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DON DEMETER HRs |
THE CURSE OF THE BAMBINO, PART 6 ...
"THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM"
The Orioles rip the Red Sox in 9-run 7th inning
May
17, 1967 ... The Baltimore Orioles, with
almost everybody in the lineup getting into the act, slammed seven
home runs to embarrass the Red Sox 12 to 8, in one of the greatest
home run assaults in years. The Sox had three home runs themselves,
but the way the pitchers have been throwing gopher balls lately, it
was not enough. Paul Blair, Brooks Robinson and Frank Robinson all
hit bases empty home runs off starter Dennis Bennett in the first four innings.
They then landed on relief pitchers Galen Cisco and Bill Landis for nine runs in
the seventh inning, including four more homers.
On the Red Sox side, Carl Yastrzemski collected a pair of two-run homers and
Don Demeter hit a three run home run in the first inning. Yastrzemski's two home
runs gave him five in his last four games, the best streak of his career. With
the wind blowing straight out toward centerfield, Baltimore was much stronger.
The Sox went into the seventh inning leading 6 to 3 and came out trailing 12
to 6. Boob Powell singled and Dave Johnson walked. Andy Etchebarren homered to
tie the game at 6 to 6. Pinch-hitter Sam Bowen came to bat and on the first
pitch to him, lashed his first home run of the season, to give Baltimore the
lead. Mark Belanger then hit a double and that was it for Cisco.
When Dick Williams went out to the mound to take out his pitcher, all he
heard from the stands were boos. Bill Landis came in and surrendered four more
runs. He got two outs, only to have Frank Robinson double home Belanger. Brooks
Robinson was intentionally walked so Landis could pitch to lefty batter, Boog
Powell. Powell responded with a three run homer and Johnson followed him with
another homer.
George Scott continued his torrid batting streak with three more singles. He
has now hit safely in 14 of his last 15 games and raised his average up to .310.
Don Demeter, filling in for Tony Conigliaro, hit his home run off Jim Palmer in
the first inning.
Seven home runs in the game is just one shy of the all time record held by
the Yankees. And the 10 home runs between the two teams was also just one shy of
the record for a single game. The seven home runs in the game is a club record
for the Orioles.
The Sox pitching staff has given up 56 runs in their last six games for an
ERA of 9.33. And in their last 37 innings, Sox pitchers have given up 17 home
runs. The Sox now have two wins and four losses on this homestand, in spite of
scoring 44 runs in six games. |
