Rays In, Red Sox Out

In one of the more entertaining ALCS playoff series this year, the Tampa Bay Rays finally drove the last nail into the Boston Red Sox coffin tonight as they won 3-1, overpowering the intimidating offense with amazing pitching by starter Matt Garza, and relief pitching including September newcomer David Price, who earned the save.

Jon Lester also offered up a pretty sweet pitching effort but the Rays' bats hit enough to bring in the three runs to win the game. Wille Aybar pulled out the long ball against Lester in the seventh inning and represented the 26th home run in this ALCS, breaking the record by one run for home runs hit in a single LCS. Cool.

Matt Garza was given the MVP award for the series. In game 7 he allowed Boston only 2hits in seven innings. His musical inspiration came from Tupac, when asked post-game what he was listening at the start of the game. Still ballin', baby.

The single Red Sox run came from a solo homer from Dustin Pedroia. The Sox had a chance for playing catch-up in the eighth beginning with an error by Rays shortstop Jason Bartlett which allowed Alex Cora to reach base with nobody out. The Rays talented bullpen did its job and held onto the lead when Garza left the game. Wow, is that what relief pitching is supposed to look like? Damn.

It is worth noting that the Rays collapsed into a very impressive pile of man meat after the last out. I might have been very happy in that pile, but most likely would have passed out from lack of oxygen.