Jacoby Ellsbury's Near-Catch Defines Month of Misery for Red Sox

 

When the book is written on the 2011 Red Sox, regardless of whether they finish their collapse or rally to win the World Series, there will be a chapter or two (or many, many more) devoted to what has occurred in September. And in those pages, there will be mention of several plays that seemed to define what this massive slump is all about.

There were the defensive misplays that preceded Derek Jeter's three-run homer in the second inning Saturday in New York.

Vladimir Guerrero's two-run single through a drawn-in infield to defeat the Sox in the series finale with Baltimore last week in Fenway Park. Robert Andino's three-run double the night before. Josh Reddick dropping a fly ball in that same game. Darnell McDonald dropping two a couple of days before that.

Going back further, we are reminded of the two throwing errors by Mike Aviles in a loss to Tampa Bay, Daniel Bard walking in the winning run in Toronto a few weeks ago and then giving up the go-ahead runs against the Jays in a rematch at Fenway Park.

They all had the punch-in-the-stomach feel for a team that has struggled to get anything going for 26 days. But none can hold a candle to what occurred in the sixth inning Monday at Baltimore.

With the Orioles ahead 3-2 but Josh Beckett one out from escaping a jam, Andino launched a shot to straightaway center field. Jacoby Ellsbury, who has hauled in almost everything that he's reached this year, did reach this one but collided with the wall just as it hit his glove. The ball, and a banged-up Ellsbury, felt to the warning track.

The result was a three-run, inside-the-park home run for Andino, the first of that kind ever hit in the 20-year history of Camden Yards.

It almost defies logic, as if a higher power is toying with the Red Sox. But with meaningful baseball still left on the schedule, they could only see if for what it was.

"As a pitcher, you can always appreciate that effort," Beckett said. "I knew [Andino] hit it pretty good. It was right down the middle so I figured if anybody could catch it it's probably [Ellsbury]."

In his MVP-worthy campaign, Ellsbury has tracked down so many balls like that. Sometimes, however, the wall wins.

"Hit it about as hard as I could while running looking back at the wall over my shoulder like that," Ellsbury said. "Right as I caught it, hit the wall and it popped out."

Ellsbury had the wind knocked out of him and sat stunned for a moment, mustering just enough to flip the ball to right fielder J.D. Drew for a relay in. Ellsbury finished the game and felt OK, perhaps the only silver lining to another dark evening for the Red Sox.

As has been the case so often lately, this one hinged on one crucial play. For a full rundown, just buy the book.