[Moriarty9]

ALDS: Boston v. Oakland
Red Sox punch ALCS ticket once more

For the fifth time in six years, the Boston Red Sox earned an entry into the American League Championship Series. This time it came at the expense of the Oakland Athletics in a three-game sweep.

Game 1: Sox smoke A's in opener
Johan Santana (17-8, 3.73 ERA) didn't need much run support with his performance in Game 1, but his teammates gave it to him anyway.
Santana shut down the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park, giving up one run on seven hits and a walk with 10 strikeouts in seven innings of work.
The offense did its part, scoring eight runs on 14 hits and four walks. Miguel Cabrera (.385, 33 HR, 141 RBI) led the attack with a 3-for-4 performance, including a run scored and four RBI with a double and a three-run home run in the seventh inning. Victor Martinez (.310, 14 HR, 82 RBI) also went 3-for-4, hitting a two-run homer in the sixth inning. He had two runs scored and two RBI.

Game 2: Boston holds off A's rally in 9th
With Roy Oswalt (21-9, 3.76 ERA on season; 7-2, 6.88 ERA with Boston) on the mound, the Red Sox looked to take a two-game lead in the best-of-three series at Fenway Park. Boston jumped out to a 2-0 lead when Ryan Howard (.313, 58 HR, 149 RBI) hit a two-run shot in the first inning off Oakland starter Gustavo Chacin (12-15, 4.08 ERA).
The Red Sox added single runs in the fourth and sixth innings and headed into the ninth inning with Oswalt working on a complete game shutout when the Athletics tried to mount a comeback.
Carlos Lee (.339, 36 HR, 120 RBI) led the inning off with a single and was followed by a Brian Daniels (.277, 27 HR, 88 RBI) double to rightfield, putting two men in scoring position and putting the the potential tying run in the on deck circle. Boston skipper Kevin Kennedy pulled Oswalt in favor of lefty Tommy Phelps (2-3, 1 save, 5.15 ERA) to pitch to left-handed hitter Shawn Green (.262, 9 HR, 56 RBI), who popped out to first base. Phelps stayed on to take on Miguel Olivo (.321, 11 HR, 50 RBI), who tripled to centerfield, making it a two-run game and bringing the tying run to the plate.
Red Sox closer Joe Nathan (5-3, 37 saves, 3.51 ERA) was brought on to put out the fire but immediately gave up an RBI double to pinch-hitter Javier Valentin (.283, 13 HR, 69 RBI), making it 4-3 Boston with the tying run in scoring position and the potential go-ahead run at the plate. Pinch-hitter Jason Giambi (.229, 9 RBI in 70 AB) singled, putting men on the corners with one out. Former Red Sox outfielder Austin Kearns (.278, 31 HR, 96 RBI) stepped in and drew a walk, loading the bases with still just one out, forcing the go-ahead run into scoring position. Nathan then buckled down and, on eight pitches, struck out Michael Young (.288, 7 HR, 45 RBI) and James Loney (.310, 31 HR, 117 RBI) to end the ballgame and give Boston a 2-0 advantage in the short series.

Game 3: Howard muscles team to ALCS but without Manny
The Red Sox took Game 3 and the series with a 7-5 defeat over the Oakland Athletics, moving on the ALCS - but without slugger Manny Ramirez, who suffered an injury.
Ramirez (.309, 41 HR, 116 RBI) fractured his foot sliding into second base with a two-out double in the ninth inning. His injury will force him to miss the rest of the playoffs. Ramirez was replaced on the bases and in left field by David Murphy.
Ryan Howard (.313, 58 HR, 149 RBI) powered Boston forward with a 4-for-5, three run, four RBI performance that included a double and a pair of home runs. Todd Helton (.224, HR, 11 RBI in 85 at bats), getting the start at DH, was the only other Red Sox player to get multiple hits, going 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored.
Boston starter Scott Kazmir (8-4, 4.10 ERA) pitched well, giving up two runs on four hits and four walks while striking out four over six innings. Josh Johnson (12-8, 3.39 ERA) worked out of the bullpen, giving up three runs on seven hits in three innings but still managing to pick up the save.
Oakland's Cole Hamels (17-11, 3.69 ERA) was not so lucky, getting hit for the loss after giving up six runs on six hits and two walks with three Ks in 5 1/3 innings.