Rays vs. Red Sox Video: Watch Jose Lobaton Win Game 3 with Walk-off HR
Jose Lobaton was the hero for the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of the ALDS, as he lifted his team to a 5-4 victory over the Boston Red Soxย Monday at Tropicana Field.
The Red Sox still lead the series 2-1, but Lobaton's walk-off home run off Koji Uehara with two outs in the ninth saved the Rays from elimination.
The clutch home run landed in the ray observation tank over Tropicana's right center field wall.ย
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The 28-year-old catcher was brought in for his fielding ability, but Lobaton ended up changing the game with his bat.
"Top 9: Jose Lobaton comes in as defensive replacement Bottom 9: Jose Lobaton hits 1st walk-off HR in Rays postseason history.
โ SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 8, 2013"
Things did not look too good for the Rays early on.ย The Red Sox took an early 1-0 lead on an unearned run and would go up 3-0 after a wild pitch and blown call at third in the top of the fifth.
However, Evan Longoria countered with a three-run home run to tie the game at 3-3 in bottom half of the inning.
All was quiet in the game until the bottom of the eighth, when the Rays took a 4-3 lead.
Fernando Rodney came in for the save, but he failed to convert. After a walk and a bloop single, Shane Victorino dropped a bunt and Dustin Pedroia's groundout tied the game.
It looked like the game was heading to extras after the Red Sox retired the first two batters in the bottom of the ninth. But Lobaton cranked a shot into the tank in deep right center.
"Drenched! Got a serious Gatorade dousing along w/Rays walk-off HR hitter Jose Lobaton just before our interview. Liquid even in mic battery
โ Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) October 8, 2013"
"IT'S A WALK-OFF FOR THE RAYS! Jose Lobaton hits a pinch-hit HR with 2 outs in bottom of 9th. Boston leads ALDS, 2-1.
โ SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 8, 2013"
"It had been 142 batters since Koji Uehara last allowed a home run, before Jose Lobaton's blast into the tank.
โ Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) October 8, 2013"
"That was first homer hit by a #Rays player to land in the Rays tank
โ Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) October 8, 2013"
The two teams will face off in Game 4 on Tuesday at 8:37 p.m. ET. The game can be seen on TBS or streamed here.
