Twins Outslug Red Sox (8/16/70)

Just when it looked like the Boston Red Sox was building momentum following a three game winning streak, they had to blow it with a horrendous loss to the Minnesota Twins. The Red Sox knocked Minnesota starter Luis Tiant out in the second inning but Gary Peters (11-10, 4.28 ERA) got rocked for 5 runs in less than 5 innings. The Sox clawed their way back to trail 6-5 in the eighth but Cesar Tovar hit s 3 run home run off Chuck Hartenstein to ice the game. Jerry Moses went yard for the Red Sox but the terrible pitching led to a 9-6 defeat at the hands of the Twins at Fenway Park.

                                                                  Angry fans

The Twins wasted no time getting to Peters in the top of the first inning as Cesar Tovar walked to start. Danny Thompson struck out swinging but Harmon Killebrew walked. A wild pitch moved both runners over and Tony Oliva doubled to left to score Tovar and Killebrew. Brant Alyea struck out and was caught in a rundown before Bob Allison struck out swinging to end the inning with the Twins up 2-0.

                                                                  Twins strike first

The Sox answered in the bottom of the first against Luis Tiant as Mike Andrews doubled to left to start. Reggie Smith grounded out to first to move Andrews to second and Carl Yastrzemski doubled to center to score Mike. Tony Conigliaro grounded out to short and Rico Petrocelli flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox down 2-1.

                                                                 Yaz drives in a run

Leo Cardenas singled to center to start the top of the second before George Mitterwald grounded out to third to move Cardenas to second. Tiant grounded out to first to move Cardenas to third and Tovar grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the second as George Thomas doubled to left to start. John Kennedy got a base hit to center to score Thomas but Tom Satriano struck out swinging. Peters got a base hit to center and that was it for Tiant. Bert Blyleven came in to pitch and Andrews grounded out to short to move the runners over. With a chance to go-ahead....Smith grounded out to second to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                             Kennedy drives in a run

Thompson popped up to first to start the top of the third before Killebrew grounded out to short. Oliva struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the third as Yaz grounded out to first to start. Tony C doubled to left but Petrocelli took strike three. Thomas walked and Kennedy doubled home Tony C. Satriano was intentionally walked and Peters took strike three to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-2.

                                                            Another RBI for Kennedy

The lead lasted about 8 seconds in the top of the fourth when Alyea hit a home run all the way to Jupiter to start. Allison walked but Cardenas flied out to left. Mitterwald then hit a home run all the way into the Red Sea to put Minnesota back on top. Sox manager Eddie Kasko had enough of Peters after allowing 5 runs in just 3 1/3 innings. Ed Phillips came in and Blyleven drew a walk. Tovar grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Twins up 5-3.

                                                                  Peters doesn't last long

The Sox inched closer in the bottom of the fourth although Andrews struck out swinging to start. Smith crushed his 17th home run of the season to cut the lead but Yaz grounded back to the mound. Tony C lined out to third to end the inning with the Sox down 5-4.

                                                               Smith jacks one

Thompson hit one up the elevator shaft to start the top of the fifth but Killebrew singled to left. Oliva hit a bullet to Yaz who doubled off Harmon to end the inning. Petrocelli popped up to short to start the bottom of the fifth before Thomas popped up to second. Kennedy reached on an error but Satriano grounded out to second to end the inning.

Alyea took strike three to start the top of the sixth before Allison doubled to left. Cardenas grounded out to short and Mittenwald was intentionally walked. Blyleven took strike three to end the inning, Rich Reese took over at first to start the bottom of the sixth and Dick Schofield pinch hit for Phillips. Schofield singled to right but Andrews took strike three. Smith flied out to center and Yaz grounded out to first to end the inning.

Chuck Hartenstein came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Tovar was hit with a pitch to start. Tovar got caught stealing second and Thompson popped up to short. Killebrew then hit a home run all the way to Bombay, India to increase the lead. Oliva singled to left but Alyea took strike three to end the inning with the Twins ahead 6-4.

                                                                 Killebrew hits one out

Jim Holt came in for Alyea to start the bottom of the seventh and Tony C smacked his 22nd home run of the season to cut the lead. Petrocelli grounded out to third, Thomas grounded out to second and Petrocelli lined out to right to end the inning with the Sox down 6-5.

                                                           Home run for Conigliaro

Naturally Hartenstein crapped his pants in the top of the eighth as Reese singled to center to start. Cardenas dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move him to second and Mitterwald flied out to right. For some reason Sox manager Eddie Kasko had pinch hitter Charlie Manuel intentionally walked to get to Tovar. Tovar ended up hitting a home run all the way to Tampa, Florida to ice the game. Thompson grounded out to third to end the inning with the Twins up 9-5.

                                                               That'll do it

Stan Williams took over on the mound for the bottom of the eighth and Satriano struck out swinging to begin. Jerry Moses pinch hit for Hartenstein and belted his sixth home run of the year to cut the lead. Andrews popped up to short and Smith grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox down 9-6.

                                                           That's how you pinch hit

Sparky Lyle came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Killebrew struck out swinging to start. Oliva lined out to left and Holt struck out swinging to end the inning. Frank Quilici came in for Killebrew to start the bottom of the ninth and Yaz walked to start. Tony C struck out swinging, Petrocelli forced Yaz at second and Thomas lined out to second to end the game. The Twins had won it 9-6.

Jackass of The Night is Chuck Hartenstein. He allowed four runs including the backbreaking 3 run home run to put the game out of reach.

                                                        Jackass Hartenstein

The Good:

Tony Conigliaro was 2 for 5 with a home run and 2 total runs scored.

John Kennedy was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis.

Dick Schofield got a base hit as a pinch hitter.

Jerry Moses hit a pinch hit home run.

Ed Phillips tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings.

Sparky Lyle pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Rico Petrocelli was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Gary Peters took the loss allowing 5 runs in 3 1/3 innings. He allowed 4 hit and 3 walks while striking out 4. He was 1 for 2 at the plate with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Mike Andrews was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Reggie Smith was just 1 for 5 but the one hit was a home run.

 Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 4 but walked and drove in a run.

George Thomas was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored a run.

Tom Satriano was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Final Thoughts:

Not much needs to be said at this point. The Red Sox are spinning their tires while the Baltimore Orioles are just a month and change away from the World Series really. If anyone thought the Sox could compete, they couldn't. Its a shame the Sox can't match arms with Baltimore because the bats weren't the problem. The Sox might have won this game if Hartenstein didn't pee down his leg. Smith, Tony C and Moses all hit a home run, its a shame it all went for naught. The Sox are just playing out the string at this point since Baltimore is the heavy favorite to repeat as American League champions. The loss dropped the Sox to 60-56, 14 games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox now welcome in the Chicago White Sox for a three game set beginning tomorrow afternoon. Cal Koonce (1-5) goes for the BoSox against Bart Johnson of the ChiSox at 2:00 PM at Fenway Park.

Royals Pound Romo, Sox (8/13/70)

If only getting a split against the Kansas City Royals wasn't bad enough in yesterday's double header, tonight was even worse as the Royals almost effortlessly pounded the Boston Red Sox further into oblivion. Vicente Romo (6-3, 3.93 ERA) was blitzed for 5 runs before getting knocked out in the second inning. Rookie pitchers Ed Phillips and John Curtis got tagged for six runs combined as the Royals banged out 16 hits and 11 runs. Meanwhile Royals starter Al Fitzmorris tossed a complete game 6 hitter, holding the Sox to just 3 runs. It all added up to an embarrassing 11-3 loss to the Royals at Fenway Park.

                                                      "Dammit Romo!"

The Royals attacked immediately in the top of the first as Pat Kelly doubled down the left field line to start. Kelly moved to second on a wild pitch and Cookie Rojas popped up to third. Amos Otis grounded out to short to score Kelly but Lou Piniella walked. Ed Kirkpatrick got a base hit in the hole at second and Bob Oliver got a base hit to center to score Piniella. Paul Schaal doubled to center to score Kirkpatrick but Oliver was thrown at home to end the inning with the Royals up 3-0.

                                                                   Yer outtttt

Fitzmorris got the ball in the bottom of the first and Mike Andrews belted his 12th home run of the season to begin the inning. Reggie Smith popped up to short but Carl Yastrzemski walked. Tony Conigliaro singled to center but Rico Petrocelli flied out to center. Billy Conigliaro forced his brother at second to end the inning with the Sox down 3-1.

                                                              Home run Andrews

The Royals finished off Romo in the top of the second as Rich Severson took strike three to start. Fitzmorris grounded back to the mound but Kelly walked. Rojas hit a routine grounder to John Kennedy who picked the ball up and heaved it over his head for an error. Otis singled to left to score Kelly and chase Romo from the game. He'd be charged with 5 runs in just 1 2/3 innings. Ed Phillips came in and Piniella greeted him with a base hit to center to score Rojas. Kirkpatrick was retired on a nubber in front of the plate to end the inning with the Royals up 5-1.

                                                              Romo gets rocked

John Kennedy struck out swinging to start the bottom of the second before Jerry Moses grounded out to short. Phillips grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Royals struck again in the top of the third as Oliver struck out swinging to start. Schaal doubled to left but Severson took strike three. Fitzmorris then stroked a base hit to left to score Schaal. Kelly struck out swinging to end the inning with the Royals up 6-1.

                                                           Fitzmorris driving in runs

Andrews flied out to center to start the bottom of the third before Smith did the same. Yaz grounded out to third to end the inning.

Rojas doubled to left to start the top of the fourth before Otis took strike three. Piniella grounded out to third and Kirkpatrick grounded out to first to end the inning. Tony C struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fourth but Petrocelli ripped a base hit to left. Billy C grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Oliver grounded out to third to start the top of the fifth but Schaal singled to left. Severson doubled to center to score Schaal and chase Phillips from the game. Chuck Hartenstein came in to pitch and Fitzmorris moved Severson to third with a fly ball to right. Kelly walked but was thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning with the Royals up 7-1.

                                                                  RBI for Severson

Kennedy grounded out to third to start the bottom of the fifth and Moses popped up to third. Defying all logic, Sox manager Eddie Kasko brought in pitcher Gary Peters to pinch hit for Hartenstein. Peters grounded out to first to end the inning. Did Dick Schofield fall asleep in the dugout?

John Curtis came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Rojas grounded back to the mound to start. Otis took strike three and Piniella grounded out to short to end the inning. Andrews popped up to first in foul territory to start the bottom of the sixth before Smith grounded out to first. Yaz grounded out to second to end the inning.

Kirkpatrick walked to start the top of the seventh before Oliver forced him at second. Schaal singled to center and both runners moved over on a grounder to short by Severson. Fitzmorris flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the seventh as Tony C belted his 21st home run of the season to cut the lead. Petrocelli walked but Billy C grounded into a double play. Kennedy grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox down 7-2.

                                                              Home run for Conigliaro

The Royals poured it on in the top of the eighth as Kelly lined out to right to start. Kennedy booted a grounder by Rojas for an error and Otis got a base hit to center. Piniella singled to left and Kirkpatrick hit a grand slam all the way into the Grand Canyon to increase the lead. That was it for Curtis as Gary Wagner came in to pitch. Oliver got a base hit to left but Schaal flied out to center. Severson lined out to left to end the inning with the Royals ahead 11-2.

                                                            Grand slam for Kirkpatrick

Jackie Hernandez took over for Rojas to begin the bottom of the eighth and Moses got a base hit to left. For whatever reason with the game out of reach, NOW Kasko pinch hit Wagner with Dick Schofield. Moses moved to second a on a grounder to third before Andrews flied out to right. Smith doubled to right to score Moses and took third on the error by Kelly. Yaz grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox down 11-3.

                                                        RBI double for Smith

Sparky Lyle came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Fitzmorris walked to start. Kelly took strike three and Hernandez grounded into a double play to end the inning. Fitzmorris returned to finish the bottom of the ninth and Tony C popped up to second to start. Hernandez booted a grounder by Petrocelli for an error but for the third time all game, Billy C grounded into a double play to end the game. The Royals had won it 11-3.

Jackass of The Night is Vicente Romo. He got rocked for 5 runs in just 1 2/3 innings to put the game out of reach early.

                                                                 Jackass Romo

The Good:

Tony Conigliaro was 2 for 4 with a home run.

Rico Petrocelli was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Jerry Moses was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Chuck Hartenstein tossed 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

Gary Wagner tossed 2/3 of a scoreless inning.

Sparky Lyle pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Billy Conigliaro was 0 for 4 with 3 double plays.

John Kennedy was 0 for 3 with a strikeout and 2 errors.

Gary Peters was 0 for 1 at the plate

Dick Schofield was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Ed Phillips allowed 2 runs in 2 2/3 innings and was 0 for 1 at the plate.

John Curtis allowed 4 runs in 2 1/3 innings.

The Ugly:

Mike Andrews was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a home run.

Reggie Smith was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 3 with a walk.

Final Thoughts:

Getting killed by the terrible Royals is a microcosm of this lost season. The Sox can never get good pitching or hitting when it matters. Romo and the bullpen got annihilated by a lowly Royals team and Al Fitzmorris held the offense in check. All the Sox can do is play out the string at this point because the Baltimore Orioles are on a mission to avenge last year's World Series loss to the New York Mets. Its a shame the Sox just couldn't get Jim Lonborg healthy and the other starters were good but not great. It all added up to a lost season with just 49 games remaining. The loss dropped the Sox to 57-56, 14.5 games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox continue the homestand by welcoming in the Minnesota Twins for a four game set. Ray Culp (12-10) takes on Bill Zepp of the Twins tomorrow night at 6:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Outslug, Sweep A's (4/30/70)

It was an up and down month for the Boston Red Sox but it ended on a high note with 4 straight wins over the Oakland Athletics, including tonight's game. With the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Finals this Sunday, the Red Sox have been overlooked so far but those who attended Fenway got their money's worth in today's game. There were 19 total hits, 6 home runs and 15 total runs scored between the two teams which had the Sox coming out on top. Rico Petrocelli, George Scott and Billy Conigliaro all went deep for the Sox as they scored 8 total runs. Gary Peters (3-1, 4.18 ERA) battled for 7 innings and allowed all 7 runs the A's would score, including three homers. Bill Lee, Ed Phillips and Sparky Lyle slammed the door in the final few innings and the Sox ended April with a four game sweep of the A's including an 8-7 slugfest at Fenway Park.

                                                              Don Chaney approves of the win

Peters got the ball in the top of the first and the A's went up big early. Bert Campaneris walked and Joe Rudi singled to right. Reggie Jackson popped up to first but Sal Bando took strike three. Felipe Alou then hit a 3 run home run all the way to Miami, Florida to put the A's on top. Don Mincher flied out to center to end the inning with the A's ahead 3-0.

                                                      Alou with a 3 run blast

Jim Roland got the ball in the bottom of the first and Mike Andrews grounded out to short to start. Reggie Smith singled to left but Carl Yastrzemski banged into a double play to end the inning.

Peters turned up the heat in the top of the second as Dave Duncan, Dick Green and Roland all struck out swinging in short order. The Sox began the comeback in the bottom of the second as Rico Petrocelli singled to left. George Scott doubled to left and Billy Conigliaro scored Petrocelli with a sac fly to right to cut the lead. Luis Alvarado popped up to short but Gerry Moses hit a roller to short that was booted  by Campaneris for an error to score Scott. Peters walked but Andrews popped up to first to end the inning with the Sox down 3-2.

                                                          Billy C drives in a run

Campaneris grounded out to short to start the top of the third before Rudi flied out to center. Jackson lined out to left to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the third as Smith grounded out to short to start. Yaz walked and Petrocelli mashed his third home run of the season to give the Sox the lead. Roberto Rodriguez came in to pitch to Scott and George doubled to left. Billy C lashed a base hit to right to score Scott with another run, but was thrown out at second trying to steal. Alvarado flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-3.

                                                         Home run Petrocelli

Bando popped up to second to start the top of the fourth and Alou grounded out to short. Mincher popped up to short to end the inning. Moses popped up to third to begin the bottom of the fourth before Peters lined out to right. Andrews flied out to left to end the inning.

The A's struck back in the top of the fifth as Duncan doubled to right and took third on a passed ball. Green walked and Bob Johnson pinch hit for Rodriguez. Johnson banged into a double play but Duncan scored to cut the lead. Campaneris grounded out to third to end the inning with the A's down 5-4.

                                                      Johnson's double play brings in a run

The Sox added to the lead in the bottom of the fifth with Paul Lindblad now on the mound. Smith popped up to third  Yaz struck out swinging but Petrocelli walked. Scott pulverized his third home run of the season to increase the lead. Billy C then blasted his first home run of the season to go back to back, but Alvarado grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-4.

                                                        Scott goes deep

The A's wasted no time getting a run back when Rudi smashed a home run all the way to British Columbia to start the top of the sixth. Jackson took strike three, Bando flied out to center and Alou popped up to second to end the inning with the A's down 8-5.

                                                         Rudi goes yard

Moses grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the sixth before Peters struck out swinging. Andrews grounded out to second to end the inning.

Mincher popped up to second to start the top of the seventh and Duncan flied out to center. Green flied out to right to end the inning. Smith singled to right to start the bottom of the seventh but moved to second on the Yaz grounder to second. Petrocelli struck out swinging and Scott grounded out to short to end the inning.

Sox manager Eddie Kasko wore a path to the mound in the top of the eighth and it started with Frank Fernandez pinch hitting for Lindblad. Fernandez hit a home run all the way to Jupiter and Campaneris doubled to left to chase Peters. Peters had far from his best game but he pitched into the eighth inning with the Sox in the lead. Roberto Pena pinch ran for Campaneris, Rick Monday pinch hit for Rudi and Ray Jarvis came in to pitch. A wild pitch moved Pena to third and Monday walked to put runners at the corners. Kasko brought in Bill Lee to pitch to Jackson and Lee struck him out swinging. Kasko then brought in Ed Phillips to face Bando and Sal ripped a base hit to center to score Pena and put the tying run at second. Alou lined out to center and Kasko came out AGAIN, this time to bring in Sparky Lyle. Mincher lined out to first to end the inning with the A's down 8-7.

                                                Kasko gets a lot of exercise in that inning

Rollie Fingers came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Billy C grounded out to third to start. Alvarado doubled to left but Moses lined out to left. Lyle grounded out to first to end the inning.

Lyle came back to close out the top of the ninth and Duncan grounded out to short to start. Green lined out to center and Tito Francona came in to pinch hit for Fingers. Francona walked and Jose Tartabull pinch ran for him. Pena popped up to third in foul territory to end the game. The Sox had swept the A's with an 8-7 win.

Hero of the Night is Billy Conigliaro. He drove in 3 big runs including a home run which ended up the difference in the game.

                                                        Billy C The Hero

The Good:

Reggie Smith was 2 for 4.

Rico Petrocelli was 3 for 4 with a 2 run homer and 3 total runs scored.

George Scott was 3 for 4 with a 2 run homer and 3 total runs scored.

Bill Lee struck out the only man he faced.

Sparky Lyle earned his sixth save with 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Mike Andrews was 0 for 4.

Gary Peters was charged with 7 runs in 7 innings of work. He allowed 6 hits and 2 walks.

Ray Jarvis walked the only man he faced.

The Ugly:

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Luis Alvarado was just 1 for 4.

Gerry Moses was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Ed Phillips allowed an inherited runner to score in 1/3 of an inning.

Final Thoughts:

After the Red Sox lost 2 of 3 to the Milwaukee Brewers I said nothing short of a sweep of the Oakland A's would do in terms of momentum going into May. Turns out the Sox DID sweep the A's and the Sox ended the month on a hot streak. The offense has been pretty good but, as usual, the pitching hasn't held up in April. Sonny Siebert has been awful, Jim Lonborg got hurt AGAIN and Gary Peters has been iffy. Mike Nagy was 12-2 last year and took second in AL Rookie of The Year honors but he hasn't pitched yet this season. Still, the Sox are hanging in there and need to keep the ball rolling if they want to stay with the Baltimore Orioles. I don't know what Kasko was doing in the eighth inning by managing like it was Game 7 of the World Series but at least the Sox won. Sparky Lyle has worked four straight games now and he needs a break. It would be nice if the Sox get a good ol fashioned blowout win in the next game. The Sox end the month of April with an 11-8 record, 2 games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look for win number 5 in a row tomorrow night when the California Angels are in town. Ray Culp (1-3) takes on Tom Murphy of the Angels at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Beat A's in Beanball War (4/29/70)

After the first two games of this four game set between the Boston Red Sox and Oakland A's were clean, hard fought contests....tonight's game eroded into a beanball war that erupted into a full fledged brawl in the sixth inning. It started when Sox starter Sonny Siebert (1-1, 7.71 ERA) nearly hit A's starter Chuck Dobson in the head in the top of the fifth. Dobson responded by plunking Sonny in the bottom of the frame. Siebert retaliated by hitting Reggie Jackson and a melee ensued. Siebert and George Thomas of the Red Sox were ejected while Blue Moon Odom and Jackson of the A's were tossed as well. Once the brawl was over, the Sox held on to win the game 5-3 over the Athletics at Fenway Park.

                     World middleweight champ Paul Pender approves of the fighting Sox

Siebert got the ball in the top of the first inning and Felipe Alou grounded out to second to start. Rick Monday struck out swinging and Reggie Jackson went down hacking to end the inning. The Sox got to Dobson in the bottom of the first as Mike Andrews singled to center to start. Luis Alvarado singled to right and a wild pitch moved both runners over. Carl Yastrzemski put the Sox on top with a base hit to center to score both runners but was thrown out at second trying to steal. Tony Conigliaro walked but Rico Petrocelli popped up to first in foul territory. George Scott forced Petrocelli at second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                          Yaz drives in a pair

Siebert struck out Sal Bando swinging to start the top of the second and Don Mincher went down hacking as well. Dick Green singled to left but Dave Duncan hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. Billy Conigliaro grounded out to third to start the bottom of the second and Tom Satriano made his season debut with a base hit to center. Satriano moved to second on the grounder by Siebert but Andrews lined out to right to end the inning.

Roberto Pena lined out to center to start the top of the third before Dobson struck out swinging. Alou popped up to second to end the inning. Alvarado popped up to short to begin the bottom of the third before Yaz flied out to left. Tony C grounded out to third to end the inning.

All of a sudden Petrocelli keeled over in the dugout for no reason and had to be carried out on a stretcher, loaded into an ambulance and was rushed to Mass General's ICU. Dick Schofield came in to play short in the top of the fourth and as Monday struck out swinging to start. Jackson singled to center and stole second before Bando walked. Both runners pulled off a double steal but Mincher took strike three. Green struck out swinging to end the inning.

                                                 "Here I come to save the dayyyyyyy" - DS

Schofield flied out to center to start the bottom of the fourth and Scott struck out swinging. Billy C was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to end the inning.

Things got testy in the top of the fifth as Duncan singled to left to start. Pena flied out to right but Siebert threw at the head of Dobson. Dobson was mad and ended up popping up to first. Alou singled to center but Monday struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fifth as Satriano popped up to third to begin. Dobson hit Siebert in the back but Andrews singled up the middle. Alvarado doubled to left to score Siebert and Yaz was intentionally walked to load the bases. Tony C dropped a base hit to left to score Andrews and chase Dobson from the game. Paul Lindblad came in and Schofield banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-0.

                                                     Alvarado drives in a run

Jackson stepped to the plate to start the top of the sixth and Siebert hit him with a pitch. Jackson charged the mound and a pier six brawl ensued. When the dust settled, George Thomas, Blue Moon Odom, Siebert and Jackson were all ejected. Jose Tartabull came in to run for Jackson as Lee Strange came in for Siebert who ended up tossing 5 shutout innings. Bando popped up to first but Mincher walked. Green and Duncan both struck out swinging to end the inning.

                                                Starts a fight while pitching a shutout

Scott tripled into the right field corner to start the bottom of the sixth but Billy C struck out swinging. Satriano walked and Strange hit a fly ball to right. Scott took off for home and was thrown out to end the inning.

The A's struck back in the top of the seventh although Pena flied out to center to start. Tito Francona pinch hit for Lindblad and hit a home run all the way to Portland, Maine. That was it for Strange as Ken Brett came in and Alou walked to greet him. Monday struck out swinging and Taratabull grounded into a force to end the inning with the A's down 4-1.

                                                        Francona pinch hits with a home run

Diego Segui took over for the bottom of the seventh and Andrews popped up to first to start. Alvarado doubled to left and Yaz was intentionally walked, but Tony C singled home Alvarado to increase the lead. Reggie Smith pinch ran for Tony C and Mudcat Grant came in to pitch and Schofield hit into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-1.

                                                      Conigliaro drives in a run

The A's struck back in the top of the eighth as Bando walked to start. Mincher doubled to center and that was it for Brett. Ed Phillips came in and Green scored Bando with a grounder to short. A wild pitch moved Mincher to third but Duncan struck out swinging. Pena singled in the hole at second to score Mincher with another run. Bob Johnson pinch hit for Grant and flied out to left to end the inning with the A's down 5-3.

                                    Can you not allow inherited runners to score, Ed?

Rollie Fingers came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Scott flied out to right to start. A wild pitch moved Scott to second and Billy C moved him to third with a fly ball to center. Satriano and Phillips both grounded out to third to end the inning.

Alou singled to left to start the top of the ninth and Sparky Lyle was brought in to put out the fire. Monday took strike three and Tartabull dropped down a bunt to move Alou to second but Bando lined out to second to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-3.

Hero of the Night is Tony Conigliaro. His two rbis were the difference in the game.

                                                              Tony C the Hero

The Good:

Mike Andrews was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored.

Luis Alvarado was 3 for 4 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Carl Yastrzemski was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and 2 rbis.

George Scott was 2 for 4.

Tom Satriano was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Sonny Siebert tossed 5 shutout innings and scored a run as a batter.

Sparky Lyle earned his 5th save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Rico Petrocelli was 0 for 1.

Dick Schofield was 0 for 3.

Billy Conigliaro was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Lee Strange was charged with a run in 1 1/3 innings.

Ken Brett was charged with 2 runs in 2/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Ed Phillips allowed 2 inherited runners to score but none of his own in an inning of work.

Honorable Mention:

Reggie Smith played center in the final 2 innings.

Final Thoughts:

The Sox needed a strong end to the month to get some momentum going and they've won 3 straight games to put them in a position to not only sweep the A's but to finish April over .500. The Sox were perfectly mediocre this month and they couldn't afford to be with the 109 win Baltimore Orioles looking for a repeat with almost the exact same team back this year. As for this game, Siebert getting himself thrown out by throwing at people wasn't the smartest decision considering the A's scored 3 runs in the next 3 innings after he was gone. The A's are going to want revenge tomorrow and the odds of the Sox sweeping four straight just dropped. Sox manager Eddie Kasko switched up the lineup a little bit by starting Satirano and Billy Conigliaro. Alvarado and Andrews got hot so it would behoove Kasko to not tinker too much with what's working. Siebert got his first win of the season but both Conigliaro and Petrocelli had to leave the game. Hopefully they won't be out too long. The Sox look for the series sweep in the final game of the month tomorrow afternoon. Gary Peters (2-1) goes up against Jim Roland of the Athletics at 2:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Brabender, Brewers Beat Sox (4/26/70)

The good news was the Boston Bruins eliminated the Chicago Blackhawks in with a Game 4 win in their NHL Semi-Final playoff series, the bad news was the Boston Red Sox dropped another game to the lowly Milwaukee Brewers. Gene Brabender almost went the distance for Milwaukee, allowing 3 runs in 8 2/3 innings. Sox starter Ray Culp (1-3, 3.86 ERA) matched Brabender as best as he could but left the game trailing 2-1 after 7 innings. Ken Brett threw up on himself in the top of the eighth, allowing 3 runs to put the game out of reach. The Sox did rally in the bottom of the ninth with a Gerry Moses home run and had the tying run at the plate, but Bob Locker got the final out to end the game and save it for Milwaukee 5-3 at Fenway Park.

                                                          Captain Kirk is mad the Sox lost

Culp cruised in the top of the first inning as Tommy Harper flied out to left to start. Russ Snyder and Steve Hovley both popped up to third to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally right out of the gate in the bottom of the first as Mike Andrews walked. Reggie Smith walked but Carl Yastrzemski grounded into a double play and George Scott grounded out to second to end the inning.

Danny Walton lined out to center to start the top of the second and Mike Hegan grounded out to second. Jerry McNertney singled to left but Max Alvis hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the second as Rico Petrocelli grounded out to third to start. Tony Conigliaro grounded back to the mound and Luis Alvarado was retired on a nubber in front of the plate to end the inning.

Kubiak walked to start the top of the third and Brabender sacrificed him to second. Harper popped up to short and Snyder took strike three to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the third as Gerry Moses flied out to left to start. Culp grounded out to second but Andrews and Smith both walked. Yaz walked to load the bases and Scott hit a grounder to third to score Andrews when Smith beat the force to re-load the bases. With a chance to do damage, Petrocelli struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                             Scott drives in a run

The Brewers answered in the top of the fourth as Hovley singled to center to begin. Walton walked and Hegan singled in the hole at second to load the bases. McNertney scored Hovley to tie the game but Walton was thrown out at third on the strikeout by Alvis to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                    McNertney drives in a run and apparently Topps didn't get the memo the Pilots moved

Tony C singled to left to start the bottom of the fourth but Alvarado struck out swinging. Moses forced Conigliaro at second and Culp took strike three to end the inning.

Kubiak singled to center to start the top of the fifth but Brabender struck out swinging. Harper flied out to left and Snyder lined out to short to end the inning. Andrews struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth and Smith grounded out to second. Yaz also grounded out to second to end the inning.

Hovley grounded out to first to start the top of the sixth but Walton struck out swinging. Hegan flied out to center to end the inning. Scott struck out swinging to start the bottom of the sixth and Petrocelli grounded back to the mound. Tony C lined out to center to end the inning.

The Brewers struck in the top of the seventh as McNertney walked to start. Alvis forced him at second and moved to third when Kubiak singled in the hole at short. Somehow Culp uncorked a wild pitch to score Alvis to give the Brewers the lead. Brabender struck out swinging but Harper walked. Snyder grounded out to second to end the inning with the Brewers ahead 2-1. Culp was undone by a wild pitch and lack of run support as he allowed just 2 runs in 7 innings.

                                                      Culp deserved a better fate

The Sox tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh as Alvarado grounded out to third to start. Moses singled to left and Dick Schofield pinch hit for Culp. Schofield struck out swinging and Andrews popped up to first to end the inning.

The Brewers iced the game when Ken Brett came in to pitch the top of the eighth. Mike Hershberger pinch hit for Hovley and doubled to left to start. Walton and Hegan both walked to load the bases and chase Brett. Ed Phillips came in and walked McNertney to score Hershberger. Alvis then singled home Walton and Hegan to ice the game. Kubiak popped up to short, Brabender struck out swinging and Harper whiffed to end the inning with the Brewers ahead 5-1.

                                                             Nice going Phillips

Smith popped up to first to start the bottom of the eighth and Yaz grounded back to the mound. Scott grounded out to short to end the inning.

Phillips returned for the top of the ninth and Snyder got a base hit to center but was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double by Smith. Hershberger flied out to center and Walton hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. Wayne Comer took over in left to start the bottom of the ninth and Petrocelli grounded back to the mound to start. Tony C grounded out to third and Sox manager Eddie Kasko sent in Tommy Matchick to pinch hit for Alvarado. Matchick walked and Moses struck his second home run of the year to cut the lead. How big was the 2 run single by Alvis now? That was it for Brabender as Bob Locker came in to get the final out. Mike Derrick pinch hit for Phillips and got a base hit to left. Representing the tying run, Andrews forced Derrick at second to end the game. The Sox rally fell short and they lost 5-3.

Jackass of the Night is Ken Brett. He put all 3 runners on that came around to score without recording an out.

                                                      Jackass Brett

The Good:

Reggie Smith walked twice in four plate appearances and had an outfield assist.

Tommy Matchick walked and scored a run.

Gerry Moses was 2 for 4 with a 2 run home run.

Mike Derrick singled as a pinch hitter.

One of the rare times the losing pitcher ends up on the Good list but Ray Culp tossed 7 strong innings and allowed just 2 runs.

The Bad:

Rico Petrocelli was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Luis Alvarado was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Dick Schofield struck out as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

Mike Andrews was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked twice and scored a run.

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 3 but walked.

George Scott was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Tony Conigliaro was just 1 for 4.

Ed Phillips allowed 3 inherited runners to score but none of his own in 2 innings.

Final Thoughts:

If its not one thing, its another for the Red Sox this season. Some days the starting pitching sucks, some days they can't hit, some days the bullpen blows it. Today it was the bullpen with Ken Brett putting 3 guys on and Phillips allowing them all to score. That last hit by Alvis was the difference in the game and its a shame because of hell well Brett pitched in Game 1 of yesterday's doubleheader. The offense did almost nothing until the ninth inning as well and the Sox are falling too far behind in the AL East race early. The Sox needed to have a good April for when they make their move but they failed miserably. The Sox would have to win 3 out of their last 4 games to even be looked at as mediocre. How's a team like this supposed to go on a winning streak if they can't play consistently? Culp took the loss but didn't deserve it if the bullpen had done their job. The Sox now welcome the Oakland A's for a four game set to end the month of April. Vicente Romo (1-0) gets the start for the Red Sox against Catfish Hunter of the Athletics tomorrow afternoon. The game begins at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.