One down....

Well, Daisuke got it done for us in a big way! After loading the bases on three walks in the first, we carried a no-hitter into the 7th (thanks, Chip Carey for jinxing that one for us). As usual, it wasn't a stress-free outing - I was on the edge of my seat most of the way. Still, Daisuke and the bullpen got it done, and the Red Sox won 2-0.

I had hoped we could split these first two in Tampa, and the game I most doubted was last night's. I now realize how big that game one victory was. It pretty much takes home field advantage away from the Rays, and sets us up well for the rest of the series. I don't want to be greedy, but taking game two tonight would put us at a huge advantage. And it doesn't hurt that we've got "Commander Kick-Ass" on the mound for us.....



Yes, time for Josh Beckett to retake his rightful place as leader of the free world - er, as Ace of the Staff!

Go Sox

Get Well Soon, Captain Carl

First, sending best wishes towards Boston. From the AP:

Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, the last player to hit for the Triple Crown, underwent heart bypass surgery Tuesday after experiencing chest pains.

Heidi just broke in to the Sox broadcast to say his surgery had gone well. Here's hoping for a swift and uneventful return to good health.

Let's hope this inspires our team. It certainly has Jason Varitek going! After homering last night, Tek has a home run and a double tonight. It's great to see Tek start clicking again at the plate. We need him - both his incredible ability to work with pitchers AND his bat - if we hope to make a run here.

And tonight, on the mound, the amazing Matsuzaka. Amazing, in that he always seems to be pitching out of a jam. For example, tonight, he had the bases loaded with one out - then struck out the side. Unbelievable. I guess I shouldn't complain - he's getting us wins - but it makes for some pretty stressful outings!

Smilin' Mike

Globe Photo by John Bohn

The Red Sox beat the KC Royals today, a four-game sweep of the series. This on the heels of a three game sweep of the Brewers. The Sox have won 7 in a row, and finished the home stand 7-0.

The highlight of the game was two Grand Slam homeruns! JD Drew hit one in the second, and Mike Lowell hit another in the 6th. As you can see, Mike was pretty pleased with the results! Unbelievably, Daisuke Matsuzaka gave up 6 walks (he now leads the AL in that category!) but also had 7 strikeouts (and he leads the AL in that category, too!) He's now 8-0 - and the Sox have won every one of his starts. His hot start feels so different from Josh Beckett's 9-0 start last year. Josh simply dominated every one of those outings. Matsuzaka isn't dominating - yet he does manage to get himself out of every jam. Plus he's been fortunate with his run support.

So the Sox are now off to the West Coast. A ten day road trip thru California and Washington State, and ending with those games in Baltimore!!

Walk hard

Just do it! I felt this many, many times last night. The "it" was throw a strike!! 8 walks?? And yet Daisuke still pulls out the win. Unbelievable. I kept thinking that all those walk were going to come back to haunt us, but our defense pulled out some great outs, and the offense was hot! Ortiz with a homer, Youk with a homer, and Lowell with a homerun! (Timely: his autobiography came out today. Title: Deep Drive!)

Tonight, Wakefield is pitching really well. It's the 8th inning, and we're ahead 5-0. Manny hit home run #497 (!), going back-to-back with Papi. Yeah! And at last check, we are in 1st place in the AL East by 3 1/2 games! Yeah!