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.

Sox Pound Senators, Win 4th Straight (6/28/71)

Don't look now but the Boston Red Sox are starting to get hot. The Sox went into this game winning 3 straight games and the Washington Senators looked to end that when they battled to a 3-3 tie after 7 innings. Suddenly the Sox offense exploded for 7 runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to take the lead. Sox starter Luis Tiant lasted just 4 innings but the Boston bullpen allowed just 1 run the rest of the way to win this game going away 10-4.

                                                      Cyd Charisse approves of the win

Tiant got the ball in the bottom of the first and Del Unser walked to start. Elliott Maddox flied out to right but Don Mincher struck out. Frank Howard popped up to first to end the inning. The Sox struck first against Washington starter Jackie Brown as Doug Griffin led the bottom of the first off with a walk. Griffin swiped second and Luis Aparicio sacrificed him to third with a bunt. Reggie Smith slammed a single to right to put the Sox on top. Carl Yastrzemski flied out to left but Rico Petrocelli doubled to left. Smith tried for home but got thrown out to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                               Smith drives in a run and gets himself thrown out

Bernie Allen popped up to third to start the top of the second before Dick Billings popped up to short. Lenny Randle doubled to left but Tim Cullen popped up to short to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the second as George Scott flied out to center to start. Joe Lahoud also flied out to center but Bob Montgomery beat out an infield single to second. Tiant grounded out to third to end the inning.

Tiant whiffed Brown to begin the top of the third before Unser singled to left. Maddox banged into a double play to end the inning. Griffin somehow mashed his first home run of the season to begin the bottom of the third and to increase the lead. Aparicio grounded out to short, Smith flied out to center and Yaz grounded out to first to end the inning but it was 2-0 Sox.

                                                           Griffin jacks one out

The Yankees pounced on Tiant in the top of the fourth as Mincher walked to start. Howard singled Mincher to third and took second on the throw home and Allen singled Mincher home to cut the lead. Billings struck out but Randle doubled home both men to give the Senators the lead. Cullen and Brown both grounded out to short to end the inning but it was 3-2 Senators. That was it for Tiant who lasted just 4 innings and allowed 3 runs. Not the best effort that's for sure.

                                                 Wish the Sox had THIS Tiant pitching

The Sox tried to rally in the bottom of the fourth although Petrocelli popped up to second in foul territory to start. Scott singled to left and Lahoud drew a walk but Montgomery flied out to left. Gary Peters pinch hit for Tiant and struck out to end the inning.

Bill Lee came in to pitch the top of the fifth with John Kennedy taking over at second for Griffin. Unser popped up to second to start before Maddox took strike three. Mincher grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox couldn't get a clutch hit in the bottom of the fifth as Kennedy flied out to right to start. Aparicio doubled to left but Smith popped up to third. Yaz walked but Petrocelli grounded into a force to end the inning.

Howard grounded out to second to begin the top of the sixth but Allen singled to left. Allen took second on the force by Billings and Randle grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Scott took strike three to begin the bottom of the sixth before Lahoud grounded out to short. Montgomery singled to right and Mike Fiore pinch hit for Lee...grounding back to the mound to end the inning.

Bobby Bolin (2-2, 3.09 ERA) came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Cullen blooped a single to right to start. Brown sacrificed Cullen to second but Unser flied out to right. Maddox flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox tied the game instantly in the bottom of the seventh when Kennedy crushed his first home run of the season to tie the game. Aparicio grounded out to second but Smith singled to right to chase Brown. Denny Riddleberger came in to pitch to Yaz and Carl drew a walk to chase him. Casey Cox came in to get Petrocelli to ground into a double play to end the inning with the game tied 3-3.

                                                           Kennedy hits his first home run

Bolin held the Yankees in check in the top of the eighth as Mincher popped up to short to start. Howard struck out and Allen flied out to right to end the inning.

                                                       Good work Bolin

Suddenly the Sox erupted in the bottom of the eighth and it started with an error. Scott hit a grounder that Cullen booted to allow George to reach first. Lahoud dropped down a bunt to sacrifice Scott to second and Montgomery was intentionally walked to set up a double play. Sox manager Eddie Kasko sent in Phil Gagliano to pinch hit and Gagliano delivered a base hit to left to score Scott with the go-ahead run. The floodgates opened as Kennedy dropped down a bunt but nobody could make a play as Montgomery scored another run. Aparicio doubled home Gagliano but Smith struck out to chase Cox. Paul Lindblad came in to pitch and Yaz singled home Kennedy and Aparicio to ice the game. Petrocelli put the exclamation point on the inning by clocking his 11th home run of the season to wrap up the scoring for Boston. Scott grounded out to third to end the inning but it was 10-3 Boston.

                                                    Petrocelli hits a home run to end the rally

Ken Tatum came in for the top of the ninth and the Senators rallied. Billings was plunked and Randle singled before Larry Bittner pinch hit for Cullen. A wild pitch moved both runners over and Bittner scored Billings with a sac fly. Tommy McCraw pinch hit for Linblad and flied out to right. Unser beat out an infield single to second but Maddox flied out to right to end the game. The Sox had won their 4th straight game and this one 10-4.

Hero of the Night is Phil Gagliano. His clutch pinch hit single scored the go-ahead run to give the Sox the lead they would not relinquish.

                                                      Phil The Hero



The Good:

Doug Griffin walked, homered, stole a base and scored 2 runs before being lifted.

John Kennedy was 1 for 2 with 2 total rbis, 2 total runs scored and a home run.

Luis Aparicio was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Reggie Smith was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

Carl Yastrzemski was 1 for 3 with 2 walks, 2 rbis and a run scored.

Rico Petrocelli was 2 for 5 with a 2 run home run.

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

Bill Lee tossed 2 scoreless innings.

Bobby Bolin earned the win with 2 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Luis Tiant allowed 3 runs in just 4 innings of work.

Gary Peters struck out as a pinch hitter.

Mike Fiore was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Ken Tatum allowed a run in the top of the ninth.



The Ugly:

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

Joe Lahoud was 0 for 2 but walked.




Final Thoughts:

That's four in a row for the Sox and they need to get hot in order to keep pace with the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles are repeat AL Champions for a reason and that's pitching. The Sox aren't going to compete with them if Luis Tiant gives you 4 innings a whack and Jim Lonborg can't win 20 games again. Still, the Sox won the game and they need to beat on teams like the Senators if they want to stand tall at the end of September. The offense scoring 10 runs helped big time even if 7 of them came late. Good on Phil Gagliano for getting his moment in the sun by jumpstarting that rally. All in all it was a good win and hopefully the Sox can finish June with a flurry. The win improved the Sox to 41-31, 4 games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox look to sweep the Senators when they send Jim Lonborg (2-3) to the mound against Pete Broberg at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Bash Brewers (4/28/71)

After playing several close games the past two weeks, the Boston Red Sox finally enjoyed a laughter. The Sox offense smacked around the Milwaukee Brewers for 15 hits and 10 runs in this one. Sonny Siebert (4-0, 1.15 ERA) tossed 5 2/3 gutty innings before being lifted from the game. Siebert himself and Reggie Smith both hit home runs, Carl Yaztrzemski drove in 3 runs and the Sox blew away the Brewers 10-3 at Fenway Park.

                                                          Ali MacGraw approves of the win

Siebert got the ball in the top of the first inning and Tommy Harper went down swinging to start. Mike Hegan lined out to left and John Briggs grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox wasted no time getting to Milwaukee starter Bill Parsons in the bottom of the first. Luis Aparicio grounded out to short to start but Reggie Smith belted his second home run of the season to give the Sox the lead. Carl Yastrzemski doubled to center, Rico Petrocelli walked and George Scott walked to load the bases. Don Pavletich singled to left to score both Yaz and Petrocelli to increase the lead. Billy Conigliaro grounded back to the mound and Doug Griffin took strike three to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                           Smith and Pavletich put the Sox on top

The Brewers fought back in the top of the second as Dave May and Bill Voss stroked back to back singles to start. Ted Kubiak banged into a double play but Ellie Rodriguez singled home May to cut the lead. Rick Auerbach grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1.

The Sox answered in the bottom of the second as Siebert struck out looking to start. Aparicio singled to left and Smith singled him to third. Yaz beat out a double play ball to score Aparicio with another run. Petrocelli grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-1.

                                                       Yaz drives in a run

Parson struck out looking to start the top of the third before Harper singled to left. Harper stole second and moved to third on the Hegan base hit. Briggs struck out and May grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The Sox suffered an ignominious embarrassment in the bottom of the third as Scott doubled to center to start. Harper booted a grounder by Pavletich to put runners at the corners and then disaster struck. Billy C hit into a double play but Scott took too long to come home and he was thrown out at the plate for the TRIPLE PLAY! Not what you want to see.

                                                              Nice baserunning Scott!

Voss flied out to center to start the top of the fourth before Kubiak grounded back to the mound. Rodriguez lined out to center to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth although Griffin popped up to short to start. Siebert then blasted his second home run of the year to increase the lead. Aparicio walked and moved to second on the Smith grounder but Yaz flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-1.

                                                          Siebert doing it all

Auerbach grounded out to third to start the top of the fifth and Bernie Smith pinch hit for Parsons. Smith flied out to right but Harper singled to center. Harper moved to second on a passed ball and Hegan struck out to end the inning. John Gelnar came in to pitch the bottom of the fifth and Petrocelli grounded out to third to start. Scott hit a bloop double just over third but Pavletich flied out to left. Billy C grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

The Brewers knocked Siebert out in the top of the sixth although Briggs flied out to right to start. May doubled to left and Voss singled him home. Kubiak forced Voss at second but Rodriguez walked. Danny Walton pinch hit for Auerbach and doubled home Kubiak to chase Siebert. Skip Lockwood from Norwood, Mass pinch ran for Walton, Roberto Pena pinch hit for Gelnar and Ken Tatum came in to pitch. Pena popped up to second to end the inning but it was 5-3 Sox.

                                                      Norwood High School to MLB

Larry Bearnarth came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and the Sox iced the game. Grififn grounded out to third but Tatum walked. Aparicio dropped down a bunt but beat it out for a single and Smith singled to load the bases. Yaz doubled home Tatum and Aparicio to increase the lead and Petrocelli singled home Smith & Yaz to remove all doubt. Scott struck out swinging but Pavletich walked. Billy C singled home Petrocelli but Pavletich was thrown out at third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 10-3.

                                                               Petrocelli ices the game

Joe Lahoud took over for Yaz in the top of the seventh and Harper walked to start. Hegan banged into a double play and Briggs lined out too short to end the inning. Griffin doubled to left to start the bottom of the seventh but was thrown out at third on the grounder by Tatum. Aparicio forced Tatum at second and Smith flied out to left to end the inning.

May grounded out to second to start the top of the eighth then Voss lined out to center. Kubiak grounded out to first to end the inning. Lahoud grounded out to first to start the bottom of the eighth before Petrocelli grounded out to third. Scott singled to left and Pavletich struck out looking to end the inning.

Tatum returned for the top of the ninth and Rodriguez grounded out to short to start. Ron Theobald pinch hit for Bearnarth and grounded out to second but Pena singled to right. Harper grounded out to third to end the game. The Sox had won a blowout 10-3.

Hero of the Night is Ken Tatum. He allowed just 1 hit in 3 1/3 innings to earn the save and scored a run on the offensive side.

                                              Our Hero scores more runs than he allows

The Good:

Luis Aparicio was 2 for 4 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Reggie Smith was 3 for 5 with a home run and 2 runs scored.

Carl Yastrzemski was 2 for 4 with 3 rbis and 2 runs scored.

George Scott was 3 for 4 with a walk.

Sonny Siebert earned the win with 5 2/3 innings of 3 run ball. He was also 1 for 2 at the plate with a solo home run.

The Bad:

Joe Lahoud was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

Rico Petrocelli was just 1 for 4 but walked, drove in 2 runs and scored twice.

Don Pavletich was just 1 for 4 but walked and drove in 2 runs.

Billy Conigliaro was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Doug Griffin was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

Now see what happens when you play from in front for once? The Sox finally didn't trip and fall in the first inning and they cruised to a relatively easy win. Sox manager Eddie Kasko is finally figuring out not to leave his starters in too long when you have a bullpen you can trust. If Sparky Lyle, Bill Lee and Ken Tatum can be a potent punch in the bullpen, you can shorten the game considerably. Siebert only had to go 5 2/3 because Tatum held down the fort. You won't need Gary Peters and Mike Nagy to throw 8 or 9 inning gems every time even thought that would certainly help. Its only April but at least the Sox are winning some games to keep things interesting so far. Tomorrow night the Sox open a set with the Minnesota Twins. Mike Nagy (1-0) takes on Twins ace Jim Kaat at 7 PM at Fenway Park.

Red Sox Sweep White Sox (4/25/71)

How about those Boston Red Sox? The Red Sox successfully swept the Chicago White Sox out of Fenway for their fourth straight overall win. After the White Sox turned a 4-0 Red Sox lead into a tie game in the top of the seventh, the Sox needed a rally in the bottom of the eighth to seal the deal. Carl Yastrzemski walked home the go-ahead run before Ken Tatum shut the door in the top of the ninth. Once again timely offense and timely pitching led to the BoSox beating the ChiSox 5-4 at Fenway Park.

                                                         Carolyn Jones approves of the win

Gary Peters got the start for the Sox in the top of the first and Lee Richard was snuffed out on a bunt by Gary to start. Mike Andrews doubled to left but Carlos May lined out to center. Bill Melton grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox got to old pal Wilbur Wood to start the bottom of the first as Luis Aparicio walked to start. Aparicio was forced at second by Reggie Smith but Carl Yastrzemski clobbered his 4th home run of the season to give the Sox the lead. Rico Petrocelli flied out to left but George Scott singled to right. Duane Josephson doubled to left and BoSox manager Eddie Kasko switched his starting lineup for only the second time all season by starting Joe Lahoud over Billy Conigliaro. Lahoud struck out to end the inning with the BoSox ahead 2-0.

                                                                Yaz hits a home run

Rick Reichardt struck out looking to start the top of the second before Walt Williams grounded out to third. Tom Egan struck out swinging to end the inning. Doug Griffin grounded out to short to start the bottom of the second before Peters grounded out to first. Aparicio whiffed to end the inning.

Luis Alvarado grounded out to second to open the top of the third before Wood took strike three. Richard grounded out to third to end the inning. The BoSox got another run in the bottom of the third as Smith grounded out to short to start. Yaz singled to right and stole second before scoring on the double by Petrocelli. Scott struck out swinging and Josephson grounded out to third to end the inning with the BoSox ahead 3-0.

                                                           Petrocelli drives in a run

Andrews grounded out to short to begin the top of the fourth but May singled to right. Melton lined out to center and Reichardt flied out to center to end the inning. The BoSox chased Wood in the bottom of the fourth although Lahoud grounded out to second to start. Griffin and Peters stroked back to back singles then Aparicio doubled home Griffin to send Wood to the showers. Pat Jacquez took over on the mound and Smith grounded back to the mound. Jim Magnuson came in to face Yaz and Carl walked to load the bases. Petrocelli flied out to center to end the inning with the BoSox ahead 4-0.

                                                         Aparicio drives in a run

The White Sox struck back in the top of the 5th as Williams doubled to start. Egan hit a home run all the way to the U.S.S.R. to cut the lead in half. Alvarado flied out to left and Rich Morales pinch hit for Magnuson and was plunked. Richard flied out to right and Andrews grounded into a force to end the inning but the ChiSox cut the lead 4-2.

                                                         Egan cuts the lead in half

The BoSox threatened in the bottom of the fifth against Steve Kealey as Scott singled to right to start. Josephson and Lahoud both popped up to third but Griffin singled to center. Peters grounded out to first to end the inning.

May struck out to open the top if the sixth then Melton walked. Rich McKinney pinch hit for Reichardt and walked but Williams flied out to center. Egan whiffed to end the inning. The BoSox did nothing in the bottom of the sixth as Aparicio flied out to left to start. Smith popped up to first in foul territory and Yaz grounded out to third to end the inning. 

The White Sox tied the game in the top of the seventh as Alvarado grounded out to third to start. Kealey struck out looking but Richard singled to right. None other than Andrews belted a 2 run bomb into the Charles River to tie the game.

                                                          It had to have been Andrews?

May walked and that was it for Peters. Peters got bit by the long ball as he lasted 6 2/3 innings but gave up 4 runs. Bobby Bolin came in and got Melton to popped up to third to end the inning with the game tied 4-4.

                                                           Not good enough, Gary

The BoSox did nothing in the bottom of the seventh as Petrocelli hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Scott struck out swinging and Josephson popped up to second to end the inning.

McKinney grounded out to short to start the top of the eighth but Williams drew a walk. Egan flied out to center but Alvarado beat out an infield single to chase Bolin. Sparky Lyle came in and Ed Herrmann pinch hit for Kealey. Ed grounded out to second to end the inning. The BoSox rallied in the bottom of then eighth against Don Eddy although Lahoud grounded out to first to start. Griffin lined out to second and Phil Gagliano pinch hit for Lyle. Gagliano walked then Aparicio and Smith stroked back to back singles to load the bases. Yaz walked home Gagliano to give the BoSox the lead. Vincente Romo replaced Eddy and Petrocelli flied out to right to end the inning but the BoSox were ahead 5-4.

                                                          Gagliano walks and scores

Ken Tatum came in to close out the top of the ninth and Richard grounded back to the mound to start. Andrews hit one up the elevator shaft and May grounded out to second to end the game. The BoSox had stolen another one 5-4.

Hero of the Night is Carl Yastrzemski. He hit the 2 run homer to give the Sox the early lead then walked home the eventual winning run in the bottom of the eighth.

                                                                        Yaz is the Hero

The Good:

Luis Aparicio was 2 for 4 with a walk and an rbi.

George Scott was 2 for 4.

Doug Griffin was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Bobby Bolin tossed a full scoreless inning.

Sparky Lyle earned the win by retiring the only man he faced.

Ken Tatum earned his third save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Joe Lahoud was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Reggie Smith was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

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

Duane Josephson was just 1 for 4.

Gary Peters allowed 4 runs in 6 2/3 innings. He was 1 for 3 at the plate.

Final Thoughts:

The White Sox are nothing special but the BoSox are finding ways to win games. The relief pitching was damn good today and the offense stepped up when needed. Kudos to Phil Gagliano for coming off the bench ice cold and drawing the walk to start the rally. Yaz is the leader of this team and he carried them today to the victory. Hopefully Sox manager Eddie Kasko learned from his early April mistakes of leaving guys in too long as he pulled Peters at just the right time. Bolin, Lyle and Tatum slammed the door big time and they're gonna need more of that as the season progresses. Its funny that this was only the third lineup used this season by Kasko in 16 games. The win was the Sox fourth in a row and they look for number 5 in a row when they take on the visiting Milwaukee Brewers tomorrow night. Ray Culp (2-0) goes for the Sox up against Marty Pattin of the Brewers at 7 PM at Fenway Park.

Indians Outlast Sox in 13 Innings (4/19/71)

The Cleveland Indians have won 5 games this season and four of them have come against the Boston Red Sox. After sweeping the Sox out of Cleveland two weeks ago, the Indians came to Fenway and beat the Sox in extra innings. The Sox and Indians fought to a 3-3 tie by the eighth inning then were deadlocked  the next four innings. Roy Foster bashed a 2 run home run off Bill Lee (0-1, 4.15 ERA) to put the Indians ahead then survived a rally by the Sox in the bottom of the 13th. The Sox couldn't get the tying run in and the Indians had won it 5-4 at Fenway Park.

                                                    "DAMN INDIANS!!!!"

Mike Nagy got the start for the Sox in the top of the first inning and Ted Uhlaender struck out looking to start. Vada Pinson flied out to left but Ray Fosse singled to center. Graig Nettles popped up to first to end the inning. Alan Foster got the start for the Indians and Luis Aparicio started the bottom of the first with a fly out to left. Reggie Smith flied out to right and Carl Yastrzemski popped up a bunt back to Foster to end the inning.

Old pal Ken "Hawk" Harrelson grounded back to the mound to start the top of the second before John Lowenstein flied out to right. Larry Brown popped up to second to end the inning. The Sox threatened in the bottom of the second as Rico Petrocelli walked to start. George Scott struck out but Duane Josephson walked. Billy Conigliaro struck out but Doug Griffin walked. Nagy popped up to second to end the inning.

Buddy Bradford flied out to center to start the top of the third before Foster struck out looking. Uhlaender grounded out to first to end the inning. Aparicio grounded out to third to begin the bottom of the third but Smith singled to right. Smith was forced at second by Yaz and Petrocelli popped up to first in foul territory to end the inning.

The Indians struck first in the top of the fourth as Pinson singled to center to start. Pinson stole second but Fosse grounded out to short. Nettles walked and Harrelson clobbered a home run into the Charles River to give the Indians the lead. Lowenstein flied out to center and Brown grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Indians ahead 3-0.

                                                       Of course it had to be The Hawk

The Sox failed to answer in the bottom of the fourth as Scott grounded out to short to start. Josephson grounded out to third and Billy C flied out to center to end the inning.

The Indians ran themselves out of the top of the fifth as Bradford flied out to right to start. Foster grounded out to third but Uhlaender singled to right. Uhlaender was thrown out trying to steal by the alert Josephson to end the inning.

                                             "Hey Uhlaender, get the hell out of here" - DJ

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Griffin struck out to start. Nagy hit one up the elevator shaft and Aparicio flied out to center to end the inning.

Nagy got Pinson to ground out to first to start the top of the sixth but Petrocelli threw away a grounder by Fosse for an error. Nettles walked but Harrelson banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox fought back in the bottom of the sixth as Smith walked to start. Yaz singled Smith to third and Petrocelli singled Reggie home...but was thrown out trying to stretch a double. Scott singled home Yaz to cut the lead and that was it for Foster. Chuck Machemehl came in and struck out Josephson before Billy C flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox had cut the lead 3-2 despite the Petrocelli blunder.

                                                         What the hell are you doing?

Lowenstein grounded out to second to start the top of the seventh before Brown flied out to center. Bradford grounded out to short to end the inning. Griffin flied out to right to begin the bottom of the seventh and Joe Lahoud pinch hit for Nagy. Lahoud flied out to center and Aparicio popped up to first to end the inning. Nagy was officially out of the game but had held the Indians to 3 runs in 7 innings.

                                                        One mistake cost him the win

Sparky Lyle came in for the top of the eighth and the pitcher Machemehl singled to center to start. Chuck Hinton pinch hit for Uhlaender and flied out to center before Pinson flied out to left. Fosse singled to left but Nettles flied out to left to end the inning. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the eighth with Ted Ford now in left. Smith walked to start the frame and Phil Gagliano ran for him. Yaz struck out but Petrocelli reached on an error by Nettles. Scott singled home Gagliano and Petrocelli advanced to third, but Josephson struck out. Billy C grounded out to first to end the inning with the game tied 3-3.

                                                           Gagliano ties the game

George Thomas took over in right for the top of the ninth and Harrelson singled to center to start. Roy Foster ran for Hawk and Lowenstein sacrificed him to second with a bunt. Sox manager Eddie Kasko brought Bobby Bolin in to pitch to Brown and Larry grounded out to third. Bradford struck out to end the inning. Griffin grounded out to third to start the bottom of the ninth and Mike Fiore pinch hit for Bolin. Fiore walked...but was thrown out at second trying to steal. Aparicio grounded out to short to end the inning.

                                                        Nice baserunning Fiore!

Ken Brett came in for the top of the tenth with Gomer Hodge pinch hitting for Machemehl to start. Hodge singled to left and Vince Colbert pinch ran for him. Ford sacrificed Colbert to second and Pinson walked, but Fosse flied out to center. Nettles grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox had a chance to end it in the bottom of the tenth although Thomas grounded back to the mound to start. Yaz grounded back to the mound but Petrocelli and Scott drew back to back walks. With the winning run at second....Josephson grounded out to third to end the inning.

Foster popped up to second to start the top of the eleventh but Lowenstein doubled to left. Brown popped up to first and Bradford was intentionally walked. Eddie Leon pinch hit for Colbert and flied out to left to end the inning. The Sox had a chance to end it again in the bottom of the eleventh against Steve Mingori but Billy C watched strike three go by to start. Griffin flied out to left and Don Pavletich pinch hit for Brett. Pavletich and Aparicio drew back to back walks and with the winning run at second....Thomas popped up to first to end the inning.

Bill Lee came in to pitch the top of the 12th and Ford grounded out to third to start. Pinson grounded out to second and Fosse struck out to end the inning. Yaz popped up to second to start the bottom of the 12th before Petrocelli grounded out to short. Scott also grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Indians took command in the top of the 13th as Nettles walked to start. Foster hit a home run all the way to Alaska to give Cleveland the lead. Lowenstein struck out looking and Brown whiffed. Bradford swung at air to end the inning but the Indians now led 5-3.

                                                        Indians take the lead

The Sox didn't go quietly in the bottom of the 13th as Josephson singled to to center to start. Billy C singled to left and Griffin walked to load the bases with nobody out. Sox manager Eddie Kasko sent the pitcher Gary Peters to pinch hit for Lee and he took strike three. Aparicio beat out a double play ball to score Josephson and put runners at the corners. With the tying run at third....Thomas flied out to center to end the game. The Indians had held on to win 5-4 in 13 innings.

Jackass of the Night is a tough one but I'll go with George Thomas. He was 0 for 3 and failed twice with a chance to win or tie the game.

                                                             Thomas the Jackass

The Good:

Reggie Smith was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Phil Gagliano scored a run as a pinch runner.

George Scott was 2 for 5 with a walk and 2 rbis.

Don Pavletich walked as a pinch hitter.

Mike Nagy tossed 7 solid innings of 3 run ball. His only mistake was the home run by Harrelson.

Sparky Lyle tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Bobby Bolin retired the only two men he faced.

Ken Brett tossed 2 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Joe Lahoud was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Gary Peters struck out as a pinch hitter.

Bill Lee took the loss by allowing a 2 run homer in the top of the 13th.

The Ugly:

Luis Aparicio was 0 for 6 but walked and drove in a run.

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 6 but scored a run.

Rico Petrocelli was just 1 for 4 but walked twice and drove in a run.

Duane Josephson was just 1 for 5 but walked and scored a run.

Billy Conigliaro was just 1 for 6.

Doug Griffin was 0 for 4 but walked twice.

Mike Fiore walked as a pinch hitter but was thrown out trying to steal.

Final Thoughts:

Sox manager Eddie Kasko needs his head examined. Why in the world would you pinch run George Thomas for Reggie Smith? Thomas ended up going 0 for 3 after Smith was out of the game, you don't think Reggie could have made a difference? Also with the bases loaded in the 13th why would you pinch hit Lee with another pitcher? There was nobody out, you could have had Lee bunt and catch everyone asleep. The Sox had plenty of chances to win this one but just couldn't get out of their own way. Mike Fiore getting thrown out trying to steal, Petrocelli getting thrown out trying to stretch a double...it all added up to a 13 inning defeat. Kasko was supposedly better to the players than Dick Williams was but I'd rather have Dick right now, at least he made moves that made sense even if he was a jerk to the players. Mike Nagy gave it his all and you can't even blame Lee for giving up the bomb if the game was over long before that. Once again, the Indians have won 5 games this year and beat the Sox for 4 of them. The Sox look to avoid another ignominious defeat to the Indians tomorrow afternoon when they send Gary Peters (1-1) against Camilo Pasqual at 1 PM at Fenway Park.

Tigers Walkoff Red Sox (4/17/71)

Well that was completely unexpected. What should have been a matchup of aces between the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers turned into a slugfest. Tigers ace Mickey Lolich failed to make it out of the second inning while Sox ace Ray Culp was knocked out in the seventh. The Sox did have a 9-6 lead but the Tigers tied it in the seventh and won the game in the bottom of the tenth with a rally off Ken Tatum (0-2, 5.79 ERA). In what should have been a pitcher's duel, the Tigers outmuscled the Sox 10-9 at Tiger Stadium.

                                                "Tigers beat the Red Sox? Say it ain't so!"

The Sox wasted no time against Lolich in the top of the first as Luis Aparicio popped up to second to start. Reggie Smith got the party started with a double and Carl Yastrzemski singled him home. Rico Petrocelli singled to center and Jim Northrup booted the ball allowing Yaz to come around to score, Rico advancing to third. George Scott singled home Petrocelli and Duane Josephson walked. In what turned out to be a big play, Billy Conigliaro banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                        Smith starts the rally with a double

The Tigers answered against Culp in the bottom of the first as Dick McAuliffe walked to start. Dick was doubled off first on the liner to third by Al Kaline, but Ray Culp threw a grounder by Northrup into the bleachers for a 3 bag error. Norm Cash singled home Northrup but Willie Horton grounded into a force to end the inning with the Tigers down 3-1.

                                                  Keep the ball in play will ya?

The Sox finished off Lolich in the top of the second as Doug Griffin doubled to left to start. Culp dropped down a bunt to advance Griffin to third and Aparicio singled him home. Smith singled Aparicio to third and Tigers manager Billy Martin had seen enough, pulling Lolich after just 4 outs. Fred Scherman came in and Yaz greeted him with a base hit to right to score Aparicio. Petrocelli beat out an infield hit to third to score Smith and chase Scherman. Daryl Patterson came in and Scott singled Yaz home but got caught in a rundown. For some reason Petrocelli tried for home and was thrown out to kill the rally. A wild pitch moved Scott to second but Josephson struck out to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-1.

                                                           What was he thinking?

Aurelio Rodriguez grounded out to second to start the bottom of the second before Bill Freehan beat out an infield single to third. Ed Brinkman forced Freehan at second and Kevin Collins pinch hit for Patterson. Collins popped up to first to end the inning.

Dave Boswell came in to pitch the top of the third and Billy C walked to start. Griffin flied out to left and Culp took strike three. Aparicio flied out to left to end the inning. The Tigers roared back in the bottom of the third as McAuliffe singled to start. Kaline walked and Northrup singled home McAuliffe. Cash walked and Horton pounded a grand slam to Neptune to cut the lead just like that. Rodriguez popped up to left in foul territory, Freehan lined out to center and Brinkman struck out to end the inning with the Tigers down 7-6.

                                                      Grand Slam Horton

The Sox tried to fight back when Smith walked to start the top of the fourth. Yaz moved Reggie to second on a grounder and Petrocelli walked to chase Boswell. Jim Hannan came in and Scott singled home Smith to increase the lead. Josephson walked but Billy C hit into another double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-6.

                                                          Scott drives in a run

Hannan was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to start the bottom of the fourth before McAuliffe popped up to first in foul territory. Kaline grounded out to short to end the inning.

Griffin singled to left to start the top of the fifth and Culp moved him to second with a bunt. Aparicio flied out to left and Smith grounded out to second to end the inning. Culp got in trouble in the bottom of the fifth although Northrup popped up to third to start. Cash grounded out to first but Horton singled to left. Rodriguez and Freehan both walked to load the bases but Brinkman took strike three to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the sixth when Yaz walked to start. Petrocelli took strike three but Scott reached on an error by Rodriguez. Josephson singled home Yaz to increase the lead. Billy C hit into his third double play of the game to end the inning with the Sox ahead 9-6.

                                               How about hitting the ball in the air for once?

George Thomas made his season debut in the bottom of the sixth when he came in for Yaz to start. Old friend Dalton Jones pinch hit for Hannan and was retired on a nubber in front of the plate. McAuliffe and Kaline both flied out to center to end the inning.

Tom Timmermann came in for the top of the seventh and plunked Griffin to start. Culp sacrificed Griffin to second with a bunt but Aparicio grounded out to third. Smith was intentionally walked and the gamble worked as Thomas struck out to end the inning. The wheels fell off for Culp as Northrup and Cash crushed back to back home runs to chase him from the game. He didn't have his best stuff as he got tagged for 8 runs in just 6 innings. Bobby Bolin came in and Horton crushed his second home run of the game to tie it up. Rodriguez hit one up the elevator shaft, Freehan grounded out to short and Brinkman grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The three homers in a row tied the game 9-9.

                                                         Nice going Bolin

Petrocelli walked to start the top of the eighth but Scott struck out. Joe Lahoud pinch hit for Josephson and flied out to right Billy C lined out to second to end the inning. Don Pavletich took over behind the plate for the bottom of the eighth and Timmermann popped up to first to start. McAuliffe popped up to short and Kaline struck out to end the inning.

Griffin grounded out to short to start the top of the ninth and Mike Fiore pinch hit for Bolin. Fiore reached on an error by Cash and Aparicio walked, but Smith banged into a double play to end the inning. Bill Lee came in for the bottom of the ninth and Northrup grounded out to first to start. Cash singled to to center and Cesar Gutierrez ran for him. Horton singled Gutierrez to third to chase Lee. Ken Tatum came in and Rodriguez was intentionally walked to load the bases. Gates Brown pinch hit for Freehan and Gutierrez was thrown out at home on the force. Brinkman flied out to center to end the inning.

Mickey Stanley took over in center with Jim Price in for Brown to start the top of the tenth. Thomas grounded out to short, Petrocelli flied out to left and Scott grounded out to short to end the inning. Timmermann himself started the final rally with a walk to start the bottom of the tenth. McAullife popped up a bunt but Petrocelli tried to double off Timmermann and ended up throwing the ball into Lake Eerie to advance the pitcher to third. Kaline and Northrup were intentionally walked to load the bases but Stanley popped up to second. Who else but Horton singled home Timmermann to win the game for the Tigers? The Tigers had walked off the Sox 10-9.

Jackass of the Night is Ken Tatum. He allowed the winning run to score in the bottom of the tenth by walking the relief pitcher to start the inning.

                                                             Nice going Jackass

The Good:

Reggie Smith was 2 for 4 with 2 walks and 3 runs scored.

Carl Yastrzemski was 2 for 3 with a walk, 2 rbis and 3 runs scored.

Rico Petrocelli was 2 for 4 with 2 walks, an rbi and a run scored.

George Scott was 3 for 6 with 3 rbis.

Duane Josephson was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and an rbi.

Doug Griffin was 2 for 4 with a hit by pitch and a run scored.

The Bad:

George Thomas was 0 for 2 at the plate.

Joe Lahoud was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Mike Fiore was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Ray Culp was lit up for 8 runs in just 6 innings of work.

Bill Lee gave up hits to two of the three men he faced.

The Ugly:

Luis Aparicio was just 1 for 5 but walked, drove in a run and scored.

Billy Conigliaro was 0 for 4 but walked.

Bobby Bolin allowed the tying home run in 2 innings of work.

Honorable Mention:

Don Pavletich caught the final inning.

Final Thoughts:

If blowing a 5 run lead to the Washington Senators wasn't bad enough, how do you lose a game where you knock Mickey Lolich out in the second inning and lead 7-1? The Sox pitching has been Jekyll and Hyde this season and Hyde showed up today. Culp didn't have his best stuff but good golly is that bullpen BAD. The trio of Bobby Bolin, Ken Tatum and Ken Brett hasn't shown much at all even though Brett didn't pitch in this one. Billy C's double play in the first and Petrocelli running into an out in the second ended up being big rally killers that ended up costing the Sox. In essence the Sox were beaten by two men, Willie Horton and Tom Timmermann. Timmermann tossed 4 shutout innings and started the winning rally with a walk and Horton was hitting home runs all game. Its only April but the Sox can't afford to get off to a bad start with the Baltimore Orioles being as good as they are. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow when they send Sonny Siebert (1-0) to the mound up against former Minnesota Twins ace Dean Chance of the Tigers. The game begins at 2:00 PM at Tiger Stadium.