On paper, Game 3 looked like the biggest mismatch of the series, and the final score certainly wasn't close. But it was in the exact opposite direction you would've expected, with the Rays beating up on Red Sox ace Jon Lester and taking the third game, 9-1. After his game winning sac fly on Saturday night, B.J. Upton has now been part of the two biggest plays in franchise history, as his three run homer in the third was the biggest play of the game, putting the Rays up 4-0 and stunning the Fenway crowd. Rocco Baldelli's homer in the 8th really put it out of reach, and allowed the Rays to save their two best relievers, Grant Balfour and Dan Wheeler. Strangely, J.P. Howell was left in to pitch a second inning when the score was 8-1. He's their top lefty out of the pen, and with another game on Tuesday night, Maddon probably should have put Chad Bradford in, or even tried to get two innings out of Edwin Jackson.
Either way, Matt Garza's excellent performance (6 IP, 1 R, 5 K) allowed Tampa to rest almost their entire pen after Saturday night's marathon, although the same can be said for the Red Sox, who used only Paul Byrd in relief of Lester. Now the Rays just need to split the next two games in Boston, so they can go back home up 3-2. Taking the lead in the series ensures that they won't go back to James Shields on short rest and will send Andy Sonnanstine to the mound in Game 4. Tonight's game also makes the potential Game 7 rematch of Garza vs. Lester look a lot more favorable for the Rays than it did just a few hours ago.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-14-2008 @ 8:41AM
Charlie said...
The Red Sox are so cocky including their fans. I went to the game at the Trop and they still try to pick a fight even with 35,000 + Rays fan around them. Look who's scared now down 2-1.
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10-14-2008 @ 9:29AM
Dennis said...
Red Sox Fans need help! so do the red soxs
Rays will win tonight!
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10-14-2008 @ 10:05AM
RICHARD said...
whats up with the red soxs fans leaving after the Rocco homer, so much for thier die hard love for thier team!!!!!!
GO RAYS!
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10-14-2008 @ 10:09AM
Patrick said...
You can try to put a happy face on it all you want, and tell the world how great Jason Bays is, but, without Manny in that lineup to protect him, Ortiz has been nullifed as a meaningful threat. No Manny, no World Series.
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10-14-2008 @ 11:01AM
nick said...
The manager needs to take a hit on this one. The second game should have been won by the RED SOX, his management skills were not the best. He doesn't lesson to his folks around him, let's people talk him out of making what is best for the team. Example Beckett was giving him alot of BS, the guy is hurt.
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10-14-2008 @ 11:29AM
Bedrock Comics said...
It's only 2 games to 1 hello out there must be a ton of Angels and Yankees fans in and what are they doing
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10-14-2008 @ 11:46AM
tonytiger18 said...
This Red Sox team is not as good as last year.
The Rays are the new favorite kid on the block that will knock the Red Sox off their mountain.
Most fans are tired of Boston and its arrogant and beligerent fans and listening to their whining when the other team gets the benefit of close calls The Sox were the beneficiary of close calls the last several years, now it is the Rays's turn.
Ortiz said that it is good not to see the same team over and over ( Yankees).
Well, I'm tired of seeing a one dimensional player like Ortiz and his fat ass along with the cliche chirping Red Sox players.
It will be great for baseball to see a new team emerge as champs.
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