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.

Orioles Pound Torrez, Sox (6/28/80)

The Boston Red Sox needed to make a statement against the defending American League champion Baltimore Orioles in today's matinee. Instead they got their brains beat in by the champs. Scott McGregor held the Sox to 3 runs in 7 plus innings of work while the Baltimore bats had their way with the ineffective Mike Torrez (4-7, 4.47 ERA). The dirty bird lit up Mike for 7 runs in 6 2/3 innings and ran away with this one to put Boston further behind the New York Yankees in the AL East race with an 8-4 win at Fenway Park.

                                             "This is your fault Torrez"

Al Bumbry led off the top of the first inning with a double to left but Torrez came back to strike out both Pat Kelly and Ken Singleton. Eddie Murray grounded out to short to end the inning. McGregor held the Sox in check in the bottom of the first as Rick Burleson grounded out to short to start. Dave Stapleton grounded out to short and Fred Lynn struck out to end the inning.

John Lowenstein singled to open the top of the second before Dan Graham forced him at second. Doug DeCinces banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the second as Tony Perez was retired on a swinging bunt in front of the plate to start. Butch Hobson struck out but Dwight Evans singled to left. Jim Dwyer flied out to right to end the inning.

Mark Belanger flied out to left to start the top of the third before Rich Dauer singled to center. Bumbry flied out to left and Kelly grounded out to first to end the inning. Glenn Hoffman tried to start a rally with a base hit to center to start the bottom of the third but was thrown out trying to steal. Gary Allenson singled to center but Burleson banged into a double play to end the inning.

The O's struck first in the top of the fourth inning although Singleton struck out to start. Murray and Lowenstein stroked back to back singles and Graham crushed a 80,000 foot home run into the Charles River to put the O's up big. DeCinces popped up to first in foul territory and Belanger flied out to right to end the inning but it was 3-0 O's.

Stapleton tried to start a rally with a base hit to center to begin the bottom of the fourth but Lynn grounded out to second, Perez struck out and Hobson flied out to right to end the inning.

Dauer singled to start the top of the fifth and a wild pitch moved him to second. Dauer moved to third on the grounder by Bumbry but Kelly popped up to short. Singleton grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Still nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Evans grounded out to short to start. Dwyer flied out to right and Hoffman flied out to center to end the inning.

Murray grounded out to third to begin the top of the sixth and Lowenstein followed with a ground out to second. Graham flied out to right to end the inning. Allenson walked to start the bottom of the sixth but Burleson banged into another double play. Stapleton singled to right but Lynn flied out to center to end the inning.

The O's finally got to Torrez in the top of the seventh although DeCinces grounded out to third to start. Belanger also grounded out to third but the wheels fell off. Dauer and Bumbry stroked back to back singles and Kelly walked to load the bases. Singleton walked and Sox manager Don Zimmer ran out of the dugout screaming at Torrez, chasing him into the bullpen. Torrez got lit up for 7 total runs in 6 1/3 innings. BOOOOOOOOO!!!

                                                       Terrible effort from Torrez

Zimmer didn't have anyone warming up in the bullpen so he spun around in a circle and pointed at Win Remmerswal, choosing the puzzled pitcher to come into the game ice cold. Naturally Win allowed back to back doubles to Murray and Lowenstein to ice the game. Zimmer ran out of the dugout with a 9 MM gun and started shooting at Win to get him off the mound before being led away by armed security. John Tudor came in to pitch and got Graham to strike out to end the inning with the O's up for good 8-0.

                                                     Tough to pitch in a situation like this

With the pressure off, NOW the Sox decided to rally. Perez led off the bottom of the seventh with a double to left but Hobson grounded out to third. Evans lined out to short but somehow Dwyer smashed his 6th home run of the season to cut the lead. Hoffman grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox down 8-2.

Tudor returned for the top of the eighth and struck out DeCinces to start. Belanger singled to center but Dauer took strike three. Bumbry grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox finally chased McGregor in the bottom of the eighth although Allenson flied out to left to start. Burleson walked and Stapleton singled to chase McGregor. O's manager Earl Weaver brought in Tim Stoddard and Lynn flied out to left, but Perez singled home Burleson with another run. Hobson grounded out to first to end the inning but the Sox were down 8-3.

                                                      Perez knocks in a run

Bill Campbell had mop up duty in the top of the ninth and Kelly singled to center to start. Singleton singled to right but Evans threw out Kelly at third. Murray singled to center but Lowenstein banged into a double play to end the inning. Carl Yaztremski pinch hit for Evans to lead off the bottom of the ninth only to strike out. Dwyer singled to left and Jerry Remy pinch hit for Hoffman, drawing a walk. Dave Rader pinch hit for Allenson and singled to right, scoring Dwyer. Burleson moved both runners over with a grounder but Stapleton popped up to second to end the game. The Orioles had won it 8-4.

Jackass of the Night is an easy one. Mike Torrez got lit up for 7 runs in just 6 1/3 innings. He allowed 9 hits and struck out just 3 batters.

                                                   Terrible Torrez the Jackass

The Good:

Dave Stapleton was 3 for 5.

Tony Perez was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Dwight Evans was 1 for 3.

Jim Dwyer was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis and 2 runs scored including a home run.

Glenn Hoffman was 1 for 3.

Jerry Remy walked as a pinch hitter.

Gary Allenson was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Dave Rader singled and drove in a run as a pinch hitter.

John Tudor tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Bill Campbell pitched a scoreless 9th inning.

The Bad:

Fred Lynn was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Butch Hobson was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Carl Yastrzemski struck out as a pinch hitter.

Win Remmerswaal allowed back to back doubles to the only batters he faced.

The Ugly:

Rick Burleson was 0 for 4 but walked and scored.

Final Thoughts:

That's not the way to start a crucial series against the defending AL champions. Yes the Yankees are the team to beat this year but beating a team like the Orioles is a must if the Sox hope to keep pace and they failed big time today. They couldn't touch McGregor and Torrez looked lost out there. Yeah the Sox scored some runs late but the game was out of reach by then. What a shame the Sox fell so far, so hard ever since they lost to the Yankees in 1978. The less said of today's disaster, the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 38-32, 7 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow night against the Orioles when Bob Stanley (6-5) goes up against Steve Stone at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Yankees Pound Torrez, Sox (9/13/79)

What a difference 24 hours makes. After the Boston Red Sox beat the tar out of the New York Yankees last night, this time it was the Yankees to administer a whooping. The first 5 batters in the lineup pounded out 14 hits and 8 rbis, knocking Mike Torrez (14-12, 4.81 ERA) to kingdom come. The Sox committed 3 errors in the field and the Yankees as a team provided a 16 hit, 10 run attack that knocked the Sox further out of their fading playoff race with a 10-3 rout at Fenway Park.

                                            "THEY LOST TO THE YANKEES AGAIN!!"

The Yankees wasted no time getting to Torrez in the top of the first inning although Bobby Murcer struck out to start. Willie Randolph dropped down a bunt and catcher Mike O'Berry threw the ball into the Red Sox bullpen for an error to advance Willie to second. Oscar Gamble singled Randolph to third and Reggie Jackson doubled Willie home to give the Yankees the lead. Chris Chambliss grounded out to first to score Gamble with another run before Graig Nettles flied out to center to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 2-0.

The Sox fought back in the bottom of the frame against Yankees starter Ron Guidry although Rick Burleson led off with a strikeout. Ted Sizemore flied out to left but Fisk doubled off the Monster. Jim Rice singled home Fisk to cut the lead in half but Butch Hobson struck out to end the inning with the Sox down 2-1.

                                                        Rice drives in a run

Torrez recovered in the top of the second as Jim Spencer grounded out to first to start. Jerry Narron grounded out to second and Bucky Dent popped up to second to end the inning. The Sox fought back in the bottom of the second as Dwight Evans walked to begin. Tom Poquette beat out an infield single to second but Jim Dwyer popped up to third. O'Berry walked to load the bases and Burleson beat out a double play ball to score Evans with the tying run. Sizemore popped up to third to end the inning but the Sox tied it 2-2.

                                                       Burleson ties it up

Torrez got Murcer to watch strike three go by to open the top of the third before Randolph grounded out to third. Gamble singled to right but Jackson struck out to end the inning. Guidry turned up the heat in the bottom of the third by striking out Fisk to start. Rice and Hobson both struck out as well to end the inning.

The Yankees broke it open in the top of the fourth although Chambliss grounded out to first to begin. Nettles struck out but Spencer drew a walk. The game turned when Narron hit a routine grounder to first but Dwyer threw himself on the ball for an error that allowed Spencer to reach third. The Yankees pounced as Dent singled home Spencer to give the Yankees the lead back. Murcer doubled home Narron and Randolph hit a bases clearing triple to knock Torrez out. The errors didn't help but Torrez was done after 3 2/3 innings and 7 charged runs. Allen Ripley came in and Gamble singled home Randolph but was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 7-2.

                                                       "Not today Gamble" - Ripley

Evans struck out to open the bottom of the fourth before Poquette grounded out to second. Dwyer doubled to right and tried to score on the base hit by O'Berry but was thrown out at home to end the inning.

Jackson doubled to open the top of the fifth but was out at third on a grounder by Chambliss. Nettles doubled to left and Spencer was intentionally walked to load the bases. The gamble worked as Ripley got Narron to ground into a double play to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Burleson popped up to second to start. Sizemore flied out to left and Fisk struck out to end the inning.

Ripley got in trouble in the top of the sixth although Dent struck out to start. Murcer and Randolph stroked back to back singles but Gamble popped up to third. Jackson walked to load the bases but Chambliss popped up to short to end the inning. The Sox somehow rallied in the bottom of the sixth as Rice walked to start. Hobson singled Rice to third and Evans doubled home Rice to cut the lead. The rally ended when Guidry punched out Poquette, Dwyer and O'Berry to end the inning. The bottom of the order failed big time as the Sox still trailed 7-3.

                                                           Evans drives in a run

Ripley got the Yankees to beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the seventh inning as Nettles grounded back to the mound to start. Spencer grounded back to the mound and Narron grounded out to third to end the inning. Burleson lined out to left to begin the bottom of the seventh before Sizemore flied out to right. Fisk doubled to left but was thrown out at third on the grounder by Rice to end the inning.

Sox manager Ralph Houk left Ripley in too long as he ran out of gas in the top of the eighth inning. Dent struck out to start but Murcer and Randolph stroked back to back singles. Gamble singled to right and Murcer gunned it home. O'Berry ended up muffing the ball that allowed Murcer and Randolph to score while Gamble moved all the way to third. Jackson walked and Chambliss doubled home Gamble to chase Ripley. Bill Campbell came in and got Nettles to ground back to the mound and Spencer to ground out to third to end the inning with the Yankees up 10-3.

                                                          A few batters too late

Fred Stanley took over at third as Guidry returned for the bottom of the eighth. Hobson flied out to right to start before Evans struck out. Poquette got a base hit to left but Dwyer flied out to center to end the inning.

Campbell returned for mop up duty in the top of the ninth and Narron struck out to start. Dent flied out to center and Murcer struck out to end the inning. Guidry finished off his complete game in the bottom of the ninth as O'Berry flied out to center to begin. Burleson lined out to left and Sizemore grounded out to short to end the game. The Yankees bitchslapped the Sox 10-3 at Fenway.

Jackass of the Night is Mike Torrez. He put the Sox in a hole they couldn't climb out of by allowing 7 runs in just 3 2/3 innings, although only 2 of the runs were earned.

                                                          Torrez is a Jackass


The Good:

Carlton Fisk was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Jim Rice was 1 for 3 with a walk, rbi and run scored.

Dwight Evans was 1 for 3 with a walk, rbi and run scored.

Tom Poquette was 2 for 4.

Bill Campbell tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Ted Sizemore was 0 for 5.

Allen Ripley allowed 3 runs in 3 2/3 innings pitched.



The Ugly:

Rick Burleson was 0 for 5 but drove in a run.

Butch Hobson was just 1 for 4.

Jim Dwyer was just 1 for 4 with an error.

Mike O'Berry was 1 for 3 with a walk but made 2 crucial errors.




Final Thoughts:

Well the bottom of the order was garbage in this one. O'Berry and Dwyer combined to go 2 for 7 and commit 3 errors between them. The Yankees capitalized on every mistake and shame on Torrez and Ripley for not getting the key outs even with the errors. It doesn't matter anyway as the Baltimore Orioles are so far ahead in the standings, all the Yankees and Sox can play for at this point is who finishes third between them. Torrez didn't have it but Ripley didn't help either, but again, nobody cares at this point. The loss drops the Sox to 81-62, 2.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for second place in the AL East. Speaking of the Orioles, the Sox now travel to Baltimore for a set against the AL East frontrunners. Steve Stone goes for the dirty birds up against Bob Stanley (15-9) tomorrow night at 7:50 PM at Memorial Stadium.

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.

Disco Denny Lit Up By Yankees, Remy Lost (7/1/79)

Dennis Eckersley may very well be the ace of the Boston Red Sox but he pitched like absolute garbage this afternoon at Yankee Stadium. Reportedly Eckersley was spotted at the infamous Studio 54 last night so its possible he wasn't his sharpest. Eck allowed FIVE...yes FIVE home runs to the New York Yankees as the Yankees knocked off the Sox 6-5. What's worse, Jerry Remy was injured on a collision at the plate and had to be carried out.

                                  Who thought THIS would be the downfall of the Sox today

Things went bad right from the start as Jerry Remy tripled to open the game, but Randolph made a great diving catch to rob Rick Burelson of a hit. Remy broke for home and collided with catcher Jerry Narron. Remy was hurt and had to be carried out on a stretcher as a sign of what was to come. Fred Lynn popped to short to end the inning but losing Remy was not good.

                                                         Poor Remy

The Yankees pounced on the shaken up Sox and starter Eckerseley in the bottom of the first inning with Jack Brohamer moving to second with Butch Hobson taking Remy's spot in the order while playing third. Roy White flied out but Randolph pounded a home run to give the Yankees the lead. Graig Nettles flied out to center and Reggie Jackson grounded out to second to end the inning, although it was 1-0 Yankees.

The Sox struck back in the top of the second inning as Rice was hit with a pitch and he scored on the double by Carl Yastrzemski. Bob Watson walked but was stranded as Brohamer flied out to right. Evans whiffed and Bob Montgomery popped up to second to end the inning, but it was tied 1-1.

                                                         Yaz ties it up

Eckersley ran into some trouble in the bottom of the second inning as Chris Chambliss singled to start the inning. Jim Spencer whiffed but Bobby Murcer singled. Narron struck out and Bucky Dent grounded to short to end the inning.

The Sox threatened in the top of the third inning but could not score. Hobson flied out to right but Burelson doubled. Lynn flied out to center but Rice walked. Yaz struck out to end the inning, what a waste. White grounded out to open the bottom of the third but Randolph singled. The alert Eck picked off Randolph and got Nettles to ground out to first to end the inning.

The Sox surged ahead in the top of the fourth inning although Watson struck out to begin. Brohamer clobbered a solo home run off Yankees starter Catfish Hunter to give the Sox the lead. Evans grounded out to short and Montgomery lined out to third to end the inning with the Sox up 2-1.

                                                    Jack makes it 2-1 Sox

The Yankees immediately tied the game in the bottom of the fourth. Jackson grounded out to first and Chambliss struck out, but Spencer blasted a solo home run to tie the game. Murcer popped up to left but it was now 2-2.

The Sox fought back in the top of the fifth inning although Hobson flied out to center to start. Burelson grounded out to second but Lynn belted a solo home run to give the Sox the lead back. Rice flied out to left to end the inning but it was now 3-2 Sox.

                                                  Lynn gives the Sox the lead back

The Yankees struck back in the bottom of the fifth inning as Narron worked a leadoff walk. Dent flied out to right but White clobbered a 2 run home run to put the Yankees back on top. Randolph flied out to left and Nettles struck out but it was now 4-3 Yankees.

Once again the Sox battled back in the top of the sixth inning although Yaz flied out to start. Watson singled but Brohamer lined out to second. Evans walked to chase Hunter as Ron Davis was brought in only for Montgomery to single home Watson to tie the game. Hobson singled in Evans to give the Sox the lead back. Burelson struck out but it was 5-4 Sox.

                                     Hobson comes off the bench and puts Boston in front

As usual Eckersley coughed up the lead in the bottom of the sixth. Jackson pounded a home run, New York's fourth, to tie the game immediately. Eck recovered to get Chambliss to ground out to second, Spencer to fly out to left and Murcer to strike out to end the inning with the game tied 5-5.

This time the Sox failed to answer in the top of the seventh as Lynn popped to short to start. Rice struck out and Yaz lined out to second to end the inning. Eckersley returned for the bottom of the seventh and guess what Narron did....he homered to give the Yankees the lead. Dent popped up to short but Red Sox manager Don Zimmer stumbled out of the dugout, beer cans falling out of his pocket to make the pitching change. Tom Burgmeier replaced Eck and got White to fly out. Randolph watched strike three go by to end the inning but the Yankees led 6-5, nice going Eck.

                                         Juror Number 3 dislikes blown leads

The Sox tried to fight back in the top of the eighth inning when Watson singled to put the tying run on. Jim Dwyer pinch ran for Watson but Brohamer flied out. Evans walked to chase Davis and put the go-ahead run on first. Tom Poquette was going to pinch hit for Montgomery, but when the Yankees brought in Jim Kaat, Sox manager Don Zimmer sat Poquette in favor of Carlton Fisk. Both Fisk and Hobson popped up to first to end the inning. Nice going fellas. Gary Allenson took over behind the plate with Dwyer now at first to open the bottom of the eighth. Nettles hit a routine grounder to Dwyer who tossed his glove away and tried to catch it bare handed, instead the ball went off his hands and rolled away for an error. Jackson singled and Chambliss sacrificed them into scoring position. Lou Pinella pinch hit for Spencer and was intentionally walked to load the bases. Rookie Chuck Rainey was brought in to pitch to pinch hitter Thurman Munson and somehow got him to bang into a double play to end the inning.

Kaat remained in the game to close it out in the top of the ninth. Burelson hit a comebacker to the mound but Lynn walked. Lynn was erased on the force by Rice and with the tying run on....Yaz grounded out to end the game. The Yankees held on to win it 6-5.

Jackass of the Night is Dennis Eckersley. He allowed not one, not two, not three, not four but FIVE home runs in this game. I'm sure Catfish Hunter would have taken him deep as well if there was no DH. The Sox put runs on the board so shame on Eck for being flat as a pancake today.

                                 Disco Denny didn't have it, the Jackass



The Good:

Jerry Remy was 1 for 1 before leaving the game.

Bob Watson was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Dwight Evans walked twice in 4 plate appearances and scored a run.

Bob Montgomery was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Tom Burgmeier pitched a full scoreless inning.

Chuck Rainey got the final two outs in the bottom of the eighth.



The Bad:

Jim Dwyer committed an error in the 9th inning.

Carlton Fisk was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Butch Hobson was 1 for 4 with an rbi after coming in for Remy.

Rick Burelson was just 1 for 5.

Fred Lynn was just 1 for 4 but walked, drove in a run and scored.

Jim Rice was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.

Carl Yastzremski was just 1 for 5 but walked and drove in a run.

Jack Brohamer was just 1 for 4 but scored a run and drove one in.



Honorable Mention:

Tom Poquette was penciled in to pinch hit for Montgomery before he was replaced by Fisk.

Gary Allenson caught the ninth inning.




Final Thoughts:

Maybe Eckersley should stay in his hotel room and watch Barnaby Jones instead of going out and doing the boogie woogie before a huge game against the Yankees. The team is reeling with a serious world series hangover and the Sox NEED to win these games to get closer to Baltimore in the division standings. Hopefully the Sox can come back tomorrow. The loss dropped the Red Sox to 47-28, 5.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow Joel Finch of the Red Sox takes on Tommy John of the Yankees.

Sox Homer Parade Tames Tigers (6/20/79)

As the weather heats up, so do the Boston Red Sox bats. Tonight the Sox took their frustrations out on the Detroit Tigers by pounding out 14 hits and 13 runs with SIX home runs. Mike Torrez (7-4, 4.81 ERA) survived a shaky first inning to go the distance. When the dust cleared the Sox steamrolled the Tigers 13-3 at Fenway Park.

                                                         Ernie Shore approves of the win

The Tigers struck first in the contest with a big top of the first. Ron LeFlore and Rusty Staub drew back to back walks before Steve Kemp beat out a double play ball. Jason Thompson singled home LeFlore but Lance Parrish struck out swinging. Champ Summers doubled home Kemp and Thompson but Aurelio Rodriguez grounded out to short to end the inning with the Tigers up 3-0.

                                                           LeFlore starts the rally

Steve Baker got the start for Detroit and Jerry Remy led off with a walk. Rick Burleson popped up to right before Fred Lynn took strike three. Jim Rice grounded out to third to end the inning.

Torrez recovered in the top of the second as Alan Trammell flied out to center to start. Mark Wagner grounded out to second but LeFlore doubled to left. Staub flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the second as Carl Yastrzemski grounded out to second to start. Carlton Fisk walked before moving to second on the Bob Watson grounder. Dwight Evans whiffed to end the inning.

Torrez cruised in the top of the third as Kemp flied out to left to start. Thompson grounded out to first before Parrish struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the third as Butch Hobson doubled to right to begin. Hobson moved to third on the grounder by Remy but Burleson flied out to right. Lynn crushed his 17th home run of the lead to put the Sox back in it. Rice walked then Yaz cracked his 12th homer of the year to put the Sox ahead. Fisk lined out to center to end the inning but it was 4-3 Sox.

                                                           Lynn and Yaz deliver

Torrez got Summers swinging to start the top of the fourth before Rodriguez grounded out to short. Trammell singled to right but Wagner grounded into a force to end the inning. The Sox got another run in the bottom of the fourth as Watson singled to center to begin. Evans walked and Hobson beat out an infield single to load the bases. Remy lined out to left but Watson made a mad dash home to score a run. Burleson banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-3.

                                                         Herculean sac fly by Remy

LeFlore singled to start the top of the fifth before moving to second on the Staub grounder. Kemp grounded back to the mound before Thompson lined out to left to end the inning. Aurelio Lopez came in for the bottom of the fifth and Lynn doubled to start. Rice grounded out to third before Yaz lined out to left. Fisk grounded out to first to end the inning.

Torrez cruised in the top of the sixth as Parrish watched strike three go by to begin. Summers popped up to first and Rodriguez grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox poured it on in the bottom of the sixth as Watson croaked his first home run as a member of the Red Sox to begin. Evans then smashed his 9th home run of the year to go back to back. Hobson walked but Remy flied out to left before Burleson doubled home Butch with another run to chase Lopez. Fernando Arroyo came in and Lynn grounded out to second. Rice grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-3.

                                                    Watson and Evans go back to back

Torrez got in trouble when Trammell singled to open the top of the seventh and Wagner walked. LeFlore beat out a double play ball but Staub didn't and the Sox were out of the inning. The relentless offense kept up the pace in the bottom of the seventh although Yaz flied out to left to start. Fisk doubled to left and Watson beat out an infield single. Evans doubled home Fisk and Hobson cleared the bases with his 9th bomb of the year to run up the score. Remy grounded out to short and Burleson flied out to left to end the inning but the score was now 12-3.

                                                              Hobson hits one out

Sox manager Don Zimmer emptied the bench in the top of the eighth as rookie Gary Allenson took over for Fisk behind the plate, Jim Dwyer took over at first for Yaz, Larry Wolfe took over for Remy at second, Jack Brohamer took over at third for Hobson, Stan Papi took over at short for Burleson and Tom Poquette took over for Lynn in center. Kemp grounded out to first to start before Thompson grounded out to first as well. Parrish flied out to right to end the inning. The Tigers emptied their bench in the bottom of the eighth as Kip Young took over on the mound, Ed Putman took over behind the plate, Phil Mankowski took over at third and Lynn Jones took over in left. Poquette grounded out to short before Rice popped up to second. Dwyer wrapped up the scoring with his first home run of the year to increase the lead. Allenson grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 13-3.

                                                             Home run Dwyer

Torrez came back to finish the job in the top of the ninth as Summers grounded out to second to start. Mankowski took strike three but Trammell singled to center. Wagner flied out to end the game. The Sox had beaten the Tigers to a pulp 13-3.

Hero of the Night is Mike Torrez. He tossed a complete game allowing just the three runs off 5 hits and 4 walks.

                                                         Torrez is the Hero



The Good:

Fred Lynn was 2 for 4 with a 2 run home run.

Jim Dwyer homered in his only at-bat.

Carlton Fisk was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Bob Watson was 3 for 4 with a solo home run and 3 runs scored.

Dwight Evans was 2 for 3 with a walk, a home run, 2 total rbis and 2 total runs scored.

Butch Hobson was 3 for 3 with a walk including a 3 run homer and 3 total runs scored.



The Bad:

Tom Poquette was 0 for 1 in his only plate appearance.

Gary Allenson was 0 for 1 at the plate.



The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was 0 for 3 but walked and drove in a run.

Rick Burleson was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run.

Jim Rice was 0 for 4 but walked and scored.

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a 2 run homer.



Honorable Mention:

Larry Wolfe played second base in the final two innings.

Stan Papi played shortstop in the final two innings.

Jack Brohamer played third base in the final two innings.




Final Thoughts:

That was a massacre for sure and it was nice to see Torrez pitch well. The key to this season is if they have enough pitching to win the division for the first time since 1975. Not having Bill Lee and Luis Tiant sucks but hopefully Steve Renko and Bob Stanley can replace their production from last year. The bats are still hot and the acquisition of Bob Watson has been huge already. The Sox are only a few games behind the Orioles and they need to win as many games as they can to compete with Baltimore. As for this game, great win...hope they can do it again tomorrow. The win improved the Sox to 40-25, 3.5 games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox look to take 3 of 4 from the Tigers when they send Dennis Eckersley (7-3) up against Jack Morris of the Tigers at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.