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A SEASON IN THE DRINK
(CHICKEN & BEER) ...
Adrian Gonzalez provides the 9th inning
punch in a satisfying come from behind win
May 16, 2011 ...
Fenway Park was not even
half full when Adrian Gonzalez walked to the plate in the bottom of
the ninth inning. Raw, rainy weather and a six-run deficit against
the Orioles had sent most of the fans scurrying for the streets. They
missed witnessing one of the victories that could come to define the
season. Gonzalez drove a two-run double off the wall in left field
that gave the Red Sox a stunning 8-7 victory on a night when all
seemed lost.
Gonzalez finished 3 for 5 with three RBIs. With the Sox down by a run, Jacoby
Ellsbury drew a walk off Kevin Gregg. The Baltimore closer then got ahead of
struggling Dustin Pedroia 0-and-2. But in typical fashion, Pedroia would not
give in and walked on the ninth pitch of the at-bat. Pedroia, running hard all
the way, scored before the Orioles could get the ball to the plate.
The
Sox had fallen behind, 6-0. After five shutout innings by Orioles starter Chris
Tillman, the Sox sent 10 batters to the plate in the sixth and scored five runs
against three relievers. Facing Mike Gonzalez, J.D. Drew singled and took second
when the ball skipped past Luke Scott in left. Jed Lowrie followed with an RBI
double. After Carl Crawford reached on an error, Jason Varitek lined an RBI
single to right. With two outs and Jeremy Accardo pitching, Gonzalez singled in
a run.
Kevin
Youkilis's two-run double off the Monster proved a huge blow in a five-run,
five-hit eruption in the sixth inning that helped the Red Sox erase nearly all
of a 6-0 deficit.
The
Sox scored another run in the seventh off Jim Johnson when Lowrie tripled to
center and Varitek had another RBI single. That drew them close enough to make
quick work of Baltimore in the ninth.
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