May 25, 1985: Boston Red Sox (22-18) @ Texas Rangers (23-17)
It looks to be a fairly even pitching matchup today, with Al Nipper taking on southpaw Mike Mason. Neither will overwhelm you with their stuff, yet both rarely give you much to hit and I always find generating your own speed off the lumber –
timing, essentially – to be one of the most challenging aspects of hitting. I’ve only faced Mason once to this point, which resulted in a harmless flyout last season in a game we won 5-4 here in Arlington. The wind’s blowing out and some rain wouldn’t surprise. Mac has me in at three for this one.
Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game
Game Recap
We fall behind on a solo shot in the 1st by Toby Harrah but Jim Rice returns fire in the next to tie it up again. Nipper then gets a touch of the shakes in the 3rd and they jump on him, adding a pair to make it 3-1. Yet again, Rice goes solo deep in the next to keep us close. Yet again, they out point us in the home half with two more solo homers.
Our bats come alive properly in the 5th. I knock one in with a single and then Tony Armas fives us the lead with a 3-run monster jam. We add yet another solo homer off reliever Jeff Russell in the next, coming off Mike Easler’s bat as the ball is really popping tonight.
Nipper finally gives way in the 7th, only for Mark Clear to immediately get into strife and they tie it at 7 with a deuce on 4 hits. In a wild old game, we then post a 3-spot in the top 8th on a bunch of hits and, despite giving up one in the 8th, eventually take it 10-8. 27 hits all up and 7 taters in this one, with the home fans leaving the park entertained but disappointed.
Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day
- Atlanta's Glenn Hubbard has 5 hits in a losing cause as the Braves drop their game with the Pirates 10-7.
- MLB Debuts: Brian Snyder, Bob Melvin
- Daily Notes: IRL one year ago today, the Red Sox traded Dennis Eckersley and Mike Brumley for Bill Buckner!