Reds Win Game 5, Push Sox To Brink (10/16/75)

They don't call the Cincinnati Reds the "Big Red Machine" for nothing and it looks like the Reds are on their way to being World Series champions. The Red Sox are missing Jim Rice big time and the lack of offense doomed them in Game 5. Don Gullet held the Red Sox to 2 measly runs while the Reds lit up Sox starter Reggie Cleveland. Reggie lasted just 5 innings while allowing 5 runs to the Reds. When it was all said and done, the Reds moved just one win away from the world championship with a 6-2 victory over the Sox at Riverfront Stadium.

                        Reds win Game 5

Gullet got the ball in the top of the first inning and the Sox immediately tagged him. Juan Beniquez hit a routine grounder to second to begin but Denny Doyle tripled into the right field corner. Carl Yastrzemski scored Doyle with a sac fly to put the Sox on top. Ironically the Sox would have just 4 hits the rest of the game. Carlton Fisk looked at strike three on the outside corner to end the inning but the Sox were up 1-0.

                       Sox strike first

Cleveland got the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Pete Rose greeted him by poking a base hit to right. Ken Griffey was rung up on a check swing for strike three but Joe Morgan singled Rose to third. Morgan swiped second when Johnny Bench lofted a fly ball to left field. Beniquez fired home and Rose was OUT AT THE PLATE! Great play by Beniquez to end the inning with the Sox still ahead.

                        YERRR OUT!!

Fred Lynn popped up to third to begin the top of the second before Rico Petrocelli whiffed. Dwight Evans lined a broken bat liner to left to end the inning. Cleveland cruised in the bottom of the second inning as Tony Perez whiffed. George Foster hit one up the elevator shaft before Dave Concepcion grounded out to short to end the inning. 

Rick Burleson popped up to second and Morgan called off the entire infield to make the catch to open the top of the third inning. Cleveland struck out swinging before Beniquez lined out to a running Morgan to end the inning. Cesar Geronimo led off the bottom of the third by popping up to center. Gullet whiffed but Rose walked. Doyle made a leaping grab to rob Morgan of a base hit to end the inning.

Gullet continued his dominance in the top of the fourth inning as Doyle was retired on a chopper in front of the plate to start. Yaz lined out to a running Geronimo before Fisk whiffed to end the inning. The Reds struck back in the bottom of the fourth inning although Morgan popped up to right to begin. Bench hit an absolute rocket but right to Petrocelli for the out. Perez hit another bullet but this one went over the left field fence for a home run to tie the game. Foster popped up to first to end the inning but the game was tied 1-1.

                      Perez ties it up

Gullet continued to cruise in the top of the fifth inning as Lynn whiffed to start. Petrocelli popped up to center before Evans flied out to the centerfield warning track to end the inning. The Reds took command in the bottom of the fifth although Concepcion grounded out to third to begin. Geronimo grounded out to second but somehow Gullet lined a base hit up the middle. Rose made Cleveland pay by doubling down the left field line to score Gullet with the go-ahead run. Griffey popped up to third to end the inning but the Reds now led 2-1.

                        Reds take the lead

Gullet got Burleson to fly out to right to begin the top of the sixth before Cleveland himself struck out. Beniquez broke up the streak of 15 in a row set down by Gullet by drawing a walk. Doyle grounded out to first to end the inning. The Reds iced the game quickly in the bottom of the sixth as Morgan walked on a borderline full count pitch to start. Bench singled Morgan to third and Perez crushed his second homer of the game to put the game out of reach. That was it for Cleveland who made two mistakes to Perez but left after allowing 5 runs in 5 plus innings.

                Cleveland gets hammered

Jim Willoughby came in and Foster lined one back to him to start. Concepcion was plunked on the hands and swiped second before moving to third on the grounder by Geronimo. Gullet whiffed to end the inning but the game was all but over 5-1.

Gullet cruised in the top of the seventh inning as Yaz popped up to first in foul territory to start. Fisk lined out to left before Evans popped up to center to end the inning. Willoughby matched Gullet in the bottom of the seventh as Rose flied out to left to begin. Griffey hit a routine grounder to Doyle who gloved it over the head of Yaz at first, technically a single by Ken. Morgan hit a rocket but right to Burleson who flipped it to first to double off Griffey to end the inning. The Sox defense came to play tonight, unfortunately so did Tony Perez.

Gullet carried his one hitter into the top of the eighth inning and Petrocelli flied out to center to start. Evans somehow singled up the middle but Burleson popped up to center. Doug Griffin pinch hit for Willoughby and lined out to a running Morgan to end the inning. Dick Pole came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and managed to walk both Bench and Perez. Sox manager Darrell Johnson had seen enough and brought in Diego Segui to pitch to Foster. George flied out to right but Bench tagged up and moved to third. Concepcion scored Bench with a sac fly to wrap up the scoring for the Reds. Geronimo flied out to center to end the inning with the Reds up 6-1.

Gullet came out to finish his job but the Sox refused to go quietly in the top of the ninth. Beniquez whiffed and Doyle grounded out to second but Yaz lined a single to right past Morgan. Fisk poked a single to right which brought out Reds manager Sparky Anderson. The crowd booed expecting Sparky to take out Gullet but surprisingly he left him in. Lynn made Sparky pay by lining a double down the right field line to score Yaz. How big was the 3 run bomb now? Finally Anderson pulled Gullet for Rawly Eastwick to close out the game. Petrocelli whiffed to end the game and send the Reds one win away from the championship with a 6-2 win over the Sox.

Jackass of the Night is Reggie Cleveland. He got lit up for 5 runs in 5 plus innings to take the loss.

                       Reggie Jackass

The Good:

Carl Yastzremski was 1 for 3 with an rbi and a run scored.

Dwight Evans was 1 for 3.

Jim Willoughby tossed 2 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Rico Petrocelli was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Rick Burleson was 0 for 3.

Doug Griffin was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Dick Pole allowed a run by walking 2 batter

The Ugly:

Juan Beniquez was 0 for 3 but walked.

Denny Doyle was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Carlton Fisk was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Fred Lynn was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Deigo Segui allowed an inherited runner to score in an inning of work.

Final Thoughts:

If this is the end, the Red Sox better go down swinging in Game 6. The Sox have fought bravely against a team of all-stars but they may not be good enough. After Luis Tiant an Bill Lee, the rest of the pitchers haven't been able to shut down the Big Red Machine. Both Cleveland and Rick Wise faltered as did reliever Dick Drago. Rose, Bench, Perez and Morgan could be in the Hall of Fame someday and the Sox just can't match their talent without Rice. Tonight's game was proof as they couldn't crack Gullet. Still, the series is not over and Fenway Park will be where the series is decided. After an off-day tomorrow, Game 6 is this Saturday afternoon where Bill Lee goes for the Sox up against Jack Billingham at 1:05 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Down Yankees, Snap Streak (9/2/75)

The march to the AL East title is back on for the Boston Red Sox. After suffering a three game losing streak, the Sox got back on track by taking down the New York Yankees. The win put the Sox up 6 games with 27 to play. Reggie Cleveland (10-9, 5.02 ERA) tossed 7 2/3 gutty innings, holding the Yankees to four runs. Carlton Fisk and Cecil Cooper led the charge on offense, driving in 5 of the 7 runs the Sox scored between the two of them. When the dust settled the Sox had taken the game 7-4 at Fenway Park.

                                                  KISS approves of the win

Cleveland hung tough in the top of the first inning as Bobby Bonds led off by taking strike three. Sandy Alomar grounded out to second but Roy White got a base hit. Thurman Munson grounded into a force to end the inning. Pat Dobson got the ball for the Yankees in the bottom of the first and Cecil Cooper grounded out to second to start. Denny Doyle got a base hit but Carl Yastrzesmki banged into a double play to end the inning.

The Yankees struck first in the top of the second inning although Graig Nettles flied out to right to start. Chris Chambliss hit a home run all the way to the Azores to give the Yankees the lead. Ed Hermann struck out and Rick Bladt flied out to center to end the inning with the Yankees up 1-0.

                                                        Can anybody get him out?

Lynn grounded out to first to start the bottom of the second but Jim Rice got a base hit. Carlton Fisk flied out to center but Rice swiped second. Dwight Evans struck out to end the inning.

Cleveland cruised in the top of the third inning as Fred Stanley flied out to right to start. Bonds struck out and Alomar flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the third as Rick Burleson grounded out to third, but Bob Heise singled. Cooper doubled Heise home to tie the game and Doyle singled Cooper home to give the Sox the lead. Yaz and Lynn walked to load the bases but Rice struck out. Fisk singled home Doyle and Yaz but Lynn was thrown out at third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-1.

                                                           YERRR OUT!!

White flied out to right to start the top of the fourth but Munson flied out to center. Nettles popped up to left to end the inning. The Sox knocked out Dobson in the bottom of the fourth as Evans and Burleson stoked back to back singles. Heise sacrificed both runners over with a bunt and Yankees manager Billy Martin brought in Sparky Lyle to face Cooper. Cecil hit a sac fly to score Evans with another run. Doyle grounded back to the mound to end the inning but the Sox were up 5-1.

                                                     Herculean sac fly by Cooper

Chambliss grounded out to first to start the top of the fifth and Hermann grounded out to third. Bladt popped up to third to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fifth although Yaz struck out to start. Lynn doubled and moved to third on the grounder by Rice before Fisk singled him home. Evans flied out to right to end the inning but the Sox were up 6-1.

                                                               Fisk drives in a run

Stanley singled to start the top of the sixth but Bonds banged into a double play. Alomar singled and White doubled him to third, but Munson flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox tacked it on in the bottom of the sixth as Burleson doubled to start. Heise struck out but Cooper got a base hit and Burleson tried for home. Chambliss threw the ball away and it allowed Burleson to score. Doug Griffin pinch hit for Doyle and forced Burleson at second before Yaz grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox up 7-1.

                                                           Burleson scores a run

Cleveland walked Nettles to open the top of the seventh but Chambliss flied out to left. Hermann struck out and Bladt forced Nettles at second to end the inning. Lynn struck out to start the bottom of the seventh but Rice got a base hit. Fisk struck out and Evans flied out to right to end the inning.

The Yankees finally knocked out Cleveland in the top of the eighth although Walt Williams pinch hit for Stanley to start. Williams struck out but Bonds singled. Alomar flied out to center but White singled. Munson then cracked a 3 run bomb all the way to the Potomac River to cut the lead. Sox manager Darrell Johnson stormed out of the dugout screaming and threw a roundhouse right at Cleveland. Reggie ducked under it and chased Johnson into the dugout. Rookie Jim Burton jumped out of the stands to take over on the mound and walked Nettles. Chambliss took strike three to end the inning with Cleveland going 7 2/3 innings while allowing just 4 runs.

                                                      Not great but it'll do

Rick Sawyer took over on the mound with Ed Brinkman playing short for the bottom of the eighth. Burleson popped up to second, Heise grounded out to second and Cooper also grounded out to second to end the inning.

Dick Drago came on for the top of the ninth to close out the game with Rick Dempsey pinch hitting for Hermann to start. Dempsey grounded out to second but Rich Coggins pinch hit for Bladt got a base hit. Lou Piniella pinch hit for Brinkman and forced Coggins at second. Bonds grounded into a force to end the game. The Sox had won it 7-4.

Hero of the Night is Cecil Cooper. He drove in 2 big runs which turned out to be the difference in the game and a third was taken away on the error by Chambliss.

                                                                  Cecil the Hero



The Good:

Denny Doyle was 2 for 3 with an rbi and a run scored.

Fred Lynn was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Jim Rice was 2 for 4 with a stolen base.

Carlton Fisk was 2 for 4 with 3 rbis.

Rick Burleson was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Bob Heise was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Jim Burton got the final out of the eighth inning.

Dick Drago earned his 9th save with a scoreless ninth.



The Bad:

Doug Griffin was 0 for 1 at the plate.



The Ugly:

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.

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

Reggie Cleveland got the win with 7 2/3 innings but allowed 4 runs.




Final Thoughts:

The Sox need to bear down if they have any hope of taking the AL East this season. This is the time of year the Sox suffer a freak injury or a series of mishaps like the previous three seasons. The Sox have 27 games left and they need to fire on all cylinders if they hope to play in October. Lynn and Rice have had a hell of a year and Rick Wise has a chance to win 20 games. Reggie Cleveland pitched in big time today and the Sox need to keep their momentum going the rest of the month. The win improved the Sox to 80-55, 6 games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Sox start the most important series to date when they head to Baltimore to play the Orioles for AL East supremacy. Rick Wise (17-8) goes for the Sox against Orioles ace Jim Palmer in a monster match. The game begins at 7:30 PM at Memorial Stadium.

Angels Crush Cleveland, Sox (4/30/74)

The good news was the Boston Bruins eliminated the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 6 of their NHL Semifinal series but the bad news was the Boston Celtics lost Game 2 of the NBA Finals and the Boston Red Sox got destroyed by the California Angels. Reggie Cleveland (1-3, 4.55 ERA) got lit up for 9 runs by a relentless Angels offense before he was knocked out in the fourth inning. The Angels teed off on Diego Segui and Lance Clemmons for a combined seven more runs. Even worse, Doug Griffin was sent to the hospital when he got hit in the head by a Nolan Ryan fastball. The Boston bats got to Angels Ryan for 6 runs after that, but he still went the distance in this one. Cecil Cooper hit a two run home run but that was one of very few highlights as the Angels wont the game 16-6 at Fenway Park.

                                                                 "DAMN THOSE ANGELS!"

The Angels wasted no time getting to Cleveland in the top of the first as Mickey Rivers singled to rigth to start. Denny Doyle got a base hit to left but Bobby Valentine popped up to second. Frank Robinson drew a walk to load the bases and Bob Oliver hit a sac fly to center to score Rivers. Morris Nettles grounded out to first to end the inning with the Angels up 1-0.

                                                                 Angels strike first

Tragedy struck in the bottom of the first with Ryan on the mound. Rick Miller singled to right but Doug Griffin was hit in the head by Nolan's fastball and had to be rushed to the hospital, shades of Tony Conigliaro. John Kennedy ran for Doug but Cecil Cooper struck out swinging. Carl Yastrzemski was hit with a pitch as well and Carl got hot at Ryan. The bases were loaded but Rico Petrocelli struck out swinging. Dwight Evans got a base hit to center to score Kennedy and Miller, but Yastrzemski was caught up at second to end the inning with the Sox up 2-1.

                                                            Get well soon, Doug

The Angels took command in the top of the second as Tommy McCraw got a base hit to center to start. McCraw moved to second on a grounder to short by Ellie Rodrguez, then to third on a grounder back to Cleveland by Dave Chalk. Rivers tripled into the centerfield triangle to score McCraw and Doyle ripped a base hit to center to score Rivers. Valentine forced Rivers at second to end the inning with the Angels up 3-2.

                                                           Doyle drives in a run

Dick McAuliffe walked to start the bottom of the second but Carlton Fisk flied out to center. Mario Guerrero flied out to center and Miller took strike three to end the inning. 

The Angels poured it on in the top of the third as Robinson doubled to right to start. Oliver flied out to right but Nettles walked. McCraw hit a double play ball to short but Kennedy dropped the throw for an error to score Robinson. Rodriguez got a base hit to left to score Nettles with another run. Chalk grounded into a double play to end the inning but it was 5-2 Angels.

                                                               Catch the ball John!

Kenny popped up to short to start the bottom of the third before Cooper struck out swinging. Yaz walked but Petrocelli struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Angels finished off Cleveland in the top of the fourth as Rivers walked to start. Rivers stole second and moved to third on a Doyle base hit to right. Valentine hit one up the elevator shaft but Robinson walked to load the bases. A balk was called on Reggie to score Rivers and Oliver doubled home both remaining runners to signal the end for Cleveland. He got hammered for 9 hits, 9 runs and 4 walks and Diego Segui took his place on the mound. Nettles grounded out to short to move Oliver to third but McCraw walked. Rodriguez doubled to left to score both runners and Chalk also doubled off the Monster to score Ellie. Rivers flied out to center to end the inning with the Angels up 11-2.

                                                              "Aye carumba!" - Segui

Joe Lahoud took over for Valentine to begin the bottom of the fourth and Evans walked to start. McAuliffe got a base hit to right and Fisk walked to load the bases. Guerrero hit a sac fly to right to score Evans and Miller walked to re-load the bases. Kennedy grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Sox down 11-3.

                                                                  RBI for Guerrero

Doyle grounded back to the mound to start the top of the fifth but Lahoud struck out swinging. Robinson popped up to short to end the inning. Cooper struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth and Yaz popped up to short. Petrocelli took strike three to end the inning.

Juan Beniquez took over for Yaz to start the top of the sixth and Oliver got a base hit to center. Nettles forced Oliver at second and moved to second himself on a grounder to third by McCraw. Rodriguez struck out swinging to end the inning. Evans struck out swinging to start the bottom of the sixth but McAuliffe walked. Fisk struck out swinging and Guerrero grounded out to short to end the inning,

Bob Montgomery took over behind the plate with Lance Clemons now on the mound for the top of the seventh. Chalk hit a routine grounder to McAuliffe who threw himself on the ball and swam on it for an error. Chalk moved to second on a grounder to second by Rivers and scored on the Doyle base hit to center. Lahoud forced Doyle at second then took second on a wild pitch. Robinson was intentionally walked and Oliver flied out to center to end the inning with the Angels up 12-3.

                                                           Rivers scores another run

Miller took strike three to begin the bottom of the seventh but Kennedy walked. Cooper flied out to left and Beniquez watched strike three go by to end the inning.

The Angels were relentless in the top of the eighth as Nettles got a base hit to left to start. McCraw flied out to right but Rodriguez forced Nettles at second. Chalk then hit a home run all the way to Shelbyville, Kentucky to increase the lead. Rivers grounded out to third to end the inning with the Angels up 14-3.

                                                          "Make it stop!" - Clemons

The Sox got a run in the bottom of the eighth as Petrocelli struck out swinging to start. Evans also went down hacking but McAuliffe hit his first home run of the season. Montgomery struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox down 14-4.

                                                             Home run McAuliffe

The Angels scored AGAIN in the top of the ninth as Doyle got another base hit in the hole at second. A wild pitch moved him to second and took third on a grounder to first by Lahoud. Robinson drilled a base hit to left to score Doyle and took second on a wild pitch. Oliver tripled to center to score Robinson but Nettles struck out swinging. McCraw walked but Rodriguez flied out to right to end the inning with the Angels up 16-4.

                                                     Robinson adds to the misery

Ryan came back to complete the game in the bottom of the ninth and Guerrero got a base hit to center to begin. Miller flied out to left and Kennedy struck out swinging, but Cooper belted his third home run of the year to cut the lead. Beniquez popped up to first to end the game. The Angels had won it 16-6.

Jackass of the Night is Reggie Cleveland. He allowed 9 hits, 4 walks and 9 runs in just 3 1/3 innings to take the loss.

                                                                 Jackass Cleveland

The Good:

Doug Griffin was hit by a pitch in the first inning.

Carl Yastrzemski walked and was hit with a pitch before leaving.

Dwight Evans was 1 for 3 with a walk, 2 rbis and a run scored.

Dick McAuliffe was 2 for 2 with 2 walks and a home run.

Mario Guerrero was 1 for 3 with an rbi and a run scored.

The Bad:

Juan Beniquez was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Rico Petrocelli was 0 for 4 with the golden sombrero of 4 strikeouts.

Bob Montgomery struck out in his only plate appearance.

Diego Segui allowed 2 runs in 2 2/3 innings.

Lance Clemons allowed 5 runs in 3 innings.

The Ugly:

Rick Miller was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked and scored a run.

John Kennedy was 0 for 3 with a strikeout and an error but walked and scored a run.

Cecil Cooper was just 1 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts but hit a 2 run home run.

Carlton Fisk was 0 for 2 with a strikeout but walked.

Final Thoughts:

That was bawful in more ways than one. Its bad enough to get your ass kicked, its another to lose Griffin like that Tony Conigliaro style. He's currently in ICU but it looks like he's going to pull through. The worst part was Tony C was hit by Jack Hamilton of the Angels so Yastrzemski and Petrocelli definitely had a little PTSD in this one. The Angels bats couldn't miss as they pounded out 18 hits as a unit against Sox pitching. Cleveland and Segui had pitched relatively well this year so it was just one of those days. Its bad enough Rick Wise has felt shoulder pain since that snowy game he pitched in but losing Griffin like this hurts big time the way he was hitting. The Sox have been banged up this month as it is with injuries to Fisk and Petrocelli but things are getting worse. The Sox end the month of April with a 10-12 record, 2.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow afternoon against the Angels when Bill Lee (2-2) takes on Bill Stoneman of California. The game begins at 3:30 PM at Fenway Park.

McCraw, Angels Stop Sox (4/29/74)

What happened to Luis Tiant (1-3, 5.79 ERA)? Two years ago he led the league in ERA and won 20 games last year, yet he's been batting practice so far this year. Tiant got nailed by the California Angels for 12 hits and 7 runs in a dominating effort by the Angels bats, mainly Tommy McCraw. Meanwhile Bill Singer tossed a complete game 7 hitter against the lifeless Red Sox offense. Lance Clemons had to finish the game because Tiant couldn't and the Angels sent the Sox further down the standings with a 7-2 win at Fenway Park

                                                "START PITCHING BETTER TIANT!"

Tiant got the ball in the top of the first inning and Mickey Rivers singled to center to start. Denny Doyle flied out to right and Bobby Valentine moved Rivers to second with a grounder to third. Bob Oliver popped up to left to end the inning. Singer got the ball in the bottom of the first and Rick Miller struck out swinging to start. Doug Griffin walked and Cecil Cooper drilled a base hit to right to move Griffin to third. Carl Yastrzemski hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Griffin and Dwight Evans took strike three to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                             RBI for Yaz

The Angels struck back in the top of the second as Winston Llenas flied out to right. Old pal Joe Lahoud grounded out to second but Tommy McCraw hit a home run all the way to Edmonton to tie the game. Ellie Rodriguez grounded out to third to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                                  Tie game

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the second as Bernie Carbo grounded out to short to start. Dick McAuliffe grounded back to the mound and Carlton Fisk grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Angels struck again in the top of the third as Dave Chalk grounded out to second to begin. Rivers ripped a base hit to left and promptly stole second. Doyle hit one up the elevator shaft but Valentine got a base hit to center. Rivers came around to score and Valentine took second on the throw home, but Oliver struck out swinging to end the inning with the Angels ahead 2-1.

                                                              RBI for Valentine

Morris Nettles came in for Lahoud for the bottom of the third and Mario Guerrero got a base hit to left to start. Miller forced Guerrero at second before moving to second himself on the grounder to third by Griffin. Cooper struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Angels got another one in the top of the fourth as Llenas got a base hit to center to start. Nettles popped up a bunt to Fisk but McCraw doubled to left. Rodriguez was intentionally walked to load the bases and Chalk scored Llenas with a sac fly to center. Rivers popped up to third to end the inning with the Angels up 3-1.

                                                          Chalk gets an rbi

Yaz walked to start the bottom of the fourth but Evans took strike three. Carbo struck out swinging but McAuliffe doubled to left. Fisk popped up to center to end the inning.

Doyle flied out to left to open the top of the fifth before Valentine grounded out to short. Oliver grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Guerrero flied out to right to start the bottom of the fifth before Miller flied out to center. Griffin grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Angels got another run in the top of the sixth as Richie Scheinblum pinch hit for Llenas only to pop up to short. Nettles singled in the hole at short and immediatley stole second. McCraw doubled to right to score Nettles and Rodriguez flied out to center. Chalk tripled into the left field corner to score McCraw and Rivers flied out to center to end the inning with California on top 5-1.

                                                           McCraw does it again

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the sixth as Cooper grounded back to the mound to start. Yaz and Evans both struck out swinging to end the inning.

Doyle popped up to center to begin the top of the seventh and Valentine grounded out to short. Oliver walked but Scheinblum flied out to center to end the inning. Carbo grounded out to second to start the bottom of the seventh before McAuliffe flied out to left. Fisk walked and Guerrero singled to center to load the bases, but Miller grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Angels finished off Tiant in the top of the eighth as Nettles beat out a roller to short to start. McCraw then hit his second home run of the game to put it on ice. Rodriguez grounded out to short but Chalk tripled into the left field corner. Chalk tried to go for the inside the park home run but was thrown out at home. Rivers lined out to first to end the inning with the Angels up 7-1.

                                                               One man wrecking crew

The Sox did fight back in the bottom of the eighth as Griffin popped up to short to start. Cooper walked and Yaz got a base hit off the first base bag, but Evans popped up to first. Carbo singled to left to score Cooper. McAuliffe grounded out to second to end the inning with the Sox down 7-2.

                                                                  Carbo drives in a run

Lance Clemons came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Doyle grounded out to second to start. Valentine flied out to center and Oliver flied out to right to end the inning. Singer returned to finish the job in the bottom of the ninth and Fisk popped up a bunt to the catcher to begin. Guerrero popped up to left but Miller got a base hit down the third base line. Griffin forced Miller at second to end the game. The Angels had won it 7-2.

Jackass of the Night is Luis Tiant. He got lit up for 12 hits and 7 runs in 8 innings of work.

                                                                 El Burro

The Good:

Cecil Cooper was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.

Carl Yastrzemski was 1 for 2 with a walk and an rbi.

Mario Guerrero was 2 for 4.

Lance Clemons tossed a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Dwight Evans was 0 for 4 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Rick Miller was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

Doug Griffin was 0 for 4 but walked and scored.

Bernie Carbo was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Dick McAuliffe was just 1 for 4.

Carlton Fisk was 0 for 3 but walked.

Final Thoughts:

Tiant was god awful in this game but so were the Red Sox with runners in scoring position. They could have had a few more runs if they could get a hit when it counted. Still, Tiant getting dominated by Tom McCraw was not on my bingo card as he was a one man gang for the most part. Carlton Fisk doesn't look right but then again, no one has. The bottom of the order is still struggling and even with Sox manager Darrell Johnson juggling the lineup, they're still not generating much offense. Carl Yastrzemski is off to a hot start but everyone around him has been mediocre or worse. Hopefully things turn around because they're not going to last very long in the pennant race the more games they lose. Hopefully Tiant can shake off this bad month and dominate from here on in or else it could be time to look elsewhere for an ace. The Sox play their final game of the month of April tomorrow night when Reggie Cleveland (1-2) faces Angels ace Nolan Ryan. The game begins at 10:30 PM Eastern time at Anaheim Stadium.

Sox Beat Royals in 13 Innings (4/28/74)

It was a great night for Boston sports. The Boston Bruins defeated the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 5 of their NHL Semifinal series, the Boston Celtics defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals and the Boston Red Sox knocked off the Kansas City Royals in 13 innings. For eight innings it looked like the Sox were cruising toward a win against the Royals as they led 4-2. The Sox got 4 runs off old pal Marty Pattin while Roger Moret held the Royals to two runs in 7 1/3 innings. Then in the bottom of the ninth Hal McRae hit a two run home run off Dick Drago to send the game to extras. In the top of the 13th, Cecil Cooper hit a home run off Doug Bird to put the Sox ahead. Drago was still in the game and he finished off the Royals for some redemption in the bottom of the frame. The Sox had beaten the Royals 5-4 in 13 innings at Royals Stadium.

                                                   Dave Cowens approves of the win

Pattin got the ball in the top of the first inning as Rick Miller flied out to center to start. Doug Griffin also flied out to center and Cecil Cooper struck out swinging to end the inning. Moret got the start in the bottom of the first and Freddie Patek flied out to left to start. Cookie Rojas got a base hit to center and Amos Otis grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Carl Yastrzemski got a base hit to center to begin the top of the second inning but Bernie Carbo popped up to short. Dwight Evans flied out to left but Carlton Fisk forced Yaz at second to end the inning. The Royals struck first in the bottom of the second as John Mayberry singled to right and Fran Healy hit a home run all the way to Quebec to put the Royals on top. Jim Wohlford popped up to third but Hal McRae singled to center. McRae stole second but Paul Schaal walked. Al Cowens struck out swinging and Patek popped up to first to end the inning with the Royals up 2-0.

                                                                      Home run Healy

The Sox struck back in the top of the third as Dick McAuliffe flied out to center to start. Guerrero struck out swinging but Miller launched his first home run of the year to cut the lead. Griffin popped up to second to end the inning with the Sox down 2-1.

                                                            Miller cuts the lead

Rojas got a base hit to right to start the bottom of the third but Otis hit into another double play. Mayberry lined out to right to end the inning.

Cooper lined out to right to begin the top of the fourth and Yaz flied out to center. Carbo grounded out to second to end the inning. Healy grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fourth and Wohlford got a base hit to center. Moret threw the pickoff throw away and Wohlford moved all the way to third on the error, but McRae struck out swinging. Schaal grounded out to second to end the inning.

Evans lined out to left to begin the top of the fifth and Fisk grounded out to third. McAuliffe took strike three to end the inning. Cowens popped up to third to open the bottom of the fifth but Patek singled in the hole at second. Rojas grounded into a double play to end the inning.

The Sox struck back in the top of the sixth as Guerrero got a base hit to left to begin. Guerrero swiped second but Miller struck out swinging. Griffin got a base hit to center to score Guerrero with the tying run but Cooper flied out to left. Yaz drew a walk but Carbo grounded out to first to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                          Griffin drives in a run

Otis flied out to right to start the bottom of the sixth before Mayberry flied out to left. Healy popped up to first to end the inning.

The Sox took command in the top of the seventh as Evans smashed his second home run of the year to put the Sox on top. Fisk walked and McAuliffe dropped down a bunt, only for Fisk to slide in safe at second anyway. Guerrero grounded into a double play but Miller walked to put runners at the corners. Griffin forced Miller at second to end the inning with the Sox up 3-2.

                                                               Evans hits one out

Wohlford grounded out to third to start the bottom of the seventh but McRae walked. McRae stole second but Schaal popped up to second. Cowens grounded out to short to end the inning.

Cooper flied out to left to begin the top of the eighth and Yaz did the same. Carbo doubled to center and moved to third on the infield single to short by Evans to chase Pattin. Doug Bird came in and Evans took off for second. Healy threw to second and Carbo made a mad dash home. Evans was safe at second and Carbo was safe at home for a double steal. Evans tried to be greedy and steal third but was thrown out to end the inning with the Sox up 4-2.

                                                                 Carbo steals home

Patek flied out to right to start the bottom of the eighth but Rojas singled to left. Otis singled to left and Sox manager Darrell Johnson had seen enough of Moret. Roger allowed 2 runs in 7 1/3 innings, putting the Sox in line for the win. Bill Lee came in just to face one batter, getting Mayberry to ground out to first. The runners moved over but Dick Drago got Healy to ground out to first to end the inning.

                                                                   Good work Moret

Fisk struck out swinging to start the top of the ninth but McAuliffe got a base hit to center. Guerrero flied into a double play to end the inning. Drago came back to close out the bottom of the ninth and failed miserably. Wohlford singled to center and McRae hit a home run all the way to Russia to tie the game. Schaal grounded back to the mound and Vada Pinson pinch hit for Cowens. Pinson struck out swinging and Patek flied out to right to end the inning with the game tied 4-4.

                                                           McRae ties it

Miller took strike three to start the top of the tenth before Griffin flied out to left. Cooper popped up to third to end the inning. Rojas grounded out to short to start the bottom of the tenth and Otis grounded out to third. Mayberry walked but Healy grounded out to third to end the inning.

Yaz grounded out to second to open the top of the eleventh and Carbo did the same. Evans doubled to center but Fisk grounded out to third to end the inning. Wohlford grounded out to second to begin the bottom of the eleventh and McRae grounded back to the mound. Schaal lined out to right to end the inning.

McAuliffe got a base hit in the hole at second to start the top of the 12th but Guerrero grounded into a double play. Miller got a base hit to center but Griffin flied out to right to end the inning. Things looked bleak in the bottom of the 12th when Pinson doubled to left to start. Patek dropped down a bunt to move Pinson to third but Rojas grounded out to second with the infield in. Amos and Mayberry were intentionally walked to load the bases and Healy struck out swinging to end the inning.

                                               Gave up the lead but held the fort after

The Sox finally broke the tie in the top of the 13th as Cooper belted a solo home run to put the Sox up instantly. Yaz grounded back to the mound, Carbo struck out swinging and Evans struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 5-4.

                                                                 Cooper gets it done

Drago returned to close out the bottom of the 13th and Wohlford grounded out to short to start. McRae grounded out to third and Tony Solaita pinch hit for Schaal. Solaita doubled to left and Frank White pinch ran for him. Pinson struck out swinging to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-4 in 13 innings.

                  

Hero of The Night is Cecil Cooper. His home run in the 13th inning was the decisive blow in the game.

The Good:

Rick Miller was 2 for 5 with a walk and a home run.

Dwight Evans was 3 for 6 with a home run and a stolen base.

Dick McAuliffe was 2 for 4.

Roger Moret allowed 2 runs in 7 1/3 innings giving up 9 hits and 2 walks while striking out two.

Bill Lee retired the only man he faced.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Doug Griffin was just 1 for 6 but drove in a run.

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 5 with a walk.

Bernie Carbo was just 1 for 6 with a strikeout but scored a run and a stolen base.

Carlton Fisk was 0 for 4 with a strikeout and a walk.

Mario Guerrero was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but stole a base and scored a run.

Dick Drago blew the save in the ninth but earned the win with 5 1/3 innings pitched.

Final Thoughts:

That was a marathon and one of the most frustrating games of the season. The Sox had the game won going into the ninth but Drago blew it....then proceeded to be lights out almost the rest of the game. The Sox bats were timely until the ninth inning then went asleep the rest of the game except for one swing by Cooper. Cecil really saved the Sox bacon in this one, otherwise who knows how long the game would have went. Its good to see Fisk back so the Sox bats are starting to return back to normal. Let's hope the pitching holds up as the season progresses. The Sox now return home for a series against the California Angels beginning tomorrow night. Luis Tiant (1-3) takes on Bill Singer of the Angels and the game begins at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.