The Red Sox came into last night's game leading 2-1 and had Jake Peavy on the mound. The Sox had their chances early, but were unable to score a run. As the game got into later innings, it looked like this game might be headed a Game 5 in Boston, but the Sox were able to rally late and with some great pitching out of the bullpen. They got a few runs on the board and advanced to the ALCS. Now the Sox will have to await who their competition will be.
The Red Sox had a huge opportunity early in the game when starter Hellickson loaded the bases with no outs in the 2nd inning. Joe Maddon pulled him from the game and the Sox looked primed to break this game open. Unfortunately, the Sox would end up not being able to score a run. For a while this looked like it would be the Sox's demise. Luckily for the Sox, Peavy kept putting up zeroes as well to at least keep the game in hand while Maddon was having to go to the his bullpen over and over again. Peavy first hiccup wasn't until the 6th inning when he ended up giving up an RBI single to DeJesus. Sox 0-1. At this point, it seemed like whoever scored first was gonna win and that was bad news for the Sox. Farrell ended up going to get Peavy with 2 outs in the 6th and hand the ball to Breslow. Peavy clearly wanted to stay in the game and keep battling. Peavy's line for the night was 74 pitches, 5.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB and 3 Ks.
If anyone is the hero of this game, in my opinion it would be Craig Breslow. Breslow got the final out of the 6th and then struck out the side in the 7th. In the bottom of the 7th the Sox bats finally broke through and not only tied the game, but was able to take the lead. Bogaerts pinch hit for Drew and worked a walk and then went to 3rd on an Ells single. Ellsbury then stole 2nd and on a wild pitch from Peralta, Bogaerts came home to tie the game. Ellsbury was able to get to 3rd base on the wild pitch and now the go ahead run was 90 feet away. Shane Victorino came to the plate and hit an infield single that he just barely beat out while Ellsbury scampered home. Sox 2-1. Breslow took the mound once again in the 8th and got one out before giving up a single. Farrell would end up going to Tazawa who got Joyce to strike out swinging. The rest of the game would be in Koji's hands. Uehara would not have any of the problems he had the night before. Uehara got DeJesus to strike out to end the 8th and then the Sox added one more run in the bottom of the inning. Fernando Rodney continued to struggle and have trouble locating. Rodney loaded the bases with one out as Pedey came to the plate. Maddon replaced him with Chris Archer, but Pedey was still able to get a sac fly to give the Sox some breathing room. Sox 3-1. Uehara came out in the 9th and had to face the heart of the Rays order in Myers, Loney and Longoria. Koji got 3 quick outs and the Sox were on to celebrating winning the ALDS and that they punched their ticket to the ALCS.
Well done Red Sox. Well done.
Red Sox 3 Rays 1 BOXSCORE
WP: Breslow (1-0) LP: McGee (0-1) SV: Uehara (2)
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