Red Sox Eliminate Yankees Behind Rick Porcello

Players of the Day for Tuesday, October 9, 2018

American League

Red Sox 4 Yankees 3

Porcello: Game 4 winner

Despite a shaky inning, Craig Kimbrel induced a game-ending ground ball from Gleyber Torres, sending the Boston Red Sox on to the AL championship series.

Kimbrel got the final out of the game in the bottom of the ninth, but not before he had walked two, given up a single, hit a batsmen with the bases loaded and surrendered a sac fly, leaving the tying run on second and the winning run on first base with two outs.

Remarkably, Kimbrel earned his second save of the series, nearly ruining the fine effort put in by starting pitcher, Rick Porcello.

Last appearing in a relief role in game one, Porcello worked five innings as the Red Sox built their lead, finally giving up a run in the bottom of the fifth, when Brett Gardner drove in Gary Sanchez from third with a sac fly.

Otherwise, Porcello was tough as nails, allowing four hits, no walks, striking out one. The victory was his first in post-season play after losing three games in 11 appearances with Detroit and Boston.

Porcello was 17-7 during the regular season, a stalwart hurler in the best season ever for the Red Sox franchise. Boston won 108 games, taking the AL East by eight games.

The Red Sox will host games one and two of the championship best-of-seven series with Houston, champions of the AL West. The Astros were 103-59 and eliminated the Cleveland Indians in three games.

Game one is scheduled for Saturday, October 13, at 8:09 pm ET.

National League

There were no National League games on Tuesday. The NL championship series begins Friday in Milwaukee with the Brewers hosting the Dodgers. Game time is 8:09 pm ET.