BOSTON — Christian Vazquez hit a three-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning and the Boston Red Sox pulled off the final rally of a wild game Tuesday night, beating the Cleveland Indians 12-10 despite an astonishing catch by center fielder Austin Jackson.
In the fifth inning, Jackson robbed Hanley Ramirez of a leadoff homer with a leaping grab in the right-center triangle at Fenway Park. Jackson reached way above the wall and tumbled head over heels into the Red Sox bullpen, steadying himself by holding onto the fence with his right arm. Following a soft landing, Jackson stood up and showed umpires he indeed had the ball, to the amazement of players on both sides.
A replay review confirmed Jackson held on for the catch.
Cleveland tied it on Francisco Lindor’s leadoff homer in the top of the ninth and took a 10-9 lead on Craig Kimbrel’s bases-loaded wild pitch with Jackson at the plate. But the Indians, who led 5-0 after two innings, blew the lead for the third and final time in the bottom of the ninth as Boston moved back into first place in the AL East.
Indians closer Cody Allen (0-6) threw a wild pitch on a strikeout that allowed Mitch Moreland to reach first base and extend the inning for Vazquez. He delivered the game-ending shot to center and celebrated with teammates at home plate.
Moreland also homered for the Red Sox, who trailed 7-5. The comeback lifted them a half-game ahead of the rival New York Yankees, who lost 4-3 to Detroit.
Chris Sale started for the Red Sox, but lasted just five innings. He allowed eight hits and seven earned runs.
NOTES: The Red Sox may have more bullpen reinforcements on the way soon.
Joe Kelly, who has been out since the All-Star break with a left hamstring strain, will throw one inning in a rehab assignment for Triple-A Pawtucket on Wednesday.
Red Sox Manager John Farrell said the club his hopeful Kelly can be activated from the disabled list this weekend.
Meanwhile, Carson Smith is expected to face hitters for the first time since June on Thursday.
Farrell said that if all goes well in the session against hitters, that Smith could begin a minor-league rehab assignment this weekend.
Smith, who had Tommy John surgery in May 2016, faced hitters in mid-June and was set to begin a rehab assignment then, but experienced shoulder discomfort and was shut down.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
