That was fun (in an exasperating, ulcer-inducing sort of way.) The game had it all: some good defense, lots of squandered opportunities, good pitching, and a tiny bit of offense. But man-oh-man, those Duncan brothers-that had to be a rough house to grow up in.
Once again Jon Lester pitched well. It wasn't his best start but it was good enough. He threw one hundred and one pitches over seven and one-third of an inning. He only walked one batter and struck out three. He allowed two runs on nine hits but was generally cruising along until he got into the sixth inning. In the sixth inning, he gave up two doubles in a row-both of whom would come around to score (the second runner after he stole third and an RBI single.) He generally stayed ahead of guys-he only ran the count full once (three other times he fell behind the batter 3-1; one resulted in a walk, one in a fly out, and one in a double.) They needed Lester to get deep into the game and he did that for them; unfortunately, it help them out all that much.
The first reliever out of the 'pen was Manny Delcarmen. Delcarmen did a fine job-he got two strike outs (one looking and one swinging) on fifteen pitches to end the eighth inning.
Papelbon came out to finish off the game. He seemed to be cruising along; he got the first batter to strike out on three pitches and he stuck out Yadier Molina (which almost never happens) on four pitches. Then he walked the Shelley Duncan's brother on four pitches (which was odd.) Then he gave up a fly ball to center which resulted in a double and allowed the tying run to score. There was some disagreement on the efficacy of Coco's defense on the play from the talking heads--Remy was of the had-Coco-gotten-a-better-read-on-the-ball-and-headed-in-the-right-direction-he-would-have-caught-it school of thought, whereas Eck seemed to believe that it wasn't likely he wouldn't have gotten to the ball either way. Paps got out of the inning by inducing a ground out to third.
As we headed into the tenth inning, Okajima took the mound. If I was to be completely honest, I would admit that it was a move that (although necessary-given the state of the bullpen) didn't inspire confidence in me as a viewer. It turned out alright, though. He gave up a single to the first batter but then got a fly out. He walked the third batter but then got a pop out. He got the last out on a strike out. If Okajima pitching the tenth inning made me nervous, then his pitching the eleventh inning had me running from the room and listening from the kitchen. But again, it was alright. He gave up a single to the first batter but then got a fly out. He gave up a single to the third batter but then got a fly out. He gave up a single to the fifth batter to load the bases and got the hook in favor of Hansen.
Hansen got Okajima out of his jam by striking out the last batter of the eleventh on three pitches. Hansen's slider was working really well tonight and as a result, he pitched really well. He came back out for the twelfth inning and got two swinging strike outs and a ground out. He got the first batter of the thirteenth to pop out to first, as well.
Javier Lopez came on in relief of Hansen. It wasn't the best outing for Lopez but it was enough to get him the win. He gave up a double the first batter (Duncan) and a single to right to the second batter. The Cards' third base coach decided to send Duncan home on the single and a good throw by JD Drew had him out at home plate (after he'd bowled over Varitek) for the second out. Lopez got out of the inning with a fly out to center.
Offensively, the Sox were unable to get anything done until the seventh inning. Youkilis was responsible for the first run after he hit a home run to the monster seats.
Coco lead off the eighth inning with a triple on a botched play by the Cards' centerfielder. He then came around to score (and tie the game) on a sacrifice fly by Lugo. Ellsbury grounded out for the second out of the inning. Pedroia followed him with a single and a stolen base. Drew drew a walk, Manny took a walk (that was practically intentional) to load the bases, and then Lowell drew a walk to knock in the go-ahead run. Youkilis struck out to end the inning.
There were lots of innings and lots of hits before the Sox would score again (including three lead-off doubles and a bases-loaded-one-out situation in the eleventh.) When they finally scored again it was the thirteenth inning. Lowell hit a very hard single off the wall and Youkilis followed him up with a home run to end the game.
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