Yooouk & Tek and Dice Gets A Win--Peter

Well, we're still four and a half to the rear of the Rays, but tonight's win, the second in a row and sixth of the last eight, was a team effort. The offense was largely, though not entirely, a product of Yooouk and Tek, each getting a homer and having a multi-hit game. For Yooouk, it was his 24th of the year; for Tek, his 10th, but, more importantly, his second in as many nights and accompanied this time by a solid two bagger as well. Perhaps the long slump is at last over. Certainly hope so. For his part, Yooouk was 3-5 on the evening.

As I mentioned, they weren't the only people peppering the ball around the field. Both Big Papi and Jake had multi-hit games as well, Papi driving in a run, while the Speed Racer scored a pair and also displayed his usual larcenous talents another two times, increasing his league lead to 40 on the season in that category. He's the first Sox player in quite a few years to get that many in a single season, and looks like a decent bet to crack the half century mark before the end of September arrives.

Overall, the Sox totaled fifteen hits, only four of which were for extra bases. But they did what has too often eluded them earlier this year--they frequently bunched their knocks so as to get the most benefit from them. Even with that, they still stranded a dozen.

Turning to the hurlers, the Diceman picked up another win, going five and allowing six hits and five walks while getting a half dozen K's. He gave up two runs in the process, lowering his ERA to 2.77. The only disturbing thing about his pitching continues to be a high number of walks. While he usually manages to pitch himself out of trouble just as quickly as he pitched himself into it, it's not a good thing to make a habit of. Sooner or later, a batter takes advantage and converts those extra baserunners to runs.

He was good enough to win, though. The bullpen followed just as well. Lopez provided an inning of perfect baseball, while Masterson and TOM, Delcarmen each added an inning of shutout ball. However, TOM was a bit unnerving in his inning. Getting the first out rather easily, he then gave up consecutive singles. The second out moved them to 2d and 3d with the O's biggest basher, Huff coming to the plate. A drive like last night's and it would quickly be 7-5 and Lasertime. TOM regained his mastery of the situation just in time getting Huff to harmlessly ground out and end the game.

Aside from the distance behind the Rays noted above, the win left the Hose still a game and a half ahead of the Twins in the wild card and (drum roll) six and a half up on Mr. Hankie's Yankees, who lost 2-1 tonight to Toronto. At least the Jays aren't playing favorites.

One other more somber note: former Sox Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski was rushed to Mass General today and underwent bypass surgery. Prayers and good wishes to him and his family. Hopefully, he wins this one as easily as he used to pick caroms off the Monster and throw out the hitter going for second. Yaz has always been a real class act, as well as a damn good player.