Rays rally past Red Sox
BOSTON - Pinch-hitter Dan Johnson homered off Jonathan Papelbon in the ninth inning to tie it, and Dioner Navarro doubled in the go-ahead run Tuesday night as the Tampa Bay Rays rallied past the Boston Red Sox 5-4 to snap a four-game skid and extend their lead in the AL East.
The Rays had lost six of seven games - and the Red Sox had won six of seven, including a 3-0 victory in the series opener - to cut the cushion from 5 1/2 games to just a half-game. With a victory Tuesday, the Red Sox could have moved into first place for the first time since June 28; instead, the Rays are 1 1/2 up and assured of leading the division when they leave town Wednesday.
Boston holds a six-game lead in the AL wild-card standings over Minnesota, which beat Kansas City.
Associated Press
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No we didn't forget kaz . but in the new world of pitch counts combined with a team that was shut out 29 of 31 innings we were a little worried. hey ya think nolan ryan could have survived this pitch count thing
Posted by: kazmiroholic | September 10, 2008 at 06:26 PM
Once again you guys forget that I am the ACE and that I continue day in and day out to give my team a chance to win regardless of how many runs we score....... Can I still have my ACE title next year?
Posted by: Scott Kazmir | September 10, 2008 at 03:21 PM
Lakeland huh? No thanks. Maybe some winghouses or hooters locations need to get on the bandwagon too. They show enough UCF fights.
leavin a lot of money on the table...
Posted by: Ray F | September 10, 2008 at 02:21 PM
hahahahahaha... J/K of course.
Posted by: Ray F | September 10, 2008 at 02:19 PM
you owe me $5.
Posted by: Ray F | September 10, 2008 at 02:19 PM
ray f , only time will tell you may be right he will win mgr of year if they make playoffs- I do have to say this he is one of the best ever at not show discust or negative emotion- I always thought I could have been a manager- but if thats the skill thats needed I would have no chance - his no reaction when bay blasted a bad wheeler pitch was amazing- I would had to walk into the tunnel so I could scream and yell and break something- this is a far cry from pinella's rants and walks to the mound mouthing efin pitchers-
Posted by: kazmiroholic | September 10, 2008 at 02:14 PM
Ray F-
The official one tonight is at Smokey Bones in Lakeland. Friday night's is at Grille 121 in Baywalk, Saturday's is at Midtown Sundries in downtown St. Pete. Those are just the official ones, though.
Posted by: Amanda | September 10, 2008 at 01:40 PM
ANY WATCH PARTIES TONIGHT???
Posted by: Ray F | September 10, 2008 at 01:37 PM
Doctordick-
You, sir, are categorically wrong. Percival still sucks.
Seriously, I get what you're saying. It's not only in America, though. Ever read Canadian hockey coverage?
Posted by: Amanda | September 10, 2008 at 01:25 PM
What a blog!!! Only in America can knee jerk reacting people blast and ridicule people and five entries later they change their name and applaud louder than everyone else. Just a sampling of what goes on with sports fans throughout the country when "their" team is in a position to win, regardless the sport. Yesterday Maddon's an idiot and today he is back to being a genius; yesterday Percival sux and today he's ok. Ya'll best understand that Maddon will not change and will not stray away from hunches and loyalty; therefore, barring injury, what you saw last night is what you will see the remainder of this season and post season. Percival will be the man to the bitter end, like it or not--at least for this year!!!
Posted by: doctordick | September 10, 2008 at 01:16 PM
We didn't use any offense.
Posted by: 2000 Baltimore Ravens | September 10, 2008 at 11:57 AM
I don't understand why you're all so bent out of shape about the lack of offense.
Posted by: Tony Dungy | September 10, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Alright, Pena...here's your cue! Time to make your move for Mr. September...or could it be Dan Johnson steals the title...or Evan Longoria...or...anytime now would be good???
Slappy...are you off the IV yet? Did you see Papeloose's face when the ball sailed deeeeeeep into right-center...Priceless!
Posted by: joeknowsbaseball | September 10, 2008 at 10:57 AM
That could be the Rays saving grace......Toronto is on fire, especially if they pitch Halladay on short rest.
Posted by: Bill | September 10, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Getting blanked in Toronto doesn't look as bad with their 10 game win streak. Also remember, Toronto plays 7 more games against the RSox, including four this weekend. There's an article on the bluejays website that says they'll probably pitch Halladay against the Sox on short rest because they still have a shot.
Go Rays!
Posted by: Go Rays! | September 10, 2008 at 10:24 AM
I'm Baaaaaacccck...
Posted by: The Curse of the Bambino | September 10, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Joe sends in Ruggiano and baits Francona into bringing in Papelbum?!?!
How on God's name can you REALLY believe that Justin Ruggiano would pinch-hit for Cliff Floyd?!?!
WOW!!!
Dan Johnson=Billy Buckner/Aaron Boone
Posted by: Ray F | September 10, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Who was the dingbat who debated with me, the other day, that Maddon isn't going to get manager of the year???
I think it was Kazaholic...
Where are ya now?
Like I said... manager of the year!!!
Posted by: Ray F | September 10, 2008 at 10:04 AM
What an awesome game!
Posted by: Mike S. | September 10, 2008 at 09:37 AM
Love the fact that all those jerky Boston fans had to go home late and disappointed only to read the Globe this morning use the word "stunning" to describe the loss.
Posted by: Lucia | September 10, 2008 at 08:57 AM
Boy I'm glad the Rays have an off-day tomorrow...I need a day off!
Posted by: JimBo | September 10, 2008 at 08:25 AM
Ya - sure ya betcha Danny Johnson.
Posted by: jeff | September 10, 2008 at 08:01 AM
That was great but what I like is it SHUT-UP the NA-Sayers. It's hard enough to swallow tuff losses and then listen to the cry babys wine and cry and do nothing to support.
Posted by: CharlieRay | September 10, 2008 at 07:13 AM
If they make a movie about the Rays season, This win at Fenway will have to be included. Drama and improbable heros, a classic Rays game in 2008
Posted by: todd | September 10, 2008 at 07:03 AM
Papelbum was shell shocked after that bomb. This was huge, to give the Rays confidence and to shake Boston's
Posted by: JB | September 10, 2008 at 06:59 AM
Bulls Win! Bulls Win! Bulls Win!
Thank you, Dan Johnson for The PAPELBOMB!!
Ahhhhhh....Adversity, the mother of all character builders!
I see we have found our 2 new characters...more smiles on the horizon for Bulls...I mean Rays!
Posted by: joeknowsbaseball | September 10, 2008 at 06:34 AM
Great, great game.
Please visit my message board.
http://rayschatter.pro-forums.com/
Posted by: Devon R. | September 10, 2008 at 05:59 AM
Yeah. As fun/awesome as this was, you need to give me a blowout tomorrow for the sake of my blood pressure, Rays. ;)
Posted by: Helene | September 10, 2008 at 02:44 AM
Game should have been way before that 9th inning miracle.
Going 1 for 17 with RISP has got to be fixed, SOON!
Posted by: Ray | September 10, 2008 at 02:31 AM
Holy crap.
That was amazing.
*speechless and still giddy*
Posted by: Helene | September 10, 2008 at 01:52 AM
GAH!!!! Foiled again by the better team!
I'll get you next time! Payback is a B!+(H... as am I... ='(
Posted by: Jonathan PapelFAIL | September 10, 2008 at 01:26 AM
WOW great win, this kind of win will turn a franchise around
Posted by: mario | September 10, 2008 at 12:23 AM
Could be the biggest win ever! The defining moment for Tampa bay.
Posted by: Dom | September 10, 2008 at 12:08 AM
Toronto is red hot right now and the Rays nearly won 2 of those games, so I am not too worried about that series at this point. Rays showed tonight they still have the fire and no-quit attitude. I think this game goes a long way to a) make them believe they can win at Fenway and b) shake some of the nerves. Go Rays - BIG win tonight! Let's meatloaf 'em tomorrow, baby.
Posted by: 9equals8.com | September 10, 2008 at 12:01 AM
Hope your right Kazoholic.
I think winning will be big since it was at Fenway after being blanked by toronto.
Posted by: harold | September 09, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Wow, how about a big round of applause for Dan Johnson???
Posted by: Mark C | September 09, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Could be the biggest win ever! The defining moment for Tampa bay.
Posted by: Dom | September 09, 2008 at 11:40 PM
thank you rays for this victory- you have give us fans gift. something to really be proud of- this should get them over the hump I think they will be fine from this point on although it wont be easy - they are believers again- if championship is our goal home field against angels will be very important
Posted by: kazmiroholic | September 09, 2008 at 11:39 PM