4 real? Four at bats that changed the game. Red Sox vs Jays 5-2-13

Game 28: Red Sox  take the series, winning 3-1

At times, it didn't looks like Ryan Dempster had enough of his "A" stuff to bring him his second win of the season, but he toughed it out, and the bullpen held strong to keep a low scoring game from getting out of hand. This was not a pitcher's duel by any means, as both teams combined for 15 total walks and only 13 total hits, but a win is a win and the Sox leave Canada by winning the series and moving on to Texas with the best record in baseball. Who'da thunk? Here are the four at bats that changed the game:

1) Bottom of the first inning, and Toronto's first batter, Brett Lawrie, comes up and hits a 1-1 fastball over the left-center wall to start the scoring early for the Jays.It's no mammoth shot, but it does give Toronto the lead, 1-0. See the HR here. Interestingly enough, their first batter gives them all the runs they got for the entire game.

2) Bottom of the third inning, and Ryan Dempster is in trouble. After walking the bases loaded, Dempster is tired, can't find the strike zone, and has to face the AL's hottest hitter in Edwin Encarnacion. Fortunately, Dempster locates a pitch low and away and Encarnacion chases it, forcing the double play and getting Boston out of the inning with no damage. See the double play here. Boston leads 2-1 at this point because of a Mike Carp single to score Mike Napoli and a Stephen Drew sacrifice fly.

3) Top of the fourth inning and just like Dempster, J.A. Happ wants to play walk-the-batter as well, and he walks them loaded. He is pulled immediately for Bran Lincoln, who throws Dustin Pedroia a nasty curve that Pedey can not get enough of, and he rolls it into a double play to get the Jays out of any trouble. The score stays 2-1 Red Sox. See the double play here.

4) Bottom of the ninth inning, and with the score at 3-1 Red Sox, a suprise pitcher, Joel Hanrahan, takes the mound. Andrew Bailey had just been named the closer for Boston this week, and Joel Hanrahan had been previously out with an injury. The Hammer starts the ninth throwing heat, but has trouble locating his fast ball, and the Nation holds their breath when the first batter, Colby Rasmus, hits a single. Fortunately, Hanrahan settles in and induces a double play to end the game give the Red Sox win number 20 and in the process, he records his 100th save of his career. See the game-ending double play here.

Could we have a little closer dilemma here? Turns out, manager John Farrell released information after the game to let the fans know that Bailey has had a bit on bicep tightness. This is the way the game should go, people. Teammates picking each other up and finishing the job for each other. It doesn't sound like the Red Sox have too many selfish players here, just 25 guys who want to win the World Series. But then again, all is quiet in the clubhouse when you are winning!

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