Red Sox Loss Keeps Wild Card Lead at Two

The Red Sox entered the eighth inning on Tuesday night with a chance to extend their rapidly shrinking wild-card lead to three games. The Tampa Bay Rays had been beaten 5-0 to the New York Yankees and the Red Sox were leading the Baltimore Orioles when Jonathan Papelbon came in the game. He hadn't blown a save in over four months until Robert Adino hit a three-run double to give the Orioles a 7-5 lead that they would not relinquish.

The Red Sox have gone 4-13 since September 3rd when their lead over the Rays was nine games. They haven't won two games in a row since before September started and the city is on edge waiting to see if they will make the playoffs or collapse in epic fashion.

Boston has seven more games left to play this season, Tampa Bay has nine. One more of Boston's games take place at Fenway Park, the rest will be on the road at New York and at Baltimore.

The wild-card race is going to come down to the wire with Tampa Bay pushing the whole way. The Red Sox remain confident in their team and in their chances to finish off the season strong. If they do  make the playoffs, they could be dangerous.