Tough loss last night for the Boston Red Sox as Evan Longoria hit the tying and game-winning home runs to give the Tampa Bay Rays a 4-2 win. With the loss, the Red Sox fell 1.5 games behind the Yankees and it also allowed the Rays to gain ground on them.
It turned out to be a pitcher’s duel early on as Matt Garza and Jon Lester were dealing. The Red Sox were able to break through against Garza for two home solo home runs off the bats of Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia. The Rays were unable to get anything off of Lester but scored all 4 of their runs off of the Red Sox bullpen.
Both teams had many chances to win this in the late innings. After giving up the game-tying home run to Longoria, Daniel Bard came a bit unglued and loaded up the bases. Manny Delcarmen came in and bailed him out. The Rays also had their chances in the 10th inning against Ramon Ramirez but he got out of it. The Red Sox were unable to take advantage of their bases loaded situation as no one could deliver the clutch hit.
Things got so bad for the Red Sox bullpen last night as far as it’s usage that Saturday’s starter Clay Buchholz was warming up in case the game continued. I’m pretty sure we can expect to see a callup from Pawtucket to help the bullpen out. Had Justin Masterson not been traded, Terry Francona wouldn’t have had that problem.
The Red Sox need to pull out a win tonight before heading to the Bronx for a big 4-game set with the Yankees.
Links coming up after a 10-second station ID on the Red Sox Blogging Network.
Sting Rays [Boston Globe]
For Ortiz, the real test is yet to come [Boston Globe]
Watch now as teams do the waive [Boston Globe]
Bullpen needs some relief [Boston Globe]
The Remy rundown [Boston Globe]
Francona: Walking Longoria not preferred option [Extra Bases]
Red Sox won’t sign international amateur Payano [Full Count]
What’s up in the outfield [Full Count]
Longoria’s 13th-inning blast wins it for Tampa Bay [Providence Journal]
Lester pitches brilliantly, but doesn’t get a win [Providence Journal]
Red Sox expect to make call-up to help spent bullpen [Providence Journal]
Ortiz still hasn’t addressed steroids issue, but Sox say it’s because he’s still in the dark [Providence Journal]
Red Sox journal: Drew and Bay swapping days in the lineup as they slowly recover from minor ailments [Providence Journal]
Bullpen ballbag nearly proves costly for Rays [RedSox.com]
Red Sox hope to solve Rays at the Trop [RedSox.com]
Tampa Bay Rays won’t go away [Boston Herald]
David Ortiz wants test results [Boston Herald]
Jon Lester: All for naught [Boston Herald]
Evan Longoria does it again [Boston Herald]
For more slices of Boston Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, and Providence Journal websites.
And if you must see what the enemy papers are saying you can check out the Tampa Tribune and St. Petersburg Times websites.
