The Lineup is Almost Right Again

I'm beginning this post with tennis, so bear with me. Yesterday, Andre Agassi played his last professional match. He got the longest standing ovation I've ever seen (8 full minutes). It was really, really nice. He started crying, which of course made me start crying, and then he gave an incredibly heartfelt speech. I'm very sad to see him go, he's been playing for so long and it's going to be pretty strange not so see him anymore. He is such a classy man, and everyone on the tour seems to genuinely like him. I wish him all the best!

Enough of that, time for the Red Sox! The Gonz played! Wily Mo played! The lineup was looking a lot more normal with those 2 back in it.

It looked pretty ugly in Fenway, all dark and hazy. Beckett gave up a couple RBIs, then a solo home run to some guy who hadn't hit a HR in something like 5 years. He only lasted 5 innings (a preventative removal, Francona wants no more injuries) before Breslow had to come in. He went on to allow 2 more runs, Corey came in and allowed one run, and that added up to 6 Toronto runs. Boston could only get one in the 9th. Well...at least it wasn't a shutout.

Wily Mo Pena went 1-for-4, and Gonzalez had no hits in three chances. But they're back, and that's something. Once Nixon, Varitek, Ortiz, and Manny get back, there will be no more excuses for the losing. Which, by the way, needs to stop.

Tavarez says Manny will be back today. He gave his own personal guarantee. I'm not sure if that's worth anything, but it sure would be nice to see Ramirez back in left field.

Also, Nixon and Varitek are supposed to be in the lineup tonight. They play Chicago, who has a 6.5 game lead over Boston in the Wild Card. Do not miss this game!