Papi’s Late Heroics Score a Big Victory for Sox

For the 2nd game in a row, David Ortiz stepped into the batter’s box in a crucial bottom of the 9th at-bat and for the 2nd game in a row, he produced a gigantic hit. On Friday night, his monster Grand Slam cut the Sox deficit to 1, but that is where the contest ended. With a much better result for the Sox on Saturday night, Papi ripped a 3-run double into the gap to walk-off with a much needed victory. Papi’s resurgence this season has been incredible, but now that his clutch instincts are back, the complexion of the Sox changes.

What made the Red Sox so dangerous in past years is their ability to comeback from any deficit at any time thanks to their potent lineup. The biggest figure in the lineup was always David Ortiz and his knack for getting the big hit when the Sox needed it the most. That has been lacking a bit this year, until these past 2 games. With a rejuvenated lineup that saw Ryan Kalish porduce in his major league debut on Saturday, there is a sense that now is the time for them to make it happen and put up W’s, because the injury excuse is almost entirely in the past.

If the Sox make the playoffs in 2010, it will be an incredible feat and I think we will all be looking back at July 31st as the point in which the season turned around. If they don’t make a surge and get into the post-season, this game will still not be forgotten, because one of the most talked about young prospects in the Sox system made his MLB debut and helped the team to victory. With the lack of moves during the day, he spark at night also provided some excitement for Red Sox fans who were mostly disappointed with the Sox inactivity at the deadline.

In the final game of the 3-game set with the Tigers on Sunday afternoon, the Sox will face an enormous test. They will face 12-6 Justin Verlander for the Tigers, who has been lights out this season. The 3-time All-Star and 2006 Rookie of the Year has allowed a career low .230 opponent batting average in 2010 and will need to be on to stop the streaking Sox offense. On the other side of the diamond, the Sox throw Clay Buchholz out to the mound, who has also had a great year, sitting at 11-5 with a 2.71 era. This has all the makings of a pitcher’s duel and should be fun to watch.

A victory in this crucial rubber match would be huge for the Sox, going into a 4-game home set with the Cleveland Indians. Momentum is key down the stretch, so now is the time for a big push.

Today’s Lineups – 1:35pm at Fenway Park – lineups courtesy of Boston.com

Red Sox (59-45)
Scutaro SS
Drew RF
Youkilis 1B
Ortiz DH
Martinez C
Beltre 3B
Kalish LF
Lowrie 2B
McDonald CF

Pitching: RHP Clay Buchholz (11-5, 2.71)

Tigers (52-51)
Jackson CF
Rhymes 2B
Raburn LF
Cabrera 1B
Boesch RF
Peralta 3B
Frazier DH
Avila C
Santiago SS

Pitching: RHP Justin Verlander (12-6, 3.76)