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Red Sox win 10th straight, clinch playoff spot
- Updated: September 25, 2016
ST. PETERSBURG — Danny Farquhar was one strike away from getting out of a bases-loaded jam. Dustin Pedroia was one walk, bloop, or blast away from bringing in a run to tie it, and maybe getting the Red Sox the lead.
On a 2-2 count, he crushed one over the wall — a blast that turned a one-run deficit into a three-run lead and clinched a postseason berth for the Red Sox. It was the blow Boston would need in a 6-4 win over Tampa Bay.
“Everybody is obviously grinding,” Pedroia said. “We got guys on base, you obviously want to get them in. One of those situations where you just try to have a good at-bat. Feels good.”
Boston’s victory — its 10th in a row — was its 91st this season and secures at least a spot in the American League Wild Card Game on Tuesday, Oct. 4. The Blue Jays also won Saturday, defeating the Yankees, 3-0, which means the Red Sox’s magic number to clinch the AL East is down to three. Any combination of Boston wins or Toronto losses that adds up to that number will give the Red Sox their first division title since 2013, when they went on to win the World Series.
• Red Sox guaranteed at least Wild Card berth
With the win, the Red Sox also kept pace with the Rangers, who also won on Saturday. Boston is one game behind Texas for the best record in the American League, which would give home-field advantage through the playoffs.
• Grand slams mean 40% off pizza
Rick Porcello struck out nine and allowed three runs over 6 1/3 innings en route to picking up his 22nd win. Matt Andriese allowed just two runs over six innings, in his best start since re-entering the Rays rotation on Aug. 2. Brad Miller had a two-run double, and Logan Forsythe pulled the Rays within two in the ninth with a solo homer.
But the game was defined on one swing from Pedroia, and it sent the Red Sox to the playoffs.
“Just a complete and explosive injection to the club in the dugout when that ball went out of the ballpark,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said. “He’s so gritty, he’s so tough, never going to give an at-bat away, and was able to deliver the big blow tonight.”
“I thought I threw some good pitches,” Farquhar said. “He battled. You could see why he’s as good as he is. He fought off some pitches and got his pitch and crushed it.”
MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDHolding the lead: The Rays were threatening a tie the game at 1 in the second inning …
