Rays Send Red Sox a Message With 9-1 Win
Tuesday, October 14th, 2008 | Sports
The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Boston Red Sox 9-1 in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series to take a 2-1 lead in the series. All but one of the Rays 9 runs came courtesy of home runs – B.J. Upton’s 3-run shot and Evan Longoria’s solo home run in the 3rd inning; Rocco Baldelli’s 3-run blast in the 8th inning; and Carlos Pena’s solo home run in the 9th inning. Rays starter Matt Garza was efficient, pitching 6 solid innings and giving up only 1 earned run on 6 hits and 3 walks. Garza struck out 5 Red Sox batters to earn the win. Red Sox starter Jon Lester, on the other hand, never found his groove. After not giving up a single earned run in his previous two 2008 post-season starts, Lester was tagged for 4 earned runs in only 5 1/3 innings of work. He gave up 8 hits – including 2 home runs in the 3rd inning – and walked 2 while striking out 7. Dustin Pedroia and Mark Kotsay were the only 2 bright spots for the Red Sox hitters – each player had 2 hits.
Game 4 of the ALCS is on Tuesday, October 14th at 8:07 EST. The Rays will throw Andy Sonnanstine, while the Red Sox will counter with veteran Tim Wakefield. Not wanting to fall behind 3-1 to the Rays, the game almost takes on a “must-win” feel for the Red Sox.
