True Flu
Like a latter-day Michael Jordan circa 1997 Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Josh Beckett battled through the effects of flu to secure a remarkable triumph against a key divisional rival.
In the likeness of Kirk Gibson in the ninth inning of Game 1 of the 1988 World Series, Mike Aviles clubbed a two-run home run. The only differences were that wasn’t the World Series and Aviles wasn’t injured in both legs nor rundown with a stomach virus. Otherwise, totally like Gibson.
With the grim determination of Mariano Rivera in every postseason (except 2001 and 2004, now that I think about it), Alfred Aceves retired the Rays batters in the ninth with surgical precision. He walked three batters to load the bases just to keep it interesting.
Boston Red Sox 2012: standing on the shoulders of greatness.
| Game 89: July 15, 2012 | ||
 Boston Red Sox45-44 |
7 |
W: Josh Beckett (5-7) |
| 2B: Jacoby Ellsbury (4), Will Middlebrooks (12) HR: Mike Aviles (10), Daniel Nava (4) | ||
| Tampa Bay Rays 46-43 |
3 |
L: James Shields (8-6) |
| 2B: Ben Zobrist (21), Elliot Johnson (8) | ||
