Twice In A Week?!--Peter

Well, that was the shortest winning streak in recent memory! Just when the Sox looked as if they were going to extend the latest streak they failed. And it was The Saver, Papelbon, who did it--again. He better be careful or Jenn may put him in her special classification--the Timlin Class.

I mean we get down 5-2 in the 4th, although two of those Twins runs were unearned, and things are not looking particularly good. In the very next inning we get four runs to take a 6-5 lead and we hang onto it throughout thick and thin through the top of the ninth.

At this point, we've gotten 12 hits, three stolen bases; Papi and Lowell continue to leave their slumps in the rear view mirror and the bullpen has done its job--in a big way. Aardsma finishes out the 6th without any runs scored, and Okajima needs only 15 pitches, 11 of them strikes, to go for a perfect deuce, which leads to the 9th and Papelbon comes on. Should be game over.

Should be--but one Twinkie gets a leadoff single and, after two outs are in the books, Papelbon gives up a walk. An uncontested steal gets the Twins runner to third, but all Papelbon has to do is get the next guy and it's over. The next guy, Lamb, is batting only .207, and has more than one K (actually 11 in all) for every two of his 19 hits on the season. Pap has him 1-2 in the count and then gives up the game winning hit. Two runs come in and there it is--Twice In A Week--Blown Save and a Loss. In fact, that's Pap's second consecutive BS & L. That's like a BLT, but with a much less enjoyable taste in your mouth when it's done.

At least the 'Stripes lost, but both the Birds and the Rays won.

Well, time to get back on the winning path tomorrow. The Diceman is taking the mound.