Game 1:
In a game were 5 of the 7 total runs between both teams came in the 10th inning, the visiting Minnesota Twins were able to squeak a win out against an extremely tough Boston pitching staff. Both teams were held scoreless by starting pitchers Dice-K and Nick Blackburn until Jim Thome hit his 14th HR of the barely sneaking over the Green Monster at Fenway in the top of the 5th inning. The Twins took that same 1-0 lead into the bottom of the 8th inning when with 1 out and runners on the corners, Kevin Youkilis grouned into what would have been a tailor made double play, however, on the same play JJ Hardy, the Twins SS, had a serious mental lapse and forgot to cover the bag, thus allowing the Redsox to score the tying run.
Things got real interesting in the 10th inning. Here is the play by play:
Twins batting. Mauer lined to center for a single. Hermida substituted for Beltre. Kubel hit a ball off the pitcher's leg for a single. Mauer advances to 2nd. Bard pitching. Mauer was picked off. Hardy was hit by a pitch (good acting on his part, (fooled the home plate umpire Mac Harvey). Hudson sacrificed to Lowell (5-3 SH). Kubel advances to 3rd. Hardy advances to 2nd. Span was intentionally walked. Casilla flied to left for a single. Kubel scores. Hardy scores. Span advances to 2nd.* Nathan in bullpen. Morneau reached first on a throwing error by Scutaro. Span scores. Casilla advances to 2nd. Cuddyer lined out to Youkilis (L3), ending the inning.
Runs: 3 Hits: 3 Walks: 1 Errors: 0 Runners Left On: 2
And the bottom of the 10th:
Red Sox batting. Varitek struck out but reached first after Mauer dropped the 3rd strike. Nathan pitching. Youkilis grounded to center for a single. Varitek advances to 2nd. Ortiz lined to right for a single. Varitek advances to 3rd. Youkilis advances to 2nd. Lowell was hit by a pitch. Varitek scores. Bringing the score to 4-2. Drew popped out on an infield fly rule to Hardy (P). Cameron lined to left for a single. Score now is 4-3 Youkilis scores. Ortiz advances to 3rd. Lowell advances to 2nd. Ortiz was out on a pass ball that didn't get deep enough to the backstop. Lowell reached 3rd on a wild pitch. Cameron reached 2nd on a wild pitch. Scutaro struck out swinging late at a 0-2 high fastball, ending the inning. Runs: 2 Hits: 3 Walks: 1 Errors: 1
Really good game up till the SC nonsense kicked in. Thanks RSN I appreciate playing guys that are tougher than crap. I take something away from every game we've played.