Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Playoff Atmosphere in Tampa Bay

The Sox lost 4-2 in 13 innings. It was a tough loss as both sides squandered numerous opportunities in regulation play. But it had the air & feel of a playoff game. Lester & Garza were both tough on hitters. Both starters were out after the 7th & the Sox had a 2-1 lead.

Two points hit me during the game:

- The Daniel Bard experiment in the 8th was not-so-good as he gave up a homer to Longoria to tied the game 2-2, then proceeded to load the bases with no outs. Add in a wild throw to first which almost ended the game had the ball not gotten lodge in right field. Bard struckout the next batter & Delcarmen came in to get 2 more outs without the Rays scoring the go-ahead run. After this, Tito may want to stick with Bard in the 7th & leave Oki for the 8th.

- Dustin Pedroia only needed a fly ball with the bases loaded in the 9th, but he hit into an inning-ending double play with a ground ball to third. In that instance Petey's aggressiveness worked against him. But he also had an early-in-the-count home run off Garza, so I guess it all evens out.

The Trop remains not a fun place for the Sox. A split with a win tonight would be nice before heading into New York for four.

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