Wednesday Afternoon: Red Sox Stage Comeback, Win 6-5 in 11th as Papelbon Sets Record

After Tuesday's demoralizing collapse the Red Sox badly needed a win. For the first 8 innings it looked like that wouldn't happen, as the O's tagged Sox ace Josh Beckett for 5 runs and took a 5-1 lead into the 9th. That's when the Sox finally came to life. After a Dustin Pedroia walk, Kevin Youkilis sent a fan in the right field bleacher home with a souvenir to pull the Sox within 2 at 5-3. The O's brought in their closer George Sherrill who fanned Jason Bay (0 for 5, 5 SO) and struck out David Ortiz looking for the second out. Down to their last out, the Sox counted on Jacoby Ellsbury to extend the game. He did just that with a single. Sherrill then walked Jeff Bailey and Jason Varitek to load the bases. Rocco Baldelli hit for Nick Green, and he singled up the middle, driving in 2 runs to tie the game. It stayed that way until the 11th. Elllsbury led off with a double and Bailey got him to third with a sacrifice fly. Julio Lugo was up next, and he singled to center to drive in Ellsbury. Papelbon took over in the bottom of the inning and retired the side in order to notch his 133rd career save, passing Bob Stanley for most ever by a Red Sox closer. Red Sox pitchers retired the last 24 Orioles they faced.

Next Game: Friday, 7:10 vs. Seattle Mariners