G155: Red Sox 8, Devil Rays 6

Red Sox Clinch Playoff Spot!

Red Sox   -  001 202 003 - 8 13 0
Devil Rays - 000 201 300 - 6  7 0

With Boston trailing 6-5, Varitek started the top of the ninth with a solo home run off Al Reyes. Hinske, who had looked horrible all night, followed with a double. After Crisp popped to third, Lugo homered to left!! Then Ellsbury doubled and took third on a foul pop to first, but was stranded at third.

Drew continues to be ON FIRE with a double, a home run, 3 RBI and 2 runs scored. Varitek was on base all four times tonight: walk, 2 singles and home run. And Eric Gagne looked fantastic once again and he picked up the victory.

***

A wild one this afternoon:

Blue Jays - 000 300 530 0 - 11 18 0
Yankees   - 010 014 320 1 - 12 17 1

***

Daisuke Matsuzaka (4.41, 103 ERA+) / Andy Sonnanstine (5.68, 81 ERA+)

Matsuzaka's ERA is 11.20 in three September starts -- and 7.15 in his last seven outings. In 26.1 innings against Tampa, his ERA is 3.42. ... Sonnanstine has a 9.00 ERA in three starts (15 IP) against the Red Sox.

Manny Ramirez will likely return no earlier than Tuesday at home against Oakland.

The Blue Jays play the Yankees at 1 PM: Marcum/Hughes.

East
Boston    91  63  .591   --  8 games left
New York  88  65  .575  2.5  9 games left
  
Wild Card
New York  88  65  .575   --  9 games left
Detroit   84  70  .545  4.5  8 games left
Seattle   82  71  .536  6.0  9 games left

Detroit hosts Kansas City at 7 PM.