Oct 4, 2008 - 9:20 AM
0 shoutsBy Ed Kacik PA SportsTicker Staff Writer
Francisco Rodriguez may have all the regular-season accolades, but the playoffs belong to Jonathan Papelbon.
Rodriguez surrendered a two-run homer to J.D. Drew in the top of the ninth inning on Friday that proved to be the difference as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim dropped a 7-5 decision to the Boston Red Sox in Game Two on Friday.
Papelbon, who entered the game in the eighth, retired the side in order in the ninth as the Red Sox forged a two-games-to-none lead in the American League Division Series.
"We've got to keep steadily applying the pressure," Boston's closer said. "There is no question it's time to step on their throat. We know that they have a great team and won't roll over easy without a fight."
Rodriguez set a major league record with 62 saves during the regular season but was never forced to register more than three outs in any appearance.
In Game Two, Angels manager Mike Scioscia asked the 26-year-old righthander to do just that, summoning Rodriguez from the bullpen in the eighth with two outs and Jacoby Ellsbury on first base.
After Ellsbury stole second, Rodriguez ended the inning by getting Dustin Pedroia to groundout to shortstop Erick Aybar.
With the Red Sox clinging to a 5-4 lead in the eighth, Papelbon was brought on after reliever Justin Masterson surrendered a leadoff triple to Chone Figgins.
Papelbon induced a foul out to third base by Garret Anderson but allowed Mark Teixeira to send a long fly ball to center field, plating Figgins with the tying run. It was the first run that Papelbon has given up in 11 postseason appearances.
The game wasn't tied for long as Drew sent a towering home run just right of center field in the top of the ninth, giving Boston a two-run cushion and handing Rodriguez the loss.
"There is no greater feeling as a baseball player to come up with a big hit like that to help the team win," Drew said. "I got down two strikes and put the barrel to the ball. It was a changeup. He left it in and I just squared it up nice enough to get it out of the park."
Papelbon made the lead stand up and logged the victory to give the Red Sox a commanding lead going home.
"We did a good job battling back and never quit, but right now our backs are against the wall," Teixeira said. "We just need to put these two games behind us and go out and get a win Sunday (in Game Three)."
