Fenway Flashback: 1975 - Rice Powers Sox Past Angels

August 27, 1975: Rice Powers Sox Past Angels

Following their series-opening loss to California, the Red Sox entered Wednesday afternoon’s finale at Fenway looking to split the short two-game set. Boston sat 0.5 games behind Oakland in the race for home field and seven games ahead of Baltimore in the AL East. With the A’s set to arrive at Fenway next, the Sox knew this was an important chance to steady themselves before the weekend showdown.

Pitching Matchup and Lineups

Boston turned to steady left-hander Roger Moret, seeking his third win of August, while the Angels countered with veteran righty Bill Singer.

Darryl Johnson’s lineup featured a new face, Connecticut native Dick McAuliffe, making his first start in what would be the final season of his 15-year MLB career:

Cecil Cooper (DH)

Denny Doyle (2B)

Carl Yastrzemski (1B)

Fred Lynn (CF)

Jim Rice (LF)

Dwight Evans (RF)Fe

Rick Burleson (SS)

Dick McAuliffe (3B)

Tim Blackwell (C)

Game Recap

The Sox wasted no time jumping on Singer. After Doyle doubled in the first, Fred Lynn brought him home with a two-out RBI double. Jim Rice followed by blasting his 21st homer of the year over the Green Monster, staking Boston to a quick 3–0 lead.

The Angels answered in the second. John Balaz walked and moved to third on Dave Chalk’s single. Bobby Valentine’s sacrifice fly plated one, and after two walks loaded the bases, Jerry Remy drew yet another walk to make it 3–2. Moret escaped further trouble by retiring Mickey Rivers, and that would prove to be the Angels’ final runs of the day.

Boston tacked on another in the second when Rick Burleson singled, McAuliffe and Blackwell walked, and a passed ball allowed Burleson to score. In the third, Yaz doubled, Lynn singled, and Rice added a sacrifice…