Fenway Flashback: 1975 - Pudge, Yaz, and Sox Offense Bludgeon Angels
August 12, 1975
August 12, 1975: Pudge, Yaz, and Sox Offense Bludgeon Angels
After finishing the four-game set in Oakland with a split, Boston headed south to Anaheim for a three-game series against the California Angels, home of Disneyland. The Red Sox entered the opener with a 4–2 record on the trip and nine more games to go before finally returning to Fenway. They still held a six-game lead over Baltimore in the AL East and remained just one game behind Oakland in the race for home field advantage.
Pitching Matchup and Lineups
With both physical and mental fatigue setting in after nearly a month without a day off, Darryl Johnson handed the ball to his 15-game winner, Rick Wise. The Angels countered with rookie Chuck Hockenbery, making just his second major league start.
Darryl Johnson returned to his tried-and-true lineup for the series opener:
• Bernie Carbo (RF)
• Denny Doyle (2B)
• Carl Yastrzemski (DH)
• Fred Lynn (CF)
• Jim Rice (LF)
• Carlton Fisk (C)
• Cecil Cooper (1B)
• Rico Petrocelli (3B)
• Rick Burleson (SS)
Game Recap
The Southern California weather seemed to agree with Boston’s bats, as the Red Sox struck early and often. In the first inning, Denny Doyle singled to right with one out, followed by Carl Yastrzemski, making his first appearance since a rib and kidney injury on July 28, singling Doyle to second. With two outs, Jim Rice was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Carlton Fisk delivered a clutch two-run single to give Boston a 2–0 lead.
Boston kept the pressure on in the third. Doyle singled again, and Yaz drove him in with an RBI double to left. Fred Lynn moved Yaz to third on a ground out, and Rice followed with an RBI single to right. Cecil Cooper capped the rally with another RBI single, making it 5–0.
Wise was sharp early, allowing just three hits through the first four innings. California finally broke through in the fifth when catcher Ike Hampton singled and then advanced to third on a Fisk throwing error. Wise then lost control of the strike zone, walking Morris Nettles and rookie second baseman, Jerry Remy to load the bases. Mickey Rivers then singled to left, scoring Hampton and Nettles to make the score 5-2. Wise was able to get the final out of the fifth and shut them down the rest of the way, never allowing another runner past second base.
Boston added insurance in the ninth. Pinch-hitter Tim Blackwell led off with a triple, and Lynn walked to put runners at the corners. Rice grounded into a fielder’s choice, erasing Blackwell at the plate but advancing both runners to scoring position. Fisk then delivered his third and fourth RBI of the game with a single to right, and Cooper followed with another RBI single to center.
Pitching Notes
• Rick Wise (16–6) went the distance, scattering seven hits and allowing two earned runs. He walked three and struck out eight in a strong complete-game effort.
Player Notes and Season Stats
Every starter in the Red Sox lineup recorded a knock in their 15-hit barrage.
• Carlton Fisk: 3-for-4, double, 4 RBI, run scored
• Carl Yastrzemski: 2-for-2, double, 2 runs, RBI
• Cecil Cooper: 2-for-4, 2 RBI
• Denny Doyle: 2-for-2, 2 runs scored
The win gave Boston an immediate boost, both in the standings and in team morale. Oakland lost to the “suddenly not-so-hated” Yankees, 7–2, pulling the Sox back even in the race for home field. Baltimore also dropped to seven games back after losing to Kansas City. With their first off day in a month still six days away, the Red Sox were digging deep to stay sharp down the stretch.
Stay tuned as we continue our day-by-day journey through the unforgettable 1975 Red Sox season.
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