Rays 11, Red Sox 2: Get A DOME, Losahs

It’s honestly quite sad when you think about it.

I can’t help but feel for that poor handful of fans who had to sit there during today’s matinee game in that old, decrepit ballpark in Boston while rain drizzled down upon them.

Sure, empty seats collected most of that rain, but there is no denying that a few people did attend today’s baseball game, and those people watched a slog of a game that ended in crushing defeat.

It’s just sad that such an iconic American town is forced to watch their local baseball club play their games in such an outdated stadium when they could have a DOME.

Now, sure, they don’t exactly just hand out DOMES to every city with a baseball club. DOMES are earned. And I’m sure there are valid concerns about the potential problem of racial slurs constantly shouted at players and fans throughout each game echoing within an enclosed structure.

But come on.

This is 2017.

If a couple thousand people want to sit through a baseball game for nearly five hours like they did today—and yes, this game took nearly five hours without a single weather stoppage—by golly they should be able to do that without getting soaked.

But I digress.

The Rays won today. By a lot. The final score tallied was 11-2, but 7 of those runs were tacked on in what was a disastrous 9th inning for the Red Sox relievers. In reality, this game was far closer.

It certainly helped that Drew Pomeranz left the game with triceps tightness after only three innings. I can't help but wonder if he’ll be climbing aboard the David Price Express soon to drop in on Dr. Andrews.

With their starter gone, the Rays beat up on a combination of Ben Taylor, Matt Barnes (the other one), Robbie Ross Jr and Heath Hembree. The only Red Sox pitcher who did not give up at least one run to the Rays today was Fernando Abad.

The teams traded runs in the 1st and 2nd, as Longo’s sac fly sent Corey Dickerson home (who had just tripled) to get on the board first. The Sox countered with a freaking lethal Mookie Betts / Xander Bogaerts walk/double combo move to tie the game at one.

In the 2nd, after walks from Miller and TBex, and a KK sac bunt, Jesus Sucre sent Miller home with another sac fly RBI. 2-1 Rays.

Sucre struck again in the 3rd (he would have 3 RBI’s on the day), as he knocked a shot high off the Monster that sent Kiermaier home from second base. 3-1 Rays.

The Rays extended their lead in the 7th with back to back doubles from Dickerson and Longoria, Longo’s of the RBI variety, as it scored Souza Jr.

The 9th was when things went bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A-S, I tell you. Robbie Ross Jr and Heath Hembree managed to allow 7 runs in the top of this frame, only three of which were the result of a home run. We’ll get there.

First, I’d like to give you Exhibit A:

• Corey Dickerson single
• Evan Longoria single
• Rickie Weeks Jr single (5-2 Rays)
• Tim Beckham single (6-2 Rays)
• Kevin Kiermaier Single (7-2 Rays)
• Jesus Sucre (8-2 Rays!)

But get this . . . they weren’t done.

With two on, Steven Souza Jr. lifted one high and over the top of the giant, absurd wall in left field for a three-run homer. The homer would be reviewed, as there was a possibility of fan interference (hashtag Boston), but ultimately the play would stand.

11-2 Rays was your final. Matt Andriese gave us 5 sneaky decent innings, and with ErACEmo securing the next two with a clean sheet (plus 4 K’s!), it was smooth sailing from there.

The Rays are now 19-21, 6 games back from the East-leading Yankees, and will head to Cleveland for a three-game set. Chris Archer takes the mound tomorrow night.

And finally, can someone please have a heart and start a Kickstarter campaign or something to get these poor souls a DOME?

#GiveFenwayALid