BOSTON - Coco Crisp, inserted in center field as a defensive replacement for the top of the ninth, made a bad decision that could easily have cost the Sox the tying run.

Nick Punto dunked the 11th pitch of his leadoff at-bat against closer Jonathan Papelbon into shallow center. Instead of conceding Punto a single, Crisp made an ill-advised dive to catch the ball.

He was unable to grab the ball, which rolled behind him, giving Punto an extra base, putting him in scoring position with none out and Boston on top, 6-5.

Fortunately for Crisp, that overaggressive mistake didn’t come back to haunt the Red Sox as Papelbon ultimately stranded Punto at third and racked up his 27th save.

skrasner@projo.com