Rangers Walkoff Red Sox (4/29/72)

Retired New York Yankees and Mets manager Casey Stengal once said "I've been in this game a hundred years but I've seen new ways to lose I never knew existed before." The Boston Red Sox right now are coming up with those new ways to lose. In their latest debacle, the Sox took a 4-3 lead over the Texas Rangers going into the bottom of the eighth inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Luis Aparicio booted a grounder by Toby Harrah AND threw it away to clear the bases and give the Rangers the lead. The Sox tied it in the top of the ninth only for Ken Suarez to smash a walkoff base hit in the bottom of the ninth to give Ted Williams' team a 7-6 victory over the Red Sox at Arlington Stadium.

                                                     "These guys are bums, ALL OF EM!"

Bill Gogolewski got the ball in the top of the first inning and Tommy Harper grounded out to third to start. Luis Aparicio was retired on a squibber in front of the plate but Carl Yastrzemski singled to center. Rico Petrocelli forced Yaz at second to end the inning. Luis Tiant got the start for the Sox and Lenny Randle struck out swinging to start. Dave Nelson walked but was thrown out trying to steal by the alert Fisk. Don Mincher and Hal King both walked but Frank Howard took strike three to end the inning.

Ben Oglivie lined out to second to start the top of the second before Danny Cater flied out to center. Doug Griffin grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Tiant got Larry Bittner to line out to second to begin the bottom of the second before Elliott Maddox drew a walk. Toby Harrah struck out swinging and Fisk threw out Maddox trying to steal to end the inning.

Gogolewski turned up the heat by striking out Carlton Fisk, Tiant and Harper all swinging to begin and end the top of the third. Tiant responded by striking out Gogolewski and Randle swinging to start the bottom of the third. Nelson popped up to third to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the fourth although Aparicio grounded back to the mound to start. Yaz ripped a base hit to left but Petrocelli struck out swinging. Oglivie walked and Cater singled home Yaz to give the Sox the lead. Griffin grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                             Cater drives in a run

Tiant got Mincher to fly out to center to start the bottom of the fourth but King walked. Howard banged into a double play to end the inning.

Fisk flied out to center to begin the top of the fifth before Tiant struck out swinging. Harper singled to center and Aparicio reached on an error by Nelson. Yaz flied out to center to end the inning. Bittner singled to center to begin the bottom of the fifth but Maddox flied out to center. Harrah flied out to center and Jim Driscoll pinch hit for Gogolewski only to line out to center to end the inning.

Jim Panther came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Petrocelli grounded back to the mound to start. Oglivie tripled to right and Cater drove him home with a sac fly. Griffin grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                              Oglivie triples and scores

The Rangers struck back in the bottom of the sixth as Randle flied out to left to begin. Nelson singled to center and Mincher walked to chase Tiant from the game after 5 1/3 innings and 2 eventual runs charged. Ken Tatum came in and struck out King swinging but naturally Howard smashed a 3 run home run to put the Rangers on top. Bittner walked, Maddox was hit with a pitch and Harrah walked to load the bases. Panther grounded out to short to end the inning but it was now 3-2.

                                                     "Thanks for nothing Tatum" - LT

The Sox fought back in the top of the seventh as Fisk walked to start. Bob Burda pinch hit for Tatum and popped up to third but Fisk took off for second. The throw got away and Fisk took third on the error. Harper walked and Aparicio blooped a single to center to score Fisk with the tying run while Tommy took third. Paul Lindblad came in to pitch to Yaz and Carl scored Harper with a sac fly to give the Sox the lead. Petrocelli grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox up 4-3.

                                                          Yaz puts Boston on top

Roger Moret came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Randle walked to start. Randle was thrown out trying to steal by Fisk and Nelson took strike three. Mincher also took strike three to end the inning.

Dick Billings took over behind the plate to start the top of the eighth and Oglivie flied out to right to start. Cater walked and Rangers manager Ted Williams brought in Horacio Pina in to pitch but batting third. Tom Grieve came in to play left and bat ninth while Howard moved to first. Griffin was hit with a pitch but Fisk and Moret both struck out swinging to end the inning. The Rangers rallied again in the bottom of the eighth as Billings and Howard stroked back to back singles to begin. Joe Lovitto ran for Howard and Ted Ford pinch hit for Bittner. Bobby Bolin came in to face Ford and struck him out swinging. Maddox walked to load the bases but Harrah hit a routine grounder to Aparicio. Instead of turning two to end the inning, Luis kicked the ball like a soccer ball, picked it up and threw it all the way out of Arlington Stadium for two errors that cleared the bases. Instead of being out of the inning the Rangers had taken the lead. Grieve and Randle both struck out swinging to end the inning but the Rangers now led 6-4.

                                                                Hot Hands Luis

Ken Suarez came in to catch the top of the ninth and the Sox rallied. Harper got a base hit to center and Aparicio atoned for his errors with a base hit to right. Mike Paul came in to pitch and Ted Kubiak came in to play first on the double switch as Yaz flied out to center. Petrocelli singled to center to score Harper and rookie Rick Miller came in to run for Rico. Phil Gagliano pinch hit for Oglivie and Casey Cox came in to pitch to him. Gagliano ripped a base hit to left to score Aparicio to tie the game but Cater flied out to right. Griffin lined out to second to end the inning but the game was tied 6-6.

                                                          Another pinch hit rbi for Gagliano

Bolin returned for the bottom of the ninth and Nelson singled to center to start. Nelson swiped second and third before Kubiak walked. Gary Peters was brought in to pitch and Billings was intentionally walked to load the bases. Suarez singled to left to score Nelson to win the game. The Rangers had stunned the Sox 7-6.

Jackass of the Night is Bobby Bolin. Aparicio stumbling and bumbling didn't help but he walked 2 guys, gave up a hit and was charged with 2 runs to take the loss.

                                                                Jackass Bolin

The Good:

Tommy Harper was 2 for 4 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

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

Ben Oglivie was 1 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Phil Gagliano got a base hit and an rbi as a pinch hitter.

Danny Cater was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 rbis.

The Bad:

Bob Burda was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Ken Tatum served up the three run home run to Frank Howard.

Roger Moret was charged with 2 runs in an inning of work.

Gary Peters allowed the game winning hit.

The Ugly:

Luis Aparicio was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored but committing 2 errors on the same play put the Rangers ahead in the eighth.

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

Doug Griffin was 0 for 4 but was hit with a pitch.

Carlton Fisk was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked, stole a base and scored a run.

Luis Tiant lasted just 5 1/3 innings and allowed 2 runs. He was 0 for 2 at the plate as well.

Honorable Mention:

Rick Miller pinch ran for Petrocelli and played right field.

Final Thoughts:

There aren't many words left to describe the ineptitude of the Red Sox. When their pitching is good, the bats don't show. When the bats show, the pitching fails. The defense has been atrocious and you think the Sox miss Sparky Lyle yet out of the bullpen? Watching Bolin, Tatum and Peters trying to hold a lead is like playing roulette. At least Cater, Harper and Yaz stepped it up today but Aparicio's double error cost the Sox big time. As I said already, there's plenty of time to turn things around and Baltimore hasn't gotten off to a blazing start. Hopefully the month of May will be a lot better for the Sox. The Sox look to avoid a five game losing streak tomorrow when they finish their set with the Rangers. Lew Krausse gets the ball for Boston against Jim Shellenback of Texas. The game begins at 3:05 PM Eastern time at Arlington Stadium.

Twins Drop Struggling Sox (4/26/72)

Another day, another loss for the Boston Red Sox. Their struggling offense once again couldn't get untracked against the Minnesota Twins. Ray Culp (1-2, 3.05 ERA) did the best he could, holding the Twins to just 3 runs in 7 innings while helping his own cause by driving in a run. The problem was that was the only run driven in by the Sox as the rest of the team was shutout by Dick Woodson of the Twins. Harmon Killebrew and Rod Carew drove in the big runs Minnesota needed and Dave LaRoche slammed the door on the bumbling Sox. It all added up to a 3-1 victory over the Red Sox at Metropolitan Stadium.

                                                 "The bats need to get going NOW!!!"

Woodson got the ball in the top of the first and Tommy Harper took strike three to start. Luis Aparicio grounded out to short but Carl Yastrzemski walked. Reggie Smith flied out to left to end the inning. The Twins immediately got to Culp in the bottom of the first as Cesar Tovar led off with a routine grounder to third. Petrocelli threw his glove at the ball and screamed at it for an error and Tovar was sacrificed to second on the bunt by Danny Thompson. Rod Carew grounded out to first to move Tovar to third and Cesar scored on the base hit to left by Harmon Killebrew. Bobby Darwin struck out swinging to end the inning but the Twins led 1-0.

                                                            Killebrew puts Minnesota on top

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second as Rico Petrocelli popped up to first to begin. Danny Cater grounded out to second and Doug Griffin flied out to right to end the inning. Steve Braun singled to right to start the bottom of the second but Carlton Fisk gunned him down at second trying to steal. Steve Brye struck out swinging but Rick Dempsey walked. Woodson lined out to left to end the inning.

Fisk got a base hit to start the top of the third but Culp struck out swinging. Fisk moved to second on the ground out by Harper and to third on a balk, but Aparicio flied out to right to end the inning. The Twins poured it on in the bottom of the third as Tovar hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Thompson doubled to left and Carew lined a base hit to left. Thompson came all the way around to score and Carew took second on the throw, but Killebrew flied out to left. Darwin singled Carew to third and Rod scored on the base hit to center by Braun. Bryce forced Braun at second to end the inning but it was now 3-0 Twins.

                                                              Carew drives in a run

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the fourth as Yaz struck out swinging to start. Smith grounded out to first and Petrocelli flied out to right to end the inning. Culp settled down in the bottom of the fourth as Dempsey popped up to first to start. Woodson struck out swinging and Tovar grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

The Sox finally got on the board in the top of the fifth although Cater lined out to left to start. Griffin flied out to right but Fisk doubled to left. Culp aided his own cause with a base hit to right to score Fisk to cut the lead. Harper lined out to right to end the inning with the Sox down 3-1.

                                                                       Fisk scores a run

Culp cruised in the bottom of the fifth as Thompson grounded out to short to start. Carew and Killebrew both struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the sixth as Aparicio flied out to center to start. Yaz grounded out to second and Smith grounded out to short to end the inning. Darwin struck out swinging to open the bottom of the sixth but Braun singled to right. Brye forced Braun at second before he stole second base. Dempsey lined out to center to end the inning.

The Sox tried to rally when Petrocelli singled to left to start the top of the seventh but Cater banged into a double play. Griffin tried to bunt his way on but Woodson snuffed it out to end the inning. Culp stayed tough in the bottom of the seventh as Woodson took strike three to start. Tovar grounded out to short and Thompson flied out to right to end the inning. Culp got hit around early but came back to toss 7 innings while allowing 3 runs. Normally that would be good enough to win.

                                                            Culp deserved better

The Sox blew their last chance to rally in the top of the eighth as Fisk reached on an error by Thompson to start. Ben Oglivie pinch hit for Culp but forced Fisk at second. Harper forced Oglivie at second but Aparicio doubled to left to chase Woodson. Dave LaRoche came in to pitch and Yaz got plunked to load the bases. With the game on the line....Smith struck out swinging to end the inning. Ken Tatum came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Carew lined out to left to start. Killebrew popped up to first and Darwin popped up to short to end the inning. Rich Reese took over at first for Killebrew to start the bottom of the ninth as Petrocelli led off with a lineout to right. Cater lined out to left but Griffin got a base hit to left to bring the tying run to the plate. Fisk struck out swinging to end the game. The Twins had won it 3-1.

Jackass of the Night is Reggie Smith. He was 0 for 4 including the big strikeout with the bases loaded in the eighth inning.

                                                            Nice strikeout Jackass

The Good:

Carlton Fisk was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

One of the rare times the losing pitcher ends up on the Good list but Ray Culp did very well. He went 7 innings and allowed just 2 earned runs (with one unearned). He also was 1 for 2 at the plate and drove in the only run for Boston.

Ken Tatum pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Tommy Harper was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Danny Cater was 0 for 4.

Ben Oglivie was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

Luis Aparicio was just 1 for 4.

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 2 with a strikeout but walked and was hit with a pitch.

Rico Petrocelli was just 1 for 4 with an error.

Doug Griffin was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

This team is the absolute pits right now. After getting shelled yesterday, the pitching stepped up to hold the Twins to just 3 runs. Unfortunately the bats the got shut out yesterday managed to score just a single run today. The Twins pitching is good but its not THAT good. The Sox offense should be their bread and butter but has done absolutely nothing through the first 8 games. Harper, Petrocelli, Yaz and Cater have been almost automatic outs and Smith hasn't been much better. Apart from the rookie Fisk, nobody looks good offensively to start the year. Its still early but the Sox can't afford to lose many of these games with 7 games wiped off the schedule and Baltimore struggling as well. Culp did enough to win but the bats couldn't generate any offense for him. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox continue their road trip for a set with Ted Williams and the Texas Rangers starting Friday. Sonny Siebert gets the ball for the Sox against Pete Broberg of Texas. The game begins at 8:30 PM Eastern time at Arlington Stadium.

Siebert, Sox Beat Indians (4/18/72)

It was good news all around for Boston sport fans. The Boston Bruins beat the St. Louis Blues in Game 1 of the NHL Semi-Finals and the Boston Red Sox got their first win of the season by beating the Cleveland Indians. The Sox scored all their runs in the second inning but it was enough to win as Sonny Siebert (1-0, 2.70 ERA) tossed 6 2/3 solid innings to keep the Sox on top. RBI singles by Danny Cater and Doug Griffin put the Sox on the board and Siebert himself drove in two runs to put the icing on the cake. After getting in trouble in the seventh inning, Ken Tatum came in and slammed the door shut on any hope for an Indians comeback. The Sox earned their first win of the season with a 4-2 victory over the Indians at Fenway Park.

                                                        Phil Esposito approves of the win

Siebert got the ball in the top of the first inning and Del Unser grounded out to first to start. Eddie Leon walked and Alex Johnson hit a squibber in front of the plate. Duane Josephson made the play to retire Johnson at first but pulled a muscle and passed out on the field. He had to be carried out on a stretcher, loaded into an ambulance and rushed to Mass General's ICU. Bob Montgomery took over behind the plate and Graig Nettles grounded out to first to end the inning.

                                                             So much for Duane

Dick Tidrow got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Tommy Harper lined out to center to start. Luis Aparicio took strike three and Carl Yastrzemski grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Indians struck first in the top of the second inning as Tommy McCraw hit a seeing eye single to left to start. Ray Fosse singled to left and Buddy Bell beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners. Frank Duffy popped up to first but Tidrow singled home McCraw to put the Indians on top. Unser singled to center to score Fosse and increase the lead. Leon grounded into a force to end the inning with the Indians up 2-0.

                                                             Unser drives in a run

The Sox struck back in the bottom of the second as Reggie Smith walked to start. Rico Petrocelli singled to left and Danny Cater drove home Smith with a base hit to left. Doug Griffin singled to left to score Petrocelli and tie the game. Montgomery singled to left to load the bases and Siebert himself ripped a base hit to left to score Cater and Griffin to increase the lead. That was it for Tidrow as Vince Colbert came in to pitch and he promptly walked Harper. Aparicio forced Montgomery at home and Yaz banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-2.

                                                                  First Sox rbi for Cater

Siebert cruised in the top of the third as Johnson grounded out to third to start. Nettles flied out to center and McCraw grounded out to first to end the inning. Smith flied out to center to start the bottom of the third before Petrocelli struck out swinging. Cater walked and took second on a passed ball before Griffin walked as well. Montgomery took strike three to end the inning.

Fosse grounded out to third to begin the top of the fourth before Bell also grounded out to third. Duffy doubled to left and John Lowenstein pinch hit for Colbert. Lowenstein walked and Unser flied out to center to end the inning. Ray Lamb came in to pitch the bottom of the fourth and Siebert grounded out to short to start. Harper struck out swinging and Aparicio grounded out to short to end the inning.

Leon popped up to first to start the top of the fifth before Johnson flied out to center. Nettles grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the fifth as Yaz grounded out to second to start. Smith and Petrocelli both grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

McCraw flied out to center to start the top of the sixth before Fosse grounded out to short. Adolfo Phillips pinch hit for Lamb and took strike three to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the seventh with Ed Farmer now on the mound as Cater grounded back to the mound to begin. Griffin walked and Montgomery singled Doug to third, but Siebert took strike three. Harper flied out to left to end the inning.

Siebert returned briefly in the top of the seventh as Duffy took strike three to start. Lowenstein walked and took second on an Unser grounder to short before Leon walked. That was it for Siebert who allowed just 2 runs in 6 2/3 innings to put the Sox in position to win. Ken Tatum came in to pitch and Johnson grounded out to second to end the inning.

                                                             Siebert gets it done

Farmer cruised in the bottom of the seventh as Aparicio grounded out to short to start. Yaz also grounded out to short and Smith took strike three to end the inning.

Tatum got Nettles to swing at air to open the top of the eighth but McCraw walked. Fosse banged into a double play to end the inning. Jack Brohamer took over at second for Leon with Steve Mingori now on the mound to begin the bottom of the eighth. Petrocelli struck out swinging but Cater reached on an error by Nettles. Griffin banged into a double play to end the inning.

Tatum returned to close out the top of the ninth and Brohamer ripped a base hit to center to bring the tying run to the plate. Lou Camili pinch hit for Duffy and grounded out to first to advance Brohamer to second.  Lowenstein struck out swinging and Unser grounded out to second to end the game. The Sox had won their first game of the year 4-2.

Hero of the Night is Sonny Siebert. He allowed 2 runs in 6 2/3 innings and drove in the deciding runs himself.

                                                             Siebert Hero

The Good:

Danny Cater was 1 for 3 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Doug Griffin was 1 for 2 with 2 walks, an rbi and a run scored.

Bob Montgomery was 2 for 3.

Ken Tatum earned the save with 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Luis Aparicio was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

Tommy Harper was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Reggie Smith was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Rico Petrocelli was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.

Honorable Mention:

Duane Josephson caught the first two outs of the top of the first inning.

Final Thoughts:

Once again the offense was mostly asleep apart from one inning but the good news was Sonny Siebert and Ken Tatum were there to save the day. Siebert looked good in his season debut and Tatum was able to finish off the Indians to earn the save. Even though the offense was limited, the second inning rally was just enough to win. Its a shame Josephson got hurt so early but Montgomery stepped up with 2 big hits, one of them in that fourth inning. Good on Cater to get a big hit, they're gonna need more of that from him to justify trading Sparky Lyle (and George Scott really) for him. The offense will come around eventually, especially Harper in the leadoff spot. All in all it was a good win and hopefully the Sox can ride this momentum to a nice winning streak. The Sox look to win the rubber game against the Indians tomorrow afternoon when Marty Pattin (0-1) takes on Gaylord Perry of the Indians. The game begins at 1:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Tigers Edge Sox on Opening Day (4/15/72)

After a player's strike wiped out the first two weeks of the season and 7 games off the schedule, the Boston Red Sox made their season debut by falling to the Detroit Tigers. The first inning set the tone when Luis Aparicio fell down on a crucial rally which got Carl Yastrzemski thrown out at third base. That run proved to be the difference in the game as the Tigers broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the seventh and held on to win the game. Mickey Lolich went the distance for Detroit as Marty Pattin (0-1, 4.50 ERA) dropped his Sox debut by allowing 3 runs in 6 innings. It all added up to a 3-2 victory by the Tigers in Tiger Stadium.

                                                  "DAMMIT APARICIO!!"

The Sox had a bad omen to open the season in the top of the first against Lolich. Tommy Harper made his Sox debut with a base hit to left and Luis Aparicio hit a seeing eye single in the hole at short. Carl Yastrzemski then hit a rocket to center to load the bases with nobody out. Reggie Smith struck out swinging but Rico Petrocelli hit a gap shot to the left field wall. Harper scored easily but Aparicio fell down rounding third, got up and fell down again going back to third. Yaz was running with his head down and didn't see Aparicio slip, getting thrown out in a rundown. A wild pitch moved Petrocelli to second but Aparicio never moved from third. Danny Cater made his Red Sox debut by taking strike three to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                           Stay on your feet dammit!

Pattin made his Sox debut in the bottom of the first and Dick McAuliffe led off with a walk. Auerlio Rodriguez hit a routine grounder to Aparicio who stepped on second and inexplicably turned and fired the ball over catcher Duane Josephson's head for an error. Rodriguez ended up on second but Jim Northrup grounded out to short. Al Kaline flied out to left to end the inning.

Doug Griffin lined out to left to start the top of the second before Josephson grounded out to short. Pattin struck out swinging to end the inning. The Tigers struck back in the bottom of the second as Norm Cash flied out to left to start. Willie Horton grounded out to third but Bill Freehan doubled to right. Ed Brinkman clobbered a home run all the way to Billings, Montana to give the Tigers the lead. Lolich struck out swinging to end the inning with the Tigers ahead 2-1.

                                                              Tigers go on top

The Sox answered in the top of the second as Harper walked and Aparicio atoned for his baserunning blunder by doubling home Harper to tie the game. Aparicio moved to third on a grounder to first by Yaz but Smith grounded out to third. Petrocelli popped up to second to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                        Harper scores a run

Pattin cruised in the bottom of the third as McAuliffe flied out to right to start. Rodriguez flied out to left and Northrup popped up to third to end the inning.

Cater struck out swinging to open the top of the fourth before Griffin singled to left. Josephson flied out to right but Pattin struck out swinging to end the inning. Kaline grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the fourth before Cash singled to center. Horton flied out to left and Freehan grounded into a force to end the inning.

Harper lined out to short to begin the top of the fifth but Aparicio grounded out to third. Yaz took strike three to end the inning. Pattin stayed tough in the bottom of the fifth as Brinkman lined out to left to start. Lolich grounded out to short and McAuliffe popped up to short to end the inning.

Lolich cruised in the top of the sixth as Smith flied out to center to start. Petrocelli flied out to left and Cater earned the hat trick by striking out swinging to end the inning. Rodriguez grounded out to short to start the bottom of the sixth and Northrup grounded out to first. Kaline struck out swinging to end the inning.

Griffin popped up to short to start the top of the seventh and Josephson struck out swinging. Pattin also struck out swinging to end the inning. The Tigers struck again in the bottom of the seventh as Cash and Horton stroked back to back singles to start. Freehan ripped a base hit to left that scored Cash to put Detroit on top. That was it for Pattin who lasted 6 plus innings and allowed 3 runs. Ken Tatum came in and got Brinkman to pop up to first, but Lolich dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move both runners over. Sox manager Eddie Kasko had McAuliffe intentionally walked and Rodriguez popped up to third to end the inning with the Tigers ahead 3-2.

                                                                 Pattin leaves trailing

The Sox went quietly in the top of the eighth as Harper flied out to center to start. Aparicio grounded out to short and Yaz popped up to third to end the inning. Tatum returned for the bottom of the eighth and Northrup grounded out to short to start. Kaline flied out to center and Cash grounded out to first to end the inning.

Lolich returned to finish the job in the top of the ninth with Mickey Stanley in for Horton in the field. Smith grounded out to third, Petrocelli flied out to right and Cater popped up to short to end the game. Lolich went the distance and beat the Sox 3-2.

                                                    

Jackass of the Night is Reggie Smith. Yes Aparicio and Yaz made some blunders but Smith struck out with the bases loaded preceding the stumble and went 0 for 4 on the day.

                                                           Reggie Jackass

The Good:

Tommy Harper was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Doug Griffin was 1 for 3.

Ken Tatum tossed 2 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Danny Cater was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Duane Josephson was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Luis Aparicio was 2 for 4 with an rbi but him falling down cost the Sox a crucial run in the first inning.

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout and a boneheaded baserunning blunder that cost the team a run.

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

Marty Pattin took the loss but went 6 plus inning allowing just 3 runs. He was 0 for 3 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts at the plate.

Final Thoughts:

Well that wasn't the way everyone hoped the season started. The Sox are going to look a lot different this season without some guys from last year but they're going to have to do better than that. Their offense was shut down by Lolich after the third inning and the bottom of the order was a black hole. There's still a long way to go this season but getting off on the wrong foot after the strike isn't going to make the fans happy. Pattin couldn't match Lolich and the Sox are gonna need him this season if they have any hope of sticking with Baltimore. Jim Lonborg couldn't get it done so the Sox are turning to Pattin to get them to the playoffs. Harper is going to be a speed demon this season but he's going to need guys to drive him in. Time will tell if the Sox can hang with Baltimore but today was just dreadful. The Sox are back in action tomorrow afternoon against the Tigers when Ray Culp makes his season debut against the Tigers taking on Joe Coleman. The game begins at 1:35 PM at Tiger Stadium.

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.