Tampa Bay Rays
Rays Top Red Sox 3-1, Advance to 1st Ever World Series
Monday, October 20th, 2008 | MLB, Sports | No Comments
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.
Red Sox Magical Run Continues, Beat Rays 4-2 to Force Game 7
Sunday, October 19th, 2008 | MLB, Sports | No Comments
The Boston Red Sox defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 in Game 6 of the ALCS. The teams traded home runs by the Rays B.J. Upton and the Red Sox Kevin Youkilis. Kevin Youkilis added an RBI groundout in the 3rd inning to give the Red Sox a 2-1 lead. Rays shortstop and 9th man in the order, Jason Bartlett, tied the game in the 5th inning with a solo home run. In the top of the 6th inning, Red Sox Catcher and Captain picked up his 1st hit of the 2008 ALCS – a solo home run to right field which put the Sox ahead for good. Following a Bartlett error that would have gotten the Rays out of the inning, the Red Sox scored an all-important insurance run on an RBI single by David Ortiz to give the Red Sox a 4-2 lead. Josh Beckett picked up the win for the Red Sox in an efficient 78-pitch, 5 inning gutty performance. He gave up only 2 earned runs and 4 hits and stayed out of any serious jams. The Red Sox relievers did the rest – Hideki Okajima pitched 2 innings, John Masterson pitched 1 inning and Jonathan Papelbon pitched the 9th inning for the save – only allowing 1 Rays batter to reach base with a walk in the final 4 innings of the game. Rays starter James Shields pitched well despite not having good stuff all night long. He lasted into the 6th inning with over 100 pitches, and gave up 4 runs on 9 hits and 3 walks.
The Red Sox and Rays will determine the AL Pennant-winner in Game 7 of the ALCS on Sunday, October 19th. The Red Sox will throw ace Jon Lester, while the Rays will counter with Matt Garza.
Red Sox Overcome 7-run Deficit, Top Rays 8-7 To Force Game 6
Friday, October 17th, 2008 | MLB, Sports | No Comments
The Boston Red Sox overcame the largest deficit in an elimination game in MLB playoffs history with an 8-7 victory over the Tampa Bays Rays on Thursday, October 16th. When Red Sox relievers Manny Delcarmen and Jonathan Papelbon gave up 2 runs in the 7th inning, the Rays increased their lead over the Red Sox to 7-0 after 6 1/2 innings of play. In the bottom of the 7th inning, the Red Sox used a 2-out RBI single from Dustin Pedroia and then a mammoth 3-run home run from David Ortiz (his first home run of the 2008 post-season and his 1st post-season home run in over 80 at-bats) to cut the lead to 7-4. After Papelbon pitched a perfect top of the 8th inning with 2 strikeouts, the Red Sox cut the lead to 7-6 with a leadoff walk to Jason Bay and a monster home run to deep right field by J.D. Drew. Rays reliever Dan Wheeler was able to retire the next 2 batters, but eventually gave up the tying 7th run on a double by Mark Kotsay and an RBI-single by Coco Crips. Just like that, the Red Sox scored 7 runs in 2 innings and shifted the momentum back in their favor. Red Sox reliever Jon Masterson worked a stressful 9th inning where he allowed the go-ahead run to reach 2nd base with less than 2 outs. But Masterson induced a Carlos Pena double-play ball to quell the threat. In the bottom of the 9th inning, Rays reliever J.P. Howell retired Pedroia and Ortiz without incident, but an infield single by Kevin Youkilis on which Rays third baseman Evan Longoria made a costly throwing error set the stage for the miraculous comeback. With Youkilis at 2nd base, the Rays decided to walk Jason Bay to face J.D. Drew. And once again, Drew delivered the crushing blow with a game-winning line drive single over the head of Gabe Gross to drive in the winning run. Howell took the loss for the Rays and Masterson earned the win for the Red Sox. The Rays wasted a solid outing from Scott Kazmir – 6 shutout innings in which he walked 3, gave up 2 hits and struck out 7. Only his high 111 pitch-count took him out of a game they desperately needed him to finish. Once Kazmir left the game, the Red Sox tagged the Rays bullpen for 8 earbed runs on 9 hits. Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzakadid not have his best performance – he lasted only 4 innings giving up 5 earned runs on 5 hits – including 3 home runs by B.J. Upton, Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria.
Game 6 of the ALCS is set for 8:07PM on Saturday, October 18th. Josh Becket will take the bump for the Red Sox while the Rays will counter with James Shields. Beckett was ineffective in Game 2 of the ALCS – giving up 8 earned runs including 3 home runs in only 4/13 innings of work. Shields pitched well in Game 1 of the ALCS – 2 earned runs, 6 hits and 6 strikeouts in 7 1/13 innings of work – but took the loss as Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka out-dueled him. Will the Red Sox be able to continue their magical runs in recent post-season history? Only time will tell whether we have another magical story with a Tampa Bay Rays appearance in the World Series, or a 3rd World Series appearance by the Red Sox in only 5 years…
Red Sox Need Win Tonight To Force Series Back To Florida
Thursday, October 16th, 2008 | MLB, Sports | No Comments
The Boston Red Sox face the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series tonight, October 16th at Fenway Park in Boston. The Rays moved up ace Scott Kazmir to pitch tonight’s important game. Kazmir didn’t last 5 innings against the Red Sox in Game 2 of the ALCS – he gave up 5 runs and 6 hits (including 3 home runs) in the no decision – but Manager Joe Madden still has faith in his ace. The Red Sox will counter with Daisuke Matsuzaka. Matsuzaka has been the Red Sox most consistent pitcher throughout the 2008 post-season. Matsuzaka won Game 1 of the ALCS pitching 7 scoreless innings and giving up only 4 hits and 2 walks. The Red Sox have faced this situation before. In 2004, the Red Sox trailed the New York Yankees 3-0 in the ALCS before winning the next 8 games to win the ALCS and the 2004 World Series over the St. Louis Cardinals. In 2007, the Red Sox trailed the Cleveland Indians 3-1 in the ALCS before winning the next 7 games to win the ALCS and the 2007 World Series over the Colorado Rockies. The Red Sox seem to put it all together when their backs are against the wall. A Rays win tonight, on the other hand, puts the Rays into the World Series for the 1st time in the club’s franchise. Only time will tell whether the Rays head home to St. Petersburg to prepare for Game 6 against the Red Sox on Saturday, October 18th or to prepare for Game 1 of the World Series against the Philadlephia Phillies.
Rays Crush Red Sox 13-4, 1 Win Away From World Series
Wednesday, October 15th, 2008 | MLB, Sports | No Comments
The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Boston Red Sox 13-4 in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series – the Rays 3rd win in a row over the Red Sox. The Rays used the long ball again to set the tone for an early 5-0 after only 3 innings. Carlos Pena and Evan Longoris hit home runs in the 1st inning off Red Sox starter Tim Wakefield and Willie Aybar added a 2-run home run off of Wakefield in the 3rd inning. Wakefield ended up pitching only 2 2/3 innings – yielding 5 earned runs on 6 hits and 2 walks – and took the loss. Red Sox reliever Manny Delcarmen couldn’t keep the game close for the Red Sox in middle relief – he gave up 5 earned runs on 2 hits and 3 walks all in the 6th inning. By that point, the Rays had extended their lead to 11-1 and cruised onto the 13-4 win. Rays starter Andy Sonnanstine pitched effectively – giving up only 3 earned runs and 6 hits in 7 1/3 innings of work. Sonnanstine walked 1 and struck out 2. Red Sox slugger David Ortiz got his 1st hit and only 2nd run scored of the ALCS – a triple in the 7th inning. Red Sox Catcher Kevin Cash replaced Jason Varitek in the lineup and he hit a solo home run in the 3rd inning. For the Rays, Left Fielder Carl Crawford went 5 for 5 with 2 RBI’s and 3 runs scored, while Designated Hitter Willie Aybar went 4 for 5 with 5 RBI’s and 1 run scored.
For the 2nd straight year, the Red Sox find themselves in a 3 games to 1 in the ALCS. Last year, the Red Sox trailed the Cleveland Indians 3-1 in the ALCS, before Josh Beckett pitched a gem in Game 5 of the ALCS in Cleveland, forcing the series back to Fenway Park where the Red Sox won the last 2 games of the series to advance to thier 2nd World Series in 4 years. This year, the Red Sox hope Daisuke Matsuzaka can spin some magic in Game 5 of the ALCS at Fenway Park. A win would send the series back to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg where the Red Sox would use Josh Beckett in Game 6 and Jon Lester in Game 7. The Rays will counter with James Shields on Thursday October 16th.
Rays Send Red Sox a Message With 9-1 Win
Tuesday, October 14th, 2008 | Sports | No Comments
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.
Tied 1-1, Red Sox Rays Resume ALCS Tonight @ Fenway Park
Monday, October 13th, 2008 | Sports | No Comments
The Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays will play Game 3 of the American League Championship Series at 4:35PM EST on Monday, October 13th at Fenway Park in Boston. The Rays will throw 11-game winner Matt Garza, while the Red Sox will counter with ace Jon Lester. Lester helped pitch the Red Sox to victory in the ALDS over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim with 2 dominating starts in which he did not allow an earned run.
In Game 1 of the ALCS, Daisuke Matsuzaka led the Red Sox over the Rays in a tense 2-0 battle. Matsuzaka had a no-hitter through 6 innings and worked out of a difficult 1st and 3rd, no out jam in the 7th inning by inducing a flyout, strikeout and groundout to keep the Rays off the scoreboard. Matsuzaka ended up pitching into the 8th inning before being relieved with runners on the corners and no one out. Boston Reliever Hideki Okajima forced Carlos Pena into a harmless flyout to right field and then Boston reliver John Masterson induced an inning-ending double-play from Evan Longoria that stymied the threat – for the 2nd straight inning the Rays failed to score a run after having 1st and 3rd and no one out. Jonathan Papelbon worked a perfect 9th inning to pick up the save and seal the 1-0 series lead for the Red Sox. The Red Sox scored a run on a sacrafice fly by Jared Lowrie in the 5th inning and on an RBI-double by Kevin Youkilis in the 8th inning that glanced off the glove of a diving Carl Crawford in left field. Rays starter James Shields pitched a solid ballgame – going 7 1/3 innings and only giving up 6 hits and 2 walks.
Game 2 of the ALCS proved to be more of a slugfest than a pitching duel. Red Sox starter Josh Beckett lasted only 4 1/3 innings, giving up 8 earned runs on 9 hits and 1 walk. Rays starter Scott Kazmir also pitched only 4 1/3 innings, giving up 5 earned runs on 6 hits and 3 walks. For the Red Sox, Duston Pedroia had 3 hits, including 2 solo home runs; Kevin Youkilis had 3 hits including a solo home run; and Jason Bay had 3 hits including a 2-RBI double in the 1st inning and a solo home run in the 5th inning. For the Rays, Evan Longoria had 2 doubles and a 2-run home run, driving in a total of 3 runs. Carlos Pena and Carl Crawford each had 2 hits, while B.J. Upton and Cliff Floyd each hit solo home runs off of Beckett. The Rays won the game in 11th inning on a sacrafice fly from B.J. Upton off Red Sox reliever Mike Timlin. Fernando Perez scored just ahead of the throw by right fielder J.D. Drew allowing the Rays to even up the series at 1 game each. David Price picked up his 1st career post-season victory by pitching 2/3 of the 11th inning.
Rays take game 2
Sunday, October 12th, 2008 | Sports | 1 Comment
In what was arguably a must win game for the Rays the bull pens shined and Tampa pulled out a 11th inning victory. Not what we expected from Beckett and Kazmir but a 9 – 8 win that showed 7 home runs and 4 lead changes. This was another classic between these 2 teams who just went 14 innings 1month ago where Tampa Bay had a walk off in the 14th, their 11 and major league leading of the season. Both starting pitchers struggled in this game but both bull pens reached deep and after the 6th it was a pitcher’s duel until the end. Evan Longoria found his bat after going 2 for his last 16, Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youklis shined in this one for a total of 3 home runs between them. One thing is for sure that this will be a hard fought series no matter who wins. Sunday is a travel day while the teams head to Boston to resume Game 3 on Monday. Game time is scheduled for 4 pm est. On the mound will be Lester for the Red Sox, who is quickly being vaulted into the Ace spotlight and going for Tampa will be Garza. This will be another dual from the mound as both pitchers have sub 3.5 ERAs.
Red Sox – Rays to Battle in ALCS
Friday, October 10th, 2008 | Sports | No Comments
The Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Devil Rays will open up the 2008 American League Championship Series in Tampa Bay on Friday, October 10th. Japanese sensation Daisuke Matsuzaka will start for the Boston Red Sox while the Tampa Bay Rays will counter with 14-game winner James Shields. Both teams will possess a huge home field advantage throughout the series. The Rays won the season series 10-8 over the Red Sox, but 8 of those 10 wins came at Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay. Likewise, 7 of the Red Sox 8 wins against the Rays came at Fenway Park in Boston, while the team struggled mightily in Tampa Bay. Much will ride on the health of Red Sox ace Josh Beckett who did not fair well against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in Game 3 of the ALDS. Beckett is slated to start ALCS Game #2 in Tampa on Saturday, October 11th and if he can return to form that led the Marlins to the World Series title in 2003 and the Red Sox to the World Series title in 2007, it could end up being a short ALCS.
White Sox Avoid Sweep – ALDS Game 4 Set for Monday
Monday, October 6th, 2008 | Sports | No Comments
The Chicago White Sox defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 5-3 to avoid a 3-game sweep on Sunday 10/5 in Chicago. John Danks pitched into the 7th inning giviing up 3 runs on 7 hits, while striking out 7 Rays batters. White Sox Relievers Octavio Dotel and Matt Thornton helped get the Sox into the 9th, where Bobby Jenks cleaned house allowing only one batter to reach in notching hist 1st save of the 2008 playoffs. The bottom-half of the White Sox order helped pace the Sox offensive attack – Ken Girffey, Jr. was 2 for 2 with a run scored; Dwayne Wise was 1 for 2 with 2 RBI’s and a run scored and Juan Uribe was 1 for 3 with an RBI. Rays Pitcher Matt Garza took the loss by giving up 5 runs in 6 innings of work – he gave up 7 hits, while walking 4 and striking out 4. B. J. Upton hit a 2-run hoem run for the Rays in the 7th inning to cut the Sox lead to 5-3, but they could never get closer than that.
ALDS Game 4 will be played on Monday 10/6 at 4PM in Chicago. The Rays will throw 137-game winner Andy Sonnanstine, while the White Sox will counter with 17-game winner Gavin Floyd.
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