Pena's 3-run shot in 14th lifts Rays over Bosox 4-2

BOSTON — Carlos Pena hit a three-run homer in the 14th inning, then Tampa Bay reliever Jason Hammel escaped a major jam Wednesday night to give the AL East-leading Rays a 4-2 win over the Boston Red Sox.
After playing more than five hours, the Rays increased their division edge to 2½ games over the Red Sox. Boston's wild-card lead was cut to five games by Minnesota.
Tampa Bay was only 1-for-35 with runners in scoring position in this series before Pena homered.
Boston loaded the bases with no outs in the 14th against closer Troy Percival. Hammel took over with a 4-1 lead and retired three straight batters for his first save since he pitched at Class A Hudson Valley in 2002.
The Rays, who led the division by 5½ games last week, won the final two matchups at Fenway Park. Tampa Bay had its lead sliced to one-half game with its 3-0 loss to Boston on Monday.
The teams meet again next week for three games at Tropicana Field, where the Rays are 6-0 against the Red Sox.
Tampa Bay had managed only one hit with runners in scoring position during this set — Dioner Navarro delivered a go-ahead double against Jonathan Papelbon in the ninth inning of Tuesday's 5-4 comeback win — before Pena hit Mike Timlin's pitch into the Green Monster seats.
Timlin (4-4) tied Kent Tekulve for the most appearances by a right-handed reliever with 1,050. Akinori Iwamura and Rocco Baldelli singled with two outs before Pena hit his 28th homer.
Trevor Miller (2-0) pitched one hitless inning.
After the Red Sox loaded the bases, Percival was pulled with an apparent injury. Kevin Youkilis' sacrifice fly made it 4-2 before Jason Bay struck out and Alex Cora flied out.
The Red Sox had runners on first and second in the ninth, 10th, 11th and 12th, but did not scored.
Josh Beckett, making his second start after being sidelined for nearly three weeks with an inflamed right elbow, gave up one run and six hits in six innings.
In the 12th, Dustin Pedroia was hit by a pitch leading off and David Ortiz, trying to bunt for a hit against an overshifted infield, wound up with his first sacrifice since 2001.
Chad Bradford got Youkilis on a double-play grounder and Bay bounced to short in the 10th. Jacoby Ellsbury, hitless in six at-bats before a 14th inning double, flied out to end the 11th. He also ended the ninth, grounding out.
Rays starter Andy Sonnanstine allowed one unearned run, fanned seven and didn't walk anyone in seven innings.
Willy Aybar's RBI triple over the head of right fielder Mark Kotsay moved the Rays ahead 1-0 in the second after Cliff Floyd reached on bad-hop infield hit.
Boston tied it 1-all on Pedroia's two-out RBI double in the third. Sonnanstine should have been out of the inning, but Iwamura dropped a throw to second on a play that would have been a forceout.
Associated Press

Comments

[joeknowsbaseball]

Last one today...

The deal with Percival is two-fold with a little side twist:

For one, he has no confidence left and Maddon knows that he is walking on eggshells by keeping him around, much less playing him. The Assistant Trainer was out there just in case Percival acted out like a 5 year old...it was bad enough that he acted out like a 13 year old and Maddon did the right thing by yanking him.

Secondly, and more importantly, Joe hit the limit on implicit trust in Percival's word. Maddon is all about personal integrity and Percival has tested him to the limit on this quality...it is now back to square one for Percival and he must earn the right to pitch again.

The twist: This episode with Percival provided Maddon's first major breakthrough this season and assured him as a lock for the Manager of the Year, just in case there was any doubt. The move to yank Percival also solidified the Team and the voters that this season is Joe's manifestation with the help of some 40 or so quality humans that happen to believe they know how to play baseball better than the rest of the eligible player in MLB.

Out.

[Michael]

Its funny how when the Rays lose a couple games there are 100s of comments basically condemning the team and the fact that we cheer for them.

But when there is huge win like this, beating the defending champions in their house to move our lead to 2.5 games, not a word.

And well...thats how I like it. Now lets keep them quiet.

[Raymond the Rays Mascot]

Goneathan Slapabum, Big Slapi feels a click in his wrist, Pukelis' wicked whining again, aaahhh poor babies!!!

Rays fans let's pack & sellout the Trop this last home stand and let them know what's in store for the playoffs & show them how we get down in the dirty south.

What another great day in the Bay!!!!

I already told my boss, I'll be taking the day off for the parade if win the world series & partying like it's 2099.

[Helene]

Wow, just...wow. We sure know how to pull 'em out of our butts, don't we?

When I saw Timlin in their bullpen, I thought "if we can hang on long enough to get to him, I think we have this." I don't know whether he really is that bad a pitcher or what, but every time I watch him he seems to blow it for whatever AL team he happens to be on. And sure enough...

Wow!

[Ray]

Again, the bullpen (albeit Percy) pulls it out again, congrats boys!

But, this non-hitting with runners in scoring position is killing me. Especially with a guy on third and no outs and you can't get them in? Geesh!

And I don't see Percy and Rocco being around after this year, but hopefully they can help with getting them to the promised land and beyond.

[Free!!!]

I've been locked up since Tuesday morning and just got home tonight in time to see Percy almost blow the game in the 14th if given the opportunity. Who the hell is Dan Johnson? I see in 2005 he bat .275 with 15 HR's with limited play... sounds like nice pickup after seeing that homerun tape. Papelpuke went from payback's a *i*c* to "I'm only human"... what a puke. Great job Rays! After these last few series with the Yanks and Jays we absolutely needed to win atleast one in Boston but thanks to Papelpuke, we won twice!!! Payback's a b*t*h!

[Mark]

This game was 100x more intense than the previous night's.

I thought it would never end, but when I did think it would end, it wouldn't be an ending to pleasing to us.

We're so close to October. So very, very close.

[Harold]

Soory i meant to say "HE said he was ok but winced". I never said he was ok I didnt say squat. i wasnt there

[Harold]

Man
That win was HUGE.
both of those teams showed why they are winners. I think Percy tweaked his knee or hammy. I said he was ok but he winced leaving the mound. I like Percy and all that but I gotta think that train has left the station. I would like to see him come in as a situational pitcher and face One batter when the stats favored him.But I dont think he is at full steam physically and cant find the plate.

[BILLYD]

I couldn't be happier for the Rays; what an amazing win again for the second night in a row. Now that's earning a "W" the hard way. Troy, I love ya' babe, but I think it's time for you to just about hang up the cleats. It is yet another injury and I think a reasonable individual would say that maybe your closing days are done. You did a good job, man.