Posted on 10/17/2008 6:16:30 AM PDT by reaganaut1
BOSTON — With each invigorating inning, the outlook grew more sublime for the Tampa Bay Rays. They are young, fearless and resilient, and they were about to bury the Boston Red Sox. Seven outs were all the Rays needed to reach their first World Series and end Boston’s season. Seven outs.
But the Rays could not get those unlucky seven outs. The Red Sox stunned the Rays by rebounding from a seven-run deficit in the seventh to win, 8-7, in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. Seemingly dead, the Red Sox unfurled a miraculous rally in the last three innings and now trail three games to two in the best-of-seven series. It is still a vibrant series, a series in which the Red Sox have snatched the momentum.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Hopefully they’ll beat each other to a bloody pulp over the next two games and wear down their pitching staffs, so whoever wins will be tenderized for the Phillies...
As Yogi Bera once said: “It aint over, till its over!” And, as long as I’m throwing out sports cliche’s, I’ll just say: “That’s why they play the game (or hold the election).”
Great story and metaphor for the present political times. It’s NEVER over until its over.
I’ve visited Boston a few times and it a town that seems to have “it” when it comes to sports. I hope the series goes down to the last game and last pitch.
The Outlook wasn’t brilliant for the Mudville nine that day:
The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play.
Francona better pitch Leister in game six.
Go Sox !
Thank you! I hope Terry is listening. Lester would be going on 4 days rest and he would absolutely be a better choice than Beckett, who is clearly not himself. I really believe he is hurt - just a theory, but it might be why he has appeared confused on the mound when Varitek gives him signs with runners on - the guy is in some serious pain and has been gutting it out.
I have seen managers do this consistently. Who say a guy can't pitch 9 innings? Lou Piniella (Cubs) does that a lot also.
I hope the Rays have it together to finish off Boston. Sorry, just not a fan of anything east coast.
Why on earth did Maddon leave Wheeler in to give up five runs, and what was he smiling about as he watched it happen?
Over?
I think not.
(Been riding with my tagline the past week or so.)
I sure don’t have a clue. It was like a preplanned loss so he could pitch Shields in Tampa. WTF. That is a losing attitude for a manager. Now they better watch their butts.
Maddon could have been outmanaged by a 4th grader in the last few innings of the game. Terry went to his best bullpen pitcher in the 7th to limit the damage while Maddon gambled that his guys (who were out there getting smoked batter after batter) would get 9 outs before giving up 8 runs. It’s managing to not-lose as opposed to managing to win.
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