|
THE CURSE OF
THE BAMBINO, PART 9
"IT AIN'T OVER 'TIL IT'S OVER"...
Jim Rice's grand slam
helps Clemens win #21
September 5, 1986
... The Red Sox came to life for a 12-2 victory over the
Minnesota Twins before 30,546 at Fenway Park. Roger Clemens has been an
inspiration all year long, and thus no one was surprised when the Red Sox came
from behind for the fifth straight time, running their winning streak to six
games.
With Clemens becoming the
first Boston pitcher since Luis Tiant (1976) to win
21 games, the Sox were able to push their lead in
the American League East to 5 1/2 games. But
Clemens was only a featured character in what is
becoming a hit show. Boston had 11 hits, including
home runs by Jim Rice, Marty Barrett and Bill
Buckner. Rice's drive in the third inning was a
grand slam, the fifth of his career. It capped a
five-run inning which obliterated Minnesota's 1-0
lead.
Everybody had fun except the Twins and their starter, Frank
Viola. A three game-winning streak ended after Rice's blast. Boston leads the
series, 8-2.
The Red Sox have scored 166 runs in Clemens' 28 starts, an
average of 5.9. In his 21 victories, they have outscored opponents, 147-52.
Imagine what Tiant's record would have been in 1976 with that kind of support.
Rice went out and showed the old right-field stroke that
was so common in the late '70s. Walks to Wade Boggs and Barrett put Viola in a
hole in the third inning. Buckner followed with a double-play ball that
shortstop Greg Gagne muffed, loading the bases. That was the mistake of the
night. Rice drilled Viola's first offering into the Red Sox bullpen for his
fifth career grand slam. It was his 15th homer of the year and first grand slam
since July 4, l984. Don Baylor followed with a double and Dwight Evans, back in
the lineup after missing five games, walked. Tony Armas scored Baylor with a
single, the Sox led, 5-1, and the verdict was sealed.
Barrett's home run came off Ray Fontenot in the fifth. It
was his fourth home run, all off lefthanders and all at Fenway Park. Buckner hit
a two-run shot in the eighth. Minnesota contributed seven walks to the carnage.
The Twins did a few good things. Kirby Puckett had two hits
to move ahead of Boggs, .350 to .349 in the AL batting race. Puckett also became
the first major leaguer to reach the 200-hit plateau this year. Kent Hrbek
blasted his 28th home run of the year off Steve Crawford in the eighth inning.
But other than that, the night belonged to Clemens and the Red Sox who are 26
games over .500.
Of the six Red Sox grand slams this year, five have been
hit in games in which Clemens has started. Rice knocked in five runs and raised
his average to .326. |
