Fenway Flashback: 1986 - The Rocket Launches for the First Time in '86
April 11, 1986
April 11, 1986: The Rocket Launches for the First Time in ‘86
Following the performance by Al Nipper to get the Sox in the win column, they left the Motor City for another three-game set in the Windy City with the White Sox. The start of the ’86 season was not kind to either of the Sox, as the pale version were coming off a sweep at the hands of the Brewers. As the Red Sox looked to get their first weekend series of the year underway and possibly start a little winning streak, no one had any idea what type of streak was really about to begin.
Pitching Matchup and Lineups
The Red Sox opened up the series with a young right-hander from Texas who was coming off a shoulder injury, Roger Clemens. The ChiSox were hoping that their veteran left-hander from South Dakota, Floyd Bannister, could provide the club with their first win of the season.
The Red Sox lineup for the series opener vs. the White Sox:
Dwight Evans (RF)
Wade Boggs (3B)
Bill Buckner (1B)
Jim Rice (LF)
Don Baylor (DH)
Tony Armas (CF)
Marty Barrett (2B)
Ed Romero (SS)
Marc Sullivan (C)
Game Recap
The first game of the Chicago series started just like the last one of the Tigers series, with both pitchers starting off strong but the opposition getting off to an early lead. Since the Sox were 0–2 when they scored first this year, maybe allowing the other team to put a run on the board first wasn’t such a bad idea.
In the first inning, Clemens showed a little bit of nerves, allowing a hit and two walks before getting the White Sox hot-hitting first baseman, Greg Walker, to ground out. In the second inning, he wouldn’t be so lucky. After getting designated hitter Rob Kittle to ground out to first, White Sox shortstop Ozzie Guillen reached on an error by his counterpart, Ed Romero. A groundout, single, and walk followed to give Chicago a bases-loaded, two-out opportunity. Unfortunately for Clemens, his wildness continued, and he uncorked a wild pitch to bring in the White Sox’s first run. He then walked his second batter of the inning to reload the bases but was able to strike out future Hall of Famer Harold Baines to end the rally.
In the top of the third, the Red Sox offense got going themselves thanks to the top of the order. Wade Boggs led off with a single and went to third on Bill Buckner’s fourth double in as many games. Jim Rice tied the game with a force out, and then Don Baylor walked to put men on the corners. After Tony Armas struck out, second baseman Marty Barrett cleared the bases with a two-RBI triple to give Clemens and the Red Sox a 3–1 lead. The White Sox then gifted Boston their fourth run when third baseman Wayne Tolleson threw the ball away on a ground ball, allowing Barrett to score.
From there, Clemens began to dominate the White Sox lineup. He would not allow more than one batter to reach base in any of the next five innings, taking his 4–1 lead into the eighth. In the top of the eighth, Don Baylor gave the Rocket a little extra insurance by driving his second homer of the year into the Comiskey bleachers, giving Boston a 5–1 lead. In the bottom of the inning, the White Sox were able to get a run back quickly, as old friend Carlton Fisk took Clemens deep to left for his first home run of the young season.
In the top of the ninth, the offense put the game away as they roughed up White Sox right-handed reliever Gene Nelson. Barrett led the inning off with a double and scored on an RBI single by Marc Sullivan, who was making his first start of the season. Dwight Evans doubled Sullivan to third before Nelson intentionally walked Boggs to load the bases. Bill Buckner ended the scoring for the Red Sox with an RBI groundout to make the score 7–2.
Clemens came out for the ninth and looked like he was going to record the first complete game for Boston, as he retired the first two batters he faced. However, he walked John Cangelosi with two outs and then surrendered a hit to Wayne Tolleson to put men on the corners with two outs prompting John McNamara to go to the bullpen. Joe Sambito answered the call for his obligatory appearance, having now pitched in every game of the season so far for Boston. As he did the game before, Sambito retired the only batter he faced, Harold Baines, to close out the win, the first of the season for Clemens and the second for the Red Sox.
Pitching Notes
Roger Clemens earned the win, going 8 2/3 innings, allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 6 hits, 5 walks, and, shockingly, only 2 strikeouts. (A scenario that would seldom be seen again in starts by the young right-hander.)
Joe Sambito pitched 1/3 of an inning, again retiring the only batter he faced.
Player Notes and Season Stats
For the first time all season, the Red Sox were held under double digits in hits, collecting only 9, although they worked 5 free passes.
Wade Boggs: 2-for-4, with a double and a run scored
Marty Barrett: 2-for-4, with a triple and a double, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Don Baylor: 1-for-3, HR (2), 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Back-to-back near-complete-game, one-earned-run performances by the Sox staff, combined with the potent lineup, had Red Sox Nation hoping that perhaps this could be a season that would be one to remember.
Stay tuned as we continue our day-by-day journey through the memorable 1986 Red Sox season.
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