Nerveracking is right. How many opportunities did the Sox have to finish off this game? Too many. Every inning the Sox had a chance to close the door, but couldn't. It all started in the top of the 9th when Pap should have gotten his 22nd save, but Coco misread the ball and didn't get the jump he needed to slam the door on the red birds. So, that means the bottom of the 9th and extra innings.
In the 10th it looked like Ellsbury would be the winning run when he started the inning off with a double and Pedroia's beautiful sac bunt moved him over to 3rd. But then JD struck out and Casey flied out to left.
In the 11th things got a little hairy when Okie loaded the bases with two outs. But thankfully Francona replaced him with Hansen who threw just three pitches to strike out Ludwick and end the inning.
It's the Sox turn to bat and this time it's Lowell who gets a double to start the inning. Then Youkilis walks. But just like the 10th, the Sox can't get Lowell home. Varitek grounds back to the pitcher, who throws to 3rd for the force out and both Cora and Ellsbury strike out.
Hansen faced just three Cardinals in the 12th and got them all out without breaking a sweat. Then for the third time in a row, the Sox lead-off batter got a double. But for the third time in a row the Sox couldn't get him home. So, it's onto the 13th, the inning to remember.
Lopez took over for Hansen and Duncan, the first guy he faced, doubled off the monster. Then Adam Kennedy, who blew Pap's save when he tied up the game with his RBI to center back in the 9th, lines the ball to right. As I said in a previous post, JD Drew is the man. He may not have caught Kennedy's line drive, but he put all his weight behind the throw to Varitek at home and Duncan was out by a mile. I still can't believe this didn't make last night's web gems.
Even so, Duncan was out, the score was still tied, and Lopez managed to get out of the inning unscathed. And now it's the Red Sox's turn for drama.
Just like the previous three innings, the Sox started off with a hit. But instead of a double, this time Lowell singled off the green monster. Evidently a single was all the Sox would need to break the cycle because Youkils swung at the 5th pitch he saw and planted the ball in the third row of monster seats for his second home run of the game and the first walk-off homer of his career.
That home run not only ended a four-hour, 25-minute game, it gave the Sox the win and prevented the sweep. Whew. I'm exhausted, as I'm sure are the Red Sox. Too bad they face the Diamondbacks today because after this weekend everyone needs a break, especially the relief staff.
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