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

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

                                                      Cyd Charisse approves of the win

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

                               Smith drives in a run and gets himself thrown out

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

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

                                                           Griffin jacks one out

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

                                                 Wish the Sox had THIS Tiant pitching

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

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

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

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

                                                           Kennedy hits his first home run

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

                                                       Good work Bolin

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

                                                    Petrocelli hits a home run to end the rally

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

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

                                                      Phil The Hero



The Good:

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

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

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

Reggie Smith was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

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

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

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

Bill Lee tossed 2 scoreless innings.

Bobby Bolin earned the win with 2 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

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

Gary Peters struck out as a pinch hitter.

Mike Fiore was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

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



The Ugly:

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

Joe Lahoud was 0 for 2 but walked.




Final Thoughts:

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

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

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

                                                          "THEY LOST AGAINNNN!!!!"

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

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

                                                               May scores the first run

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

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

                                                               Voss drives in a run

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

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

                                                               Not today Ray

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

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

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

                                                           Peters brings the Sox closer

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

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

                                                       Why can't the Sox get guys like this?

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

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

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

                                                             Scott the Jackass

The Good:

Don Pavletich was 1 for 2 at the plate.

Billy Conigliaro was 1 for 3 with a walk.

John Kennedy walked in his only plate appearance.

Gary Peters singled and scored as a pinch hitter.

Joe Lahoud singled as a pinch hitter.

Ken Brett tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

Bill Lee tossed a scoreless inning.

The Bad:

Duane Josephson was 0 for 2.

Doug Griffin was 0 for 2.

Mike Fiore struck out as a pinch hitter.

George Thomas struck out as a pinch hitter.

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

The Ugly:

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

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

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

Bobby Bolin allowed a run in 2 innings of work.

Final Thoughts:

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

Sox Outslug Indians (4/21/71)

Its good to be on the winning side of a slugfest for once. The Cleveland Indians took a 7-2 lead over the Boston Red Sox by the top of the fifth inning, knocking out starting pitcher Ray Culp in the third inning. The Sox sprang back to life with a rally in the bottom of the fifth, tied the game in the sixth and took the lead in the bottom of the eighth. Billy Conigliaro led the charge back with a 3 run home run in the fifth and Carl Yastrzemski hit the go-ahead rbi single in the eighth to bring the Sox back to life. Sparky Lyle and Bobby Bolin slammed the door in the final innings as the Sox improved to a game over .500 for the first time all year with a 9-7 win at Fenway Park.

                                                         Diana Rigg approves of the win

Culp took the ball in the top of the first inning and Buddy Bradford struck out swinging to start. Vada Pinson flied out to right but Ray Fosse walked and took second on a passed ball. Graig Nettles flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the first against Indians starter Steve Hargan as John Kennedy grounded out to third to start. Reggie Smith walked then took second and third on wild pitches. Carl Yastrzemski singled home Smith to give the Sox the lead. Rico Petrocelli flied out to right but George Scott singled to center. Duane Josephson popped up to first to end the inning with Boston ahead 1-0.

                                                           Smith scores a run

Ken "Hawk" Harrelson struck out swinging to open the top of the second before Roy Foster went down hacking as well. John Lowenstein grounded out to first to end the inning. Billy Conigliaro tried to bunt his way on to start the bottom of the second but was snuffed out by Nettles. Doug Griffin grounded out to third and Culp popped up to second to end the inning.

The Indians attacked in the top of the third as Larry Brown caught Petrocelli asleep with a bunt single to start. Hargan popped up a bunt back to Culp but Bradford doubled Brown to third. Pinson doubled home both runners to give the Indians the lead and Fosse doubled home Pinson. Nettles then hit a home run all the way to the Azores to chase Culp from the game. After spending most of April leaving his starters in too long, now Sox manager Eddie Kasko was pulling them early. Culp was done after 2 1/3 innings and 5 runs allowed, not good. Cal Koonce came in and Harrelson grounded back to the mound before Foster lined out to third to end the inning. The Indians had knocked out Culp and led 5-1.

                                                            Not today Ray

The Sox tried to fight back in the bottom of the third although Kennedy flied out to right to start. Smith grounded out to first but Yaz smashed his 3rd home run of the season to cut the lead. Petrocelli walked but Scott grounded into a force to end the inning with the Sox down 5-2.

                                                        Yaz hits one out

The Indians took advantage of shoddy defense to score another run in the top of the fourth. Lowenstein beat out an infield single then swiped second base. Petrocelli booted a ground ball by Brown for an error and Lowenstein scored on a double play hit by Hargan. Bradford grounded out to short to end the inning but it was 6-2 Indians.

                                                        Another error by Rico

The Sox tried to rally when Josephson and Billy C stroked back to back singles to start the bottom of the fourth. Chuck Machemehl replaced Hargan and Griffin flied out to center. Gary Peters the pitcher pinch hit for Koonce and lined out to center. Kennedy grounded into a force to end the inning.

Bill Lee took over on the mound in the top of the fifth and he got smacked too. Pinson lined out to left but Fosse tripled to right. Nettles popped up to first but Harrelson singled home Fosse to increase the lead. Foster lined out to right to end the inning but it was 7-2 Indians.

                                                                 It had to be Hawk didn't it?

The Sox stormed back in the bottom of the fifth as Smith walked to start. Yaz singled to right and Petrocelli singled home Smith. Scott flied out to right and Josephson popped up to first, but Billy C crushed a 3 run bomb to cut the lead. Griffin grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox down 7-6.

                                                          "That ball is gone" - BC

Lee returned for the top of the sixth and Lowenstein grounded out to second to start. Brown grounded back to the mound and Machemehl struck out to end the inning. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the sixth as Mike Fiore pinch hit for Lee only to pop up to third. Kennedy doubled to left and Smith singled him home to tie the game and chase Machemehl. "Rock Hard" Rick Austin came in just to walk Yaz before Vince Colbert came in to freeze Petrocelli for strike three. Scott grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the game tied 7-7.

                                                      Kennedy scores the tying run

Sparky Lyle came in to pitch the top of the seventh inning and Bradford walked to start. Pinson struck out swinging and Fosse forced Bradford at second. Nettles popped up to third to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the seventh as Josephson popped up to first in foul territory to start. Billy C walked but Griffin banged into a double play to end the inning.

Harrelson flied out to center to start the top of the eighth but Foster singled to left. Foster was forced at second by Lowenstein and Brown struck out to end the inning. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the eighth as Joe Lahoud pinch hit for Lyle, drawing a walk. Kennedy bunted Lahoud to second but Smith grounded back to the mound. Yaz put the Sox on top with an rbi doubled to left and Petrocelli singled him in for the insurance run. Scott singled to left but Josephson grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 9-7.

Bobby Bolin came in to close out the top of the ninth and Ted Uhlaender pinch hit for Colbert to start. Uhlaender flied out to left and Gomer Hodge pinch hit for Braford, drawing a walk. Hodge moved to second on the Pinson grounder and Fosse popped up to first to end the game. The Sox had rallied to win it 9-7.

Hero of the Night is Carl Yastrzmeski. He homered early and drove in the winning run in the bottom of the eighth.

                                                             Yaz The Hero

The Good:

Reggie Smith was 1 for 3 with 2 walks, an rbi and a run scored.

Rico Petrocelli was 2 for 4 with a walk, 2 rbis and a run scored.

George Scott was 2 for 5.

Billy Conigliaro was 2 for 3 with a walk and a 3 run home run.

Joe Lahoud walked and scored a run as a pinch hitter.

Sparky Lyle got the win by pitching 2 shutout innings.

Bobby Bolin earned the save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Doug Griffin was 0 for 4.

Gary Peters was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Mike Fiore was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Ray Culp was knocked out in the third inning after allowing 5 runs in 2 1/3 innings.

The Ugly:

John Kennedy was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Duane Josephson was just 1 for 5.

Cal Koonce allowed an unearned run in 1 2/3 innings.

Bill Lee allowed a run in 2 innings of work.

Final Thoughts:

Its a nice win but the Sox really need to stop falling behind in almost every game they've played this season. Ray Culp is supposed to be one of their best pitchers but he didn't pitch like it today. Luckily the offense was up to the task today and the home run by Billy Conigliaro was huge. Its about time Bolin pitched well and Lyle had a good game as well. Not much to complain about other than Griffin hitting a pathetic .167 to start the season. They couldn't have traded Tony Conigliaro for a better second baseman? Either way its a win and every one of them counts. After an off-day tomorrow the Red Sox welcome the Chicago White Sox to Fenway on Friday afternoon. Sonny Siebert (2-0) takes on Tommy John of the White Sox at 1 PM at Fenway Park.

Tigers Walkoff Red Sox (4/17/71)

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

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

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

                                                        Smith starts the rally with a double

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

                                                  Keep the ball in play will ya?

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

                                                           What was he thinking?

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

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

                                                      Grand Slam Horton

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

                                                          Scott drives in a run

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

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

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

                                               How about hitting the ball in the air for once?

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

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

                                                         Nice going Bolin

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

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

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

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

                                                             Nice going Jackass

The Good:

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

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

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

George Scott was 3 for 6 with 3 rbis.

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

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

The Bad:

George Thomas was 0 for 2 at the plate.

Joe Lahoud was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Mike Fiore was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

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

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

The Ugly:

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

Billy Conigliaro was 0 for 4 but walked.

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

Honorable Mention:

Don Pavletich caught the final inning.

Final Thoughts:

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

Senators Six Run Rally Sinks Sox (4/14/71)

For 6 innings it looked like the Boston Red Sox were going to sweep the Washington Senators out of Washington. Mike Nagy had tossed 6 shutout innings and the Sox enjoyed a 5-0 lead....but the wheels fell off. The Senators exploded for 6 runs in the bottom of the seventh, 4 off Nagy and 2 off his replacement Bobby Bolin (0-1, 27.00). The Sox offense were shellshocked the remaining 2 innings and the Senators avoided a sweep with a 6-5 win at RFK Stadium.

                                                       "They lost? To the Senators?"

Jim Shellenbeck got the start for Washington in the top of the first and Luis Aparicio grounded out to second to start. Reggie Smith struck out but Carl Yastrzemski tripled to center. Rico Petrocelli walked but George Scott flied out to right to end the inning. Mike Nagy made his season debut in the bottom of the first and Del Unser popped up to left in foul territory to start. Tim Cullen flied out to right and Mike Epstein flied out to center to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the second as Duane Josephson grounded out to short to start. Billy Conigliaro walked and Doug Griffin dropped down a bunt to advance him to second. Nagy helped his own cause with an rbi double to center. Aparicio singled home Nagy to increase the lead but Smith grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                 Aparicio drives in a run

Joe Foy flied out to right to start the bottom of the second but Frank Howard walked. Richie Scheinblum lined out to second but Howard swiped second base. Jim French walked but Toby Harrah popped up to second to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the third as Yaz singled off the pitcher to start. Petrocelli singled to second and Scott singled home Yaz. Josephson singled home Petrocelli to increase the lead but Billy C forced Scott at third. Griffin beat out a double play ball but Nagy struck out to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-0.

                                                          Scott drives in a run

Curt Flood pinch hit for Shellenbeck in the bottom of the third and grounded out to second to begin. Unser walked and Cullen banged into a double play to end the inning.

Joe Grzenda came in to pitch the top of the fourth and made the Sox beat the ball in the dirt. Aparicio grounded out to short, Smith grounded out to third and Yaz grounded out to short to end the inning. Epstein singled to center to begin the bottom of the fourth but Foy banged into a double play. Howard grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox ran themselves out of the top of the fifth inning but Petrocelli doubled to left to start. Petrocelli made a mad dash to third on a base hit by Scott and George took second on the throw over. Josephson grounded out to third and Billy C was intentionally walked to load the bases. Griffin hit a sac fly to score Petrocelli but Billy C was foolishly thrown out at second base to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-0.

                                                            What were you thinking?

Scheinblum walked to start the bottom of the fifth but French took strike three. Smith made a great diving catch off a Harrah liner and doubled off Scheinblum at first to end the inning.

Nagy grounded out to second to start the top of the sixth before Aparicio grounded out to third. Smith flied out to center to end the inning. Bernie Allen pinch hit for Grzenda to start the bottom of the sixth and flied out to center. Unser singled to right but Cullen banged into a double play to end the inning.

Darold Knowles came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Yaz struck out to start. Petrocelli took strike three and Scott grounded out to third to end the inning. The wheels fell off in the bottom of the seventh as Epstein walked to start. Foy singled to left and Howard singled Epstein home. Scheinblum singled home Foy and that was it for Nagy. He ran out of gas big time and Bobby Bolin came in to pour gas on the fire. French dropped down a bunt and Bolin threw it completely out of RFK Stadium to load the bases. Tommy McCraw pinch hit for Harrah and walked home Howard. Elliott Maddox pinch hit for Knowles and walked home the tying run to chase Bolin. Bill Lee came in and Dick Billings pinch hit for Unser. Billings forced French at home on a grounder but Cullen singled home Maddox and McCraw to put the Senators on top. Epstein took strike three and that was it for Lee. Ken Tatum came in and walked Foy to re-load the bases. Howard flied out to right to end the inning but the Senators knocked around four Sox pitchers to take the lead 6-5.

                                                              Nagy gets no relief help

Horacio Pina took over on the mound with Tom Ragland in for Billings for the top of the eighth inning. Josephson flied out to center and Billy C grounded out to short but Joe Lahoud pinch hit for Griffin. Lahoud singled to center and Mike Fiore pinch hit for Tatum. Fiore lined out to second to end the inning. Ken Brett came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth with John Kennedy taking over at second base. Scheinblum popped up to first but French doubled to center. McCraw flied out to center but Maddox was intentionally walked. Ragland struck out to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the ninth as Aparicio and Smith struck out to start. Denny Riddleberger came in to pitch to Yaz and Carl walked. Gerry Janeski came in to pitch to Petrocelli and Rico grounded out to short to end the game. The Senators had stunned the Sox 6-5.

Jackass of the Night is Bobby Bolin. He walked in two crucial runs, made an error and was charged with two runs of his own to take the loss.

                                                         Bolin the Jackass

The Good:

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

Rico Petrocelli was 2 for 4 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

George Scott was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Billy Conigliaro walked twice and scored a run in 4 plate appearances.

Doug Griffin dropped down a perfect bunt and drove in a run.

Joe Lahoud singled as a pinch hitter.

Ken Brett tossed a scoreless inning.

The Bad:

Reggie Smith was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Mike Fiore was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

Luis Aparicio was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run.

Duane Josephson was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Mike Nagy was charged with 4 runs in 6 plus innings of work. He was 1 for 3 at the plate with an rbi single.

Bill Lee allowed two inherited runners to score but none of his own in 2/3 of an inning.

Ken Tatum only retired one of the two men he faced.

Honorable Mention:

John Kennedy played second base in the bottom of the eighth.

Final Thoughts:

That was one to forget. It looked like the Sox were about to sweep the Senators on the road but the bullpen blew that to smithereens. That's the third time in 7 games the bullpen blew a big lead and this time it proved fatal. How are the Sox supposed to compete with Baltimore this season if they have bullpen issues already? Sox manager Eddie Kasko used 4 pitchers in one inning and barely got through it, how are they supposed to get Frank & Brooks Robinson out down the road? The offense did what they could to put 5 runs on the board but it just wasn't enough. The Sox continue their road trip Friday afternoon in Detroit. Gary Peters (0-1) goes for the Sox up against Joe Niekro of the Tigers. The game begins at 2:00 PM Eastern time at Tiger Stadium.

Indians Outslug Sox (4/10/71)

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

                                                       "Damn Indians"

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

                                                       Fosse puts the Indians on top

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

                                                                Grand Slam Luis

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

                                                            So much for Koonce

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

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

                                                      Brown gives Cleveland the lead

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

                                                              Lee has to clean up the mess

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

                                                          Yaz drives in a pair

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

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

                                                    Pavletich brings the Sox closer

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

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

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

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

                                                               Jackass Brett

The Good:

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

Carl Yastrzemski was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis.

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

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

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

Mike Fiore walked as a pinch hitter.

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

Bill Lee tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Bobby Bolin tossed a scoreless inning.

Ken Tatum pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Joe Lahoud was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

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

The Ugly:

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

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

Doug Griffin was 0 for 4 but walked.

Final Thoughts:

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