Mets Strike Back, Take Game 3 (10/21/86)

There's a reason why the New York Mets won 108 games during the regular season and they showed it tonight. Their bats woke up for the first time all series and old friend Bob Ojeda pitched shut-down baseball. Sox starter Oil Can Boyd got pounded in the first inning and the Sox could never recover. When all was said and done, the Mets had won the game 7-1 to get back into the World Series.

                                                         Peeeee-you

The Mets set the tone right from the outset as Len Dykstra struck the third pitch of the game around the Pesky Pole for a leadoff home run. Wally Backman followed with a single and Keith Hernandez singled in the alley in center to move Backman to third. Gary Carter doubled to the wall to score Backman as NBC analyst Vin Scully said the Can was leaky. Boyd got a huge out by striking out Darryl Strawberry. Wade Boggs then fielded a routine grounder by Ray Knight and blew not one, but TWO run-downs as both Hernandez, then Carter scampered to their respective bases safely to load the bases. The failed rundown bit the Sox has Danny Heep lined a single to score Hernandez to increase the lead. Boyd blew Mookie Wilson away and Boggs made up for his mental error by snaring a hard hit ball by Rafael Santana, tossing to second for the force to end the inning. The Mets had jumped out to a 4-0 lead before the Sox could even come to bat.

                                 The botched run-down proved to be the difference

Old pal Ojeda got the ball to start the bottom of the first and Boggs led off with a comebacker to the mound. Marty Barrett followed with a comebacker of his own and Bill Buckner flied out to right to end the inning.

Boyd came back for the top of the second inning and retired Dykstra on a ground ball to second. Boyd froze Backman with a rainbow curveball for strike three and Hernandez grounded out to first to end the inning. Jim Rice took strike 3 to open the bottom the bottom of the second as Vin Scully says Ojeda's best friend on the Sox was Rich Gedman. Don Baylor was robbed of a home run by the top of the Monster and had to settle for a double. Baylor was stranded as Dwight Evans hit a squibber to short and Gedman watched strike three go by to end the inning.

Boyd began the top of the third inning by getting Carter on a broken bat pop up to left. Strawberry flied out to right-center and Knight popped up to end the inning. The Sox broke through in the bottom of the third as Scully reminded the fans that when the eventual 1984 World Champion Detroit Tigers started the season 35-5, one of the 5 losses was a shut-out pitched by Ojeda for the Red Sox. Dave Henderson was unimpressed and singled to left to lead off the inning. Spike Owen lined out softly to third but Boggs walked. Barrett singled home Henderson to put Boston on the board and Ojeda on the ropes. Buckner let him off by striking out on a pitch up in his eyes and Rice grounded into a force to end the inning, but the Sox were now down 4-1.

                                              Henderson is safe and the Sox are on the board

Could Boyd keep it a 4-1 game in the top of the fourth? Heep flied out to center to start. After Scully gave us a short history on the Green Monster and a map of Boston, Wilson grounded out to second. Santana grounded out to third to end the inning. That's 11 in a row retired by Boyd after the disastrous first. Ojeda matched Boyd in the bottom of the fourth as Baylor grounded out to short to begin. Evans was out on a swinging bunt in front of the plate before Gedman lined out to a running Wilson to end the inning.

Dykstra broke the string by Boyd with a bloop single to start the top of the fifth. He moved to second on the ground out by Backman then to third on the fly out by Hernandez. Carter popped up to short to end the inning. Henderson was caught looking on a changeup to open the bottom of the fifth as Scully compared Ojeda to diffusing a bomb. Backman made a great diving play to rob Owen of a hit but Boggs singled down the left field line. Barrett singled up the middle but Ojeda got out of it by getting Buckner to ground into a force to end the inning. Another chance wasted.

Boyd came back for the top of the sixth as Strawberry popped up to center to begin. Knight hit a ground ball to Owen that was dug out by Buckner for the second out. Heep popped up to right to end the inning. The Mets have had just one baserunner since Heep's rbi single with one out in the top of the first. The Sox tried to start a rally in the bottom of the sixth as Rice walked to start the inning. Baylor popped up to Knight who almost cleaned out Santana making the catch. Evans struck out but a wild pitch by Ojeda moved Rice to second. Gedman got caught looking on a curveball at the knees to end the inning, another runner left in scoring position.

Boyd returned for the top of the seventh inning and Wilson popped up to Buckner in foul territory to begin. Santana singled up the middle and Dykstra singled to right. Backman popped up to left but Hernandez walked to load the bases. Carter then iced the game with a base hit to score Santana and Dykstra before being thrown out in a run-down to end the inning. The Mets had put the game away 6-1. Boyd stayed in one batter too late even if he completed 7 innings.

                                            Carter gets thrown out after icing the game

Ojeda came back for the bottom of the seventh and walked Henderson to start. Owen banged into a double play on a great play by Backman then Boggs hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

Joe Sambito got the ball in the top of the eighth and Strawberry singled to center before taking second on a wild pitch. Darryl took third on a passed ball when Gedman dropped it then scored on the Knight double down the left field line. That was it for Sambito as Sox manager John MacNamara pulled him in favor of Bob Stanley, terrible outing by Joe. Lee Mazzilli pinch hit for Kevin Mitchell who was pinch hitting for Heep and grounded out, moving Knight to third. Stanley blew away Wilson who did a 360 on his way back to the dugout. Santana hit a comebacker to Stanley to end the inning with the lead now 7-1.

Roger McDowell took over for Ojeda in the bottom of the 8th inning as Scully claimed there hasn't been a complete game thrown by a lefty since Frank Viola in August of 1985. Barrett and Buckner were both retired on squibbers and Rice on a ground out to third to end the inning.

Stanley returned for the top of the ninth and Dykstra greeted him with a single in the hole at short. Dykstra was erased on the force by Backman but Hernandez singled. Carter banged into a double play to end the inning. McDowell returned for the bottom of the ninth and got Baylor to ground out to third after a lengthy at-bat. Evans flied out to right and Gedman grounded out to second to end the game. The Mets had won it 7-1.

                                                   The scoreboard says it all, 7-1


Jackass of the Night is Oil Can Boyd. It really should be John McNamara for leaving him in too long but he went 7 full innings giving up 6 runs the Sox could not recover.

                                                         Boyd is Jackass


The Good:

Wade Boggs was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Marty Barrett was 2 for 4 with an rbi.

Dave Henderson was 1 for 2 with a walk and a run scored.

Bob Stanley tossed 2 scoreless innings.



The Bad:

Bill Buckner was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Dwight Evans was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Rich Gedman was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

Spike Owen was 0 for 3.

Joe Sambito was charged with a run without retiring anyone.



The Ugly:

Jim Rice was 0 for 3 but walked.

Don Baylor was just 1 for 4.



Final Thoughts:

Damn....that's all that can be said. The Sox had a perfect chance to bury the Mets and they let them off the hook. The leadoff homer by Dykstra set the tone and the 4 run first inning was too much for the Sox to overcome. Yes they've overcome greater disadvantages in the past but these are the 108 win Mets, these guys are for real.  Tomorrow night Ron Darling goes on 3 days rest for the Mets against a rested Al Nipper. If only Tom Seaver was healthy, but hopefully Nipper can bury the Mets in Game 4.

Angels Take Game 3 With 7th Inning Rally (10/10/86)

For 6 innings it looked like the Sox could hang with the AL West champion California Angels in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series. Oil Can Boyd pitched well but the Angels rallied in the 7th inning with home runs from Dick Schofield and Gary Pettis. The Sox rallied in the 8th inning but the Angels hit the killshot against Calvin Schiraldi. When it was over the Angels took the crucial game from the Sox 5-3 at Anaheim Stadium.

                                                     Angels take Game 3

John Candelaria got the start for the Angels and Wade Boggs led the game off with a pop up to center. Marty Barrett grounded out to third and Bill Buckner whiffed with his bat flying to end the inning. Boyd started the bottom of the first by walking Gary Pettis but the alert Rich Gedman gunned him down trying to steal. Wally Joyner grounded out to second and Brian Downing looked at strike three to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the second inning when Jim Rice drew a leadoff walk. Don Baylor singled through the hole at short but got himself picked off when he strayed too far down the path. Dwight Evans singled to left to send Rice to third and Gedman's base hit to center scored Rice to give the Sox the lead. Tony Armas popped up to first before Spike Owen grounded back to the mound to end the inning with Boston ahead 1-0.

                                                    Rice scores the first run

Reggie Jackson flied out to center to begin the bottom of the second before Doug DeCinces flied out to left. Ruppert Jones grounded out to second to end the inning.

Downing ran down a Boggs liner to left to start the top of the third before Barrett grounded out to short. Buckner whiffed again with his bat flying to end the inning. Boyd stayed tough in the bottom of the third as Grich popped up to third to start. Boggs made a great running play to nail Schofield at first before Boone grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fourth as Rice looked at strike three to start. Baylor flied out to center and Evans flied out to right to end the inning. The Angels threatened in the bottom of the fourth although Boyd snared a liner by Pettis to start. Joyner and Downing struck back to back singles but Jackson popped up to short. DiCences hit a squibber that hit the first base bag. Buckner fired home and Joyner was ruled safe. Sox manager John McNamara ran a gold medal worthy sprint out of the dugout to challenge the call along with an irate Gedman, Boyd & Buckner. Home plate umpire Terry Cooney ran for cover as third place umpire Rich Garcia correctly overruled the call, Joyner was out at home. Angels manager Gene Mauch ran out of the dugout with a crowbar and chased Garcia away as Cooney said Mauch was out of the game. When the mayhem ended the Sox still led 1-0.

                                        "HE WAS OUT GODDAMMIT!!!" - JM

The Sox had a golden chance to ice the game in the top of the fifth but pissed that away although Gedman singled to start. Armas doubled off the right field fence but Owen grounded out to first. Boggs walked to load the bases but Barrett squandered a chance by popping up to first. Buckner grounded out to first to end the inning and the Sox pissed away a big chance. Boyd navigated the bottom of the fifth as Jones grounded out to second to begin. Grich flied out to left but Schofield doubled into the gap. Boone popped up to third to end the inning.

Rice whiffed to begin the top of the sixth inning but Baylor walked. Evans and Gedman both flied out to center to end the inning. The Angels tied it in the bottom of the 6th although Boyd froze Pettis for strike three to start. Joyner walked and Downing hit a ground ball to third. Boggs went to second but Joyner slid in safely. Jackson turned back to clock and singled home Joyner to tie the game. Boyd started wrestling with himself for giving up the shutout as Gedman and McNamara had to come out and calm him down. The Angels fans went wild to try to rattle Boyd but it failed as DeCinces banged into a double play to end the inning. Boyd was furious with himself in the dugout as the game was tied 1-1.

                                             Mr. October does it again

Candelaria cruised in the top of the seventh inning as Armas flied out to center to start. Owen took strike three and Boggs flied out to left to end the inning. The Angels put the game away in the bottom of the seventh although Jones hit a comebacker to Boyd to start. Grich took strike three but Schofield crushed a 500,000 foot home run to give the Angels the lead. Boone stuck his bat out and singled to center and Pettis iced the game with a 2 run bomb halfway to Hawaii. That was it for Boyd who gave up two big mistakes in the 7th inning to seal his doom after 6 2/3 innings. Joe Sambito came in and got  Joyner to ground to second to end the inning but it was 4-1 Angels.

                                                     Dammit Boyd

The Sox refused to go quietly in the top of the eighth inning against Angels closer Donnie Moore. Barrett lashed a base hit to left but Buckner popped up to center. Rice doubled just out of the reach of Jones to put runners in scoring position before Moore was charged with a balk to advance Rice to third and score Barrett. Schofield ran into foul territory to reel in a pop up from Baylor but Evans drew a walk. Gedman ripped a single to right to score Rice and put the go-ahead run at first. With the game on the line...Armas lined out to center to end the inning with the Sox down 4-3. The Sox got close but couldn't get the knockout punch.

                                              Gedman inches the Sox closer

Just as soon as the Sox got back in the game, the Angels got the big insurance run off Calvin Schiraldi in the bottom of the eighth. Downing lined out to short to start but Jackson drew a walk. DeCinces hit a routine grounder to Boggs...under his glove as Jackson made a mad dash to third on the error. Armas made a great diving catch of a line drive by Jones but couldn't gun down the 40 year old Jackson at home. Grich lined out to left to end the inning with the Angels ahead 5-3.

                                                  Great catch...not the best throw

Mike Greenwell pinch hit for Owen to open the top of the ninth with Devon White now in right field. Greenwell popped up to Pettis before Boggs also flied out to center. Barrett lined a single to right to bring the tying

                                                                    Angels win


Jackass of the Night is Oil Can Boyd. He pitched well but couldn't finish the job, allowing 4 runs in 6 2/3 innings.

                                                                Oil Can Jackass



The Good:

Marty Barrett was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Jim Rice was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Don Baylor was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Dwight Evans was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Rich Gedman was 3 for 4 with 2 rbi's.

Joe Sambito retired the only man he faced.



The Bad:

Bill Buckner was 0 for 5.

Spike Owen was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Mike Greenwell popped up as a pinch hitter.



The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was 0 for 4 with an error but walked.

Tony Armas was just 1 for 4.

Calvin Schiraldi gave up the insurance run but it was unearned due to the Boggs error.




Final Thoughts:

This was a really tough loss considering the prospect of having to pitch Roger Clemens on 3 days rest tomorrow. Basically if it wasn't for the Angels throwing up on themselves in Game 2, they essentially should be up 3-0 right now. The Sox couldn't hit Candelaria the same way they couldn't hit Witt in Game 1. The prospect of facing both of them again is frightening. Now they have to face Don Sutton tomorrow and hope they can crack him, otherwise they're down 3 games to 1 and forget about it. The Sox look to even the series tomorrow night when they send Roger Clemens to the mound on 3 days rest to take on Don Sutton in Game 4 at 8:00 PM eastern time at Anaheim Stadium.

Sox Walkoff Twins for Seventh Straight Win (9/6/86)

Make it seven wins in a row for the Boston Red Sox. Their latest victim was the Minnesota Twins in come from behind fashion. The Twins broke out to a 2-0 lead on Oil Can Boyd (14-9, 3.69 ERA) on a Kirby Puckett double in the third inning. Mark Portugal pitched shutout ball for the Twins until the seventh when Tony Armas got an rbi single off George Frazier. Jim Rice knocked in Wade Boggs in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game and Marty Barrett drove in Dave Henderson in the ninth to win it. The Sox had stunned the Twins for their seventh straight win 3-2 at Fenway Park.

                                                         Ava Fabian approves of the win

Boyd got the ball in the top of the first and Kirby Puckett led off by popping up to Marty Barrett to start. Roy Smalley flied out to center and Kent Hrbek flied out to the left field wall to end the inning. Portugal got the ball in the bottom of the first and Wade Boggs grounded back to the mound to start. Marty Barrett got a base hit to left but Bill Buckner flied out to center. Jim Rice got a base hit to right but Barrett was thrown out at home to end the inning.

                                                             Yerrrrr out!

Gary Gaetti led off the top of the second with a grounder to third before Tom Brunansky grounded out to short. Randy Bush flied out to right to end the inning. Don Baylor flied out to left to start the bottom of the second before Dwight Evans walked. Tony Armas popped up to third and Rich Gedman grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Twins struck first in the top of the third as Jeff Reed singled to left to start. Steve Lombardozzi struck out swinging but Greg Gagne singled in the hole at short. Reed fell down and damn near got thrown out at second, but Puckett cleared the bases with a double to the centerfield wall. Smalley took strike three and Hrbek grounded out to second to end the inning with the Twins up 2-0.

                                                            Puckett drives in a pair

Spike Owen led off the bottom of the third by grounding back to the mound, but Boggs doubled off the Monster. Barrett popped up to second and Buckner grounded out to second to end the inning.

Gaetti got a base hit to center to start the top of the fourth but Brunansky struck out swinging. Gaetti was thrown out trying to steal but Bush got a base hit to right. Reed flied out to left to end the inning. Rice flied out to right to begin the bottom of the fourth before Baylor grounded out to third. Evans flied out to center to end the inning.

Lombardozzi popped up to Boggs in foul territory to start the top of the fifth before Gagne struck out swinging. Puckett lined out to left to end the inning. Armas grounded out to third to open the bottom of the fifth before Gedman lined out to left. Owen popped up a bunt to second to end the inning.

Smalley beat out a roller to short to start the top of the sixth but Hrbek lined out to short. Gaetti flied out to left and Brunansky popped up to second to end the inning. Boggs led off the bottom of the sixth before Barrett flied out to center. Buckner grounded out to third to end the inning.

Bush led off the top of the seventh by grounding out to Buckner to start. Reed grounded out to second and Lombardozzi struck out swinging to end the inning. 

                                                        "Can you guys score now?" - Boyd

The Sox fought back in the bottom of the seventh with Billy Beane in for Bush in left. Rice grounded a base hit up the middle and Baylor was plunked. Evans hit a triple play ball to third but Gaetti threw the ball into right field for an error to move Baylor to third. That was it for Portugal as Twins manager Ray Miller came to get the ball, only for Portugal to yell at him on his way to the dugout. George Frazier came in to pitch and Armas drilled a base hit to left to score Baylor. Gedman grounded into a double play to end the inning but the Sox were down 2-1.

                                                         Baylor scores a run

Gagne grounded out to third to start the top of the eighth and Puckett flied out to left. Smalley struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox rallied again in the bottom of the eighth with LaSchelle Tarver pinch hitting for Owen to start. Tarver struck out swinging but Boggs doubled off the Monster. Barrett took strike three but Buckner drew a walk. Ed Romero pinch ran for Buckner and Rice hit a seeing eye single to left to score Boggs with the tying run. Baylor walked to load the bases but Evans flied out to center to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                    Boggs scores to tie it up

Boyd returned to finish the job in the top of the ninth with Pat Dodson now at first and Romero at short. Hrbek, Gaetti and Brunansky all struck out swinging in short order to begin and end the inning. Boyd went all 9 innings allowing 2 runs on just 6 hits while striking out 9.

                                                           Boyd jumps for joy

Frazier returned for the bottom of the ninth and Armas led off with a swinging strikeout. Gedman grounded out to first but International League MVP Dodson got his first major league hit with a single off the glove of Lombardozzi. Boggs walked and Dave Henderson ran for Dodson with Keith Atherton in to pitch to Barrett. Marty ripped a base hit to right to score Henderson to win the game. The Sox had walked off the Twins 3-2.

                                                             Sox win

Hero of The Night is Marty Barrett. He knocked in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth.

                                                         Hero Barrett

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 2 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

Jim Rice was 3 for 4 with an rbi.

Don Baylor walked, was hit with a pitch and scored a run in four plate appearances.

Pat Dodson got his first major league hit in his only at-bat.

Dave Henderson scored the winning run as a pinch runner.

Oil Can Boyd tossed a complete game 6 hitter allowing just 2 runs while striking out nine.

The Bad:

Rich Gedman was 0 for 4.

Spike Owen was 0 for 2.

LaSchelle Tarver struck out as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

Bill Buckner was 0 for 3 but walked.

Dwight Evans was 0 for 3 but walked.

Tony Armas was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run.

Honorable Mention:

Ed Romero played short in the top of the ninth.

Final Thoughts:

What a win by the red hot Red Sox as they close in on the American League East title. The Sox looked a little shaky dropping 4 of 5 to end August but they've come out swinging in September. The Sox play Toronto in six out of seven games starting in two weeks but Boston has to get there first. Oil Can Boyd pitched a hell of a game and he's got a legitimate shot at 17 wins. The Sox need more starts like that to rest the bullpen for better days, especially if there is October baseball to be played. The Sox have been finding ways to win at the plate all year and this game was no different. Hopefully they can ride this momentum as long as they can to bring them their first AL East crown in 11 years. The win improved the Sox to 81-54, 5.5 games ahead of the Blue Jays for first place in the AL East with 27 games left to play. The Sox look to make it eight in a row and series sweep of the Twins tomorrow afternoon when Bruce Hurst takes on Neal Heaton of Minnesota. The game begins at 2:00 PM at Fenway Park.

Angels Rally Late, Defeat Sox (5/6/86)

The good news was the Boston Celtics eliminated the Atlanta Hawks in Game 5 of their second round NBA playoff series but the bad news was the California Angels defeated the Boston Red Sox. The Angels and the Sox battled to a 2-2 tie through seven innings. Oil Can Boyd (2-3, 3.57 ERA) had been solid up to that point but allowed a run in the top of the eighth to put California ahead. In the top of the eighth, the Sox defense failed Steve Crawford and Tim Lollar as an error by Lyons and a mental one by Glenn Hoffman allowed three big runs to score. The Sox failed to score against the California bullpen as the Angels defeated the Sox 6-2 at Fenway Park.

                                                                     Ugh

Boyd got the ball in the top of the first inning and Gary Pettis struck out swinging to start. Rob Wilfong popped up to Bill Buckner and Wally Joyner grounded out to first to end the inning. Jim Slaton got the ball in the bottom of the first and Dwight Evans led off by striking out swinging. Wade Boggs hit a comebacker to Slaton and Buckner flied out to right to end the inning.

Reggie Jackson led off the top of the second with a fly out to left and Brian Downing grounded out to third. Doug DeCinces flied out to right to end the inning. Jim Rice led off the bottom of the second with a grounder to third and Don Baylor grounded out to second. Rich Gedman popped up to DeCinces in foul ground to end the inning.

The Angels took command in the top of the third as Ruppert Jones hit a ground ball through Glenn Hoffman's legs to start. Jerry Narron hit a grounder to Buckner who didn't see Jones directly behind him and threw to second for the force. Had he saw Jones it would have been a double play. Boyd then threw a pickoff throw away to move Narron to second and Dick Schofield Jr popped up to Boggs. The opening error and Buckner not seeing Jones came back to haunt the Sox as Pettis hit a 296 foot home run just inside the Pesky Pole to put the Angels on top. Wilfong grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox down 2-0.

                                                   Pettis hits one out of an empty Fenway

Marty Barrett led off the bottom of the third with a fly out to right and Steve Lyons flied out to the left field warning track. Hoffman grounded out to short to end the inning.

Joyner grounded out to second to start the top of the fourth before Jackson flied out to left. Downing lined out to a running Lyons to end the inning. The Sox struck back in the bottom of the fourth as Evans dropped a base hit to left to start. Boggs doubled off the Monster and Evans scored on the sac fly by Buckner to right. Rice grounded out to short but Baylor walked. Gedman hit a fly ball to left and Pettis collided with Downing, but Al held on to end the inning with the Sox down 2-1.

                                                              Evans scores a run

DeCinces grounded out to third to start the top of the fifth and Jones struck out swinging. Narron doubled into the gap in center but Schofield Jr struck out swinging to end the inning. George Hendrick came in for Pettis to start the bottom of the fifth as Barrett hit a comebacker to the mound. Lyons flied out to left but Hoffman shot a base hit into right. Evans forced Hoffman at second to end the inning.

Hendrick grounded out to third to start the top of the sixth before Wilfong struck out swinging. Joyner lined out to a running Lyons to end the inning. Boggs doubled to the left field wall to start the bottom of the sixth but Buckner popped up to right. Rice also popped up to right and Baylor grounded out to short to end the inning.

Jackson got a broken bat grounder to second to start the top of the seventh but Downing got a base hit to left. DeCinces forced Downing at second and Jones got a base hit to right. Narron popped up to center to end the inning. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the seventh as Gedman flied out to the right field warning track to start. Barrett sliced a base hit to right and Lyons drew a walk but Hoffman lined out to third. Evans doubled down the left field line to score Barrett to tie the game. That was it for Slaton as Terry Forster came in to pitch. Boggs walked and Buckner popped up to second to end the inning with the game tied 2-2.

                                                           Barrett scores to tie it

The Angels finished off Boyd in the top of the eighth as Schofield Jr singled to right to start. Hendrick dropped down a bunt to move Dick to second and Schofield scored on the Wilfong single to center. That was it for Boyd who allowed 3 runs in 7 1/3 innings on six hits. Joe Sambito came in to pitch and got Joyner to pop up to short. Jackson flied out to left to end the inning with the Angels up 3-2.

                                                      Boyd deserved better

Doug Corbett came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Rice grounded out to third to start. Baylor grounded out to first and Gedman lined out to short to end the inning.

Things fell apart in the top of the ninth with Steve Crawford now on the mound. Downing poked a double down the first base line but DeCinces lined out to right. Jones was intentionally walked but Angels manager Gene Mauch pinch hit Bob Boone for Narron. Boone lined a single to center but Lyons booted the ball for an error to score Downing and Jones. Schofield Jr took strike three but Hendrick walked to chase Crawford. Tim Lollar came in to face Wilfong and Rob beat out a roller to third to load the bases. Joyner hit a roller to Hoffman who failed to get Wilfong at second to score Boone with another run. Jackson struck out swinging to end the inning with the Angels up 6-2.

                                                    "Dammit Lyons" - Evans

Barrett grounded out to short to start the bottom of the ninth before Lyons lined out to third. Tony Armas pinch hit for Hoffman and chopped a base hit up the middle. Ed Romero pinch ran for Armas but Evans forced Ed at second to end the game. The Angels had won 6-2.

                                                             Angels win

Jackass of the Night is Steve Crawford. He was charged with 3 runs in 2/3 of an inning to put the game out of reach.

                                                             Steve The Jackass

The Good:

Dwight Evans was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.

Wade Boggs was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Tony Armas got a base hit as a pinch hitter.

Joe Sambito got the final two outs of the eighth inning.

The Bad:

Jim Rice was 0 for 4.

Rich Gedman was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

Bill Buckner was 0 for 3 but drove in a run.

Don Baylor was 0 for 3 but walked.

Marty Barrett was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Steve Lyons was 0 for 3 with an error but walked.

Glenn Hoffman was 1 for 3 but committed a crucial error.

Oil Can Boyd took the loss but allowed 3 runs (just 1 earned) in 7 1/3 strong innings. He allowed 6 hits while striking out four.

Tim Lollar allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own in 1/3 of an inning.

Honorable Mention:

Ed Romero pinch ran for Armas in the ninth inning.

Final Thoughts:

Things fell apart in this one after the Sox battled to tie the game in the seventh. The Boggs leadoff double that got wasted was a big turning point as was Hoffman's error leading to Jones' home run. Lyons' error in the eighth opened the floodgates. Buckner failing with two men on in the seventh hurt as well. Its a shame the Sox lost this one because both the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians won their games. The Sox had a surprising April to keep them near first place and need to make a run to take over in May. Still, the Sox hadn't made errors in over a week so maybe they got it out of their system tonight before their road trip. Boyd pitched well but the bullpen and defense let him down big time. The less said of this disaster, the better. The loss dropped the Sox to 15-10, 1.5 behind the Indians for first place in the AL East. The Sox look to bounce back tomorrow night as they hit the road against the Seattle Mariners. Al Nipper (2-3) gets the start for the Sox against Milt Wilcox of Seattle. The game begins at 10:00 PM Eastern time at the Kingdome.

White Sox Walkoff Red Sox (8/26/85)

Murphy's Law in the month of August continued for the Boston Red Sox. Today's game against the Chicago White Sox was supposed to be played on August 7th that was cancelled due to the brief player's strike and the BoSox wish this game was never played. Boston broke out to a 2-0 lead over Joel Davis and Chicago but the White Sox answered with 5 runs against Oil Can Boyd. The BoSox tied the game in the top of the seventh and Dwight Evans put them on top with an eight inning home run. Who else but Carlton Fisk tied the game in the bottom of the eighth with a home run and Greg Walker settled matters with a home run off Bob Stanley in the bottom of the 10th to win it for Chicago, 7-6 at Comiskey Park.

                                                          Dammit

The BoSox wasted no time getting to Davis in the top of the first as Dwight Evans tripled over the head of Rudy Law to begin. Wade Boggs chopped a base hit up the middle to score Evans but Bill Buckner flied out to center. Rich Gedman grounded a base hit up the middle to move Boggs to third and Wade scored on the Mike Easler sac fly to left. Ozzie Guillen bobbled a grounder by Tony Armas for an error and Marty Barrett walked to load the bases. With a chance to do some huge damage, Steve Lyons flied out to right to end the inning with Boston up 2-0.

                                                           BoSox take the lead

Boyd got the ball in the bottom of the first and Law struck out swinging to start. Bryan Little flied out to right and Harold Baines flied out to the left field wall to end the inning.

Jackie Gutierrez struck out swinging to start the top of the second and Evans flied out to center. Boggs flied out to left to end the inning. Greg Walker hit one up the elevator shaft to start the bottom of the third before Carlton Fisk popped up to third in foul territory. Joe DeSa took strike three to end the inning.

Buckner flied out to center to start the top of the third but Gedman got a base hit up the middle but Easler grounded into a double play to end the inning. The White Sox rallied in the bottom of the third as Ron Kittle got a base hit to left to start. Guillen hit a double play ball to Barrett but Marty bobbled it, only able to throw Ozzie out at first. That proved costly as Luis Salazar doubled to center to score Kittle. Law grounded out to third but Little hit a ground rule double into the right field seats to score Salazar. Baines lined a base hit up the middle and Little came around third. Lyons' throw was late and Kittle scored with Harold taking second on the throw to give the White Sox the lead. Walker grounded out to second to end the inning with Chicago up 3-2.

                                                    Baines puts Chicago on top

The BoSox failed to respond in the top of the fourth as Armas flied out to right to start. Barrett hit a routine grounder to the mound but not only did Davis miss it but Little bobbled it as well for an error. Lyons dumped a check swing base hit to center but Gutierrez struck out swinging. Evans grounded out to third to end the inning. Fisk hit a routine grounder to Gutierrez who bobbled it for an error to start the bottom of the fourth. DeSa hit a double play ball to Gutierrez but instinctively flipped to Barrett rather than take it himself. Instead of a double play, they ended up with a force. It ultimately didn't matter as Kittle flied out to left and Guillen grounded back to the mound to end the inning.

Boggs grounded out to short to start the top of the fifth but Buckner drew a walk. Gedman also walked and Easler slashed a base hit to left but Buckner was thrown out at home. Armas lined out to left to end the inning.

                                                             Yerrrrrr out!

The White Sox struck again in the bottom of the fifth as Salazar hit a roller to short and Buckner dropped the throw from Gutierrez for a "single". Law popped up to second and Little flied out to left but Salazar swiped second. Baines then crushed a home run all the way to Florida to increase the lead. Walker lined out to right to end the inning with the White Sox ahead 5-2.

                                                        Baines hits one out

The BoSox fought back in the top of the sixth as Barrett walked to start. Lyons flied out to center but Gutierrez got a base hit to left. Evans walked to load the bases, chasing Davis. Jerry Don Gleaton came in to pitch to Boggs and Wade beat out a double play ball to score Barrett. Buckner forced Boggs at second to end the inning with the BoSox down 5-3.

                                                                  Barrett scores a run

Fisk grounded out to third to start the bottom of the sixth before DeSa flied out to left. Kittle singled past the diving Gutierrez but Guillen flied out to center to end the inning.

The BoSox came back in the top of the seventh as Gedman dribbled one to second and Little bobbled it for a "single". Easler struck out swinging and that was it for Gleaton. Dan Spillner came in to pitch to Armas and Tony struck out swinging. Barrett doubled to the left field wall to score Gedman who would have been thrown out at the plate if the White Sox didn't lollygag the throw to short. Lyons blooped a base hit just out of reach of Little to score Barrett with the tying run. Lyons swiped second but Gutierrez took strike three to end the inning with the game tied 5-5.

                                                           Boston ties it up

The White Sox finally chased Boyd in the bottom of the seventh as Salazar singled off the glove of Gutierrez to start. Salazar was thrown out at second trying to steal but Law walked to send Boyd to the showers. Oil Can lasted 6 1/3 innings allowing 5 runs on 8 hits and a walk. Bob Stanley came in to pitch and Little drilled a base hit to right to put runners at the corners. Baines struck out swinging on a sinker that didn't sink and Walker grounded out to third to end the inning.

                                                   Boyd gets knocked out

The BoSox shocked Chicago as Evans led off the top of the eighth with his 16th home run of the season to put Boston on top. Juan Agosto came in to pitch and Boggs walked, but Buckner forced Wade at second. Buckner was picked off....but somehow wormed his way to second for a "stolen base". He was doubled off anyway on a failed hit and run when he took off for third but Gedman's liner to center was caught. The inning was over but the BoSox now led 6-5.

                                                    Evans puts Boston ahead

The lead lasted 8 seconds in the bottom of the eighth as....who else....Fisk hit a home run off the left field foul pole to tie the game. Does THAT LOOK FAMILIAR???? DeSa popped up to right, Kittle grounded out to second and Guillen grounded out to third to end the inning with the game tied 6-6.

                                                           Fisk ties it up

Old pal Reid Nichols came in for Kittle to start the top of the ninth and Easler grounded out to first to start. Bob James came in to pitch to Armas and Tony grounded out to short. Barrett dropped a base hit in front of Nichols and took second on a balk. Lyons grounded out to first to end the inning. Stanley returned for the bottom of the ninth and Salazar flied out to right to begin. Law took strike three and Little's bunt attempt was snuffed out by Stanley to end the inning.

Gutierrez lined out to center to start the top of the tenth but Evans flied out to left. Boggs grounded out to short to end the inning. For whatever reason, Stanley returned for the bottom of the tenth and Baines grounded out to second to start. Walker then hit a home run all the way to Lake Michigan to end the game. The White Sox had walked off the Red Sox 7-6.

                                                             White Sox win

Jackass of The Night is Bob Stanley. He gave up the game tying and game winning home runs.

                                                        Jackass Stanley

The Good:

Dwight Evans was 2 for 5 with a walk, a home run and 2 total runs scored.

Rich Gedman was 3 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

Marty Barrett was 2 for 3 with 2 walks, an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Steve Lyons was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a stolen base.

The Bad:

Tony Armas was 0 for 5 with a strikeout.

The Ugly:

Wade Boggs was just 1 for 5 but walked, drove in two runs and scored a run.

Bill Buckner was 0 for 4 but walked and stole a base.

Mike Easler was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked.

Oil Can Boyd allowed 5 runs in just 6 1/3 innings on 8 hits and a walk while striking out 2.

Jackie Gutierrez was just 1 for 5 with a hat trick of 3 strikeouts and an error.

Final Thoughts:

This game, this month and this season has been one giant sucker punch to the gonads. Losing Roger Clemens for the season was bad enough but losing games as gutwrenching as this is just pouring salt in an open wound. Boyd hasn't been the same since the All-Star break and he wasn't good at all in this one. Still, the Red Sox had this game won but Stanley blew it. Why was he still even in the game in the bottom of the tenth? Where was Steve Crawford or Mark Clear? Was John McNamara asleep in the dugout? Just another tough loss in a season full of them. Can't even blame the offense who scratched and clawed to not only come back from the deficit but to take the lead as well. The way the Sox fell apart this month can be seen clear as day. They needed starting pitching and they didn't get it. Guess trading John Tudor was a bad idea huh? The loss dropped the Sox to 58-64, 18.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East. The Sox now travel to Cleveland for a set with the Indians. Mike Trujillo (3-2) takes on Curt Wardle of the Indians. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Cleveland Stadium.

Sox Beat Yankees in 11 Innings (4/23/85)

The bad news was the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of their first round NBA playoff series but the good news was the Boston Red Sox knocked off the New York Yankees in extra innings. The Sox jumped out to a 3-0 lead on Joe Cowley and the Yankees but New York fought back to score two runs against Oil Can Boyd. Dwight Evans drew a bases loaded walk but the Yankees tied it by knocking out Boyd in the seventh and getting a run off Bob Stanley in the eighth. In the top of the eleventh, Evans knocked in Barrett to give the Sox the lead and Bob Ojeda (2-0, 2.35 ERA) slammed the door to win the game for the Sox 5-4 in 11 innings at Yankee Stadium.

                                                    Donna Smith approves of the win

Cowley got the ball in the top of the first instead of the sick Dennis Rasmussen and Wade Boggs walked on a pitch to the backstop to start. Dwight Evans walked but Jim Rice struck out swinging. Mike Easler grounded into a double play to end the inning. Boyd got the ball in the bottom of the first and Rickey Henderson made his season debut by popping up to third to start. Willie Randolph drew a full count walk but Don Mattingly struck out swinging. Dave Winfield popped up to right to end the inning.

The Sox struck first in the top of the second as Tony Armas golfed a base hit past Bob Meachem to start. Bill Buckner drew a walk but was forced at second by Rich Gedman to put runners at the corners. Marty Barrett scored Armas hit a sac fly to score Armas to put the Sox on top. Jackie Gutierrez sliced a base hit to right but Boggs flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                          Armas scores the first run

Don Baylor led off the bottom of the second by striking out swinging on a big curveball to start. Ken Griffey flied out to right but Mike Pagliarulo walked. Butch Wynegar grounded out to first to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the third inning although Evans struck out swinging to start. Rice also went down hacking but Easler cranked his second home run of the season to right to increase the lead. Armas popped up to short to end the inning with the Sox ahead 2-0.

                                                  Easler goes deep

Meachem led off the bottom of the third with a bloop hit to left and moved to second on the Henderson grounder to third. Randolph grounded back to the mound and Mattingly struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fourth as Randolph knocked down a Buckner grounder and threw him out to start. Gedman popped up to short and Barrett popped up to center to end the inning. Winfield hit one up the elevator shaft to start the bottom of the fourth before Baylor flied out to left. Griffey flied out to right to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the fifth as Gutierrez singled off the glove of Meachem to begin. Gutierrez took off for second and Wynegar bounced the throw into center to advance Jackie to third on the error. Boggs scored Gutierrez with a sac fly to left to increase the lead but Evans grounded out to second. Rice flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                        Sac fly for Boggs

The Yankees threatened in the bottom of the fifth as Pagliarulo doubled to the right field wall to start. Wynegar flied out into the right field corner and Evans told the umpires that somebody threw trash at him while he was trying to make the catch. Meachem caught Boyd asleep with a bunt single to put runners at the corners. Henderson popped up to Buckner and Randolph flied out to the left field warning track to end the inning.

                               "There, that linguini eating stugotz, that's the one!" - Evans

Bob Shirley replaced Cowley to start the top of the sixth and Easler grounded out to short to start. Armas flied out to center and Buckner struck out swinging to end the inning. The Yankees began their comeback in the bottom of the sixth although Mattingly lined out to short to start. Winfield singled over the head of Gutierrez and Baylor hit a hanging curve into the left field stands to cut the lead. Griffey flied out to deep right and a fan tried to throw beer at Evans making the catch. Alert Yankee Stadium security seized the beer thrower and wrestled him to the ground. Pagliarulo struck out swinging to end the inning but the Yankees were back in it down 3-2.

                                                       Baylor takes Boyd deep

The Sox answered in the top of the seventh as Gedman singled down the first base line to start. Barrett dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Gedman to second and Randolph booted a grounder by Gutierrez for an error. Boggs walked to load the bases and Evans walked to score Gedman with another run. With a chance to break the game open....Rice banged into a double play to end the inning. The Sox led 4-2 but the double play cost them dearly.

                                                       Gedman scores on a walk

The Yankees knocked Boyd out in the bottom of the seventh although Wynegar popped up to first to start. Meachem walked and Henderson singled down the left field line to chase Boyd. Bob Stanley replaced Boyd and Randolph forced Henderson at second, but Mattingly singled home Meachem to cut the lead. Winfield went down swinging to end the inning with the Yankees down 4-3.

                                                   Boyd leaves with the lead

Easler hit a routine pop up to Griffey who dropped it for an error to leave Mike at second base to start the top of the eighth. Armas grounded out to short and Meachem dove into the stands to catch a pop up by Buckner. Gedman struck out swinging to end the inning. The Yankees tied it in the bottom of the eighth although Baylor grounded out to second to start. Griffey and Pagliarulo drew back to back walks before Wynegar doubled to right to score Griffey to tie the game. Meachem was intentionally walked and Henderson banged into a double play to end the inning with the game tied 4-4.

                                                        Tie game

Barrett hit a routine grounder to Meachem who booted it for an error to start the top of the ninth. Gutierrez moved Barrett to second with a sacrifice bunt and Dave Righetti came in to pitch. Boggs and Evans both struck out swinging to end the inning. Stanley cruised in the bottom of the ninth as Randolph struck out swinging to start. Mattingly popped up to short and Winfield flied out to a running Rice to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the tenth as Rice grounded back to the mound to start. Easler struck out swinging but Armas ripped a base hit to left. Steve Lyons pinch ran for Armas and Buckner sliced a base hit to left to advance Steve to third. Reid Nichols pinch hit for Gedman but grounded out to third to end the inning. Baylor struck out swinging to start the bottom of the tenth with Marc Sullivan now behind the plate. All of a sudden Sox manager John McNamara brought in Bob Ojeda to pitch and Griffey flied out to left. Pagliarulo struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox rallied against Righetti in the top of the eleventh as Barrett lined a base hit to center to begin. Gutierrez dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Marty to second and Boggs singled in the hole at short to put runners at the corners. Evans slashed a base hit to left to score Barrett to give the Sox the lead. Rice banged into a double play to end the inning but the Sox were ahead 5-4.

                                                          Evans with the go-ahead hit

Ojeda came back to close out the bottom of the eleventh but Wynegar lined a base hit to right to start. Henry Cotto pinch ran for Wynegar and Meachem sacrificed Henry to second. Henderson lined out to short and Randolph grounded out to second to end the game. The Sox had won it 5-4 in 11 innings.

Hero of the Night is Dwight Evans. His rbi single in the eleventh inning was the difference in the game.

                                                                 Dwight Hero

The Good:

Wade Boggs was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and an rbi.

Tony Armas was 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Marty Barrett was 1 for 3 with an rbi and a run scored.

Jackie Gutierrez was 2 for 3 with a stolen base and a run scored.

Oil Can Boyd pitched well, allowing just 3 runs in 6 1/3 innings. He allowed 6 hits and 3 walks.

Bob Ojeda got the win with 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Jim Rice was 0 for 6 with 2 strikeouts.

Reid Nichols grounded out as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

Mike Easler was just 1 for 5 but the one hit was a home run.

Bill Buckner was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked.

Rich Gedman was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Bob Stanley allowed an inherited runner to score and one of his own in 3 innings of work.

Honorable Mention:

Steve Lyons pinch ran for Armas and played center in the final inning.

Marc Sullivan caught the final two innings.

Final Thoughts:

It wasn't easy but a win is a win, especially on the road. The Sox could have broken this game open when it was 4-2 but instead the Yankees came back to tie the game. Hats off to the Sox to keep the game tied after that with Stanley and Ojeda giving New York nothing after the eighth inning. Evans had an eventful night dealing with rowdy fans and still managed to deliver the game winning hit. The Sox are treading water in April and hopefully their pitching can hold up the whole season to match the offense. Boyd looked good tonight and its a shame Stanley couldn't hold the lead. Ojeda coming out of the bullpen was interesting but at least it worked tonight. The Sox look to make it two in a row against the Yankees tomorrow night when Al Nipper takes the mound against Ron Guidry of New York. The game begins at 7:00 PM at Yankee Stadium.