Red Sox Walk Off Again (No Thanks to Pap)

Another walk-off Sox victory against the Tigers, this one coming on a great performance from Clay Buchholz! And the Yankees lose! So the Sox gain the game! All is well in Red Sox nation, right? Well, I mean, the end results were great. But it wasn't like heart-attack Papelbon didn't strike down his sucking vengeance once again before all was said and done.

Clay Buchholz was working on a 2-hit shutout as he took the mound for the ninth inning today. He allowed an infield single and a walk before being yanked. Great start by Buch. No one crossed the plate while he was in the game. Only three guys notched base hits. Good stuff, Clay. So they handed it over to Papelbon, the big closer. He ensued to give up a double and a single to let both of Buchholz's runners score as well as one of his own. 5th blown save of the year for Papelbon, 3-3 tie in the ninth. Costs Buchholz the win on a beautiful start. Oy vey!

No worries, though. The Tigers yet again found a way to shoot themselves in the foot. After Jed Lowrie began the bottom half of the inning with an infield single and Darnell McDonald pinch ran for him, the Sox would walk off for the second consecutive game. Tigers' pitcher Robbie Weinhardt made an errant throw to first base on a Marco Scutaro bunt attempt. McDonald scores. Game over! Sox win!

Boston is now 6.5 games back of the Yankees for the AL East lead. No thanks to Jonathan Papelbon though, who continues to be sporadic and sport an ERA over 3.00 -- not the elite stopper we grew to know since his rookie year. He'll need to get his act together and stop dropping to his knees to blow every opportunity that knocks on his door. If he doesn't, the Sox will find themselves losing the games that they most critically need to win.

Nonetheless, a great win for the Sox. Buchholz is now 11-5 with a 2.68 ERA. Fantastic numbers. All-star type season for him. Hopefully he keeps it going. John Lackey (10-5) takes the hill tomorrow as the Sox look to curb stomp the Indians at Fenway. Fausto Carmona (10-8) is the opposing hurler. 

PS -- Fuck you Papelbon. Buchholz is on my fantasy team.