Rain Delay and a Week Off

The Sox are in a rain delay, and it looks like it might be a while before they start up..if they start at all.

And I will not be around too much over the next week...it's vacation time! I just hope Boston keeps winning and they are all boring games so I won't miss too much. Because I know where I'm going is NOT Sox Nation!

A Better Outcome

Much better.

RBIs all over the place, Manny hitting a 3-run HR, and Tavarez pitching pretty decently (5.2, 2 ER). All good things that add up to equal a win.

Most shocking part of the night: Okajima gave up a run! Could it be he's not perfect after all?

Mussina gave up 7 runs, all earned. Didn't see that coming, but that's not to say I didn't enjoy it!

But Papelbon--what's up? First 2 men he sees he walks? Then he got a K and a ground out, and Jeter was up to be the "hero" and he took 3 pitches and struck out looking! Perfect ending.

Not So Great, That One

That game didn't go according to plan.

Wakefield was off, as was our offense. Things that were not off? NY's offense and pitching. So all of that made for a bad combo.

In positive news (well, sort of positive), Bronson Arroyo gave up 6 runs in 2 innings (and then came out) and he didn't get a loss. His bullpen only allowed one run over the next 7 innings and Washington imploded. So at least one good thing happened today.

Took the Series

That's a triple! A bases loaded triple courtesy of Varitek in the very first inning - that's the way to start things off! And a single after that to send our captain home. Way to bounce back from that last game that we shall not talk about.

I had a feeling those 4 runs would be all we needed, and it turned out that they were - Boston took this one 6-3. Gabbard pitched 5 strong with 7 strikeouts. They did have to use 5 pitchers out of the bullpen but none of them pitched more than one inning so they should be good to go for the Yankee series that is coming up tomorrow.

Oh, and Boston now has the best record in all of the Major Leagues at 30-13. Not to mention a huge lead in the AL East. A very good thing when you're going into a series against Mussina, Wang, and Pettitte.

How Different

What a difference a few hours makes.

We won the first game today 13-3, with a Mike Lowell grand slam (!) and a fantastic pitching performance by Matsuzaka (8 IP, 3 ER). Over his last three starts, Matsuzaka is 3-0 with a 1.87 ERA. Oh yeah, and Lugo, Wily Mo, and Youkilis also had HRs in the game.

And then came the second game. Hansack started and gave up 4 over 4 innings. Not that bad. Then Pineiro came in and gave up 4 in 2. And Lopez allowed 3 in only one measly inning of work. Romero tried to end the bleeding, and he did, for one inning. But Donnelly came in after that to pitch the 9th, and totally gave up 3 runs. BULLPEN '06 RETURNS. We lost, embarrassingly, 14-0.

Those Yankees lost again - in awesome fashion. Johnny Damon pushed a non-HR ball into HR territory. Cano made 3 errors (though I kinda like that kid and do feel bad for him - he actually threw one ball off his foot after making a really good stop). Jeter was very un-clutch. Another one of their pitchers didn't make it through the first inning, though I can't be too happy about this one because Rasner ended up with a fractured finger. They have some BAD luck lately, somewhat reminiscent of a certain team from Boston late last season.

One Quick Mention

I have to go to bed soon because I have to get up ridiculously early for physical therapy but I wanted to post an entry on Alex Cora and how he came through with a bases loaded single in the 6th! This is a big game, since Tavarez pitched a gem in the first game of the double-header today and the Yanks lost so we could go up even more. But definitely a nice job from Julian, who only gave up one run and since we only won by one run, it worked out nicely.

Youkilis just made an out so it's a tie game as I go to bed..hope I wake up to a happy score!

It Ended

I guess it had to end sometime. The good pitching. Just...why did it have to be Wakefield? He was doing quite okay, I'm sad he had to have such a bad outing. 5 runs over 7 innings wouldn't usually be horrible, since the Sox offense has been so productive, but you know how they feel about Tim - they only gave him 2 runs of support.

And Tavarez goes tomorrow.

Prepare to lose.

Matsuzaka Gives it All

Well, Matsuzaka wowed me tonight. He pitched a complete game and only allowed one run as Boston's offense put on another show and scored 7 runs. A bases loaded triple by Lugo was the highlight of the game, at least offensively.

I guess Matsuzaka didn't enjoy Detroit manager Jim Leyland's comments: "I don't give a (expletive) about him," Leyland said. "I'm not getting into all that. I could give a (expletive) less. It's another pitcher." NOW maybe he'll care?

Leyland was complimentary about other parts of the Sox' game: "I think they're loaded. They're real good. I don't think there's any question about that. They've got a lot of nice pieces, and I think the biggest piece was when they put (Jonathan) Papelbon back in the bullpen." About Beckett: "He's been the best pitcher in the league, to this point."

Seems like a nice guy. Too bad his team is about to get swept.

Never Leave a Red Sox Game Early

..because if you do, they will score 5 runs in the 8th inning. All on singles, too.

Something about Schilling I've noticed: he gets a little complacent when he's up in the score. He gives up runs when he's in the lead - Boston scores 1, he gives up 1 the next inning; Boston scores 3, he gives up 3 the next inning (which, okay, he didn't exactly do since he was replaced, but he had 3 earned runs there nonetheless). It is weird, but at least he never blew the lead.

Today's Game:
A not-so-great outing by Beckett, who left in the 5th due to a "finger contusion." Not this again! We do not need anymore blisters on this guy, as you all remember how many he had last year.

Some 9th inning excitement: Started out losing 5-0, got a run in (Coco reached then scored on an Ortiz double), then the bases were loaded with only one out (Ortiz at 3rd, Pena at 2nd after he singled, Drew at 1st after he was walked) - then our friend Chris Ray walked Youkilis for a run! And Varitek made it even better by RBI-doubling TWO runs! Ray intentionally walked Hinske to try for the double play, so Cora was up. I won't lie, I was nervous. So he hits it to Roberts, who throws home, and the umpire called Youkilis out but even the MASN guys said he was safe!

CONSPIRACY.

However, Julio Lugo (who made the first out of the inning) hit a crappy one that the pitcher managed to misplay that made Lugo safe and 2 runs were in and WE WON THE GAME!! And that means Beckett won't get a loss :)

6 runs in the bottom of the 9th to win 6-5. THAT is how we do!

I Wish

Boston won 8-0 yesterday, and the Yankees lost 14-2. Can it always be like this?

Wakefield got so much run support, he was in shock. He didn't give up any runs and he cut down his ERA to 1.79, the best in the A.L.! I don't know what got into these guys but I like it very much.

Time to continue their winning ways - a Baltimore series means I FINALLY get to watch all the games! They are 8-2 their last ten games and that is pretty amazing - not to mention they have a very nice 23-10 record. 7 games ahead of the nearest competition. I know it's early, but I really think this is going to be a good year.

Keep it Up

What's this I see? Another Boston victory? And it was a beatdown as well? 9-3! And the best part is it was Matsuzaka pitching - 7 innings, 5 hits, 1 run. MUCH better!! Maybe he is finally getting in a groove.

A lot of HRs from our team tonight: Ortiz, Lugo, Manny, Lowell. I love it when the HR Bug bites these guys. Papi was 4-for-5 tonight, Pedroia was 2-for-4, and Lowell was 3-for-4. I hope it's like this forever and no one gets hurt to screw it up.

The Curt Schilling comments and subsequent apology? He says things all the time, you have to learn when to ignore and when to pay attention. Francona thought it was important, but me? I just ignore, ignore, ignore until I hear Bronson's name, or Trot's. I miss them.

What Got Into Them?

And they're back on track.

After what was apparently a very restful off day, the bats were HUGE tonight. Youkilis, Pedroia, Lowell, and Varitek each came through with home runs, and Lugo hit a double to grab an RBI. Final score? 9-2. Not to mention Beckett pitched 7 solid innings and only gave up one run. That makes him 7-0, which is just AWESOME.

And this Clemens business? That is why I never got excited about the possibility he'd come to Boston - because deep down, we all knew there was NO chance. I'm sure he thinks he can swoop into NY and be their pitching savior. Which...we'll see. But I'm thinking no.

I Knew I Shouldn't Have Done That

I knew if I posted they would lose!

Tavarez got the loss last night, which is cruel because he only gave up 2 runs and he pitched 6 innings. He only allowed 4 hits too! Boston's offense just couldn't come up with anything to counter Minnesota's strong pitching, and in fact only Dustin Pedroia was able to come up with an RBI to get one run on the board. Ortiz was 0-for-5.

Today's tiebreaker starts at 2:10, with Schilling pitching against Sidney Ponson. He has a 6.67 ERA, so this is a good opportunity to get the offense back on track. Though the lineup has a few notables missing:
1. Coco Crisp, CF
2. Alex Cora, SS
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
5. J.D. Drew, RF
6. Mike Lowell, 3B
7. Jason Varitek, C
8. Eric Hinske, LF
9. Dustin Pedroia, 2B

Manny and Lugo are taking a break for this one.

And just because it could be really cool, "'Faithful,' the book about the '04 BoSox written by diehards Stephen King and Stewart O'Nan, is coming to HBO. The cable network is creating a six-part miniseries based on the improbable dream season, which culminated in a World Series win." Maybe we will see it next year; more info here.

The Less I Write...

I've noticed something. The less I update my site, the more the Red Sox win. Let's hope I don't jinx them for tonight's game.

But seriously, they've been pretty awesome over the last few days. I'm still excited about Manny's bottom of the 8th home run to win Matsuzaka's game (what is up with him, by the way?) a couple days ago. Wakefield was damn near perfect last night, allowing no runs and only 3 hits over 7 innings. I bet he was awfully frustrated with the lack of run support, until the 6th when Ortiz launched a solo shot to put the Sox ahead. Romero, Donnelly, Papelbon - the bullpen is NOT blowing games. Truly amazing, considering last year.

So Boston needs no help winning right now, they are 7-3 in their last 10 games and are sitting pretty on top of the AL East. They have a 6.5 game lead over everyone!

I guess now I need to address the serious matter of Tom Brady's latest faux pas. All the non-Sox fans say Sox fans shouldn't care. But...it's a big deal! Right?! How do you not know that people are going to think that's pretty crappy? I think he must be a little nutty, and that's my final conclusion.

A Good Win

Well, I guess they're all good wins. But this one was especially good after the late-inning mess that ruined last night's game.

Beckett is now 6-0 (thanks in large part to Boston's offense) as he only gave up 3 runs over 7 innings. It was a nice outing for him. Six and zero, people. This will be a good year.

Okajima was deservedly named AL Rookie of the Month. I keep thinking how strange it is that he is the big star to come out of Japan, but you know what? I think he is more important to have around than a guy who can only help out once every 5 days. I'm very happy that he is having success and definitely hope it continues in the future.

And now it is time to fall asleep to SportsCenter. Goodnight!