Another Team Win: Peter

Well, Jenn, tonight was another example of how baseball is simultaneously a team sport and one of individual achievements. The team as a whole put together quite a few good moves to get the win, and within the overall effort, a number of individuals worked to put the period on the sentence, as it were. Thank you, Mrs. Evans (my high school English teacher back at good old Haverhill High).

First, the pitching was nearly stellar. Lester was in nearly complete control for the six innings he pitched. If any fault could be found, it was the five walks he gave out. But, good pitcher that he is, he successfully pitched around these to avoid any damage at all. That's the difference between throwing and pitching. While he was at it, he struck out nine and allowed only a single hit. In fact, the Sox pitching overall was so good, that hit was the only one the Rays managed all evening! After Lester left, he was followed in totally hitless fashion by TOM, Bard and The Laser. These three were only Pap's BB shy of three innings of total perfection.

On the other side of the ball, the Sox were facing some pretty good pitching from the rays as well. However, Big Papi, in a further proof of his return, took care of the Sox offense by himself. With Youk and JD on base ahead of him, he lined a hard double into the deepest reaches of Tropicana's center field and brought home both of them. It was all the Hose needed for the night.

Personnel wise, Cameron returned from what has seemed like forever on the DL, but his outfield wingman, Jake, was out again due to some soreness. The Sox feel it's not anything serious, but took the safe path to avoid losing him again for any length of time.
In other games affecting the Sox, Mr. Hankie's Yankees' game against the Twins was suspended due to weather with the Twinkies in the lead. The Angels-Jays game is now in the bottom of the 7th with the Halos just adding a run to expand their lead to 7-2. If that stays the same, the Hose will move to within a half game of the Jays in the division. So now the Sox have their longest winning streak of the season so far, 4, and are also seven of eight. Since their worst point of the year, 4-9, they have gone 22-12, a pace that if maintained for the year should end up in the post-season again. Let's keep our collective fingers crossed--one game at a time.