Red Sox lose game 20 of season, 9 - 8 to Cleveland Indians

Red Sox - 142 000 100 - 8 14 3 Indians - 124 000 101 - 9 13 0 Bill James would not approve.

Tie game, bottom of the 9th. Who should you put on the mound? Your closer or the worst pitcher on the team?

Sadly, Terry Francona chose Option B. And the Red Sox's 11-game winning streak is now history. I can only assume that he hoped to squeak through the 9th (the 8-9-1 hitters were up), maybe get a run or two with FY-Flo-Yook-Drew in the 10th and go to Jonathan Papelbon to nail it down. The only problem with that strategy is you have to not allow a run in the 9th!

The offense continued its assault on American League pitching, but it wasn't enough on Tuesday night to overcome the defense's blunders as the Red Sox fell to the Indians 9-8. Brad Penny gave up 7 runs in his 2.2 innings of work, however only 4 were earned. Errors by Mike Lowell and Julio Lugo (what was that?!) allowed Cleveland to stay in a game that they had no business being in, which ultimately proved costly in the end.

Despite scoring eight runs and banging out 14 hits, the Red Sox saw their 11-game winning streak end when Javier Lopez misplayed Kevin Youkilis' throw at first base in the ninth inning.