Somehow Dice-K Goes 8-0 - Jenn

Somehow indeed. Over 5 2/3 innings the starter not only struck out seven, he somehow only allowed 3 runs over six hits, and six walks.

While it's true the Royals ended the game with 8 runs, they weren't given up by the Diceman, which means the pitcher is now 8-0. That makes him just the 11th Red Sox pitcher to ever win at least his first 8 outings. I still don't know how he does it. Today's game marks the third time this season the starter has given up at least 6 walks and gotten the win. I guess Dice-K just knows when to slam the door on the opposing team.

But Dice-K didn't do it all by himself. As is always the case, the pitcher needs some help. And today Dice-K got some serious help from his offense in the form of 11 runs. Eight of those runs came in the form of not one, but two grand slams.

The first came in the third inning. Manny got an infield hit. Then Lowell and Youkilis managed to drive their balls to left to load the bases. Then JD Drew stepped up. And on a 2-2 pitch, the right fielder launched the ball over the green monster for a home run and the first grand slam of the day.

Three innings later in the sixth, with two more runs on the board, Ellsbury walked and Pedroia doubled off the green monster to put the youngsters on second and third with just one out. Then Papi popped out and it looked like the Royals had a chance to get out of the inning without any more damage. But then Kansas City did something surprising - they walked Manny Ramirez - intentionally.

So, the bases are loaded and Mike Lowell steps to the plate. Gobble throws the first pitch high for a ball. The second pitch was a strike - right in the middle of the plate. And Lowell crushed it. He sent that ball screaming into Manny's 498 sign for the second grand slam of the day.

Those two slams mark the 10th time in Red Sox history there have been two grand slams in a game. That's more than any other team in the majors. The last time it happened Bill Mueller did it all by himself on July 29, 2003 from both sides of the plate. Before that, it was John Valentin and Mo Vaughn at Yankee Stadium in May of '95. But the last time two Sox players slammed at the Fens was in 1984 against Detroit. It was Tony Armas and Bill Buckner, yes that Bill Buckner, who slammed the Tigers on August 7 of that year. And now there are two more names to add to that esteemed list - Lowell and Drew.

Those two slams took the Sox to an 11-8 win, a series sweep over the Royals, and a 7-0 homestead. And as I said earlier, it was those slams that gave Dice-K his 8th win. Again, I'm in shock. But it's a good shock. And what better way to go 8-0 then adding two more Red Sox names to the history books.