Fenway Flashback: 1975 - Rico Returns as Wise Outduels Palmer in Baltimore

September 3, 1975: Wise Outduels Palmer in Baltimore

With a little momentum following their series finale win over the Yankees, and with Oakland idle on Wednesday, the Red Sox turned their full attention to Baltimore. Entering the two-game set with a six-game lead and only 25 left to play, Boston knew a sweep would go a long way toward wrapping up its first postseason berth in seven years.

Pitching Matchup and Lineups

Manager Darryl Johnson, however, faced a tall task. The Orioles sent Jim Palmer to the mound, well on his way to his second Cy Young Award and already 2–1 against the Sox in 1975. Boston countered with veteran right-hander Rick Wise.

Rico Petrocelli returned from an inner ear issue that had landed him on the disabled list, giving Boston its “full” lineup for the first time in weeks:

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 broke through first, taking advantage of a rare bout of wildness from Palmer. In the second inning, with two outs, he walked Evans, Burleson, and Petrocelli to load the bases, then issued a fourth straight walk to Cooper, forcing in a run and giving Boston a 1–0 lead.

The pitchers took control from there, holding the offenses quiet through the fifth. In the bottom of the sixth, the Orioles finally broke through against Wise. With one out, Designated Hitter, Tommy Davis singled, and first baseman Lee May followed by crushing his 18th home run of the year into the Memorial Stadium seats, giving Baltimore a 2–1 lead.

Boston quickly answered in the seventh. Evans singled and moved to third on a hit by Burleson, who was thrown out trying to…