Red Sox 07 Game 104 Recap

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Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12		R	H	E
Boston	0	2	1	0	0	0	2	1	0	0	0	6		12	15	0
Tampa	0	0	0	1	0	1	2	0	2	0	0	0		6	11	1

W: K. Snyder (2-2) L: B. Stokes (2-7)
HR ⇛ TB: J. Gomes2 (10), J. Paul (1)

☼ The Sun - Lugo - Bases loaded walk in the 12th scores the winning run.
☁ The Cloud - Stokes - Totally ineffective in the 12th inning

Idle thoughts!

Admit it, bottom of the ninth with Papel-bot coming into the game you though this one was over, I know I did and boy were we wrong.

This game started out well with the Sox getting a two out single from Varitek to score Drew from second (a double to left center). Crisp laid down a bunt single which seemed to tick off / disturb Shields who then hit Cora somewhere around the elbow loading the bases. Lugo plated another run by taking the first of his two walks for the night and the Sox were quickly up two - zip.

Lester was pitching well, but a lot of fly balls, which would become an issue later in the game. The first three innings he only allowed two base runners and with runners on, he did not do his usual nibble at the plate. Even though he would end up with a no decision and a non quality start, he did not once face a bases loaded situation.

In the third the Sox tacked on another run due to an Ortiz double to open the inning and after Manny was robbed on a shot that was gloved by Iwamura, Drew singled to center scoring David. The bottom of the fourth inning set the tone for the rest of this game as Lester gave up a run on two singles and a SF.

With neither team scoring in the scoring in the fifth, it looked like things were well in hand, but the bottom of the sixth saw the Rays creep closer as Harris hit a ground rule double and after advancing to third on B.J. Uptons fly ball to right, scored on another SF by C. Pena.

The top of the order for the Sox though, decided to put some distance as Lugo hit an infield single with one out, stole second and after a Youkilis walk, scored on Ortiz's single to center with Youkilis going all the way to third. Manny then scored Youk by hitting a SF to right. Big easy breaths as the lead was now five to two. Unfortunately, Francona made one of his rare mistakes this year as he allowed Lester to start the seventh inning.

Gomes hit the first of his two home runs to start the inning an with two outs J. Paul smacked his home run to bring the home team back within one run. Nail biting time as Tavarez strode in from the pen, but he easily handled Iwamura and the Sox were going to the eighth with a one run lead.

Lowell scratched out a double to lead off the eighth, just barely avoiding the tag at second base. Varitek singled and then Coco hit a double play ball that scored Lowell. Once again the Sox had a two run lead with the familiar formula about to be put into use, Okajima in the eighth and the Bot in the ninth.

Okajima did his part by facing only three batters, thanks to Pena grounding into an inning ending double play. In the ninth the Sox went down 1-2-3 and in strode the Bot! Except the bot wasn't automatic, in fact he allowed a broken bat single on his first pitch and on his one and two pitch to Gomes he hung a slider and the game was suddenly tied. Meanwhile in Baltimore, the Yankees were making a comeback against the Orioles in the top of the ninth and visions of disaster were dancing in my head.

Nine pitches later Papelbon was out of the inning but it was too little, to late. With the game going into extra innings, Francona sent Snyder out to take the mound in the bottom of the tenth. He struggled, but was able to get out of the inning even though he allowed a single and intentionally walked Pena.

The Sox had base runners in the tenth and eleventh innings against the Devil Rays closer but were unable to score. Snyder pitched a 1-2-3 eleventh and it was to the top of the twelfth inning. Finally the Rays bull pen reverted to their normal selves and J.D. flew out to right robbing him of another hit. Lowell singled, Varitek walked, Crisp walked and Cora made the second out on a force play at home. Trouble was brewing and it looked like they blow their chance to win this game.

With the bases loaded though Lugo drew his second walk of the night. This run scored with two outs and the Rays bull pen fell apart. Ryu was greeted with a three run double by Youkilis, Ortiz walked, and Manny finished the scoring by doubling home Youkilis and Ortiz. Ball game over as the Rays were set down handily by Lopez in the bottom of the twelfth.

Lugo watch - 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored, 2 rbi's, 2 BB and 2 K's (dueces were wild) BA back to .225.

Coco watch - 1 for 5 with 1 of everything but K's. BA at .281.

Drew watch - 2 for 7 with a run scored and 1 RBI. BA up to .248.

Lester - 6 2/3 innings with 1 walk, 3 K's and 4 earned runs. Of the 27 batters he faced 16 of the outs were on fly balls and the 1 ground out was a sacrifice bunt. Sox are now 24 games over .500 at 64 and 40!

♊ - When all else fails get a bigger hammer!