The Sox entered the bottom of the eighth inning tonight with a 2-0 lead. Daisuke Matsuzaka had pitched a better game than anyone (including me) had a right to expect. Dice was sitting at 108 pitches. He had given up only two hits, along with the requisite pile of walks (4). Iwamura led off Tampa's eighth with a single to left-center. Upton followed with a hometown-scored single off Youkilis' glove. First and second, none out. Dice was obviously gassed, at 116 pitches.
Tito came to get Dice, and put Okijima in for Carlos Pena, the Rays' primary (that means only) consistent deep threat. Sure, that looks like the standard lefty-lefty matchup. But Oki hasn't been nearly as good this year as last at stranding inherited runners. Last year, nobody scored on him. This year, not so good. But Tito has to have a confident Oki to win the World Series. So the manager showed confidence in his man. Oki proceeded to dig a 3-0 hole, but Pena couldn't bring himself to take a strike. It took a running J.D. Drew catch, but Pena lined out. One down. Five outs to go. And Oki got his job done!
Papelbon? We have another game tomorrow night. Five outs tonight means no Pap tomorrow. Tito went for Justin Masterson. Justin's a rookie, but he's been the designated "Get us a double play" guy since he came up. At 2-2, sure AL Rookie of the Year Evan Longoria accommodated Red Sox Nation with a beautifully turned 6-4-3 DP. Two pitchers who need to be good, were. And the bullpen is stronger mentally (Oki and Masterson) and physically (Pap pitching only the 9th).
So, lead intact at 2-0, Pap comes on for the bottom of the ninth. At 1-2, Carl Crawford waves weakly at a 95 mph burner; one out. Cliff Floyd looks old and tired watching pitches at 96, 96, 94 and 95, popping the last one halfway up the third base line where Youk took it in foul territory. Two down. That left Navarro. 95-strike, 91-ball, 95-fouled weakly, 91-in the dirt, swinging strike three. Three down, game over, and that's that.
Everyone's up. Everyone was put into a position where they could do their job. Everyone's available tomorrow night.
And the Sox lead 1-0.
Because their manager is as good as anybody in the business.
Nice job, again, Tito!
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