May 25
Things were looking up for the Sox as a six-game winning streak kept them in first place, though the Yankees were close behind.
It started on Sunday the 18th, as 26,000 fans, many of them listening to the Celtics playoff game, saw the Sox win a sloppy 5-4 decision in 10 innings over Texas. Wade Boggs’ rbi double tied it at 3-3 in the ninth, but an unearned run in the top of the tenth gave the Rangers a 4-3 lead. However, the visitors returned the favor as a pair of throwing errors in the bottom half led to a Sox walkoff win.
Boston then swept the sixth place Twins at home by scores of 8-7, 17-7, and 3-2. In the first one, they again trailed by a run going into the ninth, but a bases loaded walk followed by a hit batsman again gave them another fortunate win. Their bats continued strong the next night, as the Sox took a 9-2 lead after three and coasted in as Roger Clemens ran his mark to 7-0. Boggs, sporting a .365 average, led the way with a 5 for 6 night, and Tony Armas was right behind with 4 for 6 as the team ammassed 20 hits. The loser, ironically, was future Sox hurler Frank Viola. The Sox then completed the sweep with a 3-2 victory, as Steve Lyons’ seventh inning hit drove in the tying and winning runs.
Oil Can Boyd then won his fifth of the year in Texas, allowing just 3 hits in 8 innings for a 2-1 victory with Don Baylor driving in both runs. The streak would end in a 3-2 loss on the 24th as the Rangers won despite a fine effort by rookie starter Rob Woodward.
Coming off an 81-81 record in John McNamara’s first year, not much was expected from this team at the start, but writers and fans were starting to take notice. The Sox record stood at 27-13, a game and a half ahead of the Yankees. Their mark since Clemens’ 20K game was 19-5. The Mets, meanwhile, were at 25-11.
Mike Passanisi
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