Bay shines in first postseason game

Oct 2, 2008 - 6:19 PM By Zachary Ingraham PA SportsTicker Staff Writer

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jason Bay had waited five years to get into the postseason. It was worth the wait.

In his first career playoff game, Bay was the offensive hero during Wednesday's 4-1 road victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in Game One of the American League Division Series.

"I just wanted to keep my first playoff game as normal as I could," Bay said. "I tried to approach it the same. I had nothing to compare it to so I just went out there and could tell it's not the same as a normal game."

The 30-year-old Bay came to Boston from the Pittsburgh Pirates in a three-team deadline deal that sent Manny Ramirez to the Los Angeles Dodgers. For at least a moment, Bay helped Red Sox fans forget about the former World Series MVP.

With the Angels clinging to a 1-0 edge, Bay came up with two outs and a runner on in the sixth inning and drove an 0-1 fastball from John Lackey into the left field stands to give Boston the lead.

"I felt like I got into a better rhythm. I felt like, OK, I'm seeing the ball," Bay said of his third at-bat of the game. "He left a fastball up and I hit it and after that you gain a little confidence."

Bay, who doubled later in the contest, did not enjoy the best start. He was struck by Lackey on breaking balls in his first two at-bats.

"I never faced Lackey and he has that good breaking ball and he got out ahead of me," Bay said of his early struggles.

But the Canadian rebounded and became the first Red Sox to hit a home run in his playoff debut since Todd Walker accomplished the feat in 2003. It also helped Boston win its eighth consecutive postseason game and snap an eight-game losing streak to the Angels.

Just over two months ago, it appeared Bay would miss the playoffs again. He was in the midst of another losing season with the Pirates, who haven't made the postseason since 1992 - when Bay was 14 years old.

Despite Bay enjoying an impressive statistical season, Pittsburgh sat in last place of the National League Central, 14 1/2 games out of the division lead.

Then, more Ramirez drama forced the Red Sox's hand. To soften the blow of losing its All-Star outfielder, Boston also shipped off Craig Hansen and Brandon Moss in order to acquire Bay in the deal.

The 2004 Rookie of the Year, Bay had gone from one of the worst organizations in baseball to the defending champions and perennial playoff contenders.

Even before the Red Sox entered the postseason, Bay made his presence felt in the lineup. He batted .293 with nine home runs and 37 RBI in 49 games in Boston.

Bay, however, will need to continue to produce in the playoffs because the Red Sox will accept nothing less than a World Series title.