Rays 10;Big Papi 3--Peter

The headline just about says it all! Last night was frustrating because the Sox matched the Rays pitch for pitch until the end and even then, barely lost. Tonight, after the Sox half of the 1st, they dropped well behind and kept getting further and further back, only slightly slowed by the efforts of Big Papi. In fact, of the Sox total of six hits for the evening, only one other went for extra bases, a double by Yoouk, that never led to or brought in any runs.

Ortiz came up in the Sox 1st with Jake on base, worked a 1-1 count and promptly drilled one deep into the cheaps in right for the only lead the Fens Men had all evening, two zip. Then, in the 4th, Hose now trailing 8-2, Papi again took the third pitch he saw and launched it. It didn't make the seats this time, however, because their was a catwalk that supports the dome in the way. It came to rest there, never to be seen again--Sox now trailing 8-3. Other than that, no offense at all from the Hose tonight.

One thing seems certain. Based on tonight's eruption and an increase of his power shots in recent games, it appears that Ortiz is ready for the post-season. Lest we forget, it was Papi who was instrumental in the playoffs in 2004 in igniting the Sox run for the world championship.

There is some unfinished business to get there. With ten to play, the Hose are leading the wild card by seven over the Twinkies and eight over both the Jays and Mr. Hankie's Yankees. Also, even though they lost the season series with the Rays 10-8, as well as dropped four of the last six with the Rays, they are still within two of the Rays. The biggest hurdle in that area is that the Rays still have a dozen games left, and are three games up on our heroes in the lost column.

However, do not lose sight of one important stat in that won/lost season record. Of the ten Rays victories,six were by just a single run and an additional two wins were by two runs. Of the Eight Sox wins, all were by more than two runs. So, a hit here, a better pitch there and the record, not to mention their relative locations in the standings might be very different. Gonna' be an interesting final thirteen days of the season.