B.J. Upton and the Tampa Bay Rays won a game of home run derby with a shallow fly ball. Pinch-runner Fernando Perez dashed home on Upton's sacrifice fly in the 11th inning and the Rays outlasted the Boston Red Sox 9-8 early Sunday, evening the AL championship series at one game each.
The teams combined for seven home runs, tying a postseason record. The Rays wound up winning a game that lasted 5 hours, 27 minutes when the speedy Perez tagged up on Upton's one-out fly and beat right fielder J.D. Drew's throw home.
"Like I said, in a straight-up race, I've got him over Seabiscuit," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "I'm dating myself a bit. I'm sorry, but that's the first horse that came to my mind."
The series shifts to Fenway Park for Game 3 Monday, with left-hander Jon Lester pitching for Boston against Matt Garza.