Sox Walkoff Tigers in 10 Innings (9/21/71)

As this disappointing season winds to a close, at least the Sox gave their fans a great win they can build on for next year. Jim Lonborg tossed a ten inning complete game while allowing just 2 runs to earn his 9th win of the season. The Sox took a 2-0 lead on the Detroit Tigers due to a George Scott two run single. The Tigers fought back to tie the game in the top of the ninth, but Luis Aparicio drove home rookie Cecil Cooper in the bottom of the tenth to win it for the Sox. The Sox may be a mile behind the Baltimore Orioles, but for one day they sent their fans home happy with a 3-2 win over the Tigers at Fenway Park.

                                                         Major Houlihan approves of the win

Longborg got the ball in the top of the first and Dick McAuliffe grounded out to first to start. Auerlio Rodriguez struck out and Gates Brown grounded out to second to end the inning. Tom Timmermann got the start for Detroit and Doug Griffin popped up to second to start. Luis Aparicio grounded out to third and Carl Yastrzemski hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

Al Kaline popped up to short to start the top of the second before Bill Freehan flied out to right. Jim Northrup flied out to center to end the inning. Reggie Smith lined out to right to start the bottom of the second before Rico Petrocelli singled to center. George Scott struck out and Joe Lahoud grounded out to second to end the inning.

Mickey Stanley grounded out to short to begin the top of the third before Ed Brinkman grounded out to second, Timmermann struck out to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the third as Duane Josephson lined out to center to start. Lonborg, Griffin and Aparacio all singled to load the bases but Yaz banged into a double play to end the inning.

Lonborg cruised in the top of the fourth as McAuliffe lined out to right to start. Rodriguez popped up to left and Brown popped up to first to end the inning. The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the fourth as Smith grounded out to second to start. Petrocelli and Scott both grounded out to third to end the inning.

Kaline hit one up the elevator shaft to begin the top of the fifth but Freehan singled to center. Northrup walked but Stanley banged into a double play to end the inning. Lahoud took strike three to begin the bottom of the fifth before Josephson flied out to center. Lonborg reached on an error by McAuliffe but Griffin grounded into a force to end the inning.

Brinkman popped up to second to open the top of the sixth before Timmermann struck out. McAuliffe flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the sixth although Aparicio grounded out to first to start. Yaz singled to right but Smith struck out. Petrocelli doubled Yaz to third and Scott singled home both runners to give the Sox the lead. Lahoud popped up to second to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 2-0.

                                                               Scott drives in a pair

Rodriguez singled to left to start the top of the seventh but Brown struck out. Kaline singled to left and Freehan walked to load the bases but Northrup struck out. Stanley flied out to left to end the inning. Josephson flied out to right to begin the bottom of the seventh but Lonborg singled to center. Griffin popped up to second and Aparicio grounded out to first to end the inning.

Brinkman walked to start the top of the eighth and old friend Dalton Jones pinch hit for Timmermann, getting a base hit to right. Cesar Gutierrez pinch ran for Jones but he was forced at second on the McAuliffe grounder. Rodriguez popped up to first and Brown popped up to second to end the inning. Fred Scherman came in for the bottom of the eighth and Yaz grounded out to short to start. Smith struck out and Petrocelli popped up to second to end the inning.

The Tigers rallied in the top of the ninth although Kaline grounded out to third to start. Freehan and Northrup stroked back to back singles but Stanley beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners. Kevin Collins pinch hit for Brinkman and singled home Freehan to cut the lead. Tont Taylor pinch hit for Scherman and singled home Stanley to tie the game. McAuliffe flied out to right to end the inning but the Tigers had tied it 2-2.

                                                       Dammit Lonborg!

Jack Whillock took over on the mound for the bottom of the ninth and Scott grounded out to short to start. Lahoud took strike three and Josephson flied out to center to end the inning.

Lonborg returned for the top of the tenth and allowed a double to left by Rodriguez to start. Brown flied out to left, Kaline struck out and Freehan popped up to Jim to end the inning. Rookie Cecil Cooper pinch hit for Lonborg and got a base hit to right to start the bottom of the tenth. Griffin dropped down a bunt to advance Cooper to second and Aparicio dropped a base hit to center. Cooper made a mad dash home...SAFE! THE RED SOX WIN!!!!

Hero of the Night is Cecil Cooper. The rookie got a pinch hit single and scored the winning run.

                                                       Cooper the Hero

The Good:

Luis Aparicio was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

Rico Petrocelli was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Jim Lonborg tossed a complete game allowing just 2 runs to earn the win. He was also 2 for 3 at the plate as well.

The Bad:

Reggie Smith was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Joe Lahoud was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Duane Josephson was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

Doug Griffin was just 1 for 4.

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

George Scott was just 1 for 4 but the one hit drove in 2 runs.

Final Thoughts:

If Lonborg had pitched like that all season and stayed healthy, once again they could have possibly competed with the Orioles. Too bad he saved that kind of performance at the end of the year when all the pressure was off. Two years in a row the Sox were a mile behind Baltimore when better pitching would have been the difference. It was a good win and good to see Cooper contributing 2 weeks after his MLB debut. The Sox will go into this off-season once again in a mad scramble to do anything to get on the same level as the Orioles, but who knows what will happen. The win improved the Sox to 81-74, 14.5 games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it 2 in a row against the Tigers when they send rookie Mike Garman (0-0, 6.54 ERA) to the mound up against Detroit ace Mickey Lolich at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Red Sox Walkoff White Sox (5/29/70)

What a comeback win for the Boston Red Sox. In danger of losing their fourth straight game, they snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox took a 3-0 over Sonny Siebert and the Red Sox due to the brilliant pitcher of Tommy John. Then a sac fly by Rico Petrocelli made the score 3-1 and Jim Lonborg (4-1, 3.09 ERA) held the fort in the top of the ninth. In the bottom of the ninth, old friend Wilbur Wood gave up a two run single to Billy Conigliaro to tie the game. Danny Murphy then allowed an rbi single by Jerry Moses to give the game to the Red Sox. Boston had won it 4-3 at Fenway Park.

                                                        Leslie Caron approves of the win

Siebert got the ball in the top of the first inning and Tommy McCraw flied out to left to start. Luis Aparicio grounded out to third but Gail Hopkins singled in the hole at short. Carlos May grounded out to second to end the inning. John got the ball in the bottom of the first and Mike Andrews grounded out to short to start. Reggie Smith grounded out to second but Carl Yastrzemski singled to center. Tony Conigliaro grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

The White Sox struck first in the top of the second as Duane Josephson flied out to right to start. Bill Melton doubled to center but Sid O'Brien grounded out to third. Buddy Bradford got a base hit to center to score Melton and John flied out to right to end the inning with Chicago up 1-0.

                                                                    Chicago strikes first

Rico Petrocelli flied out to right to start the bottom of the second and George Scott took strike three. Luis Alvarado grounded out to third to end the inning. 

McCraw flied out to left to start the top of the third and Aparicio did the same. Hopkins popped up to third to end the inning. Tom Satriano singled to right to start the bottom of the third and Siebert's bunt failed as Tom was out at second. Andrews forced Siebert at second but Smith walked. Yaz flied out to center to end the inning.

All of a sudden Smith was rushed to the local ICU for no reason and Billy Conigiliaro took over for him to start the top of the fourth. May got a base hit to right but Josephson grounded into a double play. Melton then bashed a home run all the way into the Charles River to increase the lead. O'Brien singled in the hole at short and Bradford took strike three to end the inning with the White Sox up 2-0.

                                                               Home run Melton

Tony C reached on an error by John to start the bottom of the fourth and pulled up lame, leaving the game as well, Jerry Moses ran for Tony and Petrocelli flied out to center. Scott walked but Alvarado flied out to center and Satriano grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

John walked to start the top of the fifth but McCraw hit one up the elevator shaft. Aparicio forced John at second but promptly stole second. Hopkins walked but May took strike three to end the inning. Siebert grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fifth and Andrews struck out swinging. O'Brien dropped a pop up by Billy C but Yaz grounded out to short to end the inning.

Josephson got a base hit to left to start the top of the sixth but Melton popped up to first in foul territory. O'Brien grounded into a double play to end the inning. O'Brien booted a grounder by Moses to start the bottom of the sixth but Petrocelli forced Jerry at second. Scott walked but Alvarado beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners. Don Pavletich pinch hit for Satriano and forced Alvarado at second to end the inning.

Bradford popped up to first to start the top of the seventh and John grounded out to first. McCraw got a base hit to left and Aparicio doubled to left as well. Hopkins grounded out to short to end the inning. Ken Berry came in for Hopkins to start the bottom of the seventh and Dick Schofield pinch hit for Siebert. Dick grounded out to short, Andrews grounded out to third and Smith lined out to short to end the inning.

Jim Lonborg came in to pitch the top of the eighth and May doubled to center to start. A wild pitch moved May to third and Carlos scored on the Josephson sac fly to center. Melton popped up to first but O'Brien got a base hit to right. O'Brien got picked off to end the inning with Chicago up 3-0.

                                                              Another run for Chicago

The Red Sox struck back in the bottom of the eighth with Bobby Knoop in for O'Brien. Yaz got a base hit to center and took second on a wild pitch. Moses flied out to center to move Carl to third and Petrocelli hit a sac fly to center to score Yaz. Scott grounded out to first to end the inning with the Red Sox down 3-1.

                                                              Petrocelli drives in a run

Bradford struck out swinging to start the top of the ninth and John flied out to center. McCraw got a base hit to right but Aparicio grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the ninth as Alvarado walked to start. Wilbur Wood came in to pitch with Ed Herrmann in to catch. Pavletich flied out to center but Jose Santiago pinch hit for Lonborg. Santiago got a base hit to left and Andrews walked to load the bases. Billy C got a base hit to left to score both Alvarado and Santiago to tie the game. Yaz walked to re-load the bases and Danny Murphy came in to face Moses. Jerry got a base hit to left to score Andrews to win the game. The Sox had won it 4-3.

Hero of The Night is Jerry Moses. He came off the bench to deliver the game ending blow.

                                                              Hero Moses

The Good:

Reggie Smith walked in two plate appearances.

Billy Conigliaro was 1 for 3 with 2 rbis.

Carl Yastrzemski was 2 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

George Scott walked twice in four plate appearances.

Tom Satriano was 1 for 2.

Jose Santiago singled and scored as a pinch hitter.

Sonny Siebert allowed just 2 runs in 7 innings off 9 hits and 2 walks.

The Bad:

Tony Conigliaro was 0 for 2.

Don Pavletich was 0 for 2.

Dick Schofield was 0 for 1.

The Ugly:

Mike Andrews was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Rico Petrocelli was 0 for 3 with an rbi.

Luis Alvarado was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.

Jim Lonborg got the win by allowing a run in 2 innings.

Final Thoughts:

The bad news was both Reggie Smith and Tony Conigliaro left the game but the good news was their replacements both helped win the game. Billy Conigliaro got the game tying hit and Moses got the winning hit. That was a hell of a rally in the ninth because the Sox had accomplished almost nothing the entire game. Siebert deserved the win but Lonborg got it instead. You're going to need your role players to step up eventually and today they did. Kudos to Eddie Kasko for making the balsy decision to have Santiago pinch hit for Lonborg. Santiago's single was integral to the game winning hit and every run counted. The Sox may be under .500 but you can't stay that game wasn't exciting. The win improved the Sox to 19-24, 12.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the White Sox tomorrow afternoon when Mike Nagy goes for the Sox against Bart Johnson of Chicago. The game begins at 2:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Rally To Defeat McNally, Orioles (4/22/70)

Better late than never for the Boston Red Sox to eek out a win. Tonight Jim Lonborg and Dave McNally of the Baltimore Orioles locked in a pitcher's duel through 6 innings and a 2-2 tie. Boog Powell and Paul Blair gave Baltimore the lead in the first inning but Mike Andrews and Reggie Smith tied the game in the third. The O's knocked Lonborg out in the top of the seventh and Vicente Romo (1-0, 0.00) got a crucial double play to get out of the inning. Carl Yastrzemski broke the deadlock by driving in Smith in the seventh and the Sox tacked on 2 more runs in the bottom of the eighth. Romo slammed the door in the ninth and the Sox won a big game against last year's AL champs 5-2 at Fenway Park.

                                                            Hank Finkel approves of the win

The O's got to Lonborg quickly in the top of the first inning as Don Buford and Mark Belanger stroked back to back singles to start. Both runners moved over on the Frank Robinson grounder to the mound and Buford scored on the sacrifice fly by Boog Powell. Paul Blair singled home Belanger to increase the lead and stole second. Brooks Robinson grounded out to short to end the inning with the O's up 2-0.

                                                            Powell puts Baltimore on top

The Sox blew an early rally against McNally in the bottom of the first as Mike Andrews singled to center to start. Reggie Smith walked and Carl Yastrzemski beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners. George Scott did not beat out a double play ball to end the inning.

Davey Johnson singled to center to begin the top of the second but Andy Etchebarren struck out looking. McNally struck out swinging and Buford flied out to right to end the inning. Rico Petrocelli flied out to center to begin the bottom of the second and Tony Conigliaro flied out to right. Luis Alvarado got a base hit to center but Gerry Moses struck out swinging to end the inning.

Belanger took strike three to start the top of the third and Frank Robinson singled to left. Powell struck out swinging and Blair grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the third as Lonborg doubled to right to start. Andrews doubled off the Monster to score Lonborg and moved to third on a wild pitch. Smith got a base hit to left to score Andrews but was erased at second on a force by Yaz. Carl moved to second on the grounder to third by Scott but Petrocelli grounded out to third to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                   Andrews drives in a run

Brooks Robinson grounded out to short to begin the top of the fourth but Johnson flied out to center. Etchebarren singled to right but McNally struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fourth as Tony C flied out to center to begin. Alvarado hit one up the elevator shaft and Moses struck out swinging to end the inning.

Buford struck out swinging to start the top of the fifth and Belanger popped up to second. Frank Robinson singled to left but Powell flied out to left to end the inning. Lonborg singled to left to start the bottom of the fifth but was doubled off first on a line drive to center by Andrews. Smith popped up to third to end the inning.

Lonborg cruised in the top of the sixth as Blair grounded out to third to start. Brooks Robinson lined out to left and Johnson struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the sixth as Yaz grounded out to first to start. Scott singled to center but Petrocelli flied out to right. Tony C got a base hit to left and Alvarado walked to load the bases, but Moses forced Alvardo at second to end the inning.

The O's knocked out Lonborg in the top of the seventh although Etchebarren grounded out to short to start. Somehow McNally walked and Buford walked as well to chase Lonborg. Vicente Romo came in and got Belanger to ground into a double play to end the inning. Lonborg did well but only went 6 1/3 innings, allowing 2 runs.

                                                         Gentleman Jim couldn't get the win

The Sox naturally rallied once Lonborg was gone in the bottom of the seventh as Romo flied out to right to start. Andrews flied out to center but Smith singled to center. Smith stole second and Yaz singled him home to give the Sox the lead. Scott grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-2.

                                                             Yaz puts the Sox ahead

Frank Robinson singled to center to start the top of the eighth and moved to second on a grounder to second by Powell. Blair flied out to center and Brooks Robinson popped up to first to end the inning. The Sox got some insurance in the bottom of the eighth as Petrocelli singled to left to start. Tony C moved Petrocelli to second with a grounder to the mound and Alvarado scored Rico with a double to left. That was it for McNally as Dave Leonhard came in to pitch and Moses got a base hit to left. Alvarado scored but Moses was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double. Romo watched strike three go by to end the inning with the Sox up 5-2.

                                                      Moses drives in a run but gets thrown out

Romo came back to close out the top of the ninth and Johnson struck out swinging to start. Dave May pitch hit for Etchebarren and ripped a base hit to right before Terry Crowley pinch hit for Leonhard. Crowley forced May at second and Buford singled to right. Merv Rettenmund pinch hit for Belanger but flied out to center to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-2.

Hero of the Night is Carl Yastrzemski. He knocked in the go-ahead run in the seventh to put Boston up for good.

                                                             Hero Yaz

The Good:

Mike Andrews was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Reggie Smith was 2 for 3 with a walk, stolen base, rbi and a run scored.

Luis Alvarado was 2 for 3 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Jim Lonborg tossed 6 1/3 innings of 2 run ball. He allowed 7 hits and 2 walks while striking out 7. He was 2 for 2 with a run scored at the plate as well.

Vicente Romo got the win with 2 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

George Scott was just 1 for 4.

Rico Petrocelli was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Tony Conigliaro was just 1 for 4.

Gerry Moses was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but drove in a run.

Final Thoughts:

After getting hoodwinked out of a win because of rain the other night, beating the Orioles straight up today was a big victory. Lonborg matched McNally every step of the way but just couldn't finish. The key to the game was the bottom of the order getting it done with Alvarado, Moses and Lonborg getting hits and scoring runs. Moses has been as good as any catcher in the league so far and everyone seems to get at least one hit or walk per game. A balanced offense is going to win many games this year but the question is can they prevent runs from scoring? Today they did as they held the defending AL champs to just 2 runs with great pitching from Lonborg and Romo. The Orioles won 109 games last year and are the team to beat this year, the Sox have to be able to beat them consistently to have any chance of competing this year. It was a good win and after yet another off-day, the Sox return to action Friday night against the Milwaukee Brewers. Sonny Siebert goes for the Sox against Lew Krausse of the Brewers at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Lonborg, Sox Down Yankees (4/15/70)

If Jim Lonborg (2-0, 1.84 ERA) is back to where he was 3 years ago, the Boston Red Sox may have a chance against the Baltimore Orioles this season. Lonborg was outstanding in his second straight start to begin the season, holding the New York Yankees to just 2 runs in almost eight innings of work. The Sox offense were led by a balanced attack including Lonborg himself with the team's only home run. Carl Yastrzemski drove in 2 runs as well, Sparky Lyle earned his second save and the Sox cruised to a 6-2 victory over the Yankees at Fenway Park.

                                                     Christine Koren approves of the win

Lonborg got the ball in the top of the first inning and Horace Clarke singled to right to start. Clarke was thrown out trying to steal second by the alert Jerry Moses and Gene Michael struck out swinging. Roy White grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox wasted no time getting to Yankees starter Bill Burbach in the bottom of the first. Mike Andrews singled in the hole at short to start and Reggie Smith walked. Carl Yastrzemski dropped a base hit to right that scored Andrews and moved Smith to third. Reggie scored on the sac fly by George Scott and Yaz swiped second. Rico Petrocelli struck out swinging but Yaz took third on a wild pitch. A ball got away from Yankees catcher Jake Gibbs but Yaz was thrown out at home to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                                        Yerrrrr out!

Bobby Murcer grounded back to the mound to start the top of the second and Curt Blefary grounded out to first and Danny Cater lined back to Lonborg to end the inning but started clutching his hamstring. Cater had to be hauled off in a wheelbarrow and dumped outside the building and John Ellis came in to play first in the bottom of the second. Tony Conigliaro grounded out to short and Luis Alvarado popped up to second, but Jerry Moses walked. Lonborg grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Jerry Kenney grounded out to short to start the top of the third and Jake Gibbs flied out to left. Burbach took strike three to end the inning. Ellis dropped a pop up by Andrews for an error to start the bottom of the third but Smith lined out to right and Yaz banged into a double play to end the inning.

Clarke flied out to left to start the top of the fourth and Michael grounded out to second. White walked and stole second but Murcer struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Scott grounded out to third to start. Petrocelli walked and Tony C singled him to third, but some idiot knocked the ball out of Kenney's glove on a pop up by Alvarado for a fan interference out. Moses singled to left to score Petrocelli to increase the lead. Lonborg struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                               Rbi single by Moses

Blefary singled to center to start the top of the fifth but he was forced at second by Ellis. Ellis was forced at second by Kenney and Gibbs grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox iced the game in the bottom of the fifth as Andrews singled to left to start. Smith dropped a base hit to right to move Andrews to third and a wild pitch moved Reggie to second. Yaz grounded out to second but Andrews scored to increase the lead. Scott grounded out to third but Petrocelli singled to center to score Smith. Tony C flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox up 5-0.

                                                          Petrocelli drives in a run

Frank Tepedino pinch hit for Burbach and grounded out to short to start the top of the sixth. Clarke grounded out to second but Michael singled to center. White grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox got another run in the bottom of the sixth against Ron Klimkowski although Alvarado lined out to left to start. Moses grounded out to third but Lonborg cracked his first home run of the season to add to the lead. Andrews singled in the hole at short but Smith grounded out to second to end the inning with Boston ahead 6-0.

                                                   Driving in more runs than he's allowed

Lonborg got Murcer to fly out to right to start the top of the seventh and Blefary flied out to center. Ellis popped up to second to end the inning. Yaz grounded out to second to start the bottom of the seventh and Scott struck out swinging. Petrocelli grounded out to third to end the inning.

Lonborg ran out of gas in the top of the eighth as Kenney singled to center to start. Gibbs doubled to left and Pete Ward pinch hit for Klimkowski. Ward took strike three but Kenney scored on a wild pitch and Gibbs moved to third. Clarke grounded out to second to score Gibbs to cut the lead and Michael doubled to right to chase Lonborg. Jim was tough, allowing just 2 runs in 7 2/3 innings of work. Sparky Lyle came in and White grounded out to short to end the inning with the Yankees down 6-2.

                                              "Here I come to save the dayyyyyy" - Lyle

Lindy McDaniel came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Tony C grounded out to third to start. Alvarado popped up to short but Moses doubled to left. Lyle bunted foul for strike three to end the inning.

Lyle returned to close out the top of the ninth and Murcer flied out to center to start. Blefary grounded out to second and Ellis grounded out to third to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-2.

Hero of the Night is Jim Lonborg. Not only did he throw 7 2/3 innings of 2 run ball to earn the win, he hit a home run to aid his own cause.

                                                             Hero Lonborg

The Good:

Mike Andrews was 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored.

Reggie Smith was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Rico Petrocelli was 1 for 3 with a walk, rbi and run scored.

Jerry Moses was 2 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Sparky Lyle got the save with 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Luis Alvarado was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 4 but stole a base and drove in 2 runs.

George Scott was 0 for 3 but drove in a run.

Tony Conigliaro was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

That was a hell of a game pitched by Lonborg and hopefully he's finally healthy after 2 straight disappointing seasons. The Sox are gonna need him to get back to where he was in 1967 if they have any hope of staying with Baltimore this season. Its early but its good to see the offense look balanced from top to bottom the way Moses is hitting. Andrews had 3 hits and came around to score twice and hopefully that keeps up. Once again, this team is going to live or die by its pitching because the offense is going to be there. Lonborg stepping up early helps but can the other starters keep up? We'll find out tomorrow afternoon when the Sox look to sweep the Yankees out of Fenway. Sonny Siebert goes for the Sox up against Stan Bahnsen of the Yankees. The game begins at 1:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Lonborg, Sox Down Senators (4/10/70)

What a great season debut for Jim Lonborg (1-0, 1.29 ERA). The ace of the Red Sox looked good in his season debut against old friend Ted Williams' Washington Senators. Jim scattered 6 hits and only a single run in 7 strong innings. The offense wasn't much but George Scott, Rico Petrocelli and Luis Alvarado all drove in runs which happened to be just enough for Lonborg. Sparky Lyle and Lee Strange slammed the door in the late innings and its better to start the season 2-1 rather than 1-2. Lonborg helped win the game 4-1 at Robert F Kennedy Stadium.

                                                       Olivia Hussey approves of the win

Joe Coleman got the start for Washington and Mike Andrews walked to begin. Andrew moved to second on the grounder by Reggie Smith and Carl Yastrzemski worked a walk. Andrews moved to third on the fly out by George Scott and Rico Petrocelli struck out swinging to end the inning. Lonborg got the ball in the bottom of the first and Del Unser beat out an infield single to Lonborg to start. Ed Brinkman walked but Frank Howard struck out swinging. Mike Epstein struck out swinging and Ken McMullen took strike three to end the inning.

Tony Conigliaro took strike three to start the top of the second and Luis Alvarado also watched strike three go by. Jerry Moses got a base hit to right but Lonborg also took strike three to end the inning. Lee Maye grounded out to third to start the bottom of the second. John Roseboro walked and Tim Cullen beat out an infield single to Lonborg, but Coleman banged into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the third inning although Andrews grounded out to third to start. Smith singled to center and took second on a balk by Coleman, moving to third on the double by Yaz. Scott grounded out to first but Smith scored and Yaz moved to third. A wild pitch scored Yaz and Petrocelli lined out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                             Yaz scores a run

Unser beat out a bunt single back to the mound to begin the bottom of the third but Brinkman struck out swinging. Howard grounded into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the fourth as Tony C grounded out to short to start. Alvarado flied out to center but Moses walked. Lonborg ripped a base hit to center and a wild pitch moved both runners over. Andrews walked to load the bases but Smith popped up to short to end the inning. The Senators fought back in the bottom of the fourth as Epstein smashed a home run all the way to Baltimore to begin. McMullen struck out swinging, Maye flied out to left and Roseboro flied out to center to end the inning with the Senators down 2-1.

                                                             Epstein hits a home run

The Sox blew another rally in the top of the fifth as Yaz singled to right to start. Yaz stole second but Scott grounded out to short. Yaz took third on a passed ball but Petrocelli took strike three. Tony C was intentionally walked but Alvarado struck out swinging to end the inning. Lonborg cruised in the bottom of the fifth as Cullen flied out to right to begin. Coleman struck out swinging and Unser grounded out to first to end the inning.

Bernie Allen came in to play second in the top of the sixth and Moses grounded out to third to start. Lonborg also grounded out to third and Andrews struck out swinging to end the inning. Lonborg got in trouble when Brinkman singled to start before Epstein drew a walk. McMullen popped up to first and Maye grounded out to first to end the inning.

Smith grounded out to first to start the top of the seventh but Yaz doubled to left. Scott popped up to third and Petrocelli struck out swinging to end the inning. Lonborg returned for one final inning in the bottom of the seventh and Roseboro hit one up the elevator shaft to begin. Allen grounded out to second and Ed Stroud pinch hit for Coleman. Stroud got a base hit to center but Unser flied out to center to end the inning. Lonborg pitched great, tossing 7 innings of 1 run ball to give the Sox a chance to win.

                                                      Lonborg goes 7 strong

Darold Knowles came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Tony C singled to right to begin. Alvarado forced Conigliaro at second and Moses flied out to right. Dick Schofield pinch hit for Lonborg and singled to center, moving Alvarado to third. Andrews lined out to left to end the inning. Lee Strange came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Brinkman was hit with a pitch to start. Howard and Epstein both struck out swinging but McMullen beat out an infield single to short. Hank Allen pinch hit for Maye and Sox manager Eddie Kasko brought in Sparky Lyle to face him. Allen forced McMullen at second to end the inning.

The Sox iced the game in the top of the ninth as Smith singled to left to start. Yaz popped up to second but Scott singled to left. Petrocelli doubled home Smith and Tony C was intentionally walked to load the bases and Alvarado scored Scott with a sac fly. Moses was intentionally walked to reload the bases and Lyle grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-1.

                                                         Petrocelli drives in a run

Lyle came back for the bottom of the ninth and Roseboro grounded out to second to start. Allen walked and Paul Casanova pinch hit for Knowles, flying out to right. Unser grounded back to the mound to end the game. The Sox had won it 4-1.

Hero of the Night is Jim Lonborg. He was outstanding, tossing 7 innings of 1 run ball. He was also 1 for 3 at the plate.

                                                         Hero Jim

The Good:

Reggie Smith was 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

Carl Yastrzemski was 3 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

Tony Conigliaro was 1 for 3 with 2 walks.

Jerry Moses was 1 for 3 with 2 walks.

Dick Schofield singled as a pinch hitter.

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

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

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

George Scott was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run and scored a run.

Rico Petrocelli was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run.

Luis Alvarado was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but drove in a run.

Lee Strange hit a man and allowed a hit in 2/3 of an inning.

Final Thoughts:

If Jim Lonborg can get back to where he was in 1967, this team may contend with Baltimore for AL East supremacy. Ray Culp looks like he'll settle in just fine and Sonny Siebert isn't bad either. If Lonborg can be a 20 game winner again, they may have an outside shot to topple the birds. That's a big if, and for now the Sox should just celebrate winning the game. Lonborg pitched great today and Sparky Lyle slammed the door in relief. The offense wasn't much but it was definitely timely, getting runs when they had to by any means necessary. The Sox have to beat teams like the Senators as much as possible and hopefully this is the start of a nice winning streak. The Sox look to beat the Senators again tomorrow night when they send Sonny Siebert to the mound for his season debut up against Dick Bosman of the Senators. The game begins at 6:05 PM at Robert F Kennedy Stadium.