April 20, 1985: Boston Red Sox (7-3) @ Chicago White Sox (3-5)
A top of the rotation clash tonight between Bruce Hurst and Tom Seaver, meaning runs should be at a premium you’d have to think. Tom, of course, got the win over Bruce at Fenway earlier in the week. We’ll see if we can repay the favour here tonight.
Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game
Game Recap
Things start positively enough as we tag Tommy for two in the top 1st on back-to-back solo jacks by Boggsy and Dewey. Wade told me last year that the only time he ever goes up looking to hit one out is if the bases are empty, and he must have got his pitch here tonight.
I lead off the 2nd and get aboard when Julio Cruz boots one that had me beat easy, but I don’t even advance a base as the next three all fly out harmlessly. Bruce looks sharp and we give him two more to use as he pleases in the 3rd on another longball, this time by Jim Rice. The inning ends with Mike Easler stuck at third when I ground out to first.
Seems we’ve got Tommy’s measure tonight as he serves up yet another 2-run gopher to Mike Easler in the next after their second error of the game had put Jim Ed aboard. That does it for Mr Seaver, and his replacement Joel Davis gets me to close another frame with a weak popout to 1B on one that completely fools me.
The wind is blowing out tonight and boy are we making the most of it as Geds bombs out another one to lead off the 6th and then Tony Armas also goes solo deep in the one after that to put us up by eight. My poor game continues as I hit a line drive straight to their CF Luis Salazar to end the 7th.
The rout is complete when Dewey wallops a slam to make it 12-0 after eight, with Bruce working a lovely one-hitter. They add a second hit in the 8th but our bats are sizzling tonight as Armas puts yet another one in the seats and Bruce eventually has to settle for a 3-hit shutout win.
Looks like the boys mean business this year.
Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day
The Real Deal
- MLB Debuts: Vince Coleman
- Daily Notes: On this day in 1912, after three rainouts have delayed its opening, the first-ever game is played at Fenway Park. Boston needs 11 to see off the Yankees (still the Highlanders at this point) 7-6, with Tris Speaker knocking in the winning run.
- Pittsburgh trades cult hero and fan favourite Kent Tekulve to the Phillies for Al Holland, who later in the year will form part of a huge swap between the Pirates and the Angels that also involves John Candelaria and George Hendrick.