Before Van Every could make his first major league homer a game-winner for the Red Sox against the Indians last night, he spent seven years in Cleveland's minor league system.

For the first six of those years, Farrell was the Indians' director of player development. He stuck with Van Every when few others would, believed in him when few others would, and pushed hard for him when Van Every became a minor league free agent last year.

All of that history made Van Every's 10th-inning blast off former roommate Jensen Lewis especially sweet for both he and Farrell following the 6-5 comeback victory over the Indians.

``It would be hard to script it any better,'' said Van Every, whose 420-foot bomb was gone the moment Lewis' changeup met his bat.

But it really became possible five years earlier, during a spring training meeting with Farrell following Van Every's worst season in pro Baseball.

More than a few members of the Indians organization wanted to give up on Van Every after he hit a combined .210 with six home runs at two levels of Single A in 2003.

With a number of left-handed power-hitting outfielders in their system, the Indians nearly let him go in 2004.

``I was kind of at an all-or-nothing point in spring training,'' Van Every said. ``I had just had a horrendous year and I was either going back to Single A or pretty much getting released.''

Farrell, now the Sox' pitching coach, remembers those days well.

``I wouldn't say he was out of time, but the clock was definitely ticking,'' Farrell said. ``There weren't a lot of people pounding the table for him.''

While Van Every believes Farrell was his biggest booster in those days, Farrell says much of the credit actually belongs to Double-A pitching coach Tony Arnold, who said, ``This is a guy you've got to let it run its course to the fullest, because when it clicks, it's got a chance to click in a big way.''

Van Every said Farrell helped patch the gaping holes in his swing, though Farrell defers to the other instructors in the organization. On this point they both agree: Farrell pushed him to succeed.

``It was very apparent that he was an above-average defensive outfielder with well-above-average power,'' Farrell said. ``The difficult thing was contact.''

Van Every responded to the tutelage by blasting a career-high 21 homers at Single A in 2004 and then following with 27 at Double in 2005. He was back on the map.

``I figured out a way to hang around,'' Van Every said. ``Every year I found a way to jump up a level, keeping hanging around, and here I am now.''

When Farrell joined the Red Sox in 2007 as pitching coach, Van Every lost his biggest supporter in the Indians system. He slipped to 12 home runs between Double and Triple A following that year and was free to sign with anyone as a six-year minor league free agent. He had never reached the majors.

Van Every knows who to thank for landing with the Red Sox .

``I know for a fact John was extremely instrumental in getting me over here when I was a free agent,'' Van Every said. ``I've never heard it from his mouth, but I'm sure, without a doubt.''

Farrell credits farm director Mike Hazen with risking a 40-man roster spot on a career minor leaguer. Last night, that decision paid off handsomely.

``To Jonathan's credit, he grinded away at a long minor league career to realize an opportunity with Boston,'' Farrell said. ``All the credit goes to Jon. He stuck with it through some very lonely moments when things weren't happening for him.

``It's great to see a guy like that persevere and do it on this stage. It's kind of ironic. He came back here in a big way tonight.''

- jtomase@bostonherald.com