SSDD?Not Today!:Peter

For those of you who read Stephen King as religiously as I do, you know what those four letters in today's title mean. But tonight, it wasn't the same s---, different day. It was a different day, but the game was different as well! Sox started like yesterday, dropping behind five zip to the Stripes and a tough CC. But from that point on, things began to happen. First Yoouuuk homered again. Then, bit by bit, the Sox clawed back until there we were in the top of the 9th facing the guy that Dusty yesterday referred to as the greatest closer in the history of the game--Mo Rivera. Fortunately, the Sox have been the best team against him over the years. Yes, he does get them out often, but they, more than any other team, take his measure, Jenn, and tonight was to be one of those times. Helped by an error at a crucial time by last night's Yankee hero, Thames (and they're still pronouncing it 'Timms'--someone's got to take him aside and have a talk--or maybe have a talk with the sportscasters--I'm not sure which), the Hose pushed a pair of runs across on two hits, the final dagger being Hermida's two out double to plate both runs. This came after they got another four off of Joba (how's that for a name?) the inning before. Jenn, you may recall I noted that last night the Sox had the chance to get the first win at Yankee Stadium since 1994 when being behind by 5-0; then they blew it. Well, tonight they did it! Once again, Bard did his thing in the 8th, though just the final out of the inning. Then Pap came on to try to get redemption and close the door. First batter gets on via Scutaro's second E6 of the night. That's A-Fraud, by the way. To compound things, he quickly steals second without even a challenge. Cano doubles him home and I'm beside myself. Two blown saves in a row by Pap? This can't be happening! Worse, just like last night, most of his pitches are topping out in the low 90's--not Papelbonian at all! Cano ends up at 3d on what has to be one of the best executed sac bunts I think I've ever seen and Miranda comes up, already having one dinger for the night. A sacfly is all the Stripes need to tie it up and force Pap into a second BS. However, not....so....fast. Miranda, not Carmen, but Juan, turns on a Pap fast ball and slams it right back through the box. A sure hit, but wait! It's NOT through the box! Pap makes like a Stanley Cup goalie and snares it, quickly turns to force Cano to hold at 3d and then calmly throws out Miranda. Sorry, Carmen, errr, Juan. Final guy, Winn, comes to the dish for his first face to face with The Laser. After the count gets worked to 3-2 and Winn is starting to get better timing on Pap's rockets, Pap beams one final one past him for the K. Game Over! Sox win! Redemption is sweet!

Beside the drama, Big Papi continues his renaissance, going 2-3 again and picking up another ribbie in the process. Drew continues to drive the ball, again driving in valuable runs and, as already mentioned, Yoooukk drops one in the cheaps. Looking forward, Jake is starting a rehab at Pawtucket and should be back in about a week or so. Maybe when your Uncle Phillip gets back from China, the Fenmen will be closer to first, and playing like we know they can.

Oh, and before I forget, Jenn, in this spring's equivalent of memory lane for your old Dad, we have tomorrow's Hub newspaper headline: Sox, C's win! Although this is a Sox blog, it's worth noting that this is the first time in the history of the Celtic franchise that they have opened a playoff series with two consecutive away wins!