soxscloop

I said earlier that winning just one game in Tampa would be enough to keep the race very close, but it was hard not to be disappointing by the Sox loss last night, after winning game 1. The Beckett-Sonnanstine rematch was a mirror of the first duel; both pitchers pitched a beautiful game and neither were involved in the decision.  Beckett was in line for the win when the Sox went up 1-0 on a sac fly by Youk, but the Rays tied the game on a solo homer by Carlos Pena, who relishes being a pain in my ass. Beckett came out after eight excellent innings (3 hits, 1 run, 1 BB, 7Ks) and was replaced by Justin Masterson, who despite his steel nerves, was immediately the victim of bad luck. Jason Barlett got jammed but weakly fisted the ball over the infield. Pena walked and Floyd was hit in the back leg by a slider. Longoria sruck out but Navarro lifted a fly ball to deep center, which was probably catchable, but there was no point with one out so Coco just let it drop.

The rubber game will be Wakefield, coming off 8 shutout innings, vs. Matt Garza, pitching on 3 days rest. If the Sox win, the division is tied gain. If they lose, they are 2 games back.

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