SOX MARVEL AT SANDMAN'S GREAT ESCAPE
By FRED KERBER
Posted: 3:44 am
July 6, 2008
The Red Sox will take those odds virtually any time. Down one run in the ninth, bases loaded, nobody out.
"More times than not we're still playing," said manager Terry Francona.
But among the times they wouldn't be is when Mariano Rivera is on the mound.
"Hall of Fame closers have a knack of getting out of those. He did," said Mike Lowell.
Rivera came in to protect the Yanks' two-run lead and save their first victory in the series against the Red Sox, who had taken the first two games.
Rivera gave up a single to J.D. Drew and then plunked Manny Ramirez - it was the third time Manny was hit (and every one unintentional). Now it was interesting.
Lowell singled to right, scoring Drew with pinch-runner Brandon Moss stopping at second. Then Rivera hit Kevin Youkilis to load the bases with no out. Red Sox Nation rejoiced. But it was too early because of what happened next.
"Mariano went to work and pretty much carved us up for three hitters," Francona said. "He left himself no wiggle room and then didn't need it."
First victim, Coco Crisp, who swung meekly at strike three and declined comment afterward: "I'm outta here," Crisp said.
Next came Jason Varitek, who has had success against Rivera in the past. The count went to 2-0 and then Varitek popped to Wilson Betemit at first.
"I had an opportunity," Varitek said. "I felt comfortable, but I was probably off just enough where I cut through it. He's Mariano Rivera, but in that situation, I got myself out."
The Sox had one last hope in the person of Julio Lugo, batting for the first time in the game. Alex Cora had started and been lifted for a pinch-hitter in the eighth. Lugo's reaction afterward told you all you needed to know.
"I got nothing. I didn't play," Lugo said.
Well, technically he played. He just didn't hit as Rivera got him swinging to end a game.
The Sox, Rivera or not, felt they let one get away as they lost, 2-1, yet another one-run road defeat.
"It was uncharacteristic for Mariano hitting two guys," Lowell said. "Those were kinds of gifts he gave us. ... You can't hang you heads, but we definitely had a chance."
