When Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon, down 3 runs in the second inning, had his best pitcher throw at Coco Crisp, he displayed the fundamental stupidity which likely resulted in his rejection from so many managerial jobs in the past.

Shields, who was 10th in the AL in ERA coming into yesterday’s game, was certain to be ejected after the very visible spat involving Crisp from the prior night. Not surprisingly, Tampa Bay’s bullpen couldn’t hold the line in 8 innings of work, and the Rays took the loss.

If anything, the Rays should have had the sense to retaliate in the later innings, once their ace was out of the game. But, hey, we’ll take it. We salute you, Joe Maddon. You got your revenge, you incited a brawl. The Red Sox will just have to settle for some trivial satisfaction from a few minor gains.

The win. The sweep.

First place.

And now, we wait to hear from the Commissioner’s Office, as Coco Crisp is guaranteed a vacation of probably 1 week or more for charging the mound last night.

One Response to “Tampa Bay Throws Game Away, Ensures Sweep”

1. Evans Clinchy says:

   6/6/2008 at 3:58 pm

   Tom Caron is chatting on Wednesday, June 11, at 7 p.m. ET on NESN.com.
   Heidi Watney is chatting on Friday, June 13, at 1 p.m. ET on NESN.com.

   Please spread the word. Thanks.

   –Evans Clinchy, new media intern, NESN.com