Red Sox Knot Series, 2-2, on Jonny Gomes' 3-Run Homer

Players of the Day for Sunday, October 27, 2013

World Series Game Four

With St. Louis starter, Lance Lynn departed after yielding a two-out single to Dustin Pedroia and then giving up first base to David Ortiz on a four-pitch "pitch-around", Jonny Gomes faced reliever Seth Maness in the sixth inning of World Series game four, the score tied 1-1 and Boston in dire need of a win.

Jonny Gomes

Maness worked the count to 2-2, but Gomes dug in and belted a high slider deep and over the left field fence, driving in three runs and giving the Red Sox what would turn out to be an insurmountable lead.

Maybe Cardinal manager Mike Matheny's move to lift Lynn was a mistake; after all, Lynn had only given up three hits and thrown 89 pitches. He still looked sharp and in control. Nonetheless, the crucial move was made, costing the Cardinals the game, tying the series at two games apiece and setting up a critical game five Monday night in St. Louis.

The Cardinals were able to produce another run, in the seventh, but their lack of power (no homers in the last three games and only one for the entire series) is beginning to appear a problem as the Red Sox won game four, 4-2. The Red Sox won the one game they needed to offset St. Louis' game two win in Boston, making Monday night's match-up - a repeat of the game one pairing of Adam Wainwright and Jon Lester - a must-win for both teams.

Game five starts at 8:07 pm EDT in St. Louis.

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Today's Trivia: Who is the all-time career leader in world Series total bases? (answer tomorrow)

Yesterday's Answer: Reggie Jackson in 1977 and Willie Stargell in 1979 each accounted for 25 total bases in the World Series.