I hope Jon Lester thanked David Ortiz and his bullpen last night for saving him. Lester struggled with his command on all his pitches and departed during the 4th inning with his pitch count at 93. He left trailing 4-3 after the Rays put up 4 in the first. Big Papi got them back in the game with a 3-run blast. After Lester left the game, Julian Tavarez came in and kept things close. Had Tavarez not pitched like he did, the end result could have been different. In the 9th, Big Papi hit a towering fly ball down the right field line that was misjudged by Delmon Young and the ball fell into the second row of seats in right to ignite a frenzy at the Fens as the Sox won in dramatic fashion 5-4. The Sox are off today and before the Yanks get to town, let’s take a look at the headlines and happenings from last night from the Boston and Tampa area media.
Odds and ends and an off day. [38 Pitches]
Ortiz comes to rescue again for Red Sox [Boston Globe]
Heartbreaking Defeat [Tampa Tribune]
Big Papi fills big shoes [Boston Herald]
Fenway remains a place of heartache [St. Petersburg Times]
Rescue Dept. [Hartford Courant]
Big Papi brings it home for Sox [Pro Jo]
Tough Road Trip Continues [Tampa Tribune]
Francona still awaiting contract extension [Boston Globe]
Cross-country flight doesn’t faze Maddon [St. Petersburg Times]
Wait ’til next year [Boston Herald]
Manny Takes BP, Friday Return Possible [Hartford Courant]
Bullpen had many hands in this one [Pro Jo]
Ortiz produces the drama [Boston Globe]
For more headlines and stories, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Hartford Courant, Providence Journal, St. Petersburg Times and Tampa Tribune websites.
