BOSTON (AP) - The Tampa Bay Rays started banging balls around
and out of Fenway Park early and didn't stop until they had crushed
Boston 13-4 in Game 4 of the ALCS. The Rays lead the best-of-seven
series 3-1 and are a win away from what would be their first World
Series berth.
Carlos Pena (PAYN'-yuh) and Evan Longoria got the onslaught
started with back-to-back home runs in the first inning off Boston
starter Tim Wakefield, who was lifted in the third inning.
Willy Aybar (EYE'-bar) added a home run and drove in five and
Carl Crawford went 5-for-5 with two rbis. His five hits tied a
single-game playoff record.
Tampa Bay unleashed a 14-hit attack, seven of them going for
extra bases. The Rays have now hit 10 homers in the last three
games.
Starter Andy Sonnanstine (SAHN'-ihn-styn) benefited from the
offensive outburst, pitching seven and a-third innings, giving up
four runs on six hits.
Kevin Cash homered for Boston, which is a game away from
elimination. But some of the Red Sox are used to the situation.
Boston was down 3-1 to Cleveland in the ALCS last year before
coming back to take the next three games and the series, then going
on to capture the World Series.
Game 5 is set for Thursday night in Boston.