RAY-DEMPTION ! ! !

Your 1:39am EST update... Rays win on a BJ Upton bloop sac fly in the 11th that scored Fernando Perez, pinch running for Navi. Didn't I tell you the Magic Bus needed Perez' speedy wheels? Ray-demption.

The series is tied. Tampa Bay, the boys will be back for Game 6. To win the ALCS at home.

Evan Longoria, BJ, and Dan Wheeler ... Game 2 Heroes . And we needed some.

A 9>8 win. How perfect. PollyAnna is gonna sleep like a baby tonight.

Pre-Game Pearls

The Professor Plays A Little Pepper One of the best Rays Bloggers breaks it down for today's game at Rays Index.

PTowns Pro not on the roster, but still getting lots of ink. Mostly from Bahston fans who can't let go of the Coco Crisp broo ha ha. Here's another Create-A-Caption featuring Jonny.  The Popeye entry is classic. Wish I'd have thought of that.

Unravel 'Em Rays

Rays Roster Revisions: As the clock ticks down to Game One of the ALCS tonight at 5:37 PTown time, the Rays released the official series roster. Eric Hinske slides over to make room for an 11th pitcher.  Edwin Jackson, one of the regular season starters gets the nod over the Rays semi-official regular season closer, Troy Percival. Whew. I can pad the Bubbly Budget with unspent Rolaid/Tums bucks. You hate to see anyone not make the roster at this point in the season, but the reality of needing a couple of long relievers at some point in this 5 game series there.  Hinske's comment?  "...it's not about me; it's about the team winning ballgames."  Class act.

Fandemonium: The Florida Aquarium is tossing Red Sox shaped snacks into their rays tank at 2pm today.   And check out this sand castle.  Game on!

The 26th Roster Spot: You won't see 'em on the line-up card, but the rings that support the dome at the Trop are just as likely to get into the game as any reserve player.  Here's an interesting look at four controversial rings the Rays already own.

EggBowl Distracts PTown Baseball Fans  ALCS Game One just happens to fall on the night of The EggBowl. That's the annual gridiron meeting of Petaluma's two public high schools.  It's a legendary battle.  This is one PTown fan will be watching baseball.  Go Rays. Unravel 'em.

Chicago River Runs Black, Blue, and Bubbly

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Ooh those boys made a mess out of the Visitor's Clubhouse on the Southside. I hope they left the attendants a nice tip.

Rather than hyperventilate over the possibility of Percy returning to the Rays' ALCS roster at the expense of our most fleet footed position player, let's have some fun.  Here we go...

You Write The Caption

My entry is the title of this post:
Chicago River Runs Black, Blue and Bubbly

C'mon. You can do much better.
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Prizes? This ain't no radio station.  We ain't got no stinkin' prizes.

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White Sox Blacked Out. Rays to ALCS!

Oh my. Win # 100.
They are playing for
the American League Championship.

Outrageous.

The eye black is dripping down my shirt. But it's running in rivers down the steps of US Cellular Field. The Chicago Black Out was an awesome show of fan support.

BJ has found his stroke, alright, going yard in his first two at bats. Pena is back on his game after that untimely eye injury on the eve of Game One. The Ray's first baseman was 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs tonight. Cliff Floyd and Dioner Navarro each drove in a run to round out the 6-2 effort for Tampa Bay. Props to Gabe Gross for plucking A.J. Pierzynski's long ball out of the air as it crossed the fence down the 1st base line. Sonny pitched a beautiful 5.2 innings giving up (only) 2 home runs on 3 hits. Grant Balfour came on in relief of Howell in the 8th and stayed in the game to close, facing only 7 batters in two innings. Troy who?

The boys are now pillaging the Visitors' Club House at US Cellular Field while the Angels try to send their series with the Red Sox back to LA. That's a fine idea. Another double digit inning, bullpen bashing, marathon would be a delightful way to spend a Monday evening. Then you can count on PTown fan to phlip phlop one more time. An ALCS match up with Boston means home field advantage for the Rays. And we totally rock at The Trop.

Dear Mrs. Pena,

If (only) you read my blog, please don't give Carlos any "honey do's" between now and the end of October.  We need both eyes on the ball.  Big time.  I totally rock at dusting.  I'm happy to fill in.  Limited time offer...  After RockTober, it's over.

Feel the love,

PTownFan