Sox Outslug, Sweep A's (4/30/70)

It was an up and down month for the Boston Red Sox but it ended on a high note with 4 straight wins over the Oakland Athletics, including tonight's game. With the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Finals this Sunday, the Red Sox have been overlooked so far but those who attended Fenway got their money's worth in today's game. There were 19 total hits, 6 home runs and 15 total runs scored between the two teams which had the Sox coming out on top. Rico Petrocelli, George Scott and Billy Conigliaro all went deep for the Sox as they scored 8 total runs. Gary Peters (3-1, 4.18 ERA) battled for 7 innings and allowed all 7 runs the A's would score, including three homers. Bill Lee, Ed Phillips and Sparky Lyle slammed the door in the final few innings and the Sox ended April with a four game sweep of the A's including an 8-7 slugfest at Fenway Park.

                                                              Don Chaney approves of the win

Peters got the ball in the top of the first and the A's went up big early. Bert Campaneris walked and Joe Rudi singled to right. Reggie Jackson popped up to first but Sal Bando took strike three. Felipe Alou then hit a 3 run home run all the way to Miami, Florida to put the A's on top. Don Mincher flied out to center to end the inning with the A's ahead 3-0.

                                                      Alou with a 3 run blast

Jim Roland got the ball in the bottom of the first and Mike Andrews grounded out to short to start. Reggie Smith singled to left but Carl Yastrzemski banged into a double play to end the inning.

Peters turned up the heat in the top of the second as Dave Duncan, Dick Green and Roland all struck out swinging in short order. The Sox began the comeback in the bottom of the second as Rico Petrocelli singled to left. George Scott doubled to left and Billy Conigliaro scored Petrocelli with a sac fly to right to cut the lead. Luis Alvarado popped up to short but Gerry Moses hit a roller to short that was booted  by Campaneris for an error to score Scott. Peters walked but Andrews popped up to first to end the inning with the Sox down 3-2.

                                                          Billy C drives in a run

Campaneris grounded out to short to start the top of the third before Rudi flied out to center. Jackson lined out to left to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the third as Smith grounded out to short to start. Yaz walked and Petrocelli mashed his third home run of the season to give the Sox the lead. Roberto Rodriguez came in to pitch to Scott and George doubled to left. Billy C lashed a base hit to right to score Scott with another run, but was thrown out at second trying to steal. Alvarado flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-3.

                                                         Home run Petrocelli

Bando popped up to second to start the top of the fourth and Alou grounded out to short. Mincher popped up to short to end the inning. Moses popped up to third to begin the bottom of the fourth before Peters lined out to right. Andrews flied out to left to end the inning.

The A's struck back in the top of the fifth as Duncan doubled to right and took third on a passed ball. Green walked and Bob Johnson pinch hit for Rodriguez. Johnson banged into a double play but Duncan scored to cut the lead. Campaneris grounded out to third to end the inning with the A's down 5-4.

                                                      Johnson's double play brings in a run

The Sox added to the lead in the bottom of the fifth with Paul Lindblad now on the mound. Smith popped up to third  Yaz struck out swinging but Petrocelli walked. Scott pulverized his third home run of the season to increase the lead. Billy C then blasted his first home run of the season to go back to back, but Alvarado grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-4.

                                                        Scott goes deep

The A's wasted no time getting a run back when Rudi smashed a home run all the way to British Columbia to start the top of the sixth. Jackson took strike three, Bando flied out to center and Alou popped up to second to end the inning with the A's down 8-5.

                                                         Rudi goes yard

Moses grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the sixth before Peters struck out swinging. Andrews grounded out to second to end the inning.

Mincher popped up to second to start the top of the seventh and Duncan flied out to center. Green flied out to right to end the inning. Smith singled to right to start the bottom of the seventh but moved to second on the Yaz grounder to second. Petrocelli struck out swinging and Scott grounded out to short to end the inning.

Sox manager Eddie Kasko wore a path to the mound in the top of the eighth and it started with Frank Fernandez pinch hitting for Lindblad. Fernandez hit a home run all the way to Jupiter and Campaneris doubled to left to chase Peters. Peters had far from his best game but he pitched into the eighth inning with the Sox in the lead. Roberto Pena pinch ran for Campaneris, Rick Monday pinch hit for Rudi and Ray Jarvis came in to pitch. A wild pitch moved Pena to third and Monday walked to put runners at the corners. Kasko brought in Bill Lee to pitch to Jackson and Lee struck him out swinging. Kasko then brought in Ed Phillips to face Bando and Sal ripped a base hit to center to score Pena and put the tying run at second. Alou lined out to center and Kasko came out AGAIN, this time to bring in Sparky Lyle. Mincher lined out to first to end the inning with the A's down 8-7.

                                                Kasko gets a lot of exercise in that inning

Rollie Fingers came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Billy C grounded out to third to start. Alvarado doubled to left but Moses lined out to left. Lyle grounded out to first to end the inning.

Lyle came back to close out the top of the ninth and Duncan grounded out to short to start. Green lined out to center and Tito Francona came in to pinch hit for Fingers. Francona walked and Jose Tartabull pinch ran for him. Pena popped up to third in foul territory to end the game. The Sox had swept the A's with an 8-7 win.

Hero of the Night is Billy Conigliaro. He drove in 3 big runs including a home run which ended up the difference in the game.

                                                        Billy C The Hero

The Good:

Reggie Smith was 2 for 4.

Rico Petrocelli was 3 for 4 with a 2 run homer and 3 total runs scored.

George Scott was 3 for 4 with a 2 run homer and 3 total runs scored.

Bill Lee struck out the only man he faced.

Sparky Lyle earned his sixth save with 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Mike Andrews was 0 for 4.

Gary Peters was charged with 7 runs in 7 innings of work. He allowed 6 hits and 2 walks.

Ray Jarvis walked the only man he faced.

The Ugly:

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

Luis Alvarado was just 1 for 4.

Gerry Moses was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Ed Phillips allowed an inherited runner to score in 1/3 of an inning.

Final Thoughts:

After the Red Sox lost 2 of 3 to the Milwaukee Brewers I said nothing short of a sweep of the Oakland A's would do in terms of momentum going into May. Turns out the Sox DID sweep the A's and the Sox ended the month on a hot streak. The offense has been pretty good but, as usual, the pitching hasn't held up in April. Sonny Siebert has been awful, Jim Lonborg got hurt AGAIN and Gary Peters has been iffy. Mike Nagy was 12-2 last year and took second in AL Rookie of The Year honors but he hasn't pitched yet this season. Still, the Sox are hanging in there and need to keep the ball rolling if they want to stay with the Baltimore Orioles. I don't know what Kasko was doing in the eighth inning by managing like it was Game 7 of the World Series but at least the Sox won. Sparky Lyle has worked four straight games now and he needs a break. It would be nice if the Sox get a good ol fashioned blowout win in the next game. The Sox end the month of April with an 11-8 record, 2 games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look for win number 5 in a row tomorrow night when the California Angels are in town. Ray Culp (1-3) takes on Tom Murphy of the Angels at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Lee, Sox Edge A's (4/28/70)

For the second night in a row an unsung spot starter came up big for the Boston Red Sox. Last night it was Vicente Romo mowing down the Oakland A's and tonight it was 23 year old Bill Lee (1-1, 2.81 ERA) who did the honors. Lee was sensational, allowing just 1 run in 7 2/3 innings to keep the Athletics off the board. A's start Al Downing was just as tough but home runs by Tony Conigliaro and Mike Andrews would be all the offense the Sox needed. After Lee was lifted in the eighth inning, Ray Jarvis and Sparky Lyle nailed down the save as the Sox made it two in a row against the A's with a 2-1 victory at Fenway Park.

                                                  George Harrison approves of the win

Lee got the ball in the top of the first and Felipe Alou popped up to short to start. Rick Monday took strike three and Reggie Jackson flied out to left to end the inning. Mike Andrews tried to start a rally off Al Downing in the bottom of the first with a double to left. Reggie Smith took strike three Carl Yastrzemski popped up to short and Tony Conigliaro grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Sal Bando lined out to left to start the top of the second and Dick Green grounded out to second. Don Mincher struck out swinging to end the inning. Rico Petrocelli led off the bottom of the second with a line out to left. George Scott grounded out to third and Gerry Moses lined out to right to end the inning.

The Athletics beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the third as Frank Fernandez grounded out to short to start. Roberto Pena grounded out to third and Downing grounded out to second to end the inning. Luis Alvarado grounded out to short to start the bottom of the third before Lee grounded out to third. Andrews struck out swinging to end the inning.

Alou grounded out to third to start the top of the fourth and Monday grounded out to second. Jackson broke up the perfect game with a double off the Monster but Bando grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the fourth as Smith lined out to center to begin. Yaz grounded back to the mound but Tony C smashed his second home run of the season to give the Sox the lead. Petrocelli walked and Scott singled to center but Moses popped up to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                             Home run for Conigliaro

Green grounded out to short to begin the top of the fifth before Mincher grounded out to first. Fernandez struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fifth as Alvarado flied out to left to start. Lee grounded back to the mound but Andrews clocked his third home run of the season to increase the lead. Smith flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                        Andrews goes deep

Pena grounded out to third to start the top of the sixth and Athletics manager Jon McNamara sacrificed Downing for offense when he sent Bob Johnson to pinch hit for Al. Johnson and Alou both grounded out to short to end the inning. Mudcat Grant came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Yaz grounded out to second to start. Tony C grounded out to third but Petrocelli walked. Scott singled to center but Moses grounded out to second to end the inning.

Monday took strike three to start the top of the seventh before Jackson lined out to short. Bando struck out swinging to end the inning. Lee had allowed just 1 hit the entire game without walking anyone. Alvarado hit one up the elevator shaft to start the bottom of the seventh before Lee lined out to short. Andrews lined out to the mound to end the inning.

Lee looked like he was on his way to a one hitter in the top of the eighth when Green grounded back to the mound to start. Mincher struck out swinging but the wheels fell off for Lee when Fernandez singled to left. Jose Tartabull ran for Fernandez and Pena singled to center. Bert Campaneris pinch hit for Grant and singled home Fernandez to cut the lead in half. That was it for Lee who ran out of gas after 7 2/3 innings and a run allowed. Blue Moon Odom pinch ran for Campaneris and Ray Jarvis was brought in to pitch to Alou. Alou flied out to center to end the inning with the A's down 2-1.

                                              "Its okay lee, I got this" - Jarvis

Dave Duncan took over behind the plate and Diego Segui came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth. Smith grounded out to first, Yaz grounded out to second and Tony C hit a pop up to second to end the inning.

Sparky Lyle came in to close out the top of the ninth and Monday took strike three to begin. Jackson grounded out to second and Bando popped up to Andrews to end the game. The Sox had won it 2-1.

Hero of the Night is Bill Lee. He held the Athletics to just 1 run in 7 2/3 innings and just 1 hit through 7.

                                                      Bill Hero

The Good:

Mike Andrews was 2 for 4 with a home run.

Rico Petrocelli walked twice in 3 plate appearances.

George Scott was 2 for 3.

Ray Jarvis retired the only man he faced.

Sparky Lyle earned his fourth save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Reggie Smith was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 4.

Gerry Moses was 0 for 3.

Luis Alvarado was 0 for 3.

The Ugly:

Tony Conigliaro was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a solo home run/

Final Thoughts:

That was another gutsy win in a one run game that the Sox fought hard for. The Sox bats did almost nothing tonight but the 2 home runs they hit just happened to be enough. Bill Lee stepped it up tonight and he should be in the rotation if Sonny Siebert falters or Jim Lonborg can't go. He's not an overpowering pitcher but his junkballs did the job big time, allowing 1 hit through 7 2/3 before the wheels fell off. Jarvis and Lyle also nailed down the win and once again Lyle came up big in the ninth inning. The offense will be there this season, its a question of if the Sox can pitch their way to the American League pennant. More games like this from Vicente Romo and Lee would help big time. The A's have gotten good pitching from Catfish Hunter and Al Downing but have nothing to show for it, look out for them tomorrow. The Sox look to make it three in a row against the A's tomorrow night when Sonny Siebert (0-1) looks to rebound against Chuck Dobson of the Athletics. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Brewers Smack Sox in Game 1 (4/25/70)

After a rainout last night turned today into a doubleheader, the Milwaukee Brewers knocked out the Boston Red Sox in this afternoon's Game 1. Sonny Siebert and Lee Strange (1-1, 1.35 ERA) got hammered for 9 runs in 3 innings while the Sox defense committed 3 total errors. On the other side, Lew Krausse almost went the distance, holding the Sox to just 4 total runs. The Sox managed to outhit the Brewers 12-10 but couldn't get the clutch hits to drive men home. Bob Locker shut the door in the ninth and the Brewers took Game 1 by the score of 10-4 at Fenway Park.

                                              "Hello operator? The Sox are bums" - Cary Grant

The Brewers wasted no time getting to Siebert in the top of the first inning as Tommy Harper singled to left to start. Harper stole second then took third on a wild pitch. Russ Snyder walked and Harper scored on a wild pitch to give the Brewers the lead. Steve Hovley forced Snyder at second then stole second. Danny Walton took strike three and Mike Hegan flied out to left to end the inning with the Brewers ahead 1-0.

                                                                Harper scores a run

The Sox struck back against Krausse in the bottom of the first as Mike Andrews flied out to left to start. Reggie Smith walked and took second on a wild pitch before Carl Yastrzemski walked. George Sxott took strike three but Rico Petrocelli mauled a 3 run home run to put the Red Sox on top. Tony Conigliaro hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1.

                                                            Petrocelli with a 3 run jack

The Brewers knocked out Siebert in the top of the second as Jerry McNertney singled to right to begin. Rich Rollins took strike three but Ted Kubiak walked. Krausse himself dropped down a bunt to move the runners along and Harper got a base hit to left to score McNertney. Harper stole second again and Snyder walked to load the bases and chase the incompetent Siebert. Lee Strange came in and Hovley singled home both Kubiak and Harper to put the Brewers up for good. Walton hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning but it was 4-3 Brewers. Siebert lasted just 1 2/3 innings and was charged with 4 runs. On a day where the Sox are playing a doubleheader, this was NOT what they needed.

                                                           Siebert sucked today

The Sox did fight back in the bottom of the second as Luis Alvarado singled to center to start. Gerry Moses got a base hit to left and Strange dropped down a bunt to move the runners over. Andrews scored Alvarado with a sac fly to tie the game but Smith flied out to center to end the inning with the game tied 4-4.

                                                        Herculean sac fly by Andrews

The floodgates opened in the top of the third as Hegan hit a routine grounder to Alvarado who dove on the ball and punched at it for an error to start. McNertney doubled to left and Rollins hit a routine fly to right. Conigliaro tried to catch the ball in his hat and it dropped for an error to score Hegan to tie the game. Kubiak grounded back to the mound and Krausse hit a routine grounder to second...booted by Andrews for Boston's third error of the inning. Naturally Harper singled to center to score McNertney to increase the lead. Sox manager Eddie Kasko pulled Strange who turned and gave the middle finger to his defense for their putrid performance. Ray Jarvis came in and poured gas on the fire as Snyder singled home Rollins and yet another wild pitch scored Krausse. Hovley walked and Walton singled home Harper, moving Snyder to third. Hegan hit a sac fly to center to score Snyder. McNertney struck out swinging to end the nightmare but the Brewers had scored 6 runs on 3 errors, brutal.

                                            "You guys can all kiss my foot!" - Strange

The Sox were deflated at that point as Yaz grounded out to first to begin the bottom of the third. Scott Singled to left but Petrocelli banged into a double play to end the inning.

Jarvis got Rollins to ground out to third to start the top of the fourth but Kubiak walked. Krausse dropped down a bunt to move Kubiak to second but Harper grounded out to third to end the inning. Tony C grounded back to the mound to begin the bottom of the fourth but Alvarado hit one up the elevator shaft. Mike Derrick pinch hit for Jarvis and reached on an error by Hegan. Andrews grounded out to second to end the inning.

Ken Brett came in to pitch the top of the fifth and Snyder struck out swinging to start. Hovley doubled to center and Walton walked, but Hegan struck out swinging. McNertney grounded out to third to end the inning. Smith grounded out to first to start the bottom of the fifth but Yaz beat out a roller to third. Scott popped up to first and Petrocelli struck out swinging to end the inning.

Brett dominated the top of the sixth as Rollins struck out swinging to start. Kubiak watched strike three go by and Krausse whiffed to end the inning. 

                                                    "You ain't gettin a run on me" - Brett

Tony C grounded out to first to start the bottom of the sixth but Alvarado singled to center. Moses flied out to center and Tommy Matchick pinch hit for Brett. Matchick flied out to center to end the inning.

Bill Lee came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Harper singled to left to start. Snyder banged into a double play and Hovley flied out to center to end the inning. Krausse cruised in the bottom of the seventh as Andrews popped up to first to start. Smith grounded out to first and Yaz grounded out to second to end the inning.

Lee returned for the top of the eighth and Walton grounded out to third to start. Hegan walked but McNertney lined out to center. Rollins walked and John Kennedy pinch ran for him. Kubiak grounded out to short to end the inning. Scott grounded out to third to begin the bottom of the eighth but Petrocelli singled to left. Tony C flied out to right but Alvarado singled to left. Moses grounded into a force to end the inning.

Krausse grounded out to third to begin the top of the ninth but Harper walked. Harper moved to second on a wild pitch but Snyder flied out to left. Hovley grounded out to third to end the inning. Good work by Lee to be the lone bright spot in the game.

                                                           Good work Lee

Dick Schofield pinch hit for Lee to begin the bottom of the ninth and got a base hit to left to start. Andrews got a base hit to center but Smith flied out to center. Yaz got a base hit to right to chase Krausse who was 2 outs away from a complete game. Bob Locker came in and got Scott to ground into a double play to end the game. The Brewers had won it 10-4.

Jackass of the Night is Ray Jarvis. He entered a 6-4 game and allowed 3 inherited runners to score and one of his own to put the game out of reach.

                                                             Jarvis the Jackass

The Good:

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

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

Luis Alvarado was 3 for 4.

Gerry Moses was 2 for 4.

Dick Schofield singled as a pinch hitter.

Ken Brett pitched 2 scoreless innings.

Bill Lee pitched 3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Tony Conigliaro was 0 for 4.

Tommy Matchick flied out as a pinch hitter.

Sonny Siebert got hammered for 4 runs in 1 2/3 innings.

The Ugly:

Mike Andrews was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Reggie Smith was 0 for 4 but walked and scored.

George Scott was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

Mike Derrick reached on an error in his only at-bat.

Lee Strange took the loss but all 5 runs he was charged with were unearned due to 3 errors.

Final Thoughts:

Well today got off to a terrible start. The Sox have to play 18 innings of baseball and their starter in Game 1 got knocked out in the second inning. Hell, Sox manager Eddie Kasko could probably throw Siebert into the bullpen for Game 2, why not? The offense got to Krausse early but once the Brewers went up by six, it was like the air went out of the balloon. Double plays and striking out will kill you every time and the Sox did plenty of both. Lee Strange probably was kicking things in the clubhouse after an inning like that, the Sox owe him dinner tonight if nothing else. That was a sloppy, horrible game and the worst part is they have to play another one. The worst part is this came off a big win over the Baltimore Orioles and winning both ends of a doubleheader would have been a confidence builder. Once again the Sox have a good offense but the pitching has been letting them down big time this season. The Sox play Game 2 shortly and Gary Peters (1-1) takes on Bobby Bolin of the Brewers in a game Peters must go long if the Sox have any hope of winning. The game begins officially at 5:00 PM at Fenway Park.

Tigers Maul Lee, Lolich Cruises (4/18/70)

Its hard to crack Detroit Tigers ace Mickey Lolich as it is, give him a 4 run cushion before the fans can get to their seats and just forget it. Bill Lee (0-1, 6.75 ERA) was not ready for primetime as the Tigers smacked him around in the first few innings. Dick McAuliffe put the Tigers on top with a 2 run bomb two batters into the first inning and Lee was knocked out in the second inning. The Sox bullpen only allowed just 1 run after Lee left but the Sox bats couldn't crack Lolich. The key to the game was the top of the fourth when Rico Petrocelli drew a bases loaded walk to cut the lead 4-1 and bring the tying run to the plate. Both Tony Conigliaro and Luis Alvarado failed to get another run in and that was that. Lolich ended up tossing a complete game 10 hitter to beat the Red Sox 5-1 at Tiger Stadium.

                                             "Kasko, why did you start Lee?" - Jack Lemmon

Lolich got the ball in the top of the first inning and Mike Andrews popped up to first to start. Reggie Smith doubled to right but Carl Yastrzemski struck out swinging. George Scott walked but Rico Petrocelli popped up to second to end the inning. The Tigers wasted no time getting to Lee in the bottom of the first as Mickey Stanley doubled to right to start. McAuliffe then hit a home run all the way to Milan, Italy to give the Tigers the lead. Al Kaline grounded out to short but Willie Horton singled to left. Jim Northrup beat out a squibber to the mound but Bill Freehan flied out to right. Don Wert singled to center and Smith did a cannonball on the ball for an error to score Horton. Smith did manage to nab Northrup at home to end the inning with the Tigers ahead 3-0.

                                                             McAuliffe puts Detroit on top

Tony Conigliaro popped up to first in foul territory to start the top of the second before Luis Alvarado singled in the hole at short. Gerry Moses and Lee both struck out swinging to end the inning. Lee got knocked out in the bottom of the second as Cesar Gutierrez singled to center to start. Lolich dropped down a bunt to move Gutierrez to second and Cesar moved to third on the Stanley grounder. McAuliffe walked and that was it for Lee. Sox manager Eddie Kasko was about to be sick as he pulled Lee after just 1 2/3 innings. Ed Phillips came in and Kaline singled home Gutierrez to increase the lead. Horton flied out to center to end the inning. Lee was tagged for 4 runs in just 1 2/3 innings, brutal.

                                                                Kaline drives in a run

Elliott Maddox replaced Wert for the top of the third and the Sox had their only real really of the day. Andrews walked and Smith singled to left, but Yaz struck out swinging. Scott was hit with a pitch to load the bases and Petrocelli walked home Andrews to cut the lead. With the tying run at first base....Tony C flied out to right and Alvarado popped up to second to end the inning. The Sox blew their chance and trailed 4-1.

                                                         Petrocelli drives in a run

Phillips cruised in the bottom of the third as Northrup popped up to third to start. Freehan took strike three and Maddox grounded out to third to end the inning.

Moses lined out to first to start the top of the fourth and Phillips grounded out to second. Andrews walked but Smith took strike three to end the inning. Gutierrez hit a routine grounder to Alvarado who jumped up and down on the ball and wagged his finger back and forth at it for an error to start the bottom of the fourth. Lolich hit one up the elevator shaft but Stanley hit a little roller to third for a single. McAuliffe lined out to center and Kaline flied out to left to end the inning.

Yaz tried to start a rally in the top of the fifth with a single in the hole at second but Scott banged into a double play. Petrocelli singled to center but Tony C grounded out to third to end the inning. Horton was hit with a pitch to start the bottom of the fifth but Northrup took strike three. Freehan walked and Petrocelli booted a grounder by Maddox to load the bases. Phillips struck out Gutierrez swinging and Lolich flied out to right to end the inning.

Alvarado popped up to first to start the top of the sixth but Moses doubled to left. Billy Conigliaro pinch hit for Phillips and singled Moses to third, but Andrews banged into a double play to end the inning. Ray Jarvis came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Stanley singled to center to start. Stanley moved to second on a wild pitch but McAuliffe grounded out to third. Kaline struck out swinging and Horton grounded out to short to end the inning.

Smith popped up to third to open the top of the seventh but Yaz took strike three. Scott struck out swinging to end the inning. Northrup was hit to start the bottom of the sixth and moved to second on the Freehan grounder to short. Maddox grounded out to third and Gutierrez grounded out to first to end the inning.

Petrocelli singled to left to start the top of the eighth but was forced at second by Tony C. Alvarado singled to right but Moses lined out to left. Don Pavletich pinch hit for Jarvis and popped up to second to end the inning. Ken Brett came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and somehow walked Lolich to begin. Stanley dropped down a bunt to move Lolich to second and McAuliffe walked. Kaline doubled home Lolich to ice the game and Horton was intentionally walked to load the bases. Northrup and Freehan both struck out swinging to end the inning with the Tigers ahead 5-1.

                                                      How do you walk the pitcher, Brett?

Andrews singled to left to start the top of the ninth but Smith grounded into a double play. Yaz grounded out to first to end the game. The Tigers had won it 5-1.

Jackass of the Night is Bill Lee. He put the Sox in a 4 run hole they couldn't climb out of early in the game.

                                                                    Jackass Lee

The Good:

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

Reggie Smith was 2 for 5.

Rico Petrocelli was 2 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Luis Alvarado was 2 for 4.

Billy Conigliaro singled as a pinch hitter.

Ed Phillips tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings.

Ray Jarvis tossed 2 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Tony Conigliaro was 0 for 4.

Don Pavletich was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Ken Brett allowed a run in the bottom of the eighth.

The Ugly:

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

George Scott was 0 for 2 with a strikeout but walked.

Gerry Moses was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Final Thoughts:

Hard to beat Lolich when he's on and he was on today. Not getting to him early cost the Sox the game considering Lee laid an egg today. Tony C and Alvarado failing to get a runner home in the third was the difference in the game. Maybe they could have cracked Lolich or got him rattled enough to get to him for more runs later. As it was, the Sox couldn't get a clutch hit to save their lives. Time and time again they failed with men on base and it was an epidemic by the end. On the other side of the ball, the Sox committed 3 errors but pitched well once Lee was gone. Phillips and Jarvis tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings to keep the Sox in it but they couldn't generate any offense against an elite pitcher. The good news is Lolich is one of the best so its only going to get better from here. Tomorrow night the Sox look to rebound when they send Ray Culp (1-1) up against Earl Wilson of the Tigers. The game begins at 8:05 PM Eastern time at Tiger Stadium.

Tigers Walkoff Sox in 11 Innings (4/17/70)

Its a shame the Boston Red Sox bullpen picked today to give up a game after being solid for much of April. The Boston Red Sox took a 2-1 lead over the Detroit Tigers thanks to a Reggie Smith home run and shut down pitching by Gary Peters. In the bottom of the eighth Jerry Moses bobbled a bunt by Ike Brown which led to the tying run scoring. The Sox did manage to extend the game to the eleventh inning but Jim Northrup doubled home Al Kaline to hand Ken Brett (0-1, 1.93 ERA) and the Red Sox a frustrating 3-2 loss at Tigers Stadium.

                                                        Joel to Jerry Moses

The Sox wasted no time getting to Tigers starter Joe Niekro in the top of the first as Mike Andrews singled to center to start. Reggie Smith blasted his second home run of the season to put the Sox up early. Carl Yastrzemski struck out swinging, George Scott grounded out to second and Rico Petrocelli struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0. The Sox would have just 4 hits the rest of the game.

                                                         Smith with the early home run

The Tigers responded in the bottom of the first against Peters as Mickey Stanley doubled to left to start. Dick McAuliffe dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Stanley to third and he scored on the Al Kaline grounder to third. Willie Horton grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox still ahead 2-1.

                                                             Kaline drives in a run

Tony Conigliaro grounded out to third to start the top of the second and Luis Alvarado popped up to short. Jerry Moses flied out to right to end the inning. Jim Northrup hit one up the elevator shaft to start the bottom of the second before Bill Freehan walked. Don Wert struck out swinging and Cesar Gutierrez forced Freehan at second to end the inning.

Peters popped up to third to start the top of the third and Andrews flied out to center. Smith was retired on a nubber in front of the plate to end the inning. Niekro struck out swinging to start the bottom of the third and Stanley grounded out to short. McAuliffe walked and Kaline singled to left, but Horton grounded out to short to end the inning.

Yaz lined out to left to start the top of the fourth and Scott popped up to right in foul territory. Petrocelli  lined out to left to end the inning. Northrup walked to start the bottom of the fourth and Freehan singled to center. Wert popped up to short, Guitierrez popped up to first and Niekro struck out swinging to end the inning.

Tony C grounded out to short to begin the top of the fifth but Alvarado singled in the hole at second. Moses flied out to right and Peters grounded out to first to end the inning. Stanley grounded out to third to begin the bottom of the fifth and McAuliffe took strike three. Kaline walked but Horton forced Al at second to end the inning.

Andrews flied out to right to start the top of the sixth and Smith flied out to center. Yaz walked but was thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning. Northrup grounded out to second to begin the bottom of the sixth but Freehan and Wert drew back to back walks. Gutierrez singled to right and Freehan made a mad dash for home. Conigliaro fired home....OUT! Freehan was out and Niekro grounded into a force at second to end the inning.

                                       "You know better than to run on me, Freehan" - Tony C

Scott singled to center to start the top of the seventh but Petrocelli hit into a double play. Tony C lined out to short to end the inning. Peters ran out of gas in the bottom of the seventh although Stanley grounded out to short to start. McAuliffe doubled to right and moved to third on a Kaline grounder to short, but Horton was intentionally walked. Northrup was plunked and that was it for Peters after 6 2/3 innings of 1 run ball. Ray Jarvis got Freehan to ground back to the mound to end the inning.

Alvarado hit a routine grounder to third but Wert booted it for an error to start the top of the eighth. Moses popped up to third and Jarvis dropped down a bunt to move Alvarado to second. Andrews grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The bottom fell out in the bottom of the eighth as Wert doubled to left to start. Gates Brown was sent to pinch hit for Guitierrez but Sox manager Eddie Kasko called in Sparky Lyle to pitch. Tigers manager Mayo Smith countered by having Elliott Maddox to pinch run for Wert and Jim Price to pinch hit for Brown. Price walked and Ike Brown pinch hit for Niekro. Brown dropped down a bunt but Moses dropped it allowing everyone to be safe on the error. Stanley hit a double play ball to third and Alvarado forced Price, but Mickey beat out the throw to first to score Maddox with the tying run. Both runners moved over on the McAuliffe grounder to third but Kaline walked to reload the bases. Vicente Romo came in for Lyle and got Horton to ground back to the mound to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                            Dammit Moses!

Ken Szotkiewicz came in to play short and Fred Lasher came in to pitch the top of the ninth as Smith walked to start. Smith swiped second but Yaz made a big out with a swinging strikeout. Scott singled in the hole at second but Smith had to stop at third. Petrocelli hit a grounder to third but Smith was thrown out at home. Tony C popped up to short to end the inning. Northrup grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the ninth and Freehan popped up to short. Maddox struck out swinging to end the inning and send the game to extras.

The Sox ran themselves into another out in the top of the tenth as Alvarado hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Moses lined out to center and Mike Derrick pinch hit for Romo. Derrick did manage a base hit to center but was thrown out at second trying to steal to end the inning.

                                                                      Dammit Derrick!

Ken Brett took over for the bottom of the tenth and Szotkiewicz struck out swinging to start. Lasher went down hacking and Stanley grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox blew their final rally in the top of the eleventh as Andrews flied out to center to start. Smith was hit with a pitch and Yaz walked, but Scott banged into a double play to end the inning. The game finally ended in the bottom of the eleventh although McAuliffe struck out swinging to start. Kaline walked but Horton popped up to first. Northrup then doubled to left to score Kaline with the winning run. The Tigers walked off the Red Sox in 11 innings 3-2.

Jackass of the Night is Ken Brett. He gave up the rbi double to Northrup to lose the game.

                                                              Ken Jackass

The Good:

Reggie Smith was 1 for 3 with a walk, 2 run homer and a stolen base.

George Scott was 2 for 5.

Mike Derrick singled as a pinch hitter.

Gary Peters tossed 6 2/3 innings of 1 run ball.

Vicente Romo tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Rico Petrocelli was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jerry Moses was 0 for 4 with an error.

Ray Jarvis was charged with a run in 2/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Mike Andrews was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 3 with with 2 strikeouts and a caught stealing but walked twice.

Tony Conigliaro was 0 for 4 but threw out a runner at home.

Luis Alvarado was just 1 for 4.

Sparky Lyle allowed an inherited runner to score in 2/3 of an inning.

Final Thoughts:

That was one of the most frustrating games of the season because the Sox had their chances all day to get some runs but either hit into a double play or ran themselves into outs. Yaz and Derrick getting thrown out trying to steal and Smith getting thrown out at home all added up to the loss. Neither Jarvis or Lyle could put away the Tigers and the error by Moses hurt big time. The breaks went the Tigers way and it ruined a great start by Peters in a game the Sox needed to win. The offense couldn't get much done with just 6 hits in 11 innings but they still could have won the game with one clutch hit here or there. The Sox can't afford to lose games like this if they have any chance of competing with Baltimore this season. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow when Bill Lee makes his first start of the season against Tigers ace Mickey Lolich. The game begins at 2:05 PM Eastern time at Tiger Stadium.

Sox Rally Falls Short in Washington (4/12/70)

It was a bad day for Boston sports as the New York Rangers tied up the NHL playoff series with the Boston Bruins with a Game 4 victory and the Boston Red Sox couldn't complete a rally against the Washington Senators. Gary Peters (1-1, 7.45 ERA) got hammered for 6 runs in 4 1/3 innings, putting the Sox in a hole they couldn't climb out of. Jerry Moses and Carl Yastrzmski both hit home runs as the Sox desperately tried to fight back, including a big rally in the ninth inning. The Sox left the tying run on first as Horacio Pina got the final out Washington needed to win the game 6-5 at Robert F Kennedy Stadium.

                                                      "Sox lost two of three to Washington?"

Casey Cox got the start for Washington and Mike Andrews led off the top of the first with a swinging strikeout. Reggie Smith grounded out to second but Carl Yastrzemski walked. George Scott singled Yaz to third but Rico Petrocelli forced Scott at second to end the inning. Peters got the ball in the bottom of the first and Del Unser grounded out to short to start. Ed Brinkman grounded out to first and Frank Howard grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the second although Tony Conigliaro popped up to third to start. Luis Alvarado grounded out to short but Jerry Moses cracked his first home run of the year to give Boston the year. Peters grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                                    Home run Moses

The Senators struck back in the bottom of the second as Ken McMullen flied out to left to start. Mike Epstein hit a routine grounder to Andrews who turned and threw the ball into the left field seats for an error. Epstein took second on the bad throw and moved to third on a wild pitch before scoring on the sac fly by Hank Allen. Bernie Allen grounded out to second to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                               Nice throw Mike

Andrews tried to atone for his error with a base hit to center to start the top of the third but was erased on the Smith double play. Carl Yastrzemski singled to center and stole second, but Scott grounded out to third to end the inning. Paul Casanova walked to start the bottom of the third but Cox bunted foul for strike three. Unser flied out to center and Brinkman grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Petrocelli took strike three to start the top of the fourth but Tony C singled to left. A wild pitch moved Conigliaro moved second on a wild pitch but Alvarado struck out swinging. Moses grounded out to third to end the inning. The Senators pounced in the bottom of the fourth as Howard doubled to left to start. McMullen grounded out to third but Epstein hit a home run all the way to Lancaster to put Washington up for good. Hank Allen grounded out to short and Bernie Allen popped up to short to end the inning with the Senators up 3-1.

                                                              Epstein goes yard

Peters tried to aid the cause with a base hit to right to start the top of the fifth but Andrews banged into a double play. Smith doubled to left and Allen bobbled a grounder by Yaz to put runners at the corners. Scott grounded out to short to end the inning. The Senators chased Peters in the bottom of the fifth as Casanova singled in the hole at second to start. Cox moved Casanova to second with a bunt and Unser walked. Brinkman singled in the hole at short to load the bases and a wild pitch scored Casanova. Howard doubled to left to clear the bases and chase Peters after allowing 6 runs in just 4 1/3 innings. Lee Strange came in and McMullen flied out to right. Epstein was intentionally walked and Hank Allen flied out to end the inning with the Senators up 6-1.

                                                            Howard gives Washington a big lead

Petrocelli tried to start a rally in the top of the sixth with a base hit to center but Tony C popped up to short Alvarado forced Petrocelli at second but Moses doubled Luis to third. Sox manager Eddie Kasko sent Tommy Matchick to pinch hit for Strange. Matchick made his season debut by grounding out to first to end the inning. Ray Jarvis made his season debut in the bottom of the sixth and Bernie Allen flied out to left to start. Casanova struck out swinging and Cox grounded out to second to end the inning.

                                                       Jarvis with a good season debut

The Sox fought back in the top of the seventh although Andrews flied out to right to start. Smith grounded out to second but Yaz belted his first home run of the season to cut the lead. Scott grounded out to second to end the inning but the Sox were down 6-2.

                                                                 Yaz hits his first homer

Jarvis got Unser to fly out to right to start the top bottom of the seventh and Brinkman also flied out to right. Howard and McMullen both walked but Epstein struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox blew another rally in the top of the eighth as Petrocelli popped up to second to start. Tony C grounded out to second but Alvarado singled to center. Moses singled in the hole at short and Mike Derrick pinch hit for Jarvis. Derrick grounded out to second to end the inning. Ed Phillips came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Hank Allen struck out swinging to start. Bernie Allen singled to right but Casanova struck out looking. Cox struck out swinging to end the inning.

Ed Stroud took over in left to start the top of the ninth and Andrews popped up to second to start. Smith beat out an infield single to first and that chased Cox from the game two outs away from a complete game. Jim Shellenback was brought in just to face Yastrzemski and Yaz doubled to right. Horacio Pina came in to face Scott and George hit a routine grounder to McMullen...BOOTED for an error to load the bases. All Petrocelli could do was score Smith with a grounder but Tony C cleared the bases with a base hit to center to cut the lead and put the tying run at first. With the game on the line...Alvarado grounded out to third to end the game. The Senators had won it 6-5.

Jackass of the Night is Gary Peters. He got hammered for 6 runs in just 4 1/3 innings to put the Sox in a hole they couldn't get out of.

                                                            Peters the Jackass

The Good:

Reggie Smith was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Carl Yastrzemski was 3 for 4 with a walk, stolen base, home run and 2 runs scored.

Tony Conigliaro was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis.

Jerry Moses was 3 for 4 with a home run.

Lee Strange got the final two outs of the fifth inning.

Ray Jarvis tossed 2 scoreless innings.

Ed Phillips pitched a eighth scoreless inning.

The Bad:

Tommy Matchick grounded out as a pinch hitter.

Mike Derrick grounded out as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

Mike Andrews was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

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

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

Luis Alvarado was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

Final Thoughts:

Bad, bad day all around. Red Sox lost, Bruins lost, the Boston Celtics didn't make the playoffs and if the New England Patriots played today, I'm sure they would have lost too. Everything stinks! Still, the Sox did make a game out of it at the end and the shutdown pitching of Strange, Jarvis and Phillips kept the Sox in reach. Having Alvarado come up with the game on the line isn't ideal but that's the way the wind blows sometimes. Peters didn't have his best stuff today and he's the difference maker this season. Sonny Siebert, Ray Culp and Jim Lonborg will get the team wins but if the Sox have any hope of matching the Baltimore Orioles, they need Peters to step up. After an off-day tomorrow the Sox come home for their home opener against the New York Yankees on Tuesday afternoon. Ray Culp (0-1) takes on Fritz Peterson of New York at 1:35 PM at Fenway Park.