they come through

i am going to admit that i was skeptical going into last night's game. the Sox are "my boys" but let's face it, D-Rays' pitcher, Kazmir, has had their number. and who were we matching him up with? David Wells. of DL fame. back after only one appearance in 2006. i thought this game would be painful. i couldn't figure out why we didn't shuffle the rotation a bit to have Beckett or Schill opposite Kaz on the mound so we might at least have a slim chance at a win. i chalked it up to Francona figuring we were bound to lose to Tampa the night Kazmir pitched. and we were bound to lose on Wells' first trip back to the hill--we'd just get them both out of the way at once ya know?

well. i stand corrected. this:

contributed this:
4.1 innings. 54 pitches, 42 strikes, 12 balls. 5 hits, 1 run given up, no Ks, no walks.
solid.

but i was right. this game would be painful. in the most ironic of ways.

line drive. off the right knee. the one that he just rehabbed. *again*. (what is the deal with our pitchers getting hit lately anyway?!) i am not a big Wells fan but after the performance he was having--as i flashed back on DiNardo, who had been his stand-in--i was excited to have another strong pitcher to fill out the rotation, especially with a pretty weak bullpen. all to have it taken back with one swift swing of the bat. initial reports are that it is just a deep bruise with no structural damage. i just don't know how much more abuse he can sustain on that knee...

i was also completely stunned by a decent showing from the relief staff last night. Tavarez held the Rays in check. Seanez didn't blow the game. (don't worry Daniel! i am not crossing over to the "EZes" side!) i wish someone could straighten Foulke out of this rough patch he's been in. he's giving up too much lately. not to fear though--Papelbon is here! and they won.

and there was hitting! oh the hitting! for the second straight night, *every* Sox starter got on base. Lowell, King of Doubles, racked up another & sent his first homer out of Fenway in a Boston uniform--just the way we like it. Big Papi drove in runs. Loretta is up to 11 in his consecutive-games hitting streak. and we finally only left guys stranded in the single digits.

and Manny provided the comic relief. we really have to convince him that sliding--he just shouldn't. ;-)


to ice the victory cake, the Yankees lost. in NY. to THE ROYALS. my sides ache from laughing.