Upstart Rays Lose to Mighty Red Sox in Game One

wayne chamberlain — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 03:47:16 -0400

While it may seem obvious that the Red Sox were putting the Rays in their place last night, I don't think that is the case. As the eternal optimist, I would like to point out that the Red Sox only scored two runs and left a lot of men on base.

Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched a great game, as he should have after a great season. The Red Sox are on a roll, and there might be some questions as to whether or not the Rays are the ones who can take them out.

The Rays are the ones to beat Boston and did not lose to a better team Friday night—they lost to themselves.

It was in the eighth inning that they should have taken the game, with Akinori Iwamura on second with no outs and B.J. Upton still at bat. Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria still to go. Carlos Pena flies out, and Longoria grounds out to a double play.

What could have been had they chosen their pitches better?

Tampa who? St. where? Thats right its the Rays. Go Rays!

wayne chamberlain — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:12:34 -0400

Why are the Tampabay Rays in the playoffs?

St. Petersburg, FL

Evan Longoria, not because he belted in two home runs today but because he is an image of the team itself. The new guy, the rookie that takes on the AL East and now the division. These players are not the ones who are playing for the big paychecks, they are the ones who are playing because they love baseball.

Earlier this year I drove Evan home from a club downtown, while his hand was broken, and he signed an autograph for my son. He signed it "E Longoria is your biggest fan, Livin the dream". This sums up this year, humility and a group of people livin the dream, the fans, the players and a city which hasn't had much to look forward to.

Many times I have heard people say that the Rays don't have great hitters or pitchers, that may be true but they have great heart and pitchers for all the right times and I will leave you with my example:

Shields is pitching in the seventh inning today and ends up hitting a batter to leave the bases loaded and only one out. Joe Maddon pulls Shields and puts in Grant Balfour. Grant Balfour strikes out Juan Uribe and then faces Orlando Cabrera, who seems to try and taunt Grant Balfour kicking up dirt and talking trash.

It Doesn't work he gets struck out also.

Balfour was the right pitcher for this moment. Three runners left on base that could have changed the game.

I hope we see more of these great decisions for the playoffs.

Bleacher Report - Articles by wayne chamberlain

Upstart Rays Lose to Mighty Red Sox in Game One

Tampa who? St. where? Thats right its the Rays. Go Rays!