BOSTON — Coco Crisp sprinted into the gap, soared through the air and slammed to the ground — the ball and Boston's winning streak safely in his grasp.
"That was one of the most exciting moments I've ever experienced on the baseball field," teammate Mark Loretta said.
"One of the best catches I've ever seen when I'm pitching," said 16-year veteran Mike Timlin.
Even the player who hit the ball marveled at the eighth-inning catch in left-center that helped the Red Sox beat the New York Mets 4-2 Thursday night and stretch their winning streak to 12 games.
"It was one of the best plays I've ever seen," David Wright said. "He got a great jump on it. That's what happens when you're playing well."
The spectacular grab kept Boston ahead and preserved Curt Schilling's 10th win. David Ortiz homered for an insurance run, and Jonathan Papelbon pitched a perfect ninth for his 24th save in 26 chances, tying Dick Radatz's club rookie record set in 1962.
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New York dropped its third straight; the Mets had been the only team in the majors that had not lost more than two in a row.
Crisp, who took over in center field after Johnny Damon left for the Yankees in the off-season, got a great jump but wasn't sure he'd reach Wright's drive, which would have scored Carlos Beltran and tied the score at 3.
"I didn't think I was going to get there," Crisp said. "I took a leap of faith and, because I was running so fast, I was able to hang in the air."
After the graceful grab, Ortiz homered in the eighth for Boston, sealing a three-game sweep in a matchup of first-place teams. The Red Sox tied the longest winning streak in the majors since Houston won 12 straight from Aug. 27 to Sept. 8, 2004.
Boston also tied the major-league record of 16 straight errorless games set by the St. Louis Cardinals from July 30 to Aug. 16, 1992.
Schilling became Boston's second 10-game winner — one day after Josh Beckett reached the plateau.
New York starter Tom Glavine faltered after five strong innings, failing to extend his big-league-leading win total to 12.
All of Boston's 12 consecutive wins have come against NL teams, and the Red Sox used an NL style of play to push across the go-ahead run in this one.
Crisp led off the seventh with a bunt single against Aaron Heilman, then stole second. Alex Gonzalez put down a sacrifice bunt, sending Crisp to third. Kevin Youkilis then lifted a sacrifice fly to left, making it 3-2.
"We played as good a game as we played in a long time," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said.
Boston moved a season-high four games ahead of the Yankees in the AL East. The Mets lead second-place Philadelphia by 11 in the NL East.
