ST. PETERSBURG -- Danny Farquhar was one strike away from getting out of a bases-loaded jam. Dustin Pedroia was one walk, bloop, or blast away from bringing in a run to tie it, and maybe getting the Red Sox the lead.
On a 2-2 count, he crushed one over the wall -- a blast that turned a one-run deficit into a three-run lead, and clinched a postseason berth for the Red Sox. It was all the scoring Boston would need in a 6-4 win over Tampa Bay.
Boston's victory was its 91st this season and secures at least a spot in the American League Wild Card Game on Tuesday, Oct.