G157: Red Sox 5, Spiders 4

Spiders - 000 040 000 - 4  9  0
Red Sox - 000 230 00x - 5  9  1

RED SOX CLINCH A PLAYOFF BERTH!


The Globe has photos.

Kevin Youkilis's two-run home run got the Red Sox on the board in the fourth inning, but Cleveland came right back. Four hits off Wakefield, including consecutive RBI doubles from Shin-Soo Choo and Jhonny Peralta gave the Spiders a 4-2 lead in the fifth.

But Lee could not hold Boston down. Kevin Cash singled to start the home half of the fifth and was forced at second by Coco Crisp. Jacoby Ellsbury doubled to right-center and Crisp stopped at third. Dustin Pedroia banged a double off the Wall, both runners scored, and the game was tied at 4-4. After David Ortiz fanned and Youkilis was walked intentionally, Jason Bay grounded a single up the middle, past Peralta's weak Jeterian dive to his left. FY scored and the Red Sox had regained the lead.

Cleveland did not go down without a fight. They loaded the bases against Manny Delcarmen in the seventh, but Hideki Okajima came in and retired Victor Martinez on a foul pop to first. They rallied again in the eighth. Justin Masterson allowed a walk and a hit, along with two strikeouts. Javier Lopez walked Grady Sizemore to load the bases. Jonathan Papelbon was able to retire Jamey Carroll on one pitch -- a fielder's choice to second base. Then Bot slammed the door in the ninth, striking out Choo and Peralta and getting Martinez to pop to short.

Tampa Bay swept its doubleheader from the Orioles, 5-2 and 7-5. The Rays came from behind in both games, including a six-run rally in the eighth inning of the nightcap. The Yankees beat Toronto 3-1, but it was meaningless, as the Red Sox had already eliminated the Chokers.

***

Cliff Lee (2.41, 183 ERA+) / Tim Wakefield (4.18, 109 ERA+)

In his last two starts -- against the Royals and Twins -- Lee allowed 21 hits and nine runs (seven earned) in 14.1 innings. He has not faced the Red Sox this year.

Can the Red Sox still win the East? Tampa Bay has seven games remaining. If the Rays go 7-0, 6-1, 5-2 or 4-3, the Red Sox cannot win the division.

If Tampa goes 3-4, Boston must go 6-0.

If Tampa goes 2-5, Boston must go at least 5-1.

If Tampa goes 1-6, Boston must go at least 4-2.

And if Tampa goes 0-7, Boston must go at least 3-3.

It does not seem very likely.

***

Rays/Orioles at 5
Yankees/Blue Jays at 7

East                     Magic #
Rays       93  62   ---
Red Sox    91  65   2.5     4
 
Wild Card                Magic #
Red Sox    91  65   ---
Yankees    85  71   6.5     1