Streak Ends in Walk-off - Jenn

Yes, it's over. Thanks to four people - Jon Lester, Jonathan Papelbon, Dustin Pedroia, and Kevin Youkilis.

Lester had his best outing yet this season as he went 8 innings and gave up just one hit. Several of those innings were of the 1,2,3 variety as he struck out six batters. There were four innings where the Jays saw four of their batters get to first due to walks, but thanks to superb defense, Lester would get out of each inning unscathed. Lester probably could've pitched into the 9th, but he'd already thrown 98 pitches and we didn't want a repeat of Saturday night. So with 98 pitches under his belt, Lester would walk off the mound to a standing ovation and an ERA of 4.31.

Papelbon came in for the 9th inning and would make things a little uncomfortable for the Fenway Faithful. Sure, he'd get the first two batters out on strikes. But then Scott Rolen, in his first time ever facing the Red Sox closer, would belt one to the gap in left center. He's now the 2nd Jay of the night to get a hit and the first to reach 2nd. And Wells was up. But Wells is 0 for 9 in his career against Pap. Hopefully Papelbon can make it 0-for 10. And that's just what he did, thanks in no small part to a spectacular catch from Sox 2nd baseman, Dustin Pedroia.

Pedroia's hitting streak may be over, but the kid can still play defense like nobody's business. Last night was no different. He saved a run in the top of the 9th thanks to the play I mentioned above. He looked a little shaken up after the play, but was able to swing the bat with just as much passion as always when he came to the plate in the bottom half of the same inning. Sure he popped out to 3rd base giving the Sox 2 outs, but after that defensive play, we'll give him a pass.

So with 2 outs in last half of the last inning, Papi came to the plate. He walked. Then Manny was up. He lined to center for a base hit. Oh my God, there were two men on and Youkilis was coming to the plate. Youk had already gotten a hit off Halladay when he chopped one to center field in the 2nd inning, and with a batting average of .343 against the Doc, Youk could be the clutch we were waiting for. And on a 1-0 pitch, Youk lines that ball into center field. Thanks to a bobble from Vernon Wells, Papi was able to cross home plate to give the Sox the 1-0 win and break that awful losing streak.

With the Yankees and those guys from Tampa Bay both losing yesterday, the Sox are back on top. Sure they're tied for first with the Orioles, but better to be tied than behind. Today it's game two against the Jays and Dice-K's back. Here's hoping we can go two in a row, and like Dad said, start a new and better kind of streak.