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SWEPT AWAY BY A "RALLY MONKEY" ...
Baldelli and Lugo lead the Sox in a comeback
July 1, 2009 ...
Josh Beckett had a lot to do with putting the Sox in the position
they found themselves heading into the ninth inning. The Sox were
down by four runs with three outs to go. But Dustin Pedroia worked a
walk and was energizing on a two-run home run by Kevin Youkilis, and
ended two innings later on a redemptive single by Lugo that capped
off a 6-5 triumph in 11 innings that left the Sox with a celebration
for the plane ride home.
Beckett was
turning subpar feel and a flat fastball into five runs for the opposition, with
one in the first, one in the second when Luke Scott blasted the first pitch of
the inning out to left-center, two in the third, and one more on a leadoff homer
(by Ty Wigginton) in the fourth. But Beckett settled himself, pitching three
more innings, all 1-2-3, to keep the deficit at four runs.
Orioles
starter Brad Bergesen, meanwhile, did all he could, going eight innings and
holding the Sox to a run on four hits. After that run scored, he retired 11
consecutive batters. But after 103 pitches, Trembley turned to Jim Johnson. He
wasn't as effective, by a long shot. Pedroia opened the ninth with that walk,
followed by the two-run homer.
Lots of
people. Like, say, Rocco Baldelli and Lugo. With the Sox down, 5-3, Jason Bay
(swinging) and David Ortiz (looking) were caught on curveballs by closer George
Sherrill, the strikeout marking the fourth in what would be a 5-K day for Bay.
Two outs, ninth inning. No problem. Jacoby Ellsbury singled to center field and
Jeff Bailey and Varitek followed with walks. The bases were loaded for Baldelli,
who sent a ball past shortstop Robert Andino and into center. Ellsbury and
Bailey came home. Game tied.
Daniel Bard
looked overpowering with four strikeouts in the eighth and ninth, and an
excellent sliding catch by Bay in left ended the ninth. That brought on extras,
in which the Orioles could do nothing.
After
Ellsbury led off the 11th inning with a double off Danys Baez and advanced to
third on a fly to right, Lugo came up with a chance to give the Sox the lead. He
singled. Ellsbury scored. The Sox were up.
Jonathan
Papelbon pitched a clean 11th inning for his 20th save of the season and the
133d of his career, breaking the Sox' record. The Sox are 20-8 since May 31st. |
