Sox Hang Tough But Choke In Extras

Sunday's game was most likely the longest of the season, lasting 12 innings and over 4 hours. Dustin Hermanson was on in the 12th and he began the inning by walking the first 2 batters. The next hitter laid down a bunt back to Hermanson who fielded it and turned to throw to 3rd for the force on the lead runner, but the throw went a bit wide and ended up down the line by the tarp as Crede was unable to come up with it, costing the Sox the first of 2 unearned runs. The error went to Hermanson, although Crede did short arm the catch a bit as he was trying to find the bag at he same time. Ultimately though, Hermanson gave up the 2 lead-off walks to put those runners on, so he should take the fall for this one.
The Sox stayed close throughout the game and battled back to tie it up twice but were never able to pull ahead. Trailing 3-1 in the 7th with 2 out, the Sox chased Sabathia out of the game when Ozuna knocked an infield single. Iguchi followed that with a bomb to left off the fresh Indian reliever Betancourt tying the game at 3. The Sox fell behind again in extras when in the 10th Marte served up a HR to Travis Hafner putting the Sox down 4-3. Bob Wickman came on for the Tribe to earn the save but blew it when he gave up a friendly bounce, line drive, solo home run to the Big Hurt to tie things back up. Wickman has only surrendered 3 home runs all season, all of which were hit at USCF. This one could just have easily gone for a double, as it caught the top corner of the wall in front of the Sox bullpen in left, but he hit it on such a line that its forward momentum just carried it over. Seeing Frank come through in the clutch was the most beautiful sight of the day.
The Sox head to the Mile High City to begin inter-league play against the Rockies with a taxed bullpen and their back half of the rotation schedualed to pitch. Freddy and the Cubans need to last as long as possible in their starts because the pen has also been touched up a bit lately. They have their work cut out for them though, as Colorado is a much better team playing in the thin air at Coors Field than on the road. (or so says their record)