Twins vs Red Sox (9/27-9/31)

Game 1: Boof Bonser somehow managed to outduel Josh Beckett on Thursday night due to a rough start by Beckett.

Beckett allowed 10 hits and 5 runs in his last start of the regular season. The Red Sox hung tough and scored 3 runs against Bonser, but it wasn't enough.

The Red Sox lost 5-4 despite offensive contributions from David Ortiz, Jason Varitek, and JD Drew. They almost came back against Joe Nathan in the 9th, but were unable to come through with 1 out and the tying run on 3rd base.

Bryan Corey, Hideki Okajima, and Manny Delcarmen all turned in solid work out of the bullpen.

Game 2: Going into Friday's game, the Red Sox needed a win and a Yankees loss to clinch the American League East. Daisuke Matsuzaka helped them complete the first of their needs with an 8 inning, 2 ER gem in his final start of the season.

David Ortiz and Mike Lowell were able to provide the needed run support to turn Matsuzaka's gem into a victory. Jonathan Papelbon closed the door in the 9th inning for his 37th save.

It appeared that the Yankees would stay alive in the AL East race for one more day as they took a 9-6 lead into the 9th inning against Baltimore. The lead vanished as Mariano Rivera gave up 3 runs in the 9th to force the game into extra inning. In extra innings, the orioles were able to finish off the Yankees with a bunt single by Melvin Mora to win the game. These events set off a celebration by the Red Sox and their fans at Fenway Park.

The Yankees will still make the playoffs as the American League Wildcard team.

Game 3: A day after the Red Sox clinched the AL East, they were able to clinch the best record in the AL and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.

Behind a solid 7 innings by Tim Wakefield, the Red Sox were able to hang in the game long enough for JD Drew to hit a go-ahead 3-run homerin the bottom of the 7th inning. The shot gave the Red Sox a 6-4 lead that Javier Lopez and Hideki Okajima were able to hold on to.

Game 4: The Red Sox lost their season finale on Sunday as they gave alot of players the entire day off or a portion of it.

Julian Tavarez got the start for the Red Sox and allowed 3 runs in 3 innings. Jon Lester pitched 2 scoreless innings out of the pen. Mike Timlin, Manny Delcarmen, and Eric Gagne pitched perfect innings as well.

The Red Sox finish the regular season with a league best 96-66 mark, 2 games ahead of the New York Yankees.

On Deck: The Red Sox will begin their American League Division Series with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Wednesday at 6:30 PM. Josh Beckett will face John Lackey in the opener from Fenway Park.