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October 21, 2007
BY KEVIN McNAMARA
Journal Sports Writer
BOSTON - Jonathan Papelbon was convinced that J.D. Drew would lay off the pitch that all but iced Game Six of the ALCS for the Red Sox Saturday night.
Drew had worked Indians' starter Fausto Carmona to a 3-and-1 count but Carmona was struggling badly with his control. Drew, perhaps the Sox' most patient hitter, could've resisted the urge to swing at a fastball right down the middle fo the plate. Instead, he lined a lazer into the center-field stands for a grand slam and a 4-0 first inning lead. The Sox went on to cruise to a 12-2 win and force Game Seven.
''I'm thinking J.D.'s got to 3-1 and I turned and said, 'No way he's swinging at this one. Then he he got a big one. Wow he crushed it.''
Drew's hit was a very popular one in the Red Sox clubhouse. Julio Lugo knows all about the trouble Drew has faced in his first year as a player in Boston. Both men have struggled at the plate and heard boos from the Fenway fans. Last night, those boos turned to cheers.
''Change is tough, here or anywhere," Lugo said of joining the Sox. ''You're in the spotlight here every day but that doesn't matter now. It doesn't matter what happened yesterday or today. It's only what happens in the next game."
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