Fenway Flashback: 1975 - Pole and Drago Silence Orioles

September 4, 1975: Pole and Drago Silence Orioles

Game two of the short series in Baltimore gave the Red Sox another opportunity to extend their lead in the American League East. Following Rick Wise’s brilliant performance the night before, Boston entered Thursday seven games up in the division and just a half-game behind Oakland. One more strong effort could all but lock up a playoff berth for the Sox.

Pitching Matchup and Lineups

The matchup featured two right-handers: youngster, Dick Pole for Boston against Baltimore’s Mike Torrez, who would later pitch for the Red Sox.

For the second straight day, Darryl Johnson kept his lineup card unchanged:

Cecil Cooper (DH)

Denny Doyle (2B)

Carl Yastrzemski (1B)

Fred Lynn (CF)

Jim Rice (LF)

Carlton Fisk (C)

Dwight Evans (RF)

Rick Burleson (SS)

Rico Petrocelli (3B)

Game Recap

Boston jumped out quickly for the second straight game. In the top of the first, Cooper singled to lead off and advanced to third on Yastrzemski’s double. Lynn walked to load the bases for Rice, who hit a grounder to third baseman Brooks Robinson. The Gold Glove veteran tagged the bag to force Lynn, but his throw to first sailed down the right-field line, allowing Yaz and Cooper to score, giving Boston a 2–0 lead.

From there, the pitchers settled in. Pole kept the Orioles off the board until the fifth, when catcher Dave Duncan walked, moved to third on Mark Belanger’s single, and watched as Al Bumbry’s infield hit loaded the bases. Second baseman Bobby Grich followed with a sacrifice fly to cut the Sox lead to 2–1.

That was as close as Baltimore would get. Pole worked five solid…