Playoff clincher: Red Sox 5, Indians 4
Red Sox clinch playoff berth; 9:55
Their hopes for the division title still a mathematical possibility, the Red Sox clinched a playoff berth with a 5-4 victory over the Cleveland Indians Tuesday night at Fenway Park before a crowd of 37,882.
In doing so, the Sox snapped the 11-game winning streak of Cleveland starter Cliff Lee (22-3) after they erupted for three runs in the bottom of the fifth on a two-run double by Dustin Pedroia and a game-winning RBI single to left by Jason Bay that tallied Pedroia.
Tim Wakefied (10-11) picked up the victory in going seven innings while Jonathan Papelbon picked up the save (his 41st of the season) after mowing down the order in the ninth with a pair of strikeouts of Shin-Soo Choo (97 m.p.h. fastball) and Jhonny Peralta (96 m.p.h. fastball) and a pop-up to short by Victor Martinez.
Pap to the rescue; 9:39
Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon entered the eighth inning in relief of Javier Lopez with two out and the bases loaded and got the Sox out of the potential jam when he induced Jamey Carroll to hit a ground ball to second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who flipped it to shortstop Alex Cora for the force out at second, enabling the Sox to retain a 5-4 lead headed to the bottom of the eighth.
Sox regain lead with three runs in bottom of fifth after giving up four in top of fifth; 9:16Playing catch-up ball here, but the Sox regained the lead with three runs in the bottom of the fifth after allowing the Indians to take a 4-2 lead in the top of the inning on a four-run, four-hit uprising off Sox starter Tim Wakefield.
The Sox came back in the bottom of the inning and erupted for three runs on four hits off Cliff Lee. Dustin Pedroia registered the biggest blow of the inning when he smoked a two-run double off The Wall that scored Coco Crisp (who reached on a fielder's choice) and Jacoby Ellsbury (double to center).
Manny Delcarmen relieved Wakefield in the seventh. After giving up a lead-off single to right to Andy Marte, Delcarmen induced Grady Sizemore to ground to second and Jamey Carroll to go down looking at a third strike. Delcarmen, though, got into trouble when he loaded the bases by walking Shin-Soo Choo (trying saying that three times fast) and allowing an infield hit to Jhonny Peralta.
Hideki Okajima came in to face Victor Martinez and engaged the Indians' catcher in an eight-pitch duel, which ended when Okajima induced Martinez to pop-up to Kevin Youkilis on an 83-mile-per-hour splitter.
Youkilis hits 2-run homer, giving Sox 2-0 lead in 4th; 8:09
Kevin Youkilis gave the Sox a 2-0 lead when he ripped the 27th homer of his season on a 1-1 pitch from Cliff Lee in fourth, scoring David Ortiz, who reached on a towering double off the wall in center . . .It was announced that Andy Marte suffered a left calf strain.
Cabrera serves 3-game suspension; Marte pulls up with left calf injury in third inning; 7:57
Cleveland infielder Asdrubal Cabrera began serving a three-game suspension for his role in a brawl last weeked in Detroit. RHP Fausto Carmona appealed his six-game suspension; while catcher Victor Martinez appealed his three-game suspension . . . Cleveland third baseman Andy Marte pulled up with a left calf injury in his first at-bat when he grounded to short and was replaced by Josh Barfield, who moved to second base. Jamey Carroll, who had been penciled in as the starter at second, moved to third base . . . Yes, that was Hall of Famer Johnny Bench you spotted in the house. And, yes, that was a BU hat he was wearing.
You know Kilgore rushes too much and makes a bunch of dumb mistakes (like the Pesky Pole being the LEFT field foul pole!!) but he'll learn that part. He works hard at this web site being actually interactive, as is noticeable when he's not around.
come on globe... let's make this truly a dynamic, in-game blog during the playoffs!
And once again, reliever comes in and walks the first batter he faces. Bob Ryan said today that Lopez is putting together a nice year, but if he's watching the many games I am, he's seeing how often this guys throws at least two balls when he comes in and often walks the one lefty he is supposed to get out. Then another guy comes in and cleans up or gives up a run, but Lopez stats do not show the damage. A lefty specialist is supposed to KILL the lefty he is brought in to face, not walk him!
DAMN IT!
Now Pabelbon has another tight jam to get out of. This guy is the MVP. He is always being asked to save this mediocre bullpen.
Pap does it again! My lovely bride wants her dinner (Vermouth baked Mahi Mahi, with portobello mushrooms topped with an heriloom tomato and mozz salad with orzo!!) so I have to stop this bantering... no loss since they aren't posted and I can't see if anyone else is joining the fun.
THREE OUTS from another playoffs. I'll take it!
Sox WIN! Sox Win! SOX WIN!!!
Nothing better than seeing Big Papi with his Michael Phelps looks! LOVE Those goggles!
Heidi Whatley just used three cliches to ask one question of Pedroia, who responded with a cliche. That's reporting baby! At least she's not hard on the eyes.
Yeah what Scott said. But as far as Adam's errors - that's inevitable when you're punching the keys that fast. No time to think. You want polished prose, read a novel.
A little tweaking and the Globe would have something here.
Everything I sent in before comment "1" as listed here ended up in cyberspace huh? Nice system! To think I was the only Red Sox fan -- in the entire Red Sox nation no less -- watching and reading this blog. I'd call that a crisis for the ole Boston Globe, but what do I know? Online readership during pivotal playoff-clinching game: 1. Now that's priceless.
The Yanks just finished a big win in Toronto.. and came in the clubhouse to see the Red Sox wrap it up. Let's not let this moment pass... The Yanks are out of the playoffs!
To my Uncle Phil, you cranky die-hard yankee fan who taught me from an early age what bastards New Yorkers are... I wish you were here drinking coke and whiskeys and eating antipasti with me now. I've got about two decades of red-ass still to repay. RIP!
Hooray! What a way to clinch the postseason berth...Paps dominating the 9th with his intensity and mental fortitude! Oh, and of course, his 96 mph scorcher helped just a little! Our beloved Sox are headed back to the postseason, and I couldn't be happier! We all know the tough road that lies ahead, but with all the ups and downs this season has had, to be a part of this excitement again in 2008 is really special. GO BOSOX! And how about posting that yummy recipe for us, Scott from San Fran? Enjoy your celebration with your loved ones tonight, Red Sox Nation!
Amy,
I'm only to happy to oblige another West Coast Sox fan (I stole this from two other recipes):
First, the Mushrooms: Clean em, and bake em on a cookie sheet with salt,pepper and olive oil. Meanwhile, a couple of spoons of olive oil in a dish, with some garlic ("eh, about that much!" as my grandmother likes to say!) whisked for a bit. Then cube heirloom tomato and frezz mozz and toss with the oil mixture. Put the mixture on top ofthe mushrooms (stem side up), so they heat/melt, just a scosh. Top with a bit of sage, pepper and oregano.
The fish is even easier. Take a baking pan and put fresh herbs on the bottom. Whatever you like, but I used rosemary, salt, thyme and tarragon, with some chopped garlic. place the fish, skin side up on top. Coat with oil, pepper and a lemon slice and then pour some vermouth (about two shots) over the top of the whole thing. Bake for about 15 minutes. I served it last night with a peppery orzo topped with reggiano, but my favorite is risotto.
But this whole thing needed to be something I didn't have to watch closely so I could keep an eye on the game, thus, opted for the less labor-intensive orzo and food I could bake, leaving me free to watch the game!
Pour the Pinot Gris and enjoy.
PS Snitch is right. Hopefully they will tweak this site for the playoffs!
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