Rangers Bash Sox Again (4/28/81)

This is just getting ridiculous. Apparently the Texas Rangers can only beat one team in the American League and that's the Boston Red Sox. After scoring 26 runs in the previous two games against them, you'd think the Sox would find an answer to slow them down. Clearly, there was no answer. Rookie Steve Crawford (0-2, 4.70 ERA) wasn't ready for prime time as he got beat up for 4 runs in 4 innings to put the Sox in the hole. Tom Burgmeier and Bill Campbell were no help either as the Rangers pounded out 13 hits and 9 runs. The Sox caught a break when old friend Fergie Jenkins left after the third inning but could only muster 3 hits off Steve Comer and Bob Babcock. Just like yesterday, the Rangers shelled the Sox and shut them out 9-0 at Arlington Stadium. How many runs did the Sox score Dean Wormer?

The Sox tried to rally against Jenkins in the top of the first when Jerry Remy singled to right to start. Dwight Evans flied out to left but Carl Yastrzemski drew a walk. Jim Rice flied out to right and Carney Lansford grounded into a force to end the inning. Crawford struck out Bump Wills to start the bottom of the first but a passed ball by Allenson allowed Bump to reach first. Mickey Rivers popped up to third and Al Oliver banged into a double play to end the inning.

Tony Perez struck out looking to start the top of the second but Allenson atoned for the passed ball with a base hit to right. Glenn Hoffman struck out swinging but Rick Miller walked. Remy flied out to left to end the inning. Buddy Bell flied out to center to start the bottom of the second and Johnny Grubb grounded back to the mound. Pat Putnam singled to center but Jim Sundberg popped up to first to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the third as Evans struck out swinging to start. Yaz grounded out to second but Rice popped up to first to end the inning. Crawford got Billy Sample to ground out to short to start the bottom of the third and Mario Mendoza grounded out to third. Wills took strike three to end the inning.

Jenkins was gone after the bottom of the third and Steve Comer came in for the top of the fourth. Lansford lined out to second and Perez flied out to left, but Allenson singled to left. Hoffman lined out to second to end the inning. The Rangers ambushed Crawford in the bottom of the fourth as Rivers singled to left to start. Oliver was plunked and Bell singled to third to load the bases. Grubb scored Rivers with a sac fly to give the Rangers the lead and Putnam hit a home run all the way to El Paso to ice the game. Sundberg lined out to first but Sample doubled to left. Mendoza grounded out to short to end the inning with the Rangers ahead 4-0. That was it for Crawford who fell apart the second time threw the order, allowing 4 runs in 4 innings.

                                                        Putnam hits a bomb

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the fifth as Miller flied out to center to start. Remy grounded out to short but Evans singled to center. Yaz grounded out to short to end the inning. Tom Burgmeier came in for the bottom of the fifth and Wills grounded out to short to start. Rivers singled to center but Oliver popped up to second. Bell flied out to right to end the inning.

Rice walked to start the top of the sixth but Lansford forced him at second and Perez banged into a double play to end the inning. The Rangers got to Burgmeier in the bottom of the sixth although Grubb watched strike three go by to begin. Putnam struck out swinging but Sundberg singled to left and Sample hit a ground rule double. Mendoza singled to left to score Sundberg and Sample then Wills got a base hit to center. Miller threw himself on the ball and swam on it for an error that allowed Mendoza to score. Rivers flied out to right to end the inning with the Rangers up 7-0.

                                                "What the hell are you doing, Miller?" - TB

Allenson grounded out to third to start the top of the seventh and Hoffman grounded out to second. Bob Babcock came in to pitch to Miller and he singled in the hole at short. Remy flied out to left to end the inning. Bill Campbell came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and 24 year old rookie Dave Schmidt made his Major League debut taking over for Allenson behind the plate. Oliver grounded out to second to start but Bell walked. Grubb singled to right and Evans tried to field it with his hat for an error to advance the runners. Putnam was intentionally walked to load the bases but Sundberg scored Bell with a sac fly. Sample singled home Grubb to wrap up the scoring. Mendoza grounded into a force to end the inning but it was 9-0 Texas.

                                                  Tough way for Schmidt to make his debut

Evans whiffed to begin the top of the eighth and Yaz grounded out to first. Rice grounded out to third to end the inning. Tom Poquette made his season debut taking over for Rice and Gary Hancock came in for Evans to start the bottom of the eighth. Wills struck out swinging but Rivers singled to center. Oliver struck out swinging and Bell grounded out to third to end the inning.

The end came in the top of the ninth when Lansford flied out to center to start. Perez grounded out to first and Schmidt struck out swinging in his first ML at-bat to end the game. The Rangers crushed the Sox 9-0.

Jackass of the Night is Steve Crawford. Not that the Sox were going to score for him but he could have lasted more than 4 innings and not given up 4 runs to put them in a hole they couldn't climb out of.

                                                           Jackass Crawford

The Good:

Gary Allenson was 2 for 3.

Rick Miller was 1 for 2 with a walk.

The Bad:

Carney Lansford was 0 for 4.

Tony Perez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Dave Schmidt struck out in his first ML at-bat

Tom Burgmeier allowed 3 runs in 2 innings.

Bill Campbell allowed 2 runs in 2 innigs.

The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was just 1 for 4.

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4 with an error and 2 strikeouts.

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 3 but walked.

Jim Rice was 0 for 3 but walked.

Honorable Mention:

Gary Hancock played right field in the bottom of the eighth.

Tom Poquette played left field in the bottom of the eighth.

Final Thoughts:

For those scoring at home the Rangers have now scored 35 runs in their last 3 games against the Red Sox. I don't remember this lineup being murderer's row so something is terribly wrong with the Sox pitching. Not even Bob Stanley, Tom Burgmeier or Bill Campbell has looked good the last few games. Obviously this can't continue or the Sox have no chance to compete in the AL East this year. The New York Yankees are riding Dave Winfield as much as they can and Dwight Evans is the only one on the Sox remotely close to playing as well. Crawford looked beat the second time around and if he's not going to make it as a starter, maybe its time to bring up Bruce Hurst for another go? Also, one of the reasons the Sox might be stinking the joint out is they're getting tired. Yes they've had rainouts and off-days but apart from Rick Miller and Jerry Remy, the starters have played every game so far this season. Gary Allenson has caught all 14 games they've played and this was one of the few times even some of the starters got some rest. If bench strength is weak to the point Sox manager Ralph Houk is running starters into the ground early, they better go get some competent backups or bring up the kids in Pawtucket. Reid Nichols is supposedly a good utility guy, if Perez or Rice is struggling then give them a breather with Reid? The Sox look to score a run for once when John Tudor (1-0) takes on Danny Darwin of the Rangers tomorrow night at 10:05 PM Eastern time at Arlington Stadium.

Yankees Pound Torrez, Sox (9/13/79)

What a difference 24 hours makes. After the Boston Red Sox beat the tar out of the New York Yankees last night, this time it was the Yankees to administer a whooping. The first 5 batters in the lineup pounded out 14 hits and 8 rbis, knocking Mike Torrez (14-12, 4.81 ERA) to kingdom come. The Sox committed 3 errors in the field and the Yankees as a team provided a 16 hit, 10 run attack that knocked the Sox further out of their fading playoff race with a 10-3 rout at Fenway Park.

                                            "THEY LOST TO THE YANKEES AGAIN!!"

The Yankees wasted no time getting to Torrez in the top of the first inning although Bobby Murcer struck out to start. Willie Randolph dropped down a bunt and catcher Mike O'Berry threw the ball into the Red Sox bullpen for an error to advance Willie to second. Oscar Gamble singled Randolph to third and Reggie Jackson doubled Willie home to give the Yankees the lead. Chris Chambliss grounded out to first to score Gamble with another run before Graig Nettles flied out to center to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 2-0.

The Sox fought back in the bottom of the frame against Yankees starter Ron Guidry although Rick Burleson led off with a strikeout. Ted Sizemore flied out to left but Fisk doubled off the Monster. Jim Rice singled home Fisk to cut the lead in half but Butch Hobson struck out to end the inning with the Sox down 2-1.

                                                        Rice drives in a run

Torrez recovered in the top of the second as Jim Spencer grounded out to first to start. Jerry Narron grounded out to second and Bucky Dent popped up to second to end the inning. The Sox fought back in the bottom of the second as Dwight Evans walked to begin. Tom Poquette beat out an infield single to second but Jim Dwyer popped up to third. O'Berry walked to load the bases and Burleson beat out a double play ball to score Evans with the tying run. Sizemore popped up to third to end the inning but the Sox tied it 2-2.

                                                       Burleson ties it up

Torrez got Murcer to watch strike three go by to open the top of the third before Randolph grounded out to third. Gamble singled to right but Jackson struck out to end the inning. Guidry turned up the heat in the bottom of the third by striking out Fisk to start. Rice and Hobson both struck out as well to end the inning.

The Yankees broke it open in the top of the fourth although Chambliss grounded out to first to begin. Nettles struck out but Spencer drew a walk. The game turned when Narron hit a routine grounder to first but Dwyer threw himself on the ball for an error that allowed Spencer to reach third. The Yankees pounced as Dent singled home Spencer to give the Yankees the lead back. Murcer doubled home Narron and Randolph hit a bases clearing triple to knock Torrez out. The errors didn't help but Torrez was done after 3 2/3 innings and 7 charged runs. Allen Ripley came in and Gamble singled home Randolph but was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 7-2.

                                                       "Not today Gamble" - Ripley

Evans struck out to open the bottom of the fourth before Poquette grounded out to second. Dwyer doubled to right and tried to score on the base hit by O'Berry but was thrown out at home to end the inning.

Jackson doubled to open the top of the fifth but was out at third on a grounder by Chambliss. Nettles doubled to left and Spencer was intentionally walked to load the bases. The gamble worked as Ripley got Narron to ground into a double play to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Burleson popped up to second to start. Sizemore flied out to left and Fisk struck out to end the inning.

Ripley got in trouble in the top of the sixth although Dent struck out to start. Murcer and Randolph stroked back to back singles but Gamble popped up to third. Jackson walked to load the bases but Chambliss popped up to short to end the inning. The Sox somehow rallied in the bottom of the sixth as Rice walked to start. Hobson singled Rice to third and Evans doubled home Rice to cut the lead. The rally ended when Guidry punched out Poquette, Dwyer and O'Berry to end the inning. The bottom of the order failed big time as the Sox still trailed 7-3.

                                                           Evans drives in a run

Ripley got the Yankees to beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the seventh inning as Nettles grounded back to the mound to start. Spencer grounded back to the mound and Narron grounded out to third to end the inning. Burleson lined out to left to begin the bottom of the seventh before Sizemore flied out to right. Fisk doubled to left but was thrown out at third on the grounder by Rice to end the inning.

Sox manager Ralph Houk left Ripley in too long as he ran out of gas in the top of the eighth inning. Dent struck out to start but Murcer and Randolph stroked back to back singles. Gamble singled to right and Murcer gunned it home. O'Berry ended up muffing the ball that allowed Murcer and Randolph to score while Gamble moved all the way to third. Jackson walked and Chambliss doubled home Gamble to chase Ripley. Bill Campbell came in and got Nettles to ground back to the mound and Spencer to ground out to third to end the inning with the Yankees up 10-3.

                                                          A few batters too late

Fred Stanley took over at third as Guidry returned for the bottom of the eighth. Hobson flied out to right to start before Evans struck out. Poquette got a base hit to left but Dwyer flied out to center to end the inning.

Campbell returned for mop up duty in the top of the ninth and Narron struck out to start. Dent flied out to center and Murcer struck out to end the inning. Guidry finished off his complete game in the bottom of the ninth as O'Berry flied out to center to begin. Burleson lined out to left and Sizemore grounded out to short to end the game. The Yankees bitchslapped the Sox 10-3 at Fenway.

Jackass of the Night is Mike Torrez. He put the Sox in a hole they couldn't climb out of by allowing 7 runs in just 3 2/3 innings, although only 2 of the runs were earned.

                                                          Torrez is a Jackass


The Good:

Carlton Fisk was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Jim Rice was 1 for 3 with a walk, rbi and run scored.

Dwight Evans was 1 for 3 with a walk, rbi and run scored.

Tom Poquette was 2 for 4.

Bill Campbell tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Ted Sizemore was 0 for 5.

Allen Ripley allowed 3 runs in 3 2/3 innings pitched.



The Ugly:

Rick Burleson was 0 for 5 but drove in a run.

Butch Hobson was just 1 for 4.

Jim Dwyer was just 1 for 4 with an error.

Mike O'Berry was 1 for 3 with a walk but made 2 crucial errors.




Final Thoughts:

Well the bottom of the order was garbage in this one. O'Berry and Dwyer combined to go 2 for 7 and commit 3 errors between them. The Yankees capitalized on every mistake and shame on Torrez and Ripley for not getting the key outs even with the errors. It doesn't matter anyway as the Baltimore Orioles are so far ahead in the standings, all the Yankees and Sox can play for at this point is who finishes third between them. Torrez didn't have it but Ripley didn't help either, but again, nobody cares at this point. The loss drops the Sox to 81-62, 2.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for second place in the AL East. Speaking of the Orioles, the Sox now travel to Baltimore for a set against the AL East frontrunners. Steve Stone goes for the dirty birds up against Bob Stanley (15-9) tomorrow night at 7:50 PM at Memorial Stadium.

Error Leads to Angels Win Over Sox (7/10/79)

Yet another game this year has been decided by an error. The Boston Red Sox had a 3-2 lead going into the bottom of the eighth against the California Angels but a blunder by Jim Dwyer led the way for a stunning 4-3 victory by the Angels, denying the Sox to gain ground on the Baltimore Orioles. The loss in Anaheim Stadium was costly in more ways than one.

                                                             "Dwyerrrrrrrrr'

The Sox wasted no time scoring in the top of the first inning. Rick Burleson was hit by Jim Barr to begin the game and was moved to second on the Jack Brohamer ground out. Fred Lynn slammed a single to score Burelson with the game's first run. Jim Rice singled and Carl Yastrzemski hit a routine grounder to Dickie Thon at second but he booted it, everyone was safe. Bob Watson made Dickie pay by doubling home both Lynn and Rice to give the Sox a three run lead just like that. Butch Hobson failed to score Yaz when his pop up to right was too shallow and Dwight Evans whiffed to end the inning. The Sox had 3 runs on 3 hits.....and would have just two more hits the rest of the game.

                                           Lynn gets the rally started

Unfortunatey Bob Stanley (10-6, 3.38 ERA) couldn't keep the Angels off the board in the bottom of the first inning. Old pal Rick Miller singled but Stanley picked him off first. Carney Lansford and Dan Ford hit back to back singles but Don Baylor beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners. Willie Aikens walked to load the bases then Brian Downing was apparently hit on the belt, forcing in a run. Sox manager Don Zimmer sprinted out of the dugout screaming like a banshee that the ball never hit Downing and when the umpire told him to go away, Zimmer started tearing his clothes off and had to be carried out by the police before he caused further ruckus. When action resumed Joe Rudi grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1.

                                        "I've had it up to HEREEEEE WITH YOU!" - Zim

Gary Allenson led off the top of the second inning by popping up to first. Burleson struck out but Brohamer walked. Lynn flied out to left to end the inning. The Angels struck again in the bottom of the second inning. Jim Anderson doubled to start and Thon sacrificed him to third. Miller singled home Anderson but Lansford hit into a double play to end the inning with the Sox up by just one, 3-2.

Both pitchers settled into a groove as Rice lined out to center to start the top of the third inning. Yaz hit a comebacker to the mound and Watson grounded out to short to end the inning. Ford grounded out to second to start the bottom of the third, but Baylor singled. Aikens banged into a double play to end the inning.

Hobson hit a comebacker to the mound to open the top of the fourth before Evans grounded out to third. Allenson popped up to third to end the inning. The Angels beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the fourth as Downing, Rudi and Anderson all grounded out to short to begin and end the inning.

Burleson flied out to center to start the top of the fifth before Brohamer grounded out to first. Lynn grounded out to second to end the inning. Thon grounded out to third to open the bottom of the fifth before Miller lined out to short. Lansford grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox got their first hit since the first inning when Rice singled to lead off the top of the sixth. They couldn't capitalize as Yaz lined out to center, Watson flied out to center and Hobson flied out to right to end the inning. The Angels continued to fall victim to Stanley's sinker in the bottom of the sixth as both Ford and Baylor grounded out to short. Aikens flied out to left to end the inning.

The Sox failed to score in the top of the seventh inning as Evans grounded out to short to start. Allenson flied out to center but Burleson somehow singled. Rick swiped second but Brohamer grounded out to third to end the inning. Downing flied out to right to begin the bottom of the seventh before Rudi hit a routine grounder to Hobson. Butch fired to first and Watson dropped the ball, allowing Joe to reach. All of a sudden the enraged Zimmer ran half naked from the clubhouse onto the field screaming at Watson, chasing Bob all the way into the clubhouse, forcing Jim Dwyer to take over at first. Anderson singled and Willie Davis pinch hit for Thon only to beat out a double play ball. With runners at the corners, Stanley got Miller to hit a comebacker to end the inning with the lead intact.

                                               Stanley keeping the Sox in front

Anderson moved to second base with Bert Campaneris now taking over at short to begin the top of the eighth. Lynn walked but Rice banged into a double play. Yaz grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox pissed the game away in the bottom of the eighth inning. Stanley froze Lansford for strike three before Ford and Baylor stroked back to singles. All of a sudden Zimmer escaped the clutches of the police, grabbed a bat and ran on the field to attack Stanley. Stanley wouldn't back down and ended up chasing Zimmer all the way into the clubhouse, leaving no one to pitch. Tom Burgmeier ran out of the bullpen before anyone could make a real decision. Aikens hit a routine grounder to first but Dwyer went OLE! and Ford scored all the way from second with the tying run. Had he made the play, it could have been an inning ending double play. Butch Hobson then picked Dick Drago's name out of Burleson's hat so Dick came in to pitch. Right on cue Downing slammed a single to score Baylor with the go-ahead run. Rudi popped up to third and Anderson grounded out to third to end the inning but the Angels now led 4-3.

                                              This guy manages better than Zimmer

The Sox had one last chance to take the game in the top of the ninth against closer Mark Clear. Dwyer at least drew a walk to somewhat make up for his error but the idiotic Zimmer decided to have the man that hit 40 homers in 1977 (Hobson) drop down a bunt to advance Jim to second. Evans grounded out and even though Dwyer was on third, there was now 2 out. Allenson went to bat but Zimmer tackled him to the ground and demanded Tom Poquette pinch hit. No one knew why this was a good idea and sure enough, Poquette flied out to right to end the game. The Angels had won it 4-3.

Jackass of the Night is Jim Dwyer for allowing the error in the eighth.

                                                       Dwyer you Jackass



The Good:

Rick Burleson was 1 for 3 with a stolen base, a run scored and was hit with a pitch.

Fred Lynn was 1 for 3 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Jim Rice was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Bob Watson was 1 for 3 with 2 rbi's.



The Bad:

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 4.

Butch Hobson was 0 for 3.

Dwight Evans was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Gary Allenson was 0 for 3.

Tom Poquette made the last out.

Dick Drago allowed the go-ahead run to score.



The Ugly:

Jack Brohamer was 0 for 3 but walked.

Bob Stanley went 7 2/3 innings and look the loss allowing 4 runs, but the final 2 runs were due to an error and the bullpen. He really should have had his 11th win.

Tom Burgmeier faced one man and he reached, but only because Dwyer couldn't make the play.




Final Thoughts:

That was a sucker punch to the go-nads after how well Stanley had pitched in this game. The lunatic Zimmer cost them another game by taking away Bob Watson's bat only for Jim Dwyer's glove to let them down. This all coming after that outburst in the first inning just makes it seem like this team wins in spite of Zim more often than not. He can't blame Bill Lee, Jim Wiloughby, Fergie Jenkins or Lee's other cronies anymore, its all on him now. The worst part about the loss is that the Orioles lost too meaning the Sox could have gained a game on the O's had they won. As it is the Sox are 52-32, still 3 games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox go after the Angels once again as Dennis Eckersley goes one on one with Dave Frost at 7:30 PM at Anaheim Stadium.

Sox Tame Tigers Late (6/27/79)

Better late than never for the Boston Red Sox in tonight's game against the Detroit Tigers. Rookie Joel Finch dueled Pat Underwood to a 0-0 tie after 6 innings. Finch then allowed a home run to Champ Summers to give the Tigers the lead in the bottom of the seventh. The Sox tied the game in the top of the ninth and Butch Hobson drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth. Bob Stanley (8-5, 3.55 ERA) slammed the door in the bottom of the ninth and the Sox had beaten the Tigers 3-1 at Tigers Stadium.

                                                   Michelle Drake approves of the win

Underwood got the ball in the top of the first and Jerry Remy took strike three to start. Rick Burleson popped up to second and Fred Lynn lined out to short to end the inning. Finch got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Ron LeFlore singled to right to start. LeFlore was doubled off first on the line drive by Rusty Staub to second and Steve Kemp grounded out to second to end the inning.

Jim Rice took strike three to start the top of the second but Bob Watson drew a walk. Watson stole second on the Carl Yastrzemski strikeout but Butch Hobson struck out to end the inning. Jason Thompson grounded out to first to start the bottom of the second before Lance Parrish popped up to third. Champ Summers grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the third as Dwight Evans popped up to first to start. Gary Allenson grounded out to second and Remy struck out to end the inning. Aureilo Rodriguez grounded out to short to start the bottom of the third but Bubba Trammell singled to right and took second when Evans airmailed the throw back to the infield. Dave Machemer hit a grounder to short and Trammell was thrown out at third. Machemer was then picked off of first to end the inning.

Burleson was plunked to start the top of the fourth but Lynn flied out to right. Rice singled to left to move Burleson to third but Jim was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double. Watson lined out to short to end the inning. Finch got in trouble in the bottom of the fourth although LeFlore struck out to start. Staub doubled to right and Kemp walked, but Thompson flied out to right. Parrish walked to load the bases but Summers struck out to end the inning.

Yaz grounded back to the mound to start the top of the fifth before Hobson flied out to left. Evans lined out to center to end the inning. Rodriguez grounded out to second to start the bottom of the fifth before Trammell grounded out to third. Machemer and LeFlore both drew walks but Staub grounded out to first to end the inning.

Allenson doubled to left to open the top of the sixth and moved to third on the Remy sacrifice bunt. He was stranded as Burleson struck out and Lynn popped up to short to end the inning. Kemp singled to left to start the bottom of the sixth but Thompson flied out to right. Parrish banged into a double play to end the inning.

Rice struck out to open the top of the seventh but Watson walked. Yaz struck out but Watson moved to second on a wild pitch. Hobson grounded out to third to end the inning. The Tigers finally tagged Finch in the bottom of the seventh as Summers hit a home run into Lake Ontario to give the Tigers the lead. Rodriguez flied out to right but Trammell singled to second to chase the rookie. Finch was tough but got no run support as he allowed just 1 run in 6 1/3 innings. Bob Stanley came in and Machemer screwed up a bunt, getting Trammell thrown out at second. LeFlore grounded out to short to end the inning with the Tigers ahead 1-0.

                                                            Good work Finch

The Sox wasted no time tying the game up in the top of the eighth with Mark Wagner now playing second base. Evans singled to right and Allenson dropped down a bunt to advance Dwight to second but ended up beating it out. Remy then dropped down a bunt of his own to advance the two runners. Dave Tobik came in to pitch and Burleson scored Evans with a sac fly to tie the game. Lynn flied out to center to end the inning but the game was tied 1-1.

                                                         Burleson ties it up

Stanley cruised in the bottom of the eighth as Staub flied out to left to start. Kemp grounded out in front of the plate and Thompson struck out to end the inning.

The Sox took command in the top of the ninth as Rice doubled to left to start. Watson walked but Yaz lined out to second. Hobson put the Sox on top with a double to center to score Rice and chase Tobik. Milt Wilcox came in to pitch and Tom Poquette pinch hit for Allenson. Poquette scored Watson with a sac fly for the big insurance run. Remy grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-1.

                                                 Herculean sac fly by Poquette

Stanley came back to close out the bottom of the ninth with Mike O'Berry behind the plate and Stan Papi in for Burleson at short. Parrish flied out to left and Summers flied out to center, but Rodriguez beat out an infield single to short. John Wockenfuss pinch hit for Trammell and hit a swinging bunt single. Mike O'Berry threw the ball away to advance the runners into scoring position. Jerry Morales pinch hit for Wagner and flied out to left to end the gane. The Sox had won it 3-1.

Hero of the Night is Butch Hobson. His rbi double in the top of the ninth put the Sox up for good.

                                                         Hobson is the Hero

The Good:

Jim Rice was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Bob Watson walked 3 times and scored a run.

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

Gary Allenson was 1 for 2.

Tom Poquette hit a sac fly in his only at bat.

Joel Finch tossed 6 1/3 innings of 1 run ball. He allowed 6 hits and walked 4 while striking out 2.

Bob Stanley got the win by tossing 2 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Fred Lynn was 0 for 4.

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Mike O'Berry made an error in the bottom of the ninth.

The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but dropped down a crucial bunt in the top of the ninth.

Rick Burleson was 0 for 2 but was hit by pitch and drove in a run.

Honorable Mention:

Stan Papi played short in the bottom of the ninth.

Final Thoughts:

That's how you fight to the bitter end. The Sox could have easily packed it in after being held scoreless through 7 innings but they fought back when it mattered. They did it with small ball too with timely bunts rather than towering home runs. Hobson saved the day big time and kudos to Stanley for keeping the Tigers off the board after Finch left. Finch seems like a breath of fresh air after the Sox lost Luis Tiant to the Yankees and dumped Bill Lee on the Expos. It would be completely unfair to expect Finch to replicate Tiant or Lee but for him to be good would help tremendously if the Sox want to beat out the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles this season. The O's look like they won't go away so the Sox are gonna have to bear down if they want to win the AL East this year. The win improved the Sox to 45-26, 4 games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox look to take two of three from Detroit when they send Steve Renko (5-2) to the mound against Jack Billingham of the Tigers. The game begins at 9:00 PM Eastern time at Tiger Stadium.

Sox Homer Parade Tames Tigers (6/20/79)

As the weather heats up, so do the Boston Red Sox bats. Tonight the Sox took their frustrations out on the Detroit Tigers by pounding out 14 hits and 13 runs with SIX home runs. Mike Torrez (7-4, 4.81 ERA) survived a shaky first inning to go the distance. When the dust cleared the Sox steamrolled the Tigers 13-3 at Fenway Park.

                                                         Ernie Shore approves of the win

The Tigers struck first in the contest with a big top of the first. Ron LeFlore and Rusty Staub drew back to back walks before Steve Kemp beat out a double play ball. Jason Thompson singled home LeFlore but Lance Parrish struck out swinging. Champ Summers doubled home Kemp and Thompson but Aurelio Rodriguez grounded out to short to end the inning with the Tigers up 3-0.

                                                           LeFlore starts the rally

Steve Baker got the start for Detroit and Jerry Remy led off with a walk. Rick Burleson popped up to right before Fred Lynn took strike three. Jim Rice grounded out to third to end the inning.

Torrez recovered in the top of the second as Alan Trammell flied out to center to start. Mark Wagner grounded out to second but LeFlore doubled to left. Staub flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the second as Carl Yastrzemski grounded out to second to start. Carlton Fisk walked before moving to second on the Bob Watson grounder. Dwight Evans whiffed to end the inning.

Torrez cruised in the top of the third as Kemp flied out to left to start. Thompson grounded out to first before Parrish struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the third as Butch Hobson doubled to right to begin. Hobson moved to third on the grounder by Remy but Burleson flied out to right. Lynn crushed his 17th home run of the lead to put the Sox back in it. Rice walked then Yaz cracked his 12th homer of the year to put the Sox ahead. Fisk lined out to center to end the inning but it was 4-3 Sox.

                                                           Lynn and Yaz deliver

Torrez got Summers swinging to start the top of the fourth before Rodriguez grounded out to short. Trammell singled to right but Wagner grounded into a force to end the inning. The Sox got another run in the bottom of the fourth as Watson singled to center to begin. Evans walked and Hobson beat out an infield single to load the bases. Remy lined out to left but Watson made a mad dash home to score a run. Burleson banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-3.

                                                         Herculean sac fly by Remy

LeFlore singled to start the top of the fifth before moving to second on the Staub grounder. Kemp grounded back to the mound before Thompson lined out to left to end the inning. Aurelio Lopez came in for the bottom of the fifth and Lynn doubled to start. Rice grounded out to third before Yaz lined out to left. Fisk grounded out to first to end the inning.

Torrez cruised in the top of the sixth as Parrish watched strike three go by to begin. Summers popped up to first and Rodriguez grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox poured it on in the bottom of the sixth as Watson croaked his first home run as a member of the Red Sox to begin. Evans then smashed his 9th home run of the year to go back to back. Hobson walked but Remy flied out to left before Burleson doubled home Butch with another run to chase Lopez. Fernando Arroyo came in and Lynn grounded out to second. Rice grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-3.

                                                    Watson and Evans go back to back

Torrez got in trouble when Trammell singled to open the top of the seventh and Wagner walked. LeFlore beat out a double play ball but Staub didn't and the Sox were out of the inning. The relentless offense kept up the pace in the bottom of the seventh although Yaz flied out to left to start. Fisk doubled to left and Watson beat out an infield single. Evans doubled home Fisk and Hobson cleared the bases with his 9th bomb of the year to run up the score. Remy grounded out to short and Burleson flied out to left to end the inning but the score was now 12-3.

                                                              Hobson hits one out

Sox manager Don Zimmer emptied the bench in the top of the eighth as rookie Gary Allenson took over for Fisk behind the plate, Jim Dwyer took over at first for Yaz, Larry Wolfe took over for Remy at second, Jack Brohamer took over at third for Hobson, Stan Papi took over at short for Burleson and Tom Poquette took over for Lynn in center. Kemp grounded out to first to start before Thompson grounded out to first as well. Parrish flied out to right to end the inning. The Tigers emptied their bench in the bottom of the eighth as Kip Young took over on the mound, Ed Putman took over behind the plate, Phil Mankowski took over at third and Lynn Jones took over in left. Poquette grounded out to short before Rice popped up to second. Dwyer wrapped up the scoring with his first home run of the year to increase the lead. Allenson grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 13-3.

                                                             Home run Dwyer

Torrez came back to finish the job in the top of the ninth as Summers grounded out to second to start. Mankowski took strike three but Trammell singled to center. Wagner flied out to end the game. The Sox had beaten the Tigers to a pulp 13-3.

Hero of the Night is Mike Torrez. He tossed a complete game allowing just the three runs off 5 hits and 4 walks.

                                                         Torrez is the Hero



The Good:

Fred Lynn was 2 for 4 with a 2 run home run.

Jim Dwyer homered in his only at-bat.

Carlton Fisk was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Bob Watson was 3 for 4 with a solo home run and 3 runs scored.

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

Butch Hobson was 3 for 3 with a walk including a 3 run homer and 3 total runs scored.



The Bad:

Tom Poquette was 0 for 1 in his only plate appearance.

Gary Allenson was 0 for 1 at the plate.



The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was 0 for 3 but walked and drove in a run.

Rick Burleson was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run.

Jim Rice was 0 for 4 but walked and scored.

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a 2 run homer.



Honorable Mention:

Larry Wolfe played second base in the final two innings.

Stan Papi played shortstop in the final two innings.

Jack Brohamer played third base in the final two innings.




Final Thoughts:

That was a massacre for sure and it was nice to see Torrez pitch well. The key to this season is if they have enough pitching to win the division for the first time since 1975. Not having Bill Lee and Luis Tiant sucks but hopefully Steve Renko and Bob Stanley can replace their production from last year. The bats are still hot and the acquisition of Bob Watson has been huge already. The Sox are only a few games behind the Orioles and they need to win as many games as they can to compete with Baltimore. As for this game, great win...hope they can do it again tomorrow. The win improved the Sox to 40-25, 3.5 games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox look to take 3 of 4 from the Tigers when they send Dennis Eckersley (7-3) up against Jack Morris of the Tigers at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.