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An 8th inning rally lifts the Sox past the O's April 17, 1989 ... The key to winning today was more than a two-run homer by Mike Greenwell that sparked a five-run eighth inning and led to a 6-4 decision over Baltimore at Fenway Park. It was a combination of tough pitching, good defense and a team doing the things that could keep it in the race all year, if the team keeps it up. Togetherness is something you haven't heard about this spring, with all the flaps about Wade and Margo, Roger and Rich. Joe Morgan doesn't want to come out and blame his pitchers, but the fact is, the club's .307 team batting average ranks second in the AL. The Sox would not have won without a strong effort by starter Wes Gardner and equally strong support by Lee Smith and Bob Stanley. Gardner and Smith held the stubborn Orioles to two runs in the first eight innings, which ended with Boston leading, 6-2. Smith, still bothered by a groin pulled, couldn't get the job done in the ninth, however, and gave way to Stanley after surrendering three straight singles. Stanley managed to retire two lefthanded pinch hitters without even resorting to his palm ball. It was hard work and not a miracle that helped the Sox overcome a 2-1 deficit in the eighth inning. The crowd of 32,923 had watched a pitchers' duel until that point, and Gardner was losing it to righthander Jose Bautista, who had scattered four hits. Bautista was forced to leave after six innings because of a blister, and the Orioles went to righthander Brian Holton. The floodgates opened on him in the eighth. The first gusher came off the bat of Ellis Burks, a triple high off the wall in center. So did Greenwell when Holton hung a breaking ball. The Sox left fielder drove it into the right-field seats for his fourth homer. Holton was charged with two more runs as the Red Sox, after three such losses, finally won a game in their last at-bat. Singles by Jim Rice and Danny Heep, plus a walk to Jody Reed (off Mark Williamson), loaded the bases. One run scored when Williamson walked Rick Cerone. Two more crossed the plate one out later when Marty Barrett singled off Kevin Hickey. Smith wound up with the victory, his first of the year and his second straight in a Patriots Day game. Gardner gave up only four hits in the seven-plus innings he worked. And he'll take a no-decision if it means a win for the team. |
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