Above: Xander Bogaerts

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Boston Red Sox won the American League pennant on Saturday night, with a lot of help from Aruba.

It might have been hard to believe a few months ago, but the Sox are heading to the World Series in part thanks to the efforts of young prospect Xander Bogaerts.

Bogaerts, a native of Oranjestad, scored what proved to be the winning run on a grand slam by Shane Victorino in the seventh inning of Game 6.

He also scored the game’s first run after reaching base on a two-out double in the fifth inning.

Playing third base, Bogaerts finished the American League Championship series with three hits in six at bats, good for a .500 average, along with four runs scored.

There have been five players born in Aruba to play in the Major Leagues, and Bogaerts will be the first to play in a World Series.

In 18 games with the Red Sox this year, Bogaerts batted .250 with one home run and five RBI.

Bogaerts’ exploits highlight what was a very strong year for baseball in the Dutch Caribbean — led by Curacao-born phenoms Jurickson Profar, Andrelton Simmons and Didi Gregorius.