Sox Take 2 out of 3 From the Rangers - Jenn

Thanks to Beckett, Byrd, Bay, Lowell, and Ortiz, the Red Sox are now just a game and half back from those evil Tampa Bay Rays.

The weekend's three game (and final) series against the Texas Rangers was fun to watch -- most of the time. The bookend games were the best - because the Red Sox had early leads in both and Sox pitching kept the Rangers at bay 'til their final out in the 9th.

Although Beckett had a short outing, he was definitely the Beckett of old. The first three innings were a breeze for the ace. All nine men he faced he retired on just 40 pitches. With the Sox up 5-zip, Beckett came out for the fourth and had a little trouble. Maybe the Rangers, having seen Beckett for the first three innings, were more prepared and able to get in a couple hits. But it didn't end up changing anything, because it doesn't matter how many men get on base, as long as none of them reach home. And Beckett along with the Red Sox defense kept the Rangers from scoring. As a matter of fact the pitching and the defense were so good, the Rangers didn't score until the 9th when Okie gave up the only Rangers run. So, with a W for game one, it was onto game 2 and Wakefield's 500th appearance.

But by the time Wakefield left Saturday's game, I'm sure he and all of Red Sox Nation was ready for appearance number 501. Needless to say, game two was a disaster.

Sometimes mother nature is not a lady. That had to have been the case on Saturday when Wake got the first five batters he faced out without breaking a sweat. But Mother Nature clearly wasn't happy with Wake's outing and decided to give him some trouble. She brought the pain - in the form of a gusty wind that sent Wakefield's knuckler everywhere except over the plate. It was so bad that by the time Fracona hooked Wake the knuckler had given up four hits, four walks, and even hit a batter.

But I can't blame the whole game on Wakefield. Sure he'd dug the hole, but if the relief staff had kept the Rangers at bay for the next 7 innings the Sox would've had a chance. But they didn't. Smith gave up two runs, my favorite relief pitcher, Mike Timlin, gave up another four and Pauley gave up the last two nails in the Sox coffin. The game was depressing and as Dad said, lost the Sox the opportunity to move up on those evil little Rays. Oh well, there was still game three.

And game three was what all Sox fans love to watch - a game that has win written all over it. Paul Byrd was the pitcher. Since joining the Sox, he's been a great addition. He got his fourth straight win Sunday thanks to some great hitting from the Sox offense. Things got a little hairy in the third when Byrd loaded the bases with a single, a hit batsman and a walk. Thankfully none of those Rangers would ever see home because with two outs, Byrd got Young to strike out swinging. I'm sure a sigh of relief escaped Byrd's lips because you know it escaped ever member of Red Sox Nation's. His next 3.2 innings were smooth sailing, and by the time he left the Sox were up 7-zip thanks to Ortiz and Bay getting their 18th and 27th homers respectively. Sure the Rangers would wrangle a run in the 8th and 9th, but with Pap on the mound, you knew that was all the opposition would get.

With the Yanks, and more importantly the Rays, imploding before the Nation's eyes, the Sox are now only 1.5 games out of first place in the American League East. And luckily it's back to the Fens for the first of six games against the new thorn in the Sox side. With Lester starting today, there's high hope that the Rays' losing streak will follow them to Boston.