Foul.

Foul.

Foul.

Ball.

Ball.

Ball.

Foul.

Foul.

Foul.

Foul.

Foul.

Foul.

Foul.

Foul.

Foul.

Foul.

Strike.

That’s how the third inning of last night’s Rays-Red Sox game started with Boston pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez on the mound and Tampa Bay hitter Austin Meadows at the plate. 

It was an epic seventeen-pitch battle that Rodriguez eventually won. At the time, it was 0-0 and the Rays were clinging to their playoff life. Every pitch was critical. This was a classic battle.

In the bottom half of the inning, Boston scored five runs. It looked bleak for the Rays but they clawed their way back to tie it 5-5 heading into the ninth.

After Sunday night’s thirteen-inning battle, this one looked like it might be headed into extras as well. But the game ended with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth, the Red Sox winning the game and the best of five series, sending the Rays home after their first 100-win season ever.

Tampa Bay went down swinging. And swinging. And swinging. And swinging. And swinging.

Boston is the first team to move on.

*****
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