Evan Longoria hit a walk-off home run on the final day of the 2011 regular season to crush the Red Sox’ playoff hopes. Two years later, Koji Uehara struck out Longoria to finish off the Rays in the ALDS and punch the Red Sox’ ticket to the 2013 ALCS.
Uehara’s series-ending strikeout came after four hard-fought games between Boston and Tampa Bay. The Red Sox jumped out to a 2-0 series lead, but the Rays made it a series by virtue of a come-from-behind victory in Game 3 on Monday. Boston was simply too strong when all was said and done, though, and the Red Sox scratched and clawed their way to a 3-1 win in Game 4 to take the series.
Uehara recorded a four-out save in Tuesday’s series-clinching win, helping to erase concerns about whether he’d be able to bounce back from giving up a game-winning home run on Monday. Now, it’s on to the ALCS, where Uehara and Co. will go toe-to-toe with either the Athletics or the Tigers.
Check out the video below to see the final out of the Red Sox’ ALDS victory over the Rays, as well as Boston’s ensuing celebration.
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