Tigers Sweep Sox Out of Fenway (4/19/73)

The Detroit Tigers are the team to beat the in AL East this year and they proved it by wiping out the Boston Red Sox in four straight games in Boston including today's slugfest. The first three games were lopsided contests mostly due to Boston's inability to hit Detroit pitching. Today the bats woke up to score 7 runs off 10 hits....too bad the Tigers once again shelled the Sox collective pitching staff. John Curtis (0-2, 5.40 ERA) got knocked out in the fourth inning and was charged with 6 runs. Sonny Siebert and Bob Veale failed to hold the fort as they allowed 5 runs between them to put the game out of reach. The Sox rallied to bring the tying run to the on-deck circle in the ninth but Tom Timmerman slammed the door. The Sox had lost five games in a row and were swept four straight by the AL East champion Tigers 11-7 at Fenway Park.

                                                              "Swept by the Tigers!!??"

Curtis got the ball in the top of the first inning and Tony Taylor took strike three to start. Bill Freehan walked but Al Kaline forced him at second. Willie Horton singled to left but Frank Howard grounded out to third to end the inning. Woodie Fryman got the ball in the bottom of the first and Tommy Harper led off by striking out swinging. Luis Aparicio flied out to left and Carl Yastrzemski flied out to center to end the inning.

The Tigers struck first in the top of the second inning and Aurelio Rodriguez singled to center to start. Mickey Stanley doubled to left and Ike Brown walked to load the bases. Ed Brinkman ripped a base hit to center to score Rodriguez and Stanley to put Detroit on top. Taylor popped up to right and Freehan grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Tigers up 2-0.

                                                         Brinkman drives in a pair

The Sox answered in the bottom of the second as Reggie Smith walked and Orlando Cepeda belted his second home run of the season to tie the game. Rico Petrocelli popped up to short, Carlton Fisk grounded out to short and Doug Griffin took strike three to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                           Cepeda ties the game

The Tigers struck again in the top of the third as Kaline flied out to center to start. Horton grounded out to short but Howard walked. Rodriguez singled to center and Stanley smashed a three run home run to put Detroit up for good. Brown popped up to first in foul territory to end the inning with the Tigers up 5-2.

                                                             Stanley puts the Tigers ahead

The Sox fought back in the bottom of the third as Dwight Evans smashed his first home run of the year to cut the lead. Harper beat out a roller to third and stole second, but Aparicio took strike three. Yaz singled to left to move Harper to third and Taylor threw away a double play ball hit by Smith away to score Tommy on the error. Cepeda struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 5-4.

                                                    Evans hits number 1 this season 

The Tigers were relentless in the top of the fourth as Brinkman grounded out to short to start. Taylor singled to right, stole second and took third on the base hit to left by Freehan. That was it for Curtis whod be charged with 6 runs in just 3 1/3 innings. Sonny Siebert came in and Kaline singled to left to score Taylor. Horton struck out swinging and Gates Brown pinch hit for Howard and struck out swinging to end the inning with the Tigers ahead 6-4.

                                                                       Not John's best stuff

Norm Cash took over at first for Ike Brown to start the bottom of the fourth and Petrocelli lined out to left to start. Fisk flied out to center and Griffin grounded out to short to end the inning. 

Rodriguez singled to left to start the top of the fifth but both Stanley and Cash struck out swinging. Brinkman grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fifth as Evans grounded back to the mound to start. Harper flied out to center but Aparicio doubled down the left field line. Yaz ripped a base hit to center to score Luis but Smith flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox down 6-5.

                                                             Yaz drives in a run

The Tigers scored AGAIN in the top of the sixth as Taylor popped up to second to start. Freehan doubled to left, Kaline walked and Horton singled to left to score Freehan. Bob Veale took over for Siebert and Brown struck out swinging. Rodriguez forced Horton at second to end the inning with the Tigers ahead 7-5.

                                                    Horton out hitting the Red Sox by himself 

Tom Timmermann took over on the mound to start the bottom of the sixth and Cepeda hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Petrocelli popped up to second and Fisk struck out swinging to end the inning.

Veale cruised in the top of the seventh as Stanley struck out swinging to start. Cash flied out to center and Brinkman grounded out to short to end the inning. The Red Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the seventh as Griffin grounded out to short to start. Evans and Harper both grounded out to third to end the inning. 

The Tigers struck again in the top of the eighth as Taylor popped up to right to start. Freehan singled to left, took second on a wild pitch and scored on the base hit to right by Kaline. Aparicio booted a grounder by Horton for an error but Brown popped up to third. The Tigers laughed at the Sox as Horton stole second and Kaline technically stole home on the throw back to the plate for another run. Rodriguez ripped a base hit to right to score Horton but Stanley grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Tigers up 10-5.

                                                       "Can we get anybody out?" - BV

The Sox did scratch out another run in the bottom of the eighth as Aparicio walked to start. Yaz struck out swinging but Smith drew a walk. Cepeda then lashed a base hit to right to score Aparicio and cut the lead. Ben Oglivie ran for Cepeda but Petrocelli popped up to third and Fisk grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox down 10-6

                                                            Aparicio scores a run

The Tigers wouldn't go away in the top of the ninth as Cash walked to start. Cash took second on the sacrifice bunt by Brinkman and moved to third on the grounder to short by Taylor. Who else but Freehan singled home Cash to increase the lead and chase Veale. Bobby Bolin came in and got Kaline to ground out to third to end the inning with the Tigers up 11-6.

                                                  Freehan couldn't miss in this one

The Sox did rally in the bottom of the ninth as Griffin got a base hit to center to start. Evans flied out to left but Harper singled to right. Aparicio grounded back to the mound to move the runners over and Yaz got a base hit to center to score Griffin. Smith flied out to right to end the game as the Tigers completed the sweep with an 11-7 win.

Jackass of the Night is John Curtis. He put the Sox in a deep hole they were never fully able to climb out of by allowing 6 runs in 3 1/3 innings.

                                                                  Jackass Curtis

The Good:

Tommy Harper was 2 for 5 with a stolen base and a run scored. 

Carl Yastrzemski was 3 for 5 with 2 rbis.

Orlando Cepeda was 2 for 4 with a 2 run home run and 3 total rbis.

Bobby Bolin got the final out of the ninth inning.

The Bad:

Rico Petrocelli was 0 for 4.

Carlton Fisk was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Bob Veale allowed 4 runs in 3 1/3 innings.

The Ugly:

Luis Aparicio was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout and an error but walked and scored 2 runs.

Reggie Smith was 0 for 3 but walked twice, drove in a run and scored a run.

Doug Griffin was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run. 

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a home run.

Sonny Siebert allowed an inherited runner to score and one of his own in 2 innings.

Honorable Mention:

Ben Oglivie pinch ran for Cepeda in the eighth.

Final Thoughts:

Well this sucks. The Sox were narrowly beaten by Detroit in the AL East race last season and they completely stomped out the Sox so far this season four straight. The trio of Freehan, Horton and Kaline couldn't miss this series and they scored 18 runs in the last two days. Unless the Sox get better pitching, this season is going to go down the drain sooner rather than later. Curtis was a nice surprise last year but he hasn't stepped up this year so far. Siebert looks like he's washed up and its sad to see that happen after he strong-armed the Sox in the years Jim Lonborg kept getting hurt. The offense woke up today and normally scoring 7 runs leads to victory so hopefully they can keep that pace up. Its only April so there's no need to panic although losing five games in a row doesn't exactly inspire confidence. The Sox now hit the road and their first stop is Cleveland for a set with the Indians beginning tomorrow night. Marty Pattin (1-1) gets the start for Boston against Gaylord Perry of Cleveland. The game begins at 9:00 PM Eastern time at Cleveland 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.

Sox Outslug Yankees (4/22/72)

Don't look now but the Boston Red Sox offense may have awakened from their slumber/ After looking lifeless through the first four games of the season, yesterday they did just enough to win while their firepower was on full display in today's game against the New York Yankees. They needed every bit of it because Sox starter Sonny Siebert (2-0, 4.61 ERA) allowed 7 runs (5 earned) to the Yankee attack. The Sox blasted Yankee starter Fritz Peterson for 6 runs in the first inning and 8 total as Peterson gutted out 5 innings. The real story of the game was the absolute brutal defense on both teams as Luis Aparicio committed 3 errors while Rich McKinney of the Yankees committed FOUR. In total there were 8 errors in the game as the Sox found a way to win by a score of 11-7 at Fenway Park.

                                                            Vicki Peters approves of the win

Siebert got the ball in the top of the first inning and Horace Clarke led off by grounding out to short. Thurmon Munson walked but Bobby Murcer lined out to center. Roy White struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox wasted no time cracking Peterson in the bottom of the first as Tommy Harper walked to start. Luis Aparicio singled to center and Carl Yastrzemski lined a base hit to center. Harper scored easily and Aparicio came around to take third, Yaz taking second on the throw home. Reggie Smith struck out swinging but Rico Petrocelli was intentionally walked to load the bases. Danny Cater hit a routine grounder to Rich McKinney who booted it for an error to score Aparicio and Doug Griffin also hit a grounder booted by McKinney. This time both Yaz and Cater scored to increase the lead. Carlton Fisk struck out looking but Siebert helped his own cause by slashing a double to center to clear the bases. Harper started the inning with a walk and ended it by grounding out to short with the Red Sox ahead 6-0.

                                                              Harper starts the rally

The Yankees fought back in the top of the second inning as Ron Blomberg doubled to left to start. Felipe Alou popped up to second but McKinney atoned for his errors with a base hit to left to advance Blomberg to third. Gene Michael scored Blomberg with a sac fly to put the Yankees on the board but Peterson grounded into a force to end the inning with the Yankees down 6-1.

                                                                 Michael drives in a run

The Sox struck again in the bottom of the second as Aparicio grounded out to third to start. Yaz was plunked and Smith walked, both advancing on the grounder back to the mound by Petrocelli. Cater hit another grounder to short and once again McKinney booted it for his third error of the game to score Yaz. Griffin lined out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-0.

                                                     Yaz scores another run

The Yankees struck again in the top of the third inning as Clarke grounded out to short to start. Munson beat out a little roller to third but Murcer flied out to center. White doubled to center to score Munson and Blomberg hit a routine grounder to Aparicio. Aparicio did a pro wrestling style elbow drop on the ball and pinned it for an error and Alou took strike three due to laughing too hard to end the inning. The Yankees had cut the lead 7-2.

                                                                 White drives in a run

Rusty Torres came in for Blomberg to start the bottom of the third as Fisk grounded out to third to start. Siebert grounded out to short and Harper flied out to right to end the inning.

The Yankees struck back in the top of the fourth as McKinney hit a home run all the way to Bar Harbor to cut the lead. Michael grounded out to first and Peterson took strike three but Clarke singled in the hole at second. Munson forced Clarke at second to end the inning with the Yankees down 7-3.

                                                             Yankees cut the lead

The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Aparicio lined out to left to start. Yaz flied out to right but Smith singled to center. Smith took second on a balk and Petrocelli tripled into the right field corner to score Rico. Cater flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-3.

                                                                  Smith drives in a run

Siebert cruised in the top of the fifth as Murcer grounded out to short to start. White struck out swinging and Torres took strike three to end the inning. Griffin beat out an infield single to start the bottom of the fifth but Fisk forced him at second. Siebert singled to center but Harper banged into a double play to end the inning.

The Yankees got another back in the top of the sixth as Alou flied out to right to start. McKinney singled to left and Michael hit a routine grounder to Aparicio who dove on the ball and swam on it for another error. Bernie Allen pinch hit for Peterson and scored McKinney with a 

sac fly but Clarke grounded out to short to end the inning with the Yankees down 8-4.

                                                                   Allen drives in a run

The Sox answered against Fred Beene in the bottom of the sixth as Aparicio doubled to left to begin. Yaz singled Luis to third and took second on a passed ball which led to Smith being intentionally walked to load the bases. McKinney booted a grounder by Petrocelli to allow Aparicio and Yaz to score but Cater banged into a double play. Griffin walked an the rookie Fisk singled home Smith to increase the lead. Siebert popped up to first to end the inning but the Sox now led 11-4.

                                                               Fisk drives in a run

Munson lined out to left to start the top of the seventh but Murcer walked. White was hit with a pitch but Torres struck out swinging. Alou singled to left to load the bases but McKinney lined out to short to end the inning. Harper grounded out to short to begin the bottom of the seventh and Aparicio lined out to center. Yaz walked and Smith singled to right but Petrocelli grounded out to short to end the inning.

Siebert ran out of gas in the top of the eighth as Michael hit a routine grounder to Griffin only for Doug to spike the ball like a football for an error. Johnny Callison pinch hit for Beene and singled up the middle and Clarke singled to right to chase Siebert. Lew Krausse came in to pitch and Munson hit a swinging bunt single to first to score Michael to cut the lead. Murcer singled to center to score both runners and close the book on Siebert. Sonny tossed 7 plus innings and allowed 7 runs. Krause settled down to get White to fly out to center but Munson moved to third. Torres took strike three and Alou grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox still ahead 11-7.

                                                      Siebert sucked but went seven

Jack Aker came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Cater lined out to short to start. Griffin grounded out to third but Fisk doubled to center. Krausse lined out to left to end the inning.

Krausse returned to close out the top of the ninth and McKinney walked to start. Michael forced McKinney at second and Jerry Kinney pinch hit for Aker. Kinney forced Michael at second but Clarke singled to right. Munson popped up to second to end the game. The Sox had won it 11-7.

Hero of The Night is Reggie Smith. He was 2 for 3 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored to pace the offense.

                                                                 Smith is The Hero

The Good:

Luis Aparicio was 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

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

Carlton Fisk was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

Lew Krausse got the save with 2 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Tommy Harper was 0 for 4 but walked and scored a run.

Rico Petrocelli was just 1 for 4 but walked, drove in a run and scored a run.

Danny Cater was 0 for 5 but scored a run.

Doug Griffin was just 1 for 4 with an error but walked, drove in a run and scored a run.

Sonny Siebert got the win but allowed 7 runs (6 earned) in 7 plus innings of work. He was 2 for 4 at the plate with 2 rbis though.

Final Thoughts:

It wasn't pretty but a win is a win. The Sox needed to show their might offensively and this was it. They didn't do it with the longball, they did it by taking advantage of bad defense and getting the clutch hit when needed for a change. Siebert stunk the joint out but made up for it by driving in 2 runs and Krausse slammed the door on the damn Yankees. If Carlton Fisk is the real deal at catcher, that fills a huge hole offensively the Sox have had since the departure of Tony Conigliaro a year ago. It would be nice to see Yaz and Cater get hot and this could be the start for both of them. All in all it was a good win and the Sox need to keep the momentum going as the year progresses. The Sox look to sweep the Yankees tomorrow when Marty Pattin (0-2) goes up against Mel Stottlemyre of the Yankees. The game begins at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park. p

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

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

                                                        Phil Esposito approves of the win

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

                                                             So much for Duane

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

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

                                                             Unser drives in a run

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

                                                                  First Sox rbi for Cater

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

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

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

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

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

                                                             Siebert gets it done

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

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

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

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

                                                             Siebert Hero

The Good:

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

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

Bob Montgomery was 2 for 3.

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

The Bad:

Luis Aparicio was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

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

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

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

Honorable Mention:

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

Final Thoughts:

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

Sox Bash Brewers (4/28/71)

After playing several close games the past two weeks, the Boston Red Sox finally enjoyed a laughter. The Sox offense smacked around the Milwaukee Brewers for 15 hits and 10 runs in this one. Sonny Siebert (4-0, 1.15 ERA) tossed 5 2/3 gutty innings before being lifted from the game. Siebert himself and Reggie Smith both hit home runs, Carl Yaztrzemski drove in 3 runs and the Sox blew away the Brewers 10-3 at Fenway Park.

                                                          Ali MacGraw approves of the win

Siebert got the ball in the top of the first inning and Tommy Harper went down swinging to start. Mike Hegan lined out to left and John Briggs grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox wasted no time getting to Milwaukee starter Bill Parsons in the bottom of the first. Luis Aparicio grounded out to short to start but Reggie Smith belted his second home run of the season to give the Sox the lead. Carl Yastrzemski doubled to center, Rico Petrocelli walked and George Scott walked to load the bases. Don Pavletich singled to left to score both Yaz and Petrocelli to increase the lead. Billy Conigliaro grounded back to the mound and Doug Griffin took strike three to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                           Smith and Pavletich put the Sox on top

The Brewers fought back in the top of the second as Dave May and Bill Voss stroked back to back singles to start. Ted Kubiak banged into a double play but Ellie Rodriguez singled home May to cut the lead. Rick Auerbach grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1.

The Sox answered in the bottom of the second as Siebert struck out looking to start. Aparicio singled to left and Smith singled him to third. Yaz beat out a double play ball to score Aparicio with another run. Petrocelli grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-1.

                                                       Yaz drives in a run

Parson struck out looking to start the top of the third before Harper singled to left. Harper stole second and moved to third on the Hegan base hit. Briggs struck out and May grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The Sox suffered an ignominious embarrassment in the bottom of the third as Scott doubled to center to start. Harper booted a grounder by Pavletich to put runners at the corners and then disaster struck. Billy C hit into a double play but Scott took too long to come home and he was thrown out at the plate for the TRIPLE PLAY! Not what you want to see.

                                                              Nice baserunning Scott!

Voss flied out to center to start the top of the fourth before Kubiak grounded back to the mound. Rodriguez lined out to center to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth although Griffin popped up to short to start. Siebert then blasted his second home run of the year to increase the lead. Aparicio walked and moved to second on the Smith grounder but Yaz flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-1.

                                                          Siebert doing it all

Auerbach grounded out to third to start the top of the fifth and Bernie Smith pinch hit for Parsons. Smith flied out to right but Harper singled to center. Harper moved to second on a passed ball and Hegan struck out to end the inning. John Gelnar came in to pitch the bottom of the fifth and Petrocelli grounded out to third to start. Scott hit a bloop double just over third but Pavletich flied out to left. Billy C grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

The Brewers knocked Siebert out in the top of the sixth although Briggs flied out to right to start. May doubled to left and Voss singled him home. Kubiak forced Voss at second but Rodriguez walked. Danny Walton pinch hit for Auerbach and doubled home Kubiak to chase Siebert. Skip Lockwood from Norwood, Mass pinch ran for Walton, Roberto Pena pinch hit for Gelnar and Ken Tatum came in to pitch. Pena popped up to second to end the inning but it was 5-3 Sox.

                                                      Norwood High School to MLB

Larry Bearnarth came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and the Sox iced the game. Grififn grounded out to third but Tatum walked. Aparicio dropped down a bunt but beat it out for a single and Smith singled to load the bases. Yaz doubled home Tatum and Aparicio to increase the lead and Petrocelli singled home Smith & Yaz to remove all doubt. Scott struck out swinging but Pavletich walked. Billy C singled home Petrocelli but Pavletich was thrown out at third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 10-3.

                                                               Petrocelli ices the game

Joe Lahoud took over for Yaz in the top of the seventh and Harper walked to start. Hegan banged into a double play and Briggs lined out too short to end the inning. Griffin doubled to left to start the bottom of the seventh but was thrown out at third on the grounder by Tatum. Aparicio forced Tatum at second and Smith flied out to left to end the inning.

May grounded out to second to start the top of the eighth then Voss lined out to center. Kubiak grounded out to first to end the inning. Lahoud grounded out to first to start the bottom of the eighth before Petrocelli grounded out to third. Scott singled to left and Pavletich struck out looking to end the inning.

Tatum returned for the top of the ninth and Rodriguez grounded out to short to start. Ron Theobald pinch hit for Bearnarth and grounded out to second but Pena singled to right. Harper grounded out to third to end the game. The Sox had won a blowout 10-3.

Hero of the Night is Ken Tatum. He allowed just 1 hit in 3 1/3 innings to earn the save and scored a run on the offensive side.

                                              Our Hero scores more runs than he allows

The Good:

Luis Aparicio was 2 for 4 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Reggie Smith was 3 for 5 with a home run and 2 runs scored.

Carl Yastrzemski was 2 for 4 with 3 rbis and 2 runs scored.

George Scott was 3 for 4 with a walk.

Sonny Siebert earned the win with 5 2/3 innings of 3 run ball. He was also 1 for 2 at the plate with a solo home run.

The Bad:

Joe Lahoud was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

Rico Petrocelli was just 1 for 4 but walked, drove in 2 runs and scored twice.

Don Pavletich was just 1 for 4 but walked and drove in 2 runs.

Billy Conigliaro was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Doug Griffin was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

Now see what happens when you play from in front for once? The Sox finally didn't trip and fall in the first inning and they cruised to a relatively easy win. Sox manager Eddie Kasko is finally figuring out not to leave his starters in too long when you have a bullpen you can trust. If Sparky Lyle, Bill Lee and Ken Tatum can be a potent punch in the bullpen, you can shorten the game considerably. Siebert only had to go 5 2/3 because Tatum held down the fort. You won't need Gary Peters and Mike Nagy to throw 8 or 9 inning gems every time even thought that would certainly help. Its only April but at least the Sox are winning some games to keep things interesting so far. Tomorrow night the Sox open a set with the Minnesota Twins. Mike Nagy (1-0) takes on Twins ace Jim Kaat at 7 PM at Fenway Park.