Justin Masterson gave up a single with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth and the Rays walked off with a 2-1 win and sole possession of the A. L. East once again.
At least for one night.
Josh Beckett went 8 innings, giving up one run, one walk, and struck out seven in the no-decision.
Goat of the Game: LOB
Six runners left on base may have been the difference in this one.
Next Game: Take it
If the Boston Red Sox get anything out of this series it is being tied for the A. L. East lead after tomorrow night’s game.
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Tomorrow is the playoff tie-breaker for the division. Beat the Rays, win the pennant. Simple as that. Lose, and we go in as underdog wild card. Go Sox.
Soxaholix puts it pretty nicely:
“Well, that’s the othah thing
Why the heck Francoma would opt to take out Beckett in the 9th and throw a rookie into one of the most important moments in the season, I’ll never know.
This might not be such a great night. Sounds like the Sox may be without Lowell, who is likely to take the night off to rest his hip. That would mean no Bay and no Lowell. I just hope that Tito puts Casey in the lineup instead of Cora, and doesn’t do something stupid like bat Kotsay in the 5-hole.
I’m not upset about the decision to take out Beckett. Since coming back he’s gone from 80 to 85 to 95 pitches so it seems like some conservation is going on. Get him primed for the post season. And I’d rather has Masterson feel the heat of a high pressure inning now instead of during the ALCS. What is annoying is that Tampa is something like 6-0 in one run games against us.
This isn’t to anyone in particular, but I am seriously sick of this “Drew is a wuss” line of thinking. BP has us at a 99.963% chance of making the playoffs, meaning we’re probably gonna make it. Do you really want a crippled team heading in, or one that’s totally rested?
The division would be great, but going into the playoffs with a rested team at 100% is greater. Relax.
Bay could have made the difference with the LOB last night! Best of luck with him and his wife though.
I totally agree with Sean O about JD Drew. If the man is hurting right now, then let him heal instead of shoving him into the lineup to win a few meaningless games! We’ll beat whoever it takes in the playoffs if we’re healthy!
Yeah, I think Sean O is on the money here. I think his logic also goes with Beckett too. Josh was in his third start back and going in the Sox said he’d only go 90-100 pitches. They even let him go a bit over that, but why take the chance of him getting hurt to win the division when your playoff spot is already locked up. A healthy playoff Josh Beckett is way more important than home-field advantage in the ALDS.
I’m with you on that one, Sean. No reason to risk a more serious injury. And, I’m actually not wholly against giving Lowell an extra day to rest his hip…just pointing out that it makes a win tonight less likely.
Even with a 2 game deficit heading into the final week and a half, I still don’t think this race is over. Not with the Rays finishing with eight on the road (yes, I know it’s Baltimore and Detroit, but still…) and the Sox ending the year with seven at home.
The key at this point is to stay healthy.
If we win the division, we open the playoffs at home against WS, right?
If we lose division, we open up against Angels on the road.
Do we have a closer that can come in and shut things down when the game is on the line?
I’m not so sure anymore.
No way do you bring Beckett out for the ninth. That was only his third start since his DL stint, and we need him for the playoffs. Also, we have to find out who’s pitching the 7th and 8th innings in the postseason; Francona has to test Masterson in high-leverage situations.
My big question about last night: how in the world did Andy Sonnanstine suddenly turn into Cy Young? He’s a pedestrian back-of-the-rotation guy, and he shuts down the Red Sox twice in a row. The problem with the Sox’ offense wasn’t the LOB — six isn’t that many — it was the OB.
2009 schedule released. Not playing the weekend of my wedding. dammit.
Red Sox lineup for tonight. No Lowell, as expected…
Red Sox
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, LF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
5. Mark Kotsay, RF
6. Jed Lowrie, SS
7. Sean Casey, 1B
8. Coco Crisp, CF
9. Kevin Cash, C
P — Tim Wakefield
There you have it. The Rays play a Red Sox with no Lowell, no J.D. Drew, no J.Bay, and Youk on 3rd . . . and slumping Mark Kotsay in the 5-hole, lol.