ALCS Game 2: Red Sox vs Indians

Neither Curt Schilling or Fausto Carmona was nearly as good as expected. Schilling went 4.2 innings and allowed 5 runs, while Fausto Carmona allowed 4 runs in 4 innings of work.

Manny Delcarmen took over for Schilling and finished the 5th inning and in the bottom half the Red Sox scored 3 runs to take the lead. Runs were scored off of a 2-run homerun by Manny Ramirez and a solo shot by Mike Lowell after David Ortiz hustled out an fielders choice to keep the inning alive.

With a 6-5 lead and the Red Sox bullpen in control of things, it appeared that the Red Sox werein good shape. Unfortunately, Manny Delcarmen quickly coughed up the lead and allowed the Indians to tie the game at 6. The score remained deadlocked until the top of the 11th inning.

It should be noted that the Red Sox had a real chance to win in the bottom of the 9th (Ellsbury on 2nd with 2 outs). Youkilis lined out hard to Grady Sizemore to end that inning. When the ball made contact with the bat of Youkilis, it appeared that the Red Sox might be taking a 2-0 series lead. It was not to be. Grady Sizemore made a sliding catch to preserve the tie. In the bottom of the 10th, the Red Sox again failed to capitalize. This time, their 3, 4, and 5 hitters were due up against Tom Mastny.

After those failures, the top of the 11th began and it turned out to be big trouble for the Red Sox. Eric Gagne started the inning with a strikeout before allowing two consecutive batters to reach base. Gagne was replaced by Javier Lopez who would face the lefthanded Trot Nixon. It appeared to be a very smart move as I'm sure all Red Sox remember how bad Nixon was against lefthanded pitching. Unfortunately, Nixon found a pitch he liked and deposited it into the outfield for the go-ahead RBI. The Red Sox would still have a chance in the bottom half if they could keep it close but the Indians blew it wide open against Lopez and Jon Lester. By the time the top of the 11th was over, it was 13-6 Indians and the game ended that way.

The victory was much needed for Cleveland and it ties the series up at 1 game apiece. The series will move to Jacobs Field for the next 3 games.