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

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

                                                         "That damn Burgmeier"

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

                                                                   Brewers take the lead

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

                                                                  Yaz ties it

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

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

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

                                                            Howell goes yard

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

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

                                                                Nice error Carney

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

                                                                   Gedman scores a run

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

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

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

                                                             Torrez with 8 great innings

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

                                                              Rudi puts Boston ahead

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

                                                             Simmons sinks the Sox

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

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

                                                                Jackass Burgmeier

The Good:

Carl Yastrzemski was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis.

Rich Gedman was 2 for 4.

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

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

The Bad:

Dave Stapleton was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Rick Miller was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

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

Dwight Evans was 0 for 3 with a run scored.

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

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

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

Final Thoughts:

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

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

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

                                                             Jim Craig approves of the win

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

                                                            Lansford doubles and scores

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

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

                                                                Meyer drives in a run

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

                                                      Another run scored by Carney

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

                                                        Torrez didn't have it in this one

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

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

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

                                                           "Owwwwwww" - Edler

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

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

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

                                                                Yerrrrr out!

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

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

                                                              Rice drives in a run

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

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

                                                             Stapleton The Hero

The Good:

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

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

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

Carl Yastrzemski walked as a pinch hitter.

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

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

The Bad:

Joe Rudi was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Reid Nichols was 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

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

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

The Ugly:

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

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

Jerry Remy was just 1 for 4.

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

Final Thoughts:

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

Flanagan, Orioles Shut Down Sox (4/25/81)

After an off-day and a rainout, the Boston Red Sox looked flat as a pancake in today's game against the Baltimore Orioles. Frank Tanana (0-2, 5.21 ERA) got his brains beat in as he allowed 6 runs while getting knocked out in the fifth inning. Mark Clear allowed a run in relief but the story was O's starter Mike Flanagan. Flanagan tossed a complete game while allowing just 4 hits and 2 runs to the sleeepwalking Sox. A home run by Jim Rice and a pinch hit rbi single by Joe Rudi were all the Sox could do against Flanagan. The Orioles had beaten the Sox 7-2 at Memorial Stadium.

                                                "You lost again....you...lost...AGAIN?"

Flanagan began his dominance in the top of the first as Dwight Evans lined out to center to start. Dave Stapleton singled to left but both Carl Yastrzemski and Jim Rice struck out swinging to end the inning. Tanana got the ball in the bottom of the first and Carney Lansford booted a grounder by Al Bumbry for an error to start. Rich Dauer walked but Jose Morales banged into a double play. Ken Singleton struck out swinging to end the inning.

Flanagan cruised in the top of the second as Tony Perez grounded out to third to start. Lansford grounded out to second and Gary Allenson flied out to center to end the inning. Tanana turned up the head in the bottom of the second as he struck out Benny Ayala swinging to start. Doug DiCinces and Gary Roenicke both took strike three to end the inning.

Glenn Hoffman grounded out to third to begin the top of the third and Rick Miller flied out to center. Evans walked but Stapleton grounded out to third to end the inning. Tanana matched Flanagan in the bottom of the third as Rick Dempsey flied out to center to start. Mark Belanger struck out swinging and Bumbry grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the fourth although Yaz flied out to center to start. Rice stepped up and cracked his second home run of the season to put Boston on top. Perez struck out swinging but Lansford reached on an error by Dauer. Allenson lined out to third to end the inning but it was 1-0 Sox.

                                                             Rice hits one out

The floodgates opened in the bottom of the fourth as Dauer and Morales stroked back to back singles to start. Singleton beat out a double play ball but Ayala singled home Dauer to tie the game. DeCinces singled home Singleton and Roenicke singled home Ayala to give the O's the lead. Dempsey singled to load the bases but Belanger took strike three. Bumbry grounded out to first to end the inning with the O's up 3-1.

                                                           DeCinces puts the O's on top

The Sox went quietly in the top of the fifth as Hoffman grounded out to third to start. Miller flied out to left and Evans whiffed to end the inning. The O's knocked Tanana out in the bottom of the fifth as Dauer and Morales hit back to back singles to start. Singleton walked but Ayala took strike three. DeCinces cleared the bases with a double but was thrown out at third trying to stretch a triple. Sox manager Ralph Houk had enough and lifted Tanana one batter too late. Mark Clear came in and struck out Roenicke swinging to end the inning but it was 6-1 Baltimore.

                                       "I tell ya Ted, Tanana stinks on ice today" - RH

Old friend Jim Dwyer took over for Morales to begin the top of the sixth and Stapleton grounded out to second to start. Yaz popped up to third in foul territory and Rice grounded out to short to end the inning. Clear turned up the heat in the bottom of the sixth as Dempsey and Belanger both struck out swinging to start. Bumbry took strike three to end the inning.

The Sox rallied in the top of the seventh as Perez walked to start. Lansford lined one off of Flanagan but Allenson struck out swinging. Lansford was forced at second by Hoffman and Joe Rudi pinch hit for Miller. Rudi singled in the hole at short to score Perez and Reid Nichols ran for Joe. Evans grounded into a force to end the inning with the Sox down 6-2.

                                                           Rudi drives in a run

Dauer doubled to left to start the bottom of the seventh but Dwyer hit one up the elevator shaft. Singleton struck out swinging but Ayala took strike three to end the inning.

John Lowenstein came in for Singleton to begin the top of the eighth and Stapleton popped up to second to start. Yaz also popped up to second and Rice flied out to right to end the inning. The O's had a nasty surprise for Clear in the bottom of the eighth as DeCinces doubled to left to start. Roenicke walked but Dempsey popped up the bunt to first. Belanger struck out swinging but Bumbry loaded the bases with a swinging bunt. A wild pitch scored DeCinces and Dauer struck out swinging to end the inning with the O's ahead 7-2.

                                                         Nice wild pitch, Clear

Flanagan returned to finish off the Sox in the top of the ninth and Perez struck out swinging to start. Lansford also went down hacking and Allenson flied out to center to end the game. The O's had won it 7-2.

Jackass of the Night is Frank Tanana. He got rocked by allowing 6 runs in 4 2/3 innings to take the loss.

                                                        Tanana the Jackass

The Good:

Joe Rudi singled and drove in a run as a pinch hitter.

The Bad:

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Gary Allenson was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 3.

Rick Miller was 0 for 2.

The Ugly:

Dwight Evans was 0 for 3 with a walk.

Dave Stapleton was just 1 for 4.

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

Tony Perez was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts but walked and scored a run.

Carney Lansford was just 1 for 4 with an error and a strikeout.

Mark Clear allowed a run in 3 1/3 innings.

Honorable Mention:

Reid Nichols pinch ran and played center in the top of the ninth

Final Thoughts:

If the shellacking the Sox took by Texas was bad, this feels even worse. The Sox managed to get 10 hits and 8 runs that game but did almost nothing against Mike Flanagan in this one. Doug DeCinces outscored the Red Sox all by himself with 4 rbis. Jim Rice, Carl Yastrzemski and Tony Perez can come out of their slumps any time now and Rice's homer could be the start of his hot streak. Tanana stunk today and its a shame considering how well he pitched in his last outing. Evans and Lansford can only do so much and today was an unfortunate microcosm of what happens if they don't hit well. The Sox look to rebound tomorrow against the Orioles when Dennis Eckersley (1-1) looks to rebound from his stinker Wednesday when he takes on Orioles ace Jim Palmer. The game begins at 2 PM at Memorial Stadium.

Red Sox Beat Up White Sox Late (4/19/81)

A day after the Boston Red Sox were held to just one run by the Chicago White Sox, the Red Sox took their frustrations out on Chicago in today's game. Rookie Steve Crawford was knocked out in the fourth inning after allowing four runs but Bob Stanley (2-1, 1.42 ERA) saved the day again with 4 shutout innings. Meanwhile the Boston bats woke up as Gary Allenson clubbed a 3 run home run and the BoSox scored four runs in the top of the ninth to knock out the White Sox 9-4 at Commiskey Park.

                                                    Calvin Jarrett approves of the win

The Red Sox wasted no time pouncing on White Sox starter Ross Baumgarten in the top of the first inning. Dwight Evans walked but Dave Stapleton popped up to Bill Almon in foul territory. Carney Lansford singled to left and Wayne Nordhagen booted the ball, allowing the runners to advance on the error. Jim Rice grounded out to second but Evans scored and Lansford moved to third. Tony Perez walked to load the bases and Joe Rudi singled home Lansford to increase the lead. Glenn Hoffman popped up to third in foul territory to end the inning but it was 2-0 Sox.

                                                          Rudi drives in a run

The White Sox struck back against Crawford in the bottom of the first as Tony Bernazard grounded out to third to start. Mike Squires flied out to right but...surprise surprise....Carlton Fisk hit a home run all the way to Lake Superior to cut the lead. Fisk has four home runs on the season, 3 of them are against the BoSox. Greg Luzinski took strike three to end the inning but it was 2-1 Red Sox.

                                            Take THAT Sullivan & Yawkey

Gary Allenson walked to start the top of the second and was sacrificed to second on the bunt by Reid Nichols. Allenson moved to third on the fly out by Evans but Stapleton popped up to first to end the inning. Chet Lemon walked to start the bottom of the second but Harold Bained banged into a double play. Nordhagen singled to right but Jim Morrison popped up to left in foul territory to end the inning.

Lansford struck out swinging to open the top of the third and Rice grounded back to the mound. Perez popped up to first to end the inning. Almon grounded out to short to begin the bottom of the third and Bernazard lined out to second. Squires singled to center and FINALLY Crawford backed Fisk off the plate by hitting him. Luzinski flied out to right to end the inning.

The BoSox struck again in the top of the fourth as Rudi was plunked in retaliation by Baumgarten to start. The BoSox made him pay as Hoffman singled to center and Allenson crushed his second home run of the season to increase the lead. That was it for Baumgarten as Dennis Lamp came in to get Nichols to ground out to first. Evans grounded out to short and Stapleton did the same to end the inning with Boston ahead 5-1.

                                                               Way to go Allenson

Crawford fell apart in the bottom of the fourth although Lemon grounded out to short to start. Baines and Nordhagen hit back to back singles and Morrison doubled both men home to cut the lead. Almon walked and Bernazard singled to left and BoSox manager Ralph Houk had seen enough. Crawford was sent to the showers and Bob Stanley came in to clean up the mess. Squires popped up to first but, who else. Fisk walked home Morrison to cut the lead. Luzinski took strike three to end the inning with Boston still ahead 5-4.

                                                            Not Steve's best stuff

Lansford singled to left to start the top of the fifth but Rice lined out to third. Lansford was thrown out at second trying to steal on the Perez strikeout to end the inning. Stanley made the ChiSox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the fifth. Lemon grounded out to second, Baines grounded back to the mound and Nordhagen grounded out to short to end the inning.

Rudi struck out swinging to start the top of the sixth and Hoffman grounded out to short. Allenson flied out to center to end the inning. Morrison singled in the hole at short to start the bottom of the sixth but Almon banged into a double play. Bernazard hit a routine grounder to Stapleton who tried to field the ball in his hat for an error. Squires flied out to left to end the inning.

Rick Miller pinch hit for Nichols to start the top of the seventh and he flied out to center. Evans drew a walk and moved to second on the grounder to short by Stapleton. Lansford walked and that was it for Lamp. Ed Farmer came in to pitch and Rice took strike three to end the inning. Fisk continued his dominance by getting a base hit to left to start the bottom of the seventh but Luzinski took strike three. Lemon popped up to third in foul territory but Baines grounded out to second to end the inning.

Perez struck out swinging to start the top of the eighth but Rudi singled to left. Hoffman and Allenson both struck out swinging to end the inning. Stanley ran out of gas in the bottom of the eighth as Nordhagen singled to right to start. Rusty Kuntz pinch ran for Nordhagen and he took second on the sacrifice bunt by Morrison. Bob Molinaro pinch hit for Almon and he walked to chase Stanley. Tom Burgmeier came in and Bernazard singled to left. Rice came up throwing and nailed Kuntz at home for the second out. Lamar Johnson pinch hit for Squires and popped up to first to end the inning. Rice's throw home saved the game for the BoSox.

                                                 Burgmeier appreciates the effort from Rice

The floodgates opened in the top of the ninth as Greg Pryor took over at short. Miller popped up to second but Evans was hit with a pitch. Stapleton singled to center and Lansford singled home Evans to ice the game. Rice hit a routine grounder to third but Morrison booted it for an error to load the bases. White Sox manager Tony La Russa had enough of Morrison and sent Jim Essian in to play third. Perez popped up to first but Rudi hit a routine grounder to Essian....and HE booted it for an error to score Stapleton and re-load the bases. Hoffman singled home Lansford and Rice to wrap up the scoring. Allenson walked to re-load the bases and chase Farmer. Kevin Hickey came in to pitch and Miller struck out swinging to end the inning but the BoSox put the game away 9-4.

                                                      2 run single for Hoffman

Burgmeier came in to finish off the ChiSox in the bottom of the ninth and Fisk took strike three to start. Luzinski flied out to right and Lemon grounded out to short to end the game. The Red Sox had won it 9-4.

Hero of the Night is Gary Allenson. His 3 run home run ended up being the blow to keep the BoSox ahead for good.

                                                        Hero Allenson

The Good:

Dwight Evans walked twice, was hit with a pitch and scored 2 runs.

Carney Lansford was 3 for 4 with a walk, rbi and 2 runs scored.

Joe Rudi was 2 for 4 with an rbi, hit by pitch and run scored.

Glenn Hoffman was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Bob Stanley got the win by pitching 4 shutout innings.

Tom Burgmeier got the save with 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Reid Nichols was 0 for 1 before being lifted.

Rick Miller was 0 for 3.

Steve Crawford lasted just 3 1/3 innings and was charged with 4 runs.

The Ugly:

Dave Stapleton was just 1 for 5 with an error but scored a run.

Jim Rice was 0 for 5 but drove in a run, scored a run and cut down a runner at the plate.

Tony Perez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but walked.

Final Thoughts:

Fisk is still a pain in the ass but for one day Gary Allenson did one better. Obviously Red Sox fans never wanted Fisk to leave and Allenson will never be like him, but every now and then he can pull off performances like this one. The entire offense did their job today and once again Bob Stanley was magnificent in relief. He may become the second coming of Dick Radatz this season at this rate. Any time a starter falters early, send in Stanley to save the day. Carney Lansford has been hitting balls over the field since Opening Day and he's off-setting the loss of Fred Lynn big time. It was a good team win and hopefully the momentum carries over in Boston's next series. Tomorrow morning its Patriots Day at Fenway Park with the visiting Texas Rangers in town. Mike Torrez gets the start for the Sox up against Doc Medich of the Rangers with the game beginning at 11 AM at Fenway Park.

White Sox Edge Red Sox (4/18/81)

If you told me before the game Frank Tanana (0-1, 3.14 ERA) would toss a complete game and only allow 2 runs, I would have asked how much did the Boston Red Sox win by? Turns out they didn't as the Chicago White Sox did one better. Steve Trout of the ChiSox outpitched Tanana by allowing just 1 run in 7 2/3 innings. LaMarr Hoyt slammed the door in the top of the ninth and the BoSox bats were silenced 2-1 at Commiskey Park.

                                    "Pitching a complete game and losing only happens in..The Twilight Zone"

Trout took the mound in the top of the first and Dwight Evans led off with a grounder back to the mound. Dave Stapleton grounded out to short but Carl Yastrzemski doubled to left. Jim Rice flied out to left to end the inning. Tanana got in trouble in the bottom of the first although Bill Almon grounded out to short to start. Tony Bernazard tripled to center but Tanana got a big out when Carlton Fisk struck out swinging. Greg Luzinski walked but Chet Lemon took strike three to end the inning.

Bernazard booted a grounder by Perez for an error to open the top of the second but Carney Lansford grounded into a double play. Glenn Hoffman grounded out to second to end the inning. Lamar Johnson flied out to left to begin the bottom of the second and Wayne Nordhagen flied out to center. Jim Morrison hit a routine grounder to Hoffman who threw his hat at the ball and laughed at it for an error. Morrison stole second but Rusty Kuntz grounded out to short to end the inning.

Gary Allenson flied out to right to begin the top of the third but Rick Miller was hit with a pitch. Evans hit into a double play to end the inning. Tanana had no control in the bottom of the third as Almon walked to start. Bernazard flied out to right and Fisk flied out to left, but Luzinski walked. Lemon walked to load the bases but Johnson grounded into a force to end the inning.

Stapleton grounded out to short to start the top of the fourth and Yaz did as well. Rice singled in the hole at second but Perez flied out to right to end the inning. Nordhagen grounded out to short to start the bottom of the fourth and Morrison flied out to left. Kuntz flied out to right to end the inning.

Lansford walked to open the top of the fifth and was sacrificed to second by Hoffman. Allenson hit one up the elevator shaft and Miller grounded out to third to end the inning. The White Sox struck first in the bottom of the fifth as Almon singled to center to begin. Bernazard sacrificed him to second and who else but Fisk pounded a home run all the way to Lake Michigan to give the White Sox the lead. Luzinski walked and Lemon singled to to left, but Greg was doubled off at second on the liner by Johnson to end the inning with the ChiSox ahead 2-0.

                                                      Fisk does it again for the White Sox

The Sox tried to rally when Evans singled to center to start the top of the sixth but Stapleton forced Dwight at second. Yaz banged into a double play to end the inning. Nordhagen grounded out to short to start the bottom of the sixth and Morrison popped up to short. Kuntz flied out to center to end the inning.

Harold Baines took over for Nordhagen to start the top of the seventh and Rice grounded out to short to start. Perez also grounded out to short but Lansford walked. Hoffman grounded into a force to end the inning. Tanana got in a big jam in the bottom of the seventh as Almon singled to center to start. Bernazard dropped down a bunt to advance him to second and Fisk was intentionally walked. Luzinski singled to left to load the bases and Richard Dotson pinch ran for him. Tanana came up big by getting Lemon to ground into a double play to end the inning.

The BoSox blew a huge chance to tie the game in the top of the eighth as Allenson singled to left to start. Joe Rudi pinch hit for Miller and doubled Allenson to third. Reid Nichols pinch ran for Rudi and Evans walked to load the bases. All Stapleton could do was score Allenson with a sac fly to cut the lead. Yaz beat out a double play ball to put runners at the corners and LaMarr Hoyt was brought in to face Rice. Jim flied out to left to end the inning with the Red Sox down 2-1.

                                                              Allenson scores a run

Tanana returned to complete his outing in the bottom of the eighth as Johnson singled to start. Mike Squires pinch ran for Johnson but Baines struck out swinging. Morrison forced Squires at second and Kuntz flied out to left to end the inning. Tanana went the distance but the two run bomb to Fisk ended up being the difference in the game.

                                                           Frank deserved better

Perez struck out swinging to start the top of the ninth and Lansford flied out to left. Gary Hancock pinch hit for Hoffman and grounded out to first to end the game. The White Sox had edged the Red Sox 2-1.

Jackass of the Night is a tough one but I'll go with Tony Perez. He was 0 for 4 with a strikeout and left a man on base back when it was a tied game.

                                                          Jackass Perez

The Good:

Dwight Evans was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Carney Lansford walked twice in four plate appearances.

Gary Allenson was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Joe Rudi doubled as a pinch hitter.

One of the rare times the losing pitcher ends up on the Good list but Frank Tanana tossed a complete game allowing just 7 hits and 2 runs. His mistake to Fisk was the difference in the game.

The Bad:

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 2 with an error.

Gary Hancock was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

Dave Stapleton was 0 for 3 but drove in a run.

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 4.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4.

Rick Miller was 0 for 1 but was hit with a pitch.

Honorable Mention:

Reid Nichols pinch ran for Rudi and played center in the bottom of the eighth.

Final Thoughts:

The Red Sox have three losses this season and Carlton Fisk struck the decisive blow in two of them. How the BoSox let him slip away is one of the biggest cataclysms in Red Sox history and that includes selling Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees. Sox GM Haywood Sullivan is going to get an earful from the Boston faithful for this blunder until the end of time if Fisk continues down the Hall of Fame path he was on. Still, Fisk's home run would have been a mere annoyance if the Sox bats weren't silenced by the immortal Steve Trout. The same guy who lost 16 games last year blinded the Red Sox in this one. Its a shame because Tanana pitched a hell of a game, too bad he has nothing to show for it. The BoSox look to rebound tomorrow in the rubber game of this set when Steve Crawford looks to make it two good starts in a row. His opponent will be Ross Baumgarten of the White Sox and the game begins at 3:30 PM Eastern time at Commiskey Park.

Fisk Keys White Sox Rally Past Red Sox on Opening Day (4/10/81)

The Boston Red Sox are not a very well liked organization right now after they let one of the most popular players in team history walk in free agency then were forced to trade another. If that wasn't bad enough, today the player they let walk struck the decisive blow against them as Carlton Fisk served a big fat "screw you" to Haywood Sullivan, Buddy LeRoux and Jean Yawkey. With the BoSox up 2 in the top of the eighth, Fisk smashed a 3 run bomb to put the Chicago White Sox on top and they never looked back, stunning Boston 5-3 at Fenway Park. Thanks a lot ownership group.

                                                                 Fisk gets the last laugh

Dennis Eckersley was Boston's opening day starter and he began the 1981 season by allowing a base hit to Ron LeFlore. If that wasn't enough, Eck had LeFlore picked off but Tony Perez missed the throw for an error which allowed Ron to reach second. Mike Squires grounded right back to Eck to hold LeFlore but he took third on another grounder to the mound, this time by the returning Fisk. Greg Luzinski looked at strike three to end the inning. Britt Burns got the start for Chicago and Dwight Evans popped up to first to start. Dave Stapleton flied out to right but Joe Rudi made his Sox debut by walking. Jim Rice singled Joe to third but Perez whiffed to end the inning.

Eck got in trouble in the top of the second by hitting Chet Lemon was hit with a pitch to start. Harold Baines got a base hit to left but Jim Morrison (no, not The Doors frontman) popped up a bunt to Eck. Tony Bernazard grounded into a force before Bill Almon whiffed to end the inning. Carney Lansford made his Red Sox debut in the bottom of the second by flying out to center. Glenn Hoffman whiffed and Gary Allenson looked at strike three to end the inning.

LeFlore whiffed to begin the top of the third but Squires walked. Fisk singled but Squires got greedy and was thrown out at third trying to stretch. Luzinski whiffed to end the inning. Rick Miller was back with the Sox and began the bottom of the third by striking out swinging. Evans lined out to right but Stapleton walked. Rudi lined out to left to end the inning.

Eck cruised in the top of the fourth as he struck out Lemon to begin. Baines popped up to third before Morrison grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fourth as Rice whiffed to start. Perez doubled to left but Lansford whiffed. Hoffman grounded out to short to end the inning.

Eck ran into trouble in the top of the fifth although Bernazard popped up to second to begin. Almon grounded out to third before LeFlore hit a routine grounder to second. Stapleton threw himself on the ball and swam on it for an error. LeFlore then swiped second but Squires popped up to short to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the fifth as Allenson whiffed to start. Miller grounded out to short but Burns left a fastball right down the middle, Evans crushing a home run for the first run of the season. Fans in the crowd started throwing frisbees on the field that were giveaways for the game. Stapleton popped up to second to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                         Evans puts the Sox on top

Eck cruised in the top of the sixth inning as Fisk whiffed to start. Luzinski popped up to third and Lemon grounded out to third to end the inning. Rudi began the bottom of the sixth with a lineout to center to begin. Rice popped up to first but Perez singled to left. Lansford popped up to second to end the inning.

Eck came back for the top of the seventh and got Baines to line out to second to begin. Morrison grounded out to short and Bernazard whiffed to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the seventh although Hoffman whiffed to start. Allenson then smashed his first home run of the season to increase the lead. Miller grounded out to short but Evans walked. Stapleton hit a routine fly ball to right but Baines dropped it for an error. White Sox manager Tony LaRussa brought in LaMarr Hoyt and he whiffed Rudi to end the inning with the BoSox ahead 2-0.

                                                         Allenson increases the lead

Just 6 outs from a shut-out victory everything fell apart in the top of the eighth. Eck came out but walked pinch hitter Bob Molinaro (for Almon). LeFlore singled to center and new BoSox manager Ralph Houk brought in Bob Stanley to get the last 6 outs. Squires sacrifice bunted the runners over to set the stage for Fisk. Carlton was looking for Stanley's sinker and he got it on the first pitch, driving it into the screen in left to put Chicago on top. To show how angry Red Sox fans were at their own front office, the fans in the crowd CHEERED Fisk as he rounded the bases. Luzinski whiffed but Lemon was plunked and swiped second. Baines whiffed to end the inning but Chicago was up 3-2.

                                                  Holy Cow!

Greg Pryor came in for Molinaro in the batting order but at short with Rusty Kuntz taking Lemon's spot while playing center. The BoSox rolled over and died in the bottom of the eighth as Rice and Perez whiffed before Lansford popped up to second to end the inning.

Stanley gagged again in the top of the ninth as Morrison singled and Bernazard singled him to third. Stanley managed to get Morrison in a run down but Allenson muffed the throw home and Morrison was safe with Bernazard taking second. Pryor sacrifice bunted Bernazard over to third and LeFlore scored him with a groundout for the kill shot. Squires flied out to center to end the inning with the White Sox ahead 5-2.

The Sox did rally in the bottom of the ninth when Gary Hancock pinch hit for Hoffman and walked. Allenson whiffed before Miller hit a picture perfect double play ball to second....under the glove of Bernazard to bring the tying run to the plate. Evans popped up to first but Stapleton singled home Hancock to put the tying run at first. Ed Farmer was brought in to pitch to Rudi and with a chance to be the hero in his first game....Joe flied out to center to end the game. The White Sox had won the game and Fisk got his revenge 5-3.

Jackass of the Night is Bob Stanley. He served up the go-ahead dinger to Fisk and the insurance runs to take the loss.

                                                           Stanley The Jackass


The Good:

Tony Perez was 2 for 4.

Gary Hancock walked and scored as a pinch hitter

Dennis Eckersley pitched well until the 8th inning but still went 7 innings allowing 4 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks and he struck 7 batters.



The Bad:

Carney Lansford was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Rick Miller was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.



The Ugly:

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 4 with a walk but the one hit was a solo home run.

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

Joe Rudi was 0 for 4 but drew a walk.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4.

Gary Allenson was just 1 for 4 with a hat trick of three strikeouts and an error...but the one hit was a home run.




Final Thoughts:

The Red Sox deserved that loss big time. If they were foolish enough to let their franchise catcher walk then it serves them right for him to be the hero today. The trade of Fred Lynn didn't yield much merritt as Rudi, Miller and Lansford did almost nothing today. Still its only one game and there are 161 to go. Eckersley pitched well today and its encouraging to see him look like the ace of old. The question is can the rest of the rotation keep up? After an off-day the Sox are back in action against the White Sox with Richard Dotson going for Chicago and Frank Tanana making is Sox debut. The game starts at 2 PM Sunday at Fenway Park.