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Bullpen implodes in 12th
After the Devil Rays tie it in the ninth, the Red Sox score six in the 12th for the victory.
By EDUARDO A. ENCINA
Published July 29, 2007
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New Ray Grant Balfour reacts in the seventh, during which he gave up two runs.
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[Brian Cassella | Times]
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[Brian Cassella | Times]
Red Sox fans celebrate during a six-run 12th, in which Jae Kuk Ryu allowed two runs. Brian Stokes allowed the other four runs.
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ST. PETERSBURG - On the surface, the way the Devil Rays' 4-hour, 38-minute marathon ended Saturday night - with Tampa Bay's bullpen offering up six runs in the 12th inning in a 12-6 loss to the Red Sox - it would be easy to point blame at the team's much-beleaguered bullpen, which the organization's brass spent the past 24 hours rebuilding.
But a deeper look reveals just exactly how far apart 25 1/2 games are in the AL East standings - even on a night when the division-leading Red Sox handed Tampa Bay several chances to win.
Ex-Ray Julio Lugo drew a bases-loaded walk from Brian Stokes. Kevin Youkilis hit a three-run double off Jae Kuk Ryu, and Manny Ramirez's hit flew past a charging B.J. Upton in center for a two-run double, all with two outs in the 12th.
The Rays didn't help their own cause, going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. And the Red Sox made key defensive plays - most notably Ramirez's running grab of Jonny Gomes' drive to left that could have thwarted a possible rally in the fourth. And in the end, the Rays didn't get the calls, even frustrating manager Joe Maddon into his second ejection of the season.
"I could make a bunch of excuses, but from what you watched out there, you saw basically why the 2007 Red Sox will play in October and why you won't be seeing us playing in October," Gomes said. "Sure, we scored six runs, but we didn't score runs when it counted. The pitching wasn't there. We couldn't catch a break. Their guys are all over the place catching balls."
Gomes hit a two-run homer - his second homer of the night - in the ninth off Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon to send the game to extra innings.
Maddon - who was ejected in the 11th after Al Reyes didn't receive a full-count check-swing call on Youkilis - blew up and went nose to nose with plate umpire Mark Wegner.
"I felt I had to make a statement on behalf of our group," Maddon said. "It was my fault. He had every right to throw me out."
The Red Sox blew a chance to go ahead that inning when they couldn't capitalize on Lugo's leadoff double. The Rays had a chance to win the game in the 10th with Akinori Iwamura on second with no outs, but couldn't score.
Rays starter James Shields looking impressive early, striking out the side in the first, but he allowed a two-out run-scoring single to Jason Varitek and a bases-loaded walk to Lugo to give the Red Sox a 2-0 lead. Shields grew stronger as the game went on but left after five innings after reaching 97 pitches.
Red Sox 12
Rays 6
12 innings
[Last modified July 29, 2007, 01:58:39]
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Comments on this article
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by Duke
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07/29/07 03:18 PM
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It's disgusting to turn on the TV and think you're watching the Rays playing the Red Sox at Fenway; so much for loyal fans. Rays need to get the pen together; trading Reyes as rumored isn't going to do it. What happens to Rocco when he's ready?
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by Clancy
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07/29/07 02:12 PM
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Who cares?
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by Richard
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07/29/07 02:11 PM
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Send Upton to the minors until he decides he wants to play baseball. He has done this before costing the Rays a run. Or at least remove him from the game after the inning to make a statement that this won't be tolerated.But he gets thrown out instead
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by Robert
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07/29/07 01:02 PM
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Not only the bullpen. The Rays are playing....like a very tired team. While watching a game, count the number of mental and physical mistakes.
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by This isn't fuuny Sternberg
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07/29/07 12:40 PM
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MLB should be ashamed to label the Rays as a Major League team. At first it was comical to watch these amatures get pushed around by "real" teams but now it is just digusting. The sooner this team is done away with the better. Go back to 28 teams !!
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by JC
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07/29/07 11:29 AM
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Merlot Joe-Still the nice guy. "It was my fault, he had every right to throw me out" What the heck is that? Now he is letting the umps off the hook. Have a little conviction,stand up for something. Say you think he made the wrong call.
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by the trop
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07/29/07 11:01 AM
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hes out of options, so are the rays. I dont mind the wiggy deal, but who the heck are these other guys we got for mclung and cantu?
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by JB
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07/29/07 10:34 AM
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Is Maddon apologizing for getting tossed? Does he also feel bad for the other team on the rare occassion the Rays win a game?
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by BP
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07/29/07 09:50 AM
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Lee is right. Cantu was OUT. By why upset all the Red Sox fans at the game?
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by Bill
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07/29/07 08:41 AM
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"Shields grew stronger as the game went on but left after five innings after reaching 97 pitches" Says it all. Go to the bullpen 2-innings early. Manage for tomorrow's development instead of going for today's win. This is why the future never comes!
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by Richard
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07/29/07 06:29 AM
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Stokes' ERA is 7.90! His WHIP is 1.98! Hitters are batting almost .350 against him! How can he still be on this team?
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by Steve
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07/29/07 06:13 AM
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Why is Stokes still here? He has been miserable the whole year! I can't remember too many games he's been in when he hasn't given up any runs. Is he out of options? Although he has a very good arm, he hasn't learned how to 'pitch' yet.
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by Lee
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07/29/07 03:27 AM
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No mention of the poorly called play at first that led to Balfour's two runs?
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