Sox Lose Eckersley, Game (8/19/82)

If the Boston Sox had any hope of catching the Milwaukee Brewers, those dreams went up in smoke in tonight's game against the California Angels. Dennis Eckersley was pitching well until pulling a muscle in his bicep and had to leave in the third inning. After he was gone the bullpen gave up 8 runs in his absence. The Sox got 5 quick runs off old pal Steve Renko but Bruce Kison tossed 6 shutout innings to give the game to the Angels 8-5 at Anaheim Stadium.

The Red Sox wasted no time pounding Renko in the top of the first inning. Jerry Remy singled and Dwight Evans hit a roller to the mound that Renko threw away to put runners at the corners. Jim Rice doubled home both men to give the Sox the lead. Carl Yastrzemski popped up to short and Carney Lansford flied out to left but Dave Stapleton singled home Rice. Rick Miller flied out to left to end the inning but it was 2-0 Sox.

                                                        Rice knocks in a pair

Eckersley started off well in the bottom of the first although Brian Downing singled to start. Rob Wilfong forced Downing at second and Rod Carew banged into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the second as Rich Gedman grounded out to second to start. Glenn Hoffman flied out to right and Remy flied out to center to end the inning. Eck got Reggie Jackson to ground out to second to start the bottom of the second before Fred Lynn flied out to right. Don Baylor flied out to right to end the inning.

Renko got Evans to strike out to open the top of the third before Rice grounded out to short. Yaz flied out to left to end the inning. Disaster struck in the bottom of the third as Ron Jackson popped up to third to start. Tom Foli popped up to third but after Eck made the pitch he fell to the ground clutching his arm. Eck had to be carried out on a stretcher after just 2 2/3 innings. Bob Stanley came in and got Bob Boone to ground out to third to end the inning but Eck was gone.

                                                    Done with a pulled bicep muscle

The Sox struck again in the top of the fourth inning as Lansford began with a double. Stapleton doubled him home and Gedman singled in Stapleton. At this point it was 5-0 and the Angels were on the ropes but the Sox let them off the hook. Bruce Kison came in and dominated as Gedman flied out to right but Hoffman walked. Remy grounded out to first but both runners advanced. With a chance to hit a knockout punch, Evans struck out to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-0.

                                                       Stapleton adds to the lead

Stanley got Downing to ground out to first to start the bottom of the fourth before Wilfong flied out to left. Carew grounded out to second to end the inning.

Kison got Rice to ground out to third to begin the top of the fifth before Yaz flied out to left. Lansford singled to center but Stapleton struck out to end the inning. The Angels began their comeback in the bottom of the fifth inning as Jackson walked to start. Lynn popped up to third but Baylor walked. Jackson beat out an infield single to load the bases but Foli beat out a double play ball to score Jackson. Boone flied out to left to end the inning but it was now 5-1 Sox.

Miller grounded out to second to start the top of the sixth before Gedman also grounded out to second as well. Hoffman singled to right but was foolishly thrown out trying to stretch a double to end the inning. The Angels inched closer in the bottom of the sixth although Downing grounded out to first to begin. Wilfong singled and Carew doubled before Jackson singled home both runners to chase Stanley. Mark Clear came in and walked Lynn but Baylor popped up back to Mark. Jackson walked to load the bases but Foli took strike three to end the inning with the Sox still ahead 5-3.

                                                         3 runs allowed, not good

The Sox did nothing in the top of the seventh as Remy flied out to left to start. Evans grounded out to third but Rice singled to center. Yaz lined out to first to end the inning. The Sox fell apart in the bottom of the seventh as Boone doubled to start. Bob moved to third on the grounder by Downing before Wilfong grounded to the mound. Carew and Reggie Jackson both walked to load the bases and chase Clear. Lynn singled home Boone and Carew to tie the game before Baylor singled to left. Rice fired home but Jackson beat the throw to give the Angels the lead. Both runners advanced before Ron Jackson hit a routine grounder to third. Lansford went OLE! and Lynn scored with Baylor moving to third. Foli singled home Baylor and Sox manager Ralph Houk had enough of Burgmeier. He came in with the bases loaded and allowed all the runners to score plus two of his own. Luis Aponte got Boone to fly out to center but the Angels put up 5 runs to take the lead for good, 8-5.

                                                        Clear takes the loss

Lansford tried to atone for his error with a walk to open the top of the eighth but Stapleton flied out to right. Miller banged into a double play to end the inning. Aponte held the fort in the bottom of the eighth as Downing popped to short to start. Wilfong and Carew hit back to back singles but Jackson flied out to left. Lynn flied out to center to end the inning.

Juan Beniquez came in to play first and Bobby Clark came in to play right in the top of the ninth. Gedman grounded out to short before Wade Boggs pinch hit for Hoffman. Boggs hit one up the elevator shaft and Remy grounded out to short to end the game. The Angels had come back to win the game 8-5.

Jackass of the Night is Tom Burgmeier. He came in with the bases loaded and the Sox still in the lead, allowed all 3 runs to score and 2 of his own to put the Sox behind to good.

                                             Burgmeier is Jackass


The Good:

Jim Rice was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

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

Dave Stapleton was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Glenn Hoffman was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Dennis Eckersley tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings before leaving with an injury.

Luis Aponte tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 4.

Rich Gedman was 0 for 4.

Wade Boggs popped up as a pinch hitter.

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

Mark Clear took the loss with 3 runs allowed in 1 1/3 innings.



The Ugly:

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

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

Rick Miller was just 1 for 4 with an rbi.




Final Thoughts:

Well this game was a sucker punch to the balls. Not only did they lose Eckersley but the bullpen blew the game as well. Blowing a 5 run lead is almost hard to do especially since the bullpen has been one of the strong points this year. Stanley, Clear and Burgmeier combined to give up 8 runs between them against an Angels you can't afford to let get hot. If Eckersley is done for a month that could end the season for the Sox considering they're relying on the aging Mike Torrez and the spot starters like Chuck Rainey to carry them to the playoffs. As good as the offense has been, they don't have enough starting pitching. It was a tough loss but the Sox are now 65-54, 4 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the AL East. The Sox are back in action tomorrow night with a set against the Oakland A's in Oakland. Brian Kingman goes for the A's with Mike Torrez going for the Sox at a horrible 10:30 PM Eastern time start at the Oakland Coliseum.

Sox Blank Orioles (8/15/82)

In one of the biggest wins of the season, the Boston Red Sox shut out the Baltimore Orioles to keep pace in the AL East race. Mike Torrez tossed 4 shutout innings before Bob Stanley (8-5, 2.98 ERA) tossed the final 5 innings to preserve the win. Offensively it was a combined effort with big hits from Dwight Evans and Glenn Hoffman among others. All in all it was a good 8-0 win on a Sunday at Fenway Park.

                                                           Kenickie approves of the win

Torrez got the ball in the top of the first inning and Al Bumbry led the game off with a lineout to short. Glenn Gulliver walked but Ken Singleton banged into a double play to end the inning. Scott McGregor got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jerry Remy struck out to begin. Dwight Evans walked but Jim Rice grounded into a double play to end the inning.

The Orioles beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the second inning as Eddie Murray grounded out to first to start. John Lowenstein grounded out to first and Cal Ripken Jr grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the second as Tony Perez flied out to right to begin. Carney Lansford drew a walk but Dave Stapleton flied out to left. Reid Nichols grounded out to third to end the inning.

The O's did nothing in the top of the third inning as Jim Dwyer flied out to center to start. Joe Nolan grounded out to first before Rich Dauer lined a base hit to center. Bumbry grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox failed to score in the bottom of the third as Gary Allenson grounded back to the mound to begin. Glenn Hoffman flied out to left before Remy popped up to short to end the inning.

Torrez got Gulliver to strike out looking to begin the top of the fourth before Singleton got a base hit to center. Murray banged into a double play to end the inning. That was it for Torrez who didn't allow a run in 4 innings of work.

                                                            Short and sweet for Torrez

McGregor cruised in the bottom of the fourth as Evans grounded back to the mound to start. Rice flied out to right and Perez looked at strike three to end the inning.

Bob Stanley got the call to pitch the top of the fifth and Lowenstein grounded back to the mound to start. Ripken Jr flied out to center and Dwyer struck out to end the inning. The Sox threatened in the bottom of the fifth although Lansford struck out to start. Stapleton grounded out to second but Nichols beat out an infield single to short. Allenson drew a walk but Hoffman popped up to short to end the inning.

Nolan flied out to center to open the top of the sixth before Dauer grounded out to short. Bumbry beat out an infield single to second and Gulliver doubled to left. Rice gunned it to third and Lansford gunned it home with Bumbry on his way...OUT! Bumbry was out and the Sox were out of the inning. The Sox didn't cash in on the break as Remy's bunt attempt to third was snuffed out to start the bottom of the sixth. Evans grounded out to third and Rice flied out to right to end the inning.

Stanley cruised in the top of the seventh as Singleton grounded out to second to begin. Murray struck out and Lowenstein flied out to left to end the inning. The Sox finally got something going in the bottom of the seventh when Perez singled to start. Wade Boggs pinch ran for Perez and Lansford singled. Stapleton popped up to second but Nichols doubled home both runners to give the Sox the lead. For whatever reason Allenson was intentionally walked to get to Hoffman and Glenn made the O's pay by lashing a single to right. Lansford scored and the throw home got away. Nichols scored, Allenson went to third and Hoffman took second on the error. That was it for McGregor as Tim Stoddard came in only to foolishly intentionally walk Remy to load the bases for Evans. Dwight doubled home Allenson and Hoffman to ice the game. ANOTHER foolish intentional walk to Rice allowed Boggs to single home Remy. Mike Boddicker came in and Lansford greeting him with a base hit to score Evans. A base hit by Stapleton scored Boggs to wrap up the scoring. Nichols struck out and Allenson flied out to left to end the inning but the Sox batted around to put 8 runs up on the board and lead 8-0.

                                                     Nichols gets the rally started

Stanley dominated the top of the eighth inning as Ripken Jr grounded out to third to start. Dwyer singled but Nolan banged into a double play to end the inning. Hoffman singled to open the bottom of the eighth but both Remy and Evans struck out. Rice grounded into a force to end the inning.

Stanley returned to finish the job in the top of the ninth with Terry Crowley pinch hitting for Dauer. Crowley grounded out to second before Bumbry looked at strike three. Gulliver singled to center but Singleton grounded out to short to end the game. The Sox big 7th inning was enough to win going away 8-0.

Hero of The Night is Reid Nichols. He got the rally started in the bottom of the seventh with his 2 run double.

                                                      Hero Nichols



The Good:

Tony Perez was 1 for 3.

Wade Boggs singled, drove in a run and scored as a pinch hitter/runner

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

Gary Allenson walked twice and scored in 4 plate appearances.

Glenn Hoffman was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Mike Torrez pitched 4 scoreless innings.

Bob Stanley got the win with 5 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

None



The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was 0 for 4 but walked and scored.

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4 but walked, drove in 2 runs and scored a run.

Jim Rice was 0 for 4 but walked and scored.

Dave Stapleton was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.




Final Thoughts:

As time begins to run out, the Sox HAVE to go on a win streak if they want to keep pace with the Milwaukee Brewers and even the charging Orioles. At some point the starters are going to have to step up because Stanley, Luis Aponte and Mark Clear can't bail them out every single game. The offense stepped up to have a big inning but they're going to need more consistency if they want to make a run at the AL East crown. The Brewers and Orioles aren't going to go away so the Sox are going to have to make a stand now. The win improved the Sox to 63-52, 4.5 games behind the Brewers for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the Birds tomorrow night when Chuck Rainey goes for the Sox up against Dennis Martinez at 7:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Indians Walk Off in 14 (6/20/82)

In a heartbreaking loss for the Boston Red Sox, the Cleveland Indians rallied in the 8th inning to send the game into extras where they won in the 14th. Mark Clear couldn't slam the door after a decent Bruce Hurst start and Luis Aponte couldn't slam the door in the fourteenth inning. It was a hard fought game but the Indians took it 5-4 in the 14th inning at Cleveland Stadium.

                                             This game makes George Bailey mad

Len Barker got the start for the Indians and he cruised in the top of the first inning. Jerry Remy struck out before Dwight Evans grounded out to first. Carney Lansford grounded out to short to end the inning. Hurst got the ball in the bottom of the first and the Indians immediately tagged him. Miguel Dilone grounded out to third but Toby Harrah smashed a 400,000 foot bomb to put the Indians on top. Mike Hargrove and Andre Thornton both whiffed to end the inning but the Indians were up 1-0.

The lead stayed the same in the top of the second as the Sox beat the ball in the dirt. Carl Yastrzemski grounded out to second, Rich Gedman grounded out to third and Dave Stapleton also grounded out to second to end the inning. The Indians struck again in the bottom of the second as Evans dropped a routine pop up by Alex Bannister to start. Rick Manning caught the Sox asleep with a bunt to put runners at first and third. Von Hayes grounded out to second to score Bannister and move Manning to second before Chris Bando flied out to center. Mike Fischlin tripled into the gap to score both runners. Dilone hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning but it was 3-0 Indians.

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the third as Glenn Hoffman and Reid Nichols both flied out to left to start. Rick Miller singled to left but Remy flied out to left to end the inning. Hurst got in trouble in the bottom of the third by walking the bases loaded. Harrah, Hargrove and Thornton all walked but Bannister hit a ground ball to third. Lansford gunned it home to nail Harrah at home before Gedman fired to first to get Bannister for the double play. Manning struck out to end the inning.

The Sox struck back in the top of the fourth as Evans walked to start. Lansford hit one up the elevator shaft but Yaz cracked his 9th home run of the year to cut into the lead. Gedman stuck out and Stapleton grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox down 3-2.

                                                               Yaz hits one out

Hurst recovered in the bottom of the fourth as Hayes grounded out to second to start. Bando grounded out to short but Fischlin bunted his way on. Dilone lined out to right to end the inning.

Barker cruised in the top of the fifth inning as Hoffman struck out to start. Nichols grounded out to third and Miller grounded out to second to end the inning. Hurst kept pace in the bottom of the fifth although Harrah walked to start. Hargrove lined out to right but Thornton singled. Bannister and Manning both flied out to center to end the inning.

The Sox took command in the top of the sixth as Remy started the rally with a single. Evans lashed a double to left that Dilone bobbled, allowing Remy to score the tying run and advancing Dwight to third. A wild pitch by Barker scored Evans to give the Sox the lead but both Lansford and Yaz flied out to right. Gedman singled to right and Stapleton singled to center but Nichols flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-3.

                                                           Evans gives the Sox the lead

Hurst cruised in the bottom of the sixth as Hayes grounded out to second to begin. Bando grounded out to short and Fischlin struck out to end the inning. That was it for Hurst who turned in a solid effort, throwing 6 innings of 3 run ball to put himself in line for the win.

                                                               Good work Hurst

Barker cruised in the top of the seventh as Miller lined back to the mound to start. Remy popped up to left and Evans struck out to end the inning. Mark Clear was summoned for the bottom of the seventh and Dilone grounded out to first to start. Harrah looked at strike three and Hargrove grounded out to short to end the inning.

Barker returned for the top of the eighth and Lansford grounded out to first to begin. Yaz struck out before Gedman grounded out to first to end the inning. The Indians got to Clear in the bottom of the eighth as Thornton walked and was sacrificed to second by Bannister. Manning struck out but Hayes tied the game with a double. Bando looked at strike three to end the inning but the game was tied 4-4.

                                                        Thanks a lot Clear

Ron Hassey took over behind the plate for the top of the ninth and Stapleton popped up to first to begin. Hoffman lined out to right and Nichols struck out to end the inning. The Indians almost won it in the bottom of the ninth when Fischlin singled to start. Dilone looked at strike three but Harrah singled. Hargrove walked to load the bases but Thornton looked at strike three. Karl Pagel pinch hit for Bannister but Clear froze him for strike three to end the inning.

Jack Perconte came in to play second in the top of the tenth with Barker still on the mound. Miller beat out an infield single and was sacrificed to second by Remy, but Evans grounded out to third. Yaz flied out to center to end the inning. Tom Burgmeier came in to pitch the bottom of the tenth and Manning grounded out to first to start. Hayes lined out to second but Hassey singled to center. Fischlin grounded out to third to end the inning.

Dan Spillner came in to pitch the top of the eleventh and Yaz struck out to begin. Gedman grounded out to second and Stapleton looked at strike three to end the inning. The Indians almost won it in the bottom of the eleventh when Dilone singled to start and was sacrificed to second by Harrah. Dilone swiped third and Hargrove was plunked. Thornton was intentionally walked and Jerry Dybzinsky pinch hit for Percone....only to bang into a double play to end the inning.

Dybzinsky moved to short with Fischlin taking over at second to open the top of the 12th inning. Wade Boggs pinch hit for Hoffman and flied out to right to start. Nichols looked at strike three before Miller grounded out to short to end the inning.

Julio Valdez took over at short for the bottom of the 12th and Manning singled to right to begin. Manning was sacrificed to second by Hayes and he moved to third on the grounder by Hassey. Fischlin popped up to first to end the inning.

Remy grounded out to second to start the top of the 13th but Evans drew a walk. Lansford looked at strike three before Yaz popped up to third to end the inning. Luis Aponte came in for the bottom of the 13th and Dilone grounded out to short to start. Harrah flied out to left and Hargrove watched strike three go by to end the inning.

Gedman singled to start the top of the 14th and Gary Allenson pinch ran for him. Stapleton singled and Valdez dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners into scoring position. They never moved as Nichols flied out to right and Miller flied out to center to end the inning. The end mercifully came in the bottom of the 14th when Thornton singled to start. Dybzinsky sacrificed him to second but for some reason Sox manager Ralph Houk had Manning intentionally walked. Hayes walked to load the bases and Hassey singled home Thornton to end the game. It took 14 innings but the Indians had won it 5-4.

Jackass of the Night is Reid Nichols. He was 0 for 6 including 2 strikeouts and failed to get two men in scoring position in during the crucial top of the 14th inning.

                                                             Nice clutch hitting Jackass



The Good:

Rich Gedman was 2 for 6.

Dave Stapleton was 2 for 6.

Julio Valdez dropped down a perfect bunt in the top of the 14th inning.

Rick Miller was 2 for 6.

Bruce Hurst tossed 6 innings of 3 run ball to keep the Sox in the game. Only 1 run was earned, he walked four and struck out 4.

Tom Burgmeier tossed 3 shutout innings of relief.



The Bad:

Carney Lansford was 0 for 6 with a strikeout.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Wade Boggs flied out as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

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

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4 with an error but walked twice and scored 2 runs.

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 6 but the one hit was a 2 run home run.

Mark Clear blew the lead in the bottom of the 8th but pitched scoreless 7th and 9th innings.

Luis Aponte took the loss in the bottom of the 14th but pitched a clean top of the 13th.



Honorable Mention:

Gary Allenson ran for Gedman in the top of the 14th and caught the bottom of the 14th.




Final Thoughts:

This game was a sucker punch to the gonads. As mediocre as the Sox offense was against Barker today, they still had a chance to win if Clear didn't blow it. Still, they had 2 on and 1 out in the top of the 14th but couldn't get the clutch hit they needed. The Indians are a perfectly mediocre 31-32 and the Sox blew a big chance to gain a game in the AL East standings by dropping this one. The less said of this unmitigated disaster, the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 39-25, 2 games in front of the Detroit Tigers for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow night the Sox are back home against the Tigers with a chance to put some distance from them in the East standings. Dan Petry goes for the Tigers up against John Tudor (5-5) of the Red Sox at 7:00 PM at Fenway Park.

Yankees Rally Past Red Sox (6/15/82)

For eight innings it looked like the Boston Red Sox were going to gain a half game on the idle Detroit Tigers by beating the New York Yankees. Sox starter Bruce Hurst and Tommy John of the Yankees engaged in a 2-1 pitcher's duel through six innings. Then the Sox scored three runs in the top of the seventh to chase John. Then the Yankees rallied in the bottom of the eighth by chasing Hurst. Mark Clear (5-2, 1.70) had been money all season but he allowed the inherited runner to score and then a backbreaking two run home run by Ken Griffey. The Sox got two runners on in the top of the ninth but Goose Gossage got Jerry Remy to fly out to end the game. The Yankees had stolen this game 5-4 at Yankee Stadium.

                                                       "That eighth inning......"

John got the ball in the top of the first inning and Jerry Remy struck out swinging to start. Dwight Evans lined out to John and Carney Lansford grounded out to short to end the inning. The Yankees struck first against Hurst in the bottom of the second as Willie Randolph was plunked to start. Ken Griffey got a base hit to right but Dave Winfield grounded into a double play. Lou Piniella got a base hit to left to score Randolph and Graig Nettles flied out to right to end the inning with the Yankees up 1-0.

                                                          Piniella puts New York on top

The Sox answered in the top of the second as Tony Perez doubled to left to start. Dave Stapleton grounded back to the mound but Glenn Hoffman got a base hit to left to score Perez. Gary Allenson popped up to second and Reid Nichols flied out to left to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                                Sox tie it

Butch Wynegar got a base hit to left but was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double to start the bottom of the second. Old pal Butch Hobson took strike three and Dave Collins grounded out to second to end the inning.

Rick Miller grounded out to short to start the top of the third and Remy did the same. Evans walked but Lansford flied out to right to end the inning. Bucky "bleeping" Dent flied out to left to start the bottom of the third and Randolph grounded out to short. Griffey grounded out to first to end the inning.

Perez got a base hit to center to start the top of the fourth and Stapleton flied out to left. Hoffman grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Yankees took command in the bottom of the fourth as Winfield doubled to left to start. Piniella doubled to left to score Winfield and put the Yankees back on top. Nettles grounded out to first to move Lou to third and Wynegar walked. Hobson grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Yankees up 2-1.

                                                          Piniella drives in another run

Andre Robertson came in for Randolph to start the top of the fifth and Allenson grounded out to second to start. Nichols got a base hit to center but Miller forced him at second. Remy forced Miller at second to end the inning. Collins grounded out to third to start the bottom of the fifth and Dent popped up to second. Robertson took strike three to end the inning.

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the sixth as Evans grounded out to second to start. Lansford grounded out to second and Perez grounded out to third to end the inning. Griffey flied out to right to start the bottom of the sixth and Winfield grounded out to third. Piniella flied out to left to end the inning.

The Sox rallied in the top of the seventh as Stapleton doubled to left to start. Hoffman flied out to center to move Dave to third and Allenson got a base hit to left to score Dave. Nichols got a base hit to center to move Allenson to third and Miller hit a sac fly to center to score Gary with the go-ahead run. Nichols took second on the throw and he scored on the Remy base hit to left. Remy took second on the throw home and Goose Gossage was brought in to face Evans. Dwight grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-2.

                                                 Allenson drives in a run and scores one

Nettles popped up to second to start the bottom of the seventh and Wynegar flied out to left. Hobson grounded out to short to end the inning.

Lansford grounded out to short to start the top of the eighth and Perez grounded out to first. Stapleton hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. Hurst returned briefly for the bottom of the eighth only for Collins to double to left to chase him. He would be charged with 3 runs in 7 plus innings and Mark Clear was brought in to replace him. Roy Smalley pinch hit for Dent and popped up to short, but Robertson singled to center to score Collins. Suddenly Griffey hit a 2 run bomb all the way to Shea Stadium to put the Yankees on top. Winfield grounded out to second and Piniella struck out swinging to end the inning with the Yankees up 5-4.

                                                                "Thanks a lot, Clear"

Gossage returned to close out the top of the ninth and rookie Wade Boggs was sent to pinch hit for Hoffman. Boggs struck out swinging and Rich Gedman pinch hit for Allenson. Gedman got a base hit to left and Julio Valdez ran for him. Carl Yastrzemski pinch hit for Nichols and he popped up to third...shades of 1978. Valdez stole second base and Miller walked. Remy flied out to center to end the game. The Yankees had won it 5-4.

Jackass of The Night is Mark Clear. He allowed an inherited runner to score and two of his own to lose the game.

                                                               Jackass Clear

The Good:

Tony Perez was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Glenn Hoffman was 1 for 3 with an rbi.

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

Rich Gedman got a base hit as a pinch hitter.

Julio Valdez stole a base as a pinch runner.

Reid Nichols was 2 for 3 with a run scored.

Bruce Hurst tossed 7 innings of 3 run ball allowing 6 hits and a walk.

The Bad:

Carney Lansford was 0 for 4.

Wade Boggs struck out as a pinch hitter.

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

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

Dwight Evans was 0 for 3 but walked.

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

Rick Miller was 0 for 2 but walked and drove in a run.

Final Thoughts:

That game was frustrating for a variety of reasons. Hurst might have been yanked too early but Clear had been almost automatic all season to this point. Who would have thought he'd give up a 2 run home run to Griffey. Not only that, the Sox had their chance in the ninth against Gossage but once again Yaz couldn't get it done. After the Sox laid an egg yesterday against Ron Guidry, they couldn't get to Gossage today like it was 1978 all over again. The more things change, the more things stay the same. The worst part is Hurst had outpitched Tommy John and definitely deserved the victory. The Detroit Tigers didn't even play today and they gained a game on the Sox because they couldn't get this one finished. 10 years ago the Sox finished a game behind the Tigers when all was said and done, hopefully this year isn't a repeat. The loss dropped the Sox to 37-22, 0.5 games in front of the Tigers for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to avoid a sweep in the Bronx tomorrow night when John Tudor (5-4) takes on Dave Righetti of the Yankees. The game begins at 8:00 PM at Yankee Stadium.

Red Sox Rally Past Indians (6/12/82)

The red hot Boston Red Sox have now won 7 out of 8 games including today's game against the Cleveland Indians. Toby Harrah took Mike Torrez deep before most fans could even get into the park but Carl Yastrzemski answered in the bottom of the first with an rbi. Dave Stapleton took Cleveland starter John Denny deep and Dwight Evans added an rbi single in the fourth. An Indians rally tied the game in the fifth and sent Torrez to the showers. Bob Stanley (5-1, 2.69 ERA) took over from there and allowed just one blemish, a ninth inning home run by Andre Thornton. Meanwhile the Sox rallied in the 7th with rbi singles by Yaz and Carney Lansford to put the Sox on top. Stanley slammed the door in the ninth and the Sox had won the game 6-4 at Fenway Park.

                                                    Cyrinda Foxe approves of the win

Torrez got tagged immediately in the top of the first as Mike Hargrove flied out to center to start. Toby Harrah then hit a home run all the way to Laos to put Cleveland on top. Von Hayes struck out swinging but Andre Thornton doubled to left. Ron Hassey and Rick Manning both walked to load the bases but Miguel Dilone forced Manning at second to end the inning with the Indians up 1-0.

                                                               Indians struck first

The Sox answered in the bottom of the first as Jerry Remy singled in the hole at short to start. Dwight Evans grounded out to short to move Remy to second and a wild pitch put Jerry at third. Jim Rice walked and Carl Yastrzemski got a base hit to right to score Remy. Carney Lansford struck out swinging and Rice was thrown out at third to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                             Yaz ties it up

Jack Perconte took strike three to start the top of the second but Mike Fischlin walked. Hargrove grounded out to first and Harrah grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox took command in the bottom of the second as Dave Stapleton struck his sixth home run of the season to put Boston on top. Rich Gedman lined out to left but Glenn Hoffman beat out a roller to short. Rick Miller took strike three but Remy grounded out to second to end the inning with Boston up 2-1.

                                                               Home run Stapleton

Hayes got a base hit to left to start the top of the third but was thrown out at second trying to steal. Thornton walked but Hassey flied out to left. Manning got a base hit to center and Dilone flied out to center to end the inning. Evans flied out to left to start the bottom of the third but Rice walked. Yaz walked but Lansford struck out swinging. Stapleton walked to load the bases but Gedman struck out swinging to end the inning.

Perconte grounded out to second to start the top of the fourth and Fischlin struck out swinging. Hargrove flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Hoffman walked to start. Miller dropped down a bunt to move Rick to second but Remy grounded out to second. Evans singled to center to score Rick with another run but Rice struck out swinging to end the inning with Boston up 3-1.

                                                                  Big RBI by Evans

The Indians finished off Torrez in the top of the fifth as Harrah caught Mike asleep with a bunt single to start. Hayes walked but Thornton flied out to right. A wild pitch moved the runners over and Hassey got a base hit to center to score both. Sox manager Ralph Houk had seen enough of Torrez after 4 1/3 innings and 3 runs allowed. Bob Stanley walked Manning but Dilone forced him at second. Perconte forced Dilone to end the inning with the game tied 3-3.

                                                           Not Mike's best stuff

Yaz grounded out to second to start the bottom of the fifth but Lansford beat out a roller past the mound. Lansford stole second and Stapleton got a base hit to left to move Carney to third. Gedman grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Fischlin struck out swinging to open the top of the sixth and Hargrove grounded out to third. Harrah got a base hit to left and Hayes grounded out to second to end the inning. Hoffman grounded out to third to start the bottom of the sixth and Miller walked. Remy forced Miller at second but was thrown out at second to end the inning.

Thornton flied out to left to start the top of the seventh and Hassey grounded out to third. Manning walked and stole second, but Dilone grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the seventh as Evans got a base hit to right to start. Rice got a base hit to center and Reid Nichols ran for Jim. Yaz got a base hit to left to score Evans and Nichols moved to third on the play. Lansford doubled to left to score both runners to ice the game. Stapleton grounded out to third to chase Denny. Ed Glynn came in to freeze Gedman for strike three and Hoffman as well to end the inning with the Sox up 6-3.

                                                          Lansford with the kill shot

Perconte took strike three to start the top of the eighth but Fischlin walked. Hargrove walked and Harrah got a base hit to left to load the bases. Hayes grounded into a double play to end the inning. Miller got a base hit to center to start the bottom of the eighth but Remy took strike three. Evans also was frozen for strike three but Miller swiped second. Nichols walked but Yaz struck out swinging to end the inning.

Stanley came back to close out the top of the ninth but Thornton greeted him with a home run to Mexico to start. Hassey and Manning both grounded out to second and it looked like Dilone had completed the trifecta...but Stapleton dropped the ball for an error. Kirk Pagel pinch hit for Perconte and walked to bring the tying run to the plate. Rod Craig pinch hit for Fischlin and he grounded out to first to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-4.

Hero of The Night is Carl Yastrzemski. He drove in the first run and then drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh.

                                                                Yastrzemski is the Hero

The Good:

Dwight Evans was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Jim Rice was 1 for 2 with 2 walks.

Reid Nichols walked and scored.

Carney Lansford was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis and a stolen base.

Dave Stapleton was 2 for 3 with a walk and a home run.

Glenn Hoffman was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Rick Miller was 1 for 2 with a walk and a stolen base.

Bob Stanley got the win by tossing 4 2/3 innings of 1 run ball off 3 hits and 5 walks.

The Bad:

Rich Gedman was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Mike Torrez allowed 3 runs in 4 1/3 innings off 6 hits and 5 walks.

The Ugly:

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

Final Thoughts:

The Sox walked 10 men in this one but got double plays and outs when they had to. The offense did well as well with the role players such as Miller and Stapleton stepping it up as well as the stars Lansford and Yaz. Still, its becoming a theme this season of the starter faltering and the bullpen bailing them out. That's not sustainable so the Sox might have to make a trade or look to Pawtucket to help out the starting pitching. Torrez lasting only 4 1/3 innings isn't going to cut it moving forward. Hopefully he and Dennis Eckersley can get out of their current funks because the Sox are on the cusp of first place with a team that might be good enough this season. The win improved the Sox to 37-20, percentage points behind the Detroit Tigers for first place in the AL East. The Sox now travel to New York for a three game set with the AL Champion Yankees. Ron Guidry goes for the Yankees against Dennis Eckersley (6-4) of the Red Sox. The game begins at 8:30 PM tomorrow night at Yankee Stadium.

Sox Late Rally Defeats A's (5/22/82)

On a day when the Boston Red Sox removed their starter with 2 outs in the first inning, they still managed to come back to defeat the Oakland A's. Bob Ojeda lasted just 2/3 of an inning and the Sox trailed 3-0 before even coming to the plate. The Sox had come from behind to win 13 games already this year and this would be number 14. The Sox took advantage of miscues to take the lead in the 2nd inning. The A's tied it in the third but the Sox pulled away in the 8th. Bob Stanley (4-1, 2.83 ERA) pitched 8 1/3 innings of 1 run ball to beat the A's 7-4 at Fenway Park.

                                         President Millard Fillmore approves of the win

Ojeda got the ball in the top of the first and the A's tagged him. Ricky Henderson singled to right and stole second as Davey Lopes took strike three. Henderson swiped third and scored on the Cliff Johnson bloop single. Joe Rudi walked as Bob Stanley began warming in the bullpen. Jeff Newman grounded out to short but both runners moved into scoring position. Both men scored on the ground rule double by Mike Heath. Sox manager Ralph Houk had seen enough and removed Ojeda before it could get any worse. He lasted just 2/3 of an inning and had given up 3 runs. Bob Stanley came in and got Jimmy Sexton to ground into a force to end the inning with the A's ahead 3-0.

                                               Rough day for Ojeda

Bo McLaughlin got his first start in 3 years for the A's and Jerry Remy led off the bottom of the first by grounding out to second to start. Dwight Evans and Jim Rice drew back to back walks. Carl Yastrzemski flied out to right but Evans took third. Carney Lansford walked to load the bases but Dave Stapleton hit a soft line drive to second to end the inning,

Stanley got Rick Bosetti to ground out to third to start he top of the second inning. Fred Stanley singled up the middle before Henderson hit a double play ball to second. Remy flipped to Hoffman who fell down laughing for no reason for an error. Lopes beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners but Johnson grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox exploded in the bottom of the third due to some A's miscues. Rich Gedman hit a seeing eye single to right before Glenn Hoffman hit a routine grounder to Jeff Newman but instead of throwing to first, he panicked and threw the ball into left field for an error. Rick Miller blooped a single to center to load the bases before Remy hit a double play ball to second. Lopes flipped to Stanley WHO DROPPED IT! Gedman scored and everyone was safe on the error. Evans walked home Hoffman before Rice singled home Miller to tie the game. Yaz banged into a double play but Remy scored to give the Sox the lead. Lansford lined out to left but the Sox came back to lead 4-3.

                                                   Oops

The A's tied it in the top of the third inning as Rudi walked to begin. Rudi moved to second on the grounder by Newman and scored on the double to left by Heath. The A's made a boo-boo when Heath tried to steal third but was doubled off second when Sexton lined out to second to end the inning with the game tied 4-4.

                                                           Rudi scores the tying run

The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the third as Stapleton grounded out to third to start. Gedman grounded out to second and Hoffman popped up to short to end the inning.

The Sox got two radically different defensive plays in the top of the fourth inning. Hoffman booted a ground ball by Bosetti for an error but Bob Stanley fielded a bunt from Fred Stanley and somehow turned a double play. Henderson grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fourth inning as Miller lined out to center to start. Remy flied out to left but Evans lashed a single to left. Rice and McLaughlin suddenly had words and had to be separated by the benches. Then Billy Martin went out to talk to McLaughlin which prompted a pissed off Ralph Houk to run out of the dugout and demanded Billy be ejected. Rice then got into it with Heath before things calmed down. When play resumed Rice struck out to end the inning.

                                                         Things get testy

Stanley got Lopes to ground out to second to begin the top of the fifth before Johnson whiffed. Rudi singled to left before Newman grounded out to short to end the inning. Yaz led off the bottom of the fifth by flying out to left before Lansford popped up to first. Stapleton grounded out to short to end the inning.

Stanley returned for the top of the sixth and struck out Heath to start. Wayne Gross pinch hit for Sexton as NBC analyst Bob Costas told the story of how Ralph Houk was the third string catcher for the Yankees in the late 40's and 50's and Roger LaFrancois was the current Red Sox third string catcher. LaFrancois hadn't had an at-bat yet this season while Houk had 29 at-bat in the years he was 3rd string. Houk told Costas that LaFrancois is his own Ralph Houk. Not only that, in 1947 Houk hit a ball off the foul pole that landed in the foul territory stands. The rule at the time was if it bounced foul it was a ground rule double, denying Houk his only home run of his career. The very next year the rule changed to anyone striking the pole is a home run regardless of where it lands. Officially the foul pole rule is the "Ralph Houk rule". After the yarns were spun, Gross walked but Bosetti grounded into a double play to end the inning.

                                                  "I hate foul poles!" - Houk

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the sixth as Gedman grounded out to second to start. Hoffman flied out to center and Miller hit a bullet to first to end the inning.

Danny Goodwin pinch hit for Stanley to start the top of the seventh and struck out. Henderson grounded out to second and Lopes grounded out to short to end the inning. Tony Phillips took over for the bottom of the seventh and Remy whiffed to start. Evans flied out to right before Rice lined out t center to end the inning.

Stanley made the A's beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the eighth inning as Johnson grounded out to short to start. Rudi hit a roller to Lansford who threw wide of first but Stapleton grabbed it and tagged Joe out. Newman grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox rallied to take command in the bottom of the eighth and Yaz got the rally started with a line drive into the right field corner. Yaz caught Rudi asleep and stretched the hit into a double. Reid Nichols pinch ran for Yaz and made it to third on the fly ball by Lansford. Stapleton blooped a single to right to score Nichols with the go-ahead run. Gedman doubled off the Monster and Stapleton made a mad dash home for the insurance run. Hoffman lined out to left but Miller doubled into the right field corner to score Gedman to ice the game. Gross made a hell of a diving catch to rob Remy of a bloop single to end the inning but the Sox put the game away and led 7-4.

                                                Yaz enjoys the rally he started

Stanley came back to finish the job in the top of the ninth and Heath hit a 379 foot out to dead center to start. Gross took Evans to the wall but Dwight snared the out before Dan Meyer pinch hit for Bosetti. Meyer grounded out to second to end the inning. A hell of an effort by Stanley and the Sox rally in the 8th secured the 7-4 win.

                                                   Stanley gets mobbed


Hero of the Night is Bob Stanley. He came in for Ojeda in the first inning and went the distance, allowing just 1 run in 8 1/3 innings.

                                                                Stanley The Hero


The Good:

Dwight Evans was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and an rbi.

Jim Rice was 1 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Reid Nichols scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth.

Rich Gedman was 2 for 4 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Rick Miller was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.



The Bad:

Bob Ojeda was tagged for 3 runs in just 2/3 of an inning.



The Ugly:

Jerry Remy was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run.

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 4 but the one hit started the game winning rally.

Carney Lansford was 0 for 3 but walked.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 4 with an error but scored a run.

Dave Stapleton was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and cored.




Final Thoughts:

That was a hell of an effort by Stanley and a great rally by the Red Sox offense. They needed to pick up Ojeda after he faltered and they did. Not only that, they saved Mark Clear and Luis Aponte for tomorrow if needed. Yaz is having an amazing season at his age and its unlikely he can keep it up all year so the Sox have to ride him while he's hot. Hoffman is on a cold streak but he should bounce of that soon. The Sox are in first place and it feels good to be in the driver's seat for once. The win improved the Sox to 27-13, 1 game in front of the Detroit Tigers for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Sox look for the series sweep when they send Dennis Eckersley (4-3) to the mound to take on Mike Norris. The game begins at 2 PM at Fenway Park.

Bannister, Mariners Blank Sox (5/18/82)

The good news was Dennis Eckersley of the Boston Red Sox tossed a complete game against the Seattle Mariners holding them to 3 runs and 7 hits. The bad news was Seattle starter Floyd Bannister pitched the game of his life against the Sox. He tossed a complete game 3 hit shutout allowing just 1 walk and striking out nine batters. Joe Simpson got a first inning rbi off Eckersley and that was all the runs Bannister would need. Bruce Botche hit a home run and Manny Castillo drove in a run in the top of the ninth for the insurance runs. The Sox never came close to doing any damage as the Mariners won this one 3-0 at Fenway Park. How many runs did the Sox score Dean Wormer?

The Mariners wasted no time getting to Eckersley in the top of the first as Bobby Brown got a base hit to right to start. Brown took off for second and catcher Gary Allenson threw the ball away allowing Bobby to take third. Joe Simpson grounded out to second to score Brown to put the Mariners up for good already. Bruce Bochte took strike three but Al Cowens doubled to left. Steve Stroughter flied out to left to end the inning with the Mariners up 1-0.

                                                            Mariners strike first

Bannister got the ball to start the bottom of the first and Jerry Remy struck out swinging to start. Dwight Evans grounded out to second and Jim Rice struck out swinging to end the inning.

Todd Cruz hit one up the elevator shaft to start the top of the second and Manny Castillo struck out swinging. Terry Bulling grounded out to short to end the inning. Tony Perez got a base hit to left to start the bottom of the second but Carney Lansford popped up to first in foul territory. Dave Stapleton grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Julio Cruz struck out swinging to start the top of the third and Brown grounded to first. Simpson flied out to left to end the inning. Glenn Hoffman walked to start the bottom of the third but Allenson struck out swinging. Reid Nichols grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Mariners got another run in the top of the fourth as Bochte hit a home run into the Charles River to ice the game. Cowens flied out to right, Stroughter lined out to first and Todd Cruz flied out to end the inning with the Mariners up 2-0.

                                                              Home run Bochte

Remy flied out to left to start the bottom of the fourth but Evans doubled to right. Rice flied out to center and Perez grounded out to second to end the inning.

Castillo grounded out to second to start the top of the fifth and Bulling popped up to first. Julio Cruz struck out swinging to end the inning. Lansford grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fifth and Stapleton grounded back to the mound. Hoffman struck out swinging to end the inning.

Brown popped up to first on a bunt attempt to start the top of the sixth and Simpson lined out to first. Bochte walked, stole second and took second when Cowens walked. Stroughter took strike three to end the inning. Allenson grounded out to third to start the bottom of the sixth and Nichols flied out to left. Remy took strike three to end the inning.

Todd Cruz grounded out to short to start the top of the seventh but Castillo singled to left. Bulling forced Castillo at second but Julio Cruz got a base hit to right. Brown flied out to right to end the inning. Evans hit one up the elevator shaft to start the bottom of the seventh and Rice flied out to center. Perez grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Simpson's bunt attempt was snuffed out by Eckersley to start the top of the eighth but Bochte singled to right. Cowens grounded into a double play to end the inning. Bannister dominated the bottom of the eighth as Lansford, Stapleton and Hoffman all struck out swinging in short order.

Eckersley returned to complete the game in the top of the ninth. Stroughter struck out swinging but Todd Cruz tripled to left. Castillo hit a sac fly to right to score Cruz but Bulling flied out to center to end the inning with the Mariners up 3-0. Eckersley held the Mariners to 3 runs off 7 hits.

                                                                    Eck deserved better

Bannister came back to finish the bottom of the ninth and Allenson struck out swinging to start. Nichols got a base hit to left but Remy popped up the bunt to second. Evans popped up to first to end the game. The Mariners had won it 3-0.

Jackass of The Night is Gary Allenson. He was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts and his error in the first allowed the first one to score.

                                                               Jackass Allenson

The Good:

Tony Perez was 1 for 3.

Reid Nichols was 1 for 3.

One of the rare times the losing pitcher ends up on the Good list but Dennis Eckersley tossed a complete game 7 hitter allowing just 3 runs.

The Bad:

Jerry Remy was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Jim Rice was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Carney Lansford was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Dave Stapleton was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Final Thoughts:

Not much you can do about this one but tip your cap to a hell of a game pitched by Bannister. He was damn near unhittable and the Sox barely got anyone to second base. Eckersley pitched solid but just didn't get any run support in this one. Allenson throwing the ball away in the first inning set the tone although the Sox weren't going to score much in this one. Once again, give all the credit in the world to the Mariners for getting the hits when they needed and the pitching of Bannister. The less said about this one, the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 23-13, percentage points behind the Detroit Tigers for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow night when Chuck Rainey goes for the Sox against Larry Andersen of Seattle. The game begins at 7:00 PM at Fenway Park.