BACK INTO IT

A come from behind victory is always exciting. Especially when the victory also allows the home team to pick up a game in the standings. On Tuesday evening, the Red Sox creeped closer to Tampa Bay in the division standings with a 6-5 victory over the Minnesota Twins.

Manny Ramirez was the hero again. His eighth inning two-run homer to leftfield tied the score 5-5. Later that inning Brandon Moss singled in Kevin Youkilis with the go-ahead and winning run. Jonathan Papelbon came on to earn his 27th save of the season leaving the tying run on third base with less than two outs. Papelbon struck out pinch hitter Jason Kubel and Alexi Castilla to end the contest.

Boston is back to within three games of the division lead picking up a game in the standings on consecutive evenings. The Rays dropped a 5-0 decision to the Yankees in New York for their second consecutive loss. The Rays have one more game in New York and finish the week with four games in Cleveland.

David Aardsma picked up the mound win for Boston working two-thirds of an inning in relief. He got a big doubleplay ground ball to end the eighth inning to keep the Red Sox within striking distance. The Sox trailed 5-2 heading into the eighth. A rbi grounder by J. D. Drew got the scoring started for the home team in the inning. Jacoby Ellsbury scored on Drew's grounder and Dustin Pedroia, who had his 31st multi hit game of the season scored ahead of Ramirez. Youkilis doubled with two outs in the inning setting the stage for Moss, who ripped a single to centerfield to put the Sox in front.