Bloopers
| Game 24: May 2, 2009 | |||
 Red Sox | 10 | W: Tim Wakefield (3-1) H: Hideki Okajima (3) | 15-9, 1 game winning streak |
| Rays | 6 | L: Jeff Niemann (2-3) | 10-15, 1 game losing streak |
| Highlights: Judging from Don Orsillo’s comments it sounded like the Buck Martinez era is finally over. This series lacked the interplay between Raymond and Jerry Remy, a diversion that would have been welcomed in light of the first two games. Hopefully Remy feels better than George Kottaras; the Red Sox catcher was knocked in the noggin twice by Evan Longoria’s ridiculously long follow-through. Despite the bumps and bruises, Kottaras was solid behind home plate and shepherded Wakefield through his 20th victory against the (Devil) Rays. | |||
Last night was a thowback game, reminiscent of the beat downs the Red Sox routinely gave the Devil Rays until last season. The visitors spread out their 10 runs over five innings and had runners on base for two-thirds of the game.
When Boston wasn’t scoring it was an episode of “Baseball’s Funniest Home Videos.” Carl Crawford’s throw from left landed in an unfortunate part of Dustin Pedroia’s anatomy in the fourth inning. To end the third inning, Pedroia and Nick Green bumped into each other when they both tried to field Evan Longoria’s pop fly behind the mound. Green prevailed; those extra inches he holds above his double play partner made the difference.
The second inning featured the gaffe of the night and it starred none other than Green. The shortstop had just knocked in two runs with a ground ball that got away from Akinori Iwamura. Green tried to ratchet up the pressure on Jeff Niemann, Tampa Bay’s rookie starter, by taking off for second.
On his way to second Green stumbled. It was not a “Jacoby Ellsbury stealing home” sort of trip that let his momentum carry him to safety. Green plummeted well short of the keystone sac.
Back in the dugout Green was greeted with slaps on the back and grins. Julio Lugo hugged him, the show of affection seemed to say “Thanks for keeping my job safe.”
The Red Sox averted a series sweep and go for a series split this afternoon.
