On paper, the pitching matchup between Justin Verlander and Clay Buchholz had low scoring affair written all over it and that’s exactly what happened on Sunday afternoon at Fenway Park. Both pitchers were strong with the Boston Red Sox breaking through for three runs early on against Verlander.
From the fourth inning on, the Red Sox weren’t able to do anything against the Detroit Tigers starter as he retired the last 13 batters he faced in the game. But fortunately for the Red Sox, Buchholz was dominating on the mound.
Buchholz had good command and life on his fastball as well as his secondary pitches. Before the top of the 9th, Buchholz had given up two hits while striking out five and walking three. He entered the 9th having thrown 98 pitches and looked to be well on his way to his second complete game of the season.
But a bad bounce in front of Jed Lowrie allowed the leadoff hitter Will Rhymes to reach first and a walk to Ryan Raburn ended his afternoon as he walked off to a standing ovation from the Fenway faithful. Some of whom who were waiting for the game to be over so they could meet their heroes at the Picnic in the Park after the game.
Jonathan Papelbon came in to face the top hitter in the American League in Miguel Cabrera and he promptly took the first pitch fastball from Paps and hit in to deep center for a 2-run double to cut the lead to 3-2. Papelbon rebounded to strikeout Brennan Boesch but the newest Tiger Jhonny Peralta took the first pitch he saw and singled to score the pinch runner Don Kelly to tie the game and give Papelbon his fifth blown save of 2010.
Papelbon did escape the inning by getting a double play ball but the damage was done. Buchholz wouldn’t be getting his 12th win of the season.
As we’ve learned throughout the 2010 season, the Red Sox don’t have the word quit in their vocabulary.
Lowrie worked his way on with an infield single and gave way to a pinch-runner in Darnell McDonald. Eric Patterson then worked a walk off of Brad Thomas. Tigers skipper Jim Leyland brought in Friday’s winning pitcher Robbie Weinhardt to face Marco Scutaro who would be bunting.
Scutaro put down a nice bunt down the third base line and Weinhardt’s throw to first got past Kelly allowing McDonald to score and set off another walk-off celebration for the Red Sox.
The blown save by Papelbon is concerning right now but fortunately for him the offense picked him up. It’s a shame Buchholz wasn’t able to get his 12th win because he certainly deserved it on Sunday.
But two walk-off wins in a row can do a lot for a team’s confidence and the Red Sox clearly need that as we approach the last two months of the season.
We’ll be back later with tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups, any news and links from the day but for now enjoy the overnight links after the jump.
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Youk’s diary: Clearing the air [Kevin Youkilis – ESPN Boston]
How Ryan Kalish ended up with the Red Sox [Alex Speier- WEEI.com]
Their daily walkoff [Boston Globe]
Dominant Buchholz fine with the end result [Boston Globe]
After deadline, Lowell still feeling left out [Boston Globe]
Better by leaps and bounds [Boston Globe]
Recap: Red Sox 4, Tigers 3 [Boston Herald]
Deal with this: Clay Buchholz a keeper [Boston Herald]
Jonathan Papelbon unfazed by BS [Boston Herald]
Marco Scutaro magic [Boston Herald]
Red Sox win again in the ninth, 4-3 [CSN New England]
Sox players proving they deserve a shot [CSN New England]
Ones that got away: Traded prospects [ESPN Boston]
Kalish day after: ‘Crazy, but crazy’s fun’ [ESPN Boston]
Clay Buchholz: unplugged [ESPN Boston]
Terry Francona: unplugged [ESPN Boston]
Lowrie getting comfortable again [ESPN Boston]
Sox save Pap [ESPN Boston]
Tuesday a likely target for Ellsbury [ESPN Boston]
How waiver deals work [Extra Bases]
Closing Time: Red Sox 4, Tigers 3 [Full Count]
Picking up Pap [Full Count]
Report: Yankees sought Lowell at deadline [Full Count]
Who Will Be Top Dawg of the Week for Red Sox Against Indians and Yankees? [Jerry Remy – NESN.com]
Red Sox Prospect Tyler Wilson Back on Mound After Recovering From Heart Ailment [NESN.com]
Return of Healthy Jed Lowrie Continuing to Translate Into Success for Red Sox [NESN.com]
Red Sox Save Best Work for Late on Way to Taking Series With Tigers [NESN.com]
How Many Games Do Red Sox Need to Win in August to Stay in Playoff Race? [NESN.com]
Clay Buchholz: ‘I’d Give the Ball to Jonathan Papelbon Any Day’ [NESN.com]
Red Sox’ Hot Bats Look to Take Advantage of Indians’ Struggling Staff [NESN.com]
Rebuilding Indians Look to Develop Young Talent, Climb Into Contention by 2013 [NESN.com]
Sox lose lead, come back for another walk-off win [Providence Journal]
Doubront prepared to do what it takes [Providence Journal]
Buchholz still gets antsy at trade deadline [Providence Journal]
Red Sox Journal: Lowell still in limbo [Providence Journal]
Francona impressed by Lowrie’s hitting [RedSox.com]
Red Sox pull out thrilling win on Tigers error [RedSox.com]
Does Red Sox’ approach suit you? [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]
For more slices of Boston Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal and WEEI websites.
And if you must see what the enemy papers are saying, head over to the Detroit Free Press, The Detroit News and MLive.com websites. You can also check out what our Bloguin brother, Detroit4lyfe, has to say.
Photo credit: AP Photo
