Red Sox Able To Win When It Counted (89-70)

Entering the game, the Red Sox faced a dire predicament. If they lost, they would be tied with the Rays for the wild card, but they didn't lose. With runners on 1st and 2nd and 1 out in the 1st inning for the Yankees, Mark Teixeira was the beneficiary of some bad defense and was able to score on an inside-the-park home run to make it 3-0 early. After a one out triple by Jed Lowrie in the 5th, J.D. Drew drove him in with a single in his first game since July 19. With runners at 2nd and 3rd in the 6th inning, Adrian Gonzalez hit a hard grounder to first but a diving snag by Mark Teixeira allowed only one run to score. In the 7th, the Red Sox were able to put Mike Aviles on 3rd with one out. Marco Scutaro would double into left to score the run and make it 3-3. Then, the next batter, Jason Varitek singled up the middle to score a run and give the Sox a 4-3 lead. However, a sacrifice fly to deep center by Chris Dickerson would tie the game again in the bottom of the 7th. It stayed that way until the top of the 14th inning, when with runners at 1st and 3rd and two outs, Jacoby Ellsbury lifted a ball into the Yankees bullpen for a 3-run homer to make it 7-4.
       John Lackey was actually pretty good last night. After that homer by Mark Teixeira in the 1st inning, he was lights out, and he wound up allowing 4 runs, 3 earned in 6+ innings. However, behind him was some lights out relief as Alfredo Aceves, Daniel Bard, Jonathan Papelbon, Franklin Morales, and Felix Doubront were all very good and didn't allow the Yankees to get anything going. Jacoby Ellsbury went 2-7, however, one of those hits was the key 3-run homer, as he is now .322/31/103. Adrian Gonzalez (left) went 1-4 with an RBI, but if Mark Teixeira hadn't made a fantastic play, he would've been 2-4 with 2 RBIs. Jed Lowrie went 2-3 with a run scored, as he was a big catalyst for this team. Marco Scutaro went 2-4 with 2 runs and an RBI, including an intentional walk by Mariano Rivera, a sign of respect. Tonight, the Red Sox will head to Baltimore and send Josh Beckett (13-6/2.70/170) out against Tommy Hunter (4-4/4.86/43).

Bright Spots:
John Lackey- 4 runs in 6 innings, but only one came after the 1st
The Bullpen- 8 shutout innings, allowing only one hit and striking out 8
Jacoby Ellsbury- 2-7 with a key 3-run homer
Carl Crawford- 2-7 with a run scored
Dustin Pedroia- 2-6
Adrian Gonzalez- 1-4 with an RBI
Jed Lowrie- 2-3 with a run and 2 very important hits
Marco Scutaro- 2-4 with 2 runs and an RBI

Dull Spots:
David Ortiz- 0-6 with 4 LOB

This was quite a game, and we came out on top so it's all good!