For the 2nd consecutive game, Jacoby Ellsbury was the hero in the bottom of the 9th inning at Fenway Park.
Less than 24 hours after swatting a walk-off single, Ellsbury stepped to the plate with another chance to spark a wild Red Sox celebration.
Joe Smith, the Indians' submarine-style right-hander who has been nearly unhittable this season, quickly recorded 2 outs in that pivotal 9th frame. The next batter was Ellsbury, and Boston's superstar outfielder watched Smith's 1st pitch, a nasty slider, find the strike zone. Smith's 0-1 pitch, though, did not have very good movement. Instead, the fastball drifted toward the middle of the plate, and Ellsbury lofted it deep into the Massachusetts night. Smith dropped his head and started for the dugout as the ball cleared the center field wall.
The devastating defeat dropped the Tribe 4 games behind the streaking Detroit Tigers in the American League Central. Suddenly, the Indians are fading from playoff contention.
Although the sight of the Red Sox mobbing Ellsbury at home plate was sickening, there were some bright spots.
Jason Kipnis hit his 4th solo home run in as many days, and Carlos Carrasco pitched 7 solid innings, allowing only 2 earned runs.
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| The Indians have seen this before |
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