Joe Maddon's plan to win with Shields in game six failed tonight as the the Red Sox out hit, out pitched, and out fielding the Rays. The game was not as close as the 4-2 score indicated, with Boston a hit away from breaking the game wide open a number of times.

Shields, like Kazmir in game five, ran his pitch count high early, and he tired in the sixth. Francona removed Beckett as soon as he could, handing the ball over to the bullpen for four innings. Okajima, Masterson and Papelbon did not allow a hit, which greatly diminished the chances of a Tampa Bay comeback.

Crisp replacing Ellsbury continues to pay dividends as Coco reached base four times from the leadoff slot tonight, scoring a run along the way. Varitek homered and Ortiz knocked out two more hits as the lackluster Boston offense of four of the first five games appears to have found its groove.

Game seven rematches Garza and Lester from game three. Fenway worked for Lester and against Garza in that game, but Matt won out. The opposite will be true in game seven. We'll see if the game goes according to script or if once again roles are reversed. I can't wait.