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Billy Conigliaro slams a walk-off homer August 16, 1971 ... Tonight Billy Conigliaro hit a three run homer in the ninth inning, to give the Red Sox 6 to 5 win over the California Angels. The Sox, who had lost seven straight games, were down by two runs going into the ninth. Rudy May was on the mound and the first two to face him, Rico Petrocelli and George Scott had singled. Conigliaro, who had been in the doghouse for some time for his series of pop-offs against his teammates, was at the plate. He hadn't hit a homerun since June 9th, and had only knocked in one run since June 23rd. This time however, after three straight balls, two strikes and a couple of fouls, Billy lined a home run into the net into the left field and had his first chance to be greeted happily by his teammates in a long time. Sonny Seibert started the game and was opposed by Tom Murphy. Sonny had done very well, giving up only one run, when the Angels scored in the fifth inning on Ken Berry's bunt down the third base line, which Rico could not handle. Jim Spencer had singled to center to open the inning. He moved ahead on two infield outs. Berry hit the bunt between third and the pitchers mound, that Sonny couldn't get to on time, and Petrocelli tried to make the barehanded catch and throw, but the ball rolled up his right arm. Murphy was pitching a one-hitter for the first six innings, and that run was getting larger and larger, until the seventh, when the drowsy Red Sox finally put together a little power. Joel Lahoud open the inning and almost got decked. Once he got up, Joe put everything together and lined a long drive to right for a home run. Mickey Rivers took off and dove into the seats close to the Angels bullpen, but he couldn't come up with the ball and the game was tied. The fans hardly stopped cheering, when Murphy gave up a walk to Carl Yastrzemski. Petrocelli moved Yaz along with a sacrifice. George Scott then connected with a Murphy fastball and sent it into the nets, putting the Sox up top, 3 to 1. Luis Aparicio, having a hard time at shortstop, messed up Sandy Alomar's ground ball to open the eighth-inning. River singled to right and moved Alomar to third. Tony Gonzales also singled to right, and sent Rivers to third and scored Alomar. Manager Eddie Kasko then came out to get Seibert. In came Bob Bolin, who proceeded to walk Ken McMullen and load the bases. Next, Sparky Lyle ame in to pitch to Jim Spencer. But up came right-handed pinch-hitter Billy Cowan, who took Lyle's first pitch into left field, scoring Rivers and tying up the game. Up next was Jim Fregosi and Lyle sailed a wild pitch past him, that scored the go-ahead run, 4 to 3. May got through the eighth easily on two infield grounders and a long fly to center by Yaz. The Angels kept May in the game, long enough to face Conigliaro. Now if Billy and keep his rumblings to himself, he may do more playing, because he certainly looked good in this game. |
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