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Varitek's Pinch-Hit HR in 9th Lifts Red Sox Past Indians

Boston takes 4-game win streak into series with New York

By Doug Sweeney,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 15, 2008 10:28 PM CDT

(Newser) – Jason Varitek sat long enough. After resting for eight innings, Boston's catcher Varitek hit a pinch-hit home run in the ninth inning off Jensen Lewis to lead the Boston Red Sox to a 5-3 win over the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night, sweeping the two-game ALCS rematch. Varitek didn't start as Kevin Cash caught knuckleballing starter Tim Wakefield.

But he came up with one out in the ninth and drove a 1-2 pitch from Lewis (0-1) the opposite way to left-center for his third career homer as a pinch-hitter. Following Varitek's third homer this season, Boston loaded the bases and made it 5-3 on Kevin Youkilis' RBI single.  David Aardsma (1-1) got the final out in the eighth.

Boston Red Sox's Jed Lowrie hits a two-run single with the bases loaded off Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Rafael Perez during the seventh inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 15, 2008.
Boston Red Sox's Jed Lowrie hits a two-run single with the bases loaded off Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Rafael Perez during the seventh inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 15, 2008.   (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
Cleveland Indians left fielder David Dellucci makes a diving catch on a fly ball by Boston Red Sox's Coco Crisp as shortstop Jhonny Peralta (2) watches during the sixth inning of a baseball game.
Cleveland Indians left fielder David Dellucci makes a diving catch on a fly ball by Boston Red Sox's Coco Crisp as shortstop Jhonny Peralta (2) watches during the sixth inning of a baseball game.   (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
Boston Red Sox's Jason Varitek is congratulated at the dugout after his solo home run off Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Jensen Lewis in the ninth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 15, 2008.
Boston Red Sox's Jason Varitek is congratulated at the dugout after his solo home run off Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Jensen Lewis in the ninth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 15, 2008.   (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
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