Sunday, October 11, 2009

Halos Sweep Red Sox To Advance To The ALCS

The Boston Red Sox got a much needed outing from Clay Buchholtz who did not disapoint throwing 5 innings allowing 2 runs on 6 hits.

This picture belongs to ESPN.com

Clay began to tire in the 6th inning as he would get the call from Terry Francona that his start was over.

C. Buchholtz had worked himself into some trouble with the bases loaded nobody out.

Boston would get a lift from Daniel Bard who came in throwing the ball like a man on a mission. D. Bard got a huge double ground ball allowing one run to score, followed by a pop out to short.

Overall what a job done by the young Daniel Bard who has signs of being a great reliever in the game of Baseball.

The man did not look phased at all by the situation, and is learning the pressures of October handling it all with ease.

Facing possible elimination the Boston Red Sox came out ready to play in today's ball game as they solved a very tough lefty in Angels Scott Kazmir.

The Red Sox touched S. Kazmir for 5 runs in 6 innings as their offense came alive in a time of desperation for Boston manager Terry Francona.

2B Dustin Pedroia has been unbelievable for the Red Sox during his short time there.

Dustin broke through in this Series with a two run double in the 3rd inning, to take the early lead.

Boston some more offense from the rest of their team.

J.D. Drew had a clutch 2 run HR in the bottom of the 4th inning as he was slotted into the #8 hole for the Boston lineup.

J.D. is an experienced veteran looking to help his team back into the Series as they came in down 2 games to none.

This picture belongs to ESPN.com

The Los Angeles Angels would be down 5-2 headed into the top part of the 8th inning as the Boston Fans were up on their feet.

Halos RF Bobby Abreu has been outstanding with his bat in this Series, and got the inning started off with a double.

LA would have trouble moving the runner over as CF Torii Hunter couldn't make contact off of the Red Sox reliever Billy Wagner getting the strikeout for out number one.

The powerful Vladimir Guerrero would draw the base on balls to bring up 1B Kendry Morales with an opportunity to get back into the swing of things.

Kendry after hitting a HR earlier in the game did not have the same luck as he grounded out advancing both runners for the 2nd out.

Manager Terry Francona had no margin of error in this game so he made the obvious move of bringing in closer Jonathan Papelbon to get the last 4 outs of the game.

Juan Rivera got his 2nd hit of the game as he delivered with a 2 out 2 run single to pull within one of the Red Sox lead.

Jonathan Papelbon would get out of the inning, but be holding his breathe as Boston went into the bottom half with a 5-4 lead needing the win.

After getting a nice insurance run from his offense J. Papelbon would come out in the top of the 9th to throw up 6-4 on the Angels.

After not allowing an earned run in his last 27 post season innings Jonathan Papelbon would have a disastrous 9th as he blew the save allowing 3 runs on 3 hits.

Jonathan had a shot to finish the game off but would throw a 2 strike pitch up in the strike zone to Bobby Abreu who lined a clutch two out RBI double to climb back.

With 2nd and 3rd two out LA would send the great CF Torii Hunter to bat with a chance to win the game.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona would walk Torii in a spot of picking your poison to load the bases.

Now down by one the Angels would get another clutch at bat with a 2 run line drive single up the middle by RF Vladimir Guerrero to take the 7-6 lead.

Vlad had a solid 2009 American League Division Series hitting .400 going 4 for 10 at the plate driving in 2 runs that were crucial to in game 3.

This picture belongs to ESPN.com

Either the Angels are that good or Jonathan Papelbon is a choker, because any time I see the man pitch in big games to me he looks shaky.

He reminds me a lot of former 96 World Series MVP with the New York Yankees John Wetteland.

John Wetteland also had that thing where every game he came into was made into an interesting outcome.

After giving up the lead to put the Halos up 7-6 Jonathan Papelbon would get pulled to bring in lefty Hideki Okajima to pitch.

H. Okajima got the 3rd out, but Boston would be in a lot of trouble as they entered the bottom half of the 9th inning down by one.

Angels closer Brian Fuentes would have no problems with his assignment as he got the Red Sox 123 in the bottom of the 9th to complete the 3 game sweep.

It was great to see Torii Hunter interviewed after the game I as a fan watched this man rise from the minor leagues.

Right before Torii's rise to being a superstar I knew he would be right where he is today when I first saw him play for the Twins triple a team.

Torii was one of the nicest people I have ever met in general forget the fact he is a professional athlete just one of the best people you would ever meet in your life.

T. Hunter was giving out bats to kids in wheelchairs after the game, and was standing there for a good hour and a half talking with the fans handing out any piece of Baseball equipment he could with that game being the end of his teams season.

I as a little kid walked up to Torii expecting to get turned away asking him if I could have anything, and the man went into his bag pulling out his batting gloves.

He then handed them over to me, and said that was all he had left, he then actually apologized for not having more stuff to give me.

from that moment on I knew he is a special person destined to do big things.

I would leave with my family a happy kid, and I will never forget the kindness of that man as he deserves all the good things that have happened to him in the game of Baseball.

The fact he was that nice after being the star of the game was astonishing, and know this he was the only player for both teams that took the time to give back to the fans.

Now the Los Angeles Angels will go into the ALCS to face either the Minnesota Twins or the New York Yankees.

No comments:

Post a Comment