Yes, I know JD's name is Drew, but the way he stood up in the final innings tonight--all I can say is "He really DO!" Here we were after the top of the 7th, down seven zip to the Rays. Everything the Sox did, the Rays jumped on. Pitching? From Dice-K on, the Rays hit it hard--frequently out. Hitting? Not tonight. After five, all the Hose had were a pair of harmless hits and nothing on the board to show for it. In fact, after six, the Sox were two for twenty.
As if it were the final blow to the spirit, Papelbon came on in the 7th--that's right the 7th--desperation--and immediately gave up a drive off the topo of the scoreboard on the Monster to plate two more Rays runs--7-0, Rays. Then, he became the Papelbon we know and expect--Laserman. Three quick outs.
Enter the Sox 7th. After two quick outs--more of the same, I'm disloyally thinking. Then, Lowrie leads off the inning with a double, but unfortunately is followed by a pair of outs. Not looking good. But, Crisp gets a single that puts Jed on 3d. Then, it happens! Dusty gets a hit and the Sox are on the board!
Picking up the spirit, Big Papi comes up--no home runs in 62 post-season at bats. With the count 1-0, he swings and it's a no-doubter--deep into the seats in right, no cheap shot, this. Sox now within three.
Papelbon returns for the 8th, well rested. I mean he should be--he hasn't pitched since game two--hasn't had any reason to. He's classic Laser. The death stare is exponential. In fact, it's so intense, they may license it for Hallowe'en. Three up, three dead--two of them 95 mph K's. That sound the Rays are starting to hear is the monster in the dungeon waking up and rattling its chains. But the Rays still lead ,7-4. For the moment....
Sox 8th: The Rays intentionally walk Bay, choosing to face JD. In the words of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, Big Mistake. JD takes the first pitch for a strike, then uncoils on the pitcher's next offering. It's a line shot, but no question--it's gone, and the Rays lead is now just 7-6. That monster's rattling those chains harder and harder.
After a pair of outs seem to take some of the wind from Sox sails, the late season acquisition who's playing like he's always been here, Kotsay, lines a two bagger to center. Coco comes to the plate and battles with the pitcher2-2, 3-2, pitch after pitch, foul after foul, but still hanging in there, forcing the pitcher to sweat more and more through ten pitches. Finally, on the eleventh offering, Coco strikes. A line single to right plates Kotsay, and only because of a bit of luck on the poor throw from the fielder is Coco thrown out trying to stretch it to second.
Rays 9th. Pap's replaced by Masterson. So far, the rook has show flashes of brilliance, but he's streaky. Sometimes, he's (dare I say it) as hittable as a certain Jeckyll and Hyde former member of this team. He starts off looking like Hyde. First batter, a single. After a fly out, he walks a batter and it's two men on with just one out, and I'm thinking, no, not after coming all the way back! The pride of Haverhill steps in to face him, already having a homer and another hit tonight, not to mention a couple of other HR's in the series. Not this time, Carlos. Jeckyll's returned; Masterson's the Master and Pena grounds into an inning-ending twin killing.
Sox 9th--Dusty grounds out and Papi K's. But Yooouk gets an infield hit and, on Longoria's errant throw after a brilliant pickup, is standing on second. All we need now is a hit--anything that clears the infield grass will do. But Madden sends out the order. Bay's not going to win this one--'walk him', and four pitches later, Bay's on first.
JD steps up again, fresh from his heroics of the prior inning.After watching a couple of the newest Rays pitcher's offerings, he uncoils yet again. The ball travels on a low trajectory over the head of the rapidly retreating right fielder, lands fair and it's over. SOX WIN!!!!
This is the largest post-season comeback ever in the AL, and is second only in MLB history to the Philadelphia A's recovery in 1929 from an 8-0 trailing margin against, who else--the Cubs, to win 10-8.
Five down, six to go.
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