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INDIANS 7, RED SOX 3: A bounce here and there . . .

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

CLEVELAND -- The Red Sox are used to having things go in their favor.

From late-inning heroics to walk-off home runs and solid pitching performances, the Red Sox have had it all.

Not the last two games, though.

With a berth to the World Series on the line, Boston has faltered at the most inopportune time here in Cleveland, and as a result the Red Sox find themselves one loss away from elimination.

First and foremost, the club’s offense has gone astray. The starting pitching in the last two contests has been borderline poor. But, it probably wouldn’t have mattered much last night because the ball definitely didn’t bounce the Sox’ way.

The club seemed snakebitten from the get-go and that was especially true in the seven-run fifth inning. A pop up in foul territory down the right-field line was mishandled by first baseman Kevin Youkilis and second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who collided softly at the warning track.

That play proved crucial because the Indians’ Grady Sizemore eventually reached on a fielder’s choice. The next Cleveland batter, Asdrubal Cabrera, hit a chopper back up the middle and when pitcher Tim Wakefield couldn’t make the play and kept the inning going.

''That ball back to me, if I let it go it’s a double play,'' he said. ''If I catch it it’s a double play. It was just one of those things where the breaks went their way in that inning.''

As the ball bounced around the back of the infield grass, Pedroia and Wakefield were clearly stunned by what was happening around them.

''I was right there,'' said Pedroia. ''I was playing up the middle and Wake just reacted. He knows I’m back there, but if he can get it then we turn two. It was just a tough break for us.

''It happened quick,'' added Pedroia about the implosion in the inning. ''There were a lot of weird things. On that pop up to Youk, he slipped then I slipped and the ball was bouncing every where. If he catches that ball and the runner doesn’t go home, then maybe we’re out of that inning on the next batter. A lot of things just didn’t go our way tonight.''

It has to on Thursday or the Red Sox’ season is over.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 1:08 AM | Permalink