Projo Sox Blog

BY STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- The Indians turned into the Clowns in self-destructing during the Sox' six-run explosion in the third that boosted Boston's lead to 10-1.Twice the Indians showed how NOT to execute a rundown. And in each case it was Youkilis as the Sox' man in the middle, using his head in one instance when Cleveland messed up.

After Youkilis laced an RBI single off the wall, he was caught three-quarters of the way to second base as the throw from left fielder Kenny Lofton went to the bag to Asdrubal Cabrera. Youkilis was a dead duck as Cabrera ran him back to first while keeping his eye on Pedroia, running at third base.As Youkilis neared first base, Cabrera made a soft dart-like throw to first baseman Ryan Garko, but Youkilis ducked his head and the ball clanged off his helmet and rolled away, allowing Pedroia to score on Cabrera's error.

Then, with Youkilis still at first, Ortiz hit a bouncer to Garko who stepped on the bag for the second out of the inning. Again Youkilis was hung up between first and second. But Garko bounced his throw to Peralta at the bag. The ball bounced into center field and Youkilis claimed second base on Garko's error.

This is not to say the Indians can't throw the leather.

Sizemore ran a long way and snagged Jacoby Ellsbury's drive to right-center with a dive in the fourth; Cabrera robbed Pedroia of a hit with a snappy backhand short-hop pickup in the fifth, and third baseman Casey Blake made a barehand pickup and strong throw to nail Youkilis on a swinging bunt, also in the fifth.

---