Rays Top Red Sox 3-1, Advance to 1st Ever World Series
Monday, October 20th, 2008 | MLB, Sports
The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Boston Red Sox 3-1 to win Game 7 of the ALCS. With the win, the Rays will advance to the World Series for the 1st time in the club’s franchise. Rays pitcher Matt Garza stymied the Red Sox all night long, giving up only 1 earned run, 2 hits and 3 walks in 7 solid innings of work. Garza struck out 9 Red Sox batters, picked up his 2nd win of the ALCS and was named the ALCS Most Valuable Player. Young fireballer David Price worked out of a 2-out bases loaded jam in the 8th inning by striking out J.D. Drew and then worked a scoreless 9th inning to pick up his 1st career save. Price struck out 3 of the 4 batters he faced. Red Sox starter took his 2nd loss of the ALCS – the first time in his career that he has lost 2 consecutive games. Lester pitched 7 strong innings of 6-hit ball, striking out 8, but gave up costly hits to put the Red Sox behind. The Rays scored single runs in the 4th inning on an RBI-double by Evan Longoria, in the 5th inning on an RBI-single by Rocco Baldelli, and in the 7th inning on a solo home run by Willie Aybar. The Red Sox scored their lone run on a 1st inning home run by Dustin Pedroia and only managed 3 total hits against Garza and 4 Rays relievers.
The Rays will host the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of the World Series at Tropicana Field on Wednesday, October 22nd at 8:00PM EST. The Phillies will start ace Cole Hamels, while the Rays have yet to name their World Series Game 1 starter.
