Kevin Youkilis started the scoring in the bottom of the fourth inning – a two run homer – to give Boston an early 2-0 lead.
The Indians would respond with four runs in the fifth inning, but with the playoffs on their minds Boston answered back in the fifth to take the lead for good.
A two-RBI double by Dustin Pedroia and a Jason Bay RBI single sealed the Red Sox playoff ticket as the Boston bullpen held up the 5-4 advantage for the remainder of the game.
Star of the Game: Bullpen
Three innings of scoreless relief helped the Sox to the playoffs tonight.
Next Game: Stride into the playoffs on a good note
Get the prime time players some rest, play the youngings, and enjoy another playoff trip boys.
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WooHoo. Congrats Men.. Go Sawx…
I can’t get enough of these clinching celebrations at Fenway – keep ‘em coming!
The early clinch with 7 games left is huge for the Red Sox as they can still toy with getting the Division title, but can put a priority on healing those still ailing if need be.
I love this team – who wouldn’t?
Youk was a huge hero in this game. Four for four in terms of getting on base and being a thorn in Cliff Lee’s side!
Who else has he lost to this season?
As a die hard Yankee fan… it pains me butI figured one thing I had to do at this point was offer my congratulations to you guys. the sox deserved it and so did the rays and the yanks did not. again congrats !
P.S. see not all Yankee fans are bad
Way to go Dynasty. The Rays have led the way for all of MLB baseball. Build from within, let the cream rise, play them when they are ready, and watch them win.
The Sox are doing the same thing. if I have my 2008 numbers correct, 1/3 of the starting team came from Pawtucket. The oft-injured Sox used the DL 25 times, and many others played hurt. To cover these injuries, the Sox brought up a dozen players from Pawtucket.
In other words, more than 20 players in 2008 came from the Sox farm system. And there are more knocking on the door. The Steinbrenners have insured parity at the high $$ level. No one is going to allow the Yankees to buy the best team in baseball ever again, as the best players will go to a number of teams. So, if the Yanks are to be truly competitive again, it will come from their farm system. What an interesting year.
Classy, Dynasty, thank you.
Thank you Dynasty.
But now we must focus on the gritty details. We have two teams that quite frankly are no longer Boston-friendly, LA and Tampa. The bullshit I’ve witnessed the past few games needs to come to an abrupt end lest one of these two end us abruptly. I certainly hope Lowrie gets out of his regression, Jacoby can stay consistent, the term “Automatic Out” isn’t 100% guaranteed to any player, Beckett unfucks himself for good despite his still strong showings, and the bats get hot at just the right time.
I expect little mercy from the Angels, and should we miraculously defeat them with the pythag and all, I expect Tampa to be just as cruel. The switch is on fellas. No more dicking around. Rest up and don’t stress about the next few games.
Steven Roth:
Lee’s other losses this season were to the Reds and Twins. This is his first since July 6th.