With sole possession of first place on the line, the Red Sox persevered against a tough Cleveland club, walking-off with a 3-2 victory at Fenway Park last night. After a 95-minute rain delay, 38,000 plus (including your humble scribe) waited until midnight to see Jacoby Ellsbury line a single to center scoring pinch-runner Jarrod Saltalamacchia with the winning tally.John Beckett got a no-decision after being pulled with only 85 pitches (multiple rain-delayed warm-ups being the reason), so Jonathan Papelbon got the win with a 1-2-3 9th. The un-sung pitching hero, however, was lefty Franklin Morales who bridged the gap with 2 scoreless frames.
Kevin Youkilis got the Sox even with his 16th HR off Rafael Perez—after a frustrating night when the Sox could do little against against the starter, promising young Tribe lefty David Huff. The Captain's sharp single to center started the 9th inning rally.