Fenway Flashback: 1975 - The Bats Erupt in Milwaukee

September 6, 1975: The Bats Erupt in Milwaukee

Following their loss in the series opener to Milwaukee on Friday night, the Sox remained tied with the A’s at the top of the league and were holding a 6.5-game lead over Baltimore in the East. The loss snapped Boston’s mini three-game win streak, and the Sox were eager to get back in the saddle against the struggling Brewers.

Pitching Matchup and Lineups

Both teams went with southpaws for the Saturday matinee. Boston trotted the reliable Roger Moret to the bump, while the Brewers countered with young Massachusetts native Bill Travers.

The Red Sox lineup for the second game of the series:

• Juan Beniquez (CF)• Rick Burleson (SS)• Dwight Evans (RF)• Jim Rice (LF)• Carlton Fisk (C)• Rico Petrocelli (3B)• Doug Griffin (2B)• Bob Montgomery (C)• Cecil Cooper (1B)

Game Recap

As was their custom, Boston got out to a quick start, and today they never looked back. Beniquez led off the game with a single and went to third on a one-out single by Evans. He scored on a forceout by Rice to give Boston a 1–0 lead. In the bottom of the first, the Brewers managed two hits off Moret but were unable to score, for all intents and purposes ending Milwaukee’s chances of winning that day.

The Red Sox bats exploded for seven runs in the top of the second inning, and the rout was on. Petrocelli led off with a single and went to third on Bob Montgomery’s one-out double. Cecil Cooper scored Petrocelli with a sac fly, and it looked like the young Travers might get out of the inning without much damage, but the top of the order had something different in mind.

Beniquez recorded his second hit in as many innings, delivering an RBI…