White Sox Blank Red Sox (4/29/73)

It was bad news all around as the 68 win Boston Celtics season ended in Game 7 of the NBA East Finals at the hands of the New York Knicks and the Chicago White Sox shut out the Boston Red Sox. Old pal Wilbur Wood held Boston to just 7 hits and no runs as he tossed a complete game against the team that gave up on him ten years ago. Marty Pattin got hammered for 5 runs before getting knocked out in the 5th inning. John Curtis pitched well in relief but the BoSox couldn't generate any offense. Boston ended the month of April on a down note with a bitter 5-0 shutout loss to the White Sox at Fenway Park. How many runs did the Sox get Mr. Wonka?

                                                           

Pattin got the ball in the top of the first inning and the pain in the ass Pat Kelly got a base hit to left to start. Carlos May ripped a base hit to right to move Kelly to third but Dick Allen struck out swinging. Bill Melton struck out swinging but May swiped second base. Ken Henderson struck out swinging to end the inning. Wood got the ball in the bottom of the first and Tommy Harper grounded out to short to begin. Luis Aparicio doubled to right but Carl Yastrzemski hit one up the elevator shaft. Reggie Smith grounded out to second to end the inning. 

Mike Andrews popped up to first to start the top of the second but Ed Herrmann poked a base hit to right. Jorge Orta popped up to left and Eddie Leon struck out swinging to end the inning. Orlando Cepeda lined out to second to start the bottom of the second before both Carlton Fisk and John Kennedy struck out swinging to end the inning. 

The White Sox struck first in the top of the third as Kelly walked to start. May got another base hit to right to move Kelly to third and this time Allen scored Pat by beating out a double play ball. Melton hit a home run all the way to Minnesota to ice the game early. Henderson struck out swinging and Andrews popped up to third to end the inning with Chicago up for good 3-0.

                                                            Melton ends it early 

The BoSox failed to respond in the bottom of the third although Doug Griffin got a base hit to center to start. Evans moved Griffin to second with a grounder to short, but Harper went down hacking. Aparicio grounded out to short to end the inning. 

The White Sox struck again in the top of the fourth inning as Herrmann hit a home run into the Charles River to increase the lead. Orta and Leon both struck out swinging and Kelly took strike three to end the inning with Chicago up 4-0.

                                                                    Herrmann hits one out

Allen booted a grounder by Yaz to start the top of the fifth but Carl could only move to second on the grounder to third by Smith and to third on the grounder to short by Cepeda. Fisk struck out swinging to end the inning. The White Sox poured it on in the bottom of the fifth as May flied out to left to start but Allen hit a home run to Nebraska to put the game out of reach. Melton lined out to center but Henderson and Andrews stroked back to back base hits to chase Pattin. Marty sucked again, allowing 5 runs in just 4 2/3 innings. John Curtis came in to pitch and Herrmann walked to load the bases, but Orta struck out swinging to end the inning with the ChiSox up 5-0.

                                                                 Allen joins the homer parade

The BoSox did nothing against Wood in the bottom of the fifth with Johnny Jeter in for Kelly. Kennedy grounded out to third and Griffin grounded out to short but Evans lined a base hit to right. Harper popped up to first in foul territory to end the inning.

Leon grounded out to short to start the top of the sixth but Jeter walked and stole second. May took strike three and Allen popped up to first in foul territory to end the inning. Aparicio popped up to first in foul territory to start the bottom of the sixth and Yaz flied out to right. Smith doubled to left but Cepeda popped up to second to end the inning.

Melton walked to start the top of the seventh but Henderson popped up to second. Andrews took strike three and Herrmann flied out to center to end the inning. Fisk got a base hit to left to start the bottom of the seventh but Kennedy banged into a double play. Griffin lined out to center to end the inning.

Orta struck out swinging to start the top of the eighth but Leon grounded out to second. Jeter grounded out to short to end the inning. Evans flied out to right to start the bottom of the eighth before Harper flied out to center. Aparicio singled to center but Yaz grounded out to first to end the inning.

May struck out swinging to start the top of the ninth but Allen drew a walk. Melton flied out to right but Henderson doubled to left. Andrews was intentionally walked but Herrmann grounded out to second to end the inning. Wood completed his masterpiece in the bottom of the ninth although Smith singled to left to start. Reggie took second on a wild pitch but Cepeda popped up to first in foul territory. Smith moved to third on the fly ball to center by Fisk but Kennedy hit one up the elevator shaft to end the game. The White Sox had blanked the Red Sox 5-0.

Jackass of the Night is Marty Pattin. He allowed 5 runs in just 4 2/3 innings on 9 hits.

                                                          Pattin The Jackass

The Good:

Luis Aparicio was 2 for 4.

Reggie Smith was 2 for 4.

Doug Griffin was 1 for 3.

Dwight Evans was 1 for 3.

John Curtis tossed 4 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Tommy Harper was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 4.

Orlando Cepeda was 0 for 4.

John Kennedy was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Carlton Fisk was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Final Thoughts:

Not the way to end the month of April, that's for sure. The reign of error by Pinky Higgins continues to haunt the Red Sox as Wilbur Wood turned into a perennial Cy Young candidate. Imagine the 25 year old Wood on the 1967 Red Sox right next to Jim Lonborg? Sox might have actually beaten St. Louis that year. Either way Wood shut down the Sox and Pattin got hammered again. Curtis salvaged the situation but how many times is Pattin going to go out and take a beating before enough is enough? Its only April and there's plenty of time to turn things around but one of the main reasons why the Sox are in last place is because Pattin went 1-4. Offensively the Sox have been fine offensively with the exceptions of Yaz and Evans. If Yaz is nearing the end of the line, the Sox have a 20 year old kid in Bristol named Jim Rice that hit 17 home runs for Winter Haven last year. He could possibly replace Carl in a year or two. Or Evans if he never develops. All in all it was a bad game and the month was full of them, thankfully the month of April is over. The loss dropped the Sox to 7-10, 2 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox are back in action Tuesday night against the Texas Rangers at home. Bill Lee gets the start for Boston against Rich Hand of the Rangers. The game begins at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Twins Rout Pattin, Sox (4/24/73)

Another day, another loss for the Boston Red Sox and Marty Pattin (1-3, 8.85 ERA). Pattin got lit up for five runs and got knocked out in the third inning. John Curtis held the Twins to 1 run in relief but the Boston bats couldn't do enough damage against Twins starter Dick Woodson. The Sox rallied against Dave Goltz but couldn't deliver the knockout punch. Bobby Bolin allowed yet another rub and a Dwight Evans rbi single wasn't enough as the Twins beat the Red Sox 6-4 at Fenway Park. 

                                                           "Damn Twins"

Pattin got the ball in the top of the first inning and Larry Hisle grounded out to first to start. Rod Carew singled to left but Harmon Killebrew forced him at second. Tony Oliva popped up to second to end the inning. Woodson got the ball in the bottom of the first and Doug Griffin lined one off of Hisle but the ball went to Danny Thompson who threw to Killebrew for the out. Luis Aparicio singled to right and moved to second when Carl Yastrzemski grounded out to first. Smith flied out to right to end the inning. 

Bobby Darwin grounded out to second to start the top of the second but Steve Braun walked. Thompson singled to left but Phil Roof took strike three. Jim Holt forced Thompson at second to end the inning. Orlando Cepeda hit one up the elevator shaft to start the bottom of the second before Rico Petrocelli grounded out to third. Carlton Fisk flied out to center to end the inning.

The Twins exploded in the top of the third with John Kennedy taking over for the injured Petrocelli as Hisle led off with a home run all the way to Pluto to start. Carew walked but Killlebrew hit one up the elevator shaft. Olivia singled to center and Darwin got a base hit to left to score Carew. Braun singled to right to score Oliva and Thompson got a base hit to right to score Darwin. That was it for Pattin who lasted just 2 1/3 innings and was charged with five runs. John Curtis came in and Roof scored Braun with a grounder to second to increase the lead. Holt beat out a roller to first to move Thompson to third but Hisle struck out swinging to end the inning with the Twins up 5-0.

                                                             Oliva says "hola"

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the third as Ben Oglivie grounded out to first to start. Dwight Evans flied out to right and Griffin struck out swinging to end the inning.

Carew struck out swinging to start the top of the fourth but Killebrew worked a walk. Oliva struck out swinging and Darwin forced Killebrew at second to end the inning. Aparicio grounded out to second to start the bottom of the fourth and Yaz lined out to center. Smith popped up to third in foul territory to end the inning.

Braun singled to center to start the top of the fifth but Thompson popped up to second. Roof banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox tried to fight back in the bottom of the fifth as Cepeda singled in the hole at second to start. Kennedy struck out swinging but Fisk doubled to center. Oglivie walked to load the bases and Evans walked home Cepeda to cut the lead. Griffin hit a sac fly to right to score Fisk and the runners moved up on the error at home by Roof. Aparicio grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox down 5-2.

                                                          Evans brings home Cepeda

Holt grounded out to second to start the top of the sixth but Hisle singled to left. Carew singled to center but Killebrew hit into a double play to end the inning. Dave Goltz took over for the bottom of the sixth and Yaz grounded out to first to start. Smith grounded out to short but Cepeda got a base hit to left. Kennedy lined out to second to end the inning.

Oliva grounded out to short to start the top of the seventh but Darwin lined out to left. Braun grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox got a run back in the bottom of the seventh as Fisk was hit with a pitch to start. Oglivie doubled to center but Evans grounded back to the mound. Griffin dropped down a safety squeeze bunt that scored Fisk and put runners at the corners. Unfortunately Aparicio lined a ball back to Goltz who threw Oglivie out at home. Ken Sanders came in to pitch and Yaz walked to load the bases, but Smith grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox down 5-3.

                                                                Griffin with the bunt

The Twins iced the game in the top of the eighth as Thompson walked to start. Roof flied out to center but Holt walked to chase Curtis. Bobby Bolin came in and got Hisle to pop up to first, but Carew walked to load the bases. Despite hitting .170 on the season, Kilebrew got a base hit to left to score Thompson to increase the lead. That was it for Bolin as Bob Veale came in to get Oliva to pop up to first to end the inning with the Twins ahead 6-3.

                                                          Killebrew drives in a run

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the eighth as Cepeda flied out to center to start. Kennedy took strike three and Fisk struck out swinging to end the inning.

Darwin lined out to center to open the top of the ninth but Braun got a base hit to right. Thompson banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox did try to rally in the bottom of the ninth when Oglivie doubled off the Monster to start. Evans ripped a base hit to center to score Ben and bring the tying run to the plate. Griffin took strike three and Aparicio flied out to right, but Yaz doubled to left to keep the inning alive. With the game on the line....Smith popped up to second to end the game. The Twins had won it 6-4.

Jackass of the Night is Marty Pattin. He got knocked out in the third inning after being charged with 5 runs to put the Sox in a hole they couldn't climb out of.

                                                                Jackass Pattin

The Good:

Orlando Cepeda was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Carlton Fisk was 1 for 3 with a hit by pitch and 2 runs scored.

Ben Oglivie was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Dwight Evans was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Bob Veale tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Reggie Smith was 0 for 5.

Rico Petrocelli was 0 for 1 before leaving the game.

John Kennedy was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Doug Griffin was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but drove in 2 runs.

Luis Aparicio was just 1 for 5.

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 4 but walked.

John Curtis allowed an inherited runner to score and one of his own in 5 innings.

Bobby Bolin allowed an inherited runner to score in 1/3 of an inning.

Final Thoughts:

That game was a kick in the pants, especially the end. The Sox did all that work to get back in the game only for Bolin to give up that sixth run. If it was a two run game in the ninth, there's no doubt Griffin would have bunted Evans to second if that's how things played out. Its a shame because the Sox showed heart to rally after being down 5-0 but it just wasn't enough. That's three bad games this month for Pattin and he better start improving or the Sox are going to be in trouble. The offense was pretty much held in check apart from some spurts here and there but those are the breaks. The Sox still need to address the bullpen since every one they put in there gives up runs. Trading Sparky Lyle looks pretty foolish right about now considering Danny Cater's regression and the bullpen woes. Its only April so the Sox have plenty of time to right the ship. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow night against the Twins when Lynn McGlothen takes the ball against Bill Hands of Minnesota. The game begins at 7:35 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Fall To Cleveland, Lose Sixth Straight (4/20/73)

It was bad news all around as the Boston Celtics dropped Game 3 of their NBA East Finals series to the New York Knicks and the Boston Red Sox lost to the Cleveland Indians. Maybe its time to hit the panic button as the Boston Red Sox have now lost six games in a row following their four game win streak to start the season. This time they were edged by the mediocre Cleveland and their starter Gaylord Perry. Perry threw a complete game 6 hitter, holding the Sox to just two runs. His counterpart Marty Pattin (1-2, 7.50 ERA) was knocked out in the sixth inning after allowing 3 runs. Ben Oglivie hit his first home run in the eighth inning and the Sox had the tying run on in the ninth but couldn't bring him in. It all added up to Boston's sixth straight loss as the Indians beat them 3-2 at Cleveland Stadium.

                                                        Live look at the Red Sox

Perry got the ball in the top of the first inning and Tommy Harper doubled to left to start. Luis Aparicio dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Harper to third but Tommy was thrown out at home on a Carl Yastrzemski grounder to first. Reggie Smith forced Yaz at second to end the inning. The Indians wasted no time getting to Pattin in the bottom of the first as Oscar Gamble singled to center to start. Rusty Torres forced Gamble at second and moved to second on the grounder to first by Chris Chambliss. Charlie Spikes ripped a base hit to left to score Torres to put Cleveland on top. George Hendrick forced Spikes at second to end the inning with the Indians up 1-0.

                                                                  Torres scores a run

The Sox struck back in the top of the second as Orlando Cepeda belted his third home run of the season to tie the game. Rico Petrocelli struck out swinging, Carlton Fisk flied out to left and Ben Oglivie struck out swinging to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                            Cepeda hits one out

Dave Duncan walked to start the bottom of the second but Buddy Bell forced him at second. Jack Brohamer singled to center but Leo Cardenas forced Bell at third. Gamble forced Cardenas at second to end the inning.

Doug Griffin popped up a bunt back to Perry to start the top of the third and Harper struck out swinging. Aparicio doubled to right but Yaz struck out swinging to end the inning. Torres grounded out to first to start the bottom of the third before Chambliss walked. Spikes struck out swinging and Hendrick took strike three to end the inning.

Smith struck out swinging to start the top of the fourth before Cepeda lined out to center. Petrocelli flied out to right to end the inning. Pattin cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Duncan struck out swinging to start. Bell popped up to first and Brohamer was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to end the inning.

Fisk grounded out to short to start the top of the fifth and Oglivie struck out swinging. Griffin doubled to right but Harper popped up to third in foul territory to end the inning. Cardenas grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the fifth before Gamble also grounded back to the mound. Torres lined out to right to end the inning.

Aparicio walked to start the top of the sixth but Yaz banged into a double play. Smith popped up to right in foul territory to end the inning. The Indians took command in the bottom of the sixth as Chambliss flied out to left to start. Spikes then hit a home run all the way to Louisiana to put Cleveland ahead. Hendrick and Duncan stroked back to back base hits and Bell forced Dave at second to put runners atvthe corners. Brohamer singled to right to score Hendrick to ice the game. That was it for Pattin who got knocked out in the sixth inning after allowing 3 runs. Bobby Bolin came in and Cardenas struck out swinging to end the inning with Cleveland ahead 3-1

                      Pattin doesn't last long

Perry cruised in the top of the seventh as Cepeda grounded back to the mound to start. Petrocelli and Fisk both struck out swinging to end the inning. Gamble beat out a roller to third to start the bottom of the seventh and took second on the sacrifice bunt by Torres. Chambliss was intentionally walked and Spikes forced Gamble at third. Hendrick grounded back to the mound to end the inning. 

The Sox got a run back in the top of the eighth as Oglivie led off with his first home run of the season to cut the lead. Griffin walked but Harper forced him at second. Aparicio banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox down 3-2.

                       Home run Oglivie

Bolin stayed strong in the bottom of the eighth as Duncan grounded out to short to start. Bell lined out to center but Brohamer walked. Cardenas took strike three to end the inning.

Perry came back to complete his work in the top of the ninth as Yaz popped up to third in foul territory to start. Smith ripped a double to left to put the tying run on but Cepeda flied out to left. Petrocelli struck out swinging to end the game. The Indians won it 3-2.

Jackass of the Night is Rico Petrocelli. He was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts including leaving the tying run on in the ninth.

                                                            Jackass Petrocelli

The Good:

Luis Aparicio was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Ben Oglivie was 1 for 3 with a solo home run.

Doug Griffin was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Bobby Bolin tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Carlton Fisk was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Tommy Harper was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Reggie Smith was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Orlando Cepeda was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a home run.

Marty Pattin took the loss by allowing 3 runs but tossed 5 1/3 innings and struck out 3.

Final Thoughts:

Seems like the Sox will never win again after their sixth straight loss. After getting pounded by the Detroit Tigers, holding the Indians to 3 runs seemed like a victory. Too bad the Sox couldn't get a clutch hit from their key guys when it counted. Cepeda and Oglivie did their part but the rest couldn't drive a run in when it mattered. Pattin didn't pitch that bad and Bolin slammed the door but the Sox didn't do enough on offense. Sox manager Eddie Kasko needs to use some speed to steal a few bags when the situation calls for it. Otherwise they're not going to win many games going station to station. The Sox look to snap their losing streak tomorrow night against these same Indians when Lynn McGlothen (0-1) takes on Dick Tidrow of Cleveland. The game begins at 7:05 PM Eastern time at Cleveland Stadium. 

Tigers Hold Off Late Sox Rally (4/16/73)

Too little, too late for the Boston Red Sox in today's Patriots Day game against the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers mauled Sox starter Marty Pattin (1-1, 8.76 ERA) for 8 runs and took an 8-0 lead going into the bottom of the fourth with their ace Mickey Lolich on the mound. Somehow the Sox rallied for 7 runs in the next six inning. The Sox cut the lead to 8-4 but Tony Taylor hit a home run off Bill Lee in the top of the eighth. The Sox managed to get a run in the eighth, a two run home run from Carlton Fisk in the ninth and the tying runs on....but Luis Aparicio and Danny Cater failed to drive anyone in. It all added up to a bitter 9-7 defeat at the hands of the Tigers, ruining Patriots Day with a 9-7 win at Fenway Park.

                                                     "Pitch better Pattin!!!"

The Tigers wasted no time getting to Pattin in the top of the first inning as Dick McAuliffe ripped a base hit up the middle to start. Bill Freehan flied out to left but McAuliffe moved to second on the grounder to third by Al Kaline. Norm Cash ripped a base hit to center but Reggie Smith booted the ball for an error to allow McAuliffe to score and Cash to take second. Gates Brown singled to left to score Cash and Willie Horton was hit with a pitch. Aurelio Rodriguez singled to center to score Brown and Mickey Stanley singled to center to score Horton. Ed Brinkman popped up to right to end the inning with the Tigers up 4-0.

                                                               McAuliffe starts the rally

Lolich got the ball in the bottom of the first and Tommy Harper grounded out to third to start. Luis Aparicio grounded out to short and Carl Yastrzemski struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Tigers threatened in the top of the second although McAuliffe lined out to right to start. Freehan grounded back to the mound but Kaline singled to left. Cash singled to right and Brown walked to load the bases, but Horton struck out swinging to end the inning. Reggie Smith struck out swinging to start the bottom of the second before Orlando Cepeda doubled off the Monster. Rico Petrocelli grounded out to third and Carlton Fisk flied out to right to end the inning.

Rodriguez popped up to third to start the top of the third but Stanley walked. Brinkman banged into a double play to end the inning. Doug Griffin took strike three to start the bottom of the third before Dwight Evans popped up to right. Harper motored around for a triple into the right field corner and Aparicio walked to put runners at the corners. Yaz flied out to center to end the inning.

The Tigers knocked out Pattin in the top of the fourth as McAuliffe flied out to left to start. Freehan grounded out to third but Kaline doubled to right. Cash doubled home Kaline and Brown was intentionally walked to get to Horton. The gamble backfired as Horton crushed a 3 run home run to Central America to ice the game. That was it for Pattin as Bill Lee replaced the ineffective starter and got Rodriguez popped up to second to end the inning with Detroit up 8-0.

                                                              Horton with a bomb

The Sox got one back in the bottom of the fourth although Smith grounded out to short to start. Cepeda also grounded to short but Petrocelli launched his second home run of the season to cut the lead. Fisk popped up to second to end the inning with the Sox down 8-1.

                                                                   Petrocelli hits one out

Stanley grounded out to second to start the top of the fifth before Brinkman grounded out to first. Tony Taylor pinch hit for McAuliffe and grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Griffin grounded out to short to begin the bottom of the fifth and Evans flied out to left. Harper grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Danny Cater took over at first for Yaz to make his season debut to start the top of the sixth and Freehan grounded out to short to start. Kaline flied out to left and Rich Reese pinch hit for Cash only to strike out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the sixth as Aparicio grounded out to short to start. Cater got a base hit to left and Smith smashed his first home run of the season to cut the lead. Cepeda and Petrocelli both struck out swinging to end the inning but the Sox were down 8-3.

                                                          Smith cuts the lead

Frank Howard pinch hit for Brown to start the top of the seventh but popped up to second to start. Horton singled up the middle but Rodriguez popped up to short. Stanley grounded out to short to end the inning. Lerrin LaGrow came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh but Fisk doubled to center to begin. Fisk moved to third on the grounder to first by Griffin and scored on the sac fly to center by Evans. Harper struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 8-4.

                                                            Evans drives in a run

The Tigers got a crucial run in the top of the eighth as Brinkman grounded out to third to start. Taylor then hit a home run all the way to Chicago to increase the lead. Freehan popped up to second and Kaline flied out to right to end the inning with the Tigers up 9-4.

                                                                    Taylor hits a home run

The Sox kept fighting in the bottom of the eighth as Aparicio popped up to first in foul territory to start. Cater grounded out to second but Smith belted his second home run of the day to cut the lead. Cepeda flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox down 9-5.

                                                              Another home run for Smith

Bobby Bolin made his season debut in the top of the ninth and Reese grounded back to the mound to start. Howard grounded out to short and Horton hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. The Sox sprang to life in the bottom of the ninth as Petrocelli walked to start. Fisk hit his third home run of the season to cut the lead but Griffin grounded out to first. Evans and Harper drew back to back walks to somehow put the tying run on but Aparicio flied out to right. Cater grounded out to short to end the game. The Tigers held on to win it 9-7.

Jackass of the Night is Marty Pattin. He got rocked for 8 runs to put the Sox in a hole they couldn't climb out of.

                                                           Pattin The Jackass

The Good:

Danny Cater was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Reggie Smith was 2 for 4 with 2 home runs and 3 total rbis.

Rico Petrocelli was 1 for 3 with a walk, home run and two total runs scored.

Carlton Fisk was 2 for 4 with a two run home run and 2 total runs scored.

Bill Lee allowed just one run in 4 1/3 innings.

Bobby Bolin pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Doug Griffin was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Tommy Harper was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked.

Luis Aparicio was 0 for 4 but walked.

Orlando Cepeda was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Dwight Evans was 0 for 2 but walked and drove in a run.

Final Thoughts:

This game was a kick to the balls for sure. The offense pounded out 7 runs and four home runs to do the best they could but Pattin giving up 8 runs was just too much. As unfair as it sounds, the one run Lee gave up in nearly five innings also factored into the game because the Sox may have played some small ball down by 1 instead of 2. Still, Lee and Bolin combined to allow just 1 run in 5 1/3 innings which is still pretty good. Yaz leaving the game left it up to Cater at the end and he just couldn't get it done. Still, the Sox made Lolich look human and damn near pulled off a comeback in a game they trailed 8-0 and 9-4 in. Its only April but the Sox are showing some fight for sure, even in defeat. A valiant effort for the Sox but the Tigers came out the victors. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow afternoon when Lynn McGlothen makes his season debut for the Sox against Joe Coleman of the Tigers. The game begins at 1:35 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Pound Yankees Again (4/7/73)

It was good news all around for the city of Boston. The Boston Bruins defeated the New York Rangers in Game 3 of their NHL Quarterfinals series and the Boston Red Sox once again stomped on the New York Yankees. Marty Pattin (1-0, 4.15 ERA) was outstanding for 8 innings, holding the Yankees to just two runs. The Sox bats picked up where they left off yesterday by pounding out 13 hits and 10 runs. Carl Yastrzemski and Rico Petrocelli both homered for the home team. Pattin ran out of gas in the ninth inning but Bob Veale was there to save the day. It all added up to a 10-5 victory over the Yankees at Fenway Park.

                                                         Gregg Sheppard approves of the win

Pattin got the ball in the top of the first and Horace Clarke grounded back to the mound to start. Roy White struck out swinging but Matty Alou got a base hit to left. Bobby Murcer singled to right but was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double to end the inning. The Sox pounced on Yankees starter Steve Kline in the bottom of the first inning. Tommy Harper hit one up the elevator shaft but Luis Aparicio worked a walk. Carl Yastrzemski ripped a base hit to right that Alou bobbled allowing both runners to move into scoring position. Reggie Smith was intentionally walked to load the bases and Orlando Cepeda scored Harper with a sac fly to left. Rico Petrocelli forced Smith at second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                              Cepeda drives in a run

Pattin cruised in the top of the second as Graig Nettles grounded out to second to start. Ron Blomberg popped up to second and Felipe Alou grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the second as Carlton Fisk singled to left and Doug Griffin dropped down a bunt to move him to second. Rookie Dwight Evans ripped a base hit to left to score Fisk but was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double. Harper grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0. 

                                                            Evans drives in a run

The Yankees struck back in the top of the third inning although Thurman Munson grounded out to third to start. Gene Michael hit a home run all the way into the rings of Saturn to cut the lead but Clarke grounded out to second. White grounded out to first to end the inning but the Yankees were down 2-1.

                                                              Michael hits one out

The Sox got that run right back in the bottom of the third although Aparicio grounded out to third to begin. Yaz clobbered his second home run of the year to increase the lead but Smith grounded out to short. Cepeda grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1.

                                                          Home run Yaz

Pattin cruised in the top of the fourth as Matty Alou struck out swinging to begin. Murcer grounded out to short and Nettles grounded out to second to end the inning. Petrocelli grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fourth before Fisk drew a walk. Griffin forced Fisk at second and Evans forced Griffin at second to end the inning.

Blomberg popped up a bunt to Fisk to begin the top of the fifth before Alou flied out to left. Munson grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the fifth as Harper popped up to first to start. Aparicio grounded out to third but Yaz doubled to center. Smith was intentionally walked to get to Cepeda but Orlando walked to load the bases. Petrocelli flied out to left to end the inning.

The Yankees struck again in the top of the sixth although Michael popped up to right to begin. Clarke singled to right and White singled him to third before Matty Alou beat out a double play ball to score Clarke. Murcer struck out swinging to end the inning with the Yankees down 3-2.

                                                             Alou drives in a run

The Sox broke it open in the bottom of the sixth as Fisk doubled to center to start. Griffin managed to beat out the bunt attempt for a base hit to put runners at the corners. Evans ripped a base hit to left to score Fisk but Harper forced Griffin at third with a grounder to the mound. Aparicio dropped down a bunt but Kline failed to throw to a base to load the bases. That was it for Kline as Jim Magnuson came in to pitch to Yaz. Carl ripped a base hit to right to score Evans and Smith singled off Magnuson to score Harper. Aparicio moved to third on the play and he scored on the Cepeda sac fly to left. Petrocelli popped up to third in foul territory to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-2.

                                                           Smith adds to the lead

Pattin cruised in the top of the seventh inning as Nettles flied out to left to start. Blomberg struck out looking and Felipe Alou grounded out to short to end the inning. Fisk grounded out to third to start the bottom of the seventh before Griffin did the same. Evans drew a walk but Harper grounded out to short to end the inning. 

Munson struck out swinging to begin the top of the eighth before Michael beat out a roller to first. Michael advanced to second on the grounder to Griffin by Clarke and to third on the infield single by White. Matty Alou struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox poured it on in the bottom of the eighth although Aparicio grounded out to short to start. Yaz walked and Smith singled to center, but Cepeda struck out swinging. Petrocelli then smashed a three run homer to ice the game. Fisk singled to left but Griffin grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox ahead 10-2.

                                                                   3 run bomb by Rico

Pattin came back to complete his work in the top of the ninth but Murcer walked and Nettles hit a home run to Sweden to cut the lead. Blomberg grounded out to second and Felipe Alou grounded out to third but Munson doubled to left. Michael hit a routine grounder to Griffin who dove on top of the ball and swam on it for an error to score Munson. Clarke singled to right and finally Sox manager Eddie Kasko pulled the plug on Pattin after 8 2/3 innings. Bob Veale made his season debut by freezing White for strike three to end the game. The Sox had won it 10-5.

Hero of the Night is Carl Yastrzemski, He was 4 for 4 with a walk, 2 rbis and 2 runs scored to pace the offense.

                                                           Yaz The Hero

The Good:

Reggie Smith was 2 for 3 with 2 walks, an rbi and a run scored.

Carlton Fisk was 3 for 4 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

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

Marty Pattin earned the win by going 8 2/3 innings while being charged with 4 earned runs. He struck out 6 batters and walked just 1.

Bob Veale struck out White to earn the save and end the game.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Tommy Harper was 0 for 5 but scored a run.

Luis Aparicio was 0 for 3 but walked and scored two runs.

Orlando Cepeda was 0 for 2 but walked and drove in 2 runs.

Rico Petrocelli was just 1 for 5 but the one hit was a 3 run homer.

Doug Griffin was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

2 games, 2 wins for the Red Sox. It's good to see the Sox bats get off to a good start so far this season after looking absolutely inept to begin last April. Dwight Evans has had two straight good games and hopefully that continues. Pattin should have had a complete game but Griffin's error ruined thar. Still, the Sox came within a half game of taking the AL East last year so they're going to need Pattin to step up big this season if they want to compete with Detroit and Baltimore. If the Sox can maintain what they had last season and win more games against Detroit, they should be right there with them at the end. The Sox look to take game three of this four game set tomorrow when John Curtis gets the ball opposite Doc Medich. The game begins at 2:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Twins Rout Lifeless Sox (4/25/72)

The good news was the Boston Bruins completed their four game sweep of the St. Louis Blues to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. The bad news was the Boston Red Sox came out of a rainout and an off-day to lay an egg against the Minnesota Twins. Jim Perry of the Twins tossed a complete game 4 hit shutout against the Sox but that wasn't even the worst of it. The Twins bashed Marty Pattin (0-3, 7.36 ERA) and the Sox bullpen for 16 total hits and 12 total runs. Gary Peters, Roger Moret and Bobby Bolin also got tagged by the relentless Twins offense as they beat around the Sox 12-0 at Metropolitan Stadium.

                                                     "PITCH BETTER PATTIN!!!"

The Sox did try to rally early although Tommy Harper flied out to left to start. Luis Aparicio hit one up the elevator shaft but Carl Yastrzemski singled to center. Reggie Smith singled to right but Rico Petrocelli flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox would have just two hits the rest of the game. The Twins teed off on Pattin in the bottom of the first as Cesar Tovar walked to start. Danny Thompson singled Tovar to third and Rod Carew walked to load the bases. Somehow Harmon Killebrew struck out swinging and Bobby Darwin hit one up the elevator shaft. One out away from getting out of it....Steve Braun singled to left. Tovar and Thompson scored and when Carew came around to score, Fisk botched the throw home allowing Rod to score on the error. Steve Brye hit a routine grounder to second but Doug Griffin turned and fired the ball into left field for an error to score Braun. Rick Dempsey struck out looking to end the inning but the Sox committed two errors and trailed 4-0.

                                          Doug Griffin and Carlton Fisk discuss fielding tactics

Danny Cater tried to spark a rally with a double to left to start the top of the second but could only move to third on the groundout by Griffin. Fisk flied out to center and Pattin struck out swinging to end the inning. The Twins finished off Pattin in the bottom of the second although Perry grounded out to short to start. Tovar singled to left but could only move to second on the groundout by Thompson. One out away from getting out of it....Carew walked and Killebrew singled to left. Yaz then threw himself on the ball and swam on it for an error to score Tovar and chase Pattin from the game. Marty was shelled for 8 runs in 1 2/3 innings but the 3 errors certainly didn't help. Gary Petters came in for his season debut and Braun doubled home both runners and Brye singled him in to add to the lead. Dempsey took strike three to end the inning but the score was now 9-0 Twins.

                                                  "Thanks for the mess ya left me Marty!"

The Sox did nothing in the top of the third as Harper hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Aparicio grounded out to third and Yaz flied out to left to end the inning. Things got worse in the bottom of the third as Perry walked to start. Tovar singled to center but Thompson banged into a double play. Carew then hit a routine pop up to Smith who let the ball hit him in the head for an error that scored Thompson. Unfortunately Carew pulled up lame and Dan Monzon ran for him at second. Killebrew walked but Darwin took strike three to end the inning with the Twins up 10-0.

                                                           Smith commits an error too

Smith struck out swinging to start the top of the fourth and Petrocelli popped up to second. Cater then got plunked and was knocked unconscious by the pitch. He had to be carried out on a stretcher, loaded onto an ambulance and rushed to the local ICU. Bob Burda took his place but Griffin popped up to second to end the inning. The Sox finally kept the Twins off the board in the bottom of the fourth as Braun flied out to left to start. Brye beat out a single to short but Dempsey flied out to center. Perry forced Brye at second to end the inning.

Fisk flied out to right to begin the top of the fifth and Peters lined out to short. Harper grounded out to third to end the inning. Roger Moret took over on the mound for his season debut to start the bottom of the fifth and Tovar grounded out to third to start. Thompson hit one up the elevator shaft but Monzon walked. Killebrew singled to left but Darwin struck out swinging to end the inning.

Aparicio tried to start a rally with a base hit to center to start the top of the sixth but Yaz popped up to third. Smith popped up to short and Petrocelli forced Aparicio at second to end the inning. The Twins struck again in the bottom of the sixth as Braun doubled to right to start. Brye also doubled to right to score Braun and increase the lead. Dempsey walked but Perry popped up to second. Tovar flied out to center and Thompson forced Dempsey at second to end the inning with the Twins up 11-0.

                                                       Not even Moret can hold down the Twins

With the game in hand, Rich Reese took over for Killebrew and Jim Nettles came in for Darwin to start the top of the seventh. Burda flied out to right and Griffin grounded out to short, but Fisk walked. Ben Oglivie pinch hit for Moret and drew a walk but Harper lined out to second to end the inning. Bobby Bolin came in to get tagged in the bottom of the seventh in his debut as Monzon singled to left to start. Reese singled Monzon over to third and Nettles grounded out to third to score Dan with the final run. Reese moved to third on the grounder by Braun but Brye popped up to first to end the inning with the Twins up 12-0.

                                                       Bolin gives up a run too

The Sox went quietly in the top of the eighth as Aparicio hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Yaz and Smith both grounded out to first to end the inning. Bolin returned for the bottom of the eighth and Dempsey flied out to center to begin. Perry ripped a base hit to right but Tovar struck out looking. Thompson flied out to center to end the inning. Perry had half as many hits by himself than the Sox had as a team total.

Perry returned to complete the game in the top of the ninth and Petrocelli flied out to right to begin. Burda grounded out to second and Griffin grounded out to short to end the game. The Twins had won it 12-0.

Jackass of the Night is Marty Pattin. He was shelled for 8 runs (7 earned) in just 1 2/3 innings. He's 0-3 so far on the season.

                                                                    Jackass Pattin

The Good:

Danny Cater was 1 for 1 with a hit by pitch before leaving the game.

Ben Oglivie walked as a pinch hitter.

The Bad:

Tommy Harper was 0 for 4.

Rico Petrocelli was 0 for 4.

Bob Burda was 0 for 2.

Doug Griffin was 0 for 4 with an error.

The Ugly:

Luis Aparicio was just 1 for 4.

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 4 with an error.

Reggie Smith was just 1 for 4 with an error and a strikeout.

Carlton Fisk was 0 for 2 with an error but walked.

Gary Peters allowed an earned run in 2 1/3 innings of work as well as an unearned one.

Roger Moret allowed a run in 2 innings of work.

Bobby Bolin allowed a run in 2 innings of work.

Final Thoughts:

What a massacre. That was as bad as a game you could possibly play. The offense scored no runs, the pitching gave up 12 and the Sox committed 4 field errors. As great as they looked against the New York Yankees offensively, they looked THAT bad in this one. The Sox could possibly be regretting the Milwaukee trade with Pattin 0-3 with an ERA over 7, Jim Lonborg was never that bad. Tommy Harper is hitting .160 in the leadoff spot and Ken Tatum can't really be used if the Sox don't have the lead. Still, the strike wiped out a full week off the schedule and bad weather days prevented anyone from getting into a proper rhythm. The Sox have only played 7 games this season so there's plenty of time to turn things around. The Baltimore Orioles didn't get off to a blazing start either so the Sox are nearing the end of April right there with everyone else. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow afternoon against the Twins when Ray Culp (1-1) takes the mound against Dick Woodson of Minnesota. The game begins at 3:05 PM Eastern time at Metropolitan Stadium.

Indians Edge Sox (4/19/72)

The good news was the Boston Celtics defeated the New York Knicks in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference Finals series but the bad news was the Cleveland Indians beat the Boston Red Sox with speed and shut down pitching. Marty Pattin (0-2, 3.46 ERA) was game but Indians ace Gaylord Perry damn near threw a complete game 5 hitter to shut down the Boston bats. Not only that but two of the Indian runs came off stolen bases and they stole FOUR total off of Sox catcher Bob Montgomery. Nobody besides Doug Griffin is hitting through the first few games this season and once again Pattin was the hard luck loser as the Indians took the game 3-1 at Fenway Park.

                                             Major Houlihan is enraged at the Red Sox offense

Pattin got the ball in the top of the first inning and Del Unser ripped a base hit to start. Eddie Leon struck out looking and Alex Johnson banged into a double play to end the inning. Perry cruised in the bottom of the first as Tommy Harper led off by taking strike three to start. Luis Aparacio grounded out to third and and Carl Yastrzemski flied out to left to end the inning.

The Indians struck first in the top of the second inning as Graig Nettles grounded out to second to start. Tommy McCraw singled and stole second, but Ray Fosse popped up to short. Buddy Bell hit a bullet to Aparicio who knocked the ball down but then dryland swam on it for an error to score McCraw from second. Bell swiped second but Frank Duffy grounded out to first to end the inning with the Indians ahead 1-0.

                                                                 Nice E6 Luis

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the second as Reggie Smith grounded out to first to start. Rico Petrocelli flied out to center and Danny Cater struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Indians threatened in the top of the third as Perry himself struck out swinging to start. Unser walked but Leon flied out to center before Johnson lined a base hit up the middle to move Unser to third. Nettles flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the third as Doug Griffin singled to right to start. Bob Montgomery made up for his two stolen bases allowed with a base hit to center and Pattin beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners. Griffin then was foolishly thrown out at home on a grounder to third by Harper but Aparicio atoned for his error by walking to load the bases. Yaz....grounded out to first to end the rally and the inning.

The Indians struck again in the top of the fourth as McCraw singled and stole second again. Fosse then hit a bullet off the Monster that scored McCraw easily but Yaz gunned him down at second. Bell singled to right but Duffy banged into a double play to end the inning with the Indians up 2-0.

                                                                 Yerrrrr out!

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the fourth as Smith grounded out to second to start. Petrocelli took strike three and Cater grounded out to second to end the inning.

Pattin settled down in the top of the fifth as Perry took strike three to start. Unser was retired on a squibber in front of the plate and Leon flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fifth as Griffin walked to start. Montgomery flied out to center and Pattin sacrifice bunted Griffin to second. Harper ripped a base hit to right to score Griffin but Aparicio grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox down 2-1.

                                                        Harper drives in a run

Pattin dominated the top of the sixth as Johnson lined out to right to start. Nettles grounded out to short and McCraw took strike three to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the sixth as Yaz grounded out to second to start. Smith flied out to left but Petrocelli walked. With a chance to tie the game....Cater lined out to right to end the inning.

The Indians got a big insurance run in the top of the seventh as Fosse singled to left and Bell singled him all the way to third. Duffy popped up to short but Perry scored Fosse with a sac fly to center. Bell stole second for Cleveland's FOURTH steal of the day but Unser grounded out to second to end the inning. That was it for Pattin who allowed just 2 earned runs in 7 innings but 3 total, leaving trailing 3-1.

                                                    Pattin was good but not good enough

Griffin opened the bottom of the seventh by grounding out to third but Montgomery singled to center. Rookie Ben Oglivie made his season debut by flying out to right and Harper forced Montgomery at second to end the inning.

Luis Tiant made his season debut in the top of the eighth by allowing a base hit up the middle to Leon. Johnson struck out swinging, Nettles flied out to left and McCraw struck out swinging to end the inning. Aparicio popped up to second to start the bottom of the eighth before Yaz grounded out to second. Smith singled to right but Petrocelli forced him at second to end the inning.

Tiant returned for the top of the ninth and Fosse grounded out to short to start. Bell struck out swinging but Duffy walked. Perry took strike three to end the inning. The Sox caught a break in the bottom of the ninth when Nettles botched a routine grounder by Cater to start. Cater moved to second on the grounder to the mound by Griffin and Montgomery walked to put the tying run on. Sox managed Eddie Kasko sent in Bob Burda to pinch hit for Tiant only for Indians manager Ken Aspromonte to counter by relieving Perry with Steve Mignori. Kasko countered by pinch hitting Burda with Phil Gagliano and having rookie Rick Miller celebrate his 24th birthday by pinch running for Montgomery. Gagliano made his season debut by watching strike three go by which begs the question if Burda would have done better. Harper forced Miller at second to end the game. The Indians had won it 3-1.

Jackass of the Night is Danny Cater. He was 0 for 4 including striking out with the tying run on in the sixth inning.

                                                                       Jackass Cater

The Good:

Doug Griffin was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Luis Tiant tossed 2 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Ben Oglivie flied out as a pinch hitter.

Phil Gagliano struck out as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

Tommy Harper was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but drove in the only run the Sox scored.

Luis Aparicio was 0 for 3 with an error but walked.

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but gunned down Ray Fosse at second to stop an Indians rally.

Reggie Smith was just 1 for 4.

Rico Petrocelli was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Bob Montgomery was 2 for 3 with a walk but allowed FOUR stolen bases, two of which came around to score.

Marty Pattin took the loss by allowing 3 runs but lasted 7 innings and only 2 of those runs were earned.

Honorable Mention:

Rick Miller pinch ran in the ninth inning.

Bob Burda "pinch hit" for Luis Tiant in the ninth inning.

Final Thoughts:

Another game with no offense by the Red Sox. Its only four games but the Sox have looked completely lost out there. The Sox are definitely missing George Scott's bat right about now but again, its only four games. Pattin again pitched well but got no run support, they're not going to be able to compete with the Baltimore Orioles with no offense. The Sox feel Pattin is the pitcher they needed to compliment Sonny Siebert and Ray Culp and so far he's been good, just not getting any runs. Aparicio and Harper are supposed to be the table settles but neither one of them have been doing well, but that doesn't matter anyway because Yaz, Petrocelli and Smith aren't hitting either. Its way to early to write off the Sox but as of right now, their offense is offensive. Sox manager Eddie Kasko is addressing the catching situation by bringing up 24 year old Carlton Fisk to start Friday's game against the New York Yankees. Montgomery was good at the plate today but teams are going to run all over the Sox if he has to start for any length of time. Kasko was quoted to saying "At least Fisk can throw." Why not? Maybe his bat that's been prolific in the minors will spark the Sox sagging offense. The sad part is with both the Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics as serious contenders for world championships, no one is coming to Fenway. Only 9,735 people showed up today's game and it doesn't look like things will improve if the team continues to hit like this. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox remain home to face the Yankees on Friday night. Ray Culp (0-1) takes the ball for Boston against Mel Stottlemyre of New York at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.