Red Sox Pick Off For A Win

What a way to end a ballgame!  After Saturday night's crazy ending that resulted in a Red Sox loss, the team needed to come out and play the game aggressively.  There were so many question marks going into Game 4 of the World Series, the team needed to prove that they deserved to be there, and that they had a chance to win the series.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, with the Red Sox winning 4-2, Koji Uehara was on the mound to do what he does best, close the game.  With one out, Allen Craig, the Cardinals player involved in the "obstruction" call from the previous night, pinch-hit for pitcher John Axford, and he singled to right field.  Speedster, Kolten Wong, replaced Allen at first base.

Photo from NESN

Uehara then induced a pop-out from MLB hits-leader Matt Carpenter, which brought Carlos Beltran to the plate with two outs.  Everyone knew Wong's job was to get to second base, but he had to be careful.  Fortunately for the Red Sox, Wong wasn't as cautious as the Cardinals would have hoped, and Uehara was able to pick Wong off at first base.

It was another crazy way to end a World Series game.  Uehara was ecstatic after the game, as were the rest of his teammates.  After the game, Uehara claimed that he doesn't read scouting reports, and he just threw the ball to first base on his own.  I believe him.

Wong obviously felt bad after the game, and he went to Twitter:

Prior to the game, questions and statements were circulating about how healthy or "tough" Clay Buchholz was.  The FOX commentators during Game 3 were saying how Buchholz and Doubront could both be considered "starters" for Game 4, as they could split the duties.  Farrell maintained that Buchholz would indeed start the game, but the rumors kept coming that Buchholz was suffering from "dead arm."

Buchholz handled the situation expertly.  He explained that he wasn't 100%; but most players at this part of the season, weren't 100% either.  He was reportedly around 80-90%.  During the game, commentators and analysts (on both the television and Twitter) kept saying how Buchholz didn't look right, his velocity was down, questioning how long he'd last.

Personally, I think Mike Lowell said it best in a tweet:



Buchholz had issues, especially with his velocity; he hit only 90 mph seven times during his 4.0 inning outing.  He allowed 1 run, 3 hits, 3 walks, and struck out 2 in 66 pitches.  He gave it his all, and I'm sure all Red Sox fans can appreciate that.

Doubront got the win for the Red Sox, pitching 2.2 innings in relief and giving up 1 run on 1 hit and striking out 3.  He's been impressive in his relief role this postseason.  Lackey also pitched an inning in relief without so much as giving up a hit.

Jonny Gomes provided the big hit of the night for the Red Sox.  He originally wasn't even in the line-up, but an hour and a half prior to the game, Victorino was scratched due to back tightness.  

Photo from NESN

In the top of the 6th inning, with the score tied 1-1 and Pedroia and Ortiz on base, Jonny Gomes stepped up to the plate.  I could tell from home that Gomes wanted the big hit of the game, and he delivered.  He hit a line drive to center field that landed in the bullpen.  The Red Sox were now up 4-1.

Here's the thing about Jonny Gomes; he brings an undeniable energy to this team.  His interviews after the game are always thoughtful.  He's a fan of the game, and he donated his bat and batting gloves after the game to the Hall of Game.   As Gomes rounded the bases, he was on fire, but I believe Ortiz was more excited.

Photo from NESN

Speaking of Ortiz, he is making a case for himself as the MVP of this team.  Not only is he batting .727 for the World Series; 8 for 11.  He has 2 home runs, 4 walks, and 5 RBIs.  Last night alone, he was 3 for 3 with a double and an infield single.  Who would've thought in Spring Training, with Ortiz hobbling around the bases, that he would be able to leg out an infield single in the postseason.

Ortiz is also taking an even more prominent leadership role for this club.  In the fifth inning, with the score tied 1-1, Ortiz held a quick meeting with his teammates in the dugout.  As we fans watched on, Ortiz was talking to these men, and you could tell he was both inspiring and pumping them up.  The players explained the meeting as such to The Boston Globe:

Ortiz:  I've been in this situation before. I know we have a better offensive team than what we have showed.  You put pressure on yourself and try to overdo things and it doesn't work that way. We know the Cardinals have a very good pitching staff but we have faced good pitching before.

Like I told my teammates, if you think you're going to come to the World Series every year, you're wrong. Especially playing in the AL East.  You know how many people we beat to get to this level, this stage? A lot of good teams. A lot of good teams. It took me five years to get back on this stage. We've had better teams than we have right now and we never made it. So take advantage of being here.

I don't have another 10 years in me. I don't know when I'm going to be in the World Series. I have to give everything I have right now.

Ross:  Inspirational.  He talked and we listened.

Gomes:  It was like 24 kindergartners looking up at their teacher. He got everyone’s attention.

Farrell:  It was meaningful.  He's one of the guys that people look up to. Our guys look up to him. Kind of a timely conversation he had with everybody.

I also want to mention that after the fifth inning in last night's game, MLB took a moment to talk about Stand Up 2 Cancer.  Players, on-field personnel, and fans stood in unison with placards of the names of their loved ones affected by cancer.  It literally brought tears to my eyes to see this.  Then, I went on Facebook and saw a family friend of mine was at the game and posted a picture of her placard with "Mom" written on it, and she posted that she stands up for her mother, uncle, and my brother, who has leukemia.  Here's a picture from the game:

Photo from NESN

Game 5 is tonight at 8:00 PM Eastern on FOX.  With the series tied 2-2 now, it is guaranteed the World Series will end in Boston.  Go Red Sox!