The Chicago White Sox are now one game away from eliminating the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox and advancing to the 2005 American League Championship Series. Chicago got a key three-run home run from Tadahito Iguchi to defeat the Red Sox 5-4 and take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five ALDS series.
Boston had an early 4-0 lead and then watched it slip away. The key play took place in the fifth inning when Red Sox second baseman Tony Graffanino let a potential inning-ending double play ball get through his legs. One batter later, Iguchi blasted a three-run home run off David Wells to give the White Sox a 5-4 lead.
'I didn't get a good read on it. I just took my eye off it. I just flat out missed it,' Graffanino said after the game.
Iguchi was sympathetic to Graffanino's plight. 'I've had situations where I've errored,' Iguchi said through an interpreter. 'I understand Graffanino's feelings there, but I'm happy that his error gave me a chance to do something.'
Pitcher David Wells tried to deflect criticism away from Graffanino. 'If you are going to point a finger, you point it at me,' Wells said. Still, to many Boston fans, the play brought back memories of Bill Buckner in game six of the 1986 World Series.
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was pleased with Iguchi's clutch play. 'One of the biggest reasons we are here is because of Iguchi,' Guillen said. 'He moves guys over. ... He hits home runs. ... He does everything.'
Graffanino tried to rally the Bosox in the ninth when he hit a one-out double but Chicago's Bobby Jenks got out of the jam and earned the save after Johnny Damon fouled out to the catcher and Edgar Renteria grounded out.
Boston grabbed an early 2-0 lead in the first inning when a Manny Ramirez single scored Damon and Renteria.
In the third inning, Boston added to its lead on an RBI-single by catcher Jason Varitek and a run scoring ground out by Trot Nixon.
Games three and four (if necessary) will be back in Fenway Park. Freddy Garcia is scheduled to pitch for the White Sox against Boston knuckleballer Tim Wakefield.
The Red Sox managed baseball's only comeback from a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series last year in the ALCS against the Yankees. Now, they will be forced to try to make another stunning comeback.
Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen knows the series is far from over. 'Believe me, they know how to come back,' Guillen said after the game. Guillen just hopes this time, the Red Sox never get the chance.
