Tonight was a great way to make the final push against Mr. Hankie's Yankees--with a win at the soon to be past tense Yankee Stadium. I was somewhat concerned with Beckett not being available to go at all this trip against the Stripes, and that concern was enhanced by the fact that Wake was going to start tonight--fresh off the DL from shoulder problems. Not to worry--too much. True, he started off serving up a shot to Stripes leadoff, Demon, errrr, Damon that immediately had the Sox trailing, but the Hose immediately evened up things in the 2d and by the end of their half of the 3d, they were in the lead to stay, first 3-2, then later 6-2, and finally, 7-3, the final.
Papi contributed a pair of resounding doubles, Yoooouk had one to plate Papi, Bay showed timely hitting with a hit and a sacfly to pick up a pair of ribbies and Coco went 3-5 and stole a base, keeping a vital rally going and ultimately helping secure the final margin of victory.
On the pitching side of things, you couldn't have asked for much more. Wake produced a workmanlike five innings, scattering hits and avoiding trouble in most cases, the only notable exceptions being a pair of homers surrendered to his former teammate, Demon....errr, Damon.
Not wanting to put too much strain on Wake's shoulder, Terry brought on Lopez for an inning of perfect baseball, followed in order by Tom-Delcarmen, Masterson, Okajima and The Laser--Papelbon. Five relievers, a total of two hits and a pair of passes and NO RUNS.
In his part of this, Oki quickly gave us a perfect 2/3 of an inning, including a K. He's again looking more and more like the Oki we came to expect last year. He was followed by Papelbon and for the last five batters of the game it was vintage Papelbon. Needing only fifteen pitches, ten of them strikes, Pap didn't allow a ball out of the infield and K'd two batters in the process.
The win leaves Mr. Hankie's Yankees six games astern, and the Sox only 3 1/2 behind the Rays. Just as important, the Twins are trailing, 3-2, in the top of the 8th in Seattle. On the negative side, the Pale Hose won their game against the O's.
Late flash--top of the 9th in Seattle and the M's still lead the Twins, 3-2.
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