October 16, 2008

ALCS 5: Red Sox 8, Rays 7

Rays    - 203 000 200 - 7  8  1
Red Sox - 000 000 431 - 8 11 0
ALIVE!


Tampa Bay was seven outs away from the American League pennant -- and the Red Sox were down by seven runs.

The Rays recorded only six of those outs -- and the Red Sox scored eight times to complete the greatest comeback by any team facing elimination and the second biggest comeback in post-season/World Series history and send this ALCS back to Florida.

David Ortiz's three-run dong to right in the seventh was a big blow -- cutting the lead from 7-1 to 7-4 -- but it was J.D. Drew who was the hero. After Jason Bay walked on four pitches to start the eighth inning, Drew clubbed a two-run shot to right off J.P. Howell to bring Boston to within 7-6. With two outs, Mark Kotsay doubled off B.J. Upton's glove in deep left-center and Coco Crisp capped off a 10-pitch at-bat with a line drive single to right. Gabe Gross's throw did not make the infield on the fly and Kotsay scored the tying run.


With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Kevin Youkilis reached second base on a throwing error by Evan Longoria. Jason Bay was walked intentionally. Drew then lined a 3-1 pitch over Gross's head in right field and Yook scored the game-winning run.



***

Lineups:
Crisp, CF        Iwamura, 2B
Pedroia, 2B Upton, CF
Ortiz, DH Pena, 1B
Youkilis, 3B Longoria, 3B
Bay, LF Crawford, LF
Drew, RF Floyd, DH
Lowrie, SS Navarro, C
Varitek, C Gross, RF
Kotsay, 1B Bartlett, SS
***

BR Preview: Scott Kazmir / Daisuke Matsuzaka

Fact: Tampa Bay is three games away from elimination. The Rays have been conducting a Totally Kicking Ass 101 seminar since last Saturday, but the real ALCS begins tonight. Fenway Park will be rocking. We will make our own destination.

Joe Maddon has altered his pitching rotation, not to go for the kill in Game 5, but to set his team up for a better Game 6 matchup. Big mistake, Joe. Big. Tito the Assassin knows that when you have your target lined up in your sights, you fucking fire. You don't stop and check if your shoelaces are tied.


Choosing Kazmir over Shields has left the ALCS door a bit more open than it was 24 hours ago - and the Large Father & Co. are gonna barge in and make themselves at home. Backs to the wall -- win or go home -- "got to make it interesting" -- this is what we do -- and this is when we do it -- because "If you wear a Red Sox uniform jersey, you're a bad motherfucker."

Stick with me baby, stick with me anyhow
Things should start to get interesting right about now
Bob Dylan - "Mississippi"


***

It worked in 2004. It worked in 2007. It'll work in 2008.
One. One game. One win. That's all.

Not three, not two.

One.

Tonight.
***

Matsuzaka, October 21, 2007:
I don't know if the term "switched on" is the right term or the right way to describe, but I am all on for [tonight].

907 comments:

«Oldest   ‹Older   801 – 907 of 907
A Conformer said...

Chances for a green light: 0.05%

Amy said...

He's not giving him anything. Waiting to pitch to Jed.

Rob said...

He knows he's got no fastball. No heat at all.

Threw a change on 3-0

tim said...

No need for a PR.

SoSock said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALLAN !!!!

Amy said...

WE WIN!!!!

Rob said...

GADFTYL;ASFDJYLKDTALSFDTYJAFYDFY!!!!!!!!!!


FIRST ROUND OF DIRTY WATER IS ON ME!!!!!

tim said...

HOLY SHIT

laura k said...

WE WON WE WON WE WON WE WON WE WON

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

efd said...

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

Gambrinus said...

HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT

Rob said...

BACK TO FLORIDA WE GO!!!!!

thatdietcokegirl said...

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO1111232412374637826472364237ONEONEONEONEONE

Amy said...

Allan, your mojo is back in 08!

SoSock said...

ON TO TAMPA BAY !!!!

efd said...

I love that Dirty Water!!!!!!!!!!!!

laura k said...

ALLAN'S BIRTHDAY MIRACLE!!!!!

tim said...

APSOJDASOIDHASOIDASKLSO;HOADOADOAI


WOWOWOWOWOWOWOOWOW

laura k said...

dirty dirty dirty dirty dirty dirty

water

efd said...

omg, i am out of breath!!!

Anonymous said...

YEEEEEEESSSSSS!!!!!!!!

Gambrinus said...

Wow...I almost turned this game off back during the 3rd. I figured I owed it to my team to see it out to the end, though.

What. A. Game.

tim said...

I THINK WE FOUND OUR MOJO RISING

LA WOMAN

WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWO OMGKJASLKDASJLKDASLKDAJSLA;DASD

M@ said...

You gotta be kidding me! Amazing!

Happy birthday Allan!

efd said...

Fruuuuustrated Rays Fans!!!

Amy said...

And JERE was there!!

tim said...

FUCK U CUNTS THAT LEFT! IDIOTS!

SoSock said...

"Took a look around see which way the wind blow"

and it's blowing toward games 6 & 7 in Tampa!!

Drew - ALL freaking business

I LOVE IT!

Angry Steve said...

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

amazing... that's all I have to say!

laura k said...

No way, don't make us read those fucking Doors lyrics another night, PLEASE! :)

Hi M@! I was wondering if you were watching! YAY US!!!!

Amy said...

My daughter just called me, screaming and yelling.

tim said...

Happy birthday allan!!!!!!!!

As you said --- "Don't let us win tonight"

Rays is fucked now!

BACK TO ST PETES!

A Conformer said...

THAT WAS THE MOST AMAZING GAME I'VE EVER SEEN. 7 FUCKING RUNS IN 3 FUCKING INNINGS. INCREDIBLE.

Amy said...

Like I told her (daughter) when we were at Fenway for the Mother's Day Miracle, you do not leave until the last out.

laura k said...

And FUCK YOU everyone who boo'd Papi! You fake fans!

(Allan is having computer trouble, btw...)

Amy said...

As Papi said, it isn't over til it's over.

laura k said...

Ofer, you said it could be done! Your "it's not over" kept me believing.

Rob said...

Ironic thing is it's not even Allan's birthday anymore!

Amy said...

I am stunned. This was amazing. Like I said before, I am mad at myself for giving up.

tim said...

long-error-ia loves the dirty water

efd said...

I want to see pictures of clubhouse attendants taking down the plastic sheeting in the Rays' locker room, and rolling the champagne back out.

laura k said...

It's SO cool that Jere was there tonight. He deserves it.

M@ said...

I fell asleep in the 4th and started watching (on and off) again in the 8th.

Thought I'd de-lurk just to grab a glass of champagne amidst the post-game celebrations.

Didn't I say 3-1 ain't nothin'? :)

SoSock said...

Hell, I forgot Jere was there.
What a damn game to be at!
Hope he got some good shots of the comeback.
And F-U to all those dweebs who left early on their team. If I were there and convinced we could not win, that's all the more reason to stay. To see my team for the last time of the year.
Serves 'em right.
"Well, I WAS at the game, but I missed all the runs by the Red Sox. You know, all the good stuff."

A Conformer said...

Tomorrow I'm gonna reread the 3-6 innings of this thread. Winter, snow, who we're rooting for in a Rays-Phils WS, no life, booing Papi- fuck all that! We live another day.

Gambrinus said...

Ironic thing is it's not even Allan's birthday anymore!

The Red Sox believe that a late present is better than never.

Maybe the real present is two more wins?

Hell, maybe the real present is six more wins?

Amy said...

OK, going to turn off the laptop now. Got to save my energy for Saturday in TAMPA!

laura k said...

Amy, don't be mad at yourself, because you stayed here to the end, you were not walking away - that's what counts. None of us expected a win, I think - but we were here anyway. That to me is the true fan.

I want to see pictures of clubhouse attendants taking down the plastic sheeting in the Rays' locker room, and rolling the champagne back out.

ME TOO!

laura k said...

Ironic thing is it's not even Allan's birthday anymore!

Well, 2003 technically wasn't his bday anymore either. So they owed him one.

efd said...

the birthday boy said it best a few hours ago:

if there are only 5 innings of red sox baseball left this year, i'm sure as shit gonna watch them all.

thatdietcokegirl said...

I THINK WE FOUND OUR MOJO RISING

LA WOMAN


That was totally the turn around! I just played it over and over (with a small stint of 'don't stop believin')

i can't believe, yet can believe, that comeback. THOSE are the Red Sox.

And yeah I hope those fans realize how lame they are. I could never imagine leaving a Red Sox game, let alone a must-win playoff game. NICE SUPPORT BITCHES!!

I wonder what that largest comeback in a playoff game ever was? Ours tonight was the 2nd largest.

Rob said...

I wonder when the clubhouse workers stopped putting everything up. Was it after Papi's dong? After they tied it?

Guarantee you there was no sign of any of that when the game was over.

Amy said...

THanks, Laura. I just NEVER expected this to turn around.

Now I will believe anything can happen. Even at the damn ugly Trop.

laura k said...

Tomorrow I'm gonna reread the 3-6 innings of this thread. Winter, snow, who we're rooting for in a Rays-Phils WS, no life, booing Papi- fuck all that! We live another day.

I know! It's hilarious. At least we all said IF and "who I WOULD watch", not "will" watch.

tim said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
A Conformer said...

Oh, and BTW, the edge in this series for the FKR was supposed to be their fucking bullpen. How did that work out?

nick said...

Ha! Fuck the fucking fuckerss who left early! Fuck the doubting fucks!

Joyous fucking fuck fuck!!

I decided to watch the game with the computer off, but hell yeah! So much refusing to give up and it pays off.

I see it's allan's birthday. ABM will live in infamy!

and for good measure: !!!!!

Rob said...

Maddon: "We'll lose for 30 minutes then move on."

Then you'll lose again Saturday for 30 minutes. Then again on Sunday.

efd said...

the birthday boy said it best

on the subject of sticking with the game til the end, that is.

Now of course there are more than five innings of Red Sox baseball left in the season!

laura k said...

Good night, all! See you in Tampa!

Rob said...

Goodnight!!

Rob said...

Good night it is!

tim said...

Largest deficit overcome in ALCS history - 2nd largest was 5 (Jays-A's in 1992).

SoSock said...

I'm loving the idea of seeing the attendants dismantling the Rays celebration.
"Not so fast, motherfuckers!"
Cat wants her laptop back, since I've kept her awake with all my yelling.
SATURDAY IN TAMPA - see ya there!

Rob said...

Francona: "Coco's at-bat was probably the best at-bat he's had as a Red Sox."

Rob said...

Question... Have you changed your mind about the pitching rotation in Tampa? Are you going to keep Beckett Game 6 and Lester Game 7?

Francona: Yes, that's what we're going to do."

So... BECKETT. Do it.

efd said...

2 notes from watching the highlights on TBS's wrap-up show:

1. That Papi dong was hit off a 97mph fastball.

2. When Drew hit his HR, as the ball is heading into the stands you can see a fan in the front row yelling and pointing at Gabe Gross, like "fuck you bitches, you're going down!"

Sarah Haendler said...

Hello glorious drinkers of the water that is dirty! I checked in with you guys via cell phone when the night seemed darkest and the denizens of the bar had nearly given up, knowing that there would be those keeping the faith here!

Bring on game six!

(Yes, I did bust out the laptop just now in the bar. Risky, but there you are...)

Rob said...

Francona: "Never seen a group more excited to get on a plane at 1:30 in the morning in my life."

tim said...

According to Yahoo:

The seven-run deficit was the largest overcome in a postseason game since Game 4 of 1929 World Series, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. In that one, the Philadelphia Athletics trailed by eight before a 10-run seventh inning powered them past the Chicago Cubs 10-8.

9casey said...

If I didn't just see what I just saw I would never believe it......Amazing simply amazing....

Happy Birthday Allan......

Fuckin ON FIRE!!!!!!

tim said...

hahahaha i would LOVE to see the dismantling of the champagne celebration.

put those fucking goggles away!

Sarah Haendler said...

And JERE was there!!

I just saw my best friend from summer camp in one of the fan shots! (Funny story, hadn't seen him in years and ran into him last year at a bar in JP.)

tim said...

Remember Game 2? And how demoralizing that was?

Yeah, well reverse it. Then multiply it by about a thousand fucking times.

9casey said...

L-girl said...
And FUCK YOU everyone who boo'd Papi! You fake fans!


I went back in the game .I am not sure if they are boos or just YOUk's......I can't tell, Jere wil have to tell us.....

Rob said...

This is the biggest comeback ever by a team facing playoff elimination.

9casey said...

I'll need six Ambien's and a fifth of scotch to sleep now.....

Rob said...

I am hoping I don't have to play taxi later this morning at 7.

thatdietcokegirl said...

The seven-run deficit was the largest overcome in a postseason game since Game 4 of 1929 World Series, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. In that one, the Philadelphia Athletics trailed by eight before a 10-run seventh inning powered them past the Chicago Cubs 10-8.

Love those 10 run innings! Wow. That's amazing.

I love watching all the aftermath. The highlights are so fun.
Damn tho...that 7th inning when they scored two off pap to make it 7-0, i felt so bad inside feeling like 'Oh shit, now it's over'

I'll never doubt them again. Seriously :)

9casey said...

ish said...
This is the biggest comeback ever by a team facing playoff elimination.



Of course it is......We just don't make history we fuckin rewrite it.....

Rob said...

Oh I know, TDCG. I sat here with my lights off, TV on, computer on, music playing.

allan said...

I need two more presents, you fooking layabouts!

9casey said...

redsock said...
I need two more presents, you fooking layabouts!



I'm sure someother Joy National's birthday is Saturday, spread the wealth....

tim said...

Got the NESN postgame show on. They have "As One" by the Dropkicks as the montage song. Good choice.

Iridescence said...

That was one of the most fucking amaizing things I've ever seen in 25 years of watching baseball games...I am still a little in shock actually!!!

The 2004 experience in total was of course far more incredible but as one game that one was pretty close to the pinnacle of awesome.

The last couple of times Drew came up I yelled out "Don't suck!" [because let's face it most of the times he does] but boy did he come through!

DISCLAIMER: I know the Sox still have two tough games to play in Tampa and i don't want to sound like an over-confident Yankee-fan douchebag.... But, with all that said....."Suck it DEVIL Rays!!!!"

"And same message to those idiots who left the game early and the ones who have been booing (the return of the) BIG PAPI!

9casey said...

There assholes were tight , Upton was playing a deep second base on Kotsays ball, Gross threw a duck to homeplate, Balfour couldn't locate, Wheeler was shot , and Longoria gagged that ground ball...Amazing

Rob said...

Listening to the radio highlights. Classic classic Castiglione. It almost brings tears of joy to your eyes listening to his calls of the game. Just, amazing.

9casey said...

Iridescence said...
The last couple of times Drew came up I yelled out "Don't suck!" [because let's face it most of the times he does] but boy did he come through!



Are you serious, you are either just turning one or were in a coma last postseason.....

Gambrinus said...

Iridescence said...
The last couple of times Drew came up I yelled out "Don't suck!" [because let's face it most of the times he does] but boy did he come through!



Are you serious, you are either just turning one or were in a coma last postseason.....


And for June, for that matter...

tim said...

Alright, signing off for the night.

"See" you tomorrow JoS! Unfortunately won't be around for Saturday, friends will be over so must socialize. But I will be back Sunday night, so no worries!

Iridescence said...

Yeah I know DREW had the big grand slam last year and a big June this year, but over-all his performance in a Red Sox uniform has left a lot to be desired.



After tonight I will promise not to get him so much next time he pops up with the bases loaded or misses 6 weeks with some minor injury though:)

efd said...

most apt public service message of the night:
The Boys & Girls Clubs Of America spot, featuring Big Papi saying "An important lesson I learned is to never give up."

allan said...

redsock said...
kaz at 111 - should be done.
maybe we can slap the pen around.
Thu Oct 16, 10:21:00 PM


done.

Rob said...

Sportscenter said, I think 12:17 AM for Drew's walk-off hit. And it was 12:17 AM for Aaron Boone's home run five years ago today.

Rob said...

Whatever you want to make of that.

Jere said...

Yes! I'll link to a video I shot of the win from section 7 when I get it up.

I only read the last couple posts here, but Ish, that is very interesting. I remember that horrible night in 2003 like it was yesterday. If you told me then where I'd be and all the things I'd have seen in the next five years, right up to this moment, I could not possibly have believed it.

Zenslinger said...

I had to teach. Heard the first inning on my way into class and heard it was 5-0 in the third. Students are working on their exam and I got the call from my brother, which I went out into the hall to take. Tied at 7-7?

I was on the phone with him as he called the game-winning hit.

That was the best I could do! And it was cool. Whatever happens from here on...the tide has turned.

Jere said...

Here it is. My not-so-great video of a great moment capping off a great comeback.

Lord Lynch said...

Lord Lynch waking up mojo. Just like Game 4 of the ALDS, I woke up just after the walk-off with no idea what had happened before.

Another weekend's sleep patterns ruined...

Amy said...

All I can say is that I woke up this morning with a smile and could not wait to see what the paper and the Internet had to say about last night's game. Still smiling!

laura k said...

Catching up on the comments that came in after I went to bed...

I'm sure someother Joy National's birthday is Saturday, spread the wealth....

This is cool, we should find out!

I'll need six Ambien's and a fifth of scotch to sleep now.....

We think alike :)

The last couple of times Drew came up I yelled out "Don't suck!" [because let's face it most of the times he does]

But who is this idiot?

laura k said...

I remember that horrible night in 2003 like it was yesterday. If you told me then where I'd be and all the things I'd have seen in the next five years, right up to this moment, I could not possibly have believed it.

I was trying to remember how I felt in Game 4 of 2004, when it looked like we were going to be swept, how impossible it seemed, how crushing...

I remember thinking, no, no, it can't be, it can't be happening, not like this... and just refusing to believe what appeared to be staring me in the face. And then, Dave Roberts...

Last night didn't compare in terms of loss - if we had lost last night, it wouldn't, couldn't possibly be the same as if we had been swept in 2004. But it was the same in terms of trying to accept it was over, then suddenly, IT'S NOT, the crazy flip-flop of emotions, the heart-pounding suspense, and suddenly believing your team can do ANYTHING, is INVINCIBLE. Or dare I say INEVITABLE??

Rob said...

I remember thinking, no, no, it can't be, it can't be happening, not like this... and just refusing to believe what appeared to be staring me in the face. And then, Dave Roberts...

Last night didn't compare in terms of loss - if we had lost last night, it wouldn't, couldn't possibly be the same as if we had been swept in 2004. But it was the same in terms of trying to accept it was over, then suddenly, IT'S NOT, the crazy flip-flop of emotions, the heart-pounding suspense, and suddenly believing your team can do ANYTHING, is INVINCIBLE. Or dare I say INEVITABLE??


Another comment where you could easily cross off "L-Girl" and put "Ish"

Entering the 7th inning I wasn't really devistated - I was just feeling depressed with the upcoming reality. But then, WHOA!

efd said...

watching the video that Jere posted on his site, and hearing "Dirty Water" playing in the background, I suddenly got this image in my head of whoever is in charge of audio at Fenway sighing in the 7th inning and saying "Welp, won't be needing this anymore this year" and packing up the Standells CD only to be scrambling frantically to find it a couple of innings later.

[and yes, I realize that most likely all those sounds are on a computer and this is not a realistic scenario... but I thought it was funny anyway.]

nick said...

It's not realistic, efd, cause they actually play it off an original Tower Records 45 which is lovingly cleaned and cared for by a guy whose sole job is that record! He stands there kinda like Andy Kaufman's "Mighty Mouse" skit just waiting to save the day.

Jere said...

efd--that's really funny, because something I thought of doing on my blog (if I could) was having the audio of that "Green Fields of the Mind" poem start to play, and then cut it off with the classic "needle scratch as it's removed from record" sound.

By the way, even if we do see the day when all records are completely gone, they will at the very least live on in that sound effect!

Rob said...

I could probably, if I wanted to, get the audio of Castig reading the passage of Green Fields of the Mind that he reads at the end of each season, do some sort of an interruption then cut in Joe's call of the winning hit last night.


WRKO I noticed did something to their ending credits, where they play various sound bytes from the past... at the end, they play Castig's call of Manny's walkoff in Game 2 of last year's ALDS, and it goes like this NOW...

"Swing and a long drive to left! Way back! Deep into the night! Three run-homer _______________ and the Red Sox have won it!"

Empty space instead of saying Manny Ramirez. Disgraceful. Just because he's not with the team anymore doesn't mean what he did didn't happen.

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