Youkilis has Cleveland staff on the run

It was notable not only for the way in which Kevin Youkilis littered the box score with hits - again - but for the way in which he almost littered the base paths with outs.

He didn't, of course, leading to a few unhappy Indians fielders, many happy Red Sox fans, and (with that slight assist from J.D. Drew) a trip to Game 7 of the American League Championship Series tonight at Fenway Park.

By the time the third inning had elapsed, Kevin Youkilis had three singles - two of the infield variety - one run scored, and almost was caught off first base twice. It was a busy time on the base paths where, during this postseason, he has carved out an excellent addition to a growing résumé.

"For us to win, somebody's got to get hot," said Julio Lugo. "Youkilis has been our guy. He's our guy right now. He's getting the hits when it counts."

With the bat, that person does certainly seem to be Youkilis, who appeared to have left the postgame clubhouse before reporters were allowed in following the game.

After going 3 for 4 in the Sox' 12-2 win last night, he now has 11 hits in 23 at-bats (.478) in the series. He has scored eight runs, driven in five, and hit two home runs and a triple. He has helped set the table in front of the meat of the order, last night coming home with two others on Drew's grand slam in the first inning.

The Indians helped him have yet another big night, with errors on separate plays in the third inning contributing to Youkilis remaining on the bases.

The Sox had already expanded their lead to 8-1 when Youkilis came up for the third time, with one out and runners on first and second.

Youkilis hit a sharp liner off the Wall to score Lugo. Left fielder Kenny Lofton played the carom nicely and relayed the ball to Asdrubal Cabrera on second base, catching Youkilis more than halfway to second. Cabrera chased him back toward first, but he misfired in his throw to Ryan Garko, the ball hitting Youkilis's helmet and bouncing away, allowing Dustin Pedroia to score the 10th run.

Then came Garko's turn to be the goat. He fielded David Ortiz's grounder and stepped on first, but his throw to second to erase Youkilis instead made the outfield, allowing Youkilis to get to second after nearly being doubled up.

Not that it was all about the Indians' miscues for Youkilis.

He made his own luck in this one. Especially since he certainly didn't smash either of his first two hits, the first infield single traveling to the shortstop hole, a tough pick for Jhonny Peralta, the second also heading toward Peralta without a lot of oomph.

And, after that third hit in three innings, Youkilis's ALCS batting average hit .500. It was quite a number for a player who hit .238 after the All-Star break.

Manager Terry Francona had mentioned after Game 5 that Youkilis's surge, which included a home run and a triple Thursday, might have something to do with his health in the postseason after a wrist injury marred the end to the regular season.

Youkilis agreed.

The timing has returned and, with it, the Youkilis who tore around the bases in the first half of the season rather than the one who grimaced and griped at called strikes in the second half.

With one game left before a potential World Series trip, that's the Youkilis this team needs.

And, in a stroke of good fortune for him and for the team, that's exactly the Youkilis they have gotten.

Amalie Benjamin can be reached at abenjamin@globe.com.