Twins Outslug Red Sox (8/16/70)

Just when it looked like the Boston Red Sox was building momentum following a three game winning streak, they had to blow it with a horrendous loss to the Minnesota Twins. The Red Sox knocked Minnesota starter Luis Tiant out in the second inning but Gary Peters (11-10, 4.28 ERA) got rocked for 5 runs in less than 5 innings. The Sox clawed their way back to trail 6-5 in the eighth but Cesar Tovar hit s 3 run home run off Chuck Hartenstein to ice the game. Jerry Moses went yard for the Red Sox but the terrible pitching led to a 9-6 defeat at the hands of the Twins at Fenway Park.

                                                                  Angry fans

The Twins wasted no time getting to Peters in the top of the first inning as Cesar Tovar walked to start. Danny Thompson struck out swinging but Harmon Killebrew walked. A wild pitch moved both runners over and Tony Oliva doubled to left to score Tovar and Killebrew. Brant Alyea struck out and was caught in a rundown before Bob Allison struck out swinging to end the inning with the Twins up 2-0.

                                                                  Twins strike first

The Sox answered in the bottom of the first against Luis Tiant as Mike Andrews doubled to left to start. Reggie Smith grounded out to first to move Andrews to second and Carl Yastrzemski doubled to center to score Mike. Tony Conigliaro grounded out to short and Rico Petrocelli flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox down 2-1.

                                                                 Yaz drives in a run

Leo Cardenas singled to center to start the top of the second before George Mitterwald grounded out to third to move Cardenas to second. Tiant grounded out to first to move Cardenas to third and Tovar grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the second as George Thomas doubled to left to start. John Kennedy got a base hit to center to score Thomas but Tom Satriano struck out swinging. Peters got a base hit to center and that was it for Tiant. Bert Blyleven came in to pitch and Andrews grounded out to short to move the runners over. With a chance to go-ahead....Smith grounded out to second to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                             Kennedy drives in a run

Thompson popped up to first to start the top of the third before Killebrew grounded out to short. Oliva struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the third as Yaz grounded out to first to start. Tony C doubled to left but Petrocelli took strike three. Thomas walked and Kennedy doubled home Tony C. Satriano was intentionally walked and Peters took strike three to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-2.

                                                            Another RBI for Kennedy

The lead lasted about 8 seconds in the top of the fourth when Alyea hit a home run all the way to Jupiter to start. Allison walked but Cardenas flied out to left. Mitterwald then hit a home run all the way into the Red Sea to put Minnesota back on top. Sox manager Eddie Kasko had enough of Peters after allowing 5 runs in just 3 1/3 innings. Ed Phillips came in and Blyleven drew a walk. Tovar grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Twins up 5-3.

                                                                  Peters doesn't last long

The Sox inched closer in the bottom of the fourth although Andrews struck out swinging to start. Smith crushed his 17th home run of the season to cut the lead but Yaz grounded back to the mound. Tony C lined out to third to end the inning with the Sox down 5-4.

                                                               Smith jacks one

Thompson hit one up the elevator shaft to start the top of the fifth but Killebrew singled to left. Oliva hit a bullet to Yaz who doubled off Harmon to end the inning. Petrocelli popped up to short to start the bottom of the fifth before Thomas popped up to second. Kennedy reached on an error but Satriano grounded out to second to end the inning.

Alyea took strike three to start the top of the sixth before Allison doubled to left. Cardenas grounded out to short and Mittenwald was intentionally walked. Blyleven took strike three to end the inning, Rich Reese took over at first to start the bottom of the sixth and Dick Schofield pinch hit for Phillips. Schofield singled to right but Andrews took strike three. Smith flied out to center and Yaz grounded out to first to end the inning.

Chuck Hartenstein came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Tovar was hit with a pitch to start. Tovar got caught stealing second and Thompson popped up to short. Killebrew then hit a home run all the way to Bombay, India to increase the lead. Oliva singled to left but Alyea took strike three to end the inning with the Twins ahead 6-4.

                                                                 Killebrew hits one out

Jim Holt came in for Alyea to start the bottom of the seventh and Tony C smacked his 22nd home run of the season to cut the lead. Petrocelli grounded out to third, Thomas grounded out to second and Petrocelli lined out to right to end the inning with the Sox down 6-5.

                                                           Home run for Conigliaro

Naturally Hartenstein crapped his pants in the top of the eighth as Reese singled to center to start. Cardenas dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move him to second and Mitterwald flied out to right. For some reason Sox manager Eddie Kasko had pinch hitter Charlie Manuel intentionally walked to get to Tovar. Tovar ended up hitting a home run all the way to Tampa, Florida to ice the game. Thompson grounded out to third to end the inning with the Twins up 9-5.

                                                               That'll do it

Stan Williams took over on the mound for the bottom of the eighth and Satriano struck out swinging to begin. Jerry Moses pinch hit for Hartenstein and belted his sixth home run of the year to cut the lead. Andrews popped up to short and Smith grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox down 9-6.

                                                           That's how you pinch hit

Sparky Lyle came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Killebrew struck out swinging to start. Oliva lined out to left and Holt struck out swinging to end the inning. Frank Quilici came in for Killebrew to start the bottom of the ninth and Yaz walked to start. Tony C struck out swinging, Petrocelli forced Yaz at second and Thomas lined out to second to end the game. The Twins had won it 9-6.

Jackass of The Night is Chuck Hartenstein. He allowed four runs including the backbreaking 3 run home run to put the game out of reach.

                                                        Jackass Hartenstein

The Good:

Tony Conigliaro was 2 for 5 with a home run and 2 total runs scored.

John Kennedy was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis.

Dick Schofield got a base hit as a pinch hitter.

Jerry Moses hit a pinch hit home run.

Ed Phillips tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings.

Sparky Lyle pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Rico Petrocelli was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Gary Peters took the loss allowing 5 runs in 3 1/3 innings. He allowed 4 hit and 3 walks while striking out 4. He was 1 for 2 at the plate with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Mike Andrews was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Reggie Smith was just 1 for 5 but the one hit was a home run.

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

George Thomas was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored a run.

Tom Satriano was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Final Thoughts:

Not much needs to be said at this point. The Red Sox are spinning their tires while the Baltimore Orioles are just a month and change away from the World Series really. If anyone thought the Sox could compete, they couldn't. Its a shame the Sox can't match arms with Baltimore because the bats weren't the problem. The Sox might have won this game if Hartenstein didn't pee down his leg. Smith, Tony C and Moses all hit a home run, its a shame it all went for naught. The Sox are just playing out the string at this point since Baltimore is the heavy favorite to repeat as American League champions. The loss dropped the Sox to 60-56, 14 games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox now welcome in the Chicago White Sox for a three game set beginning tomorrow afternoon. Cal Koonce (1-5) goes for the BoSox against Bart Johnson of the ChiSox at 2:00 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Drop Fourth Straight (8/6/70)

So much for the Boston Red Sox offense. For the fourth consecutive game the supposed high powered offense has been held silent. The mediocre Washington Senators were the latest to shut the Sox down. Casey Cox held the Sox bats to just 6 hits and 2 runs in 7 1/3 innings. Gary Peters (10-9, 4.08 ERA) was game but couldn't keep pace. Sparky Lyle gave up the big runs in the eighth and the Senators knocked off the Sox 5-2 at RFK Stadium.

                                                         "This team STINKS!"

The Sox did nothing in the top of the first inning as Mike Andrews struck out to start. Reggie Smith grounded out to short and Carl Yastrzemski flied out to left to end the inning. Peters struggled in the bottom of the first as Ed Brinkman lined out to second to start. Wayne Comer grounded out to third but Frank Howard beat out an infield single. Aurelio Rodriguez was hit with a pitch and Paul Casanova walked to load the bases. Mike Epstein struck out to end the inning.

Tony Conigliaro singled to center to start the top of the second but Rico Petrocelli banged into a double play. Billy Conigliaro flied out to right to end the inning. Tom Grieve struck out to start the bottom of the second before Tim Cullen flied out to left. Cox grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the third inning as John Kennedy doubled to left to begin. Jerry Moses hit one under the glove of Epstein for an error to score Kennedy to give the Sox the lead. Peters banged into a double play but Andrews cracked his 11th home run of the season to give the Sox the lead. Smith lined out to short to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 2-0.

                                                      Andrews hits a homer

The Senators struck back in the bottom of the third as Brinkman doubled to center to begin. Comer grounded out to third and Howard grounded out to short, but Rodriguez doubled home Brinkman to cut the lead. Casanova grounded out to short to end the inning but the Senators were down 2-1.

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the top of the fourth as Yaz grounded out to second to start. Tony C grounded out to third and Petrocelli grounded out to short to end the inning. Peters got Epstein to fly out to left to start the bottom of the fourth but Grieve struck out. Cullen flied out to left to end the inning.

The Sox mustered nothing in the top of the fifth as Billy C lined out to left to start. Kennedy grounded out to short but Moses singled to center. Peters popped up to first to end the inning. The Senators struck again in the bottom of the fifth as Cox struck out to start. Brinkman grounded out to first but Comer walked and took second on a wild pitch. Howard singled home Comer to tie the game. Rodriguez grounded out to third to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

Andrews grounded out to short to begin the top of the sixth before Smith popped up to third. Yaz doubled to left but Tony C grounded out to short to end the inning. Peters cruised in the bottom of the sixth as Casanova popped up to third to start. Epstein struck out and Grieve popped up to second to end the inning.

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt again in the top of the seventh although Petrocelli walked to start. Billy C forced Petrocelli at second, Kennedy forced Billy C at second and Moses grounded out to short to end the inning. The Senators finished off Peters in the bottom of the seventh although Cullen flied out to right to start. Cox struck out but Brinkman singled. Comer walked and Howard singled home Brinkman to give the Senators the lead. That was it for Peters as he left trailing after giving up 3 runs in 6 2/3 innings. Chuck Hartenstein came in and got Rodriguez to fly out to center to end the inning with the Senators up 3-2.

                                                     Not good enough

Dick Schofield pinch hit for Hartenstein and reached on an error by Epstein to start the top of the eighth. Andrews singled Schofield to third to put runners on the corners with nobody out. For some reason Schofield didn't come home on the force at second by Smith. Darold Knowles came in for Cox and struck out both Yaz and Tony C to end the inning. The last gasp by the Sox failed miserably.

                                                     What was that, Dick?

Sparky Lyle came in to pour gas on the fire in the bottom of the eighth. Casanova grounded out to short to start but Epstein singled to right. Grieve then crushed a home run into the Potomac River to ice the game. Cullen grounded out to third and Knowles popped up to first to end the inning but the Senators had iced it 5-2.

Del Unser took over in right as Knowles closed out the top of the ninth. Petrocelli grounded out to short, Billy C took strike three and Kennedy flied out to center to end the game. The Senators had sent the Sox to their fourth straight loss in this 5-2 defeat.

Jackass of the Night is Sparky Lyle. He turned a 3-2 deficit into 5-2 by giving up the bomb to Grieve.

                                                          Lyle you Jackass!



The Good:

Mike Andrews was 2 for 4 with a solo home run.

Jerry Moses was 1 for 3.

Chuck Hartenstein retired the only man he faced.



The Bad:

Reggie Smith was 0 for 4.

Billy Conigliaro was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Dick Schofield was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 4 and a strikeout.

Tony Conigliaro was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Rico Petrocelli was 0 for 3 but walked.

John Kennedy was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Gary Peters took the loss by giving up 3 runs in 6 2/3 innings. 4 times out of 5 that should be enough to win. He was 0 for 2 at the plate as well.




Final Thoughts:

Gadzooks what happened to the offense? They've scored just 7 runs in the last 4 games and that's not going to cut it as the season winds down to the final two months. Peters pitched well but didn't get any run support. Lyle giving up that home run was the backbreaker and took the wind out of their sails. Still, the Sox only had 3 hits after the third inning and you're not gonna win too many games with that kind of a drought. The Sox need to get their act in gear if they have any hope of catching the Baltimore Orioles in the last 2 months of the season. The less said of this nonsense, the better. The loss drops the Sox back to .500 at 53-53 on the season, 14.5 games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Sox are back in action when they send Cal Koonce (0-5) to the mound to take on Jim Hannan at 7:00 PM at RFK Stadium.

A's Beat Romo, Sox (7/28/70)

As the Boston Red Sox "July swoon" comes to a close with a very disappointing month, the latest chapter is Vicente Romo is undefeated no more. The Oakland Athletics got to Romo for 5 runs in 5 innings to give the A's the lead. The Sox offense rallied for 4 runs against Oakland starter Chuck Dobson but the indomitable Mudcant Grant stymied the Sox the rest of the way. The Sox continued their slide this month as the A's took the game 6-4 at Oakland Coliseum.

                                                               "Romo you imbecile!"

Dobson took the mound in the top of the first and Mike Andrews led off by flying out to center. Reggie Smith singled to center and moved to second on a passed ball before Carl Yastrzemski drew a walk. Tony Conigliaro flied out to right and Rico Petrocelli flied out to center to end the inning. Romo got the ball and cruised in the bottom of the first as Bert Campaneris flied out to right to begin. Rick Monday lined out to left and Felipe Alou grounded out to short to end the inning.

George Thomas drew a walk to begin the top of the second but John Kennedy flied out to center. Jerry Moses struck out and Romo flied out to right to end the inning. Sal Bando walked to start the bottom of the second but Don Mincher took strike three. Reggie Jackson walked but Dave Duncan struck out. Dick Green grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the third inning as Andrews walked to start. Smith singled to right but was erased on the Yaz force. Tony C flied out to left but Petrocelli clubbed his 17th home run of the year to put Boston on top. Thomas grounded back to the mound to end the inning but the Sox were up 3-0.

                                                      Number 17 for Rico

Romo got Dobson to take strike three to begin the bottom of the third and Campaneris lined out to right. Monday beat out an infield single to third but Alou grounded into a force to end the inning.

Kennedy flied out to center to start the top of the fourth but Moses struck out. Romo beat out an infield single to third but Andrews grounded out to short to end the inning. The A's struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Bando singled and Mincher smashed a 50,000 foot home run to put the A's back in it. Then Jackson hit a 5,000 foot home run to tie the game just like that. Duncan lined out to left, Green struck out looking and Dobson grounded out to third to end the inning but the A's had tied it 3-3.

                                                Jackson ties it up

Smith put the Sox back on top instantly in the top of the fifth with his 14th home run of the season. Yaz popped up to third, Tony C grounded out to third and Petrocelli popped up to first to end the inning but it was 4-3 Sox.

                                              Smith goes yard

The A's clawed back in the bottom of the fifth although Campaneris hit one up the elevator shaft to start. Monday grounded back to the mound but Alou beat out an infield single to short. Bando made the Sox pay by bashing a 5 million foot home run into the Pacific Ocean to give the A's the lead. Mincher struck out to end the inning but the A's had regained the lead and chased Romo 5-4.

                                                      "Damn that Bando"

Thomas popped up to second to start the top of the sixth before Kennedy struck out. Moses drew a walk and Dick Schofield pinch hit for Romo, taking a walk as well. Marcel Lachemann came in for Dobson to pitch to Andrews and Mike grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Ken Brett was brought in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and he struck out both Jackson and Duncan to start. Green walked but Tommy Davis pinch hit for Lachemann. Brett got Davis to strike out to end the inning.

If the Sox had to rally, they would have to do it against arguably the best relief pitcher in baseball in Mudcat Grant in the top of the seventh. Smith singled to right but Yaz flied out to left. Tony C forced Smith at second but Petrocelli singled to put the tying run at second. Thomas struck out to end the inning. Brett cruised in the bottom of the seventh as Campaneris flied out to left to start. Monday struck out and Alou flied out to center to end the inning. Brett retired 4 of the 7 batters he faced by strike out, not bad.

                                               Brett keeps the Sox in it

The Sox could do nothing against Grant in the top of the eighth as Kennedy flied out to center to start. Moses flied out to left and Mike Fiore pinch hit for Brett only to line out to second to end the inning. The A's hit the kill shot in the bottom of the eighth against Sparky Lyle as Bando walked to start. Joe Rudi pinch hit for Mincher and dropped down a bunt. Kennedy threw out Rudi at first but Yaz turned and fired the ball into the first base dugout for no apparent reason to score Bando with the insurance run. Jackson took strike three and Duncan grounded out to third to end the inning but it was 6-4 Oakland.

                                           "What the hell was THAT, Yaz??" - SL

Grant finished off the Sox in the top of the ninth as Andrews flied out to left to start. Smith popped up to third but Yaz singled to center. Tony C flied out to left to end the game. The A's had won it 6-4.

Jackass of the Night is Vicente Romo. He got slammed for 5 runs in just 5 innings of work. He allowed 3 home runs and 2 walks while striking out 5.

                                                         Jackass Romo


The Good:

Reggie Smith was 4 for 5 with a home run.

Rico Petrocelli was 2 for 4 including a 3 run home run.

Dick Schofield walked as a pinch hitter

Ken Brett tossed 2 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Tony Conigliaro was 0 for 5.

John Kennedy was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Mike Fiore was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Sparky Lyle allowed an unearned run in the bottom of the eighth.



The Ugly:

Mike Andrews was 0 for 4 but walked and scored a run.

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

George Thomas was 0 for 3 but walked.

Jerry Moses was 0 for 3 but walked.




Final Thoughts:

The way the Baltimore Orioles are going, even if the Sox were to be on a hot streak it seems like there would be no way to catch them. The bottom line is the O's have the starting rotation the Sox don't. Jim Lonborg didn't revert to 1967 form and the others just aren't good enough. The Sox still have 2 months to turn it around but they're falling dangerously behind. The error by Yaz should never have happened and the offense went cold after the fourth inning. Mudcat Grant has found new life as a reliever after strong-arming the Minnesota Twins to the AL pennant 5 years ago, not much you can do with him. The loss dropped the Sox to 50-48, 11.5 games behind the O's for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow night against the A's. Ray Culp (10-9) takes on Diego Segui at 10:30 PM Eastern time at Oakland Coliseum.

Yankees Turn Tables on Sox (6/20/70)

After the Boston Red Sox defeated the New York Yankees yesterday, today it was the Yankees turn to stick it to the Sox. The Yankees bats pounded out 15 hits and 8 runs, knocking out Sox starter Mike Nagy (1-1, 4.67 ERA) in 4 innings. The Sox bullpen didn't do Nagy any favors by allowing 4 runs of their own. Mel Stottlemyre went the distance for the Yankees as the Bombers knocked out the Sox 8-3 at Fenway Park.

                                               Joel doesn't like bad pitching

The Yankees wasted no time getting to Nagy in the top of the first inning. Horace Clarke struck out to begin the game but Jerry Kenney singled to center. Kenney swiped second and Bobby Murcer singled to right. Tony Conigilaro booted the ball in right which allowed Kenney to score and advance Murcer to third. A wild pitch by Nagy allowed Murcer to score another run. Roy White popped up to third but Danny Cater and Curt Blefary stroked back to back singles. Rob Hansen popped up to first to end the inning with the Yankees ahead 2-0.

                                                          Dammit Tony

The Sox answered in the bottom of the first against Stottlemyre as Mike Andrews led off by dumping a base hit to left. Reggie Smith flied out to center but Carl Yastrzemski walked. Tony C struck out but Rico Petrocelli singled home Andrews to cut the lead. George Scott struck out to end the inning with the Sox down 2-1.

                                                            Petrocelli drives in a run

The Yankees countered in the top of the second as Jake Gibbs flied out to center to begin. Stottlemyre walked and Clarke flied out to left. Kenney doubled home Stottlemyre to increase the lead. Murcer walked but White flied out to left to end the inning with the Yankees up 3-1.

Billy Conigliaro grounded out to second to open the bottom of the second before Jerry Moses grounded out to short. Nagy struck out to end the inning.

The Yankees kept up the attack in the top of the third inning as Cater popped up to second to begin. Blefary grounded back to the mound but Hansen singled to right. Gibbs doubled home Hansen to push the Sox down further. Stottlemyre popped up to second but it was now 4-1 Yankees.

Andrews walked to begin the bottom of the third but Smith grounded out to second. Andrews moved to second on the out then to third on the grounder by Yaz. Tony C flied out to center to end the inning.

Nagy finally kept the Yankees off the board in the top of the fourth as Clarke popped up to second to begin. Kenney took strike three but Murcer doubled to left. White grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The Sox had a chance to come back in the bottom of the fourth although Petrocelli flied out to center to start. Scott flied out to right but Billy C walked and Moses singled to bring the tying run to the plate. Sox manager Eddie Kasko had rookie Mike Derrick pinch hit for Nagy... only to strike out to end the inning.

                                                That's not how you pinch hit, Derrick

Lee Strange came in for the top of the fifth inning and got hammered as well. Cater singled and Blefary was hit with a pitch to start the inning. Hansen singled home Cater and moved Blefary to third, Blefary scoring on the sac fly by Gibbs. Stottlemyre popped up to short but Clarke singled Hansen to third. Kenney flied out to center to end the inning but the game was in hand for the Yankees 6-1.

                                                        Nice relief Lee

The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the fifth as Andrews grounded out to third to start. Smith grounded out to first and Yaz popped up to short to end the inning.

Strange cruised in the top of the sixth as Murcer popped up to third to start. White flied out to left and Cater grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox got a run back in the bottom of the sixth although Tony C lined out to left to start. Petrocelli smashed his 12th home run of the season to cut the deficit. Scott singled but Billy C forced him at second and Moses lined out to short to end the inning with the Sox down 6-2.

                                                        Home run Rico

Strange came back for the top of the seventh and Blefary popped up to third to start. Hansen lined out to center but Gibbs singled to left. Stottlemyre took strike three to end the inning. Jim Lyttle took over for Blefary with Dick Schofield pinch hitting for Strange to begin the bottom of the seventh. Dick grounded out to first before Andrews flied out to right. Smith doubled to left but Yaz grounded out to second to end the inning.

                                              Not the best pinch hitting by Schofield

Jose Santiago took over for the top of the eighth and the Yankees got to him too. Clarke flied out to left but Kenney walked. Murcer popped up to third but White doubled home Kenney. Cater singled home White to increase the lead. Lyttle took strike three to end the inning with the Yankees up 8-2.

                                                             Bad relief Jose

The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the eighth as Tony C flied out to right to start. Petrocelli lined out to center and Scott struck out to end the inning.

Santiago came back for the top of the ninth and Hansen flied out to center to begin. Gibbs popped up to short but Stottlemyre singled to center. Clarke grounded out to first to end the inning. Stottlemyre came back to complete the game but the Sox had one last raspberry to blow in the bottom of the ninth. Billy C of all people smashed his 5th home run of the year just to stick it to the Yankees. Moses grounded out and Tom Satriano pinch hit for Santiago, only to fly out to left. Andrews popped up to short to end the game. The Yankees had won it 8-3.

Jackass of the Night is Mike Nagy. He got lit up for 4 runs in just 4 innings in a clear sophomore slump to take the loss.

                                                           Jackass Nagy


The Good:

Rico Petrocelli was 2 for 4 with 2 total rbis and a home run.

Billy Conigliaro was 1 for 3 with a walk and a solo home run.



The Bad:

Tony Conigliaro was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Mike Derrick struck out as a pinch hitter.

Dick Schofield grounded out as a pinch hitter.

Tom Satriano was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter

Lee Strange allowed 2 runs in 3 innings of work.

Jose Santiago allowed 2 runs in 2 innings of work.



The Ugly:

Mike Andrews was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored.

Reggie Smith was just 1 for 4.

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 3 but walked.

George Scott was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Jerry Moses was just 1 for 4.




Final Thoughts:

If you wonder why the Sox are a game under .500, the regression of Nagy has to be one of the main reasons. Lots of fans thought he was going to be the second coming of Jim Lonborg but it hasn't worked out this season. The offense has been fine for the most part but the Sox simply dont have the pitching to match some of the great teams in baseball. Maybe they can make a trade but as of right now it doesnt look good moving forward this season. The loss dropped the Sox to 30-31, 10 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for 1st place in the American League East. Tomorrow afternoon the Sox are back in action against the Yankees with Gary Peters going for the Sox up against Fritz Peterson at 2:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Royals Walkoff Red Sox (6/15/70)

The Jekyll and Hyde season continued for the Boston Red Sox as Mr. Hyde showed up in this one. This time the Red Sox suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of the lowly Kansas City Royals. The Royals took a 4-3 lead after 5 innings as Sox starter Mike Nagy clearly didn't have his best stuff. Still, the Sox rallied for two runs in the top of the eighth and one in the ninth against Ken Wright to put Boston on top 6-4. Then Sparky Lyke put the tying runs on and Cal Koonce (0-3, 3.91 ERA) was brought in to stop the bleeding in the bottom of the ninth. George Scott made a crucial error and an Amos Otis rbi single ended the game. The Royals had stunned the Sox 7-6 at Municipal Stadium.

                                                      "That ninth inning....."

The Sox wasted no time getting to Royals starter Jim Rooker to start the top of the first as Mike Andrews got a base hit to left to start. George Thomas grounded into a double play but Carl Yastrzemski got a base hit to right. Reggie Smith got a base hit to right and Pat Kelly booted the ball. Yaz scored but Smith was thrown out at third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                                  Yerrrr out

Nagy got the ball in the bottom of the first and Kelly grounded out to short to start. Amos Otis popped up to first and Joe Keough grounded out to short to end the inning.

Rico Petrocelli led off the top of the second by striking out swinging. George Scott lined out to second and Billy Conigliaro took strike three to end the inning. Bob Oliver popped up to first to start the bottom of the second and Ed Kirkpatrick hit one up the elevator shaft. Lou Piniella got a base hit to left but Paul Schaal flied out to center to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the third as Jerry Moses got a base hit to center to start. Nagy dropped down a bunt to move Jerry to second and Andrews got a base hit to left to score Moses. Jackie Hernandez booted a grounder by Thomas for an error and Yaz beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners. Smith lined out to right to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                                 Good work Andrews

Hernandez flied out to center to start the bottom of the third and Rooker struck out swinging. Kelly struck out swinging as well to end the inning.

Petrocelli walked to start the top of the fourth but Scott grounded into a double play. Conigliaro walked and Hernandez booted a grounder by Moses for an error. Nagy grounded out to first to end the inning. The Royals struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Otis grounded out to short to start. Keough flied out to center but Oliver got a base hit to left and Kirkpatrick hit a home run all the way to St. Louis to tie the game. Piniella grounded out to second to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                                    Royals tie it up

The Sox struck back in the top of the fifth as Andrews walked to start. Thomas grounded out to short to move Mike to second and Yaz struck out swinging. Smith got a base hit to left to score Andrews to put Boston back in front. Petrocelli lined out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-2.

                                                              Another rbi for Smith

The Royals answered in the bottom of the fifth as Schaal flied out to left to start. Hernandez flied out to left but Rooker doubled to center. Suddenly Kelly hit a home run all the way to Wisconsin to put Kansas City in the lead. Otis caught Thomas asleep with a bunt single but got picked off to end the inning with the Royals up 4-3. That was it for Nagy who allowed a pair of two run home runs and was done after just five innings.

                                                                     Not good enough

Scott flied out to center to start the top of the sixth but Conigliaro hit a ground rule double down the right field line. Moses flied out to center and Don Pavletich pinch hit for Nagy. Pavletich took strike three to end the inning. Vicente Romo came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Keough grounded out to second to start. Oliver singled in the hole at short but Kirkpatrick grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Andrews got a base hit to right to start the top of the seventh but Thomas struck out swinging. Yaz lined out to center and Smith forced Andrews at second to end the inning. Piniella struck out swinging to start the bottom of the seventh but Schaal walked. Schaal stole second and Hernandez walked as well. Rooker and Kelly both struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox rallied in the top of the eighth as Petrocelli walked to start. Scott got a base hit to left to move Rico to third and Petrocelli scored when Conigliaro beat out a double play ball. Moses got a base hit to right and Dick Schofield pinch hit for Romo. Schofield also beat out a double play ball to score Conigliaro. Andrews walked but Thomas grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-4.

                                                          Schofield puts Boston on top

Sparky Lyle came in to pitch the bottom of the the eighth and Otis walked to start. Keough dropped down a bunt to move Otis to second and Amos moved to third on a liner to center by Oliver. Kirkpatrick grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox had a chance to break the game open in the top of the ninth as Yaz popped up to third to start. Smith got a base hit to center and Petrocelli got a base hit to left to move Smith to third, chasing Rooker. Ken Wright came in to face Scott and George struck out swinging. Petrocelli stole second and Hernandez made his third error by throwing wide of the plate, allowing Smith to score. Conigliaro and Moses both walked to load the bases and Auerlio Monteagudo came in to face Lyle. Lyle popped up a bunt to Monteagudo to end the inning with the Sox up 6-4.

                                                      Good chain reaction by Petrocelli

Lyle came back to close out the bottom of the ninth and the floodgates opened. Piniella got a base hit to right and Schaal got a base hit to center to put the tying runs on. Sox manager Edie Kasko panicked and brought in Cal Koonce to finish the game. Hernandez dropped down a bunt and Scott threw the ball away for an error to score Piniella. Billy Sorrell pinch hit for Monteagudo and was intentionally walked to set up a double play. Kelly hit a sac fly to left to score Schaal to tie the game, moving Hernandez to third. Otis ended matters with a base hit to left to score Hernandez and win the game 7-6 for the Royals.

Jackass of The Night is George Scott. His ninth inning error led to the winning runs scoring.

                                                               Nice throw, Jackass

The Good:

Mike Andrews was 3 for 3 with 2 walks, an rbi and a run scored.

Reggie Smith was 3 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Rico Petrocelli was 1 for 3 with 2 walks, a stolen base and a run scored.

Billy Conigliaro was 1 for 3 with 2 walks, rbi and a run scored.

Jerry Moses was 2 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

Dick Schofield drove in a run as a pinch hitter.

Vicente Romo tossed 2 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

George Thomas was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Don Pavletich struck out as a pinch hitter.

Mike Nagy was tagged for 4 runs in just 5 innings off 6 hits.

Sparky Lyle was charged with 2 runs in an inning of work.

Cal Koonce took the loss by allowing 2 inherited runners to score and one of his own.

The Ugly:

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

Bad teams find a way to lose and the Red Sox did just that. Not only did they blow a two run ninth inning lead but Scott throwing the ball away was the key. If they get Hernandez at first, the Kelly sac fly only makes it 6-5 and if Otis gets a base hit, the game would have only been tried. As usual, the problem with the Red Sox is pitching. Lyle's ERA is 5.47 and Koonce is 3.91. Hell Nagy gave them nothing today and his is 4.11. The Sox are trying to outslug everyone and its not working. They're not going to beat the Minnesota Twins or Baltimore Orioles if they keep trotting out Mike Nagy, Gary Peters and a broken down Jim Lonborg. The loss dropped the Sox to 27-29, 9.5 games behind the Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow night against the Royals when Gary Peters (3-7) takes on Bill Butler of Kansas City. The game begins at 8:00 PM eastern time at Municipal Stadium.

Perry, Twins Hold Off Sox (6/12/70)

Its been that kind of season for the Boston Red Sox. After winning 8 out of 10 games including the possible win of the season against the Chicago White Sox, the Sox come back from an off-day and lay an egg against the Minnesota Twins. Jim Perry held the Sox bats to just one run in 6 innings and the Twins bullpen allowed just one run the rest of the way. Meanwhile Gary Peters (3-7, 5.33 ERA) got tagged for 3 runs in 5 innings. The Sox did cut the lead to 1 but Cal Koonce imploded in the bottom of the eighth and the Twins scored two big insurance runs. Ron Perrranoski slammed the door and the Twins had beaten the Sox 5-2 at Metropolitan Stadium.

                                                               "Damn you Koonce"

Perry got the ball in the top of the first inning and Mike Andrews got a base hit to left to start. Dick Schofield grounded into a double play but Carl Yastrzemski walked. Yaz was thrown out trying to steal to end the inning. Peters got the ball in the bottom of the first and Cesar Tovar flied out to right to start. Rod Carew grounded out to third but Harmon Killebrew walked. Tony Oliva flied out to right to end the inning.

Reggie Smith grounded out to second to start the top of the second but Leo Cardenas booted a grounder by Rico Petrocelli for an error. Petrocelli was thrown out at second trying to steal when George Scott struck out swinging to end the inning. The Twins struck first in the bottom of the second as Rick Renick grounded out to short to start. Schofield booted a grounder by Brant Alyea. Cardenas got a base hit to left but George Mitterwald flied out to right to move Alyea to third. Perry beat out a roller to third to score Alyea and Tovar walked to load the bases. Carew flied out to left to end the inning with the Twins up 1-0.

                                                                Perry drives in a run

Billy Conigliaro struck out swinging to start the top of the third and Tom Satriano took strike three. Peters got a base hit to right but Andrews lined out to left to end the inning. Peters got in trouble in the bottom of the third as Killebrew walked to start. Oliva walked but Renick popped up to short. Alyea  struck out swinging but Cardenas got a base hit to left to load the bases. Mitterwald flied out to center to end the inning.

Schofield walked to start the top of the fourth and he was thrown out at second trying to steal. Might want to stop running on Mitterwald. Yaz flied out to left and Smith popped up to first to end the inning. Perry popped up to short to start the bottom of the fourth and Tovar struck out swinging. Carew lined out to left to end the inning.

Petrocelli flied out to right to open the top of the fifth but Scott grounded out to short. Billy C lined out to short to end the inning. The Twins finished off Peters in the bottom of the fifth as Killebrew popped up to second to start. Oliva singled to left but Renick flied out to left. A wild pitch moved Oliva to second but Alyea doubled to left to score Tony. Jim Holt ran for Alyea and Cardenas got a base hit up the middle to score him. Mitterwald forced Cardenas at second to end the inning with the Twins up 3-0. Peters was done after 5 innings, 3 runs, 6 hits and 4 walks.

                                                                Not his best stuff

The Sox struck back in the top of the sixth as Satriano blasted his first home run of the season to start. Mike Derrick pinch hit for Peters and struck out swinging, begging the question why didn't Sox manager Eddie Kasko just let Peters hit there? Andrews and Schofield both got base hits to left but Yaz lined out to right. Smith grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox down 3-1.

                                                                 Satriano's first of the year

Lee Strange came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Charlie Manuel pinch hit for Perry. Manuel popped up to short and Tovar grounded out to short. Carew grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox rallied in the top of the seventh with Stan Williams now on the mound for Minnesota. Petrocelli got a base hit to center and Scott lined out to right. Conigliaro popped up to short but Satriano beat out a roller to third. Mike Fiore pinch hit for Strange and ripped a base hit to center to score Rico, moving Satriano to third. Ron Perranoski came in to face Andrews with the tying run at third. Andrews struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 3-2.

                                                            Fiore drives in a run

Cal Koonce came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Killebrew singled to center to start. Oliva hit a bullet to Koonce who doubled off Harmon. Rich Reese pinch hit for Renick and grounded out to second to end the inning.

Schofield led off the top of the eighth with a grounder to short. Yaz struck out swinging and Smith grounded out to short to end the inning. The Twins iced the game in the bottom of the eighth as Holt walked to start. Cardenas got a base hit to left and Mitterwald also got a base hit to left to score Holt with the insurance run. Sox manager Eddie Kasko brought in Sparky Lyle to stop the bleeding and Perranoski struck out swinging. Tovar lined out to left but Carew doubled to left to score Cardenas. Killebrew was intentionally walked and Frank Quilici ran for him. Oliva flied out to center to end the inning but the Twins were up 5-2.

                                                               Carew ices it

Petrocelli grounded out to third to start the top of the ninth but Scott got a base hit to left. Conigliaro grounded out to third to move Scott to second and Jerry Moses pinch hit for Satriano. For some stupid reason Moses tried to bunt and popped it up to Perranoski to end the game. The Twins had won it 5-2.

Jackass of The Night is Cal Koonce. He allowed 2 runs in the eighth inning to put the game out of reach.

The Good:

Mike Andrews was 2 for 4.

Tom Satriano was 2 for 3 with a home run.

Mike Fiore singled and drove in a run as a pinch hitter.

Lee Strange pitched a scoreless sixth inning.

The Bad:

Reggie Smith was 0 for 4.

Billy Conigliaro was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Jerry Moses was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Mike Derrick struck out as a pinch hitter.

Gary Peters got tagged for 3 runs in 5 innings off 6 hits and 4 walks.

The Ugly:

Dick Schofield was 1 for 3 with a walk but committed an error.

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked.

Rico Petrocelli was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

George Scott was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Sparky Lyle allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own in an inning of work.

Final Thoughts:

That game was a kick in the pants. The Sox are clearly in a different bracket compared to teams like the Minnesota Twins and Baltimore Orioles. Jim Perry didn't even pitch that great but him and the bullpen shut down the Sox. Not having Tony Conigliaro hurt but at the same time, Cal Koonce and Sparky Lyle allowing the final two runs hurt even more. The Sox just can't seem to play consistent baseball either on the field or on the mound. Peters dropped to 3-7 and if he was supposed to be your big off-season acquisition to topple the Orioles, he failed big time so far. He got outpitched by Jim Perry in this one. Still, its only June and the Sox have another two months to go on a run. Beating teams like the Twins and Orioles are crucial for them to get back in the race.....if they can. The loss dropped the Sox to 26-27, 9.5 games behind Baltimore for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow when Ray Culp (4-6) takes on Jim Kaat of Minnesota. The game begins at 2:00 PM at Metropolitan Stadium.