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Moriarty9 · 10-10-2009, 02:43 AM

Three-run homers give Rays win
Red Sox leave 'em loaded in bottom of the ninth
April 6, 2009

BOSTON — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays used a pair of three-run home runs to pace themselves to a 7-3 win on Opening Day at Fenway Park while the hometown Red Sox left the bases loaded in the last of the ninth inning.

Ben Francisco and Josh Hamilton hit three-run homers for Tampa Bay and Ryan Howard picked up a RBI double to account for the seven Devil Rays runs. Howard, Francisco and Matt Holliday had two hits each for Tampa Bay.

The Red Sox threatened in the ninth inning to pull off a dramatic come-from-behind win, but it wasn't meant to be. Down by four runs, Ryan Sweeney opened the final frame with a base hit off left-handed reliever Craig Breslow. Chad Tracy popped out and Robinson Cano grounded into a fielder's choice, putting one man on with two outs. David Aardsma came on to relieve Breslow with a few right-handed hitters due, but struggled.

Aardsma gave up a single to Jose Bautista and then walked Matt Kemp to load the bases as Tampa Bay closer Jonathan Papelbon warmed up in the bullpen with Alberto Callaspo due. Aardsma buckled down and was able to induce a routine ground out from Callaspo to end the game with the closer still warming in the bullpen.

Dan Haren picked up the win for the Devil Rays, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks in seven innings. He struck out seven and threw 103 pitches.

Left-hander Cliff Lee took the loss for the Red Sox after giving up four runs on five hits and three walks with six strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings. Leo Nunez was charged with three runs in just 2/3 of an inning and Matt Herges rounded out the game for Boston, throwing 1 2/3 innings of shutout baseball.

Tampa Bay shortstop Cliff Pennington got his first big league hit, a double off Lee in the seventh inning. Pennington went 1-for-4 in the ninth spot in the order in his big league debut.

10-10-2009, 02:43 AM	#603 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,858 Thanks: 10 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Three-run homers give Rays win Red Sox leave 'em loaded in bottom of the ninth April 6, 2009 BOSTON — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays used a pair of three-run home runs to pace themselves to a 7-3 win on Opening Day at Fenway Park while the hometown Red Sox left the bases loaded in the last of the ninth inning. Ben Francisco and Josh Hamilton hit three-run homers for Tampa Bay and Ryan Howard picked up a RBI double to account for the seven Devil Rays runs. Howard, Francisco and Matt Holliday had two hits each for Tampa Bay. The Red Sox threatened in the ninth inning to pull off a dramatic come-from-behind win, but it wasn't meant to be. Down by four runs, Ryan Sweeney opened the final frame with a base hit off left-handed reliever Craig Breslow. Chad Tracy popped out and Robinson Cano grounded into a fielder's choice, putting one man on with two outs. David Aardsma came on to relieve Breslow with a few right-handed hitters due, but struggled. Aardsma gave up a single to Jose Bautista and then walked Matt Kemp to load the bases as Tampa Bay closer Jonathan Papelbon warmed up in the bullpen with Alberto Callaspo due. Aardsma buckled down and was able to induce a routine ground out from Callaspo to end the game with the closer still warming in the bullpen. Dan Haren picked up the win for the Devil Rays, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks in seven innings. He struck out seven and threw 103 pitches. Left-hander Cliff Lee took the loss for the Red Sox after giving up four runs on five hits and three walks with six strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings. Leo Nunez was charged with three runs in just 2/3 of an inning and Matt Herges rounded out the game for Boston, throwing 1 2/3 innings of shutout baseball. Tampa Bay shortstop Cliff Pennington got his first big league hit, a double off Lee in the seventh inning. Pennington went 1-for-4 in the ninth spot in the order in his big league debut.