June 29, 2008
Leading at the Half
The Rays and Red Sox each played a one-run game today. The Rays came out on top in theirs winning 4-3 over the Pirates. Aybar and Riggans both homered for Tampa Bay, but the final difference was an unearned run scored in the eighth on a Nady error that allowed the runners to advance an extra base.
Boston fell to Houston 3-2. Aardsma and Okajima combined to allow a run in the eighth, with David putting the runner on base and Hideki giving up the RBI.
With today marking the end of the 13th week of the season, the Rays how sit in first place in the AL East by 1/2 game. Tampa Bay is 14-10 in one-run games, the Red Sox 11-12. More important, however, is their home/road splits. Boston is two games ahead of Tampa Bay in terms of their road records, but 2 1/2 behind on the road. The Rays, with the win today are .500 on the road, while Boston sits five games under.
And they play each other next... in Tampa. Where the Rays rule. It's amazing to think the Rays might start July in 1st place, beating down the team chasing them.
It is not so much the 1 run games that is killing Boston as it is the 1 run games on the road. After the 3-2 loss in Houston the Sox are 2 and 10 on the road in 1 run games.
Francona seems reluctant to use Papelbon when it is a non-save event on the road.
No panic. No Papi.
Order will be restored in the East.
