at Fenway Park.

Brewers Walkoff Sox on Opening Day Grand Slam in Ninth (4/10/80)

Well so much for the 1980 season starting on a high note for the Boston Red Sox. The Milwaukee Brewers took a 5-3 over the Boston Red Sox on Opening Day heading into the ninth inning. Dennis Eckersley lasted just 4 1/3 innings and gave up 4 of the 5 runs to put the Sox in the hole they were in.  Suddenly home runs by Carl Yastrzemski and Butch Hobson tied the game to give Boston fans a glimmer of home. That hope was dashed when Sixto Lezcano clobbered a walkoff grand slam off Dick Drago (0-1, 54.00 ERA) to win the game for the Brewers 9-5 at County Stadium.

                                              Sox losing on a walkoff makes Flounder sick

Jim Slaton got the start for Milwaukee and Jerry Remy greeted him with a groundout back to the mound to start. Rick Burleson singled to right but Fred Lynn flied out to center. Jim Rice struck out to end the inning. Eckersley got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Paul Molitor grounded out to third to start. Old friend Cecil Cooper took strike three before Dick Davis flied out to right to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the second inning when Carl Yastrzmeski got the first hit of the season with a base hit to right. Tony Perez made his Red Sox debut with a base hit to right before a wild pitch moved both runners over. Butch Hobson drove in the first run of the season with a base hit to score Yaz to put the Sox on top. The rally ended as Dwight Evans struck out and Dave Rader banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                      First rbi of 1980 for Butch

Old buddy Ben Oglivie flied out to right to begin the bottom of the second inning before Gorman Thomas struck out. Sixto Lezcano hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

The Sox added to the lead in the top of the third although Remy flied out to left. The hit parade was started when Burleson singled to center and Lynn singled to right. Rice singled home Burleson and Yaz singled home Lynn to put Slaton on the ropes. Unfortunately Perez banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                       Rice increases the lead

Don Money grounded out to third to start the bottom of the third before Robin Yount popped up to first. Charlie Moore singled to right but Molitor flied out to center to end the inning.

Hobson grounded out to short to begin the top of the fourth but Evans drew a walk. Evan moved to second on the grounder by Rader but Remy flied out to left to end the inning. Eckersley suddenly fell apart in the bottom of the fourth although Cooper took strike three. Davis flied out to center but Oglivie pounded a 50,000 foot home run to put the Brewers on the board. Thomas walked and Lezcano bashed a 300,000 foot home run to tie the game. Money walked but Yount flied out to right to end the inning with the game tied 3-3.

                                                Why'd the Sox get rid of him again?

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fifth as Burleson flied out to center to start. Lynn struck out looking and Rice grounded out to third to end the inning. Moore grounded out to third to begin the top of the fifth but Molitor smashed a 5,000,000 foot home run into Lake Michigan to give the Brewers the lead. Cooper doubled to left and Sox manager Don Zimmer ran out of the dugout screaming his head off and tried to throw a roundhouse right at Eckersley. Eck ducked under it and hightailed it out of there as Steve Renko was brought into pitch. Eckersley lasted just 4 1/3 innings and gave up 4 runs off 3 homers, brutal. Davis struck out but Oglivie was intentionally walked. Thomas walked to load the bases but Lezcano grounded out to third to end the inning with the Brewers ahead 4-3.

                                                         Not Eck's best work

Boston failed to respond in the top of the sixth as Yaz flied out to left to start. Perez and Hobson both grounded out to short to end the inning. The homer parade continued as Money homered off Renko to start the bottom of the sixth. Yount grounded out to short, Moore took strike three and Molitor flied out to center to end the inning with the Brewers ahead 5-3.

                                                          Nice relief Renko

Slaton cruised in the top of the seventh as Evans flied out to left to start. Rader flied out to center and Remy grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Renko kept pace in the bottom of the seventh as Cooper struck out to start. Davis grounded out to short and Oglivie grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Sox looked defeated in the top of the eighth as Burleson grounded out to short to start. Lynn grounded out to first and Rice flied out to center to end the inning. Renko got in trouble in the bottom of the eighth as Thomas led off with a double to left. Lezcano and Money both flied out to center but Yount walked. Moore struck out to end the inning.

With their backs to the wall, the Sox somehow rallied in the top of the ninth. Yaz led of with his first home run of the season to cut the lead but Perez grounded out to third. Hobson stepped up by jacking his first home run of the season to tie the game and chase Slaton. Old pal Reggie Cleveland came in and Evans grounded back to the mound. Rader flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox tying it up 5-5.

                                                   Yaz & Hobson tie it up

Dick Drago came in to preserve the tie in the bottom of the ninth and failed miserably. Molitor singled to right and was sacrificed to second on a bunt by Cooper. Davis popped up to first and Oglivie walked to set up a force. The move backfired as Thomas walked and Lezcano ended it with a grand slam all the way into the Gulf of Mexico to end the game. The Brewers had won it 9-5.

                                                            Dammit


The Brewers had won it 9-5 to spoil Opening Day for the Sox.

Jackass of the Night is Dick Drago. He allowed the walkoff grand slam to lose the game.

                                                          Drago the Jackass



The Good:

Rick Burleson was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Carl Yastrezmski was 3 for 4 with 2 total rbis, 2 total runs scored including a solo home run.

Butch Hobson was 2 for 4 with a solo home run.

Steve Renko allowed a run in 3 2/3 innings of work.



The Bad:

Jerry Remy was 0 for 4.

Dave Rader was 0 for 4.

Dennis Eckersley allowed 4 runs in just 4 1/3 innings. He allowed 5 hits including 3 home runs.



The Ugly:

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

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Tony Perez was just 1 for 4.

Dwight Evans was 0 for 3 but walked.




Final Thoughts:

This is going to leave a bad taste in Boston fans' mouths. Eckersley didn't look good at all and as usual the Sox could bop their way back in the game but found a way to lose anyway. The stench of 1979 carried over to 1980 and the Sox are gonna have to make a few moves to avoid a fate worse than last season. Still, its only one game and there's 161 of these to go.....good lord. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox are back in action Saturday against the Brewers in the second game of this series. Mike Torrez makes his season debut for the Sox against Lary Sorensen of the Brewers at 2:40 PM at County Stadium

Sox Outslug Twins (8/15/79)

If the Sox hope to catch the Baltimore Orioles for the AL East crown, they're going to need to pitch a lot better the last two months of the season. Sox starter Mike Torrez held the mediocre Minnesota Twins to two runs in 7 innings of work. Then Torrez fell apart in the eighth inning and the Twins tied it against Tom Burgmeier to make the fans groan. Carl Yastrzemski stepped up with a 2 run bomb to give the Sox the lead back and Dick Drago (9-3, 3.00 ERA) slammed the door in the ninth inning. The Sox needed to outslug the Twins to win the game 9-5 at Fenway Park.

                                                       Dorothy Mays approves of the win

The Twins struck first in the top of the first inning as Butch Wynegar and Roy Smalley Jr struck back to back singles to start. Wynegar got caught in a run-down but Rob Wilfong tripled home Smalley. Mike Cubbage scored Wilfong with a sac fly to increase the lead before Ken Landreaux grounded out to second to end the inning with the Twins up 2-0.

                                                         Damn you Smalley

Twins starter Roger Erickson got the ball in the bottom of the first and Rick Burleson singled to start. Burleson moved to second on the Carlton Fisk grounder then to third on the Fred Lynn grounder. Jim Rice flied out to center to end the inning.

The Twins beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the second as Glenn Adams grounded out to first to start. Danny Goodwin grounded out to second and Hosken Powell grounded out to short to end the inning. Carl Yastrzemski lined out to right to start the bottom of the second before Bob Watson singled to right. Watson took second on a balk and Butch Hobson singled him to third, but Jack Brohamer hit into a double play to end the inning.

Ron Jackson popped up to third to start the top of the third before Wynegar singled to right. Smalley Jr forced Wynegar at second and Wilfong singled to right. Cubbage grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox fought back in the bottom of the third as Dwight Evans grounded out to short to start. Burleson struck out but Fisk doubled to left. Lynn singled home Fisk to cut the lead and moved to second on another balk. Rice lined out to right to end the inning but the Sox were on the board trailing 2-1.

                                                         Lynn drives in a run

Landreaux singled to center to start the top of the fourth but Adams struck out. Goodwin beat out an infield single to short but Powell grounded into a double play to end the inning. Yaz singled to right to start the bottom of the first but Watson struck out and Hobson banged into a double play to end the inning.

Jackson doubled to left to start the top of the fifth and moved to third on the Wynegar ground out. Smalley struck out but Wilfong walked. Cubbage popped up to short to end the inning. The Sox roared back in the bottom of the fifth although Brohamer flied out to left to start. Evans popped up to second but Burleson singled. Fisk hit a routine grounder to Cubbage who went OLE! and everyone was safe. Lynn singled home Burleson to tie the game and Rice pulverized his 32nd home run of the season to give the Sox the lead. Yaz flied out to center to end the inning but it was 5-2 Red Sox.

                                                           3 run bomb for Rice

Landreaux grounded out to first to start the top of the sixth before Adams singled to right. Adams moved to second on another balk and Goodwin walked. Powell hit into another double play to end the inning. Watson flied out to right to begin the bottom of the sixth before Hobson popped up to second. Brohamer got a hit to center but Evans lined out to short to end the inning.

Torrez cruised in the top of the seventh as Jackson hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Wynegar took strike three and Smalley Jr grounded out to short to end the inning. Mike Bacsik took over on the mound for the bottom of the seventh and Burleson's bunt attempt was snuffed out by the catcher to start. Fisk struck out and Lynn grounded out to first to end the inning.

The walls closed in on Torrez in the top of the eighth although Wilfong grounded out to second to start. Cubbage singled, Landreaux doubled and Adams singled home both runners to cut the lead and chase Torrez. Jose Morales pinch hit for Goodwin and Dave Edwards pinch ran for Adams as Tom Burgmeier was brought in. Edwards moved to third on the Morales grounder and Powell singled him home to tie the game. Dick Drago came in and Jackson flied out to left to end the inning with the game tied 5-5.

                                                  Why didn't Zimmer take him out after 7?

The Sox got the lead back instantly in the bottom of the eighth as Rice singled to left and Yaz crushed his 20th home run of the season to give the Sox the lead back. Mike Marshall came in to pitch and Watson flied out to right. Hobson lined out to right but Brohamer singled. Evans doubled Brohamer to third and Burleson scored both runners with a double to ice the game. Fisk grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 9-5.

                                                            Burleson ices it

Drago returned for the top of the ninth to close out the game. Wynegar grounded out to first but Smalley Jr and Wilfong drew back to back walks. Cubbage singled to load the bases and bring the tying run to the plate but Landreaux popped up to center. Willie Norwood pinch hit for Edwards and struck out to end the game. The Sox had survived to beat the Twins 9-5.

Hero of the Night is Carl Yastrezmski. His 2 run homer in the eighth gave the Sox the lead they wouldn't give up.

                                                                 Yaz the Hero

The Good:

Rick Burleson was 3 for 5 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Fred Lynn was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Jim Rice was 2 for 4 with 2 total runs scored and a 3 run home run.

Jack Brohamer was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Dick Drago tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings to earn the win.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Carlton Fisk was just 1 for 5 but scored 2 runs.

Bob Watson was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Butch Hobson was just 1 for 4.

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4 with a run scored.

Mike Torrez cruised through 7 innings but was charged with 5 runs in 7 1/3 innings.

Tom Burgmeier allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own in 1/3 of an inning.

Final Thoughts:

Good win but holy moly the Sox have pitching woes. Its bad enough Dennis Eckersley is having a down year compared to last year but what's with Torrez falling apart in the eighth inning? Still, if he was running out of gas, why didn't Sox manager Don Zimmer pull him sooner? Still, no sense being grouchy when the offense stepped up to win the game. Everyone pitched in one way or another and the Sox managed to score 9 runs. The rbis from Lynn and Burleson were just as important as the Yaz and Rice homers to put the Twins away. Hopefully the Sox can ride this momentum into a long winning streak so they can catch the Baltimore Orioles. The win improved the Sox to 73-44, 5 games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to continue their winning ways when they welcome the Chicago White Sox to Fenway for a set. 25 year old rookie John Tudor makes his ML debut tomorrow up against Mike Prolly of the ChiSox. The game begins at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Error Leads to Angels Win Over Sox (7/10/79)

Yet another game this year has been decided by an error. The Boston Red Sox had a 3-2 lead going into the bottom of the eighth against the California Angels but a blunder by Jim Dwyer led the way for a stunning 4-3 victory by the Angels, denying the Sox to gain ground on the Baltimore Orioles. The loss in Anaheim Stadium was costly in more ways than one.

                                                             "Dwyerrrrrrrrr'

The Sox wasted no time scoring in the top of the first inning. Rick Burleson was hit by Jim Barr to begin the game and was moved to second on the Jack Brohamer ground out. Fred Lynn slammed a single to score Burelson with the game's first run. Jim Rice singled and Carl Yastrzemski hit a routine grounder to Dickie Thon at second but he booted it, everyone was safe. Bob Watson made Dickie pay by doubling home both Lynn and Rice to give the Sox a three run lead just like that. Butch Hobson failed to score Yaz when his pop up to right was too shallow and Dwight Evans whiffed to end the inning. The Sox had 3 runs on 3 hits.....and would have just two more hits the rest of the game.

                                           Lynn gets the rally started

Unfortunatey Bob Stanley (10-6, 3.38 ERA) couldn't keep the Angels off the board in the bottom of the first inning. Old pal Rick Miller singled but Stanley picked him off first. Carney Lansford and Dan Ford hit back to back singles but Don Baylor beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners. Willie Aikens walked to load the bases then Brian Downing was apparently hit on the belt, forcing in a run. Sox manager Don Zimmer sprinted out of the dugout screaming like a banshee that the ball never hit Downing and when the umpire told him to go away, Zimmer started tearing his clothes off and had to be carried out by the police before he caused further ruckus. When action resumed Joe Rudi grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1.

                                        "I've had it up to HEREEEEE WITH YOU!" - Zim

Gary Allenson led off the top of the second inning by popping up to first. Burleson struck out but Brohamer walked. Lynn flied out to left to end the inning. The Angels struck again in the bottom of the second inning. Jim Anderson doubled to start and Thon sacrificed him to third. Miller singled home Anderson but Lansford hit into a double play to end the inning with the Sox up by just one, 3-2.

Both pitchers settled into a groove as Rice lined out to center to start the top of the third inning. Yaz hit a comebacker to the mound and Watson grounded out to short to end the inning. Ford grounded out to second to start the bottom of the third, but Baylor singled. Aikens banged into a double play to end the inning.

Hobson hit a comebacker to the mound to open the top of the fourth before Evans grounded out to third. Allenson popped up to third to end the inning. The Angels beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the fourth as Downing, Rudi and Anderson all grounded out to short to begin and end the inning.

Burleson flied out to center to start the top of the fifth before Brohamer grounded out to first. Lynn grounded out to second to end the inning. Thon grounded out to third to open the bottom of the fifth before Miller lined out to short. Lansford grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox got their first hit since the first inning when Rice singled to lead off the top of the sixth. They couldn't capitalize as Yaz lined out to center, Watson flied out to center and Hobson flied out to right to end the inning. The Angels continued to fall victim to Stanley's sinker in the bottom of the sixth as both Ford and Baylor grounded out to short. Aikens flied out to left to end the inning.

The Sox failed to score in the top of the seventh inning as Evans grounded out to short to start. Allenson flied out to center but Burleson somehow singled. Rick swiped second but Brohamer grounded out to third to end the inning. Downing flied out to right to begin the bottom of the seventh before Rudi hit a routine grounder to Hobson. Butch fired to first and Watson dropped the ball, allowing Joe to reach. All of a sudden the enraged Zimmer ran half naked from the clubhouse onto the field screaming at Watson, chasing Bob all the way into the clubhouse, forcing Jim Dwyer to take over at first. Anderson singled and Willie Davis pinch hit for Thon only to beat out a double play ball. With runners at the corners, Stanley got Miller to hit a comebacker to end the inning with the lead intact.

                                               Stanley keeping the Sox in front

Anderson moved to second base with Bert Campaneris now taking over at short to begin the top of the eighth. Lynn walked but Rice banged into a double play. Yaz grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox pissed the game away in the bottom of the eighth inning. Stanley froze Lansford for strike three before Ford and Baylor stroked back to singles. All of a sudden Zimmer escaped the clutches of the police, grabbed a bat and ran on the field to attack Stanley. Stanley wouldn't back down and ended up chasing Zimmer all the way into the clubhouse, leaving no one to pitch. Tom Burgmeier ran out of the bullpen before anyone could make a real decision. Aikens hit a routine grounder to first but Dwyer went OLE! and Ford scored all the way from second with the tying run. Had he made the play, it could have been an inning ending double play. Butch Hobson then picked Dick Drago's name out of Burleson's hat so Dick came in to pitch. Right on cue Downing slammed a single to score Baylor with the go-ahead run. Rudi popped up to third and Anderson grounded out to third to end the inning but the Angels now led 4-3.

                                              This guy manages better than Zimmer

The Sox had one last chance to take the game in the top of the ninth against closer Mark Clear. Dwyer at least drew a walk to somewhat make up for his error but the idiotic Zimmer decided to have the man that hit 40 homers in 1977 (Hobson) drop down a bunt to advance Jim to second. Evans grounded out and even though Dwyer was on third, there was now 2 out. Allenson went to bat but Zimmer tackled him to the ground and demanded Tom Poquette pinch hit. No one knew why this was a good idea and sure enough, Poquette flied out to right to end the game. The Angels had won it 4-3.

Jackass of the Night is Jim Dwyer for allowing the error in the eighth.

                                                       Dwyer you Jackass



The Good:

Rick Burleson was 1 for 3 with a stolen base, a run scored and was hit with a pitch.

Fred Lynn was 1 for 3 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Jim Rice was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Bob Watson was 1 for 3 with 2 rbi's.



The Bad:

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 4.

Butch Hobson was 0 for 3.

Dwight Evans was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Gary Allenson was 0 for 3.

Tom Poquette made the last out.

Dick Drago allowed the go-ahead run to score.



The Ugly:

Jack Brohamer was 0 for 3 but walked.

Bob Stanley went 7 2/3 innings and look the loss allowing 4 runs, but the final 2 runs were due to an error and the bullpen. He really should have had his 11th win.

Tom Burgmeier faced one man and he reached, but only because Dwyer couldn't make the play.




Final Thoughts:

That was a sucker punch to the go-nads after how well Stanley had pitched in this game. The lunatic Zimmer cost them another game by taking away Bob Watson's bat only for Jim Dwyer's glove to let them down. This all coming after that outburst in the first inning just makes it seem like this team wins in spite of Zim more often than not. He can't blame Bill Lee, Jim Wiloughby, Fergie Jenkins or Lee's other cronies anymore, its all on him now. The worst part about the loss is that the Orioles lost too meaning the Sox could have gained a game on the O's had they won. As it is the Sox are 52-32, still 3 games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox go after the Angels once again as Dennis Eckersley goes one on one with Dave Frost at 7:30 PM at Anaheim Stadium.

Sox Blast Indians on Opening Day (4/5/79)

That's one way to get off on the right foot. After the 1978 season came to a crashing halt at the hands of the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox came back with a flurry to begin the 1979 season. Riding the hot hand of ace Dennis Eckersley (1-0, 0.00 ERA) pitching 7 shut-out innings, the Sox smashed the Cleveland Indians 7-1. Home runs by Jim Rice, Dwight Evans and Fred Lynn paced the offense against old pal Rick Wise as the Sox won their season debut in front of 34,433 fans at Fenway Park.

                                                   Pete Clemenza approves of the win

Eck took the mound in the top of the first and began the season by getting Toby Harrah to hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Jim Norris doubled to center but Eck came back to strike out both Bobby Bonds and Andre Thornton to end the inning. Old friend Rick Wise got the start in the bottom of the first and Jerry Remy grounded out to second to start. Rick Burleson flied out to right but Fred Lynn walked. Jim Rice singled to left but Carl Yastrzemski popped up to third to end the inning.

Eck pitched a clean top of the second as Gary Alexander grounded out to second to begin. Ted Cox grounded out to short and Duane Kuiper flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox wasted a chance to crack Wise in the bottom of the second as George "Boomer" Scott walked to begin the frame but was picked off. That came into play as Alexander muffed a pop up by Jack Brohamer and Jack made the Indians pay by doubling to right. Brohamer moved to third on a grounder by Dwight Evans but Bob Montgomery looked at strike three to end the inning.

The Indians threatened in the top of the third inning although Tom Veryzer grounded out to third to begin. Horace Speed struck out but Harrah walked and stole second.  Norris singled Harrah to third but Bonds whiffed to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the third as Remy singled and stole second to start. Burleson grounded back to the mound but Lynn walked. Rice then crushed a three run bomb to give the Sox the lead. Yaz flied out to left and Scott grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                          Rice puts the Sox on top

Eck kept pace in the top of the fourth as Thornton grounded out to third to begin. Alexander and Cox both flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth inning. Brohamer flied out to right but Evans belted his first home run of the year to extend the lead. Somehow Montgomery tripled to center but Remy looked at strike three. Veryzer went OLE! on a ground ball by Burleson and Montgomery scored on the error. Lynn popped up to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-0.

                                                           Evans adds to the lead

There was no stopping Eck in the top of the fifth inning as Kuiper grounded out to third to begin. Veryzer popped up to short but Speed walked. Harrah grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox were finally tamed in the bottom of the fifth as Rice whiffed to start before Yaz popped up to second. Scott grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Eck got in trouble in the top of the sixth as Norris walked and stole second to begin. Bonds popped up to third but Thornton walked. Alexander popped up tp short but Norris took third on a wild pitch. Cox flied out to center to end the inning. Wise came out briefly in the bottom of the sixth but Brohamer chased him with a triple. Victor Cruz replaced Wise but Evans whiffed. Montgomery singled home Brohamer to add to the lead. Remy popped up to left and Burleson whiffed to end the inning but it was 6-0 Sox.

                                                   Montgomery makes it 6-0

Eckersley came back for one more inning in the top of the seventh and Kuiper grounded out to second to start. Veryzer walked but was erased on the force by Speed. Harrah grounded out to third to end the inning. Eckersley was outstanding in tossing 7 shut-out innings allowing just 2 hits while striking out 4. Lynn wrapped up the scoring in the bottom of the seventh with a solo shot to begin the frame. Rice whiffed but Yaz singled only to be erased on a strike em out, throw em out double play by Scott to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-0.

                                                         Lynn finishes off the Indians

Dick Drago got the call to pitch the top of the eighth and Norris watched strike three go by to start. Bonds whiffed and Thornton grounded out to short to end the inning. Sid Monge took over for the bottom of the eighth and Brohamer nearly went yard but was robbed at the wall in right. Evans popped up to first but Montgomery doubled to left. Remy whiffed to end the inning.

Drago came back to finish off the game but was tagged in the top of the ninth. Alexander walked and Remy went OLE! on a ground ball by Cox. Kuiper lined out to center as both runners moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. Veryzer singled home Alexander and Wayne Cage pinch hit for Speed...only to bang into a double play to end the game. The Sox had won Opening Day going away 7-1.

Hero of the night is Dennis Eckersley. With everyone on offense contributing, Eck gave them the cushion with 7 shutout innings where he allowed 2 hits and 5 walks while striking out 4.

                                                         Dennis The Hero


The Good:

Fred Lynn was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored including a solo home run.

Jim Rice was 2 for 4 with a 3 run home run.

Jack Brohamer was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Bob Montgomery was 3 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.



The Bad:

Rick Burleson was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.



The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was just 1 for 5 with an error but stole a base and scored a run

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 4.

George Scott was 0 for 3 with a walk.

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4 but the hit was a solo home run.

Bob Stanley allowed a run in 2 innings of work.



Final Thoughts:

Nothing like a win on Opening Day to start the year off right. Virtually nothing went right last year beginning with the collapse and ending with the departures of Luis Tiant and Bill Lee. Whether Steve Renko can replace Lee's production is up in the air but losing the beloved Tiant is going to hurt. Still, a win is a win and there's 161 games to go to find out what this team is made of. Eck looked great and the offense was clicking so hopefully they can keep this up all year. After an off-day the Sox are back in action Saturday afternoon in Cleveland against these same Indians. Mike Torrez makes his season debut for Boston opposite Rick Waits of Cleveland at 3:00 PM Eastern Time at Cleveland Stadium.

Sox Blow Game, Yankees Win Division (10/2/78)

"They killed our fathers and now the sons of bitches are after us!" Those words were uttered by a bitter Boston Red Sox fan as they officially completed their 14.5 game collapse against the New York Yankees by falling to the Yankees in today's one game playoff to decide the American League East champion. The Sox took a 2-0 lead on Yankees starter Ron Guidry until the seventh inning when light hitting Bucky Dent hit a 3 run shot off of Sox starter Mike Torrez (16-13, 3.96 ERA) to put the Yankees on top. Bob Stanley allowed 2 runs in relied but the Sox managed to rally in the bottom of the eighth to pull within one. In the bottom of the ninth with Rick Burleson on first, Jerry Remy hit a fly ball that Lou Piniella lost in the sun but still managed to grab to prevent Rick from scoring. Goose Gossage got Carl Yastrzemski to pop up end the game and complete the collapse for the Red Sox. The Yankees are AL East Division champions with a come from behind 5-4 victory at Fenway Park.

                                                          Damn Yankees

Torrez got the ball in the top of the first and Mickey Rivers walked to start on four pitches not even close. Rivers immediately stole second but Thurman Munson struck out swinging. Lou Piniella grounded out to third and Reggie Jackson flied out to right to end the inning. Guidry got the ball in the bottom of the first and Rick Burleson led off by striking out swinging. Jerry Remy popped up to left and Jim Rice struck out swinging to end the inning.

Graig Nettles led off the top of the second with a pop up to Burleson to start. Chris Chambliss grounded out sharply to George Scott and Roy White struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second as Carl Yastrzemski pounded his 17th home run of the year off the right field façade to put Boston on top. The wind knocked down a sure Carlton Fisk home run to left and Fred Lynn hit a fly out to the centerfield warning track. Butch Hobson grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                    Home run Yaz

Brian Doyle led off the top of the third by popping up to Remy to start. Bucky Dent lined out to a running Rice but Rivers doubled down the right field line. Munson struck out swinging to end the inning. George Scott tried to start a rally with a double off the centerfield wall to start the bottom of the third. Jack Brohamer dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Scott to second but Burleson grounded out to third. Remy flied out to left to end the inning.

Piniella singled off the glove of Burleson to start the top of the fourth but Jackson hit a rocket right to Rice. Nettles popped up to left and Chambliss forced Rivers at second to end the inning. Guidry cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Rice grounded out to short to start. Yaz struck out swinging and Fisk flied out to center to end the inning.

White walked to start the top of the fifth before moving to second on the grounder to second by Doyle. Dent popped up to short and White was thrown out at third on the grounder to short by Rivers to end the inning. Lynn check swinged a dribbler back to Guidry to start the bottom of the fifth but Hobson beat out a roller to third. Scott struck out swinging but Brohamer flied out to right to end the inning.

Munson was rung up by first base umpire Jim Evans for strike three to start the top of the sixth. Piniella flied out to the centerfield warning track and Jackson grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the sixth as Burleson doubled down the left field line to start. Remy dropped down a sacrifice bunt and Rice dropped a base hit in front of Rivers to score Burleson. Yaz grounded out to first to move Rice to second and Fisk was intentionally walked. Lynn flied out to the right field warning track to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                         Burleson scores a run

Things fell apart in the top of the seventh as Nettles flied out to right to start. Chambliss punched a base hit to left and White poked a base hit to center to put the tying run on. Jim Spencer pinch hit for Doyle and flied out to left to bring up Dent. After fouling a pitch off his foot, Dent shocked the world by hitting a 3 run home run just over the Monster in left to put the Yankees up for good. Torrez was demoralized and the Yankees pounced as Rivers walked to chase Mike. Torrez was amazing for 6 innings but made one mistake to Dent to cost the team big time. Bob Stanley came in to pour gas on the fire as Rivers stole second and Munson doubled into the gap in center to score him. Piniella flied out to right but Fenway was deflated with the Yankees up 4-2.

                                                           The iconic image of Dent

Fred Stanley took over at second to start the bottom of the seventh and Hobson struck out swinging to start. Scott grounded a base hit into right and that was it for Guidry. Yankees manager Bob Lemon took no chances and brought in relief ace Goose Gossage to face Brohamer. Sox manager Don Zimmer sent Bob Bailey to pinch hit for Brohamer and Gossage effortlessly struck him out swinging on three pitches. A passed ball moved Scott to second but Burleson grounded out to short to end the inning.

Frank Duffy came in to play second for the top of the eighth but Jackson iced the game with a home run to dead center to increase the lead. That was it for Stanley as Andy Hassler came in to strike out Nettles swinging. Chambliss and White both grounded out to second to end the inning with the Yankees up 5-2.

                                                       Nice relief Stanley

The Sox rallied in the bottom of the eighth as Remy doubled down the right field line to start. Rice popped up to right but Yaz ripped a base hit up the middle to score Remy. Fisk dumped a base hit to center and Lynn scored Yaz with a base hit to left. With the game on the line....Hobson flied out to right and Scott struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 5-4.

                                                    Zimmer tries to fire the team up

Stanley grounded out to second to start the top of the ninth and Dent took strike three. Paul Blair pinch hit for Rivers and singled under Duffy to chase Hassler. Dick Drago was brought in to face Munson and Thurman forced Blair at second to end the inning. Gary Thomasson took over for White to start the bottom of the ninth and injured Dwight Evans pinch hit for Duffy. Evans flied out to left but Burleson walked. Remy then hit a deep fly ball that Piniella lost in the sun and couldn't find it. He literally stuck his glove out and the ball fell in it and his powerful arm kept Burleson at second base.

                                               Luckiest stab of all time.

That break proved crucial as Rice flied out to deep right that would have scored Burleson if he was on third but instead all it did was move him to third. With the game on the line....Yaz popped up to third to end the game. The Yankees had beaten the Red Sox and stole the AL East division title with a 5-4 win.

                                                          Yankees win the division

Jackass of the Night is Mike Torrez. How do you serve up a 3 run home run to Bucky Dent?

                                                                  Jackass Torrez

The Good:

Jerry Remy was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Carl Yastrzemski was 2 for 5 with a home run, two total rbis and 2 total runs scored.

Carlton Fisk was 1 for 3 with a walk.

George Scott was 2 for 4.

Andy Hassler tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Dick Drago got the final out in the ninth inning.

The Bad:

Jack Brohamer was 0 for 1.

Bob Bailey struck out as a pinch hitter.

Dwight Evans was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Bob Stanley allowed an inherited runner to score and 1 of his own in just 1/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Rick Burleson was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

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

Butch Hobson was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Honorable Mention:

Frank Duffy played second base in the final two innings.

Final Thoughts:

How do you come back from this? For the second straight year the Red Sox won more than 96 games but have nothing to show for it because the Yankees beat them again. This was even more painful than 1977 considering the Sox had a 14.5 game lead on them at one point. They still had an 8 game lead in August that they pissed away in September. Hell, the Yankees were so hot that the Sox lost ground going 7-3 in the middle of September. Butch Hobson getting hurt, Dwight Evans getting hurt, Zimmer not trusting Lee, the trades of Wiloughby and Carbo which led to the bullpen and bench faltering. It was a perfect storm of incompetence and it all came to ahead today. Torrez giving up a home run to Dent and Stanley giving up the jack to Jackson to seal it was bad enough, but Piniella making the luckiest stab in history just goes to show why the Yankees are the champs. I have no doubt they'll steamroll the Kansas City Royals tomorrow night in the American League Championship series. As for the Sox, what can they do to improve? They had their best win total since 1946 and didn't even make the playoffs. Improving the bench and bullpen while praying everyone stays healthy seems to be the course of action. The rotation is fine with Luis Tiant, Dennis Eckersley, Torrex and Dennis Eckersley but some more arms in the bullpen might help. That Sparky Lyle for Danny Cater trade back in 72 looks even worse now. Fans are going to be angry for a long time and hopefully the Sox can bounce back next year with even more determination to get to the playoffs.

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.