Katrina and the Waves

Game 120 - Red Sox

Devil Rays 6, Red Sox 5
Record: 72-48

Quick housecleaning before joining Mr. Met on the Outer Banks. Not sure how happy I am that my wife has joined the ranks of active MLC commenters. Hi, honey! Just kidding.

I experienced just about every baseball-related emotion possible for about 30 minutes yesterday afternoon as the Sox fought back valiantly but ultimately unsuccessfully. On the one hand, there was disgust, as Andy "Walking on" Sonnenstine and his 6.00+ ERA shut the Sox down for 6 innings. Then, a little bit of hope as Jason Varitek homered to get the Sox on the board. Even greater hope followed as Whit's old pal Dan Wheeler entered the game and gave the Sox another run in the 8th, making the score 6-4.

When Coco Crisp singled to lead off the 9th and Julio Lugo doubled him in, elation began to kick in, and I started to rev up the fist-pump machine in anticipation of consecutive come-from-behind walk-off wins and a gain of a game in the standings, as the Yankees trailed 3-0 with 2 outs in the 9th against Baltimore.

Annoyance spiked to engraged disbelief when first Dustin Pedroia struck out on an ill-fated bunting expedition and Shelley Effing Duncan hit a 3-run homer to tie the score in the Bronx. I e-mailed Whit saying, "Is there any chance in heaven that the Oʼs win this game? None, right?" And his response echoed my (dis)belief: "Not even close to one. Zero."

Youks struck out and I slid to concern with Papi coming to the plate. Concern climbed to anticipation as the count went 3-0 and then momentary relief when he walked on a 3-2 pitch. Meanwhile, the O's took the lead in the top of the 10th against Mariano Rivera as Manny Ramirez came to the plate to fulfill his destiny.

Which was to strike out on an awful pitch, returning me to a disappointment tinged now with wistful regret, which was ameliorated slightly by the Orioles 6-3 win over New York. (Credit where credit is due - Los Birdos, excoriated in this space for their penchant for rolling over against the Yankees, showed bigtime spine against both the Sox and Yanks this week. Dave Tremblay may be on to something. Fortunately, Peter Angelos will fuck it up somehow.)

Shitty loss, but it could have been worse. Now 4 tough ones against the Angels, including a twinbill tomorrow while the Yankees get Detroit at home for 4. And me with nothing to do but sit beachside and drink Dale's Pale Ales.