CHEESE & WHINE: They're Alive... Barely.

Rays: 8
Red Sox: 5

CHEESE:

• Resiliency. The Rays struck early, but Boston crept back into the game. Despite a complete momentum shift the Rays battled back to take the lead for good in the 8th.
• Gregg Zaun. Zaun finished the night 3 for 4 with 2 doubles and an RBI.
• Evan Longoria. Longo was 2 for 4 with 3 runs and a 2-run homer that was absolutely crushed into deep left field.
• Not waving the White Flag. Despite knowing that their playoff chances are slim at best the Rays came out ready to play, and it seems as if they still think there's hope. I don't think they have a prayer, but what do I know- I'd love to be wrong.

WHINE:

• Ben Zobrist. Zo was 0-4 on the night and left 3 men on base.
• The 'pen. Even if the Rays find a way into the post season these guys will sink the ship. How confident do you feel when you hear these names; Bennett, Springer, Shouse, Balfour, Choate? And as of late Howell seems to have lost his feel a bit as well. I was actually happy to see Wheeler yesterday... file that under "signs of the apocalypse".
• Staats & Kennedy. Every flippin' time Joe West is the home plate ump we have to listen to these two go on, and on, and on about how Joe West is still a National League ump who won't expand his strike-zone, but isn't afraid to ring people up. Yawn.

CRACKERS:

• JP Howell was tagged with the blown-save and the win. Pretty sure that doesn't happen often. $1 to anyone who can site the last time.

CAVIAR (game ball):

• Longoria. 3 runs and a monster homer when it mattered.