Rangers Walkoff Red Sox (4/29/72)

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

                                                     "These guys are bums, ALL OF EM!"

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

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

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

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

                                                             Cater drives in a run

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

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

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

                                                              Oglivie triples and scores

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

                                                     "Thanks for nothing Tatum" - LT

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

                                                          Yaz puts Boston on top

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

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

                                                                Hot Hands Luis

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

                                                          Another pinch hit rbi for Gagliano

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

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

                                                                Jackass Bolin

The Good:

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

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

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

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

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

The Bad:

Bob Burda was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

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

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

Gary Peters allowed the game winning hit.

The Ugly:

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

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

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

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

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

Honorable Mention:

Rick Miller pinch ran for Petrocelli and played right field.

Final Thoughts:

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

Rangers Rally Past Sox (4/28/72)

Nothing is going right to start the 1972 season for the Boston Red Sox. After accomplishing almost nothing offensively to start the month, the Sox bats finally looked better by scoring 6 runs including a four run top of the sixth inning. Unfortunately the pitching coughed up the 6-3 lead by allowing five runs in the next two innings to the Texas Rangers. Sonny Siebert and Bill Lee (0-1, 9.00 ERA) got rocked by the Rangers bats as Texas sent the Sox to their third straight loss with a 9-6 come from behind victory at Arlington Stadium. This was Boston's first ever game in the state of Texas and naturally they lost.

                                                  "Can these bums EVER win???" - Gene Kelly

The Sox did manage to strike first against Texas starter Pete Broberg as Tommy Harper doubled to right to start. Luis Aparicio drew a walk but Carl Yastrzemski struck out swinging. Reggie Smith singled to left to score Harper but Rico Petrocelli lined out to center. Danny Cater flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                               Smith drives in a run

Siebert cruised in the bottom of the first as Lenny Randle grounded out to second to start. Dave Nelson also grounded out to second and Don Mincher struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the second as Doug Griffin caught Broberg asleep with a bunt single to start. Carlton Fisk walked and both runners moved over on the grounder by Siebert. Harper walked to load the bases and Aparicio scored Griffin with a sac fly to right. Yaz took strike three to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 2-0.

                                                                   Herculean sac fly by Luis

Hal King doubled to right to start the bottom of the second but Frank Howard struck out swinging. King moved to third on the fly out to right by Larry Bittner but Elliott Maddox flied out to center to end the inning.

Smith lined out to center to start the top of the third and Petrocelli flied out to right. Cater struck out swinging to end the inning. The Rangers roared back in the bottom of the third as Toby Harrah hit a routine grounder to Griffin who picked up the ball and dove with his arm outstretched onto the mound for an error to start. Broberg dropped down a bunt to move Harrah to second and Randle walked. Nelson singled to left to score Harrah and both runners moved over on the grounder to second by by Mincher. King walked to load the bases and Howard singled to right to score both Randle and Nelson to give Texas the lead. Bittner lined out to center to end the inning but the Rangers were on top 3-2.

                                                               Griffin's error proved costly

Griffin atoned for his error by beating out an infield single to first to start the top of the fourth but Fisk popped up to second. Siebert doubled to left but Harper hit a bullet....right to Harrah who doubled off Siebert to end the inning. Siebert cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Maddox struck out swinging to start. Harrah flied out to center and Broberg went down hacking to end the inning.

Aparicio lined back to Broberg to begin the top of the fifth and Yaz grounded out to second. Smith flied out to right to end the inning. The Rangers struck again in the bottom of the fifth as Randle popped up to third to start. Nelson singled to right, stole second and scored on the base hit to right by Mincher. King banged into a double play to end the inning with the Rangers up 4-2.

                                                                  Nelson adds to the lead

The Sox exploded in the top of the sixth as Petrocelli singled in the hole at short to begin. Cater and Griffin both walked to load the bases and chase Blomberg. Casey Cox came in to pitch and Fisk drew a bases loaded walk. Sox manager Eddie Kasko sent in Bob Burda to pinch hit for Siebert so Rangers manager Ted Williams countered by bringing in Dick Billings to catch and Paul Lindblad in to pitch. Kasko countered that move by pinch hitting Burda with Phil Gagliano to face Billings. The gamble worked as Gagliano singled to left to score both Cater and Griffin to give the Sox the lead. Harper dropped down a bunt to move both runners over and Fisk scored on a wild pitch. Aparicio flied out to center but it was too shallow for Gagliano to try for home. Yaz was retired on a dribbler in front of the plate to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-4.

                                                                Gagliano puts Boston ahead

Bill Lee came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and the Rangers began their comeback. Howard singled to left and Ted Ford pinch hit for Bittner. Ford walked but Maddox bunted foul for strike three. A passed ball moved both runners over and Howard scored on the sac fly by Harrah. Billings flied out to center to end the inning with the Rangers down 6-5.

                                                             6 foot 7 pain in the ass

The Sox did nothing in the top of the seventh as Smith grounded out to short to start. Petrocelli flied out to right and Cater lined out to center to end the inning. Lee returned for the bottom of the seventh and Randle doubled to left to begin. Nelson and Mincher both struck out swinging but Williams sent Tom Grieve to pinch hit for Lindblad. The dice roll worked as Grieve singled to left to score Randle to tie the game. Howard walked and Kasko brought in Bobby Bolin to pitch to Ford. That gamble backfired as Ford hit a home run all the way back to Washington to put the Rangers ahead. Maddox singled to left but Harrah flied out to right to end the inning with the Rangers ahead 9-6.

                                                         Lee failed to hold the lead

Horacio Pina came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Griffin grounded out to third to start. Fisk doubled to center and Ben Oglivie pinch hit for Bolin. Oglivie struck out swinging and Harper also went down hacking to end the inning. Gary Peters came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth batting fourth with Oglivie taking over in Right for Smith, and Billings walked to start. Cater let a routine pop up drop for a base hit by Randle and Billings moved to third on a fly ball to right by Nelson. Fisk gunned down Randle trying to steal second and Mincher struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox went quietly in the top of the ninth as Aparicio grounded back to the mound to start. Yaz struck out swinging and with nobody left on the bench, Peters popped up to third to end the game. The Rangers had won it 9-3.

Jackass of the Night is Bobby Bolin. Bill Lee got charged with the loss but it was Bolin who served up the backbreaking 3 run jack to put the Rangers up for good.

                                                                 Jackass Bolin

The Good:

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

Doug Griffin was 2 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Carlton Fisk was 1 for 2 with 2 walks an rbi and a run scored.

Phil Gagliano drove in 2 runs in his only plate appearance.

Gary Peters pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

The Bad:

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

Ben Oglivie was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Bill Lee took the loss by being charged with 4 runs (3 earned) in 1 2/3 innings.

The Ugly:

Luis Aparicio was 0 for 3 but walked and scored a run.

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

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

Danny Cater was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Sonny Siebert allowed 4 runs in 5 innings of work but only 1 of them was earned. He also went 1 for 2 at the plate.

Honorable Mention:

Bill Burda "pinch hit" in the top of the sixth.

Final Thoughts:

Between the players strike and all the off-days and bad weather the Sox haven't looked this bad since near the end of the 1969 season after they quit on Dick Williams. Can't really blame the manager either unless you want to him to hold the players accountable for not being ready to play this season following the strike. The Sox have now lost 6 of their first 9 games of the season and every day its a new way to lose it seems. The Sox desperately needed a shutdown inning from the bullpen in the seventh inning and didn't get it. The errors, the bad offense, the bad pitching, its all adding up to a whole pile of garbage and the season isn't even 10 games old yet. The good news is the Sox have 5 months left in the season to turn it around. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow afternoon when Luis Tiant gets the start for the Sox opposite Bill Gogolewski of the Rangers. The game begins at 2:30 PM Eastern time at Arlington 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.

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

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

                                                      Cyd Charisse approves of the win

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

                               Smith drives in a run and gets himself thrown out

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

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

                                                           Griffin jacks one out

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

                                                 Wish the Sox had THIS Tiant pitching

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

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

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

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

                                                           Kennedy hits his first home run

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

                                                       Good work Bolin

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

                                                    Petrocelli hits a home run to end the rally

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

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

                                                      Phil The Hero



The Good:

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

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

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

Reggie Smith was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

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

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

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

Bill Lee tossed 2 scoreless innings.

Bobby Bolin earned the win with 2 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

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

Gary Peters struck out as a pinch hitter.

Mike Fiore was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

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



The Ugly:

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

Joe Lahoud was 0 for 2 but walked.




Final Thoughts:

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

Sox Come Back, Defeat Twins (4/30/71)

Its been a theme the whole month of April but the Boston Red Sox once again had to come from behind to win a game. This time their victim was the Minnesota Twins. Through 6 innings Twins ace Jim Kaat enjoyed a 3-0 lead over Mike Nagy and the Red Sox. Carl Yastrzemski drove in the first run in the bottom of the sixth and Reggie Smith delivered the knockout punch in the bottom of the eighth. Still thanks to some shoddy defense the Twins had men on second and third with one out in the top of the ninth. Sparky Lyle got the final two outs to win it for the Sox. The Sox ended the month of April on a high note, beating the Twins 4-3 at Fenway Park.

                                                    Posey and Jefferson approve of the win

The Twins wasted no time getting to Nagy in the top of the first inning. Cesar Tovar flied out to right to start before Steve Braun flied out to center. Tony Oliva beat out an infield single to center, Harmon Killebrew walked and Rich Reese singled home Oliva to put the Twins on the board. Brant Alyea flied out to right to end the inning with the Twins up 1-0.

                                                           Reese drives in a run

Twins ace Jim Kaat cruised in the bottom of the first as Luis Aparicio grounded out to third to start. Reggie Smith flied out to right and Carl Yastrzemski flied out to center to end the inning.

Nagy settled down in the top of the second as Leo Cardenas grounded out to short, George Mitterwald popped up to short and Kaat was retired on a squibber in front of the mound to end the inning. Rico Petrocelli grounded out to second to start the bottom of the second but George Scott singled to left. Duane Josephson banged into a double play to end the inning.

The Twins struck again in the top of the third as Tovar walked to start. Braun popped up to short but Oliva singled to right. Killebrew singled home Tovar to increase the lead and Oliva moved to third on the liner to center by Reese. Alyea singled home Oliva but Cardenas grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Twins up 3-0.

                                                            Killebrew takes the lead

Billy Conigliaro doubled to left to start the bottom of the third but Doug Griffin lined out to first. Billy C moved to third on the Nagy grounder and Aparicio flied out to right to end the inning.

Mitterwald singled to right to started the top of the fourth then moved to second on the sacrifice bunt by Kaat. Mitterwald moved to third on the grounder by Tovar and Braun flied out to right to end the inning. Smith singled to left to start the bottom of the fourth but Yaz popped up to third. Petrocelli flied out to right and Scott struck out to end the inning.

Nagy cruised in the top of the fifth as Oliva grounded out to first to start. Killebrew struck out and Reese grounded out to first to end the inning. Kaat cruised in the bottom of the fifth as Josephson grounded out to third to start. Billy C flied out to right and Griffin lined out to center to end the inning.

Nagy came back for one last inning as Alyea singled to left to start. Cardenas forced Alyea at second then Mittenwald popped up to short. Kaat struck out to end the inning. Nagy was solid for 6 innings allowing just 3 runs but got no run support.

                                               3 runs for the Twins, NOTHING FOR YOU!

The Sox began their comeback in the bottom of the sixth when Phil Gagliano pinch hit for Nagy to begin. Gagliano singled to left but Aparicio flied out to right. Gagliano took second on a wild pitch and Smith hit a routine grounder to third. Killebrew threw the ball away allowing the runners to move into scoring position and Gagliano scored on the Yaz sac fly. Petrocelli grounded out to short to end the inning.

                                                    Gagliano gets the rally started

Bill Lee came in for the top of the seventh and Tovar struck out to start. Braun grounded out to first and Oliva struck out to end the inning. Paul Powell came in for Alyea for the bottom of the seventh as the Sox beat the ball in the dirt. Scott and Josephson grounded out to short and Billy C grounded out to third to end the inning.

Killebrew walked to start the top of the eighth but Reese forced him at second. Powell struck out but Reese swiped second. Cardenas grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox finally rallied in the bottom of the eighth as Griffin singled to right to begin. Don Pavletich pinch hit for Lee and singled to left then John Kennedy pinch ran for him. Aparicio dropped down a bunt but Kaat threw the ball away, allowing Griffin to score. Smith then doubled home both runners to give the Sox the lead. Yaz was plunked and that was it for Kaat. Ray Corbin came in to pitch and Petrocelli sacrificed both runners into scoring position. Scott was intentionally walked to load the bases but Josephson banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox had stolen the lead 4-3.

                                                     Pavletich adds to the rally

Bobby Bolin came in for the top of the ninth and Paul Ratliff pinch hit for Mitterwald grounded out to short to start. Jim Holt pinch hit for Corbin and hit a routine grounder to Scott....that he booted for an error. Tovar doubled Holt to third and that was it for Bolin. Sparky Lyle came in and Rick Renick pinch hit for Braun. Renick flied out to right and Oliva grounded out to second to end the game. The Sox had come from behind to win it 4-3.

Hero of the Night is Reggie Smith. He hit the big 2 run double to put the Sox up for good.

                                                          Last April Hero

The Good:

George Scott was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Billy Conigliaro was 1 for 3.

Doug Griffin was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Mike Nagy tossed 6 solid innings of 3 run ball.

Phil Gagliano singled and scored as a pinch hitter.

Don Pavletich singled as a pinch hitter.

John Kennedy scored a run as a pinch runner.

Bill Lee got the win with 2 scoreless innings.

Bobby Bolin got the first out of the ninth.

Sparky Lyle earned his 3rd save by getting the final two outs of the ninth.

The Bad:

Rico Petrocelli was 0 for 3.

Duane Josephson was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

Luis Aparicio was 0 for 3 but scored a run.

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 2 but was hit with a pitch and drove in a run.

Final Thoughts:

Once again comeback wins are nice but it would help if they stopped having to do so to begin with. The Sox played 16 games this month in fell behind in at least 10 of them. Only a few times were they ahead from start to finish and that's not a recipe for success moving forward. Its one thing to beat the bad teams in the American League but when you face teams like the Baltimore Orioles, its going to be a lot harder to come from behind against teams that usually don't fall flat in the late innings. It was good to see Smith get the big hit and better to see the bullpen lock the lead down at least. The Sox traded Tony Conigliaro for Doug Griffin and Ken Tatum and that looks like a no-win trade right now. Griffin is hitting .213 and Ken Tatum has been outpitched this month by Sparky Lyle. Meanwhile Tony C is only hitting .243 with 2 home runs with is worse than Billy Conigliaro hitting .262 with 3 home runs. If Tony can't get it going in California and either Griffin or Tatum turn into an impact players, the Sox may win that trade. The Sox ended the month of April with a 12-7 record and look to continue their winning ways against the Twins tomorrow when they send Gary Peters (2-1) to the mound up against Jim Perry of Minnesota. The game begins at 1:00 PM at Fenway Park.

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

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

                                                         Carolyn Jones approves of the win

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

                                                                Yaz hits a home run

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

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

                                                           Petrocelli drives in a run

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

                                                         Aparicio drives in a run

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

                                                         Egan cuts the lead in half

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

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

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

                                                          It had to have been Andrews?

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

                                                           Not good enough, Gary

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

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

                                                          Gagliano walks and scores

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

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

                                                                        Yaz is the Hero

The Good:

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

George Scott was 2 for 4.

Doug Griffin was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Bobby Bolin tossed a full scoreless inning.

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

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

The Bad:

Joe Lahoud was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

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

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

Duane Josephson was just 1 for 4.

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

Final Thoughts:

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