Athletics Nation: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
Around SBN: SB Nation NBA Power Rankings for Week 2

Rays Blow 7-0 Lead, Red Sox Stay Alive 8-7

No matter how much you may dislike or hate the Red Sox, you have to hand it to them when it comes to "back against the wall" ALCS magic. It is hard to imagine a scenario more unlikely than down 3 games to 0, down a run in the 9th, with Mariano Rivera on the mound. Yet four years later, perhaps an equally improbable Houdini act had the Red Sox, on the brink of elimination, erasing a 7-0 7th inning deficit with four in the 7th, three more in the 8th, and one in the 9th to send the series back to Tampa.

In the post-mortems, Rays' manager Joe Maddon will have some difficult questions to answer. Why, with the Rays up  7-1 in the 7th, two on and two out, and David Ortiz at the plate, did he not opt for one of his left-handed relievers? This question came into focus even more sharply when J.P. Howell faced Ortiz in the 9th and struck him out - and that only after Ortiz, even representing the winning run, still tried to drop a bunt down the third base line. That's the matchup you want; instead Grant Balfour served up a three-run HR and the Sox were back in the game.

Then after the horse had just left the barn, Maddon went to his closer, Dan Wheeler, asking for a seven-out save - instead of asking middle relievers Howell or Chad Bradford to handle the innings they have handled well all series and all season.

It just seemed as if every time you looked, Maddon had made a move and the matchup favored Boston. Very odd, especially coming from a manager I have generally observed to be an especially astute tactician.

So a reluctant "hats off" to the Red Sox and a "go get 'em Saturday" to the Rays. At this moment, it's hard to say which team has the edge and which team should feel the pressure. The Rays let a big opportunity slip away tonight, and you don't always get two.

0 recs  |  Comment 113 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Sux magic my eye

Maddon blew his management of the bullpen.

by OaklandSi on Oct 16, 2008 9:31 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Weird how things change.

86 years of finding ways to lose, to this.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 16, 2008 9:32 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Awww!

You just need to find the right girl.

by lynnzgal on Oct 16, 2008 9:33 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Or whatever

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 16, 2008 9:34 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I pay up front and everything.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 16, 2008 9:35 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

There's your mistake. You shouldn't pay till you're satisfied.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 16, 2008 9:37 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

She showed up.

That satisfied me.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 16, 2008 9:38 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Then what're you complaining about?

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 16, 2008 9:39 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The game.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 16, 2008 9:39 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Of course you have to pay up front for the game

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 16, 2008 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I've already told everyone that

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 16, 2008 9:40 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

dating...

one of the few things worse than this game. ugh. not that I’m really, really bitter or anything. except I totally am. I hate men and now tonight I hate baseball. I’m doomed.

"Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is." -Bob Feller

by Christine on Oct 16, 2008 9:39 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

We're all doomed. Hence the beer industry.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 16, 2008 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I hate beer, too :(

there really is no hope for me, eh?

"Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is." -Bob Feller

by Christine on Oct 16, 2008 9:42 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Join a cult?

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 16, 2008 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You might change your mind.

At an A’s game, in the summer, with a really nice guy.

by lynnzgal on Oct 16, 2008 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

the only thing less likely...

than finding a really nice guy for me would be finding a really nice guy that likes baseball haha. but thank you for your optimism…

"Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is." -Bob Feller

by Christine on Oct 16, 2008 9:44 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1000

39 remarkable innings.

by ZigFan31 on Oct 16, 2008 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Someone make it stop.

I thought the game was bad.

{Reaches for tissue}

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 16, 2008 9:47 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

x1000

If I don't comment on your comment how will you know you are completely wrong? -Rocktopus

by pam5981 on Oct 16, 2008 9:54 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

This calls for a little Grey's Anatomy...

Just to add insult to injury.

And a little disappointed in the purse fight.

39 remarkable innings.

by ZigFan31 on Oct 16, 2008 9:58 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

tempting.

"Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is." -Bob Feller

by Christine on Oct 16, 2008 9:44 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You two should get season tix together

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 16, 2008 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dood!

Uh, I think the point is, we’d like doods.

by lynnzgal on Oct 16, 2008 9:49 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You can hunt together, and when you capture one, you can invite

him to the other’s seat.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 16, 2008 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hope springs eternal.

At least thats what someone told me.

by lynnzgal on Oct 16, 2008 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Damn. I have been distributing hugs like crazy today.

But I might actually have to find you. (In the least creepy way possible)

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 16, 2008 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Me too. :-(

39 remarkable innings.

by ZigFan31 on Oct 16, 2008 9:42 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Gotta hand it to the Sox.

That was a helluva comeback. Oh well. Go Rays!

A free society is one where it is safe to be unpopular.

by IowaA'sFan on Oct 16, 2008 9:32 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Joe Maddon forgot about the cardinal rule of all sports:

It ain’t over till it’s over.

"We were s--, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."

by lenscrafters on Oct 16, 2008 9:33 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

They might not, but I wouldn't put it past them to do that

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 16, 2008 9:35 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah!

We wouldn’t want them to have confidence or anything!

by lynnzgal on Oct 16, 2008 9:35 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I blame Balfour and Wheeler

They were simply awful tonight.

Oh well, we still have Saturday night.

"However, at Elias, I think they keep track of the amount of sunflower seeds spit in a dugout each night." - Brad Ziegler, 8/7/08

by doctorK on Oct 16, 2008 9:35 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

we can only hope that the Big MO

(as in momentum) doesn’t bite the Rays now

by OaklandSi on Oct 16, 2008 9:37 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

If they don't collapse it would show massive fortitude at this point.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 16, 2008 9:38 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm not holding my breath

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 16, 2008 9:42 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

OaklandSi, here's what your comment should have said...

We can only hope that Big Mr. Mentum ….
…..as in MOMentum..doesn’t bite the Rays now.

I think that would have more effectively illicited the response you were searching for from your reader.

Is that Embry warming up?....... NOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooo!!!!!!!!!

by iljackb on Oct 17, 2008 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

this sucks

my sox fan friends had given up on the game and then they get a damn win. But I guess McCain’s presidential campaign is proving that those who think they deserve victory don’t necessarily get it.

by MaineAthletic on Oct 16, 2008 9:37 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

raises hand

looks around.
lowers hand.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 16, 2008 9:39 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

yep. it was okay.

"Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is." -Bob Feller

by Christine on Oct 16, 2008 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wow, you are upset.

No woman calls it “ok”.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 16, 2008 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

They've said that to me before.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 16, 2008 9:44 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I need to go to bed with a lot of tylenol.

Thank whoever that their were no QOTM’s tonight, so I don’t have to add any. Night people!!

We're in a team-wide funk. ~Mark Ellis

by #14fan on Oct 16, 2008 9:38 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

If the Rays win this next game and advance,

who do you think has the advantage in the WS?

by likeiwouldtellyou on Oct 16, 2008 9:41 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I have more confidence in Philly's bullpen than the Rays' after tonight EPIC NONPERFORMANCE

"However, at Elias, I think they keep track of the amount of sunflower seeds spit in a dugout each night." - Brad Ziegler, 8/7/08

by doctorK on Oct 16, 2008 9:42 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lidge can match Wheeler choke for choke

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 16, 2008 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Rays offense

I think the Rays offense could roll right through Phils starting pitching and it wouldn’t come down to the bullpen as the difference maker.

by A'sian on Oct 17, 2008 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I've learned my lesson

Rays need to win the ALCs before I go there

by OaklandSi on Oct 16, 2008 9:44 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Okay, I'm going to have some ice cream.

And not watch anything about baseball. Yep.

by whiteshoes40 on Oct 16, 2008 9:42 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Pistacchio?

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 16, 2008 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Is that where the nut gets bigger when it lies?

And then gets eaten by a whale?

"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL

by oblique on Oct 16, 2008 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

And then turns into a real nose at the end.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 16, 2008 9:56 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm glad I am not a Rays fan, just a Sux hater

If this happened to the A’s, I would not be able to get any sleep tonight.

"However, at Elias, I think they keep track of the amount of sunflower seeds spit in a dugout each night." - Brad Ziegler, 8/7/08

by doctorK on Oct 16, 2008 9:44 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

So you burned houses each year from 2000-03?

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 16, 2008 9:45 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I hate moving.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 16, 2008 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm an A's fan first and foremost.

but I am a Rays fan, too. only for 4-ish seasons but this still sucks as a Rays fan AND a Sox hater. boo :(

"Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is." -Bob Feller

by Christine on Oct 16, 2008 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm scared.

"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL

by oblique on Oct 16, 2008 9:54 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Where is my staturday crowd

Can a stomach-punch be measured? Will the Rays start to feel that tingling sensation that the Red Sox once cornered the market on? There’s no history hanging over them like the Cubs (unless you count the overall losingness of the team since its inception), so you can’t tell if this will spook them a little. But can’t imagine any Rays sleeping much tonight.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 16, 2008 9:56 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

They probably aren't thrilled about having a day off

It will seem like more than 48 hours between games.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Oct 16, 2008 10:00 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Carl Everett doesn't believe in dinosaurs,

but that doesn’t mean there weren’t ever three in a row.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Oct 16, 2008 10:04 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I just want the Rays to win.

I like underdog stories, and the Sox already broke their curse, so there’s nothing compelling about them being in the WS. That’s why I root for them

by likeiwouldtellyou on Oct 16, 2008 10:01 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

F those Sox

Let the Rays drive the daggar deep into the Chowd heart in Tampa Bay!!

WE NEED MORE COWBELL!!

Play more Conan!

by oaklandSMASH on Oct 16, 2008 10:03 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

link plz.

If I don't comment on your comment how will you know you are completely wrong? -Rocktopus

by pam5981 on Oct 16, 2008 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Biggest post-season comeback since '29.

And surely the biggest one in an elimination game.

OK, I’m done.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 16, 2008 10:04 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I currently don't like comparisons to this year and 1929

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Oct 16, 2008 10:05 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Why? The A's won.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 16, 2008 10:12 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lots of people were saying Maddon should bring in a lefty

to face Ortiz in the seventh…before he hit the HR. I’m sure alot of fans were wondering at that point (I know I was).

The ESPN announcers were also wondering that aloud…it’s not really that surprising, and doesn’t really take a lot of managerial knowledge, especially when we’ve seen that Ortiz doesn’t fare as well against lefties with that wrist problem.

by OaklandSi on Oct 17, 2008 7:28 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Just because you say something later doesn't mean

you didn’t say it at the time, or that it wasn’t pretty obvious/apparent. Maddon is a terrific manager, and he really bungled his use of the pen in Game 5, IMO.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Oct 17, 2008 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm not that prolific on the game threads

because I’m watching the game and my computer is in a different room. I don’t say on AN everything I think, or say out loud, in my living room.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Oct 18, 2008 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I can't believe this ...

I can’t. It’s gonna happen again. You know it. I know it.
I was in a conference tonight … check score on my iphone, 7-0 Rays, top of 7. 10 minutes later, I’m walking to the elevator, check score again, 7-4 Rays, and I say to my buddy “This is not good.” He replies, “What are you talking about? They’ve got a 3 run lead!” I said, “I’ve got a baaaad feeling.”
10 minutes later, I accidentally find a damn Red Sox bar in San Francisco (!? How does that happen?) and pop in just to watch the end of the game. Wheeler walks the leadoff guy in the 8th, then serves up the bomb to Drew to make it 7-6, and I say to the same “buddy”, “GAME OVER.” He didn’t think I was so crazy a few minutes later when they tie it up with two outs and then win it in the ninth.
This series is over. Just like last year, just like ‘04. Tampa Bay doesn’t have a chance down there, and neither does Philly. F***! I am so pissed right now, I can’t stand it. What a terrible, terrible outcome. Thanks for letting me rant …. Gawd, I hate Boston. With everything that is in me, I hate Boston. I’m done now.

I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.

by Vacafan on Oct 16, 2008 11:19 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Please don't be pessimistic
“This series is over. Just like last year, just like ‘04. Tampa Bay doesn’t have a chance down there, and neither does Philly”.

Not true. Rays have to win one. Sux have to win 2.

Carlos and Victor Zambrano have exactly the same number of career postseason wins. Who would have thought?

by Blicks on Oct 18, 2008 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

What the hell happened?

I was having fun, drinking and playing Halo, I check the score and it’s 7-6, I immediately make everyone watch the game, and we were all in complete and utter disbelief at the outcome. This kind of momentum going into Game 6 scares the shit out of me. I hope the Rays realize what the fuck needs to happen and come out swinging. I do not need a repeat of last year with the Indians. Do not disappoint me Rays!

by thesteve9x on Oct 17, 2008 12:46 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

>:-(

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Oct 17, 2008 12:11 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

that looks sort of what I did.

We're in a team-wide funk. ~Mark Ellis

by #14fan on Oct 17, 2008 6:30 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog about Oakland Athletics.

Community Guidelines ANcillary Terms
Start posting about the Athletics »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Small
Comparative Advantage: A Collaborative A's/Rays Solution
Ph3spec_small
Having fun with Pythagoras, or, who got lucky during 2009
Dsc00764_small
DLD - 11/07/2009 - How to Keep Yourself Occupied in the Off-Season
527918550406_0_bg_small
2010 Off-Season Blueprint
Depaulbluedemons_small
Community Prospect List #15

Recent FanPosts

Green_small
(Un)official AN Tech Request Thread
Countdown_small
Bill James 2010 Projections Now on Fangraphs
Depaulbluedemons_small
Zonis's Off Season Charter
Bill_king_small
AFL Rising Stars Showcase Tonight on MLBN @ 5PM
Me_at_att_park_small
Greener Grass, Episode 4: The Biggest Off Season (Potential) Decision Doesn't Involve Free Agents
Oaklandathletics_small
Hardy to Minnesota. What's with the early offseason trades?
Tyler_at_maya_school_small
Happy 6th Birthday, AN!

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

SPONSORS


Managers

Tyler_at_maya_school_small Tyler Bleszinski

08-_the_author_small 67MARQUEZ

Baseball_small baseballgirl

Poochini-butt_in_box_2_small Nico

As_kings_cal_small louismg

Editors

Countdown_small Taj Adib

Ziegler160px_small Flashfire

527918550406_0_bg_small notsellingjeans