BOSTON — When the Red Sox signed Koji Uehara, the last thing they had in mind was having the right-hander on the mound for the final three outs of the AL Championship Series.
Yet, there was Uehara closing out Saturday night’s clinching Game 6 and a berth in the World Series.
“We lost two closers along the way and he was essential,’’ Red Sox honcho Larry Lucchino said after the 5-2 victory over the Tigers. “It probably wouldn’t have happened without him.’’
In five games, Uehara hurled six innings, gave up four hits and struck out nine. He worked 1 ²/₃ innings in Game 4 and 1 ¹/₃ innings in Game 5 to post saves.
“All I can say right now is that I am extremely excited,’’ Uehara said.
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The deciding seventh inning could have been different for the Tigers had shortstop Jose Iglesias cleanly fielded Jacoby Ellsbury’s grounder behind second base and turned it into a double play.
However, Iglesias bobbled the ball and didn’t get one out, never mind two.
“I think we could have [turned a double play], it was hit pretty hard,’’ Detroit manager Jim Leyland said. “Probably could have turned that even though Ellsbury runs pretty good.’’
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Watching Miguel Cabrera play the ALCS with several of his lower body parts not right was painful for Leyland and not just because Cabrera is the Tigers’ third baseman and easily the club’s best hitter.
“It kind of breaks your heart, to be honest with you, the way he has to be out there,’’ Leyland said of Cabrera, who battled groin, hip and back problems, but had a team-leading seven RBIs in 11 postseason games.”You know he is hurting and as tough as nails.’’
Leyland was impressed with Cabrera’s sense of accountability.
“I have so much respect for him. Everybody is conscientious these days about people earning their money. It’s not about somebody earning their money,’’ Leyland said. “This guy feels he owes the Detroit Tigers and the fans to be out there. He is out there doing the best he can.’’
According to Leyland, baseball fans were cheated by Cabrera’s problems.
“It’s really kind of a shame for the whole baseball world. They are not getting a chance to see him at his best. People turn on the TV and they love to see these guys and I think he is the best player in the league,’’ Leyland said. “To not be able to see him at his best hurts a little bit but that is the way it is.’’
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Catcher Alex Avila was in the Tigers’ starting lineup for Game 6 after leaving Game 5 with a strained left patellar tendon. He went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.
Avila was run over by David Ross at the plate in Game 5 and took a foul tip that was so hard it knocked his mask off his head.
Friday, Leyland didn’t know if Avila would be able to play and said DH Victor Martinez, who caught three games this season, was an option.
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Red Sox manager John Farrell can’t compare anyone to 21-year-old Xander Bogaerts.
“I haven’t been around many 21-year-olds in this environment can’t compare what he is doing,’’ Farrell said of the neophyte, who started at third base for the second straight game. “I would hope he would be nervous. That would be the natural response but at the same time he is able to control it and it doesn’t take him out of his approach or how he plays the game. It’s been fun to see. He is a very mature and poised young man.’’
Bogaerts doubled high off the Green Monster toward center field in the fifth and scored the Red Sox’s first run. He also walked twice.
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David Ortiz finished with a .091 (2-for-21) average in the ALCS, going 0-for-3 with a a walk in Game 6.
“He certainly has been pitched to very effectively. They haven’t given into him and worked him backwards,’’ Farrell said of his cleanup hitter, whose biggest contribution was a grand slam in the eighth inning of Game 2 that tied the score in a game the Red Sox went on to win. “He recognizes a lot of teams will pitch him carefully. David is a guy who typically doesn’t get frustrated. To their credit they haven’t thrown many pitches on the plate.’’