Hernandez’s surprise bunt wins it in the 12th inning
Still so exciting to read about!
ESPN.com – MLB – Recap – Red Sox at Athletics – 10/01/2003 –
Hero
Ramon Hernandez. With the winning run standing 90 feet from home plate, Hernandez pulled off a shocker as he laid down a perfect bunt single with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 12th inning to give the A’s a come-from-behind win.Goat
The Boston bullpen. Can these guys close out a game or what? Given a one-run lead to protect heading to the bottom of the ninth, Byung-Hyun Kim walked a batter and hit another before being lifted for Alan Embree. All Embree did was allow a two-out, run-scoring single to Erubiel Durazo to tie the game. What a nightmare!Turning Point
Though the game wasn’t decided until the 12th inning, the momentum clearly went in the A’s direction after Durazo’s hit. The Red Sox didn’t get a hit in the extra innings. And while the A’s only got one hit — Hernandez’s bunt single — it certainly was a big one.It Figures
When the game was on the line, the A’s bullpen stepped forward as it pitched 5 1/3 innings of shutout ball to stifle the Red Sox’s bats. Keith Foulke led the way with three scoreless innings of work.On Deck
Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield will get the start for the Red Sox in Game 2. He was roughed up in two starts against the A’s during the regular season (4.50 ERA), but escaped with two no-decisions. Barry Zito will counter for Oakland. The lefty was 6-6 with a 3.33 ERA in 15 starts after the All-Star break.
