Sox Stun Rays

Game five started just as the previous three had; a Boston starter got roughed up early and the Rays appeared to be cursing to their first World Series birth in franchise history. But just when things looked over the Rad Sox said not so fast...

Down seven runs going to the bottom of the seventh the Sox roared back led by a three run homer by playoff legend David Ortiz and some timely hitting from JD Drew. The Rays bullpen, which had been so strong throughout the playoff thus far, just could not get the job done tonight.

Going to the bottom of the ninth tied an error by probable rookie of the year Evan Longoria allowed Kevin Youkilis to advance to second base. Jason Bay was then intentionally walked setting up a lefty-lefty match up between Rays reliever J.P Howell and Sox batter JD Drew. After falling behind 3-0 Howell was able to battle back but Drew lined a 3-2 pitch down the right field line scoring Youkilis from second for the walk off win.

Once again this just goes to show you that you can ever count out the Boston Red Sox. A year ago they came back from a 3-1 deficit to the Cleveland Indians to win the series. The win tonight gives them a chance to duplicate that feat. It certainly will be no easy task, but Boston does have favorable pitching match ups heading back to Tampa. It is expected that Josh Beckett will get a chance to redeem himself in game six facing off against James Shields. Should it get to a game seven it will be Jon Lester for Boston likely against Matt Garza.