As Rays and Red Sox fans alike sit with bated breath awaiting tonight’s first pitch by James Shields at the Trop, I thought it apropos to look back at the 2008 season series between the two teams and pull together the five most important moments of 2008 (in chronological order).
1. April 25th, @Tropicana Field: Rays 5, Red Sox 4 (11 innings)
The first place Boston Red Sox came into Tampa Bay with a 15-10 record to face an upstart Rays team that found itself one game over .500 at 12-11 and only two back of the Red Sox. The first game of the season series sure set the tone for things to come as the two teams battled into the eleventh inning when Nathan Haynes singled off Mike Timlin to bring around Carl Crawford with the winning run. Something should have told us in that singular moment that this Rays team was different.
The Rays would sweep the Red Sox that series (5-4, 2-1, 3-0) to secure not only their first series sweep of the Red Sox, but first place in the American League East. The second game of the series may have signaled the beginning of the end for Clay Buchholz in 2008 as he pitched a gem through 7 2/3 innings before giving up the lead on a two out, two run home run to Akinora Iwamura. Game one Rays starter James Shields spun a beauty in the finale to cinch it for the Rays.
2. May 4th, @Fenway Park: Red Sox 7, Rays 3
The Red Sox quickly returned the favor a week later in Fenway Park with a sweep of their own capped off by a preview of Jon Lester to come. Lester shut the Rays down allowing one run over six innings while the Red Sox jumped all over Scott Kazmir in his first start coming off the disabled list to start the season.
Lester owned the left hand heavy Tampa Bay Rays lineup all season finishing 3-0 with a 0.90 ERA over 20 innings pitched against them in 2008.
3. June 4th, @Fenway Park: Red Sox 5, Rays 1
The Red Sox reclaimed first place in the AL East behind Josh Beckett being Josh Beckett. But the story of the night surrounded Coco Crisp. Angered when Jason Bartlett blocked second base with his knee on a steal attempt in the sixth that caused him to jam his finger, Crisp took some revenge with a hard slide into Akinori Iwamura in the eighth prompting some conversation from both dugouts.
Crisp on Bartlett’s blocking the bag: “I told him … I’d get back on base and then I’m going to show him how I felt about it”
Maddon on Crisp’s slide into Iwamura: “There’s no place for that when you intentionally try to hurt somebody”
While Iwamura called the matter closed, that wouldn’t be the end of that.
4. June 5th, @Fenway Park: Red Sox 7, Rays 1
Manny Ramirez (who?) hit a three run home run off of James Shields in the first giving Jon Lester all the runs he would need. But the story of this game was the culmination of the overflow of emotions from the night before. In Coco Crisp’s first at bat leading off the second inning, Shields sent a message that the Rays weren’t going to lie down and take it from anyone this season as he drilled Crisp who then charged the mound. Fireworks ensued as, the Enforcer, Johnny Gomes lead the charge on Crisp and both benches emptied.
For the Red Sox, the fight with the Rays wasn’t even the biggest fight of the evening. When Manny Ramirez and Kevin Youkilis got into it in the Red Sox dugout, the signs that Manny may not be long for Boston started pointing towards the door.
5. September 9th, @Fenway Park: Rays 5, Red Sox 4
The Red Sox had turned a 5 1/2 game lead into 1/2 and were poised to dethrone the Rays at the top of the A.L. East heap with a 4-3 lead after an eighth inning Jason Bay two run shot looked to have sealed the deal with Jonathan Papelbon coming in to close the door in the ninth. But a one out pinch hit solo shot from Dan Johnson, called up from the minors that day, blew the save and Dioneer Navarro doubled home the go ahead run off the All-Star closer to keep the Rays in first place to stay.
The season series between these two teams has been filled with close, meaningful games. Both teams have proven that they can get overcome the others strengths and while home field definitely matters, close games in the playoffs can swing on the simplest of plays. There aren’t likely two more evenly matched teams to battle for the A.L. pennant this season. Should be a blast everyone. Enjoy!!!
