Sox, Rays in limbo after 9th inning rain delay

-- After a stellar performance on the mound from Josh Beckett, the Sox and Rays found themselves caught in limbo after the top of the ninth as some pretty bad weather turned horrendous.

The game was rainy and in the 40's the whole night Friday, but torrential winds and a downpour took it up a notch and caused a rain delay befor Big Papi was set to lead-off the bottom of the ninth.

The game will be continued a half hour before tonight's duel with the Rays was slated to commence with the regularly scheduled game to begin thereafter.

Beck threw 7 innings before Okajima came in in the 8th followed by a solid 9th inning showing by Papelbon.

The ace thew 8 K's, 1 walk, and three hits for 1 earned run -- a return to form for the usually dependable Beckett who was shelled in his first 2 starts.

Jason Varitek was a key to the equation, now named Beckett's designated catcher. Tek has proved to be noticeably more comfortable for Beckett than the newcomer Martinez.

That relationship has proved especially fruitful for the Sox so far as Tek hit his third homerun of the season for Boston's only run Friday.

However the team continues to struggle defensively as Carl Crawford, the Rays only run, reached first base on an error by Marco Scutaro. Crawford then stole second before coming around to score on a two-out Zobrist single.

A costly error with big consequences.
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