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“DIARY OF A WINNER”
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THE CURSE OF
THE BAMBINO, PART 9 June 25, 1986 ... Al Nipper pitched seven innings of an invaluable 5-4 Red Sox victory over the New York Yankees. The decision enabled Boston to avoid a sweep of this three-game series and increased the Sox' American League East lead to five games over New York. And it was fine entertainment for the Fenway Park crowd of 35,015, who watched Nipper stage a gallant performance in his first appearance since May 18th, when his right leg was gashed in a home plate collision with Texas' Larry Parrish. Nipper scattered eight hits in a 92-pitch performance, which was even more remarkable since he threw 30 in the first inning, when he faced nine batters but allowed only two runs. He came through in a game that almost everyone said he was unwise to attempt to pitch. It was a very big game for the Red Sox, and not just because Nipper pitched well. After two crushing losses to the Yankees, Boston fought back from the 2-0 deficit and restored some of the credibility that seemingly was slipping away. But it didn't seem Nipper would be out there for long. The first three Yankees reached base: Rickey Henderson and Ken Griffey via singles and Don Mattingly with a double and two of them scored. But when Boston rebounded for five runs in the bottom of the first, Nipper had a chance to silence the skeptics. He bent in the third and fourth innings, when the Yankees pushed across two runs. But he was basically in control before giving way to Joe Sambito, who proved equally baffling to the Yankees. The Boston rally was the kind of sustained offensive effort that has been missing recently. A single by Marty Barrett, a walk to Wade Boggs and a single by Buckner produced a run. Baylor celebrated having his contract extended through 1987 with a double off The Wall, tying the game. After Yankee starter Doug Drabek (0- 1) loaded the bases with a walk to Dwight Evans, Tony Armas delivered a two-run single for a 4-2 lead. And when Rich Gedman sent home the fifth run on a sacrifice fly, the Sox had what would stand up as the deciding run. Nipper (4-4) took over from there. Going after the Yankees is not exactly a day at the beach. His effort should not overshadow the contributions of Sambito, who registered his sixth save. In the eighth, Sambito struck out pinch hitters Gary Roenicke and Butch Wynegar, plus Willie Randolph. It was a stirring performance for a man who once had a "1/3" sign placed over his locker because he generally was used against one left-handed batter per outing. Sambito confessed it's been years since he struck out the side, much less three right-handers. He had to stay on top in the ninth, when Sambito was placed in jeopardy by an error with one out by shortstop Ed Romero that allowed Henderson to reach base. Henderson, who leads the majors in stolen bases with 46, danced enough to draw seven throws to first from Sambito. The seventh one caught him doing a waltz instead of a disco step. Gedman tagged Henderson out, and the only real chance the Yankees had to tie the game had gone up in smoke. The Red Sox rewarded designated hitter Don Baylor for his leadership with a contract extension through the 1987 season. Baylor's RBI double in the first inning gave him at least 50 RBIs for the 14th straight season. Tony Armas, who came into the game with only nine RBIs, drove in two clutch runs in the first. Shortstop Rey Quinones was benched in favor of Ed Romero. Quinones had played 16 games in a row since June 7. Steve Crawford had the night off with a sore shoulder. Bob Stanley's stomach problems had improved and he was available in the bullpen. |
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