Sox Snap Streak, Beat Indians (5/16/70)

Hey look, the Boston Red Sox finally won a game. After getting walked off twice and dropping 5 straight games, the Sox are back in the win column....briefly anyway. Ray Culp (3-4, 2.39 ERA) was the stopper in this one, outdueling Dean Chance of the Cleveland Indians while tossing a complete game 5 hitter. Culp went the distance allowing 2 unearned runs to help the Sox win the game. Offensively the Sox put two runs up against Chance but got 4 more against Dennis Higgins to put themselves up for good. Tony Conigliaro, Carl Yastrzemski and Rico Petrocelli all went deep to help the Sox snap their streak with a 6-2 win over the Indians at Fenway Park.

                                                   Helen Mirren approves of the win

Culp got the ball in the top of the first inning and Larry Brown popped up to short to start. Ted Uhlaender struck out swinging but Tony Horton singled to left. Horton swiped second but Vada Pinson took strike three to end the inning. Chance got the ball in the bottom of the first and Dick Schofield grounded back to the mound to start. Reggie Smith singled to center but Carl Yastrzemski flied out to center. Tony Conigliaro singled Smith to third but Rico Petrocelli forced Tony at second to end the inning.

Duke Sims flied out to right to start the top of the second before Graig Nettles struck out swinging. Ray Fosse struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the second as George Scott grounded back to the mound to start. Mike Andrews popped up to second and Gerry Moses grounded out to third to end the inning.

Jack Heidemann singled to left to start the top of the third and Chance hit a routine grounder to Culp. Ray tried to kick the ball over to first for an error but Brown beat out a double play ball. Uhlaender popped up to first and Horton forced Brown at second to end the inning. Culp grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the third before Schofield was plunked. Smith doubled to right and Yaz was intentionally walked to load the bases. Tony C banged into a double play to end the inning.

The Indians struck first in the top of the fourth as Pinson singled to right to begin. Sims flied out to right but Nettles singled to center. Culp had Pinson picked off second but he airmailed the throw, allowing Pinson to score and Nettles made it all the way to third. Fosse then dropped down a suicide squeeze to score Nettles to increase the lead. Heidemann grounded out to first to end the inning with the Indians up 2-0.

                                                       Stop throwing the ball away

Petrocelli tried to start a rally with a base hit to left to start the bottom of the fourth but Scott struck out swinging. Andrews banged into a double play to end the inning.

Culp froze Chance for strike three to start the top of the fifth and Brown grounded out to third. Uhlaender popped up to third to end the inning. Chance matched Culp in the bottom of the fifth as Moses flied out to left to start. Culp grounded out to third and Schofield struck out swinging to end the inning.

Horton grounded out to third to open the top of the sixth but Pinson singled to center. Sims struck out swinging and Nettles grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the sixth as Smith lined out to center to start. Yaz doubled to right and Tony C whalloped his eighth home run of the season to tie the game. Petrocelli and Scott both grounded out to short to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                           Tony C ties it

Foss struck out swinging to start the top of the seventh before Heidemann walked, Russ Nagelson pinch hit for Chance but struck out swinging before Brown flied out to left to end the inning. Dennis Higgins came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Andrews was plunked to start. Andrews was thrown out trying to steal second and Moses grounded out to third. Culp took strike three to end the inning.

Uhlaender walked to start the top of the eighth but Horton hit into a double play. Pinson flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox took command in the bottom of the eighth as Schofield walked to start. Smith walked as well and Yaz pulverized a 3 run home run to give the Sox the lead. Tony C grounded out to first but Petrocelli smashed his fifth home run of the season to ice the game. Scott grounded back to the mound but Andrews walked. Moses was intentionally walked to get to Culp and Ray hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-2.

                                                          Yaz with a 3 run bomb

Culp returned to finish the job in the top of the ninth and Sims flied out to center to start. Nettles flied out to left and Fosse also flied out to left to end the game. The Sox had snapped their losing streak with a 6-2 win.

We have Co-Heroes of the Night is Ray Culp. He went the distance allowing just 5 hits and 2 unearned runs for the complete game win.

                                                                Culp The Hero

The Good:

Reggie Smith was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Carl Yastrzemski was 2 for 3 with a walk, 3 run homer and 2 total runs scored.

Tony Conigliaro was 2 for 4 with a 2 run homer.

Rico Petrocelli was 2 for 4 with a home run.

The Bad:

George Scott was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Dick Schofield was 0 for 2 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Mike Andrews was 0 for 2 but walked.

Gerry Moses was 0 for 3 but walked.

Final Thoughts:

Thank god the Sox finally won a game. Its a shame the Sox fell flat on their face after the April they had but the pitching just isn't that good. If Jim Lonborg could rediscover his 1967 self and Mike Nagy developed into the ace everyone thought he would, they'd be right there with the Baltimore Orioles this season. A rotation of ace Lonborg, Sonny Siebert, Culp and Nagy all doing well could put them with Baltimore but it doesn't look like it'll happen. It was a good win today with the offense producing but down the road offense can only do so much without pitching. Still, a win is a win even if its over the worthless Cleveland Indians. The win improved the Sox to 15-17, 8.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox now welcome the Detroit Tigers to Fenway for a set. Mike Nagy goes for the Sox up against Joe Niekro of the Tigers tomorrow night at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Beat Angels for 5th Straight Win (5/1/70)

Don't look now but the Boston Red Sox have gotten hot. After wiping out the Oakland A's in four straight games, the Sox made it five in a row with the California Angels as their latest victims. Ray Culp (2-3, 3.16 ERA) went the distance, allowing 6 hits and 3 runs to earn his second win of the season. On the offensive side, the Red Sox pounded out four home runs. 2 from Carl Yastrzemski and one from both Reggie Smith and George Scott. The Sox as a team pounded out 12 hits and 8 runs as they defeated the Angels 8-3 at Fenway Park.

                                                        Barbara Hillary approves of the win

Culp got the ball in the top of the first inning and Sandy Alomar lined a base hit to center to start. Alomar stole second but Roger Repoz struck out swinging. Jim Fregosi singled to left to put runners at the corners but Alex Johnson banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox struck first against Angels starter Tom Murphy as Mike Andrews popped up to third to start. Reggie Smith singled to right, took second on a wild pitch and stole third. Carl Yastrzemski then smashed a 2 run bomb to put Boston on top. Tony Conigliaro walked but Rico Petrocelli banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                                      Yaz goes deep

Culp cruised in the the top of the second as Jim Spencer grounded out to first to start. Ken McMullen struck out swinging and Bill Voss flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the second as George Scott belted his fourth home run of the season to increase the lead. Luis Alvarado doubled to left and moved to third on a fly ball to right by Gerry Moses. Culp aided his own cause with a base hit to center to score Alvarado to add to the lead. Andrews banged into a double play to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 4-0.

                                                          Scott goes deep

The Angels struck back in the top of the third as Joe Azcue hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Murphy grounded out to short but Alomar reached on an error by Alvarado. Repoz walked and Fregosi lashed a base hit to left to load the bases. Johnson singled to left to score Alomar and Repoz to cut the lead. Spencer struck out swinging to end the inning with the Angels down 4-2.

                                                       Johnson inches the Angels closer

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the third as Smith grounded out to first to start. Yaz grounded out to second and Tony C grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Angels got another run in the top of the fourth as McMullen doubled to center to start. McMullen moved to third on a grounder by Voss to first and scored on the sac fly to center by Azcue. Murphy struck out swinging to end the inning with the Angels down 4-3.

                                                     Azcue drives in a run

The Sox fought back in the bottom of the fourth as Petrocelli doubled to left to start. Scott doubled home Rico to chase Murphy from the game. Eddie Fisher came in and Alvarado moved Scott to third with a grounder to first. Moses grounded out to short and Culp grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-3.

                                                              Petrocelli scores a run

Culp cruised in the top of the fifth as Alomar flied out to center to start. Repoz grounded out to first and Fregosi grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox got another run in the bottom of the fifth as Andrews grounded out to third to start. Smith grounded out to second but Yaz smashed his second home run of the game to ice it. Tony C singled to left but Petrocelli flied out to left to end the inning with Boston ahead 6-3.

                                                              Yaz with another home run

Johnson flied out to center to open the top of the sixth before Spencer struck out swinging. McMullen struck out swinging to end the inning. Scott singled to left to start the bottom of the sixth before Alvarado struck out swinging. Moses flied out to left and Culp forced Scott at second to end the inning.

Voss flied out to center to start the top of the seventh before Azcue struck out swinging. Jay Johnstone pinch hit for Fisher and popped up to first to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the seventh as Wally Wolf came in to pitch. Andrews flied out to right but Smith clobbered his fourth home run of the season to add to the lead. Yaz walked and stole second before Tony C struck out swinging. Petrocelli doubled to left to score Yaz but Scott struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 8-3.

                                                            Smith with his fourth homer

Alomar took strike three to open the top of the eighth and Repoz struck out swinging. Fregosi grounded out to short to end the inning. Alvarado flied out to center to start the bottom of the eighth before Moses took strike three. Culp took strike three to end the inning.

Culp came back to finish the job in the top of the ninth as Johnson grounded back to the mound to start. Spencer flied out to center but McMullen singled to left. Voss popped up to third to end the game. The Sox had won it 8-3.

Hero of the Night is Ray Culp. Not only did he go the distance to earn the win, he also knocked in a run of his own.

                                                                  Hero Culp

The Good:

Reggie Smith was 2 for 4 with a stolen base, solo home run and 2 runs scored.

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

Tony Conigliaro was 1 for 3 with a walk.

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

George Scott was 3 for 4 with a home run and 2 total rbis.

The Bad:

Mike Andrews was 0 for 4.

Gerry Moses was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Luis Alvarado was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

After the up and down month of April the Red Sox have, starting May on the right foot is just what the doctor ordered. Culp looked good in this one and the Sox needed a start like that from him big time. The offense is clicking even if Moses has come down to earth. Swapping Tony C and Scott in the batting order has done wonders since Scott has been tearing the cover off the ball lately. The offense was always going to score runs, its preventing them that's the problem. Culp got the job done today and hopefully the trend can continue this month. The win improved the Sox to 12-8, 2 games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look for win number six in a row tomorrow afternoon when Vicente Romo gets the start against Clyde Wright of the Angels. The game begins at 2:00 PM at Fenway Park.

Basebawful Report of The Month

Luis Alvarado - 8 Good, 5 Bad, 6 Ugly

Mike Andrews - 7 Good, 1 Bad, 11 Ugly

Ken Brett - 2 Good, 2 Bad, 2 Jackass

Billy Conigliaro - 1 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Hero

Tony Conigliaro - 8 Good, 3 Bad, 5 Ugly, 1 Hero

Ray Culp - 1 Good, 1 Hero, 2 Jackass

Mike Derrick - 2 Good, 3 Bad, 1 Ugly

Ray Jarvis - 3 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Bill Lee - 2 Good, 2 Hero, 1 Jackass

Jim Lonborg - 1 Good, 2 Hero

Sparky Lyle - 6 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Ugly

Tommy Matchick - 1 Good, 2 Bad

Gerry Moses - 8 Good, 4 Bad, 4 Ugly

Don Pavletich - 2 Bad

Gary Peters - 2 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Hero, 1 Jackass

Rico Petrocelli - 10 Good, 4 Bad, 5 Ugly

Ed Phillips - 3 Good, 3 Ugly

Vicente Romo - 5 Good

Tom Satriano - 1 Good

Dick Schofield - 4 Good, 2 Bad

George Scott - 7 Good, 1 Bad, 11 Ugly

Sonny Siebert - 1 Good, 2 Bad, 1 Jackass

Reggie Smith - 9 Good, 2 Bad, 5 Ugly, 2 Hero, 1 Honorable Mention

Lee Strange - 2 Good, 1 Bad, 2 Ugly

Carl Yastrzemski - 7 Good, 1 Bad, 10 Ugly, 1 Hero

Most Valuable Player is Rico Petrocelli with 10 Good

Least Valuable Player is Luis Alvarado with 5 Bad

Ugliest Player of the Month is Mike Andrews with 11 Ugly

Heroes of the Month are Bill Lee, Jim Lonborg and Reggie Smith with 2 Heroes

Jackasses of the Month are Ken Brett and Ray Culp with 2 Jackass

Honorable Player of the Month is Reggie Smith with 1 Honorable Mention

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.

Sox Beat A's in Beanball War (4/29/70)

After the first two games of this four game set between the Boston Red Sox and Oakland A's were clean, hard fought contests....tonight's game eroded into a beanball war that erupted into a full fledged brawl in the sixth inning. It started when Sox starter Sonny Siebert (1-1, 7.71 ERA) nearly hit A's starter Chuck Dobson in the head in the top of the fifth. Dobson responded by plunking Sonny in the bottom of the frame. Siebert retaliated by hitting Reggie Jackson and a melee ensued. Siebert and George Thomas of the Red Sox were ejected while Blue Moon Odom and Jackson of the A's were tossed as well. Once the brawl was over, the Sox held on to win the game 5-3 over the Athletics at Fenway Park.

                     World middleweight champ Paul Pender approves of the fighting Sox

Siebert got the ball in the top of the first inning and Felipe Alou grounded out to second to start. Rick Monday struck out swinging and Reggie Jackson went down hacking to end the inning. The Sox got to Dobson in the bottom of the first as Mike Andrews singled to center to start. Luis Alvarado singled to right and a wild pitch moved both runners over. Carl Yastrzemski put the Sox on top with a base hit to center to score both runners but was thrown out at second trying to steal. Tony Conigliaro walked but Rico Petrocelli popped up to first in foul territory. George Scott forced Petrocelli at second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                          Yaz drives in a pair

Siebert struck out Sal Bando swinging to start the top of the second and Don Mincher went down hacking as well. Dick Green singled to left but Dave Duncan hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. Billy Conigliaro grounded out to third to start the bottom of the second and Tom Satriano made his season debut with a base hit to center. Satriano moved to second on the grounder by Siebert but Andrews lined out to right to end the inning.

Roberto Pena lined out to center to start the top of the third before Dobson struck out swinging. Alou popped up to second to end the inning. Alvarado popped up to short to begin the bottom of the third before Yaz flied out to left. Tony C grounded out to third to end the inning.

All of a sudden Petrocelli keeled over in the dugout for no reason and had to be carried out on a stretcher, loaded into an ambulance and was rushed to Mass General's ICU. Dick Schofield came in to play short in the top of the fourth and as Monday struck out swinging to start. Jackson singled to center and stole second before Bando walked. Both runners pulled off a double steal but Mincher took strike three. Green struck out swinging to end the inning.

                                                 "Here I come to save the dayyyyyyy" - DS

Schofield flied out to center to start the bottom of the fourth and Scott struck out swinging. Billy C was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to end the inning.

Things got testy in the top of the fifth as Duncan singled to left to start. Pena flied out to right but Siebert threw at the head of Dobson. Dobson was mad and ended up popping up to first. Alou singled to center but Monday struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fifth as Satriano popped up to third to begin. Dobson hit Siebert in the back but Andrews singled up the middle. Alvarado doubled to left to score Siebert and Yaz was intentionally walked to load the bases. Tony C dropped a base hit to left to score Andrews and chase Dobson from the game. Paul Lindblad came in and Schofield banged into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-0.

                                                     Alvarado drives in a run

Jackson stepped to the plate to start the top of the sixth and Siebert hit him with a pitch. Jackson charged the mound and a pier six brawl ensued. When the dust settled, George Thomas, Blue Moon Odom, Siebert and Jackson were all ejected. Jose Tartabull came in to run for Jackson as Lee Strange came in for Siebert who ended up tossing 5 shutout innings. Bando popped up to first but Mincher walked. Green and Duncan both struck out swinging to end the inning.

                                                Starts a fight while pitching a shutout

Scott tripled into the right field corner to start the bottom of the sixth but Billy C struck out swinging. Satriano walked and Strange hit a fly ball to right. Scott took off for home and was thrown out to end the inning.

The A's struck back in the top of the seventh although Pena flied out to center to start. Tito Francona pinch hit for Lindblad and hit a home run all the way to Portland, Maine. That was it for Strange as Ken Brett came in and Alou walked to greet him. Monday struck out swinging and Taratabull grounded into a force to end the inning with the A's down 4-1.

                                                        Francona pinch hits with a home run

Diego Segui took over for the bottom of the seventh and Andrews popped up to first to start. Alvarado doubled to left and Yaz was intentionally walked, but Tony C singled home Alvarado to increase the lead. Reggie Smith pinch ran for Tony C and Mudcat Grant came in to pitch and Schofield hit into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-1.

                                                      Conigliaro drives in a run

The A's struck back in the top of the eighth as Bando walked to start. Mincher doubled to center and that was it for Brett. Ed Phillips came in and Green scored Bando with a grounder to short. A wild pitch moved Mincher to third but Duncan struck out swinging. Pena singled in the hole at second to score Mincher with another run. Bob Johnson pinch hit for Grant and flied out to left to end the inning with the A's down 5-3.

                                    Can you not allow inherited runners to score, Ed?

Rollie Fingers came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Scott flied out to right to start. A wild pitch moved Scott to second and Billy C moved him to third with a fly ball to center. Satriano and Phillips both grounded out to third to end the inning.

Alou singled to left to start the top of the ninth and Sparky Lyle was brought in to put out the fire. Monday took strike three and Tartabull dropped down a bunt to move Alou to second but Bando lined out to second to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-3.

Hero of the Night is Tony Conigliaro. His two rbis were the difference in the game.

                                                              Tony C the Hero

The Good:

Mike Andrews was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored.

Luis Alvarado was 3 for 4 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Carl Yastrzemski was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and 2 rbis.

George Scott was 2 for 4.

Tom Satriano was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Sonny Siebert tossed 5 shutout innings and scored a run as a batter.

Sparky Lyle earned his 5th save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Rico Petrocelli was 0 for 1.

Dick Schofield was 0 for 3.

Billy Conigliaro was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Lee Strange was charged with a run in 1 1/3 innings.

Ken Brett was charged with 2 runs in 2/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Ed Phillips allowed 2 inherited runners to score but none of his own in an inning of work.

Honorable Mention:

Reggie Smith played center in the final 2 innings.

Final Thoughts:

The Sox needed a strong end to the month to get some momentum going and they've won 3 straight games to put them in a position to not only sweep the A's but to finish April over .500. The Sox were perfectly mediocre this month and they couldn't afford to be with the 109 win Baltimore Orioles looking for a repeat with almost the exact same team back this year. As for this game, Siebert getting himself thrown out by throwing at people wasn't the smartest decision considering the A's scored 3 runs in the next 3 innings after he was gone. The A's are going to want revenge tomorrow and the odds of the Sox sweeping four straight just dropped. Sox manager Eddie Kasko switched up the lineup a little bit by starting Satirano and Billy Conigliaro. Alvarado and Andrews got hot so it would behoove Kasko to not tinker too much with what's working. Siebert got his first win of the season but both Conigliaro and Petrocelli had to leave the game. Hopefully they won't be out too long. The Sox look for the series sweep in the final game of the month tomorrow afternoon. Gary Peters (2-1) goes up against Jim Roland of the Athletics at 2:05 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.

Romo Outduels Hunter, Sox Beat A's (4/27/70)

The Boston Red Sox needed a big lift from spot starter Vicente Romo (1-0) when tasked against arguably the Oakland Athletics' best pitcher Catfish Hunter, and they got it. Hunter allowed 4 runs in a complete game effort against the Boston offense but Romo allowed just 3 in 8 innings of work. Reggie Smith scored on a wild pitch and hit a home run, Carl Yastrzemski knocked in Mike Andrews and George Scott doubled home Rico Petrocelli for all the offense the Sox would need. Sparky Lyle slammed the door in the top of the ninth inning and the Red Sox had beaten the A's in the first game of a four game set 4-3 at Fenway Park.

                                                         Pete Townshend approves of the win

Romo got the ball in the top of the first inning and Felipe Alou flied out to left to start. Rick Monday singled to center but was picked off trying to steal. Reggie Jackson flied out to center to end the inning. Hunter got the ball in the bottom of the first and Mike Andrews struck out swinging to start. Reggie Smith tripled into the centerfield triangle and scored on a wild pitch to give the Sox the lead. Carl Yastrzemski flied out to left and Tony Conigliaro grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                         Smith triples and scores

Sal Bando popped up to first to open the bottom of the second but Don Mincher walked. Dick Green singled to second but Frank Fernandez struck out swinging. Roberto Pena flied out to left to end the inning. Hunter cruised in the bottom of the second as Rico Petrocelli popped up to third in foul territory to start. George Scott lined out to Hunter and Gerry Moses grounded out to short to end the inning.

Hunter flied out to right to begin the top of the third but Alou got a base hit to center. Smith dove on the ball and clawed at it like a cat for an error to advance Alou to second. Monday singled to left and Yaz threw home to keep Alou from scoring but Monday took second on the throw. Romo got a big out when Jackson struck out swinging and Bando grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox got another run in the bottom of the third as Luis Alvarado grounded out to third to start. Romo grounded out to third but Andrews walked. Smith atoned for his error with a base hit to center and Yaz scored Andrews with a base hit to right. Yaz stole second but Tony C flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                          Yaz drives in a run

The Athletics struck back in the top of the fourth as Mincher flied out to center to start. Green struck out swinging but Fernandez hit a home run all the way to Calgary, Alberta Canada to cut the lead. Pena popped up to first to end the inning but the A's were down 2-1.

                                                                 Fernandez goes deep

Petrocelli struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fourth and Scott also went down hacking. Moses popped up to short to end the inning.

Romo cruised in the top of the fifth as Hunter grounded out to short to start. Alou struck out swinging and Monday grounded out to second to end the inning. Alvarado singled to left to start the bottom of the fifth but was doubled off first on a bullet hit to Green by Romo. Andrews grounded out to third to end the inning.

The A's struck again in the top of the sixth as Jackson grounded out to first to start. Bando dropped a base hit to left but Yaz gunned him down trying to stretch a double. Mincher then hit a 59,000 foot home run to tie the game. Green popped up to short to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                           Mincher ties the game

Smith walked to start the bottom of the sixth but was doubled off first on the bullet to Mincher hit by Yaz. Tony C grounded out to short to end the inning.

Fernandez hit one up the elevator shaft to start the top of the seventh but Moses dropped it for an error. Frank flied out to center anyway and Pena flied out to right. Hunter struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox took the lead in the bottom of the seventh as Petrocelli doubled off the Monster to start. Scott doubled to right to score Rico to give the Sox the lead. Moses grounded out to third and Alvarado was intentionally walked. Romo dropped down a bunt to move the runners over but Andrews popped up to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-2.

                                                         Scott drives in a run

The A's wasted no time tying the game in the top of the eighth as Alou popped up to short to start. Monday then cracked a 10,000 foot home run to tie the game. Jackson popped up to third and Bando grounded out to short to end the inning with the game tied 3-3. Romo did well, tossing 8 innings and allowing 3 long balls on a spot start.

                                                       Romo goes 8 innings

The Sox went up for good in the bottom of the eighth as Smith launched his third home run of the season to give the Sox the lead. Yaz grounded out to first and Tony C grounded out to third, but Petrocelli singled to left. Scott forced Rico at second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-3.

                                                         Smith puts the Sox on top

Romo tried to go the distance but was chased in the top of the ninth when Mincher singled to left. Sparky Lyle came in to pitch and old friend Jose Tartabull came in to run for Mincher. Green banged into a double play and Fernandez took strike three to end the game. The Sox had won it 4-3.

Hero of the Night is Reggie Smith. He scored the first run and hit the go-ahead home run in the bottom of the eighth.

                                                             Reggie Hero

The Good:

Rico Petrocelli was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Luis Alvarado was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Vicente Romo got the win with 8 innings of 3 run ball. He allowed 9 hits and a walk while striking out five.

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

The Bad:

Tony Conigliaro was 0 for 4.

Gerry Moses was 0 for 3 with an error.

The Ugly:

Mike Andrews was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and stole a base.

George Scott was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Final Thoughts:

That was a good start to the series and kudos to Sox manager Eddie Kasko for switching up the lineup for once. Dropping Petrocelli and Scott for their struggles seems to have worked considering they both got big hits today. Rolling the dice on Romo worked out this time as he responded with a great game that outdid Catfish Hunter, one of the best young pitchers in the game. Lyle hasn't allowed an earned run yet so he definitely should be in consideration for someone to close out the games if the starters can't go the distance. Reggie Smith was the hero today with the eighth inning home run and hopefully that can spark the Sox on a long winning streak to close the gap between them and the Baltimore Orioles. Tomorrow night Bill Lee (0-1) looks to rebound from his last start when he takes on Al Downing of the Athletics. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.