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Red Sox Take Momentum Into Postseason

The Red Sox finished their final game of the season with a back and forth 12-7 win over the Cleveland Indians to complete a four-game sweep. The game started on a stomach churning moment when Clay Buchholz surrendered a leadoff home run just three pitches into the game. David Ortiz helped the Sox take the lead with a two-run single in the bottom of the frame. The Red Sox would later lead 4-1 in the 3rd inning when the Indians exploded for five runs in the inning, starting with a bases loaded walk followed by two two-run hits.

J.D. Drew homered to pull within a run in the 4th, and Dustin Pedroia hit a two run shot in the 5th after Jacoby Ellsbury reached on a strike three wild pitch. Drew homered again in the 6th, which was followed by a grand slam from the oft injured Jed Lowrie later in the frame. Another Indians run off a hit deflected off Alex Gonzalez would be the last run of the game, putting the score at its final tally.

With the season now over, the Red Sox will concentrate on the upcoming Divisional Round playoff series against the Angels, to start either Wednesday or Thursday, in whatever series the Yankees pass up. The Yankees have the right to choose by virtue of being the best team in baseball. (In all likelihood, the Yankees will choose Wednesday’s series to give the winner of Detroit and Minnesota’s Tuesday tiebreaking game no extra time to rest.) The Rockies visit the Phillies and the Cardinals visit the Dodgers, with both of those series to start Wednesday.

Sox Stud of the Game: Jed Lowrie

In a close game, Lowrie broke it wide open in the 6th, putting the game out of reach for Cleveland.

Sox Dud of the Game: Clay Buchholz

Buchholz lasted just three innings, giving up six runs, including the bases loaded walk. This is not the kind of performance he needs to put up, especially right before the postseason.

That’s What He Said:

“I thought he was up too much; he made it a little harder than he needs to.” – Terry Francona on Clay Buchholz’ pitch placement and performance today.

Game Notes:

W: Michael Bowden (1-1)
L: Tomo Ohka (1-5)

• Jacoby Ellsbury stole his 70th base of the season in the 1st. He slid by the base, but retagged it in time.
• Ellsbury’s mark tied Kenny Lofton from 1993 and is third only behind Brian Hunter (74) in 1997 and Kenny Lofton (75) in 1996 for the American League.
• The Red Sox scored 872 runs during the season, third in the American League.
• The Red Sox now have their fourth consecutive season with at least 95 wins.
• Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, and Clay Buchholz will start in games 1, 2, and 3 respectively of the ALDS. Lester and Beckett could be brought back for games 4 and 5 respectively.

Tags: Clay Buchholz, Cleveland Indians, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, J.D. Drew, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jed Lowrie, Red Sox, Terry Francona