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“DIARY OF A WINNER”
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THE CURSE OF
THE BAMBINO, PART 9 October 1, 1986 ... Roger Clemens was struck on the right elbow in the second inning and had to leave the game. The ball was hit by catcher John Stefero with two out, and hit flush on the outer edge of his right elbow. He was taken immediately to Children's Hospital, where X-rays were taken and proven negative. Dr. Arthur Pappas, the Sox physician, said he had suffered only a bruise and that his condition would be evaluated on a day-to-day basis. But all's well that ends well. And, for good measure, the Red Sox rallied in the eighth inning to break a 7-7 tie and beat the Orioles, 11-7. Marty Barrett's double with one out scored the deciding run for Boston. Ed Romero doubled as leadoff man and went to third on a sacrifice bunt by Dave Stapleton. Wade Boggs was intentionally walked, and Barrett followed with his double. It was one of the strangest nights of the year at Fenway Park. In the first six innings the game had more unusual situations than you'd see in a month. It had a first inning Red Sox explosion by the Red Sox against Mike Boddicker, who had not won since Aug. 4th. It was a wild night for relief pitcher Rob Woodward, who attracted the wolves and also got into a shoving match with Baltimore's John Shelby in the sixth inning. Things looked pretty routine in the first inning when the Red Sox staked Clemens to a 4-0 lead. Singles by Marty Barrett, Rich Gedman and Jim Rice produced one run. Don Baylor drove in another with a fluke double that hit the third base bag. Rice scored after a sacrifice fly by Dwight Evans. And Baylor came in on a single by Tony Armas. Baltimore got a run back in the scary second inning. Eddie Murray singled as leadoff man against Clemens. He was still there with two out as Ken Gerhart walked. John Stefero then hit a line drive which struck Clemens. Murray scored from second and the Sox lead was cut to 4-1. Time was called and Clemens marched off the field, holding his pitching arm. He could bend it, but it was obvious he was in some pain. Trainer Charlie Moss and manager John McNamara led him to the dugout. Tim Lollar took over and retired the side. The Sox got that run back in the bottom of the second as Barrett singled to right, stole second and came home on a double by Gedman. In the third inning, Baltimore drew to within three again as Cal Ripken drilled his 24th home run of the year, a line drive into the center-field bleachers. But again Boston came back, as Ed Romero hit a solo home run in the fourth inning to give Boston a 6-2 lead. Baltimore tied the game in the fifth inning and chased Lollar. The Red Sox presented the Jimmy Fund with a check for $100,000, representing Boston's share from the exhibition game against the New York Mets. The Mets donated their share to the New York Amateur Baseball Foundation. The two teams plan a similar game for 1987 at Shea Stadium. Jim Rice picked up three hits and needs just three to reach the 200 plateau for the fourth time in his career. Wade Boggs, who is hitting .357, kept his seven-game streak alive with his fourth bunt hit of the season. Don Baylor was hit by a pitch, making it 34 times this season and 226 in his career. Tom Seaver's status for postseason play depends on the rehabilitation of a sprained right knee. He is scheduled to throw again tomorrow, and the Red Sox have not named a pitcher for Sunday against New York in hopes that Seaver will be well enough to pitch. But general manager Lou Gorman said even if he is not ready for the playoffs, there is a possibility he could be activated for the World Series. |
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