Fenway Flashback: 1975- Series Split leaves Sox looking up at the A's for Homefield

September 7, 1975 (Game 1) The Gold Dust Twins Deliver

Coming off the trouncing of the Brewers in the second game of the four-game set at County Stadium, the Sox were ready to square off with Milwaukee in an important doubleheader that could provide Boston with an advantage for home field in the American League. Baltimore was playing a single game against the Yankees at home, while the A’s were facing off in a twin bill of their own against the Rangers. If the Red Sox could take care of their business and get a little help from Texas, the path to the World Series could go directly through the Fens.

Pitching Matchup and Lineups

The pitching matchup for the opener featured a pair of 10-game winners: Reggie Cleveland for Boston and righty Jim Colborn for the Brewers.

Darryl Johnson mixed up the lineup a little bit for the early game:

• Cecil Cooper (DH)• Denny Doyle (2B)• Carl Yastrzemski (1B)• Fred Lynn (CF)• Jim Rice (LF)• Carlton Fisk (C)• Bernie Carbo (RF)• Rick Burleson (SS)• Rico Petrocelli (3B)

Game Recap

Colborn was on his game early, holding the Red Sox scoreless for the first six innings and giving his offense the opportunity to give the Brewers a fast lead. In the bottom of the first inning, the first two hitters reached base safely with singles. Third baseman Don Money led off with a single and went to third on Bob Sheldon’s single. Old friend George Scott then drove in the first run of the game with a groundout to give Milwaukee a quick 1–0 lead.

In the bottom of the second, Brewers center fielder Bill Sharp doubled with two outs and scored on a single by future Hall of Famer Robin Yount.

With the score 2–0 after two, Cleveland…