if Matsuzaka was looking for a pre-game ritual that works, he needs to stick with what he's doing right now.

photos from Yahoo! Sports

1. i am loving the offensive versatility i am seeing emerge from our line up this year. Sox started off the game playing successful small ball for three runs, then wound it up by taking batting practice, into the upper decks.

2. other than a hint during the third inning, there was no meltdown from Matsuzaka. the hoppy skippy is back in his foot steps -- which reinforces my theory that the hoppy skippy is to Zaka-san what the ass wiggle is to Youk -- and he treated us to eight Ks, including striking out the side in the second.


3. yeah, yeah. Lugo went yard. i still don't like him, Brian. not. going. to. happen.

4. Remy lesson in fashion: the black Zaka-san headband is formal, unlike its more casual white counterpart. "This isn't for when you're rolling around in the gutter. This is for when you're dressed up and going out!" Don had his on all crooked & Remy couldn't even glance at him without cracking up.

5. Alex Rios is a pretty good ball player. think they would consider swapping him for JD "I stopped being able to hit the ball already" Drew?

6. we spent a horrific three days in the Metrohelldome, listening to drivel about Torii Hunter's cat-like reflexes on the field. you wanna see cat-like reflexes? watch Matsuzaka field his position. holy crap.

7. Manny hit his sixth homer in the sixth inning. Julian helped him watch it go from the dugout, with his hand above his eyes, taking in the distance. when Manny got back to the dugout, Julian offered him what appeared to be an empty banana peel? he's a strange one. but in such an endearing way. (it still freaks me out that i like him now.)

8. Vernon Wells has a strange slouchy stance when he's at the plate. i'm not sure how he stands like that, much less hits the baseball.

9. Mike Lowell went 3-for-4 last night. his last hit was a solo shot out of the park. this is the third game this season that the Sox have hit four home runs. Lowell has been part of all three. i still can't believe there were people out there worried about his bat!

10. speaking of Mike Lowell, he has a great smile. he still needs tweezers to be unleashed on his eyebrows though.

11. i actually felt bad for Sal Fasano tonight. these back up guys come in & all they want to do is help their team when they're asked to. Fasano is just this big doofy guy who has really weird facial hair. he looks kind of lost. it seems mean to strike him out three times in one game. he looked like he felt so stupid when he walked back to the Jays' dugout, all dejected. i can't help it. i have a soft heart. unless you're from the Bronx. then it's just fun. (but i don't laugh!)

12. Remy was looking forward to Matsuzaka's post game press conference. he planned to ask his question -- a really long one -- in Spanish, so that it would have to be translated from Spanish to English to Japanese so Daisuke could answer it. then from Japanese to English & back to Spanish again for the answer. he wanted to see if he could make one question & answer last seven minutes. ::shakes head::

13. Sox 9 Jays 3

14. Wakey v Halladay tonight. i won't be able to watch the game, because i will be at Disney until Sunday afternoon. to Lucky 49: may the bats show you much love, may the dome be closed over you, and may the force of the knuckleball-flutter be with you always. PS. hey Dougie? it would be awesome if you could put down the meatball sub, wipe the sauce off your chin & be the Stud Who Hits Bombs for your buddy tonight.

15. Manny has his pet Tavarez. Papi has his pet Pedroia. just when you think you know just how wee Pedroia Pocket really is, you see something like this. i call BS on his player stats of 5'9". but just tell me he wouldn't tuck nicely into a pocket on the front of Papi's jersey!


16. hope Youk is back soon. as much as i like Eric Hinske, my 1B love is YOOOOOOOOUK!