Kevin Youkilis leading the rally to beat the Rangers squares off against Mike Lowell homering in his return from the disabled list in the first round of the Best 2010 Red Sox Game That Aired on NESN competition.
Entering play against the Rangers on July 17, the Red Sox were 0-31 when trailing after eight innings. Take into account that Texas starter Cliff Lee was staked to a one-run lead heading into the bottom of the ninth, and things looked bleak for the Red Sox. Marco Scutaro, who singled to start the ninth, stood at second with two outs when Kevin Youkilis came to the plate. He promptly delivered a double to score Scutaro and give the Red Sox second life. Then, in the 11th inning, Scutaro got things going again with a walk. A Darnell McDonald sacrifice turned into an adventure for the Rangers, and a throwing error put Scutaro at third. After an intentional walk to David Ortiz, the stage was set for Youkilis. A deep fly ball was all the Red Sox needed, and Youkilis delivered with a game-winning walk-off sacrifice fly for a 3-2 victory. Not to be lost in the excitement of the comeback win was arguably John Lackey’s best start of the season.
As the trade deadline approached, fan favorite Mike Lowell waited to see if he would be sent packing by the Red Sox. After the deadline came and went, he was still rumored to be a candidate for a waiver-wire move, all the while remaining on the disabled list despite being ready to play for several days. The days and weeks of uncertainty made Lowell’s return to the lineup against Cleveland on Aug. 3 a much-anticipated event for fans who wanted to show how much they appreciated still having him in a Red Sox uniform. Perhaps fueled by the standing ovation, Lowell deposited the first pitch over the Green Monster. The two-run homer electrified the crowd and proved to be the decisive blow in a 3-1 victory over the Indians. Lowell, who soon after announced that 2010 would be his last season, hit 223 home runs in his career. This second-inning shot against Cleveland is one he, and every Red Sox fan, will remember for a long time.
