Day 124: Magical Comeback Win in Boston

Did you go to bed before the ninth inning of the Red Sox game last night? Were you so disgusted with Ryan Dempster's uninspiring outing that you threw up your hands in disgust and headed to bed? I did stop watching after the grand slam that seemed to put the game out of reach at 7-1... but I came back just as the bottom of the ninth began. And I'm so glad I did.

The Sox pulled off their Major League-leading 11th walk-off win of the season. To make it even better, it was the second consecutive walk-off, both of which happened in the same day since Wednesday night's 15-inning marathon win didn't end until after midnight.

I have to say I haven't seen a ninth inning as riveting as Thursday night's comeback win since the Mother's Day Miracle in 2007. And I'm having a hard time deciding which was more exciting. Both were thrilling, bottom of the ninth, comeback wins... both overcame five run deficits... and maybe it's the collection of misfits that makes up the 2013 Red Sox, but I think I vote for last night as the more exciting of the two.

If you happened to miss the excitement, here's a brief rundown of what happened... hold on to your hat, it's pretty freakin' exciting. The score was 7-2 entering the final frame.

• Daniel Nava opened the inning with a walk.
• Ryan Lavarnway singled to center. Nava to 2nd.
• Brock Holt doubled to left. Nava scored making it 7-3. Lavarnway to 3rd. 
• Jacoby Ellsbury walked.

It was probably this point in the game where things sort of went south for the Mariners. Seattle's acting manager, Robby Thompson, signaled to the bullpen for the righty to face Shane Victorino and Dustin Pedroia. But the home plate umpire saw Thompson tap his left arm first which meant he had to bring in the lefty. Not what he wanted to do...and they paid dearly for it.

• Shane Victorino singled to right. Lavarnway scored (7-4). Holt scored (7-5). Ellsbury to 2nd.
• Dustin Pedroia singled to left. Ellsbury scored (7-6). Victorino to 2nd.
• David Ortiz limply struck out swinging. [Pitching change]
• Jonny Gomes singled to center. Victorino scored to tie the game 7-7. Pedroia to 2nd.
• Stephen Drew walked. (Bases loaded, one out... in case you're wondering.)
• Daniel Nava (who got the whole thing started with a walk), singled to center driving home Pedroia with the winning run.

Sox win, 8-7. Craziness ensued at home plate and shirts were ripped off as usual. This morning on Dennis & Callahan, the boys were trying to come up with a slogan for the 2013 Red Sox — like Cowboy Up in 2003. Since this team doesn't seem to ever want to give up, my vote for their slogan comes from the Goonies... "Never say die."

Oh and right now, at 66-44, Boston not only once again holds the most wins in the majors, but they're just three wins shy of their win total for 2012. Crazy.