Fenway Flashback: 1975 - Fisk Returns as Sox Salvage Finale

September 2, 1975: Fisk Returns as Sox Salvage Finale

With their lead over Baltimore at its narrowest point since mid-August and their deficit to Oakland now two games, the Red Sox entered September looking sluggish. The offense and pitching seemed to be working different shifts, when they hit, they couldn’t pitch, and when they pitched, the bats went silent. As they prepared for the finale against the Yankees, as well as the close of their homestand, Boston needed a win to build momentum before heading to Baltimore for a pivotal two-game set.

Pitching Matchup and Lineups

Both teams turned to veteran right-handers. Boston gave the ball to Reggie Cleveland, while New York countered with Pat Dobson.

Darryl Johnson was finally able to get catcher Carlton Fisk and third baseman Bob Heise back into his lineup for the finale:

Cecil Cooper (DH)

Denny Doyle (2B)

Carl Yastrzemski (1B)

Fred Lynn (CF)

Jim Rice (LF)

Carlton Fisk (C)

Dwight Evans (RF)

Rick Burleson (SS)

Bob Heise (3B)

Game Recap

As in the opener, the Yankees struck first. In the top of the second, first baseman Chris Chambliss homered off Cleveland to give New York a 1–0 lead.

Boston answered in a big way in the third. Heise singled with one out and scored on Cooper’s 16th double of the year. Doyle followed with an RBI single to plate Cooper, and after Yaz and Lynn walked to load the bases, Rice struck out for the second out. That set the stage for Fisk’s triumphant return. The Boston catcher ripped a two-run single, scoring Doyle and Yaz to give the Sox a 4–1 lead.

Cleveland retired the Yankees in order in the fourth, and Boston extended its lead in the bottom half. Evans and Burleson singled, and Heise sacrificed them into scoring position. Sparky…