This Time, Red Sox Rally Past Orioles

What a difference a day makes. Boston Red Sox closer avenged a souring defeat a day prior to collect his 133rd career save, making him Boston's all-time leader in that category. 

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Jim Johnson took the mound to begin the ninth inning, relieving 23-year old starting pitcher Brad Bergesen, who dazzled the Red Sox by allowing just one run on six hits while walking none over the first eight innings.

The Orioles offense picked up where they left off, tagging Red Sox ace Josh Beckett for a run in the first inning–a rbi-single by Felix Pie–another in the second–a home-run by Luke Scott–two more in the third–a two-run double by Nick Markakis–and a fifth run in the fourth–a home-run by Ty Wigginton.

Beckett was not sharp, but he settled down, retiring all 14 hitters he faced after relinquishing Wiggington’s home-run. Because of this, his line looked respectable, but for his performance to pay dividends, the Red Sox offense would have to wake up in a big way.

Why not? Baltimore did so the night before. It’s only fair that Boston returns the favor.

Dustin Pedroia took three straight balls as Johnson’s first batter. Johnson, a 26-year old right-hander, entered the ninth inning with a 2.87 Earned Run Average in 33 appearances. He throws hard, but relies heavily on his fastball. So, it was no surprise that those three pitches to Pedroia, a fastball hitter, were his lone pitch.

Pedroia took the next pitch for a strike, right down the heart of the plate. A pitch, if he gave himself the green light, that would have found the seats in Camden Yards. By doing this, he dared Johnson to throw another heater, which he did. Pedroia layed off the low pitch and trotted down to first base.

The last thing you want to do with a substantial lead is walk the leadoff man. This drives managers crazy. It not only allows the hitter to reach without swinging the bat, but gives Boston life. The Red Sox, boasting a potent offense, took advantage of Johnson’s mistake.

Kevin Youkilis did the honors. He tomahawked a straight fastball by Johnson deep into the right-field seats, cutting the deficit to two runs. Closer George Sherrill replaced Johnson, and that appeared to make all the difference.

He made his first hitter, Jason Bay, look ridiculous. The Red Sox leftfielder swung weakely at Sherrill’s 12-to-6 curveball, giving him, as ESPN’s Steve Levy, “the golden sombrero plus one”. To translate: Five strikeouts in five at-bats.

David Ortiz was similarly baffled. He took ball-one, then watched three straight strikes zoom past his motionless bat. Nobody on with two out, and down by two. The Red Sox needed a spark. Jacoby Ellsbury answered the call.

Ellsbury lined a fastball up the middle, then Jeff Bailey, who has hit well since being called up prior to this series, coaxed a walk. Jason Varitek walked as well, as Sherrill lost the location of his fastball. Nonetheless, he kept using it, which backfired. Rocco Baldelli, who occasionally starts, was signed by the Red Sox to excel in this very situation.

On cue, he earned his money: upon taking two effective curveball, he slowly dribbled a fastball past a sliding Robert Andino at shortstop. Since the bases were loaded, the three runners were off on contact. Two–Ellsbury and Bailey–scored easily. The tables were turned. The game was tied.

Both the Red Sox and Orioles went down in order in the tenth inning, setting up the exhilarating 11th and final inning. Ellsbury was in the middle of Bostons success, socking a double to begin the frame.

After Bailey flied out to deep left, moving Ellsbury to third base, Julio Lugo did his best Nick Markakis impersonation, scoring Ellsbury by singling past a drawn-in infield.

Boston gave Baltimore a taste of their own medicine. They are just that kind of team. They were shell-shocked after suffering such a debilitating defeat, but, veteran-laden, their short-term memory kicked in.

If the Orioles could battle back from a nine-run deficit, overcoming a four-run margin didn’t appear all that difficult, especially with the balanced lineup the Red Sox boast.

Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon wanted to get revenge, and was glad to face the heart of Baltimore’s order. He outlasted Felix Pie, retiring him on a pop-up on the eighth pitch of the at-bat.

What Bay lacked at the plate, he made up for with his defense, making a sliding catch on a fly-ball by Markakis. Aubrey Huff could do nothing against a pumped up Papelbon either, popping out harmlessly to end the game.

The Red Sox bullpen allowed 13 hits and 10 runs in four innings the night before. In this contest, however, the four innings three relievers combined to pitch was a polar opposite. Daniel Bard, Ramon Ramirez, and Papelbon sent down all twelve hitters they faced.

Their offense was resilient, scoring five unanswered runs. Beckett and their bullpen were determined, failing to allow a baserunner past the fourth inning. It was the sign of a good team, perhaps the best in baseball.