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That only 1,275 more people showed up at Tropicana Field for another thriller between the Rays and Yankees than showed up at Citi Field for the Pirates and Mets explains a great deal about why some fans expect free-agent-to-be Carl Crawford to wear pinstripes next season. But as job interviews go, Tuesday's game might not rank as Crawford's best effort.

Here's the situation for those not aware (so, you know, most of the Tampa-St. Petersburg area). Crawford was on second base (via a stolen base) with two outs in the bottom of the 10th and the Rays down 8-7 after Jorge Posada's home run in the top of the inning. Matt Joyce flew out to right field, Crawford tagged and rookie Greg Golson threw a strike to third to catch him for the final out.

Rays manager Joe Maddon defended Crawford after the game, suggesting the conventional wisdom about not making the final out at third goes out the window when Mariano Rivera is on the mound and opportunities are scarce. What do you think? Was it a bonehead move?

“

Really don't understand Crawford there. It's not like his being on 3rd was going to change Mo's approach (which happens to be Gardner's excuse for his stupidity last night).

” -- Joba_Rules

“

Wow Carl ... You really blew it on the bases tonight dude. Carl could have went to 3rd on the steal to 2nd when the ball passed Jeter. The Sac fly by Joyce would have probably scored him. Instead he gets thrown out at 3rd. Wheeler and Carl blew this game.

” -- masta_mcnasty_37.0

Was Roy Halladay a big winner or a big loser in the All-Star Game? The American League's starting pitcher -- sorry, Kansas City, but most of the 'Nation agreed that was the right call -- Halladay took the mound with a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. But the pitcher most voters would turn to with everything on the line exited with his team trailing after allowing four hits and three runs in two innings. Bad news for Doc, right? Sure, if you're not a savvy, card-carrying conspiracy theorist.

Half of SportsNation expects Halladay to finish the season in the National League, presumably with a contending team that pays a hefty price to acquire him from the Blue Jays and whose name rhymes with "Schmillies."

So wasn't it really in Halladay's best interests for the National League to win the game? Too bad Carl Crawford and those meddling kids with the Mystery Machine foiled the plan. Check out that snag and other Web Gems from St. Louis below.

• Carl Crawford's catch was nice, but Torii Hunter's in 2002 was better.
• More than 60 percent of voters grade the game as at least a B.
• Surprise, surprise; one part of the country was fine with an 8:50 ET first pitch.

“

I still think Mauer should have gotten the MVP. Not only did he get a hit, a double, he drove in the RBI that tied the game and he scored as well in the 1st. Plus he called the pitches for 5innings.

” -- anubis679

“

God, this was getting old 12 years ago...... NL for the love of everything thats holy!!!

” -- mets4life1999

“

Charlie Manuel calling for the intentional walk did't seem "exhibition" to me. Heath Bells boiled over reaction didn't seem "exhibition" to me. Curtis Granderson hustling out a triple when he could have just taken the exhibition game double didn't seem "exhibition" to me. Lastly, the up in arms frustration over the AL winning again shows people get a little more tense over this than an exhibition game.

” -- kanebowman