Four Solo-Shots and an RBI - Jenn

That's how the Red Sox won last night's second game of this four-game series against the Twins.

The first solo-shot came in the 2nd inning thanks to Kevin Youkilis. On a 2-1 pitch the first baseman took that ball long and deposited it deep in the left field seats making it his 8th homer of the season. He's now one ahead of Ortiz and Ramirez for the season and tied for second in the American league. He shares that honor with Carlos Pena of the Rays and Mike Napoli of the Los Angeles Angels. (Incidentally when Youk hit that home run, White Sox left fielder Carlos Quentin, also had only 8 homers for the season. But at some point during yesterday's game against the Seattle Mariners, Quentin went and got his 9th of the season putting him in first place for the league.) Youk's homer also gave him the honor of being listed in yesterday's "Touch 'em All" segment of Baseball Tonight on ESPN.

No more runs would score for the Sox until the 7th inning when down 2-1 Coco Crisp stepped into the batter's box. On a 3-1 count Coco also sent his ball to the seats in left field. And like Dad said, that would be his first homer of the season. So the score is tied and Jed Lowrie steps in.

Now I don't know how many of you know this, but Lowrie wasn't even supposed to play last night. He came to the game expecting to sit on the bench and maybe fill in for the last inning or two. But then Lugo showed up with a headache thanks to the kick in the head he got stealing 2nd Friday and was scratched. Francona gave Lowrie the good news, he grabbed his glove, and took his spot to the left of 2nd base for what ended up being Lowrie's last game - at least for the time being. See, Alex Cora was activated from the DL today, and the line-up for tonight's game just came out. Cora's playing shortstop. Which unfortunately means Lowrie was sent back to Pawtucket. So last night's game was his swan song, and what a swan song it was. The rookie, who had gone 0 for his last 10 at bats, went 3 for 4 including a double to start off the 5th inning and the third Sox solo shot in the 7th. That solo homer that landed yet again in the seats in left would not only be the 24 year-old's first of the season, but the first of his career. It also meant the end of the night for Twins pitcher Glen Perkins. I don't know about you, but I for one hope Lowrie's back sooner rather than later, especially since he can pretty much play any position in the infield.

The fourth and final solo-shot came from Mike Lowell in the top of the 8th inning on the very first pitch he saw from Brian Bass. And guess where it landed. That's right, the seats in left. That marks Lowell's third homer of the season and of this road trip. There's no doubt the third baseman's thumb is healed. Okajima kept the Twins at bay for the rest of the inning and it was onto the 9th and that RBI I mentioned.

It all started when Lowrie sent the ball past a diving Tolbert into right for his 3rd and final hit of the evening. Ellsbury moved him over to 2nd when he grounded the ball back to the mound. Then Pedroia drove the ball back up the middle with his 50th hit of the season, the most in the American League. He also got his 20th RBI when Lowrie crossed home plate for the 5th and final run of the game.

I say final run because thankfully Papelbon returned to being Papelbon for the bottom of the 9th. So, the final score wound up a nice 5-2 Sox. That's another one for the win column making it 4 out of 6 for this road trip. Here's hoping tonight Wakefield can get his fourth win and make it five for seven.