1967 American League Pennant Race

October 1, 1967 at Fenway Park
Red Sox 5 (92-70), Twins 3 (91-71)

The Red Sox won the American League pennant outright today as they took care of the Twins in a game that pitted both team’s aces.  With the Tigers losing their second game of a doubleheader to the Angels, the Red Sox finished in first place in the American League all by themselves with the Twins and Tigers each just a game back in the most exciting pennant race of all time.

Things didn’t start out well for the Red Sox though.  Tony Oliva doubled home Harmon Killebrew in the first inning off of Red Sox starter Jim Lonborg to give the Twins and early lead.  The Twins extended their lead to 2-0 in the third when Harmon Killebrew singled home Cesar Tovar.  Both innings had an error in them and despite being down 2-0, Jim Lonborg hadn’t given up an earned run yet.

Dean Chance was cruising through the Red Sox lineup but the fifth inning ended up being the pivotal one of for the Red Sox.  Jim Lonborg reached first on a lead off bunt single and he moved to second on Jerry Adair’s single.  Dalton Jones then loaded up the bases with another single before Carl Yastrzemski tied the game up 2-2 with a two run single.  Hawk Harrelson then reached on a fielders choice (Check out the book to see what happened) and Jones scampered home for the go ahead run.  Al Worthington replaced Chance but the flood gates remained open as Worthington threw two consecutive wild pitches to push home another run to make it 4-2.  Finally, Jose Tartabull  scored the fifth run of the inning when Reggie Smith reached base on an error by Harmon Killebrew.

Bob Allison singled home Killebrew in the top of the eighth to make it 5-3 but that was as close as the Twins would get.  Jim Lonborg capped off an outstanding season and he improved to 22-9.  Chance took the loss for the Twins and he fell to 20-14.

So ends the most exciting pennant race of all time.  The World Series didn’t end as well for Red Sox fans but the fact that they got there was a huge boost to the city.  And if you want to follow how the Red Sox did in their World Series with the Cardinals, be sure to check out Gas House Gang.

September 30, 1967 at Fenway Park
Red sox 6 (91-70), Twins 4 (91-70)

The Red Sox kept their pennant hopes alive in a must win game over the Twins.  With the win, the Red Sox moved into a tie for first place and it set up what was effectively a one game playoff in the final game of the season tomorrow.  The best the Tigers could hope for was a tie with tomorrow’s winner and that would only come about if they took both games of their doubleheader with the Angels.

It was Jim Kaat going up against Jose Santiago and the Twins drew first blood in the first inning.  Zoilo Versalles led off with a single and after a fly out by Cesar Tovar, he moved to second on a walk by Harmon Killebrew.  Tony Oliva then drove home the Twins first run with a single that scored Versalles.  Bob Allison singled to load the bases but Rod Carew lined out and Ted Uhlaender grounded out to end the inning with three runners aboard.

From that point, the game turned into a pitcher’s duel although the Twins were dealt a critical blow in the third inning.  With a man on and a man out, Jim Kaat strained his elbow and he had to leave the game.  Jim Perry came in to relieve but in the month of September, Jim Kaat was one of the hottest pitchers in the game so they lost one of the guys who had gotten them to this point.

With Perry on the mound, the Red Sox finally struck in the fifth inning.  Reggie Smith led off with a double and he moved to third on Dalton Jones single.  Santiago and Mike Andrews struck out but Jerry Adair came through with the clutch hit when he singled home the tying run.  Carl Yastrzemski then gave the Red Sox their first lead with another single and it was 2-1 Red Sox as things headed into the fifth inning.

It didn’t take the Twins long to answer.  In the top of the sixth, Rich Reese singled home Bob Allison to tie the game with Santiago still on the mound.  The Red Sox then put another run on the board in the bottom of the sixth on George Scott’s leadoff solo homer off of reliever Ron Kline to make it 3-2.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Red Sox opened up the flood gates.  Santiago led off with a groundout before Mike Andrews singled.  Then Zoilo Versalles made a critical error on a ground out by Jerry Adair.  Instead of what could have been a potential inning ending double play, Zoilo misplayed it and everyone was safe.  Carl Yastrzemski then made the Twins pay with a huge three run homer to give the Red Sox a 6-2 lead.   It was his 44th homerun of the season.

Gary Bell relieved Santiago and Bell did give up two runs in the top of the ninth on a two run homer by Harmon Killebrew (also his 44th) but by that point the game was out of reach.  Santiago improved to 12-4 with the nice start and Bell picked up his third save.  Kline took the loss for the Twins and he fell to 7-1 on the season.

September 27, 1967 at Fenway Park
Indians 6, Red Sox 0 (90-70)

Things were really going down to the wire as the Red Sox and Twins both lost heading into a critical two game season to end the season.  The Red Sox lost despite their ace Jim Lonborg being on the mound.  He gave up four runs on six hits with three strikeouts in three innings of work and the loss dropped his record to 21-9.

The Red Sox were held to just five hits in the game.  Jerry Adair went two for four and Carl Yastrzemski picked up a hit to stay ahead in the batting title race.

September 26, 1967 at Fenway Park
Indians 6, Red Sox 3 (90-69)

Once again, the Red Sox stay atop the American League standings was short lived as they dropped into second place after a loss to the Indians and a Twins win.  This was despite a great day by slugger Carl Yastrzemski.  He went two for five with three RBIs and he belted his 43rd homer of the season.

Gary Bell took the loss and he fell to 13-13 on the season.  He gave up three runs (two earned) on five hits in four innings of work.

September 24, 1967 at Memorial Stadium
Red Sox 11 (90-68), Orioles 7

You had to have felt for Jim Lonborg in this one.  He left the game after six shutout innings and saw the bullpen almost give up the seven run lead he was given.  The Red Sox put the nail in the coffin with a four run ninth but this game shouldn’t have been nearly this close.

Lonborg improved to 21-8.  He gave up two hits and four walks with six strikeouts.  Dan Osinski gave up one run and he got two batters out to pick up his second save of the season.

Dalton Jones had a huge game.  He went four for six with a homerun and five RBIs.  Jerry Adair and George Scott both had four hits in the game as well.

September 23, 1967 at Memorial Stadium
Orioles 7, Red Sox 5 (89-68)

The Red Sox had a chance to move into sole possession of first place in the American League but they couldn’t take advantage of the Twins loss as their pitchers got knocked around. Lee Stange gave up four runs in three innings and then John Wyatt took the loss when he gave up two runs while he got just one batter out.

Carl Yastrzemski was the hitting star in the loss. He went two for four with two RBIs, two runs and his 42nd homerun of the season.

September 22, 1967 at Memorial Stadium
Orioles 10, Red Sox 0  (88-67)

The Red Sox four game winning streak came to an abrupt end as the Orioles demolished Jerry Stephenson and Billy Rohr in a blowout loss.  Stephenson dropped to 3-1 and he gave up six runs in 4 1/3 innings while Billy Rohr was tagged for four runs in a single frame.

All the Red Sox could manage was five singles in the loss.  Carl Yastrzemski was the only hiitter to reach base twice with a single and a walk.

September 22, 1967 at Memorial Stadium
Red Sox 10 (89-67), Orioles 3

The Red Sox returned the favor to the Orioles and ran up the score as they salvaged a sweep in their doubleheader with the Orioles.  Joe Foy doubled twice, singled, drove in two runs and scored a run.  Ken Harrelson went three for five with two RBIs and a run.

Jose Santiago improved to 11-4 with the win.  He gave up three runs on nine hits and two walks with eight strikeouts in the complete game win.

September 21, 1967 at Cleveland Stadium
Red Sox 6 (88-66), Indians 5

A 6-1 lead turned into a one run game in a hurry as the Red Sox almost let this one slip away from them.  Gary Bell ended up with the win and he threw 6 1/3 innings in his start but he gave up four of the five runs that the Indians scored.  He improved to 13-12 and he struck out eight.

Mike Andrews was a perfect three for three and he doubled, drove in a run, drew a walk and scored twice.  Dalton Jones singled and he drove in two runs in the win.

The Twins won, so once again the Red Sox found themselves tied for first place at the end of the day.  With the Tigers and White Sox idle though, they at least put some distance on the other two contenders.

September 20, 1967 at Cleveland Stadium
Red Sox 5 (87-66), Indians 4

The Red Sox kept pace with the Twins with a win over the Indians with some ninth inning heroics.  Reggie Smith singled home Carl Yastrzemski to break a 4-4 tie to win it for the Sox.

Yastrzemski was the hitting star in the game.  He went four for five and he belted his 41st homer of the season in addition to scoring that winning run.  Rico Petrocelli went yard with a two run homer while Mike Andrews belted a solo shot.

Jim Lonborg gave up four runs in seven innings but when he left, the game was tied.  John Wyatt gave up just one hit in 1 2/3 innings and he improved to 10-6 with the win.

September 19, 1967 at Tiger Stadium
Red Sox 4 (86-66), Tigers 2 (85-67)

Just one day ago, the Tigers stood in first place with the Twins and Red Sox.  Now, after their third straight loss, the Tigers found themselves all the way down in fourth place.  Granted they were still just a game back but with less then two weeks to go, it looked like the American League Pennant race was still going strong.

Lee Stange threw six solid frames and he gave up just two runs but he left the game with the Red Sox down 2-1.  The red hot Mickey Lolich, on the other hand, held the Red Sox in check through eight innings but then ran into trouble in the ninth inning when he gave up three innings and took the loss.  He did strike out thirteen but the loss dropped his record to 11-13 on the season.

The game winning actually came with Earl Wilson on the mound and it was a wild pitch that scored Carl Yastrzemski.  Russ Gibson had a big game with two hits and two RBIs and for the Tigers, Jim Northrup drove in both runs with a two run homer.

Sepember 18, 1967 at Tiger Stadium
Red Sox 6 (85-66), Tigers 5 (85-66)

The Red Sox moved into a three way tie for first place in the American League with a tough ten inning win over the Tigers.  Carl Yastrzemski belted a solo homerun in the top of the ninth to send the game into extra frames and then Dalton Jones went yard with a solo homer in the top of the tenth to win the game.  For Yastrzemski, the homerun was his 40th of the season and Jones finished the game four for five with two RBIs.

Norm Cash was the hitting star for the Tigers.  He belted two solo homers while Jerry Lumpe went three for four with two RBIs.

Jose Santiago picked up the win for the Red Sox.  He got the final four Tiger hitters to go down in order.  For the Tigers, Denny McLain was roughed up for four runs in two innings while Mike Marshall dropped to 1-3 after he gave up the tenth inning homer.

September 17, 1967 at Fenway Park
Orioles 5, Red Sox 2  (84-66)

Just a couple of days ago, the Red Sox were tied for first with the Twins.  Now they’re tied for third with the Twins as both teams have struggled and the Tigers and White Sox have taken over the top spots.  Gary Bell had a rough start though and he put the Red Sox down early.  He gave up three runs on four hits and one walk with three strikeouts in just 2 1/3 innings.

Carl Yastrzemski doubled and he drove in both Red Sox runs.  Mike Andrews singled, drew a walk and scored a run.

September 16, 1967 at Fenway Park
Orioles 4, Red Sox 1  (84-65)

Jim Lonborg failed to pick up his 21st win and while he wasn’t awful, it wasn’t enough for the Red Sox to remain in first place.  Lonborg fell to 20-8 and he gave up two runs on nine hits and two walks with eight strikeouts in six innings of work.

The Red Sox managed just three hits in the entire game.  One of those hits was a solo homer by Rico Petrocelli.

September 15, 1967 at Fenway Park
Orioles 6, Red Sox 2 (84-64)

The bad news is, the Red Sox lost.  The good news is, they remained in first place.  The other bad news is, things the American League pennant race got even tighter because with the Tigers win, there was now a three way tie for first place with the White Sox nipping at the heels.

Dave Morehead took the loss and he fell to 5-4.  He gave up three runs on three hits and four walks with three strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings.  Each of the four pitchers that the Red Sox used gave up runs in the loss.

Reggie Smith belted a solo homerun, his fifteenth of the season.  Carl Yastrzemski went three for four and he scored a run.

September 13, 1967 at Fenway Park
Red Sox 4 (84-63), Athletics 2

The Red Sox won their fourth straight game to remain tied with Twins for first place in the American League on a day where all four contenders won their games.  For the Red Sox, it was a three run eighth inning to turned out to be the difference in the game.  The big hit of the inning was a two run double by Rico Petrocelli.  The shortstop finished with two hits and three RBIs in the win.

Lee Stange almost had a great start go to waste.  He gave up one unearned run on six hits with eight strikeouts in seven innings.  John Wyatt gave up a run in two innings of relief to close out the game and he improved to 9-6 on the season.

September 12, 1967 at Fenway Park
Red Sox 3 (83-63), Athletics 1

Jim Lonborg improved to 20-7 on the season as the Red Sox took care of the Athletics and moved back into a tie with the Twins for first place in the American League.  Lonborg went the distance and he gave up one run on eight hits two walks with eight strikeouts.

Reggie Smith belted a solo homer in the fifth inning to put the Red Sox on the board.  Then Jim Lonborg helped out his own cause when, with the game tied 1-1, he tripled home a run and later scored on a sac. fly for the deciding runs.

September 10, 1967 at Fenway Park
Red Sox 9 (82-63), Yankees 1

The Red Sox took care of the Yankees again as they moved past the Tigers into second place in the American League.  Hawk Harrelson went two for three with a homerun and two RBIs while catcher Mike Ryan tripled, drove in three runs and scored.

Gary Bell improved to 12-11 on the season with a solid start. He gave up one run on four hits and four walks with seven strikeouts in the complete game win.

September 9, 1967 at Fenway Park
Red Sox 7 (81-63), Yankees 1

The Red Sox kept up with the Twins and Tigers, who also both won their games, and by days end they sat a half game back of first place just like they did when they entered the day.  Dave Morehead got it done on the mound for the Red Sox and he improved 5-3.  He gave up one run on four hits and four walks with three strikeouts in seven solid frames.  Sparky Lyle threw two perfect innings and he picked up his fifth save of the season.

Carl Yastrzemski belted his 39th homerun of the season.  Rico Petrocelli also went yard with his 15th homer and he scored two runs.

September 8, 1967 at Fenway Park
Yankees 5, Red Sox 2  (80-63)

The Red Sox fell from first place as things still remained tight in the American League Pennant race.  The four contenders were still all within a game of each other and with the loss, the Red Sox stood just a half game of the Twins and the most recent team to climb to the perch, the Detroit Tigers. 

The Red Sox managed only two runs in this one with George Scott playing a roll in both.  He tripled home Carl Yastrzemski in the first inning and then he scored after he led off with a single and stole a base in the fourth inning.

Lee Stange fell to 8-10 on the season with a tough start.  He gave up three runs on seven hits and one walk with three strikeouts in six innings.

September 7, 1967 at Fenway Park
Red Sox 3 (80-62), Yankees 1

The Red Sox were the first American League team to 80 wins and they remained in a first place tie with now just the Twins behind a solid start by Jim Lonborg. It was his 19th win of the season and he gave up just the one run on three hits and two walks with ten strikeouts in the complete game win.

Rico Petrocelli put the Red Sox on the board with a solo homer in the second inning. He went three for three with two RBIs and a run. Lonborg helped out his own cause with a single, a double and an RBI.

September 5, 1967 at D.C. Stadium
Red Sox 8 (79-62), Senators 2

The Red Sox remained a half game back of the first place Twins with a blowout win over the Senators.  Carl Yastrzemski had another big game to lead the Red Sox at the plate.  He went three for four with two homeruns, four RBIs and three runs.  The two homers brings his season total up to 38 on the season.  Ken Harrelson also had a nice game with two singles, a double and a run.

Gary Bell evened his record out at 11-11.  He gave up two runs on eight hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in the complete game win.

September 4, 1967 at D.C. Stadium
Senators 5, Red Sox 2  (77-62)

The Red Sox lost their third straight game as they dropped the front end of their doubleheader with the Senators.  Dave Morehead took the loss and he fell to 4-3.  He gave up three runs on six hits and one walk with six strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.

Carl Yastrzemski pretty much was the Red Sox offense in this one.  He had two of the Red Sox four hits including a homerun and he also drove in the only two Red Sox runs of the game.

September 4, 1967 at D.C. Stadium
Red Sox 6 (78-62), Senators 4

The Red Sox snapped their three game skid and salvaged a split in their doubleheader with the Senators.  As a result, they remained a half game back of the first place Twins in a still tight American League pennant race. 

Jerry Stephenson improved to 3-0 with a decent start.  He gave up four runs on six hits and one walk with four strikeouts in five innings of work.  John Wyatt pitched a perfect ninth inning and he picked up his nineteenth save of the season.

Jerry Adair singled, drove in two runs and scored to lead the Red Sox at the plate.  Rico Petrocelli went one for four with an RBI and two runs.

September 3, 1967 at Fenway Park
White Sox 4 (75-60), Red Sox (77-61)

The White Sox took their second straight game over the Red Sox to win their series and keep themselves in the pennant race.  Tommy John had the impressive start and he improved to 9-9.  He gave up just five hits with four strikeouts in the complete game shutout.  Lee Stange took the loss for the Red Sox and he fell to 8-9.  He gave up two runs on six hits and four walks with three strikeouts in six frames.

Ken Berry tripled and drove in two runs while Tommie Agee went three for five for the White Sox.  Five different Red Sox singled and no one reached base more then once.

September 2, 1967 at Fenway Park
White Sox 4 (74-60), Red Sox 1 (77-60)

The Red Sox fell from first and the White Sox made some headway as Joe Horlen held the Red Sox hitters in check.  He improved to 15-6 and he gave up one run on six hits and two walks with four strikeouts in the complete game win. He outdueled Red Sox ace Jim Lonborg, who fell to 18-7.  He gave up four runs (three in the first) on nine hits and three walks with five strikeouts in seven frames.

Walt Williams went three for four with a double and an RBI while Rocky Colavito went two for four with a double, a run and an RBI for the White Sox.  Ken Harrelson doubled and he drove in the only off of Horlen for the Red Sox.

September 1, 1967 at Fenway Park
Red Sox 10 (77-59), White Sox 2 (73-60)

The Red Sox evened up their series with the White Sox at the expense of Gary Peters.  The White Sox starter fell to 15-8 when he gave up seven runs as he barely escaped the second inning.  For the Red Sox, Jose Santiago picked up the complete game win.  He gave up two runs on nine hits and two walks with two strikeouts.

Ken Harrelson had a huge day at the plate for the Red Sox.  He went three for four with a triple, a homerun, four RBIs and three runs.  Mike Andrews singled twice and he scored two runs.  For the White Sox, Ron Hansen went two for three with a walk and a run.

August 31, 1967 at Fenway Park
White Sox 4 (73-59), Red Sox 2 (76-59)

Once again the American League tightened to where the first place team and fourth place team were seperated by just a game and a half as the White Sox took care of the Red Sox in their series opener.  Rookie Cisco Carlos didn’t pick up the win, but he kept the White Sox in the game in just his second big league start.  He gave up two runs on one hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.  It was Don McMahon who picked up the win with two innings of shutout relief to close out the game.  Gary Bell went the distance for the Red Sox but he took the loss.  He dropped to 10-11 and he gave up four runs on nine hits and two walks with seven strikeouts.

Most of the White Sox offense came via the long ball.  Tommie Agee belted a solo homerun while Pete Ward went yard with a two run shot.  The Red Sox managed just two hits in the game and one of them was an RBI double by Rico Petrocelli.

August 30, 1967 at Yankee Stadium
Red Sox 2 (76-58), Yankees 1

After playing 28 innings yesterday, the Red Sox and Yankees played eleven more in an extra frame win for the Red Sox.  Carl Yastrzemski had the game winning hit with a solo homerun in the eleventh.  It was his 35th long ball of the season.  Reggie Smith also had a nice game and he went two for five with a double and a run.

Jerry Stephenson almost saw a nice start go to waste.  He gave up just one run on four hits with four strikeouts in seven innings.  John Wyatt improved to 8-6 and he gave up two hits and a walk with two strikeouts in four innings of shutout relief.

August 29, 1967 at Yankee Stadium
Red Sox 2 (75-57), Yankees 1

Jim Lonborg did it again as the Red Sox won their second straight and took the first game of their doubleheader with the Yankees.  He improved to 18-6 and he gave up one run on three hits with eleven strikeouts in the complete game victory.

Lonborg even helped out his own cause with a single and an RBI.  Reggie Smith singled, drew two walks and scored a run.

August 29, 1967 at Yankee Stadium
Yankees 4, Red Sox 3  (75-58)

Doubleheaders can be tough, but when the second game is the equivalent of more then two games because it goes 20 innings, it makes for a long day.  Bucky Brandon, in his sixth inning of work, gave up the deciding run in the bottom of the 20th inning as the Yankees salvaged a sweep with the Red Sox.

The newly acquired Ken Harrelson made his debut and made an impact by belting a solo homerun in the second inning.  Harrelson was released by the Athletics after he was quoted (he says he was misquoted) as saying A’s owner Charlie Finley was a menance.  He went to the highest bidder and that team was the Red Sox, who ponied up $150,000 for the outfielder.

August 28, 1967 at Yankee Stadium
Red Sox 3 (74-57), Yankees 0

The Red Sox remained tied for first with a nice shutout loss by Dave Morehead and Sparky Lyle.  Morehead picked up the win and he improved to 4-2.  He gave up four hits and four walks with four strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings while Lyle shut the Yankees out through 3 2/3 innings to pick up his fourth saveof the season.

Reggie Smith drove in one of the three Red Sox runs with a solo homerun.  Jerry Adair continued to hit the ball well and he went two for four.

August 27, 1967 at Comiskey Park
Red Sox 4 (73-56), White Sox 3 (70-57)

It was the Red Sox and White Sox second doubleheader in three days and like the previous doubleheader on Friday, the Red Sox kicked things off with a win.  Gary Bell improved to 10-10 with a nice start and he gave up three runs (one earned) on seven hits and two walks with four strikeouts in 8 1/3 innings.  John Wyatt got the final two batters out and he picked up his 18th save while Fred Klages took the loss for the White Sox.  He fell to 2-3 and he gave up three runs on six hits and two walks with two strikeouts in five innings pitched.

Carl Yastrzemski led the way for the Red Sox with a pair of solo homeruns.  The two homers brought his season total up to 34 on the season.  Pete Ward went two for three with a walk and an RBI for the White Sox.

August 27, 1967 at Comiskey Park
White Sox 1 (71-57), Red Sox 0 (73-57)

Gary Peters pitched his head off as the White Sox salvaged a split in their doubleheader with the Red Sox and in the process, they cost the Red Sox sole possession of first place in the American League.  Peters threw a eleven inning complete game shutout in which he gave up just four hits and three walks.  The win pushed Peters record to 15-7 while a fantastic start by Jose Santiago went to waste for the Red Sox.  Santiago gave up three hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings while Bucky Brandon took the loss when he gave up the lone run in the eleventh inning when he walked Rocky Colavito with the bases loaded.

Colavito had the lone RBI for either side as the White Sox managed just three hits.  George Thomas was the hitting star for the Red Sox and he went two for four.