1975 World Series Game Seven

October 22, 1975 Reds 4, Red Sox 3 Red Win Best of Seven Series 4-3

The spaceman, Bill Lee, and Don Gullett squared in the game that decided who would walk away with the 1975 World Series. Lee hadn’t pitched since game two after getting snubbed in game five.

The game appeared to be heading for a nice quiet pitching dual when the Red Sox drew first blood in the third. With one out, one of the game six heroes, Bernie Carbo, drew a walk. Denny Doyle singled and moved Carbo to third. Carl Yastrzemski singled home Carbo to put the Red Sox on the board, and then Carlton Fisk was intentionally walked to load up the bases. Fred Lynn struck out to make it two outs, but then Gullett lost control and walked Rico Petrocelli and Dwight Evans to give the Red Sox a 3-0 lead. He then got out of the jam by striking out Rick Burleson.

Through five innings, Lee held the Reds to only five hits. In the top of the sixth, Pete Rose led off the inning with a single. Joe Morgan flew out to right, then Johnny Bench forced Rose on a ground out to the shortstop. Then with two outs, Tony Perez hit a two run shot that shaved the Red Sox lead to a single run.

The Reds wouldn’t waste much time to get on the board again. In the seventh inning, Ken Griffey drew a one out walk. Cesar Geronimo popped out to the shortstop to make it two outs. Griffey stole second base and then Ed Armbrister drew a walk to put runners at first and second. Then Charlie Hustle, Pete Rose, hit a solid single to score Griffey and to tie the game.

Neither team threatend until the Reds half of the ninth. Jim Burton took the mound for the Red Sox and he led off the inning by walking Ken Griffey. Cesar Geronimo moved him over to second with a bunt, and then Griffey moved to third on Dan Driessen’s ground out. Pete Rose drew a walk to put men at the corners, and then Joe Morgan, the MVP of the league, hit a huge clutch single to drive home Griffey which gave the Reds a 4-3 lead.

Will McEnaney came in to pitch the ninth inning, and without much drama, got the Red Sox out in order. The Reds had come from being down 1-0 in the series, and 3-0 in this game to secure their first World Championship since 1940.

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