The Boston Red Sox missed the 2011 MLB postseason by a single game. Technically they missed it by a single out. With two outs, and a one run lead, in the ninth inning, the Red Sox stood poised to win their final regular season game against the Orioles, and assure themselves at least a share of the American League Wild Card.
With the ball, and the season, in the hands of reliable (until a month ago) closer Jonathan Papelbon, the Red Sox Nation held its collective breath, not daring to believe their beloved team could give up a 9-game lead to the Tampa Bay Rays in the single month of September.
Believe it. Papelbon gave up three hits, two runs, and the game.
To complete the devastation, the New York Yankees were at that very moment wrapping up an in-your-face loss to the Rays, in a game in which they held a 7-run lead.
Enter Luis Ayala. Leading 7-0 in the 8th, Ayala relieves Boone Logan with the bases loaded. A few minutes, a couple hit batsmen, and one three-run homer to Evan Longoria later, and we have a 7-6 ballgame.
The Rays managed to tie it up in the 9th, and win, 8-7, in 12 innings. Season over for the Red Sox.
Boston should have never been in this position. Only a historically bad September found them playing any meaningful games this week. Believe in curses if you want, and everyone who knows the name Babe Ruth does believe, but it seemed nothing could help the Red Sox afloat.
The Sox lost 21 of their last 27 games. Tampa won 6 of their last 7. Even after all that, last night as both Boston and New York are letting leads slip away, a heaven sent rain storm breaks up an Orioles rally in the 7th inning, to keep hope alive.
Momentarily.
Even Mother Nature, it seems, has a sense of humor, and irony, as all the rain delay did was hold things up so the two games could end at the same time.
Jonathan Papelbon told reporters, “That which does not kill you makes you stronger.” We can only hope no one takes him too literally.
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