Date uploaded: 2021-10-11 03:31:59
With a memorable 13-inning performance, a walk-off homerun and a fortuitous bounce only ancient Fenway Park could provide, the Boston Red Sox are on the verge of knocking off the top-seeded Tampa Bay Rays and reaching the American League Championship Series.
In a rollicking Fenway Park classic, the Red Sox withstood a late-inning surge from the Rays and emerged with control of the ALDS when Christian Vazquez launched a two-run, walk-off home run in the bottom of the 13th inning for a 6-4, Game 3 victory.
But for the Tampa Bay, the game will be remembered for how fickle Fenway kept them off the scoreboard in the top of the 13th.
With Yandy Diaz running on the pitch, Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier stung a ball deep to right field. By the time Boston outfielder Hunter Renfroe got near it, Diaz was just a few feet from third base and seemingly on his way to score a go-ahead run.
Then the ball spun funkily off the dirt and the wall and richocheted right into and off Renfroe's hip area. And hopped harmlessly over the approximately 4-foot wall.
Ground rule double. No runs scored.
Boston's pitching would hold, setting up Vazquez's late-game heroics.
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