MLB Predictions: Will Sale lead the Red Sox past the Indians? 8/1/17

The snag could go down as one of the best catches ever in Fenway Park’s unusual outfield, though Jackie Bradley Jr. will likely have something to say about that.

Boston, though, went 13-14 for its first under.500 this season. The Indians had a pretty good starter of their own on the hill in Carlos Carrasco, and you figured with a five run lead, it just wasn’t Boston’s night. He allowed one run and struck out eight.

In a way it seemed fitting that the light-hitting Vazquez, who is slugging a paltry.365, hit the game-winning home run off Cleveland closer Cody Allen, who is generally lights-out. Jackson held onto the wall with his right arm as he completed a full flip and miraculously landed on his feet.

So which Cleveland center fielder made the better catch?

Bauer, meanwhile, didn’t last long enough to pick up the victory, but he limited the Red Sox to three runs on six hits with six strikeouts in 4 2/3 frames.

But fortunes changed again.

While he ended up on the losing side, Jackson’s grab is now part of the greatest game of this Major League Baseball regular season so far, with Boston taking home the win in a madcap 12-10 affair.

‘I’m at Fenway. Austin Jackson just did the incredible. “That particular one, I got back and I tried to get to the fence first”, Jackson said.

I hadn’t thought this team was in need of leadership, as they seem to really care about each other, almost tripping over themselves to show how they have each other’s backs.

Boston eventually won the game 12-10, on a three-run walk-off home run from Christian Vazquez. As insane, as thrilling, as lovely a ball game as any fan, and even I suspect, non-fan, could ask for.

But in sliding back into first place, a half-game ahead of the New York Yankees, the Red Sox provided enough excitement to last a week.

Betts’ two-run single sparked a three-run second. Trying to preserve a one run lead against the Yankees in the Bronx? The third base prospect has been playing well so far. Mike Clevinger really struggled, allowing five runs over three innings with four walks and seven hits. Those type of jump-over-the-wall, fall-into-bullpen catches are the stuff of minor leagues.

Cleveland (57-48) maintained a two-game lead over the Kansas City Royals atop the AL Central despite dropping its third consecutive game following a season-high nine-game win streak.

Cleveland are 9-2 in their last 11 overall and Cleveland are 9-2 in their last 11 games on grass while Cleveland are 3-8 in their last 11 Wednesday games.