9 innings weren't enough for game 2, does this portend for a 7 gamer as these 2 seemingly evenly matched teams can't seem to reach a conclusion in regulation time.
The Sox held a 1-0 into the 4th on an Ozzie Guillen double off Andy Araujo when Dave Clark singled in Brunasnky and Candy Maldonado followed with a 2 run home run off James Rogers to give us a 3-1 lead after 4 only to see the Sox tie things right back up in the 5th.
Once again our defense caused issues. Carter committed a 2-out error to put runners on 1st and 2nd and the Sox took advantage with a single by Gerald Perry and after a walk to Dwight Evans, Araujo hit Ken Landreaux on the left hand forcing in a run. Landreaux broke his hand on the play, sorry Ken.
Tied up in the bottom of the 7th, I decided to take a chance and try to look smart. With 1 out, Carter drew a walk with reliever Rick Moore at the plate. We used our bullpen for 5 innings yesterday and I was thinking I don't want to already go to our tired setup men, so instead of pinch hitting right away, I would send Carter to steal 2nd rather than sacrifice bunt with 1 already out.
Carter stole successfully and I thought......why not 3rd? Boom, next pitch and he's safely on 3rd with our pitcher up and 1 out. I have to use a pinch hitter in a 3-3 game in the 7th right? Moore can't hit, bring up a position player, right? I decided to swing away and Moore hit a fly ball deep enough to score Carter. I was so happy with myself.
So, 4-3 lead into the 9th, we bring is Steve Howe and it's over. Except he walked Ozzie Smith to open the 9th and Guillen followed with a double to make it 4-4 and no outs. A fly ball to right sent Guillen to 3rd and with the infield in, Howe got clean up man Perry to ground to short for the 2nd out and Evans struck out and after we went quietly in the 9th, we went to extras again.
Howe retired the Sox in order and after Randy Milligan walked pinch-hitting for Howe, Roberto Kelly took Bill Long deep to left for a walk-off 2 run home run and we will take the long flight to Boston tied at 1