Tampa Bay Tags Boston

TAMPA BAY: 0 0 1 0 4 0 0 1 1 - 7 13 0

BOSTON: 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 - 2 8 1

If there was a villain in today's game, it was not one of the Tampa Bay Rays. It was Bob Davidson, home plate umpire. Now I may not have officiated a ball game, but even I know when the ball crosses the strike zone and when it doesn't. And the ball didn't cross the zone a number of times this game, though Davidson called them strikes (and primarily against the Boston Red Sox). Bob Davidson took away legitimate chances for the team to stage a come back. This game and Davidson) needs to be reviewed.

On a positive note, it was the Red Sox debut of New England outfielder Rocco Baldelli. He made a Web Gem of a catch in the fourth inning in Fenway Park's right field. The rubber match of this opening series is tomorrow and Boston needs to come out swinging and have more effective pitching. The Red Sox have to be hungry for the win and do whatever they can for a good outcome. Perhaps they can take a cue from the Rays, who executed a "suicide safety squeeze?" play in today's game.

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TAMPA BAY: Starting Pitcher: Scott Kazmir, Winning Pitcher: Scott Kazmir

BOSTON: Starting Pitcher: Jon Lester, Losing Pitcher: Jon Lester (1)

TAMPA BAY: Save: Grant Balfour

TAMPA BAy: Homeruns: Carlos Pena, Evan Longoria

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RED SOX: Wins: 1, Losses: 1 AL East Standings: Baltimore, Toronto, Boston, Tampa Bay, New York

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Next game: Thursday 9 April 2009, 10:35 a.m. PT, Tampa Bay Rays, Fenway Park, Daisuke Matsuzaka