Sox 67

One of the early signs that 1967 would be a different year for the Sox showed in their reaction to depressing defeats. In past years, blowing a game would often lead to a losing streak. But even early in the Impossible Dream year, this was not happening.

One such defeat occurred mid-May when the World Champion Orioles, going through a down season but still formidable, smashed 7 home runs and rallied from a 6-3 deficit with 9 runs in the seventh inning of a 12-8 victory before what Will McDonough called “8714 hooting locals”. The victims of the explosion were relievers Galen Cisco and Bill Landis. The O’s began the frame with a single by Boog Powell and before it was over, Andy Etchebarren, Sam Bowen, Powell and Dave Johnson (future Mets manager) had struck four-baggers. Paul Blair, Brooks Robinson and Frank Robinson had homered earlier off Sox starter Dennis Bennett.

Two nights later, however, Boston came right back with a run in the seventh and  two in the ninth to top the Indians, 3-2. The winning rally culminated in a pinch rbi single by Tony Horton, who was hitting well but still could not crack the starting lineup. Carl Yastrzemski and Mike Ryan each had two hits and Jim Lonborg hurled a complete-game win, fanning 12 and running his record to 4-1.

An extra innning loss was followed by the Bosox’ second twinbill sweep of the month, this time over the Tribe. Boston rallied with 4 in the seventh for a 4-3 victory in game 1, and Bucky Brandon went all the way in a 6-2 win in the nightcap. First-game heroics were a two-run triple by Yaz and a George Scott homer. Brandon eased his way to his first win against 4 losses.

The Townies then went to Detroit and slapped down the second-place Tigers, 5-2 and 1-0. Gentleman Jim was really beginning to raise some eyebrows, as he hurled a four-hit shutout, walking 4 and striking out 11 to best Denny McLain. McLain himself allowed only 3 hits, but one was a Dalton Jones homer..

Boston was still 7 games behind the 20-8 White Sox, but were beginning to hit, as Rico Petrocelli, Tony Conigliaro, and Yastrzemski were among the league’s top hitters; Yaz had 7 homers and 21 rbi’s. Lonny was already 5-1.

The next two nights saw defeats as Detroit’s Earl Wilson, always a thorn in  his former team’s side, threw a complete game 9-3 victory, and the Orioles continued their Sox mastery as reliever Moe Drabowsky hurled 4 2/3 one-hit relief innings in a 4-3 triumph. Ominously, Clif Keane described Sox starter and loser Billy Rohr as having “absolutely nothing on the baseball”, as his career continued to fade. The Birds were still embarrassing the Sox, as in a 10-0 romp which featured 6 Boston errors. The O’s settled it in a seven-run fifth against starter Brandon and reliever Hank Fischer. The embarrassment didn’t last long, however, as Lonborg picked up victory number 6 the following day, hurling 7 2/3 frames before John Wyatt came in to get the save. Reggie Smith and Mike Andrews, 1-2 in the batting order, both contributed 3 hits. Lonnie wasn’t giving in to anyone- he fanned Brooks Robinson three times and Frank Robisnson twice.

The Sox now returned home for a Memorial Day twinbill aginst the Angels. Their record was only 19-20, but they were beginning to attract some attention, both in Boston and elsewhere. They would soon leave .500 behind for good.