Red Sox Knock Price Out, But Rays Close Wild Card Gap

Which is how the Tampa Bay Rays came to trail the Wild Card-leading Red Sox by only two games.

And the follies continued in the fifth, when Jennings scored on yet another passed ball and Longoria scored when Mike Aviles made a throwing error.

It’s one thing to lose a big game by one run.

It’s another when you lose it ugly. And you’ve been losing a lot lately.

Supposed to, schmupposed to: Tampa Bay 4, Boston 3.

Supposed to, schmupposed to. (Red Sox Nation hopes, anyway.)

Rays manager Joe Maddon minced no words after the game; he claimed that Rays hitters were put at a disadvantage by home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt:

Several Rays were called out on strikes that Maddon felt were well wide of the plate; despite what he says was his “respectful” tone, Wendelstedt tossed him. The Rays could still have a shot at the wild card if they can win Saturday and Sunday, but Maddon left no doubt about who he blamed for Friday’s defeat:

Whatever happens, though, let us not ignore the Rays’ stunning achievement.

When they went from last place in 2007 to first place -- and the World Series! -- in 2008, the pundits applauded, but many suggested the Rays were a flash in the pan. Or maybe two flashes in the pan. Sure, a little luck and pluck might get them into the playoffs once or twice, but eventually their precarious financial position would knock them down a peg or three. Their good young players would wind up with richer clubs, and no franchise can crank out good young players forever.

Well, of course you don’t; that was 47 years ago. I remember, but just barely; I was in third grade.

And that is the largest September lead ever blown. No team has ever lost a September lead of eight games or more.