When Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon entered the game with two outs and two inherited runners in the bottom of the eighth, the score was 5-2, Sox. By the time Hideki Okajima relieved him three outs later in the ninth, the Angels led, 7-6. Given that Papelbon has historically been a rock for this team, this is an especially painful way to lose a playoff series. But we don’t have to tell that to our Red Sox blog, Over the Monster.But in the end it would come down to the back-end of the bullpen—the part that was supposed to be reliable—giving up the game. Billy Wagner gave up a double and a walk before Terry Francona called on Papelbon for the final 4 outs. Papelbon didn’t deliver. A single to Juan Rivera scored both of Wagner’s baserunners in the 8th, and in the 9th Papelbon—who had never given up a postseason run—absolutely blew up with 2 outs, giving up a single, a walk, a double, and an intentional walk to bring Vladimir Guerrero to the plate with the bases loaded, 2 outs, and a one run lead. Guerrero singled to center, the Sox went down in order in the 9th, and their season was over.
Over the Monster Reacts: ‘Papelbon Blows Up’
Over the Monster follows up with some suddenly relevant questions as the Red Sox enter the offseason. Check it out.
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