Royals Rally Late, Stop Sox (4/23/74)

It was bad news all around as the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Boston Bruins in Game 3 of their NHL Semifinal series and the Kansas City Royals defeated the Boston Red Sox. Dick Drago (1-1, 2.70 ERA) locked into a pitcher's duel with Al Fitzsimmons of the Royals for 8 innings. The Royals and Sox both got a run in the first inning then Tommy Harper scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the third. Hal McRae got an rbi double in the top of the sixth and then it was on to the ninth. The Royals battered a tired Drago for three runs with the third coming off a Jim Wohlford single off David Segui. The Boston bats could do nothing else with Fitzsimmons and the Royals beat the Red Sox 5-2 at Fenway Park.

                                                           "Ninth inning rallies....."

Drago got the ball in the top of the first and Freddie Patek walked to start. Patek took of for second and Sox catcher Bob Didier threw the ball over the first baseman's head for no reason to move Freddie to third on the error. Wohlford grounded out to second to score Patek and put Kansas City on top. John Mayberry and Hal McRae both grounded out to short to end the inning with KC up 1-0.

                                                                  Nice error Bob

The Sox answered against Fitzmorris in the bottom of the first as Tommy Harper grounded back to the mound to start. Juan Beniquez doubled off the Monster but Cecil Cooper grounded out to first. Carl Yastrzemski got a base hit to center to score Beniquez and took second on a wild pitch. Bernie Carbo was intentionally walked and John Kennedy struck out swinging to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                               Yaz ties it up

Cookie Rojas flied out to center to start the top of the second before Vada Pinson doubled off the Monster. Tony Solaita lined out to second and Buck Martinez flied out to left to end the inning. Dick McAuliffe grounded out to second to start the bottom of the second and Bob Didier flied out to right. Mario Guerrero grounded out to third to end the inning.

Frank White grounded out to third to start the top of the third before Patek flied out to right. Wohlford grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the third as Harper tripled into the centerfield triangle to begin. Harper scored on a wild pitch but Beniquez grounded back to the mound. Cooper flied out to left but Yaz doubled to right. Carbo was intentionally walked again and Kennedy struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                            Harper scores a run

Mayberry got a base hit to center to start the top of the fourth before McRae lined out to short. Rojas grounded into a double play to end the inning. McAuliffe grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the fourth before Didier struck out swinging. Guerrero got a base hit to left but Harper grounded out to third to end the inning.

Pinson popped up to short to start the top of the fifth and Solaita took strike three. Martinez walked but was forced at second by White to end the inning. The Sox blew a rally in the bottom of the fifth as Beniquez struck out swinging to start. Cooper singled to right and Yaz drew a walk, but Carbo beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners. Sox manager Darrell Johnson had enough of Kennedy's incompetence at the plate so he sent Danny Cater to pinch hit for him. Cater walked to load the bases and Terry Hughes came in to run for him. With a chance to break the game open, McAuliffe grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Royals struck back in the top of the sixth as Patek grounded out to short to start. Wohlford got a base hit to center before stealing second. Mayberry struck out swinging but McRae doubled to left to score Wohlford. Rojas grounded out to second to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                                 McRae drives in a run

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the sixth as Didier grounded out to second to start. Guerrero flied out to right but Harper walked. Beniquez flied out to left to end the inning.

Pinson lined out to second to open the top of the seventh before Solaita walked. Al Cowens pinch ran for Solaita only for Martinez to hit into a double play to end the inning. Cooper flied out to center to start the bottom of the seventh but Yaz got a base hit to right. Carbo grounded into a double play to end the inning.

White grounded out to third to start the top of the eighth before Patek grounded out to short. Wohlford singled to right and Mayberry walked, but McRae forced John at second to end the inning. Hughes flied out to left to start the bottom of the eighth before McAuliffe grounded out to second. Bob Montgomery pinch hit for Didier and struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Royals sprang to life in the top of the ninth against a tired Drago as Rojas got a base hit to right to start. Pinson forced Rojas at second but swiped second base. Cowens got a base hit to center and Martinez got a base hit to right to score Pinson. Darrell Johnson kept Drago in and Amos Otis pinch hit for White. Otis got a base hit to center and finally Drago was pulled. Dick did a hell of a job up to this point but was removed after allowing 5 runs in 8 1/3 innings. Diego Segui came in to pitch and both runners moved over on a comebacker to Segui by Patek. Wohlford got a base hit to center to score Martinez to ice the game. Wohlford stole second but Mayberry struck out swinging to end the inning with the Royals up 5-2.

                                                 "I shoulda pulled em earlier" - Johnson

Fernanrdo Gonzalez took over at third for the bottom of the ninth with Rick Miller pinch hitting for Guerrero to begin. Miller grounded out to first before Harper got a base hit to center. Beniquez flied out to left and Cooper popped up to third to end the game. The Royals had won it 5-2.

Jackass of The Night should be Darrell Johnson but its Dick Drago. He allowed 5 runs in 8 1/3 innings to put the Sox in a hole they couldn't climb out of. He allowed 9 hits and walked four.

                                                             Jackass Drago

The Good:

Tommy Harper was 2 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

Carl Yastrezmski was 3 for 5 with a walk and a run scored.

Bernie Carbo walked twice in four plate appearances.

Danny Cater walked as a pinch hitter.

Mario Guerrero was 1 for 3.

The Bad:

John Kennedy was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts.

Terry Hughes was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Dick McAuliffe was 0 for 4.

Bob Didier was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Bob Montgomery struck out as a pinch hitter.

Rick Miller was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

Juan Beniquez was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Cecil Cooper was just 1 for 5.

Diego Segui allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own in 2/3 of an inning.

Final Thoughts:

The Sox have a huge problem going on and its not something easily fixable. They have a black hole at the bottom of their order with Carlton Fisk and Doug Griffin out. Royals manager Jack McKeon figured out to just walk Carbo because the bottom of the order can't hit. John Kennedy was only in with Griffin out and Didier is here because Fisk is out. Guerrero isn't exactly going to light it up either so the Sox need to pitch well. Johnson went with Drago way too long in this one and by the time Segui got in, it was too late. Still, the trio of Rick Wise, Luis Tiant and Bill Lee should be enough to win a lot of games this year. Hopefully Fisk and Griffin come back soon because this is going to be a very top-heavy lineup in the meantime. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow as they hit the road against the Texas Rangers. Reggie Cleveland (1-1) takes the mound for the Sox against Rangers age Fergie Jenkins. The game begins at 8:00 PM Eastern time at Arlington Stadium.

Wise, Sox Shut Down Royals (4/22/74)

When the Boston Red Sox shipped out Reggie Smith and Ken Tatum for Rick Wise (2-1, 2.66 ERA) and Bernie Carbo, they were hoping they'd get the 16 game version of Wise. So far he's been as good as advertised, especially in tonight's game against the Kansas City Royals. Wise held the Royals to just 1 run through six solid innings before giving way to Diego Segui. Meanwhile Carl Yastrzemski carried the offense with two home runs and three total rbis to outscore the Royals by himself. Segui earned his second save of the season as the Sox beat the Royals 4-1 at Fenway Park.

                                                           Cyd Charisse approves of the win

Wise got the ball in the top of the first inning and Freddie Patek struck out swinging. Cookie Rojas also went down hacking and Jim Wohlford grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox jumped on Nelson Briles as Tommy Harper singled to left to start. Doug Griffin doubled off the Monster to score Harper and Bernie Carbo dropped down a bunt but was called out for interference. Carl Yastrzemski singled to right to score Griffin and promptly stole second. Rico Petrocelli and Cecil Cooper walked to load the bases but Rick Miller forced Yaz at home. Bob Didier forced Cooper at second to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                 Griffin drives in a run

John Mayberry flied out to center to start the top of the second before Hal McRae struck out swinging. Tony Solaita singled to center and Vada Pinson singled to right before Buck Martinez walked to load the bases. Fernando Gonzalez struck out swinging to end the inning. Mario Guerrero grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the second and Harper took strike three. Apparently Griffin got hurt the previous inning and Dick McAuliffe pinch hit for him. Dick grounded out to second to end the inning.

Patek flied out to center to start the top of the third before Rojas grounded out to third. Wohlford doubled to left and Mayberry flied out to center to end the inning. 

                                                                "They can't hit me" - Wise

Carbo flied out to right to start the bottom of the third and Yaz grounded out to first. Petrocelli flied out to center to end the inning.

McRae grounded out to short to begin the top of the fourth before Solaita was retired on a squibber in front of the plate. Pinson grounded out to first to end the inning. Cooper doubled to right to start the bottom of the fourth and was sacrificed to third by Miller. Didier flied out to right and Cooper ran for home....but stopped and tried to go back to third, being thrown out by Briles to end the inning.

Martinez hit one up the elevator shaft to start the top of the fifth before Gonzalez flied out to right. Patek flied out to center to end the inning. Guerrero walked to start the bottom of the fifth before Harper popped up to first. That was it for Briles as Gene Garber came in to pitch and got McAuliffe to ground into a double play to end the inning.

The Royals fought back in the top of the sixth as Rojas singled to center and Wohlford doubled to center to score him. Mayberry grounded out to second to move Wohlford to third but McRae walked. Solaita struck out swinging and Pinson grounded out to first to end the inning with the Royals down 2-1.

                                                                Wohlford drives in a run

The Sox answered in the bottom of the sixth as Carpo popped up to third to start. Yaz then belted his fifth home run of the season to increase the lead. Petrocelli walked and Cooper got a base hit to right but Miller moved the runners over with a grounder to first. Didier was intentionally walked to get to Guerrero. Mario forced Didier at second to end the inning with the Sox up 3-1.

                                                              Home run Yaz

Diego Segui came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Martinez doubled off the Monster to start. Gonzalez popped up to first but Patek singled to center. Patek swiped second but Rojas took strike three. Wohlford flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox beat the ball in the dirt to start the bottom of the seventh as Harper grounded out to short to start. McAuliffe grounded out to short and Carbo grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Mayberry flied out to left to start the top of the eighth before McRae caught the Sox asleep with a bunt single. Solaita lined out to right and Pinson grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Yaz led off the bottom of the eighth with his second home run of the game to increase the lead but Petrocelli singled to center. Joe Hoerner came in to pitch with Juan Beniquez coming in to run for Rico. Cooper forced Beniquez at second then was promptly thrown out trying to steal. Miller flied out to left to end the inning.

Terry Hughes took over at third to start the top of the ninth and Martinez flied out to left to start. Frank White pinch hit for Gonzalez and took strike three. Patek struck out swinging to end the game. The Sox had won it 4-1.

Hero of The Night is Carl Yastrzemski. He hit two home runs and drove in three runs to outscore the Royals singlehandedly.

                                                                    Hero Yaz

The Good:

Doug Griffin was 1 for 1 with an rbi and a run scored before leaving.

Rico Petrocelli was 1 for 2 with 2 walks.

Cecil Cooper was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Rick Wise got the win by tossing 6 innings of 1 run ball. He allowed 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5.

Diego Segui got his second save with 3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Dick McAuliffe was 0 for 3.

Bernie Carbo was 0 for 4.

Rick Miller was 0 for 3.

The Ugly:

Tommy Harper was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Bob Didier was 0 for 2 but walked.

Mario Guerrero was 0 for 2 but walked.

Honorable Mention:

Juan Beniquez pinch ran for Rico Petrocelli

Terry Hughes played third base in the later innings.

Final Thoughts:

Tough to lose Griffin and Wise left the game relatively early but the Sox came out the winners. Getting Wise was the key to this season because if Luis Tiant and Bill Lee pitch well, Rick would be the third starter they've been desperate for since Gary Bell in 1967. Yaz came up big with two home runs and having Petrocelli back helps out big time. The only possible thing to complain about is the Sox are still without Carlton Fisk and Mario Guerrero isn't hitting at all. Still, its only April and the Sox are winning games. Diego Segui did well today as well so complaining about things isn't really worth it. Still, the Sox need to go on a huge winning streak if they want to jump out to first place early. Dick Drago (1-0) gets the start tomorrow against the Royals with Al Fitzmorris as his opponent. The game begins at 2:00 PM at Fenway Park.

Red Sox Stun, Walkoff Indians (4/21/74)

It was an amazing day for Boston sports. The Boston Bruins won Game 2 of their NHL Semifinal series, the Boston Celtics defeated the New York Knicks in Game 4 of their NBA East Final series and the Boston Red Sox pulled off an amazing comeback to sweep the Cleveland Indians. Bill Lee surrendered a 2 run home run in the top of the third inning and ended up trailing 5-1 going into the bottom of the ninth. Things looked bleak after a Carl Yastrzemski sac fly brought the Sox within run but there were two outs. Down to their last out, Rico Petrocelli doubled off Cecil Upshaw to score Juan Beniquez with the tying run. Diego Segui (2-1, 2.53 ERA) tossed a scoreless tenth and then Dick McAuliffe stood on second base in the bottom of the frame. Milt Wilcox somehow threw a pickoff throw into centerfield and McAuliffe made a mad dash home to win the game for the Sox 6-5 in 10 innings at Fenway Park

                                                           Jojo White approves of the win

Lee got the ball in the top of the first and Remy Hermoso grounded back to the mound to start. John Lowenstein grounded out to third but Buddy Bell dumped a base hit to right. Bell was thrown out at second by Dwight Evans to end the inning. The Sox jumped on Jim Perry in the bottom of the first as Cecil Cooper walked to start. Doug Griffin caught the Indians asleep with a bunt single and Bernie Carbo walked to load the bases. Carl Yastrzemski grounded out to second but Cooper scored to put Boston on top. Rico Petrocelli was intentionally walked to re-load the bases but Evans struck out swinging. Rick Miller popped up to left to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                                 Yaz drives in a run

John Ellis singled to left to start the top of the second and Charlie Spikes forced him at second. Chris Chambliss flied out to right and George Hendrick forced Spikes at second to end the inning. Bob Didier popped up to third to start the bottom of the second before Mario Guerrero grounded out to third. Cooper grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Indians struck back in the top of the third as Dave Duncan flied out to center to start. Frank Duffy grounded out to third but Hermoso singled to right. Lee then threw a pickoff throw away to move Hermoso to second but Lowenstein hit a home run all the way to Billerica to put Cleveland on top. Bell flied out to center to end the inning with the Indians up 2-1.

                                                                 Home run Lowenstein

The Sox failed to answer in the bottom of the third as Griffin grounded out to third to start. Carbo singled to center but Yaz popped up to left. Petrocelli flied out to left to end the inning.

Ellis flied out to left to start the top of the fourth before Spikes grounded back to the mound. Chambliss took strike three to end the inning. Evans popped up to center to start the bottom of the fourth but Miller ripped a base hit to center. Rick moved to second on the Didier grounder to short. Guerrero struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Indians struck again in the top of the fifth as Hendrick walked to start. Hendrick got picked off but Griffin dropped a pop up from Duncan. Duffy singled to left and Hermoso got a seeing eye single into right to score Duncan. The Indians pulled off a double steal but Lowenstein grounded out to second with the infield in. Bell grounded out to third to end the inning with the Indians up 3-1.

                                                                Duncan scores a run

Cooper doubled to left to start the bottom of the fifth but Griffin's bunt attempt was too hard to Perry and Cooper stayed at second. Carbo grounded out to second to move Cooper to third and Yaz grounded out to second to end the inning.

Ellis beat out a roller to third to start the top of the sixth but Spikes forced him at second. Spikes stole second but Chambliss lined out to Griffin. Hendrick grounded out to short to end the inning. Petrocelli got a base hit to center to start the bottom of the sixth but Evans banged into a double play. Miller doubled to right but Didier grounded out to second to end the inning.

Duncan singled to left to start the top of the seventh but Duffy dropped down a bunt. Lee threw the ball away for another error and Hermoso singled in the hole at short to load the bases. Lowenstein lined out to left and Bell beat out a double play ball to score Duncan.....and they forgot about Duffy who came around to score as well. Ellis hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning with the Indians up 5-1.

                                                         Heads up play by Duffy

Guerrero popped up to first to start the bottom of the seventh and Cooper struck out swinging. Griffin flied out to center to end the inning.

Spikes singled to right to start the top of the eighth but was thrown out second trying to steal. Chambliss grounded out to third but Hendrick singled to left. Duncan singled to left but Duffy forced Duncan to end the inning. Carbo took strike three to start the bottom of the eighth but Yaz doubled to left. Petrocelli grounded out to third but Evans was hit with a pitch. Miller forced Evans at second to end the inning.

Lee returned for the top of the ninth and Hermoso grounded out to short to start. Lowenstein singled to right and stole second, but Bell grounded out to short. Ellis got picked off to end the inning. Lee went 9 innings and allowed 5 runs although only 2 were earned. He allowed 13 hits and a walk.

                                                                Lee goes nine

Suddenly the Sox woke up in the bottom of the ninth with Dick McAuliffe pinch hitting for Didier. Dick drew a walk and Danny Cater pinch hit for Guerrero. Cater got a base hit to right and that was it for Perry. Ken Sanders came in to pitch and Cooper singled to right to load the bases. Griffin got a base hit to right to score McAuliffe and reload the bases. Tom Hilgendorf came in to face Carbo and Bernie beat out a double play ball to score Cater. Juan Beniquez ran for Carbo and Yaz scored Cooper with a sac fly to cut the lead. Cecil Upshaw came in to face Petrocelli and with the game on the line....Rico doubled off the Monster to score Beniquez to tie the game. Terry Hughes ran for Petrocelli and Evans drew a walk. With the winning run at second....Miller took strike three to end the inning with the game tied 5-5.

                                                             Petrocelli ties it up

Bob Montgomery took over behind the plate with Diego Segui now on the mound for the top of the tenth. Ellis lined out to short but Spikes singled to right. Chambliss banged into a double play to end the inning. McAuliffe walked to start the bottom of 10th and was sacrificed to second by Montgomery. Milt Wilcox came in to face Cooper and accidentally threw a pickoff throw into centerfield. McAuliffe made a mad dash all the way around to score to win the game. The Sox had stolen the game 6-5.

Hero of The Night is Dick McAuliffe. His hustling around the bases scored the winning run in the 10th inning.

                                                              Hero McAuliffe

The Good:

Cecil Cooper was 2 for 4 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Doug Griffin was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

Juan Beniquez scored a run as a pinch runner.

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

Rick Miller was 2 for 5.

Danny Cater singled and scored as a pinch hitter.

Bob Montgomery dropped down a crucial sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the tenth.

Diego Segui got the win with a scoreless 10th inning.

The Bad:

Bob Didier was 0 for 3.

Mario Guerrero was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Dwight Evans was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked and was hit with a pitch.

Bernie Carbo was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked, drove in a run and scored.

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 4 but knocked in two runs.

Bill Lee pitched 9 innings and allowed 5 runs but only 2 of them were earned due to his own error. He allowed 13 hits and a walk.

Honorable Mention:

Terry Hughes ran for Petrocelli and played third base.

Final Thoughts:

That was the win of the season for sure. The Sox were down 5-1 going into the eighth and rallied to tie the game. Everyone contributed from Danny Cater getting a pinch hit single, Dick McAuliffe getting a pinch hit walk, Juan Beniquez scoring as a pinch runner and Diego Segui getting key outs in the 10th. Petrocelli's double with 2 outs was clutch as was well as Carbo avoiding the double play. Yaz got a big rbi and all around the team needed everyone to win this one. Lee was hit or miss in this one but still went 9 innings that would have been a complete game if the Sox pulled it off in the ninth. The Sox need to win every game possible and this is one of those games they'll need come September. The Sox swept Cleveland out of Fenway and now welcome in the Kansas City Royals for a two game set. Rick Wise (1-1) goes for the Sox against Nelson Briles of the Royals. The game begins at 7:00 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Hold Off Indians (4/20/74)

That was too close for comfort but the Boston Red Sox made it two in a row over the Cleveland Indians in tonight's game. Luis Tiant (1-1, 5.28 ERA) went the distance allowing 9 hits, a walk and four runs through the course of the game. The Sox rallied for 3 runs in the bottom of the first off Bob Johnson of Cleveland and increasing the lead to 4-0 until Buddy Bell hit a three run home run in the seventh. Rico Petrocelli drove in Juan Beniquez in the bottom of the seventh for a big insurance run and the Sox would need it. Charlie Spikes hit a home run in the top of the ninth but Tiant held on and the Sox had beaten the Indians 5-4 at Fenway Park.

                                                       Lynda Carter approves of the win

Tiant got the ball in the top of the first inning and John Lowenstein singled to right to start. Lowenstein was immediately picked off and Remy Hermoso grounded out to short. George Hendrick took strike three to end the inning. The Sox jumped on Johnson immediately in the bottom of the first as Tommy Harper beat out a roller to third. Harper swiped second but Juan Beniquez grounded out to third. Bernie Carbo doubled to right to score Harper and Carl Yastrzemski was intentionally walked in the first inning. Rico Petrocelli made the Indians pay with a base hit to center to score Carbo. Dwight Evans flied out to left but Doug Griffin doubled to left to score Yaz. Bob Didier of all people was intentionally walked and Mario Guerrero forced Griffin at third to end the inning with the Sox up 3-0.

                                                     Has Ken Aspromonte been drinking?

John Ellis hit one up the elevator shaft to start the top of the second but Chris Chambliss singled to right. Charles Spikes struck out swinging and Dave Duncan hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. Harper grounded out to short to start the bottom of the second and Beniquez was retired on a squibber in front of the plate. Carbo got a base hit to right but Yaz lined out to right to end the inning.

Buddy Bell grounded out to third to start the top of the third and Frank Duffy struck out swinging. Lowenstein popped up to first to end the inning. Petrocelli popped up to right to start the bottom of the third but Evans managed to triple into the centerfield triangle. Griffin got a base hit to right to score Evans but was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double. Didier grounded out to second to end the inning with Boston ahead 4-0.

                                                       You're out, you dummy!

Hermoso's bunt attempt was snuffed out by Petrocelli to start the top of the fourth and Hendrick grounded out to first. Ellis popped up to short to end the inning. Guerrero doubled off the Monster to start the bottom of the fourth and Harper popped up to right. Beniquez lined out to third and Carbo struck out swinging to end the inning.

Chambliss doubled to right to start the top of the fifth but Spikes struck out swinging. Duncan walked but Bell struck out swinging. Duffy popped up to third in foul territory to end the inning. Yaz grounded out to second to start the bottom of the fifth but Petrocelli popped up to short. Evans grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Lowenstein singled to center to open the top of the sixth but Jack Brohamer pinch hit for Hermoso. Brohamer singled to right but Hendrick struck out swinging. Ellis grounded into a double play to end the inning. Griffin singled to right to begin the bottom of the sixth but Didier popped up to center. Griffin was thrown out trying to steal second and Guerrero grounded out to third to end the inning.

All of a sudden the Indians rallied in the top of the seventh as Chambliss singled to right to start. Spikes beat out a roller to short but Duncan struck out swinging. Bell then hit a three run home run all the way to the Soviet Union to cut the lead. Leron Lee pinch hit for Duffy and struck out swinging before Lowenstein flied out to right to end the inning with the Indians down 4-3.

                                                           Bell brings the Indians closer

Jack Heidemann took over for Lee to start the bottom of the seventh and Harper grounded out to third to start. Beniquez walked but Carbo struck out swinging again. Yaz walked and Petrocelli dumped a base hit to center to score Beniquez. Cecil Upshaw came in to pitch and Dick McAuliffe ran for Rico. Evans grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox up 5-3.

                                                       Petrocelli drives in a run

Brohamer grounded out to second to start the top of the eighth and Hendrick struck out swinging. Ellis flied out to left to end the inning. Griffin grounded out to third to begin the bottom of the eighth and Didier popped up to first in foul territory. Guerrero singled to left but Harper forced him at second to end the inning.

Tiant came back to finish the job in the top of the ninth and Chambliss grounded out to center. Spikes hit a home run all the way to San Jose to cut the lead but Duncan grounded out to short. Bell flied out to right to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-4.

                                                         "Had them all the way" - Tiant

Hero of The Night is Rico Petrocelli. He drove in two big runs including the decisive run in the seventh.

                                                             Hero Petrocelli

The Good:

Bernie Carbo was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Carl Yastrzemski walked twice and scored a run in four plate appearances.

Doug Griffin was 3 for 4 with 2 rbis.

Mario Guerrero was 2 for 4.

Luis Tiant went the distance to earn the win, allowing 4 runs on 9 hits and a walk while striking out 9.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Tommy Harper was just 1 for 5 but stole a base and scored a run.

Juan Beniquez was 0 for 3 but walked and scored a run.

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

Bob Didier was 0 for 3 but walked.

Honorable Mention:

Dick McAuliffe pinch ran for Petrocelli and played third base.

Final Thoughts:

That was a good win by the Sox and badly needed with Carlton Fisk and Bob Montgomery out. Tiant went the distance to save the bullpen and hats of to the offense who did just enough to win. Things got a little hairy at the end but the Petrocelli rbi late ended up being the difference in the game. The Indians don't appear to be headed for greatness this season so its imperative to beat them this season. Tiant did his job in this one but the Sox need to keep the momentum going, especially this early in the season. The Sox look to sweep the Indians out of Boston tomorrow afternoon when they send Bill Lee to the mound against Jim Perry of Cleveland. The game begins at 2:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Carbo, Cleveland Dice Up Indians (4/19/74)

The bad news was the Boston Celtics lost Game 3 of their NBA East Finals series but the good news was the Boston Red Sox defeated the Cleveland Indians. Reggie Cleveland (1-1, 2.45 ERA) pitched his second straight strong game, holding the Indians to just two runs in six solid innings. Bernie Carbo got the Sox on the board against Dick Tidrow with a 2 run blast and a balanced attack pushed four more runs across the plate. Backup catcher Bob drove in a run, Dwight Evans drove in a run and Dick Drago slammed the door as the Sox beat the Indians 6-3 at Fenway Park.

                                                   Bruno Sammartino approves of the win

Cleveland got the ball in the top of the first and John Lowenstein grounded out to second to start. Remy Hermoso lined out to center and George Hendrick grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox struck first against Tidrow in the bottom of the first as Juan Beniquez popped up to second to start. Doug Griffin walked and Bernie Carbo slugged his third home run of the season to put the Sox on top. Carl Yastrzemski and Rico Petrocelli both grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                           Griffin's walk was big

John Ellis beat out a roller to short to start the top of the second before Chris Chambliss singled to center. Charlie Spikes popped up to right, Dave Duncan struck out swinging and Buddy Bell flied out to left to end the inning. Cecil Cooper struck out swinging to start the bottom of the second but Dwight Evans reached on an error by Hermoso. Bob Didier made his Sox debut by lofting a base hit to right to move Evans to third. Mario Guerrero hit a grounder....off of Didier for an interference out. Beniquez forced Guerrero at second to end the inning.

Frank Duffy grounded out to third to start the top of the third before Lowenstein flied out to center. Hermoso walked but Hendrick lined out to center to end the inning. The Sox exploded in the bottom of the third as Griffin singled to left to start. Carbo was plunked and Yaz doubled to left to score Griffin. Petrocelli popped up to center but Cooper was foolishly intentionally walked to load the bases. Evans beat out a roller to short to score Carbo and Didier scored Yaz with a sac fly to left. Bell booted a grounder by Guerrero for an error to reload the bases but Beniquez grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox up 5-0.

                                                           First Sox rbi for Didier

The Indians struck back in the top of the fourth as Ellis flied out to right to start. Chambliss grounded out to second and Spikes hit a home run all the way to Nebraska to cut the lead. Duncan popped up to short to end the inning with the Indians down 5-1.

                                                               Home run Spikes

Tom Timmermann came in to pitch the bottom of the fourth and Griffin grounded back to the mound to start. Carbo struck out swinging and Yaz also grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

The Indians struck again in the top of the fifth as Bell hit a home run to Saudi Arabia to cut the lead. Duffy and Lowenstein both reached on bunt singles down to third and Hermoso ripped a base hit to right to load the bases. Cleveland houdini'd his way out as Hendtrick struck out swinging to start. Ellis popped up to center and Chambliss lined out to center to end the inning with the Indians down 5-2.

                                                         Bell hits one out

Petrocelli grounded back to the mound to start the bottom of the fifth and Cooper grounded out to second. Evans singled to center but Didier flied out to left to end the inning.

The Indians beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the sixth as Spikes grounded out to short. Duncan grounded out to short and Bell grounded out to third to end the inning. That was it for Cleveland who held the Indians to just 2 runs in 6 innings of work.

                                                              Good work Reggie

Guerrero walked to start the bottom of the sixth and Beniquez dropped down a bunt to move him to second. Mario got thrown out at third on a grounder by Griffin and Carbo grounded out to second to end the inning.

Dick Drago came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Duffy struck out swinging to start. Lowenstein grounded out to short and Jack Brohamer pinch hit for Hermoso. Brohamer grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the seventh as Yaz walked to start. Petrocelli forced Carl at second and Dick McAuliffe ran for Rico at first. Cooper singled McAuliffe to third and Cecil Upshaw came in to pitch to Evans. Dwight hit a sac fly to center to score Dick and Didier popped up to second to end the inning with the Sox up 6-2.

                                                       McAuliffe scores a run

The Indians got a run back in the top the eighth as Hendrick hit a home run all the way to Zimbabwe to cut the lead. Ellis flied out to center and Chambliss flied out to left before Spikes took strike three to end the inning with the Indians down 6-3.

                                                            Hendrick hits one out

Guerrero struck out swinging to start the bottom of the eighth and Beniquez hit a roller to the mound. Upshaw threw the ball away but Juan was thrown out at third. Griffin struck out swinging to end the inning.

Duncan grounded out to third to start the top of the ninth and Bell did the same. Oscar Gamble pinch hit for Duffy and grounded back to the mound to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-3.

Hero of the Night is Bernie Carbo. His 2 run home run set the tone for the game.

                                                              Bernie Hero

The Good:

Carl Yastrzemski was 1 for 3 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Dick McAuliffe scored a run as a pinch runner.

Cecil Cooper was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Dwight Evans was 2 for 3 with 2 rbis.

Bob Didier was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

Reggie Cleveland got the win by tossing 6 innings of 2 run ball. He allowed 7 hits and a walk while striking out two.

Dick Drago earned his first save of the season by allowing just 1 run in 3 innings of work.

The Bad:

Rico Petrocelli was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

Juan Beniquez was just 1 for 4.

Doug Griffin was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and scored two runs.

Mario Guerrero was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Final Thoughts:

Good bounce back win by the Sox after dropping three of the last four games including 2 of 3 to the New York Yankees in New York. The Indians are not good this year and the Sox need to beat teams like this to have any hope of winning the AL East. Cleveland pitched a gutty game and it was nice to see Didier produce. Bob Montgomery must be exhausted after catching every game with Carlton Fisk out so it was good to see someone else fill in successfully. The Sox definitely went small ball in this one with Beniquez, Guerrero, etc and it worked this time. Hopefully the Sox can keep this momentum going the rest of the series with Cleveland. The Sox look to make it two in a row over the Indians tomorrow afternoon when Luis Tiant (0-1) goes for his first win of the season against Bob Johnson of Cleveland. The game begins at 2:05 PM at Fenway Park.