ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- On a night when anything that could possibly happen in a baseball actually happened, it was a sacrifice fly that proved to be the game-winning run.

In the bottom of the 11th inning with the game knotted at 8-8, the Rays' B.J. Upton hit a sacrifice fly that scored pinch-runner Fernando Perez to give Tampa the victory in Game Two of the ALCS. The series is now tied at a game apiece.

Red Sox reliever Mike Timlin entered the game in the 11th and issued back-to-back walks to lead off the inning. The Rays' Jason Bartlett grounded out to third to advance the runners before the Sox intentionally walked Akinori Iwamura to load the bases.

Upton's fly ball to right field was tailing towards the line when outfielder J.D. Drew gloved it and attempted to get the runner at the plate. His throw, however, was a bit off line and the run scored to give Tampa the victory.

"In a straight-up race, I've got [Perez] over Seabiscuit," quipped Rays manager Joe Maddon. "I'm dating myself a bit, but that's the first horse that came to my mind."

"It really wasn't that deep," said Timlin. "J.D. made a good throw, it just tailed to my left, his right. It happens."

Red Sox backup catcher Kevin Cash, who was inserted late in the game, said it was a tough play for Drew to make for a couple of reasons. The ball was tailing, but more importantly, he was hit by a pitch on his throwing shoulder in Game One on Friday. Cash believes Drew was still sore.

Also, the artificial turf inside Tropicana Field also acts as a sponge, according to Cash who played here as a former Devil Ray, which prevented him from fielding Drew's one-hop throw cleanly.

"The ball kicks up like a changeup," he said. "You don't get a true skip like you do on a regular field. Plus [Perez] is probably the fastest player in the game, and it would have taken a perfect throw to get him."

Upton, who went 1-for-4 in the game, including a home run, knew he had to put the ball in play since there was only one out.

"I knew in that situation I couldn't strike out," he said. "I wanted to put the ball in play and put the pressure on the defense, especially with Fernando at third base."

For Timlin, who was not on the roster for the ALDS against the Angels, it was his first outing since Sept. 28. It was clear he was having trouble finding the zone.

"Throw strikes," he said with a laugh when asked what his mindset is in that situation, especially since he hadn't pitched in awhile. "That's all it is. Go out there, throw strikes and challenge guys. I hadn't been out there in awhile and was a little nervous. You just have to go through it."