Could last night’s come-from-behind victory have been the kick in the butt the Boston Red Sox needed?
Trailing by 2-runs in the top of the 9th, they mounted a furious rally that saw a few gaffes along the way. First, after Jacoby Ellsbury singled in a run, Chris Woodward couldn’t lay down a bunt. Then Terry Francona brings in Clay Buchholz to pinch-run for Jason Varitek at second base. Buchholz is then gunned down at the plate after not being able to judge the ball on Dustin Pedroia’s double.
At this point in the game, I’m pretty sure everyone in Red Sox Nation is questioning the sanity of Francona for bringing in Buchholz to pinch-run. Luckily, Victor Martinez bailed out Francona for his decision by coming up with a clutch two-run double to put the Red Sox out in front at 5-4. They would add three more insurance runs off of Rangers closer Frank Francisco and Jonathan Papelbon closed the door in the 9th to preserve the win.
While the Red Sox weren’t able to pick up any ground on the Yankees, who won, they were able to increase their lead over the Rangers to 1.5 games and 5 games over the Tampa Bay Rays in the wild card standings.
For a while there it looked as though the Red Sox were going to struggle against another opposing ace. They did work Kevin Millwood’s pitch count though as they got him out of the game in the 6th inning. After David Ortiz homered off of Eddie Guardado, the Rangers bullpen shut down the visiting nine until the fateful 9th inning.
Jon Lester wasn’t at his absolute best last night either but he did everything he could to keep the Red Sox in the game. A leadoff walk in the first came back to haunt him but after that he settled in. He ended up finishing his evening with 11 strikeouts.
All I have to say right now is how good is Theo Epstein looking for giving up Justin Masterson for Martinez? Pretty good in my opinion.
Links coming up after the jump.
Martinez quick to catch on with Red Sox [Amy K.Nelson – ESPN.com]
Dusting themselves off, Sox rally in 9th [Boston Globe]
Sox welcome back shortstop Gonzalez [Boston Globe]
Martinez again shows some pop in the clutch [Boston Globe]
Ortiz blasts away [Boston Globe]
Five Things We Learned: Martinez’s ‘Moment’ Led To a Huge Red Sox Win [Joe Haggerty – WEEI.com]
Martinez helps Sox overcome Buchholz’s base-running gaffe [Providence Journal]
Why can’t the Red Sox figure out the shortstop position? [Providence Journal]
Red Sox Journal: Coming up short at short, Red Sox welcome back Alex Gonzalez [Providence Journal]
Frustrated Ortiz says he feels betrayed by the media, and some fans [Providence Journal]
Woodward designated for assignment [Extra Bases]
Gonzalez gives Sox options at shortstop [RedSox.com]
Red Sox win it with wild 9th to keep in good standing [Boston Herald]
Jon Lester strikes up a gutsy effort [Boston Herald]
Coming down on Big Papi [Boston Herald]
Trade brings back Alex Gonzalez [Boston Herald]
For more slices of Boston Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, and Providence Journal websites.
And if the enemy papers are more your flavor, you can check out the Dallas Morning News and Ft. Worth Star-Telegram websites.
