2004 Relived, Red Sox Get To Rivera, Win In Extras (70-43)

Last night, the Red Sox and Yankees played a heck of a game, as the Sox won 3-2 in the 10th inning to take 1st place. In the 2nd inning, the Red Sox loaded the bases on a walk and two hits with nobody out. However, the next two batters, Jason Varitek and Josh Reddick each got out before a Marco Scutaro line drive into right field made it 1-0. In the 5th, Eduardo Nunez crushed a home run to left field over the monster to tie it up at 1-1. In the 7th, another Yankees homer, this one by Brett Gardner made it 2-1. In the 9th, Marco Scutaro doubled to lead off the inning, and a Jacoby Ellsbury bunt put him at 3rd base with just one out. Dustin Pedroia obliged and hit a fly ball deep, and Scutaro was able to tag up and tie the game at 2-2. In the 10th, David Ortiz doubled with one out, and after Phil Hughes intentionally walked Carl Crawford, Josh Reddick came through with a drive to left with Gardner was unable to reach, and the Sox won!

Josh Beckett was very good, allowing 1 earned run in 6 innings, as he is now 9-4/2.17/127. He was relieved with Matt Albers for 2/3 of an inning (gave up 1 run), Franklin Morales for 1/3, then Dan Wheeler, Jonathan Papelbon, and Daniel Bard (got the win) for 1 inning. Dustin Pedroia had a good game, going 1-3 with an RBI. David Ortiz went 2-4. Carl Crawford went 3-4 and raised his average to .260, as he's been really hot lately. Josh Reddick had a god-awful day, going 1-5 and stranding 6 runners, but I suppose since he got the walk-off hit he's a bright spot as well. Marco Scutaro had a great day as well, going 4-4 with a run and an RBI, as he is now .272/5/24. Tomorrow, the Sox will head to Minneapolis and will send Tim Wakefield (6-4/4.99/58) to get his 200th win against Scott Baker (8-6/3.01/115).

Bright Spots:

Josh Beckett- pitched very well allowing just 1 run over 6 innings

Dan Wheeler, Jonathan Papelbon, and Daniel Bard- 3 combined scoreless innings

Dustin Pedroia- 1-3 with an RBI

David Ortiz- 2-4

Carl Crawford- 3-4

Josh Reddick- 1-5 with the walk-off hit, despite stranding 6 runners

Marco Scutaro- 4-4 with a run and an RBI

Dull Spots:

Jacoby Ellsbury- 0-4 with 8 LOB

Adrian Gonzalez- 0-5

Kevin Youkilis- 0-4 with a strikeout

Jason Varitek- 0-3 with 6 LOB

This was an exciting game, and we're back in 1st place!