Tampa Bay completes a miracle comeback to take the Wild Card!

On September 28, 2011 — With a Tampa Bay loss all but assured, the Red Sox, appearing to need just a win to advance to the ALDS or to Tampa Bay for a one-game playoff if they lose, become optimistic about their chances for a playoff spot with their 3-2 lead over Baltimore, and the Rays trailing New York, 7-0. Boston will drop a 4-3 walk-off decision when Jonathan Papelbon blows the save allowing the Birds score two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning and moments later will see their season come to a crushing end.

The Rays complete just as remarkable a comeback to earn the wild card slot in the American League. In a microcosm of their season, they are down 7 – 0 to the Yankees after five innings, but rally for 6 runs in the 8th off Boone Logan and Luis Ayala, then tie the game with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, when Dan Johnson hits a two-strike pinch home run off Cory Wade. Evan Longoria clinches a postseason berth with his second homer of the game off Scott Proctor, the Yankees’ 11th pitcher of the night, in the 12th inning.

The Sox, who had begun the day tied with Tampa Bay, went 7-20 in September after starting the month in first place in the AL East.