ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — It was improbable enough that little-known Brett Phillips would get the big hit for Tampa Bay against Dodgers All-Star closer Kenley Jansen. What followed was outright inconceivable. Phillips’ tying single with two outs in the ninth inning turned into a game-ending hit when the Los Angeles Dodgers dropped the ball twice, allowing Randy Arozarena to stumble home as the winning run in the Rays’ 8-7 victory in World Series Game 4 on Saturday night. It was undoubtedly one of the wildest endings in World Series history. Arozarena tripped and fell on his way home and had begun retreating to third base when catcher Will Smith misplayed a relay feed. Arozarena about-faced and dived toward home, pounding on the plate with a big smile while Phillips burst into tears in the outfield. “Man, baseball is fun,” Phillips said. Walk-off homers are one thing — think Kirk Gibson, Carlton Fisk and Bill Mazeroski, among many others. But a finish this wacky has only a few precedents in... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Five World Series games have ended on walk-off plays that involved an error. 1914 GAME 3 With the score 4-all at Fenway Park, pinch-hitter Hank Gowdy of the Boston Braves doubles leading off the bottom of the 12th inning against the Philadelphia Athletics’ Bullet Joe Bush. Larry Gilbert pinch hits for Bill James. Les Mann pinch runs. Gilbert is intentionally walked. Herbie Moran bunts for a sacrifice and Bush throws wildly to third for an error as pinch-runner Les Mann scores. Boston goes on to a four-game sweep. 1969 GAME 4 With the score 1-all at Shea Stadium, Jerry Grote of the New York Mets doubles leading off the bottom of the 10th inning against the Baltimore Orioles reliever Dick Hall. Rod Gaspar pinch runs, Al Weis is intentionally walked. Pete Richert relieves. J.C. Martin pinch hits for Tom Seaver. Martin bunts for a sacrifice and Richert throws wildly to first for an error as Gaspar scores. New York takes a 3-1 lead and wins in five games. 1986 GAME 6... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — It was improbable enough that light-hitting journeyman Brett Phillips would connect for Tampa Bay against Dodgers All-Star closer Kenley Jansen. What followed was outright inconceivable. Phillips’ tying single with two outs in the ninth inning turned into a game-ending hit when the Los Angeles Dodgers dropped the ball twice, allowing Randy Arozarena to stumble home as the winning run in the Rays’ 8-7 victory in World Series Game 4 on Saturday night. It was undoubtedly one of the wildest endings in World Series history. Arozarena tripped and fell on his way home and had begun retreating to third when catcher Will Smith misplayed a relay feed. Arozarena about-faced and dived toward home, pounding on the plate with a big smile while Phillips burst into tears in the outfield. “Man, baseball is fun,” Phillips said. Walk-off homers are one thing — think Kirk Gibson, Carlton Fisk and Bill Mazeroski, among many others. But a finish this wacky has only a few precedents in... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Five World Series games have ended on walk-off plays that involved an error. A look at the previous four: 1914 GAME 3 With the score 4-all at Fenway Park, pinch-hitter Hank Gowdy of the Boston Braves doubles leading off the bottom of the 12th inning against the Philadelphia Athletics’ Bullet Joe Bush. Larry Gilbert pinch hits for Bill James. Les Mann pinch runs. Gilbert is intentionally walked. Herbie Moran bunts for a sacrifice and Bush throws wildly to third for an error as pinch-runner Les Mann scores. Boston goes on to a four-game sweep. 1969 GAME 4 With the score 1-all at Shea Stadium, Jerry Grote of the New York Mets doubles leading off the bottom of the 10th inning against the Baltimore Orioles reliever Dick Hall. Rod Gaspar pinch runs, Al Weis is intentionally walked. Pete Richert relieves. J.C. Martin pinch hits for Tom Seaver. Martin bunts for a sacrifice and Richert throws wildly to first for an error as Gaspar scores. New York takes a 3-1 lead and wins... [More]

1B Allen Craig signed a minor league deal with the Red Sox on Wednesday and was invited to the team's major league spring camp. Craig, 31, hit .152/.239/.203 with one homer and three RBIs in 36 games for Boston last year. He hit a career-high 22 home runs for the Cardinals in 2012.

Craig filled in as the designated hitter Thursday night as David Ortiz (general soreness) was held out of the lineup. He went 1-for-4 in a loss to the Yankees.

Craig has been a forgotten man on Boston's roster, getting just 22 at-bats in September, but figures to get playing time in the final three games, as the Red Sox are unlikely to have Ortiz play again this season.

Craig entered Saturday's game as the designated hitter after David Ortiz was removed due to calf tightness.

Craig went hitless in two plate appearances. With Hanley Ramirez (shoulder) on the disabled list, Craig is a logical replacement if Ortiz is going to miss some games.

Craig started at first base and went 0-for-4 in Friday night's win over Philadelphia. He was making his first start since being called up from Triple-A Pawtucket.

The Red Sox have been impressed with Craig's professionalism as the former MVP candidate in 2012 deals with a prolonged stretch of adversity, which is partially attributed to the Lisfranc injury in his left foot suffered in 2013. The injury impacted Craig's swing and his ability to drive the ball. He'll finish up the season, playing mostly at first base, and will be around when 2016 spring training rolls around. At present, there's no room for him in the outfield and the plans to move Hanley Ramirez to first base appears to preclude him from being a starter there.

Craig is starting at first base and hitting fifth Friday, the Providence Journal's Tim Britton reports.

With Travis Shaw slumping at the plate, Craig could start to see at least a few starts per week at first base down the stretch. Since the start of 2014 Craig has a .207 average and just nine home runs in 566 plate appearances in the big leagues, so he should be viewed as a below-replacement-level major league first baseman until he proves otherwise.

The Red Sox will recall Craig when rosters expand Tuesday, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports.

The Sox will have to find a spot for him on the 40-man roster, but he could take the one that was just vacated by the trade of Alejandro De Aza. Once a highly regarded hitter with the Cardinals, it's questionable how much playing time Craig will see after hitting an unimpressive .271/.367/.348 in 92 games with Triple-A Pawtucket this year.

The Red Sox outrighted Craig off their 40-man roster Monday, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.

Craig passed through waivers unclaimed, which is surprising for a player that had 97 RBI just two seasons ago, but not surprising for a 30-year-old with a guaranteed $26.5 million left on his contract. Craig reported to Triple-A Pawtucket after being optioned there last week, and he will remain there moving forward.

Craig served as the first baseman for Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.

This was Craig's first appearance since being demoted and it looks like the organization wants him to get comfortable at first base.

Craig was optioned to Triple-A on Saturday, the Boston Herald's Jason Mastrodonato reports.

Since Craig had an option remaining he was the choice, rather than designating a player like Daniel Nava for assignment and risking losing him on waivers. As a player with less than five years of MLB service time, Craig cannot refuse the assignment. This will give him a chance to get regular at-bats. Jackie Bradley has been recalled as a corresponding move, as the Red Sox were set on making some roster moves following Saturday's loss.

Craig went 0-for-3 and was hit by a pitch in Friday night's loss to the Blue Jays.

Craig continues to start in place of the injured Hanley Ramirez (shoulder), but has provided very little as fill-in. In the last four games, he's gone 2-for-11 with two walks and four strikeouts. He was one of four hitters in Boston's lineup Friday that is hitting below .200.

Craig started in left field again Wednesday night and went 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout in Boston's loss to Tampa Bay.

Craig started in place of the injured Hanley Ramirez (shoulder), who will travel with the Red Sox for a road trip that kicks off Friday night in Toronto. Ramirez is still considered day-to-day, so this is a good opportunity for Craig to get consistent at-bats.

Craig started in left field Tuesday night in place of the injured Hanley Ramirez (shoulder). He went 1-for-2 with a walk.

It sounds like Ramirez will avoid a stint on the disabled list, which means Craig's usability will be short-lived. Even with the playing time, Craig's usability may be something to avoid. In a sparse role thus far, Craig is hitting just .163.

Craig entered Monday night's game in left field after Hanley Ramirez suffered a shoulder injury. He went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.

The Red Sox may have dodged a more serious injury with Ramirez, but we're still waiting on his response. In the meantime, Craig could be in line for a few starts depending on how much time Ramirez needs. Craig is hitting just .146 in 45 plate appearances this season.

Craig started in right field and went 1-for-3 with his first homer of the season in Friday night's loss to the Yankees.

Manager John Farrell has been reticent to use Craig in the spacious right field at Fenway Park, but Craig got the start over Brock Holt because the manager wanted another right-handed bat in the lineup against lefty CC Sabathia. The decision obviously paid off, but we suspect Holt will be back in the lineup Saturday against right-hander Nate Eovaldi. In a minimal role off the bench this season, Craig is just 5-for-37 (.135) with 10 strikeouts.

Craig is in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals, Tim Britton of the Providence Journal reports.

Craig will make his second start of the season -- this time at first base with Mike Napoli serving as the DH while David Ortiz gets a day off. Craig will bat cleanup against Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez, against whom he is 3-for-7 in his career.

Craig hit an inside-the-park homer in Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays.

The homer came on a line-drive he sent toward the right-field corner, the type of hit we'd come to expect from Craig when he's at is best. Craig was considered a likely trade chip during the offseason, but just days before the start of the regular season, he's expected to head north with Boston.