Going, Going Green...Boston 6 Atlanta 5

It was a walkoff Sunday afternoon Red Sox victory at Fenway Park in Boston Sunday afternoon with the Red Sox taking the rubber match of the Atlanta series with a 6-5 victory. Shortstop Nick Green hit the first pitch in the bottom of the ninth, sending it curling around the Pesky pole and into the stands to score the winning run. The wind helped to push the ball sideways and a little away from the plate and the result was sweet, really sweet. Here's what Greenie had to say after the game was over and before the team jetted to Washington D.C...

“To be honest with you, I didn’t realize what was going on,’’ Green said. “I didn’t even comprehend the fact that I had swung at the first pitch and it was a walkoff. I just knew that we still had to hit. When I hit second base, everybody’s standing at home plate, then I realized what was going on. The last thing I really wanted to do was hit the ball in the air right there because the wind was so bad. I thought I hit it decent to right field, but I thought it was going to be an out because the wind was so bad. Fortunately it was blowing to the right. Blew it right where it needed to go.’’

Red Sox manager Tito Francona, who was in the dugout, had to wait for the fan's reaction because from where he was seated, the rightfield corner and the pesky Pole are a blind spot. Here, let him tell you...

“Leaves Greenie’s bat, and then it gets out there and you can’t see it,’’ Francona said. “Just waiting for a reaction. I mean, I enjoyed it. Didn’t see it.’’

Tim Wakefield pitched the first 6 2/3 innings and nursed a 4-2 lead until giving up three singles in his final frame. Ramirez and Okajima, who surrendered the tying run, followed and completed the seventh and eighth frames. It was an uncertain 5-5 when Papelbon trotted in to pitch the top of the ninth. He looked rusty. His pinpoint control was sporadic and a nervous cloud surrounded the Fenway Faithful. But Paps got out of a bases loaded situation with a very high and outside heater that Matt Diaz tried to connect with. No way, Jose...err, Matt. GAME OVER...RED SOX WIN. Coupled with yet another Yankee loss, the AL East lead for the Good Guys is now four games.

Now, it's on to Washington to play the woeful Nationals in their house, starting on Tuesday. Here are the three game pitching matchups...

Penny (6-2) vs. Lannan (4-5) 7:05pm EDT Tuesday
Lester (5-6) vs. Stammen (1-2) 7:05pm ET Wednesday
Smoltz (0-0) vs.Zimmermann (2-3) 7:05pm EDT Tuesday

I hope your Monday and your upcoming week will be terrific! Enjoy the Red Sox day off today and as always, BE WELL. Click on this post's title for more on the Red Sox. Thanks for popping in and leave a comment! I answer each and every one of 'em. See you...soon. GO SOX.