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.

Jeter Belts Two Homers in 9-3 Win; Gomes Leads Reds to Win with 6 RBI

Players of the Day for Saturday, June 12, 2010 American League Unaccustomed to being in second place, the NY Yankees have gone out of their way, attempting to catch the AL East-leading Rays, winning 10 of their last thirteen games, including Saturday's 9-3 win over the Houston Astros. Always expected to give 100% effort, Derek Jeter provided four RBI with a pair of homers, the first a solo shot to lead off the bottom of the 1st inning, than a three-run blast in the sixth, all but sealing the deal for the Bronx Bombers, who took their second straight from Houston. Jeter also walked leading off the 3rd inning, went to second on Nick Swisher's single, stole third base and eventually scored on Jorge Posada's grand slam. Batting .295 with 8 homers, 39 RBI and 42 runs, Jeter is well on his way to his 8th season with 200 hits. He has 79 in 61 games. The Yankees trail the Rays by a single game in the division. National League Jonny Gomes blasted a pair of three run homers as the Cincinnati Reds improved their lead in the NL Central to 1 1/2 games over the Cardinals with an 11-5 smack-down of the Royals. After Brandon Phillips' solo homer gave the Reds a 1-0 lead, Gomes hit the first of his two homers, putting Cincy up 4-0 after one inning, but the Royals responded with a 5-run 2nd and a 5-4 lead. Gomes settled affairs with his second three-run homer - his 8th of the season - in the 3rd inning, putting the Reds ahead for good. His six RBI were a career best. Gomes, a part-time player over most of his six years in the major leagues, is having a phenomenal season, batting .307 with 47 RBI, well on his way to topping his best run-producing year, 2006, when he drove in 59 for Tampa Bay. Gomes joined the Reds at the start of the 2009 season, playing in 98 games. This year, he's taken over left field duties full time.

Arroyo, Gomes Power Reds; Matsui Belts Two in Yankee Win

Players of the Day for Thursday, August 13, 2009 American League The Yankees have the look of a team itching to clinch their division title. They've won 3 straight, 10 of their last 11 and are 21-4 since the all star break. One of the reasons the Yankees are playing so well is the steady play of right fielder Hideki Matsui, who has 19 home runs and 58 RBI to go with his .268 batting average. After winning 6 of 7 on their most recent home stand, the Yanks headed to Seattle for a three-game set with the Mariners and started out in usual Yankee fashion with an 11-1 win. C.C. Sabathia improved to 13-7 with 8 innings of 3 hit work, allowing just the one run while fanning 10. Matsui delivered a healthy share of the offense, going 4-for-5 with a pair of two-run home runs, 5 RBI and 4 runs. The Yankees suddenly have opened up the largest divisional lead in the majors, at 6 1/2 games over the second place Red Sox, who are now being mentioned as the leader of the wild card race. Just half way through August and Yankee fans are starting to calculate magic numbers. (Incidentally, it's 41.) National League The Cincinnati Reds fell out of contention for any post-season play form July 20 to August 4, when they lost 14 out of 15 games to the Dodgers, Cubs, Rockies and Padres (the Cubs beat them 5 straight times in two separate series), but they can certainly play the spoiler role down the stretch with players like Bronson Arroyo (left) and Jonny Gomes (right). In Cincy's 7-0 win over the Nationals, Arroyo didn't need very much offense as he stymied the Nats on 2 hits, a walk and a hit batsmen. Arroyo struck out just 3, but didn't allow a single runner to reach second base and finished strong, getting the last nine batters in order for the complete game shutout, his second shutout and third complete game this season. Arroyo is 11-11 with a 4.74 ERA. With Arroyo in complete control of the Nationals' hitters, Gomes made the most of his 4 trips to the dish, whacking three home runs, one each in the 2nd, 4th and 6th innings, the first two, two run shots and the third a solo blast. Gomes' 5 RBI gave him 33 with 14 home runs in just 166 at-bats.