October 13, 2008

ALCS 3: Rays 9, Red Sox 1

Rays    - 014 000 031 - 9 13  0
Red Sox - 000 000 100 - 1 7 0
Lester had a four-pitch first inning (ball, 6-3, 3U, F8) and things looked bright.

But the Rays scored a run in the second on a walk, a single and a groundout. Then the Red Sox had men at second and third with one out and could not score -- though they were relying on Varitek and Cora. Lester was then pounded in the third. Bartlett singled, Iwamura doubled off the Wall, and Upton crushed a three-run dong over everything in left. After Pena struck out looking, Longoria homered to left-center.

Boston could not get anything going against Garza. Pedroia doubled with one out in the first, but was stranded. Then the Sox "stranded a pair" in the second. They had a runner on base in each of the next four innings, but could not move any of them to second. Garza began the seventh at 107 pitches. He seemed gassed as he walked Varitek and allowed a single down the right field line to Cora. Howell came in and gave up a sac fly to Ellsbury, which made the score 5-1. Pedroia then grounded into a 5-4-3 DP to end the inning. The only baserunner for Boston in the final two innings was Drew's two-out single in the eighth.

Byrd relieved Lester in the sixth and pitched the rest of the way. He gave up a three-run home run to Baldelli in the eighth that put the game on ice. Pena pounded a dong to left-center in the ninth as an exclamation point.

The one Boston run in the seventh meant that the Red Sox avoided being shut out at Fenway Park in a post-season game for the first time since Game 5 of the 1918 World Series.

The Rays lead this series 2-1. Game 4 is tomorrow night.

***

BR Preview

Matt Garza (Rays 14-16 in his starts)
Jon Lester (Red Sox 22-11 in his starts)
Red Sox                 Rays

Jacoby Ellsbury, CF Akinori Iwamura, 2B
Dustin Pedroia, 2B B.J. Upton, CF
David Ortiz, DH Carlos Pena, 1B
Kevin Youkilis, 3B Evan Longoria, 3B
J.D. Drew, RF Carl Crawford, LF
Jason Bay, LF Willy Aybar, DH
Mark Kotsay, 1B Dioner Navarro, C
Jason Varitek, C Rocco Baldelli, RF
Alex Cora, SS Jason Bartlett, SS
After splitting the first two games, the ALCS is now a best-of-5 -- and Boston has both home field advantage and Jon Lester set to pitch two of those possible five games.

Lester made three starts against the Rays this season, allowing only two runs in 20 innings (0.90 ERA). 18 hits, six walks, 19 strikeouts. He had a 2.49 ERA in 17 Fenway starts. He was second on the Red Sox staff with a 143 ERA+.

Garza -- in the first full season of his career -- started four games against the Red Sox, allowing 14 runs (11 earned) in 22 innings (4.50). He walked seven, struck out 10 and gave up four dongs. His 118 ERA+ was third best on the Rays staff.

There are rumblings that Alex Cora may get a start today. I'd rather Terry Francona stick to putting the best players in the lineup, thank you very much. But the Assassin loves Einstein, so I hope Flo and Lyndon pick today to come out of their offensive shells.

Corsi Combover has some fine Columbus Day art at SoSH. It's Thanksgiving Day in Canada and we're off with some friends and their dogs. You're on your own as far as links go, but the ProJo blog has press conference transcripts and a bunch of other stuff in one place.

***

NLCS 4: Phillies (2)/Dodgers (1) at 8

383 comments:

«Oldest   ‹Older   201 – 383 of 383
A Conformer said...

Buck: "I think it's important for the pitching coach to know his personnel."

After Upton's idiocy, he said "And Joe Maddon himself goes to talk to Upton about his mistake". Why would he be there if not for those kinds of things?

Benjamin said...

Sigh.

tim said...

This is utterly painful to watch.

allan said...

lopez up. why? for pena?

if so, why pull byrd after 3batters?

Jere said...

So Upton's blatant nonchalance has cost them an out in this game, and he should've gotten to Coco's ball over his head last night, but all these guys can do is brag about his ability to glide and be graceful.

A Conformer said...

Wouldn't a front-door slider just be a slider?

laura k said...

OK, this is it, rally time!!

RUNS PLEASE!!!

allan said...

8-9-1 for sox
tek
cora
lyndon
...

yeesh

Rob said...

Varitek and/or Cora need to be uncharacteristic here.

A Conformer said...

If the Blue Jays ever make it to the postseason, would they have to sing god bless america there, too? They are in America, after all...

Amy said...

I am just about off to class (have been checking on line as I prepared for class...too depressing to even throw in a few words here and there).

I guess I will have to hope for some kind of power outburst by the Sox while I am in class.

Jake of All Trades said...

So this is basically just serving to rub in the fact that Byrd should have pitched on Saturday?

A Conformer said...

Varitek and/or Cora need to be pinch hit forhere.

laura k said...

Of course I just looked at who's up, so maybe it's the wrong time to call a rally. But still...IT'S TIME

Jere said...

I would say that GBA was due to the holiday, since Fenway does it Sundays and holidays only.

laura k said...

Ofer, in Canada they sing both national anthems, O Canada and Star Spangled. No GBA.

Benjamin said...

Robot umps now.

A Conformer said...

It didn't fucking hit him, it was just higher than his fucking elbow. That, my dear umpire, means it's a ball.

Zenslinger said...

TAKE a WALK, Varitek!

allan said...

HE SHALL LEAD US!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jere said...

you know Caray, if you're gonna say the elbow's hanging over the plate, at least admit it's even with his letters or above, and therefore would be a ball anyway

Rob said...

Leadoff walk...

Tim McCarver probably has started blabbing to the bartender about leadoff walks.

A Conformer said...

Ofer, in Canada they sing both national anthems, O Canada and Star Spangled. No GBA.

Sorry, I was being cynical. 5-0 in the 7th tends to bring that out of you.

allan said...

WHY D0 WE HAVE TO SUFFER THRU THIS MOTHERFUCKER CORA BATTING?

allan said...

TITO = GENIUS!!!!!!!!!!!!

:>)

Rob said...

I would say that GBA was due to the holiday, since Fenway does it Sundays and holidays only.

They have to do it for the LCS and World Series. You'll see GBA tomorrow night.


Wow! Varitek AND Cora both reach base!

Joe Grav said...

that's...surprising

laura k said...

Here's LBJ's moment. Make us forget everything you haven't done so far.

Zenslinger said...

On the other hand...

laura k said...

I see Maddon knows when to take his pitchers out.

Rob said...

I'll go out on a limb and saying if the Red Sox don't at least take a chunk off this defecit, they will NOT win this game.

A Conformer said...

WHY D0 WE HAVE TO SUFFER THRU THIS MOTHERFUCKER CORA BATTING?

You were saying?

(For the record, I agree with you completely- Lowrie should have batted. But something the wrong move works).

Rob said...

I see Maddon knows when to take his pitchers out.

I've been kind of Titoized, if you will. This felt early to me. I'm just used to the other way around being the norm.

s1c said...

1st and 3rd, time for LBJ to do something.

Dear Jacoby,

This is your time, your moment, seize it and make your moment in history. Now is the time!

Thanx,

RSN

laura k said...

Sorry, I was being cynical. 5-0 in the 7th tends to bring that out of you.

Leave it to me not to get it. Especially since I'm not threading this postseason.

I'll be back shortly to say TMB.

A Conformer said...

When Varitek and Cora reach base to start an inning, it makes me expect an LBJ dong. Just saying.

Joe Grav said...

bunt god damnit

laura k said...

Well, that wasn't what I had in mind, but a run's a run.

Joe Grav said...

not acceptable

Rob said...

Got one in...

allan said...

5-1, but fuck, burned an out

Rob said...

Caray had to immediately mention it keeps the double play in order. Er... How often do you see a guy tag up from first? On a ball hit to right field?

Zenslinger said...

We will take what we can fuckin' get right now.

Rob said...

Well, my interest in this game has waned quite a bit.

laura k said...

pd = dp

ARGHHHHHHHHH

Joe Grav said...

yeah, fuck this game.

s1c said...

Chip, I love how you are not showing any emotion when the Rays get big outs or anything.

Rob said...

Ortiz, Youk, and Drew up next inning...

I don't feel as good about that as I once did.

laura k said...

Interest waning? Fuck this game? WTF people????

Rob said...

This is just par for the course for Game 3 of the ALCS for the Red Sox, innit?

Jere said...

you don't think Caray was thinking or in any way rooting for a double play leading up to that at bat, do you? Guy should be fired.

allan said...

ALCS = backs pushed to the wall

that's the way it goes

laura k said...

You guys should turn on the radio. It will lower your blood pressure a bit.

Rob said...

L, I just did turn on the radio. Problem I had was listening to Dale Arnold. Castig's taken over for the 8th and 9th.

Rob said...

At least that wakes up the crowd a bit..

A Conformer said...

Turning point!

s1c said...

FY and Tek,

way to go, now get the dp!!!

laura k said...

Nice work, Tek.

Rob said...

Maddon and Francona managing this game like it's a one run defecit.

laura k said...

Ish, anything has got to be better than Caray/Buck.

A Conformer said...

Anecdotally, I think the Rays have made a huge number of outs at the plate this year. Is there any way to check that?

Zenslinger said...

If we keep them from scoring here...wow.

Rob said...

Well, I was out in the living room watching the game with my father, with no radio out there.

laura k said...

oh no

Benjamin said...

Like getting fucked with a rusty lamp post.

s1c said...

aofgadfogflagjweoejgfoeojfofijeoiefjewoifjoiqwejfiojqewfoijqweoifjqwqeiojfiqowej

Jere said...

Sox have men on, they talk only about double play possibilities. Rays get on base, they talk only about how they could steal bases.

Zenslinger said...

And, uh, Happy Thanksgiving in Canada there, eh.

Rob said...

...another turning point.

Zenslinger said...

Well well well.

Fuck a duck.

laura k said...

Like Ish said earlier, we've been here before. Down 1 game to 2 is nothing for us.

I can't believe fans are leaving. Assholes.

Rob said...

Gopher balls are part of Byrd's game.

Rob said...

Castig talking about how when it's your ace that gets beat, it feels like you've lost a doubleheader.

laura k said...

And, uh, Happy Thanksgiving in Canada there, eh.

Thanks. Maybe tomorrow will be thanksgiving here too. (Election day.)

Jere said...

4 in the 8th, 4 in the 9th

Zenslinger said...

I can't believe fans are leaving.

I think only really, really crappy weather could make me leave a Fenway game early. Shit, if we're losing, I'd just look at the place for a while.

But I've only been there twice, so.

Rob said...

Especially when you spend $250 to see the game.

allan said...

4 & 4 = Chip's suicide?

Let's do it.

Jake of All Trades said...

We like holiday comebacks. And we have both Canadian Thanksgiving and Columbus day going simultaneously Mother's day miracle was nothing...

Zenslinger said...

Canadian Thanksgiving Miracle, anyone?

. said...

A really, really sad day! 8-1. The Tampa Bay Rays. The freaking Tampa Bay Rays.

Zenslinger said...

Ha ha, great minds there, Jake.

allan said...

morgan: "wakefield is a big game pitcher. he has won some big games."

andy said...

Has anyone seen Paul Byrd?

laura k said...

Paul Byrd has come and gone.

Jere said...

I saw Paul Byrd in Cleveland last October. And jerking off to the bible or something like that.

laura k said...

I would never leave a postseason game early under any circumstances. I've sat through some doozies too.

allan said...

miller noting that ortiz did not run to first. "if that was manny, it would be all over the papers tomorrow. i don't think ortiz has run all the way to first base on any of the balls he has hit tonight. fair's fair, right?"

joe agrees. criticize them all or none of them.

fucking a, gentlemen. fucking a.

Jere said...

the media actually mentioned someone other than Manny didn't run out a ground ball? Amazing!

laura k said...

Morgan noted that he said the same thing re Bonds and steroids - call them all, or call none of them, don't single one person out.

Nice.

andy said...

Is that ESPN radio? Why do they sound more intelligent on the radio?

. said...

It used to be before 2004. In my own life, it was before 2004 for 56 years, in fact. Back then, days like this were really tough to take. But all I wanted from life was one world championship. Just one. I got two. TWO. This sucks, but it's not going to throw me into a winter depression.

andy said...

This shit really upsets me. Will the Rays when the series?

Jere said...

8 in the 9th?

andy said...

Doesnt 8=9?

Rob said...

8=W

laura k said...

Yes, ESPN radio.

No need for winter depressions anymore. But also no need to assume the Red Sox are losing the ALCS. We've been here before - worse - and still won. Keep the faith!

Jere said...

this possible 2-1 deficit in the ALCS isn't gonna send you into a winter depression? Good!

allan said...

i think 11 = 9.

a loss is only 1-2, not 1-3.
wake win = tied yet again.

remember we all said 6 or 7 game series.

. said...

I will keep the faith. Wake tomorrow. A bit scary. But given the way the Rays hit fast balls, maybe a little Wake is exactly what we need.

Jere said...

guy gives finger to TBS camera.

Yes!!!!!!!!!

Rob said...

Speaking of Byrd, though...

He did eat a lot of innings. Castig and Arnold said they haven't seen Fenway like this since the 19-8 loss against the Yankees in 2004. We all knew what happened after that.

And we all know that Wake came in and ate innings, and kept the rest of the bullpen out of it.

andy said...

Wonderful homerun.

laura k said...

this possible 2-1 deficit in the ALCS isn't gonna send you into a winter depression? Good!

I guess winter starts earlier where he lives.

Rob said...

So uh... Dodgers and Phillies start soon...

laura k said...

Castig and Arnold said they haven't seen Fenway like this since the 19-8 loss against the Yankees in 2004.

It can't be that bleak. That came after 2003. This comes after 2004 and 2007.

. said...

Is there a ten run rule? Please?

s1c said...

Hell even a 3-0 deficit wouldn't send me into a depression.

Gots to have faith, my faith is in Wakey, making the Rays look foolish tomorrow night.

allan said...

and how many games qualify as bleak since that time? 1 or 2?

big fucking deal.
boston media's gotta looooooooooooove this.

Rob said...

It can't be that bleak. That came after 2003. This comes after 2004 and 2007.

Well no. Just the amount of people that have left Fenway.

Rob said...

Nice thing here is being able to hear individual fans screaming at guys.

allan said...

i watched 2004.

depression is no longer part of my red sox equation. not even in the same time zone.

laura k said...

Well no. Just the amount of people that have left Fenway.

That sucks. I wish they could all be banned from Fenway forever.

andy said...

I don't think the Sox have come back in their minds in this game.

andy said...

If it were Yankees stadium they would arrest them

allan said...

is jackson giving the batter the finger?

laura k said...

Ten run rule? A loss is a loss is a loss. It counts as one game.

In Tim We Trust

Rob said...

I'm not depressed. I'm just a little concerned, is all. I'd like the 3-4-5 guys to start hitting again. And that can happen overnight.

. said...

hey, stc, how old are you.

I still puke every every time someone mentions Bucky Dent.

See my blog. Read the first post.

Jere said...

L will like this--I stayed to the bitter end of the 19-8 loss. (Better seats at the very least, come on!) That was the one playoff game I went to that year. And my first one ever. Things have gone well since.

andy said...

Someone on TBS just said something about this being a shorter series now. What was he implying?

Rob said...

It got so bad with the individual fans yelling that WEEI had to turn down their effects mic.

Rob said...

Someone on TBS just said something about this being a shorter series now. What was he implying?

I don't know what HE was implying, but splitting at Tampa made this a 5-game series with the Red Sox having home field advantage.

allan said...

Someone on TBS just said something about this being a shorter series now. What was he implying?

My sources tell me the Red Sox will concede the series after this game.

Rob said...

The water is clean for Game 3.

It will be tainted and dirty for Game 4.

Benjamin said...

Shitulence.

laura k said...

Jere, that is very cool. I do like it. And I would have done the same thing.

In my former life, I went to Game 1 of the 1996 World Series. Yankees lost 11-1, I think. Maybe 12-1. I stayed til the end. Very few people did, as you can imagine.

s1c said...

hey, stc, how old are you.

Lets just say I was in college in the middle of yankee fans when that ball hit the net.

Rob said...

Now to watch the Phillies/Dodgers game.

s1c said...

and oh yeah that's bucky fucking dent.

Water will be dirty tomorrow.

allan said...

I want one of those Manny dread hats, even with the LA.

Go D-Lowe.

. said...

Bucky...

Crap.

Hay, not a tough loss. 2003, game 7 in Yankee Stadium. That was a tough loss.

My prediction, three straight wins from here and a Sox victory.

allan said...

And I wish three kidney stones for McCarver on his birthday on Thursday.

. said...

at least McCarver laid a bit of honest reality on Manny.

laura k said...

2003, game 7 in Yankee Stadium. That was a tough loss.

Understatement of the century.

This is just being down 1-2 in a 7 game series. No need to freak out.

On to the Dodgers game. Bye all.

allan said...

at least McCarver laid a bit of honest reality on Manny.

....................

do tell.

Jere said...

Going to 4 and 5, so next time I see you all, hopefully it's 3-2 us, playing game 6.

laura k said...

Goboso, do you read this blog at all? You are in major Manny territory here.

Jere said...

ooh this is gonna be fun...

Jere said...

you gotta point him to that long McCarver post.

laura k said...

Here's a recent post you may enjoy.

Jere said...

goboso not remembering which hand to type with

laura k said...

Jere, I was linking to it as you were typing. :)

allan said...

ooh this is gonna be fun...

... and likely very short-lived.

. said...

L-girl, just started to read this yesterday. Great blog!

Read my blog. There's a post there that you might enjoy about Mannny.

laura k said...

I'll pass.

allan said...

a comment at an "awful announcing" post says TBS stands for Tampa Bay Sports.

. said...

Your loss.

andy said...

I am not friendly towards Manny. He should have done whatever he needed to in order to stay in Boston with me. I hate him for not being here.

. said...

video

music

diamonds are a girls best frient

all a girl like you could want

laura k said...

all a girl like you could want

I have no idea what you're talking about.

andy said...

Not a horrible Manny post on that blog. It does sound a bit unoriginal though. You wanted to go out on a limb but came off sounding like a neutered magazine writer.

andy said...

Tom Verducci is you Goboso.

andy said...

Welcome to the Joy Nation btw.

. said...

ahh, it doesn't matter. I don't even remember the point.

Thanks for the conversation.

Be well.

. said...

it's as true Manny as it gets, Andy.

Manny is basically a bimbo without the silver hair.

andy said...

Don't run away. This is nothing.

andy said...

Hey I have seen plenty a bimbo without silver hair.

andy said...

A guy a t a bar here in town had a manny hair hat thing. it was annoying to me. they act like he has been there all year.

allan said...

Gidget showing the Face.
PHI 2-0.

andy said...

This is the one true blog. I don't like randoms coming here and promoting there stuff on day one.

andy said...

My back was turned as I was breading my pork loin chops but on the TBS after game show one guy said he did well in the fantasy game they are promoting because he had Upton. the head guy said congratulations you have a 1 game hitting streak. that puts things into perspective. this Rays team is not good. just lucky.

. said...

well, andy, security is a wonderful thing...

andy said...

security? why do people resort to cryptic comebacks in these kinds of situations?

. said...

it's called being random

andy said...

Ok. To you it was not random. Just connect what you say in the smallest possible way, that's all it takes here.

. said...

Sorry. No offense. Night.

tim said...

a comment at an "awful announcing" post says TBS stands for Tampa Bay Sports.

I prefer Tampa Bull Shit.

And this garbanzo troll sounds like a fucking dolt.

laura k said...

I just came by to catch up, and see Manny is a bimbo! WTF? Future Hall of Famer, one of the greatest hitters of his generation, hardest worker most teams have ever seen. And he's a bimbo!

So glad we cleared that up.

andy said...

Selfish prick who took himself out of my loving grasp.

Rob said...

This blog isn't totally "What I say is right and that's that...", and we've been discussing Manny for the last few months, not to mention all year - but you should have some facts ready if you're going to start in on Manny. One-liners are not going to do it.

Telling us to read your blog doesn't make me at all interested. And telling me to read your blog because you wrote that Manny is a bimbo doesn't interest me, either.

allan said...

This blog isn't totally "What I say is right and that's that..."

No, not totally...

laura k said...

Ish just said it all. Perfect.

Amy said...

Well, I checked the score once during my class (with the encouragement of the class) and then was totally distracted for the rest of the class (it was 5-1 when class started, 8-1 when I checked). Luckily I do not teach Tues or Thurs evenings. WTF is wrong with our offense? Our pitching? Sad to watch.

Rob said...

Pitching is so important in the postseason, but where the Red Sox are right now, the biggest key to the series has switched from pitching to offense. Home plate has seen two pair of Red Sox feet since the 6th inning of Game 2. The combination of Lyndon, Flo, Youk, Drew and Bay went 2 for 18 tonight.

Since the 8th inning of Game 2, that goes up to 2 for 25.

allan said...

Manny is insane. RBI - now 7-for-8 with RISP.

We're shutting down and watching from bed now. LA up 3-2. Night.

SoSock said...

2 for 18 - OUCH!

I am still confident about us winning this series, but am conceding that THAT number will have to improve for it to happen.

Cancelled practice tonight due to a Board of Directrs meeting then stopped by the house thinking I might blow off the meeting anyway and watch the end of the game. Upon being greeted with a 5-0 deficit and watching a shitty half-inning I decided I might as well go to the meeting, since I've missed the last 4 or 5. Last one I made was before Cat went in the hospital, so pre-August.
Interestingly enough, I kinda get the connection between Manny and Marilyn, from a used-and-abused-by-the-media perspective anyway. I wouldn't, however, call him a bimbo. For that matter, I wouldn't call HER a bimbo.
Now Heidi, on the other hand.....:)

9casey said...

That sucked hard. I think its time for Tito to do to Ellsbury what he did to Crisp Last year ..Coco needs to play.....and is Sean Casey hurt, in the doghouse or whatever , whats the love affair with Kotsay......Time to shake it up wouldnt mind to see this tomorrow....


Pedroia 2b
Lowrie ss
Papi dh
Youk 1b
Drew rf
Bay Lf
Crisp CF
Casey 1b
Cash c

Joe Grav said...

BREAKING NEWS!!! PANIC!!!!! -eyeroll

Rob said...

Game-deciding dong for Philadelphia hit by one Matt Stairs. How about that. I think when he retires from baseball he won't be done hitting long balls. Could probably join those softball home run derby leagues that travel across the country to different ballparks and just hit dongs. He's from Fredericton and lives in Bangor, Maine, about 3 hours north of here.

Not many ballplayers spend their offseason in northern New England.

Joe Grav said...

GoBoSo, your 'blog' is the most rambling incoherent thing I've seen since the last Sarah Palin interview. I can't even begin to decipher a single discernible point from anything you've written.

you know how I can tell you're a twatwaffle? You list all of the Boston teams except for the Bruins in your interests. I bet you were one of the people calling Boston a 2-sport town when the Celtics sucked. Piss off, wanker

laura k said...

BREAKING NEWS!!! PANIC!!!!! -eyeroll

Nice!

laura k said...

Game-deciding dong for Philadelphia hit by one Matt Stairs.

Doung!

«Oldest ‹Older   201 – 383 of 383   Newer› Newest»