Here We Go Again-Peter

Well, they're here--the spawn of Steinbrenner, chaired this time around by 'The Boss's' little boy, Hankie (actually, he goes by Hank, but I like Hankie better--fits the personality, I think). You know Hankie--the one who this spring said the idea of Red Sox Nation was false--that there was no such entity all over the country--that the 'real' 'nation' was the Skankees.

Anyway, here's the setup--Wang v. Buchholtz; last year's 19 game winner v. last year's No-Hit rookie. For six innings things were going pretty well. The score was knotted at 1, the Sox having gotten on the board by virtue of another J.D. gem, a high fly to right that found its way into the seats. That's Drew's third 4-bagger of the young season. Coupled with a couple of other long flies that were caught in the inning, there was a hint that the Sox were just a batter or two away from getting to Wang, and maybe, taking over the game. Alas, it was not to be.

Entering the game at the start of the sixth (he didn't make it to the end of the inning) was Jenn's favorite (NOT) pitcher, the inimitable Mike Timlin. Unfortunately, tonight he showed the reason for Jenn's opprobrium. Giambi came up on a 1 for 22 famine as leadoff and promptly put one out of the park--2-1 'Stripes. As if that weren't enough, he then allowed the next batter, Jose Molina, a double, followed by a journey to third on a sacrifice. so he could score on a sac fly by the first batter Okajima faced in an emergency appearance to staunch the bleeding before it got totally out of hand. Three-one 'Stripes.

That was pretty much it for the evening. The only hit the Hose managed other than J.D.'s drive was a bunt single by Coco late in the game--too late to make any difference, especially since no-one else was hitting.

Speaking of which--with another 0-3 evening, Papi is now just one for his last twentyfive at bats! I mean, come on--this is getting serious! Is it possible his surgically repaired knee is bothering him and causing this? The Boston Globe reported that he was seen before the last Detroit game with a huge ice pack on the very same knee. I certainly hope not--it's one thing to call up a kid from the Pawsox. It's quite another to try to replace someone of Papi's ability. It's like they say for the best reason to invest in real estate--they aren't making any more.

Well, tomorrow's another day and the game is televised, as is Sunday night's--the ESPN Sunday game of the week. Win 'em both and we're back ahead of the Bronx crowd.