Fenway Flashback: 1986 -Red Sox Bats Erupt to Salvage Series in Comiskey

April 13, 1986: Red Sox Bats Erupt to Salvage Series in Comiskey

The final game of the opening road trip was upon them, and the Red Sox were 2–3, having lost the opening series to Detroit and on the verge of possibly losing two series in a row to open the season. The pitching had been improving, but the bats had cooled off a little since their onslaught of hits against the Tigers in the first three games. John McNamara was hoping his team could take the rubber game of this series with the White Sox and head home for their home opener with some positive vibes.

Pitching Matchup and Lineups

Both teams were throwing journeymen who were making their first starts of the season. Boston trotted out lefty Tim Lollar, and Chicago was relying on righty Joe Cowley.

The Red Sox lineup for the rubber game:

Dwight Evans (RF)

Wade Boggs (3B)

Bill Buckner (1B)

Jim Rice (LF)

Don Baylor (DH)

Tony Armas (CF)

Rich Gedman (C)

Marty Barrett (2B)

Ed Romero (SS)

Game Recap

In the biggest surprise of the series so far, both pitchers held the bats scoreless in the first two innings, with neither one allowing a hit. Reality would return, at least for Boston’s offense, in the third inning.

Marty Barrett led off the third with a single to right and then stole second base. Nine-hole hitter Ed Romero drew the second walk allowed by Cowley in the game, and then Dwight Evans worked the third, loading the bases for Wade Boggs. To his credit, Cowley was able to find the zone, but unfortunately it was to one of the best hitters in the game, and Boggs slapped a single the other way to score both Barrett and Romero and give Boston a 2–0 lead.…