The series wasnt choked away, as the Angels were the better team. The sox did not choke away game 3 as a team because their team handed their closer a 3 run lead, then added another run after he let two of them back in. This was a unilateral choke by Papelbon. He paints Wagner, then gets 2 outs, only to give up an 0-2 hit to Aybar and walk the tying run. Papelbon's image as a shut down postseason closer should be considered a memory. This wasnt a homerun that was blown out or an error filled inning to lose a game. This was just a pitcher who has lost some of his stuff (read splitter) who is now a hittable, above average, but not spectacular closer.