Boston Red Sox win the World Series

The Boston Red Sox romped to their third World Series championship in 10 seasons, crushing October ace Michael Wacha and the St. Louis Cardinals 6-1 Wednesday night in Game 6.

With fans roaring on every pitch and cameras flashing, Koji Uehara struck out Matt Carpenter for the final out. The pitcher jumped into the arms of catcher David Ross while Red Sox players rushed from the dugout and bullpen as the Boston theme "Dirty Water" played on the public-address system.

Shane Victorino drove in four runs and John Lackey pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning as the Red Sox clinched a crown on their own field for the first time since 1918. Lackey became the first pitcher to start and win a Series clincher for two different teams, allowing one run over 6 2-3 innings 11 years after his Game 7 victory as an Angels rookie in 2002.

The 101-year-old ballpark, the oldest in the major league, was packed with 38,447 singing, shouting fans anticipating a celebration 95 years in the making.

"Maybe they won't have to go another 95 years," said John Farrell, a champion in his first season as Boston's manager.

Slugger David Ortiz walked off as the World Series MVP, capping a dominant week in which he spurred the Red Sox over St. Louis with a mix of power and patience. 

Ortiz drew four walks and scored twice in Game 6. He reached base a whopping 19 times in 25 plate appearances in the series. In total, Ortiz hit 11 for 16 (.688) with two home runs and six runs batted in against the Cardinals.

Ortiz also drew eight walks and legged out a few infield hits, helped by St. Louis second baseman Matt Carpenter playing way out in shallow right field. At one point, Ortiz tied a Series record by reaching base in nine straight trips.

"He's as hot as anyone you're going to see this time of year," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "We tried to make tough pitches in tough situations, tried to pitch around him at times."

Ortiz's .760 on-base percentage and batting average were the second-highest in Series history, trailing only Billy Hatcher's marks of .800 and .750 in 1990 for Cincinnati. 

Fenway Park was rollicking, with the crowd standing from the very first pitch. Victorino lined a three-run double off the Green Monster in the third, and the cheers, chants and singing of Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" only got louder after that.

Many fans paid over $1,000 per ticket for this night, eager to be part of an in-house celebration that had been building for nearly a century.

Jubilant Red Sox fans took to the streets around Fenway Park to cheer their team's victory Wednesday night.

"Words cannot describe how I feel," said Sam D'Arrigo. "This is what being a Boston fan is all about."

The win capped an emotional season for the Red Sox, one heavy with the reminder of the Boston Marathon bombings in April. Players wore "Boston Strong" logos on their left sleeves and erected a large emblem on the outfield wall known as the Green Monster as a constant reminder.

"We needed this (victory)," after the bombings that killed 3 people and wounded more than 260, said Mark Porcaro of Boston. "They were an easy team to get behind because they stood up for us when we needed them most," following the tragedy.

The Associated Press