It seemed to be just habit. After Mitch Moreland — the major-league leader in doubles — pushed Xavier Cedeno's 0-1 cutter opposite field to left, the Red Sox first baseman chugged to first and, probably having enough, started hauling for two.
But somewhere along the line, as Hanley Ramirez rounded second on the two-run hit, Moreland had to stop in his tracks. Ramirez had hurt himself. The designated hitter limped off the field and out of the game, and the game-turning play's tone had suddenly changed.
The Red Sox held their breath, but not for long. The play gave them a 6-5 lead they would not relinquish, and Ramirez was diagnosed as day-to-day with a left hamstring cramp.