Game, Set, Manny by Jared Carrabis
Ramirez Powers Sox To Victory In Ninth

On the same night that our most hated Yankee rival, Alex Rodriguez, tied our most worshiped Boston Red Sox, Ted Williams, in career home runs (521) the night would not end before the modern day great Boston slugger would get one step closer to the legendary mark of 500 home runs in a big, big way. The bat would not be put in the hands of Manny Ramirez in a clutch situation without the impressive comeback that the Red Sox offense displayed in the late innings of Monday night’s ballgame.


The Red Sox entered Progressive Field (or the field formally known as Jacobs Field) for the first time since sending the 2007 American League Championship Series back to Boston where they would go on to win games six and seven en route to the team’s seventh World Championship. Needless to say, the Cleveland fans weren’t happy to see the Sox back in town. Since Manny Ramirez packed his bags and up and left Cleveland to sign with Boston back in 2001, Tribe fans haven’t had a strong liking for the right handed power-hitter. They coined nicknames such as “Money Ramirez” and he was right on the money in the top half of the ninth inning when the Sox needed him the most.


The Red Sox bats would begin to chip away at a three run deficit in the top of the seventh when the scoreboard read that they were trailing 4-1 to the runner-ups for the American League Championship. With Lugo on first with one down, Coco Crisp (who is quietly hitting .343 I might add) dropped down a textbook bunt for a single and the speedy Lugo advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher, Victor Martinez. With runners at the corners, Dustin Pedroia hit a shot back at pitcher Jake Westbrook and it deflected off of his leg into no-man’s land in between second and first. Pedroia would reach on the no throw and Lugo would come in the back door to score.


The chipping away of the Indians lead would continue in the top of the eighth when the first batter of the inning, Kevin Youkilis, ripped a home run to left on the first strike that he saw. When Youkilis was finished with his home run trot, the Red Sox were trailing by just one run. The top of the ninth was do or die for Boston and they wasted no time getting things going as Julio Lugo (take notes kids because this is how you manufacture a run) led off the top of the ninth with a double to left. With Lugo standing at second base, Coco Crisp contributed once again in a big way by dropping down a sacrifice bunt advancing Julio Lugo to third with just one down.


Dustin Pedroia strolled to the plate knowing exactly what he had to do. Trailing by just one run, all Pedroia would have to do would be to hit the ball anywhere in the outfield. With one of Boston’s fastest runners at third, Pedroia did just that as he skied a fly ball out to deep left as Lugo scored with ease tying the game up at four in the top of the ninth. As if Cleveland fans didn’t hate Boston (and Manny) enough, the scoring wasn’t done just yet. A reborn David Ortiz dug in the batter’s box looking to put Boston on top with a chance to win it knowing that Jonathan Papelbon was now up and throwing in the bullpen. On the third pitch of the at bat, Ortiz went to the opposite field and dropped a single into left.


Terry Francona motioned to have Jacoby Ellsbury replace David Ortiz (2 for 5) on the base paths in hopes that he could leg out a run on any extra base hit that Manny Ramirez could muster. Manny made his steps towards home plate, dreads and all, and on the first pitch that he saw he launched his 493rd career (third on the season) home run deep into the left field bleachers putting Boston on top 6-4 having scored three runs in the ninth inning. Manny would stand and watch it go in true Manny Ramirez fashion and when it came down the score would stay as is. Jonathan Papelbon retired all three batters he faced in the bottom of the ninth in order, striking out the first two to secure the win and his fifth save.


Timlin would get the win in this one as the lefty starter Jon Lester failed to make it out of the fifth inning. Lester threw 97 pitches (55 for strikes) through four and a third innings as he gave up four earned runs on five hits. The walks proved to be the killer for Lester in this one as he issued five free passes to first base. The four earned runs in under five innings pitched would bump Lester’s ERA up to 5.31 on the season.


The Sox will be looking to take the second and final game of this two game set in their only trip to Cleveland this season. The chances are certainly in Boston’s favor as opposing Tim Wakefield on the mound will be the old fashioned Paul Byrd who has struggled heavily this season carrying an 0-2 record and an ERA of 11.05.


Final Score: Red Sox 6, Indians 4

Published on April 14, 2008

---