BOSTON -- Every at-bat seemed to reach a full count. Every sequence dripped with drama. Every moment lasted an eternity.
Of course David Ortiz was going to approach the plate as the tying run. Of course Dustin Pedroia was going to get one more crack at Cody Allen in the ninth. Of course the Red Sox pushed the tying run into scoring position in each of the final two innings.
Game 3 wasn't for the faint-hearted or for those who have an aversion to stress. Red Sox fans feared for the fate of their season and for the preservation of David Ortiz's big-league career.