Big Papi strikes again... and the Red Sox are going to the ALCS with a 9-1 win in game three of the Division Series against the Angels.
Although Anaheim starter Jered Weaver had held the Red Sox to just one hit through the first three innings, David Ortiz led off the fourth with a home run to put Boston on the board.
Not to be outdone, Manny Ramirez followed it up with a solo shot of his own.
Even though they were less than ten outs from elimination, the Angels kept themselves in the game up until the eighth inning when things started to spiral out of control. Julio Lugo drew a lead-off walk before Scot Shields was relieved by Justin Speier, who promptly served up a double to Dustin Pedroia. Pedroia, in turn, scored on a sac fly from Kevin Youkilis. Before Speier was relieved, he gave up another double (to Mike Lowell), a single (to David Ortiz), and a walk (to Manny Ramirez) without another out. Before Darren Oliver got Pedroia (in his second at bat of the inning) to ground into a fielder's choice for the third out, three more runs had scored on three consecutive hits, bringing Boston's lead to 9-0.
Eric Gagne, who took over for setup man Hideki Okajima in the ninth, spoiled Schilling's shut-out. Maicer Izturis, who had reached on a ground-rule double (and advanced on a wild pitch) scored on a sac fly. Even Gagne couldn't botch a nine-run ninth-inning lead, though, and retired Anaheim's final two batters of the season. With a 9-1 win, the Red Sox complete their sweep of the division series.
Now it's time to turn my attention to New York where Roger the #### is taking the mound in what could be Joe Torre's final game as the Yankees manager...
Red Sox fans had a lot to be thankful for tonight. More than anything else, they've got to be grateful for nothing- as in the number of runs allowed by Josh Beckett, who continued his post-season dominance after having the past three Octobers off.
It seemed as if the Angels might be getting off to a good start when Chone Figgins led off the first inning with a single off Josh Beckett tonight. After giving up that first hit, though, Beckett went on to retire the next nineteen batters he faced in what would eventually be a four-hit, complete game shutout for Beckett and 4-0 victory for the Red Sox.
Boston did not get a leadoff hit in the bottom of the first inning, but Kevin Youkilis, batting second in the lineup, quickly put them on the board with a solo homerun. David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez followed up with back-to-back singles but were left stranded.
In the third inning, Youkilis notched his second postseason hit with a double that bounced off the Monster. Ortiz didn't leave him standing out there long, though, hitting a homerun off the second pitch he saw.
Angels starter John Lackey appeared to struggle with control after that, walking Manny Ramirez and allowing him to advance on a wild pitch to Mike Lowell. The Red Sox picked up their final run of the game when Ramirez scored on a single by Lowell.
Lackey seemed to settle down after the third inning, but the damage was already done.
Beckett did not allow his second hit of the game until the seventh inning when Vladimir Guerrero singled off of him. All four Anaheim hits were singles, and Chone Figgins was the lone Angel to reach third base.
After his first twenty-win season, Beckett can add to his already impressive post-season resume. He lowered his ERA to 1.74 and recorded his third complete-game shut-out in just seven appearances.
It's only one game, but it's an awfully nice way to start things out.
"Basketball, football, baseball- if it has balls, I'm all over it. Puck hockey."
I am a Red Sox fanatic and otherwise sports-obsess ed nut. Favorite teams include: Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros and Texas Rangers; Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots; Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics.
