McDonald - I'm Lovin' It

Dad --

Well, the slide as you called it came to an end yesterday in classic Red Sox fashion. Jerry Remy and Don Orsillo, the NESN commentators, kept saying the Red Sox needed some spark to get things going and I think that spark showed itself in Darnell McDonald.

Since both Jacoby Ellsbury and Mike Cameron were placed on the 15 day DL yesterday, the Red Sox had to call up a couple players from Pawtucket. One we'd seen before in Josh Reddick. The other no one in Red Sox Nation had ever heard of - until last night.

McDonald didn't enter the game until the 8th inning when, trailing by two, Terry Francona decided to have him pinch hit for Josh Reddick who'd already produced by sending a couple men home when he got a double in the 6th. Anyway McDonald stepped in for his first at bat and promptly hit a 2 run shot over the green monster to tie the game. Who knew he was just getting started?

In the bottom of the 9th with the bases loaded, McDonald stepped into the batter's box once again. And he connected again. But this time the ball couldn't make it over the wall. It did have enough to bounce off the monster though and give the Sox and all of Red Sox Nation something they despereately needed - a walk-off win.

Another interesting bit of info, Dad, evidently McDonald is the first Red Sox to hit a home run in his first at bat since Orlando Cabrera did it August 1, 2004. And we all know how 2004 turned out. I know it's early, but I'm just sayin'.

So as Jerry and Don said, maybe all the Sox needed was a spark to get things back on track. And maybe, just maybe that spark showed up in McDonald last night. I hope he sticks around for awhile. Got knows we need the hits.

Jenn