Red Sox lose ACLS 4-3

The Red Sox almost pulled off a spectacular comeback against the Tampa Bay Rays but not quite. After winning Game 5 8-7 after being down 7-0 with 7 outs to go and winning game 6 4-2 behind a gritty performance from Josh Beckett the Sox bats could not get it done on Sunday night and lost 3-1 to lose the best of 7 series 4-3.

The Rays have had the Sox's mojo since they took 4 of 6 in September and truly deserve to go to the World Series capping their remarkable season in which they went from the worst team in the Majors to a World Series berth.

The Sox really missed Mike Lowell, out with a Hip injury as his replacement in the line up, Mark Kotsay left 20 men on base in the ALCS. It was a tough season for the Sox what with the Manny incidents and trade, the injuries to Lowell, Schilling and Big Papi, the struggles of Josh beckett and Tim Wakefield, Jacoby and Lowries troubles at the plate and the up and downs of an inconsistent bullpen. I guess I can say I saw all this coming way back in May when Pap blew two saves out of the bullpen even though it was not the pitching that let the Sox down in the decisive game but rather a lack of clutch hitting. On the plus side Pedroia and Youk had MVP caliber seasons, Dice-K got 18 wins, Lowrie was a boon at shortstop and Coco Crisp re-emerged as an productive batter.

I must admit I quit the Sox after the 5th in Game 5 but not completely as I checked back in on the radio just in time to catch the last 2.2 innings of a most incredible comeback as the Sox with 2 out in the 7th and down 7-0 scored 8 runs in the next 2.1 innings.

The Sox did it with clutch hits from Pedroia, Kotsay, and Crisp and with home runs by Big Papi and JD Drew who also had the walk off hit in the bottom of the 9th scoring Youk who reached when Longoria threw the ball away while blowing a bubble.

Listening to the play-offs on the radio was a 1st time experience and so much better than the TV as I feel like I know the broadcasters and thus it is more personal. Joe's game winning call in game 5 was the best I've ever heard! We did have Game 5 and 6 as well as Game 4 against the Angels.

I am a bit sad but not too much, the Sox have won 2 World Series in my lifetime so far which is GREAT. This year belongs to Tampa Bay, a great story in itself, but there is always next year. The year after a World Series win has been an obssessive one for me as a fan as I would love for them to repeat. Next season I should be a little more flexible and not revolve my life around a red Sox broadcast. Here's to a great offseason! The Sox open up at home next year against...who else but Tampa Bay!