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Closing Time: Evan Longoria’s 11th-inning single ruins Red Sox comeback 09.10.11 at 11:12 pm ET
By Rob Bradford

Evan Longoria’s RBI single in the 11th inning off Red Sox reliever Daniel Bard gave the Rays a 6-5 win over the Red Sox Saturday night at Tropicana Field. The hit handed the Sox their eighth defeat in their last 10 games, cutting their Wild Card to 4 1/2 games over Tampa Bay.

Longoria’s hit scored Desmond Jennings, who led off the 11th with a triple into the right-center field gap. It was the Rays’ seventh walk-off win in their last 21 games.

Back-to-back homers from Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Jacoby Ellsbury with one out in the ninth inning tied the game at 5-5. The home runs came off Tampa Bay closer Kyle Farnsworth, who had allowed just three round-trippers all season.

WHAT WENT WRONG

- Alfredo Aceves came on in the fifth inning after the Red Sox had tied the game at 3-3 and immediately gave it right back, surrendering a two-out, solo home run to Casey Kotchman. It was the first homer allowed by Aceves since July 19, and just the seventh he has given up this season. Of Kotchman’s nine home runs, three have come against the Red Sox.

- Aceves ran into more trouble in the sixth inning, putting runners on second and third before allowing a sacrifice fly from Evan Longoria. It marked just the seventh time in the pitcher’s 46 appearances he has allowed two runs or more.

- Red Sox starter Kyle Weiland only managed to make it through four innings, giving up three runs while throwing 82 pitches. It could have worse, with 11 of the righty’s first 14 pitches going for balls, and the Rays stranding seven runners while going 0-for-8 with runners in scoring with Weiland on the mound.

- Jed Lowrie’s struggles continued, going 0-for-5 while leaving three runners on base. Carl Crawford did manage a double, but after going 1-for-5 is now just 5-for-35 against his old team this season.

WHAT WENT RIGHT

- Adrian Gonzalez took a changeup from Tampa Bay starter Jeremy Hellickson over the right field fence in the fifth for a two-run homer, tying the game at 3-3. It was the first baseman’s second home run in the last three games, and the fourth straight start in which Hellickson allowed a home run. Gonzalez has offered a bit more power this month, coming into the game with a .571 OPS after finishing August with a .478 mark.

- The Red Sox were able to drive Hellickson — the owner of the fifth-best ERA (2.90) in the American League — from the game after six innings. It marked the first time in the Red Sox’ last six games against the Rays that they’ve managed to end the Tampa Bay starter’s night prior to the ninth inning. The three runs were also the most runs allowed by Hellickson in his past five starts.

- David Ortiz took advantage of the shift on two separate occasions, rifling a pair of singles into right field. The second of which came against lefty J.P. Howell, who had allowed hitters just three hits in 30 at-bats since Aug. 1. Ortiz then hustled to second on a wild pitch, getting into scoring position with nobody out. The DH came into the game hitting .442 against left-handers in the seventh and eighth innings.

- Ellsbury’s homer — which clinched Farnsworth’s second blown save in as many outings — gave him 26 for the season, matching the total of Detroit slugger Miguel Cabrera in three less games. It was the center fielder’s seventh home run in the seventh inning or later. Saltalamacchia’s 16th homer of the season gave him the fourth-most round-trippers among American League catchers.

- Jonathan Papelbon continued his dominance, recording six outs on 16 pitches, throwing just two balls. Since July 17, Papelbon has now pitched in 19 games, allowing four hits (all singles), no runs, while striking out 23 and walking two.

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  • Babe Ruth Is Dead

    how about what went wrong:

    - scutaro leading off the 9th getting out on a pitch that almost hit him…if he gets on base like he is supposed to it is a different game

    - franCOMA sending McDonald up to hit for Reddick…okay…go with a RH hitter…why McDonald…he SUCKS…why not Lavarnaway…you were NOT saving him for later in the game…the kid was brought up to the majors because he can hit…

    - McDonald promptly goes 0 for 2…shocking…NOT…then can’t make a difficult catch in foul territory…does not hurt the sox…then makes Ellsbury pull up on a catchable ball…and the sox LOSE…

    - if i NEVER see McDonald in a game for the sox it will be too soon…

    - what is the point on having extra men on your roster if you DON’T frickin use them at the right time…so FRUSTRATING!

  • http://Enteryourwebsite... Inexcusable

    The Red Sox Front Office had BETTER be prepared to gut the entire coaching staff, training and conditioning staff and inept medical staff in the event the Sox miss the playoffs.

    They got off to a 4-9 start in 2010 and an abysmal 2-10 start this season. Inexplicable and misdiagnosed injuries have piled up 2 YEARS IN A ROW, from Ellsbury and Pedey last year to Dice-K, Kalish, and Clay Buccholz this year. Last year the Sox were out of the race in September, this year they are in free fall and on pace to win 90-92 games if they don’t snap out of it soon.

    These are systematic failures at all levels in the Red Sox managerial organization. If they complete the collapse, ALL MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

  • boris

    They are putting health first and rightly so. Youk, Beckett, and Bedard could all play if it were the playoffs. They’ll be a’yite. I’m kind of enjoying it though that Tampa and LA are not letting the big dogs sleep.

  • douchey mcdouche

    The engines are on fire and the plane is going down, but no need to worry, we have a fantastic 6-9 in our line up, including Darnell “I bet I can swing and miss at this pitch” McDonald, Jed ” I’m as frail as a 90 year old woman” Lowrie, and of course Crawl “I can’t believe you’re paying me 20 million dollars a year to go 1 for 5 while striking out three times a game (hahahah)” Crawford. We are on the path to implosion. Drink your kool aid if you still think it will be clear sailing, because this ride is getting worse.

  • geets

    Agree about McDonald, what the hell is this guy doing in the lineup? He is a liability on offense and defense. And Crawford continues to come up lame in big spots for this team. Can’t even get on base to show off that much vaunted speed when they need it, just pathetic.

  • http://fullcount nancy meszaros

    Soo sick of Francona this year.He has been outmanaged by Maddon ,Girardi and who knows guess everyone.How can a guy hitting under 200 be still on this team.Mcdonald is a liability at the plate and in the field. Dont tell me there is no one in Pawtucket that cant fill his role.Very frustrating to watch this team now.Except for Salty hitters 6 thru 9 just suck.Lowrie is just awful right now.If they blow this cleaning house is a must.ugh Love my SOXbut right now very painful to watch.

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  • Anonymous

    That was a great game , I enjoyed watching Big Ben loose , and found it interedting that Tim had 316 yards ( John 3:16) , Can not wait for saturdays game! Go Pats!

  • Zach Starzyk

    The biggest threat for the patriots is now out! Now there is no excuse to not make Super Bowl.

  • Anonymous

    That pass/catch/run that Teeeeeebow initiated in OT was just plain exciting.  I especially liked it when the Steeler defenders pulled up at the end…

  • Anonymous

    Yes, it was fun watching him lose.  I firmly believe that God could care less who wins, but having the overtly religious QB best the predator was if nothing else satisfying.

  • Knightline

    We don’t need McDaniels’ knowledge of Tebow.  We did just fine without him!!

  • Knightline

    Well, Baltimore isn’t too bad!!!

  • jay

    Good job, Chris. It’s always nice to read actual football stuff, instead of ( I hate Bill and the Patriots) Minihane agenda drive rants> Just raed it, not one positive thing on a 13-3 team. Just a plaintive and poorly written and transparent hope on his part that the Pats lose.

  • Petey

    Minihane is easily the worst writer on the EEI staff. He spend half of his time criticizing Phil Simms in that article instead of talking about the matchup

  • Esaunders

    Be ready Pats. Fox finally abandoned his “play not to lose” strategy which was the main reason the Broncos lost to the Chiefs – two possession inside the opponents territory in the last half of the last quarter and all he did was run it.  They know they’re now playing with house money and can afford to open it up.  The Steelers game-planned against a conservative offense and got burned.  

  • Hix4

    Tim Tebow does have God on his side.  But God is very busy with the whole world, whereas Belichick is focussed only on the game.  Go Pats.

  • Anonymous

    Here’s hoping that Waters, Mankins and Vollmer are able to play healthy.    Denver can definitely rush the passer.    Pats can’t allow 5 sacks like the Steelers did.

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