Red Sox win, stay tied for wild card

BALTIMORE -- In May, Ryan Lavarnway was a Portland Sea Dog. In August, he played for Triple-A Pawtucket. Monday morning, he was the Red Sox's backup catcher. Last night, he became a Boston hero.

Lavarnway, making his first major-league start behind the plate, delivered the first two home runs of his career, the second of which ended up as the game-winner in an 8-7 victory over the Orioles at Camden Yards.

With the win, Boston (90-70) remains in control of its own destiny. If the Sox and Rays stay tied after Wednesday night's regular-season finales, Tampa will host a one-game playoff Thursday, thanks to its 12-6 record in the season series.

Lavarnway started only because Jared Saltalamacchia was hit on his collarbone by a pitch late Monday and Jason Varitek was still nursing a bruised knee. The rookie provided much-needed pop in a lineup that, thanks to injuries, featured light-hitting infielder Jed Lowrie in the cleanup spot.

"It's a cross between your dream coming true and fantasy camp," Lavarnway said. "I was just here to keep some guys healthy."

Jacoby Ellsbury put the Red Sox up for good at 2-1 with his 32nd home run in the second inning. Lavarnway made it 5-1 one inning later with a three-run shot to left. His solo homer in the eighth, which increased Boston's lead to 8-4, proved just as important.

Previously lights-out reliever Daniel Bard continued his September unraveling and allowed two runs in the eighth. Closer Jonathan Papelbon then labored through a one-run, 28-pitch bottom of the ninth that would have been even longer if not for a great hustle play by Lavarnway, who threw out Matt Wieters on a ground ball in front of the plate for the second out.

"That was one of the more exciting things to watch," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "There's been a lot of interesting things here over the years, but that was right near the top."

Boston squandered an eight-game lead over the previous 21 games, allowing Tampa to draw even in the wild-card race. The Sox, who have not won consecutive games since sweeping a doubleheader with Toronto on Aug. 27, are 7-19 in September.

The pitching problems remained. Bard nearly melted down in the eighth, allowing an RBI single and an RBI triple before Robert Andino flew out to end the inning. Starter Erik Bedard got the early hook from Francona three batters after Matt Wieters homered to cut it to 5-3 in the fourth.

Former Yankee Alfredo Aceves came on to pitch the next 32/3 innings, earning his 10th win.

Jon Lester, who is 0-3 with 10.54 ERA in his past three starts, will start Wednesday night for Boston in the season finale.

Francona did not say whether Lavarnway or Saltalamacchia would start behind the plate.

Said Lavarnway: "If I get to catch Lester, it would be an opportunity I embrace wholeheartedly."