Victorino slam puts Bosox into World Series
Print Edition
The Red Sox are back in the World Series for the third time in 10 seasons after Shane Victorino’s seventh-inning grand slam propelled Boston to a 5-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Saturday to clinch the American League championship series in six games.
The Red Sox set up a World Series rematch with the St Louis Cardinals. They will host Game 1 on Wednesday against the team they swept in 2004 to end their 86-year title drought.
The Cardinals won the National League title pennant on Friday by eliminating the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games.
“We’ve still got one more step,” Victorino said.
With 21-game winner Max Scherzer on the mound, Detroit took a 2-1 lead in the sixth inning and held it until Boston loaded the bases on a double, a walk and an error by shortstop Jose Iglesias.
Victorino lofted an 0-2 pitch from Jose Veras over the Green Monster to set off a celebration in the Red Sox dugout and in the Fenway Park stands.
It was the second career postseason grand slam for Victorino, who also hit one five years ago for Philadelphia.
Junichi Tazawa got one out for the win, Craig Breslow pitched a scoreless eighth and Koji Uehara got the last three outs before the Red Sox poured out of the dugout to begin their now-familiar celebration on the mound.
“It’s been a special ride,” second baseman Dustin Pedroia said, “and we’re still going.”
Uehara was selected the series MVP after posting three saves and a win. Then he joked about pitching so well under pressure. “To tell you the truth, I almost threw up,” the Japanese said.
It’s the 13th AL pennant for the Red Sox and their first since 2007, when they swept the Colorado Rockies to win it all for the second time in four seasons. Boston swept the Cardinals in 2004, winning Game 4 in St Louis to clinch the title that put an end to generations of disappointment.
The latest trip comes one year after a last-place finish that forced the team to jettison its high-priced stars, rebuild the roster and bring in manager John Farrell. Victorino was one of the biggest additions, and he delivered on Saturday as he did for much of the season.
However, Prince Fielder’s woes continued for the Tigers, as the first baseman has now gone 18 straight playoff games without an RBI.
Boston starter Clay Buchholz allowed two runs on four hits in five innings.
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