Boston Red Sox: Jonny Hustle
Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester uses his glove to make a close play at first.
This Pennant race with the Tigers has been a nail biter, both literally and figuratively. Man, these Tigers. Every game (save one) has been a clencher to the last out. After last night’s 4 to 3 win, the Red Sox get a day of rest then it’s back home to Fenway Park for game 6.
I don’t want to say “and game 7.”
I hope it’s just game 6 and the Sox win and take the division title. Because if this series goes to game 7, with Verlander on the mound again, I truly won’t have any fingernails left. They’re nubs as it is. What intensity, from both teams.
Last night’s game had a lot of great defensive plays by both sides. Jonny Gomes for the Sox and Jose Iglesias for the Tigers made unexpectedly great catches.
But my favorite play was by pitcher Jon Lester. Iglesias laid down a bunt in the fifth inning, and Lester bobbled it, then scooped it up with his glove and tossed it from his glove to first, just in the nick of time to get the out. Jonny Hustle.
Now this is baseball. And this is one reason why the Boston Red Sox have made it to post season. They don’t give up. They play as a team. At anytime, any player will rise to the occasion. They aren’t dependent on one hitter or pitcher to get the job done.
After last season’s worst place finish, we never expected to see the Red Sox bounce back so quickly. Maybe it’s the beards…?
Click image below to see video of Jon Lester and “The Shovel.” In a nutshell, this is what this series has been all about.
