Walk off win, the spark the Sox needed
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by Dicekmania
With the Yankees playing .700 ball since the all-star break, closing the Red Sox seemingly insurmountable lead down to a measly 4 games, last night's walk off win, only the 2nd of the season for the Sox may be the win that sparks this team out of it's so-so play off late. Not only did the walk off win give the Sox a victory, their MLB leading 72nd, but more importantly up their lead to 5 games over the Yankees, who were crushed by the Orioles 12-0. Last night was a great pitching duel between the young left handers, Scott Kazmir, a known Red Sox killer against Jon Lester, who was making his first Fenway start since being diagnosed with cancer last year.
Kazmir pitched 6 strong innings, shutting the Sox offense down once again. His change had the Red Sox hitters off balance all night, he struck out 8 and walked 3 in 6 innings off work allowing just 4 hits. Lester was equally as dominant except on the scoreboard as the D-Rays pushed across a run in the 4th. Lester worked 7 innings, throwing just 97 pitches, allowed just 2 hits. struck out 4 and walked just 1, a pale comparison to his last start against the Angels where he lasted only 3 1/3 innings.
With Kazmir out of the game, every team knows the have a shot against the D-Rays bullpen, the Sox though didn't have any luck in the 7th, as they got the lead off man Varitek on but couldn't do anything as JD "BOO" Drew grounded into a twin killing to end the inning. The Sox bullpen which has struggled of late looked like it was going to have another tough night as Manny Delcarmen came in in the 8th, gave up a single to Johnny Gomes, then walked the next batter Josh Wilson, a sac bunt moved the runners to 2nd and 3rd with just one out. Delcarmen battled back got a pop out to left, after an intentional walk to Carl Crawford leaving the bases loaded, Delcarmen was lifted for Mike Timlin.
Timlin has been the forgotten guy in the pen, and tonight he showed why he has been solid for a such a long time, he came on a struck out B.J. Upton with a high fastball to end the threat. I really think Timlin is a key guy to a title run this year, he has the experience and his arm hasn't been over used this season, he should be able to provide some key innings and get some key outs down the stretch. Despite retiring Upton, Timlin didn't come back out for the 9th, Eric Gagne was brought in. Gagne had blown his last two chances over the weekend against the Orioles.
He showed why the Sox picked him up tonight striking out the side, getting the Sox to the 9th down just 1-0 Al Reyes the D-Rays closer came on to try and preserve to 1-0 lead, he started off strong striking out Manny on a called 3rd strike, a pitch which appear to be low. Mike Lowell was up next and provided the big hit the Sox hadn't been able to get all night, he crushed a high inside fastball over the green monster to tie the score at 1-1, this 9th inning magic is something that has been elusive this year, but the homerun energize the Fenway faithful as they could feel the magic building. Reyes came back strong though and struck out Kevin Youkilis, which brought up the captain, Jason Varitek with two outs. V-tek had a great at bat, after falling behind 1-2, he fouled off a couple of tough pitches before evening the count at 2-2.
Reyes had been throwing his breaking ball many times in the at bat, V-tek was ready for it, the pitch was low and inside, right in his wheel house, he crushed it to deep right, for a minute it looked like it might have enough to get out, but landed on the warning track and bounced into the stands for a ground rule double. It was up to Coco Crisp, back in the lineup after missing the last two with a viral infection, Coco took the first two pitches for balls. Reyes battles back though, getting the count to 3-2, again Reyes hung breaking ball and Coco lined it into left, V-tek off with the pitch slid into home as the throw from the strong armed Delmon Young was up the line. Fenway erupted and Sox had their 2nd walk off win of the season, a huge win in more than one way! Could this be the victory that sparks the Sox the rest of the season, it has looked like they needed a boost for the last couple of months, hopefully this is it. 5 game lead heading into today matchup, with Dice-K on the mound. The Yankees have to deal with Erik Bedard, looks like their will be a little scoreboard watching during the Wednesday Matinees...
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