BOSTON — Down seven runs and running out of time, the Boston Red Sox weren't quite ready to go away.

The defending World Series champions pulled off the major leagues' biggest postseason comeback in 79 years, beating the Rays 8-7 tonight on J.D. Drew's two-out single in the ninth to stave off elimination in the AL championship series and head to Tampa Bay trailing three games to two.

With the score 7-all, Kevin Youkilis grounded to Evan Longoria with two outs, and wound up at second when the throw bounced in front of first baseman Carlos Pena. Youkilis was given an infield hit, and the rookie third baseman his third error of the series.

Jason Bay was intentionally walked and Drew, who homered in the eighth to help the Red Sox rally from a 7-0 deficit, lined a single to right to score the game-winner.

The series resumes Saturday night at Tampa Bay. The winner faces Philadelphia in the World Series starting Wednesday night.

The seven-run deficit was the largest overcome in a postseason game since Game 4 of 1929 World Series, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. In that one, the Philadelphia Athletics trailed by eight before a 10-run seventh inning powered them past the Chicago Cubs 10-8.