Red Sox Clinch Playoff Berth Despite Fifth Straight Loss

By KC Downey in Featured, Red Sox, Top Story ⋅ September 30, 2009 at 5:30am ⋅ Post a comment

The Blue Jays launched six home runs and held on for an 8-7 win over the Red Sox Tuesday night. Adam Lind hit three of the home runs, becoming the first player since Frank Thomas in 1996 to hit three home runs as an opponent in Fenway Park.

In fact, the Blue Jays could’ve hit 15 HRs to win 30-7, but it wouldn’t matter. Why? Despite taking their fifth striaght loss, the Red Sox clinched a playoff berth after the Rangers lost to the Angels into the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The Red Sox will be going to the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years, and for the fourth time in that time span, the Red Sox will square off against the Angels in the ALDS, with Game 1 coming next Wednesday or Thursday.

As for the game at hand, Clay Buchholz allowed seven runs on eight hits (including a whopping five home runs) in just five innings pitched. It was one of his worst starts of the year, and he gave the Red Sox little chance to win the game.

But, the Sox still had a chance, and they did not give up. Down 8-2 in the eighth inning, the Sox scored five runs to make it an 8-7 game. Kevin Youkilis doubled in Jacoby Ellsbury, David Ortiz doubled in Youk, and J.D. Drew launched a three-run blast as the Sox did whatever they could to celebrate their playoff berth on their own terms. It wasn’t meant to be, however.

Sox Stud of the Game: J.D. Drew

Drew, who’s been hot in August and September, finished 3-4 with a home run and three RBI on the night.

Sox Dud of the Game: Clay Buchholz

The job of the starting pitcher is to keep his team in the game, regardless of how poorly he’s throwing. Allowing four runs in the first inning is not doing your job. C’mon Clay!

That’s What He Said

“I like our chances,” Dustin Pedroia(notes) said. “It doesn’t matter how you do it, as long as you’re in.”

Game Notes

W: Ricky Romero (13-9)
L: Clay Buchholz (7-4)
S: Jason Frasor (11)

Five of Toronto’s six home runs were solo shots.
Former “idiot” Kevin Millar hit one of the homers, going 1-4 on the night while playing third base.

About KC Downey

KC is the "head coach" of the Sports of Boston, LLC blog network. Follow him on Twitter: @kc_downey

Tags: Adam Lind, Clay Buchholz, J.D. Drew, MLB Playoffs, Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays

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One comment for “Red Sox Clinch Playoff Berth Despite Fifth Straight Loss”

Red Sox Clinch Playoff Berth Despite Fifth Straight Loss: The Blue Jays launched six home runs and held on for .. http://bit.ly/15f64F

Posted by Sports of Boston | September 30, 2009, 5:52 am