McCarty Does Some Yard Work. Wow! Red Sox 9, Seattle 7 in 12 innings. Box.

A total team effort. I couldn't watch the game -- and have to wait until Tuesday to watch my tape -- so I'll concentrate on the offense and pitching (though from the SoSH game thread, I know Pokey made some fantastic plays (as usual) and McCarty and Crespo also helped out with their gloves):

Bellhorn: 2-5, 2 runs scored
Youkilis: 3-5, double, HBP, 3 runs scored
Ramirez: 1-4, double, 2 rbi
Varitek: 1-5, HBP, 2 runs scored
Millar: 2-2, double, walk
McCarty: 2-3, double, game-winning HR, 2 runs scored, 2 rbi
Dominique: 2-2 (his first 2 major league hits), game-tying rbi
Schilling: Retired the first 17 Mariners, 7.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R
Timlin: Scoreless 10th inning on 12 pitches
A. Martinez: 2 hitless innings (the 11th and 12th)

Keith Foulke blew a save for the first time this season in an ugly 8th inning. Seattle scored 6 times -- capped by an Ibanez's three-run home run -- to lead 7-5. But the Red Sox came back immediately against Hasegawa in the bottom half. Varitek singled on a 1-1 pitch. McCarty (who had gone in to play first base in the top of the inning) doubled on the first pitch he saw. Pinch-hitter Damon brought Varitek in with a sac fly and Andy Dominique (another pinch-hitter) singled in McCarty to tie the game.

The Yankees lost 7-6 in Tampa Bay, so the Red Sox reclaim first place by one-half game (and have baseball's best record). ... Nomar plays for Pawtucket tonight.