Another Pair of Wins; Sox Sweep--Peter

Well, with two more wins the last two nights, the Sox completed a three game sweep (ON THE ROAD) up in Seattle. Last night, it was Dice-K winning his 11th game of the year against just a single loss, The Laser closing things out for another save. It began with JD's homer near the start and continued with a bit of help across the lineup until the game ended, 4-2. This time, ALL Sox relievers were on. The Other Manny-Delcarmen held the line unscathed, followed by Oki, who looked like the Oki of last year. Then Papelbon shut the door.

Today, the Sox again got the job done, but it was a bit tenser. Building a three one lead by the top of the 6th, they were tied at 3 by the bottom of the same inning. The M's had gotten all of their runs on roundtrippers, the final pair of runs coming on a shot by Vidro in the 6th. It's especially frustrating when a light hitter does this to you. Here we are just past the 100 game mark for the season and a guy ties up the game on just his sixth homer of the campaign. But those things do happen. It's not that they happen--it's what you do about it when it happens.

The Sox relievers again stood up and held the line. Coming on with just one down in the bottom of the sixth, the pen collectively showed an awesome performance. While Buchholz was better than many of his earlier starts this season, getting seven K's and really only giving up two bad pitches, the pen was bulletproof.

First, Masterson came in and pitched 2 2/3 perfect innings, picking up 3 K's in the process. He accomplished this on only 27 pitches. Next, rolling into the 9th, on the hill was Oki, who went 2/3 of the inning without surrendering a hit. The final out of the 9th, as well as the 10th inning was more pitching perfection, including a pair of K's on just a total of 18 pitches. Who did this? Not Papelbon--he would contribute even later. No, it was TOM, for the second night in a row.

Now it's the 11th. Still no scoring from the Hose, so we have to hang on for at least another inning. Laser's turn. It's his third game in a row. He allows a couple of soft singles after getting the first out, and suddenly, it's 1st and 3d for the M's. Not to worry. Next batter--DP and we're out of harm's way again.

Now, it's the 12th and it's a team effort. Lowell comes to the plate with the sacks jammed and promptly drops a single into the outfield--Sox up 5-3. Casey then follows with a single to right driving in Yoouk with what turns out to be the final run of the game. On to the M's half of the inning and Hansen comes on in relief of Pap, who now stands to get a W if the Sox can hold on.

Quickly he gets an out. Then, all of a sudden, with a pair of hits and a walk, the sacks are jammed--and there's still just one out. Coming to bat is one of the M's best power hitters. If the ball ends up in the cheaps, the M's win--and the Sox simultaneously drop a game and a half behind the Rays and a game closer to the Stripes, both of whom have already won their games.

Hansen gets strong, however. We're not losing this on his watch. He regains his mastery and shuts down the M's from that point on, closing out the game. No runs cross the plate. Hubhose remain just a half game behind Tampa and keep their three game margin on Mr. Hankie's Yankees.

Sox take the season's series, six games to four and narrow their won-lost deficit on the road. Forget about having a winning record for the away games. If they'd played just .500 ball for the road, they'd be up by 3 1/2 in the division race. Well, maybe this is the start for that remedy. It would certainly take off some of the pressure.

Individually, Dusty, Lowell and Youk each had a pair of hits, and Dusty also stole his tenth base of the year. Manny sat out with a sore knee. Does this have a familiar ring? Hopefully, it's just one game, since Hankie's Yankees are coming to the Fens for a three game set. Also, Papi's scheduled to be back in the lineup, and it'd be great to see both guys together again--and doing what they do best--driving the baseball into the bleachers.