Boston Red Sox Photos: Sunday, May 26, 2013 vs. Cleveland Indians.

"Members of the Boston Red Sox mob center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury after hitting a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the Cleveland Indians 6-5 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, May 26, 2013. The Red Sox came back from a 5-1 deficit in the eighth inning." — “Members of the Boston Red Sox mob center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury after hitting a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the Cleveland Indians 6-5 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, May 26, 2013. The Red Sox came back from a 5-1 deficit in the eighth inning.”

"Members of the Boston Red Sox celebrate as center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury rounds first base after hitting a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the Cleveland Indians 6-5 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, May 26, 2013. The Red Sox came back from a 5-1 deficit in the eighth inning." — “Members of the Boston Red Sox celebrate as center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury rounds first base after hitting a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the Cleveland Indians 6-5 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, May 26, 2013. The Red Sox came back from a 5-1 deficit in the eighth inning.”

"Boston Red Sox shortstop Stephen Drew makes a diving stop on a ground ball during the ninth inning of a game against the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, May 26, 2013." — “Boston Red Sox shortstop Stephen Drew makes a diving stop on a ground ball during the ninth inning of a game against the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, May 26, 2013.”

"Boston Red Sox outfielder Daniel Nava is tagged out by second baseman Jason Kipnes as he slides into second base after driving in a run during the third inning of a game against the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, May 26, 2013." — “Boston Red Sox outfielder Daniel Nava is tagged out by second baseman Jason Kipnes as he slides into second base after driving in a run during the third inning of a game against the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, May 26, 2013.”

Wow, what a game. What began as a really slow, dull game quickly turned into an unpredictable, crazy, dramatic ending, as the Red Sox rallied from a 5-1 deficit in the eighth inning to pull out a 6-5 victory over the Cleveland Indians. That’s what baseball is all about right there.

I shot all nine innings from the third base photo pit yesterday. Often, the best pictures are made when, by chance, you just happen to be in the right place at the right time. This was one of those times, as the Jacoby Ellsbury celebration photos looked fantastic from the third base angle. Here is what the reaction looked like from first base, shot by Jim Davis of The Boston Globe, and here’s a closer look from third base, shot by Winslow Townson for the Associated Press.

I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating because it’s important to remember. It’s days like these that remind you why this line of work is so special.

To me, there’s nothing sweeter than knowing you took a good picture. Nothing sweeter!

Boston Red Sox Photography: Tuesday, September 11, 2012 vs. New York Yankees.

redsox_walkoff — “Boston Red Sox third baseman Pedro Ciriaco celebrates after scoring the game winning run against the New York Yankees Tuesday, September 11, 2012. Ciriaco scored from second base on a walk-off single by Jacoby Ellsbury. The Red Sox won 4-3.”

ellsbury_walkoff — “Boston Red Sox teammates crowd center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury after Ellsbury hit a walk-off single against the New York Yankees Tuesday, September 11, 2012. The Red Sox won 4-3.”

september11_fenway_park — “An American flag is dropped over the Green Monster at Fenway Park during a pre-game ceremony honoring the 11th anniversary of September 11, 2001.”

I felt like I photographed two different baseball games last night. After a tribute to lives lost on September 11 during the pre-game ceremonies, Fenway Park was as quiet, subdued, and peaceful as I’ve ever seen it for the first couple innings.

Yet by the end of the game, the park was well alive as Jacoby Ellsbury hit a walk-off single to beat the New York Yankees 4-3.

It was one of the better walk-off wins I’ve shot, and we got some really nice reaction out of the players. I’m quite satisfied with the first image I posted above. I love the umpire’s “SAFE!” gesture.

This game’s “Thing I Learned”: I’m starting to really like shooting wide rather than tight for these walk-off wins. From my angle last night, shooting with long glass wouldn’t have worked well.