JB's Back--Peter

Well, Jenn, if tonight's any indication, whatever was bothering JB is a thing of the past! As you recall, even though he lost in his last start against the Chicago Mob, he'd allowed no HR's and retired his last umpteen in a row. I'd said then that MAYBE he'd turned around, but we'd have to wait to be sure. Well, the man apparently smells the post-season. He's legend there and tonight, while still regular season stuff, definitely had that flavor. Here we are in a tight fight for the Card, leading Texas by just two with just under three weeks to go. JB takes the ball, waits out hours of rain delay, and, once again, is JB. Although it was shortened to six innings, in his start, he allowed only four hits (just one for extra bases), K'd four and walked just one, a 0.83 WHIP for the effort.
On the other side of the sheet, the Hose were overwhelming. While getting just eight hits, only two for extras, they put together a solid attack, particularly in the 3d. They got eight of their runs there starting with Gonzalez opening with a hit, stealing a base and finishing with a bases loaded double. Yooouuuk finished the Sox scoring in the 4th with his 25th shot of the year, and he still has a reasonable chance at 100 RBI's for the year. It'll be tight, but not impossible, and, while I'm speaking about it, even Big Papi, who picked up a ribbie tonight, has an outside chance at another century. Yooouuukk needs 15 in 22 games, while Big papi needs 19--both tight, especially BP, but makeable.
The Speedburner picked up his league leading 61st swipe.

As you no doubt know by now, last night's game was rained out three batters in, which may be a blessing as Lester wasn't having exactly a great start--no outs and two men on, but with the rain or threat of same starting today, it was looking like we might have had to schedule reg season play after the reg season ended. So we got today's in, and last night's is set as part of a day-night double header for tomorrow, the latter being the featured Sunday Night Baseball game on ESPN. Not sure yet who's pitching.

By the way, Jenn, all reports point to the return of the Diceman on Tuesday. If his last rehab start is any indication, he may be the Diceman, or a reasonable facsimile, that we'd come to expect over the last two seasons. Hope so, as this is awfully late in the game for something else to go sidewards.
By the way, Mr. Hankie's Yankees lost their second in a row--to the O's! I will, however, at this point, salute a Yankee--yes, in this blog! Unlike some of the online haters, I'll at least give credit where it is deserved. Derek Jeter passed Lou Gehrig as the all-time hits leader of the Yankees last night. Yes, he's a Yankee--and the enemy, but, like many of the greats of the Stripes of years past (Gehrig, Joe D, Scooter), he's got a lot of class. I do respect him, unlike certain of his teammates, who shall remain unnamed. I'll never forget in 2004, as the Sox finished their unprecedented comeback against the Stripes, two guys from the Evil Empire publicly saluted the Sox for their Never Give Up Attitude and victory--Jeter and the manager, Joe Torre. They lost, but had the class to at least publicly recognize their betters.
Now, let's get to the post-season and beat those Yankees--and anyone else that we face! Oh, yes! Texas lost tonight to Seattle. Sox lead the Card by three!