Red Sox 7, Marlins 3 (11)

If you had "Jarren Duran hits grand slam in the 11th inning" on your bingo card for yesterday, you might be pleasantly surprised by the current balance in your bank account.

After another pitcher's duel down in the subtropical climes of Miami last night, the score was tied, 2-2, after nine innings, with both of Boston's runs coming on a pair of Mickey Glasper home runs. Both teams got the ghost runner home in the tenth inning, and then with the bases loaded and only one out, the embattled Jarren Duran (.209) stepped to the plate . . . 

The ball went 432 feet into deep right center. Willson Contreras, who got on base with a single to lead off the inning, scored. Jahmai Jones, who was walked in a pinch-hitting appearance for Glasper, scored. Andruw Monasterio, who got on base on a fielder's choice that got ghost runner Wilyer Abreu out, scored. And Jarren Duran scored. 

Despite his low batting average, Duran has 18 home runs (third on the team), 66 RBIs (tied for fourth with Rafaela), 99 hits (fifth), 60 runs (fifth), and leads the team in stolen bases (18). His four triples are tied with Abreu for most on the team. He may have a low average, but when he connects, he makes it fucking count, and last night, after going 0-for-four with two K's, he won the game with the biggest exclamation mark a single player can provide.

That's five straight wins for the Sox. This team didn't win five straight all season until the four-game sweep of New York (Yankees suck) last May, followed by a win over the Nats. They're next five-game streak was the start of their historic 15-game streak, and then they did it again earlier this month to spark a nine-game streak. Looks like they've got a new streak going now.

It gets better. Last night, the Rays conveniently lost, so Boston (73-59) is now only five games back from Tampa Bay in the AL East (their .553 record would lead any other division of the AL, and put them in second in two of the three NL divisions). Even better yet, New York lost (Yankees suck), so now the Sox are only a game-and-a-half back from them in the division and in the Wild Card standings. First place in the Wild Card would give them the home field for all three games, so it's about more than mere pride.

Let's sweep Miami and squish that fish tonight. The Sox will play their ace, Sonny Gray (16-3, 2.79), although I would  have preferred to see him start against New York this weekend (Yankees suck). Gray is a career 3-1 against the Marlins in six starts, with a career 1.96 ERA versus the team. Miami will counter with Ryan Gusto (0-3, 4.37), who hasn't yet pitched a single inning to the Sox. Is he ever in for a rude awakening.