Uehara is Human and Other Observations from Red Sox Loss in Game 3 of the ALDS

Photo from TheBleacherReport.com

Let's face it- we were all hoping for a Red Sox win last night.  We thought they were going to win when they had a 3-0 advantage in the 5th inning.  We thought they were going to come back and win in the 9th inning.  We thought they would win in extra innings when Uehara was brought in for the bottom of the 9th inning.

We were wrong.

The Red Sox lost 5-4 last night as the Rays battled from behind.  The Rays battled the entire game.  They were battling through everything, including their own defensive woes.  They wound up on top in the end.

In the bottom of the 9th inning with the game tied 4-4 and 2 outs, Uehara gave up a walk-off home run to Rays' catcher Lobaton.

The Red Sox fans and players alike were crushed as they watched the Rays celebrate at home plate, but I don't think anyone was as crushed as Koji Uehara.  Until last night, Uehara hadn't given up a home run since June 30th, more than 3 months prior.  I think what's even more amazing is Uehara looked like he was throwing fireballs last night, considering he only pitched 5 pitches the entire inning, and was able to get the first two batters out with ease.

Uehara posted on his Twitter page (in Japanese): I've thrown.  I got a walk-off loss. (Tears.)

Along these lines, Ortiz said in a postgame interview with The Boston Globe: That was a good pitch... It happens.  He's a pitcher.  He's human.  He's not from another planet.

Could have fooled us during the season.

The Red Sox will now try and finish off the Rays tonight at 8:30 Eastern on TBS behind Jake Peavy.  The Rays will be have native-Iowan Jeremy Hellickson pitching.

In other observations from the game:

• Jacoby Ellsbury is raking this postseason.  He's 8-for-14.  He's scored 7 runs, has 2 RBIs, and 3 stolen bases.  I think it's safe to say that if Ellsbury gets on base, there's a good chance he'll score.  
• Even though Buchholz only gave up the 3 runs on a home run to Evan Longoria in the 5th inning, he did not look good.  He walked 3 and gave up 7 hits, while throwing 104 pitches.  He looked shaky and uneasy, and continuously threw to first base if there was a runner, essentially buying himself more time.
• Did it appear to anyone else that Pedroia was playing out of position in the 8th inning, when the Rays went ahead?  For me, it seemed like he was trying to do too much.  I recall one play when Napoli went to field a ball along with the pitcher (I can't remember if Morales or Workman was in at that point), and no one was there to cover first base.  
• Nava was 0-for-3 while leaving 4 on base last night.  Have to wonder if Gomes, who pitch his for Nava late in the game and was intentionally walked, gets the start tonight.
• Salty looked shaky at the plate last night as well.  Though he did manage to get a hit, he struck out 3 times and left 4 on base.
• As I'm going down the list, Drew was also terrible at the plate.  0-for-4 leaving 5 on base.  Does Farrell do something drastic and put in Xander Bogaerts in tonight?  I'm thinking Drew will start, but we'll see Bogaerts in tonight's game at some point.

Well, that's what I have today.  Depending on how the day goes, I may do another post.  As of right now, however, this is what I have for today.  Thanks for the glance, and feel free to leave any comments below.