All Good Things Must Come to an End: Rangers pound Shields, down Rays in Game 2

The Rays were on the verge of missing the postseason altogether. They were down 7-0 to the Yankees in the 6th inning while the Red Sox were 3 outs away from beating the Orioles. But the Rays turned the tables with a 6-run sixth as they came back to beat the Yankees 8-7, and Jonathan Papelbon blew the save for the Red Sox to send the Rays into the playoffs. Then the Rays had to start a rookie in Game 1 of the ALDS versus the Texas Rangers, left-hander Matt Moore. But Moore, in just his second big league start, tossed seven 2-hit innings and his battery mate, Kelly Shoppach, hit 2 home runs as the Rays throttled the Rangers 9-0. Then came Game 2 of the ALDS versus the Rangers. The Rays looked to keep their role going and move one step closer to the ALCS. Things started out well for the Rays against Rangers left-hander Derek Holland. The Rays loaded the bases with 2 outs in the first and Holland walked Kelly Shoppach for a run. In the 4th, the Rays got some more “legitimate”...