Projo Sox Blog

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Red Sox got a little bit of a scare in the bottom of the 10th inning in Game Two of the ALCS in the early morning hours on Sunday at Tropicana Field.

Boston's closer Jonathan Papelbon was working with one out in the inning when the Rays' Carl Crawford smoked a hard liner right back to the mound. Papelbon, with his quick reflexes, was able to get his glove up just enough that the ball ricocheted off the top of the webbing before it grazed his shoulder.

Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia retrieved the ball and recorded the out.

"It hit my glove first and then grazed my arm," said Papelbon after the Sox lost 9-8 in 11 innings. "I'm fine."

Trainer Paul Lessard and manager Terry Francona came sprinting out of the dugout to check on the club's closer. As he saw them coming, he waved at them and shook his head, signaling that he was fine.

"They would come out there for a bug bite," he said with a laugh. "I'm totally fine."

 Tags  ALCS Jonathan Papelbon Red Sox

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