ALCS Game 2 - now with more runs!!!

Game 2 of the ALCS becomes another classic in another way where instead of a pitcher's duel we see a wild one that lasts almost 5 1/2 hours with 16 runs scored with the Rays pulling out the walkoff win in the 11th inning tying the series at 1-1.

Josh Beckett has proven that he is just not right and is pitching through some physical issues giving up 8 runs in 4.3 innings. Luckily the offense picked him up with a lot of firepower of their own including 2 home runs from Dustin "Caballito" Pedroia.

Scott Kazmir was not doing too bad but the Sox made him pitch 98 pitches in the same 4.3 innings. The Rays bullpen gave up the lead but then settled down with Dan Wheeler pitching 3.1 scoreless innings to keep it tied until the walkoff in ectra innings.

This game was brilliantly managed by both teams until Tito decided to bring in Mike Timiln, who must have pictures on someone becuase his arm has been toast this entire season and has no business being on this roster.

So now we go to Fenway Monday afternoon and since it starts at 4:30 hopefully it will be done by midnight.

Some observations during the first two games:

• TBS likes to comment constantly about Rays' manager Joe Maddon's craftiness and all they can say about Tito Francona is that he chews alot of gum. It's not to say that Maddon is not a good manager (in fact he is far and away the best manager of the season), but it's not giving credit to a manager that won 2 world championships, both of which they dug themselves out of huge holes to do it.
• Hopefully now that the Rays are (and hopefully remain) successful, maybe they can install some real bullpen areas. Seeing pitchers warming up in the foul lines is not only not worthy of Major League Baseball but potenially dangerous.
• Win or lose I really hope that the newly found fans in Tampa stick with this team and be actual baseball fans and not a treat them as a "flavor of the month" team that plagued winning teams like the Marlins. So far I do like what I see from them appear to be really having fun watching this incredible season for them.
• It's been really fun to watch a team playing the Sox it such an important series that you can really like.