September 17, 1990
While the 1990 season mercifully ticks toward its end for the Red Sox, the team’s recent youth movement has left fans with reason for optimism. Although he cooled off over the weekend in Chicago, Jeff Bagwell’s Major League career has gotten off to a dream start. He is hitting .414 with 11 RBI in his first 8 big league games. 21 year old outfielder Phil Plantier has a .286 average with 3 home runs and 9 RBI across six starts for Boston. With 11 games remaining in the season and the team 53 games below .500, the most exciting storyline for Red Sox fans to follow the development of these young players.
With the White Sox set to move into a new ballpark in 1991, Comiskey Park is set to be demolished after this season is wrapped up. The stadium on the South Side of Chicago has been the White Sox’ home since 1910. The Red Sox made their final visit this past weekend, dropping 3 out 4 during the weekend series. After winning the first game on Thursday night, the Red Sox lost each of the next three in dramatic walkoff fashion.
Boston’s final game at Comiskey Park on Sunday September 16, 1990
In minor league playoff action, the Lynchburg Red Sox of the Single A Carolina League won the championship in a 7 game series over the Peninsula Pilots of the Mariners organization. The series wrapped up in an epic 7th game won by Lynchburg 9-8 in 13 innings. Greg Blosser’s home run in the 13th proved to be the game winner after the teams each scored 3 in the 11th. Blosser had 3 homers in the series after leading the Carolina League with 26 dingers during the season. Catcher Paul Williams was named series MVP after going 8-for-30 with 3 homers and 8 RBI.
In the Florida State League, the Winter Haven Red Sox currently trail the Dunedin Blue Jays 3 games to 1 in their best of 7 semifinal series. After winning the first game of the series 8-7, the Red Sox have dropped three straight. Game five is tonight in Winter Haven. The winner of the series will go on to face the Fort Lauderdale Yankees who swept the Vero Beach Dodgers.
Around the League
The Baltimore Orioles wrapped up the American League East this week. They currently have 93 wins, and are the only team above .500 in the division. They will await the winner of the AL West in the ALCS. Oakland currently holds a 2.5 game lead, but is just 2-8 in their last 10 games. Early last week, the Mariners hosted Oakland at the Kingdome in Seattle and took two games out of three. The teams will not play again this season. Both teams are home this week with the A’s facing the White Sox and Tigers while the Mariners square off against the Rangers and White Sox.
In the National League, the Pirates magic number sits at 5 in the NL East. After a flurry of trades before the deadline, Pittsburgh has pulled away from the pack in the division. In the West, Cincinnati leads San Diego by 2 games. The two teams meet for a three game series in San Diego next weekend, and run it back with a three game series in Cincinnati to close the season.
Tony Fernandez of the Toronto Blue Jays was named AL Player of the Week going 12-for-27 with 2 home runs and 7 RBI. His week was highlighted by hitting for the cycle in a game against the Orioles. In the National League, Greg Vaughn of the Chicago Cubs earned the honor with 6 home runs and 14 RBI during the week. Of Vaughn’s 23 homers this season, 12 have come since the trade to Chicago on July 27th.
Week in Review
It was another big game for Boston's recent callups. Phil Plantier carried the offense for the Red Sox with two home runs and 4 RBI in an 8-4 win over Milwaukee. Jeff Bagwell got the Red Sox started with a double in the second inning, and he came around when Plantier blasted his first homer, a 3 run shot off Milwaukee starter Jamie Navarro. Wes Gardner started for the Red Sox and lasted 3.2 innings, and left before he could qualify for the win. Pedro Borbon got the win in relief, pitching 2.1 shutout innings. Mike Greenwell added 3 hits for the Red Sox, while Gary Sheffield tallied 3 hits to lead Milwaukee's offense.
This one got away from the Red Sox late, as Milwaukee pulled away in the late innings for a 10-3 win at Fenway Park. Entering the 8th inning with a 3-1 lead, Roger Clemens ran out of gas and allowed 3 runs in the inning. Clemens struck out 10 in his 8 innings of work, but ended up a tough luck loser. The Red Sox managed just 5 hits in the game. After Tim Watkins left the game after 5 innings, Cal Eldred came on for the Brewers and pitched 4 no hit innings in relief to earn the win. Jeff Bagwell was the offensive standout for Boston, going 2-for-4 including a 2 run triple in the 1st inning.
In a back and forth battle, it was the Milwaukee Brewers who wound up on top, 11-7, tonight against the Red Sox. An RBI single by Gerald Young in the 8th inning broke a 7-7 tie to put Milwaukee ahead for good. The Brewers jumped out 4-0 early against Boston starter John Dopson, who labored through 5 innings. After the Red Sox responded with two in the 2nd, two run homers in the 3rd for Ellis Burks and Dwight Evans put Boston on top and chased Brewers starter Chris Bosio. Milwaukee's attack was relentless with 19 hits, including 4 each for Young and B.J. Surhoff. Young drove in 4 runs, while Paul Molitor drove in 3 as well. Mike Greenwell and Mo Vaughn had 3 hits apiece for Boston. The Red Sox now head out on their final road trip of the season, which begins with their last series at Comiskey Park.