Josh Beckett ‘s triumphant return to the Boston Red Sox along with a Mike Aviles game-winning home run got the fans in Boston and all of Red Sox Nation dancing for joy on Friday night.
It was the strong effort of Beckett along with the bullpen, including Daniel Bard (I know can you believe it?) and some timely offense that helped the Red Sox to a 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on a cool, crisp fall-like night at Historic Fenway Park.
The win was huge for the Red Sox as it pushes their lead back to four games over the Rays in the AL Wild Card. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim also lost last night and fall to five games behind the Red Sox. The New York Yankees lost to the Toronto Blue Jays so the Red Sox are just 3.5 games behind them for first in the AL East.
I said last night on Twitter during the game that I wasn’t concerned with the Red Sox winning the division. And I meant it. All that matters right now is the Red Sox make the playoffs. And to do that, they basically control their own destiny. Of course two more wins against the Rays would make that goal all the more easier to attain.
The main concern going into this game last night was how would Beckett’s ankle hold up. After all he was taking the mound for the first time in 11 days after injuring his ankle back on September 5th.
From the looks of it, he didn’t miss a beat although the Rays were able to get three runs off of him. Those runs just happened to be the first runs Beckett had allowed against them all season.
He gave up two of those runs in the 1st inning when Evan Longoria took him deep for a two-run johnson (must have been the good road beef). The offense backed him up though by getting the two runs back off the bats off Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz. The Rays would get their last run of the night in the 3rd.
But once again the Red Sox struck back in the bottom half of the inning when Big Papi brought in Pedroia to knot the game.
The unlikeliest of heroes, Aviles, put the Red Sox ahead for good in the 4th with a solo blast through the O in the Sports Authority sign over the Green Monster.
From there, it was up to Beckett and the bullpen to do their jobs. And as you can tell, they did.
Beckett scattered seven hits over six innings, allowing the three runs (two earned) to go along with a walk and seven strikeouts.
Alfredo Aceves made his inning of work a little eventful with two walks but also struck out two. Bard recovered from his little slide by striking out the side. He did walk one batter.
And of course, Jonathan Papelbon continued his dominance at the back end of the rotation by striking out two of the three batters he faced in the 9th to pick up his 30th save. He now has 30 saves in each of his first six seasons with the Red Sox. Can you say cha-ching?
Solid win for the boys and it couldn’t have come at better time. With the Nation panicking, the Red Sox kept their cool and did their jobs. Now as fans, we need to do our jobs and continue to support the team through the good and the bad. Hopefully in the end, we’re in the playoffs.
Because that’s what matters!!
We’ll be back later with this afternoon’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. But for now, enjoy the overnight links below by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click
A timely recovery for Daniel Bard [Alex Speier- WEEI.com]
Relief from the heat [Boston Globe]
Bard helps to pen a better ending [Boston Globe]
Ailing Youkilis will sit today [Boston Globe]
Memories beginning to fade [Boston Globe]
A close watch on Sox [Boston Herald]
‘Just a game’ to Josh Beckett [Boston Herald]
Bard effort a big relief [Boston Herald]
Pressure’s nothing new for Damon, Maddon [Boston Herald]
Hero worshipping [Boston Herald]
Beckett comes to Sox’ rescue [CSN New England]
Red Sox notes: Aviles channels his power [CSN New England]
Rapid reaction: Red Sox 4, Rays 3 [ESPN Boston]
Boston Red Sox’s David Ortiz feels bad for Manny Ramirez [ESPN Boston]
Beckett, Bard follow the script [ESPN Boston]
Closing Time: Beckett helps Red Sox breathe easier after win over Rays [Full Count]
Red Sox find stability in Josh Beckett’s return [Full Count]
Mike Aviles becomes the latest ‘most important’ player on the Red Sox [Full Count]
Red Sox Still Waiting to Name a Starter for Monday’s Doubleheader, Kyle Weiland to Start Tuesday [NESN.com]
J.D. Drew’s Recovery Slowed by Neck Pain [NESN.com]
Video: Josh Beckett Gives Struggling Red Sox Boost, Sparks Crucial Win Over Rays [NESN.com]
Josh Beckett’s Return Means Plenty in the Present, But Speaks Volumes for Red Sox’ Chances in Future [NESN.com]
Bard, Beckett pull Sox back from brink [Providence Journal]
Beckett comes up aces against Rays [Providence Journal]
Rays banking on rookie reliever Moore [Providence Journal]
Red Sox Journal: Injuries get better of Youkilis [Providence Journal]
Red Sox stick with Bard, and it pays off in win [RedSox.com]
For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSN New England, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.
And if you must check out the enemy news, head over the to St. Petersburg Times and Tampa Tribune websites.
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
Photo credits: Getty Images, Getty Images
