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REVERSING THE CURSE,
PART 1
THE NOMAR ERA BEGINS
The Sox come back with a 9th inning walk-off
May 26,
1997 ... "Fenway
Magic” is what a crowd of 28,438 had to be thinking today after a 3-2
triumph over the Milwaukee Brewers that featured a two-run rally in
the ninth inning of a game that a week ago would have been a sure
defeat. Credit Tim Naehring for the key blow, a two-run double off
The Wall with one out, that produced the third victory in four games
for Boston.
While you're
at it, give an assist to the Yankees. The Red Sox lately have looked nothing
like the club that lost 14 of 16 before winning two of three from the defending
World Series champions in New York. For the fourth straight time, the Sox got
excellent starting pitching, which is what it's going to take in the long haul
to get out of the American League East doldrums.
The "Fenway
Magic" that returned to Yawkey Way went beyond the ninth-inning heroics, which
began with Wil Cordero and Mo Vaughn singling and the runners moving into
scoring position for Naehring on a ground out. The Sox had to survive a stellar
performance by Milwaukee starter Ben McDonald, who struck out a career-high 11
and had a 2-0 shutout for seven innings. When Boston loaded the bases in the
eighth with one out, the Brewers went to closer Doug Jones (11 for 11 in save
opportunities), who gave up only one run in that jam but gave up the game in the
ninth.
The winning
pitcher was Chris Hammond, who was deprived of a start in this series because of
a rainout in New York Sunday. Hammond worked just one perfect inning in relief
of Tim Wakefield.
Luck was on
the Red Sox' side in the eighth-inning rally that got them on the scoreboard.
Troy O'Leary singled with one out and went to third on a hit-and-run single past
second by John Valentin. Brewers second baseman Mark Lorretta broke to cover the
bag, and Valentin's grounder went through the area he had just vacated.
Hurt it did.
Pinch hitter Scott Hatteberg worked McDonald for his only walk of the afternoon,
loading the bases, and Jones came on to surrender a sacrifice fly to Nomar
Garciaparra, back in the lineup after missing four games with a hamstring
strain. Jones escaped further damage when he threw out Darren Bragg on a tapper.
But he
couldn't escape the ninth. With Cordero and pinch runner Jeff Frye aboard, Jones
battled Reggie Jefferson, who on a 3-and-2 pitch grounded to first, advancing
the runners. With first base open, the righthanded Jones had the option of
facing Naehring or walking him to get to the lefthanded-hitting O'Leary.
The Red Sox
loved what they saw. For the first time this season, they won a game without
hitting a home run. It's a mental thing. In New York they used the long ball to
blow out the Yankees. Now, they've found a way to win a close contest.
Wakefield
didn't get the decision but earned the praise. Manager Jimy Williams likes the
way his club is coming around. |
