Sox Ride Tiant To Win Over Angels (8/25/76)

The Boston Red Sox may be a mess this season but Luis Tiant (15-10, 3.05 ERA) is always a pleasure to watch pitch. Today El Tiante tossed 8 innings of 2 run ball to help the Sox to victory over the California Angels. The Sox offense pounded Don Kirkwood and a host of relievers into submission in a collective team effort. The Sox made a winner of Tiant with an 8-2 win at Fenway Park.

                                                  Sonny Wortzik approves of the win

Tiant cruised in the top of the first inning as Dave Collins took strike three to start. Rusty Torres popped up to first before Dan Briggs grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox wasted no time scoring in the bottom of the first as Rick Burleson led off with a walk. Denny Doyle singled Rick to third and he scored on the Fred Lynn sac fly. Carlton Fisk singled to left and both runners moved over on the Cecil Cooper grounder. Jim Rice grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                     Herculean Sac Fly by Lynn

Tiant mowed them down in the top of the second inning as Tony Solarita flied out to right to start. Bob Jones grounded out to second before Mario Guerrero flied out to center to end the inning. Rick Miller drew a walk but Bobby Darwin lined out to center. Butch Hobson forced Miller at second before Burleson grounded out to second to end the inning.

Tiant kept up the pace in the top of the third inning as Ron Jackson flied out to left to start. Dave Chalk popped up to third before Andy Etchebarren hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning. The Sox pounced on Kirkwood in the bottom of the third as Doyle singled to right to begin. Lynn popped up to third but a wild pitch moved Denny to second. Fisk whiffed but Cooper walked. Rice doubled home both runners to increase the lead and Miller singled home Rice, taking second on the throw home. Darwin took strike three to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 4-0.

                                                          Rice doubles home a pair

The Angels threatened in the top of the fourth as Collins whiffed to start. Torres hit one up the elevator shaft but Briggs broke up the perfect game by drawing a walk. Solaita walked but Jones popped up to short to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Hobson singled to start. Hobson was thrown out trying to steal but Burleson singled to left. Doyle forced Burleson at second but Lynn doubled home Doyle to chase Kirkwood. Mike Overy took over on the mound and Fisk was plunked. Cooper whiffed to end the inning but the Sox were up 5-0.

                                                         Doyle scores a run

Guerrero broke up the no hitter with a base hit to center to open the top of the fifth. Jackson whiffed but Chalk singled to left. Guerrero moved to third on the fly out by Etchebarren but Collins grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Rice whiffed to start. Miller flied out to center and Darwin flied out to right to end the inning.

Tiant cruised in the top of the sixth as Torres grounded out to second to begin. Briggs flied out to right and Solaita flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox got another run in the bottom of the sixth as Hobson whiffed to start. Burleson walked and Doyle singled him to second to chase Overy. Mickey Scott came in and Burleson moved to third on the fly out by Lynn. Fisk singled home Burleson to increase the lead. A bizarre play occured when Cooper lined one off of Fisk running to get credit for a hit but Fisk was out to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-0.

                                                               YERRRR OUT!

Tiant preserved the shut out in the top of the seventh as Jones grounded out to first to start. Guerrero flied out to left before Jackson lined out to third to end the inning. The Sox poured it on in the bottom of the seventh as Rice singled to center to begin. Miller flied out to left but Darwin singled and Hobson walked to load the bases. John Verhoven came in to pitch and Burleson said hello with a base hit to score Rice and Darwin. The runners moved over on a grounder by Doyle and Lynn was intentionally walked to re-load the bases. Fisk flied out to center to end the inning but it was 8-0 Sox.

                                                     Burleson drives in a pair

The Angels finally scored in the top of the eighth as Chalk walked to start. Etchebarren singled and Chalk moved to third on the fly ball by Collins. Torres popped up to first before Briggs walked to load the bases. Solaita doubled home Chalk and Etchebarren to get the Angels on the board. Jones popped up to third to end the inning but it was 8-2 Sox. That was it for Tiant who was masterful, allowing just the two runs in 8 innings of work.

The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the eighth as Cooper grounded out to first to start. Both Rice and Miller grounded out to short to end the inning.

Tom Murphy came in to close out the top of the ninth and Guerrero grounded out to short to start. Bruce Bochte pinch hit for Jackson and singled to right, but Chalk banged into a double play to end the game. The Sox had won the game 8-2.

Hero of the Night is Luis Tiant. He tossed 8 innings of 2 run ball, allowing just 4 hits and 4 walks while striking out 3.

                                                          El Hero.



The Good:

Rick Burleson was 2 for 3 with 2 walks, 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Denny Doyle was 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

Fred Lynn was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Carlton Fisk was 2 for 4 with a hit by pitch and an rbi.

Jim Rice was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Butch Hobson was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Tom Murphy pitched a scoreless ninth.



The Bad:

None.



The Ugly:

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

Rick Miller was just 1 for 4 but walked and an rbi.

Bobby Darwin was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.




Final Thoughts:

This has been an awful season coming off the World Series last year but Tiant has been amazing. Where would the Sox be without him? Its a shame things turned out the way they did with Bill Lee getting hurt and Bowie Kuhn blocking the Rudi and Fingers trade. Who knows where the Sox would be with those two on the team? As it is, the season only has a month to go and the only thing left to play for is to gain respect back with a strong September. Games like this where everyone chipped in on offense helps. The win improved the Sox to 59-65, 16.5 games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Tomorrow the Kansas City Royals come to town for a set. Old friend Marty Pattin goes for the Royals up against Reggie Cleveland for the Sox at 7:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Red Sox Crush White Sox in Rain (4/23/76)

It was good news all around as the Boston Celtics defeated the Buffalo Braves in Game 2 of their second round NBA playoff series and the Boston Red Sox knocked off the Chicago White Sox on a rainy night in Chicago. The Red Sox got to old pal Wilbur Wood for four runs in the first two innings before adding a fifth run in the fourth. Luis Tiant (3-0, 1.88 ERA) dominated the White Sox for 8 innings, holding them to just two runs. A four run top of the seventh highlighted by a Carl Yastrzemski three run homer settled matters. A Jorge Orta rbi was the only other blemish Tiant allowed before Tom House slammed the door in the ninth. The Sox had won the game 9-2 at Comiskey Park.

                                                       Paul Silas approves of the win

The BoSox got to Wood in the top of the first as Steve Dillard singled to center to start. Dillard took second on a passed ball then took third on a grounder to third by Rick Burleson. Fred Lynn was retired on a swinging bunt but Dillard scored to put Boston ahead. Jim Rice popped up to second to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.

                                                                Dillard scores a run

Tiant got the ball in the bottom of the first and Chet Lemon grounded out to short to start. Ralph Garr also grounded out to short and Jorge Orta popped up to third to start.

The BoSox exploded in the top of the second as Carlton Fisk blasted his third home run of the season to start. Carl Yastrzemski walked but Dwight Evans struck out swinging. Yaz took second on a wild pitch but Rico Petrocelli grounded out to short. Denny Doyle got a base hit to center to score Yaz then promptly stole second. Dillard doubled to left to score Doyle but Burleson grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 4-0.

                                                                 Yaz scored a run

Carlos May lined out to second to start the bottom of the second and Cleon Jones flied out to center. Jim Spencer got a base hit to right and Jack Brohamer popped up to short to end the inning.

Lynn walked to start the top of the third but Rice grounded into a double play. Fisk flied out to center to end the inning. Bucky Dent grounded out to short to start the bottom of the third and Pete Varney hit one up the elevator shaft. Lemon popped up to third to end the inning.

The Red Sox struck again in the top of the fourth as Yaz got a base hit to right to start. Evans dropped down a bunt to move Carl to second but Petrocelli flied out to left. Doyle got a base hit to center to score Yaz then stole second. Dillard grounded out to short to end the inning with the Red Sox up 5-0.

                                                       Doyle drives in a run

Garr grounded out to first to start the bottom of the fourth and Orta flied out to center. May struck out swinging to end the inning.

Burleson flied out to center to start the top of the fifth but Lynn got a base hit to right. Rice was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to move Fred to second but Fisk flied out to left to end the inning. Jones flied out to right to start the bottom of the fifth and Spencer grounded out to first. Brohamer singled to center but Dent forced him at second to end the inning.

Yaz beat out a roller to first to start the top of the sixth but Evans popped up to third. Petrocelli got a base hit to center but Doyle grounded into a double play to end the inning. The White Sox struck back in the bottom of the sixth as Varney hit a home run all the way to Soviet Russia to start. Lemon walked and took second on a grounder to Tiant by Garr. Orta popped up to short and May flied out to right to end the inning with the White Sox down 5-1.

                                                      Varney hits one out

The Red Sox iced the game in the top of the seventh as Dillard doubled to left to start. Burleson flied out to center but Lynn got a base hit to right to put runners at the corners. Orta booted a grounder by Rice to score Dillard but Fisk struck out swinging. Suddenly Yaz launched his second home run of the year to ice the game. Pete Vuckovich came in to pitch to Evans and Dwight grounded out to first to end the inning with the Red Sox ahead 9-1.

                                                         "That'll do it" - Yaz

Jones got a base hit to left to start the bottom of the seventh and Spencer singled to right. Brohamer grounded into a double play and Dent flied out to center to end the inning.

Petrocelli grounded out to third to start the top of the eighth and Doyle grounded out to short. Dillard struck out swinging to end the inning. The White Sox got another run against Tiant in the bottom of the eighth as Varney popped up to second to start. Lemon singled to center, Garr got a base hit to right and Orta also singled to right to score Lemon. May struck out swinging and Jones popped up to third to end the inning with the White Sox down 9-2. That was it for Tiant who was brilliant for 8 innings allowing 2 runs off 8 hits and a walk.

                                                                Outstanding work by Tiant

Burleson doubled to left to start the top of the ninth and Lynn walked. Rice flied out to right and Fisk did the same, moving Burleson to third. Yaz walked to load the bases but Evans struck out swinging to end the inning. Tom House came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Spencer singled to right to start. Brohamer hit one up the elevator shaft and Dent grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Red Sox had won it 9-2.

Hero of The Night is Luis Tiant. He was outstanding, holding the White Sox to two runs in 8 innings off 8 hits and a walk.

                                                                El Hero

The Good:

Steve Dillard was 3 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Fred Lynn was 2 for 3 with 2 walks, an rbi and a run scored.

Carl Yastrzemski was 3 for 3 with 2 walks, a 3 run homer and 3 total runs scored.

Denny Doyle was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Tom House pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Dwight Evans was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

The Ugly:

Rick Burleson was just 1 for 5.

Jim Rice was 0 for 5 but drove in a run and scored a run.

Carlton Fisk was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but the one hit was a home run.

Rico Petrocelli was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

If that's the kind of offense the Sox can get on a nightly basis, they'll be right in the thick of things come September again. Last year they were Jim Rice away from winning the World Series so the sky is the limit this season provided everyone stays healthy. Tiant has been amazing to start this season and the offense is going to carry them in a lot of games. The only concerns are the rotation outside of Bill Lee and Luis Tiant and the relief pitching. The real reason they lost to the Cincinnati Reds was bad relief pitching in the end of games. Hopefully the acquisitions of Fergie Jenkins and Tom House shore up the staff this year. This was a great win and the Sox desperately needed it. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the White Sox tomorrow night when Bill Lee (0-1) takes on Clay Carroll of the White Sox. The game begins at 8:05 PM eastern time at Comiskey Park.

Sox Win Greatest Game of All Time, Force Game 7 (10/21/75)

In what was arguably the greatest baseball game ever played, the Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds put on a clinic for 12 innings. The Red Sox forced a Game 7 in the World Series by winning an instant classic. The Sox took a 3-0 lead in the first inning but the Reds fought back to take a 6-3 lead going into the eighth. Bernie Carbo cracked a pinch hit 3 run homer to tie the game and Carlton Fisk walked it off in the 12th inning. The Big Red Machine may win the World Series after all but the Sox took it to them tonight with a 7-6 Game 6 win at Fenway Park.

                                                   One more win to the championship

Tiant took the ball in the top of the first inning and Pete Rose lined out to a sliding Carl Yastrzemski to start. Ken Griffey drew a full count walk but Joe Morgan hit one up the elevator shaft. Johnny Bench whiffed to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the first against Reds starter Gary Nolan. Cecil Cooper popped up to center to begin but Denny Doyle almost beat out a grounder to first that Tony Perez bobbled. Yaz started the rally with a base hit to right before Carlton Fisk lashed a base hit to left. Fred Lynn lit the crowd up with a 3 run home run over the bullpens to put the Sox on top. Rico Petrocelli flied out to the centerfield warning track to end the inning but it was 3-0 Sox.

                                                        Sox on top

Tiant held the lead in the bottom of the second as Perez waived at strike three in the other batters box to start. George Foster popped up to Cooper in foul territory before Dave Concepcion popped up to center to end the inning. Dwight Evans took strike three on a curveball on the outside corner before Rick Burleson grounded out to first. Tiant hilariously struck out to end the inning.

Cesar Geronimo led off the top of the third by waiving at strike three before Darryl Chaney pinch hit for Nolan. Chaney flied out to the left field warning track but Rose blooped a single to center. Griffey grounded out to second to end the inning. Fred Norman took over for the bottom of the third and Cooper popped up to Concepcion to start. Doyle doubled down the right field line but Yaz popped up to second. Fisk was intentionally walked to get to Lynn and he walked to load the bases. Reds manager Sparky Anderson brought in Jack Billingham to pitch to Petrocelli and the gamble worked as Petrocelli chased strike three to end the inning. One more hit and the game would have been a rout.

Morgan led off the top of the fourth by grounding out to second to begin. Bench struck out on a slow curve but Perez stroked a line drive past the diving Doyle for a base hit. Foster hit a routine grounder to short but Doyle dropped the throw from Burleson for an error. Tiant recovered by getting Concepcion to pop up to first in foul territory to end the inning.  The Sox blew a huge chance to ice the game as Evans led off the bottom of the fourth with a ground rule double into the right field bleachers to start. Burleson walked and Tiant popped up a bunt over the head of Perez, but Tony got the out at first. With runners in scoring position, Cooper grounded out to first to strand the runners. Doyle grounded out to second to end the inning.

Right on cue the Reds started the comeback in the top of the fifth inning although Geronimo flied out to right to start. Game 3's villain Ed Armbrister started the rally by pinch hitting for Billingham, drawing a walk. Rose singled to center to move Armbrister to third and Griffey lined a ball to the centerfield wall. Lynn crashed into it and the ball caromed into right. Both runners scored, Griffey made it to third with a triple and Lynn was knocked goofy. Lynn eventually got up and remained in the game as Morgan popped up to third. Bench then hit a rocket off the Monster for a single that scored Griffey and tied the game. Perez struck out to end the inning but the Reds tied it up 3-3.

                                                          Down goes Lynn

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the fifth with Clay Carroll on the mound. Yaz tried to start a rally with a base hit to left but was erased on the Fisk force. Lynn popped up to left and Petrocelli grounded into a force to end the inning.

Tiant held the fort in the top of the sixth as Foster check swing grounded back to the mound to start. Concepcion flied out to right but Geronimo singled down the left field line off the barrier. Terry Crowley pinch hit for Carroll and hit a routine grounder to Burleson but nobody was at second base and everyone was safe. Rose grounded out to second to end the inning. Pedro Borbon came in for the bottom of the sixth and Evans grounded out to second to start. Burleson drew a walk and Sox manager Darrell Johnson rolled the dice by letting Tiant hit. Tiant bunted foul for strike three and Cooper grounded out to second to end the inning.

The gamble to let Tiant hit backfired in the top of the seventh as the Reds took the lead. Griffey led off with a seeing eye single into right before Morgan dumped a single to left. Tiant managed to get Bench to line out to Yaz at the wall before Perez moved Griffey to third with a fly out to right. Foster doubled off the centerfield wall to score both runners and give the Reds the lead. Concepcion grounded out to short to end the inning but it was 5-3 Reds.

                                                     Foster doubles in a pair

Borbon returned for the bottom of the seventh and Doyle popped up to short to start. Yaz grounded out to second and Fisk grounded out to short to end the inning.

The end of Tiant came quickly in the top of the eighth when Geronimo pounded a home run just inside the Pesky Pole to start the inning. That was it for Tiant who ran out of gas after carrying the Sox on his back all year. Done after 7 innings and allowing 6 runs to one of the best offenses in baseball. Roger Moret came in and Sparky made the same mistake Johnson did by letting Borbon hit. Borbon grounded out to first before Rose grounded back to the mound. Griffey lined out to center to end the inning with the Reds 6 outs from the title, leading 6-3.

                                                  Didn't look good for the Sox

Borbon returned for the bottom of the eighth and the Sox pulled off a dramatic rally. Lynn lined one off the leg of Borbon for a base hit before Petrocelli drew a walk to chase Borbon. Rawly Eastwick came in and struck Evans out swinging on a full count. Burleson lined out to right and Sox manager Darrell Johnson sent Bernie Carbo to pinch hit for Moret. After swinging at two bad pitches, Carbo pounded a clutch 3 run home run into the centerfield bleachers to tie the game. Cooper whiffed badly but the Sox had tied it 6-6.

                                                   Carbo ties it up

Carbo stayed in left field with Yaz moving to first to replace Cooper and Dick Drago on the mound for the top of the ninth. Morgan popped up to first to start before Bench grounded out to third. Perez also popped up to first to end the inning. The Sox blew their first chance to win the game in the bottom of the ninth when Doyle walked and Yaz singled him to third to chase Eastwick. Wil McEnaney came in and intentionally walked Fisk to load the bases with nobody out. Lynn hit a pop up to left but for some reason Doyle took off for home where he was thrown out by Foster. Petrocelli grouned out to short to end the inning.

                                                      YERRRR OUT!

On to extras we go as Drago returned for the top of the tenth inning. Foster grounded out to short to start but Concepcion singled up the middle. Concepcion swiped second but Geronimo struck out swinging on a pitch out of the zone. Dan Driessen pinch hit for McEnaney and popped up to Carbo to end the inning. Pat Darcy came in for the bottom of the tenth and got Evans on a squibber back to him to start. Doyle popped up to short and Carbo went down swinging to end the inning.

The Reds blew their chance in the top of the eleventh inning as Rose was plunked to start. The alert Fisk gunned down Rose at second on a bunt attempt by Griffey before Evans made the defensive play of the game. Morgan hit a bullet headed to the right field corner when Evans jumped to catch it. Griffey had no idea the ball was caught and was headed home when he was doubled off to end the inning.

                                                     What a catch

Rick Miller pinch hit for Drago to open the bottom of the eleventh by flying out to left to start. Doyle grounded out to short before Yaz also grounded out to short to end the inning.

Rick Wise came on for the top of the 12th inning for his first relief appearance all season. Bench led off by popping up to Fisk who fell down making the catch. Perez singled to center and Foster dumped a single to left. Concepcion flied out to right and Geronimo took strike three to end the inning. Darcy returned for the bottom of the 12th and Fisk led off by taking the first pitch high and inside. The second pitch Fisk launched toward the left field pole. Fisk frantically waived his arms to will the ball fair and it worked, the ball caromed off the pole for a walkoff home run to win the game. Dick Stockton announced "We will have a seventh game in the 1975 World Series." as the Sox celebrated their 7-6 Game 6 victory.

                                                      What a win

The Co-Heroes of the Night are Bernie Carbo and Carlton Fisk. Without the clutch, 2 out three run bomb by Carbo, the game never makes it to the 12th inning.

                                                Hero 1: Carbo

Hero Number 2 is Carlton Fisk for the walkoff home run to send the series to Game 7

                                                  Hero 2: Fisk


The Good:

Carl Yastrzemski was 3 for 6 with a run scored.

Fred Lynn was 2 for 4 with a walk, 2 runs scored and a 3 run home run.

Roger Moret pitched a scoreless 8th inning.

Dick Drago tossed 3 scoreless innings.

Rick Wise got the win with a scoreless 12th inning.



The Bad:

Cecil Cooper was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

Rick Miller was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Luis Tiant got lit up for 6 runs in 7 innings and was 0 for 2 at the plate.



The Ugly:

Denny Doyle was just 1 for 5 and got himself thrown out at the plate, but walked.

Rico Petrocelli was 0 for 4 but walked and scored a run.

Dwight Evans was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Rick Burleson was 0 for 3 with an error but walked twice.




Final Thoughts:

If that wasn't the greatest World Series game of all time then I don't know what is. The Sox essentially kept their season alive with 3 swings of the bat. The Lynn home run put them in the driver seat, the Carbo home run saved their asses and Fisk's homer sent the series to Game 7. Along the way Lynn nearly killed himself, Evans made one of the best catches since Willie Mays and Doyle made the biggest blunder of the night by trying to score on a pop up in the ninth. Pete Rose at one point during the game turned to Fisk and said "This is some kind of game huh?" The Sox missed Jim Rice big time in this series but they're still one win away from ending their 57 year drought. No matter what happens in Game 7, the Sox should be proud of themselves for getting this far. They crushed the 3-peat champion Oakland A's and are one win away from knocking off the Big Red Machine. Tomorrow night its winner take all as Don Gullet of the Reds goes up against Bill Lee at 8:00 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.

Tiant Dazzles, Sox Take Game 1 over Reds (10/11/75)

The Cincinnati Reds may be known as "The Big Red Machine" with future hall of famers galore but the Boston Red Sox are not intimidated by them. Luis Tiant held the Big Red Machine to just 5 hits and no runs in a complete game shutout. He also started the 7th inning rally that paved the way for the Sox victory. Its always great to win the first game and the Sox did by taking it 6-0 at Fenway Park.

                                            Cooper "Sorry Pete, we're gonna win"

Tiant took the mound in the top of the first inning and Pete Rose led off by grounding out to second to begin. Joe Morgan lined out softly to Denny Doyle at second before Johnny Bench popped up to right to end the inning. Gullet took the ball in the bottom of the first inning and Dwight Evans greeted him with a single to left. Denny Doyle dropped down a bunt to advance Evans to second and Carl Yazstremski walked. Carlton Fisk popped up to second but Fred Lynn hit an infield single that Morgan bobbled but Evans foolishly tried for home and was easily thrown out to end the inning.

Tony Perez led off the top of the second by flying out to right to begin. George Foster lined out sharply to Cecil Cooper at first before Dave Concepcion flied out right in front of the left field wall to end the inning. The Sox looked to rally in the bottom of the second when Rico Petrocelli walked to start and Rick Burleson singled down the left field line to advance Petrocelli to third. The rally ended as Cooper whiffed on a high fastball, Tiant himself whiffed and Evans popped up to right to end the inning.

Ken Griffey grounded out to second to start the top of the third before Cesar Geronimo flied out to center. Gullet himself flied out to left to end the inning. Gullet cruised in the bottom of the third as Doyle grounded out to second to start. Yaz grounded out to short before Fisk flied out to the left field wall to end the inning.

Rose led off the top of the fourth with a ground out to second but Morgan singled. It looked like Tiant had Morgan picked off but a balk was called to advance Morgan to second. Sox manager Darrell Johnson bolted out of the dugout screaming like a banshee for an explanation and had to be restrained by third base coach Don Zimmer from attacking the umpire. When play resumed Bench hit one up the elevator shaft and Perez looked at strike three on the outside corner to end the inning. The Sox couldn't score in the bottom of the fourth as Lynn popped up to short to start. Petrocelli flied out to deep center before Burleson singled to right past the diving Morgan. The rally ended when Burleson was thrown out trying to steal by a mile to end the inning.

Tiant kept up the pace in the top of the fifth inning as Yaz made a great cutoff catch to hold Foster to a single. Concepcion whiffed before Foster moved to second on the Griffey grounder. Geronimo was intentionally walked and Gullet popped up to third to end the inning. The Sox threatened in the bottom of the fifth although Cooper whiffed to start. Tiant somehow drew a walk but Evans popped up to second. Doyle singled to right but Yaz grounded out to first to end the inning.

Tiant got Rose to line out to a running Evans in right to open the top of the sixth but Morgan doubled down the right field line. Bench grounded out to third but Perez whiffed to end the inning. The Sox killed their own rally in the bottom of the sixth. Fisk grounded out to short to start but Lynn singled up the middle. Petrocelli doubled into the right field corner and Burleson was intentionally walked to get to Cooper. Cecil lined out to a running Geronimo but Lynn foolishly tried for home. Lynn was thrown out by a mile to end the inning.

Tiant got in trouble when Foster singled under the glove of Burleson to begin the top of the seventh. Concepcion hit a blooper into left and the 36 year old Yaz dove to make the catch. It was the Reds' turn to run into an out as Fisk gunned down Foster at second trying to steal. It was a clutch throw by Fisk because Griffey doubled into the right field corner. Geronimo was intentionally walked to get to Gullet and Tiant got Don to line out to a running Doyle to end the inning. The Sox finally got to Gullet in the bottom of the seventh and it was Tiant himself who got the party started with a base hit in the hole at third. Tiant almost killed himself at second when Evans dropped down a bunt and the throw almost took his head off. He got up and damn near got doubled off of second. Doyle popped a bunt foul and ending up lining a base hit to left to load the bases. Yaz dumped a single to right but Tiant missed the plate and had to make a mad dash out of the dugout to touch it to count the first run. That was it for Gullet as Clay Carroll relieved him only to walk Fisk to force home Evans. One and done for Carroll as Will McEnaney came in to strike out Lynn. Petrocelli iced the game with a base hit to left to score Doyle and Yaz. Burleson singled home Fisk then took second on the throw home, Petrocelli going to third. Cooper hit a sac fly to the right field warning track to score Petrocelli and move Burleson to third. Tiant popped up to first to end the inning but now he had a 6 run lead to work with, the Sox leading 6-0.

                                                 Tiant's mad dash around the bases

Tiant came out for the top of the eighth and got Rose to line out to center to begin. Morgan flied out to right and Bench grounded out to short to end the inning. Curt Gowdy on commentary said the Reds were shut out just 5 times all season and they were 3 outs away from a 6th time. The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the eighth as Evans grounded out to second to begin. Doyle drew a walk but was double off first on a scorching liner to first by Yaz to end the inning.

                                                     Not this time Yaz

Tiant returned to finish his work in the top of the ninth and Lynn made a great running catch to rob Perez of a hit to start. Foster popped up to second and Petrocelli made a great stab and throw to get Concepcion at first to end the game. Tiant had pitched a 5 hit shutout to give Game 1 to the Sox by a score of 6-0

                                                       The Sox congratulate Tiant


Hero of the Night is Luis Tiant. In his World Series debut he pitched a complete game 5 hit shutout while striking out 3 and walking just two batters. Not only that, he singled and scored the only run he needed on offense.

                                                     El Tiante is the Hero


The Good:

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

Fred Lynn was 2 for 4.

Rico Petrocelli was 2 for 3 with a walk, 2 rbis and a run scored.

Rick Burleson was 3 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.



The Bad:

None



The Ugly:

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

Carl Yastrzemski as jut 1 for 4 but walked, drove in a run and scored.

Carlton Fisk was 0 for 3 but walked, drove in a run and scored.

Cecil Cooper was 0 for 3 but drove in a run.



Final Thoughts:

That was a great start by the Red Sox and huge to take the first game at home. Not only was Tiant outstanding but the Sox proved they could hit Don Gullet who the Reds are banking on to guide them to the championship. The offense only scored in one inning but made it count. The Sox need to clean up their baserunning because they ran into at least four outs on the basepaths. When the games get more tighter as the series goes on, those are crucial outs they can't afford to give away. Still a shutout win is a shutout win and the Sox are three wins away from breaking their 57 year drought. Tomorrow the Sox look to put a strangehold on the series when they send Bill Lee to the mound with the Reds countering with Jack Billingham. Game 2 begins tomorrow at 1:00 PM at Fenway Park.

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

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

                                                "START PITCHING BETTER TIANT!"

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

                                                             RBI for Yaz

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

                                                                  Tie game

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

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

                                                              RBI for Valentine

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

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

                                                          Chalk gets an rbi

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

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

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

                                                           McCraw does it again

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

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

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

                                                               One man wrecking crew

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

                                                                  Carbo drives in a run

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

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

                                                                 El Burro

The Good:

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

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

Mario Guerrero was 2 for 4.

Lance Clemons tossed a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

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

The Ugly:

Rick Miller was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

Doug Griffin was 0 for 4 but walked and scored.

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

Dick McAuliffe was just 1 for 4.

Carlton Fisk was 0 for 3 but walked.

Final Thoughts:

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