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THE "GOLD DUST TWINS" AND
A SEASON TO REMEMBER
...
1975
WORLD SERIES, GAME #1
Luis Tiant shuts down the Big Red Machine
October 11,
1975 ...
Luis Tiant pulled the plug on the Cincinnati Reds in the
opening game of the World Series, by pitching a complete game shutout
on five hits, 6 to 0.
Tiant was immense and by far the most dominant player on the field,
although more great defensive work by Carl Yastrzemski and Denny
Doyle, along with clutch hitting carried the Sox to a victory.
In a game that was scoreless until the Sox' six-run explosion, Tiant
weathered some tough situations. The first happened when he was
called for a balk by first base umpire Nick Colosi, after Joe Morgan
had reached on a hit to center with one out. With a great display of
toughness, Tiant then battled Johnny Bench for 13 pitches before
getting him on a pop out.
After Looie shut down the Cincinnati sluggers, he ignited the seventh
inning rally with a base hit off Don Gullett. Looking to score just
one run, Dwight Evans tried to bunt Tiant to second base. Gullett
fielded the ball and bounced his throw in front of Dave Concepcion,
allowing Tiant to scoot over to third and putting Evans on first with
none out. Doyle squeezed a single through the left side, to load the
bases for Yastrzemski. Yaz dropped a line drive at the feet of Ken
Griffey to score Tiant, who missed home plate on his first pass and
had to backtrack to tag it.
So Sparky Anderson went to the bullpen and brought in Clay Carroll to
pitch to Carlton Fisk. After getting ahead 1-2, Carroll threw three
straight balls to force in the Sox second run. Anderson next turned
to Will McEnaney to face Fred Lynn and got him striking out. Rico
Petrocelli then shot a grounder through the left side for two more
runs. Rick Burleson drove in Fisk with another single to left, and
Cecil Cooper lofted a fly ball to deep center, that brought home
Petrocelli with the sixth run.
With a six run lead Tiant had the Reds in his back pocket. His twists
and turns complimented his sharp fastball and mesmerizing curves. He
had the Cincinnati hitters off balance throughout the night, winning
his third game of the post-season, without allowing an earned run in
36 innings. |
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