A SEASON IN THE DRINK
(CHICKEN & BEER) ...
The Sox outlast the Rays in 16 innings

July 17, 2011 ... On a night that exhausted everybody playing, Dustin Pedroia found the energy to give the Red Sox one of their most memorable victories of the season. His RBI single in the 16th inning was the difference as the Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays, 1-0.

Adam Russell (1-2) started the inning for the Rays and walked Josh Reddick, who had made the defensive play of the game in the 10th. He advanced to third on a sacrifice by Jason Varitek and an infield single by Marco Scutaro. Pedroia, who was three of the game's eight hits, then delivered a line drive to right.

Alfredo Aceves (5-1) threw three no-hit innings for the win. Jonathan Papelbon then finished off the Rays for his 21st save, the last out coming 5 hours 44 minutes after the game began. It was the longest game in Rays history. Josh Beckett was nearly perfect for eight innings, allowing only an infield single. Five relievers followed and were nearly as good, as the Sox allowed only three hits.

The Sox were held to five hits, but drew 12 walks. They left 17 runners on base. The Sox left two runners on the 15th inning. They loaded the bases with no outs in the 11th inning on three walks. But Reddick and Varitek struck out before Scutaro fouled out to the catcher.

The Sox left two runners stranded in the 10th inning when Adrian Gonzalez grounded out. Reddick ended the bottom of the inning with a leaping catch against the wall to steal at least a double away from Justin Ruggiano.

Tampa Bay closer Kyle Farnsworth started the ninth inning and Pedroia belted his first pitch to the gap in right field for a double. Gonzalez, who leads the majors with 77 RBIs, flied out to deep left field. Kevin Youkilis drew a walk before Farnsworth came back to strike out David Ortiz on three pitches. J.D. Drew walked to load the bases for Reddick, who popped to center.

Tampa Bay starter Jeff Niemann was tremendous as well, allowing two hits and two walks over eight innings and striking out 10, his career high. Beckett was making his first start since July 8, the night he pitched just five innings against the Orioles because of a hyper extended left knee. He intended to pitch an inning in the All-Star Game Tuesday but could not get his knee loose and decided not to pitch.

Beckett said in the days leading up to last night's game that he felt fine and he certainly proved it. The third hitter of the game, Evan Longoria, hit a hot shot back at Beckett that deflected off the pitcher's foot and rolled into foul territory for a single. Beckett locked the door from there, setting down one batter after another. The Rays twice came close to singles but were denied by Pedroia at second. He robbed Casey Kotchman of a hit with a diving play in the fourth inning then ranged over the middle with one out in the sixth to snap up a ball hit by Reid Brignac. His long throw to first was low, but Gonzalez dug it out of the dirt. Tampa Bay hit three balls hard in the seventh, but Jacoby Ellsbury tracked them all down in center field.

Niemann had a 6.62 earned run average in his previous four starts against the Red Sox. But he was sharp last night. Gonzalez had a single in the first inning (snapping an 0-for-11 streak), but Niemann otherwise struck out the side. The 6-foot-9-inch Niemann had retired seven straight before Pedroia broke his bat leading off the fourth and dumped a single into left field.

That extended Pedroia's hit streak to 15 games, two shy of his career high. He has reached base safely in 27 straight games, the longest active streak in the majors. Gonzalez flied to center and Youkilis flied to center before Pedroia stole second with Ortiz up. Pedroia has stolen 17 bases, three off tying his career high for a season. Ortiz had a chance to drive in a run, but struck out swinging at split-finger fastball.

The Sox got another runner on base with one out in the fifth when Reddick walked on five pitches despite taking a hack at a 3-and-0 fastball. But Varitek popped to left before Marco Scutaro flied to deep center. Niemann got some defensive help in the sixth when shortstop Brignac ranged far to his right to grab a grounder in the hole by Pedroia and threw him out by a step.

It was the 12th victory in the last 14 games for the Sox.