Gonzalez Blooper Gives Red Sox Win Over Angels

Sports Betting News - September 17th, 2009 - Written by Scott

The Boston Red Sox have been on a tear recently at Fenway Park winning ten straight at home.  They continued their heroics last night in the ninth inning with the game tied at eight.  Alex Gonzalez hit a game-winning blooper to left field that scored J.D. Drew for the go-ahead run as the Red Sox defeated the Los Angeles Angels 9-8.  However, relief pitcher Brian Fuentes, who surrendered the game winning hit, feels that there might be more to their success at home than just good play.  He gave up the game winning hit after two very questionable calls on pitches that could have sealed the win for the Angels.

"Especially here and some other places, they seem timid to make calls," he said after twice failing to get a third strike called on pinch-hitter Nick Green, who wound up drawing a bases-loaded walk to score the tying run. "I've heard it from other guys that come in here and say that. That's either because it's a mistake, or they're scared."

Fuentes came into the ninth strong and recorded two quick outs. Fuentes, who was looking for his major league leading 42nd save, gave up a walk to David Ortiz and then two infield singles that loaded the bases.  That brought Nick Green to the plate and he quickly fell behind 0-2.  After fouling off three pitches, Fuentes threw three straight balls to force a full count.  The third ball was a knee high fastball that Fuentes thought was a strike. He eventually would walk in the tying run.  Then came Gonzalez who knocked in Drew for the winning run.  Gonzalez was the king of bloopers that drove the Angels crazy throughout the night.  Earlier in the sixth, he hit a bases loaded blooper to right which drove in two runs to give Boston the lead 5-3.  Angels skipper Mike Scioscia feels that Gonzalez never should have got his chance to win the game.

"What was the count at the end, 3-4 to Green?" Angels manager Mike Scioscia said sarcastically. "I thought we had him a couple of times. I was surprised. It's a good umpiring crew and I think we really feel strongly they missed a couple times we had Green struck out. Unfortunately, that's the focal point of the game and it didn't go our way."

Boston now has a 6 1/2 game lead over the Rangers in the wild-card race.  The Angels still have a 6 game lead over Texas in the AL West an have lost four of their last five games.

To discuss this and other Sports Betting stories like it, be sure to check out our new forum at:
https://www.usaplayers.com/forums/