Red Sox Put Away Angels

I was at Fenway for this game last night, and even though it was really cold out, the fans were pumped and there was trust in Lester that he would get the job done. I don't think anyone would have predicted the real hero in this game though.

Lester and Lackey pitched fantastic. Neither pitcher let up a run through the first 4 innings, as the game seemed to be just flying by. There was a feeling in the crowd that this game was going to be decided last in the game. Boston strikes first with 2 runs in the 5th as Ellsbury grounded out with men at 1st and 3rd, scoring a run. Then FINALLY little Dusty got his first hit of the series as he ripped a double to left scoring Varitek.

Lester just kept cruising and ended up pitching 7 scoreless innings allowing only 4 hits while striking out 4. Through 7 innings Lester had pitched 109 pitches, and a lot of people think that he should have come out for the 8th. Hind sight is 20/20, but it certainly seems like that would have been a good idea, as the Angels tied the game in the top of the 8th. Okajima didn't look bad as he was getting the 1st two outs of the inning, but then he walked Teixeira. Francona showed a complete lack of faith in Oki, and immediately pulled him for Masterson. Masterson came in and walked Vlad, then the ball got away from Tek and Teixeira and Vlad got into scoring position. Masterson still couldn't settle down as Hunter tied the game with a two run single.

The 9th had plenty of drama as the Angels had a man in scoring position with only 1 out. Aybar tied to bunt the run home, but missed as Willits tried to get a running start. Tek quickly chased him back to the 3rd, and got the tag on him for the 2nd out. There is a lot of questions over this, as after Tek applied the tag he fell to the ground and dropped the ball. Apparently by MLB rules it still counts as an out. Masterson was able to get the final out of the inning, and the stage was set.

J.D. Drew was the first one up for the Sox, and looked to be the guy that could be the hero of the game. Instead, Drew struck out looking on a 2-2 pitch. Jason Bay came up and ripped the ball to right field, it went into the stand, and Bay went to 2nd on the ground rule double. Kotsay got good wood on the ball, but it was right at Teixeira, who is one hell of a defense first baseman. Lowire came up with 2 outs and a man on 2nd. Schields threw a curve ball to Lowrie, and Lowrie was able to get enough on it to get it past a driving Howie Kendrick. Bay came flying around third, the throw was too late, and the Boston Red Sox will now face the Rays in the ALCS starting Friday. Lowrie is the youngest Red Sox player of all time to hit a walk off in the playoffs. Never would have thought in the beginning of the season that Jed Lowrie would be the hero to send the Sox into the next round of the playoffs.

-BMack