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Running Toward History

Tribune photo by CHRIS URSO

Carl Crawford was 5-for-5 - a triple, two doubles and two singles - on Tuesday night in the Rays' 13-4 victory against the Boston Red Sox in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series.

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By JOEY JOHNSTON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 15, 2008

Star Of The Game: Carl Crawford

When the postseason began, Crawford almost had to talk his way back into the lineup after missing nearly two months to injury. He insisted he was ready. He insisted he was all the way back. Believe it. Crawford was 5-for-5 - a triple, two doubles and two singles - on Tuesday night in the Rays' 13-4 victory against the Boston Red Sox in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series. He also had two stolen bases, scored three runs and had two RBIs.

Key Decision

Rays manager Joe Maddon kept switch-hitting Willy Aybar at designated hitter - instead of going to power-hitting lefty Cliff Floyd against the right-handed Tim Wakefield. Aybar, a Red Sox killer in the regular season (.414), was 4-for-5 with a key two-run homer, three singles and five RBIs.

Play Of The Game

It happened early. Coming off Monday night's 9-1 loss to the Rays, the Red Sox desperately needed to set a positive tone. But the game's second batter, B.J. Upton, walked and stole second. Carlos Pena followed with a two-run homer over the Green Monster. It was 2-0 Rays, and already the life had been sucked out of Fenway Park. Then Evan Longoria made it back-to-back homers off Wakefield - and the crowd went from hushed to stunned.

Quirky Play

It was quite a sight in the seventh inning, Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz lumbering around the bases after his long drive off Andy Sonnanstine caromed off the right-field wall and kicked away. He wound up with a triple. In 1,301 regular-season games, Ortiz has only 13 triples.

Critical Moment

Wakefield seemed to be settling down in the third inning. He had set down six straight batters when Crawford nubbed a grounder near the mound. Wakefield left his feet and grabbed it, but couldn't get it out of his glove. The throw was late, and Crawford had an infield hit. Aybar followed with a two-run homer and the Rays led 5-0.

Crunching The Numbers

Where do we start? The Rays are the first team in LCS history with three consecutive games of nine-plus runs. Longoria has five homers in eight postseason games, breaking the rookie record of Miguel Cabrera from 2003. And this: 15 teams have trailed 3-1 in an LCS. Four have come back to win in seven games. Three times, it was by the Red Sox.

Our Take

Here's the optimistic spin for Red Sox fans. We've been here before. Sure enough. Last season, in fact. The Red Sox were down to the Cleveland Indians three games to one in the 2007 ALCS. After a day off, the Red Sox turned it on and won three straight to reach the World Series. Here's the difference: Manny Ramirez had 10 RBIs in the series (he's now in Los Angeles). Mike Lowell had eight RBIs (he's out for the season). The Red Sox, laboring offensively, look like they're stuck in the mud. The Rays are sprinting around the bases, making it look oh so easy. Upset? This is no upset. At this point, the only upset would be if the ALCS requires a Game 6 on Saturday at Tropicana Field.

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