May 22, 2024 - Red Sox Sweep Twins
5/26/2025by Skip Remington
Mantle takes series MVP as Red Sox sweep
Mantle takes series MVP as Red Sox sweep

 

The Boston Globe
Wednesday, May 22, 2024

 

Mantle’s Bat, Burleson’s Bat Flip Cap Sox Sweep of Twins at Fenway

By David James | Globe Staff

 

BOSTON — A cool spring breeze swept across Fenway Park this week, but the bats of the Boston Red Sox burned red-hot as they stormed back in Game 3 to complete a dramatic sweep of the Minnesota Twins. With walk-off flair, thunderous moments from Mickey Mantle, and ice-veined clutch hitting from Rick Burleson, the Sox put together three wildly different wins to take the series, 4-3, 7-1, and 4-3.

 

"This team just doesn’t flinch,” said manager Joe Cronin. “Whether we’re down two or up five, the energy in the dugout is the same. And Mantle… what can you say? The guy was born to hit in Fenway.”

Game 1: Mantle’s Moonshot Steals Opener, 4–3

On a brisk Sunday night, Mickey Mantle drilled a laser into the center field bleachers in the bottom of the ninth, breaking a 3–3 deadlock and sending 35,000 fans into a frenzy. The homer—his 10th of the season—capped off a three-hit night for Mantle, who also doubled and scored twice.

 

Bob Feller earned a no-decision but battled through seven innings, striking out six despite allowing three runs and nine hits. Gil Heredia picked up the win with two scoreless innings of relief.

 

Minnesota opened scoring in the third on a bases-loaded walk and added two more in the fifth behind a David Justice double and Jimmy Dykes sacrifice fly. But Boston clawed back in the eighth on a Marty McManus RBI double, setting the stage for Mantle’s fireworks in the ninth.

 

“Left it out over the plate,” said Twins reliever George Pipgras. “And when you do that to Mantle, the ball tends to disappear.”

 

Inning-by-Inning Summary:

  • Top 3rd: Reiser walks, Baker and Justice load bases. Terry walks, Reiser scores.

  • Top 5th: Baker doubles, Justice doubles him in. Dykes sac fly scores Justice.

  • Bot 1st: Mays singles, Mantle doubles him in. Murray singles in Mantle.

  • Bot 8th: Luzinski and Murray walk. McManus doubles in Luzinski.

  • Bot 9th: Mantle homers to win it.

Game 2: Seaver Silences Minnesota in 7–1 Rout

 

Tom Terrific lived up to his name Monday night, throwing seven innings of one-run ball, and the Red Sox offense exploded for seven runs in the eighth to bury the Twins.

 

Greg Luzinski’s two-run double and Eddie Murray’s towering three-run homer highlighted the big inning. The outburst came off Twins reliever Roger Moret, who faced seven batters and failed to record an out until the damage was done.

“That inning felt like a runaway train,” Twins catcher Bob Boone said. “Seaver dominated, and we just couldn’t match their late energy.”

 

Minnesota’s only run came on a Frank Thomas sac fly in the fourth after a leadoff walk and a stolen base from Harlond Baker. But after that, Seaver and reliever Ed Killian combined to allow just two base runners over the final five frames.

 

Inning-by-Inning Summary:

  • Top 4th: Baker walks, steals second. Thomas sac fly scores him.

  • Bot 8th: Freese singles, Munson walks, Gazella singles. Mays HBP ties game. Mantle walk gives Sox lead. Luzinski double plates two. Murray homers to cap the inning.

Game 3: Burleson’s Double Walks It Off, 4–3

 

It took nine innings and every ounce of grit the Sox had, but Rick Burleson delivered the knockout blow Tuesday night. His two-run double in the bottom of the ninth turned a 3–2 deficit into a walk-off 4–3 win.

 

Minnesota looked in control early. George Foster doubled, and Frank Thomas blasted a two-run homer in the first. The Sox responded with Mantle’s second homer of the series—a no-doubt shot to center. Thomas would strike out three more times, unable to rekindle his opening blast.

 

Bert Blyleven settled in after a shaky start, punching out 10 in seven innings, while Jose Nunez picked up the win with two scoreless innings in relief.

 

In the ninth, after Freese and Munson singled, Burleson smashed a hard grounder past a diving Pete Reiser in center to plate both runners and ignite a mob at second base.

 

“I just told myself to stay inside the ball and hit it where it’s pitched,” Burleson said, grinning in a mob of champagne-soaked teammates. “It’s a moment I’ll never forget.”

 

Inning-by-Inning Summary:

  • Top 1st: Foster doubles, Thomas homers. 2–0 Twins.

  • Bot 1st: Mantle (11th) homers after Miller walk. 2–2 tie.

  • Top 2nd: Terry singles, scores on Dykes single. 3–2 Twins.

  • Bot 9th: Freese and Munson single. Burleson doubles in both. Sox walk it off.

Series MVP: Mickey Mantle

 

Mantle went 5-for-9 in the series with two home runs, a double, four runs scored, and four RBI. His walk-off shot in Game 1 and clutch contributions throughout anchored the Boston offense.

 

“He’s got that gear most players only dream about,” said catcher Thurman Munson. “When the lights are brightest, Mick just shines.”

Weather and Crowd Notes:

  • Game 1: Clear skies, 56°F, electric Sunday night crowd of 35,162. Fenway faithful stayed on their feet every pitch of the ninth.

  • Game 2: Chilly Monday evening, 52°F. Announced crowd: 32,880. The eighth-inning eruption had fans stomping the bleachers in jubilation.

  • Game 3: Crisp 58°F with light breeze. Crowd of 36,015 roared as Burleson’s liner split the gap. Several fans tossed their caps in the air.

 

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