Fenway Flashback: 1975 - Wise Outduels Bahnsen as Sox Take Lead for Homefield

August 29, 1975: Wise Outduels Bahnsen as Sox Take Lead for Homefield

With another day off behind them and the final regular season battle with Oakland about to unfold in the Fens, the Red Sox were poised to take hold of their playoff destiny. On Thursday, Oakland was beaten by the Yankees 3–2, which placed the two clubs in a flat-footed tie. Baltimore defeated Chicago 2–1 and picked up a half game in the East, now sitting 6.5 games back. As August prepared to turn to September and summer to fall, there was a definite playoff feeling oozing out of Fenway.

Pitching Matchup and Lineups

Both teams turned to trusted veteran pitchers in hopes of getting off to a strong start in this important series. Lefty Rick Wise had the ball for Boston, while Oakland countered with right-hander Stan Bahnsen.

Boston’s lineup:

Cecil Cooper (DH)

Denny Doyle (2B)

Carl Yastrzemski (1B)

Fred Lynn (CF)

Jim Rice (LF)

Dwight Evans (RF)

Rick Burleson (SS)

Dick McAuliffe (3B)

Tim Blackwell (C)

Game Recap

Wise got the Sox started on the right foot, retiring the A’s in order in the top of the first. The Boston offense wasted no time showing Oakland they would be no pushover come October.

In the bottom of the first, Cecil Cooper led off with a double and was sacrificed to third by Denny Doyle. With two outs, fortune shined on Boston when Gene Tenace failed to handle a Bahnsen delivery, allowing Cooper to score the game’s first run on a passed ball.

After Wise worked another scoreless frame, Boston doubled its lead in the bottom of the second thanks to Bahnsen’s wildness and a Sal Bando error. Rice and Evans drew walks to open the inning, and when Burleson tried to sacrifice, Bando failed to field the…