Yankees Outslug Red Sox (9/13/81)

So much for the Boston Red Sox making a September run. The New York Yankees appear to be headed to the AL East title after defeating the Sox in a crucial game today. Frank Tanana (3-9, 4.49 ERA) has been a disappointment all season and today was no different. With essentially the season on the line, Tanana got lit up for 4 runs in just 1 1/3 innings. The Sox rallied off Yankees starter Ron Guidry to come lose but John Tudor got hammered in the fourth inning and the Sox couldn't recover. The Yankees pounded out 12 hits and 10 runs as they inched closer to the AL East crown with a 10-6 victory at Yankee Stadium.

                                              Jack Torrance doesn't like bad Sox pitching

Guidry cruised in the top of the first inning as Dwight Evans struck out to start. Dave Stapleton grounded out to third before Jim Rice struck out to end the inning. Willie Randolph led off the bottom of the first with a base hit to center but Jerry Mumphrey flied out to right. Dave Winfield also flied out to right but Randolph swiped second. Lou Piniella struck out to end the inning.

Boston tried to rally in the top of the second although Carl Yastrzemski grounded out to first to begin. Carney Lansford drew a walk and Tony Perez got a base hit to left. The rally ended as Gary Allenson flied out to center and Glenn Hoffman took strike three to end the inning. The Yankees came alive in the bottom of the second inning as Reggie Jackson singled to right to begin. Graig Nettles walked before Bob Watson singled home Jackson. Rick Cerone singled home Nettles to increase the lead before Larry Milbourne sacrificed both runners over. The move paid off as Randolph singled both men home and Sox manager Ralph Houk too no chances with the season on the line, getting Tanana out of there. Frank lasted just 1 1/3 innings and allowed 4 runs, yuck! Luis Aponte came in and got Mumphrey to force Randolph at second and Winfield flied out to center to end the inning but it was 4-0 Yankees.

                                                         Nice going Frank.

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the third as Rick Miller grounded back to the mound to start. Evans grounded out to first and Stapleton lined out to short to end the inning. John Tudor came in for the bottom of the third and dominated. Piniella went down swinging, Jackson took strike three and Nettles whiffed to end the inning.

The Sox fought back in the top of the fourth as Rice stroked a base hit to left to begin. The Yankees got a crucial out when Yaz singled to right and Rice got thrown out at third. Lansford got a base hit and Perez blasted his 6th home run of the year to cut the lead. If Rice didn't get thrown out, that would have been a grand slam. Allenson grounded out to third and Hoffman flied out to center to end the inning but the Sox were back in it 4-3.

                                                        Perez gets the Sox closer

Just as the Sox came close, the Yankees iced it in the bottom of the fourth. Watson walked and Cerone doubled him to third. Milbourne was plunked to load the bases and Watson scored on the ground out by Randolph, moving Cerone to third as well. Cerone scored on the sac fly by Mumphrey and Winfield iced it by crushing a 400,000 foot home run. Piniella grounded out to third to end the inning but the game was essentially over with the Yankees up 8-3.

                                                    "Its over...the season is over."

Miller grounded out to second to open the top of the fifth but Evans drew a walk. Stapleton popped up to short but Rice singled to left. Yaz grounded out to second to end the inning. The Yankees got to Tudor again in the bottom of the fifth although Jackson grounded out to second to begin. Nettles popped up to first but Watson annihilated a 30,000 foot home run to increase the lead. Cerone walked but Milbourne took strike three to end the inning with the Yankees up 9-3.

George Frazier came in for Guidry for the top of the sixth but the Sox weren't going quietly. Lansford walked to start and Perez got a base hit to center. Allenson drove home Lansford with a base hit to chase Frazier. Ron Davis came in and Sox manager Ralph Houk sent in Gary Hancock to pinch hit for Hoffman. The move backfired as Hancock banged into a double play, which made Miller's rbi single that scored Perez even more agonizing. Evans whiffed to end the inning but the Hancock double play killed the rally with the Sox down 9-5.

                                                                Thanks a lot Hancock

Julio Valdez came in to play short with Steve Crawford now on the mound for the bottom of the sixth. Randolph flied out to right but Mumphrey walked. Winfield forced Mumphrey at second before getting picked off by the alert Crawford to end the inning.

The Sox blew their last chance to get back in the game in the top of the seventh. Stapleton grounded out to short to start before Rice struck out swinging. Yaz doubled to right and Lansford walked....but Perez took strike three to end the inning. The Yankees wrapped up their scoring in the bottom of the seventh as Piniella singled to center to begin. Jackson flied out to left but Nettles beat out an infield single. Watson walked to load the bases and Cerone scored Piniella with a sac fly. Milbourne grounded out to second to end the inning but it was 10-5 Yankees.

Bobby Brown came in for the top of the eighth and Allenson walked to start. Allenson was doubled off first on the line drive by Valdez and Miller grounded out to short to end the inning. Chuck Rainey came in for the bottom of the eighth and Randolph doubled to right to begin. Mumphrey grounded out to third but Winfield singled Willie to third. Piniella hit into a double play to end the inning.

Dave LaRoche came in to close out the game in the top of the ninth although Evans walked to start. Stapleton flied out to left but Rice doubled Dwight to third. Yaz scored Evans with a grounder but Lansford grounded out to short to end the game. The Yankees took another step toward the AL East title with a 10-6 win.

Jackass of the Night is John Tudor. He allowed 5 big runs after the Sox clawed their way back in the game.

                                                             Jackass Tudor


The Good:

Jim Rice was 3 for 5.

Carl Yastrzemski was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

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

Tony Perez was 3 for 4 with a 3 run home run and 2 runs scored.

Gary Allenson was 1 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Luis Aponte got the last two outs of the second.

Chuck Rainey pitched a scoreless 9th.



The Bad:

Dave Stapleton was 0 for 5.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Gary Hancock hit into a double play as a pinch hitter.

Julio Valdez hit into a double play in his only at-bat.

Frank Tanana got rocked for 4 runs in just 1 1/3 innings.



The Ugly:

Dwight Evans was 0 for 3 but walked twice and scored a run.

Rick Miller was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Steve Crawford allowed a run in 2 innings of work.




Final Thoughts:

This season was crazy anyway but the Sox just couldn't beat the Yankees when it counted. The problem is the Sox didn't have the pitching as usual. They sent out Frank Tanana and John Tudor up against the likes of Ron Guidry and the results are as expected. There are still 20 games to play but the Yankees are up so far there may not be enough time left. The Sox missed Carlton Fisk this year but they missed a dependable third starter more. Still, the Sox could go on a run but it doesn't look good. The loss dropped the Sox to 47-41, 5.5 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Sox now come home for a crucial homestand beginning with the Detroit Tigers. Mike Torrez goes for the Sox up against Dan Petry at 8:00 PM at Fenway Park.

Ojeda Shuts Down Yankees (9/12/81)

In a weird, doomed year for major league baseball and the Boston Red Sox, one silver lining has been some of the memorable games they have played. Today's afternoon game against the New York Yankees was an instant classic from start to finish. 23 year old rookie Bob Ojeda no hit the Yankees for 8 innings before the Yankees rallied in the ninth inning. Mark Clear slammed the door and the Sox had one last fun win as this miserable season draws to a close with a 2-1 victory over the Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

                                                Officer Fish approves of the win

Rick Reuschel got the start for the Yankees and Jerry Remy grounded out to second to begin. Dwight Evans grounded out to short and Jim Rice was frozen for strike three to end the inning. Ojeda got the ball in the bottom of the first and Willie Randolph grounded out to second to begin. Jerry Mumphrey was frozen for strike three on a changeup before Lou Piniella drew a full count walk. Reggie Jackson whiffed on a curveball to end the inning.

Carl Yastrzemski led off the top of the second inning by taking a borderline pitch on the inside corner for strike three. Carney Lansford flied out deep to center before Dave Stapleton launched his 7th home run of the season just into the left field bleachers to give the Sox the lead. Rich Gedman hit a bullet but right to Randolph to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 1-0.

                                                          Touch em all Dave

Bob Watson flied out deep to center to start the bottom of the second before Craig Nettles was frozen for strike three with a fastball on the outside corner. Barry Foote also flied out to deep center to end the inning.

Rick Miller led off the top of the third inning by lining out to short. Glenn Hoffman grounded out to short and Remy popped up to left to end the inning. Dennis Werth took strike three at the knees to begin the bottom of the third before Andre Robertson whiffed on a high curve. Randolph grounded out to short to end the inning.

Evans led off the top of the fourth inning by popping up to center to begin. Rice flied out to the left field wall but Yaz singled off the right field wall. Lansford hit a seeing eye single to second but Stapleton grounded into a force at third to end the inning. Ojeda got Mumphrey to pop up to right on a bad pitch before Piniella popped up to center. Jackson whiffed to end the inning.

Gedman grounded out to second to begin the top of the fifth before Miller grounded out on a comebacker to the mound. Hoffman grounded out to short to end the inning. Ojeda cruised in the bottom of the fifth inning as Watson popped up to right to begin. Nettles grounded out to second and Foote grounded out to short to end the inning.

Reuschel got Remy to line out to Watson to start the top of the sixth inning before Evans grounded out to third. Rice whiffed on a foul tip into the mitt to end the inning. Ojeda kept the no-no going in the bottom of the sixth as Werth grounded out to third to begin. Robertson flied out to left and Randolph flied out to right to end the inning.

Yaz led off the top of the seventh inning by striking out swinging. Lansford popped up to a running Randolph but Stapleton hit a routine fly to right. The ball dropped and skipped away from Jackson which allowed Stapleton to make it to third. Gedman made Jackson pay with a base hit to right to score Stapleton with the insurance run. Miller grounded into a force to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                               Jackson "I got it, I got it....I don't got it"

Ojeda went back to work in the bottom of the seventh inning and Mumphrey whiffed badly to begin. Piniella grounded out to short and Miller sprinted to rob Jackson of a bloop single to end the inning. Ojeda was six outs away from a no-hitter.

Hoffman and Remy both grounded out to short to start the top of the eighth inning before Evans also grounded out to short to end the inning in short order. Ojeda came back for the bottom of the eighth inning and Watson knocked his glove off with a comebacker. Ojeda quickly picked the ball up barehanded and threw it to first for the out. Nettles popped up to second but Stapleton caught it for the second out. Foote flied out to right to end the inning and he was 3 outs away from becoming the first pitcher to no-hit the Yankees since Hoyt Wilhem did it in 1958.

The sad part was Reuschel pitched a hell of a game himself and he got Rice to ground out to third to begin the top of the ninth. Yaz lined a base hit to left but was thrown out trying to stretch a double. Lansford dumped a single to center but Stapleton grounded out to short to end the inning.

                                                          YERRRR OUT!

Suddenly the Yankees came alive in the bottom of the ninth against the exhausted Ojeda. Rick Cerone pinch hit for Werth and hit a rocket just out of reach of Evans for a double to break up the no-no. Sox manager Ralph Houk immediately had Mark Clear warm up as Dave Winfield pinch hit for Robertson. Winfield lined a double to left to score Cerone and chase Ojeda from the game. Ojeda went from throwing a no-no to leaving with the tying run at second. Still, he left after 8 innings of 1 run ball while allowing just two hits, earning a standing ovation from the Yankee Stadium crowd.

                                                            Standing O for Ojeda

Now Mark Clear had to deal with the tying run on second with nobody out. Randolph squared to bunt but was rung up for strike three on a borderline pitch. Mumphrey whiffed on a fastball before Oscar Gamble pinch hit for Piniella. Gamble walked but Jackson popped up to right to end the game. The Sox held on to win it 2-1.

                                                   Big win for the Sox


Hero of the Night is Bob Ojeda. He tossed 8 no-hit innings before settling for the victory.

                                                     The rookie Hero



The Good:

Carl Yastrzemski was 2 for 4.

Carney Lansford was 2 for 4.

Dave Stapleton was 2 for 4 with a solo home run and 2 runs scored.

Rich Gedman was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Mark Clear earned his 8th save with a scoreless 9th inning.



The Bad:

Jerry Remy was 0 for 4.

Dwight Evans was 0 for 4.

Jim Rice was 0 for 4.

Rick Miller was 0 for 3.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 3.



The Ugly:

None



Final Thoughts:

As the season comes to a close, this was a nice preview of the future with Ojeda doing well. The Sox haven't had a good lefty since Bill Lee left town 3 years ago and Ojeda could be the answer. Dennis Ecksersley and Mike Torrez haven't been the same since 1978 so Ojeda could be the next ace. The Sox have some talent heading into next year offensively but they definitely need more pitching to match the Yankees. As for this game, it was a lot of fun. Ojeda had to be perfect because the Sox offense mustered little against Reuschel. It was a damn good, hard fought win even if Ojeda didn't get the no-no. The win improved the Sox to 47-40, 4.5 games behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow afternoon the Sox look to inch further closer in the standings when they play the Yankees again. Ron Guidry goes for the Yankees opposite Frank Tanana (3-8) of the Sox at 2:00 PM at Yankee Stadium.

Brewers Rally Past Red Sox (5/29/81)

For eight innings it looked like the Boston Red Sox were going to beat the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers jumped on Sox starter Mike Torrez for a run in the top of the first, but the Sox answered in the bottom of the inning. The Brewers got two more runs off Torrez while Carl Yastrzemski got one for Boston. In the bottom of the eighth, Joe Rudi clobbered a two run home run off his old buddy Rollie Fingers to put Boston ahead. Unfortunately with one out in the ninth, Tom Burgmeier allowed a 2 run bomb by Ted Simmons. The Sox did nothing in the ninth and the Brewers had dropped the Sox 5-4 at Fenway Park.

                                                         "That damn Burgmeier"

The Brewers wasted no time getting to Torrez in the top of the first as Jim Gantner flied out to left to start. Robin Yount then hit a home run all the way to Maine to put Milwaukee on top. Cecil Cooper walked but moved to second on the Ben Oglivie grounder to first. Ted Simmons grounded out to second to end the inning with the Brewers up 1-0.

                                                                   Brewers take the lead

The Sox responded in the bottom of the first against Jim Slaton as Jerry Remy got a base hit to right to start. Dwight Evans popped up to first but Remy swiped second. Carl Yastrzemski doubled to right to score Remy but Jim Rice popped up to first. Carney Lansford flied out to right to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                                  Yaz ties it

Roy Howell walked to start the top of the second but Don Money flied out to center. Mark Brouhard forced Howell at second and Marshall Edwards struck out swinging to end the inning. Joe Rudi led off the bottom of the second with a grounder to third. Dave Stapleton flied out to center but Rich Gedman doubled to center. Rick Miller flied out to center to end the inning.

Gantner flied out to center to start the top of the third but Yount got a base hit to right but Cooper grounded into a double play to end the inning. Remy grounded out to second to start the bottom of the third and Evans flied out to center. Yaz grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Brewers struck again in the top of the fourth Oglivie flied out to right to start. Simmons popped up to first but Howell hit a home run all the way to Neptune to put Milwaukee back on top. Money struck out swinging to end the inning with the Brewers up 2-1.

                                                            Howell goes yard

Rice flied out to right to start the bottom of the fourth and Lansford reached on an error by Howell. Rudi grounded out to third to move Carney to second and Stapleton popped up to second to end the inning.

The Brewers struck again in the top of the fifth as Brouhard flied out to right to start. Lansford booted a grounder by Edwards for an error and Marshall moved to third on a throwing error by Gedman. Gantner grounded out to first to score Edwards and Yount grounded out to third to end the inning with the Brewers up 3-1.

                                                                Nice error Carney

The Sox answered in the bottom of the fifth as Gedman doubled to center to start. Miller flied out to left and Remy grounded out to second to move Rich to third. Evans walked and Yaz hit a ground rule double into the bullpen to score Gedman. Rice flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox down 3-2.

                                                                   Gedman scores a run

Cooper walked to start the top of the sixth but was thrown out at second trying to steal. Oglivie popped up to short and Simmons struck out swinging to end the inning. Lansford walked to start the bottom of the sixth but Rudi popped up to third. Stapleton grounded out to third to move Lansford to second but Gedman flied out to left to end the inning.

Howell flied out to center to start the top of the seventh before Money grounded out to short. Brouhard grounded out to second to end the inning. Jamie Easterly came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Miller's bunt attempt was snuffed out by the catcher to start. Remy and Evans both flied out to left to end the inning.

Edwards grounded out to second to start the top of the eighth and Gantner did the same. Yount grounded out to short to end the inning. Torrez pitched great, allowing 3 runs in 8 innings off 3 hits and 3 walks.

                                                             Torrez with 8 great innings

The Sox rallied in the bottom of the eighth as Yaz struck out swinging to start. Rice got a base hit to right and Brewers manager Buck Rodggers brought in Rollie Fingers for the five out save. Lansford flied out to right but a wild pitch moved Rice to second. All of a sudden Rudi blasted his second home run of the year to put the Sox on top. Stapleton struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 4-3.

                                                              Rudi puts Boston ahead

Tom Burgmeier came in to close out the top of the ninth and crapped his pants. Cooper was hit with a pitch but Oglivie forced him at second. Simmons then hit a home run all the way to Alaska to put the Brewers on top. Sal Bando pinch hit for Howell and got a base hit to left. Money got a double to left and that was it for Burgmeier. Bill Campbell came in to get Brouhard to fly out to center and Edwards to pop up to third to end the inning with the Brewers up 5-4.

                                                             Simmons sinks the Sox

Gedman grounded out to second to start the bottom of the ninth and Miller flied out to left. Remy also flied out to left to end the game. The Brewers had won it 5-4.

Jackass of The Night is Tom Burgmeier. 2 outs from victory and he gives up the backbreaking home run to Simmons to lose the game.

                                                                Jackass Burgmeier

The Good:

Carl Yastrzemski was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis.

Rich Gedman was 2 for 4.

Mike Torrez allowed 3 runs but only 2 earned in 8 innings off 3 hits and 3 walks.

Bill Campbell got the final two outs of the ninth inning.

The Bad:

Dave Stapleton was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Rick Miller was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was just 1 for 5 with a run scored.

Dwight Evans was 0 for 3 with a run scored.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4 with a run scored.

Carney Lansford was 0 for 3 with an error but walked.

Joe Rudi was just 1 for 4 but the one hit was a 2 run home run.

Final Thoughts:

That game was a sucker punch to the gonads. The Sox trailed the whole game only to take the lead for about five minutes. Joe Rudi hasn't done much all year but he was 2 outs away from being the hero. Burgmeier was an anchor out of the bullpen all year in 1980 but this year has been different. Its a shame because a win would have done wonders since they were only four games out of first place going into this one. There's still time to go on a run but losing like this kills any sort of momentum. Just have to shake it off and come back against the Brewers tomorrow. The loss dropped the Sox to 24-20, 5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to rebound against the Brewers tomorrow afternoon when Frank Tanana takes on Moose Haas of Milwaukee. The game begins at 4:00 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Bash Brewers For Fifth Straight Win (5/22/81)

The red hot Boston Red Sox have won their fifth straight game, this time they beat the Milwaukee Brewers on the back of 6 solid innings from John Tudor (2-1, 4.15 ERA) and some long balls. Jim Rice set the tone with a 2 run bomb off Moose Haas in the top of the first and Jerry Remy stroked a 2 run single in the third. Old pal Reggie Cleveland got tagged for an rbi single by Dwight Evans before Dwight struck a 2 run homer in the fourth. Tudor survived a Jim Gantner rbi but a two run homer by Sal Bando ended his night. Bill Campbell slammed the door the rest of the way and the Sox had won it 7-3 at County Stadium.

                                                      Ron Ehrhart approves of the win

The Sox struck first immediately against Haas in the top of the first as Jerry Remy got a base hit to right to start. Dwight Evans grounded into a double play but Carl Yastrzesmki walked. Jim Rice belted his sixth home run of the year to put the Sox on top. Tony Perez flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                               Rice hits one out

Tudor got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jim Gantner got a base hit to right to start.  Gantner got thrown out at second trying to steal and Robin Yount lined out to second. Old friend Cecil Cooper doubled to right and Gorman Thomas walked, but old friend Ben Oglivie grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Sox iced the game in the top of the second as Carney Lansford got a base hit to right to start. Dave Stapleton also got a base hit to right to move Carney to third. Rich Gedman struck out swinging but Rick Miller walked to load the bases. Remy got a base hit to center to score both Lansford and Stapleton. That was it for Haas as old friend Reggie Cleveland came in only for Evans to drill a base hit to right to score Miller. Yaz flied out to left and Rice forced Evans at second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-0.

                                                              Remy drives in a pair

The Brewers struck back in the bottom of the second as Ted Simmons flied out to right to start. Sal Bando walked and Mark Brouhard got a base hit to center. Ed Romero flied out to center but Gantner doubled to left to score Bando. Yount grounded out to second to end the inning with the Brewers down 5-1.

                                                             Brewers get a run back

Perez walked to start the top of the third but was forced at second by Lansford. Stapleton grounded back to the mound to move Tony to second but Gedman grounded out to short to end the inning. Cooper grounded out to short to start the bottom of the third and Thomas took strike three. Oglivie flied out to right to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the fourth as Gantner booted a grounder by Miller for an error to start. Remy grounded out to second to move Miller over but Evans smashed his 10th home run of the season to increase the lead. Yaz grounded out to second and Rice flied out to left to end the inning with the Sox up 7-1.

                                                              Evans hits one out

Simmons grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fourth and Bando flied out to right. Brouhard grounded out to second to end the inning. 

Perez flied out to right to start the top of the fifth and Lansford did the same. Romero booted a grounder by Stapleton for an error but Gedman grounded out to first to end the inning. Romero flied out to left to start the bottom of the fifth and Gantner grounded out to second. Yount struck out swinging to end the inning.

Jerry Augustine came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Miller flied out to right to start. Remy flied out to center but Evans walked. Yaz singled to center but Rice flied to center to end the inning. Cooper popped up to third to open the bottom of the sixth and Thomas flied out to center. Oglivie grounded out to third to end the inning,

Perez struck out swinging to start the top of the seventh and Lansford flied out to right. Stapleton flied out to left to end the inning. The Brewers struck back in the bottom of the seventh as Simmons got a base hit to right to start. Bando hit a home run all the way to the Klingon Homeworld to cut the lead. Brouhard flied out to left and that was it for Tudor. He pitched well, allowing just 3 runs off 6 hits and 2 walks. Bill Campbell came in to pitch and Romero grounded out to short, but Gantner singled to center. Yount walked but Cooper flied out to center to end the inning with the Brewers down 7-3.

                                                                     Tudor gets it done

Rickey Keeton came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Gedman flied out to center to start. Miller popped up to short but Remy got a base hit to center. Evans walked but Yaz grounded out to first to end the inning. Thomas struck out swinging to start the bottom of the eighth and Oglivie did the same. Simmons walked but Bando forced him at second to end the inning.

Rice got a base hit to start the top of the ninth but Perez grounded into a double play. Lansford flied out to right to end the inning. Campbell came back to close out the bottom of the ninth and Brouhard struck out swinging to start. Roy Howell pinch hit for Romero and struck out swinging, but Gantner got a base hit to center. Yount forced him at second to end the game. The Sox had won it 7-3.

Hero of the Night is Dwight Evans. He drove in 3 runs by himself including a two run home run to match Milwaukee's entire output.

                                                                   Hero Evans

The Good:

Jerry Remy was 3 for 5 with 2 rbis.

Jim Rice was 2 for 5 with a 2 run home run.

John Tudor tossed 6 1/3 solid innings allowing 3 runs off 6 hits and 2 walks.

Bill Campbell tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Rich Gedman was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored.

Tony Perez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout but walked.

Carney Lansford was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

Dave Stapleton was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Rick Miller was 0 for 3 but walked and scored 2 runs.

Final Thoughts:

Good time for the Sox to get hot after their mediocre start to the season. The Baltimore Orioles aren't as scary as they were two years ago so the Sox definitely will have a chance this season if certain things go their way. Frank Tanana has to pitch better but John Tudor stepped up in this one. The Sox can't rely on Dennis Eckersley and Mike Torrez to do everything, they're going to need some help. Tudor needs to be more consistent in order for the Sox to compete this season. The bats will bop them back into a lot of games and the bullpen isn't half bad, but getting good starting pitching will be the difference in the end if it gets that far. The win improved the Sox to 21-16, 3 games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it 6 wins in a row tomorrow afternoon and second straight over Milwaukee when Mike Torrez (3-2) takes on Randy Lerch of Milwaukee. The game begins at 2:30 PM tomorrow afternoon at County Stadium.

Sox Rally Past Mariners Late (5/18/81)

For seven innings the Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners engaged in a classic slugfest. Mike Torrez of the Sox was knocked out in the fourth inning after allowing 2 runs and Bryan Clark of Seattle was tagged for 5 while getting knocked out in the sixth. The Sox scored three runs in the bottom of the first but Seattle got one back in the top of the third. The Sox got another run in the bottom of the third and Torrez was gone after allowing a run in the fourth. Seattle scored a run off Bob Stanley in the top of the sixth but the Sox answered with one in the bottom of the frame. The Mariners tied it in the seventh with runs off Bob Stanley and Mark Clear (4-0, 3.04 ERA) but the Sox rallied for three eighth inning runs off old pal Dick Drago and Larry Andersen. Bill Campbell slammed the door in the top of the ninth and the Sox had won the game 8-5 at Fenway Park.

                                                             Jim Craig approves of the win

Torrez got the ball in the top of the first inning and Julio Cruz grounded out to short to start. Dave Edler flied out to right and Dan Meyer grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox wasted no time getting to Clark in the bottom of the first as Dwight Evans walked to start. Evans took second on a balk and Dave Stapleton walked. Carney Lansford doubled to center to score Evans and Jim Rice hit a sac fly to right to score Stapleton, moving Carney to third. Tony Perez struck out swinging but a wild pitch scored Lansford. Joe Rudi grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                            Lansford doubles and scores

Richie Zisk grounded out to third to start the top of the second and Jeff Burroughs struck out swinging. Bruce Bochte walked but Dave Henderson forced him at second to end the inning. Dave Schmidt walked to start the bottom of the second but Reid Nichols struck out swinging. Jerry Remy forced Schmidt at second but Evans doubled to left. Stapleton flied out to right to end the inning.

The Mariners struck back in the top of the third as Jerry Narron singled to center to start. Jim Anderson grounded out to third to move Narron to second but Cruz walked. Edler got a base hit to center to load the bases and Meyer hit a sac fly to center to score Narron. Zisk struck out swinging to end the inning with the Mariners down 3-1.

                                                                Meyer drives in a run

The Sox answered in the bottom of the third as Lansford singled to center to start. Rice got a base hit to center to move Lansford to third, and Carney scored on the double play by Perez. Rudi lined out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-1.

                                                      Another run scored by Carney

The Mariners knocked Torrez out in the top of the fourth as Burroughs flied out to right to start. Bochte doubled to left and Henderson got a base hit to center to put runners at the corners. Narron struck out swinging but Anderson got a base hit to center to score Bochte. Sox manager Ralph Houk had seen enough and yanked Torrez after allowing 2 runs in just 3 2/3 innings. Bob Stanley got Cruz to force Anderson at second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-2.

                                                        Torrez didn't have it in this one

Schmidt struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fourth and Nichols flied out to right. Remy singled to center and Evans singled to right, but Stapleton flied out to right to end the inning.

Edler grounded out to first to start the top of the fifth and Meyer flied out to right. Lansford booted a grounder by Zisk but Burroughs forced him at second to end the inning. Lansford grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fifth and Rice flied out to center. Perez walked but Rudi grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Mariners inched closer in the top of the sixth as Bochte singled to center to start. Henderson walked and Narron moved both runners over with a grounder to first. Anderson walked to load the bases but Cruz struck out swinging. Edler got hit with a pitch to score Bochte but Meyer flied out to center to end the inning with the Mariners down 4-3.

                                                           "Owwwwwww" - Edler

The Sox rallied in the bottom of the sixth as Schmidt walked to start. Nichols dropped down a bunt to move Dave to second but Remy grounded back to the mound. Evans was intentionally walked and Stapleton made the Mariners pay with a base hit to left to score Schmidt. That was it for Clark as old friend Dick Drago came in to pitch. Lansford walked to load the bases but Rice struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-3.

                                          "How DARE you walk Evans to get to me" - DS

The Mariners rallied in the top of the seventh as Zisk got a base hit to left to start. Burrough also got a base hit to left and Bochte got a base hit to right to score Zisk, chasing Stanley. Mark Clear came in and Henderson walked to load the bases with nobody out. Narron flied out to right and Tom Paciorek pinch hit for Anderson and got a base hit to left. Burroughs scored to tie the game but Bochte was thrown out at home. Cruz flied out to left to end the inning with the game tied 5-5.

                                                                Yerrrrr out!

Rick Auerbach took over at short for the bottom of the seventh and Perez struck out swinging to start. Rudi grounded back to the mound and Schmidt struck out swinging to end the inning.

Edler walked to start the top of the eighth and Meyer dropped down a bunt to move him to second. Zisk struck out swinging but Burroughs walked. Bochte grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the eighth as Yaz pinch hit for Nicholz to start. Yaz walked and Rick Miller ran for him. Miller stole second but Remy popped up to first in foul territory. Evans walked and Stapleton once again delivered with a double to center, scoring Miller. Larry Andersen came in and Lansford hit a grounder to third. Evans scored on the throw home and Stapleton moved to third. Rice forced Lansford at second but Stapleton scored another run. Perez got a base hit to left but Rudi struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 8-5.

                                                              Rice drives in a run

Bill Campbell came in to close out the top of the ninth and Henderson grounded out to short to start. Narron grounded out to first and Auerbach flied out to left to end the game. The Sox had won it 8-5.

Hero of The Night is Dave Stapleton. His rbi double in the eighth put the Sox up for good.

                                                             Stapleton The Hero

The Good:

Dwight Evans was 2 for 2 with 3 walks and 2 runs scored.

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

Dave Schmidt walked twice in four plate appearances with a run scored.

Carl Yastrzemski walked as a pinch hitter.

Rick Miller stole a base and scored a run as a pinch runner.

Bill Campbell earned his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Joe Rudi was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Reid Nichols was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Mike Torrez allowed 2 runs in 3 2/3 innings off 5 hits and 2 walks.

Bob Stanley allowed 3 runs in 2 1/3 innings.

The Ugly:

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4 but drove in 2 runs.

Tony Perez was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Jerry Remy was just 1 for 4.

Mark Clear allowed an inherited runner to score but picked up the win with 2 scoreless innings.

Final Thoughts:

Big win by the Red Sox after Stanley and Clear blew the lead and kudos to Dave Stapleton in this one. Twice Evans was walked to get to him, one intentionally and he delivered both times. Lansford continues to be a batting wizard and Ralph Houk pinch hitting Yaz in the eighth paid off. Rick Miller took over from there and the Sox were off and running. The only blemishes was Torrez getting knocked out in the fourth and Stanley coughing up the lead. Clear did settle things down after giving up the tying run and Campbell closing the game out gave the Sox the win. You'd like to see the old pros Rudi and Perez pick it up but nobody and nothing is perfect. Enjoy the win. The win improved the Sox to 17-16, 4 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the Mariners tomorrow night when Frank Tanana (0-4) looks for his first win of the season against Mike Parrott of Seattle. The game begins at 7:30 at Fenway Park.

Basebawful Report of the Month

Gary Allenson - 6 Good, 3 Bad, 5 Ugly, 1 Hero

Tom Burgmeier - 2 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Jackass

Bill Campbell - 2 Good, 1 Bad

Mark Clear - 1 Good, 2 Bad, 2 Ugly

Steve Crawford - 1 Good, 1 Bad, 1 Jackass

Dennis Eckersley - 1 Good, 2 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Dwight Evans - 11 Good, 1 Bad, 4 Ugly

Garry Hancock - 1 Good, 2 Bad, 1 Honorable Mention

Glenn Hoffman - 5 Good, 8 Bad, 4 Ugly

Carney Lansford - 8 Good, 5 Bad, 3 Ugly

Rick Miller - 7 Good, 4 Bad, 3 Ugly, 1 Hero

Reid Nichols - 1 Bad, 3 Honorable Mention

Tony Perez - 4 Good, 2 Bad, 8 Ugly, 1 Jackass

Tom Poquette - 1 Honorable Mention

Chuck Rainey - 1 Good, 1 Bad

Jerry Remy - 4 Good, 2 Bad, 2 Ugly, 1 Hero

Jim Rice - 2 Good, 1 Bad, 11 Ugly, 2 Hero

Joe Rudi - 3 Good, 1 Ugly

Dave Schmidt - 1 Bad

Bob Stanley - 1 Good, 2 Bad, 1 Hero, 1 Jackass

Dave Stapleton - 2 Good, 7 Ugly

Frank Tanana - 2 Good, 2 Jackass

Mike Torrez - 1 Bad, 1 Hero, 1 Jackass

John Tudor - 1 Hero, 1 Jackass

Carl Yastrzemski - 2 Good, 4 Bad, 6 Ugly

Most Valuable Player is Dwight Evans with 11 Good

Least Valuable Player is Glenn Hoffman with

Ugliest Player of the Month is Jim Rice with 11 Ugly

Hero of the Month is Jim Rice with 2 Hero

Jackass of the Month is Frank Tanana with 2 Jackass

The Honorable Player of the Month is Reid Nichols with 3 Honorable Mentions

Twins Send Sox To Fourth Straight Loss (4/30/81)

At least the Boston Red Sox scored some runs for the first time in four days. Unfortunately, the Minnesota Twins scored twice as many as they did. The Sox pitching woes continued as Frank Tanana (0-3, 7.08 ERA) got clobbered for 5 runs while getting knocked out in the second inning. Bob Stanley and Mark Clear also got tagged by the Twins. Jim Rice and Tony Perez broke out of their slumps with home runs but it wasn't enough to offset the horrendous pitching. When the dust settled the Sox closed out the month of April on a 4 game losing streak due to the Twins 8-4 victory over them at Fenway Park.

                                              "This team SUCKS!"

Once again the Sox stepped on their private parts in the top of the first inning although Tanana struck out Gary Ward looking to start. John Castino lined out to center but Mickey Hatcher singled. Roy Smalley then hit a home run into Newfound Lake to give the Twins the lead. Dave Engle flied out to right to end the inning but it was 2-0 Twins.

                                                            Twins take the lead early

The Sox finally scored a run in the bottom of the first against Twins starter Roger Erickson as Dwight Evans doubled to center to start and Dave Stapleton singled him home. Carl Yastrzemski popped up to short and Jim Rice struck out swinging, but Stapleton moved to second on a balk by Erickson. Tony Perez flied out to right but the Sox had finally scored a run, trailing 2-1.

                                                                First rbi in days for Boston

Naturally the Twins responded by knocking Tanana out in the bottom of the second inning. Pete Mackanin doubled to left but Glenn Adams flied out to right. Ron Jackson was plunked and Sal Butera doubled home Mackanin. Ward singled home both runners and Sox manager Ralph Houk stormed out of the dugout and chucked sunflower seeds at Tanana. Frank ran away to the dugout and Bob Stanley materialized out of thin air to pitch. Castino flied out to left and Hatcher popped up to Stanley to end the inning but it was 5-1 Twins.

                                                              "I sucked today" - Tanana

The Sox laid down and died in the bottom of the second as Carney Lansford flied out to center to start. Gary Allenson struck out looking and Glenn Hoffman lined out to left to end the inning.

Smalley singled to right to start the top of the third but was forced at second by Engle. Mackanin lined out to left and Adams lined out to right to end the inning. Rick Miller grounded out to first to begin the bottom of the third but Evans struck out swinging. Stapleton popped up to first to end the inning.

Jackson grounded out to short to start the top of the fourth but Butera singled to left. Ward banged into a double play to end the inning. Yaz grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fourth and Rice popped up to first. Perez lined out to center to end the inning.

The Twins tagged Stanley in the top of the fifth although Castino flied out to right to start. Hatcher singled to right and Smalley walked, but Engle struck out swinging. Rob Wilfong pinch hit for Mackanin and walked to load the bases. Adams singled home Hatcher and Smalley to increase the lead and cause Houk to kick over his stack of mail piled up. Jackson flied out to left to end the inning with the Twins up 7-1.

                                                           Not even Bob could bail them out

Lansford flied out to center to start the bottom of the fifth and Allenson flied out to left. Hoffman singled to left but Miller lined out to center to end the inning.

Mark Clear came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Butera struck out swinging to start. Ward struck out swinging but Castino walked. Castino stole second but Hatcher struck out swinging to end the inning. Evans and Stapleton both flied out to center to start the bottom of the sixth and Yaz grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Twins tagged Clear in the top of the seventh as Smalley walked to start. Engle singled to left and Wilfong singled to right to score Smalley. Adams grounded out to first and Jackson hit a shot to Lansford who fired home to get Engle. Butera popped up to third to end the inning but it was 8-1 Twins.

                                                                 Clear gives up a run

Rice lined out to left to start the bottom of the seventh but Perez singled to left. Perez was forced at second by Lansford and Allenson grounded out to third to end the inning.

Chuck Rainey came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Ward grounded out to second to start. Castino flied out to center and Hatcher grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox got a run back in the bottom of the eighth as Smalley booted a grounder by Hoffman to start, advancing Glenn to second. Miller moved Hoffman to third with a fly out to right but Evans struck out swinging. Somehow Stapleton singled home Glenn to cut the lead. Yaz grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox down 8-2.

                                                                Hoffman scores a run

Smalley grounded back to the mound to start the top of the ninth and Engle flied out to center. Wilfong lined out to first to end the inning. Erickson was denied a complete game when Rice led off the bottom of the ninth with his third home run of the year to start. Perez then cracked his second of the year to cut the lead in half and chase Erickson. Doug Corbett came in and Lansford struck out swinging. Allenson grounded out to third but Garry Hancock pinch hit for Hoffman. Hancock grounded out to second to end the game. The Twins had won it 8-4.

Jackass of the Night is Frank Tanana. He got hammered for 5 runs in just 1 1/3 innings to once again put the Sox in too big a hole to climb out of.

                                                            Jackass Tanana

The Good:

Dave Stapleton was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis.

Tony Perez was 2 for 4 with a home run.

Glenn Hoffman was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Chuck Rainey tossed 2 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 4.

Carney Lansford was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Gary Allenson was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Garry Hancock was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Bob Stanley allowed 2 runs in 3 2/3 innings

The Ugly:

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but scored a run.

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

Mark Clear gave up a run in 2 innings of work.

Final Thoughts:

What a garbage month that was. It started with Carlton Fisk giving the proverbial middle finger to Red Sox management on Opening Day and ended with a four game losing streak to send the Sox into May on a down note. This game has been typical of the last week or so with the starter getting knocked out and the bullpen providing no relief. The strangest part is the offense has been non-existent for the most part. The middle of the order has been asleep all month including Yaz, Rice and Perez. Perez is going to be 38 on May 14th and he could be losing it. Yaz is 41 years old and could be losing it too. Rice will figure it out eventually but right now the Sox are in deep trouble if these guys can't get it going. Losing to the Texas Rangers and the Twins doesn't inspire any confidence but at least April is over. The Sox look to rebound against the Twins tomorrow when Dennis Eckersley (2-2) takes on Fernando Arroyo of the Twins at 2:05 PM at Fenway Park.