Rays don't lose

The Tampa Bay Rays did not win this morning's game, they simply did not lose it. Yes, that means the Sox lost it. How else can you describe a game that was won on three walks (one intentional) and a 175 foot pop up that scores Usain Bolt's brother from third?

Believe me when I say, I realize it was a great back and forth game. Both teams were battling like this game was the last one in the series. In actuality it was. A Sox victory would have been the end of the series. There is no way a 2-0 lead going to Fenway would have been wasted. These are not the 2004 Yankees.

An optimist would say: "The Red Sox did what they had to in St. Pete. The match up is now a five game series with the Sox having gained home field advantage. The Rays used their top three relievers exhaustively in Game 2. Besides, we all know that MLB and Vegas want this series to go more than four games. The home plate umpire was certainly in on it. We scored eight runs off of their stud pitcher and relievers. Get some rest because tomorrow is a new day. We have the best pitcher on the planet right now going in game 3." I love those optimists. Voltaire's title character in Candide would exclaim, "All is for the best" as the cruelest and most absurd things happen to him.

A pessimist would say: "First and foremost, I did not stay up for five hours, drink three Red Bull and vodkas, pull what hair I have left out and run outside in my boxer briefs for good luck just to see Mike Timlin and his 5.67 ERA pitch in a tie game. His roster spot was a kind gesture with the only possibility of him pitching being to eat up innings in a lopsided win or loss. We scored eight runs and still could not win. This morning's loss has left a huge void in my soul that will can never be refilled." I love those pessimists. We all know people like this. They can suck the life out of you when you ask a simple, "How's it going?" They go on for 10 minutes on how life is just so unfair and imperfect. My response to these people, "Grow up and get used to it because you are right life is unfair and imperfect. Deal with it."

The truth lies somewhere in the middle of these two. The Sox did accomplish their mission in the first two games but missed an opportunity in Game 2 to put an end to the series.

Points to ponder :

• What is Paul Byrd doing on the postseason roster? I believe he is a better option than Timlin in that spot.
• Beckett was awful tonight. News broke today that he received a pain relieving injection in his oblique before the playoffs. Should Byrd take the game 6 start?
• Did Papelbon not go out for the 11th inning because of the shot he took off of his arm in the 10th? He is the one guy we cannot lose.
• David Ortiz looks awful. He is trying to hit the every pitch into 500 feet to right field. This guy batting .332 last year by staying back and hitting the ball to left center field. In his next to last at bat, Pedroia had walked with no one out and I was seriously telling Ortiz to bunt the ball done the third base line. With that shift on Pedrioa could have ended up at third at the very least we get a guy in scoring position.
• The Rays are not pushovers they offer a greater challenge than the Indians did last year and we all know how that series went. The Rays are talented and have a swagger to them that some call youthful exuberance. Regardless, it is a dangerous thing for an opposing team to have.
• Two outs, runner at first in the ninth. Paplebon is in to face Carlos Pena. The Sox are in the shift. On the 2-1 pitch the runner goes to steal second and neither Youkilis (playing the shortstop position) or Lowrie go to cover second. They were conceding the bag to remain in the shift. The ball was fouled off but can anyone explain why we would allow the winning run to get into scoring position without attempting to defend the steal?
• Craig Sager's outfit tonight was actual not bad considering he was in Retirement Central. On the deplorable scale, we'll go with 3.5.
• 4:37 PM start on Monday. Thank goodness.