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“DIARY OF A WINNER”
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THE CURSE OF
THE BAMBINO, PART 9 September 18, 1986 ... The Sox completed a four-game sweep of Milwaukee with a 7-1 victory that wasn't as close as the score. Boston won its 12th straight game at home, and boosted its lead over New York and Toronto to 10 1/2 games. When Hurst was injured May 31 and missed nearly six weeks, did anybody dare think that in September, he'd be on a four-game winning streak? Or that he would strike out 11 Brewers as if it were the first week of the season? Hurst (12-7) equaled his career-best victory total and should get two more starts. In July, the Red Sox were hoping to be at least seven games ahead of Toronto, because they play six against each other in September. With the magic number down to six, the AL East could be wrapped up by Sunday night should the Sox sweep a three-game series in Toronto (and the Yankees also cooperate by getting swept in Detroit). Before they came to town Tuesday, the Brewers were a club that concerned the Sox. They held a 5-2 edge in the season series. Boston had lost three of four against Baltimore and New York, and the paranoids were planning to visit Fenway Park again. But that was before Boston pitching asserted itself. The Brewers were no match again last night after a six-run Red Sox explosion in the third inning that routed veteran Pete Vuckovich and helped Hurst to his 10th complete game, tying Roger Clemens for the team lead. The Sox offense came through with 10 hits. Most of the damage came in the third, in which both Rich Gedman and Marty Barrett had two-run singles, two of only three hits in the inning. The Sox sent 11 batters to the plate and were aided by three Milwaukee errors in the spree. After that, Hurst had no trouble making the runs stand up. He had a no- hitter for four innings before giving up a run in the fifth on back-to-back doubles by Rob Deer and Bill Schroeder. It marked the 10th time in his career that Hurst has struck out 10 batters or more, tying Jim Lonborg and Ray Culp on the Red Sox' all-time list. Only Smoky Joe Wood (18) and Clemens (12) have accomplished the feat more times. Wade Boggs, who hit safely in his 20th straight game, had two hits to lift his average to .352, two points better than Don Mattingly. Boggs also got his 100th walk of the season, a career best. Boston took the lead for keeps in the second with two out. Dwight Evans was hit by a pitch, and was able to score all the way from first on a double to left-center by Tony Armas. But that was only an interlude before the third inning. Things started badly for Vuckovich when he hit Barrett with a pitch, and then gave up a single to right by Bill Buckner. With Barrett on third, Jim Rice followed with a deep sacrifice fly to right, and it was a 2-0 game. Vuckovich got a second out when Don Baylor fouled to the catcher. But then the bases became loaded as Evans walked and Armas reached on error by shortstop Edgar Diaz. Then Gedman singled to left and all three runners wound up scoring. Left fielder Glenn Braggs was charged with two errors. First, he dropped the ball, then his throw home hit Armas for a second error. Gedman wound up on third. Walks to Spike Owen and Boggs loaded the bases. Barrett then singled up the middle, scoring Gedman and Owen, and with Boston ahead, 7-0, all that remained was for Hurst to mow down the Brewers, which he did. The Red Sox have 300 doubles, the fifth time they have reached that plateau. |
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