10 is the Magic Number - Jenn

Now before you get excited, or think I'm off my rocker, I know there are waaaaaaaaaaaay more than 10 games the Red Sox need to clinch a playoff spot. My 10 refers to what Dad already touched on - that Lowell, Youk, and JD Drew all hit their 10th home run of the season last night.

As Dad said, Lowell's number 10 came after an intentional walk to Manny to load the bases in the 5th. Then after fouling the first pitch off, Lowell took Guthrie's second pitch and planted in the first row of the monster seats for a grand slam to put the Sox on top 5-0.

Then in the 7th with the O's now on the board after a shaky 6th inning from Lester, Youk stepped to the plate, swung at the first pitch he saw, and also planted his number 10 in the first row of the monster seats. The Sox were now up 7-2. But the offense didn't stop there.

In the 8th with Pedroia already on 1st, JD took his turn in the batters' box. Like Youkilis, JD swung at the first pitch. But instead of taking it to left and the monster seats, JD decided to change things up a bit and planted that ball in deep right for his 10th homer of the season. That swing also means that JD now has 4 home runs in the last 5 games.

So, needless to say, with a score of 9-2, even Timlin couldn't screw that up and the Sox won.

Lowell, Youk, and JD getting their 10th homers of the season makes the Red Sox only the 2nd team in the majors to have five players with at least 10 home runs this season. The first team to reach this esteemed honor were the Florida Marlins. Oh, and in case you were wondering, the other two players in the Sox top five are Manny and Big Papi.