Anatomy of a Season

[luckymann]

June 28, 1985: Baltimore Orioles (36-32) @ Boston Red Sox (39-31)

The backbone of the 1985 season starts here with this long and unbroken run of games. Seasons come and seasons go, and in some of them you feel like your W-L record undersells you, in others that it flatters you. We are definitely in the latter camp as we head into the midpoint of this one. While our offence has been solid, our pitching inconsistency and lack of true depth is a huge concern for us. We’ve also had a tough run of injuries, with Tony Armas the latest one to get hurt, and we’ll have to do without him for another month or so. Still, we shall soldier on. It’s all we know how to do.

That begins with a three-game homestand before we head off again as the Orioles come to Fenway for the first time this year. A tough one to get us underway as Bruce Hurst and Storm Davis do battle on a blustery Friday night in front of a big crowd.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

We get on the board immediately, with 3 runs on 3 hits in the 1st, but they tie it up a couple of innings later as Hurst gets the wobbles and gives up a 2-run shot to Lee Lacy, then go ahead with another run in the top 4th.

Hurst’s night ends as he gets into more trouble in the next and add 2 more to their lead but we get him off the hook with a 3-run surge in the home half of that one, including my 2nd RBI of the game despite not having been on base.

Jim Rice gives us the lead again in the next with a 2-run double and we get a buffer run in the 8th on a single by Steve Lyons. Bruce Kison has stemmed the flow and Bob Stanley closes it out for his 6th save of the season. Kudos to our boys for never giving up—but this pitching… yikes.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

The Real Deal

(click link for BBRef boxscore)

• MLB Debuts: NIL
• Daily Notes: On this day in 1984, Dwight Evans hits a three-run home run in the bottom of the 11th inning to complete the cycle and give Boston a 9-6 win over Seattle.

[luckymann]

June 29, 1985: Baltimore Orioles (36-33) @ Boston Red Sox (40-31)

A battle of the Dennises tonight with Oil Can Boyd facing El Presidente Martinez. I’ve only faced their guy a couple times, grounding out once and reaching on catcher’s interference in a game at their house last year, but our scouting department sees him as a much more dangerous pitcher than his 1-9 / 6.70 stats this season would have you believe. We certainly won’t be taking him lightly here in this one.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

They get busy early with a run in the 1st and another in the 3rd as Can struggles to find his rhythm and our bats stay ominously quiet, not registering a hit until the 4th.

We finally get something going in the 5th, and when Dewey Evans bombs one out with two on (including myself after I lead off with a single), we have the lead.

Only until the 7th, however, as they chase Boyd with 3 runs on 4 hits to go back in front, 5-3.

A solo jack by Marty Barrett in the home half of that one halves the deficit and then we wrest control back with a big 8th and I’m happy to say I feature prominently with a slam over the Triangle to make it 8-5, before Barrett adds another one for good measure with an RBI single.

That sees them off as Kison closes it out without incident. My performance earns me PotG honours, but I’m just happy to contribute in what was another gritty team performance.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

• A day of contrasts around the league as Toronto (15-8 at Detroit), KC (11-5 v the Halos) and the Tribe (14-1 at the Ms) all have big wins, while Dick Ruthven of the Cubs and Cincy's Mario Soto earn shutout victories against the Buccos and Friars, respectively.

The Real Deal

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• MLB Debuts: NIL
• Daily Notes: On this day in 1950, the Red Sox overpower the A's 22-14 in what looks more like a football score. It is the third time this month they have scored 20 or more runs, and the 36 combined runs establish an AL mark. Pitchers give up 21 walks in the debacle but only one home run is hit - by Ted Williams. The previous record of 35 runs was set by the same two clubs in 1901: Boston 23, A's 12. The major league mark is 49 by the Cubs and Phillies on August 25, 1922.

[luckymann]

June 30, 1985: Baltimore Orioles (36-34) @ Boston Red Sox (41-31)

We close out June with our final game at Fenway for some time before heading off on a lengthy westward swing. Bob Ojeda is back on the hill for the first time since copping that shellacking from the Tigers at the start of this week, and he’ll need to improve markedly up against Mike Boddicker, who is usually a handful as he showed earlier this month when he kept us very quiet indeed.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

Bob certainly does bounce back, only problem being Boddicker matches him zero for zero thru six with only 5 hits combined to that point.

Worse is to follow when Fritzie Connally breaks the scoreless deadlock in the 7th with a 2-run bomb, although we respond immediately with a leadoff jack to Jim Rice.

Bob flags a bit, however, and they get that run back in the 8th – chasing him in the process. Boddicker turns it over to Don Aase, who duly converts the save for a 3-1 final. Far from the ideal sendoff for the locals.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

The Real Deal

(click link for BBRef boxscore)

• MLB Debuts: John Cangelosi
• Daily Notes: IRL, Pedro Guerrero delivers a two-run home run off Bruce Sutter in his final at bat of the month to give him 15 in June to tie the major league record. In-game, while he has composed them differently (9-6-3 in the three months of the season to date), he only trails that IRL total by one.

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

Batter

American League

IRL: Rickey Henderson (NYY)

National League

IRL: Pedro Guerrero (LAD)

Pitcher

American League

IRL: Jay Howell (OAK)

National League

IRL: John Tudor (STL)

Rookie (not given IRL)

American League

National League

[luckymann]

IRL Standings on this Day

[luckymann]

July 1, 1985: Boston Red Sox (41-32) @ Milwaukee Brewers (28-42)

A rare start for Mike Trujillo as we commence our wanderings with three against the Brew Crew in Milwaukee. Pete Vuckovich up for them, a fellow with whom I have quite the history dating back to 1978, although we haven’t faced each other since 1980. I’ve had my share of success against him as well, going 11-for-29 (.379) with a couple homers and 4 ribbies. I’ll gladly take some of that action tonight. Feels a bit strange going from a packed and parochial Fenway crowd to a sparsely-populated and fairly hostile Milwaukee County Stadium.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

I knock us in an early one with a 1st-inning RBI single and Jim Ed extends our lead a couple frames later with a 2-run big fly. Steve Lyons, who has really been making an impact since his call-up, makes it 5-0 in the 4th with a 2-run double into the gap in left-centre, although they do get on the board with a run in the home half of that one.

Still, we keep the score ticking over with one on a Marty Barrett sac fly in the next and 2 more in the 7th on a Dewey Evans homer.

Trujillo gasses a little bit toward the end and Al Nipper has to come in for the 9th to finish it off, but we still walk away with a comfortable 10-3 win.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

The Real Deal

(click link for BBRef boxscore)

• MLB Debuts: Floyd Youmans
• Daily Notes: On this day in 1920, Walter Johnson pitches his first career no-hitter, against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. An error by Bucky Harris costs him a perfect game, but he also drives in Washington's only run.

[luckymann]

July 2, 1985: Boston Red Sox (42-32) @ Milwaukee Brewers (28-43)

Southpaw wars today as we continue our series at Milwaukee, with Bruce Hurst and Teddy Higuera squaring off. Higuera kept us pretty quiet in a 5-3 win earlier this year, so we’ll be looking for more fight than that from our bats in this one. A blowy old night with the threat of rain.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

Both pitchers start strongly and it isn’t until the 3rd that they open the scoring as we help them do so with an error.

Once again, Higuera has a mastery over us as we can only manage 3 hits thru 6, and they take control of the game with a 4-run burst in the bottom of that frame, a 3-run bomb by Cecil Cooper off Rob Woodward doing most of the damage.

Bruce Kison is in the game by this stage and concedes another pair of runs in the next and again in the 8th as we take a proper beatdown in a 9-0 embarrassment. Higuera finishes with a sparkling 4-hitter, fanning 5; I finish with the collar.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

• Six one-run games and four shutouts today.

The Real Deal

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Yes, another incorrectly-assigned start; it has been reported.

• MLB Debuts: NIL
• Daily Notes: IRL, Astros hurler Joe Niekro notches his 200th career victory, placing he and his brother Phil with Jim & Gaylord Perry as the only brothers to each win at least 200 games.

[luckymann]

July 3, 1985: Boston Red Sox (42-33) @ Milwaukee Brewers (29-43)

Hoping to repeat my success of a couple weeks ago against Danny Darwin here as we bid farewell to Milwaukee until next time and continue our trek to the Pacific. Bruce Hurst with the job for us.

After thinking on it some, I decided not to bring Rocket off the IL just for this start, which seems to be what happened IRL, instead just suspending belief and resetting Hurst's fatigue. I just didn't know if it was going to mess things up longer-term in the save. The bug has been reported and, apparently, fixed.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

The pitchers are in near-complete control in the early going, with just four hits combined over the same number of innings, before Boggs breaks the drought with a solo shot and then they respond immediately in the bottom 5th to restore equilibrium.

We get our noses back in front via a 2-run jack by Jim Rice in the 8th but Bob Stanley blows the save to send us into spares tied at 3.

That doesn’t hold long as they win it in the 10th with a bases-loaded walk by Mark Clear to Ernie Riles. Another bullpen loss – they sure are racking them up and it’ll cost us in the end, no doubt.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

The Real Deal

(click link for BBRef boxscore)

• MLB Debuts: Al Pardo
• Daily Notes: On this day in 1947, Leon Culberson hits for the cycle in a 12-4 Red Sox win over the Indians. It is a natural cycle (in the order single, double, triple and homer), and he is not only the most recent Red Sox rookie to have accomplished the feat, but also the last player to include an inside-the-park homer.

[luckymann]

July 4, 1985: Boston Red Sox (42-34) @ California Angels (29-43)

We spend the nation’s birthday in the house of one of its youngest children, as we play the first of three at the Angels. They’ve got promising rookie Urbano Lugo up on the hill tonight, the first time I’ll be facing him, with Oil Can Boyd going for us. The wind is up and there’s a suitably festive atmosphere here in Anaheim. Let’s give them a good show, then, shall we?

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

I get us off to a positive start with a 2-run homer in the top 1st, one that dropped right into my wheelhouse that I really gave it to. Then Can has early troubles of his own and they tie it straight back up.

Carew and Sconiers look well up for it today and combine in the 3rd to give them the 3-2 lead, only for Geds to lead off the 4th with a jack. Then those two are at it again as Rod walks and Daryl doubles two in and that is it for Mr Boyd. We’ve got some work to do here.

Things go quiet until Mike Easler halves the deficit with another solo homer in the 8th, but that’s as close as we get as they hang on for a 5-4 win.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

The Real Deal

(click link for BBRef boxscore)

• MLB Debuts: NIL
• Daily Notes: On this day in 1948, Ted Williams becomes the first hitter in AL history to face three pitchers in an inning, as Boston posts a record 14 runs in the 7th to beat the A's 20-8. Williams, who makes the final out in the inning, and Bobby Doerr, tie records by drawing two walks apiece. Five years later they will do even better with 17 in one inning.

[luckymann]

July 5, 1985: Boston Red Sox (42-35) @ California Angels (30-43)

Looking to snip our losing streak at three here today with another game against the Angels. Bob Ojeda on for us as we take on Ron Romanick, who kept me hitless and witless in 7 AB across two meetings last year. I do remember feeling cheated a couple times on flyballs I really got a good lick on but that a strong inward blow kept in the park. Similar conditions here in Anaheim tonight, though not quite as windy, and a really nice crowd in attendance for a bit of Friday night under lights in the City of Angels.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

Solo shots to our first two batters Dewey Evans and Wade Boogs give us an early lead as once again I just miss hitting one right on the button. It’s déjà-vu all over again as they erase those straight off with two of their own in the home 1st.

Just like yesterday, the middle innings are quiet with the pitchers in control and no change to the scoreline.

In the 7th, however, the story changes as we go ballistic with 7 runs. We do it mainly with patience, as Romanick’s control utterly deserts him and goes off the beaten track with 4 walks issued and a 2-run single conceded to Jim Rice before he gets the hook. We keep at it with his replacement, Luis Sanchez, with 4 more coming in to put us well in command.

It finishes 9-3. Just what the doctor ordered, even if I do get another collar for my growing collection. As I’ve said before and undoubtedly will again, that’s a trade I’ll always take. Well, maybe not always…

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

The Real Deal

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• MLB Debuts: Tom McCarthy
• Daily Notes: On this day in 1921, the Red Sox establish an AL record by losing four consecutive doubleheaders from June 29th with no other contests between the eight losses.

[luckymann]

July 6, 1985: Boston Red Sox (43-35) @ California Angels (34-44)

Our next game here in Anaheim sees the unbeaten Mike Trujillo facing up against righty Jim Slaton. We didn’t do much with the bat when we faced Jim earlier in the season at Fenway, let’s see if we can on this beautiful Saturday afternoon in California. 80 degrees with a nice cross breeze and 30-thousand-plus in attendance – doesn’t get much better than that.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

We fall behind early as the put one in the frame in the 1st, then add a second in the 4th as we once again struggle to get anywhere with Slaton.

We finally get something going in the 5th, however, posting a 4 spot to take the lead as we rap out six hits, including a single to Billy Buck.

The onslaught continues in the next as we chase Slaton with 5 more, 3 on Jim Rice’s 21st big fly for the year, which in fact comes off reliever Pat Clements.

They regroup and rebound with 3 in the home half to make it 9-5 and end Trujillo’s afternoon, then edge closer again with another run in the 8th, but we hold on and close out a far-from-convincing win.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

The Real Deal

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• MLB Debuts: Scotti Madison
• Daily Notes: NIL

[luckymann]

July 7, 1985: Boston Red Sox (44-35) @ California Angels (34-45)

Our final game for now here in Anaheim this afternoon, and righty Jim Dorsey has been called up for a rare spot start – just the 5th of his career, in fact – against Kirk McCaskill. All due respect to Jim, as his career ERA of about 10 attests, we might need a few runs in this one.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

Ha! That’ll learn me for shootin’ off my big mouth as the pitchers dominate and the game stays scoreless thru 5 with only a handful even getting aboard.

Jim exits the game after 4 of those frames and the Halos go ahead with one in the 6th off Rob Woodward.

A Marty Barrett triple in the next is integral to us leapfrogging them, driving in one and then allowing Marty to score the other on a Dewey Evans sac fly, but then Woodward gives them straight back and we fall behind once more.

My second single of the night gets us back on even terms in the 8th, then Mike Easler bombs one out to put us ahead 5-3. We get an insurance run in the 9th as old Billy Buck gets another knock and drives one in, and hang on for a hard-fought 6-3 final. My three-hit showing earns me the PotG honours.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

The Real Deal

(click link for BBRef boxscore)

• MLB Debuts: Dennis Powell
• Daily Notes: IRL, Floyd Youmans - ticketed for the minors after the game to make way for Bill Gullickson coming off the IL - pitches the last three innings to get his first major league win as the Expos outlast the Astros 6-3 in 19 innings. In this save, les Expos are currently in the middle of an 8-game skid.

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

July 8, 1985: Boston Red Sox (45-35) @ Oakland Athletics (48-32)

We usher in the exact midpoint of the season with the first of three against Oakland at the Coliseum. They have continued their upward trajectory so far this season and hold a narrow lead in the AL West. I’m sure both clubs will be hoping this is a preview of the ALCS in a few months’ time, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Chris Codiroli up for them tonight and Bruce Hurst is going for us. Should be a good one.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

We put two on the board in the 3rd when Marty Barrett leads off with a jack and then I drive Jim Rice in with a two-bagger that nearly got me all four.

Hurst looks sharp but runs into a spot of bother in the 5th and they halve the deficit on a walk and a couple hits. They tie it at 2 in the 7th on a leadoff shot by Mike Heath as Codiroli is keeping our hitters off balance and off-base.

A Dusty Baker 2-run shot chases Bruce in the 8th and we have no response, taking a 4-2 loss in a pretty uninspired performance.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

The Real Deal

(click link for BBRef boxscore)

• MLB Debuts: Mark Knudson
• Daily Notes: On this day in 1956, Ted Williams becomes the 12th player to reach 1500 career runs batted in.

[luckymann]

July 9, 1985: Boston Red Sox (45-36) @ Oakland Athletics (49-32)

The second half of season 1985 begins with another game in Oakland against the A’s. Oil Can Boyd back on for us against rookie Tim Birtsas, who at 5-4 / 3.99 has begun his MLB career confidently indeed. The All-Star Break is not far off and we should get a few of our guys named to the AL squad when the announcement is made in a few days’ time. A gusty breeze in play tonight that should help the hitters.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

Can gets in a spot of early bother, giving up a triple and a single to the first two he faces and allowing them to take a 1-0 lead.

Our bats once again stay quiet as that scoreline holds until they add two more in the 7th on a Bruce Bochte homer. We finally get on the board with a run in the 8th but manage just 5 hits and go down again in another really flat showing that wastes a solid CG outing from Boyd.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

• A highly competitive day indeed, with 9 of the 13 games decided by 2 runs or less.

The Real Deal

(click link for BBRef boxscore)

• MLB Debuts: NIL
• Daily Notes: NIL
• Transactions of Interest: The Blue Jays trade 1B-OF Len Matuszek to the Dodgers for veteran Al Oliver, who joins his fifth club in the last three seasons.

[luckymann]

July 10, 1985: Boston Red Sox (45-37) @ Oakland Athletics (50-32)

That win yesterday made it six straight for the A’s and 50 all told to this point, so it’s fair to say they are in the zone right now. We need to perk up here tonight after two poor games with little by way of offence to speak of in either. It is lefty on lefty with Bobby Ojeda facing off against Bill Kreuger, who I have only faced once—going 0-for-2 with a HBP last season. After being dominated in this series, it would be nice to put a W under the belt as we head north to Seattle.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

We yet again fall behind early as Bob gives up a run in the 2nd and then 3 more in the 4th, with our batting funk plumbing new depths as we are still looking for our first hit.

The no-no is still on the go-go when they go even further ahead with another run in the 6th, ending Ojeda’s night, but we finally get action in both the H and R columns with 2 on 2 in the 7th.

Easler gives us some hope in the 9th with a 2-run blast to make it 5-4 and take a bit of the shine off a fine outing by Kreuger, but this poor series for us ends appropriately in a deserved sweep loss, with that the final scoreline to leave us at 2-7 against the A's this year and just a half-game ahead of the Tribe in the standings now.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

• This is the second time within a week that the simmed scoreline matches the historical for Boston's game, after the 4-5 Final @ California on July 4.
• We do get a no-no today after all (see below).

The Real Deal

(click link for BBRef boxscore)

• MLB Debuts: NIL
• Daily Notes: NIL
• Transactions of Interest: The Astros trade Enos Cabell to the Dodgers for a player to be named later and Rafael Montalvo. The Dodgers send German Rivera on July 15 to complete the trade.

Kurt Kepshire No-Hitter

In the corresponding IRL game, Kurt got the win, albeit in rather less convincing fashion. He only spent three seasons in the bigs and never achieved this feat.

[luckymann]

July 11, 1985: Boston Red Sox (45-38) @ Seattle Mariners (44-39)

Back up to the lovely Puget region for four against the M’s to round off this long string of games and usher in the All-Star Break. The opener sees Al Nipper up for us against highly-touted rookie Bill Swift, 2-3 in his debut season so far. This recent regression of ours is almost entirely the responsible of the offence and it is up to us to turn this thing around starting tonight.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

Certainly no sign of improvement from our bats in the early innings as we muster just 5 hits before falling behind again on a run in the home 5th.

We haven’t added to that total by the 8th, when they tack on an insurance run, and don’t improve on it in the 9th, either, to lose our 4th straight and fall out of top spot for the first time in some time.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

• The BoSox loss is just one of 4 shutouts on the day.

The Real Deal

(click link for BBRef boxscore)

• MLB Debuts: NIL
• Daily Notes: On this day in 1914, Babe Ruth makes his MLB debut for the Red Sox, fanning in his first AB but pitching a 4-3 win over Cleveland. IRL, Nolan Ryan becomes the first pitcher to record 4,000 strikeouts, fanning Danny Heep in the 6th inning of Houston's 4-3 win over the Mets.
• Transactions of Interest: The Red Sox trade Reid Nichols to the Chicago White Sox for pitcher Tim Lollar.

[luckymann]

July 12, 1985: Boston Red Sox (45-39) @ Seattle Mariners (45-39)

Not panic stations by any means but we did sit down for a team meeting among the starters last night just to go over a few things. It seems odd that it is the offence giving us the grief, but that also is the area we feel is more easily rectified. It was a positive meeting in which our basics were reinforced and we go into tonight’s game quietly confident of turning things around. It helps that Bruce Kison is taking on Mike Moore, against whom we have 2 wins from 2 games so far this season.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

A solo shot by Phil Bradley in the bottom 1st opens the scoring in this one as our sluggish bats persist.

With just our 4th hit of the game, however, we do tie it up in the 6th on a Mike Easler single, then add 2 more in the 8th to take the lead in the shadows of the post.

Kison, sharp all night, is magnificent over 8 on an even 100 pitches and Steve Crawford gives us a clear 9th for his 10th save of the year and a much-needed win for the boys.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

The Real Deal

(click link for BBRef boxscore)

• MLB Debuts: Steve Lombardozzi
• Daily Notes: NIL

[luckymann]

July 13, 1985: Boston Red Sox (46-39) @ Seattle Mariners (45-40)

Palpable relief over that hard-fought victory but we need to consolidate and keep it going here or it was all for nought. Just this and one more tomorrow before a well-earned spell. Tonight’s game sees Bruce Hurst take on fellow southpaw Matt Young, against whom I’ve gone 0-for-3 in our sole meeting last season.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

A couple singles and a groundout to yours truly get us one in the 1st but Al Cowens puts one in the seats in the home half to lock it back up.

Almost a mirror-image in the 3rd with an error replacing one of the hits and Billy Buck procuring another ribbie with a groundout, then Mike Easler gets us 3-1 ahead in the 6th with a leadoff jack.

Gorman Thomas gets them back within one with a big leadoff homer in the 8th and we pay the price late yet again as they walk it off with a deuce in the 9th. Man, it is tough going right now – that break can’t come quick enough, I reckon.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

The Real Deal

(click link for BBRef boxscore)

• MLB Debuts: Bob Buchanan
• Daily Notes: On this day in 1922, just 68 fans - the smallest crowd in Fenway Park history - watch the Browns' Herman Pillette shut out the Red Sox 2-0.