G15: Red Sox 5, Spiders 3

Red Sox   - 000 010 202 - 5 13  1
Cleveland - 000 020 100 - 3  8  1

Once again, the Red Sox get some 10 o'clock lightning and come from behind to win.

The big hit in the seventh was a two-run single from Lowrie, who also drove in a run with a fielder's choice in the fifth. With one out in the ninth, Jason Varitek (pinch-hitting for Kevin Cash) hit an opposite field home run to snap a 3-3 tie. Crisp singled to left and Pedroia doubled to right-center. After Ortiz popped to second and Manny was walked intentionally, Youkilis stroked a single to left. Ococ scored, but Pedroia was tagged out trying to score (and missing the plate).

Jeemer nailed it down, striking out Hafner and Martinez on four pitches each, and getting Peralta to foul out to Ellsbury in right. Jacoby made a nifty catch, half-leaping into the stands and robbing a fan of the ball!

Lugo was 3-for-4, Pedroia was 3-for-5, Yook was 2-for-4 with a walk, Ellsbury singled and walked twice. Manny was 0-for-3 with a BBI and HBP.

Ortiz's 5 PAs: GIDP453, single to RF, F7, F8, P4.

Toronto whipped Baltimore 11-3 (and New York held on to beat Tampa 5-3), so we are now in first place!

Red Sox    9   6   --
Blue Jays  8   6    .5
Orioles    8   6    .5
Yankees    8   7   1
Rays       6   8   2.5

***

Tim Wakefield (3.27, 133 ERA+) / Paul Byrd (11.05, 38 ERA+)

Jed Lowrie makes his major league debut tonight at third base.

Coco Crisp, David Ortiz and DeMarlo Hale will all wear #42 in recognition of Jackie Robinson, who made his debut 61 years ago today. Crisp: "Also, Larry Doby, you can't forget about him. He was the first in the American League."