Not to say the Rays didn't have multiple opportunities tonight, but Daisuke Matsuzaka kept finding a way to get out of jams three times in Game 1 of the ALCS.  Matsuzaka had a no-hitter going through six innings.  Carl Crawford broke that no-hitter up leading off in the bottom of the seventh....Cliff Floyd followed with a single, but the Rays couldn't get a run home with men at the corners and no outs..

     It happened again in the 8th with one out, and Jonathan Papelbon came in to close this one out in the 9th...

    One of the glaring slumps right now in the Rays lineup is Evan Longoria.  He has only one hit so far in the post-season.  Evan hit into a double play that ended a Rays rally in the 8th.  Maybe, but unlikely, Manager Joe Maddon might want to insert Willie Aybar in the lineup if Longo continues this slump.  That's a tough call, and one I wouldn't want to make.

    But it's only one loss.  Boston got what they wanted, a 2-0 win.  Now it's up to the Rays to tie this series up Saturday night.  Scott Kazmir takes the mound against Josh Beckett.  Game time 8:07pm. 

    Tom Korun