Youkilis was the hero Wednesday night as he crushed a 2-out, 2-on rocket to clammer off the wall in right-center and bring in Scutaro from second to win 8-7 in the bottom of the 12th.
However Youkilis would not have been in the winning-role if it were not for a crucial tag-up and take of second base that saw Scutaro safe by a nanosecond -- dude has speed. Then thanks to Pedie's relentless bat so far this season, the Rangers' closer didn't give him anything to hit and walked Pedroia to bring up the Youkmeister.
Other highlights in the game were when Mike Lowell homered in Papi's DH spot early on, followed by Boston's newest hero Darnell McDonald going deep in the 7th for his second time in 2 days (2HR, 2BB, 2 singles, 2 games).
Last but not least JD Drew snapped out of his slump in a big way, striking a base-clearing Grand Salami into the right field bleachers to put Boston ahead 5-4 in the 4th.
Yay's:
- Another big play, that was missed by most, went back to the 5th when a Ranger baserunner was gunned down at homeplate by D-Mac on a near sac fly by Josh Hamilton. Darnell's throw was there but just a hair late, the real hero was Tek.
As Varitek is now Beckett's designated catcher, he had a chance to come through big, saving a crucial run by blocking the plate with his legs, corraling the catch and tagging out the runner before he could scramble around to the otherside of the plate. Even though he went 0-4 with a walk, it's that kind of defensive play that puts Tek above Martinez at the C spot.
-The Sox had a lot of guys step up to get this one done. Production from Drew, McDonald, and Lowell were welcome signs of relief to a team that's been gasping for air in April. Then solid appearances from Daniel Bard, Papelbon, and Okajima really pulled this thing together from the bullpen for a tough win.
- The Sox finally put together a solid, error-less defensive front behind their ace Wednesday, not digging their own grave too early in the game with unearned runs.
- Dice-K completed his final rehab start in AAA Pawtuckett this week and plans should roll-out as to when he will be brought up to the Majors again soon. I say bring him up ASAP and we can put Bucholz in the bullpen.
Nay's:
- Well if you take away Josh Beckett's 7th inning, he had a pretty decent night, but that game-tying 3-run blast from Hamilton really hurt.
- No timeline for the return of Ells and Cam to the outfield, but the way Hermida, Drew and D-Mac are playing we can probably afford to prolong that decision and see them back sometime in May.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
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