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« October 11, 2008 | Main | October 13, 2008 »

October 12, 2008

Live from Fenway

UPDATE, 7:25 The Rays were a little late in arriving at Fenway tonight, but looked smart in their decision to wait until Sunday to travel - the Sox left after the game and didn't get to the ballpark until about 7 a.m.

No major news from the media sessions, as manager Joe Maddon insisted they would stick with struggling starter Scott Kazmir in the rotation. "I'm not backing down,'' Maddon said.

They'll check with Dan Wheeler before Game 3 on Monday afternoon, but expect him to say he's ready to go back to work, despite throwing 48 pitches on Saturday. And Maddon said that although Fernando Perez gives him something to think about, he likely will stick with his plan to start Rocco Baldelli in rightfield and use Willy Aybar at DH against Sox lefty Jon Lester.

- - - - -  -

Given the length and emotion invested in Saturday night's win, the Rays pushed their flight back to a little past noon and canceled their planned workout at Fenway.

Instead, manager Joe Maddon and pitching coach Jim Hickey will hold media sessions starting at 6, and about a dozen players will be available for interviews in the clubhouse. Otherwise, the players have the night off to relax and get dinner out.

What they're saying

Dan Shaughnessy, Boston Globe

Sunday:
Watching the Red Sox strand 13 runners and waste four homers, Boston fans were left asking one vital question: What's up with Josh Beckett? He was Bob Gibson in October 2007. Now he is John Wasdin in October 2008.

Sean McAdam, Boston Herald

Sunday: The Red Sox already knew they would have to defend their World Series crown without Mike Lowell. Come to find out, they’re going to have to do it without Josh Beckett, too. Or at least the Josh Beckett to which they’ve become accustomed. Because this Josh Beckett is not that Josh Beckett. Not even close.

Jack Curry, The New York Times

Sunday: The Red Sox pushed, but the Rays shoved back. The Red Sox slapped the Rays, but they smacked back. It was a game the Red Sox wanted to win but one the Rays desperately needed to win. The game dragged and dragged, past midnight, past bedtimes and past last call. This was playoff baseball, at its longest.

About This Blog

Follow Tampa Bay Rays baseball from spring training to the World Series with Marc Topkin, Joe Smith and the St. Petersburg Times sports staff. From Evan Longoria to B.J. Upton and Scott Kazmir, we're your source for Tampa Bay Rays scores and schedules.

E-mail Marc Topkin: topkin@sptimes.com
E-mail Joe Smith: joesmith@sptimes.com

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