|
 |
|
QUINTIN BERRY |
BOSTON STRONG -
THE ROAD TO REDEMPTION
The Orioles erase a five run
deficit to win the finale
September 29, 2013 ...
For the first time since 2009, Game No. 162 did not represent the final act for the Red Sox. Instead, they wrapped up their regular season with the anticipation for what awaits when the American League Division Series will open at Fenway Park against a yet-to-be-determined opponent.
The result was a 7-6 loss to the Orioles, but that hardly mattered.
With home field already wrapped up throughout the postseason, the 97-65 Red Sox could spend the final day of the season on their terms, preparing in the ways they wanted. The Red Sox will have to wait to learn who they are playing in the ALDS.
The Rangers and Rays will have a one-game playoff in Texas on Monday to determine who the second Wild Card team is in the AL. The winner of that game will play Terry Francona's Indians in Cleveland on Wednesday for the right to come to Boston.
One player Sunday was more important to than others was Jacoby Ellsbury, who was starting just his third game since returning from a compression fracture in his right foot. Ellsbury
demonstrated his health by leading off the game with a home run to right. It was Ellsbury's third leadoff homer this season, and 10th of his career, passing Dom DiMaggio and Tommy Harper for the club record.
Then there was Quintin Berry, who had a strong performance in his final audition to win a roster spot in the ALDS. Berry belted a two-run homer in the second and went 2-for-4.
From the mound, the Red Sox turned into a collaborative effort, as Farrell decided to rest John Lackey and give No. 3 prospect Allen Webster an abbreviated start. The right-hander took the opportunity and ran with it, firing three shutout innings, allowing no hits and three walks while striking out two. It was not a very impressive day
for lefty Felix Doubront, who would have to pitch out of the bullpen if he is on the postseason roster. Doubront gave up five hits and five runs over 1 1/3 innings, walking three
and striking out two. The lefty admits that transitioning back to the bullpen isn't easy for him.
Ryan Dempster, another rotation member who has transitioned to relief late in the season, seems primed to help Boston in October. The righty turned in two-thirds scoreless innings to turn
in his third straight clean outing since going to the 'pen. Mainstay relievers Craig Breslow and Koji Uehara
got their final tune-ups in, each throwing a scoreless inning.
Farrell will give the entire team the day off on Monday. Everyone will reconvene at Fenway for workouts Tuesday-Thursday, and then comes the fun part. Which team the Red Sox play will influence how they select the final spots of their roster. Cherington and
Farrell are most concerned with having the ability to match up to opposing hitters in the seventh and eighth inning. For the Red Sox, who are in the playoffs for the first time since 2009, these decisions are relatively minor. They finished tied with the St.
Louis Cardinals for the best record in the game and enter the postseason as a strong contender for the World Series. |
