HER RAYS!

Because that was exhausting!  The post season is supposed to be all about pitching right?  Not last night.  It was like a study in opposites compared to the first game.

Kazmir had a painful start, giving up two runs in the first.  Not the tone the Rays wanted to set, but you can’t count the Rays out that early in the game.

In the bottom of the 1st.  Pena doubled and the Longo hit a two run homerun to get right back into it.  That was huge against Beckett.  Longo looked more like himself.  Could have been the pep talk he got from Maddon, or maybe my idea worked.  IBT* squad to the rescue.

Both pitchers got through the 2nd inning.  Then Kazmir gives up a homerun to Pedroia.  Ugh.  3-2 Boston.

In the bottom of the 3rd BJ homers right back to tie it.  Longo doubles and Crawford singles to score him.  This game is officially wacked at this point.  4-3 Rays.

Floyd hits a bomb to center in the 4th inning.  5-3 Rays.  Rock on!

Top of the 5th.  Kazmir gives up another homerun to Pedroia.  Two homeruns to mighty mouse!  Yes, I yelled at the TV.  Then he follows that up with another long ball to Youkilis.  Aaaaagh!  Maddon’s seen enough.  Balfour is in.  He promptly serves one up to Jason Bay!  Can no pitcher hold the game tonight?!  Balfour even walked the next two, and JP had to come in to end the inning.  6-5 Boston.  Dammit.

Bottom 5th.  Upton walks and then steals 2nd.  Pena singles and BJ scores.  Unfreakingbelievable.  Tie game.  Longo doubles and scores Pena.  7-6 Rays.  Pitching smitching.  CC singles and scores Longo.  8-6 Rays.  Can they keep it that way?

Top of 6th.  Howell walks Pedroia.  Maddon comes to the mound and says “focus dude, if you only do one thing for me today, strike this mofo out!”  JP strikes out Ortiz.  Bradford comes in and gives up a single to score that pesky Pedroia.  Just like that, the lead is cut to one.

The pitchers actually hold in the seventh.  Totally amazing at this point.

Top of the 8th.  Pedroia singles off of Bradford.  The kid is everywhere, it seems like he’s up to bat every inning.  Miller comes in and walks the only guy he’s asked to get out, Ortiz.  Maybe Maddon should have given him the focus speech.  Wheeler comes in and gets Youkilis to ground into a double play!  Sweet, except now Pedroia is on third.  Then came the wild pitch that was heard around the world.  Pedroia scores.  Tie game, again.  I can’t handle much more of this.

Wheeler actually did a great job except for that wild pitch.  He pitched the Rays into the 11th inning, where he was rescued by Mr. Price.  Price came in with one out and a man on first.  He walked Drew, but then regained his composure and got out of the inning.  You know he had to be so nervous.  Great job chosen one.

Bottom of the 11th.  The Rays face Mike Timlin.  Navi walks and Perez comes in to run for him.  Zobrist walked.  Barty had a timely chopper down to third and moved the runners over.  They walked Aki, and the bases were loaded with one out.  BJ hits a short sac fly to right.  No problem for Speedy McSpeedster, Perez scores.  Rays win!  Rays win game two!

In this case 9>8!  Go Rays!

Get some rest today people.

*itty bitty titty

Doubting the Rays would be pretty foolish at this point in the season, but they definitely have a challenge ahead of them.  They got past the White Sox, but can they wear out the Red Sox?  It ain’t gonna be easy folks.  The Rays are going to have to lay it all on the line.  Just ask the Angels, any little mistake can cost you against Boston.  On the other hand, the Red Sox are going to have their hands full with the Rays too.

Yeah I just wrote a whole paragraph trying to say that this series is going to be intense.  I’m antsy just thinking about it.  At first I didn’t want the Rays to play Boston, but now I see that to be the best you have to beat the best, and it will only be that much more rewarding.

Here’s a list of what goes thru my mind when I see certain Red Sox players…

DiceK – his Indian name would be “man who throws too many pitches east”, because Kazmir is “man who throws too many pitches west”
Lester – ace of hearts, just need to get to the bullpen
Beckett – smug
Varitek – the glue
Casey – Mr. Ed
Youkilis – whiny baby who doesn’t suck at baseball
Pedroia – classic case of shortman syndrome
Lowrie – squeaky clean
Lowell – distinguished gentleman
Bay – coulda, shoulda, woulda
Ellsbury – annoyingly good
Drew – suddenly clutch
Papi – does he miss Manny?
Crisp – not kid appropriate, involves many four letter words

Oh and y’all thought I was crazy, but evidently I’m a trend setter.  Girls everywhere are going for the rayshawk to the south idea.  I think we should let the Red Sox players in on this phenomena.  That way maybe they’ll be distracted when they see a cute girl in the crowd, wondering if she’s really supporting her team.  Go Rays!!

Or better known as the never ending all-star game!

I guess it was quite a fitting send off for Yankees stadium.  You don’t have to be a Yankees fan to appreciate the stadium as a piece of our history, or to know how awesome that must have been for the Yankees past and present to be a part of.  Derek Jeter seemed to be just soaking it in all night.

Sheryl Crow seemed like an odd choice to sing the national anthem?  I expected some one more relevant to NY.

Wouldn’t it have been awesome if A-Rod came up to bat to a Madonna song?

The Gatorade ball girl climbing the wall to catch a foul ball commercial would have been a huge hit if it wouldn’t have been all over the Internet a month before hand.

Sheets pulls a Chase Utley and drops a nice F-bomb for the national audience.

A good friend of mine has now added Kevin Youkilis to his list of Red Sox players he would have to hit with a pitch.  He’s up to three now including Lugo and Crisp.  He has a point.

I saw a FOX commercial that really disturbed me.  Are they really going with the “There’s only one October” slogan again?  Cuz, I don’t know if I can take it.

Great to see Kazmir getting cutter lessons from Mariano Rivera.  I like his thinking.

Zambrano pitched one over Manny Ramirez’s head.  It was kind of cute, like a love tap or something.

Matt Holladay finally got past the awesome pitching and hit one out in the fifth.  I think he’d look great in a Rays uniform.  Ya with me simkins?

NL strikes again in the sixth as Buck and McCarver are giving the Rays some love.  Hanley Ramirez and Utley both get basehits, and Berkman hits a sac fly to score the run.  2-0 NL

In the 7th Morneau starts it off with a double.  Navi is in.  Oh, he strikes out, bummer.  Drew hits a two run shot to right.  I can honestly say that is the first time I’ve been happy to see Drew hit a home run!  Tie ball game.

Wierd.  Papelbon pitching and Navi catching.  Papelbon has had a shitty time in NY.  He was kind of unfairly ripped in the press, and the crowd is taking it out on him.  Maybe it’s like a karma thing for shooting his mouth off?

Tejada gets a base hit then steals second when Navi makes a terrible throw letting Tejada go to third.  Ugh, suddenly I know what it’s like to have little leaguer.  You just want him to shine.  Sac fly and the NL takes the lead 3-2 on a critical error by our guy.

Bottom of the 8th.  Sizemore gets a 2 out base hit.  Longo’s in!  Oh my gosh, he hit an RBI double!  I’m so proud!  He tied the game and saved Navi’s ass.

Top of the ninth K-Rod came in to pitch.  I was very surprised Rivera wasn’t called on, but then Terry Francona brought him in after a couple of batters, and he was able to make his grand entrance.  He and Navi get a strike out throw out to end the inning!  So proud again!

Navi struck out again in the bottom of the 9th, but remember these pitchers are filthy!

Dan Uggla had a nightmare of a night.  He ground into a double play top of the 10th and then made two errors in the bottom half.  They walked Guillen to load the bases.  0 outs.  Sizemore, Longo and Morneau all hit weak grounders and Cook was able to get out of the jam.  Unbelievable, I just wanted to go to sleep.

How many times do you think Corey Hart has been asked if he wears his sunglasses at night?

Bottom of the 11th was interesting.  Kinsler started it off with a base hit, then was thrown out stealing 2nd.  He was actually safe but whatever.  Navi walked.  Drew base hit.  So 1st and 2nd, 1out.  Young, who is quite cute, hits a basehit.  Run Navi, Run.  Navarro gets thrown out at the plate.  Looked like his feet might have gotten in, but I bet there are quite a few blog comments about the fat catcher today.

Continuing Uggla’s nightmare he struck out with bases loaded in the 12th, but so did Gonzalez.

Bottom of 12th.  Very late.  Guillen almost hits one out, settles for a double.  Sizemore grounds out and moves him over.  Longo has a chance to be the hero again, but…struck out.  Morneau walked and Kinsler grounded out.  C’mon! Doesn’t anybody want me to sleep?

Navi grounded out in the 13th.  Our guys sure are getting a lot of playing time.  Longo struck out again in the 14th.  I think.  Stuff was getting blurry.

Kazmir in to pitch!  He did great.  So proud again.

Bottom 15th.  Morneau base hit.  Kinsler flied out.  Navi gets a base hit!  WooHoo, I was delirious at this point.  Drew walked.  Then that super cute Michael Young hit a sac fly and Morneau scored the winning run!  Hallelujah it’s over.

Kamir was the winning pitcher!  Go Rays!!

Rays win round one!

Boston 4 – Tampa 5!  Rock on.

BJ Upton started it all with a first pitch homer.  So should he be a lead off hitter or a clean up hitter!

Lowell drove in a run in the fourth to tie it up, but Gabe Gross turned around and crushed a two run homer in the bottom half of the inning.  It was a no doubter.  Like Gwen Stefani.  I crack myself up.  Gross sure seems to have big games when the Rays need it.  He was showing his socks tonight, does it makes him look faster.

Navi threw a beauty to get Moss stealing in the fifth.

Pena hit a double and Aybar scored all the way from first to make it 1-4 Rays.

In the top of the 6th I thought Shields had Drew struck out, but he didn’t get the call.  I had a feeling…then Drew hit one to the seats in right.  Mother Scratchin Umpire.  2-4 Rays.

Shields gave up a basehit to the Lowell, who was on tonight, and a walk in the 7th, so that ended his night.  His night was stellar by the way.  Miller came in and gave up a walk.  Then Balfour finished out the inning.

Aybar had a pretty sac bunt in the 7th to move CC over.   Pena and Longo both walked.  Could we get that pitcher again tomorrow please?  He walked three and almost threw it away on the bunt attempt.  So bases are loaded, one out.  Maddon decides to bring in Gomes instead of Hinske.  Gomes hits a double play ball, but hustles it out, and the run scores.  2-5 Rays.

They bring Wheeler in for the 8th.  I was surprised Balfour didn’t pitch some more, but what do I know really.  Wheeler got three quick fly outs.

Percy takes the ball in the 9th because this gamed needed some more drama right?  First batter, Manny Ramirez.  No problem, he strikes himout.  Then Lowell, did I mention he’s hot tonight, doubles.  Youkilis hits a hard grounder to third.  Longo dives and knocks it down, but there’s no play.  Moss then hits a fly ball to right, but it hits a rafter or something in the roof and becomes a double which scores a run.  3-5 Rays.

So now there are men on 2nd and 3rd with one out.  Varitek steps up and hits a sac fly to right.  Gross is actually able to catch this one.  Another run scores 4-5 Rays.

To add to the drama, Percy is hopping around like his hamstring is grabbing?  Maddon comes out to check on him.  Percy wants to go.  Maddon says “I don’t like it.”  Percy says GFD.  Yeah he’s pissed.  Thankfully Maddon is reasonable and doesn’t let him stay in.  Matter of fact he had to tell him “that’s enough.”  I for one am thrilled because I’m not comfortable with Percival in one run games.  It’s purely emotional, but other guys make it easier on my guts.

Howell gets to come in with the tying run on third.  Fabio Lugo up to bat.  He of course had to take it to a full count, at which point I told JP that all my love for him would be gone if he walked Julio freakin Lugo.  He got him to line out to short!  Rays win!  I love JP Howell!

Let’s hope for a repeat performance tomorrow, from the first place Rays.  That’s pretty cool to type.  Go Rays!!

Gettin away from Garza.

Everything was getting away from Matt Garza tonight.  His pitches were getting away, and since they were comin up and in the batters started getting away, and then in the sixth the game got away from him.  Did he have onions at dinner? 

The Rays lost one tonight even though they didn’t play bad.  I’m still waiting for the night that offense clicks from top to bottom though.  Final score Tampa 4 – Boston 7.

Aki started it off on a high note with a home run.

Speaking of notes, has anyone else noticed that Garza seems to be singing to himself in between pitches?  I noticed it on his last start.  I wonder if he’s trying to keep himself loose?  What do you think he’s singing?

Pedroia’s beard is scraggly.  Ick.

In the bottom of the second I thought it was over.  Garza gave up a hit, home run, and a double with no outs.  Apparently he listened to me, since I was pleading with him “Settle down!”

He was dodging the bullet all night.  In the third he was in trouble but miraculously got Manny to ground into a double play.

Masterson buzzed BJ, and BJ was like, oh no you didn’t, and responded with a double.  Pena copied him and the Rays tied the game.

Nancy Drew should change his name to Rob, since he robbed the Rays a couple of times tonight.

Then to make matters worse he creamed one off of Garza.  2-3 Sox.

In the sixth BJ singles, steals second and then Pena hits one out.  Mmm Mmm good.  4-3 Rays.

That fuzzy feeling didn’t last though.  It all unravelled in the bottom of the sixth.  Garza hits Youkilis.  Then Manny hits a ground ball to short that Bartlett can’t handle.  Lowell fouls out.  Then Drew walks.  So bases loaded 1 out.  Varitek singles up the middle, scores 1.  Tie game.  So do you take Garza out?  My thought was no since he’s got the 8 and 9 hitters coming up.  I was wrong, Crisp hits a double that Hinske misplays.  4-6 Sox.

So Balfour comes in to relieve, and promptly walks Lugo.  Lugo.  You’ve got to make Lugo hit the ball.  Were they trying to set up the double play?  If so I don’t agree since Ellsbury is on deck.  He ends up hitting a sac fly, 4-7 Sox.  Balfour gets a strike out to stop the bleeding.

You better sit down for this news.  Glover pitched two scoreless innings.  No shit.

Why don’t they show the fan running on the field?  That’s must see TV.

The Rays never ending list of outfielders came in handy tonight when Maddon was playing bait and switch with Terry Francona. 

I get bummed when the Rays lose now, even when I knew it would be tough to win at Fenway.  Longo was robbed by Drew, and drew a walk but he also looked awful at the plate a couple of times.  Barty had an error at a bad time and was 0 for 4.  I still love you guys.

Let’s hope the Rays can shake it off, and come out swinging and pitching tomorrow.  Go Rays!! 

Pregame – Staats and Magrane with the call again.  I’m so obsessed with Staats hair.  Do you think it’s crunchy?  Ed-WIN Jackson vs. Clay Buchholz tonight.

Top 1st – slow roller + speedy runner = base hit for Ellsbury.  Pedroia hits into a nice 5-4-3 double play.  Drew gets a freakish broken bat single to Aki.  Jackson blows it all off and strikes out Ramirez.

Bottom 1st – Buchholz looks like a cute lemur, with way too many necklaces.  Aki strikes out.  Crawford grounds out.  BJ and Pena walk, but Bucholz blows it all off and strikes out Longo.

Top 2nd – Youkilis walks.  Crisp hits into a fielders choice, Youk out.  Varitek flys out to center and BJ doubles Crisp off first.

Bottom 2nd – Three up, three down go the Rays.

Top 3rd – Lowrie rips a nice base hit.  Word on the street is he’s workin Fabio Lugo out of a job.  Lugo flies out.  Ellsbury and Pedroia go down too.

Bottom 3rd – Three up, three down go the Rays again.  Shucks.

Top 4th – Three up, three down go the Red Sox.  WooHoo!

Bottom 4th – Upton doubles to left.  Rock on.  Pena grounds out but moves BJ to third.  Longo and Hinske both ground out.  Fudge.

Top 5th – Crisp base hit.  Varitek strikes out.  Wild pitch to Lowrie and Crisp goes from first to third.  Ugly.  Lugo strikes out.  Ellsbury hits a hard grounder to third and Longo damn near got him but Crisp scores.  1-0 Red Sox.  Pedroia grounds out.

Bottom 5th – Gross, Riggans and Bartlett sit back down in order.

Top 6th – Pena makes a great grab at first and they get the Sox 1,2, 3.

Bottom 6th – 3 Rays get out.

Top 7th – 1 walk but 3 Sox get out.

Bottom 7th – 3 Rays  don’t get on base.

Top 8th - Miller gets Ellsbury to pop out, and strikes out Pedroia, but then walks Drew.  No fear, Doh!man strikes out Manny Ramirez!

Bottom 8th – Gross strikes out.  Navarro in to hit for Riggy.  He totally struck out but the Sox didn’t get the call and one pitch later he singled to right.  Bartlett flies out.  No Way!  Aki hits a two run homer to right!  Who knew??  Rays take the lead .  Boston 1 – Tampa 2.  CC gets out.

Top 9th – Percy in to pitch.  He gets Youkilis and Crisp to fly out.  Then strikes out Varitek!  Rays beat Boston again!

Postgame – This game was not nearly as exciting as last nights most due to some great starting pitching.  Edwin pitched a great game.  Glad I’m not making the decision when Kazmir returns.  Buchholz also pitched great.  I actually felt sorry for him since he only made that one mistake and it cost him. 
More good relief pitching.  It’s hard for a Rays fan to handle.  Navarro came in and stepped up big with a single.  Aki is the hero tonight!  What’s next?  Is Bartlett hitting a walk off tomorrow?  Go Rays!!

What a game!  I’m exhausted.  Whew, where to start…

Crawford triples in the first to set the tone.  So awesome to watch.

Upton hits a sac fly to bring him in.

Garza had an agonizing 2nd inning.  No control.  Did he spit this much in his other starts?  He ended up walking in a run and giving up two more.

Wakefield had almost as much trouble the next inning but got out of his bases loaded jam.

Garza came back much better after that.

Bottom of the 3rd, runners on 1st and 2nd and BJ is called out stealing 3rd.  What does he have to do to get a call?  I’m suprised he hasn’t completely lost it.  He was clearly safe and this was a big deal because the next batter, Longo, singled and drove in one run that should have been two.  I found myself thinking of this all throughout the game.

BJ made a great diving catch in center.

Crawford tripled again in the fourth scoring one, then Gomes brought him in.  It was technically an E by Lugo.

Howell relieved Garza and was very hittable.  He gave up one run, but Crawford made a web gem catch to end the threat.

Howell came back strong after that and went through the heart of Boston’s order.

Wheeler gives up an unfortunate infield single.  Followed by a grounder to Aki that should have been a double play ball or at least one out, but a little hesitation later, no outs.  It was quite unbelievable.  I thought the game was over right there.  Maddon actually made a smart move and came out to settle everyone down.  2 on and 1 out and Wheeler digs deep to get Ortiz to fly out and strikes Manny out.  That rocked.

So bottom of the ninth.  Aki walks.  Crawford strikes out.  Upton fielders choice, Aki out at second.  Pena in to pinch hit.  How many thought this was a good idea??  He singles to right, BJ to third.  They walk Longo.  Bases loaded for Hinske.  He hits one all the way to the wall, but Drew makes the catch.  Soooo close.  I thought they missed their chance.

Miller gets a strike out but walks two in the top of the tenth.  Glover comes in and gets Fabio Lugo to ground into a double play.  Love it!  Bartlett is playing awesome in the field by the way.

Bottom of the tenth.  Navarro gets a wing and a prayer infield single.  Gross strikes out.  Bartlett hits a double play ball but shows determination and hustles himself safe at first.  Aki flys out anyway.

Glover is back in.  He hits Varitek.  Ugh.  Ellsbury sac bunts and moves him over.  Pedroia singles to right but Varitek stays at third because Gross has a cannon for an arm.  I like him out there.  So Dohman comes in with runners on first and third and gets Ortiz to ground into a double play!  Frickin amazing!

Bottom 11th – Crawford singles to left. (after being down 0-2 and taking it to a full count) Then he steals second, because he can.  BJ walks.  So who’s up?  Nathan Haynes.  He ran for Pena earlier.  He hits a game winning single!  No, I’m not shitting you!  Nathan Haynes is the hero!

Rays win in 11.  Final score Boston 4 – Tampa 5.  It was a great game.  The Rays put it all together and came away with a big win!  I must sleep now.