Last night when the Tampa Bay Rays lost to the Detroit Tigers, 6-4, Boston's slim AL East hopes spent a few more hours on life support. Unfortunately, between multiple rain delays, the Red Sox' B squad (94-66) got pummelled by the Yankees (88-72), 19-8, thereby ending any intrigue for the last two games.
Boston's expectations of coming back and somehow taking the division were illustrated by their decision to start David Pauley. No use in wasting one of the top end starters when the odds were stacked against the Red Sox.
About the only noteworthy positive thing to come out of the game for Boston was the continued hot streak of Jacoby Ellsbury. He was 4 for 5 with his ninth homer of the year and 50th stolen base. He got his average up to .280. Evan Longoria is the no-brainer choice for AL rookie of the year but Ellsbury will get some votes too after a rough middle of the year.
Kevin Youkilis also hit a homer, his 29th of the season. Who knows if he'll play much in the last two games (or if they happen since we're in the middle of a monsoon in New England) but it'd be nice to see Youk get 30 bombs.
Boston is the AL Wild Card and will travel to play the Angels in the Divisional series, starting either Wednesday or Thursday.
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