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ALCS Games Sell Out

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 7, 2008

Updated: 10/07/2008 12:12 am

The Rays will play at least two AL Championship Series games at Tropicana Field, and both have sold out.

The Rays will host Games 1 and 2 on Friday and Saturday against the Red Sox, who wrapped up their Division Series on Monday night against the Angels.

Tampa Bay also could host Games 6 and 7 if necessary on Oct. 18 and Oct. 19.

Home Run Stealer

Platoon right fielder Gabe Gross didn't contribute anything at the plate, going 0-for-3 with a walk, but he made a stellar catch in the first inning that may have taken a home run away from A.J. Pierzynski.

Gross backed up to the wall, leaped at the appropriate time and caught the ball at the yellow line on the top of the wall.

"I think the wind kind of helped me out a little bit, kind of knocked it down," Gross said. "I knew I was getting close to the wall, and I went up and got it."

Plenty Of Time To Optimize

One of the big advantages for the Rays in wrapping up the series is Manager Joe Maddon can set up his rotation the way he wants for the ALCS.

Most likely, that means James Shields and Scott Kazmir starting the first two games. Both would be pitching on more than a week's rest.

Stu Makes The Scene

Principal owner Stuart Sternberg wasn't there for the Rays' first two celebrations in St. Petersburg and Detroit, but he witnessed Monday's party - and stayed remarkably dry doing so. Why wasn't he cutting loose like everyone else?

"I'm waiting for the World Series," he said. "That's my goal. Whether it happens, we'll see. The next one might be just too overwhelming."

Lights Out Bullpen

It would be quite a feat for the Rays' bullpen to surpass what they did in the Division Series in the next round. In 112/3 innings against the dangerous White Sox, they registered an 0.77 ERA, allowing one earned run.

Monday night, J.P. Howell and Grant Balfour surrendered only one hit and one walk in 31/3 innings.

"Put it like this," Cliff Floyd said during the postgame celebration. "We ain't popping bottles in here without them."

Longoria's Bat Goes Cold

After going 3-for-3 with two home runs and an RBI single in Game 1, rookie sensation Evan Longoria went 1-for-12 with six strikeouts in Games 2-4.

"They weren't giving me much to hit, and I got myself out a lot today," Longoria said after going 0-for-5 with three strikeouts Monday.

Before the game, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was effusive in his praise of Longoria.

"This kid is an amazing player," he said. "I mean, he makes baseball better. ... He reminds me of Edgar Martinez from Seattle - the way he swings, the way he is smooth."

Not For Long

The Rays chased 17-game winner Gavin Floyd early - real early.

Floyd made his second shortest start of the season (five hits, four runs, three innings) He had a 22/3-inning outing at Texas on July 11.

Guillen was quick to go to his bullpen, knowing he was playing an elimination game.

Notable

The Rays dodged a bullet during batting practice when Carl Crawford was popped in the lip by Dioner Navarro's bat but was not injured. Crawford said after the game that he's fine. ... The grounds crew spent some time before the game repairing a hole on the front of the mound that bothered the Rays' Matt Garza during Sunday's game.

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