June 6, 1977 – Yankees 9, Rangers 2
- Sal Maiorana
- Jun 6, 2017
- 2 min read
ARLINGTON, Tex. – Before the Yankees departed Chicago for Dallas, Billy Martin shared his concern over his starting rotation. Gil Patterson had to leave the 8-6 victory over the White Sox due to shoulder stiffness, and with Don Gullett and Catfish Hunter in and out of the trainers’ room so often, the Yankee bullpen was starting to feel the effects.
Dick Tidrow had pitched 4.1 innings and Sparky Lyle three to get through the last game in Chicago after Patterson exited in the second inning. “We’re going to be strapped no matter what,” Martin said, looking ahead to the Texas series. “I’m looking for nine innings from Cat because I don’t have anybody else.”
Hunter, proving once again why he was going to be a future Hall of Famer, rose up and gave Martin exactly what he needed, a complete game gem where he allowed just six hits and two runs, more than enough with the Yankee bats as hot as they were. It was Hunter’s first victory since Opening Day.
“My arm didn’t hurt, and that’s what I wanted to know,” said Hunter, who threw 103 pitches.
Martin admitted he had Yankee trainer Gene Monahan checking with Hunter every half inning to make sure he was OK. “Any little bit of stiffness and he was coming out,” said Martin. “I saw what I wanted to see tonight – good velocity and good control. I was worried. When it’s one of your star pitchers, you’ve gotta be concerned.”
By scoring nine runs, the Yankees had 25 during their three-game winning streak, and the key man in this game was Reggie Jackson who hit two homers and drove in four runs. No surprise there. This was the third time this season the Yankees were featured on ABC’s Monday Night Baseball, and Jackson had homered at least once in each game on the big stage with Howard Cosell watching.
“The press has projected me into being a bad guy and an ogre,” Jackson said. “When I get in front of the national audience there’s an extra incentive to do well. I’ve been run down by the press so much. Letting the people see that I’m playing well and swinging the bat well is my only way of coming back.”
Willie Randolph, back in the lineup after a day off, contributed three hits including a solo homer. Seven of the nine batters recorded at least two hits as New York banged out 15 in total against Doyle Alexander, Steve Harden, and Darold Knowles.
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