Streaks & Freaks: Take 2--Peter

Well, this game had a bit more punch than the last one. In fact, I think Coco may be practicing to take on Sugar Ray--either one. But, I'll leave that discussion to Jenn. My only comment on events over the last two games is: the Rays should be glad they're not playing against Tyrus Raymond Cobb, better known to casual fans as Ty. That's Ty, as in lifetime BA of .367; 4191 hits; 896 steals and a basket full of .400 seasons.He went into hard slides all the time. If you were the fielder trying to tag him out on a steal attempt, you had to be prepared for his spikes. He came in with them high--and expertly sharpened before the game. 'Nuff said--Take over, Jenn. I'm on to the game.

Today's game completed the second Sox Fenway sweep of the Rays in just over a month. It also simultaneously extended the Sox' latest streak to three straight and six of seven, while extending the Sox division lead to a game and a half over the Rays. As with a number of the recent Sox W's, this also was definitely a team effort. With nine hits spread around the lineup, only two of which were for extra bases, the Sox put a concentrated effort together that quickly took the Rays out off the game and then slammed the door on them.

Starting in the first inning, Pedroia reached after being hit on the elbow and was joined on base by Drew, who drilled a neat two-bagger. Front and center ManRam. Two pitches later, the ball was soaring over the Monster Seats, a truly Monster drive--three zip Sox. From there, it was just a matter of piling it on for a few more innings, the final of 7-1 being reached by the fourth inning.

Lester pitched into the 7th, limiting the Rays to a single run, while picking up 5 K's and allowing no free passes. He was succeeded by Jenn's favorite pitcher, Mrs. Timlin's favorite son, Mike. Timlin proceeded to go 1 2/3 hitless innings of shutout ball, allowing only a pair of walks. His effort was followed by a final inning of one hit shutout ball from Aardsma and just like that the Sox had upped their lead.

In addition to the timely hitting, the Sox relay team was also busy during the night. This time it wasn't Ellsbury as he'd left the game early after hurting his wrist diving for a ball in the outfield in the 4th. This time the track star was Lugo, who stole his seventh sack of the season. It's not 28, but, at the present rate, it'll total about 20 by season's end. Once upon a time, a Red Sox right fielder named Jackie Jensen won the league stolen base crown with 22 in a season, at the time an unheard of number for a Red Sox player. Of course, as folks old enough to remember can tell you, Jensen was quite a player and would have been good in any era. He regularly got 100 ribbies annually, hit 20+ homers a year and played a pretty respectable defensive right field. Even more uniquely, he was an All-America running back at UC-Berkeley and, to this day, is the only individual to have played in both the Rose Bowl and the World Series. Quite a heritage to live up for.

The thing that finally ended his career, a good deal before it should have ended, was fear. That's fear as in of flying. As the game expanded nationally, it was only a matter of time with the teams all relying more and more on planes to make their continent-spanning trips. John Madden's private bus wouldn't have worked, as he only has a single game every week to get to. A half dozen a week couldn't be covered in the same way.

One final note--CELTICS WIN GAME ONE vs. Lakers!!