Game: April 30, 2008

Posted on May 1, 2008
Filed Under 2008 Season | Leave a Comment

April 30th, 2008 - TOR 1 @ BOS 2
Winning pitcher: Jonathan Papelbon (2-0, 2.08)
Losing pitcher: Scott Downs (0-1, 3.86 ERA)
Best performance: Daisuke Matsuzaka 7IP 2H 2BB 4K 0ER ND
Worst performance: Manny Delcarmen 0.0IP 1H 1ER

Season Record: 17-12, .586

Second game in a row in which our starter gave up 2 hits or less.  Second game in a row Papelbon came in and got the win.  Second game in a row that the Sox had a walk-off in the bottom of the 9th.

This game was an amazing one to watch.  Daisuke went deep into the game with a 1-hitter then Manny Delcarmen gave up a lead-off single in the top of the 8th.  Okajima came on and promptly gave up a double; this lead to runners on 2nd and 3rd.  The next hitter drilled a gap-shot to left-center but Brandon Moss made a ridiculous diving catch.  Runner on 3rd tagged up and made it a tie ballgame.  Hideki then K’ed the next 2 hitters.

Bottom of the 8th was uneventful.

Papelbon came on in the top of the 9th and made the hitters look silly, like usual.  He allowed one hit, then picked the runner off.

Bottom of the 9th started with Papi drawing a walk and Manny lacing a single into right.  Jed Lowrie was brought in as a pinch-runner for Papi.  Lowell struck out for the first out.  That brought Brandon Moss up to the plate.  He had saved the game earlier with his diving catch so this was his moment to shine.  He drilled a single to center, Don Orsillo got wicked excited, and then Vernon Wells threw Lowrie out at the plate.  Catcher Rod Barajas blocked the plate in one of the greatest defensive moments I’ve ever seen.

I thought that was it right there.  I figured we blew our chance at winning the game and our bullpen would hand over another one like they did in Tampa Bay.  I made the mistake of counting out The Captain.  Tek came up to the plate and a few pitches later he singled to center, again to Vernon Wells.  Wells made a good throw but Manny somehow avoided the tag.  He popped up, spiked his helmet, and the celebration began.

Whew.

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