« Curtain Closes On Yankee Stadium… Soon To Come Down On Yankees 2008 Season | Home | This Day In Baseball History: September 22nd »
Sox Clinch A Tie For Wild Card, 3-0… AL East Race Tightens With Rays Loss To Twins
By Administrator | September 22, 2008
The Red Sox took another step toward their fifth playoff berth in six years yesterday afternoon with a 3-0 win at the Rogers Centre, in Toronto… with the win, their magic number to clinch a spot in the post-season is now ONE. (With the Yankees win last night, the Red Sox will get to celebrate their playoff slot tonight at the ballpark, assuming a win against the Indians).
The Tampa Bay Rays lost to the Minnesota Twins this afternoon, 4-1… the Sox deficit in the AL East now stands at just 1 1/2 games. The Red Sox now head home to play the final seven games of the season at Fenway Park (four against Cleveland, three against The Evil Empire)… meanwhile, the Rays hit the road to play their final eight games (four in Baltimore, four in Detroit).
The Red Sox jumped out to a quick lead today as Jacoby Ellsbury led off the game with a triple and scored on Dustin Pedroia’s sac fly. David Ortiz then hit a two-run homer in the third inning. THAT was allo fthe offense in today’s game.
Daisuke Matsuzaka, who is now 18-2, remained unbeaten on the road… he is now 9-0, 2.31, in thirteen road starts in 2008. He held the Blue Jays to two hits (walking two and striking out six) in seven innings pitched.
According to his catcher, Jason Varitek, Dice-K was “phenomenal” this afternoon: “That’s not an easy lineup to face. He was able to move the ball in and out, use his breaking ball to both sides, set it up with his heater. He did an awesome job today”.
Hideki Okajima pitched a perfect eighth inning… Jonathan Papelbon allowed one hit, but closed out the game to earn his 40th save in 45 opportunities.
———————————
Ellsbury extended his hitting streak to twelve games with three extra-base hits… a triple and two doubles. He is batting .345 (19-for-55) over the twelve games.
———————————
Dustin Pedroia hit his major league-leading 52nd double in the eighth inning.
———————————
The Sox finished their road schedule at 39-42… they split the season series with the Jays (9-9).
Topics: Sox Games, Sox Players |
