Brewers Edge Sox at Fenway (4/27/71)

Dammit! Dammit! Dammit! The Boston Red Sox four game winning streak came to a bitter end at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers. After rain postponed last night's game, Marty Pattin went the distance for the Brewers in this one, holding the Sox offense to just two runs. Ray Culp (2-1, 6.37 ERA) got knocked out in the fourth inning after allowing 3 runs. The Sox bullpen managed to only allow just one run in the next 5 innings but failed to score more than just 2 of their own. The Brewers came to Boston and knocked off the Sox 4-2 at Fenway Park.

                                                          "THEY LOST AGAINNNN!!!!"

Culp got the ball in the top of the first and Tommy Harper struck out to start. Mike Hegan grounded out to first and John Briggs flied out to left to end the inning. Pattin began his dominance in the bottom of the first by getting Luis Aparicio to ground out to short to start. Reggie Smith hit one up the elevator shaft but Carl Yastrzemski walked. Yaz got picked off first to end the inning.

The Brewers struck first in the top of the second as Dave May walked to start. Culp tried to pick off May but threw to the wrong base and May took second on the error. Bill Voss flied out to center and Roberto Pena hit one up the elevator shaft, but Ellie Rodriguez doubled home May to put the Brewers on top. Ted Kubiak walked but Pattin flied out to center to end the inning with the Brewers ahead 1-0.

                                                               May scores the first run

The Sox failed to answer in the top of the second as Rico Petrocelli popped up to second to start. George Scott grounded out to short and Duane Josephson grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Brewers poured it on in the top of the third although Harper grounded out to third to start. Hegan hit a home run all the way to the Dominican Republic to increase the lead. Briggs struck out but May tripled to center and Voss singled him home. Pena took strike three to end the inning but it was 3-0 Brewers.

                                                               Voss drives in a run

Billy Conigliaro singled to left to begin the bottom of the third but Doug Griffin forced him at second. Culp struck out swinging and Aparicio flied out to left to end the inning.

The Brewers knocked out Culp in the top of the fourth inning as Rodriguez hit a routine grounder to Aparicio who threw the ball into the Atlantic Ocean to advance Rodriguez to second. Kubiak walked and Pattin moved both runners over with a sacrifice bunt. Harper struck out but Hegan walked to load the bases and chase Culp. Ray didn't have it as he was charged with 3 runs in 3 2/3 innings. Ken Brett came in to pitch and Andy Kosco pinch hit for Briggs. Kosco grounded out to third to end the inning.

                                                               Not today Ray

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fourth as Smith struck out swinging to start. Yaz lined out to left and Petrocelli lined out to center to end the inning.

Brett cruised in the top of the fifth as May struck out looking to start. Voss whiffed and Pena flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Scott grounded out to short to start. Josephson grounded back to the mound but Billy C walked. Griffin lined out to center to end the inning. 

Don Pavletich took over behind the plate to start the top of the sixth. Rodriguez lined out to second, Kubiak grounded out to short and Pattin grounded out to third to end the inning.  The Sox fought back in the bottom of the sixth as Gary Peters pinch hit for Brett and singled to right to start. Aparicio singled and Smith doubled home Peters to cut the lead. Yaz grounded out to third but Aparicio scored and Smith took third. With the tying run 90 feet away....Petrocelli whiffed and Scott took strike three to end the inning. The Sox blew a big chance to tie the game but cut the lead 3-2.

                                                           Peters brings the Sox closer

Bill Lee survived a scare in the top of the seventh as Harper walked to start. Scott threw a grounder by Hegan away for an error but Kosco struck out. Ted Savage pinch hit for May and walked to load the bases before Bernie Smith pinch hit for Voss. Smith popped up to short and Pena grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Rick Auerbach took over at short for the bottom of the seventh and Pavletich singled to center to start. Billy C struck out and Mike Fiore pinch hit for Griffin....taking strike three. Joe Lahoud pinch hit for Lee and singled Pavletich to third, but Aparicio grounded into a force to end the inning.

John Kennedy took over at short with Bobby Bolin now on the mound for the top of the eighth. Rodriguez lined out to right but Kubiak singled to center. Pattin sacrifice bunted Kubiak to second and Harper doubled home Marty to ice the game. Hegan was intentionally walked and Kosco grounded into a force to end the inning with the Brewers ahead 4-2.

                                                       Why can't the Sox get guys like this?

Smith grounded out to first to start the bottom of the eighth and Yaz flied out to left. Petrocelli walked but Scott flied out to right to end the inning.

Bolin returned for the top of the ninth and Auerbach popped up to second to start. Smith flied out to right and Pena struck out to end the inning. Pattin returned to finish the job in the bottom of the ninth and Pavletich grounded back to the mound to start. Billy C grounded out to short but Kennedy walked. George Thomas pinch hit for Bolin and struck out to end the game. The Brewers had won it 4-2.

Jackass of the Night is George Scott. He left men on base three times as he went 0 for 4 with a strikeout. He also committed an error in the field.

                                                             Scott the Jackass

The Good:

Don Pavletich was 1 for 2 at the plate.

Billy Conigliaro was 1 for 3 with a walk.

John Kennedy walked in his only plate appearance.

Gary Peters singled and scored as a pinch hitter.

Joe Lahoud singled as a pinch hitter.

Ken Brett tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

Bill Lee tossed a scoreless inning.

The Bad:

Duane Josephson was 0 for 2.

Doug Griffin was 0 for 2.

Mike Fiore struck out as a pinch hitter.

George Thomas struck out as a pinch hitter.

Ray Culp took the loss by allowing 3 runs in 3 2/3 innings, he also struck out at the plate.

The Ugly:

Luis Aparicio was just 1 for 4 with an error but scored a run.

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

Carl Yastrzmeski was 0 for 3 but walked and drove in a run.

Bobby Bolin allowed a run in 2 innings of work.

Final Thoughts:

That game was hard to watch. Most of last week the Sox found ways to come from behind, not this time. Ray Culp has looked horrid lately and that can't continue as the month of April comes to a close. The Sox are gonna need him, Sonny Siebert, Gary Peters and Mike Nagy to have good seasons if the Sox have hopes to contend this season. Once again the Sox fell behind only this time they didnt come back. How are they supposed to beat the Baltimore Orioles if they cant beat the likes of Marty Pattin? The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow afternoon against the Brewers when they send their ace Sonny Siebert (3-0) up against Bill Parsons. The game begins at 1 PM at Fenway Park. 

Indians Outslug Sox (4/10/71)

Yesterday Sonny Siebert and Sam McDowell had a wonderful pitcher's duel that ended with the Cleveland Indians walking off the Boston Red Sox. Today it was a slugfest but the result was the same, the Indians won. Sox starter Cal Koonce was knocked out in the second inning after allowing 5 runs while Indians starter Steve Hargan also got blasted for 5 runs in just 2 innings. Ken Brett (0-1, 16.20 ERA) allowed 6 runs of his own and although the Sox did put up 10 total runs, it wasn't enough as the Indians outslugged them 11-10 at Cleveland Stadium.

                                                       "Damn Indians"

The Sox did nothing in the top of the first against Hargan as Luis Aparicio grounded out to third to start. Reggie Smith lined out to first and Carl Yastrzemski flied out to center to end the inning. The Indians wasted no time smacking Koonce in the bottom of the first as Larry Brown walked to start. Graig Nettles banged into a double play but Vada Pinson singled. Ray Fosse then smashed a home run all the way to Argentina to put the Indians on top. Ken "Hawk" Harrelson grounded out to second to end the inning but the Indians led 2-0.

                                                       Fosse puts the Indians on top

The Sox answered in the top of the second with a big rally. Rico Petrocelli walked before George Scott singled him to third. Duane Josephson singled home Rico to put the Sox on the board. Billy Conigliaro hit a ball to the centerfield wall that advanced the runners into scoring position although Doug Griffin flied out to right. Somehow Koonce walked to load the bases and Aparicio cleared them with a grand slam to put the Sox on top. Smith flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-2.

                                                                Grand Slam Luis

The Indians counterpunched in the bottom of the second as John Lowenstein walked to start. Eddie Leon singled to right but Buddy Bradford struck out. Indians manager Al Dark rolled the dice by having Ted Uhlaender pinch hit for Hargan, thus trusting the next 7 innings to his bullpen. The gamble worked as Uhlaender doubled home Lowenstein to cut the lead. Sox manager Eddie Kasko felt Koonce had nothing and brought in Ken Brett to save the day. Brown grounded out to third but Leon scored and Uhlaender moved to third. A wild pitch by Brett scored Uhlaender to tie the game before Nettles flied out to right to end the inning. Both starters were gone and the game was tied 5-5.

                                                            So much for Koonce

Camilo Pascual came in to pitch the top of the third and Yaz grounded back to the mound to start. Petrocelli and Scott both walked but Josephson banged into a double play to end the inning. Brett settled down in the bottom of the third as Pinson flied out to left to start. Fosse took strike three and Harrelson grounded out to third to end the inning.

Billy C took strike three to start the top of the fourth but Griffin walked. Griffin stole second but Brett took strike three. Aparicio was also caught looking to end the inning. The Indians took command in the bottom of the fourth as Lowenstein, Leon and Bradford all walked to load the bases with nobody out. Brett did get Pascual looking but Brown doubled home Lowenstein and Leon to put Cleveland on top. Nettles hit a ground ball to second but Griffin didn't bother to throw anywhere which allowed Bradford to score. Pinson popped up to short and Fosse grounded into a force to end the inning but the Indians were up 8-5.

                                                      Brown gives Cleveland the lead

The Sox failed to rally in the top of the fifth although Smith singled to left to start. Yaz flied out to center and Smith was forced at second by Petrocelli. Scott doubled Rico to third but Josephson flied out to left to end the inning. The Indians iced the game in the bottom of the fifth as Harrelson singled to right to start. Lowenstein sacrifice bunted Hawk to second and Ken scored on the base hit by Leon. Bradford walked and Pascual dropped down a sacrifice bunt to advance both runners. Naturally Brown singled home both runners to chase Brett. The Sox pulled off a double switch by bringing in Don Pavletich to catch and Bill Lee in to pitch. Lee walked both Nettles and Pinson but Fosse grounded out to short to end the inning with the Indians ahead 11-5.

                                                              Lee has to clean up the mess

The Sox refused to go quietly in the top of the sixth although Billy C struck out to start. Griffin struck out swinging but Pavletich singled to left. Aparicio and Smith walked to load the bases and chase Pascual from the game. Rick Austin came in to pitch to Yaz and Carl smashed a base hit to left to score Pavletich and Aparicio. Vince Colbert came in to pitch to Petrocelli and Rico singled home Smith to bring the tying run to the plate. Scott took strike three to end the inning but the Sox were down 11-8.

                                                          Yaz drives in a pair

Harrelson singled to left to start the bottom of the sixth and moved to second on a passed ball. Lowenstein flied out to center but Pavletich muffed a strike three ball to Leon to allow him to reach first. Bradford banged into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox inched closer in the top of the seventh as Joe Lahoud pinch hit for Lee only to fly out to center. Billy C doubled to left and moved to third on the Griffin grounder before Pavletich walked. Aparicio doubled home Billy C and Pavletich before taking third on the throw home. With the tying run 90 feet away....Smith grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox down 11-10.

                                                    Pavletich brings the Sox closer

Bobby Bolin came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and struck out Colbert to start. Brown struck out but Nettles drew a walk. Pinson struck out to end the inning.

The Sox threatened in the top of the eighth when Yaz doubled to left to start. Petrocelli moved Yaz to third with a grounder before Chuck Machemehl came in to pitch. Scott grounded back to the mound before Mike Fiore pinch hit for Bolin. Fiore walked to put runners at the corners but Billy C grounded into a force to end the inning. Ken Tatum came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Fosse grounded out to second to start. Harrelson grounded out to third but Lowenstein walked. Leon lined out to first to end the inning...where the hell was that yesterday?

The Sox went quietly in the top of the ninth as Griffin popped up to second to start. Pavletich struck out and Aparicio popped up to short to end the game. The Indians had won the slugfest 11-10.

Jackass of the Night is Ken Brett. He was completely ineffective by allowing 6 runs after Koonce was pulled. Even a halfway decent outing and the Sox would have won the game.

                                                               Jackass Brett

The Good:

Luis Aparicio was 2 for 5 with a walk including a grand slam and 6 total rbis.

Carl Yastrzemski was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis.

Rico Petrocelli was 1 for 3 with 2 walks, an rbi and a run scored.

George Scott was 2 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

Duane Josephson was 1 for 3 with an rbi and a run scored.

Mike Fiore walked as a pinch hitter.

Don Pavletich was 1 for 2 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Bill Lee tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Bobby Bolin tossed a scoreless inning.

Ken Tatum pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Joe Lahoud was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Cal Koonce got hammered for 5 runs in just 1 1/3 innings. He did walk at the plate.

The Ugly:

Reggie Smith was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored a run.

Billy Conigliaro was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.

Doug Griffin was 0 for 4 but walked.

Final Thoughts:

A day after the Sox couldn't buy a run, they score 10 and still lose. Go figure! Still, Aparicio is looking like a good signing so far but when Cal Koonce is your third starter, that's not a good thing. Ken Brett stunk the joint out in relief and the Sox had chances to tie the game in the late innings but couldn't. At least this game was entertaining even if the Sox came out on the losing end. The Sox are gonna miss Tony Conigliaro this season if Doug Griffin is nothing but a slap hitter but still, the season is only three games in. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow against the Indians when Gary Peters makes his season debut opposite Alan Foster of Cleveland. The game begins at 2 PM Eastern time at Cleveland Stadium.

A's Beat Romo, Sox (7/28/70)

As the Boston Red Sox "July swoon" comes to a close with a very disappointing month, the latest chapter is Vicente Romo is undefeated no more. The Oakland Athletics got to Romo for 5 runs in 5 innings to give the A's the lead. The Sox offense rallied for 4 runs against Oakland starter Chuck Dobson but the indomitable Mudcant Grant stymied the Sox the rest of the way. The Sox continued their slide this month as the A's took the game 6-4 at Oakland Coliseum.

                                                               "Romo you imbecile!"

Dobson took the mound in the top of the first and Mike Andrews led off by flying out to center. Reggie Smith singled to center and moved to second on a passed ball before Carl Yastrzemski drew a walk. Tony Conigliaro flied out to right and Rico Petrocelli flied out to center to end the inning. Romo got the ball and cruised in the bottom of the first as Bert Campaneris flied out to right to begin. Rick Monday lined out to left and Felipe Alou grounded out to short to end the inning.

George Thomas drew a walk to begin the top of the second but John Kennedy flied out to center. Jerry Moses struck out and Romo flied out to right to end the inning. Sal Bando walked to start the bottom of the second but Don Mincher took strike three. Reggie Jackson walked but Dave Duncan struck out. Dick Green grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the third inning as Andrews walked to start. Smith singled to right but was erased on the Yaz force. Tony C flied out to left but Petrocelli clubbed his 17th home run of the year to put Boston on top. Thomas grounded back to the mound to end the inning but the Sox were up 3-0.

                                                      Number 17 for Rico

Romo got Dobson to take strike three to begin the bottom of the third and Campaneris lined out to right. Monday beat out an infield single to third but Alou grounded into a force to end the inning.

Kennedy flied out to center to start the top of the fourth but Moses struck out. Romo beat out an infield single to third but Andrews grounded out to short to end the inning. The A's struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Bando singled and Mincher smashed a 50,000 foot home run to put the A's back in it. Then Jackson hit a 5,000 foot home run to tie the game just like that. Duncan lined out to left, Green struck out looking and Dobson grounded out to third to end the inning but the A's had tied it 3-3.

                                                Jackson ties it up

Smith put the Sox back on top instantly in the top of the fifth with his 14th home run of the season. Yaz popped up to third, Tony C grounded out to third and Petrocelli popped up to first to end the inning but it was 4-3 Sox.

                                              Smith goes yard

The A's clawed back in the bottom of the fifth although Campaneris hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Monday grounded back to the mound but Alou beat out an infield single to short. Bando made the Sox pay by bashing a 5 million foot home run into the Pacific Ocean to give the A's the lead. Mincher struck out to end the inning but the A's had regained the lead and chased Romo 5-4.

                                                      "Damn that Bando"

Thomas popped up to second to start the top of the sixth before Kennedy struck out. Moses drew a walk and Dick Schofield pinch hit for Romo, taking a walk as well. Marcel Lachemann came in for Dobson to pitch to Andrews and Mike grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Ken Brett was brought in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and he struck out both Jackson and Duncan to start. Green walked but Tommy Davis pinch hit for Lachemann. Brett got Davis to strike out to end the inning.

If the Sox had to rally, they would have to do it against arguably the best relief pitcher in baseball in Mudcat Grant in the top of the seventh. Smith singled to right but Yaz flied out to left. Tony C forced Smith at second but Petrocelli singled to put the tying run at second. Thomas struck out to end the inning. Brett cruised in the bottom of the seventh as Campaneris flied out to left to start. Monday struck out and Alou flied out to center to end the inning. Brett retired 4 of the 7 batters he faced by strike out, not bad.

                                               Brett keeps the Sox in it

The Sox could do nothing against Grant in the top of the eighth as Kennedy flied out to center to start. Moses flied out to left and Mike Fiore pinch hit for Brett only to line out to second to end the inning. The A's hit the kill shot in the bottom of the eighth against Sparky Lyle as Bando walked to start. Joe Rudi pinch hit for Mincher and dropped down a bunt. Kennedy threw out Rudi at first but Yaz turned and fired the ball into the first base dugout for no apparent reason to score Bando with the insurance run. Jackson took strike three and Duncan grounded out to third to end the inning but it was 6-4 Oakland.

                                           "What the hell was THAT, Yaz??" - SL

Grant finished off the Sox in the top of the ninth as Andrews flied out to left to start. Smith popped up to third but Yaz singled to center. Tony C flied out to left to end the game. The A's had won it 6-4.

Jackass of the Night is Vicente Romo. He got slammed for 5 runs in just 5 innings of work. He allowed 3 home runs and 2 walks while striking out 5.

                                                         Jackass Romo


The Good:

Reggie Smith was 4 for 5 with a home run.

Rico Petrocelli was 2 for 4 including a 3 run home run.

Dick Schofield walked as a pinch hitter

Ken Brett tossed 2 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Tony Conigliaro was 0 for 5.

John Kennedy was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Mike Fiore was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Sparky Lyle allowed an unearned run in the bottom of the eighth.



The Ugly:

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

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 4 with an error but walked and scored.

George Thomas was 0 for 3 but walked.

Jerry Moses was 0 for 3 but walked.




Final Thoughts:

The way the Baltimore Orioles are going, even if the Sox were to be on a hot streak it seems like there would be no way to catch them. The bottom line is the O's have the starting rotation the Sox don't. Jim Lonborg didn't revert to 1967 form and the others just aren't good enough. The Sox still have 2 months to turn it around but they're falling dangerously behind. The error by Yaz should never have happened and the offense went cold after the fourth inning. Mudcat Grant has found new life as a reliever after strong-arming the Minnesota Twins to the AL pennant 5 years ago, not much you can do with him. The loss dropped the Sox to 50-48, 11.5 games behind the O's for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow night against the A's. Ray Culp (10-9) takes on Diego Segui at 10:30 PM Eastern time at Oakland Coliseum.

Brett Outduels Stottlemyre as Sox Take Game 1 (6/28/70)

The Boston Red Sox have to play a doubleheader today against the New York Yankees and they opened the salvo by taking game 1 on the back of Ken Brett (2-2, 3.31 ERA). Brett held the Yankees in check for 8 solid innings to earn the win. The Sox offense got to Mel Stottlemyer for 4 runs including a Carl Yastrzemksi 3 run home run in the top of the third. There's another game to be played but the Sox took this one 5-3 at Yankee Stadium.

                                                Mariska Veres approves of the win

Stottlemyre cruised in the top of the first inning as Mike Andrews grounded back to the mound to start. Reggie Smith flied out to center and Carl Yastrzemski grounded out to first to start. Brett got in trouble in the bottom of the first as Horace Clarke drew a leadoff walk. Bobby Murcer struck out but Clarke swiped second. Roy White and Danny Cater drew back to back walks to load the bases but Thurmon Munson flied out to center. John Ellis flied out to center to end the inning.

Tony Conigliaro drew a walk to begin the top of the second inning but Rico Petrocelli lined out to center. George Scott and Billy Conigliaro both popped up to second to end the inning. Ron Woods singled to left to begin the bottom of the second but was doubled off first on the Gene Michael to short. Stottlemyre singled to left but Clarke lined out to left to end the inning.

The Sox broke through in the top of the third inning although Jerry Moses grounded out to third. Brett singled to center to start the rally and Andrews got a base hit to left. Smith singled to right to score Brett and Yaz cleared the bases with his 17th home run of the season to put the Sox up big early. Tony C singled to left but Petrocelli banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-0.

                                                         Yaz hits it out

Brett cruised in the bottom of the third as Murcer flied out to right to start. White lined out to left but Cater singled to right. Munson popped up to second to end the inning.

Stottlemyre matched Brett in the top of the fourth as Scott flied out to center to begin. Billy C and Moses both flied out to left to end the inning. Brett got Ellis to ground back to the mound to start the bottom of the fourth before Woods flied out to left. Michael lined out to short to end the inning.

Brett himself grounded out to third to start the top of the fifth inning before Andrews struck out. Smith grounded out to second to end the inning. Stottlemyre struck out to begin the bottom of the fifth before Clarke flied out to left. Murcer grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Sox threatened in the top of the sixth although Yaz flied out to right to start. Tony C grounded back to the mound but Petrocelli singled to center. Cater booted a Scott ground ball which allowed him to reach first but got picked off to end the inning. White flied out to center to open the bottom of the sixth before Cater lined out to left. Munson singled to center but Ellis popped up to first in foul territory to end the inning.

Billy C flied out to right to begin the top of the seventh but Moses beat out an infield single. Brett banged into a double play to end the inning. Brett made up for the DP by getting Woods to line out to left to start. Michael singled to center and Ron Hansen pinch hit for Stottlemyre. Brett struck out Hanson and Clarke popped up to short to end the inning.

John Cumberland was brought in to pitch the top of the eighth and Andrews popped up to first to start. Smith lined out to left but Yaz singled to left....just to get thrown out trying to steal to end the inning. Brett ran out of gas in the bottom of the eighth as Murcer belted a 750,000 foot home run into the Long Island Sound to put the Yankees on the board. White grounded out to third and Cater popped up to short but Munson crushed a 9,000 foot home run to cut the lead. Ellis popped up to short to end the inning with the Yankees down 4-2.

                                                    The spot where Murcer's homer landed

The Sox got a big insurance run in the top of the ninth although Tony C grounded out to third to start. Petrocelli flied out to right but Scott blasted his 8th home run of the season to increase the lead. Billy C grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-3.

                                                       Scott with the big home run

Brett tried to finish the job in the bottom of the ninth but Woods homered to chase him. He went 8 innings and allowed 3 runs before being replaced by Sparky Lyle. Michael struck out and Curt Blefary pinch hit for Cumberland, drawing a walk. Clarke popped up to second and Murcer grounded into a force to end the game. The Sox had held on to win it 5-3.

Hero of the Night is Ken Brett. He held the Yankees to 3 runs in 8 innings of work. He allowed 8 hits while striking out 3. He was also 1 for 3 at the plate with a run scored.

                                                          Brett The Hero



The Good:

Carl Yastrzemski was 2 for 4 with a 3 run home run.

Tony Conigliaro was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Jerry Moses was 1 for 3.

Sparky Lyle earned his 11th save with a scoreless 9th.



The Bad:

Billy Conigliaro was 0 for 4.



The Ugly:

Mike Andrews was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

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

Rico Petrocelli was just 1 for 4.

George Scott was just 1 for 4 but the hit was a home run.




Final Thoughts:

That's a good start to today to take the opening game of a doubleheader. Brett pitched a great game and Lyle held the fort in the ninth inning. The Sox are gonna need more games like this from Brett if they have any hope of coming close to the Baltimore Orioles. The Sox offense is as good as anyone in the American League but the pitching needs to get a lot better if they hope to compete going forward. As for this game, great win. The win improved to 34-34 with Game 2 to be played mere hours from now. Ray Culp (6-7) goes for the Sox up against Stan Bahnsen at 3:45 PM at Yankee Stadium.

Sox Bash Sloppy Royals in Game 1 (6/7/70)

This was a win giftwrapped on a silver platter for the Boston Red Sox in the first game of a day night doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals. Old friend Dave Morehead didn't get out of the first inning as the Boston bats pounded out 7 runs including a home run from Ken Brett....yes, HIM. The Royals committed 3 errors and the Sox bullpen led by Brett and Lee Strange slammed the door as the Sox took Game 1 7-4 at Fenway Park

                                                   Jennifer Liano approves of the win

Sox starter Ray Culp got the ball in the top of the first inning and Pat Kelly beat out an infield single to third to start. Kelly was thrown out trying to steal before Rich Severson struck out swinging. Amos Otis popped up to third to end the inning. The Sox struck first against Morehead in the bottom of the first as Mike Andrews walked to start. Reggie Smith singled to right and Carl Yastrzemski walked to load the bases with nobody out. Tony Conigliaro ripped a base hit to left that got under the glove of left fielder Lou Piniella. Andrews and Smith scored, Yaz took third and Moreland had to leave the game. Royals manager Charlie Metro brought in Tom Burgmeier to pitch and Petrocelli walked to re-load the bases. George Scott banged into a double play but Yaz scored to increase the lead. Jim Campanis came in to catch for Ed Kirkpatrick and Tom Satriano grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                             Conigliaro drives in a pair

Culp got Bob Oliver to fly out to center to start the top of the second but Piniella got a base hit to left. Joe Keough flied out to left but Jackie Hernandez walked. Campanis struck out swinging to end the inning. Luis Alvarado flied out to right to start the bottom of the second but Culp struck out swinging. Andrews walked but Smith forced him at second to end the inning.

The Royals struck back in the top of the third inning as Burgmeier singled to center to start. Kelly clobbered a home run all the way to Utica to cut the lead. Severson singled to left but Otis struck out swinging. Oliver lined out to left but Piniella singled Severson to third. Keough walked to load the bases but Hernandez grounded into a force at second to end the inning with the Sox still ahead 3-2.

                                                         The pitcher scores a run

The Sox answered in the bottom of the third as Yaz lined one off Burgmeier but right to Hernandez who threw to first for the out. Tony C grounded out to short but Petrocelli tripled to center. Scott bashed a base hit to right to score Rico for another run but Satriano forced Scott at second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-2.

                                                            Scott drives in a run

Campanis was plunked to start the top of the fourth but Burgmeier struck out swinging. Campanis moved to second on the grounder to second by Kelly but Severson grounded out to short to end the inning. Alvarado struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fourth before Culp grounded out to short. Andrews singled to center but Smith forced him at second to end the inning.

Culp cruised in the top of the fifth inning as Otis struck out swinging to start. Oliver grounded out to short and Piniella flied out to left to end the inning. The sox blew a rally in the bottom of the fifth as Yaz grounded out to second to start. Tony C singled to center but was forced at second by Petrocelli. Scott singled to left and Satriano walked to load the bases. Alvarado flied out to center to end the inning.

The Royals chased Culp in the top of the sixth as Keough walked to start. Hernandez hit a home run all the way to Bismarck, North Dakota to tie the game and Campanis walked. That was it for Culp who left after allowing 4 runs in just 5 plus innings. Lee Strange came in and Burgmeier forced Campanis at second before Kelly walked. Both runners moved over on the grounder to first by Severson and Otis walked to load the bases. Oliver grounded out to third to end the inning with the game tied 4-4.

                                                          Culp couldn't get it done

The Sox struck back in the bottom of the sixth with Dick Schofield pinch hitting for Strange. Schofield walked and Burgmeier booted a grounder by Andrews for an error before throwing the ball away for another error to send Schofield to third. Smith hit a sac fly to score Schofield plus move Andrews to second but Yaz flied out to right. Tony C got a base hit to left to score Andrews with an insurance run and chase Burgmeier. Ken Wright came in and Petrocelli grounded into a force to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-4.

                                                       Schofield scores the go-ahead run

Ken Brett came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Piniella walked to start. Keough popped up to short but Hernandez walked. Campanis struck out swinging and Hawk Taylor pinch hit for Wright. Taylor struck out swinging to end the inning. Moe Drabowski came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Scott took strike three to start. Satriano flied out to right and Alvardo grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Mike Fiore came in to play first for Scott in the top of the eighth and Kelly grounded out to first to start. Severson flied out to center and Otis struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox iced the game in the bottom of the eighth when Brett himself hit his first home run of the season. Andrews his one up the elevator shaft and Smith struck out looking, but Yaz walked. Tony C flied out to right to end the inning with Boston up 7-4.

                                                           Home run Brett

Brett returned to finish the job in the top of the ninth and Oliver struck out swinging to start. Piniella doubled to right and moved to third on the grounder to second by Keough, but Hernandez grounded out to second to end the game. The Sox had won Game 1 by a score of 7-4.

Hero of the Night is Ken Brett. He tossed 3 scoreless innings to get the save and hit a home run.

                                                        Hero Brett

The Good:

Mike Andrews was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored.

Tony Conigliaro was 3 for 5 with 3 runs batted in.

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

George Scott was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Dick Schofield walked and scored a run as a pinch hitter.

Lee Strange got the win by pitching a scoreless sixth inning.

The Bad:

Luis Alvarado was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Ray Culp allowed 4 runs in just 5 plus innings. He was 0 for 2 with a strikeout at the plate.

The Ugly:

Reggie Smith was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run and scored a run.

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

Tom Satriano was 0 for 3 but walked.

Honorable Mention:

Mike Fiore played first base in the final two innings.

Final Thoughts:

Culp not lasting long wasn't good and neither was Scott getting yanked from the game after watching strike three go by. Kudos to Brett and Strange for holding the fort but the pitching on this team has been atrocious this season as a whole. Losing Jim Lonborg hurt but the Sox needed ace pitching from Sonny Siebert, Culp and Mike Nagy....but aren't getting it. The Baltimore Orioles have a huge lead and it doesn't look like the Sox can get out of their mediocrity even with their powerful offense. Its a shame considering the season Tony Conigliaro is having, hopefully the pitching improves as the season moves along. The win improved the Sox to 24-25. The Sox play Game 2 of the doubleheader in an hour against these same Royals. Gary Peters starts for the Red Sox against Bob Johnson of Kansas City. The game begins at 5 PM at Fenway Park.

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

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

                     World middleweight champ Paul Pender approves of the fighting Sox

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

                                                          Yaz drives in a pair

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

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

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

                                                 "Here I come to save the dayyyyyyy" - DS

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

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

                                                     Alvarado drives in a run

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

                                                Starts a fight while pitching a shutout

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

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

                                                        Francona pinch hits with a home run

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

                                                      Conigliaro drives in a run

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

                                    Can you not allow inherited runners to score, Ed?

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

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

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

                                                              Tony C the Hero

The Good:

Mike Andrews was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored.

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

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

George Scott was 2 for 4.

Tom Satriano was 1 for 3 with a walk.

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

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

The Bad:

Rico Petrocelli was 0 for 1.

Dick Schofield was 0 for 3.

Billy Conigliaro was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

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

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

The Ugly:

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

Honorable Mention:

Reggie Smith played center in the final 2 innings.

Final Thoughts:

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