A’s Catch Red Sox in the Long Run

Terrence Long figures it was the best catch of his career. He wasn’t getting any arguments from the team he robbed.

Oakland’s center fielder raced to the right-center field fence, reached into the Boston bullpen and made a game-ending, backhanded catch that robbed Manny Ramirez of a three-run homer and preserved the Athletics’ 3-2 victory over the Red Sox on Wednesday night.

“A little bit of surprise, and a little bit of luck,” Long said. “Once I got close to the track, the ball was hit high enough that I was able to slow down in case I had to jump.”

He didn’t have to, but he couldn’t avoid jubilant right fielder Jermaine Dye’s tackle after the play

“Somebody’s got to tell him he’s 6 feet 6, 220 pounds,” Long said. “He can’t be jumping on me like that.”

Long’s catch helped reliever Billy Koch escape a jam for the second consecutive inning to earn his 28th save.

Koch walked Johnny Damon and gave up a single to Trot Nixon with one out in the ninth before striking out Nomar Garciaparra. Ramirez, who hit his 19th homer leading off the fourth, sent a drive that kept carrying.

Koch ran out to shallow center to give Long a grateful hug. Several other A’s ran out to celebrate.

“It was a great catch,” Boston bullpen coach Bob Kipper said. “No. 1, he gets to it. No. 2, he catches it. No. 3, he hangs on to it.”

It was the fourth consecutive victory for the A’s, who tied the Red Sox for second place in the American League wild-card race, 1 1/2 games behind the Angels.