Angels pitcher John Lackey stifled the Red Sox bats allowing only 4 hits in 7 1/3 innings and Darren Oliver finished the game and handed Boston it's first post season shut out since 1995. For a team that went out an acquired some "pop" for the middle of the lineup all they did was fizzle with a 1-14 performance. Boston dropped game one 5-0.
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The Boston Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 8-7 last night at Fenway Park in a game for the ages and one of the most dramatic comebacks in post season history. This series is headed back to "The Trop" for game 6 of the ALCS which seemed impossible after the Rays already winning 5-0, took a 7-0 lead after B.J Upton launched a double off of Sox relief ace Jonathan Papelbon. Many fans headed for the exits. For those who stayed and rooted extra cheers for the staggering Sox were treated to one of the most valiant efforts ever put on by a team on the brink of elimination.

The Rays were handing it to Boston again by hitting back to back home runs, stolen bases and stingy pitching. Sox starter Dice-K tried but like those before him there wasn't much he could do. He made it until the fifth then Terry was forced to go to his bullpen. Scott Kasmir of Tampa Bay had kept Boston batters off of the base pads for most of the six innings he pitched. It was with two outs in the seventh inning that I saw desperation turn into inspiration. This game was what we watch sports for!

"We were down by a lot of runs, and like I said before, we never give up," said David Ortiz, who bounced out of his slump in monumental fashion. "We keep on fighting, we keep on playing. Check out Red Sox.com and Ian Brown for a complete wrap of this historical game.

This was by far the best playoff game I've ever saw. I'd like to know your feelings about the game as well. Check us out in our chat room and tell us what you saw.

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The Sox come into tonight battling to keep their season going for one more game. They need to win three straight from Tampa Bay to move on but let's go one game at a time. We already know that they have been here before, but I personally thought they would make mincemeat out of the Rays. Just the opposite has happened. There are too many stars on this veteran laden team to be pounced on the way it has been over the last two games. Right now it looks as if the Boston batters couldn't hit a beach ball, but the pitching has been worse. You can win low scoring ball games if your pitcher gives your team a chance to play. The Rays pitchers have had no pressure to be even a little strategic with their throws, they are simply challenging the offense to make big things happen since they have had so much run support.

However they still have to play tonight so there has to be a little bit of hope. They cannot end the season on this note. They have to compete and I believe they will tonight. I'm tired of all the bashing of Terry Francona I've heard after the last three games. The only questionable call from people who aren't qualified to question the Sox skipper is of him probably leaving Josh Beckett in after they got the lead back in game two when he was getting whacked already. You know Beckett wants another shot at them. Francona doesn't pitch or take at bats. He simply manages the game and his players, and has done the best job of it than any of his predecessors. He has two rings to prove it.

Everyone loves a winner. It is shameful of the fans who are at the games to not be screaming their heads off at the ALCS. Are they that used to winning? I doubt it. I feel for the dedicated fans who rooted for this team for years and never saw a world championship. It was 84 years before the Sox title run in 2004. A lifetime for some, but still a great time because of the great teams that have tried in vain to get that elusive title. Unbelievable teams that just missed it by that much. So let's root for Boston like we have all year and as we have in past years and stop acting like your attitude is "what have you done lately". These are the Boston Red Sox and I'm still going to believe. If your a fan of them you have to because we have been here before, remember?

Game 5 will be memorable as the Sox staving off elimination or going down I hope fighting. No matter what I don't want the last images of the last three games being what we have to think about until spring training. First pitch is slated for 8:07.

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After losing 13-4 in game four of the ALCS, the Red Sox season is now officially on life support. After watching the game it hit me that there may only be one game left. I also noticed that this team of Rays reminds me sad to even admit this, of the surging Sox in 2004 who were of course younger but more importantly, knocked the big bully off the block.