For a while, game two of the ALCS was looking a lot like game one. The Tigers’ starter — this time, Max Scherzer — was dealing. The Sox bats were flailing. Frustration was mounting. And the hits just weren’t coming. In fact, the Sox went hitless until the bottom of the sixth.
Ths situation was exacerbated by an uncharacteristic bedshitting by Clay Buchholz, who gave up five runs on eight hits. Even after the Sox scored a run to make it 5-1, I was still in full “negative fan” mode, openly tweeting about how shipping off to Detroit down 0-2 might not be that bad.
Then Leyland turned to the Tigers’ weakness: their bullpen. And the Sox quickly loaded the bases in the bottom of the eighth. And then, with two outs, David Ortiz stepped to the plate.
And then this happened:
Suddenly, we were all tied up at 5. And it was 2004 all over again. And we were jumping up on the big guy’s back like he was the goddam giant flying dog from The Neverending Story.
In the top of the ninth, Koji shut down the Tigers in order (our bullpen > their bullpen), then Gomes led off for us, grinding out an infield hit and advancing to second on a bad throw, then to third on a wild pitch.
This set things up for Salty, who knocked him in with a single to left, and then got chased around the basepaths by his teammates.
It was the capper on what turned out to be one of the most thrilling and important victories of the year. The difference between heading to Detroit to face Verlander down 0-2 or heading in with momentum on you side.
Now, even if we get flattened by Verlander, we’re only down 1-2, and can still keep pounding away. Hell, we may even be able to get to Verlander. Crazier things have officially happened.
All I know is we’ve got 48 hours to savor this win. And I’m gonna savor the f#$k out of it.
I like that Victorino and Ells are leading the run to Salty.
I did pick our score, and that Papi would come up big. Excellent stuff fellas. And great comments on SG. Running naked outside? Damn, It’s just game 2. We need to do that during the clincher.
The Homer…..
http://wapc.mlb.com/play?content_id=31137879&topic_id=60133816
Savoring as we speak. What fucking game.
After watching clips again (for the 400th time) I want Game 3 RIGHT F**KING NOW.
Epic.
Lol. “And we were jumping up on the big guy’s back like he was the goddam giant flying dog from The Neverending Story.” You just outdid yourself, SG.
Someone pointed out that the four runs of Ortiz’ grand slam were all charged to different pitchers. Over-manage much, Leyland?
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lq6pksUUyl1qi7deco1_r1_400.gif
Welcome back, Senor October!
Why am i in italics?
Of course, I was taking out the gahbage when Fox cut away for the pitching change, so I missed the Epic badassery that was Ortiz being Ortiz. I get back into the living room and I see people attending to Hunter in the bullpen and everyone high-fiving Papi in the dugout and I’m like, “wait, wasn’t he just U- oh, SH!T”.
2004 all over again. Thanks, Papi…you sure are a hammer swinger.
I remember sleep. I don’t miss it.
alexis_b82 Because you’re special!
Red That is what the travel day is for. Game three, and Verlander is getting some of us.
Chris in LA Maddon would somehow trump that.
So, for the first day of my new job here in Raleigh, NC I walk in bleary-eyed (though sober). Fortunately, my new boss was born in Quincy, and he was equally bleary.