Games 140-142 Sox Sweep Rays

Saturday - September 12

One of the definite highlights of the year was the Boston Red Sox sweeping the Tampa Bay Rays while allowing them only two runs in the three game series effectively dashing any of their playoff hopes. This was a rain shortened game with the Sox exploding for 8 runs in the 3rd inning. Beckett pitched to one batter in the 6th when the game was called.

Final Score: Sox 9 Rays 1
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 3, 1 RBI and a SB

Sunday – September 13 Noon

With the game tied 1-1 in the 8th Dustin Pedroia delivered the game winning hit with a two-run homer off Matt Garza. Clay Buchholz was very solid with 7IP, 1R, 5H and 5SO. Oki had a hold and Paps his 36th save.

Final Score: Sox 3 Rays 1
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 3 and is now batting .300

Sunday – September 13 – Evening

An unusual day/night affair this is the make-up game for the rain-out Friday. Jon Lester pitched an absolute gem with 8 shutout innings and only giving up 2 hits while striking out 7. Bay had a solo homer and Tek had 2 RBIs. Billy Wagner contributed a scoreless 9th stranding 2 with 2SO. This was a most satisfying series for the Red Sox defeating the team they lost the ALCS to last year.

Final Score: Sox 4 Rays 0
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 3

Games 30, 31 and 32 – Red Sox Finally Take a Series from Tampa Bay

Friday May 8

Brad Penny had a decent outing giving up 8H and 3R in 6.1 innings pitched. The Rays got single runs in the 1st, 3rd and 4th innings. The Sox erupted for 5 runs in the home half of the 6th. Jason Bay, who else, hit a 3 run homer and J.D. Drew chipped in with a 2 run homer - all this off Sox nemesis James ‘Big Game” Shields. Dustin Pedroia was 4 for 5 with and RBI. The bullpen contributed 2.2 innings of scoreless 1 hit relief. Feels good to take the first game.

Final Score: Red Sox 7 Rays 3
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 5 including a double, an RBI and a run scored.

Saturday May 9

Boston was blown out and this one was ugly. Tampa was on top 2-1 entering the 5th inning when they exploded for 6 runs. They did it with the help of one double and 7 singles including some well placed grounders. Rays added 5 more runs in the 6th and there was never any doubt how this would end. Jon Lester’s line read 4.1 IP, 8R 10H. The Sox had solo homers from Rocco Baldelli and Julio Lugo. They were 2 for 12 with RISP and stranded 10 runners. Scott Kazmir left after 100 pitches thrown and 5 IP.

Final Score: Rays 14 Sox 5
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4 with a BB and a run scored

Sunday May 10

The ESPN Sunday Night game was a pitcher’s duel with Josh Beckett and Matt Garza. The game tied 1-1 in the 4th the Sox scored 2 runs after 2 were out on doubles by Jeff Bailey and Tek along with a Nick Green single. The latter was thrown out at second trying to stretch it. The Rays tied the game 3-3 with single runs in the 5th and 6th innings. Worth noting is that Beckett did get the third out in the 6th with men on second and third by striking out Dioner Navarro. Beckett left the game after 6 innings and 116 pitches. Back to back wall doubles by Ortiz and Bay pushed across a run in the 8th for the Sox. There was lots of drama in the 9th as Papelbon came on to get the save. A walk, an errant throw to first by Paps, a single and a steal of second and you have second and third no outs. What followed was a thing of beauty as Paps reached back (even hit 97 mph on the radar gun) and struck out pinch hitter Carlos Pena, B.J. Upton and Carl Crawford to preserve the win. The Sox finally took a series from the Rays and now head for the West Coast. Angels up next on Tuesday.

Game 3 - Sox Lose Rubber Game

Matt Garza, annoying hyperactive actions aside, is a puzzlement to the Red Sox. This includes today’s performance - seven innings of 4 H and 1 R baseball. On the other hand Dice-K wasn’t sharp yielding three homers and giving up 4 runs on 9 hits in only 5.1 IP as the Rays took the rubber game. Failing to get the big hit Sox had 10 runners LOB. On the plus side Tek homered again.

Rays 4 Sox 3

Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4 – a bunt single, SB, W and 2K’s

Photo is of Jed Lowrie striking out in the 8th inning with runners on 2nd and 3rd.