ALCS Game # 1 - ' 04 Red Sox vs '74 Athletics

Athletics Dissect Martinez in Romp

Oakland opened the American League Championship Series with a win as they continued to pile on the runs smacking Boston’s Pedro Martinez for 11 hits in 6 innings. The A's were also aggressive on the bases with 4 steals out of 6 attempts. Martinez surrendered 4 earned runs and the Red Sox defense also took a holiday in an embarrassing 7-1 defeat.

Boston, as they have throughout these playoffs, jumped out in front early as David Ortiz drilled a solo homer to right in the second inning for a 1-0 advantage. This was short-lived as Oakland wrestled the lead away with two runs in the home half of the third. Boston’s Orlando Cabrera’s throwing error on a Ray Fosse grounder led to the game tying run as Fosse would move to second on a Dick Green groundout to Martinez. He would score on a Campaneris single, and Campy would later come around on a Reggie Jackson double.

The A’s continued to “nickel and dime” Boston in the fourth and sixth innings. Gene Tenace started things off with a single in the fourth and would reach third on a throwing error by Boston’s Bill Mueller on an Angel Mangual ground ball. Dick Green hit a ball into the hole at short and Cabrera was unable to make a play allowing Tenace to score. Then, in the sixth, Joe Rudi singled and ended up on third after Boston was able to turn a bases loaded double play. Ray Fosse’s single would score him.

The A’s blew it open in the 7^th as Billy North got aboard with a single as was doubled home by Campaneris. This would end the day for Martinez. Campaneris then stole second and was plated by a Reggie Jackson single. Both Jackson and Campaneris have had a terrific playoff for the A's to date. Campaneris has 6 RBI and is batting at a .350 clip while Jackson is hitting.346 and has 3 doubles and 8 RBI. Jackson then proceeded to steal both second and third. Sox third baseman Bill Mueller had a rough day in the field as he made his second throwing error on a hard hit grounder by Gene Tenace which would have been the third out of the inning.

Athletics’ starter Catfish Hunter was fabulous is this one. He had the Red Sox hitters off balance throughout the game as he only allowed 4 hits while walking only 1 batter in 8 innings. He also coaxed three double plays out of the Red Sox offensive as they were unable to mount any resistance. Oakland will try to sweep the Sox at home in Game 2 sending Vida Blue to the mound to face Derek Lowe.

 * ICYMI - Here is the summary of the classic ALDS Game 5 against the ' 61 Yankees > http://buzzingthetowersawx.blogspot.ca/2014/05/alds-game-5-04-red-sox-vs-61-yankees.html