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 Battle Back To Tie Series (10/15/75)

If nothing else the 1975 World Series will be going back to Boston for a Game 6 come hell or high water. Luis Tiant threw one of the guttiest games in World Series history, tossing an incredible 163 pitches to outwit the Cincinatti Reds. The Boston Red Sox only scored in one inning but made it count, pushing 5 runs across the plate. Those 5 runs were enough for Tiant as the Sox barely held on to beat the Reds 5-4 to tie the Series at 2 games apiece at Riverfront Stadium.

                                                           All tied up

Fred Norman got the start for the Reds and Juan Beniquez led off the top of the first by popping up to center. Denny Doyle grounded out to second but Carl Yastrzemski dumped a single to right. Carlton Fisk was rung up for strike three to end the inning. Tiant came out in the bottom of the first and Pete Rose lined a single up the middle to start. Ken Griffey lined a double to the gap that scored Rose but Griffey was thrown out at third trying to stretch. Joe Morgan walked and advanced to second on the grounder by Tony Perez before scoring on the double into the gap by Johnny Bench. George Foster hit a rocket to third but Rico Petrocelli snared it and fired it first for the out to end the inning with the Reds ahead 2-0.

                                                  YERRRRR OUT!

The Sox failed to respond in the top of the second inning as Fred Lynn whiffed on a high curveball to start. Petrocelli lined a broken bat single to left but Dwight Evans forced Rico at second on a grounder to short. Rick Burleson grounded out to third to end the inning. Dave Concepcion led off the bottom of the second with a grounder to third. Cesar Geronimo grounded out to second before Norman popped up to left to end the inning.

Tiant himself drew a walk to begin the top of the third before Beniquez lined a seeing eye single to right. The rally ended as Doyle lined out to center and Yaz banged into a double play to end the inning. Tiant cruised in the bottom of the third inning a Rose lined out to center to start. Griffey grounded back to the mound and Morgan lined out to a running Beniquez to end the inning.

The Sox exploded to take command in the top of the fourth inning as Fisk began with a single to left. Lynn lined a single to right before Petrocelli popped up to short. Evans tripled to the right field wall to tie the game and Burleson caught Foster asleep by stretching a double to score Lynn to give the Sox the lead. That was it for Norman as Pedro Borbon was brought in and Tiant singled to center to put runners at the corners. Perez bobbled a routine grounder by Beniquez to score Burleson with another run on the error. Doyle popped up to Rose in foul territory but Yaz blooped a single to center to score Tiant. Fisk popped up to center to end the inning but the Sox now led 5-2.

                                                    Sox bat around to take the lead

The Reds answered in the bottom of the fourth although Perez whiffed on a full count to start. Bench flied out to left but Foster hit a rocket to second. Doyle corralled it but threw the ball into the dugout which allowed Foster to reach second. The Sox made another mental error as Lynn, Beniquez and Burleson all ran into each other on a pop up by Concepcion. Technically it was ruled a double that scored Foster. Geronimo sliced a triple to left that went over the head of Beniquez to score Concepcion. Terry Crowley pinch hit for Norman and whiffed to end the inning but the Reds had fought back to make it 5-4.

Clay Carroll took over for the top of the fifth inning and Lynn grounded out to second quickly. Petrocelli whiffed but Evans drilled a fastball off Carroll into right for a single. Thankfully Carroll was ok and Burleson grounded into a force to end the inning. Tiant battled in the bottom of the fifth as Rose walked to start. Griffey flied out to the right field warning track before Morgan walked as well. Perez advanced the runners into scoring position with a grounder but Bench flied out to left to end the inning. Tiant was already over 100 pitches and it was just the fifth inning.

Tiant whiffed to start the top of the sixth inning before Beniquez grounded out to third. Doyle lined a ball up the middle for a base hit but Yaz grounded out to first to end the inning. Rick Miller came in for Beniquez for the bottom of the sixth as Foster popped up to center to begin. Concepcion popped up to left but Geronimo blooped a single to center. Darrel Cheney pinch hit for Carroll and whiffed to end the inning.

Rawly Eastwick cruised in the top of the seventh inning as Fisk popped up to first to start. Lynn grounded out to second before Petroceli also grounded out to second to end the inning. Tiant returned for the bottom of the seventh and Rose hit a rocket...right to Doyle for an out. Griffey grounded out to second and Morgan took Tiant to a full count before lining out to a running Lynn to end the inning.

Eastwick cruised in the top of the eighth inning as Evans flied out to center to start. Burleson grounded out to third and Tiant grounded out to short to end the inning. Somehow Tiant returned for the bottom of the eighth with 120 pitches on his arm and Perez flied out to left to begin. Bench whiffed but Foster singled up the middle. Concepcion flied out to right to end the inning.

Eastwick returned for the top of the ninth and Miller grounded out to second to begin. Doyle grounded out to second but Yaz drew a walk. Fisk popped up to short to end the inning. The exhausted Tiant came out to finish the job in the bottom of the ninth but Geronimo greeted him with a base hit to right. Last night's villain Ed Armbrister pinch hit for Eastwick and dropped down a bunt without interference this time to advance Geronimo to second. Rose drew a walk to put the winning run on first as Tiant was over 150 pitches. Sox manager Darrell Johnson let Tiant pitch to Griffey and Lynn made a great running over the shoulder catch to rob Ken of a walkoff double. That took the wind out of the Reds' sails as Morgan popped up to first to end the game. The Sox had held on to tie up the World Series with a 5-4 win.

                                                      Sox celebrate the win

Hero of the Night is Luis Tiant. He threw an amazing 163 pitches in his complete game win. He allowed 4 runs off 9 hits and 4 walks in 9 innings. He also was 1 for 3 with at the plate with a run scored.

                                             A valiant effort by our Hero



The Good:

Carl Yastrzemski was 2 for 4 with a walk and an rbi.

Dwight Evans was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis and a run scored.



The Bad:

Rick Miller was 0 for 1 at the plate.



The Ugly:

Juan Beniquez was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Denny Doyle was just 1 for 5 with an error.

Carlton Fisk was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

Fred Lynn was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Rico Petrocelli was just 1 for 4.

Rick Burleson was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored.



Final Thoughts:

Don't look now but the Boston Red Sox are halfway to the World Series championship. Progsnosticators said the Big Red Machine was too loaded not to win the Series but the Sox are still hanging in there. They definitely are missing Jim Rice in left and at the plate but they just need two more wins and they're the champions, Rice or no Rice. Tiant has pitched his ass off in the series and may not have enough left in the tank to start Game 7. The Sox may have to win the series with Bill Lee and Rick Wise and that may be too much to ask. Still, the Sox won Game 4 on the road and guaranteed a Game 6 back in Fenway. Tomorrow night is the final game in Cincinatti with Don Gullet going for the Reds against Reggie Cleveland. Sox manager Darrell Johnson wants to push Lee back for Game 6 so Cleveland faces Gullet at 8 PM at Riverfront 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.

Rangers Blank Sox (4/25/74)

The good news was the Boston Bruins defeated the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 4 of their NHL Semifinal playoff series but the bad news was the Boston Red Sox got shut out by the Texas Rangers. Jim Bibby went the distance tossing a complete game, four hit shutout. The Sox blew a first inning rally and could never get on track offensively. Meanwhile the Rangers rallied for three runs against Luis Tiant (1-2, 5.29 ERA) as he only lasted five innings. The Rangers got another run off Roger Moret in the sixth inning and that was all the scoring for the rest of the game. The Sox couldn't touch Bibby as they were shut out by the Rangers 4-0 at Arlington Stadium.

Bibby got the ball in the top of the first and Tommy Harper flied out to center to start. Doug Griffin grounded out to short but Dave Nelson booted a grounder by Cecil Cooper for an error. Bibby threw the pickoff throw away for an error to move Cooper to third and Carl Yastrzesmski walked. Rico Petrocelli flied out to center to end the inning. Tiant got the ball in the bottom of the first and Nelson's bunt attempt to third was snuffed out to begin. Toby Harrah popped up to short and Alex Johnson popped up to first to end the inning.

Bernie Carbo struck out swinging to start the top of the second but Bob Montgomery doubled to center. Juan Beniquez flied out to right and Mario Guerrero struck out swinging to end the inning. Jeff Burroughs took strike three to start the bottom of the second but Tom Grieve singled down the third base line. Jim Spencer popped up to second and Joe Lovitto grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the third as Harper popped up to second to start. Griffin singled to left but Cooper forced him at second. Yaz walked but Petrocelli grounded out to first to end the inning, that's three men left on by Rico so far. Lenny Randle popped up to left to start the bottom of the third before Dick Billings singled to left. Nelson flied out to center and Harrah forced Billings at second to end the inning.

Carbo lined out to left to start the top of the fourth before Montgomery grounded back to the mound. Beniquez struck out swinging to end the inning. Johnson grounded out to third to start the bottom of the fourth before Burroughs walked. Grieve flied out to center and Spencer grounded out to first to end the inning.

Guerrero grounded out to short to start the top of the fifth and Harper popped up to first. Griffin singled to left but pulled up lame and had to leave the game. Dick McAuliffe ran for Griffin and Cooper flied out to left to end the inning. The Rangers struck first in the bottom of the fifth as Lovitto struck out swinging to start. Randle grounded a base hit just out of McAuliffe's reach and stole second. Billings popped up to second but Nelson dumped a base hit to center to score Randle. Harrah was decked by Tiant and Johnson singled to center to score Nelson. Burroughs lined another base hit to center to score Harrah. Grieve flied out to center to end the inning with the Rangers up 3-0. That was it for Tiant who got rocked in the fifth inning after allowing six hits and a walk.

                                                            Rangers take the lead

Yaz grounded out to second to start the top of the sixth before Petrocelli got a base hit to left. Terry Hughes ran for Rico and Carbo popped up to short, but Petrocelli took second on a wild pitch. Montgomery grounded out to short to end the inning. Roger Moret got tagged in the bottom of the sixth as Spencer lined out to center to start. Lovitto beat out a roller to short but Randle singled to left. Billings walked to load the bases and Nelson scored Lovitto with a sac fly to center. The Rangers pulled off a double steal but Harrah struck out to end the inning with the Rangers up 4-0.

                                                       Randle gets the Rangers started

Larry Brown took over for Randle to start the top of the seventh and Beniquez struck out swinging to start. Guerrero grounded back to the mound and Harper grounded out to short to end the inning. Johnson grounded out to second to begin the bottom of the seventh and Burroughs took strike three. Grieve grounded out to second to end the inning.

McAuliffe grounded back to the mound to begin the top of the eighth and Cooper popped up to short. Yaz grounded out to first to end the inning. Spencer got a base hit to center to start the bottom of the eighth and Lovitto sacrificed him to second with a bunt. Brown flied out to center and Billings grounded out to third to end the inning.

Bibby returned to finish the job in the top of the ninth and Hughes struck out swinging to start. Carbo struck out swinging and Montgomery popped up to left to end the game. The Rangers had won  4-0

                                                            Rangers win

Jackass of the Night is Luis Tiant. He got hammered in the fifth inning for 3 runs to put the game out of reach.

                                                         Jackass Tiant

The Good:

Doug Griffin was 2 for 3.

Carl Yastrzemski walked twice in four plate appearances.

The Bad:

Tommy Harper was 0 for 4.

Dick McAuliffe was 0 for 1.

Cecil Cooper was 0 for 4.

Terry Hughes struck out at the plate.

Bernie Carbo was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Juan Beniquez was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Mario Guerrero was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Rico Petrocelli was 1 for 3 but left three men on base.

Bob Montgomery was just 1 for 4.

Roger Moret allowed a run in 3 innings of work.

Final Thoughts:

Looks like the Sox bats crashed down to earth after overachieving for the first two weeks of the season. The bottom of the order is a legitimate black hole with Carbo, Guerrero, Montgomery and Beniquez all hitting under .246 and Harper at just .175. Its only April but that's the reason they've been perfectly mediocre to start the year. The pitching has been fine except for Tiant but he'll turn it around. He only gave up three runs in this one and if the bats could have done ANYTHING, the outcome might have been different. The Sox are desperately missing Carlton Fisk's offense and it might be time to start Dwight Evans over Harper unless Tommy can turn it around. In terms of help from Pawtucket, the Sox might have something with 23 year old Fred Lynn and 21 year old Jim Rice but they're still a year away. They're going to have to get creative to score some runs until Harper turns it around or Fisk gets back. The Sox now travel to Kansas City for a three game set with the Royals. Bill Lee (2-1) takes on Steve Busby of Kansas City and the game begins tomorrow night at 8:00 PM Eastern time at Royals Stadium.

Jenkins Outduels Cleveland, Sox (4/24/74)

The good news was the Boston Celtics eliminated the New York Knicks in Game 5 of their NBA East Finals series but the bad news was the Boston Red Sox lost to the Texas Rangers. Rangers ace Fergie Jenkins was almost unhittable for Texas, tossing a complete game 6 hitter against the hapless bats. Reggie Cleveland (1-2, 2.39 ERA) was the hard luck loser in this one, pitching his own complete game. Alex Johnson drove in Texas' first run in the bottom of the first but Rico Petrocelli tied it in the top of the seventh. Cleveland then got tagged by a two run Lenny Randle double in the bottom of the seventh to put the Rangers up for good. The Sox got the tying run on in the eighth but couldn't knock it in as the Rangers had won the game 3-1 at Arlington Stadium.

                                                      "THEY COULDN'T HIT JENKINS!"

Jenkins got the ball in the top of the first as Tommy Harper flied out to left to start. Cecil Cooper took strike three and Bernie Carbo grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The Rangers struck first against Cleveland in the bottom of the first as Dave Nelson singled in the hole at short to start. Toby Harrah grounded out to first to move Nelson to second then Dave took third on a passed ball. Alex Johnson beat out a roller to third to score Nelson to put Texas on top. Johnson was thrown out at second trying to steal and Jeff Burroughs grounded out to third to end the inning with Texas up 1-0.

                                                                 Rangers strike first

Carl Yastrzemski doubled to left to open the top of the second but Rico Petrocelli struck out swinging. Juan Beniquez flied out to left and Bob Montgomery grounded out to third to end the inning. Tom Grieve struck out swinging to start the bottom of the second and Jim Spencer flied out to center. Joe Lovitto grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Doug Griffin got a base hit to left to start the top of the third but was thrown out at second trying to steal. Mario Guerrero flied out to left and Harper popped up to first to end the inning. Lenny Randle grounded out to second to start the bottom of the third before Jim Sundberg also grounded out to second. Nelson caught the Sox asleep with a bunt down the third base line and moved to second when Cooper botched the pickoff throw for an error. Harrah grounded out to second to end the inning.

Cooper flied out to center to begin the top of the fourth before Carbo grounded back to the mound and Yaz struck out swinging to end the inning. Johnson flied out to center to open the bottom of the fourth before Burroughs grounded out to second. Grieve walked but Spencer grounded out to second to end the inning.

Petrocelli flied out to left to begin the top of the fifth before Beniquez popped up to center. Montgomery lined out to center to end the inning. The Rangers beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the fifth as Lovitto grounded back to the mound to start. Randle and Sundberg both grounded out to short to end the inning.

Griffin popped up to third to begin the top of the sixth and Guerrero popped up to second. Harper struck out swinging to end the inning. Nelson popped up to second to begin the bottom of the sixth and Harrah lined out to short. Johnson grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

The Sox struck back in the top of the seventh as Cooper doubled to left to begin. Cooper moved to third on the Carbo grounder to second and Yaz was intentionally walked. Petrocelli got a base hit to left to score Cooper but Yaz was thrown out at third to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                                RBI for Rico

The Rangers iced the game in the bottom of the seventh as Burroughs lined out to left to start. Grieve grounded out to short and Spencer doubled to center. Lovitto was intentionally walked but Randle hit a pop up to center. Harper and Yaz failed to call each other off and the ball dropped between them for a double to score both runners. Sundberg grounded out to short to end the inning with the Rangers up 3-1

                                                             "Dammit Yaz, I had it" - Harper

  

Larry Brown took over at third to start the top of the eighth but Montgomery got a base hit to center to start. Griffin popped up to center but Danny Cater pinch hit for Guerrero. Cater got a base hit to left and Dick McAuliffe pinch ran for him. Harper popped up to short and Cooper grounded out to second to end the inning. Cleveland returned for one final inning in the bottom of the eighth as Nelson caught the Sox asleep again with a bunt single to third then moved to second on the bunt by Harrah. Johnson walked but Burroughs beat out a double play ball. Grieve flied out to right to end the inning. Cleveland was game as he went 8 innings, allowing 3 runs of 6 hits and 3 walks.

                                                                Cleveland did well

Jenkins returned to close out the top of the ninth and Carbo grounded out to first to start. Yaz grounded out to second and Petrocelli struck out swinging to end the game. The Rangers had won it 3-1.

                                                                Rangers win

Jackass of The Night is Tommy Harper. He was 0 for 4 with a strikeout including popping up with the tying runs on.

                                                               Jackass Harper

The Good:

Carl Yastrzemski was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Doug Griffin was 1 for 3.

Danny Cater singled as a pinch hitter.

One of the rare times the winning pitcher ends up on the Good list but Reggie Cleveland allowed 2 earned runs (3 total) in 8 strong innings. He gave up 6 hits and 3 walks while striking out a batter.

The Bad:

Bernie Carbo was 0 for 4.

Juan Beniquez was 0 for 3.

Mario Guerrero was 0 for 2.

The Ugly:

Cecil Cooper was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Rico Petrocelli was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but drove in a run.

Bob Montgomery was 1 for 3 but allowed a crucial passed ball.

Honorable Mention:

Dick McAuliffe ran for Cater in the eighth inning.

Final Thoughts:

Fergie is one of the best pitchers in the game and the Sox are missing Carlton Fisk but at some point the Sox are going to have to beat great pitchers. Cleveland pitched great but took the loss because the offense totally evaporated. As mentioned before, the bottom of the order is becoming a black hole. Beniquez is hitting .229, Montgomery at .195 and Guerrero at .224. The biggest surprise is Harper at .189. He may turn it around but when you have four out of nine hitters as automatic outs, that's not good. Getting Fisk back would be nice but the others have to step it up. Physical mistakes like the passed ball and Cooper's error didn't help either. The Sox did get men on base but just couldn't drive them in. Hopefully the Sox can turn it around moving forward. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow tonight against the Rangers when Luis Tiant (2-1) goes one on one with Jim Bibby. The game begins at 10:00 PM Eastern time at Arlington Stadium.

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

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

                                                           "Ninth inning rallies....."

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

                                                                  Nice error Bob

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

                                                               Yaz ties it up

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

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

                                                            Harper scores a run

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

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

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

                                                                 McRae drives in a run

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

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

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

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

                                                 "I shoulda pulled em earlier" - Johnson

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

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

                                                             Jackass Drago

The Good:

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

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

Bernie Carbo walked twice in four plate appearances.

Danny Cater walked as a pinch hitter.

Mario Guerrero was 1 for 3.

The Bad:

John Kennedy was 0 for 2 with 2 strikeouts.

Terry Hughes was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Dick McAuliffe was 0 for 4.

Bob Didier was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Bob Montgomery struck out as a pinch hitter.

Rick Miller was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

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

Cecil Cooper was just 1 for 5.

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

Final Thoughts:

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

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

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

                                                           Cyd Charisse approves of the win

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

                                                 Griffin drives in a run

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

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

                                                                "They can't hit me" - Wise

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

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

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

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

                                                                Wohlford drives in a run

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

                                                              Home run Yaz

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

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

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

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

                                                                    Hero Yaz

The Good:

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

Rico Petrocelli was 1 for 2 with 2 walks.

Cecil Cooper was 2 for 3 with a walk.

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

Diego Segui got his second save with 3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Dick McAuliffe was 0 for 3.

Bernie Carbo was 0 for 4.

Rick Miller was 0 for 3.

The Ugly:

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

Bob Didier was 0 for 2 but walked.

Mario Guerrero was 0 for 2 but walked.

Honorable Mention:

Juan Beniquez pinch ran for Rico Petrocelli

Terry Hughes played third base in the later innings.

Final Thoughts:

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