Sox Mount Comeback Against Orioles (4/26/81)

The bad news is the Boston Celtics fell behind 3 games to 1 in the East Finals to the Philadelphia Sixers after their Game 4 loss, the good news is the Boston Red Sox came back to beat the Baltimore Orioles in today's matinee game. Dennis Eckersley (2-1, 6.23 ERA) picked up where he left off by getting shelled in the first inning for four runs. Then a switch flipped and he allowed just one run the rest of the game. The Sox kept it close but still trailed 5-3 going into the eighth inning. Rbi's by Jerry Remy and Carl Yastrzemski put the Sox up for good. Eckersley ended up going the distance as the Sox stunned the Orioles 7-5 at Memorial Stadium.

                                                       Rick Robey approves of the win

Palmer got the ball in the top of the first and Jerry Remy led off by flying out to left to begin. Dwight Evans flied out to center and Carl Yastrzemski struck out swinging to end the inning. Eckersley began his day by getting pounded in the bottom of the first inning. Al Bumbry walked to start before swiping second base. Rich Dauer singled Bumbry to third and Jim Dwyer singled home Bumbry to give the O's the lead. Ken Singleton crushed a home run all the way to the White House to put the O's up four without an out. Suddenly Eck flipped the switch and John Lowenstein grounded out to first. Terry Crowley flied out to center and Rick Dempsey took strike three to end the inning with Baltimore up 4-0.

                                                      "That's the end of this losing stuff"

The Sox began their comeback in the top of the second although Jim Rice grounded out to short to start. Tony Perez walked but Carney Lansford popped up to second. Gary Allenson clubbed his third home run of the season to put the Sox on the board. Glenn Hoffman and Rick Miller stroked back to back singles but Remy grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox down 4-2.

                                                        Allenson hits a homer

Doug DeCinces flied out to left to begin the bottom of the second and Mark Belanger struck out swinging. Bumbry also whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox got another run back in the top of the third as Evans walked to start. Yaz singled Dwight to third but Rice popped up to second. Perez hit a sac fly to score Evans and Lansford singled to left. Allenson flied out to left to end the inning but the Sox were down 4-3.

                                                        Perez with a big sac fly

The O's struck back in the bottom of the third although Dauer flied out to left to start. Dwyer singled to right and Singleton doubled him home. Lowenstein struck out swinging but Crowley was intentionally walked. Dempsey singled to left but Singleton was thrown out at home by Rice to end the inning with the O's up 5-3.

                                                                YERRR OUT!

Hoffman lined out to third to start the top of the fourth and Miller grounded back to the mound. Remy grounded out to second to end the inning. Eck settled down in the bottom of the fourth as DeCinces grounded out to third to start. Belanger struck out swinging and Bumbry grounded out to short to end the inning.

Palmer cruised in the top of the fifth as Evans struck out swinging to start. Yaz grounded back to the mound and Rice flied out to right to end the inning. Dauer struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth and Dwyer flied out to left. Singleton doubled to left but Lowenstein grounded out to short to end the inning.

Perez flied out to center to start the top of the sixth and Lansford lined out to left. Allenson walked but Hoffman flied out to right to end the inning. Crowley hit one up the elevator shaft to start the bottom of the sixth and Dempsey popped up to short. Dauer popped up to second to end the inning.

The Sox inched closer in the top of the seventh as Miller singled to left to begin. Remy lined out to left and that was it for Palmer. Tim Stoddard came in and Evans singled to left. Yaz lined out to short but Rice was hit with a pitch to load the bases. Perez hit a swinging bunt down the third base line to score Miller and re-load the bases. Lansford grounded into a force to end the inning but it was now 5-4 Orioles.

                                                        Miller scores a run

Belanger flied out to right to start the bottom of the seventh before Bumbry grounded out to first. Dauer popped up to second to end the inning.

The Sox rallied in the top of the eighth although Allenson whiffed to start. Hoffman singled to center and Miller doubled him to third. Remy put the Sox on top with a base hit that scored both runners. Sammy Stewart replaced Stoddard and Evans walked. Yaz hit a drive to deep right that scored Remy all the way from second to increase the lead. Rice walked but Perez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-5.

                                                  Remy puts the Sox ahead

Eck now had the lead and Dwyer grounded out to third to start the bottom of the eighth. Who else but Singleton singled to left but Lowenstein struck out swinging. Crowley got the first hit by anyone other than Singleton since the third inning with a rocket to center but Dempsey grounded into a force to end the inning.

                                                                Great recovery by Eck

Lansford took strike three to start the top of the ninth but Allenson singled to left. Allenson got picked off and Hoffman lined out to first to end the inning. After the first inning, no one expected Eck to still be standing by the bottom of the ninth but there he was.  DeCinces flied out to right and Dan Graham pinch hit for Belanger. Graham grounded out to first and Bumbry flied out to center to end the game. Somehow Eck went the distance and the Sox came back to win 7-5.

Hero of the Night is Jerry Remy. He got the 2 run single to put the Sox up for good.

                                                           Remy the Hero

The Good:

Dwight Evans was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Tony Perez was 1 for 3 with a walk, 2 rbis and a run scored.

Gary Allenson was 2 for 4 with a walk and a 2 run home run.

Glenn Hoffman was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Rick Miller was 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

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

Jim Rice was 0 for 3 but walked and was hit with a pitch.

Carney Lansford was just 1 for 5.

Dennis Eckersley tossed a complete game to get the win but he allowed 5 runs, 9 hits and 2 walks.

Final Thoughts:

That was a gutsy win for sure by the Sox. Eckersley was down 4-0 without an out in the bottom of the first and not only did the Sox come back to win, Eck survived to go the distance. Its been an up and down month to this point but the Sox are hanging in there 12 games into the season. There's been rumors of a player's strike that may hit during the season so fans need to enjoy these games while they last. Once again Allenson is never going to be Carlton Fisk but he's started out decent this season so far. Glad to see the bottom of the order getting it done with Allenson, Hoffman and Miller getting on base for the other guys. Not every win is going to be pretty and that was as ugly as it gets. The Sox look to keep the momentum going as they head to Texas to face the same Rangers they played a week ago. Tomorrow night its the big rematch with Mike Torrez (1-0) once again taking on Doc Medich at 10:05 PM Eastern time at Arlington Stadium.

Flanagan, Orioles Shut Down Sox (4/25/81)

After an off-day and a rainout, the Boston Red Sox looked flat as a pancake in today's game against the Baltimore Orioles. Frank Tanana (0-2, 5.21 ERA) got his brains beat in as he allowed 6 runs while getting knocked out in the fifth inning. Mark Clear allowed a run in relief but the story was O's starter Mike Flanagan. Flanagan tossed a complete game while allowing just 4 hits and 2 runs to the sleeepwalking Sox. A home run by Jim Rice and a pinch hit rbi single by Joe Rudi were all the Sox could do against Flanagan. The Orioles had beaten the Sox 7-2 at Memorial Stadium.

                                                "You lost again....you...lost...AGAIN?"

Flanagan began his dominance in the top of the first as Dwight Evans lined out to center to start. Dave Stapleton singled to left but both Carl Yastrzemski and Jim Rice struck out swinging to end the inning. Tanana got the ball in the bottom of the first and Carney Lansford booted a grounder by Al Bumbry for an error to start. Rich Dauer walked but Jose Morales banged into a double play. Ken Singleton struck out swinging to end the inning.

Flanagan cruised in the top of the second as Tony Perez grounded out to third to start. Lansford grounded out to second and Gary Allenson flied out to center to end the inning. Tanana turned up the head in the bottom of the second as he struck out Benny Ayala swinging to start. Doug DiCinces and Gary Roenicke both took strike three to end the inning.

Glenn Hoffman grounded out to third to begin the top of the third and Rick Miller flied out to center. Evans walked but Stapleton grounded out to third to end the inning. Tanana matched Flanagan in the bottom of the third as Rick Dempsey flied out to center to start. Mark Belanger struck out swinging and Bumbry grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the fourth although Yaz flied out to center to start. Rice stepped up and cracked his second home run of the season to put Boston on top. Perez struck out swinging but Lansford reached on an error by Dauer. Allenson lined out to third to end the inning but it was 1-0 Sox.

                                                             Rice hits one out

The floodgates opened in the bottom of the fourth as Dauer and Morales stroked back to back singles to start. Singleton beat out a double play ball but Ayala singled home Dauer to tie the game. DeCinces singled home Singleton and Roenicke singled home Ayala to give the O's the lead. Dempsey singled to load the bases but Belanger took strike three. Bumbry grounded out to first to end the inning with the O's up 3-1.

                                                           DeCinces puts the O's on top

The Sox went quietly in the top of the fifth as Hoffman grounded out to third to start. Miller flied out to left and Evans whiffed to end the inning. The O's knocked Tanana out in the bottom of the fifth as Dauer and Morales hit back to back singles to start. Singleton walked but Ayala took strike three. DeCinces cleared the bases with a double but was thrown out at third trying to stretch a triple. Sox manager Ralph Houk had enough and lifted Tanana one batter too late. Mark Clear came in and struck out Roenicke swinging to end the inning but it was 6-1 Baltimore.

                                       "I tell ya Ted, Tanana stinks on ice today" - RH

Old friend Jim Dwyer took over for Morales to begin the top of the sixth and Stapleton grounded out to second to start. Yaz popped up to third in foul territory and Rice grounded out to short to end the inning. Clear turned up the heat in the bottom of the sixth as Dempsey and Belanger both struck out swinging to start. Bumbry took strike three to end the inning.

The Sox rallied in the top of the seventh as Perez walked to start. Lansford lined one off of Flanagan but Allenson struck out swinging. Lansford was forced at second by Hoffman and Joe Rudi pinch hit for Miller. Rudi singled in the hole at short to score Perez and Reid Nichols ran for Joe. Evans grounded into a force to end the inning with the Sox down 6-2.

                                                           Rudi drives in a run

Dauer doubled to left to start the bottom of the seventh but Dwyer hit one up the elevator shaft. Singleton struck out swinging but Ayala took strike three to end the inning.

John Lowenstein came in for Singleton to begin the top of the eighth and Stapleton popped up to second to start. Yaz also popped up to second and Rice flied out to right to end the inning. The O's had a nasty surprise for Clear in the bottom of the eighth as DeCinces doubled to left to start. Roenicke walked but Dempsey popped up the bunt to first. Belanger struck out swinging but Bumbry loaded the bases with a swinging bunt. A wild pitch scored DeCinces and Dauer struck out swinging to end the inning with the O's ahead 7-2.

                                                         Nice wild pitch, Clear

Flanagan returned to finish off the Sox in the top of the ninth and Perez struck out swinging to start. Lansford also went down hacking and Allenson flied out to center to end the game. The O's had won it 7-2.

Jackass of the Night is Frank Tanana. He got rocked by allowing 6 runs in 4 2/3 innings to take the loss.

                                                        Tanana the Jackass

The Good:

Joe Rudi singled and drove in a run as a pinch hitter.

The Bad:

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Gary Allenson was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 3.

Rick Miller was 0 for 2.

The Ugly:

Dwight Evans was 0 for 3 with a walk.

Dave Stapleton was just 1 for 4.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a home run.

Tony Perez was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked and scored a run.

Carney Lansford was just 1 for 4 with an error and a strikeout.

Mark Clear allowed a run in 3 1/3 innings.

Honorable Mention:

Reid Nichols pinch ran and played center in the top of the ninth

Final Thoughts:

If the shellacking the Sox took by Texas was bad, this feels even worse. The Sox managed to get 10 hits and 8 runs that game but did almost nothing against Mike Flanagan in this one. Doug DeCinces outscored the Red Sox all by himself with 4 rbis. Jim Rice, Carl Yastrzemski and Tony Perez can come out of their slumps any time now and Rice's homer could be the start of his hot streak. Tanana stunk today and its a shame considering how well he pitched in his last outing. Evans and Lansford can only do so much and today was an unfortunate microcosm of what happens if they don't hit well. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow against the Orioles when Dennis Eckersley (1-1) looks to rebound from his stinker Wednesday when he takes on Orioles ace Jim Palmer. The game begins at 2 PM at Memorial Stadium.

Rangers Rout Sox, Avoid Sweep (4/22/81)

The good news was the Boston Celtics evened their East Finals series with the Philadelphia Sixers at one game apiece after their Game 2 victory. The bad news was the Texas Rangers gave a devastating beating to the Boston Red Sox. After the Red Sox pitched back to back complete games, Dennis Eckersley (1-1, 7.11 ERA) didn't even make out of the first inning, getting charged with 7 runs before the Sox could even come to bat. Chuck Rainey made his season debut getting pounded for 6 runs of his own and the Rangers never let up. When the carnage was over the Rangers pounded out 18 hits and 16 runs to annihilate the Red Sox 16-8 at Fenway Park.

                                                   Flounder can't stand Sox pitching

The Rangers ambushed Eckersley immediately in the top of the first inning as Bump Wills pounded a ground rule double to start. Mickey Rivers struck out swinging but Al Oliver singled home Wills to give the Rangers the lead. Buddy Bell singled and Johnny Grubb walked to load the bases and Pat Putnam cleared them with a double. Jim Sundberg walked and Billy Sample hit a perfect double play ball to Glenn Hoffman...UNDER HIS GLOVE! The error scored Putnam and kept the inning going. Both runners moved over on the grounder by Mario Mendoza but Wills singled home Sundberg and Sample to make it a touchdown. Sox manager Ralph Houk had seen enough and pulled the ineffective Eckersley after just 2/3 of an inning. Chuck Rainey made his season debut to get Rivers to line out to right to end the inning with the Rangers ahead 7-0.

                                                     "I sucked today." - Eck

Rangers starter Danny Darwin got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jerry Remy walked to start. Dwight Evans and Carl Yastrzemski both flied out to left and Jim Rice grounded out to third to end the inning.

It was Rainey's turn to take a beating in the top of the second as Oliver doubled to right to begin. Bell grounded back to the mound but Grubb singled Oliver to third. Putnam hit a sac fly to score Oliver with another run and Sundberg hit a routine grounder to Hoffman....OFF HIS GLOVE! Another error kept the inning alive and Sample doubled home Sundberg. Mendoza singled home Sample but Wills took strike three to end the inning. Hoffman's errors loomed large as the Rangers now led 11-0.

                                                   "Catch the damn ball, Glenn!" - CR

It was the Sox turn to rally in the bottom of the second as Tony Perez singled to right to start. Carney Lansford doubled Tony to third but Gary Allenson struck out swinging. Hoffman popped up to first but Rick Miller walked to load the bases. Remy singled home Perez and Lansford to put the Sox on the board. Evans doubled home Miller and Yaz drove in both runners with a single to cut the lead. Rice grounded out to second to end the inning but at least the Sox showed some fight to trail 11-5.

                                                            "Not dead yet!" - Yaz

Rainey recovered in the top of the third as Rivers grounded out to first to start. Oliver grounded out to second and Bell grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the third as Perez grounded out to short to start. Lansford flied out to left and Allenson grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Rangers settled matters in the top of the fourth as Grubb and Putnam stroked back to back singles to open. Sundberg doubled home Grubb to increase the lead but Sample lined out to third. Mendoza scored Putnam with a sac fly to put the game out of reach. Wills hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning with the Rangers up 13-5.

                                                           Grubb starts another rally

The Sox did get a run back in the bottom of the fourth although Hoffman and Miller both grounded out to short to start. Remy walked and Evans tripled into the centerfield triangle to cut the lead. Yaz flied out to left to end the inning but it was 13-6 Texas.

                                                          Evans doing what he can

Rainey got Rivers to ground out to first to start the top of the fifth and Oliver flied out to center. Bell grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Rice grounded out to second to start. Perez flied out to center but Lansford walked. Allenson flied out to center to end the inning.

Mark Clear came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Grubb grounded out to second to start. Putnam popped up to second but Sundberg singled to left. Sample doubled Sundberg to third but Mendoza grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox had some more fight left in them in the bottom of the sixth against Bob Babcock coming into pitch. Hoffman singled to right but Miller flied out to left. Remy walked and Evans singled him to third, scoring Hoffman with another run. Yaz beat out a double play ball to score Remy and Rice beat out an infield single to third. Perez flied out to right to end the inning but it was 13-8 Rangers.

                                                           Remy walking and scoring

The Rangers wrapped up the scoring in the top of the seventh as Wills walked to start. Rivers singled him to third but Oliver popped up to third. Bell then hit a home run all the way to Denton, Texas to add to the lead. Grubb was plunked and Putnam singled to left, but Sundberg took strike three. Sample struck out swinging to end the inning with the Rangers up 16-8.

                                                                  Dammit Clear

Lansford tried to start a rally with a walk to begin the bottom of the seventh but Allenson flied out to left. Hoffman forced Lansford at second and Miller flied out to left to end the inning.

Mendoza singled to left to start the top of the eighth but Wills banged into a double play. Rivers walked but Oliver flied out to center to end the inning. Jim Kern came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Remy walked to start. Evans singled to left and both runners moved over on the grounder by Yaz. Rice took strike three and Perez grounded out to second to end the inning.

Bill Campbell made his season debut in the top of the ninth and struck out Bell swinging to start. Grubb flied out to left and Putnam grounded out to first to end the inning. Lansford grounded out to second to start the bottom of the ninth and Allenson took strike three. Hoffman walked but Miller took strike three to end the game. The Rangers had won it 16-8.

Jackass of the Night is Dennis Eckersley. He didn't even make it out of the first inning and got plastered for 7 runs to put the game out of reach early.

                                                              Eck the Jackass

The Good:

Jerry Remy was 1 for 1 with 4 walks, 2 rbis and 3 runs scored.

Dwight Evans was 4 for 5 with 3 rbis and a run scored.

Carney Lansford was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Bill Campbell pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Gary Allenson was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Chuck Rainey allowed 6 runs in 4 1/3 innings.

Mark Clear allowed 3 runs in 3 innings.

The Ugly:

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 5 but drove in 3 runs.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

Tony Perez was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

Glenn Hoffman was just 1 for 4 with 2 errors but walked and scored a run.

Rick Miller was 0 for 4 but walked and scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

Gadzooks that was bad. It wouldn't be fair to expect Eckersley to continue the string of success Sox starters had the past few days but that was the complete opposite. The Rangers had a week's worth of offense in one day as they beat around every Sox pitcher they threw out there. The sad part was the Sox offense came to play by getting 10 hits and 8 runs of their own. Lansford and Evans were the driving force behind today's game and pretty much all April. Rice is going to catch fire eventually and it'll be glorious when he does. The only thing the Sox can do is forget about today and move on to the next game. The Sox are back in action Friday night when they visit the Baltimore Orioles. Frank Tanana (0-1) takes on Mike Flanagan of the Orioles. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Memorial Stadium.

Red Sox Crush Rangers, Tudor Goes Distance (4/21/81)

The bad news was the Boston Celtics lost their Game 1 NBA East Finals showdown with the Philadelphia Sixers. The good news is the Boston Red Sox laid waste to the Texas Rangers. John Tudor (1-0, 3.00 ERA) made his season debut by tossing Boston's third complete game in four days. The Boston bats woke up to pound out 15 hits and 10 runs against old friend Fergie Jenkins and when the dust settled, the Sox had won the game 10-4 at Fenway Park.

                                                     Black Sabbath approves of the win

Turdor got the ball in the top of the first inning and Bump Wills took strike three to start. Mickey Rivers grounded out to second before Al Oliver grounded out to short to end the inning. Jenkins got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jerry Remy popped up to third to start. Dwight Evans grounded back to the mound but Carl Yastrzemski walked. Jim Rice struck out swinging to end the inning.

Buddy Bell flied out to right to start the top of the second but John Ellis slapped a single to right. Ellis was thrown out trying to stretch a double and Jim Sundberg grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second although Tony Perez flied out to left to start. Carney Lansford grounded out to third but Gary Allenson doubled to left. Glenn Hoffman singled home Allenson to give the Sox the lead, taking second on the throw home. Rick Miller took strike three to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                                     Hoffman drives in a run

The Rangers fought back in the top of the third as Leon Roberts walked to start. Billy Sample singled to left and Mario Mendoza dropped down a bunt to advance the runners. Wills grounded back to the mound but Rivers singled home Roberts. Oliver struck out swinging to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                           Rivers drives in a run

Remy flied out to right to start the bottom of the third but Evans walked. Evans was doubled off first on the liner to second by Yaz to end the inning.

Bell singled to right to start the top of the fourth but was picked off. Ellis lined out to center and Sundberg flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox took command in the bottom of the fourth as Rice doubled to right to begin. Perez grounded back to the mound but Lansford singled home Rice to give the Sox the lead. Allenson banged into a double play to end the inning with Boston ahead 2-1.

                                                           Lansford drives in a run

Tudor cruised in the top of the fifth as Roberts grounded out to third to start. Sample singled to short but was doubled off first on a liner to second by Mendoza to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fifth although Hoffman grounded out to second to start. Miller walked and Remy singled him to third before taking second on the throw over. Evans scored Miller with a sac fly and Yaz singled home Remy to increase the lead. Rice flied out to center to end the inning with Boston ahead 4-1.

                                                          Yaz drives in a run

The Rangers got one back in the top of the sixth as Wills walked to start. Wills took second on the grounder by Rivers and scored on the ground rule double by Oliver. Oliver took third on the grounder by Bell but Ellis grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The Rangers were down 4-2.

                                                          Oliver drives in a run

The Sox struck back in the bottom of the sixth as Perez tripled to center to start. Lansford doubled home Perez to chase Jenkins from the game. Steve Comer came in and Allenson doubled home Lansford to ice the game. Hoffman moved Allenson to third with a grounder but Miller flied out to left. Remy beat out an infield single to score Allenson with another run. Evans walked but Yaz flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-2.

                                                            Remy drives in a run

Tudor cruised in the top of the seventh as Sundberg flied out to right to start. Roberts popped up to short and Sample did the same to end the inning. Charlie Hough came in for the bottom of the seventh and Rice singled to left to start...but was thrown out second trying to stretch a double. Perez struck out swinging but Lansford singled to center. Lansford stole second again but Allenson grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Rangers got a run back in the top of the eighth although Mendoza flied out to right to start. Wills doubled to left but Rivers flied out to center. Oliver singled home Wills to cut the lead. Bell lined out to short to end the inning with the Rangers down 7-3.

The Sox poured it on in the bottom of the eighth as Hoffman flied out to center to start. Miller doubled to left and Remy walked to set up the rbi double by Evans. Yaz singled home Remy and Evans but was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double. Rice grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 10-3.

                                                             Evans scores a run

Tudor came back to finish the job in the top of the ninth and Ellis flied out to center to start. Sundberg doubled to center and moved to third on the grounder by Roberts. Sample hit a routine grounder to Hoffman who did a cannonball on top of the baseball for an error to score Sundberg. Mendoza grounded into a force to end the game. The Sox had won it 10-4.

Hero of the Night is John Tudor. He tossed a complete game and allowed just 3 earned runs.

                                                                  Tudor the Hero

The Good:

Jerry Remy was 2 for 4 with a walk, rbi and 2 runs scored.

Dwight Evans was 1 for 2 with 2 walks, 2 rbis and a run scored.

Carl Yastrzemski was 2 for 4 with a walk and 3 rbis.

Jim Rice was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

Carney Lansford was 3 for 4 with 2 stolen bases, 2 rbis and a run scored.

Gary Allenson was 2 for 4 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Rick Miller was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Tony Perez was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Glenn Hoffman was just 1 for 4 with an error but drove in a run.

Final Thoughts:

If the Red Sox play to their potential this is going to be a scary team for the rest of the season. It would be unfair to expect Tudor, Mike Torrez and Frank Tanana to all win 20 games this season but if the offense can fire on all cylinders, this could be one of the top teams of the American League. Tudor pitched great in his season debut and this could be the start of a great season for him. The Sox have gotten 3 complete games in their last four pitched and the Sox bullpen must be getting bored. It won't last but having a trio of Bob Stanley, Mark Clear and Tom Burgmeier is better than some of others in the American League. If only the offense could perform like this every day, oh well. Tomorrow the Sox look to sweep the Rangers out of Fenway when Dennis Eckersley (1-0) takes on Danny Darwin of the Rangers. The game begins at 2 PM at Fenway Park.

Torrez, Sox Down Rangers on Patriots Day (4/20/81)

Frank Tanana is probably jealous of Mike Torrez (1-0, 2.38 ERA) right now. On Saturday, Frank tossed a complete game, 2 run, 7 hitter but lost the game. In today's Patriots Day matinee, Torrez also tossed a complete game 2 run, 7 hitter. Only this time, the Boston Red Sox offense did just enough for Torrez to get the win. The Texas Rangers starter Doc Medich allowed a 2 run bomb to Dwight Evans in the fifth inning and Gary Allenson drove in the killshot in the bottom of the eighth. It all added up to a 4-2 Sox win on Patriots Day at Fenway Park.

                                            Patriots coach Ron Earhardt approves of the win

Torrez got the ball in the top of the first and Bump Wills singled in the hole at short to start. Wills was thrown out trying to steal second and Mickey Rivers grounded out to second. Al Oliver grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox did nothing against Medich in the bottom of the first as Jerry Remy lined out to third to start. Dwight Evans singled to right and moved to second on the Carl Yastrzemski grounder, but Jim Rice flied out to right to end the inning.

Buddy Bell grounded out to short to start the top of the second and Johnny Grubb lined out to center. Pat Putnam tripled into the right field corner but Jim Sundberg struck out looking to end the inning. Tony Perez struck out swinging to begin the bottom of the second but Carney Lansford singled to right. Lansford moved to second on the Gary Allenson grounder but Glenn Hoffman grounded out to second to end the inning.

Billy Sample grounded out to short to start the top of the third and Mario Mendoza grounded out to third. Wills walked but Rivers grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Rick Miller flied out to center to start the bottom of the third but Remy caught the Rangers asleep with a bunt single. Evans hit one up the elevator shaft and Yaz grounded out to second to end the inning.

Oliver and Bell both flied out to center to start the top of the fourth but Grubb doubled to left. Putnam lined out to short to end the inning. Rice began the bottom of the fourth by reaching on an error by Medich, but Perez banged into a double play. Lansford flied out to right to end the inning.

Sundberg flied out to right to begin the top of the fifth but Sample hit a ground rule double. Mendoza flied out to center and Wills grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the fifth as Allenson was hit with a pitch to start. Hoffman sacrificed Gary to second and Allenson moved to third on the Miller grounder. Remy singled home Allenson to give the Sox the lead and Evans clubbed his third home run of the season to increase the lead. Yaz and Rice stroked back to back singles but Perez flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                          Evans hits his third

Naturally the Rangers struck back in the top of the sixth although Rivers grounded out to second to start. Oliver walked and moved to second on the Bell grounder. Grubb then pulverized a home run all the way to Rockport, Maine to cut the lead. Putnam struck out swinging to end the inning with the Rangers down 3-2.

                                                               Grubb inches the Rangers closer

Lansford flied out to right to start the bottom of the sixth and Allenson flied out to center. Hoffman walked but Miller flied out to left to end the inning.

Torrez recovered in the top of the seventh as Sundberg struck out swinging to start the top of the seventh. Sample grounded out to first and Mendoza grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the seventh as Remy grounded back to the mound to start. Evans grounded out to second and Yaz grounded out to first to end the inning.

Wills grounded back to the mound to start the top of the eighth but Rivers grounded out to first. Oliver also grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox got a big insurance run in the bottom of the eighth although Rice grounded back to the mound to begin. Perez lined out to center but Lansford singled up the middle. Lansford swiped second and scored on the Allenson base hit to increase the lead. Hoffman singled Gary to third to chase Medich. John Henry Johnson came in to pitch and Miller grounded out to short to end the inning with Boston ahead 4-2.

                                                         Allenson drives in a run

Torrez came back to finish the job in the top of the ninth and Bell grounded out to third to begin. Grubb flied out to left but Putnam and Sundberg stroked back to back singles to put the tying runs on. Dan Duran pinch hit for Sample and grounded out to second to end the game. The Sox had won it 4-2.

Hero of the Night is Mike Torrez. He tossed a complete game 7 hitter while allowing just 2 runs to get the win.

                                                            Torrez the Hero

The Good:

Jerry Remy was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Dwight Evans was 2 for 4 with a 2 run home run.

Carney Lansford was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Gary Allenson was 1 for 3 with a hit by pitch, rbi and run scored.

Glenn Hoffman was 1 for 2 with a walk.

The Bad:

Tony Perez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Rick Miller was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 4.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

Wasn't much offense but it was better than Saturday. Right now its the bottom of the order getting it done with Allenson and Lansford doing just as much, if not more than Rice, Perez, Yaz and Evans. Still it doesn't matter where it comes from as long as it leads to the victory. Torrez looked much better today than in his first start and Bob Stanley got a much needed rest. Mark Clear must be playing cards in the bullpen to pass the time with Tanana and Torrez tossing complete games a few days apart. The scary part for the rest of the league is once Rice, Perez, Yaz and Remy start hitting, that spells trouble for them. As usual its the pitching that's going to decide the season but if Tanana can be the difference maker, they may have a shot this season. The Sox are back in action tomorrow against the Rangers when they send John Tudor out to make his season debut opposite old friend Fergie Jenkins. The game begins at 2 PM at Fenway Park.

Red Sox Beat Up White Sox Late (4/19/81)

A day after the Boston Red Sox were held to just one run by the Chicago White Sox, the Red Sox took their frustrations out on Chicago in today's game. Rookie Steve Crawford was knocked out in the fourth inning after allowing four runs but Bob Stanley (2-1, 1.42 ERA) saved the day again with 4 shutout innings. Meanwhile the Boston bats woke up as Gary Allenson clubbed a 3 run home run and the BoSox scored four runs in the top of the ninth to knock out the White Sox 9-4 at Commiskey Park.

                                                    Calvin Jarrett approves of the win

The Red Sox wasted no time pouncing on White Sox starter Ross Baumgarten in the top of the first inning. Dwight Evans walked but Dave Stapleton popped up to Bill Almon in foul territory. Carney Lansford singled to left and Wayne Nordhagen booted the ball, allowing the runners to advance on the error. Jim Rice grounded out to second but Evans scored and Lansford moved to third. Tony Perez walked to load the bases and Joe Rudi singled home Lansford to increase the lead. Glenn Hoffman popped up to third in foul territory to end the inning but it was 2-0 Sox.

                                                          Rudi drives in a run

The White Sox struck back against Crawford in the bottom of the first as Tony Bernazard grounded out to third to start. Mike Squires flied out to right but...surprise surprise....Carlton Fisk hit a home run all the way to Lake Superior to cut the lead. Fisk has four home runs on the season, 3 of them are against the BoSox. Greg Luzinski took strike three to end the inning but it was 2-1 Red Sox.

                                            Take THAT Sullivan & Yawkey

Gary Allenson walked to start the top of the second and was sacrificed to second on the bunt by Reid Nichols. Allenson moved to third on the fly out by Evans but Stapleton popped up to first to end the inning. Chet Lemon walked to start the bottom of the second but Harold Bained banged into a double play. Nordhagen singled to right but Jim Morrison popped up to left in foul territory to end the inning.

Lansford struck out swinging to open the top of the third and Rice grounded back to the mound. Perez popped up to first to end the inning. Almon grounded out to short to begin the bottom of the third and Bernazard lined out to second. Squires singled to center and FINALLY Crawford backed Fisk off the plate by hitting him. Luzinski flied out to right to end the inning.

The BoSox struck again in the top of the fourth as Rudi was plunked in retaliation by Baumgarten to start. The BoSox made him pay as Hoffman singled to center and Allenson crushed his second home run of the season to increase the lead. That was it for Baumgarten as Dennis Lamp came in to get Nichols to ground out to first. Evans grounded out to short and Stapleton did the same to end the inning with Boston ahead 5-1.

                                                               Way to go Allenson

Crawford fell apart in the bottom of the fourth although Lemon grounded out to short to start. Baines and Nordhagen hit back to back singles and Morrison doubled both men home to cut the lead. Almon walked and Bernazard singled to left and BoSox manager Ralph Houk had seen enough. Crawford was sent to the showers and Bob Stanley came in to clean up the mess. Squires popped up to first but, who else. Fisk walked home Morrison to cut the lead. Luzinski took strike three to end the inning with Boston still ahead 5-4.

                                                            Not Steve's best stuff

Lansford singled to left to start the top of the fifth but Rice lined out to third. Lansford was thrown out at second trying to steal on the Perez strikeout to end the inning. Stanley made the ChiSox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the fifth. Lemon grounded out to second, Baines grounded back to the mound and Nordhagen grounded out to short to end the inning.

Rudi struck out swinging to start the top of the sixth and Hoffman grounded out to short. Allenson flied out to center to end the inning. Morrison singled in the hole at short to start the bottom of the sixth but Almon banged into a double play. Bernazard hit a routine grounder to Stapleton who tried to field the ball in his hat for an error. Squires flied out to left to end the inning.

Rick Miller pinch hit for Nichols to start the top of the seventh and he flied out to center. Evans drew a walk and moved to second on the grounder to short by Stapleton. Lansford walked and that was it for Lamp. Ed Farmer came in to pitch and Rice took strike three to end the inning. Fisk continued his dominance by getting a base hit to left to start the bottom of the seventh but Luzinski took strike three. Lemon popped up to third in foul territory but Baines grounded out to second to end the inning.

Perez struck out swinging to start the top of the eighth but Rudi singled to left. Hoffman and Allenson both struck out swinging to end the inning. Stanley ran out of gas in the bottom of the eighth as Nordhagen singled to right to start. Rusty Kuntz pinch ran for Nordhagen and he took second on the sacrifice bunt by Morrison. Bob Molinaro pinch hit for Almon and he walked to chase Stanley. Tom Burgmeier came in and Bernazard singled to left. Rice came up throwing and nailed Kuntz at home for the second out. Lamar Johnson pinch hit for Squires and popped up to first to end the inning. Rice's throw home saved the game for the BoSox.

                                                 Burgmeier appreciates the effort from Rice

The floodgates opened in the top of the ninth as Greg Pryor took over at short. Miller popped up to second but Evans was hit with a pitch. Stapleton singled to center and Lansford singled home Evans to ice the game. Rice hit a routine grounder to third but Morrison booted it for an error to load the bases. White Sox manager Tony La Russa had enough of Morrison and sent Jim Essian in to play third. Perez popped up to first but Rudi hit a routine grounder to Essian....and HE booted it for an error to score Stapleton and re-load the bases. Hoffman singled home Lansford and Rice to wrap up the scoring. Allenson walked to re-load the bases and chase Farmer. Kevin Hickey came in to pitch and Miller struck out swinging to end the inning but the BoSox put the game away 9-4.

                                                      2 run single for Hoffman

Burgmeier came in to finish off the ChiSox in the bottom of the ninth and Fisk took strike three to start. Luzinski flied out to right and Lemon grounded out to short to end the game. The Red Sox had won it 9-4.

Hero of the Night is Gary Allenson. His 3 run home run ended up being the blow to keep the BoSox ahead for good.

                                                        Hero Allenson

The Good:

Dwight Evans walked twice, was hit with a pitch and scored 2 runs.

Carney Lansford was 3 for 4 with a walk, rbi and 2 runs scored.

Joe Rudi was 2 for 4 with an rbi, hit by pitch and run scored.

Glenn Hoffman was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Bob Stanley got the win by pitching 4 shutout innings.

Tom Burgmeier got the save with 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Reid Nichols was 0 for 1 before being lifted.

Rick Miller was 0 for 3.

Steve Crawford lasted just 3 1/3 innings and was charged with 4 runs.

The Ugly:

Dave Stapleton was just 1 for 5 with an error but scored a run.

Jim Rice was 0 for 5 but drove in a run, scored a run and cut down a runner at the plate.

Tony Perez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Final Thoughts:

Fisk is still a pain in the ass but for one day Gary Allenson did one better. Obviously Red Sox fans never wanted Fisk to leave and Allenson will never be like him, but every now and then he can pull off performances like this one. The entire offense did their job today and once again Bob Stanley was magnificent in relief. He may become the second coming of Dick Radatz this season at this rate. Any time a starter falters early, send in Stanley to save the day. Carney Lansford has been hitting balls over the field since Opening Day and he's off-setting the loss of Fred Lynn big time. It was a good team win and hopefully the momentum carries over in Boston's next series. Tomorrow morning its Patriots Day at Fenway Park with the visiting Texas Rangers in town. Mike Torrez gets the start for the Sox up against Doc Medich of the Rangers with the game beginning at 11 AM at Fenway Park.