Oct 11, 2008 - 6:09 AM
0 shoutsST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Ticker) -- When it counted the most, the Tampa Bay Rays came up empty against the Boston Red Sox.
The Rays had multiple chances to take the lead against the Red Sox or pull even on Friday, but ended shaking their heads in a 2-0 loss in Game One of the American League Championship Series.
Each time they failed in the clutch.
"Unfortunately the big hit didn't come and we're down 0-1," Cliff Floyd said.
Tampa Bay left the bases loaded in the first and led off with consecutive singles in the seventh and eighth innings but could not score.
The Rays finished 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
"We had some opportunities but we didn't capitalize," B.J. Upton said.
Trailing, 2-0, in the eighth, Akinori Iwamura and Upton led off with singles against Daisuke Matsuzaka. Lefthander Hideki Okajima came in and threw three consecutive balls to Carlos Pena. Given the green light on the 3-0 count, Pena flew out to shallow right on the next pitch.
"We had something going," Upton said. "Carlos has the ability to give us the lead with one swing."
Justin Masterson came in to face rookie Evan Longoria, who promptly hit into an inning-ending double play.
"It was definitely a boost for us and it's always disappointing not to score with runners in scoring position," Masterson said. "We knew there were a resilient team. Even if they were down early, they would put a fight on."
An inning earlier, Carl Crawford led off with a single - the first hit allowed by Matsuzaka. Floyd followed with a single, sending Crawford to third.
However, Dioner Navarro flew out to shallow left, forcing Crawford to remain at third. Gabe Gross the struck out and Jason Bartlett grounded into a fielder's choice as the Rays came up empty.
"In that situation, we had first and third, nobody out," Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said. "The at-bats, (Navarro) pop-up, and then of course a strikeout by Gross and then ground out.
"Listen, it happens. When you're facing very good pitching at this time of the year, they can stifle you even with nobody out. It just takes a good at-bat. You've got to score runs with outs in these situations also. We weren't able to do that tonight."
Tampa Bay's inability to deliver in the clutch started in the first. With two outs, Matsuzaka loaded the bases with three walks. With two outs, Floyd grounded out to second.
"He had a little bit of a high-wire act in the first inning," Boston manager Terry Francona said. "But I guess - what do they say - go with what got you here?"
Even though the Rays didn't manage a hit against Matsuzaka until the seventh inning, James Shields was able to keep the Rays in the contest by allowing only one run.
"The loss was frustrating because of the whole situation and being the first game of the ALCS," Shields said.
"To no-hit this team for seven innings, (Matsuzaka) was doing a great job," Floyd said. "As much as you hate to, as much as it makes you sick to your stomach, you just have to tip your hat."
