More Payback and EVERYBODY Hits!-Peter

Now this is more like it! In addition to having a new win streak, two in a row and four of five, the Sox are producing like they are capable of doing. They accumulated fifteen hits, seven of which were for extra bases. When something like that occurs, the results are usually a win, and usually with a pretty good run total. In this case, both happened. The Sox got the win in a game that, for all practical purposes , was over after the 6th. I know, Yogi, it ain't over 'til it's over, but, practically speaking, after six innings the fat lady was already hoarse.

Every Sox starter got at least one hit, and four of them had multi-hit games. Included in the latter group we find the continuing-out-of-his-slump Papi, who had three hits, including a pair of RBI doubles, and Dusty, who also got three knocks and scored a deuce. Add in Manny's two ribbies, two-baggers by Lowell (starting to show signs of ending his slump), Ellsbury, Drew, Lugo and Tek and it looks like we're pretty much hitting on all cylinders offensively.

As for the pitching, Beckett had his rough spots, but was able to make pitches when it counted. He got the win, striking out five while allowing just seven hits and a walk. The game easily could have been even more lopsided had one or two of those hits Josh surrendered stayed inside the park.

The two homers JB gave up were to hitting non-entities named Iwamura and Gross, batting respectively .214 and .143. Iwamura, lest we forget, is the rusty gate-like flailer who beat Buchholz, 1-0, last week on a bottom of the eighth solo shot, and Gross just is. However, for the game JB posted a 1.0 WHIP, and any game that a pitcher WHIP's at or below 1.0 is going to be pretty good. With the exception of the aforementioned pair of shots, so too was this one. Beckett threw just 100 pitches, with a better than 2-1 ratio being strikes.

Tomorrow we go for a return the favor sweep, game time scheduled just after the Celtics will, hopefully, have finally finished doing to the Hawks what they should have done three games earlier.

Now: for my usual non-game-related comments, over the last few seasons there has developed a new tradition at the Fens. During the time between top and bottom of the eighth inning, everyone breaks out in unison with a rendition of Neil Diamond's 'Sweet Caroline'. Great song and I like it (although some of his others are more favored in this corner), but can anyone out there in cyberspace, or at your favorite bar, tell me exactly how this tradition got started? I can tell you for sure it didn't exist when I was a kid spending my days at the Fens in the 40's and 50's, nor as an adult in the 60's, 70's and 80's. I don't even recollect it in the 90's, so I'm forever grateful to anyone who can let me in on the history of this one. No real urgent need, you understand, just something in the 'nice to know' category. Post your comments here on the blog.

By the way, Jenn, I know after your post on yesterday's game this will disappoint, but Moss is now in the hospital--getting his appendix removed. Well, assuming all goes as expected, he should be back in two or three weeks. Boy, is THAT ever a pain in the gut!

At you again tomorrow.