Terry Francona out as Red Sox manager

The Terry Francona era ended this afternoon in Boston, as the Red Sox decided not to pick up the option on his contract. The decision followed after Boston missed the playoffs despite leading the AL wild-card race by nine games on Sept. 4. The BoSox went 6-18 after that, ending with a 4-3 loss Wednesday in Baltimore that ended their season and Tito's tenure in Boston.

Boston collapses, Rays clinch AL Wild Card

Mere moments after Jonathan Papelbon allowed a walk off win to the Orioles, Evan Longoria hit a walk off solo shot to send the Rays back into the playoffs. Boston led 3-2 into the bottom of the 9th at Camden Yards until Papelbon let up a walk off single as the Orioles beat Boston, 4-3. Minutes later, Longoria sent a solo shot into the bleachers to cap off a huge come from behind victory for Tampa Bay. The Rays managed to tie a 7 run deficit against the Yankees in the 8th and 9th innings and eventually won in Tropicana in the bottom of the 12th.

Tampa Bay ties with Boston for the AL Wild Card spot

The Tampa Bay Rays drew even with the Boston Red Sox for the AL Wild Card spot on Monday. Boston lost to the lowly Orioles, opening the door for a Tampa Bay tie as the Rays beat the Yankees. Less than a month ago, Tampa Bay had no legitimate shot for a playoff bid till the Red Sox hit a huge slump and the Rays slowly climbed back into the picture. Now there is a tie for the Wild Card spot and second place in the AL East, however Boston will only play Baltimore for their two remaining games and Tampa will have to play New York. A way the Yankees can end Boston's season is by letting these last two games slide against the Rays, so if Boston loses one game, they won't make it to the fall classic.

Tim Wakefield notches his 200th career win

Tim Wakefield earned his 200th career win against the Toronto Blue Jays Tuesday night. After being stuck with only 199 wins for eight consecutive starts, the veteran knuckle-baller finally broke through, pitching six innings as Boston routed Toronto 18-6. Boston gains some breathing room in the AL Wild Card race after Tampa Bay lost to Baltimore 4-2.

Tampa Bay sweeps Boston, trail 3 1/2 games for Wild Card spot

The Tampa Bay Rays capped off a sweep against the division rival Red Sox to draw within 3 1/2 games behind Boston for the AL Wild Card spot. Rays pitcher James Shields earned his 15th win of the season as Tampa routed Boston 9-1. BJ Upton joined the 20/20 club with a grand slam to put the game out of reach. Baltimore awaits the red hot Rays as Boston returns home with a hopefully tough series against Toronto. On August 7th, Tampa seemed far out of the playoff picture, falling 10 games behind then 2nd place New York. The Yankees now hold the lead over the Red Sox with Tampa only a few games behind, however Boston has 7 games against the lowly Orioles and Tampa has 7 games against the first place Yankees to close out the season. The most important match up is a 4 game series between the two teams starting this Thursday in Fenway.

Ortiz strong in return as Red Sox rout Rangers to take First place in AL East

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Big Papi went 2-5 with an RBI and 2 Runs in his return to the Boston line-up as the Red Sox routed the Rangers 13-2 Wednesday night. The Boston Red Sox regained the lead in the AL East as the New York Yankees lost to the Oakland Athletics 6-4 in 10 innings. This was Ortiz's first action in two weeks.