Well, tonight's game was an excellent example of what you do when you've got a fish on the line--even a Ray--you reel it in. That's exactly what the Sox did with the Rays at Fenway tonight. Starting fast, they put up a trey in the 1st and made it stand up for the rest of the game. Recent acquisition Kotsay started off in the leadoff spot with a crisp single and two batters later, was driven home by another two-bagger by Big Papi. Yooouk drove Papi home with a single, but was quickly cut down trying to pick up an extra base or two. As it turned out, no matter. Another recent Sox acquisition, Jason Bay, shot one into the cheap seats, and, suddenly, it was Sox three zip in the first inning.

Lester was once again excellent. It's just as well that he was, because the Rays starter settled down in the 3d and, although the Sox got another five hits on the evening, along weith a pair of free passes, they got no more runs. Meanwhile the Sox portsider pitched into the 8th, giving up just six hits ad three BB's, while getting nine K's. That last figure equals his single game best, achieved in the no-no earlier this year.

When the Rays finally appeared to be on the verge of breaking the ice, with two gone in the 8th, Papelbon was summoned and dispelled any ideas the Rays may have had about making a game of it. Laser struck out the only batter he faced in the 8th, the slammed the door in classic Laserman fashion in the 9th, K'ing two of the three outs he nailed down in the process of ending the game. Overall, 1 1/3 innings and three K's. His ERA dropped to 1.62, while he got his 36th save. Lester's line was pretty good as well, his record climbing to 14-5, while the ERA dropped to 3.23.

Also, the Sox achieved a new MLB record. Tonight was their 456th consecutive sellout at the Fens, breaking the record set by the Indians in 2001, and showing no sign of abating any time soon. So far, in the streak, the Sox attendance figure has exceeded 16 million!

Separately, Coco's 3-3 got him to within shouting distance of .300 and the Sox activated JD Drew from the DL. This follows yesterday's activation of Colon, who, for the time being is at Pawtucket, but expected back in time to pitch against the Rangers later in the week.