September 23, 2008

G157: Red Sox 5, Spiders 4

Spiders - 000 040 000 - 4  9  0
Red Sox - 000 230 00x - 5 9 1
RED SOX CLINCH A PLAYOFF BERTH!


The Globe has photos.

Kevin Youkilis's two-run home run got the Red Sox on the board in the fourth inning, but Cleveland came right back. Four hits off Wakefield, including consecutive RBI doubles from Shin-Soo Choo and Jhonny Peralta gave the Spiders a 4-2 lead in the fifth.

But Lee could not hold Boston down. Kevin Cash singled to start the home half of the fifth and was forced at second by Coco Crisp. Jacoby Ellsbury doubled to right-center and Crisp stopped at third. Dustin Pedroia banged a double off the Wall, both runners scored, and the game was tied at 4-4. After David Ortiz fanned and Youkilis was walked intentionally, Jason Bay grounded a single up the middle, past Peralta's weak Jeterian dive to his left. FY scored and the Red Sox had regained the lead.

Cleveland did not go down without a fight. They loaded the bases against Manny Delcarmen in the seventh, but Hideki Okajima came in and retired Victor Martinez on a foul pop to first. They rallied again in the eighth. Justin Masterson allowed a walk and a hit, along with two strikeouts. Javier Lopez walked Grady Sizemore to load the bases. Jonathan Papelbon was able to retire Jamey Carroll on one pitch -- a fielder's choice to second base. Then Bot slammed the door in the ninth, striking out Choo and Peralta and getting Martinez to pop to short.

Tampa Bay swept its doubleheader from the Orioles, 5-2 and 7-5. The Rays came from behind in both games, including a six-run rally in the eighth inning of the nightcap. The Yankees beat Toronto 3-1, but it was meaningless, as the Red Sox had already eliminated the Chokers.

***

Cliff Lee (2.41, 183 ERA+) / Tim Wakefield (4.18, 109 ERA+)

In his last two starts -- against the Royals and Twins -- Lee allowed 21 hits and nine runs (seven earned) in 14.1 innings. He has not faced the Red Sox this year.

Can the Red Sox still win the East? Tampa Bay has seven games remaining. If the Rays go 7-0, 6-1, 5-2 or 4-3, the Red Sox cannot win the division.

If Tampa goes 3-4, Boston must go 6-0.

If Tampa goes 2-5, Boston must go at least 5-1.

If Tampa goes 1-6, Boston must go at least 4-2.

And if Tampa goes 0-7, Boston must go at least 3-3.

It does not seem very likely.

***
Rays/Orioles at 5
Yankees/Blue Jays at 7
East                     Magic #
Rays 93 62 ---
Red Sox 91 65 2.5 4

Wild Card Magic #
Red Sox 91 65 ---
Yankees 85 71 6.5 1

417 comments:

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Benjamin said...

Whee.

Benjamin said...

Insurance runs would be nice.

Rob said...

Looking for more pictures to upload. These are unedited, so bear with me.

Rob said...

Bay = Canadian

Jere said...

at bat over, bay

Jere said...

O's up 2-1

Jere said...

Another Faux-kajima.

Benjamin said...

MFY 3 - TOR 1

allan said...

"every day" justin.

Jere said...

JOba in, and gives up an RBI hit to his first batter. 3-1 Yanks. I'd LOVE it if Joba blows Moose's chance for 20. They're on their fourth pitcher since Moose came out.

Rob said...

:>(

Jere said...

Shapiro.

Jere said...

Joba with a wild pitch to make it 2nd and 3rd, but gets out of it. 3-1 after 7.

allan said...

CALL STRIKES, YOU FUCKIN UMP

Rob said...

Well, next time I go to Fenway, I will go there when the gates open.

Rob said...

I fucked up my middle finger holding onto those damn railings on the T last night. Had to hold tight. Oh man am I feeling it now.

Jere said...

Yeah--you can't get Shapiro if you get there late, haha.

My Okajima crazy head throwing motion shot was a little too blurry to make the cut of my original gallery. But it ain't too bad. So thiswill be a Joy exclusive.

Amy said...

Oh, that's great, Jere! I love the blur!

Jere said...

Grady Sizemore on the all-"More or Less" Team. With Tom Lawless.

Amy said...

Oh, fuck this. What's with Lopez? We get 2007 Oki and 2007 Lopez. Let's hope we get 2007 Papelbon.

Rob said...

Next summer I'll try to get to a game when you go, Jere. Maybe get a standing room ticket.

Jere said...

I think I've got better shots of Oki in the past. But he's a tough one. If you're looking for shots that blow mine away, go to sitting still dot net. Kelly is amazing.

allan said...

carroll has looked like shit all series - foolish on beckett's curve and clueless on the knuck.

snuffer better make short work of him here.

Rob said...

GM of the more-or-less team: Dayton Moore

Amy said...

Next year, Ish, we are ALL going to try and go together!

Rob said...

ONE PITCH, ONE OUT!!!

Jere said...

quick work!

Amy said...

Boy, that had my heart skipping beat.

Rob said...

Next year, Ish, we are ALL going to try and go together!

I'm DEFINITELY a GO for that!

Jere said...

ask and ye shall get shit

Benjamin said...

Never in doubt.

/blarrrrgh

Rob said...

Allan: Short-enough work for ya? :>)

allan said...

i'm pretty sure josapolooza will be during the week.

allan said...

SNUFFED!

Jere said...

Wow--Reggie Cleveland's middle name is Leslie. So he's on the all-city, all more or less, and all-Archies squads.

allan said...

clev tv guy says wakefield is still "on the hook for the win"

??

nick said...

I'd be happy to try to make it josapalooza, but how would it work that we all manage to get tickets to the same game at Fenway?

I wish Jedi wouldn't strike out.

Benjamin said...

Heh.

Jere said...

If it's during the week, tix will be easier to get. Also, April/May/September would make it even easier, but I hope we do it in summer.

Amy said...

If it's during the week, I hope it's in May or after since I will be teaching until the end of April and at night twice a week, making a trip to Boston rather dicey. (No pun intended.)

nick said...

All archies? that would include Mussina then.

Amy said...

If it's during the week, I hope it's in May or after since I will be teaching until the end of April and at night twice a week, making a trip to Boston rather dicey. (No pun intended.)

Jere said...

"how would it work that we all manage to get tickets to the same game at Fenway?"

I am the self-proclaimed person in charge of this.... but I'll probably need helpers buying the same game while I'm buying, as there are limits to how many you can buy at once.

Amy said...

Nick, we are putting Jere in charge of that, given his amazing skill at figuring out the Red Sox box office.

Amy said...

I wonder how many you need to buy for a group sale.

Amy said...

INSURANCE RUNS WANTED

Jere said...

We could also go straight to "group sales." I've never dealt with that but I could look into it. We'll have to figure out how many people are in first, etc etc

nick said...

yeah, jere's got mad skills.

Jere said...

It's 20 or more for group sales

allan said...

if someone has mad skills, shouldn't it be "skillz"?

...

cora = idiot.

nick said...

Cora was out by, like, a 1/4 mile.

Amy said...

Looks like group tickets start at 20. I think even if we aren't 20, we could find others to buy tickets.

nick said...

shouldn't it be "skillz"?

only if he's got the flava to back it up.

Amy said...

OK, Jere, we keep saying the same thing! Getting spooky.

BOT, DO NOT SCREW THIS UP!

Jere said...

The limit is 8 per person--was, until during this season they changed it to 4. I'm hoping they just did that at a certain point and for the start of next season's sales it will go back up to 8. If it does, we pick a game, I get 8 bleacher seats, maybe someone else does the same or gets 8 standing room. Then as the time goes on, as more tix are released to "our" game, I keep adding to our pile. I mean, I watched the schedule this year every day, and I could've gone to just about every single game if I had the money. Or bought 100 tickets to one game in separate orders of 4/8 each. So I think this is do-able. But group sales might make it easier....

Jere said...

that's a K, there's a K

Rob said...

I wish I had been home earlier today to watch yesterday's game on NESN. Just curious to see it from TV.

Rob said...

ONE MORE OUT. Then there will be some relief.

Jere said...

srtike uot!

Amy said...

One down.

I just read someone's blog story about getting a group of tickets and selling off the extras. Seems they had to buy 55 to get tix to a Yankee game and 55 to another and were able to get rid of all them without trouble.

I would imagine that for a non-Yankee game midweek 20 to one game would suffice.

TWO AWAY!

One more, and we are in to October baseball!

Rob said...

Also going to check in on Yankees radio at the end of this one.

SoSock said...

Been catching up on the thread and the game thru the last inning.
I hope like HELL I can make josapolooza. The ealier the dates are decided the better for me.
And early May means less LL conflicts, (pre-postseason for young guys, older guys haven't started yet), altho I'll certainly miss a game or 2 for this.
4 outs for Pap tonight, eh?

Rob said...

FIRST ROUND OF DIRTY WATER IS ON ME!!!!!

Amy said...

YES!!

Rob said...

MOBBING EACH OTHER ON THE MOUND!!! Love it!!!

Benjamin said...

Water.

Amy said...

Now it's a whole new ballgame!

Jere said...

going to the offs of play! Pap going nuts!

Amy said...

No one hugging Terry? He looks lost.

Rob said...

Papi's got some goggles!

nick said...

I just saw Lugo!

Rob said...

Happy Yankee Elimination Day, everyone!!!!!

allan said...

bay: "what are these things called play offs?"

...

cash very happy!

laura k said...

Happy Wild Card Everybody!!

Very dirty water. Filthy water.

nick said...

I wonder what Francona's like at a family reunion picnic.

Amy said...

Papi wearing the goggles already!

Rob said...

Oi, I'm so jealous of these 38,000!!!

allan said...

5 way tie for YED

laura k said...

Folks, re JoS1, please don't make plans or get hopes up for any special sets of dates yet, ok? I haven't even looked at our calendar yet.

Rob said...

Tappen, to FY: "Describe the most memorable moment of the season so far."

FY: "Right now."

Jere said...

EIGHT YEARS WITHOUT A WS WIN FOR YANKS. First time since '93 no playoffs.

I went to the last two home celebrations, so it'll be cool to watch this on TV for a change. (Said the guy who wishes like hell he was there!)

Amy said...

You guys have NESN? Need a play by play?

Rob said...

Meanwhile, John Sterling: "Yankees win! Theeeeeeeeeeeeee Yankees win!"

hahahaha They haven't even announced it!

nick said...

wait... l-girl and redsock are part of JoS?

Not that I can even remotely see that far ahead on my calendar, I unrealistically fully expect you to.

allan said...

no nesn for us .........

SoSock said...

Dirty Postseason Water
Very cool.
I believe TB's win earlier puts the bus in the garage. Time to start lining up the rotation and working the old "keep them in shape, but also let them rest up some" routine.

Amy said...

My best friends are there! SO lucky, and I am there by proxy!

(Of course, one of the couple is a NY fan, but whatever...her husband, daughter and SIL on Sox fans.)

laura k said...

Skimming back through the thread here, I do think we should do group sales. As Amy said, we can always find people to buy the extra tix. It will be much easier that way, I think.

But I'm not the ticket person, so that's just my .02.

And now back to the celebration.

allan said...

twins 7, cws 1 (6th)

Amy said...

Who's setting dates? I can barely see past this week.

For the non-NESN folks, FY was asked how this team compares to last year. He said,"We just have to get healthy, and then we can do it again." Or words to that effect.

Rob said...

Hell, I'll buy a second round of dirty water!

Amy said...

Hard to believe that Harvey and I will not have any tension this post-season. What a relief!

Rob said...

Hahahaha Lester's wearing a Cinco Ocho shirt!

Amy said...

Lots of champagne flowing while Jim Rice drones on. Hard to recognize these guys with goggles on!

Jere said...

This is good they did it tonight, I'm going to Pleaseeasaur tomorrow night.

Rob said...

Youk's shirt: "Wooooooooooo!!!!!"

Amy said...

Pap has some long tattoos on his arms. Wish I could read him, but too much movement and champagne blurring the picture.

Rob said...

Great to see guys like Jeff Bailey, Jonathon Van Every, Chris Carter, etc., being able to take part in this celebration in the clubhouse.

Jere said...

goin to that cop

Rob said...

They're attacking Fat Cop!

nick said...

where's andy... he'd have a field day with the locker room antics.

bot leading guys bring the bottles out on the field. They're pouring it over the bullpen cop.

Amy said...

WHERE, Jere?

And I will be teaching tomorrow night, so I am glad for tonight also.

Some players on the field.

Looks like Masterson and 2 others pouring champagne on the bullpen security guy. Delcarmen, Lopez, Aardsma according to Tom.

Rob said...

Bot's out running around on the field

nick said...

bot is ready to dance!

laura k said...

Hard to believe that Harvey and I will not have any tension this post-season. What a relief!

How much tension could there have been when NYY won one game in 2 consecutive post seasons, and 2 games the year before that?

Amy said...

Pap out there now with a wet sleeveless red shirt. Hugging same wet security guy.

Amy said...

Laura, until they are eliminated, there is always some tension. Just remember you and Allan pre-2003.

allan said...

And NY was roughly 10 GB for the last month?

nick said...

inaccurately reported first bot appearance on the field. whoops.

Jere said...

pic I got of Lowell in the Woooo!! shirt in May. Still trying to figure out what's on the back of it.

Amy said...

E.g., Harv went out to walk the dog as soon as the Red Sox won and the Yankees lost...

laura k said...

Amy, you are comparing 2005, 2006 and 2007 to 2003? No. Doesn't fly.

I understand "some tension", but not a 2003 level of tension!

allan said...

I never need to hear Rice's droning nonsense, but I do miss NESN.

Rob said...

Ooooh a drenched Heidi!

laura k said...

But Allan and I never had playoff tension, ever. The book saw to that.

Jere said...

Amy, were you asking about Pleaseasaur? He's playing in Providence.

Rob said...

Coco also saying his best memory of 2008 so far is right now.

Amy said...

Heidi talking to Coco. Coco says still a chance to get the division.

Again asked to compare last year to this year: Coco says we are just as good and even better shot, extra skills this year.

Coco says it hasn't gotten old.

nick said...

aaah..drenched heidi.
interviewing ococ. says this year's team is even better than last year's.

Amy said...

Lowell spraying fans .

allan said...

COCO IS DRIVING THE BUS!!!!!!!!

laura k said...

Thanks for all the reporting, you guys! Wish we could see.

Amy said...

HEidi now with Papi. She gets around. (Where's ANdy?)

Papi: We are dangerous in the playoffs.

Rob said...

Youk is an ugly, ugly man. Haha.

laura k said...

Drenched Heidi? Many people must be tuning in just for that!

Jere said...

Diamonds are forever, and so is El something.... the back of the Wooooo!! shirt.

nick said...

papi's rooting for a pedroia MVP bid. favorite memories of 2008 season -- dustin.

Amy said...

MDC holding a very cute little child (his, I assume).

I like that Wake was the WP. Being the old sentimental fool I am.

allan said...

Just a few more days until Tito slips into that good old phone booth -- and re-emerges as PLAYOFF ASSASSIN TITO!!!

Amy said...

DiceK very wet and very smiley! I love it.

Lowell squinting from champagne.

FY wearing a camouflage shirt.

Amy said...

Tek shaking hands with fans. Wish I was there. Maybe my friends will touch him for me?

Rob said...

DiceK very wet and very smiley! I love it.

WOW, Amy!!!

Jere said...

Did you see that little weightlifting Sox logo. I've seen that before, on a minor leaguer at Pawtucket. Weird. Casey's didn't say "Boston Strength," though.

Rob said...

Amy, for the record, I mis-read that! Thought you said very wet and very slimey!

Jere said...

Papelbon steals third. ANd gives it to a toothless fan!!!!!

Amy said...

Heidi with Bay: Been a blast. Different journey for him. Really appreciates it.

Lester out there with a backwards cap. Pap holding up first base. Brining it to a fan. Fan VERY excited.

SoSock said...

COCO IS DRIVING THE BUS!!!!!!!!

He must have seen me jump out the window yesterday and jumped in to save the day ala Keeanu Reeves.
Go, Coco, go!

Amy said...

First or third? Whatever. A base.

laura k said...

Ish, now you're "wow Amy!" comment makes a lot more sense! (I was like, huh? Why wow?)

Amy said...

LOL, Ish! SMILEY.

Rob said...

Bot just gave someone a base!

laura k said...

A fan got a base??? WOW!

Amy said...

Pap taking ALL the bases!

nick said...

all 3 bases to the fans. do they get to take 'em home?

laura k said...

WOW! That is wild! Can you imagine going to this game and Papelbon brings you a friggin base?

Amy said...

Rice says the fans may have trouble getting those bases out.

Terry: Not any less exciting. More baseball to play.

Sounds like Terry isn't focused on the division, just October.

allan said...

Papelbon steals third. ANd gives it to a toothless fan!!!!!

Maybe a relative from Louisiana?

Jere said...

4-1 Baltimore

Rob said...

It's STILL not Tribe Time!!!

nick said...

journey of the season: long, hard, fulfilling.

Amy said...

Beckett, Tek and Pap and ?? posing for photos.

Tappen with Wake: It was a group effort. All played well tonight. I was fortunate enough to go six innings and squeak out a win for us.
Hard season but fulfilling. Depth of team. Young guys stepping in for injured players.

nick said...

masterson acting goofy behind wakefield.

Amy said...

Wake gives a thumbs up to the camera.

Will he be in the rotation? on the roster? (MY questions, not the press.)

laura k said...

You guys should apply for a notetaking job. They work in teams.

Jere said...

Masterson--mr "real guy"

Amy said...

Now with Masterson. Boy, he looks young next to Wake!

allan said...

Well, we can listen to Vin Scully at least.

Rob said...

Masterson not shy at all!

allan said...

Manny up, men at 2nd and 3rd. 0-0.

laura k said...

We just tuned in the Dodgers game in time to see Manny hit a stand-up two-bagger.

Jere said...

El Alcalde. The mystery of the Wooo!! shirt finally solved.

Amy said...

Never saw Masterson SMILE (not SLIME) like that. It is nice to see these guys relax. Pitchers never smile during the games...well, except Pedro sometimes.

laura k said...

The Mayor!

Good going on that anagram. :)

Jere said...

" It's STILL not Tribe Time!!!"

Speaking of--pic I took at ALCS game 7 last yr.

allan said...

Manny looked like Lyndon on that double. Hit to routine LCF, and he gets a double.

Amy said...

Tappen with Lester: This year has been up and down with injuries. We battled, we are playing good baseball now and will continue during the playoffs.

SoSock said...

I would have thought the Red Sox site would have some video up already of the celebration stuff, but not yet.
Giving out the bases?!
Wow, can you imagine. I would kill (well) to have one of those! Somebody has just had their year made for them. I only hope it was someone who appreciates it.

nick said...

lots of talk of injuries (particularly in the questions).

overcoming adversity with the "will to win".

allan said...

Then a LAA walk and Nomar is up.

Benjamin said...

--The Boston Herald noted that every member of the Red Sox has a T-shirt they wear that reads "Wooooo!!" The idea was from Sean Casey, who made the T-shirts for the players that also read on the back, "Diamonds are Forever And So Is El Alcalde," which is Casey's nickname.

laura k said...

Thanks for this, you guys. See you tomorrow!

Amy said...

Heidi with Pap: Every year is different, this year a lot of injuries. Never gets old.

Best memory: the team we have had and everything we went through. the persistence we had as a team was incredible.

COmpare this year to last year: Same group, have to stay persistent and we will be fine.

Jere said...

Masterson rules. Any time he's been interviewed in a press conference, he's totally "normal" and non-cliched. I take it you missed those, Amy...he smiles and acts like that when they interview him. I know what you mean--people are pretty "serious" when their game faces are on.

Benjamin said...

"el alcalde" being "the mayor".

Rob said...

Girardi at one point in the dugout, scoreboard watching when Peralta was up with a couple guys on: "Come on, Jhonny!"

"Very hard loss to swallow. ...I don't like to talk about injuries. I'm very disappointed for the Steinbrenners, I'm very disappointed for the players, and I'm very disappointed for the fans."

allan said...

NOMAR 3 run DONG. LA up 5-0.

Rob said...

Mussina got DRILLED by a line drive on his elbow... So hard he has seam marks on his elbow.

Amy said...

So, ahem, Laura, remember when you said the last win would be Game 162? I hope you don't still feel that way!

Rob said...

AUDIO SCHADENFREUDE!!! How sweet it is!

Amy said...

I love the Red Sox West getting all those HRs!

allan said...

...I don't like to talk about injuries.

Good, because your injuries were NO BIG FUCKING THING!!!!!!!!!!!

FU MFY!

Amy said...

Theo on now, more cliches about never getting old, don't take it for granted, blah, blah.

Jere said...

Last year's mystery shirt was one that said "What's up baby?" and on the back "Sapstein 2." (I bought Dave Magadan's on ebay. And washed it first.)

allan said...

LAD in the first inning!!! I did not notice.

First 7 guys reach base. 5-0 and 2 on. 8th guy just popped out for out #1.

allan said...

pitcher squeezes! 2 outs, but 6-0.

nick said...

I've got to bug out of here. Had fun!

Rob said...

Papelbon pouring large 5 gallon water jugs on guys!

Amy said...

OK, my typing fingers are getting tired!

Jere said...

jesus Pap, be careful with that water bottle. It's like the anti-O'Neill. Going nuts on a water bottle in happiness.

Rob said...

They squeezed with a five run lead?!?

Amy said...

Youk saying about FY: Who ever thought a guy his size would be hitting cleanup?

SoSock said...

Touche' RS.
I believe we were missing a helluva lot bigger chunk of our order than they were practically all season. Almost every key person in our line-up has missed time, some of them a significant amount of time, and we still have a couple of key components out now. Yet here we are celebrating a trip to the PS while they line up excuses.
It's SO easy to bash them!

Jere said...

Comcast Sports Net has coverage on now too

Rob said...

BBTN declares this "End of a Dynasty, 1995-2007"

BBTN really IS full of shit!

SoSock said...

OK, I'm out.
Paperwork to do and I don't want to be waking up with my head in my keyboard like last night!
Manana, after my LL game :)
(maybe our 1st win of the fall?)

Rob said...

It's not live... There are too many people in the left-field stands, haha. on CSN

laura k said...

So, ahem, Laura, remember when you said the last win would be Game 162? I hope you don't still feel that way!

Allan told me there was a comment for me, so I came back. :)

For a while there I didn't think we were going to make the playoffs at all, but I quickly saw that was wrong.

I hope we see Tampa in the ALCS!!

Now I'm outta here again.

Unknown said...

Worked at the park today... it totally slipped my mind that we could clinch today. Left during the 8th. Came back home, turned on the TV...

Boy am I kicking myself right now.

Zenslinger said...

Belated, but:

Yay!

Amy said...

Oh, James, that's a shame.

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