This is the kind of win that can turn around a season—for a team and for a player. Carl Crawford laced a double off the Monster in the 11th inning to plate rookie Jose Iglesias with the game-winning run in the Sox 2-1 win over Minnesota. The win gave the Red Sox a winning (barely) home stand (6-5). Had they lost this one and gone 5-6 it would have been known as the 2011 Home-STRAND. This team is still basically unable to hit with runners in scoring position—although the two new guys (Gonzo and Crawford) did it tonight.
Josh Beckett again pitched a gem and got nothing to show for it—thanks to Papelbon's first blown save of the year in the 8th. All in all, a good way to head north for a 2-game stint in Toronto and 3 in Baghdad on the Hudson. They start the road trip just 3.5 back of the Rays and Empire.