BOSTON -- When their game against Boston was postponed Wednesday due to inclement weather, the Tampa Bay Rays made it clear they had no interest in playing a doubleheader Thursday.
[b]Chris Conte Jersey[/b] . The Red Sox got their way. The Rays got the last laugh. Yunel Escobar homered off Boston closer Koji Uehara leading off the ninth inning to propel Tampa Bay to a 6-5 win and a day-night doubleheader sweep on Thursday night. The Rays won the opener 2-1. "I really believe that we had vociferously fought for just one game, for a lot of obvious reasons," said Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon. "I mean, Im not going to hide from the reasons -- we have a lot of guys injured, we had a lot of very difficult games more recently, so we wanted one game and pick it up later when were at greater health. "It just did not work out that way, thus our players came out and made a statement today and I kind of enjoyed it." Escobar crushed the second pitch from Uehara (0-1) over the Green Monster in left field for his second homer of the year, and Grant Balfour recorded the final three outs for his second save of the day and sixth of the season. "Hes a very good relief pitcher and it was a very uncomfortable at-bat," Escobar said through a translator. "
got a splitter up and
just tried to get good wood on the ball and
was able to hit it out." Sean Rodriguez and Desmond Jennings also went deep for last-place Tampa Bay, which won for just the third time in nine games. "I didnt know we didnt want to play. No one asked me," Balfour said with a laugh. "Im pretty happy that we did." So is Maddon. "Im so proud of our guys, the way they handled the entire moment," he said. "Nobody complained about anything. Nothing -- and they just went out and played really good baseball for 18 innings. It was pretty astounding to watch the whole thing play out." The first game was just as wild, but for an entirely different reason. With Tampa Bay leading 2-1 in the seventh, Dustin Pedroia was called out on a close play at the plate, thrown out on a relay from Escobar at shortstop while attempting to score from first on Ortizs double high off the Monster. After a 1 minute, 52 second delay, it was announced the call "stands." Boston third base coach Brian Butterfield was ejected by first base umpire Toby Basner for slamming his helmet to the ground. "I just dont like the whole inconclusive deal," said Pedroia, who didnt think he was tagged before crossing the plate. "Replay, you should go check it out and youre either out or safe. I dont know what inconclusive means. Maybe that means someone doesnt want to make a decision." Pedroia may have beaten catcher Jose Molinas sweeping tag with a feet-first slide, but it was unclear if he touched the plate before the tag. Basner, rotating as the umpires moved on the play, made the call at the plate. "I thought not only did Dustin beat the throw, beat the tag, but felt like his left foot made some contact with home plate," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "Our video internally showed that that was the case." The Rays then charged back from a 5-2 deficit in the nightcap. Rodriguezs two-run homer off Boston starter Felix Doubront in the sixth brought Tampa Bay within one, and Rodriguez tied it in the seventh off reliever Junichi Tazawa, doubling and scoring on James Loneys single. Uehara then uncharacteristically surrendered Escobars blast, just the fourth homer he has allowed at Fenway Park since joining Boston before last season. "It happens every year, April, May," Uehara said through a translator. "I think even last year I didnt pitch that well." NOTES: It was the first doubleheader for both teams since last year when the Red Sox swept the Rays in Fenway Park on June 18. ... The Rays open a three-game series against the New York Yankees on Friday. Tampa Bay LHP David Price (3-2, 4.75) will oppose New York LHP Vidal Nuno (0-0, 6.59). . Boston will host the Oakland Athletics for a three-game series beginning Friday, with Red Sox RHP Clay Buchholz (1-2, 6.66) facing Athletics RHP Dan Straily (1-1, 5.14).
[b]Noah Spence Jersey[/b] . Hes recovered from a scary injury and cleared to play. Mingo, who was hospitalized with a bruised lung he sustained in an Aug.
[b]Carl Nassib Jersey[/b] .com) - Generally you want to be the guy who replaces the guy who replaced the legend.Carl Robinsons reaction said it all. As Pedro Morales turned home Steven Beitashours shot to give the Whitecaps a 2-1 lead late in the game against Real Salt Lake, our cameras showed Robinson leaping high into the air, fist pumped - a release of tension as much as a show of joy. This was a game the Whitecaps had to win. A week on from the doom and gloom of a heavy defeat in Portland, there was a much different feel ahead of the game at BC Place. Toronto FCs incredible comeback win against the Timbers earlier in the day had handed the Caps the chance to leapfrog Portland back into the playoff places. The Whitecaps players arrived with a spring in their step, knowing they had a golden opportunity. After getting a favour from across the country, the Whitecaps had to get the job done themselves, something they have struggled with since the World Cup break, so when Pedro Morales missed a penalty with the last kick of the first half, there was an all too familiar feeling of deflation around BC Place. Robinson said the half-time team talk was his hardest of the season, and the Caps playoff chances took another turn for the worse when Nat Borchers headed in to give RSL the lead shortly after halftime. But on this occasion, the Whitecaps responded in a positive manner. Theres little doubt Pedro Morales is running in an empty tank. The Designated Player has been playing for 14 months straight, but the captain was able to dig deep in the second half and produced the type of performance that was his trademark in the early months of the season. Having already missed a penalty, Morales showed guts and leadership to step up and take another. He was also on hand to score the winner, and pulled the strings effectively for the Caps after the break. All this after he was nearly taken off at halftime. The Chilean now has 10 goals and 10 assists in his first MLS season and is a lead candidate for the leagues Newcomer of the Year award. For the first time in a while, the Whitecaps young substitutes were able to come on and impact the game. Kekuta Manneh was back to his best, running at defenders and creating chances. He only had 13 minutes to influence the match, but he managed to do so.
[b]M.J. Stewart Jersey[/b]. It is something that has been seen too rarely from the 19-year-old this season. He proved again on Saturday that he has all the tools necessary to become a top player, but consistency is a major concern - not just on matchday but in training as well. Darren Mattocks had a much better day than he did in Portland a week earlier and Nicolas Mezquida also played a valuable role off the bench. But on Saturday, there were strong performances throughout the lineup. David Ousted was superb in goal, Matias Laba was excellent throughout, and Russell Teibert had his best performance of the season in the holding midfield role alongside Laba in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Teibert also showed the leadership skills that will likely see him become a future club captain. He was the one to step in and sort things out between Manneh and Mezquida when tempers flared following a delightful run from Manneh who opted to shoot rather than feed Mezquida, who would have had a clear sight at goal. One other moment that caught the eye came late in the game as Mauro Rosales once again proved what a valuable addition he has been to this team. Having left the game, the veteran midfielder was heavily involved on the sidelines, coaching and offering his thoughts to Robinson. With the way this squad has been built, it would be great to see Rosales stay next season - maybe even in a player-coach role. The Whitecaps had to ride a few nervy moments towards the end, but they stood firm to deny Real Salt Lake a point that would have confirmed their place in the playoffs for the seventh straight season. Theres no doubt RSL will make it, but whether the Whitecaps will join them is unlikely to be decided until the very end. The Caps havent been consistently good enough in the last few months, but Saturdays win has at least ensured their fate is back in their own hands. After an emotion-filled afternoon, they have to go though it all again next week with a home match against fourth-placed FC Dallas. With a one point lead over Portland in the chase for fifth spot, there is little margin for error. Vancouver Whitecaps against FC Dallas is live on TSN 2 on Saturday at 7pm et/4pm pt
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