Playoff Plans Still On Hold

This had to be the most frustrating loss of the season. The Sox could taste the champagne, but couldn't catch a break or get a clutch hit and ended up dropping another 1-run game.

Boston had three golden opportunities to take the lead and win this game.

First, third base umpire Gerry Davis cost the team a run when with runners on first and second and two outs in the 6th, he couldn't get out of the way of Jeff Bailey's shot down the line. The ball hit Davis and bounced right to Indians third baseman Jamey Carroll who got Jason Bay in a rundown for the final out of the inning.

The ball likely would have gone down the line for a double or at worst bounced into short left field and allowed Bay to score to cut the deficit to 4-3. Why isn't that a dead ball and a ground rule double or at least a hit and bases loaded?

BOX SCORE: Indians 4, Red Sox 3

Also, why did Jason Varitek keep running on the play? Tek had to be able to see the ball right in front of him and had he stayed at second, Bay may have been able to get back to the base. Even if it was too late, Tek could have tried to get into a rundown to see if Bay could sneak home.

It just seemed like a bad play all around by Tek.

Then in the 7th, Kevin Youkilis came within a few feet of hitting a 3-run homer that would have given the Sox a 5-4 lead. The ball scraped the wall and Jacoby Ellsbury scored with David Ortiz going to third and Youk getting a double. The Indians then intentionally walked Bay loading the bases with one out.

Jed Lowrie then was caught looking at strike three and Mark Kotsay popped out. Lowrie and Kotsay need to step up in the absence of Mike Lowell and J.D. Drew. There's a big hole in the order after the 5-spot.

Finally, with Youk on first and two outs in the 9th, Bay lined a double down the left field line. I thought they were going to send Youk home, but the ball was hit too hard. The next batter Lowrie struck out again to end the game and a very frustrating night.

Josh Beckett didn't have his overpowering stuff either and couldn't hold the Indians to under four runs. Now the Sox turn to Tim Wakefield to try to clinch a playoff spot -- which is looking more like the wild card with Tampa winning again Monday night.

Maybe Wake can spin a gem to save his postseason roster spot.