The Red Sox entered today in a virtual tie for first place, looking to move into first place for the first time in 2 months. Josh Beckett started today looking to get his 13th win of the season, a season which has been a down one by his standards as he won 20 games last season. He would face Andy Sonnanstine in what would be one of the most important games for the Red Sox and Rays this season.
The game was a pitchers dual until the 6th, when the Red Sox struck first on an RBI sac fly by Kevin Youkilis, scoring Jacoby Ellsbury. Beckett would go until the 7th without surrendering a run, which he did on a solo shot by Carlos Pena. Beckett had another fine night, 8 innings, 3 hits, 1 earned, but because he left with the game tied, he would not factor into the decision and this was still anyone's game.
After failing to score in the top of the 9th, despite having 2 men on, the Red Sox sent Justin Masterson to the mound in the 9th. Masterson began the season as a starter in Triple-A, came up as a starter this season and faired well. He was sent back down to the minors to become a reliever and was called back up as a reliever in July. He hasn't looked back. He has an ERA of 1.95 as a reliever this season and has proven to Terry Francona that he could be counted on in tough situations. The Red Sox spent a lot of time looking to trade for a set up man, but Masterson has emerged into that role, at a young age, from their own system. Tonight, he had a challange, in what was probably the biggest inning he's ever pitched.
However, after allowing 3 men to reach base, he found himself in a situation where the bases were loaded with only 1 out. He's pitched out of situations like this before, but tonight he could not. The next batter, Dioner Navarro, singled to center, allowing Jason Bartlett to score easily from 3rd, giving the Rays the 2-1 win and the 1 game lead in the AL East.
The Rays and Red Sox play again tomorrow as streaky Tim Wakefield and his knuckleball take on young phenom Matt Garza and the Rays in what is the last regular season meeting of 2008 between these two rivals. It will also be the Red Sox best and possibly last chance to make a run at the division crown. If the Red Sox lose, they will be 3 back in the loss column, which would be very tough to make up, unless Tampa has a huge skid, with only 10 regular season games left on their schedule.
