Rangers Rout Sox, Avoid Sweep (4/22/81)

The good news was the Boston Celtics evened their East Finals series with the Philadelphia Sixers at one game apiece after their Game 2 victory. The bad news was the Texas Rangers gave a devastating beating to the Boston Red Sox. After the Red Sox pitched back to back complete games, Dennis Eckersley (1-1, 7.11 ERA) didn't even make out of the first inning, getting charged with 7 runs before the Sox could even come to bat. Chuck Rainey made his season debut getting pounded for 6 runs of his own and the Rangers never let up. When the carnage was over the Rangers pounded out 18 hits and 16 runs to annihilate the Red Sox 16-8 at Fenway Park.

                                                   Flounder can't stand Sox pitching

The Rangers ambushed Eckersley immediately in the top of the first inning as Bump Wills pounded a ground rule double to start. Mickey Rivers struck out swinging but Al Oliver singled home Wills to give the Rangers the lead. Buddy Bell singled and Johnny Grubb walked to load the bases and Pat Putnam cleared them with a double. Jim Sundberg walked and Billy Sample hit a perfect double play ball to Glenn Hoffman...UNDER HIS GLOVE! The error scored Putnam and kept the inning going. Both runners moved over on the grounder by Mario Mendoza but Wills singled home Sundberg and Sample to make it a touchdown. Sox manager Ralph Houk had seen enough and pulled the ineffective Eckersley after just 2/3 of an inning. Chuck Rainey made his season debut to get Rivers to line out to right to end the inning with the Rangers ahead 7-0.

                                                     "I sucked today." - Eck

Rangers starter Danny Darwin got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jerry Remy walked to start. Dwight Evans and Carl Yastrzemski both flied out to left and Jim Rice grounded out to third to end the inning.

It was Rainey's turn to take a beating in the top of the second as Oliver doubled to right to begin. Bell grounded back to the mound but Grubb singled Oliver to third. Putnam hit a sac fly to score Oliver with another run and Sundberg hit a routine grounder to Hoffman....OFF HIS GLOVE! Another error kept the inning alive and Sample doubled home Sundberg. Mendoza singled home Sample but Wills took strike three to end the inning. Hoffman's errors loomed large as the Rangers now led 11-0.

                                                   "Catch the damn ball, Glenn!" - CR

It was the Sox turn to rally in the bottom of the second as Tony Perez singled to right to start. Carney Lansford doubled Tony to third but Gary Allenson struck out swinging. Hoffman popped up to first but Rick Miller walked to load the bases. Remy singled home Perez and Lansford to put the Sox on the board. Evans doubled home Miller and Yaz drove in both runners with a single to cut the lead. Rice grounded out to second to end the inning but at least the Sox showed some fight to trail 11-5.

                                                            "Not dead yet!" - Yaz

Rainey recovered in the top of the third as Rivers grounded out to first to start. Oliver grounded out to second and Bell grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the third as Perez grounded out to short to start. Lansford flied out to left and Allenson grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Rangers settled matters in the top of the fourth as Grubb and Putnam stroked back to back singles to open. Sundberg doubled home Grubb to increase the lead but Sample lined out to third. Mendoza scored Putnam with a sac fly to put the game out of reach. Wills hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning with the Rangers up 13-5.

                                                           Grubb starts another rally

The Sox did get a run back in the bottom of the fourth although Hoffman and Miller both grounded out to short to start. Remy walked and Evans tripled into the centerfield triangle to cut the lead. Yaz flied out to left to end the inning but it was 13-6 Texas.

                                                          Evans doing what he can

Rainey got Rivers to ground out to first to start the top of the fifth and Oliver flied out to center. Bell grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox did nothing in the bottom of the fifth as Rice grounded out to second to start. Perez flied out to center but Lansford walked. Allenson flied out to center to end the inning.

Mark Clear came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Grubb grounded out to second to start. Putnam popped up to second but Sundberg singled to left. Sample doubled Sundberg to third but Mendoza grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox had some more fight left in them in the bottom of the sixth against Bob Babcock coming into pitch. Hoffman singled to right but Miller flied out to left. Remy walked and Evans singled him to third, scoring Hoffman with another run. Yaz beat out a double play ball to score Remy and Rice beat out an infield single to third. Perez flied out to right to end the inning but it was 13-8 Rangers.

                                                           Remy walking and scoring

The Rangers wrapped up the scoring in the top of the seventh as Wills walked to start. Rivers singled him to third but Oliver popped up to third. Bell then hit a home run all the way to Denton, Texas to add to the lead. Grubb was plunked and Putnam singled to left, but Sundberg took strike three. Sample struck out swinging to end the inning with the Rangers up 16-8.

                                                                  Dammit Clear

Lansford tried to start a rally with a walk to begin the bottom of the seventh but Allenson flied out to left. Hoffman forced Lansford at second and Miller flied out to left to end the inning.

Mendoza singled to left to start the top of the eighth but Wills banged into a double play. Rivers walked but Oliver flied out to center to end the inning. Jim Kern came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Remy walked to start. Evans singled to left and both runners moved over on the grounder by Yaz. Rice took strike three and Perez grounded out to second to end the inning.

Bill Campbell made his season debut in the top of the ninth and struck out Bell swinging to start. Grubb flied out to left and Putnam grounded out to first to end the inning. Lansford grounded out to second to start the bottom of the ninth and Allenson took strike three. Hoffman walked but Miller took strike three to end the game. The Rangers had won it 16-8.

Jackass of the Night is Dennis Eckersley. He didn't even make it out of the first inning and got plastered for 7 runs to put the game out of reach early.

                                                              Eck the Jackass

The Good:

Jerry Remy was 1 for 1 with 4 walks, 2 rbis and 3 runs scored.

Dwight Evans was 4 for 5 with 3 rbis and a run scored.

Carney Lansford was 1 for 3 with 2 walks and a run scored.

Bill Campbell pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Gary Allenson was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Chuck Rainey allowed 6 runs in 4 1/3 innings.

Mark Clear allowed 3 runs in 3 innings.

The Ugly:

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 5 but drove in 3 runs.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout.

Tony Perez was just 1 for 5 but scored a run.

Glenn Hoffman was just 1 for 4 with 2 errors but walked and scored a run.

Rick Miller was 0 for 4 but walked and scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

Gadzooks that was bad. It wouldn't be fair to expect Eckersley to continue the string of success Sox starters had the past few days but that was the complete opposite. The Rangers had a week's worth of offense in one day as they beat around every Sox pitcher they threw out there. The sad part was the Sox offense came to play by getting 10 hits and 8 runs of their own. Lansford and Evans were the driving force behind today's game and pretty much all April. Rice is going to catch fire eventually and it'll be glorious when he does. The only thing the Sox can do is forget about today and move on to the next game. The Sox are back in action Friday night when they visit the Baltimore Orioles. Frank Tanana (0-1) takes on Mike Flanagan of the Orioles. The game begins at 7:05 PM at Memorial Stadium.

Red Sox Crush Rangers, Tudor Goes Distance (4/21/81)

The bad news was the Boston Celtics lost their Game 1 NBA East Finals showdown with the Philadelphia Sixers. The good news is the Boston Red Sox laid waste to the Texas Rangers. John Tudor (1-0, 3.00 ERA) made his season debut by tossing Boston's third complete game in four days. The Boston bats woke up to pound out 15 hits and 10 runs against old friend Fergie Jenkins and when the dust settled, the Sox had won the game 10-4 at Fenway Park.

                                                     Black Sabbath approves of the win

Turdor got the ball in the top of the first inning and Bump Wills took strike three to start. Mickey Rivers grounded out to second before Al Oliver grounded out to short to end the inning. Jenkins got the ball in the bottom of the first and Jerry Remy popped up to third to start. Dwight Evans grounded back to the mound but Carl Yastrzemski walked. Jim Rice struck out swinging to end the inning.

Buddy Bell flied out to right to start the top of the second but John Ellis slapped a single to right. Ellis was thrown out trying to stretch a double and Jim Sundberg grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second although Tony Perez flied out to left to start. Carney Lansford grounded out to third but Gary Allenson doubled to left. Glenn Hoffman singled home Allenson to give the Sox the lead, taking second on the throw home. Rick Miller took strike three to end the inning with the Sox ahead 1-0.

                                                                     Hoffman drives in a run

The Rangers fought back in the top of the third as Leon Roberts walked to start. Billy Sample singled to left and Mario Mendoza dropped down a bunt to advance the runners. Wills grounded back to the mound but Rivers singled home Roberts. Oliver struck out swinging to end the inning with the game tied 1-1.

                                                           Rivers drives in a run

Remy flied out to right to start the bottom of the third but Evans walked. Evans was doubled off first on the liner to second by Yaz to end the inning.

Bell singled to right to start the top of the fourth but was picked off. Ellis lined out to center and Sundberg flied out to right to end the inning. The Sox took command in the bottom of the fourth as Rice doubled to right to begin. Perez grounded back to the mound but Lansford singled home Rice to give the Sox the lead. Allenson banged into a double play to end the inning with Boston ahead 2-1.

                                                           Lansford drives in a run

Tudor cruised in the top of the fifth as Roberts grounded out to third to start. Sample singled to short but was doubled off first on a liner to second by Mendoza to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fifth although Hoffman grounded out to second to start. Miller walked and Remy singled him to third before taking second on the throw over. Evans scored Miller with a sac fly and Yaz singled home Remy to increase the lead. Rice flied out to center to end the inning with Boston ahead 4-1.

                                                          Yaz drives in a run

The Rangers got one back in the top of the sixth as Wills walked to start. Wills took second on the grounder by Rivers and scored on the ground rule double by Oliver. Oliver took third on the grounder by Bell but Ellis grounded back to the mound to end the inning. The Rangers were down 4-2.

                                                          Oliver drives in a run

The Sox struck back in the bottom of the sixth as Perez tripled to center to start. Lansford doubled home Perez to chase Jenkins from the game. Steve Comer came in and Allenson doubled home Lansford to ice the game. Hoffman moved Allenson to third with a grounder but Miller flied out to left. Remy beat out an infield single to score Allenson with another run. Evans walked but Yaz flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-2.

                                                            Remy drives in a run

Tudor cruised in the top of the seventh as Sundberg flied out to right to start. Roberts popped up to short and Sample did the same to end the inning. Charlie Hough came in for the bottom of the seventh and Rice singled to left to start...but was thrown out second trying to stretch a double. Perez struck out swinging but Lansford singled to center. Lansford stole second again but Allenson grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Rangers got a run back in the top of the eighth although Mendoza flied out to right to start. Wills doubled to left but Rivers flied out to center. Oliver singled home Wills to cut the lead. Bell lined out to short to end the inning with the Rangers down 7-3.

The Sox poured it on in the bottom of the eighth as Hoffman flied out to center to start. Miller doubled to left and Remy walked to set up the rbi double by Evans. Yaz singled home Remy and Evans but was thrown out at second trying to stretch a double. Rice grounded out to third to end the inning with the Sox ahead 10-3.

                                                             Evans scores a run

Tudor came back to finish the job in the top of the ninth and Ellis flied out to center to start. Sundberg doubled to center and moved to third on the grounder by Roberts. Sample hit a routine grounder to Hoffman who did a cannonball on top of the baseball for an error to score Sundberg. Mendoza grounded into a force to end the game. The Sox had won it 10-4.

Hero of the Night is John Tudor. He tossed a complete game and allowed just 3 earned runs.

                                                                  Tudor the Hero

The Good:

Jerry Remy was 2 for 4 with a walk, rbi and 2 runs scored.

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

Carl Yastrzemski was 2 for 4 with a walk and 3 rbis.

Jim Rice was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

Carney Lansford was 3 for 4 with 2 stolen bases, 2 rbis and a run scored.

Gary Allenson was 2 for 4 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Rick Miller was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

The Bad:

None

The Ugly:

Tony Perez was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Glenn Hoffman was just 1 for 4 with an error but drove in a run.

Final Thoughts:

If the Red Sox play to their potential this is going to be a scary team for the rest of the season. It would be unfair to expect Tudor, Mike Torrez and Frank Tanana to all win 20 games this season but if the offense can fire on all cylinders, this could be one of the top teams of the American League. Tudor pitched great in his season debut and this could be the start of a great season for him. The Sox have gotten 3 complete games in their last four pitched and the Sox bullpen must be getting bored. It won't last but having a trio of Bob Stanley, Mark Clear and Tom Burgmeier is better than some of others in the American League. If only the offense could perform like this every day, oh well. Tomorrow the Sox look to sweep the Rangers out of Fenway when Dennis Eckersley (1-0) takes on Danny Darwin of the Rangers. The game begins at 2 PM at Fenway Park.

Torrez, Sox Down Rangers on Patriots Day (4/20/81)

Frank Tanana is probably jealous of Mike Torrez (1-0, 2.38 ERA) right now. On Saturday, Frank tossed a complete game, 2 run, 7 hitter but lost the game. In today's Patriots Day matinee, Torrez also tossed a complete game 2 run, 7 hitter. Only this time, the Boston Red Sox offense did just enough for Torrez to get the win. The Texas Rangers starter Doc Medich allowed a 2 run bomb to Dwight Evans in the fifth inning and Gary Allenson drove in the killshot in the bottom of the eighth. It all added up to a 4-2 Sox win on Patriots Day at Fenway Park.

                                            Patriots coach Ron Earhardt approves of the win

Torrez got the ball in the top of the first and Bump Wills singled in the hole at short to start. Wills was thrown out trying to steal second and Mickey Rivers grounded out to second. Al Oliver grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox did nothing against Medich in the bottom of the first as Jerry Remy lined out to third to start. Dwight Evans singled to right and moved to second on the Carl Yastrzemski grounder, but Jim Rice flied out to right to end the inning.

Buddy Bell grounded out to short to start the top of the second and Johnny Grubb lined out to center. Pat Putnam tripled into the right field corner but Jim Sundberg struck out looking to end the inning. Tony Perez struck out swinging to begin the bottom of the second but Carney Lansford singled to right. Lansford moved to second on the Gary Allenson grounder but Glenn Hoffman grounded out to second to end the inning.

Billy Sample grounded out to short to start the top of the third and Mario Mendoza grounded out to third. Wills walked but Rivers grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Rick Miller flied out to center to start the bottom of the third but Remy caught the Rangers asleep with a bunt single. Evans hit one up the elevator shaft and Yaz grounded out to second to end the inning.

Oliver and Bell both flied out to center to start the top of the fourth but Grubb doubled to left. Putnam lined out to short to end the inning. Rice began the bottom of the fourth by reaching on an error by Medich, but Perez banged into a double play. Lansford flied out to right to end the inning.

Sundberg flied out to right to begin the top of the fifth but Sample hit a ground rule double. Mendoza flied out to center and Wills grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox rallied in the bottom of the fifth as Allenson was hit with a pitch to start. Hoffman sacrificed Gary to second and Allenson moved to third on the Miller grounder. Remy singled home Allenson to give the Sox the lead and Evans clubbed his third home run of the season to increase the lead. Yaz and Rice stroked back to back singles but Perez flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 3-0.

                                                          Evans hits his third

Naturally the Rangers struck back in the top of the sixth although Rivers grounded out to second to start. Oliver walked and moved to second on the Bell grounder. Grubb then pulverized a home run all the way to Rockport, Maine to cut the lead. Putnam struck out swinging to end the inning with the Rangers down 3-2.

                                                               Grubb inches the Rangers closer

Lansford flied out to right to start the bottom of the sixth and Allenson flied out to center. Hoffman walked but Miller flied out to left to end the inning.

Torrez recovered in the top of the seventh as Sundberg struck out swinging to start the top of the seventh. Sample grounded out to first and Mendoza grounded out to third to end the inning. The Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the seventh as Remy grounded back to the mound to start. Evans grounded out to second and Yaz grounded out to first to end the inning.

Wills grounded back to the mound to start the top of the eighth but Rivers grounded out to first. Oliver also grounded out to first to end the inning. The Sox got a big insurance run in the bottom of the eighth although Rice grounded back to the mound to begin. Perez lined out to center but Lansford singled up the middle. Lansford swiped second and scored on the Allenson base hit to increase the lead. Hoffman singled Gary to third to chase Medich. John Henry Johnson came in to pitch and Miller grounded out to short to end the inning with Boston ahead 4-2.

                                                         Allenson drives in a run

Torrez came back to finish the job in the top of the ninth and Bell grounded out to third to begin. Grubb flied out to left but Putnam and Sundberg stroked back to back singles to put the tying runs on. Dan Duran pinch hit for Sample and grounded out to second to end the game. The Sox had won it 4-2.

Hero of the Night is Mike Torrez. He tossed a complete game 7 hitter while allowing just 2 runs to get the win.

                                                            Torrez the Hero

The Good:

Jerry Remy was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.

Dwight Evans was 2 for 4 with a 2 run home run.

Carney Lansford was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Gary Allenson was 1 for 3 with a hit by pitch, rbi and run scored.

Glenn Hoffman was 1 for 2 with a walk.

The Bad:

Tony Perez was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Rick Miller was 0 for 4.

The Ugly:

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 4.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4.

Final Thoughts:

Wasn't much offense but it was better than Saturday. Right now its the bottom of the order getting it done with Allenson and Lansford doing just as much, if not more than Rice, Perez, Yaz and Evans. Still it doesn't matter where it comes from as long as it leads to the victory. Torrez looked much better today than in his first start and Bob Stanley got a much needed rest. Mark Clear must be playing cards in the bullpen to pass the time with Tanana and Torrez tossing complete games a few days apart. The scary part for the rest of the league is once Rice, Perez, Yaz and Remy start hitting, that spells trouble for them. As usual its the pitching that's going to decide the season but if Tanana can be the difference maker, they may have a shot this season. The Sox are back in action tomorrow against the Rangers when they send John Tudor out to make his season debut opposite old friend Fergie Jenkins. The game begins at 2 PM at Fenway Park.

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

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

                                                    Calvin Jarrett approves of the win

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

                                                          Rudi drives in a run

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

                                            Take THAT Sullivan & Yawkey

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

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

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

                                                               Way to go Allenson

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

                                                            Not Steve's best stuff

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

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

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

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

                                                 Burgmeier appreciates the effort from Rice

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

                                                      2 run single for Hoffman

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

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

                                                        Hero Allenson

The Good:

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

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

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

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

Bob Stanley got the win by pitching 4 shutout innings.

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

The Bad:

Reid Nichols was 0 for 1 before being lifted.

Rick Miller was 0 for 3.

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

The Ugly:

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

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

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

Final Thoughts:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

                                                      Fisk does it again for the White Sox

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

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

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

                                                              Allenson scores a run

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

                                                           Frank deserved better

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

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

                                                          Jackass Perez

The Good:

Dwight Evans was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Carney Lansford walked twice in four plate appearances.

Gary Allenson was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Joe Rudi doubled as a pinch hitter.

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

The Bad:

Glenn Hoffman was 0 for 2 with an error.

Gary Hancock was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

The Ugly:

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

Carl Yastrzemski was just 1 for 4.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4.

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

Honorable Mention:

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

Final Thoughts:

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

Red Sox Beat Up White Sox (4/17/81)

It looks like the Boston Red Sox offense is finally about to heat up. After putting seven runs on the board against the Baltimore Orioles, the Sox managed to plate eight of them in today's game against the Chicago White Sox. Dennis Eckersley (1-0, 3.75 ERA) was painfully average in today's start by allowing 3 runs in just 5 innings. Mark Clear wasn't much better in relief but the offense was the story today. Rick Miller drove in three runs, Carney Lansford cracked his first home run of the year and Gary Allenson drove in two runs of his own. The offense pounded out 14 hits and 8 runs as the Red Sox beat the White Sox 8-5 at Commiskey Park.

                                                         Joe Dobson approves of the win

Richard Dotson got the start for the White Sox and Jerry Remy led off the top of the first by grounding out to second to start. Dwight Evans struck out but Carl Yastrzemski walked. Jim Rice flied out to right to end the inning. Eck got the ball in the bottom of the first and Ron LeFlore led off with a grounder to short. Mike Squires popped up to short and old friend Carlton Fisk doubled to left. Greg Luzinski hit one up the elevator shaft to end the inning.

The BoSox struck first in the top of the second as Tony Perez walked to start. Carney Lansford smashed his first home run of the year to give the BoSox the lead. Glenn Hoffman grounded back to the mound but Gary Allenson doubled to left. Rick Miller singled Allenson home to increase the lead. Remy banged into a double play to end the inning but it was 3-0 Sox.

                                                             Lansford hits one out

Eck cruised in the bottom of the second as Chet Lemon popped up to first to start. Harold Baines grounded out to first and Jim Morrison grounded out to third to end the inning.

Evans flied out to center to start the top of the third before Yaz grounded out to second. Rice flied out to center to end the inning. The White Sox struck back in the bottom of the third as Tony Bernazard doubled to right to start. Bob Almon singled Tony to third and he scored on the LeFlore hit to left. LeFlore came up lame and Rusty Kuntz pinch ran for him. Squires scored Almon with a sac fly but Fisk hit one up the elevator shaft. Luzinski took strike three to end the inning but the lead was trimmed 3-2.

                                                             Bye bye LeFlore

The BoSox struck again in the top of the fourth as Perez grounded out to third to start. Lansford singled to center and Hoffman reached on an error by Squires. The runners moved over on the grounder by Allenson and Miller singled home both runners to increase the lead. Fransisco Barrios came in for Dotson and Miller swiped second. Remy grounded back to the mound to end the inning with Boston ahead 5-2.

                                                            Hoffman scores a run

Lemon singled to start the bottom of the fourth but Baines grounded into a double play. Morrison grounded out to third to end the inning.

The BoSox threatened in the top of the fifth although Evans took strike three to start. Yaz popped up to short but Rice and Perez hit back to back singles. Lansford struck out to end the inning. The White Sox got a run back instantly in the bottom of the fifth as Bernazard hit a home run all the way to Ottawa, Canada to cut the lead. Almon popped up to first and Kuntz took strike three, but Squires doubled to left. Fisk popped up to first in foul territory to end the inning with the White Sox down 5-3. That was it for Eckersley who has seen better days, going just 5 innings while allowing 3 runs.

                                                      Not Eck's best stuff

Hoffman grounded out to short to begin the top of the sixth but Allenson and Miller stoked back to back base hits. Remy lined out to center and Evans flied out to center to end the inning. Mark Clear came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Luzinski singled to right to start. Lemon walked and Baines singled to right to load the bases with nobody out. Clear got Morrison to hit a bullet to Lansford who tagged the bag to force Lemon then fired home get Luzinski at home for the double play. Bernazard grounded out to first to end the inning.

Ed Farmer came in to pitch the top of the seventh and the Red Sox tagged him too. Yaz and Rice drew back to back walks and Perez singled home Carl to increase the lead. Lansford singled to center to load the bases but Hoffman popped up to second. Allenson doubled home Rice and Perez to ice the game. Kevin Hickey relieved Farmer and Miller flied out to center. Remy also flied out to center to end the inning with the BoSox ahead 8-3.

                                                              Allenson drives in a pair

Almon singled to center to start the bottom of the seventh and swiped second. Kuntz struck out, Squires popped up to short and Fisk popped up to third in foul territory to end the inning.

The BoSox went quietly in the top of the eighth as Evans flied out to right to start. Yaz grounded out to first and Rice grounded out to short to end the inning. All of a sudden the ChiSox got home run crazy in the bottom of the eighth. Luzinski hit a home run all the way to Sri Lanka and Miller had to climb the wall to rob Lemon of a home run. Baines then hit a home run all the way to Mongolia to chase Clear. Tom Burgmeier came in and got Morrison to ground out to short and Bernazard fouled off a bunt for strike three to end the inning with the ChiSox down 8-5.

                                                     Keep the ball in the yard, will ya?

Dennis Lamp took the mound for the top of the ninth and Perez grounded back to the mound to start. Lansford and Hoffman stroked back to back singles but Allenson banged into a double play to end the inning. Burgmeier returned for the bottom of the ninth and Almon hit a routine grounder to Hoffman to start. Glenn dove on the ball like a grenade for an error and Wayne Nordhagen pinch hit for Kuntz. Nordhagen banged into a double play and Lamar Johnson pinch hit for Squires. Johnson grounded out to second to end the game. The Red Sox had won it 8-5.

Hero of the Night is Rick Miller. He was 3 for 4 with a stolen base and 3 total rbis.

                                                   Miller The Hero

The Good:

Tony Perez was 2 for 4 with a walk, rbi and 2 runs scored.

Carney Lansford was 4 for 5 with a 2 run homer and 2 total runs scored.

Gary Allenson was 3 for 5 with 2 rbis and a run scored.

Tom Burgmeier tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Jerry Remy was 0 for 5.

Dwight Evans was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Mark Clear allowed 2 home runs in 2 1/3 innings.

The Ugly:

Carl Yastrzemski was 0 for 3 but walked twice and scored a run.

Jim Rice was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored a run.

Glenn Hoffman was just 1 for 5 with an error but scored a run.

Dennis Eckersley lasted just 5 innings and allowed 3 runs.

Final Thoughts:

If this is what the offense is projected to be the whole season, they're in very good hands. Of course they have to stay healthy which is a problem for some of them. If only they didn't lose Carlton Fisk because 1-6 is as good as anyone and Fisk would make 7. Although Gary Allenson had a good game tonight that was badly needed. The top four hitters was just 1 for 17 at the plate and it was the bottom of the order that got it done this time. Every now and then you're going to need the light hitting players to step up and this was one of them. It remains to be seen how long the offense can last without Fisk and Fred Lynn but so far so good. Eckersley was perfectly mediocre and Clear was looking fine until the home runs. The BoSox look to make it two in a row over the White Sox when they send Frank Tanana to the mound up against Steve Trout of Chicago tomorrow afternoon. The game begins at 2:15 PM Eastern time at Commiskey Park.