Rays rebound
In case you nodded off, the Rays and Red Sox played well into this morning in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series before the Rays evened the series with a 9-8 victory in 11 innings. It isn't often that a 5 1/2-hour baseball game is worth the wait, especially one that doesn't start until nearly 9 p.m., but at least it wasn't a school night.
What figured to be another low-scoring game like the night before turned into a meteor shower that left both Red sox starter Josh Beckett and Rays starter Scott Kasmir wondering what hit them.
Dustin Pedroia hit a pair of homers for the Red Sox and presumptive American League Rookie of the Year Evan Longoria (right) parlayed a personal pep talk from manager Joe Madden into a 3-for-5 performance that included a home run and two doubles.
The two teams combined for seven home runs, which tied a postseason record that was first set during the 1989 "Earthquake Series" between the San Francisco Giants and Oakland A's. It might have ended at a semi-reasonable hour if not for a wild pitch that scored Pedroia with the tying run in the eighth inning, but that was the only blemish on a terrific 3 1/3-inning relief outing by Tampa Bay's Dan Wheeler.
The Rays finally won in the bottom of the 11th on a shallow sacrifice fly ball by B.J. Upton that scored speedy pinch runner Fernando Perez and sent the ALCS to Boston tied at a game apiece.
Getty Images
> 
Comments
This may have been the worst managed playoff game in a long time. How was Beckett still in the game in the 5th? These managers think it is a game in August and not in October. He had nothing, they finally grab and the lead and it took him 2 minutes to give it up.....
Posted by: Brad M | October 12, 2008 8:19 AM
It was a great game and once Timlin came in, I knew the Rays would win. My complaint is that they have to do something to speed up these games. Even if the game ended after 9, it would have taken 4 hours!!
The powers to be need to stop letting hitters take so much time between pitches. Boston takes forever. There should also be some kind of 'shot clock' for pitchers too.
It's sad when many fans aren't awake by the end of the game; the cameras showed numerous people sleeping...
It sounds good on paper to start the games earlier but we all know that TV rules. MLB doesn't want to go head to head with college football on Sat. or NFL on Sun. No reason why they can't play in late afternoon during the week -maybe they're afraid to go head to head with the Young & Restless!
Posted by: TerryP | October 12, 2008 8:35 AM
didn't see game but saw story which said old O Timlin walked two guys to start final inning. Wonder where he learned that
Posted by: jrute | October 12, 2008 9:53 AM
Why does Papelbon get to take 1 minute between pitches?
That game was waay too late, I couldn't hang. Is this the way to develop future fans of the game? The showcase events of the league are ending after 1:00AM.
This old man couldn't make it.
Posted by: drewdy | October 12, 2008 10:53 AM
MLB has a lot of work to do to shorten games. This game was nearly 3 hrs old and it was only in the 6th inning. 5 1/2 hrs for 11 innings? Maybe 4 hrs but there is just too many commercials and delays during the game.
With this new generation of kids growing up with tivos and fast forwarding through ads and delays, I can't imagine many will want to sit through lengthy games.
Posted by: Rich | October 12, 2008 12:47 PM
Pete,
I know they won World Series, but Terry Francona has done a horrible job with his pitchers. Last week on the night before a day off, he started the 8th with a one run lead with some middle reliever in lieu of Paplebon. After a triple, he brings in Paplebon to get the same 6 outs, only a sac fly ties the game and they have to score another run.
Beckett did have it, everyone except Terry knew it and he kept bringing him back to blow leads. With Sunday off, he could have gone through his whole pen from the 3rd inning! The Rays have a better long to middle inning pen than the Red Sox
Posted by: Keith Rowe | October 12, 2008 7:57 PM
In case you forgot it.....
Today, 1971: Brooks Robinson sets a World Series record by reaching base five consecutive times against the Pirates. Robinson's barrage helps Baltimore to an 11-3 win in Game 2.
Yeah yeah, I know how the series ended....!!
Posted by: jon germany | October 13, 2008 9:11 AM