By: Tyler Ward
The Red Sox have finally had a bright spot in the last few weeks. The injury-plagued Red Sox spoiled Cliff Lee's bid for a second straight complete game and were able to rally in the 11th to seal the win. The Rangers were hoping to ride Bengie Molina's cycle last night and take the series from Boston, but were not able to close the game out.
Not only did Youkilis hit the game-winning sacrifice fly in extra innings, but he also hit a double in the ninth inning, driving in Marco Scutaro to tie the game, 2-2.
Youkilis said after the game, "I had the same approach all game. I was comfortable. I felt good."
In the first inning, David Ortiz singled to center, driving in Darnell McDonald to give the Red Sox a 1-0 lead. Cliff Lee, the opposing pitcher, settled down after the first, retiring 22 of 23 batters between the second and eighth innings.
The game would remain 1-0 until the sixth inning, when All-Star Josh Hamilton singled to right field, driving in Ian Kinlser. Later in the inning, Nelson Cruz singled to center, driving in ex-Angel Vladimir Guerrero. John Lackey, the Red Sox pitcher, was pulled after seven innings of work, surrendering those two lone runs. He would watch Boston's rally from the dugout.
Entering the ninth inning, the game was still 2-1 in Texas' favor. Lee, who was trying to pitch another complete game, gave up a double to Youkilis, which scored Scutaro to tie the game. The Red Sox would not be able to capitalize and the game was sent into extra innings.
"I was going right at him. It worked for me all night," Lee said. "No reason for me to change my approach there. Obviously, I wish I could have that pitch back."
After neither team scored in the tenth, the next inning was everything the fans were hoping for.
Scutaro led off the 11th with a walk and Darnell McDonald bunted on a sacrifice attempt. Texas' relief pitcher Alexi Ogando fielded the ball and threw the ball to second, but it hit Scutaro and went into left field - he would then advance to third, while McDonald went to second. The next batter, Ortiz, was intentionally walked to load up the bases.
The hero of the night, Youkilis, would then hit a sacrifice fly to center and Boston's rally would finally be done. This was the first walk-off sacrifice fly by a Red Sox player since Carlos Baerga hit one in the 11th inning against the Yankees in 2002.
Rangers' manager Ron Washington, clearly frustrated, said after the game, "We had to get an out on the bunt. Ogando tried to make a play and it didn't work. If he gets him, everybody's saying 'What a great play.'"
After being taken off the disabled list on Saturday, Manny Delcarmen pitched a perfect 11th to increase his season record to 3-2. Boston's Lackey and Texas' Lee would both receive no decisions.
