Aug 10, 1981 - Yankee Stadium
Danny Darwin vs Ron Guidry
Rangers 4, Yankees 0
Gator was just humming along for 6 fine innings where he gave up just 2 runs and fanned 9. Inexplicably he came out after only throwing 88 pitchers. Quite possibly he was tired after not working out for the long 2 month layoff ? Since Boss Steinbrenner put a gag order on the team we may never know the truth. Either way Ron Davis held the fort down then handed the ball over to the Goose, who uncharacteristically laid an egg and gave up 2 runs in the top of the 9th to put the game on a silver platter for the Rangers. Pat Putnam's solo shot tied the game with 1 out. Former Yank Mickey Rivers singled then punished his old mates by stealing both 2nd and 3rd. Billy Sample walked to put runners on the corners for Leon Roberts, who grounded weakly to Nettles at third. The sure handed Yankee third baseman had only one play, which was to first, which allowed Rivers to score the go ahead run. Steve Comer, who pitched wonderfully in releif of Darwin, set the Bombers down in order in the 9th to notch the opening day win.
Aug 11, 1981
Rick Honeycutt vs Rudy May
Rangers 8, Yankees 4
Buddy Bell's homer in the top of the first put the Rangers up 1-0. That lead would be short lived as the Bombers exploded for 4 quick runs off of Honeycutt in the bottom of the frame with 3 coming off the potent bat of Mr. October, Reggie Jackson. Texas inched back into by cutting New York's lead to 1 with two in the top of the 4th thanks to a 2 run single by the unlikeliest of all candidates, Mario Mendoza. The top of the 5th would see Texas victimize May for 5 more runs to make it 8-4. Leon Roberts' 3 run shot was the coffin nail. Credit Honeycutt for righting the ship after a leaky 4 run first by going the distance and not allowing another run.
Aug 12, 1981
Doc Medich vs Tommy John
Rangers 6, Yankees 3
Fort the second day in a row Buddy Bell knocked in a run in the top of the 1st. This time in the form of a run scoring double to plate Bill Stein. New York once again battled back with a big inning (3 runs in the 3rd) to take a 3-1 lead. Once again Mr. October supplied the lumber with a 2 run single. Texas added a run in the 4th to make it a 1 run ballgame until the top of the 6th when John was victimized for 4 big runs. A two run blast by shortstop Mark Wagner finished off the scoring. Relievers Dave Schmidt (3 IP) and Steve Comer (1 out) combined to shutout the Bombers over the final 4 innings as Texas completed their improbably road sweep of the Evil Empire. Today's New York Post back page headline read: "Bronx Bumblers"
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