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Baseball Today: Wednesday, September 12 »

Late game story

BOSTON _ From implosion to explosion the Boston Red Sox did it all last night.
First, Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield was attempting to earn his 17th victory of the season, a mark that would have matched a career-high. It was the second time in as many starts the veteran knuckleballer was standing one win shy of the mark, and it was the second time in as many games he faltered.
Fortunately for Wakefield he quickly became an afterthought.
Boston erased a seven-run deficit en route to a dramatic and entertaining 16-10 victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Fenway Park.
The Red Sox received a plethora of production from everyone in the lineup for the come-from-behind win. In fact, Boston emptied the chamber in the middle innings to steamroll the lowly Devil Rays, who only the night before beat the Red Sox, 1-0.
It was the cast of usual suspects who helped Boston pummel its opponent last night, including solid performances from Dustin Pedroia, Mike Lowell, Coco Crisp, Julio Lugo, David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis as the Sox banged out a season-high 16 runs to go along with their 20 hits. Again, rookie Jacoby Ellsbury continues to shine as he extended his hitting streak to 11 games.
Ellsbury, Pedroia, Ortiz and J.D. Drew all hit solo home runs, while Lowell went 4-for-5 in the clean-up spot. Youkilis provided a base-clearing triple and a double.
Performances like these are expected as the norm for the Red Sox.
Throw in a good night for the struggling Drew and backup catcher Kevin Cash, who went 1-for-4 with three RBI, then you know it was a good all-around performance.
“It was exciting,” said Cash of the comeback. “It was fun to be a part of. Not that this was a must-win game, but it was a big game for us to win. We got down early, and it was good it was early, because it gave us a chance to gain some momentum to come back.”
Drew has been pelted with boos around these parts and Cash has quietly handled his role as Wakefield’s batterymate with care since Doug Mirabelli has been injured. Drew and Cash both contributed in a big way last night, a good sign, especially for Drew.
He went 3-for-4 with a walk and his solo homer in the seventh inning was his first at Fenway Park since April 22nd against the Yankees. By the time the media was allowed into the clubhouse following the game, Drew had already left the park.
“J.D. is big for us,” said Cash, who also played collegiate ball with Drew at Florida State. “I know what J.D. can do offensively. His career numbers are pretty impressive and hopefully [last night] was big for him.”
Cash, an eight-year pro, signed with the Red Sox as a minor-league free agent in January with 114 games of major-league experience with Toronto and Tampa Bay. He was sent to Pawtucket as an insurance policy and the Red Sox cashed it in when Mirabelli was injured late last month.
Cash’s offensive numbers may not be earth shattering, but he’s proved that his defensive play, especially his ability to catch the knuckleball, gives Boston another option behind the plate.
“It was a real big hit,” said Red Sox manager Terry Francona describing Cash’s two-run single in the fourth inning that cut Boston’s deficit to three. “He gives us so much energy doing what he’s doing. It’s not easy doing what he’s doing and he does such a good job back there. He’s real excited to be here in the midst of us trying to win.”
With the regular season quickly coming to an end, an all-out team effort the Sox gave last night might just be the kind of jump start for the stretch run. For Drew, it might just be the game he’s desperately been searching for.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 12:02 AM | Permalink