NESN

Red Sox Remind Fans, Yankees That Season Is Far From Over After Spoiling New York’s Division Lead

Editor's note: NESN.com is going to tell the story of the 2012 Red Sox in Bobby
Valentine's words. Each game day, we will select a Valentine quote that sums up
the day for the Red Sox.

BOSTON — Apparently, the Red Sox still have a pulse.

Despite dropping 11 of their last 13 contests, the Red Sox
rose to the occasion and knocked the Yankees one step closer to falling from their perch atop of the
American League East. The 4-3 victory sent the Yankees into a tie with the
Orioles for first place in the division.

Although the Red Sox are all but out of postseason contention, they
played their spoiler role to the tee on Tuesday. A dominant effort from the
bullpen and a game-winning hit by Jacoby Ellsbury proved to be the difference-makers to edge New York.

"I told the guys before the game that the fans are
still pulling for us and they want to see us play well," Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said. "The season's not over and we owe it to them, to the
organization, to give it everything we had, and I think we did tonight."

Last September, it was Boston that crumbled under pressure.
Now, the club is trying to deliver a dose of that medicine to the Yankees and
leaning on Pedro Ciriaco –– who owns a .486 average against the Yankees –– to
star in Robert Andino's villain role.

At third base, Ciriaco made two spectacular diving stops and
throws to halt New York's offense. At the plate, the utility man went 2-for-3
with a double and two runs to notch his fifth multi-hit game versus the Yankees
this season.

"Ciriaco
has done a phenomenal job," catcher Ryan Lavarnway said. "I don't
think we can ask any more of him. I've
had the pleasure of watching him all year in Triple-A. I don't think I ever saw
him go two days in a row without getting a hit. And if he didn't get a hit one
day, he's going to get three the next day. He's amazing."

The Red Sox
pitching staff also held up its end of the bargain. Despite walking a career-high
seven batters, starter Jon Lester managed to minimize the damage by yielding
just three runs on five hits over 5 1/3 innings.

When Lester
exited the game, the bullpen picked up the slack. Relievers Junichi Tazawa,
Craig Breslow and Andrew Bailey combined to stifle New York's lineup, allowing
just one hit through 3 2/3 scoreless frames.

"Right
now we're just trying to win games," Lester said. "We're trying to
win as many games as we can, finish out strong this year and try to have
something positive going into next year. If we end up being the spoiler, that's
great. That's kind of where we're at right now."

It
resulted in Boston's third, walk-off victory of the season. Although there were
no Gatorade baths this time around, there were signs of life after snapping a
four-game losing streak.

Unfortunately
for the Yankees, it's at their expense.